The Beehive: Chapter11: Assassination Attempt

[Tumbleweed]

Disclaimer: I Do not own Gundam Wing nor any names or places associated with it.

AN: I?m deeply sorry for the lateness of all this. There were a few mishaps and I?ve been busy ? lazy too. Anyway, here?s chapter 11; I hope you enjoy it.


The Beehive

Chapter 11: Assassination Attempt

DATE: February 20, 203 AC
LOCATION: The Beehive Facility

~*~*~ TIME: Unknown ~*~*~

The heavy sound of Heero?s fists pounding on the door to the restroom facilities, reverberated throughout the complex. ?Relena! open the door!?, He screamed. He jerked on the handle again??? still locked. He paused for a moment, listening for any sign of movement. Hearing no indication of movement, he pushed up against the door again while his mind succumbed to panic. She had come back early; he didn?t know how early but she had definitely come back before the full 24 hours were up, and the first thing she did when she returned was lock herself in the restroom before he could even get a good look at her. She could be passed out on the floor no more then a mere four feet from him and he wouldn?t know. ?Relena! I have to see you! If you don?t open this door right now, I?m breaking it down!? He waited for about five seconds, hoping to hear a reply ? none came. ?That?s it!?, He shouted, ?I?m breaking in! You have until the count of THREE!?, he added, ?ONE??! TWO??! THREE??!? He charged the door, shoulder first; the force of his momentum rippled thorough the atoms of the flimsy material bending a cracking it at the lock. Still anxious, he took one step back and landed his foot down the center of the wooden panel, shattering it around the hinges and knob. It seemed to stand for a moment more, resilient in its efforts to bar Heero from his charge, but soon succumbed to the mortality of its weight and fell with the grace of a pitched stone.

A feminine shriek, laced with blind terror and surprise soon followed. It carried hope though, Relena was definitely still conscious.

?Relena!?, the bodyguard barged into the room, his indigo eyes probing all corners of the room. There was nothing that unusual about it; it was like any other public bathroom, mostly. Sapphire tiles lined the bottom half of the walls; white tiles the top. The tiles on the floor were a shade of gray; to the left, in a row there were two porcelain sinks, a towel and soap dispenser, followed by a urinal and two toilet stalls with stainless steel dividers between them. The only difference was the drain and a makeshift shower-head that had been installed in the near right corner ? presumably so that they could keep clean. Finally he saw her, huddled in the far right corner, a trembling snowball of a woman blanketed by a disarrayed mess of blond hair. For an instant?s time, Heero?s indigo eyes caught the reddened facade of Relena Darlian, but only for that instant, for she berried it back into her sleeves. ?Relena??, his eyes trailed across her jumbled white garb. He began to slowly advance toward her, ?are you alright??

Somehow sensing his advance, the sobbing woman compressed herself against the far wall even more tightly. Still hiding her face she managed to choke out, ?Go away!?

Heero paused for a moment, distraught by Relena?s harsh words, but he couldn?t stop. ?Why was she being so irrational about this??, he pondered while he cautiously knelt beside her. ?I can?t do that?, he stated in the calmest voice he could muster. ?I have to make sure you?re all right?, he explained, ?now show me your face.?

?NO!?, she screeched, ?Just leave me alone!? Her head faintly bobbed with each agonizing sob.

Heero combed his hands through his chocolate tresses in and effort to try and keep calm, but it was of little use, Relena could be seriously hurt and she wasn?t cooperating. ?I have to know. Please??? I need to know what happened.?

?Nothing happened!?, she snapped.

?Gah?, Heero couldn?t help but express his exasperation verbally; he?d never heard a more obvious lie escape Relena?s lips. ?You came back hours early and the first thing you did was lock yourself in the bathroom and start balling your eyes out! Like hell nothing happened!?

Relena simply groaned in fear; Heero didn?t normally yell at her like this.

Steam seethed from Heero?s crevices, ?Relena, now show me your face!?, he demanded.

?No!?, she cried back.

This was starting to get unbearably difficult for Yuy, ?If she?d just cooperate it would make my job a whole lot easier.? ?Relena, I have to see your face. If you don?t let me see, I?ll make you.?

Still she did nothing but continue to cry.

Neither Relena nor Heero were expecting it when his tough callous fist reached out to grasp a handful of Relena?s golden locks and pulled back, tilting Relena?s face up into view. Her gaping mouth hung open and her crystal cerulean eyes were wide in shock.

Hawk eyes soon settled on a black and purple bruise positioned just below and around the stunned woman?s left eye.

Heero released her hair, ?Damn it Relena!?

Still dazed Relena backed up against the adjacent wall again. This time, her eyes were fixed on Heero?s. ?You? y, you????, she stammered out accusingly.

Heero didn?t have time for this, Relena had clearly taken a serious blow to the head and may have received some permanent damage. The worst part was, she was behaving so irrationally that it was hard to tell exactly how hurt she was; and then there was another even more uncomfortable possibility. ?Listen Relena; listen to me. Do you feel at all dizzy or light headed??

She only continued to gawk. ?How could he be such a jerk??

?Relena, you could have a concussion; answer me.?

?I?m fine!?, she snapped.

His Indigo eyes grew wider; though his face kept stern and unrelenting some his eyes betrayed the fa?ade ?I don?t know that!?, Heero shot back.

?He said it was just a ?superficial wound??

?Who said??, he asked.

?Tyler?, she stammered, ?Tyler said I?d fully recover.?

He studied her some more, taking careful note of the purplish blob of swelling flesh on her face. It certainly looked painful, but now that he had a better view of it he could see that it might not have been as severe as he thought at first. Next he noted how disarrayed her suit was, particularly the pants which were now somewhat torn. This led to a more important yet infinitely more difficult question. A shapeless, foreign body lodged itself in his throat, restricting his speech. After a few moments of collecting his thoughts, he drew in a deep breath attempting to pass the air through his vocal cords ? no sound came out. He tried again, ?Relena????, he trailed off, ?Were you???? he couldn?t force the rest of his question out of his wind pipe; but he didn?t have to.

?No?, she promptly cut in.

She could see weight evaporate off of her bodyguard as he processed what was just said, only to see some condense and cling back on as he prepared himself for the next question.

?You would tell me if you were, right??, He asked in the most concerned voice he could manage, eyes gazing into hers, looking for any sign of hesitation.

Relena looked down at the floor, trying to escape the penetrating scans of Heero?s intense cobalt eyes. ?Would I??, she thought, ?probably not.?

Heero?s face, save the eyes was emotionless, ?Relena, look at me?, Heero demanded.

Relena shifted her eyes back to meet his, and faced his penetrating gaze once again.

?It?s important that if something like that did happen, you tell me?, He continued.

This was so irritating, the last thing Relena needed was to be talked to like a little girl. ?I?m not a child, Heero!?

Anger swelled up again and burst from it?s encasing, ?Well, you?re acting like it!?

Taken back by Heero?s sudden outburst, Relena broke eye contact again.

?You and your body are both property of the state, right now and it?s my job to maintain it. And right now, Relena, you?re making my job a lot more difficult then it needs to be, so you can either cooperate or I?ll use force like last time.? He paused to give both of them a moment to think. It was a bluff, but it certainly sounded enough like an ultimatum.

The florescent lights caught off of another drop of salty water that had been gliding down Relena?s already moistened cheek.

?I don?t want to use force though?, he went on, ?so please, just tell me what happened.? Swallowing air, he waiting for her response.

?He had been stalking me when he was caught by the authorities?, she began. ?He was on top of me; I struggled but I couldn?t get him off. And then????

Heero leaned in closer, tense with the anxiety of what Relena was about to say.

The last barrier had been breached and the young woman broke back into her agonizing sobing. ?And then Tyler pulled him off and brutalized him right in front of me?, she forced out.

That wasn?t what Heero was expecting but, all the better; it could have been worse. ?So you weren?t??? raped??

?No?, Relena answered between her tears.

Heero settled down on the floor next to her, just watching, just watching the external manifestation of her inner turmoil. It was agony watching her cry like that; he?d never seen Relena so upset about something in all the time he knew her. Rage was being brewed within the pit of his stomach, a volatile caldron ready to ignite with the mere pinch of instigation. How dare anyone do this to his Relena; He?d see Tyler?s head on a pike before this was over, of that he swore. After several eternities of minutes he cautiously tried putting his arm around her shoulder but retracted it again when she her body jolted violently, either from a heavy sob or physical contact. ?I thought she?d be comforted by that?, he silently muttered.

More time passed by as Heero examined the pattern of speckles in one of the nearby floor tiles, until he finally decided to break the less then rhythmic clockwork of Relena?s weeps; ?Sorry?, he stated, ?I?m sorry I hurt you Relena.? He paused; no reply, ?I was only looking out for your best interests.? His old friend?s sobs began to lessen a little but that was all he got, ?Damn it Relena; I just didn?t want anything to happen to you.?

After several more minutes she mustered up the control to say something, ?Heero, is that how you see me??

He struggled to find clarification in her face, ?What do you mean? You?re crying; I see that.?

?No?, she wined while her head rocked back in forth, ?He said he loved me; Jacob Deter said he did what he did because he loved me.?

A callous snort abruptly cut in; ?Bastard?, Heero accused.

?Am I a bastard too??, she replied.

Heero?s eyes narrowed as he tried to connect what Relena just said.

?He actually believed it?, she further explained, ?He thought that what he did ? his stalking me and all ? were acts of love.?

The blue eyed Japanese man slowly began to open his mouth while he tried to decode what she was trying to get at; ?and????

The frustrated woman abruptly leaned forward baled out an exasperated gasp, ?Don?t you see??

The statue she was talking to simply continued with his dumbfounded eye-cocked expression.

?Six days ago I tried to jump you Heero!?, she finally shrieked.

Heero shrugged, ?I said it was all right; you had a lot to drink?, he offered.

?That?s no excuse Heero! And when we were young?, she continued, ?when I followed you, I thought it was okay, because????, she swallowed , wiped a tear from her eye and took a deep breath, ?I belong locked up somewhere too, don?t I??

Heero gazed back into the pristine, pleading, azure eyes while he searched for the right response.

?Just say it Heero!?, she got up to her knees, holding her small delicate hand tightly to her breasts, while her mouth quivered, waiting for the inevitable, heart shattering answer, ?Be honest!?

?Relena?, Heero cautiously started, ?the difference between you and that pervert is that you never struck me as a threat yourself.?

?Th, then why????, she began.

?Of course, I was concerned that you might betray my position but if it came right down to it I knew I could handle you if worse came to worse.?

?That still doesn?t????, she paused, ?make me any better.?

?Besides?, Heero looked down at the floor before continuing, ?had that happened it?s not like???? He stopped, unsure how to continue.

Relena looked at him with interest, ?it?s not like????, she urged him on.

?I?m a guy?, he stated, ?we have to take what we can get.?

Her heart nearly broke free from her chest as the words spilled out of Heero?s mouth.

Heero turned the brightest shade of red Relena had ever seen. ?There was a time when I decided that if you ever did anything like that I?d?, he hesitated before continuing, ?take advantage of it, but????

?Then why didn?t you?, she relaxed a little while she pondered what she never expected to hear from Heero?s mouth.

?You?re a beautiful woman?, Heero started, ?and you were a beautiful girl too. I don?t think there are very many men who wouldn?t enjoy a????

She half heartedly held back a smirk; ?good night?, she offered.

?Yeah?, he reluctantly admitted, ?but when it came down to it I just couldn?t. Things have changed; it?s my responsibility to protect you and that even means from myself.?

?Yourself??, It was her turn to be confused, ?Why, would you need to protect me from yourself? I mean, your still not trying to kill me, right??

?No, it would be awkward and I don?t want to knock you up; got it?, he snapped. ?I couldn?t live with myself if I did that to you Relena. Your life would be over. Don?t you see that??

She wasn?t sure whether she was happy or sad to hear Heero say that, ?And what would you do if you got me pregnant??

?I?d do whatever I needed to, to make amends?, he said abruptly.

?Would you marry me??, she questioned.

?Don?t even go there, Relena?, Heero climbed to his feet, ?I could never be everything you want me to be.?

Relena snagged his arm as he tried to walk away, ?Wait, what is that supposed to mean??

?It means?, Heero took a breath and gathered his thoughts, ?there are things about me you don?t know, or want to know. We?re complete opposites. I?ll never be what you deserve or want so just??? just stop looking here for it.?

?No, you sit back down?, she demanded.

Heero simply looked back at her.

?That?s an order Yuy.?

After a few second?s delay Heero reluctantly followed his order. After he planted himself next to the young woman she placed her hand on his shoulder.

?How do you know what I want??, she demanded, ?I?m not even sure I know what I want so I know you certainly don?t. For all you know all I wanted was a one night stand; have you ever thought about that??

Heero raised his right eyebrow slightly, giving Relena a puzzled look, ?For nine years??, he questioned bluntly.

?That?s not the point, Heero!?, she snarled back, ?The point is: stop assuming you know what I want!?

The muscles in Heero?s neck and shoulders tensed as the anger and frustration laced in her lecture began rubbing off on him. ?All I have to give you are my combat skills and my hated name?, he intervened her rant with his own, ?Yuy isn?t a name associated with peace anymore Relena, I?m secretive for a reason. I can see the headlines now! ?PRINCESS OF PEACE WITH MASS MURDERER??.

?You?re not a murderer, Heero!?, she corrected, ?All the gundam pilots were given full pardons for your actions.?

?Great! The next time some widow with a gun shows up I can take out that pardon and send her off on her way!?, her bodyguard sarcastically sneered. ?Did I ever tell you what happened to Duo??

Relena didn?t reply, but rather, she chose to glare at him.

As frightening as Heero knew Relena could be when she got angry, he wasn?t about to stop, nor was he surprised. What did surprise him was how angry he was, with her. ?How can she be so stupid?, he thought, ?doesn?t she see I?m doing this for her own good?.? He threw his doubts behind and proceeded with the story; ?About two months ago some nut with an ax to grind found out where Duo was living. He broke into the house while they were out and went after Hilde with a knife after she returned.?

?What happened??, Relena turned her face away and looked downward as her heavy blue eyes beheld the image of the scene taken from her imagination.

?Duo came home. I never told you before because I knew you would worry.? For an agonizing short while nothing was said; in that time both Relena and Heero reflected on the implications of this incident. Ironically, Heero was the most disheartened of the two. What had he been thinking before? Everything he just said were perfectly good reasons to keep their relationship professional, ?I?ve got to stop listening to Duo?, he self-lectured. ?Relena, I can?t make you live like me; you don?t belong hiding in the shadows.?

?It?s worth a shot! I?m certainly not happy in the spotlight. Compared to having absolutely no privacy, hiding sounds good to me.?

?But what will happen to the world if you leave? Who?s going to maintain peace when you?re gone??

?Heero????, Relena breathed a heavy sigh, ?The world isn?t at peace because of me, the world is at peace because that?s what the people truly want. Someone else can be their representative.?

?Relena?, Heero began, ?You are still an important part of ensuring peace; as long as your around the people have a symbol to look to. You?re the greatest hero of our times, just having you around is assuring.?

?Well that?s all kind of irrelevant right now?, Relena stated with a somber tone, ?It looks like Tyler won.?

?Won??, Heero questioned, ?how??

?I failed Heero, Tyler had to save me from that guy, he won.?

?Bullshit!?, exclaimed Heero, ?I just thought of something.?

The first glimmer of hope in the last few days shined on Relena as she perked up, ?What??

?You?re wearing the shoes that the Preventers issued you, right??

?Well, I think so?, Relena replied.

With that, Heero took hold of Relena?s foot and began clawing at that back heel, until he found it.

Soon , she realized what Heero was planning, ?but Heero????, she called out as he slid a small but sharp blade out of her shoe?s sole, ?How is a knife going to help us?? She recalled the time when she was issued those shoes. She vaguely remembered having it explained to her that if the occasion ever arose there was a neo-titanium knife hidden in the sole of each shoe.

Heero held the two thin blades gingerly in his hands, examining them with a hawk-like intensity. ?This, might just do it?, he thought aloud.

?Do what??, Relena inquired, ?You?re not planning on fighting him are you??

He gave no verbal answer.

?No!?, she clung to Heero?s arm, ?He?ll kill you Heero! You couldn?t beat him with a gun, let alone two knives.?

?Maybe I can?, he dryly stated, ?I think if I cut those cords going from the back of his head he?ll lose control of all of his equipment.?

?But, how are you going to do that? He can read our minds, remember.?

?That?s why I?m going to need you?, he replied as he took the puzzled woman?s and helped her to her feet.

?W???what!?, she stammered , ?What am I supposed to do about that??

?Simple, distract me?, he proceeded to lead her out of the restroom.

?But, wait!?, Relena halted in an effort to get an explanation, ?How is that going to help us any??

Though he somewhat annoyed by the delay, Heero maintained his monotone composure, took off his jacket and concealed the two knives within it. ?I don?t think he can read our thoughts nearly as well as he would have us believe. As long as I?m at least partially distracted I may be able to get the drop on him when he shows up again.?

?Oh?, Relena thought about this as the two made there way across the catwalk, ?But wait, won?t I have to be distracted too??

When Heero?s ears received the sound vibrations made by Relena?s vocal chords his feet stopped moving and a single word escaped his mouth, ?Damn?

~*~*~ TIME: Unknown ~*~*~

?The Wright Brothers tested the first airplane where??, Heero inquired.

Heero and Relena were sitting Indian-style on the padded platform which they had spent to better part of past few days.

?Um??? The former United States??, she answered.

?Hn????, Heero snorted, ?That?s a pretty large area. Can you narrow it down any??

?Um, um????, the blonde politician stuttered.

?Come on?, her bodyguard goaded.

?I don?t know?, she hissed back, ?I?m a littlie distracted by those two knives hidden underneath your jacket?

?Errg?, Heero grunted in exasperation, ?you?re not cooperating here Relena.?

It was a statement of the obvious but Heero had a point, Relena had half a mind to try and throw those two knives down that bottomless pit of darkness but on one hand she wasn?t entirely sure how far she could get and then there was another part of her mind that felt that this was their best chance. In either case, she was deathly afraid of what Tyler might do to them if he found out about this plan. They had to hide this from Tyler, but the question was, how? How could she distract both of them from the fact that Heero was plotting an ambush?

Heero sighed, ?Listen?, he buried his weary face in his hand, ?I know you don?t approve of this but this is our only chance. If we don?t stop this psycho now, he?s going to destroy everything we?ve worked to create.?

?I??? how do you know we?re not mistaken Heero??

?What??, Heero raised a questioning eyebrow as his cobalt irises focused on his charge?s face.

?I mean?, Relena started, ?I?ve worked so hard to maintain peace just to find out that all this had been going on underneath my very nose the whole time. Even a member of my cabinet was in on this. Maybe the only way to truly maintain peace is to??? to????

?Turn the entire world into a bunch of networked cyborgs??, Heero but in, ?I know you don?t believe that. And even if Tyler was right, I?d rather live my life at war but have free will, then at peace with no free will of my own.?

Relena?s cerulean eyes stared blankly at the padded floor beneath her as she pondered this. It wasn?t really peace that the people wanted so much, was it? People were more concerned with not being forced to fight rather then living in total peace.

?Listen?, Heero continued, ?there are millions of people out there like Tyler - maybe not with such a crazy plan - but they all think that they know what?s best for everyone. And when they do get their way they usually end up making things worse for everybody.?

A minuscule smile began to rise from ?Well wouldn?t that describe all us politicians??

Heero found himself slightly amused but maintained his composure and focused.

?I?m sorry Heero, and thank you; that?s just what I needed to hear.?

With her self-esteem momentarily back, she could focus on the problem at hand, which was how to keep their minds off the fact that Heero was planning an ambush.

?Okay so, what?s the answer??, Heero plainly asked.

?Heero, this trivia game isn?t working!?, she quickly replied.

?Do you have a better idea??, he challenged back.

He had a point, she really didn?t have anything in mind, nor did they have much to work with. No TV, no radio, no books; all they had was each other. It was about that time that Relena got an idea.

?I?m trying the best I can?, Heero started, ?but you need to cooperate so????, about then Heero was interrupted by a not entirely unfamiliar situation. Surprised by Relena?s rash move he instinctively, pushed Relena away, in effect breaking the lip-lock she had made with Heero?s mouth. ?W, what are you doing??

Trying her best not to sound annoyed she bluntly answered his question, ?Distracting you.?

Before Heero had time to consider this she was on him again, sucking on his mouth like hard candy. His first thought was to push her away like he did last time but as she coaxed his mouth open to meet hers he began to realize that this wasn?t such a bad way to spend what could very well be his last moments. So, instead of rejecting or ignoring her like he had always done when his ?old friend? made these romantic advances like this, embraced her, for the first time not caring how foolish it was.

Neither of them were sure exactly how long they spent caught up in each other?s mouths. It seemed as though it might have been a long time, yet still, not long at all. It seemed to Heero to be far too soon to have to hear that condescending voice again.

?Do you two need a room??, suspended by his complex network of tentacles, Tyler loomed just on the other end of the platform.

Heero was red - embarrassment for being caught in such a compromising position and red with anger for being stopped. His Prussian blue eyes, no longer aware of the young woman he had rolled on top of, narrowed on their captor. Rage full thoughts of all manners of torture and painful things to do to Tyler galloped about his mind taunting him, until at last, he found one in reach.

?Forgive me for being rude but I?d prefer you?d?, he paused for a moment, debating on whether to use more civilized terminology or not, ?suck face in private rather then out in the open?, Tyler continued on as he looked and motioned out towards the other end, ?I?ve provided plenty of space for you to do whatever you see fit to each other over there. And Heero?, he began to turn his head back to meet him, ?I thought that sort of thing was against????

Heero had jumped onto Tyler, thrusting one of the knives into the his cybernetic, pallid chest while he frantically sawed away at the cluster of wires leading from his hairless skull. A satisfying snap indicated the severing of one of the wires followed by two of the left tentacles falling limp.

Fully aware of the now apparent plot on his life, Tyler feverishly pushed against Heero?s body but, to little more effect then to slow his attacker down.

Relena gasped as the sight of the man she had just been kissing locked in mortal combat with the deadly cyborg and she soon began to fully apprehend what she had done.

Tyler?s hand clamped down on Heero?s arm, the compression sent flashes of pain through Heero?s nerves but he couldn?t yield. There was another snap and Tyler?s body began to limp on its suspensions. Heero gave a passing thought to what it would mean for both of them if he cut the wire cluster all the way through but he didn?t let it distract him. His duty was clear, his course was set and he would continue as long as his body would allow. For the first time since they had been captured, Heero no longer saw the unyielding confidence which had been predominant in Tyler?s eyes.

It seemed as though Heero might actually succeed in his plan. Tyler was no fighter, just a scientist, and Heero?s superior skill was obvious. However, his superior equipment gave Heero a significant advantage.

One of the mechanical hands clamped down on the arm Heero was using to cut the wires, attempting to hold it back. Heero strained to reach but the grip of the machine was proving to be too great. His hand began to feel num from the lack of blood, still he couldn?t allow himself to fail. He summoned up the last of his reserve strength and forced his hand just far enough forwards to slit another wire through.

The mechanical hand went limp leaving no barrier between Heero and the rest of the connections, but as he forced his hand forward to make the final incisions.

Heero?s hypothesis seemed to be right and now only a half inch of wires and cable were between Heero and shutting down his aggressor for good. He had nearly given into hope as his knife touched the all malleable wires and a point metal tentacle pierced clear through his forearm; bone, flesh and tendons.

Tyler pined Heero down on the platform by his neck with his remaining mechanical limbs. Blood was pouring out of Heero?s wound into a growing puddle of red. Tyler stood over him struggling to force breath into his punctured lung, his right side noticeably limped under the left while blood and some other peculiar fluid began to ooze from the incision which Heero?s knife still rested in. Tyler shakily clamped his hand on the knife?s handle and unsheathed the blade from his chest. Another rush of fluid escaped from the wound while he coughed out another puddles, but as quickly as the knife left, the wound began to close. Delicate, ceiling bound metal hands descended and began to repair and replace the damage wires and cables on Tyler?s scull as his body gradually regained its strength.

He looked down at the man he had pinned beneath him, soaked in blood and mech fluids. His loss of blood had weakened his resistance to a pathetic one handed attempt to release the metal bind over his neck. ?Well, it seems I overestimated the abilities of this cyborg model. I?ll have to improve upon it.? Tyler?s voice was an enraged hiss, no taint of arrogance, only wrath, ?Tell me one reason why I shouldn?t remove your head.?

Heero was unable to give a coherent response, his arm had nearly been cut off by Tyler?s tentacle and he was losing blood quickly. Dizzy and cold from the loss of blood and pain, everything was becoming distant, dark and blurry.

?No don?t !?, Relena?s shrill shriek turned Tyler?s attention, ?You can?t!?

?Oh really??, Tyler retorted, ?Miss Relena Peacecraft indeed! You were planning this with him. I?ve given the both of you far too much breathing space it seems. Let?s see how you?d like being taken prisoner for real, yes. Let?s see how the hypocrite fairs in a real prison, I think I?ll start right here.?

?NO! Please!?

?And why shouldn?t I? After a malicious stunt like that how could you possibly justify keeping him alive??

?Because it?s not right?, Relena answered.

Tyler snorted, ?So, that didn?t stop you.?

?You?re right?, admitted the blonde politician, ?But, I thought you were trying to achieve peace too. That being the case, don?t you at least feel embarrassed about even having this debate with me?? It was a long shot, but it was all that she had left; hopefully he would listen to reason.

A glare was Tyler?s response. He looked back down at the helpless man beneath him with a new disdain. The mechanical claw he had around his neck seemed to tense as though it were a real muscle as he debated on whether to clamp down on or release Heero?s neck. There were no words in the end, only action; Tyler withdrew his claw and turned away.

Relena rushed to kneel beside her fallen protector. The hole in his arm was nearly four centimeters in diameter, all that held it together was some torn and dying meat. The loss of blood seemed to be slowing down but Heero was even less responsive then ever; he looked pale and was nearly limp. It seemed that it wouldn?t matter what Tyler?s decision had been, Heero would die anyway, and there was nothing Relena could do about it. ?Can you save him??, she meekly questioned.

Tyler ? who had been about to leave ? stopped and turned back to face her, ?I certainly could, but I don?t see why I should.?

?Because He?ll die!?, she cried back as tears began to rush down her face.

?Not necessarily?, he plainly retorted, ?He?ll certainly be one arm short though.?

?Please????, she begged.

?And why do you care so much??, it was a rhetorical question, he already new the answer.

?Because?, she looked back at Heero for a moment, ?because I love him.?

Tyler only gazed at her with his blank metallic brown eyes.

?Please????, she tried again.

?Under one condition?, he finally yielded.

?Yes?, Relena?s face lit with renewed hope, ?What is the condition??

?You?re awfully inquisitive for someone so desperate?, Tyler goaded.

?I at least deserve to know what I?m agreeing to?, she shot back.

A devilish smirk finally reappeared on Tyler?s face, ?security protocols?, he answered.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

AN: Well, I hope you?ve enjoyed this chapter. I?ll try to get the next one out sooner. Also, I would like to apologize right now if there were any spelling errors; I wanted to try and get this chapter out today.

[Kari]

Woohoo!!!! I loved this chapter too!!! Bring on the next one.

[AngelOfDeath]

GAAAAAAAAAAH!

Security pro. . . NO! Augh!

Heero was so close!

I'm so happy you got another chapter out though. ::happy happy::

[tomoyo]

Oh u must finish the next chapter soon! But please go easy on heero, don't let him become a total mindless cybord, i wouldn't bare it oh well "the show must go on" as they say.

[Tumbleweed]

I'd think you'd know by now that I can be a lot more twisted then that. I'll go easy on him though, just for you

[RDP]

“I’m a guy”, he stated, “we have to take what we can get.”
“You’re a beautiful woman”, Heero started, “and you were a beautiful girl too. I don’t think there are very many men who wouldn’t enjoy a...”
She half heartedly held back a smirk; “good night”, she offered.

Oh...men.
I'm with Kari, AoD and Tomoyo. Great chapter, and the suspense is just...killing me.

“Please………”, she tried again.

“Under one condition”, he finally yielded.

“Yes”, Relena’s face lit with renewed hope, “What is the condition?”

“You’re awfully inquisitive for someone so desperate”, Tyler goaded.

“I at least deserve to know what I’m agreeing to”, she shot back.

A devilish smirk finally reappeared on Tyler’s face, “security protocols”, he answered.

Poor Heero, he was so close! Although, for Lena's sake, Tyler is a pretty compassionate person under that mass of wire. Hope things can be resolved without any casulties; Rel has a 'Golden Tounge', but in a sense Tyler is like Jacob; he honestly believes what he is doing is for the betterment of mankind. :-?
Tumbleweed, you are an awesome writer! You could author action novels.