In Medvias Res 3: Something More
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2003 8:32 pm
Chapter 3: Something More
I just opened up my eyes
And let the world come climbing in
It's all better now, things are gonna work somehow
If I just sleep another hour
Tried to reach you at your mom's
Hey baby why you trying to keep away for so long
I stopped feeling good, somehow I just knew I would
I guess I'll sleep another hour
Feels like I'm wasting my time
Hanging on this same old line
Got to get you off of my mind
There's nothing left for me to find
And all the more I want
All the more I need
All the while you want something more
All the more I want
All the more I need
All the while you want something more
Thought I found the words to say
Just to get you feeling fine over heels my way
But it don't matter how
I lost the word and nerve and now
There's nothing more for me to say
Feels like I'm wasting my time
Hanging on this same old line
There's nothing left for me to find
And all the more I want
All the more I need
All the while you want something more
All the more I want
All the more I need
All the while you want something
There's nothing left for me to say
Wanting what I need this way
And when I'm feeling low I know
I need to stop
And someday you will see
All the more you want
All the more you'll need me
All the while I'll be on to something more
And all the more you want
All the more you'll need me
All the while I want something more
I want something more
I want something more than this
The noonday sun beat strongly upon the British camp. Watery, translucent heat waves could be seen lazily bouncing off the tents when ones eyes weren?t focused on any particular thing. People moved about sluggishly because to move any faster seemed inhuman. A young Kurdish mother held her listless baby close while a year old child curled around her feet. Her face was grunt and badly sun backed. Her body was bent and exhausted. She didn?t even have the tears to cry about the fact that her husband had been killed in the last raid. This young mother was the very embodiment of the camp. Everyone was exhausted and grunt. No one had the strength left to cry. Yet, there is always hope. She had her children, just like the soldiers here had their families and lovers waiting for them at home.
Captain Quatre Winner contemplated this as he sat and stirred the thin, repugnant mess people were calling ?Crawford?s Stew?. No one quite knew what it was made of, but since supplies were so low no one asked. The Mess Hall was crowded but he still managed to feel lonely. The men around him were talking about fighting and killing. Some talked about what they had seen with haunted eyes and trembling fingers, but others couldn?t keep feral grins off their faces or mirth out of their eyes. These men, the ones that enjoyed killing, scared him than any other thing could. Quatre had always tried to be as non-violent as he could. In fact one time as a child he had nursed a lizard back to health after Duo had injured it trying to throw the poor thing on Relena.
Quatre was so caught up in his memories of childhood days that he didn?t notice the woman come into the Mess Hall. She scanned the crowed hall for a place to sit and choke down her meager portion of stew. She spotted Quatre sitting not too far away and made a beeline for the young orderly.
?Excuse me. Please move. Thank you. No, I?m going to sit by Captain Winner.? She pushed her way throw and finally placed her plate down in satisfaction. She noticed that he seemed deep in thought while whirling the wooden spoon around in his plate.
?Captain!? She called to him. Quatre looked up to see nurse Cathy Bloom sitting beside him. He smiled kindly at her and put his spoon down.
?Nurse Bloom! So, you?ve braved the heat to come and eat. Today the stew is especially thin, but to make up for that someone added a mystery meat that that fellow over there thinks might be cat. I was afraid to ask how he knew.? Cathy laughed with him, because it was either laugh of cry. She took a small taste of her meal and tried not to cringe.
?It?s not that bad really if you try and pretend your eating your favorite meal.? She forced herself to eat another bite.
?So, what?s yours?? Quatre pushed his plate towards the middle of the table were one of the near by soldiers made short work of the almost untouched stew.
?What?s my what?? she looked up in confusion. Quatre noticed how some of her bright red hair had come out of the hasty bun she?d put it up in. He smiled slightly at the sight.
?Your favorite meal, it?s got to be good if it helps you eat this stuff.? He leaned his arms against the table and turned to look at her in the dim light. She pursed her lips in thought.
?Think my favorite meal would have to be roast beef. Every Sunday our family would gather around and that?s what we?d eat. My little brother loved it.? There was much sadness in her voice. Quatre was sure he saw a tear run down her cheek and plop into her stew.
?You don?t have to tell me if you don?t want to.? He told her quietly. Besides Relena, Cathy was the only other nurse here that he felt close too. Usually she was just so bright and happy. Quatre didn?t was to bring up a subjects that she was uncomfortable with.
?No, it?s just that it was so long ago. You?d think that would make it hurt less, but it doesn?t. Mother died then father left us with an elder Aunt. She worked in the circus.? Cathy smiled a little at the memories, ? Those were good years. Trowa loved to help her feed the animals and she was training me do to all sorts of things, but I guess it wasn?t meant to be. She died when I was 10. Trowa was only 7 and much too small to be any good so the Company left him in a London orphanage. I thought I?d go with the circus for just a little while until I could make some money for us then I?d come back and get him. But I didn?t make money like I thought I would?? She looked away from his kind eyes. She didn?t want his pity. Cathy gave a strained laugh and shook her head. Quatre reached over and patted her hand. He understood that some things were too painful for her to talk about.
?I?m sorry. It must be the heat making me carry on so! I must get back to my duties now. Those sick soldiers don?t get better on their own!? Again her happy persona was back in place. Quatre didn?t say anything about it, just agreed that he should be getting back soon too. They walked out into the afternoon sun together. Quatre didn?t notice the smile that slid across his own face and if he had, he would never have admitted that the young nurse walking beside him had anything to do with it.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Duo Maxwell sat in the heat of the mess hall and watched his companion frown. He thought back to his first meeting with Heero Yuy two years earlier. Dou had been a brash 20-year-old ready to see the world, and through some pretty special contacts had entered British Intelligence. On his very first mission Heero had been his partner. To say that they clashed was an understatement. Duo smiled at the memories of fights and arguments he?d had with this man, but when the chips were down they worked like a well-oiled machine together. Maybe if he had been partnered with Yuy in the Jerusalem mission he would never have gotten captured. But Heero had been on business in Cairo at the time so Duo had been sent in alone.
?Oh well, alls well that ends well.?
?Hey Yuy, do you still have that stick half way up your ass?? he asked his brooding tablemate. Heero didn?t even glare at him. Duo quirked one eyebrow up and shrugged. If the guy didn?t even glare then what ever was eating him must be big.
?I guess you still do, huh? Well don?t worry old buddy, someone will come along and either pull it out or shove it all the way in for ya?.? He still didn?t get so much as an eyebrow flicker. Duo sighed and sat back. He reached into his pant pocket and pulled out two cigarettes and a match. He offered one to the Major, then struck the match and lit both smokes. Heero took a long draw off his then sent the accesses smoke towards the ceiling.
?Maxwell if you ever talk about my ass again I?ll kill you.? He said it so softly that Duo almost missed it. He grinned at the fact that he had gotten a response. Duo happily puffed on his cigarette waiting for Heero to explain the things he could.
?I came to see if the reports you were sending in were as bad as you made them out to be. And if anything I find them to be worse. I have to convince him to give up this foolhardiness. He will never beat the Turks back form this position. In fact he should have already retreated back to Abadan!? He took another long draw off his cigarette and held the smoke in his lungs a bit before exhaling. He turned angry eyes toward his partner and played with the thought of killing him now?or later.
?What I didn?t barging for, Dou, was Relena Peacecraft being here.? Heero?s words were spoken in a monotone that told Duo just how angry he was. Heero took the cigarette out of his mouth and crushed it into the wooden table. ?I told her to stay with her brother on the ship were he could protect her while I was gone. And knowing she would never do what I told her to, I asked YOU to make sure she stayed put. I? Heero leaned menacing over the table toward Duo, ?Distinctly remember telling you to use ANY means. Yet I pull up here and who do I see walking, pretty as you please across the sand, like this is a bloody tea party?! Relena Peacecraft!? Heero?s glare was deadly enough to turn even the most hardened soldiers to jelly, but Duo was immunized to its power.
?I tried doing what you asked me to do, Yuy, but unfortunately, I can only be one place at a time. All I could do before I was sent to see what was going on here was?well?nothing. I wasn?t even given the time to SEE my family much less keep one of them in Cairo. But I suppose you don?t remember giving me my mission papers the day after I got back from the Jerusalam mission?? Duo was getting angry with his partner now. ?Yuy, you might not consider yourself human, but I damn well am. And another thing, buddy, if you had just contacted her anytime during the last 12 months she might not be here.? Duo knew he was pushing it a little with that comment, but he was tired of the way his partner kept blaming him for the problems in his personal life.
?Are you blaming me for her stupidity?? Heero sat back a little more calmly than he had stood up.
?All I?m say is you should consider her motives before you begin laying blame.? Duo sighed and rubbed his tired eyes. ?Quatre?s also here with her.? Heero?s shoulders tensed at the mention of Quatre?s name. Duo had noticed this same reaction in Quatre. He thought about asking what this shared dislike was all about, but desided he was just too tired.
?Look, I just don?t won?t to talk about this with you anymore. What I do need is to know is what are you planning to do about Crawford??
?There?s precious little I can do. I was sent to collect you then to go in behind the enemy lines for some recon. Other then sending a report to our superior my hands are tied.? Duo swore under his breath. If the great Heero Yuy, Master of Miracles, said there was nothing he could do then the situation had to be dire.
?What can we do, Heero??
?Only what we can.?
~*~*~*~*~*~
The medical tent was dimly lit as Nurse Relena moved around the room checking the bandages of the wounded. Most of them were in surprisingly good spirits for men that were bed bound in a tiny ill-smelling room. That should have made her happy, but it didn?t. Not when she realized that the reason for their good spirit was because if they were sick, they didn?t have to go out and face certain death on the front lines. One solider who had died last week had said it best in his last hours.
?Fighting because it?s right and honorable is one thing, but fighting because someone thinks you?re a bloody chess piece is another thing entirely. There?s no honor in that kinda fighting.?
Relena had held his hand as he died.
?I understand what he was saying now, but I?m so helpless. All I can do is comfort the dying?and those still living...?
One of the soldiers reached out and caught her dress as she walked by. Relena turned around to see a young Asian man sitting up in bed. She smiled politely and moved closer to him.
?What can I get for you?? She reached out to take his hand, but he jerked it away as if her touch was poison.
?I want something to drink woman.? Relena swallowed back the retort that tried to claw it?s way out of her throat at his arrogant tone.
?I?ll bring water to everyone when I finish checking wounds.? She informed him before moving off to the next bed. Again she felt a tug on her skirt, though in truth it was more like a jerk. She just turned her head this time.
?Do you need something more??
?Yes, I want my water! Right. Now.? The glare he was sending her almost had the same amount of pure animosity that Heero?s had. But not quite.
?I told you, I?ll bring it to you in a minute. Now, kindly release my skirt, please.? She sent a glare of her own toward the hand still fisted in her dress. The soldier wasn?t backing down, and neither was Relena. The other patients were starting to make bets on whether Nurse Peacecraft would kill the man outright or in his sleep later when Sally walked in. She crossed her arms and cleared her throat to get the glaring nurse?s and patient?s attention.
?Well, I see you?ve met Chang Wufei, Relena.? She nodded to the prone man with some amusement. Relena just narrowed her eyes more.
?Yes, Doctor, I believe I have, but I can?t say I?m overjoyed.? Wufei had reluctantly let go of Relena?s clothes when Sally walked up and now Relena took the opportunity to move on with her rounds. She was contemplating how long she could put off bringing him water before he made a scene.
Sally sat down on the side of her sullen patients bed and sighed.
?What did you do to her, Wufei?? He just glared at her for a long moment. Sally finally desided that he wasn?t going to talk so she stood up.
?I wanted water.? Came his clipped reply. Sally sat back down.
? I suppose you didn?t ask nicely or say please, hmm? Wufei one day your rudeness will get you into trouble.? She remarked. As long as she had known this young man his attitude had made him more enemies than friends. Sally stood up and got him some water then sat back down and told him as much. He drank down the water thirstily then shoved the tin cup back into her hands.
?You?ve only known me 6 months, woman, you have no clue about my friends and enemies. Now I want to go to sleep. And tell that menace to stay away from me.? He pointed at Relena, who was chatting with a soldier who had lost his eyes to shrapnel a few beds down. Sally didn?t let his rudeness faze her as she stood. She reached for her pocket watch and sighed. Her small break was over now and it was time to get back to sewing soldiers back together.
~*~*~*~
Hours later Relena walked across the swirling sand in darkness. She stumbled over some un-seen obstacle and sighed.
?Nobody told me when I wanted to be a nurse that I?d have to watch people die?like this.? Today three of her patients had passed on; the bulge in her pocket was all the proof their families would need. Each letter contained a set of dog tags.
As she neared her tent she noticed someone sitting beside it. The full moon broke threw the clouds and provided her with enough light to see who it was that waited.
?Duo, is every thing okay?? Duo hastily got up from the sand and brushed off his pants. His movements told Relena that he had been sleeping before she walked up. She frowned in concern as he gave her a tired smile.
?Nothings wrong Princess, just thought I?d take a little nap while I waited for ya? to come home.? Duo shifted from one foot to the other nervously. He hadn?t spoken to his old friend since yesterday when they had fought. Duo pulled out a smoke and a match to give his hands something to do. Relena?s frown turned from worry to irritation at the sight of the cigarette.
?Duo Maxwell, I can not believe the bad habits you?ve picked up in the last two years!? She patted her foot in the sand waiting for him to account for himself. Duo actually blushed and reluctantly snuffed his precious cigarette out on the ground. Relena smiled in triumph as the little red light went out.
?Now that we?ve taken care of that, was there a special reason you came to see me?? She raised an eyebrow. As much as she was overjoyed as seeing him again after two years she was tired and only had three hours to sleep before her shift went back in.
?Oh?ummm?yeah. I was told to give you?this.? He fumbled around in the numerous pockets of his uniform before pulling out a white piece of paper in victory. He held it out to her with a grin then gave her a one armed hug around her shoulders.
?I?ve got to get back to my post now. I?ll try to visit you tomorrow, okay?? Relena nodded up at him and shuffled exhaustedly inside her tent. She fell across her cot and felt her eyes drift shut.
?I wonder what that was all about. Duo didn?t even tell my who sent him.? Her curiosity got the better of her as she lay there trying to turn off her now racing thoughts. Relena groaned and sat up. The note had crinkled slightly when she had flopped on the bed. She smoothed it out and held it out to catch the small amount of light coming in at the flap.
Dear Lady Peacecraft,
I was very surprised to find you here on the front lines when I arrived. We really need to discuss this but I don?t have much time. You are to come to the Mess Hall an hour after sunset tomorrow. I checked with Dr. Po so I know your not on shift then.
Relena didn?t even blink as she ripped the paper into tiny pieces. Even though it wasn?t signed she knew who had sent it.
?He thinks he can just order me around? Of all the nerve!? She lay back down on her cot and stared at the ceiling. Tonight the spots didn?t resemble animals, more like dark tear stains.
?He always thought that he could order me around. I remember when he told me he was leaving??
~FLASHBACK~
The sound of the brass orchestra sounded softly in the background as Heero lead her outside. Relena?s cheeks were flushed with happiness as she clung to his arm. He found a secluded spot in the garden and helped her sit down. She expected him to sit beside her on the bench but he remained standing.
?I?m been called to France.? Heero didn?t look at her when he said it.
?What?? The color drained from her face at his words. ?But?you said?Heero what happened?? She tried to keep the tears at bay. And here she thought he was going to ask her to marry him.
?They need someone who?s been there before and has contacts. And I never said I was going to leave my work for you Relena. You just assumed that one on your own.? He pointed out. Relena didn?t see the pain flash in his eyes as he said this.
?I want you to stay with your brother, Relena. Don?t leave Cairo unless he goes with you. I don?t want any of my enemies coming after you.? Relena felt her spine stiffen. She stood to her full 5 foot 3 inches and prepared to set the Major straight.
?How dare you tell me were to stay while you go gallivanting around the world? I don?t care---? His mouth crushed down on hers in a torrent of emotion. Relena was taken wholly by surprise when she felt his demanding lips possess hers. His arms wrapped tightly around her waist and her resistants slowly melted away. After what seemed like forever they both had to come up for breath.
?Heero?? She whispered his name as she gasped for breath. Relena had to clutch the front of his shirt to hold herself up.
?Promise me?? He spoke softly into her ear, his own chest heaving from lack of breath. He nibbled on the edge of her ear. Relena moaned quietly. She leaned her neck back, instinctively offering it up to his warm mouth.
??Okay?? She agreed without much thought. Heero slowly pulled away from her. He looked into her glazed over eyes and placed one more kiss upon her red swollen lips. Then he was gone.
~END FLASHBACK~Later when Relena had gotten her wits back she had been angry, then the tears had come. Two months later when she still hadn?t heard anything from Heero she signed up to go to the front lines. Now he was back and wanted to meet her.
?I can?t see him now. I?m too venerable. All he?d have to go is kiss me?? Relena rolled over on to her side and let the tears fall.
~*~*~*~*~
A.N
Greetings all!!! I finally convinced my muse to come out from under my bed and to bring this chapter with him. And that took a lot of doing considering that little Rice Ball (my muse) is allergic to chocolate. I had to lure him out with a special mixture of strawberry and banana jams. But that?s neither here nor there?I was asked some questions about this fic that I?d like to answer!!!
Some one asked me if I did my own research. Well to answer that I?ve done some, but mostly everything I know comes from my handy-dandy little book ?Lions of the Desert? and those things I learned in school. (Which wasn?t much.) I am running to the end of my knowledge though so I?m going to have to hit the books soon.
Also, some one commented on the bombing of the hospital. Well?I don?t know about honor?that scene came from the above book?I just wrote it from Relena?s view?*blush* Anyway?ummm?so your probably right?lets just say that the enemy forgot about honor for a minute.
Another thing was about Duo being captured. I know the real unrest comes later, but as you can see from this chapter he was spying!! *sings Secret Agent Man*
Ummmmm?I think that?s all?I hope you all liked this chapter?and I sincerely thank all of you who reviewed. Please be patient with me?I?ve never written something were I couldn?t just make up the facts as I went along. Feel free to tell me if I get something blatantly wrong.
Disclaimer: I don?t own anything I?m using here in this story and I don?t own the song Something More by Train. Some of the idea?s are even stolen *evil grin* but the good news is
(1) No one was hurt in the production of this chapter.
(2) I didn?t make any money off of this.
(3) I can?t sing!! (Not that that maters, eh?)
So you can all rest in peace tonight knowing that I don?t own anything!! End Disclaimer:
Smoochies!!
Hitomi Lei A.K.A The Purple Ghost
P.S. Are the chapters too long? Because I see a lot of authors apologizing for the length of their chapters and I was just wondering?Shorter or longer? What do you all prefer?
I just opened up my eyes
And let the world come climbing in
It's all better now, things are gonna work somehow
If I just sleep another hour
Tried to reach you at your mom's
Hey baby why you trying to keep away for so long
I stopped feeling good, somehow I just knew I would
I guess I'll sleep another hour
Feels like I'm wasting my time
Hanging on this same old line
Got to get you off of my mind
There's nothing left for me to find
And all the more I want
All the more I need
All the while you want something more
All the more I want
All the more I need
All the while you want something more
Thought I found the words to say
Just to get you feeling fine over heels my way
But it don't matter how
I lost the word and nerve and now
There's nothing more for me to say
Feels like I'm wasting my time
Hanging on this same old line
There's nothing left for me to find
And all the more I want
All the more I need
All the while you want something more
All the more I want
All the more I need
All the while you want something
There's nothing left for me to say
Wanting what I need this way
And when I'm feeling low I know
I need to stop
And someday you will see
All the more you want
All the more you'll need me
All the while I'll be on to something more
And all the more you want
All the more you'll need me
All the while I want something more
I want something more
I want something more than this
The noonday sun beat strongly upon the British camp. Watery, translucent heat waves could be seen lazily bouncing off the tents when ones eyes weren?t focused on any particular thing. People moved about sluggishly because to move any faster seemed inhuman. A young Kurdish mother held her listless baby close while a year old child curled around her feet. Her face was grunt and badly sun backed. Her body was bent and exhausted. She didn?t even have the tears to cry about the fact that her husband had been killed in the last raid. This young mother was the very embodiment of the camp. Everyone was exhausted and grunt. No one had the strength left to cry. Yet, there is always hope. She had her children, just like the soldiers here had their families and lovers waiting for them at home.
Captain Quatre Winner contemplated this as he sat and stirred the thin, repugnant mess people were calling ?Crawford?s Stew?. No one quite knew what it was made of, but since supplies were so low no one asked. The Mess Hall was crowded but he still managed to feel lonely. The men around him were talking about fighting and killing. Some talked about what they had seen with haunted eyes and trembling fingers, but others couldn?t keep feral grins off their faces or mirth out of their eyes. These men, the ones that enjoyed killing, scared him than any other thing could. Quatre had always tried to be as non-violent as he could. In fact one time as a child he had nursed a lizard back to health after Duo had injured it trying to throw the poor thing on Relena.
Quatre was so caught up in his memories of childhood days that he didn?t notice the woman come into the Mess Hall. She scanned the crowed hall for a place to sit and choke down her meager portion of stew. She spotted Quatre sitting not too far away and made a beeline for the young orderly.
?Excuse me. Please move. Thank you. No, I?m going to sit by Captain Winner.? She pushed her way throw and finally placed her plate down in satisfaction. She noticed that he seemed deep in thought while whirling the wooden spoon around in his plate.
?Captain!? She called to him. Quatre looked up to see nurse Cathy Bloom sitting beside him. He smiled kindly at her and put his spoon down.
?Nurse Bloom! So, you?ve braved the heat to come and eat. Today the stew is especially thin, but to make up for that someone added a mystery meat that that fellow over there thinks might be cat. I was afraid to ask how he knew.? Cathy laughed with him, because it was either laugh of cry. She took a small taste of her meal and tried not to cringe.
?It?s not that bad really if you try and pretend your eating your favorite meal.? She forced herself to eat another bite.
?So, what?s yours?? Quatre pushed his plate towards the middle of the table were one of the near by soldiers made short work of the almost untouched stew.
?What?s my what?? she looked up in confusion. Quatre noticed how some of her bright red hair had come out of the hasty bun she?d put it up in. He smiled slightly at the sight.
?Your favorite meal, it?s got to be good if it helps you eat this stuff.? He leaned his arms against the table and turned to look at her in the dim light. She pursed her lips in thought.
?Think my favorite meal would have to be roast beef. Every Sunday our family would gather around and that?s what we?d eat. My little brother loved it.? There was much sadness in her voice. Quatre was sure he saw a tear run down her cheek and plop into her stew.
?You don?t have to tell me if you don?t want to.? He told her quietly. Besides Relena, Cathy was the only other nurse here that he felt close too. Usually she was just so bright and happy. Quatre didn?t was to bring up a subjects that she was uncomfortable with.
?No, it?s just that it was so long ago. You?d think that would make it hurt less, but it doesn?t. Mother died then father left us with an elder Aunt. She worked in the circus.? Cathy smiled a little at the memories, ? Those were good years. Trowa loved to help her feed the animals and she was training me do to all sorts of things, but I guess it wasn?t meant to be. She died when I was 10. Trowa was only 7 and much too small to be any good so the Company left him in a London orphanage. I thought I?d go with the circus for just a little while until I could make some money for us then I?d come back and get him. But I didn?t make money like I thought I would?? She looked away from his kind eyes. She didn?t want his pity. Cathy gave a strained laugh and shook her head. Quatre reached over and patted her hand. He understood that some things were too painful for her to talk about.
?I?m sorry. It must be the heat making me carry on so! I must get back to my duties now. Those sick soldiers don?t get better on their own!? Again her happy persona was back in place. Quatre didn?t say anything about it, just agreed that he should be getting back soon too. They walked out into the afternoon sun together. Quatre didn?t notice the smile that slid across his own face and if he had, he would never have admitted that the young nurse walking beside him had anything to do with it.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Duo Maxwell sat in the heat of the mess hall and watched his companion frown. He thought back to his first meeting with Heero Yuy two years earlier. Dou had been a brash 20-year-old ready to see the world, and through some pretty special contacts had entered British Intelligence. On his very first mission Heero had been his partner. To say that they clashed was an understatement. Duo smiled at the memories of fights and arguments he?d had with this man, but when the chips were down they worked like a well-oiled machine together. Maybe if he had been partnered with Yuy in the Jerusalem mission he would never have gotten captured. But Heero had been on business in Cairo at the time so Duo had been sent in alone.
?Oh well, alls well that ends well.?
?Hey Yuy, do you still have that stick half way up your ass?? he asked his brooding tablemate. Heero didn?t even glare at him. Duo quirked one eyebrow up and shrugged. If the guy didn?t even glare then what ever was eating him must be big.
?I guess you still do, huh? Well don?t worry old buddy, someone will come along and either pull it out or shove it all the way in for ya?.? He still didn?t get so much as an eyebrow flicker. Duo sighed and sat back. He reached into his pant pocket and pulled out two cigarettes and a match. He offered one to the Major, then struck the match and lit both smokes. Heero took a long draw off his then sent the accesses smoke towards the ceiling.
?Maxwell if you ever talk about my ass again I?ll kill you.? He said it so softly that Duo almost missed it. He grinned at the fact that he had gotten a response. Duo happily puffed on his cigarette waiting for Heero to explain the things he could.
?I came to see if the reports you were sending in were as bad as you made them out to be. And if anything I find them to be worse. I have to convince him to give up this foolhardiness. He will never beat the Turks back form this position. In fact he should have already retreated back to Abadan!? He took another long draw off his cigarette and held the smoke in his lungs a bit before exhaling. He turned angry eyes toward his partner and played with the thought of killing him now?or later.
?What I didn?t barging for, Dou, was Relena Peacecraft being here.? Heero?s words were spoken in a monotone that told Duo just how angry he was. Heero took the cigarette out of his mouth and crushed it into the wooden table. ?I told her to stay with her brother on the ship were he could protect her while I was gone. And knowing she would never do what I told her to, I asked YOU to make sure she stayed put. I? Heero leaned menacing over the table toward Duo, ?Distinctly remember telling you to use ANY means. Yet I pull up here and who do I see walking, pretty as you please across the sand, like this is a bloody tea party?! Relena Peacecraft!? Heero?s glare was deadly enough to turn even the most hardened soldiers to jelly, but Duo was immunized to its power.
?I tried doing what you asked me to do, Yuy, but unfortunately, I can only be one place at a time. All I could do before I was sent to see what was going on here was?well?nothing. I wasn?t even given the time to SEE my family much less keep one of them in Cairo. But I suppose you don?t remember giving me my mission papers the day after I got back from the Jerusalam mission?? Duo was getting angry with his partner now. ?Yuy, you might not consider yourself human, but I damn well am. And another thing, buddy, if you had just contacted her anytime during the last 12 months she might not be here.? Duo knew he was pushing it a little with that comment, but he was tired of the way his partner kept blaming him for the problems in his personal life.
?Are you blaming me for her stupidity?? Heero sat back a little more calmly than he had stood up.
?All I?m say is you should consider her motives before you begin laying blame.? Duo sighed and rubbed his tired eyes. ?Quatre?s also here with her.? Heero?s shoulders tensed at the mention of Quatre?s name. Duo had noticed this same reaction in Quatre. He thought about asking what this shared dislike was all about, but desided he was just too tired.
?Look, I just don?t won?t to talk about this with you anymore. What I do need is to know is what are you planning to do about Crawford??
?There?s precious little I can do. I was sent to collect you then to go in behind the enemy lines for some recon. Other then sending a report to our superior my hands are tied.? Duo swore under his breath. If the great Heero Yuy, Master of Miracles, said there was nothing he could do then the situation had to be dire.
?What can we do, Heero??
?Only what we can.?
~*~*~*~*~*~
The medical tent was dimly lit as Nurse Relena moved around the room checking the bandages of the wounded. Most of them were in surprisingly good spirits for men that were bed bound in a tiny ill-smelling room. That should have made her happy, but it didn?t. Not when she realized that the reason for their good spirit was because if they were sick, they didn?t have to go out and face certain death on the front lines. One solider who had died last week had said it best in his last hours.
?Fighting because it?s right and honorable is one thing, but fighting because someone thinks you?re a bloody chess piece is another thing entirely. There?s no honor in that kinda fighting.?
Relena had held his hand as he died.
?I understand what he was saying now, but I?m so helpless. All I can do is comfort the dying?and those still living...?
One of the soldiers reached out and caught her dress as she walked by. Relena turned around to see a young Asian man sitting up in bed. She smiled politely and moved closer to him.
?What can I get for you?? She reached out to take his hand, but he jerked it away as if her touch was poison.
?I want something to drink woman.? Relena swallowed back the retort that tried to claw it?s way out of her throat at his arrogant tone.
?I?ll bring water to everyone when I finish checking wounds.? She informed him before moving off to the next bed. Again she felt a tug on her skirt, though in truth it was more like a jerk. She just turned her head this time.
?Do you need something more??
?Yes, I want my water! Right. Now.? The glare he was sending her almost had the same amount of pure animosity that Heero?s had. But not quite.
?I told you, I?ll bring it to you in a minute. Now, kindly release my skirt, please.? She sent a glare of her own toward the hand still fisted in her dress. The soldier wasn?t backing down, and neither was Relena. The other patients were starting to make bets on whether Nurse Peacecraft would kill the man outright or in his sleep later when Sally walked in. She crossed her arms and cleared her throat to get the glaring nurse?s and patient?s attention.
?Well, I see you?ve met Chang Wufei, Relena.? She nodded to the prone man with some amusement. Relena just narrowed her eyes more.
?Yes, Doctor, I believe I have, but I can?t say I?m overjoyed.? Wufei had reluctantly let go of Relena?s clothes when Sally walked up and now Relena took the opportunity to move on with her rounds. She was contemplating how long she could put off bringing him water before he made a scene.
Sally sat down on the side of her sullen patients bed and sighed.
?What did you do to her, Wufei?? He just glared at her for a long moment. Sally finally desided that he wasn?t going to talk so she stood up.
?I wanted water.? Came his clipped reply. Sally sat back down.
? I suppose you didn?t ask nicely or say please, hmm? Wufei one day your rudeness will get you into trouble.? She remarked. As long as she had known this young man his attitude had made him more enemies than friends. Sally stood up and got him some water then sat back down and told him as much. He drank down the water thirstily then shoved the tin cup back into her hands.
?You?ve only known me 6 months, woman, you have no clue about my friends and enemies. Now I want to go to sleep. And tell that menace to stay away from me.? He pointed at Relena, who was chatting with a soldier who had lost his eyes to shrapnel a few beds down. Sally didn?t let his rudeness faze her as she stood. She reached for her pocket watch and sighed. Her small break was over now and it was time to get back to sewing soldiers back together.
~*~*~*~
Hours later Relena walked across the swirling sand in darkness. She stumbled over some un-seen obstacle and sighed.
?Nobody told me when I wanted to be a nurse that I?d have to watch people die?like this.? Today three of her patients had passed on; the bulge in her pocket was all the proof their families would need. Each letter contained a set of dog tags.
As she neared her tent she noticed someone sitting beside it. The full moon broke threw the clouds and provided her with enough light to see who it was that waited.
?Duo, is every thing okay?? Duo hastily got up from the sand and brushed off his pants. His movements told Relena that he had been sleeping before she walked up. She frowned in concern as he gave her a tired smile.
?Nothings wrong Princess, just thought I?d take a little nap while I waited for ya? to come home.? Duo shifted from one foot to the other nervously. He hadn?t spoken to his old friend since yesterday when they had fought. Duo pulled out a smoke and a match to give his hands something to do. Relena?s frown turned from worry to irritation at the sight of the cigarette.
?Duo Maxwell, I can not believe the bad habits you?ve picked up in the last two years!? She patted her foot in the sand waiting for him to account for himself. Duo actually blushed and reluctantly snuffed his precious cigarette out on the ground. Relena smiled in triumph as the little red light went out.
?Now that we?ve taken care of that, was there a special reason you came to see me?? She raised an eyebrow. As much as she was overjoyed as seeing him again after two years she was tired and only had three hours to sleep before her shift went back in.
?Oh?ummm?yeah. I was told to give you?this.? He fumbled around in the numerous pockets of his uniform before pulling out a white piece of paper in victory. He held it out to her with a grin then gave her a one armed hug around her shoulders.
?I?ve got to get back to my post now. I?ll try to visit you tomorrow, okay?? Relena nodded up at him and shuffled exhaustedly inside her tent. She fell across her cot and felt her eyes drift shut.
?I wonder what that was all about. Duo didn?t even tell my who sent him.? Her curiosity got the better of her as she lay there trying to turn off her now racing thoughts. Relena groaned and sat up. The note had crinkled slightly when she had flopped on the bed. She smoothed it out and held it out to catch the small amount of light coming in at the flap.
Dear Lady Peacecraft,
I was very surprised to find you here on the front lines when I arrived. We really need to discuss this but I don?t have much time. You are to come to the Mess Hall an hour after sunset tomorrow. I checked with Dr. Po so I know your not on shift then.
Relena didn?t even blink as she ripped the paper into tiny pieces. Even though it wasn?t signed she knew who had sent it.
?He thinks he can just order me around? Of all the nerve!? She lay back down on her cot and stared at the ceiling. Tonight the spots didn?t resemble animals, more like dark tear stains.
?He always thought that he could order me around. I remember when he told me he was leaving??
~FLASHBACK~
The sound of the brass orchestra sounded softly in the background as Heero lead her outside. Relena?s cheeks were flushed with happiness as she clung to his arm. He found a secluded spot in the garden and helped her sit down. She expected him to sit beside her on the bench but he remained standing.
?I?m been called to France.? Heero didn?t look at her when he said it.
?What?? The color drained from her face at his words. ?But?you said?Heero what happened?? She tried to keep the tears at bay. And here she thought he was going to ask her to marry him.
?They need someone who?s been there before and has contacts. And I never said I was going to leave my work for you Relena. You just assumed that one on your own.? He pointed out. Relena didn?t see the pain flash in his eyes as he said this.
?I want you to stay with your brother, Relena. Don?t leave Cairo unless he goes with you. I don?t want any of my enemies coming after you.? Relena felt her spine stiffen. She stood to her full 5 foot 3 inches and prepared to set the Major straight.
?How dare you tell me were to stay while you go gallivanting around the world? I don?t care---? His mouth crushed down on hers in a torrent of emotion. Relena was taken wholly by surprise when she felt his demanding lips possess hers. His arms wrapped tightly around her waist and her resistants slowly melted away. After what seemed like forever they both had to come up for breath.
?Heero?? She whispered his name as she gasped for breath. Relena had to clutch the front of his shirt to hold herself up.
?Promise me?? He spoke softly into her ear, his own chest heaving from lack of breath. He nibbled on the edge of her ear. Relena moaned quietly. She leaned her neck back, instinctively offering it up to his warm mouth.
??Okay?? She agreed without much thought. Heero slowly pulled away from her. He looked into her glazed over eyes and placed one more kiss upon her red swollen lips. Then he was gone.
~END FLASHBACK~Later when Relena had gotten her wits back she had been angry, then the tears had come. Two months later when she still hadn?t heard anything from Heero she signed up to go to the front lines. Now he was back and wanted to meet her.
?I can?t see him now. I?m too venerable. All he?d have to go is kiss me?? Relena rolled over on to her side and let the tears fall.
~*~*~*~*~
A.N
Greetings all!!! I finally convinced my muse to come out from under my bed and to bring this chapter with him. And that took a lot of doing considering that little Rice Ball (my muse) is allergic to chocolate. I had to lure him out with a special mixture of strawberry and banana jams. But that?s neither here nor there?I was asked some questions about this fic that I?d like to answer!!!
Some one asked me if I did my own research. Well to answer that I?ve done some, but mostly everything I know comes from my handy-dandy little book ?Lions of the Desert? and those things I learned in school. (Which wasn?t much.) I am running to the end of my knowledge though so I?m going to have to hit the books soon.
Also, some one commented on the bombing of the hospital. Well?I don?t know about honor?that scene came from the above book?I just wrote it from Relena?s view?*blush* Anyway?ummm?so your probably right?lets just say that the enemy forgot about honor for a minute.
Another thing was about Duo being captured. I know the real unrest comes later, but as you can see from this chapter he was spying!! *sings Secret Agent Man*
Ummmmm?I think that?s all?I hope you all liked this chapter?and I sincerely thank all of you who reviewed. Please be patient with me?I?ve never written something were I couldn?t just make up the facts as I went along. Feel free to tell me if I get something blatantly wrong.
Disclaimer: I don?t own anything I?m using here in this story and I don?t own the song Something More by Train. Some of the idea?s are even stolen *evil grin* but the good news is
(1) No one was hurt in the production of this chapter.
(2) I didn?t make any money off of this.
(3) I can?t sing!! (Not that that maters, eh?)
So you can all rest in peace tonight knowing that I don?t own anything!! End Disclaimer:
Smoochies!!
Hitomi Lei A.K.A The Purple Ghost
P.S. Are the chapters too long? Because I see a lot of authors apologizing for the length of their chapters and I was just wondering?Shorter or longer? What do you all prefer?
