---Part 1---

The first thing that she became aware of was the pain. Not a specific joint or muscle, but waves of discomfort that washed over her entire body. Gradually, she became aware of the voices.

“And you’re absolutely sure about its lethality?” a gruff voice demanded.

“Yes,” a softer, nervous voice replied. “We have no counteragent or cure. It is absolutely fatal.”

There was a slight pause before the gruff voice spoke again.

“Good.”

Relena tried to open her eyes, to find out what was going on. However, her eyes refused to open. Everything felt so heavy and dark, even her thoughts.

‘Where am I?’ she wondered with great effort.

“Wake her up,” the gruff voice ordered.

Someone slapped her, the pain a welcomed change from the heavy darkness. She finally managed to open her eyes but it took several moments before the sneering face in front of her came into focus.

“General Isom,” she rasped, her throat raw.

A medley of images flashed through her mind. She quickly recalled her well-planned capture and the subsequent threats against peace. She tried to forget about the ensuing torture due to her refusal to cooperate. Fortunately, most of the torture was now a vague blur due to the various drugs pumping through her body.

“This is you last chance, my dear,” he said, his cruel green eyes boring into hers. “Help us. Tell me what I want to know.”

She just glared at him.

“Come on, Miss Peacecraft,” he said in a sweet tone. “You can stop this nightmare if you truly want to.”

“I will not help you,” she said, emphasizing each word.

The general smiled as if amused by her answer. However, the look vanished as alarms sounded throughout the compound. He turned from her and barked orders to his men.

“Commander!”

“Two Gundams are attacking us, sir,” the young man replied, studying a screen. “No, sir, make that three. Three are confirmed, sir.”

“Deploy our mobile suits, now!”

Relena heard the commander and the remaining men march out of the room. General Isom turned back to the young Vice Foreign Minister. The smile returned as he held a needle in her line of vision.

“So, they came to rescue you after all. Yet, your friends are too late to help you. And this will make sure that you will never interfere again.”

She made a small, protesting noise as he jabbed the needle into her arm. The fluid burned as it entered, causing her to moan. Just as quickly, he jerked the needle free.

“Farewell, Relena.”

* * * * *

Duo nodded and quickly stepped into the room, sweeping his eyes and his gun in search of any enemies. However, the sight of the room’s lone occupant made him freeze, his gun still poised to fire. His partner for this mission suddenly stopped behind him, halted by the same vision.

“Oh, my,” Quatre said quietly. Regaining control of himself, he brushed past Duo and headed straight to the medical table in the room’s center. He tucked his firearm into the waistband of his pants and quickly began working on the restraints.

Duo kept an eye on the door. Yet, he glanced over his shoulder every few moments. His violet eyes flashed angrily as he took in every bruise. ‘What kind of monsters would do that to a girl?’ he thought angrily.

“What did they do to her?” Quatre asked, brushing some of Relena’s hair from her face.

He glanced up at Duo. “She’s burning up.”

Duo’s jaw tightened and he shook his head. “I don’t know,” he replied, turning his attention back to the door. “We’ve got to get her out of here.”

Quatre nodded and finished opening the last of the restraints. He knew that they needed to get Relena to safety quickly. He scooped up the seemingly lifeless form in his arms, cursing the bastards responsible for this condition.

Duo again glanced over his shoulder, immediately noticing the fury in the Arabian’s blue eyes as he gently cradled Relena’s unconscious form to him. The Deathscythe pilot motioned for Quatre to follow him, already heading out the door. The Sandrock pilot silently complied.

* * * * *

Duo had them stop in a group of trees quite a distance from the compound. “We’re out,” he informed the others, using a communicator that he had brought with him. “Quatre and I will get her to a hospital.”

“Is she okay?” Trowa asked.

Duo sighed and glanced at the still unconscious form in Quatre’s arms. “She ain’t looking too pretty right now,” he replied. “There’s no telling what they did to her in there.”

“Get her checked out,” Heero ordered gruffly. “We’ll meet you there.”

“Roger that. Duo out.”

He put the communicator back in his pocket before turning to Quatre. An ugly bruise was bringing to form along one of Relena’s cheekbones. With some satisfaction, he briefly imagined the fate awaiting General Isom and his forces at the vengeful hands of Heero and the others.

“What me to take her for a while?” he asked Quatre, squatting beside him. “We still have quite a hike left.”

Quatre shook his head. “She doesn’t weigh a lot.”

Duo nodded and stood up. “Let’s get her some help then.”


Part I The first thing that she became aware of was the pain. Not a specific joint or muscle, but waves of discomfort that washed over her entire body. Gradually, she became aware of the voices. “And you’re absolutely sure about its lethality?” a gruff voice demanded. “Yes,” a softer, nervous voice replied. “We have no counteragent or cure. It is absolutely fatal.” There was a slight pause before the gruff voice spoke again. “Good.” Relena tried to open her eyes, to find out what was going on. However, her eyes refused to open. Everything felt so heavy and dark, even her thoughts. ‘Where am I?’ she wondered with great effort. “Wake her up,” the gruff voice ordered. Someone slapped her, the pain a welcomed change from the heavy darkness. She finally managed to open her eyes but it took several moments before the sneering face in front of her came into focus. “General Isom,” she rasped, her throat raw. A medley of images flashed through her mind. She quickly recalled her well-planned capture and the subsequent threats against peace. She tried to forget about the ensuing torture due to her refusal to cooperate. Fortunately, most of the torture was now a vague blur due to the various drugs pumping through her body. “This is you last chance, my dear,” he said, his cruel green eyes boring into hers. “Help us. Tell me what I want to know.” She just glared at him. “Come on, Miss Peacecraft,” he said in a sweet tone. “You can stop this nightmare if you truly want to.” “I will not help you,” she said, emphasizing each word. The general smiled as if amused by her answer. However, the look vanished as alarms sounded throughout the compound. He turned from her and barked orders to his men. “Commander!” “Two Gundams are attacking us, sir,” the young man replied, studying a screen. “No, sir, make that three. Three are confirmed, sir.” “Deploy our mobile suits, now!” Relena heard the commander and the remaining men march out of the room. General Isom turned back to the young Vice Foreign Minister. The smile returned as he held a needle in her line of vision. “So, they came to rescue you after all. Yet, your friends are too late to help you. And this will make sure that you will never interfere again.” She made a small, protesting noise as he jabbed the needle into her arm. The fluid burned as it entered, causing her to moan. Just as quickly, he jerked the needle free. “Farewell, Relena.” * * * * * Duo nodded and quickly stepped into the room, sweeping his eyes and his gun in search of any enemies. However, the sight of the room’s lone occupant made him freeze, his gun still poised to fire. His partner for this mission suddenly stopped behind him, halted by the same vision. “Oh, my,” Quatre said quietly. Regaining control of himself, he brushed past Duo and headed straight to the medical table in the room’s center. He tucked his firearm into the waistband of his pants and quickly began working on the restraints. Duo kept an eye on the door. Yet, he glanced over his shoulder every few moments. His violet eyes flashed angrily as he took in every bruise. ‘What kind of monsters would do that to a girl?’ he thought angrily. “What did they do to her?” Quatre asked, brushing some of Relena’s hair from her face. He glanced up at Duo. “She’s burning up.” Duo’s jaw tightened and he shook his head. “I don’t know,” he replied, turning his attention back to the door. “We’ve got to get her out of here.” Quatre nodded and finished opening the last of the restraints. He knew that they needed to get Relena to safety quickly. He scooped up the seemingly lifeless form in his arms, cursing the bastards responsible for this condition. Duo again glanced over his shoulder, immediately noticing the fury in the Arabian’s blue eyes as he gently cradled Relena’s unconscious form to him. The Deathscythe pilot motioned for Quatre to follow him, already heading out the door. The Sandrock pilot silently complied. * * * * * Duo had them stop in a group of trees quite a distance from the compound. “We’re out,” he informed the others, using a communicator that he had brought with him. “Quatre and I will get her to a hospital.” “Is she okay?” Trowa asked. Duo sighed and glanced at the still unconscious form in Quatre’s arms. “She ain’t looking too pretty right now,” he replied. “There’s no telling what they did to her in there.” “Get her checked out,” Heero ordered gruffly. “We’ll meet you there.” “Roger that. Duo out.” He put the communicator back in his pocket before turning to Quatre. An ugly bruise was bringing to form along one of Relena’s cheekbones. With some satisfaction, he briefly imagined the fate awaiting General Isom and his forces at the vengeful hands of Heero and the others. “What me to take her for a while?” he asked Quatre, squatting beside him. “We still have quite a hike left.” Quatre shook his head. “She doesn’t weigh a lot.” Duo nodded and stood up. “Let’s get her some help then.”


Part II You Shouldn't Have to Say Goodbye