Chi: I AM SOOOOOOO SORRY!! I USUALLY GET OUT MY FICS FASTER THAN THIS!! I'll be able to get them out faster now that it's summer so you won't have to worry about a pause like that…. At least not for a while…

Bo: Thank you for waiting as long as you did and especially for all the encouraging reviews! They are our chocolate and vanilla ice cream with syrup and caramel!!

Chi: We won't keep you any longer so on with the chapter!

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN GUNDAM WING OR SLIDING DOORS (darn…)

Warning: This contains Yaoi, probable lemons, AU and blowing up of objects out the wazoo. You have been warned.

DOMINO EFFECT

Chapter 3: The Elite Guard

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Winner Pharmaceuticals (or just WP Corp.) was a wealthy company, owned by the Winner family. True to its name, WP Corp. specialized in manufacturing medicine, medical equipment, and the like. The company was extremely well known, and the Winners were recognized as one of the wealthiest families in England (1) and, possibly, the world.

So, when Trowa, Heero's vice captain, heard that he was going to be meeting with Quatre Winner, the owner of WP Corp. and heir to the Winner fortune, he was completely and utterly nervous. While the Winner's were mostly businessmen, they also held a ranking as pacifists in the political world. And, for crying out loud, they had a mini army dedicated to them! Trowa could already see all the scenarios in which he'd get assaulted by Winner-protective crazy guards. Oh the humanity!

But when the Quatre Winner strode in, he spotted Trowa and smiled. Trowa blinked and shook his head. That's it, all the scenarios of the Maganac Corps had gone to his head, and now he was imagining Quatre Winner as a kind looking florist! … If we could ignore the fine tailored suit and expensive shoes. Damn…

"Good afternoon. I'm Quatre Winner. I believe we have an appointment scheduled for today?"

No fucking way! Quatre Winner was supposed to be a giant hulk that ruled with an iron fist!

Trowa masked his thoughts by extending a hand, "Vice Captain Trowa Barton, 1st Platoon, Elite Guard. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure's all mine," Quatre smiled. He took Trowa's hand and sat down.

"Now let's get down to business. Have you heard of the attempt of Relena Peacecraft's life?"

Quatre nodded.

"I will assume that you are also aware of the theft that occurred on the same day, in one of your hospitals?"

Quatre blinked, "I know of both, but I do not see the connection."

Trowa sighed and opened a drawer. He rummaged through and pulled out a file.

"They both occurred on the same day with only about forty-five minutes apart. Police officials were occupied with the theft, and about 40 of the officers left the press conference Relena Peacecraft was at. We lost many officers and soldiers from the Elite Guard in that attack," Trowa looked straight at Quatre. "We believe that the crimes are related."

"Related how?"

"The timing was too close and the mode of employ was the same. The Preventors believe that both crimes were committed by the same organization."

"And what organization would be capable of such a ploy?"

"The OZ syndicate. It's a group that's recently been trying to reform the government via killing various important political figures," Trowa handed Quatre the folder. "This is all the information we've acquired on them. They're a relatively new organization so we don't have much on them. The murder attempt was the first time they've come out into the open." Quatre scanned the contents of the folder. OZ had apparently existed for a little more than a year. They'd been a small-scale group for the most of that time: beginning riots and encouraging outbreaks of violence against the government. For the most part, they'd hidden behind the violence that was caused, so it was impossible to blame them for anything that had broken out. Their whereabouts were unknown, but their main hideout was believed to be in America.

"I understand the situation, but I don't see how I can assist you," Quatre handed Trowa the folder.

"The Elite Guard wishes to forge an alliance of sorts with WPcorp. We lost two platoons in the ambush, each consisting of three soldiers each. That totals to six irreplaceable soldiers. These soldiers are handpicked from around the world. Only the best get in and, once they do, they still receive additional training. Not just anyone can receive this position and loosing six soldiers is far too much. It will take an extremely long time to replace those lost. To prevent more casualties from arising, we whish to add one medic per each platoon," Trowa handed Quatre a manila envelope. "These are the medics we've requested for our force."

"I can see where you're coming from, however I cannot attest to your request. You stated that OZ has its sights set on Ms. Peacecraft, correct? From the ambush OZ waged at the press conference, it is quite obvious that OZ has the means to go after a business, even an extensive one such as mine. Agreeing to your request puts my business, my workers and me at stake. In aiding your cause, OZ might decide to lash out at me to prevent your chances of recuperating after a large battle," Quatre replied, his gaze stern but never unkind.

"Of course, I see that this operation and union puts you at risk, Mister Winner. This is why the Elite Guard, being a branch of the Preventors organization, can give you a more enforced security. We are willing and even offering to give you access to the Preventors' security guards and anything you should need to protect your business. Will you reconsider this union?" Trowa explained.

"I will need a few days to think this over, if you do not mind. You can expect my reply in a few days," Quatre rubbed his temples.

"Of course," Trowa nodded.

"Well then, I bid you farewell and thank you for meeting me; you were quite accommodating," Quatre smiled. Trowa nodded again and waved. Once Quatre had left the room, Trowa relaxed in his chair and sighed. Well, that could've gone worse. At least the Maganac Corps didn't come…

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These past few days had been so boring for Duo. Quatre had been so busy, faxing documents, writing e-mails and the list only continues. And it got worse when Quatre returned from his meeting with his mystery character that Duo didn't know. Oh, Duo would've killed to know what was going on, but Quatre had been holed up in his room doing Shinigami knows what. Duo barely saw his friend except when he brought the blonde businessman meals or when Quatre woke him up.

Duo had had enough. He felt neglected, left out and alone, with nothing but the wide screen TV with over 1000 channels of service for company. But, quite frankly, the TV wasn't a great conversationalist, though he did learn about the 101 ways to plant pickles. Worst hour of his life…

So here he was, about to knock on Quatre's bedroom door in a whit t-shirt and pj pants. True, Duo did not look threatening in the least, but the ex-doctor was ready to get a battering ram if Quatre wouldn't open the door. It was a great plan and, Duo was more that ready to put it into effect, but there was no need to execute it because Quatre had already opened the door and was staring at him strangely.

"Duo, what are you doing out here?"

"You, my friend, have been hiding something, and I'm damn tired of being kept in the dark! Tell me what's going on! You already wouldn't tell me what was up with Yuy coming to your apartment and now this? I though we didn't keep secrets from each other?" Duo looked at Quatre with fairly hurt eyes.

"Well as things stand now I'm going to have to tell you anyway, so come in," Quatre moved aside to let Duo walk in and sit on Quatre's bed. Quatre followed and sat at his own desk. He turned around his chair and a few files in hand, to face Duo with a serious expression. Duo immediately sobered up from his previous rage.

"Have you ever heard of an organization called OZ?" Quatre asked.

"Hmmm. Weren't they on the news once for beginning that protest march up in China? They're one of those mini anti-peace organizations, right?"

"Yes. They've been pretty small scale, up until recently in which they staged an attempt on Relena Peacecraft's life," Quatre stated. Duo's eyes widened into saucers.

"Y'mean OZ has pretty much made it public that they're not happy with the current peace talks and want them out of the picture for good?" Duo gaped. Quatre nodded.

"You remember the when that theft in the hospital occurred?

"How could I forget?" Duo mumbled. Quatre looked at Duo sympathetically.

"I have an informant who tipped me off, saying that it was part of a set up by OZ to reduce the police force at the press conference. Ms. Peacecraft was almost killed in the fray, but barely survived at the cost of two Elite Guard Platoons," Quatre replied.

"Huh, Elite Guard?" Duo cocked his head to one side.

"They're a separate branch of Preventors dedicated specifically to the protection of Relena Peacecraft. Apparently the soldiers that make it up are picked from all over the world, and only the best of the best get in. For them to loose two platoons of the five they have is a pretty harsh blow." Quatre explained.

"Has the Elite Guard been your informant? Is that why you've been acting so weird?"

Quatre nodded, "I'm sorry Duo, but under law, I'm forbidden to disclose any sort of information about the Elite Guard. They are the strongest branch of Preventors and anything to jeopardize their safety must be stopped. The private records of these soldiers are some of the most secure in the world," Quatre explained.

"I understand Quat. It would be stupid of me to begrudge you because of… Hey wait. If you're not allowed to tell me anything about the Elite Guard, why did you just tell me all of this?" Duo narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Quatre sighed; it was now or never…

"The Elite Guard has requested that you join them."

An awkward silence hung over them and Quatre could've sworn that he could hear crickets chirping in the background.

"WHAT?!"

"Duo, please--"

"I'm no warrior! I can't fight! Granted I do have street smarts and had to survive alone for 10 years, but that's not the point! I wasn't made for that kind of thing! I--"

"Duo, you're rambling."

"Rambling? Who's rambling?" Duo's voice was getting shriller by the second.

"DUO!!"

Duo abruptly stopped talking. Quatre rubbed his forehead and sighed.

"You're not going to be expected to fight, just to be a medic for the platoon you're assigned to. The only fighting you're going to have to do is probably some basic defense training, if not a little more than that," Quatre said. Duo pursed his lips.

"But why me?"

"They were most likely going over the records of medics and their education. They wish to prevent another loss, like the one at the press conference."

"What's so special about me?"

"Duo, you graduated from Harvard Med. at the age of nineteen and got your fist job in a British hospital a year later, after you'd moved here. I think you're nothing short of a genius," Quatre placed a hand on Duo's shoulder.

"Yeah, and what about my L2 upbringing? I'm not going to set myself up for being called a thief and a liar again!" Duo huffed. Granted, Duo had been called much worse before, but that wasn't the point. The longhaired man hated the discrimination against his kind, and he was absolutely not working in a place full of bigoted idiots like at his previous occupation.

"Oh, Duo…" Quatre sat next to Duo on the bed and threw a comforting arm around him. "The people who work in the Elite Guard come from all over, including the space colonies. Recall Heero from a week ago? He was from L1. And the vice captain I met a couple days ago was from L3. You won't have to worry about that sort of thing. It's like getting a new job."

"Job, huh? Maybe it'll help me move on. Y'know from Klementz and all the bad stuff that happened. I think that would be good: to start regaining my independence. And, quite frankly, I don't think it's going to work out between the widescreen and me, " Duo smiled and hugged Quatre. "Thanks."

"No problem. It's what friends do. Now, since you're going to be a part of the Elite Guard, we'd better get packing," Quatre got off the bed and walked away. Duo stared after Quatre's form incredulously.

"Packing?! What…Who said anything about packing?! Why do I have to pack!? Are you kicking me out?! Hey! QUATRE!!"

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1- The fic takes place in London.