Title: Integrating the Heart
Author: AstroKender
Pairings: 1x2, 4+R, 13x5
Rating: Umm...shounen-ai?
Warnings: None in this part.
Spoilers: None
Notes: This is an AT fic...everything went like in the series, cept Treize didn't die, the war didn't end, and Zechs is still trying to kick everyone's @$$ ^_^
Disclaimers: I own nothing...not even my computer. So obviously GW isn't mine. Don't sue.
Zechs Marquise walked through the ruined remains of the moon base. Charred bodies littered the ground, but it was clear that these men did not die in the explosion. Glass crunched underfoot as he stepped into the lab. It was totally destroyed. Rage began to beat into the back of the blonde's eyes, temporarily distorting his vision.
A quick glance into the communications room found the crumpled and bloody remains of Doctor J. Sneering slightly, Zechs continued on to the last stop. The hanger. A smoldering remains of a jet and another charred body was what he found. Examining the figure, he identified him as Professor G.
"Where is it?" He hissed to the corpse. Slate-blue eyes grazed the floor of the hanger and zeroed in on a small compartment built into the floor. With a tug, the hatch opened.
"Bingo." Trembling hands reached out to rest on and unadorned metal box. Lifting the lid, Zechs chuckled softly.
"The Earth will be mine. I will show them what war does to a planet."
Standing swiftly, he began his track back. A part of him was immensely relieved that Noin wasn't among the bodies. Another part of him wondered why that was. Unless the Gundam Pilots took her prisoner. The blonde reasoned, trying to deny the ache in his heart.
"Watch out, my fellow pilots. When we meet for the final time, I will be more than human, and even your combined might will not be able to stop me."
Since Zechs would not catch up to them for another couple of hours, the pilots took this time to rest and prepare for battle. It had been awhile since any of them had slept in an actual bed, and they were taking full advantage of the opportunity.
WuFei and Treize we getting reacquainted, and Quatre and Relena were slumbering in each others arms, offering comfort and security without anything sexual. Heero paused outside of the doorway to his room. There was only one bed, and he was expecting it to be empty. He was in for a surprise.
"Duo?"
02 sat on the bed, somewhat stiffly, but he sat there nonetheless. Seeing Heero enter, the braided pilot took a deep breath and stood. Heero walked over towards him, then halted uncertainly. 02 spoke.
"I have been doing a lot of thinking, lately. And I have been talking to Duo." He took a step towards Heero, then another.
"I'm not Duo, Hi-ro. But I am the Perfect Weapon and you are the Perfect Soldier." He was standing right in front of the Japanese boy now. "A weapon is useless without the hands to use it." Heero felt a hot breath caress his cheek. "As the Perfect Soldier, it is only right that you wield me."
Heero's eyes widen and he slowly took the braided boy into his arms. 02 did not resist and seemed to lean into the embrace. Moving closer, Heero whispered into his ear.
"You've integrated with the Zero System, Duo. Now all that remains is for you to integrate your heart." Large indigo eyes looked up at him, and Heero kissed his lover's lips.
"Let me show you love again, koi."
Heero gazed down at the sleeping form of his lover. The braided boy lay curled up on his side, with his hand beneath his cheek. The Japanese boy frowned as the bruised and bandaged wrists, evidence of their escape. His frown deepened at the yellowish bruise that still marked the American's cheek. Leaning over and kissing the offending bruise, he vowed that it would be the last he inflicted upon his koi.
"If you keep frowning like that, your face will freeze like that."
Heero looked down in amazement. His lover, his Duo, gazed back at him with amused violet eyes.
"Duo?" He spoke past the sudden lump in his throat, desperately hoping he was not wrong. A soft smile lit the braided boy's face.
"Hee-chan?"
Heero laughed and crushed his lover to him in joy. Duo happily returned the embrace. That sat there for a moment, overcome by a tidal wave of emotions.
"I thought I had lost you for good." Heero whispered into his lover's hair.
"You were the one that found me, Hee-chan. By recognizing that 02 was just as much a part of me than this body is. Without you, I wouldn't have realized that."
"We're going to fight Zechs." Heero sobered.
"I know. We are going to end this war Heero, I know it." Heero tightened his grip on his lover. "How?"
"The ZSA is still a part of me, Heero. This is the end, the last battle."
Heero felt tears threaten and fought them back harshly. "I'm sorry for allowing this to happen to you." Duo hushed him.
"We're better for it." Sorrow filled his eyes. "We'll, some of us..." Heero nodded.
"Trowa..."
They sat in silence for a moment, sorting through a host of emotions. Finally, Duo lay back down, pulling Heero with him.
"We should rest, koi." He said, snuggling into the Japanese boy. "I love you." He murmured sleepily.
"Aishiteru Duo. Aishiteru."
Noin paced her quarters nervously. She had to get out of here. They were going to kill Zechs. Her friends. Her former allies. Former, she reminded herself. She had sided with Zechs. She stopped her pacing resolutely. Noin would take no action in the upcoming battle. But she had to warn him at least. She owed him that much.
But first she had to sneak out of here. Going over to the desk, she drew up the map of the Peacemoth. Finding the hanger, she typed in a few commands, and the cargo list popped up. The five Gundams were out, she thought, biting her lip nervously. Aha! She shut down the computer and walked towards the door. The Peacemoth carried a number of Taurus's.
"Just like old times." She whispered to herself as she slid out the door. Listening for any voices, she stealthily made her was towards the hanger.
Zechs, I'm coming.
End Part Sixteen
(:./astrokender/integrate16)
