Author's Note: I'm going to say this at the beginning of the next few chapters, and then not repeat it again, okay? Just for the record, I DON'T do death fics. Please keep that in mind.
And I apologize for the long delay--life has been kicking my ass. I'll try to do better.
Witness Protection Part 44
Acceleration
Duo took Trowa's departure remarkably well. The auburn-haired man insisted on heading out just a couple of hours after breakfast. But at least he and Duo had time to sit out on the porch swing and talk privately while I took care of the dishes.
I didn't eavesdrop, for once in my life, though it was hard not to. I wanted to know what they talked about in the worst way. But after Duo had said that what he and I had together felt more "right" than his previous relationships, I felt like I had to live up to his image of me. I needed to prove to him that I could be secure about the feelings we shared.
So I ran the water and set about scrubbing and rinsing the dishes to drown out even snatches of conversation from the nearby porch. With the window and door closed, all it took was a little rattling and sloshing to insure there'd be no chance of overhearing a word.
When the two finally came back inside, Duo hobbled straight over to me and slipped his arms around my waist in a tight hug.
I paused, holding a dishrag in one hand and a plate in the other. "Um, Duo--?"
He looked up at me with an impish grin. "Don't think I didn't notice," he said cryptically, before claiming my mouth in a hungry, passionate kiss, that made me want to grab him and drag him off to the bedroom...or the couch...or, fuck it, the floor!
I pried one eye open as he slowly drew back, keeping his lips within easy reach, and I caught an amused look from Barton.
"I'll just let myself out then," he joked, starting for the hallway.
Duo pulled back slightly, though he kept his arms around me and glanced over his shoulder at his former lover. "Thanks for listening, Tro'."
"Yeah, you too," teased the green-eyed man. He gave me a small smile and a slight nod. "You take very, very good care of him."
"I will," I said evenly, allowing myself a smug little smirk of my own. "And I'll even get him to the trial alive and well, too."
Duo turned a smoldering look my way. "Aw, baby--I think I need a demonstration of how you'll 'take care' of me."
"Maybe after Barton leaves," I suggested, nodding towards his friend. "Why don't you walk him out while I put away the last of the dishes, hm?"
"Yeah--be right back." Duo eased away slowly, allowing his hands to slide caressingly along my arms until he finally had to let go completely. And then with a devilish wink, he turned and limped over to escort Trowa out.
I put away the dishes in record time, joining Duo in the doorway as Barton started up his car and drove off.
I'd come up behind him, and slipped my arms around his waist, only to have him lean comfortably back against me, sort of nestling his ass against my groin.
"Did you and Trowa have a nice visit, even if it was short?" I asked, nuzzling his hair, and breathing in the warm scent of his shampoo and the salty sea air.
"Yeah, we did." Duo turned his head to look sideways at me. "He's really serious about Quat, y'know."
"I'd sort of gotten that impression," I said dryly.
"Naw, I mean serious," Duo insisted. He turned in my embrace, wrapping his arms around my neck, and fixing a very intent look on me. "I hope I'm right about Quat." A faint frown creased his forehead. "Back at the lake house, he really seemed sincere, but..."
"But now that you know Trowa's lost his heart, you're worried that Quatre might have second thoughts about dating a stripper," I guessed.
"Just...he's a big-shot lawyer...with a reputation to protect..."
"A reputation he'd toss out the window in a heartbeat, if he thought it'd cost him Trowa's love or respect," I said firmly.
"You really believe that?"
I looked at the wide indigo eyes, and the naked fear in their depths. He was genuinely terrified of what would happen to Trowa if Quatre changed his mind.
And, totally unbidden, the words sort of flowed into my head--the words of reassurance Duo needed to hear. "I believe that Quatre Winner is as deeply in love with Trowa as I am with you," I said fervently. "And if that's the case, he'd give up anything to be with him--his possessions, his job, and the entire life he's built for himself--all the things I'd gladly give up just to be with you."
His eyes widened, and then he buried his face against my shirt, his arms tightening almost painfully. "Jesus--" he mumbled into my chest. And then he said something else, but so muffled that I couldn't quite make it out.
"Duo?"
He shook his head. "Not sayin' it again," he gasped, keeping his face averted. "Fuckin' jinx--"
My own eyes widened, as his sudden reluctance seemed to confirm that I'd heard what I thought I did--what I hoped I did.
--love you--
I didn't press the issue. Much as I wanted clarification--wanted to hear him say it aloud--needed to hear the words--I wasn't going to push. He obviously thought that saying he loved someone was bad luck, and with the upcoming trial and the ordeals we might have to face getting there, I didn't want his fear for my life causing him to endanger his own.
I reached to gently lift his chin so I could place a soft, lingering kiss on his lips, and then one on each of his closed eyes. "I love you, Duo Maxwell--and whether you ever say it or not, I know you feel the same way about me. I don't need to hear it, until you feel safe in saying it. Okay?"
He relaxed against me and nodded, sighing deeply. "C'n we go sack out on the couch awhile?" he murmured wearily. "I'm beat."
"Sure," I said warmly, ushering him into the living room and settling him on the couch he'd lain on for his stitches. "All that emotional shit really takes it out of you, doesn't it?"
He gave me a snide look, but couldn't help smiling rather wanly. "Dunno why you put up with me, Yuy. But I'm glad you do."
I snorted and shook my head. "I do it because I'm getting paid to," I teased.
He rolled his eyes, and flipped me the finger; then he snuggled into the pillows, stretching out and putting his sore foot up on the coffee table, and I turned on the television, so he had something to watch while I checked out the security videos.
~*~
We spent a peaceful morning that way, and at noon time I made us a quick lunch of tuna sandwiches, and settled in to watch the news, hoping to catch wind of what was happening on the Khushrenada case.
I got more than I bargained for, when the perky anchorwoman launched into her top headline.
//The trial of Treize Khushrenada, head of Romefeller Industries and reputed crime lord, is set to begin in two weeks. Prosecutors have moved quickly on the case, claiming that there have been attempts on the life of their star witness, Duo Maxwell.//
Duo sat up so sharply I'm surprised he didn't launch himself off the couch. "Jesus Christ!" he blurted in horror. "How the fuck did they get my name?"
"I don't know," I replied, my own stomach knotted with worry. "Names of witnesses aren't supposed to be released to the press. But after that web site--well, just about anyone could've found it out."
//...a stripper at Merquise's nightclub, The Jungle...//
Sure enough, a picture of Duo in tight leather pants, one hand spread across his crotch while the other stroked his bared chest, filled the screen. That unique chestnut braid trailed over one shoulder and all the way to his waistband.
"Oh for fuck's sake!" he snarled. "Do they have to help the goddamned shooters find me?"
There was no doubt in my mind that anyone who saw that picture would spot Duo instantly, even in the biggest crowd.
//...according to other employees, began dating Zechs Merquise several months ago, and is believed to have been an eye witness to his murder. Maxwell is currently in police custody, his whereabouts unknown, even to District Attorney Noventa, the man responsible for prosecuting the case.//
The picture switched to a stern, professional-looking man I recognized at once.
//"While I'm not at liberty to discuss the upcoming trial, I can confirm that our witness is under police protection in a safe location, due to numerous attempts on his life." He raised his chin resolutely. "Judge Lake showed excellent judgment in accelerating the timetable. The sooner we get to the trial, the sooner the assassination attempts will stop."//
"Well I'm all for that," Duo said firmly. But the look he gave me was tense. "Is my face gonna be plastered all over the news from now on?"
"I'm afraid so," I sighed, only half-listening to the newscaster's continuing speculation about the case. "I'm sorry, Duo. The Captain was supposed to keep a lid on this."
He shrugged with fake nonchalance. "There's only so much she can do, Yuy. All the news hounds had to do was talk to Khushrenada's people. They'd have been only too happy to spill the beans about who the police had as an eye witness. This way they get complete media coverage and they can reach more hit men than ever." He rubbed both hands over his face. "S'pose I won't be able to so much as set foot outside from now on..."
"I don't see what difference it makes," I said reluctantly, hoping to wipe the despairing look off his face. "If you wore a bulky sweatshirt and stuffed the braid under it, you'd be pretty nondescript. Besides, out here in the middle of nowhere, who's to see you?"
He managed a wan smile. "So--maybe a walk on the beach isn't out of the question? After my foot heals, of course."
"Sure," I answered, moving to sit next to him and slide an arm around his shoulders. "Don't let the media hype get to you," I urged. "Happens all the time...names get leaked, and information gets compromised. It won't change anything. You'll still get to the courthouse alive, testify against Khushrenada, put him away for life, and then start a new life of your own."
"With you?"
I nodded. "With me."
He smiled again, but this time it reached his eyes and suffused his face with warmth. "So you're through spouting me rules about how you can't go into relocation with me?"
"Duo--I'd walk into Hell with you," I sighed, shaking my head in disbelief at the words that were tumbling out of my mouth. "I don't care what it takes; I'll find a way to be at your side--as long as you'll have me."
Yep--I'd done it. I'd finally admitted to myself that whatever it was I had with Duo meant more to me than life itself. And I'd admitted it to him as well.
I expected either surprise, or sarcasm, or some sort of disbelief on his part. But instead, he merely snuggled closer. "It'd be nice if they'd send us to a place like this," he said quietly, gazing at the television, but not really watching the commercial it had switched to. "I could get used to living by the ocean."
"So, we will," I promised recklessly, eager to take his mind off the disturbing newscast. "No matter where they relocate you, I'll find you, and we'll go wherever you want to go."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
He curled up next to me, his head tucked against my shoulder, and after awhile, his breathing slowed and evened, and I think he dozed off. I muted the television, and settled in there, enjoying the feel of his relaxed body against mine.
It wasn't until Wufei padded quietly into the room much later that I realized how much time had passed.
My partner glanced from the pair of us on the couch, to the flickering screen of the silent television. And then he picked up a folded blanket from the back of a chair, and draped it around Duo.
I used the moment to ease out from under my lover, replacing myself with a couple of pillows off an armchair. And then I tucked him in and followed Chang to the kitchen.
"It's good that he's resting," Wufei said quietly, rummaging through the refrigerator for something to drink. "Between all the running, the foot injury--well, he needs time to recharge."
"That's not the half of it," I replied. "His name's been leaked to the press, 'Fei. It was all over the midday news--Duo Maxwell is the star witness in the Khushrenada case."
"Shit."
"Yeah." I took the jug of iced tea from him and helped myself to a glass. "It shook him up a bit, seeing his picture on national television."
"I imagine it would."
"But the trial's scheduled to begin in two weeks."
Chang turned wide eyes to me. "That's rather quick, for this sort of case."
"Tell me about it. Noventa got the judge to accelerate the timetable, in the hopes of getting Maxwell to the courthouse alive. He convinced her that the longer we're out here hiding, the more likely an assassin will get lucky."
"Her?" Wufei raised an eyebrow. "Who's the judge?"
"Victoria Lake."
My partner gave a grim smile. "I heard she's tough."
"She'll have to be," I agreed. "The fact that she's willing to hurry things along is a good sign. She's not afraid to ruffle feathers. And she believed Noventa's prediction that waiting would put Duo at greater risk."
"He's right. Especially if they're publicizing Maxwell's picture."
"It's one of the publicity photos for the club," I told him with a vague smirk. "Shirtless--tight leather pants--a bit racy for noontime broadcast, really."
"And you loved it," he chided.
I shook my head. "Honestly? As hot as he looked in that outfit--or out of it--I'd rather see him in faded jeans and a tee shirt, playing on the fucking beach."
He smiled. "As I keep saying, you've got it bad." While we were talking, Chang had put together a sandwich for himself, and he carried it over to the table. "I take it we'll need to talk to the Captain pretty soon--find out when and where to bring Maxwell in."
I grimaced at the thought. "I'll feel like we're ducks in a shooting gallery," I grumbled. "No matter where she sets up the meeting, it'll feel exposed."
"Too bad we can't have him testify by video."
"Oh, that'd be nice," I agreed. "You'd think in cases like this, they might consider a remote interview."
"Sadly, the justice system still requires that the accused gets to face his accuser in person."
I just snorted derisively. "Khushrenada doesn't deserve that much."
"I agree. But it's the system." Wufei stretched and ran a hand back through his hair. "When I finish my sandwich, d'you mind if I take a shower before my turn at watch?"
"Of course not." I was wide awake and still felt refreshed by the good night's sleep I'd gotten. "You go right ahead, and when you're ready to take over, I was thinking maybe I'd borrow Catherine's car and go explore the area a bit."
"The town is about five miles north of here," he told me. "Just a small village, really. There's a general store, a couple of restaurants, some shops and houses and stuff. It's, well, 'quaint,' for lack of a better word."
"How are they with strangers?"
"They hardly gave Catherine and me a second glance when we went for groceries. People know her, since she's been here before. And they know the circus people spend some down time out here; they don't seem overly inquisitive."
"Good. I'd like to pick up a paper and see what additional news I can find. Television anchors always seem to choose the sensational part of a story and leave out all the pertinent details."
"It's all fluff and hype," agreed my partner darkly. "And in this case, it's liable to compromise Maxwell's safety. I despise media vultures."
I grinned in complete agreement, finishing off my tea and heading out for a perimeter check, while Wufei took his shower.
~*~
I found myself up on the cliffs overlooking the beach, with a bird's eye view of the entire shoreline. And it was reassuringly empty of human activity. Only a few sandpipers populated the peaceful beach, playing tag with the waves as the tide slowly came in. I could see why Duo had taken an instant liking to the place; it was very peaceful.
As I trudged back down the path towards the house, I let my gaze scan the windswept landscape, glad that there were only a few stunted trees to obscure any would-be trespassers. As odd as it might seem, being in a rather open area had its benefits. While it felt exposed, it also felt like Chang and I could spot an intruder from a far greater distance than we had at either the log cabin or the lake house.
I entered through the kitchen, trying not to disturb Duo's nap, and found Catherine cutting up vegetables for supper.
"Everything secure?" she asked, sparing me a quick glance.
I couldn't help noticing she never missed a beat with that knife. She kept a steady, quick chopping motion going even when she looked away. What had Duo said? She and Trowa did a knife-throwing act.
"Yes, everything's fine," I assured her, heading for the teapot. "If it's okay with you, I'd like to borrow the car and take a ride into town to pick up a paper and look around a bit."
"Wufei said you might," she acknowledged, nodding towards the keys hanging on a hook by the door. "We topped off the tank yesterday, after we'd gotten groceries. So you shouldn't need to add any. The town's only about five miles away."
I raised an eyebrow. "What would happen if you broke down?"
"Well, if it weren't for this cast, I'd be able to walk to get help," she pointed out. "But since I can't, I'd just call the local garage and have 'em come out for a road call." She smiled rather indulgently. "Folks help each other out around here. It's not like the big city." She shook her head. "I don't know how Trowa stands it there--all the noise and crowds."
"Duo thrives on that, too," I told her, starting to heat water for tea. "It's kind of funny that he's talking about coming to a place like this after relocation."
"Is he?" She cocked her head to the side, a thoughtful look on her face. "Maybe he's gotten tired of all the hustle and bustle."
"I think he's gotten tired of a lot of things," I agreed. "And maybe he's finally realized there's more to life than partying and living on the edge."
"Good," she said firmly. "If you'd seen him when Trowa and he first met--"
I raised an eyebrow. "I take it he was pretty wild."
"He was--dangerous," she said darkly, frowning down at the carrot she was chopping. "Dangerous for himself and anyone around him. Trowa wouldn't tell me half the stuff that Duo was into back then; I think he knew I'd try to keep him from coming back around."
"Maybe he wanted time to help Duo change his lifestyle."
She nodded. "I think that was a big part of it. They hit it off right from the start. Duo was at the circus with the kids from the orphanage--and he snuck backstage to get a closer look at the big cats."
"That's where he met Trowa?"
"Yeah. And pretty soon he got to be a fixture at every show, helping out with chores sometimes, and hanging around with Trowa between performances." She looked pensive. "I never did figure out why they didn't fall in love."
I gave her a sharp look. "I'm glad they didn't."
She gave a slightly sheepish smile. "I guess you would be." One eyebrow rose in a quizzical gesture. "You're not jealous of how close they are?"
"Not any more," I said honestly.
"Good." She finished her chopping and scraped the vegetables into a pot. "Maybe they just found they worked better as friends," she mused.
"Could be," I admitted, pouring my tea and stirring in a little bit of honey.
As Chang walked in, his hair still damp from the shower, I toasted him with my cup. "The water's still hot for tea."
"Excellent." He helped himself to a cup, and I noticed a warm glance passed between him and Catherine as he reached past her for the tea bags. "All quiet out there, Yuy?"
"Yes. And as soon as I finish my tea, I'm heading for town to pick up a newspaper and catch up on any gossip I might overhear."
"Sounds good." My partner glanced towards the living room. "Is he still asleep?"
"I assume so, since he hasn't joined us out here."
"You shouldn't wear him out so much at night," he murmured almost under his breath, with a faint blush on his cheeks.
Shit. Chang was actually teasing me about my relationship! Granted, he was squirming a bit as he did it--but he was teasing.
"Once upon a time, you commented that he was less obnoxious while sleeping," I reminded him. "Maybe you should thank me."
He gave a wry snort. "I think you've already been rewarded enough."
Wow. He even got in the last word.
I gave a good-natured grin, and stood up. "Well, on that note--I'll leave you two to work on supper, and head for town."
I grabbed the car keys off the hook by the door, but then paused before heading out. "Hey, Catherine--if Duo wakes up before I get back, could you try to come up with something for him to do? Keep him occupied so he doesn't think about the media frenzy?"
"Sure," she said with a bright smile. "I'll keep him busy." She threw in a coy wink. "But not too busy."
I grinned and shook my head as I went out.
~*~
Chang and Catherine were right. The town was a tiny village--quaint enough to almost be sickeningly sweet. But my tolerance for charm had gone up of late, and I found myself looking around and wondering if Duo would be enchanted by the whitewashed shops and rustic cottages. I could almost guarantee he'd be thrilled at the sight of the town beach--a fairly smooth expanse of sand bordered by a stone wall, and dotted with colorful umbrellas. Despite the chill breeze off the water, there were people out enjoying the sun. I guessed if they were used to living this far north, the cold would be a relative thing.
I entered the General Store, forcing myself not to grin at the sound of a little tinkling bell over the screen door. Like I said--sickeningly quaint.
The storekeeper glanced up, looked back down, and then looked up more intently. "Good afternoon." He kept a wary gaze on me. "Lookin' for something specific?"
"Just need a few odds and ends," I shrugged, trying for nonchalance. "Maybe a newspaper, if you've got one."
He gestured to the rack beside the door. "Got the local paper, the city edition, and one they truck up from the Capitol."
I studied the array, careful not to grimace at the sight of Duo's very recognizable face on the front page of all three publications. I grabbed a copy of the one with the largest circulation, figuring the others would mostly be copying its text.
I tossed that on the counter, and went to the shelves to see if there was anything else we might find useful. Sadly, there were no tanks or assault rifles--and I was beginning to think we'd need both to get Duo to the courthouse alive.
"You from the circus?" asked the shopkeeper, who had made his way to the end of the row I was standing in.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, Miss Bloom had an oriental-looking gentleman with her last time she came in, and you look--" He trailed off uncomfortably when I fixed a stern gaze on him. "Jus' thought maybe you an' the other fella had an act together or something."
"He's my partner," I agreed, deciding to let the locals assume we were affiliated with the circus if they wanted to.
In fact, that belief could easily work in our favor.
"You don't get many strangers around here, I take it," I said casually, picking up some matches and batteries.
"Almost none," he shrugged.
I resisted the urge to say "good" out loud. And at the same time, I decided to cut my visit short, before he asked any more questions. "This should do it," I said quickly, brandishing the matches and batteries and heading for the cash register.
He tagged along, slipping around behind the counter and ringing up the purchase. Just before he totaled it, I asked for a carton of Duo's brand of cigarettes, though I hated to encourage the habit. But the time to go cold turkey on cigarettes is not when you're dodging hit men and rabid newscasters.
He bagged my purchases, giving me another once-over as he handed the container to me. "Tell Miz Catherine that I said 'hello,' and to hurry up and get that cast off so my stock boy can admire her legs again."
His teasing comment startled a grin out of me, and I raised an eyebrow. "How old is your stock boy?"
"Twelve," he smirked back.
"A little young, isn't he?"
"Fella's never too young to notice a pretty girl."
I gave a noncommittal grunt, having never been overly taken by pretty girls myself. "Tell your stock boy he might have competition."
He chuckled warmly. "I thought your partner seemed a bit possessive."
Damn, the man was observant! I didn't know whether to be pleased by that, or horrified. He seemed genuine enough--like the old fellow who'd given us a ride in the pickup truck. But I couldn't afford to be too relaxed about our security.
"I don't know about possessive," I demurred. "But definitely interested."
He gave a nod. "Yep--that would've been obvious to a blind man." He slid a glance to the back room, where I guessed the stock boy was working. "Well, I s'pose the best man'll win, eh?"
I chuckled along with him, finding I liked him in spite of my suspicious nature. He seemed like the genuine article--a small-town businessman who looked out for his own. "I'll tell my partner he's got his work cut out for him." With a nod of farewell, I picked up my bag and headed out.
During the drive back to the farmhouse, I kept a wary eye on my surroundings, taking note of several signs for a state park as well as dirt access roads into them. That might come in handy, if we had to make a hasty exit.
I decided to ask Catherine if she had any maps of the area, mentally kicking myself for not purchasing one at the General Store. It would look odd if I doubled back for it now. Perhaps I could have Chang grab one when they made the next grocery run.
By the time I turned onto the drive for the circus property, I was chafing with impatience, eager to check on Duo's state of mind and try to ease his fears, and a bit desperate to start planning our escape. It felt like time was running out.
TBC...
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