An Orphanage Series Book 2: A Touch of Madness
They looked so happy.
Duo Maxwell was not the sort of person to dwell on things, and yet he felt distinctly sad as he watched two of his best friends finally tying the knot and sealing their happiness. Trowa and Quatre looked so perfectly happy, so radiantly in love with each other...
He smiled brightly at Quatre as he handed him the ring, giving the little blond a wink. You asked me to be your best man- no one's ever cared about me the way you guys do. I'll never forget that, and I love you, too, Quatre Winner.
He watched with tears of happiness in his eyes as Trowa turned to Heero, his best man, for his ring, and placed it on Quatre's finger. They were only words- puffs of air that carried along pitched sound waves that would disappear into nothing more than a memory. Words. Duo didn't allow himself to look over at Heero as Quatre and Trowa repeated their vows- it hurt too much.
He and Heero... Duo freely admitted to himself that he was deeply in love with his friend. He had loved him almost from their very first meeting, when he had shot the Japanese pilot and then busted him out of that OZ hospital. Heero, though, didn't seem ready for it- he was closer to Duo than any of the others, but he had never shown anything greater than friendship for the braided boy. As for Duo, he had remained quiet about it, even when they moved in together after the war and Heero had surprisingly decided to stay on L2 with him.
~*~
The Shinigami pilot had managed to skim a lot of money from OZ accounts and into his- to the tune of over 50 billion credits worth. It had been surprising at first- what was a former street kid like him gonna do with all that cash? He couldn't possibly need it all...
That was when it had hit him- he knew of quite a few 'someones' who could use the money, and he had some role models to remember by continuing their work. Returning to L2, he bought a large block of buildings in one of the worst areas he remembered from his childhood and set to cleaning them up, restoring them. At the same time, local officials began to find various famous criminals and drug ring leaders in the worst states, trussed up and waiting for them along patrol routes. None of the men ever really knew what had happened- just that they had been attacked and... Well.
The Maxwell House[1] (he got a kick out of the name) was opened a year after the war ended, a home for street kids, a school, a day-care, a health clinic. Several people scoffed at the idea at first, but the hard work of its young owner had been backed by the full influence of Winner Enterprises Inc. It gradually began to work.
Duo had been very surprised when, playing basketball in the gym with some of the kids one day, he heard a familiar voice asking if there was any space on one of the teams. He turned- Heero Yuy just smiled at him as he joined the game. He moved in that night.
~*~
Duo shook himself from his reverie as the ceremony ended and the two newlyweds kissed each other. He clapped with the rest. They were sweeping off down the aisle together, and then it was his turn, with Heero...
He couldn't read the look in the Japanese pilot's eyes as they met and walked down the aisle together, arm in arm. Duo, for one, didn't even dare to glance over at the silent boy. On this day, above any others, he didn't want to think about it!
They climbed into the second limo and Duo slapped the glass plate twice. The car sped after its twin, and the two boys relaxed back into their seats. Heero sighed, "Nice ceremony, but I hate tuxedoes! I feel like a dressed up monkey..."
Despite himself, Duo felt a giggle welling up- it would do him no good to tell Heero just how good he looked in the tuxedo... "They looked so happy! They deserve it," he said, as a way of changing the topic.
Heero nodded. "They do. They had the courage to do it..."
"Would you? In their shoes?"
Heero shot him a look. "I don't know, Duo." They lapsed into silence.
Heero used the time, as Duo stared out the tinted window, to observe his friend unobtrusively. The American had matured since the war- six inches taller now, and filled out so... Heero shook his head. Duo hadn't shown even a hint of an attraction for him, and he was not going to be the fool and admit to his feelings for his best friend, only to lose the person who meant the most to him! He wouldn't allow it to happen!
Heero exited the limo first at the reception site, and extended a hand to help the braided boy out. He had grown as well- three inches taller than Duo and slightly broader at the shoulders, though still compact. They had always suited each other. Heero abruptly realised that he was still holding Duo's hand tightly and released it, albeit grudgingly.
Duo smiled at his friend and was about to say something when... "Heero! Heero- my God, it's you! I've missed you so much!"
They both spun around to see a blonde woman waving at them. Or rather, to be precise, waving at Heero. Relena Peacecraft had never paid Duo much attention, anyway.
Duo felt his heart drop into his toes- Heero was staring open-mouthed at the picture Relena presented, her slim form sheathed in a deep blue gown that brought out the starriness of her eyes. She was stunningly beautiful,, and Heero was obviously impressed by it.
The Japanese boy gave her a deep bow. "Your Highness. A pleasure."
Duo stepped forward and gave her a sweeping bow of his own. "Wow! You look wonderful Relena," he said, with a bright smile, his old mask coming up smoothly while he crumbled inside.
She favoured him with a distant smile before turning to Heero with an alluring glint to her eye. "Isn't it wonderful? Imagine, two of our friends getting married like this! Who's next?" She swept onto his arm with practised grace and the two passed into the reception building.
Heero could feel his pulse racing. Maybe his relationship with Duo was... somewhat unclear, but there was nothing unclear about this. And Relena was beautiful. No other word for it.
Duo followed with a grin plastered to his face. It was too dangerous, otherwise- he felt like dying, like crawling under the floorboards and staying there. Keep the face up, Maxwell! Quatre and Trowa deserve a happy day, and you will not ruin it for them! Or for Heero, if this is what he wants.
~*~
Zechs frowned as he watched Wufei's eyes narrow. He had gotten very good at reading even the slightest gesture from his reserved lover, and the narrowed eyes he saw now meant that there was something seriously wrong. Scooting closer, he whispered in the Chinese pilot's ear, "What is it, love? Something wrong?"
Wufei grunted and pointed with his chin. Zechs followed the small gesture- and saw his sister sweeping in on Heero Yuy's arm, a grinning Duo Maxwell bringing up the rear. So Relena was still after the Japanese pilot, so what? "And the problem is?"
Wufei sighed. "Look harder, Zechs. You know them well by now."
Duo caught Wufei's eye and trotted over towards them with a smile and a wave. Both men smiled- Duo had matured into a truly stunning individual, his long braid glistening and his handsome, flushed face spread into a smile that must have hurt, it was so wide...
Zechs could see it now- the smile wasn't right.
Duo hugged the Chinese pilot close. "Hey, Wuffy! Fancy meeting you around here! Hi, Zechs!" He put his hand out for a shake.
Wufei grunted, "Baka," but it sounded so affectionate. Zechs shook the offered hand. "Great to see you, Duo. Wasn't that ceremony something?"
The braided boy gave another smile. "Beautiful! Then again, Quatre's always been good at throwing parties... It was nice of him to include me and Heero."
The other two smiled at each other. "A subtle hint to you two?" Zechs tried.
Duo sighed- Wufei and Zechs knew about his feelings for Heero- they had guessed him out early on. "He doesn't seem too interested, does he?"
All three looked at where Heero and Relena were standing, talking. She was leaning against his shoulder as though she belonged there. Wufei turned back to the still smiling American and asked, "Does he know how you feel?"
Duo laughed outright at that. "Me tell him how I feel, so he can get disgusted and leave again? Too dangerous, man. I'm not willing to risk losing his friendship."
Zechs raised an eyebrow. "How about your own sanity? That smile looks like it hurts."
Duo's grin finally faded a little. "Quatre and Trowa can't see it, okay? I'm not going to make a scene on the happiest day of their lives, even if I am a street kid who's cleaned up a little."
Wufei turned full on to face his friend. "You deserve to be happy, too, Maxwell. And you can delude yourself about it as much as you want, but you're not right now, and just being friends won't cut it."
Duo's face shifted to a true, soft smile. "I know- you're right, and I'm being weak, aren't I? It's kinda funny, actually- a guy who's been fighting a guerrilla war since he was fourteen can't handle something as basic as telling a guy he loves him!"
Duo's eyes closed and, when he looked back up again, the grin was firmly in place. "Hey look! They're here!" He spun quickly to address the whole room. "The Grooms are here!" He bounded towards the doors, collecting Heero by the arm as he moved.
Wufei and Zechs shook their heads as they watched him move, as energetic as ever. But Wufei's eyes narrowed again as he watched Relena move over to stand next to the Japanese boy. Heero was leaning towards Duo, their bodies brushing together as they waited. How was it that Heero could be so oblivious to both his and Duo's feelings?
And what on Earth were they going to do to get the two together?
Zechs recognised the look- Chang Wufei had a mission. He could guess what the mission was, and he smiled evilly as the couple walked in and the room was drowned in applause. He would be more than happy to provide backup for this mission!
~*~
Quatre Winner took a moment to simply sit back and relax as he watched the party around him. Apart from the pilots, the Manguanacs (minus the fezzes,) his sisters and their families and his stockholders, the room was filled with dignitaries and representatives of the various nations of the world. It was a mammoth party, as much a business function as what it truly was- a wedding. It angered him a little, actually. Winner Enterprises, Inc. had truly taken his life over, and it was such a responsibility...
He looked over at his friends as he thought of responsibility. They all knew the meaning of the word- it was something they knew far better than they should. Quatre felt warm and toasty as he considered how happy he was- they had all survived, and now he was married to the man of his dreams, crazy about him...
A light frown creased his brow as he felt his heart give a slight ache, and he looked over the other pilots more carefully. They all looked happy and normal... What is wrong with this picture? Who is it...
Sharp aqua eyes focused suddenly on a single face, the one that was half turned to watch the dancers, especially a particular couple... Heero and Relena. Quatre felt his Spaceheart give a sudden lurch as he looked back to Duo. The braided boy was doing a good job of hiding it, but he was quietly watching his best friend's every move and, even more closely, each of Relena's gestures. Watching... jealously?
"Quatre?" He looked up into the troubled green gaze of his new husband.
Quatre forced out a smile. "Yes, Trowa?"
The taller boy sat next to his husband. "What is the matter, little one? I know that look-"
Quatre shook his head- he'd never been good at hiding anything from Trowa. "Trowa- did Heero... has he said anything about him and Duo?"
The green eyes narrowed slightly. "No- I just assumed..."
Quatre let out a low laugh. "Well, look at that, then." Trowa's eyes followed the subtle point to where Duo sat and quietly watched the dancing couple.
The unibanged boy let out a low whistle. "Not good, not good at all."
Quatre leaned heavily against Trowa's sturdy shoulder. "Duo... well, he's obvious, but has anyone ever found out how Heero feels? I mean, look at him with Relena..."
Trowa smiled gently. "As much as I hate to see him in pain, I think Duo's got this one right- Heero's got to figure out his feelings for himself."
A devilish smile on Quatre's angelic face. "That doesn't mean we can't give him little hints... does it?"
Trowa returned the little look. "Little hints... I don't see why not. Let's talk to Wufei, shall we?"
"Mr. Duo, sir! Come quick! Oh God, Mr. Duo!" Duo was instantly on his feet as he heard a young voice screaming for him, abandoning his new project (fixing up a vintage car- sweet one) as he sprinted out and towards the voice.
She was screaming and crying- a little girl. And there, right next to her, in a pool of blood...
Duo put on an extra burst of speed, silently blessing the saint who was keeping him as fit as ever. Sharp violet eyes scanned the street carefully as he darted forward and pulled the child into his arms, so she was looking away from the messy scene. It had been a head shot. Professional.
Others had come running from the Centre upon hearing the child's voice, and Duo handed the sobbing girl off to one of them with instructions to keep all the kids inside as he turned back to the street.
He approached the small body, fighting down the lump in his throat. He had seen this picture far too many times in the past, the ghastly end of someone who should have lived to grow up, fall in love... He knelt next to the body and examined it- the body had fallen forward, so the bullet must have...
He felt a prickling of the hairs on the back of his neck as he spun, pulling his own weapon as reflexes that had earned him his nickname flashed into effect- he sighted and shot once. The man he hit screamed as he fell.
Gun extended in front of him, Duo advanced carefully on the man. His aim was as good as ever- he had hit the shooter's shoulder and disabled his firing arm. He felt the familiar rise in adrenaline as he faced the guy, his face hardening into a smiling mask. The face of Shinigami. "Who are you?"
The man's face was contorted in pain, and Duo mentally brushed this one away as a gomer- he had no pain control. The man sputtered a little. "Know who you are- you own this place... asshole..."
Duo laughed. "Such language! Get up, unless you want me to shoot again!"
The man lurched to his feet and launched himself at the American pilot. He froze as he moved though- the smile stayed fixed in place, and a devilish gleam lit the violet eyes of Duo Maxwell...
Duo side-stepped and grabbed the extended fist arm, yanking it forward hard and pulling his attacker forward and off balance. His free fist slammed into the assailant's mid-section, neatly folding him over, before both fists came down into the man's back, dropping him to the pavement, senseless.
Sirens were blaring now as the police pulled up, and Duo turned back to the small body, pulling off his jacket to drape it over the kid. The local cops knew that he went around armed- they probably had heard a rumour of who he really was, as well. They definitely knew what Heero was, though the other boy...
Duo blocked the thought out- it wasn't a time to focus on that!
He's out with her...
Duo furiously silenced the little voice in his mind. He stood to face the approaching officers, calling them over with a wave of his hand.
The foremost of them shook his head sadly- a little kid was dead. "One of yours, Mr. Maxwell?"
Duo nodded. "The shooter- over there. He's been shot, too- he was aiming at me, so I..."
Another officer chuckled darkly as he looked. "You made a perfect shoulder shot and beat the hell out of him. Have you been training with your quiet friend again, Maxwell?"
Duo gave a light sigh. "Something like that. We've got a little girl who witnessed the original shooting..."
The lead officer nodded. "We'll need to see her when she's calmed down a little. Shit! After everything you've done here!" He looked angrier than any of his men had ever seen him.
Duo laid a surprisingly strong hand on the man's shoulder. "If you want the opinion of a local busybody," he said with a quirky look- everyone knew he was more than that- "this was just an opening. Someone's lost a lot of turf for this place and is making his presence known. No other reason to kill a kid."
The man calmed at the thought- if that was so, then he and his people would be very busy. "I hope you're wrong, Maxwell. Go on inside- we'll come for your statement and to see the girl after we're done cleaning up here."
Duo turned to enter his complex and his face faded to a dark frown. Someone had dared to touch one of his kids. Someone had presumed to intrude on Shinigami's space. Someone would have to pay.
~*~
Relena and Heero looked up at the television screen as the news came on- the Japanese boy merely out of a distant interest, the Foreign Minister out of habit. She was on a rare break and, since Quatre's wedding, hadn't missed L2 on a single one of her infrequent sabbaticals from her work.
"This news just in- a shooting shocked the neighbourhood this afternoon, at the Maxwell House. An unknown assailant shot and killed four year-old Marie Harris while she played in the street with five year-old Jessica Lewis..."
Relena felt a wave of concern as she watched all colour drain from Heero's face as the report continued. "Owner Duo Maxwell had come out to investigate and calm little Jessica when the assailant apparently tried to shoot the young man, as well..."
Heero pulled out a cell phone and began dialling, no longer listening to the report and deaf to Relena's worried questions. "Yuy here. Where is he?"
The voice at the other end of the line sounded relieved to hear from him. "Thank God it's you, Mr. Heero! I'll fetch Duo away from the cops- one second!"
The line was silent for a moment, and then, "Heero! Heero, someone hit one of my kids!"
The Japanese boy was sincerely worried. "How about you? Are you alright? He didn't shoot you..."
A light chuckle. "Shoot me?! Nope- whoever his boss is isn't that lucky, man."
Heero heard the meaning behind the words. Whoever the boss is gonna wish he had never been born when Shinigami is done with him! He sighed- Duo was going hunting. Alone.
I don't like this! Why do I have to be so worried? He's more than capable- I daresay he'll do as well as I would in his place...
Duo's voice- "Heero, are you there?"
The Japanese boy shook his head. "I'm here, sorry."
Duo sounded concerned, but determined. "Where are you? I'm sorry to interrupt you, but we might need a little help here."
Relena frowned as Heero automatically answered, "Relena and I are in the shopping district. I can be there in..."
Duo cut him off, abruptly even for Duo. "It's okay- I know you wanted to see her. It can wait. Maxwell out." The line was cut.
Heero frowned at the little box in his hand. What was that?! What the...
Relena squirmed in her seat. "What did he say?" The little rat! What sort of claim could he possibly have on you, Heero?
Heero looked up. "He thinks someone is making a move on his Centre- he wants to go hunting."
Go hunting? So the little gutter snipe is still a killer, even after the war is over? Still, it was to be expected from such a one as that. Relena smiled easily. "He should leave it to the police, the idiot! Why else do we pay them so much?"
Heero reeled a little. "A child was just murdered, Relena. A little girl. An innocent."
Her eyes widened. "But the man who did it has been arrested..."
"Relena," he replied evenly, "The man they caught is a nobody. Whoever did this is after something and can afford to lose a man like that. Duo's in danger." He pulled his jacket from the back of his chair.
She frowned prettily. "Where are you going?"
"To help him," Heero answered, pulling out his wallet to pay for their coffees. "He said it can wait, but it can't, and he needs someone else there."
Relena put a hand on his arm, restraining him gently. "If he said he didn't need you there yet, I'm sure he meant it. Please sit down."
Heero shook his head. "Get your hands on his file and read it, Relena. Then you'll understand why he needs someone there. Have a nice afternoon." He turned and walked out the door, inwardly seething. An innocent! And a nightmare right out of his childhood! He sounded so relieved when we spoke- so why did he push me away?
The Japanese boy started up his car and quickly pulled into traffic.
~*~
Josie, Duo's red-headed assistant, carried little Jessica as Duo led her out to his car from the police station. She admired her boss- he looked so calm and collected, so harmless, and yet she knew exactly how deadly he could be, even without the automatic pistol in his hidden shoulder holster. Josie was one of the few people on L2 or anywhere who knew precisely who Duo Maxwell and his friend, Heero Yuy, really were. She guarded the secret carefully.
Duo drove quickly, calmly navigating the traffic around the busy precinct. Even with all his help, all Jessica could seem to remember was a sudden loud noise and then blood and... The girl had screamed and screamed until he had feared she would hurt herself. Dammit, this wasn't supposed to happen! It was supposed to be over!
His eyebrows shot up into his hairline as he recognised the car parked at the curb in front of the Centre- Heero was back? But he had been out with Relena...
He flinched- Relena. If she was here, too...
They walked in to a rare and tender scene- Heero sat, surrounded by five year-olds, as he held up several origami animals... he was telling a story?!
Josie cleared her throat gently and little heads swung their way as Heero looked up and gave his friend a gentle smile. I'm here for you, Duo. Just for you.
"Mr. Duo! Miss Josie!" The two found themselves surrounded by kids as the crowd surged over towards them. Duo laughed and hauled one child up onto his shoulders as he was surrounded. "Hi, kids! I hope you've been behaving nicely for Heero..."
They laughed up at him. "He was telling us a story! With animals..."
"Yeah, and an angel..." Duo smiled over at Heero, feeling such a surge of relief and warmth in him that he momentarily was worried he'd collapse. Heero would understand- I didn't want to leave the Centre unguarded, but he gave up his time with her to be here. He cared enough to do that.
Heero felt a bizarre warmth in his belly as his eyes met the shining violet ones of the American pilot- he had done the right thing. It was well worth it to see the look Duo was now wearing. Relena would just have to understand that this was a priority for him, even more so than their friendship. Duo had to come first.
"Okay, all you monkeys! I think it's snack time, so let's go, okay?" Josie asked.
The two boys were left alone as the kids bounced out with the young redhead. Duo seemed to almost collapse in on himself as the last of them left, and Heero hurried to the other boy's side. "Daijobu?"
Despite the fact that he was leaning heavily on Heero's shoulder, Duo responded, "Hai, daijobu. I'll be fine, thanks. It's just..."
Heero steered Duo towards a couch and sat him down carefully before sitting himself. "I'm sorry, Duo. I know what this means."
It had taken a long time, but Duo had opened up to Heero on a cold, snowy Christmas evening during the war, when the two had been holed up together in a miserable little house in the Russian countryside. Heero had been frankly shocked to find that the ebullient American had gone through so much and seen so many things, and yet was still so positive and lively. So strong. It was something he had admired for quite a long time now.
Duo looked up after a minute of quiet contemplation. "They're after me, you know. I'm the one who unseated the local kings, and someone wants the territory now. I'm the one who's in the way."
"You mean we're in the way," Heero responded. "Don't forget about me, partner."
Duo's eyes widened. "Heero, I..." Speechless, he hugged the other boy tightly to his chest.
Heero's arms came up and around the American. It felt right. Now if he could only work up the guts to tell him...
The private phone line rang, and Duo was up like a shot to answer it. "Maxwell."
There was a moment of quite before the reply came. "Lost a kid today, eh? Shame. More will have to go, if you don't leave."
Duo's hand tightened around the telephone receiver. "If you have a problem with me, you're welcome to come to me about it, personally. There was no reason to hit a kid, man."
Whoever was at the other end of the line gave a rough laugh. "But now you know that I'm serious, Maxwell. You're in my way here. You've been warned." The line clicked off.
Duo slammed the phone down so hard that both the receiver and the cradle shattered. "You fucking bastard! When I'm done with you..."
Heero stood in a fluid motion and went directly to Duo's laptop, finding what he wanted in less than a minute. "The guy was calling from..."
"He's not there anymore," Duo quietly cut his friend off. "Whoever this is is smart enough to keep his distance. They don't know who cleaned the neighbourhood out, but I'm sure they've got a few ideas about it. We're safe, for now."
The Japanese boy grunted. "We'll protect this place, I promise you."
He caught Duo as the braided boy seemed to collapse and silently carried him to the couch, setting him down gently and running one hand through the American's long bangs.
Zechs squinted out the window of Duo's office. "So you have no idea who did this?"
The braided boy shook his head. "A small clue- the man who did the shooting was put through... a lot of questioning. He was hired for the hit by someone calling himself Warlock. When I was a kid, there was a guy called Warlock who controlled the area of town about a click or so to the west of the Centre. Nasty character. Liked little boys."
Zechs cringed. "Right. Anything else?"
Duo nodded. "Warlock died about six years ago when a certain Death God went on the rampage. So whoever is using that name... it isn't the real guy- he's just evoking a reputation."
Preventer Wind gave a light laugh. "I'd ask if you're sure he's dead, but I've seen your handiwork before, Duo."
They were interrupted by a knock at the door, before Wufei, also in Preventer uniform, walked in with Heero. The Chinese boy gave Duo a quizzical look. "Heero's been telling me about someone named Warlock."
Duo smiled. "Yep- just told Zechsy about him, too. I think this incarnation needs to meet Shinigami, as well." The others shivered- it wasn't a normal smile. It made Zechs' skin crawl.
Wufei asked, "Why did you kill off the original, apart from that he was a snake?"
Duo glibly replied, "He hurt someone, and I got mad."
"When you were eleven?"
Duo cocked an eyebrow. "So what? I've always told you guys that I'm not a nice person. Now you just know it's true."
The two Preventers wisely shut up- Duo wasn't telling them the complete truth, and he was well capable of brushing their questions off until Doomsday, if he wanted to. Maybe they'd be able to wheedle the answers out of Heero later on.
Zechs turned to the Japanese boy. "Where were you when the attack took place, Heero?"
"At lunch with Relena. Why?" He missed it as Duo frowned sharply.
"Just wanted to know," Zechs replied easily. He yawned heavily.
Duo's smile instantly returned. "Hey guys, I'm sorry- you must be real tired. It's a long flight out here, I know! Come on- we'll find you a room..." Wufei had no choice but to follow as the American began a steady stream of chatter. They still had questions, but they were being summarily dismissed.
Both knew what that meant. It was time for Shinigami to go on the prowl, and the law had to be far away when and if he got to his prey. They complied and silently wished him luck. As the door closed, Wufei whispered, "Happy hunting, you two."
~*~
Duo raised his right fist straight up and Heero froze instantly- there was someone ahead. Knowing the drill, he slid into the shadows where he would be able to see the proceedings and get a clear shot if needed. It was time for Shinigami.
Duo's black-clothed form slid out and towards his unsuspecting prey as silently as death. Heero belatedly noticed that Duo's hands were empty, both the combat knife and the automatic pistol apparently still hidden away. Bare-handed? Oh, my poor Duo, I'm so sorry about this...
Heero's heart lurched into his throat as the braided boy made a quick jump and knocked his target down flat, one fist slamming into the man's back to crack at least a couple ribs, from the sound of it. Heero caught a glint of metal as Duo's arm came back- he was wearing brass knuckles.
Another fist shot forward and grabbed the man's head by his hair, hauling him back off the pavement and tossing him negligently into a wall. Only now did Shinigami draw out his combat knife, allowing his prey to see its cruelly gleaming edge as he stalked forward, still silent. The knife extended so its tip rested on the other man's throat, Duo finally asked, "So who's your boss?"
"Jesus, man, just leave me alone! I swear, I don't know nothing about no one!" he squeaked as the knife tip pressed into exposed flesh.
Duo's voice was still soft and reasonable- Heero was certain that he was smiling, with that eerie gleam in his eyes, too. "I won't ask again. Do you understand me?"
The man sputtered, unable to get away from the darkened figure in front of him. Fear won out in the end. "I- I've never met the boss, man, you've got to believe me! He's... someone new- Warlock! No one else knows what the hell is up..."
"How do you mean?" The knife pressed again.
The man's eyes were wide with fear. "That damned Centre! The whole area was cleaned out and no one knows how, man... Warlock's got orders, man!"
Duo's free hand shot forward and grabbed the man by the throat as he re-sheathed the knife. "Warlock takes orders? From whom?"
"I don't..."
Duo roughly backhanded the man, sending him reeling into a pile of trash, sputtering and cursing. The man came back up with a knife in his hands and murder in his eyes...
Duo whirled quickly, his heel connecting sharply with the man's wrist as the knife clattered to the ground- the wrist was badly broken. "Who's giving the orders?"
"Fuck you, man! Fuck you- I ain't saying nothing!" The man refused to cry, despite the pain. He wouldn't...
"Suit yourself." Duo shuddered as he expertly slashed the man's throat. The same sickening sound- he could hear the air escaping through the gaping hole in the man's neck, the sound of a set of lungs choking on blood... he dropped the body.
Heero emerged from the shadows and stared dispassionately at the body. It was nothing new to either boy- Heero had seen the Perfect Assassin at work many times before... and then watched him collapse inside as he considered what he had done. He's gonna suffer for this...
Duo's voice was still frighteningly calm. "It would seem I have an enemy, Heero." He finally turned.
Heero nearly cried out at the hurt and anguish in the beautiful violet eyes- Duo's rage had passed, and he was now looking at another body, another sacrifice to his inner rage and pain. He stepped forward and spun the other boy away from the grisly scene. "Does anyone local know about us?" he asked, trying to pull Duo's mind away from the act he had just committed.
"Us? Oh- you mean the Gund... Heh. No, no one. The local cops suspect something, but they have no reason to make that connection. But that's not necessarily it." He stopped speaking and looked around. "Let's get outta here, okay?"
"... Too late for that, buddy," a voice slurred from his right. Acting on some sort of sixth sense, Heero threw himself onto Duo and rolled both of them away. Both boys were vaguely aware of the bullets showering the air they had occupied only seconds before.
Heero came up, gun in his hands, into a low crouch, and fired twice. Duo heard a stifled scream as he rolled to his feet, his own weapon trained on the target-
Another body on the pavement, two new holes in its chest. The man was still breathing, though. Heero approached and kicked the target's chest coldly. "And who might you be?"
"Taking the law... in your own hands... should be leaving it to the police..." the man coughed painfully, only to spit up more blood. He looked up at Duo. "Gutter rat."
Slipping back into the Centre, Heero carefully got the two of them up to their rooms and slipped into Duo's quietly. Sitting the other boy down, he knelt in front of him. Duo was still pale, but he looked... less shell-shocked.
Heero cracked an ice pack and placed it on the bruised hands in Duo's lap. "Now," he asked as gently as he could, "Care to tell me what the hell that was?"
Duo took a moment before looking up. He refused to avoid the question- Heero deserved to know. "He called me gutter rat, Heero. That's the thing- no one here knows about my past, unless someone's been giving out my file. And if that's true... there are lots of people who'd love to get their hands on me, let me tell you."
"That's not all." It wasn't a question.
Duo shuddered. It wasn't all, not in the least. His voice shook as he replied, "The last person to hold a gun on me in that alleyway was... him."
"Oh." Heero suddenly understood why Duo hadn't pulled his own gun immediately.
Tear-filled violet eyes suddenly turned up to meet Heero's cobalt blue ones. "Thank you, Heero."
"What for?"
Duo cracked a small smile. "You saved my life back there."
Heero gave a small smile of his own in reply. "You once told me that I would get to kill you, remember? Can't let anyone take that away."
Duo chuckled ruefully. You will, if you keep looking at me like that. He cleared his throat- the conversation was getting too dangerous for his taste. "So... I guess we have some detective work to do tomorrow, eh?"
Heero suddenly looked apologetic. "Umm, well, actually, Relena and I are heading to one of her functions tomorrow. But I'll help in the morning, at least."
Just when you think you're not dreaming, that he does like you, this happens. Figures. Duo felt his heart freezing in his chest and did his best to smile at his friend. "Of course- you have a life, too, right?"
Heero felt his heart ache as the coldness of Duo's tone- what did he say now? "I can cancel it, Duo. She doesn't need me there..."
"No," the braided boy responded, smiling as he recovered his composure, "You gave your word and I know how you hate to break it. You help me more than enough already without getting involved in this. They probably don't know about you yet." But if they've been casing me, why wouldn't they have looked into him as well? My records are as hard to find as his- am I on to something here?
He pulled Heero into a hug, wrinkling his nose a little at the heavy smell of grime and gunpowder on both of them. "Bauk! I think you need a bath, Yuy. I'll see you in the morning, okay?"
Heero stood and nodded. "Alright. But Duo?"
"Hm?"
"Try and get at least a little sleep, alright? I don't want to have to drug you."
Duo looked up to find his friend smirking at him- damn him, Heero was serious about this! And he looked so good... Duo smiled. "I promise. Now git!"
Zechs grimaced as he turned away from the crime scene. He wasn't even going to bother with trying to talk to Duo about it- all he would get would be wide-eyed disbelief and shock, and he and Wufei both knew it. Shinigami was every law enforcement officer's nightmare, a completely efficient criminal with a sharp, cunning mind and a highly-tuned sense of justice. Most of the local cops didn't seem to mind, anyway. Another drug pusher off the streets was no great loss.
He had wondered how Duo had gotten the new information he had shared with them that morning- now he knew.
Returning to the Centre, Zechs smiled as he got a chorus of 'good morning's' from the children, gathered around Josie. He had to admit that Maxwell had truly accomplished something with this project, if there was a way that these kids could be given the chance to live a better life... Wasn't that what they had all fought so hard for?
He knocked on the office door and waited for an answer before entering- Duo was on the phone as he walked in.
"... I understand that, Captain, but I will not let threats like those disturb our programme here. The Centre remains open," the braided boy stated resolutely.
Zechs took a seat next to Wufei as Duo paused in his statement to listen to whatever was being said. The braid flew as Duo shook his head. "I can protect these kids, sir, even if it means hiring security guards, I can and I will. They have nowhere to go! How can I shut down, can you tell me that?!"
Another pause. "Well, yes, that would be appreciated. Fine- I can accept that much." Duo seemed to sink back into his chair. "I'll be expecting them in an hour. Thanks." The communication ended.
Wufei raised an eyebrow. "You're getting police guards?"
Duo nodded. "Yeah- they insist. Sometimes I just wish I had old Shinigami back here..."
Wufei smiled ruefully. "Right. And what could that solve right now?"
Zechs smoothly interrupted the little argument, "What were the man's exact words, Duo? About Warlock?"
The braided boy's eyes reflected pain and guilt for a moment as he clasped his hands over the desk. "He said that the whole area was cleaned out and no one knew how, that Warlock had orders. But the fact that the other guy knew something about my past- either this Warlock knows, or his employer does. That means someone with access- my file's as hard to get your hands on as either of yours'."
Wufei sat back, his eyes narrowing. "Do you have any enemies high up?"
Duo sighed, his eyes closed. "Right now- I can't be sure. But anyone who knows that I was a Gundam pilot is a suspect, as far as I'm concerned. Either that, or a local drug gang, but that seems less likely. They don't have the resources to throw people away like whoever this guy is."
Zechs arched an eyebrow. "Besides, it's being kept quiet. If someone simply wanted to discredit you, they would have leaked the info on you to the press and let it work itself out from a safe distance. This feels like more of a personal thing."
The vid phone rang, and Duo took a second to compose himself and pull out a smile before answering. "Maxwell here... Hey, Quatre! What's up, buddy boy?"
The two Preventers crowded close to see the smiling blond and his new husband. Quatre's soft tenor reached out to them- "Hi, Duo! Guys! How is it going? We just heard here..."
Duo's eyes looked like they might break, they were so brittle. "Someone wants to get at me and killed one of my kids. So you could say I'm not happy, man."
Quatre's face fell into troubled lines as he felt the pain and anger of his American friend. "We just caught the news and... they said that someone tried to shoot you, too. Are you alright?"
"Yeah- I'm just peachy."
Trowa raised an eyebrow. "What do you know, so far?"
Duo was about to speak before Wufei shook his head and put a restraining hand on his friend's shoulder. "No, we shouldn't discuss the case over an open line, gentlemen."
Trowa's visible eye gleamed in concern. "We'll be there in a few hours if you need us there."
Duo gave them a smile. "I appreciate it, guys, and I'll call if we need any more back-up. Right now, I just need to figure out what I'm up against."
Quatre nodded- Duo was right. "Okay- just don't forget that we're here, alright? Keep us informed. Winner out."
Wufei stood gracefully as the screen went blank. "Well, we have some things to check in on. Let's get Yuy over here and..."
"Heero's out right now," Duo interjected quietly. "He had an engagement with Miss Relena, but he'll be back this afternoon." He hoped that he didn't look as bitter over that as he felt. "Come on! There are secure computers this way."
The other two followed without comment- What on Earth is Yuy doing out with her when all hell is breaking loose here? The unfeeling... Whoa! Is this for real?
Duo had led them into a hidden room behind his office wall- they recognised several of the computer systems and link-ups in the rather spacious room as being similar to others back at Preventer headquarters, and not a few that seemed to be even more hyped up... Zechs let out a low whistle. "This is quite a set-up, Duo. I take it you like to keep informed."
The braided boy was smiling evilly. "Yeah- once a terrorist, always a terrorist, I guess. I like being connected, you know." He walked over to a terminal and typed in a few commands. "There- you two are cleared for this system now.
"Here's something interesting I cooked up this morning, though- there's a shipment of arms coming in, big stuff, like what someone would use against me, knowing who I am." He tapped a monitor. "It's possible that this stuff is meant for our friend Warlock and, if so, that he's planning to move on us, here. Soon." Duo moved to a coffee machine and poured himself a mug, drinking it off black.
No wonder he's always so wired! Wufei gestured at the screen. "So we can find Warlock, then. Doesn't really help much- whoever's behind this all can cut his man loose easily. I'd much rather find out who authorized the shipment, wouldn't you? That's who we should be looking for."
Zechs looked up from the terminal he was sitting at. "Maybe, but we'll have to sift through the crap to get to the real guy- could take time."
Duo stood abruptly. "Well, then here's the plan- I protect this place in any way I can, and you guys find the big bad wolf. How does that strike you?"
The two Preventers looked at each other and then nodded. It wasn't much of a plan, but it would do.
~*~
Relena smiled over at the Perfect Soldier. "Have the police found anything yet? How is Duo?"
Heero looked troubled. "We don't know much of anything yet. He's alright- rocky, but holding together."
She dismissed the thoughts quickly. "No doubt the police will find the culprit quickly, then! So... thanks for coming along to this meeting- I can never be too sure about these L2 leaders. They all have... shady pasts."
Heero wondered about that statement. L2 leaders- yes, they were all criminals, at root. Not that most politicians weren't, for that matter, but they were indeed a stranger breed of it here. And any one of them could be after my Duo...
He was suddenly happy to be there, watching them all. Heero Yuy lapsed into silence as he contemplated it- anyone who was ready to harm Duo was already dead. They just didn't know it yet.
~*~
"But Duo! We just want to go for some ice cream..." Duo cringed as yet another child joined in the whining spree that had become his afternoon.
He smiled at them all. "Hey, come on over here, all of you." He waited until all of them were seated around him before continuing. "Okay, so I want to tell you all a little story. There was a boy who lived here once- nice kid, kinda loud-mouthed, but his heart was in the right place. Anyway, he lived in an orphanage sort of like this one, only it was run by a priest and a nun, and they were two of the nicest people he had ever met. They took very good care of him and many other boys and girls.
"Then one day, rebels went into the church and orphanage and demanded protection and help. Well, the little boy listened to them and thought that he could steal them a mobile suit and they would go away and leave the orphanage in peace. So he did it."
Duo fixed each of them with an intense stare as he continued. "But it was too late. By the time he got back, the place was gone- it had been bombed and destroyed, rebels, orphans and all. The boy hadn't been able to protect them at all, and it really hurt him." He smiled at them now. "So he's grown up now, and he would want to keep everyone safe. He can do it, now, but it means that he has to know where they are, all of them. No one's gonna get any more of you, but you all have to help protect yourselves, because there are some really bad people out there. D'you get it?"
He got several nods, and he smiled. He felt someone tugging on his braid, and he looked over with a raised eyebrow. The boy smiled at him sympathetically. "Did you ever find the people who did it? Did you get them back?"
Duo shuddered as he saw the reaction that the very thought of violence brought out in these kids. He sighed. "The people who did it... have been brought to justice, yes. But kids, I don't want you to get the wrong message here. Some of you are too little to remember the War clearly, but violence was not the answer. The bad people who took Marie from us... they don't understand that. There is power in force, but there is more power in understanding. That's how the Gundams won, in the end- they fought to bring understanding, and they're gone now, since no one needs them, anymore."
Another child piped up, "But a Gundam pilot wouldn't allow these guys to hurt us, would he? He would find them and make them stop!" There was a chorus of 'yeah's' from the others.
Duo finally smiled again. "Yes, he would, I'm sure of it. Just like I will, but I need you to help me, okay? I want you to stay here- Heero and I will go and get the ice cream, okay?"
There were smiles everywhere as the kids consented. Duo stood carefully and left them to organize their game of volleyball. Wufei smiled at him from his place by the wall. "I heard your little talk. Very well put."
Duo smirked. "A compliment? For me? Why thank you!"
Wufei's smile faded as they walked. "As we suspected, whoever authorises and paid for that shipment is well-hidden. Zechs is still at the search."
Duo stopped his friend and hugged him gently. "Thanks, both of you. You have no idea how good it feels to know that I'm not alone on this one."
Wufei pulled back from the hug. "You were never alone on it, Maxwell. Yuy has been here the whole time," he chided gently.
Duo smiled shamefacedly. "Yeah, but I can't help feeling as if his being with her is more important to him than being here. I think I've lost him, Wufei. And it's obvious that she could care less about me or the Centre!"
The Chinese pilot couldn't help agreeing with his friend- Relena didn't care what happened to the American, nor did she seem overly concerned with the Centre, as long as Heero wasn't there. "It's not like you to give up so easily, Maxwell."
Duo shrugged. "I love him too much to take this decision from him, Wufei. If he wants her, well, it'll hurt, but I'll live."
They entered the hidden office quickly, and Zechs turned from his screen to nod to both in greeting. He began without preface, "Well, the funds originated on Earth, but that doesn't really tell us much, I'm afraid."
Duo leaned over the check the tracing so far. The funds had been transferred anonymously, no surprise there, from one of the largest banks in the world. Duo still kept tabs on all major terrorist groups and clandestine organisations- he knew that several of them housed their funds at this one, though he was certain that the banks themselves didn't know this. He was even more certain that none of those were responsible- this was personal, somehow. What could he have possibly done to piss off a big wig?
The phone rang, and he picked it up quickly. "Maxwell."
"Hi, Duo. It's me." He felt a flash of heat wash over him as he recognised Heero's voice over the line.
Duo smiled. "Ohayo, Heero. What's up?"
"Just worried, that's all. Is everything okay?"
Duo flushed- Heero was truly concerned for him- he could hear it in the voice. "For now, yes. We've got a possible lead, but it's taking half of forever to trace it out. You know the drill."
Heero's voice sounded ashamed over the line. "I'm sorry- I would help if I was there, you know that."
Duo's smile was bittersweet. "I know. How is Relena?"
"She's fine. And none of these guys pose any threat whatsoever. I don't really know what I'm doing here."
Duo frowned. Following your heart, maybe? "When will you be home?"
Home- you belong here, Heero, with me. I'd at least like to think so... The answer sounded even more depressed. "Not for another few hours- they just brought up another trade issue to squabble about."
Duo fought back his tears. I need you here! Why aren't you here? He forced a cheerful tone. "Well, we'll keep plugging away at what we have, and see you later. Take care and be careful."
"You, too, Duo. Yuy out." Duo sighed as he hung up the phone.
~*~
Duo squirmed uncomfortably as he skimmed through the shadows- he hadn't wanted to leave without Heero to back him up, but the other boy had been detained again. And so he was off.
The streets of L2 were completely dark and cold- he blessed Wufei and Zechs for insisting that he wear a thermal suit.
As much as he hated to admit it, it felt good to slip Shinigami's mask back on again, to prowl out into the streets. The training would never go away, and he knew that this was where he was most effective. And he had a mission to complete.
He approached the transfer area cautiously, unseen. The darkened warehouse was a perfect place for such a transfer- the police never ventured too far into this district at night. And it would have been impossible for any intruders to get in unnoticed.
Duo smirked. Any intruders other than himself, of course.
He flattened himself against a wall as an outer door opened and several vehicles pulled in- two trucks and four sedans. He quickly memorized the licence numbers as men began to emerge, toting heavy weapons like talismans. Even as Duo grinned, he took a mental note to remain out of sight- it would not do to get shot!
From his vantage point he could see everything quite clearly- two men seemed to be the leaders, one short and paunchy, the other of medium height, lanky, with greasy-looking, short black hair and a leering face. This guy spoke first. "I trust it's all here?"
The larger man huffed. "Of course it is! I've been paid to deliver all the merchandise and I like my job, man. Still, you can inspect, if you like."
The leering man walked over to the trucks with several of his men, and they began to check off everything in the vehicles. Duo made a mental note of everything delivered- even if this wasn't his real target, he was certain the police would be interested in this information!
As the leering man emerged from the second truck, the fat man asked conversationally. "So... do you guys know what happened to the original Warlock? You're wearing a damned name, buddy!"
That's him, then. This man is my enemy...
The leering man almost snarled his answer, "Doesn't matter! He fucked up- I won't make the same mistake!"
Duo memorized the face- this was one of the people responsible for bringing his nightmares back to life. You are out of your league, little man! And now that I know what to expect... He smirked as he pressed the button on a remote detonator and a small explosion outside brought all heads around.
Shinigami rolled under the first sedan and pressed a homing beacon onto its undercarriage, quickly switching it on- he wanted to know where the lion's den was, in case he would have to go looking for them again sometime. He doubted it, but it was always possible. He was almost certain that they would be coming for him, and soon.
He paused in his extraction as he heard the voice again. Yes- it was the same person who had called him the day before. Anyone who messes with Shinigami is dead, my friend. I'll be waiting for you, remember that...
Duo melted back into the shadows after the vehicles pulled away. The arms dealer had a surprise waiting for him when he reached his den- the Preventers would be there waiting for him. But not Warlock. Warlock was his.
Heero carefully opened Duo's door and peered in, mostly to reassure himself that the other boy was indeed back and in one piece. He smiled in relief at the sight of the familiar braid dangling off the side of the bed, a soft snoring sound coming from the unmoving figure.
"He's fine, Yuy."
Heero nearly yelped in shock as a voice spoke in his ear, and he whirled- Wufei stood next to him, smirking at him. Heero growled, "What are you doing, Chang?"
The Chinese Preventer did not flinch. "What kept you, Yuy?"
Heero's face was closed and cold. "Dinner with Relena. She insisted."
Wufei's face hardened. "He went out alone, Yuy. Zechs and I had to be at the dealer's for the arrest."
Heero did not back off. "I didn't want to be there, but she insisted. What do you want from me?"
Wufei rolled his eyes. "Are you that blind, Yuy? It's not what I want, it's what he wants! He's the objective, here- he shouldn't have gone alone, even if he's more than capable. Something could have gone wrong!"
"Why are you so worried, anyway, Wufei?" Heero asked belligerently.
The Chinese boy growled at his friend. "Maxwell is one of my best friends, Yuy. I don't want to see him die."
Heero choked on a laugh and smirked. "And you think they're going to catch Shinigami? You underestimate him."
Wufei was furious- was it possible that they had all misread Heero's feelings for the braided boy so badly? Even Quatre? He shoved a piece of paper into the Japanese boy's hands. "Read that- that's how serious they are, Yuy. Someone wants him dead!" He turned and walked away in disgust.
Heero's face drained of colour as he read down the list- Duo had reported back on everything that had been bought. The list could be trusted- Duo's memory was practically photographic. That's enough firepower... they could take the entire Centre out with that much! Someone hates him so much- who could possibly hate Duo?
He smiled as he recalled a picture of the American- smiling, joking, laughing- a living, breathing reminder of why it had been so important to win, of what was important and beautiful in the world. The person that Heero knew he would die for and kill for.
The boy he loved.
He stopped in shock- so it was true. It wasn't just some stupid attraction on his part- he loved the other pilot.
He opened Duo's door again and ghosted in to stare down at the sleeper. He knew that Duo was subconsciously aware of his presence- had anyone else walked in, even as quietly as he had, the American would have been awake and ready to defend himself in a heartbeat. But Duo trusted him completely, unfailingly...
He ran his fingers though the long bangs of the other boy, letting them brush down along Duo's jaw. Mine. You may not know it yet, but you are mine, and anyone who wants to get to you will have to go through me first, I swear it!
Leaving, he quickly went to Duo's study and placed a call to Quatre and Trowa. He had a feeling that they would all be needed for this. One thing was certain- he would not leave Duo's side again.
~*~
"Heero, where are you? Aren't you coming?" Relena's face wrinkled in frustration as her fists balled up, out of the sight of the vid screen she was standing in front of. She recognised Duo's study behind the Japanese boy- He's with him. That little sneak!
Heero shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry, Relena, but I am sorely needed here. There are too many lives at stake for me to be anywhere else. You should be fine there."
She felt her fingernails digging into her palms, but ignored the pain. "What if I said I needed you, Heero?"
His eyes softened minutely as he tried to lighten his words. "He needs me more, Relena. My place is here- I'm sorry, but you must understand that."
She felt tears pooling in her eyes. "You... You'd prefer to be with that gutter rat than with me?! Why? Oh, Heero, why?"
His face tightened, but he managed to keep his tone even. "Relena! Duo is a good, decent person that I love! You have to understand this- he is more important to me than anything else on Earth or in Space, and he needs me now. I'm sorry if this hurts you, but I don't love you. I love him!"
She shook- tears streamed down her face. "It's not true! You're lying to me, Heero Yuy! Don't lie to me!"
He shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Relena. But it is the truth. Goodbye." He cut the communication.
Relena screamed in anger, her whole body trembling, and she began to pace back and forth. It wasn't fair- it was impossible! How could he not want her? How could he return to that...
She abruptly stopped pacing. It had been personal before, but it was even more so now. Duo Maxwell was going to pay for this.
~*~
Quatre and Trowa waved at Duo from their position at the door- it was adorable to see him with the Centre kids climbing all over him and vying for his attention. Trowa turned back to Heero. "Thanks for calling us in. We read through what you sent on the shuttle- it sounds more than serious."
Heero nodded. "He's put on such a brave face for all of these kids, but he's terrified inside. It's his nightmares coming to life, you know."
Quatre gave his friend a knowing glance. "You're very worried for him."
Heero flushed, but nodded along. "Hai, I am." He suddenly turned to look at the blond. "I love him."
Quatre gave one of his bright smiles. "Aa, I thought as much! What made you see it?"
The Japanese boy looked uneasy. "Everything about him, really. I don't know how I managed not to see it until now." His eyes lingered on the braided boy softly, caressingly.
Duo managed to extract himself from the surrounding children and jogged over to his friends, hugging both tightly. "I'm so glad you're both here! We make a wonderful team, us five, eh? And maybe you'll be able to help me pry this one," he said, nudging Heero with his elbow, "away from Relena's talks!"
Heero pinned Duo with a look. "Baka! I'm staying right here, I told you!"
Duo grinned at the other two. "Watch! She'll call and he'll leave me again!" He laughed, but Quatre flinched- he could feel the underlying fear and pain that accompanied the jest. Duo thought Heero was really going to leave him?! What has been going on here?
Duo led them all back to where Wufei and Zechs were finishing unravelling the trail they had been left. Even with Heero's help that morning, it had taken far too long. Zechs was even convinced that the trail was stalling them on purpose.
The two Preventers looked up with a smile and nod as the other four walked in. Heero immediately moved to join them. Duo motioned to the room. "My base of operations. We've almost gotten it figured out, but it's taking longer than I thought it would. They might even be stalling us with it." His voice dropped lower, as though he didn't want Heero to hear, "We spent hours on this yesterday, while Heero was out- I wish he had been here- we might have cracked it far sooner."
Quatre's face was clouded by a deep frown. Something was terribly wrong with this picture- he just couldn't put his finger on it! He shook his head to clear it. "Since we're all here, why don't we go over what we have?"
They spent the next couple hours going over all the information they had- from Duo's midnight excursions to the police interrogations to Heero's outings with Relena. Trowa and Quatre finally looked at each other, their faces drawn and grim.
Quatre turned to look at Duo, his eyes burning in his face. "Duo- we should get the kids out of here somehow. I hate to say it, but there is a big chance that this Centre will be attacked, and soon. Maybe tonight."
Duo nodded his agreement. "I know that- I've already made arrangements with the people here I trust the most to stay and help us with that. We just need to figure out where to take them..."
Heero looked up from his brooding. "How about Howard's hangar? He likes kids, from what I remember..."
Duo's eyes lit up in his face. "Sure! He'd love it, and he'd keep it quiet for me, definitely..."
Quatre smiled, but quickly grew serious again. "How many children are there?"
Duo promptly replied, "Twenty-seven. The others live at home and stay here during the day."
Zechs nodded. "Alright- we have ways of getting people from one place to another very quietly. Let Wufei and me handle that part."
Duo smiled his thanks, though it was obvious to them all that he was greatly disturbed by this attack. He was putting his own feelings aside, though. He stood quickly. "I think we need to arm ourselves, then. Follow me, all."
Even Heero was baffled as the braided boy walked to yet another hidden door and went through the three security checks he had installed on it. With a hiss, the entire wall began to move seamlessly...
The other five gaped, while Duo merely smiled, a look of dark satisfaction on his face. "Welcome to Shinigami's hideout." They stepped inside.
Even Heero and Trowa had never seen this sort of stockroom before- Duo had compiled a complete store of arms, from grenades and timer switches to more hi-tech numbers and a few additions that no one recognised- personal tools that were, no doubt, highly destructive. Duo began talking, "Back during the War, I designed a few of the doodads I used, but I had many more ideas I wanted to explore. These are they. As for the rest of this- I've had far too many run-ins to be unarmed anymore. Especially here, on L2. Take your pick, guys."
They all felt the odd itch and surge of adrenaline as they reached for the weapons. So the bad guys had big toys? Well, they would, too.
Heero could feel the bile rising in his throat as his target moved through the silent hallways of the Centre- the armed men had easily bypassed the police guards, much as the pilots had thought they would. And now, gunmen were penetrating the building, looking for one person in particular. I'll kill anyone who tries to harm him, I swear it!
His earpiece crackled slightly. "03 here- I think I've spotted Warlock. He's... shit, he's holding a detonator switch!"
Heero reached to key his mike when he heard a gentle laugh over the line. "04 here- no need to worry, 03. 06 and I just found the guys with the explosives. Very sloppy, indeed."
"02 to all- more explosives over here, but they're not a problem. I think this guy is toast."
Heero chuckled to himself. "01 here- target in my sights, no explosives. I think this one is looking for their primary objective." He slipped from the shadows to follow behind the man soundlessly.
Duo spoke again. "I'd hate to disappoint them- I'm heading back for my office, people. 03- where is he?"
"Headed towards the office now, 02. Move it!"
Heero stopped short as his target abruptly turned towards a room and kicked the door open. "Shit!" He cued his mike, "01 here- I have a man headed into one of the bedrooms- they were going to shoot the kids!"
Duo's voice was a dark growl. "Eliminate target, 01! The bastards!"
"Mission accepted." Heero was already slipping through the door as automatic rifle fire tore into the small beds which, thankfully, were empty. He felt rage pooling inside of him as he reached out.
"What the hell?!" The gunman's eyes went wide in shock as hands grasped his head and jerked violently- his body slid to the floor, lifeless, its neck broken.
Heero's face was blank as he keyed the mike again, "Target is down."
"Easy, 01! I'm coming in behind you!" Heero spun, hearing footsteps, as Wufei ghosted into the room. The Chinese boy whispered, "Did he have a chance to radio off that there was no one here?"
Heero shook his head, "Negative."
"02 here- I'm in and waiting for him."
Heero felt his blood going cold- Shinigami or not, Duo was playing with his life! "Be careful, 02! These guys are serious..."
"So am I, 01. Besides, you get to kill me, remember?" Heero could practically see the maniacal grin that accompanied the statement.
He shrugged off the look of disbelief he was getting from Wufei- there wasn't time to explain now.
"04 reporting- three targets down in my wing, but I think I've got company."
"03 here- Where are you?"
The all heard gunfire in the distance that ended rather abruptly, and five hearts froze until- "04 again- target is down, and I'm fine."
Wufei looked at his Japanese friend and gave a small smile before they headed for the door. Wufei went left, and Heero went right.
~*~
Duo smiled evilly as the door to his office slid open and three figures stepped in. "Warlock, I presume? How kind of you to pay me a visit!"
The leering voice slurred at him, "Shut up, Maxwell! Or do you want your friend to die, hm?"
Duo's eyes widened as the other two figures stepped forward, a guard and... Relena? What the hell is she doing here? Just great! Just what I need! She was trembling in the second man's grip- her eyes locked with his. Don't worry! Just stay calm- "Look, man, d'you have any idea who that is? The Foreign Minister? Shit, even if you did get out of here alive, the Preventers would be after you like you wouldn't believe..."
Warlock laughed. "I am getting out of here alive, and it won't matter, Maxwell. I know who you are." The distant sound of gunfire reached their ears.
The earpiece crackled, "06 here- building sweep complete. Area is secured." Duo smirked. "Then call me Shinigami and let her go. We have a score to settle."
The leering face fell into confusion for a moment, then spread into a mocking grin. "Right. Let's put it like this, kid. I'm taking this neighbourhood back, and you're either leaving, or you die, and the bitch with you."
Duo laughed outright at the statement, noting the looks of consternation on the two gangsters' faces. He held his sides as he spoke again, "Let me get this straight- you break in here, knowing who and what I am, and honestly think that you can intimidate me? Of course, I can't let you shoot Relena, either..." More gunfire.
The grin became even darker and more evil. "You don't really know, do you? You didn't really think someone sent you all that stuff to take on a street rat, did you? As dumb as the real Warlock, then! Do I get to kill you, too?"
Warlock's face was a strange mixture of frightened and cocky as he slowly lifted the box in his hands so Duo could see it. "Say goodbye to the kiddies, Maxwell!" he yelled, realising too late that Duo's grin had only widened- he pressed the button.
Nothing happened.
Warlock's brain barely had the time to register disbelief before Duo's gun was coming up in an even arch, his eyes gleaming with a deadly sheen, "Say goodnight." He pressed the trigger calmly, and Warlock fell, a hole between his eyes.
There was another crackle over the line on Duo's earpiece. "04 here- I've got three of them contained, but there are seven more two rooms down."
Heero's reply: "01 is headed to you, 04."
The man holding Relena trembled as the full weight of Shinigami's regard fell on him, almost cowering behind his prisoner. "Release her, buddy."
~*~
Quatre had dispassionately killed the two thugs, but stayed his hand at the third- the boy had multiple chest wounds that were killing him, anyway, and he looked so young and lost...
Heero walked in quickly, surveying the efficiency with which the blond had taken down his enemies. "The other seven?"
Quatre shook his head. "Still there- probably waiting for orders from their boss. Too bad they won't get any."
The boy at his feet coughed painfully, blood spattering on his lips as both Quatre and Heero leaned down to look him over carefully. Heero could see why the other boy had stopped himself- this one looked to be far too young to know what was really going on- an innocent who didn't know it. The Japanese boy's tone was strangely gentle as he spoke. "Why did your boss go after Duo?"
The boy was sputtering, but bravely trying to hold on- these two were probably the last people he would ever see. It frightened him, but there was no reason to withhold the truth, now. "Just a hire... money... power, man... and that blonde bitch..."
Both boys felt something in them clench as the last two words slipped out. Quatre leaned forward, one hand clamping down on the youth's shoulder. "What blonde? Did she hire you?"
The kid nodded, even as he coughed again and more blood spilled form his lips. "Yeah- said she had to get rid of someone. Hah- Peacecraft! She's here now- said he'd never suspect..."
"DUO! Oh, my God..." Quatre was on his heels as Heero sprinted from the room.
Relena flinched as the man cocked the gun held at her temple. The man backed off as Duo came around the desk, the gun held carelessly in his right hand. The gunman shook under Duo's smiling stare. "Look, man, I can still kill her..."
"You'd be dead before you took a step, asshole," Duo interrupted him evenly. "Give it up, or do you want to die slowly? I killed your boss, what makes you think I won't kill you?"
The man's hand relaxed ever so slightly- it was what Duo had been waiting for, as his own arm came up almost carelessly and he fired once. Relena screamed as the bullet met its mark- Her guard fell backwards, dead before he hit the ground, pulling her after him.
Duo grabbed the man's gun as he hauled Relena back up with his free hand. She shuddered as she clung to him. "Oh God! Duo... he was gonna..."
The braided boy held her gently, "Shh, it's alright- it's over, Relena."
She pulled back slightly to look him in the face. "Why did you help me? You have no reason to love me..."
Duo laughed ruefully, a bit uncomfortable in her embrace. "Heero wouldn't want you to get hurt, and the world needs you, even if I don't like you. He does, and I'll respect that."
Relena's face spread into an evil grin as she realised- He doesn't know! He doesn't know that Heero chose him over me! How sweet it is... She watched the confusion on his face as he checked the gun in his other hand. "Hey- what the Hell?! There were no bullets in this gun! What did... Jesus!"
The violet eyes barely had the time to meet with Relena's evil azure stare before the knife she had hidden on her person plunged into his mid-section. He screamed out as she pushed it with all her strength and the cruel, jagged edge tore at him.
Relena yanked back sharply, her mind exulting as she watched him fall, red quickly seeping out onto his shirt and jeans.
Duo could barely think for the pain as she kicked the wound, sending fresh pain wheeling through him. Oh, Heero...
"Duo! Dear Kami- if you can hear this, get the Hell away from Relena! She's not a prisoner..." Heero's voice came over the earpiece too late.
Relena gave a final kick to the still form before her and laughed as she looked at her hands, stained with his blood. She bent and daintily wiped them on his shirt, sitting back on her heels for a short moment. "It looks like I win in the end, Duo Maxwell."
She stood and ran from the room as fast as she could.
~*~
Heero vaguely registered when Quatre cried out and clutched at his chest- they were too late! If she's harmed him, Hell will be too good for her! I swear she'll regret ever being born...
Quatre's voice spoke over the earpiece: "Wufei! Call an ambulance now! Duo's down! The rest of you, neutralize your targets and keep a watch out for Miss Relena!"
Both Quatre and Heero ignored it as various responses came back from the others. They burst into the office-
"Duo! Oh God, no- don't you dare die on me!" Heero was on his knees next to Duo's body- the braided boy was lying on his back, his blood staining everything a bright crimson, but he was still alive!
Quatre was immediately there, helping Heero rip the shirt off of the fallen boy as they frantically tried to stem the bleeding. Tears were coursing down Heero's face as he worked, and he was whispering constantly, "You've got to stay with me, Duo! It's me- it's Heero! You can't leave me- not like this, please! Stay with me, Duo, please..."
Quatre was crying as Trowa and Zechs burst through the doorway. He stood quickly to leave space for the other two, who were more skilled than he in dealing with this sort of wound.
Even Heero backed off a little as Zechs tenderly examined the wound. There was tense silence before the platinum-haired man sighed. "Whoever did this was stupid as Hell, not that we should complain. He needs blood- he's lost an awful lot, but he should survive, otherwise." He stood to let Trowa and Heero finish treating the American as best they could.
Quatre approached the Preventer almost hesitantly, but steeled his resolve, looking down at Duo. He held out the bloody shirt. "Zechs, we need to run a check on this."
The taller man looked down- there was a clear handprint on the shirt in blood. "The killer?"
Quatre nodded. "Yes, probably. Let me shorten the list for you- start with Relena Peacecraft."
Even Trowa stopped in shock at the words. "Quatre! You can't be serious!"
The little blond's eyes were more than just serious, though. "Heero and I will explain later, but we have every reason to believe that she's behind this, and was even here tonight."
Heero looked up, murder in his eyes. "I swear, I really will kill her if..."
Wufei walked in, a medical team right behind him, and interrupted, "We didn't hear that, did we, Zechs?" He shoved the Japanese boy aside to let the EMS people through, but turned to grasp Heero's shoulders. "She will meet justice, I promise you."
Heero stared at his hands- red with Duo's blood. He abruptly buried his face in Wufei's shoulder, hugging the Chinese boy tightly against himself. Wufei just held him.
All five followed the medical team out and down to the hospital.
~*~
The world had a strange haze to it, and for the longest time, Duo couldn't figure out why everything was so blurry. And he felt... drugged. Why would he be hopped up on drugs? I hate drugs, so why'd I take 'em, and why don't I feel anything? Weird. Kinda freaky, but cool. Whoa.
"I think he's coming out of it, Mr. Yuy." Duo could barely make out another voice speaking near him. Yuy... Heero Yuy. Is Heero here, too? Where is here? Can I see anything...
Heero held his breath as Duo's long eyelashes fluttered slowly against his cheeks- he knew from experience that Duo hated medication of any kind, some strange tieback to his childhood and the drugs that had been used on him...
The violet eyes slowly opened- his Duo was back! Heero smiled gently as he took a slim hand in his and gave it a light squeeze. "Hi, beautiful."
Duo's confused face fell into a smile. "Heero... hi. But... you're the beautiful one..."
Heero felt his heart fluttering madly. "How do you feel?"
Duo's mind was working feverishly, trying to fight off the fog. Feel- I don't feel, but that can't be right?! What... hospital? Wha... Oh. Oh my God! Heero felt his worry return tenfold as the violet-eyed boy frowned darkly, pain shining in his glorious eyes. "I feel good, considering I was... stabbed?"
Heero nodded, tightening his hold on a now trembling hand. "Relena is... in special care. Quatre and I tried to get to you..."
Duo felt his tears welling up and was ashamed that he couldn't control it. "I never thought... she'd hate me so much."
Heero gently turned the heart-shaped face so that the violet eyes met his. "That bitch dies if she ever comes near you again- I swear it."
Duo's eyes widened. He means it- is it even possible? "How did you know it was her?"
Heero's answer was cut off and drowned out as five bodies entered the room, all smiling nervously. Josie, Wufei, Zechs, Quatre and Trowa moved forward with happy looks in their eyes. The blond squeezed Duo's free hand. "Praise Allah you're awake!"
He smiled at them all, mentally cursing at how the drugs were slowing him down. "Hi, guys. Nice to see you."
"I'm glad to hear that you're better, Mr. Maxwell." All of them stopped short as a new, female voice spoke out and another person moved into the room. Heero felt his eyes narrowing- this had to be some kind of trick. Everyone knew that Dorothy Catalonia was Relena's lapdog.
Dorothy's eye, however, lacked any guile as she stepped up towards the protective ring of people around Shinigami's hospital bed. "I just got in, and I wanted to see how you were- I can't believe she'd got this far! So much for total pacifism."
Heero threw her a threatening glare. "What are you really doing here, Dorothy?"
The long-haired girl sighed- not that this wasn't expected, just... disappointing. It would really be nice to earn their trust for once, to not be pushed away, to find that I wasn't alone... She looked deep into Heero's eyes as she replied, "Miss Relena's... unbalanced state has been a carefully-kept secret. It had to be, given her position. But we were worried, and I had a man hack into her personal computer files." She held a small laser disk out to the closest of them, Trowa. "You'll find all the information she'd compiled on him here, as well as a full record of her dealings with the man calling himself Warlock."
Surprisingly, it was Duo, himself, who responded, "Miss Dorothy- you came here to give us this? But she'll..."
Dorothy smiled sadly. "Her other misdeeds could be overlooked, but this was too much. I wouldn't stand by while she did this!"
Quatre's eyes smiled at her. "So I was right about you, after all."
She returned the look. "I don't admit to anything, Winner!"
A doctor walked in, displeasure written on his face as he saw the number of people in the room. "I'm sorry, but this young man is in no shape for all this yet! I must ask you to leave."
Heero squeezed the hand again as he turned back to Duo and smiled down at him. "I'll come back to see you later, okay?" He leaned down and pressed a light kiss to Duo's forehead.
The violet eyed boy smiled up at him dreamily. "'Kay, Heero," he whispered, seemingly unaware of the looks of surprise and pleasure on the other faces in the room. "Later."
~*~
Lady Une looked around herself in shock as she surveyed the "Computer Room" hidden behind Duo's office. The thought that a civilian, even someone like Duo, could have put together such a set-up... The others wisely held their tongues about the Weapons Hangar on the other side of the wall.
Une and Noin exchanged startled looks. "Nice set-up," Noin whispered to her senior. The other woman nodded back.
"Yes! Jackpot!" Quatre exclaimed from his place. The two Preventers wandered towards him, noting how the others crowded close.
Trowa's hands rubbed the Arab's shoulders gently. "What is it?"
Quatre smiled. "Well, I knew that Duo had his office wired with security cameras for this, and I just had to find the system and his password... I've got a videotape of the entire thing!" He held up the said tape with a flourish.
They were all silent as Heero popped the tape into a nearby machine and hit "Play." There was a moment of fuzz before the recording began...
Une shivered as she watched the Shinigami pilot move, so easily, with that damned disarming smile... She watched as the first man went down...
Heero frowned angrily. He could replay it all in his mind so clearly- about now- we had found that kid, and Duo... He watched as the man went down so easily and the braided boy stooped to help Relena, retrieving the fallen gun at the same time...
"...Heero wouldn't want you to get hurt, and the world needs you, even if I don't like you. He does, and I'll respect that..." Heero felt tears welling up, his breath hitching in his throat. For me? He did it... for me? Oh, God! And I never told him! Oh, Duo- you've loved me, too, for so long, and I never knew! He watched and flinched as Relena stabbed the knife into Duo's unsuspecting body, his anger rising as he watched her kick him over and over again, seeing the demented gleam in her eyes...
Everyone looked rocky as the tape ended. Heero simply stared, only vaguely registering the comforting arm Quatre draped around his shoulders. The Arab gave Trowa a pointed look and smiled his thanks as everyone left the room.
Heero trembled as he leaned into Quatre's embrace. "I don't deserve that sort of love, Quatre. He actually thought that I'd choose her..."
"You know what I'd do, then?" Heero looked up into his friend's face.
He searched the aqua eyes for a few moments- Quatre felt like it would tear his soul out to see Heero looking so vulnerable and broken. The Japanese boy finally whispered, "Tell me what I should do, Quatre. Help me, please?"
The Arab gave his friend a gentle smile. "Go- I'll make sure that the rest of us stay away. You go to the hospital and tell that boy what he needs to hear, okay?"
Heero suddenly gave a beaming smile. "Okay." He hugged Quatre tightly. "Thank you, Quatre. Arigato gozaimasu." Standing, he wiped his face with his sleeve and ran from the room.
Trowa and Wufei were in the room seconds later, looks of bewilderment on their faces as the stared at the smiling Sandrock pilot. Wufei finally couldn't take the silence any longer. "Well? Where's he off to? Should we maybe go after him..."
Quatre finally broke his silence, shaking his head, "No, let him go. He's off to the hospital- he's got to tell a certain braided baka that he loves him. I think we should give them some time."
Duo woke slowly, grimacing at the pain as he tried to stretch. He blinked his eyes to clear his vision- he wasn't quite sure what he was seeing-
"You're awake." Heero's here. Heero... He forced his mind to function and blinked again.
The room started to come into focus, and he gasped as he realised what he was seeing. Heero's eyes. He could feel his cheeks flushing as he whispered, "Heero..."
The Japanese boy hushed him with a finger to his lips. "I need to tell you something, Duo."
He fell silent obediently- he had never seen Heero looking quite so nervous or skittish, and it intrigued him. What could he possibly be so worried about? I don't get it...
Heero took a deep breath. "I saw the tape of the attack." Duo flinched, but was unable to pull his eyes away. "You... you actually thought I would chose her over you? You did. And I nearly lost you because I was a baka."
He gently took hold of one of the slender hands on the coverlet and squeezed. "I did care about her, but nothing even close to what I feel for you. I love you, Duo."
Duo's eyes widened as his jaw dropped open slightly. I didn't just hear that! I'm imagining things again, or I'm dreaming, or I'm high on painkillers... Shit- he did just say that... and I must look really stupid with my jaw hanging open! Wake up, Maxwell! How long have you been waiting for this?! He forced himself to meet Heero's eyes- he could read it all there- pain, fright, anguish, self-loathing... but beyond it all, the sort of love that he had only dreamed was possible.
Duo's mouth was suddenly dry, and he gulped for air. "Heero... God, I wished you would say that. I've wanted to hear it... You... you don't love her?"
Heero shook his head. "She dies if I ever see her again- No one hurts the man I love!"
Duo's arms came up and he ran shaking fingers through Heero's bangs, brushing them back from his face before cupping a cheek and rubbing it with a lightly calloused thumb. "I didn't want to let you go, but I wanted you to be happy."
Heero nearly choked. "Duo, I've never been happier than when I'm with you! You've brought me to life- you've made me what and who I am! I chose to be here because this is where I belong!"
Duo felt his smile forming and let it blossom over his face. "Hopefully not in this hospital, because I love you too much to let you get hurt, okay?" They both laughed, but Duo's eyes quickly became serious and deep again. "I love you Heero Yuy." His hands slipped around to the back of Heero's neck.
Heero leaned forward gently, slowly, as though afraid that this was an illusion and a sharp movement would break it for all time. He could sense Duo's trembling as their lips met, heard the braided boy whimper as he deepened the kiss and their tongues met.
Duo felt heat like he had never known it coursing through him, and he whimpered again as his hand weakly worked its way into Heero's thick, silky hair. He could feel Heero's hands stroking over his body ever so gently, matching the enthralling movements of his lips and tongue. It was more perfect than he had ever dared to dream it could be.
Heero pulled back only when he was certain the other boy would pass out from lack of air. He stared down into violet eyes that glistened and glowed. "Do you have any idea how incredible you are?"
Duo's bright laughter filled his ears. "I could say the same thing, Heero."
Heero smiled again and took Duo's lips, claiming them with a deep, soul-binding kiss. He could feel his entire body thrumming with life and energy- he could have flown, he was certain, at that moment. He could have done anything at all.
As they pulled apart again, Duo smiled up at him adoringly. "I love you, Heero."
An answering smirk. "I hope so- you're stuck with me, now." He pulled Duo's hand to his lips and kissed it again.
Heero ran his fingers through Duo's long bangs gently. He could see sleep pulling at his love and knew that the other boy was fighting it off for him. He leaned down to kiss Duo's forehead lingeringly. "Sleep now, Duo. You've got to get well soon."
"Heero?"
He smiled. "Hai?"
Duo smiled back. "Nothing. I just wanted to see you smile."
Heero gave the other boy another kiss before standing regretfully. "I'll be back soon, love. Sweet dreams."
"Heero, I love you..." Duo dropped to sleep with a smile on his lips.
Heero smiled to himself as he left the small room.
~*~
Lady Une sat behind Duo Maxwell's desk with her head in her hands. What the hell am I supposed to do now? The Great Relena Peacecraft tries to kill someone like this?! And not just anyone, but a Gundam pilot! They had spent four days now going over all the information, from the stuff on the disk that Dorothy had brought for them to the financial trail for the weaponry that Heero had finally uncovered for them. It had been insanely complicated and well-hidden- it made the Preventer chief wonder just what other things Relena had secretly been doing.
To be caught over semantics! She still had a hard time believing that Relena had been stupid enough to use the term 'gutter rat' in Heero's presence, if not only because the criminal had used it just a day before, then in the knowledge of how the Japanese boy felt about his American friend. It had taken all four of the others to restrain Heero when the evidence had become clear- he had been willing to give Relena the benefit of a complete investigation before he killed her.
It also helped that Duo had survived and was healing with his customary speed. Une shook her head- she secretly believed that these boys had to have been genetically engineered for them to be so resilient and have such incredible endurances. Unfortunately, the only people who could have answered those questions had died on the Peacemillion.
Une shivered as she remembered Duo's story- Wufei had finally gotten the words out of the braided pilot, convincing him that the information was necessary for the investigation. That the original Warlock had coldly raped and beaten the younger Duo many times, and the boy had returned and killed the man for it the next day.... Duo's voice had been completely flat as he spoke of it. Only Heero hadn't been shocked by it, having already known. The rest of them... No one faulted Duo's choices- in fact, they all had a newer, healthier respect for Shinigami.
Noin walked in without knocking and collapsed into a chair across from her superior. She smiled in greeting. "Good news- the hospital's releasing Duo in a week. They say they've never seen someone heal up so fast, but he had been in excellent physical condition to begin with..."
Une smiled a little in return. "Did he give you the info we needed?"
Noin nodded and stood, coming around the desk to place a small tape recorder on the table. She pressed play- Duo's voice: It surprised me- Warlock walked in with one of his people and Miss Relena! I had no idea why she was there. I figured that they had kidnapped her, though she had been careful to have no connection with me- only with Heero. Warlock was dumb- I took him down easy. And the other guy- he was real hesitant, like, as though he really didn't want to be there. I guess I was a little intimidating, though, so can't blame him. When I took him down, I scooped up his gun, and Relena was, like, freaking out, as though I might have let him hurt her- even now I wouldn't, you know. She's too important!
She must have had that knife somewhere close on her. I can't believe that she hated me like that! I mean- She stabbed me, and then shoved hard so I fell over. She was kicking at me, and there was nothing I could do! I tried to shield myself from it... Well, she stopped and left, and then I passed out.
You know- I'd love to forget this. I really would, but she came after the kids to get at me! Maybe I can understand her wanting to get rid of me- Hell, I though Heero was choosing her over me, and I felt pretty crappy, too- but to use the kids and the Centre... I can't forgive that. Those kids aren't responsible for my behaviour or love life! Noin hit stop and sagged back against the desk behind her.
Une looked up, her troubled look lightening somewhat. "Well, if we were going to prosecute her, we'd have more than enough evidence. Jesus, Lucrezia, what should we do?"
The smaller, purple-haired woman shook her head sadly, slowly. "There can be no trial- not for Relena, and definitely not exposing the pilots! They've created their own lives by now, and they deserve to live them out. But Relena must be removed from her position- that's clear."
Une leaned back to stare up into Noin's face. "So what if she was 'persuaded' to retire? You know, she got tired of public life and needed to step back. She could still be called in for smaller things and the occasional speech..."
Noin nodded her agreement, but her face was still troubled. "I like it. But there's one last thing- she will never be allowed onto L2 ever again. Heero's made that very clear- if she ever comes close to Duo again, she dies. Painfully."
Une finally laughed- that sounded more like the people she knew! "I think we can manage that! As much as Relena deserves worse..."
"She's crazy, Une," Noin said, turning to lean her arms on the desk surface and put her face down into them. "Dorothy's records show that she's about as unbalanced as they get. And if Duo's not going to take his revenge, then maybe we should back off, too." She stood straight again, rubbing at her temples before turning to look at her superior and smiling ruefully. "Sorry- it's your decision..."
Une shook her head and patted the other woman's shoulder as she stood. "No- you're right. Don't apologise."
Everyone was at the Centre a week later, when Duo was finally released from the hospital. He felt a wave of uneasiness as Heero helped him from the car and he faced his home again. The Japanese boy was there, supporting him as he momentarily sagged against the warmth behind him.
Heero whispered, "We're home, Duo-love. Ready to face it again?"
Duo steeled himself and smiled. "Ready." Together they walked up the stairs and in through the front door.
Duo's eyes widened in surprise and joy as he looked up- "Welcome home, Mr. Duo!" the kids all shouted, surging forward towards the awe-struck young man like a wave of living happiness. His eyes pooled with tears as he was surrounded, and he looked up from the small bodies around him to the other figures in the room- Wufei, Zechs, Trowa, Noin, Une and Quatre. He smiled at them, relying on Heero to make sure that no child pulled at him too hard, causing his wounds to re-open.
Josie came forward. "Alright, short people! We've got to be careful, remember? Mr. Duo was hurt pretty bad..."
Several kids pulled back from him with guilty looks on their little faces, and Duo laughed merrily to reassure them. "I'm glad to see you, too. And I'm gonna be just fine, okay?"
Duo was still overwhelmed, though, and Heero quickly steered him through the crowd of kids to the seat that had been prepared for him. The other pilots crowded around as various Maxwell employees came out to steer the children back to their activities.
Duo smiled at the assembled group of friends. "You've all been... Geez- I hate doing this! Look, all of you- you've been wonderful. And... I never had a family, but you guys are it. All of you- even you, Zechsy. You, too, Une!" He winked at their former enemy.
"I guess what I wanted to say is... thanks." He smiled at all of them in turn. "You deserve more, but I don't know what to say."
Wufei couldn't help it. "You mean that the great Motormouth Maxwell is at a loss for words? Impossible! Inconceivable!"
The other pilots laughed as the Chinese Preventer grabbed Duo and hugged him hard, but Duo pulled back after a moment. "Hey, where's Dorothy?"
He followed as Quatre looked pointedly at the far corner of the room and walked over to where the blonde girl was standing, detached from the rest of the group. "Dorothy?" he called gently. "Come on over here... please?"
She walked forward slowly, looking abashed. "I'm sorry, Mr. Maxwell- I really don't belong here..."
"Nonsense!" Duo cut her off. "If you're gonna say that you were our enemy, well, so was Zechs, okay?" He held out his hand.
Dorothy took it with a smile and managed not to yelp as he bounced back across the room, pulling her along behind him.
~*~
"Hurry up, or we're never gonna get a table!" Trowa nearly growled as he heard Duo's yelling from downstairs. I swear it's a miracle he doesn't wake up every kid in the place with that bellowing...
"Q! Tro! MOVE IT!" The green-eyed boy sighed and shook his head, smiling, as Quatre finally appeared, grabbing a jacket as he darted out the door.
The others were waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs, Duo frowning sharply at them, though his eyes were dancing with an even brighter manic fever than usual. "What kept you?"
Quatre gave a bashful smile. "Sorry. But I'm ready now..."
Heero clapped a hand over Duo's mouth as the latter prepared to go into a full rant on how everyone else, even those with the excuse of hair problems (such as Zechs and himself,) had been ready. "Why don't we all get going?"
Under the cover of movement, Trowa handed the Japanese boy a small box and got a nod and a smile in return.
Duo was practically buzzing with energy and excitement by the time the car pulled up in front of a popular club in one of the better areas of the Colony- he was the first out the door. It wasn't often that Heero suggested that they go out like this, but the Japanese boy had, and Duo was certain that the other was doing it just to humour him... He wasn't going to let him down by not enjoying it to the fullest.
It never even occurred to him to wonder why Heero had made the suggestion, not why their table was ready and waiting when they got there.
Karaoke night- the other four had vivid memories of Duo at various Karaoke bars from the war. From the time he had dragged them up to do an imitation of a twentieth century band called the Backstreet Boys (Wufei still blushed whenever the song 'I Want It That Way' was played,) to his solo, drunken performance of the Thong Song- everyone knew how much Duo liked to put on a show.
Tonight was no disappointment either. No one could deny that he looked incredible- Duo had decided to skip his normal straight black, in exchange for tight black jeans and a violet silk shirt that outlined his upper body nicely, but swayed around his hips as he moved, hair pulled back into a loose ponytail at the base of his neck for the evening. His voice was as good as ever, as well- a clear tenor with that touch of wild to it that came across as a sexy burr over the microphone as he belted out the lyrics of 'I'll be There For You' by Bon Jovi.
But the best was yet to come.
Applause was still ringing in the showroom as the lights dimmed and a figure was suddenly lit up at centre stage. Duo gasped in shock as he recognised the mop of dark hair and the body of the singer, and he spun quickly- Heero was no longer at his side.
Muted piano music began playing as everyone hushed- they could somehow sense that something big was happening. Heero looked up and directly into Duo's eyes as he took a deep breath and opened his lips-
I don't know, but I believe,
That some things are meant to be,
And that you make a better me-
Everyday I love you.
Duo felt tears pooling in his eyes, even as his heart swelled in amazement, Heero's warm, emotion-filled voice caressing his ears as their eyes remained locked.
I never thought that dreams came true,
But you showed me that they do.
You know that I learn something new-
Everyday I love you.
'Cause I believe that destiny is out of our control,
And you'll never live, until you've loved
With all your heart and soul.
It's a touch when I feel bad,
It's a smile when I get mad,
All the little things I've had-
Everyday I love you.
God- tell me this is real! Please tell me this is real! I can't be imagining this- he means it! He really means it! Oh God! Duo could barely sit still as the warmth in his heart overflowed and poured through his entire body and soul.
'Cause I believe that destiny is out of our control,
And you'll never live until you've loved
With all your heart and soul.
Heero was walking down off the stage and approaching their table, falling to one knee at Duo's side and taking hold of his left hand. Duo's breath came out in a gasp, accompanied by tears of joy as he felt something small and cold sliding over his ring finger.
If I asked, would you say yes?
Together we're the very best.
I know that I am truly blessed-
Everyday I love you.
And I'll give you my best-
Everyday I love you.
The music ended, and there was a moment of breathless silence as Heero dropped the forgotten microphone and stared up into Duo's face.
He could barely think, let alone respond, but Duo finally managed to remind himself to breathe. "Yes, oh Heero! Yes! I love you so much!" He threw his arms around the other boy and burst into tears again.
The entire room broke into applause as Heero stood, swinging Duo through the air as he laughed and spun with the other boy held tightly in his arms. He set Duo down gently, both breathing hard as they stared into each other's faces.
Duo pressed his lips to Heero's and felt his soul ignite as the Japanese boy responded, lips parting in invitation. Heero, I love you... Zutto, ai shiteru...
Heero wiped his palms on his pants legs for what seemed like the millionth time. This was what he wanted with all his heart- what he had dreamed about... So why was he so worried?
Zechs smiled amusedly as he got a signal from Wufei. He nodded to Trowa, standing nearby, and turned to tap the nervous groom on the shoulder. "Heero? Showtime. Uh- well, never thought I would be saying this to you of all people, back at the Libra, but... Congratulations."
Heero hugged his best men close before stepping out into the church, feeling a strange calm coming over him as the music began-
He had been against wearing tuxes, but then Quatre had taken Duo and him out for a try-on session and he had seen Duo wearing the crazy suit... His eyes widened now as he watched the other boy, walking up the aisle to him on Wufei's arm, Quatre preceding them. A monkey suit could be borne for this angel.
Duo was smiling as he walked, seeming to float as his eyes centred on the figure of his soon-to-be husband ahead of him. For the first time ever since he was seven, Duo had left his hair down in public, and it glistened and gleamed in the soft lights as he moved, swaying around him as he took one graceful step after another. The three men waiting up at the altar all gasped in shock- he was radiant.
"Dearly beloved,..." The priest began, beaming at the two young men before him. Father Stephen had been terribly surprised two years before, when a young man appeared on his doorstep, asking questions about Father Maxwell. It had touched him then to find that one of Maxwell's orphans had survived and remembered the kindness of Father Maxwell and Sister Helen- it touched him even more to know that the youth wished to carry on their work. It was his privilege this day to see the boy married.
The church seemed to hush as Heero accepted the gold band from Zechs and repeated back, "I take thee, Duo, for my husband, to treasure and keep, in sickness and in health, richer or poorer, till death do us part." He slid the ring onto Duo's finger.
Duo took his ring from Quatre and stared deep into the cobalt eyes. "I take thee, Heero, for my husband, to treasure and keep, in sickness and in health, richer or poorer, till death do us part." He slipped the ring onto Heero's finger. Trembling slightly with happiness, he took hold of Heero's hand and did not let go.
The priest felt that funny little sensation that never failed to remind him that God really did exist and love humanity as he watched the young couple take hands. He smiled at them. "By the power vested in my by the Holy Mother Church and the Earth Government, I pronounce you husband and husband, Heero Yuy-Maxwell and Duo Maxwell-Yuy. You may kiss each other."
Duo forgot to breathe as Heero leaned forward and kissed him, pulling him close, into his strong arms. He was distantly aware of the applause in the small church, but it was all secondary- nothing truly mattered, except the boy in his arms- now his husband.
As they pulled back from each other slowly and began walking down the aisle, hand in hand, both smiled happily.
~*~
Relena scowled darkly as she watched the news clip- the wedding of Duo Maxwell, a local hero and political force to be reckoned with in the colonies, was a true event, especially for poverty-stricken L2. But that he was marrying her Heero...
After her failed attempt on Duo's life and the sheer amount of evidence they had against her, she had been forced to resign from her position and step back into a guarded life. Lady Une had made it perfectly clear that the only thing keeping her from a messy public trial was her important role in the post-war order and the importance of protecting the Gundam pilots from public knowledge. So here she was now, living under house arrest while the man she loved pledged eternal love to that...
Gutter rat. Those words had given her away. Even she hadn't been stupid enough to make a Gundam pilot's identity public knowledge, but she had called him that and one of the grunts had remembered and used the words, as well. That she had used them later in Heero's presence had been an unfortunate mistake on her part.
Even Dorothy has betrayed me. I'm truly alone now- no Heero, no Dorothy, no government to run... She hung her head as the first sob broke free.
~*~
Several drunken hours after into the wedding reception, the pilots were all laughing as they teased the young couple mercilessly. They all had understood that the violet-eyed boy wanted to wait on sex until the marriage happened.
It had made sense then, but now was a completely different story. Especially since the other four, Quatre, Trowa, Zechs and Wufei, were thoroughly smashed.
Duo and Heero smiled at each other. They had been looking forward to this night for a while now and were not going to let their drunken friends disturb it! Duo waited for the signal from Heero before pulling the small smoke grenade in his pocket out and tossing it down carefully-
"Whoa, cool!" Quatre giggled as the air was suddenly filled with swirling indigo smoke that smelled strangely like oranges. All four pilots sat transfixed as the stuff swirled around them, little flashes of other colours dazzling their eyes- it was a cool little bit of pyrotechnics, come to think of it...
As the air cleared, they blinked and looked around in disbelief- Heero and Duo were nowhere to be seen! Wufei rubbed his eyes confusedly. "Ummm, injustice?" he tried.
The others simply burst out laughing again.
Duo and Heero watched form outside the window- it was wonderful to see them all so relaxed and happy- to be happy themselves. Heero pulled Duo into his arms and kissed him soundly.
Duo was purring by the time Heero pulled back with a smile, waiting for the violet eyes to open again. The Japanese boy grinned, "What do you say we make good on our escape, Duo?"
A raised eyebrow. "That idea has promise, Mr. Yuy-Maxwell. I think I like it."
With one last look at the party, still going strong inside the restaurant they had rented out, the two left, leaving no traces behind them. The guys would understand.
OWARI
[1] I think I've read this name used before in the same context in another fic. I don't mean to copy another author's work- I suppose it's the only name that comes to mind. I hope no one takes offence!
Back to Ashkara's Fanfictions Page