Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I thought I posted this, and I realized it was sitting in my Doc Manager and not uploaded into the Story Manager... :P I feel so stupid. Anyway, this is the end of Part Two, and it seems as good a time as any to halt for a little while (maybe a week or two?). Sorry kids, I've got exams and my family coming back for Thanksgiving, I don't know if I'll find that much time to write. Thanks for sticking with me so far, and don't worry I will be back.
Mm, told from Duo's POV. You kinda start at the same place as the previous chapter, but you get the point.
snowdragonct: A little competition couldn't hurt to get his attention, right? :D Yeah, I checked them all up on the Gundam wiki when the last comment came up. The one with lavender eyes is actually Dorothy. Relena's are supposed be Nile Blue, and Quatre's are just blue. I'll probably stick with aquamarine for contrast. Who knew there were so many types of blue? :P Thank you Trowa for having green eyes and Wufei for black. Haha. And I like Sylvia. She was angry, but honest with Heero. I mean, how else are you supposed to react when a guy comes to tell you he's killed your grandfather?
27CansOfTuna: Would I really be that evil? Don't answer that. :)
Pikeebo: Oh gosh, seriously something with Duo's situation was supposed to happen LAST chapter, but the conversation with Sylvia kinda went on longer than I anticipated. Sylvia's one of Heero's old friends along with Quatre. Trowa does not know Quat... yet. And yeah, read on... :)
Thanks also to wind dancer1981 and Zmajgoddess for reviewing.
It was one of those annoying society parties. It sort of came with the Peacecraft name, and even though not nominally a Peacecraft, Zechs at least had always insisted Duo was one as well. It wouldn't be terrible though, since it was being thrown at some art gallery. At least there would be stuff to look at that wasn't some annoyingly attractive bodyguard.
Honestly, he'd hate to disappoint Dorothy, after all it was her cousin's party. She was a good person with a wicked sense of humor. Duo still didn't understand what she amusement she found in always simpering and playing dumb with Relena, but he didn't question it. Asking Doro would undoubtedly make him more confused.
Putting on the tux was annoying as hell, but it was worth it just to see Heero's jaw drop when he walked down the stairs. He hid it quickly, but not before Duo noticed. Hah, thought Duo. See what you're missing? He tried not to feel smug when he barely glanced at Relena's scanty pink dress, but couldn't help the small twitch at the corners of his mouth.
Heero sat in front with Trowa as they sat in the limo on the way to the party. Probably to avoid being groped, since Heero looked damn good himself. He and Fei were dressed down a bit, but they both looked hot, a fact which Duo took great pleasure in informing a blushing Chinese man inside the limo. Zechs just winked and casually draped his arm around him. "Just stretching" he assured the suddenly irate but still very red man. Relena just pointedly ignored them all.
Meeting Treize was always amusing. He seemed to take great pleasure in shamelessly flirting with Zechs, and over the last few years, with him as well. This was the first time Wufei had been officially introduced though, and Duo, through careful observation, saw the faint signs of displeasure at his amorous attitude. Duo almost snickered aloud at Treize's subtle snubbing of Relena but covered it quickly, looking around the room. Distantly he heard Treize ask Wufei and Heero to give up their weapons before they all moved on.
The gallery itself was a delight to the senses. The paintings on the wall were tastefully displayed and sculptures were scattered deliberately throughout the open space. Somehow amidst it all, Treize had tucked several unobtrusive vases of red roses in the corners, delicately scenting the room. Duo made a mental note to stand closer to a rose vase as he brushed past a heavily perfumed woman, but a call broke into his thoughts.
"Heero."
Duo turned to see a girl who looked as if she belonged as an angel atop a Christmas tree. Soft wavy blonde hair framed a classically pretty face. Large blue-green eyes were trained on Heero and her soft lips curled into a smile of familiarity.
"Sylvia?"
Duo's head swiveled back to look at Heero. A myriad of expressions flickered across his face before it was carefully blanked. Curiously, a prominent one had seemed to be guilt. What was Heero feeling guilty about?
Heero excused himself quickly to talk to her. Duo watched them discreetly at first but he was soon distracted by the sudden appearance of Hilde who enthusiastically introduced him to her oldest friend, Trant Clark.
Trant seemed interested in Duo and stared at him with an intensity that unnerved him a little. He apologized after Duo tactfully mentioned it, and seemed to relax a little. Since the man was Hilde's friend, Duo tried his best to be kind to him. Still, the conversation was steadily heading south, as was wont to happen sometimes even with the best intentions, even with Hilde trying to keep up interference to fill in the awkward gaps. Thankfully, Hilde dragged her friend away to greet others, freeing Duo from the stilted conversation. Now he stood alone. He noticed Wufei flicking him glances from where he stood a little ways away, still shadowing Zechs and Relena. He considered moving over to join their party, but the thought of having to speak with the crazy owner of Libra Tech wasn't very enticing.
Duo couldn't help it, he had to peek over at Heero, but instantly regretted it as he saw them locked in an embrace. He stiffened and clutched the champagne flute in his hand a little tighter.
"Got the hots for Miss Sylvia or Yuy?"
Duo blinked at the newcomer. He was a blonde man, a little taller than him but not as tall as Zechs. He was well built, in a dark designer suit. His lips were twisted in a small smirk.
"Neither," Duo said, flicking his braid back with his free hand.
The stranger laughed. "You may be beautiful, but you're a dreadful liar."
Duo didn't know whether to be flattered or offended, so he diverted instead. "I don't believe we've ever met."
"My name is Alex. I'm a retired colonel, working security detail now."
"Duo Maxwell," was all he offered. Something about the man made him feel a little wary, but he tried to dismiss the feeling. After all, this man was attractive, clearly attracted to Duo, and most importantly, was not named Heero Yuy. "So you know them?"
Alex smiled. "Yuy and I both used to work protection for Miss Sylvia's grandfather."
Curious now despite himself, Duo turned his full attention on the man, unconsciously leaning forward to catch his words in the din of the crowd. "Used to?"
"What are you doing here, Alex?" came a growl at his elbow. Duo didn't dare turn back to look, the heat emanating from Heero alone was making Duo feel light-headed.
Alex's smile only grew wider. "It's been awhile, hasn't it? I was invited by a grateful former employer. Don't you receive invitations like this too?"
Heero just responded with another growl, but he stopped at the sound of feminine laughter.
Sylvia came around to stand to the side of Alex, pulling Heero along to stand beside Duo and forming a loose circle. "Oh Heero, you're so easily baited. I'm not sure why I thought that would change."
"Hello, Miss Sylvia. It's a pleasure to see you again." Alex smiled winningly at her. Duo was amazed at the transformation. With Duo, his expressions had been flirtatious or sly. With Heero, slickly mocking. But with Sylvia, he was the picture of the polite gentleman. It unnerved Duo as much as it impressed him.
She gave him a polite smile. "Hello. Alex, was it? It's nice to see you too." Before he could reply, she turned her attention to Duo and warmth suffused her features. "And you must be Milliardo's little brother. I'm Sylvia Noventa. Heero thinks the world of you, you know."
Duo smiled at her. While it hurt to think that she was the one Heero loved, he couldn't bring himself to hate her. "Duo Maxwell, and I don't know about that." He chanced a quick glance at Heero only to find him glaring at Sylvia.
She just giggled and patted Heero's cheek, winking at Duo as if to say she was doing that because she knew it bothered him. "Oh believe me, he does. I've known him forever and he can't hide anything from me."
"Miss Sylvia?" A kind looking young man sidled up beside her. "The ambassador from Sanc wishes to speak with you."
"Oh right." She moved back and slipped her hand through his arm. "May I introduce my date tonight, Jack Ciento? Jack, this is Alex, Duo, and one of my oldest friends Heero."
He smiled, revealing even white teeth. "A pleasure." He shook all of their hands before he swept Sylvia away to her obligations.
"So it was Yuy after all, hm?" Alex raised a superlicious brow at Duo, before smiling cruelly. "Nice job smoothing things over with Miss Sylvia, Yuy. I didn't think she'd forgive you for letting her grandfather die, even if you are childhood friends."
Heero's eyes were molten blue as he glowered at the blonde man. "I wasn't there, Alex. You know that."
"Oh that's right," he said lightly, with the tone of someone just remembering something, but the cruel gleam in his blue eyes said otherwise. "You were on vacation. You just have the worst timing, don't you? I hope you haven't let any of your other clients die on your days off."
Duo felt Heero tense beside him. He opened his mouth, but Duo spoke quickly, interrupting him. "Heero. I haven't been around to see the paintings at all. It's such a shame, everything is so beautiful. Will you take me?" He slid his arm firmly around Heero's, and Heero with an initial startled glance, relaxed infinitesimally and gave a slight nod.
Alex gave Duo a charming smile. "I could take you, Duo. After all, you're probably safer with me."
Duo's thumb rubbed soft soothing circles unseen on Heero's suddenly taut arm. "I'm fine with Heero, thanks. Goodbye, Alex," Duo said politely but firmly, a bland smile pasted on his face as he pulled Heero away.
Only when they were out of Alex's sight did Heero relax again. "I'm sorry," he mumbled.
Duo shrugged. "He was a dick." He turned a questioning look on his companion. "Was what he said about Sylvia's grandfather true?"
Heero opened his mouth to answer, but then his gaze sharpened and he frowned. "Duo, what's that paper in your pocket?"
Duo pulled it out and unfolded it, thinking he'd throw it away before Heero could see it if Alex had managed to slip him his number. Violet eyes rounded in horror, though, as they took in the contents.
"You look so pretty, lover. I want to caress that beautiful hair of yours. You would make such an exquisite corpse."
"What is this?" he whispered hoarsely.
Heero grabbed it from him swore. He scanned the crowds milling about, automatically pulling Duo beside him and toward the exit. He cursed again as he patted his own shoulder, probably because he realized his gun was in a locker at the entrance and not in its holster.
A shot crackled through the darkness, and Duo felt an impact as Heero threw him against a wall. Screams of terror came from all around them as the crowd around them became a frenzied mob.
"Damnit," he muttered, eyes still scanning the area and edging Duo along the wall.
"Yuy, you good?" Wufei materialized next to them, with Zechs and Relena in tow. He handed Heero his gun, which he took gratefully.
"You're bleeding," cried Relena. With a shock, Duo glanced down and saw that there was indeed blood coming from Heero's right arm.
"Just a graze," Heero grunted, not even glancing at her. "It won't impair my movement or my aim."
Zechs gave a strained chuckle. "What a perfect soldier."
"There was another letter. It was in his jacket pocket." Heero handed Zechs the letter, not stopping his scrutiny of the crowd around them.
"Another?" Duo squeaked as the words sank in. "What do you mean another?"
"Maxwell, this is not the time -"
Out of the corner of his vision, Duo saw a flash coming from a nearby building, just seconds before another gunshot crackled through the night.
A body slumped forward. Relena screamed.