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"Honor Betrayed"Written By: Yanagi Disclaimer: I do not own or hold any rights to
[Gundam Wing]. Those rights belong to Bandai, Sunrise, and the Sotsu
Agency. These fan fictions were written for fun, not profit. However,
this story does belong to me. Please don’t snitch it. Warnings: the usual Pairings: 1x2 But it's Wufei centric [very] Beta note: I think the days in the trip to Shanghai
are messed up. They fly east so they'd arrive in late
afternoon/early evening and Yet another note: There are a lot of FAQ at the
end of the epilogue.
"Honor Betrayed " Chapter 8 As he drove by the arcade on his way back, he decided that he needed to make contact with Avery, Joe, Mike, Peter and Olaf again. He'd enjoyed their interaction and he wanted to introduce Heero and Duo to them. That was for a later day however. He got back home just in time to see Heero and Duo off to start their mission. He said good-bye to them and took his purchases up to the kitchen and put them away. After wiping down the counters he settled to call the furniture store for three of the biggest bookcases they had, the ones with the glass doors. And another dresser. He was glad he'd had the walk in closet put in at the back of the bedroom, there was plenty of room for both Heero and Duo in it. Then he called the appliance store for a washer and dryer. He told them to just deliver them to the loading dock of his house. That would put them on the walkway at the back of the garage, or loading dock. From there it would be easy to get them on the elevator and install them, when he decided where to put them. He was thinking about at one side of the bathroom, which was huge, but he wasn't sure. He decided to wait until Heero and Duo came back and let them help. . The next three days were difficult for Wufei. He went to the dojo, taught his classes and helped around the place afterwards. He came home at 1 pm and worked on the tsuka that needed repair. The first thing he did was meditate to calm himself. Then he spent a day carving the wooden part of the tsuka, called a ho. He worked late into the night and retired well satisfied with the work. The next day he returned, ate a light lunch and wrapped the ho with stingray skin. He made sure that it fit well by wrapping it tightly with coarse cotton string. He set that aside to dry and turned to another project. This was the ikazuchi-choto, which had a nick in one edge and also needed a new tassel. The tassel was not only decorative but served two functions. One was to distract the opponent by dangling and flapping around. The other was to balance the blade heavy weapon. This tassel had a large carnelian bead included in the fancy knots that attached the tassel to the ring at the tsuba and a brass collar around the tassel to keep it from unraveling. He picked up a knife and cut the cord holding the tassel to the sword and set the sword aside. He'd redo the tassel first, then check to see if the stingray skin on his other project was dry. If it wasn't, he would finish the tassel and start honing out the nick. He finished the tassel within an hour, checked the skin, which wasn't dry, and spent the rest of the evening listening to music and honing the blade. He wasn't happy that he had to use a file, but the nick was deep so he had to. He was very careful to keep the edge straight, not just filing out the nick. If he just filed out the nick, the blade would have a cup at that spot which would weaken the blade. The third evening, he was restless and spent it working on his kata. He didn't trust himself to work on anything the mood he was in. He couldn't believe that he missed people who hadn't really even moved in yet. He jumped when there was a buzz at the roll up door to the garage. It was unusual. He pressed the talk button and said, “Yes?” “Delivery. Three book cases and a dresser? And there's another truck here with a washer and dryer?” Wufei was glad for the distraction and pressed the button to let the trucks in. There was enough room for both trucks at the same time, even with his truck, motor and trailer already there. He went down to supervise the unloading. “Hi, need you to sign here.” The driver looked around appreciatively. “Nice digs. You want this stuff anywhere special?” “I'd like the dresser on the top floor and the bookcases next floor down. How big are the boxes?” “Not that big. But they're really heavy. We'll be glad to take them up for you. We've got a two wheeler.” Wufei nodded. “I'd appreciate that. This way.” He led them to the elevator then realized that there was no way he could get on that elevator with them. The very idea was making his skin crawl. “I'll go up first and make sure that there's a place to put the dresser where I want it. Just put the bookcases out of the elevator and to one side. There's a stack of book crates, just put the boxes in the same general area. Thank you.” The driver just nodded, thinking nothing of Wufei's reluctance to get on the elevator with him. No one wanted to get a heavy box dropped on them after all. He loaded his two wheeler and maneuvered the boxes into the elevator, thanking his lucky stars that it was a huge freight elevator, about eight by eight feet. About the size of a prison cell. He whistled on the way up. When he put the boxes off at the third floor, he thought that he'd never seen such a nice living room. Huge, light, airy and comfortable. “Very nice. Kid's got good taste.” He got back on the elevator and ascended to the next floor, off loaded the dresser and put it where Wufei wanted it. “Nice place. You do all this yourself?” Wufei shook his head, gripping his upper arms with hands that shook slightly. “No, I had a crew in and just did the plans for the general contractor to improve on. The floors are original but everything else is new. We done?” “Sure. I'll get my truck out of the way. You ok? You don't look so hot.” Wufei decided that a social lie was a good idea. “Yeah, I'm just feeling a bit shaky. I forgot to eat lunch. I'll get the washer and dryer situated and scramble some eggs or something.” “Ok. But maybe you ought to eat more than a couple of eggs.” The driver gave Wufei a concerned look but headed for the elevator. “Come on, let's get you taken care of.” Wufei didn't see how he could get out of getting on the elevator with the man without causing the sort of scene that would raise questions he didn't have answers for. “Ok. I'm coming.” He managed to stay on the opposite side of the elevator from the man by leaning against the wall. He managed to look as miserable as he felt. “Hey! Get that stuff off the truck fast. The kid forgot his lunch and he's all shaking.” The driver of the appliance truck had already managed to get his truck up against the loading platform that ran from one side of the garage to the other in front of the elevator. He had the washer unloaded but still on the heavy duty truck. “Yeah, man, I can see that he looks punk. Here mister, just tell me where you want this stuff and I'll get out of your way so you can eat something.” The man pushed a data pad into Wufei's hand and pointed. “Sign there. Where do you want this?” Wufei signed and pointed with the end of the stylus. “Right there. We're not sure where we're putting them. My roomies had to leave town on business. We'll have to figure out plumbing and such. So just park them. We'll figure things out later. Thanks.” The driver shrugged. “Your back. Right here?” Wufei nodded so the driver unbelted the washer and pushed it up against the wall, out of the way. He unloaded the dryer and put it beside the washer. Wufei watched as he checked to make sure all the paper work was with the appliances. “Ok, owner's manuals are in the machines. All the other stuff is taped to them. You need installation help, we offer it. At an additional fee, of course. Bean counters at the front never tell you kids anything. So, I'm off. Take care of yourself. Be sure to eat. You're too damn skinny. Not my business but...” Wufei looked up at the man then smiled. He couldn't help saying, “No offense intended but you have to be Italian. I'll eat something as soon as I can get it cooked.” The man laughed. “I'm Italian all right. No offense taken. Now, go. Eat.” And with that he packed his things back into the back of the truck, got in and drove away. Wufei shut the door and made sure it locked. He frowned at it, realizing that it was way too easy to open for his peace of mind. He took the elevator back up to the top floor, made sure to lock the elevator there and went into the kitchen. He was wondering if he should cook enough for three or just make himself something when the buzzer sounded again and Duo's cheerful, “Locking us out already?” sounded from the speaker. Wufei went to the intercom and pressed the talk button as soon as he'd sent the elevator down again. “No, but this place is a cracker box. I was just doing my best to keep from being ambushed by demons or something.” He stepped out of the way of the door to the elevator, although it went up instead of swinging outwards. It was impolite to block a door. “I am pleased to see you returned.” He took in their disheveled appearance and weary faces. “Would you like to bathe, then eat; or eat, then bathe. Either way is acceptable.” Duo sighed, dropped his bag by their bedroom door and said, “Eat first. I'll fall asleep the second I'm done cleaning up. Heero?” “Eat first. I just want to shower then fall into bed and sleep for a day.” He tossed his bag down beside Duo's. Wufei went into the kitchen, smiling as he realized that this was the first real meal he was going to cook in his kitchen. The first of many. Heero and Duo cooking breakfast didn't count. He'd done nothing but eat those meals. Not that he was complaining. “I have some nice talapia. And there's chicken. I've made a mix of vegetables. Stir-fry?” “Fine. Rice?” “Of course.” Duo laughed. “Ok, you two. Stir-fry and rice sounds quick and good. But I reserve the right to ask for mashed spuds once in a while.” Wufei measured out the rice, washed it and put it into the cooker. He got out the chicken and fish and started preparations for teriyaki chicken and a steamed fish dish that he knew they all liked. It didn't take him long to get the dishes cooking and the kettle on for tea. “Can you talk about it, or would you rather not?” He wanted to know what they'd been doing but not if it would compromise security or upset them. “Not much to talk about. Just one of those messy things. Walk in, wait, sit in mud, shoot up a drug lab, arrest everyone not dead, hike out. Bleah!” Duo stretched and groaned. Heero nodded. “Yes, not even any interesting computer equipment to deal with. Just shoot 'em, bag 'em, tag 'em. And clean up the mess. Glad that's not part of my area of expertise.” Wufei wrinkled up his nose. “Sounds like a laugh a minute.” Duo grunted then grumbled, “Sure thing. Une was pissed. She was hoping that we'd get our hands on the top dog. He was otherwise occupied. We didn't even see him. Damnit. I really want him. He's responsible for this new drug on the market. Super speed with a side of instant addiction. Asshat!” Wufei stiffened. “His name wouldn't be Gerald Rankin, would it?” “Yeah, why?” “Old ... friend. One of my six.” Wufei busied himself with his chicken while he thought, over his shoulder he told them, “I ... he has a sister. Somewhere. But ... where? ... I know this ... where the hell?” He stirred his vegetables and thought. Suddenly he exclaimed. “Paris. She lives in Paris. Somewhere on the East Bank, I think.” Duo crowed softly. “It's a lead. Paris. East Bank. That's all new construction now. Someone stomped it flat during the One Year War. Wonder who that could have been?” He gave Heero a look which Heero returned with a bland expression and a raised eyebrow. “Couldn't say. Wufei? Is the tea steeped yet?” Wufei checked. It was, so he filled cups and passed them around. Duo made a call, talked to someone for a moment then hug up. “Well, the right people know now. Is it food yet?” “Just about.” Just then the rice cooker dinged. Wufei handed Duo the bowls and said, “Serve up the rice, will you?” Duo just started filling the bowls. Wufei checked the chicken, dumped the sauce on it and stirred until it was thick. The fish was ready too, so he quickly sliced it, arranged it on a large platter and set it in the middle of the table. Heero carried all the tea cups and the pot to the table on a small tray, set the cups around and put the pot next to the platter. Duo followed with the rice bowls and the large bowl of chicken and they settled down to eat. Wufei watched his friends as they ate. Duo ate quickly but neatly, head supported by one hand. Heero nibbled at the fish, then the chicken. He was just tired enough that he wasn't hungry but he knew he needed to eat. Wufei started to say something to Heero but Duo shook his head, catching Wufei's eye. Wufei poured more tea then said softly, “If you don't want it, I'll put it in a bento and stick it in the fridge.” Heero sighed and took a bite of the fish. “No, I really need to eat it. By the way, it is delicious. I'm just not hungry. At least, I don't think I am.” He eyed the chicken wearily. Wufei jerked his head at Duo. “Go shower. I'll stay with him to keep him from falling asleep in his rice.” Duo just headed for the bathroom, staggering a bit in the doorway of their bedroom. Heero made a determined effort and finished his food. Wufei took the dishes from him and carried them all into the kitchen. “I'll clean up tonight. You go get cleaned up and get into bed before you really do fall asleep in the rice bowl. Go.” Heero offered a token protest but got up and followed Duo when Wufei frowned at him. Wufei rinsed the dishes and stuck them in the dishwasher. There weren't any leftovers, Duo had eaten his fair share and a bit of Heero's. Wufei had finished his portion without trouble so there wasn't anything left. He wiped down the counters and realized that it was only about 9pm. He wasn't really sleepy so he got a book and carried it into his room. He was fond of reading in bed. He read until he fell asleep and slept without dreams. . Wufei woke feeling peaceful and rested. He realized that it was a result of having someone he knew would watch his six in the house with him. He hadn't slept this well in – forever. He stretched, scratched here and there then got up to take a shower. After his shower, he combed his hair out and contemplated the idea of cutting it. It was way past his usual length, in fact, it was nearly to the bottom of his shoulder blades. He decided to leave it down to let it dry naturally. He wasn't due at the dojo today as there was some sort of celebration to which he wasn't invited. He didn't mind that at all as he found most celebrations taxing to his nerves. He dressed in jeans and t-shirt, forgoing shoes, as he usually did. He subscribed to the Japanese notion that shoes were too dirty to wear inside the house. He didn't mind Heero and Duo wearing their boots in the elevator but he wished that they'd take them off at the door and leave them there. He decided to speak to them about it this morning. He was very pleased to see that Heero beat him to the punch. “Wufei, we have to get a shoe rack or even two. I can't stand wearing my boots in the house. They're dirty.” Duo was sitting at the kitchen table, head on one hand. He yawned and agreed, “Yeah, we walk all over all sorts of ... stuff. Blood and chemicals and who knows what sort of shit. We need to take them off, either before we get in the elevator or immediately after we get off. And special shoes to wear in the firing range. That's full of lead particles and cordite, among other things.” Wufei couldn't help the big grin he got. “You two are amazing. I was just going to talk to you about exactly that. And I never thought about the range. We could actually put one shoe rack right in the elevator. It's plenty big enough, and maybe put slippers in some of the cubby holes for guests who aren't comfortable barefooted.” Heero nodded and settled at the breakfast bar between the kitchen and dinning area. “Good idea. I don't mind just socks, but some aren't comfortable. You making breakfast?” “Yes. Duo, I'm not carrying food clear over there. Come to the bar, please.” Wufei turned to the fridge and started getting things out. Duo came to sit at the breakfast bar, too, and smiled happily. Wufei did make the best omelets. “I'll clean the kitchen after, while you and Heero deal with the furniture. How's that?” “Good. While you're dealing, would you mind chopping an onion and grating some sharp cheddar? I thought we'd have burritos for lunch. I know you like them. And there's an avocado of you want to make guacamole.” “Sure, be happy to. Thanks, Wufei, I really love your burritos. Remember that time you made them and, just as we got done eating, we got a mission? I swear, if it had come in earlier, I'd have turned it down in favor of the food.” Wufei couldn't help but glow with the pleasure this comment gave him. “Thank you. We'll be in the main lounge assembling the book cases.” with that, he and Heero went to do just that. Heero eyed the boxes for a moment then just grumbled, “Did you have to pick the biggest ones out there?” “Yes. I have books in storage that I want to bring here. And I know damn good and well that you and Duo will buy books until you die and never sell one. Don't blame you either. So big cases and I'm tempted to buy enough to line that whole wall.” He pointed to the windowless side wall. All 130 feet behind the seating and office areas. “And you two need desks here. There's plenty of room for three desks.” Heero just grunted softly as he was picking up the first box. It was long and awkward to pick up. He carried the box to the wall nearest the elevator and put it down. “Here, open this. I'll put the other two at the approximate place they're going to go. OK?” “Yes, that's good. I wonder how many cases I'll need to line this wall. We can put nick-nacks in until we fill them with books. What do you think?” Heero put down the next box, looked around the room and nodded. “That's a good idea. I think we also ought to consider some sort of ... dividers or something. The room's huge and it echoes. We could get open shelving and put out some of the stuff Duo and I have picked up over the years. It's all in storage too. Duo loves these crystal things. And I've collected a few really nice pieces of sculpture. One of them's a bit on the large side.” Wufei was delighted with this. He missed the little 'things' that sat around in a home. “That would be wonderful. I do miss such things around. I ... don't have anything but ... well, not even that now.” He pushed his hair out of his face. “Even what? If it's been stolen, we'll get it back for you.” Heero didn't bother to look up from the instructions he was reading, but Wufei knew he meant it. “My family shrine. I found it in one of the storage compartments of my gundam. It's in Shanghai. I think it's in a museum. I'm not happy with that. I might go see about it, when my probation is over.” Heero thought about that comment as he took the pieces out of their box. While he did that, Wufei sorted the hardware. “I think you should go soon. Something might happen to it. Duo and I will just ...” He snickered softly. “escort you. Good reason to go somewhere without having a mission. Duo will enjoy it.” Wufei felt his eyes sting and turned his head for a moment, unknowingly hiding behind his hair, until he could get himself under control. “Thank you, my friend.” “Don't mention it. Hand me that hammer.” And so it went, they finished putting the cases together and measured for enough more to cover the wall. Then Wufei sighed. “We need to do something about a security system that we're all comfortable with. And get Duo down here to discus some sort of dividers. I do have an old carved screen that we could use. It's at Quatre's place along with my sword. He saved them both from sticky fingers. For which I'm grateful. I do need to send him an email soon. I'm behind times in writing to people.” Wufei raked his hair out of his face. Heero thought for a moment. “We need an intercom system too. This place is huge and yelling over three or four floors just doesn't cut it. Let me study it for a while.” “Ok, but we need to get it done soon. I don't like being so exposed.” “I just need time enough to figure out what sensors I need and how many. I'll work on it this afternoon and be ready for installation tomorrow.” “Use my desk. It'll make it easier.” Duo popped out of the elevator just in time to ask, “Make what easier?” “Security system.” Heero didn't look up from screwing something to something else. “Oh. I got onions chopped, cheese grated and I got out everything I think you use and put it all on a tray on one shelf. And I went ahead and made the guacamole.” He looked at Wufei for a moment then said, “Wufei, let me do something with that hair before you get it caught in something.” Wufei sighed, one of the reasons he kept it pulled back most of the time was that it got into everything. It was a bit coarse, as most Chinese people's hair was, but it was silky. Duo pulled a brush from his hip pocket and settled to brush his hair out and braid it loosely. He snapped an elastic around the end and said, “There! Now, furniture.” With Duo's help they got all three cases put together in record time. Then they walked the room to decide what to do about some sort of dividers. They finally decided on free standing, moveable shelved display units. That way they could move them at need but still separate the various areas. Duo had eyed the area for a moment then said, “We don't want to cut them off completely so I'd say ... a unit between the elevator and the dinning area and one between the dinning area and the living area and the office, with another between the sitting room and the office. But none of them should touch each other or a wall. That way they don't close the areas off. We still get the feeling of light and room. Um .... and you do realize that each unit is going to be at least twenty feet long, right?” Wufei waved a hand at that. “I don't care. I have plenty of money. You two ought to also.” Heero just flushed. Duo smirked. Wufei blinked at them. “Do not tell me you two both gave all your reserves away. Or that ESUN found them and confiscated them.” Heero mumbled something about 'Relena' and 'charities'. Duo just shook his head and smirked harder. Wufei laughed softly. “I see. Relena is most persuasive, especially to those who are vulnerable.” He didn't make any other comment but resolved to have a very strict talk with Relena at sometime or other. He also resolved that Heero wouldn't suffer for his actions at her advice. The silly, self-centered onna. He got out his phone again and ordered all the book cases and display units they'd agreed they needed but he made sure that the delivery men would also assemble them. He wasn't about to try to put anymore flat pack furniture together. It didn't take them long to clean up the mess of packing materials and dispose of it in the commercial dumpster Wufei was paying for. He'd need it when the forge went into use. Duo dusted off his hands and announced, “Well, that's that. Now, washer and dryer. I really need to do about forty zillion loads.” It only took them minutes to find that the best place for them was in the back part of the extra room. On the other side of the wall from Heero and Duo's bathroom. This was good as it was out of the way but easily accessible and there was room for what Duo call a folding table and Heero called an excess piece of furniture. Wufei was in favor of it so Heero just made one out of a sheet of plywood and two saw horses that the construction crew had left behind. . Wufei retreated to his shop to work on one of the swords that needed polishing and left Duo and Heero to the security system design. He knew enough to do it himself but he also knew that they needed to feel like they were contributing to the house. He was very pleased that they were so comfortable with each other already. He thought it was a holdover from the war where they'd had to depend on each other so much. As he honed the blade of the damaged sword, he thought about many things. He found that honing a blade was a moving meditation, he could do both without damage to either pursuit. Duo stuck his head into the room and cleared his throat, hoping he didn't make Wufei jump and either cut himself or spoil the edge. Wufei blinked then looked up. “Oh ... yes?” “You'll be glad to hear that the store guys showed up and all the bookcases and display units are up. And the washer and dryer are installed. We took the time to mark out another wall to hide them from the rest of the room, if you want to go to the bother.” “I don't think so. Just let me wrap this blade up and I'll be right with you.” Wufei eyed his filthy hands. “After I wash my hands. Yuck.” Duo waited for him, chattering happily about all the things he had that would look nice in the units. Wufei listened with half an ear and grunted or mumbled at what he felt were appropriate times. Heero met them at the elevator to show off his shoe rack. He'd used some wood he'd found in the basement and built a stair step of cubicles, enough to hold twenty pairs of shoes. Some of the cubicles had slippers in them, others were empty. He'd put their names on individual steps in neat kanji using the kanji for 'two' for Duo. Wufei approved and said so. There was another identical rack in the shooting range. The one on the bedroom floor was different, just three fairly tall boxes with smaller ones on top. The bottom box was tall enough to accommodate a pair of combat high-tops with out strain and the smaller top box was perfect for a pair of scuffs. “Heero, these are perfect. I'm not ever going to be comfortable hosting more than ten people or so. Thank you very much.” He started to bow but Heero tugged him into a hug that Duo joined in on. . Morning again, and Wufei was ready for his class. He had breakfast ready when Heero got up, much to Heero's surprise. Duo was ecstatic, no more danish and coffee for breakfast unless that was what they wanted. “I'll see you at about one?” Wufei nodded to Heero. They insisted on dropping him off at the dojo and one of them would pick him up and drive him home. He was sure that this was Une's way of keeping him on a short leash. He minded it a bit, but not enough to make a big deal of it. If he really needed to go somewhere, he could always walk home and get his truck, which he was sure was tagged by now. Yang-Lao Shi met him at the door. “Chang-sifu, Yang-Shigung as asked me to ask you if you would take a class of new students.” “If it's within my powers, of course.” Wufei bowed to her. “Good, good. I was hoping to have one class on Monday night, just to see how it goes.” Her hopeful look made Wufei smile. “I can do that. I'll have a teaching assistant as well. I'm ... on a sort of probation. If you want explanations I'll be happy to give you one.” His heart swelled as she just shook her head, murmuring, 'Private business'. “So, one of two people have to be with me for various reasons. But either one of them would make a wonderful assistant. And you won't have to pay them.” Wufei grinned at Yang-Lao Shi. “Oh, we'd come up with a bit of money for them.” Wufei gave her a slightly evil smile. “No, they're Preventers and can use the overtime.” “You're a bad boy.” Yang-Lao Shi smacked him on the arm and chuckled. So, Wufei had a class in the evening now. He contemplated his schedule with pride. Monday, Wednesday and Friday he had class from 9am to 12pm. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday were spent in his shop, now, working on the repairs. Sunday he spent reading, cleaning and relaxing. He realized that he still hadn't caught up with his, hopefully, friends; Avery, Joe, Mike, Peter and Olaf. He'd emailed them several times but hadn't actually seen them. He needed to make contact with Joe again, for sure. And maybe Adam. He knew that Sally had gotten her computer back, he'd made sure. He let his thoughts wander over 'things to be done' for a while as his class filed in. When he'd made sure, by head count, that all his students were there, he called his class to order and started. He worked himself as hard as he did his students and was soon damp with sweat as he walked up and down between the rows of men, correcting stances and the angles of their limbs. It was very important that they hold their arms and legs in the proper positions. They could sprain or break something easily otherwise, especially a wrist or ankle. As he was a responsible teacher he was going to make sure that that didn't happen. After class was over, without incident, Wufei was glad to meet with Yang-Shigung for a short visit. The Shigung asked how he was getting along with his new room mates and he couldn't help but be a bit effusive in his praise of Heero and Duo. He explained what they'd done and confessed that he was going to let Heero pay for the security system without argument. “Yes, that would be good. You are letting them do what they must for you without argument. Allowing them to move in with you will be good for all three of you. They will have better living quarters and you will have the supervision that ... Lady Une?” Wufei nodded. “seems to think you need. I do not want to know what you were up to. I know it wasn't ... nice. But you seem so very much happier in just the several days since they moved in. I'm pleased for you.” “Thank you, Shigung. And I'll have to make sure that I don't take a class early on Tuesday or Thursday as I have a counseling session then. And I do truly thank you for allowing me to continue working for you. Especially after all the time off I've taken. The old man waved that off with a, “Feh! No matter. We make allowances for your age. And your ... problems. Now. Swords.” Wufei settled back to drink tea and tell the Shigung about his progress with the swords. They chatted about that and other things until Yang-Lao Shi came to tell them that Duo was waiting for him outside. Wufei stood, bowed and left. Duo waited until he was in the Hummer to say, “I've got the whole afternoon off. Une's in a temper about something and has Heero working on the mainframe. She told me to take you somewhere fun. So, where do you want to go?” Wufei immediately said, “The Arcade. It's in that strip mall the other side of the highway. I've, hopefully, got some friends that hang out there. I want to see if they're there now. I've been emailing them but haven't had time to catch up to them.” Duo kept his eyes on the road as he said, “Who are they? Do we need to check them out?” Wufei admitted that he only had a last name for Joe. The others, he only had emails on. Duo handed Wufei his phone and instructed him to input the email addresses and send them to his office computer. Wufei didn't argue, he just did it. It wasn't worth the hassle and he was sure that who ever did a check on them would be discrete, they'd better be or he'd have a few words with them. Duo parked in front of the arcade and admitted that he loved arcade games and played when ever he had time. Wufei got out then let out an exclamation of disgust as his hair elastic broke. “Damn!” “Fei?” Duo hurried around the front of the Hummer, worried that Wufei had hurt himself somehow. He stopped cold and started laughing when he saw Wufei standing with his hair unbraided and swishing around his shoulders and a disgusted expression on his face. “Got another elastic?” “Yes, and a brush in my gym bag. I keep extra clean clothing in it too. Never know when I might need it.” “Well, give me the brush and elastic and I'll give you a hand. You still don't braid it very well either.” Wufei made a face. “I'm having trouble getting the hang of it. I can braid quite well, in front of me, but getting this mess done is ... hard. Not that you'd know anything about that.” He grinned at a man with three feet of hair. Duo snorted, swatted at him and waited while Wufei found his things. He also got a chuckle out of his t-shirt which read, “My guns are bigger than yours” printed over a bulging biceps. As Duo was braiding Wufei's hair, Joe, Olaf and Adam came around the corner of the mall. They hurried over to greet Wufei. Joe was first and demanded, “Chang Wufei, are you alright? I tried to call a couple of times but the number came up 'no service'. And who's he?” Wufei smiled at him then shrugged. “Tell me the number. I might have given you the old one by mistake. I'm sorry if I worried you. And, I'm fine. I'll tell you all about it as I whip your ass at Gundam Fighter. This is Duo. Duo, meet, Joe, Adam and Olaf. I met them here at the arcade ... two months ago?” Wufei wasn't sure but Joe nodded and said, “About that. Might be three.” He handed Wufei his phone. Wufei continued, “Joe's the one to tell me about that vid. And Adam there was the one who told him.” He confirmed that the number was wrong, corrected it and handed it back. Olaf looked a bit puzzled and asked, “What vid?” Joe just snarled, “Not your business, even if we were talking about it in front of you. Not something to talk about. Legal things.” Olaf just nodded and dropped it, especially as Wufei looked unhappy. Wufei introduced Olaf then admitted that he had no idea what their last names were. Olaf laughed. “Ok, I'm a total heathen. My last name is Olafsson. No jokes, please, I've heard them all.” Adam rejoiced in the nearly unpronounceable last name of Wojociehowicz. Joe dragged the conversation back on track by demanding, “Ok, you know our last names but what's his.” He jerked his thumb at Duo. Wufei cranked his smirk up. “You don't remember? Maxwell. You met him at my place.” “Oh, shit! Yeah, and, would you believe it, these assholes don't believe that Yuy was at your place.” Wufei shrugged, “Why not? He lives there now.” He moved away from Duo, tugging at his arm to get him to follow. “What's new? Anything good?” Joe grinned at Wufei. “Well, there's the new team game, Black Ops. And your score is still top on Gundam Fighter. There's a new virtual chess game but it stinks as there's a guy somewhere in Old Russia that's online all the time and no one can beat him. Sucks, but I think the guy's a paraplegic or something. Come on.” So they went into the arcade and Wufei was amused to no end to see Duo darting around, braid flapping, looking for all the world half his age. He settled on a driving game and tried to put a euro in it. Wufei, who'd gone to the window and stocked up on tokens, stuck one in the game and nodded to Duo. Duo laughed, thanked Wufei and started the game. He drove like he flew his gundam, all out and death take the hindmost. He wound up racking up the top score without crashing once. Wufei dragged him away to see the new game and demanded that he play it with him. This game had an attendant, just a kid that worked there, who was supposed to gear them up with the sensor array that kept score by recording the number of times they got shot. Wufei just laughed as the kid got tangled in the straps. Both he and Duo had used very similar gear in training so they geared up, checked each other efficiently and the game was started, after they turned over the requisite number of tokens. Wufei realized that the simulation was a standard one that was actually used by most police departments. He glanced at Duo who passed back a manic grin. He returned one equally as manic and they started the game. Everyone in the arcade wound up watching them. They moved like a well oiled machine. Duo took lead, Wufei support. Duo whipped through a door way and dropped to the floor, Wufei rolled the other way and both shot their targets on the way down. Wufei realized that they had to get to their feet quickly or the moving belt that allowed simulation of moving through the levels would drag them. He grabbed Duo by the back of his gear and yanked him to his feet, snapping, “Belt, watch out.” through his head gear. They missed an ambush but managed to shoot their way out of it without loss of points. Finally the game beeped displayed an explosion of fire works and announced, “Game Completed.” in flashing letters and verbally. Wufei realized that he was tired. “Duo?” “I'm starving, man. You ok?” “I'm fine. And thirsty. Let's dump this gear and get something to eat. Then I want to play Gundam Fighter.” Wufei handed his gear back to the attendant, who gave him a glassy eyed, awestricken look. Duo poked him to get him to put up Wufei's gear and take his own. The boy just took the second set of gear with his other hand and continued to stare, this time at Duo. Duo looked at Wufei then whispered, “Do we need to evacuate?” Wufei shook his head. “No, they're just stricken numb by our magnificence. Come on. I hope Joe ordered enough pizza. And you're paying.” Duo just shrugged. “Yesterday was payday, so I'm good. Heero's going to be broke again. All those sensors are expensive. I'll give him halves on it, so don't worry.” They settled at a table and Olaf announced that pizza was on the way. They'd ordered about half way through the game. Adam was attempting to get something 'out of his craw' as Duo said when he asked what was wrong. “Um ... are you him? Really? I mean ... and Yuy is that Yuy?” Duo gave Wufei a blank look. “He means are we really them ... the real gundam pilots.” he turned to Adam and said, “Yes, we are. And, if you want to talk computers, Heero's your man. Although Duo's no slouch.” He ducked a mock punch from Duo without even looking and picked up a full soda. “Is this claimed?” “It's for you.” Joe grinned. Wufei took a gulp. “Thanks, I'm parched.” They talked about the game while they waited for the pizza and again they were waited on by the man that had given Wufei a hard time. He stared at Duo as he put the two pizzas on the table, Wufei gave him a hard stare and he went away. ~ * ~ tbc... |
