Author's Note: Finale chapter. A bit longer, a bit more action. WARNING: Yaoi, angst, blood, torture... Hm... doesn't really seem to fit into this story *shrugs* ah, what the heck! Let there be gore! *laughs maniacally*

Mending the Shatters Part 5
V. Reclaimed Humanity

Summer days were over, and it was time to go back to school. And while most of the students in his class were happy to begin their FINALE year, Heero couldn't help but feel gloomy. Summer was over, meaning Duo had to go back.

But he didn't want him to! They had such a great time during the summer. There was nothing they didn't do, beginning from hiking and hitting the beach, to horse riding (Heero's favorite pass time) and a visit to the large theme park in the 'big city'. They had so much fun, nearly enough to make up for all the times they couldn't have it. And during the last two months, they grew closer. Much MUCH closer. Their relationship was doing great, and Heero couldn't claim of ever being this happy. It seemed that life finally took a shine into him. That someone up there had finally decided to grace him with some peace. Real peace, peace of mind. He finally felt complete, content with himself.

But now, walking down hill and towards his school, Heero felt that this wholeness was once again threatened. Threatened to be taken away from him, and back to the colonies. To L2, to be exact.

"Nyahhh... I don't feel like going to school!" Annabel whined, stretching her arms up in the air, yawning. She was walking beside Heero, on the way to school. "I dunno how I'm gonna survive one more year of this hell!"

Heero sighed. "It's nine months, to be exact."

"Well thank you Mister Spock!" Annie snarled (yes, she was a BIG fan of these old sci-fi shows from CENTURIES ago!). She sighed, putting two arms behind her head, fingers laced, eyes up at the sky as they continued walking.

Heero just kept staring down at the footpath, brooding.

"I hate new school years!" Annie continued rambling. "All these new teachers, not to mention new pupils coming... I heard that there are a few joining our class this year... I hope they won't be in OUR homeroom, because we are PACKED!"

Heero just shut himself out of her chatter, trying to concentrate on finding a solution to his problem- how to keep Duo!

A car's horn made his train of thoughts disappear. He looked up, glaring at the old blue dodge that parked by them. The car's window opened and Tifa's grinning face popped out.

"Hey, kids, wanna ride to school?"

Heero rolled his eyes.

"Do we ever!" Annabel hurried to answer, dragging Heero over to the car. "Man, at this rate of walking, we would have been there by next week!"

Tifa smirked, eyeing Heero, who she knew was the reason to Annie's complaint. "Trying to keep her back, Hee-chan? I thought you liked school!"

"Hn, shut up baka." He growled, crossing his arms over his chest, glaring out the window.

Tifa began driving. "Oh, c'mon, He-man! A new school year is great! Who knows what new faces you might meet..."

Not the one I want... Heero thought solemnly, sighing.

*   *   *

"Heero-san, stop looking so gloomy!" Tifa complained as they exited the car. "Ever heard about starting with the RIGHT foot?" She continued as she walked Annie and Heero to the gate.

Heero remained silent and melancholic.

Tifa grinned, looking at Annie. "He's got it bad, doesn't he?"

"Got what bad?"

"Oh, nothing." She hurried to reply. She nearly forgot that Annie didn't know that Heero had a... boyfriend. She turned back to Heero. "Now you kids play nice, and be nice to the other kids..."

Heero rolled his eyes.

"...especially the new kids... we all know how it feels to be on our first day..."

Heero sighed, looking up at the school, remembering last year, when he had first walked into that building. Do I ever...

*   *   *

"Class!" The teacher called once the bell rang and the class was still noisy. "Class! The summer vacation was over yesterday! Now! Be! Quiet!"

Heero sighed and leaned on his table as the teacher began the usual morning routine of name-calling and such. He didn't even bother to look up from his desk and into the front of the class as the teacher introduced two new students who joined them for that year. He really didn't feel like being in school... all he really wanted was to be with--

"Duo, why won't you go take a seat over there?"

Heero's head jerked up, his eyes wide. His chin dropped down to the floor, eyes wide open as he followed the new pupil, the one and only, Duo Maxwell.

Duo sent Heero a wide grin, glad that he finally bothered to look up at what was happening. He went over to his seat, a couple of seats away from Heero, but still on the same row. As he saw Heero kept gawking at him, he mouthed him with a smile: 'surprise!'.

Heero hid a large grin, turning back to face the board, leaning his chin on his hand. His smile didn't fade until the end of the lesson.

*   *   *

"Surprised, were you, Hee-chan?" Duo chipped as he bounced over to Heero's seat, as soon as the bell rang.

Heero nodded, still smiling. "Aa." He looked over to a smirking Annie. "You knew?"

Annie grinned.

Heero sighed, shaking his head. All this was going on and he didn't know about it? His skills must be getting weaker... but who the hell cares! Duo was here! He was staying!

The three walked out of the building and into the schoolyard.

"Oh! I nearly forgot! There's something I gotta do before next period!" Annie suddenly called. "I'll see you two later! Bye!"

Heero barely had the time to ask where she was going, and then she was gone. He and Duo were alone.

"So," Heero began as the two walked over to a nearby tree. He turned to Duo, mock-glaring. "You are not going to complain about studying all year long, are you?"

Duo bit down his lower lip, trying to hold back a grin.

"I see." Heero let out thoughtfully, but then shrugged. It wouldn't be Duo if he didn't whine about having to take a math test...

"You happy?" Duo asked once they settled down by the tree.

"It was a shock." Heero admitted.

"I got another surprise for ya." Duo said cheerfully, reaching for his pocket.

Heero looked curiously at Duo as the braided boy pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to him. He looked down at the delicate object, a bit confused. "What is it?" He asked, looking at Duo in question.

"It's a friendship bracelet." Duo explained, putting the bracelet around Heero's slim wrist. "I made it last night."

"You made it yourself?" Heero marveled, examining the bracelet carefully. He smiled, looking back at his boyfriend. "Thanks, Duo. It's beautiful."

Duo just smiled back, resisting the urge to kiss Heero's smiling lips. They had to be careful when at school, or anywhere public, really.

Heero looked down miserably, also feeling an urge to hold Duo, to taste him, if only briefly. But that was not allowed. He sighed, then looked up at the crowd of students all around the yard. They all seemed so happy in their little groups. They didn't mind contact or stuff like that. He could even spot a few guy wrestling with each other, jumping up at each other, making a big act as if they were fucking or something. They thought it was funny. They thought it was a joke. Everybody laughed. But he knew that if they ever saw two guys together, REALLY together, not just make believing for the purpose of some sick joke, they would freak. They would not accept. People like Duo and he are not accepted. And it saddened him that he could not show his affection to his love, like most couples did, making out around the schoolyard.

"Hey, Hee-chan, wanna do something tonight?" Duo's voice pulled him out of his brooding.

He turned to him. "What did you have in mind?"

Duo grinned. "I dunno, maybe rent a movie... get some takeout... go to my place..."

Heero smiled back at the suggestion dripping out of Duo's voice. He nodded. "Sure, why not." At least in private, they could touch and talk about what really mattered to them.

"Great, then I'll see ya after work? At the hotel?"

"Okay. I finish at nine."

*   *   *

It was nine fifteen when he finally got off work. He had to stay a little longer and help Annie with something. Once they were done, she took over his shift and he was free to go over to Duo's place. During the summer, Duo stayed at the hotel, but now that he was staying for at least a year, he had mentioned that he'll try and rent a place somewhere in town. He had no problem with money, which Hilde made sure to send every month from what they earned, and so he was settled.

Heero smiled, pulling his backpack higher as it kept sliding off his shoulder. Duo was really here to stay. And soon, soon they won't have to sneak in to his cramped motel room. Hey, maybe after high school, they could move in together. He wondered what Odin would have to say about that...

He kept walking down the boardwalk, frowning as he saw the streetlights were malfunctioning and it was dark. The moon was nowhere to be seen, hiding behind a thick curtain of clouds, and Heero forced his eyes to see. Once darkness would oppose little problem, but he hadn't used his skills for so long, he was really out of practice. He didn't mind it most of the time, and was actually glad that he no longer analyzed escaped routes when he first entered a place, but sometimes he wished he could call upon those 'powers' once more. Like now, when he couldn't see where he was going!

He decided to keep his mind off of these stupid and useless worrying, and think about what Duo and he will do once he'll get to his hotel. Heero smiled to himself, ducked his head with a small chuckle, blushing in the dark.

Suddenly, something grabbed him by the shoulder.

Something cold, hard, seemingly metallic.

Heero gasped as he felt himself being pulled backwards.

"What the-" He called as he heard something trash about from behind him. He tried to whirl around and fight off the attacker, thinking it was some robber or something, but then he felt something sharp and cold slam into the joint between his neck and shoulder.

"AHHH!" He called as pain stabbed through him and soon his vision went blurry. "Wh... who..?" He choked out hoarsely as his feet gave way. Why..? He thought as black spots danced over his vision.

Heero collapsed down to the ground.

He felt himself being dragged backwards, into some alley.

"N-na... no..." He slurred, voice heavy under the effect of the drug.

He reached up a shaking hand, glazed eyes slowly closing.

"D-Duo. . ."

His arm dropped limply to the ground as he was heaved into the darkness.

Duo. . .

*   *   *

Duo looked up from his wristwatch and on to the Chinese takeout lying on the table, getting cold. Heero was an hour late. Heero was NEVER late. Especially not when he made clear what he had planed for the night... Heero was NEVER late!

But he was supposed to be there by nine and he wasn't!

Hurrying to the phone, Duo quickly dialed the café's number. He was answered by Annabel and quickly asked for Heero.

"Sorry, Duo, he's not here. He left about an hour ago." Annie answered.

"But he's late!"

Annie sighed. "Well, we had something to do and he left a little late. I'm sure he'll get there soon."

"All right, thanks Annie. Bye."

"Bye, Duo. Have fun."

Heero left the café later than nine o' clock. Maybe that was the reason? No! The restaurant is merely fifteen minutes away! What kept him? Did he forget? Nah... not his Heero. Something was wrong.

Duo sighed, plumping down in front of the table. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, sighing again. "Quit it Maxwell, Heero is fine... The Perfect Soldier is fine!"

Usually, this kind of thought would calm him, if only by a little bit, but this time it didn't. He still felt ill to his stomach. There was no more Perfect Soldier. There was just Heero, and he was late!

"I'll give him a while longer, and then I'll worry."

*   *   *

Three hours later, and Duo was still sitting in front of the table, one box of fried noodles open. The now cold food was barely touched, and Heero was nowhere in sight.

Duo dragged himself out of his chair and went to the phone again. He looked tiredly down at the phone and dialed Heero's home number.

A sleepy voice answered after quite a few rings. "Hallo?"

Duo closed his eyes sadly. It was not Heero's voice. "Hi, it's Duo. Sorry to wake you."

A moment of silence, then: "Oh! Hi Duo. What's going on?"

"Is Heero back home yet?"

"Heero?" The man on the other side of the line called, sounding stunned. "Wasn't he with you?"

Duo resisted the urge to sob. "No. He was supposed to be here at nine." He looked down at his watch. "It's now past midnight."

Silence.

"Are you sure he didn't come back home?"

"I didn't hear him... but let me check."

He could hear the rustling of sheets and a door open. He waited a few seconds, until Odin was back. "He's not here, Duo." He sighed, probably thinking. "Are you sure he's not waiting for you someplace else? Maybe Tifa knows..."

"No, we were supposed to meet at my place..." Duo felt a large chunk climb up his throat, threatening to choke him. "Odin, I think something is wrong."

*   *   *

Slowly, he came to. He felt as if he was dragging himself out of a thick swamp, the dark depth refusing to let go, trying to pull him back into their shadowy mist. He struggled to open his eyes, but his eyelids felt far too heavy to be lifted. He coughed, and the sound bounced off the walls, echoing back to his ears.

An empty room. A long dormant side of his mind informed him. Bear walls. Cold. Maybe by the sea.

Heero moaned, and tried to move. He felt his arms were tied up. They were cold and numb; therefore he didn't feel it before. Trying to move his feet, he found that they were tied up as well, also cold and numb. Moving a little, he realized that he was tied up to a chair, his ankles chained to the chair's feet, his arms behind the chair.

Metallic restrains. Probably handcuffs. Impossible to break in current condition.

Heero sighed, forcing himself to open his eyes. He blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the darkness, but the darkness remained.

Closed room. No windows. He coughed again, loudly this time, listening to the echo. Large room. Could be a warehouse. He inhaled the cold air deeply and frowned. The air smelled like disinfected. A clinic? A hospital? Where? His mind made a quick list of possible locations, which could contain such medical supplies, but thought of none that fit his current position.

Coughing again, he moved his head from side to side; his neck muscles aching after his head had rested on his chest for so long. He winced as he felt a sharp pain from the joint of his neck and shoulder. Leaning his cheek against his shoulder, he could sense that the area was swollen. Needle puncture. I was drugged. His mind supplied him again. That would account for the numbness and his foggy mind.

"Shit..." He muttered, voice hoarse. How could he let himself get caught like this?! He was trained to do better! He had let his guard down completely, and now he was paying for it.

But why?

Why?

What did he do? He did nothing wrong! He just wanted to live his life quietly. Happily. Is there no way to do that? Must he always remain the Soldier? The one who was always aware of danger and nothing else?

Heero coughed, closing his eyes. He felt so tired and weak. Probably the effects of the drug. He thought solemnly. They wanted to weaken me. Meaning they know what I am capable of... But... who are they?

Heero sighed, and lowered his pounding head, chin resting on his chest. There was nothing much he could do in his weakened condition. And he was so tired... He let his mind drift back into the realm of unconsciousness, where it was neither cold nor dark, and a pair of laughing violet eyes and welcoming arms waited for him.

"Duo..."

*   *   *

Heero hadn't showed up by the next morning. Although both Odin and Duo went searching for him all night long, they found no sign. They called on to more people for help, Duo calling friends form school and Odin and Bob were handling things their own way.

But no luck.

By the next day, they called the police and gave them what little information they had. The police began to also search the boardwalk and surrounding area, but found no clue. They interviewed passer-bys, the people in the café... they did everything possible, but got nowhere.

Two days have past, and there was still no sign of Heero.

"Yes, thanks again Miss. Yes. I hope so too. Thank you. Goodbye." Bob Shrets sighed and hung up the phone. "That was the last one. She didn't know anything either." He said sorrowfully, walking back to the living room. He sat on the sofa and looked up worriedly at his friend.

Odin was sitting on an armchair, two hands spread to his sides, on the back of the chair, head leaning backwards as well, eyes on the ceiling. It was late at night and the two had just finished a long line of phone calls, as asked by the police. There were no results.

Bob looked over at Ai, the concern for his friend clearly showing. Ai looked down sadly and sighed. It's been a long two days and they were all exhausted.

"I'll go make some more coffee..." She mumbled, getting up and walking to the dark kitchen.

Odin sighed, tiredly rubbing the bridge of his nose. "No thanks, Ai. I think I'll be heading home." He straightened in his chair, and sighed again.

"Don't worry." Bob said for about the tenth time for the day. "I'm sure it'll be fine." He tried to assure him with a trademark smile, but it faltered. Odin was looking like hell came over. His face haggard from lack of sleep, his eyes sad and haunted.

The blond man didn't answer, and just got up to his feet. "We'll continue tomorrow..." He muttered, putting on his jacket.

"You sure you don't want to stay the night?" Ai asked as she walked back into the dim lighted living room.

Odin shook his head, sighing deeply. "It's okay. I rather be home. Maybe... a phone call..."

The husband and wife nodded in understanding.

Odin sent them half a smile, thanking them. He then left, hurrying home. That night, after many sleepless hours, Odin finally managed to fall asleep in Heero's bed.

*   *   *

Heero woke up for the who-knows-how-many time in the who-knows-how-long he'd been there. As usual, he was greeted by nothing but darkness and the sound of his own breaths. He felt so weak and tired, and by the hunger and thirst he was feeling, he knew that he was probably there for more than a day. His captor(s) had yet to reveal themselves to him. He had no idea why he was there, tied up to a chair, loosing all feeling to his arms and legs.

If he at least knew why he was there!

"WHY???!!!" His hoarse voice shouted for the millionth time. "Show yourself, teme! SHOW YOURSELFFFFF!!!!!! GODDAMMIT - I WANT OUT OF HERE!"

But like so many other times before, his pleading went unheard.

Heero slumped his head back down and closed his eyes sadly. "I want to go home..." He whispered, a tear trickling in the corner of his eye. "Please..?"

"I'm afraid that it is not possible." A rough voice suddenly answered.

Heero jerked his head up, eyes wide. He looked around, but saw nothing in the darkness of the cold and hollow room. "Who are you?" He rasped, voice strained from his earlier shouting. "Let me go!"

A dark and spine chilling chuckled echoed through the bear room. "Now, now, that isn't the proper way to act in this kind of situation, now is it?" The amused voice said.

Heero narrowed his eyes. Something in that mocking tone sounded very familiar... And what the hell did he mean by 'not the proper way to act'?! He'll act however he wants to! He was kidnapped God damn it!

"Show yourself, coward!"

Again that mocking laughter, followed by the sound of footsteps.

Heero gasped quietly as he realized that those were no ordinary footsteps. By the sound of it, the man was walking heavily, the tapping of his feet on the floor followed by something else, a cane perhaps. And not only that, the tapping of the feet themselves had a metallic quality to it...

"Who are you?" Heero whispered again, more desperately this time, trying so hard to free his weak and numb arms from the restrains. But no such luck. His body was weakened to a state when even moving his arms was exhausting.

The voice chuckled once again. "That's it, boy, try to free yourself. THAT is the proper way to act..."

"What?!" What kind of a loony is that guy anyway?!

"Have you given up by now, Weapon?" The amused voice asked, getting nearer.

Heero gasped, eyes wide. "What'd you call me?!"

Again the figure chuckled, making Heero shiver.

He looked up in fright as he felt the presence come nearer, and then he heard it- the familiar and dreadful sound that has haunted his sleep for years on end. The sound of three metal claws, clicking against each other as they clenched and unclenched... clenched and unclenched...

"No..." He called, voice dreadful.

Somehow, he could feel that evil smile spread on that sinister face he despised more than himself.

Heero shook his head, trying to somehow back off in his seat, doing anything to escape what he knew was coming. "No..." He whimpered again, his dark blue eyes shimmering in the dark, reflecting fear and frustration. "This can't be..."

Suddenly, that smile was right in his face. The man's features finally visible in the dark. Heero swallowed, eyes looking straight into that pair of emotionless glasses.

"Yes, Weapon, it is..."

*   *   *

He was woken up by the sound of urgent knocking on the front door. He forced himself out of bed, surprised to find himself in the wrong room, Heero's room. Shaking his head and sighing, Odin hurried downstairs to answer the door.

He was greeted by Duo's gloomy face.

"I brought help." Duo stated, skipping the small talks. He looked up at the blond man; his haggard features dead serious, eyes holding no laughter. "May we come in?"

Odin merely nodded, opening the door widely. Duo walked in first, followed by two others, a young man and woman, both dressed in uniforms. He examined the two serious young faces, and then Duo finally spoke.

"This is agent Kate Cherry and Chang Wufei from the Preventers, they're here to help."

They shook hands briefly.

"Chang Wufei," Odin began thoughtfully. "Weren't you also a pilot?"

The young Chinese man nodded. "Yes, indeed. And once Maxwell contacted us, I came right over." He clenched his fists, as if trying to keep an even temper. "We'll help you find him."

The blond nodded, directing the small party to the living room. "Thank you."

"Now, first of all, we need to make up a list of possible enemies." Agent Cherry began once they were all seated. She turned to face the tired looking blond. "We have already assumed that the kidnapper is not after ransom, nor is he an idealist acting against the ex-Gundam pilots."

"How do you figure that?" Duo asked.

Wufei turned to him. "No other pilot was attacked in the last two days, so we assume that whoever it is, they're after Yuy."

"But why?!" Odin exclaimed in frustration. "Why him? Why now?"

"We are working on it, sir." Cherry hurried to calm him. She turned to Duo. "Can you think of anyone at all? Someone he met during the war? Someone who would want revenge? Someone he hurt?"

"We hurt a lot of people." Duo muttered miserably, looking away for a second. He took a deep breath, then turned back to the two agents. "But the war is over, I can't think of anyone who would want to raise old demons."

*   *   *

"It seems that you have forgotten what you are, Weapon."

Heero winced as he felt the hard pull of the tight restrains used to tie him up to the chair. It was a different chair, one that resembled those you see at the dentist. He ground his teeth, refraining himself from calling in pain as another tight restrain was added, stripping him to the chair.

He looked up at the Doctor who was 'working' on him, doing who-knows-what. He was still shocked by the fact that the old man had survived the war. For all he knew, J was supposed to be gone with the rest of the scientists when the Libra went down. But no. There he was, alive, and again working on his body, and mind.

"All those years of hard work," The Dr. continues, pulling another restrain so hard, it threatened to cut off Heero's blood circulation. "So many resources spent," He continued roughly, adding another restrain.

Heero winced in pain.

"So much TIME wasted!"

"Ek!" Heero choked out, closing his eyes in pain as another restrain came down mercilessly. With each of his angered words, J's ministrations seemed to get rougher, more painful and angered.

"You were the PERFECT weapon! MY weapon! And you wasted it all! All my work! ALL THAT I WORKED FOR IS NOW GONE!"

"URGH!" Heero couldn't help it and called out in pain, feeling the painful throbbing in his right arm, where a needle had descended forcefully. "J..." He breathed, panting in the effort of stopping the pain. "The war is over..." He finally managed to say, his vision blurring. "There's no... no more... fighting..."

"YOU ARE A WEAPON! ALL YOU DO IS FIGHT!" The madman shouted, slapping Heero with one metal-clawed hand.

Heero's head flew to the side, and he would have flown off the chair if it weren't for the hard restrains holding him down. The left side of his face, already bruised from earlier beating, began to bleed badly, burning with pain.

Heero moaned quietly. He was not used to this anymore. There was no more Perfect Soldier to endure the pain, and so it hurt! Oh God, it hurt...

"No... weapon..." Heero managed to stifle between panting. "I... I'm a... a human... human being..."

Another hard slap and Heero's head went flying to the other side. He closed his eyes, trying so hard to control the urge to cry out.

LET ME OUT!

No!

J chuckled darkly, walking over to a table in the far end of the room, picking up a few medical instruments. "Whoever put THAT idea in your head, Weapon?" He asked mockingly, preparing a syringe.

Heero, still panting, face bleeding, body shivering, looked up at J with glazed eyes.

"You? Human? Ha!" J continued mocking. "That is the most ridicules thing you had EVER said, Weapon. What on Earth makes you think that you are human?" He whirled around to face the boy. As he saw the confused and startled look on his weapon's face, he smiled darkly and carried on with his speech. "You are different from all of Them. You are better than all of Them, Weapon." Slowly, he began to approach the startled boy. "You are mine, Weapon." He bent down over the trembling figure, cold glasses looking him in the eye. "You are a soldier. The perfect soldier! A weapon, boy, you are a weapon! Nothing more!"

"No..." Heero cried, looking away. "I'm human... I am... I am..."

"All you're good for is fighting. You fight, therefore you are. This peace," He spat. "It is all temporary. Once it falls and crumbles, you will come out and fight again."

"No..."

YES."My Weapon, you are to be locked away until needed, just like any other weapon."

"No..."

YES!He felt another sharp needle enter him.

"You do not deserve to live among Them. They don't want you, Weapon. No body does."

"No... not... true..." Heero struggled to protest, fighting against the blackness threatening him.

"Nobody wants you, Weapon. Nobody needs you, except for fighting, for killing. You are a killer, Weapon. That is all you ever were. A weapon. A killer. You kill people. That's why you can't be a part of Their world, Weapon. You're no good for them. You are unwanted."

Heero closed his eyes, trying to shut himself from the same old things he was fed for hours. But it was getting harder to fight.

"You are a weapon. A killer. You are a killer."

No... He thought weakly, hanging on to the last shred of his will, fighting off those awful, AWFUL words, which seemed to be truer by the minute.

"Human..." He breathed, voice barely heard. "Hu...ma...nnnn..."

"Sleep now, Weapon. You will be awakened when it's time."

I'm human... human! I know I am! They know I am... right?

Right?

Right?

HUMPH! IN YOUR DREAMS, KID! IN YOUR DREAMS!

And then darkness finally claimed him.

*   *   *

Five days.

Five God damned days!

Five days!

How could it have been so long?

Where is he?

Is he okay?

Is he hurt?

Is he imprisoned somewhere, cold and bleeding?

Is he hungry? When did he last eat?

Is he even alive?

Of course he is!

He has to!

He has to because he is... was... because he was... he had survived worse, right?

He'll be fine, right?

Right?

Odin sighed heavily as he entered Heero's room, the same old thoughts that have haunted him for days and nights, still swirling around in his aching head. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see him. Lying on the floor, dirty and bleeding, body shivering in the darkness and cold.

He didn't deserve to be like that! He'd been through so much already! Why must he suffer? Why? He was such a good kid... why must he go through this again? It wasn't fair! It just wasn't! He didn't want his Kid to be taken away! Not again! He wanted his Kid back... no, he wanted Heero back. His Heero. The one he thought of as his own son. He wanted him back; he wanted to see him here, sleeping safely in his bed. Protected. Protected by him, like he had promised so long ago. A promise broken twice already.

"Dammit!" Odin cursed, slumping down on the still unmade bed, punching the pillow in frustration. "Damn it..."

He sighed, sad eyes looking up and about the room. It was so quiet, so empty. Heero's stuff were all still scattered around. Odin chuckled bitterly. The boy proved to be quite messy, despite what anyone would expect from the ex-soldier. His school uniform were lying against the back of a chair, along with a larger pile of cloths. His notebooks and other school accessories were also lying scattered on the desk. On another shelf, opposite to the bed, were other personal artifacts, which some of them made the blond smile weakly. The joystick control of Wing Zero... the little Teddy bear Annie gave him a while ago... a framed picture of the other pilots, of Heero and Duo, and another picture, which always made him smile. It was one Tifa took of he and Heero, on one sunny Sunday when the whole 'family' went horse riding in the country. In the picture he could see himself, smiling, one arm around the trying-to-look-indifferent Heero's shoulder, and in the front of the picture were two of Tiff's fingers, making a V sign, framing them both together. He shook his head, smiling slightly.

He turned to look at the small nightstand by the bed and his smile faded. There, on the small desk, by the lamp, were two objects, which made his heart clench painfully. One was a picture, a small one, an old one, protected inside a wooden frame. It was the photo of he, Kid, Yoshi and Linda, ages ago, smiling to the camera. A rare and precious treasure.

By that, lay another treasure. Odin reached a shaking hand to pick it up carefully. It was Kid's knight. He was sitting on his grand white horse, sword held up high, helmet down, ready to conquer any danger. It always made him smile when he looked down at that small knight, a little reminder of that sweet little boy he used to know, and who had only recently came back to him.

He studied the small Lego® knight for a long while, and then reached back for the small wooden frame. Trembling fingers traced over the photo-child's features, while another shaking hand held tightly to the horse.

One shiny crystal tear fell down onto the photo, blurring the image of Kid's smiling face.

He hurried to wipe his tears away and looked up again. His eyes spotted Heero's precious laptop, lying on his desk, behind the pile of cloths. He placed the picture down, but not the knight, and got up. He sat down in front of the notebook computer and lifted up the lid. With trembling fingers, he turned it on, and waited.

He needed at least half a dozen passwords to get into the system. In any another case, it would have made him smile; the way Heero was so overprotective about the data stored in there. Data, which he, of course, had no clue about. Unfortunately for Heero, he was also a good enough hacker to break those protections (though a few were a bit tricky) and plus, he knew how Heero's mind worked. It was good that he did, for only those who knew Heero well enough could outguess his twisted little computer-loving mind.

After about two hours, he was in. But he didn't know where to go from there. He didn't even know why he was doing this. But, since he was there...

He began opening files at random. Some were games, which surprised him greatly. He didn't think of Heero as a computer game type. But it made him smile a little as he saw that between all the brain-busting mind games, were a few good car racing and first person shooter games...

Moving on, he opened a few more files. Most were related to the war. Probably data he had collected. He found dozens of mission reports, mission briefings and such. Other files held maps and satellite images of the Earth. Other files held instructions concerning the Gundam maintenance... all in all- pretty boring.

Next he found something more interesting. FAR more interesting. Next he found stuff Heero had written. He knew he was taking a literature course at school, but he didn't know the boy could write! Really write!

He read over some pieces and was highly impressed. Heero wrote everything- from essays and articles, to short stories and poems. Most of them were somehow related to the war, some bitter, some hopeful, some in high spirits, some depressing and sad. He was very touched by one piece, a poem, telling the story about a little girl and her dog...

Moving deeper into the large database, Odin began to find older files, ones, which were dated back to the date when this old computer was first created (as it said in on the plastic cover). It dated all the way back to AC 192.

With shaking fingers, he double clicked on a file and began to read:

Date:March, I think.

      Entry: I don't have a lot of time to talk today, Odin.

Odin?! What the hell?! He flinched back in his seat, eyes wide in shock. Heero had written to... him?

He read on:

It was a really hard day today. And I don’t think I did very well either. It’s hard to tell, J didn’t say or do anything to me. I guess that if he didn’t do anything then I did okay, but still, I think I could have done better. J probably thinks that too. That’s why he didn’t give me the papers he promised he would. I had to steal more forms from the hanger. Tomorrow I’ll do my best and maybe he’ll give me a notebook like he promised. It isn’t that hard to do, but my hand is still broken so I can’t control the MS so well. But I’ll try, you’ll see. Tomorrow I’ll have my book and I can make all the origami folds I want! You’ll see.

I miss you, Ja na.

Signature: KiD.

Odin gasped, putting a hand over his mouth. Tears flooded his eyes, making the screen blurry. Ki--Heero, he wrote to him. He kept a journal. It was right there, in front of him, a window to Kid's life during the time they were a part.

Regaining his composure, Odin carried on:

Date: Tuesday.

      Entry: J let me go outside today. I haven’t been outside for so long. I couldn’t remember what it felt like not to be under these cold lights in the base. I found a bush outside, by the fence. It was outside the base so I couldn’t really reach it. Nothing grows inside the base.

It was a bush with jasmine growing in it. Do you remember jasmine, Odin? Linda used to love them. They smelled so sweet, they reminded me of her. I picked some up and snuck them into my room. It smells nicer now, and I think it looks less gloomy with the flowers in it. Maybe if I’ll just look at the flowers, everything else will look nicer too.

I’m so hungry Odin. He didn’t let me eat in days. It’s because I failed the simulation more than three times in a row. But it’s so hard! And I’m so hungry, I can’t think straight. If he’ll just give me a little food, I think I’ll make it. Or am I asking for too much? Soldiers do need food, right Odin?

I’m sorry I can’t talk anymore, I’m too tired.

Goodnight Odin, ai shiteru.

Signature: KiD.

J... that bastard! If he could put his hands on that sorry-ass-excuse-for-a-human-being he would find at least a thousand and one ways to brutally kill him!

He continued to read the entries, one by one, going over Heero's life, reading about nearly every day of his time alone on the base.

Date: I’m not so sure anymore. I forgot to check on the computer. I think it’s Friday, I lost count. What year is this?

      Entry: It was a strange day today, Odin. After target practice, chief tech Mitchell said J wanted me in the office. I thought he will send me over to Doc Frazier, cause she always takes care of me when the injuries are too bad, but he didn’t send me away this time. He told me to lie on the couch so he can take a look at my wounds. I did what he said and took my cloths off. But he didn’t treat the wounds. I lay there bleeding and he asked if I wanted to have fun.

I used to have lots of fun, with you, Odin. I remember we played together and you helped me build my castles. I missed having fun, so I said ‘yes’. But it wasn’t fun at all! He took off his cloths too and I had to... with his... I... I don’t know what happened, he was in my mouth and I... I just closed my eyes and I wanted so bad to be out of there! It wasn’t fun at all! It never felt good. If that was enjoyment, then I don’t want it at all!

And you know what was the worse part? He finally let me eat after that. And I had such a bad taste in my mouth I just ran to the cafeteria. But all they had was hotdogs and meatloaf! And I couldn’t even look at it! I puked all over the lunch lady and people got really mad at me! I think I cried when they hit me. I’m not sure. I just hope they won’t tell J if I did... I don’t want to see him again- ever!

I wish Steve was here, he would have protected me. But he’s gone now, and now J does whatever he wants with me. I’m afraid that I’ll never be able to run away from him. I hate him! I hate all of them! They think they can do whatever they want! Do they think that I won’t fight?! I’ll show them! I’ll kill them all! After I sleep. I’m so tired and everything hurts so bad.

Goodnight Odin, I hope it doesn’t hurt where you are.

Ai shiteru,

Signature: KiD.

Tears flooded his eyes, and this time, he didn't stop them from pouring out.

Heero was raped.

His Kid was raped.

And he was merely twelve at the time. Only twelve! His Kid, brutalized like that!

And now... where was he now? Also suffering?

Heero never did respond well to contact.

And now he knew why.

Heero would nearly cringe when he saw meat, especially hotdogs and such.

Now he knew why.

Heero had once promised him that he would take things slow with Duo.

And now he knew why.

Heero was still afraid. Deep down inside, he was still afraid. Heero was always afraid.

Because of him.

Because of J.

That bastard!

THAT GOD DAMNED BASTARD!

Odin whimpered, leaning down on the desk, head pillowed in his arms, Kid's small knight still clutched tightly in his palm. Gradually, his tears turned into sharp and hasty breath, which soon turned into heart-breaking sobs.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, Heero... I'm sorry! I'm sorry... God, I'm so sorry... Kid... I'M SORRY!!!"

*   *   *

"What is this?!" J's harsh voice suddenly called, jerking Heero out from his semi-conscious state. Cobalt eyes fluttered open, glazed with tears and pain. He was still lying in that cold and uncomfortable chair, his limbs aching from being tied so hard, he was sure there would be welts where the ropes held him. His body, beaten to a pulp, dirty, cold and bleeding, was still weakened by the drugs. He was fed up with so many different drugs, he couldn't think straight anymore. Actually, he couldn't think at all. He was just there, that's all. He knew that he was and that there was nothing beyond that knowledge. Well, nothing except the pain and numbness, the yearning to enter sweet slumber, and never wake up from it...

"I asked what is it, Weapon!" J roared again, pulling at his arm, nearly ripping it off his body.

LET ME OUT!

No.

Heero forced his aching head to turn, and looked down hazily at his wrist, the one J was holding. Slowly, he looked up at J, cracked and bruised lips parting. "B...bracelet..." He managed to choke out, hoping it will be enough of an explanation, for he didn't think he had the strength in him to add any more.

But J wasn't satisfied. In fact, he seemed to get even angrier, and tugged Heero's arm again, more forcefully this time. "Don't be a smart ass, Weapon! WHAT IS IT?!"

I NEED TO GET OUT! I'LL PROTECT YOU!

No. No! No! No! NO! If you come out, you won't let me go out again!

Heero sighed, closing his eyes. "A frien... a friendshi..." He coughed, spitting out some blood. "A friendship bracelet..."

He squeezed his hand with the metal claw, nearly breaking his wrist. Heero could have sworn he heard it crack. "Who gave it to you?!"

HE IS HURTING ME! LET ME GO!!!

I don't wanna! It's just what he wants- that you'll come out! I'm not gonna let you! Go back to sleep, Soldier. Go back to sleep...

I'M IN PAIN! I NEED OUT! LET ME OUT! I CAN FIGHT!

No - No! More! Fighting! I promised. Soldier, please!

. . .

Soldier?

. . .

"WHO! GAVE! IT! TO! YOU!?"

Heero took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay awake. "...Duo..." He turned his head away, not wanting to face the Doctor right now. Thoughts of his love flooded his mind and he couldn't help but whimper in despair. He wanted nothing more but to be in those strong arms, to be held lovingly... to be warm... to be safe... to be far from all of this...

His eyes snapped open as he heard the Doc's maniacal laughter echo throughout his prison cell. He turned to face the madman, just gaping at him with his glazed blue eyes.

After a while, the man managed to calm down. "I've watched you two, during the war and during the past few weeks... You are really close, you two, aren't you?" He chuckled mockingly, letting go of Heero's arm. He walked back to his 'work table'. "You think he loves you, don't' you?" He asked, voice amused. "I bet you even think that you love him. Humph! What a ludicrous thought!" He whirled back to face the tearful blue-eyed boy. "Do you really believe you are capable of loving, Weapon?"

Heero looked away, not wanting to hear this.

J began to walk towards him, some sort of instrument in his hand. "Do you think that he is really capable of loving you?" He stopped by the chair, looking down at the boy.

But Heero refused to face him.

One metal hand went flying up, grabbing Heero by the hair. Heero gasped as he felt J pull his head up to look him straight in the eye.

"Do you think that anyone can?!" He pulled his hair harder, making Heero wince in pain. "Huh?! DO YOU WEAPON?!"

Panting to keep control of the pain, Heero looked up defiantly into the Doc's face.

"Yes."

J snorted, throwing Heero's head aside in disgust. "Humph! He is only interested in one thing! No one can EVER love a weapon! You are not meant for love, you are meant for WAR!"

Heero cried out as he felt two cold hands rip his shirt off. He whirled his head around to face the Doc, eyes wide with fear.

"Boys can't love other boys, and humans don't love weapons!" J continued talking as he stripped Heero from the rest of his cloths. "They are only capable of loving other humans. He doesn't love you, Weapon. No one does!"

Heero felt embarrassed at the sudden exposure in front of his enemy. The coldness of the room attacked his body like a thousand sharp knives, making him shiver violently. He closed his eyes, looking away.

J carried on, walking up to Heero's face again. "The only thing he loves is what I made. My creation! Mine!"

Heero gasped as he felt the metal hands trace over his bear chest, making him shiver and nauseous at the same time.

"He is only interested in THIS, Weapon. That is all." He spoke, fingers still touching Heero.

HE JUST WANTS YOUR SEX...

No! Keep quiet!

THAT'S ALL HE REALLY WANTS... YOU KNOW THAT IT'S TRUE...

SHUT UP!

"How can he possibly be interested in you?" J carried on teasing him.

HE ONLY SEES ME...

No!

Heero closed his eyes, forcing himself to stop listening, feeling the cold metal fingers trace down the outlines on his muscled but yet bruised body. He shivered.

"What... what are you... doing..?" He managed to ask, his breath quickening.

"Teaching you a lesson, Weapon. It seems like we'll have to take you through some retraining, doesn't it?" A dark smile spread on his lips as he turned to his work station.

"No..." Heero whispered in horror, feeling an IV being connected to his left arm. "No, J, please..." He cried, tears sliding down his bruised and blood covered cheek. He shook his head from side to side, eyes pleading. "Please, J, no... The war is over... it's over... I don't have to fight anymore..." He sobbed, feeling another IV being inserted to his upper and inner thigh. He pulled his head up a little, trying to look up at the doctor as he began to connect him to other various instruments. "J... please... I won the war... I won it for you... look..." He begged, crying desperately. He had barely survived the last time he was sent to 'retraining'. It took all that he had to keep a shred of his humanity alive, burying it deep inside. He didn't know if he had the mental capacity to do it again.

"J..." He pleaded, his head dropping back down from exhaustion. He shook it from side to side, crying. "There's peace now... I don't need to... to fight... to kill... any... more..."

His body jerked as he felt something hard, cold and metallic settle over his chest.

"Please..." He tried again, his tears pouring out rapidly, mingling with the blood and dirt. "I won the war for you... I did... I just want to live now... let me live... please let me live..."

"SHUT UP WEAPON!" The old man shouted, punching him straight in the rib cage with his metal hand, knocking the air out of the boy's lungs. "WEAPONS DO NOT BEG!"

Heero coughed out blood, and whimpered in pain. "J... please... don't kill me again... please don't kill me again..." He whimpered over and over, panting, fighting off the unbearable pain in his body and mind.

"You don't get it, do you Weapon?!" The doctor shouted, coming over to stand by the teen's face, looking down at him with a sinister expression.

Heero's glazed blue eyes looked up at the Doc, pleading him silently. "Please... J… I--URGH!"

J's metal fist came crashing down on Heero's already injured face, connecting with his jaw. Heero jumped up in pain and opened his mouth to scream. His eyes widened as he realized he couldn't. He heard a loud CRACK! and realized that his jaw was broken, forcing him to remain silent. He whirled his head around, looking wide eyed at the evil face hovering above him.

J snorted at the tearful eyes pleading at him. "Don't you get it, Weapon?" He leaned down against the teen, their lips nearly touching.

Heero looked up at him in dread.

J smiled evilly. "You never were alive..."

Heero cringed as he felt something heavy slam down over his head. Something that felt like a helmet. His eyes snapped wide open.

No...

I'M COMING BACK.

No, please, no...

There was a sound, of some device being turned on, its power level rising.

SAYONARA, KID.

NO! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! ODIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*   *   *

Odin's eyes snapped open and he jerked out of his sleep with a scream, face covered with cold sweat. He sat there in the dark, unblinking, trying to calm down his harsh breathing. He ran a hand through his sweat soaked hair, sighing heavily.

He looked up at the dark and eerily quiet room, still struggling to fix his breath.

He closed his eyes, rubbing them tiredly and bowed his head, burying his face in his hands.

Again he had fallen asleep in Heero's room, but his slumber was plagued by nightmares. Nightmares about what had happened to his Kid. About what was happening to his Kid right at this moment. He knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong. He could feel it, downright to the ill depths of his stomach. Heero was in danger, great danger. If he won't act fast, he might loose him.

And that, was not an option.

Odin quickly jumped out of Heero's bed, throwing the covers aside. He bent down under it and pulled something out, a ragged old cardboard box, the same one Heero had brought with him when he first moved in. While in the past he never did let himself peek inside of it, now he knew exactly what he was looking for.

Opening up the box, Odin pulled out the shining form of one metal object- Heero's pistol, from during the war. Checking it over, he found that it was unloaded. Rummaging around the half empty box, he found one clip and quickly fastened it into the gun.

Cocking the weapon, Odin brought it up to his face, looking at it with resolve. He stared at the metallic object for a long time, turning it a little to see the way the dim light played on its surface. It's been nearly ten years since he had last fired a weapon at another human being. It's been ten years since he had left his rotten past, but he would gladly go back into his old habits, if it meant saving Heero.

Odin rose up to his feet, face covered with determination.

*   *   *

"Would you like something to eat? You look like shit, man." Annabel asked as she settled on her bed, looking up at her visitor.

Duo shook his head, turning back to face her. "No, it's okay. I just came by to see why weren't you at school today."

Annie bowed her head, shrugging. "Didn't feel like going." She muttered, still not looking up.

Duo nodded in understanding. "I know what you mean." He let out, turning back to study her room.

It's been a week since Heero went missing. The Preventers were still on the job and nothing they did helped by much. They were still clueless as to whom, why and where. All they could do was sit, worry and wait, hoping for the best. But things weren't looking good at the moment. Odin had disappeared as well, about two days ago. He left the house unlocked and just vanished.

"What's this?" Duo suddenly asked, pulling out a small but yet decorated album.

Annie smiled, getting up. "Oh, that's my photography project. I got an A plus on this one..." She came standing by him just as he opened the small photo album.

Duo's eyes widened. "That's Heero!"

Annie held back a grin, biting down her lower lip. "Yep. It is."

"Oh my God, he was your subject?!" Duo marveled, leafing through the pages, looking at the pictures, eyes wide.

Annabel nodded, putting two hands behind her back. "Yeah, um, you're not mad, are you?"

Duo looked up at her, confused. "Mad? Why would I be mad?"

Annie blushed, looking away. "Ya know, because you two are... ya know..."

"Oh." Was all Duo could currently think of. He looked back at the album. "We thought you didn't know."

"I'm not blind, Duo!" The girl snarled.

Duo smiled, eyes glued to a really good picture of Heero, coming out of the sea. "No, girl, you are definitely NOT blind..." He let out slyly.

"Duo!" She slapped him over the chest. "That was not my intention when I took that shot! Look at the lighting! Look at the way the sun plays with the water over there!" She defended herself.

Duo rolled his eyes. "Right. I believe you."

He kept looking through the pictures, this time looking at each and every one of them carefully. They were all beautiful, and not only because of their model. No. It was clear that Heero didn't model for these shots. And Duo knew that he would NEVER agree to that, no matter what! Heero was always anxious near a camera. Duo knew he didn't like it at all. That's why he rarely agreed to take pictures and if he did, he would always sulk.

But not in these photos. No, these photos caught him in natural poses; they were clearly taken spontaneously and without plan. In most of them it seemed that Heero wasn't even aware of the camera. He had to wonder how did this girl manage to make something escape the attention of the once perfect soldier. But, nevertheless, there he was, doing all these ordinary things, making them look much better than they're supposed to look.

There was a picture of him combing a horse, there was a picture of him cleaning the bar at the café, sleeping out on the lawn, hiking, drying his hair after coming out of the sea, doing homework, slamming his foot down on an empty can of coke, glaring at Tifa, chasing after a grinning Tifa. And there were pictures of him at home. Pictures with Odin, pictures of him watching television, a picture of him startled as he picked up a teddy bear out of a gift box. And then there was a photo of him sleeping in his bed, the sweetest of smiles on his peaceful features.

"So many smiles..." Duo whispered after seeing all the pictures. "I've never seen him smile so much." He chuckled bitterly, looking up at Annie. "How'd you get him to take all these pictures anyway?" He asked in a forced cheerful tone, smiling at Annabel.

Annie shrugged, taking the album from him, looking down at her work. "I did most of it in secret. If you notice, he's so caught up in what he's doing, that he didn't notice the shutter open and close. And I always walk around with a camera, so it didn't seem strange to him."

"But he found out about it later, right? I mean he had to know that you..."

Annie nodded, looking away for a moment. "Yeah, I told him, before I handed it in. I wanted his permission." She sighed, sitting down on her desk. "And boy did he get mad..."

Duo chuckled, knowing how Heero gets.

Annie chuckled as well. "He wanted me to burn the pictures! But they were a work of art!" She sighed, looking down at one photo, fingers tracing the outlines of Heero's figure. She sighed sadly. "But it wasn't because of the project that I objected. I thought that he should keep the pictures. I wanted him to have them." Again she sighed. "All I really wanted when I began taking the pictures was to show him himself."

"I don't understand." Duo spoke softly, coming to sit by her.

Annie smiled up at the braided boy. "I wanted him to see himself in such ordinary and normal situations. I wanted him to see that he was human. Just like anyone of us. I guess I wanted him to have proof of that. He didn't believe it, that he was human, I mean."

"Does he now?" Duo wondered out loud.

Annie sighed, looking down at her shoes. "I hope so." She looked up at Duo, smiling weakly. "Tell ya what, though, he kept a copy of the pictures and allowed me to hand over the project. That's something, right?"

Duo tried to smile back, but it faltered. He also looked down at his shoes. "I hope so. I really do."

*   *   *SEE? I TOLD YOU I'LL BE BACK. YOU CAN'T PUT ME AWAY FOR LONG...

He looked around the darkness, confused.

Who are you?

WHY I AM INSULTED! HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN ME SO SOON?

He frowned and tried to take a step closer, towards the voice. But he found that he wasn't even standing on a solid surface. He was like walking on air, floating more like it, in a dark and empty space.

Where are you? He asked, fearful by the thought of being left alone in this strange realm.

I'M ALWAYS WITH YOU, KID.

His eyes widened as he recognized the voice. His own voice. The Soldier's voice.

Why would I need your help? You never do anything right! You never know what to say and how to act right! You don't know anything but hurt people!

The Soldier chuckled. BUT I CAN ACT. I CAN FIGHT. I CAN PROTECT AND I CAN GET ME OUT OF HERE. SO LET ME OUT!

No! He called back, voice angry. All you do is kill people! You kill and kill and kill! I'm not letting you out anymore! I'm not going back to being in the dark all the time! You never let me out, why should I let you?!

BECAUSE I'M BETTER THAN YOU. I AM NEEDED. I DID SOMETHING USEFUL. I WASN'T A BURDEN TO EVRERYONE AROUND! I AM NOT A CRY-BABY WHO WHINES OVER THE FACT THAT HE HAS NO FRIENDS!

That's because no one likes you! No one loves you! They love me, not you!

Again the voice giggled mockingly. DO THEY, KID? DO THEY REALLY? THEY MUST KNOW THAT I AM YOU. THAT YOU ARE ME. THEY KNOW I'M THERE. THAT'S WHY THEY'LL NEVER REALLY LOVE YOU. LETS LEAVE THEM, KID. WE DON'T NEED THEM. WE DON'T NEED ANYBODY OR ANYTHING...

Not true! We need to be human! We need to be one! We need to be... we need to be Heero!

THERE IS NO WE, THERE IS ONLY ME. YOU ARE OBSOLETE. AN OBSTACLE TO COMPLETING THE MISSION.

But there's NO MORE MISSION!!!! He shouted back. Please, Soldier, you must believe me. We have a home, and even a family! They accepted me... you... us! They did! They accepted Heero! I have friends, and a lover, and even a foster father! Please! I just-I just want to be Heero!

I CANNOT BE HUMAN. I AM NOT HUMAN. I AM A WEAPON. WE ARE A WEAPON. A WEAPON... NOTHING MORE. AWEAPONAWEAPONAWEAPONAWEAPONAWEAPONAWEAPONAWEAPONAWEAPONAWEAPONAWEAPONAWEAPON. . .

STOP IIIIITTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't you remember? Don't you remember what he said?

. . ."You're wrong, Heero. You are human. You're as human as they get. Just look at yourself now, Heero. Tell me what you see." . . .

Do you remember what I saw? Do you remember? I'm human! I'm you and I'm me and I AM HUMAN!!!

I AM?

Don't you remember? We cried for her... for that girl... and for Marry... we cried for them...

IT WAS ALL YOUR FAULT THEY DIED. IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU THE MISSION WOULD HAVE BEEN-

We were BOTH at wrong! We made a mistake! Just like in New Edwards! That's human! Humans make mistakes!

I-

. . . "Burn those pictures! I want you to burn them! Why'd you take them? That's not me in there! That's not me!"

"It is, Heero, please, if you would just listen! Maybe I did make a mistake, but look at yourself, Heero! Look at these pictures! Please Heero, listen to me!" . . .

Do you remember what we saw, Soldier? We saw us. We saw us smiling. We saw us happy, we saw us just like we see anyone else. We saw Heero, Soldier. We saw Heero.

. . . "Heero, why won't you get off the roof? We can finish the balcony at another time... when it's less hot!"

"Hn. You go, I'll finish this up."

"Eh, c'mon! Even you get tired and sweaty, Heero! Lets go and nap on the beach or something, kay?" . . .

Even we get hot and cold and tired. Aren't you tired by now, Soldier? Aren't you tired? Tired of being bad? It doesn't have to be like this...

. . ."I told you before, Heero, you're a good kid. You got a good soul and a good heart. No, I'm not kidding. You're a good kid. You just need to find yourself again, to believe in it. We'll try to help you, as much as we can, but it's mostly up to you, Kid.". . .

We promised we'd try. Didn't we?

DID WE SUCCSEED?

. . . "I CANNOT believe how much he's changed! I mean, last I've seen him he was mister doom-n-gloom, punching the hell out of a poor guy who had ditched his Gundam. Now, now he's laughing and smiling and... everything! It's like he's finally really alive."

"Um, Duo?"

"Yes Tiff?"

"There is a smirking Heero Yuy standing behind you..."

. . .

Please, Soldier... please... say that you remember! Please say you do!

I--

Lets just be Heero... just be Heero, Soldier... with me...

I---

I...

I. . .

*   *   *

J frowned as the lines on the monitor suddenly dropped down, critically. He looked up and across the dark room, towards the limp figure lying sprawled on the chair, wired, drugged and monitored.

There was no change. The teen wasn't coming to. He lay still and unmoving.

Again the Doctor frowned, checking over the devices, then looking up at the boy again. He shook his head and sighed.

"Damn equipment..." He muttered, banging over the monitor. But the line didn't stray. It kept dropping. He looked up at the boy again, eyes narrowing. Getting up with a groan, he made his way heavily towards the chair and looked down at the unconscious figure.

No change.

He sent up a glare at the monitor.

"Damn equipment..." He muttered again, walking back to his seat. "Cheap trash!" He slammed his fist down on the thing, nearly breaking it. He sighed, and lifted up his metal hand. He noticed that it was still covered with dried blood and frowned. Sighing heavily, muttering something to himself about getting some sleep, he forced himself up again and walked out of the room, to wash the blood off.

If he would have stayed a little longer, he would have seen the lines drop further down and a big red WARNING! message flash over the screen.

Suddenly, Heero's body jerked, arching off the chair, spasming.

*   *   *

Odin parked his car inside a dark alley, and slammed the door behind him. He looked around, eyes narrow, face dead serious. He looked down at a small and shabby note in his hand, then back up. Yep. It was the address.

Walking out of the alley, the blond man drew a pistol from his black trench coat, heading down the wet asphalt road, into a darker part of the small block. The place was some sort of an industrial area, for he could see many small factories and warehouses around. But he knew exactly where he was heading. It took him nearly three days of searching, in the dark most of the time, until he found this place. He had been in many other similar places in the past few days, but this had to be the one. It just had to; otherwise, he had no more hope.

He rounded the building, which he had parked behind, and stopped dead in his tracks. Looking up, eyes narrow, reflecting hate, aggression and pure coldness, he read the small and tattered sign: 'Doctor Jericho- Artificial limbs and tissue regeneration. Licensed clinic.'

He smiled darkly. "Gotchya."

*   *   *

"You? Human? Ha! Whoever put THAT idea in your head, Weapon?"

But I am...

"YOU ARE A WEAPON! ALL YOU DO IS FIGHT!"

NO! NO! Maska! I'm human! I am... just like everybody else!

"You are different from all of Them. You are better than all of Them, Weapon. You are mine, Weapon. You are a soldier. The perfect soldier! A weapon, boy, you are a weapon! Nothing more!"

But I tried so hard...

"All you're good for is fighting. You fight, therefore you are."

But...

But...

"You do not deserve to live among Them. They don't want you, Weapon. No body does."

No... Not true! I know it isn't! I know it!!!

"You are a weapon. A killer. You are a killer!"

I'm Heero! I'M HEERO! I KNOW I AM!!! I KNOW I AM!!! Not a weapon... not a weapon... I'm human. And humans love and they hate, they're angry and happy and sad... I'm human! I am because I love... I love Duo... and Odin... and Tifa... and... and…

THEY LOVE ME TOO. THEY LOVE ALL OF ME.

ALL OF ME.

All of Heero.

"Do you really believe you are capable of loving, Weapon?"

No... don't say that! Stop it! Please...

"WEAPONS DO NOT BEG!"

Stop it... STOP IT!!! Leave me alone...

LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!

"You never were alive..."

Weapon...

Weapon...

Weapon...

Weapon...

Weapon!Weapon!Weapon!Weapon!Weapon!Weapon!Weapon!Weapon!Weapon!Weapon!Weapon!Weapon!Weapon!

*   *   *

He walked into the clinic, making a short work of the lock. It was dark, wet and quiet and he knew immediately that this was no ordinary clinic. He had to be in the right place. He began searching the place, walking carefully into dark rooms, pistol ready in his hand. After a while of wandering, he heard something.

It sounded a lot like a humming of some electrical device. He headed in the direction of the sound, and arrived at a door, in the far back of the facility. He could tell that the sound of some heavy machinery was coming from behind that door.

Bingo.

Slowly, he turned the doorknob and opened the door silently, carefully. He walked in without making a sound, then suddenly stopped and gasped.

Although the room was dark, he could not miss the large chair stationed in the middle of the room, the dim light illuminating the outlines of a slim figure lying strapped to the large chair, deathly silent and unmoving.

Heero.

His vision went red and he whirled around, gun aimed forward, locked on target. His target, completely oblivious to the fact that it was one, kept sitting hunched down in front of a small desk, back facing the ex-assassin, eyes glued to the monitors.

Odin took a deep breath, and then moved forward.

"GET UP NOW!!!" He shouted at the top of his lungs, making the figure flinch. But she didn't turn. "I SAID- GET THE FUCK UP!!! LET ME SEE YOUR HANDS UP!!! C'MON OLD MAN - MOVE!"

The figure sighed, shaking her head, then slowly, casually, got up.

The blond watched him carefully as he slowly turned around, raising his hands in the air. He looked down in disgust and hatred at the old and crippled man.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't put a bullet through your head, right now!" Odin growled, slowly walking forward, his aim not wavering by bit.

The Doctor merely smirked, looking up at him with calm. He began to lower his hands.

"I said - PUT THEM UP!!! PUT THEM BACK UP! DO IT NOW!!!" Odin shouted furiously, now standing merely a meter before the short old man.

The man complied, but kept his cool.

"I SHOULD KILL YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID TO HIM, YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" He raged on, glancing back at Heero.

Heero's body jerked off the chair in convulsion.

His eyes widened in both shock and anger as he now saw that Heero was completely naked, body covered with blood, dirt and bruises. He whirled back to the old man, growling in anger. "YOU SONOFABITCH!!!" He screamed, pulling the trigger.

The man staggered back, groaning in pain, clutching onto his bleeding shoulder.

Again Heero's body arched off the chair. The monitor began beeping frantically.

"What the fuck are you doing to him?! TURN IT OFF - NOW!!!"

J smirked.

"DO IT NOW!!!!"

Heero's body trembled harder and harder, going into some sort of seizure.

Odin looked back at him desperately, and then whirled back to face the so-called Doctor. "I want the machine off now!" He growled dangerously. "You're fucking brain-washing him! Let! Him! Go!"

J snorted in disgust. "Not at all. This machine is incapable of transmitting messages into the human brain."

Odin's eyes narrowed.

"He is being fed up with his own thoughts and memories. He is the one who's hurting himself, not I."

"I don't fucking care! You're manipulating him! You God damned sadist!" He launched at the machine he thought was responsible for Heero's torture, lifting his fists up, ready to crush it down.

"If you are implying that I am using his own mind against him, then you are correct. But you must have also realized that if that process is ended brutally, the same will be for your kid's mind."

"ARGH!" Odin called in frustration, punching the wall.

J smirked victoriously.

A Millie second later, the doctor found himself pinned to the wall, held up high by the collar of his lab coat, looking up into the face of one furious assassin.

"Then figure out a way." Odin threatened, shoving the barrel of his gun into the man's head. "Now."

"I can't. He has to come out of it by himself. If at all..."

Odin slammed him harder against the wall. "NOW!"

*   *   *

REMEMBER.

. . . "C'mon, boy, lie down, let's get a good look at those wounds... take off your cloths..."

"Ah! Stop it! Hey! Stop it! Stopitstopitstopitstopitstopit! I don't wanna--!"

"Be quiet and move, boy!"

"Mummph!!!" . . .

REMEMBER.

. . . "Don't ever touch me!" Heero shouted angrily, bolting to sit up, his hand not releasing its grip around the blond's hand. "EVER!!!" . . .

. . . "Faster boy! Faster!" . . .

. . ."I'm sorry... It's just... I didn't mean to hurt you." . . .

. . ."He is only interested in THIS, Weapon. That is all. . . How can he possibly be interested in you, Weapon?" . . .

REMEMBER.

. . ."I want you, Heero. Back with me, I mean. I want you to come and live with me. Like before. I know it sounds like a lot to ask right now, maybe even too much, but... I do love you and care for you." . . .

REMEMBER.

. . . "They care for only ONE thing!" . . .

. . . "Faster boy! Faster! Nnnn... faster... ahhh...". . .

REMEMBER.

. . . "I won't do anything against your will. I'm sorry about what happened the first night. It's just that... It's just that I couldn't believe you are really here. Do you know how many nights I prayed for you to come back? How I mourned your loss? I want to make this right. I really do. But you have to help me out here Heero." . . .

REMEMBER.

. . ."You're wrong, Heero. You are human. You're as human as they get. Just look at yourself now, Heero. Tell me what you see."

"Not a soldier anymore..." He mumbled and then felt Odin's callous hand stroke his back gently.

"No." The man whispered in reply. "Not a soldier. Just Heero."

Heero smiled a little at the figure in the mirror. "Just Heero..." He echoed. "Just... Just Heero..." . . .

REMEMBER.

. . . "But... it's hard, to let go, just like that."

"I know, Heero. I know. It took me nearly twenty years to do so. And I wouldn't have done it if it weren't for you, Kid. In a way, you were my chance to make amends. I only hope, that you will be able to do the same. You're a good Kid, I don't know if I ever told you that before, but you are. I want you to know that. And I want you to be happy, to be free of a burden I have been carrying for twenty years. Do you understand that?" . . .

REMEMBER.

UNDERSTAND.

Not a weapon.

Just Heero.

Not a weapon, but Heero.

Just Heero.

No Soldier, no Kid.

Just. Heero.

Heero...

*   *   *

"HEEEEROOOOO!!!!" Odin screamed in terror as he saw the teen's body spasm, coming off the chair in a violent attack of tremors. He was making these horrible noises, like he was suffocating, or trying to call out in pain, but not succeeding. His arms twitched, his mouth wide open, gasping convulsively for air.

Slamming the man's head into the wall, Odin let go of the doctor, not caring as the old man dropped down to the floor, unconscious. He ran over to Heero, looking down at the teen in despair, having no idea what to do as the boy continued to shudder violently, sounding as if he was choking.

"Heero!" He called, tears falling down his cheek and onto the teen's body. "Heero!" He called again, arms flying down to untie the boy's arms, before he will break them or something, for the restrains were too hard and tight. The minute he freed one wrist, he saw that it was already broken. So were the boy's fingers, each digit attached to some sensor and wire. And the minute he freed the broken and abused arm, it went flying up towards him, twitching. He hurried to hold it back down.

"Heero!"

Again the teen's body arched off the chair and he gasped, sucking large amounts of air. "...din!"

Odin eyes widened and he held Heero's limp arm to his cheek. "Heero, can you hear me, Heero? Heero! Wake up!"

Again the boy gasped, body squirming wildly, then calming back down. "...a...din... ah... hel...p... 'e... d...in..." He choked out, voice hoarse and slurred. "...elp..."

"C'mon, buddy, come back to me! Wake up, buddy! C'mon!"

He felt Heero's fingers move against his cheek, ever so slightly.

Not a soldier anymore.

"...d...in..."

"That's it, buddy. C'mon."

Just Heero. That's all I have to be.

He held his hand tightly, refusing to let go, holding his breath.

One heartbeat.

Then another.

And another.

An eternity passed by, silent and forbidding.

Suddenly, Heero's arm jerked in Odin's grip and the boy gasped, coughing out blood. He took a deep breath, turning his head in Odin's direction.

"...D...in... 'm... b...a...ack..."

Between the running stream of tears, he allowed himself a small smile. He kissed Heero's limp hand gently, and then carefully placed it down. He hurried to take the helmet off the boy's head, making him gasped.

The helmet fell down to the floor.

Odin just stood there for a moment, looking down at Heero's pale face, horror covering his stunned features. Heero's features were swollen and bruised, covered with dirt, blood and tears. His eyes, which were so lively up until a few days ago, were swollen as well, two bloody black eyes making it hard for the boy to open his eyes. His heart clenched painfully as he watched Heero struggle to open his eyes, and realized that one was glued shut because of the blood. He reached up a shaking hand and caressed Heero's face gently. "Don't open your eyes..." He whispered, his voice barely managing to get past the tears.

Heero opened one eye, not fully though, and looked up at the man's worried features. His cracked and bloody lips twitched up in a beginning of a smile.

"Hey." Odin managed to whisper to the boy, forcing a weak smile on.

"I... oon?" Heero asked, voice muffled. It was hard to speak. Hard and painful.

Odin nodded. "Yes, buddy, you did."

"E'm... 'uman, aight?" He asked weakly, closing his eyes tiredly. "E'm... 'eero?"

Odin wiped his tears with his sleeve and nodded down at the boy. "Yes. Yes you are."

Again the boy's lips twitched in an attempt of a smile as he nodded in content. His body went limp and still, his head dropping down and to the side.

Odin hurried to free Heero from the rest of the restrains, lifting up his limp and slender form. He cradled him as one would cradle a baby, lifting his head up to his lips, kissing his forehead. He looked down at the unconscious figure, and pressed the slim body closer to him.

"You did it, buddy. You won. You won..."

*   *   *

The doors to the ER burst open and two worried figures came running towards the waiting room. The couple ran towards the gloomy figure sitting alone in the large hall.

"Odin!"

The blond man looked up from the floor, towards the one who called him. He got up as he saw whom it was. "Ai, Bob, you didn't have to come."

"Don't be stupid, Din!" Bob called seriously as Ai came over to give the blond man a big hug.

"We just heard!" She called, out of breath, feeling Odin tap lightly on her back as he broke off the embrace. "How is he?"

Odin sighed, looking away. "They won't tell me anything. He was unconscious when we brought him in."

Ai took his hand, squeezing it lightly. "I'm sure he'll be fine, Din."

The blond sighed again, sitting down, eyes on the floor.

The couple came to sit by him, Bob giving him a pat on the back. "He's a strong kid, Din. It'll be fine."

They sat around in silence for what seemed like hours. The doors to the ER opened once more, when Tifa, still holding her car keys, burst in, followed by a worried Annabel and an all too pale Duo. The group kept sitting in an awkward and heavy silence, until Annabel dared to speak.

"Did they catch him?"

No one dared to answer.

"Did they catch the bastard who did this to Heero?"

All looked up at the solemn blond who was sitting with his elbows on his knees, looking down at the floor.

"Yes." Odin finally answered, not looking up. "The Preventers are holding him in the police station."

"What's gonna happen to him?" Tifa asked.

Ai looked worriedly at Odin, seeing him struggle with tears. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, tapping him lightly. She then looked up at her daughter. "It all depends on Heero." She answered quietly. "We'll just have to wait and see."

*   *   *

About an hour past until one of the doctors finally came to talk to the worried group. The man had explained Heero's condition, until Odin asked him to stop. All he wanted was to see him.

Walking into the quiet and dimly lighted room, Odin closed the door behind him and leaned on it, taking a deep breath. He looked up at the only bed in the room, and at the still and slender figure lying on it, covered tightly in a soft wool blanket. He slowly made his way towards the bed and just stood there, looking down at Heero's sleeping figure.

Although now clean, his face were still bruised and swollen, messy bangs of hair falling over his closed eyes. He reached down a finger to brush them aside, gently caressing the boy's tender cheek. He let his fingers trail down a bit, feeling Heero's warm breath brush against them as he breathed slowly, but yet steadily. There was an oxygen tube attached to his nose, and his broken jaw was bandaged, the bandage going all the way up and around his head, keeping the jaw in place. He probably won't be able to speak for a while.

He pulled out a chair and sat down by the bed, holding Heero's limp and broken hand in both his palms, holding it secured. He watched the boy's chest as it rose up and down, guarding his sleep. By what the doctor told him, Heero had three broken ribs on one side, and a cracked one on the other. The fingers in his left hand were all broken, twisted, and now lay in small splints, in order to mend properly. His right arm was in a better shape than the left one, but still, the wrist was cracked. They gave him the small fabric-made bracelet Heero wore on his right wrist, saying it was still there when they bandaged the injured bone. He reached down to his pocket and took out the thin bracelet, placing it gently and loosely around Heero's delicate wrist, knowing Heero would like it to stay there. He knew it was from Duo.

All in all, Heero's condition was not too bad. He had most certainly been through worse. Although his body was broken and bruised, suffering from malnutrition and dehydration, the doctors promised a full recovery in less than a month. They said that the boy was strong and his condition was stable. The only thing they were worried about is the after-effect of the drugs he was given. They couldn't say when the boy will regain consciousness. They only hoped that it would be soon.

He didn't know for how long he just sat there, but at one point, he woke up, feeling an arm settle on his shoulder. He looked up and saw that it was Ai.

The woman smiled down at him, tapping on his back. "Good morning." She whispered, eyeing him with concerned. "Sleep well?"

Odin nodded, getting up and stretching his arms. "The best sleep I had in days..." He muttered, settling back down.

Ai nodded with understanding. She handed him a paper cup. "Here, brought you some coffee." She watched him carefully, making sure he at least drank this one thing. He had been sitting alone in that room for nearly thirteen hours, refusing to either eat or drink. Bob and she entered a few hours ago and found him asleep, still holding Heero's hand. She then shooed her husband out of the room, covered Odin with a spare blanket and got out. They took the 'kids' back home, promising that they'll come back when Heero had woken up. There wasn't much to do right now.

"How is he?" She asked, sitting down beside Odin.

The blond sighed. "No change." He finished his coffee, but still held it in both his hands, eyes not leaving the sleeping form on the bed. "It's better this way, that he's asleep." He looked down at the floor, sighing. "At least this way, there's less pain." His fists clenched around the cup. "He really messed him up, that bastard..."

Ai placed her hand on his, trying to comfort. "Bob and I went down to the police station toady. We've spoken with agent Wufei."

Odin looked up at her.

Ai sighed. "He sends his regards, and also an apology."

Odin quirked an eyebrow.

"The law says we'll have to go to court. That manic still deserves a fair trial."

Odin crushed the paper cup, grounding his teeth, trying to control his anger.

Ai squeezed his hand again. "He also wants to interview you. You went off without telling anyone anything, and you shot him."

"He was about to kill Heero!" Odin whispered harshly.

"We know, and no one condemns you for what you did. We're even sorry that you didn't kill him, but the law is the law."

"I can't have Heero go through with this!" He continued to whisper angrily. "I don't mind testifying, but Heero's been through enough already!"

As if to emphasize his point, Heero suddenly moaned quietly, turning his head aside, face radiating pain.

Odin hurried to reach up a hand, caressing the teen's pained features. "Shh... it's all right, Kid. It's all right..."

Again Heero whimpered, fingers twitching.

Ai studied Odin's face carefully as he leaned towards the slumbering teen, caressing his hand, which he still held in his, whispering words of comfort to him. He did it with so much love and concern, like she knew she would do if it were her child in that bed. Odin really loved Heero, like a son. And so did she. She didn't want to see this boy go through more pain, but it was necessary. It was a must if they ever wanted to leave all of this behind and move on. She had to make Odin see this.

*   *   *

"It looks like it's gonna be quite a game today, Tony!"

"Yep, the teams are ready, the crowd is cheering, and it seems like this stadium is just about to burst with enthusiasm as the game about to begin..."

He heard the voices, as if from far away. He had no idea why he was hearing them, but they were there, and they were a bother. Moaning, he stirred a little, suddenly aware of how warm and cozy he was. Where was he?

He heard the cheering voices of a crowd, so distant, but yet so close. The sound seemed to be coming from a far, but he knew it was close. Like when you're just about to fall asleep, and everything around you seems dimmer and fuzzy. He stirred again, feeling the soft material move against his skin, and he fought to open his eyes, just as the crowd cheered again.

"What a hit! What a hit! Ladies and gentlemen- it seems that this season, Davidson is really giving it all! What a game!"

Slowly, heavily, his eyes fluttered open and he blinked, a little confused. Once his vision came back to focus, he found himself looking up at a television screen, hanging on the opposite wall, next to a wooden door. Some sort of game was playing on the screen, players running across a green field. He turned his head aside, blue eyes studying the small room. He could tell that it was late, for only one dim orange light was on, flooding the room with soft light. He smiled a little as his eyes spotted one figure, sitting slumped in an armchair by a small window, looking up at the television, a remote in her hand.

He closed his eyes again, smiling, and turned his head aside, trying to escape the noise coming from the television.

"Yes! YES! Did you see that?! Pooler just ran out for that ball, he jumped up at it and got the score right in the last minute! What a man!"

"Yes, Tony, it seems that the other team wasn't even guarding that part of the playing field and therefore Pooler could jump up at the ball and..."

"...'urn... et 'own..."

Odin jumped up in his chair as he heard the sleepy voice. Heart racing, hands shaking, he turned off the television and threw the remote aside, running over to the bed. "Heero?" He called, voice uncertain. He looked down at the teen, who was lying with his head facing the wall, eyes closed. "Heero, are you awake?" He asked as the teen kept quiet. He took the boy's hand in his. "Heero?"

Heero's lips lifted up in a small smile. "Hn. 'aka. Shh..."

A large smile spread on the blond's haggard face. "Heero!" He called happily, holding himself from glomping the boy.

Heero turned his head and looked up at the man, eyes dancing. "Hi." He whispered, barely able to move his mouth, but doing so.

"Oh God! You are awake!" The man didn't seem to be able to get over it. As he saw Heero prepare to open his mouth and comment, he hurried to place a hand over his mouth. "No. Don't speak, your jaw is broken!"

Heero seemed startled for a moment, but then he looked like he was remembering what had happened. He shut his mouth and looked away. He felt Odin settle down on the bed next to him, still holding his hand. He tried to move his fingers, but couldn't. He guessed that they were broken.

How long was he out? What happened? How did Odin find him? Was it really he who did? Or was it a dream? So many questions... he was so confused... and he couldn't even ask one thing!

"I bet you're wondering how long it's been." Odin finally let out sadly.

Heero fought down a smile. Read my mind, old man...

"You've been missing for eight days." Odin answered, voice haunted. "You've been unconscious for another four."

Heero sighed quietly, closing his eyes. Odin must have been so worried! And Duo! Where was he?

"We watched over you in shifts, waiting for you to wake up. Duo and Tifa left just two hours ago." He chuckled bitterly. "Hn, I didn't agree to leave ya, but Bob practically dragged me out the door."

Heero smiled at the image.

"Oh! Annie left you this." Odin suddenly called, turning back to pick something up from a nearby table.

Heero turned to see what it was. He rolled his eyes, but smiled nonetheless when he saw what it was. It was the same teddy she gave him a few months ago. He reached up a hand to have it. Odin placed it gently in Heero's right hand, careful not to hurt the broken limb. Heero brushed his fingers against the soft fur, closing his eyes, mind flooded with warm memories.

When he opened his eyes again, looking up, he saw Odin smiling down at him. He arched an eyebrow in question.

The blond chuckled, shaking his head. "It's nothing." He shrugged, still smiling. "It's just that you looked like... ya know. Like before."

Heero mock-glared. "K...Kid?" He managed to ask.

Odin nodded, looking a little uncomfortable.

Heero sighed, shaking his head. He looked into the blond's eyes, his own cobalt eyes serious. "No... 'id. Chust 'eero."

"I know, Heero. I know."

*   *   *

A week later, Odin climbed up the stairs, carrying a large try of food, and headed up to Heero's room.

"Hey there, sleepy-head." He called as he pushed the door open, holding the tray with two hands. "Time to wake up!" He called again, as he saw the figure on the bed did not move.

Heero stirred in his bed, moaning in displeasure.

Odin rolled his eyes as he saw that Heero refused to wake up. He put the tray by the bed. "Brought ya some dinner. C'mon, buddy, gotta eat!"

Heero sighed, irritated, and finally pushed himself up, glaring at the blond.

Odin chuckled. "Now don't ya give me that look. You've been sleeping for hours!"

Heero rolled his eyes, blowing out air in annoyance. He eyed the food tray, containing soup and other liquid foods.

Odin eyes widened briefly in understanding. "Oh, sorry buddy, but until that bandage will come off, you'll have to endure my soups."

Heero groaned, rolling his eyes. He kept glaring at Odin as the man fed him his supper. He hated being fed. He felt like some dumb baby! But his hands were broken, and whenever he tried to lift the spoon by himself, he ended up getting his shirt all wet. Well, at least the blond had stopped feeding him with a straw. Man, did that get him pissed. He guessed Odin knew that, and so he moved on to spoons. But as stubborn as he is, Heero had to admit that the straw was less painful than the spoon. With a straw, at least, he didn't have to open his mouth, which always resulted in pain no matter how many painkillers he was given.

"Open wide..." The man let out with a sly grin, teasing Heero.

Wanting to pay him back, Heero kept his mouth shut.

"Eh, c'mon!" The blond whined.

Heero raised an eyebrow at him, daring him to complain.

"Fine. Fine. I'll never do it again."

Heero rolled his eyes. Right!

After the entire 'dinner ordeal' was over, Odin placed the tray on the desk and came back to sit by Heero's bed.

Heero looked up at him, a little confused. He didn't mind that he stayed, but usually when he stayed he would turn on the television or something, or at least talk! But no. Odin just kept sitting there quietly, looking out the window. Heero turned his head to the window as well, wondering what he was seeing there. There was nothing. As the silence grew prolonged, Heero sighed and let his gaze down, just staring down at his bandaged hands.

Suddenly, Odin took in a deep breath, eyes still looking out the window. "Have you wondered how I found you, Heero?" He suddenly asked.

Heero, still staring down at his palms, merely nodded.

Odin sighed, looking down at the silent teen. "I looked over your laptop."

Heero's head jerked up and he gaped at Odin, eyes wide and fearful, face covered with disbelief and shock.

The blond looked away in shame. "I'm sorry. I don't know what made me do it... I just... I just felt like I had to."

Heero took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions under control. He could feel tears threatened to come.

"I read your journal."

Heero closed his eyes tights, squeezing out the tears. He shook his head from side to side, as if refusing to believe. Head bowed in shame, tears running down his cheeks, Heero punched the covers. He flinched as he felt Odin's hand on his.

"I know what happened, Heero."

He let out a whimper, eyes still closed, shaking his head. "...no..." He breathed, nearly whimpering. He pulled his hand away, feeling so ashamed... so dirty... unworthy...

"I'm sorry."

Again he whimpered at the mere words. Hollow words. They meant nothing right now. He didn't want him to know! He didn't have to! No one did...

"You can make him pay for what he did to you, Heero." Odin continued, again taking Heero's hand in his. "We can make him pay for this, and for what he did to you in the past."

Heero's head whirled around, and he looked up at Odin, blue eyes tearful, shimmering with plea.

"Don't you see, Heero, he deserves to be punished!"

Heero snapped his eyes shut, thrusting his head from side to side, his hand clutching on to Odin's, trying so hard to make him understand. He cannot go out there and face that man again! He cannot go and testify against him! No one would believe him! J was considered a great man, a genius. He built one of the Gundams for crying out loud! He trained the pilot! He helped to end the war, by standing up against OZ... How can he go and speak against him? He had no right... no one would believe him anyway!

"Heero," Odin tried appealing to him again.

"N--o!" He managed to choke, his broken jaw protesting. "Nnn... no... one... b'lieve..."

"You can't think like that! Heero, don't you want to have that man punished? After all he did to you? I know you think that no one would take your word for it, that they'll see him as a war hero, but after all that happened now, after what he did... they must believe you! Heero, you should at least try!"

Heero shook his head frantically, refusing to listen.

Odin came closer, sitting down on the bed and next to Heero. He took his trembling hand in both his palms, caressing him softly with the pad of his thumb. "You're afraid, I understand that. And it's okay to be afraid. But he can't hurt you anymore. I'll be right there with you. I'll protect you."

Heero let out another choked whimper, which bordered along a bitter chuckle.

Odin looked down sadly, closing his eyes. Who was he to promise protection? He had broken that promise far too many times.

He turned back to Heero, eyes tearful. "Please think it over, Heero. We must put this behind us. You owe this to yourself. Think of all the other lives he took! Think of Steve!"

Heero flinched, turning away from Odin. He closed his eyes sadly, old feelings of guilt rising up to the surface.

"No!" Odin called out, grabbing Heero's hand. "No, Heero! You didn't kill him! It was all planned, can't you see? It was all J's fault! He did it, not you!"

Heero shook his head; more tears sliding down his cheeks. It WAS his fault, he knew that. He planted the bombs. He pushed the trigger device.

He gasped as he felt Odin shake him lightly.

"You wrote about a promise you made to Steve. You said that you would not let anyone hurt you. That you will fight against your true enemies. Who do you think Steve meant by that? He knew what was coming, Heero."

Heero looked up at him, eyes pleading him one last time. "Pwease..." He breathed, reaching for the man's hand. "Can't..."

"You must try! If you don't want to talk about it, then at least let them read your notes. If you don't want to testify in court, we can arrange something else. Please, Heero. Please! I want that man to pay. Don't you?"

Of course he did! Of course he did... But... but to actually go through with it...

He could just see that smirking face as he'll enter the courtroom... those mocking emotionless glasses... that hand, opening and closing... again and again... promising great pain...

Heero whirled around, pulling away form Odin's grasp. He slumped back down on the bed, ignoring his protesting ribs. He snatched the covers, pulling tem over his head and just lay there, with his back facing Odin, trying to shut out from the world.

Odin sighed and pulled away himself. "I just wish you would think about it, Kid." He whispered and got up, walking out of the room.

*   *   *

"Geez Heero! C'mon! Don't start making faces!" Duo whined for the third time, struggling to bring some food into a reluctant Heero Yuy. "Ch! You can't keep lying there all day like some slob! C'mon! I promise I didn't make it myself!"

Under the covers, Heero rolled his eyes.

"Ne, Heeeeero!" The braided boy whined again. "C'mon! You're ruining my reputation as a nurse!"

Heero snorted. If he didn't wanna be here, he can go!

"Fine! Don't eat! See if this lover cares..." He put the spoon back down and crossed his arms over his chest, head up high with pride. Two seconds later, he looked down at Heero and pouted. "Heero?"

The boy chuckled, shaking his head. Duo's act didn't last long, now did it?

"Heero? Would you please talk to me?" He sighed, coming down to sit on the bed, placing a hand on Heero's shoulder, still under the covers. "Din said you won't talk. And I know that they took off that damn bandage yesterday, so don't try to be a smart ass!"

Again Heero rolled his eyes. "It still hurts." He let out quietly, trying not to move his mouth too much.

"Chk! You just talked, now didn't you?"

Heero sighed.

Duo sighed as well, falling silent. After a few minutes, his face brightened with a sly smile. He turned back to Heero, his index finger moving around in circles on the boy's slim shoulder, moving slowly and seductively. "Say, Hee-chan... if that thing is finally off... we can..."

Under the covers Heero smiled to himself. "Nice try."

"Chk! I give up!" He called, waving his arms up in the air.

"Duo?"

"Not talking to you..." The boy let out stubbornly, covering his ears with his hands. "Not even listening..."

"Duo?"

"La la la la la... I am not listening..."

"What made you fall in love with me?"

"Lalala--what?!" He whirled around, looking down at Heero in shock.

Heero sighed, pulling the blanket off his head. He looked up at Duo, eyes serious. "What made you fall in love with me? Was it the soldier part? The strong part? Or was it that human side you were always so insistent on finding?"

Duo blinked, still quite shocked at the question. "Hee-chan..." He began, still confused.

Heero sighed sadly, turning to lie on his side, facing the window. "For a long time, there were two parts of me. There was the Soldier part, and there was this child, who never did grow up. I was just wondering, which one did you see." He felt Duo's arm rest gently on his shoulder, slowly turning him around. He looked up at Duo's compassionate violet eyes.

"Heero, I loved both those parts. Both of them make you, and I love you, Heero. That's who I fell in love with."

Heero smiled weakly. "I think that I've only recently realized it. I think that... that only now I managed to mend both these shattered parts of myself. So, so now there's no more two parts of me, like, like before."

Duo smiled. "I'm happy to hear that."

"And will you still like me? Do you still love me now, that I'm different?"

Duo's loving lips answered him, kissing him gently, tenderly. They pulled away after a long while of exploring each other, and looked into one's eyes. Duo smiled down at his lover, one hand caressing him softly. Heero smiled back, closing his eyes in content.

"There's just one more thing I need the Soldier for." Heero suddenly said, opening his eyes and looking up at Duo. "I have to put this thing behind me."

Duo nodded with understanding, brushing aside a few stray hairs from Heero's features. "You don't need the Soldier for that, Heero. You're strong enough. I'll be right there with you."

"I know." He whispered, closing his eyes again. And so will everybody else. He was not alone any more. He was whole again, and he was not alone. The shattered were finally mended back together. Heero smiled to himself, turning over in his bed. He looked up at his nightstand, where a small horse and a knight were standing, ready to show the world what they're made of. He smiled at his knight, and then up at the picture by it, suddenly not feeling that the child in the picture was a stranger. It was he, just like he was now. Happy, content, surrounded by love and care.

He reached up to caress that child's face, smiling to himself. "Hey there, Heero." You're human again.

TBC…

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