Missing by a Mile - chapter 36 of 36

Post by **blackrose** » Sat May 13, 2006 1:15 am

<center>Missing by a Mile 
by the Black Rose </center>
AN: This is late. Way late. Not even close late. But, here we are at the last chapter. Finally. Who thought we'd ever see the day...?
Thanks again, everyone, for staying with me through five long years. *hugs* Love, Rose

<hr size=1 width=100% noshade>Chapter 36Duo's head felt like a ton of bricks had landed on top of his skull, smashed it open, then crawled inside to sit ? like a ton of bricks generally does ? on top of the smooshy part of his brain. His eyelids felt like they were weighted to the floor. He tried to lift them, to peer at the outside world, but light had turned into vicious needles threatening to stab his eyes."I never thought you were this weak." A sharp voice managed to poke an invisible finger through his skull and mash down on tender nerves.Duo peeled his eyelids open. "Woo?Wu-fei?""Yeah." He slapped a hand against the tabletop. The sound created white sparks in front of Duo's eyes. "Now, where's that other weakling?"The room swam in dizzying circles. "Uhhhhhn. Huh?" 'Other? Other?Mmm. Reading clouds.'"You know. The one who can't admit he's in love with that woman."He lay his head down on?something and closed his eyes. "I'd really like to sleep now.""Forget it." Something grabbed him at the junction of his neck and head and pulled him upright. His scalp felt like it was burning."Ow! You're pulling my hair?I'll tell mom?""Tell me where he is." Duo squinted in the direction of the voice. He recognized that guy.'Wufei.'"Preventer is already searching for him." Wufei's voice echoed inside Duo's ear and wormed its way into his head."But you and I both know he'll be difficult to find."The voice stopped talking. Talking about finding someone. Someone who. Wait. There was someone else that Duo had been with when he got?wherever here is. Who. Who? "Someone?Hit me." His head pounded a terrible rhythm that made the ton of bricks do a tap dance inside his skull. Duo brought both hands up to his head to stop the pounding. "Did you guys have to hit so har?""It wasn't one of our guys. We found you. Out cold and sleeping like a child. Heero probably got sick and tired of your whining."That's it. Heero. Heero was here, too. But?he was helping Heero. Helping Heero to?OH! "No. It wasn't Heero. And considering?" What was I saying? Oh. Yeah. "Considering he's trying to sneak through your security?" Another ton of bricks landed on top of his skull. "Ugh, my head.""Hm. Leaving you behind would tip us off that he's here." That voice, Wufei's voice, kept talking. The guy REALLY needed to be quiet and stop making Duo think?of anything. Heero was out there?here?and for some reason, the former Deathscythe pilot knew his friend was seriously pissed off at him."So, if it wasn't him, and it wasn't us?"The former Wing Zero pilot's angry face appeared in his head, aiming a gun right in Duo's face. "I don't feel good?.""Maxwell." Wufei's voice sounded far away. "Who else is here?"<hr size=1 width=100% noshade>"She's been an advocate of demilitarization of Earth and the colonies since the age of fifteen?" What sounded like a gameshow host voiced into the loud speaker system.
Trowa grimaced. 'You wouldn't think she'd need an introduction.' He clutched the curtain in his left hand and peered around the long folds of black fabric. The Preventer scanned the crowd.The auditorium hosted plays and symphony performances. Trowa had heard that even a famous opera was once staged here. But, he doubted any of those performances had attracted such a large, teeming audience. Rows and rows of shifting, stretching, clapping, yawning, whispering people filled the floor seating. Above them, the second floor balcony hung in sections around the circumference of the playhouse. Concrete platforms extended several feet from the wall, each with their own railing and cluster of seats. It had been a nightmare having to station people around those balcony entrances ? due to sheer numbers. Even with the additional resources from the autonomous government of L4, Trowa had to be satisfied with teams of two for every other balcony access point."I'd like to thank you, all of you, for coming here this afternoon."Trowa blinked at the sound of Relena's voice and shifted his gaze. She stood behind a giant oak podium that the autonomous government of L4 had the forethought to line with lead. A small section of bulletproof glass extended an additional six inches from the top of the platform ? shielding the minister over three-quarters of her body from any long-distance attempt on her life.'I have to hand it to them. They seem to really have her security in mind.'Unfortunately, due to the sheer size of the podium ? which was better suited for a towering behemoth than a twenty-something year old woman ? Relena had to stand on a wooden step so as not to appear completely dwarfed by her bullet-proof protector. The end result left only her head and top of her shoulders exposed. Not an impossible target for a determined assassin, but at least it was a diminutive one."Over the last few years, we have seen our world, our universe, enter into a period of transformation. Our lives have changed. Our selves have changed. Governments have fallen and been rebuilt anew."Relena's voice rang out through the auditorium, sounding clear and confident. Only someone who knew her would catch the way she grasped the pages of her notes ? crumpling the edges until they curled underneath.Or the slight tremble in her voice when she first began her speech."It is our hope, I believe not just for the people who answer to the Earth Sphere Unified Nation, but for those in space as well. I believe that our hope rises above the bounds of political territories, that it is a united hope for all mankind. I see?"Applause broke like a wave over the audience. Relena paused in her speech to acknowledge their support. She nodded. "Thank you.""I see a vast many people in all walks of life, on every continent, on every colony?""Base to zero three, come in. Over."Something cold slapped him across the face. He brought his wristcomm device up to his mouth. "Zero three to base. Over.""Trowa.""What's wrong, Wufei.""We still don't have his location.""Tell Duo if he doesn't confess, I'll tell Hilde about?"Movement in the balcony directly across from center stage caught his attention. He released the 'talk' button on his wristcomm and took a step forward. Trowa craned his neck around the curtain. He stared at that section of the balcony searching row upon row."Base to zero three. Come in."The balcony door opened. Electric light illuminated someone from behind. Trowa couldn't see anything of his face, just a familiar dark form standing in the doorway?.'So. You decided to show up after all.'"Base to zero three. Are you there?"<hr size=1 width=100% noshade>Heero dove through the ventilation opening. He pulled his knees up towards his chest to somersault in mid-air before landing on his feet. The Preventer grabbed for his backpack and crouched low to the ground.
He glanced to his left and then his right. Heero seemed to be in the center of a large hallway on the second floor. The hallway extended approximately ten feet to either side of him. About thirteen yards ahead, double doors, closed, were set into the wall. The corridor split and began a slight curve on either side of the doors.'The auditorium. I'm finally in luck.'Heero glanced behind him. The hallway appeared empty. He picked up his pack, shifted his weight onto his toes.BLIP. "?.base come in?." A walkie-talkie scratched the thick, silent air. It came from his left. The Preventer threw his weight forward and sprinted towards the door.His pack banged his knee in mid-stride. It wasn't a long distance to run. His heart raced; perspiration formed on his skin. Applause erupted from somewhere. The air still seemed too heavy to breathe."Hey! Stop right there!" A male voice sounded to Heero's right an instant before his left hand landed on the door pull.The Preventer didn't stop. He paused, glanced in that direction. The agent held a gun. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw two more security guards charging down the hall.'Shit. I've been spotted. First assessment: the running guards won't be able to fire with any accuracy.'"Put your hands in the air and back away from the door."Heero dropped his pack and released the door handle. He raised his arms, then took one step to his right. The agents in the distance slowed."Identify yourself."The Preventer returned his attention to the guard in front of him. The agent took a step forward. Heero shifted his weight to his left leg.Another step forward?"I said?"The Preventer raised his right knee; he thrust out his foot and connected with the target. The agent's gun launched from his hand. Heero threw himself to the ground and swept his opponent's legs out from under him. The agent yelped as he hit the floor."Stop or we'll shoot!"Heero lifted his head and stared at the approaching guards. 'They've picked up speed.' The Preventer snatched his discarded pack. He leapt to his feet, grabbed for the door behind him ? never turning his back towards the agents."I said, get away from there!" The agent giving all the orders fell to a kneeling position and aimed. Heero darted backwards, through the opening. He yanked the solid, metal door towards him.BANG!He jerked the panel in place. The Preventer quickly surveyed the door and found what he was looking for ? the lock.'It won't hold them for long.'He engaged the deadbolt and whirled around."I see a vast many people in all walks of life, on every continent, on every colony, and though our lives may seem very different on the surface, there are a great many things that remain the same." Her voice rang throughout the speaker system. And for the first time in so many weeks?She stood on stage. In the same building?significantly closer than thousands of miles away. But a large wood podium blocked most of his view. He moved down the balcony steps to get a better look."Relena?"<hr size=1 width=100% noshade>"We found Sergeant Yuy. Over."
Duo lifted his head from where it had been resting on his forearm. He glanced up at Wufei. His fellow Preventer agent scowled so much it made Heero seem almost cheery. Almost.The former Deathscythe pilot groaned and put his head back down. "I'd say go easy on him, but knowing him that would probably be suicide. So do Preventer a favor, and if you want to have any agents left?""You're going.""Me?" Duo's skull split in two and he realized he was sitting up again. "My?my head."Wufei's dark features faded in and out of focus. "You know his objective. And the details of his plan.""Yeah. Right." Duo let his head fall back on top the table. THUD! Pinpricks of white light appeared in front of his eyes. He winced and continued speaking - to the Formica surface. "I KNEW his objective. And the plan. Well, there was sort of a plan, anyway." He lifted his head. "But that was BEFORE she went on stage. Now God only knows what that guy is up to." The room seemed to tilt to one side. "I knew I should have flown the helicopter." Duo closed his eyes and draped an arm over the table. He tried to hug it close. "I thought I was doing something nice for Relena ? not allowing her brother and?"He heard a loud, sharp buzzing sound. Duo flopped his arm over his ear to block out the noise. "Here." Wufei shoved a walkie-talkie into his face.Duo gripped the communicator in his left hand. He used his right arm to push himself back into a sitting position. The former Deathscythe pilot glanced at his anal retentive comrade. "What's this for?"The Preventer smirked. "You click the button so you can talk.""Gee. You don't say." Duo flipped his 'friend' the bird and shoved the communicator away."Trowa wants to talk to you." Wufei slid the walkie talkie across the table back at Duo."Oh. Hell." He felt his whole body sag towards the floor. "I don't want to talk to?""Duo." Trowa's voice crackled through the speaker. "Come in."He gulped and hit the red button marked 'TALK'. "Yeah, I'm here.""I've got a visual on Heero. He's in balcony section 211. I cannot allow him to cause a disturbance or otherwise distract the minister.""He's not going to do anything. He should wait until she gets back to her suite?""Duo. We are trying to locate?"The communicator went silent."What the hell?" He hit the TALK button and then released it. Duo twisted the frequency knob on top ? first one way and then the other. He banged it on the table. "What kind of crummy equipment does the 'Autonomous Government of L4' have, anyway?"Hissssssssssssssssss. Static erupted from the device."We've lost all communication." A female voice cried out.Wufei snarled. "Get it back, now!""I'm trying."Duo jumped to his feet. And got the feeling his head might explode.Wufei slung the former Deathscythe pilot's pack and a walkie talkie at Duo. "He's in section 211."He waved a hand and then placed it down on the table to steady the swirling room. "That guy won't do anything that would put her life in any?"Something heavy landed on his shoulders and the world began to shake. "You moron!" He looked up. Wufei had him by the top of his arms. His eyebrows formed a sharp point above the bridge of his nose. "There's someone out to kill her. We were warned, yesterday ? not much time to do anything about it. Weaklings."The shaking stopped. Duo blinked and tried to bring the world into focus?again."Dammit, you're such an idiot!"'Hilde?'Something cold ? and wet ? slapped him across the face. His eyes rolled back into his head. The room sharpened and an angry, dark-haired Preventer with a red complexion shouted obscenities at him."YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO WEAR THE SAME UNIFORM AS ME!""Wufei. What are you doing here?""Don't tell me you finally woke up."Duo ran a hand over his face. Water dripped from his chin. "I'm awake. Give me the part again about someone trying to kill Relena? ""We took extra precautions, but the minister wouldn't let us cancel her speech." His complexion cooled to a deep pink, but his shoulders hunched, his face pinched. Wufei was the only man Duo knew that could achieve a full-body frown."And you call ME the idiot." He grabbed the neck of his shirt and wiped it over his face. Black grease smeared along with the water onto the black cloth and then to his fingers. "Ugh. I forgot I was wearing eye black.""You really are an idiot.""Wufei!" He wiped his hand off on his pants and then grabbed the front of the other Preventer's shirt collar. "Get her off the stage!"Wufei glared. His nostrils flared while he spoke. "We can't. Preventer doesn't have that authority." He shoved Duo away. "The minute she went on stage to make her weak announcement, she put herself under their jurisdiction. We can't move her.""That's bullshit!"Wufei straightened his shoulders. His body stopped frowning. "I agree.""So what can we do?""I can't order you to do anything."Duo noticed those words seemed to sadden his friend greatly."But right now, Heero is a threat.""What? I don't get it. Did Tro?""She's protected where she is. But, if Yuy distracts her or her security team?"His brain clicked. Something rushed in his ears. The room went still and it was like he could hear everything. Every breath. An ant crawling across the floor? "Heero's creating a hole. Everywhere he goes, he creates a gap in her security." He glanced up at the other Preventer. "And what if?"Wufei crossed his arms and raised one eyebrow. "What if someone else is taking advantage of it?"<hr size=1 width=100% noshade>Heero moved further down the steps of the balcony platform ? towards the railing. He saw various people glance at him from their seats as he passed by, but though they gave him some weird looks, no one moved from their chairs.
He stopped a few stairs above the rail. Relena continued her speech from behind her podium. A thin, silver microphone extended from the center of its stand. Her hands lay flat on top. As she spoke, she inclined her head or turned a fraction of an inch to glance at another part of the assembly."We as human beings were born and live in the same condition, whether that condition is terrestrial in nature or cosmic. We were not asked if we wanted to be born. We were not given a choice as to whether we wanted to be human. But once born into this world, we have an amazing instinct, an insatiable desire to live. To exist."The stage lights seemed a bit harsh on her face; they cast her skin in a yellowy tinge. Her hair gleamed a color similar to the ring he had strung around his neck. Beads of perspiration formed at her temples."We all struggle with the same things. At the very root of our struggle is the will to survive. But, this takes shape in many ways. We strive for power. The power to overcome?"WHAM!Heero whirled around just in time to see the balcony doors jump. 'Security's still after me.' He turned back towards the stage. 'But, Relena?.'Thump. Thump. Thud. The doors leapt against their frame. 'The deadbolt won't hold forever.'"What's going on?""Who's out there?"Heero heard the whispers from members of the balcony audience."Hey, who's that guy? He looks suspicious to me?""Do you see the way he's staring? What if he's a stalker?"WHAM!''You should have the key. Fools!' Heero unzipped his backpack and pulled out the grappling launcher. He tossed the bag aside and moved to the rail."Oh my God!" Someone shouted behind him."He's got a gun! He's going to?"THUD! THUD!Heero placed one hand on the concrete half wall and vaulted on top. One foot settled on either side of the rail."Somebody do something."He aimed the launcher at the center of the auditorium ceiling, pulled the trigger, and WHOOSH! The retracted hook sliced through the air. Mid-flight, the hook expanded, baring its teeth just in time to sink them into the rafter. He wrapped the line around his right hand, and?"STOP RIGHT THERE!"Heero didn't turn. He dove from the balcony, using his quadriceps to push off from the rail and propel him towards the stage. He free-fell for several feet.'It'd better hold.'The line caught. Air swooshed and beat against his skin. He pulled himself upright as he continued the long arc over the heads of the floor audience.Someone screamed.People jumped from their seats.Relena lifted her eyes and stared. He saw her lips move."Heero?"He reached the peak directly beneath the secure point of his line. His momentum changed. The first section of seats raced underneath.Forward velocity stalled. Heero opened his hand to release the line. The Preventer plummeted towards the stage. He made his landing at the edge of the platform; he caught himself on the stage in a crouched position ? wide right of Relena's location.Voices roared behind him, no one discernible from the rest. He looked up.And she was there. Closer than she had been in so many days?Staring at him with a look like he'd seen before on the face of a wounded animal. Guarded. Wary? People shouted. Her eyes met his.And she was so close?"Relena?" He shifted his right knee to the floor and straightened his posture. The ESUN minister stepped down from the small stand behind the podium."Heero."He saw her mouth form the word more than he could actually hear her. She moved in his direction."Heero? Wha-what are you doing?"She crossed the stage and drew nearer. His heart picked that moment to move to his throat. It pounded a loud, irregular rhythm; he could no longer hear the noise from the audience."Relena?" He choked on one word. And he had so many more to say? He tried again to speak, but nothing came out. The Preventer reached into the neck of his shirt and yanked the chain free. He fumbled as he tried to pick up the delicate band. Heero held it up between two fingers.She stopped. Inside of his reach, but?"Heero, I?" Her left hand went up to rest on her sternum. Her eyebrows rose like she was pleading with him.He grabbed her right hand with his left one. Her skin felt ice cold, but she didn't pull away. He opened his mouth again. Finally, the words spilled out: "Marry me, Relena."She shook her head. He tightened his grip on her hand so she couldn't walk away. "I?""Please.""I?Heero." Her hand shook in his grasp. The fingers of her left hand played with the edge of her collar. "I ca?""I'm asking you." He took a deep breath. "This time?I'm asking?." The ring and his outstretched arm quaked. "I.?" He swallowed and tried again."Relena, will you?"<hr size=1 width=100% noshade>The former pilot of the Wing Zero hurtled through the air tethered to a grappling hook lodged in the ceiling and landed ? looking very much like he did in those days wearing an old tank top and spandex shorts ? on the edge of the stage.
Trowa felt the air around him turn hot, then cold. He grabbed his pistol from the holster situated under his left arm. 'You're making a critical mistake.' "Don't fire. He's one of our agents." Wufei's voice hissed on the building's security frequency."Has BioMet found our guy, yet?" Trowa looked out into the crowd as he spoke into his wristcomm. People seemed frozen in place. He searched section after section with his eyes?"Negative," Wufei replied. "They've scanned more than half the?SHIT!""What?" The Preventer choked and felt his blood turn ice-cold in his veins. "What's wrong? Wufei?" Trowa glanced back to his right at the scene on stage. Relena stepped down from behind the podium and moved towards Heero."FUCK!" Wufei's voice blared through the device. "She's out in the open."Trowa's heart felt like it froze in mid-contraction. "I have permission to eliminate him." The Preventer pulled the cartridge from the handle of his gun and counted the bullets in the clip."It's too late for that."He shoved the clip back into place. "Then tell BioMet to find our guy NOW!""I KNOW THAT! These incompetents are having trouble holding communication lines open. They completely lost signal earlier.""I know. Because someone doesn't want us to find him." Trowa stepped onto the stage. Heero remained in a kneeling position several yards away ? his back facing Trowa. Relena continued to distance herself from her protection and though her progress towards her jilted ex-fiancee had slowed, she was still inching closer."Heero, I?" She stopped and shook her head. "I?"The former Wing Zero pilot must have begun speaking again. Trowa didn't have to hear to know what his comrade was probably saying. All he had to do was look at Relena.'Will you marry me?'"Heero, I want?"'I love you.'Her eyes widened and it looked like she stopped breathing. Tears collected in her lashes and she crumpled to her knees beside him.At the same moment, a loud POP! rang out. A familiar, high-pitched whistle split the air. Trowa broke out into a run."We've got a shooter." The voice in his earpiece seemed strangely calm. "Begin emergency evacuation. Trowa?"He raced towards Relena. Mid-run, he shouted back: "Where is he, Wufei?"Wood splintered. His breathing turned shallow. Trowa peeked over his left shoulder, trying to find the source?POP! A loud groan. Relena cried out."Section 217, the second shot came from 217, row thr?""Section 217 was supposed to be closed off!"He looked up. Section 217 to the far left of the stage sat in a dark shadow; it butted against a large, concrete support column on its left side. Something reflected in the overhead light?"I've got a visual, but I don't have a shot!"He kept moving, his gun drawn, pointed down in front of him. Another step; he glanced back over his left shoulder.And saw his target. It was like?everything fell away, and nothing else in the world was quite so clear?Had ever been so clear?The man squinted into the scope. Trowa saw his index finger on the trigger. He looked back at where Relena kneeled on the stage. Heero sagged against her, blood bubbling down the length of his left arm.'He can't have a clean shot. This guy must be desperate.Another step. Step. 'I know Heero will die to protect her. But doesn't she need?'Trowa leapt forward; he twisted his body in mid-air to square his shoulders at his target. He zeroed in on the assassin's forehead and shot.The target's trigger moved.Pain slashed the Preventer's shoulder an instant before he fell onto the slick wood stage. He slid across the platform for what seemed like ages, but could have only been several feet. When he finally stopped, Trowa rose to his knees and attempted to lift the arm holding the gun."We've got the shooter. Over." The voice in his earpiece sounded far away."Go ahead.""It appears agent zero-three was able to neutralize him."Trowa glanced down at his right arm. 'It's covered in blood.' He blinked. 'How'd that happen?' His vision blurred and fatigue sank into his skin."Continue search and evacuation. And..."The gun felt too heavy. He released it. The weapon clattered against the wood platform. He was mildly surprised that the pistol didn't start sliding?. The stage slanted at an odd angle.In fact, all he had to do was turn his head and he was practically lying down?He glanced up at Relena. She cradled Heero's body against hers. Her eyes closed, her right hand held him around the waist, keeping him upright? Her left hand patted the back of his head.Something glinted in the light."Trowa?"Her voice sounded like it was muffled ? through layers and layers of cotton. But, even still?he knew it was her?.Trowa closed his eyes and drifted into a dark, warm space.

Morrighan · Post by **Morrighan** » Sat May 13, 2006 1:19 am

Tee hee, 3rd review for this chappie. XD

Holy smoly, she finally said yes!! *dances around*

Okay, I can go to bed now. ^_^

Post by **blackrose** » Sat May 13, 2006 1:21 am

I meant to already be in bed, but managed to catch Mel and got her to look this over for me really quick. So, I made myself sit upright long enough to post-y.

You're sure it can't end here? *SIGH*

*hugs you* Off to bed with both of us!

Morrighan · Post by **Morrighan** » Sat May 13, 2006 1:22 am

I really should get to bed. I have to get up early to go horseback riding.

Post by **blackrose** » Sat May 13, 2006 1:26 am

sounds like there's a 'but' in there...or one coming.

~Heerako~ · Post by **~Heerako~** » Sat May 13, 2006 8:31 am

AHHHHH!!!

It was so intense!!!

I loved it!!!

takisha16 · Post by **takisha16** » Sat May 13, 2006 11:23 am

NOOOOOOOOOOO....its over....

Poor Trowa!!! He got shot!!!

I feel bad for Duo, but seriously I want to balme them so much now! How could they not realize that they could potentially pose a threat to Relena by infiltrating the building?!
I bet Wufei was seriously pissed!

Yay for Trowa! He saved the day!
I was worried for a second there that Relena was the one that got shot, only after did it make sense for Heero to have taken the bullet.
I hope she says yes!!!

This has to be continued, its a must!

The Angry Angel · Post by **The Angry Angel** » Sat May 13, 2006 3:40 pm

So both Trowa and Heero got shot?

We have two heroes? One the tragic loser of the fair lady, and the savior of the day, the other that's given up all focus ---I mean, he proposes on stage, with an audience, on one knee (did I read that right?), in a voice that's not growling.........where DID Heero go??

I LOVED reading about Duo and Wufei. They were so great--red face to deep pink complexion....can turn entire body into a frown....bricks in his head do a tap dance....I've never read lines that were better or funnier.

Rose, you have triumphed!!

TwinSoul.239 · Post by **TwinSoul.239** » Sun May 14, 2006 12:01 am

Was that the ending????????????

heaven'sgirl · Post by **heaven'sgirl** » Sun May 14, 2006 3:18 pm

OMGOMGOMG... it's the ending! IT'S THE ENDING!!!!

THIS WHOLE STORY IS SOOO BEAUTIFULLLL....

but poor Hee-chan and Tro-chan, they got shot. :-?

Blissful Ignorance

A Heero and Relena Dedication site

Missing by a Mile - chapter 36 of 36

the Black Rose's fanfiction.

Missing by a Mile - chapter 36 of 36