Author's Notes: I have a lot on my mind right now... thanks, as always, to my reviewers.

Kaeru Shisho: I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the expanding roles of Trowa & Quatre. I do have a certain hierarchy in mind with character PoV and the rate at which each character's story and personality unfolds.

Sadie Woods: It seems like you're as busy as I am right now with all the traveling and visiting! Glad to see you've returned safe and sound. I fully admit that I had so much fun writing about Duo's past. It was only a brief idea at first, but once I started telling the story, it all tumbled out and onto the page. I'm happy you liked Wu Fei - there is definitely more of him coming, but he takes a longer time to really unfold.

The next chapter features Quatre's return and the escape from the Lunar Base, but after that, the next few chapters will cover a lot of ground quickly, episode--wise , because there's not as much interaction between the different pilots aside from Heero & Quatre.

Chapter 11 – Waiting On The World To Change (Episode 23)

o/ Me and all my friends
We're all misunderstood
They say we stand for nothing and
There's no way we ever could
Now we see everything that's going wrong
With the world and those who lead it
We just feel like we don't have the means
To rise above and beat it /o

Midway through the morning, several days after his voyage to the outside wall of the colony, Duo began to get restless again and decided it was time for the test. He'd promised Heero that he would get some rest before following the other pilot to the moon, but he didn't know how much longer he could stand to be idle.

Carefully locking the door to the apartment, the God of Death tip-toed down the hallway of the building and crept quietly into the stairwell, holding the door as it closed behind him until he heard the tiny click of it sliding back into place. He listened for a moment to be sure there wasn't anyone too close, but there were no footsteps. Last thing I need is someone trying to help me if I do take a tumble. My face is still plastered all over the colony.

Taking a deep and slow breath, he eyed the flight of metal stairs stretched out before him in the dim and flickering light. I can do this. I need to do this so I can get outta here. Duo exhaled slowly and then took another breath, counting in his head as he ran down the flight of stairs. Down wasn't too bad, a little sore – but up was always the real challenge. Abrupt-facing at the bottom, he started the ascent, winching only once as he neared the very top. "Close e-fucking-nough," he muttered with a grim sort of smile, reaching one hand to scratch the back of his head.

The down-and-up test was something he'd devised so long ago that he couldn't even remember how it had started. It was definitely pre-Maxwell Church, and some days, remembering details about anything prior to that was difficult. But if he had made it down and up a flight of stairs without stopping, then he was recovered enough to start trying to look for a way to get to the moon.

Heero took a civilian shuttle, but that's out of the question for me. Duo pondered the dilemma as he crept back to the apartment to get the blue jacket, the baseball hat and a large pair of sunglasses. If civilian is out, the two choices left are commercial or military. Tucking his braid underneath the coat, Duo slipped on the rest of his disguise, jammed his hands in his pockets and headed for the space port.

There were plenty of public areas in the main spaceport, with all types of vessels coming and going, so it was easy for Duo to swipe a newspaper and a soda, seating himself in a large purple plush chair close enough to listen to the nearest T.V. report. Propping his feet up on the table in front of him, he crossed his arms behind his head with a sigh. Commercial is such a pain in the ass because the entire cargo hold has no air and hiding space is non-existent, but sneaking onto a military vessel is almost as stupid as trying to go civilian. For someone so used to being able to run and hide, having the whole colony know his face was becoming increasingly annoying to Duo.

"Also, natural resources and parts have been transported from the plant colonies as we begin mobile suits production on the Lunar Plant, together with support from OZ. We no longer have to fear the possibility of an invasion. With Commander-in-Chief Treize and Colonel Une's help this will mark the beginning of a new era for outer space."

"What a bunch of crap," Duo muttered under his breath. The colonies never needed to take up arms to protect peace until OZ made them think they should. "They're the ones who planted the fear of war in everyone."

"That's not true." Duo looked over the tops of his sunglasses in surprise to peer at the petite girl with the dark hair who had interrupted his griping, but she continued before he could respond. "The colonies have suffered a history of humiliation. We aren't afraid of battles that will allow colony independence."

Her words startle to really ruffle him and he sat up, asking her sharply. "Who're you?"

Either unaware or unaffected by his tone, she straightened a little at the question. "My name is Hilde Schbeiker. I've volunteered my services from this colony."

It was obvious to Duo that she was proud of this fact and it was impossible for him to keep the scorn out of his voice. "So you're an OZ soldier."

This time she caught the disdain and frowned, feeling immediately defensive. "Anyone can be critical. The work of the colony's students speaks for itself. Our volunteer work at the Lunar Plant reflects our faith in OZ." She smiled at the other boy, wondering where he'd gotten such a misguided opinion from in the first place.

What a smart-ass... is this really what the colony citizens think about OZ? Have students really become soldiers overnight? "Huh…Is that so?" Duo wasn't even trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice, but he was also starting to think that it might be easier to sneak aboard a military vessel than he'd thought. So caught up in worshipping OZ and yet she hasn't recognized me yet. "Then maybe I should apply, as well."

Hilde abruptly shoved an application right in front of his nose and Duo's eyes widened, his sunglasses slipping down his nose as he jumped a little. "The next military exam is in one week. Why don't you give it a try if you like?"

Duo watched her as she walked away, an idea formulating in his head. Maybe not the brightest smart-ass ever, but definitely a confident one. He had to give her a few points for pure guts. "Heh, Count on it; I'll be there." Just much sooner than you think.

o/ It's hard to beat the system
When we're standing at a distance
So we keep waiting
Waiting on the world to change /o

Duo struggled to control the mobile suit as he soared away from the colony, shots already firing behind him. I was so fucking close… He'd been four steps away from boarding the military transport with his faked papers, but that girl had seen him and all hell had broken loose. I can't take a mobile suit all the way to the damn moon! "My goal is to destroy the Lunar Plant… but it's too far away!"

"Stop!"

A monitor popped up to reveal Hilde's furious face and Duo groaned to himself in annoyance. "It's her again!" Now I know how Heero felt when that Relena chick wouldn't stop following him around!

"If you retaliate, I'll have to kill you!"

Yeah, right! The two mobile suits circled each other and Duo finally yelled back at her in frustration. "Warning shots are meaningless against inexperienced fighters!" If he even tried to fight her for real, he was worried he'd accidentally kill her.

Hearing the boy call her inexperienced only pissed Hilde off even more. Who does he think he is?! This is exactly why we need soldiers to protect the colonies from garbage like him! "This one's for the peace of the colony!"

These words stunned Duo and he stopped firing back for a moment, simply evading her attacks instead. "I'm fighting for the peace of the colony as well." This is cruel. Both of us want nothing more than peace, but she can't seem to see that OZ stands in the way of it. Can I only see through them now because what happened at the church stands out so clearly in my mind? How could he make her see the truth about OZ? "Hey, we're both fighting for the colonies!" he yelled at her over the monitor, still continuing to avoid her erratic attacks. "Then why are we enemies?!"

"Are you pleading for your life?!"

Hilde was clearly not listening to a word Duo was actually saying, as if she was as programmed as those damned mobile dolls. "I'm telling you!" Duo repeated insistently. "We aren't enemies!"

"I volunteered and pledged my loyalty. I'm prepared to die anytime!"

That's not the first time I've heard that remark. Hell, it's probably come out of my own mouth. Duo was beginning to have the bitter realization that such a line of thinking was not going to bring about peace, only more fighting. "You're so intense it makes me sick!

More shots were fired as several new mobile suits arrived to apprehend him, clearly giving no regard to Hilde even though she was their ally. "Hey! Get outta here!" Without even thinking about what he was doing, Duo moved to fling Hilde's mobile suit out of the way, forgetting that he wasn't piloting a Gundam.

The blast blew the leg off of the mobile suit he was piloting, sending Duo careening end over end and smacking his head hard against the controls in front of him. Way to go, Maxwell…

/o Cause when they own the information, oh
They can bend it all they want /o

When Duo came to, he was alone in a small room lit by garish fluorescent lights that only made his headache worse. His hands were cuffed behind his back and he had no idea where he was, but no sooner had he looked around when the door opened and Hilde walked in, looking a cross between smug and curious.

"Duo Maxwell," she paused to make sure he knew that she knew who he was now. "Who would've thought you were a Gundam pilot?" She eyed the boy up and down, wondering how someone so nice-looking could have ended up being such a horrible thing as a Gundam pilot. He can't be much older than me. "Why did you save me?"

Duo raised an eyebrow, shifting uncomfortably on the chair. "What are you talking about?"

Does he think I'm stupid? I know he pushed me out of the way. "I'm prepared to sacrifice my life. I don't need sympathy from my enemies."

"Hilde, you say? What "enemies" do you mean?" Duo knew his words had confused her, but he'd really figured something out, fighting with her in space, and he'd always prided himself on telling the truth. The truth was usually the only way to go. "Since when is the colony an organization fighting a war?" He looked down for a moment, closing his eyes in thought. "When the Alliance came from Earth to attack the colonies, smiles disappeared from people's faces. I've been fighting to help give back those smiles. Then I come back to the colony, and guess what? People don't want their smiles back. Tell me something." Duo opened his eyes and met her surprised gaze with the utmost sincerity in his expression. "When did the colonies get so twisted?"

"Outer space is affected by the war on Earth," Hilde answered hesitantly, her hands trembling as she stared at Duo. It's true, the colonies never had any need for weapons or soldiers before OZ came along. "We can't just sit back and be taken over!" But things are different now! With shaking hands, Hilde raised and cocked her gun, pointing it at Duo's head, but he merely smiled as if it was exactly what he'd expected her to do. "This is outer space's decision."

Heh, I can tell that I've shaken her up. Maybe she's finally starting to listen. "Your bravery's commendable." And now that I have her off-guard… "So where are you taking me?"

"To the Lunar Base," Hilde snapped back, still looking confused and upset. "You'll be questioned on the Gundam, among other things."

The more unraveled Hilde became, the more chill and confident Duo started to act. "Saves me a trip," he leaned forward a little, a knowing smile still on his face. "You know I'm planning to destroy the Lunar Base."

Incensed, Hilde shoved the gun right up against Duo's forehead, but he didn't even blink. "You don't stand a chance. Why don't you see me as an enemy? I won't let you destroy it."

Poor misguided kid… "Hate to say this, but you don't have the skills to be my enemy," Duo responded quite nonchalantly. "So it's foolish for you to risk your life against me. But you remind me of how reckless I was when I went to Earth to fight all on my own." I thought everything was so simple when I first went to Earth, but the longer this goes on, the more complicated everything gets. People like Hilde shouldn't be fighting in a war.

"Don't patronize me!"

"In fact, we're both foolish," Duo sighed, pretty sure by now that she didn't have what it took to shoot him right between the eyes. "A soldier can get killed at any time. We'll see many friends in the colony lose their lives." Is that what you want? Is that what everyone in the colonies wants? Because that's what's gonna happen if OZ isn't stopped. "Let's live our lives believing in the paths we've chosen. You've got to be at least that foolish to make it as a soldier."

Hilde lowered the gun, her hands shaking more than ever, and then she leaned in until she and Duo were almost nose to nose. "You're full of shit." She waited to see if Duo would respond, but when he didn't, she turned and stormed out of the room.

Their banter had given Duo more than enough time to slowly work his wrist out of one side of the handcuffs, after which the lock on the door was an easy pick. He had rigged an explosion in the third engine and made it down to the ship's hangar less than ten minutes after Hilde had left him, swinging the handcuffs around on one finger before finally tossing them aside. "And now, the getaway."

"Duo!"

Un-fucking-believable. This day seemed to be the annoying disaster that would not end. Duo popped his head out of the mobile suit to see Hilde standing in the doorway. "Hey, that was quick! You've got good instincts! I'm blowing up the hatch. Step back if you don't wanna get hurt." He disappeared back into the mobile suit, picking up a blaster and using it to obliterate the hatch. It wasn't until he was already out in space, careening crazily towards the moon, that Duo realized just how badly the suit had been damaged earlier.

"The mass balance device is busted! I'll get seasick!" The monitor beeped to show an approaching group of mobile dolls and he fired at them, but his mobile suit was spinning out of control, throwing off his aim. "Mobile dolls! Don't move!" My chances are not looking good. He tried to right the suit as the surface of the moon rose up in front of him and couldn't help mocking himself sarcastically. "I made it to the moon! That's ironic!"

Bracing for impact, Duo hit the ground hard, skidding across the dirt as the dolls were closing in. What a botched mission. "Am I washed up? Not too bad a job, if I do say so myself." Goddamn mobile dolls. If it wasn't for those machines, I'd have made it all the way. He placed his hands behind head his head in aggravation. "Hurry up and finish me off! I hate the thought of being killed by a machine!"

The monitors beeped again and Duo's hands came down as he stared at the screens in shock. Another mobile suit had come flying towards the dolls, shooting them down in rapid fire, and there was only one person it could be. "What?!" he snapped, punching a button to bring up a connection with the suit. "You fool! Give your code to prove you're an ally! You'll get killed!" How could this girl be sure he wasn't going to shoot her down immediately?!

Hilde pulled off her helmet with a small smile. I know… I know he's right. I know what OZ is building at this facility; I've read the reports about their plans. She'd turned a blind eye to so much since she'd joined up with OZ, trying to convinced herself that it was all for the betterment of the colonies. But what he said… about smiles…about how things have changed... I've seen it happening all around me. "I can't do that. There's no telling who my allies are anymore." Even knowing she'd lose, at best her job and at worst her life, Hilde finally felt like she was making the right move by blasting open the door to the Lunar base. "Duo. Hurry up and do what you want to accomplish!"

"Hilde…" This time, it was Duo who was surprised, and he hesitated for a moment.

"I decided to live out my life, believing in my chosen path," Hilde quoted his own words back to him.

I can't let her sacrifice be in vain. "Sorry, Hilde," he said apologetically. "This time I'm not bailing you out!"

"I told you, I'm already prepared to die!" The words were light and she knew he understood that they meant something much different now.

"Yeah, I remember. But Hilde! Just don't die in vain!" He used the last burst of propulsion to send his mobile suit flying towards the open door, hearing her last words echo before their line of communication was cut.

"Same goes for you, Duo."

She's only one person… Duo thought as he climbed out of the mobile suit. But even one more person working for peace is more than we had yesterday.

o/ It's not that we don't care,
We just know that the fight ain't fair
So we keep on waiting
Waiting on the world to change /o

Slipping quietly through the halls, Duo debated about what to do next. He'd gotten himself to the Lunar Base, but he had no idea where Heero was or where the scientists were being held. It wasn't hard to hack into one of the computer terminals, pulling up a map of the base, which told him that all of the mobile suit laboratories were underground.

He ended up taking out a few soldiers on the way, but had managed to avoid tripping the main alarm. Still, he was careful when he busted through the main door into the first laboratory, rolling down a ramp with his gun still held at the ready. It was only when he saw his own Gundam towering before him that he stopped dead in shock, staring up at it in the darkness. "What the heck?"

"Who's there?" a voice called, and Duo tightened his grip on his weapon as a bright light suddenly blinded him.

"The God of Death," he snarled, ready for a fight. He thought the voice sounded familiar, but he wasn't entirely sure.

"That's four of them," the voice spoke again. "Are you here to kill us, too?" The sound of laughter filled the room as Duo's eyes adjusted to the light and he blinked in surprise.

"Long time, no see, Duo," Professor G lifted a hand in greeting.

"So it WAS you guys. Then those are…?! Duo trailed off, turning to look up again at the two Gundams with excitement. If I had Deathscythe back…

"That's right. They're new models," Professor G could see the look in Duo's eyes and he smiled. "Duo, how would you like to operate one?"

"When's it finished?" Duo could tell there were still pieces missing, though he was pretty sure it was at least functional already. So if Heero didn't kill them…then where is he?

"In one month. Make sure you live until it's finished. Then you'll have your chance in the spotlight." Voices and footsteps had started to echo in the hall outside and the scientists looked at each other in worry. "Duo, decide quickly. We can't let them find this place!"

What choice do I even have? There was no time to ask them about Heero or any of the other pilots. "I understand…" He dropped the gun, putting his hands up in the air, amused, annoyed, and exasperated all at the same time. "Okay, we'll do it your way. Hurry up and get started!" He already knew what was coming next, and his still healing rib pulsed painfully in protest.

"Would you do the honors?" Professor G gestured to the tallest man in the room.

"As much as I hate to…" Doktor S stepped forward, fisting a hand in the front of Duo's spacesuit before punching him hard in the face. "It wouldn't hurt as much if you screamed out loud."

Duo tried to offer a half-hearted smile, wondering why he always seemed to end up getting the shit kicked out of him. "Yeah. But I'm a real man." He waggled his eyebrows playfully, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes, and one more hard punch to the gut had him nearly unconscious. Damn, why did it have to be the rib again?!

Neither Heero nor Wu Fei were particularly talkative, so they'd spent most of their time in captivity at the Lunar Base in silence. Currently, Heero was leaning against the wall with his eyes mostly closed, but he could see Wu Fei sitting several feet away, looking as if he might be meditating. He hadn't asked any questions about Wu Fei's past, as he didn't want to be asked any about his own, and found that he felt awkward because he couldn't think of much of anything to say. Maybe I'm just used to how much Duo talks that the silence feels strange…

As if the universe had read his mind, the door to the room they were being kept in suddenly swung open. Wu Fei's eyes snapped open, but neither he nor Heero moved or said a word as someone was thrown forcibly into the room and the door was slammed shut again. Barely conscious, Duo stumbled once and landed face down on the floor.

Heero forced himself not to act relieved or happy to see him, especially in front of the other pilot, and merely raised an eyebrow. More liability if they think we're friends. "Botched your mission? You couldn't destroy the base and you didn't kill Dr. J and the others." It was mostly guesswork, but he doubted he was far off the mark.

"Don't rub it in," Duo mumbled in response, recognizing Heero's voice immediately. It's not as if you did a better job! "I'm still glad I decided to come here." He lifted his head to peer at Wu Fei and smiled weakly. "Good news. Your Gundam and mine are being rebuilt. I can hardly wait!"

Heero turned to nod towards Wu Fei, whose eyes had lit up at Duo's news. "Looks like OZ will be keeping us alive for the time." His gaze shifted back to Duo and he noted the dark bruise already forming on the other boy's cheek. "It's a good chance, so don't die yet." Heero remembered quite well what their previous parting words had been and was sure Duo did as well.

"Don't worry about me! I don't plan on dying that easily…" Duo paused for a soft chuckle and then groaned as his own laughter made his poor rib feel like it was on fire. "There's the colonies to fight for. Just watch. I'll be the God of Death again! I will!" His vision was blurring, but now that he was here with Heero and Wu Fei, he didn't mind as much. "Well… good night…"

There was a long moment of silence before Wu Fei sat down and leaned against the wall on the opposite side of the room. "It's the truth? About the Gundams?" Despite the choice of words between the other two pilots, Wu Fei could tell from the amount Heero had said and the tone of his voice that the two were at the very least acquaintances, more so than he was with either one.

"Duo never lies," Heero responded immediately in defense, then paused as Wu Fei raised an eyebrow at him. "If he says the suits are being rebuilt, then they are. He must have run into the scientists before being caught."

"If you say so."

Heero watched as Wu Fei closed his eyes and waited a long time until the other boy's breathing evened out. He wasn't absolutely sure that the Chinese pilot was asleep, but he had no idea how long they'd be kept in this room, so he wasn't likely to get a better opportunity. He hadn't been able to find any cameras in the room, but he wasn't convinced that it wasn't bugged. Carefully sliding down the few steps until he was next to Duo's prone form, Heero nudged the other boy lightly in the arm with the toe of his sneaker. "Duo?"

Duo mumbled something incoherent in response, so Heero reached out as best he could in the obnoxious elbow length cuffs and rolled Duo over until his head was resting on Heero's leg. Leaning over him until they were nearly nose to nose, he whispered again. "Duo?"

This time, Duo's eyes slowly slid open and he blinked up at Heero in confusion, obviously still dazed. "I made it to the moon," he mumbled, a slow and satisfied smile creeping onto his face.

Heero rolled his eyes and withdrew a little bit. "If you were supposed to be recovering, then how is it you've shown up here looking worse for the wear than when I left you?" Truthfully, he was concerned with the obvious beating Duo had taken before being dumped into the room with them, but also curious as to what had happened with the scientists.

"Had to cover for them," Duo said, shifting a little until his head was fully in Heero's lap, looking up at him with quickly sharpening awareness. "When I found the Gundams, I mean. Long story as to how I got here, but some other time. How about you?" He started to try and reach his arms behind his head, but between the cuffs and laying across Heero's lap, he wasn't having much luck.

"Had every intention of taking them out, but the plans had to be adjusted…" Heero paused, tilting his head in confusion at Duo's gestures. "What are you trying to do?"

Duo blew his bangs out of his face in frustration as he gave up his wiggling. "In the base of my braid, underneath, there's a pin…" He's being avoidant, the way he's answering me. "Why an adjustment?"

Heero leaned in closer to whisper straight into Duo's ear, carefully sliding his locked hands underneath the coil of braid in his lap to try and find the pin. "Trowa's here… couldn't kill his cover." Withdrawing the pin, he held the tiny, sparkly metal star up in front of his face and couldn't help but smirk. "Why…?"

"Just give it to me, Yuy," Duo mock glared at him. "No, not in my hands – stick the damn star in my mouth." So he's steamed that Trowa got in the way.

Heero's smirk widened to an almost-grin, but he did as asked, carefully sticking the star between Duo's lips until the other boy grasped it with his teeth. He then sat there in surprise as Duo lifted his hands to his mouth, deftly inserting the end of the bobby pin into the keyhole. I thought these things were completely un-pickable.

"Score!" Duo hissed as the lock popped open, freeing his hands. He instantly slipped the hair pin into his jacket pocket, beside the photograph, where he could access it without help next time, then folded his arms behind his head – still in Heero's lap – and grinned up at him triumphantly.

"Notably impressed," Heero replied with a quick shake of his head. "But I'd put them back on and save it for when it counts."

"Counts now…" Duo drawled softly, reaching one hand up to playfully tug a lock of Heero's messy hair. Wrong time, wrong place… but I just can't help myself.

"Don't – the room might be bugged."

"And?"

"It's a liability."

"A liability?" Duo couldn't tear his eyes from Heero's face as the other pilot briefly scanned the room, searching once again for some sign that they were being observed.

"Any perceived friendship between us is a weakness Oz can exploit." Heero tried to avoid meeting Duo's intense indigo eyes, because he knew the expression on his face would be that same teasingly cocky grin the braided boy had had right before asking Heero "do you want me?" on that night he couldn't seem to forget. Heero was glad the relative darkness of the room obscured the heat rising in his cheeks.

"I'll take my chances." Duo reached up with both hands to wind his fingers into Heero's hair, pulling the other boy down as he leaned up to crush their mouths together. Can't cure a reckless soul… At first, Heero tried to deny him, but Duo nipped sharply at Heero's bottom lip until the other boy finally gave in. Curling one hand around the back of Duo's neck, Heero kissed him so intensely that Duo's breath caught in his throat as if he'd had the wind knocked out of him again.

After a moment, though, Heero broke the kiss, turning his face away with one whispered word, his entire body tense. "Enough."

No, I'm beginning to think it'll never be enough… Pleased that he'd gotten what he wanted, if only for a moment, Duo sat up, stretching his arms above his head with a huge yawn. "So the only one who's not here is Quatre," he said softly, shifting topics quickly as if nothing had happened and noticing the tightness drop out of Heero's shoulders in response.

"Presumed alive, but MIA," he responded as Duo moved to sit beside him. He could feel the warmth radiating off of the other boy's body at this close proximity, but tried to shove the thought from his mind. "Trowa tries to keep us up to date as best he can, but for now, all we can do is wait."

Duo sighed, pulling his braid into his lap and curling it around his hand in impatient habit. "Could be a month til Deathscythe's ready."

Heero shook his head and frowned, leaning to rest his elbows on his knees. "There's unrest within Oz. I don't think we'll be sitting around for much longer."

"Intuition?"

"Just a hunch." There was a moment of silence until Heero nudged Duo with one elbow. "I should let you get some sleep. And put those cuffs back on."

"Yeah, yeah…" Duo grumbled, but he did as suggested, clicking the cuffs back into place and sprawling out on one of the steps. It was a lot less painful than sitting up, but he wasn't going to admit that to Heero. What can we do besides wait… Duo didn't think he'd be able to get any rest in this place, but with Heero's familiar presence beside him, it wasn't long before sleep claimed him.


o/ One day our generation
Is gonna rule the population
So we keep on waiting
Waiting on the world to change /o

Up Next: Chapter 12 - Hold On