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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 " 33) After the fifth circuit of the room, Heero made himself put down the dustrag and cleaning spray. [What am I doing? My quarters are clean...] Irritated, he glanced around the main room, noting that it was, indeed, impeccable as always. He felt like taking something and throwing it around the room just so he'd have to clean it up again. [Where is everyone? I can't take this much longer...] Crossing to the desk, he straightened again the plates and utensils, then rearranged all the food - just the third time to do this -that he'd had sent up for his guests. Quatre might have eaten dinner already, but very likely Zechs and Duo had not, and eating might even cut some of the tension that was probably going to fill the room as soon as Duo walked in. Duo Maxwell... from the moment Heero Yuy had first laid eyes on him, holding a gun pointed at him, the boy with the long braid had been a walking statement from Life itself, telling Heero that everything he'd been taught by Dr. J and the others about how this battle against OZ... about life itself... was simply not the only way to go. The larger-than-life Duo represented the exact opposite view of a soldier than the one that had been imposed upon Heero. Instead of slipping into the background and becoming invisible, Duo hid right out in full light, his sarcastic banter making sure that no one took him seriously... which was always going to be the enemies' mistake with him. But that had taken Heero a long time to understand and accept. It was a dangerous thing to do, he still thought - be in everyone's face all the time. It risked the wrong kind of attention... and Duo was attractive in his own outrageous, saucy way. If it had been Heero Yuy who had found out who Duo's new lover was in Cairo instead of Quatre Winner, Heero would have taken Zechs out, no questions asked, and informed Duo later. Of course Heero hadn't known of Zechs's own soul-searching in regards to OZ. [Who knew?] he thought, sagging where he leaned his weight on the edge of the desk. [In Siberia, I had no inkling that Zechs wasn't there to fight for OZ, but was there to fight a Gundam pilot... and it happened to have served Khushrenada's purposes. Damn...] Now, of course, they were all one big happy family. Well, not happy... Heero knew he'd hugely screwed up his fragile friendship with Duo the day before in the hangar. And to make it worse, since he and Duo had cleared the air between them weeks before, Heero had not gone out of his way to pal around with Duo, not joined him and the other pilots in the break room except a couple of times. He'd been so preoccupied with the Barclay Base computer network. By now, of course, that was *his* baby more than Zechs's. The base commander, recognizing that Heero was highly skilled, had let him strengthen their network and the communications protocols so that they could contact their suppliers in Capetown, the handful of rebel bases with which they were in negotiations, and Treize's network in Bremen, all while keeping the prying Romefeller snoops away from detecting them. [It's been long, hard work,] Heero realized, [but it's kept me from getting closer to my colleagues.] The only people he seemed to talk to much at all were Trowa... and Zechs. [It didn't seem like Zechs was interested in me romantically,] Heero thought for the hundredth time that day. [Did I give off any signals indicating an interest? What was there in what I was doing to make Duo suspicious? I don't even think we ever touched...] There was a sharp rap at the door. Heero jerked; [Is it him?] Then he unfroze and went to the door, throwing it open. To his relief, it was his newest friend. "Quatre..." He felt a touch of gratitude and found himself relaxing minutely. "Come in, please." "Hi, Heero," Quatre said with a gentle smile, as he immediately felt Heero's anxiety. The other boy's tension made Quatre all the more determined to calm both him as well as Duo when he arrived. [I think they'll be all right... but you never know.] The petite blond walked into the room and took a whiff of the lingering scent of cleansers. [Has he been cleaning?] he wondered, but then he was drawn over to the buffet spread out on the desk. "Oh, this is so nice! Looks like you've thought of everything." "They'll be hungry... I guess," Heero murmured, turning away to where he'd created something of a circle for them to all sit - the desk chair and an easy chair had been pulled over in front of the sofa. He straightened the throw rug on the floor before the sofa, making sure it was precisely parallel. Then he turned the desk chair around and sat on it, leaning forward against its back. "Thanks for coming." "Yes, of course," Quatre said, though he was a bit distracted by what he was seeing. [He's fussing with the furniture? Is this how Heero handles anxiety? He organizes things?] "Well..." Quatre began again, as he walked over and stood in front of the other chair arranged for the meeting. "I tested the upgrades on Sandrock today and everything checked out. Howard is sure a miracle worker. All systems were 'go' the moment I left the hangar.... and I pushed Sandrock to the limit..." His stomach in knots, Heero stared into space, contemplating facing Duo again. [Will Duo forgive me?] he thought, also for the hundredth time. [I've got to get along with him, I just have to... The team needs us to be able to work easily together. I'll stay far away from Zechs if I have to, if that's what will make him more comfortable with me...] [He's not listening to me again. Like earlier today... He must be worried about how Duo will be.] "Heero, I know you're troubled," Quatre said, hoping his directness would snap the boy out of his funk. "Are you going to be able to talk about it when he gets here?" [Maybe it's a mistake to have Zechs here,] Heero was ruminating, his eyes half-lidded. [If he looks at me at the same moment I happen to look at him... will Duo freak? Damn, I just don't know how this all started. Imagine, Duo thinking *I'm* going to steal his man from him! I don't even know...] Suddenly he remembered something Zechs had said, something about "which side of the fence" he was on. [That's what he meant - whether I liked boys or girls,] Heero thought, proud of having figured it out. [Do I even know? That Relena... eh, I really don't know about her. So Duo likes boys? I've seen him flirt with girls, but then he seems like the kind of guy who wouldn't care much about gender...] "Heero?" Quatre asked, but the boy still stared at the empty space in front of him. [He's really worked up over this. But they spent so much time together. I don't understand why they never connected as friends...] "Heero?" Quatre repeated, this time leaning over and touching the other boy's shoulder gently with his hand. "Are you all right?" "Huh?" Heero started at the touch, straightening in surprise. "What? I'm fine..." Then he realized that Quatre had been talking to him... and he hadn't heard a word. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ignore you." [Screwing up already with Quatre, that's real good...] He slid his eyes away, uncomfortable. "You don't seem fine," Quatre said as he shook his head and slowly withdrew his hand. "I think we're both about to discover that Duo is blissfully happy and when he's happy it's a very good thing." He gave a little snort and then sat down in the chair next to Heero. "You've probably spent as much time with him as I have... so you know his moods." The blond shook his head remembering the roller coaster of emotions that made up his best friend. "Everything from being cranky when he's hungry, to confrontational when he's mad... and, my personal favorite, when he's sarcastic and totally oblivious to people's reactions to him! But..." He leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees and staring intently at his dark-haired friend. "... I'm not here just for Duo." Heero gasped, his eyes widening. "You're not?" Then his eyes went dull for a moment. "No, I don't know his moods," he replied, glancing away again. "We might have been at the same school together once, but I did not go out of my way to spend time with him, I'm afraid. He was a necessity, something to tolerate between missions." He looked down at his folded hands. "I'm not proud of that. It's how I was trained to be." "But now you want to change that?" Quatre asked, sincerely hoping the answer was "yes". It suddenly occurred to him that this was what was causing Heero so much turmoil. [He's going against his training... he's becoming a new man!] "Everyone needs companionship at some point, Heero. Maybe you don't need it as much as Duo does, but I'll bet you two can find a happy median." Considering the other's words carefully, Heero nodded and then made himself meet Quatre's eyes, meet the concern that he saw there for him. "Quatre... yes, I do want to change what my training has made me. It doesn't work now, not in this alliance, not around... all of you. And... I do need... companionship." Embarrassed, he ducked his head. "I'm just not ready for... you know." It was no secret what was going on between Quatre and Trowa... and even more noticeably Zechs and Duo. Their scene in the hangar made it very clear to the entire base that their relationship was more than just a professional one. [Let them all wonder what we do... it's beautiful! But Heero...] "You'll be ready... someday," Quatre said and blushed. [But what side of the fence am I on?] Heero wondered, then frowned in puzzlement at the interesting shade of pink Quatre had just turned. Relena Peacecraft stood, her hands folded in front of her, facing away from the three ex-OZ personnel. After Treize Khushrenada's calm, thorough explanation of the extraordinary events of the past month... and his full revelation of her brother's identity, the young princess was much subdued. [I'd been so focused on Heero, on finding him and helping him when actually so much else was going on... and then to find my brother after all these years... and learn that he was a high-ranking officer in OZ...] She suppressed a shudder. [Oh, Milliardo... how could you have become the antithesis to our father? But Treize and Noin tell me that you've changed... that you've fallen in love and that this love is turning you back into a man of peace... although you're still determined to fight only now it's defense, isn't it?] They did not mention who was the object of her brother's love. [I can only hope she's an inspiration to you. I'm surprised, frankly, that it's not Miss Noin, for all that she's so devoted to you. Is that why you sent her away -so it would not hurt her so much?] "Relena..." Noin murmured softly after several minutes had passed. "I agree with Treize - you needed to know the whole thing. We owe that to you, for we have brought an organization into this country which is not committed to your total pacifism. Please understand that Zechs was just trying to protect you." "I understand that," Relena replied, half-turning back toward them. "I know Heero was doing the same thing. And I'm glad you've told me now." She sighed deeply. [So be it.] Resolutely, she turned all the way back to face the man so coolly watching her. "So, now what? Can I hope that my brother will reclaim the throne one day? He is the heir, not me, though I am proud to lead in his absence." Treize nodded, accepting. "One day... it can be hoped," he replied smoothly. "Meanwhile you are the leader of the Sank Kingdom. Miss Relena... Princess... as before, I offer you my knowledge and experience. I will be your mentor as you assume a role of leadership on the Earth, guiding us all to peace. What good souls like Marshal Noventa were trying to do, you will now achieve." "And what of outer space?" Relena inquired, frowning slightly. "If Earth becomes peaceful once again, what of OZ now? You said the Earth OZ forces are presently leaderless and soon to fall in line with the new faction you left behind in Bremen. Why don't you lead them? How will they handle outer space?" "Still so many questions," Treize murmured, smiling. "Zechs and his friends will handle outer space just fine. And I did leave someone in charge named Count Townshend - a good man from a pacifist nation. It would be... inappropriate for me to lead at this time. Besides, the favor of God has been passed on." [Huh?] Noin wondered, bewildered. [What the hell does he mean by that?] "I don't understand what you mean," Relena replied, sighing. "But at any rate, I do need your guidance. It appears that I will be able now to work more closely with the Romefeller Foundation. That is a good thing. Although I am comfortable talking to the Marquis, it is true I do not know any other Foundation members and would likely embarrass myself if I tried to talk to them now." [Only if you try to assassinate someone again,] both Noin and Treize were thinking. "Is there any chance that I could talk to my brother sometime?" Relena asked unexpectedly. Treize had been about to take a sip of cold tea; he set the cup back on its saucer gently. [I detest Darjeeling anyway...] "Perhaps after Noin returns to the GAIA base she could break the news to him gently that we've told you about him," he replied quietly. "He'll be angry?" Noin and Treize exchanged glances. "Yes," they said together, then Noin grinned at the princess. [I can't wait to see his face...] "Well, I can't understand why," Relena went on, frowning again. "I'm perfectly capable of keeping secrets." "Because you're his *baby sister*, that's why," Noin teased. "Don't worry about it; I'll take care of Zechs." Relena's eyes widened. "You know, I believe you would... I can see you two together..." Treize and Noin looked at one another again, then Noin burst out laughing. "What?" Relena asked, indignant. Treize was chuckling. "My dear Relena, I've known Zechs a long time. First of all, as we've told you, he claims to have fallen in love recently - which perhaps explains a lot of his own changes in his life - and secondly, I'm rather certain that any person your brother would be in love with... would be male." [Oh, shit,] Noin thought, suppressing a giggle. [I don't think Treize knows the identity of Zechs's lover, though... well, I'm not going to spill *those* beans! Zechs can handle that one!] "Oh... my..." Relena gasped, her hands folding at her throat in shock. "Well..." "Don't get me wrong, Miss Relena," Noin spoke up, still grinning. "Zechs and I are best friends. But he's only ever been interested in other boys, er, men." "I see," Relena murmured, blushing. [So much for the elder Peacecraft sibling producing an heir someday...] "Regardless," Treize picked up the conversation easily, "I believe the relationship may be very good for our Milliardo. He seems more... balanced to me. Wouldn't you say so, Noin?" "That's a good way to put it," Noin replied with a smile. "He's more approachable... doesn't keep everyone at arm's length. I doubt that he's any less reckless, but he actually *listens* now." Her statement turned into a smirk. "I don't expect him to change any on the battlefield, however. If anything, he'll be fiercer than ever when fighting, now that he has someone. He'll fight for their future, for the peace that will allow them to be together." [She's very cleverly not saying anything about who has caught our Milliardo's heart,] Treize observed thoughtfully. [I'd wager good money it's one of those little pilots. Young they may be, but they've lived a lot of life already. He was already an admirer of theirs...] "I don't like to think of a brother of mine fighting," Relena was saying, her pretty features drawn into a frown. "And why would he need to? You've told me that Romefeller is going to be changing. There shouldn't be any more war!" "On Earth, no, dear Princess," Treize murmured, still thoughtful. "Outer space is another matter. There OZ has already confused the colonies into welcoming their domination... and I believe there may be elements in place who will seek to exploit that." [Elements about which I know far too little as yet... damn.] "Does Colonel Une know about your resignation, Treize?" Noin asked. [My bold martinet...] "No," he replied with a sigh. "I've instructed our Turtle Count to tell her nothing, to let the OZ space forces know only that the plans for mobile doll production have changed. They will hear about it anyway. But this way, Townshend can keep them guessing until GAIA is revealed and is in place to contain OZ in space. Plus, we've sent someone from our group to Lady Une. I'm hoping that he can protect her from the resistance to come." "Why protect *her*?" Relena asked abruptly, scowling, her arms folded in front of her. "She's a witch!" Treize glanced at her with a hint of disdain. "My dear, no need to accuse her of being a peace-loving follower of the Goddess. Lady Une is fragile, nothing more. You will see." "A... what?" Relena burst out, bewildered. "Really, don't they teach comparative religions at St. Gabriel's?" Treize murmured. He rose smoothly and went to the table of food, feeling a little peckish after their long talk with the Princess. "You mustn't be so narrow-minded if you are going to be a leader, my dear." Plate in hand, he selected a few slices of cheese and some fruit. "Noin, do tell the Princess about her country's hill-witches? They have some rather charming customs... pun not intended." Noin was hard put to keep from laughing out loud. "Sure thing!" "My..." Relena shut herself up, recognizing - again - that she was being firmly and kindly informed that she needed to further her education... and sensitivity. "I still don't think my brother should fight," she said anyway, frowning. Treize whirled around to face her. "You, Miss Relena Peacecraft, are not your brother's keeper. Nor am I. Milliardo has been making his own decisions as an adult for quite some years now. Your opinion has no bearing on this matter, though if you continue to verbally oppose his actions, you will be undermining the very soul of our new peace-minded organization. That will cause more rifts in the Earth's very fragile political arena - am I making myself clear?" Relena was shocked, unused to being talked to in this manner. [But I deserve this, I suppose... I really have been too sheltered. Heero has tried to say things like this to me before...] "Yes... sir." He narrowed his eyes at her, measuring her attitude. [Besides, if you oppose Milliardo... or me... I will simply stop you,] he thought to himself. Those words were not to be spoken aloud, with witnesses present. "That's better. Do not, Relena, imagine that you can understand our time's politics without my assistance. There is too much at stake. From now on, everything you say in public must be approved by me. Lives hinge on this, Relena. Please, I ask you... let me guide you." A small part of her Peacecraft heart wanted to snarl at him and refuse his offer, but the rest of her, still Peacecraft but also Dorlian, understood political necessity and the need for unity. "I will follow your directives, Mr. Khushrenada," Relena murmured quietly. "I will obey you in all matters. And I will work hard to learn what you have to teach me." Treize relaxed. [Sensible girl...] "Thank you." He bowed to her, then shifted his attention to the samplings on his plate. He lifted a piece of cheese, inhaled its aroma, then took a bite. "Hmmmm, Stilton... very fine... yes, very fine indeed..." (tbc)
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