you\'re a fine girl

disclaimers: They are not mine! period. and never will be!
warnings: violence, blood, and all that stuff
did I mention this is taking place in the evening? Duh! I bet not! well the sun is just starting to set and the whole chapter will take place mostly on the dark!!!!!!

 
 
 
 
 
You're A Fine Girl

chapter 5

 
 
Hilde dressed quickly and stepped into the bar. Mac grinned and handed her a sword and a flintlock pistol. He handed her a small pouch as she tucked the gun in her waist. She hung it around her neck and slipped it inside her tunic.
"Are you ready to go?"
She nodded.
"Good." He said as he dropped his apron. He reached behind the bar and pulled out a long rifle. He slipped his belt and sword around his waist.
Hilde looked at him with wide eyes. "You're coming ,too?"
He nodded.
"But why?"
He frowned at her. "It's my home too. And besides, I can't lose my best serving wench, can I?"
She slapped him and laughed.
As they exited, Mac turned to her. "Duo won't know you are there. So I'll watch your back."
Hilde smiled and nodded.

 
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Heero and his men pushed the long boats into the Ocean. They paddled through the water quietly. Duo would meet the Pirate head on as they took him by surprise.
It was almost dark as they reached the side of the ship. The fishing netting hung down along the side. Heero snorted softly. The Pirate was over confident. Did he think Duo would be the only one coming after him? His men started to climb up, but Heero waved them back. They would wait.

 
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Duo stood by the wheel as his men prepared the ship to sail into the harbor away from the docks. Several of the ships at the docks were damaged and sinking. Duo shook his head. This man had to be stopped.
He looked out and saw two men running to the gangplank and climbing up it to the ship. He recognized the bartender from the Rusty Nail, and his companion looked vaguely familiar, but he dismissed them as he turned back to the crew. He watched as the sails unfurled and puffed with the wind. He steered the ship away from the dock and into the open water. He took a deep breath, enthralled with the feeling of the sea and the power he possessed. He would defeat the pirate and return to Hilde.
~~~~~

Hilde stood behind Mac, in his shadow, so Duo wouldn't recognize her until they were out to sea. She didn't want to be sent back. She sighed. Sailors were so superstitious about women on their ships and she didn't want to cause a panic.
She leaned over the rail and looked at the water as it moved by. She could feel the dampness in the air as the wind blew over her face , ruffling her hair.
Mac nudged her, and whispered. "Act sick, He's coming over here."
She grinned and pretended she was wretching into the water. She heard Duo's soft tenor voice as he talked to Mac.
"Hm. First time for your friend on a ship?"
Mac nodded, "Yeah, but he wanted to help."
Duo reached over and patted Hilde on the shoulder. "Hang in there. It will pass."
She grunted a quiet thank you and continued to pretend.
"OK, he's gone." Mac whispered.
Hilde turned around and sighed. "God, that was close!"

The rest of the short ride was uneventful. Duo stood by the wheel and grinned as soon as Zech's ship came into view.
When they were close enough he hollered across the water.
"ZECHS! I AM HERE! LET"S FINISH THIS NOW!"
Zechs stood at his wheel and turned to Duo and grinned . He pulled his sword as the two ships bumped together. There was yelling and screaming as men clamored over railings to the Pirate's ship.
Hilde drew her sword as did Mac. They fought side by side , slashing and stabbing as the blood flowed freely. Hilde grinned as she recognized Heero and his men climbing up over the railing. She looked at him. Their eyes locked and he looked shocked as he recognized her. He looked over at Duo who was trying to get to Zechs but was being pushed back by other pirates.
He realized Duo didn't know she as there, and he was determined to get her off the ship.

Hilde turned from him and continued to fight. Her arm was getting tired and she was covered with blood. Mac stood by her side until he was run through by a pirate who caught him by surprise. He groaned as he dropped to the deck. Hilde cried out and killed the man. She dropped to her knees and cradled Mac's head in her hands.
"No! Mac! You can't die! Oh, God! NO! Who’s gonna run the Rusty Nail if you die?"
Mac coughed and spat out blood. "It's OK, Hilde. The Rusty Nail is yours. You'll find the paper work in the safe under the bar. I want you to have as a wedding present. I knew you would marry him someday. "
"What are you talking about? Save your breath."
"NO. I'm dieing, Hilde. I hope you will be happy, No. please be happy, Hilde. I have always......."
Mac slumped as his life left him. Hilde screamed in frustration. She laid him down gently. HIlde stood and turned to the first pirate she saw. She was no longer tired. Tears streamed down her face at the loss of her dear friend. She stepped back into the battle and began slashing and stabbing with a frenzy.

Heero glanced over to Hilde and saw her friend go down. She was now exposed and vunerable, or so he thought. He watched her as he saw her anger turn on the pirates. He grinned, but he still needed to tell Duo that she was here. He worked his way to his friend. They stood back to back and fought. "Heero."
"Duo. You have a problem."
"Hn. What's that."
"Your woman is here."
"What?!"
He pointed his sword over in her direction. Duo looked where he was pointing. He saw the dark haired girl struggling with a man and her partner on the deck. He growled and swiftly made his way to her.
Heero grinned and turned to face the man coming toward him.

Duo quickly dispatched the man attacking Hilde and grabbed her arm. He opened his mouth to yell at her, but after seeing her face, He pulled her into his arms instead. "You stupid girl!"
"I killed him. He came and now he's dead!" She cried into his chest.
Duo looked at the dead man on the deck. "Hilde, he came of his own free will. You didn't kill him. Zechs Marquise did. " He growled . He leaned down and captured her lips. She dropped her sword and wrapped her arms around his neck. It was a bazaar sight, seeing the two lovers kissing in the heat of the battle.
After the kiss was released. "Are you hurt? You are covered with blood!"
"As are you!" She replied, as she reached for her sword.
They looked at each other and then turned back to the battle.

 
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Zechs Marquise looked across the ship. The battle was not going his way and he needed to escape. He looked around and saw Heero Yuy's men climb over the railings. He grinned. There must be long boats down there. He inched his way over to the edge and looked down. Two boats and one guard. He smiled and he slipped his sword away and started to step over the rail.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hilde looked around as the battle began to slow, more men were lying on the deck than standing. She saw Zechs standing on the railing getting ready to climb down. She pulled her pistol out of her waist band and fired it. Then she yelled to get Duo's attention.
"DUO! MARQUIESE!!!!!"
Duo looked up and saw Zechs standing on the railing. He him him wave and jump.
"NOOOOOOO!" Duo yelled as he launched himself toward the railing following Zechs over the top.

Duo gasped as he hit the water. When he came up for air he looked around for his target. He saw Zechs climb into the empty long boat and stand . He started to swim when he heard a splash, knowing what Zechs had done.
He reached the long boat and tried to climb in. Zechs slashed at him as he grabbed the side. He let go and swam a ways a bit.
Zechs pulled his gun and fumbled with the wad and powder. He aimed the gun and fired into the water trying to hit the man in the water.
Duo swam under the boat.
He could hear Zechs moving in the boat, trying to find him.
He came up on the other side and reached up grabbing the lip and pulling with all his might. The boat flipped toward him throwing Zechs out of the boat and into the water.
Duo dived under the boat and swam to find him.
Zechs yelled as the boat flipped him into the water, the gun flying from his hand. He recovered quickly and started to swim for the boat again. Duo met him half way and they began to fight in the water.
It wasn't long before both men were exhausted. Duo swung one last time as hard as he could hitting Zechs hard on his jaw. The other man slumped, unconscience.
Duo grabbed him around the neck and drug him to the boat. As he struggled to get the pirate into the boat, ha rea reached down and grabbed at him. He allowed them to pull him into the boat and he slumped to the bottom. Soft fingers caressed hfaceface and he opened his eyes, looking into the deep blues of Hilde's .
"Hilde." He sighed. "The pirate?"
Heero spoke," He's here."
"Tie him up."
"Done."
"Ship secure? All the pirates captured?"
"Hn."
"Good. " He said as he leaned back. He reached up and grabbed Hilde's hand. He pulled it to his lips and kissed it.
"I ought spank your behind for this." He said, as he grinned at her, pulling her close to his face, "But I'd rather make love to you all night long. And I think I will." He whispered to her.

 
 
 
epilogue:

 
Hilde wiped the bar off as the door opened. She smiled at the enteree.
"Miss Relena! Hello! What brings you here?"
Relena smiled and looked around the room. "Duo. Heero sent me to fetch him."
Hilde smiled and pointed to the corner, where Duo was sitting on a chair with his feet propped on the table. "My lover," She sighed.
Relena laughed. "Would you like to come along, Hilde? The trial is coming along quite nicely. I look for them to put Mr. Marquise away for a long time. Perhaps they'll vote to hang him."
Hilde looked down at the bar then back to her friend. "No, I had better stay here. There are always thirsty Sailors around here."
Relena nodded and walked over to the napping Duo.
Hilde continued to wipe the top off as Duo slipped behind her and kissed her neck.
" I have a surprise for you when I get back!" He whispered in her ear.
"A surprise! Really? And what would that be?"
"Something that has to do with going to a chapel."
She frowned , and said, "A chapel? What ever are talking about, Duo?"
You'll see."

Two hours later.
The door burst open and several men came into the bar, including Heero and Duo.
They made their way to the bar and sat in front of Hilde.
"So fellas, what would you like. "
"Beer."
She got them their beer and looked expectantly at Duo." Well?"
He took a sip and said," Hun?"
Heero nudged him and Hilde put her arms on her hips.
"Oh, that."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. "For you my daring. "
He flipped it open , relieving the most exquisite ring she had ever seen.
"Oh, Duo! Oh, My God!"
He took he ring from the box and waited for her to take off the old one.
She stuck her hand out for him and he slipped the new one on. "Marry me?" Were hnly nly words.
She nodded as she looked again at the ring then practically jumped over the bar to embrace him in a bone-crushing hug.
"Yes! A million times yes!"
Heero grinned slightly as he watched the two of them. soon he would be doing the same thing.

 
end

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