One

Breaking Point

      I really needed my perfume before noon tomorrow...
      I wondered if Heero would bring it before he went to bed or if he’d wait until class in the morning to give it back to me...I’d ran out and hadn’t had the chance to pick anymore up...he’d forgotten it earlier.
      He was acting a little odd, of late, I’d noticed...I decided to ask him about that... when he finally showed up. He was bringing me...when he got around to it...the bottle I had in his bathroom.
      I finished typing my message to my friend in another colony, it was early Thursday morning...but for me, it wasn’t morning, it was still night. I was doing my best not to wake Sam, she’d had a hard time getting to sleep earlier and she had to get up early...
      Suddenly, someone’s hand was on my shoulder.
      I resisted my urge to scream, gasping in shock as I turned to see...relief was like joy, then came anger. “Heero!” I hit at him but he avoided it, “You could have knocked!”
      “Whoa, sorry!” he replied, fending off the blows, slightly amused, “Didn’t mean to frighten you...you were the one who told me not to wake Sam...”
      I gave him a dirty look and turned back to the computer typing a message that included a rather long rant about friends who scare the shit out of you in the middle of the night.
      “Don’t tell him my name, or anything about me.”
      I turned to look at him, not believing he thought me that stupid.
      “Don’t look at me like that. You know who I am and what I’ve done. You don’t need to share.”
      “You are stupid. Where’s my perfume?”
      “I forgot it.” he looked like he was thinking about feeling bad.
      “Point proven. I reminded you an hour ago, buddy, what the hell?”
      “You smell just as good without it.” he informed me, a slight grin on his face, “Trust me, I know.”
      I gave him an arch look.
      He lost the smile and closed his eyes, looking a bit unsteady.
      I moved before I thought about it, reaching for him, “Are you all right?”
      He grabbed my outstretched arm and straightened, “I’m...fine...”
      I frowned, starting him for the bed, steering him by holding his waist.
      He allowed me to direct him without looking back and sat on the bed.
      “You’re staying here tonight.” I informed him.
      He shifted his leg, accidentally knocking mine. I fell forward and he lay back as he accepted my weight, laughing, “Oops...sorry...”
      I shook my hair out of our faces and looked down at him, studying him. Was he sick, or not? I really couldn’t tell.
      I rolled off him and started taking off his shoes.
      “Hey...” he tried to protest.
      “Shh...you’ll wake Sam. You’re staying. That’s all there is to it.”
      “That’s not what the problem was.” he informed me, “I can undress myself...”
      I grinned at him, “But it’s funner when I do it...”
      He grinned even larger, “I can’t help but agree...”
      I reached for the button of his pants.
      He shifted away from me, grabbing my wrists, “Thanks, but I can get that...”
      I smiled at him and he let go of me, pulling off his shirt and moving the blankets.
      “Are you all right?” I asked, watching as he settled into the pillow.
      “I keep getting dizzy...that’s all. I should be fine in the morning...Don’t let me miss class...”
      I frowned slightly at that, “We’ll see.”


      The silence that followed was relaxing. Almost too relaxing. Nikki stood after a second and returned to the computer. I lay on her bed remembering how easy it was to sleep here...I wondered why, even as I wondered if the rebels would try to make their move tonight...I should’ve went and checked on Kat...called Kris’ cell-phone...
      My mind whirled as I thought things over, something was going on with that group of rebels...something more than the Preventers could deal with...obviously, since they were still working. Of course, having the five of us followed and researched encouraged that belief. I sincerely hoped they wouldn’t move tonight...
      Thump. Thud.
      Adrenaline burst through my veins. This wasn’t my room. I jumped up ready to attack, instinctively flowing to the silhouette on my left.
      “Heero!” Nikki’s voice was shocked and scared...high pitched...
      I rolled off her, “Damn!” I started checking her over, making sure I’d done no damage...
      The light flashed on.
      “What the hell is going on?” Sam was outraged.
      Nikki’s eyes were wide as she looked at me...and I had a sudden pit in my stomach.
      She was bleeding.
      She reached up and lay her right hand on her cheek, still staring at me...the gesture caused light to glint off the ring on the middle finger. Memories filtered through my mind, a gold ring with an amethyst-looking stone glimmering on a long slender finger holding a fountain drink and long dark hair...laughter as the hand with the drink gestured to me...
      “Are you all right?” I moved her hand to look...there was a sharp intake of breath as she noticed the blood on her hand.
      “You...attacked...me...” that was utterly shocked and unbelieving, the words trying not to come out...I moved to hold her and crushing her to me, she sobbed once...more an intake of breath, “What the hell was that?”
      “I’m sorry! You surprised me...” I held her tighter, knowing it was no excuse and hoping she wasn’t hurt...or too pissed...
      “Jesus, Heero...” she muttered losing the fear. She sat back, wiping her eyes, giving me this look...I stood, holding her to me.
      “She’s bleeding, you idiot!” Samantha cried, coming up to us...she had stayed near the light in surprise, so hadn’t seen Nikki pull her hand away.
      I bit my cheek as I looked down at her...I bit harder, the gash was deep...how had I managed that?
      “I’m sorry...” I whispered, “So sorry...”
      She wouldn’t look at me.
      My stomach seemed to plummet to my knees, I felt like I’d betrayed her...and I had...she trusted me...and I...
      She chuckled slightly to Sam as I set her down on the bed, “I didn’t think he was asleep...”
      “What were you doing?” Samantha was asking as I headed to the bathroom for a rag.
      There was nothing I could do if she wasn’t going to talk to me.
      “Getting ready for bed.” I heard her saying.
      She still didn’t look at me when I returned...well, didn’t meet my eyes. She was looking at my mouth. She allowed me to gently clean the blood away...
      I couldn’t help it, I felt so bad...she focused on the tear that managed it’s way out, but didn’t comment, meeting my eyes finally.
      I stared at the gash now, feeling slightly sick to my stomach as more blood appeared.
      It wasn’t that it was blood, I’d seen more than my fair share of that...it was that it was Nikki’s blood, and I was the cause of it...
      How had I made that big of a mistake?
      How?
      Sam lay a comforting hand on my shoulder and I glanced at it, then up at her face. I wasn’t quite sure what that look was, “Are you okay?” she asked.
      More tears spilled out, “I...I...” I nearly sobbed, swallowing hard, “I didn’t mean to...”
      She nodded.
      “Heero...” Nikki’s voice was soothing...
      I turned to look at her, not able to meet her eyes, “Yeah?” I wiped at my eyes.
      She cupped my face with her hands, forcing my face up so I’d look at her, “What happened?”
      I was shocked that she wasn’t scared...I shook my head wanting to lash out at something...break a window... “I...I don’t know. I was sleeping...and heard something...and...”
      She nodded, but looking at her hurt. I slumped forward burying my face in my hands.
      “Shh...” she started rubbing my back.
      There was a strained silenced until I realized they were looking at each other...probably mouthing something to each other...I decided I didn’t want to know.


      It took a while, but finally we managed to get him to sit up again...it didn’t take long from there to get him to lay down.
      “I’ll be back...” I reassured him as I moved away.
      He nodded, his eyes brimming again.
      I was still shocked...but it was obvious that it was an accident...and with the way he’d been earlier...I had to keep an eye on him.
      Samantha followed me and leaned against the cupboard after handing me a clean rag, “What happened?”
      “He came in and nearly fell over earlier. I made him lay down...he fell asleep. When I got ready for bed I woke him up.
      “He might be dangerous.”
      “No, I doubt it...”
      “Look at yourself in the mirror, Nikki, and tell me again he’s not dangerous.”
      “I think he’s asleep.”
      “Nicole...he’s a Gundam pilot, special training...extremely strong...”
      I wondered if she’d noticed that I was ignoring her.
      “Nikki, are you listening to me? He’s dangerous.”
      “And exactly what am I supposed to do?” I asked hotly, “Send him home? He nearly fell earlier. Do you think I’m just gonna let him leave...by himself...when he could pass out at any time?”
      “He lives three blocks away.” she said evenly, “I think he can make it.”
      “Not without me. I’m staying with him.”
      “You like being attacked then?”
      “Ha ha ha. Funny woman. Thanks for the laugh.”
      She watched me a moment, unreadable. “Fine. If he attacks you again, I’m not helping.” she turned and started for the door.
      “Like you helped this time?” I asked snidely, looking at her in the mirror.
      She paused, then shrugged, “Yeah, well...Good night, Nikki.”
      “Good night, Sam.”


      Sunlight...
      I blinked, using my hand to shield my eyes.
      The bed bounced slightly and I remembered something had happened last night... I watched Nikki as she stood and noticed I was awake, “Good morning, Sunshine.” she offered, “Time for class...”
      How had I gotten here? It occurred to me that she was half dressed. Had we...?
      She studied me a second, “You look like hell, why don’t you go back to sleep?”
      I noticed a cut on her cheek...and wanted to throw up.
      I had done that...I had....
      The memories flooded back to me and I closed my eyes tightly, wishing it would all just go away when I opened them again.
      “Heero?” her voice seemed distant, it didn’t occur to me what she’d said... Suddenly her cool lips were on my forehead. “You have a fever...” she mumbled, “It can’t be too high...no more that about a hundred fahrenheit, a normal fever...here...” she readjusted the blankets.
      I was confused, a fever?
      “Go back to sleep...” she muttered, stroking my forehead with a cool hand... She ran her fingers through my hair, it felt good, her hand was cool. It reminded me of...something...I closed my eyes...her hand traveled down my face and to the nape of my neck...it was relaxing...so cool...


      I shifted slightly and slid off the bed. He reminded me of a sick child...that want of comfort.
      I shook my head, Heero was no child.
      I ended up needing to go to the store for fever medicine of some sort. It didn’t take long, but when I got back, the apartment was empty.
      “Damn it...” I muttered under my breath, then noticed the opened window that led to the fire escape.
      “We’re out here.” Heero called.
      I climbed out, two caplets in hand, “What are you doing out here?”
      Sam was annoyed. “He was hot.” she answered in a condescending tone. After meeting my eyes a moment, she climbed back inside.
      “It was hot inside and I wanted to get out.” he clarified with a shrug.
      “Mmm...here.” I handed him the medicine.
      “What’s this?” he asked, looking at them curiously.
      He wouldn’t look at me.
      “For your fever...” I felt uncomfortable now, silly. He seemed completely recovered. No longer child-like.
      He made a noise and swallowed them as he climbed back inside.
      “I notice you’re not groggy...” I told him as I climbed in after him, trying to get him to meet my eyes.
      He turned and looked at me a moment, “Sorry to disappoint you.” his mouth quirked into a smile, but he looked away again.
      I laughed, “You always ruin my fun.”
      He shook his head.
      I put one hand on his shoulder, turning him toward me, and the other on his forehead as Sam headed into the kitchen. He met my eyes. He was too surprised at first to move, but when he realized what I was doing he pulled away.
      “I’m fine.” he started to avoid my eyes again, he almost seemed annoyed.
      Sam came back out, holding a cup of coffee and two cans of Pepsi.
      “You’ve got a fever...earlier you didn’t know left from right...and now...” I accepted the Pepsi from her as she stopped beside us, handing one to him as well.
      “That’s not my fault...We have to...to...” he trailed off, staring at nothing. “Let’s go...” he grabbed my wrist.
      “But...”
      “What?” Sam demanded.
      “Both of you, hurry. We have to hurry. We don’t have time to discuss. I have to have Zero...”


      I had to get the others fast. I couldn’t afford to let this guilt take me over. Not now. We could sort it out later...
      “But...”
      “What?”
      “Both of you, hurry. We have to hurry.” I only knew one thing. I had to have Zero. “We don’t have time to discuss. I have to have Zero.”
      I let go of her wrist to close the window and grab the house keys and her phone.
      “You can get in contact with your families later. But we have to go over to L-4.” I grabbed her wrist again and headed for the door.
      Nikki was confused, “L-4?” she slipped her cell into her pocket.
      “I’m not leaving.” Sam said, outraged.
      I turned and gave her a cold look “You don’t exactly have a choice here, Dear.” I pulled Nikki out the door. Sam followed reluctantly because of Nikki. I was much stronger than her.
      She may be my best friend, but she wasn’t staying here. Not with the chance she might get killed.
      She tried to stop completely, “Heero, what’s going on?”
      In exasperation, I looked at her, didn’t she realize I was saving both their lives?
      Probably not.
      “Quatre can get the others. He can...” I trailed off not wanting anyone to hear and noticing people were coming up the stairs.
      Krystal.
      Good. Now Katie...
      She stopped, surprised to see me dragging Nikki, Kat right behind her. I grabbed her wrist, “Let’s go. Kat, stay with us.” Krystal would get the story later. For the time she could just be pissed at me.
      Nikki seemed to sense my urgency and kept pace, grabbing her keys from me. I changed my grip ‘til I was holding her hand without realizing it.
      Once outside, under the imitation sunlight, it struck me how bad I missed Earth.

<--

-->

Kyeian