Author's Note: The suspense continues. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing

Warning: slight language

Duo's Decision

Duo was not disappointed when Katsaris returned. In fact, he had been waiting for the General to arrive for quite some time. He had a plan in mind for what he was going to do once the man left him.

"Two hours is up," Katsaris commented once the door behind him was shut. "I gave my offer to your friends and wouldn't you know that only one accepted? I hope to hear that you are open-minded as well, my friend."

In answered, Duo simply shrugged. "Hate to tell you this but I can't accept either. I really thought about it, truthfully, but I just can't bring myself to accept. And no it's not the money. It's just my conscience wouldn't let me get away with it."

Katsaris nodded. "I respect your decision. However, because you are not with me…" Without warning, Katsaris slammed a fist into Duo's gut, causing all the air in the young man's lungs to leave him. "…then you are against me," the General concluded, backing away. "You are going to be sealed within this room," Katsaris continued, as if not concerned about Duo's wheezing. "There is no escape from it. Enjoy your stay while you can."

Duo remained where he was, crotched on the floor, clutching his gut, as he heard the door shut and lock. He stayed there for a few minutes, doing nothing until he was able to completely get his breath back.

Then he chuckled.

What a moron! Of course there was a way out of here! There were air ducts on this ship, an entrance to them right in this very room! That thick door blocking him from the hallway beyond couldn't hold him back. Not by a long shot.

Now to get to work. He needed to be quiet about his activities so that he didn't alert anyone to what he was up to. He crept to the air vent, making sure that he didn't make a sound. Sure, it sounded a bit extreme but you never know. Pausing in front of the vent, a thought occurred to him.

Who had taken Katsaris' offer? Was it Quatre? Or maybe Trowa? No, it couldn't be any of the other Gundam pilots. So, could it have been one of the agents they brought with them? Most likely. Wait, why was he even thinking about it? He couldn't change what had happened. What was past was past, the present was now and the future just a second away. He needed to find where the others were being held and break them out.

But where were they anyway? The brig? Did a ship even have a brig? Had he watched too much television? Eh, what would it hurt? He had to find them some time but there wasn't too much time left. They had until what, tomorrow to end this? Wandering the halls on this ship would take too much time. But what other choice did he have? Sure, he could force one of Katsaris' men to take him there but then what? There had to be guards.

So what was he going to do now?

Ah hell, he'd do what he always did back during the war. Improvise. Saved his ass more than once, it should do so once again.

Quietly opening the vent, he squeezed himself into the tight space feet first. Sure, it may seem like a stupid thing to do but at least he was able to cover the vent back up, thus buying him at least a little time before Katsaris had his men start checking the ship.

But for the moment, he had a tough objective to do.

---

Heero drove with a single-mindedness that he had last shown during the wars, his destination being the Sanc port. Enough with waiting around, no more tiptoeing about. It was time for definite action. It was time for him to prove that they should have gone in for a head-on assault.

For too long he had allowed everyone to walk all over him and what had that accomplished? Duo was not only captivated but involved with not one but two men, both blonds to boot! Duo didn't respect him, see him for what he was, but that was all going to change and soon.

He would not only neutralize this terrorist threat, but he would resolve it with such finality that Duo could only not respect but love him for it and ditch those pathetic excuses for partners. He could see it all now, even as he continued to drive. He could see Duo embracing him, kissing him, and allowing him to lower him onto a soft bed where he would make his everlasting claim on the braided one. It was just so…so…fantastic that he couldn't wait.

But first thing's first. He had a mission to complete first. He always completed his missions, no matter how long it took.

Or the consequences that followed…

---

Solo was proven correct as Heero drew closer to the port but instead of slowing down, he was speeding up.

What the hell was he thinking? Didn't he remember that that General guy was going to shoot a rocket if he busted through the front? It must be slipping his mind or the asshole didn't give a shit about the innocent people who would be killed.

By now, the sun was just clearing the horizon, so any sort of element of surprise that Heero was expecting was shot to hell. But that didn't comfort Solo as it seemed that Heero wasn't planning on stopping any time soon.

By now, the sea was in plain sight and directly ahead, the blond L2 native could see the middle section of the Sanc port. He noticed that Heero turned into the port but instead of heading after him, Solo passed him, speeding up and continuing down the road until he got to an entrance that was close to the north sector. Stopping the car and ditching it, Solo took cover and waited for Heero to show up. He was not disappointed as Heero's van came into sight.

It had stopped for a moment and Solo momentarily thought that Heero was thinking of what he was going to do. What happened next shocked and stunned the blond to no end. Even from the distance from which he hid, he could hear the engine revved before the van started moving, gaining speed.

It was in that moment of clarity that Solo knew what Heero was going to do.