CONSPIRACY
PART I
TREACHERY ON L2
See ch. 1 for disclaimers, couples, notes, etc.
CHAPTER 4
Trowa sat back as his vid screen went blank for a moment and then HOLD in different colors ping-ponged back and forth across the screen as music began to play. Trowa snorted, Catherine had been using his laptop again. Her choice for the hold feature was obvious. She said he was too dull just because he preferred a simple HOLD in bold black letters with no movement and no sound effects. Then his face grew somber, as his thoughts went to Quatre. He loved Quatre and Quatre loved him, he felt things about Quatre that he sensed about no one else. But he knew he had done the right thing even though it had seemed to break Quatre's heart. Now Quatre accepted it and they were still close.
He moved his shoulders, rotating them to relieve the tension that had been stiffening his muscles since he first felt that uneasiness. Wufei had expected news that the three missing ex-Gundam pilots had been found by their tracking devices. It was a good thing they all wore them. All Preventers did….even him, though he only worked for the Preventers on occasion. He stayed at the circus to be with Catherine and Sara as much as he could. But he really enjoyed seeing his fellow ex-pilots, especially Quatre. //Damn// Trowa rubbed his forehead in a worried manner, //What's taking so long? If they found them, it should not take this long. And I still don't feel relieved as Wufei did when the call came in, I still feel uneasy….something's still not right and it centers around Quatre.//
The screen suddenly came back to life and Trowa knew with one look he was correct, the news was not good.
Wufei was now stern and professional, his previous demeanor of worry for his lover and friends and his personal connection with Trowa of a few minutes before was gone,
"Trowa report to L2 as soon as possible. The tracking devices have been destroyed and transmission from them stopped. The Preventer team on L2 found where Heero, Duo and Quatre had last been. Apparently in an old deserted warehouse along the docks of the river several miles from where the limo was first attacked. From tracking their signals, Duo led a zigzag, round-about route to the warehouse. He and Heero were apparently trying to shake some pursuers, probably the double-crossing cops if not others, and attempting to get back to the less dangerous section of that colony at the same time. They seemed to have been blocked from getting out totally so we are led to believe there is a large net of the criminal element looking for them. However, they must have been successful in shaking their pursuers for them to stop for a while in the warehouse, but then they destroyed their tracking devices and left them behind there. It is our assumption they did so because someone else was also tracking their signals and closed in on them. They did escape because word from the L2 underground is that there is a reward out for their heads, well for Heero and Duo. Someone now seems to want Quatre alive …for the time being."
Wufei frowned and passed a quick hand across his eyes, when he spoke again, his voice more once more carried a personal tone over that of the cold professional, "Trowa, it doesn't make sense. Word is that Quatre was the target, now they want him alive. And something else…."
"What," Trowa had tensed up again.
"They found blood on a coat left in the warehouse. They ran a quick DNA scan…it's Quatre's."
"Bloody Hell…..I'm on my way." Trowa stood up quickly, then just before Wufei cut the connection he stopped him.
"Wufei, we'll find them and we will find out what's going on. And then the five of us are going to get to the bottom of who wants Quatre…dead …..or alive."
Wufei's eyes narrowed with his own determination, "We will….you know how I feel about justice. And I've had just about enough of someone unjustly targeting Quatre, and putting my koi and Heero in danger too."
"Hai….." Trowa signed off.
^^^^^^^
"I know it stinks in this sewer, guys," Duo stopped and looked back at his two companions as they followed him, "but it's the safest route I could come up with. There's just too many goons roaming the streets, even in the more deserted sections."
Heero now had his arm around Quatre's waist and the young Winner Heir's good arm across his own shoulder for additional support.
Heero snorted or tried to in the thick miasma of foul odor that surrounded them, "Stinks really doesn't do it justice, Duo."
Duo tried one of his light-hearted quips, "Why, Heero, are you actually attempting a sarcastic joke. We only hear those once every two years or so."
"Hn…." Heero responded but he had moved his eyes to Quatre. The young blonde had been growing steadily weaker over the last hour. No doubt blood loss and pain were making themselves felt. Quatre's lips were tightened with the effort of dealing with his pain and weakness. His eyes had an unhealthy sheen that Heero could make out even in the shadowy beam from the small flashlight that Duo had somehow obtained. Quatre also had a high fever, Heero could feel the heat radiating off the body next to him. Heero hated being down here. The smell was the least of Heero's worries, but this filth wasn't the best for Quatre's wound even if his shoulder was above the muck. The very air was rancid and stale, and Heero had no doubt that it abounded with all sorts of nasty microbes and bacteria. Heero trusted Duo's knowledge of L2 and was sure he was taking them the safest route to wherever he had in mind. But Quatre had started coughing a short time ago and Heero just wished they could break out to where they could breathe half way decently.
Duo said quietly, all lightness gone from his voice, "Not much further Heero."
Heero just nodded and looked forward, feeling Quatre shift in discomfort as they pressed on.
A short time later they had at last left the sewer by a manhole in a dark alley full of trash and old lumber, bricks and tarps. Duo had carried Quatre up on his back, Quatre's good arm clasped along the braided boy's collar bone. For additional security they had tied Quatre to Duo's waist with the arms of Duo's second shirt which he had kept even though he had appropriated a shabbier one on his mission to try and come up with some supplies earlier.
Quatre was feeling very light-headed now, and even though
they were out of the stinking sewer, he still felt like he couldn't get a
decent breath. He started to cough
again, trying to subdue the sound as best he could. Heero was beside him in seconds and looked into his face, but
Quatre took a deep breath as his coughing eased and steadied himself. He felt Duo's arm which had been around his
back as he coughed fall away and he knew it was Heero's arm that now slipped
around his waist again,
"I've got you…" Heero's voice sounded
strange to Quatre, almost gentle, even tender.
//No!!// Quatre told himself firmly, //I'm not going down that road again. I'm not about to let my mind dream up feelings that are not true and let my barriers down with this ex-pilot// Quatre sighed again, as he felt Heero start to move him carefully along. He let his mind wander, because it took too much effort to try and think clearly now. His memories scattered and mixed with the present, confusing his emotions even more. Quatre saw two other pilots faces…as he had seen them in the past when he thought he had been in love with them. He had fallen for them but it had been wrong…for them and for him. But this ….now….this tenderness whether real or not, it was new but he had felt it before, just a short time ago.…..and he had seen something in Prussian eyes….where was that….oh, the deserted building on the dock. But even before that, there was another time….vague…hospital white….and the smell of disinfectant and antiseptic…and those same Prussian blue eyes looking into him, not at him, but deep into him and there was something there. Quatre's mind gave up trying to solve the puzzle, figuring his imagination was running wild again. He was too tired and he felt like he just wanted to lay down and rest for a long time. And he was so damn thirsty. He started coughing yet again, once more trying to suppress the sound.
"Shit…that's it…" Duo's quiet voice sounded somewhere ahead of him.
"Just a little thirsty…" Quatre rasped, hoping to apologize for possibly giving away their presence and also wanting to calm Duo's obvious frustration.
"I know, Kat….hold on. Heero, come on, we're taking him down below the pier a short way ahead of us."
"Duo, I realize we're still near the water, but surely …"
"You know I'm not that stupid, of course he can't drink that crap. I just need to stash you two somewhere and get some drinking water. I know where but I can move a lot faster without you."
"No, Duo, that's not what I meant, but what I was thinking is the dampness…"
"Yeah…but it's away from the streets and I hear some of Gerardo's goons ahead and around the corner and that's why I said shit…not because of you Kat…"
"Oh…I just didn't want you to worry too much." Quatre's voice was a weak former semblance of itself.
"I do that too…until we get you safe. Stop thinking about easing my feelings and concentrate on holding on." Duo said flatly. Quatre was getting awfully sick, far too fast. Both Heero and he knew it was probably infection in the wound, not to mention the bullet and perhaps the beginnings of pneumonia with that nasty cough.
Within a short few minutes, Duo had them beneath a pier all the way back up beneath the tall supports. It was a little damp, but actually the breeze from the water cleared some of the smells away and Duo found them a relatively dry spot, the water never came this high.
As Duo now held up an unsteady Quatre, Heero took off his own suit coat and spread it on the sand. When he turned back to take Quatre from Duo, Quatre said with another heavy sigh, "If you two don't mind….I think I'll take a nap," and collapsed.
Heero caught him easily and then carefully lowered him onto his stomach, all of his body to just above his knees laying crosswise on Heero's suit coat.
"Take a nap, indeed," Heero said with a strange catch in his voice as he let his fingers gently comb through sweat-soaked blond locks.
"You need to let him know how you feel, Heero…." Duo whispered, as he gave Heero his extra, cleaner shirt to cover Quatre as much as possible.
Heero switched his gaze to Duo and his eyes now glared and his words came out in what was close to a hiss.
"Shut the hell up Maxwell, this is not the time to talk about this, get some water and some clean bandages or old rags. He's raging with fever and is going to until the bullet comes out and we can get something for the infection. He really needs a hospital. Still for now, get what you can…and find out what Gerardo has to do with this if you're able. But the priority is water and bandages and anything you can get to help with the wound, disinfectant or alcohol if you can come up with it."
Duo held Heero's eyes for the briefest of seconds, then said quietly, "OK then…be back before you know it."
Duo had only moved a few steps away when Heero's voice stopped him, "Duo…I'm….I….should not have snapped at you. You're doing all you can and…"
"Forget it Heero, but it's a strange thing to hear an apology from you even if you owe me one. Quatre seems to be a good influence on you after all these years."
Duo tried a quick grin as he tucked his braid beneath his cap again and pulled the brim low over is eyes. Then as usual he disappeared silently.
Heero sat down near Quatre and looked at the sleeping young man thinking to himself //Not so many years…not so much time has passed….it just seems like yesterday sometimes…the first time I saw you and even then, something about you pulled at me….but I dismissed it, ignored it…for far too long.// Heero sighed deeply and raised his knees to rest his arms on them as he maintained his vigil.
Duo was back in a short time with drinking water. That was most important for now. He left a large plastic jug with Heero and was off again immediately.
Heero shook Quatre gently unsure whether to wake him or let him sleep, but instinct told him he needed to get water down him quickly. The fever was probably burning off too much from his system as it was.
Quatre groaned as he returned to consciousness, "What….where…"
"We have water Quatre. You need to drink." Heero said softly.
Heero helped Quatre sit up and then held the jug to his lips, trying to spill as little of the water as possible as Quatre swallowed.
"Sorry we don't have the proper fancy goblets you always have at your table even for water. But I guess Duo had a little trouble coming up with those…." Heero said with a small smile as Quatre leaned back after a moment. Quatre coughed a little but then smiled weakly,
"Duo is right. You're sense of humor is definitely …." Another fit of coughing interrupted him.
Heero found himself holding him, trying to ease the racking coughs and contain the sound too. When the coughs did finally ease, Quatre seemed to give up saying anything further. He needed to rest some more and Heero knew it. This time though, he didn't release Quatre to lay back down, but moved to sit on his coat and lean on one of the pier supports, letting Quatre rest against him as he spoke in a soothing tone, "I think you'll rest better and not cough so much sitting up rather than laying down."
Quatre did not object and seemed to either fall asleep or pass out once again, Heero wasn't sure which, but he was held close in Heero's arms. There was no place else Heero wanted him to be. He just wished it was under different circumstances. Heero closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the upright column behind him.
"You really should tell him you love him, Heero." Duo's quiet voice brought Heero back to consciousness a while later. Heero was awake instantly and narrowed his eyes at Duo as Duo placed a large duffle bag on the ground.
Heero whispered, "Hush, you may wake him and not only does he need to rest as much as possible, I don't want him to hear you."
Duo grinned slightly but his eyes were on Quatre and Heero recognized fondness….no, it was more than just fondness in Duo's expression.
A sudden surge of jealousy and possessiveness overwhelmed him, "And I want you to stop coming on to him." Heero realized his voice was sharp again but he did not care that he snapped at Duo this time.
Duo's eyes shifted quickly to Heero's and he grew serious for just a quick second, then his smile returned. Not one of his all- knowing smirks, but a sympathetic smile.
"Well, if you don't tell him, you're leaving the field open," he tried lightly teasing.
"Duo…." Heero started but he recognized Duo's look and efforts to lighten the awkward moment. Although Heero still was certain Duo's look at Quatre was laced with possibilities even though he had assured Heero he would not get in his way. But Duo was right, he was avoiding expressing his feelings to Quatre, dodging too many times the opportunity to let Quatre know how deeply he loved him. And were Duo's supposedly teasing words a light warning. He pushed his indecision aside once more, convincing himself that now was not the time. He began again, whispering to Duo in his normal expressionless voice,
"He still may wake up and hear us talking."
"Hear what? That I said you love him. It'd be better if he heard it from you. And if he does wake up and hear something of what I'm saying, all the better…it's an opening for you." Duo sat in front of Heero and began removing items from the duffle bag.
Heero sighed and looked down into Quatre's face. He was still burning with fever, but he seemed truly asleep at best and totally unconscious at worst. Heero finally spoke so softly Duo had to lean even closer to hear him, "I almost kissed him back there in the warehouse but there was that shout and then you came slithering in…"
Duo's smile widened, "Slithering….why thank you…."
"I just mean you were as quiet as a snake and I would have been damn unhappy for you to interrupt the moment I thought I was going to have."
"No, I consider slithering appropriate, and don't ever let me interrupt you if you're going to open up to Quatre. I'll be so quiet and I'll give you privacy."
"Shit…you really didn't interrupt me, it was that bastard who shouted. How did they know our tracking frequencies? Were you able to find out anything?"
Duo shrugged and scowled now though he kept his voice down, , "Oh yeah, I picked up some. Gerardo and his mob as well as some of the other gangs were hired by someone or some group, no one knows for sure what or who. Gerardo's in charge here on L2 and he's smart enough to keep silent about who he's working for. Thing is," Duo's scowl grew harsher, "while he was given original orders to take Quatre out, and you and I of course if we got in the way, now Gerardo has put it out he wants Quatre alive. You and I…he could care less about except as obstacles to keep him from getting to Quatre."
Heero's own frown was fierce, "He's obviously going against his orders, but it's pretty clear to me why he wants Quatre alive, the son of a bitch. I told him…." Heero pushed down the rage that threatened again. Right now it was not productive.
Heero shook his head, "It really doesn't matter because he's never going to get near him unless it's when Quatre sees him at his trial. Still, I was going to ask you to take care of him after the way he talked to Quatre in the limo."
"I can just imagine…and given the opportunity, consider it done, Gerardo will be sorry he ever met Quatre." Duo held up some cans, "Now, it's beans for us. And then what do you want to do about Quatre's wound? I have my knife, but it's pretty big and it will tear up his back to use it to get the bullet out."
Heero frowned, "You're right. But let's hold off eating until we clean up his wound as much as possible. We'll have to see about the bullet. What else do you have in your bag?"
"Can of soup for Quatre, if we can get it down him. Alcohol…the cheap drinking kind, if we have to try for the bullet, we'll have to get him to drink some to try and dull the pain. I also have some old sheets…hated to steal them out of an old laundromat, but they're clean. And, believe it or not a big plastic bottle of hydrogen peroxide."
"Duo, you can scrounge up more stuff. For now we'd better do what we can for the wound." Heero said as he carefully moved Quatre back out of his arms. Quatre woke a little but seemed more out of it as the two eased off his coat, and then Heero removed his shirt before he lay him back down on his stomach. Somehow Duo had also come up with a small battered sauce pan. They poured some clean water in it and though it would take much too long to boil, Duo held a lighter under it as Heero finished ripping up the sheets into strips and squares. After the water was fairly warm, if not hot, they used some of the rags to wash the blood from around the wound as best they could. Then they generously poured the peroxide on the open wound. That woke Quatre up as he jerked and started to push himself up.
Duo, carefully pushed him back down, "Take it easy, Kat, we're just cleaning up your wound a little. Then we're going to eat. I've got beans for us and soup for you, what do you say?"
Quatre hissed slightly as the peroxide was splashed over his wound again, "I say…I feel more like throwing up, so soup sounds awful…" he said halfheartedly, but at least he didn't seem delirious due to his fever.
"OK, then you can rest some more but first, you've got to drink some more water," Duo said easily enough.
Heero was folding one of the larger squares of cloth now and placed it on the wound. He secured it as best he could with wide strips of the same cloth that he tied around Quatre's opposite shoulder and then back around under his arm. Then he removed his own shirt and put it on Quatre. It was a little too large, but would have to do. It was cleaner than Quatre's own or Duo's camouflaged dirty ones. One more thing to do and Heero finished it up quickly, an arm sling made from the largest portion of sheet that he had left just for that purpose.
When he was done, Duo moved to give Quatre more water to drink, while Heero held him in a sitting position. When Quatre finished drinking he dropped his head back on Heero's shoulder, "Sorry, I'll have to turn your dinner invitation down…just want to ….sleep a while longer…still tired…" With a half cough/half yawn Quatre was out of it again within seconds.
Once more, Heero had Quatre in his arms, his head resting on his shoulder, the blond hair tickling his neck. Heero moved to kiss that pale gold hair softly. It was an unconscious move on his part, and Heero was hardly aware he had even fulfilled that gesture of tenderness. He left his lips against Quatre's hair for some seconds, his eyes closed. Finally he pulled back.
When he once more looked at Duo, he caught Duo grinning broadly at him. "You may not be telling him in words, but you are certainly following your own advice of acting on your emotions."
"I'm hungry, Heero growled, "what about those beans?"
Duo laughed softly and turned to the cans of beans.
TBC…..