"Remade and Remodeled "

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: Alternate reality, hurt/comfort, angst

Pairings: 6x2

Summary: The challenge of an outlandish bet brings unforeseen consequences

"Remade and Remodeled "

Chapter 13

Zechs stood next to Treize waiting for the man to speak. It wasn’t like Treize not to have an agenda, yet Zechs didn’t want to appear impatient to find out.

“Miss Une, feel free to enjoy the show,” Treize said with an elegant gesture of dismissal.

The lady smiled and wandered off with a whoosh of her long dress.

“Thinking of buying something tonight?” Zechs asked his mentor.

“I might at that. You’ve made quite a find here, old friend. I’m impressed.”

“But…?”

Treize raised an eyebrow. “Why so suspicious?”

“It’s not your style to check up on me.”

“And it’s not your style to get involved with a street urchin.”

Zechs’s brow tightened. “I’m merely facilitating an artist’s debut.”

Treize chuckled. “I don’t know why you bother trying to hide things from me. I know perfectly well this Duo Maxwell is your pawn in our bet. What else could he be? Clearly he serves no other purpose, since you’ve admitted you’re not sleeping with him.”

Not sleeping with him yet, Zechs amended silently.

When Treize was on the offensive, Zechs had to be careful. It was usually a playful way to keep Zechs on his toes like a fencing match, but the mention of the bet told him that Treize was all business tonight. There was no use in denying that Duo was his wager in the bet, but the last thing he wanted was for Duo—or some nosey reporter—to find out.

He would find a way to tell Duo, but his intentions towards the young man had changed so much that he couldn’t bear disappointing him. No matter how he tried to justify it to himself, the bet had a way of souring everything he’d done for Duo.

“Only ten more days,” Zechs said, moving the conversation along. “Then we can compare notes and put this madness behind us.”

Treize nodded towards the gallery. “Seeing how you’re winning, I should think you’d be more, oh, I don’t know… boastful.”

“That wouldn’t be very sporting of me, now would it, Treize?”

“Maybe I taught you too well. But then, let’s see where the chips fall in ten days.”

~ ~ ~

Duo had a moment’s regret at leaving Zechs behind, but Zechs and Treize were comrades, surely they’d find something to talk about. In twenty long strides, Duo was standing next to Hilde and sighing in relief.

“Sorry I abandoned you like that.”

“It’s okay. Lucrezia has been great company.”

“Did you lose her?”

“No, she’s taking a break. You know, the ladies’ room. So, how’d you manage to get free? I saw you talking to Treize Khushrenada. I can’t believe he’s here.”

“He said he wanted to show his support.”

Hilde’s brow furrowed.

“What’s with the face?”

“Nothing.” She shook her head. “Let’s get a drink!”

Duo gave his friend a sidelong glance as they walked towards the bar. The odd look stayed on her face. What scandalous thing had she read in a magazine that she wasn’t quite ready to share?

They each got a glass of red wine and gravitated to the edge of the room next to one of Duo’s sculptures called, “Swirling Mass.” It was Duo’s metallic interpretation of garbage churning in the surf, and was heavy as hell. It took three burly movers to get it out of his apartment.

“Spit it out already,” he said, taking a sip of his wine.

“What?”

“Tell me what you don’t want to tell me.”

Her eyes fixed on him, and he knew she understood the tone he’d used—flat and irritable. He reserved it for when he was at the limit of his patience.

“It’s just that Treize and Zechs together in public… almost never happens.”

Duo snorted. “That’s your big news?”

“Didn’t you notice all those reporters taking notes when Treize walked in the door? There’s probably not enough known about these two to write a cover story on, but one thing people are always talking about is how they’re seldom seen in public together.”

“Maybe their schedules don’t mesh.”

“It could be that, but why are they here tonight? They deal with big wigs everyday, but rarely show up to any of those functions together. And here they are at your artist’s opening…” Hilde paused, seeming to consider what she’d said and then laughed nervously. “I probably shouldn’t have said that. Of course, they’d want to be here. Look at the response you’re getting!”

Now that she had brought it up, Duo was wondering about their joint appearance. The way everyone stared at the two men, confirmed what Hilde had said. They didn’t go out of their way to mutually support their biggest clients, so why were they at an unknown artist’s debut? Was Zechs doing something he shouldn’t be and Treize was checking up on him? Like he had shown up during Duo’s photo session?

“You think I’m some sort of a pet project?” Duo asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

Hilde’s eyes widened. “No, of course not! I’m sorry I opened my big mouth.” She gave him a hug, spilling some of her wine onto the wooden floor. “You have a lucky star that’s all.”

He looked across the gallery to where Zechs and Treize were speaking near the gallery’s entrance. “Or maybe they’re lovers.”

“What?!” Hilde laughed. “I’ve never read anything of the sort. They’re playboys, but lovers? No way!”

Duo’s brow furrowed. He had to stop listening to Hilde. She got all her information from trade magazines and the society page. Personal observation was the best source, and right now Duo would say that there was jealousy between the two men. But why?

~ ~ ~

At last, Treize was gone from the gallery and Zechs felt the air lighten around him. It hadn’t always been this way. They had created an empire together with shared ambitions and ingenuity. Tension and conflict arose, but was always overcome. As their fortunes grew so did their responsibilities and a necessary division occurred within OZ. It made business sense, but it altered their friendship and the mentoring relationship that had held them steadfastly together.

Zechs didn’t want to worry about Treize now. Didn’t want to have to read between the lines to the games he was playing. He needed tonight to be about Duo, and this interruption had not been on the schedule.

He turned back to the filled gallery and grinned. Treize was right, tonight was a success, but was it enough to win the bet? Damn it. He didn’t want to think about that, but it was always at the edges of his mind. He needed to get beyond it. In ten days it would be all over, and that worried him.

He crossed the room to rejoin Duo who had retreated to a corner with his friend Hilde. For such a gregarious young man, he certainly wasn’t eager to mingle with his new fans.

“I assure you,” Zechs said as he approached, “I had no idea Treize would be here tonight.”

“It’s okay.” Duo nodded and took a quick sip of his wine.

The response was not very enthusiastic, and Duo seemed unsettled. Had Treize’s arrival tipped the balance on this lovely evening?

“If it’s any consolation, he sincerely enjoyed your work.”

“Is he jealous of you?” Duo asked, his eyes looking up at Zechs for the first time.

“Jealous?” Zechs was tempted to laugh, but Duo’s expression told him this was a serious matter.

Hilde slipped away into the crowd, seeming to understand they needed to be alone.

“I’ve never known Treize to be the jealous type. What made you think he was jealous of me?”

Duo shook his head. “I don’t know. It just seemed like something was going on… between you.”

Zechs raised an eyebrow, studying Duo more closely. Might Duo have overheard his conversation with Treize? Impossible. After Duo had walked off to find Hilde, Zechs had guided Treize to the other side of the room, putting even more distance between them.

“You think we’re lovers?” Zechs asked, gently.

“It’s none of my business,” Duo said with the wave of his hand. “You can do what you want. It’s a free world.”

“Yes, it is… except that I told you what I wanted. Who I wanted.” Zechs stepped closer. He wanted to make a move on Duo now, but he promised himself to do right by the young man, and make this night a success. “Let’s forget Treize, and turn our attention back to your opening. I want you to enjoy every minute of it.”

Duo nodded, but the concern was still etched on his face. He knew Duo was unsure of many things and had not gone into this venture easily, but he thought they had turned a corner yesterday. Duo had shown eagerness to pursue their mutual attraction, but now seemed to be backing off again.

No matter, Zechs enjoyed a challenge and was intrigued by Duo’s complicated nature.

Before they could melt back into the crowded room, Zechs noticed a tall slender woman making a straight path to them. He nodded for Duo to take note and the young man’s eyes widened in delight.

“Lieutenant Po!” Duo called out.

Ah, so this was the protective Lieutenant Sally Po. She looked like a woman to be reckoned with—all business in her brown pantsuit, loafers, small gold earrings, and hair neatly braided.

The police woman shook Duo’s hand. “Sorry I couldn’t get here sooner.”

“Hey, no big deal. The party’s still going.” Duo glanced between the lieutenant and Zechs, and then eagerly introduced them. “Lieutenant Po, this is Zechs Merquise. Zechs this is Lieutenant Sally Po.”

The officer held out her hand, and Zechs shook it firmly. “Pleased to meet you, Mister Merquise.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant. It’s a great pleasure to meet the woman who has been watching over Duo all these months.”

Sally Po titled her head and gave him a wry smile. “It’s my job to keep him out of trouble.”

“And I have been!” Duo said, a bit defensively.

“I know.” She turned to Duo. “When did you have time to do all this?”

Duo shrugged. “The sculptures were mostly done before I met Zechs. The rest, well, he motivated me to do more.”

Zechs blinked, not sure if that was meant as a compliment. “I only suggested that he work in oils.”

The probation officer nodded as she looked around the gallery. “Duo, would you mind getting me a glass of seltzer with a squeeze of lime? Then I’d love for you to show me your work.”

“Sure thing, Lieutenant.”

Zechs smirked recognizing the maneuver. Once Duo was out of earshot, the police woman turned her attention fully on Duo’s new mentor.

“On the surface, it looks like you’ve followed through on your gentlemen’s agreement,” she said.

“I always follow through. And as you can see, Duo’s work speaks for itself.”

“I had no doubt the kid could make something of himself, but can he really earn enough to live on his art? He needs a stable income.”

“And you’d prefer he worked at Woodman’s?”

“It may not be glamorous, but they didn’t mind he had a record and it was stable.”

It was obvious that the lieutenant did not consider this a social visit.

“The opening is a success, Lieutenant. Duo has sold several pieces and the earnings will allow him to live more comfortably.”

“I’m pleased to hear that, but tonight’s success will be tomorrow’s disappointment. I’m sure you invited just the right people to get this ball rolling, but where will you be in a month or two when no one’s buying Duo’s art and he needs money to pay the rent?”

“I will be wherever he wants me to be.”

“And what does that mean, Mister Merquise?”

“It means that Duo’s in charge of his own destiny.”

She sighed and shook her head. “Is that what you call all this? Duo could not have done this on his own.”

“I can see you’re not easily swayed. Perhaps you can chat with some of the other guests this evening to hear their opinion of Duo’s talents. Maybe then you’ll be as optimistic of his future as I am.”

“I’ll do that… and I’ll be keeping an eye on your dealings with Duo.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Zechs grinned.

Just then Duo returned with the drink. “Here you are, Lieutenant Po. Have a nice chat?”

“Your probation officer is to be commended for her steadfast concern for your well being,” Zechs said.

“Oh?” Duo asked.

Sally Po chuckled. “It was good to make your acquaintance, Mister Merquise.” She held her hand out to Zechs and gave it another solid shake. “Now, how about that tour, Duo?”

Chapter 14

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