Title: Arcanum

Author: Retep

Pairings: 3x2

Rating: R...but not now...later. I'll warn you

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, and I probably wouldn't know what to do with it if I did. No money is made on my part...wow that is depressing...yet true.

Feedback: If you have the time to write it, I have the time to read it.

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            The ride to L-1 was long and boring, just as Duo expected it to be.  He let out a long sigh and cast a glance at Trowa, who was apparently sleeping the trip away in the seat next to him.  Trowa had proven to be a horrible traveling companion, despite the fact that he had given Duo the window seat. He is just like Heero, Duo thought, give him a few moments of quiet in a seat and right to sleep he goes, as if it would kill him to talk to me.  Suddenly, Trowa cracked open an eye, followed by grunting an irritated, "What?"

            Duo blushed and looked away.  He hadn't realized that his glance had turned into a stare.  "Nothing…" he muttered.

            "Were you staring at my scar or something," Trowa asked as he pointed to the line that ran from under his right eye to his jaw line.

            "Of course not," Duo snapped defensively.  Trowa arched an eyebrow, and Duo felt compelled to soften his tone, "But now that you mention it, how did you get it anyway?  Tragic shaving accident or something?"

            Trowa let out a snort of amusement, but then directed his gaze straight ahead.  "I was careless.  I was doing some undercover work, and it would seem that my espionage skills are not as sharp as they used to be."

            "The undercover work…were you trying to infiltrate the Organization?" Duo asked.

            "Yeah, but they caught on too quickly for me to get any useful information out of them.  All I know is what they taught the recruits during the first two weeks, and I also learned that their goal was to take over the current government by using the black market, but I have no idea how they are planning to do it, or even how the Organization works on the inside.  It didn't take long for them to find me out; I was lured into a trap by two fellow recruits and…" Trowa trailed off as he gestured to his scar.

            "Well, you did manage to escape, that means at least your fighting skills are still sharp," Duo offered.

            "Yeah I guess so." Trowa snapped his gaze back to Duo.  The intensity of his look startled made Duo's stomach tighten.  "That's why I need you Duo," Trowa continued, "You have been on the inside; you know how they are planning to take over.  With your information, my department might be able to finally come up with a plan to take down the Organization.  As of yet, all of our attempts have been complete failures."

            "You say that you only want information from me," Duo asked surprised, "Does that mean that you don't want me to take part in the actual operation to destroy the Organization?"

            "Of course I don't want you involved with the operation, it's too dangerous."  Trowa noticed Duo's disbelieving look and quickly explained, "I know that you have been through your share of danger, and that you don't shy away from it.  But the fact of the matter is that you are our only informant right now, and I…we can't risk losing you."

            "Who is this 'we' you speak of Trowa?"

            "You'll find out," and with that Trowa leaned back in his chair and shut his eyes again. "Get some sleep Duo; you never know when you might have the chance again."

            "You're so damn dramatic sometimes Trowa."  Duo looked out the shuttle window and processed his conversation with Trowa.  It was strange how open Trowa was being with him.  When they were Gundam pilots fighting in the war, Trowa had spoken all of two sentences to him.  Something had changed, but Duo could not put his figure on what that "something" was.  He let out another heavy sigh and settled into his chair.  After twisting uncomfortably in the shuttle chair for a few minutes, he finally found a position that suited him and shut his eyes.  At least the trip will go faster if I sleep through it, Duo thought as he drifted off.

            Duo woke up to the pilot announcing the landing of the shuttle on L-1.  "So you're finally awake, huh?"  Trowa smirked as Duo raised his head off his shoulder.

            "Yeah, and by the way…you make a lousy pillow Trowa."

            "So sorry to disappoint you."

                        The airport was a mess of travelers and guards. It was the part of traveling that always bothered Duo the most.  With so many people around he felt suffocated and antsy to get out.  At least, if Trowa could really get rid of the Organization, he wouldn't have to go airport hopping so much.  Duo cast a wary look around the crowds.  He was certain that the Organization would have all of major airports staked out.   "Hey Trowa, if I'm some hot-shot informant, shouldn't I have guards or something," Duo asked as they waited for his bags to arrive off the plane.

            "My strategy is to keep as low of a profile as possible, guards would only attract attention.  I figured that we have more of a chance escaping without incident if it is just the two of us. So if any one asks just say that you are my brother all right?  Duo...?"  Trowa noticed that Duo wasn't really paying attention to him.  Instead, he was staring straight ahead across the crowds with an unmistakable look of shock on his face.

            "So much for your strategy Trowa…" Duo said without moving his gaze, "You see that group of people across the room by baggage claim 12?"

            "Yeah, why?"

            "That's my old squad."

            "Shit, did they see us?"

            "I don't know, but it looks like they are moving in our direction."

            "Forget your bags Duo, we're out of here."  Trowa grabbed Duo's wrist and plowed through the crowd, pulling Duo along in his wake.  "Are they still behind us?"  Trowa called back.

            "Yeah, and there looks to be about five of them." Duo said as he desperately tried to dodge travelers and their luggage.  Trowa quickly turned a corner and came to a dead stop.   Duo caught himself before he crashed into Trowa's back, "Trowa why the hell are we stopping?"

            "I have an idea." Trowa said. And with that he grabbed Duo around the waist and backed him up towards the wall.  Duo found himself being shoved into an extremely small janitorial closet.  Real fucking great day for claustrophobia, Duo thought as Trowa pulled the door shut behind him.  Once in, Trowa shifted so that they were in a somewhat comfortable position.

            Duo couldn't help but be acutely aware of Trowa's body against his.  They were chest to chest, and breathing heavily.  Trowa had one knee between Duo's spread legs, and kept his hands on Duo's hips.  For a minute, Duo forgot all about his claustrophobia, and the Organization members who might be chasing them.  'Shit, get your hormones under control' Duo scolded himself, 'It's just Trowa.'  But he had to admit, he liked the feel of Trowa's hands on his waist. 'Great,' Duo thought, 'Why the hell do I have to complicate the hell out of everything?  That's all I need, another unrequited attraction to a fellow Gundam pilot.  You'd think I would have learned after Heero.  Yep, it's official, I am a moron.' Duo stifled a laugh at his own thoughts.

            "What are you laughing at?" Trowa whispered into his ear.

            "Nothing…I was just thinking that this is a funny position for two 'brothers' to be in."

            "We'll if we get caught in here then you have been upgraded to my boyfriend."

            Duo was suddenly very glad that it was so dark in the closet, so that Trowa couldn't see the blush that he knew was on his face.  He was starting to curse Trowa's new found sense of humor.  Duo tried to think of a witty retort, but unfortunately his mind was drawing a blank.  He settled for, "What's the plan Trowa?"

            "We are going to wait here for a few minutes and pray that they pass us by."

            "That's it?" Duo harshly whispered, "That's your plan?  And you're supposed to be my protector?"

            "I'm human?" Trowa suggested.

            "We're screwed." Duo answered.

            "Just hang on a minute Duo, and then we'll make a break for it all right?  My contact is waiting in the parking garage, so all we need to do is make it two doors down and across the street.  We survived an entire war, I think that we can make it out of one little airport don't you?" Duo could almost see Trowa's smirk through the dark.

            "If you get me killed Trowa, I am going to be very pissed off at you."

            "Hey, we don't have to make a run for it," Trowa whispered in Duo's ear, lowering his voice, "I could stay in this closet all day like this, couldn't you?"

            Duo laughed uneasily, "I didn't think it was possible Trowa, but you've managed to gain too much of a sense of humor." Trowa chuckled and eased himself away from Duo to grab the doorknob. He cracked open the closet door and peaked out.  After looking left and right for several seconds, he took Duo by the hand and moved swiftly towards the two doors.  As soon as they were out of the doors, the two broke out into a run towards the parking garage.  Duo prepared himself to be shot, as he did his best to keep pace with Trowa.  'I'm definitely getting too old for this shit,' he noted to himself.

            Trowa came to an abrupt halt in front of him, and this time he actually did slam into his back.  "Ow," Trowa said shooting a look back at Duo.

            "Serves you right, that is the second time today you have come to a dead stop in front of me…what gives?"

            'This is our ride," Trowa said as he gestured to the black jeep in beside them.  Duo could see that there was someone sitting behind the steering wheel, and approached the car hesitantly.  "You can take the front seat, I'll ride in back." Trowa said as he got in.  Duo approached the passenger side door, and the driver leaned over and opened it.  Duo about died of shock.

            "Wufei?!" he gasped.

            "Well Maxwell, looks like you're late again.  Are you going to get in or stand there with that stupid expression on your face for the rest of the day?"

            "This is getting way too fucking weird."  Duo stated as matter of factly as he could.

            "Get in and I'll explain." Wufei said.

            "Guess it beats standing here and getting shot," Duo shrugged as he got in the car. "Where are we going?"

            "To our base," Trowa said, "And I'd put on that seat belt if I was you.  Wufei is convinced that driving a car is the same thing as piloting Nataku."

            "Very funny Barton." Wufei murmured as he tore out of the parking lot.

All right, Chapter three is coming up, how do you like it so far?