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"Witness Protection"Written By: Snowdragonct Disclaimer: Don't own any part of Gundam Wing
or the characters, more's the pity. This is for fun...no profit involved. Rating: R Warnings: Warnings: AU , yaoi, swearing (lots),
some OOC (probably), violence, drugs, sex, a naughty Duo (i.e. he
has a potty mouth and is a bit, er, slutty)…if you are wedded
to the “pure, chaste” version of Duo, he might be a bit
dark and crude for your taste…ditto for the other characters
in here…hey, Quat’s a lawyer…how much lower could he
get? Pairings: 1X2 eventually, 3X4 also eventually, (past 2X3, 6X2) A/N: I’ll apologize in advance that Zechs is, well, deceased right from the start. I like him a lot, and there’ll be mention of him…but mostly in the form of discussing/investigating his murder. Sorry. Summary: When Zechs Merquise is found murdered,
detectives Heero Yuy and Wufei Chang are tasked with the unenviable
chore of keeping the only witness to the crime alive long enough to
testify against the leader of the Oz syndicate, Treize Khushrenada. "Witness Protection" Chapter Forty Three: Understandings
Chang even managed a bland smile for Catherine, standing to pull out a chair for her. I slid into the one closest to Duo. “How’s the foot now?” I asked quietly, reaching to place a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He leaned into the touch, managing a cocky little grin. “Not so bad,” he assured me, digging into his soup with enough enthusiasm to set my mind at ease. Of course, after the quick meal, his rough day caught up to him, and Duo was huddled in his blanket snoring before the rest of us had even finished cleaning up the dishes and putting things away. I tucked the blanket in around him a bit tighter, and walked over to check on the laptop security logs, realizing in all the excitement, we’d pretty much neglected our usual routine. Sloppy police work—and if Duo had been harmed as a result, I knew I’d never have forgiven myself. I could feel the scowl settling on my face as I keyed up the day’s records. Already I was going over in my mind how many details I’d overlooked and how disastrous the results could have been. We hadn’t checked in with Po in days…we were completely on our own…and I’d spent the day playing on the beach with Duo, instead of safeguarding his life. “It was a hectic afternoon,” came a quiet voice so close behind me I gave a start. “Jesus, Chang! Make some noise when you walk!” I heard a soft chuckle and looked back up at my partner, whose dark eyes glimmered with amusement. “If I did, it would reflect poorly on my martial arts training, now wouldn’t it?” “It would also save my nerves,” I grumbled, returning my attention to the tapes. “You’re irritated with yourself, aren’t you?” asked Wufei, circling around and leaning on the edge of the table, his arms crossed and a calculating look on his face. “For what?” I asked with a hint of bitterness. “Getting so caught up in Duo that I neglected my job most of the day? Letting him get injured? Allowing us to be out on that beach in an exposed position? Forgetting our usual security protocols? Take your pick, Chang. Yeah, I’m irritated with myself.” He shook his head. “Let it go, Yuy. There’s no harm done.” “Ten stitches is no harm—?” “He’ll have a sore foot for a few days. In the grand scheme of things, that’s not a big deal. He’s alive. What’s more, he was enjoying himself today—at least from what I gleaned of the situation.” A smirk touched the corners of his mouth. “By the way, you’ve got seaweed in your hair.” I put a hand to my unruly locks, and sure enough, there was still a bit of the stuff clinging to the back of my head. “Shit.” I picked out a strand of bubble weed, and rubbed it between two fingers, wistfully recalling the look on Duo’s face after he threw it and just before I took off after him. “See?” Wufei said quietly. “Wasn’t it worth it to let him forget about the danger for a little while? I can tell by the look on your face, you enjoyed your time on the beach as well.” “But what if—?” “Ah, you see—that’s the beauty of it, Yuy. You already know the outcome. So stop torturing yourself with ‘what ifs’ and just be relieved he’s okay, and get our security back up to par. We’ll do better from now on.” “Since when are you the one easing my conscience?” I asked. “Since you did it for me when I was careless enough to fall asleep during my watch. And you never harassed me about getting treed by a bear.” He shrugged, looking much more boyish and relaxed than I was used to seeing. “That’s what partners are for.” I finally gave a genuine smile. “I suppose so.” I glanced past him through the window to see Catherine out on the back porch watching the sunset, and my smile gave way to a wicked smirk. “In the interest of being a good partner, I think I’ll insist that you take a break and go watch that sunset.” He followed my gaze to the girl, and then looked back sharply, mouth open for a stinging retort. “It is our job to ensure her safety, too,” I reminded him. The dark eyes narrowed. “Are you trying to set me up?” “Not at all. I’m just providing an excuse—in case you think you need one.” He snorted derisively. “I don’t need an excuse.” “Good. Then get to it,” I suggested, turning my attention back to the screen and ignoring the frustrated huff I heard. A moment later, he got up and wandered out through the kitchen towards the back porch, and when I peeked over the laptop screen a bit later, he was leaning on the railing next to Catherine. Go Chang! I worked until it was almost dark, and then satisfied with the security logs, I set the computer back to automatic and stood up and stretched. Despite trying not to spy on my partner, I did notice Wufei and Catherine were now sitting on the porch swing, apparently deep in conversation. The light from the kitchen window barely illuminated the two, but it was pretty apparent they were enjoying each other’s company. I was relieved for a number of reasons. First off, it made me feel less guilty for my involvement with Duo. Our relationship had sort of forced Chang into the position of third wheel, and had made me feel an odd detachment from a man I’d trusted my life to on more than one occasion. Knowing that he could be just as human, and find his own form of friendship amid our precarious situation let me off the hook a bit for falling head over heels. Plus, it made the cozy house by the sea feel downright homey. I had a hunch the four of us could work together very nicely, to keep the place safe until such time as the trial began and we had to face reality again. While mulling all that over, I found myself wandering into the living room and settling into the chair by Duo to watch him sleep. It was an occupation I didn’t think I’d never tire of. “Mm—how long was I out?” he rasped hoarsely, blinking awake and fixing a quizzical look on me. “Couple of hours.” I reached to brush his bangs from his forehead. “How d’you feel?” “Aside from a throbbing foot, just fine.” He sat up, the blanket slipping from his shoulder to reveal the tattoo I’d become so familiar with. My hand reached of its own volition to trace lightly down the stylized wings on the Grim Reaper, and Duo’s eyes closed and he practically purred at the sensation. “Jesus, Yuy,” he whispered. “When you do things like that—.” He shook his head and opened his eyes to look into mine. “What?” “It just—it feels—nice,” he said haltingly. “Like, I dunno—almost like you can’t believe I’m real.” “I can’t,” I sighed. “Meeting you—being with you—has been like one long, drawn-out dream. I’d never have thought in a million years someone like you would want someone like me.” He grinned cheekily, regaining his composure quickly. “Ditto here.” I found myself smiling back, realizing it must be just as surreal from his perspective. “Actually, I wasn’t referring to the obvious difference in occupations. I was talking about someone so—alive and sensual and bold—wanting a serious workaholic type like me.” “But you aren’t!” he argued, edging closer. “Shit, Yuy—you’re so damned sexy an’ strong—you don’t know what a turn-on that is. I’m surprised you didn’t have guys panting at your heels your whole life.” A trace of insecurity entered the half-lidded eyes, and I realized he was fishing. “Before you, Maxwell, I had all of two serious boyfriends. They both decided I was more focused on my work than on them, and frankly, they were right. Neither one of them made me feel the way you do.” He blushed and ducked his head, obviously pleased with my answer. “Wanna know a secret? Nobody—not Tro’ and not Zechs—ever felt so—right for me.” I had him pressed against the back of the couch in a heartbeat, trying to devour his lips with mine as I slid a hand down under the comforter. He moaned into the kiss, arching into my touch and making me feel like we were the first two people to ever discover sex. God, he was amazing! I let him up for air, leaving my hand tracing lazily across his abs. “I take it that felt right?” “Fuckin’ perfect,” he sighed breathlessly. “Maybe I should take you to bed—get you settled in for the night,” I suggested, with ulterior motives that would have been obvious to a nun. “Yeah, I think you should.” He started to sit up, and turned a wary glance towards the other room. “Hey—where’s our chaperone anyway?” “Wufei?” I smirked mysteriously. “I last saw him on the porch swing with Catherine. I think they were watching the sunset.” He eyed the darkness outside the windows. “Been out there awhile, have they?” “Don’t worry,” I soothed. “Chang’s a gentleman. He’d never take advantage—.” “No—I know,” he replied, looking pensive. “Matter of fact, I was thinkin’ maybe we oughta hook those two up. Y’know, Cathy was married once—a guy in the circus—high-wire performer. But he took a bad fall, less than a year after they got hitched. He didn’t make it.” He wore a rather somber expression. “She was really broken up about it—for a long, long time. Bet she’d understand what makes ‘Fei tick.” “She might at that,” I conceded. I stood and stretched. “I’m going to tell Chang I’m putting you to bed, and that he’s on watch for a few hours while I get some rest.” “Think he’ll believe that?” smirked my lover. “I know he will,” I said with a frank look. “I’m fuckin’ exhausted, Duo. I really intend to just sleep—for now.” Well, at least if I could sleep with him curled up next to me naked. He pouted beautifully, and then spoiled it by yawning. “Maybe ya got a point…” I left him finishing the glass of juice he’d left untouched earlier when he nodded off right after his soup, and headed through the kitchen, padding quietly across the old wood floor. As I got to the doorway, I picked up the sound of quiet voices. “…was sorry to hear about your…Meilan…” I paused in the shadows there, watching Wufei’s shoulders stiffen. “It was a long time ago. And it’s—personal. I’d rather not talk about it.” “I know,” she replied, as if she really did know. “I didn’t talk about Nate for years after the accident. I got pretty hysterical if anyone even brought up the subject.” Wufei turned to regard her warily. “And Nate was—?” “My husband,” she said quietly. “He was a high-wire performer. We got married at eighteen.” “Oh.” My partner frowned deeply. “I take it he—he—.” “Died? Yes. In a fall during a practice session.” “I’m sorry,” Wufei said quickly. “If you’d rather I not intrude on your memories—.” “No—that’s okay. It’s good to talk to someone who’s been through a similar—loss.” She reached out and boldly took hold of his hand. “It feels like you really do understand.” He nodded, and I suspected he was a bit choked up. His voice, when he spoke again, was husky. “How did you manage?” “Oh, it wasn’t easy.” She turned wide, tragic eyes to him. “I haven’t really even dated anyone since—.” “Me neither,” he admitted. “There was one girl I asked out—but she was more interested in my partner than me.” Relena was the only one he’d asked out since Meilan? No wonder he resented her for going after gay guys! “Your partner? Yuy? The one who’s head over heels for Duo? That Yuy?” Fuck. Was I that obvious? On second thought, I suppose I was. “Yes, that Yuy,” Wufei sighed. Catherine shook her head, laughing quietly. “She was a fool.” My partner must have stared at her for a full minute before he recovered enough to speak. “Why—thank you.” He managed to sound flustered, flattered, and hopeful, all at once. Funny, but when I’d told him Relena was an idiot to turn him down, I hadn’t gotten that reaction at all. “If I’m not being too presumptuous,” he continued. “I’d like to think when this is all done and Duo’s safety has been secured, maybe you and I could still see each other and stay—friends?” “Perhaps even more.” She smiled shyly. “I’d—like that,” he said, also smiling. Her hand was still holding Wufei’s, and I noticed they’d linked their fingers together. “So would I,” she assured him. “You’re an intriguing man, Chang Wufei.” Oh, she even got the name right! “And you, Catherine Bloom, are a most impressive woman…independence of spirit is a very attractive trait.” “As is chivalry,” she said with a warm smile. I had edged back into the kitchen, trying not to betray my presence, or the fact that I’d overheard far more than I had a right to. And now I withdrew almost to the doorway into the living room, flipping on the overhead lights, and making sure my steps rang loudly on the floor as I deliberately made my way back towards them. “Chang? Still out there?” I asked brusquely, trying to sound like I was all business. “Yes, we are,” Catherine sang out. I noticed they weren’t holding hands when I made my official entrance. “Just wanted to let you know, Duo woke up, and I think I’ll send him to bed before he nods off again. He needs rest.” Wufei eyed me calculatingly. “So do you,” he pointed out. “I was going to ask you to stand watch for a few hours so I could sleep,” I agreed. He raised an eyebrow. “I swear to you, Chang, I have no intention of doing anything but sleeping,” I chided, managing an insulted look. “You know as well as I do, that Duo’s safety is our utmost concern. I damn well care enough to do what’s best for him.” He nodded, apparently satisfied. “Very well. Is the laptop set to monitor?” “It’s on automatic. Give it a once-over every hour or so, and it should be fine.” As I turned to leave, I heard Catherine offering to make a fresh pot of coffee and keep Wufei company during his “guard duty.” I didn’t stick around to hear him agree, but I was sure he would. Duo had gotten up off the couch and was wrapped in the comforter, hobbling towards the kitchen with his empty glass when I found him. “Would you take it easy?” I chided, taking the glass and setting it in the sink. “I think you should stay off that foot—keep it elevated.” He gave me a perfectly lascivious leer. “Why that sounds suspiciously like a come-on, Yuy.” “I didn’t mean—.” Of course, an image of him with his feet raised, and his body bent beneath me flashed across my mind, and I couldn’t even finish my sentence. “Yeah, I’ll keep it elevated all right,” he offered in a suggestive purr. “C’mon and help me to bed, lover.” I shook free of my stupor, and took a deep breath to regain my poise. “I’ll help you to bed,” I promised. “But you’re going to sleep, Maxwell, just sleep.” “After.” I sighed at his persistence, hating my body for its predictable reaction to his advances. And just to keep him off balance for a moment, I swept him off his feet and began carrying him down the hall. “When I tell you to stay off that foot, I mean it,” I scolded. “Make me,” he purred against my neck, nibbling teasingly. We did get to sleep—eventually.
When I woke to sunlight streaming in the window, I realized Chang had let me sleep all night. And while I’d needed the rest, I felt a sharp pang of guilt, knowing he’d gotten none. My restless shifting drew an immediate response from Duo, who was once again wrapped around me. “Aw—mornin’ already?” he slurred drowsily. “Yes, but you don’t have to get up,” I replied, enjoying an extra moment or two of snuggling. “I should relieve Chang, though.” “He an’ Cathy prob’ly talked all night,” my lover pointed out, throwing a leg over mine. “Don’t be in such a rush to leave.” “Duo, I’d love nothing more than to stay here all day,” I sighed. “But I’m still responsible for security—and I need to spell my partner, so he can rest.” “Boy Scout,” he grumbled, burying his face between my neck and shoulder and nibbling at the juncture of the two. “Ohhh—,” I groaned. “C’mon, love. That’s not fair!” “All’s fair,” he breathed against my skin, eliciting a shiver of sheer pleasure. The sound of a telephone ringing somewhere down the hall startled us apart. “Shit—I should get that,” I said quickly, wondering who’d be calling. After all, even Captain Po didn’t have the number. The phone stopped after the second or third ring, and I faintly heard Catherine’s voice. “Probably circus shit,” Duo hazarded, rolling away from me and stretching languidly. “Ow.” “I take it your foot hurts.” “No shit.” He raised a long, lean, perfectly delicious-looking leg from beneath the blankets, and examined his bandaged foot. “Not as bad as I thought it would,” he conceded, wriggling his gauze-covered toes experimentally. “Good.” I leaned to place a quick kiss on his cheek. “You can hobble to the kitchen on your own then.” I ducked out of bed, grabbing my clothes off the chair and donning them quickly. “Hey!” he protested. “Where ya goin’?” “To see who called.” I couldn’t shake a hint of unease at the intrusion. “Yuy—.” “Meet you in the kitchen,” I threw over my shoulder, not daring to look back at his nude, blanket-draped form as I exited the room. I found Catherine just hanging up the phone, and she turned with a smile. “Perfect timing! That was Trowa, and he said he’d like you not to shoot him when he drives up.” “He’s coming here?” “He’s here,” she corrected me. “But he decided to stop at the foot of the shore road and call, in case you have a—um—‘perimeter’ set up?” She gave me a rather cute look of puzzled interest. At that moment the laptop sounded an alert, and Chang came boiling out of the kitchen, his hand on his gun. He stopped at the sight of Catherine and me standing calmly in the hallway. “Yuy?” “Relax. Apparently our decoys have arrived,” I smirked. “I’ll go tell Duo, and hit the john—then you can rest awhile.” He shrugged. “I actually haven’t felt fatigued,” he told me. “Catherine is a wonderful conversationalist—the time flew past.” “Then you both deserve some down time,” I pointed out. “After breakfast,” Catherine said firmly, heading for the kitchen on her crutches. Before I could go retrieve Duo, he came limping down the hallway, still sleep-mussed, shirtless, and sexy as hell. “Did I hear the word ‘breakfast’?” “You did,” Wufei told him. “And apparently Barton and Winner will be arriving momentarily.” Duo lit up like a Christmas tree. “No shit? That’s great!” He altered his course towards the front door and I hastened to intercept him. “Let me get it!” I ordered a bit too sharply. I caught myself at the faintly stung expression on his face. “As a precaution,” I told him firmly. “What if they were followed—or coerced into bringing along an unwanted passenger—?” He opened his mouth to protest, but the sound of a car door slamming and footsteps running up the porch steps interrupted him. When the door was flung open, I already had my gun out and aimed—only to see Barton freeze in mid-stride. “I thought I told Cathy to be sure you didn’t shoot me,” he groused. In the next instant it would have been irrelevant, since Duo limped quickly past me and threw his arms around his ex, effectively placing himself directly in the line of fire. “Duo!” My exasperated huff came out as more of a plaintive whine as Trowa’s arms slipped around his waist. Triumphant green eyes shot me a sly look over Duo’s shoulder. “He can’t stay in the way forever,” I cautioned the smug stripper. Duo turned to face me, and then his glance flicked from my scowl to Trowa’s teasing smirk and back. “Aw, ‘Ro,” he chided, pushing my gun hand aside and down towards the floor so he could press up against me, making full body contact. “No contest, love. I’m all yours. Forever.” My breath caught at the sultry purr in his voice, and I slipped my free arm around his waist. “Promise?” “I promise,” he whispered solemnly. Catherine showed up in the midst of our greeting, sliding past us to hug Trowa herself. “I’m so glad you’re okay!” she said vehemently. “When they told me what was going on—.” “I’m fine,” he assured her. “Never a worry!” He glanced past her to Duo. “Um, can’t say the same for your bike, Shini. Sorry.” “What?!” Duo whirled to face him. “What did you do to my bike?” he demanded. “Casualty of war?” Trowa offered hesitantly. “I want the whole story,” I interrupted, gesturing towards the kitchen with my gun, before realizing what I was doing. I blushed and hastily holstered it after I noticed Catherine and Wufei had ducked aside. “Sorry.” Duo snickered and grabbed my hand to lead me to the kitchen. “C’mon, ‘Ro. I’m starved!” He paused then, frowning and looking back at the door of the farmhouse, and then at Trowa. “Hey, where’s Quat?” “By now he should be back at the precinct, meeting with the Captain to work out strategy,” replied the auburn-haired man. “I’m only stopping here to tell you guys the plan, and then I’ll head back to the circus.” “Sounds like you have a bit of explaining to do,” I spoke up, as we made our way to the kitchen and found places around the table, while Wufei and Catherine started breakfast. “So do you,” Trowa riposted, his gaze dropping to Duo’s bandaged foot. “Casualty of glass,” Duo quipped with a vague grimace. “Wasn’t Yuy’s fault, love.” “He’s responsible for your health and well-being.” “Ah—technically, all I have to do is produce him at the trial alive,” I pointed out in my own defense. Trowa snorted derisively. “Thought he was more than a job t’you, detective.” I glared back at him. “He is!” “Look—boys,” Duo interrupted in a placating tone, a rather satisfied smirk on his lips. “While all this fighting over me is real flattering, I’d kinda like to move on to what the hell happened to my bike!” Trowa looked chastened, and I merely rolled my eyes. “We weren’t fighting over you,” I mumbled defensively. “Tro’? How ‘bout my bike?” “Yeah, well…when Quatre and I took off, there were these guys in SUVs after us.” “Us, too,” Duo acknowledged. “But we lost ‘em when we took to the water.” “We weren’t as lucky,” Trowa told him. “They dogged us through the woods until the trees got thick enough to stop them. But meanwhile, they’d managed to score a few shots, and we sort of developed a fuel leak and some engine sputters. We managed to get a couple of miles of a lead, and then when the bike started smoking, we had to ditch it.” “Ditch it?” Duo asked warily. “Literally,” Trowa admitted. “It slid in loose sand, and we bailed. It ended up in a ravine, where it sort of—exploded.” “Exploded?!” Duo squeaked in horror. “Jesus, Maxwell!” Wufei exclaimed, turning sharply from his place at the stove. “Forget the damned motorcycle already!” He turned a concerned gaze to Trowa. “Were you and Winner injured?” “Scrapes and scuffs. That’s all.” Duo had the grace to look a bit ashamed. “I didn’t mean to imply that I was only worried about the bike,” he insisted. “Tro’ and Quat are way more important to me!” He glared sullenly at my partner. “Just…it’s obvious Trowa’s okay, and he’d have said if Quatre was hurt…so I’m allowed to mourn the passing of a really fine crotch rocket, aren’t I?” Trowa chuckled, reaching across to stroke light fingers down Duo’s cheek in a gesture I had to fight not to resent. “Sure you are,” he said soothingly. “And honestly, Quatre offered to replace your baby for you.” “Naw,” Duo said with a wistful smile. “I don’t even know if I’ll have a place for one after relocation an’ shit.” “So—if you were on foot, how did you and Winner escape?” I asked, eager for more details. “Well, Quatre knows those woods like the back of his hand. He spent lots of vacation time there as a kid. So we hid in some caves overnight, and when the bad guys finally found the entrance the next morning, Quatre led me through tunnels and out the other side. We came out near a highway, hitched a ride to town, rented a car and headed south—just until we hit civilization. Then we stopped at a motel, changed our clothes and lost the braid. We switched cars at another rental place and headed for another Winner hideout, and that’s where we spent the last couple of days.” Duo’s eyes had widened at the mention of caves and tunnels and elaborate maneuvers to change cars and appearances. “Wow—you guys went through some Hell, didn’t ya?” He gave a whistle between his teeth. “Hiking…climbing around in caves…Quat’s a lot tougher than he looks, isn’t he?” Trowa smirked affectionately. “Y’got that right. He’s a lot more than just a shrewd lawyer.” As true as that might be, I couldn’t help but recall the times I’d seen the blonde in action in the courtroom, and reflect on just how shrewd he really was. He was nothing less than brilliant. “Barton—you really have to attend a trial sometime, and see Winner in action. Trust me—he’s as tough inside the courtroom as outside it.” Was that a hint of jealousy that raced across Duo’s face? Good! It was about time he knew how I felt when he traded those warm looks with Barton. Wufei turned from stirring up pancake batter. “So when you made it to Winner property, I take it that’s when you dreamed up whatever plan you’re in the middle of executing.” Trowa nodded. “Quatre decided I should go to the circus, while he went back to the city. He can coordinate with Captain Po, call me at the circus, and have me contact you guys here. There’s no way the FBI or anyone else would catch on to the flow of information, because it’s perfectly normal for me to be at the circus and calling Catherine at fairly regular intervals.” “Are you sure Winner made it to the city safely?” “He called my cell phone from the parking lot there—just a single ring to let me know he’d arrived.” The relief on Barton’s face was obvious—almost as obvious as his attachment to the handsome lawyer. “So we’re staying put here?” Duo noted. “Great! This place is awesome.” I saw the glance that passed from Wufei to Catherine and hid my own smile at the fact that Duo wasn’t the only one elated by the plan. “After breakfast, I can show you the beach, Tro’!” “Not on that foot!” Wufei and I said in unison, sharing sheepish looks afterwards. “Seriously, Duo,” I said more gently. “You can’t be hopping around and risking putting weight on it today. You should stay in the house and relax.” “Besides,” Trowa spoke up. “I’ve seen the beach before, love. And I should hit the road by noontime, if I’m going to meet up with the circus at their next stop.” “But, you just got here, and—.” Duo bit it off sharply, frowning and looking down at the floor. “Yeah, fine—whatever,” he mumbled. I thought maybe I knew where his sudden discomfort originated, and I slid my chair closer to his. “I know you’d like to spend time with Trowa,” I said with as much understanding as I could muster. “After all, he’s your best friend, and you’ve been stuck with two anal-retentive cops for days now.” “That’s not—,” he began, looking up sharply. I held up a hand to silence him. “It’s okay,” I assured him. “You’re allowed to have friends, Duo. But even Trowa knows that keeping you safe and alive is even more important than you two having time to hang out together, y’know?” He nodded, looking up at me from under his bangs. And it amazed me that I could read him well enough to know that he’d been afraid I’d be resentful of his wanting time with Trowa. Truth be told, I was a tiny bit resentful—or maybe envious—of the closeness they still shared. But I also knew that if I let myself feel that way, it would only push Duo away from me. He had so much history with Barton that it was fairly useless to resent their intimacy. And if Duo thought I did, it would only make him think I didn’t trust him. “When we get back to the city for the trial, you’ll have a chance to see each other, I’m sure.” Duo flashed me a grateful smile. “That’d be good.” I reached to squeeze his hand reassuringly, and then got up and headed for Chang’s side. “Why don’t you let me take over?” I suggested, taking the spatula from his hand, and eyeing the sizzling pancakes. “You and Catherine should eat first, so you can go get some rest.” He gave a curt nod of acknowledgement, and speared a couple of the finished pancakes off a dish on the counter, making a plate for Catherine, and one for himself. While they ate, Duo began telling Trowa about our own harrowing escape across the lake, complete with sound effects and expansive gestures. He glossed over his own actions, elaborating instead on how well Chang and I had worked as a team, and what exceptional shots we both were. And his vivid description of the airborne speed boat was far more impressive than the actual event had been. By the time he had us racing through the forest on ATVs, Wufei and Catherine both excused themselves, complimenting his storytelling technique, before heading for their respective rooms. Trowa laughed at all the right places, shook his head in disbelief a time or two, and made open-mouthed expressions of awe at appropriate events, while I just drank in the sound of Duo’s voice. The tone as he described the brief visit to Howard’s was warm with affection, and then when he related how we’d procured a hotel room in the sleazy part of town, it slipped into a harsher, cooler sound, only to fill with wonder as he described seeing the ocean for the first time. I could have listened to him talk forever, and never
tired of the sound of his voice; and that was just one of a million
reasons I was determined to find a way to keep him in my life after
the trial.
tbc... |
