1. Default Chapter

I dont and never will own zoids. Warnings: Harry+Fuma possible angsty beginning bad grammar.

The sound of a car rung through the night. The continuous hum cuting through what would have been deafining silence. The sound breifly stopped as the man who once thuoght himself "destined to be king" lifted his head and let it drop back on the steering wheel. "I was right. I was right..." he mumbuled in a voice coated in worthlesness. He'd give anything to wrong just this ounce.

Leena was with Bit. They said there was nothing between them. They said he was imaging things. They said he was parinoid. If only they were right and he was wrong.

Suddenly desert landscape was disappearing behind his sports car. He didn't remember starting the car. This fact didn't bother him. Neither did the fact that he didn't know where he was going, how long till he got there or what he was going to do when he got there.

His thoughts drifted like the land scape around him. They drifted to Leena, who he would give the world for. He would drink a gallon of acid for...well two gallons. No wait, make it three and not a drop more. Bit will be willing to too if he knows whats good for him.

His eyes were in his mind. He was partly surounded by a yellow humid haze, dark desert land scape he some how new was there in all directions. He was then at the Blitz team's base. The door was a hundred times his size so he went under. He walked through the base in search of Leena. He stopped upon hearing his name.

"So when are you going to tell Harry." it was the voice of Bit Cloud.

"I dont know..." came the sadened voice of Leena Tauros. They were sitting on a couch in the living area. Bit with his hands behind his head. Leena siting sidways face Bit with her legs up.

"What do you mean..." Bit asked trailing of." The longer you takethe harder it will be."

"I know but...It's not like I enjoy breaking peoples hearts y'know." she said her voice rising. Bit smirked.

"If you told me that anytime before last night I would have called you a liar." Leena returned the smile. leaned over and kissed him.

NOOOOOOOOOOO! Harry screamed at them but no sound came out. He yelled inside and out but still no words escaped him. The haze surrounded him and focused on his rists. They became the hands of his parents. He looked at them. His parents stood beside restraing him even though he wasn't moving. Thier eyes disappeared, they turned to stone and crumbled. He was lost in the haze again but he was follwing two beams of light. They were moving swiftly across desert landscape.

An incredeble force rocked his body back and forth with a terrible roar in attendance. Metal crumbling like paper and glass raining in all directions. The long loud sound of a car horn lifted into the night again. ******************************************** He awoke on somthing soft. his body felt like it was spining but the rest of the room wasn't. He recognized the room he was in. It was his after all But what time was it, what day was it. He sat up and tried to remember but something was trying to emerge whithin the depths of his mind. Something bad. He felt a chill. The room seemed to grow. He felt lonely and empty but couldn't fathom why.

Noticing he was only in his boxers he found his usuall red long sleved shirt and green pants on a dresser. Soon he was at the breakfast table silently woundering what he was suposed to do today. If only he knew what day it was that would be a start. Sebastian and Benjamin appeared in the door and seemed to charge toward him.

"HARRY!" they screamed in unison."Harry your up!" contnued Benjamin,"Why didn't you tell us?"

Harry looked at them confused. Why was it so important they knew he was awake? Before he could try to mouth the question the larger robot continued."We were worried sick! Are you alright does anything hurt. Do you-"

"What the heck are you guys on about?!" he half asked half yelled in typical Champ fashion. They both stood silent for a moment.

"Do you think it's possible he dosn't remember?" Sebastian piped in. "Looks that way answered." Benjamin.

"Remember what?" Harry asked concern in his voice.

"The Accident Harry." Sebastian said in a tone trying to jog the young mans memory. "We found you in half your viper the other half was in the front gate. You were returning from the Blitz team's base. What happened?"

Harry thought for a moment. He rememberd his yellow Dodge Viper. Then he remembered going somwhere but where...Blitz team's base he thouht. Turning the thoughts over in his mind. Like a crack of lightning he remembered. Memory fell on him like water fall of tar. His face drained of emotions alerting his robot servants.

He leand over, face inches from the table. Words escaped him "leena"

"I knew it had somthing to do with her!" Benjamin shot in.

"Thats why I felt a chill this mourning" Harry said meekly." I gave away my soul...so...I woke up with out it." Harry said as if figuring out a math problem.

"What?! Harry dont be so morbid."

What was he going to do now. He gave up Zoid battling. He wasn't interested in runing the Champ foundation. And now his chase after a shooting star had come to an end. *****************************

After putting together bits and pieces of Harry's morbid riddles Benjamin and Sebastian were able to figure out what happened. For the next two weeks it was the same routine day after day. Harry woke up ate breakfast but slowly. He left to sit in a random place for hours Till dinner. Then he would go and stare at the studies he was supposed to be doing but never lifted the pencil. And finaly went to sleep. If ever approached during this cycle the intruder was treated to either complete silence or morbid half poems.

The two robotic servants were at a loss. They didn't whant to contact his parents incase they just had him come home to help run the business. They were almost dead certain Harry in his right mind wouldn't whant that. Besides the robots themselves found zoid battles to be much more enjoyable.

During the middle of the next week there was a break in the cycle that gave them hope and an equal level of confusion. Harry was online sorting through his inbox. It was full of adds but there was a letter from the Zoid Battle Commission. Benjamin and Sebastian read over Harry's shoulder as he responded to it.

"Harry?" Sebastian said using Harry's name as a question.

"I couldn't say no Sebatian. It's not polite" Harry said his voice still in a world of black sunsets.

"Ooookkk." Sebastian said draging the word in his confusion. ***************************

Four days later. Harry was awoken rudley to say the least as Benjamin poured ice cold water on his face. Cold liquid ran down his back.

"AAAAhhh YAAAhaaahaaa! What the heck do you think your doing you crazy robot?!" Harry yelled standing on the bed tearing his light sleeping shirt off. The water was welling at his feet so he jumped the bed. "I told you how sensitive my back is to cold water."

The servants would have been overjoyed to here Harry sound like well...Harry if his life wasn't in danger."Harry we've been trying to get you up for three hours!" Sebastian yelled.

"Dont be ridiculous. You know I'm a light sleeper." The robots looked at him and he followed there gaze as it shifted to the stereo witch was of up full volume to the t.v witch was also full volume and on snowy channel.

Harry just walked to closet to find clothes."Harry we have to talk about that request from the Zoid Battle Commission."said BenJamin after lowering the volume on both the stereo and t.v with his extenable arms.

"What request?"

"The e-mail you got four days asking your permission to station an agent here. You o.ked it " when Harry just continued fishing for cloths Sebatian continued. "You received another the next day containing details about the operation."

"You say I read two e-mails and I don't even remember sitting at the computer." Harry stated .

"Well actually, we read the second one you were in another trance. Anyway, the agent is investigating the possibility of a BackDraft threat rumored to be not from here."

"So what. If the agent can't handle the threat the Blitz team's base is only 50 miles away. Bit will save us." Harry stated his coal colored mood in full swing.

"It's not the roumor were immediately worried about!" Benjamin said pulling Harry to face them.

"Then what?"

"The Agent is Fuma!"

"Who is Fuma?"

"The woman who piloted the Hammer Head when Dr.Layon captured you."

"What!? We've got to warn the ZBC! We've got to get out of here!"

"It's To late Harry she'll be here any minute now and the ZBC already know her history .Months after the Royal cup she was let out for good behavior and offered a job"

"How can they just go around offering jobs to crimanals!?"

"Can you stop yelling I can hear you just find?!"

"She may be a crimanal but shes very skilled and knows how the BackDraft work. So you see she has great value to ZBC." Sebastian piped in." but if she is still loyal to the BackDraft who knows what might happen. A base full of Zoids and money only 50 miles from there sworn enemy-"

"Sebastian-" Ben'jammin called trying to silence the smaller robot.

"They could kill us and hide us in the walls-" Sebastian continued his voice becoming worried."-stage attacks on the Blitz team and hide here. Wear them down till-

"Sebastian-" Ben jammin tried again but was cut off.

"No one know we were gone until-"

"SEBASTIAN!" Ben'jammin Yelled.

"Sorry"

Harry's face was draind and he was turning blue. He was half awake, still suffering from a love hang over and the BackDraft was coming to kill him. There was only one thing a man in this situation could do.

"RUN AWAY!!!!!!!!!!" Harry took heading for the closest form of fast trasportation.

"Wait Harry-" Benjamin sounded after him.

They chased after Harry but not very far cause he was half way down the stairs. He stood completly still with either hand on either rail. Both robots followed his gaze to find a woman with dark hair but not quite black. She wore a long gray over coat and a cocky smile.

Harry was frozen. To his fragile mind he thought he was being smiled at by a deamon. Then She spoke in an amused tone. "Is that how you greet all you guests?" Harry didn't know what she was getting at but he suddenly felt a chill. Was this it? Did she have a gun in that over coat or those suit cases? Suitcases!?

Man it's cold in here Harry thought he risked looking at his shirt to realize it wasn't there! Thats what she on about. He was in nothing but his long light green boxers. Harry blushed and took off to his room past his servants in search of cloths. Forgeting about conspiracys and death threats. **************************

Ahh thats all for now. See you next chapter.

	2. Chicken salad

Uh... I dont own zoids. Thanks for the review Kat42.

Well almost everything went as she perdicted. The robots now seated across from her in the living quarters were watching her every move. They no doubt know she used to work for the backdraft. The ZBC didn't tell anyone but it wasn't hard to find out. She began making movements just to agitate her audience as they waited for Harry to get dressed. Him coming down the stairs in his boxers was the only thing she didn't see coming.

Finally, the king had arived. He sat between his robots looking miffed. He had on black pants and a nice blue long sleeved buttoned shirt. She herself had taken off overcoat to reveal a slightly tight purple shirt with short sleeves barley covering her shoulders. A black dress stopping just past her knees completing the wardrobe.

"So how long are you going to be here?" Harry asked not sounding the least bit intrested. He was actually fishing for any hidden motives. His father tried to teach him to read people saying it was 'good for business'. Harry thought he wasn't any good at it but then again he knew Bit was after Leena before Bit did. The last thought locked up what little concentration he had managed to pull together for this little introduction.

"As long as it takes," she answered with the same amused smile as before.

Harry's thoughts were swirling as the small talk continued. He didn't actually hear her answers. Finally he ordered his robots to show her to the guestroom. They did so though reluctantly. Through his hazy thoughts he figured if she was trying to kill him he wouldn't mind.

Late in the evening Fuma finished setting up her surveillance equipment giving her visuals within a 50 mile radius of the champ house. In particular an abandond mine 30 miles west of the estate. Either robot had watched her every move. She hadn't seen the Champ kid since this mourning but judging by the way he tried to read her earlier he mus'nt trust her. His robots were watching her after all.

It wasn't her concern wether they trusted her or not. As long as they didn't do anything to jeopardize her mission. Taking a white wrist watch out of a open suitcase on her bed she made her way towards the smaller robot.

"When's dinner?" she asked while putting on the watch.

"Usually now but if whant anything your going to have to get it your self," he replied hotly.

"Fine," She said walking past him. He tailed after her.

Upon opening the large frigde in the kithcen Fuma was greeted with mostly vegetables. "Whats with all the grass?" she asked knowing Sebastian was behind her.

"This refridgerator is filled with a wide assortment of health produce." Fuma cringed at the word health.

"What's so heathy about starving? This cow is food," she almost grumbled." is Harry goning to be eating know?" she asked as an after thought.

"No. Harry is in the middle of his studies."

Harry was in his study room. His language arts book was opened to page 347 but you couldn't see that and neither could he. His forehead was aginst his desk and the book on the back of his head.

"Studing makes you hungry. I'll make him some too," Fuma said to Sebastian. Full intent on annoying the little robot.

"What do you think I'm here for?" exclaimed Sebastian voice a tad below a shout. He had a funny voice Fuma thought.

"I thought you were here to serve your master and his guests," Fuma answered camly referring to him telling her to make her own dinner. Sebastian was about to retort but fell short of a come back. Fuma just smiled at this.

"Fine!"he said moving next to Fuma and infront of the food she took out of the fridge. He picked up a recipe card. "Hmm... chicken salad. You read the ingredients," he handed Fuma the card.

Fuma read the ingrediants,"1/4 cup white wine vinegar... 2 tablespoons water... 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil..." While Sebastian collected every thing." 1/8 teaspoon salt" She continued, "Poisin berries...

"Poisin berries poisin berreis..." Sebastian said to himself looking through the items on the counter. " I dont see the- Hey wait a minute!"

A short time later Fuma emerged from the kitchen with two plates of chicken salad. She studied her watch for a moment before heading to Harry's study room.

Harry didn't realize he was hearing footsteps until they stopped. Taking the book off his head and looking strait across from him was the waiting smile of Fuma. She was sitting in the instuctors seat of the odd two person desk . She placed a plate infront of him. He looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time today. "Something wrong?" she asked.

"Are you going to kill me?" he asked out of the blue with out much life to his voice. Fuma was a little shocked.

"Uh- no."

"Isn't that what a killer would say?" he asked in the same tone.

"Well then what would an innocent girl say?" Girl? For some reason Harry's mind stayed on that word longer than necessary. Was it because the suspected killer called herself a girl? "Point taken," he said finally still no change in voice.

"Gee, you almost sound dissapointed." She said digging her fork in her chicken salad. Maybe he was Harry thought. Or maybe he's just feeling so sorry for himself another more persistent thouhgt pushed through. He looked at the plate in front of him but felt nothing that resembled hunger.

"How do you plan to go about your investigation?" he asked changing the subject deliberately.

"I've set up servailece equipment," she replied half woundering why he asked. He had asked her that this mourning. Must not have been able to think of any thing else to talk about she thought.

"Who's watching it while your in here?" Harry asked. Fuma showed him her whatch.

"This will alert me of any suspiciuos movement." It looked like as ordinary watch. "Are you alright?" light concern in her voice. He never seemed intrested in the answers to his own questions. "You dont have to eat that if you dont whant too. I wont be offended your robot made it."

"It's not that..."

"Then what?" she persisted her soft eyes still on him. Trapping him. He didn't like where this was going but at the same time couldn't understand why. Well she was a stanger. But those concerned human eyes... ahh! Your pathetic champ he thought. His mind was jolted by an irritaitingly loud buzz. It was Fuma's watch.

"Exuse me," She made her way swiftly out of the room.

	3. Let go

Disclaimer: I dont own Zoids. Thank you reviewers and future reviewers! I appreciate it. Thanks Mookie I'll keep all that in mind.( I put that in a reveiw but it didn't show up right~_^) last chapter was kinda sloppy.

Fuma entered the guestroom, swiftly making her way to the tv. The ZBC's latest satillite equipment was attached to it. She looked at the screen to see only desert landscape. That cant be right she thought. She looked at her laptop that was also connected to the tv. just as her fingers tutched the keyboard an image appered.

It was a black Zaber Fang. It was facing Fuma on the screen. Fuma's mind couldn't escape the feeling that it knew it was being watched. In a blink, it was gone. Fuma rubbed her eyes but the image didn't return.

The next mourning harry's mind was wandering his base and his body was following. For some reason, a reason beyound Harry's reckoning, he felt like a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He felt like he could see father, like a fog had lifted.

The thought of Bit and Leena ran freely through his mind but no longer did it have the effect of fire. It flowed like water. He wondered if he was getting over her or just to numb to feel himself mentally drowning.

Fuma watched him from the top of the stairs with Sebastian watching her. She had finally figured him out. She didn't really like not being able to read him. People were more unperdictable when under sress she realized.

"So that whats wrong with him," she said to herself.

"What...?" Sebastian asked over hearing her.

"The gunsipper girl dumped him," She said simply feeling satisfied with her detective work. One enigma down, one to go.

"How did you...?" Sebastian trailed off.

"Is he goning to be o.k?" Fuma asked showing light concern.

"I don't know. Why do you care anyway?" Fuma ignored the question headed down the stairs.

"I'll go ask him myself then," she said over shoulder.

"WHAT!?" he yelled trailing after her at full speed. "Dont say the L-word!" 'L-word', that had to be Leena, Fuma thought to herself.

Sebastian stopped at the dinning room door while Fuma continued in. He couldn't whatch but at the same time he couldn't stop wathcing. Fuma breifly turned in his direction and stuck her tounge out at him. He could see Harry siting at the head of the long dinning room table. He seamed spaced out again.

Fuma made her way toward her target. She had seen simular exspresions on his face yesterday but know she knew its source. Fuma felt her heart twist with a slight pang of guilt. She only came in here to annoy Sebastian. He looked so love lost she wanted to take his pain away.

'I do? I guess I do.' Fuma thought to herself. She wan't one for arguing with her thoughts and emotions no matter how strange they seem at times.

She sat down in a seat near his. He looked at her with confusion but not much surprise. "Are you alright?" she asked really not knowing how esle to start this conversation.

"What?" Harry was startled from his thoughts. Um I-I'm fine."

Fuma looked at him and through his words. He knew he was found out. He looked at his hands as silence replaced words. "O.k, I'm not fine. Happy now?" There was a litte bit of a snap at the end of his words. Sebastian winched.

"You shouldn't keep negative feelings to your self." she said matter-of- factly. 'To myself' Harry thoughtto himself.

"I don't. I told my robots all about it. Right Sebastian?" Harry responded.

"Well..." Sebastian started while trying to find a way to back Harry. "You did say something about the five rings of hell." He said half in memory of some of Harry's dark words.

"It was six!" Harry almost yelled in corection. Fuma seemed as amused as ever. She had managed to liven him up. Harry felt like he was under a knife. Why was she interrogating him anyway.

Harry crossed his arms and looked miffed at his robots lack of support. "She left me for another guy." He blurted out. It had been true all this time but saying it know...it felt like it happened to some one else. Well she didn't actually leave him but details details...

Fuma grimaced inside and gave Harry a silent apology with her eyes. Upon receiving it Harry felt like she was giving him sympathy for the wrong reason. "Well we weren't actually dating..."his voice half in memory of his quest for a shooting star.

"Oh I see how it is." Fumas's voice rising as she did from her chair.

"W-what?" Harry said not understanding her sudden change in tone. She looked at him accusingly.

"You just wanted to sleep with her." she said. Harry shot up from his seat.

"WHAT?! I-I-I'm not like that." He said with his index finger on his chest.

"AHA! Your stuttering. That means your lying." she said simply.

"I was not..." Harry stated, getting worked up.

"Its o.k Harry. I'm just kidding." she said that damn smile on her face again. Harry was still flustered and took a moment to realize he was standing. As he sat down Fuma continued. "I know how it really is with you."

"What do you mean 'how it really is.' Harry asked cautiously.

"Just like corny romance movies," Fuma clasped her hands together, placed them against her right cheeck, stared dreamingly at Harry and spoke pretending to be a man. "Oh my darling, my one and only, please forgive me. I would have called last night but..."Fuma stopped for dramatic effect." I couldn't find a... phone."

Harry felt like he was being insaulted but was fighting hard with the urge to laugh. Once Fuma picked up on this she got worse. In a fake love stuck female voice she continued," Oh my sweetness, I was devestated. But don't you own a phone?" Harry failed to surpress a chuckle so on she went. Answering herself dumbly in the male tone, "Oh yeah, I guess I forgot."

Harry was laughing aloud know and Fuma followed with a small laugh of her own. Sebastian, who was joined by Benjamin, were standing in the doorway shocked. With one swift motion Fuma was sitting in her chair again with her head and forearms on the table. Harry could only see the top of her head. She looked like a puppet who suddenly had her strings cut.

She felt silly but she accomplished her mission and silly was a good feeling anyway. After a moment of silence Harry spoke up.

"So did you find the Backdraft group last night?" Fuma, shifting into sitting position, thought for a moment.

"I'm not sure if it is the Backdraft but whoever it is, they know I'm here."

"They do?"

"Yeap. I'm using ZBC's state of the art equipment and someone hacked into it trying to play mind games."

"Do you know when they'll come for you? Or dont they think your a threat?"

"They must not be ready to go public with whatever it is they have out there."

"Will the ZBC send you back up then?"

"Not Without evidence."

"What?"

"The image they sent me was untraceble. I'll need evidence before they will send backup, espeacially all the way out here to an ex-Backdraft member." Harry Felt sorry for her that her recent employers didn't trust her. Even if they did have a good reson.

They had to be in the abandonded mines only 30 miles away. How was she suppose to get evidence if they knew she was here. If they attacked his base the ZBC, or any other local athority, wouldn't have time to save them. Harry was about to alert Fuma of his mental findings but the look in her eyes said she already knew. She got up to leave.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked her retreating form.

"To get evidence."

"W-wait. I'll go with you."

She stopped, turned and gave him a sharp look that made him flinch inward. "Why?"she asked sincerely.

"Well uh if they kill you this base will be next. We might as well combine our strength." He answered with a half truth. He was hoping to appeal to her soilder logic. Her mind seamed to work like that to him.

"Your rich. You can buy another mansion." She said correctingly and left as though she had never been. Damn! She got him he thought with his spirits droping.

Harry stared at the space she once occuppied. His gaze then shifted to the floor. She was probably going to be out numbered. Weren't they just bonding? She threw his attempts to help off like old bandages. Benjamin and Sebastian were at his side in moments.

"So what do we do know Harry?"

Harry was silent for a moment then his head rose with his voice and response,"We follow her anyway of course."

His robot companions made a metallic sign.

	4. Kablam!

Disclaimer:I don't own zoids. Thank mookie for beta reading this for me(Iknow I do!) Now my grammar is all shiny!

Deep within the mines west of the Champ base, a man in his early 40's sat hunched over the keys to his computer. Absorbed in his work, he typed nonstop, sweat giving the large bald spot on his head a glossy look. The man sitting next to him, however, was bored out off his small mind and half asleep behind his small, circular green lens glasses with lightning shaped armbands.

"Oh you like that huh? You like that don't you?! Yeah I bet you do!" the forty-year old said mockingly to the screen. "Come on you little bi-"

"WILL you cut it out?!" the other man yelled.

"What?" was the others response. "Humping the damn computer thats 'what'!?You damn freak!" The younger man yelled again. He was thin, half the other man's age, and completely bald.

"Hey!" the older man fired back. "This is a difficult system to break into. You'd be going nuts, too, if you were me!"

"You wouldn't have to be doing that if ya'd let us go kill the ZBC spy now would you?"

"Typical street punk logic. If you kill the agent the ZBC will know were here." He stated, turning his attention back to the screen. "How will they know, Dr. C?" the young man asked cluelessly.

"I'm not going through this with you again, Red. If you really want to have 'fun' so bad, get your 'boys' to stop slacking off. The sooner all those zoids are up and running, the sooner we take the Champ base," the doctor said with little enthusiasm.

"Alright, alright. I'll tell 'em. Are you going to send her another image of my zoid." Red said rising from his seat, half interested in his new objectives.

"Yes."

"If you really want to freak her out you should send him an image of your mom," Red called out as he left, laughing as if he never had before. Dr.C ignored the lewd suggestion and continued typing.

Fuma stared patiently at the radar in her warshark, dressed in her battle suit. It was a white and grey version of the Backdraft suit she used to wear. She had been watching for hours. The information she received told her that the Rev raptors she'd seen disappear into the mine earlier had returned. She watched them make their way away out of the mine.

"So this is what it's like to work for the big boys, huh, Read?" a sarcastic voice rang from one Rev Raptor to the other. The first had very cheap paint job.

"Out here playing stock boys. All that crazy scientist does is have us pick up supplies."

"And all you do is whine, Pike. How exactly are we going to take over the world with no army?" the other man challenged.

They continued in silence along a path of metal rods that Fuma guessed had something to do with how they had hacked into her equipment. After she determined they were a distance far enough from the mines, she prepared to attack. The familiar sight of three zoids marching from the Champ base greeted the evening air; Harry in his custom Darkhorn, Sebastian in a Stealth Viper, and Benjamin in an Iron Kong.

"Well isn't this a familiar scene?" Benjamin asked appearing on the screens of his allies.

"What do ya mean?" Harry asked, more interested in where he was heading than in Benjamin's actual answer.

"The three of us marching off in our zoids. Not on a run. Not on a training drill. Not even to an official zoid battle, but off in the direction to accompany a female who doesn't want our company."

"How true Benjamin," Sebastian added.

"I have no idea what you're getting at," Harry said, getting riled.

"Yes, and it's downright rude if you ask me," Sebastian piped in.

"What would your parents say Harry? Bringing home a girl with a criminal record." Benjamin lectured.

"WHAT?" Harry's voice exploded into their sound receptors. "That's preposterous! I don't want to hear another word about this from either of you."

What was with those blot bags, Harry wondered. What could have made them come to the conclusion that he was...

Harry's mind pushed around the rest of that thought. Fuma's smiling face appeared in his mind. Smiling like she knew something he didn't and wanted him guess what it was. How many times had Leena smiled at him? This isn't the time, he told himself.

A missile violently rocked the upper body of Pike's Rev Raptor. Pike and his ally turned just in time to see a warshark plow into the dazed Pike's zoid.

"What the hell is going on!" Pike screamed. "Who's attacking me?"

Bullets rained on Fuma's warshark as it dove underground again. Red looked at Pike's Rev Raptor to see it slowly getting to its feet. He checked his radar to see that the enemy was directly below him.

Fuma commanded her zoid to lock its jaws on the Rev Raptor's leg. At full speed, she charged into the other raptor zoid, submerging just as they smashed together.

"Damn! Who the hell are you?" Read shouted.

Fuma's smiling face appeared on his screen. "I'm with the ZBC. You're under arrest."

The radar alerted Fuma to three more zoids approaching from the direction the raptors had been headed. Fuma turned her zoid to face the unconfirmed zoids. She noticed the metal row of bars stopped not far from where she was. When the zoids were in range, they should have been visible. They weren't.

'They must be warsharks.' Fuma realized. 'But what exactly are they doing out here.'

Fuma commanded her zoid to charge headfirst into the first one. It darted out of the way, and so did the second one, but the last one did not stray from its course. Fuma saw that first two were dragging something that looked like a huge, cylinder shaped crate. She pulled to the left, narrowly missing the last shark. Not wasting motion, Fuma stayed her course as the other sharks all turned to pursue her. On her radar, she could see them all catching up to her.

'They must have released their cargo for more speed. If that cargo contains the supplies, the Rev Raptors must have been meeting them here. This is a halfway point. Those bars must have been cloaking the raptors from my satellite equipment while the sharks traveled underground.'

Fuma stopped her zoid as two sharks zipped by. She performed a 180, smashing into the last shark as it caught up. Unlike the other shark pilot, Fuma had been expecting the daredevil stunt, and recovered from the recoil quickly. She headed back towards the Rev Raptors. Pike and Read were standing outside their zoids. Read was trying to see the battle while Pike was screaming and cursing. Fuma's zoid swept past in a blur and Pike disappeared with it.

"Pike?" Red asked the human empty space around him.

Fuma swerved around to face the pursuing sharks. Pike was clamped between the teeth of her zoid.

"Halt! I have a hostage!" Fuma commanded.

The crusty voice, but not the image of an enemy, entered the solitude of Fuma's cockpit. "You can't do that. You work for the ZBC."

"Don't test me," Fuma said flatly.

Pike let out a yell as the jaws began to tighten.

"Wait!" The voice yelled. "Are you crazy?" "You'll find out if you don't get out of your zoids and kiss the sand," Fuma said, smiling.

'This went better than I planned. I got five of them. How's that for evidence.' Fuma's self-congratulations were cut short as one of the warsharks fired its missiles. They were too far off course to be aiming at her, and she realized she wasn't the target. The missiles smashed into the side of the mine.

"Give up babe," another, rougher, voice spoke in her cockpit. "You kill the hostage, then you'll have to kill us. If you somehow manage that, all of Neo-Backdraft will be on you."

Damn! That was it. Fuma's calm facade started to falter. The jaws of her warshark released Pike. Her mind frantically cataloged different escape plans but was interrupted.

"Feeding Frenzy!" The rough voice commanded, startling Fuma. The enemy zoids charged. Fuma desperately tried to escape but they were too close. They all locked their jaws on her zoid and began yanking and tearing at it viciously. Missiles blasted in all directions from Fuma's zoid, missing their targets.

"Stop!" a voice demanded, breaking through all the vid screens. Through the haziness of half-consciousness, Fuma could make out the face of Harry Champ.

Unpredictable, Fuma thought with light in her heart before darkness consumed her mind.

	5. The final fallen.

Disclaimer:I don't own zoids. Thank Mookie for this shiny grammar if you haven't already. Final chapter. Enjoy!

Fuma's sleeping form was lying on the guestroom bed, dressed in only a white tank top, long light green boxers, and various BandAids. Sweat covered her like a second skin, causing many of them to peel. Her slumber was rudely pierced by the irritating buzz of her watch. Instinctively she rose while reaching for it, only to find it missing. Her eyes scanned the familiar room that was lit by a single candle on the TV near her watch.

The wavering light made her mind feel like it was between the gears of a zoid engine. Wiping her brow, her hand became soaked, causing her to realize how hot it was. As well as what she was and wasn't wearing.

'They undressed me?' her thoughts jumped. She hesitantly lifted the top of the boxers that weren't hers. Upon finding that her normal undergarments seemed untouched, she calmed slightly. Looking at the numerous BandAids caused a warm feeling to manifest itself in her chest. She tried to beat it back with logic and reason.

'Stop it Fuma. It's not like they saved you to let you bleed to death.' Only partially satisfied with her self reasoning, she made her way to the door, ignoring the dizzy spell threatening to ground her.

Harry Champ sat in the blissful solitude of his roughed up Darkhorn. He had saved her as he had planned. At the expense of Sebastian's Stealthviper and nearly the little robot's life as well. They themselves had barely managed to take out two of the sharks before their retreat. Warsharks were such a pain to fight.

The Neo Backdraft were on their way, but Harry was already on a battle field in his mind. He remembered how his heart rattled against the cage that was his ribs when he'd forced open Fuma's cockpit.

'Nothing wrong,' he swallowed 'with feeling concern towards my fellow ma- er woman.' But why did he feel like he was rebelling against himself? His thoughts drifted back to when he was undressing her in the guestroom, the only light provided by a candle that Benjamin held. The only thing good thing about the black out caused by the 'Neo Backdraft' was that it had covered his crimson face at the time. Protectiveness emanated from him as he applied each BandAid.

'Noooo,' the thought slowly playing out nearly became spoken words. He pounded on a wall of the rebellious thoughts. 'Traitor? To whom?' accompanied by a brief flash of Leena in his mind. He recoiled, hitting the back of his head against his seat. He swallowed the self-inflicted poison that was her image.

A swirling fog lifted in his mind. 'What do you know about her anyway? Only that she's smart and funny and gorgeous and - STOP! If Leena didn't see anything in you, why should anyone? I was honest. I gave everything I had. I don't think...I could survive another fall.'

Eyes down cast Harry began to remove himself from the cockpit of his zoid. Dropping to the ground, Harry's gaze slowly shifted toward the door. Standing in the doorway, awaiting his attention, was Fuma.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Yessssssss!" exclaimed Dr. C, sitting at his computer. He turned to Red who was busy giving out orders. 'Bout time he got his act together.'

"I've finished!" he called out over the commotion.

Red turned and stared at him briefly like he was an idiot who should be shot. "Haven't you been listening to me! We don't need your stupid 'mind games.' She knows we're here."

"What?!"

"I'm not going to explain this again, Dr.C," he said mockingly "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a base to capture."

"Wait! You don't have the authority to make these kinds of decisions! Let me call Alteil -"

"I'm not an idiot! I don't need my uncle's approval for everything!" he fired back at the elderly doctor. "'Sides, once we get the Champ base we'll have plenty of zoids to hold off the ZBC 'til unc' gets his butt outta jail." He then turned his attention back to his boys.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry was frozen in place. His mind screamed 'run.' Fuma made her way towards him the same smile as always. That smile could enlighten a funeral, Harry thought to himself. She stopped a couple feet from him.

"Care to explain?" her soft, amused voice asked.

"Uhh... I... the..." Harry stuttered while averting his eyes, ".air conditioner...enemy cut the power."

Noticing his gaze was elsewhere, Fuma looked down, remembering her apparel. "Oh, I wasn't talking about that."

"Then what?" Harry asked, still looking anywhere but at Fuma's attire.

"Why did you save me?" Her tone held just a hint of seriousness, and her searched him. Lowering his guard. He didn't have an answer he understood himself that he could give her.

He turned away abruptly. He could sense the alarm he hadn't meant to cause her.

'Great! Now she knows something's up. She's so smart. What now? It can't be love. I'm...I was... I...Leena! What did I do to deserve this torture?!'

"Harry?" came Fuma's voice. It was hesitant, soothing, and alluring to his ears.

"Theenemywillbeheresoon," he blurted out. "I gotta get ready. There's a Warshark around here, if you think you're up to it."

"All right," she said unconvinced. She started her search amongst Harry's many zoids.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"The enemy is approaching, Red," the voice of a young man rang into Red's ears. "I can see that," he responded snobbishly. Ahead of him, six Revraptors marched side by side.

"I thought you said there were only four, Pike?"

"There were," he answered nervously.

"Oh who cares! Frag 'em." Red commanded. As the raptor zoids came within range and were shot at none returned fire. Another row appeared behind them. Four raptors and one Darkhorn.

"They must be on auto pilot," said the voice of another young man with a blue mohawk and red warpaint under his eyes.

"Thank you for pointing out the obvious Read," Red's perpetually rude voice thanked him sarcastically. Some of his men continued to fire at the approaching zoids.

"Hey hey! We need those! We need those!" Red exclaimed ecstatically. If he had any hair, each strand would have been standing up.

"Let them pass we'll get 'em later." As the first row of raptors filtered through Red's small army of 20 zoids, the Darkhorn stopped. Red's suspicions started to rise as eight of his zoids fell through the sand. The Darkhorn unloaded on any zoids still functioning after the fall.

"How coul-?" Red started.

"Must have used a Warshark to soften the ground prior to our arrival," Read quickly and calmly deduced. In the midst of the confusion, Red's men began firing at the unmanned zoids. One of the Raptors, however, returned fire. Adding to the confusion, a white, yellow and black Warshark sprang from the sands, firing missles and disappearing into the sands again.

Frustrated beyond reasoning, Red fired at the Darkhorn, narrowly missing as it took cover in the ditch the others zoids had fallen into. He turned his attention to the one Revraptor that was firing at his men. Using the strike laser claw of his black Saber Fang, he cut off its head as well as the legs of the one behind it.

"Ahhhhhh!" Benjamin's metallic voice was heard. "Ha! Before I single- handedly wipe your faces across the desert, why don't you losers show yourselves?" Red mocked. Fuma's face appeared on his screen.

"Miltin Red Alteil," she said dragging his name out slowly.

"Don't call me that!" he snapped, halfway standing in his seat. Looking at Fuma, he subdued a filthy smile cutting his face in half. "Do I know you? Please tell me I know you."

"No, you don't. But I worked for your uncle. So he put you in charge of remaking the Backdraft group? He must have been desperate." Fuma stated in a completely unimpressed manner.

"I'll show you! Come on out!" he challenged.

"Where's the fun in that Miltin?"

"I hate you mother," Red said flatly while firing randomly at the sand.

"They're baiting you, boss." Read said matter-of-factly.

"Shut up and get the Darkhorn!"

Read did as he was told and headed for the ditch in his Command Wolf. Just as he neared the edge, the Darkhorn sprang at him using advanced boosters. Read barely dodged in time and fired at it as it flew past.

Making a sharp 180, the Darkhorn returned fire. A blast from the Command Wolf hit the rhino zoid head on, causing a lot of damage. But the speed and excessiveness of Harry's galiting gun violently chipped away the face of the Command Wolf.

Slowly the battle weary Darkhorn made its way to the black Saber Fang.

Red followed his radar, chasing the oddly colored Warshark that Fuma had taken a liking to. The last Warshark on Red's side was pursuing her underground. She vaulted over Pike's Gunsniper. Seeing her surface, Red utilized his zoid's strike laser claw. Fuma submerged and continued her course past Pike while the pursuing Warshark caused a tremor, knocking Pike's zoid off its feet. Then the laser-powered claw of Red's night colored zoid decapitated it.

"AHHH! Bossssss!" he whined before the signal went blank.

"Shut up!" he yelled at the dead screen in frustration. The top part of Fuma's zoid was exposed, as a river of sand seemed to follow. It was irritation in the form of pins scratching at Red's inner will. Fuma suddenly stopped letting both her pursuers take the lead. She fired all her remaining ammo at both. The shark stopped moving when the light show was over. The Saber took every hit and fell over, but then slowly got to its feet.

Fuma didn't expect it to still be functioning but wouldn't let it get to her. She stared determinedly as Harry's Darkhorn joined her. She didn't take her eyes off her target as Harry opened fire on it.

The Saber Fang dashed to the right of the live rounds and charged toward them both veering up its claw attack. Both Harry and Fuma veered to the opposite side, but Harry's Darkhorn lost its back right leg. The tiger zoid ran at circle, avoiding Harry's pivoting galliting gun until a series of clicks replaced the sound of gun fire.

"You're out?" Fuma asked, her face appearing on a vid screen in Harry's zoid. He merely nodded, not trusting his voice. Fuma was too focused to really notice. The Saber Fang was facing them again, preparing that same old attack. Fuma face, still visible on Harry's vid screen, had gained the weight of a wicked smile. Her zoid disappeared into the sand and reappeared next to the Darkhorn's remaining leg, on the right side of its body.

"What are you doing?" Harry finally had to ask.

"Shhh," she replied.

"Giving up? Getting in line for me huh? Consider yourself lucky that I'm gonna make this fast!" Red threw out the words in a voice that was only half-sane. "Told you uncle."

Fuma's Warshark locked its jaws on the right leg of the Darkhorn.

"Hey. You're not gonna...?" Harry's voice trailed off as the Warshark picked up speed. The Saber Fang charged toward them at full speed. They mirrored this.

"RRRRAAAAhhhhhhhhhhh!" the volume of Red's voice rose as adrenaline rushed through his head. It got higher and higher as he neared his enemy.

"Uuh aaaaAAAAAHHH" the volume in Harry's voice rose with disbelief at how truly evil women were. A couple of feet and only a couple of seconds away, the space between the three of them was rapidly shrinking. The Saber became airborne in what seemed like slow motion. For whatever reason, Harry's mind was able to capture every detail but no sound. Fuma was still smiling. Always smiling. With a loud gut twisting crash, everything went black.

"Oh, so you are still alive," Harry heard a mocking woman's voice. He opened his eyes, but nothing was registering with his brain. He sat up, rubbing his eyes with one hand and feeling sand between the fingers of the other. 'Sand?' It all came back to him at once. He sprang to his feet and pointed a finger at the woman in front of him. "Were you trying to kill me?!" Fuma's smile broadened genuinely. She couldn't help it. He was so cute like this. She knew she shouldn't let her next thoughts become words but she did anyway. "We ran out of ammo?" she said innocently.

"Does my Darkhorn look like ammo?!" the pointed finger was replaced by a clenched fist shaking in her direction.

"Well..." she started, her gaze turning only to the left where two barely recognizable, to say the least, zoids were piled together. "It looks like used ammo."

Harry stared in awe at yet another death trap he had managed to survive. Fuma sneaked an arm around his neck and pulled him toward her until their cheeks touched. "Hey, we won!" she exclaimed. Harry recoiled at the contact. He once again turned away. This kick-started Fuma's mind, reminding her of her unanswered question. Looking at Harry's demeanor, her fast working mind had a good idea what kind of answer she was going to get. Her heart skipped a beat and a warmth rose up in her from head to toe. For first time in a long time she was nervous. In less than half an hour, Sebastian, who had been sent to get in touch with the ZBC prior to the battle, would return. They'd round up the Neo Backdraft members who were loose in the desert and any that were left in the mine. After that, she'd have no reason to stay. She'd continue wondering 'what if' - possibly until the end of her days. 'What if I'm mistaken. He was really into that Gunsniper chick. I'd seen him. 'Leena I love you more with every shot you fire my way.' Then again, if he's into girls that try to kill him, maybe I have a chance.'

"Harry?" she called out with some weakness in her voice. Harry's mind caused his heart to start racing. She had figured him out. 'Should have run when I had the chance,' he scolded himself.

"Why d-d-id you save me?" she asked, her voice close to a whisper. He turned to her, looking like a frightened animal. Fuma forced herself to remain still for the answer. He moved toward her, stopping inches from her face. His eyes searched for what seemed to be the answer to her own question. Then he startled her, dropping to his knees, placing his hands around her lower back, and leaning into her. She let out a breathless gasp before easing into the contact. Not knowing what else to do, she began to stroke his reddish brown hair. Harry let himself be absorbed into her warmth. Into an open heart. Letting her caress roll through him. He could have stayed like this forever, but he owed her an explanation. "You know why, don't you?" It wasn't a question. Fuma didn't answer. "You're smart, and you have a good heart that you show in your own way, and you're funny, and ...gorgeous."

Fuma's heart was set aflutter. Harry released her and stood up, looking her in the eyes. "But you knew all that. And you know why I saved you. It's because I've fallen in love with you," Harry said, watching a uncontrollable smile that made his heart flip appear on Fuma's delicate face. Tears of joy built an unstable crystal wall in her eyes. "But you already knew that," he finished.

She launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug that almost knocked him over. 'What did I ever do to deserve this? I only joined ZBC to do the same thing I did in the Backdraft group without being arrested.' A warmth he could not refuse consumed Harry. All black memories faded and disappeared, crumbling like ashes in the wind. In their place was Fuma. She was in his mind, heat, and arms. He stroked the back of her hair as she somehow held on tighter. "Is it safe to assume you love me, too?" he asked a little smug. She pulled off his shoulder only long enough to press her lips against his, shocking the daylights out of Harry. This time they did fall, but neither noticed as they stayed like this for what seemed like hours. "You know *gasp* this means you *gasp* you can't... can't try to kill me anymore," Harry said between intakes of air.

"Why not? You know you like it," she said getting to her feet. In the distance she could see ZBC zoids and other transports heading their way.

"I what?" Harry asked, not following her mentally as he followed her physically towards her fellow ZBC comrades. "Wasn't it romantic when I tied you to my Hammer head," she said in a fake dreamy voice.

"Um... no."

"But I just used you as a missile and you confessed your love for me, so what's the difference?" she asked sweetly. Smiling inwardly and outwardly at the coming reaction, they headed away from the destroyed zoids and towards the rest of their lives.

END

End file.

Lady from the Sand by Wolfkcing


Green Eyed Monster

Seeing all of the bashing that Thomas has gone through in different fanfiction over time, I thought it was only right to make something to stop and make you wonder if he really is as daft as he'd appears to be, to certain people. I don't own zoids, I most certainly don't own the characters either. Please read and enjoy.

* * *

I know what everyone has been saying about me, it's kind of hard not to. The others think that I'm a hopeless case and that I don't even see what's going on. They obviously don't know me very well, they don't _want_ to. As far as I can tell, they value my ability with machines. But as for me being another human being, I'm looked down upon. I admit, I have been teased for various things all of my life. It was always something, and this last bit has merely been another segment of it. It's a rarity that I am given credit for my work, or at least most people tend to thank Beek before me. Even when I am credited for something I have done, Van and the others find some reason to yell at me or degrade me in some form or fashion shortly after that.

The main thing that seems to be the brunt of my teasing are my feelings for Miss Fiona. It was honestly love at first sight. Those beautiful, magenta eyes, and the golden hair, she was obviously a pure soul, an angel in looks and manner. And for the most part, I have never been disappointed in that observation. No, unlike what others thought, it didn't take me long to figure out that Van at least had feelings for Miss Fiona. That's something that made us rivals for a while, even if we did get along all right when it counted. What people have failed to realize is, that I didn't only figure that out. Over time, I began to somewhere see that Miss Fiona was ignoring me, but not enough to be rude. She wouldn't let herself act like that, even when I was rude to Van.

It was by the time that I had met Rudolph and Marianne for the first time, that I finally began to consciously tell myself that she didn't care. No one would just flat out ignore you when you're confessing. Looking back, I took her silence for hope that I could possibly make her see how much I cared. Though, I suppose in reality she pretended to ignore me because she didn't want to tell me to bug off, she never was the kind of person to hurt someone like that. So, instead, I never gave up even if I knew deep down that it was a losing battle, it was the only true hope I had. The Guardian Force never truly accepted me until towards the end. However, that was also when Irvine, thinking that I was too dense to see it, tactlessly told me that Miss Fiona loved Van, not me. It was old news by then, but I still loved her. Even with all that had happened to me, all of the verbal abuse and neglect, I still cared.

Didn't they know that you just couldn't chooseif you wanted to love someone or not? Irvine's comment didn't change how I felt about her, and I don't know that if Miss Fiona herself told me the same that I would change entirely. Her silence had done more damage than had she refused me out loud at the beginning. No, I'm not going to stalk her like some people may think. Actually, even though I feel uplifted and excited when I'm around her, I long ago stepped down to let Van have her, as he should I suppose. Still, my feelings do remain, and that is what everyone finds so hilarious, so easy to point and shoot an arrow at me. I will hopefully get rid of the monster inside me one day, but until then, I can only watch from the sidelines, and hope that Miss Fiona leads a happy life...

* * *

And so it goes. Please review

End file.

Green Eyed Monster by Raftina Rune


1. Unheard

The beginning's kinda slow..please forgive me! Haha . . . I think this is sappy, but I had to write it, it was in my mind for a while.

Oh and yes, this takes place sometime before the final battle with the DeathStinger(or whatever that thing is called)..figure out a time! I haven't seen the last episodes in awhile..Boo Toonami....PUT ZOIDS BACK ON!

Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids...sigh How many times is it necessary to say this?

This fic is for all those Irvine/Moonbay fans out there!

..........................................so it starts.......................................................

The day before the final battle was crucial. The army planned, the troops prepared, and the doctors gathered supplies. Noise was impossible to get away from. And the ever thickening 'worry cloud' hung over everybody's head. The halls of the base echoed with shouts and foot steps along with the clatter of ammo scattering on the ground, dropped by nervous soldiers. Yes, everyone was busy, worrying or working on something. Except one lone mercenary.

Irvine sat in the meeting room, his legs on the table, and his eye shut. He was the only one not worried or scared, not wondering about tomorrow. Irvine sat there not caring. Oh, he was all for saving the planet and all, but disgust ran through his blood each time a solider talked like death was knocking on the door. He had heard some of them, scared and wanting to back down from the operation.

Surprised came over the mercenary when these words reached his ears. Now, not all soldiers were like this but the few that were.... The soldiers were supposed to serve without hesitation correct? He'd probably make a great soldier, his feelings often hidden, no family left and he gave himself up to death the day he became a mercenary. Irvine figured, if he died, the world would not end. His family was gone and not many people actually cared to know his whereabouts. A loner, a mercenary, according to others: heartless, sometimes cruel. Irvine's definition of himself.

Or maybe he was the one with the problem. Maybe, he was being too hard on the soldiers. Ah, well, time to cram that away in the back of his head.

His peace was shattered as the door swung open. General Herman stepped forward through the frame and glanced around the room before saying, "Hey, have you seen Moonbay anywhere?" Irvine's eye opened, his back still facing Herman and replied, "No, haven't seen her all day." Herman sighed, disappointed, and turned to leave. _"That's right, go do something else..."_

"Irvine, I need you to go find her, we plan on leaving in the Ultrasauras and she's the 'piolet'. Find her for me." And before Irvine could respond, Herman had left with other duties on his mind.

Taking in a breath, Irvine stood up, stretched and headed out the door. "Hah what the hell? Why me? I'm not under his command..damn republican army." Irvine mumbled and began his search. The long dark hallway met Irvine as he stepped outside. The mercenary scratched his head and frowned. "If I was Moonbay, where would I be?" No suitable answer came to mind so Irvine decided to roam the halls pretending he knew where he was going.

His search led him to the cafeteria, which was busy with life. "Moonbay's probably in here, flirting with soldiers none the less." And for some reason a look of disgust came over his face. Ok, maybe he knew why he frowned. Moonbay was, well, special. She was the only one who Irvine felt nervous around and the only one who could make him tongue tied.

Irvine's dark eye shifted around the room only to get glared back at by rookie soldiers. Their problem? Jealousy. Jealous that a low life mercenary got a better position in the army than they did. Whatever. He reached the refrigerator and grabbed a beer. Opening it up, he enjoyed it as the cool beverage slid down his thirsty throat. Can in hand, he continued looking for the transporter girl.

No luck was found, however. Irvine searched the whole base and turned up empty handed. Even Van and Fiona had no clues to offer the mercenary. A sigh escaped his lips as he took another sip from the can. "Nowhere else now except outside. Well that's fine with me; gotta get away from all the depression." Regaining his balance, Irvine stopped leaning on the wall and walked slowly toward the outdoors.

The night was brisk and cool as a light wind ruffled his hair. The sun was low in the sky an black clouds scattered the horizon. With a soft crunch, Irvine's boot contacted with dirt as he stepped into the evening air. A quick look around proofed that not a soul was in sight or earshot. His eye also caught the Gustav, sitting silently against the base wall, waiting to be needed again. The pink transporter hadn't been used in awhile, covered in dust, forgotten. The Zoid, alike in so many ways to the thoughts that came to Irvine's head when he approached it.

The Zoid was linked to Moonbay and apparently long forgotten feelings of the transporter girl. The Lightning Saix piolet's head was filled with memories and regrets. All the times he wanted to be alone with her. The times where he just wished to wrap his arms on her shoulders and hold her in his arms. The stories they shared while Van and Fiona slept in the back seat of the Gustav. It was disappointment to him and the weird thing was, was that if he died tomorrow against the Death Stinger all these thoughts that consumed his head would go unheard; unknown.

This whole 'searching' thing was becoming a burden. The thoughts and ideas that entered Irvine's head only made him question his actions. Should his feelings be expressed or for the protection of her heart, should they remain a mystery? _'Moonbay deserves better than a mercenary..if I told her tonight and ended up dying tomorrow....'_ "Screw it. I gotta find Moonbay and deliver the damn message. Not that Herman cares; haven't heard his whining in a while."

Looking around one last time, his eye caught his own Lightning Saix glimmering in the falling sun. A proud smile formed on Irvine's face. His ever loyal Zoid, following him everywhere. His eyes narrowed a bit as a figure moved slightly on the Siax's head. "Who the hell is that?" He trudged closer and looked up, shielding his eyes from the light. Upon further examination, he realized that it was not just any person; it was Moonbay.

...............break......................

Now Irvine's head was overflowing with questions. _"Why was Moonbay on my Saix? Has she been there all day? What's wrong?"_ The mercenary climbed up the Saix making little to no noise at all. When he finally got to the head, Moonbay made no sign that would let him conclude that she knew he was there. Not wanting to surprise her, he calmly walked up to her side and said, "Hey Moonbay."

Her head didn't turn nor did she answer right away. Moonbay's gazed was fixed on the horizon and not changing directions. When Irvine sighed and sat down she finally replied sadly, "Hey Irvine."

"That's not my usual Moonbay," Irvine stated, "What are you thinking about?"

"Tomorrow, what else?" She turned to face him for the first time. "Aren't you?"

Irvine shrugged and took a drink. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "I try not to worry."

Moonbay sighed heavily, "You never worry," she accused. "Normal people actually care about their lives..." Her voice was slightly annoyed.

"Hey, what is your problem? Am I not allowed to be the care free mercenary that you've never had any issues with before? Come on Moonbay, talk to me." Irvine's mind had completely forgotten the reason for him coming outside in the first place.

She voiced no reply. The transporter girl hugged her knees and sighed. "If you really want to know," she started to trail off but got a sharp look from Irvine, "I, I'm worried about you Irvine." Her head turned to face him only to be met with laughter.

"You, worried about me? Moonbay?" Irvine chuckled at her answer but inside a feeling that he always hid started acting up again...the feeling of being wanted.

"Shut up Irvine! Am I not aloud to be worried about you?! You, the cocky mercenary, the man people have hunted, the one who almost got killed fighting the Geno Breaker. Irvine, you've always been there for me and if you haven't noticed, we could all die tomorrow and the Death Stinger wouldn't give a shit! ..... But I would. Everyone in this whole place is worried and how can you just sit and laugh at my feelings?" Tears came running down her cheeks. She was never this emotional about things, but this battle more than any other, gave her a horrible feeling..like if something went unsaid her life could totally collapse. Irvine needed to know..that someone cared, that she cared about him!

The harsh words had stung Irvine and all he could do was look with surprise at her. Never in his life had calm and collected Moonbay ever yelled at him like that. A small sigh escaped his mouth as he wrapped his arms around Moonbay's trembling form. He couldn't find anything to say. "I'm not going anywhere," was all that came out. His right arm quietly massaged her back and she continued to cry.

Moonbay couldn't help but blush at the fact that she was against Irvine's broad chest and that he was soothing her! His care free attitude made her scream at him and yet he didn't yell back. He didn't let that mercenary pride show. _"How much has Irvine changed over these years?"_ She completed the hug and backed away. Her hands lingered on his arms for a few more seconds before she pulled them away.

Irvine studied her face for a moment. Moonbay's cheeks were red from crying, crying over him. _"Since when did she care so much? Or has she cared and I've never noticed...or was it that I didn't want to notice?"_ His hand lingered on her shoulder, squeezing it softly. In the last five minutes he had just held her tight, possibly for the last time. In the last five minutes she just made him question his decision to hide his feelings. In the last five minutes, he fell in love with her all over again. "Is this what you've been doing all day? Sitting up here worrying about me?" He expected a sarcastic remark like _"Don't flatter yourself."_ If he got that, his thoughts would go unsaid, unheard, and unknown.

She didn't want to respond at first. What to do? _"If I answer him one way, he might leave. And the other way, it could screw up our friendship."_ Her eyes met his and she smiled. How she loved his eyes. "Yes, this what I've been doing all day. Worrying about you and what I should say if I get the chance to talk to you alone. I know you can take care of yourself; you've done it for the last 18 years of your life. But, everyone has to be cared for by someone else. And," now she was just getting into the danger zone but Moonbay decided to take the risk, "I wonder about your well being, I care where you are, and especially if you're still alive."

There she said it and Moonbay searched his face for answers. _"How's he going to take it? I didn't exactly say 'I love you' but,..."_ When she got no answer and afraid of the worst, "Irvine don't you dare laugh at me again." Her eyes glared at him, forcing him to answer.

All the past hours of thinking came down to this one moment. Moonbay was glaring at him, expecting some answer, but he had no idea what answer she wanted. _"Now? Or never? Live on with her knowing? Or die in silence?"_ He battled the thoughts. _"What the hell, she's getting all sappy too."_

Moonbay was getting impatient, her mouth began to open to speak again when his hand caught her lower jaw and he forced her to look at him. "You care about me?" he asked pondering his words, he narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure? Or do you mean 'love'?" And before she could react, Irvine kissed her lightly. Always a bold guy.

The mercenary slowly pulled away and left Moonbay dumbstruck. Her eyes were wide with shock and even..happiness? "Irvine do-?" she stammered.

"No, stop right there, Moonbay." Irvine's finger covered her mouth. "I've been battling with myself for the past hours, hell no, the past few years, trying to figure you out. When I finally thought I did, you go and screw up my thought process. My feelings were never clear to me and your's were like reading a closed book. But after all this time, all that's happened, for once I'm going to ask what you feel, what you think. You know what I feel." His voice lowered as he finished, " Tell me now."

This was all happening too fast for her. Moonbay's emotions where in a jumble and his sudden kiss had shook up her heart again. "Irvine," Her gaze locked onto his._ "Why? Why now Irvine? Why, why, why?" _Moonbay was lost in her thoughts, this could be, no, this is what she wanted for all these years. Why was the little answer so hard to spit out? _It was the fear of losing him after this. _But, in the end, this chance could not be passed by."I...love you..too."

Irvine smiled slightly and wiped her tears away with his thumbs. "Good, now no more crying, Moonbay, you have nothing to worry about."

"What about tomorrow? And even after that?" He was closing in on her and Moonbay was so close to just shutting him up with a passionate kiss....to make him stop talking about tomorrow...she wanted no more thoughts on the dark future.

"Don't worry because I now have something to live for."

.........END.......................

A.N. Ack. I can't believe I did that! Hmmm, I think it's sappy, maybe a bit OOC but whatever. I'm a big fan of Irvine/Moonbay stuff. Please read and review! -randomcat23

	2. Where do we go from here?

(Looks around) Well, I never thought I would be posting a second chapter to this fic. It was meant as a one-shot but all you people wanted another chapter. So here it is. Hope you enjoy. It's just a yummy fluffy thing. Short too. No real plot, but hey, who cares? Double 'yay'.

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Zoids. I own some Sunny D's and potato chips though.

(START)

The battle turned out successful. Possibly more successful than anyone could have wished, hoped, or dreamed. Minimal casualties, small injuries. The one thing destroyed: DeathStinger. Shattered, gone, blown to oblivion. Pick a term, all fit. Only one question remained: Where do we go from here?

Another world threat was no more. People could go back to their lives, their normal lives. Fear was gone, worry was gone. Children ran in the rain, adults played cards till ridiculously late hours, laughing. The world went back to peace. Peace was where it belonged.

But would life ever return to normal? 'Normal' would never be reached again. War leaves a large scar on all those involved, it never disappears. Imprinted in everyone's lives.

The army dispersed and sent the troops home. Officers clasped hands and ran off to their own families. Guns and all weapons were placed on shelves, hopefully forever forgotten, but unlikely forgotten. Zoids were parked in hangers, waiting to be washed and fixed. Always ready for more battles.

And that left a mercenary and a transporter standing, facing each other in the desert. Their Zoids still, and battered from the battle. Both had mixed feelings: clueless, scared, over joyed, questioning. And maybe that was the problem. In the battle, nobody could say: "I'll come back for you." Well, someone could say that, but their heart would never be in it. War was unpredictable, taking lives, saving others.

So, with the wind blowing, kicking up the sand and the sun beating down on the two figures, both stood still, wondering what came next. Both never expected to come back alive.

Staring each other down, both thought, _"Where do we go from here?"_

Irvine clenched and unclenched his fists, digging his boot into the sand.

Moonbay licked her lips, her hands hanging loosely.

Their thoughts were interrupted by Van and Fiona running up and talking at once. Van with a goofy grin slapped on his face, Fiona with one to match. The Blade Ligar pilot punched Irvine in the arm playfully. "It's finally over!"

Irvine grinned, "Well, look who it is, the hero."

Fiona and Moonbay hugged and spoke quickly about the battle, new beginnings and future plans. Chatting the day away seemed to be a good way to get rid of other thoughts. Simple things were talked about as the evening dragged on: the victory, the return of peace, and hunger. . . It was sundown before Van and Fiona jumped back in the Blade Ligar, waving.

"We'll see you guys soon!" Van yelled.

Fiona added her remark, "Make sure you keep in touch! That means you too, Irvine!"

"Just keep yourselves out of trouble!" Moonbay replied.

"We will!" Fiona and Van answered in unison. One last wave from both and the cockpit closed. The large Zoid took off for Wind Colony, straight over the horizon.

Irvine and Moonbay dropped their waving arms. Here they were again. Why couldn't they just make this easy and jump in the Gustav, mimicking Van and Fiona? Simple. It's because, this was new. This was unexpected. No battle plan here. No officer to give commands.

Staring again. Unsure of what to do. Their secret feelings were out. Both knew they loved each other. So what now? Go separate ways? Travel together?

"_Where would we go?"_

Irvine took a step closer. Moonbay did the same.

"_Why is this so hard?"_

Suddenly, an idea struck Moonbay. Maybe, just maybe, it could work. If she could put their thoughts together in a few sentences, they could get over this little period of unsureness. And she knew exactly what to say.

Moonbay began humming a very recognizable tune. One she had practiced countless times. The one that said the answer to there problem. Irvine looked at her with a question in his eyes. At the proper moment Moonbay sang, the tune rolling off her tongue with such ease, it had become a second nature.

_I am Moonbay, And I am a_

_transporter of the wasteland,_

_I am just making this up as I go along._

Making it up. Sketchy. Going with the flow. She walked up to Irvine and took his hand in hers. Looking in his eyes she said, "I know what you're thinking. 'Where should we go from here?' Right? Well, then let's wing it. This is new for us."

"Making it up as you go along, eh?" Irvine smirked. Who would have guessed that song of hers would explain everything. Something so simple. His hand tightened on hers. "Fine, we'll wing it."

Moonbay watched as he lowered his head to hers and kissed him. Short and sweet. The last of the sun rays trailed across the sky, darkness drifting in. The day's heat disappeared with the light. And two lovers laid in the cooling sand, wrapped up in each others arms.

"Congratulations on the battle, by the way, Irvine." Moonbay managed to say when they broke apart.

"Yeah, you too."

Pulling him up, Moonbay walked to the Gustav and came back with cups and a bit of food. "Dinner?"

"Sure."

She poured the drink and took a seat next to Irvine on the top of a sand dune. It was amazing how within an hour's time, so much changed. The battle ended and emotions were conquered.

Somehow, the only thing that matter at the moment was the person sitting next to them. Today's fighting had taken a permanent place in the back of their heads. The awkwardness had slipped away back into a hole. All that was important was present. All accounted for. With his arm around Moonbay's shoulders, Irvine spoke, "How about a toast?"

"A toast to what?" Moonbay bit into a piece of bread.

"Here, watch." He cleared his throat. "A toast to the DeathStinger's defeat, Van's victory, and world peace." He smirked down at her, "See, that wasn't that hard." Irvine gulped down the beverage.

Moonbay thought about what he said and something struck her mind. With her head on his shoulder she lifted her glass, "To Van's victory and all that jazz." She took a sip and then added, "And for 'making it up as we go'."

Irvine glanced down at her again, laughed, and agreed with her. Raising his glass he said, "And for 'making it up as we go'."

The couple sat relaxing, gazing at the stars. With nowhere to go, and nothing to do, what better way to spend a victory's night, than watching the stars and moving forward.

(END)

Wootness. I typed this whole chapter in one day! Does it even make sense?. (Falls over) I'm not so sure anymore. I posted it quick because I'm trying to get things done before school starts up again. (Dies) Well anyway, there you have it, the chapter you guys wanted! Now this fic is complete.Please review! -randomcat23

End file.

Unheard by randomcat23