Does It Matter?
unknownangel
A/N: HI! lol. This is my first GW fic. I've loved the anime for years and I'm just now starting to write them. Anyway, I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue
Pairings: 1x2, 3x4
Chapter 1: Reuniting
Three years. It's been three years since the Mariemaia Incident. Two years ago, we were together. After that, we split up and tried to do something. Tried to find a place where we belong. I think I did. I'm not sure about the others though. We sort of lost contact with each other. At least, that's what I like to think. I know it's not true though. Trowa stayed with Quatre, doing God knows what. Wufei is with Sally and the Preventers. Heero…Heero Yuy, the Perfect Solider, the Zero pilot, robot-like, nonsocial, son of a…oh sorry, got a bit carried away. Anyway, I think he's Relena bitch Peacecrafts' bodyguard.
Heh. Everyone's with someone. Everyone but me. Duo Maxwell, Shinigami, the God of Death, Deathscythe pilot; is too annoying and loud to have someone. Or…maybe I was meant to be alone. Solo…Sister Helen…Father Maxwell. I know they didn't mean to leave. I just wish…they were here. Hilde lived with me at one point, about six months ago. Poor girl, couldn't handle my hyper-activeness and messiness for very long. She moved out and moved in with her boyfriend. After that, I moved here, to Seattle, Washington. It's very beautiful here. I really like it here.
Rain fell lightly in the city. It was early morning; gray clouds rolled across the sky. A shift in the corner signaling someone in the room. Duo turned over and stared at the ceiling, listening to the rain. A moment later he sighed then got out of bed and walked to his kitchen; his long, chestnut brown flowing behind him. He moved slowly, dragging his feet, and making a cup of hot chocolate.
BEEP, BEEP
He heard as he watched the water heat up in the microwave. He growled then combed hi fingers through his hair and quickly braided it. then he walked to the vid-phone and picked up the receiver, he yawned just as the picture came up.
"Duo, it's been awhile," said a feminine voice. When Duo stopped yawning, he looked at the screen, then smiled slightly.
"Well if it isn't Commander Une. How've ya been?" he asked. She chuckled quietly.
"Pretty good. Listen, I know you aren't with the Preventers, and I hate to ask you so just know you can refuse. Duo raised an eyebrow. Now he was wide awake, and curious. What did the Preventers want with him? He nodded signaling her to continue.
"For security reasons I can't give you details but, we figured you would be best for this mission. We will pay you for your time and I'll talk with your editor." She said. Duo narrowed his amethyst eyes. 'They' thought 'he' would be best? Who was 'they'? And…
"How do you know about my editor?" Une chuckled again.
"Don't worry Duo; I'm the only one who knows. You'd get to see the others again," she said quietly, smiling softly. Duo looked up, eyes slightly wide, before looking down.
"Do they want to see me?" he asked voice soft. She sighed.
"Honestly Duo, I don't know. If it means anything, they were the ones who said you would be best for the job. "Duo looked up then sighed.
"When do I leave?" he asked as he smiled gently up at her. She smiled.
"I'll have you scheduled to leave tonight at Five. You know where the Preventers base in Seattle is right?" Duo nodded.
"Okay I'll contact them and tell them to be expecting you. Then someone will pick you up from the airport here."
"Roger that Commander," Duo said as he lazily saluted, smiling insanely. She chuckled.
"Heh. I'll see you soon," he said with amusement in his voice. After she nodded in acknowledgement, her face disappeared from the screen. Duo sighed. Well…might as well start packing. He then made his way to his bedroom, dragging his feet along the floor. Hot chocolate, forgotten.
Commander Une sighed after hanging up. I didn't think it would take that much convincing. She though.
Knock, Knock
"Come in." The doors opened and in walked her secretary.
"Commander?"
"Schedule the flight for Duo Maxwell." The woman nodded, before starting out.
"Oh, Commander?" Brown eyes flickered back to the woman standing in the doorway.
"Which file?"
"GP- 02." The secretary's eyes widened.
"Another gundam-"
"Yes, now go!" With that, the secretary scurried off closing the doors on her way out.
Duo...what happened? I'd been wondering why he wasn't here, I think I got my answer. Une sighed. I shouldn't have asked him too come here.
Duo sighed as he sat back against the seat on the shuttle. Why am I going? They…hmm…she said 'they'. Does …does that mean that that…all of them are there? He looked out the window and watched the scenery pass as they took off.
"Mr. Maxwell?" Duo looked over to the Preventer.
"Would you like something to eat or drink?" The braided teen shook his head and turned back to the window.
"Mr. Maxwell, we're about to land." Duo opened his eyes then stretched. When did I fall asleep? He shrugged. After the shuttle landed, he slowly got off then walked into the hanger, then continued to the Commanding Officers' office in the base. As he walked, he saw people, soldiers, start whispering and pointing, but he ignored them.
"Hi! Mr. Maxwell!" Duo stopped then stared at the slightly bouncing and beaming face in front of him.
"Uh...hi."
"My name's Aaron. I'm here to escort you to the CO's office and then to the Preventers Headquarters." Duo tuned him out. This guy was hyper. He looked about a year younger than him but still! He looked around discreetly. Hmm…I don't think these guys like him very much. The other soldiers were glaring and whispering horrible things from what Duo could tell. He sighed as they started walking. Has he shut up yet?
"…very excited you…" Nope.Duo followed the other, Aaron, not listening as he talked a mile a minute, then gave a whoop of joy, on the inside of course, when they reached the CO's office.
"Ah! Mr. Maxwell, come in. No Aaron, stay out." With that, Duo walked in and looked around before his eyes settled on the man in front of him. He had black, short hair, brown eyes and had a mean face. He looked about 47 or so and still in shape.
"Here, have a seat Mr. Maxwell." Duo raised an eyebrow. This guy…I don't trust him. Duo smiled forcefully.
"Nah, I've been sitting too long. Need to stand ya know?" he said. The CO shrugged.
"Well, welcome to the Sanc Kingdom. Or really, welcome back. I'm Colonel Schwartz, CO of this base." Duo nodded. He was starting to get impatient.
"I trust you had a good flight?" Duo nodded again.
"Good well, I just thought I'd introduce myself since you'll probably be seeing me a lot. Aaron!" The door opened.
"Yes Colonel?"
"Get our guest to Commander Une. She's expecting him." Aaron saluted him then walked out with Duo following.
Augh. My head. Duo thought. He felt the formation of headache when they left the CO's office, and now it was getting worse. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. Aaron was still talking.
"Mr. Maxwell, can I take you bags for you?" he asked excitedly as they walked the doors to a car. Hn. Those other guys were glaring too. Wonder why. He thought sarcastically. He had a pretty good idea of why!
"No, I'm fine." Duo stated. This guy must be new.
"You sure Mr. Maxwell? I was instructed to make sure your trip to Headquarters is relaxing and peaceful for you. I could take your bag for you. Mr. Maxwell! Mr. Max-" Duo stopped and whirled around to face the shorted teen. Surprise showed on his face.
"I said I'm fine. Stop following me. Leave me alone! You're annoy-" he stopped, eyes wide. He looked at Aaron and saw that his eyes held fear and confusion. He's just like me. That's shy…why no one contacted me. Why no one stayed with me. Why they always yelled at me. Why…why I never had friends growing up. I…I never listened to them. I guess…I was meant to be alone. Duo sighed. I've sighed so many times today, it's not funny. He then looked back at Aaron.
"Let's go. All right? I'm hungry." Aaron smiled wearily.
"Commander Une is hosting a party of sorts, so there should be food there. "
"Then I guess we'll have to hurry." Duo smiled as they got into the car.
About five minutes into the ride Duo glanced at Aaron then back out the window.
"So…" he started, "Why doesn't anyone like you there?" Aaron visibly froze.
"You noticed?" he asked quietly be fore chuckling softly. "I guess you would I mean you were a gundam pilot." Duo looked at him questioningly.
"The way I act."
"That's it?" Duo asked. Aaron nodded.
"Yeah. That's it."
"…Damn. They wouldn't like me then either." Aaron looked at him sharply before looking at the road again.
"Why? You're a gundam pilot. You're cool, they like you." Duo laughed.
"On a good day, I'd been acting like you." Aaron glanced at him.
"Either way, they'd still like you. You're a gundam pilot."
"Yeah well, that's not something I'm exactly proud of." Aaron looked at him confused.
"Why not? You guys saved us."
"I did a lot of things I'm not proud of. All those people I killed." Duo's voice got softer as he spoke.
"Mr. Maxwell, no one blames you because of it, you know that right?" Duo looked up.
"Yeah…maybe, but that doesn't stop self hatred."
"Well, here we are. I've gotta get back. Good luck with your mission Mr. Maxwell."
Dou got out of the car and turned back.
"You take care."
"I will Mr. Maxwell." Duo chuckling.
"Duo. Call me Duo. Oh, and if those guys give you any trouble tell them you're friends with me." Duo smiled. Aaron returned the smile and nodded. Duo shut the door then watched Aaron drive
off, before turning and walking into the Preventer Headquarters.
As the braided ex-pilot walked through the lobby to the security desk, he looked around. Hmm... nice. I like what they've done with it. he thought as he reached the desk. The security guard looked up.
"Ah. Mr. Maxwell, Commander Une's been expecting you." Duo sighed. Why was everyone calling him that?
"Follow him upstairs." Said the guard as he pointed at a Preventer that just came out of an elevator. After about thirty floors a soft, high-pitched ding was heard and the doors opened. Duo looked around the room; it was small but big enough so it wasn't suffocating.
"This way Mr.-"
"Just lead the way," Duo said tiredly. The Preventer nodded then started walking through the crowd of people.
"Duo's here." Quatre looked at Trowa then in the direction the green-eyed ex-pilot nodded, the others doing the same. Duo stood talking with Commander Une.
"Damn! She took us seriously," Wufei said somewhat irritated.
"Wufei! That's not nice. I was serious," Quatre said looking down. Trowa wrapped an arm around his waist and hugged him. Heero said nothing, just watched Duo. His hairs' longer. He thought. Wufei sat down and crossed his arms across his chest.
"Either way," Trowa said, "he's here." Quatre nodded then stood. Heero watched as Une excused herself and left Duo standing there.
Duo smiled gently at Une when he got to her.
"You're dismissed," she said to the Preventer next to him, before turning to Duo and returning his smile.
"Welcome Duo. I trust your flight was okay?" Duo nodded.
"Good. Well, after this get together we'll meet in the briefing room. The other's as well. I'd give you a night to rest but…"
"Nah. I understand. No problem." Duo said reassuringly. Une smiled in relief.
"Okay. Well, have fun. Excuse me." Duo waved slightly before he felt eyes on him. He turned and locked eyes immediately with Heero Yuy. He jumped slightly from the intense way the ex-pilot was staring at him before he took a deep breath and put a fake smile on. He hoped they wouldn't notice as he walked over to the four Preventers.
Quatre smiled sincerely as Duo walked to them.
"Hello Duo. How've you been?" he asked. Duo shrugged.
"Pretty good. Can't complain." He replied.
"That's good. Where do you live? What do you do?" asked the blonde as he led the braided teen to a chair and sat down.
"I live in Seattle, but I can't tell you what I do," he said smirking. Wufei snorted.
"Yeah. You probably don't even have a job," he spat. Heero didn't miss the look of hurt that passed through the ex-pilots violet eyes, before a high-pitched squeal cut through the quiet atmosphere.
"Heero! There you are!" Duo cringed. Relena…damn…I was hoping I wouldn't have to see her. Duo thought before he put his fake smile back on.
Duo sat quietly, staring at the ground not really listening to the conversation.
"…uo. Duo!" He jumped.
"What?" he asked. Everyone was staring at him. Quatre, with worry; Wufei and Relena were glaring; and Heero and Trowa, questioningly.
"Duo, are you okay?" Quatre asked concerned. Duo looked at them all again before he turned his eyes back to Quatre.
"I'm just tired from my flight," he said. The blonde ex-pilot nodded. Duo doesn't lie. Duo smiled. Nope, he doesn't lie. He just doesn't say the whole truth…sometimes. Then Commander Une came over.
"Duo come with me," she said. The teen nodded then stood.
"I'll be back," he said as he followed the Commander.
"Duo, what's wrong?" Duo looked around the room. It was nice. One wall of windows overlooking the brightly lit city. Duo opened his mouth to speak.
"You've been quiet Duo. Knowing you, you'd have already tried two pranks and have had Wufei chase after you for something by now. You aren't acting like yourself, so don't say you're fine." Duo sighed, then looked down.
"I don't want to be here," he whispered. "I feel like…like I'm not wanted here. I…I shouldn't have come."
"Why do you feel like that? Why did you come then?"
"Because!" he exclaimed, surprising her, then quietly adding, "because I thought...I…I didn't want to believe it."
"Believe what Duo?" Une asked softly.
"Believe that they left me. I…I thought I had finally gotten friends. Real friends; that wouldn't leave but…I was wrong. We went our separate ways, but they got back together. What…what about me?" he asked sadly. "I don't wanna be alone anymore." Une looked at him sympathetically. She shouldn't have asked him to come. He looks so broken and lost…she thought.
"I'm so sorry Duo. I didn't realize…if you want to go home you can." Duo shook his head,
"No. I'm going to do this mission. My personal life won't get in the way." He said sternly. Une nodded.
"Okay Duo. You can stay in here if you want. The meeting will start in thirty minutes." She stood. Duo nodded as she walked out and shut the door behind her. Duo sighed. What the hell am I doing?
A/N: YAY!! I thought it was cute. Anyway enough of my opinion. What do you think of it? REVIEW PLEASE!!
unknownangel
