Disclaimers: I don't own Gundam Wing, as much as I want to. I'm just borrowing them. I'm not making money.

AN: Hello people! This is a fic that I find may be a good idea. I think it would suck to be observed and shunned for being different. I hope you like! I don't know how long it will be, and this is my first chapter. I will try to be clear. No plot holes, and not just plain dialogue. This chapter is also done in Duo's P.O.V...

Duo: ALL ABOUT ME!!! AGAIN!!

Saori: Actually Duo, you're STILL just introducing the area, but there IS a tiny bit more about you, just a little. There will be more though, and the others. Enjoy!

'blah blah' are thoughts
/stuff/ are telepathic messages

Mastermind
Chapter 2: First Roommate: The Empath




==Duo's P.O.V.==


Saturday. To the other residents, it's the best day of the week. It's the day for rest, to catch up on anything, and to have fun with friends. It's also the day with the best food.

Yet here I am, sitting alone at my window, simply staring at the sky. I have nothing else to do. Like I said before, I'm not allowed to associate with others except Anastasia. And she has her younger friends, although she still doesn't talk. It's just after lunch, and I'm considering if I should take a snooze, or go outside and wander the grounds quietly. Maybe I can get farther then I ever did without getting caught and sent back here. I'm shaken out of my train of thoughts when someone knocked on the door. I must admit I'm suprised and curious because no one ever visits me. They aren't allowed to.

"C'mon in."

The door opens to reveal the matron of the day, Matron Rita. "02, you have a new roommate." She stepped aside, and for a moment, I can't see anyone. Then, a blond boy with bright blue eyes stepped in.

"Hi." He said shyly.

"His name is 04, and you will move to classes, sessions, and everything together. You know the drill 02."

"Yes ma'am. Why 04? What happened to 03, if not 01?"

"There'll be others coming in over the next week or so."

"I see. Don't worry, I'll make sure 04 settles in."

"Good." The matron nodded. "I'll leave you to be acquainted." She glanced from the blond to me, and then quickly left, closing the door after her, leaving only the blond and I in the room. I snorted. I was right. She is scared of me. With a sigh, I hopped off the windowsill and circled the boy. Mentally, I searched him from head to toe, asking myself questions. Is he trustworthy material? A rich snob? A poor guy? Does he do weird things? I paused in front of him again with a smile. Finally, a roommate!!

"My name is Duo Maxwell. 02." I offered. It took a moment before he smiled back at me.

"Quatre Raberba Winner. 04."

"You mind if I call you Quatre?"

"Not if I can call you Duo."

"Deal." I turn away to go back to the window, a small smirk on my face. I know this one's easygoing. I wonder what he can do. But I know if I ask, I'll have to answer. I decide to wait until later. At least, I wanted to, until he asked me first.

"How long have you been here?"

"6 years." I turn back to him, sitting down on the windowsill. He sat down on the closest bed, the queen size one.

"Wow. What about your family? Why?"

An inquisitive one. For a moment, I don't answer, and he lowered his eyes.

"I'm sorry." He stuttered. "I'm so eager to make a friend, I shouldn't be questioning you since we've only met a few minutes ago."

Personally, I feel sorry for the guy. I mean, I'm talkative, but I'm just a bit rusty in conversation. 6 years of near isolation does that to you.

"How about this." I offer. "You ask your questions, then I get to ask."

Quatre nodded with a smile, looking up again. You can tell he's the kind type also.

"O.k. First of all, you know where this is right?" I asked him. He needed to know the background information before I could explain everything. But he shrugged slightly.

"I know it's an island. I know my father sent me here. I think I probably will never leave this place again."

"Do you want to?"

Quatre hesitated. "I'm not sure. I just got here."

Oops. My bad. Of course he wouldn't know. "Right. Well, let me fill you in Quatre. This is an island with a huge facility of labs, school, resident area for the students and teachers, and scientists. I don't really know what they do to the other kids, but for me, they poke at me, and ask my stupid questions. I'm here because I'm a bit smarter than the average guy."

This Quatre understood. "You're a genius."

I nod. "I take it you are too? You wouldn't be here otherwise?"

"Yes."

For the moment, I knew that this was as far as we will both open up in the perspectives of why we are locked up here.

"You asked about my family. Well, I have a mother, father, and a dog. They tried to hide me, well my mom and dad did, not the dog, but I was found and I've been here ever since. You?"

Quatre was grinning at the dog part. This guy is easy to please. "My mother died giving birth to me. I have 29 older sisters, and a father."

"29?" I know my eyes are wide as I stare at him in surprise. Man, that's harsh. Quatre blushed slightly.

"Yes. Test-tube children."

Now I'm confused. "But your mother died in childbirth?"

Quatre looked down, and I immediately knew, without using my mind to connect to his, that I hit a sore spot.

"I'm sorry. Don't mean to be nosy."

"No, that's fine. My mother knew there were risks, but she wanted to bear my father a child. Turns out I am the only boy out of their 30 children, and she died. Father says I'm like my mother, but I don't know her. I haven't even seen pictures. He tried to protect me, but my sisters didn't like me. They say I killed Mother...I guess I did. Then Father disowned me. I guess it was the right thing for him. 30 children is really too much."

"Your sisters didn't like you? If you resembled your mother so much, wouldn't they have loved you? You didn't kill your mother; it's a natural thing! How could he be so irresponsible to disown you?"

Quatre shrugged. "Once my sisters realized I was a genius, it gave them the perfect excuse to get rid of me. The Winners are a rich family. Geniuses are disowned. You know we are shunned, let alone one with odd powers." He said the last sentence in a low voice.

My eyes widened even more, if that was possible. "And they are your family? That's crazy!" I mentally slapped myself when Quatre lowered his head even more. "Don't worry about it Quatre, I'm sorry. But think about it, if they didn't like you, why be family with them? As long as you know who loves you, it doesn't matter."

"No one loves me. All my life, everyone, even the servants, have talked behind my back. The media couldn't get enough of the fact that the Winner family had a genius. They laughed."

I felt sorry for the poor guy. This is just plain stupid. So what if he has extra knowledge? Something else crosses my mind now.

"Odd powers?" For some reason, I felt that since he said it, I had a reason to poke around. I know he'll ask me back, but I knew I trusted him. My instincts never fail me. Or is it my gut never fails me? Who knows?

Quatre hesitated again before answering. "Yes, odd powers. You know there are two kinds of people that are forbidden. Geniuses and the mentally unhealthy. I'm both." He muttered.

"What can you do?"

He looked up. "You won't laugh?"

I shook my head. Why would I laugh? I'm like him. But then he doesn't know that.

"I feel what others feel. And I sense people more strongly then any average person."

"Empathic. Example?"

"When I walked onto this floor…" He smiled at me. "I knew I will meet my first friend in my life. I knew this person would accept me. I also knew that this person was lonely, and debating what to do."

Wow. He trusted me when he stepped onto the floor. And he knew that much. I gotta be careful what I feel around here now. Faintly, I wonder if I could monitor what I feel to certain degrees.

"I also know that you're more then just a genius." He continued. I shrug.

"I can move things with my mind." For the time being, I decide to cut out the part that I could read people's minds and make them feel things.

"Really? You're telepathic? I've read about this, but it's always only been a theory, but you're sitting right in front of me!"

I couldn't help it. I laughed. "Simple. Normies can't accept it. It's not a part of everyday life, it doesn't exist."

He looks confused. I continue laughing at his expression. "Normies?"

"Oh. That's what I call the people. They have so many names for us, like insane, mentally unhealthy, freak, odd, crazy, strange, anomalous, abnormal, irregular…you get the idea. So if they call themselves normal, I'll call them Normies. Not too creative, but hey, it gets them angry. At least, it got some of the other students angry."

"Uh oh. So I take it you have enemies?"

I nod. "They're older than me, one a genius, one a strong telepathic, and one that can do many things with his mind."

"Three of them?"

"Nope. Then there are the 15 that happen to be on this facility and are neither genius nor special."

"18?!"

"Why do you think I spend so much time here? But then the telepathic and the mind one do things anyway."

"Like what?"

"One of the worst feelings I had was being burned alive." I wince just at the thought.

"How did you retaliate?" Quatre's eyes were wide with disbelief. I smirk.

"You don't want to know. I'll tell you later." I glance out the window at the feel of a stare.

"Later?"

"Come here. Try to think other thoughts, like, what's for dinner and stuff. Peak out the window, and you'll see the mind guy. His name is Jack. The two beside him are Normies, Gabriella and Todd." I murmured, staring straight at Jack. He's tall, standing at about 5 feet 9, while I stand only about 5 feet 3. I have yet to grow. He has dark blond hair, and sharp brown eyes. Of all three enemies, Jack is the worst. He's 17, and almost twice the weight of me. Having an army of admirers doesn't help either. Jack smiled at me, and waved, but his eyes were deadly. He mouthed something that I couldn't quite catch when Quatre peaked out.

"Where?"

"The three standing below, by the tree, staring at us."

Jack's eyes shifted, and caught interest.

/Cute friend there./ Jack's voice was clear in my mind.

/Leave him alone if you know what's good for you./ I sent back sharply. Along with the message, I sent a shock of electricity. Jack flinched at the sudden shock, but shook it off. I had only sent that as a warning. I know it would take more than that to harm Jack.

/I can't wait./ Jack's last message was accompanied by a laugh, and I got the feeling of a cool breeze brush by my cheek and ruffle my bangs. I angrily rubbed my face with my long sleeve, glaring at Jack before he turned and walked away, Gabriella and Todd in tow. I turned back to Quatre, closing the curtains.

"Don't mingle with them. It'll do you no good." I said in a low voice.

"You're angry." Quatre raised an eyebrow. "Did he do something?"

"Not much. Just telling me to watch out with that mind of his."

"Threatened you? You heard him?"

"Of course I heard him, he meant for me to. He's strong, but I am too. Between the both of us, he's stronger, but I've got more brains than him." I winked. It's Quatre's first day so I decided he shouldn't be worried already. He wouldn't have to deal with them until Monday, earliest.

"C'mon." I said, more cheerful then I felt. "I'll show you everything from uniform to schedules, anything I can from here. I'll tell you the rules." I should watch out for Quatre. In any case, even better to find out more about him and his power. If Quatre was empathic, he'd feel even more than I would. I hope he had other powers and strengths to balance it out. If Jack or the others caught on, he'd be dead.

"Great! Thanks!" Quatre positively beamed at me. So I started with the room, showing him the cupboards, and the washroom, what bottle is what, and how to turn on the shower. Then I showed him the uniforms. We have basically one set of uniform that can be broken down to different sets. The main set included dark navy pants that could slip off into shorts at the knees for the summer, a lighter blue shirt sleeved button down shirt, a navy tie, navy socks, and a navy sweater. There was a navy blazer for special days, such as ceremonies, and a navy cloak that was waterproof. There were only 2 pockets in the pants, a pocket on the shirt above the heart, and 2 pockets in the blazer. Of course, 5 pockets are definitely not enough, so I had sewn a few more pockets on the inside of the cloak and blazer. We have to wear oxfords during school. For recreation, we have navy shorts and a white t-shirt, with running shoes. Apart from that, we all had jeans, a turtleneck, and a hoodie. For example, since it is December, I have on a pair of black jeans and a black hoodie. Yes, I like black.

"Wow. Everything of yours is either navy, white, or black." Quatre said, scanning my closet. I nodded.

"My favorite colors."

"But Duo." Quatre turned with a grin. "Black and white aren't colors. They're shades!"

I groan. He's right. But close enough. I grin back at him. "So usually, in this weather, I wear long pants, the shirt and the sweater. The blazer, like I said, we don't wear except for formal evenings or something special, so the cloak is good traveling from building to building. You can hang the blazer up at the back of the closet with mine." I continued. He nodded.

"Great! So, it's Saturday, so you can stay in what you are wearing, unless you want to change?" I eyed Quatre's khakis and orange shirt. It looked great on him, but I wondered how I'd look in that. I blinked. Nah…

"Nope. I'm fine." Quatre nodded.

"All right. Now, just choose a bed. I sleep on the top bunk over there." I waved at the bunk.

"I'll take the bed in the corner." He said, gesturing to the double closest to me.

"O.k. On to the rest of the floor!" I said, leading him out. "O.k This floor, is ours, until the others come. There is a workroom, recreation room, and laundry room. Don't worry about laundry since the matron does it. We don't have to keep anything neat except for our own beds, and the desk you use in the workroom. Anything left there before a cleaning will be swept right into the wastebasket."

"I really appreciate this Duo." Quatre smiled. We re-entered our room, and I stretched out on the lower bunk as he sat on his own bed.

"As for classes, follow me, you have my classes, and sessions, unless that changes, but it won't for a while since there's only me and you. We sit at the back of the class in the right corner. The desks are in twos, so I finally get a lab partner."

"How about rules?"

I finish stretching before answering him. Where should I start?

"O.k Quatre. Don't interrupt me until I finish and ask questions later, or I'll forget what I have or haven't told you."

"All right."

I took a deep breath. "We aren't allowed on the other floors, aren't allowed to talk to the others except for Anastasia or 001 who I'll introduce later. The matron must check all food in our room, actually, all food on this floor. No wandering off this level past 2130 unless for an emergency, and no wandering out of the bedroom past 2300. The matron will hear you. You must answer to your code number and refer to others and yourself by the proper code numbers, at least in front of the adults, or anyone who you know will rat you out. We are to be back here within 2 hours after school. There's a lounge on the bottom floor of the dorm, but we aren't allowed there either, so since school ends at 1530, we are to be back on this floor by 1730. This is why we get a recreation room, like you saw." I pause for breath, glancing at Quatre. He looks very surprised and stunned, and his eyes widened even more as I take another breath to continue.

"Saturdays we are confined to our floor except between the hours 1500-1700. By the way, don't let the matrons hear you using the 12hour time or you'll be in trouble. It's like the army. Outside, there are places we can't go to, and limits we can't pass but I can't show you those right now, so we'll wait another…" I glance at the clock. "Half an hour. Don't talk back to the teachers, listen to the matrons, and watch out for the younger kids. That should be it." I pause, thinking. "Yup. Questions?"

With a gulp, Quatre opened his mouth. "Why do the others seem so much more free?"

I sigh. "Because Quatre, apart from the Normies that are the most free, they're either genius or special. But we're both."

"There's more." Quatre's eyes narrowed slightly. I sighed again.

"The scientists don't want us hurt or suddenly out of control so we are to stay isolated amongst ourselves in places they can find us. They can't accept the fact that we don't usually go out of control."

"But what about the other special ones?"

"Quatre!" I groan. "It's just because they think we're both and there's more to us then there is to them. Those people are simply here because they are similar to us in some ways and are shunned and therefore locked up!" I close my eyes. "Wake me up in 15 minutes and I'll take you outside." I was asleep before he could answer.











Saori: *wipes sweat* Arigatou Jetonna-chan for helping me edit...geesh..I DO have bad grammar...

Jetonna: ^^V

Heero: When do we come in?

Saori: I'm not sure. I think the next person should be...

Heero: Me?

Saori: I'm not giving it away.

Wufei: Ha. Yuy. You are too weak. Winner is too weak to be the first, even though Maxwell is there. He is the weakest, but only serves him right to be isolated for 6 years...

Saori: *hits Wufei* DON"T DISS DUO! OR YOU WILL SUFFER!!

Wufei: Hn. Like YOU could do much.

--In a puff of smoke, Wufei is transformed into a girl with a short SHORT skirt and tank top. A rush of guys run to him.--

Saori: SCORE!

Duo: Don't make her angry. It's not worth it...

Saori: Did I hear something??

Duo: No! I was just saying how hard you worked and you need a break!

Saori: Right. See you later!!

All: *phew*

Saori: Duo, and Heero. You're coming with me. I want Heero to teach me how to use Wing Zero and I want to spar with Deathscythe Hell.

Heero and Duo: NO!!! NOT MY GUNDAM!!!



Saori: *ahem* I amuse myself there...haha...^.^''' O.k..maybe not funny..but PLEASE!! REVIEW!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!! Ideas on what to make Wufei, Heero and Trowa do? Please? Please?? *echo*...