Sorry these are taking soo long. I have been really...how to put this...having problems and am trying to sort things out. But I will get these stories out and back on track. Ya know, this one turned out a lot less serous then I meant it to. Idunno. You tell me in your reviews how you like it! Have fun neckos!





It seemed as though luck was against them today. The small army of jeeps, after their captain got over his initial shock, had returned to stay the day. They were to far away to even read the lips of the obviously irritated nomads but they could see the argument going on between the leaders as the men settled in. Farther back in the camp they could only watch as the leaders daughter sprinted around trying desperately to convert Quatre again before they found him. That left the four of them sitting in he hot desert sand under the bare shade of a carefully camouflaged tent and jeep. Trowa kept a close lookout for any wandering soldiers while the others tried to ignore the worry and apprehension that was building by busying themselves with various tasks.

Duo watched as Heero tried vainly to reach Lady Une through the old laptop they had borrowed. They had been sitting here the better part of the day trying to come up some sort of plan to get the men away from the nomadic camp. Yet, as luck would have it there strategist was currently stuck in a tent a mile or so away. He jerked as a thought came to him and he jumped forward grabbing the computer off of Heeros lap.

" Duo!" But Duo was busy hacking away at the poor machine with vigor. He didn't even stop as he addressed Heero.

" Heero, contact Quatre and tell him to hold the men as long as he can! If we can hold them there until Une arrives they can be taken into custody and tell us where the rest of the pack of rats are hiding. There's more to them then what's in the village." Heero didn't reply but did grab the small comm and sent a series of beeps to alert Quatre that they needed to talk. A hesitant, soft greeting issued from the other end and Heero explained the plan to him softly, trying not to give Quatre away.

" Got that Quatre?"

" Errrr...Yes...(nowIgottokeepthatperverthereanddressedlikeawomen!errrI'llshowhim,stupidbakaifhe...).."

" Quatre?" Heero questioned when the boy had gone into a quiet rant that he couldn't quite make out. Duo too had stopped and was trying to hold back laughter as he carefully deciphered the 'Quatre rant'.

" Hehehehe...I think we're gonna have to have a talk with our buddy when we get back!"

" Ahm, keep in touch when you can....and be careful Quatre."

" You to Heero. Take care of them Duo!" With that the line went dead and Heero stuffed it securely back in his pocket. A scoff behind Duo caused him to turn his head. Wufei was leaning over his shoulder, amusement obvious in his face. Trowa grinned beside him and shook his head as he turned back to watching the camp.

" You're really sending that to Une?"(1) Duo grinned manically and hit the send button. Wufei looked up to Heero but he held up a restraining hand.

" I don't want to know."



Quatre tucked the small comm back into it's place under his makeshift robe. He sighed as he fixed he brushed some strands of hair out of his eyes. After the men had returned and convinced the leader to let them stay he had been forced back into his disguise. He would have bruises from where Ailiea, the leaders daughter, had wrestled him into the robe. Not that he could fight back too much with his busied ribs, and she was one of the strongest people in the camp. He was not at all pleased with the plan, even if he did come up with it.

Quatre looked up as voices sounded outside his tent. He recognized that of the captain from earlier and the leader of the nomads. His eyes widened to two times normal size as a new voice joined the conversation.

" Abdul!" He whispered. He groaned internally at the prospect of more embarrassment, but was a little more secure with the thought of another friend near by. Now he had to make sure that Abdul stayed safe. His silent musings stopped as the three men entered the tent. He watched as shock flittered through Abdul's face, and was sure that the mans eyes were laughing behind the ever present sunglasses. Quatre turned his attention to the captain as his eyes once again began to wander again. He suppressed the urge to yank the hanging tongue out of the mans mouth and tie him to a conveniently out of control jeep with it. Abdul, noticing the attention the captians eyes were giving his friend quickly sat himself between them.

" Ahem." They all turned their attention to the forgotten camp elder. " Daughter, *chuckle*, I would like to introduce Abdul. He came all the way out here to visit us for awhile when he heard of the infamous bandits who were roaming the place." Quatre turned to take Abdul's hand briefly.

" Ma..! Uh..Miss."

" And I believe you have already met our other guest." His voice barely his disgust as he nodded toward the other man. " I will leave you now. Sirs, do not wear her out. She is already very tired from her illness." With that he turned and walked back to his real daughter and his business. That left Quatre alone with the two men, only one of whom that he trusted.

" Thank you lady for gracing us with your beauty." The other man bowed slightly. While he was looking down Abdul threw a hand over his mouth to suppress the laughter welling up in his throat. An elbow to the ribs quelled it and he looked over to an innocent looking Quatre who was picking at the blanket covering his legs. The man, to Abduls and Quatres dismay, moved the contents of the tent around so that he could sit at Quatres other side. A little too close to Quatre for Abdul.

" Would you like me to tell you about our glorious army my dear?" The captain leaned closer to Quatre and Abdul twitched. Quatre realized that this could be the only chance they would get clear information on them. So he smiled shyly while looking seductively at him and nodded. For the next two hours they listened as the man droned on about useless things every once in a while dropping a valuable piece of info that Quatre committed to memory.

Finally after another hour making the man keep his hands to himself he left for a brief talk with his men. Quatre sighed in relief and leaned back as he felt Abdul relax beside him.

" If he had made another pass I think I would have done something very painful to him." Quatre breathed. Abdul laughed gently too as rested a hand against his companions flushed brow.

" Are you alright Master Quatre?" Worry was evident in his tone.

" I'll be fine, thank you for coming Abdul." Wide aqua eyes expressed his sincerity and warmth. Abdul had to smile at that.

" No problem kid. We were all worried when we got no word from you. Rasid and everyone else are waiting a few miles off for the cue to come to the rescue. Your commander Une should be here soon too. So just hang on kid, hang on." He watched as Quatre nodded off to some much needed sleep before the next round with the over interested captain.



1: I'll leave that to your imagination!