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"Endangered"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, sap Pairings: 6x2, implied 3x4 Summary: The pilots must separate to talk with
various colonies on behalf of GAIA. "Endangered" 3) In the large mobile suit bay aboard Peacemillion, there was a small group assembled to see the five GAIA members off. Sally and Howard were now sharing duties of directing the massive spaceship; Federi had stayed behind at Barclay Base to monitor Earth operations there and coordinate with Treize's group in the Sank Kingdom. The GAIA personnel, however, had mostly gone to space with the Gundam pilots and Zechs, taking the wing of twenty Taurus mobile suits with them. "There you are," Noin said, crossing her arms over her chest in mock impatience as Zechs and Duo made their way over... hand-in-hand, of course. "I thought I was going to have to go in there and pry you two apart!" "I bet you would have enjoyed that, wouldn't you, Noin?" Zechs teased her right back, winking. Behind Noin's back, Heero and Quatre exchanged glances, eyes widening at the audacious suggestion. [He's certainly relaxed,] Heero thought, then frowned as Quatre smothered a giggle. [They all are... well, there's nothing wrong with confidence...] Noin blushed at Zechs's remark even as she laughed at his playfulness. [He's right though...] "Well, in any case we're glad you decided to join us." "Yeah, we had a few things we needed to take care of," Duo said, giggling. "But thanks for being so patient." "That's all right, Duo," Quatre said, stepping forward a little. "It was important for you and Zechs to have this time together." "Hey, thanks, buddy," Duo said, smiling and gave a little squeeze to his lover's hand. Heero opened his mouth, but found he had absolutely nothing to say. Instead, when Duo glanced his way, he gave him a tight little nod of agreement. "You ready for our big mission?" Duo asked Heero, trying to warm the other boy up to talking more. "Yes," Heero replied, though he admitted only to himself that he was a bit nervous. The mission would possibly take up to a week, and nearly all of that time would be spent in Duo's company. And it was to be expected that the talkative Duo wouldn't be able to keep silent about how he was missing Zechs. [I only hope that I can be a good listener for him. Zechs thinks I'm a good listener...] Straightening, he added, "These people are already known to you, so you're in the lead on this. I'm going along for backup and support. I can't use my full name in the colonies, so do you mind if I borrow your last name again? I suppose we could say we were cousins or something." [Not that there's any way in heaven or hell that Duo and I could be related!] "My cousin, huh?" Duo asked, scratching his head as though he had to really think it over. "What, are you the black sheep of the family?" he asked, chuckling. [Joke, he told a joke, right?] Heero processed, then laid a finger on a lapel of Duo's black jacket. "I would imagine that would be your role, Duo," he replied dryly. "You're already dressed for the part." Duo's face lit up; the surprise and delight shone for all to see. "You got that I was joking!" he said, laughing. "Oh, we're gonna get along just fine this next week!" Quatre smiled warmly at his friends. At first he had thought it might not be such a good idea to send these two together on a mission... even though they were now friends again. Everyone knew there weren't two people more opposite in personality than Heero and Duo, but the leadership committee had agreed that they were the best qualified. "I think you'll work really well together," Quatre said, optimistically. "Yes, they'll do just fine," Sally said, startling the little group. "Miss Po!" Quatre said, as he turned around, surprised by the woman's arrival. "I thought you were too busy to see us off." "That's what I have Howard for... to pick up the slack so I can see you boys off," she said with a wink and then nodded to Noin. "And you too, Lucrezia. I'll miss our late night talks." "Huh?" Duo asked, wondering if he was missing something between the two of them. "Girl talk," Noin said, as if that explained everything. "You don't want to know," Zechs murmured, releasing Duo's hand so he could slip his arm around his waist. "Trust me." "It can't be that different from what we talk about... can it?" Duo asked naively. Other than his and Zechs's pillow talk, Duo couldn't imagine what the women would talk about that would be so different and so secretive that he wouldn't want to know. The two women tittered and Zechs chuckled. "Oh, yes, it can be," the older man replied, giving him a little squeeze. "Noin's dragged me into shopping trips before with herself and some of her female cronies from whatever base we were stationed at... and you really would not believe the, ah..." He caught Noin narrowing her eyes at him, and amended his words. "Well, let's just say a guy can only endure so much talk about undergarments and makeup and cramps and..." "Cramps?" Duo asked, his face showing his total bewilderment. Quatre giggled at Duo's question. Having twenty-nine older sisters he knew all too well about cramps and just the sort of conversations that Zechs was complaining about. Noin took a deep breath and then set her hands on her hips. "Oh, like you guys don't go on and on about computers and weapons caches and dirty jokes!" "Who's telling dirty jokes?" Duo asked, looking around at the other men in the group. "Have I been missing out on some really good jokes?" "You're trying to tell us that women never tell dirty jokes?" Zechs was asking Noin, his free hand on his hip in imitation of her posture. "All the best ones I've ever heard were from you!" Then he turned his head, causing his mane of platinum hair to swirl about a little. To Quatre he added with a smirk, "Be sure you get her to tell you her collection of dirty blond jokes. They're quite entertaining..." Heero twitched his nose, listening to the older pilots arguing. [Some of the guys in the organization used to tell dirty jokes, I think. I didn't get those either, but they sure laughed a lot, telling them...] As Quatre pinked with the mention of dirty blond jokes, Noin and Sally burst out laughing. "I never could argue with you, Zechs," Noin said as she continued to chuckle. "He does have a way with words," Duo added and then gave a gentle nudge to his lover's ribs as he chuckled right along. Zechs looked down into his little lover's face as he held him close with one arm, relaxing his stance. It was time to go, time to part at last on their separate missions. "Well. I guess your and Heero's shuttle is scheduled to leave first here, Duo... and I think I will be at a loss for words after all. So... say your good-byes... and I'll wait to be last." He released him as he spoke, nodding toward the others. The boy looked up at his lover and smiled, even though he could hear the note of sadness in the man's voice. "The best for last," Duo said and winked sweetly before stepping over to talk with Quatre for a moment. Heero's eyes widened as Zechs came to him while Duo went around, shaking hands and saying good-bye to his friends and colleagues who had gathered. When Zechs held out his hand, Heero shook it firmly... like when they'd first met. "Good luck, Heero," Zechs said quietly, smiling down at the boy. Heero nodded tersely. "Thanks." Then he looked up into the man's eyes. "Zechs... I'll watch his back, I promise. You have my word." Zechs relaxed. "Thanks, Heero. I know you will. You'll both be fine, I'm sure." Just a few feet away, Duo was finishing his chat with Quatre. "Take care, buddy," he said, giving his friend a fierce hug. "You, too, Duo," Quatre said, as he hugged back and then they both pulled apart. "I'm going to miss you." "You know what? I'm gonna miss you, too," Duo said, ruffling the boy's blond hair. Next, Duo turned to GAIA's powerful female contingent. Lucrezia and Sally had become good friends of his... even though he seemed to be missing out on the "girl talk". "Well, ladies, what will you ever do without me?" Sally chuckled. "Gee, maybe get a good night's rest." When GAIA had transferred to Peacemillion, Sally had been the only one who didn't care where her room was located. But it hadn't taken her long to discover why the others had been so selective in the location of their quarters... She was placed next to Zechs and Duo's room and very quickly became aware of the couple's sexual habits. Within days, she too had requested a new room assignment, but the joke continued all the same. "But Dr. Sally, we're only doing what comes natural," Duo said, feigning innocence and holding in a burst of laughter. "From what I heard, you two have got to be *the* most natural pair in outer space," Noin chimed in, chuckling. "Oh, so is that what 'girl talk' is?" Duo asked, teasing the two women. Sally only shook her head. "Tell you what, Duo, when you get back from your mission... if you still want to know... Lucrezia and I will let you sit-in on a session." "Gee, thanks!" Duo said, smiling brightly. Quatre chuckled and then stepped away from the others to speak with Zechs and Heero. "I hope all goes smoothly for you with your father," Zechs murmured as they turned to the little blond. "We're fortunate that as tensions calmed on Earth after the change in philosophy of the Romefeller Foundation, so tensions in the colonies have eased as well. As you've hoped, your father might well see you in a more favorable light once he sees how you're part of the peace-making process." "Yes, I hope this will redeem me in his eyes," Quatre said, placing his fist over his heart. It hadn't been easy going against his father's wishes, but the boy still thought that stealing the Gundam to fight OZ was the only choice he had. "I'm sure you can understand how difficult it was for me... you and I both went against our pacifist fathers' ideals." "All too well," Zechs murmured, looking upon the boy with sympathy. [I hadn't realized how much alike we are in that respect. Hm.] "I know that my father indeed would be very disappointed in his soldier son, but I had to avenge his death. Now that I am turning more toward his ideals, I am hoping to become more worthy of my name again. Quatre... good luck..." Impulsively, he extended a hand to the boy. [Another kindred spirit...] Quatre looked up into Zechs's face and smiled. "In my opinion, you've always been worthy of the Peacecraft name," he said and then, instead of taking Zechs's hand in a firm shake, the boy felt the urge to hug the man. He stepped forward and put his arms around the much taller man's middle and gave a squeeze. "Thanks, Zechs... and good luck." The generous, forgiving words and the sudden hug quite caught the very proper and professional Zechs Merquise off-guard. "Well," he murmured, not having a clue what to say, and patted the boy's back. Glancing up, he could see Duo smothering a giggle behind Quatre and a smile even tugged at the corner of Heero's mouth. What was worse, was that beyond them, the women were enjoying the impromptu little demonstration way too much, on the verge of laughing out loud in delight. "Ahem, thank you, Quatre," Zechs added hastily as the boy released him. The little Arab nodded and then felt a friendly hand on his shoulder. "Now don't be getting too friendly," Duo said, pretending to be jealous. Quatre turned around to look at his friend and shook his head as he smiled. "Oh, Duo, like you have anything to worry about!" Duo laughed, fully confident in his relationship with his big man. "And neither do you! You've got something special with your Trowa, too." The blond boy's smile turned even sweeter at the mention of his lover. "Thanks... and hopefully I'll get to see him again soon." No one responded to that; it was on all their minds that Trowa Barton was deep undercover with OZ on the Space Fortress Barge, and it was not very likely that any of them would see him any time soon. Furthermore, Trowa was unable to make any regular contact with them, only rarely risking sending brief messages when out on maneuvers in space. "Yes, hopefully," Zechs murmured finally, smiling at Quatre. It was important that their little leader keep his spirit positive and hopeful. L4 was a powerful colony cluster and his mission there was very important. Heero stuck his hand out. "Quatre, you take care, okay? Turn that charm on your father and I'm sure it will all work out." Quatre stared at the proffered hand for a moment as Heero's words blended with thoughts of Trowa. [My Tro would be so happy to see how Heero is changing,] he thought and then blinked as he looked into the other boy's deep blue eyes. "Thank you, Heero," Quatre said, sliding his hand into the other boy's, but then deciding that wasn't near enough affection for the boy who had suffered the loss of his emotions for so many years. Quatre pulled Heero to him, wrapping his arms around him in a warm hug. "You take care, too. I want to see you again... soon." Stunned, Heero found himself tightening his arms in response, returning the hug. [He... he wants to see me again?] He swallowed with difficulty then released the other, unable to say anything, his throat unexpectedly tight with sudden emotion. So he merely bobbed his head in a terse nod of acknowledgment of the welcome show of warmth from his new friend. Playfully, Zechs tapped at Duo's chin as his mouth had fallen open, then slid a hand around his waist, pulling his lover against his side again to enjoy a stolen moment of closeness. "Time to say good-bye to the girls, then me, Duo," he murmured. Duo didn't quite want to lose the contact with Zechs and so reluctantly took a couple steps away, nudging Heero to get the other boy to join him. [Gonna have to ask him what that was all about,] he thought, still amazed at Quatre's show of affection. "We'll be seeing ya!" Duo said, brightly as he turned again to Lucrezia and Sally. "Come here, you," Noin said, smiling and rushing to give Duo a sweet hug. Before she released him, she bent to whisper in his ear, "Come back soon, Duo... Zechs needs you." The boy blushed as he pulled out of the embrace. "That's the plan," he said, cheerfully. Sally stepped forward next and gave the boy a quick hug. "You're gonna do great!" "Thanks, Doc!" Duo said, and as Heero was having his turn at being hugged, Duo retreated back to his Wolf's side. "Back at last," he said, taking Zechs's hand. "Excuse me," Zechs murmured to the others as he turned Duo aside, then turned to face his lover, his back to the others. Respectfully, everyone left them alone, going ahead toward the shuttles that awaited them. Now that the time to say good-bye had come, Zechs felt a longing and a sweet ache within him. It was similar to what he had felt when first arriving at Antarctica before he had been sure Duo was going to come down there to join their alliance... a hopeful wanting mingled with stoic resignation. Zechs was a soldier, and while he did not expect to fight on this trip, he still had to maintain his professional demeanor. At the moment, however, all he wanted to do was kiss his sweet Dancer. "Duo, Duo," he breathed, slipping his arms around the slim shoulders as he drew the younger man against him. "I just hope time goes quickly so you can be back in my arms again, baby," he whispered, his voice low and husky. The boy looked up at his lover with large, earnest blue eyes. This was the moment of their parting, the moment they had dreaded. Duo had promised himself he would not cry, not even now as he gazed into those ice blue eyes that had so entranced him since the day they had met. [I can do this... I can be strong like Quatre was when Trowa left,] he thought to himself and then swallowed hard. "Zechs... you know a day's gonna be too long for me," Duo said, managing a little smile. "I'm gonna rush back to your arms as fast as I can!" "I know you will, darling," Zechs replied, smiling. "Now, promise me you'll be careful... and that you will remember that you and Heero are working as a team on this. No competition, okay?" Duo cocked his head and then pointed at himself, "Who, me?" he asked, laughing. [God, he knows me too well!] "All I can promise is that I'll be careful," he said, wrapping his arms more snuggly around Zechs's waist. "I think Heero and I will make a good team, but please don't make me promise that I won't compete with him!" He smiled sweetly then, and a bit devilishly in hopes of swaying his lover to his line of thinking. [Oh, he's giving me *that* saucy smile,] Zechs thought happily, but he wouldn't fold to his little lover's charms to sacrifice his concerns. "Just no competing on the mission, that's all," Zechs replied, winking. "Otherwise, good luck! And I think you'll make a fine team, too. I have every confidence in you; I know that you'll be talking to people you already know and that you know up front what you're dealing with." "All right, I'll suspend any urges to compete for the duration of the mission," Duo said a bit reluctantly. But he would do it for his Wolf... anything for his Wolf. Then Zechs tapped at the breast pocket of his coat where he kept the tiny case carrying the little lock of Duo's hair. "This will help keep our hearts close, baby, even when parted. I love you, Duo." The little pilot was standing so close to his big man now that he had to look directly up to see him. He loved how very tall his lover was, even when he had to strain his neck to see his face. "Yeah, it'll definitely help to have a part of you with me," Duo said, smiling brightly. And then he embraced Zechs, placing his cheek on the man's broad chest and biting his lower lip to keep it from trembling. "I love you so much," he said, squeezing his lover as hard as he could. "Love you... so much!" "Be strong, my Dancer," Zechs murmured, returning the squeeze. Then he released him enough to clasp the boy's chin in his hand and tip his face up. Bending down, he claimed Duo's mouth in a deep, loving kiss. Waiting with Noin and Quatre beside his shuttle, Heero happened to glance over to see Zechs and Duo kissing. He felt a smile curve his lips, then caught Quatre's glance. The blond smiled at him sweetly, sending peace to flood the reticent boy's heart. Heero nodded, and firmed his interior resolve yet again. [I'll bring Duo home safe to Zechs again... I'll protect him for Zechs...] Duo slid his hands up and around Zechs's neck as they kissed, keeping his lover close, and deepening their kiss. [I'm not going to lose him.... not like everyone else I've loved,] Duo thought as his tongue darted out to taste his lover more fully. [We'll be physically apart, but that's all... Zechs isn't going anywhere... not really...] The words and his Wolf's love reassured him, making him relax and enjoy this last loving embrace all the more. They savored the last moments of treasured closeness, each feeling as if a bubble surrounded them, blanking out all else. There was only Zechs and there was only Duo, and each fervently soaked in the other to hold this memory against colder nights to come. It was to be their first true separation on behalf of GAIA, their new alliance. The freedom and security of the colonies depended on their organization garnering strong support against OZ's domination. Now they were all agents for GAIA, the Gundams and Tallgeese simply stored aboard Peacemillion. Their mobile suits were now only to be used as last-resort measures should OZ prove unwilling to disarm and take up offensive maneuvers against the elements who would keep the colonies free. Since OZ's Space Force had been sullenly quiet since the Romefeller coup on earth, this time now was critical for GAIA to create the coalition they'd need. Lovers or not, Zechs and Duo each had essential missions. This now, finally, was their opportunity to actively work toward the peace they sought. All the preparation and waiting was over. They had work to do. Reluctantly but firmly, Zechs finished the kiss and straightened enough to look down at his beloved again. "It's time, love," he murmured, then smiled warmly. "Go get them!" Duo gave a firm nod. "For us!" he said, smiling from ear-to-ear. With a send-off like that how could he fail? He pulled away slowly from his lover and then took Zechs's hand again. "Walk me to my shuttle?" "Gladly," Zechs replied, squeezing his lover's fingers gently, smiling warmly at him. Though they were in very low gravity, the magnets in their space-issue boots allowed them to stand and walk normally on the deck, though they could certainly push off to float wherever they needed to. Slowly they walked to where Heero was waiting, the only sound the soft snick of the magnets pulling free. Heero only nodded a final time to Zechs and then Quatre, before pushing off to float up to the open shuttle hatch. [It'll be good to have a mission again,] he thought, entering the shuttle. After watching Heero disappear inside the shuttle, Duo turned to Zechs. "I'll see you soon," he said, superbly confident of that fact. Without another word, he touched his lover's face briefly, and then let go of his hand and pushed off to float up to the shuttle's hatch. In the doorway, he turned back one last time, saying the words that he felt with every fiber of his being. "I love you." "And I love you," Zechs replied, smiling with pride at his dynamic little lover. [My sweet God of Death... he'll have 'em eating out of his hands in no time...] Then Duo turned and disappeared into the shuttle. Zechs stepped back with Quatre and Noin, though he turned his face from them, restoring his composure while he dealt with a little twinge of loss at parting from Duo. [He'll be fine. We'll both be fine...] Inside fifteen minutes, three shuttles, each accompanied by three white Taurus mobile suits, departed respectively from Peacemillion for the L2 Colony Cluster, the L4 Colony Cluster, and Colony D-120. (tbc)
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