Okay, first off, WE ARE SO SORRY THAT IT TOOK SO LONG TO UPDATE!! (sob)
Next, in appreciation of all our patient readers and sweet reviewers, here are replies/answers/comments to your reviews.
Catwho! I wrote more Modern Day! I did! And CEP is writing more of his . . .sometimes . . . (glares at ball-and-chain)
We're really glad everyone likes the humor. The dolls were Crazy Elf Paladin's idea. (as usual) Nice to see you, Funny Bones, Toki Mirage and Shahrezad, though I'm not sure what you mean by "prey". Maybe we're forgetting something. Me and CEP also hope that anyone who're not fans of the couples we have will still like it, so if that's what you're suggesting Penbee of Treewood, we're hopeful that we'll still entertain. BakaAngel: we laughed like crazy too. It's all CEPs idea, that part!
criminal wreckchords: oh, believe us, there will be much angst coming up. Unfortunately, with Duo around it's hard to not have comedy after comedy.
Mourning Ophelia: We see what you mean, so I suppose that it will just have to be a bit of A.U. since we dislike that spelling and concept. Sorry if that bugs you. At least we're not claming that we're accurate or anything.
Wing, you ARE sweet and kawaii. Thanks for your interest, and you'll find out (hopefully) soon more answers to your questions. Of course, you'll probably just get more questions posed, but . . . sorry, we're hooked on mystery!
Morgana: Well, we'll just see about William. At this rate, Heero won't be the only one to kill him, just on general principles. Anyhow, as you'll see Relena and Heero aren't on the greatest of terms, so we'll have to see how it goes once they actually meet up.
A.O.Y.U. Thanks for such a literate review! We're really glad you're willing to wait, because unfortunately, we've made you guys wait a lot. (pout) Sorry! Really, really sorry!
So, then, on to the next chapter. And hopefully you'll all enjoy it just as much! A warning, though, not as much with Relena in this one. It's mostly set-up.
Ukchana (& Crazy Elf Paladin)
Chapter 3
Earth, Moscow
April 13th – 1:25 pm
"So," the garnet-draped Director smiled faintly as she sat down at the conference table, "what decisions have you all come to?"
The group was gathered once more after the short recess, and glances were exchanged across the oak surface. After a few moments, Quatre began to speak. "We've all discussed it, and although we dislike not having access to the Preventer's armory, we've decided that the other benefits of this offer more than make up for that deficit." His azure eyes beamed as he looked at the other pilots. "We've agreed to your offer."
"Excellent," she grinned, leaning back with a far more relaxed air about her. "Then I believe the rest is up to you. School starts in a week. Your transcripts are prepared, and the fees will be paid before you arrive." She placed her hands behind her head and watched all of them in turn. "As you spoke with Preventer Po about earlier, false backgrounds will have to be made for each of you other than Quatre and Wu Fei, who is already known by the general public to be a Preventer." She paused as Quatre blinked, an inquisitive expression upon his face, then asked him, "Something wrong?"
Nodding, the blond queried, "I was curious as to what Wu Fei's reason for going along would be, and, also, who would be replacing him in his . . ." the young pilot paused and his voice grew softer, ". . . more permanent station here at the Preventers."
Arching a brow, Une noted the hardening expressions on Wu Fei and Heero's faces and gave Quatre a small smile. "Wu Fei's official reason for being there, if anyone asks, is to guard and assist you." Voice dropping in timber, she continued coolly, expression more severe, "As for that, we have other agents who are capable of handling Vice Foreign Ministers."
In the resulting chilled silence, she continued, "Now then. None of your names will have to be changed, thankfully, but the Preventer Organization will reserve the capacity of alias creation. I'm afraid that I don't want any of you to make alterations to your personas personally." A slight smirk came to her lips as her chestnut eyes slid across them. "So, do you have any other questions before I leave you today?"
No one spoke, so Duo piped up, "Guess not. Come on, we've got shopping to do with our 'allowances'." The braided boy grinned and gave Une a victory sign, then grabbed his backpack from under the table and stood.
The rest of the group of youths rose from the table one after another as well. As they headed out the door, Duo straightening the pack on his back, Catherine giggled, "Oh, I've needed some new shoes! I hear Moscow has some wonderful clothing stores, too."
"Um, Catherine," Trowa glanced down at the curly-haired girl as they entered the outside corridor, "Duo doesn't mean clothes."
Slinging his arm across Hilde's shoulder and ignoring her annoyed glare, Duo beamed, "Well, clothes are part of it. We have to buy some black Tac-Op uniforms, after all, unless all you guys still fit into your old ones."
The indigo-haired girl's eyes narrowed as they walked down the hallway, and suddenly she grabbed the hand on her shoulder, twisted Duo's wrist and punched him in the ribs with her other hand. "Mind your manners."
"Ow, ow," Duo clutched his side and wrist as everyone but Catherine chuckled at him, even Heero joining in for once. "Jeeze, what is this, 'Pick on Duo Day'?" His violet eyes grew large as he gazed up at Hilde pitifully. "I feel so used!"
"Can it, Repunzel," the tomboy chuckled, "no fish are biting today."
The group turned a corner as Duo let his shoulders droop melodramatically, then pulled his braid forward to clutch at it. "Oh, woe is me . . ."
As they reached the security check-point, Quatre glanced down at his belt as his phone began to buzz softly. The young blond took it out and looked at the display, only partially paying attention to the other teens as they were cleared by security. Unlisted. Who could it be . . . Shrugging, he pressed the receive button and held it to his ear. "Hello?"
"Hey, Quatre," a feminine voice spoke.
The cel'phone clattered onto the floor and everyone turned from the security station to look at him. "Um, sorry. Slipped." Flushing slightly, the golden-haired boy bent to pick it up, only to find Heero staring at him, the magazine in his hand. Lifting the phone to his ear, the trillionaire turned from the accusing glare and spoke into the mouthpiece. "Could you hold on just a second?"
"Of course," the reply was vaguely puzzled. "I didn't wake you, did I?"
"No, no!" Tipping his head towards the expectant group of teens, the young blond beamed nervously. "Um, you guys go ahead, I have to take this call. I'll get anything I need later."
Trowa's tawny eyes rested on him for a moment, then the taller teen commented, "That's fine. Are you certain you don't want us to pick anything up for you?"
"Well," returned the fair-haired boy as he lowered the phone slightly from his mouth, "maybe a few things . . ."
With a low growl, the slight Chinese boy snapped, "Why don't you catch up with us later? Unless it's something that will take up your whole day," he scoffed as he returned his daggers to their sheaths, "you should be able to join us shortly."
Quatre nodded quickly and smoothed his vest with a nervous hand. "Of course. I'll call you when I'm done."
The other young man nodded, a sour turn to his mouth as he headed for the sliding doors that lead to the outside world. The rest of the group followed suit, Trowa tossing a wave to the blond before turning away.
Just before they stepped through the sliding doors, Duo began to sing over the chatter of the crowds, "Quatre's got a girl-friend, Quatre's got a — UGHH."
Quatre turned away from the partially collapsed Duo and shook his head. I'm sure glad that Heero isn't inclined to gut-punch ME all the time. Returning his attention to the phone, he began strolling through the bustling receiving area of the Preventer's headquarters. "Sorry about that, Relena. What's up?"
"Well," she sighed, "remember how William kept pressing me to go on a vacation?"
The blond chuckled faintly as he glanced back at the entrance, free hand on the back of his neck. "He's not the only one who's been wanting you to go on a vacation." Nervously, he winced as he spotted a dark-haired teen pass by the glass doors, but, to his relief, it wasn't Heero.
"Anyhow, I think this time I let him talk me into it."
"That's great!" he beamed, for the moment forgetting his fear. "So, why so glum? Where did he suggest you go, Antarctica?" The fair-haired teen headed towards a nearby hallway, Preventers passing all around him.
"No, it's not the where that's the problem. It's the who. He wants me to go with him to his school, and he would be the only person I know there."
"And let me guess," Quatre smiled, "you'd like me to come along as your chaperone?"
"Exactly! It would be just too strange to be there alone."
"But, wouldn't Wu Fei be going with you as protection anyway?" the blond-haired boy asked as he paced down the unfamiliar corridors of the Preventers Headquarters, dress shoes snapping on the linoleum floors.
"True," Relena hedged, "but he's so grumpy all the time. You're always cheery and it wouldn't feel like a real vacation unless I actually got to relax and have fun. I just can't imagine relaxing with Wu Fei!" she chuckled lightly. "He's nice and all . . ."
"Well, he can be rather dour at times," the young Arabian told her as he began to climb a beautiful cerulean-tiled spiraling staircase placed along an outer wall of the building. The only problem is that this trip might be scheduled to take place at the same time as this new mission. I'd really hate to have to choose between helping Relena or helping the other pilots. "So, where is this school located, anyway? I can't recall where William said he went to school." The blond walked past the landing of the second floor and continued up, turquoise eyes absorbing the wonderful view of Moscow out the large windows along the outer wall.
"Somewhere in Italy, I think."
Quatre blinked and stopped walking to gaze into the bright afternoon sky. It can't be . . .
"I can't remember what it's called . . . something to do with Christ."
Fumbling from sudden shock, Quatre barely caught the phone before it fell down two stories, then breathed slowly, his mouth wide. "Okay . . . there's no way it's the same school." Closing his eyes, he placed the phone to his ear. "Sorry about that, clumsy tourist bumped me," he lied, teal eyes glancing up and down the abandoned stairway. Jeeze, telling one of your best friends white lies. He winced and shook his head, tisking himself. But I can't exactly tell her I'm going to be going to school with Heero for the next few months, and that's why I can't go with her.
"Well, I'll . . . need to look over my schedule to find out if I'll be able to come with you. When are you planning on leaving?"
"Hmm, the new quarter starts a week from now."
Damn, Quatre swore silently, running his free hand along the railing. "Hmm," he stalled for time, "well, I might be able to go with you, I'm still looking at my planner . . ." Another lie; I'll have to pray a lot tonight.
"That name is really bothering me, I know I have it written down somewhere," she paused and Quatre began to sweat, hand gripping the railing as she continued, "here it is. It's called Castello de Cristo."
Jaw slack, the young man slowly dropped his forehead to the railing and began repeatedly hitting his head upon the metal. Thump. Thump. Thump.
"What's that thumping noise?"
"Nothing, nothing!" he quickly straightened and chuckled manically, waving his hand at the phone as if she could see it. "So, Castello de Cristo, huh?"
"Yep. So, do you think you can go?"
He sighed and shook his head at the Moscow skyline. "Dammit."
"What?"
"Oh," Quatre spoke quickly, "I just made a mistake in my planner, that's all." Ouch, three lies in one day. This is what I get for hanging out with people who drink, gamble and curse. Spending time with Duo and Hilde really has a bad effect on me.
"So, what do you think? It would really mean a lot to me if you could come."
"Yeah," the well-dressed boy winced, "I think I can be there. Sure." What the hell am I going to do now? he wondered.
"Great!" Relena exclaimed, and he sighed.
"Could you hang on just a second? I'll be right back."
"Sure, that's fine."
Quatre pulled the phone away from his ear and leaned an elbow on the railing. "What should I do now?" It's so ironic, all those times Lucrezia and I tried to get Relena and Heero in the same room together, and now, just when fate throws them together, I have to find a way to keep them from finding out—
"I'm so stupid!" the Arabian teen exclaimed, then smiled at his reflection in the glass. Bringing the phone back to his ear, he said, "Alright, I'm back. So, would you like me to tell Wu Fei and Director Une that I'll be going along as well, or do you want to do it?"
"Could you do that for me?" she asked. "It's getting rather late here in Japan and I'm so tired."
"Sure, of course." Quatre looked at his reflection in the glass and wondered how he got into these situations. "You get some rest then, alright? I'll call you tomorrow about making plans to go to the school."
"Okay, ja'ne!" she giggled at her use of Japanese, and hung up.
"Whew." The young blond turned off the phone and placed it into the holster at his hip, then stared down the spiraling turquoise staircase. "I've got my work cut out for me." But if I can do this right . . . He smiled and headed down the stairs. "I wonder where Une's office is."
((()))
"So, Wu Fei," Duo drawled as they stopped to look at the seedy store he'd led them to, "Uncle Dave's Military Surplus Store? This is where you bring us? What are we gonna buy, moonshine?" He adjusted his backpack along his shoulders and waited patiently in the cool afternoon breeze of downtown Moscow.
Scowling and crossing his arms, the Asian boy tightly replied, "You should not judge anything by its looks alone. Now get inside. NOW!"
Even though his tone was harsh, only Catherine stepped forward to go inside, her azure blouse shimmering in the sun as she headed up the stairs. The braided boy pulled his backpack around and began rooting through it as everyone watched, then pulled something out.
Pausing, Catherine let go of the door handle, periwinkle gaze confused. "What're you all waiting for?" she squeaked, casting a fearful glance at Wu Fei.
Duo held out a Shen Long doll and chuckled as he pressed the button, an unimpressed Hilde at his elbow tapping her foot. "I don't kill bleedinghearts or women," came the snooty voice of the Preventer agent.
"Now that's a quote for the ages," chuckled the braided boy.
Wu Fei's knuckles cracked as he sent an onyx glare to the other teen, but before he could speak, Heero leisurely slipped past Trowa and Hilde and snatched Duo's long braid in his hand, tugging down while taking the doll from him.
"Hey!" Duo cried, violet eyes wide as the sullen pilot stalked over to the Chinese teen and silently handed him the miniature Gundam. "You're supposed to pay for those!"
Accepting with an uncertain look crossing his face, Wu Fei lowered his head to gaze at the doll. Between them, Heero turned his angry indigo gaze to the prankster. "Royalties."
The Asian Preventer turned away from the group and headed for the shop, mouth hard as he pulled the door handle. With a jangle of bells, the large wooden door swung open, and he stepped inside, black eyes taunt. He heard a slight ting as the door was caught behind him, and the light steps of a girl following. Grunting, he pressed further down into the store, glaring at the merchandise until he came upon a display of mottled green and tan jackets. Forcing a calm façade, he pretended to look them over, all the while trying to gain some control over his rage.
The footsteps stopped behind him.
Finally, Wu Fei snapped at the jacket in his hand, "Why are you following me!"
"You're the one in the uniform, sugar," Catherine's soft voice spoke over his shoulder. "Normally I don't respect authority figures, but I decided to make an exception today." She moved to his side, touching another coat and looking at the price.
Able to see her now, Wu Fei dropped his head to hide the wrinkles marring his brow. "Then you're one of the few who ever will."
"Duo rubs people the wrong way," she said softly, "but I don't think this is about Duo." She glanced up at him, then slowly tucked a maroon strand of hair behind her ear.
The Asian teen peered down the length of the store, but it was empty, the silhouettes of his friends indistinct on the sidewalk outside the closed front door. "Why are you here, and everyone else is outside?"
"Heero's probably giving them a lecture on fair trade policies," she chuckled airily.
Grunting disbelievingly, Wu Fei turned and began walking down the corridors of the dimly-lit shop, glaring up at the wares for sale. "A waste of time. We need to purchase supplies." His fingers tightened slightly on the Shen Long doll, but he found he could not handle it without some gentleness. "Why are you following me?" he finally repeated his demand, spinning to stare at her.
Her cornflower-blue gaze pinned him, and, hesitantly, she reached out a hand to lightly brush his other clenched fist with her fingers. "Do you always look so sad?"
"I am not-" he started furiously, then abruptly halted. I hate her sympathy, he told himself, yet his mouth was trembling. "Talk to me later, if you care so much," he finally sputtered, and turned away. "I refuse to discuss this . . . in such a place."
"You got a deal." Her light footsteps receded.
((()))
Une glanced up from her desk at the knock on her door and sighed into her cel'phone. "Darling, I'll have to let you go, alright?"
"Alright," came the soft soprano voice. "I love you, Auntie Margarete."
"I love you, too, Mariemaia," Une smiled gently. "See you later tonight."
Hanging up, the umber-haired Director leaned back in her chair and sighed, reaching under her desk to where a special compartment had been built to hold her gun. "Enter." Her hands grasped around it and she waited.
The door swung open, revealing Quatre's troubled visage, and she let go of the weapon with a smirk. "Hello, Quatre. What can I do for you?"
Hesitantly, he stepped into the office, glancing around, then shut the door behind him. "I was wondering if I could talk to you for a moment, Director," he told her warily.
"You look troubled," Une remarked airily, gesturing towards one of the chairs opposite her desk. "Sit down, please." She adjusted her deep scarlet suit-coat and patiently waited for him to comply.
The blond frowned, then took a seat across from her and folded his hands in his lap. "I guess I am." His eyes narrowed faintly. "I was wondering . . . why we're going to the same school as Relena is."
Ah, so it begins. Beaming, the red-garbed woman ran a hand through her chestnut hair and chuckled lightly. "So, she decided to go through with it. And called you as well. Good."
He glared at her a bit. "That doesn't answer my question."
"Of course," Une sighed, rolling her brown eyes. "Well, let's just say . . . it's more convenient this way."
"What do you mean, exactly?" the young man asked, straightening his suit-coat and settling into the chair. "I'd really like to know. Also, how did you know about Relena's plans in the first place? Bugs?"
Laughing, Une shook her head. "Oh, no. You have to understand that, besides yourself, and Hilde occasionally, Relena really doesn't have too many people to talk to. She confided in Wu Fei and later Po about whether she should go on a vacation at all, and about William and his suggestion." One brow rose and she gave him a tart smile. "I heard wind of it and spoke to her about it, and she admitted that she was considering it, as long as you were willing to go along."
"So," Quatre's teal eyes tightened, "you're just intending on making us find some way to get her to go along with it once she finds out that Heero is there? She won't, you know."
"I know," Une nodded. "Not unless it's too late. Though it may seem otherwise, Miss Relena does concern herself with public appearance. It wouldn't do for her to be seen leaving the school as soon as she arrives. Not very stable for a Vice Foreign Minister, don't you think? I'm certain that you and your friends, minus Heero of course, can come up with a plan."
Slumping into the chair, Quatre glared up at the plaster ceiling. "Great." Then he straightened and blinked at her. "She asked Wu Fei what he thought? When?"
Une studied her nails. "Oh, I think a month ago or so."
His expression fell and he straightened in the chair. "I thought she found Wu Fei annoying."
"Jealous?" With a wink, Une said, "Believe me, he is annoying. But I think she finds his logic to be less affected by emotion and he's perhaps more unbiased. Also, he is her primary bodyguard during diplomatic situations, after all." Good, he's not suspected anything else.
Glumly, Quatre shrugged. "Okay, I guess that's that. Though I still find it surprising that you're trying to set Relena and Heero up like this."
"Oh," the Director smirked, "I guess somewhere at heart I'm a romantic. No?"
It was Quatre's turn to roll his eyes, and he stood up, dusting off his suit-coat out of habit. "So, why don't you have a receptionist?"
Turning to gaze out the window, Une replied, "When I get attacked, they just get killed off. It's easier this way, and we pay for fewer departmental funerals."
Blinking, the saffron-haired boy backed up until he hit the door. "Oh."
She gave him a cool smile, then waved him away. "Have fun. I'd suggest informing Wu Fei first. Ask Po for any additional help you may need."
"Right." Quickly, the trillionaire grabbed the doorknob and opened the door. "See you around, then, Director." He darted out the door and closed it behind him.
Allowing herself a modest amount of diabolical laughter, Une smirked at the shut door and shook her head. "Kids."
((()))
"But a gun is just what you need!" Hilde stressed, azure eyes wide. "Come on, Catherine!"
Chuckling nervously, the curly-haired girl shook her head and stepped away from the firearm brandished in Hilde's hands. "Um, no, really . . . I don't think that's a good idea."
"C'mon, let me see your forearms." Setting down the gun on the counter, the dark-locked teen grabbed her muscles. "Well, you ain't no lightweight. You can handle a .45, easy."
Her periwinkle eyes widened and she tugged her arms free. "I don't think I should have a forty-five anything!" she stressed, looking around the shop for any help. "T-Trowa . . ."
The boys all seemed to be in the back, trying on form-fitting black jumpsuits, if Duo was any indication. She glared at him as he closed the changing room door behind him, then began adjusting the outfit. "Duo!" Catherine called over the racks of clothing and shelves of boots, "come tell Hilde I don't need a gun!"
Glancing up, the braided-haired boy smiled a bit and began making his way over to them. "Hilde, she doesn't need a gun."
"But-" the girl frowned, yet Duo shook his head.
"This girl's deadly with knives," he beamed, "according to Trowa, anyhow. Right, Cathy?" He winked at the acrobat as she scowled.
"That's not the point!" Catherine growled, "and I've never killed anyone before!" Crossing her arms, she shook her curls as she sniffed and looked away. "You're impossible!"
"Get her some Bowies," Duo reiterated, violet eyes flicking between the two girls. "Don't forget, Catherine, who you're going to this school with. 'Kay?" With an unusually serious expression, he turned and headed back to the changing rooms, leaving Catherine to slump and sigh heavily.
"You heard the man," Hilde smirked. "Don't worry, if all goes well, you'll never even have to use them."
—
Stepping out of the dressing room with his new TAC uniform, Wu Fei glanced around the surplus store. Spaced randomly around the wares, the other Gundam pilots were already picking out their equipment. Hilde seemed to be forcing some knives onto Catherine, Duo right beside her, while Trowa appeared to be looking over some night vision goggles in the more technological area of the shop. Only Heero remained out of sight at the moment, something Wu Fei himself wished he could be.
Glancing down at the Shen Long figurine in his hand, the Chinese Preventer frowned, then tucked it under his arm and carried his new TAC outfit with him towards the front of the store.
Wu Fei trudged past a display of gas masks, then a long wall of boots and shoe-ware, all the while thoughts churning within his mind. Why does Duo have to be so grating? The last thing I want is to be reminded of my past and my faults. Glancing down at the doll, his shoulders drooped a bit, and he winced. After all, I still can't get Sally to stop calling me a misogynistic bastard whenever she gets angry at me.
Having decided that he had all the equipment he would need, being a Preventer of course, Wu Fei set down the TAC uniform on the counter by the register. Just as he reached for his wallet in the back of his slacks, his cel'phone began to ring. "Great. Hang on," he told the scruffy-looking older woman behind the counter, "just a moment."
Black eyes narrow, the young man pressed the 'accept' button and brought the phone to his ear. "Chang."
"Hey, Wu Fei," Quatre's inordinately subdued voice spoke in his ear. "How are all of you doing?"
"Fine, considering. I almost killed Duo. Other than that . . . Oh, and Catherine is being forced to purchase Bowie knives out of the possible need for self-defense." His eyes flicked over the group again, then he sighed as he saw that Heero had somehow appeared without him noticing. "And Heero is still here. Is this why you called?"
"Not . . . exactly." He could almost feel Quatre's wince.
"What is it then? I don't have all day."
"The call I got . . . was from Relena."
Wu Fei closed his eyes and counted to ten. "Shit."
"Yeah. Why didn't you say anything?" the blond demanded over the phone.
Glancing around again, the Asian boy tossed his head back and forth, then told the aging woman, "I'll be right back. I still intend on purchasing that." She gave him a sullen glare, and he nodded to her curtly. "Thanks."
Appreciative that he still seemed to be on her good side, Wu Fei marched off to a more private corner of the store near some children's camouflage fatigues. "I would have, but I was hoping that she wouldn't go through with it."
"And it didn't surprise you that Lady Une set us up to go to the same school that William wanted Relena to go to?"
"Not exactly," Wu Fei scowled and glowered at the floor. "I figured that Une was hoping she might change her mind."
"I'd suggest not keeping stuff like this a secret from now on. Anyhow, as you've probably guessed, Relena DID change her mind."
"William is . . . untrustworthy," Wu Fei spat.
There was a pause, then Quatre's soft voice returned, "Perhaps. I won't even ask why you seem to care so much, either."
His comment received only a growl, then Wu Fei leaned against the wall, resting one foot against the brick. "Are you going to tell her about everything?" he demanded.
"I'll assume you mean about everyone going to the school. No," the trillionaire sighed into the phone, "I think this will be best for everyone. Heero and Relena need to face each other once and for all, and not when the world is imploding, either."
Scowl deepening, Wu Fei hissed, "He's a coward. He lets one woman control his life and influence his behavior and he refuses to accept it, thus incapacitating himself."
"That wouldn't be the pot calling the kettle black, would it?"
"I have no idea what you mean. Une does not control my life," snarled the dark-haired boy, his gaze once again returning to the occupants of the store.
"I'm not talking about Une."
Flushing, Wu Fei's eyes narrowed further and he fell silent. If Relena's been telling him . . . STORIES . . . I'll have to yell at her the next time I see her.
"Okay, okay, enough torment," Quatre chuckled on the line. "Obviously, a plan has to be made."
"Precisely. But to what end? I still say she is foolish for caring about Heero if he refuses to face what is within himself."
"Maybe. But neither one of them is going to have the chance to deal with that unless they're forced to. They're both rather stubborn." There was a pause, then Quatre added, "We'll come up with a solution for you, later."
"The solution is YOU being QUIET," Wu Fei snapped, "and I go along with my life."
"As you say," his amused response returned. "Lady Une said we should keep it a ruse until the very end. What do you think?"
"Agreed." Scowling, Wu Fei conceded, "We will give them a chance to see how horrible they would be for each other."
"Um . . . right."
—
"So," Duo beamed at the grubby old man behind the gun display, "you're Dave?"
The man scratched his scruffy gray beard and wrinkled his nose at him. "Dave? That doesn't even make any sense. My name's Bill," his gruff voice returned.
Blinking, the auburn-haired young man glanced down at the name tag on the man's coat that clearly said 'Dave' on it. "Um, but your name tag." He glanced to either side of him at the two girls there. "It says 'Dave'."
"Hah," spat the old-timer, "this jacket ain't mine. It belongs to Dave."
"Um . . ." His eyes slid over to the only other employee there, the rough-looking knotty-haired woman glaring over at Wu Fei and occasionally the rest of them. "I guess Dave's not in at the moment." I wonder what Wu Fei is doing over there in the corner by the kiddie clothes. Eww . . .
"What're ya, blind?" the man said, then leaned an elbow on the display case. "Dave's over by the register."
Hilde gave Duo a shrug, her cerulean eyes confused. "I donno'."
Turning to sneak a peak at the middle-aged gal who appeared slightly deranged, Duo frowned. "Um, but she's a woman, dude."
"God DAMMIT!" yelled the wheezing old man, "that IS Dave!"
The woman turned to glower at them, and the geezer snapped, "Dave, ain't this your coat?"
"Screw you," her guttural voice returned as she pulled out a cigar and a lighter. "Are you kids gonna buy somethin' or what?"
Catherine covered her head and attempted to become invisible.
"See," muttered Bill with a grin, revealing a ghastly lack of teeth and a display of disturbing remaining ones. "That's Dave, alright."
Timidly, Hilde spoke up, pointing at an assault rifle. "Yeah, I was thinking of buying some guns!" she informed the lady sweetly.
"Good, get to it!"
With a wince, the short-haired girl chuckled lightly, returning her eyes to the gun in the display case. "Hey," she breathed, "this still has it's full-auto enabled."
The black-garbed young man next to her glanced down. "Dude, fully-automatic. When in Russia," he shrugged. "That's totally cool."
"And illegal," a male voice spoke above them flatly.
All three teens turned to look up at Heero, whose indigo eyes were glaring down at them. "If you buy it, I doubt you could keep it."
"If I become a Preventer I might be able to," Duo talked back bravely, yet a twinge of nervousness still lit his eyes. "So there."
"Hey," Bill interrupted, "you kids seem to know what'cher talkin' about. You know explosives?"
Grinning, the brown-haired boy turned back to him with only a slight pause at putting Heero at his back, "My specialty."
With a snort, the salty geezer pulled something from behind the counter and set it on the glass, revealing a canister of something. "You'll appreciate this, then."
"What is it?" Catherine dared to speak again, cornflower-blue eyes worried. "Will it explode?"
"Hell yes!" the elderly fellow smacked the counter hard. "Give it a sniff, boy."
Blinking, Duo leaned forward, amethyst eyes popping. "Jeeze, smells like napalm!"
"Good nose, boy," sniffed the man.
"What is it? Is it really napalm?" the braided boy asked excitedly.
"Nope. Blue-Mountain Water." He gave his ghastly smile again.
Hilde stared at the canister. "Huh?"
"Take a swig," Bill offered to Duo. "But don't drink too much, or you'll go blind."
"Holy crap!" the pilot grinned, "There IS moon-shine here!" He began to reach for it, but a tug on his braid suddenly sent his head backwards. "Hey!"
"No way!" Hilde snapped, dark sapphire eyes tight. "That's just plain dumb, even for you."
"Aw," he whined, and the geezer chuckled.
"Never-mind, then," the old-timer beamed and set the container back on the floor behind the case. "Don't wanna cause no trouble with the missus."
A snort came from behind them and they turned to look, blushing, at Heero, who smirked down at them. "Shut up," Duo muttered, straightening his leather jacket.
"I didn't say anything," the other boy returned. "If you're done, we should leave."
Catherine practically jumped behind him, saying, "Yes, please!"
Pouting, the aquette looked after her. "But Cathy! They have A.P. bullets here! Think of what we could do with those!" she cried excitedly, the cute purple beret upon her head quite incongruous with her talk of weaponry. "We could shoot through trucks! Houses! Trees, even!"
Holding up his hands, Heero gazed down at Hilde, their blue eyes meeting. "Leave her be. You shouldn't try to involve civilians so much."
"You pilots?" the old man wheezed, returning their attention to him. "You gotta be somethin' good if Wu Fei brought ya'."
Trowa approached, then, no doubt curious as to why Heero was shielding Catherine. "What's going on?" the Buddhist asked uncertainly.
"All of us are," Duo answered the aging fellow, "except for Catherine, there."
"You'll all like this, then," he cackled, then raised his voice. "I'm gonna show 'em the good stuff in back, Chang! That alright with you, Dave?"
"Screw you!"
"Okay, good," Bill nodded, "got the boss' okay."
From across the sales floor, Wu Fei sputtered and began to jog over to them, "Wait, you have no idea what they'll do if they get their hands on that equipment!"
"Sweet!" Duo beamed, "Happy Birthday, everybody! Hurry, dude, go, go!" He waved his hands at the geezer, who opened a back door and laughed huskily.
"Wait! Damn you, Maxwell!"
Duo ducked through the doorway just as Wu Fei was about to grab his jacket, disappearing into darkness. "Where's the lights?"
Bill reached a hand in as Wu Fei seethed. "Here," he flipped a switch, and brilliance illuminated a gigantic room the size of a small indoor tennis court.
"Alright!" Duo whistled, finding himself standing under a blocky onyx-painted jet aircraft. "An old Harrier! With it's 61 mil still installed, even!"
Hilde bounded in and stood beside him, blue eyes glittering. "Look under the wings, it's even got the missiles!" Slapping the Gundam pilot next to her on the back, she said, "Wow, wouldn't it be great to get that thing into the air? It's been so long since I piloted aircraft!"
Beyond the jet, they could also see a few tanks and other assault vehicles shrouded with plastic coverings.
Just then, they heard someone clear their throat behind them. "We're going to a school," Wu Fei's cold voice informed them. "Not a battlefield. You'll have no use for this."
Turning to the spectators, Duo slumped and said, "Aw, c'mon, just a test-flight?"
The three men and one frightened girl all shook their heads with differing expressions. "No," Wu Fei spoke for all of them. "Now, let's get going."
Trowa, an amused look on his face, spoke up finally. "What about Quatre, by the way? He never joined up with us."
"He called me," Wu Fei said softly as Bill motioned Duo and Hilde back. "We can get him supplies later, if necessary." Ignoring Heero's eyes on his back, Wu Fei stalked out of the hanger and back into the store. "Pay for your things," he told everyone once they were out into the open again. "It's almost time for the store to close."