Chapter 3

Wufei was once more in his office. How his self-imposed vacation got him thirteen new folders he had to go through, he didn't want to know. For all he knew, it could have been because of that one young solider who hadn't handed off that one folder to him like he had wanted to.

Sometimes he really hated the people he worked with.

Checking his e-mail once more, he frowned. He should have gotten a message from Yuy and Maxwell a few hours ago, let alone days, telling him when they were arriving today. If it was just Maxwell alone, that would explain everything. Maxwell tended to do things when he felt like they needed to be done, not when they were actually supposed to be done.

But Yuy, that was a different story. Yuy was never late with anything. He was always on time and did projects promptly. He was never one to slack when a job needed to be done.

The door to his office opened once more and in walked his temporary partner, Officer Daniel Christopher. "Ready?"

Wufei looked up, confusion marring his face for all but a fleeting moment before he remembered. He was suppose to go on a surveying mission for a few hours, trying to find out who the main boss was for the black market weapon selling for this area. So far they have had no luck, but that would hopefully change soon.

Logging out of his computer, Wufei grabbed his jacket and followed Christopher out to the car. Christopher drove down to the ghetto part of town before parking. Walking a few blocks, they found two Preventers already on top of an abandoned building.

"Any movement?" Wufei asked.

"None worth noting," said Officer Nobbs.

"No one has entered or left the building in the past two hours," added Officer Colon.

"We'll take it from here," said Christopher.

"Got it," replied Colon.

With Officers Nobbs and Colon gone, Wufei and Christopher settled in for a long wait.

Four and a half hours later found the pair entering back into Preventers HQ. Scowling at the total waste of time, Wufei made his way back to the office.

Wufei opened the door and blinked at the scene. While no one was in his office, he knew someone had been in there while he was gone. Two someone's if he was correct, Maxwell and Yuy.

One might wonder at how he knew this. It was true that no one was in his office; nothing was missing from his desk, or even moved. Nothing was out of place after all. What did tell him that someone was here was the two duffle bags that were sitting in a chair.

Knowing that it was Maxwell that picked his lock, Wufei closed the door and went to his chair. He needed a moment for himself before he had to deal with Maxwell.

Turning in his chair to look outside, Wufei slid partly down. This caused for his head to be covered by the back of the chair. Rubbing his temples, he enjoyed the peace and quiet for all of five minutes before looking for his two companions.

Leaving his office once more, Wufei started to wonder the halls. He was trying to think where Maxwell and Yuy would be. It was obvious that they were still here at the office. They wouldn't leave their bags behind if they decided to head to his apartment before him.

Heading up to the roof, Wufei found Duo leaning over the railing, enjoying the strong breeze with his eyes closed. Thirty feet away, Yuy was resting against the wall that held the doorway he was currently standing in.

"Yuy," said Wufei softly.

Yuy's eyes traveled over to Wufei for an acknowledgement before turning back to Maxwell. "Chang."

Maxwell hadn't turned around yet. This either meant he hadn't heard Wufie come up and start talking to Yuy, or he heard but didn't care.

"It's your job to make sure Maxwell goes nowhere near my kitchen. I don't care if it is just for a cup of water."

"He won't be happy to hear that." Pushing away from the wall, Yuy walked over the few feet that separated him away from Wufei. Once by Wufei's side, the two shook hands.

"I'd rather have a home to go home to."

Yuy gave a short laugh. "Mission accepted."

Maxwell turned around, looking betrayed. "Traitor, you're supposed to be on my side."

Yuy smirked. "If it's between you and actually staying somewhere that's not a hotel, I'm choosing Wufei."

"You just want a real bed and actual food," complained Maxwell.

"Damn straight."

Before Maxwell could complain more, Wufei cut in. "Thanks for the e-mail, Maxwell. I really appreciated knowing when you and Yuy were arriving."

Maxwell turned to Yuy. "I thought you sent him our flight times."

"That was your job, remember?" replied Yuy. At Maxwell's blank look, he explained more. "You agreed to send it to Wufei when you last distracted me."

Realization dawned on Maxwell, before he had the grace to look sheepish. "Uh… sorry?"

"Baka," said Wufei and Yuy together.

"Can we go now?" asked Maxwell. "There's nothing to do here. I'm bored."

Wufei couldn't believe his ears. Did Maxwell just say he was bored? Did that mean that he didn't set up any pranks for anyone to walk into? That had to be a first. "What? No pranks?"

Maxwell pouted. "Mr. Meany over there wouldn't let me set up any."

An evil thought hit Wufei, and he smirked.

Maxwell paled.

Yuy looked interested. "You're scheming. Plan to clue us in?"

Wufei looked between Yuy and Maxwell, his smirk growing. "There is someone I know that you could prank, that is, if Yuy lets you off your leash."

"Hey!" Maxwell cried out, in indignity. "I'm only on a leash because I want to be."

Wufei and Yuy laughed.

"Wait, that didn't come out right," said Maxwell.

"Just think up a genuine Maxwell prank, and I might consider letting you in the kitchen to make coffee," said Wufei.

"Genuine Maxwell prank?" Yuy asked.

"What else do you call his original pranks?"

"Bouts of idioticness."