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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 "
Zechs chuckled to himself as he strolled out of the steam-filled bathroom where Duo was still singing at the top of his voice and cavorting in the shower. The older man wore only a towel slung low around his hips, his long, platinum blond hair wet and in need of combing. He was just reaching for a brush when he noticed the light on his computer signifying that he had some e-mail. Sighing, Zechs began brushing as he opened the first message, video, from Heero. "Duo," the serious boy had begun, "I'd like to talk to you whenever you have a chance. I apologized to you in the hangar... but I don't think you were listening to me and I would like to do it again. If you need Zechs or Quatre or both there, that's fine. But I really want to clear the air with you... and become your friend again." Heero had glanced away from the computer screen for a moment, and Zechs could see a rare glistening at the corners of the boy's dark blue-gray eyes. Then Heero had looked back. "If you guys need more food, just call me and I'll bring whatever you need around. Um... talk to you soon. Heero, out." Zechs sat back, sobered by the call. [It's so hard for Heero to know how to be a friend... but I think he's learning. He's been trained to avoid relationships... but clearly he wants the friendship of the other pilots now. I hope Duo is ready to talk to him.] The second call was from Quatre, audio only, very brief: "Hi, guys... just calling to check in. Let us know that everything's all right? Talk to you soon- Quatre, out." The last call, video, was from Federi, who had looked grim but resigned. [Bremen,] Zechs thought with a jolt. [Treize...] "Zechs," the man had begun, "we've had some news from Bremen, but nothing specific as yet. We're going to be getting a call from the Rose Knight, I believe, at about 2100 hours this evening, so it would be good if we were all there for it. I've told Quatre and Heero already." Zechs glanced at the time on the computer. 2100 hours was two hours away. [Good, Duo will have time to talk to Heero first...] "Lance has asked to be present as well," Federi had been saying as Zechs ruminated. "Everything is otherwise quiet... but I take it something profound has taken place in Romefeller. Beyond Khushrenada's resignation, which we were expecting. As there doesn't seem to be any military reaction from OZ around the world, I don't think there's cause to worry." He had smiled, relaxing a bit. "I wasn't going to call you, but Quatre insisted. He's quite the little leader, that one. Hope all is well. Talk to you soon. Federi, out." Zechs switched off the monitor and stood, taking up the brush again as he went back to the bathroom where he heard the shower being shut off just as he reached the door. Then the shower door opened with a bang and a magical creature with cascades of wet, dark hair everywhere emerged. His eyes widened, soaking in the vision. "Hey!" Duo called out as he grabbed a towel off the rack. "You got away from me in there." He proceeded to dry himself off while admiring the tall figure in the doorway... the steam from the shower making his lover seem even more ethereal than usual. "Man, did that feel good... That makes four showers for me today! Once again we're the cleanest and best sexed guys in the Earthsphere!" "Three choruses of 'Toreador' is my limit," Zechs teased, leaning on the doorjamb with his arms crossed. Not that Duo had known the words to the opera piece in question, but it hadn't seemed to matter, and his little fox had gleefully supplied whatever syllables came to mind. "And I agree totally with you on the rest. But besides being clean and very sated, I'm also starving.... for food." He grinned. "How about you?" "Oh, I'm with you on that. I'm absolutely starving!" Duo exclaimed cheerfully as he wriggled in the towel to get every bit of his pink, wet skin dry. "I haven't been this hungry in years!" Of course it was an exaggeration, but only slightly. Sex with Zechs gave him a furious appetite. As he finished drying off he wrapped the towel around his waist and noticed that Zechs was brushing out his own hair. "Oh, can I help?" he asked, hopefully, since he loved playing with all those blond locks. "Certainly," Zechs replied with a smile, handing him his brush. "As long as I get to return the favor, of course." He led him back into the main room and sat down on his desk chair as Duo began to work on his hair. "While you were finishing your arias, I checked my messages," he added. "Well, you really should've stayed 'til the end... I even took a bow," Duo said, joking. He separated out a long section of hair and began brushing it, which he found very relaxing. Then he wondered about Zechs's messages. [Maybe something important happened while we were getting reacquainted...]"Good messages or bad messages?" he asked a bit anxiously. "Heero called... to urge food onto us again, of course," Zechs replied, relaxing under the soothing brushing. "And... he wants to talk to you, to be friends with you again." [I hope Duo is ready...] "He does?" Duo asked, more than a little surprised. His brushstrokes stopped as he considered the request. "I'd really like that but..." He found himself remembering how awful he'd treated Heero just in the last 48 hours. How he'd taken his jealousy out on him by throwing his joystick across the room, then taking a swipe at Heero's Gundam with his thermal scythe and even tried to hit him in the hangar. "I've acted really badly... I'm embarrassed," Duo finally said, quietly. Zechs stood up and pulled Duo against him, bending down to press a kiss on his head as he wrapped his arms around his shoulders. "Oh, baby, it will be all right," he murmured. "Heero sincerely wants to make amends with you, I believe, and he even said that if you need me or Quatre to be on hand - or both - that would be all right. You don't need to be embarrassed, love. This is a good thing. I know you want to be friends with him." Duo snuggled into the welcome embrace and nodded. Zechs always knew just the right thing to say to calm his fears and make him feel wanted and whole again. But Heero Yuy was still a problem. "Yeah, I want to be friends... But I'm still embarrassed. I let things get out of hand. We were making progress and then I lost it... now I'm sure he really does believe I'm an idiot." The boy looked up at his lover who was holding him so sweetly. "What's changed? I mean... Heero never came to me for friendship before." Zechs smiled and squeezed him tighter. "I think our serious little soldier is learning, perhaps for the first time, that he truly does need others in his life... and he's learning to value our association. Accepting a role in our alliance was a huge step for him... and now he sincerely wants to make that work... and recognizes that he needs to be friends with us all if that's going to happen. And probably because you two have had difficulty relating in the past, Heero especially wants to make it work with you." The boy nodded, hopeful that Zechs was right about Heero's newfound feelings of kinship. "I'd really like to be friends with him... it's hard for me having so much tension there. I like Heero... he's a neat guy... intense, but neat, and it'd be really cool to have him as a friend. Could come in handy in the war," he said and then pressed a kiss to Zechs's bare chest. "We all need to watch out for each other now." "You're right. It's a lesson I've learned, too. Together we're stronger, Duo." Sighing, Zechs released him finally. "Quatre kept telling me that, too," Duo said, remembering the long conversations they had when he was Quatre's guest in Arabia. "Now I really get it." "There were two other messages. Quatre is wondering how we are... and Federi called to say we're expecting a call, presumably from Treize, at 2100 - it's just past 1900 now. Quatre wants us all to be there for that. So you have time now to talk to Heero, if you want. Plus, we need feeding." He smiled again at this last, then took the brush from Duo to finish his own hair. "Let me know when you want me to braid your hair." As he listened, Duo padded over to his duffel bags to find his own brush and began taking care of his ever-demanding hair. "Thanks... I love it when you braid my hair," he said, referring to the whole process and the beautiful result. "Maybe I could talk to Heero first and then if everything goes okay we could all have dinner together? Quatre, too." Zechs crossed the room to find some clothes and began to dress. "That's sounds good - do you want both Quatre and I to be there when you and Heero talk?" "Yeah, I'd like that. Besides, I might need some allies," Duo said with a snort. He turned to watch Zechs, and his eyes went wide when he saw the man dressing in his GAIA uniform. [Oh, no....] "You're wearing that?" he asked, a bit nervously. He felt awkward telling Zechs he didn't have his uniform with him... another reminder that he hadn't expected to return. The tall blond turned to look at him. "We have a meeting in less than two hours; I don't see any reason to take time to come back here and change." The statement on Duo's face was something Zechs hadn't expected. Could it be that Duo was having problems with the uniform... again? "Duo, is something wrong?" "Well... I...," Duo said, fumbling with the answer. He shook his head, knowing he couldn't lie or even conceal the truth from his lover. "I don't have my uniform with me." He grabbed a pair of jeans from his bag as he continued to explain. "I want to wear it to show I'm part of the team." He dropped his towel and slipped into his jeans quickly. "But it's in my room... and the problem is I don't want you to feel bad that I left it there when I thought...." He stopped talking and just stood there waiting for Zechs's reaction. Zechs had already started walking toward Duo. "I don't feel bad, baby," he replied gently. Reaching his lover, he cupped Duo's cheek with his hand. "It's all right. I understand; you expected to go into outer space to work undercover. Of course you might not want to take the uniform. Trowa left his with Quatre, I'm sure." He smiled, rubbing his thumb in a caress. "You can go get it now, love. I love to see you wear it." Duo sighed, hugely relieved by the response. "Oh, thank God!" he said, and turned his face to kiss Zechs's palm. "You're the best!" With a big grin he turned and headed out the door to his room. "I'll be right back, lover boy..." he said, with a wave. When he returned several minutes later, he was wearing his complete uniform sans boots, and carrying his jeans. "Now all my things are in here," he said, suddenly realizing he had moved into Zechs's room without any discussion on the matter. "Wow... looks like we're officially living together," he said and giggled excitedly. The pale-blue eyes of the older man widened. "I hope we are... yes? You want to live with me, Duo?" Zechs laid his hands on his lover's shoulders, searching his eyes with evident hope. "I want that very much." "Oh, you bet I want that, too! I love being with you!" Duo said, his heart pounding in his chest. He placed his hands on Zechs's hips and smiled up at him. "But just one thing... You're not gonna make me fold my clothes, are you?" The sight of the bright, cobalt blue eyes staring up at him so earnestly caused Zechs's heart to melt all the more... and caused him to burst out laughing. "Oh, Duo, I wouldn't change a single thing about you! Throw your clothes wherever you like!" He hugged him quickly, then handed him a radio. "Here, call Heero... and I'll braid your hair." The shuttle landed, not on the usual airstrip for the Sank capital, but at the secret underground complex of caverns far below the palace and government buildings. Treize, openly wearing the dark green GAIA uniform as did his men, disembarked to meet the small greeting party awaiting him. He saluted formally to Lucrezia Noin who approached first. "Good evening, my dear Noin," he murmured, then smiled, nodding at her uniform. "Or should I say, Captain of the Imperial Guard... the uniform suits you." "Thank you..." [What the hell do I call him?] Noin nodded back. "It's good to see you again, sir. Welcome to the Sank Kingdom. And may I say your new uniform suits you?" [Diplomacy is always safe... I can do this...] Relena Peacecraft had not taken her eyes off the former commander-in-chief of OZ since the man left the confines of the shuttle, her eyes widening when she beheld what he wore. [This is very unexpected,] she thought, frowning as she tried to decipher what was going on. Noin had explained that Treize Khushrenada had resigned his post and was coming here to "assist" her in her growing role as a leader among pacifist nations... but what did this strange uniform mean? [Is he starting up his own army? He must know I will not abide that... or does he mean to take over Sank for himself? I must be wary...] "Sir, may I present," Noin was saying, a hand gesturing to the young woman at her side wearing the courtly aristocratic dress of her nation, "Princess Relena of Sank. Princess, I believe you've met Treize Khushrenada." To Relena's astonishment, the suave, ginger-haired man smoothly went to one knee before her and took her hand in his. "Dear Princess," Treize murmured and placed a gentle kiss upon the back of her hand. "Ohhh, my..." Relena managed to gasp, blushing, though her interior warning system was still on alert. [He means to flatter me, perhaps. If he thinks he's going to charm his way into my influence...] When he straightened, she took her hand back hastily. "That's really not necessary, General Khushrenada. I've met you here in secret, and only a few know that you have come here, at your request. I think we rather have a lot of talking to do... and I do not see the need to stand on ceremony." Treize, standing again, looked down with interest upon his best friend's fiery little sister. "Yes, we have a great deal to say to one another, I imagine," he replied warmly. "Why the uniform?" Relena asked abruptly. "Relena!" Noin responded with exasperation. [She can be so rude...] "Why don't we all go inside first? There's a meeting room we can use on this level." When the girl gave her a curt nod, she sighed and gestured for the group to accompany her. "Come with me, please. I've had some refreshments sent in." In the meeting room, Treize directed his pilots, eight in number, to help themselves first, then sent them with Noin to find quarters set aside for them in the north wing of the palace. He retained only a young pilot named Maura ter Horst, whom he explained was serving as his aide-de-camp. While Treize served the Princess a cup of tea - [Darjeeling, oh, well.] - and prepared one for himself, the aide took up post inside the door. "Now, my dear," Treize murmured as he and his future protege sat down on brocade-covered chairs, "You want to know about the uniform. And I promise you I will get to that. But first, are you comfortable?" Relena paused in mid-sip, surprised at the question. She'd been studying the young female soldier curiously, wondering at the woman's severe statement and rigid staring into space. Unlike Treize, she wore a shorter version of the dark green uniform jacket, stopping at the waist. "Why, yes, I am, I guess." "Good," Treize replied, faintly smiling. "I have rather a lot to tell you. I suppose I shall start by telling you about your brother." Relena dropped the teacup. It rolled off her lap, amazingly did not break, and clattered off a few feet away on the floor. Maura unfroze abruptly to retrieve it, taking the saucer from a stunned Princess as well and going to get a cloth. "My... brother? But I have no..." She stopped. A wisp of memory tickled at her mind. There was an image of a sturdy boy with white-blond hair and very fierce eyes of a pale, pale blue. "M...Milliardo?" "Yes, Milliardo Peacecraft," Treize echoed, his voice gentle. [My good friend, I know you would never tell her... but she must be told now. It is the only way she will accept what I am about to do to her. The molding that must be done...] "Oh, my God, my brother's alive? Milliardo is alive?" Relena stood up without knowing she'd done so. "Where is he? Is he all right? I must see him. Does he know that the kingdom was liberated from the Alliance? Why, he... he's the heir!" Treize smiled as the young aide knelt beside the agitated girl, wiping at the tea stains. When Relena noticed, she took off the formal jacket and handed it to the woman. "I... I'm sorry, thank you..." After his aide left the room with the soiled coat, Treize carefully set his own teacup and saucer on a little table near to hand and leaned forward. "Sit down, Miss Relena." Relena, tears in her eyes, sat obediently. [Oh, VERY good, Princess...] "Now then," Treize began again. "To answer your questions. Milliardo is just fine, but he is very far away. You probably will not be able to see him in person for a long time." "Why is that?" Relena asked, startled. "Is there something wrong with him? Is he imprisoned somewhere?" Treize couldn't help but chuckle. "Dear Princess, no, nothing's wrong. He's just very involved with a new organization which is going to be working hard to bring peace to the Earthsphere... the same organization to which I now belong." He gestured at his uniform. "Though we do not consider ourselves a military organization, the uniform does serve to assist unity and morale." "Antarctica!" Relena exploded, nearly leaping to her feet again. "My brother and Heero are there!" "Yes, and others. The group calls itself GAIA... do you know who Gaia is, Relena?" She stared hard at him, and Treize was reminded sharply of her brother's own intensity. [Peacecrafts...] "Yes, according to some belief systems, she's the Mother Earth, the Goddess of the Earthsphere," the girl replied. "That's it? They named themselves for the goddess?" She relaxed a bit - for the first time since he'd landed. "How appropriate... and they are peaceful in practice, as well? You said they were not soldiers..." "No, I did not say that. GAIA is not a military organization. There are no military titles. Your brother is the commander of the base of operations in Antarctica, but he is not the leader of GAIA. A committee runs GAIA, Relena... comprising chiefly of... mobile suit pilots." He seemed to see the fireworks going off in her mind; indeed, the flames literally leaped from her eyes as she jumped to the logical conclusion. "Don't you mean Gundam pilots, General Khushrenada?" Relena accused, on her feet again. "Are you here to occupy my country?" Treize's reply - though he was quite shocked - was to pick up his cup of tea and take a needed sip. Then he spoke as evenly and as calmly as he could. "Miss Relena," he began, figuring that she'd earn the title of Princess when she started to behave like one, "I am here out of the goodness of my heart to advise you in these difficult, transitory times. You need my knowledge and experience if you are to continue to lead nations of the Earth toward a lasting peace. You are already a symbolic leader, a Peacecraft. You preach pacifism... though you need to learn civility if you expect anyone to listen to you." Mollified, Relena turned to her seat. Noin had said as much to her more than once. "I apologize if I'm being difficult," she said, a hint of bitterness still in her voice. "Please do consider my position, General. A number of mobile suits have been stored in this underground cavern against my will as leader of this nation. The former commander-in-chief of OZ has chosen to gift me with his wisdom, intending to mold me for some higher purpose of which I haven't been fully informed. Do you really expect me to be more civil to you, General?" [I hate Darjeeling...] Treize smiled. "It's very frightening how much you and your brother are alike. Both with those damn pacifist Peacecraft hearts, yet you're both wild and intense, though Milliardo has a considerably stronger grasp of manners. Yet he is reckless in his own way. I wonder if you get it from your mother..." "General, you're not listening to me..." "And you're not listening to me. Please do not call me General," Treize admonished, wagging a finger at her. [She's not as much fun as Wufei, but entertaining in her own charming fashion.] "I hold no rank now. Of course we are not here to occupy your country, silly girl. The mobile suits are for defense. If we never use them again, we shall be exceedingly happy." At that moment, the door to the room opened and Maura and Noin entered. "Captain Noin insisted, Treize," the young aide murmured. "Of course, Noin, please do join us," Treize greeted the other woman. "I was just telling Miss Relena about her brother." Noin stood gaping at him, her eyes wide. "You didn't!" "She has to know." "He'll be pissed. Better you get the brunt of his ire than me," Noin retorted. "What does that mean?" Relena wanted to know, puzzled. "Why wouldn't Milliardo want me to know about him?" Noin and Treize exchanged a glance. [Milliardo, eh?] Noin wondered. [He hates that name... so... Treize hasn't mentioned Zechs yet. Good thing I came when I did...] "Because he's a soldier like we are, Miss Relena," Noin replied to the girl kindly. "He wanted to protect you from... that..." [A soldier! My brother?] Relena was more bewildered than ever. [But he's the Peacecraft heir...] "I don't understand... and you... you knew my brother was alive and didn't tell me..." "He didn't want you to know!" Noin blew out her breath, exasperated. "Treize - can I call you that?" "Please do." "Treize, you see what I've had to put up with?" "I saw all I needed to see in Moscow," he replied smoothly. "Well!" Relena huffed, appalled. "Noin, do sit down. Maura, you, too," Treize directed calmly. He stood, however, assuming a parade stance, gloved hands folded at the small of his back. "Now, Miss Relena, I must tell you a story about Gundam pilots..." As Treize spoke, Noin sat there, stunned. It was the story of the events at New Edwards... which Treize had engineered. (tbc)
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