The door opened from behind her. She turned quickly and watched the person's entrance like a cat about to pounce on a mouse. Studying the woman that entered, carefully, and then fixing her eyes on the tray of food that she was carrying. Still staring hungrily at the tray of food, she sat down on the end of the bed and waited for the woman to place it on her lap before she said or did anything.
"My name is Lucrezia Noin. I just thought you might like some food and company. The guys might not appreciate a woman, but I'm easy to talk to. What's your name?" Noin said calmly as she sat beside the girl, whom was now devouring the plate of fried chicken and potatoes.
"Amanda Yoni. *chomp chomp* When can I go home?" The girl spoke as she ate, nearly choking on her food.
Noin looked at her for a moment before answering. She couldn't tell her what the boys were discussing a floor level down. Nor, could she acknowledge where they had taken her. Noin was stuck. "Soon, honey, soon. Listen, if you need anything, my room is just down the hall from you. Just call me and I'll come running."
The girl stopped chewing and swallowed before asking her question she knew she wouldn't get a straight answer to. "What about that guy that saved me? He called himself 'The God of Death' or something. What's he like? Or, can't we discuss him?"
Noin giggled a bit. Typical Duo. "He's a good guy, as they all are. And, I'm sure he won't let anything happen to you. He's not the kind of person to leave someone when they need him. Uhh, just don't piss him off. Actually, he really is more cheerful than that, and at times he is down right annoying. But, all in all, he is a sweetheart."
A while later, Noin slipped out of the room and locked the door behind her. She was nearly startled as she looked over and saw Duo with his back to the wall, arms folded and legs crossed at the ankles. His head remained bowed as he asked her about the girl and what they had talked about in the room.
"She knows something. I have this feeling about her. Oddly enough, it's the same feeling I get with Heero. They've decided to debrief her and then kill her. If she was in that prison, she was there for a reason, and I want to know what that reason is." His voice was colder than his usual perkiness. In fact, since he went out on that retrieval mission, he wasn't the Duo Maxwell that annoyed everyone to death with his cheerfulness.
"Duo--" Noin sighed and put a gentle hand on his chest. "Why don't you get some rest.. We'll talk about this later, ok? Sleep tight, baby." Kissing his cheek and then watching him walk down the hall to his and Heero's room. Okay, he's starting to worry me. I have never seen him in this kind of mood.
Duo laid down on his back, on the bed. He stared up at the blank ceiling and thought about the past week. His mood was intense, even for him. But, he couldn't help but wonder just why a girl like that would be in that prison. He kept the room dark, with only the light from the moon shining through the window to light it a bit.
Twenty minutes later, Heero opened the door and stepped in. Not saying anything, but lying on the floor next to Duo's bed, quietly. "Are you awake, still?" He asked in almost a whisper.
"Yes."
"Are you okay? You haven't been yourself since we've been back from the mission. Is there anything wrong?"
Hearing a sigh from the bed, and the springs squeak as Duo had rolled over to face the edge of the bed, he looked up to see Duo's face nearly in tears.
"I'll be fine. Just tired, ok?"
"Okay," Heero got up off the floor and patted the top of Duo's head. "Good night, then."
Rolling back over on to his back, Duo choked, "Good night, Heero."
Duo's thoughts lost themselves in his dreams. Things, places, words.... they all kept repeating in his mind. Gun. Scream. Run. Blood. Marimeia. Bang! His mind ran faster and faster, louder and louder. Tormenting him with every heartbeat that pounded inside his frail chest. His body shook and his skin felt like it was sliding off of his bones, leaving just a charred blackness that his soul had become. His voice panted and whimpered softly in his sleep.
Jerking himself into a sitting position, he panted and looked about himself. His head shot to his left, watching Heero's limp body twitch in his own sleep. Did he hear me? Did anything happen to me? Is he really awake and pretending to be asleep? What a dream... He laid back down, on his back. Quietly he stared up at the black nothingness that was the ceiling in the daytime, but now it had become a mixture of dark colors and dull specks of light.
An hour passed before sleep overcame him again. He tried to avoid the bad images that had been plaguing his mind for the past week.
The next morning, Duo was up and back to his regular annoying self before anyone else had sun in their eyes. He made breakfast-- eggs, bacon, hash browns and biscuits, then he set the places on the table, and even setting one extra for their guest. He placed her between him and Noin, so he could keep an eye on her as well as out of the ways of Heero and Wufei.
Trowa came down first, followed by Quatre and then Wufei.
"Good morning, Trowa! And, good morning Quatre, Wufei!" Duo chimed, merrily.
"Morning Duo, you're feeling better, I see." Quatre smiled.
Duo paused, froze in his tracks while putting the last of the silverware down. "Yes, much better..... much.... Thanks!" He hadn't a clue what to say next, but he didn't want to repeat his feelings the past week.
Heavy footsteps on the stairs told the kitchen occupants that Heero was now awake and wanting something to eat. When he reached the kitchen, Duo was finishing stirring the hash browns and opening the fridge for some milk, while the other three were sitting at the table, waiting.
Noin came down, lastly, with Amanda. Noin's eyes met with Duo's and she winked at him before taking her seat. In that one motion, she told him that she had gotten his note he so secretly slid under her door before making breakfast.
Noin, stay close to her.
I have a feeling Heero might
try something- or one of
the others.
Duo
Through breakfast, Amanda focused herself on the gentlemen that surrounded her. Making notes to herself about little things they each did. Heero had a nonchalant habit of rubbing the end of his fork with his thumb. Quatre held his napkin beside his plate like a tissue. Trowa and Wufei kept glancing at the door, almost waiting for someone to burst in on them. Noin kept her eye on all of them as well as Amanda. Duo was the most interesting of them all to watch. Unlike the others, he was the most animated as he ate. Smoothing his bangs and loose strands of his chestnut braid out of his way. His huge blue eyes shone brightly and his face seemed to add light into the crowded room. The food was good, but not as good as the �sights� of each handsome guy that sat around the table.
After breakfast, the boys went to the garage and made themselves busy with their machines. Occasionally, Noin and Amanda would hear one of them (Duo or Quatre) laugh out loud, individually. Duo�s laughter was the easiest to recognize. It was not as hard as the others�, but not as soft as Heero�s either. In fact, it was sultry and almost erotic to listen to. Amanda could picture him laughing and seeing his beautiful face light up with glee.
By the time Noin and Amanda were done washing and drying the dishes, they listened for the clinking and clanking of tools and then moved to the den to sit and talk.
�Are they all single, or do they have girlfriends?� Amanda asked just as Noin sat down across from her, in a huge fluffy white chair.
Noin looked at her for a moment and then smiled, �Some of them do, yes.�
�Duo?�
�He is a hard one to answer for. You see, he once wanted to be a priest, but since he has killed so many�it is impossible. He is really the only one that can answer that. � Noin glanced at the door and saw a figure leaning against the doorframe.
Heero.
Amanda looked surprised to see that the figure in the doorway had heard the question about Duo. She blushed slightly.
He didn�t say anything, but smiled a bit as he walked into the room and sat next to Noin. Looking calmly, over at Amanda, he answered her question for Duo. �Duo dates who he wants to. However, he is single at the moment.�
Amanda stared at him for a moment, in shock. �Oh.�
�Why do you concern yourself with Duo�s business?� Heero asked her flatly.
Shrugging, Amanda smiled and gave Heero�s cold stare right back to him. �I was just asking a question. I like to know a little about the �people� who are holding me captive without reason. And why are you so protective of him? Does he date boys? Or have you claimed him for yourself?� Letting her mouth run off to Heero like that let her have quick regret.
Without warning to time to flinch, Heero reached across the small oak coffee table and managed to catch he hand before it met with her cheek. �As I said, Duo dates who he wants to. You�ll keep in mind not to tempt my authority again. Next time I might not stop myself.� With that, he left the room and rejoined his comrades in the garage, leaving Amanda to sit in silent shock and terror over Heero�s timid mood swings.
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