Chapter Two - Surreal Situations
 
Hilde's lower lip began to tremble despite her best efforts to remain calm. What
were the odds of running into Heero Yuy, of all people? She was thankful the
rain helped to hide her tears, as she straightened herself up in an attempt to
look dignified.
 
"Let go of me, Mr Yuy." Good, her voice sounded strong.
 
Heero ignored her request and took a step closer to an increasingly nervous
Hilde.
 
"What do you think you're doing here?" he growled.
 
Hilde drew back, as far away from the intimidating man as she could possibly
get, considering he was gripping her wrist pretty tight. She bravely tilted her
head to look him in the face, knowing she would have plenty of time to feel
sorry for herself later. Now she had to act strong. "I could ask you the same
thing."
As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew how stupid they sounded. Of course
he was here... for the same reason all of her and Duo's friends were! She
lowered her head and closed her eyes in defeat as Heero smiled sardonically.
 
"Yes you could. Actually, I'm here for your wedding". He shook her arm in a vain
attempt to get her to look at him. "Which brings us back to my initial
question."
 
When she raised her head to him again, Heero saw such torment and fear in the
girl's eyes that he couldn't help but relax his grip on her arm.
 
"I couldn't do it" she croaked, all purpose gone from her posture and voice. "I
just - I - I -"
She seemed to be searcing for suitable words, her mouth ready to form them, but
no further sound came out. Hilde must have realised at that moment that he had
loosened his hold on her, because she wrenched her arm out of Heero's grasp and
took uncertain steps back. He felt sure she would run off again, and he
certainly wouldn't follow - he wanted nothing more to do with the girl. In
Heero's mind now, all women were the same. Deserters.
 
But Hilde didn't run. It was like she just... gave up. They were getting some
funny looks from passers by, but neither noticed. Hilde sank slowly to the
pavement and just sat there, the rain running off her bare shoulders and ruining
her pretty dress even more. She yanked at her hairband and, along with the veil,
threw it into the road, where a passing car easily crushed it beyond
recognition. She watched with dull eyes.  
Heero was unsure what to do. He didn't want to leave her there by herself - she
was clearly in a bad way. He eventually decided the most sensible thing would be
to take her to Duo and let them work whatever issues they had out.
 
~~~~~
 
It was one of the worst things Quatre had ever had to do. Sally and Catherine
had worriedly signalled him over from a corner of the Church, and his heart had
dropped when they told him. He had offered to tell Duo himself, but definately
wasn't looking forward to it. The news would crush him, but it couldn't be put
off. Quatre had approached Duo with a gentle smile.
 
"I don't know how to tell you this, Duo. Hilde's gone."
 
Duo had sat there a moment, the same expression frozen on his face. Quatre was
beginning to think he hadn't heard and he would have to repeat himself, when Duo
put his head in his hands and visibly sagged, looking totally dejected.
 
"Oh."
 
Quatre had been announcing to the guests what had happened with a heavy heart,
when Duo seemed to snap out of it, and into action. He demanded everyone help
look for her - she couldn't have gone far, and was probably just nervous. He
could talk her round. 
He wouldn't be persuaded otherwise, and feeling sympathetic towards the young
man, most agreed to help him despite the inclement weather.
 
~~~~~
 
"Get up"
 
Heero's cold voice brought Hilde back to reality and she realised his hand had
been thrust into her face. He was offering to help her up. She took it numbly
and he hoisted her unceremoniously to her feet.
 
"You should go back to him." Heero said, trying to sound gentle. If he scared
her off, she might do something stupid in the state she was in. Not that running
out on your wedding wasn't stupid.
 
Hilde's eyes filled with fresh tears, and she shook her head vehemently. "I
can't, I told you! I -" She took a deep breath trying to find the strength she
needed to continue, the words to make Heero understand. "I just need some time,
I..."
 
"Just tell me why you ran out on him." Heero interrupted, getting frustrated.
 
"I'm not sure!" Hilde burst out. "About anything! Haven't you ever had to make
an important decision and just... I don't know... if this is the life I want."
 
"You think Duo can't give you what you want?"
 
"Yes! No - " This was coming out all wrong. Why was she telling Heero this
anyway - she barely knew him! But Hilde needed to tell someone. "He talks about
settling down, having a family, growing old together... I can't think that far
ahead! I don't want to! I want," Her face turned wistful. "...I want to travel.
See and try new things. That's why I joined OZ in the first place - the
excitement, adventure... that's one of the reasons I helped Duo when I barely
knew him."
 
In an odd way, Heero knew how she felt. But still - it was selfish of her to do
this now, waiting till the last minute so as many people got hurt as possible.
"You should never have let it get this far. You should have told him."
 
"I know that! I know... but I can't face him yet, not yet. Don't make me." Her
voice turned hard at that last sentence, and determination was apparent in her
countenance. Heero raised a brow at the sudden change. Hilde Schbeiker was full
of surprises. She was confusing, he decided he didn't want to deal with her
anymore. He looked away from her.
 
"Go then. I won't say anything to him." he let out finally.
 
Hilde was taken aback, but infinitely grateful. She smiled shakily at him. "You
know what, Heero? You're not so bad." 
He made a disbelieving sound. "Just go."
 
She turned to leave. "I'm sorry I put you in this position."
 
He shook his head. "Duo didn't even know if I was going to come. I could leave
without anyone knowing I was - even... here...." Heero trailed off as he noticed
a band of colour in the distance, stretching across the whole road. Hilde soon
noticed too.
 
"What is that?" she asked nervously.
 
It came closer. The band of colour took the form of a crowd of people holding
umbrellas to ward off the unsavoury weather: some were wearing colourful
raincoats too. Heero's superior eyesight picked out two men leading the crowd -
one with platinum blond hair talking to another, who had unusually long, spiky
bangs. Heero would know those two anywhere. Quatre and Trowa.
 
"I think it's your search party." He replied.
 
Hilde seemed glued to the pavement. They can't find you! You can't go back! her
mind screamed, but her body wouldn't move. Heero looked at her in surprise. Why
wasn't the fool running while she had the chance? She just stared in horror at
the nearing crowd.
 
"Go!" She heard him shouting, "What the hell are you waiting for? They'll be
here any minute!"
 
Hilde nodded frantically, but still made no attempt to move. Heero looked up
again desperately. They were a lot closer now. His eyes briefly met with
Trowa's. He knew he shouldn't be seen with Hilde. Duo would jump to ridiculous
conclusions.
 
"They've seen us..." Hilde breathed in defeat. "Duo..."
 
Heero cursed and grabbed Hilde's wrist again. If she wasn't going to move by
herself, then Heero was going to damn well make her!
"Come ON!" he yelled and started to run, pulling on her arm so that she would
follow him. She seemed to come to her senses and managed to keep up - at least
enough so he wouldn't pull her arm off. 
Coming to her senses also made Hilde realise how completely surreal her
situation really was. She might have laughed if she wasn't too busy using all
her breath to keep running. 
How had this happened? One minute she had been in the church, preparing to marry
Duo Maxwell, the man she thought herself in love with, the next, she was
sprinting through the roads of L2 in the pouring rain, courtesy of one Heero Yuy
(who had been who-knows-where for the past three years, not that she had ever
really known him), trying to escape her wedding congregation after getting cold
feet! Whatever happened next, Hilde decided she would not be surprised, but for
the moment, she concentrated on running away. Very fast.
 
~~~~~
 
AN: comments anyone?