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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 " 4) Zechs looked over, aware that Duo had yet to face Wufei in person, but Heero seemed to be pulling him aside. [I hope he knows what he's doing,] he mused as Quatre was asking the group to come inside the main building where they could meet together. [It might be best to let Wufei cool off for a while... and Duo... before they face one another...] As the group walked away, Quatre managed a glance back over his shoulder. [Heero's angry,] he thought with a shiver. [I wonder if I should say something to Zechs?] But before he could, Sally sidled up to him and started talking about their trip to Antarctica. When Duo glanced over as well, Heero clasped his shoulders to turn him back and get his full attention. "You took a swipe at me," he began firmly, his dark eyes intent upon Duo's cobalt ones. The boy with the braid just gaped. At first he thought Heero was joking. Surely the Perfect Soldier could handle a little warning from a fellow Gundam pilot... but the look in the other boy's eyes told a different story. He was not happy. [Shit.] "Okay, so what if I did?" Duo asked, defensively. "I didn't need you getting in my way and you wouldn't back off." Heero dropped his hands to his sides. "Duo, this isn't like the old days. We're not receiving individual missions anymore. There isn't any 'my way' or 'your way'! We're supposed to be a team in this alliance, or have you forgotten? And teammates just don't take swipes with large thermal scythes at each other!" His hands closed slowly into fists. He did not want to fight Duo, but he was angry with him, angry with his whole Mr. Independence act. In no more than a week they were supposed to be heading to outer space where teamwork against the swift Taurus mobile dolls could mean life or death. And Heero Yuy wasn't eager to die again, to his surprise. "Well, I don't believe it. Heero Yuy is giving me a lesson in teamwork. Must be the end of the world or something," Duo said, trying to joke. His attempt, however, was very unsuccessful as he noticed Heero's eyes getting blacker, and knew his own attitude had been one of sarcasm and not jest. Despite his tone, Duo knew Heero was right. He'd let the heat of the battle carry him away and color his judgment. Unfortunately, he couldn't admit that. The sting of their rematch and his feelings about Heero's growing "friendship" with Zechs were still bothering him. And Duo couldn't stop himself when he had something to say if his life depended on it. "It was just a warning, Heero... I would never hit you. And what were you doing out there anyway? Did *Zechs* send you?" "As a matter of fact, Zechs called for Quatre and Trowa to intercept you, since you didn't respond to his radio call to you, but I said I would go because I was in my Gundam and I was closer," Heero explained coolly, crossing his arms over his chest. "That's what you do in a team, the one in the best position responds. You were right to investigate the carrier, but ignoring the base commander and flying out there hell-bent for leather wasn't the way to do it. Wufei got spooked; it happens. And that's another thing - surely you know his Gundam isn't any match for ours now. You could have killed him." With a huff, Duo set his fists to hips. The stance was very clear; he meant business. "Look, I don't think Zechs needs *you* defending his position as base commander. He's already talked to me about the radio thing... And for your information, Wufei is damn lucky I didn't kill him!" "You know," Heero continued darkly, not backing down either, "I'd have thought that you'd be more sensitive to the problem of someone suspecting that Zechs is still OZ... considering what you guys have been through." [He doesn't like to hear the truth? Fine, I've got more of that coming...] By now Heero knew the essentials of what happened in Cairo after Quatre told Duo Zechs was an OZ ace pilot. "You weren't so quick to believe the best of Zechs, either, I'm told!," Heero continued. "I think you need to cut Wufei some slack on that account. What were you thinking, to battle him like that? How were you going to convince him we weren't with OZ by using the business end of that big stick of green flame?" Duo took a deep breath. One thing was very clear... Heero continually intoned Zechs's name as if he was the man's best friend. Duo had had enough. "YOU," he said forcefully, pointing a finger into Heero's chest, "have no right telling ME anything about ZECHS!" Fifty yards away, standing next to his Aries, was Linden Vingt. He'd been listening to the conversation... argument... between the Gundam pilots for several minutes now. He couldn't help it. Their voices were carrying throughout the hangar. He'd been hesitant to interfere, but now he could see Duo was getting physical. [This could get ugly... fast,] he thought and decided to head on over. "Fine, then let's talk about Wufei," Heero retorted, his dark blue-gray eyes glinting. "Which I was trying to do, and you haven't answered me. How did you think fighting him was going to win him over?" He pushed the finger away. "I wasn't trying to win him over. I was protecting the base," Duo said with a growl. He heard the clicking of boot heels approaching and slid his eyes away to investigate. [Oh, it's Linden,] Duo thought with an internal sigh. He had hoped it was Zechs. He looked back at Heero who hadn't flinched. [Not even a blink.] "Maybe you should run along now, Heero. You're so anxious to be friends with Wufei." Heero shook his head. It was too much mental strain to try to figure out Duo Maxwell, he decided. Especially now when the boy was plainly still so upset over the stupid rematch. And why was he so flinchy over Zechs? "This has nothing to do with friendship. It would be a great advantage to have all five Gundams fighting together. If you were thinking straight, you'd see that." Duo rolled his eyes. He was tired of Heero's lecture and it was obvious they wouldn't be agreeing on anything tonight. Instead of answering the other boy, Duo turned to Linden who had joined them. "Hey, there," he said in a cheery tone. "Hi, Duo!" Linden said, smiling and then nodded tentatively to Heero. "Hello, Heero. You guys sounded pretty intense so I thought..." "You thought you'd join in the fun? Sure, why not?" Duo asked, chuckling. "You don't mind do you, Heero? It's one more person you can try your sermon out on." "Stay out of this, Vingt," Heero snapped. "Duo, you're clearly not interested in reason and you sure as hell aren't interested in being a team player. And I got a problem with that. Now if you'll excuse me, we have guests..." "Yeah? Well, I got a problem with your face!" Duo shouted and curled his hand into a fist as he pulled his arm back to pummel Heero. "Wait! Don't!" Linden cried out, grabbing Duo's arm and holding it back. "Come on, you guys..." "Hey!" Duo yelled at Linden, and then seeing Heero hadn't moved to attack or defend himself he lowered his arm. "I would've got you that time, Heero," he said, smirking. "Think whatever you like, Maxwell," Heero muttered, giving him a dismissing wave as he turned and strode away, heading for the main building. Duo opened his mouth and sucked in air, readying himself for another smart remark, and then he thought... [Why waste my breath? I've had just about enough of Heero Yuy for a lifetime!] "Is he always like that?" Linden asked, as he ducked his head to look more closely at Duo's face. The Gundam pilot blinked and looked over at the taller boy. "Nah, he's usually worse!" he said, chuckling. [I love how he's always laughing!] "Well, you handled him a lot better than I would," the young ex-OZ officer admitted. "Oh, yeah? I find that hard to believe when I was just about to knock his head off." "He obviously doesn't understand you, that's all," Linden said, stepping closer. "If he's such a great pilot then he should've realized you didn't have a choice out there today." Duo looked up at the other boy, momentarily confused by the support. [He's sympathizing with me?] "Yeah, Heero's the king of working alone and then he has the nerve to tell me *I'm* not a team player! Please! I was a team player way before he ever was!" The Aries pilot smiled. "The first time I met you, you were talking about alliances and working together with the other Gundam pilots." "You remember that?" Duo asked, tilting his head. [Oh, do I! Those eyes!] "Oh, sure. Meeting you guys has been really exciting," the older boy said, and faintly blushed. "We've seen footage of battles... the destructive strength of the Gundams is amazing." Duo was slipping very easily into being the recipient of such high praise. Especially after the verbal beating he'd just gotten from his supposed friend. He'd only had a very few brief conversations with Linden, but the ex-OZ pilot always seemed pleasant and helpful. [Maybe we should be friends? No one else has time to hang out any more... Quatre has Trowa... and Zechs has....] "I saw you out on maneuvers the other day," Duo said, nodding for them to head in the direction in which Heero had just stormed off. "You've got some destructive strength of your own." Linden absolutely beamed from the compliment. "Wow, thanks, Duo!" Impulsively he slipped his arm around the shorter boy's shoulders and patted his arm. [Oh, this feels right!] "I appreciate that." When Duo didn't shrug the companionable arm off, Linden felt a tingle shoot through his body. [Can this really be happening?] "Sometimes I think we're not very necessary with the Gundams here." "Don't you start now," Duo said, jokingly. "Everyone's necessary here. We're a team! I know that!" He wondered about Linden's clinginess, but then thought it was a guy kind of thing to do. [I suppose these military guys are like that. Kind of chummy with each other.] "Thanks," Linden said, grinning. "It's good to hear that." Reluctantly, he let his arm drop as a janitor walked by pushing a pail of soapy water. "Well," Duo said with a sigh. "I'd better get to that meeting. I have a feeling if I don't show up I'll be in bigger trouble than I am right now." Linden shook his head. "You're just so damn..." [Cute!] "... independent. But in a good way! Don't listen to Heero. He's been unhappy since he got here." With a chuckle, Duo nodded and raised his hand in a parting wave. "See ya later, Linden. Thanks for the friendly words." "Anytime," Linden said. "Hey, there's a few of us playing cards later tonight if you'd like to join us... in the break room." "Yeah, I think I just might," Duo said, and turned down the hall leading into the main building. "See ya!" he called out as he disappeared down the corridor. Linden watched as the slender figure walked away from him, the long, shiny braid swishing seductively over that sweet, little ass. [Just a little more time and I know it's gonna happen. I'm gonna get me a piece of Gundam pilot ass!] (tbc)
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