All That Was Stated in Part One, Remains True in Part Three
C & C is very welcome and considered the light of my day ^_^;;
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Sweaty bodies pressed around him on all sides, filling his nose with their pungent scent, which still failed to cover the odor of alcohol, smoke, and other chemicals. The air vibrated with a strange mix of aggression, sexual tension, pleasure, and depression.
Duo was loving it.
It was nice change to be around people who smelled, mostly, normal, as opposed to a bunch of mad scientists that made it their job to torture others on a daily basis. Lynx latched onto his arm, leaning into him to whisper in his ear.
"I'm gonna go play!"
Duo nodded, giving him an encouraging wink. The slender boy grinned back at him, eyes flashing under the bandanna his was wearing. He turned and slipped into the crowd, vanishing between one blink and another. [Well, he's off to find a toy for the night,] Duo grimaced, [Which means I get to listen to him squeak the bed springs all night back at the hotel. Huh, maybe I should do the same.....] They had ten hours till their next injection and planned on living it up.
His eye burned and he just stopped himself from rubbing it. Dislodging the contact would be a *bad* thing. Plastering a wide grin on his face, he wove his way through the crowd, aiming for the dance floor. The smell was a tad overpowering, but when he concentrated, he could pick out individual ones. It still amazed him what you could learn about a person from their scent.
A too-thin brunette whose body paint offered more coverage then her string top and skirt sidled up to him. "Wanna dance?" she offered in a slightly husky voice that spoke of a smoker. He shrugged.
"Sure." Not overly appealing for a dance partner, but it hardly mattered. He could snag another one later. She beamed at him and preceded him the remaining feet to the dancing space. Duo paused at one point, an almost familiar scent tickling his nose. He considered it for breath, then unable to identify it, dismissed it.
And over at the bar.....
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Heero stared at the lithe body as it moved through the crowd, his dark clothing making him a black hole in the sea of brilliant colors. Half his brain was certain it was figment of his imagination or a case of mistaken identity. The other half wanted to know what kind of idiot he thought he was. Honestly, how many teenage boys in the world had hair longer then most girls, wore it in a braid, and dressed in black? An unmentioned third of his brain was listing the various ways to kill his idiot partner for making him worry so much.
Before his brain had the chance to fully catch up with his body, he had left the bar. The press of bodies was frustrating, causing him to continuously lose sight of Duo. He pushed and shoved, ignoring calls of annoyance or interested dancers. Though a short eternity of jostling bodies, he reached his quarry.
Duo danced--more like an in-place wiggling of hips and shoulders--between three people, his long sleeved black shirt open down the front and skin-tight black jeans accenting every jiggle. One of the male dancers pressed in closer, hands sliding down to cup Duo's nether cheeks.
Jealousy surged and Heero found himself lunging forward, wrapping an iron grip around Duo's upper-arm and hauling the other boy to him. He favored the touchy-grabby culprit with the kind of glare that makes grown men scream like girls and call for their mommies. The guy paled, turned tail and ran. Satisfied, Heero turned his attention to Duo, who was regarding him with wide eyes.
[He's alive. He's safe.] The thought hit suddenly, followed by a rush of sheer relief that made his knees weak. He fought the feeling off quickly and glared at Duo. The braided pilot opened his mouth, he even produced a few apologetic noises, but failed to say anything intelligible.
Heero's glare darkened, mind working. [The best place to beat some answers out of him is at the safe-house.] He concluded. With that in mind, he dragged the startled boy in the direction of the door.
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Lynx sighed, spinning away the latest potential lay with a shake of his head. The other shrugged and left on his own search. [Just not a good crowd tonight.] he decided, tugging his vest straight. His throat was a little dry, so headed for the bar. After getting his drink, it occurred to him that he hadn't checked out the tables yet. Humming along with the music, he headed to the shallow dais that held round tables and metal chairs with mesh backing.
And that is where he saw him. A strong, beautiful profile, sleek black hair pulled back into a short tail, muscular arms displayed by a snug tank-top. A vision. Perfect. With the grin of the terminally love-struck, Lynx headed over to charm this newest interest.
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[Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. He's going to kill me. Oh shit.....] Duo stared fearfully at Heero's back, confusion muddling his thoughts as he was hauled like a sack of luggage. [I didn't know they were in this city! Last time I knew....was two-three months ago, 'cause like an idiot I didn't contact them.]
The reasoning he'd come with over that time--not wanting the others to risk themselves rescuing him, wanting to be *off* that damn drug before they'd try, and more--all of it suddenly seemed really stupid. Of course, his main reason had been not wanting to face them like *this*, some freakish human-cat creature. [He's going to kill me.....]
By the time they left the building, Duo's brain snapped back into place. [Wait a minute...] He shook himself free of Heero's grip and braced his hands on his hips, fighting the urge to shiver as the chill night air ghosted over his bare chest.
"Well, nice to see you too, Heero." he beamed, still not quite sure whether to play innocent, like he hadn't been *not* in contact for months, or guilty/sorry for causing worry, or amused by the whole deal, as if he didn't expect anyone to care. The last being only partially un-true.
Heero paused, as if confused by the casual statement. He wavered, then his expression firmed. "We are going to the safe house."
"Oh?" Duo raised an eyebrow, bringing his arms across his chest. [I'd love to, dear, but this isn't a good time! If I leave and don't show up at the hotel later, Lynx will come after me, and he'll find me too. I really, really don't want him to find out about you guys.] "We are? Maybe later, I've got someone waiting for me...."
"We are going to the safe house." Heero repeated. "You are going to tell me--us--where you have been all this time." The look in his eyes promised that if the information was not volunteered, it would be removed by force. Duo bit his lip, suddenly uncertain.
[If I go, he may not let me leave.....] "I might, but I do have some other business tonight, so I'll have to leave early...."
"Damnit, Duo!" Heero impassioned shout overrode his words, getting startled looks from the people hanging around. Remaining words died on Duo's lips. Heero spoke softly, but strongly.
"You were gone for three months. You abandoned your Gundam. You left no information as to your whereabouts. No one saw you any where. There were no plane tickets, no rented hotel rooms, cars, anything. You're good Duo, but not that good. You may as well have vanished off the face of the planet." Heero stepped closer to the gapping pilot, nearly in his face. Duo swallowed.
Heero's scent filled his nose, strong and forceful with his anger, still that wonderful musky, spicy smell he remembered from sharing a bed with Heero a couple times. Only so much stronger now. He shivered in response to something other then the cold.
"You owe me an explanation." Heero nearly whispered, gazing straight into Duo's eyes. He blinked. "Are you wearing contacts?"
Duo choked, bringing his hand up to his face and shaking his head.
"What?" the perfect soldier demanded, soundly slightly miffed.
"Nothing." Duo announced, voice shaking with repressed laughter. "Yes, Heero, I'm wearing contacts." [Okay, so I handled this badly. Now what?]
"Heero! Heero, I thought I saw....DUO!!" The aforementioned pilot glanced up in time to see Quatre just as the blonde grabbed him in a tight hug. "I can't believe you're alive!"
"Some faith you have." He teased, gingerly returning the hug. Quatre pulled back to smile at him.
"We were so worried. We looked for you everywhere, couldn't find hide or hair of you. Where have you been?"
"Well," Duo dodged, "Its complicated." Quatre's smile shifted briefly to a faintly disapproving frown before shifting back.
"You'll have plenty of time to tell us later." he leaned in conspiratorially, "Heero took care of Deathscythe the entire time." Quatre winked.
"Oh." [Do I ever feel like a heel.] "Thanks."
Heero huffed and turned away. "Get the others, we are leaving."
"Right!" Quatre spun off. Not surprisingly, Trowa was already coming through the door. Quatre snagged him on the way past and hauled him back in.
"I wasn't kidding about having someone with me." Duo said into the uneasy silence that followed Quatre's departure.
"Tough for them."
"Heeeerooooo...." Duo whined. Heero's eyebrow twitched.
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"I don't swing that way." Wufei flatly informed the young man sitting in the chair next to him, the annoyance in his voice clear.
"Ya ever tried?" he persisted, leaning closer to the Chinese pilot.
"No!" Wufei flared back, seriously offended. He pushed back his chair and stood up swiftly, swaying slightly as the alcohol rushed to his head. The other boy reached out a hand to steady him, dark eyes softened with concern.
"Too much to drink?"
"Don't touch me!" Wufei shook off the hand, frowning. "I'm fine."
"Touchy, touchy. Ya really need ta loosen up, sweetie." the boy grinned, eyes traveling the expanse of Wufei's body. The pilot found himself blushing. "Have a place to stay t'night? I gotta extra bed...."
"Enough." Wufei snapped. "I am not interested. Leave." Taking his own orders, Wufei decided it was time to relocate.
"Ya sure, sweet stuff? I'll be 'round all night, if ya change ya mind." he smiled suggestively, eyes glinting. "Jus' call for 'Lynx'."
"I won't." Wufei returned stiffly, thinking he should just leave altogether. There was a flash of blonde and Quatre was firmly attached to his right arm.
"We found Duo! Okay, Heero did, but he's here and he's okay!" Quatre spoke in a rush, barely containing giggles. The small Arabian always got a little silly when drinking.
"At least okay for now. Heero looks ready to spit nails." Trowa commented thoughtfully, eyes resting on where Quatre was currently cutting of the circulation to Wufei's arm. The Chinese pilot made a valiant effort to free himself.
"Lets go then, before Yuy shoots him and leave us to deal with the body." Lacking any other alternatives for freedom, Wufei settled for pinching Quatre to make him let go. It worked.
"Ow!"
"See ya 'round, darling!"
"Ooh, new boyfriend?"
"Say that again and you will regret it."
"Trowa! Wufei's threatening me!!"
"......"
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The hallways were annoyingly quiet and devoid of life as Wraith paced through them. Not a single person appeared for her to work out her frustrations on. How bothersome. And those dratted littermates (1) of hers had run out as well. She frowned deeply, finger combing her curling auburn hair.
In all honestly, Wraith wasn't overly fond of Lynx or Kitten, not in a friendship way at least. But she would defend either to the death if need be. Besides, being around them or working with them simply felt right, in a very basic sense.
And they weren't here!!
She let out an explosive breath, running her nails along one white and gray painted wall. The curved, sharp, implanted claws left little marks in the cheap paint job. [At least,] She thought wryly, [They let me out of my cage.] Do to her rather…. unpleasant response to the modifications, Wraith had been kept regulated to her own private section of the complex. For a long time, not even the threat of drugs or punishment had gotten through the primal, all-consuming rage she experienced.
Finding out about the other two cat-human hybrids had not helped matters much. They both looked so human! A few framed pictures decorated the hall and Wraith paused by one, examining her reflection in the glass.
Over large iridescent green eyes lacked any whites, marked only by round pupils, giving the impression of madness. She could see perfectly in near complete darkness. The lower part of her face was pushed out more then was standard, like a short blunted muzzle; the most prominent aspect her large squashed cat-like nose. (2) She could distinguish the difference between Pepsi and Coke at 100 yards. When she lifted her upper lip, the sharp teeth within her mouth were exposed, the incisures slimming down the razor points that rested ever-so-lightly on her thin lower lip. With the enhanced strength in her jaws, she could break human bones.
It was a face that was decidedly other then human.
The rest of her body appeared normal, for all it had been toned down to muscle and sinew and moved as though she had bones where no one else did. The only other abnormality was the talons. Put in place after her body had adjusted to its new state, the white semi-translucent nails had been fashioned from her own bones, extending from the tips of her fingers to end lethal dagger-like points.
[And by the time they made me those, the idiots had already given up worrying as to whether or not I looked human. Of course, that's what Kitten and Lynx are for,] with a snarl, Wraith yanked the picture free from its moorings, feeling pleased at the sound of shattering glass. Un-hurriedly, she left the scene, not interested to found destroying things. The doctors had the nasty habit of upping her meds when she got violent.
They just had no sense of fun.
Well. She was just going to have to find *someone* to entertain her. After all, the boys wouldn't be back for a while. [Lucky bastards, they can go out without having to wear a mask to hide their lower face. Jerks, wish they would hurry home so that I have someone to play with.]
Wraith paused suddenly, tearing away little chips of paint. Weren't the Wolves using the gym today?
With a delighted, childish laugh, Wraith took off down the hall. No one would get upset she if happened to beat someone up during training, after all.
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Lynx smiled brightly watching as the lovely Chinese boy was hauled off by his friends. He took a few deep breaths, firmly recording the angel's scent in his mind. When the small, delicate seeming blonde brushed near him, Lynx picked up a familiar odor amidst the already suspicious smell of gunpowder and metal.
Kitten.
He blinked, cocking his head at the small group has they vanished rapidly into the crowd. Hmm. Not overly surprising, this was a very touchy-feely place. More then likely the two had danced or even just brushed against each other.
Still...
With a slight frown, Lynx once again began to circulate the building, keeping half an eye and nose out for Kitten.
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"I don't care."
"Hidoi yo!!" (3)
Heero snorted at Duo's protest and began studying the pavement intently, keeping the braided one in corner of his eye in case the idiot decided to run for it. Somehow, strange has it seemed, having Duo around again made everything feel…right. It was annoying as hell, but he couldn't place it. And it wasn't just Duo's physical presence either. Heero knew that if Duo decided to run off again he would still feel the same…. that is, as long has he knew Duo was alive and had a general idea of his whereabouts.
He snorted again, this time in response to his own idiocies. Duo muttered to himself (something degrading towards Heero's parentage) and played with his braid, shifting uneasily from foot to foot. Abruptly he paused, head turning toward the entrance to the club. "The others are coming back." Duo announced, voice caught between annoyance and nervousness.
Heero turned his gaze to the doorway, but failed to find anyone familiar. "I don't see…" A moment later Quatre and Trowa, with Wufei in tow, came out of the club. "Oh."
Wufei spotted Duo and frowned at him. "Do you have any idea the mess you have caused?" He demanded, somewhat unsteadily.
"No, should I?" Duo responded brightly. Wufei glared.
"Lets go." Heero interrupted flatly. He stalked over to Duo and snagged his arm. "You're riding with me." Those violet eyes, oddly dulled by the contact-why the hell was he wearing those anyways? ---widened in protest.
"Nani??" he snapped, hauling back on Heero's grip and breaking it with a supple arm twist. "Don't I have a say in the matter?"
"No." Heero responded.
"Duo, do you have another way to get to the safe-house?" Quatre interrupted swiftly, before Duo had the chance to speak. The braided one's mouth opened and closed a few times before his slender shoulders slumbed in defeat.
"No, I don't."
Heero nodded curtly, as if Duo had just admitted his own stupidity in even thinking of disagreeing with Heero. He made a grab for Duo's arm, only to be neatly evaded.
"I think I'll ride with Wufei," Shinigami announced brightly, "Better yet, I'll drive."
"WHAT??"
"Sorry man, you look wasted."
"I'm driving." Trowa said diffidently, "We came together, Heero came by himself."
"Cool, then I'll ride with guys. See ya at the safe house, Heero." With that jaunty declaration, Duo snagged Quatre's arm and hauled the slightly tipsy boy off, calling for Trowa to 'lead the charge'.
Heero stood on the sidewalk and seethed. [That, that, that…baka!] Some part of him was certain that Duo would try to escape without him there to watch and monitor him. Not a chance! Duo was staying until Heero had a play-by-play run down on where the hell he had been the past three months *and* a written-in-blood promise never to do it again. With a quick farewell to the (stolen) motorcycle he had ridden in on and followed the others to the car.
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Duo was going to die.
This was torture
Being squashed against a car door by Heero Yuy was difficult enough all by itself and that's _without_ the hypersensitive senses. From this position, Duo could easily detect Heero's own natural musk under the life smells that gathered on everyone. Food, dirt, cleaning solvents, oil, metal, other people. Then there were the natural ones. Sweat, musk, saliva, the concentration of scent was…there…
Oh God.
Franticly killing that line of thought, Duo focused his sense of smell on the door next to him-it's amazing how much a door can smell---and his mind on the less pleasant thoughts of what he was going to tell the others.
[Secret mission? That might work. But it requires details. Lots of details that I have to keep track of. Kuso.] Duo pressed his forehead against the glass window and determinedly ignored the way Heero's hip kept on pressing into his, despite the blue-eyed boy's attempts to prevent it. [Of course, I could always tell them I was kidnapped by aliens….]
And if the situation became too desperate, he could always tell the truth…but only as a last resort.
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Wufei shoved open the door to the safe house, wove his way around the pile of pizza boxes waiting for someone to take them out, and through the worn down living room.
"Where are you going?" Trowa questioned, subtly leading Quatre in with a slight pressure on the shoulder. Heero and Duo followed behind, Heero's hand once again having become attached to Duo's upper-arm.
"Bed." The black-haired pilot snapped, "And keep the music down Maxwell, if you keep up all night I'll shoot you over breakfast." He stomped into the hall and was later followed by the sound of a door slamming closed.
"Boy, does he know how to make guy feel missed." Duo said deadpan, looking rather put out. Heero snorted and shoved him hard in the direction of the couch. Startled, Duo stumbled into it. "Ugh!" He protested, recoiling from the sofa, hand coming up to cover his nose. "Gross! Didn't you guys wash that or something?"
"Its not that bad," Quatre said vaguely, brushing his fingers over the faint stain on the arm. In truth, he thought it was vile, but they had lived in worse. "Well, it is a little musty…but we really can't get it cleaned…"
"Enough." Heero broke in, annoyance clear in his voice (if not his face). He fixed Duo with razor glare. "You. Talk. Now."
[Oh Heero, I just love it when you get all forceful and manly.] Duo forced the words down with a swallow. Not the best time to piss his sometimes-partner off. He took a second to filter-out the offensive smells in the room and get his thoughts in order before perching on the edge of the coffee table.
The quickly thrown together story rose easily to his lips. "I joined up with this group that's been working on the sidelines of the war. Most of it is undercover work, stealing and destroying information, killing off high officials in OZ companies and organizations," A partial truth, they had been hired out to bring down OZ and Romefeller owned businesses several times, "The whole nine yards. The organization is very secretive; I am under orders not to contact anyone I knew from the 'outside' or anyone not approved in general until my business with them is done. Orders that I just broke." He shot Heero an annoyed look. Inwardly, he was very pleased.
It was close enough to the truth that he would have to worry more about hiding information (which is easy) than remembering manufactured information. Of course, the part about orders was perfect and something Heero would understand. And better yet, not question. [Ha, take that Perfect Solider.]
"Another group working against OZ?" Quatre spoke up eagerly, displaying his wonderful grasp of the obvious, "Who are they, what are they called?" Duo spread his hand helplessly.
"Sorry, man, I can't tell you. Believe me," He insisted sincerely, "I would if I could."
"It could be to our benefit and theirs. If we know who their operatives are, we can assist them in their work." Trowa spoke up with calm logic. Duo could have hit him.
"Indeed." Heero crossed his arms and stared at some point beyond Duo's right shoulder. It seemed now that his curiosity was satisfied, he had no more interest in Duo's well being.
[Ah, my team. I can just feel the love flowing.]
"In fact, wouldn't they be interested in knowing about the rest of us? More Gundam pilots assisting them would speed their efforts." Heero continued, his expression neutral. For some reason, it sparked Duo's suspicion.
[What do you care? You like your fighting right up front where you can see it. No, Heero Yuy, you just aren't the kind to take to the background.] Heero's eyes flicked briefly to Duo's face, before shifting seamlessly back to the wall. [He doesn't believe me.] The thoughts clicked into place suddenly. Duo had never been one ignore his intuition and knew it was time to vacate.
"That's not a bad idea, Heero. I'll bring it up in my next report. Speaking of which," Duo bounced to his feet with faked enthusiasm, "I have to go, my play time is over." He checked his watch out of the corner of his eye. Still six hours to go. An hour of that would be spent walking and hitching rides back to the club, where the others might follow, but he didn't know if Lynx was still there or at the hotel room they rented. What a mess.
"What?" Quatre demanded, "Now? We haven't seen you in months and you're *leaving*? What about you're duty has a Gundam pilot?"
"Hey, I'm doing my duty! Just different from the rest of you. And look, like I told Heero-and I wasn't kidding-I had someone with me and if I don't report back to him soon I'm going to be in deep kimchee. And that's without him knowing I talked to you guys in the first place." He was up moving before they could get it in their head to keep him there. Not that they could, but he didn't want to be reduced to fighting them.
"So report and come back." Heero stated firmly.
"Better yet, I'll contact you soon has I'm free. Which should be soon, seriously." Duo moved backwards to the door, trying to look reluctant to leave instead of wary. [Please guys, give me a break…]
Trowa started to stand up, only to pause when Heero shot him a quick look. He lowered himself back down and placed a soothing hand on Quatre's lower back, quieting the smaller blonde. Duo missed the look.
"Look, honestly, its good to see you guys again. I have missed you and…it won't be that long, really." Duo realized he was pleading and despite his desperation, he really didn't want to go. He forced a deep breath. "So, buy now."
"The number here 366-5190, it's protected so you can use it anywhere." Heero announced in a monotone, already standing up and turning towards the kitchen to tend to other business. "Call when you have reported in."
"Heero!" Duo snapped, "I told you…"
"Call." He finished, making it an order. Duo bristled, then assumed a cheerful smile.
"Ja." Duo said at the others, pulling the door open behind him and vanishing beyond it.
Five seconds later, Quatre surged out of his seat. "I can't believe you! After all the fit you throw and that protective caveman crap, and the damned obsessions of the last three *freaking* months and you LET him walk out the door?!?!"
It occurred to Trowa that it was time to take his lover to bed and away from the nearest sharp objects.
"No." Heero replied over his shoulder, causally tossing the tracking device from hand to hand.
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Duo was snarling to himself by the time he returned to the Complex. After walking half the way to the Hotel room-so upset he missed several rides that would have shortened the time-he found that Lynx was not there and did not show up there in the following two-and-half hours. Finally he just headed back to the Complex on his own. Thankfully they'd left some money in the room so he was able to rent a taxi. He still had to walk some of the way (not can't let anyone else to close the entrance to sub-terrain building), but it was better then nothing.
He showed his pass to Security and went through the quick DNA scan, the only thing on his mind his bed and the hope of shutting out the world for the next few hours.
"Mr. Maxwell?" The soft, slightly worried voice of one of his doctors broke into Duo's internal raging and guilt fest.
"What?!" He snarled out loud, instinctively baring his teeth. The habitual worried, helpless look on the older man's face didn't shift a bit.
"We wish to discuss something with you."
"Well, what is it?" Duo demanded, reaching up to scratch at his nose, which was feeling weirdly clogged.
"I am sorry." The man insisted gently, making patting motions with his hands as if to soothe a panicky child.
"About what?" This was getting down right frustrating! And what the hell was wrong with his nose?!?
Pain exploded in the back of his head, so sharp and sudden that all he could feel was shock before the floor rose up to greet him.
"That." The doctor said belatedly.
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(1) All three are pretty close in age and I just couldn't think of any other words besides littermates that would fit. Sadie needs bigger vo-cab-u-lary.
(2) I saw this picture once of cat/human hybrid with blunted muzzle and cat-y nose. I don't remember where, but that's what Wraith is based on. ::shrug::
(3) "Hidoi"-translation: "How cruel!" Or "You're mean!" Kind of like calling calling someone a bully.
To Be Continued....