Mistaken Words chapter 74

[Morganeth]

Mistaken Words

AN: Well for a little while at least I can give you a regular update, and a double chapter to boot. I really can?t thank all of you enough for the support and patience! THANK YOU!! It means an awful lot to me to know you?re all still behind me! Thank you again!! I really hope you all enjoy this double chapter!

Thanks Morgansgirl for getting these chapters to me so quick!

Disclaimer: I don?t own Gundam Wing

Facing the Undeniable Truth

Waking up for the fourth time since he had been brought back to the shuttle, Heero actually felt a little rested. It was a definite improvement to how he had been feeling the other times, as well as reassuring, the last thing he had wanted to consider was the possibility of being laid up for any length of time. He realised almost immediately that the gravity within the room if not the entire shuttle had been lowered, not a lot but enough that Heero could feel it. He figured it had been done for his benefit, lessening the work his heart had to do. He could hear the monitor off to his right, steadily beeping the sound irritating the moment it registered, and without even thinking he reached for the wires and pulled them off.

?See this is why they don?t like to let you out,? Ash said to him the minute Heero?s eye opened. He wore a mischievous smile on his face, an expression all too familiar. Heero pushed himself up from the bed finding it easier this time with his arms possessing more strength, ?You just go out and break yourself again.?

Heero?s eyes narrowed, ?Shut up Ash,? he growled but there was no real heat to his voice. Never to actually openly admit it, Heero found he appreciated Ash?s ability to poke at him without any fear, over any subject.

?That?s not much of an argument in your defence,? Ash pointed out completely unafraid of pushing his friend to far.

?I?m not broken,? he growled shifting to the edge of the bed so he could drape his legs over the side. He felt the IV in his arm shift as he did so and without looking he reached to pull it out of his arm letting it fall to the floor.

Ash was seated on the far side of his bed, resting his back against the wall, while his good arm cradled his left. His eyes travelled from the IV needle back to Heero, ?I doubt that?ll win you many favours with Kahlan.?

?Do you ever quit??

?You?ve known me for four years, and you still have to ask?? Ash?s tone was incredulous a broad smile on his face.

Heero pulled a hand through his hair absently, ?One can always hope for improvements?? he returned dryly.

?Ha!? Ash exclaimed pointing a finger, ?You?re one to talk!? he shifted forward, excitement clear on his face. ?I?m still waiting for the day where I can ask how you?re feeling and actually get a useful response back. I doubt that day is today?? he looked at Heero with a raised eyebrow as though expecting the answer to the question he hadn?t really asked.

His first response to that was just a grunt as he looked away shaking his head, ?It?s not my problem if you refuse to accept the answer you?ve been given.?

Ash burst out laughing at that, ?I?d hardly call saying ?I?m fine? when you?re half dead a truthful answer,? he retorted, and Heero saw a chance to perhaps stump his friend, not an easy thing to do.

?Ahh,? he breathed, ?You never said you wanted the truth.?

?Like hell,? Ash was quick to counter, but Heero only fixed him with a firm look, waiting for Ash to really think back on all the times he had asked. His expression remained thoughtful for several seconds, and then his hazel eyes latched onto Heero his face showing his shock. ?Are you telling me that if I had said ?I want the truth? you would have said something other than ?I?m fine???

?We?ll never know will we?? Heero returned rubbing a hand across the back of his neck.

A knock on the door broke off whatever Ash had been about to say in response, Heero wondered if that gesture was a habit now. Thinking about it himself he couldn?t think whether or not he?d knock himself before entering a room. The door slid aside to reveal Wufei, he carried with him a duffle bag slung over one shoulder and a couple of ration packs. He stepped into the room, onyx eyes glancing between the two of them, Heero doubted that Wufei could have caught any of the conversation they were having before he came in. But he looked as though he expected he had interrupted something.

?We?re nearly five hours away from Earth,? he said automatically knowing that?s what Heero would want to know on waking.

He was more than a little surprised that he had slept through that much of the trip, ?Status?? he asked accepting the pack Wufei passed him, and the duffle bag which he knew contained his laptop.

?All clear,? the Chinese man returned lowering himself onto the edge of Ash?s bed, after passing him his meal. ?Trowa?s stable, grumpy as hell, but he?ll be alright in time,? Wufei stroked a hand down the side of his face, ?Duo?s still resting.?

?And you?? Heero asked noting the brace his friend wore on his wrist.

Wufei shrugged twisting his arm one way and then the other, ?Could be broken, I think it?s just a sprain though.?

Heero put down the meal he had been eating suddenly realising that he was without a shirt. He didn?t know whether to be pleased that he had gone so long without thinking about it, but he felt exposed now, and knew extra shirts could be found in the bag Wufei had brought to him. Removing a warm shirt from the bag along with his laptop, Heero quickly pulled it over his head, taking a moment to consider what Wufei had said to them. They had all managed to make it out of the mission in one piece, a little worse for wear, though that wasn?t unexpected. Something in what Wufei had said to him suddenly jumped out, ?Who?s piloting the shuttle?? If Duo was out someone else must have been brought in.

?That?s actually why I came in here, you remember Derrick Anderson and Thomas Ryan?? those were two names that stuck out in Heero?s mind and clearly in Ash?s as well. As he sat forward on his bed eyes darting to Heero, for his part Heero mutely nodded his head. ?Anderson is piloting the shuttle in Duo?s place.?

?Do they know?? it was perhaps a useless question, but had Ash not asked it first Heero knew he would have.

?Yeah,? Wufei leaned back folding his arms across his chest, as best he could with the brace. ?They want to see you, but I wasn?t about to let them in here until you were up to dealing with them. Are you??

Heero didn?t think there was any possible way this could go well for him, but he also knew in such a confined space there was really no avoiding it. Though they would only be on the shuttle for another five hours. He didn?t however want the other pilots playing interference with him, these were men he used to work with, and sooner or later they?d have to accept the fact that he wasn?t dead, and wasn?t a traitor. Still there was a strong part of Heero that wanted to keep this information from as many people as possible, but these men already knew. Finally after several moments of silence Heero nodded his head.

?Alright then, finish eating I?ll go get them,? the former pilot rose from his perch and left the room.

WMWMWMW

Ash watched his friend closely noting the subtle changes in his friend?s behaviour the moment Wufei left the room. He glanced once at what was left of his meal, and appeared as though he wasn?t going to touch it again. Careful of his arm Ash shifted to the edge of his bed, he wanted to ask if Heero was really ready for this, but knew immediately that the question would not be welcomed, and so held his tongue. He was here for Heero, for the moment that was all he could offer.

He tried to imagine how this meeting would end up going. No scenario turned out well. Ash could remember all too well these two agents, and the hatred they had shown towards Heero back at the cottage. That felt like a life time ago for Ash, and he tried to reconcile what he knew now of Heero and what had happened then. It was not easy to do, he hadn?t thought back to that moment until now, having been far to focused on the moment he was living, watching Heero come back to himself. Prodding him along because no one else would.

?Did you know them at all before?? he asked tentatively not wanting to wait in silence the entire time. Not that he thought it would take Wufei long to retrieve the agents, but no doubt he?d feel the need to lay down some ground rules. And if Ash could take that time to draw his friend out a little so much the better. Heero was looking far too dark and brooding for Ash?s liking.

Heero studied him for a moment, it was a strong thoughtful gaze, one Ash greatly preferred to the ?death glare? he was used to receiving. ?I?d worked with them several times before,? he confirmed, voice emotionless, hollow sounding, he was preparing himself.

Ash decided then, though it hadn?t taken any real thought at all, that he wasn?t going to sit by during this ?meeting?, he was as much to blame as Heero for what had happened at the cottage. More so even since he had lead the mission. If they wanted to be bitter and sore at anyone, why not him? He could take it, not that he thought for a moment that Heero couldn?t, but the difference was Ash would enjoy himself no matter what happened.

The door to the room opened again, once more signaled by a soft knock, Wufei walked in first moving immediately to take a seat at the foot of Heero?s bed so he and Ash were both between Heero and the door. It was a subtle effort to offer their friend support, and the way Heero?s cobalt eyes flickered between the two of them, the gesture was not unwelcome. Ash recognised the two men that followed Wufei into the room, they hadn?t changed at all, not even their sour expressions were any different. Ash glanced away from the door hiding a tiny smile from view, this could be fun.

The room was utterly silent for several long moments as the two agents stared daggers at Heero, who looked on face expressionless. It seemed to Ash as though they hadn?t actually believed Wufei when they had been told that Heero was alive, as despite their obvious bitterness, there was still an element of surprise. Ash wondered how long the silence would last, he knew Heero wasn?t about to break it, and Ash didn?t feel the time was right for him to do so. So it was up to Anderson or Ryan to get this underway. Perhaps they could just be content with having seen Heero alive and leave the room, but Ash doubted it.

The tense silence became heavier the longer it lasted, Ash knew it would break soon, but that he shouldn?t be the one to break it, despite the fact that he might be the best one for it. Anderson?s hands clenched at his side, his eyes narrowing as his brow drew down further, he nearly seemed to tremble with his pent up anger. ?You actually think after all you did, that you can come back?? the agent finally demanded.

Ash had to bite his tongue to keep from interjecting his opinion, it wasn?t his time just yet, besides which Heero looked more than willing to answer to this one. ?I never left,? his tone was flat leaving no room for arguments, despite the fact that both Wufei and himself could have offered several.

?You shot Relena!? Ryan spat immediately after, as though that should have ended the entire conversation right there.

?That?s what we needed the world to believe,? Wufei interjected his voice a force of calm in the small room.

?That blood wasn?t fake!? Anderson shook his head, ?I don?t believe for one second that you managed to fool the entire ESUN with an act!?

Heero drew in a breath, and Ash knew he was the best one to be answering that question, as much as he might not want to think back on that time. ?You?re right it wasn?t an act,? he began voice harsh, ?I shot the assassin attempting to kill her.?

Ash was surprised he hadn?t been sure what to expect out of Heero at this point, Wufei chose to step in at this point and ease the burden from his friend. ?It was necessary that the ESUN believe Heero to be a traitor, and nothing short of staging the assassination attempt would do it.? This certainly couldn?t be an easy lie to tell, and Ash wondered if this was the story they would be telling the entire world once it was announced Heero wasn?t dead.

?It wasn?t that we brought the assassin in, I just took advantage of the situation,? Heero looked away at that point, he hadn?t really been making eye contract with them. Ash wanted to step in and redirect the conversation to him, but knew it wouldn?t work at this moment, they?d bock the minute he tried.

?I can?t believe you knowingly put Relena into danger for this?!? Ryan clearly attempted to reason, of the two agents he seemed the most level headed.

?It should come as no surprise that Relena is quite often the target of threats, even if the vast majority of the ESUN is content with the peace, there are always low life?s wanting to make a name for themselves.? Wufei informed calmly seeming also to want to direct the attention away from Heero as best he could.

?And you used that to your advantage,? Anderson spat, the far less forgiving of the two, and it was no surprise to Ash, he remembered clearly the agent?s defiant behaviour, only Relena had seemed capable of making him see reason.

Heero finally looked back expression devoid, but there was a spark in his eye, that nearly sent a shiver down Ash?s spine, ?I?m not going to justify my past to you.?

But they were far from accepting that, ?What about the cottage?? Anderson demanded, giving Ash the opening he had been waiting for.

?Oh you can?t blame Heero for that one,? Ash broke in a wide smile on his face, ?You might recall I was the one in charge then.?

?I haven?t forgotten,? Anderson growled.

?You?re just more intent on chewing Heero out than me,? he pointed out all too calmly, perhaps if he poked them enough they might actually turn their focus on him. Although he wasn?t about to hold his breath.

Anderson?s eyes flashed, ?You weren?t the one to betray us!?

?Oh I see?? Ash nodded with obvious understanding, ?You?d think after a year of believing him to be dead, that you?d have got over it by now. You?re more than welcome to still be mad at me though, I did orchestrate your rather embarrassing capture.? He offered them a winning smile, which wasn?t at all well received.

?Damnit! You weren?t the one who hurt her!? they were both nearing their flash points by this time, and Ash had to admit this wasn?t going exactly as he had hoped, but there was still time to if nothing else shock these two into silence.

?True, but I don?t recall Heero doing anything drastic that time either,? he glanced briefly at Heero to see what his expression was like, he had been silently watching for some time now. And whether he was expecting anything from Ash, wasn?t clear by his expression, yet. ?If he said anything to hurt her feelings for the sake of the ?show? I?d say he must have more than made up for it.?

Although the two agents looked none to sure about what Ash was saying, Heero?s brow had drawn down a fraction. He certainly suspected, ?Ash?? there was a warning note to his voice.

One Ash was already prepared to ignore, ?And I?d say the same goes for Relena, wouldn?t you agree?? he directed the question in Wufei?s direction, the Chinese man attempted without great success to conceal a smile that was threatening to break free. ?I?d say the two of them have been doing a lot to make up for lost time.?

?What the hell?? Ryan asked completely dumbfounded, whatever rage had been in him at least was for the moment now, forgotten.

?Ignore him, he talks way too much,? Heero ground out not lifting his heavy stare from where Ash sat.

Anderson slowly shook his head, he looked confused, irate, and more than a little pissed, ?How could you do that to her?? he demanded still not willing to let go.

?I told you already,? Heero?s voice sounded as though he was fighting not to sigh, ?I?m not going to argue the past with you. It?s done and gone.?

?I still can?t forgive you.?

Heero leveled Anderson with a solid stare, ?I never asked you too.?

The door to the room opened suddenly behind the agents, shattering the stale aired tension that had filled the room since they entered, and Kahlan appeared behind them. His expression was neutral for a moment until his eyes landed on Heero. ?Alright, I said you could see him, now you have, and I want you to leave. These men need rest,? his tone left no room for argument, and the two agents reluctantly left the room.

Wufei let out a breath, ?About what I expected,? he commented.

?Are you including him in that?? Heero asked surprised his head nodding in Ash?s direction.

?I was actually expecting a little more from you, to be honest,? Wufei scratched at his jaw with his good hand considering Ash.

The hazel eyed man laughed outright, wincing as it sent shooting pain down his arm, ?Sorry to disappoint, but I?ve already been shot once, I didn?t exactly want to give him reason to follow in Duo?s lead. Like he hasn?t threatened more than enough in the past.?

?Never seemed to stop you then?? Heero muttered.

?Well considering the situation, I didn?t want to cause you another heart attack, we are friends after all.? He watched as Heero bit off several no doubt scathing remarks and in the end settled on ignoring him altogether, which was the worst thing he could do. It made prodding him all that much harder, and for a while Ash knew he wasn?t likely to get a response, but he also knew from experience that Heero couldn?t hold out forever. As much as he pretended to be mad, and on occasion actually was, he never wanted to completely cut himself off from Ash.

Kahlan stepped between them then, speaking quietly to Heero, who was immediately shaking his head. Ash shifted to lay back on his bed, feeling rather light headed and tired all over again, the painkiller Kahlan had given him earlier clearly hadn?t made it all the way through his system. He watched silently as Heero looked from the medic to Wufei to the bag resting on his bed, only to see Wufei nod in a confirming way. And slowly he too lay back on the bed, allowing the medic to look at him. Ash was glad, he worried for his friend both openly and privately. He had done a lot throughout the years to make sure Heero survived, he wasn?t about to let it all go to waste now.

WMWMWMW

Heero?s fingers passed across the keys of his laptop the minute Kahlan had left him in peace. Apparently he was doing far better than he had when first brought to the shuttle, information the former pilot could have given him without being examined. But the medic had not been about to forgo procedure, and if it meant being left in peace with his laptop, finally, Heero was willing if grudgingly to cooperate.

He?d moved to email Relena immediately, wanting to contact her before Sally had a chance to make everything sound worse than it really was. It wouldn?t be too much longer until they were making their decent to Earth, and he?d be able to see Relena again. He had begun to feel that empty void in his chest after the first day, but wasn?t about admit it to anyone. Glancing over to the other bed in the room Heero assured himself again that Ash was indeed asleep, the last thing he needed was to have Ash hovering over his shoulder reading emails.

Shifting on the bed Heero slid the laptop down a little and pulled himself further up the bed. His attention shifted as he heard the seal on the door let go, and he looked up sharply, it couldn?t have been Wufei he would have knocked. And he doubted seriously Kahlan would have reason to come back and annoy him so soon after leaving. Heero felt his body tense, and he immediately reached for the bag his laptop and shirt had been in, knowing it also held a gun. The door opened and Ryan stepped through, eyes glancing back down the hall seeing if he had been followed. Heero?s hand remained holding the gun within the bag but otherwise gave no outwards sign that he was on the defensive.

Heero stared darkly at the man, noting with some satisfaction that he was looking more than a little uncomfortable, his eyes flickering often to Heero?s left hand hidden within the bag. ?What?? he demanded in a monotone, wondering how it was that Ryan had slipped by both Wufei and Kahlan. However if they were both occupied with Trowa, it wasn?t all that surprising.

Ryan appeared to remember himself and his expression hardened itself, ?I want the truth!?

?What makes you think you haven?t already got it?? Heero returned darkly.

?Maybe the rest of the ESUN, will believe what I was just told, but I was there. I saw the way you reacted to each other. I felt the tension,? he came a step closer his hands remaining in plain sight, none threatening.

Heero didn?t look away, didn?t even blink. He didn?t want to offer anything that might suggest what Ryan was saying was true. ?I made the world believe,? he ground out, ?None of us could risk the truth getting out.?

?That?s not good enough,? his eyes flickered to Ash, ?You can keep saying it, but I?m just going to keep asking questions, and it might not be from you, who knows where I might try and find my answers??

?Is this supposed to be a threat??

Ryan shrugged, ?I don?t think I?m being unreasonable.?

?And how are you to know if anything I tell you now is the truth?? he didn?t see many options left opened to him, not that he was really looking forward to giving the actual answer.

?The others trust you,? the agent said with a sigh, as though he wasn?t happy with the idea, ?I don?t doubt what they say that Relena does too, but that?s not really any of my business. I just want to hear the truth, I think I deserve that much at least.?

For a long time Heero said nothing, knowing full well that each passing moment was doing nothing more than to confirm for Ryan that there was something more to be had here. Not that Heero really thought there was any way to dissuade him, the question was did he want to relive that time in his life right now? It was over and done with, more so than it had been a year ago, with the Inner Circle taken down. But did that mean he wanted to be thrown back into it? A sigh escaped Heero?s lips finally, ?It?s a really long story?? he said releasing his grip on the gun at last so he could massage at his brow, the pain behind his eye aching noticeably.

?I?ll be patient if I get to hear it,? Ryan offered, to which Heero silently nodded his head. ?Alright?? the agent nodded looking satisfied. He shifted a little awkwardly, Heero offering nothing more to the conversation, after a moment Ryan turned and left as quietly as he had come.

Thanks for Reading

Morganeth Taren?drel

[lildragonfly]

yay for fast updates!!!

i'm just skimming through the chapter, but i don't really like Anderson; he just has to believe Heero and leave it that way.

up to the next chapter.

[Morganeth]

Thanks! I can't promise that the next update will be so fast, but I'll do my best. Thankfully Anderson doesn't have much of a part to play after this...if I remember correctly ^_~

[darky]

I?m so glad you could post so soon. I love how the story is going, I can?t wait until Heero returns with Relena. Yay!!


Darky

[Morganeth]

thank you! I'm really glad I was able to post so soon! I hope you enjoy the second chapter!