Mission Accepted: Confrontation, 1
Relative disclaimers apply.

There was nothing remarkable about the five-story warehouse, but it loomed large and evil in Relena's eyes.

It's so empty! And I've got a bad feeling about this. I wonder if he's in there?

She shuddered.

He had better be, because I don't ever want to come here again.

"Lady?"

Duo had opened the passenger door for her. He was now bent over slightly, with a hand extended to her.

She smiled at him and permitted him to escort her out of the taxi.

"It'll be okay," he said once he'd closed the door, having sensed her mood. "We'll get him."

Heero gave him a warning glance from the driver's side of the sedan, where he was paying the driver. Quatre had dismissed the limo and then called for a taxi some miles ago, in case they were being followed again. Not that it made a big difference, but Quatre rationalized that every bit helped and the others hadn't questioned him. Though they had wanted to.

"Sure we will. We'll give him what he wants," Heero said casually.

Duo nodded.

"Oh, right, yeah."

Quatre got out of the car and sighed, followed by Trowa and Wufei, both of whom scowled and looked at the warehouse.

"The place has got bad vibes," Wufei said to himself too loudly.

Heero glared at him.

"We've got a job to do."

Wufei nodded.

"Yeah. Let's do it and be gone from here."

The taxi driver scowled.

They're not fooling me. They're going to give the girl to some big shot. How could they? And this guy here, the one who looks like he's in charge of their sick little operation, obviously has some kind of thing for her. You'd think he'd be trying to save her honor. But it doesn't matter. I'm going straight to the police with this.

Heero gave him another fifty.

"Maybe this'll be enough to keep your mouth shut."

The driver sneered.

"You ain't fooling me. I know what you're going to do with her, and I think you're sick. How can you do that to her, man?"

Heero glared at him.

"Don't be stupid."

The driver tensed up. How dare this young punk talk to him like that?

Heero made a gesture to the others to follow him.

"Wait a minute! What are you guys gonna do?" the driver demanded.

Heero glared at him again, with disgust added to the expresssion this time.

"Don't be greedy."

He and the others walked away, leaving the driver fuming and feeling guilty at the same time.

The tires screeched as the driver sped away.

Duo cursed mildly.

"He's gonna go straight to the police, you know."

Heero shrugged.

"Let him. By the time they get here it'll all be over."

Relena winced.

And you'll be gone.

Quatre exhaled.

"Let's go. We're losing time."

Heero shook his head.

"We're losing time."

Duo rolled his eyes.

"Oh, come on, man...."

"We need another taxi," Heero said, and looked at Quatre, who exhaled.

"This isn't being fair, you know," Quatre said softly but with a touch of annoyance.

Relena's eyes slitted.

"I'm not leaving, if that's what you're thinking and or planning."

"I can't guarantee your safety if you stay here," Heero said, still looking at Quatre.

"You can't guarantee it if I'm not," she pointed out. "I'm safer here than anywhere."

Trowa shook his head and scowled.

"I agree with Heero. Miss Relena, we're sorry that we dragged you out here. It was a mistake. But—"

"There's no need to apologize," Heero irritably cut in.

"He's right. I understand perfectly," Relena spat. "It's just something I have to deal with because I'm a girl."

"Lady—" Duo began.

She put up a palm for peace and quiet.

"It's all right. Quatre, if it is indeed your duty to summon transportation for me, please do so."

Quatre gasped.

"You mean—"

I don't trust her. Look at her eyes! She's up to something. Surely Heero realizes this!

Nothing about Heero revealed whether or not he knew. He was simply staring at the warehouse, ostensibly looking it over.

Quatre dug into a pocket, removed a cell phone and made a quick phone call.

"Two to five minutes," he announced once he'd hung up.

"It's the big boys' turn now, isn't it?" Relena nearly hissed. "I'm to just go home, be a good girl and resume my old life now, aren't I?"

"Lady, I—" Duo began, then glared at Heero. "Don't do this to her, man."

"Hmph."

Heero showed all of them his back.

Relena shrugged.

I hate you! And you know it! That's why you're not looking at me. You never could stand to see me upset. Wimp!

"Well, that's it then, isn't it? Thanks for a fun field trip, boys. See you around."

Quatre heaved a long, sad sigh.

"It shouldn't end like this..."

She shrugged again.

"Can't be helped. Where can I meet this mode of transportation?"

"Don't go alone!"

Quatre extended an elbow to her.

She curtsied and graciously took it.

"Goodbye, Wufei...Trowa..."

Duo winced and looked away.

Relena blinked rapidly.

"Duo...take care. Come on, Quatre."

"Aren't you going to say goodbye to Heero?" he asked her softly, but with a touch of steel.

She glanced at Heero's back and shook her head slowly.

"I never can."

"Miss Relena—"

"You don't understand."

"You know that I do. But that's still no excuse."

She exhaled.

"All right. A bientot, Heero."

"Later," he whispered.

His resolve was weakening.

If I look at her I'm done for. I won't be able to complete this mission.

Heero.

His shoulders tensed up. He didn't answer her silent call.

"Come on, Miss Relena," Quatre said sadly, and they walked away.

Duo exhaled.

"You know she's gonna come back," he said to Heero's back.

Heero nodded, then turned to face the others.

"Yeah, but by the time she gets here it'll all be over."

"I don't think so. That is one resourceful chick."

You know that you can't protect her from everything. Why are you even bothering to try, man?

Heero shrugged, but he knew that Duo was right about Relena's resourcefulness.

"You do have a brain."

Wufei walked over to Duo and reached out to pat him on top of the head.

"And you do care."

Duo irritably smacked the hand away.

"Man — do not mess with the braid."

Trowa restrained a chuckle.

Heero shook his head slowly.

"Come on."

Sorry, Relena. But you are no longer involved. I will do what I can to make sure that it stays that way.

As expected, the warehouse was dark, and all of them sneezed as soon as they stepped inside it.

The door was heavy and swung two ways. It also promised to slam with a bang if Duo let go of it all at once...which he inadvertently did.

"Sorry," Duo mumbled. "Ow! Wufei!"

"Shhh, you deserved that," Wufei scolded him.

"I told you, no one messes with the braid," Duo said between his teeth.

Heero exhaled.

"Will you guys come on?"

"Wait, wait..." Duo exhaled, then for a few seconds soft rustling sounds were heard from his position. "I bought these at the store..."

No one asked him which store. The situation was troubling enough without risking annoying Heero any more.

There was a sudden little click...and then a little pool of light revealed Duo holding a flashlight above his head.

"Tah-dah."

Wufei clapped him on the back.

"Hey, you're good for something after all."

"Har, har." But Duo grinned as he handed the others one flashlight each. "I gave Quatre his already."

Heero grinned at him.

"Good thinking," he complimented him. But the grin wasn't genuine. Something didn't feel right all of a sudden.

The door opened slowly. The young men prepared to attack whoever was coming in, and quickly turned their flashlights on.

"It's me," Quatre said, and sighed. "Let's go."

Duo nodded.

"Should we team up, or to each his own?"

"We'll cover more ground that way," Quatre said.

"You mean create more damage," Duo half-joked, but the others had already taken off, each in a different direction.

He shrugged, then found a direction of his own.

Heero stared after them. Hadn't any of them noticed that he hadn't moved?

But it didn't matter. On a hunch he'd decided to make sure that his gun was on him.

It wasn't.

Dammit, did I leave it anywhere?

The fact remained, he didn't have it. He would have to go on without it.

He exhaled, then, like Duo, found a direction of his own.

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