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"Halfway to Sublimity"Written 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, male/male pairings, language Pairings: 1x2x1 Summary: When Duo moves to a new town on the river,
he meets a young man running the river and a rich boy who seems nice.
Maybe he'll settle down for awhile, or maybe not. "Halfway to Sublimity" Chapter Twenty-One Wufei (POV) Wufei met Duo at the cabin early the next day. Wearing clothes finer than usual and lounging on the porch swing, Duo looked ready to nap rather than head out to the governor's estate. Wufei felt elegant atop his fine horse, his sword hanging at his side. From that altitude, he could look down on everyone. "Are you even packed?" "Yep. Bag's inside on the bed." "I take it Winner hasn't arrived with your horse?" "I'm here," Quatre called out from within the house. He stuck his head out the front door. "Heero wanted to talk." "Wrangle," Duo interpreted. "I'm staying out of it." Wufei rolled his eyes. "Not that again." Discord ruled inside. "Yep. Same old argument. Heero demands to be at Treize's party, providing backup while I steal Tsubarov's plans from the gov' office, but Quatre wants to stick with his original plan and keep Heero waiting in the countryside for the big hand-off." "His role is integral to our strategy, and he should know it!" Quatre said. "Wufei provides cover while Duo finds and steals the steam engine plans, which are transferred from Duo to Trowa and from there out of the place and passed off later to Heero." "It works with me there," came Heero's voice through the open window. "We have to get the plans to safety far away, Heero! Trowa and I will be on site as backup," Quatre reiterated as Heero pushed into the doorway as well. "Trowa's an expert at infiltration and if I must step in at some point, it wouldn't be completely unexpected. My family has business in the area that I can fall back on as an excuse. You have nothing." "I have an interest to protect," Heero maintained. "You are being obstinate." "I am coming along, like it or not." "He could be a valet," Trowa suggested. "Dat would be credible." "Yes! You're brilliant! That would work, wouldn't it?" Quatre met Trowa's adoring gaze as Wufei was joining them on the porch. Wufei blushed to remember the two men's first meeting at about this same spot. It had been the most adolescent love at first sight. "You could have suggested that earlier," Heero complained. Trowa narrowed his eyes defensively. "It'll mean more trouble, more risk. You're not an actor." Problem solved, partly, and Wufei did not think Quatre wanted another argument to erupt. "He'll need instruction. Winner can explain how he should behave to be believable," Wufei suggested. "What do you mean?" Heero's expression couldn't get any darker, Wufei thought. "Dat, fo starters. Valets don't ask too many questions." "That is true," Quatre agreed. "And don't stare directly in anyone's eyes, Heero. Try to look..." "Subservient. You might as well ask him to kiss Khushrenada's feet. He'll blow his cover and ours." Wufei felt the Cajun's hand squeeze his shoulder. "Give him de benefit o' de doubt," Trowa advised. "I can do this!" Winner sighed. "I don't suppose there's any stopping you, is there, and I should just make the best of it?" "Get on with it," Heero grumbled. "Do we have time for all this?" Wufei asked. "Give me fifteen minutes." One curt nod from Heero, and Quatre led him into the bedroom for packing and deportment instruction. Two bags rested on the bed, one larger than the other. Wufei leaned on the doorframe, listening. "Heero! You already packed to go, didn't you?" "Yes." Quatre shook his head. "Not that I blame you for wanting to protect Duo, but you endanger his success just by being there." "I will not fail. I can look...meek. I'll lay out his clothes and help him with his bath." A flicker of smile passed over Heero's lips. Wufei did not want to imagine the two men bathing together, especially since he wanted a turn at their new soaking tub and felt it mandatory not to harbor terrible images, which might mar that experience. While clearing his mind of all thoughts, he missed most of Quatre's instructions to Heero. "...and do what the head man does. Listen to the help and use the back stairs... Keep your eyes averted, eat in the kitchen-" "It will only be the two days." Heero snatched up the bags, flinging them over his shoulders, and marched out the doorway. "Move it, Chang." Two days. "Two, after you get there." Wufei watched as Quatre bit back whatever warnings or premonitions he might have had. A lot could happen in two days, but telling Heero that would not deter him, Wufei had to agree. "Help him, please," he said to Wufei as he passed. "Of course." "Okay, Heero, you can ask for my roan at the stable. Trowa and I are going by carriage and should arrive a day later." From the window, Wufei watched as Heero mounted the buckskin loaned to Duo, which had been grazing in the back yard, inches from the precious garden. Wufei hoped he had not made a mistake by giving in to the stubborn river rat. Would Maxwell be distracted by Yuy's presence or helped? At least Maxwell had eased off the L2 slang, Wufei mused, so Yuy had been a good influence on him. And together they were quite tolerable. None of that goo-goo eye stuff that Winner indulged in with the Cajun. The way Winner carried on around Barton made Duo and Heero appear perfectly respectable together. A quiet shuffle of feet behind him alerted him of another's presence. He turned; glad to discover it was not Maxwell to tease him with his "I told ya so." "You had no oder choice, mon ami. Dat's why I made dat suggestee-on." "At the last minute." "You would have had him come wid us. Wouldn't do to have him crowdin' up de carriage." A wry smile stretched across Wufei's face. "Cagey devil." "I didn't make I dis far in life on good looks alone, no?" "Winner quite possibly might think differently." "Dat's his right." "Did you really stop smoking?" "Mais qui! Of course!" The taller Cajun leaned close and said in a low voice, "He does not like de taste of tobacco." Wufei screwed up his face and drew back. "Perverted Cajun devil!" he spat, but that seemed to amuse Trowa to no end, sending him away chuckling. (o) Wufei riveted his black, beady eyes onto Duo. "At least my woman stayed at home. She has confidence in my judgment and has faith in my abilities to handle myself with honor." "I am here and have excellent hearing, Chang." Heero heard him and got the message. Wufei smiled, eyes scanning the road ahead. "Good." He was an excellent equestrian; Yuy, he noted was fair and Maxwell worse. He trusted Heero to keep pace with him after that slight. Duo, he felt, would lag behind and drive his prickly boyfriend crazy, or put on a show himself. In any case, Wufei wanted to get to their inn for the night before dark. He wanted a good dinner, a good bed, and an uneventful night's sleep. The next few days would be trial enough. With a click of his tongue, he urged his steed to a faster pace. He wondered how Treize would behave. In the past, his time spent at the governor's residence had been pleasant. The man had lavished attention on him, him, a mere outcast schoolteacher. Well, Khushrenada must have seen that he was a man of high caste in his clan. Well educated. A swordsman. A fighter of high virtue and standards- Lost in thought, he had not noticed how far ahead he had ridden until he heard his name called out from some distance. "Chang!" "Problem, Yuy?" He did stop and wait for the other two men to catch up with him. "You know damn well there's no need to knock ourselves out to reach the Wayside. Winner already reserved our rooms and ordered meals." "Oh, really? Skipped my mind." He smiled. Yes. He could add accomplished horseman to his already lengthy list of accomplishments. And happily married. Very. All that remained was for him to fulfill this obligation to his friends (albeit, assisting in the stealing of plans from Khushrenada would be no small feat) and then he could relocate to Serendipity, take up his new law job, and begin a family. No need to put that off. He would need heirs. No reason not to get started on that immediately, since Hilde's earlier hints that she might have already been pregnant had turned out to be amiss. No need at all to delay, and a what a satisfying pastime! With that pleasant dream to pass the time, Wufei led the three comrades along the winding roads, trails, passages, and, at times, fields until they arrived at the Wayside Inn. When it looked as if Heero might forget his "place," Wufei reminded him. "Take the horses and bring in our bags." The livid stare Heero leveled his way was reward enough. Duo muttered some mawkish malarkey, sending Heero plodding off outraged but silent, reins in hands. "'Fei? Lay off, 'kay? I'm so tired I'm about to go tits up if I don't get something to eat." Wufei closed his eyes in protection against the images Duo sent to his brain. So much for his verbal skills improvement. "He mocks my pride. He needs to be brought down a peg. He's been insufferable since he brought in all those gunslingers." "You should know 'insufferable'," Duo muttered and led the way into the inn. "I just said I did, that was my point!" About two steps inside the door Wufei nearly ran him down. "Don't stop in the middle of the doorway--!" Duo's hand was on his chest, shoving him against the wall out of the direct line of sight. "What is your problem, Maxwell? Get your hands off me!" "Shh!" Duo hissed. "Know that cretin over by the window? He was at Merquise's party." "Ah, the fag-hater with Relena. Titled man. A marquis. Weiridge." "Weiridge, yeah." A cold chill ran down Wufei's spine. "You don't suppose he's on his way to the governor's?" "Shit." Duo spat. "The man with him is Tsubarov, by the way, Sanc's master engineer. We were introduced on one of my visits." "Bringing new diagrams? Updates to his engine designs? Protecting them? Better and better." Wufei shrugged off Maxwell's grip and caught a young woman carrying a platter piled high with roast meat. "Is there a private dining room?" "Yeah, it's reserved." "For Master Winner?" "Yeah, you him?" Close enough. "Yes." "Go in then turn right at the passage," the server said, and then took off to deliver her order to the dining room. Heero met up with them, toting all the bags and an attitude. When Wufei caught his attention he said, "Good. Take those to our rooms then you can join us in the private dining room. Ask for the Winner party." If Wufei's lofty tone bothered him, Heero did not let on. In fact, Heero's strength impressed him as he hefted all the bags and carried them to the innkeeper's desk without looking strained at all. He watched as Heero collected the room keys and hauled the entirety of their luggage up the stairs and out of his view. It was not long after that the three weary travelers were diving into their own platters of food. A carved joint of meat, bowl of roasted potatoes, basket of warm bread and a dish of cool butter disappeared in minutes. Since Winner was paying, they polished off a pitcher of beer and two apple pies. Yes, Heero had seen the men, recognized the one, and was glad to know who the other was. Besides that and a few "pass the-" remarks, there were few other remarks until they had finished eating. "Surely, Winner knew about the Marquis and Tsubarov-that they were invited to this party? It bothers me that he didn't warn us." Wufei folded his arms over his chest and stared at the candle flickering on the table. Illuminate me. "I'm thinking he didn't, or if he did he didn't think they'd both show up at the place the same time we did. I don't want to start doubting him at this point," Duo said. "At this moment, we can only trust ourselves." "I can't believe-" Duo lowered his voice a few notches, "that you said that. Quat's your friend. He was your only friend for the better part of a year, 'Fei. And, 'Ro! How long have you known the guy? The better part of most your life?" "Yes, and he's intelligent, clever, and a schemer." Duo shot Heero such a deadly look, Wufei thanked Buddha it hadn't been aimed at him. "He wouldn't put us in danger." "Not until he had the plans safely in his hands," Heero tossed back. "Listen, it's highly unlikely that Winner is that deceitful and I don't think Trowa would stand for it if he tried something, but seeing those men here, at this time, is suspicious and inconvenient." Wufei snorted back a laugh. "That's right. Put our trust in a Cajun gambler. I can sleep better relying on him to keep Winner honest." "Stop it!" Duo hissed through clenched teeth. "They're our buds! We're tight!" "What if we came up with a different strategy?" Wufei unfolded his arms and flattened his hands on the table. "Get it over with the first night, and then escape before the sun is up." "And miss Quatre and Trowa?" Duo shook his head. "Now who's double crossing who?" "We wouldn't put them into any danger. They arrive, see we've gone, they go. What is important to remember is that the situation has changed." "How so do ya figure?" Duo asked, but as calm as he sounded, Wufei could see the tension in the jut of his jaw. "The situation isn't as clear-cut as it was when it was only you and Wufei in his house," Heero pointed out. "Now there's two additional variables to consider. The longer we stay, the more likely we'll be caught. I think Wufei has a valid point." "Listen to him." Wufei ventured a slight smile. He was a little too quick to claim a victory. For a moment, he was afraid Duo would march out of the room. Duo shook his head vehemently. "I don't like it. I don't like changing plans without Quat knowing." He held up one finger marking his space as he drew a deep breath, and no one interrupted. "But I get that adding those dudes, particularly Tsubarov, into the mix fucks things up royal. Getting out of there fast sounds good. Finding the plans is another thing. There's no telling if just saying we'll find them and take them can make it happen. We may need 'Ro and Tro' to hunt around, if I can't find them right off." "Well, there is that possibility-" Wufei began. "But, say I do, well, maybe when we blow the joint we can head out on the road we know Quat' and Tro' are taking? That way we'll meet up with them sooner." "In fact, that works out brilliantly," Wufei smiled. "If we pass off the plans to them, we haven't any incriminating evidence should Khushrenada or any of his dogs catch up to us." "Yeah, well, I just want it understood I don't like the change and it makes me feel like a dirty, underhanded, phutzer. That's 'cheater' to you." Duo spat at Chang, and then slumping in his chair looking worn to the bone. "I'm worn out thinking about this crap. "Our rooms are upstairs. I can show you where," Heero said. "I can't move," Duo declared. "Is that a request to be carried...sir?" Duo's eyes twinkled. "Would you?" Afraid Yuy might say "yes," Wufei stepped in to put a stop to the ridiculous notion. "No he wouldn't. No need to draw attention to yourselves. Let's just go. Move, Maxwell." "This is your room," Heero opened the door for Wufei. His familiar travel bag was on the floor by the single bed. "First one up wakes the other." Wufei agreed with an offhand gesture, entered the room, and closed the door to the outside world. He did not care what arrangements the other two had, as long as they were discrete. He kicked off his shoes and removed his clothes, taking special care folding his black pants and dark red Chinese tunic over the back of the chair for use the next day. He was not fond of non-L5 styled beds. He preferred his austere room with the mattress on the floor. Hilde had not complained either, although he supposed he should ask about her preferences some time. However, he was too tired to think any further about anything that night. After climbing onto the bed, he had barely drawn up the covers before falling instantly asleep. (o) Wufei had underestimated the others' endurance. He had been certain the night before that he would be the first to rise, the one to awaken the slothful pair. Instead, the room was still dark when he awoke, Yuy's hand shaking his shoulder. "Chang?" "What are you doing? It's still night." "I thought you'd like a bath. Duo has finished. There's still time for you to clean up. You want to look your best for Khushrenada." Yuy smiled. Wufei could have sworn it was a malevolent smile. "What? What do you know I don't, Yuy?" "The serving class spreads rumors like wild fire." "What did you hear, Yuy. Don't play games." "I'm not a gamer, Chang. Marquis Weiridge and Tsubarov are sharing a room, as lovers. And Khushrenada's a cocksucking hedonist." His face wore a grim-edged smile. "You might want that bath, while it's still hot." If Wufei had not been looking forward to the party before, he was dreading it now. "Yes. Thanks." Yuy left and Wufei washed up quickly. He returned to his room, dressed swiftly, and had time to pack his few belongings just as someone knocked on his door. "Ready? I'll saddle the horses and secure the baggage after breakfast," Yuy told him. Not that Wufei had any appetite. He crammed some food into his body without attention to detail, like what it was or how it tasted. Everything tasted like dust. The sooner the entire fiasco was over the better. He wished Yuy had not told him what he had. He would have preferred complete ignorance. No, that was not true, but he wished the situation were different. He decided not to think about Treize or self-indulgent perverts. Going through the motions without thought was the best way to get through this, Wufei felt. He let Heero do most of the work getting them on the road, and traveled in silence, meditating, putting himself in a better place. How he wished he were back home with his Hilde! The morning sun would just be streaming through the deep-set trefoil side windows, turning the stained glass to jeweled portraits. Above the windows, broad rays of sunlight would be tracing the heavy-timbered roof structure as it glowed through the triangular dormers. He pictured her standing there, sheeted with light, wanting him, and held on to that image. This time next week, he would be teaching the schoolchildren of Sublimity their letters and numbers. That seemed magnificently agreeable to Wufei, considering what he was about to endure. He hadn't found a replacement for the teaching position, yet. And there was his law office to establish in Serendipity! He had far more important work to be doing that this. Wufei nearly turned his horse around and raced home and would have had he not been an honorable man. The ride to the governor's mansion took five hours and felt like five years. It certainly took five years off his life, Wufei thought sullenly. If the ride had not set his mood plummeting, the look of the estate did; in fact, a pall settled over the entire group. An old iron gate flanked by stubby pillars gaped open as they passed a gatehouse, apparently tenanted. The main house was manorial, but not at all as impressive as Winner's Watergardens or even Zech's fortress. Governor Khushrenada's place had taken its look from the murky pools of rainwater lingering on either side of the overgrown drive. The grounds were not impressive, merely brooding, nor was the house-a flat-footed, slate-roofed, dark structure whose tall windows were neither leaded nor firelit, nor hung with any curtain that drew back and quickly fell again at the sight of them. "Damn, this place is hurtin' for some lovin'," Duo said. "That's an understatement. I thought Zechs lived in a dank, stone stronghold. It looks like a hunting lodge compared to this-" Wufei did not know if Heero was at a loss for descriptive words or if he just left off, enough said. The ivy was shocking red against the dusky grey walls and it was everywhere. It made him think of blood on a gentleman's suit. How apropos! "This place is crawling with ivy crap. He must be some psycho nutcase to live here, that's all I can say. He never seemed half-crocked to you, 'Fei?" "I was here in summer. When it wasn't so overgrown... or depressing." Wufei had nothing to say about the man. Would he be able to look him in the eye after what Heero had told him? Had their fencing matches been sexual overtures and he completely unaware, the older man's interests perverted in that way? "I feel ill." "Stop ruminating then," Heero said. Surely Yuy hadn't chosen that word deliberately to make him think of his digestion? "This is your chance to even the score," Heero continued. That was a refreshing angle. "Yes, thank you." "You got some of that peppermint tea stuff in you medicine kit? I wouldn't mind some," Duo asked. "I'm not making tea!" Wufei said, sounding more short-tempered than he had intended. "I have some candied ginger which works as well. I'll get it out when we unload our baggage." He met Yuy's narrowed gaze and then caught Maxwell's pained one. "Are we set on what we are going to do?" Duo's eyes cleared and took on a hard edge, the one Wufei was looking for. "You keep Treize off my ass and I'll get the goods. You can count on it," Duo said. Heero fisted his hands. "We will do that." "I can distract him, it's the other guests I'm less certain of," Wufei said. "I'll serve as decoy when needed," Heero put in, "and go with our plan. If all goes well, we'll be gone before Winner and Barton show up and save them the trouble. We'll all get out." Duo nodded curtly, but Wufei wanted the last word. "I only ask that Maxwell watch his mouth." "You watch my back and leave me to handle my mouth!" Heero shoved them both, hard, "Let it go." He took the horses and bags and set off in the direction of the stables. (o) Why did Trowa Barton like working with the most dangerous cats in the world? Why had Duo wanted to be a lion-tamer? Wufei could not have explained the other men's aspirations, but he had his first inkling the moment he and Duo stepped over the threshold. Entering Khushrenada's hold was like entering the lion's den. He felt the pent-up energy inside, struggling, wanting to break free, and rend the territorial invaders to shreds. Wufei wanted nothing less than to draw his sword and meet it head on. He wanted to best the man lording over it all. "Where's the governor?" he snarled at the doorman. The dour-faced man snapped to attention. "He is greeting company in the drawing room." "Right." "He asked me to bring Mr. Chang and Lord Maxwell immediately." "Right." "This way, then." As we stepped into the drawing room, Wufei heard Duo gasp and hoped to Buddha that he didn't forget himself and embarrass them both or, worse yet, blow his cover. He stomped on Duo's shiny-booted foot for effect. "Geez, 'Fei. Look at this place," he hissed through clenched teeth. The floor, itself a masterpiece of polished parquetry, was covered with a white, gold and amber carpet. The one wall not paneled in polished cherry was pierced by three doors leading to the outside gloom. Wufei caught Duo by the elbow. The doors, surrounds, and entablature rich in gold leaf and the wall hung with engraved mirrors nearly floored Maxwell. They walked pass two display cabinets holding a collection of the latest Fabergé, miniature animals, human figures, all carved from gemstones and jade, snuffboxes, and three Imperial Eggs. The rich amused Wufei. Winner maintained his family's Watergardens estate with loving memory of his father. Whether or not he prized the priceless paintings and furniture, he knew his father had, and as tribute, changed only the few rooms he personally used. Zechs neglected his ancient hilltop fortress, brimming with countless, moldering family treasures, preferring the company of soldiers at his river cottage. But this man cherished his collections and expanded them, which had to cost a mint. "Your guests, sir," the butler announced. Treize Khushrenada held court, pouring coffee from his hand-painted Romefeller service into Meissen cups, and offering vintage cigars from sterling silver, cedar-lined cigar boxes. On the drinks tables, Waterford crystal decanters held brandy, port and whiskey for those who wanted it. "Gentlemen! Relax from your journey. Dinner will be served shortly." Treize held out a hand, claws retracted, and smiled, a hunk of his leonine mane falling boyishly over one eyebrow. "You sure do okay on a governor's stipend!" Maxwell said in a voice loud enough to shatter the delicate porcelain. Wufei groaned and wished to disappear, and not for the last time. Their host thought this was wildly funny and drew them into the room, laughing. He topped off the coffee with a generous dash brandy, and pushed a coffee cup into first Duo then Wufei's hands. They exchanged pleasantries, mentioned the ride, the weather, and finished off the coffee. It was very good, Wufei thought, and he rarely drank coffee. Treize moved on to glittering decanters, and poured amber drinks. Wufei eyed Maxwell. So far, so good. And then, Duo chuckled. "So, this Cajun dude I know told me this joke," Maxwell began. "D-Lord Maxwell, I don't think that would be... suitable-" Wufei tried. "Oh, I don't think the gov'nor here minds a rauchy joke, am I right?" Treize's smile turned feral. "Please, share." "All right! So, a dude walks into a bar carrying an alligator the size of... that jug over there." Wufei sighed. Duo was referring to the largest of a pair of delicate Chinese vases the likes of which Wufei had never before seen except as holy relics in L5 temples. All that reduced to the monosyllabic "jug." "The bartender says, 'What do think you're doing? Get that goddamn thing out of here. I don't allow pets in my establishment.' Well, the dude tries to explain. 'Look, he won't cause any trouble. He's well trained and I'll prove it.'" Wufei dared to look Treize in the eye, but the man was openly admiring Duo as he strutted about the room, oblivious. "So, the dude proceeds to put the alligator on the bar and says, 'open.' The alligator open its mouth and you can see all of its razor sharp teeth. 'Now watch this,' he says and proceeds to open his pants and pull out his cock and balls and lay them gently onto the alligator's teeth." Wufei blanched to the color of pale cream. Maxwell was going to get them all killed. He knew it. It would all be up to him to save the mission. And Heero. Damn. Wufei wondered how soon Yuy could show up and clam up The Mouth, which lead to the alligator's mouth and the colorful picture that made. He took a long drink and felt the burn torch the image in his brain. "He then orders a beer and proceeds to drink it. All the while, the alligator keeps its mouth open and nothing happens. After finishing the beer the dude carefully puts his family jewels back into his pants." Duo shot back the rest of his drink, which had to be no less than a full ounce of liquor-and on an empty stomach! Wufei remained motionless, afraid he might strangle Duo if he dared move. "Good stuff!" Duo declared. Wufei guessed that he had swallowed a week's wages of the stuff, and then sipped a bit more of his own to deaden his nerves. "Okay, so then this dude orders the alligator 'close,' and the alligator closes its mouth. 'You see? He's perfectly trained. He would do that for anybody.' The dude looks around. 'Does anyone want to try?' the dude asks. His eyes land on a drunk who's sitting nearby. The drunk looks up at him and says-" The governor interrupted him with an upraised hand. "Let me guess? The man says that he would be happy to try, but he isn't certain he can keep his mouth open that long." Duo, aghast, said, "You heard it before?" "Young man, sometimes I think that there is nothing new under the sun, nothing I haven't heard. Or done." "Oh, well, I'll have to try harder then." The feral grin returned. "Oh, I expect you to." Wufei credited Duo with his courage at that moment. He did not back down. He stretched, pretending to be completely at ease. "I could use something to eat before I fall on my ass. We waitin' for anyone else?" "Not for dinner. The other guests should arrive...later. Let's see what the cook has set out for us tonight." Out of the lion's den and into his gaping maws- that's how Wufei felt at the moment. When the mood was on him, Treize dined in the manner of an Emperor; or at least, how Wufei imagined one would dine. He filled his Regency dining room with silver, crystal and china that had seen service, or so he insisted, in Sanc Royal and Imperial palaces. Duo rubbed his hands together, eyeing the table with pleasure. "Just in time. Hey, look at that! Is it duck? Man, that is deluxe." Wufei stiffened and held his eyes to his plate. He not want to see scornful glances cast his way. But he guessed the reaction wrong and heard Treize chuckle. "You are an amusing man, Lord Maxwell." A small army of butlers and footmen jumped to assist Wufei and Duo as they dined in splendor, eating superbly cooked food prepared by an ancient crone, who had been with the governor for more years than either of them would admit to. Happily, Heero showed up to personally serve Master Maxwell at the dinner table. Wufei hoped the poor man had grabbed a bit to eat himself. He didn't show any discomfort, but then he rarely did. While serving the last course, Heero leaned between Wufei and Duo and whispered, "first floor, strategy room next to office." Wufei wondered how Yuy ascertained Tsubarov's workroom, or the storage space, so quickly. Maybe the help wasn't so loyal to the governor as he would want. Then he noticed Heero's hand slide over Duo's, lingering longer than necessary, and the two men exchange meaningful looks, Heero's in no way demure. He set down his fork and knife and snapped away his hands before Heero could touch him. Whatever the game, Wufei wanted no part of it. There was no way Khushrenada had missed that show Heero put on-truly putting the "service" into servant. As the servants whisked away the last dishes, the stone-faced butler entered the room and strode directly to the governor. He leaned into Khushrenada's ear and whispered. The governor nodded. "Thank you. We'll all gather in the L3 Reception room in a few minutes," he told his butler then shared with the rest of us, "We are done here, aren't we? I have a small number of associates interested in meeting a titled man from L2." Wufei had observed on his previous visits that , when Treize Khushrenada wished to really impress, he opened what he called the L3 Reception room, a thirty-foot square gem of a room. Three of the four walls had been paneled in tulipwood imported from the L3 sector, carved, stained, lacquered and varnished to resemble amber, running the spectrum of yellow, from smoky topaz, to a light lemon. Master artisans had wonderfully carved all the pilasters, moldings, and frieze. Eight carved panels that made up each wall, each panel a masterpiece representing, in stylized relief, different allegories of the five senses, festooned carvings of Imperial and Royal eagles, graceful, amber-like engravings, whimsical patterns of leaves and heraldic emblems, gem-like, graceful carvings, and flowers so detailed and life-like that they lacked only color to bring them to life. Duo poked at a picture framed in gilt. "This you?" "Yes. I was a fencer in my youth." "I could be completely off base here, but that hair is pretty distinctive, despite the mask. That's Zechs right?" "I believe you are right." "So you boys were fencers, practicing your thrusts and parries while your friends were slumped before their pianos?" The governor smiled and moved closer to Duo. Close enough to overpower Duo with his rose-scented cologne, if he drew a deep enough breath. "We were hot-blooded, doomed to a military life soon after that was painted." Wufei lengthened his stride, entering the room ahead of his host. Dear Buddha, Yuy had been right about the man. He had witnessed Treize marking out his territory with his own eyes. The man wanted Maxwell. Heero's actions in the dining room were enough to clue the man in on Duo's proclivities, if Winner's remarks at his party hadn't been convincing enough. Maxwell, Wufei sighed, what had he gotten himself into? He could not think of any more incongruent a combination in the kingdom: Maxwell in the governor's finest reception room with the governor licking his chops. And that wasn't all. It was no surprise that among the newcomers were Tsubarov and Marquis Weiridge. How he disliked these men and parties! He characterized the event as violence muffled by the most exquisite and civilized conversation. "Lord Terrance's fortune. It was considerable," Weiridge said, while hiding a yawn. "But they met by accident." "For heaven's sakes! One can meet by accident and carry on by design." "True." Tsubarov smiled, and then both men chuckled. Wufei turned away wishing to be done with the job. He felt out of sorts, yearning for home and Hilde. Duo, on the other hand actually appeared to be in his element, strutting about, in spite of how he oughtn't to fit in. Like we had undergone a role-reversal of some sort, Wufei mused only to have his thoughts interrupted by Duo's raised voice nearby. "Yeah, like, why can't they have homosexuals in the army? Personally, I think they are just afraid of a thousand guys with guns going, 'Who'd you call a faggot?'" Oh dear. "Say, Gov', I need ta take a leak. Where's the head?" "The...? Just step outside the room and a servant will direct you." Duo shot Treize a smile and said with an elaborate shrug, "Sure thing." And Treize smiled in return. Wufei's unease grew, if that was possible. No sooner had Maxwell disappeared, then the last person Wufei expected to see waltzed into the grand L3 Reception room. The governor turned and his smiled faltered. It must have been the last person he had expected as well. Could that mean his showing up early like this was a good thing? Wufei wasn't sure. "Quatre Winner, how pleasant a surprise," Treize said. "I was in the area and my carriage broke down. Something gone wrong with the harness. Your stable man is looking into it. It is kind of you to include me in your little soiree tonight." "Of course," the governor said, not very cordially. Wufei's head was swimming with questions. He fished around for one as he snagged Winner by the arm. "What are you doing here early?" "We noticed them," he nodded toward the undesirable guests, "at the inn, preparing to leave, and thought you guys could use the extra backup." Wondering if he should believe that, Wufei hooked another question. "Where's Trowa?" "My faithful footman? Seeing to the horses, probably." Winner lowered his voice and said, "Looking for Heero." He smiled and said, not caring who overheard him this time. "And you should see him in livery; he has the legs for it!" Winner had all the right answers, but were they the truth? Wufei could not shed the feeling that something was fishy. No, he had the disturbing feeling that he had been taken in-- hook, line, and sinker. When Khushrenada strode from the room, Wufei knew he should follow. Winner was an unknown, but Maxwell with that man in pursuit was his responsibility.
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