A Hero's Journey -- Part 16 -

Heero led her through the various levels of the conference building, going from one level to another by the stairs. The numbness in Relena’s shoulder had faded and had been replaced by a persistent ache, which flared into pain if she moved the injured joint. She had wondered how serious the wound was. Yet, she didn’t dare pause to check, almost running to keep up with her rescuer.

Still half-dragging her with him, Heero kept his brisk pace as he continued to their destination, his eyes scanning for any sign of trouble. He had been surprised that they hadn’t encountered any more assassins in their escape. Maybe they had believed they would have been successful back in the auditorium and had made no further plans. As much as he’d like to believe it, he couldn’t be sure.

He stopped as they entered the basement level parking garage. Due to the heightened security of the conference, very few vehicles had been allowed to enter. Knowing how vulnerable the open made them, he dragged Relena with him as he ran to the vehicle he had left here earlier.

They stopped beside a nondescript blue car. Leading her to the passenger’s side, he opened the door. “Get in.”

Wordlessly, she got in. Heero was about to get in as well when the back glass exploded. Screaming in spite of herself, Relena made a valiant effort to wedge herself under the dash board. In a blur of motion, Heero drew his gun and returned fire, sending the men scurrying for the cover.

Before the young politician was even aware of it, Heero was in the car, speeding out of the garage. The would-be assassins continue to fire at them, bullets flying at the car.

“Hang on,” Heero ordered, as the car almost took a turn on two wheels.

The force of the turn pulled Relena’s grip off the console, driving her injured into the door. She fought tears as her whole arm flared in pain. The speeding car took a bad jolt, which sent her knees into the dashboard.

Heero barreled the car through the levels of the parking garage. After a couple of levels, there was no more gunfire. Relena breathed a sigh of relief, but she stayed on the floor, unsure if they would be safe while still inside the building. They were only a few levels away from the exit when gunfire suddenly began again.

“They’re persistent,” Heero commented absently, with a slight hint of approval in his tone.

Relena stared at him with an incredulous expression. Feeling her stare, Heero looked down at her with his usual emotionless mask before returning his attention to his driving. Ordering again for Relena to hold on, he shifted into a higher gear.

As the car took another curve violently, Relena wondered vaguely if Duo had taught the Perfect Soldier how to drive. The car continue to pick up speed, soon putting the pair beyond the reach of their pursuers. However, yelling soon drew Relena’s attention.

“The guard,” Relena exclaimed, finally identifying. “Heero, you have to stop!”

Heero never looked at her as he down shifted. “We don’t have time.”

Closing her eyes and curling into a tighter ball, Relena shuddered as the car crashed through the barrier. Heero slowed slightly as they entered mainstream traffic, but he kept above the posted speed limit. As if reading her thoughts, he slowed the car down to stay with the traffic.

“Please tell me that the guard is all right?”

Heero smirked. “He’s fine. I didn’t know you care.”

Relena bit back a scathing remark, realizing that Heero was the reason she was alive. She wouldn’t ponder why he continued to protect right then. It was enough that he was there and she was safe. With a sigh, she began to pull out of her protective ball.

“Stay down.” A rough hand tried to push her head further under the dashboard.

Realizing that they were finally a fair distance away from the parking garage, Relena struggled. “I can’t breathe in this position, Heero!”

“Stay down,” he ordered. “I’ll tell you when to get up.”

“We need to tell Milliardo I’m safe,” she said, slapping his hand away.

“Only when I’m sure you’re safe.”

“And am I safe with you, Heero?” she asked, her intentions of being nice to her rescuer flying out the window.

The unbidden image of Relena at Quatre’s house filled his mind. ‘No, you’re probably not,’ he thought grimly. ‘But there aren’t a lot of options.’

“Just stay down,” he said with finality. He needed to get her safe. That was the most important thing.


Part XVI Heero led her through the various levels of the conference building, going from one level to another by the stairs. The numbness in Relena’s shoulder had faded and had been replaced by a persistent ache, which flared into pain if she moved the injured joint. She had wondered how serious the wound was. Yet, she didn’t dare pause to check, almost running to keep up with her rescuer. Still half-dragging her with him, Heero kept his brisk pace as he continued to their destination, his eyes scanning for any sign of trouble. He had been surprised that they hadn’t encountered any more assassins in their escape. Maybe they had believed they would have been successful back in the auditorium and had made no further plans. As much as he’d like to believe it, he couldn’t be sure. He stopped as they entered the basement level parking garage. Due to the heightened security of the conference, very few vehicles had been allowed to enter. Knowing how vulnerable the open made them, he dragged Relena with him as he ran to the vehicle he had left here earlier. They stopped beside a nondescript blue car. Leading her to the passenger’s side, he opened the door. “Get in.” Wordlessly, she got in. Heero was about to get in as well when the back glass exploded. Screaming in spite of herself, Relena made a valiant effort to wedge herself under the dash board. In a blur of motion, Heero drew his gun and returned fire, sending the men scurrying for the cover. Before the young politician was even aware of it, Heero was in the car, speeding out of the garage. The would-be assassins continue to fire at them, bullets flying at the car. “Hang on,” Heero ordered, as the car almost took a turn on two wheels. The force of the turn pulled Relena’s grip off the console, driving her injured into the door. She fought tears as her whole arm flared in pain. The speeding car took a bad jolt, which sent her knees into the dashboard. Heero barreled the car through the levels of the parking garage. After a couple of levels, there was no more gunfire. Relena breathed a sigh of relief, but she stayed on the floor, unsure if they would be safe while still inside the building. They were only a few levels away from the exit when gunfire suddenly began again. “They’re persistent,” Heero commented absently, with a slight hint of approval in his tone. Relena stared at him with an incredulous expression. Feeling her stare, Heero looked down at her with his usual emotionless mask before returning his attention to his driving. Ordering again for Relena to hold on, he shifted into a higher gear. As the car took another curve violently, Relena wondered vaguely if Duo had taught the Perfect Soldier how to drive. The car continue to pick up speed, soon putting the pair beyond the reach of their pursuers. However, yelling soon drew Relena’s attention. “The guard,” Relena exclaimed, finally identifying. “Heero, you have to stop!” Heero never looked at her as he down shifted. “We don’t have time.” Closing her eyes and curling into a tighter ball, Relena shuddered as the car crashed through the barrier. Heero slowed slightly as they entered mainstream traffic, but he kept above the posted speed limit. As if reading her thoughts, he slowed the car down to stay with the traffic. “Please tell me that the guard is all right?” Heero smirked. “He’s fine. I didn’t know you care.” Relena bit back a scathing remark, realizing that Heero was the reason she was alive. She wouldn’t ponder why he continued to protect right then. It was enough that he was there and she was safe. With a sigh, she began to pull out of her protective ball. “Stay down.” A rough hand tried to push her head further under the dashboard. Realizing that they were finally a fair distance away from the parking garage, Relena struggled. “I can’t breathe in this position, Heero!” “Stay down,” he ordered. “I’ll tell you when to get up.” “We need to tell Milliardo I’m safe,” she said, slapping his hand away. “Only when I’m sure you’re safe.” “And am I safe with you, Heero?” she asked, her intentions of being nice to her rescuer flying out the window. The unbidden image of Relena at Quatre’s house filled his mind. ‘No, you’re probably not,’ he thought grimly. ‘But there aren’t a lot of options.’ “Just stay down,” he said with finality. He needed to get her safe. That was the most important thing.


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