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"Defying Gravity"A Romance in Three PartsWritten By: Kaeru Shisho Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Gundam Wing
or its characters, nor do I make any monetary profit off this story. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU, yaoi, some language Summary: A multi part story of romance starting
with a turning point vacation, developing throughout a dangerous UC
mission, and moving ahead through the unexpected challenges of a summer
vacation. "Part Two: It's Back to Work"
Chapter 25
Duo's POV Although I hadn't been home in many months, when we pulled up in front I knew right off the bat that something had changed about our place. Golden light shone from the windows-- that was weird. The door was unlocked, that was a clue. The moment I stepped inside, though, I figured something was not wrong, however, but right. Righter than right. The house was spotless; it smelled fresh, not like aging gym socks or rotting bananas. "Hey, jeez, guys, you didn't haveta outdo yourselves like this. Just for me." "They didn't, you crazy boy!" "Sally? Hey, I was right. There is an intruder in our den. It was like 'who's been cleaning in my kitchen?' thinking of Goldilocks and all. This is great! You cleaned? Man, I love ya. A girl after my heart. Career lady who can fix my hurts and keeps a neat--" "Move out of the way, Maxwell," Wufei said with a firm push to my back. "The woman is already taken. Find one of your own, if you want." "He does not want. He's unavailable." Heero nudged me over further. I'd be out the back door in no time if I didn't assert myself. "You didn't have to do this, Sally, but thank you," Heero added with one more less than gentle shove. "Duo, I want to get to the refrigerator, please—" "Yes, thank you, Sally!" Quatre gushed. "It's so refreshing to come home to find the place sparkling clean." "You're sparkling clean, Quatre," Sally said laughing. "Oh, well, I've had to wash and wash and wash to get that dreadful red dye out of my hair. It's taken weeks! I finally had to have it done professionally before we left New Germany. I wanted to come home with some aspect of me untainted. I think they got it a little too light." "Sun bleached and ready for the beach," Trowa said mussing Quatre's hair as he too fought over a space by the bar room divider. "Nice job on the floors, Sal. Forgot they were that color. Okay, Chang, so where can I get one of these wife-people?" Trowa ducked Quatre's desultory punch. "Trowa, you have what you deserve, isn't that enough?" Trowa, suddenly serious, said, "Absolutely, for me. I was thinking of one for you, Sunshine," then leaned over and kissed Quatre as a peace-keeping measure. Quatre smiled fondly. "That's okay. I've got what I want." "If you are going to become maudlin," Wufei said, "I'm taking my woman out." "Nah, not us," Trowa said. "So, what's for dinner?" "No cooking. Pizza is on the way," Sally told him in her no-nonsense way. "After all, I heard Duo is the chef in the house. I bow to his superior skills." Heero looked up and studied her for a moment. "You're staying?" "Well, yes. Didn't Wufei talk to you guys about me moving in?" One glance at the properly abashed young man and it was clear he had not. "You forgot?" "I took it for granted. A detail lost in the confusion." Wufei looked around at the rest of us. "You have your roommates; I have mine, temporarily, until we can afford a place of our own." It could have been an awkward moment, but Quatre saved the new couple from further embarrassment. "Oh, Wufei... Sally, of course you should move in! This is fabulous! Really! There's plenty of room. Besides, we're hardly ever all here at one time anyway. And stay for as long as you need. No rush!" Quatre looked sincerely overjoyed at the nice turn of events, and in a moment the prickly moment passed. We unloaded our few bags, changed clothes, and cleaned up, astonishingly, for dinner. When the pizza deliveryman dropped off the five extra large pizzas, three full-liter bottles of soda, and six salads, three happy, shining couples regrouped around the table for dinner. "Wait," Trowa said before we dropped the food on the table. "Give me a moment here." "Why?" Heero asked. I was as baffled as anyone. The table was there, waiting. Trowa looked at the cleared surface and shook his head. "And here I thought our dining room table was Yuy's flat filing cabinet." All right, it was nothing. We littered the table with our spread immediately, chuckling. "Half of that was yours." "Nope. Never brought work home." "I didn't say you brought it, but it was still your work I was sorting." "Workaholic, Yuy. You gotta chill more." Unexpectedly, my guy agreed. "You're right. I'm starting now and not rushing back to work." "This coming from the man whose to-do list included entries for lunch and bathroom breaks," Trowa added. "That's not—" Heero realized that Trowa was just pulling his leg and chuckled. "What a clown..." he said just loud enough for Trowa to hear. "I heard that." Trowa smiled. Heero smiled. "Good." Not even an exchange of blows. We were on our best behavior that night. Must have been the influence of a lady in our presence. Civilizing. Conversation was light, while the food and drink disappeared at an alarming rate. "I found this on the fridge. I wasn't certain if it was important or not," Sally said, pushing a scrap of paper across the table toward me, who was listening. "Heh, heh. That grocery list has been on the fridge so long some of the products don't even exist anymore. You can toss it." We shared a smile and eventually the cleanup duties. We were all too wasted for much else that night. Trowa filed through the mail, discarding most of it, leaving Winner and Chang to fight over the bill-paying duty. Heero and I excused ourselves shortly thereafter, missing Sally's decision to take Quatre up on his offer and have their wedding at the beach house. Wufei must have gone along with the idea, because I didn't hear any yelling, but then I was pretty tired and out of it by that time. We slept for nearly two days. Heero and I shared a bed, but really pretty much only to sleep; we were that exhausted. Also, we aspired to save the best sex for the beach, where we knew we'd feel more in the mood. I think all the unwanted sex from the last job had drained my desire, or blocked it. No big deal. Quatre told me he and Trowa were 'off', too. Sally said it was normal and the vacation would work its miracle on all of us. I guessed even Wufei's bedtime activities were less than stellar. One afternoon, we all helped Sally move over the last of her things. Like us, she had been too busy working to have accumulated very much or bother fixing up her abode. We boxed and schlepped and hauled for a couple hours until her sparsely furnished studio apartment was emptied, cleaned, and closed up. We had the rest of the week to pack for our vacation, write up reports, and congregate at Commander Une's desk for one last meeting of the minds. (o) Dear Commander Une, I must begin with an apology. I'm sorry, but I don't think I have ever hated an assignment as intensely as this last one, my absolutely final mission. From the very first meeting I hated it. I knew Duo would fight against having a partner and resent Heero's interference, which may have contributed to Milliardo Peacecraft returning to earth to head the mission. I knew it was an important operation, I knew Duo would be assigned undercover, and I knew I had to do everything I could to make sure Duo made it out alive. He was my best friend and I knew this would be his last infiltration job as well. I have many talents and one of them enables me to sense the stronger emotions and emotional conflicts of those close to me. So, when I say Duo was miserable or Trowa was disturbed or Heero or Wufei, believe me, they were. My own fears that I might fail, costing somebody's life, was often so profound that I nearly up and ran away several times. It took all my strength of will based on my devotion to my friends to stick it out. I gave it my all, and now I want something new. I've always been proud of my many talents. I play piano and violin. I was a good agent, a capable marksman, and a hard worker who never shirked a task. I confess, I've never been a gifted pretender. I have limited life experiences and have no aptitude for acting out, which was why I avoided covert missions demanding out-of-character undercover work. I made so many mistakes and I'm lucky none of them compromised the mission or led to a fellow team mates' injury, or worse, their death. Had I performed that poorly, I don't know how I could have gone on. I'm a good and loyal friend, intelligent, and trustworthy. I'm not keen on violence, although I have lived embroiled in it for years. I like working with people. I'm a people person, including locking up those who have broken the law. Being employee with the Preventers organization has given me challenges and rewards, and in many ways has been a very good fit for my talents, as long as I never moved too far from my comfort zone. For comparison, this last mission took place in the Twilight Zone, and not the good one. This time I wasn't protected by a layer of Gundanium. It was all flesh and blood. I've made some truly wonderful friends and new relationships in the Preventers organization. This has led directly to my needing to change jobs as well as made it terribly difficult for me to make this change in my life. I discovered why lovers should not work together, and it had nothing to do with any of the reasons, although sound, Preventers has in the rulebook. I will miss the easy friendships of my fellow agents, but I never again wish to compromise my lover's happiness as I did on that operation. So, I quit before I'm asked, or he is, under a dark cloud. Thank you for all the opportunities you have given me in this job. I was a pretty raw recruit when I joined up, but you treated me like gold. I shall continue to serve my community in a different capacity in the future, but hope that you won't hesitate to call if I may be assistance to you, even if it is in some small way. This was the last joint mission of the five Gundam pilots. If I were sentimental, I'd be sad to say that, but I'm not. I'm an optimist and the best is yet to come. Please accept this, my formal resignation from the Preventers Organization. Sincerely, (o) My Lady, As promised, I quit the undercover racket. Let me know when that opening in security opens up, or maybe I can mess with the records and make my own job opening? Just kidding! I'd be okay with the recruit training, too, if you'd trust me not to corrupt their innocent minds. Heh, heh... Anyway, it's been a hellova ride, but I know when it's time to get off. Your
dedicated servant, (o) Commander
Une Dear Madam, I am pleased to accept your generous offer. Some might think it to be an interesting turn of events that I should accept the position of second-in-charge to you, but I know it is I who is honored. Relocation will take some time, but my family is looking forward to returning home, for the Sanc Kingdom will always feel like home to us. I recommend Agent Wufei Chang for promotion to the position of my assistant and partner in times of need. Yours
to command, (o) Commander Une, I accept the promotion, which you have extended to me, including the additional duties and responsibilities as described in your memo. Your offer was most generous and timely. I admire and respect Mr. Peacecraft and look forward to working with him. I shall endeavor not to disappoint. Sincerely, (o) C.
Une-- (o) Commander. Got memo. I accept and I'll be there. Respectfully, T Barton (o) Commander Une began the meeting: "I have read each of your reports and recommendations, which I will take under advisement. I would like to begin by saying personally how very pleased I am with your performances on this very trying mission. The results were worth the struggles; at least, I hope you will all come to agree with me on that, when I review the facts, or at least after a cushion of time. "As you know, Mr. Winner has turned in his resignation, and with great reluctance I have accepted it, active the close of this day. I nearly didn't, but when he paid me a personal visit and explained his future plans, I concluded that I could offer him no better alternative. Who am I to stand in the way of a young man's earning his college degree and taking his place in his family's business? I hope Winner Corp realizes what a valuable asset I am relinquishing to them, and treasures you as much as I have, Mr. Winner." Quatre, put on his diplomatic face and replied, "Thank you, Lady Une. You've been most gracious." "Not at all. I could say far more and embarrass you even more," she said with a quirky smile. "But I might start to cry." Her smile turned wistful as she glanced over the papers in her hands. "Next, Duo Maxwell also requested a job re-assignment, which I was relieved to find was only for an interoffice transfer and not an extended leave of absence. This morning we spoke together briefly to firm the plans, so I am able and pleased to introduce Senior Agent Duo Maxwell as our new Worldwide Training Manager for Inductees." "Now there's a real jaw-breaker of a title," Trowa whispered across the table to me. "Yeah, it's cool," I said. "I-iinnductees," the commander continued. "As a result of this mission, as you are aware, thousands of boys and young men have been freed from wrongful confinement. Sadly, scores of them came from the streets and have no homes or suitable situations to which to return. As their rightful birth-cities are discovered, the local children's services and foster agencies are stepping up to place them in safe homes. However, many of them are young men, too old for foster care and yet ill-equipped to return to constructive, safe lifestyles on their own. These individuals are being offered several alternatives, one of which is induction into Preventers. "How young?" Heero asked. "None under seventeen and hundreds are taking that route. The five of you set an example on this last mission, one that has left a lasting impression on many, many people, these young men included. They see hope and a future, because if a 'street-rat from L2' can be a hero, then maybe with a great deal of hard work, they can as well. She was choking me up here, and Quatre pounded me on the back. "It's okay, Duo. I'm proud too." "That's right; you have much to be proud of. Out in the field, an agent never knows who is watching you and attending to how you conduct yourself. I have always trusted the five of you one hundred percent to uphold the values Preventers extols." Commander Une smiled as she caught each of us with her eyes. She was really good with the personal contact that way. I felt her trust, confidence, and faith in me. Humbling, gotta tell ya. "So, these are the boys I am entrusting to your car, Senior Agent Maxwell, to instruct, train and imbue with your strong virtues. You are loyal, trustworthy, reliable, devoted, and most importantly, you care, personally about maintaining those high standards in your work and in your personal life." I was subdued. It sure seemed to me that that last job degraded any high standards I might have had. I had disgusted even myself, slutting it up in New Germany clubs, trading sexual favors, and downing drugs, for whatever reason. Of course, it was part of the job and I had gathered invaluable evidence, but I couldn't completely shrug-off the feeling of loathing for much of what I'd had to do. I was excited by the opportunity this new job offered and had accepted it, but under the circumstances I was taken aback by all the accolades. "Ah, thanks, Commander. Hope I can live up to all those kind words. I, ah, don't know what to say." "Don't worry, Duo, you'll have great communication skills when the time comes," Quatre said. "Now that you are management, it doesn't take so much. Management communicates, the underlings listen, figure out what they meant, and do it." "What?" I laughed aloud. Ah, thanks bud for lightening it up for me. Une laughed. "Mr. Winner, I never knew about your sarcastic streak." "He normally keeps it well hidden under that veneer of upper-class gentility," Mill said, speaking up for the first time. Trowa thought that was extremely funny. He sucked up his laughter, and said, "Just picturing him a couple weeks ago. gotta copy of that photo you took of him, Duo, smoking... Something less than upper-crust, he was, ah, sorry to interrupt." Quatre frowned, pretending to have been scandalized. "You will forget...forget--" Une took back control of the meeting with her over-voice technique. "A-A-anyway, Agent Maxwell, you will do well. I'll have a boy on the inside reporting back to me to make sure." She smiled at my surprised response. "A nice young man who said he recognized the Deathscythe pilot on the shuttle from his 'kick ass' braid. His words not mine." Of the three kids Trowa had essentially delivered from the maws of death, one of them had had the guts to help me move a dead body. Ten to one, that was the one. Big mouth, too, as I remembered. "Let me move on or we will be here all day." Une sipped at her water, set down her glass, and checked her notes. "Mr. Winner's proposed absence left Agent Chang bereft of a partner, not that I was afraid that a man of his caliber would languish for long. In fact, within an hour of my posting the preliminary announcement, the Drug Enforcement portion of the agency put in their request. 'An agent of his quality should be heading our sting operations,' said the DE department director. I agreed, but another option opened, which I'm pleased Agent Chang accepted immediately. Before I describe that job, I'd like to diverge momentarily. "I would like to introduce to you Senior Agent and my new second in command, Director Milliardo Peacecraft. He has been very good to agree to relocate back to Sanc. A home is being located as we speak, is that correct?" "Yes, we will be enjoying a week's vacation, together with the other gentlemen at this table, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Winner. After that, we have secured a temporary rental while some old estate property is restored and brought up to code." "Better be inviting us all to your house-warming bash," I said. "I shall," the man chuckled. "If any of us have time to spare by then." He looked at Wufei then back at Une. "May I make the announcement?" The commander nodded and smiled at Wufei, too. "Please." Mill stood and strode over behind Wufei and rested a hand on the back of his chair. "My taking this job came with the condition that I, too, get an assistant. One of Preventers basic tenets is that for all employees, in an emergency we must be ready, willing, and able to fill an agent's position at any time, and when I must I wanted a partner I could depend on and trust without pause. I had my choice of the best of the best, and for me that is Administrative Coordinator and Senior Agent Wufei Chang." I scrunched over closer to the poor guy and offered my condolences. "Kinda crappy what work we gotta take when we're pinched for cash, eh? I remember the good old days when 'Requires Team Leadership Skills' on our job description just meant you'd have the responsibilities of a manager, without the pay or respect." Wufei's eyes grew wide gathering up my meaning a moment before he burst out into a loud guffaw. I think it was all getting to him and he just needed a bit of relief. After a few other wise cracks, and congratulatory remarks, Une restored order and continued. "My other two ex-Gundam pilots still in my employ have also received highly deserved and overdue promotions. Senior Agent Heero Yuy and Senior Agent Trowa Barton will continue in their current capacities temporarily. Additionally, they will be preparing to oversee a small team each of novice-level agents. The premier ranked trainees from these new recruits will be selected for these teams, as they demonstrate to Agent Maxwell the proficiency and aptitude required. "What I'd like to have in two years are five fully-functional, small teams with a broader skill set than the current special ops we have today—and ready to move into an operation on a dime. This is a significant move away from the passive peacekeeping role we have maintained to date. Organizations like Romefeller will continue to fill the void its destruction has created without our active resistance and vigilance to stop them. "No more solo missions, no assignments made into high-risk ventures because of a lack of man-power. We have a huge influx of young prospects, and we will make the most of our largess. Questions? Yes, Agent Maxwell." "So, what I wanna know is why Heero and Trowa don't get fancy-ass titles on their doors?" I asked. Way I figured it, they deserved as good as I got. Heero groaned and buried his face in his hands, elbows resting on the table, and stared at the papers in front of him. Trowa chuckled. "When they get their recruits, they will choose team names and restructuring will occur at that juncture. I'll have the doors to their offices painted with elaborate titles then. Does that meet with your approval?" "Yeah, guess I'd better get on the ball and do my job. Get those boys through the system," I said. I grinned at Heero and gave him jubilant "thumbs up." Trowa cracked up. "Don't knock yourself out," he said. "Afraid you'll have to start working?" "Oh, he works," Quatre said. "It might look like he's doing nothing, but at the cellular level he's really quite busy." Trowa laughed so hard I saw tears in his eyes. "Hey, man... If you're good, you'll be assigned all the work, but if you're really good, you'll get out of it. You know that!" Heero joined the roast. "He just makes it look easy and avoids distractions. Would you like to know his secret?" "Do tell," said Wufei, amused. "He's very elusive when he needs to be. That way, he escapes the time wasters. The other day—" "As in four months ago?" I asked. "Yes. A newbie stopped us in the hall. He said Karla from tech support told him to find 'the one-eyed guy' if he had a computer problem." "I helped Karla with a virus problem once and she hadn't forgiven me, apparently," Trowa said. "I'll remember to avoid her, then," Heero said. "After the newbie asked if Barton was one that knew something, Trowa's comeback was 'Who me? I just wander from room to room.' And the worst part is he believed him." "Is that why some people on our floor think you're the copy machine repairman?" Wufei asked. "I always wondered." While this witty repartee circled around the table, I noticed Mill jotting notes in a notebook. "So, Mill, I thought this was a 'listen' kind of meeting, but while we, your co-workers are listening or answering mysterious questions, you're here scribbling our answers in a notebook. What gives?" He smiled and muttered something about "psychological profiles." I leaned closer, reading, and caught our names and lists, words, like: Trowa—withdrawn, Quatre—prim, Wufei—prissy, me—immature, and Heero—bull-headed. "Hey!" I shouted. I stabbed at the paper to get his attention. "I got a one word description for you—"
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