Disclaimer: See First Chapter

Warnings: Mild Swearing

A/N: Cheerful and pathetically happy thank yous to my reviewers. Camillian - mind reader! Furiousderagonmaji - fab reaction, sorry to get you hetted up! Millardo Mergues - You changed your name? Solitaire - Glad I captured your attention! Kami-Crimson - Wow! lol, thanks! Funny, though, it disappeared later - that always seems to happen to you. I'll try and correct that spelling error as well. Thanks to you all!

Please, if you get a chance, leave a review. I'd love to hear what you think and any suggestions you might have! Now read and enjoy!


The Tribulations of Peace

By Corralero

Certificate of Military Discharge

Sergeant Timothy Mallinson is herby dismissed from his post, duties and responsibilities within the 3rd Regiment of the 2nd Marines on charges of dishonourable conduct and disorderliness in a civilian area…

(Extract of a Certificate of Military Discharge found along with other military documents relating to Sergeant Mallinson on the desk of Mr James Boyster, an influential Government Official during the aftermath of the wars.)

Chapter Three – Enter Mallinson

Of all the positions he could have possibly been in at the end of the war, Duo had never once imagined this. Six feet under, locked in some OZ cell, back on the streets, working with the Sweepers, the Preventers, sure, any of the above, but just not this. He was standing uncertainly in the living room of a small maisonette in not the nicest part of town, holding the duffel bag he had just lugged in from Mallinson's beat up old jeep outside. He hadn't received any help. Behind him the door shut and he turned around quickly to find Mallinson standing right before him, suddenly looking a lot less friendly than when Duo had first met him. Inwardly he gave a knowing smirk. So now it starts. Knew I didn't like the bugger. A finger pointed belligerently at him.

"Right, kid, listen up coz I'm only going to say this once. My house, my rules. I'm running this joint. You do what I say, no arguments, no shit, no nothing. Step out of line and you deal with the consequences. Got that?"

Duo stared at the man's heavy face, his ears ringing oddly. Through gritted teeth, he forced out a "Yes."

The finger jabbed him in the chest, hard. He clenched his fists and forced his breathing to remain even.

"That's 'yes, sir'."

"Yes, sir." Duo spat back. He met Mallinson's green eyes squarely, refusing to back down. The man grunted as he swung away. Duo dropped his head towards the floor, staring up at Mallinson from under his long chestnut fringe. The man was tall, dark eyes, dark hair, rough dark stubble shading a heavy jaw in a heavy face with a strong, broad physique, dwarfing Duo's petite and slender build. He fitted easily into the role of ex-marine Duo had him pegged at. Duo's attitude of unease and suspicion heightened as he scanned the room in which he stood. A small untidy living room, complete with sagging, worn brown sofa and chipped, unpolished coffee table, and a dingy kitchenette, smelling of smoke, and underneath, of stale beer. It was not unlike some of the less affluent safehouses they had sometimes used. And that, he decided, was what was causing the unease. The place lacked a woman's touch. His mind drifted back to the easy explanation that slipped from the stranger's lips as they had all stood in the car park, adults apparently at easy, in control, while the Gundam Pilots had stood, uneasy and strung out. Only Mallinson and Trowa's carer, a tiny grandmother of a figure had come along. My wife's out of town for a few days. Duo snorted to himself. Sure. Resignation flowed through him. He knew something like this would happen. It always did.

Mallinson stuck his head back around a door and indicated to Duo to follow. He did so, absentmindedly, his thoughts tumbling over events and facts until they were jerked abruptly from their track by a hard hand clamping around his upper arm. He jumped then forced himself not to react.

"You ignoring me?"

Wordlessly he shook his head no. Mallinson's eyes narrowed and Duo could already see the sparks of a vicious temper smouldering behind them. He looked away as if disinterested, unable to completely give in, and was shoved roughly into a small windowless boxroom. Glaring at the man, he flicked his gaze over the room, remarking disparagingly, "Nice view of the wall, man."

Mallinson gave a snort, "Think I'm stupid, boy? Think I don't know what you are? You ain't going nowhere without my say so."

The smartass comment was out of Duo's mouth before he could stop it. "An' which army's gonna stop me then?" Oopps, that's gonna make Heero mad. A stinging box around his right ear left his head ringing as he staggered slightly in surprise. Recovering, he whirled around angrily but Mallinson was already out the room, his voice echoing back, "Dinner's in half a hour, brat. And I ain't waiting for you."


Thirty-five minuets later he had unpacked his meagre belongings and was flopped on the thin mattress of his bed. He didn't think he could eat anything right now. His appetite had been off for a few months now. Prob'ly stress, he thought vaguely. And he sure as hell didn't want to go near Mallinson. He knew the others would be furious if they knew how he was behaving but he couldn't help it. He didn't care. It was as if the man was deliberately trying to provoke him. He didn't trust him, he didn't like him and he was certain the sentiments of dislike were heartily returned. Yet he had promised. Promised to be a good boy and not to let the side down. And Duo Maxwell didn't lie. He kicked at the bedside table moodily, his usual carefree smile gone, replaced by a dark frown. He knew he'd have to at least give this a go. A thud on the wall made him look up.

"Stop that bloody racket."

The door swung open and Mallinson stood, glaring on the threshold towards where Duo lay casually on the bed, arms folded behind his head, legs dangling, still idly kicking the cabinet.

"You're late."

Duo struggled not to say the sharp retorts that sprang to mind. Instead he sprang up, holding out his hands, placating.

"Sorry, man. Ya know how time flies." He slipped agilely past him and moments later stood in the untidy kitchenette, staring at the food stains on the cheap plastic surface, still mentally berating himself. This was important, he needed to make an effort. He picked up the chipped plate of macaroni the man shoved at him and flopped down on to the sagging couch. Mallinson sat down next to him, switching on the small TV as he went. An old comedy blared out. He took a bite of the tinned food, then another, wrinkling his nose at the taste.

"Ya like comedy, huh? Reckon they'll be churning the stuff out now the war's over." He talked out loud to Mallinson, who ignored him, staring at the screen. Canned laughter rang out. "So…wha' else do ya like? Saw some pretty cool action movies while back. Some of those guys kick ass!" Duo frowned in irritation as the man continued to ignore him. "Hey, Mister! Ya gonna talk ta me or wha'?"

Mallinson finally turned to face him. "Listen, kid. I get paid for taking your sorry ass in for four weeks and for keeping you in line. I don't get paid to hear you talk. Now, keep your trap shut and don't talk unless you're spoken to. Got it?" His voice was soft as he leant in, crowding Duo's space. With his head pushed back against the sofa and no where to go fast, Duo suddenly felt threatened and mentally cursed himself for placing himself into such a vulnerable position. His gaze flickered away as his smile faltered.

"Sure, man. Whatever ya say."

Mallinson smirked, glad he finally seemed to be getting to this kid.

"Good."


His first night in foster home and he was alone. Eight o'clock had come in sullen oppressive silence and Mallinson had abruptly announced it was Duo's turn with the dishes and he was going out. Nine o'clock had come and Duo was once again stretched out on his bed. The room was driving him mad. No windows, no space. For a streetkid it was suffocating and Duo was slightly anxious. When the lights went out it would be total darkness because he certainly wasn't going to sleep with his door open, not with Mallinson outside. And despite darkness often being his greatest ally, a streetkid never really did sleep well in complete blackness. There was always something to alleviate it. The moon or the streetlamps to light the way. He bit his lip. The emptiness of the small dingy apartment washed over him once more and suddenly he missed the others quite desperately. Quietly he walked over to the house phone. Fishing the scribbled page of contact numbers from his pocket. Scanning it, he hesitated. Who should he call? Heero? Nope, bad move. Didn't want to piss him off too much. Wufei? Ditto. Trowa? Na, didn't fancy having a completely one-sided conversation. So that left the most logical choice anyway – Quatre.

Dialling, he listened to the steady ring until…

"Hello?" A bright female voice answered.

"Umm, hi. Er…I was wonderin', is Quatre around?"

"Oh." The voice sounded a little surprised then went on warmly, "You must be one of his friends. Quatre has told us to much about you." He had? Duo thought, Quatre should be more careful. "Hold on, dear. Who's calling?"

"Duo."

"Quatre! Duo on the phone for you."

He heard a faint reply, a bang and then…

"Thanks, auntie!" Quatre's voice was breathless and cheerful. He sounded completely at home, Duo thought with a sinking feeling.

"Auntie?" He realised too late how derogatory he sounded.

"Is that you, Duo?" Quatre inquired, for once oblivious to the other's mood. Apparently the 'space heart' didn't work through telephone wires.

"Yes, we decided it was better than Mr and Mrs Thompson." Mallinson had decided 'sir' was better than anything.

"So how's it going?" Quatre inquired happily then rushed on without waiting for the reply, "You'll have to come round at some point. The house is lovely and she's almost as good a cook as Trowa!"

It felt strange but the normally talkative Duo seemed to be doing a great impression of Trowa himself. He fiddled with the end of his braid, twisting it into the curling telephone cord.

"S'alright." He eventually muttered, "We watched a bit of TV an'-" He was cut off by a breathless giggle.

"Sorry Duo, I'd better go. Fenna wants something…" There was a yelp and a squeal then Quatre was gone, leaving Duo to conclude that either Fenna was a very forward female or a dog and feeling somehow even lonelier than before. With a sigh he wandered back to the box room to flop once more on the thin bed. His face brightened momentarily as he thought of school the next day. School. He enjoyed school, enjoyed meeting the new people, learning, even just being normal. Besides then he'd see the others all-day and there would be no bloody Mallinson. The smile slipped a little as he shrugged. As far as he was concerned school just couldn't come fast enough.

To Be Continued...