Title: Arcanum

Author: Retep

Pairings: 3x2

Rating: R...but not now...later. I'll warn ya

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, and I probably wouldn't know what to do with it if I did. No money is made on my part...wow that is depressing...yet true.

Feedback: If you have the time to write it, I have the time to read it.

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"Ring.  Ring."

Duo felt around for the alarm clock without opening his eyes.

"Ring.  Ring."

After fumbling around he found it and slapped the snooze bar.

"Ring. Ring."

"The hell," he mumbled as he reluctantly opened both eyes and glanced at the clock.  It was 4 am, and that wasn't his alarm clock, it was his door.

"Ring Ring."

            They couldn't have found me already; I ran every security program in the known universe.  Damn. Better safe than sorry, he thought as he grabbed the handgun under his pillow and made for the front door.  He padded to the door on his bare feet as lightly as he could manage, and peered out of the spy hole.  It appeared to be a cop, but he was wearing an L-1 uniform and this was L-3.  Duo wasn't afraid of cops; however, he was afraid of former Organization members posing as cops.  Duo backed away from the door and readied his gun.  Before he could decide what to do about the situation, the man behind the door spoke.

            "I know you are there, you're still not quiet enough on your feet.  Seriously Duo, are you really going to leave an old comrade freezing at your front door?"

            Duo lowered his gun slowly as recognition of the voice hit him.  "Trowa...," he called, "is that really you?"

            "Last time I checked. Now how about putting down that gun and letting me in?"

            Duo almost put the gun down on a nearby chair, but thought better of it and kept it in his hand.  After all, he didn't really know Trowa that well, and it had been a while. Out of all of the Gundam pilots, Duo was the least comfortable around Trowa.  He never could quite figure out what Trowa had planned until he actually did it.  That was enough to make Duo wary of him.

            "Did you forget about me or something?"

            Duo mumbled a curse as he was jolted out of his thoughts by Trowa's voice.  He undid the chain and deadbolt, and took a deep breath.  He sure hoped he wasn't making a mistake letting this guy in.  Well at least I'll die as a hospitable person, that might get me some points in case there is something after this life, he thought as he opened the door.  The sight that greeted him was startling. 

                        It was definitely Trowa, but he had changed so much.  Besides the shock of seeing him in an L-1 uniform, he was also taller and filled out.  That bothered Duo a little, as if Trowa had purposefully grown taller just to intimidate him.  Trowa also had what appeared to be a scar from a knife wound running down the side of his face.  Looks like I'm not the only one who has had it rough lately.  Trowa was looking at him expectantly.  Duo knew he should probably give some sort of greeting but the only words that he could find were, "How did you know I was holding a gun?"

            Trowa smirked, "Because I have been doing my homework on you, and with your recent escapades, I would have been amazed if you hadn't been."

            "So are you here to arrest me?"

            Trowa let his smirk fade, but kept a mocking look in his eyes, "Not at the moment, but if you don't invite me out of this freezing weather I might be inclined to change my mind."

            "Looks like you gained a sense of humor since the last time that I saw you.  Yeah come on in...um, you'll have to excuse the mess; I'm in the process of unpacking."

            Duo backed away from the door and Trowa stepped in to the house.  It really was a mess, dishes were stacked in the sink, clothing was scattered around on chairs and the floor. A few boxes looked as if they were in the process of being emptied, but forgotten about half way through.  Looks like Duo's attention span hasn't changed much, Trowa thought.  He quickly finished scanning the room and seated himself in a chair across from the couch that Duo was sitting on.  It has been a while since he had seen Duo, about six years has passed since the last battle they had fought together in.  You wouldn't have guessed it looking at Duo though; he hadn't really changed a bit.  A little taller, yes, but still the braided lanky smartass that he remembered.  He waited for Duo to speak first, mostly because despite the preparation he gave himself on the way over, he didn't have a clue where to begin.

            "So I am dying in anticipation Trowa, why have you graced my doorstep with your presence at four in the morning?  More importantly, how did you find me?  Wait, more importantly than that, what the hell are you doing in that creepy uniform?"

            "What do you say I answer that onslaught of questions in reverse order," Trowa began.  "I am in this 'creepy uniform' as you call it, because it's the easiest way for me to get information from people on the street.   I do work as a detective for the L-1 police department, but the uniform is not part of the normal wardrobe.  Actually, the branch that I work for in the department is not publicaly recognized, so it is easier for me to just pose as a patrol officer."

            "What happened to the circus?"  Duo interrupted.

            "It seems that I am one of those people that can't stay put."

           
            "Doesn't the circus travel?"

            "Do you want me to answer your original questions or not?" The tone of Trowa's voice conveyed his irritation.

            "Still touchy huh Trowa?" Duo grinned and held up his hands defensively, "Sorry I'll be good I promise."

            Trowa rolled his eyes and continued, "Anyway, finding you was a little bit of a problem.  I actually had to go through a few of your old...acquaintances.  They told be that you had botched a job for the company you worked for, and that you had to leave in a hurry to apply for a new job.  One of the guys I was talking to looked like he knew a little more than he was sharing with me.   So I asked this guy, Ryan was his name I believe, were you would go to hunt for this "new job".  Seems that you felt the need to confide in someone about who you really worked for.  In his defense he kept his mouth shut for at least an hour, but I can be rather persuasive when I want to be."  Trowa noticed the anger that flashed in Duo's eyes, "Relax Duo, I didn't touch him, I just threatened him to the point he turned white.  Besides, he is now safe and sound in police custody."

            "Gee, your too kind Trowa," Duo said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

            "Why thank you.  And as for your last question, I am here to ask you for your help."

            "My help?  Do you really think that half banging down my door at 4 am, and telling me how you scared my friend half to death, is a good way to ask me for my help?"

            "Well, when you put it that way, I guess that I could have tried to have been a bit more considerate.  But perhaps you will forgive me after I have told you what it is that I want from you, and what I am prepared to give you in return."

            Duo cocked an eyebrow, this was getting interesting.  Truth be told, he was getting tired of having to jump around colonies to avoid his former squad members.  He had botched the job his boss had given him on purpose.  He knew that it involved killing a rival weapon's smuggler, but he did not know that he would have to bump off the guy's entire family in order to accomplish the mission until it was too late.  They were planning to use explosives on the smuggler's house; however no one mentioned that his wife and children were residing in there as well.   When he failed to heed his squad leader's orders to detonate the explosives he was immediately marked as a traitor. Since then members of his former squad always seemed to be showing up, looking for a good moment to kill him off he supposed. Not that I can blame them, Duo thought. I know too much about the Organization and with me on the loose they are running a huge risk.  If what I know ever got into the government's hands then....then....wait a minute!

            Everything snapped together in Duo's mind and he smiled ruefully.  "Trowa Barton, your asking me to be a rat aren't you?  That's why your here isn't it?" Duo chuckled, "Well you can forget it.  That would be driving nails into my own coffin. And although life might suck for me right now, I think it beats the alternative."

            "Are you so sure Duo?  You really like living like this?" Trowa gestured toward the moving boxes. "You can't run forever, and I am offering you a way out.  If you help me, I can protect you."

            Duo doubled over in a fit of laughter and Trowa eyed him coldly.  Duo always was difficult for him to deal with. 

            "Hahaha...you...your going to protect me from them?  What the hell makes you think you can do that?  Besides I think that I am doing a just wonderful job of dealing with my own problems, thank you very much."

            "Well what would you say if I told you that I can guarantee that members from your former squad are on their way here right now?"

            Duo immediately stopped laughing and became serious, "What?  How?"

            "You worked with highly trained people Duo, and you weren't the only hacker there were you?  Whatever security system you come up with, they can crack.  I know, I have been trying to track the Organization since before you joined them and they have some of the most brilliant minds working for them. The squad that you were on was only the hands and feet of the Organization.  You probably never even saw the mind.  I'm amazed you're alive right now.  That is why I am here at 4 am; I came as soon as I figured out where you would go.  And trust me if I know where you are, then they can't be very far behind. You have underestimated the Organization, and if I hadn't of come along it would have cost you your life.  Duo, I need you to make a decision, and I need you to make it now." 

            Trowa paused, and waited for Duo's reply.  Duo leaned back in his chair and shut his eyes, as he rubbed his temples. Deep down he knew that it was only a matter of time until the Organization would finally catch up with him, he just didn't count on it being so soon.   He could feel a major headache coming on, so rather than thinking about Trowa's offer; he concentrated instead on trying to kill Trowa with his mind.  Unfortunately, he had no telekinetic powers that he knew of, but he figured it was at least worth a shot.  Finally, he cracked open his eyes.  Nope. No good. He's still there.  Well, time to face facts, he has me trapped.  And I don't really think him spontaneously combusting would help my situation very much anyway.

            Duo let out an exasperated sigh, and straightened up in his chair. "All right Trowa, state your terms."

            "Gladly, but we need to move to a more secure location, your old friends will be arriving shortly, and I'm sure that they won't have too much trouble finding you.   A shuttle is leaving for L-1 in forty minutes, and we will be on it."

            "Twenty minutes?  That leaves me no time to pack!"

            "Nonsense Duo, it leaves you exactly five minutes to pack.  I'd get a move on if I were you.  I'll meet you out front."  Trowa stood up and walked to the door.  As he was exiting he turned around, "Oh by the way Duo…it's good seeing you again."

            "Wish I could say the same to you," Duo murmured as soon as the door clicked shut behind Trowa.

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Thats it for now. I am going to shoot for a chapter a week. Drop me a line if you have a chance and let me know what you think so far.

-Retep