Disclaimer: Must I say it?

A/N: Okay, this is a somewhat short chapter and is really a segue into the more serious rough-and-tumble aspect of this story. The beginning is a bit random, but randomness is a part of life. Thanks to all of those who have reviewed. Things are going to get very interesting very soon.

Dearthair means brother

Ch. 4 A Mission and a Message

"Gentlemen," Duo said his eyes serious and his tone lacking any and all lightheartedness. "What we have here is a dire emergency. One that could possibly destroy us all." He paused briefly to look at the serious expressions of his companions. "Now, time is of the essence. We must, and I mean must rectify this situation before this entire organization falls apart."

"Then let's hurry," Wufei said. "Yuy, do you have the tools we need?"

Heero simply nodded and reachedfor a small tool kit, removing a small screwdriver. With practiced hands he picked up the device they were all focused on and searched for the main panel that would lead to the inner workings of their current foe. Slowly he began to unscrew the first bolt, his grip slipping just enough to cause a scare.

"Careful!" Duo warned, worry clouding his amethyst eyes.

"What in the world are you three doing?" Sally asked as she stepped in and spotted the three top Preventers huddled over the coffee machine.

"Be quiet woman!" Wufei hissed. "This is a very delicate operation."

"Why don't you three just break down and admit that the thing's broken?"

"Never shall we admit defeat!" Duo crowed.

"Damnit!" Heero hissed as hot water spewed from the tube he had been fiddling with and scalded his hand.

"Man down!"

"Duo, Wufei, Heero, face it, the thing's dead. For the love of us all, let it rest in peace," Sally sighed.

"I need this thing, woman," Wufei growled, taking the machine from Heero.

Sally simply shook her head and grinned. She knew that her partner went through coffee like water, and a small part of her wondered what he would do without it. Finding the scene far more entertaining than the stack of paperwork she had on her desk, Sally sat back and watched as three of the deadliest men in the universe were brought down by something so simple as a caffeine addiction.

After a few more minutes of tweaking and swearing, Wufei set the machine down with a frustrated sigh. Unwilling to give up, Duo fiddled with the coffee maker a few minutes more before placing it on the counter with a look of resignation.

"Are they at it again?" a soft, pleasant voice asked from the door. Sally looked up to see Quatre Winner enter the break room with a small grin on his face. "Who won the argument today?"

"Mr. Coffee," was Sally's humored reply.

"Face it gentlemen, we've lost," Duo mumbled as he reached for a napkin and his pen to scribble an "Out of Order" sign, but hesitated in posting it when he saw a rather bleary eyed Milliardo Peacecraft come trudging through the door. The less groggy occupants of the room shared a wicked grin.

"You look like hell," Wufei commented.

"Thanks for the compliment, Chang," came the irritated reply.

"Is that the best you can come up with?"

"You stay up with a screaming baby all night and see how you fare. I'll be fine once I get some caffeine."

Duo's grin only grew wider. "Hey Zechs, what was it you said was the meaning of life yesterday?"

"Coffee."

"And in that respect, what would be death?"

"No coffee." Zech's eyes grew wide and panicked as he looked up at the others. "Why, what are you saying?"

Duo casually reached over and placed his makeshift sign on the coffee maker. "Sorry buddy."

In a flash the former Lighting Baron was at the machine and began to tinker with it desperately.

Quatre barely managed to suppress his laughter as he watched the rather comical scene. "You know, a tea kettle never malfunctions. Perhaps you should consider switching?"

"Never!" came the group reply.

Quatre continued to smirk as he took a seat and loosened his tie. After a few more minutes there was a triumphant whoop as the cursed machine began to percolate the rich liquid of life. After another brief argument over who got the first cup, the ex-pilots sat around the room and took a moment to relax.

"So Quatre, what brings you here?" Duo asked as he took a hearty sip.

"As you know, I'm here for the UESA Economics conference that's tomorrow. However, I came by early to drop something off and to say hi." Quatre spared a quick glance at Heero before looking back at the others.

"And where might the stoic Trowa be?" Duo said with a suggestive grin.

Quatre managed to suppress a blush before he answered. "Lady Une wanted him to check in once he got here. I think she's still a little miffed that he chose to be my issued bodyguard rather than taking a team commanding position."

"Can't say as I blame him. Probably a lot less paperwork," Sally commented.

"And a few extra perks," Duo grinned and then quickly stood as he got a few sharp glares. "Well, better get back to work. I'll catch ya later, Quat. Maybe we can all grab some dinner after the conference tomorrow."

"I'd like that." Quatre watched as everyone stood and made their way out of the lounge and towards their respective offices.

Heero caught Quatre's gaze, nodding his head just enough for the blond to see. Without another word, Quatre followed his comrade down to his office. They remained silent until the door to Heero's personal workspace was securely shut. Another moment of silence passed where Heero simply looked at Quatre with a blank look, but behind the Prussian eyes he could sense the anxiety the Japanese man was feeling. Setting down his briefcase, Quatre opened it and withdrew a thin file.

"I'm afraid that I couldn't find much, Heero. I searched everywhere, but even the Winner Enterprises database has its limits."

Heero simply nodded and looked through the file, finding that it contained little new information. On a sigh he set the file down and rubbed his hands over his face. Quatre could sense his frustration and tried to think of a way to ease it.

"There's one more piece of information that I came across just before I left. I had sent the picture of the two boys to my sisters hoping that they could find something. Apparently a laborer on one of the satellites thought he recognized the brown-eyed one. Said his name was Kal or Nale or something like that."

Heero's eyes snapped open as he looked at the picture he had sitting next to his computer. Somewhere in the back of his memory he heard his childlike voice calling to someone. "Cale. His name's...Cale."

Concern overtook the young Arab's face and he went to move closer to Heero, but hesitated when he got the feeling that his friend desired some distance.

"Heero, if I may ask, who are these men?"

"Shadows," Heero mumbled. "Forgotten shadows."

"Heero?"

A long silence stretched between the two. No one knows how long they would have stayed like that if Heero's message alert hadn't beeped. Shaking his head, Heero turned to his computer, his mind focused on work.

"What's that?" Quatre asked, happy that the subject had changed.

Heero's brow furrowed in confusion and irritation as he read the subject line of the e-mail. "More stuff about the security set-up for tomorrow's conference. I thought this had all been cleared. This better be important, or someone?"

Quatre looked up when Heero stopped mid-sentence and walked around the desk so that he could read the message. "What the??"

Dearthair,

Of angels and demons, beware the innocent face. The shadows are not the enemy. Be wary of those who are not concealed.

"You think it's a warning?" Quatre asked.

"My instincts are screaming at me that it is. But look," he said as he pointed to the email and then to a scan at the bottom right corner of the screen. "There's no sender in the message itself, and I can't seem to trace it. Whoever did this knew exactly how to cover his tracks. Which makes me wonder?"

"Are you going to listen to it?" the smaller man asked.

"Like I said, Quatre," Heero said, " My instincts are telling me yes. And I think this time, I'll listen."

A/N: Hey all, hope you enjoyed that. If you did, please click the little review button and make me feel all warm and fuzzy. Or at the very least let me know that people are reading this. Loves and hugs!