Elyndys 
Author
Pairing
Rating
Subject
Disclaimer: If I owned GW, I would be happy. I am happy. But to draw
the conclusion that I own GW from those statements would be to affirm the
consequent, and would therefore be an invalid argument.
See?
Pairing: will be 1+2+1/1x2x1; reference to past 1xR
(Rx1?)
Warnings: *sigh * Part 5 has no warnings, except the beginning
of a load of hoary old clichés that I should probably never even have
thought about... *sigh * For all other warnings see part 1.
Escaping Part 5
Heero's thoughts that afternoon kept revolving back to the summit. He
found he really would like to see Duo performing; he had an interesting...
vibrancy that Heero had never before noticed in his contact with Relena's
circle. Relena, certainly, had once been raw and challenging, daring to
attack the politics of her rivals: but now, as her rivals one by one
acclimatised to her views, and less radical issues were the topics of
discussion, she was more willing to compromise. Peace had been achieved;
the considerations of that peace were less important. Relena did not want
to jeopardise that peace by arguing with her colleagues over its
conditions.
Heero thought some things were worth fighting for.
He had done that; Duo had done that. Duo had continued to do that,
learning to use words to replace the weapons of war. Heero admired that
resourcefulness more than he could have said. Many people worried about
the role of soldiers after the war: people who had never known true peace;
how would they live? Rulers and governments had thought it best to find as
many as they could to prevent further militaristic activity; instead,
those soldiers found were given jobs preventing such activity - or, even,
participating in it - but where the government of the ESUA could control
them. The ones who were never found… Heero hoped there were more like Duo.
But, somehow, he doubted it.
"Heero?" The voice of his superior
cut into this period of contemplation. He looked up.
"I don't want
to alarm you -" those words alone made Heero pay attention. The
long-serving detective chief inspector had lived in this region, the
western part of the area formerly known as Europe, all his life, and
plain-speaking seemed to be characteristic of natives such as himself. He
continued, seeing Heero's alertness. "I'm not sure what I'm looking at
here, but I thought you should know. What if something's not right about
the summit?"
Heero's eyes widened.
The DCI held up his
hands in a pre-emptive gesture. "Like I said, don't be alarmed. This is
nothing but a feeling so far."
"Whose feeling?" Heero was feeling
cynical.
"Trowa's. He's the undercover specialist, seems to have
given him a sense for these sorts of things. You'd better get him to
explain it to you." The DCI gave him a reassuring half-smile and headed
back to his office.
As soon as he was gone Heero too left his
office and headed straight for Sergeant Barton's desk.
Trowa
looked up as he heard the Inspector approach. "Sir. So the DCI told you to
see me?"
Heero nodded, and looked at Trowa expectantly.
Trowa continued. "I don't really have anything to go on at the
moment. But I just couldn't help noticing that there aren't as many
protestors and demonstrators outside the summit complex this time. Usually
there are thousands of people - most of them are peaceful, yes, but some
cause trouble. And have you noticed how little trouble there has been?"
Heero had to admit that was true.
"There've been some
non-violent demonstrations. But none of the chaos we might have expected.
So I wondered, what if the more radical activists have come up with a
different plan this time? One that will get their voices heard?"
Heero thought he was beginning to get the picture, when he thought
about Trowa's particular skills. "You mean infiltration?"
His
colleague nodded. "Of course, I have nothing to make me think that this is
the case yet. But I've thought of some possible methods they might use:
maybe they would want to take hostages; that would force people to listen.
Beyond that… I wouldn't want to speculate."
Heero knew he, like
the DCI, was trying to avoid mentioning the danger of harm coming to
Relena. Heero was well aware of the danger; but Relena was experienced in
such situations. She had never lacked strength or courage; now she had
experience as well, Heero, although still committed to protecting her and
her peace, never felt she needed him to help her. He didn't worry, but was
touched by his colleague's concern.
"What do you think we should
do then, sir?"
Heero thought for only a moment. "We'll go there
first. But we mustn't arouse anyone's suspicion - we can't let all the
representatives panic, and neither can we let the press get hold of it."
Heero knew that people took some kind of morbid pleasure from thinking the
police hadn't done their job properly - he couldn't understand why it
didn't make people want to change the situation instead of just
criticising - but, even though as yet there was no evidence that this was
the case, they must avoid giving that impression at all costs. "I'll let
Preventers know -"he noted Trowa's slightly shocked look and continued "-
but there's no need to get them involved yet. That really would make
people panic." He turned back towards his office. "Get ready to go,
Trowa."
"Yes sir."
Heero returned to his office and sent a
memo to the DCI of his plans before sending a similar message to the head
of the Preventers. A simple message would do - not enough to make them too
visit the summit. They knew Heero well, and so he knew he could rely on
them to follow his advice and stay away. For now.
In a few minutes
he and Sergeant Barton were driving across the city to the complex
building. It was located in a commanding position, removed from the
central district and surrounded by what would have been panoramic views if
not for the high walls. Heero reflected on the irony that he now would get
what he had thought earlier he would like: to see and hear Duo in his
element. He wondered briefly when his thoughts had become so centred
around Duo.
Of course, it was not at all unusual for uniformed
police to visit such events; but detectives… Heero wondered how they would
explain their presence; he supposed they would just make some show of
checking security around the building. He hoped that if they looked
purposeful and unapproachable enough, no-one would question them further.
Fortunately both he and Trowa were good at looking like that. He would
remain entirely silent, while Trowa would give a cryptic or frosty
response. No-one would bother them after that.
Soon they arrived,
ready to quickly discourage any enquiries with a cold glance or
uncrackable tone of voice. The delegates, it seemed, were breaking for
tea; Heero saw them mingle and flow through the main hallway, attended by
security men, aides and civil servants. The memory of the opening dinner
projected itself onto the scene; he frowned faintly… but the, as before,
he heard that voice! - And smiled. He turned to see, across the room, Duo,
uncrowded by personnel, and engaged in brief conversation by a member of
staff, who quickly left upon feeling Heero's eyes upon him. Duo, noticing
the haste with which the young man left, looked up; Heero felt a little
warmth inside as Duo's face brightened, and he saw him stride across the
hall towards him.
"Heero!" Trowa was occupied speaking to various
members of security; out of the corner of his eye Heero thought he saw
Relena, deep in conversation. "What brings you up here?"
Heero
looked at him for a long moment. Then, with an absolute lack of
guardedness that made even Heero himself think he had taken leave of his
senses, he proceeded to tell Duo precisely why they were there, in such a
way that Duo could neither over nor under estimate the situation.
Heero wondered at himself. His professionalism had long since
given up screaming at him to think about his words carefully; but somehow,
he knew, in a déjà vu of previous events, that he could… trust Duo… even
in this… And besides, Duo, with his background and skills, could prove to
be a useful contact…
Duo listened carefully to Heero's brief
explanation. Heero could see he was unworried; but a seriousness filled
his eyes.
Again - the touch on Heero's arm that grabbed at his
awareness, and held it all; he looked into Duo's face.
"I can help
you, Heero." The offer was earnest, a wish to do his best. "Let me help
you."
Elyndys
Author
Pairing
Rating
Subject
