Author's Note: Now, I know you are all still speculating on you will be fighting over Duo. Sadly, I'm going to be holding out on you all once again. Yes, yes, I know I'm cruel, heartless, etc..., but I have more than one plot in this fic and time has to be devoted to it as well. But don't worry, neither plot will truly overshadow the other. So, exercise your patience just a little longer. As they say, good things come to those who wait. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing

Warning: boring, nothing to comment on

Only the Necessities

It took Duo less than twenty minutes to get ready once he arrived at his apartment. He wasn't one to spend lavishly, preferring to save instead. Thus his apartment was sparsely decorated. The only room with a large amount of stuff was the kitchen and only because he had discovered a latent talent at cooking. He really did enjoy the smell of cooked food, all mixed with spices of many different varieties. The joy of creating something, even if it couldn't walk or talk and you could eat it, was intoxicating; an opposite to his usual kill and destroy routine.

It was a hobby of sorts.

He had all the top-of-the-line cooking equipment. Stainless steel pans, pots, cooking sheets, bowls, etc, commercial oven and stove, blender, coffee maker. As a humble gesture, he also had a microwave which he rarely, if ever, used. He only used it if he was in a hurry and there was no time to do anything else. Otherwise, it sat on the counter collecting dust.

He reclined in on the couch in the living room, waiting for Une to call. He needed to get confirmation on their flight first before he went to pick up Quatre. He knew he gave the blond only a couple hours but that was in case he decided to go early, whether or not Une had called him.

It kept him on his toes at least. He would need to be on alert once they entered L2 though.

So what was he going to do then? He looked around his living room that consisted only of the couch, which he was sitting on, a coffee table, a couple revolving chairs, and of course, the only other thing he lavished money on, his television set and home entertainment system.

Hey, he was the type of person that liked watching movies in the theater…without actually going to the theater. Too many people. Sticky floors. Expensive snacks. Used to live in one. End of story. Plus he could yell at the actors if they did something stupid and not have people shush him either.

He debated whether or not to turn it on but decided against it. It would distract him and he needed to be sharp. Though it would be awfully boring just sitting around, doing nothing.

He turned his thoughts to earlier. The first thing that his mind took hold of was the glare that Heero had given Quatre as they had left.

Duo snorted. He remembered overhearing a couple of female coworkers talking about him and Heero a while ago. They thought that he and the Perfect Soldier would make a cute couple. As if. What was there to like about soldier boy? There was nothing that he could think of but he did know that Heero wasn't his type.

Truth be told, he didn't get along with Heero, at least from his point of view. Who knew what went through Heero's head anyway? It was always like that, from the first time he shot him. Sometimes, he wondered if he shouldn't have had aimed a little higher…

It would have made life a lot easier.

Now that they were coworkers, he had increasingly found himself partnered with the man. It was as if there was some conspiracy or something. Nah, it was probably Heero bullying other prospective partners. He had caught him doing it once. It wouldn't surprise him if he was still doing it.

Well, he needed his space, and fortunately for him, Une had given him that opportunity.

Quatre though. Duo was well aware of what Quatre thought of him. He was the polar opposite of Heero but he didn't let anybody push him around. There was a lot to admire about the Arabian.

Out of all the pilots, Duo could actually see himself with the blond. They were compatible, more than compatible. Hell, it was something to try out if he wanted too.

Sadly, there was something holding him back, something keeping him from starting something with Quatre. Well, actually it was more like someone. And no, it wasn't Heero either. Soldier boy could kiss his ass for all he cared.

This someone though…at one time…had been his world. He was strong, confident, all the things that Duo not only admired but worshiped in a person. And it didn't help Quatre a bit that this someone was…or had been…

But enough of that. What's past is past. He wouldn't want you moping around like this. Get it together Maxwell.

He rubbed his eyes and sighed. Yeah, it was better to stay in the here and now. No worries, no life and death struggles, no—

His thoughts were cut off as the shrill ringing of the phone broke him out of his reveries. He rushed over to the appliance and picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Hello, I'm calling from Cartwell Life Insurance. Can you tell me if you have given any thought as to what will happen to your loved ones once you—"

Duo hung up, almost slamming the phone onto the kitchen counter.

"Damn telemarketers. They should all—"

The phone ringing again cut off his rant before it started. Cautiously, he answered.

"I have everything set up," came Une's voice. "You leave this afternoon."

"Thanks Une," he answered.

"You're welcome Duo. Just don't make me regret this."

"Une, babe. Don't you worry your pretty little head off. Everything is in good hands right now."

"Except for twenty canisters of VX."

"Yeah, that. Well, we'll get them back or neutralize them, whichever comes first. I'll contact you as soon as we get there. Kapesh?"

"I do. Take care of yourself Duo."

"You know it," Duo replied, hanging up.

Now that he thought about it, maybe he should have bought some life insurance. He already had a policy with the Preventers but it wouldn't hurt to another one, would it?

---

Quatre fidgeted impatiently, waiting for Duo's arrival.

The moment he had arrived, he had scrambled to get everything ready, making sure not to forget anything. And now here he was, waiting to be picked up. The two hour deadline had passed only a few minutes ago and he wasn't sure what was taking the braided one so long.

He couldn't help but smile to himself at his fortune. This was the chance that he had been waiting for, ever since the wars had ended. Ever since he had properly introduced himself to the black-clad American back at the Maguanac base, he couldn't help but feel a pull from the American youth. At first, he had thought it was because he was trying to get over a failed attempt at becoming friends with Trowa, who had been quite indifferent back then. He had thought he was getting somewhere with him when they had done the musical duet but alas, it was not to be.

And then, after the tragic events in Siberia, he had come face to face with Duo Maxwell. He remembered catching sight of what he later found out was the Deathscythe and called out to it using Morris code and a flood light. Hours later, deep in the deserts of the Middle East, he had introduced himself to Duo, prepared for the response and the inevitable treatment he would get.

The response he received was expected, but Duo hadn't treated him more than a comrade, just like the Maguanacs. It had been a pleasant surprise and he had found out he had much in common with the braided youth.

That's when it all began and now here he found himself, just waiting for his chance to not only impress Duo, but to possibly change their relationship for the better.

When he saw the first roses coming in to Duo, he had been dismayed that somebody would get Duo before he did. However, Duo's reaction to the gift, and those following, was completely unexpected. He had never known that Duo disliked roses, preferring, oddly enough, cacti instead. When he had asked why cacti, Duo had answered that they were survivors, just like himself. They did so much with so little, and yet prospered nonetheless.

Naturally, he stored this information up, just waiting for the rose sender to stop sending roses but apparently Duo was right in calling whoever it was a dumbass. If only that person had stopped, then he could have tried the same tactic only with cacti instead.

But now, he had something better. Instead of courting Duo in the proper fashion that he had been brought up in, he could court Duo in the manner that Duo had been raised with. He wasn't sure as to what that was, but he was willing to try.

Duo was worth anything. He was a large reason why he had left the family business to his sisters.

"Ready Q?"

Quatre squeaked, nearly jumping. Spinning around, ready to defend himself, he came face to face with none other than the object of his affections who was grinning at him in triumph.

"Got to do better than that, Q," Duo commented, patting him on the shoulder. "Where we're going, such a lapse can get ya killed. You ready?"

"Yes, I am," he answered, proud that he hadn't stuttered.

"Alright, Quatre," Duo began, "I'm going to tell you this once so listen up. I know I'm asking a lot of you but what I'm asking you to do might just save your…our lives. I want you to pay attention to how I walk. I want you to be able to copy it to the best of your abilities."

"Why?" Quatre asked, confused.

"It's part of the illusion we're going to cast," Duo explained. "People who walk in sync on L2 are perhaps the safest people on that Colony. It usually means they're part of a crime ring or something else that is real big. Gangs tend to ignore these kind of people because if they do mess with them, the guys' buddies will pay them a visit. Such visits always end in death. For our purposes, it's gonna be nothing but protection."

"But won't that scare off the other colonists?"

"Nope. Those not part of a gang can tell who's legit and who's not. Gangs can only read fear and that's it. A normal, everyday L2 citizen can tell who is the real deal and who isn't."

"I understand," Quatre said, picking up his duffel bag. "So when do we leave?"

"Our flight is not until this afternoon so we might as well get something to eat on our way to the shuttleport," Duo replied, heading for the door. "It's probably going to be the last good food we'll have for a while."

Nodding in understanding at Duo logic, he paused suddenly as if something had occurred to him. "Hey Duo? How'd you get behind me?"

Smirking, Duo only replied, "Trade secrets, Q."