*I don't own Gundam Wing or anthing that is in this fanfic. This is for entertainment purposes only.*
Mission Acknowledged.
18:32 p.m.
A lone figure made it's way with deliberate casualness down the crowded isle of the charter bus. " 'Scuse me, this seat taken'?" His voice was slightly husky, yet clear and charming as he halted close to the back of the coach and smiled down to a middle aged female passenger.
"Not at all." Was the half mumbled, half reluctant response as the woman picked up her bag and set it in her lap, allowing the young man to take the isle seat beside her. Immediately, he reclined back and lowered the foot rest, residing himself to a nap as the bus sat in the loading bay.
Thirty minutes later the diesel engines rumbled into life and the signature cautionary beeping as the coach began to back away from the dock stirred the young man. Glancing at his watch, then putting his arms back behind his head, Duo noted that the bus was departing at least 20 minutes late. 'Wonder what the hold up was?' He thought as he chewed his bottom lip in a bored fasion.
Dusk was allready beginning to fall as he began his journey and he noted with agitated awareness that the man behind him was reading a book. He also noted with a frown that the Only person that was on this bus that wanted to use the overhead light, was the man behind him. All he wanted to do at that moment was to catch a quick nap before the exhaustive 20 or so hour bus trip rendered him to tears and this guy was keeping him from it. 'Crap, nowhere else to sit. I hate crowded buses.'
"Hey, buddy. Can ya kill that light? Some people are trying to sleep."
"Why don't you shut up and mind you're own business." Came the curt reply.
Duo turned back forward in his seat with a smile. To the casual observer, the smile was pleasant and warm, and suited his face well. To those who had crossed him in the past, it was something to be feared. Reaching down between his feet, he rumaged through his small black bag, murmuring occasionally. "Ah ha." He beamed as he pulled out a small cylendral object, he then turned around and sat on the seat on his knees, arms crossed over the back of the headrest and smiled warmly to the male passanger behind him that had enough nerve to tell Shinigami to shut up.
"What do you want now, punk?" The man was in his early thirties, heavyset somewhat and reeked offensively.
Duo turned on his charm, smiling his most winning smile, amethyst eyes twinkling. "Could you please turn off your light? I haven't slept in three days and I have a meeting to attend to tomorrow afternoon." He replied honostly, arranging the object so it ran lengthwise with his knuckles, snuggling it into his palm.
"Fuck off ya long haired punk."
"Ok." Shinigami replied, striking out with lightning speed and punching the man in the forehead, right above the bridge of the nose. The punch only took the space of a second and the man slumped immediately, book forgotten. Duo chuckled as he reached up and turned off the light.
"I did ask nice, ya know." He said as turned back in his seat, facing forward. He found a comfortable postition and closed his eyes, slipping the roll of quaters that he had used as an added 'Ompf' to the punch into his pocket. The rumbling of the engines and the swiftly enveloping darkness soon soothed him to sleep and his dreams were light.
14:15 p.m.
Duo stepped off of the bus and placed his sunglasses down lower onto his nose. The bus station was nicer than the last one he had frequented, but not by much. People rushed by him in their own frenzy to get to where they needed to go and several times, he was roughly pushed aside.
Shrugging off the rude nature of the drunken man that had used him as a means of support from falling down, Maxwell lifted up his small duffel bag and headed toward the schedule directory. If he was lucky, he could catch a charter and be in the heart of Mt. Juliet. Looking down at a small scrap of paper that he had scribbled his schedule on in his pristine handwriting, he groaned when he realized that he had at least a two hour wait. "Well. Might as well get something to eat and grab another nap while I'm here." He frowned and walked slowly down the large station.
14:37 p.m.
Eating a hamburger and an order of fries, Duo watched the weary passengers walk past him like so many zombies. He pulled a face as he lifted the bun on his sandwhich and stared down at the meat. "Ugh.. I can cook better than this..." He sat it aside and consentrated on the fries and soft drink instead, wishing fervantly that he was allready where he was headed. He never could wait, but at least he was blessed with abnormal patience. What a weird combination.
15:17 p.m.
Leaning against the phone booths, Duo dug through his pockets and came across the roll of quaters that he had used as an 'Attitude Adjustment' to the man that sat behind him on the bus and opened it. Depositing several into the slot, he dialed a number and waited as a phone rang.
"Yes."
"Hey, Heero! What's up man?"
A pause, then. "Duo?"
"Yeah! The one and only, man! How are ya?"
"I'm fine, Duo. Yourself?"
"Been a long time, pal. I'm doing as good as I always was."
Heero could actually hear the smile in the ex-Deathscythe pilots voice as his longtime friend prattled on.
"Wait.. where are you Duo?"
"Eh, I'm in the bus station in Cherry valley, on my way to Mt. Juliet to meet with Howard."
"When does your bus leave?"
"Hmm." Duo looked at his watch. " 'Bout an hour or less."
"I'll pick you up."
"You don't have to do that, Heero."
"I said I'll pick you up."
Duo blinked at the dial tone as the ex Wing pilot hung up.
"Yeah... nice talking to you too, buddy." Shinigami sighed as he hung up the receiver and stared at the passerbys.
16:13 p.m.
Heero Yuy entered the busy station and looked around. Bright cobalt eyes surveyed the area as he slipped into soldier mode. His object, Duo Maxwell. He shouldn't be too hard to find. Head lifted and eyes scanning the vast area, he made his way. He couldn't help but notice with a trace of amusement that people still scurried out of his way, whether they knew it or not. Intimidation had always been a key point to his personality. His smile at the thought was haunting as he strolled smoothly along the terminal.
16:17 p.m.
Duo was leaned back in one of the lounge seats, feet propped up, arms behind his head and amethyst eyes closed in slumber. He was unaware of the figure that loomed before him.
Stirring slightly as a hand was placed on his shoulder, he looked up into a familar face. "Heero!" He was up in a moment, enveloping his old friend in a tight embrace. He was mildly amused as it was returned. "How are ya!? Long time no see! Man did you get tall! You're still ugly, but wow! Look at those muscles! What are you now, 6'1, 6'2?"
"Hn. Let's go."
"Sheesh, Heero, don't talk my ear off!" Duo chuckled as he leaned down and lifted his bag. "Hey, I got in touch with Howard, care if we drop by his place?"
"That's what the plan was in the first place."
"What? No mayhem and mischief first? Boy, you sure do know how to treat a guy..."
Heero turned to Duo, supressing a smile. "Never on the first date."
"Ha Ha. I'M the funny guy around here, don't forget that."
"I'll try."
Duo made a face and sputtered softly.
~~
"Yeah, been a long time, Duo." Howard shuffled busily through the crowded apartment, stopping occasionaly to pick up an important file base, or printed sheet of paper.
"Yeah..." Duo said cautiously, keeping his eye on the older man. "So... what did you call me for? Please tell me that this is just a social call bro..."
"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Duo. But you know when you destroyed your Gundam?"
Maxwells eyes narrowed. "Clearly. It was eight years ago. I also destroyed Sandrock and Heavyarms while I was at it. Ancient history. The past. Yesterdays news." He defiantly crossed his arms over his chest and put out his chin.
"Too bad they were'nt the... machines that were to be destroyed."
"You lost me, Howard."
"Heh... " Holding a small disk close to Duo's eyes, Howard explained. "Well.. I hate to say this, well.. I don't hate to say it entirely, but.."
Duo crossed his eyes to focus on the disk. Reaching out and taking it, he set his mouth in a frown. "What the hell are you trying to tell me, Howard? I Don't read minds and I Don't understand bits and bobs of.." He threw his hands out. "Whatever in the hell you're talking about."
Slumping his shoulders, Howard continued. "What you destroyed that day were... doppelgangers... They were equipped for battle, could handle spaceflight and were suited with the weapons that were intended for your Gundams." He gave a rueful chuckle. "When in fact, the Real Gundams were stored into an underground hanger."
"So, what you're trying to tell me is..." Duo began slowly. "Is that the mobile suits that Quatre... RISKED his life to get off that fucking sattelite, were just... doubles?" He finished the last word doubtfully.
"I'm afraid so."
"You son of a bitch. And just how long have you known about this little secret? Huh? Well, for YOUR Information, I HAVE a life, Thank you very much! NoWAY in hell am I going back to piloting these... damn things! NOWAY!"
"Duo.. I'm afraid you have no choice in the matter." Howard looked at the young man almost sadly.
"Oh no? Well Just watch me! I may not pilot a Gundam anymore, but still, somewhere deep inside me, I'm Shinigami. NOONE tells me what I can or can't do." Duo Maxwell turned on his heel and strode to the door as Howard lifted his hand, holding a small black box. He pressed a raised button with his thumb and with a soft sigh, retorted. "I hate being the bad guy here, but you're still a soldier and a damn good pilot. I just can't let you get away. You all are still needed. Just too damn bad that your friends didn't get one of these babies implanted like your's."
As Howard pressed the button, Duo shrieked in genuine pain, holding his head and sinking slowly to his knees. His eyes were clenched shut and he moaned softly for help.
"Don't fight it, Duo!" The look on Howards face held compassion mixed with a stern set to his eyes. "Just relax! If you give in, the pain will go away!"
Rolling onto his side, still clutching at his temples, his fingers twined through his thick hair, Duo pulled his lips back from his teeth in a grimace. "Never... give... in..." He struggled through the white hot agony that was wirelessly transmitted to a signal chip implated, unbeknownst to him until two mintues ago, into his brain.
Biting back a howl of pain, Duo groaned and pulled himself up on his knees, throwing his head back and valiently trying to rise. It seemed that he higher he got up, the worse the pain became. "...HOWARD!" He cried out emotionally, then wimpered thickly in the back of his throat. "Thought... we.. were.. buds..."
"Hey... we still are, Duo. It's just I have to take drastic measures here... you understand... I'm sure you do.."
Duo shook his head rapidly and immediatly regretted it. Closing his eyes and succumbing to the pain, he slowly allowed his world to first go to a blinding white light, then wilt to dark.
"You are one stubborn son of a bitch." Howard mused as he stood over Duo's prone form in the floor. Acting quickly, he stooped and lifted the young Shinigami's form into his arms and carried him haphazardly to the single bed that sat parallel to the wall.
"Heero will be suspicious that you've been gone for so long..." Howard rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment, gazing down to the young ex-pilot. Nodding softly to himself, he crossed the harried room and pulled open the liquor cabinet, drawing out a bottle of cheap whisky and returning once again to stand by Maxwell's side. "You're gonna hate me in the morning." He said decisivly as he lifted Duo's head and began to force feed him the alcohol. "But at least this will keep Yuy off of my heels."
"Mmpff...." Duo tried to turn his head as he felt the liquid heat begin to burn down his throat. His first thought was that he was being poisoned. More of the horrid liquid began to flow into his mouth and he realized that he Was being poisoned as he slowly gained an iota of conciousness, but this was a familar poison indeed. What the hell was Howard trying to do anyway? Get him drunk? And if so... why? Turning his head, Duo gasped loudly as the amber fluid dribbled down his chin and out of the corners of his mouth.
"Just take it easy, Duo. I know what I'm doing. Just relax."
"...th...the hell..?" Duo coughed as the whisky took the wrong path. It began to burn his air pipe vicsiously and he began to choke harshly. Taking in several gasping breaths, his choking subsided and Howard was allowed to force more of the whisky down Shinigami's throat.
~~
Heero Yuy's eyes widened as he witnessed Duo stagger dangerously on the narrow steps. The ex-Wing pilot had waited patiently for over two hours for his friend to return, and now, as Maxwell tried to purchase a grip on the rusty railing, he realized that his buddy was smashed.
"Duo!" Heero called in alarm, his feet reacting as Duo began to stumble down the last three steps. He caught the semi-limp form with ease and he placed his arm around Maxwell's shoulders. "Come on.. let's get you home." Heero stated, his monotone well in place.
"Ho...howard..."
Heero's nose wrinkled as a gust of alcohol fumed breath assalted him. "You're drunk." He again stated in his simple, yet effective monotone. He cringed mentally as Duo looked up to him, his eyes momentarily holding a hurt expression before dulling once again.
"mmm...."
Casting his glance up to the apartment window where Duo had visited, he caught the twitch of a curtain being pulled back into place. Cobalt eyes narrowed as he half-carried, half-drug Duo's now unconcious form to the car. Carefully he placed his friend within, making sure to buckle him up. One more glance to the window and he could see that Howard had turned out the light.
"Hn..."
~~
The desk chair creaked softly as Yuy took his seat before the computer. Reaching over, he flipped on the VidLink and dialed Quatre's number.
Duo lay peacefully on his back in the upstairs bed where Heero had placed him apon arriving home, his hair and clothes in disarray as he slumbered in a drunken comatose state. A few years ago, this had been his norm, barely a morning went by when he didn't wake up, reeking of alcohol and in need of a shower and at least a pot of coffee. He had given that up when he lost Hilde. Well.. actually, he had started drinking when she was killed in an automobile accident. He realized one fateful morning as he staggered and weaved his way to the kitchen that her memory was fading, and he blamed the booze for that.
Moaning softly, he raised his arm and placed it against his forehead in his sleep. "ooo......"
Heero's sharp ears picked up his friends soft groan and he put theVidLink on hold as it dialed. Quatre would have an Id'er on his unit and would know who was calling. Heero also knew that Quatre would wait, without a hold message, for the ex-wing pilot to return to the consol.
Padding softly upstairs, Yuy pondered if maybe he shouldn't have put Duo on the couch. At least his friend wouldn't have the burden of stairs to worry about, then he thought he was best in bed. The couch was too close to the front door and there was no telling what trouble Duo would be into if he awoke, perhaps still drunk, and decided to jet out. "Duo?" He called softly as he entered the small, almost empty room.
Duo sighed heavily and allowed his arm to drop onto the pillow. Other than his deep breathing, that was the only move he made. Nodding, Heero turned back and walked softly downstairs, more than a little disappointed in his friend right now, but also more than willing to hear Duo's side of the story as well.
Winner Residence:
Quatre lifted his head from a pile of forms that had currently held his attention. A frown creased his brow as he reached up and activated the VidLink, only to be encountered with a blank screen. "Hmm." He stated irritably, then looked at the small readout on the side to see who was prankcalling.
"Heero!" He nearly gasped. Why would Yuy be calling? They haven't spoken in years.
Leaning back in his chair and taking his coffee cup in hand, Quatre waited patiently for Heero to return to his desk. His sipped the hot drink and crossed one leg over his knee, allowing his thoughts to drift.
Undisclosed location:
Heero sat back down at his desk, once again his chair screeking softly as Yuy's weight was added to it. With a sigh, he ran his fingers through his hair and reached over to take the Link off of hold. He was soon awarded with Quatre's face on the screen.
"Long time no chat."
"Heero, it's really good to see you, but I'm terribly busy at the moment." The blond Arabian offered a sincere smile of apology. "How about contacting me tomorrow, say around 2:00? We could get together and talk about old times...."
"It's sad how you are trying to avoid us. All of us." He replied cooly.
"I don't understand." Quatre's voice had chilled ten degree's as he gazed at Heero.
"You know what I am talking about, Quatre. After the war ended, you have done everthing within your power to avoid us. You would even go as far as acting as if you never knew who we were, had not your manners prevailed." Heero continued as if Quatre had never spoke. His tone was conversational, almost to the point as if the two were strangers on the street and discussing the weather, or politics.
"That's very rude, Heero and you know it." Quatre almost snapped. He took another long sip of his coffee to futher hold his tongue as he gazed at the face before him. Why was it always so dark in Heero's house? He could pratically see nothing but two glowing cobalt orbs surrounded by the dark sillouette of Heero's face. It was as if Yuy's eyes seemed to burn with an intense blue fire all of their own. Composing himself from sudden anger, Quatre continued;
"You know I have the Winner corporation to run, that and many charities to over see. I am Simply too busy for idle converstation and chit chat. Why don't you try and contact Duo? I'm sure that he would love to spend some quality time with you."
Heero narrowed his eyes, futhering the illusion of fire in them as the ex-Sandrock pilots words took a sharp edge to them.
"You were never one for excuses, Quatre."
"Nor am I making any." He replied curtly, reaching to flip the VidLink off.
"Duo's here."
"Good! Then you won't mind if I go back to work. Like I said, Heero. I'm very busy, but maybe the two of you would like to meet me at Dinelli's around 2:00 tomorrow?"
Heero grunted. He knew Dinelli's. It was an old earth Italian resteraunt. He himself didn't care for the decor, or the atmosphere, but if Quatre was honostly willing to meet him, and in public, he would suffer. Duo one the other hand would most likely have no problem at all with the choices of eateries.
"We'll be there."
Quatre smiled gently. "So will I." He reached up and killed the Link, sighing ruefully and blowing out his breath, which in turn caused his bangs to fly up and out of his face momentarily.
"Damnit, Heero." He stated as he turned back to the large pile of forms and reports. "Why now? Life was good. Busy, yes, but good. Why don't you go jump back in the hole that you crawled out of and leave me alone?"
'Because he's your friend, they're All your friends.' Quatre's subconcious spoke up. Frowning, Winner leaned down and opened the bottom drawer on his desk and pulled out an old bottle of scotch. He poured a healthy dose of it into his coffee and took a sip. It was the only thing he knew that could quell that bothersome voice that haunted him in the back of his head every now and again.
Adding another shot to his now cooling coffee, he replaced the bottle back into the desk drawer and shut the almunium door with a bang. So much for the peaceful afternoon he was planning tomorrow, but in his own way, Heero was right. Quatre had done all in his power and beyond to dis-asscociate from the other Gundam pilots. Once, during the war, they Had been family, but peace had been achieved and the soldiers were no longer needed. Everyone went they're own way and it seemed as though family ties had been broken.
"Just... so much had to be done... with my personal life and all.." Quatre apologized to the empty room. "What do you want from me?" He asked as he leaned over his desk once again to begin to Try to put a dent in the paper work.
~~
Duo sat up abrubtly on the narrow bed, his hand immediatly going to his aching head. "Ooooh.... where...?" His chest hitched in a sickening hiccup and he covered his mouth quickly. 'I've been.... Drinking?!' His mind whirled. The last thing he remembered was leaning against the phone booths, opening up the roll of quaters he had used as a weapon in his palm to pop that guy... then he had dialed Heero's number. After that.. it was a blur.
"Howard...?" He called out uncertainly, still clutching his head. In all of his drinking years, he had never had a headache where he had one now. His head hurt in an odd place, at the right side, in the area between the temple and ear.
Heero stepped softly into the room, his eyes still seeming to burn from the gloom of the house. "No, Duo... it's me." He responded softly.
"H.. Heero!?" Turning his eyes slowly, Duo allowed a small smile to form on his features. "How.. how did I get here?" He asked, honostly confused.
"I picked you up at the bus station."
"But... I told you on the phone that I needed to speak with Howard..." Duo groaned softly, Howard would probably be pissed, not that he hasn't seen Howard pissed before. It was no big deal, but still, Howie was his friend.
"We allready went."
"Huh? But..."
"You got to Howards place shortly before sunset. I waited for over two hours outside by the car. You came back drunk."
Duo almost laughed. That was as close as Heero Yuy would come to a seething bitch fit, as far as Maxwell was concerned. Heero learned long ago that Duo responded rather well when he was faced with hen pecking and nagging. "Drunk?! I don't drink anymore, Heero!"
"Hn. Dinner's almost ready. I would suggest that you grab a shower and come and eat." He turned his back and began to exit the room, the tone of his voice not one to argue with.
"Yes mom.." Duo said, trying to find cheer in his tone, but only found the horrid aftertaste of whisky in his mouth instead. "Uhg... Hey, Heero! Wanna french?"
Heero turned around abruptly and glared at Duo as the braided youth made a rude gesture with his tongue. Frowning as Duo burst into a semblence of his normal laughter, he noted that Shinigami's tongue was pierced. What some people do to keep up with ridiculous fasion.
"How about if I pull out you're spleen and cram it.."
"Hey, Hey!" Duo interrupted. "Be nice to the hungover wonder!" He reached up again and idly began to massage the tiny ache that still refused to budge on the side of his head. Maybe he fell down and popped himself a good one? Shrugging airily, he climbed slowly, albeit cautiosly from the bed and headed towards the bathroom, grabbing his bag on the way.
Heero smirked as he made his way back to the kitchen, where dinner was simmering. He couldn't remember or not if Duo cared for steamed rice and vegetables with chicken, but it looked as if Shinigami would have no choice in the matter. What he saw was what he got.
Upstairs, the shower began to run and in moments, he could hear the rustle and bustle as Duo began to bathe.
Winner residence:
Quatre rose slowly and walked to his comfortable, yet tidy kitchen and idly pulled out a tea pot from one of the lower cabinets. Chewing his lower lip as he stared before him in thought, he flipped on the burner and waited for the kettle to boil.
He hugged his arms to his chest, cupping his elbows in his palms and allowed emotions he hadn't felt in so long to overwhelm his heart. 'These are your Friends!' That inner voice began to pester him again. 'They would have died for you just as you would have for them! Doesn't that mean Anything to you? Anything at ALL??'
"Damnit!" Quatre cursed the emotional conflict that was ensuing deep within him. Banging his fist down apon the range of the stove hard enough to make the units clatter, he flipped off the tea and stormed to his music room. Without bothering to flip on the lights, he carefully chose an antique violin with a magony bow and took a seat by a large bay window. Raising the bow, he drew it softly along the strings, mildly pleased with the haunting melody that filled the air around him.
He stayed in the confines of the empty room, playing music to soothe his tormented soul with eerily haunting strains of ghostly, yet tenderly endearing notes, for almost three hours.
Undisclosed location:
"Where did You learn to cook?" Duo looked at Heero in surprise as he tasted the rice and chicken. Holding chopsticks up to his lips, he grinned brightly at his friend.
"You're not in the floor, drooling and twitching, so don't complain." Heero replied dryly.
"Who's complaining? This is great!" Duo said as he took a bite of green pepper. "Man, I could get used to this!"
"Hn." Heero surpressed a smile and continued to eat.
They ate in silence for a long moment until Heero, never one to let an opportunity pass him by, spoke up. "Not that it is any of my business... but why did you get so drunk?"
Duo ducked his head and looked up to Heero. "Heero." He began softly. "I started drinking at the age of 17, when Hilde.." He swallowed a lump that had formed suddenly in his throat. "When Hilde died. I was at it nonstop. Hell.. sometimes I couldn't get out of bed if I didn't have one hell of a hangover.
I drank to get rid of the memory of loosing someone that I had truly loved. Then, one morning, it was a Wedsnesday," Duo chuckled. "I clearly remember that. I remember dragging my dead ass out of bed and staggering down the hallway... that's when I realized that I WAS forgetting Hilde... but not just her death.. I was forgetting... Her." He looked up to Heero with emphathsis in his eyes. "I was forgetting the good times too.. and, from that day on, I stayed off the sauce... I swear to you when I say this... if I drank... I don't remember it."
"Maybe you were blocking it out."
Duo shook his head and pushed his plate away from him. "That's the thing, Heero. It's funny... the last thing I honostly remember is calling you. I don't remember the conversation we had clearly. Just that I told you.. or I believe I told you that I needed to meet with Howard." He waved a hand casually in the air. "And you told me that I went to his place... but... Heero... something just isn't right."
Heero grunted softly and began to clear the table.
"I've been sober for three years. Just going to Howards pad... that's no reason to start up again..."
"Hn." Heero agreed. Everything in his being was telling him that something wasn't right. He listened.
"You know me, Heero. I don't lie. Never have, never will. No point in it, ya know?" Duo rested his chin in his palms as he watched Heero return to the kitchen table. "Something's up and I wanna know what."
Mission Acknowledged.
18:32 p.m.
A lone figure made it's way with deliberate casualness down the crowded isle of the charter bus. " 'Scuse me, this seat taken'?" His voice was slightly husky, yet clear and charming as he halted close to the back of the coach and smiled down to a middle aged female passenger.
"Not at all." Was the half mumbled, half reluctant response as the woman picked up her bag and set it in her lap, allowing the young man to take the isle seat beside her. Immediately, he reclined back and lowered the foot rest, residing himself to a nap as the bus sat in the loading bay.
Thirty minutes later the diesel engines rumbled into life and the signature cautionary beeping as the coach began to back away from the dock stirred the young man. Glancing at his watch, then putting his arms back behind his head, Duo noted that the bus was departing at least 20 minutes late. 'Wonder what the hold up was?' He thought as he chewed his bottom lip in a bored fasion.
Dusk was allready beginning to fall as he began his journey and he noted with agitated awareness that the man behind him was reading a book. He also noted with a frown that the Only person that was on this bus that wanted to use the overhead light, was the man behind him. All he wanted to do at that moment was to catch a quick nap before the exhaustive 20 or so hour bus trip rendered him to tears and this guy was keeping him from it. 'Crap, nowhere else to sit. I hate crowded buses.'
"Hey, buddy. Can ya kill that light? Some people are trying to sleep."
"Why don't you shut up and mind you're own business." Came the curt reply.
Duo turned back forward in his seat with a smile. To the casual observer, the smile was pleasant and warm, and suited his face well. To those who had crossed him in the past, it was something to be feared. Reaching down between his feet, he rumaged through his small black bag, murmuring occasionally. "Ah ha." He beamed as he pulled out a small cylendral object, he then turned around and sat on the seat on his knees, arms crossed over the back of the headrest and smiled warmly to the male passanger behind him that had enough nerve to tell Shinigami to shut up.
"What do you want now, punk?" The man was in his early thirties, heavyset somewhat and reeked offensively.
Duo turned on his charm, smiling his most winning smile, amethyst eyes twinkling. "Could you please turn off your light? I haven't slept in three days and I have a meeting to attend to tomorrow afternoon." He replied honostly, arranging the object so it ran lengthwise with his knuckles, snuggling it into his palm.
"Fuck off ya long haired punk."
"Ok." Shinigami replied, striking out with lightning speed and punching the man in the forehead, right above the bridge of the nose. The punch only took the space of a second and the man slumped immediately, book forgotten. Duo chuckled as he reached up and turned off the light.
"I did ask nice, ya know." He said as turned back in his seat, facing forward. He found a comfortable postition and closed his eyes, slipping the roll of quaters that he had used as an added 'Ompf' to the punch into his pocket. The rumbling of the engines and the swiftly enveloping darkness soon soothed him to sleep and his dreams were light.
14:15 p.m.
Duo stepped off of the bus and placed his sunglasses down lower onto his nose. The bus station was nicer than the last one he had frequented, but not by much. People rushed by him in their own frenzy to get to where they needed to go and several times, he was roughly pushed aside.
Shrugging off the rude nature of the drunken man that had used him as a means of support from falling down, Maxwell lifted up his small duffel bag and headed toward the schedule directory. If he was lucky, he could catch a charter and be in the heart of Mt. Juliet. Looking down at a small scrap of paper that he had scribbled his schedule on in his pristine handwriting, he groaned when he realized that he had at least a two hour wait. "Well. Might as well get something to eat and grab another nap while I'm here." He frowned and walked slowly down the large station.
14:37 p.m.
Eating a hamburger and an order of fries, Duo watched the weary passengers walk past him like so many zombies. He pulled a face as he lifted the bun on his sandwhich and stared down at the meat. "Ugh.. I can cook better than this..." He sat it aside and consentrated on the fries and soft drink instead, wishing fervantly that he was allready where he was headed. He never could wait, but at least he was blessed with abnormal patience. What a weird combination.
15:17 p.m.
Leaning against the phone booths, Duo dug through his pockets and came across the roll of quaters that he had used as an 'Attitude Adjustment' to the man that sat behind him on the bus and opened it. Depositing several into the slot, he dialed a number and waited as a phone rang.
"Yes."
"Hey, Heero! What's up man?"
A pause, then. "Duo?"
"Yeah! The one and only, man! How are ya?"
"I'm fine, Duo. Yourself?"
"Been a long time, pal. I'm doing as good as I always was."
Heero could actually hear the smile in the ex-Deathscythe pilots voice as his longtime friend prattled on.
"Wait.. where are you Duo?"
"Eh, I'm in the bus station in Cherry valley, on my way to Mt. Juliet to meet with Howard."
"When does your bus leave?"
"Hmm." Duo looked at his watch. " 'Bout an hour or less."
"I'll pick you up."
"You don't have to do that, Heero."
"I said I'll pick you up."
Duo blinked at the dial tone as the ex Wing pilot hung up.
"Yeah... nice talking to you too, buddy." Shinigami sighed as he hung up the receiver and stared at the passerbys.
16:13 p.m.
Heero Yuy entered the busy station and looked around. Bright cobalt eyes surveyed the area as he slipped into soldier mode. His object, Duo Maxwell. He shouldn't be too hard to find. Head lifted and eyes scanning the vast area, he made his way. He couldn't help but notice with a trace of amusement that people still scurried out of his way, whether they knew it or not. Intimidation had always been a key point to his personality. His smile at the thought was haunting as he strolled smoothly along the terminal.
16:17 p.m.
Duo was leaned back in one of the lounge seats, feet propped up, arms behind his head and amethyst eyes closed in slumber. He was unaware of the figure that loomed before him.
Stirring slightly as a hand was placed on his shoulder, he looked up into a familar face. "Heero!" He was up in a moment, enveloping his old friend in a tight embrace. He was mildly amused as it was returned. "How are ya!? Long time no see! Man did you get tall! You're still ugly, but wow! Look at those muscles! What are you now, 6'1, 6'2?"
"Hn. Let's go."
"Sheesh, Heero, don't talk my ear off!" Duo chuckled as he leaned down and lifted his bag. "Hey, I got in touch with Howard, care if we drop by his place?"
"That's what the plan was in the first place."
"What? No mayhem and mischief first? Boy, you sure do know how to treat a guy..."
Heero turned to Duo, supressing a smile. "Never on the first date."
"Ha Ha. I'M the funny guy around here, don't forget that."
"I'll try."
Duo made a face and sputtered softly.
~~
"Yeah, been a long time, Duo." Howard shuffled busily through the crowded apartment, stopping occasionaly to pick up an important file base, or printed sheet of paper.
"Yeah..." Duo said cautiously, keeping his eye on the older man. "So... what did you call me for? Please tell me that this is just a social call bro..."
"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Duo. But you know when you destroyed your Gundam?"
Maxwells eyes narrowed. "Clearly. It was eight years ago. I also destroyed Sandrock and Heavyarms while I was at it. Ancient history. The past. Yesterdays news." He defiantly crossed his arms over his chest and put out his chin.
"Too bad they were'nt the... machines that were to be destroyed."
"You lost me, Howard."
"Heh... " Holding a small disk close to Duo's eyes, Howard explained. "Well.. I hate to say this, well.. I don't hate to say it entirely, but.."
Duo crossed his eyes to focus on the disk. Reaching out and taking it, he set his mouth in a frown. "What the hell are you trying to tell me, Howard? I Don't read minds and I Don't understand bits and bobs of.." He threw his hands out. "Whatever in the hell you're talking about."
Slumping his shoulders, Howard continued. "What you destroyed that day were... doppelgangers... They were equipped for battle, could handle spaceflight and were suited with the weapons that were intended for your Gundams." He gave a rueful chuckle. "When in fact, the Real Gundams were stored into an underground hanger."
"So, what you're trying to tell me is..." Duo began slowly. "Is that the mobile suits that Quatre... RISKED his life to get off that fucking sattelite, were just... doubles?" He finished the last word doubtfully.
"I'm afraid so."
"You son of a bitch. And just how long have you known about this little secret? Huh? Well, for YOUR Information, I HAVE a life, Thank you very much! NoWAY in hell am I going back to piloting these... damn things! NOWAY!"
"Duo.. I'm afraid you have no choice in the matter." Howard looked at the young man almost sadly.
"Oh no? Well Just watch me! I may not pilot a Gundam anymore, but still, somewhere deep inside me, I'm Shinigami. NOONE tells me what I can or can't do." Duo Maxwell turned on his heel and strode to the door as Howard lifted his hand, holding a small black box. He pressed a raised button with his thumb and with a soft sigh, retorted. "I hate being the bad guy here, but you're still a soldier and a damn good pilot. I just can't let you get away. You all are still needed. Just too damn bad that your friends didn't get one of these babies implanted like your's."
As Howard pressed the button, Duo shrieked in genuine pain, holding his head and sinking slowly to his knees. His eyes were clenched shut and he moaned softly for help.
"Don't fight it, Duo!" The look on Howards face held compassion mixed with a stern set to his eyes. "Just relax! If you give in, the pain will go away!"
Rolling onto his side, still clutching at his temples, his fingers twined through his thick hair, Duo pulled his lips back from his teeth in a grimace. "Never... give... in..." He struggled through the white hot agony that was wirelessly transmitted to a signal chip implated, unbeknownst to him until two mintues ago, into his brain.
Biting back a howl of pain, Duo groaned and pulled himself up on his knees, throwing his head back and valiently trying to rise. It seemed that he higher he got up, the worse the pain became. "...HOWARD!" He cried out emotionally, then wimpered thickly in the back of his throat. "Thought... we.. were.. buds..."
"Hey... we still are, Duo. It's just I have to take drastic measures here... you understand... I'm sure you do.."
Duo shook his head rapidly and immediatly regretted it. Closing his eyes and succumbing to the pain, he slowly allowed his world to first go to a blinding white light, then wilt to dark.
"You are one stubborn son of a bitch." Howard mused as he stood over Duo's prone form in the floor. Acting quickly, he stooped and lifted the young Shinigami's form into his arms and carried him haphazardly to the single bed that sat parallel to the wall.
"Heero will be suspicious that you've been gone for so long..." Howard rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment, gazing down to the young ex-pilot. Nodding softly to himself, he crossed the harried room and pulled open the liquor cabinet, drawing out a bottle of cheap whisky and returning once again to stand by Maxwell's side. "You're gonna hate me in the morning." He said decisivly as he lifted Duo's head and began to force feed him the alcohol. "But at least this will keep Yuy off of my heels."
"Mmpff...." Duo tried to turn his head as he felt the liquid heat begin to burn down his throat. His first thought was that he was being poisoned. More of the horrid liquid began to flow into his mouth and he realized that he Was being poisoned as he slowly gained an iota of conciousness, but this was a familar poison indeed. What the hell was Howard trying to do anyway? Get him drunk? And if so... why? Turning his head, Duo gasped loudly as the amber fluid dribbled down his chin and out of the corners of his mouth.
"Just take it easy, Duo. I know what I'm doing. Just relax."
"...th...the hell..?" Duo coughed as the whisky took the wrong path. It began to burn his air pipe vicsiously and he began to choke harshly. Taking in several gasping breaths, his choking subsided and Howard was allowed to force more of the whisky down Shinigami's throat.
~~
Heero Yuy's eyes widened as he witnessed Duo stagger dangerously on the narrow steps. The ex-Wing pilot had waited patiently for over two hours for his friend to return, and now, as Maxwell tried to purchase a grip on the rusty railing, he realized that his buddy was smashed.
"Duo!" Heero called in alarm, his feet reacting as Duo began to stumble down the last three steps. He caught the semi-limp form with ease and he placed his arm around Maxwell's shoulders. "Come on.. let's get you home." Heero stated, his monotone well in place.
"Ho...howard..."
Heero's nose wrinkled as a gust of alcohol fumed breath assalted him. "You're drunk." He again stated in his simple, yet effective monotone. He cringed mentally as Duo looked up to him, his eyes momentarily holding a hurt expression before dulling once again.
"mmm...."
Casting his glance up to the apartment window where Duo had visited, he caught the twitch of a curtain being pulled back into place. Cobalt eyes narrowed as he half-carried, half-drug Duo's now unconcious form to the car. Carefully he placed his friend within, making sure to buckle him up. One more glance to the window and he could see that Howard had turned out the light.
"Hn..."
~~
The desk chair creaked softly as Yuy took his seat before the computer. Reaching over, he flipped on the VidLink and dialed Quatre's number.
Duo lay peacefully on his back in the upstairs bed where Heero had placed him apon arriving home, his hair and clothes in disarray as he slumbered in a drunken comatose state. A few years ago, this had been his norm, barely a morning went by when he didn't wake up, reeking of alcohol and in need of a shower and at least a pot of coffee. He had given that up when he lost Hilde. Well.. actually, he had started drinking when she was killed in an automobile accident. He realized one fateful morning as he staggered and weaved his way to the kitchen that her memory was fading, and he blamed the booze for that.
Moaning softly, he raised his arm and placed it against his forehead in his sleep. "ooo......"
Heero's sharp ears picked up his friends soft groan and he put theVidLink on hold as it dialed. Quatre would have an Id'er on his unit and would know who was calling. Heero also knew that Quatre would wait, without a hold message, for the ex-wing pilot to return to the consol.
Padding softly upstairs, Yuy pondered if maybe he shouldn't have put Duo on the couch. At least his friend wouldn't have the burden of stairs to worry about, then he thought he was best in bed. The couch was too close to the front door and there was no telling what trouble Duo would be into if he awoke, perhaps still drunk, and decided to jet out. "Duo?" He called softly as he entered the small, almost empty room.
Duo sighed heavily and allowed his arm to drop onto the pillow. Other than his deep breathing, that was the only move he made. Nodding, Heero turned back and walked softly downstairs, more than a little disappointed in his friend right now, but also more than willing to hear Duo's side of the story as well.
Winner Residence:
Quatre lifted his head from a pile of forms that had currently held his attention. A frown creased his brow as he reached up and activated the VidLink, only to be encountered with a blank screen. "Hmm." He stated irritably, then looked at the small readout on the side to see who was prankcalling.
"Heero!" He nearly gasped. Why would Yuy be calling? They haven't spoken in years.
Leaning back in his chair and taking his coffee cup in hand, Quatre waited patiently for Heero to return to his desk. His sipped the hot drink and crossed one leg over his knee, allowing his thoughts to drift.
Undisclosed location:
Heero sat back down at his desk, once again his chair screeking softly as Yuy's weight was added to it. With a sigh, he ran his fingers through his hair and reached over to take the Link off of hold. He was soon awarded with Quatre's face on the screen.
"Long time no chat."
"Heero, it's really good to see you, but I'm terribly busy at the moment." The blond Arabian offered a sincere smile of apology. "How about contacting me tomorrow, say around 2:00? We could get together and talk about old times...."
"It's sad how you are trying to avoid us. All of us." He replied cooly.
"I don't understand." Quatre's voice had chilled ten degree's as he gazed at Heero.
"You know what I am talking about, Quatre. After the war ended, you have done everthing within your power to avoid us. You would even go as far as acting as if you never knew who we were, had not your manners prevailed." Heero continued as if Quatre had never spoke. His tone was conversational, almost to the point as if the two were strangers on the street and discussing the weather, or politics.
"That's very rude, Heero and you know it." Quatre almost snapped. He took another long sip of his coffee to futher hold his tongue as he gazed at the face before him. Why was it always so dark in Heero's house? He could pratically see nothing but two glowing cobalt orbs surrounded by the dark sillouette of Heero's face. It was as if Yuy's eyes seemed to burn with an intense blue fire all of their own. Composing himself from sudden anger, Quatre continued;
"You know I have the Winner corporation to run, that and many charities to over see. I am Simply too busy for idle converstation and chit chat. Why don't you try and contact Duo? I'm sure that he would love to spend some quality time with you."
Heero narrowed his eyes, futhering the illusion of fire in them as the ex-Sandrock pilots words took a sharp edge to them.
"You were never one for excuses, Quatre."
"Nor am I making any." He replied curtly, reaching to flip the VidLink off.
"Duo's here."
"Good! Then you won't mind if I go back to work. Like I said, Heero. I'm very busy, but maybe the two of you would like to meet me at Dinelli's around 2:00 tomorrow?"
Heero grunted. He knew Dinelli's. It was an old earth Italian resteraunt. He himself didn't care for the decor, or the atmosphere, but if Quatre was honostly willing to meet him, and in public, he would suffer. Duo one the other hand would most likely have no problem at all with the choices of eateries.
"We'll be there."
Quatre smiled gently. "So will I." He reached up and killed the Link, sighing ruefully and blowing out his breath, which in turn caused his bangs to fly up and out of his face momentarily.
"Damnit, Heero." He stated as he turned back to the large pile of forms and reports. "Why now? Life was good. Busy, yes, but good. Why don't you go jump back in the hole that you crawled out of and leave me alone?"
'Because he's your friend, they're All your friends.' Quatre's subconcious spoke up. Frowning, Winner leaned down and opened the bottom drawer on his desk and pulled out an old bottle of scotch. He poured a healthy dose of it into his coffee and took a sip. It was the only thing he knew that could quell that bothersome voice that haunted him in the back of his head every now and again.
Adding another shot to his now cooling coffee, he replaced the bottle back into the desk drawer and shut the almunium door with a bang. So much for the peaceful afternoon he was planning tomorrow, but in his own way, Heero was right. Quatre had done all in his power and beyond to dis-asscociate from the other Gundam pilots. Once, during the war, they Had been family, but peace had been achieved and the soldiers were no longer needed. Everyone went they're own way and it seemed as though family ties had been broken.
"Just... so much had to be done... with my personal life and all.." Quatre apologized to the empty room. "What do you want from me?" He asked as he leaned over his desk once again to begin to Try to put a dent in the paper work.
~~
Duo sat up abrubtly on the narrow bed, his hand immediatly going to his aching head. "Ooooh.... where...?" His chest hitched in a sickening hiccup and he covered his mouth quickly. 'I've been.... Drinking?!' His mind whirled. The last thing he remembered was leaning against the phone booths, opening up the roll of quaters he had used as a weapon in his palm to pop that guy... then he had dialed Heero's number. After that.. it was a blur.
"Howard...?" He called out uncertainly, still clutching his head. In all of his drinking years, he had never had a headache where he had one now. His head hurt in an odd place, at the right side, in the area between the temple and ear.
Heero stepped softly into the room, his eyes still seeming to burn from the gloom of the house. "No, Duo... it's me." He responded softly.
"H.. Heero!?" Turning his eyes slowly, Duo allowed a small smile to form on his features. "How.. how did I get here?" He asked, honostly confused.
"I picked you up at the bus station."
"But... I told you on the phone that I needed to speak with Howard..." Duo groaned softly, Howard would probably be pissed, not that he hasn't seen Howard pissed before. It was no big deal, but still, Howie was his friend.
"We allready went."
"Huh? But..."
"You got to Howards place shortly before sunset. I waited for over two hours outside by the car. You came back drunk."
Duo almost laughed. That was as close as Heero Yuy would come to a seething bitch fit, as far as Maxwell was concerned. Heero learned long ago that Duo responded rather well when he was faced with hen pecking and nagging. "Drunk?! I don't drink anymore, Heero!"
"Hn. Dinner's almost ready. I would suggest that you grab a shower and come and eat." He turned his back and began to exit the room, the tone of his voice not one to argue with.
"Yes mom.." Duo said, trying to find cheer in his tone, but only found the horrid aftertaste of whisky in his mouth instead. "Uhg... Hey, Heero! Wanna french?"
Heero turned around abruptly and glared at Duo as the braided youth made a rude gesture with his tongue. Frowning as Duo burst into a semblence of his normal laughter, he noted that Shinigami's tongue was pierced. What some people do to keep up with ridiculous fasion.
"How about if I pull out you're spleen and cram it.."
"Hey, Hey!" Duo interrupted. "Be nice to the hungover wonder!" He reached up again and idly began to massage the tiny ache that still refused to budge on the side of his head. Maybe he fell down and popped himself a good one? Shrugging airily, he climbed slowly, albeit cautiosly from the bed and headed towards the bathroom, grabbing his bag on the way.
Heero smirked as he made his way back to the kitchen, where dinner was simmering. He couldn't remember or not if Duo cared for steamed rice and vegetables with chicken, but it looked as if Shinigami would have no choice in the matter. What he saw was what he got.
Upstairs, the shower began to run and in moments, he could hear the rustle and bustle as Duo began to bathe.
Winner residence:
Quatre rose slowly and walked to his comfortable, yet tidy kitchen and idly pulled out a tea pot from one of the lower cabinets. Chewing his lower lip as he stared before him in thought, he flipped on the burner and waited for the kettle to boil.
He hugged his arms to his chest, cupping his elbows in his palms and allowed emotions he hadn't felt in so long to overwhelm his heart. 'These are your Friends!' That inner voice began to pester him again. 'They would have died for you just as you would have for them! Doesn't that mean Anything to you? Anything at ALL??'
"Damnit!" Quatre cursed the emotional conflict that was ensuing deep within him. Banging his fist down apon the range of the stove hard enough to make the units clatter, he flipped off the tea and stormed to his music room. Without bothering to flip on the lights, he carefully chose an antique violin with a magony bow and took a seat by a large bay window. Raising the bow, he drew it softly along the strings, mildly pleased with the haunting melody that filled the air around him.
He stayed in the confines of the empty room, playing music to soothe his tormented soul with eerily haunting strains of ghostly, yet tenderly endearing notes, for almost three hours.
Undisclosed location:
"Where did You learn to cook?" Duo looked at Heero in surprise as he tasted the rice and chicken. Holding chopsticks up to his lips, he grinned brightly at his friend.
"You're not in the floor, drooling and twitching, so don't complain." Heero replied dryly.
"Who's complaining? This is great!" Duo said as he took a bite of green pepper. "Man, I could get used to this!"
"Hn." Heero surpressed a smile and continued to eat.
They ate in silence for a long moment until Heero, never one to let an opportunity pass him by, spoke up. "Not that it is any of my business... but why did you get so drunk?"
Duo ducked his head and looked up to Heero. "Heero." He began softly. "I started drinking at the age of 17, when Hilde.." He swallowed a lump that had formed suddenly in his throat. "When Hilde died. I was at it nonstop. Hell.. sometimes I couldn't get out of bed if I didn't have one hell of a hangover.
I drank to get rid of the memory of loosing someone that I had truly loved. Then, one morning, it was a Wedsnesday," Duo chuckled. "I clearly remember that. I remember dragging my dead ass out of bed and staggering down the hallway... that's when I realized that I WAS forgetting Hilde... but not just her death.. I was forgetting... Her." He looked up to Heero with emphathsis in his eyes. "I was forgetting the good times too.. and, from that day on, I stayed off the sauce... I swear to you when I say this... if I drank... I don't remember it."
"Maybe you were blocking it out."
Duo shook his head and pushed his plate away from him. "That's the thing, Heero. It's funny... the last thing I honostly remember is calling you. I don't remember the conversation we had clearly. Just that I told you.. or I believe I told you that I needed to meet with Howard." He waved a hand casually in the air. "And you told me that I went to his place... but... Heero... something just isn't right."
Heero grunted softly and began to clear the table.
"I've been sober for three years. Just going to Howards pad... that's no reason to start up again..."
"Hn." Heero agreed. Everything in his being was telling him that something wasn't right. He listened.
"You know me, Heero. I don't lie. Never have, never will. No point in it, ya know?" Duo rested his chin in his palms as he watched Heero return to the kitchen table. "Something's up and I wanna know what."
