A/N: As always, hi to new followers and thanks to the reviewers and those who favourited. Ready to Fall is not going to be updated next week as I am on vacation (sorry!) but I will be back in two weeks time with an update. Song for this chapter is Just One Yesterday by Fall Out Boy. Special mention to my beta ELLE for her super quick turnaround time this week as I sucked in getting it to her...

Chapter Six

Don't Have the Right Look

The Preventer Field Office in Sanc was the first "real" Preventer office I'd ever been in. The whole point of me being an undercover operative for three damn years was that I never really had true contact in the traditional sense with the official Preventer organisation. It meant years of meeting Wufei in random cities, in random bars and diners and cafes and it meant I'd never been into the light atriums and fancy state of the art offices that housed the Earth Sphere's defence against all acts of terrorism and shit. It looked like it cost a lotta money. I wondered if that was because we were in Sanc or whether all the Preventer offices looked like this but damn, it sure was fancier than I anticipated. I whistled under my breath and followed Wufei through the lobby and realised we were being looked at as we walked.

My time undercover had meant I technically didn't exist. That my entire life, those minimal records that existed, if they ever had existed, were gone so that I was a ghost. Actually more than that. I'd never been alive. But now, suddenly, I was. Full standard agent and all and when Wufei called at a stupid time in the morning – or at least, one that seemed entirely unreasonable to me – I had to join him in a black town car and come to a Field Office like I'd never done before. It was like, they say jump, I say how I high. And, hell, that has never been my style.

It wasn't that early, I reasoned as I walked a step behind him through the corridors. We'd been through a security point where Wufei gave his black standard issue gun over to a bored looking security guard before he stepped through a scanner. I followed and for once in my life knew it was not gonna beep as I genuinely had no weapons. No switch blade. No gun. I had been doing the whole civilian thing or had been up until today. It was passed back to 'Fei and we continued on our journey through the corridors and halls of the busy offices.

I kept my shades on purely for aesthetics as I looked a little like shit. I'd not truly slept for a few days and I sure as fuck did not know what time my body thought it was. I remember being better at recovering quickly at fifteen. That my body clock adjusted automatically but I suppose I was hung over, jet lagged and spent last night being fucked by Heero, so yeah totally had a reason to look less than my best.

Thinking of Heero made me think of how I'd wanted to spend this morning instead of being at a Preventer Field Office. I'd thought or hoped my morning was going to be spent in bed with Heero. I'd wanted to wake up all slow and nice, feel Heero's body alongside mine and appreciate the whole comfortable large Sanc hotel room bed thing. I kinda wanted morning sex or at least morning hand jobs or morning blowjobs or something but instead, the vidphone went off and I was left cursing the fact that we were not gonna get time to resume last night's activities again when it didn't have to begin with me throwing glasses and lotion bottles.

It had been warm in the bed and I'd seriously thought about not answering the phone. We'd ended up around each other's bodies, his ankle in between mine, his arm loosely around my waist and it was comfortable and reassuring. And I didn't want to move and face a new day where I was a Preventer again and Heero was Relena's Head of Security and shit would change totally between us. I kinda wanted to hold onto that moment for a bit longer but, you know, couldn't so I dragged myself up to answer it letting Heero roll onto his back against the sheets. I thought about pulling on boxer shorts but I didn't know where I'd thrown them in my haste to get naked last night and I'd answered vidphones enough times being mostly or fully naked. Just had to make sure people only saw your face and shoulders. And remember to disconnect completely before you stand up unless you wanna give the person on the other end more of a view than you intended.

So yeah, I'd answered and I'd agreed to meet Wufei and thus found myself walking through the corridors being gawked at. I wondered whether it was me – the whole fact I looked super casual and the braid and the sunglasses because of those stupid shadows around my eyes – or if it was because of Wufei and his status. I guessed people knew he used to be a Gundam pilot. Or maybe they didn't. Hell, if I knew.

I memorised the route we'd taken, the cramped elevator ride with various employees dressed in anything from the standard Preventer uniforms to boring ass suits. I suppose I never guessed that the Preventers had different kinda employees. Had the field agents and the undercover operatives but also had the people who ordered the pens and did the accounts and the dull shit like that. I'd never imagined what it was like to be sitting behind a desk. It was one career option I was seriously never going to go for – I couldn't imagine the slow suffocation of being stuck in the same damn room for years and years at a time. I kinda felt sorry for the suckers but hell, I supposed the Preventers needed the pencil pushers and the bureaucrats to help save the world and all. Just never thought about it.

It was then I realised we'd reached what must be the top floor as we were the only people in the elevator and the doors had opened on different lower floors letting those employees out. I guessed this is how it always worked in office buildings – bosses on the fancy top floors – and I seriously thought about bailing and going back to my little garage for a second as I figured out where I was being taken. I knew Une was in Sanc, of course I did being that she'd been on the damn newsfeeds telling everyone about the Princess' condition and all but I hadn't figured I'd have to have a chat with the big ol' boss lady. I'd kinda always wanted to tell her to kiss my ass. And I felt like 'Fei had blindsided me a little. That he'd not actually told me why I was coming to the Field Office. Oh yeah, he'd said something about my "induction" but that had been nice and vague. I'd never really had an induction first time around. Yeah, I'd done some medicals and talked to some lovely psychologists but I'd never really had what could be classed as an interview or even an informal chat about a job. I've never had to go through "normal" channels in life being that I'd snuck aboard a Sweeper ship, I'd stolen my Gundam and I'd been offered undercover work as some kinda way to keep me outta trouble, so yeah, the thought of an actual conventional sit down with the head of an organisation – one who'd I'd totally fucked around – was not something I looked forward to.

"You brought me to Une," I said.

"It's necessary."

"Necessary my ass," I managed to grumble under my breath as we walked down a corridor to where a chick sat behind a desk outside large oak doors.

"Agent Chang and Maxwell to see the Commander," Wufei said briskly.

The girl called through and gave me a particularly shifty look and I wanted to say something but I didn't.

"The Commander will see you in five minutes – can I get you coffee, water, something?"

Wufei declined but considering how my head felt I opted for water which she brought back again with the same stuffy attitude. I really hated Sanc. That everyone seemed to look down on me. I suppose I brought it on myself, I figured that scruffy jeans and a hoodie ain't really Sancian attire but really I didn't give a shit. Not this morning. People can judge away. I figured that she'd be some blue blood's niece or granddaughter or something. Least Relena wasn't like those kinda chicks – not just some rich girl who'd look down her nose at me for not being quite what people expect. I thought I was being respectable by the fact you couldn't see the tattoos.

I gulped down the water from a tiny plastic cup and decided to remove my shades as we waited. We were offered seats but I felt too jumpy to take one. I was already beginning to regret my decision. Really, what I liked about undercover work was the fact that I didn't have to deal with the politics and the whole fancy ass wearing uniform crap of the organisation. And the organisation was so full of ex-OZ types that I felt damn paranoid. It so didn't help that my experience on L2 and the knowledge I had that Roth had some Preventers bought and paid for. Yet I figured, what else was I supposed to do? Go back home and tinker with cars and wait until Heero came back? Sit around and pine and be pathetic or something? That so wasn't me and that thought appealed less than a meeting with Une.

The door opened and the guy that walked out looked much more suited to Sanc. Of course, that would be because he's the damn fallen prince or whatever other tabloid name he's been given in recent years. Zechs acknowledged us with a nod and I didn't feel like being all nice. His words were still burning in my head – "trouble in paradise" – fuck, he knew nothing. And so it was probably a good thing when the secretary came back over and walked us to the office for no damn reason. I'm sure I could've figured out where to go.

"Chang, Maxwell," Une said with a curt nod in gesture to the seats in front of her large desk.

Wufei took one seat and I took the other and tried not to slouch as much as I'd naturally do. God, it felt like being in the Principle's office or something. Not that I'd ever managed to make it to a Principle's office – that would require actual schooling and when your school experience consists of hiding with Heero and pretending to be a normal school kid for a few weeks during a damn war then it really ain't what could be called being in school.

"You understand the seriousness of this investigation?"

It seemed she was getting straight down to business which was fine. Shit I knew it was serious. It was difficult not to know that. That this was Relena. That this was an assassination attempt in the heart of the Sanc Kingdom, in her own damn home, at her own party and it looked bad. It looked like everybody was incompetent. That people had become complacent post war and it had meant that someone had got close enough to fire at the Princess.

"We understand," Wufei replied and looked over at me pointedly.

I nodded to convey that I got it. I know I wasn't classed as the intellectual in this partnership but I sure as hell wasn't dumb. I'm sure Une knew that – fuck, she wouldn't have agreed to this if she hadn't.

"I am trusting you to act swiftly and with discretion. We need to know why and how as soon as possible." She looked between us as she spoke and I'm sure that she focused on me more at the word "discretion" and I decided not to be offended. I'd kinda turned up to the Preventer Sanc Kingdom Field Office dressed like a rebellious teenager. It reminded me why Heero was better at this shit than I was. Knew how to fit in and stuff. "These are the details our agents have obtained so far."

She produced a tablet, the screen already open on some details regarding the what – the case? The investigation? I wondered what term to use as it wasn't a mission anymore. It wasn't an op. I was used to my ops. This was a totally different thing. All by the book and official. It was not something I'd ever done before. Wufei looked at it first, taking in the pages quickly before he passed it to me.

I flicked through the information that had been collected so far taking a few moments on each page, giving a quick assessment of the usefulness and then moving on. The interviews from the rich and powerful at the event seemed to feature a whole heap of nothing. The reports from the security team were ever so slightly better. That they at least could say they saw the shooter and had apprehended him. One shot had entered Jones' thigh in an attempt to disable – a shot that was not totally a kill shot but he'd already swallowed the poison capsule before the security team could do anything. It said to me that this shit was well planned out and that the kid had been pretty damn devoted. Willing to die for a shot at the Princess. Wow. Crazy motherfucker.

"Should we re-interview anyone?" I asked, looking up. "I mean, your agents probably did an awesome job but I'd kinda like to get a handle on this myself, you know?"

I saw the flicker on Une's face and I could see Wufei stiffen next to me in his seat as though he was already regretting the fact he'd picked me as a partner. Did he want me to sit here and say shit? I figured that there might be something relevant that they might've missed or something. Think outside the box and all.

"If you think it is necessary, Agent Maxwell, all the contact details of the interviewees are in the files."

I flicked again and then saw the preliminary details of a flight path and a check in schedule for two days at the London Preventer Field Office.

"London?" I queried.

"We want to thoroughly investigate Jones' background and he was studying at the London School of Economics up until this incident… we need to understand who approached a young man like this and why his actions led to this assassination attempt. It is clear that he could not have acted alone."

"So you think the people who helped him are in London?"

"That would be your job to find out, would it not?"

I smirked at the quick response. Score one for the boss lady. Yeah, that was our job. My job. I placed the tablet down on the desk in front of me as Une looked carefully between us and then trained her gaze on Wufei.

"Chang, if you wouldn't mind stepping out for a moment."

I looked up at Wufei and gave him a look that suggested that I minded if he left me here alone with Une. Hadn't she tried to kill me at some point? Oh yeah, though Heero had pretty much tried to kill me at some point and I slept with him so I figured I should let that particular grudge go.

He stepped out with a curt nod. He was so good at being disciplined and listening and respecting his superiors. It was so not me. G knew he had no chance of getting me to respect him but he knew I'd follow orders. I just grumbled about them and told him when I didn't like them. Sometimes I missed the old coot. I could totally tell him to fuck off. I seriously didn't think I could do that to Une.

Once the door closed with a soft click, she leaned forward resting her head on her chin and looked very closely at me before speaking.

"You understand I cannot tolerate insubordination."

I didn't know whether that required a response so I just went with nodding. I don't know whether that meant I was being insubordinate. Was I meant to say "yes, ma'am" or commander or some shit? I really wasn't versed in Preventer protocol. Or being a solider. Barely knew about being on a team. It was only really until the end of the damn war that we all started working together. The whole point of being undercover was that I didn't work with anyone else. I suppose I'd never been the toe the line, play by the rules, team player kinda guy. Now I had to be.

"Agent Chang is your superior. You will take orders from him as though they come from myself, is that understood, Agent Maxwell?"

"Yes."

"I want to impress upon you that this is a probation period. If Agent Chang informs me you have broken any protocols or acted in any way that is not befitting of the uniform then you can consider yourself fired."

"I understand."

She stared dead straight in my eye and held my gaze. I kinda guessed she wasn't used to people not being intimidated by her. After all, she ran the world's biggest damn organisation and she'd been OZ's lapdog. She really probably didn't get a whole lot of people who weren't deferential to her.

"This is not undercover work. I want you to remember that."

The words hung heavy and I knew what she was implying. No risks. No stupid ass moves. No going rogue or outta contact. Basically, not to do anything I'd done on L2. I knew there had been fall out from it despite running off and hiding my own ass. Preventer agent funerals that I guess she'd had to attend. Not fun.

"I am taking a risk with you, Agent Maxwell. Don't make me regret it."

"You won't," I started and then added "commander" outta some respect.

She quirked her lips, suggesting that maybe she was amused by me showing at least some respect and recognition of her status.

"You are dismissed. I expect you to be in uniform next time I see you."

I rose from my seat and wondered whether I was supposed to shake her hand or something but instead just picked up the tablet and made my way to the door. I stepped out to see the chick behind the desk still looking at me as though I didn't belong seeing the big boss lady and instead of doing what I wanted, maybe flip her off or something, I joined Wufei who was leaning against a wall, his head bowed, eyes closed and arms folded across his chest.

"Guess I'm calling you boss now," I said to get his attention though I knew he was aware of my presence.

"Are you going to listen to me this time?"

I grinned and shrugged. "Been told I have to so lead the way, chief."

We started down the corridor and he glanced over. "Chief?"

"I'm just trying to figure out the names I can call ya. Boss, chief, oh illustrious leader… just give me some time I'll come up with one I like… uh, maybe captain? No… maybe el presidente…"

I think he was already blocking out my rambling as we arrived at the empty elevator and he keyed in the button for the fifth floor. I could see he was visibly trying not to react.

"You regretting the partner thing, partner?" I asked, bumping his shoulder with mine.

"Ask me again in a week," he replied dryly.

"You think it'll take a week, huh? I must be slipping…"

And with that, the elevator doors slid closed and we were off to the rest of the induction. Medical and uniform and ID documentation. It was eleven a.m. and I was already wishing this day was over. It was a lot more complicated to play life by the rules.