This will likely be three chapters long, I have 2 and a half written out and chapter three is more of tying up lose ends then anything else really. I really do not write enough fics set in the actual Gundam universe, so many fantasy and horror AUs, besides One Shots so here's one. I hope you all find some entertainment from this short fic. If not I have plenty of other Gundam Wing fics you can peruse, surely there will be one to your liking there.
WarNinGs: Gundam Pilot relationships, not all romantic, mix of Gay and Straight pairings, Hilde is Adorable, that is all.
Aishi Say
"You are the hole in my head
You are the space in my bed
You are the silence in between
What I thought and what I said
You are the night time fear
You are the morning when it's clear
When it's over you're the start
You're my head, you're my heart..."
The beginning of 'No Light, No Light' by Florence and the Machine, I love this song so this will likely show up in other fics. Anyway it should make some sense by the end of this chapter.
AND WOULD YOU NEED ME,
Trowa sighed softly as he stepped out of the cockpit of the white and silver prototype dubbed, Pegasus. The horned white and gold suit dubbed 'Unicorn' stood opposite its future winged counterpart. Various test results scrolled on the tablet's glowing screen held in his left hand, right handed fingers going through the remaining bangs that were not long enough to be tied into a short thick tail. Worn and faded hunter green button down was tied at his waist, black tank top and cargo pants even more alien looking to those who knew him even if just by sight. Thoughtful frown deepen a bit at a note Zechs had scribed in the margins, making a mental note of it for the next time he crossed paths with the taller blond. Right hand absently reaching for his mug, taking a sip of fresh coffee thanks to an app set up by the sometimes over worked engineers. Looking up he tilted his head at Duo, who was staring at him as if the other was somehow surprised he was standing there alive. "Yes Duo?"
"You're not dead," Duo responded still just staring at him, tone not all there.
Trowa blinked since that was not a joking tone, setting his mug back down as he did so, "Clearly, why would you think I was?"
"They found your I.D. on a dead guy," Duo explained, it was not like they just gave their personal I.D. cards to just anyone.
Trowa frowned at Duo, not as confused as before but still lost, "Howard's dead?"
Duo blinked at his friend's question, "No Howard was hurt...you gave your I.D. to Howard? Why?" Howard was trusted and all but Duo did not why Trowa would have given him his card when Howard had his own.
Trowa nodded absently. "He left his back in his office and needed to move between this bay and ours, I didn't." He had planned on working here for a while, and Howard would have returned the card long before he would have had need of it again.
Duo frowned, sounded like Howard he could get a bit too focused on something just like way more normal people, "So you just handed yours over to save him a trip?" It sounded like something he would do, not necessarily Trowa.
Trowa frowned slightly, "He has been very busy with the Sanq prototype models."
"It's just I didn't know you trusted Howard that much." Duo did, and Howard and Zechs had adopted each other but he was not as sure about the others.
"We have worked together more often since I have been working with Zechs while on Earth." Trowa had gotten to know the rather strange man recently, and had no trouble trusting him.
Duo nodded, Howard had been curious about Trowa so it would make sense he would get to know the guy when given the chance. Curiosity mostly satisfied he decided to change the subject a bit, "Sis know?"
"The basics, she is still a civilian," Trowa answered, Duo often asked about his sister so it was nothing new.
"That matter?" Duo had no living family besides the others, and none of them were exactly civilians.
Trowa sighed softly, knowing Duo was not implying anything by the question, "She doesn't want to know the gory details of our lives Duo."
Duo nodded, she could guess just fine, "She would never turn on you. I know Relena is is all distant from Zechs, but your sis is pragmatic not stupid."
Trowa smirked slightly, "And that is why she likes you."
"Duh. So you're really OK?" Duo asked looking his friend over, he didn't look hurt or pale.
"A little stiff, but nothing a day off won't fix. You really thought I was dead because an I.D.?" Trowa asked still amused by the idea.
"The guy is charcoal so yeah. I guess he must have dropped it during the boom, and since it wasn't in the fire it didn't get burned. Hope the guy was dead, or at least out, for that part." Duo frowned when Trowa looked away, pretty sure he had seen and maybe even killed a few people that way. "Anyone besides Howard know you're here?"
Trowa frowned as he considered that for a moment, "Unlikely since he swiped me out when he left four hours ago."
"This is exactly why Preventors H.Q. is no where near Sanq central." Duo had not dealt much with terrorist growing up, soldiers and Mercs acting like bullies was a different matter.
"Any takers?" Trowa asked ignoring Duo's comment, more interested in the attackers.
"The A.G.A claimed it but who knows yet. It was clearly no accident, still not sure if it was targeted at one of us, the techs, the commanders, just general boomage." Duo was more a surprise attack thinker then blow up stuff to make a point type, and he was fine with that.
Trowa nodded in agreement, "It takes time to analyze derbies, who was where, all of that."
"Yeah and it's been less then an hour. Heero is with the Boss Ladies and Zechs working. Wufei will likely be joining him, Cat is probably still freaking out...shit!" Duo swore as he pulled out his phone to text his blond friend. "I totally spaced and forgot he still thinks you're dead...again...whatever."
Trowa rubbed the bridge of his nose, "I do have my cell with me."
"Shut up, if sis thought you were dead would she call, or get her ass here to see you first?" Duo knew Quatre was emotional but he had been freaked out as well, hard to kill was not the same as impossible to after all.
"Call I would hope," Trowa answered evenly, he was still not entirely use to such emotional people or being worried about.
"Too logical," Duo countered, she was fun but she was protective, and protective meant often times overly emotional responses to possible deaths.
Trowa arched a brow, "You just said my sister was..."
"Hey red-head who loves you, illogical is not an insult in this scenario," Duo was not the most rational of people at times either.
"Because she loves me, not because she's a red-head right?" Trowa asked making sure he was following Duo's logic, he was normally pretty good at it now.
"Very good," Duo praised with a grin, pleased Trowa got his teasing. "So whatcha working on there anyway?"
Trowa glanced down at the tablet he had forgotten he was still holding, "Work details, shipment reports, tech work ups, suggested improvements, those short of things."
"Sounds like work," Duo commented frowning, did they ever come here and not work?
"It should since it is," Trowa reminded his friend amused, Duo was not a really a fan of paperwork of any kind.
Duo glanced at the meant to be winged suit before the wingless counterpart, "I guess having teams on Earth will allow us to stay in one place longer. You think we'll each get our own little unit?"
Trowa frowned tilting his head, "You want one?"
Duo shrugged, "Could be cool, and we do outrank everyone but our Boss Ladies and Zechs." He had led raids as a kid so at least he had a little experience.
Trowa frowned for a moment, "Howard hasn't said, but once they both prove themselves more will be commissioned so it is not impossible."
"Would have to get some black ones...we should color code ours," Duo knew that was how things worked, it also would look better on TV reports.
Trowa sighed shaking his head, "I don't care if my unit matches HeavyArm's color scheme or not." He was far more concerned with skill then looks, even if they had all customized their Gundams.
"I would," Duo was a very visual person, something that should surprise no one ever. "It would also visually identify who was ours, and who was just normal Sanq defenders." Every group had different models and colors for visual recondition, impact, etc. A wall of dark painted suits made a different impression then a wall of white ones, unless you were a Star Wars fan maybe.
"Putting targets on ours," Trowa reminded Duo evenly, they wore the targets in the Perventors because their suits could take it.
"Those with the best skill can take it," Duo did not like risking other people, but soldiers signed up for just that.
"You've given this some thought I see," Trowa was not overly surprised, Duo had not grown up thinking like a soldier but he was a quick learner.
Duo fidgeted slightly, "Well Heero's all military thinky so I took a few lessons. He has me to think outside the box, you to back him up, Wufei to keep him honest, and Quatre to keep him human."
"TROWA!" Trowa turned at the call of his name, blinking when Quatre threw his arms around his neck. "You're all right," Quatre felt instantly better with Trowa's solid warmth in his arms, it meant he was really there and safe.
"I'm fine, really," Trowa assured his emotional partner, setting the tablet down before wrapping his arms around the blond.
Quatre looked up at his partner, Trowa's tied back bangs allowing him to clearly see both dark eyes, "Why did.."
"He forgot his and was way too busy to run back and get it. Howard is trustworthy after all," Trowa answered not needing to hear the rest of the question to know what he was being asked.
"When we heard I...but here you are," Quatre did not need any powers to know Trowa was unharmed, a bit rumbled now perhaps.
Trowa smiled reassuringly at his partner, "You worry so much, it's sweet."
"Don't tease me no one knew," Quatre pouted, use to being teased for worrying by his friends. Duo and Trowa most often, not that Heero and Wufei never teased him about it now and then.
"No one called," Trowa countered casually, still amused no one had even tried to call.
"You tend to turn it off when working with Howard," Quatre reminded his partner, not that many people had his number to call him while working.
"Not always," Trowa reminded Quatre, brushing the blond's pale bangs back into place, "I am sorry I scared you."
Quatre smiled, it was hard to stay mad at Trowa when he apologized, especially with hat gentle smile of his. "You were just helping Howard, even we can't know everything."
"Sounds boring," Trowa commented with a half smirk, faking it was far more amusing.
"I'm with Cy on that one," Duo grinned when Quatre turned and blinked at him as if he had totally forgotten Trowa had not been alone. "When quiet I'm invisible. I'm going to go fill in the others, and see if they have anything. Bye, bye now."
Trowa arched a brow when Quatre sighed after Duo, looking down with a slight tilt of his head,"You couldn't sense me?"
Quatre shook his head, Heero had not been able to either which is why he had been so scared, "I can feel you just fine now...any theories?"
Trowa frowned as he thought for a moment, "Lead."
"Lead?" Quatre asked confused, he was not sure what such a common metal had to do with psychic powers.
"This bay is shield to protect prototypes as much as the general public. If it can defeat Superman why not you and Heero?" Trowa had never noticed anything, but unless one of them was in pain he normally felt little through their link, at a distance anyway.
Quatre frowned as he considered what his partner had said, "I never considered something like that. It does make sense really, colonies are shield against solar radiation not much else. Has anyone worked on anything nuclear in here that you know of?"
Trowa shook his head, "No, Howard had this place built solely for M.S. prototypes, and none of ours carry nukes."
"Scary thought," Quatre murmured, as if nuclear fallout needed to be added to peoples nightmares. Trowa shrugged, Gundams could cause more damage then a nuke without all the messy fall out. Quatre frowned at his partner before turning to the pair of suits, "Is this what you have been up to all month?"
"Yeah," Trowa answered use to answering questions about them. "Howard asked if I wouldn't mind filling in for Zechs after I was back on full duty."
"You are the only one of us with close family," Quatre had far too many sister to be close to them all, even if he had wanted to be. Zechs and Relena may never become close, and the others had no living family blood or otherwise.
Trowa nodded absently, "Yeah. Sis prefers me playing with Howard's toys then anything Une or Noin ask of me."
"She know?" Quatre knew Trowa told his sister what he felt she had a right to know, allowed to or not.
"None of the details, she is a civilian," Trowa knew what his sister needed to know to satisfy her curiosity but not put her in danger. If their enemies learned about her she would become a target, Hilde was a Preventor Catherine was not.
"Who would die before betraying any of us," Quatre knew how protective and stubborn they both were, had to be in the Bloom's blood, thankfully Trowa kept his temper in check. Catherine's temper with Trowa's training and skill would be terrifying, he never wanted to be terrified of Trowa, for him was bad enough.
Trowa sighed closing his eyes, arms crossing, "She doesn't ask."
"Because she knows you cannot tell her much?" Quatre knew Catherine knew more then she may technically be allowed to, not that anyone in the Preventors would call her or her brother out on it. Those in charge knew Trowa, those below may only know he was loyal and dangerous but that was enough to keep them quiet. No one in their origination would dare to openly question the loyalty of one of the Gundam Pilots, everyone knew better.
"Because she knows enough to guess what I do," Trowa answered evenly, not that the blond's guess was exactly wrong. "She hates war because she is well aware of how ugly and brutal it is."
Quatre frowned slightly, Trowa knew more about that then any of them, "She still loves you." There was not a doubt in his mind the red head would tear someone apart to protect her brother, perhaps slash since she preferred knives.
Trowa nodded absently, Catherine was his blood, something he had never understood the true meaning or value of for most of his life. "She's not Relena."
Quatre bit his lips, Relena had not bonded with her brother really, much to the taller blond's regret. Catherine would love Trowa even if he was not her long lost brother because he needed it, he was rather endearing under that even stare of his. Trowa had learned loyalty growing up, though showing affection to another in anyway besides protecting them was still new to him. "Iria would have understood, the others I am not all that close to."
"I do only have the one," Trowa reminded his partner with a half smirk, small groups had always been his preference.
Quatre smiled at the amused smirk, very cat like, "You two are close, and clearly related."
"Oh?" Trowa prompted with an arched brow, knowing the blond well after only a few years.
"Fiercely protective," Quatre began, counting off on his fingers, half watching dark eyes track his fingers. "Unquestionably loyal, tough your sarcasm is more subtle most of the time." The blond frowned slightly, middle finger half raised unsure if that still counted.
"You forgot good with knives and animals," Trowa reminded his finger, laying a hand over a paler one, graceful fingers curling into a lose fist along with Quatre's.
Quatre looked down at Trowa's fingers curled over his own, looking up he pouted slightly, "I'm not sure your pet likes me." The lion clearly preferred the company of the Bloom siblings over that of any other.
Trowa half smirked at the pout, it was not as mocking as Duo's but was still cute, "At least I do."
"Very comforting," Quatre smiled at fake hurt look, it was something he had never though he would have ever seen when he had first met Trowa. He was not sure if it was Catherine or Duo who had first taught Trowa that look, though he was pretty sure it was one of them. "Do you want to join the others?"
Trowa frowned thinking for a moment, "They should have something by now."
Quatre nodded, a little something could get some brainstorming started at least, "At least if it was a blanket attack or not."
Trowa nodded absently as he turned his attention to a middle-aged black man who walked in, "James."
"Sirs," James greeted with a salute, he knew Barton personally, Winner by reputation.
Trowa returned the salute, "I want this building secured, clearance level one only."
James nodded, use to Zechs and Howard ordering similar lockdowns, "Anything else Sir?"
"No, if the Techs were targeted the Gundams will see their attackers do not get the chance to do it again." Trowa had less qualms about attacking civilians then some of the others, but true sanctuaries were off limits.
"Very good Sir," James knew when a Gundam Pilot promised someone would not do something again it meant just that.
Trowa nodded, unconcerned with the mass killing of terrorists, "If Relena is curious see to her personally, Zechs would consider it a personal favor."
"No trouble at all Sir, I know how to talk to novice Techs." James assured the younger man with a knowing smile.
"And that is why Howard likes you," Trowa reminded the older man before turning to his partner, "Quatre."
"You know know all of Howard's staff?" Quatre asked as he fell in beside his partner, it really should not surprise him when Trowa seemed to know everything that was going on. The technically second in command to both he and Heero was a very dangerous young man, dangerous, loyal, and working too hard.
"Yes, they they know Duo and I personally since with work with Howard more then you do." It had not taken long for Howard to introduce his people, or for Trowa to come to trust even like a few of them.
Quatre could not argue that, he spent most of his time in the Sank working as a diplomat rather then an intelligence agent or engineer, "Marine?"
"Joined the engineer corp. after losing a leg," Trowa knew James would not mind Quatre being told that much, James knew who Quatre was. "He is essentially Howard's head of security."
"I will keep that in mind," Quatre had not minded the older man, he seemed friendly under his professional mask.
Trowa shook his had, patting Quatre's shoulder, "You're the diplomat, I'm the ex Merc tech,"
"You can be very diplomatic," Quatre reminded his partner gently, not that his friends always went for the 'diplomatic approach' to things.
Trowa shrugged, "I would not be a very good partner for you if I could not passably do you job."
Quatre frowned slightly at the taller youth's word choice, "You are better then passable." When they had first meet Trowa was not exactly a diplomat, but over the few years they had been working together he had learned quite a bit.
"You think so?" Trowa asked tilting his head at the blond, he normally stuck to bodyguard allowing the other to be charming.
"You're honest and direct, people respond to that," Quatre knew people preferred working with trustworthy people rather then known liars, it was only common sense. "You can also catch a lie and turn it on the liar almost as well as you can use a gun." Duo called people out often, Trowa could be stubble or as in your face as Duo depending on the situation.
"You learn to spot liars when you sell your services for a price, or you have no qualms as long as you get paid." Trowa knew his morals were still far more gray then Quatre would prefer, but at least he had some.
Quatre nodded slightly, Trowa's logic was cold but rarely inaccurate, "Cap did."
"Not exactly," Trowa corrected, the others did not know his core as he had. "He refused to join the Alliance to keep the war going for the pay. Even said I wasn't human after I saved him from some of our core that had switched sides. I only did what I had been trained to do, destroy the enemy before me."
Quatre laid a hand on his friend's shoulder, stopping Trowa, "You didn't attack me in Zero."
"You were not my enemy," Trowa reminded the blonde softly, looking down but not at him. Every time this conversation came up Trowa was sure to remind the blond of that, and planed to continue until Quatre believed it himself.
"Wasn't I?" Quatre knew Trowa did not blame him, which was a comfort, but blame and truth were tricky things. His guilt was not something he could let go as easily as others could, he was just thankful Trowa had returned to them, perhaps even better for it in the long run.
Trowa glanced at the blond, a pale hand on his left shoulder, another gripping his sleeve, "You gave fair warning."
"That does not make it all right," Quatre protested as he released Trowa's sleeve and turned slightly away from him, even if it make it less cruel of him to have attacked his friends.
Trowa placed a hand over the one Quatre had left on his shoulder, taking it gently in his own, "I didn't listen, I made myself a target in the Zero's eyes not yours."
Quatre glanced at his captured hand, knowing it would take a single squeeze to break every bone Trowa currently held of his. "Would you have shot me if I had gotten between you are your sister more aggressively?"
"Yes," Trowa answered without hesitation, he knew himself well enough to know the answer without having to think about it. Unlike some people he knew he had no need to lie to himself about the world, or what kind of person he was, he was too blunt for such self deception.
"Because I would have made myself a target," Quatre knew how his partner's mind worked, an enemy was not someone who lasted long. "I can't justify it like that."
"I have been a soldier from the day I was born," Trowa knew Quatre was not judging him or any of the others, they all knew Quatre and Duo did not think as they did. It was the more moral pair that kept them from crossing lines they had crossed in the past.
Quatre bit his lip, squeezing Trowa's deadly hand, he knew his friend's childhood had been harsh but it still hurt to be reminded. "You have a choice now."
Trowa nodded, returning the gentle squeeze, "I choose to stay on with the Preventors because I can fight so others don't have to, same as you."
Quatre smiled up at his partner and protector, "I am not a natural soldier."
"Neither is Duo but he does all right," Trowa had enough natural soldiers in his life he hardly needed any more.
"No one thinks outside the box like our Duo," Quatre agreed still smiling, Duo prided himself on being unique, and rightly so.
Trowa smirked shaking his head amused, "For which Wufei if forever grateful."
"That's horrible," Quatre chided, laughing as he playfully smacked Trowa's arm.
"True though," Trowa countered smirking at the amused blond.
"I know," Quatre agreed as he started walking with his partner once more, laughing quietly as he walked.
IF I TOLD YOU WHAT I'VE BECOME?
Hilde sipped her coffee watching Trowa and Heero gesturing at some map or other, Wufei shaking his head, Quatre taken notes. "You guys really thought he might be dead just because a burnt corpses had his I.D. near it."
Duo nodded towards Heero and Quatre, "And they couldn't sense him." A bunt card had worried him sure, but that was the clincher.
"Heero isn't Empathic?" Hilde knew all about Quatre's gifts, she was practically the seventh pilot as far as they were concerned.
"Nope," Duo agreed, Hilde was one of the few people beyond the Trio and Katherine who knew what the New Type pilots could do. "But it seems there is a link between them, blaming the Zero, so see not so silly."
Hilde nodded, that made much more sense, "But he was fine? Trowa was fine right now, or at least looked it, but she knew the pilots.
Duo half smirked, "And not sure if he should laugh at us, or shake his head ans sign."
"He often dress like that when working?" Hilde asked nodding at Trowa, who was the only one dressed strangely to her.
"Yeah, he was working on the Twins, why?" Duo was use to seeing his friends dressed in things besides their normal 'work' and 'casual' looks, not that he was going to bring up sleeping attire anytime soon.
"Used to not seeing his arms, or both of his eyes, is all," Hilde answered looking Trowa over, they were friends and she knew he knew when he was being looked at even if the looker was no threat.
Duo watched Hilde smile, he knew that smile as well as the girl wearing it, "Ah huh."
Hilde rolled her eyes as she turned to Duo, "Hey a girl can appreciate can't she?"
Duo grinned, he did his fair share of appreciating himself, "As long as she's fine with him hearing you."
"What?" Hilde hissed frowning, she knew Heero likely could hear her but he was a freak, not that she minded.
"Meow remember? Heero is just as superman that way," Duo was just as freaky as his freak friends without having any extra powers or abilities beyond being him.
Hilde frowned, glancing at Trowa who had not even frowned slightly at them, she was not sure if he was even actively listening to them.
"Look the guy doesn't care so appreciate all you want," Duo knew Trowa did not care he was attractive, as long as someone didn't stalk him, his friends, or attacked them because of it he was indifferent to the whole thing.
"Jerk," Hilde muttered halfheartedly, Duo was puckish. "How can you be so calm with your friends being possible targets?"
Duo sighed softly, "Cy, and Hi-kun grew up with it, the rest of us are still learning."
Hilde reached out placing a hand over Duo's, "You think they were tracking his I.D.?"
"Maybe," Duo answered with a shrug and a slight smile, Hilde was one of them. "The protobay is all kinds of shields to protect bystanders so no one would know he was there since his I.D. logged in and out."
"Still why his and not say Quatre? He is the most well known of you, and Trowa is not always with him?" Hilde knew Trowa or Heero normally came with Quatre when he was in the Sanq, but that did not mean they were always nearby.
"Maybe they knew he was one of the techy ones, or works on Earth a lot, or they just caught whiff of a high level I.D. and went for it?" Duo did not like thingy about such things, if the last one was right it could have been anyone of them laying dead or burned.
Hilde shivered slightly at the though, the guys were her guys, "Scary."
"Yeah," Duo agreed squeezing her hand, she was no fool. "Like I said getting used to it."
Hilde frowned, she liked all six of them, they were like adopted brothers to her, some closer then others. Duo she was closest too, which made sense since he was the first of them she had met. Trowa and Quatre she knew second best since they were close to Duo, and were in the Sanq often. Heero she knew mostly through Duo, though he seemed nice deep down. Wufei was stern looking but she could see he cared deeply for the others, which made him all right in her book. Zechs she saw around a lot but knew the least about, besides he was Relena's brother and the only one in a committed relationship. He was also currently the only one of the six not there, the Boss Ladies were seeing to the Sanq citizens and other Preventors before joining them.
"All right boys you'll relieved to know Howard got a few good bruises but only a few minor burns to go with his broken arm. You can all go say Hi later," Sally informed the gather pilots as she entered and came up behind Trowa, looking over his shoulder as she laid a hand on it. "You gave us a bit of a scare."
Trowa glanced at the hand before half smirking at the older blond, "Nine lives."
"Cheater," Sally teased with a wink, turning when Wufei held out a mug for her. "Thanks, mmm...just what I needed."
"Do we know who the burn victim was yet?" Quatre asked, not surprised Sally took up a spot between Trowa and Wufei.
Sally took an another sip before looking at the lighter blond across the table from her, "DNA and all that is being run right now. All we know right now is he biologically male, mid twenties, and built similarly to this lug here." She grinned at Trowa when he glanced her for calling him a lug, returning to her coffee when he just shook his head at her teasing.
"He likely did not stand out," Quatre commented as he looked up from his tablet and their notes, boomers tended to try and blend in.
Sally frowned slightly at Duo and Hilde sitting at a smaller round table rather then standing with the rest of them. "Those two brainstorming outside the box?"
"Something like that," Heero answered ignoring Trowa's slight smirk, Sally nodded not noticing.
"Did we lose anything vital?" Wufei asked, glancing at the amethyst eyed pair for a moment before turning his dark stare to Sally.
Sally frowned slightly, "Spare parts mostly according to invoices. Trowa Howard does label boxes properly yes?" Trowa and Zechs worked with Howard often so it was easy to ask Trowa since Zechs was not there yet, and Duo was busy.
Trowa nodded, "Official equipment yeah, his personal stash...not so much."
"Sounds like him all right," Sally commented before going back to her coffee, glancing down at the papers spread over the table absently.
"Ah Sally you got here first," Une commented not all that surprised, the young blonde doctor was very fond of the boys, and they returned her affections.
"Hey Une, yeah, luckily Howard was more thrown then blown." Sally greeted moving to stand between Wufei and Heero.
Une nodded, she found the man unconventional but interesting, "Our somewhat successful bomber was Walter Guster. He was not affiliated with the A.G.A, A.S.A, or any other anti-Gundam or Sanq origination." Remembering facts and the like had been part of her old job, a trait useful in many professions.
"So what was his damage then Lady Bond?" Duo asked used to Une being all Google in meetings, each of the Trio had their own ways and it kept things simple.
Une glanced at Duo, his way of phrasing things could be amusing even charming, "He hated New Types and believed all six of you are New Types."
"I'm just unique," Duo was a freak in a few ways but genetically he was normal enough.
"Among other things," Wufei muttered, half smirking, bantering with Duo was never boring.
"Says the other 'normal' one," Duo teased with a grin, Wufei was great when he was calm. "So what, he screw up?"
Une frowned slightly as she glanced at the notes she had on her tablet, "Bomb techs are still working since less then two hours is not a realistic time-frame in their line of work. The current theory is he wanted to take out a Preventors target since we employ you, and it would earn him points. He was likely tampering with gear hoping to take out a boy or the like. It is not believed any of you are targeted personally, however since the Gundam pilots are given free reign they may have been hoping one or more of you would be caught in the blast."
"So a lone crazy bigot...great," Duo drawled rolling his eyes, the logic was sound enough really.
"Seems so, at least for the moment," Une agreed, any number or hate groups could try and take advantage of the chaos, or perhaps another lone crazy bigot.
"So what's the plan Boss Ladies?" Duo was fine being the 'voice' of the Gundam pilots during this meeting.
"Divide and conquer," Noin answered as she entered the room, Zechs at her side where he belonged. "Did we miss anything?"
"No Noin," Sally answered looking over Wufei's shoulder, a little small talk and banter were more Noin's thing then Une's.
"Good, so is that as far as you got?" Noin asked as she moved to Une's side, Zechs staying on her other as he nodded to the guys who nodded back.
"Yep, just got to the giving orders part," Sally answered, the gang was all there now.
Une nodded, back to work she went, "We want you guys split up, three on Earth and three in space. Others may follow Guster's example and we would prefer to give them two targets rather then one gig one."
Duo frowned, glancing at the others for a moment, "So, we get to choose?"
"I'm staying on Earth," Zechs informed them, it had been decided before they had gotten there.
"I'll stay as well, we do work well together," Trowa was fine fighter anywhere but he was also from Earth, and he did work well with either blond. Zechs nodded slightly at the young man, he had been hoping Trowa would volunteer to stand with him.
Quatre frowned slightly in thought, not surprised the two Earthborns brothers were staying on Earth, they got along very well. "Unless Duo wants to stay because of Howard I will stay as well."
Duo frowned as he considered that, of coursed Quatre would stay with Trowa unless it was unsafe to so so, as in Trowa could be seriously hurt or killed protecting him unsafe. "I'll go, we norms can hang out with Heero while you hang with the Earthborn bros."
"I would like to help," Hilde felt useless just sitting there, Gundam pilot or not these were her friends.
"Duh Hil-babe," Duo was sure they could find something she could help with, she was one of them just like the Boss Ladies.
"While not one of the six pilots you are welcomed to go or stay," Une confirmed, they had discussed the young women while Zechs stay on Earth was decided.
Hilde smiled a little at Une, when she said something was all right that tended to be the end of it, "I'll stay for now, once everything is squared away I can head up."
Duo grinned arm slipping around the teen's shoulders, "Daddies she followed me home can we keep her?" Quatre giggled openly use to this sort of thing, Wufei sighed but was smiling a little, Heero just rolled his eyes at his partner's antics.
"She is cute," Trowa smirked at Hilde's grin, she had proven interesting, and had a hand in his recovery.
"Thanks for the backing Cy," Duo knew Hilde and Trowa got along, she had been mortified when Duo had told him she thought he was cute and that was one of the reason she had dragged him to the show. Trowa had simply titled his head at the blushing girl before thanking her and assure her she was pleasant to observe as well, she had choked then.
"Oh stop embarrassing her," Wufei chided, use to Duo's friendly good humored teasing, Trowa could hold his own when he cared to join in. "She would be a target if we all are so if she wishes to join us in space she might as well know what we do."
"Thank you Wufei," Hilde was touched, Wufei had issues with untrained fighters especially women, knowing what they were she felt for him. Him okaying her joining them meant he did not consider her a liability any longer, she had been OZ so some distrust was expected.
Sally nodded, Hilde was the unofficial seventh team member since the 'Trio' were their bosses she did not count her or Noin. "Well it seems that is settled nicely. All right boys go get some sleep those moving out can leave in the morning."
"Snack food run...anyone?" Duo needed a bit of sugar in his system, and finalizing plans over junk food was what teens did.
"I'm in," Hilde answered still beaming about being accepted as one of the guys.
Heero shook his head as he started straightening the papers, "No, I'm going to just crash since tomorrow will be a long day." Normally he would likely hang around and listen to the others but he was not in the mood tonight, too much to think about.
"Food sounds agreeable," Wufei decided after a moment of thought, he was not feeling all that antisocial.
Trowa sighed softly, "I should call Kathy before goes from worried to pissed."
"I hear ya man," Duo assured his friend as he patted his shoulder, Red had plenty of reasons to worry she did not need anymore. "Alright see you all around breakfast."
Noin kissed Zechs' cheek before walking out with Sally who seemed inclined to snag a snack with most of the others. Zechs smiled at her before turning to Trowa, "Go call your sister, Une will see you all have copies of the Intel by morning." Trowa nodded before heading upstairs, he could met up with the others afterward if the talking did not take that long. "So how do we want to do this?"
"You and Quatre see to the Preventor's HQ and the Sanq, I'll see to space with Sally." Noin knew Sally would be heading out to help, she may be good at patching the boys up but she also could her own in a fight.
Quatre handed Heero his gathered stack of papers, the brunet nodded, "It seems fitting the Earthborn pilots both protecting the Earth."
"Agreed, I will see you in the morning," Heero had no problem with the arrangement, the paperwork was no longer scattered all over the tabletop so it was almost time to get some sleep.
Zechs turned his attention to the short, younger blond, "Thank you."
"Duo and Howard are friends, both Trowa and I work well with you, and it would be unfair to leave Noin alone to remind you both you have limits." Quatre knew how they could be, and with Relena's home being targeted Zechs would be very cold to their foes.
Zechs chuckled softly at the half teasing, "She thanks you for that. Are you all right?"
"A little shaken but yes, now I know shielded buildings can effect our physic report." Quatre had been feeling too many things at once but he was calm now. Trowa was fine, a little tried and stiff but unharmed.
"I am relieved he is all right, he is a good guy." Zechs had met Trowa personally early on, he was loyal and dangerous that was clear even then. The fact they had been on opposites sides was not an issue, Quatre had also been forgiving about that.
Quatre smiled reassuringly at his fellow blond, it was good he was on their side now, "I am all right really, I will fell better when this day is over."
Zechs nodded patting the shorter youth's shoulder, "I think we are all in complete agreement on that my friend."
AND WOULD YOU NEED ME,
Quatre was sitting on Trowa's bed, or at least the one he used while on Earth and not with his sister. Heero knew he was still slightly shaken by the thought that Trowa had been killed, the fact an explosion had not killed him as a toddler was an ironic twist he did not focus on. The blond knew Trowa sensed it as well, not that he normally denied his friend's access to his room, or that an anyone would not have been shaken by such a thing. They were partners, he already knew Katherine even if he did not know her well, he was not a threat. She was slow to forgive him for something her brother had not blamed him for at all. The Zero had pushed Trowa similarly but he had not been the Trowa they knew then, or the one they knew now. Quatre had been able to to stop Trowa without having to fight him, why had his voice gotten through Trowa's fragmented mind while his partner's voice had failed to get though his grief fueled haze? Was it simply because the Zero worked differently on Earthborns, or had it been something else? He had so many questions about that time, a time he hated to dwell on. Trowa was perfectly fine now, more human then he had been when they first crossed paths on the battlefield.
Quatre looked up from his tablet when Trowa entered his bedroom from the adjoining bathroom, his darker hair was still damp. The jeans were soft looking and a bit loser then then the ones the blond was use to seeing Trowa, now Heero and even Zechs, wearing. Navy button down was lose and open, sleeves rolled to mid lower arms. "Please I have been trained to kill since I was like four I do not need looked after. If I was the one who had been thrown perhaps. Yes you would like Howard. He knows a little about you. He's Zechs' keeper. Mm hmm. I promise I won't do anything too male. Love you too Sis."
"She thinks us thinking you were dead was funny?" Quatre asked already knowing the answer, Katherine used sarcasm like her brother used a gun.
"A little, only because I am just fine," Katherine would not have been laughing if he had been hurt, Trowa was still not sure if he should laugh of shake his head about the entire thing.
"I'm starting to think explosions can't kill New Types," Heero had survived a nasty one, Trowa had survived another one that should have killed him. Quatre had survived being shot and stabbed but he was more then happy to not try and survive an explosion.
Trowa shrugged, "Well I survived my first at two so...don't give me that look I never even knew my parents." It was hard to miss something you never had, Katherine was all the family he needed.
Quatre nodded, Trowa had little use for parental figures, "And Cap taught you to kill." The man Trowa always refereed simply as Cap was the only father figure Trowa had known, he had never been replaced after his death.
Trowa nodded absently, everyone had an opinion on Cap, "Not senselessly at least." Heero had been raised by an assassin, not a bad man really, so he was not the only one raised by someone who killed strangers for a paycheck.
Quatre frowned up at the absent sounding comment, Trowa's non-issue with shooting an enemy dead had come up in a few fights. Trowa was aware his coldness was something that could take over if not fought and controlled, allowing himself to feel was still something new to him. "You are a good man, good men can't..."
"You think I am so good?" Trowa countered gently, he knew he was an evil person but a good one was debatable. His friends all told him so, knew what kind of demons he walked with, how little such demons bothered him until they bothered one of the few people he cared about.
Quatre stood taking the few steps needed to be within arms reach of one of the most dangerous people alive, reach out he laid a pale palm over the other's heart. "It is why I did not want us to fight...you did not trust me."
"The last innocent looking blonde I came across got my core killed," Trowa had never been exactly trusting but after Middi he was even slower to 'warm' to people. His instincts knew Middi was no threat to him personally, her actions had proven that true, and Quatre had felt similar.
"But not you," Quatre looked down he had heard the story and completely understood why Middi had spared Nanashi, cold as he had been there was still something in his eyes that hinted at who he was under the training.
Trowa smirked slightly, he was still unsure why people trusted him over the barrel of a gun without knowing him, "I am not that easy to kill."
Quatre looked back up, there was no arguing Trowa was dangerous because he was also hard to kill, "She knew you were good."
Trowa looked away with a sigh, "I'm not human."
"You feel human to me," Quatre knew what Trowa was referring to, his past had damaged him even if it had not broken him. Damaged as he was Quatre had found gentleness in his cold alter eyes and had formed a bond with the former mercenary, and bond that had almost gotten Trowa killed bu his own hands.
Trowa tilted his head at the blond, those dark eyes were shining up at him with such open trust, "You so sure?"
Quatre closed his eyes, his friends had all suffered so much before he had ever met them, "I know your past, you are not Nanashi anymore...you do not need to be Nanashi anymore."
Trowa closed his own eyes, Quatre had always been the first to defend his humanity from anyone questioning it, as his partner the blond knew him best. "You would know."
Quatre smiled as he met dark eyes, dark but so lit by the reawaken soul within rather then simply glinting with alert ice. "You are far more human then you were ever given credit for. If you were truly a monster I would be scared to touch you."
"Your proper upbringing notwithstanding," Trowa half teased, Quatre's 'proper' manners had conflicted with his practical ones more then once to humorous results.
"We can't all be Duo," Quatre half teased back, Duo would be so proud to be the go to 'improper' one in teasing.
Trowa smirked, it was much harder to turn Duo's cheeks and adorable shade of pink, "I like Duo."
"Don't we all?" Quatre had gotten along with Duo rather well once he got use to his uniqueness, the braided youth had one of the happier childhoods among them.
"You don't have to worry about me so much Cat," Trowa assured his partner with a shake of his head, Quatre worried it was that simple, they all knew it. He had been taking care of himself all his life, he did not need to be coddled, and if someone was not his friend he reacted badly to the attempt.
"I worry because I care," Quatre had cared since before he had met the other's eyes, he had only come to care more as they had gotten to know each other. Trowa had changed much more then he had since that day, and Quatre felt his friend's growth had been far better then his own fall from grace.
Trowa smiled as he reached up and fixed wild bangs, "I know you do."
Quatre smiled at the simple show of affection, Trowa was still more inclined to show his feelings in actions rather then words. It was one of the things about him Quatre had not minded seeing was him and not training when he had been temporarily taken from them. "You could always read me like a book."
"You have no skill at deceit," Trowa had never met anyone who was as adverse to lying as Duo and Quatre before, he had been in t the wrong line of work to met that many honest people.
"I hate lying as much as Duo does. Trying to spare me or Katherine gory details does not make you a lair, you are too hard on yourself." Quatre was no better when it came to self-criticizing, a fault they all seemed to share, but his was one voice Trowa always listened to.
Trowa tilted his head slightly at the blond, "Pricking up something or just guessing?"
"Guessing," Quatre answered, he hated to pry even if he was invited it was too tempting sometimes.
"Worrying," Trowa corrected gently, he knew his partner so well, sometimes better then he knew himself.
Quatre smiled use to being teased in good humor by his friends about his worrying after them, "A little."
"Hopeless," Trowa reminded the blond with a smile, it was endearing really, they all knew hoe important to have someone who cared was.
"When has that ever stopped you?" Quatre knew how his friends thought, hopeless did not stop them they were all too stubborn to not fight.
Trowa smirked, "When I promise not to act like a male."
Quatre smiled knowing Katherine often made her brother promise to behave when she could, "We thank you. Trowa chuckled softly at that, something the blond knew he had not done for much of his life. Pale fingers interlaced at the back of Trowa's neck, their owner used tot the gentle ribbing, "I love your laugh, it suits you."
Trowa smiled at the sentimental blond, "You just like happy people."
"There is that," Quatre agreed knowing Trowa did not mind happy people either, not that he had empathic abilities to worry about. "Trowa?"
"Yes Oh-Sappy-One?" Trowa was always willing to listen to Quatre''s requests even if he was not always as willing, or able, to follow them.
"Let me stay with you with you tonight?" Quatre did not want to leave his partner's side even if he was just fine, the irrational fear was still there in the back of his mind.
"If it will make you fell better you know you can stay," Trowa assured his friend, as if it mattered if the blond slept in his own room or not while on Earth. Friends comforted each other, Quatre's gifts caused him to need gentle reassurance more often then say Duo but a friend in need was a friend in need to Trowa.
"Thank you," Quatre knew Trowa would allow him to stay as he had before, he was very good at knowing when a friend needed him near and just stayed close asked or not. His compassion was all the more endearing when considering how he had grown up, caring that much and not allowing his demons to tear him apart was something Quatre did not believe he could do.
"It's nothing," Trowa reminded his partner, who was biting his lip, when Quatre leaned up and kissed him gently for a moment he blinked. "Quatre?"
Quatre noted the unsure questioning expression but he had been expecting that, "I lost you once but you came back. I don't want to to lose you ever again." The thought of losing any of his friends hurt but losing Trowa once more would kill him, he was sure of that.
Trowa frowned at that, "I'm not going anywhere."
"I know but I...I want to stay with you." Quatre knew Trowa would not just walk out on them, you did not risk your life for someone over and over to simply walk away without a word. That aside he did have somewhere to go, a sister who loved him, a life away from all of them.
"Are you sure you are not just scared?" Trowa knew Quatre could scare himself over some nightmarish what if and not be able to shake that fear until morning, the human mind was not always a logical thing.
Quatre knew what Trowa was asking him, his gifts amplified feelings, drew in those of others, could make him fearful or depressed and in need of comfort only to be find the next morning. At first the blond had been hesitant to approach his partner but had soon learned being held by Trowa until he fell asleep soothed his sometimes overactive gifts like no one else could. "I was but no, I have wanted to tell you for a while but I...I don't want to let you go."
"Quatre," Trowa whispered as he closed his eyes, being wanted was still a new feeling to him.
Quatre knew Trowa was not going to continue so he did, "I know you care, and I am not demanding anything from you just...I love you."
"shh..," Trowa soothed as he wrapped his left arm around a slime waist, right hand resting in golden hair. "I'm not going to ever just walk out on any of you." Quatre sniffed into Trowa's shoulder as deadly fingers moved over the back of his neck. "You and Katherine are the most important people in my life so please don't cry over nothing?"
Quatre raised his head, dark aqua eyes meeting equally pure green ones, "Is it all right if I'm happy?"
Trowa smiled at the question, he had never understood why joy could make you cry until he had met the blond in his arms, "mm hm."
Quatre smiled at the almost hummed agreement, lips brushing the curve of Trowa's throat, "You make me so happy, never forget that Trowa."
"I drive you insane," Trowa reminded the blond only partially joking, it was only because Quatre cared so much about everything and he cared so little about most things.
"Never change," Quatre knew that was true but he would not trade the man holding him for any other, this man who was so very human.
"All right," Trowa agreed softly as he lowered his head so his smiling partner would have an easier time kissing him.
IF I TOLD YOU WHAT I'VE BECOME?
As said before this will likely be three chapters long so this will be somewhat short, not that that is always a bad things right? If you like this then do what you normally do, if you hated it then feel free to tell me why. You hate the pairings and still read this you can just stay quiet because warnings exist for a reason and you should try reading them for once.
