CONSPIRACY
PART I
TREACHERY ON L2
Disclaimers: I don't own GW or its characters (licensed by Bandai Entertainment and owned by Sunrise, Sotsu Agency, etc, etc).
NOTES: Couples (possible, wishful thinking, implied and actual) RPX1, 1X4, 2X5X2, 2X4, 3X4X3, 3XOC, RPX4, 2X5X4, but remember appearances can and will be deceiving….for instance, Duo and Quatre are not sluts, though from the foregoing it would appear to be so. Is this confusing enough for everyone? Also 1+2+3+4+5, the boys are pretty good friends by now. The prequel fic ARTIFICE will be referred to in the following chapters. Warnings: R rating for Part I, Yaoi, hints of NCS, lime, definite violence (this is treachery after all). I think that's all for now. As always, comments are welcome.
CHAPTER 1
It was yet another "diplomatic mission" that Relena had convinced Quatre Winner to take with her.
But Relena had found herself growing more dependent on the young Winner heir, she valued his diplomatic talents as well as his empathy. And she found herself beginning to appreciate his company more and more, especially since it also afforded her the opportunity to see Heero Yuy. Heero, formerly one of her own bodyguards, had had himself reassigned to Quatre Winner's security unit after the assassination attempt on Quatre about four months ago. Heero scowled as much as ever, but Relena knew she still felt attracted to him and it was good to see him again, even if he would be gone, returning to L4 with Quatre, after these meetings were finished.
//Ah, well,// Relena smiled to herself as her maid finished putting her hair up, //that may change soon. And Quatre is quite a good companion and fellow ambassador, I am really enjoying his companionship also. Too bad…but hopefully I will be seeing more of Heero soon….it all depends on if things work out according to my plans. And for now, if we can just keep Duo from speaking his mind at inopportune times….//
It had been a hectic three weeks and the last stop of this round of meetings and talks was the L2 Cluster.
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Heero Yuy straightened his tie and then grimaced at himself. He really wished Quatre would quit the diplomatic scene as he hated having to dress every day during these meetings in a suit and tie. At least at Winner Enterprises, Quatre did not care how he dressed and he and Duo Maxwell, the second-in-command to the Winner heir's security team, were able to "dress down" and were much relieved at not having to wear a Preventer uniform or business suits.
He turned from the mirror and started out of his room, which was just one in the suite currently occupied by the Winner Entourage. //Quatre Raberba Winner,// Heero found himself reflecting, //Heir to Winner Enterprises and all the other vast holdings owned by his deceased father; diplomat and ambassador at Relena Peacecraft's request; former Gundam-pilot….and the love of my life. And I've never let him know…too damn afraid to let it show, to even begin to tell him…//
Those thoughts scattered as he heard Duo exit his room on the other side of Quatre's. Only Heero and Duo were accompanying Quatre as bodyguards at these meetings. Two ex-Gundam pilots were worth a force of 10 according to Zechs Marquise, though Heero snorted at that comment. And of course, Quatre was also an ex-Gundam pilot and could take pretty good care of himself too. (See ARTIFICE fic.) Still Heero knew that he felt better when he and Duo were safeguarding Quatre than when any of the other members of Quatre's security team were on the job, even Rashid and a number of his Maguanacs. Heero knew Duo, Duo knew him and they both knew Quatre….better than anyone else except Trowa. And of course Wufei. All the pilots knew each other quite well after fighting and living together during the wars….//And I finally fell for Quatre…hard…// Heero sighed to himself as Duo greeted him cheerfully.
"Hn…" Heero responded shortly.
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L2's leaders were an eclectic mixture of people, some were from the faction that sought to bring a more "civilized" image to the roughhewn reputation of L2 and some were of the opinion that that very roughneck character was what had seen the cluster through some very desperate years. Of course no one denied that homelessness and crime needed to be addressed, but that didn't bar the fact that two of the "commission" members representing L2 looked like they came from its toughest section, even down to their beards, tattoos and scars, not to mention their clothing or the lack of it.
Quatre Winner and Relena Peacecraft met the L2 Commission on the steps of a recently constructed building that tried to look as if it was an important government centre, yet it failed in some way, as it looked out of place.
Relena had her arm linked through Quatre's, presenting an united front to some of the less receptive members of the Commission.
Though Heero, standing just a few feet behind Quatre, thought that for some reason, Relena was clinging just a little too tightly to Quatre. Heero knew Relena well enough to know that she was neither nervous nor frightened. Heero mentally shook his head at himself. Since Relena and Quatre had been working together for the last few weeks or so, she had seemed to embrace Quatre more frequently, spend more than the necessary time with him during social functions (including almost every dance) and just generally smile brightest when looking at the young Winner heir. Still, it was not just his imagination he told himself, the news media had started asking if there was romance in the air for the two and there had even been an editorial that such a match would be very good for the future of both the earth and the colonies. Heero had thought just a few weeks ago he would perhaps try to get closer to Quatre than just as his bodyguard and friend…try to see if Quatre might return some of the deep-seated sentiments he felt for the blond young man. It was Duo who had encouraged him to do so, getting Heero's hopes up that perhaps Quatre wasn't all that interested in the ladies.
Heero glanced at Duo, who was sticking closely to Quatre's side. Duo caught his glance and grinned the patented Maxwell smirk. //Braided baka,// thought Heero, //if Quatre's not interested in the ladies, why does it seem like he and Relena have become an item lately?// Heero scowled at Relena's back, then considered, //Quatre certainly does not discourage Relena's attentions. Though to be honest he does not seem to encourage them either. He's always such a gentleman….//
Heero's thoughts were rudely interrupted by the voice of one of the less savory characters who passed as a representative on the L2 Commission, "Why, ain't ya' a sweet one, now?"
Quatre and Relena had been looking to the front of the building's pillared entrance as they had started to climb the final few stairs with the Commission and go into the building. Quatre and Relena both looked back to the speaker, to whom they had been introduced to just a moment before.
Quatre spoke coldly, "It is understood that you are a duly elected representative and member of this Commission for L2, however, that is no way to address a lady…."
"Who said I was addressin' th' lady?" the man leered.
Heero felt a flash of anger cut through him. Not that Quatre would have any trouble dealing with this bastard, but Heero did not like the man's looks and certainly not his intent.
But it was Duo who spoke up and his voice was flat with a hint of his own anger, "I remember you Gerardo…and you probably will remember me. Back off until you can learn some manners…if that is possible."
"It's alright Duo," Quatre spoke quietly but he frowned at the hairy, tattooed individual, "Sir, if we intend to do business with this Commission, you will have to keep your mind on what is important for L2 and not on some excursion into your personal observations. If you cannot do that, perhaps you should excuse yourself today from this Commission's deliberations."
"Oh, I can keep my mind on business if'n I please, but I still say ya're a pretty one and maybe after th' meetin' you and I could….."
Relena's voice suddenly cut in, "Excuse me, sir" and her use of the word "sir" was laced with contempt, "Mr. Winner is not available, IF you get my meaning. Now let's go inside and get down to brass tacks." She possessively took a tighter hold on Quatre's arm.
The L2 roughneck eyed Quatre one more time in a manner that had Heero wanting nothing so much as to feel his fist connect with the man's nose; in fact he his hands clenched so tightly that the nails cut into his palms, but then the man shrugged slightly and said, "Can't blame a fella for tryin' "
Quatre and Relena turned away, refusing to give the man any more of their consideration at this point.
Duo and Heero moved quickly to follow, Heero now moving up to Quatre's side and Duo dropping back to follow Quatre from behind. They often switched places unexpectedly, it gave them different viewpoints as they watched for any threats and changing places gave them both the opportunity to scan where the other had a moment before.
Relena's bodyguards also moved with her. One of Relena's bodyguards turned back to glance quickly at the L2 thug that followed. Heero knew the bodyguard from the time he had served on Relena's security force, and he spoke in an undertone to the man, "We'll all keep an eye on him, Smithson."
Smithson nodded in silent agreement.
TBC…..