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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 7
The violent reaction and the flashing fire in Duo's eyes cascaded over into Zechs, who acted suddenly, his instincts as a soldier flipping him into the swift, decisive action mode that had made him a legend of OZ, the Lightning Count. //Gun on the bed,// was his only thought, and abruptly he was sprinting past the outraged Gundam pilot to secure the weapon. Then Zechs, his face white as chalk, turned back to Duo, his eyes wide with fear and horror... as he handed the gun to the Gundam pilot, the handle first. "Take it." His pulse pounding painfully in his ears, Duo shook his head at the image before him. "Huh?" he asked, stunned, as Zechs held the gun out to him. "If this is a betrayal," the Lightning Count, Zechs Merquise, explained intently, "then it is right you should finish what you once wanted to do. I have told Treize in no uncertain terms that he is accountable for New Edwards, and he has accepted this from me. It is his statement that he wishes to begin to atone for that atrocity by lending our new alliance what assistance he may, silently, behind the scenes, putting pebbles aground for Romefeller to stumble over and wonder about." He straightened then, every inch a king, though he still held out the gun. His eyes never left Duo's, stoically facing the God of Death and half-believing it was his last day on Earth. "Besides, if Treize crosses me, I will hunt him to the ends of the Earth." His arm lifted, indicating subtly that he still expected Duo to take the gun and end this. //Betrayal? What's he saying?// Duo wondered as he tried to focus on what Zechs was telling him, but that damn pounding was so loud. "Treize is a bastard! He set us up!" he exclaimed. "What good will it do for you to chase him down? He'll already have destroyed us!" But even as the God of Death screamed hatred for Treize, Duo clung to his love for Zechs. "You're right," Zechs muttered, trembling. "Then I'll have to hunt his soul to the gates of hell and beyond..." He nodded toward the gun. Duo looked at the gun again... dazed. //Zechs wants me to take it.// "Is this some kind of test?" he asked, confused. And then as if he'd suddenly had enough, he grabbed the cold metal from the Lightning Count's hand, and looked up into his lover's waiting eyes. //He thinks I'm going to kill him!// "No, Zechs. No matter how much I hate Treize... I love you. *You* are not my enemy anymore." And he tossed the gun aside. Once the gun was ripped out of his hand, Zechs felt a powerful wave of dizziness come over him and he thought belatedly that he was about to die, that surely the God of Death would have his way this time. Staggering back, he heard Duo speaking, heard the thunk of the gun hitting the floor, but the back of his knees hit the edge of the bed, causing him to sit down abruptly. The room swam around him, and he was unable to focus on anything. Only one word had penetrated his consciousness. "Enemy...?" Practically tripping over himself, Duo rushed to Zechs's side. "Wolf! What happened? Are you all right?" He sat next to him on the bed and brushed back the mussed platinum tendrils from around his face. "You're not my enemy, Zechs. That's what I said." //He doesn't look well,// Duo thought. "Don't move," he said, giving the man's leg a little pat and then darting into the bathroom. He quickly grabbed a washcloth and ran it under cold water. When he returned, Zechs was still deathly pale and unmoving. Duo sat down again and pressed the cool cloth to Zechs's forehead. "There... Now speak to me, love. You're scaring me." Taking a couple of deep breaths, Zechs began to come back to himself. //I told him his worst enemy on the planet is our ally, gave him a gun to finish the job, and he's... he's taking care of me...// Now the rest of the words registered: //"I love you... Wolf... love... you're not my enemy..."// He drew in a deep, shuddering breath and automatically reached both arms around Duo, pulling him against him as the words began to spill out. "That morning, right after you left for the fruit market, I called Treize using my security device. There's no trace that can be made of the message, but the device keeps a recording on a microchip... Duo, he told me then to find the Gundam pilots and ally with them. I already knew then I could not fight the pilot of Gundam 01 when we found him. I swear to God and on my father's grave that I never knew who you were, Duo." //Just hang on to him, Maxwell,// Duo thought as he wrapped his arms around Zechs and dropped the washcloth to the floor. They both were shaking... Zechs from whatever fears he was wrestling with and Duo from seeing his lover so distraught. //He's been in contact with Treize all along... But I've got to believe he wouldn't put us in any danger.// "Okay, love," he soothed, caressing the broad back with his hand. "I'm here... I'm listening." Zechs's arms tightened around his lover. "I've known Treize all my life, since I was very small, even before the massacre. He's my oldest friend. When I heard about New Edwards, I didn't want to believe it... so I told myself that he was coerced into it by Romefeller, but he's admitted to me that his ignorance of the commitment of the Alliance pacifists and of what the Gundam pilots were really like caused him to make the critical error to use you as pawns." Duo shivered at the memory of New Edwards. //We were his pawns all right...// "He's met one of you pilots since then... Chang Wufei," Zechs was pressing on, "and the meeting evidently left a deep impression. Duo, Treize is not a monster, just a misguided man who is losing ground very fast, the power slipping away from him minute by minute. He can see it happening, and he is going to let it, because he has no choice. But there is much he can do..." Abruptly he pulled back to look at Duo's face, at the intent, cobalt gaze watching him avidly. "Please forgive me for not telling you sooner. And... thank you for trusting in our love." Another deep breath. "I love you so much, baby." //He's playing you...// the hurt orphan inside Duo said as the man spoke to him sweetly. //He knows how much you like it when he calls you "baby."// But the young man was tired of listening to that inner voice... the voice that made him believe he would always be alone. Duo had found love and a place in this beautiful man's life... and he needed that desperately. He had to believe in Zechs. He had to take that chance and trust him no matter how much the orphan and the God of Death screamed for him to beware. "Zechs," he said, a little choked, a little frightened. "I'm gonna go out on a limb here... even though my gut is telling me I should still hate Treize..." He was speaking slowly as he looked into those incredible eyes - trying to get a handle on his emotions as he put them into words. "...I love you too much to turn my back on you now. I'll just pray very hard that you're right about Treize." //He's scared to death to believe that Treize could be an ally,// Zechs thought as he caressed Duo's cheek. //Hell, I'm scared *for* him...// "Oh, sweet one, that's more than I could ask of you," he breathed, pulling Duo closer. "More than I deserve..." Suddenly he emitted a little sigh, then descended onto Duo's mouth, kissing him with brief warmth. Butterflies were distant; he'd faced the handgun of the God of Death again, lived, and knew now to the core of his being he'd never face it again. Before Duo could react to the man's words, his mouth was being covered with sweet, moist lips. "Mmm," he moaned into the too brief kiss. "Damn, that was good," he grinned, and wanted badly to go in for another taste, but chose to be patient with his lover. //He'll come around soon,// he promised himself. "Heh, I'm pretty sure that won't work on the others," he said, jabbing Zechs playfully in the ribs. "I mean... obviously kissing works on me, but I hope you have other ideas for how you plan to tell everybody else." "I'm sure I'll think of something," Zechs murmured with a small smile, then gently put him off and stood up. He turned to face him again, hands on his hips. "Treize Khushrenada has to prove himself, and he knows that, Duo. He will be watched. I am not without my own strings to pull - this base is proof of that! There are elements within Romefeller who may yet respond to the name Peacecraft, though that's going to have to fall to my sister to work those angles, I'm afraid. I cannot use that name, not and doom her to a young death." He sighed, glancing away, missing the mystified look on his lover's face. "Hey, you're getting a little ahead of me, Zechs," Duo said and stood. //Geesh, I hope he's not normally this serious... that could be a problem. And what the hell is he talking about anyway?// Duo stepped closer to the tall blond, staring up at him. Wondering if the other man was even aware of his confusion. "You think you could fill me in a bit? What's your sister got to do with this anyway?" Zechs glanced back over. "Sorry, I forgot I told you that my younger sister survived as well... and doesn't remember me. You see, I'm not going to be acting as a Peacecraft; that would cause the ire of Romefeller to be directed at our nation." He sighed; it had been four years since he'd seen her. "Relena will be the monarch in Sank Kingdom, not me. I've got a war to fight. A pacifist nation like Sank doesn't need a soldier for a king." //That's right, he's the heir to the throne...// Duo thought with some trepidation. That fact hadn't been high up on Duo's list of considerations the last couple of days. But now that things had calmed down a bit for him and Zechs, well, he'd just have to bump that one up closer to the top of things to think about. But right now the younger man's mind was narrowing in on one word in their conversation. //Relena?// "Heh. That must be a popular name," Duo said with a grin. "I know a girl named Relena. But she's the daughter of the late Vice Foreign Minister Dorlan." Zechs's eyes widened. "That *is* my sister - you know her? The Dorlans adopted her after our parents died. How did you meet her?" "Well, I didn't meet her in a chatroom if that's what you're thinking," Duo said with a laugh. The mouth of the taller man popped open in surprise, then Zechs actually smiled for the first time in many minutes. "No, I wasn't, but I'm relieved to hear that nonetheless." //So, Relena's his sister. Wow.// Duo scratched behind his ear, biding his time as he tried to absorb this new information and see the resemblance between Zechs and Relena. //Yeah, I guess so... They're both tall and blond.// "Well, it's actually kind of funny how I met her," he said, chuckling and then gestured to the couch. "You might want to sit down for this." //Now this could be extremely interesting,// Zechs thought, obligingly returning to the couch, still faintly smiling. The sharing of information about his sister felt far more comfortable than dealing with the God of Death over the person of Treize Khushrenada. //Though something in me wonders if I should be worried she's associated with a Gundam pilot... nah, I'm sure it's something quite innocent...// "Go ahead," he replied, getting comfortable. "Well, it wasn't long after I came to Earth... I was in the process of salvaging Wing Gundam from the bottom of the Japan Sea. I figured I could use the parts for my own Gundam," Duo said, matter-of-factly, standing before his lover. //Practical,// Zechs thought, suppressing a smirk at his lover's stance. "When I got to the docks I came across this guy holding a gun point blank at this lady." Duo's eyes got wide remembering the rush of adrenaline as he came to the girl's rescue. "Now being the good Samaritan I am, I shot the guy," Duo said with a smirk, and turned sideways, spreading his legs in shooting stance and clasping his hands together to form a gun. He pointed the imaginary gun toward the bed and pulled the trigger. "Pow! The guy went flying!" "I can imagine he did," Zechs murmured. //Wing Gundam... so Duo was in the area, too...// "But that's not the best part," he said, turning back with a grin and putting his hands down. "The guy got up and went for his gun again. So, I shot him again. And the next thing I know that girl is standing between me and the guy. She's protecting him from me! I don't know how I got to be the bad guy... Geez, I was only trying to help her," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "Anyway, that was my introduction to your sister Relena. She's quite a girl." Zechs chuckled. "That's quite the introduction!" He shook his head at the amazing story. "Let me get this straight - some guy was threatening Relena with a gun? Do you know who it was? Some Alliance soldier?" "Yeah, quite a story, huh?" Duo asked, as he sat down next to Zechs on the couch. "My whole life's been like that lately," he chuckled. "And no, that guy wasn't with the Alliance... He was Heero Yuy." "What?" Zechs nearly leaped up from the couch again, but Duo's relaxed expression told him there was more to the story. "You mean Heero Yuy, the pilot of Wing Gundam, was threatening my sister... then she was protecting him after you shot him? I don't understand, Duo. Please, tell me all you know about my sister. It's clear she's in over her head." "Uh, I wouldn't say that," Duo said nonchalantly, remembering Relena's spitfire personality. "Your sister's no push over. I think she's been mixed up with Heero for a while. At least she keeps turning up wherever he is," Duo chuckled, leaning back into the couch. //Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if she turned up here.// "And I'm pretty sure Heero was about to eliminate her when I showed up. See, we'd been given orders not to let anyone see us... and if they did... well, you get the picture." "That's sensible," Zechs replied, but his mind was whirling. //Relena... and Heero? What, is there a romantic involvement between them? Noin never mentioned that Relena had known a Gundam pilot at all. What in the world...?// He ran his hand through his hair, frowning slightly. "I'll be sure to ask Heero about her. I don't like that she's involved in any way in the war. And it sounds like she's far too much like her reckless brother than her brother finds comfortable." "Heh, I just think it's a hoot that she's your sister," Duo laughed and put his hands behind his head. //Can't wait to tell Heero I'm dating Relena's brother!// "She is pretty cute... Not that I'm interested." //One Peacecraft is more than I can handle.// "Actually I think she's got the hots for Heero." //He'll have her over my dead body,// Zechs thought venomously. //She must be far from any of this!// But his mood was tempered by Duo's nonchalance. "Something I will be sure to inquire about when I see him," he muttered, then looked over the lithe body beside him in its posture of extreme ease. "You know, it's getting late, but there's something that I think I'd like to do first before retiring for the night. Something I think we both need, Duo." "Oh, yeah? What's that?" Duo asked, lowering his arms and looking at his companion curiously. //Well, I know it's not sex... That's out for the time being.// Zechs shifted closer, his hand coming up to brush aside the artless chestnut bangs in order to look into his lover's eyes, an expression of slight frustration on the handsome face. "Since I had to tell you about Treize, I feel I can... touch you a little more easily. I even kissed you... and it didn't do too much damage to my stomach." //His stomach hurt? Gee, he's feeling physical pain over this?// Duo wondered with much concern. //I'll be sure to take it easy with him...// Now he managed a little smile, the fingertips settling on Duo's shoulder. "I think I'm starting to get better, love. But to keep that progress... can we just sit here together for a while, even if we don't talk about anything? Can we... cuddle a little?" "Oh, I'd love to cuddle with you, Zechs," Duo said with a bright smile, scooting enthusiastically closer to his lover. "I just love being with you. And you're the only one who seems to be able to shut me up!" he chuckled, and slipped an arm behind the man, snuggling in tight, and rubbing his cheek on Zechs's broad chest. "Oh, yeah. This is good." Releasing his breath slowly, Zechs put his arm around Duo's shoulders to hold him closer, then as the boy circled his waist, he put his other arm around him as well. //I did it; I'm holding him as we're sitting.// It felt so good, so right, just like they'd never left each other's arms that last morning in the inn in Cairo. "I need this... to keep from thinking about everything else," he murmured as they finished settling in. "I don't want to think about the base, Treize, Relena, or even Heero and Trowa's arrival with Noin tomorrow morning. Or Acht and Romefeller... nothing." Zechs closed his eyes, pillowing his cheek against the top of Duo's head. "Love you, Dancer," he whispered. "I love you, too, Wolf," Duo said softly in return. "Yeah, let's just forget about all that other stuff." And the younger man wriggled a little in delight at the closeness... at how incredible it felt to have his lover's arms around him again. //This is perfect. My Zechs in my arms again,// Duo thought happily and closed his eyes.
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