Part 4

Heero stared at Sharine.

Sharine stared at Heero.

Duo stared at both of them for a while before sighing. In his mind, he cursed Wufei for bolting out with his shoes in hand leaving Duo to deal with such an explosive situation. Damn Wufei – he was seriously going to have to grovel to get out of this one. Oh, he was going to kick that skinny Chinese ass all the way to the Mars colony if he had a choice.

He looked at the two, still glaring at each other so pointedly and groaned. "I'm Duo..." he said holding out a hand to the blonde, forcing her to break eye contact with Heero. "Duo Maxwell – nice to meet you."

"Sharine …Walters," she said out of politeness taking his hand. Her grip was firm and her palm was calloused from weapon handling. He did not let go of her hand but rather used it to draw her into the room and towards the sofa.

"Take a seat," he said as Heero glared at Duo instead now as if he'd betrayed them to the White Fang. "Would you care for a drink?"

Sharine looked like someone who was sure she had to leave but did not want to incase her legs fell off on the way out. She sat down reluctantly in the sofa and Heero, after what seemed to be an hour of contemplation, seated himself next to her on the other corner as if to show that he did not care for her presence. "No, thank you," Sharine's voice was more in control as she looked at Duo. "I … uh… you were the one who gave us the information."

"Perhaps you can explain to us the situation," Duo said seating himself in the opposite seat so he was facing the two and trying to act like the adult in the room. "What did Wufei mean by a scouting party and what does this have to do with me?"

"Well," said Sharine looking at him doubtfully.

"Don't worry," said Duo reaching for his id bracelet. "I've got clearance from the Preventers." He handed it over to her waited for her to confirm, knowing his level of clearance was higher than hers by several levels. While he was not an active member, Lady Une knew how to treat Gundam pilots with the respect they deserved. It after all, did not hurt to keep someone who could be called for live action at a moments' notice in Lady Une's back pocket, so to speak. Sharine looked more puzzled than impressed by his clearance data, as if wondering whom exactly he was. After all, with his braid half undone, wearing a comfortable but ratty t-shirt and loose shorts, Duo probably did not look like any Preventer she'd come into contact with.

"Uh, ok," she sounded even unsure. Then she nodded as if making up her mind and reached for her laptop. Switching it on*, she called up the data and started to give them only the bare facts. "Remember the time Wufei got attacked, right after the eye surgery …" she looked at Heero then continued hurriedly before he could speak. "Well, we knew they used Preventer issue guns which came from a stolen shipment from L4."

"Ah," nodded Duo. "This is where I came in. You asked me to carry out a sweep of all possible vessels around that time and I came up with a list of possible suspects."

"You never told me that," Heero told Duo accusingly.

"I ...uh… thought you knew," Duo said hesitantly.

"It was a need to know operation," Sharine told Heero smartly. "And Preventer Chang most likely decided you did not need to know."

"I see," Heero said carefully and Duo could see Wufei was in for a world of pain – or at least a week on the floor.

"But all I gave you was list of names," Duo said hastily you diffuse the tension in the room. "Did you make anything of it?" They obviously had but Duo had to keep them talking, even at the expense of sounding like an idiot.

"We narrowed it down to five possible suspects and form there kept tab of their activities until we could come to a definite conclusion," Sharine continued in a business like voice. "And we came across a possible ship whose owner also runs a small firm on Earth. The sort of group that requires people who are no too squirmy about doing anything and everything."

"They're the scouting party," Heero concluded. "They must come to a city like this from time to time, spread the word through the underground channel that they are looking for men, say ex-cons or something similar and then sort through the turnout for possible recruits."

"Y…se," Sharine seemed surprised by Heero's leap of logic but Duo was used to it and nodded.

"So, Wufei is trying to get recruited," Heero said in a dangerously low tone. "Alone?"

"He's the only possible male we've got to send undercover," Sharine said, as if protesting at the unspoken accusation that she'd deserted her partner. "He's the only one without a war record of any sort."

"Hn."

"Lady Une was going to send you as well but it turns out you can't." she added waspishly.

"Hn."

"It's not as if I could go," Sharine said a little defensively, perhaps feeling somewhat intimidated by Heero's vague responses. Duo grinned to himself – if she was trying to get him to react she was mistaken.

"He didn't tell me that," said Heero absentmindedly reaching for a jar of half eaten pickles off the coffee table in the middle. He pulled one out and then thoughtfully offered the jar to Sharine was staring at him as if he'd grown an extra head. "Pickles?"

Sharine's hand was small so it fitted through the narrow opening easily – and pulled out a decent sized pickle which she popped into her mouth with a look of someone going through an extreme challenge. She looked Heero, or more specifically at his stomach which was more obvious when he was sitting down and his t-shirt was pulled against him.

Heero glanced down at himself, following her line of sight then moved back slightly as if annoyed. Duo was not sure if he should interfere or not but decided to speak – it always distracted people from the obvious.

"So," he said getting up. "Do you want anything to go with the pickles."

"Where are you going to have the baby," Sharine asked bluntly. "You can't stay here for long – you'll draw too much attention even if Sally is your doctor. Preventer hospital wing is heavily guarded and if you check in as a patient there everyone from Une to the office coffee maker would know."

"I was thinking maybe Heero and Wufei can come to L2," Duo said. "Lay low for a while – not one asked anyone anything there. It's a sort of unwritten law

"Or with Trowa –" Heero said injected.

"Trowa…?"

"Friend of ours," Duo explained. "In a circus."

"Well, I suppose you'd fit quiet well next to the bearded lady," Sharine said cattily to Heero and Duo sighed. They had been getting on so well.

~!#$%^&*()_+~

Wufei was sure there was an insane female somewhere writing out his life story. Probably grinning with glee as he was humiliated over and over again. After all, the situation he was in was so similar to what is found in those cheap novels he had come across where the impossible seemed to happen.

On second thought he decided to be pleased by the thoroughness of the people he had met. It still did not ease his bad mood, his humiliation nor the knowledge that he had to face Heero. He stepped off the bus, waiting until it had pulled away before crossing the street and getting into the elevator. He got off on the correct floor, considered going to office before deciding that Chang Wufei was anything but a coward.

This did not stop him from listening carefully outside the door for a couple of seconds before knocking on it. He had a spare key on him and he could have used it but he did not feel like barging in on what sounded like an animated discussion about orphanages between Duo and Sharine. Wufei cringed mentally – his partner was there as well he was in no position to deal with her on the top of getting back into Heero's good books

"It's me," he said a shade uncomfortably to Duo who peered out inquisitively. "I … uh…."

"Oh, goody," said Duo giving him a wide grin bordering on maniacal. "Get your ass in here and let the fireworks being. That's what Chinese are famous for, right?" Wufei cringed as Duo hauled him into the room and practically threw him into the sofa while he was still trying to toe off his sneakers. He half sat, half tripped into the sofa between Heero and Sharine, looked at them both and swallowed hard.

"Look," he said a little slowly. "Sorry for leaving abruptly and…"

"What happened?" Heero asked.

"Did you make contact?" Sharine demanded in tandem.

"They said they'll let me know with a week or so," Wufei replied. "I'll have a full report on your desk by tomorrow noon."

Sharine looked put off by the dismissal. "Look, I didn't hang around here for the free pickles you know," she protested. "I want to know all the details about the meeting and…"

"Not now," Wufei said firmly. He had been thinking it over as he'd ridden the bus home and knew that if he did not deal with Heero straight off, he would regret it later. True, his job was important but he also knew that with a week to prepare for the next meet, if he had made the cut , he did not have to deal with it immediately. But Heero, his pregnant boyfriend, probably needed to be dealt with as soon as possible.

"But…" Sharine said protesting.

"Cut him some slack," Duo snapped before she could continue. "You know you've been verbally pinching Heero for sometime now and Wufei needs to deal with it. Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow. Now that he's home safely, why don't you go home as well."

Sharine scowled and opened her mouth as if to protest again.

"I'm not a gentleman," Duo said in a low voice. "And you know what, despite your sharp tongue, I really like you so don't make me throw you out."

Sharine got up, her face red with embarrassment and anger at the prospect of being thrown out then looked at Wufei as if waiting for him to either defend or oppose her.

"I'm sorry," Wufei told her, meaning it. "But at the moment there are a few things I need to air out with Heero and …"

She nodded, looked at Heero who was sitting as still as a rock on the sofa, blankly looking at the wall, a good indication he was angry and then sighed. "See you all round, I guess," she said tonelessly and then walked to the door to put on her shoes.

After she had gone, Duo locked the door and looked at Wufei with a grimace. "Felt bad about that," he said. "She's an ok kid, a little forceful but reminds me a little of Hilde."

"Duo," Wufei said in exasperation, feeling bad over the mess. "I'm sorry…"

"Hey, I'll deal with that tomorrow," Duo said casually. "Let me just pick up my bag and I'll be on my way."

"You're leaving?' Wufei asked getting to his feet.

"Can't stay here, you and Heero need breathing space so I'll be in the way," Duo said with a smile that looked slightly strained

"Stay," Heero said firmly, still avoiding Wufei's gaze.

"Duo," Wufei said moving towards his friend. "You just got here and we didn't even get time to catch up."

"I'm here for a bit," Duo said with a shrug. "We'll have time to catch up later."

"Where're you going?" Heero asked sounding curious.

"I've got the access card to Winner penthouse suit," Duo said with a wink. "Quatre said I could stay there when ever I'm in town. It's got this sunken hot water Jacuzzi in the middle and I can't wait to try it out."

"You could crash with us for the night," Wufei said feeling bad about the whole thing. The penthouse suit was a huge

"I'm going to turn down the offer for the threesome," Duo said still collecting his stuff and putting them in the bag. "Maybe next time…"

"Duo," Wufei walked up to his friend and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Stay for dinner and then we'll drop you off in the car. Please…"

Duo straightened up and looked him in the eye. "You sure I won't get in the way?"

"Of course not," Wufei said immediately. "Sharine is my partner, you're family," and was glad to see Duo's eye light up at that. "I also want to tell you about the meet today and get your opinion."

"You cooking?" Duo asked with a smile.

"Of course," said Wufei nodding empathically. "Just give me five to shower and change." He looked at Heero who was still seated, looking disinterested by the whole proceeding. "Give me another ten."

He walked over to Heero and sat carefully next to him on the sofa and sighed. "I've been a prick again, haven't I?"

One thing about Heero was he did not hold back nor bottle things up. He gave his opinion of people straight off which made arguments so much easier and at the same time had an a harsh edge which made the person on the receiving end wince.

"You made me look like a fool in front of your partner," Heero said crisply as if reciting a security detail. "I was unaware of the missions you were undertaking and the dangers you were facing. While I understand that I do not need to be updated on all your movements, when a mission has a direct bearing to me, you have no right to withhold vital information."

Wufei looked down at his lap where his hands are clenched tightly into fists, unable look at Heero.

"While I'm not that well versed in the art of having a relationship, I'm aware that we also have a working partnership that requires you to inform me of certain things. Unless you feel that I'm a liability or that my judgment is impaired …"

"No," Wufei said sharply.

"Or if you wish for me to leave," Heero continued softly.

Wufei's heart seemed to spasm at that and he looked up sharply. "You don't mean that," he said, almost a whisper.

"Do you wish for me to leave?" Heero asked. "You're the one who's holding back information from me. Subterfuge was never you strong point and this must be straining you as well."

"You're just saying that you get back at me," Wufei said weakly. Even as he said that he knew that while the countless women he had dated might have sprouted something like that to hurt him, Heero was hardly likely to do that our of revenge.

"I'm not," said Heero, looking down, letting his right hand rest of him abdomen slowly. "I don't want you to stick with me out of some misguided sense of justice now that I'm pregnant."

"Isn't that a little melodramatic," Duo suddenly spoke up. "Well done Heero, you've studied the finer points of rubbing Wu's nose in it but aren't you going a little too far?"

Wufei whipped his head around and stared at his friend who was looking at them intently.

"Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut and go do something interesting like …"

"No," said Wufei waving a hand towards Duo. "Sit down, like I said you're family and we both value your opinion."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence," Duo said a tad sarcastically as he sat down in the chair and nodded at Heero. "You don't mean you're going to leave that easily, are you?" he asked. "After all the trouble you went through to win him, it's a wise to give up so easily."

Heero looked up at their long haired companion and shook his head. "I don't want to be useless," he said firmly. "We usually discard things we don't need anymore."

"That's big from a guy who's always trying to protect me," Wufei snapped back. "What I tried to do was protect you the same way to tried to do for me." He looked at Heero straight in the eye. "I'm not cutting you out of the loop - I'm just trying hard not to get you riled up over things you can do anything about. You can't go on any active missions in your current state so I didn't think it right to worry you."

"And speaking of my current state," Heero said angrily. "Did you have to tell her about it?"

"Yes," Wufei said. "I had to tell her why you weren't there to cover my ass, so to speak."

"She…" Heero started.

"Understandably, she was a little mean about it," Duo said quietly from his seat.

"Understandably," Heero said sounding disbelieving.

"She's jealous," Duo said. "She probably wishes she's the one who's having Wufei's kid." Wufie felt himself blushing at that. "And I'm jealous too," Duo said without missing a beat. "It's ironic that you two, the people who least want a child should get that chance while me and Hilde…"

Wufei was feeling uncomfortable about the whole thing and wished Duo had not mentioned it so casual a voice.

Heero looked up at Wufei, probably feeling just as uncomfortable and scowled. "You did promise dinner, didn't you?"

"That's it," Duo asked looking surprised. "Argument over."

"Not by a long shot," Wufei said with a grimace. "It's time out I think."

"So dinner?" Duo asked with a grin.

"And we'll go over today's activities together," Wufei said with a nod. "I need some unbiased opinions on today's encounter." He looked squarely at Heero. "Especially yours."

~!#$%^&*()

"For starters, I was led from the pickup place to another in a small beaten up car to a remote location," Wufei said as he watched Heero spear another piece of meat. "Blind folded."

"Any idea where?" Duo asked as he called up the city-map on the lap top.

"Not really," Wufei said pointing out a possible location. "It was a warehouse, and well, there are far too many of those here."

"How many people?" Heero asked finally contributing to the conversation once he'd finished eating.

"Four or five," Wufei replied.

"Good set up?" Heero probed as he reached around Duo for a piece of bread.

"Very good," Wufei said reluctantly.

Wufei was not as apt as tracking their destination by the number of turns the car seemed to be making. Anyway, he knew his aim was to get recruited, not arrest the small fry that was coming to recruit losers. Then he was walked through a scanner and asked to strip for a cavity search to be conducted.

"Cavity search," Duo echoed. "I take it they didn't check your teeth."

"They did, for hidden microphones," Wufei said glumly. "But they also got a guy to stick a finger up my ass – really deep too …" He stopped cringing at the memory as he had stood there, naked, bend over, clutching his ankles, cursing every known god in colorful languages – mentally. The doctor had worn a surgical mask covering his face making him unrecognizable other than he was male, had ordered Wufei's blind fold be removed, especially when he had sensed just how uncomfortable Wufei had been at the prospect of being both naked and blind folded. Perhaps it was kindness or perhaps it was that they had a policy against making the people they were hiring less antsy – whatever the case he had been grateful for the small reprieve.

Wufei did not bruise easily but Heero was rather strong and he had had sex in the morning. There were bruises on his hips where Heero had held him and he had being on the receiving end of it, so to speak. The person who had done the body check had not reacted to the sight of his bruises or his. .. well … recent activities. Instead it had been done so professionally he'd felt like a piece of meat about to be auctioned off.

"You know it could be just me," Duo said carefully. "But do you think it'll affect your recruitment."

"It already did," Wufei said a little reluctantly.

"You mean like they'll let you in on their little mercenary camp and keep you as their sex toy," Duo said sarcastically while Heero stopped mid-way reaching for another pickle.

With a hasty look at Heero who was stone faced, Wufei said, "We were right. Someone is feeding them inside information about the Preventers."

"Something they said," Duo asked casually, crossing his ankles and leaning back.

"I guess," Wufei nodded as he blushed furiously. "There were only about two people and I didn't see them but –"

"Did they interview you while you were naked," Heero asked suddenly.

"No," Wufei snapped. "As you said, it was an interview not an interrogation. Only asked me if it was voluntary." Wufei paused. "I told them it was."

"You look uncomfortable," Heero said as if accusing Wufei of lying.

"I was because they said," he paused and swallowed. "They said they'd heard about a Preventer who matched my description and then added, I quote, 'we heard he's quiet a ladies man which sort of rules you out since you seem to have an abusive boyfriend.'"

There was a short pause and finally Duo gave a snort, "Good thing they don't have your photos out in circulation."

"Abusive boyfriend," Heero intoned in disbelief.

~!#$%^&*()

Heero got into bed and pulled up the cover, then lay back. He would have preferred to sleep on his side or face down but now he was most comfortable sleeping face up since his stomach made in impossible.

Wufei stirred next to him then turned towards him slowly. "You think it was ok to let Duo sleep alone."

"He'll be fine," Heero said quietly. "I'll pick him up first thing tomorrow morning after I drop you off for work."

Silence.

"I'm sorry," Wufei said softly. "I shouldn't have tried to hide stuff from you."

"I wasn't going to leave you know," Heero said equally softly. "I'm not the type to give up that easily."

"We had our first fight," Wufei said softly. "And you threatened to leave me."

"We did," Heero said with a faint smile. "Huu, Quatre and Trowa fight all the time."

"They do," said Wufei looking interested. "From what I hear, they have an interesting sex life as well."

"They are…" Heero tried to describe it to Wufei who had a sort of sheltered upbringing, no matter what. "…adventurous."

"Oh," said Wufei sitting up a little. "I take it they play around a lot."

"Chains, dressing up – things you won't usually try want to try out," Heero said.

"Is there …" Wufei blushed but continued. "Anything you want to try out with me – as an apology. Uh… make up sex sort of thing."

Heero wondered if there was anything he could suggest that would not have Wufei bolting out of bed. "You've watched porn too," he said finally. "So perhaps, is there something you are comfortable with…" He left the rest of the sentence hanging as he thought of examples. "Like …"

When he turned around, Wufei was smirking in manner closely resembling Duo before doing something questionable, that Heero wondered if he should be scared. "Hey, Heero, how do you feel about eating pickles off my chest?"

* In the future they have instant booting computers, not blue screens of death and unlimited memory.

A/N – I know it is short and I know my updating is sporadic. Real life is such a bummer. I'm sorry for the late update but I have not given up on any of my stories so please expect me to finish these.

Thank you for sticking with me and I do appreciate reviews which mean you guys are still reading this.