This Is War

by Aishi-Cc

The 6 metal gods known as Gundam are split evenly between O.Z. and Rebel forces as they face off against not only each other but the Feds. Is the enemy of my enemy really my friend, or could they be something more, or even something far worst?

3. The Leader

All right so this chapter has a lot of expatiation in it, from O.Z. goals to a few commands Hilde has taught Barton, so enjoy. Duo is finally in this chapter, and has a lot of screen time, so to speak, once he is introduced. So much interpersonal drama in this fic, more then anything else I have posted I am pretty sure.

WarNinGs: Some language, some mild violence, pretty much it.

Aishi Say

"...A warning to the prophet,

The liar,

The honest,

This is war..."

If you like this song try a Nightcored version, I like it myself.

3... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...3

Quatre sighed softly, Hilde had left him with much to think about before she had left to fetch some coffee. He had not been alone for long, the two guards outside were calm so he just laid on the bed and let his mind chase thoughts in circles. Closing his eyes he turned his head when he felt a spike of fear, nervous fear rather then panic. Half opening his eyes he watched Barton reenter the room, turning to frown at the talking guard. Ignoring them he sighed, looking up when he sensed another near, "Feel better?"

"Netune needed to be removed, but yes killing him was satisfying." Trowa had never liked the older man, the fool had simply run out of chances as well as pissed him off.

Quatre nodded, he had sensed nothing but cruelty and hatred from Netune, the world was better off without him. "You won't leave again will you?"

Trowa frowned at the blond, not sure why he was worried about him leaving, it was his ship, "Why the concern?"

"You are very good at what you do, other then Hilde I do not really trust any of your other minions." Quatre was not so much afraid as simply weary, a ship full of potential enemies could do that to anyone, empathic or not.

"Well at least I am a trusted minion," Hilde teased setting a heavy tray on the foot of the bed, turning she took Trowa's arm smiling up at him. "You will be a good master and get some sleep soon. I will not have the Commander thinking I take horrid care of you."

Trowa shook his head, patting Hilde's hand reassuringly, "Come now he knows you do the best you can with my self-destructive stubbornness."

"Shut up!" Hilde shrieked, playfully smacking the back of his head, "Seriously you need therapy. Once we get a break I'm going to see you get it too. Now both of you get some sleep, and don't make me make you."

Quatre chuckled at Hilde, hard to believe she had only known Barton for roughly 6 months, "I won't, promise." Hilde nodded grinning at him before walking out, Barton just shook his head at her. "Treize must like her."

Trowa glanced over his shoulder, the blond already nibbling, "Oh?"

"Hilde is not only very dependable she has a very agreeable personality, or does he not know her?" Quatre was not sure if Treize knew Hilde personally or not, he did seem to know Barton pretty well.

"They have met, and yes he finds her charming. I guess it is lucky he has his own Hilde, or he might have seriously tried to talk her in to his service." Trowa had not been surprised by the teasing request, Une had admitted she did not mind the girl, high praise indeed.

Quatre swallowed as he considered what that might have been like, "At least he would also treat her well."

"Hilde can take care of herself, she doesn't need my protection though she does enjoy it." Trowa did not mind playing big brother now and then, Hilde would baby him either way.

Quatre shook his head, he knew what it was like having everyone think you are weak, not that he was that dangerous outside of SandRock. Patting the bed he smiled a little up at the enemy colonel, he really was not all that scary anymore. "Over analyze sitting down, I find it works better." Barton arched a brow at him but sat down as invited without protest, "Perhaps that is only true of worrying too much?"

Trowa sighed leaning back, right leg folded on the bed, left foot resting on the floor, "Not my area, never was all that good at worrying, let alone over worrying."

Quatre smiled when Barton relaxed, he liked him better that way, "That is not a skill that can be taught, if it was I fear Duo would be a master of it as well."

Trowa nodded before bowing his head, more then fine with that not being an acquirable skill, "How fortunate for him."

Quatre was sure Barton was serious, over worrying would not be a good thing for a soldier he would imagine. "Duo agrees...I guess most people would."

Trowa frowned slightly, taking his tablet to do a little work, "A safe assumption."

"Do you know when I will be able to speak with Treize?" Quatre wanted to talk to the man and see just what he wanted. He trusted the Commander meant him no harm, unless he became a hindrance to his plans, whatever they were exactly.

"Tomorrow he will speak with you," Trowa was not concerned about the meeting, Quatre was not dangerous, he did not wish to be.

Quatre frowned slightly, Barton was very good at dismissive, "And you will be there yes?"

"If that is what you want then yes, he will indulge you." Trowa was fine sitting in on the meeting if that was what was required, it may even be interesting.

"I have not changed my mind about wanting you there, I do trust you." Quatre knew Barton did not feel he had to be there, but he still wanted the other there.

Trowa glanced at the blond, "You trusted me rather quickly."

"You never gave me a reason not to," Quatre's gifts had not picked up much besides calm, but the colonel had done nothing dishonest. If anything he was frank and tactless, a more formal Duo in a way, which seemed odd if not accurate.

"I see no point in lying, if you are an enemy there is no need since I tend to just kill them, if they are not then they know what they need to know already." Knowing what to say and how to catch a lie were far more useful skills to him. Trowa had never had much use for deceit in his line of work, he was no spy and was fine with that.

"I do not care much for lies myself, though we diplomatic types are masters of white lies, pleasantries, and tact." Quatre was more then happy to stick with playing diplomat and leave the soldiering to other's.

"Not my style," Trowa frowned slightly at the report, Duo was still trying to figure out which O.Z. pilot had Quatre.

"I have noticed, Duo is not one for politically correct either." Duo was also very honest he was just less brutal about it, usually. Quatre had been trained by polite society so it was second nature to him, war zones and streets were not as refined as bordering schools.

"Waste of time," In political warfare it hardly was, but Trowa was a soldier and a sniper not a spy or diplomat.

Quatre sighed softly, Duo often said the same thing, "Every group needs a peacekeeper."

"Treize agrees with you," Treize was a diplomat and a soldier, he had seen Trowa learned how to play a diplomat, even if he did not use those skills often.

"Do you?" Quatre was not surprised Treize thought so, he knew how to work a room as duo would say.

Trowa shrugged slightly as he typed up a quick message outlining his thoughts on the report he had been reading,"It can come in handy, but it will never be my specialty."

"Duo would say every group also needs at least one ass kicker," Quatre saw the logic in that since some people just would not listen to reason.

"That I am good at," Sending the message he set the tablet down, he had not had much left to do.

Quatre shook his head but smiled a little at the comment, "No doubt."

Trowa glanced at the blond before smirking slightly, "See you do not forget."

Quatre glanced at Barton, he was laying down, eyes closed, "I promise you I will not."

"Good," Trowa murmured shifting slightly, he did have to worry about the blond and he was tried.

Smiling at what some would consider arrogance Quatre laid down closing his own eyes. Sighing softly he wondered if he would be able to remain on good terms with Barton if Treize and the Rebels could not come to an agreement. "mm hm."

3... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...3

Quatre frowned slightly at the guards as he followed Barton, they were well trained and did not pay him any real attention. The blond looked up when a young woman walked out the room they were heading too. She was lovely, with twin braids done up in buns, dressed in crimson like Barton. Barton tilted his head slightly at her, she regarded him back. "Another Special?"

"Not all of us colonel's are Specials Mr. Winner, however your guess is accurate. He is ready for you both now." Une regarded the blond for a moment, he was no killer, a killer knew a killer.

Barton nodded, walking pass Une without a second glance, she was a professional as he was, "Mr. Winner as you requested Sir."

Treize nodded slightly in greeting before standing, "Mr. Winner please have a seat. You are free to speak your mind, no harm will come to you I assure you."

Quatre sat down across from Treize as invited, his pale blue shirt and white vest contrasting to Treize's dark blue as Hilde seemed to have wanted. "I am sure you intend me no harm Commander Khushrenada, nor do your Specials, and not simply because I may be of use to you."

Treize chuckled softly at the blond, "I am relieved to hear that Mr. Winner, though your being of use to me is only the practical reason."

"You find me interesting as your subordinate does," Quatre caught Barton arch a brow at him out of the corner of his eye.

Treize chuckled a bit louder this time, "Very much so. I take it you are concerned our methods may be a bit harsher then you may be comfortable with. I assure you the methods we employ are are only as harsh as they must be, no more. We are content to be the ones with dirty hands as long as in the end peace is achieved."

"I appreciate that, truly, but not all Rebels will accept working with O.Z, as I assume some O.Z. will object to working with us." Quatre knew a few cell leaders would would try and shot Treize right now if they could.

Treize bowed his head, "Sadly even if most of us want peace some will only always wish nothing but war. My Specials have been rooting out those in O.Z. who would continue the petty fighting once peace is won. It takes time to do this and not draw attention to it."

"And you hope to eliminate the worst before we join forces?" Quatre knew who the worst were among the Rebels he knew, he was sure to avoid them.

"They already have, do not look so surprised I have been seeing to it since I created the Specials," Treize had planned for peace for so long now he felt as if it had been his entire life.

Quatre glanced at Barton, who was leaning against the wall, arms folded, head down. "So you want our help to do the same in the Rebel and Federation forces?"

"Precisely. I am well aware there will be some...difficulties at first, however I am confident with a little time and work our forces can come together for the common good." Treize already knew the blond did not want to fight Barton, he was willing to use that if need be.

Quatre frowned slightly as he considered what Treize had said, as well as what he wanted. The blonde could sense the other's sincerity, even if he was willing to use underhanded methods to achieve his goals. Could he make a deal with the Devil so to speak? Glancing at Barton he reminded himself not all devils were beyond redemption. "I do not have the authority to make you any promises regarding all Rebel forces."

Treize nodded, fingers interlaced, "I am aware of this Mr. Winner. You will listen, and other's will listen to you. I am not looking for official promises, I am simply seeking an understanding."

Quatre smiled slightly, nodding, "That I believe we have. If you release me I can try and convince Duo to met with you as well. Between the both of us we can form a truce, an official one."

Treize blinked before smiling, things were working out just as he had hoped. "My dear Mr. Winner if I let you go I may never see you again, Duo may not be as sure of my intentions as you are."

Quatre frowned, he did not like the sound of that, "That is true, Duo is less trusting if not just as honest as I am. May I make a suggestion?"

"I am all ears," Treize wanted the blond's help, and if he did not have to lie or trick him all the better.

"If I bring someone with me who can speak for you, I as can for the Rebels, it would go a long way to assuring him you are serious." Duo wanted peace, and was willing to deal as long as he felt he could trust those across the table. Quatre understood Duo, it was a wise way to deal, but Duo was not here right now.

Treize glanced at Barton who meet his gaze, "I must say that is an intriguing proposition. Your safe return alone would not be as affective as me putting one of mine into your hands. Such a show of trust could cost me one of my Specials, something you would not allow lightly."

Quatre sighed softly when Treize agreed with him, even if he made it sound a bit sneaky. "I am relived you think so."

"You hate pain and suffering, you will see anyone I send with you will be as well cared for as you have been." Treize was not all that concerned about losing one of his own, Rebels were not as well trained or as dangerous, even if they might be as committed.

Quatre nodded, Treize was right, "You will let me go then?"

"Of course Mr. Winner, I assume you wish to take Barton with you?" Treize was well aware Trowa would return to him whatever some of the Rebels might want.

Quatre bit his lip, "If he agrees yes."

Treize glanced at Barton, "Well Colonel care to practice some of those diplomatic skills I have been teaching you?"

Trowa looked up, tilting his head slightly, "If that is what you require of me Commander."

Treize smiled, it was nice not having to question one's loyalty, "The Rebels are not a formal lot, simply show them we are trustworthy and committed to our goals. Leave the pretty words and speeches to Mr. Winner, he prefers them to guns anyway."

Trowa nodded, reminding the Rebels they would remain targets if they refused an alliance was something he could do quite well. "I will do what I can to convince the Rebels it is better for them to work with us then against us."

"I have no doubt you will Barton, you have yet to fail me. You may take Lieutenant Shilbecker with you, I am sure she will be treated well." Treize was not worried about the lieutenant's safety either, Duo would see to her safety even if he cared little for Barton's.

Trowa frowned slightly, Quatre enjoyed her company and she would be very upset if he left her behind, "She and Mr. Winner already have an understanding so I will take her."

"Hilde will get along just fine with Duo," Quatre was relived the young woman would be coming along, she would be able to help him and Barton.

Treize nodded as he leaned back, "Well it seems we have an accord then. Now what length of time do you feel you need before we can meet again in a more official manner?"

Quatre frowned fingers curling near his chin, he did not wish to drag things out any longer then was needed. "I would say three days, if Duo is not willing to talk after that long it could take a month to get him to, if even."

"Then I shall call in three days and we shall see where we stand then. Barton you may depart whenever you are ready. I hope to hear some good news soon," Treize would not mind waiting three more days to either move forward with or without the Rebels.

Trowa pushed off from the wall, he kept himself up to date so he could move out when needed, he worked best in the field. "Understood Sir, we will be gone within the hour."

Treize nodded, he had expected no less, "If you can arrange to bring Mr. Chang with you please do."

Quatre nodded as he stood, "I will call Wufei, though I am not sure he will care or believe any of this." Turning he walked out waiting for Barton, who followed him after a moment. "Hilde will want to come won't she?"

"She would rant at me if I left her behind, besides she will be perfectly safe." Trowa would kill any Rebel who laid a hand on her, accidents could be arranged.

Quatre shook his head, he was happy to be heading home, "Duo has no use for...forward men in his command and neither do I."

Trowa nodded, he was not the least bit surprised since rapist had impulse control issues making them unfit for command. "Shot a few."

Quatre sighed, not surprised Barton just removed such people rather then dealing with them in more diplomatic ways. "No shooting anyone while with us unless they try and kill you first."

"As if I will need to," Trowa dismissed as he looked up, "Hilde that did not take long."

"I had a feeling we would be going, transport is already ready to go with a weeks worth of traveling gear." Hilde informed the pair stopping before them, "After all you knew better then to even think of going off without me."

"Did everyone know I was planing on bringing you with me?" Quatre asked turning to Barton, not that it would have been news to Hilde.

"Treize was sure you would after you requested my presence there, we would have been surprised if you had not." Trowa could not see that happening, he was too invested in trying to save everyone.

"You can help. I cannot speak for the Rebels as you can for Treize and O.Z., leaving you here would be counterproductive." Quatre kept his justifications logical, logic worked well with soldier types, usually.

"It is nice to see you have been paying attention Mr. Winner, continue and you may just keep your fellow bleeding hearts alive." Trowa punched in a code ignoring Hilde's shaking head and Quatre's blink, entering the bay he frowned at the guards.

"Shoo boys. Batglare at everyone why don't you." Hilde shook her head as Trowa walked over to a capsule, ignoring them as he typed.

"I am glad you are coming along Hilde," Quatre was sure her friendly nature would go over great, reminding Rebels not all O.Z. soldiers were monsters would be easier with her.

"Worried you won't be able to keep Barton from scaring people by yourself eh? Don't you worry he'll play nice as long as they are nice to me," Hilde knew Trowa pretty well after 6 months, even if he still sometimes baffled her.

"If I did not know you so well I would be concerned with your comments about training me like some pet. We are done here," Trowa had finished what he needed to do and was ready to move out.

"Heel boy," Hilde smirked at the roll of eyes, "Quatre you ready to call Duo so we won't get shot up?"

"Of course, we have codes so he will know this is not some sort of trap." Quatre knew Barton could have orders to take out the base if Duo proved difficult, but he doubted it would come to that.

"Not sure they would buy that if HeavyArms was going with," Hilde would doubt peaceful intent starring down those guns as well.

"You are not taking him?" Quatre was confused, that was a Hell of a sign of trust.

Trowa tilted his head, "Are you saying Duo would be as trusting it I went fully armed? I do not need a Gundam to wage war Quatre, so do not concern yourself."

"Come on you two you can talk shop on the way there," Hilde turned and boarded the transport, they all had their jobs to do.

"She is right, I will feel better once the pleasantries are over with," Quatre did not see them all getting off to a good start, even with Hilde's help.

Trowa glanced at him, "You worry too much."

"So everyone keeps telling me. I know I am confusing, come we should get going before Hilde gets annoyed with us." Quatre just wanted to get it over with, he had not been happy to met Barton, Duo would not be either.

Trowa nodded, he did not enjoy wasting time when there was work to be done, "Agreed, remember a punch or two."

Quatre smiled a little as he followed Barton, "One might just break a hand."

Trowa smirked at the blond's comment, "Only one so far, normally it is just a finger or two."

Quatre blinked when Barton casually remarked he had in fact broken a hand with his face, "Wait what?"

3... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...3

Duo Maxwell frowned as the door open and Quatre walked in followed by his two O.Z. quests. He smiled at his friend, hugging him back when he hugged him. "Missed ya too Cat." Turning from Quatre he walked up to the colonel. "Well, well Trowa Barton the Silencer, funny I thought you would be taller."

Trowa titled his head slightly, "You are thinking of Zechs."

"Maybe I am," Duo agreed with a shrug, at lest the Red Coat had some sense of humor. "Welcome to our little den. Take him boys."

"Duo stop it," Quatre did not find this amusing at all, the posturing had been pain free so far.

"Ah, ah Little Buddy. You think just because you come here without Rambo I'd trust you? So cute, gun belt if you please?"

Trowa regarded the shorter pilot but removed the gun belt and held it out as ordered, "You should listen to your friend Maxwell."

"Don't go barking orders at me Red Coat this is the free world. Cuff him and take him away already," Duo frowned but Barton was behaving himself, so far.

"Duo you don't have to be like that, he is not here to fight you," Hilde stepped forward, frowning when a few guns pointed at her.

Duo caught Barton glare when Hilde was aimed at, "Stop it she's one of us."

Quatre blinked, Hilde looked down, "You are a spy? No wonder you were so nice to me."

Hilde bit her lip, Trowa did not turn as he was lead away and she sighed, "Duo you are being pigheaded. Trowa let Quatre go, came here to talk, and you treat him like a criminal."

"Because he is, did you get Stockholm while you were away or what?" Duo demanded, not happy Hilde was on Barton's side.

Hilde glared as she marched up to Duo and decked him, "Bastard. I expected you would be snide but not cruel. I am going to see my friend now, and if you try and stop me I will strangle you with that damn braid you are so found of!"

Duo rubbed his check, turning to Quatre who just blinked after Hilde stunned, "Care to fill me in here?"

Quatre sighed, his head was starting to hurt and Duo's shore face was not helping. "Hilde is very upset with you. As for Barton he is here to talk, nothing more."

"You can't read a normal person's mind so how can you be so sure?" Duo knew his friend could read emotions, but emotions were not the same as thoughts.

Quatre frowned slightly, he was not about to admit everything he had been feeling to Duo, not then, "Feeling."

"Alright lets say I believe you, the guy is here to talk not kill us all, so what?" Duo was fine with talking, he was great at it, but that did not mean he trusted it.

Quatre rubbed the bridge of his nose, "I met Treize, he let me go because he wants to talk."

"Yeah he's great at talking, you believe the guy?" Duo did not trust the guy, but Quatre was the one with the powers.

"He wants peace Duo, and if he has to kill every last one of us to achieve it he will give that order," Quatre was dead sure of that.

"And your new little friend would be one of the ones carrying it out, bang and we are dead and gone." Duo did not like the idea of Quatre catching a bullet because he was so trusting.

"Believe me Duo I know, in three days Treize will contact us and I want you to talk to him." Quatre did not want to think about having to face off against Barton, to have to pull a trigger or take a bullet himself.

"Look I get you want the fighting to stop but you know O.Z. You know I won't let them break your little friend, but I am not going to give him free reign." Duo was not one to allow P.O.W.s to be beaten if they were not civilian killers.

Quatre sighed, it seems he would be needing Hilde's help with Duo not Barton, "He is not exactly my friend Duo, and I know you will not allow him to be hurt badly."

Duo sighed, "You keep him on a leash and he'll stay out of the Medbay, but don't expect any of us to trust him just because you say so."

"Do you believe he is not here to kill us all in our sleep at least?" Quatre was willing to settle for small steps right now, something he could build on.

"Sure, doesn't seem like his style, not with Rambo as his Gundam." Duo knew Barton was capable of such a thing, but Red Coats did not do subtle.

"Then I am going to go check in so our allies know I am not dead, and they can stop wasting time searching for me." Quatre could at least do something productive while he dwelled on what to do next, it would make him feel a little better.

Duo frowned as Quatre turned away from him and walked off. He got that Barton was not the worst Red Coat out there, Hilde had always been flattering in her reports, but the guy was not only an enemy he was a cold blooded killer. Sighing he was not sure what he was going to do about all of this, it seemed in three days Barton's master would be calling, he had that long to make his choice. "What a mess."

"Sir should we keep Hilde away from Barton?"

"No, she'd be rabid and he can't hurt her while he's in chains. Give the order to lay off him though, he might prove useful, and I doubt pain will phase him." Duo knew Yui and Marques were New Types but he was not sure about Barton.

"Should we call a medic?"

"If Hilde doesn't then leave it be, it is better then any of us would get." Frowning Duo headed for his den, he had work to do as well.

3... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...3

Hilde bit her lip as the door closed behind her, the fact Duo was pissed at her was not her biggest concern. Barton had been stripped of his crimson coat, it lay on a chair to his left, wrists tripled cuffed, ankles only single. His head was bowed but she knew they had not beaten him into unconscious, no one had gone to the Medbay with broken fingers. "Can we talk?"

Trowa looked up when Hilde finally spoke, tilting his head at her, "I can hardly stop you as I am right now."

Hilde looked down, a dark rivulet of blood had flowed down his throat before his drying blood had damned it. "If you asked I would go."

Trowa knew Hilde was not a cruel person, even if she had little trouble sicking him on other's, "Why?"

Hilde looked back up at the softly spoken word, eyes blurring, "Because I still care about you Trowa, this is not the way I wanted things to go." She did not want any of her friends to suffer, and she counted Trowa as a friend even if he might want nothing to do with her now. "I know that sounds empty coming from a traitor like me, but I never wanted to hurt you."

Trowa closed his eyes, resting his head against the back of the metal chair with a soft sigh, she sounded so sad. "You are not a traitor Hilde."

Hilde sniffed, Trowa had not hissed at her, "I am though. I was not sent to infiltrate your command, but when you saved me I...you were so nice and I lied and used you the entire time."

Trowa opened his eyes, she made herself out like she was some short of whore, "Hilde you did no such thing."

"Yes I did! I betrayed you, this whole time I was feeding information back to the Rebels." Hilde hung her head, she felt dirty and sick with herself. She was thankful she had not been required to do more for the mission, this made her feel bad enough.

"By the strict definition of betrayed perhaps," Trowa commented evenly. "I knew after your first transmission Hilde, I used you to set up the worst of your side while protecting the best. If you are a betrayer then so am I."

Hilde blinked stunned, her brain refusing to work for a moment, "You knew the first week I was with you but you...how, why...why didn't you arrest me?"

"I am well versed in all Rebel signals and their variants, you were good but I am better." Trowa had been trained to fight since he was 4 years old, by 10 he was better then most twice his age. It was not ego it was fact, learn or die. "As for why I made no move against you I will not claim it was simply because it was useful for me for you to remain, which it was. That was why I was able to keep you, I convinced Treize of your usefulness because I did not wish to see you harmed."

Hilde walked slowly up to her friend, he had told her that before, it was one of the reasons he had given for saving her. Dark eyes looked up at her as they always had, honest, relief flooded her as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Sitting in his lap was not something she did often, but it was the easiest way to remain holding him. His solid warmth had become comforting once she was sure he would not try anything. "Thank you, thank you, thank you. I was so afraid you would hate me."

"I could never hate you," Trowa assured her gently, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Please don't cry, no matter what happens I will not blame you."

Hilde tighten her grip, how could Duo not trust this man? "I will remind Duo you have been nothing but kind to me, you don't want to hurt us if you can avoid it."

Trowa sighed softly, Hilde could be very convincing, "Always so worried about me."

Hilde raised her head, that slight smile always looked good on him, "Don't make it so easy."

Trowa chuckled softly, they had been here a few times before, Hilde had made it clear she wanted him to be happy but not with her. "I could try."

"Do that," Hilde teased back before kissing him gently, pulling away she smiled. "Duo means well so no clawing."

Trowa smiled, Hilde had done that a few times before as well, "I will stick with hissing only because he is dear to you."

Hilde smiled back, praying Duo would see this side of Trowa before it came to blows, "So cute." Getting to her feet she turned and walked out, she had to talk to Duo before some slaphappy guard snuck in and Trowa broke his neck.

3... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...3

Duo looked up when his door opened, "I was wondering when you would come here."

Hilde frowned at Duo, he was still in a mood, "You are not going to intimidate him Duo."

"Barton is an enemy soldier Hilde, he isn't in cuffs for no reason." Duo frowned at the dry flakes of blood on Hilde's shoulder. "Besides he can't be too happy with you right now."

Hilde looked away for a moment, "He knew Duo, he knew that first week."

"So he claims," Duo did not trust words alone, a little proof was needed.

"He did, I know he did because I know him." Hilde knew she had come to love him as she did Duo and Quatre, well Quatre in a bit more time. "He used us to ensure his targets were where he or other O.Z. could take them out. He convinced Treize I was useful so he could keep me instead of having to put a bullet in me. He didn't lay a hand on Quatre, Hell he killed the guy who did. You catching on yet?"

Duo crossed his arms leaning back, "You sound like you have the hots for him."

Hilde slammed her fists on the desk getting a jump from Duo, "Stop that! If I wanted him I would have slept with him months ago, but that is not what either of us wanted. I care about him like I do you, and he you, so unless you have wanted to sleep with me for years."

Duo frowned, "Alright, fine, your two are just friends great for you both. That fact remains he is a God damned Red Coat, and I will not set him free to do who knows what."

"You really think he needs to be released to do anything? Duo you have no idea what the Specials can really do." Hilde knew what Trowa could do, her reports had only hinted.

"Not helping his case here Hilde," Duo reminded his friend. "I get you don't like him caged up, but until I am sure he will be a good kitty cat he is staying on that leash."

Hilde wanted to flip the desk, but she was more likely to throw out her back, "At least Trowa is more clearheaded. Quatre is on my side, his gifts knew Trowa was not a threat, shouldn't your gut?"

Duo sighed, he had a feeling it was not Quatre's powers that had gotten him to bring the Colonel here, not entirely. "I am not going to met the guy and be charmed you know?"

"Wow gay stereotyping much? You should talk to him before you judge him too harshly, he is why I am here now after all." Hilde knew Duo would not be charmed like Quatre, not that Quatre was enthralled or anything. Trowa was hot, they all knew it, he just happen to have a lovely soul to match the rest of him.

Duo narrowed his eyes before closing them with a sigh, he did owe the guy, "I'm not going to order him shot or something Hilde, but I will meet the guy."

"Thank you," Hilde knew Duo was worried, he had to have noticed something between Barton and Quatre. She had and she did not know Quatre very well, she was just not sure how one sided the feelings were.

Duo nodded absently, "Don't thank me just yet. If he leaves and you go with him it won't be as a spy this time." Getting to his feet he walked pasted her, not wanting to think about losing her to Barton, even if it was not the way a guy normally lost a girl to another guy.

3... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...3

Duo looked Barton over as he entered the cell, without his jacket there was no mistaking he had muscle tone. He looked fast not bulky, which Duo preferred, even cuffed he looked calm and indifferent. "So you didn't turn on Hilde, how enlightened of you."

Trowa half opened his eyes, "I used her far more then she used me, there is little sense in me feeling betrayed."

Duo frowned at the even tone, "Yeah well that is one of my best friends you were using there bub, could show a bit of remorse."

Trowa tilted his head at Duo, "That fact I did her no harm is not enough for you, you seek contrition as well?"

"What now?" Duo was not sure what Barton was claiming he wanted, he could guess but he did not want to guess with this guy.

"Contrite...penitent perhaps?" Trowa supplied rather then explained, Duo was a religious man after all.

"Ah, someone can read, good for you." Duo caught eyes narrowing slightly, he was not sure if it was annoyance alone. "Alright so you feel no remorse for using Hilde, got it, now how about you tell me why you don't care she used you?"

Trowa frowned slightly, it was no wonder Wufei did not care to stick around if Duo was always like this. "Besides the fact it was useful to me I take it?"

Duo narrowed his eyes at that smug aloof tone, kitty was aiming for a yanked tail, "Sure why not."

Trowa sighed as he considered his answer, "And you will believe what I say?"

"I'll think about it, but not likely." Duo knew Hilde cared about this guy, why he was less sure of, he did not come off as very endearing.

Trowa chuckled softly, more bowing to the absurd then amused, "Fair enough. She was interesting."

"Interesting?" Duo had not been expecting that answer, not that he did not agree with it. Hilde claimed Barton had never tried to take her to bed, and he was finding that a bit more believable now. "Go on if you please."

"I do not actually, Hilde was interesting and useful so she was protected and used." Hilde was friends with this man but that did not mean Trowa would let him get close, he had not survived so long by being blinded by sentiment.

Duo clenched his fists, "Can we stop with the using talk, seriously it is going to piss me off."

Trowa tilted his head, it was not improving his mood either, "Doable."

"Wonderful. So you are not going to elaborate on Hilde, so brick talking there. Alright here's a good one. Quatre said in three days your master is going to call us, that right?"

Trowa nodded, it was not something he had need to keep to himself, "That is what they agreed to."

"And I take it he will want to know if Quatre got me on board or not huh?" Duo watched dark eyes closely, he was good at tells but this guy had a Batman poker face when not glaring.

"Quatre hopes you will be cooperative but yes," Trowa was unsure if Duo would would relax or not, Quatre had come to trust his intentions fast enough.

"Yes I know. Now in those three days if I refuse to work with you what are your orders hm? You aren't going to just go home and leave us in peace now are you?" Duo wanted to see if he got a lie or not, if Barton lied now he proved himself untrustworthy.

Trowa sighed, his orders were clear, "If a truce cannot be worked out between O.Z. and the Rebels you will be targeted. Treize has ordered us to remove any who stand in our way, regardless of what faction they are a part of."

Duo blinked, he had not expected Barton to just come out and say that. Shaking his head he frowned, "Quatre know this?"

"He is well aware if a truce fails he will become a viable target, and we both know what happens to those." Trowa did not want to hurt the blond anymore then he did Hilde, but orders were orders. He had committed himself to this fight, and if he could spare the blond he would, even if it meant his life was forfeit.

Duo growled grabbing black cloth as he raised his fist, "You fucking bastard I should kill you right now."

Trowa looked up at Duo, "If you are going to kill me then do so, don't waste time taking about it."

Duo struck, hissing he backed off rubbing his hand, "Fuck your jaw is as hard as Wufei's head."

Trowa licked his reopened lip absently, "You held back, smart of you."

"Look you cocky bastard I don't risk my fingers unless it is life or death, still smarts though." Duo was not sure what to do now, Barton may not be a liar but he was still a threat. Hell the guy had just admitted in three days they could be pointing guns at each other. "And what do you think?"

"That if you are smart you should stop fighting me, you will not win." Trowa knew his skills and those of Maxwell, unarmed Duo was child's play.

"There's that cockiness again. Look Barton I get you have a job to do, and that we don't mean jack shit to you one way or the other. I grew up on the streets so I get the fuck the human race tude, really I do. Quatre wants to trust you, Hilde does, and I don't think you lied, lying doesn't seem like your style. Behave and when your master calls he can have you back. If we are going to be enemies it would be best for my side to off you, but my best friends would hate me."

Trowa frowned, the other's logic was contradictory, "You would risk your life, theirs, your entire side because killing me would upset them? You are a fool Maxwell."

Duo reached out taking Barton's chin, feeling him tense slightly at the touch, figured he wasn't use to being petted. "You won't get any arguments from me Kitty Cat. Maybe I would rather be dead then have those I love hating me. I guess you can't grasp that huh, the closest thing to affection you can feel is loyalty isn't it?"

Trowa blinked when Duo gently drew his face upward rather then jerking it, his voice sounding almost sad. "And now you pity me?"

Duo chuckled softly, Wufei would bite his hand if he said yes right now to him, he was betting Barton was calmer. Wiping blood from the other's chin with a gentle swipe of his thumb he smiled at the genuine confusion, "Not exactly. I feel bad that someone screwed you up as a child, but I won't forget you are dangerous, and not loyal to me."

Trowa closed his eyes, Maxwell was as confusing as Quatre, "You will live longer as long as you do."

Duo smiled, he was starting to get why Hilde liked him, snide thing, "You not going to snap at me to let you go?"

Trowa sighed opening his eyes, "Are you planning on doing more then touching me?"

Duo pulled his hand away on reflex, frowning when Trowa just stared at him. Reminding himself this guy was damaged in ways he didn't even know he just shook his head. "Sorry Kitty but a few ear scratches are all you'll be getting out of me." Winking he frowned slightly at the blink, it was so like Quatre's reaction to half of what he said it was a little unnerving. "Just teasing, seriously no one's going to mess with you here, orders or not."

"Because I am still useful to you," Trowa knew what he was worth to the Rebels, as much as Quatre had been worth to O.Z.

Duo sighed softly, no wonder Quatre felt for the guy if he thought that way about himself, "You really think that don't you? That we'll keep you alive just because of peace talks? Silly Kitty even if Quatre and I thought like you Red Coats that would be cold."

Trowa frowned, "You have no plans to make an example out of me if you choose to fight us?"

Duo walked back up to the cuffed Colonel, hands resting on his shoulders, "Oh some of us would love that, I won't lie, but no we won't. I may not like you very much Barton, but I won't just hand you over to a pack of wolves."

Trowa glanced at Duo's right hand before looking up, "Why?"

"You'd just head shot me if I was in your way, why should I do anything more than that to you?" Duo really wished he knew what the deal with this guy was, could they flip him if an agreement could not be reached?

Trowa frowned slightly but nodded, "Logical, your bleeding heart will still likely kill you someday."

Duo grinned, he had heard that before, "Maybe it will, maybe you'll even be the one to do it, but I am at peace with that." Lifting his hands he stepped back and turned, "Play my friends and you will be biting that bullet once we hang up on your master." Walking out he frowned, he did not trust Barton to behave, but at least he had not lied through his teeth. "If it isn't Quatre or Hilde they do not go in there. He may still be useful, if not he'll be dead soon enough."

3... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...3

Quatre entered the cell, nodding to the guards but not really paying any attention to them. Even if Barton had not been cuffed Quatre was no longer afraid of him, even if he did not fully understand him. Glancing at Barton he noted his arms were free of bruising, neither he or Duo allowed bullies to act as guards or security so it was nice to see none had slipped in. Walking up to Barton he shook his head, the other was asleep, which seemed strange. He could tell Barton was sleeping because he could not feel his mind working, he always seemed to be thinking about something. Reaching out he gently raised Barton's face, his lower left lip had been slip and then reopened, but otherwise he looked unharmed. Duo did not trust or like Barton very much, understandable really, but he would not condone torture. As long as Barton did not try and kill anyone he was safe, just as he had been in the Colonel's care. Lowering his head he released the sleeping soldier, there was nothing he could do for him right now. Sighing Quatre turned and walked back out, turning to the guard who gave him a questioning look. "See he is not disturbed, Duo will want him able to answer questions in the morning." The guard nodded and Quatre walked away, he had a feeling tomorrow would be stressful.

3... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...3

"Duo you are not going to keep him in that cell for three days," Hilde stated as she entered Duo's den, she had not slept well and so was not in the most patient of moods.

Duo opened his eyes, lowering his mug back to his desk, "Hilde he's fine."

"No, I mean if it gets in the way of his mission he won't just sit there like a good boy." Hilde knew Barton pretty well, better then anyone else there.

"And you want to tell me what his orders are?" Duo did not doubt Hilde, she did know what he was capable of, maybe better then he was.

"He is here to try and convince you O.Z. is serious about teaming up, not to hurt anyone." Hilde knew he could do some damage without a weapon, she assumed he had been searched well.

Duo sighed, it was going to be a long morning. "Let's, for the sake of argument, say I believe you. That while he is here he will behave himself, even help us, and if I refuse to met with his Master he'll even leave without causing any trouble then what? He shows up fully armed and we try to kill each other, that the idea?"

Hilde looked down, "That is not what either Quatre or I want Duo. Will you refuse to even talk to Treize? Quatre did not exactly trust him, but he still went, and it seemed they came to an understanding of some kind."

"No I am not going to not even talk to the guy, go to met him Hell yeah I will. Quatre was already a prisoner I am not, and I will not walk into a trap." Duo would admit Barton was not entirely what he was expecting, but he had already admitted if the truce failed it was on.

Hilde sighed, Trowa was not always the easiest person to have a conversation with, "He doesn't hate you."

"Well that will make me feel so much better when DeathScythe is being pelted with whatever overkill sized caliber he uses." Duo muttered, he had seen the holes before, they would pit the Hell out of his wings.

"You can be such a man, at least your jaw is softer." Hilde muttered, she knew Duo was just being cautious but Trowa was also her friend.

Duo arched a brow, it did not surprise him that much she had struck Barton, the fact she still defended him afterward did. "He care you decked him?"

"Only if I could still bend my fingers, which I could, otherwise no. I am one of the few people who can deck him and walk away unharmed, so to speak." Hilde rubbed her hand absently, hurting yourself while hurting someone else did not really count as them hurting you.

Duo could not help but smile a little at that, "You know what Treize is planning?"

"I know what Barton has told me," Hilde answered frowning slightly.

"And you are comfortable with the outcome?" Neither of them was as idealistic as Quatre, life had taken care of that.

Hilde considered that for a moment, "The outcome yes, the methods...you know what O.Z. has done. Most of the worst are already dead, a few politicians still need to go."

Duo frowned, he knew the rumors and the reports, "Not his job?"

"Killing suits no, Barton snipes soldiers not civilians, that's another colonel." Hilde was fine with those suits dying, and Trowa not not being the one to pull the triggers.

"Alright so as long as I can live with what I know the Red Coats have done everyone will be happy huh?" Duo knew making deals with devils required blood, as long as it was that of the wicked he could sleep at night.

"Basically yeah, how's your hand?" Hilde sneered slightly when Duo frowned, she had a bit of a mean streak.

"Very glad I held back, I do not trust the guy entirely but I do trust you and Quatre, you both can't be tripping." Duo was less sure about Quatre, but if Hilde said Barton kept his hands off her then he did, that simple.

Hilde smiled, folding her hands behind her back, "You're so cute when you play big brother."

Duo rolled his eyes, "Oh shudup."

"Duo you have to let Barton go," Quatre blurted the moment he opened the door, he had not expected Duo to be at his desk so early.

Duo groaned, this was starting to get on his nerves, "Here we go again."

"Again? Oh, good morning Hilde," Quatre had not noticed Hilde since he had been so distracted.

Hilde grinned at Quatre, "Good morning Quatre. This lug has finally decided to listen to us."

"We can all bond before war breaks out yippee," Duo drawled as he stood. Hilde frowned at him, Quatre looked hurt, he hated that look. Sighing he tossed the blond a key, "Go let your Kitty out, and warn him he steps out of line he'll get more then cuffed."

Quatre looked down at the key, he was not happy Duo was so sure war would happen, but at least he was willing to let his friend go. "I will, thank you," Turning he walked out without another word.

Duo sighed sitting back down, hand covering his face, "I don't think my head can take much more of this."

Hilde shook her head as she sat down on his desk, "Quatre's a big boy he can take care of himself."

"Oh sure, pacifists fall in love with killers all the time in Disney," Duo mocked before frowning trying to remember if that had ever really happened.

"Quatre just wants to help, I know I feel the same way. Or do you think I am secretly crushing on him too?" Hilde was fine with a bit of teasing, but if Duo really thought that she'd cuff him.

"As if, if you wanted the guy there would be no secret crushing going on. You still think he's hot though," Duo knew she did, and she was not wrong, but hot did not mean safe.

Hilde grinned before frowning, "Don't worry about Quatre, he's no pushover."

"You barely know him," Duo reminded his friend, she could read people pretty well, but how much time had she spent with him really.

"True, but I do know he doesn't cringe when Barton glares, that is all I need to declare someone not a push over." Hilde knew Quatre wanted to help Trowa, and Trowa would not intentionally hurt Quatre like some would.

Duo frowned, "You sit and start talking."

Hilde sat down as ordered, "Fine story time it is."

3... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...3

Quatre walked into Barton's cell smiling reassuringly as Barton looked up, "Duo has agreed to let you go, though he wants you kept on a short leash."

Trowa nodded as he stood, snatching his jacket from the nearby chair back, slinging it over his shoulder casually. "And will you or Hilde be holding it?"

Quatre blinked when Barton stood, the five sets of cuffs clanking off the metal chair and each other as he took his jacket back. When he asked a question the blonde blinked again, "Would you object to Hilde?"

"Why would I? Oh right the whole double agent thing, not a problem," Trowa was fine with Hilde keeping an eye on him to pacify Duo.

"You really do not care at all do you?" Quatre asked as he followed Barton out of the cell, ignoring the guards tense.

"As I have already explained to Duo I was using her as well, besides she may have betrayed O.Z. but she never betrayed me personally." Trowa did not care what other's might think, Hilde had never done anything to endanger him or his mission so she was not his enemy.

Quatre frowned slightly as he considered the logic, Hilde still considered Barton a friend and it was nice to see he felt the same. "It must have been hard for her, I am thankful it ended so well. Where are we going?"

"I am going to change. No doubt your men would be less agitated if I was not in uniform, and I see no reason to remain in it." Trowa could do his job much easier if those around him were not timid or hissing.

Quatre nodded, everyone would know Barton anyway, but anything that called less attention to him being the enemy the better. "That is very considerate of you, as well as practical. Hello Tiffany, did you need something?"

Tiffany looked from Barton to Quatre, "Hilde asked me to put some bags in a room for your guest. I though uniforms came with sleeves."

Trowa arched a brow at the pretty little blonde with twin pigtails of curly shimmering hair, "Most do. You are Tails then hm?"

"Hilde told you about me?!" Tiffany squeaked, far more surprised then scared, the guy was cute and seemed decent to her.

Trowa nodded, "Her roommate back home, it is nice to met you."

Tiffany smiled as she relaxed, Hilde had mention her temporary boss was a really nice guy for a Red Coat. "It is nice to met you too Colonel Barton. Hilde is in a meeting with Duo right now so if I can help you with anything please feel free to ask."

"Barton is fine, and once you show me to my room I am sure I will be able to manage," Trowa could see why Hilde liked this girl, but he was not going to get attached.

Quatre frowned slightly, Tiffany seemed quite comfortable around Barton now, and he was polite in turn. It was nice seeing people getting along, "Thank you Tiffany."

Tiffany smiled blushing a little, "It's no bother, Hilde told me Barton was a good man in a few of her reports. Duo made sure I got them, she only sent me a few short messages. Thank you for saving her from those bastards."

Trowa nodded, he did not understand rapists beyond the literature studies put out, "Good people should not be made to suffer, or so I have been told. Good day Tiffany."

Tiffany smiled warmly, he really was likeable if given half a chance, "Good day Barton, Quatre."

Quatre smiled at the usually happy blonde as she turned and walked off, "You really aren't such a cold person are you?"

"I am indifferent to most, I had no use for closeness growing up." Trowa entered the room tossing the jacket to the bed, the room was comfortable looking, but of little importance.

Quatre bit his lip, fighting the urge to say something comforting, Barton would likely dismiss it anyway. "Once the war is over perhaps you can give it a try."

Trowa glanced over his shoulder, Quatre had not tried to comfort him, "It is something to consider. I take it you trust me to change unsupervised?"

Quatre smiled a little when he was teased, "I do yes, I'll just wait here."

"As you wish, do not worry so much Quatre I will not claw at your men, they will get use to me being around soon enough." Trowa was not worried about a bunch of unarmed civilians, he never had been and never would be.

"I know, they will not hiss too much." Quatre sat down on the bed as Trowa slipped into the room's bathroom. He decided he would see about getting something to eat soon, Barton could use some coffee no doubt. Tiffany would no doubt tell her friends Barton was not a bad man and so in a few hours only the most bitter would hiss because he was O.Z. Turning when the door opened he blinked at Barton when he walked out of the room typing on the tablet he had seen in Barton's hands most of the time they had been together. White pants had been replaced with pale jeans, black boots with combat boots, black shirt and crimson jacket with a lose crimson tee shirt. The colors were similar but he looked different dressed like anyone else and not in a uniform. "That did not take long."

"Growing up in war zones you learn to get dressed quickly," Trowa commented absently as he looked up. "You are not going to ask what I am working on, or why do I have this?"

"I do trust you so no, if you care to share I will not stop you. If you come this way I will see you get some coffee." Quatre smiled when Barton nodded and followed him without further prompting, they had come to an understanding after all.

"Just because I am here to help you does not mean I do not have other duties to attend to." Trowa did not mind working from afar, a few days would not be a problem.

"Duo may not be so happy about that but I will not stop you, I believe Treize wants what we do, even if I may not like how he has gone about some of it." Quatre did not need to know the details to know that, he could not undo anything O.Z. had done, but perhaps he could make sure it had not been done in vain.

"Duo is not a concern, if he wishes to stop me from working plans have been made, he will get nothing from this device." Trowa was not concerned about Duo's hacking skills, his toys were his alone.

Quatre sighed softly but made no comment, it made sense Barton would make arrangements for the time he was gone. "I was wondering if you would like to meet some of our department heads, I am sure you all would have much to talk about?"

Trowa frowned slightly as he sent his report before pocketing his tablet, "If they are agreeable to a meeting I will not object. If we are to work together your side has a lot to learn."

"Not the other way around?" Quatre asked teasingly, not taking offense at Barton's way.

Trowa shook his head at the blond, "We have extensive files."

"You'll make the masses paranoid," Quatre chided, turning his attention to two of the large men who worked manly as bouncers. They were studying Barton, who just stood there arms crossed, "Yes?"

"Sir do you require any assistance?"

"Thank you, could you tell me are Shelly, Cassie, or B.J. in there?" Quatre asked polity ignoring the implications.

"B.J. and Shelly are," The second man answered.

"Wonderful, Mr. Barton if you would follow me you can meet two of the people I mentioned." Quatre walked past the two large men, ignoring their murmurs and stares.

3... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...3

"So did your meeting go well?" Quatre asked as he walked up to Duo, frowning at the tablet he was holding.

"Sure, why are you not with Barton?" Duo did not see the guy and it annoyed him.

"Hilde is with him, she said she was done debriefing you so I came to see you," Quatre answered trying not to snap at Duo.

Duo drew in a breath before letting it out as a sigh, "And they are?"

"Last I saw with B.J. and Shelly heading for the maintenance bay," Quatre answered relaxing as well, Duo did not know Barton so of course he did not trust him.

Duo nodded, B.J. would snap Barton's wrist if he touched anything he wasn't suppose to, "That should keep him amused for a little while."

"Duo I know you are concerned, but can you stop taking it out on him? He is not our enemy yet," Quatre did not want to ever have to face off against Barton, but he accepted it might come to that.

"Yeah, well, I'm not going to get attached either way. That guy would put a bullet through my brain and not even blink, at least he's honest about it." Duo shrugged, "You and Hilde can set yourselves up for heartbreak if you want, it's a free solar system."

Quatre frowned crossing his arms, "You are convinced even if we make a deal with Treize we will be betrayed why?"

"People who snipe politicians and mow down bases of soldiers in the name of peace are not trustworthy. Your would be boy toy may just be following orders, but they aren't yours now are they?" Duo knew he was being harsh, but he did not want Quatre to forget which side Barton was on.

Quatre glared, had he said something like this to Hilde too? "The two of you are impossible, so ready to go at each other. I should just stand back and let you have your way, too bad he left HeavyArms behind since your hands won't last a round. I have some messages to respond to, at least the other leaders still trust my judgment." Turning on his heel he did not care to continue talking with Duo. So what if he thought Barton was attractive? He wanted to help him not keep him as a pet, what was so damn wrong with that anyway? Had not plenty of other O.Z. personal joined them without anyone making accusations?

3... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...3

Quatre looked up when he heard B.J. laugh, B.J. did not laugh when working very often. Sticking his head into the maintenance bay he blinked at the large black man who had his arms crossed laughing. Shelly was just blinking at him like he had gone mad, which he just might have. He did not see Barton or Hilde, but he was sure they were still there. "I like ya kid," B.J. praised, still grinning even if he was not laughing anymore.

"Oi, that is just odd," Shelly muttered shaking her head.

Hilde giggled, she was use to Trowa after six months, "Not for him."

Trowa ignored them, right leg hooked through the catwalk's railing, typing upside down on the panel B.J. had jury-rigged just to mess with anyone trying to find out what was kept where who wasn't on his team. Turning to look over his shoulder he smirked at Quatre's expression, "Hey Quatre."

"Oi doesn't that hurt ya back?" Shelly called, dark brown side braid falling off her shoulder.

B.J. chuckled, "You know Blondie I thought all them Red Coats were jerks who won't get their hands dirty with honest work. Your friend here sure doesn't mind, he's been working with Cassie's IT people for the last hour upgrading our tech stuff. No more dropped or staticy calls it seems."

Quatre tilted his head, Barton did not seem to mind risking broken limbs, "Hilde did you authorize this?"

"Well on the way here we ran into Cass, and she was cool with using O.Z. tech to upgrade some of our older systems so...yes sorta kinda." Hilde had not really thought about it since Cassie had been so excited about being able to get a hold of some of the basic O.Z. software they used for communications she had had just gone with it.

Quatre frowned slightly, a lot of their bases used older tech because that was what they could get a hold of, clearly Barton knew enough about old and new to combine the two. "Well as long as Cassie approved it Duo should be fine with it."

"Duo still being touchy about Trowa huh?" Hilde asked knowing the answer, Duo was really set on not warming up to the guy.

Quatre sighed, not sure how much he wanted to share, "Just a bit yes."

"Thinks he should give ya a proper shagging does he the git?" Shelly teased with a wink, giggling when Quatre blinked at her before blushing, "So cute he is."

"Aw leave the boy alone woman, the guy can work with my system and has a spine like a cat, I like him." B.J. had decided he liked Barton the moment the guy could read his coding and understand his 'organic' filing system, if the guy was a chick he'd put a ring on it.

Hilde giggled at Quatre's blush and B.J.'s comment, "Oh he can twist worst then that, very impressive."

"You shrieked the first time," Trowa reminded her as he finished updating the innovatory, older systems were slower after all.

Quatre blinked when he realized Barton could hear them talking from up there, he had to be a New Type, "I would imagine."

Hilde frowned at Trowa, how he did not get stiff all twisted like that she never knew. "Humans do not bend like cats you jerk."

"Some of us do," Trowa reminded his friend as he unhooked his leg sitting on the catwalk's railing. "Got any other toys for me to play with B.J.?"

"Tell me you got a sister. Not right now, gotta save something for tomorrow," B.J. laughed, he could get use to guy hanging around. "Now everybody out, it's me time with coffee hour."

"Fine, enjoy your java, I am taking the rest of the day off," Shelly waved up at Barton before she turned and walked off, there was little left to do now that the men had had their fun.

"You heard them Kitty Cat, down you go," Hilde curled her finger at Trowa grinning up at him.

Trowa shook his head but dropped from the catwalk, titling his head at the looks, "What?"

"They aren't use to people who drop from from twenty feet like it's five," Hilde reminded her friend walking up to him.

Trowa shrugged, use to his talents scaring or just dumbfounding people, "Not my problem."

B.J. chuckled, "Please tell me you are going to be this much fun at the meeting in like an hour?"

"He's all work and no play in meetings B.J., though the reactions to him being there might still be hilarious." Hilde had no doubt a few heads would not be happy to have either her or Trowa there.

Trowa crossed his arms, "As if I will waste my time caring what people think of me. I am here to keep you people alive long enough to be useful, nothing more."

"See all work," Hilde teased with a wink, "Barton a little glaring and they will all shut up."

Quatre sighed, he was still not sure what was going on between those two. "I'm more worried about Duo."

Hilde frowned, "That man is being such a man, not offense B.J., Quatre."

B.J. smirked, "None taken Doll, I have my moments. I'll see you all there now shoo."

"Come on you," Hilde took Trowa's arm tugging him along, he could be a stubborn thing.

"I do not need to be led around Hilde," Trowa protested pulling his arm free, "Duo's wishes notwithstanding."

Hilde huffed, "Oh don't go getting defensive, I know you remember? I am going to fill in Duo so he won't be all what the Hell, behave now."

Quatre frowned when Barton frowned after the teasing girl, expression not entirely annoyed. "Barton may I ask you something?"

Trowa glanced at Quatre, "Is it something you think I will answer?"

"I think so yes," Quatre already knew the other cared for Hilde, there was little point in claiming otherwise now.

Trowa nodded, Quatre was idealistic but not a bad judge of people, "Ask what you will of me then."

"I know Hilde was not sent undercover to target you, or anyone really, so it was just luck you met her. I am relived your are still friends after all that has happened, not everyone would be so understanding." Quatre really was, not matter what else he might feel, Barton just nodded slightly but made no comment. "What I want to know is...are you in love with her?"

Trowa blinked, in truth he was surprised no one had asked that sooner. "You think I am in love with her why exactly?"

Quatre bit his lip, "I have seen you two together, there is something there."

"Hilde is an affectionate young women, there is nothing more between us then there is between her and Duo." Trowa knew Hilde was like that with close friends, it did not mean she wished to date them all.

Quatre frowned slightly, Hilde did seem to treat them both the same, though she was siding with Barton and not Duo right now. "I am not sure if Duo believes that."

"That is between him and her, it has nothing to do with me. Tell me Quatre why so interested in my feelings for Hilde?" Trowa smirked at the blush, he was too easy to read, "Jealousy does not suit you."

Quatre frowned, Barton was laughing at him, he did not like it, "I do not find that at all funny."

Trowa shook his head at the defensive blond, "Perhaps not, Duo has to have been making comments since I got here."

"Duo does not trust you, it has nothing to do with either Hilde or my own real or imagined feelings towards you." Quatre was not ready to admit certain things to anyone just yet, he wasn't even on a first name basis with this man.

Trowa shrugged unconcerned, "I would not trust me either if that makes you feel better. Hilde thinks you are cute when you turn pink, she may be on to something."

Quatre frowned slightly, not really feeling better that Barton agreed with Duo. Dark eyes blinked at the rest of the comment, lips parting as Barton walked away. Frowning in thought Quatre turned when one of the Runners came up to him, "Yes?"

"Our guests have all arrived. Are you sure he should be wondering around unsupervised?"

"Barton can stay out of trouble for a few minutes. Hilde will see to him once she is done with Duo." Quatre knew Duo would not be happy to hear he was letting Barton out of his sight, he would just have to deal with it. Right now he was more concerned with his feelings for Barton then Duo's, Duo would get over it. "Thank you, I will be at the meeting." Walking away the blond was not sure what to do, he wanted to talk to Hilde but she was busy. After the meeting he would have to find a moment to ask her a few things.

3... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...3

Quatre frowned when he entered the briefing room the meetings always took place in, formal or otherwise. Duo was sitting across from the door as he normally was, Hilde was sitting to his right, Barton was seated beside her, B.J., Cassie and a few of the others were on the other side of the desk. No one seemed to mind Barton being there so he moved to take a seat to Duo's left. Duo nodded at him before frowning, "Alright so is there any system our guest hasn't been allowed to play with?"

B.J. shook his head, "I get he's still with O.Z. but he behaved himself, besides anyone who can follow my code while hanging upside down can't be all bad."

Duo sighed rubbing the bridge of his nose, "Can't say I disagree with you in principle B.J., Cass you got anything to add?"

"My IT team has been working nonstop for the last few hours integrating all the Feddy and O.Z. coding into our systems. There are hours of logs we will be able to decode not to mention some tech we will be able to use now. I am still amazed the guy even knew how to make Feddy tech, Rebel jury rigging, and O.Z. tech talk nicely to each other." Cassie was the best IT in the Rebels so she knew exactly how hard it was to get rival technology to work together.

Duo frowned slightly, they had collected a ton of stuff from the enemy bases they took, raided, or otherwise came across. Most of their tech was older stuff, weapons worked just fine but beating O.Z. took more then guns. Barton just shrugged of the comments, not in a rude way at least, at least he was not always an arrogant jerk. "Just following orders?"

Trowa folded his arms on the desk, leaning forward casually, "Treize wants your help removing the last of the Federation and the Alliance, that is easier when your tech is not so...outdated."

B.J. chuckled at Duo's frown and Quatre's hidden smile, "Thank God you said that, saved me from having to."

Duo rolled his eyes, "You going to give us some of your toys?"

"If we team up, otherwise no, felines are not big on sharing." Trowa was fine with the Rebels finding him useful, O.Z. planned on using the Rebels is was only fair for them to plan on using him back.

Quatre grinned when Duo smiled a little, Barton really was a decent guy if you got to know him, Duo was finally starting to see that. "Well we all agree the Alliance and the privateers need to go."

Duo glanced at Quatre, he was happy no one was growling and he could not blame his friend, "That we do. Alright so you'll hook us up as long as it won't compromise O.Z., fair enough."

Trowa bowed his head, "Thank you."

"It is so nice seeing you kids all getting along, so cute," Cassie smiled, they were cute.

Duo sighed, "Good God women we are working here."

Hilde giggled, "It's nice not hearing you say that to me."

"Don't get me started. Tell me Barton did she drive you crazy too?" Duo asked only half joking, it had been six months after all.

Trowa frowned considering how to answer for a moment, "A few times."

Hilde playfully cuffed the back of Trowa's head, "You were far worst you jackass."

Duo smirked when Hilde smacked her friend, nothing painful but still something he was not expecting to see. "You're lucky he likes you girl."

"I luvs me my big old Attack Kitty," Hilde teased leaning against Trowa, hand on his chest, he really was great.

Trowa glanced down at the smiling Hilde when she looked up at him, "Meow."

Hilde giggled again, she really did love the lug, "Good Kitty."

"Get a room you two," Duo muttered before grinning, Hilde really did like the guy, and he seemed to really like her.

"Ignore him, are all you Gundam Pilots adorable?" Beth asked, Barton looked great in those jeans, Quatre and Duo were just adorable, she did not know what the others looked like.

Hilde frowned in thought, "Well Yui is cute if you like intense, and Zechs always has this mask on but from what I can see yes. I've never met Wufei so I can't really say."

"The guy is moody, but I wouldn't knock his looks like I would his manners," Duo answered, Wufei would be cutter if he relaxed a bit, personalty did matter.

Cassie smiled, Beth was not the only curious lady there, "And you are all single?"

Hilde frowned at Cassie, she was protective of her friends, "I wouldn't Cass, O.Z. colonels are very dangerous."

"Barton doesn't seem all that dangerous to me," Beth retorted, Hilde seemed awfully jealous for just a friend.

Hilde rolled her eyes, hand on Trowa's shoulder, "Kitty claw."

Beth yelped when a blade stopped an inch from her face before Barton sat back down, Hilde patting his shoulder. "I was only being friendly no need to get hostile."

"Sweetie that was not him being hostile, that was him being playful." Hilde smirked, turning to Duo and Quatre who were both frowning at them, Duo annoyed, Quatre more concerned, "Kitty give."

Duo frowned a bit less when Barton handed over the K-bar knife to Hilde without protest, Hilde did seem to have him well trained. "How many tricks have you taught him?"

"A few, but they only work for me, you know how kitties are with orders. He behaves very well for allies, enemies he tends to just kill." Hilde knew she could give playful orders because Trowa was her friend, he was perfectly harmless to her.

Quatre had seen that, not that he needed to see Netune's body to believe the kill part, "Treize calls him My Stray."

"Does he now?" Cassie asked interest perked again, while Beth was a bit flirty and forward she did not do knives.

Trowa frowned at the pretty curly haired blonde who was curious, Beth was pouting, "It's a private joke of his, he has little pet names for each of us."

Cassie smiled, "That is kinda cute, he seems so polished."

"Oh he is, he also is very dangerous," Trowa knew Treize very well, very few outside of the Specials knew how dangerous he really was.

"Well he is the head of O.Z. so I would have to say so, thought I am not scared of you. I like you Barton, you are interesting, and cute, but you are sadly a he." Cassie had to admit if she was into men she would likely be all over that, as some might put it.

Beth frowned, still not happy about Hilde's little show of power, "Not sure Kitten likes girls."

Hilde rolled her eyes, "Kitten doesn't like sluts, and neither do I."

Trowa shook his head, Hilde did not like Beth much at all, draping his arms over her shoulders he leaned close, "Hiss."

"Good Kitty Witty," Hilde praised patting Trowa's hair, he was so cute when he wanted to be.

Beth rolled her eyes, "Seriously Hilde."

"Enough Beth, Kitty's not interested, and Hilde is my friend too so be nice or Kitty gets his claws back." Duo had never cared much for Beth, but she was good at seducing people which was needed in the spy business.

"But you don't trust him?" Beth knew Quatre was the one who did, and she could guess why.

"Perhaps, but I do trust Hilde, and she likes him so yeah." Duo shrugged, Hilde was a spy with morals who sure as Hell didn't flirt with every cute guy she ran into to.

"Seriously Miss. Jordan you are not skilled enough to go up against a Special," Trowa informed the lovely but unappealing young woman.

"How do you know my last name?" Beth asked paling, not at all liking this turn of events.

Trowa sneered, "You think Hilde is the only spy we know of that we have not killed? You are not at all useful to me however, pity for you."

"Duo, Quatre?" Beth turned to the two leaders for some support.

"Sorry girl I don't particularly like you either," Duo reminded the lose spy unsympathetically.

Quatre frowned, he could not say he liked her either, "No assassinations while you are our guest."

"That is not at all funny Quatre," Beth muttered.

"I am not trying to be, you are not a nice person, and your services will not be required in a few days," Quatre reminded the other coolly.

"I cannot believe this, the two of you acting just like him, a fucking Red Coat!" Beth threw up her hands in disgust.

Hilde frowned at the raging female, "You're just being pissy because he won't drool over you, he has standards."

"Beth you may really want to shut it before you become a cat toy," Cassie saw no point in pissing everyone off, even Quatre was fed up with her.

"No wonder Chang wants nothing to do with you people," Beth muttered crossing her arms.

Duo opened his mouth to remind Beth Wufei was just touchy, leaving it open when an alarm went off, "The fuck now?"

Trowa shrugged getting to his feet, "This conversation has become pointless anyway."

"Trowa, Sweetie, Rebels don't talk like that remember? You should try to talk like normal people while here." Hilde chided, holding out one of his handguns out to him.

"I haven't been a normal person since I was four, I see no point in trying to become one now," Trowa reminded his former assistant as he took the offered gun.

"I think he was doing all right for the most part," Quatre commented not wanting to think about what Trowa had just said. Even if he had not had feelings for the other it would make his heart ache, four was so young.

"Great the guy can talk like a human being goody, thoughts?" Duo was starting to like Barton, he was not all bad, but that did not mean he want to dwell on him just then.

"If it's O.Z. he can shoo them, anyone else we can just gun down. Maybe you should have brought Rambo with you after all." Hilde did agree it would have made Duo even more agitated, but right now she was missing the walking armory.

"As if I need a Gundam to kill, you know me better then that," Trowa scoffed as they ran down the hall, dodging the odd Rebel now and then.

"Still would make it easier," Hilde muttered under her breathe.

"Since when has my life been easy? Don't go getting soft on me just because you are home," Trowa frowned at the two guards from before.

Duo glanced at Quatre, he did not need powers to see the distress on his face, damn timing. Entering the bay he blinked up at a kneeling suit with angelic wings, "Wing...what?" Dark eyes blinked when the pilot removed his helmet and focused on them. Duo swallowed, blinking when Barton walked past him and up to his fellow colonel. "Did you know about this Quatre?"

Quatre shook his head as he studied this new O.Z. Gundam Pilot, Hiro Yui a.k.a the Perfect Soldier. The other was just standing there, helmet tucked under his arm as he regarded Trowa, "I didn't even know he was in the area."

"You are out of uniform Barton-san," Hiro greeted, he could see a split in the other's lip that was mostly healed, nothing unexpected.

"It keeps the natives calmer Yui-san, why are you here?" Trowa had not been told Treize would be sending him along, it was not something that would have been forgotten.

Hiro sighed, he trusted Barton to a fault, he even rather liked him, but the other never seemed to ask simple questions beyond orders. "There is a problem."

Trowa nodded, Yui would not have come let alone in Wing just to say hello, "I gathered that, what do you need of me?"

Hiro allowed himself a slight smile, "The fools have joined forces, it just happened few hours ago, even Une was blindsided."

Trowa frowned, very little got passed Une, "Our orders?"

"No change. If the Rebels can be brought on board then they must be, if not then they are to be eliminated right along side this new allied faction." Hiro was fine with the Rebels cleaning up riffraff while O.Z. saw to the heavy fighting, they were better armed.

Trowa nodded, two days and O.Z. would come at it's enemies with it's full force brought to bare. "Understood. The Libra?"

"Une is already seeing it is ready to punch a hole right through the heart of the enemy, Zechs is backing her up. I was sent to inform you of all of this in person since we are limiting subspace chatter, not to mention Treize does not want to broadcast we are trying to make an alliance of our own." Hiro was not against playing messenger now and then. He frowned when guards aimed at him, eyes narrowing.

Trowa turned to frown at the head guard, he looked smug, one kick and he would look dead. "Lower your weapon."

"Don't bark orders O.Z. Dog, we aren't allies yet."

Trowa glared and the man swallowed, gun trembling, "Fool, I should break your jaw."

"Enough! Take Yui away we'll deal with him in a minute." Duo did not want to think about those dark eyes just then, God he was as bad as Quatre. Turning to Barton he jabbed his chest with a finger, "Don't threaten my people, this is not your ship, you can't just break jaws or head shot someone on a whim."

Trowa looked down at Duo, he did not like being poked, "That man means nothing to me, he is a fool. You will release Yui so we can deal with the reason he came here."

"There are those orders again, you just can't help it can you? Yui is O.Z. just like you, and I barely stand you." Duo knew he was being unfair, but he could not allow himself to become distracted. Quatre hung up on this guy was bad enough, he could not fall for the new hot Red Coat.

"Whether you can stand me or not is irrelevant. The Alliance and the Federation have joined forces, we can either stand together, or you can fight us all and die." Trowa already knew the Rebels were doomed if they went it alone, will could not beat raw firepower for long.

"Hey we have three Gundams too you know? Don't act like we are helpless." Duo was about ready to reopen that lip again.

"You have two Gundams, and your skill pales compared to the three of us. Do you truly believe in a fight you could kill me? People have been trying for fourteen years and here I am still breathing," Trowa knew how to kill, he had become an expert in order to survive.

"Stop it please?" Quatre pleaded getting between them, looking up at Trowa he could feel the ice. "What are your new orders?"

"They have not changed. In two days you will either be our allies or our targets, Treize will wait no longer to face this new force, we no longer have the time to indulge you." Trowa knew his orders and his mission, they were all that mattered now.

Quatre frowned, he could feel Duo fighting with himself, Trowa focusing on the mission like a good soldier, "Trowa..."

"You guys had no idea they were going to do that?" Duo knew a few of the other's had voiced concerns but few believed the two factions would get along long enough to join up. The Alliance was a smaller, spotty, and Earth based, the Federation was what had not become O.Z. and remained mainly in space, the two seemed to not mix well half of the time. Since the Alliance was mostly just a bunch of privateers and mercenaries really they had never really been considered as much of a threat.

"We have a plan in place, but no it was not something Treize saw happening until we had decimated both sides," Trowa admitted, he had fought both growing up it made no difference to him either way.

Duo bit back a sarcastic retort, right now they needed O.Z. firepower to win, after they took out this new threat the Rebels could revisit alliance or war. "Same here really, damn them and their moment of clarity. So if we join you what are we expected to do?"

"Destroy, this new alliance is gathering and we will hit them full force, they will be crippled by the first blow, the rest is mowing down any still alive." It was the only way he knew to win, kill all who opposed you.

Duo sighed slowly, "Oh man. Quatre we need to get a hold of like everyone and run this by them."

Quatre nodded, he really did not want to think about it, "Will you be all right?"

"I will be with Yui, he may have some need of me," Turning Trowa walked away, not even pausing when Hilde reached for him.

"Why did you have Yui locked up?" Hilde had just come from the cell, Hiro had behaved but she did not count on him staying there either.

"Allies and Feddies just teamed up, and now we have two Red Coats here acting like they can do what they want." Duo muttered rubbing the bridge of his nose, this whole thing was becoming one big mess.

"Hilde what do you know about Yui?" Quatre was curious if she knew him at all, any insight would be helpful.

"Well I know Trowa can outdraw him, they are as close as two people who don't believe in getting attached can be, and they are protective of each other. I never really met him, but I did listen to them talk, Hiro didn't come here just to protect O.Z.'s interests." Hilde knew Hiro and Trowa cared about each other, they were so much alike.

"Great your crush's best bud came by, God I need a stiff drink to deal with all this damned drama. Hilde keep your former boss from damaging any of our staff while we fill the others in and get their asses in gear. Once this new problem is dealt with we can revisit our guests." Duo just wanted to sleep until this was all over, how had he ended up leading a movement anyway?

Quatre sighed softer then Hilde did, "Thank you Hilde."

Hilde nodded, Duo needed to get something done and Quatre would be of more use to him then she was. "Good luck," Turning she ran off after Trowa, knowing exactly what he was going to do.

3... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...3

"Keys, or I break every bone in both of your useless hands," Trowa was in no mood to deal with the fool of a guard again.

"Bark one more order, Pretty Boy and you can go right back in that cell too."

Trowa glared, striking he closed his fingers around reaching hands before he crushed, the much larger man falling to his knees with a scream of pain as his fingers bent in ways they had never been meant to. "Your bravado is no longer amusing, if you wish to continue pissing me off you have plenty of bones left for me to break."

"Barton stand down!" Hilde ordered, wishing for once he was not so cat like. Trowa frowned at her but released the guard stepping back, damage already done. "Sam give me the keys."

"su...sure," The smaller guard stammered holding out his keyring, he did not want her to order Barton to attack him.

"Thanks. Take him to a doctor, I'll keep Barton and Yui here." Hilde unlocked the door for Trowa, who entered without so much as a glance her way.

"And you are the calm one," Hiro commented holding out his cuffed wrists for Barton to free.

"I am tried of the man, he is useless to our side," Trowa muttered picking the locks since Hilde still had the keys.

"Colonel I would appreciate you both stay here for the moment. Duo and Quatre are calling the troops, and will come here once they are done." Hilde had no way to influence Hiro beyond Trowa, and he was bristly.

"What a bother these civilians are. I will stay so relax, Barton-san sit down and fill me in," Hiro preferred intimidation to diplomacy, he was a soldier nothing more.

Trowa sat down as ordered, arms and legs crossing, "The drama will take a while to get through."

Hiro nodded sitting down beside his friend, "We have the time."

Hilde smiled a little and walked out, leaning against the wall she waited for Duo and Quatre to return, "And just when Duo was starting to like him too...timing."

3... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...3

You know I really do not think Hilde is getting paid enough for this. Well this fic is almost half done now with this post, yippee maybe? Writing Duo like Wufei is so strange, sorry Duo fans. Wufei and Zechs with be introduced before all the fun fighting, yippee again maybe? Any if you liked it the please leave a review, even a few words would be great. I have plenty of other Gundam Wing fic so feel free to browse. As always love you all.