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"A Little Less Normal"Written By: Clara Barton Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing. The following is an intellectual exercise with no intention of profit. That said, these characterizations, words, and situations are mine. Please ask before reprinting.
Warnings: AU, Yaoi, Lemon, Language, Angst, Romance Pairings: 3x2, 1x5, past 3x4 Summary: Trowa Barton starts a new job and intends to start a new life, free of complications like falling in love with your boss. But life doesn't go as planned, and Trowa struggles to find balance between work, love, and handsome strangers. A/N: This fic will feature several different pairings - and probably not the ones that you expect after a first glance. This is told in third person POV, but it will switch to different characters with each chapter. While not a crossover, I definitely want to acknowledge that the TV series, "Dirty Sexy Money" and the movie Two Weeks Notice both influenced me to write this. I would appreciate any feedback, whether it be negative or positive, criticism or lavish praise. Lavish praise preferred.
"A Little Less Normal "
Friday morning found Duo desperately hating his job. Originally, the idea of going to Paris for a week with Trowa to negotiate the buyout of a company had seemed like a great idea. For all of two seconds, before Duo remembered Nathalie. It wasn't possible for her to come with him – she had missed too much school already, she didn't have a passport, and social services had assured him that he would be brought up on criminal charges if he took her outside of the country without permission from her mother. All of which meant that she would be staying with Celia for a week. It also meant that their trip to the pound on Saturday to get a dog was postponed. Duo couldn't decide if Nathalie was most upset about the dog, or about him leaving her for a week. At breakfast she pushed her food around on her plate instead of eating it. "Why can't someone else go?" She asked, not for the first time. Duo sighed. "Because this is my job." "I hate your job. Why can't you be my teacher again?" "Because I need to help Heero. This time next year, I WILL be a teacher again – and you're going to hate how much time I have on my hands. But – Nat, I'm probably not going to be your teacher again." Her frown deepened. "Why not?" "Well, a couple of reasons. First, it wouldn't be fair to the other kids – I am your…parent, now, so I'm naturally going to be a little biased towards you. But also, you're going to be going to a new school next year." Her eyes narrowed. "Why? Why can't I stay at the Charter school? I've been doing my homework and everything!" This was not the best time for this conversation, but Duo had been putting it off for a while anyway. "It's not that. In fact, all of your teachers have told me how impressed they are with you – they say you're doing a great job." "Then why can't I stay?" Dr. Sally Po, the administrator of the school, had called Duo last week to remind him that most private schools were beginning pre-registration soon, and the statement had momentarily confused him. Until she pointed out that, if Duo was to become Nathalie's legal guardian, it would not be possible for her to continue at the Bronx Charter School. She was outside of the district, and Duo's income made put her very far outside of their limits. The conversation had taken Duo completely aback, and he had been trying to figure out how to tell Nathalie ever since. "Because we live in Brooklyn, and the school is only supposed to be for kids in the Bronx. And… Nat, this is a chance for you to start over – go to a new school, make new friends." "I don't want to." "It's just something to think about. When I get back, we'll start looking at a few schools, okay?" Duo had his heart set on sending her to East Gate International, where he and Heero had gone, but he was also willing to shop around. Maybe she would feel better somewhere else. "Can I go to Luc and Lilly's school?" Nat asked, a sudden spark of hope in her eyes. Duo winced. "No, kiddo. They live downtown, and they go to a public school." "But –" "Nat, I'm sorry, but this isn't a negotiation. Next year you have to go to a different school, and you can't go their school. When I get back, we'll look at some schools and see which ones you like. Heero and I went to East Gate, and I really think you would like it." "Whatever." She sat back in her chair and looked away. "Hey, I'm sorry that I have to go out of town. But when I get back –" "I said whatever. It's fine. I don't care." She got up and took her plate to the sink, dumping it in loudly and then walking out of the room. Duo was left completely confused. He ran a hand through his hair and checked his watch. He needed to head to the airport. He found Nathalie sitting on the stairs on the first floor, arms wrapped around her knees and backpack at her feet. "I'm coming back," he told her, as he sat down beside her. "Whatever," she said, again, but this time her voice was hoarse. "You've got to tell me what's wrong, Nat. I can't fix it unless I know what's wrong." "I don't want you to go," she admitted after a prolonged silence. "I know. I don't want to go either. I'm sorry we have to wait to get our dog." He added. "It was stupid anyway. Just a dog." "Hey – hey." He turned her and forced her to look at him. Her face was sullen and pinched, and it looked like she was struggling not to cry. He had a sudden insight. She wasn't sulking because she was getting left behind, she was worried that he was starting to lie to her. That he was making promises and not keeping them, just like her mother had done. It didn't even matter what the promise was – just the fact that he wasn't keeping it. That was why she was so upset. "Nat, I get home on Thursday. Next Saturday you and I are going to the pound and we are getting any dog you want, okay? Everything's going to be fine. I'm going to come home, and we're going to fine, okay? I love you, kiddo." "You're just saying that. It doesn't matter." She pulled away from him and stomped off. "Nat –" Outside, the sound of a car horn interrupted him. The taxi had arrived. "Damnit," he muttered. "Sara!" His housekeeper appeared a moment later, coming down the stairs to see him off. "Nat's in some kind of funk. I – just, tell her I said bye and I love her, will you?" Sara frowned, but nodded. "Thanks. See you next week. Oh – and tell her I'm going to call her tonight, okay?" "I will. Now you should go or you will be late." "Yeah, and then I'll have Heero pissed at me too," Duo muttered. He grabbed his suitcase, which he had placed by the door earlier that morning, and his very infrequently used briefcase. The cab ride to JFK was uneventful, and allowed Duo to stew over the argument with Nathalie. They had had minor arguments before – over homework, teeth brushing, television. But this was the first time in many weeks that she had resurrected her apathetic façade and actually refused to talk to him. He regretted telling her about the school situation, and he realized that he should have waited until he came home to do so. Trowa was waiting for him by the Air France check-in, and Duo felt the familiar tug of pleasure at just the sight of the other man. At least this would be a chance to spend some time alone with Trowa. "Hey," Duo greeted him with a smile. "Morning," Trowa smiled back, just slightly, but it was enough to make Duo think that this day would get better. "I'll apologize if you were expecting a private jet – we Yuy's don't believe in that sort of thing." Duo got into the check-in line, and Trowa settled in beside him. "There go all of my hopes and dreams," Trowa muttered. "Dad thought it was a colossal waste of money – and Heero and I both don't see the point of using that much fuel, just for yourself." "It's a huge status symbol in the Middle East," Trowa said. "Quatre went everywhere on his private jet. But – it's actually nice to be normal, for a change, and fly on a regular plane." "Yeah, well, we're still flying First Class, so don't get too excited about rubbing elbows with normal people," Duo assured him. Trowa smirked. "Was Nat disappointed about you leaving?" Duo groaned. "Who knows? We had a fight, and she wouldn't speak to me before I left – so – that will be something fun to deal with when I get back." "I'm sorry." "Don't be. It's normal, I guess. I don't know. I feel like I'm just wandering blindly in the dark with her so much of the time – I think I know what I'm doing, but then I do something wrong and fuck everything up." "You're doing a great job," Trowa assured him. Duo shrugged, but before he could continue the conversation, he was gestured forward to check in. After getting their tickets, they went through security and then made a stop at the airport Starbucks before heading to their gate. "So, did Heero get a chance to brief you on the agenda?" Duo asked after they had settled in to wait for boarding. "Not really." Duo nodded. "He called me at the crack of dawn this morning – and sent me at least five emails about it. We won't meet with the company execs until Monday, and hopefully we'll be able to wrap up negotiations by Tuesday or Wednesday, and then come back home on Thursday." "Why are we flying out today?" Trowa asked. "Well, since we'll be in Paris, Mother wanted me to have lunch with some of her friends – so Sunday we'll be spending the afternoon bored out of our minds. But we don't have to do anything tomorrow." Duo slanted a look over at Trowa. "Except, maybe, spend the day in bed making up for lost time," he said in a speculative tone. Trowa smirked. "I'm still not convinced you didn't somehow arrange this entire thing just to spend a week alone with me." "Even I'm not that diabolical. But I am grateful for the opportunity." "So, when we get back, we're going to confess to Heero that we spent the entire week locked in our hotel, screwing each other's brains out?" Trowa asked. Duo chuckled. "We'll manage to squeeze some work in. But yeah, if it's okay with you, I would like to tell him that we're together." Trowa looked thoughtful but nodded in agreement to the plan. "Quatre is in town the week after next," he said after a few moments of companionable silence. Duo felt a number of emotions at the mention of Trowa's former lover. None of them were positive. "No chance you mean a different Quatre besides the one who stomped all over your heart, is there?" Duo asked. Trowa sighed. "Okay, just had to check. Um… well… I don't really know what to say." Trowa shrugged. "He's got some event at the MET – his family donated a few Sumerian statues – and he'll be in town for a few days. I should spend time with him. I haven't really spoken to him that much since I moved here." "Since he dumped you for a girl," Duo clarified, not to be cruel to Trowa, but because in his mind, the move and the silence were easily justified. "Quatre is my oldest friend. Whatever happened to us romantically, he'll still always be part of my life." Duo winced. "It would be nice if you met him." "I already have. He was a year behind me at East Gate, you know. Heero and Wufei know him too." "Right. But you haven't spoken to him in twelve years." "Yeah, but… fine. We can go out to dinner or something. I just, Trowa – I can't promise to be that nice to this guy. He treated you like shit, and he's been doing that for eleven years. I'm sorry, but I just don't know how much I'm going to like this guy because of that." "He wants me to be happy. I think he would like to know that I am." Trowa looked sincere, and he looked like his mind was made up on the matter. Duo shrugged and gave in. Trowa honestly was not that demanding, so if he really wanted this, there was no reason for Duo to argue the point. The rest of their wait to get on the plane was in silence, and Duo couldn't help but feel a low simmer of tension about this week, now. First a fight with Nathalie, and then very nearly one with Trowa. He wasn't sure this week was going to go at all according to plan. Air France had always been one of Duo's favorite airlines, and he loved their first class cabin. It had been a few years since he had flown on one of their planes, but the upgrades they had made were amazing. The two seats that he and Trowa were had almost felt as if they were part of a separate cabin. The seats were spacious recliners, with a console between them, and a bench by their feet. "Listen, don't take this personally or anything, but as soon as we get off the ground, I'm going to be asleep," Duo told Trowa as they settled in. Trowa looked at him with a slight frown. "Something about planes just puts me out – swear to God. It's been like this my whole life. So… these next few hours, you're going to be on your own." "You aren't just trying to avoid talking to me?" Trowa asked, a teasing tone to his voice. "Promise." "Sleep well," Trowa told him. Duo grinned. "Oh I will, I've got lots of good things to dream about." He winked at Trowa and was rewarded with a chuckle from the other man. They managed to make small talk as the rest of the plane boarded, and Duo tried to put thoughts of Quatre at the back of his mind. If he was honest with himself, then he had to admit that he wasn't looking forward to Trowa seeing his former lover again because he was jealous, and because he was worried that Trowa would go back to him. Trowa had been in love with the man for eleven years, and Duo wasn't sure he could compete with that, not with Quatre in person. He was grateful when the plane took off and, true to form, the sound of the engine immediately lulled him into sleep. Seven hours later they arrived in Paris, rumpled and a little stiff from the flight. Duo was grateful that he had arranged a car service while they were in Paris, and was relieved to pass off the baggage to their driver and let Trowa conduct a conversation with him, entirely in French, on the drive to their hotel. When they arrived at the Ritz, he couldn't help but smirk at Trowa's expression as he took in the hotel. "I had dinner here once," Trowa said to him as they walked into the sumptuous lobby, "but I never thought I'd see what the rooms looked like." "Yeah, well, Mother insists that there is absolutely nowhere else to stay when in Paris – unless, of course, it's at the townhouse – so I've seen the inside of these rooms more than I ever wanted to." Duo checked them in, grateful for the multilingual customer service, and then a bell hop led them to their suite. It was the Coco Chanel suite, and as much as Duo felt silly saying that, it was also his favorite suite in the hotel. Whenever he and his mother had travelled to Paris without Heero and Odin, they had stayed in this suite. He had a lot of fond memories of it, and even when he travelled on his own, he sometimes reserved the enormous suite. It was also an excellent business suite – with two bedrooms, plenty of space to work in, and state of the art telecommunications equipment. Trowa was looking both happy and a little bewildered, and Duo thought it was a cute look on him. "Feel like being back home?" He asked. Trowa nodded. "A bit – my apartment wasn't quite this nice, though." Duo smirked. "Yeah, well, we might not believe in private jets, but us Yuys do believe in luxury hotels. So… it's just after eleven. How about we clean up and then see if we can find something to eat?" Trowa nodded. "Sounds good." Duo watched Trowa wander off in search of the other bedroom and just barely refrained from suggesting that he put his suitcase in Duo's bedroom. He didn't want to push the other man – especially considering the tension he was still feeling over the Quatre situation. He unpacked his clothes before sitting down on the enormous bed and calling Celia's house to talk to Nathalie. The phone was answered by a maid, who quickly passed the phone off to Celia, who immediately informed Duo that Nathalie was behaving horribly. Duo sighed. He had been afraid that this would happen. "What did she do?" He asked, resigned to hear a litany of woes from his mother. "She made a fuss over Howard picking her up from school, she has refused to do her homework, and she is currently refusing to come to the dinner table and eat." "Well, we do usually eat around seven," Duo tried to argue. "That is irrelevant. She has never behaved like this, nor has she ever used a disrespectful tone towards the staff or myself before." "I think she's just nervous about me being gone. I'm sorry." "She won't come to the phone," Celia said after a pause. Duo groaned and fell back on the bed. "Fine. Just… tell her I love her and keep an eye on her, please?" "I had planned to take her to the ballet tomorrow, but we might be staying in if this behavior continues. Call around six tomorrow and we will see." "Thank you for keeping her." "Of course. She's my granddaughter, now. It wasn't as though you could have left her with Heero. He wouldn't know what to do with a child." Duo chuckled. "He'd make sure she had daily exercise, at least." "Undoubtedly. Good night, darling." "Night." Duo hung up the phone and forced himself to get up. He wished that he could be home with Nathalie right now, but he was here in Paris, and there was nothing he could do to change that. He was frustrated that he didn't know how to fix this for Nathalie, and he was frustrated over the looming threat of Quatre Winner, and he was also, very secretly, terrified that he would ruin this deal for Heero and disgrace his brother. The shower relaxed him, and by the time he finished drying and brushing his hair he felt ready to face the world again. He walked out into his bedroom wearing only a towel and still braiding his hair. He opened his door and looked into the sitting room and saw that Trowa was already dressed and relaxing on one of the antique chairs, reading a book. "Hey, sorry it's taking me so long," Duo called out. Trowa looked up and then smiled at Duo's informal attire. "I'm not quite sure where you think we're going to get dinner, dressed like that," he commented. Duo grinned back at him and leaned against the door. "All of the most fashionable places in Paris are sans dress code, anyway," Duo said flippantly. "Meaning you want room service?" Duo had actually been hoping he could talk Trowa into that. "If you wouldn't mind – I'm not really up for a big night out, and it is getting late. We should try to adjust to the time difference." "What would you like?" Trowa asked, rising from his chair and crossing the room to pick up the room service menu beside the phone. "Something light – I don't really care what." Trowa nodded, already absently flipping through the menu. Duo left him and went to dress himself. He pulled on a pair of jeans and a lightweight gray sweater before joining Trowa back in the sitting room. "The food should be up in a few minutes," Trowa told him. "Great." Duo sat down across from Trowa. "Do you want to talk about what's bothering you?" Trowa asked. Duo shrugged. "Just thinking too much. I'll be better tomorrow." "You've got nothing to worry about," Trowa said, his voice soft and soothing. Duo looked up, wondering what Trowa was hinting at. "If it's the negotiations – you're going to do fine." Duo nodded. "We'll see. Not much I can do about that until Monday, anyway." "So what else is it?" "Just – Nathalie's miserable without me there, and – and I'm freaked out about Quatre. I mean, you've been in love with the guy for eleven years!" "Kids are pretty resilient. When you get home, Nathalie will forgive you and things will be fine." Trowa sighed and looked uncomfortable. "I don't know what to say about Quatre. But it's not like you have anything to worry about. He's not interested in me, and I do love you. I wish we had been able to spend more time together this week, because it feels like forever since we last talked about it, but I do want to be in a relationship with you. I'm not looking for an excuse to run away." The speech helped to further soothe Duo, and he was grateful for how level headed Trowa was sometimes. "Besides, I'd rather not think about Quatre when I've been looking forward to spending the weekend naked with you." Duo grinned. "Oh really?" "Really. In fact –" Trowa was interrupted by a knock at the door. Duo groaned, but Trowa got up and answered it. A waiter entered with a cart of covered dishes, empty glasses, a carafe of water, and a bottle of red wine. Duo patiently waited while the waiter uncovered the dishes to reveal an assortment of cheese, fruit, and crackers. The waiter then poured each of them a glass of wine and made his exit. "Anyway," Duo said after taking a sip of the wine, which turned out to be a Syrah, "you were saying something?" "I was going to say that I ordered us food that would keep, because I was looking forward to having sex with you on that ridiculously huge bed in your room." Trowa nodded behind Duo towards the open door to his room. Duo grinned and set down his wineglass. "Why didn't you just say that earlier?" He pulled Trowa to him and kissed him, enjoying the taste of the wine on the other man's breath and the heat of his mouth and tongue.
They spent most of Saturday making up for lost time, but by the evening, Trowa insisted that they get dressed and walk around the city. He hadn't been there in years, and he wanted to show Duo where he had lived. It was a pleasant evening, and Duo enjoyed having Trowa as a tour guide and translator. Trowa seemed more at ease here in Paris than he was in New York, and Duo wondered if Trowa ever wanted to move back. He asked that question as they sat down to dinner at a small café not far from Trowa's old apartment. The owner had actually recognized Trowa, even after a two year absence, and Trowa had hugged the old woman before introducing Duo as his lover, which had earned him his own hug. "You must really miss it here," Duo said as they sat down at a secluded table in the back. "I had a very different life here. There was a lot of freedom not knowing anyone, being a foreigner. It was a fresh start for me." "Do you ever think about moving back?" Trowa shrugged. "Not really. I'd like to visit it more often. I haven't been back since I left two years ago." "The townhouse that Dad left Heero is pretty nice – Heero likes to come here for Christmas." "Your family doesn't have a big gathering?" "No, not since I graduated college. Mom and Dad liked to travel – so they always went somewhere for it, and Heero always came here. I usually spent it in the City." "By yourself?" Trowa was frowning, and Duo realized that it probably sounded a little pathetic. "No, I mean, I had a household staff to keep me company, and I had a lot of friends. Hilde moved to the City after we graduated, so we always spent Christmas Eve together. I usually do some volunteer work on the actual day, however." Duo frowned as a sudden thought occurred to him. "Guess that's going to change now, though. I'll have to start a new tradition for Nat. I wonder if she'll want to go away or stay home…" Duo trailed off as he thought of the possibilities. "You'll come up with something wonderful," Trowa assured him. Duo grinned. "Or at least sufficiently entertaining to keep her from running away for another year." They ate their meal in a companionable silence, and then walked back to the hotel. They spent a few more hours having sex before midnight, and Duo's scheduled call to Nathalie. Once again, she did NOT want to speak with him. Duo gave in again, swearing to himself that she would speak to him on Sunday, whether she wanted to or not. By Monday morning, Duo still hadn't spoken to Nathalie, and he was back to worrying about the business deal. Even showering with Trowa that morning did little to calm him, and he was jittery and a little cranky as they made their way through the Paris metro system to the headquarters of the firm Heero had his heart set on acquiring. The entire morning was spent in a seemingly endless round of negotiations over points that Duo knew had already been agreed to, but with the company board had decided to revisit. By lunch, even Trowa seemed frustrated, and Duo was starting to despair of them gaining any ground. "It's like they're stalling for time," Duo said as they grabbed a sandwich and coffee at a café near the office. "But why?" "That's what I can't figure out. I wonder if there's another buyer?" "Maybe. Or – what would Treize stand to gain by this deal falling through?" "Everything. Right now, Heero and I are the only ones who really want to move the company in this direction. If this doesn't work out then we look like idiots and everyone else looks like they know better. It'll be a major setback for any future plans Heero has." Trowa nodded. "Shit." Duo started to piece things together. "We didn't even HAVE issues with this deal until a few days ago. I'll bet Treize is behind this whole thing." "So what are you going to do?" "Well, we need to figure out what he promised them and then work around that. There's no way I'm letting him win this." It was easier said than done. The afternoon's negotiations were at least moving forward, but it was clear that the company still had reservations about being bought out by Yuy Inc. instead of whatever puppet company Treize had set up. They finished the day only slightly closer to a deal than they had been begun, and Duo was exhausted and frustrated by the lack of progress. It was yet another reminder of how much he hated the business world. He desperately missed teaching, and he despised having to sit in an office all day, wearing a suit, arguing with fat, rich men instead of doing something he loved. He honestly didn't know if he could take an entire year of this. They ate a silent dinner at the hotel restaurant before going back to the suite. "I hate this job," Duo said as he flopped down onto the bed. Trowa took off his shoes, jacket, and tie before joining him on the bed. "I hadn't noticed." Duo glared at him. "Hey, you chose this career." "So did you – you didn't have to agree to Odin's will." "Don't remind me. God, I still have ten more months of this to put up with." "As soon as you and Heero figure out what to do with Treize things will get easier," Trowa assured him. "Don't forget that Relena's decided to start playing in the big leagues too. I can't figure out what she's doing on the board." "It does seem a bit out of character for her," Trowa agreed. He rolled over so that he was on his side, looking down at Duo. "You are good at this. As frustrated as you were with today, you did make progress, and they are starting to listen to you and rethink their position." "Yeah, at this rate we'll be able to go home next month." "Surely spending time alone with me in Paris isn't that bad," Trowa teased. Duo grinned. "No, that part is great." He leaned up to kiss Trowa and pulled the other man on top of him, reveling in the feel of his long body pressed against his own. Before Duo could do more, his phone rang and Trowa pulled away. Duo recognized the ring tone as Heero's and he groaned. His brother no doubt wanted to check in and would definitely not be pleased with his lack of progress. "Hey, what's up?" Duo answered, trying to sound casual. "Duo, something's happened." The last time he had heard those words on the phone, they had been followed by the announcement of his father's death. "Like I've been fired from the board?" Duo suggested, refusing to give in to the immediate sense of dread those words created in him. "Nathalie's missing." Those two words sucked all of the oxygen out of his lungs, and he sat there numbly. "What do you mean, missing?" He finally managed to ask. The bed shifted as Trowa sat up beside him. "Howard went to pick her up at school and she wasn't there. Hilde's talking to some of the other teachers, but no one saw her after recess." "You mean she missed her afternoon class and no one said anything?" Duo demanded, fear and anger fighting for dominance in his mind. "Duo, calm down. We've got the police involved, and the social worker –" "Oh Jesus fuck. Not that nosey bitch." "-is here with me right now. She'd like to talk to you." "Fine. Fine. Put her on." There was a pause as Heero passed off the phone, and then the familiar, prim voice of Felicity Vern was on the line. "Mr. Maxwell?" "Ms. Vern." "We've already interviewed your housekeeper, and teachers at the school. We're trying to put together a list of possible locations we might find Nathalie. Can you suggest anywhere?" "Yeah, just about anywhere in the entire City! Look, have you talked to the teacher who was on duty during recess? Who was supposed to be watching the kids? Have they –" "Mr. Maxwell, we are in the process of interviewing the teaching staff, and we are working on trying to find Nathalie. I know this is very stressful to hear, but I need you to calm down and think of anything that might help us find her." "We had a fight before I left," Duo muttered. "She didn't want me to go on this trip. I – damnit I shouldn't have left her. She might have – " "Mr. Maxwell, no one is blaming you for this." "Yeah, well, it's still my fault, isn't it? I never should have agreed to –" Duo stopped himself and swallowed hard. He forced himself to draw in a deep breath. "She might have gone to Van Cortland Park, or to Barneys." "Okay, great. We'll check there." "Could I speak with my brother again, please?" Duo asked. "Of course." "It's me," Heero said when he had the phone back. "I'm coming home. I'm sorry. I need to be there." "I understand. Is Trowa available?" "Sure." Duo passed off the phone to Trowa, who had clearly overheard most of what had been said. Duo didn't bother to listen to their conversation, but started to pack, forcing himself to NOT think about the fact that Nathalie could be anywhere, or that he might never see her again, or that she might never WANT to see him again. "I'm coming with you," Trowa told him as he finished zipping up his suitcase. He was holding out Duo's phone. "Heero didn't want you to stay –" "I think you need me more right now," Trowa said. Duo hugged him, "Fuck, Heero's going to be pissed at me over this." "No, he isn't. He understands." Trowa kissed him. "Let me pack and then we'll go." By the time Trowa was packed and they were in the car on the way to the airport, Duo had managed to calm himself enough to start trying to think through where Nathalie could have gone. He texted Heero every place he could think of that she might have gone. They managed to get two seats on the next flight to New York – coach tickets that promised seven hours of hell – but Duo would have been willing to swim if he could. For the first time in his life, Duo didn't fall asleep on the plane, and the flight was possibly the longest he had ever experienced. Only Trowa's soothing presence kept him from prowling the aisles. "Did anyone call her mother?" Trowa asked somewhere over the Atlantic. "Uh - I don't know. I mean, it's not like Nathalie would go back there, right?" Trowa was frowning. "No, not by choice." "What do you mean?" "I'm just wondering – would the school – a teacher – have released Nathalie to her mother?" Duo tried to remember what the school policy was regarding children in foster care, but Nathalie's situation was fairly unique. There was no restraining order or anything else preventing Alima Fontaine from seeing her daughter, and since Duo was only a temporary guardian, there wasn't anything to prevent her from checking Nathalie out of school. "Yeah, I guess. I just – why?" "I don't know. I think it's something they should look into." Coach did NOT have in flight phones they could use, and when Duo tried to plead with a stewardess he knew he came off sounding like a crazy person. Trowa, however, was able to very calmly ask the woman, in French, if he could use one of the business class phones to make an emergency phone call. The stewardess easily caved to Trowa's good looks and reasonable manner, and led him away. Which left Duo alone for the next twenty minutes. When Trowa came back he was scowling. "They can't get in touch with her – with Mrs. Fontaine." "Well, that doesn't really mean anything," Duo pointed out. "I still don't see what she's got to do with any of this." "Do you really think it's likely that Nathalie would just leave school in the middle of the day?" "I don't know! I mean, she hasn't spoken to me in three days! What if she DID decide to go back to her mother's? Fuck, what kind of a shitty parent am I that she would do that?" "Duo, I think you need to consider the possibility that Mrs. Fontaine abducted Nathalie." Duo shook his head. "That doesn't make any sense. She doesn't want anything to do with her." "No, not really, but she's not a very balanced person. The things she said at the hearing – I just think there's a possibility that she might be trying to blackmail you for money. Or – well, probably just –" "Or what?" Duo asked. "Nothing." "Say it." "Or she could be trying to punish Nathalie." "Jesus Christ." Duo buried his head in his hands. "So either Nathalie hates me and ran away, or her mother kidnapped her and is beating the shit out of her. Perfect. Fucking fantastic." Duo spent the rest of the flight fighting off increasingly nightmarish scenarios of where Nathalie might be. They took a cab from the airport to Celia's Park Avenue townhouse. By the time they arrived it was nearly midnight, and there was still no word on Nathalie's location. Heero, Hilde, Celia, a police detective, and Felicity Vern were there to meet them. "Duo, I'm so sorry!" Hilde rushed him as soon as he entered the living room and hugged him. Duo numbly accepted the hug, looking past her to see Heero's grim face and his mother's tear stained one. "Have you been able to find her mother?" Trowa asked. The police detective frowned. "No, there was no answer from the listed phone and no one answered at the residence. However, this seems like a very clear cut case of a runaway. Ms. Vern has strong doubts about whether Nathalie would go back to her mother's home, so I think we can rule out any possibility of finding her there." "What about the possibility of Alima Fontaine abducting Nathalie?" Trowa persisted. "I'm not sure there's sufficient motive to consider that," the detective said, frowning. "She's been missing for more than ten hours – surely that's motive enough to consider anything." "And we did call the mother and go by the residence." "But – " "I'm sorry, who are you?" The detective asked. "He's our lawyer," Heero spoke up. "Uh huh." The detective scribbled something on his notebook. "Well, listen folks, we've got units looking for her. There's not much else we can do tonight. Why don't you try to get some sleep, and we'll let you know as soon as we hear anything, okay?" Duo scowled, but Vern and the detective were already moving towards the foyer. "Mr. Maxwell, I will call you first thing tomorrow morning," Vern told him as she passed him. "But – what – isn't there something we can do now?" Duo asked, desperate. He had just seven hours on a plane feeling completely impotent, and he had arrived home just to feel the exact same way. "I know you don't want to hear this, but the best thing that you can do is be calm and try to let the police do their job. Try to get some sleep." She reached out and patted his arm, smiled grimly, and then left. "Okay, um...we could check the shelters, right? Around the school?" Duo asked into the ensuing silence. Celia frowned. "Darling –" "Mother, I need to DO something. There might be a chance she went there. I don't know what else to do." "I'm going with you," Heero announced. "We could go to Port Authority and check again?" Hilde suggested, looking at Trowa. "Good plan," Heero said. "Mother, call us if you hear anything? And try to get some rest." He kissed her on the cheek. Duo followed his example, and then they made their escape. He watched as Hilde and Trowa flagged down a cab while Heero's driver was summoned. "We're going to find her," Heero assured him. "Fuck I hope so. Um – can we go by my house and get the car?" Heero frowned, but passed on the instructions to his driver. "Thanks. I, well it might seem stupid, but maybe she – maybe she'll see the car, you know?" Heero nodded and gave Duo a one-armed hug. "I'm sorry I sent you to Paris," Heero said after a few minutes of silence. "Heero - I can't do this. This job. I hated those negotiations, I hated having to leave Nat. And now – if I even get to see her again, I just – I can't do this!" All of Duo's fears and frustrations exploded. "I don't want this life for me, or for her. I don't want to leave her once and twice a month to go on business trips just so that I can sit and argue with people I don't respect and who don't respect me. I don't want that life – I don't want to sit in board meetings and I don't want to wear a fucking suit! I'm not you, and I'm not Dad. I'm not cut out for this!" "Duo, right now you are under a lot of stress and pressure. We'll talk about this after you've got Nathalie back, okay?" "No! Fuck that. Let's resolve this now. I quit, okay? You were right, the board was right – Wufei was right and Celia was right. I'm not a Yuy. I'm just me, and I don't belong in a boardroom!" Heero was silent after that, and Duo felt drained after the outburst. They arrived at Duo's home not long after, and they wordlessly got into his Prius and started to drive towards the Bronx. Duo had just merged onto the Triboro Bridge when his phone started to ring. "Yeah?" He answered it. "We found her." It was Trowa's voice, and Duo had never been so glad to hear it before. "You – where is she?" "Here at Port Authority. With Mrs. Fontaine. The police are on their way and –" "Is she okay?" Trowa was silent for a moment, and Duo worried that the answer was going to be an emphatic no. "She'll be okay, Duo, and she wants you." "I'm on my way." Duo hung up and for the first time in nearly twelve hours felt that he could breathe again. "They found her," he said, more for his own benefit than Heero's. "Good. Duo –" "Heero, not now. Just – let's just not talk, okay? I meant everything I said. Yeah, I'm stressed out right now, but I was speaking the truth. I can't do this, and I don't belong." "Of course you belong! He wanted this for both of us –" "Right, but only one of us deserves it, right? You said it yourself the day of the reading. He wasn't my father. I don't deserve this company – and I don't even want it! So there's no point in fighting this anymore, is there?" "Of course he was your father! He loved you! I was being an idiot, and I'm sorry. You can't just walk away from this –" "Yeah, I can." "So you're just going to run away? And I'm going to have to clean up your mess. Again." "Well, you've got years of practice so it shouldn't be that hard this time, should it?" Duo shot back. "You're a selfish idiot. You're right – you don't deserve this. I just hope Nathalie doesn't care what a coward you are. Real good example you're setting for her, you know. I'm sure she –" "Shut up! Heero, I don't give a fuck what you say. I'm not going back to that office. It killed Dad, literally killed him. I'm not getting involved in this shit. I'm done." The rest of the ride was in stony silence. When they arrived at Port Authority Duo realized he had no idea WHERE in the terminal Nathalie was. He was saved from running around calling out her name like an idiot when he spotted Trowa, Hilde, Nathalie, a few police, and Alima Fontaine by the central service kiosk on the first floor. "Duo!" She ran to him as soon as she spotted him, and he scooped her up into a hug. He held her tightly, wanting to never let her go. "She said you weren't going to come back for me," Nathalie whispered against his chest. Duo pulled away and set her down. He looked at her face, which was tear stained but showed no bruises. "And you believed her?" Duo asked, trying to smile. "I – you were mad at me." "You were mad at me, kiddo. But I'm always going to come back for you, okay?" He waited for her to nod and then he hugged her again. "I'm sorry. I –" "Sh. It's okay. We'll talk about it later, okay? Let's get you home, okay?" She nodded and rubbed at her eyes. Trowa walked over to them, a grim look on his face. "They can't charge her with anything, since there isn't a restraining order in place – but I'm calling a judge first thing tomorrow morning. She won't be doing this again." He said that last to Nathalie, who had a death grip on Duo's hand. "The police want both of you to come by tomorrow to make a statement. Ah… the social worker will probably call you in the morning, too." Duo nodded, filing all of the information away but not really caring. He had Nathalie back, and that was really the only thing he cared about. He looked over to the scowling face of Alima Fontaine and wondered, not for the first time, what kind of woman she was. "We should go home," Duo said, shaking himself and looking away from her dark, hateful gaze. "All of us?" Trowa asked. Duo looked down at Nathalie, and then back at Trowa. "Yeah, if you want to. It'd be nice to have you with us." Duo waved in Heero and Hilde's general direction before the three of them started to walk back to Duo's car. "Thank you for finding me," Nathalie said, her large eyes fixed on Trowa's face. "Of course." Trowa smiled at her. "I'm never going to abandon a fellow Red Sox fan." Duo groaned, but Natahlie smiled. Nathalie was asleep in the backseat of the car almost as soon as she got in, and Duo felt more exhausted with each mile that brought him closer to home. "Jesus Christ I never want to go through that again," he said. "Hopefully you won't have to. You shouldn't have to. I'm calling Une tomorrow." "Mrs. Fontaine's lawyer?" "Yes. She's going to fix this. I don't know WHAT Mrs. Fontaine was thinking, and I don't care, but that child should never have to be in this situation again." The vehemence in Trowa's voice was startling, but then, Duo remembered, Trowa had once been a child and had once been left unprotected and abandoned by the legal system. "I told Heero that I quit," Duo said. "Why?" "Well, I was pissed as hell about all of this, and scared out of my mind. But I – I can't do this." "Sleep on it." "What? No. I know that –" "Duo. I'm not saying you'll change your mind, but I think you need to get a decent night's sleep – which you probably won't get for a few days – and think about this." Duo sighed. "Okay, okay, fine. But – I'm not going in tomorrow. We've got all this crap to deal with, and I think Nathalie deserves to skip school tomorrow." When they arrived back at the Brownstone, Duo carried Nathalie into the house and upstairs to her bedroom. He pulled off her shoes and tucked her in, kissed her forehead, and left her door open. Sara had apparently gone on a marathon cleaning rampage, because the wood in the house was sparkling and everything smelled fresh and lemony. "Bed?" Trowa suggested. Duo nodded. It suddenly seemed like a supreme effort to take off his clothes, but he managed to pull them off and climbed into the bed in just his boxers. Trowa arched an eyebrow at him. "I'm too tired to even think about sex," Duo muttered. Trowa smirked and methodically took off his own clothes and folded them over the back of a chair. He joined Duo in the bed, and after a moment Duo pulled him against his chest. "Scariest day of my life," Duo said around a yawn. "Just wait until she starts going on dates," Trowa responded. "Shut up and go to sleep," Duo growled.
~ * ~ tbc... |
