Warnings/Disclaimers: See first chapter

To My Reviewers: Thank you so much for your encouraging comments. I'm not writer; this is just something for fun, so knowing that someone appreciates what I've written is very good to know. Special thanks to Penbee of Treewood (my first reviewer!). Your comments about the writing, characterization, and enjoyment of the story made me a very happy author. I hope you all enjoy this chapter as much as the first!

Chapter 2

Enter Prince Charming

There was a something different in the Preventers Headquarters in the morning. Something that had a startling effect on the women (and certain men) who worked in the building. There were giggles, and blushes, and stares, and whispered conversations in small huddled groups.

The reason for this change was not a something, but a someone. Someone tall, with a lean build, long legs encased in black jeans and black boots, a broad shouldered torso covered in a high collared white shirt, and black jacket, with the sleeves rolled up passed the elbows, exposing strong forearms and hands with palms that were perfect for cupping certain, ahem, things. The face, ah the face, had a strong jaw line, high cheekbones, and violet eyes capable of conveying any emotion with a single glance. The hair though, was what caught most people's attention. A rich, reddish brown hue, it hung in a long, thick braid down to a temptingly firm derriere. This delicious creature's name was Maxwell, Duo Maxwell.

The former self styled 'God of Death', strode into the lobby perfectly aware of the affect he had on people and milked it for all he was worth. He added an extra swagger to his step, and flashed his pearly whites as he made his way through the security checks and into the inner sanctum of Preventer Headquarters.

Duo Maxwell did not have a pleasant childhood, or adolescence, what with being an orphan, and saving the world. He and the other pilots had been thrust into the roles of adults far too early and never had the chance to experience growing up in a normal environment. 02 was definitely making up for it now. He finally had the chance to relax and enjoy life's pleasures (guilty and otherwise), and he took full advantage of it.

Duo came to a stop before the large information desk and smiled at the woman seated behind it. "Well hello there. I haven't seen you before. I'm Duo Maxwell," he said leaning slightly over the desk on his elbows.

The secretary immediately blushed upon seeing the handsome man in front of her. "Oh, ah, I-I'm filling in temporarily. Duo Maxwell you said? There's a message for you."

A pause while the two stare at each other.

Duo leaned over until his face was very close to hers, and quietly asked, "Aren't you going to give it to me?"

"G-give it t-to..?"

He leaned a little closer, "The message."

The secretary, if possible, became even redder. "Oh! Oh! Right! Yes, of course, sorry! You're to wait in conference room 2B."

Duo slowly leaned back, still maintaining eye contact. "Thank you very much," he glanced down at the placard in front of her, "Susan. I'll see you around." And with a wink and a smile, the braided man sauntered away.

As he rounded the corner, he heard an appreciative sigh come from behind him.

Yes, it was good to be Duo Maxwell.

Duo Maxwell was bored. Bored, bored, BORED. He was by himself in the conference room, since the actual meeting wasn't to begin for a few minutes. The room was dominated by a large oval table, upon which sat a jug of water and some paper cups, surrounded by grey swivel chairs. The four walls were stark white, and behind the head of the table was an automated projector screen, and computer setup. There were large windows along one wall, and the muted sounds of a busy office space filtered in through the door. The budget must not extend to interior decorating.

Tired and feeling a little sick from spinning around in his chair, Duo got up to stretch cramped muscles, and walked over to look out the window. Not that there was much to look at. Just more of the steel jungle, with the sunlight glinting off the metallic structures deluding one into believing they might be in a city of gold.

He was looking forward to this mission. Hell, he looked forward to every mission. Duo did not join the preventers after the war, but decided instead to go into business with Hilde on L2. But Une had convinced him to be something of a 'part-time' preventer, since his experience and history had made him an invaluable tool in the fight to now maintain the shaky peace gained in the war. Not that Duo minded. He had been happy to finally be able to get away from the fighting and start living a normal life, but he soon discovered that he sometimes missed the adrenaline rush of a fight, having to think fast and smart in a moment, the knowledge that one wrong move would get him killed, or worse captured.

So this arrangement suited him perfectly. He lived a (mostly) trouble free life, and whenever he got antsy, an assignment with the preventers would come along to satisfy his itch, and be for a worthy cause so he wouldn't feel like some kind of weirdo.

His sharp ears caught a shuffling sound outside the door, and he turned to face it just as the knob was hesitantly turned.

A big 'Christmas-has-come-early-for-me!' grin appeared on his face as he saw the person who stepped inside.

"Pretty woman, walking down the street, Pretty woman, the kind I'd like to meet, Pretty wo-Oomph!"

His serenade was abruptly cut off as he received a fist to his gut courtesy of the 'pretty woman' who was actually a Chinese man in a dress, currently standing threateningly over Duo's bent over form, daring him to say another word so he could pound him into the ground.

A/N: I know this update was waaayyyyy late. I'm sorry! You see, I'm very lazy, plus I don't really have a definite outline so I just have to wait for and idea to float my way. Also I know this chapter is pretty short, and not much happens in the way of moving the story along, but I wanted to do something in Duo's POV, and it turned into a sort of peak into his personality (or just idiotic fangirling on my part). But fear not! Wufei the cross dresser shall return in his entire hissy fit throwing glory next chapter.