Strike Force Five Part 9
Comfort Levels
The return trip to the Winner estate was spent in silence. Wufei was relieved to see the first reddish rays of dawn tint the horizon. Condensation still clung to the front viewport but the fog had thinned in the rising sun's warmth.
Quatre slept with his head in Trowa's lap. While his fingers twirled silken stands of Quatre's hair Trowa absentmindedly gazed out the window. Duo and Heero sat opposite each other doing their best to avoid eye contact. There seemed to be an uneasy tension between the two soldiers but the source was not clear to Trowa as he observed Heero and Duo's fleeting glances.
The helicopter set down gently on the dew-damp lawn. Trowa didn't bother waking Quatre. "There will be a strategy meeting after breakfast." he informed his Strike Force counterparts before he carried his lover inside and upstairs to their suite.
Duo shouldered his heavy backpack watching Trowa and his precious cargo disappear through the front door. "I hope Trowa doesn't think breakfast is going to be early. I need my beauty sleep."
Heero and Wufei unloaded the SCATs storing them in the main garage next to Duo's "Shinigami" for safekeeping. "I suggest we get a few hours sleep." Wufei said as he locked the garage door.
*********
Even though Duo was bone weary he decided that a quick shower would help him settle down. Stepping out of the floral patterned shower stall he uncoiled his braid that he had pinned up to keep dry then pulled on clean boxers and wrapped his damp body in the fluffy cotton robe that had been provided. He turned back the coverlet and top sheet more than ready to give into the Sandman's invitation to slumber.
He was about to ease in between the invitingly cool sheets when an odd sound filtered through the bedroom door. The noise did not come from the hall but it was close enough to be clearly heard. Duo's first thought was that Heero was using his laptop but he could not imagine, especially after their perilous "tour", why Heero would be typing and not sleeping.
Then the noise came again and Duo realized that it was not tapping but a series of thumps that were punctuated with a louder crash. "What the hell?" Duo wondered as the sounds suddenly stopped.
Cautiously Duo cracked open his door peering out into the vacant hall. He listened hoping that the noises would be repeated so he could identify the source. A second sound, one more muted in its volume, was definitely coming from Heero's room.
Duo momentarily considered returning to bed as he remembered that the last time he had inquired about noises in Heero's room the door had been slammed in his face. But something in the strange resonance told Duo that further investigation was imperative.
A soft knock produced no reply. The lack of either an oral or physical response made Duo more uneasy. A harder knock...nothing. "Heero." he called loud enough to prod Heero to answer. Still only silence.
Taking a chance Duo tried the doorknob and found, much to his surprise, that the door was unlocked. The fact that Heero had left himself exposed to unauthorized intrusion confirmed that something was indeed wrong. Duo opened the door just wide enough to take a quick peek but not enough to appear to be snooping.
The room was dark but the sunrise provided sufficient light to see Heero's silhouette facing the double French doors. He was dressed only in pajama bottoms. Appallingly even in the pale backwash of dawn the whitish scars crisscrossing Heero's back offered stark testimony of unimaginable brutality.
To one side the leather windsuit, gloves and boots lay in a heap like shed snakeskin. The helmet rested against the opposite wall. A deep indention marring the painted surface showed where the helmet had hit solving the mystery of the loud crash.
Duo debated whether or not to venture further inside but the stoop of Heero's shoulders and the way his entire body seemed to be shaking prompted Duo to come in and close the door. "Heero." he called again hoping to spur some reaction but Heero did not turn around.
Walking up behind his Strike Force comrade Duo paused not sure what to do. Once more Duo's eyes traced the disfigurement on Heero's golden flesh. A pang of pain pierced Duo's heart betraying his battle borne hardness. Forgetting that Heero was uncomfortable with being too close, without thinking, Duo reached out a single finger to touch the roughly healed wounds that were both repulsive and beautiful at the same time.
The slight touch, a mere flicker of sensation, was all it took for Duo to find himself flung flat on his back with ample force to jar the air from his lungs. He looked up, as his chest seized and dark dots floated over his vision, to hazily see Heero straddling him.
Heero's left hand was clasped around Duo's throat hard enough to push the chain holding his cross painfully into his neck. Heero's right arm was cocked back and his hand was balled into a tight fist that hovered dangerous near Duo's head. An indescribable look of deadly violence had transformed Heero's cobalt eyes into dark, menacing orbs as they focused on Duo's chalky face. Frighteningly Heero stared down at Duo's ashen features and pleading violet eyes with no hint of recognition.
All Duo could do under Heero's pinning weight on his chest and the strangulating grasp on his throat was struggle to draw in one gulp of air. He grabbed Heero's wrists trying in vain to break the death grip. Finally Duo managed to lessen the tight hold enough to choke out two words. "Heero. Please."
Heero tilted his head as the words gurgled from Duo's constricted windpipe. Slowly the ruthless scowl softened, the firm grip eased until Duo could suck in a wheezing gasp. Then as if Heero was seeing Duo for the first time a puzzled expression replaced the fierce glare. Clumsily Heero's hand slipped away. With the same unsteadiness he rocked back on his heals allowing Duo to scoot backwards until he was free from Heero's crushing body.
Duo lay on his back, heart hammering and lungs panting to refill with oxygen. Heero rolled onto his hip still staring at Duo as if the braided man had suddenly materialized from thin air. Gradually Duo recovered enough to ease up on his elbows and with extra effort to sit up.
Shafts of sunlight shone through the double doors glistening on Heero's damp skin. The dawning color washed across his flushed features and Duo could see tears clinging to Heero's long eyelashes.
As Duo raised up on his knees leaning closer to study Heero's red-rimmed eyes he recalled the aloof soldier who, upon his arrival, had put everyone on notice that he was there for duty. That outside of the mission there would be no interaction. Heero Yuy was a soldier, no a mercenary, whose loyalty could be bought for the right price.
Now the soldier facade appeared to be crumbling. But what could have effected such a change? Could it have been Duo's near miss earlier that night? Surely Heero had had many near misses. But the scars on his back were clear evidence that sometime in the past Heero had not been invincible. And Duo suspected that the scars went deeper than the flesh, that Heero's soul had suffered also.
"Heero are you crying?" Duo asked not bothering to hide his concern.
Heero blinked forcing several droplets to spill down his cheeks and although he did his best to ignore the salty moisture Duo could tell that he was losing the battle to keep the crying in check. His lips parted trembling ever so slightly.
"Soldiers don't cry." The words were barely above a whisper.
Duo leaned nearer using his thumb to trace the tear tracks. "Humans do." he declared sliding his hand around Heero's neck until it cupped behind his head. Then to soothe the pain in both Heero's eyes and heart Duo lips delivered a brushing kiss.
Heero tensed at the unexpected contact but Duo would not be dissuaded. His lips pressed with gentle persuasion. The kiss was not demanding, it was not Duo's intension to be lustful, he only wanted to offer comfort to a suffering soul. As the kiss deepened Heero suddenly found himself flooded with peculiar feelings. He closed his eyes drowning in the wetness of Duo's mouth and the warm sensation from his hand on the nape of his neck.
The robe had slipped from Duo's shoulders baring his heaving chest and his private regions hidden by thin cotton boxers. Heero's lifted his hand laying it lightly Duo's shoulder that was creamy in contrast to his golden skin tones. The touch produced a moan from Duo that added fuel to the fire.
For a moment Heero dared to let down his carefully crafted guard, to allow a spark of his humanity to momentarily shine through. But despite Duo's best efforts the spark soon faded and the darkness return. The memories of recent events and ones from the past merged to slam shut the gates around his heart. Heero could not afford to let go because if he did he was afraid that he would never regain his control.
"No." Heero muttered against Duo's mouth. Breaking the kiss he quickly stood up and turned back toward the double doors. He could still taste Duo on his lips, still breathe in the faint essence that lingered in the air.
Duo stood up but kept his distance not because he feared a repeat of Heero's startled behavior but to give the confused soldier breathing room. In his side vision Heero could see Duo pulling the robe tighter about his slender body covering up the enticing view.
Heero stared at his reflection mirrored in the sunrise. He was tired in both mind and spirit and he was having trouble fooling himself that he didn't give a damn about anyone or anything.
"What happened should not have happen." Heero growled now fully in control once more.
Duo tilted his head also studying Heero's image in the dawn-tinted glass. "I wasn't trying to make you uncomfortable. I promise nothing else will happen."
"You need to leave now."
Duo stepped closer resisting the strong urge to touch Heero. "Let me stay I don't think you should be alone."
Heero closed his eyes fighting the frustration. Why was it so damn hard to maintain control? "Leave now."
"But Heero I..."
"I said get out now!" Heero hissed clenching his fists so hard that his knuckles whitened and his fingernails dug into his palm.
Duo paused just before he stepped into the hall. "First you slam the door in my face then you slam me on the floor. Damn Yuy you need to work on your anger management."
*********
Breakfast....no brunch came too earlier for Duo. He had lay awake for at least an hour after returning to his room wondering if Heero was right and the kiss shouldn't have happened. "You are such a fool." He berated himself. "You should have realized that Heero was already upset by what happened in the clearing and then you added to his distress by your lack of restraint."
At eleven a.m. Duo was still chiding himself when he joined Trowa and Quatre in the kitchen. Wufei, in spite of his limited sleep had been the first one up and was in the garden practicing whenever it was he usually practiced. Heero had stopped in long enough to pour a cup of coffee then had disappeared somewhere on the estate. Duo thought about seeking Heero out but he wasn't certain what he would say. No better to keep things on a professional level and put the kiss out of his mind.
Trowa had wisely decided to not schedule the mission meeting until late afternoon. As anxious as he was to get a plan in place he realized that a plan was only as good as the men who carried it out and right then his weary troops need extra R & R. But by nightfall, he had declared, every detail would be in place and the next morning OZ was going pay a very high price for their misguided alliance with the devil.
*********
The strategy was held in the dining room. Maps, recon photos and rough sketches of the OZ compound were scattered about the tabletop. Each Strike Force member added to the planning. Every detail was discussed, debated and oftentimes augured with the passion befitting the seriousness of the operation. Heero had reverted back into his protective "soldier mode" outwardly displaying the same cold efficiency that he had shown since he arrived at the Winner stronghold.
Duo felt even more ill at ease as Heero all but ignored his comrade in arms. "What harm did I do?" The question kept nagging at Duo's thoughts making it difficult for him to concentrate. Finally Duo summoned up Shinigami's strength for he could not afford for his mind to be on anything but the upcoming assignment. He did make a promise to himself that at the first opportunity he would make things right with Heero.
The mission would be carried out in two phases. Trowa, Quatre and Wufei were to plant part of the explosives, "nuisance boomers" as Duo had nicknamed them, at locations around the compound where their destructive power would do the greatest damage. The Communications Center, the motor pool and the fuel depot were prime targets along with anything else they deemed worth blowing up.
Once the compound began to go up in smoke the resulting confusion would be more than enough distraction to allow for the tower toppling. If the assault raid was to be carried out with any hope of success the Laser Cannon would have to be silenced. From its perch on the tower's apex the powerful weapon could easily take out anything within its range and it range was considerable covering well beyond the compound's perimeter.
Duo and Heero would take the most potent charges, ride the SCATs out to the tower and destroy the massive structure. But to complete that assignment they were going to have to perform a little magic.
Their first trick would be reaching the tower undetected, a sizeable feat in itself since the cannon set in an exposed section with only one, clearly visible, road leading in. Then given the remote control's limited signal span once the charges were in place the detonation would have to be triggered "up close and personal".
Duo admitted that he had no idea how much force it would take to bring down the framework of crossbeams and cables. He did know that the tower had been erected directly on the ground and not anchored on depth-driven pilings as it should have been. He was also sure that it was top heavy judging by the height to width ratio. Both construction errors were in his favor. One main corner support was all that would have to be undermined to achieve the desired results.
Unfortunately the support base's density could not be determined beforehand. That meant that not until Duo was actually standing in the tower's shadow could he evaluate the blast saturation patterns and make the critical charge calculations. Then the second trick would be avoiding the flying debris, showers of ignited material and the tower's ground coverage when it pitched over.
The narrow margin for error made the SCATs the perfect means to get in and out in the briefest time period allow. Perhaps with the bike's maneuverability and speed and some reckless daring on Duo and Heero's part the freedom fighters might just make the magic happen.
Everyone would stay linked with their Tracker Bands and, if all went according to plan, the decisive strike would quickly be completed and OZ would be dealt the proper punishment for all their heinous crimes. With bravery, cunning and a goodly portion of luck the Strike Force Five would be sharing their victory by the next sunrise.
The session finished Quatre sent a servant to the wine cellar with instructions to select a bottle of his better stock. Quatre had intended to save the expensive vintage for their victory celebration but everyone's safe return from the previous night's spying mission and the cooperation among the often opposed team members was a good reason to partake now.
The tabletop was cleared, everyone sat down. Trowa popped the cork. Ruby liquid filled five glasses. Quatre stood raising his glass in a salute to his united soldiers. "I will admit that I had my doubts when I began assembling this team but each of you has exceeded my expectations. Now all my doubts have been put to rest. I am honored to call you comrades." he announced lifting his glass higher, "To our victory.
As the glasses were refilled and the fermented brew worked its relaxing magic, Wufei, Trowa, Heero and Duo took turns retelling their assorted past adventures. Of course it goes without saying that each story was colored by the storyteller's vivid pallet of words and presented with imaginative and quite dramatic scripts.
The male's crude tales of their many conquests, battle related and otherwise, were embellished with fanciful half-truths and enhanced with just enough liquor-inflated boasting to stroke their egos until they all the imbibers were feeling pretty good about themselves.
Throughout the revelry Quatre remained silent. The wine had put him in a melancholy mood. Although Quatre had appeared to be himself since returning to the estate Trowa sensed a remoteness that he had never felt before, a distant seclusion that he was not certain he could breach.
Gazing into Quatre's pensive eyes Trowa saw that a grievous shadow had subdued their ordinarily bright sparkle. At first Trowa blamed his lover's detachment on the tension that had affect everyone in one way or the other but now Quatre's eyes downward cast was strangely faraway.
His partner's self-imposed isolation disturbed Trowa. He had to wonder if coming so close to losing each other when they were almost discovered by the Security Drone had pushed Quatre's overworked body and overstressed mind beyond what he could emotional handle.
Trowa watched Quatre stare passed his wineglass and again wondered what he could do to help. As Trowa considered if he should intervene Quatre excused himself from his comrade's company and stepped into the hall. Trowa rose saying that Quatre was tired and needed some time alone then also left the room.
"What was that about?" Duo asked suddenly feeling less inebriated. Wufei shrugged as his somber gaze followed Trowa's exit but he offered no opinion for either man's abrupt departure.
Wandering outside into the east garden Quatre took up a secluded position behind a lilac hedge. Trowa paused on the porch thinking that maybe it would be best to leave his lover to himself, to give him the space required to have a private moment. Perhaps being alone even if his solitary station was only yards from the house would be the "down time" that Quatre needed.
But Trowa's well-developed intuition where Quatre was concerned told him unequivocally that his withdrawal as far more serious than just the need to sort out his feelings. Some deeply rooted trouble stronger than overwrought nerves and careworn spirits had altered Quatre's personality. The disposition alteration went beyond a mere temperamental shift or mood swing. Something darker plagued his mind. A black inundation of his soul that, this time, Quatre might not be able to overcome.
Trowa stopped a short distance from Quatre's side hoping that his lover would turn around. When no response was forthcoming Trowa spoke up. "What's wrong?" he whispered.
A tense silence followed. Trowa was prepared to ask again when Quatre's sighed. "Nothing."
Trowa knew better. "Don't lie to me." he replied fighting his frustration, "What's wrong."
"Nothing I said." Quatre snapped still not turning around.
Trowa moved closer, he was not about to be dissuaded by his partner's angry attitude. "Quatre." he called keeping his voice calm and even.
"I'm sorry." his lover finally answered with another worn sigh. "A lot has happened in a short time." he admitted turning to face his concerned partner.
Trowa reached out touching Quatre's shoulder. He was startled when the familiar contact produced a slight flinch. "I know everything is crazy now," he agreed leaning closer to his shorter lover, "but together we can face anything." he promised taking Quatre's hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Quatre's shoulders sagged and he began to turn away again. In the gathering dusk it was difficult for Trowa to see his lover's eyes, to read their exact expression. But the exhausted stoop of his entire body told Trowa that Quatre did not need to be alone.
"What can I do to help?" Then for some reason Trowa's intuitive link with Quatre's core consciousness pressed him to be more specific in his inquiry. "Is it what happened with that Security Drone?" he asked point blank.
Trowa's question hit hard. It took all of Quatre's willpower to maintain his quickly crumbling facade, to keep in place the fragile emotional blockade thrown up against the all but overpowering guilt at putting his partner at risk.
"No." Quatre lied afraid that if he said any more that Trowa would read the falsehood in his reply. As he struggled to keep his breathing steady and his hands from shaking Quatre knew he was on the verge of breaking down.
Once more Trowa's natural connection questioned why Quatre's strong denial of any problem did not match his undeniably strained physical characteristics. Body language does not lie! Trowa was not at all satisfied with or convinced by Quatre's persistent refusal of his clearly apparent upset. Still, he decided, the dew-drenched garden was not the best location or atmosphere for any reflective discussion.
"Come on let's go to bed." Trowa suggested believing that a warm bed would encourage a productive and hopefully more honest dialogue. Even if Quatre held stubbornly to his dubious version of the truth, Trowa could at least get him to relax and perhaps sleep.
"You go ahead." Quatre answered trying to control the tremors in his voice. "I will come in a few minutes." he promised.
Trowa planted a quick kiss on his partner's silky cheek, "A few minutes." he sternly repeated putting Quatre on notice that he expected him to keep his word.
As soon as Quatre thought that Trowa was far enough away not to see or hear he let go of his guarded feelings. Using the lavender lilacs to shield his emotional collapse from any prying eyes Quatre covered his face with his hands, dropped his defenses and surrendered to his tears.
TBC...
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