Pain. Dizziness. Wet. Sticky. Red. Blood and then darkness.. . That's what befell the Deathscythe pilot on his mission with his friends. A simple mission gone awry.

Duo lay on a stretcher in an ambulance with his confidants at his side. He slipped in and out of consciousness as blood continued to gush from his chest and flow down the middle of his forehead, soaking his chestnut bangs.

The blond pilot held on to his friend's hand tightly, willing him to hang on. Quatre was the most fragile out of all the boys however by, OZ he was classified as one of the most lethal.

After what seemed like an eternity for the Arabian they arrived at the small hospital. Immediately the doctors took the longhaired boy into the OR. Heero, Trowa and Quatre were left to wait in the respective area. The gentle Sandrock pilot passed back and forth, Heero had his eyes set on the television and Trowa was reading a magazine.

The Latin boy's eyes lifted from the article and followed the passing teen. "Quatre, calm down. I'm sure he's fine." He said calmly.

"I can't."

The Japanese boy grunted as he watched the news broadcast. The perky little wench on the screen was interviewing the leader of the OZ base that they had just escaped from.

"Tell me Sir, were there any deaths?"

"Fortunately no. The rebels were in a hurry to get out, to our dismay they did escape. However our newest recruit managed to give one of them serious injuries." He looked directly at the camera. "If you Gundam pilots are watching this, let this be a lesson to you. Never mess with OZ. You come near any of our bases again we will bring you to justice!"

The woman smiled as she rubbed her hand up and down the man's arm. "My, such strong words from such a strong man.. . Back to you in the studio."

The Wing pilot shut the TV off with a snort. "I hate reporters.. ."

* * *

Quatre tapped his fingers on the small coffee table while his eyes were glued on the clock. Heero's eye twitched at the sound. "Stop." He grabbed the blonde's hand and glared, "Tapping isn't going to help."

"Sorry.. ."

"Excuse me!" Came a high-pitched, perky voice.

Heero's eye twitched again, turning his attention to a nurse. "Yes?"

"Your friend's okay. He's in his room so you can see him now." She walked off.

"Are all the girls on Earth like Relena?" he let go of the blonde's hand and stood. "Let's go."

"But we don't know where he is." Trowa pointed out.

"I'll find him." He wandered down the hall and found a room labeled 'Jade Raziel'. The Japanese boy walked back signaled to the other two and stepped back down the hall. He opened the door with a small creek. His Prussian eyes glanced around the room.

The space was very small and simple. One window that had pale white curtains that allowed the moonlight to enter, two chairs one in the corner and on next to the bed, a night stand and the bed.

Heero's eyes widened a little when he saw violet orbs staring back at him, "Why aren't you asleep?" he turned on the light.

"For some reason when I need to sleep I can't."

"Baka.. ."

"How are you feeling?" Quatre questioned, taking his pal's hand in his.

"Can't complain, well not until the medication where's off." He grinned.

"Thank Allah you're okay.. ."

"Stop it." Heero glared again as he broke their hands apart. "We don't have time for this." He looked at the injured boy. "Did you get a good look at the soldier that attacked you?"

"No. The hallway was too dark, the only thing I saw was the blade of a sword."

"Hn, fine. Trowa, come back with me. Quatre stay here." He turned his back to his comrades and walked out with the silent boy right behind him.

Quatre had his aquamarine eyes downcast. "Duo.. . is there something wrong with caring?"

"Yes and no. I think in Heero's case, it's not okay during war. Getting attached to somebody when you know at any moment at a time like this that they could die isn't too good for a person. I however appreciate the fact that you cared."

"Care Duo, not in pass tense."

He chuckled. "That's why you're my best friend. The others stay quiet and ignore us, so we confine in each other. Thank you." He yawned. "Well now I want to sleep. But tell me something, did you here from WuFei?"

The Arabian shook his head sadly. "We called the safe house and he wasn't back yet."

"Man, he's been gone for two months. I hope he's okay."

~~~

An OZ commander stood in front of his men. A small smirk was placed on his lips, "Pilot 02 is out of commission at this time, that deletes the stealth. Now our next target is 04. His knowledge of battle tactics and leadership can be lethal. Does anyone have any ideas?"

One of the soldiers stepped forward. "I do have a plan and this will not fail.. ." he took one more step into the light. He wore a normal OZ uniform, his black hair fell on his shoulders and his onyx eyes seemed to be void of all feeling.