AN: Please read previous chapters warnings. Future warnings will appear here in this pretty little italic font. And then, I shall say "Bwahahahaha, warnage" and stuff. Oh, and I know this came out early, but I just want to get a roll on this. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2
Loss

Anger and hate welled up in him as the cold realization flooded Trowa's mind. Quatre…Quatre was dead. His angel was dead. Shaking, he turned around, jaw clenching as the need for revenge made his vision turn red. A cruel, anguished scream broke forth from his lips as he went after those responsible.

Wufei was in shock, his body numb and his movements becoming mechanical. Quatre…he had seen the blast, knew what had happened, but he knew he had to find him. He had to! Making an attempt to go over towards the wreckage, he was blocked off by three jets swooping in front of him, forcing him to veer away. Growling angrily, he easily laid waist to them. Another attempt and they did the same, as if trying to keep him back from it. Wufei was puzzled, but just fired at the barricade, trying to break through it and go towards his lover.

Duo's head snapped to the side, immediately turning his jet from his chase of one of the others, watching as the fire filled the dark space and illuminated his cockpit, a shaky breath coming out of his mouth as tears formed in violet eyes.

"Q-man…Quatre…come in, Quatre, come in. Tell me you got out, Q-man. Come on, I know you got out. You're immortal, man, remember? You can't die," Duo pleaded, the pain in his voice wrenching on the others. He sat, motionless for many seconds…a sitting duck, waiting to be killed.

"Duo!" Trowa yelled angrily. "Snap out of it! If we want any hope of finding him if he is still alive, then we have to stay alive ourselves!" That statement hurt him to say, but Trowa knew it was right. His own words caused the malicious wound to dig deeper, yet he couldn't stop fighting. They had to get out of this and get back to base so they could perform the recon and find his angel.

Duo forced himself out of the shock, lining up to take aim at the base, setting the missile to hit it. At that moment, he wanted revenge more than he wanted his next breath. Fingers shaking under the gloves, he pulled the triggers with all the strength he could muster, actually cracking the heavy plastic in his grip. Both missiles flew out with scream, as if echoing his own agony for the loss, the red tail of flame behind them looking like tears of blood. The American flipped himself around, not bothering to watch if the weapons made contact or not.

Taking aim to get another of the fighters, Duo saw something in his peripheral vision, and he glanced over to see what it was. His eyes went wide. How did he not notice? Two bullets impacted with his side as Duo pulled up as hard as he could, trying to lessen the damage as the enemy continued to fire. How in the hell did he let them get so close?

The weapons collided with his tail, sending him spinning for a moment before he finally righted himself. Trying to steer, he swallowed hard when he realized the ship had been rendered immobile. His steering mechanisms had been destroyed…he was going to die. Slowly, he closed his hands around the handles, fingers touching the triggers again, and with a small intake of breath, he began to defend himself, moving around as best he could, taking out as many as he could reach with his limited capabilities. Still more came from behind, and he knew he couldn't turn in time to get them.

"Heero…I love you," Duo whispered, causing the Japanese pilot to turn towards him, eyes going wide. "My husband…my everything. I love you." Then, they made contact, the strike shooting a tail of fire through the metal, splintering his craft. It was too far off to see the details inside the cockpit, but they saw the orange and white electric flame sizzle over the ship as the communications sizzled out.

"Duo!" Heero cried. "Damn it, baka! Ai shiteru…" he knew this could well be his last chance to say it, knowing it was too late to do anything else for him. The Perfect Soldier took over then, moving in to take down the others, forcing himself to look away as another explosion filled the dark sky. A sound so loud vibrated their crafts before quickly being swallowed up by the vacuum of space. The light sizzled out, as did the last remnant of his beloved Duo. The now four pilots found themselves fighting even more violently than before, tears streaming down their faces. They lost two. How could they lose anymore?

How they achieved it, they didn't know. But somehow, two of the missiles hit the base right as back-up came. The arriving allies helped to clear out the rest of the insurgents and complete the mission goal of getting rid of the colony. But the pilots didn't care anymore. They just wanted revenge. They wanted justice for their fallen lovers…the two most innocent of them all….

oOoOo

"We have to search for them!" Wufei cried, black eyes fogged with grief as he shakily yelled at the others. Trowa's head was bowed, tears pouring freely down his cheeks, Heero finding himself somehow leaning against Zechs as he sobbed quietly, whispering Duo's name over and over. Noin and Une stood, watching the entire group, both attempting to control their own sorrow, threatening to send the two females into mourning with the others over their fallen friends.

"You saw it," Trowa whispered, the pain clear in his voice. He was so close to breaking, teetering on the edge that he felt as if one tap could push him over for good. And down he would fall, shattering into a million pieces as he had so many times before. But there would be no Quatre there to hold him, to save him from his dreams. To make him feel needed and loved. There was no shining smile or blond mess of hair, no more of that fragrance of his skin and shampoo that always mingled and smelled like home. No more. No more…

"I know I saw it," Wufei said, his throat constricting. "But I also remember Quatre's face this morning when we told him we'd always go after him. What if he made it out? What if Duo somehow survived?" he demanded violently. "I know them…they're indestructible! And I refuse to believe that one hit, after all they've taken, killed them!" The others stayed quiet, Trowa slowly looking up a moment before he stood, moving with quick strides to catch his lover in his arms, holding him in a desperate, tight embrace.

"I know…we will go look, love," he swore, and Wufei nodded his head, burying it into his chest and taking slow breaths to try and steady himself. Hooking a finger under his chin, Trowa forced his gaze up, eyes staring deeply into his. "Fei," he whispered, so quiet only the dragon could hear. "Just remember…it's okay to break down. I can be your strength." Wufei looked up to, studying those deep green eyes and damp lashes a moment before he whispered back just as quietly.

"The same goes for you, Trowa." Then, he slipped from his arms and looked to the others, presence commanding. "Get ready," he snapped. "We're going out to look for anything. Confirmation of life, death, or other. Now move!" Zechs and Heero pulled away, Une relinquishing control of the team to the black haired youth as she paged for more agents to come to aid in the recon.

oOoOo

Duo heard Heero's words echoing in his head as the communications unit was severed in the ship. A soft smile traced his lips as he released the triggers, sitting back in his chair and staring up to the sky. Each star looked so beautiful, and he wished he could have had time to say Hail Mary's, but even as he tried to recall all the words, there was only one prayer that came to mind.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…" He closed his eyes, feeling the sickening vibrations as the ship began to rip apart, waiting for the burning sensation that would come with the explosion.

A loud crash sounded, causing him to wince as the glass from overhead rained down upon him. Looking up, feeling a slight twinge of hope, he saw a red figure hovering above the craft. Metal flashed and a blade cut through the seatbelts before strong hands pried him from the seat. Feet pressed against the hulk, the stranger used the leverage to press off, reaching back to activate a jetpack of some sort. What looked like heat waves emerged from the device, and the stranger almost lost his grip on Duo as they were jerked forward at a shocking speed.

Black mask turning down to him, Duo tried hard to see through the face covering to find any details. Something to show who it was. But instead of a face, he was greeted with the reflection of his machine exploding behind them, quickly growing in size even as the man whisked him away from the battle…and the opposite direction of the Preventers base. Apprehension hit him hard right as the weight of the blast impacted with them, sending the two head over heels. They lost their hold of each other, and Duo attempted to use the opportunity to fling himself away, hoping to hide somewhere amongst the shards until recon was dispatched after the battle. But the man would have none of it.

Grabbing Duo again, this time more forcefully, he continued to drag him farther from the fight and his friends, towards the area of the Earth where dawn was just beginning to peak. Not feeling too good about this whole situation, nor liking being dragged around like a rag doll, he attempted to hit the man, but with barely any leverage there was not nearly enough force to do much good. Instead, seeing the swing coming, the strange person in red snagged his wrist, pulling him back against him and pinning his arms.

"Heero!" he screamed, praying that somehow his helmet com worked. But the noise died inside of the mask, not even static emerging through to give him any hope. Jerking his body, he began to squirm and struggle with all his might, working vehemently to try to wrench himself free from the vise like hold. Quickly becoming frustrated, the red form pulled back only enough to turn him around and deliver a killer blow to his stomach, sending him reeling. Having used the jetpack to provide the force needed, Duo was left breathless, bile rising to his throat at the intensity of it. Head swimming, he felt his vision slowly fade to black

When he came to coherency only moments later, suddenly realized…he couldn't breathe. Behind him, the stranger had unscrewed his oxygen pack. Fear gripped the American, and he began struggling again, but to no avail. He was still too weak from the blow, and he feared might have caused internal bleeding. Groaning at the pain, he felt air begin to go through his suit again, which he gasped gratefully, body slumping as his heart raced. Rough hands grabbed him and started moving again, but this time, Duo didn't struggle. He couldn't. A sweet smell was permeating his senses, causing his vision to slowly go black. No matter how hard he fought to keep his mind alert and eyes open, it was a dying battle. And soon, he was passed out, left in the helpless in the hands of his abductor.

Pulling the limp body up tight to him, the man gave a soft groan at the feel of the lithe form through fabric. He didn't need to imagine the American nude…after all, the pictures they had taken had provided enough to decide the risk of taking him was worth the gain. Smiling to himself, he made his way across the threshold of day and night, black mask preventing the sun from hurting his eyes. He paused a moment to admire the Earth as the floated there above the atmosphere, realizing how easy it would be to just drop this supposed badass boy down and let him become nothing more than falling, burning star. He couldn't help but laugh at the image and the odd joy it produced. He loved seeing those with so much pride reduced to what they were—nothing. Sighing at the beauty of the cotton candy clouds and mental images of burning bodies, he reluctantly started going again, heading off towards his destination.

Within ten minutes, they made it to what appeared to be a regular private plain, coming up close to it and sliding along the bottom. The man pressed something in his hand, waiting for the answer.

"Authorization code?" came the cold, cruel male voice that held the dreams and addictions of so many people in his hand. The man shuddered as he always did when Master used that tone on him.

"86293015, red unit," the man responded. There was nothing for long moments, and as the he waited impatiently, he was tempted to try and resend it. But before he could, the bottom finally cracked and the two pieces of the underside slid up, allowing entrance. A small smirk formed on his lips, and he flew inside, levitating a foot above the ground until the bottom closed again and the effects of false gravity hit him like a hammer. Shutting off the pack, he fell to the ground with his little Gundam Toy, before standing him up and dragging out of the entrance chamber and into the main room.

The Master looked up from the distraction of the small boy in his lap, eyebrows quirked as he saw what Ky dragged behind him. Pulling off his own red mask, Ky gasped at the sweet, fresh air. His own oxygen had been running out. Going to his knees, he bowed his head submissively before dragging forward Duo, carefully undoing his helmet, sitting him up to pull it off. The last of the drug filtered into the air, diluting till it had no effect, and the American stirred, whimpering softly as he was lowered onto the man's chest. Un-tucking his braid from the bobby pins, he let it fall to the ground, looking up just in time to catch the Master smirk.

"He's as beautiful as the pictures said he was," the Master whispered. "He'll be a good relief for my guards…but we'll make great money off of him. I trust you'll be able to break him well, Ky?" Master mumbled, eyes flashing with desire as he thought of all the different ways that could be achieved. Ky nodded, flattered that the Master felt him befitting enough to let him have this boy as his slave. Looking up to him, his own dark brown eyes studied the Master. Deep emerald orbs flickered with a cold fire that stood in contrast to the gentle features of a boyish face. But Ky knew all too well the cruelty the innocent seeming man was capable of. Dark hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, his lithe, whipcord body slung back across the cushions of the limousine style seats. Standing at a mere 5'7, the man, while physically not appearing threatening, always had a crackle to the air about him. The way he carried himself demanded respect and fear, and it was clear that he would settle for nothing less.

"He's very spirited, but I think we'll be able to tame him," Ky replied, reaching down to remove the band that held Duo's braid in place. Beginning to undo the tangles, he tilted his head to the side thoughtfully. "Before the guards take him, shall I clean him up? Fix the hair and get the sweat off of him?" The Master pondered for a moment, stroking the hair of the boy in his lap, before he nodded his approval of the idea.

"Yes," he said. A soft moan emerged from pale lips, making his head jerk back down to the unconscious boy as he whimpered, his head turning into Master's thigh as he hissed in pain. A slight smile lighted the Master's features as he gazed down to the prize that was there. Still knocked out cold, head cradled on his legs, was the stunningly beautiful Quatre Ruberba Winner. Blood trickled from the boy's forehead and bruises were scattered across his torso. Already, the Master had him stripped and bare, the only thing covering him from site a soft blanket he had slung over his hips. Yes, the Master thought, stroking his head and face. He had wanted the boy, and he had gotten him. Just like always…nothing he wanted ever stayed out of his reach for long. Looking over to where Ky was kneeling on the floor, he continued the stroking of his new pet as he spoke.

"Clean up the slut once we land. His name won't be used from now on. And this one…" he looked down to Quatre again, a smile forming on his lips as his cheeks flushed in an almost innocently excited expression. "This one is staying with me when we land. He's mine." Ky nodded, ready for his duties that Master had bestowed upon him.

The Master was surprised at how well the plan had worked. The "anonymous tip" about the "main base", the planning with his moles in the Preventers, mixed in with a little bit of luck and they had the two boys right where they wanted him. The Base wasn't a big loss. Only filled with old equipment and the troops that were deployed from it. The rest inside were whores or dead bodies that they needed to dispose of, and the little agent's had done a wonderful job of cleaning up their mess for them.

Yes, the trap had worked out great. And now, in his possession, he had an Angel. And soon, his angel would be broken and his. Completely.