Title: Truth, Lies and Everything In-between (Part 6)

read part 1 for the disclaimer and other notes

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"Once I rose above the noise and confusion.
Just to get a glimpse beyond the illusion.
I was soaring ever higher,
But I flew too high.
Though my eyes could see,
I still was a blind man.
Though my mind could think,
I still was a mad man.
I hear the voices when I'm dreamin'."
--Carry On Wayward Son, Kerry Livgren

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"I'm Heero's partner!" Trowa nodded, taking Duo's hand.

"Trowa Barton!" The two shook.

"Trowa, eh?" Trowa nodded. 'That name...I've heard it somewhere...' Duo quickly shrugged off the feeling.

"What are you doing here, Duo!?" Heero motioned for Trowa to scoot over as he slipped into the seat next to him.

"I could ask you the same thing!"

"Duo…"

"All right, all right. I just came here to hang out, have a little fun! And you!?" If Duo didn't know better he would have sworn Heero was blushing.

"We're on a date!" Trowa answered. Duo's mouth dropped.

"A date?" Duo couldn't believe it.

"Yes!"

"I see." Duo sat there a bit shocked. He didn't know Heero was gay. Never thought he could be. Duo shrugged. "So, been dating long?" Duo asked trying to start a conversation.

"About three years!"

"What!?"

"He said three years, Duo!" Heero took a sip from his drink.

"I know…but…damn!" Duo chuckled, "I would never think of you as a commitment type of guy, Heero!" 'Especially not with another man.' Duo added to himself.

Trowa leaned back, turning his head to the right to look at the dance floor. It was then that Duo noticed the earring hanging from Trowa's ear. At the sight of the earring Duo grinned from ear to ear.

"What are you smiling at!?" Heero was glaring at Duo.

"Nothing!"

"Duo!"

"It's nothing I swear!"

Trowa began to zone out. He completely ignored his lover and his partner argued over something. 'He's Heero's partner? Shit…what could he be doing to get on my bosses hit list? I can't kill him…can I? No…what am I going to do? Shit…' Trowa sighed deeply as his head sunk. 'If I pass this assignment one of the others will just…kill him anyway…Heero has talked about him so much…I never paid attention to the name…damn…what am I gonna do?'

"Trowa!?" Trowa's head shot up, he didn't even here Heero calling him. "Are you okay!?"

"…I'm fine…" Heero stared at his lover for some time. Trowa had that dazed look, as if his thoughts were somewhere else. Trowa suddenly blinked when he noticed Heero, and now Duo, were staring at him. "I'm fine! It's just the noise I guess..." Trowa trailed off, he really didn't want to ruin Heero's fun. If he was having any fun that was.
"Come on, Trowa! Let's get out of here!" Heero slid out of the booth.
Trowa was going to protest, but he really did want to get out of there. It was too bright and noisy for his tastes. Duo watched the two stand, a grin reappearing.
"What say I join you two! I got nothing better to do tonight!" Heero was about to say something, but Trowa beat him to it.
"Sure, Duo! You can tag along!" Heero turned, giving Trowa a shocked expression. Trowa only smiled faintly.

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Heero opened the door to his apartment, motioning Trowa inside. Trowa, head lowered, walked in making his way over to the living room. Heero closed the door and walked over to Trowa, pulling him into a tight embrace. Trowa sighed as Heero wrapped his arms around him from behind.

"I'm sorry about tonight, koi." Heero apologized into the back of Trowa's neck. Trowa shook his head, the night wasn't that bad.

After the club the three of them went to dinner (Heero, reluctantly, paying for all of them.) and then they went for a walk around town. Trowa enjoyed the walk, he got to know Duo a little better. Though it was tough to, because during the entire evening Trowa could only thing of one thing: his next 'job'. 'Duo seems nice and very kind hearted. Why would someone like that be a target? Is he a threat to society? No, he can't be...he's a detective, just like Heero...Surely Heero would have done something if he was...no, that's not true...Heero knows about my 'profession' and he still loves me...he would never turn *me* in...I don't understand!' Trowa's mind began to scream at him. 'What is going on!?'

"Trowa!" Trowa snapped back to reality as Heero called his name.

"I'm sorry...did you ask me something?" Heero released Trowa from his embrace. Heero then slowly turned Trowa around.

"Are you okay? You don't look well."

Trowa sighed, "I'm just tired...That's all...I better get home..." Heero nodded. He hated to see his lover like this. Trowa walked over to the door, Heero close behind. As Trowa stepped out of the apartment he turned to give Heero a quick kiss and then he left. Heero stood at the door way watching with concern as Trowa walked down the steps and out of sight.

'Something's wrong...I know it...' Heero shook his head as he closed the door.

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Trowa practically ran into his apartment. He rushed over to the kitchen counter, picking up the folder he had left there earlier. He flipped through the papers looking for the reason as to why he was a target. Trowa found nothing. The report didn't mention as to why, only that he needed to be assonated the next day.

'What am I going to do?...I've never had this problem before...I can't kill him for no reason...but I have done it in the past, no questions asked...why is this time different?' Trowa took the folder into his living room. He flopped down on the couch, still staring at the report. 'I met him...and talked to him...that's why it's different...' Trowa shook his head. 'I can't kill him...I can't...But what will happen if I don't?...What if I refuse the assignment?...Then they would just get someone else to do it...No...Shit...What am I going to do?...' Trowa dropped the folder, and its contents, onto the coffee table in front of him.

Trowa turned and laid himself down on the couch. He rolled so he was facing the back of the couch. He stared at the cream colored fabric for a long while. His mind racing through a thousand questions and all of which could not be answered with a simple yes or no. Trowa sighed as he rolled onto his back. 'I have to do it...it comes down to him or me...Is not killing him worth condemning my own life...I know what he will do if I fail in the mission...dispose of me and get some new kid to do it for him...So what good would two deaths be?...I have to do it...I have to...'

to be continued...