Ten whooping, smirking and laughing figures cloaked in black hopped out of a stolen van and staggered into a small rundown shack.  There was much poking, slapping and snickering as they made their way inside, the one in lead flipping on the lights.  As a mass group, they entered the kitchen, chattering incessantly.

"Man, did you see his face?"

"Yeah.  You'd think no one ever took a blowtorch to his shoelaces before."

"That's nothing.  Did you see Tallgeese?"

"I did.  That was great."

"I still say we should have slipped aphrodisiacs in their water supply."

"No way.  What if we had still been there when they started to work?  We'd all have gone blind."

"Um… should we have left the Leos there?"

"Why not?  Treize deserved it."

"His private mountain cabin has seen better days."

"The positions we left those Leos in will give him a nosebleed for sure."

"Probably not Treize.  Wufei definitely, but not Treize."

"I still can't believe we all fit in his Ferrari."

"Speak for yourself.  You didn't have three people sitting on you."

"Hey, it beat being in the front seat."

"With what those two were doing up there?  Most definitely."

"Gripe, bitch, moan.  Get over it.  It was a cool car."

"No kidding.  Who knew Treize owned something like that?"

"Leaving it double parked in the handicapped spaces in front of the hospital in town was just too cool."

"I wonder if they'll actually give him a ticket."

"Do you think he'll find the fish?"

"In the engine or the tailpipe?"

"Both."

"No telling.  Maybe in a few days."

"Hell, by the time he gets it out of impound, he won't want it back."

"Hey, whose turn is it?"

"Mine, I think, but I have stuff to do."

"You suck, man."

"And if you're lucky, he swallows too."

"Pervert.  You stay out of this."

"What about you?  Up to it?"

"Up to it?  I'd hope not.  That's my job."

"Damn it, I told you to stay out of this."

"Love to go, but I hurt my ankle grappling with Zechs."

"Is it broken?"

"No but it's sprained bad enough that they'd notice.  I was only supposed to be out clubbing, ya know."

"They'll ask too many questions if you go."

"Damn.  Guess that means I'm up.  Well, I'm off then.  See you guys later.  We have got to do that again."

"No kidding.  It's been way too long since we've messed with Oz."

"They'll be in chaos for days over this."

"Only a few days?  Damn.  We've been slacking."

"How much more do you think we could have done?"

"You want a list?"

"Don't you two start!"

"Don't let those two start then!  God, we have to eat off that table!"

"Hey, we weren't bothering anyone."

"The hell you weren't!  Put your pants back on!  You too!"

"I thought you were supposed to be leaving!  Why are you on the table?"

"I think they're jealous.  Perhaps they want to join in…"

"You pervert.  Quit leering at us like that.  For the last time, the answer is no!"

"Fine, fine.  I'm outta here.  I guess I'm expected back anyways."

"Did you want something to take with you?  I can cook something."

"Nah, that's alright.  Quatre will have something by the time I get there.  You know how he is."

"Good point."

"We'll see you next time you go on a mission."

"Call us if you need anything."

"Sure thing, guys.  Later."

Leaving behind the chattering group, a single figure clad in priest's garb slipped back into the night, grinning widely as he hotwired the van for a second time.  The vehicle had to be ditched anyways before it was traced.  Besides, he didn't want to walk all the way to the new safehouse.  Just for giggles, he did donuts in the lawn for a few loops until the grass was history and the cabin was covered in mud before he sped off down the road.

After driving for a few hours, he ditched the van in a random parking lot and took to the road.  It was only an hour hike from where he was to the safehouse.  No point in stealing another vehicle now.  Whistling merrily, he started walking.

*     *     *

Still traumatized from the events of the night and the revelation that there had been at least ten menaces running amuck on base, Treize nearly forgot about the scientists waiting for him in the hall.  He blinked numbly when someone called his name and turned to face the seven men with their multicolored Mohawks.  One of them cleared his throat gently.

"General Khushrenada, we know something that may be of interest."

"What is it?" Treize asked wearily.

"We researched the history of the pilot of Deathscythe Hell, and we found that he was raised on L2."

"I already knew that," Treize huffed.

"Yes, sir.  But we found out recently that L2 is a huge genetic program in itself."

At that, Treize froze.  "Explain."

"Originally, scientists established a colony where they could work without regulation.  When the time came that laws were created that would limit their work, they continued underground.  There was a good deal of work concerning cloning at the time of Duo Maxwell's birth.  We believe that there may be as many as a dozen of him."

That would explain a lot, Treize thought darkly.  "This information is to be classified as top secret."  He turned to leave, trying not to go into shock.

"Sir?  What do you want us to do about the boys?"

I wish I knew, Treize lamented.  Aloud he said, "Continue your research on his… uh… their backgrounds for now.  Keep me posted of anything relevant."

With that, he moved towards one of his private rooms.  Hopefully the boys hadn't found this one.  He snapped commands at those he passed on his way, trying to get the base back into some semblance of order.  No matter how calm he tried to appear, he was worried.  If L2 was nothing more than a genetic experiment like they said, would the boys be capable of other things?  And what about the other colonies?  He ground his teeth in frustration.  If anything he suspected was true, there could be serious problems.

*     *     *

A slender figure dressed in priest's garb paused at the front door of the safehouse.  He had forgotten to get the key to the trick locks Heero had installed.  Shrugging, he ran his hands through his braid and pulled out a few slender pieces of metal.  Fifteen seconds later, the latch clicked and he was inside.  He immediately froze, his hand almost on the light switch and a gun barrel pressed to his forehead.  He grinned.

"Hey Hee-chan!  Ya didn't have to wait up for me, man!" he hooted, flipping on the light and heading unerringly for the kitchen.

"I didn't.  You tripped three alarms coming in," Heero snapped, stuffing his gun down the front of his spandex.  The braided pilot grinned wider.

"One day, man, that thing's gonna go off and you'll be speaking in soprano."

"Hn," Heero responded elegantly, glowering at him one last time before returning to his room.  It was almost too easy to scare off Wing's pilot when he didn't feel like explaining something.

Ignoring the grunt and glare he received for this teasing, he bounded into the kitchen, popping open the fridge to see what Quatre had left him.  Sure enough, a small feast was waiting for him.  He snagged a few random things and began gorging, making a quick note to find out what new security measures Heero had installed at each safehouse in the time he had been gone.  It would look bad if he kept tripping alarms.

"You make enough noise to wake the dead, Maxwell," Wufei snapped.

Hearing the irate voice above him, he glanced up at him and gave him a cheeky grin.  The Chinese pilot had obviously just gotten out of bed and looked a bit rumpled.  His normally immaculate hair was sticking up and mostly free from the small ponytail he always kept it in.  He made a point of assessing the other pilot's disheveled state.

"And apparently I've succeeded."

Wufei glared at him harder and ground his teeth.  The Deathscythe pilot swore he could hear enamel cracking.

"Kisama!  How could you set off those alarms?  You helped install them!"

Oops.  Someone was going to be in pain over that when he saw the others again.  There were certain bits of information he flat out needed to know.  He fought back a sigh and decided to change the subject and start on one of his favorite hobbies.  He was firmly convinced that if he could make the Chinese pilot's nose bleed enough in one night, he would pass out from blood loss.

"Sorry, Fei-kun," he said silkily, batting his eyelashes.  Wufei sputtered at the slaughtering of his name.  It was almost as much fun as making him nosebleed.  "How can I make it up to you?"  He blew his stuttering friend a kiss.

"Kisama!  Stop acting so dishonorable, Maxwell!" he snapped, trying to hide his blush and failing.  Seeing the pouting look directed at him, he blushed harder, reddening all the way to the roots of his hair.  "And don't call me Fei-kun!"

"Would you prefer 'koi'?"

"KISAMA!"

He couldn't help snickering as Wufei retreated, pinching the bridge of his nose as he ran for the bathroom.  It was almost too easy.  Poor Wufei.  Maybe he should go make it up to him in his own way.  He snickered harder as he cleaned up in the kitchen, thinking of things to do.  He grinned wider at what he planned to do.  Time to pay Wufei a visit.  Naked.

Done cleaning, he bounced back to the room he shared with Heero and stripped down to the buff, tossing his clothes haphazardly on the bed.  Heero blinked at him inquisitively and raised one eyebrow.  He snickered again.  It was hard to get that much expression out of spandexman.

"Just gonna see if Wufei's gotten back to sleep yet," he offered, winking.  He got the shock of his life a second later.  Heero smirked.  Ooh.  He was doing good.  Two expressions out of him in one night.  He offered his manic grin in return and hopped easily down the hall to the bathroom.

He didn't bother checking the doorknob, just knowing it would be locked.  He immediately picked the lock and slipped inside silently, eyes glued to Wufei.

"Sorry, Wu-man.  Didn't mean to upset you.  Can I make it up to you somehow?" he offered, leaning seductively against the wall.

Wufei turned to him when he started talking, ready to yell at him for slaughtering his name again.  He froze, eyes bulging and jaw slack.  Not quite upset enough.  The braided boy leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.  Wufei made a strangled noise and wobbled slightly.  Crimson spurted from each nostril and he promptly fainted.

He was still giggling over his success when he heard a sigh behind him.  He turned to see Quatre shaking his head wearily.

"Hey Q-man!  Why are you up?"

"You set off the alarms, Duo.  Besides, Wufei was swearing rather loudly," Quatre said softly, still staring at Wufei.  He barely remembered not to smirk at being addressed as 'Duo' even after all this time.  He had been sure that someone would have figured it out long ago.  "You enjoy doing that just a little too much."

"But it's fun!  You outta try it!"

"I don't think so," Quatre murmured, shaking his head.  "We should get him to bed before he wakes up and kills you."

"Ah, Q-man.  I didn't know you cared."

"I don't.  I just don't like cleaning out bloodstains."

"Too late for that," he smirked, looking pointedly at Wufei's still-bleeding nose.

When Quatre pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, the braided madman winked at him and tossed Wufei over his shoulder.  Quatre just sighed again and went back to the room he shared with Trowa.  The American paused to balance Wufei across his shoulders as the blond left.  The Chinese boy was a lot heavier than he looked.  He staggered slightly as he made his way down the hall to his friend's room, tossing him unceremoniously on the bed and stripping him to his boxers.  As an afterthought, he carefully unstitched the back seam in Wufei's white pants.  They were baggy enough that he probably wouldn't notice the hole for some time.  And when he finally noticed, he planned to be long gone.  Hawaii looked nice this time of year.  With Wufei out for his blood, Antarctica didn't look so bad either.

Finished terrorizing the raven-haired boy for the night, he slipped out the door and ran headfirst into Heero.  A very angry Heero.  He grinned weakly and tried to slip by.  A hand latched onto his arm and pulled him up short.

"What is it, Hee-chan?" he asked coyly.  Heero's expression darkened.

"I knew it was you," Heero hissed, his eyes promising death.  "That seam couldn't have come out on its own."

"Seam?" he asked innocently.  His mind was racing.  Damn it, David.  What in the hell did you do to him this time?  It clicked suddenly.  David had done to Heero what he had just done to Wufei.  And judging by Heero's expression, he hadn't noticed in time either.  He needed to contact the others and figure out what all had gone on.  David never gave them enough details, but Donovan was usually the one to suffer the consequences and being the masochist that he was, he didn't mind.

Noticing that Heero was still scowling at him, he gave him a shameless smile and pulled free of the death grip, bounding easily to their shared room and pulling on his oversized nightclothes.  He scrounged around enough to find his personal laptop before bouncing out of the room just as Heero stalked in.  Heero glared.  The braided pilot winked and continued on his merry way to the kitchen, snapping his modem link into the phone.  Hopefully no one would bother him at this time of night.  He dialed the private connection quickly and waited.  A moment later, a picture popped up on his screen, a smiling mirror image of himself staring back at him.

"Dustin here.  What's up, Darren?  Problems already?"

"I need to speak with David.  He apparently forgot to tell me a few important things, like the new security systems he installed and what he did to Heero."

"Ooh.  I bet that one cost you."

"Almost."

A second face appeared on the screen, frowning darkly.  Darren sighed and wished he could reach through the screen to strangle his brother.

"Hey Dante," Darren greeted.  "Isn't David there?"

"No.  He's on a mission and you've been called on one too," Dante informed him crisply.  Darren fought the urge to roll his eyes.  It was almost as though Dante was related to Heero with the way he acted about missions.

"Already?  Damn.  We need to swap out again.  Your turn, I guess."

"No, I'm out on another in a few minutes."

Darren paused.  "Daniel?"

"Mission."

"Demitri?"

"Mission."

"Dustin, what about you?"

"Can't do it, man.  The only one of us free at the moment is Duo," Dustin sighed.

"Shit," Darren muttered.  "His ankle's still hurt.  There's nothing to do about it now, I guess.  When can he be here?"

"He's already on the way," Dante said stiffly.  Darren frowned.

"Why didn't you tell me instead of letting me guess?"

"Because you didn't ask," Dante answered reasonably.  "Vacate immediately.  He'll be there in a few minutes."

"Right-O!  I'm out."

Darren popped the connection and frowned.  He couldn't ditch the computer in his room or he would be trapped from leaving again.  He'd just have to leave it here and hope that Duo found the thing.  Sighing loudly, he closed the laptop and slipped out the back door.  He'd get his mission orders when he got back to the other safehouse to collect his supplies.  Being so deep in thought, he didn't see steely cobalt eyes watching him as he disappeared into the night.

Heero glared after the retreating figure.  Who had he been talking to and why had that other person called him 'Darren'?  And who were the others he was listing?  He flipped open the computer and typed in a few quick commands, calling up the same line that had been open only moments before.  Almost immediately, a scowling image of Duo appeared on the screen.

"Damn it, Darren.  I told you to…  SHIT!!"

Heero stared slack-jawed as a spitting image of Duo dove out of sight of the camera image and the connection died.  He shook his head and scowled darkly.  So Duo thought of a new joke.  Despite himself, a smile appeared on his face.  That had been a pretty good one, too.  For a moment, he had almost believed that there were two of him.

"Hey Heero!" a cheery voice greeted behind him.  He almost jumped, but controlled himself to turn easily to face Duo, who grinned wider.

Duo's gaze trailed across the open laptop on the table and his smile flickered.  He almost looked nervous.

"Whacha doin' with my computer?" he asked carefully.

Heero snorted and shut it down, pushing the laptop at his friend.  "Funny, Duo.  How long were you planning that?"

Duo froze.  He had obviously seen something, but what?  He took the laptop in his hands, afraid to call the others but needing to know what Heero had found out.  He paused.  Heero had said it was funny.  What was funny?  Did he think it was some prank?  He decided to go with that.

"Quite a while," he answered, trying to keep the manic edge to his voice.  He relaxed when Heero snorted and headed back to his room.  Duo slumped to the wall in relief.  He hadn't broken G's orders yet.  No one knew.

He returned to his room after a few minutes of gathering his wits.  Whatever Heero had seen, he didn't believe it, so they should be safe for now.  Other than that, there was only on thing bothering him.  They hadn't had time to confer on what all had happened in the last few minutes.  He wondered absently what Darren had done in the short time he was here.  Being the resident hentai of the group, probably something to Wufei or Heero, and since the latter didn't seem overly upset, Wufei must have been targeted again.  He absently wondered with what as he stashed his laptop beneath the bed and began rooting around for his nightclothes.  After awhile, he just shrugged and decided to sleep in the buff.  It wouldn't be the first time.

Heero silently watched him, feigning sleep.  What was Duo looking for?  He had put on his nightclothes earlier.  His mind froze and he almost forgot his façade and sat up.  He barely managed to remain still.  Duo's clothes had changed and he couldn't find what he had been wearing moments ago.  He watched as Duo shrugged to himself and shucked his clothes, moving slowly towards the bed.  Why was he limping?  He had been fine earlier.  What was going on? 

To Be Continued…

Commentary appreciated, craved, needed… Ego is shriveling up and dying.  It fits in my room again and I can have that!  Please R&R!