Disclaimer: I do not own them. I never will. (At least that's what my therapist has me repeat to myself.)

Warnings: yaoi, shonen-ai, all that good stuff, language, OOCness, if I think of anything else, I will add it. I have decided that the pairings will indeed be 1x2, 3x4, 5xZechs, partially because I had some ideas for that anyway and partially from my lovely reviewer, rpln, who wants it 1x2 because you all know I aim to please.

The Driver

Chapter Two – Digging Myself in Deeper

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After the men left my cab yesterday, I checked the money and found hundred-dollar bills, three times the amount I asked for, and a small slip of paper with a name, Winner, Esq. and a phone number scribbled on it in a neat scrawl. I pocketed the three thousand dollars and the piece of paper, shifted my cab into drive and went home.

I threw the money in my freezer for safekeeping along with the phone number and passed out on my bed, unwilling to deal with anything else. Despite my adventure yesterday, I was up for my usual early start and am now parked near the alley where I met the two men yesterday. Since they flew out yesterday, I figure there's really no reason to worry (and even less reason to tell Solo…)

I yawn loudly and pick up the newspaper that's sitting on the passenger seat, barely even looking at it before a headline catches my eyes.

"Would-be assassin found dead at the Peacecraft Compound yesterday evening. No one has stepped forward to claim responsibility for the death, though the killing would be legal in the defense of a member of the royal family. Likewise, no one has stepped forward to claim responsibility for the assassination attempt, and it is unclear how he died. The coroner on the scene was quoted as say, 'It's as if his heart just stopped.' Police are still searching for clues, and any tips should be brought to Chief Inspector Merquise."

I stare at the paper in amazement. The death must have happened just after I was there. Murders are fairly common on L2, but the place would have been in chaos if an assassin had just been found. I'm turning the page to read the rest of the story when the back door opens and a blonde man sticks his head in the door and smiles.

"Are you available?"

I look him over, taking in the stylish black trench coat, paired with a black hat, wire rim glasses and a huge smile. My guess, he'll want to go somewhere in the Garden District, where the few overpriced houses are, and he'll tip well.

I nod, setting down my newspaper and tipping my hat back before returning his smile. "Hop in. Where you headed?"

He slides in, pulling a briefcase in with him and moving to the other side of the car. Before my mind can register what's happening, one of the men from yesterday, Wufei, sits down, pulling his legs in and closing the door with a decisive click. The blonde ignores my openmouthed stare and fusses around his briefcase for a moment before pulling out a piece of paper.

"I would like to go to the L4 Embassy." His voice holds the decisive tone of one who was born to power, his words sounding well thought out and unnecessarily pleasant.

I nod dumbly as I pull the car out onto the road smoothly. As soon as the two are settled, I see the blonde taking off his gloves and a pale hand is offered over my shoulder.

"Quatre Winner, so pleased to meet you." The blonde is smiling again, though I don't know why. "So nice to finally meet you Duo! Such a pleasure to meet you… such a pleasure." The blonde continues with his enthusiastic greeting as I try to figure out how he knew my name. I wouldn't have thought Wufei would remember it, let alone make a point to inform his friend prior to meeting me. I give him a suspicious glance and the Chinese man has the decency to look uncomfortable.

"So… You said yesterday that you were in town for business. What exactly do you do?" And more importantly why was I dragged into a high speed chase yesterday… I'm usually not this nosy with my customers, but I feel I have a right to know. "It must be an interesting job…"

Wufei looks out the window, yawning before answering. "I'm a… cop, of sorts."

I raise my eyebrows and give him a dubious look. "You're a cop? What are you doing taking a taxi? And how does he know my name."

"I am a cop, and he knows your name because I told it to him."

I give him a dubious look and he glares back.

"Oh come now Duo…" Quatre gives a cheery laugh, shaking his head in amusement. "Is it really so hard to believe? Doesn't he have 'tight ass law official' written all over him."

I nod seriously as Wufei glares at his companion, then makes a big point of ignoring him, instead turning to me.

"Allow me to get right to the point. We need a full time driver while we are on L2. If you wish to come with us when we leave, I am sure that can be arranged, but after we leave here your contract would be fulfilled."

"Why me?"

"You have a past history with cars, and that sort of driving, and I'm sure you have a reasonable expectation of what we expect from you. You're unusual looking, but still manage to blend into a crowd. I also liked your reaction to Heero pulling the gun. You handled it with… humor." Wufei pauses and a smile graces his lips, making him look less intimidating. "Poise."

Quatre looks from me to Wufei sharply, frowning. "Heero pulled a gun on him? Whatever for?"

Wufei dismisses it with one wave of his hand. "You know Heero's problem solving skills. It was nothing. Me and the driver managed to reach an agreement." He turns toward me, adding almost as an afterthought, "Also, Duo, you know the streets of L2, and can help with this colony."

My head is spinning and I look back at the two men, finally coming to one decision.

I need a cigarette.

"I hope neither of you mind… I usually don't do this in the cab, but…" I trail off, not entirely sure how to describe my thoughts. "Odd times, ya know?" I grab one from the secret stash under the seat, offering them to both Quatre and Wufei before shoving one in my mouth. Wufei declines with a wrinkle of his nose but Quatre accepts graciously, sticking it in his mouth and lighting it carefully before blowing several smoke rings at Wufei. I take a huge drag, my mind still racing over the information that I was just given. I have to admit, my imagination is running rampant, picturing my life as some action movie and I smile. It would be cool. I could get that familiar thrill of adrenaline, that jolt that had been better than a drug could ever be. I look at my mirror, looking at the pair, then sigh inwardly. Who am I kidding? This offer will bring more excitement than I'll know what to do with. I take another drag on the cigarette, looking back at Wufei, who speaks.

"We know you can drive. Your record tells us that. The job will require the ability to listen, look, remember everything you see, find out information no one is supposed to know and not tell the wrong people. You will need to be quick, smart and invisible, and even then I cannot guarantee you will stay alive. However, when a stranger held a gun to your head you laughed, and this gives me faith. I believe you would be excellent for the job."

"When would I start?"

Bad brain. You were supposed to tell him no!

Wufei and Quatre exchange a look, you know one of those ones where a whole conversation is happening with a twitch of an eyebrow… They finally look back at me and Wufei shrugs.

"Hopefully as soon as possible."

I think for another moment, trying to fit everything into place. "If you're a cop, who're you chasing? And why are you hiring a cab driver? Don't the police have drivers?"

Quatre looks pleased, and I get the feeling that he's happy that I'm asking questions. I can tell Wufei is trying to figure out how much to tell me and that Quatre isn't helping him. Finally, Wufei leans forward and lowers his voice.

"What I am about to tell you is under the strictest confidence. I will know if you tell anyone, and you will regret it. Do you understand?"

I nod, smiling slightly and whispering in a conspiratorial voice, "You'll be stalking me to make sure I don't tell. Got it."

Quatre laughs at my smart-ass comment, but Wufei just glares. I give him a conciliatory smile and motion for him to continue.

"There is a new branch of the Mafia trying to emerge, one that is… unorthodox. Where the Old Mafia has established codes and rules of engagement, this new faction operates under ruthless and often cruel principles, and will do anything to achieve its goals." Wufei pauses, exchanging another look with Quatre. "We are unsure what their official name is but they refer to themselves as the Organization of Zodiac. They are currently attempting to make a permanent stronghold on L2 and we are here to stop them, and hopefully learn more about their plans for Earth and the colonies."

"Who is we?"

Wufei's face pinches a bit and I'm sure he's about to lie to me until Quatre places a hand on his shoulder and nods almost imperceptibly. Wufei relaxes the slightest bit, but I can tell he's still thinking over his next words.

"We are a small group of… highly trained specialists from the colonies and earth. We are law enforcement officials, of sorts, but our actions are not dictated by laws."

"Who do you work for?"

"I am not allowed to divulge that information at the present time."

His eyes are daring me to argue, but I ignore the challenge. "Ok, why are you hiring me? You said I could blend into a crowd and all that, but don't you have professionally trained cops and such?"

"We need a different tool for a different job." This time it's Quatre who volunteers the information. "The police-trained tend to be… testy when it comes to the morality of some of the tasks. My… colleagues and I have all had that beaten out of us, and it is frustrating having to work with them."

My voice is dripping with question marks as I ask, "And you think I would be better because…"

"Yesterday, you willingly participated in a car chase when you had nothing to gain but a thousand dollars. If you were in it for monetary gain, I would be fine with that. However, your record shows me something different. Grand theft auto, illegal street racing, breaking and entering, though those charges were dropped because you didn't actually take anything." Quatre raises his eyebrows and I suddenly feel backed into a corner. "Just out of juvenile detention, barely eighteen and you're willing to risk your ass for complete strangers… Pardon me for thinking you have flexible morals."

He has me and we all know it. I settle for muttering, "Why you gotta talk about my morals like that?" and concentrate on the road, picking my way through the crowded streets near the Embassies. As we pull up to the curb, I put the cab in park and turn around to face them.

"Who else is in on this little plan?"

"Wufei and myself, Heero, who you met yesterday, and Trowa, who is out of town on business. There are others that we work with, but none that are considered part of our group."

"And what exactly would my job entail?"

"You would plan transportation for all of us and drive us personally when necessary. You will be responsible for spying on those who you encounter in the line work, and any who we need you to gather information on. You will most likely be involved in several more car chases but I promise you, you will have the best of everything, and anything you require within reason. We also would like you to help train other drivers."

"So basically I'm going to be sneaking around, talking to people and being shot at for it… Do I get health insurance?"

Quatre smiles and even Wufei looks the tiniest bit amused. "We provide a place to live, transportation, food, travel expenses and any protection you feel you need. All we ask is that you keep your mouth shut and do as we ask."

Dear Sister, help me with what I am about to do.

"I'll do it."

"Wonderful!" Quatre looks thrilled and Wufei looks relieved, making me wonder how many others they'd considered for the job. "Just go about your business and we'll get in touch with you when things are ready."

I nod and motion to the fare meter. "Don't worry about it guys. It's on me."

As Quatre's closing the door, he sticks his head back in, saying, "We'll be in contact, Duo, but if you need anything… Do you still have my number?"

I stare at him for a moment before remembering the phone number from yesterday.

"Yeah, it's in my freezer at home." I hear Wufei snort from outside the car, but Quatre just beams at me and I am again unsure why he's so happy. He closes the door and I watch the two walk up the tall steps and into the building thinking about the two.

Frowning fiercely at my steering wheel, I try to piece everything together. What did the piece of paper say? Winner, Esq. That means this insanely happy blonde man is a lawyer. That I never would have guessed. And the Chinese man's a cop?

I'll tell you, growing up on L2 gave me a good sense of people. I know who I can trust and who I can't, and I'm usually very good at reading people. The three of them, Quatre, Heero and Wufei are different. It's the main reason why I believe everything they told me. There is something strange about all three of them, something that leaves me clueless.

I dread finding out who my boss is gonna be.

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And there you have it, the second installment of Duo's little adventure. I would like to thank all my reviewers. Honestly, this chapter came out so much quicker knowing that people were waiting for it. Yay…