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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 "
Note: An HLV is a launch vehicle used to get into outer space. Duo and Wufei used HLVs when leaving Earth from Singapore Base in Episode 17. (More notes after the chapter.) 30) Though Treize had strictly commanded his people to avoid contacting him until after he'd arrived in the Sank Kingdom, he allowed one call when it came to his shuttle. "Yes, what is it?" he responded, his voice low. "This is the Turtle Count. This news cannot wait, sir." Treize, idly fingering the cuff of his new uniform, raised an eyebrow, the only sign of his surprise. Count Nigel Townshend (1), called the "Turtle Count" because he was exceptionally cautious and slow to make decisions until he was absolutely ready, was the true pacifist among his faction, and after himself, bearing the highest rank in their group. His nation followed the Sank Kingdom's policies of pacifism, but he'd chosen to align himself with Romefeller for much the same reason Weyridge and his group had - to work for change from within. Townshend had been tapped to lead the "Treize Faction" when that group could make themselves known to Weyridge, presumably when the Marquis's band of rebels could wrest the power in Romefeller away from Duke Dermail. Or sooner, if force was needed. It was the one nagging problem that had almost kept Treize in Bremen. "Yes, please, what has happened?" "Gaspar is dead, shot as his team tried to depart. After the assassination. Two others were gunned down as well, but the rest escaped safely. " "Rejean - God rest his soul," Treize murmured quickly with a minute, sharp intake of breath. "And the souls of his comrades. We knew there could be losses." "That's not all. Upon receiving the news of the assassination, Duke Dermail collapsed on the steps of the Foundation with a massive heart attack." The Count paused. "We thought you should know." A sudden tightening of a hand caused a thread on the uniform cuff band to snap, releasing a bit of the gold trim. "God... yes, thank you. Is he..." "Resting, but the doctors do not expect him to be able to return to work." Townshend took a deep breath. "Marquis Weyridge has called the Foundation together. We're leading the security detail." "Good man," Treize breathed, frowning at the errant thread. He'd known about Weyridge's inner circle from the intelligence work of his own men, who'd stealthily observed the late-night meetings and had wire-tapped Weyridge's office as well. Those taps were now removed, per Treize's order. "I'm counting on you to do whatever is necessary to support the transition of the leadership." "Yes, sir." "I will be contacting the White King tonight. They need to know of this development... as well as the rest." "They" meant the GAIA leadership; Treize knew well Zechs and the Gundam pilots would not be happy about the assassination, but it was critical to their plans that Tsuberov not make it to outer space... or anywhere else. "Of course," Townshend replied. "Good luck with the Crown Angel, sir." That was the code name for Relena Peacecraft, Princess of Sank. "Thank you. God go with you, Turtle Count." "And you, Rose Knight." Later after Duo had fully calmed, the lovers lay resting in each other's arms, Duo's cheek pillowed against Zechs's shoulder. Zechs had been contentedly finger-combing through Duo's long, wild hair, thinking he'd never felt peace like this in his life. "Dancer," he sighed finally, pressing a kiss to the top of the boy's head, "I'm very happy in this moment... being here with you like this." The boy murmured his agreement and nuzzled the shoulder lovingly. Being in Zechs's arms was the closest he had ever felt to home... ever. The man brought such love and warmth and safety to his life that it seemed a little like those miracles Sister Helen used to talk about. "If you have faith," the petite nun used to tell him, "miracles are always possible." "I'm happy, too, Zechs. Beyond happy," Duo said, smiling as he lifted his head to look into his lover's eyes. "I can't imagine a life without you." "Nor I, sweet Duo," Zechs replied quietly, his eyes alive with the joy he felt, almost sparkling as he gazed into Duo's eyes. "And I don't ever want to. You've changed my life... for the good." "Oh, God, Zechs," Duo said, shaking his head in amazement. [Of all the guys in the Earthsphere... I find a prince and the most beautiful man ever who needs *me*, Duo Maxwell!] "Sometimes I can't believe it's real... you know? You and me... Wow!" he said and his face lit with a silly ear-to-ear grin. "You've changed me, too. I hope you know that." "Then it's a very good thing," Zechs replied, smiling easily. "You know, we're both strong persons... but both of us have tendencies toward self-recrimination which I believe have nearly crippled us... separately." He sobered, realizing it wasn't something comfortable to hear. "But together," Zechs added quickly, the smile returning, "we can achieve great things! Even peace." He winked and rubbed his nose affectionately over Duo's forehead. Duo considered his lover's words. Though the hotshot Gundam pilot was outwardly happy-go-lucky, he was actually a very serious customer when it came to the freedom of the colonies. Beyond that his past had made him doubt he would ever find permanence either in friendship or deep love. Yet it was the war that had brought him his new best friend, Quatre, and most importantly his heart, Zechs. [I guess this war hasn't been all bad.] "Yeah, peace," Duo said, lifting his face to rub his nose against his lover's chin. Peace still seemed to be in the far off future, but with Zechs by his side and the new alliance formed it was growing closer every day. "I never pictured the war taking a turn like this. I feel like anything's possible now... with you." "That's exactly what I mean, Dancer!" Zechs replied, his smile broadening. "I used to think my hands were stained with blood from my association with OZ... but in loving you I've felt cleansed... although I don't expect to ever become King of Sank... only because the world is changing and countries are going to be experiencing, I think, less aristocratic control. Anyway, I believe you've helped me find my 'inner prince' again. Whatever that may mean." He carded his fingers through the chestnut tresses, marveling as always at its silken texture and thickness. "You keep me from taking myself too seriously," Zechs whispered tenderly. "I need that so much." "It'll be Sank's loss if they don't have you for a king," Duo said, firmly. He was just beginning to understand that aspect of Zechs's life. How he had been raised to rule. Tutored for greatness, but had thrown it all away to take his revenge. [He doesn't do anything in a small way... it's all or nothing with him.] "I'd love to see you become king... you'd be good to your people like you are to me." The boy leaned in, brushing aside some of the long, platinum tendrils with his nose to kiss Zechs's cheek, and then giggled as a thought came to him. "Hey, I could be your court jester!" "Silly pilot!" Zechs teased, nosing him back. "You'll be the Royal Consort, of course. At my side where you belong. 'Lord Maxwell', beloved of the King. I'll have you nowhere else!" He winked and brushed his lips over his lover's pert nose. "Not that I will ever cease finding you completely entertaining, of course..." Then he sobered. "You really think I'd be good as a ruler?" "Oh, yeah!" Duo said, enthusiastically. "You're so thoughtful and kind and smart!" He was glowing from the image of himself as Zechs's Royal Consort. [God, wouldn't that be something?] People would shower him with gifts trying to gain the favor of the King through his beloved Lord Maxwell. [Definitely can see this happening!] "You're a born leader," Duo continued, thoughtfully. "You lead in everything... even in bed," he said and winked. "Thank you," Zechs replied, returning the wink as he smiled easily. "I'm glad you're agreeable... to that. And it's not as if you have a great deal of difficulty getting what you want in bed either," he added, chuckling. "I think we're comfortably matched as lovers, don't you?" "I have no complaints! I definitely get *all* I want," Duo said, chuckling and then bent down to place a wet kiss on Zechs's nipple. He flicked his tongue over the rosy nub before raising his head to continue the discussion. "I agree... we're extremely well-matched. I love your body and you love mine!" Zechs sucked his breath in sharply at the tongue-flick to his nipple; by now, certain areas on their bodies were more sensitive than usual. "Extremely," he echoed agreeably, letting a fingernail scrape lightly over a reddish love-bite on Duo's neck. "In fact, I think we're a good compliment to one another even in our physical differences... and I don't think that's going to change a lot as you finish growing." He smiled, soothing the scraped spot with a gentle finger rub. "You'll always be my delicious little fox, Duo." "You bet I will! I don't think I'll get much bigger," Duo said and shrugged. Of course he was only fifteen, so that meant there was at least one more growth spurt ahead of him. He was sure, however, that he would not grow more than a few inches taller. "Doesn't matter... I love our size difference, too. I love how tall you are! How long your legs are... and how long your..." he said and blushed, unable to finish the delicious thought aloud. "Anyway, I love my big man!" The finger shifted up to stroke the boy's chin. "I remember so vividly my first sight of you," Zechs related thoughtfully. "I wondered at how short you were, but I immediately noted your stance, the confidence that oozed from your posture, how you handled yourself, and I thought 'that's no boy - that's a little man!' Even for being inexperienced, I could tell you knew yourself well and knew what you wanted." "Thanks," Duo said, smiling, ducking his head a little from the compliment. "I guess growing up on the streets made me independent. And if you don't look confident you get clobbered over the head." He let his hand drift from Zechs's chest down to his hip and then over his flank. Yes, the man was definitely long... the length and breadth of him endlessly tantalizing to the younger man. Studying the lively dark blue eyes of his lover, Zechs marveled yet again over how vibrant and life-giving his Duo was. [And fierce...] He sobered, looking into his eyes seriously. "There was a time very recently - yesterday - when you did something that deeply impressed me and told me definitively that in all the important ways, you are definitely not a child, Duo. You were fighting Wufei... and I'd asked you to stop... and you said no, you couldn't do that. That was the decision of a man, Duo, for you'd evaluated what you knew of the situation, namely that Wufei was enough of an unknown to make you choose defending the base, standing your ground against him rather than give in to your commander's request... your lover's. *That* told me a great deal about your maturity." Zechs smiled, proud of his "God of Death", his Gundam pilot, his sweet Dancer. "That's why I can love a fifteen-year-old, talkative, sarcastic, street-wise orphan named Duo Maxwell." "Zechs," Duo said, blinking in astonishment. [He really wasn't angry with me yesterday. He respects me!] "I don't know what to say...." Silenced by his remarkable lover's words, Duo leaned forward to cover Zechs's mouth with a sweet, grateful kiss. Then he pulled back to look deep into those crystal eyes. "Thank you for seeing me for who I am," he said, choking up a little at the end. "It means a lot to me." "You're welcome," Zechs whispered gently, smiling. He continued to caress Duo's face and play with the artless, chestnut hair around it. "I do love you so very much, Duo. And I love to love you, to make love to you. I love what I feel inside me when I can make you feel loved, Dancer." "You *do* make me feel loved," Duo said, grinning fondly as he brought his hand up to caress his lover's handsome face. "It's not your fault if I let my imagination get the better of me... I've been such an idiot lately." He shivered under Zechs's steady gaze, feeling as if the man was looking into his very soul. [I'm still afraid... a little. But not of losing your love, Zechs. What we have is so beautiful I can't help but be a little frightened.] "I guess I'd been afraid of losing you since the moment we met. But I know better now. Zechs Merquise is not going anywhere without me!" "That's what I like to hear," Zechs replied and grinned back. "And you're not going anywhere without me!" The grin faded as he realized what he'd said, then he nodded firmly. "I mean that. When we go into space, Duo, we'll go together, you and me. And if there are missions which we must take on separately, we decide on that together." He paused trying to read Duo's statement; the boy looked surprised if nothing else. "If you agree, of course." "Sure," Duo said, in astonishment. "But it never occurred to me that I'd have a say in if we stay together or not. I just figured... it's war, we'll be separated." His brows knitted together as he tried to puzzle this out. [He's so intense; I thought the war would come first, but he did say I was first in his heart now. Things really have changed...] Then with a smile Duo asked, teasingly, "So, it'd be Zechs and Duo against the Earthsphere?" "Almost... let's just say it's Zechs and Duo fighting for peace in the Earthsphere," Zechs answered with a grin. "I don't mean to say that we'd possibly refuse missions to stay together, but I do want to at least talk about missions with you, talk about how to be safe. Maybe we can even work together. Would you team up with me, Duo, my sweet?" Duo scratched his head, pretending to be unsure of the answer. "Well, that's quite a proposition, Mister," he said, swallowing a giggle. "I've seen you fight... you're strong and fast." He squeezed Zechs's biceps. "Oh, yeah, very nice. And I've been on the receiving end of your lovemaking... Whew!" He fanned himself, the memories of their couplings making him instantly warm. "So, if I teamed up with you it'd be all fighting and making love? Hmm... Sounds like you've got yourself a partner!" he announced, and planted a wet, sloppy kiss on Zechs's cheek. Laughing, Zechs wiped off the drool with the back of his hand, then dipped in to capture his lover's saucy mouth before Duo could get more ridiculous. As soon as their tongues touched, the heat instantly bloomed between them again, ardor refueling their fire. Treize Khushrenada could not remember when he'd felt more relaxed. The shuttle flight was smooth and calming, and he had a very good cup of tea at hand. The call from Townshend had been disturbing, but Treize had accepted the news and had managed a return to confident serenity. He would need it for his next task. "Bring me a radio," he instructed the nearest soldier to hand. "Yes, sir." Treize set the frequency to one he'd found in the files on the Gundams from the colonies. It was the radio frequency for one Gundam in particular. He called. "Good day, Chang Wufei," he murmured as the face of a Gundam pilot came onto his screen. Wufei, who had discarded his carrier once he hit the European continent and was now approaching the Alps in Shenlong, nearly jumped out of his pilot's couch at seeing who his caller was. "Treize!" he gasped, then scowled at the image. "What do YOU want?" he snapped derisively. [I so love dueling with this one,] Treize thought, content. "Wufei, I spared your life." "Yeah, so?" Wufei was getting a bad feeling. [Oh, no...] "Therefore," Treize continued smoothly, even smugly, "you owe me." "I didn't make you release me!" Wufei snarled at him. "That was your weakness!" "Nevertheless, honor demands that I may ask a favor of you." Wufei ground his teeth. Honor did indeed demand. "What do you want?" he snapped. Treize was all business abruptly. "There is a factory where mobile dolls are being manufactured, northwest of the city of Bremen in Germany. I want you to destroy that factory, Wufei. Then honor will be satisfied." The Chinese pilot was aghast. "Mobile dolls? You *want* them destroyed? Who owns the factory? If you think I'm going to help you against rebels who have stolen your designs..." "Romefeller," Treize interrupted crisply. "Romefeller owns the factory. Mobile dolls are wrong and must be eradicated. The man who was to build them in outer space is dead, and his files destroyed. The mobile dolls on Earth must be destroyed. Then can peace return to the Earthsphere, Wufei." Wufei scowled at the aristocrat's image. "What's your game this time, Treize? Why do you think I would trust you?" "Because of one name, one group of people who carry hope for us all, Wufei," Treize said quietly. [I doubt you've told him, Milliardo, but I think we must.] "Because of GAIA." "What?!" Then Wufei shut his mouth, pressing his lips together tightly. [I must be very careful. Where has Treize heard that? I must not inadvertently betray... the others.] It was then he noticed what Treize was wearing. [Is that...? It is - it's their uniform! Is he planning to expose them, is that why the duplicity? I can't believe Khushrenada would join the Gundam pilots and Zechs... that's just... just...] Appalled, he worked to restore his composure. [I shouldn't have let this guy live,] he mused, feeling cold. [I should have destroyed his flagship while I'd had the chance instead of challenging him to that stupid duel...] "I'm working for that organization, Wufei," Treize murmured. "I know you just left Antarctica. Did you meet my envoy, Lance? Oh, it should interest you to know that I resigned as commander-in-chief of OZ today. Of course, they wanted to arrest me as I'm far too dangerous for them to leave free. Not that I remained long enough for them to do that, of course. I'm relocating to set up a small version of the GAIA base you've just visited, Wufei. Perhaps you can come and visit me sometime?" "STOP IT!" Wufei shouted, alarmed. "What if someone taps into this conversation?!" [Never mind the fact that you've gone insane and are likely trying to trap me into saying something I shouldn't...] "Tap into a Gundam's private channel?" Treize queried calmly. "Not likely. And my shuttle is hundreds of miles from any OZ base in my carefully plotted escape route to avoid surveillance." "Shuttle?" Wufei was baffled. Where would Treize be going? [He mentioned relocating...] "Where are you going?" "Ah, but that would be telling, Wufei," Treize murmured, then took a sip of tea. [Mmmm... Earl Grey... refined, sublime... I must make sure the Princess has some on hand, and rose-hip tea as well...] "You've already told me quite a lot," Wufei retorted sarcastically. "Why not go all the way? Since you think I signed on with the little organization you named when I was on a certain frozen continent, if in fact I was there at all." Chuckling, Treize refreshed his cup from the pot at hand. "Very well, point in your favor, my dear boy. I..." "I am NOT your 'dear boy', ta ma de! (damn it!)" Wufei snarled. "Ah, but of course, just a figure of speech," Treize continued, unruffled. "As it is, I am journeying to a beautiful country of deep, green forests and tall, majestic mountains, and a seaport city as a capitol. Sank, it is called, and there resides a young woman - I don't believe you've met her, though I think some of your comrades may have? - by the name of Relena Peacecraft..." "That girl!" Wufei exclaimed, wondering. [Treize is going where *she* is??] "Oh, that's right, you and the former Major Po had received your information on the Antarctica base from her," Treize replied, smiling at his own forgetfulness. [After I made sure Relena knew of your existence... my, I am growing quite relaxed indeed...] He took a deep draught of tea, making the irate Gundam pilot wait a moment. Another sip, then he added, "Yes, so I am traveling to meet with the beautiful princess and assist her in her very important future role on the grand stage of the world. You see, she is a proponent of pacifism - did you know that, Wufei?" Wufei looked out his viewscreen at the last foothills of the Alps as he continued north in Shenlong. He would need to refuel again already before he could make it all the way to Bremen in the northwest of Germany. There was a small fuel depot for OZ carriers in Stuttgart; he'd planned to sneak in there under cover of dark and juice up his Gundam. Would he have time to do that and still make it to Bremen before dawn? [If I time it just right, I should be able to hit that mobile doll factory just before dawn...] "No, Treize, Sally was the one who talked to her. So she proposes pacifism? What does that mean, no weapons? That's foolish." [And why am I now talking to him like an ally... and considering the mission he put before me? But he's right; those mobile dolls must be destroyed. Perhaps if I take a day to gather more information on the factory first...] Treize poured himself a bit more more of the very fine tea, refreshing it with a cube of sugar and a light squeeze of a lemon slice, then stirred it slowly with a silver spoon. "Foolish? Perhaps, but it is neither here nor there if that's the banner to which people around the world will flock." "And that's what you want?" Wufei found this conversation entirely baffling. "The world flocking to follow one banner - Romefeller's, right?" The ex-General had to cough slightly. [Too much lemon...] "Of course not. If anything they must flock to GAIA, but then that body is neither a political or military organization, so..." "What??" [He's making my head spin!] Wufei thought in consternation. "What is it, then?" [And what kind of ego-enhancing drug does he have that tea laced with?] "Hmmm, let's call it a philosophical entity with a hell of a lot of firepower and leave it at that," Treize chuckled. Wufei snorted. "Coming from you..." "Matter of perspective, my dear..." "I am NOT..." But despite his indignation, Wufei found himself flushing crimson. [Ta ma DE!] A beeping interrupted the verbal volley. "Yes, what is it?" Treize inquired. Wufei could hear another voice, but it was too low to catch any words. "Very well. Wufei?" "What?!" "So, you will destroy the factory, then?" [His arrogance is appalling, but...] "If I can determine that you're right about the factory - and that this isn't some fiendish trap of yours - I'll destroy it. It's clear mobile dolls must be destroyed, but if this is some maneuver of yours to trap me, I'll have none of it." "I understand." A soldier came to Treize's side; he waved for the man to take away his tea tray. "Good day, Wufei; it was pleasant chatting with you. I hope we talk again soon. Oh, wait, there was one more thing. Ah, yes... five blocks north of the factory there is a maintenance hangar housing mobile suits and transport vehicles undergoing repairs. There is an HLV there which has been recently repaired and fueled but not yet removed to the spaceport. Use that to go to outer space, Wufei." Wufei felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. The former OZ leader was either more dangerous and devious than he'd suspected, or the man was reading him all too well, almost clairvoyant. "Why do you think I want to go to outer space?" he asked, wary. "It's logical," Treize replied, removing a minuscule speck of lint from his immaculate new uniform. [Oh, Milliardo, dark green, how depressing... couldn't the uniforms have been blue? At least the shirts are...] "There's nothing left for you on Earth, Wufei. And I understand that your former colony is having... difficulties? Something about aging structures and neglect on the part of the Alliance, wasn't it?" "You know about that?" Wufei asked, suspicious. "It's nothing mysterious or obscure," Treize replied sharply, then his tone gentled. "Everyone knows the L5 Colony is at risk of losing structural integrity. I would think a priority would be to assist in the relocation of your clan from that colony, Wufei." He could read the fear in the boy's eyes, and understood that Wufei was very worried. "That is one very good reason why GAIA must go to space, Wufei, to break OZ's manipulation of colony leadership into accepting their management." "What, so that you can manage the colonies yourself?" Wufei snapped. "Not in the least," Treize replied mildly. "GAIA is not interested in managing any colony or country at all." Wufei stared at him, appalled. "I find that very hard to believe!" [Is this guy for REAL?] Treize shrugged, then smiled. "That's fine. Believe as you must... as you always do. Good luck, Wufei. It may be a while before we speak again." "Er... thanks... about the space vehicle, I mean. If this isn't a trap. Thanks." Wufei thought his voice sounded weak and ineffective. [Stupid, trying to anticipate this one. He's half-mad as it is, and I won't be blindly drawn into his web.] "Treize..." He ducked his head in a bow. [Something tells me this isn't the last time I'll be talking to him...] The new advisor to the Princess of Sank smiled serenely, bowing his head in response. "Wufei..." (tbc) (1) Count Townshend is actually a canon character! He was the leader of the Treize Faction group that got trapped in the Sank Kingdom - when Heero invited them to fly Sank's Taurus's, he recognized that Heero was a Gundam pilot and led his men to join forces with Sank. The bit about his coming from a pacifist nation, however, was borrowed from the OZ captain who'd captured Heero and Quatre when they landed back on Earth the second time. Anyway, he was also the "model" for Federi diRoma. A Note from The Czarina: WHEEEEEE! I hope you enjoyed the little Treize-Wufei exchange as much as I did writing it *and* the last twenty or so times reading it! Oh, that was fun! Looking forward to what you thought! Heh, this is still one of my most favorite passages in the entire fic! And of course, I can never get enough of Zechs/Duo pillow talk!
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