Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from GW
Note: This was for a contest from Shades of Color. It didn't win and I wanted to post it somewhere.
word = Italics
// word \\ = thoughts
PART ONE
Chapter Five
"Are the Gundams secure?" Trowa asked as Duo entered the shuttle. They had acquired a shuttle, which was fully fueled. The problem was that it only had room for two of the Gundams. Quatre's Gundam would have been of no use since it's pilot was grounded. Trowa had left his Gundam with Sandrock and Heero had decided to leave Wing Zero as well. The three Gundams had been left in the care of the Maguanacs Corps.
Trowa shuttered, remembering the angry faces of all forty men when they had been told of 'Master' Quatre's condition. Trowa would have hated to be Oz.
"Wufei's finishing up with Nataku. He said that he'd probably ride in the cargo bay. He need to be alone." Duo reported then flopped down in the co- pilot's seat. "Heero and Quatre are in the small captain's cabin." The braided Deathscythe plot looked at Trowa. They had been there for over two hours and Trowa had yet to even see Quatre. "You aren't going to pilot the whole way are you? I mean, I know that you'd rather be with Quatre right now."
Trowa did nothing at first. He wanted to be Quatre as long as he could be. Finally, he replied, "I'll set it on auto pilot once we're out of the Earth's atmosphere." He promised, though his entire body argued with his words. He wanted to be with Quatre now .
"Whatever you want Tro." Duo shrugged then went silent.
***
Wufei sat quietly on the paneled floor, looking up at his mecha. He had prayed for anyone who was listening to give him the strength to see Treize again. // I cannot kill him. Heero's plan must work and for it to be successful, Treize needs to be alive. \\ Wufei clenched his fist in anger.
After there was peace, Treize would meet his death. "Relena Peacecraft will have taken over. All will be right." He promised then sighed. "Unless we don't find a cure."
***
"How are you feeling?" Heero asked from the captain's desk as Quatre stumbled out of the adjoining bathroom. The blonde boy had been throwing up for the past hour.
Quatre looked at Heero blankly then crawled onto the small bed. "I feel like I'm dying." He mumbled into a pillow. He didn't expect a reply and he suspected at the sudden silence that Heero had gone back to his computer. That is until the bed moved. Quatre turned his head and squinted in the darkness of the room and through his blurry vision until he could make out the form of Heero's body lying beside him on the bed. "Heero?" He was confused.
"I love Duo." Heero deadpanned as he stared at the ceiling.
Quatre lay his head back on the pillow. "I know." He murmured, wondering what the Wing pilot was talking about. Everyone knew how much he loved the American.
Heero sighed and rolled onto his side so he was facing Quatre, their noses only an inch a part. "I mean, I love him.more than anything. But.I want him to be happy. He shouldn't have to wait for me when I might not come back." He explained, hoping that Quatre would understand.
To his relief, Quatre nodded. "I wish the same thing for Trowa. Happiness I mean." He whispered. "And I won't be able to tell him that after I'm on the Zero.I already told him once.but I want to make sure he believes me." Quatre mumbled sadly.
Heero lay motionlessly, then got off the bed. "I have an idea." He said as he began to search through the desk. In one of the bottom drawers he found paper and a pen. Grabbing them, he returned to the bed and sat down as Quatre sat up. The boy looked at the objects in Heero's hands questioningly, then looked up at Heero with the same question. "If we write out what we want to say to them it's something that they can keep for the rest of their lives." He explained.
Quatre smiled, "I like it." He nodded.
***
Duo yawned as he walked toward the captain's room. They had been in space for two hours and there was still four more hours to wait until they would reach the L1 colony. Duo was exhausted, mentally and physically. That and he hadn't heard anything from Quatre or Heero for those two hours so he was curious, and a little worried. Though he knew that if something were wrong, one of the boys would come and get them, or at least use the communication system that had been put in the room.
He quietly opened the door after checking for voices and finding none. The cabin light was on and as Duo's eyes found the bed he smiled to himself. Both Heero and Quatre were fast asleep, using each other for warmth since there were no sheets or blankets, just a pillow and a ratty mattress. Duo went over to the system and pressed a button.
"Yes?" Trowa's voice came from the speaker seconds later.
Duo smiled. "Trowa, there's something in this room more important than navigating. Put the damn shuttle on auto and come here. You've gotta check something out." He chuckled under his breath as Quatre stirred and cuddled closer to Heero. Heero's arm snaked around the small blonde and pulled him closer. Duo smiled to himself; // at least neither of you are alone. \\ He sighed as the door opened.
Trowa stopped in the doorway as his eyes rested on the bed. "We should let them sleep." He said softly as he watched Quatre. The banged pilot had wanted to hold the smaller boy for over two hours, but the boy's sleep was more important.
"Aw, you mean you're not gonna let me jump up and down on the bed yelling that Oz is coming?" Duo pouted then erupted into a giggling fit as Trowa looked at him, fixing him with a glare.
"Baka." Heero snorted from the bed as he sat up. He looked at Trowa, then at Duo and decided to glare at the Deathscythe pilot.
"Ah, get the stick outta your ass Heero!" Duo rolled his eyes. "There ain't room for the both of us!" He began to giggle again and Heero couldn't help but smile.
Quatre moved suddenly and he opened his eyes. His vision had gotten worse and he couldn't even make out distinctive features on anybody. But he could tell which pilot was which by the hair and Trowa was the tallest. "Trowa, smack him!" He whined from the bed. He closed his eyes when he heard the satisfying 'smack' sound of skin on skin.
"Ow! Trowa! That hurt!" Duo whined excessively.
"Baby. He didn't hit you that hard." Heero raised an eyebrow at Duo.
"Fine! Gang up on me then!" Duo crossed his arms and left the room. After a few minutes, when nobody followed him out he poked his head back in. "Oi, Hee-chan, this is the part where you follow me so Trowa and Quatre can be alone together and we can be alone together." He deadpanned then disappeared again.
"Baka." Heero slipped off the bed and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Trowa turned toward the bed and smiled as Quatre waved. "How are you feeling?" He asked as he joined Quatre on the bed. He lay where Heero had been seconds before and wrapped the tiny blonde in his arms, pulling him close.
"I'm scared." Quatre whispered as he rested his head on Trowa's shoulder. He cuddled against the soft turtleneck, breathing in the sent of his lover. He listened to the heartbeat until he began to doze, before he slipped completely into sleep he whispered, "Je vous aime, mon clown silencieux." [1]
Trowa smiled softly and kissed Quatre's forehead. "Je vous aime trop le petit." [2] He wouldn't let himself sleep. He wanted to be awake to memorize the feel on his lover's body. "Je vous aimerai pour toujours." [3] He whispered.
***
"What do you think being frozen feels like? I mean, are you scared or worried? Because I'm scared and worried! I don't want anything to happen to you, I love you and I never want to see you hurt!" Duo rambled as he sat with Heero in the cockpit.
Heero smirked to himself as he listened to Duo's words. They somehow made really cared about him. And Duo's confession made Heero realize that he was scared and worried as well, but not for himself. He was more worried about Duo.
After Wufei had mentioned cryogenics Heero had emailed Dr. J to see if being frozen would work. Dr. J had promised to start testing the theory. While Duo, Wufei and Trowa had been loading the Gundams Heero had received the information from Dr. J. Cryogenics would work. Together he and Quatre had searched for every piece of information they could find. Heero had been reading over the pages they had collected when Quatre had gotten sick at takeoff. The two of them were in no danger whatsoever.
But Heero knew that Duo would wait for him, even if a cure wasn't found. The Deathscythe pilot would probably isolate himself from everyone, perhaps with the exception of Trowa, because his lover too was frozen and maybe Wufei because he was a Gundam pilot and a very close friend.
As Duo continued to talk Heero felt the folded paper in the pocket of his jeans. // I have to remember to give this to Duo, and I suppose I'll have to remind Quatre since he'll be on the ZERO. \\ He thought as Duo stopped talking. Heero looked at him silently. What would it be like?
"I won't feel anything Duo, it'll just be like sleeping to me." Heero finally spoke. "It's been done many times, even way back in the twenty first century. I promise you that I'll be fine." He spoke gently, as he looked out at all the stars, it looked peaceful.
"I'm going to miss you." Duo mumbled then shrugged, "But hey, if it's like a big sleep to you then you won't miss me." He crossed his arms and slightly pouted.
Heero smiled at this. "But it'll be a sleep without you Duo-koi. Of course I'm going to miss you." He reached out and gently outlined Duo's lips. He saw the tears well up in his shining violet eyes and slowly a tear slowly ran down Duo's cheek and ran over Heero's fingers. "I love you, you know I do." He whispered.
"I know." Duo's voice as soft, as if he'd break a spell that had been cast over them. "I don't want to lose you. You're the only one that I've cared about that Death can't touch." He confessed.
Heero sighed and pulled Duo into his arms. They didn't say anything and they held each other until a beeping sound came from the screen. They both looked and realized that they had arrived at L1. Duo looked at Heero and tried to smile bravely before pulling away. He grabbed the intercom and pressed a button. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I don't know which one of you is which, but I'll let you decide." He grinned, "We are now arriving at the L1 colony, please, get dressed and put your swords down.God, that's some kinky sex." Duo suddenly realized what it sounded like.
"Duo!" Trowa and Quatre's voices sounded from somewhere on the shuttle.
Duo chuckled as he continued. "What? Could you imagine a naked Trowa and a little naked Quatre running around while being chased with an armed Wufei?" He giggled at the mental picture.
"Duo!" Quatre warned.
"Okay, sorry!" Duo said into the unit. He ended the connection then looked at Heero. "They have no sense of humor." He said.
Heero snorted.
***
"Pilots." Dr. J greeted them as they entered the lab. He immediately got down to business. "You said you had a plan." He looked at the Wing pilot.
Heero nodded and began to explain the plan about infecting Treize with a fake virus. Dr. J listened with interest as he led the five pilots into a large room. He motioned for Trowa to place Quatre on one of the lab tables.
Quatre clung to Trowa when the Heavyarms pilot let him go, not wanting to be alone. Trowa understood and stayed with him, discreetly holding his lover's hand.
Heero was getting to the part where Wufei would lead them to Treize. Wufei blushed at the sudden attention and looked down at the doctor's shoes. It didn't take Heero long to finish the story after that.
Quatre sighed to himself as he leaned against Trowa. He felt sick to his stomach and all he wanted to do was rest. But there was no rest for the wicked.
"Quatre?" Heero's voice caused the Sandrock pilot to look in the direction of the sound. As Heero grew near, Quatre's eyes tried to focus, causing the small boy to see stars and his head to spin. He closed his eyes and leaned against Trowa again for support. There was something cold pressed against his cheek and he opened his heavy eyes. "Here, drink this, it will make you feel better." Heero's voice sounded in Quatre's ears.
The mouth of the bottle was placed against his lips and tipped so the cold water flowed into the cavern of Quatre's mouth. The feverish blonde swallowed clumsily, water dripping down his chin. "Thanks." He whispered once having enough.
A gentle hand, Quatre knew it was Trowa's, wiped the water from his face. He looked toward the Wing pilot's direction, sensing that he was still there.
"Something's need to be explained to you before we activate the Zero system." Heero said as Duo, Wufei and Dr. J joined the three. Quatre nodded, listening. "I told you that someone else will be controlling your thoughts about Treize." Heero explained. "It's up to you of who you want it to be controlling those thoughts." He said as he felt Duo's hand slide into his own.
Quatre was silent, thinking his options over, "Will I be able to hear their thoughts if they can hear mine?" he wondered.
"Yes, but only the thoughts directly thought. It goes both ways." Dr. J explained. The four other pilots could see that the man was holding the small ear-piece with a tiny wire that would surely be inserted into Quatre's ear. "The pilot that you will be linked with won't be able to pry and in return you can't pry either."
Quatre nodded as he made up his mind. "Alright, then I want it to be Duo." He said.
Surprise showed on everyone's, save Trowa's, faces, but Quatre was unable to see it. The three Gundam pilots had figured that he'd pick Trowa for obvious reasons. Trowa was not surprised, though he couldn't figure out why, but he was glad that Quatre hadn't chosen him. He might not have stopped Quatre from killing Treize.
"Why?" Duo asked, totally shocked, wanting Quatre to pick someone else. "I mean, why not Trowa? I mean you love him and would trust him with your life. And what about Wufei? He's honorable and strong! Then there's Heero; it is his system after all. Why not them Quatre?" He asked.
Quatre looked toward the voice and the blob in black. "Why not you Duo?" Quatre wondered and held out his hand for Duo to take. A hesitant hand appeared in his own and he gently pulled Duo closer to him.
Trowa moved, knowing that Quatre need to talk to Duo, but didn't go far, knowing that the blonde wanted him there. He stood with Heero and Wufei as Dr. J left the room to get the piece of equipment that Duo would need.
"Because." Duo mumbled, not caring how frightened he sounded or how weak he looked. "I'm Shinigami - the God of Death.I kill those I care about." He whispered.
Quatre smiled softly. "Maybe it's time for the God of Death to prevent death." He said slowly. "You mustn't believe that about yourself Duo. You claim to be this God who takes the lives of others, you say you're death. But you're the liveliest person I've ever met. People claim me to be an angel, but I'm not. I know I'm not, you know that I'm not. I know exactly what and who I am and I know who you are." Quatre said.
"Who am I?" Duo asked weakly as he stood in front of Quatre.
"You are Duo Maxwell, a fifteen year old boy and one of my closest friends.you're one of my only friends." Quatre confessed. "You may be a Gundam pilot but you're still human. You feel as everyone else does and you are not responsible for the deaths of the people you love."
There was silence for a few awkward minutes, then Duo took a breath. "I understand. But why did you pick me and not one of the others?" he wondered softly.
Quatre blinked as his vision grew darker, losing colour. He ignored this to answer Duo's question. "You're right when you say I love Trowa. I love you all but I don't want him to have to pull me back from killing Treize. Wufei is very honorable and very strong but so are the rest of us. But he has a score to settle with Treize, it might be difficult or distracting for him to have to hold me back. And yes, it is Heero's system and Heero's plan, but Heero is also dying too, he needs all his strength to fool Treize." He explained.
Duo sighed. "Are you sure?" He wondered looking at Quatre, studying him. Quatre nodded silently as Duo held the sides of the blonde's face, gently pressing their lips together in a quick kiss then they pulled each other into a hug. "As long as you know what you're doing." Duo whispered then pulled away from the dying Arabian.
Heero cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention. "While we plan out the attack you'll have sometime alone with Trowa." He mentioned then added. "Once you're on the Zero we all know that you won't let anyone touch you."
Quatre nodded, suppressing a shutter. "Thanks." He said as he felt a hand on his arm as Duo moved away from him so Trowa could reach his lover. Soon arms were around him in a hug and Quatre leaned into the warmth and familiar scent, wanting to spend the rest of his life in those arms, however short his life might be.
Heero led Duo and Wufei away from the two. "When we activate the system the plan can be set into action. Duo, you will use Deathscythe's stealth cloak to follow Wufei to Treize. Keep radio silence, they'll be able to pick up the signals. You won't need to use the radio anyway, you'll be linked to Quatre and a mere thought will alert him of your position." Heero said.
Dr. J came into the large room and over to the group of three. "This ear piece will connect you to 04." He said then fixed the small device to Duo's right ear. "When the system is activated you will be overwhelmed with emotions. Most of them will not be your own."
Duo nodded, understanding.
"Trowa, Quatre and I will go retrieve our Gundams from the Maguanacs. As soon as we hear your message from Quatre we will come to you. Once we get in, Quatre and I will infect Treize with our virus." He explained.
"What will we use for our virus?" Duo asked as he felt the ear piece around his ear.
Wufei spoke this time. "An old Chinese drug. It's used for people with insomnia and can't sleep. It's very powerful and works within about a half an hour." He replied. "Treize will believe that he's dying when really he's only falling asleep. Once he agrees to make a speech to tell the world that OZ has forfeited the war we'll give him the cure."
Duo nodded, "Will half an hour be long enough for him to make the speech? I mean, what happens if Treize falls asleep before he has the chance? Then what do we do?" he asked.
Wufei smiled. "Like Gemini, with water, this drug is with caffeine. We'll have him drink coffee until he can make the speech." He seemed prouder now. Duo had noticed that Wufei had been keeping his distance from everyone, blaming himself for what had happened.
"Will we have Treize appoint Relena Peacecraft?" Duo wondered. "Does Relena know?" he asked after Heero nodded.
"I contacted her." Heero nodded again. "She's ready to make a speech at anytime."
"Good." Duo grinned, but his grin faltered when he glanced at their two friends.
***
"I love you Quatre." Trowa whispered gently stroking Quatre's hair. The blonde strands were damp since Quatre was still suffering from a fever. The small boy's breathing had changed as if it was a struggle to draw the air into his lungs. Trowa had already learned that Quatre had gone completely blind.
"I love you.too Trowa." Quatre struggled for air. He wanted it to end, his entire body hurt and he was too tired. The thought of going to fight Treize seemed to exhaust him even more.
Trowa didn't say anything as he hugged Quatre closer. He watched as the other three came toward them. Duo was already wearing the ear piece and Heero held the one Quatre would be wearing.
"It's time." Heero said as Trowa helped Quatre to sit up. Gently, the Wing pilot fitted the ear piece into place then looked into the small blonde's eyes. "You're completely blind." It was a statement that surprised both Duo and Wufei. Quatre nodded quietly as Heero sighed.
"Are we ready?" Dr. J called from over by a computer. Heero nodded, then went over to Duo. The braided pilot would probably need support.
Quatre clutched to Trowa's body helplessly as Trowa held him protectively. After a short silence they heard the tapping from the computer and suddenly both Quatre and Duo gasped. Duo leaned against Heero heavily as Quatre fell limp in Trowa's arms.
Duo fell to his knees and clutched at his head as what seemed like every emotion slammed into his soul. "I'm dying!" he choked out finally as his body began to shake violently.
Heero knelt down. "They aren't your emotions Duo!" He said, squeezing Duo's shoulders to try to calm him down.
"Oh God! I'm so confused! I don't want to die but I'm too tired to fight! There's so much fear!" Duo sobbed as pictures of imaginary monsters invaded his mind. They seemed to mix together to become different creatures all together, never being the same as the other. This was what Quatre had been feeling? "I'm so scared." Duo whimpered. "I'm so scared."
[1] Je vous aime, mon clown silencieux - I love you my silent clown.
[2] Je vous aime trop le petit - I love you too little one.
[3] Je vous aimerai pour toujours. - I'll love you forever.
To be continued.
Dija like it? Review please!!
Note: This was for a contest from Shades of Color. It didn't win and I wanted to post it somewhere.
word = Italics
// word \\ = thoughts
PART ONE
Chapter Five
"Are the Gundams secure?" Trowa asked as Duo entered the shuttle. They had acquired a shuttle, which was fully fueled. The problem was that it only had room for two of the Gundams. Quatre's Gundam would have been of no use since it's pilot was grounded. Trowa had left his Gundam with Sandrock and Heero had decided to leave Wing Zero as well. The three Gundams had been left in the care of the Maguanacs Corps.
Trowa shuttered, remembering the angry faces of all forty men when they had been told of 'Master' Quatre's condition. Trowa would have hated to be Oz.
"Wufei's finishing up with Nataku. He said that he'd probably ride in the cargo bay. He need to be alone." Duo reported then flopped down in the co- pilot's seat. "Heero and Quatre are in the small captain's cabin." The braided Deathscythe plot looked at Trowa. They had been there for over two hours and Trowa had yet to even see Quatre. "You aren't going to pilot the whole way are you? I mean, I know that you'd rather be with Quatre right now."
Trowa did nothing at first. He wanted to be Quatre as long as he could be. Finally, he replied, "I'll set it on auto pilot once we're out of the Earth's atmosphere." He promised, though his entire body argued with his words. He wanted to be with Quatre now .
"Whatever you want Tro." Duo shrugged then went silent.
***
Wufei sat quietly on the paneled floor, looking up at his mecha. He had prayed for anyone who was listening to give him the strength to see Treize again. // I cannot kill him. Heero's plan must work and for it to be successful, Treize needs to be alive. \\ Wufei clenched his fist in anger.
After there was peace, Treize would meet his death. "Relena Peacecraft will have taken over. All will be right." He promised then sighed. "Unless we don't find a cure."
***
"How are you feeling?" Heero asked from the captain's desk as Quatre stumbled out of the adjoining bathroom. The blonde boy had been throwing up for the past hour.
Quatre looked at Heero blankly then crawled onto the small bed. "I feel like I'm dying." He mumbled into a pillow. He didn't expect a reply and he suspected at the sudden silence that Heero had gone back to his computer. That is until the bed moved. Quatre turned his head and squinted in the darkness of the room and through his blurry vision until he could make out the form of Heero's body lying beside him on the bed. "Heero?" He was confused.
"I love Duo." Heero deadpanned as he stared at the ceiling.
Quatre lay his head back on the pillow. "I know." He murmured, wondering what the Wing pilot was talking about. Everyone knew how much he loved the American.
Heero sighed and rolled onto his side so he was facing Quatre, their noses only an inch a part. "I mean, I love him.more than anything. But.I want him to be happy. He shouldn't have to wait for me when I might not come back." He explained, hoping that Quatre would understand.
To his relief, Quatre nodded. "I wish the same thing for Trowa. Happiness I mean." He whispered. "And I won't be able to tell him that after I'm on the Zero.I already told him once.but I want to make sure he believes me." Quatre mumbled sadly.
Heero lay motionlessly, then got off the bed. "I have an idea." He said as he began to search through the desk. In one of the bottom drawers he found paper and a pen. Grabbing them, he returned to the bed and sat down as Quatre sat up. The boy looked at the objects in Heero's hands questioningly, then looked up at Heero with the same question. "If we write out what we want to say to them it's something that they can keep for the rest of their lives." He explained.
Quatre smiled, "I like it." He nodded.
***
Duo yawned as he walked toward the captain's room. They had been in space for two hours and there was still four more hours to wait until they would reach the L1 colony. Duo was exhausted, mentally and physically. That and he hadn't heard anything from Quatre or Heero for those two hours so he was curious, and a little worried. Though he knew that if something were wrong, one of the boys would come and get them, or at least use the communication system that had been put in the room.
He quietly opened the door after checking for voices and finding none. The cabin light was on and as Duo's eyes found the bed he smiled to himself. Both Heero and Quatre were fast asleep, using each other for warmth since there were no sheets or blankets, just a pillow and a ratty mattress. Duo went over to the system and pressed a button.
"Yes?" Trowa's voice came from the speaker seconds later.
Duo smiled. "Trowa, there's something in this room more important than navigating. Put the damn shuttle on auto and come here. You've gotta check something out." He chuckled under his breath as Quatre stirred and cuddled closer to Heero. Heero's arm snaked around the small blonde and pulled him closer. Duo smiled to himself; // at least neither of you are alone. \\ He sighed as the door opened.
Trowa stopped in the doorway as his eyes rested on the bed. "We should let them sleep." He said softly as he watched Quatre. The banged pilot had wanted to hold the smaller boy for over two hours, but the boy's sleep was more important.
"Aw, you mean you're not gonna let me jump up and down on the bed yelling that Oz is coming?" Duo pouted then erupted into a giggling fit as Trowa looked at him, fixing him with a glare.
"Baka." Heero snorted from the bed as he sat up. He looked at Trowa, then at Duo and decided to glare at the Deathscythe pilot.
"Ah, get the stick outta your ass Heero!" Duo rolled his eyes. "There ain't room for the both of us!" He began to giggle again and Heero couldn't help but smile.
Quatre moved suddenly and he opened his eyes. His vision had gotten worse and he couldn't even make out distinctive features on anybody. But he could tell which pilot was which by the hair and Trowa was the tallest. "Trowa, smack him!" He whined from the bed. He closed his eyes when he heard the satisfying 'smack' sound of skin on skin.
"Ow! Trowa! That hurt!" Duo whined excessively.
"Baby. He didn't hit you that hard." Heero raised an eyebrow at Duo.
"Fine! Gang up on me then!" Duo crossed his arms and left the room. After a few minutes, when nobody followed him out he poked his head back in. "Oi, Hee-chan, this is the part where you follow me so Trowa and Quatre can be alone together and we can be alone together." He deadpanned then disappeared again.
"Baka." Heero slipped off the bed and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Trowa turned toward the bed and smiled as Quatre waved. "How are you feeling?" He asked as he joined Quatre on the bed. He lay where Heero had been seconds before and wrapped the tiny blonde in his arms, pulling him close.
"I'm scared." Quatre whispered as he rested his head on Trowa's shoulder. He cuddled against the soft turtleneck, breathing in the sent of his lover. He listened to the heartbeat until he began to doze, before he slipped completely into sleep he whispered, "Je vous aime, mon clown silencieux." [1]
Trowa smiled softly and kissed Quatre's forehead. "Je vous aime trop le petit." [2] He wouldn't let himself sleep. He wanted to be awake to memorize the feel on his lover's body. "Je vous aimerai pour toujours." [3] He whispered.
***
"What do you think being frozen feels like? I mean, are you scared or worried? Because I'm scared and worried! I don't want anything to happen to you, I love you and I never want to see you hurt!" Duo rambled as he sat with Heero in the cockpit.
Heero smirked to himself as he listened to Duo's words. They somehow made really cared about him. And Duo's confession made Heero realize that he was scared and worried as well, but not for himself. He was more worried about Duo.
After Wufei had mentioned cryogenics Heero had emailed Dr. J to see if being frozen would work. Dr. J had promised to start testing the theory. While Duo, Wufei and Trowa had been loading the Gundams Heero had received the information from Dr. J. Cryogenics would work. Together he and Quatre had searched for every piece of information they could find. Heero had been reading over the pages they had collected when Quatre had gotten sick at takeoff. The two of them were in no danger whatsoever.
But Heero knew that Duo would wait for him, even if a cure wasn't found. The Deathscythe pilot would probably isolate himself from everyone, perhaps with the exception of Trowa, because his lover too was frozen and maybe Wufei because he was a Gundam pilot and a very close friend.
As Duo continued to talk Heero felt the folded paper in the pocket of his jeans. // I have to remember to give this to Duo, and I suppose I'll have to remind Quatre since he'll be on the ZERO. \\ He thought as Duo stopped talking. Heero looked at him silently. What would it be like?
"I won't feel anything Duo, it'll just be like sleeping to me." Heero finally spoke. "It's been done many times, even way back in the twenty first century. I promise you that I'll be fine." He spoke gently, as he looked out at all the stars, it looked peaceful.
"I'm going to miss you." Duo mumbled then shrugged, "But hey, if it's like a big sleep to you then you won't miss me." He crossed his arms and slightly pouted.
Heero smiled at this. "But it'll be a sleep without you Duo-koi. Of course I'm going to miss you." He reached out and gently outlined Duo's lips. He saw the tears well up in his shining violet eyes and slowly a tear slowly ran down Duo's cheek and ran over Heero's fingers. "I love you, you know I do." He whispered.
"I know." Duo's voice as soft, as if he'd break a spell that had been cast over them. "I don't want to lose you. You're the only one that I've cared about that Death can't touch." He confessed.
Heero sighed and pulled Duo into his arms. They didn't say anything and they held each other until a beeping sound came from the screen. They both looked and realized that they had arrived at L1. Duo looked at Heero and tried to smile bravely before pulling away. He grabbed the intercom and pressed a button. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I don't know which one of you is which, but I'll let you decide." He grinned, "We are now arriving at the L1 colony, please, get dressed and put your swords down.God, that's some kinky sex." Duo suddenly realized what it sounded like.
"Duo!" Trowa and Quatre's voices sounded from somewhere on the shuttle.
Duo chuckled as he continued. "What? Could you imagine a naked Trowa and a little naked Quatre running around while being chased with an armed Wufei?" He giggled at the mental picture.
"Duo!" Quatre warned.
"Okay, sorry!" Duo said into the unit. He ended the connection then looked at Heero. "They have no sense of humor." He said.
Heero snorted.
***
"Pilots." Dr. J greeted them as they entered the lab. He immediately got down to business. "You said you had a plan." He looked at the Wing pilot.
Heero nodded and began to explain the plan about infecting Treize with a fake virus. Dr. J listened with interest as he led the five pilots into a large room. He motioned for Trowa to place Quatre on one of the lab tables.
Quatre clung to Trowa when the Heavyarms pilot let him go, not wanting to be alone. Trowa understood and stayed with him, discreetly holding his lover's hand.
Heero was getting to the part where Wufei would lead them to Treize. Wufei blushed at the sudden attention and looked down at the doctor's shoes. It didn't take Heero long to finish the story after that.
Quatre sighed to himself as he leaned against Trowa. He felt sick to his stomach and all he wanted to do was rest. But there was no rest for the wicked.
"Quatre?" Heero's voice caused the Sandrock pilot to look in the direction of the sound. As Heero grew near, Quatre's eyes tried to focus, causing the small boy to see stars and his head to spin. He closed his eyes and leaned against Trowa again for support. There was something cold pressed against his cheek and he opened his heavy eyes. "Here, drink this, it will make you feel better." Heero's voice sounded in Quatre's ears.
The mouth of the bottle was placed against his lips and tipped so the cold water flowed into the cavern of Quatre's mouth. The feverish blonde swallowed clumsily, water dripping down his chin. "Thanks." He whispered once having enough.
A gentle hand, Quatre knew it was Trowa's, wiped the water from his face. He looked toward the Wing pilot's direction, sensing that he was still there.
"Something's need to be explained to you before we activate the Zero system." Heero said as Duo, Wufei and Dr. J joined the three. Quatre nodded, listening. "I told you that someone else will be controlling your thoughts about Treize." Heero explained. "It's up to you of who you want it to be controlling those thoughts." He said as he felt Duo's hand slide into his own.
Quatre was silent, thinking his options over, "Will I be able to hear their thoughts if they can hear mine?" he wondered.
"Yes, but only the thoughts directly thought. It goes both ways." Dr. J explained. The four other pilots could see that the man was holding the small ear-piece with a tiny wire that would surely be inserted into Quatre's ear. "The pilot that you will be linked with won't be able to pry and in return you can't pry either."
Quatre nodded as he made up his mind. "Alright, then I want it to be Duo." He said.
Surprise showed on everyone's, save Trowa's, faces, but Quatre was unable to see it. The three Gundam pilots had figured that he'd pick Trowa for obvious reasons. Trowa was not surprised, though he couldn't figure out why, but he was glad that Quatre hadn't chosen him. He might not have stopped Quatre from killing Treize.
"Why?" Duo asked, totally shocked, wanting Quatre to pick someone else. "I mean, why not Trowa? I mean you love him and would trust him with your life. And what about Wufei? He's honorable and strong! Then there's Heero; it is his system after all. Why not them Quatre?" He asked.
Quatre looked toward the voice and the blob in black. "Why not you Duo?" Quatre wondered and held out his hand for Duo to take. A hesitant hand appeared in his own and he gently pulled Duo closer to him.
Trowa moved, knowing that Quatre need to talk to Duo, but didn't go far, knowing that the blonde wanted him there. He stood with Heero and Wufei as Dr. J left the room to get the piece of equipment that Duo would need.
"Because." Duo mumbled, not caring how frightened he sounded or how weak he looked. "I'm Shinigami - the God of Death.I kill those I care about." He whispered.
Quatre smiled softly. "Maybe it's time for the God of Death to prevent death." He said slowly. "You mustn't believe that about yourself Duo. You claim to be this God who takes the lives of others, you say you're death. But you're the liveliest person I've ever met. People claim me to be an angel, but I'm not. I know I'm not, you know that I'm not. I know exactly what and who I am and I know who you are." Quatre said.
"Who am I?" Duo asked weakly as he stood in front of Quatre.
"You are Duo Maxwell, a fifteen year old boy and one of my closest friends.you're one of my only friends." Quatre confessed. "You may be a Gundam pilot but you're still human. You feel as everyone else does and you are not responsible for the deaths of the people you love."
There was silence for a few awkward minutes, then Duo took a breath. "I understand. But why did you pick me and not one of the others?" he wondered softly.
Quatre blinked as his vision grew darker, losing colour. He ignored this to answer Duo's question. "You're right when you say I love Trowa. I love you all but I don't want him to have to pull me back from killing Treize. Wufei is very honorable and very strong but so are the rest of us. But he has a score to settle with Treize, it might be difficult or distracting for him to have to hold me back. And yes, it is Heero's system and Heero's plan, but Heero is also dying too, he needs all his strength to fool Treize." He explained.
Duo sighed. "Are you sure?" He wondered looking at Quatre, studying him. Quatre nodded silently as Duo held the sides of the blonde's face, gently pressing their lips together in a quick kiss then they pulled each other into a hug. "As long as you know what you're doing." Duo whispered then pulled away from the dying Arabian.
Heero cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention. "While we plan out the attack you'll have sometime alone with Trowa." He mentioned then added. "Once you're on the Zero we all know that you won't let anyone touch you."
Quatre nodded, suppressing a shutter. "Thanks." He said as he felt a hand on his arm as Duo moved away from him so Trowa could reach his lover. Soon arms were around him in a hug and Quatre leaned into the warmth and familiar scent, wanting to spend the rest of his life in those arms, however short his life might be.
Heero led Duo and Wufei away from the two. "When we activate the system the plan can be set into action. Duo, you will use Deathscythe's stealth cloak to follow Wufei to Treize. Keep radio silence, they'll be able to pick up the signals. You won't need to use the radio anyway, you'll be linked to Quatre and a mere thought will alert him of your position." Heero said.
Dr. J came into the large room and over to the group of three. "This ear piece will connect you to 04." He said then fixed the small device to Duo's right ear. "When the system is activated you will be overwhelmed with emotions. Most of them will not be your own."
Duo nodded, understanding.
"Trowa, Quatre and I will go retrieve our Gundams from the Maguanacs. As soon as we hear your message from Quatre we will come to you. Once we get in, Quatre and I will infect Treize with our virus." He explained.
"What will we use for our virus?" Duo asked as he felt the ear piece around his ear.
Wufei spoke this time. "An old Chinese drug. It's used for people with insomnia and can't sleep. It's very powerful and works within about a half an hour." He replied. "Treize will believe that he's dying when really he's only falling asleep. Once he agrees to make a speech to tell the world that OZ has forfeited the war we'll give him the cure."
Duo nodded, "Will half an hour be long enough for him to make the speech? I mean, what happens if Treize falls asleep before he has the chance? Then what do we do?" he asked.
Wufei smiled. "Like Gemini, with water, this drug is with caffeine. We'll have him drink coffee until he can make the speech." He seemed prouder now. Duo had noticed that Wufei had been keeping his distance from everyone, blaming himself for what had happened.
"Will we have Treize appoint Relena Peacecraft?" Duo wondered. "Does Relena know?" he asked after Heero nodded.
"I contacted her." Heero nodded again. "She's ready to make a speech at anytime."
"Good." Duo grinned, but his grin faltered when he glanced at their two friends.
***
"I love you Quatre." Trowa whispered gently stroking Quatre's hair. The blonde strands were damp since Quatre was still suffering from a fever. The small boy's breathing had changed as if it was a struggle to draw the air into his lungs. Trowa had already learned that Quatre had gone completely blind.
"I love you.too Trowa." Quatre struggled for air. He wanted it to end, his entire body hurt and he was too tired. The thought of going to fight Treize seemed to exhaust him even more.
Trowa didn't say anything as he hugged Quatre closer. He watched as the other three came toward them. Duo was already wearing the ear piece and Heero held the one Quatre would be wearing.
"It's time." Heero said as Trowa helped Quatre to sit up. Gently, the Wing pilot fitted the ear piece into place then looked into the small blonde's eyes. "You're completely blind." It was a statement that surprised both Duo and Wufei. Quatre nodded quietly as Heero sighed.
"Are we ready?" Dr. J called from over by a computer. Heero nodded, then went over to Duo. The braided pilot would probably need support.
Quatre clutched to Trowa's body helplessly as Trowa held him protectively. After a short silence they heard the tapping from the computer and suddenly both Quatre and Duo gasped. Duo leaned against Heero heavily as Quatre fell limp in Trowa's arms.
Duo fell to his knees and clutched at his head as what seemed like every emotion slammed into his soul. "I'm dying!" he choked out finally as his body began to shake violently.
Heero knelt down. "They aren't your emotions Duo!" He said, squeezing Duo's shoulders to try to calm him down.
"Oh God! I'm so confused! I don't want to die but I'm too tired to fight! There's so much fear!" Duo sobbed as pictures of imaginary monsters invaded his mind. They seemed to mix together to become different creatures all together, never being the same as the other. This was what Quatre had been feeling? "I'm so scared." Duo whimpered. "I'm so scared."
[1] Je vous aime, mon clown silencieux - I love you my silent clown.
[2] Je vous aime trop le petit - I love you too little one.
[3] Je vous aimerai pour toujours. - I'll love you forever.
To be continued.
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