10: Pax Terra

After almost ten hours of solid driving, Duo punched Heero in the arm and made him switch places. He then collapsed uncomfortably into the passenger seat and immediately lost consciousness.

He was punched in turn when the sun was lowering on the horizon behind them and the car was creeping slowly down a quiet lane between some of the largest houses Duo had ever seen.

Finally, Heero pulled off into a cut in the well-trimmed wood which didn't look at all like a driveway, parking behind a thicket. "Let's go. We're walking the rest of the way."

"To Munich?" Duo asked, shouldering the bag and taking Ahli's hand.

"Maybe," said Heero, turning back towards the road.

The sun slowly sank down as they walked; Heero eventually took Ahli onto his back again. They walked under tall oak trees and from time to time stepped out of the way of a vehicle, but no one seemed to pay them any mind.

Heero cut them across country, Duo sighed audibly but Heero didn't reveal their destination.

It was dark when they reached the brick wall. Heero set down Ahli then took a running leap at it, running up far enough to catch the edge and hauling himself to the top. He reached down, and Duo boosted Ahli up. He swung her over and Duo heard her squeak as he deposited her on the other side. He then reached for Duo.

"I'm capable."

"It'll be faster," said Heero.

Duo grumbled but took the run and jump, catching Heero's hand and letting himself be hauled up. He jumped down the other side with hardly a pause. Heero jumped after him, then motioned for them to follow him.

In the middle of a beautiful park stood a gorgeous mansion. Duo stared as they approached. "What is this place?"

"Pax Terra," said Heero. "It's Relena's American estate."

Duo had to stop and stare. "Relena's estate?"

"Yes."

"Is this where we've been aiming for since we landed?"

"Yes."

"Do you think she's home?"

Heero shook his head. "Unlikely."

"Then how are we getting in?"

Heero didn't answer, just headed for the front door.

Duo had no intention of wasting time; he headed for the window around the side to check how easily it could be broken into. He ran his fingers along the frame. "Definitely an alarm," he murmured. "Maybe I can try to pop out the glass…"

The curtains swished open from within, Duo leaped back to face Heero, who gave him an irritated glare and pointed towards the front door. Duo stared a moment, then went to run around the house.

Ahli was on the porch. "Duo!" she called when she saw him. "Come see!"

He entered an opulent foyer. The stairs were at the very back of the long wide hall, doors broke off on either side. "It's so big!" cried Ahli, throwing her arms wide.

Heero came out of a side door. Duo looked between him and the front door. "How did you get in?"

"I know where the spare key is."

"The spare key?"

Heero nodded.

"How do you know that?"

Heero blinked at him a bit strangely. "Relena told me where it was. I've met her here before..."

Duo stared. "Wait, what? Met her here. As in met? Her here?"

Heero looked at him as if he was insane. "That's just what I said."

"Yeah, but the way you said it. I didn't know you had ever...met her anywhere."

"Not recently," he said as he headed for the stairs.

"I guess not. Hasn't she been seen going out with that L4 rep? Quatre's friend?"

"Astor. I've heard things, but I don't keep up."

"Maybe you should."

"We can rest here and probably touch base from her office."

"Yeah…"

"Hello?" a voice called from upstairs. A svelte figure descended, but even if she had said nothing Duo would have known it was not Relena Darlian. Relena would never come down the stairs in a terry wrap and bare feet, her hair up in a towel. "I was in the shower and didn't hear the door. Why!" She stopped halfway and peered down. "If it isn't Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell!"

"Dorothy Catalonia," greeted Heero.

"And someone I haven't met!" she enthused, hopping the rest of the way down the stairs. "Aren't you a cute thing? What's your name?"

"Ahli."

"Well, Miss Ahli, how did you come to be in the company of two handsome gundam pilots?"

"Gundam pilots?" Ahli asked. "I don't know what those are. Duo and Heero are protecting me."

"Are they now? How sweet."

"What are you doing here?" Duo asked.

"Relena lets me use Pax Terra when I'm in town. She's so generous that way. Did you come here looking for her, Heero?"

"Not really," Heero admitted. "We just needed a place to crash."

"Oh I see. Well, I was having a meal delivered in an hour. I'll just call and quadruple the order."

"There's no need," said Heero.

"Nonsense. Let me get dressed. Come up and choose a room, and we'll all get washed up and comfortable." She turned and ran up the stairs.

"She seems nice," said Ahli.

Duo gave Heero a look as they slowly followed her up the stairs.

They warned Ahli not to say too much before they each took an adjacent room and cleaned up a bit before dinner. It was brought in a limousine by two men in white, who set out the entire table with silver ware and linens before Dorothy tipped them well enough to make one clear his throat and the other blink back tears and sent them on their way.

It was some sort of white meat in a mushroom sauce which Duo decided was possibly better than sex, and spiced mashed potatoes he just wanted to lick right off the plate. He tried to control his look of delight, but Ahli certainly couldn't and bounced in her seat as she "mmm"ed, and Heero told Dorothy between bites to compliment the chef.

"What sort of meat is it?" Ahli asked.

"Pheasant. Isn't it divine?" asked Dorothy. She was in a stunning emerald dress which sparkled as she moved. "And here I thought I would be eating alone tonight. Relena isn't due back for another day or two."

"Where is she?" Heero asked with casual interest.

Dorothy smiled. "She's up North for a conference with Earth Sky."

Duo couldn't help but look at Heero, who ignored him and looked at Dorothy. "Earth Sky?"

"Yes, you know. The Organization for Global Peace and Environmental Responsibility?"

"I do know. What do you know about them?"

"Hm…" she put on an attitude of looking thoughtful but her smile never faded. "I know they are quite impassioned about their beliefs. I like a great deal of what they do for the planet. I donate just loads of money to them every year. Good for deductions, you know."

"Is everything they do above board?" Heero asked.

She leaned back. "If I asked the same about the Preventers what would you say?"

"I'd say I don't know, because I don't, but we weren't talking about the Preventers."

"They aren't the Perfect Peace People, if that's what you're thinking."

"Yeah, we were assured of that fact," Duo replied. "But they are for perfect peace, right?"

"More like global peace."

"They don't care what happens upside?"

"They are looking to protect Earth's natural beauty and resources, and war is terrible for the environment. How many trees did you two destroy in your little terrorist campaign?" She looked past them at Ahli. "Have you ever seen a mobile suit, sweetie?"

"Only models and pictures," she replied. "I was told they got rid of them all."

"So you know what they are."

"Of course."

"A gundam is a kind of mobile suit. Bigger, deadlier, and prettier, in some people's opinion. Killing machines. Can take out hundreds of mobile suits in a few minutes. Once upon a time, these two," she waved her hand between Duo and Heero, "Were gundam pilots. They waged a war of terror against the Earth in their younger days."

"Really?" Ahli asked, interested but not appalled. "Why?"

"Because. No one else could do it. The war they sparked was so horrible that Earth and Space vowed never to fight again. Isn't that beautiful?"

"I guess."

"Of course, there are some people who are still scared of the gundam pilots, who think they could wage war again. Especially those who were created to fight."

"They do fight good," said Ahli. "But I don't think they want to wage war. Do you, Duo?"

"Not me, Kid," he said with a smile that didn't feel very genuine. "No one wants to wage war."

Ahli looked at Heero, who shook his head as he picked up his wine glass. Duo knew nothing about wine but he knew what they were drinking was something extraordinary. "I'm through with war," he said. "But Dorothy is implying that perhaps Earth Sky fears the gundam pilots."

"Or certain ones," said Dorothy.

Heero nodded. Duo sighed. All those words to say something so simple.

After dinner was a desert of chocolate cheesecake so decadent Duo wondered aloud if it was legal. He went upstairs knowing he wasn't going to get a meal like that for a long time to come.

On their way up, Dorothy grabbed up Ahli and offered her a bubble bath.

"What's that?"

"It's a bath you take in bubbles, silly!" Dorothy laughed. "Come with me. Just because you're traveling with two men doesn't mean you have to lose your feminine sensibilities!"

"We trust her?" Duo asked.

"We'll keep an ear open," Heero had replied.

"You think Earth Sky is involved."

"I believe that's what she was telling us. I'll stay. The office is at the end of the hall, that way. It should be relatively secure, but check for bugs."

"Right."

The office was huge, lined with books, with a huge window overlooking the park, a beautiful view during the day, Duo had no doubt. He sat down at the desk and pulled the phone towards him. It took moments to make sure there were no bugs, and he dialed Quatre's private number.

It was a long time before there was a click. "Mmmm?"

"Q, it's Duo."

"Duo!" Quatre was instantly awake. "Where are you?"

"Somewhere safe for the moment."

"There was a shuttle crash on Earth. They said it was a hijack attempt. They say that two men landed the shuttle then vanished with a little girl."

"Great. Every news channel, I assume."

"Yes. Whoever is after you knows exactly where you are and what you have."

"And since they know where the shuttle was originally headed, they know where we're headed too."

"Duo, this is really bad."

"Where is Trowa? You said he was downside. We could use his help."

"In Europe. He can meet you once you cross the Atlantic."

"We don't even know how we're going to get across yet."

"Hold on." There was silence for a few long moments, then the clacking of a computer. "If you're anywhere near New York, there's a hyper-speed ferry that crosses to Southampton and then on to Le Havre. Where are you going?"

"We haven't made the final decision yet." It wasn't that he didn't trust Quatre. It was that just because he wasn't bugged on this end didn't mean there wasn't someone listening. "But if Trowa could meet us there in France with some sort of transportation, that would be real helpful."

"I can arrange that."

"Have the Preventers been secured yet?"

"Somewhat. We're still not quite sure how many turned on us. This was just a disaster on so many levels."

"Yeah, I hear ya."

"As far as I know the Earthside headquarters is secure, if you need help from them."

"We don't need to draw any more attention to ourselves. Have Trowa meet us there in Le Havre."

"When will you arrive?"

"Dunno. Just tell him that's where we'll be showing up."

"Okay, I understand. Be careful, Duo." There was a hesitant pause. "Is she like Heero?" he asked finally.

"Yes and no," said Duo. "She's a nice kid, like Heero coulda been, maybe. We're not going to let her end up like…like that."

"Of course not."

"Quatre, do you talk to Dorothy Catalonia at all?"

"Why?"

"We ran into her. How trustworthy is she?"

There was another hesitation on the other end. "She won't deliberately betray you," he replied. "I trust her that far. But she loves stirring the pot. She doesn't want anything to get too boring."

"That's what I thought. Okay, Q. Hopefully I'll see ya soon. I hope I'm gonna get a bonus for this."

Quatre laughed. "I'll see what I can do. Please be careful, Duo. Tell Heero to be careful, too."

"Ugh. Like telling the moon to be more like Earth."

"Try."

"I will. See ya, Q." He rubbed his face for a long moment after he hung up, then got up. Lex would just have to take care of the Sweepers herself for the moment. There was nothing contacting her would gain. He got up and headed out to find out if maybe he could get a bubble bath of his own.

The thunderstorm crashed through in the early morning hours. It half-woke Duo in the night, but it wasn't until the door bashed open that he sat up, wondering dazedly where his gun was before he realized it was Ahli, leaping for his bed. "Duo!"

"Ah, hey. You okay?"

"What is it, Duo?" She threw herself across his legs and buried her face in the blankets.

"It's a thunderstorm. It's something that happens on Earth."

"A storm? I don't understand."

"The rain clouds get so big they build up energy floating around and bumping each other, so they have to start releasing energy, and they do it with big bolts of electricity…or something like that," he said. "The thunder is the sound of the lightning bolts. They move so fast they're over before you hear the crash."

There was another; it lit the room and the subsequent clap of thunder shook the house. Duo flinched, not from the storm itself but the memories such a large crash stirred deep within him.

"Are you scared too?"

"No, not really. But it is loud. We're pretty much safe as long as we're inside."

"Can I stay here with you?"

"Of course you can." He looked up, "Scared too, Heero?"

There was a dark silhouette in the doorway. "Of course not. I heard voices. Is she okay?"

"She's scared of the storm." The next crash was so close the thunder was almost simultaneous with the lightning, Heero's features were lit sharply in the instant before the house shook with the ear-splitting crash. Duo couldn't help it, he ducked his head as for a brief moment he was in the midst of battle. Then it was gone and he straightened up.

Heero came and sat on the end of the bed. "Looks like you're scared too."

"Not scared," Duo muttered. "It's just loud. I forgot what these things could be like. Pardon me for my lack of stoicism."

"I didn't fault you. I had to get used to them too."

"Stay with us too, Heero."

Duo snorted. "Oh yeah, all of us in one bed would be so comfy! No, this is not the prairie. Heero can go sleep in his own bed."

"The prairie?" Heero asked.

"You know like the frontiers people all living in one bed?"

"Where did you pick up that gem of information?"

"I dunno. A book somewhere I think? Maybe a movie…I don't know."

"A reliable source, then."

"Oh shut up. And what are you laughing at?"

Ahli was giggling, despite the storm. "You're funny." She squeaked at the next flash, ducking down and covering her ears as the thunder crashed around them.

Heero reached out and laid a hand on her shoulder. Duo shook his head. "When did you get so nice, Heero?"

Heero didn't answer that, just gave Ahli a comforting pat then stood up. "I'm getting some sleep. I suggest you do the same. We have a long walk ahead of us."

"Right," Duo sighed. "I'll be right here if you need me, Ahli."

"Okay. Goodnight Heero."

"Goodnight."

Duo shook his head and closed his eyes.

"You aren't walking anywhere."

Heero looked at Dorothy over the mug of what had to be the greatest coffee Duo had ever tasted. How did she do these things? The sun was only now cresting the horizon of a bright breezy day and filtering into the massive kitchen where Heero and Duo sipped coffee and Ahli sleepily poked some cereal. Heero had drawn the line and refused to allow Dorothy to order them a catered breakfast. "Excuse me?"

She stood by the coffee maker in an outrageously fluffy bathrobe. "I will drive you wherever you need to go in my limo. Please let me do that for you. Consider it my contribution to the cause."

Duo looked at Heero, who considered a moment then looked back at Duo. "Your choice," he offered.

"Huh? Oh. Well, Quatre seemed to think you'd do all right by us, so I guess we can accept."

Heero didn't show a reaction one way or the other, just reached for the cereal and pitcher of milk in silence.

"Quatre's a sweetie," said Dorothy. "He's so gracious, considering we were practically on opposite sides in the war."

"Practically?" snorted Duo. "You stabbed him."

"Fair and square," she replied.

Heero found this really funny, he nearly choked on his coffee.

"Who's Quatre?" Ahli asked. "And did you really stab him?"

Dorothy smiled. "That was a long time ago, and we've all learned a lot since then."

"Remember how I talked about the nicest guy I knew?" Duo asked. "That's Quatre."

"Oh."

"I missed that talk," said Heero.

"You were buying rabbit food, I think."

"Ah."

"Rabbit food?" Dorothy asked.

"High-energy protein mix," said Heero, throwing Duo a look.

"Heero's a bunny," Ahli told Dorothy. "And the second nicest guy Duo knows."

Dorothy laughed so hard then she had to sink down into a kitchen chair. "Ahli darling, you are precious! Shall I get you ready for your trip? So where am I taking you?"

"The hyper-speed ferry," said Heero.

"Ah! A boat ride! Well, we don't have much time, do we, sweetheart? Come along." She seized Ahli's hand and the two ran out.

"I'm not really that nice," Heero said after a long silence during which the two men ate their cereal.

"Really?" Duo asked. "My mistake then. You fake it well."

Heero huffed another laugh and sipped his coffee.