One Night Part 7
Trowa dreamed of fire.
He'd been sleeping when the fire started- the roaring of the lions had woken him up, he'd stumbled out of his trailer half-asleep and it had taken him a moment to realize what the red glow in the main tent meant. He air was filled with screams, human and animal, and a popping noise that at first he thought was the fire...
The ground was rocky, he'd cut the bottoms of his feet as he ran for the tent, intent on getting the animals out... other people were running around screaming, and it wasn't until one of them fell over in front of him that he realized what the popping noise was...
Someone was shooting at the circus people...
Where was Cathy? Where was his sister? Panic rose higher, choking him...
Louder screams by the tent alerted him to the fact the lions were out... and they were scared- running... not caring what or who was in their way...
He didn't let that stop him- he still ran for the tent, ran for the animals, hoping to calm them down... hoping to find his sister...
But now the unknown shooters were aiming for the lions- and he watched them fall, saw the ground turn slick with blood...
"Trowa," a voice in his ear, a cool hand touching his temple and the nightmare vanished, leaving him gasping in the dark. "Trowa?"
"I'm awake," he answered, still trying to get his bearings. Where was he? An arm was wrapped around his shoulders- who did it belong to?
"I'm sorry to wake you. You... seemed distressed." The voice continued. A light snapped on.
His eyes focused on the person leaning over him.
Quatre.
That's right. He'd fallen asleep in Quatre's bed...
"Nightmare," Trowa said, shivering as the sweat on his skin began to dry. Quatre's arms tightened a little, pulled Trowa closer to his warmth.
"Triggered by something you did on the mission?"
"Yes." He answered shortly, not wanting to stir up the memories more.
"What exactly?"
"Why are you asking?"
Quatre's fingers touched Trowa's cheek. "So I know not to ask you to do it again."
Trowa found that he couldn't speak for a moment. "You'd truly do that?"
"Yes."
"What if it was the only way to complete a job?" Trowa couldn't help the cynical note that rose in his voice.
"I'd find another way."
"Really?"
"Really," Quatre's voice was even. He didn't sound upset that Trowa was doubtful. "Ask Duo if you don't believe me. What triggered the nightmare?"
"The wire," Trowa drew in a breath. "Walking the wire..."
"Because of what happened to the circus?"
Trowa pulled away from Quatre. "How did you know...?"
"I told you. I did some research on you. I read several news articles on what happened. It was a terrible thing."
"It was," Trowa relaxed. He didn't have to tell, Quatre already knew...
"So I won't ask you to do it again."
It was kind of Quatre to say, but... Trowa shook his head. "No. I'd like to do it again. I don't want to avoid it. I know it will give me nightmares- but it's worth it."
"I understand." Quatre's mouth brushed his temple. "Let me help you get back to sleep."
Trowa tilted his head up, met Quatre's mouth with his. "Shouldn't I be sneaking back down the hallway to my own bedroom?"
Quatre's laughter vibrated against his skin. "I assure you, despite my Maguanacs' attitudes, they do realize I'm an adult." He slid down Trowa's body, making the assassin gasp. "I don't think they're assuming we're in here still discussing business at this hour."
"Have you seen the way Rashid glares at me?" Trowa managed. "Maybe we should be, Mr. Winner..." He gasped when Quatre's teeth found the sensitive skin of his thigh.
"I think, when we're here, I prefer Quatre..." The blond moved his mouth slightly and Trowa arched into his touch. "Especially when I get you scream it... Let's see... what worked last time?"
~*~
Duo didn't say anything the next morning when Trowa walked into the room a step behind Winner. His mouth just curved up into a knowing smile. Trowa lifted an eyebrow at him in reply.
"Any luck?" Winner asked.
Heero's smile was feral. "Oh yes. I think you'll be able to show the Lady that Chang's organization was targeting hers- and even better- because Zechs was ordering him to do so."
Winner's eyebrows lifted as he took the folder from Heero's hands and scanned the hard copies. "Excellent," he said after a few moments. "I'll be able to go through these thoroughly before I meet with her tomorrow night." He stopped on one of the papers and frowned. "Considering what Mr. Barton told me last night and a few of these papers... I wonder if Chang and Treize can be bought away from Zechs..."
Duo chuckled. "I was going to bring that up. Mr. Barton planted a few bugs last night in Chang's room- I took the opportunity to go through the tapes this morning." He handed Winner a small disc. "I recorded the most interesting conversation- if you ignore the background noises..."
Winner went to his desk and pulled out a small player. He inserted the disc and lifted up the headset. His eyes widened slightly as he listened. Trowa looked at Duo, who winked.
"I thought Heero and I were kinky!" Duo whispered. "Chang wasn't kidding about the watching thing- and I don't think Treize is happy with it either. "
Winner was smiling when he put the headset down. "Excellent." He looked at the clock. "As two of you know, Treize has lunch at the same place everyday by himself- I think I will join him today. Can the three of you provide undercover backup? I don't need you to do anything but be extra eyes- the Maguanacs will take care of the rest."
Duo nodded. "Yes, I already have made up the basics for Mr. Barton. We can handle that easily."
"Perfect. I thank you for your foresight. Try to be in place before I get there- Treize arrives at 11:30. Don't stay in there for the whole time either- not unless it can be convincing."
"Easy enough- and the ones that leave can watch the outside." Heero nodded. "If you don't mind the question- what about the Queens?"
"They've been very quiet so far after that first mistake of Dorothy's. I suspect they are playing a mild game this time after that mess- but I do have some of the Maguanacs watching them. So far the ladies are only solidifying their positions. It's early in the game still. We have three more days after all."
"If you need us in place before Treize gets there then we should get ready now." Heero said, looking at the clock.
"Thank you gentlemen." Trowa followed Duo and Heero out of the room.
Duo nudged him with an elbow. "Soooo, have a good night?"
"As good as yours was I imagine."
"Yeah, watching Heero at a computer screen all night was just stimulating, believe me." Duo rolled his eyes.
"I wasn't there all night," Heero protested.
"Most of it."
"Maybe half."
"How are we going to go in?" Trowa asked, cutting the argument off. "Single diners? I don't think we can fake staff..."
"We won't," Heero assured him. "That's the first thing Treize's men do- ask who the new staff members are. We could try to replace a few, but it's too short notice for that."
"Replace a few?"
Duo chuckled. "I told you we spent some time in Hollywood with the makeup and special effects guys- just wait and see what we have for you."
~*~
Trowa blinked at himself in the mirror. Duo hadn't been kidding! The only thing he recognized in the mirror was his eyes- and those were half-hidden behind a thin pair of wire-framed glasses. The rest was totally different. They had darkened his skin, given him a short dark-haired wig, and added tiny layers of fake skin to make his cheekbones wider and his chin sharper.
"Great!" Duo was working on Heero's face when Trowa came out of the bathroom in a light tan linen suit. "Here's the directions," he pointed to a piece of paper on the counter. "There's some weapons and a wallet on the bed with a fake ID for you- the brown one. Buy a book or a paper- something that would give you a reason to linger over your lunch."
"Any specific orders other than keeping an eye on Mr. Winner?"
"No- unless you're close enough to hear the conversation at the table- but that may be impossible. Don't forget to- leave about half an hour after Treize gets there to keep an eye on the streets."
"Got it. See you there. "
Duo grinned. "You'll have to see if you recognize us."
Trowa grinned back. "Since I don't recognize me, I doubt it."
~*~
It wasn't that hard to find the restaurant. Trowa could see why Treize preferred it- the little tables were well spread out and the wait staff was quick, organized and minded their own business. He found himself seated in a corner table with a good view of the restaurant and all of its patrons. He had brought a newspaper, which he pretended to be studying intently as patrons entered and left the restaurant.
Duo had shown him a picture of Treize, so he was easy to spot when he came in- not that it would've been hard to guess- he was the only one who entered with an entourage. Trowa barely glanced his way- no sense in alarming the target. He kept his eyes on the muscle instead- noting where they went, watching to see where weapons might be concealed...
He realized that if Treize was here- then so were Heero and Duo. He looked around the restaurant- it was mostly natives, some couples, some business men- he didn't see anyone who looked remotely like his allies. Not that he was surprised- his disguise was a 'quick' one according to Duo- just kind of thrown together. His and Heero's must be even more refined.
Winner came in a few minutes after Treize, who seemed very surprised to see him- and even more surprised when Winner simply sat down at his table.
His expression smoothed out once Winner started talking, and Trowa wondered how this surprise meeting was going. He knew how persuasive Winner could be...
Much to his surprise he found that he didn't like the way Treize eyed his lunch companion. Some of those looks were not wary or assessing- but appreciative.
He couldn't be... jealous?
Checking his watch, he realized it was time for him to make an exit. He got to his feet, dropped money on the table for his bill and wandered out to the street. There had to be a good place to linger...
He found it at a magazine stand only a few feet from the door of the restaurant. As he flipped through the magazines and kept an eye on the door- something caught his attention.
Someone else doing the same thing- on the opposite sidewalk- and by a bookseller's storefront not a stand. At first he thought the man might be one of the others in disguise, but Trowa put that thought to the side as the man kept nervously slipping his hand under his coat...
That suggested hired gun- a newbie- obviously nervous... was he there for Winner? Or for Treize?
Or for someone else entirely?
Trowa decided to get closer to the guy, just in case. He put his magazine down and moved over to a noodle stand next to the bookstore. He bought a bowl and ate slowly, keeping his eye on the nervous hit man as well as scanning the street for more trouble.
Winner came out of the restaurant- heading for his car on their side of the street, the Maguanacs around him- and the hit man moved, a fast walk designed to bring him on a collision course with Trowa's boss.
Now that was not acceptable.
Trowa tossed his noodle bowl at the trash, and walking casually but quickly, moved to intercept the other.
The hit man sped up once Winner was on their side of the street, and Trowa deliberately walked into him, letting his hand slide under the other's coat.
"Nice try, but no," he said, letting his knife touch the other's ribs.
Something shoved hard into his back, and Trowa realized he had made a mistake.
The guy had a backup that Trowa had somehow missed- and that one had managed to sneak up on them and pin Trowa.
He looked over the newbie's shoulder- Winner was getting in the limo, apparently unhurt. He looked in Trowa's direction and his eyes widened.
A sharp burst of pain in his side- the guy behind him had taken advantage of Trowa's distraction and stabbed him.
"You won't live to stop us again," the guy in front of him hissed. "Knife is poisoned."
"You won't live to try again." Trowa pushed his knife into the one in front, pulled it out and plunged it into the one behind him. He slid out from between them before either one could fall and ducked into a nearby alley. He ran as far down it as he could- the more distance the better... hopefully the cops would show up a little too late to figure out which way he went...
Breathing hard, he leaned against the wall. His vision was already blurring... this was not good...
TBC...
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