Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing

Warning: slight language, violence

Never Cross a Wrathful Winner

"So what's the game plan?" Quatre asked eagerly as he walked to school with his cousin instead of being driven.

"First, we need to figure out if he has any plans," Solo stated. "If he's going to be doing anything important, at least important to him, we need to know if it's happening this weekend. Ask about it without being obvious. We'll share notes at lunch and take it from there."

"Right," Quatre said, pausing as a thought came to him. "Do we want to get Trowa in on this?"

"He does have access to some of the guys that hang with Heero," Solo murmured thoughtfully. "Might as well. He is one of Duo's friends, right?"

"Though he may not look it, he is," Quatre stated firmly.

"You know that for a fact?"

"I put my manhood on it."

"Okay, I get ya," Solo muttered as his hands drifted to protectively cover his crotch. "On another note, is there any way you can show me to my classes?"

"You've been here nearly a week and you still don't know your way around here?" Quatre asked skeptically.

"I always left it up to Duo," he protested in his defense. "I didn't think something like this was going to happen!"

"It's no problem," Quatre sighed, hoping to get away from the subject. The image of Duo lying in the restroom still haunted him.

"Yeah, well, just keep on the lookout for info. Don't make anybody suspicious."

Nodding, Quatre's aquamarine eyes focused on the ever-growing school building.

As much as he didn't want to do it, Solo knew it was for a good cause. He was going to have to…sigh…endure the presence of that harpy with the weird eyebrows again.

Since Duo wasn't here, it seemed every girl and her sister, hell even their mother, was approaching him, trying to either flirt with him or ask him out on a date. Taking the opportunities given to him, he inquired if they heard about anything special happening this weekend, like someone holding a party. Alas, nothing came up and he had to wave away the throngs, hinting at something or just playing hard to get, always casting the illusion of the coveted "bad boy."

After being led to his first period, he steeled himself, waiting for that slut…er, Dorothy, to make her next attempt on claiming him.

He was not disappointed nor did he have to wait long.

"I'm sorry to hear about your friend's…accident," Dorothy greeted, taking Duo's seat. Solo grinded his teeth and forced back the sudden flash of rage that had momentarily overwhelmed him.

"Yeah, I miss him already," he stated, trying his best not to reach over and wring her neck.

"It really is too bad," she sighed melodramatically.

"I could really do something to boost my spirits," he spoke casually, watching her from the corner of his eye. "Would you happen to know if there's a party or something?"

"Now that I think about it, I believe Wufei is having one," Dorothy answered after some thought.

"The China guy?" Solo asked.

"Interesting nickname," Dorothy commented dryly. "But you shouldn't think ill of him. His parties are the best. Since his folks are going to be out of town, it's going to be huge. Everybody who's somebody is going to be there."

"Even that Heero guy?" he asked.

"Of course."

"What is it between those two? Are they dating or something?"

Giggling, Dorothy replied, "They most certainly are not though you are the first to ask that."

"What's going to be so special about the party anyway?" Solo asked.

"You'll find out if you go," Dorothy answered, grinning suggestively at him. "Perhaps we could go together, just as friends, and have a good time?"

"I'll have to think about it," he answered. "I got to see if my uncle's going to be here or not. If he is, then I'll have to stay at my cousin's. If he isn't, then I'll give ya a call."

With the girl nearly squealing giddily, Solo had to refrain from letting his disgust out in the open. He couldn't afford to let anyone see it just yet. However, he was jumping up and down with excitement in his head. It seemed as if fate was on his side today.

"So what do you got?" Solo immediately asked his partners-in-crime the moment he sat down.

"Big party at Wufei's," Quatre answered, looking as if that explained everything.

"I heard about that," Solo started slowly, "but I have no idea what's so special about it."

Quatre looked at him, eyes widening in realization that Solo really didn't know what was so special about Chang Wufei's parties. Trowa, however, intervened.

"Wufei is really extravagant when he throws one of his bashes," Trowa explained. "For example, at the last party, he filled his backyard swimming pool to the brim with alcohol and let everybody skinny-dip in it, making sure that nobody got too deep into it. Of course, he didn't stop there, going as far as to include other fun activities that required water and using alcohol as a substitute."

"Sounds like fun," Solo drawled, trying to imagine such a scene.

"Now, nobody heard about a party being held tonight until sometime yesterday, after lunch to be precise," Trowa continued. "I didn't hear about it until last period and from what I've heard, this party is going to be a big one."

"No doubt in celebration of Heero's 'accomplishment,'" Quatre muttered. "Can you believe that everybody is talking about what happened to Duo yesterday? The way they're talking about it is like they really don't care. How can these people be so heartless?"

"Well, at least we know that Heero has something planned for this evening," Solo cut in. Grinning wickedly, he continued, "But I don't think that his plans are going to be compatible with ours."

Gaining his own wicked look, Quatre nodded. Beside him, Trowa showed nothing but there was a twinkle in his eye, revealing that he was also going along with this.

Leaning closer to the two conspiratorially, Solo began to explain the next phase of the plan.

Letting an enormous yawn out, Duo finally returned to the conscious world of reality, his eyes blinking tiredly as he sought to figure out where he was. He knew this wasn't his apartment since he knew his bed wasn't as comfortable as the one he had woken up in, not that he didn't mind, of course.

Glancing at an unfamiliar clock, his eyes widened to saucers as he saw the time: 12:10 p.m. Crap, he was late for school! Wait…oh yeah, he wasn't going, that's right… No wonder he had slept as long as he had, his internal alarm clock usually woke him up long before school started.

The events of yesterday came rushing back to him and he put his hands under his head as he started to sort out everything. So much had happened in a short amount of time… First he had been greeted at his front door by Solo and walked to school with him, watched a verbal confrontation between Solo and Dorothy, was beaten up in a restroom by Heero Yuy, taken to the nurse's office by the three people who he remotely called friends, abducted and forcefully moved to Quatre's…it was better to ask what didn't happen.

Now here he was, out of school, lazing about in the lap of luxury… Sigh…if only this could have been his real life…

His stomach growling awoke him to an unpleasant reality. He hadn't eaten anything since yesterday and he was starving! Best to get up and get something to eat before he starved to death. He supposed he could get dressed and spare the staff the horrible sight of him in his pajamas.

Once changed, he set out to fill his stomach. After much thought, he decided to skip breakfast altogether and go straight to lunch since it was that time of day after all. Why eat some cold breakfast food when you could have something warm and cooked…mmmmmmmmm….

Finding the dining room first, by accident of course, he was greeted by the last person he thought he'd encounter at this time of day.

"About time you got up. I was beginning to wonder if you were going to sleep the day away."

Quatre's father was sitting at the table as if he had been expecting him. In fact, it looked like he had been since there was another place set out for someone, most likely him, and there was a small buffet of luncheon food on the large dining room table.

"Well don't just stand there, join me," Mr. Winner invited, gesturing to the unoccupied set place.

Not daring to offend such a powerful figure, Duo quickly took his place, shivering nervously in the man's presence.

Chuckling, Mr. Winner said, "I'm not going to bite you, lad. Go on and dig in."

As if broken out of a trance, Duo immediately began to fill his plate and dug in, much to the amusement of his older companion. Mr. Winner paced himself as he observed the ravenous braided one, not because he was trying to figure something out but more as in amusement. The man had patience and knew he would get his answers in time.

Duo solely concentrated on his meal, hoping that the presence of the older man would slip his mind and for a time it worked. He had indeed forgotten how good the cooks were here and was beginning to wonder why he didn't come over more often.

"You know you can slow down; it's not going anywhere."

Startled, he almost choked but managed to swallow his mouthful, taking a big chug of the beverage provided to him to wash it down. "I forgot you were there," he said sheepishly.

Mr. Winner chuckled. "I could see that."

Hoping to not cause an awkward silence, he asked conversationally, "I didn't think you would be home this time of day."

"Something came up," Mr. Winner answered cryptically.

"Business related?"

"Not precisely."

Duo began to feel a bit awkward. "Is it me?"

When no answer was forthcoming, he sighed. "I'll go get my stuff…"

"Did you ever wonder why I agreed for you to stay here?"

"Huh?" Duo was caught off guard once more as he turned to look at the older man in the face.

"I know you're in trouble Duo," Mr. Winner stated.

"And how is that any of your business?" Duo questioned suspiciously.

"It becomes my business when it troubles my son," Mr. Winner replied smoothly. "You make Quatre happy; that's been a big reason why I haven't objected to you being invited here, not just on this occasion but on others. I can tell when my son is troubled and I know the reason he's troubled involves you."

"What are you getting at?"

"My son's happiness means a lot to me. Since you make my son happy, I'd like to give you my gratitude for that. However, I want to know precisely what I'm getting involved with. I want to know what's going on with you."

Duo sighed. "What is it with Winner men and wanting to know my business?"

"How do you mean?"

"Well, first there's Quatre, then Solo, now you. It's like you guys are obsessed with me or something."

Chuckling, Mr. Winner replied, "You can keep your secrets from them if you want but this is my roof that you are staying under and I at least deserve to know what's going on Duo. I won't say a word to anybody if that's what you're worried about."

"I don't have a choice in this, huh?"

"Glad you're catching on."

Sitting back, giving a long suffering sigh, Duo stated, "Well, you asked for it…"

The final ring of the bell was like music to Solo's ears. The moment he had been waiting for all day was so close he could practically taste it. He hadn't taken a step out of his last class when he caught sight of Quatre and Trowa, nodding to both of them. Receiving answering nods from each one, their steps drew one another towards each other, the trio soon walking side-by-side one another.

Now that he thought about it, it was like they were those Mafia guys from those mob movies he knew and loved. Well, they were going to "whack" somebody only more in the literal sense than in the mob jargon sense.

Out of the three of them, it was Trowa who had been the one to provide them of what Heero Yuy's after school routine was. The guy walked to and from school, not because he didn't have a car but to keep in shape, or "to keep up his all-so-perfect physique" as Duo had once put it to Quatre, and the unibanged teen knew this because the Japanese youth had bragged that it was his secret to staying fit. This gave them the perfect opportunity to strike back at him.

For such a "perfect" guy, he was really setting himself up for this.

Keeping an eye out, they noticed that Heero had begun his trek home, jogging backwards of all things, and taking the long way back to his house. This guy was just making this too easy.

Yes, Trowa had been to Heero's house before, for a post-victory party after an incredible football game, so he was able to lead them down a few short cuts. Solo had them stop in front of an inconspicuous alley and they waited for their prey to come.

After perhaps ten minutes or so, the target was sighted, still jogging backwards. The guy was really conceited with himself, wasn't he? He probably thought that there wasn't anybody around who had the balls to attack him.

Oh was he about to get an oh-so-rude awakening.

As he drew closer and closer, Solo nodded at Quatre, the smaller blond nodding back and readying himself. At the last possible moment, he stuck his foot out and tripped Heero, causing the athletic teen to stumble and fall gracelessly onto his ass. Damn, did he have to do everything perfect? Solo could have sworn that the guy tried to fall perfectly.

Brushing those thoughts out of his head, he approached the fallen teen quickly, asking, "Need a hand?"

Surprise was evident on Heero's face but Solo gave him no time to refuse as he grabbed his hand and pulled him up off the ground. Heero looked like he was about to say something but that was lost as Solo took it one step further by pulling the Japanese youth forward and shoving him down the alley.

Cracking his knuckles, Solo followed after, Quatre and Trowa remaining at the entrance of the alley to keep an eye out for any possible interlopers, be they other students or the law.

"What the hell was that?" Heero demanded, anger contorting his face.

Solo chuckled. "Did you really think you were going to get away with it?"

"Away with what?!" Heero demanded, balling his hands into fists.

"All three of us know it was you who beat up Duo," Solo stated coldly. "Don't even try and deny it."

"What are you, his mommy?" Heero sneered. "Do you change his diapers too?"

Solo could hear the low growl coming from Quatre. This guy seriously needed a reality check.

"Why don't you pick on somebody your own size?" Solo taunted back. "Wait, if you were to do that, we'd have a lot of grade schoolers beaten up."

"You little bitch!" Heero swore as he lost his temper and struck at Solo.

Solo grabbed Heero's arm and spun him around before shoving him into the alley's dumpster, smirking at the sound of a body hitting the aluminum.

"What's the matter?" Solo taunted. "Am I too big for you or something? Do I need to be one foot shorter than you for this to be a fair fight?"

Growling, Heero snarled, "I'll show you, you fag!" at him as he lunged.

Solo's eyes narrowed as he growled, "Excuse me?" Using Heero's momentum against him, he shoved Herro into the alley wall, his chest impacting the wall.

"Pathetic," Solo stated. "Duo managed to take me down with a single kick. You haven't laid a finger on me. What's the matter? Can't you hit the fag? Aren't you suppose to be perfect or something?"

"I'm going to make you wish you never came to my school!" Heero snarled as he threw a punch. Solo simply moved to a side and Heero's momentum was used against him once again as he went stumbling to the opposite wall, his fist connecting with the brick and mortar. "Hold still!" Heero demanded, holding his hand as pain throbbed from it.

"This isn't my first fight," Solo replied. "I've been up against tougher guys than you. Seems my street fighting is really paying off."

Heero tackled him, his shoulder slamming into his waist but failing to knock the blond down. Solo brought a fist down on the back of his skull then brought his knee up into Heero's gut. Holding Heero still so he couldn't get away, Solo landed a few more knees to the gut before turning and slamming Heero into the alley wall again.

Quatre and Trowa would ever so often cast looks back at the massacre behind them, both reveling in Heero's punishment before turning their attention back to the streets. Nobody was about today, making it seem as if somebody else had it in for Heero as well.

Heero's shriek of pain as Solo broke his leg caused them to tear they eyes away from the streets momentarily before turning back twice as vigilant as before. It gave them an odd sense of pleasure as they overheard Heero blubbering like a baby, his tough guy exterior shattered, revealing the weak individual within.

Stopping in the pounding, Solo force the barely conscious Heero to look into his furious green eyes. "You will tell no one else about this, got it?" he ordered. "If you tell another living soul about who did this to you, I'll make this all seem like a walk in the park. And if you ever lay another finger on Duo, I'm going to make you wish your mama never met your papa! Got it!?"

Wracked with pain, Heero nodded feebly.

Smirking darkly, Solo replied, "Good. That's what I wanted to hear."

Turning, he shoved the mauled Heero down into the nearest garbage can, letting Heero's legs hang out limply as he slammed the lid on them.

Dusting his hands off as if this was something he did every day, he turned and rejoined his fellow partners in crime, a look telling them the deed was done.

Without another word, the three left, leaving only Heero's backpack out in the open so that a passerby would notice.

All in all, it was a job well done.