A Hero's Journey -- Part 31 -

“It will be a while before we’ll know the test results,” Sally explained to Une.

“You believe that you have suffered nothing more severe than a concussion.” When Sally nodded, Une continued. “If that’s the case, you will still require rest. If you go back into duty now, you could further injure yourself.”

“I’m willing to accept those risks.”

“I’m not,” Wufei said, surprising the women.

There was a pause before Une said, “Neither am I. Sally, you’ll stay here at headquarters until you are given an independent clean bill of health. That’s an order.”

“What will you do about a partner, Wufei?”

“As I’ve told you repeatedly, onna,” he replied with a smirk, “I don’t need a partner.”

He shut the door before they could say anything. Shaking her head, Sally leaned back against the bed. “Insufferable bastard.”

“Is he really?” Une asked with a slight smile.

Sally smiled back. “No, I think he was born legitimately.”

Une did allow herself a chuckle before she sobered. “I know you don’t want to stay, Sally. However, I and the Preventers need you whole.”

“I understand.” She tried to smile. “At least this way, I get to finish my vacation.”

Une nodded, heading toward the door. “Get well soon.”

* * * * *

“That’s a lot of territory to cover there, Quatre,” Duo remarked, scanning the maps.

“I know. That’s why we need everyone. We’ll cover it all more quickly if we divide up into teams. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot to go on.”

“We’ve had less.”

Heero glanced down at the papers. “I still don’t like it.”

“What choice do we have?” Quatre asked.

“Look, these creeps have come after us, personally,” Duo growled. “They’ve attacked Hilde, Relena, and Sally and came pretty damn near to killing all of them. I want some payback.”

“You can’t go in with that attitude, Duo.”

“And you so live by your emotions,” he spat.

“Enough!” Quatre cried, jumping to his feet. “We all have our own personal reason for doing this. However, there’s a much bigger one. If these guys, this new faction, are as strong and as organized as I think they are, they can bring about a new conflict. I don’t know about you guys but I want to stop them. Now.”

Duo sighed. “You’re right. Both of you are right. They’ve done their homework on us, that’s for sure.”

“Which is why we have to be cautious,” Heero said. “They probably know about our strengths and weaknesses.”

“The Perfect Soldier has weaknesses?”

Heero glared at Duo, while Quatre tried to hide his laughter. Even after all these years, Duo could still push Heero’s buttons. Some things just never changed.

“What’s the joke?” Relena asked, passing out sodas.

Duo grinned unrepentantly. “Heero still lacks a sense of humor. It makes too easy.”

“You should give a break, Duo. You may wind up on his team.” Quatre turned to Relena. “Thanks for the drinks.”

“Anytime,” she replied. “You guys have a plan?”

“Thanks to Q-man, here. All we need is Wufei and your brother.”


Part XXXI “It will be a while before we’ll know the test results,” Sally explained to Une. “You believe that you have suffered nothing more severe than a concussion.” When Sally nodded, Une continued. “If that’s the case, you will still require rest. If you go back into duty now, you could further injure yourself.” “I’m willing to accept those risks.” “I’m not,” Wufei said, surprising the women. There was a pause before Une said, “Neither am I. Sally, you’ll stay here at headquarters until you are given an independent clean bill of health. That’s an order.” “What will you do about a partner, Wufei?” “As I’ve told you repeatedly, onna,” he replied with a smirk, “I don’t need a partner.” He shut the door before they could say anything. Shaking her head, Sally leaned back against the bed. “Insufferable bastard.” “Is he really?” Une asked with a slight smile. Sally smiled back. “No, I think he was born legitimately.” Une did allow herself a chuckle before she sobered. “I know you don’t want to stay, Sally. However, I and the Preventers need you whole.” “I understand.” She tried to smile. “At least this way, I get to finish my vacation.” Une nodded, heading toward the door. “Get well soon.” * * * * * “That’s a lot of territory to cover there, Quatre,” Duo remarked, scanning the maps. “I know. That’s why we need everyone. We’ll cover it all more quickly if we divide up into teams. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot to go on.” “We’ve had less.” Heero glanced down at the papers. “I still don’t like it.” “What choice do we have?” Quatre asked. “Look, these creeps have come after us, personally,” Duo growled. “They’ve attacked Hilde, Relena, and Sally and came pretty damn near to killing all of them. I want some payback.” “You can’t go in with that attitude, Duo.” “And you so live by your emotions,” he spat. “Enough!” Quatre cried, jumping to his feet. “We all have our own personal reason for doing this. However, there’s a much bigger one. If these guys, this new faction, are as strong and as organized as I think they are, they can bring about a new conflict. I don’t know about you guys but I want to stop them. Now.” Duo sighed. “You’re right. Both of you are right. They’ve done their homework on us, that’s for sure.” “Which is why we have to be cautious,” Heero said. “They probably know about our strengths and weaknesses.” “The Perfect Soldier has weaknesses?” Heero glared at Duo, while Quatre tried to hide his laughter. Even after all these years, Duo could still push Heero’s buttons. Some things just never changed. “What’s the joke?” Relena asked, passing out sodas. Duo grinned unrepentantly. “Heero still lacks a sense of humor. It makes too easy.” “You should give a break, Duo. You may wind up on his team.” Quatre turned to Relena. “Thanks for the drinks.” “Anytime,” she replied. “You guys have a plan?” “Thanks to Q-man, here. All we need is Wufei and your brother.”


Part XXXII Main Page