Dragon77 is in the leads reviewing 3 times, followed by Duoloopo. This silly fact is brought to you by Duo Maxwell.
As of right now Chi has dropped off the face of the universe, and the other person who mentioned taking a crack at it. Well, I never herd from her to begin with. So I was right, SCREW to this whole beta thing. It's just not working out. You people are just going to have to deal; Chi I appreciated the earlier job you did, thank you.
However, at this point, I really do not care. College, getting kicked out because I'm not a drunk geek, jobless, my pet is dying, and mother fuckers calling me early in the bloody morning asking me if I want to job but with a catch 22. Catch 22 being a large lump sum of money I do not have. All you who have family to fall back on, are lucky fucking bastards. That reminds me, if I do not update anymore it's because I'm even more depressed then I am now, or homeless because I have no family to turn to.
This fic is brought to you by an unemployed collage student, and therefore has nothing to do with the creators of Gundam, and their universes. Any lawyers sent to my door will be tossed to the annoying aggressive dogs next door.
--
In the past, the boys lives were intertwined by the single mission of peace, even though they retained independent goals. After the war it looked like they'd always remain close. With that thought, Trowa and Quatre became a more active couple. Wufei stopped leaving with out mentioning his plans. Partly having been domesticated by the weaker sex. More specifically, Sally Po.
Hell, even Heero and Duo got together for a little bit. Then Duo left Heero for Hilde and they left for the colony. Heero's he felt like that was Relena's fault, after an incident in the kitchen she didn't give them an ounce of peace. Their little happy family soon drifted apart. They had tried many times to contact Duo, but Hilde always said it was Duo who didn't want to talk to them.
Wufei had blamed Hilde, because she was quote on quote, the weaker sex. It was only Quatre who felt that there was something more going on.
Low and behold, on the day of Hilde's death, Quatre visited Duo. Aggravated beyond the point his lover couldn't console him anymore; blinded by irrationality.
It was noted by Quatre the look of horror on Duo's face when he saw his old war buddy at the door. After a short, whispered fight with Hilde behind the door, Hilde finally let him in.
/"He's upstairs in the study," Hilde's faced looked completely happy, but there was pain behind it. "We had another unexpected guest today, but not for Duo. All I ask is don't wake the baby. I'm sorry Q-Man I must get back to her."/
Hilde's death was due to loss of blood from multiple stab wounds. The person behind the knife either didn't care, or didn't know the right area's to stab for a quick death. Some how Duo managed to survive. All the ex 02's pilots grief centered solely on the four pilots for the intrusion of his life. Little did they know what the self proclaimed Shinigami was capable of the anger department.
That came when Quatre got off on a few technicalities.
Really, that would be the last time the boys would hear from Duo up until his abduction. After attacking Quatre, Duo took his daughter and returned to his junk yard home. There was no clean up crews for crime scenes on the colony so it was left up to Duo to clean up the murder scene. Sally and Une wondered if it would be best to admit the broken boy in the phyc ward for a few days.
Heero defended the man he still loved. Pointing out, that if it wasn't for there interference in the ex 02's life, Hilde would be still alive. Thankfully they took the Japanese man's point and left Duo alone. So the years passed, not having the hyper man around left a void. With work at the Preventors however, that void was soon forgotten.
While on a mission in space, Heero got the call from Duo. As soon as the number popped up the ex 01 pilot knew something was horribly wrong. A twang of dread went through Heero as he accepted the call. There he herd the voices, the gun shots. Why couldn't have been a call to say Duo missed them?
And now here they were, trying to avoid having Trio become an orphan. How would the murder of two parents affect her?
Something stuck in the back of Heero's mind as he went through both the crime scene, and the video's of Duo being held. Why didn't Duo fight off Hilde's murderer? He was poisoned but his body was capable of handling it. The day of his abduction he could have easily over took them, but there was no signs he tried. Very simply, he just surrendered the day of his abduction.
On the videos the ex 02 pilot never rose to his full height to antagonize his captors. Matter of fact how tall was Duo now? Clearly he was a lot taller, and muscular then last he saw the braided haired idiot.
"Tribes of hell, leave Maxwell to describe the desert as hell." Wufei paused as he looked at the digital map of the desert. "We could use Quatre's help tracking down the different nomadic tribes."
"There is only a few left." Heero said dryly snapped out of his revere. "Even fewer are tribes large enough to pull this off. Their mobility will be limited."
It was silent except for the grinding of Heero's teeth, Wufei had a point. It was also because of that exact same point, that their mobility was limited too.
E.U.S.N. police set up many blockades searching vehicles for anything leading to the kidnapping of Duo Maxwell. If they where on the major road someone would spot them. Still many of the desert folk were great smugglers. Quatre's Magunats where good proof of that. For years they had many under ground bases. Even after the war they never discovered all of them. The place Duo was held, an abandoned Magunat base. So this tribe knew to look for bases. Yet, this still could have been an opportunistic moment.
"Satalite imaging, any major movement would kick up enough dust." Wufei said almost a whisper.
A heavy sigh came from Heero as he sagged under the pressure of his emotions. "Illegal, unless justified. Lady Une forbade is to contact the Preventors."
"Fuck."
Heero raised an eyebrow. "You swore."
"Yes, and your showing more emotion then usual." Wufei pointed out. "So it's our day to be uncharacteristic in our behavior."
"Agent Chang, Agent Yui." A young kid came running up to them holding a blue envelope, one of the few people to join Preventors. Agent Jonny was his name. "It's from Lady Une."
Silently Wufei stepped forward and took the envelope. Silently Heero stood behind him stone faced and emotionless. Slowly Wufei began to open the envelope. Agent Jonny began to shift uncomfortable. Every few seconds his freckled face would turn a shade of red then vanish. It was clear the young man wanted to say something. Pausing Wufei made contact with Agent Jonny.
"What is it that you want to ask?"
Shyly the young man shook his head. "Not ask, I just wanted to congratulate you on your baby boy!"
Taken back by Agent Jonny's declaration he looked down at the hard he pulled out partly. Indeed it was celebrating a new arrival. Sheepishly Wufei forced himself to smile. Women were weak, unstable, and if the card justified; they were all insane. Wufei must have been glowering quite fierce at the envelope, because Agent Jonny quickly excused himself. Departing from the two ex pilots quite hastily.
Opening up the card Wufei felt his desperation disappear.
"Sally pregnant again?" Heero dead panned turning to the map. "You guys just had a kid."
Wufei moved over to Heero and dropped the card and the pictures it contained on the map. "It's very honorable to have many kids Heero. Keeps a clan strong."
"That is a big baby boy your having Wufei." Heero mumbled as he stared at the pictures. Not of anyone born or not, but satilite images. "I stand corrected, it's very good timing."
--
Slowly the cart rocked back and forth as it moved slowly over the dunes. Limply Duo lay on his back staring up at the sun pondering the turn of events. Fourteen hours earlier he was being smuggled past E.U.S.N. police. Under threat of blowing up innocent hostages, Duo remained tucked in a hidden compartment. Beside him where two very big bombs. At anytime he could have made a noise, and maybe got his freedom. But at what cost? More lives for just one, it wasn't worth it. Not in his case however. In matter of fact, Duo felt that the world would benefit from his death.
What was worse is that he wasn't hidden to well. E.U.S.N. police removed everyone from the vehicle. Duo was laying under there feet hidden by rotting wooden planks. One girls foot slipped through and while helping her officer Jonny spotted him. On the verge of panic the ex 02 pilot mouthed 'Bombs, hostages, only get preventors. Lady Une, YUI.' It was a tense few moments, he could have swore the officer was going to turn him in. Then he herd footsteps above him as people came back unto the truck.
Thirty miles up the road they blew up the truck continuing by caravan. There were a few horses, but mostly camels. Occasionally a few trucks came by, but it was mainly for security reasons.
Off in the distance some started shouting. The caravan came to a slow halt. Stiffly Duo tried to rise, but paused as he saw a familiar pair of eyes peer over the side. Her name was Adeela, he met her in the truck. She was one of several woman that became his friend. Adeela felt like the tribe lost it's ways. Mixing there religion up with the last wars that came upon them. Like many other woman, she would have left by now. However, that either meant instant death, or left to fend for herself. She was in her seventies she was left trying to care for her granddaughter, Hani'ah.
"We stop, sun will be extra hot today." Adeela whispered careful no men hear her.
As if on queue the men came for the wagon. Letting himself be pulled off, he was dragged to a corner of camp. There he was chained to a post. There as no shade, the ex 02 pilot laughed and looked up at the sun.
"I could use a tan." Duo said to no one in particular.
One if the men kicked dirt at the braided haired man. With obvious disgust the man said something in a language Duo didn't understand, then spat on Duo. That's exactly what the ex 02 pilot needed more filth on him.
"Yeah, fuck you to." Duo mumbled and laid on the ground.
Disdainfully Duo noted how bad he smelt. Blood from countless injuries soaked his pants and his hair. Not to mention sweat, spit, and as much as he hated to admit it, feces. It was doubtful anyone really cared what Duo did when he was out cold. Burying his face in the dirt Duo noted how his skin began to burn. The burning sensation reminded him of thirst. The ex 02 pilot was glad he stopped feeling hunger awhile ago. Defeated Duo turned unto his back, Shinigami would take him before nightfall.
One more sharp kick in the ribs, and the ones who chained him down were gone.
--FlashBack--
The ex 02 pilot bent over a tub, as his young daughter splashed in the tub. A few more months and she'd be a year. Duo's whole life now centered around the little girl. There were no more missions, no more objectives, just Trio. As much as he would have liked, there was no chance of him becoming a Preventor. Now more then ever, he could not face those he thought as friends. Grimly Duo grinned at the baby pulling his braid.
"If you don't stop that your daddy is going to be bald." Duo teased gently pulling his braid from her hand, then hastily making a bun. "You don't want a bald daddy do you."
"NO!" Trio yelled with a giant splash.
In the other room the vid phone began to rang. Muttering curses Heero grabbed the slippery body in the tub and set her on the floor. As soon as the ex 02 pilot reached for the towel she was off. Falling back on his rump he crawled after the child. Flipping over the braided hared man crawled after his daughter.Trio squealed in delight as her daddy through a towel over her and pinned her in his arms. Hugging her tight Duo rocked her back and forth listening to her laughter.
"OH no, no streaking while daddy has a phone call." Duo groaned using the couch to stand.
Trio stuck out her tongue spit flying every where."
"Funny." Tried to look angry, as he kicked the laundry out of the way so he could reach the phone. "Yo, Maxwell here."
"Sorry for bugging you Duo, I need some metal for a big patch job. Er, and a few parts." The old man on the other side paused as he stared off to one side of the screen. "Man she's getting big."
A distorted wide grin crossed Duo's face, Trio was busy pushing on daddies face in an attempt to get down. "That she is, Hcaep, my man, if you can come pick i-"
Hcaep watched from the other side of the screen as Trio disappeared from Duo's arms. The braided haired man giving a wild but futile grab for his daughter. Standing up strait his eyes darted around the room. Guilt was clearly written all over his face. The young mans lips formed the same size O as his eyes were. Sighing deeply the old man shook his head. There was no sound from Trio so the baby must have been fine.
"You dropped her didn't you?" Hcaep asked.
Red-Handed and no possibilities of lying Duo finally responded. "Um, er. FUCK-I can run, I can hide, but I can't tell a lie."
--
"Preventors, what are you doing here?" A U.E.S.N. cop sneered are the two ex pilots seated in a jeep. "Afraid us typical cops can't search a few vehicles. You Preventors got some nerve. Harboring those fucking pilots too don't settle right with me."
Skillfully Heero suppressed the anger he felt towards the arrogant cop. Beside him Wufei's nerves snapped one by one. It was surprising he didn't burst out on the injustice of the police mans actions. That and questioning how honorable of a family Officer Dorel's came from. However, Wufei was very correct in assuming how weak this man was. Deciding Heero opened up his mouth to speak but Dorel continued.
"Tell me AGENT Yui, do YOU know who those bastard Gundam pilots are?" Dorel leaned on the jeeps door. "We might come to some understanding if you just mention some names."
"Look, even if I knew who they were I wouldn't tell you." Heero's voice held a razor like edge. "I have business not of your concern to attend to, now move."
"Sorry I can't do that..." A mischievous chuckle came from Dorel. "I have to do a full vehicle search."
"YUI!" A voice shouted across the compound.
All at once eyes focused on a skinny red-headed young boy as he ran towards the jeep. He carried a box in his hand. Across his face there was a stupid grin. On the way, he nervously made eye contact with other officers. Reaching the jeep he dropped the box on Heero's lap. Scratching his head he made breif eye contact with Dorel.
By how they interacted they could tell Dorel was in much higher standing then the young officer.
The young man began to speak. "Sorry for making you come out here."
"Jonny?" Wufei sputtered the name sounding oddly more like a greeting.
"Yeah," The face blushed red under a layer of freckles. "That's my name don't wear it out."
"You know them?" Dorel said skeptically.
"Yeah these are buddies of my brother Agent Jonny." Sheepishly he played with the sand beneath his feet. "We couldn't really decide what branch of service we wanted to go into so, I became a U.E.S.N. officer... An' well, he became a agent of the Preventors." Jonny's voice suddenly dropped. "And since there is bad mojo between Preventors and U.E.S.N. these two usually sneak packages to my brother. I'msosorry."
"Hmf," Dorel crossed his arms. "Well hurry up and get them on the way. There stinking up the place."
After Dorel walked away Wufei couldn't help but to study Jonny. He was the exact duplicate of Agent Jonny, the one who delivered the message from Lady Une. Again the young man scratched his head. It made Jonny very uncomfortable to have attention focused on him. He was best suited for the back ground, and being unnoticed.
"What you did was very brave honorable." Wufei stated. "Agent Jonny should be proud at your actions."
Shyly Jonny smile. " I am not as brave as my younger brother, and his twin."
"You are not Agent Jonny's twin." Heero made a statement.
Jonny shook his head then said, "Oh no I look nothing like him. You see how much him and his twin look alike."
"JONNY! My office NOW." Dorel voice came over some loud speakers.
"I must go," Jonny quickly departed running towards a small shack.
Heero stepped on the gas leaving the post in the dust. The jeep bounced over the unpaved road as they made there way into the desert. Deep in his heart he was thankful for the help both Jonny's gave him. For right now the ex 01 pilots heart was else where. Mostly on the man he tried to love. No, to be dead honest he still loved. Love that would never be returned, after all this Heero hoped maybe, just maybe, he could get the braided haired man's friendship back.
"We got cookies from Jonny, and quickly scribbled map." Wufei said not showing any emotion. "About twenty-eight miles up we'll find something exploded. There's something like a rocky area Jonny had circled, but that's further up. And in big letters 'There are other hostages.'" There was a small silence. "Inferior map, you think he'd learn better map making skills. Pathetic."
"Officer Jonny got the point across did he not." Heero said flat, but harsh tone.
Wufei nodded. "We should teach the Jonny's map making skills, they could come in use for missions."
Something rare happened, something once in every few years; Heero grined. "Hmn."
"... ... Heero I find you a very honorable man." Wufei began a bit hesitant. "Answer me one thing, how much do you love Duo?"
As soon as the question was asked the Jeep gave a jerk of acceleration. The ex 01 pilots knuckles turned white from gripping the steering wheel. Despite the death grip on the wheel, yet his face showed no betrayal of his emotions. The Chinese pilots inquisition cut down to the truth. What could Heero say? Yes, he loved Duo Maxwell. Fuck, how much was he betraying by his desperation to get to their buddy. Now the matter was should the Japanese man admit his feelings.
"Love makes even the strongest warriors weak." Wufei said firmly as he took a bite of a cookie. "Be careful it does not become your weakness."
"I understand." A simple, clean answer.
"Heero I think we should head to the rocky outline indicated on the map." Wufei suddenly switched subjects. "The desert will not give us much cover. Plus if this map is right, there is no way they'll be able to avoid this rocky torian. As weak as Maxwell is I think he could last a more days till they reach it. "
Weak, not physically weak, mentally weak.
Subconsciously Wufei sneered, he didn't hate Duo really. Yet, there was just something with Duo that didn't sit with well with him. Wufei still viewed most of Duo's dispositions after the war as rash .Actions born mainly out of anger and grief gave the ex 05 pilot more reason to look down on Duo. The ex 02 pilot was best compared to a woman then a warrior. Who would have thought that doctor G would choose someone to fight that wasn't worthy of it.
It was luck that it all turned out.
Closing his eyes Wufei decided it was best to save his strength till they got their destination. Heero didn't need to verbally communicate with him, for the ex 05 pilot to know the change in Heero's path. He had set the make shift map beside them so Heero could look and best guess there location with the mental images of the satalite images.