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"Crisis"Written By: Artemis Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are
copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties.
I make no money with this fic. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: yaoi lemon including rimming, angst,
violence, language, reference to past NCS involving a minor, death,
angst. Pairings: 6x2, 3x4 Summary: Sequel to Interfacing: Regained. GAIA
prepares to go into space and announce itself to the world; Duo and
Zechs' relationship goes through its own crisis. "Crisis " 18) When Sally turned down the hall to the conference room, Wufei was walking straight toward her. "Shouldn't you be going in the other direction?" she asked, putting an arm under his and turning him around. "Um? Sally?" Wufei frowned at his friend, flustered at her intervention. "What are you talking about?" "You're coming with me, young man," she said, guiding him to the room. "There's an important meeting this morning and we both need to attend." "But..." Wufei scowled at her, but the doctor didn't notice. "I wasn't invited... I don't belong there. I'm not staying, Sally." The woman stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face her companion. "What did you say? You can't possibly mean that, Wufei." "I told you last night," Wufei countered, glancing away from her piercing blue gaze. "I'm going to continue to fight alone." He looked at the door of the conference room. "I will explain to them. I suppose it's the least I can do." He gestured for her to precede him. Sally gave a heavy sigh. "There's no sense in arguing about it then," she said, shaking her head. [Damn, I thought he might get inspired about working with a team.] "It would be good for you to explain it... to all of us. And yes, that means I'm staying." She lifted her chin proudly and then opened the door. "I've decided to join them." Resigned, Wufei followed her into the conference room. Duo slipped into the room a few seconds behind Wufei and Sally, determined to be as near to invisible as he could possibly get. He spotted Zechs immediately, and his heart sank just to look at him. Zechs would always be the epitome of beauty to him... no matter how far he traveled or how many people he met he would always carry the memory of that man's face with him. [Of course, Heero's with him,] Duo noted spitefully, watching the two chat companionably. [And Bronn is here, too. He's not part of the central committee. What is this, 'bring out your lovers day'?] Just then Quatre broke into Duo's thoughts with a hand to his shoulder. "Morning," he said, smiling. "I heard you had quite a night." "Oh, that," Duo said, rolling his eyes. "News sure travels fast around here." "News of Gundam pilots getting drunk travels fast," Quatre amended. "Hey, if you're gonna lecture me..." "No, no," Quatre quickly said, patting his friend on the shoulder. "I don't think you should be surprised that everyone knows." [Is he just hungover or is there something else that's bothering him?] "Now, how about sitting next to me? You look like you could use a friend." Duo's eyes went wide. [Shit! I hope he's not getting one of his 'feelings' again. I really don't want Quatre involved in this.] "Sure, I'll sit next to you, but just because you *are* my friend," he said and managed a genuine smile. "... not sure if there are special protocols," Zechs was finishing instructing Heero about the files from Bremen. "But I know your skills are up to the challenge." Heero, who'd spotted Duo first, glanced quickly back up at the base commander. "As soon as this meeting is over, I'll get right on it. Shouldn't be a problem. It was one of those scientists who trained me in hacking." He glanced in Duo's direction again, seeing him move to a seat beside their committee chairman. [He looks a bit anxious... maybe I can apologize later...] Zechs followed his gaze, then straightened, his attention immediately shifting to the sight of his lover. "Duo..." He was marginally aware that Heero was drifting away to find a seat at the other end of the table as he moved to intercept Duo. Lightly touching the boy's shoulder as soon as he was in reach, he added, "How are you feeling? I'm sorry about this morning; I got called away as soon as I woke up." The younger man trembled at the touch and then looked up into the penetrating blue eyes studying him. "Oh, the hangover..." [I don't get it. He let me sleep in his room and now he's asking how I feel... I always said Zechs was thoughtful, but I wish he'd stop being so damn nice to me!] "Yeah, I've had better mornings," Duo said as he massaged his temple. [Now please go away, Zechs... don't make this any harder than it already is.] [Something else is wrong,] Zechs thought, reflecting that even with a hangover, Duo ought to be more... affectionate? warm? with him. He laid his hand more firmly on his lover's shoulder, and leaned down to whisper in his ear. "We have a lot of business here this morning, love, but after this, I have something I want to talk to you about. Something very good." He added a quick kiss to Duo's hair as he straightened. Thankfully, before Duo could respond to Zechs, Quatre interrupted them. It was time for the meeting to begin. "Everyone, please," Quatre said as he took his seat between Duo and Trowa. "I think we should get started now." Duo managed a little grin at Zechs before the man turned and found his seat across the table from him. [Why does he have to be so happy? And why does he have to pretend like we're still together when he's just waiting for the right moment to tell me it's over?] Duo felt empty inside, sick with emptiness like a large hole had opened up in his belly. He knew the hole would only grow larger and more painful as time went on... until he was completely consumed by the emptiness of a life without Zechs. He dipped his head, hiding behind his bangs to conceal the tears that were forming in his eyes yet again. [Get a grip, Maxwell,] he told himself firmly. [You can't afford to lose it now.] Quatre sensed the turmoil in his friend and put a hand on the other boy's arm. "Are you ill?" he asked quietly as the others took their seats. "I'll survive," was all Duo could honestly say. Somehow he would survive this... somehow. The little Arab believed his friend, though he could not completely put Duo's feelings aside. [Maybe it's a combination of things... I think he's quarreling with Zechs over something and now he's hung-over and maybe even a little anxious about our newcomers?] With that, Quatre turned his attention as best he could to the others in the room. Yes, there was a general tension there. Things were changing for the alliance. Newcomers meant new team dynamics and change always brought anxiety to people, even to open-minded and professional people. Zechs glanced warily around the room, assessing the others. Wufei was avoiding the curious glances of the others, seemingly withdrawn inside himself. One of those curious glances was Sally's; it was obvious she'd had hopes for the Chinese pilot's staying, but Zechs doubted the little "dragon" was amenable to working in a team. Heero was, as expected, completely impassive, though his own curious glances were directed at Duo instead. [He sees it, too,] Zechs wondered. Quatre, of course, was concerned at Duo's reticence, though on his other side, Trowa sat lost in his own thoughts, not looking at anything or anyone. [They all know... things will change now, for us...] "Okay, now that we're all settled, I'd like to introduce our most recent visitor... code name Dog Squire," Quatre said, nodding to the new face at the end of the table. Quickly he introduced each member of the GAIA leadership committee, as well as the visitors and Bronn Sangers, though he did not use code names for anyone else, as Wufei and Sally already knew who they were. Continuing, Quatre explained, "The Squire has brought important files concerning mobile dolls and mobile suit designs. I'm sure Heero and Howard will be able to tell us more about the files after they've had time to review them." Lance's name and association with Treize would still need to be kept confidential since Wufei and Sally had yet to join GAIA, so no mention could be made of the files' source. "Hn," Heero muttered, nodding in acknowledgment. He accepted the pouch when Zechs passed it down the table to him, but did not open it though he was itching to skip the meeting and see just what it was that Treize had sent by courier so abruptly. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a quick but venomous glare from Duo's direction, but was careful not to look back. [Maybe I need to work on mending that fence first,] Heero mused. "Does anyone have any announcements or comments before we proceed?" Quatre asked, trying to be considerate of all the people in attendance. "Yes, I'd like to make an announcement," Sally said and stood up. She looked at all the faces around the table and smiled. "I've never seen a finer, more professional group of young men in my life... and I'd be proud to join your cause and do whatever I can to work for peace as a member of GAIA." "Miss Po! That's wonderful!" Quatre shouted excitedly. Zechs stood briefly to shake hands with her, offering a smile. "Welcome aboard, Sally! I have a feeling you're going to be far more useful to us than as a physician." "Thank you," she said to Zechs and then nodded to the group. "I really am very impressed with all of you, but as your physician, I would like to make my first official statement..." She looked down her nose at the group and smirked, "You boys are not eating enough. If Quatre and Trowa are any indication of how and what you're eating then none of you are getting the nutrition you need to stay healthy and be able to fight at your best." Quatre opened his mouth to protest, but knew she was right. He'd been preoccupied with love and sex and hadn't been eating as much as he should. [If Rashid were here he'd have said the same thing.] "Thank you, Miss Po... I'm sure you're right." Sally thought it was cute that Quatre continued to call her Miss Po. She didn't have the heart to tell him that she preferred just plain ol' Sally. [He's so well-mannered and mature, but he still needs someone watching out for him.... heck, they all do.] Trowa slid his glance over to his lover, a smart remark on his lips though he would not say it aloud in this company, but then he noticed the thinness of Quatre's hands. [Damn, she's right... oh, great, and I thought I got away from that sort of thing when I last left the circus,] he mused, thinking of Catherine's frequent ploys to get him to eat more. "Got it," he murmured aloud when the doctor glanced pointedly at him. [Young love,] Zechs thought soberly, recalling that in Cairo, he and Duo had used food more for foreplay than for nutrition. [Cairo... why does that seem years ago?] He couldn't help but glance at Duo again; his lover seemed withdrawn, only present physically. [My Duo... soon...] Through the veil of chestnut bangs, Duo could see Zechs looking at him. He froze under the scrutiny, not wanting those knowing eyes on him. Then it occurred to him that his behavior must seem odd to Zechs and the others. If anything, Duo wanted to crawl under the table right now and hide rather than draw more attention to himself. [I need to act more like myself,] he thought, and the best way he knew how was to talk. He looked up, grinned a bit tightly at Zechs and then turned to Dr. Sally. "Well, the cook can vouch that I'm getting plenty to eat," he said, patting his stomach. "Though I have to admit with this hangover the last thing I want right now is something to eat." "All right, that's fine, Duo," Sally said and smiled. "Maybe some coffee and aspirin for your head?" "Uh, sure," Duo said. To his amazement the woman had a pocket-sized case with pills. She dispensed two aspirin for him while Quatre poured a cup of coffee from the carafe at the center of the table. Now everyone's eyes were on him as he quietly swallowed the pills with a swig of java. "Thanks," he said to his caretakers. "I feel better already." "Perhaps this should have been a breakfast meeting," Zechs murmured, returning his gaze to the doctor. "If necessary, we can have the kitchen send something in later." He reached for the carafe, poured himself some needed coffee, then handed it off to Wufei. [Well, it's not tea, but...] Wufei nodded his head in gratitude as he took the carafe. After pouring coffee into the cup at his place, he happened to glance up... and noticed that every person in the room was watching him. Setting the carafe down between himself and Bronn beside him, Wufei flushed, realizing that he had something to announce as well... and they were all waiting for it. He rose to his feet and stood with his hands joined behind his back in what the ex-OZ personnel would have called "parade-rest", but it was just his manner of standing in order to speak to a group. "I know you're all wondering what I'm going to do." Wufei took a deep breath. "I will not be joining GAIA. I will probably leave, ah, later today, I guess. However, in the future, if the opportunity should arise, I may assist you in a battle or two, depending on whether I decide it is right for me to do so." He glanced around, not really making eye contact with anyone. "That's it." He sat back down. "Well, good luck to you then," Duo said, sounding almost relieved that the other boy wasn't joining their ranks. Actually it didn't matter to him if Wufei joined or not. At this point they were hardly speaking and Duo was more concerned about getting this meeting over so he could go be alone somewhere. "Duo," Quatre said quietly. Then to Wufei, "I'm sorry to hear that you won't be staying, but thank you for remaining open to possibly working with us in the future." "Yes," Zechs spoke up quickly. "We would gladly welcome the strength of the Shenlong and yourself in any battle, Wufei. And if you ever need repairs or work done on your Gundam, please do not hesitate to ask assistance." Wufei nodded to Duo and Quatre, again without really making eye contact, then briefly met the gaze of the former OZ colonel. "Thank you... all of you." "You must do what you feel you have to do," Heero spoke up abruptly. "Remember, a soldier's fight is not always on the battlefield." He looked up from the table and looked over at the Chinese pilot, his gaze even and cool. Wufei drew his breath in sharply, looking back. [What does he mean? Why does he look at me like that?] "I... I'll remember your words," he managed to say, then his control was back. He took a long swig of coffee, then bowed to all of them. "Thanks for the hospitality. Now, please excuse me -I'll leave you to your meeting. Sally... I'll see you later, before I leave." "Yes, I'd like us to talk before you go," Sally said, squeezing and releasing the boy's hand as he passed her chair. Wufei wasn't the easiest person to get along with, but Sally felt that they had become friends and she respected him greatly. She was sad to see him go with the intention to continue to live his life in solitude. Once Wufei had solemnly left the room, the others turned back to the matters at hand. Quatre was now free to tell them all about Lance's identity and the origin of the files. "Now that you have joined us, Miss Po, we can speak more freely. I'm sure you understand why we have to be careful." The woman nodded her understanding even though her thoughts were still with Wufei. "The Dog Squire, Lance duChien, comes to us directly from Bremen as Treize Khushrenada's personal envoy. The files he brought are from Treize." "Our secret contact within Romefeller," Zechs added, seeing the shock wash through the woman's countenance. "Treize is on our side... *against* Romefeller." "Oh," Sally said, a bit dazed by the news. "I had no idea you were working with Treize..." She looked from Zechs to Quatre and then around the table at the others. "I guess if you're all comfortable with him..." "Treize Khushrenada is an honorable man," Lance said in defense of his mentor. "He is doing all he can to make peace a reality and to destroy Romefeller." "I see," she said, swallowing. [They do seem all right with this. I wonder how this all came about? Could it be Zechs's old connections to OZ?] "We know this probably sounds strange... trusting Treize," Quatre said in explanation. [She's nervous, but wants to trust our judgment.] "I'll admit it's an uneasy relationship, since New Edwards is still fresh in our minds, but Treize has come through for us more than once, and we've come to accept his help... gratefully." "The choice to aid us was entirely his," Zechs murmured thoughtfully. "He strongly opposes Romefeller's decision to convert the army to mobile dolls... and he believes in the importance of the Gundams and their pilots... as I do." At this last, he glanced across the table to Duo. [And one of them has become my very life-blood... oh, Duo, what *are* you thinking?] "I have no problems with letting the man atone for his past manipulations," Heero commented, arms folded over his chest. He stared at nothing, no one, his mind still half on the problem of getting back into Duo's good graces somehow. "You're right, Heero... and wars have a way of bringing out the best and the worst in people," Sally said. She had learned very quickly in this war to expect the unexpected. If Treize had truly changed his colors, she was glad. If not, she was sure he would not live long to enjoy more of his scheming. [And wars make for strange bedfellows,] Duo thought a bit painfully. He didn't want to regret having met Zechs, but he knew his heart would never be whole again without the man. [So maybe it would've been better if we'd never met...] "Lance," Zechs began, turning toward the newest addition to their staff, "can you tell us how Treize himself is doing? He will not, of course, reveal if something isn't going smoothly. And do you have any news of his plans there? Anything more you can tell us?" "Yes, His Excellency... Treize... anticipated your questions," Lance said with a smile. "He wants you to know he is well... as well as he can be under the circumstances. The tension in Bremen is growing daily... and he has not been able to spend as much time with his roses as he would like." "Roses?" Duo asked, perking up a bit. "OZ's head honcho likes roses?" He couldn't help a little laugh at the image of the mighty OZ general playing with flowers. "Yes, roses," Lance said firmly, raising his chin. He didn't like anyone laughing at His Excellency. [I still think of him with that title...] "He has vast gardens of every kind of rose you can imagine. He cultivates them... and they really are quite extraordinary." "I have roses at my home," Quatre said, looking at Duo. "You never said anything about that." Duo shook his head. "It's not the same thing... Geez, if I have to explain it then it's not funny anymore," he said with a sigh. "You say he is well," Zechs spoke up, wanting to get them back to the subject. "That is good. He has told us so little about his plans, however. I know that he means to resign, probably today - can you tell us any more about that, Lance?" [We can't do this without Treize,] he thought, concerned. [I don't know if the others fully understand this. We are thousands of miles from our most critical battle...] Lance became a bit somber with the mention of Treize's immanent resignation. Things were growing ever more dangerous. "His Excellency will be resigning today at the Foundation's monthly general meeting. He will be placed under house arrest, but then secreted away to his new headquarters in Sank. You should not fear for his safety. Every precaution is being taken." [Including Tsuberov's assassination.] Zechs nodded as the man verified what his friend had told him yesterday. Then he noticed the surprised expressions surrounding him. "Yesterday Treize informed me he would likely be resigning today... and that he wanted to remove himself secretly to the Sank Kingdom in order to assist my sister Relena..." Heero's eyes widened with alarm. [Treize... and Relena?] "... in her growing role as a voice for peace outside Romefeller," Zechs was explaining. "The name GAIA will not be used, though this in effect will become our northern base. Noin has collected about nine Tauruses for their use, though for Relena's sake as a pacifist leader, it is hoped they need never be used." He took a deep breath. [In for a penny, in for a pound...] "Treize wishes to advise Relena secretly. She will need to know how to speak to Romefeller when Dermail and his war horses challenge her pacifist leadership." As he spoke, one hand clenched into a fist. It was clear Zechs wanted to be in two places at once. When no immediate outburst came on the heel of his words, Zechs added, "Since Treize has lent us one of his group, we ought to send one of ours to him. I've asked Bronn Sangers to represent GAIA to our northern allies. He'll be leaving this evening." He nodded toward the black-haired pilot, who nodded back, acknowledging the assignment. "Who decided that?" Duo asked Zechs, incensed that Bronn would be selected to represent them. "He's not even a member of the central committee." "It's okay, Duo... Zechs and I talked about it last night," Quatre said, mildly. He knew Duo didn't care for Bronn, and so he never thought Duo would protest him being selected and sent away. "I think it's best. Don't you?" Quatre asked, nodding at his friend in hopes he would get his meaning. Duo crossed his arms over his chest still considering the news. [Maybe he's right... and what difference does it make to me anyway? I'll be gone by tonight...] "Yeah, fine... It's okay." Zechs gave Duo a peculiar look, abashed that Duo would challenge the decision in front of Bronn and their newest member. "Bronn is our senior-most Aries pilot and is already trained on the Taurus," he explained in a cool, even voice. "And he has finished the task of training all our pilots on the Taurus. I trust him to represent us well." [And if you don't like that, Duo, you can explain to me in person why you're not jumping for joy that I'm moving along a former sex partner of mine...] Bronn realized he was holding his breath, and released it slowly. [Duo's never going to give me a break! I can't say I'll miss when he snarls at me...] [I said okay!] Duo shouted at Zechs, but only in thought. He couldn't bring himself to argue with his ex-lover in front of everyone... especially in regards to another ex-lover. Duo turned his gaze away, ducking his head and clenching his arms more tightly around him. [I don't need this. Why am I even sitting through this stupid meeting?] "So Treize is going to be what, an *advisor* to Relena?" Heero broke in, still mulling over the concept of Treize Khushrenada working with Relena Peacecraft. "And what's she got to do with GAIA, anyway?" [It would be so much easier if Relena were just *out* of the picture...] [Hmm, for once Heero sounds worried. But is it because he might lose his position as Relena's knight in shining armor?] Duo wondered with some amusement. "Lance, can you enlighten us further on Romefeller's views on the Sank Kingdom?" Zechs inquired. [Heero's still concerned for her... he and Relena have a connection like what he has with me, evidently.] "I understand that Relena's new educational institute on peace has attracted students of leading families from many nations. What's the word from Romefeller as to the consequences?" "There are rumblings within Romefeller about Miss Peacecraft's pacifist school... about the support she is gaining from the nations of the Earth. It is understandable that they would be... nervous. Another reason why Treize is relocating to Sank, though as yet we do not know of any plans against the kingdom." "Against the Sank Kingdom?" Zechs repeated aghast, shoving up to his feet abruptly. "You mean my sister is garnering enough support, not just from her students, but from *nations*, that Romefeller already believes the kingdom to be a threat?" All the blood had drained from his face, all the horror of the first demise of the Sank Kingdom returned to memory. [No, it can't happen again!] "Treize can't possibly think he can defend the country with nine Tauruses!" "Zechs," Duo said, sympathetically as he reached a hand out to the man. Then he pulled it back, realizing it was no longer his role... or his right... to touch and comfort this man. [But I can't imagine Heero being any comfort to him...] Lance noted the concern and quickly spoke up. "The nations are sending their daughters to study at your sister's school... Of course, Romefeller would perceive this as support, but Treize has every reason to believe that Romefeller will no longer be a threat... to anyone... very soon." Lance stood then, hoping to calm the Lightning Count by addressing him face-to-face with the rest of the news. "All I am authorized to tell you is that the wheels are in motion. Romefeller's days are numbered... Sank will be safe." The sudden reaching out to him by his lover distracted Zechs enough to miss the first words Lance spoke, but his attention was effectively turned around by the words "Romefeller will no longer be a threat..." He stared at Lance, thoughts whirling. "There's... going to be a coup? Treize is engineering some sort of take-over?" There was a heavy pause where no one dared to speak, then Trowa cut in, "Well, he's had lots of practice at that. Cute." His lean face was devoid of statement. (tbc)
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