Duo's Awakening
Part Four: Mission: Crash a Wedding, Get the Bride

20-04-21
Author’s Note: The character’s in this story is from the Gundam Wing anime. This is a series of ‘what could have been events’ after the Endless Waltz. But, there are some characters in here that I made up- R and Hannah. Enjoy reading!

Duo’s car screeched to a halt. Heero looked around, relieved that they were on a scenic route- no traffic.

“YOU WHAT?!!!” Duo said as he faced Heero.

“I said,” Heero said once again, “That I saw ‘R’ and Hilde together at a restaurant yesterday.”

Duo’s eyes raged with fire on hearing the letter ‘R’, “That R (He stepped on the gas pedal and the car jerked forward with speed) is gonna pay.” He said dangerously through gritted teeth.

Heero looked at Duo and almost felt sorry for the guy Duo’s about to beat to a pulp- almost. After all, he is trying to get Duo and Hilde together...

~*~

The car squealed to a stop in front of a quaint looking chapel. The two got out of the car.

“Nice place…” Heero complimented as he looked at the rolling green hills behind the church (even though he knew it was manmade, it was still beautiful.) I wouldn’t mind marrying someone here…”

Duo growled, “Nobody is marrying anyone here today, especially Hilde.” He started marching up the hill, to the church’s entrance.

Heero saw a group of people dressed in white just outside the church. He scanned for Hilde or the guy.

“Hmph! Good, were just on time!” huffed Duo.

Then, Heero grabbed Duo’s arm. “That’s him.” Heero motioned to the blonde haired guy in a black suit going inside the church. “That's ‘R’”

Duo’s eyes turned to slits and he started breathing fire (figuratively of course).

“I’m gonna crush his pretty boy face into smitherins!!!” he exclaimed.

Suddenly, the sound of an organ playing was heard, and Heero saw Duo paled then flare up again.

Before he had the chance to stop him, Duo was already running up the hill to the closed church entrance.

BANG!

The doors flung open as Hilde got to the front of the altar.

“Nobody is going to marry anybody!!!” came the shout at the door.

Hilde turned around and saw Duo gasping for air at the entrance, “What the…?” shock at seeing Duo overrode Hilde's embarrassment.

“What’s the meaning of this?!” came a man’s demanding question.

Duo ignored him, “Shut up old man!”

Heero went inside the chapel and scanned the area. ‘For a wedding, this seems to be deserted (he looked around for flowers and saw none) and bare…’ he thought. Then, an awful thought struck him. ‘This isn’t a wedding… it’s a rehearsal!’ He tried to grab Duo’s arm to stop him from making a fool of himself but he was too late. Duo had already started marching up to Hilde and the guy.

Hilde saw Duo start walking down the aisle, towards herself and Richard.

“Duo! What are you doing?!” Hilde demanded as anger replaced shock.

When Duo finally reached them, he said, “You are not going to marry (Duo faced the blonde guy) this (He drew his right hand back and Hilde’s eyes widened as she saw it) jerk! (Duo’s fist connected with the man’s stomach.)”

A Woman screamed. Hilde just stared in disbelief at Duo as Richard bent over, clutching his stomach.

“Richard!” screamed one woman on the right side as she ran to the man and hugged him.

“Are you all right, baby?”

Duo’s anger grew as he saw the man hug the girl back and accept a kiss.

“Hilde’s right in front of you and you show this kind of disrespect to her?!!!” He was about the punch the lights out of the man when he heard Hilde scream at him.

“Duo that’s ENOUGH!”

‘That seemed to snap reality back to him’ thought Heero as he saw Duo stop in mid-punch with a shocked expression on his face.

“B-b-but Hilde…He…”

“I said stop Duo.”Hilde replied angrily. She went to Richard and brushed back his hair. Duo’s head fell as he looked at the scene in front of him.

Hilde stood back up. “What do you think you’re doing here anyway?!” she demanded.

With nothing more to hold on to, Duo turned to anger.

“I was trying to stop you from marrying him, dammit! (He took hold of Hilde’s arms and his face went close to her) You’re mine and nobody is going to take you away from me!”

(‘Uh-oh… Bad move Duo…’ thought Heero as he saw fire in Hilde’s eyes.)

Hilde shook out of Duo’s arm, angrier than ever. “I am not a thing Duo! And I am certainly not your property! And how did you know about today anyway?!”

Before he could stop himself, Duo answered, “I saw it in your planner, Hilde. When? When we’re you going to tell me about this?!”

Hilde’s eyes turned wide, “You went through my desk?! Without asking for my permission?”

Duo’s arms crossed in front of him, “Good thing I did too, or else I wouldn’t have known that you were just playing around with me!” he spat out.

(‘Oh Shit!’ Heero cursed at Duo, ‘Now you did it…’)

Hilde paled and started to walk away from Duo as she shook her head, trying to tell herself that this is all a bad dream.

Duo wasn’t expecting this and started to walk to Hilde. He took a hold of her arm. “Wait Hilde.”

Hilde looked at the hand on her arm then back up to Duo. He could see hate in those eyes. It made him drop his hand from her arm.

“There is no trust in this relationship, Duo. Stay away from me …” she whisphered.

To Duo, it seems as if she shouted it. He tried to talk to her once more, “Hilde-”

This time, Hilde did shout. “Stay away from me!!! I- I hate you!” emphasizing each word.

Then, she ran out of the chapel. Leaving a stunned Duo looking after her leaving form.

Heero walked to Duo. They heard tires squeal just as Heero got to Duo.

Duo looked up to his friend, and Heero was not at all surprised at the depth of hurt in his friend’s eyes.

“Come on…” Heero placed his arm around Duo’s shoulder, offering his sympathy and help at the same time.

A cough interrupted the two as they were walking. Heero turned around and saw Richard walk up to them, wiping the blood that poured out of his nose.

“Excuse me… But, I don’t think that we’ve been introduced.” He held out his hand and gave a friendly smile, “I’m Richard Lasky.”

Duo looked at the outstretched arm in disbelief and felt a growing guilt in him. He had socked the guy and he still wants to be friends?! He’s either stupid or… really nice…

Heero was the first to shake his hand, “Heero Yuy.”

The two friends saw his smile widen as he said, “Not the Heero Yuy who owns the Quazer Computers company?!” he said excitedly.

“Guilty…” was Heero’s reply.

“Well… (Richard straightened) It is a pleasure!” He turned to Duo and held out his hand.

Duo once again just looked at his hand, then up to his face. “Why are you being so nice when I just nearly punched the living daylight out of you?”

Richard laughed. “That’s because I know that it’s all a big misunderstanding!” he said cheerfully.

Duo shook his head. “Maybe Hilde is better off with you… If you can be so nice to an enemy.”

Richard laughed and once again held out his hand. “Allow me to introduce myself…”

“I already know who you are, Richard Lasky.” Duo interrupted with sarcasm.

‘There’s that smile again,’ thought Duo, it’s starting to get on his nerves.

“Yes, you’ve got the name right, but not the relationship. I’m Hilde’s brother.”

Duo was so busy feeling sorry for himself that it took him a few seconds before the words registered in his mind. Looking up in shock, he stared at Richard to see if he was joking.

“Say what?!”

“I said, I’m Hilde’s brother.”

Duo was flabbergasted! He looked at Heero for help.

“You two do not look alike.” Heero commented.

“That’s because I’m her step-brother… But Hilde and I have always been close, though not close enough that I would want to marry her.”

Duo stared at the guy in complete and utter shock… “I just punched Hilde’s brother? B-but who was getting married?”

“Hannah!” Richard called to the girl who hugged him after Duo punched him. The girl walked to him and placed a possessive hand around his waist. Giving Duo a dangerous glare.

“This is Hannah, my future wife” he said as he lovingly looked at her. Then, he looked at Duo.

“Duo Maxwell…” he said, and before Richard was able to bring his hand up, Duo’s was already there, ready for a handshake. He noticed the surprised look on Hannah’s face.

“So, you’re Duo Maxwell…” Richard said, “Hilde’s told me so much about you… (Duo looked up in panic, Richard just smiled) They’re all good things.” Duo noted that Hannah is now smiling at him, a secretive smile… Did he miss something? Other than not knowing Hilde has a brother?

“I must say, Hilde’s got good taste, Richard…” she said.

“Excuse me…” interrupted Heero… Duo looked at him, trying to grasp for anything that he knew is reality before this whole thing started.

“Was this supposed to be only a wedding day rehearsal?” Heero asked.

Hannah nodded, “Our wedding is in two weeks from now. Both of you are welcome to join us.” Richard nodded.

Duo looked up at the ceiling as pieces fell in the right corner. WDR is Wedding Day Rehearsal… H is Hannah- not Hilde…

“Oh my God! I messed it up with Hilde big time!” he said in a soft voice.

Richard patted Duo’s back, “Don’t worry, she’s probably just fuming… Once she settles back down, she’ll forgive you in a snap. Though I've never seen her this mad before...”

“No… I’ve got to go find her…I need to talk to her and straighten everything out…” Duo said as he dazedly walked toward the church entrance. Heero, right behind him, waved a good bye to the couple.

Before Duo walked through the entrance, he looked back, “I’m sorry about the commotion Richard… (Duo looked down then up again) and about that punch.”

Hilde’s brother nodded, “Go on ahead and look for Hilde. I hope you find her and straighten things out very soon!”

Finally, the church doors closed.

“Good thing this was only the rehearsal…” Hannah said in a cheerful voice. The couple looked down at them selves, seeing the blood on his shirt, then around at the shocked faces of their friends and started laughing. The absurdity of the whole episode finally dawning upon them.

~*~

Outside, just as Duo took the key out of his pocket, Heero snatched it away from him. Before Duo could complain, Heero had already opened the passenger door and shoved him inside.

Sitting on the driver seat, Heero started to talk, “Duo, (He turned on the engine) I’ve lived (he checked the rearview mirror as he backed out) through self- detonation, being bombed, shot and more. (He pushed the gear into drive) But, I don’t think I’m going to live through with you driving a car!”

At that, Duo started to laugh. Softly at first, then louder, holding the sides of his stomach. It was the only way he could express the hysteria over the past half hour.

They’ve checked with every possible place that Hilde might’ve gone, but she wasn’t anywhere. And with each place, Duo said a story about Hilde and himself. By the end of the day, Heero now know where the two first met, lived, etc...

Heero looked at Duo, sitting on the passenger seat, and saw that his friend started to loose hope.

“She hates me… she’s gone…” Duo kept muttering incoherently.

Heero pulled up at the entrance of their office. “She might’ve gone to her office to pick up the ring.” he suggested, though he has a feeling that they won’t find Hilde there.

He was correct. Hilde just checked in to tell the receptionist that she’ll be gone for a few days. When Duo asked if Hilde gave a specific date she’ll be back, the girl just shook her head.

Duo slumped to the floor with his back at the desk. Ready to just die where he is.

The girl started getting nervous.

“Also, Mr. Yuy,” she said nervously, “Mr. Winner called once again, he said it’s urgent for you to call him back…”

Glancing down at a remorseful Duo, he said, “I’ll be right with you Duo, let me make this call first.” He wasn’t sure if his friend heard him or not, but he left.

Once Quatre’s face appeared on the monitor, Heero asked,

“What happened?” as he saw the sadness on Quatre’s face.

“Wufei’s shuttle landed about an hour ago, Heero..”

“Wufei’s status?”

Quatre looked sadder, “He’s rushed at the Longsworth Hospital. Critical condition…”

“What happened?”

“Somebody was shooting his shuttle down… Heero, (Quatre looked up.) How about if you just come here, and get the whole story from the girl. She’s still a bit shaken from the whole thing and wouldn’t talk…”

Heero’s eyebrow shot up, “Girl…? I thought Wufei usually work alone…”

A small smile appeared on Quatre’s face and he said, “I guess this time, he didn’t." Quatre paused, " By the way, how’s Duo?”

Heero didn’t answer. Quatre, knowing Heero well enough, knew that something bad happened.

“All right… How about if you bring Duo with you? Trowa’s also here, (At Heero’s questioning glance, Quatre explained) He just arrived this morning… maybe they can talk to each other about broken hearts…” Quatre suggested.

“ Broken hearts? Trowa? There?” Came Heero’s barrage of questions. Quatre nodded.

“Well, it seems that we’re going to have a reunion, Quatre. Make room for two more in your mansion, we’re coming ASAP.”

A thought entered Heero’s head. Leaning into his chair he said, “On second thought Quatre, make it for three…”

A smile appeared on Quatre’s face, “You’ve got a plan.” He stated happily.

Heero nodded, “Let’s just hope it’ll work.”

Quatre nodded again, “Over and out Heero.”

The screen went black.

Heero went out of his office and walked toward the receptionist who looked at him expectantly, poised to jot down notes.

“Come on Duo. (Single handedly, Heero picked Duo up, then faced the girl)

“Tell Ms. Hilde that I took Mr. Maxwell to the Longsworth Hospital at the Gaia Colony. Look for us at the critical condition ward.” The girl nodded.

Heero looked at her seriously, “Do NOT tell her anything else except that we went to the Longsworth Hospital, Gaia Colony, critical condition ward. Understand?”

“Yes sir. You can count on it.” The girl said as she met Heero’s gaze.

Heero smiled down at her, knowing how competent she is, “I know that you will…”

With that, he half dragged Duo out of the office, and went to Duo’s flat.

Phoning the airport for their flights, Heero picked up the needed essentials and headed for the airport.

“Come on Duo, we’ve got a plane to catch.”

“Whatever…” came the hopeless reply, “Do whatever you like Heero, she hates me…”

They boarded the shuttle and waited to land at the Gaia colony.

(IMPORTANT READ THIS!!! This is where Duo’s story sort of ends. Wait! Hear me out. To understand the epilogue, you NEED to read Quatre, Trowa, and Wufei’s stories. I told you in the beginning that these stories are inter-related to each other… I hope that the other stories won’t let you down… Coming next is Quatre’s story! Till then, take care)