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"Regained "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, masturbation, angst, violence,
language Pairings: 6x2, 3x4, mention of 13+11, R+1 Summary: Sequel to Interfacing: Lost. GAIA, the
new alliance, fights its first battle in Antarctica; Duo and Zechs
begin to rebuild their relationship "Regained" Chapter 12
Surprised, Zechs looked over. "You may be right. With Duo, I believe it's personal philosophy, a personal code. Which is it with you?" //You seem to know Duo so well... how did that happen?// Heero wondered, not for the first time. "Training. I was taught to concentrate on my missions, to eliminate all obstacles that got in my way. As soon as I made it to Earth, it seems, there he was, messing with my mobile suit, in my way." "Did you really steal parts from his Gundam?" Zechs asked, remembering what he'd overheard. "Yeah..." Heero muttered, then made a sound suspiciously between a snort and a snicker. "I guess when I'm ready I'll apologize for that... he was really pissing me off at the time, talking incessantly and bugging me about every little thing. He still is." He frowned. //Why am I telling this to *Zechs* of all people?// Zechs sighed. "I guess it's too much to assume that all of you would get along. You're all so different, but I've learned that no Gundam pilot is to be crossed. You all have the same intense devotion to your cause. I admire that." //Huh,// Heero thought. He wanted to ask what Zechs had done to get himself captured - had he himself crossed Duo or Quatre in some way? //He admires us? Is that why he left OZ? Is that why he won't fight me, because of admiration? Damn, there's still so much I don't know here...// Just then they reached the hangar. He entered as Zechs held the door open for him. //This one is a thinker, always processing, always evaluating,// Zechs thought, intrigued. He gestured to the far end of the hangar, closest to the control tower. "There - your Gundam is set up in the first mobile suit construction niche." //And I'll remember to tell Meiser to leave it in your hands, if you're that weird about someone messing with your suit...// They walked the hundred feet or so to that part of the massive hangar, then the form of Wing Gundam came in view. "My mobile suit!" Heero couldn't help exclaiming out loud. He'd half expected it to be a ruse to get him here... or expected it to be still half-destroyed. But it stood looking as it did the day Heero left L1 Colony in it. "Do you like it?" Zechs nearly chuckled. //Devoted, isn't he? I understand well a mobile suit pilot's fondness for their personal machine. I've grown just as attached to Tallgeese...// "Colonel Zechs, er, Zechs, sir!" Meiser exclaimed, jogging up to them out of breath. He wasn't going to miss meeting one of the little pilots, not since he blew the last chance. Zechs glanced at the man, missing nothing. "Heero Yuy, meet Meiser, our chief mobile suit engineer. He's the one responsible for restoring your Gundam. He's young, but his skills are top-class." Meiser didn't dare look at his superior. //Young?? What does he think that kid is?// "Er, it's all finished. All that's left is the operational adjustments to suit yourself." "Fine," Heero murmured, giving the man a curt, professional nod. Then he turned to Zechs. "I don't know how long I'm staying or what I'll do... since you won't fight me." He scowled at that, not completely understanding yet why Zechs wouldn't fight him. "I can't repay you for fixing the Gundam, so I might be leaving it here." "What?" Meiser erupted, shocked. "Kid, we put it back together so you could keep on fighting!" Zechs hastily put a hand to Meiser's arm to calm him down. "Easy... look, Heero, if you think I rebuilt it merely to be charitable, I assure you I'm not that altruistic. At the least perhaps you'd be willing to be hired by our new alliance to use it to fight OZ again. Although I do not consider that Wing Gundam belongs to us in any way as it is. You brought it to Earth - it's yours." "I destroyed it," Heero reminded him tersely. "I'll have to think about this." //Ungrateful little wretch,// Meiser thought, and unconsciously stood closer to his commanding officer. //Zechs, I can show you that I'm not so young... if you give me the chance...// They stood there a long, uncomfortable moment. //I've botched this already,// Heero thought, his natural wariness fighting with a growing understanding of how he needed to adjust his operations from a solitary venture to a group venture. //Oh, hell.// He unfroze first, extending his hand to Zechs. "I've never shaken hands with anyone before..." //Perfect.// Zechs gave him a pleased nod, and accepted the handshake. Both pilots shook hands in a firm, professional manner that eased both their minds. "Do consider accepting your restored Gundam as, not a gift, but as your assigned primary mobile suit from your new alliance, Heero. We would be honored if you would team up with us. But I understand - you have a lot to think about." Just then the radio that Meiser was carrying went off. "Yes?" he said into it, inserting the receiver earplug so he could hear the other end. "Oh, yeah... sir, Noin wants to talk to you." Zechs took the radio from him. "Meanwhile, Heero," he addressed the serious young man before responding to the call, "you might as well set up your Gundam for yourself in case you may be needing it." "Yes, I'll do that," Heero murmured, giving him another nod. Then he stalked off to go to work on Wing Gundam. "Zechs here," the base commander said into the radio, watching Heero leave. "Noin here," came the response. "Sir, I just got a very unusual call from Lake Victoria..." "Lake Victoria?" Zechs looked surprised, then glanced at Meiser. //Why is he standing so close?// "What is it, Noin?" "Zechs, you're not going to believe this. Relena is on her way here." "What?" A flush of adrenaline rushed through him in alarm. "She must not - Noin, she'll draw the attention of OZ, they'll follow her down here..." "I'll call her..." "No," Zechs countered quickly. "I'll deal with this. I have a favor to call in anyway - this will be perfect. Thanks, Noin." "But..." She recognized that Zechs wanted to take care and protect his sister himself. "Okay, Zechs. Just let me know if you need me for any reason." //What favor??// "Thanks." Shutting off the radio, he handed it back to Meiser. "See that Heero has all the tools and equipment he needs, but you might want to keep out of his way," he instructed the engineer. //Yeah, yeah...// "Will do, sir!" "I'll be in my office... see that Heero has a radio, too. I may need to contact him." "Huh?" Meiser exclaimed, shocked, but his superior was already striding away firmly. //Right, I gotta stop thinking of them as kids...// The engineer indulged in watching the tall blond's rear end depart before sighing and heading back over to Wing Gundam. Duo hadn't gotten very far down the hallway from Zechs and Heero when he encountered Linden Vingt. The young Aries pilot had a metal clipboard tucked under his arm and looked as if he was taking care of some important business. "Good morning, Duo. Headed anywhere special?" Linden asked, his heart beating a little fast. Actually, he had been sent by Bronn Sangers to find the Gundam pilot and assist him in any way he could. He was only too happy to comply with those orders. "Oh, hi. Actually I could use a cola, and then I was going to check on my Gundam," Duo said as he continued down the hall. "The main break room has vending machines... free of course. I can show you," Linden said, keeping pace with the other boy's step. "Sure," Duo said with a nod. In the break room, they each got a cola and Linden suggested they sit and enjoy it there. Though Duo was anxious to see his Gundam and possibly get a glimpse of Zechs, he agreed and sat down in one of the very comfortable chairs. "This is pretty nice," he said, leaning back and taking a long swig of the cold drink. "Yes, this is actually one of the nicest bases I've been stationed at," Linden said. "I guess they figured that since we're in the middle of nowhere they'd make our living space more comfortable." "Makes sense," Duo said, looking around a bit. There was even a window looking onto the world of ice and snow around them. "Brrrr," he said, faking a shiver. That got a chuckle out of Linden. "You always have this much fun?" he asked. The ex-OZ pilot had barely taken a sip of his cola, he was so mesmerized by his new friend. "Um... well, I try to make the best of things," Duo said with a grin. //This guy's a bit of a puppy dog.// He stood then, tossing his empty can into a recycle bin. "Come on. You want me to show you my Gundam?" "Yes, sir! I mean... that'd be great, Duo," Linden grinned. Duo shook his head. "You regular army guys are really something..." //And you're just so damn cute!// Linden thought and followed the lithe figure to the hangar. It only took them a couple of minutes to reach the hangar. Duo headed straight for his Gundam, but diverted his eyes to the far end where Wing Gundam was kept. With only a quick scan he didn't see Zechs or Heero, but there were a couple of vehicles in his sight line. //If Heero was really my friend I wouldn't be so suspicious of him,// Duo thought. He stood at the base of his Gundam and looked up, a wide smile on his face. "There he is... Deathscythe." "How did you come up with a name like that?" Linden asked as he looked up at the massive mobile suit also. "Because I'm the God of Death," Duo snorted. "And because my Gundam is equipped with a thermal scythe." He pointed to a long rod. "You should see it cut through Leos... like paper." Linden gulped. Thank goodness he had never had to face a Gundam in battle. "I'm sure it's very impressive." He stepped a little closer to Duo. The boy was shorter, and slight of stature, but he sensed the fighter in him. //Mmm... I wonder what it would take to get him alone?// The thought of slipping his arms around Duo's waist and wiping that smirk from his face with an open-mouth kiss made his groin twitch. Just then his radio beeped. "Vingt, here." "Vingt, this is Sangers... Is Duo Maxwell with you?" "Yes, sir, he's right here." Linden looked up and then along the catwalk. Bronn had been checking on modifications to the Aries units. //There he is,// Linden thought, seeing his superior in the distance above them and looking the other way. "Please tell him to report to the base commander's office. Zechs is looking for him," Bronn said, a hint of disapproval in his voice. As soon as Duo heard Zechs was looking for him, he took off. //Now who's the puppy?// he wondered to himself with some good humor. "Yes, sir," Linden said and turned back to Duo, but the boy was already ten paces from him. "Bye, Duo..." he said quietly to himself. "Maybe we can get together later?" Duo was really getting the feel for the layout of the base. He made it to Zechs's office in no time and found the door partially open. Poking his head inside and knocking at the same time, he spied Zechs sitting behind his desk. "Hi there. I hear you're looking for me," he said with a smile and stepped into the room closing the door behind him. Zechs got to his feet, affording his beloved a little smile. "Thanks for coming. I decided I needed a witness, and I can't think of a better person for that role. I need to make contact with someone. I've just heard from Noin that Relena is heading this way, looking, I imagine, for Heero Yuy." "Heh, I knew it!" Duo chuckled. "She shows up everywhere Heero goes." He stepped up to the desk; it was an unfortunate barrier between them. "Is that who you're calling? Relena?" "No, not in the least," Zechs replied, wondering why his sister stalked the young pilot of Wing Gundam. //Someday I'll have to ask her... or is it she has the same fascination I do?// "I must not talk to her in person, and I doubt I'd have an effect on her anyway. And we can't trace her precisely from here. No, I need to call Treize on this." He reached and touched Duo's arm to soften the startling pronouncement. "Treize?" Duo asked, blinking. "Uh, I don't think I want to be a part of that." He looked down at the hand on his arm. That was the only thing holding him in place right now. "Sorry," he said, looking up. "I know he's your friend and our supposed ally but..." "You don't have to be a part of anything, just a witness," Zechs interrupted gently, giving the boy's arm a little caress. "You're the only one who knows so far. I don't want to hold back from you, Duo, not even this. You're... too important to me. Please, Duo?" Duo rolled his eyes and shook his head in teasing resignation. "How am I suppose to say no to that? Damn it, Zechs," Duo said, and grinned. //God, he plays me so well... and I love it!// "Fine, I'll stay for the call. But I absolutely don't want to see that guy's face." "Not a problem," Zechs replied, returning the grin quickly. "I don't want him to see you either. Though I've been recording these, I want you to hear *now* so you better understand what I've told you about him." The grin was replaced with a somber expression. "Treize can be impossibly pompous... and menacing... but at the same time, he's reasonable and can be quite supportive. I know, a bundle of contradictions!! Though I judge him to be as dangerous and risky as you do, nevertheless I firmly believe that he would never attempt to cross me. We go back much too far for that. He is capable of personal loyalties, no matter what else you might think of him." "Well, let's hope you two stay friends then," Duo said with a smirk. "Where do you want me?" he asked, looking around the office for the perfect place to sit. "Over there," Zechs answered, gesturing at a chair near the door. "If you're in my direct line of sight, I'm sure to look at you... and despite how pleasant that sort of thing is, I really don't want Treize to think anyone else is here." He smiled, sitting back down at his computer. "Oh, and could you please lock the door?" "Sure thing," Duo said, locking the door, then sitting down where Zechs had indicated. //This is going to be weird, listening in on a call to Treize Khushrenada,// he thought and shook his head slightly. After Duo was seated, Zechs gave him a warm smile, then turned toward the monitor, schooling his expression. He attached the security device, put the call through and input the special code Treize had given him. To his wonder, Treize answered immediately, looking his friend over. "Milliardo. Hmmmm, I like the look." "You were waiting for my call!" Zechs accused, frowning. //Milliardo? So that's Zechs's real first name... Milliardo Peacecraft.// Duo thought, as he stared at the man who was seated behind the desk and looking intently into the monitor. "Yes, well, I thought it prudent to have communications in and out of Lake Victoria monitored." Zechs narrowed his eyes at him. //Damn him, he picked up that call to Noin!// "I see. So, you know." Treize smiled. "That your energetic little sister is about to lead yet another search party to your location? Yes, and I will take care of that." Suspicious, Zechs scowled at his friend all the more. "Meaning what? Treize, she must not learn of me!" "And she will not, dear friend," Treize replied smoothly. "You know, of course, that she's apparently tracking that pilot you've been so obsessed with." For a bad moment, Zechs thought Treize was referring to Duo... and that he'd been watching him. Then he realized with a flush of relief that Treize meant Heero Yuy. "She's wanting to contact the pilot of 01, I suppose," he replied neutrally. "I've heard that they... know each other." //Duo, it's not what you think at all...// But he couldn't look up to reassure his lover. Treize would know Zechs wasn't alone in the room. //Zechs is obsessed with Heero?!// A spike of panic went through Duo. Suddenly he remembered Zechs saying something about a connection with Heero... and then Heero saying fighting Zechs in Siberia had nothing to do with the war. //Oh, God... Is there something between them?// he wondered, his heart hammering in his chest. He wriggled nervously in his chair. //I can't think like that. Zechs loves me.// He swallowed hard, pushing down the panic and turned his attention back to the conversation. Treize chuckled. "Do you know what that one did? The boy actually went to each member of the Noventa family, offering to let them ease their pain by killing him. Imagine!" //Sure, Heero looks for absolution from the Noventas, but he won't even give me a simple 'thank you' or 'I'm sorry,'// Duo thought angrily. //Oh, my God...// "I didn't hear about that," Zechs admitted, paling. "I'm surprised you can laugh at a thing like that." That effectively stole the smile from Treize's face. "You're not going to let me off on that, are you, Milliardo?" //That reminder brings me more pain than I want to admit to myself,// he noted soberly. //I laugh to pretend the wound isn't still deep...// "I believe we were going to use the word 'atonement'... and there still needs to be a substantial amount of that done," Zechs said dryly. Then he sighed deeply. "Treize... I don't want to be this adversarial with you. Now that I've met nearly all of them - save for that 'dragon' of yours - I find myself feeling protective of them and feeling for what they've been through." //Zechs, what a strange position you've put yourself in. Allying with us Gundam pilots...// Duo thought as he continued to watch and listen with great interest. Treize smiled again, but with only kindness, not mirth. "Milliardo, you, too, are touched with purity. I'm very glad." "I?" Zechs snorted. "You're joking." "Well, whatever," Treize responded, looking at his friend's image on the screen intently. "I have told you that I will be your silent support for this new alliance you're creating with the Gundams. I *will* do this, Milliardo, for I, too, see the writing on the wall when it comes to Romefeller. Peace will never come at their hands, I know that now. If my actions help you in any way, help those little pilots... then my own conscience will be eased. And I hope they can one day look upon me with compassion rather than hatred." //We'll see about that... This guy still gives me the creeps,// Duo thought, nearly snorting out loud at the OZ leader's comments. Thinking of Duo's reaction to learning the identity of their secret ally, Zechs thought that day would be very long in coming. "Thank you, Treize. Now... about Relena..." Treize nodded and leaned closer. "I can handle this. I haven't told you, Milliardo, but I'm not exactly alone in this here. I have chosen a group of about twelve men whose personal loyalty to me is absolute. I am very certain of them. They are already intercepting messages for me so that Romefeller only hears reports that I want them to hear. Oh, by the way, they believe Acht perished in an ice storm. The report of a Gundam was a hallucination. You know, all that ice and snow..." Zechs relaxed. He'd been very worried about that. "This is good, Treize. I know well that should you choose, you could command a sizable army to break away from Romefeller yourself." //I also think he could squash us in an instant,// Duo thought morosely. As much as he loved Zechs, and trusted his judgment, Duo didn't think he could ever entirely have faith in Treize Khushrenada. "Nonsense, that would be too much work." Treize winked at his friend. "Besides, the path to peace is before those little pilot friends of yours... and yourself, for that matter. God has favored you. Who am I to go against God?" //What? He sees some divine plan in this?// Duo wondered and shook his head. Zechs frowned, bewildered. "I don't understand..." "And you should not," Treize finished for him, smiling broadly. "Anyway, Milliardo, do not fear for your sister. She will be... diverted. Although I'm expecting it will require that she be allowed to speak to that young pilot. She's very strong-willed, that girl is." "She's a Peacecraft," Zechs sighed. "Very well. Set it up, then call me when you're ready. It must be today, however. The remnants of Acht's fleet are still expected to show up, probably by dawn tomorrow." "I'm on it, Milliardo," Treize replied, then chuckled again. "We've come full circle, old friend. I'm now taking orders from you." Zechs snorted. "I'm only giving orders where my sister is concerned. Do not think for a minute that the 'little pilots' as you call them are in any way under my command." "Did I say that? Now, now, Milliardo, you're under a great deal of stress, I can tell. Please, allow me to fulfill my promise to you. You will have your month." //Is Zechs under that much stress? If he is, I'm partly to blame...// Duo admitted to himself. "Treize..." Zechs sighed. "No, you are not allowed to thank me," Treize spoke up before he could add anything. "Now. I'd best make that call." Zechs nodded curtly in acknowledgment. "Yes. Take care, Treize." Treize brightened. "Oh, and you, too, Milliardo. Good-bye."
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