Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Caged Doves ❯ The Hawk and The Hummingbird ( Chapter 5 )

Hiya! I'm back! After what has felt like forever, I have finally gotten past the brick wall of writer's block that has been imprisoning me here as of late. I believe it has been torn down enough to let the chapters out rather freely for now. ^_^

So, I hope you enjoy this latest chapter of Caged Doves. (It's been long enough in the writing.)

Caged Doves Chapter 5: The Hawk and The Hummingbird

 

Heero glanced at his watch as he stepped off the trolley and started walking into the park. 1:20 p.m. Good. He was right on time. When he had gotten to the phone booth it had been ringing. The voice on the other end had been a recording telling him to catch the next trolley and take it to the Tokyo Rock Garden, which was a huge park on the eastern side of the city. He was also told he had to be at the swimming pool by 1:30.

 

As Heero walked through the park he noticed that Relena's favorite flowers were in bloom, Sakura's Kisses. He wondered vaguely if she had seen them yet this season. Heero shook his head to clear it. Honestly, you'd think he was some smitten teenager with the way he was constantly being distracted by the smallest stuff having to do with Relena. He had to focus on the mission at hand. Otherwise he'd never get the chance to even talk to her about everything in his head, or his heart.

 

As he neared his destination, Heero noted that the swimming pool was open and that it was seemingly packed with kids from the sound of things. He also noted that his contact was already there. With a crisp, black suit and the black shades, the guy looked every bit the bodyguard or enforcer. The only thing out of place was the long, brown braid hanging down his back. In fact, he could almost look like a thirty year old Duo with the braid and stylish suit. He was leaning against a typical black sedan, watching Heero as he approached casually.

 

As Heero got within ten feet of the guy, he stood up straight and stepped forward, extending a hand to Heero and smiling.

“Hello. My name's Fayet. I'll be your ride this afternoon,” he said as Heero took his hand, shaking it.

“Awfully friendly, aren't you?” Heero asked as Fayet walked him around to the passenger's side and opened the door for him. Fayet's grin broadened a little.

“Yeah, I've been told that before. But honestly, why does everyone in personal protection have to go around glaring at everything? It doesn't hurt to smile and be congenial. Besides,” he said, shutting Heero's door after he had slid in, “it confuses your enemies.”

 

Heero arched an eyebrow at that as Fayet went around to the driver's side and slid in himself. He was still smiling as he fastened his seat belt and advised Heero to do the same.

“The Lord says my driving can be rather atrocious.”

“And why is that that?” Heero asked as he fastened his own belt.

“Well, let's just say that I believe in getting where I'm going and not wasting much time getting there.”

“Hn,” was Heero's only reply to that.

“Alright. Hold on,” said Fayet as he started the sedan and pulled out of the parking area.

 

His driving was rather calm as he exited the park, but as soon as he got on the main roads, Fayet shifted into what could only be described as `Nascar mode'. He started weaving and bobbing through the traffic, finding any and every advantage to move ahead in the flow of vehicles. In fact, if Heero hadn't been used to Duo's driving he probably would have been holding onto the dash and door for dear life. As it was, Heero crossed his arms and settled for watching the road for any other crazy drivers.

 

“You are a hard one to crack,” Fayet said as he glanced at Heero sitting stoically across from him. “That's good for our line of work. All too often I see guys in personal protection that think they're tough while they have a gun but run with their tail between their legs at the first sign of a car chase or a hand to hand fight. But I'd expect more from you, being a Gundam pilot and all.”

 

Heero looked at the driver sharply, his eyes narrowing a bit. “How do you know about that?”

 

Fayet smiled again. “I have my sources. Besides, I'm one of the very few who know, so don't get your boxers in a bunch, Mr. Yuy.” Heero frowned slightly. Fayet continued, saying, “Lord Carrington didn't want too many people knowing about you. He was afraid it would cause a bunch of the younger punks in our ranks to try to make a big deal out of it. You know, the typical b.s. If they just think you're the new guy, it'll cause a lot less friction and fights.”

 

“People had better learn to leave me alone quickly or you'll have to replace of bunch of posers,” said Heero in a low growl.

 

Fayet nodded. “The Lord and I both think that after the first couple of broken noses or arms the rest of the wanna be's will learn to stay clear of you. Just do me a favor and don't kill anyone, o.k.?”

 

Heero looked at Fayet a moment before asking, “So, what exactly do you do for Carrington, anyway?”

 

“I am one of three heads of security for Lord Carrington. Public relations, or PR, security; Personal Security; and Special Assignment. I don't ask what the other two do. We all have our own branches we take care of, but we can step in as needed for each other. I don't tend to do much of that. I'm in charge of the personal security of Lord Carrington's estate and person. Which translates into my dealing with anyone at the Carrington Estate as well. Miss Peacecraft included. I take my job very seriously and only permit a hand picked few into my section of personal security. But I was told that you would be seeing to her direct needs and that I would only be needed in a secondary capacity.”

Fayet's expression had turned serious as he talked about his job. “I have personally seen to the estate's defenses and alarms and can show you around once you have had time to acquaint yourself with your surroundings. Miss Peacecraft's rooms are on the second floor overlooking the gardens at the rear of the estate. I assure you that the estate is well fortified and that intruders will have hell to go through to get to her rooms. In the highly unlikely possibility that someone does make it through, that's where you come in.

Your rooms are right next to hers so that you can have direct access, and subsequently direct responsibility, to her. None of the rest of us are that close to her, which in turn means that any intruder will have to get through the rest of the defenses and forces to make an attack on Miss Peacecraft. That means that you will be her last line of defense, Mr. Yuy. So I hope with that being said you understand the full scope of the responsibility you're taking on. And whatever it was that caused you to step down as her bodyguard, I hope you've put that aside. We can't have any skeletons popping up in the way of doing our duty. We're bodyguards, the last line of defense for the people we protect. They pay us well for putting our lives on the line and they depend on the professionalism that we are supposed to afford ourselves with. If you don't think you can do that, Mr. Yuy, let me know now so I can take you back home.”

 

Heero studied Fayet as he drove and just short of lectured his passenger. `Either this guy is a really good actor or he truly believes in what he's talking about,' he thought. `I just wish I knew which.'

“I understand what you're saying. I'll protect Miss Peacecraft with my life. I always have in the past. And as far as my stepping down as her bodyguard, that was a choice that I regret but was necessary. I can honestly say that the past will not get in the way of my duty to Relena. And I appreciate your not being offended at an outsider being brought in to look after what I'm sure you see as one of your charges. I'm not always the most team oriented player, but I assure you that I will try my hardest to stay out of your way and off of your toes.”

 

Fayet smiled again and said, “I knew you'd see things that way. I'm glad you're so perceptive and I appreciate your candor. But don't think that you're stepping on anyone's toes. If you want help taking care of any security matter don't hesitate to let me know. I'm the head of security directly in charge of you and I don't foresee any problems working with you. If you need any extra help or hands, let me know. I actually don't envy your position. You're kind of one part security, one part personal valet. And I'm not sure how I would have gone about that. Lord Carrington said you were the best suited to taking care of Miss Peacecraft's personal needs and that's why you were being recruited. I don't question the boss, I just do as I'm told.”

 

Heero had been distracted by his conversation with Fayet and started a little when he realized where they were as Fayet pulled the car to a stop.

“What are we doing here?” he asked as he looked out the window at the familiar front of Relena's house.

“Well, you see, I was hoping you could do me a favor,” said Fayet, sounding rather nervous.

Heero turned to look at him and found him looking as off beat as he sounded. Heero arched an eyebrow. “What kind of favor?” he asked.

“Well, Lord Carrington told me I was supposed to come get a selection of Miss Peacecraft's clothes for her until such time as he deems it safe enough for her to go shopping for more. And, well…” Fayet looked considerably uncomfortable.

“Well…” pressed Heero.

“I can't get that psycho house keeper of hers to let me in the door long enough to grab even a coat for the lady!”

Heero arched an eyebrow and tried very hard not to laugh. The smallest twitch of a smirk escaped though.

Fayet sighed and continued, “She says I'm not a Presenter, I'm not a cop, and I'm not anyone she can remember Miss Peacecraft ever mentioning so I'm not anyone that is allowed in the house. And then she slammed the door in my face! Honestly! She didn't even give me a chance to say much of anything after I told her I needed to get some things for Miss Peacecraft. She just told me off and tried to imprint the doorknocker in my forehead!”

Heero couldn't help it. A small snicker escaped at the imagery Fayet's story created for him.

“Oh, sure,” said Fayet wryly, “Go ahead and laugh it up. That's why I brought you here. I figured that since you used to do Miss Peacecraft's personal security, then you ought to know that raving psychopath. And I hope she likes you better than she does me.”

“Yeah, I know her fairly well. So, you want me to go get some of Relena's stuff so we can take it back to the Carrington Estate for her?”

“Yeah. And that harpy won't let me do it, so it's up to you. Good Luck.” Fayet seemed somewhat amused as he sat back and folded his arms, presumably waiting for Heero to do as he was told.

Heero shook his head wryly but got out and started up the front walk. It was an odd kind of déjà vu to be walking up this drive again. It had been two years since he had seen it, but it looked frighteningly similar as it did then. All of the same flowers were planted and blooming and the lawn was still perfectly manicured. To Heero's annoyance, he noted that they had never erected the security fence he had been in the process of doing before leaving. Matter of fact, the one section he had managed to get up was the only thing missing or different about the yard.

`She had it taken down,' he thought as he shook his head again. `Her own safety never was her primary concern.' Heero reached a hand up to knock on the door, wondering what Loni was going to do when she seen him again. He found out shortly as the door opened and he found himself staring down the business end of the 9mm that he had bought Relena for her birthday a little over two years ago. Loni was on the other end of it.

“Mr. Yuy?” she said as she slowly recognized him.

“It's nice to see you too, Miss Alonia. May I come in?”

Loni eyed him over the gun, but backed up enough to allow him to come in. Heero slipped past her and turned around just in time to get his face all but spun off his head as Loni's hand firmly found Heero's cheek.

Heero gently rubbed the spot and murmured, “I might have deserved that.”

“Might have?” she asked angrily. “You deserve far more than that little love tap, Mr. Yuy, let me assure you! You just disappear and leave Miss `Lena all alone for two years and then you have the nerve to show up on the day she's kidnapped! It's your fault, I hope you know! So what are you gonna do about it?”

Heero had never seen Loni so angry. If she wasn't still holding the gun he might have been amused. “For starters, why don't you put that gun down,” he said calmly.

Loni looked at the gun like she had forgotten she was pointing a lethal weapon at another living being and quickly put it back in the drawer of the foyer table.

“Good. First off, yes, I know Relena has been kidnapped. Yes, the Preventers are looking into it. And, yes, I know I have a lot of nerve showing up here after so long. But all I can do is tell you that everything will be fine.”

“Fine, huh? Then why are you here with that dirtball in the car? Don't tell me he is a Preventer and I slammed the door in an agent's face.”

Heero shook his head. “No, he's not a Preventer. He's a chauffeur. And I'm here to pick some things up for Relena.”

Alonia looked confused for a second, then her face quickly turned red, as she became angry again. “You're working with the rat bastard that kidnapped my `Lena, aren't you? I should've shot you when I had the chance! Out! Get out! Go before I change my mind!” She was pointing at the door rather furiously.

Heero just shrugged rather calmly, but instead of starting for the door, he bolted for the stairs going to the second story. He had to get to Relena's room. He could hear Loni behind him, climbing the stairs as fast as she could. `She could probably climb faster if she wasn't cussing at me so vehemently. It's so out of character for her too,' he thought absently as he reached Relena's room, opened the door, entering it and slamming the door shut in Loni's face.

Loni recoiled sharply, as the door to Relena's room was slammed rather soundly shut in her face. “When I get my hands on you…” she muttered as she grabbed the doorknob. To her surprise it wasn't locked. She opened the door quickly, intent on forcibly throwing it's occupant out the window if needed, only to be greeted by the business end of Heero's 9mm pointed squarely in her face.

 

O.k. Whatcha think? I hope it meets expectations. And don't worry, the next chapter will be up very shortly. It's already mostly written. ^_^

Thanx, NekuYasha ^_^