|
"Friends "Written By: Karina
Series: Friends Pairings: 2+6 Ratings: M 15+ [In Australia] Rated in the event of bad language and violence. Disclaimer: I don’t own Gundam Wing or the characters. That’s the way it is. Warnings: Not a death fic despite how it starts.
Aussie spelling and unbetaed. Summary: When Milliardo Peacecraft is abducted
and left to die a solitary death Duo Maxwell decides to take a hand
in the proceedings.
The fire spat and an ember arced out of the hearth to land on the tent. It broke the silence and stillness within the room. Heero reached out and killed the ember, checking the small burn hole in the tent. It appeared there was a reason Maxwell always sat near the entrance to the tent. He was beginning to wonder about the wisdom in keeping the fire alive, but none of them would hold the watch for more than a couple of hours and they were not rank amateurs. They would not sleep on their watch. He had not expected Marquise to be forthcoming over details of his current occupation, or about any modifications that might have been made in the past. How extensive such modifications might be remained a mystery, but the existence of nanobots suggested there might be more. He, like Marquise, would not be inclined to discuss the details so he did not continue to pursue the matter. There might, or not, be time later when they could develop trust enough to share their modification stories. Might. Should the conspiracies of governments past and present not see one, or more, of them in the grave. “How much does Duo know?” Maxwell could not have failed to notice the accelerated healing rate of someone whose body was equipped with a nanobot series dedicated to preserving a healthy state of the human body. Marquise’s wounds had to be healing at a rate that would draw the interest of someone a great deal less attentive and intelligent than Maxwell, and Duo would certainly have drawn some conclusions. “Of the modifications, he is aware I have the benefit of nanobot implants. Of other troubles he knows little, and he is aware that his ignorance of these matters is exactly what will keep him alive. He also knows it would be judicious of him to make his presence scarce and go to ground for a time.” Heero scowled, glaring into the fire with an intensity that would have frightened most observers. Duo knew too much then. It was clear Maxwell had asked questions and he had garnered sufficient information, little as that would be given Marquise’s reputation, to make matters of survival delicate. How good Marquise’s resistance to questioning might have been when Duo first located him had to be considered questionable, and Heero knew just how annoying a son of a bitch Duo could be if he wanted answers. Those who professed to control Marquise would no doubt consider the likelihood of Marquise speaking out of turn, and come up with a kill first and worry about it later directive. There would be no shortage of employees they might call on whose portfolio covered the hiding of bodies and providing convincing scenarios for unexpected deaths. Duo was no fool and would be well aware of what might befall him, but he was likewise no coward and had confidence in his abilities. Maxwell did not run and hide when it came to a game of life and death, after all, his favourite adage was ‘I might run and hide, but I never tell a lie.’ To Heero’s knowledge Duo hid just about long enough to learn every detail pertinent to his situation and then he tended to reappear with guns blazing. Was Marquise aware of that? This situation had the potential to turn messy quickly. “He won’t do it.” A deep sigh from the tent answered him and he heard Marquise stir. “On this matter, Mr. Yuy, in this particular instance, I can assure you that he will.” Heero’s scowl deepened. What made Marquise so certain of that? If Duo Maxwell went to ground, and Heero admitted to himself it would be judicious to make ones self scarce, then Heero would certainly not acquire his agreement to bodyguard Relena. He had to ask himself why someone like Duo would agree to hide? Heero admitted he knew less than the tip of the iceberg, but he had to wonder just what it was Marquise was embroiled in if he had convinced Duo Maxwell, the daredevil pilot and possessor of the world’s most restless feet, to stay out of the way and hide until it was finished. “That does not sound like the Duo I know.” “Perhaps it is not the Duo you know, or think you know. The Duo I have conversed with over the past few days is a young man who thinks about what he wants out of life, and marks what he has already lost. Your friend has a great deal of intelligence and the will to use it, for all he wears the jester’s mask. I have learned in my colourful life, brief as it has been, that one should beware of those who wear masks; be it a jester’s or otherwise. I am sure you know it would be a mistake to underestimate him.” “Hnnn.” “You and your friends are most fortunate in that you have the opportunity to break free of the system. I believe Duo is not one to play the games of those in power; his nature is too straightforward. Given the likely events to come in the near future, I would suggest you do not rock the boat and keep yourself and your friends clear of this matter. I shall deal with it as expeditiously as possible.” “Relena...” “Will be kept out of the matter. She would be best served to remain ignorant of the continued games by those who have no qualms about killing, or world wrecking, if the occasion suits them.” Zechs’ voice was low, a growl more than anything, filled with warning and menace. “My sister has a great deal of good to do for the people of the ESUN. She does not need to concern herself with matters of such a sordid nature.” Heero frowned rubbing at his chin, feeling his fingers scrape against the bristles there. “When she finds out what it is you have been doing with your time, she will be more than upset.” The low sound from the tent could only be described as a threatening growl. “Had I not been doing what I have been doing Mr. Yuy, you would not have had so easy a time of guarding her person. You might even have found yourself in my place now, and I assure you it is not a position I can recommend as having strong future prospects. Should Relena find out my current employment it would equate to a death sentence for her…and I will be more than disappointed with your performance.” He was not fool enough to ask if it would be Zechs coming to assassinate his sister. He was many things, but Heero was not a fool. “I have offered to assist…” “And the offer is appreciated but unnecessary. Given the current circumstances I alone can move against those who have made this move. I would suggest you delay your removal from my sister’s entourage and keep your wits about you. If certain people are moving against me, then you can be assured Relena would not be excluded from their sights. How they might move against her, or manipulate her, remains to be seen, but it is certain not to be just about me. Consider this and determine if she will need you more as her bodyguard than as a suitor.” —————————- Duo leaned against the wall, silent and listening attentively. The voices of the men in the smaller room were low, but he could hear them well enough. If Chang or Barton was awake then they too could be listening to every word; they might have to strain a bit, given he was closer to the door, but they would be sure to hear some of what he had heard. Duo only hoped they were sleeping as they needed to keep awake later to ensure the pantry did not catch alight. “And Duo? What about him?” Indeed, what about him? Duo pressed his forehead to the wall, listening intently. “What about him, Mr. Yuy?” “It might be safer for Duo to join Preventers or Relena’s security contingent than it would be for him to simply, and unexplainably, vanish.” Typical of Yuy to think of that. The man was perpetually stuck in a groove, coming back time and again to the same thing. It took a great deal of pushing and patience to get Heero onto something new and Duo was fed up with the entire Preventers and Security Service argument. He had heard enough. He was more than capable of making up his own mind about his personal future and there were certain things he had decided he would not do, no matter the circumstances which might arise. “Hide in plain sight?” Duo slipped into the room and stepped around the fire, taking up his usual position near the opening to the tent. “I’m not joining Preventers, and I’m sure as hell not becoming a part of the peanut gallery hanging on Miss Pink’s shadow.” Heero glared at him and Duo grinned wickedly, enjoying twisting Heero’s tail. He and Relena shared rather a unique relationship in that Duo refused to cow tow and treat her as though she walked on air. For her part Relena considered him a novel visitor on the few occasions they met and, though he thoroughly scandalized her courtiers, Relena was usually quite happy to see him. He suspected she even understood why he did not take up a position in Preventers or join her security detail. The girl was trapped by her bloodlines, tradition and family and knew with intimate knowledge the weight of expectation and disapproval from those in higher positions, family and friends. “For you to simply vanish would gain as much, if not more, attention that if you danced naked in the streets on New Years Eve.” “Interesting example, Heero. Have you been dreaming of my naked arse? Maybe you can tell me why it would be more noticeable? I’ve disappeared before without so much as a ‘by your leave’ to anyone, even Kitty Kat, and I always turn up again.” Duo stared into the fire. “It would be more noticeable if I suddenly went for the respectable scene and signed up with Preventers, or joined the security service at the palace. Neither of which, I might assure you, will happen. Zechs won’t take any help, and I sure as hell would help him if he’d let me. If he’s determined to be stubborn about it, and he is, then I might as well go and see a bit more of the world and wait to discover how big a fallout zone there will be.” “I am not about to blow anyone up, Duo, least of all the world, though there are some out there who believe otherwise. I prefer to leave those days of extremes in the past. The matter shall be dealt with as circumspectly as possible.” Duo’s grin was feral. “If you were inclined to blow the bastards up I’d be the man to help you, and I would not be taking no for an answer.”
|
