Does It Matter?

unknownangel

A/N: Here's the 2nd chapter! I've already finished on the 3rd one so I should have that one up before February. Hopefully.

Thanks to all of you who reviewed!! I'm glad you liked it.

Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue

Pairings: 1x2, 3x4

Chapter 2: The Mission

When everyone arrived for the briefing, Duo was looking out the window at the snow falling gently over the city. It had started to snow not too long ago. This being one of the few times Duo could really appreciate the beauty of falling snow.

"Okay everyone let's start." Duo tore himself from the gorgeous view, followed them to a larger table, and sat down between Heero and some other Preventer.

"Now, those of you who don't know him, this is Duo Maxwell, pilot 02." Une said. The Preventers who didn't know him nodded in his direction and the teen returned the greeting.

"Everyone knows why they're here, having been briefed on this mission a few days ago, but Duo doesn't so Lieutenant Parks will give you some information." Duo nodded, and then the Lieutenant stood and started speaking.

"They call themselves the Blue Dragons. One of our agents, who we had go undercover, sent a transmission before he was captured. He said that they have about twenty mobile suits, but he suspected more. He also managed to tell us part of their plans, which was to kidnap the Vice Foreign Minister." That would explain Relena. Duo thought.

"What we need is the rest of their plans and anything else you might deem important, Mr. Maxwell." Duo nodded as the Lieutenant sat down and Une stood.

"Duo, I know you aren't a Preventer, but we thank you for coming to help, even taking time away from your job. You are the stealth expert of you five so we really appreciate it." Duo blushed slightly at the compliment.

"Ah, don't worry about my job. It can wait. I might even find inspiration while I'm on this mission." He said smiling slightly. Une nodded smiling.

"Alright, let's go over a plan. Unfortunately, we were unable to get a map of the base so your first mission is to get in, get a map, and get out." Duo nodded.

"Wait. Have you tried hacking the system?" Duo asked. Heero nodded.

"They've got a secure lock. It would be easier if I was closer." Duo looked confused.

"Then wouldn't it make more sense to go there, hack in, get the info, and then leave without having to go in?" Quatre shook his head.

"They've got dogs, guards. It's heavily guarded and we would need to get in close. They have guards surrounding the base up to a thousand meters, and unfortunately, Heero's laptop has to be within that thousand-meter radius." Duo nodded.

"Okay, just wondering. I didn't want to have to do any unnecessary breaking and entering," he said as he stood and walked to the window. It was silent for a while as Duo watched the town, before he turned toward Une with a questioning look.

"You wouldn't happen to have a satellite picture would you?" Une looked surprised before she started looking through the files.

"Um…I think…we do…Yeah, here," she said as she handed it to him. He took it then stared at it.

The picture wasn't very clear, trees everywhere only a few glimpses of a building. Hmm…the command center should be here…the CO's office should be right...about…HA! There. Duo thought before he went to sit down. He grabbed a sheet of paper and a pencil and began to draw a layout of the base. The others watched as he quickly drew. With a shout of triumph, he pushed the paper away from himself so the others could see. They stared in awe…well except Heero, Wufei, and Trowa.

"Wow."

"Yeah, that should be how the base is most likely laid out. Either way, it's a start." Une nodded, as Duo continued.

"This way instead of wasting time, I can get in, get the plans and leave; and if you still want a map I can get one." The Lieutenant nodded, and then started talking with the other two officers.

"I don't know Duo…has this ever worked?" Quatre asked. Duo laughed.

"Dr. G only sent pictures of the top of bases for all of my stealth missions. That's all I had to go on, that and my drawings. I think I'm good." The others nodded.

"Okay, well, Duo this is Captain Smith. He's one of our weapons experts; he'll give you whatever you need."

"Nah, I brought all the stuff I would need," he said.

"Alright then meeting over; you're all dismissed. Duo, Heero stay." Duo watched as everyone walked out of the room. As soon as the door shut, Une began.

"I'm sorry Duo; we called you on such short notice that I didn't have time to get you a room. Heero, would you mind? I know you guys used to share a room when you were on missions." Duo looked shocked. There's no way he'd agree to it! He hated sharing a room with me!

"No," Duo sighed as Heero spoke. Cool, I don't have to-, "…problem. I don't mind." Duo stared at Heero. He…he agreed! Damn!

"Okay then. Duo go, get some rest. You need to be here by five."

"At night?" Duo asked hopefully. Une chuckled.

"In the morning," she said, Duo groaned.

"Good night," she laughed before Heero nodded and walked out, with Duo following.


With a soft click, the door unlocked and opened. Heero walked into the dark apartment, Duo followed him in. The ex- Wing pilot turned on the light and then slid off his Preventers jacket, then motioned for Duo to follow.

The apartment was clean…then again Duo didn't expect it to be any other way. Heero led the braided ex-pilot down a hall to a room.

"Here. Bathroom's across the hall," Heero said monotonously. Duo nodded, before going in and setting his stuff on the bed. Duo stretched.

"Are you hungry?" Duo shook his head.

"Nah. I think I'm gonna get to sleep," Duo said before he looked at Heero's suspicious face. "Since we have to wake up early…ya know." Duo smiled. Heero nodded then walked out, closing the door behind him. Duo sighed then got ready for bed. Not long after he was lying in the bed and staring at the ceiling. He knew Heero probably suspected something, but oh well. Then Duo closed his eyes and was fast asleep.


Duo ran through the dark forest. Earlier that day he had been in the Sanc Kingdom, now he was somewhere in the middle of some European country. Earlier that day he was with everyone else and wasn't scheduled to leave until seven that night. Right now, it's eight o'clock. He left at seven o'clock, fourteen hours ahead of time. He couldn't take it anymore!


::Flashback Begins::

Duo sat at the table in the briefing room, bored. Someone was talking; he didn't know whom but someone was. Duo yawned, then sighed. He was tired and hungry and the information the guy had wasn't even relevant to him! The man continued to talk as Duo started playing with his pencil. Not long after a loud bang startled half the rooms' occupants.

"Maxwell!" Duo, who was unaffected and still playing with his pencil, looked up at the angry Chinese man.

"Yeah?" he asked bored. Wufei fumed.

"You should be listening! This information is important!" he yelled. Duo continued to look bored, as he looked back down at his pencil.

"No, actually, its not; not to me anyway."

"Really, why's that?"

"Because Wuffers, I was only called here to infiltrate; you know, get the plans. Then I'm going home. That's why it's not important to me." Duo finished, looking toward the window. You could practically see steam coming from Wufei's ears. Quatre tried to cut in.

"Guys could you please not fight." Duo looked at Quatre.

"Sorry Quat." Duo said before he sat down.

"Sorry?" Wufei said incredulously. "Sorry for what? Being an annoying son of a bitch?" Wufei asked.

"Wufei!" Quatre yelled standing up quickly. Duo looked at Wufei emotionlessly.

"No…it's okay Quatre." Duo said as he stood. Heero looked at Duo questioningly. What's up with him? He would've yelled at Wufei for that. Heero thought.

"No Duo, it's not." Quatre said as Duo walked to the door.

"Why did you come?" Wufei asked. Duo froze then grabbed the doorknob.

"Because I didn't want to believe it," he said before walking out of the room. Une was the first to recover.

"What the hell was that?" she yelled at Wufei. He just sat down with an angry look on his face; Quatre hugged Trowa tightly, while the tall, quiet teen watched. Heero watched the door half-expecting Duo to walk back through; face emotionlessly.

"Damnit! Damn you! All of you!" Une yelled as she stood glaring at the others.

"He trusted you! He…oh my god… I can't believe…Augh!" she yelled frustrated. She took a few deep breathes before continuing calmly…well…as calmly as she could.

"You guys were supposed to be his friends. He trusted you. He thought you guys were real. All the people he's loved have either died or left him. He was hoping you guys wouldn't. Poor Duo. Always losing people and things he cares for." As she spoke, she got softer.

"You're all dismissed. I'm going after Duo." With that she left the room leaving behind a heavily atmosphere.


"Duo! Duo stop!" Commander Une yelled as she came to a stop at the corner.

"Get the plane ready. I'll leave early."

"No Duo you can't!" Duo looked at the Commander. Une gasped at the cold, angry stare.

"Yeah, I can. I'm not a Preventer. I don't have to follow orders. I'm leaving early. Besides there are some things I could do before I have to break in." Une looked ready to protest, before Duo cut in.

"I'm leaving." He stated sternly. She sighed.

"Fine," she nodded, "I'll go set it up. Meet me at the base in an hour." She said as she walked off.


That was how Duo ended up here. After landing, he looked around town; eavesdropped on conversations; ate; then when night fell, he set out to break into the base.

He hid in the shadows of the trees, watching the guard on duty; the man looked tired and was swaying. Then the guard turned and walked around the corner, out of sight. Duo took this chance to quickly run over to where the guard stood, covering an air duct opening. The braided ex-pilot quickly climbed in, placed the cover back on the quietly made his way through the duct. After an hour of moving, waiting, moving, looking at his map, and moving Duo finally found the command center. He looked through the vent and, not seeing anyone, pushed it open and crawled out. He then hooked up his laptop to the main computer, put his earpiece in and contacted Commander Une. They were standing by waiting for him.

"You in?" Une asked, before the room showed up.

"Yeah, I'm hacking into the computer. Not very hard."

"Were they expecting you?"

"Not that I could tell. " Une nodded.

"Here we go. I'm sending you the info now." He said, as he looked his laptop. As the file was sending he read through some of the plans. Kidnap Relena…take over world…new drug…children…ne- Duo stopped. Children? He went back and read the file.

"Duo, we've received the information. You're free to go." Une said.

"No." Everyone looked at him surprised.

"What?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Their plans. One of them…296 children were kidnapped and being used as test subjects in some stupid experiment."

"Duo, you aren't a Preventer, you said so yourself." Une said. Duo looked at her.

"Yeah, I also said it wasn't my problem, but…the kids. I can't leave them here."

"Duo, this is not a rescue mission!" Wufei yelled. Duo glared at him, causing the Chinese man to look at him shocked.

"It turned into one. " Duo looked at the others. Heero nodded when his and Duo's eyes locked.

"Duo!"

"Duo out." With that, he disconnected and unhooked all his stuff, before leaving the room. In the air duct, he compared his map with the one he drew. Heh and they doubted me. He looked at the map on the laptop and located where the children were being held. Southwest of my current position.


"What the hell does he think he's doing?" yelled Une. Trowa shook his head.

"He has a soft spot for children." Quatre said. Une sighed.

"He could jeopardize the mission." Said the Lieutenant.

"Let's go get him then." Une said as she stood.

"No." Heero said.

"Heero?" Quatre asked, "What is it?"

"Let Duo do what he wants."

"Why should we?" Wufei asked.

"Theirs plans for the children." He said before he stared out the window.

"What about them?"

"No matter what we say or do, nothing will change Duo's mind. There's no point." Everyone sighed.

"Heero's right. If there is anything we can do, Duo will contact us. We'll have to wait." Quatre said as he stood. They nodded then Une and the other three Preventers left, leaving the four ex-pilots alone in the room.

"You know…Commander Une was right." Quatre said quietly. Trowa hugged his lover, as Quatre put his head in his hands. Wufei huffed knowingly. Heero looked back at them before turning and looking out the window again. Why did he come? Heero thought. He still wasn't able to understand why, and it was starting to make him angry. Duo had said it was because he didn't want to believe it but…he should've known. He's not that stupid. Not that it mattered. Heero had actually missed Duo. He knew Quatre had as well as the other two; he knew it, Trowa knew it, Quatre knew it of course, but did Wufei know?


Duo glared at the walls of the vent he was in. It had been twenty minutes and he was still crawling through the air duct. He continued around a corner and almost leapt with joy. Good thing he didn't…that would've been a nasty headache. He looked through the grate and saw five kids and no one else. He looked at the room. All the kids were huddled together in one corner; in another corner was a toilet. On the wall opposite Duo was a metal door with one window and bars on it. He pushed at the grate gently and a soft 'pop' later, it was crawled out and stretched. He then smiled at the kids.

"Hey now, don't be scared." He said quietly as he knelt down in front of them. One of the kids, the biggest one, put the others behind him and glared at Duo. The braided teen laughed. The boy looked about twelve years old; covered in dirt, which made his blonde hair seem brown, but his eyes stayed a bright green.

"I'm here to rescue you." The kid visibly relaxed.

"You…are?" he asked. Duo looked form him to a girl about nine, to another girl about five, and a pair of twin boys that looked about eight. He nodded smiling.

"Yeah." He said then went back to the air duct vent and took out his laptop. He turned it on then contacted Heero. A second later Heero's impassive face showed up on the screen.

"Yes Duo?" he asked.

I found the kids, I need a plane." Heero nodded then started typing.

"I can be there in an hour."

"Alright I'll give you our new coordinates when we get out."

"Roger that." Duo nodded as the screen went blank. He turned back to the kids.

"Come on let's get outta here." They nodded then hurriedly climbed into the vent.

"Who's the oldest?" Duo asked as he put the grate back on.

"Me. I'm Jake."

"Okay Jake the first right you see, take it." With that, they started moving. Jake in the front followed by Bryan (8), the oldest of the twins, Kyle (8), his twin, Karen, the oldest girl (9), and then Chloe (5) following in front of Duo. After several pauses and turns, they made it to the grate Duo came in through. He squeezed to the front and, spotting no one, pushed it out. He climbed out the motioned for the kids to do so as well.


"No. I'm not betting you anything," said one solider as he walked down the corridor.

"Come on. You know he's gay and he's hitting on you. I'm betting you're gay too," said another.

"I'm not gay!" yelled the first one as he handed his partner the keys to the kids' cell.

"Yeah whatever fag." Laughed the second solider, but stopped short after he opened the door.

"What?" asked the first before looking, "Oh…damn."


As the little girl made it out of the vent, the alarm went off. Duo cursed then picked up Chloe.

"Come on. Let's go!" he said as he took off running, but not too fast for the kids. Not too long after, they heard dogs barking and people shouting. As they ran Duo's phone went off. He answered.

"Duo coordinates." Heero said. Duo cursed again, then saw an abandoned church. He ran inside, then gave his location.

"I also have five kids with me." Duo said as he hid the kids.

"Yeah okay." Duo then hung up.

"Okay, if I'm not here when my friend gets here, don't worry alright. My friend is a Preventer. Now he's gonna come in and say a code. If it's the right code, you can come out, if not don't move." The children nodded. Duo smiled.

"Good. Now the code is Shinigami. Okay?" he said. They nodded again.

"They're in here!" they heard. Duo smiled one last time before he left and went another way. Not long after all they heard was silence.


A/N: Well…it's finally up. I hope you liked it. As I said at the beginning, I've finished the 3rd chapter so…yeah…I'm pretty bad about updating SORRY! Review please!!

unknownangel