The auditorium was huge and formed a semi-circle around the large stage. The rows of seats were filled, and Duo could see people sneaking glares at the
soldiers who were posted at each of the many exits. Tuberov was standing to the side, right up front, and Duo fought the need to glare at the man as so many
of the audience were. When he'd announced them, Treize had been kind enough to inform the audience of Heero's eminent departure, explaining that
Tuberov and the soldiers were waiting to escort him after the concert. While he didn't think it had been planned, Duo could tell the man's words had sparked a
large amount of bad feelings in the crowd and it pleased him that these were directed to the soldiers. It was also obvious that Tuberov was not happy.
Heero wasn't happy either, and Duo gave the tense boy a light squeeze of his arm as they stood in the dark beyond the spotlight. The children were currently
singing, their harmony beautiful as it had even the soldiers paying attention to them. He knew they would have to join in soon, and Duo was worried. It was
true that his own singing voice was good, he didn't have to be conceited to admit that, but he had never heard Heero sing. Glancing at those narrowed cobalt
eyes, he winced a bit but managed to give a small smile when the boy turned to him.
"Are you going to be able to do this, Heero?"
The violet-eyed boy's worry was evident, and Heero sighed as it bothered him. Moving a bit closer, he brushed a hand over Duo's cheek. "I will. And
afterward, we'll make our escape."
"What if we get caught? Oh, Heero, I don't want to lose you." Sighing, Duo allowed himself to relax for a moment as his husband held him. Then he
straightened as he took a deep breath, hearing the song reaching the right point. Catherine had told him what they'd planned to sing, and he'd decided they
would jump in toward the end. Mostly it was to spare Heero, but he still worried. "It's time," he whispered, and he was surprised when Heero's eyes narrowed.
"Right."
Taking a strong hold on Heero's arm, Duo slowly drew him forward until they were illuminated by the bright spotlight that surrounded the children. Hilde smiled
at them as she continued to sing, and Duo managed his own smile as he joined them. He could hear Heero beside him, and the boy's voice was as wonderful
as any of the children's. Unfortunately, it was so soft he knew it wasn't reaching the audience and that was almost a good thing as it was tinted with fury. Still
singing, Duo gave the arm beneath his hand another light squeeze as he glanced at him from the corner of his eyes.
Heero's throat hurt. It wasn't that he'd never sung, but the knowledge that so many eyes were on him made him want to scream and hurt someone. Then he
felt Duo's gaze and he looked at the boy, taking in his warm eyes as he felt himself calm. Not caring how it looked, he turned a bit so that he could imagine
himself singing only to Duo. It was much easier, and he could tell by the boy's smile that his voice had risen and filled out as he was no longer consumed with
his anger. Instead, he did his best to put his love for the boy into his song and for the next few moments he actually forgot the uncertain future.
When the song came to a close, the sound of applause nearly deafened them, and Duo's wide grin had even Heero giving a tiny smile. The children seemed
to drink up the ovation and it was only with a nudge from Duo that they slowly made their way out of the spotlight. Bowing, they exited one by one, Heero and
Duo going last as they bowed together, their hands clasped as they too left the stage.
* * *
The crowd was silent while the judges made their decision, but it wasn't out of any excitement as most already knew who would receive first place. The only
question was who would get the other places and even those competing were a bit unexcited. After all, they had heard the performance, they knew they
wouldn't be placing first and for many that was enough to make them want nothing more than for the evening to be over. Still, the judges managed to look
secretive as they whispered together, and when they handed their decision over to the announcer, they did so with blank expressions.
Tuberov was getting impatient, but he forced himself to calm as the announcer slowly made his way to the mike. The delay hadn't really cost him anything, but
he was irritated that Treize had managed to delay him at all. He'd planned to have had Heero in custody already, and he didn't like having his plans interfered
with. Still, he knew what the crowd seemed to know and having the winner of the concert as their front-line captain would be a great moral booster. Especially
since the country's citizens seemed so sympathetic toward the boy. It was obvious that they all knew who he was, and Tuberov smirked as he realized Treize's
delay had actually worked in his favor. And in Oz's favor. Then the announcer finally seemed ready, and the man leaned back against the wall, a glance at
the soldiers showing they too were ready. As soon as the family had been named, they would move to escort the Captain out of the auditorium, and his job
would be done. At least for the night. There was still the problem of keeping Heero's cooperation, but there were simple methods that could easily be
employed. It was the boy's disadvantage to have so many siblings, especially so many who were at tender ages.
"And now," the announcer said with a large smile, "the third place prize of our annual contest goes to...."
* * *
Treize hadn't been kidding when he'd said he had a back-up plan. In fact, he even knew a way out of the hall that bypassed the traditional exits. While the
small window they ended up climbing through barely fit them, it was even with the ground and shadowed by a tall oak tree. Leaving the children with Duo,
Heero followed the two men as they made certain there weren't any guards near enough to sound an alarm. There were two, but they were easily taken care
of and they were soon lost among the hundreds of cars that filled the parking lots. Those who saw the two cars leaving slowly didn't even think to check them
as the soldiers were waiting for Tuberov to give them the signal. The possibility of their target slipping by in such a noticeable manner was inconceivable.
* * *
//It's about time.// Tuberov glared as the second place winners slowly made their way off stage and the man announced the Yuy family singers as the
contest's winners. Of course, everyone already knew this, but the crowd still screamed loudly enough for the general to wince and his glare darkened. Nearly
two minutes went by before people realized the winners weren't making their way onto the stage. "There's no way..." The announcer was patiently calling for
them again, but Tuberov had gone cold, and he knew Heero wasn't going to be coming. "Check the performers' rooms," he growled to one of his soldiers
even as he ran for the exit. He knew they wouldn't find them inside. The question, was where such a large and well-known family would be going and who
would hide them. Unfortunately, he was convinced any person in the audience would have been happy to give the family assistance as the crowd was
suddenly milling in the aisles and slowing down their progress.
"Get these people out of the way," he hissed to the two men beside him. Then he lifted his radio, calling for back-up. The city wasn't *that* large, they'd find
them.
* * *
"Duo?" Une's eyes narrowed as she marched to the inside courtyard. She'd been woken by the woman who's turn it was to watch the gate, and the news that
Duo was there had made her hurry. "What's going on?" The children looked both worried and excited, but her gaze halted on the long-haired boy as she
took in his pale face.
"I didn't know where else to go," Duo admitted, staring up at her. "I'm sorry, but we need somewhere to hide. OZ is going to force Heero to fight for them and
they've..." He moved a bit closer to her, dropping his voice so the younger children wouldn't hear. "They plan to use the kids to make him cooperate. Can we
hide here? Just for a while?"
"Don't be stupid," Une said sharply, managing a tight smile as she glanced at Catherine who was looking scared. "Of course you are all welcome."
"We should hurry," Zechs nodded, glancing to Treize. "They'd have called in troops by now to search for us and it won't take them long to link Duo to this
place."
"Is there somewhere inside that we could hide? A place where we could go unnoticed even if they decide to search?" The woman was staring at the ground,
and Treize blinked in surprise when Duo let out a small laugh. The violet-eyed boy was grinning widely, his face flushed with excitement.
"I know!" Grabbing Hilde, who was very happy to be held, Duo nodded quickly at Une. "What about the tombs? I know I used to..." The boy flushed quickly
when the brown-haired woman raised an eyebrow, but he shrugged. "Well, no one *ever* unlocks the gate and I know it's easy to hide in there."
"You are an awful boy, Duo Maxwell." The words were said coldly, but her eyes sparkled and she nodded. "Come on, then. If we can hide you in there and
keep them from finding you, won't they go farther away to search after looking here?"
"That's the plan," Heero said.
"Well, then. Where do you plan to go after that?" Another dark clothed woman was standing near the fountain, and Une sighed as she recognized Noin.
"They're in trouble. We're going to hide them."
Noin wanted to ask for details, but the two tall men were looking around warily, and she could tell they were in a hurry. "Fine." With a quick smile, she leaned
down a bit before taking Catherine and Sally's hands.
"We're going to cross the countryside by foot," Treize remarked, answering Une's question. "They'd never expect that, and we wouldn't have to hurry. Of
course, if you could lend us any supplies it would be much easier."
"I'm sure we could manage *something*," Noin murmured, exchanging glances with Une. It hadn't been more than three days ago when they'd received a
young man whose hobbies had included hiking. Obviously, God was on their side since the coincidence left them with just the sort of things the family would
no doubt need.
The room turned out to be more of a hall of sorts, lined on both sides by tall iron fences that had ancient locks on them. Behind these was about five feet of
space before another wall rose up, black doors carved into it at random. There were also pillars every three feet, and Heero couldn't help but nod in
satisfaction as he knew they would be able to hide in the shadows of the tall marble. Of course, if OZ decided to break the locks they'd be in trouble, but that
was a risk they would have to take.
"Are we going to climb the fence, Duo?" Hilde frowned, wrinkling her nose as she stared up at the pointed black metal that lined the top of the fence. "That
looks bad."
"It's not so hard," Duo smiled, hefting her as he made a face. "Tell you what, you can go over with me, kay?" He could tell that Heero wasn't happy with the
idea of the children scaling the fence, but by the way the boy's cobalt eyes were narrowed he knew that his husband also realized they had little choice. Heero
stepped to him, and Duo leaned forward when Hilde was moved to his back, her arms wrapped around his neck. "This'll be fun."
It wasn't fun, and there were a few scrapes by the time they all got over, but they did make it. Luckily, Une had thought to get some clothes which were spread
over the sharp tips, making it a bit easier to get over. And Wufei and Dorothy had both managed to make the climb on their own. Duo wasn't surprised,
though. He'd done it often enough when he'd first come and he hadn't been much older than them. The fence looked much worse than it actually was, and
there were sideways metal pieces that worked well as foot-holds. It would have been almost impossible if the fence hadn't had them.
Since the marble columns they hid behind were each nearly three feet wide, they split into four groups. It might have been better if they'd had half of them on
one side of the hall, but Heero didn't want them separated. He could well imagine what would happen if they did and OZ found the other group first. They'd
managed to get two guns from the guards they'd found outside the concert-hall, but these would be very loud and using them would no doubt rouse the
attention of additional soldiers. And he was certain Tuberov would come to the church to search. It was just a matter of time.
* * *
"Open this door!" Tuberov's face had grown red as he glared at the woman who stood on the other side of the large gate, and he was tempted to pull his gun
on her. This was just a foolish dream, however, since he knew he'd never get away with injuring a member of the church. Still, she could have moved a lot
faster, and it was nearly fifteen minutes before he caught sight of the Mother Superior. She too seemed to be in no hurry and he gnashed his teeth. "We
have to search this premises," he said quickly when she got within hearing distance. "Under the orders of OZ."
"I see," Une said smoothly. Her expression was carefully controlled, and she managed to look both surprised and curious. "And what are you looking for, so
late in the evening. And with so many soldiers? This is a house of God, it isn't right to enter it."
"I said, we have orders to search."
"Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to let you in," the woman said, after waiting another long minute. "But you must give your word to treat this edifice with the
respect it's due. I'll not have my children frightened by you, and you aren't to damage any of our relics. I really must insist on this."
"Ma'am, we will not take the lord's anger upon us. We simply must follow our orders. You have our word that we will treat your home with care."
Une blinked at the soft, respectful voice and she noticed that the general seemed surprised as he turned to stare at one of the soldiers standing beside him.
Vivid green eyes met her and she was caught off-guard by the straightforward gaze in one so young. "Very well, then."
* * *
It was going well. There had been a moment when Duo had been forced to cover Hilde's mouth as a group of soldiers had suddenly appeared in the hall, but
the small girl had nodded. When he released her, she was as quiet as a mouse, and he felt himself grow tenser by the second as the men came nearer to
where they hid. But they passed right by them, not even glancing behind the fences as they continued down the hall at a quick run. //They aren't very
thorough//, Duo thought with relief, and he allowed himself a long look to where Heero hid a few feet away. //We're going to make it...//
He could see the boy's relief, but Heero didn't allow himself to share it as the search wasn't over. He expected more from OZ, and he fully expected that the
men who'd gone by had orders to search in a different area. They'd be back, and when they were, the search would be more intricate. Then he heard the
tiniest of gasps, and his eyes flew to the blonde boy beside him. Quatre was staring toward the end of the hall, and the boy's eyes filled his white face.
Following his gaze, Heero tensed as he recognized the tall figure in the dim light.
Trowa's eyes narrowed as he looked at the dark fence that lined the hall. Stepping to the fence on one side, he reached out a hand and touched the large
lock, feeling the rust that corroded it. It obviously hadn't been opened in years. With the back of his rifle, he busted the lock with a sharp blow, and his eyes
were dull as he pulled it away. The gate groaned audibly when he opened it, and he was convinced they weren't behind it. His breath was harsh when he
scanned the dark shadows, and he sighed as he found nothing aside from years of dust.
//No, please don't let him look. God, don't let him look over here.// Duo couldn't even manage a reassuring face as Hilde stared up at him, her confusion
evident. She recognized the boy, and he knew she wanted to say something to him. //And why not? After all, he's supposed to be their friend.// His prayers
must have went unheard, and he closed his eyes when the tall boy walked resolutely toward the fence they hid behind. Then the lock was broken.
"Trowa..."
Duo looked up, and his heart stopped when the tall boy's arm raised. His expression seemed dead, somehow, and Trowa's gun was aimed at Heero.
.-.
PART 17
.-.
FEEDBACK
FANFICTION INDEX