Oasis

by Banshi

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Part One

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Quatre walked off the shuttle and into the terminal feeling both more relaxed and very grumpy. He had wanted to stay on Earth, away from people, in the peace of the desert, but his colony, his entire species, still needed him. He blew a short breath into his bangs, trying to alleviate the sudden tension that seemed to descend as soon as he saw the WEI head of security hurrying towards him.

"Mr. Winner! I left instructions that you were to stay on the shuttle until I got through the damn gates to meet you!"

It's nice to see you too Serviay. My trip was wonderful, thank you for asking. And how did things go while I was gone? It was all on the tip of his tongue. He bit down the impulse though, not wanting to make Serviay feel bad.

"They needed to start preparing for the next flight. Everybody is behind schedule, you know." He put a smile on his face, feeling genuinely concerned, but not having the energy for his usual cheerful attitude.

"Oh, well, that's very kind of you sir, but think of your own safety."

"Don't worry Serviay, I do. Now, can I go home? I need a little rest before getting back into the thick of things."

"Of course sir." The group moved through the terminal, three people standing at the baggage claim to get his two suitcases, everybody taking up so much room in the hallways that people had to wait for them to pass in order to continue towards the departing shuttles. The whole thing was an utterly ridiculous exercise.

Quatre couldn't wait to be alone in his rooms again. Hell, he couldn't wait until his next vacation when he could go back to his fortress in the timeless sands. He closed his eyes, trying to reclaim some of that peace, the utter tranquility that came from the ever changing, and yet never changing dunes.

It only sort-of worked.

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A week later, Quatre was ready to both bite people's heads off and run away, never to see anybody ever again. Unfortunately, neither option was open to him. The only thing that seemed to help was the Relena and Une seemed to understand where his short temper was coming from…and they'd brought Wufei with them to the Intercolonial Security Council meetings.

If anybody's temper was shorter this week than Quatre's, it was Wufei's. Together, they always managed to scare the lobbyists and reporters into running for cover. Even the ones who had no idea that they had been Gundam pilots. They always ate in Quatre's dining room, in silence. Wufei said that he couldn't stand to listen to the various politicians vie for Une and Relena's attention. Quatre was just glad that his former brother-at-arms was willing to let him sit and not think.

Not that Wufei knew that that's what he was doing.

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Soon negotiations were over, and Wufei would be leaving. Quatre could tell that neither of them were happy about it, and that neither of them would say that out loud.

It didn't help that Quatre had realized that, in the right light, Wufei's skin looked like the desert sands at dusk, when the sky was burning red. He hadn't been able to get the comparison out of his head after he caught his friend at the gym.

In times of great mental stress, trying not to lose his temper with some sniveling elected official, the image of strong, sturdy, evening-sand colored Wufei was all that kept him from acting on his homicidal fantasies. He would alternately imagine the shifting sands that surrounded his private heaven, and sharing that with Wufei.

Such thoughts had the contradictory results of intense peace and butterflies in his stomach. He had never thought of his friend like this before, and he wasn't sure what to do about it.

So they stood at the secured departure gate at the shuttle port of L4 with Une, Relena and more security than anybody really needed and just stared at each other. Quatre finally cleared his throat as it became obvious that Wufei would not be the first one to speak.

"It's been good seeing you again Wufei. You should visit sometime, unofficially. It's less stressful that way." Quatre said in a light tone, quirking his lips into a smirk. He was rewarded by an answering smirk on Wufei's handsome face.

"I was unaware that there was such a thing as a Preventer making an unofficial visit."

Quatre laughed quietly before turning a pleading look on Une. He was aware that the woman could resist his charms if she wanted to, but he had the benefit of the fact that she didn't usually want to.

"I'll see what I can do Quatre. Now if you'll excuse us, we're trying not to be late this time." Une smiled a kind smile at him before boarding the shuttle, followed by Relena and half of the security personnel. Wufei paused for just a moment, then suddenly clasped Quatre's forearm. It was the kind of hand shake that knights gave one another. From Wufei, it was as close to an emotional public declaration as his nature would allow. It touched Quatre's heart in an unexpected way.

As did the sudden flash of emotion that wasn't his own.

"It was good to see you Preventer Chang, but I'm afraid Mr. Winner also has a tight schedule. Have a pleasant flight home." Serviay said in his usual, brusque manner. It took all that Quatre had not to snap at the man.

Instead he just leaned towards Wufei, "Ignore him. Except for the pleasant flight part." Quatre smiled again, and Wufei nodded, not saying another word as he turned and boarded.

Quatre couldn't help but feel the void that opened in the region of his chest, nor the feeling of abandonment as he watched his friend disappear, leaving him alone with the security guards.

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In less than a week, Serviay called the Preventer's Headquarters in a panic.

"We can't find Mr. Winner!"

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coninued in part two