Title: Truth, Lies and Everything In-between (Part 7)

read part 1 for the disclaimer and other notes

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"You should never argue with a crazy mind.
You oughta know by now.
You can pay Uncle Sam with overtime.
Is that all you get for your money?"
--Movin' Out, Billy Joel

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Trowa awoke to the sound of his alarm clock buzzing in his ears. Trowa rolled over, shutting it off as quickly as possible. He groaned as he sat up, eight a.m. came all too quickly. As he stumbled to the bathroom, Trowa grabbed his clothes that were laid out on the chair next to his bed.

Trowa quickly dressed and made his way out the door. It wasn't that he had to rush off to the appointed area; it was just that he had a few more things to think about. He didn't want to kill Duo, but he had to. He just had to.

As Trowa stepped outside he looked to the sky. It was a very dark and cloudy day, like it had been for the past few days. Trowa took a deep breath as he made his way down the stairs to his awaiting car.

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"Hey Heero." Heero looked up from his paper work, he wasn't in the mood for Duo's antics today. Trowa seemed really upset last night, and he was still worried about his koi.

"What do you want Duo?" Duo waved a film roll in front of Heero's face.

"Come with me to the drug store down the street. I need to get this developed."

"Why don't you just develop it downstairs in the darkroom?" Heero asked.

"It's…personal…they won't develop it." Heero sighed as Duo lifted him to his feet. "Just come on."

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Trowa walked down the street, his hands in his pockets. He watched as very few people passed him by. He figured most people would stay at home today as much as possible, due to the fact that it was supposed to rain later on in the day.

'An easy assignment, very few people around…' Trowa glanced down at the street. 'There, there's the spot.' Trowa quickly made his way to an alley across the street from the 'spot'. He sighed deeply as he leaned against the wall. He glanced around his surroundings, like he always did. Down the alley was a low wooden fence, an easy climb for him. There was also a metal ladder straight ahead of him; it led to the roof. Trowa nodded, he had at least two ways out if something went wrong.

Trowa checked his watch. It was a few minutes after ten o'clock. The job stated any time after ten. Trowa took a deep breath before turning to look towards the street. He scanned the area, no one around. But a minute later Duo appeared on the street, he had just came out of the Drug Store. Trowa quickly pulled out his revolver, aiming it at Duo's head.

'I'm sorry…' Trowa was about to pull the trigger when someone else came out of the store. Trowa's eyes widened. 'No…' Trowa lowered the gun. He couldn't, not when Heero was there. He didn't want his lover to see his partner die. "Shit." Trowa stepped back. Two options came to Trowa's mind, finish the job or make a run for it. Trowa shook his head as he raised the gun once more.

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Duo waited on the sidewalk for Heero to come out of the store. He smiled as Heero emerged, a bag in his hand.

"So, what did you get?" Duo asked, the small plastic bag striking his curiosity.

"Something for Trowa." Heero stated flatly.

"What?"

"Don't worry about it." Heero's tone was firm, one that Duo knew he should not challenge.

"All right, let's go." As the two turned to walk back to the police station a gunshot rung out. Heero and Duo ducked as they heard a loud clang a second later. Heero quickly looked up and noticed a bullet hole in the pole to his left. He quickly scanned the area and spotted a person in the shadows of an alley way across the street.

As Duo stood Heero took off across the street. Duo was quick to follow, trusting his partners' instinct without even knowing what was going on.

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Trowa froze.

'What happened? I…I missed?' Trowa looked across the street; Heero and Duo were still crouched down on the sidewalk. Trowa then looked down at his hand that was holding the gun; his hand was shaking. 'I couldn't do it…I aimed, but I…I couldn't do it…'

While Trowa was trying to figure out what to do next he caught sight of Heero running towards him. "Oh…shit…" Trowa turned and made a run for it. As he ran he slid his gun back into the pocket at the front of his vest.

Trowa jumped over the fence and continued to run down the alley. When he was about fifteen feet from the street he heard someone land on the ground; Trowa figured Heero had just jumped the fence. As Trowa was about to set his foot down on the pavement he heard Heero yelling behind him.

"Stop right there!" For some reason Trowa froze; though every ounce of his being was screaming for him to run and run fast. Trowa hunched forward as he stopped, the shadow from the building still hiding his true identity. He could hear two sets of feet continue to run, then stop a few yards behind him. "Turn around." Trowa sighed loudly as he did as he was told. He lifted his head and was met by two shocked expressions. "Trowa!?"

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Heero jumped the fence as fast as he could, he could see the figure still running in the shadows. The gray clouds over head also helped to hide his form. As he ran a little further he drew out the gun that lay in the holster underneath his suit's jacket. He glanced back and noticed Duo had already done the same. As the figure was about to hit the sidewalk Heero yelled for him to stop. He was surprised to see the figure did as he was told, the first time. Heero continued to run until he was a few yards behind the person. He wanted to give him some distance, if he was still carrying the gun, if he was carrying one at all.

"Turn around." Heero watched as the figure did as he was told and then froze. His mouth dropped open and gun falling to his side as the figure raised his head. "Trowa!?"

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"Hello." Trowa's voice was calm.

"Wha?" Duo stood up straight, the gun he had pulled out when they were running was dropped back in its holster. "What are you doing!? Was that you who fired!?"

"It was." Trowa stood up straight, showing the two the gun he had slid in his pocket earlier.

"Trowa? What are you doing?"

"A job. I thought that was obvious." Heero stared at his lover in complete shock. Not the fact that Trowa was 'working', but that his job had involved shooting at him.

"Was I your target?" Trowa shook his head, Heero giving a sigh of relief.

"It was him." Trowa pointed at Duo, who blinked in response.

to be continued...

CCT: I love conflict.