Part 17: Revelations

Duo stalked into Heero's room and frowned down at the dark-haired boy sitting in front of his laptop. He hadn't said a word to him since that rebuff during breakfast. It almost made him wonder if he'd only imagined last night.

"You know, Heero, you weren't very nice to me considering what we did last night."

There was a hint of hurt in Duo's reproachful voice. Heero sighed and pushed his chair back so he could stand and face the boy. He took in Duo's worried expression with resignation. He stepped to him, one hand taking hold of his braid, the other moving around his waist. Just the closeness was enough to lighten the cloud that had settled over Duo's eyes.

"You were being impatient," said Heero. "Was I supposed to give in?"

He shook his head and pulled the unresisting boy up against him for a delving kiss that promised more than it delivered. It said he cared about him, was attracted to him, and of course last night was special, but he was still himself and Duo wasn't going to suddenly find him running around at his beck and call. Then he pulled back and met Duo's violet eyes with a sharp nod to reinforce the message. He abruptly released him and stepped back.

"Mmm, much better," sighed Duo. He grinned at how quickly Heero had reacted to him. Sure, he got the message in that kiss, but he'd also gotten the good morning kiss he'd wanted from his new lover. He didn't even mind when Heero gave him a light push toward the door.

"Let's go," said Heero. He opened his bedroom door and prodded Duo into the hall. "Everybody should be fully awake now, including you."

"What's that mean?" Duo asked, frowning over his shoulder at Heero.

"You don't wake up until you've eaten. I've noticed."

"Oh."

They found Relena sitting on the couch when they entered the living room. Heero's hand dropped from Duo's back as he glanced at her, not because he was concerned about what she might think of them, but because it was none of her business. She was glaring at the kitchen doorway, her arms folded over her chest. But she smiled and stood when she saw them.

"Hello," she greeted. "I was wondering where you went. My brother is outside."

Heero passed her with a nod on his way to the kitchen. He sat down across from Trowa and Quatre without a word. Duo grinned as he followed, but paused to shrug at the girl. She was looking surprised by Heero's abruptness.

"Heero's ready to talk," Duo explained, "so there's no time to waste." He hesitated in the doorway, frowning as he took in her wide eyes. "What's wrong? Aren't you coming?"

"Oh. Yes, of course."

She brushed past him on her way into the kitchen, and Duo frowned when he saw where her eyes were focused. Heero might have broken contact with him the moment they came into the room, but it seemed she'd still guessed why the boy wasn't the least bit interested in talking to her. Duo smirked at what he recognized as jealousy. His smirk widened when he sat across from Heero, watching the boy to see if he'd noticed his new admirer. It wasn't like Duo blamed her. Heero looked great in that tank-top. Besides, Heero belonged to him.

A moment later, he stood up again, grin in place as he walked to the door. He pushed it open and he stuck his head out. "Come on, you two, time's a-wastin'."

Zechs and Wufei broke off whatever they'd been talking about and turned. Duo held the door for them and waved them toward the table. Zechs and Wufei glanced at each other as they sat, then Zechs cleared his throat. He was careful not to look at his sister. She didn't need to be here for this. If he glanced at her, he'd have to fight the urge to ask her to leave the room and that was bound to make her react again. He centered his attention on Heero, who was watching him closely, intense eyes giving nothing away save his rapt attention.

"I'm not sure where to start," said Zechs, "but I assume you have questions."

"That's right," Duo said, nodding as his smile gave way to a serious expression. "If no one else minds, I'd like to go first." He didn't receive any objections, so he took that as a go ahead. "First off, if you were being forced to help OZ, why'd you tell them where I was? Couldn't you have lied or something?"

Zechs winced and dropped his eyes to the table. "I had to distract them," he said slowly, not proud of his rash decision, but not making excuses for it, either. "I knew what they'd do and it was the only way I could think of to distract them enough for me to get one of their guns. I knew I could heal you, and I thought I could kill them before you were injured too badly. I hadn't counted on Treize pinpointing you like that. I'm sorry. If I'd known, I wouldn't have taken the risk."

"How did this Treize get away?" asked Wufei. "I would have thought he'd kill you before making his escape."

"He would have, but as soon as he fired he was out the door. After Quatre. That's when I killed the other two. They were checking the body - I mean Duo. I followed Treize, but he must have heard the commotion because he was gone when I got to Quatre. I'd just brought Quatre to where Duo was when Trowa showed up."

"How long were you with OZ?" asked Quatre.

Zechs sighed and glanced over at the boy, grateful for the change in subject. "About two weeks. They didn't have Relena for the first day or two, so they couldn't use me at first."

"Do you know why they've been so determined to catch me?" Duo asked, his eyes hard. "It's been years and there are still posters out for me."

Zechs glanced at Wufei, who nodded. He stilled himself for what he suspected was to come and turned back to Duo.

"I know why," said Zechs. "Duo, have you ever had the feeling you've forgotten something?"

"What? What are you talking about?"

"I've seen footage of the massacre." Zechs winced when Heero glared at him and knew he shouldn't have used the word 'massacre.' He gritted his teeth and plowed forward. "Duo, how did you get out of the church? The doors were nailed shut."

Duo's eyes narrowed and he frowned at the man, confusion evident. "What? They couldn't have been. I went out the back door. It was the closest to where I was and there wasn't time to try and sneak out."

"Yes," Zechs nodded, "the footage shows you appearing outside the door. But how did you get through it? Duo, that door never moved." The boy didn't answer, eyes wide as he paled visibly, shaking his head. "Treize is convinced you either teleported to the outside or walked through the door. And I know you teleported, moved yourself. Because I've seen you do it."

"No...I didn't," Duo blurted. "Damnit! I knw I went out that door. How could I have...done that and not remember? I remember everything about that day, I always will. There's no way I could forget. Besides, if I could do that, then..."

Duo's voice trailed off, his face growing paler as he suddenly dropped his eyes to the table.

"Inside the base," said Zechs, "when Treize shot you, you did it then. It was just for a second before you lost consciousness, but for a second you weren't there."

Duo glared suddenly and flashed a look around the table. "Are you guys hearing him? He's saying I wasn't in the base. Why are you looking at me?"

"Duo," said Heero, "do you remember opening the door?"

Duo flinched, stricken by Heero's coldly sober tone. He stared at Heero for a minute, hurt shining in his wide eyes. "Not you, too..."

"Do you?" asked Heero.

Wincing away from that look, Duo wrapped his arms around himself. Then he jerked his head back again to glare at Heero. "No! Okay? Is that what you want to hear? I don't actually remember going out the door. But things were happening so fast and there was so much smoke...I could barely see anything. The church only had two doors and I went for the closest one."

"Quatre," said Zechs, "did you hear the last thing that was going through his mind in the base?"

The blonde boy looked at Zechs sharply, eyes narrowing slowly. "Yes. He was thinking that he had to get out, then..." He gasped as he remembered and flashed a look at Duo. "Duo...he's right. I didn't have time to think about it, but I lost contact with you. It was just for a second, but you were gone."

Duo closed his eyes tight, and Zechs shook his head at the boy. "Don't feel like that," said Zechs. Duo glanced up, glaring at Zechs before looking down again. "You shouldn't feel like you've been betrayed, Duo."

Duo flinched and wondered if the bastard was reading his mind. He glanced up to find Heero's eyes on him. He winced away, shaking his head. "I just need time to think about this, okay? Can we talk about something else for a while?"

"Do you want to take a break?" asked Relena. "We have time."

Duo jerked, his eyes flying around the table. Why was she reassuring him? The somewhat confused expression on Relena's face acted as a cruel reality check. He stared hard at her for a moment before dropping his eyes again. "No. I'm fine."

Heero stood suddenly and nodded sharply at Zechs. "We'll be back."

He ignored Duo's protests as he pulled the longhaired boy to his feet and practically drug him out of the room. He didn't stop until he'd pressed Duo into his room and had the door shut firmly behind them. Even alone, Duo wouldn't meet his eyes.

"Heero, I'm fine," Duo muttered quietly. "Really, it's just a lot to take in, is all."

"You never lie," Heero said softly. He pulled Duo to him and wrapped his arms around him, holding the stiff boy close. Minutes passed before Duo finally relaxed. Duo's arms moved around Heero's waist and he hid his head against his shoulder.

"Tell me," said Heero.

"Heero...don't you see what this means?" A small choked cry escaped him, and Duo swallowed it down, squeezing Heero tightly. "If I could do what he says then I...I could have saved them. I could have..."

"You were too young, and you didn't know." Heero returned the almost painful embrace. He lowered his head so his cheek pressed against Duo's as he whispered in his ear. "It's not your fault. You didn't do it, OZ did. The only thing you're guilty of is being a child." Duo shook roughly, and Heero held him tight. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead on Duo's shoulder. "Duo...please don't cry..."

.-.

"Why wouldn't he remember?" Trowa mused quietly. "How could he forget something so important to him?"

"I don't know," Quatre sighed. "I guess it just happened so fast he never thought about it. Maybe his power only manifests itself when he's in danger."

"For now," Zechs agreed, nodding. "But I think he could learn to master it."

"If he can," said Wufei, "it would be a great addition. But we can't push him. I think there's a reason why he doesn't want to believe it, and without knowing what that is, we can't push him." He gave a slight smile when Zechs nodded in agreement. Wufei sighed. "As soon as they get back, we'll discuss you."

"No," Zechs shook his head. "Quatre first."

Trowa's eyes narrowed when Zechs didn't say any more.

"Me?" asked Quatre. "Couldn't you tell me now?"

"We should wait," Wufei said, eyes moving to the doorway. "Heero definitely needs to hear this."

"Is Heero your leader?" asked Relena.

Wufei looked at Relena in something akin to surprise. He'd forgotten her. He glanced at Zechs before focusing on her again. "I would say he is. He's the one who drew us together, although other things played into it. We're also together because our abilities are magnified when we fight together. We compliment each other." He looked at Zechs again and smiled. "Heero wanted to form an elite team of mutants."

"I see," said Relena. "Will Duo's new ability help?"

Wufei glared at her, causing her to sit back sharply.

"Of course," said Wufei, "if he can use it."

"Why couldn't he?" Relena frowned back at the scowling boy, her arms folded over her chest. "If it only happens when he's in danger, the obvious course would be to put him in danger." She flinched as three more glaring eyes pinned her down, but continued doggedly. "Not real danger, of course, just enough for him to use his power. Then, he'll actually see it happen and he can learn how he does it."

Zechs blinked for a minute, then glanced at Wufei nervously. "She has a point. I know you don't want to push him, but for his own safety, he should know how to do it. If he could teleport on thought, he would never have been injured at all."

"Stop it," said Heero.

He glared when they looked up, and pulled Duo into the room. "Leave it for now. There are other things to discuss."

He watched Duo resume his seat, relieved that the haunted look had left his eyes. Then he sat as well.

"What else do you have?" Heero asked, staring at Zechs with a raised eyebrow.

"Well," said Zechs, "this isn't really a revelation since two of you already know, but I think you should address it. Wufei told me that you," he nodded to Heero, "have been in charge of strategy. While I admit that you have done well, I have to say that you aren't the most qualified."

Duo smiled and laughed, missing the way Heero's eyes softened a bit at the sound. "Are you trying to get all of us mad at you? I must say, you're pretty brave."

"Actually," said Zechs, "I don't want any of you angry with me. I'm trying to help. What I meant was, Quatre is a better strategist."

"Me!" Pale blue-green eyes very wide, Quatre blanched. He quickly looked to Heero. "Heero is much better."

"I hadn't realized how much the five of you were ignorant of each other," said Zechs, "but you really don't know each other that well. Quatre, you know I'm right about you. You have a problem doubting yourself, but there's no reason for it. In fact, by hiding your skills, you aren't helping your friends."

"Are you a psychologist?" asked Duo. "I don't know what you're talking about, but I get the feeling you're good at manipulating people."

Zechs flushed as he looked at the longhaired boy, Duo's words affecting him badly. "I do know about manipulation," he admitted, "but that's not what I'm doing. Quatre, how many battles have you directed?"

All eyes moved to the blonde boy and his normally pale face grew white.

"It's not the same," Quatre said, his eyes dropping to the table. "Those were during a war, they weren't like our battles. I don't know anything about attacking bases the way the others do. Remember, I've never attacked OZ."

"Enough," Trowa said softly, a hand moving to Quatre's shoulder. "Zechs is right. This should be addressed. I've known about your skills, Quatre, and I've kept quiet for your sake. But I don't," his eyes narrowed, "like the way you put yourself down."

He met Heero's frowning gaze steadily, not removing his hand from Quatre's shoulder. "The base he was in when you met him belongs to a group called the Maguanac Core. Rebels, they fought together and Quatre led and directed them from a distance. And he was excellent at it."

Duo couldn't help smiling at how proud Trowa was of the blonde boy. "Wow, Quatre. Why didn't you say something?"

"He's intimidated," said Wufei.

Duo's eyes widened in disbelief. "By me?"

Wufei snorted and looked back at Quatre. "If you have doubts, put them aside. We're friends, comrades. Each of us excels at certain things. One of your skills is leadership. Just accept it."

Heero frowned thoughtfully. "Quatre, what would you do if you were in charge of our missions?"

Quatre's eyes widened and he shook his head quickly. "No, Heero. It's true about the Maguanacs, but that was different. I'm not qualified for this."

Heero stared at the boy, drilling him with an intense gaze. "I believe Trowa. He knows you better than any of us. Actually, I have no qualms at all. I play by the numbers, a different view can help."

.-.

Quatre was still thinking about what they'd said a few hours later. He'd taken a quiet seat on the couch and the others had politely left him to his thoughts.

"Could I speak to you for a moment?"

Quatre turned in response to the soft request, his eyes catching Relena. "Of course. Is something wrong?"

Heero and Wufei were speaking to Zechs in another room, so he gestured toward the empty kitchen. He could have let her sit beside him on the couch, but it didn't seem proper. She was a princess, after all.

"Actually," said Relena, as she followed him, "I'm worried about what's going to happen to me. My brother is planning to send me home. But what's to stop OZ from simply kidnapping me again to use against him?" She nodded at Quatre's concerned expression and sat across the table from him. "I don't know what to do to keep that from happening."

"Isn't there some way you could be protected?" asked Quatre.

"I had guards in the Sanq kingdom, but they were no match for OZ, especially when they knew exactly where I was. I don't understand why I couldn't stay here." She saw the boy frown slightly and looked down at the table. "I'd be much safer with you, and I know Zechs wants to join you. I'd hate to be used against him again."

"Yes..." Quatre's eyes moved over the girl and his frown deepened. "You were lucky to have gotten away uninjured. I don't know if it will help, but I'll talk to the others for you. You really would be much safer here."

Relena stood abruptly, flashing Quatre a bright smile and taking the surprised boy's hand in both of hers. "Thank you. I knew you'd help me."

.-.

"I have no objections," Heero said evenly, staring at Zechs. "A healer would be invaluable. That, combined with your telepathic abilities, leaves me no reason to object. However." He shook his head slowly, eyes glinting dangerously. "You are the only one of us with someone who can be used against you. We can't let that happen again."

"I'm glad you realized that," Quatre said, smiling from the doorway. He nodded before entering the room. "It seems that the best solution would be to keep Miss Relena in a safe place where OZ can't find her. To make sure she's protected, and thereby protect ourselves as well."

"But where?" asked Zechs. He frowned at Heero, taking in the boy's dark gaze. "I'd planned to send her home, but I have to admit it's a bad idea, stupid really. It would be easy for OZ to go and get her again. It's a pacifist nation, you see? They're practically defenseless."

"Aren't you the heir now?" asked Wufei. He raised an eyebrow when the blonde man turned sharply. "I'm surprised you would let your country go unprotected."

"I was disowned," said Zechs. "Privately, but I've no love for the title."

"What about the people?" Wufei asked softly. He recognized the man's anger as an attempt to hide his pain. "Did they play a part in it? Should they be held responsible for something your father did?"

Zechs shook his head. "If they knew I was a mutant, I'm sure they'd react the same way he did. No, Relena would make a much better ruler...if she could forget about herself long enough to think of the kingdom and the people. She was very good at keeping the peace when she was a child. She did it naturally. I believe those traits are still there."

"Until you decide how to protect her inside the nation," said Quatre, "I suggest we keep her here with us. It's the safest alternative."

"You don't know what you're getting yourself into," Zechs said softly, glancing up at the boy from where he sat. "But you're right."

.-.

Trowa had gone outside to give Quatre some privacy. He'd found Duo planted in the tall tree that overlooked the house. It wasn't long before he found himself brainstorming, and he took advantage of the fact that the two of them were alone. He didn't think he could have mentioned his idea to Duo with Heero nearby.

"I'm not a coward," said Duo, "and I'm not afraid of pain, but I don't want to die." He chewed on his lower lip and flashed Trowa a weak smile. "What if it doesn't work and my power doesn't manifest itself? You could end up killing me. I mean, being invisible isn't going to help when you know exactly where I am, and I can only run so fast. You can fly."

"I wouldn't know exactly where you were," said Trowa, "just an approximation. I know I can't control my powers, but I don't believe I'd kill you. I did stop when Zechs had Quatre, so I must have some bit of control." He glanced down at the ground beneath the limb he sat on, and shook his head. "With Zechs' abilities, any injuries can easily be healed."

Duo made a disgruntled sound, leaning back on the limb he was reclining on and flashing a semi-glare at Trowa. "So you say, but the healing hurts almost as much as the injury. I don't know, Trowa. I mean, what if it doesn't work? After all, if it's my subconscious that triggers the power, it may not work if you're the threat. Besides, I can't see as how I'd be much of a threat to you. Wufei could be a good sparring partner for you to test yourself on, but without a gun, I'm more of an infiltrator than a fighter. Man, that sucks to say." Trowa glanced up and he grinned. "No one said the truth had to be nice."

"Use a gun, then," said Trowa.

Duo's mouth fell open and he nearly fell out of the tree as he jerked away from the green-eyed boy. "Are you nuts? Shit, I don't care how fast you fly, I never miss a target." He saw Trowa's lips twitch into a slight smirk. He blinked and tilted his head to the side. "What?"

"I don't have Heero's speed," said Trowa, "but if you noticed, I didn't get shot in the base. I can't really remember much when I'm in that state, but surely one of the guards I took down got a shot off first. At close range."

"Are you saying...what? Bullets don't hurt you?"

Trowa shrugged, eyes blazing. "I don't know. That's just one more reason for me to learn to control my power so I can use it. You also have a power you need to learn to control. I can't see any of the others voluntarily injuring you, or even threatening you to the point that your life is in danger." He looked away abruptly, his voice soft. "I wouldn't do it voluntarily either, but if I don't restrain myself and you threaten me, I'll react accordingly."

"I'd say let me think about it, but I guess time's not something we have a lot of."

"No," said Trowa. "It's likely that they'll try to use a mutant again. They almost got us this time."

"Doesn't look like we have any alternative. But still, I don't like the idea of shooting at you. I mean, it's dangerous." Trowa raised an eyebrow at him, and Duo let out a soft laugh. "Right. Since when is anything we do not dangerous..."