Kilala-hunters: Duo will take a sledgehammer to those walls soon enough :P Thank you for reading and reviewing.

CaseyCuervo: Sorry for keeping you waiting (that seems to be my MO :S).

Rin Yumi: Thank you very much for your review, I'm flattered that you think I have the characters down so well. I did try to stay close to their characters from the series for this AU, because it fits the story anyhow. Thanks again and I hope you'll like this update :)

CircleKV12: Thanks for reviewing again, I appreciate you always taking the time to share your thoughts :)

ToXicStArCaNdy: Thank you for the feedback, I hope you'll enjoy this update.

Guest: Thanks! :)

JJ: Interesting choice of name :P Sorry for keeping you waiting, but I hope the chapter makes up for it.

Chibichocopaws: Thank you so much for giving the story a try and taking the time to share your thoughts with me!

Duaimei: Haha, I'm glad you decided to review anyway :)

Jeangreymullinsjr: The explanation is much more straightforward than you might think. I feel people might be disappointed when his aversion to black clothes is finally explained :P Thank you for your incredibly kind review!

NessaYume: Thank you very much for giving my story a try! I'm glad to read you are enjoying it and I hope I won't let you down with this chapter.


Author's note:

I just wanted to say: I have nothing to say :P

Enjoy.


Dirty Job

Chapter Seven

Duo was dropped off by Neil around the corner from the back gate. He idled out of sight from the estate for a moment, rubbing his moist palms on his sides and fussing with his bangs. He had realized Yuy might not have called him back because he had had an epiphany and was willing to acknowledge and apologize for his condescending behavior, the wealthy man might just be pissed off at the American for going off on him and the street rat in Duo feared he was walking into a trap. His mind was racing with worst-case scenarios. He imagined the police waiting for him at the mansion, his identity and his true purpose revealed.

He shook his head and steeled his nerves. With his hands shoved into his pockets he started walking up to the gate. He waited outside and watched one of the guards approach him. Unlike before, the gate wasn't discretely slid open. He eyed the big, bald guard suspiciously. "I have an appointment with mister Yuy," He pointed out when he got nothing but a stoic stare.

"Master Yuy has instructed that you are to come in through the front entry."

His eyebrow twitched at the words. "Why?"

He chuckled, apparently it was a senseless question to ask. "Going around left is shorter," The guard supplied.

"Fine." He held his gaze for a moment longer and then went left and walked along the high, brick wall that surrounded the property. The sun was sinking in the sky and the shadow of the barbed wire lining the top of the wall fell across Duo's face as he headed around for the front gate. The change in routine confused him, but he was in no position to deny the whims of the rich man. If he wanted him through the front gate, he would come through the front gate. That was one of the scary things about his part in the overall mission, he had no control over anything. Out there, Neil watched his every move, with Tsubarov looking over his shoulder as well. Inside the gates, Yuy dictated the rules.

He straightened his shirt before rounding the corner and came to a halt in front of the imposing, wrought iron gate that gleamed black, with sharp speared tips pointing up, like a father raising his finger in warning. He was startled when another guard suddenly appeared before him, on the other side of the gate. His black suit was pressed to perfection, his earpiece was obvious.

"Duo Maxwell?"

Duo nodded.

The guard signaled someone to his right and then, with a creak and an electric buzz, the double gates swung open inward.

"Step forward," Ordered the guard.

Duo stepped onto the gravel driveway that was so long he couldn't even see the main house from where he stood, just inside the gate. He swallowed audibly when they shut behind him and he spread his arms and legs as the guard moved in for a routinely pat-down.

To their left was a smaller house – still a mansion by anyone's standards - which was undoubtedly the headquarters of Yuy's security detail. Judging by the threesome of giggling maids that emerged, it probably also served as quarters for the permanent staff. They looked at him momentarily before taking a path that ran parallel to the main driveway and started walking up to the main house.

"I will take you to the front door."

Duo expected to be roughly taken by the arm as he had been on previous occasions, when he entered through the back gate, but instead the guard politely gestured him to follow him and he led him to a white golf kart that was parked off to the side. "You're kidding me," Duo said with a chuckle as the guard climbed behind the wheel.

"Would you rather walk?" The guard wasn't being snarky, he was sincerely asking him what he preferred.

"I would rather drive myself," He said, but didn't press it and sat down next to him in the front seat.

With a jolt the kart sped away and headed up the driveway that cut straight through the front yard of the massive estate.

The conman listened to the crunch of the gravel beneath the wheels and watched the thick oak trees that lined their way, the branches extending, creating a canopy of leaves above them and a play of shadow and light on the ground.

When they cleared the last of the trees the house appeared before them and it was the first time he had seen the front façade of it. It was a massive, towering block of sandstone that dwarfed the kart as it approached. Straight ahead was a dark opening, tunneling through the front of the house, that led to the inner courtyard. Duo blinked his eyes when the kart sped through the opening and emerged in the sunbathed stone courtyard, sharply steering around the central fountain.

A shiny, silver Mercedes with rental plates was parked right in front of the door.

Duo climbed out of the kart and was led up the steps of the front door by the guard and he watched him use the brass knocker to announce their arrival.

The door was opened shortly by the butler, Gerry, who smiled when he laid eyes on the longhaired man. The guard took his leave and Duo was invited inside.

"That was different," Remarked Duo.

"You are a proper guest of master Yuy now, guests come in through the main entry, we don't have them sneak in through the back gate."

"I appreciate that. I'm guessing it was your idea?"

"Not at all. Master Yuy is a stickler for etiquette and propriety."

"Hm. He likes his rules, huh?"

Gerry smiled.

"Shouldn't the master come greet his honored guests himself?" Duo challenged, looking around the hallway.

"I'm afraid master Yuy is still in a meeting-"

Duo rolled his eyes in frustration.

"- But I am to assure you he will join you shortly."

He nodded at the door to the right – the 'waiting room' – "I suppose I should take a seat in my pen?" He spat. He didn't want to be rude, it wasn't Gerry's fault, but he didn't look forward to another evening of being treated by Yuy the way he had gotten used to; as a bother who deserved none of his attention nor his respect.

"I suggested to Master Yuy that you might prefer waiting on the back patio, with a refreshment, perhaps."

Intrigued, Duo said: "I would prefer that." He followed Gerry through the double doors underneath the winding staircases and marveled at the sights around him when Gerry held open the door to the private part of the house.

"This is the formal living room," The butler announced, shaking his head, bemused at Duo's state of awe.

The formal living room had a ceiling that was two stories high. The wall straight ahead was entirely made of glass, with the exception of the brick chimney of the large, stone fireplace cutting through the center, all the way to the top. The windows overlooked the backyard; the twin patios, the swimming pool and the landscaped gardens beyond. The living room floor was tiled with large, dark grey lime stones. The cold hardness of the floor contrasted with the warmth of the vertical bamboo wall coverings. Two pristine, white leather couches faced each other in front of the enormous fireplace. Lights dangled down from the beams supporting the vaulted ceiling way up high. Paintings of various styles, sizes and colors adorned the walls as was the case throughout the estate. He noted the absolute lack of personal items that littered most homes.

Through open archways the room expanded on either side. To the left was an additional sitting room with comfortable furniture and a wet bar. To the right was the spacious, modern kitchen, currently occupied by a chef and two servants. The delicious scents of fine foods filled the air.

Finally, Duo managed to croak: "Wow…"

Gerry chuckled and headed into the kitchen without a word. Duo meekly followed him.

The lime stone floors continued into the kitchen, where their rugged appearance was offset by the modern, glossy black kitchen cabinets, including a twelve foot long cooking island where a chef in proper costume stood behind the stove. Two servants shuttled back and forth between the kitchen and the dining room with cutlery and china, even though there was a perfectly adequate informal breakfast area by the bay window where they could have had their dinner.

"What kind of drink can I fix you?"

"I'd like a beer, if you have it."

"I will get you a beer. You can have a seat outside, if you want, the weather is still nice." He moved to hold the door to the back patio open.

Accepting the invitation to take a seat, Duo walked outside. He decided to sit down on a bench right by the edge of the patio, facing the pool. When he looked over his shoulder to make another remark to Gerry he found he had been left alone, unattended. The way he was being treated was promising, but he was unsure how much of the kindness could truly be attributed to Yuy, most likely Gerry had arranged for this more humane and welcoming approach.

A few minutes later he heard the kitchen door open and he chuckled as he watched Gerry walk up to him, carrying a silver platter, balancing a bottle of beer, a tall glass and a crystal bowl filled with roasted peanuts.

"Just like my local pub," Duo joked as Gerry held it out to him. "I'm surprised the master has beer in the house; the brew for the common folk."

"He didn't. I had one of the maids fetch a six pack from my own house." At the raise of Duo's eyebrow, Gerry explained: "Me and my wife live on the property, so I can best serve master Yuy. We have been assigned a little cottage at the edge, behind the security house."

Duo suddenly felt very guilty about the beer in his hand. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to trouble you."

"It is no trouble. Master Yuy will reimburse me, I know he's good for it."

Duo chuckled at the euphemism and took a sip, looking off into the distance. "So how much longer is he going to make me wait this time?"

"Not long. He had intended to be ready for your arrival, truly, but a business associate showed up unexpectedly this afternoon and the man is outstaying his welcome in the most unpleasant way."

"Can't Yuy just tell him to piss off?" Duo suggested crudely.

Gerry snorted. "Etiquette and propriety, mister Maxwell. Master Yuy lives by them."

"He didn't seem too concerned with decency when I was here," He bit.

"He just didn't know how to treat you."

"I'm pretty sure a smart cat like him could have figured being haughty and self-important wasn't very appropriate. Regardless of what I am, or what he thinks I am."

Gerry nodded sympathetically. "You will see that if you give him a chance he can surprise you. His… detached manner of conduct is not without reason. Once you two establish a routine he will figure things out."

"Is he like a social retard, or something?" His question was crass, but he had to know.

"Master Yuy is simply very discreet and cautious."

Etiquette, propriety, discreteness and caution, he was learning more about Yuy but none of it was useful, all this knew knowledge proved to be good for was reaffirming that Yuy was 'one tough nut to crack'. "Why are you telling me this?"

"I think you could be good for him," Was Gerry's instant, candid reply. "And I think he could be good for you."

He eyed the older man wearily. "You hardly know me."

"To be honest, we have reached a point where I would fight to get anybody in master Yuy's life, he needs someone. But I have a good feeling about you; you are frank, he needs that."

"Right." Sarcastically he shot back: "And I guess he'll be good for me because he's rich and I'm-" He stopped himself.

Gerry shook his head and then, after a polite bow, he walked away.

Duo bit his lip, he shouldn't have been so damn smart, he might have just been denied an important piece of information because he was being so spiteful.

He drank his beer in contemplative silence, regularly looking down at his wristwatch – a permanent loan from Neil – to keep track of time. The sight of the garden and the soft ripple of the water's surface in the pool stayed his irritation at being kept waiting. He wondered if he would be allowed to go back inside the house and explore a little more, now that he was to be treated as a 'proper guest', but he realized he didn't want to. Instead he used the time to relax and to calm his mind in preparation. He still couldn't explain why Yuy had invited him back, not only had the man been a complete asshole to him up until that point, he had been an asshole right back, yelling at him that other night. He didn't figure a guy like him to be the type of guy to stand insolence, especially not from someone perceived as inferior.

The empty bottle he balanced on the banister lining the raised patio. He was about to get up and head inside and demand to know why it was taking so long, when he heard the door open again. He froze, inexplicably, and didn't dare to turn around. Whoever it was, paused by the door. Duo listened intently. Not until after three heartbeats did the person slowly approach him, with barely audible footfalls.

Finally Duo cocked his head to look over his shoulder and he spotted the businessman standing a few feet behind him. After taking a deep breath – hoping the man wouldn't notice – he turned in his seat to face him properly. He observed the tall, graceful man, with squinted eyes. Yuy was dressed as casual as he had ever seen him; tan slacks and a white dress-shirt, with the sleeves rolled up. He looked immensely different without the tailored jackets that Duo had always seen him wear. He realized Yuy wore a suit the same way a knight wears armor, not solely as a defense against attacks but also to demonstrate his status. The fact that he was approaching him now, without his armor, was promising.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting," He started, adding as an afterthought: "Again."

"I appreciate the apology."

He nodded and looked off into the distance before continuing with evident effort to maintain the conversation: "Dinner will be ready shortly."

In spite of everything Gerry had assured him of, Yuy clearly loathed the interaction. The stiffness of his stance and the monotonous tone to his voice betrayed his aversion, further confusing Duo to why he had been invited to begin with. "What's for dinner?"

"Fish."

"What kind of fish?" He asked dumbly.

"I don't know."

"But you do know it's fish?"

"It's Saturday. So it's fish."

Duo chuckled, albeit somewhat bitterly.

"What amuses you?"

"Mister Yuy, it seems like we are having a conversation."

"Is that funny?"

"Kind of," He said with a shrug. "I've been trying to talk to you all this time and now we're finally talking. About fish."

Gerry interrupted the admittedly awkward moment, announcing dinner was ready. Duo followed the two men into the formal dining room, through thick double doors in the kitchen.

The floor of the rectangular space was the same as the kitchen and living room. On the right two tall, narrow windows overlooked the patio where Duo had just been seated. The walls were a dark, deep terracotta. Against the far wall was another shoulder-high stone fireplace. The long dining room table at the center of the room was robust and worn and could seat twelve in the leather chairs with high backrests that surrounded it. With the plants and pottery the dining room had a decidedly Mexican aesthetic to it.

They were seated on far ends of the table. The master with his back to the fireplace, Duo with his back to the kitchen doors.

He watched as a servant poured him a glass of wine, he consciously didn't express that he would have rather had another cool beer instead. Then he redirected his gaze to the enormous painting on the wall, another modern, abstract painting he didn't pretend to understand, let alone appreciate its supposed genius. "Your home is amazing," He remarked, once the servant had left the room for however brief. "I'm guessing you didn't decorate it yourself, though."

"I didn't." He took a sip of wine.

Duo nodded, it was obvious.

The design of the house was eclectic and indecisive. Like the designer was making a portfolio, using every room as a different page to showcase the variety of his or her talent, losing all focus on creating a coherent home that reflected the personality of the owner. Each room had a different style, making it impossible for Duo to pinpoint what Yuy's own style would be. Contemporary, like the living room? Modern, like the office? Rustic and ethnic, like the dining room? Usually he could get a pretty good feel about a person after a sneak peek into their homes, but the mansion was impersonal and the most the interior could say about the home-owner was that he was as detached as Duo predicted he would be.

After a small appetizer of caramelized lobster they were served the main course: swordfish. The meal was delicious but Duo couldn't help but think to himself that a five-dollar burger would have left him equally satisfied and pleased. Between bites he would watch the businessman who never looked up from his plate, not to talk to him, not even to acknowledge the servants as they poured him wine and brought him his food. The American was starting to lose his patience with him again. He knew he should cherish the second chance he had been given, but if matters wouldn't improve quickly he would burst out into another rant and stomp off just as he had done last night.

"Why am I here, Yuy?" He used the last name like an affront.

The man looked up. Finally. "Your outburst offended me," He pointed out coolly. "I haven't let anyone offend me in a very long time."

Duo snorted.

"My point is, I let you offend me. I deserved it. I treated you-"

"Inhumanely," Duo supplied.

"Poorly," Yuy substituted. "For that I wished to apologize. And I do apologize."

He sighed and then nodded. "Thank you."

"But also," The exotic-looking man continued, "I wanted to correct your misinformed assumption."

Duo scrunched up his face.

"I don't think I'm better than you."

He was surprised at the dry, yet genuine confession. He leaned back in his chair and scrutinized Yuy's face from across the table. The man's was as unreadable as ever, but regardless, he got a sense that he was really trying to make up for his previous behavior…

"I think I'm smarter than you,"

…Or not, he thought bitterly.

"I think I'm more accomplished than you."

Duo looked off to the side, irritated at the turn the conversation had taken. You certainly aren't more humble, pal, he thought to himself.

"But that doesn't make me a better person than you. I know that."

He blinked at the sincere conclusion.

"I wanted you to know that I know that."

Even though he had to question Yuy's motives – either Gerry somehow talked him into it or he was driven by his own vanity – he was pretty confident the man was being truthful and it was probably the closest thing to a compliment that he could expect from the likes of him. "Thank you for saying that." He pushed the last few pieces of swordfish around with his silver fork, lost in thought.

The table was cleared and dessert was served. Duo was wholly disappointed that instead of a sweet treat, dessert was a plate of smelly cheese and a different kind of wine.

"I changed the painting in my office."

Duo was startled and momentarily confused by his sudden words, but then he realized what the man was referring to; the painting of the shadows that was on the wall in his office the first time Duo came to the house, but was exchanged with another one since then. "I noticed."

"I changed it because of you." He admitted and then his lips formed a thin, displeased line, like the admission was causing him physical discomfort.

His curiosity was piqued.

"After what you said about it, I didn't like it anymore."

He remembered his biting remark about the tallest shadow looming over the others, looking down on them. He hadn't suspected it would affect the businessman in any way, it was a pleasant surprise that his words had had some resonance and that even though Yuy might have seemed like he was ignoring him, he actually did listen to what he said. He wondered what thread he had accidentally pulled with his analysis of the painting. The symbolism of the shadow dominating the others had to have some personal meaning for the wealthy man, or else it wouldn't have bothered him enough to get rid of the artwork. Who was the towering shadow in his life? "That was just my interpretation. Isn't abstract art all about you, yourself, see in it?"

"You made me see it differently."

A smile tugged at his lips. He could imagine the man saying that with a bit of a pout, although, of course, in reality the billionaire's face was still purposefully impassive. "I'm sorry for ruining the painting for you." His tone was amused, he didn't try to hide it.

"You should be. It was very expensive."

He let out a single, hearty laugh at what he was sure was a joke, but Yuy's blank expression made him question his conviction. "Sorry," He mumbled into his napkin. He nibbled on some pieces of cheese but couldn't appreciate the sharp taste of it. When Yuy was done he got up from his seat and reactively Duo shot up as well.

"Excuse me. I have to retreat for the evening."

"More work?"

"On Saturday evenings I do laps in the pool."

Duo chuckled and at Yuy's puzzled expression he explained: "On Saturdays you have fish. On Saturdays you do laps." He waited for him to get the punchline but he decided to spell it out: "Fish gotta swim?" He hoped to see a twinkle of humor in his blue eyes, but the man was giving him nothing.

"You're funny," He surmised.

"If I was funny you'd be laughing right now," Duo countered, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Come back next week."

The sudden invitation – or was it an order? - bewildered the American. He tried to play it cool, but he couldn't help his befuddled tone as he questioned: "Why?"

"Don't you need the money?"

Duo snorted at the understatement, but argued, out of pride: "I don't need your money." That might have been one of the biggest lies he had told in a while, but he kept a straight face. "Don't pretend you're doing me any favors. If you want me to come back, ask me to come back, nicely."

Yuy narrowed his eyes at him, recognizing that he was trying to corner him. "I wouldn't mind to share your company again."

The American pursed his lips, enjoying the game. He drawled: "So…"

"Are you free next Friday evening?"

"Friday? I'm not sure," He said, playing coy.

"How can I persuade you? If your concerns regard the standard fee-"

"It's not about the money," Duo rushed to interject, before talk of money would irk him and ruin his current, positive mood. "I'm just not looking forward to sitting in your office, twiddling my thumbs for three hours."

"You don't like to be ignored," Yuy concluded, almost as if the discovery surprised him.

"I'm worth your attention," He replied shrewdly. He rapped his knuckles on the surface of the wooden dining table by which they were standing. "I liked this. Dinner. We could do that again. Though I'm not that big of a seafood fan. I don't suppose you have a steak-night?" He jested.

Yuy's answer was dead serious. "Wednesdays."

Duo smirked and held out his hand, offering to shake on it. "Wednesday it is."

The man glanced down at his outstretched hand. It was clear his guest's forwardness left him discombobulated, but he took the hand and shook it assertively.

Duo felt his heartrate pick up, the power of the contractions was uncomfortable in his chest. It was the first time they had touched but what scared him was that he would have to get a lot closer than a formal handshake to achieve his goal. He was relieved when Yuy's strong hand let go of his and he dropped it down to his side. He could feel the nervous sweat gather in his palm but he hoped the physical reaction had been delayed enough for it to have gone unnoticed by the cunning businessman whose blue eyes studied him.

"Mister Gerard will show you out," Yuy said.

Gerry appeared in the doorway of the dining room, as if on cue – but likely because he had been eavesdropping – and gestured for Duo to follow him.

Still staring at the businessman, Duo said: "Enjoy your swim. You know, if you'd like me to bring a bathing suit so I could join you in the pool Wednesday..."

"I don't swim on Wednesdays," He retorted dryly.

Duo chuckled at his answer. With a practiced wink he pivoted on his heels and followed Gerry out of the room, through the kitchen, back to the foyer.

Once more an envelope was waiting on the table at the center of the two-story foyer. Gerry picked it up and offered it to him.

"Thanks."

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" He asked hopefully.

Duo snorted. "Gerry, my friend, you see something in him that I just don't."

"Only because I know him better," The older man said as he held the front door open for him.

Duo shrugged and stepped outside. He spotted the golf kart coming up the driveway towards them to pick him up and shuttle him back to the front gate. He said his goodbye to the butler and then sat down next to guard and was taken to the exit. With his hands stuffed into his pockets he walked around the perimeter to the usual drop-off and pick-up point and he was surprised to see the black truck was already waiting for him.

"How long have you been parked here?" He asked as he climbed into the vehicle, foregoing a greeting.

"Since about forty minutes after I dropped you off," Said Neil. "Honestly, I was worried you wouldn't last very long in there, after last night."

"Hm." Duo nodded in gratitude when Neil handed him back his pack of cigarettes and his silver zippo lighter. He wasted no time lighting up a smoke.

"So?" The Russian inquired expectantly.

"We had dinner."

"Could you be more precise?"

"Swordfish."

Neil rolled his eyes at him. "I mean-"

"I know what you mean," He chastised. "I need another lift, next Wednesday."

The man's face split into a satisfied grin. "Great. That's really great, Duo. Ha ha!" He playfully punched him in the side, to celebrate the victory.

"You act like I've found the safe already."

"It's only a matter of time. I'm sure of it."

Duo looked out the window. He wasn't so convinced.

Neil took him back to mission headquarters – the apartment overlooking Corbeau Park, where the Bear and Angelica had been waiting for them. J.J. was absent and Duo didn't bother to ask where he was, he wouldn't like the answer anyway. Angelica had found an old blueprint of the mansion and it was up to Duo to update the schematic, in particular to scout and document the security measures. Angelica made marks on the blueprint as Duo pointed out where there had been camera's mounted on the walls, which way they faced and if they were stationary or rotating, as far as he could tell. The Bear was particularly interested in how many guards and other staff he had counted on the premises. Duo didn't like the feral look in the man's eyes, like he was willing – eager even – to tear through every single person to get to their prize. He knew then that it was not only his duty to make Yuy reveal the location of the safe, but also his responsibility to find a way to pull the heist off without endangering anyone's life.

"He's a man of routine," Duo relayed. "That might prove to be convenient later on, when we need the house to ourselves. We won't be caught by surprise."

"That's great," The Bear said sarcastically. "But are you any closer to figuring out where the bastard hides his money?"

Duo looked at him sharply and tried not to be affected by the cold stare he received in return. "I'm only just getting started. The office is a safe bet though." He pointed at the blueprint. "It's the only room that makes sense, for a guy who wants to keep a close eye on his money."

"Well…" Angelica started. "That and the bedroom."

Duo froze.

The Bear noticed and he smirked. "Then he knows what he has to do."

"We've hardly reached that point. For fuck's sake, we talked about fish today."

"He's a faggot. You're a faggot. How difficult can it be to get him with his pants around his ankles?"

Duo straightened up, making himself as tall as he could. "Don't call me that."

"Or what?" The Bear sneered.

"Guys," Neil interjected. "Cool down. Duo, it's fine, relax."

"Put a muzzle on your dog," He spat.

The Bear cackled.

"We get it," Neil appeased, "You need time. We understand. You're doing great. You're in, the hard part is over."

Duo scoffed. "The hard part is not over."

"I'll take you home so you can rest. You've been high-strung all day. Come on."

At Neil's insistence he let the Russian drive him back to his apartment. "Duo," He called when the braided man stepped out of the car. "You need to stop letting The Bear get to you."

Duo sighed.

"Not only because he enjoys it and you shouldn't give him the satisfaction, but more importantly because you are going to be working together for a long time and I need you to stay focused on your task."

"I am focused," He asserted and he slammed the door shut.

The next Monday, as he routinely kept track of Yuy's and his company's activities, he learned that Yuy Enterprises had taken over a food-processing company in Oklahoma, previously family-owned. By clever use of loopholes in the contract nearly three hundred employees had been laid off in spite of the fact that part of the deal was for the staff to be maintained. The former owner was enraged and his backlash was understandable, he had tried to protect his people, after all and Yuy had abused his eagerness for a solution to save the bled-dry company by having his lawyers construct a cunning contract. Duo suspected the unannounced visitor in the rental Mercedes who, according to Gerry, had 'outstayed his welcome in the most unpleasant way', was the previous owner in question. Remembering Yuy's aloof and collected demeanor of that evening, after listening to what must have been heartfelt, desperate pleas, it was clear how unaffected the businessman was by the struggles and misfortune of others. He just sent them on their way and ate his lobster and swordfish, without a care.

How could a man like that, who values money above all else, ever be expected to trust a – presumed – prostitute with the whereabouts of his private stash?

Duo didn't share his concerns with the team. He didn't want to discourage their faith in him and he also didn't want another empty pep-talk from Neil.

Angelica had gotten her hands on a Kensington safe, the same model that Yuy had had installed in his sprawling home. Even though it was surprisingly small – Duo's mind had run amuck with visions of an enormous, cinematic bank vault – it was too heavy to simply take up to the apartment where they strategized, so she had it delivered to a storage facility. She took them all to see it, in the name of transparency and proudly presented the supposedly un-crackable safe. She would use it for practice. She assured the group she could crack it already, but she wanted to improve on her time. They left her in the storage room, catching the first of the muted beats coming from her headphones before pulling the metal door down.

They parted ways. The Bear headed for his Chevy and Duo followed Neil to his truck. J.J. was drunk on the couch back at Duo's place, but he didn't tell them that, instead he fed them the lie that he had J.J. running errands for him, tracking down more information on the target.

Duo sat beside Neil quietly until he noticed he took a wrong turn. And then again. He wasn't taking him to his apartment. "Where are we going?"

"I've found Seth. Seth Ripley."

Duo's eyebrows twitched together. "The pimp of the mysterious mister Fox?"

"The one and only. You sound surprised." He looked at him with a grin. "You're not the only one who is good at his job."

"I didn't doubt your skills. I doubted the longevity of a guy like that. I figured he would be dead."

"Close enough," Replied the would-be general mysteriously. "You really are a mind reader."

He parked the truck in front of the Pearly Gates Hospice, a darkly humorous name for the place where the poorest of the incurably ill came to die. Darker still was the red graffiti on the front façade, right by the door: You will burn in Hell. Duo had been to the hospice before, as a visitor of course, no patient leaves alive. Unqualified nurses took care of sickly drug dealers and disease riddled prostitutes. He exchanged a look with Neil and then they stepped inside.

Seth Ripley was nothing more than pale skin drawn taut over bones and tendons, slowly wasting away in a wheelchair in the living room, heaving to breathe the stifled, thick air. The oxygen mask hung uselessly around his neck. He had lesions on every visible part of his body and sores around his mouth. The man was already in Hell; he was dying of Aids. Duo had lived on the streets, he had known friends who sold themselves for a meal, he knew very well what that disease looked like.

Seth looked at Neil with some measure of horror when the Russian approached him and sat down across from him.

"Seth. We've never had the pleasure of actually meeting. You look good," Neil taunted.

Duo looked away, uncomfortable with Neil's ruthless attitude towards a dying man. If he had known he was going to be rude to him, he would have warned him. With limited time left on earth, Seth could not be bribed with money or anything else he would have previously considered of value. He would have to be inclined to share any information he had voluntarily and if Neil insulted him he could very well not tell them anything out of spite. It was important to their mission to find 'Calden Fox'. Duo could use all the help he could get to get close to Yuy. Seth was their only lead to find the man who had somehow burrowed himself into the billionaire's life for almost a year.

"I wish I could say the same about you," Ripley croaked. "What do you want? You are too late to add me to your ledger of 'friends', I'd need a cross behind my name before the ink dries. A waste of ink."

"I keep track digitally now," Neil patted his pocket where he kept his phone. "It costs me nothing to write down a name. And it is no effort at all to erase it. I don't do the 'cross thing' anymore."

"If you want to add me to your list-" He coughed horribly. "- you have to convince me to want to be on your list."

"What will it take?"

"A lot. We are basically talking about selling you my dying words, after all."

"How much money did you have in mind?"

Duo frowned.

Seth chuckled, but it evolved into dry heaving. A nurse came and insisted that he should wear his oxygen mask, but with wild gestures an angry words he convinced her to leave him alone. Once she was out of earshot, he said: "I want you to kill me."

Duo's mouth went dry.

"Can't you do that yourself?" Neil countered casually.

"I don't even have the strength to stop myself from shitting my pants. And these god-fearing cunts won't help me out either."

"How do you want it?"

Duo looked at Neil absurdly. Was he seriously considering killing the man for the information? Even though the death was at his own request, he wasn't sure how he felt about that.

"Painless. I want an overdose of morphine and one last smoke before I go," The sickly man said, his voice determined and calculated.

"Okay."

"Today."

Neil nodded. "If you tell us all you know about Calden Fox and his relationship with Heero Yuy, I'll have someone at your bedside tonight."

Seth raised his eyebrows at hearing the name, he clearly didn't understand the relevance of the former prostitute in any scam. He heaved a deep sigh, his eyes, sunken deep into the sockets, looked relieved. "Deal."

The Russian glanced up at Duo. "Make notes, this is important." Looking back at Seth he urged him to start.

"His real name is Voss Gable. His mother was German. Voss means Fox, get it?" He chuckled dryly. "Mister Fox. He was an arrogant asshole, always thought he was too good for the business. He was my best worker and he made sure I was aware of it. And he always told me: "I'm gonna leave Seth, any day now, I'm gonna leave and what will you do then?". He said that for seven years, so I wasn't exactly worried. Until, one day, he left. He had been working for Heero Yuy for a while by then."

"How long?" Duo asked. "We need as much detail as possible," He said as a way to apologize for interrupting him.

"Eight months."

"Every Friday?"

"That's how it started out. Three hours, every Friday. But after two or three months, he started going over there more often. First a couple of evenings during the week, then entire weekends, until at one point – maybe six months in – he went away with the rich bastard for entire weeks. And I never saw a cent of those extended trips. In fact, I suspect Yuy stopped paying him."

"Stopped paying him?" Neil chimed in. "Was Calden – Voss, I mean, okay with that?"

"He made no complaints. He didn't get paid anymore, as far as I could tell, but Yuy got him expensive gifts; suits, watches, tickets to games and shows, a goddamned car and eventually a luxury apartment. Voss was being looked after just fine."

"Eight months seems rather short, based on what I know about Yuy," Duo said.

"Oh, in the beginning Voss would bitch and moan about not getting anywhere with the Asian fuck. Said he was cold and distant."

That sounded more like him, Duo noted.

"But he softened up I guess. Around the seven-month-mark, Voss was on the job more often than he wasn't."

"It was still a job for him?"

Seth snorted. "Oh yeah."

"It sounds like Yuy might have fallen in love with him."

The man in the wheelchair shrugged. "Maybe but I'm not convinced. I don't think he loved him. I think Voss was a project to him. Some rich guys are shamelessly selfish assholes, while others still like to play pretend they are decent and have some good to offer the world."

Duo was inclined to agree.

He paused to cough and dry heave, doubling over in his wheelchair. After a few deep breaths, he continued undeterred: "They fancy themselves saviors. Voss made himself an excellent damsel in distress. He was the choice pet for many of my high-end clients. But of course none of them were quite as rich as Yuy, so while most only ever talked about saving Voss and the other whores from their terrible life, it seemed Yuy actually did it."

"So what? They ran off into the sunset together?"

"Fuck no. I don't know how it happened exactly, but Yuy made him disappear."

Duo bit his lip. "That sounds ominous."

Seth laughed, the sound was raspy and uncomfortable. "He didn't have him wacked. He bought him a house in the Keys and sent him off with enough money to last a lifetime. Voss said he made a promise to Yuy, that he would leave and never come back. After that the Asian wanted a new guy every time. My guess was Yuy was looking for his next fixer-upper. Shouldn't be too hard, you'd think, given the degenerates he gets sent to his doorstep. When I ran out of employees to send him, I had to refer him to one of my competitors. And that was the end of my golden age."

"Do you have an exact address for mister Fox?"

"No one does. He boasted about the place, but wouldn't say exactly where it was. Yuy wanted him gone and he was all too happy to oblige. But come on Neil… How hard can it be – especially for a guy with your talents – to find a Voss Gable in the Florida Keys?"

The Russian nodded.

"Yuy wanted him gone?" Duo pressed. "Do you know if he actually said that?"

"That's what Voss told me he said."

"Thank you Seth, you've been very helpful." Neil rose from his seat.

"Remember our deal!"

"I will, don't worry about it. Rest in peace," He said and then casually saluted him.

Duo followed Neil out the door and across the parking lot, back to the truck. "Are you seriously going to have him killed?" He hissed.

"I'm a man of my word, Duo. This is how I used to run my business, the reputation of my word is important. As a networker, a rule of thumb is that your associates are only as trustworthy as you are. Once you start lying, or breaking promises, with even just one of them, you can't trust anyone anymore; you'll just be lied to in turn."

"This doesn't feel right."

Neil spun around. "You saw him. We're doing him a favor."

"No, there is no 'we'. I'm not part of this- or… what's going to happen tonight."

The Russian stepped up to him and even though Duo had learned to trust Neil over the past few weeks, he felt threatened. "You feel guilty about helping a miserable, terminally ill man humanely end his life?" Neil challenged.

Duo nodded.

He scoffed. "This is the kindest way to take a man's life; when he's ready, when he wants it and when it will be peaceful and definite. This will be a kindness, especially compared to what we'll do to the billionaire."

"We're not going to kill him!" Duo argued.

"No, we're just going to fuck him over in the worst way." He chuckled bitterly. "Actually, you are the one who will fuck him over; betray his trust, ruin his life, alienate him from the only person who genuinely seems to like him – you said the butler talked him into calling you up again, right?"

The American nodded dumbly.

"He'll blame the old butler and resent him and fire him for it and then he will be alone, too afraid to ever trust anyone, ever again… Yet you whimper about putting a dying man out of his misery?"

Duo was stunned into silence.

"I don't judge people for having morals, Duo," Neil elaborated. "But they're of no use in our business, because eventually people's morals get fucked up, like yours, and then they are just a goddamn nuisance." He turned and walked to his.

"It's not like I had a choice!" He argued. "Tsubarov is making me do this!"

"Please! Don't pretend you had any qualms about fucking up his life. You loathe guys like him. Now, let's go. You need your beauty sleep and I need to make a call to a friend in Florida."

Reluctantly Duo got into the car and sat with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He stared out the side window and said nothing the entire way back to his apartment.

Neil was right. He hadn't been too concerned with Yuy's wellbeing after the job was done. He had thought about it, but only ever in a passing manner and it had been the least of his concerns. Mostly, he got a sick sense of enjoyment out of the thought of stealing this man's money, as revenge for all the wrongdoings of the entire upper-class towards lowlifes like himself. He felt as though Yuy owed them this money, as if he had been the source of his lifetime of troubles. That wasn't fair, but it was how he felt. Even though Neil had made him realize the full extent of the consequences of his planned actions, he still wasn't very sympathetic and as wrong as it was, he knew he had to fight to keep it like that. He couldn't start caring for the man, he couldn't make this any more difficult on himself than it already was. Not only could he do without the inevitable self-doubt that would cause, it would muddle his senses. His feelings would distort his logic and his party-trick, the key to pulling off this heist, would be over.

The car stopped and Neil waited wordlessly for him to get out.

"Neil?"

"Yeah."

"You're right," He acknowledged, without meeting his gaze. "I don't care about Yuy… You have to make sure it stays that way."

"He's a spoon-fed son of a bitch who fired three hundred hard-working people over the weekend," He helpfully supplied.

"Thank you."

"Sure thing."

With a nod he got out of the car and headed up to his apartment.

That night he slept uneasily. He dreamt of a shadowy figure standing over a bed, ready to kill. The person sleeping was Yuy. The killer at the bedside had a long braid.


Progress! I hope you are enjoying the direction this story is taking, I would appreciate your feedback :)