Across Enemy Lines Ch. 6 - by Stella, Luvspook, and Rose

[blackrose]

AN: Okay, first off, remember: BREATHING IS GOOD. Secondly, killing authors is bad. We are WELL AWARE of how long this has taken. And we're horribly repentant. And very sorry. We cannot apologize sincerely enough. We feel absolutely wretched, and cannot state how utterly remorseful....



Stella: In short. We're sorry. On with the fic!!!

Rose: Um, yeah. *blushes* What she said.



Thanks for reading!!! Love, Rose and Stella







<center>Courage is the price that Life exacts for granting peace.

- Amelia Earhart</center>



ACROSS ENEMY LINES

CHAPTER 6 -- Implications



Duo rubbed his eyes and stole another glance along the deserted hall when the clock chimed. Nine o'clock. The hour felt so much later than it actually was; the events of the day were enough to fill a week, in his estimation. Though in the months he'd been fighting this war, he'd seen more than enough to last a lifetime. And it seemed he wasn't the only one...



The girl glared up at him through the shadowy light in the tunnels. "And not everyone that comes out of Germany is a Nazi."

Her body stiffened under his grasp, but it was the unrelenting look in her eyes that made him loosen his hold and let her speak. Still, he and the others blocked her path. She would not pass without an explanation.

"If you're not a Nazi, then what are you?" Wufei's voice growled. She shook her head.

"I must see Herr Darlian, bitte. Please."

Trowa spoke up and moved in closer. "There's no one here by that name. But we're American soldiers. Let us help you."

The girl's shoulders slumped and she struggled to push herself away from the stone wall. Duo saw the bulging messenger bag she carried as she tried to shift it, but couldn't seem to manage. The German girl staggered forward. She looked as if she were ready to collapse.

"I was told to come here. He said he would be-- He needs to see..."

Duo raced forward and caught her when she fell. He scooped the petite woman up in his arms while she hugged the bag as if it were a child.

"What if they found him," she mumbled. "What if... just like father... Darlian..." Her eyelids fluttered and the words died on her lips. The girl's body fell limp against Duo's, and Trowa rushed to his side in time to catch the worn leather bag before it fell to the ground.

"Darlian..." The communications officer repeated. His green eyes flicked over the bag, but they stopped when they caught something in the dim light. He tucked the item under his arm and started back to the main house.

Duo cradled the unconscious girl and followed his friend's quick pace.

"Do you know what she's talking about, Trowa?"

"I think I do. But there's one way to find out for sure."

"Where are two you going with her?"

The two men turned when Wufei's voice caught them from behind.

"She needs to rest. We can't leave her down here." Duo called over his shoulder.

"Well, I'm going to make sure she didn't bring any friends."

The footfalls of his departing boots echoed heavily in the darkness. As they reached the light of the manor interior, Duo cautiously shifted the woman in his arms. Trowa led the way back to their rooms, and Duo said a silent "thank you" to the powers that be that their trek back had been a solitary one. No one saw them.

He gently laid Hilde in his bed, and stood back. Her brow furrowed; the corners of her mouth twitched downward. Even in her sleep, she looked troubled.

"I wonder what they could have done to her," he wondered aloud to Trowa.

"The Nazis..."

The girl's eyes opened lazily, and searched the room before settling on the pair of soldiers. "They killed my father." Her voice was sleepy and far away, but it was evident to Duo that she still carried the pain close to her heart. "He was a kind, intelligent and wonderful man and they...They stormed into our home, took him outside and shot him like a dog in the street. I will never forgive them. And if I have to give my own life to see Hitler defeated, I will give it gladly."



"Where did you put her?"

Wufei's stern question pulled Duo out of his thoughts, and he turned to face his comrade's hard-set features.

"In my room. I'll bunk with Quatre tonight since he's right across the hall. He's in there just having a look to make sure she's ok. But I think all she really needs is some sleep and a little something to eat. Come to think of it..."

"Yes, she'll be fine." The medic quietly shut the stranger's door after Trowa filed out behind him. Quatre tip-toed between his fellow soldiers and led them away from the room. "I don't think now is the time to tell Miss Relena about this. If this girl is carrying Nazi intelligence, we can't take the risk of having anyone know about it until we see what it is."

Trowa nodded. "Besides, with the Lightning Count here, it just might make things that much more difficult for the princess. I think her brother was hoping to find something to implicate her. We've been trouble enough."

"Have you looked in the bag yet, Trowa?" Quatre asked.

"Everything is in code. And there are sets of blueprints. I don't know what they mean."

Wufei scowled. "And who is this Darlian?"

Trowa picked up the bag and looked it over again. "I've heard the name Darlian before. The Nazis want him. The Gestapo have been chasing him for months."

Duo leaned back against the wall. This was making his head hurt. "So, I'm starting to think that the Colonel's visit was for more than just a look at what those planes did to his sister's home."

The other men agreed.

"Darlian could be code name," Wufei offered. "A code name for someone here?"

"But I don't understand." Quatre cut in. "The Sanq is neutral. Does this mean that Relena has sided with the allies after all?"

Trowa's lips pressed into a thin line. "I don't know. I think she would have told us if she had plans to work with U.S."

"Maybe she can't," Wufei said. "What if it's covert?"

Duo shrugged. "Then I think Heero would have known about it. He didn't seem to. He's the kind of guy they send in on missions like that."

"But I don't think this has anything to do with the allies," Trowa said.

"Well, maybe we can find out more in the morning." Quatre yawned and turned towards his door. "Best to just let Miss Hilde sleep -- and to keep this quiet for now."

Duo stretched and followed the medic into his room. He stole one last glance at the closed door across the hall, his thoughts turning to the girl behind it. "Sleep well, Hilde. I think you deserve it."



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Try as he might, Trowa couldn't let it go. The name Darlian. The mysterious messages the girl had carried all the way from Berlin. Something in those papers nagged at the back of his mind, begging him to remember - telling him the key to cracking the code was within his grasp if he could just reach out and find it. His finger traced the marking on the flap of Hilde's bag. At first it seemed to be just an insignia, maybe a decoration, but it was too familiar: the careful ink printing of a small, black violin. It wouldn't have aroused his suspicion, except for the fact that it was scrawled on several of the documents inside. Trowa knew he'd seen the symbol before. And while pacing around the manor, he finally remembered where.

Moonlight bounced off the white curtains and bed sheets; the whole room seemed to glow in silvery blue. Trowa slipped inside the large doors of the manor's medical ward. The place seemed deserted. Perfect...

Since they had first arrived in this country, Trowa couldn't shake the feeling that Sally Po was more involved in the war than she claimed as a member of the official Sanq guard. The quiet and reserved lady-doctor kept to herself, but he had noticed that she rarely emerged from her office -- even when there were no patients -- except for a patrol tour here and there. Trowa's brain swam in the sea of jumbled events, trying to remember...

When he had been in here with her the morning Wufei's brother died, or when he had come to borrow a radio. Yes! In her office, in the very back, while she rummaged in the storage closet. Why his eyes had drifted to it, he couldn't say, but he had seen it clearly. A tiny booklet with that same black violin.

His short breaths rung in his ears as he slowly turned the doorknob to Sally's office. The wooden panel crept open and he inched his way inside, squinting in the darkness. He found her desk lamp and switched it on while he scanned mounds of files and reports. Trowa shuffled several of the stacks around, looking under, beside and in between the files. Medical journals, a few hospital charts for some guardsmen... Was he sure he'd seen it here?

He took a step backwards, and the heel of his boot caught on something that nearly made him trip. The booklet protruded from beneath a nearby table. Trowa bent down and scooped it up, holding the cover up to the light on the desk. It bore the imprint just as he remembered. The soldier tucked it into his jacket and made a quick exit back to his quarters.



As the first rays of dawn peeked in through the opened window, Trowa set down a pencil and stared with tired eyes at the translated sheets before him. He moved the code book aside then replaced the stack of papers back into Hilde's bag and closed the flap. The exhausted soldier slumped over the desk and stared once more at the marking on the bag.

The black violin was the symbol of the Schwarze Kapelle -- the Black Orchestra - the German resistance. The papers that Trowa had held in his hands outlined an intricate plot that could change the tide of the war, and history itself.

"God help us." He traced the figure with the bare tips of his fingers as sleep wrapped its arms around him and drew him into a warm embrace.

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Quatre blinked, then squeezed his eyes shut to avoid the bright rays pouring into his room. Why oh why had he forgotten to close the curtains last night? It's still early, the medic reasoned, turning over and grabbing the nearest pillow. He buried his face in the soft darkness. That girl is probably still sleep--

A loud snorting sound cut into his thoughts and Quatre raised his head. He squinted through the assault of light, searching for the source of the offensive noise. His bleary eyes settled on the slumbering figure of Duo Maxwell sprawled on the armchair by the fireplace. The braided soldier was snoring away like a grizzly bear in the Lincoln Park Zoo back home in Chicago.

With a groan, Quatre pulled another pillow over his head and hauled the quilt on top. His mind wandered back to the German girl, and why she had come to the Sanq Kingdom. She had said she was looking for a mysterious man named Darlian, but Quatre had decided that what she really needed was a warm bed and something to eat. The others had smuggled her upstairs to Duo's room, brought her some food and left her to rest. A pang of guilt tugged at his heart for hiding the girl from Miss Relena, but with her brother still in the Manor, they had felt it was the wisest decision - especially if Hilde was they suspected her to be: a spy.

The sound of what could have been a chainsaw filtered in through the many layers of cotton and down. His pillows provided little defense against his comrade's snoring. Finally, Quatre gave up on trying to sleep and decided to go see how Heero was feeling. The Army Captain's wound had looked angry and red after the punishment he had received at the hands of Zechs Merquise. Sally had restitched a small section of flesh that had torn open, but Quatre had been surprised that his friend wasn't in worse shape. For all the fever Heero had been running, the injury was farther advanced in the healing stage than the medic had imagined possible.

Quatre slid out of bed and tiptoed passed the spot where Duo slept near the fire, and slowly opened the door. He stepped out into the hallway, only to be met by Wufei Chang, who stood leaning against the wall just outside of Hilde's room.

"Is everything all right?" Quatre whispered, looking over the haggard soldier. He wore the same clothes as when they parted company last evening, and there was no missing the dark circles that had formed under his eyes. "Have you been here all night?"

"Well someone has to make sure she doesn't try anything." Wufei sniffed and glared at blond man across from him. "You're all too trusting."

"You don't believe her, Wufei?"

"I just find it a little too coincidental that she showed up the same day the Nazis did. And I for one can't sleep with the scum swarming around this place."

Quatre scratched his head while his sleep fogged brain fought to sort through all the details. "Why should that make a difference? She traveled on foot; she obviously didn't arrive with them."

"That doesn't mean a thing," Wufei said, crossing his arms. "She has an affiliation with the enemy. She came from Berlin."

Quatre took a step closer in hopes to better control the volume of their conversation with his proximity to the other man. He stared at his comrade a moment then shook his head. "I believe that she's telling us the truth. How could someone make up a story like that? And just think of what it must have been like for her, after what the Nazis did to her father. None of us have had to live through what she has."

"Speak for yourself, Winner. I know how it feels to watch family die and be helpless to stop it."

Quatre bowed his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "Your brother... I'm sorry..."

"You're not the only one!" Wufei raged. "I blame them all. Each and every one of them. Every single time I look at one of those officers, I see my brother, dead in a coffin. And how you can sleep so easy with them here, I will never know."

The blond soldier felt a shiver run up his spine, and he sank against the hard wood panel of the door. "I haven't slept easy since I left home. If I'm not completely exhausted enough to pass right out, I see it all when I close my eyes. Like a movie, over and over; I see blood. I smell smoke and hear the screams of dying men. I see Normandy. I see senseless death. I don't know if there will ever be a time when I won't."

"I know what you mean," Wufei said. "It's just that... I don't want anyone else to have to know what that feels like, even that bastard Zechs Merquise. This woman, Relena, is standing up to the Reich. If more people had done what she's doing, perhaps there wouldn't have been a war in the first place. So," the soldier squared his shoulders and continued, "until we're sure about the girl, we shouldn't let our guard down."

Quatre smiled and turned to leave. Just like Heero, Wufei had his own, rather uncommon way of expressing gratitude. "I'm just going to go check on Heero."

"He left his room a few minutes ago," Wufei said. "The Lightning Count is supposed to go back to Germany this morning. I suppose Yuy wanted to wish him bon voyage." The soldier snorted his derision. "I didn't hear any glass shattering or screaming, so I assume there was no fighting."

"Oh, well, that's...good..." Quatre trailed off. A span of more than a few hours without injury for Heero seemed to be a rare occurrence from what he had witnessed in the last few weeks. But, the day was still young. "We'll take what we can get," he mumbled. "I'll be right over here if Miss Hilde wakes up. Why don't you go get yourself something to eat?"

Wufei nodded and took his leave in the direction of the kitchen.



<center>*********************************************</center>



Zechs knew the volume of his voice was on the rise, but had no desire to contain it. It echoed loudly in his ears, bouncing off the marbled halls of his childhood home. "I can't believe what a fool she's being. And she's the leader of a country."

"But Zechs, she's in love." Noin placed a calming hand on his forearm, but he shrugged away from her touch and glared at the woman beside him.

"That's exactly the point. How can she be so irresponsible?"

"Love isn't being irresponsible."

"But putting your people's lives in danger, falling for some...some sneaking coward, some lying..." His fist slammed down on a nearby hall table. The vase of flowers on the marble top rattled, but Noin raced to catch it before it tipped over.

"He seems to care about her," she said, toying with the newly disheveled blossoms. "I heard the others..."

"The others lie. He lies. And she's too caught up in his sick routine to see the truth. Sick. BAH!"

He swiveled around and stomped down the hall, intent on finding that damn American and finishing their "discussion" from yesterday. Noin moved in front of him, blocking his path. "Zechs, I know it's hard for you to understand. But try to see it from her perspective. She cares about him, obviously very much. She wants to protect him, and that's a very noble thing. I know how she feels...."

"She's being stubborn just to spite me. To spite me for leaving. Well, this world isn't one big party where she's always the guest of honor." Zechs pressed forward, but Noin stood her ground.

"She doesn't think that. She has a good head on her shoulders, and a good heart. I'll admit she's stubborn, but I think she must come by it honestly." A hint of a smile formed on her lips. Zechs scowled as his assistant continued.

"I don't see it as a weakness in her, but rather something that does her credit. She knows her mind, and she knows her heart. Just because you don't agree with her choice..."

"He's up to something. I can tell by the way he acts. He's not sick, and why he's pretending..."

The click of a doorknob startled him out of his tirade, and he spun around to come face to face with the object of his disgust. Heero's uniform shirt was not buttoned, and fell open in the front. The electric light caught on something white nestled close to his side. Zechs stared. The soldier's entire right flank was heavily bandaged -- the side he had connected with in the last of their fight.

Dark sapphire eyes glinted dangerously as Heero paused only a moment before pushing passed the older man towards the kitchen.

As he walked on, Noin's voice called out. "Good morning, Heero." Zechs frowned down at her again.

Heero stopped, pivoted, and met the eyes of the Reich colonel's assistant. He nodded politely in acknowledgement of her greeting, then leveled another glare at Zechs before walking away.

"He's been injured. And from the looks of it..." Noin said in a hushed voice.

"I know." He gently took her arm in a signal to let him by. Noin relented. Zechs followed the American soldier down the hallway, after giving the man a lengthy head start. The Colonel found him in the kitchen, leaning heavily on the counter -- his pale face covered with a fresh sheen of perspiration.

At least he's in no condition to seduce her. Zechs watched the younger man continue to struggle for a moment, then sense of honor almost got the best of him. His legs moved without prior approval from his brain, but before he made it far enough into the kitchen to be noticed, the Chinese-looking pilot arrived from the other entrance.

"Yuy."

Heero stood up quickly; his jaw clenched in a tight line and a spasm shuddered through his body.

"At the risk of sounding like Quatre, you shouldn't be out of bed."

"I was thirsty." Heero's voice rasped when he spoke. He seemed out of breath. "I should be able to get my own glass of water."

Wufei raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised her Highness would let you try."

Dark eyes drifted away as Heero made slow progression to the countertop. "She's...asleep."

The wounded soldier tried to lift the nearly full water pitcher. Zechs could see the muscles in the man's neck straining from the effort until the other soldier took hold.

"Here, allow me."

Heero refused to relinquish his grip on the glass handle. "I'm fine."

"I saw the fight, and I know where he hit you," his friend argued, wrestling the vessel away with little trouble. "Sally said it reopened your wound."

"I said, I'm fine."

Wufei ignored him and moments later, slid a filled glass over to his comrade. "Your stubbornness will get you killed one day. It was a miracle the Sanq kingdom took us in. Those Nazi bastards loved beating the crap out of you."

A shaking hand raised the drink to his pale lips. "At least nothing's changed."

"Ha. Yeah, guess you're right." The other pilot offered an arm to the reluctant patient. "Come on, I'll help you back..."

"No. I can walk on my own." Heero shrugged away from the offer of help and started towards the door. Wufei rolled his eyes and fell into step beside him.

"Fine. Have it your way. Mind if I tag along?"

Heero nodded. The two soldiers exited the way the injured soldier came in and Zechs quickly retreated into the shadows of the opposite hallway. He stared at the floor, fighting to take in deep, calming breaths despite the rage that swelled in his chest.

The enemy should have a single face, and a single name. They should remain anonymous, inhuman, if at all possible. It's the only way a soldier is able to sleep at night.



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The two friends came to the end of the corridor, stopping in front of the injured man's room. Heero steadied himself against the wall and moved to open the door, when another spasm of pain hit, and he almost lost his balance. Wufei reached out and grabbed the water glass before it could slip from his grasp.

"Mornings are always worse. Get some rest."

"Hn." Heero held fast to the door, and glanced at the other pilot out of the corner of his eye. Wufei let out a breath and shook his head.

"I'm already aware that she's in there. She wasn't in her room this morning, and I'm not an idiot. I just happen to know you're in no condition to do anything dishonorable, even if you wanted to."

"Hn." Heero held his breath and opened the door. He took a staggering step into his room, then turned to shut it.

Wufei's eyes widened as he caught sight of the young princess actually lying in his comrade's bed. Though still fully clothed, Heero knew it pushed the bounds of what others considered proper. The injured soldier sent the Chinese man a warning glare. Wufei shoved his hands into his pockets and turned away.

"I hope you know what you're doing, he said as Heero closed the door once again.



He lowered himself inch by inch back into the bed. It was still early, and though he had been wide awake when he first ventured from his room, his eyelids felt pounds heavier as he stole a sidelong glance at the beautiful, sleeping girl beside him.

It had felt so strange to wake up and see her face so close - her warm body occupying the space next to him on the mattress. He had felt the desire to reach out and stroke her hair, to make sure it wasn't a dream. As the flaxen threads slipped through his fingers, a rare smile had formed on his face. It had occurred to him, then, that Relena would be sad to have missed the extraordinary expression.

He sunk into the sheets and blankets, his eyes still trying to stay open -- to watch her until whatever dream this was disappeared with the morning mist. It couldn't be true and it couldn't be real...but her presence was a pleasant illusion. Sleep finally took him, settling over his body like the serene sigh that escaped her lips.

"Heero..."



Light tore his mind from sleep; his eyelids dragged slowly open to take in whatever situation the soldier in him must face. But instead of rutted ground shuddering beneath terrifying explosions, he woke to serenity and warmth -- and the beauty of her face merely inches away. She smiled in her sleep as if everything in her dreaming wonderland was perfect and safe. He felt his heart sigh and the strange desire to stay exactly as he was - to just watch her breathe. With effort, he rolled his painful body over to completely face her; his right arm darted out, drawing her closer. She stirred a bit and then burrowed farther into his embrace.

Just as he had settled back into the pillowed surface behind his head, the door swung open and the sound of the bothersome medic's voice interrupted the peaceful quiet of Heero's room.

"Heero, I saw Wufei and-- OH!" Quatre froze in mid-step; his complexion turned an alarming shade of red. "I... um..."

Relena shifted against the injured soldier, and Heero threw the medic a warning look.

"I-I'm s-sorry." Quatre said. "S-Sally went to look for her in her room...She's normally awake by this time and uh... We just... I didn't mean....Sorry for disturbing you."

He ducked his head and quickly shut the door. Heero waited, his arm still curled around her delicate form.

"And I was having such a nice dream," she whispered, stretching her slender arms up over her head. "I dreamt I was here, with you. You smiled at me and held me like you wanted me to stay and..." She lifted her head and peered up at him through half-opened lids. A smile grazed her lips. "Hm. I must still be asleep."

She flopped back down on the bed, spilling her hair in a shower of gold across his pillow. Relena pressed closer to him, burying her gentle features into the bared skin of his chest. He could feel her steady breathing wafting against its surface, the heat fusing with the temperature in his veins. Just because he was in no condition to do anything 'dishonorable' didn't mean he was completely immune.... "No."

She drew away and Heero instantly missed the feel of her - the awareness and warmth. Light blue eyes peeked up at him again through layers of sleep.

"You're not dreaming," he said. "And the others are looking for you. Quatre..."

Her mouth covered his, and she nibbled at his lower lip in a series of small, innocuous kisses. He ducked his head and caught her mouth in a decided conquest. He kissed her more fervently than he should, hoping to alarm her just enough to put a safe distance between them. He broke away, expecting her to retreat from her position, but she stayed where she was -- then promptly nestled closer once again.

"I'm glad," she whispered, draping an arm across his chest. "I didn't want to be dreaming."

"Relena...." Damn, she was doing...things to him that made the lower half of his body start to feel uncomfortable. The inner sting of conscience nagged at him to disentangle himself, but then her arm came up to wrap around his waist. He relaxed into her loose embrace, deciding he could deal with the small discomfort and gladly quell the masculine urges he was physically unable to indulge in favor of keeping her right where she was.

Her eyelashes fluttered against his cheek. "How are you feeling? I'm so sorry..."

"Don't be. It wasn't your fault. And I feel fine."

Her fingers gently brushed his forehead, as if unconsciously checking for a fever. "If this is fine, I'd hate to see the shape you were in before you came to my country."

He tensed at her words. Relena lifted her head to look him in the eye. "I didn't mean anything by that except that I know you're not fine. I'm still worried about you, and..."

His hand sought out hers. "I'll be fine, Relena. I promise."

"You'd better be. I need you to get well, and...."

He dropped his gaze; Heero knew she would only be upset if he told her...

She sat up. "You intend to leave then, don't you? When you're well enough."

He fought his way into an upright position, still maintaining his hold on her hand. "There's a war going on. I can't just stay here and ignore it."

"But...you've done your job, haven't you? I thought Duo said your tour was almost up. Couldn't you be discharged for medical..."

He took a deep breath. It hurt, but not as much as the expression on her face. "I can still fight, Relena, and I don't intend to quit until it's over or..." His eyes darted away. "...until it's over."

"I see." She bowed her head and sighed. He made no move to comfort her.

"And I understand." She turned and cupped his face in her hands. "I won't argue with you about that when the time comes. But for now, just concentrate on getting well."

He gathered her close once more, trying to dispel the reality that had crept into the air of his room like a faint, but pungent odor. He closed his eyes, just wanting to engrave the feeling of her closeness in his mind.

"Heero, what about after the war? Where is home?"

His eyes snapped open. She pulled away and sat facing him on the bed.

"Home?"

"Yes." She smiled. "Your home. I've heard the others speak about their families and towns, people they know...but you never do. I admit my geographical knowledge of the United States isn't what it should be, but I'd like to...."

He felt the corners of his mouth turn downwards. "I thought you knew all you needed to."

"I do. I just...I'm just curious. I'd like to know more about you, is that wrong?" Relena raised a soft hand to his cheek, but he turned away.

"Why do you need to?"

"I don't need to, I just want to. I'd tell you anything you wanted to know, but I have a feeling you won't ask."

"You don't trust me," Heero said. "Your brother...." She believes him.

"I have trusted you with my life and my heart." Her voice rose to an angry level. "It is you who appears not to trust me with what should be fairly basic information." Her weight shifted on the mattress, but he couldn't look at her.

"Do you have something to hide from me? Because I told you from the start you need not bother to pretend...." She sprang from the bed with speed that he currently could not hope to possess and started for the door.

Heero winced with the movement of the mattress. But it wasn't just the pain of his wound causing the ache in his chest to grow. "Home is currently this room."

The hand that had reached out for the doorknob dropped and she slowly spun to face him. "Before that it was somewhere close to Normandy, France. My last 'home' before leaving the US was a military installation at Ft. Wayne, Indiana."

"But...don't you call your home the place where your family lives?" Relena asked, making her way back to the bed. She sat down on the far edge and folded her hands in her lap. "What about your parents, or brothers and sisters? You don't have someplace or someone waiting for you back home?"

"My uncle raised me. My parents both died when I was very young. I was an only child."

"Oh." She reached out for him, but he turned his head and kept his arms folded.

"Don't tell me you're sorry. I don't need your pity."

He heard her let out a long breath, and then she continued, speaking in a quiet, even tone. "Where is your uncle now?"

Heero looked back and met her eyes once again. "He died shortly before I enlisted."

"I see. So, what was he like -- your uncle? Was he married, did he have children of his own?"

"He was a college professor at Perdue University. No wife, no kids -- just a stubborn nephew that he raised from the time he was four years old." He caught the hint of a grin on her lips. "Does any of this matter?"

"It matters to me. Every little detail about you matters to me. Don't you understand that caring about someone doesn't mean only caring about the here and now?" She swung her legs up onto the mattress and scooted towards him. "Sometimes, the smallest details can be the most telling, offer the most insight. When I said I loved you, I love you as you are -- right here and right now." She leaned in close, leveling her lips just inches from his own. Her fingers threaded through his tangled hair. "Nothing from your past will change how I feel. But I don't want to just love you from a distance. I want to know you."

His body relaxed under her touch in spite of his indignant thoughts. He reached out to the girl before him. "Why me? Why not some descendant from one of the most respected families of Western Europe?"

Relena shook her head and ran her finger along the line of his jaw. "Because they're not you. You have such a kind heart, Heero. Why can't you trust anyone to care about you the way you care for others?" The heat of her breath washed over his face, and he closed his eyes, waiting....

"Why can't you believe me when I say I love you?"

"Because I--"

"Heero? Miss Relena?" The unlocked door creaked open, this time more slowly than the last, and the site of familiar, blond hair came into view. "I'm sorry to interrupt again, but... Miss Relena - your brother is prepared to leave. Did you want to see him before he goes?"

Relena squared her shoulders and pulled away from Heero. "Tell him to go. I have... nothing else to say to him."

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Duo rubbed the sleep from his eyes and, with a yawn, stumbled out into the hallway. He staggered a few paces before tripping over some... thing that was lying right in the middle of the hallway. He squinted to try to bring the blurry shape into focus. It was yelling at him.

"Will you watch where you're going?"

Duo blinked, noticing the object was a tightly laced combat boot. He followed the brown leather upwards until it met green fatigues that matched his own, topped off with black hair. Wufei frowned up at him.

"Where are you going?"

"Kitchen. Did I miss breakfast?"

The other soldier rose to his feet and blinked his tired-looking eyes. "You mean lunch. It's about time you got up. The medic is busy running around, and I haven't seen Barton all day."

Duo scratched his head and studied the other man. He looked like he'd been up all night. "Why are you sitting out here?"

"Do you trust her?" Wufei pointed at the closed door behind his head. She must still be asleep. The image of her collapsing in his arms played again in his mind, and Duo nodded.

"I... I think I do."

A scowl formed on the other man's face. "Well, I don't. So keep an eye on the door and make sure she doesn't go anywhere."

"But what about..."

Wufei flung open the door to his own room down the hall and disappeared inside without another glance. "...food." Oh well.

The door slammed loudly behind the sleep-deprived soldier and the noise rattled through the hall as Duo sunk to the carpeted floor and leaned against the wall. At times, the Peacecraft Manor reminded him a little of the church where he'd spent the last years of his childhood. The building felt big, important, as if you should be pious and reverent just to walk through it, let alone live there.

The urgent sound of footsteps and the jingle of a doorknob pulled him out of his thoughts. She stood there in the shadow of the doorway - the same wild-eyed look on her face - only this time, it was a well-rested, wild-eyed look.

"Where is it?"

Hilde charged out of the room and pinned him against the wall before he even managed to stand completely up.

"What?" Duo blinked. "Where's--"

"The documents. My bag!" She pounded her fist against the wall. "Where is it! You took it!"

"I took it."

Trowa's tall figure appeared over her shoulder, and Duo watched the girl whirl around, though still unsteady on her feet.

"You had no right." She choked back a sob as anger washed her face in a deeper shade of crimson. "How dare you."

"Keep your voice down. Do you want Zechs Merquise to hear you?"

Her livid complexion instantly paled. "Zechs Merquise?"

Trowa crossed his arms and spoke to the girl in his usual, unaffected tone. "Yes, the Reich's infamous Lightning Count. He's here. And I believe that his visit has something to do with what you were carrying."

Hilde brought a hand up to her throat and sank back against the wall. "How could they know?"

"Know what?" Duo looked from one to the other, waiting to be let in on their secret. How the heck did Trowa know so much about what was going on?

"They don't know. But they're suspicious."

Her hands shook and she closed her eyes. She no longer appeared to have the strength to stand. Duo moved to catch her just in case. "Suspicious of who? Would someone like to fill me in?"

Green eyes glittered dangerously. "Why don't you ask her. I'm sure she realizes that she owes us all that much."

"You weren't supposed to be involved," Hilde spat. "Herr Darlian--"

"It's too late. We're involved, now."

Duo stared up at the taller man. "Too late for what, Trowa?"

The communications officer glanced from Duo to Hilde. "To keep this kingdom from being implicated. Your people had better know what they're doing."

Hilde nodded, her complexion regaining some of its former color. "I believe in them. They will not fail."

"Okay, I'm seriously lost. Trowa? Hilde?"

Trowa took a step closer; his focus seemed to be completely on the girl from Germany. "You realize what will happen if they do? It won't be just this kingdom, it will be every name in that book you carried in here. And their families."

"They know. I know. And most of us...We do not worry about ourselves. It is worth any sacrifice to stop him." She lowered her gaze to the floor. "I try not to think of all the lives that could have been spared if we had acted sooner."

Trowa narrowed his eyes at young woman. "And I try not to think of all the lives that will be lost if you fail."



<center>**********************************************</center>

Relena stood at the window and looked down. Her brother-- No, SS Colonel Zechs Merquise and his entourage climbed into their waiting vehicles and prepared to leave.

"Why? Why are you leaving?" She looked up at her brother's silhouette in the doorway. "When are you coming back?"

"I cannot stay here, and tolerate this poorly disguised tyranny any longer." His normally calm voice practically growled. "Our father is a hypocrite. And holds others--"

"He's leaving because he is no longer welcome here. He is not my son." King Peacecraft entered the room from the hallway. His tall figure cast its shadow across the rug and engulfed his daughter's much smaller one. She stared up at him with pleading eyes.

"Father, please!"

"Your words have long since ceased to wound," Milliard said. He kept his back toward them, and wouldn't turn around. "Your disowning me as your son just saves me the trouble of having to relinquish the throne." He slammed the door shut behind him.

"Brother, don't go!" Relena rushed after him, yelling at the top of her lungs. "Please..."

He never looked back.

"Don't go."

She closed her eyes and felt a single tear escape from the corner of her eye. A gentle hand traced its path. The sides of her mouth turned up as his touch continued down to her jaw line and tilted up her chin. His breath was warm on her cheek, but lingered longer than she wanted.

Relena cracked her eyelids to gaze up into endless dark blue eyes. He stood, just staring at her, as if time and the world had stopped for only them.

"I promise, Relena...."

"I've turned it over and over in my mind. How can I send my people off to die? How can I invite this war into my country?"

His voice was low and quiet. "It's coming. Whether you want it or not."

A knock sounded at the door. "Miss Relena?"

"One moment," she said, and turned back to Heero. "I promised you yesterday. I will listen to what you have to say on the matter. But Quatre needs to check your bandages, and you need to eat to keep up your strength. We can meet in my office in an hour. I'm afraid you have all the advantage when you hold me like this."

He blinked then stepped back and released her from his loose embrace. "That's not why..."

"I know. I believe you. I trust you."

The door inched open. "Miss Relena?"

"Please take care of him, Quatre." Her eyes focused on the motorcade that had just begun to pull out of the drive.

Heero turned and took her arm, forcing her to look at him. "An hour," he said; his forehead creased above his brow in a serious expression. She nodded and he let her go, then followed the medic from the room -- leaving her alone.

Her brother's car, the one holding the highest-ranking officer, was last. It idled, giving the other vehicles a substantial head start. For a moment, she thought he might come back....

"I will not be able to make it back, Relena." She doubted his voice only sounded distant because of the connection.

"It's his funeral, Milliard. Whatever differences--"

"He disowned me, remember? He was not my father."

"Please come back. I'm not ready for this. I can't do this on my own. Not alone. Please, brother--"

The automobile lurched forward, following the other cars down the drive.

"It's not my place, Relena. Get married if you don't want to be alone." The connection clicked and then her earpiece vibrated with the final sound of the dial tone. He wasn't coming back.



You've never been here when I needed someone. When I had doubts. When I failed or made mistakes. When father died. When I was left to pick up the pieces at the age of sixteen.

You've not been a brother since you left all those years ago.

Relena's hands came up to touch the glass. Her knees felt like wobbling jelly, and she leaned on the window for support. The legs gave out beneath her dress, and she collapsed to the floor in a heap of blue silk.

How can I face this alone?

The Mercedes drove on, growing further away with every passing moment. She followed it with her eyes until it became a distant speck on the horizon.

Until he was gone.

[RyanEX2000]

it's alive....
IT'S ALIIIVVVVEEEEE......

[Sissi]

I can't believe it! Here's the sixth chapter of "Across Enemy Lines"! Wheee!! I'm so happy!

This chapter was awesome. More twists and mystery, especially concerning this Herr Darlian. Who could it be? Relena? She seemed innocent in this one, but who knows?

I loved Wufei's role here, he sounded so...I can't describe it. Very good chapter, though. I need more!!

Sissi

[angelic1090]

O.o It's here! And it's updated~~! *huggles Rose and Stella* I LOVE you guys!! I've been waiting for something to read that was GW-related for AGES and thank you thank you thank you!

This was a lovely chapter, and I like the way Heero is looking at Relena, even IF he is going to leave... he keeps moving (in a typical Heero-ish style) so it doesn't look like that's going to be soon.

Soo hmmm.... post again soon!

[Morrighan]

Ooh...!!! Ooh...!!! I've been waiting for this chapter for a really LONG time!! This chapter was worth the wait!!

Look forward to more!! The intrigue in this has got me hooked!!

[WhiteWindRRose]

OHHHHH!!!!!!!
YES!!! CHAPTER SIX!!!!!
yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes....

finally!!!! i knew that when i came to check for updates i'd perk right up, as usual!!!! yes!!

well... so I haven't read it yet........ but i'll find the time to soon!!!!
i know i won't be disappointed....

ohhh!!! yeah!! ::hops up and down::
this is gonna be a blast!!!

[WhiteWindRRose]

OHHHHH!!!!!!!
YES!!! CHAPTER SIX!!!!!
yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes....

finally!!!! i knew that when i came to check for updates i'd perk right up, as usual!!!! yes!!

well... so I haven't read it yet........ but i'll find the time to soon!!!!
i know i won't be disappointed....

ohhh!!! yeah!! ::hops up and down::
this is gonna be a blast!!!

[TigerQueen]

Damn...it's nearly 12:30, I have a 9 o'clock tomorrow, & I still have over half of my reading to do...but this was just TOO GOOD!!! Of course, I had to go searching for all the other chapters :-? grr...stupid people, forcing me to stay up late on a school night

Fantastic! My dad was an officer on a destroyer in the Pacific in WWII (yup, he's 80 years old & my honest-to-God Daddy), so I love WWII fics (even though this is a completely different front). If you ever want a first-hand account of the war in the Pacific -- SHAMELESS PLUG -- he wrote a book, & it's in a lot of university libraries -- 200,000 Miles Aboard the Destroyer Cotten -- geisha's & all which is kind of weird for me to read...Why am I telling you all this? BECAUSE IT'S NOW 12:32 IN THE MORNING, THAT'S WHY!!!

Anyway, lovely fic! I especially love the way you've worked in lines & images from the anime -- esp. the difference between protecting the country & protecting HER. Gorgeous!

[wicked]

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! Or as you might say, Huzzah! Another fantastic chapter Rose and Stella. I don't care how long it takes for you to update (I can live with the torture) just as long as you do update!!!

*does the happy dance* I don't think I need to tell you that I just love all those warm moment between Heero and Relena. Oh do keep those coming!!

Absolutely fantabulous!!!

And don't you just love Trowa's determination? *sighs happily* I know I do!!

~Wicked

[Darkwing]

B-B-B-but...What is this? *Stares at the screen with huge sparkling eyes* ACROSS ENEMY LINES?
YAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rose, Stella e Luvspook! I LOVE YOU!
You made my day with this!!
This is one of the first fiction I've ever read in my life and I never forgot it!

Have I to say something more after telling you that reading this chapter had been the first thing I did today?

Have it some sense if I cover you with the compliments you deserve after saying you let me without words? (Me without words? Nahh! )

Just one plea. Chain your muses to the desk and...oh...btw, Rose...I still have a certain Noodle. If you promise me to use it on your muse I could even think to give it back! :razz:
If you are interested...you know how to call me!

GREAT JOB, gals!!

*Flyes away*