Progress: 4 of a proposed two figure sum
General Notes: Yes, Assassin is being good isn't she! Two chapters in a week! WOOT! Well, anyway, decided to make up for making you guys wait by writing another chapter. Aren't you all proud of me? Well, anyway, read, enjoy and review!
Music: If You – Escaflowne OST; Broken Wings – Trinity Blood; Beauty – Shaye; Bittersweet Symphony – the Verve; Mockingbird – Eminem; Geborben – die Fantastischen Vier

Covetousness

Chapter Four: Meeting

Duo was furious as he slammed the door of his car shut and shot out of the basement car park, startling the guard at the gate as he passed by. He barely heard the man's shocked outcry as he sped through traffic, completely disregarding standard speed laws. Nearby cars honked at him, and several irritable drivers swore loudly through opened windows. But Duo did not care. The military had committed a taboo, accomplished something which they deemed too dangerous and made sure was banned in the first place, and now he was a part of it. The braided man cursed himself as he sped past a red light, weaving through the stunned drivers coming across the intersection, narrowing avoiding collision half a dozen times. He did not know why he agreed to the assignment, or why he did not refuse it the instant he learned what he was to do. Not that it mattered. If the military wanted him to do this assignment, then he would end up doing it. The only thing he could do to retaliate was possibly spread what it is that the government had done, but that would be childish and accomplish little more than spread wide, irrational panic. Conley had insisted that Yuy was a perfectly safe person, had he not? The escapee's only danger to society was to be discovered for what he was. Yuy would become an animal in a box, a reason for the public to revolt and slander the government, and although toppling the current leader may not be a completely bad thing, it was still stupid. As much as he hated to admit it, the military was right in trying to keep Yuy a secret.

If Duo caught the guy and did not kill him, then he would live a life as a guinea pig. He did not know who this Yuy person had been before dying and being revived, and it was probably safer if he did not know. If there was no other way around this problem, save accomplishing his task, then Duo would do it without feelings of sympathy. He knew that Yuy probably did not deserve what was happening to him, that he might have been a perfectly normal person before he died, and it was just luck he ended up on the research table. Although Duo highly doubted the possibility of such a statement, he could not deny it. Which brought him to the question of whether he should be aiming to kill Yuy or not. If given the choice, Duo would choose death. His body was not a toy for anybody to tamper with. But if the military revived Yuy once, what was the bet they would not do it again. Conley said they wanted the body back either way, but he did not say what they would do with it. On second thought, Duo probably did not want to know.

The braided man's stomach clenched almost painfully, and he felt the onset of guilt. He shook his head irritably. Guilt was something he did not have time for, and it was definitely going to interfere with his mission. His hand tightened around the steering wheel, feeling as if he might break it should he apply any more force. In a last attempt to distract himself, he turned on the radio and let his mind leave him as he drove on auto-pilot towards Quatre Winner's mansion.

Heero watched the guards wander, eyes darting with every step they took. He knew they were expecting him. He had come across the article regarding the birthday party of one Iria Winner, and who should he find on the list of guests but Trieze Khushrenada. He had been lurking in the nearby alleyways ever since he finished his dinner-on-the-go, but had been able to do little more than that. He had caught sight of this General Khushrenada in person though for a few brief moments before he entered the mansion, along with a woman Heero discovered to be Commander Une. Heero sighed as he sank back into the alleyways once more, feeling suddenly very tired. He was definitely not going to accomplish anything tonight, especially with all the guards obviously waiting for him to do something stupid like attempt a break in.

With one last glance at the mansion, Heero left the alleyway and walked away, shoulders hunched and gaze firmly fixed on the path before him.

Duo had mostly calmed down by the time he turned around one last corner and saw the Winner Mansion in the distance. He did not know what he was going to tell Quatre. Conley had made it quite specific that he was not to tell anybody, and he would not have shared the information with Quatre even if it had been an option. The young Winner heir had more than enough on his plate already, and Duo definitely did not need to add his own troubles to that.

Even from the distance, Duo could see the increase in security Quatre had been talking about. There were a multitude of guards everywhere, most of which were dressed accordingly in uniform, and a good deal who were simply wearing casual clothing. Duo suspected that he would discover more if he ventured any closer with a sigh, but felt a familiar feeling of unease tug at his mind. The government did not want the public to know of Heero Yuy, so why would they push the security up so high? If anything, Duo thought that that only heightened the thought that there may be something wrong. Conley had ensured him that Yuy was not dangerous, but the security around the Winner estate definitely contradicted that.

Duo's foot plunged down on the brake, sending his car into an odd sort of turn across the road. He flung open his door and looked out, seeing the pedestrian who had caught his attention had stopped, and was staring at him with an odd look. Blank Prussian blue met shocked violet, before Yuy gave a shrug of his shoulders, turned and continued walking away. Duo was still for a moment, the shock still present in his numb brain. Then the thought registered. Heero Yuy; target; walking away. The door slammed shut, there was another loud squeal of rubber tires rubbing against hard bitumen, and Duo was off, chasing after his unaware target.

He saw Yuy stop and fix him with a glare as he pulled up beside the other man. Reaching over, Duo unlocked the passenger door, and gave the blue-eyed man his most disarming smile.

'Hey buddy, need a lift?'

'No.' Yuy's response was cold, an obvious tone of irritation underlying the coldness.

'I bumped into you earlier didn't I?' Duo asked, suddenly remembering why the man looked so familiar. 'Remember, down on Collins Street? Who would have thought I'd run into you here!'

'Yes.' Yuy frowned. 'Most coincidental.'

'Where are you going?' Duo asked, still smiling. 'I can give you a lift anywhere.'

'No, thank you.' Yuy turned to keep going. Duo closed the door quickly, wound down the windows, and started driving alongside his target. Yuy gave him a glare out of the corner of his eye, and Duo was surprised by the intensity. If it was possible to kill with a look, Duo was sure he would have just died.

'Come on bud!'

'Do you not have better things to be doing with your time?' Heero asked irritably, although his voice managed to retain its calmness.

'Nope!' Duo responded jovially. 'My boss was a real prick at work today, so now I'm cruising around trying to dispel some of that pent up energy from earlier. It really would be no trouble if I give you a lift, it's not like I'm doing anything anyway.'

'I'm not in the mood for company.'

'Doesn't matter.' Duo smiled and patted the passenger seat encouragingly. 'I'll be as companionable or silent as you want. I just need some company myself, and you don't seem to be in a hurry to get anywhere.'

'Fine.' The word was said with such reluctance it made Duo smile more. Yuy took the seat beside him, closed the door and fixed Duo with a glare. Duo smiled, and pushed down on the pedal again, driving in the direction of the city.

'Where to, buddy?' He asked cheerfully.

'City.' Yuy growled back. 'And don't call me buddy.'

'I don't know your name.' Duo shrugged. 'Have to call you something.'

'Heero.' Yuy bit out. 'My name is Heero.'

'I'm Duo.' Duo returned.

'Strange name.' Heero muttered, staring out the window.

'Isn't it?' Duo smiled. 'But Heero isn't much better is it?'

'No.' Heero's eyes were sad for a moment, but it passed so quickly that Duo almost missed it. 'I guess not.'

Quatre felt terribly worried. From his vantage point on the balcony, he had a clear view of the road leading up to his family estate. He sighed as he leaned over the railing, feeling frustrated. He had definitely seen Duo's car there earlier, not to mention driving at top speed, such as Duo was prone to do whenever he was angry. But the car had skidded to a very messy halt halfway down the road, and Quatre had seen his best friend step out of the car to stare at a passing by person, get in again, and turn the car around. Quatre had watched his friend pester the pedestrian, and finally drive off with that person in his car. The blond sighed, eyes darting around between all the various guards hovering around his estate, and wondered dully whether it had something to do with that. Dare Quatre think that Duo was working for the military again, and that pedestrian had been a threat of some kind? Perhaps it had been a coworker or something, Quatre told himself sternly, not everybody Duo knew was a fugitive.

Waving the thought aside, Quatre went back inside, closing the balcony behind him. He poured himself a glass of cognac and downed it before falling backwards on his bed. His mind was a muddle as he stared up at the ceiling (which comprised of several panels of one-sided windows), seeing the gathering clouds and the promise of rain. He wondered if it would rain tonight, or if the clouds would just carry the rain with them and continue on their way.

It did not matter whether or not rain came in the end.

Quatre felt as if the storm happening within himself was more than enough.

'Looks like it's going to rain.' Duo commented, staring up at the clouds overhead. Next to him, Heero remained silent, his head leaning against the window and his eyes staring outside. Duo could tell what he was doing, and could not blame him. Heero was attempting to act casual and – through looking away and showing Duo a small section of his back – vulnerable. In doing so, he lowered Duo's guard and lured the driver into attacking him, should that be his intentions. However, any out of the ordinary attempts by Duo would be seen through the reflection on the window, leaving Heero ready at all times.

'So, where are you staying tonight?' Duo asked casually, eyes fixed on the road before him.

'At home.' Heero responded coldly. 'What did you think?'

'Nothing!' Duo defended, pouting for effect. 'I was just curious is all.'

'Hn.' Heero was silent again, eyes fixed on the window once more. Duo cursed himself for the question, knowing that his target was probably even more suspicious of him now. What had he been thinking Heero would say? That he was homeless, and allow Duo to offer him his own apartment? Duo hit himself mentally. He should concentrate on his mission instead. In fact, had he not just accomplished half his mission? He had found Heero Yuy, had him in his car, and could easily take him back to the research facility. So why was he still stalling and asking silly questions? Was he actually going to release Heero later on?

Duo's eyes flicked over to Heero again, and saw the man watching him through the reflection. He could handle Heero, he decided. When they stopped at the next red-light, he could pretend to be fishing for a cigarette and reach into his jacket where he kept his gun. One shot through the head or chest, and Heero would be dead. Clean, efficient, and he would have completed his mission. Conley would be happy, the General who ordered this entire operation would be happy, the government would be able to release that breath they have been holding, and everything could return back to normal.

But Heero would be dead. Heero, who as far as Duo was concerned, had done nothing wrong save become the test subject for the military scientists. He probably had no say in being brought back to life, and was definitely getting no choice in the matter of remaining alive or not. Duo mentally berated himself. Was this not what Conley had reminded him specifically not to do? What all of his previous superiors have told him? He was an assassin, and his job was to kill. It was not a matter of who it was, or what they did, or whether they deserved death. They were all names and lifeless people; people with no pasts and definitely no futures; people Duo did not need to worry about.

'Did Khushrenada send you?' Duo jolted at Heero's sudden question, taking his eyes off the road quickly to stare at the other man. Heero was still staring at the window, but his fierce, blue eyes met Duo's through the reflection.

'Who?' Duo asked, but felt his stomach clench.

'General Trieze Khushrenada.' Heero said slowly, emphasizing on every syllable.

'Pardon?' So that was the head poncho who wanted Heero dead. Duo had only met Khushrenada once, in his second year of working as an assassin, and not much had been said. The general thanked him for his good work, Duo gave a very standard reply, and the two walked their separate ways. 'I don't know a Khushrenada.'

'Don't lie.' Heero turned away from the window. 'I've been watching you ever since I first stepped into this car. You keep watching me out of the corner of your eyes, strike strange conversations, ask strange questions, and you keep clutching the wheel tightly every-so-often, and furrowing your brows. The general gave you an order to capture me, and now you are wondering how to get me to the research facility without me noticing, because you know fully well that I have been watching you, and that I do not trust you the slightest.'

An overall good assessment, Duo thought, too good. He was almost correct on everything, save a few minor discrepancies. Duo now knew for sure that Heero Yuy was not just some random person who was experimented on. Luckily, Heero had not guessed that he was an assassin, which was going to work in Duo's favor. Even if the other man now knew he worked for the government, he had no clue what Duo's actual mission was. Death was easy to deliver, and it now seemed as if taking Heero in alive would be out of the question.

'Lovely assessment.' Duo murmured, eyes fixed on the road before him. 'But it's a bit late now isn't it?'

'I'm not scared to go back to that place.' Heero growled, blue eyes sharp. 'I just want to know how I got there in the first place.'

'You can't remember?' Duo asked, stopping before a red light and turning to stare at the other man. Heero's gaze fell to his lap, but there was no mistaking the anger there.

'No.' He growled. 'I can not remember how I got there, or why I was chosen. I just woke up on a damn bed with cords sticking out of my arm, and a mob of strange doctors seemingly finding my ability to speak fascinating.'

'As they would.' Duo chuckled lamely. 'You are the first after all.'

'First what?' Heero asked sharply, fierce eyes suddenly glaring at Duo full force. Duo felt a shiver pass down his spine, and knew without a doubt that he should not have said that. So it seemed that Heero did not know he was brought back to life, and he could not remember how he got there, so did that mean he could not remember anything at all? He knew his name was Heero, but was that the only thing he knew?

'What do you know about yourself?' Duo asked, genuinely curious. Heero gave him a furious look before his gaze dropped yet again.

'My name is Heero.' Was all he said.

'That's it?' Duo asked incredulously. 'No family, no friends, no anything?'

'Nothing.' Heero's messy hair fell forwards, obscuring his eyes, but Duo could still see the weakly shielded pain there. He felt his stomach clench unhappily. He had always pretended his targets had no past, but this one actually did not have one. Duo could feel his heart go out to the other man, feel his grief and irritation. Had he not lived a lie himself? Being an orphan and raised by an orphanage that no longer existed. His name was not Duo Maxwell and his birth date was not July the fourth. But he had been able to make his own memories, even if a majority of them were sad and things he would rather forget. Memories were often taken for granted, and the man sitting in his passenger seat was definitely testimony to their importance.

Duo turned the car suddenly, skidding off the street to ride onto the nearby pedestrian street, alarming two girls who had been walking nearby at the time. They gave him a look before walking off, but Duo hardly noticed. Heero stared at him, a question on his suddenly blank face.

'Go.' Duo ordered, pointing at the door. 'Leave.'

'But…' Heero stumbled on the words, his face suddenly the image of shock. 'Why?'

'Don't ask, just leave.' Duo pointed at the door again. 'Leave now.'

Heero was still looking at him distrustfully as he opened the door and stepped outside. Duo reached over and wrenched the door shut, but leaving the windows unwound.

'The next time I see you, I will take you to the authorities.' He said quietly, but loud enough for the other man to hear. 'Until then, take care of yourself.'

And with that, he stepped down on the pedal and the car accelerated forwards with a lurch, alarming the passing vehicles. He saw Heero still standing there on the sidewalk, growing smaller as he drove away, finally disappearing when he turned into another street. The rational side of Duo's mind was furious. He had his target in his car, and he let the man leave. No, he forced the other man to leave. He had been lucky to run into the guy in the first place, and was now letting him get away. Who knew how long it would take for him to find Heero again, and yet he had let the other leave without so much as a thought against the subject. But the other side of his mind congratulated him, and Duo smiled slightly as he took another turn – a bittersweet smile of mixed pain and a sense of gladness.

He let Heero off so that he could find his past, and have memories with him when he died.

Death owed him at least that much.

Endnotes:

Wow…I don't actually know what to say about that. I did not plan on them meeting so quickly, but, well, allowed myself to be carried off by the impulse. I suppose I can safely say that I do not like long, stretched out stories, even when I'm reading it. I think Gundam Seed Destiny has further fueled that, especially since I watch Gundam Seed, and then Destiny and notice the dramatic decline of action. I mean, Kira spends the first eleven or so episodes staring at sunsets! Well, anyway, that was totally unrelated and random, but well, I had to rant at somebody about it.

Okay, I did not add in Wufei and Trowa like I said I would. Damn. I was going to! I swear! But somewhere along the way, they just got lost. Maybe I'll finally manage to bring them in next chapter…hopefully. It would be pretty damn lame if I forget again! Don't get me wrong, I really like the other boys too, but…well, this chapter just sort of forced my plans back a few paces and pulled certain other plans forwards a fair amount. But…well, I feel fairly satisfied with that chapter. It's a bit strange though, because I wrote it over two days, and it took me a while to get the hang on what I was writing again. I think next time, I'll just do the chapter all in one night, so as to not get sidetracked by whatever it is that I see or hear between the two periods.

In any case, hope you all enjoyed that chapter. And as always, remember to review, and Assassin will see you again next chapter!

Assassin