Author: Ashkara

Rating: NC-17 overall

Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 5xSally

Warnings: lemon, yaoi, het., angst, intrigue

Disclaimer: As much as I wish I did, I don't own the G-boys. Gundam Wing is the property of Bandai, Sunrise et al. These stories are written for entertainment only- no money has been made, or is ever expected, though it would be nice... Ahem. Well... So don't sue me- I just got out of college and I don't have anything worth suing for, anyway!

Gundam Wing: Genesis Part 1

Five years have passed since the horrific wars that bound Earth and the Colonies together. In an effort to settle their differences, the leaders of the world's nations formed a solid Earth Sphere Council and pledged to work together on a glorious new project- the colonization of Mars. The contract for the bulk of the planning and building went to Winner Enterprises, under the direct supervision of Master Quatre himself.

Massive amounts of money and energy were poured into the Project and, much though everyone had been enthusiastic about it in the beginning, complaints and serious shortages had resulted in squabbling and arguments between allied governments. Some people were questioning the wisdom of going out into this new place, others coming fully out against it.

Relena Peacecraft, as the Chairwoman of the Earth Sphere Council and monarch of the pacifist Sanc Kingdom, found herself in the middle of this new conflict, the Mars Project being her monument to those who had died in the wars. Yet it has become increasingly difficult to moderate between the factions within the Council.

Meanwhile, Quatre's information network has caught a vague whisper, a hint of a possible alliance that could tear the fragile peace to pieces and scatter them to the winds...

~*~

Quatre Raberba Winner smiled as he watched the young engineer working in front of him. It never failed to surprise him- just how smart Duo truly was, beneath all the chattering. The other ex-pilot had explained it to him, once upon a time. People never suspect idiots or children. I look the one- I might as pretend to be the other, as well!

"How's it coming along, Duo?"

The braided ex-pilot looked up with a smile. He hadn't truly changed that much- he had grown a few inches and filled out some, but Duo had retained his boyish charm and beauty in full. He had matured a bit, too- he was less prone to babbling as he used to be. But Quatre suspected that there was more to that than just growing up. It was in his eyes, as well- the sparkle that had animated them was missing, replaced by a softer shine that clearly said, to those who knew him, a part of me is missing.

Duo's trademark grin flashed up at his friend as he sat back a bit and stretched. "Not bad, Q-man, not bad at all. It will take something really powerful to bust this, let me tell you! It's possible that Zero's buster rifle woulda done it..." his voice trailed off.

Quatre frowned. Heero still haunts him. It never failed- Heero came up in any way and Duo would fall silent, looking as though someone had torn his heart out and taken his soul with it. After the War ended and the gundams were destroyed, Heero had disappeared and Duo had taken off to find him. The American had spent almost three months on Heero's trail before he found him.

All the pilots had been aware of the relationship between Duo and Heero- Quatre more so than the others. There was undoubtedly love there on both sides. In fact, it had amazed them all to see the depth of feeling in their silent leader. But Heero had been... uncomfortable with showing it, to say the least. The braided pilot had stuck with his lover, despite the beatings and cruel words he had been subjected to, knowing instinctively that Heero needed someone to pull him out of his Soldier-boy mentality. And Heero had been an amazing lover- tender and affectionate at times- he had been alternately breathtaking and nightmarish. And then he had disappeared without a word.

Quatre had taken it upon himself to look after Duo when he had been seriously worked over- He could remember with horror the bruises the other pilot had endured, and the brutal rapes. That almost angelic face bruised and closed to the world... Violet eyes glowing with pain and love and something deeper still...

Quatre still hadn't worked up the courage to ask Duo what had happened when he found the other pilot again- the two had dropped off the face of the earth together for another four months before Duo reappeared, thinner, quieter and with some definite physical and emotional scars from the encounter. He was still the same Duo- cheerful and always ready with a joke, but quieter and prone to long bouts of thinking when his eyes would totally lose their glow and seem dead, for all that he was still breathing. It was a subtle difference, one that no one but his close friends, like Quatre or Trowa, would pick up on. They saw it and it hurt them terribly that he couldn't talk about it.

And Quatre had seen something then that he had never seen before- he had seen Duo cry. Through everything, the other boy had always refused to give in to his emotions quite that much; the new Duo seemed to have nothing left to hide behind. But he had recovered and Quatre had mentioned it to no one, not even Trowa.

Trowa firmly believed that the cheerful grin they had come to love was a mask for the pain Duo carried around with him inside. He had the sneaking suspicion that Duo cried himself to sleep more often than not. Both he and Quatre had watched as Duo threw himself body and soul into the Mars Project, as though to block something, or someone, else out of his mind. Neither of them had any doubt as to who the someone was.

The one positive thing in the entire business was that Relena hadn't seen Heero, either. Quatre and Trowa both knew exactly how Duo would react if he heard even rumours about that, and they didn't want to consider it.

Duo shook his head and locked his brooding away, looking back up into Quatre's face with eyes that were focused on the business at hand. "It's the perfect substance for the job- clear, so it'll let sunlight in, but so strong..." he laughed, "so strong that it'll withstand almost anything. Of course, I've yet to test exactly how much it can withstand..."

Quatre admired Duo's ability to concentrate himself, and he followed suit. "So we're gonna try to blow this stuff up?" he asked with a smile that had a distant glint of evil to it.

Duo's smile matched his friend's. "Oh yeah. I'll have the guys downstairs build us a suitable target, and then we're gonna have some fun with this one, man!"

It made Quatre happy to see a genuine smile on his friend's face as the other contemplated the idea of "testing" his work. It was amusing to have a terrorist- who had specialized in blowing things up and had been far more than just good at it- now working to create something like this. The project had been to come up with a dome substance for the Mars Project Colony, something that would be able to hold up against the impact force of one of the many meteors that tended to fall onto the red planet. Duo's project was impressive- it was strong enough to withstand almost any blast from the genre of mobile suits that were still used as protection in the Earth Sphere, and to take the impact of a medium-sized meteor and hold together at least long enough to get the Colonists into the special shelters that had been created for this purpose, underground, if not longer.

"I guess all that chemistry I did to learn how to make good explosives worked out, eh?" Duo asked with an innocent smile.

Quatre swatted at him with a fake glare on his face. "You just want to hear how good you are, Duo, how smart and all that! Well, forget it! I'm not falling for it..."

Duo stood up abruptly and threw an arm around his friend. His jeans and t-shirt combo contrasted starkly with the strict, white-coated scientific flare of the research facility, but the others there had long since come to terms with it, knowing that Duo meant no disrespect by it. "Aw, I was just kidding, Quatre! Come on- I think we should go to lunch, don't you?"

Quatre could help the smile that slipped onto his face. "Alright. Let's just drop by and see if Trowa'd like to come with, okay?"

"Sure!"

They left the facility.

~*~

Two Weeks Later...

Three suits shot out of the research facility docking bay, one darting out quickly, a loud "Yeah, baby!" coming from its pilot, while the other two followed at a slightly calmer pace. Trowa was in on one of his frequent "visits" from the circus, and had gladly consented to help the other two test the dome material.

They looked like normal Taurus suits, but no suit that had been in a repair bay with Duo and Quatre for any length of time could possibly be expected to be normal. They had upped the armour, increased the available power and updated the weapons until the suits were almost a full half more powerful than they should have been.

"Hey, Duo! Don't fly off on us, buddy, or I'll have to shoot your ass down!" Trowa couldn't help needling his impulsive team-mate a little.

"Go ahead and give it your best shot, man! Even if these things are depressingly slow..."

The other two pilots groaned. The average Taurus suit was anything but slow, but to Duo Maxwell, speed junkie extraordinaire... "Alright, Duo! You know, we have something to do here..." Quatre sighed. At twenty, Duo was still almost as bad behind a suit's controls as he had been at fifteen, and the American had been the most unpredictable, impressive pilot he had ever seen then!

Duo turned and flew back to join the three-suit formation they had agreed upon. Quatre smiled- he knew that the flight was being watched by many and that a bunch of people were about to get the show of their lives.

The target was just ahead of them. For the sake of argument, the dome piece had been fitted to an old satellite that had been programmed during the war with evasive measures, just in case. There were monitors beneath it to judge how it handled heat and radiation, not to mention impact. Computers were gathering the information- the technicians were watching the show. It wasn't everyday that three of the best pilots in the world were giving such an exhibition.

Duo's one complaint was that he couldn't put together a beam scythe to use- he was stuck with a beam sabre and cannon. It was still cool, but to Shinigami, a bit like being teased.

"Test one, direct contact with energy beam," a technician informed the pilots. They all nodded as the formation split with perfect timing.

Duo rocketed past the satellite as Quatre and Trowa approached from the sides, forcing it to shoot straight up... Taurus-1 danced in from the side, the beam sabre slashing out with the sort of accuracy that made almost all of the spectators go cold with fear- Duo knew not only precisely how strong this material was, but also the point at which it should be weakest, and he struck just there at blinding speed.

The blow rocked the satellite, but a gratified Duo smiled to himself as it held together, a light scratch to the surface and some scoring marks showing that it had been touched. "Yes! I'm the best! I'm the greatest!..."

"Cut it, Duo! Everyone knows you're smart already!" Trowa laughed back at the other pilot.

Duo's image popped up on his vid screen, a false pout playing over his face. "Aww, you guys are no fun!"

"Test two, weapons fire." Trowa nodded to Duo on the vid screen and both turned at the same time, opening fire and showering the dome with bullets from a distance, while Quatre began to close on the target, charging up his power blade as he approached...

As expected, the bullets bounced off quite easily, leaving the material still intact and in fairly good condition, if not quite as good as before.

Quatre didn't wait for the technician to announce it. His own voice came over the radio to both his fellow pilots and to the control room- "Three- resistance to superheated object collision."

He wanted to simulate it as best possible- Quatre released fields of heat energy straight at the target as he approached it, striking it with wave after wave of ionic disruptions several times the heat of the Martian atmosphere. And then he was there, heat blade swinging around in samurai fashion-

It struck the dome dead on, and Quatre pressed on the attack- the heat readings began to spike under the dome, but still held at a reasonable level- Duo joined from another angle, beam sabre stabbing forward as though to pierce through the dome and melt it down...

Apart from the temperature rise and some heavy scoring, the dome held beautifully. The techies applauded.

Duo's voice cut in- "Just one more test, then. This one isn't on the playbill, folks, so just hold tight down there! Trowa?"

Everyone looked over at Taurus-3, which had just shouldered a massive beam cannon, the one that several of the techies had seen in a separate hangar from the rest of the equipment- Duo's private testing grounds. Trowa laughed as he said, "Everyone stand back! Time to cook this thing!"

He let loose the blast. Most of the people there had never seen a beam cannon before and were completely unprepared for the sheer amount of energy that streaked out, as though flying straight out the gates of Hell at the now small-looking target. The beam engulfed it, and the readings went off the chart- heat spikes, major structural damage, de-stabilisation of the air lock... alarms were ringing off and still the techies stared out at the testing site- that kid put that thing together on his own!?

The satellite computers were already in action, restoring the atmosphere underneath the dome and calculating the damage done- the structure had somehow survived the blast! Not fully intact, though...

The three suits turned and returned to the hangar.

~*~

They were met by a number of people as they climbed down from the suits- politicians, engineers, co-workers, the media and God knew who else- as they worked their way towards the control room. Duo pulled off his helmet and carried it loosely in one hand as he walked, his mind already buzzing at what he saw. That ought to be fixable on a larger target- we'll be able to give it some extra padding for any head-on collisions, maybe even a back-up...

"Okay, let's see what we've got!" he called to the room in general as they walked in and the applause began. Quatre was sitting down in front of a computer terminal and Duo pulled up a seat next to him.

The three pilots were impressed. The damage taken had de-stabilized the internal environment, but it was the sort of thing that would have been controlled and negligible for a larger target.

The press swooped down upon the three young men in flight suits, calling out questions. Who were they? (at least, who were the other two? Quatre was well-known enough.) Were the results positive? What was the verdict? Could they meet the person responsible for this new dome material?

Quatre smiled as he strolled forward and began to field the questions with the ease of someone who had done this before. Trowa and Duo gratefully stayed behind. It had been decided in closed conference earlier that day that under no circumstances was it to become known that Duo had designed the new dome, nor that the three of them had been gundam pilots. It would have been too dangerous, both for them and for the Project.

"... So yes, it's not conclusive yet, but I think that I can say that this stuff will withstand almost anything," Quatre's glance strayed momentarily to his friends, "anything short of a gundam, at least, but since they don't exist anymore, we shouldn't have to worry about that!"

A set of cobalt eyes suddenly locked onto violet from within the media group, and Trowa felt rather than saw Duo go pale, felt a sudden streak of pain running through his comrade. He turned and caught the other by the shoulders, shaking him gently, but firmly. "Duo! What is it, man?"

Duo looked back into the group. He's gone! Just like that! Heero! Duo looked up into Trowa's face. "Heero was here."

Trowa suddenly understood the younger pilot and pulled him close in a hug, knowing that Duo would need it. Heero, you bastard! You wanted him to see you, to see that you had been watching, and then you just go?! How can you play with him like this! He felt Duo's trembling and knew that the other pilot was close to tears. One arm firmly around his shoulders, Trowa escorted him out.

Don't just run away again, Heero! Why can't you just admit what you know in your heart is true? Trowa got Duo to his room and held him close in shock, rocking him as the tears finally broke out, the tears of a soldier who felt it was weak to cry, but couldn't help it. "It's okay, Duo. It's okay..."

He kept repeating the words, rocking his friend back and forth like a child as he did. It was only later that he noticed that he was crying, too. Damn you, Heero Yuy!

~*~

Quatre didn't turn as he heard the door open behind him- he was expecting Trowa...

"How is he?"

The blond pilot felt joy welling up inside him as he recognized the voice, to be replaced in the next heartbeat by an irrational burst of anger so strong that he clenched his fists at his sides.

"Duo will be fine, no thanks to you, Heero." He turned around.

Heero had changed from the boy he remembered. He was a little taller, though not by much. He was still small, or medium build at best, but there was an unmistakable air of strength to him that any solider would have recognized. Quatre looked deep into the other pilot's eyes, hoping to see something else there- some shred of true concern- he found blankness. The Perfect Soldier. The Perfect Asshole, right about now!

Heero suddenly smiled, and the transformation was so complete that Quatre almost gasped out loud. The beauty of the other pilot's face was almost heartbreaking- he could see why Duo had given his heart and soul into this one's keeping, if only on a surface level. He looks like a God when he smiles. I wonder if this is how Duo sees him in his mind.

Quatre cleared his mind with an impatient shake of his head. "What brings you out of hiding, Heero?"

The Japanese pilot walked over to him and hesitantly pulled a shocked Quatre into a small hug. "What?! I can't just drop by for a visit?"

Quatre smiled grimly. "You're always welcome to, but your timing is just a little too good for that. You're here on business."

Heero nodded, impressed with the changes he saw in this older Quatre. The boy had grown up admirably, not just physically but also emotionally. The old Quatre would not have crossed him so early on in their conversation, nor with this much self-assurance. Damn, I've missed these guys! "Fair enough. Yes- I'm here on business."

"And to torture Duo as well, of course."

That struck Heero hard. He hadn't meant to allow Duo to see him there- it had just happened- he had been unable to take his eyes off the young man, standing there with flushed cheeks and glowing eyes, so perfect and so beautiful...exquisite. He hadn't even wanted Duo to know that he had been nearby.

He hid his anger, knowing that the criticism was deserved. "I did not mean to cause him any pain. I'm sorry about that."

"Oh, you're sorry? I suppose that makes it all better, right?" Quatre's voice was edged with sarcasm and anger and caught Heero completely off guard. He hadn't expected Quatre of all people to act like this!

He replied, "No, I suppose not." Heero's voice was unnaturally quiet, and Quatre turned to look at him. Heero looked up into the aqua eyes of his former team-mate. "I never meant to hurt him, you know that," he murmured.

Quatre's eyes narrowed. "He still won't talk about the time he came after you, when you disappeared. He still won't tell us what happened. What did you do to him?"

Heero's mind drifted back in his memory, against his will- violet eyes stared back up at him, terrified but so full of love and pain, not just his own but pain for the obvious hurt that he, Heero, was feeling. The small, beautiful body could barely move- Heero could see the agony and some part of him was screaming at him to stop and realize what he was doing...

He felt the soldier's cruel smile on his lips as he raised a fist again and repaid those eyes for their concern.

-No! don't hurt him anymore! Don't do this, Heero! It's Duo down there, kisama! Duo...

Duo? Where? Where is Duo? I must have been hallucinating or something...

Oh my God! What on Earth?! "Duo! Speak to me, come on, Duo!

"Damn me! Damn me, damn it all to Hell!" He was cradling the unconscious form in his arms- he could feel the shuddering breaths the other was taking- he could see the tear stains on his face and hear the pain in his voice as he cried out at the slightest touch- What have I done!

Heero Yuy carefully picked up Duo's unconscious form and carried him over to a bed, where he stripped the other boy down and looked in horror at his own handiwork- bruises and cuts on the clear, perfect skin, a swollen lip where it looked as if he had bitten his lover harshly and with the intent of hurting...

He felt tears on his face was he washed the cuts and soothed the bruises as best as he could. Violet eyes opened for a brief moment and bored into his, such love showing there that Heero felt his heart break in two- How could I have done this to him? Am I some sort of monster?- He gently ran one finger down the bruised cheek and kissed Duo's forehead, a light brush of his lips that, he could see, sent a shiver straight through the other boy. Duo's eyes closed again.

It was days before Duo was truly conscious again, and even then he was so sore and stiff that it was very difficult for him to move. Heero stayed away whenever he could- he couldn't bear the sight of those eyes, still so full of love, and yet so accusing and terrible- You caused this, Heero Yuy. You and none other.

In the end, he hadn't even been able to say a proper good-bye to the one person that he loved more than life itself. He had left a note- "I cannot stay here any longer- and I cannot stay with you. I hope that you will understand that I have to move on and that you will forget about me as I will forget you. Take care of yourself, H." And he had left. He couldn't trust himself any more around the violet eyed boy- he couldn't be certain that the soldier would stay away and that Duo could be safe. And he would sever the relationship, rather than lose control again.

Quatre stared at his friend in horror as Heero began to speak in a low voice, telling him about how Duo had finally caught up with him and how it had been for them, about the final beating and how close he came to truly killing Duo before he came to his senses. Quatre felt tears rising in his throat again, but he was unsure this time for whom the tears would be shed. He finally decided that they were for both of them.

Trowa made his presence known by speaking up from the doorway. "No wonder he never speaks of it."

The other two pilots turned to him, and Trowa approached, wrapping one arm around Quatre's waist as he did so. "You heartless bastard."

Heero winced. You deserve it, Heero! You saw his reaction to you today- he's probably frightened to death and thrilled at the same time...

The other voice spoke, as well- he put up a pretty good fight, too... though he's nowhere strong enough to best someone like me...

Heero shook his head violently, trying to banish the voices. "I didn't mean to let him see me- I wanted to see him. But it's pointless to argue this and what's done is done. Now I have to talk with you..."

"Just one moment!" Quatre interrupted him. "Don't you feel even the slightest regret, Heero? Does it not bother you at all to know that your lover is not far from here and half praying that you'll stay, while the other half hopes that you will go?"

"I'm not here for that reason, Quatre." Heero's voice growled the words out and Trowa's arm tightened protectively around the smaller man. "I'm here to tell you that we may have a serious problem on our hands."

Heero's eyes met Quatre's- a silent promise to talk about Duo later, when the business was over with. It must be important- despite what Trowa can't see, Heero is seriously disturbed by what happened earlier... "Alright, I'll play along. What's this problem?"

Heero sat in one of the chairs, motioning his two former comrades to take the seats near to him. His voice sank low as he spoke. "You're being watched by more than just the Earth Sphere government here. I intercepted a signal only eighteen hours ago-" he took a deep breath, "it was garbled, even after I finished cleaning it up, but I retrieved some fragments- 'Winner Laboratories, target, dome and armour.' I could only guess that someone is planning on hitting this place in the near future."

Quatre was already on his feet and calling to the security station- "Security code yellow! I want a thorough check of everything on this barge, and I mean I want it yesterday! Get moving!" He turned to face Trowa. "Where's Duo?"

~*~

Duo turned and fell into a defensive stance immediately, hearing the door open and several sets of feet come running in his direction. He relaxed a fraction of a second later. "Ya know, you guys should be more careful. I don't always remember not to attack when I'm approached like that." He met Heero's eyes hesitantly, turning slightly away from Quatre and Trowa. "Long time no see, Heero." He was proud that his voice didn't shake.

Heero didn't reply- he was staring, wide-eyed, at the young man before him, revelling in the eyes and the face and the hair and the body, but mostly in the soul he saw looking back out at him, a soul whose separation from his own had been painful and almost deadening to the rest of him. He managed a word, "Duo."

The tension between the two was so strong that it was almost painful- Quatre quickly steeped forward and broke the moment. "We've got a possible problem, Duo. Heero came to tell us about something you should hear."

Duo shook off his feelings- they would have to wait until later. His face swung back around to his former lover, eyes hardened now into business mode. An eyebrow came up- "What's this?"

Heero sighed and explained it all again, all the while musing at the changes he saw in this older Duo. He was as beautiful as ever, perhaps even more so, with his taller, more developed frame. But he was different- quieter, more prone to thinking before he spoke and really thinking things out in general. Part of the mask had been dropped- the clown was no longer the fool as well. At least, not to those who knew and understood him. Heero understood him more than anyone else.

But he saw other things, things that made his conscience ache- slight circles under the deep violet eyes, showing that he didn't sleep well or enough, a pallor to his skin that spoke of gnawing worries and fears and self-doubt. Worst of all, he looked into the eyes and saw undying love there, but coupled with something he had never wanted to see in Duo- a sense that he, Duo, had committed some sort of terrible sin towards Heero, such that the other would hate him for the rest of his life. He thinks I left because of something he did! My poor Duo! My Duo! A part of him wanted to rush forward and catch the other in his arms and never let go- the rest of him held him back.

Duo's face didn't register any alarm at the news. "So someone else is interested in our research. It's not surprising, really. Think about the implications that something like this could have for terrorists! A substance that is so strong that nothing short of a gundam would really take it apart?

"Well, that's not entirely true- there was one more test that I didn't run through out there, but that I did do in a closed lab session, and the data's on an encoded disk in my private stash." He was wearing the Cheshire cat grin again. "So there is another way. It's just not a nice one whatsoever."

Trowa had suspected that of his braided friend. "All the same, we should take this seriously- Anyone else getting their hands on it would be total pains in the ass." Quatre nodded his agreement.

Heero's eyes shifted back to Duo. "Out of curiosity, what is it called? You've kept it all so secretive..."

Duo's eyes glinted in amusement- as hurt as he was feeling, he couldn't help needling Heero on this one! "Really? You mean there's a coding system out there that even Heero Yuy can't break? Well I'll be damned!"

Heero stood by patiently as Duo broke out laughing, seeming more like his old self than anyone there had seen him in a long time. It was almost worth putting up with being the butt of the joke. "Well?"

Duo's laugh began to die down. "Ahh! Yes, um, well, we've just been calling it by our project name- Genesis."

~*~

Security had never been lax in the development facility- the pilots' pasts dictated a certain type of watchfulness that they all recognized would follow them throughout their lives. But now security was stringent, including a new security chief, whose ways became well-known and feared within two days of his arrival. Everyone else just wondered how the young Master and his friends could put up with the guy.

A technician frowned as Heero walked into the lab and over to where Duo was assisting in an experiment. Duo didn't seem to notice- "... no way, man! Gotta be stronger than that! I could cook up an explosive to tear that to pieces with stuff from a supermarket. And the acid content of the atmosphere would cause rapid decay..."

"Duo, I need to talk to you," a low voice interrupted from behind him.

Duo suppressed his reaction to it and to Heero's presence. He had avoided one-on-one contact with his former lover now for two weeks. He sighed in defeat. "Alright, just a minute."

He turned back to the scientists around him with an apologetic smile. "Sorry- I don't mean to be rude, guys, but we're talking about people's lives here and it means a lot to me."

They nodded to him, appreciating his candour and forthrightness. He followed Heero out of the room.

Heero led him to a smaller room and closed the door behind them. "How much do they know about your past, Duo?" he began, without preamble.

The braided pilot hadn't expected this question. "How many normal people can you think of who know explosives as we do? You know why Quatre pulled me in here to begin with? He wanted another person to plan an infiltration and complete destruction scenario and he knew I'd be good at it. They know I'm not Johnny from next door."

Heero glared. "And I thought you were smart! Don't you realize how much of a security risk that is? One of them gets caught, and he says 'Hey, I'm working with a gundam pilot' and the whole place goes to hell!"

Duo was grinning by now. "Ya know, it's not like anyone worthy of being called an enemy wouldn't already know that, Heero! We're keeping it quiet for two reasons- to keep Winner Enterprises legit on all this in everyone's eyes and so that Chancellor Peacecraft can point to it and tell everyone how law-abiding people are working day and night to further the cause of peace!" He found that he had advanced on the other man and backed off a little, trying to conserve the distance and perhaps retain his control that way.

Heero blinked. "I checked the security logs this morning and there was another warble, Duo."

Both of them were frowning. With the greater security, it had been apparent that getting onto the facility would be a nearly impossible task, so people had resorted to trying to hack into the main computer system and then into the individual labs. The attempts left small signals- warbles- on the log.

"I've got them putting anything really sensitive on disks and we're locking them away when they're not in use, Heero. I don't see much more we can do- We need that info to work with."

"Hn." This isn't going how you planned it, Yuy. Heero was concerned about the facility and its people, but he had invented a reason, in truth- in order to get a chance to speak with his former lover alone, when Duo couldn't hide behind one of the other pilots. He had even been working extra hours to avoid the possibility of running into the Japanese pilot on off hours- Duo was physically exhausted. It was time for the game to end.

Heero caught the other pilot's arm as he turned to leave, a jolt running through him as he realized that it was the first time since he arrived that he had come into real, physical contact with the man he loved. "No, wait a minute."

Duo turned, startled. "Nani?"

"We need to talk, Duo." He could see the confusion and fear in the other man's face, and it bothered Heero. He shouldn't have to feel this way. I've so fucked up on this one! "Sit down a minute."

Duo remained standing. "I don't know what else I have to say to you, Heero."

Duo felt his heart melting a bit from its artificial iciness as Heero looked deep into his eyes, a pleading in him that he had never seen before. And something else- fear?! "Please sit down. I won't make you stay, but I'd really like to talk to you."

Duo found himself sitting carefully, unable to take his eyes off of his... Why can't I get over you, Heero? Why in Space am I still in love with you?

For a long time neither of them spoke- it was almost as though they had both been struck dumb. Heero could no longer take the silence, and he spoke in a voice that was barely even a whisper, "I've missed you so much."

Duo was shocked, both pleased and upset, and he could feel tears stinging at the back of his eyes. He managed to get words out on the third try. "You missed me?! You're the one who left, Heero! Even after..." His voice trailed off as Duo was unable to contain a shudder at the memory of the beating he had taken. The tears fell.

Heero was across the room in seconds, his arms around the young man in front of him as he shook with shame at his tears. He pulled Duo close, every nerve seeming to come to life at the familiar scent and the silky texture of the hair. "I didn't want to hurt you, Duo. I'd never hurt you..."

"Then why does it still hurt?" The question made the braided man in his arms seem more like the boy he had come to know and love.

Heero's eyes closed and he pressed his cheek against the sleek head, feeling Duo's arms go around him, hesitantly at first, but then holding him as tightly as Duo, himself, was being held.

Both would have been happy to remain like that indefinitely, but Duo pulled back, looking both confused and wary. "If you didn't want to hurt me, then why did you leave?"

Cobalt met violet and Heero suddenly understood something that rocked him to his core. He's forgotten that I nearly killed him! He doesn't even care about that- it's his heart that took the worst hit of all... "I was scared. Scared that I would lose control again and kill you, that he would take me over again and I wouldn't be able to reach him in time..."

Heero was scared- of hurting me physically? Hell- he can't even begin to imagine the beatings this bod has taken, what I've been through! He reached out and stroked Heero's face with long, slender fingers. "You did almost kill me, yeah. But then you took such careful... you looked after me so tenderly and lovingly that I forgave you the moment I opened my eyes and saw you."

The admission was almost inaudible, but the words were as piercing to Heero as a scream. In a way, it would have been easier of Duo had screamed. I don't deserve this! If there is a god, then this is one of his angels and I've defiled him! Heero's face dropped- he was no longer able to withstand the look in the pools of indigo-violet in front of him.

A finger lifted his chin and he looked back up into Duo's face- a smile there that he would gladly have killed to see as little as a few days ago. "Maybe I'm crazy, Heero, but..." He couldn't find the words, so Duo decided to express himself more directly. He leaned in and pressed his lips against Heero's.

The reaction was immediate. Heero's lips opened beneath his and Duo nearly cried out as he tasted the familiar, beloved taste of Heero. The strong arms had wrapped around him and now held him gently but firmly. He pressed himself against Heero- they still seemed to fit together so well!

Duo came up for air and gasped at the feeling of Heero's lips on his throat. "If you... nnnn... ever, ever,... mmm... leave me again, Heero Yuy... ahh, yes... I will hunt you down... nnnnnn... and I will kill you this time."

"Deal," Heero murmured against his skin, finally drawing back to look into his eyes. The relief that Duo saw there was almost as special to him as the love that shone through it. Heero's smile was still hesitant. "Are you sure that you don't hate me?"

Duo chuckled. "Trust me, buddy, there are many times over the past four years that I've wished I could hate you!"

Heero was glad to see the attitude problem had come back. They stood and kissed again, each enjoying the feel of the other's body pressed against him. Duo finally pulled back reluctantly. "I wish I wasn't on duty right now."

Heero turned the American towards the door and lightly swatted his butt. "I wish you weren't, too. See you later."

He was rewarded with a cheerful grin and a wink before Duo left.

~*~

Duo yawned as he walked towards his own quarters- despite everything he knew about chemistry fro his explosive-making days, he still had much to learn, and he had passed a frustrating afternoon listening while scientists explained certain principles to him that he had been ignorant of. One of which threw a major wrench into his work. It would be nice to just blow something small up right about now, just to work off some of the stress...

"Hey, Duo! There you are!" He turned, hearing Quatre's greeting, with a smile.

"How's it going, Quatre?"

The blond was almost bouncing, and Duo's attention was piqued. "We're getting a visitor or two..."

Duo put on a theatrical show of deliberating something, one hand rubbing his chin. "Let's see if I can guess... I got it! Miss Noin and Zechs have decided to drop by and hang out with us..."

"Duo, you twit! You know damn well that it's Trowa and Catherine! They'll be here tomorrow night! Ooh, and Wufei, too. Though Sally can't come, too..."

Duo's grin just got goofier. "Wow! It'll be like old times, only without the lions to growl at me when Catherine stopped... Just kidding! She's great! You know I was kidding, man..."

Another voice joined them. "And maybe Wufei will refrain from calling Catherine 'onna' so Trowa won't be obliged to beat him up again..."

Quatre spun, already speaking, "I won't ask how you knew about that when you were nowhere to be found, Hee..."

Both Quatre and Duo stared at Heero as they turned, one in shock and the other in adoration. The taciturn pilot had discarded his normal outfit of jeans and green t-shirt and instead was elegantly dressed, black slacks, charcoal grey collarless shirt, the first two buttons undone, no visible weapons and no scowl. Duo was pleasantly shocked at the look- it was as though Heero had turned all gentleman on them... I could definitely live with this! He looks edible. I wonder if he is...

Quatre whistled. "Someone's looking good tonight! What's with the look, Heero? I mean, not to criticize or anything..."

He was surprised to see that Heero took no offence at all the questions and, in fact, looked to be happy he had asked.

"It's simple," Heero replied, "I thought it would be nice to dress for a dinner date."

Quatre's eyes widened as it dawned on him and he turned slowly to see that Duo's smile had widened, the other boy blushing quite red. Don't tell me they made up?! THIS IS GREAT! But if he dares to hurt Duo again...

Duo saw comprehension dawn in Quatre's eyes and laughed as he pulled the bewildered blond in for a hug. "Surprised?"

Quatre just nodded- he wasn't sure of he remembered how to speak.

Heero snorted and walked over, taking Duo's hand and pressing it warmly. "Relax, Quatre. I decided to stop being an asshole, that's it." He turned his face towards Duo. "You ready?"

Duo rolled his eyes and pointed at his clothes. "Like this? With you all dressed up? I so don't think so!"

"I think you look great as you are."

Quatre stepped back a bit, knowing that the other two weren't truly paying attention. I can't believe I'm seeing this- he looks like he used to, praise Allah! But I really don't need to hear all this... I'll give Heero another chance, if Duo will...

Duo had produced an adorable pout on his face. "Uh huh. Sure. I gotta change now, so if you'll please excuse me... Quatre?"

The blond pilot turned back to look at the other two. "Hm?"

Duo's smile was radiant and made Quatre want to hug him in happiness. "Thanks for telling me about the others- I can't wait to see them! We've got to plan something for them..."

"Not right now you don't." Quatre smiled as he saw that Heero had settled back against the wall, waiting for Duo to get his act together. "You can't keep Heero waiting too long, Mister! We'll talk later."

He turned and walked down the hall with an evil grin on his usually angelic face. I can't wait to tell Trowa about this!

~*~

Heero followed the long-haired pilot into his quarters and closed the doors behind him. He heard Duo gasp and turned, a smile already forming on his lips-

The fireplace was lit, a cheerful fire radiating heat out into the normally chilly room, the light playing on the walls and throwing shadows across... Dinner was set up on the table near the window, candles, wine and all, and smelling so good...

Duo turned to Heero, shocked and beginning to tingle in anticipation of what he felt certain was to come. "I take it we won't have to go far for our date, Hee-chan."

Hee-chan. Heero smiled- only two people had ever dared to use that nickname for him to his face. He liked to hear Duo use it, much though he'd pretended to the contrary, and Quatre, well, Quatre was a case all to his own. As he heard it now, the voice lingering over it as though it were some sort of tasty morsel, Heero felt excited as he never had.

He approached the violet eyed pilot slowly, watching as Duo's face lit up so beautifully. "Not far at all, at least, I hope." His hands reached out to the other pilot and slipped slowly, sensuously, around his hips until he could pull Duo's slender form close against him. Their faces were almost touching- Heero was somewhat surprised to find that he was slightly shorter than his lover. "That is," he whispered against Duo's lips, "if you don't mind."

Duo felt his body go weak as Heero kissed him gently- he reveled in it as Heero's tongue danced in his mouth, a slow movement that drugged him and left him trembling, barely even able to stand.

"Mind? I don't think I mind at all, no, sir..." Duo's arms suddenly tightened around Heero as he kissed back, a jolt running through him as Heero's hand slid up his back and into his hair, gentle fingers splaying through the warm mass of chestnut. He vaguely felt it as the band he had used to fasten his braid came off, and then fingers were running through his hair, and Heero let out a small moan of longing, lifting a long tress to his face and inhaling deeply.

Eyes half-lidded with desire met and a silent conclusion was reached in an instant- dinner would wait. He was unbuttoning Heero's shirt, running his hands over the smooth, warm skin underneath, bending to kiss and caress... Heero's head snapped back as Duo's lips closed around his nipple, tongue teasing and tantalizing him until he couldn't take it any more. He began to move them back towards the bed, his hands running up under Duo's t-shirt.

Duo whimpered as Heero's mouth once again found the spot where throat met shoulder and teased it with his skilled lips and tongue. The lips left only long enough for the t-shirt to disappear before they returned, coupled with the heat of flesh against flesh. Duo felt himself falling backwards onto the bed and moaned as he felt Heero's body come down to cover his, lips touching, hands playing...

Heero found the zipper of Duo's jeans and drew it down slowly, as if to test his resolve, enjoying the tension and desire he felt rising in the American pilot as the weight of his hand slid lower with such exquisite, stately slow speed. The jeans and boxers were gone and Heero pulled back to take in the sight of Duo's body beneath him, the sleek muscles, the deceptively fragile-looking slender frame, the heightened flush of the cheeks and then the glowing amethyst eyes.

Duo watched with an awe approaching worship as Heero quickly stripped away the rest of his clothing and stretched out on the bed next to him, his body radiating heat to the point that Duo would have believed that Heero was glowing before him. Heero's hands were running down over his chest and abdomen, encircling his already hard shaft gently, even as lips played over his chest and performed their exquisite form of torture to him. Duo's eyes closed as Heero's strong hands began to stroke him deeply, and he let himself go into the movement, his body moving in a lazy, sensual rhythm to match Heero's movements. The lips were moving lower, lower still-

Heero felt his own cock tighten in desire. Duo's eyes snapped open as lips brushed over the head of his cock, and Duo moaned into the pillow, his head thrashing about as Heero began to fully taste him. He had been dreaming of touching Duo like this, of showing his love just how much he loved him and had missed him and wanted him. But even his fantasies had not prepared him for the way this felt.

Duo whimpered as Heero's hand tightened on his hips, immobilizing him under his mouth and making him be still and wait for it to happen. Duo was moaning uncontrollably as Heero suddenly increased the pace, sucking less gently now as he felt Duo almost ready to come, his body tense and taught, the muscles flexing in a way that was so sexy...

Incoherent cries began to take on coherent shapes and sounds as Duo gave himself over to his lover completely. "Heero! God, Heero, nnnn... I love you, Heero, oh god yes.... Yes!"

Heero felt an ache of desire as Duo called his name again- he drank Duo's milky essence down, savouring it and knowing that he wanted still more from the long-haired creature beneath him. He could feel the lean body panting as Duo began to breath again in gasps. Releasing the softening organ, he slid up the body to the lips and claimed them for his own.

Duo was lost in the feelings he felt- he hadn't dreamed that he could ever be this happy again, and yet here he was, in bed with Heero Yuy, knowing that the Japanese boy would now take his body for his own and that he wanted it to happen with every ounce of his being. Heero's eyes, staring down into his, were dilated with passion, orbs of deep blue that were shining with such love that Duo felt his heart breaking in his chest. He pulled Heero's face down again for another kiss, his own lips and tongue possessive now as he claimed Heero for his own, his Heero, his soul mate and lover.

Heero gently urged Duo over onto his stomach, his desire now almost singing through his body and only made worse by the warm feel of skin and muscle beneath him. Squeezing a bit of lubricant from a tube next to the bed onto his finger, he worked it down to Duo's nicely muscled, rounded buttocks and the puckered hole hidden there, one finger pushed in and began to move slowly, teasing and gentling Duo into relaxing for him. Heero inserted another finger, his eyes glowing with need as he watched the boy moving under his hands, his body responding openly and with such honesty... he smiled- Duo was ready for him.

Duo cried out as Heero entered him slowly, pushing little by little into the tantalizing heat of the American's body. Heero's own voice broke as sensation took over his mind, pushing any normal process of thought away. "Oh, Duo... Duo Duo Duo Duo..."

He was saying the name over and over as he began to thrust into the heat of the willing body under him, feeling it and almost loosing his control as Duo began to thrust back to him, taunting him on with movements so exquisite that Heero felt his mind giving over to pleasure and to an image of violet eyes and full, rosy lips... his hands were tangled in the glossy silk of Duo's hair, and he used it now to pull the other boy up and against him, his arms wrapping around the slender form.

"Duo! Oh God- Duo!" Heero was aware of his lover's voice matching his own, but what was he saying...

God, this feels so good! He is perfect and he is mine and mine alone... God! I love him! Duo, I love you so much and I will be yours just as much as you are mine. You are my soul... Duo!

He is calling my name, calling to me... "Heero! Heero... nnnn, yes! Oh my God, yes, Heero!" So hot and perfect! I feel as though he could burn a hole straight through me, oh God, yes!

Duo cried out again as he heard Heero's voice- "Duo! Yes!" Heero came deep inside of him and Duo came a second time at the feeling, his whole body quivering under Heero's hands.

Heero was in front of him, lips inviting, almost begging to be taken, eyes almost black with feeling. Duo cradled the form against himself as Heero collapsed and held him close.

As he heard the other boy's breathing calm and finally settle into sleep, he felt his own eyelids dropping and he settled down, holding hero against him almost protectively. Never again, my love. I won't let you go again. You are mine and I will be yours...

~*~

Trowa held back a grin as he watched the braided pilot with Heero, the former actually trying to pay attention to the conversation while the latter did everything he could to distract his lover while still looking grumpy enough that only someone who was truly watching would have caught on. By the look on Quatre's face, he saw it, too.

Wufei himself had noticed the change in his friend immediately upon arrival. Duo had been standing there with Quatre, bouncing on his feet as he waited for the shuttle to open its doors. He looked... radiant, as he hadn't looked in years, since he had last seen... Wufei's eyes strayed to the side, where another form was waiting with a look of- if it wasn't welcome, it was at least a certain measure of pleasure at seeing him again- it was Heero!

Wufei had been there when Duo had reappeared and had seen things that Quatre hadn't and that the doctors had mercifully not told the blond Arabian. He had seen far more, including the heartbreak and the intense physical injuries that had still been healing, much though the American pilot pretended that he was perfectly well. Wufei had felt immensely proud of Duo for coming back and not running, for facing himself. He was still a loud-mouthed kisama, but a feeling of kinship had sprouted and grown until the two were very close now, both seeing certain strengths in the other that they respected. Wufei had been extremely happy to find Duo so radiantly himself again.

He was watching as well, and was quite aware of the furtive glances going between Trowa and Quatre as they all watched Duo desperately trying not to let him grin pop out onto his face. It was amusing to see Duo being the serious one!

"... so, I think we're almost ready! We've got to get past the committee, but that shouldn't be too hard, and then we're off to Mars!" Quatre's eyes were glowing as he shared the news with his friends- the final tests had come through and the plans were made- it was time.

The small Arabian's excitement was catchy, or maybe it had something to do with the fact that the five of them hadn't been together in so long, but everyone was smiling. Catherine sat by her brother and watched the looks in the room, marveling at it- were they all high, or something? She knew that Trowa hadn't been smoking anything, but even Heero was smiling?!

Duo finally lost the battle and grinned, taking Heero's hand and holding on to it as he spoke. "So now we just hafta pass committee. How long will that take?"

Wufei snorted from his seat. "That depends. How many people will you buy off?"

"Wufei!" Quatre sounded and looked shocked. "Buy off!? I would never do that!"

The Chinese pilot smiled. "Quatre, you're talking to us. We won't tell anyone!"

Trowa spoke up, mercifully saving Quatre, who had blushed a bright shade of pink. "We shouldn't have to, since the Chancellor is behind us. She should be able to keep our support together." He glanced over at Quatre and the both looked over at Duo and Heero- a private agreement had been made that the words Relena and Peacecraft were to be avoided at all costs.

Wufei shrugged. "If you say so- I personally don't know if I trust that onna but if you do..."

Everyone grinned as Wufei sneered at Relena, except Heero. Duo's smile was as bright as ever, but he felt a shiver run through him as he sensed the stiffness in his lover by his side. He realized that Quatre was looking right at him and he quickly wiped any concerns he might have had- Relena was a thing of the past!

But Quatre had seen it there and it caught him off guard as well. During the time Duo had been working on the Project, no one had seen Heero, not in Space or on Earth, and certainly not in the Sanc Kingdom. But he was aware of Duo's lingering suspicions about Heero and the obsessive but well-meaning monarch. And he could see it now.

He quickly changed the subject. "Speaking of onnas, how is Sally?"

Wufei's eyes flashed as he heard chuckles through the room. "I will be the only one to call her that, thank you! And she's fine, since you asked."

"Why didn't she come with you?" Trowa asked, trying to smother his laughter.

Wufei's face became pensive. "There have been certain threats made recently and Sally didn't want to leave their investigation up to just anyone. I almost stayed behind with her, actually..."

Duo couldn't pass up the opportunity. It was too precious- "Do you mean that you let a woman chase you away and over here to us?!"

Wufei's glare was venomous, despite the fact that he was smiling underneath it, whether in fondness for Sally or for his braided friend, it was impossible to tell. "I'm warning you, kisama Maxwell..."

"Yep, just like old times!" Duo was laughing now so hard that Catherine was almost afraid for him.

She spoke up quickly. "So when do you go to Committee, Quatre?"

The room quieted down again. "A month from now, so we have time to prepare and set up a security protocol for the job."

There was a lull in the conversation, and everyone was abruptly aware of the fact that they were sitting around like grown-ups and discussing things like normal people. The idea was so ridiculous that it was impossible to continue. Trowa bounced to his feet and took Catherine's hand. "Let's all get out of here, okay?"

Silent agreement. They filed out of the room.

~*~

The club was so loud that the very windows were shaking with every booming beat of the bass. After a few drinks, even Wufei was in his glory.

The six of them were in a little knot, surrounded by the gyrating mass of people- Catherine as almost shocked by the lack of decorum, while being pleased to see it at the same time. And dancing with these guys was... more than fun. She was in Duo's arms, laughing as he suddenly spun her and caught her expertly in such strong arms! Trowa was giving the other pilot a glowering look now as Duo let her go carefully- of all of them, he was probably the most sober- and smiled at her before turning back to Heero and being whisked away.

The throbbing music and the bodies pressed together- Trowa and Quatre moved together as though they were one body- Trowa noted with some satisfaction that Duo had actually taught the Arabian how to dance- Quatre's natural grace complementing Trowa's and setting them apart from the people around them.

And then Heero and Quatre took a break as Duo and Trowa took the floor together, the flashy mix of the American's sexiness and ease of movement combining with Trowa's acrobatic style to clear a large space around them, as people stopped to watch. Quatre himself was amazed as the two began to do flips off of each other, and he chuckled at Heero's low growl- "Baka na! So damned visible, both of them!"

He turned to the growling pilot to find him smiling absently as he watched. "They do look good, don't they?"

Cobalt eyes suddenly darted to gleam into aquamarine with a conspiratorial flare. "We shouldn't let them have all the fun, should we?"

Quatre felt a devilish grin forming and knew that he would not have been able to stop had he even really wanted to. He downed his beer and stood with a nod. They walked to the edge of the circle where the two show offs were basking in glory... Heero watched in fascination as Quatre darted in and caught hold of Trowa...

"Can't let you just stand there!" Hands grabbed hold of him and dragged him out onto the floor- Duo's hands, and he was powerless to resist.

Heero was not a dancer. In truth, he had never learned how to dance, apart from a few classy-looking moves for high-society infiltrations that were completely out of place here. But the martial artist in him was so fully-trained and instinctual that there was a natural grace about his movements- a grace that was more than matched by his partner's, as Duo dragged him out and began to whirl, an arm flying up...

Heero spun out of the way, dropping down for a sweep that the American easily avoided- it was a dance of moves that, between any other two people, would probably resulted in serious injury. It was an intoxicating feeling, as Duo spun around him-

Heero grabbed hold of the other pilot by the waist and suddenly dipped him low, in a circular motion, until the lithe pilot snapped back erect, his face now inches from Heero's. Gleaming violet eyes met his for an instant before spinning around him- he was spinning, too, and laughing as he, battle-trained pilot though he was, began to feel dizzy...

They collapsed into each other's arms.

There were people around them again- they shoved their way off the floor and collapsed into a couple seats, next to Catherine and Wufei. Duo was surprised to find the Chinese pilot flirting so openly with Trowa's sister, though she didn't seem to mind all that much...

He was aware of Heero's hand on his thigh, stroking him and leaving him tingling all over- Jesus, this isn't a good idea! I'm gonna have to drive- they're all wasted, and now this... God! Don't make it stop! Their eyes locked over the table as hands moved beneath it, starry violet and sparkling blue...

Heero suddenly snapped erect, his face taking on a look of utter incomprehension as one hand flew to his belt and plucked off a beeper. He looked down and paled. Duo couldn't hear his voice over the music, but he didn't have to- he could read his lover's lips. "We've got to leave now! Problems back at the facility!"

Duo had the keys in his hand already- he had picked them from a very drunk Quatre with the ease of the street-trained- and he was darting out onto the floor, his mind clearing as the old sensation came back- danger, imminent danger.

He reached the two pilots and shook them both, his eyes telling them what they couldn't hear his voice saying. They took off at a run to catch the other three, already on their way out the door.

~*~

No one complained as Duo slid behind the controls and set the shuttle on its course back out to the research facility. It was silent in the back and he had no co-pilot- He smiled to himself briefly. They're all probably wonderin' how they got so stinkin' drunk- they'll be fine by morning... I hope! The smiled drooped and he found himself cursing under his breath. Damn- someone was obviously watching us, someone worthy of being called our enemy- he knows precisely who and what we are and waited until we were gone to do anything! But we left in secret... Someone on the inside, dammit!

The door opened and a recovering Wufei slipped into the cockpit. "Duo, you wan' me to take the controls?"

Duo smiled as he heard Wufei trying not to slur his words. "No, it's alright, I'm cool. But you're welcome to stay, man."

The Chinese pilot sat down. "I'm glad that you and Heero are friends again. You had me worried."

Duo was shocked to find how much those words meant to him. "Me, too. I missed him, ya know."

"Everyone knew. That's not the only reason I was worried."

Duo grimaced. "He won't do it again, Wu. I know he won't."

The Chinese man gave his friend a piercing look. "We will kill him if he ever beats you again."

Duo's face was grim. "I know that, and so does he. I don't think he will, okay?"

Wufei still seemed unconvinced, but he hid it well. "Hn. Okay."

They fell back into silence, the Chinese pilot evidently having said what he had wanted to say. Duo blocked the Heero issues away- he would deal with that when there was more time- and fell back into his brooding- So whoever it is doesn't have a prayer of finding Genesis unless he's one of the people who worked on it. Even then, I've got everything on backup in the 'drop box.' He smiled to himself again. And when I catch whoever is doing this he's gonna wish he hadn't meddled with Death. Watashi wa Shinigami....

"Shuttle 46-Heavy, please identify, over."

Duo keyed the comm. link. "This is Winner fleet zero-one requesting permission to land, over."

A voice came back, stressed and frightened, by the sound of it. "Roger that, zero-one. You are cleared for immediate landing at point India. Is that you, Duo?"

Duo blinked. "Identify, over."

The voice hesitated. "It's... it's Harker."

Duo's eyes flashed as the tone of voice and the hesitation told him all he needed to know. "Thanks, Harker. See you in a few." He keyed the internal system, after setting a scrambler. "Guys we have a problem."

A second, then Quatre's voice came over the speakers- "What is it, Duo?"

"They're monitoring ships coming in- Harker's being held at gunpoint. I've been cleared for landing at India, but I'm thinking that going there would be bad."

The door opened and Trowa walked in unsteadily. "Do we have any weapons?"

"Dunno. Ask Heero- he probably does, anyway."

Duo smirked as Heero went to a compartment and opened it- the usual arsenal hidden inside.

Quatre's voice came over the speakers again. "We can't go to India- I just checked and it's crawling with armed men- what do you suggest, Duo?"

The braided pilot felt his berserker smile coming out as he replied. "Taurus hangar 5. I have, well, what you might call a personal access code."

He heard some laughter behind him. What did they think, that I wouldn't joyride on the sly? "We can suit up and float in, and I'll put this thing on autopilot to land. Any objections?"

No one spoke.

"Okay, let's do it."

~*~

Heero and Wufei proceeded carefully- the hangar seemed deserted, and Duo had concealed his little playground quite well, but they had to assume the worst- that they would have to fight their way in. The hangar doors were open just enough for a single suit to make it out, and the way looked clear...

"Entryway is clear."

The message was as short as possible- Heero let Wufei go in first and waited until Trowa and Catherine appeared to head in himself. Quatre followed him, Duo bringing up the rear. They were in.

The group huddled in a dark corner. "Alright, now here's what we need to do." Everyone strained close to listen as Quatre's voice rose and fell in a piercing whisper. "Heero, you will use the computers here to hack in and shut them down in Central- I want complete control in this room! Duo and Trowa will head for the labs and take down the target there. Duo, you know where all the info is kept, so get it and don't let anyone else touch it. Genesis is not to fall into enemy hands!

"Wufei and I will head the other way and take out the guard teams. Duo, what exactly do you have back here?"

The braided terrorist smiled evilly. "Well, any time I got really bored, there was always something that needed to be disposed of, so I just got whatever it was away and blew it up or something..."

A dark chuckle from Trowa. "Shinigami just doesn't go away, does he? Lucky for us. Let's load up."

Catherine looked frightened- she had no idea how these guys could function so well after all that alcohol! "How about me? What should I do?"

Heero turned to look at her, and she felt chilled by his eyes. "You should stay here with me- she'll be safe, Trowa, I promise you."

Solemn green eyes met cobalt as Trowa looked up from his arming. "Thanks, Heero. I trust you."

Eyes met and silent words passed between the pilots- no one's allowed to get hurt, and that's an order! See you all in a little while... Trowa spared a smile for Catherine before he turned and followed Duo out into the passage. Quatre melted out into the shadows on the opposite side, Wufei moving like his shadow, and Heero took a deep breath, barricading the door behind the others.

"Time to get to work." Watch out, Duo, all of you! Please don't die!

~*~

Harker swallowed hard as the shuttle came in for a perfect landing- he hoped that Duo had understood what he had tried to say. Well, as best as a guy with a gun to his head could say it. A transmission came through from the shuttle- "Shuttle down. Thanks, Harker-for everything."

A heart that had dropped into his toes shot up into his throat as the transmission ended. He's smarter than he lets on- he got it! I just know he did! Please God, say that was a recording...

He watched in fascinated fear as the shuttle hatch opened and soldiers began to rush up onto it, weapons out and ready to...

"What the Hell! There's no one here, dammit!"

"Where the fuck are they?"

"Hey, what's this thing..."

"DON'T TOUCH THAT..." The last sentence was cut off by a large explosion that rocked the entire sector. Harker was thrown to his knees, even as a laugh was torn from his throat.

"You guys are all dead! All of you! They will not forgive you this, and they understood! Go to Hell, all of you!" His captor shot him in the back of the head and reached for his radio.

It was squawking already- "What the hell is going on over there!?"

He was pale as he prepared to give the answer. "Sir, the shuttle was em..."

"This message is for the leader of your group." A cold voice broke in on the transmission, cold and utterly emotionless. The soldier's face drained of blood- they're here. We are dead. "I hope you like it there, because we'll send you straight to hell for this. We are coming for you, and we will kill you." The radio went dead.

At the same moment, power died in several key areas, leaving the enemies bewildered in the dark.

It was all the gundam pilots needed to act.

At Central Control, men were yelling as already strained nerves broke under pressure. "What do you mean you can't call out forces together? I WANT RESULTS, PEOPLE, NOW, GOD DAMN IT!"

A baffled young man was almost in tears. "The systems aren't working, sir! I can't get the station online! It's as though someone had re-routed all the controls..."

Power went out and the screens all went dark. Men stood silently in the gloom, none daring to speak as fear rose in every throat. We are coming for you, and we will kill you... The words replayed in every mind.

An angry voice broke the silence. "Someone turn on the lights, NOW!"

And a quiet voice responded from somewhere that they all approximated as the doorway. "I'm so sorry about this, but the best way of getting rid of rats is to back them all up together and exterminate. I'm so sorry..."

Something was moving among them, and a flash-bang grenade went off in their midst, light blinding everyone present as the gas bomb exploded and invisible death reached out for the immobilized men.

Quatre and Wufei waited a minute before darting into the main control room, masks still protecting them from the dangerous nerve gas that had killed so efficiently. Wufei reached a communications console and hit a transmit button, knowing that no one but Heero would ever hear the message. "Central has been neutralized."

A second later lights flickered on and a fan began to run somewhere, clearing the poison away from the room. The two looked around them and shook their heads. It was done. Now they could just hope that the other two had fared as well and had it so easy.

~*~

The main lab was buzzing with activity as scientists were being pushed around by men with large automatic weapons in their hands. Duo closed his eyes as he watched the scene unfolding and tried to think of how to counter it.

Trowa's voice was a rough whisper near his ear. "We can't just open fire- we'll kill all those civilians as well."

God in heaven! Don't make me make this decision! Duo shook his head once, wishing that someone else had been given this task- it was far more difficult when you knew the potential victims as well as he knew this bunch. Still, this was what he was trained to do. "We need them for the project to work- whoever planned this did it right."

Trowa grabbed hold of his arm. "I have an idea- crazy, but it just might work."

Duo leaned close and listened to the former circus clown, a small smile forming on his face as the plan became clear to him. He nodded vigorously. "Sounds like a plan to me! Let's do it!"

As the power went off, Duo slid into the shadows and worked his way forward- he heard Heero's voice giving the message and he felt a jolt of adrenaline. He could feel the fear around him, growing as the seconds ticked by and nothing happened. Heavy silence, and he kept moving forward towards his objective...

The Project had been downloaded onto disks that he had put into a special storage unit- it looked like a refrigerator and even kept his Pepsi nice and cold. No one had looked twice at it and Duo was almost there...

A hand shot towards him out of the darkness, a blind shot in the dark for all the poor fools without night vision! Duo sidestepped and struck, not knowing if he was hitting friend or enemy and not truly caring, so long as he could reach the objective-

The disks were in his hand and into the bag slung across his chest- it was time for the rest of the plan. He stood up quite suddenly, pulling the goggles off as he stood and called out as loud as he could, "Hi, everyone! Sorry I was late but I had to kill a few people on the way into work this morning..."

There was a loud rustling as everyone turned towards the voice in their midst. It was laughing now. "The God of Death is never gone for long." Scientists in the room paled as they recognized the voice- and just what was being said. They ducked quickly below the desks and work tables...

As Duo crouched he threw a flare high into the room, knowing that every enemy would now be looking at it and wondering just what the hell this was all about... Trowa open fired on the room and everyone left standing, machine guns in both hands raining death on the surprised soldiers-

Three men off to the side stood as the weapons hit empty, preparing to fire on the slender young man in front of them... A braided form seemed to appear from nowhere, dancing in and back out again with the careless ease that had been Duo's trademark in darker times- bloodied knives in his hands, and the men slumped to the floor.

People were standing slowly, not knowing quite what to expect as Duo Maxwell carefully wiped the blades off on a dead man's jacket and re-sheathed them. Blood had spattered on him liberally during the assault and Trowa was momentarily afraid that he might have shot his friend- though he knew that Duo would laugh it off later, an image of an angry, exceedingly unpleasant Heero came to mind. "Duo, are you okay?!"

The braided boy whirled towards him- the very ease of the motion answering his question. For once it looked as though Duo wouldn't crack a joke about his concern, either. "I'm fine, Trowa. Just fine."

~*~

It was several hours later before the last of the intruders were rounded up and contained. Five thoroughly exhausted young men slumped into seats in Central and looked at each other. Duo still wore another person's blood on his clothes and face. He was too tired to notice.

Quatre fiddled with a communications control and typed in a special access code for the Earth Sphere council and closed his eyes as he waited for the link to activate. He sat up straight and tried to look presentable as the vid screen lit up and worried faces peered back at him.

"Master Winner! We received a communication and we thought..."

Quatre was too tired to be properly polite. "We had been infiltrated. They are gone now and the Project is safe."

"Quatre," he absently noted how two heads jerked up at the sound of Relena's voice, "this is Chancellor Peacecraft. How bad is it?"

He smiled reassuringly at the pretty face of Relena Peacecraft. "The Center has taken some serious damage and we've lost some personnel, but we're all okay here."

"And the Project is operational?"

Quatre's eyes closed and the Council watched as he motioned an apparently reluctant figure forward to address them. Relena's eyes went wide as a slight, but familiar figure stepped into their view, a long chestnut braid down his back. Duo, and he was bloodied and tired-looking.

Duo's smile was still fascinating, despite his appearance and exhaustion. "The Project should be operational. We've lost a few key people, but we will be able to continue their work."

Relena hid her surprise on the question having been handed to her old rival poorly. "And the Dome?"

A rakish grin on the handsome face. "Oh, the dome's just fine. They didn't get close to those materials."

Relena could feel her temper rising, just watching the boy over the video connection. "The information is useless unless we have the person to explain it, Duo. That's the most important part. Now I want to see this scientist and I want to see him immediately."

Duo's grin fell and he looked at Quatre, whose eyes had also taken on a caged look as Relena spoke. At Quatre's nod, he turned back to the vid monitor. "This must be kept absolutely confidential, then. If it gets out, we could have some serious problems here."

Relena nodded and waited, a frown on her face. Quatre stood next to his friend and spoke with quiet assurance. "Duo Maxwell designed it."

Duo watched with no small amusement as Relena sat back, an incredulous look on her face as she stared straight at him. "He did that work? Be serious, Quatre."

But it was obvious that he was deadly serious- she could see it in the Arabian's eyes.

Duo shook his head, fatigue threatening to pull him over, and he fought it off for a while longer. "You may not want to believe it, Relena, but I'm not completely worthless after all. I'm not a scientist, but it was my idea and concept that led to the Dome design. Who would be better at helping create something that would be hard to destroy?"

The other faces on the screen smiled at the attempt at humour- Relena's face was still a mask of doubt. She reached a decision quickly. "I think it's time for a final inspection of the Project before we bring you all back here to Earth to go through Committee. I will be coming out personally."

Quatre's eyes opened wide in alarm as they strayed to something off screen- Duo's look was openly haunted. "Negative. I mean," Quatre attempted to cover his mistake, "I'm not sure it's truly safe here right now, and for the Chancellor herself to be coming..."

Intriguing. They are hiding something. I wonder what... "Well, you have a week to make sure it is safe."

Quatre bowed his head in defeat. "Very well, Chancellor." He cut the communication short.

He looked around to get some reactions. Wufei was either deep in meditation or asleep. Trowa's eyes met his with a small smile of encouragement before the tall pilot tuned his attention back to his sister. Heero was glaring darkly at the screen- Quatre saw nothing in the deep blue eyes of his Japanese friend and did not wonder at it- Heero was far too good at keeping his emotions hidden.

Duo was another story. The American was trembling so hard that Quatre was momentarily afraid he would fall over. The fatigue showed in every muscle and feature, but the eyes were what truly caught him. They looked like... they looked almost dead. He opened up his emotions to the braided pilot.

The sheer force of Duo's feelings bowled him over, so chaotic and miserable! Duo! You poor, poor guy! Don't do this! Doubt ate at everything, facing the prospect of a visit from Relena. Doubt about his abilities, doubt that he'd be able to face her, doubt that he'd be man enough to stand in front of her and face her as an equal, though he knew that he was inferior, not just socially but in every way. And above all, doubt that he would be able to hold onto the one thing he loved more than life itself with his greatest rival coming so close- Heero. Quatre could hear Duo's thoughts and, strangely enough, another voice that seemed to address the young American from inside his head. As if you deserve someone like him! You are nothing but scum, Maxwell, a dirty street whore who's managed to escape it for a while. But worthless people like you can't get away- They all know what you really are, how much of a useless coward, cocksucking little bitch! Street scum like you isn't worthy of any of this...

Quatre severed the connection with a pained toss of his blond head.

He watched as Duo sat down and seemed to collapse in on himself, folding compactly into a chair and looking at no one. He could only imagine what that voice had said to his friend before this- it made him sick.

It was all true- Duo had lived on the streets and had whored his body in order to survive. He had been severely beaten and used, and he had gone back to it day after day, probably because he had believed that he was nothing more than just that. Quatre knew that Duo lived with those nightmares of his past, even now years later when he had not only broken free of that life but had made himself a new one. He looked at the American and saw something so pure and beautiful in him that he could honestly say that he had never met someone as strong as this slender, pale boy- that Duo survived that ordeal with a mind and will and a strange sort of innocence and hope stored deep in his soul... That was why it hurt so much to see him like this.

Duo's eyes met his and he abruptly realized that the violet-eyed boy had been aware of him and knew what had just happened. The eyes pleaded silently with him to say nothing, and he could not refuse. His eyes gave an equally silent reply- We will talk about this later, I promise you.

Standing, Quatre bent over Wufei and shook him gently awake. "Time to get some real rest, now. I think we all need it."

He watched as Trowa scooped Catherine up into his strong arms and carried her out to her quarters with a small smile- he would be seeing more of Trowa later. He frowned as he watched Heero shaking Duo's shoulders and pulling him up out of the chair to lead him back out. Shaking his head, he bent over Wufei again.

The Chinese man looked up at him with eyes that seemed to see into his very soul. "Relena coming here's going to be a major source of problems to our Duo, isn't it?"

Quatre's look was somewhere between amused and horrified. "I forget how well you got to know him sometimes, Wufei. Yes, it will be. You know, it's crazy, but I know that Heero does love Duo. Loves him with all his heart. He's just confused and Relena is very pretty."

Wufei nodded agreement. "That she is, and she's crazy about him. He's probably one of the reasons that she's coming personally, you know. She's probably guessed that he's here, near Duo."

Quatre was swaying on his feet and Wufei immediately stood and took one of the blond Arabian's arms. "Time to get you to sleep, though. Come on, Quatre." The clean-up crews and technicians and watchmen stood aside as Wufei slowly lead his friend out.

~*~

Duo woke to find himself in his own bed- someone had bathed him and cleaned the grime and blood of the previous evening away. He turned onto his side and looked at the sleeping face on the pillow next to his. He smiled to himself- the "someone" was incredibly cute when he slept.

Heero's face was relaxed, so much so that a small smile played at his lips, washing away the severe look and leaving Duo staring at a starkly beautiful face. One heavy arm was draped over Duo's chest as the sleeping man breathed deeply.

Duo's grin widened as he listened to the peaceful breathing. "Okay, you phoney! I know you're awake already!"

Heero's eyes opened and smiled over at his lover. His arm moved and fingertips gently brushed up and over Duo's chest to his face, where they stroked down the American's cheek. Duo turned his face and kissed the fingers.

The arm moved again and Duo found himself dragged over until Heero was half next-to and half on-top of him, staring down into his face. The eyes were sad. "I'm sorry about this, Duo."

Duo's eyes clouded in confusion. "About what, Hee-chan?"

"Relena."

"Oh." Duo looked off over Heero's shoulder.

One finger came around and turned Duo's face back so he was facing the Japanese pilot again. "Hey, what was that?"

Duo tried to look away but found that it was hard to break away from the heat of the blue eyes. "She's come between us before, Heero."

Heero's eyes widened in comprehension. His face took on an evil grin as he reached down under the blanket, eyes focusing on Duo's. Duo's eyes widened as he felt Heero's body rubbing against him, touching him so gently and yet so enticingly. And then a purring voice- "Does that feel like I'm in love with anyone but you, Duo?"

Duo shivered in sudden happiness as he felt Heero's cock against his own. His hands were splayed over Heero's chest and now moved up to his neck to pull him down for a deep kiss. When he let the other boy go, Heero's pupils were dilated and unfocused. "I guess we both know where we stand then, Heero," he whispered against the Japanese man's lips.

Heero growled as he took Duo's mouth again, feasting on the soft heat even as his hands roamed freely over his lover. Duo was stroking him now, his hand gentle but firm as it worked over Heero's hardened member. Heero began to kiss his way down Duo's body, disappearing under the blanket as Duo began to writhe against the sheets. Heero's tongue flicked in his navel, teasing nerves that he hadn't even known existed as teeth lightly nipped at his hip. Hands stroked his inner thighs, coaxing the American to open up to it and let Heero taste him. A hot tongue flicked out and caressed his cock, teasing little nips and licks that pulled moans from deep in Duo's chest.

Heero's lips encircled their prize, and he moaned as he sucked down on Duo anticipating just what he would do to his lover before they were through. He felt Duo bucking beneath him and drank down the milky come, not wanting to waste a drop.

He was massaging the lubricant into Duo's body, enjoying the almost painful anticipation until he thrust into the heat of his lover's body. The American rode him hard, and Heero was quickly lost to sensation as he thrust deep and hard into Duo.

Their voices rose together as Heero felt his control slipping- he was dissolving into the intense heat- it was burning through his very mind and soul and claiming him as belonging to Duo and none other. Duo's back was arched as Heero lifted his hips and continued thrusting, each penetration full and hard. He heard Duo calling out his name and he thrust wildly into the heat, his control gone as he screamed in pleasure.

Duo felt Heero's release deep inside of him and cried out as well, his whole body tingling as Heero collapsed on top of him, breathing hard. Lips touched his neck by his ear and the low voice whispered breathlessly, "I love you, Duo Maxwell, so don't you forget it."

Duo rolled them over and kissed Heero possessively, fiercely. By the time he pulled back and smiled down into the cobalt eyes, Heero was breathless and flushed, lips trembling for Duo's touch again. "Don't you forget it, either."

~*~

A man entered the dark, smoke-filled pub and worked his way to the back where his contact waited for him. He sat down across from her with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "The attempt failed- as far as we know, several men were captured..."

"Then they are dead, Sirius. Let's not hold any illusions here. Damn them all- I told them this would happen!" Green eyes glinted dangerously in the pretty, feminine face as she lifted her mug and took a sip of her tea. "We'll do this properly the next time around."

"Ma'am?" Sirius didn't understand the cryptic remark.

"We won't underestimate them again, Sirius. And we will succeed."

~*~

"So what are you telling me?" Quatre had a lot on his mind and no time for Wufei's long explanation.

"Sally says that these were probably just collateral losses. They were testing you, Quatre." The Chinese man stopped his pacing and leaned forwards, hands on the desk as he leaned over it to look into his friend's face. "They will be back again sometime and it will be done right."

The Chinese pilot relaxed back into a seat and looked into the worried eyes of Quatre Winner. "She's heading out here with a few more operatives. We'd like to help, if you don't mind it too much."

A smile broke over the boyishly beautiful face. "I was hoping you'd say that, Wufei. None of us want you to go."

There was a knock as the door, and it opened to reveal Catherine, still looking exhausted from the previous night. "Mind if I come in?"

Both men smiled at her, standing up. "Come on in!" Quatre waved to her from behind his desk.

She sat down hesitantly and looked up at the two pilots. "I t-talked to Trowa this morning," she began, her voice shaking a little, "and he told me that you wanted me to stay here."

Quatre's aquamarine eyes glowed with concern. "Yes, I do. They know Trowa's here, and if they wanted to get to him, well..."

She nodded, understanding. "I see what you're getting at, Quatre. But are you so certain that someone would do that?"

Wufei said, "People without honour are capable of almost anything, Catherine. No one wants to see you get hurt."

The comm. link on the desk beeped and Quatre frowned at it before collecting himself. He pressed the access button without looking and asked, "Yes, what is it?"

Duo's face popped up on the screen, a frown of frustration fading to a pout on his face. He was cute enough like that that Quatre almost smiled. "Sorry to bother you, Q, but her Worshipfulness insists on talking to you."

"Who?" he arched an eyebrow.

"Relena-sama. Won't talk to me, but that's hardly a surprise. Hell, I'm surprised she didn't laugh me off yesterday night!" Duo made a face.

Quatre smothered a grin. "Alright. I'll talk to her and see what she wants."

The screen flickered and an angry face appeared, apparently unaware that the comm. link had been opened. "...I don't care! I have to know if he's there with them! He has to be!"

"Umm, Relena-sama? Hello?"

She turned to the screen, red-faced. "Quatre! Thank God! I thought that Duo would keep putting me off and I wanted to scream..."

And if you knew that I had asked him to make sure Heero didn't take the call, you'd be angry at me instead."What can I do for you, Relena? We're a little busy here..."

Her face suddenly took on a hopeful look. "Answer me this one question- is Heero there?"

Oh shit. Oshitohshitohshitohshit...Quatre took a deep breath. "He is."

Joy spread over Relena's face and her blue eyes sparkled. "I knew it! I thought he'd be there!"

Quatre was mildly annoyed. "So why couldn't you just ask Duo that?"

She flinched. "Ask him? I could never..."

Quatre's eyes hardened. "Just a moment, Relena. Listen to me.

"He's here, but I think we all know that he's not alone here. He's with Duo, Relena." Quatre watched as disbelief greeted his statement. "So I don't want you getting any funny ideas about tearful reunions or undying love or any of that."

She quickly masked her refusal of Quatre's words behind a charming smile. "Message received, Quatre. Well, I suppose that you've got work to do- I'll let you go."

He smiled at the screen himself. "Bye!" The screen went dead.

And the frown returned. He looked up at his two visitors. "D'you think she got the point?"

Catherine made a face. "If only she would! I hate to say it, but she's scary, she's so obsessive!"

"You have no idea." Heero walked in without really asking permission, but it was something that Heero Yuy just didn't do all that often. No one thought to correct him.

Quatre smiled at his friend. "So she knows that you're here, said she had suspected it all along. I wonder what she'll try.."

"Do me a favour, Quatre?" Heero asked quietly.

"Sure, what?"

The Japanese pilot's face was intense. "Don't let her get too close."

Quatre frowned. "What's that supposed to mean, Heero? If you're playing some sort of game..."

Heero shook his head. "No! I told Duo that I love him and I meant it! I just don't know if I can trust her fully and I'm not ready to put Duo through hell because Relena's got a trick up her sleeve. You know that he'll take everything the wrong way if something were to happen."

Wufei frowned at his friend. "I think that's more for you to watch over, Heero. Still if I can help you I will."

"As will I," Quatre added.

Heero smiled and once again took Quatre's breath away.

TBC...

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