Note: Trowa's POV
Erasure Part 9
Quatre and Wufei were bent over the reader that contained J's notes. I watched them as I listened to Une explain to me why she needed to ask the huge favor she was asking.
She had called ten minutes ago on my cell, and my first response to her order was no. I didn't care if she court-marshaled me over it, I told her.
But she didn't threaten. She just started explaining the situation to me in detail. Explaining the mission. Explaining why it had to be Duo and me. She needed her infiltrators- and we were the best.
It was a dangerous situation. There was a deadline. Things were moving along; she couldn't wait for us anymore. She needed us now.
"Look, I can go," I finally told her. "I don't need Duo. I can do it myself."
"That's against regulations, Barton. This kind of situation... we need both of you."
"You aren't going to get Duo to agree to this! Heero needs him!"
"Heero doesn't even remember him!" She snapped back. "Plus, he's going to have to be in the hospital for at least three more days. I checked. This mission should only take you two." She added in a softer tone.
I bit back a growl. "Fine. Fine. I'll ask. Don't be surprised if he resigns over this..."
"He won't." Une replied. "It's kids. You know how Maxwell is about kids."
I did. Unfortunately Une knew too. I hung up on her and stalked back down the hallway.
"What is it?" Quatre asked.
"I have a mission."
"Now?"
"Yes now. It's time sensitive. Une wants me to leave within the hour."
"Do you need backup?" Wufei asked and I frowned.
"Duo's been assigned to go with me."
"WHAT?" Quatre demanded.
"I know, I know- but it's a infiltration. I told Une I could do it on my own, but she insisted that I relay the orders to Duo." I sighed and ran a hand through my bangs.
"He won't leave Heero."
"I know, but I still have to relay orders. And Quatre- it's kids... someone's been picking them up off the streets and selling them off..."
Quatre crumpled. "Damn it..." He sighed and then offered hopefully: "I could go with you instead."
"Or I'll go," Wufei added. "Duo shouldn't leave Heero."
"I agree. I'm sure he'll say no when I give him the orders- and I'll let him know that I can take one of you as backup instead." I turned towards Heero's room and braced myself. I was sure Duo would be furious about being ordered out on a mission at a time like this.
I knocked softly and then let myself into the room. Duo looked up from his spot on Heero's bed. Heero was curled up beside him, his head resting on Duo's shoulder, fast asleep. I hated to disturb them.
"What's up Trowa?" Duo asked softly.
"Une called. She assigned me a mission- there's a guy capturing and selling kids off here on L1. I have to infiltrate and gather enough evidence to hang him- the guy has some strong political ties."
"So you have to go soon?"
"As soon as I can." I braced myself and added the rest. "Une assigned you to go with me." Duo's eyes narrowed and I saw a flash of anger cross his face. "I know- I told her it wasn't a good idea, but she said she needed the best of her infiltrators. Wufei and Quatre both volunteered to go with me instead, so don't worry..."
Duo looked down at Heero, his bangs shading his face for a moment, and then back up at me. I couldn't read the expression on his face.
"I'll go." He said and I felt my mouth drop open.
"What?!"
"You need me- not one of the others. Une's right. I'll go." He slid out of the bed carefully, so as not to wake up Heero. He grabbed my elbow and hauled me towards the door. "Let's go."
"But what about Heero?"
"Quatre can watch him. Besides... it might be better if I'm not around to influence his thinking..." the last was said so softly that I nearly didn't hear it. I followed Duo out into the hallway, wondering what the hell to say to that statement.
Quatre stood up when he saw us. "Duo?"
"Hey Quatre- you can keep an eye on Heero, right?"
"You aren't going." My lover's surprise was obvious.
"I am going. You want the best to watch Trowa's back, don't you?" Duo gave him a faint smile. "Sides, Heero can't go anywhere for a few days. I'll be back before he's out, right?" He turned to look at me.
"Yes," I managed.
"See? All set. Let's go." Duo grabbed my elbow again; clearly intent on hauling me off before Quatre could muster an argument.
It was Wufei, however, who blocked his way. "What are you doing? Let one of us go."
"Une gave me the assignment and I'm accepting it. Heero will be here when I get back."
"Don't you care about him at all?" Wufei snapped.
I winced as Duo's fist connected with Wufei's cheek and sent him sprawling. "You don't know fuck-all about it." Duo snarled. "Don't you dare fucking presume to guess how I feel about Heero! You know nothing about us!"
Wufei looked up, one hand on his already-bruising cheek. "Really? Then why are you running away from him?" He got to his feet and glared at Duo. "He needs you..."
Duo's anger vanished. He closed his eyes and I saw his shoulders shake. "No. He has a chance to start over again. I want to make him into my Heero... but he deserves a choice. He deserves to see if he'd be happier without me..." He opened his eyes and pushed past Wufei who stared after him, shocked.
Quatre swore. It summed up my feelings rather well too.
I turned and met his gaze. "I'll talk to him." I said. "We'll be back in two days."
My lover nodded and lifted his hand to me. "Be careful."
"Always." I promised, and followed after Duo.
TBC...
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