Masks
By: Starlight-x
Chapter 3

"Damn it." Obsidian eyes gazed balefully at the monitor. "Doesn't anyone realize that I'm attempting to keep away from outside contact?"

"Maybe they don't think you were actually serious when you said you were going to become a hermit for the next century."

"Meiran." Wufei turned away from his computer to glare at the slight girl leaning against the doorjamb.

"So what's got your ponytail in a twist?" Meiran ignored his glare and sauntered over to peer curiously at the monitor. "Ohh, she's cute." In the next moment she had a knife pressed up against his neck. "Something you're not telling me?"

Wufei ignored the blade that rested against his skin and leaned back in his chair. "Don't be absurd." He reached over and tapped a key. "Read."

Meiran slipped the knife back into it's sheath and leaned closer to the screen. After a moment she straightened and crossed her arms. "So Edwin finally got tired of immortality." She tilted her head to one side. "Are you going to teach her?"

"Has everyone forgotten I'm taking a sabbatical?" Wufei grumbled. "No I'm not going to teach her." He reached for his phone. "I'll turn her over to the best person for the job right now."

"You'll owe him." Meiran taunted before pausing and chewing thoughtfully on her lower lip. "Or does he owe you? I always forget."

"His turn." A smile lifted one corner of Wufei's mouth.

0000

"This is just great." Dorothy frowned, tapping her lower lip with one perfectly manicured nail. Her search for personal and incriminating information on Quatre Winner had been rather more difficult then she had originally anticipated. All of her normal methods hadn't worked. The man was entirely too cautious, he didn't leave anything to chance. Dorothy turned back to her monitor. "Open files Q3 and Secure." The computer reacted to her voice and brought up the specified files. Dorothy eyed the photos displayed on the screen. The man didn't even have a large staff she could take advantage. One man, Asher Blake, seemed to handle most everything and was in charge of small group of loyal servants Quatre employed. The only other picture she had available was of a dark haired girl with large deep blue eyes. The enigmatic Winner's ward. Perhaps one or the other would yield the answers she wanted.

"Who should I start with then?" Dorothy tilted her head. "The yummy looking man or the pretty little girl?"

She propped her chin on her hand and eyed both pictures. "Mm, decisions, decisions."

0000

Perhaps this wasn't the best idea. Duo shifted uneasily in his chair. Even in the familiar environment of Catherine's restaurant he felt exposed. Quatre had seemingly left him alone, but the picture of that girl and him bothered him. Hilde. That was her name.

"I promised to bring you back to her."

Quatre had been serious when he'd said that. Duo sighed, propping his chin in his hands. His headache had become a constant pain. Dreams had started to plague him. The one that had visited him last night held familiarity.

He slumped against the wall, slowly sinking to a sitting position. The ground was wet from the recent rain; he could feel it soaking into his pants. He ignored the damp. Various portions of his body had begun to throb as bruises began to make their presence known. A trickle of blood ran down from a cut on his face. Absently he wiped it away with one hand while he fumbled with the other for the cigarettes in his pocket. He located the crumpled carton and shook out a smoke. Clamping it between his lips he fished for his lighter, cursing softly when he was unable to locate it.

It must've fallen out in the fight. He leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes. The soft click of a lighter grabbed his attention and he opened his eyes.

"Oh, you."

The lifeless greeting didn't phase the other man who proceeded to light his cigarette for him before returning the lighter to the breast pocket of his suit coat.

Duo inhaled and then blew the smoke out his nose in a long sigh. As his nicotine craving receded his normal humor returned, albeit slowly. "You know, I never could figure out why you carry around a lighter when you never smoke."

"It's because you're always losing yours." There was the slightest lifting of the lips with the soft reply

"Three or four months ago I would've killed you if you appeared that suddenly around me." Duo removed his cigarette long enough to tap off the accumulated ash before returning it to his mouth.

"I know." A pause. "Why do you keep doing this to yourself?"

"Hell if I know." Duo gave a shrug.

"It's not healthy Duo, you need to stop."

"Quit tempting fate, huh?" Duo flicked the butt of his cigarette away, watching bits of burning ash scatter as it hit the ground. "Don't think I can do that Quatre." He pushed himself to a standing position, wiping his hands across the seat of his pants before turning to look at the man standing beside him. Quatre's normally expressive blue eyes were shadowed. For a moment the two stared at each other without speaking.

"I see." Quatre looked away as he withdrew a pair of dark shades and slid them on. "You're going to kill yourself one of these days. Not that it's any of my business." There was more than a hint of frost in the blonde's voice as he turned to walk away, his footsteps inaudible on the cement. At the end of the alley he vanished into thin air.

"I know, I know." Staving off irritation Duo pulled out another cigarette and began to search for his lighter again before remembering that he'd lost it. "Damn, the least you could've done was leave me your lighter." He let the unlit cigarette drop to the ground. "Just let me keep doing my thing for now, okay Quatre? Just for now." He pushed away from the wall feeling his muscles protest as he began to walk down the alley. "I'll give in soon enough."

He'd woken from that dream and just lay there staring up at the water stains on his ceiling. After a bit he'd dragged himself out of bed and down to Catherine's place, expecting to see Quatre sitting at one of the small tables. The mysterious blonde hadn't been there. Duo settled himself at his favorite booth, ordered a coffee and waited. Several hours had passed and he felt his patience stretching thin.

Catherine came out of the kitchen to check on him.

"Have you seen him?"

"No," Catherine filled his cup with fresh coffee. "Sorry hon."

Duo let his breath out in a gusty sigh. "Seems stupid doesn't it? Ever since I gained consciousness down here I've been busy running from whoever I've thought's been behind me. But him, I haven't been able to get away from him. Now when I want to see him he doesn't show." He pulled the projector out of his pocket and flicked it on, staring at the now familiar picture. "I look happy."

"Yeah." Catherine's voice was soft. She pulled a chair around and sat down. "Maybe you shouldn't try so hard."

"What do ya mean?"

"I mean, trying to force yourself to remember. I don't think it's doing you any good."

"I don't know about that." Duo went silent. The fear he'd had ever since he woke up in her apartment hadn't disappeared. There was something big, something he should remember. It was coming and if he didn't remember soon it might be too late.

0000

"What a surprise, running into you here."

Hilde pulled back, staring at the blonde haired woman who gushed at her, one long fingered hand gripping her wrist tightly. "Pardon me, but I think you've mistaken me for someone else."

"Oh no dear, I don't think so." The woman's smile was dazzling with just the hint of satisfaction. "Hilde, correct?" She smiled again. "I've been dying to have a little chat with you."

"Ms Hilde, are you alright?" Hilde relaxed as she heard Asher behind her. He stepped in-between her and the blonde stranger, deftly extricating her from the woman's grasp as he did so. "Excuse me miss, but we are in a hurry." He bowed slightly to the woman and then began escorting Hilde away, his hand firmly on her elbow.

"Thank goodness." Hilde gave a sigh of relief.

"Hush." Asher let the word hiss out, his hand tightening warningly on her arm.

Hilde quieted down, allowing him to lead her to the car. Once in the vehicle Asher let out a deep breath and turned towards her. "You can talk now."

"Who was that woman?"

"Dorothy Catalonia." Asher started the car and then switched it over to automatic, allowing the computer take over.

"That writer? The one who makes tabloids look tame?" Hilde gave a small snort. "What did she want with me?"

"She's apparently targeting Master Winner for her next article. Perhaps she thought she'd be able to finagle some information out of you. More likely she thought to plant a listening device on you."

"A bug?" Hilde began patting herself down. "You were right." She pulled out a small electronic device and held it out for his inspection.

Asher took it from her and tossed it out the window. "I guess it's time to give you an anti-listening device."

Hilde shook her head. "Should we let Quatre know?"

"He probably already does. But I'll speak with him." Asher gave her a lopsided grin. "Why don't you and I finish the rest of the shopping and then catch a movie?"

"I'd rather go home."

Asher laid a hand gently on her shoulder. "Master Winner will bring him back."

"I know he will, but," Hilde looked away. "You didn't see Duo's eyes, he didn't know me at all."

"Master Winner will bring him back." Asher repeated. "He's never once broken a promise to you has he?"

"No." Hilde shook her head. "Not once."

"Then believe in him and believe in Duo." Asher gave another grin. "That kid is as stubborn as they come."

"Yeah, he is isn't he?" Hilde felt a smile lift the corners of her mouth.

"You finally smiled. That's much better." Asher said satisfied.

"Thanks Asher." Hilde took in a deep breath. "Well, I guess we should finish the shopping then."

0000

The phone call had been a surprise. Wufei's request even more so. Quatre sighed as he considered it. "You want me to take over teaching Edwin's protege?"

"I think that would make us about even."

"No, it wouldn't."

"Hm?"

"You want me to devote the next several years to ensuring our new immortal doesn't royally screw up, I think Wufei, that would more then cover my debt and place you squarely in the negative. After all Edwin requested you specifically." Quatre considered for a moment. "Of course if you would help me out with a few little problems I'm having at the moment I think that would even things between us considerably."

"What do you propose?" Wufei sounded wary.

"Don't worry, it's nothing that would require you to step outside your heavily guarded fortress." Quatre assured him relaxing back into his chair. "You of course probably already know about the problems I've been having with my ward's amnesiac boyfriend. Well, I'm also being hounded by the Queen of the Sharks herself, Dorothy Catalonia. Asher's got his hands full keeping Hilde taken care of. Trowa's doing his best to monitor Dorothy but I need an extra set of eyes. She's absolutely determined to uncover my dark secrets to the public view."

"How do you manage to get yourself into these scrapes? You're as bad as a new immortal sometimes." Wufei grumbled. "Don't worry, I'll help with what I can. But remember, we'll be even after this."

"I wouldn't dare forget it." Quatre assured him. He ended the call and sighed. "Time to go pick up Duo. He's coming home whether he likes it or not." He really couldn't risk leaving him out where Dorothy could possibly sniff him out. Quatre placed a hand against his right temple, massaging gently. This was turning into a bigger headache then he would've liked.

0000

Duo had given up seeing Quatre at all. The strange Elite had probably left, heading back to high society. He stood and stretched. Time for him to head out.

The door jingled open. Duo whirled around to see Quatre leaning against the door jamb. "There you are." The blonde Elite smiled wanly. "Sorry to seem so abrupt but I need you to come with me now Duo."

"What?" Duo gaped at him, thrown by the sudden demand. "Are you crazy? Why the hell should I go with you?"

"Because you essentially have no choice." Quatre walked carefully over to a table and sat down. "Don't make me press the issue Duo, I really don't have a lot of time to spare."

"YOU!"

Duo looked behind him to see Rashid standing in the doorway connecting to the kitchen. The large man was staring at Quatre. He pointed a large finger at the smaller man and began speaking in a language Duo didn't understand.

"Just what I didn't need right now." Quatre sighed and responded in the same language, his tone soothing, palms outstretched.

Rashid wasn't having any of it. His face hardened even further and he growled out a single word.

"I have no idea who you are or what your interest is in Duo." Catherine had appeared around Rashid, hands on her hips, head tilted as she considered Quatre. "But you won't be taking him away from here without his consent." She glanced up at Rashid briefly. "Besides, it seems my cook doesn't like you very much."

Quatre sighed again. "That's only to be expected miss." He turned his attention back to Rashid and spoke again. Duo heard the pleading and weariness in his voice.

"You do not belong." Rashid was unbending. "Leave now."

Quatre pushed himself up to a standing position. He stared down at his hands braced on the tabletop and his entire body trembled for a moment. Then he met Duo's gaze. There was something different about his eyes, Duo felt a slight shiver run down his spine.

"I have no more time to waste. If you die and break Hilde's heart I will make you wish you'd never been born." Then he turned and strode out of the restaurant.

Duo sank back into his chair, his legs suddenly gone weak. Rashid spat out a word and made a warding motion.

"Wow." Catherine shook her head slowly. "That was unusual." She turned a contemplative gaze on Rashid. "Why all the dislike? I've never seen you react to anyone like that before."

"He is anomalous." Rashid made the warding sign again. "He shouldn't exist." He turned his dark gaze on Duo, staring at him long enough to make Duo feel entirely uncomfortable before he turned away and headed back to the kitchen.

"Maybe I should've gone with him." Duo finally ventured, glancing over at Catherine.

The young woman shook her head, curls bouncing with the motion. "Don't second guess yourself Duo. If you thought you should stay, then stand behind your decision. Don't worry so much."

"If that was the right decision then why do I feel like my last hope for escape and safety just walked out the door?" Duo muttered too quietly for Catherine to catch.

0000

Treize Kushrenada, one of the most powerful men in the smuggling business or any other business for that matter smiled indulgently at the small red headed girl he held on his lap. She babbled on cheerily, holding up a picture drawn with childish abandon as she explained it thoroughly to him.

"Very nice Mariemaia." He leaned down to press a kiss to the top of her head.

"It's for you." She offered him the treasured drawing. He took it, giving her another kiss in return and glanced surreptitiously at his watch before setting her down gently.

As he stood up Leia entered the room, her burnished auburn hair pulled back by a simple clip.

"Leaving so soon?" She asked him quietly.

He paused to give her a kiss. "Yes, I have a meeting."

"Don't go Papa," Mariemaia came up beside him, tugging on his hand. "Please Papa."

"Sorry angel." Trieze picked his daughter up, hugging her close. "I'll see you again soon, I promise."

"Kiss Papa goodbye." Leia instructed her daughter. "And then go with Annie. It's time for you to go to bed."

Mariemaia did as she was told and then went with the nanny who'd been waiting silently in the doorway. "Come back soon Papa."

"I will," Trieze smiled after the little girl

"How soon will you be back?" Leia clutched Trieze's arm. "We both miss you."

Trieze gathered her in his arms, kissing her fully. When he finished her face was flushed and her eyes glistened. "Do you need anything?"

"Only you." Leia rested her head on his chest for a moment. "We'll be waiting for you."

"I'll try to stay longer next time." Trieze promised. He released her reluctantly and she stepped back equally unwilling.

"Be careful."

Trieze smiled as if the reminder were hardly necessary. "Don't worry." He handed her Mariemaia's drawing. "Here, put this with the others."

"Can't you take it with you?"

"I wouldn't want to lose something so precious." He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "See you soon darling."

"Goodbye." She lifted her hand as she watched him leave. "Hurry back soon."

Trieze left the large townhouse and slipped into the car waiting for him at the curb. He sighed as the vehicle pulled away smoothly and leaned his head back against the seat. Reaching into his suit pocket he pulled out a small phone and dialed the first number in the phone's memory. The other line was picked up promptly.

"Hello love," Trieze felt a smile pull the corners of his mouth upwards. "No, I haven't forgotten about the dinner party tonight. I'm on my way right now." He laughed lightly. "Don't worry so much, I'm sure you'll be as ravishing as usual."

He listened for a moment silently.

"Ah, well, you know Dorothy, she does as she pleases." He reached up and smoothed his hair back. "I'm sure she'll show up at some point." He shook his head slightly even though the party on the other side couldn't see him. "I'll speak with her, I promise. Don't worry my Lady. It'll be perfect." He glanced down at his watch. "I'll be there in about half an hour."

Another silence.

"Alright love, see you soon." He shut the phone and shrugged out of his suit coat, reaching for the fresh suit that was hanging on one side of the car.

"James, did you send the flowers I requested?" Trieze asked as he calmly changed.

"Of course sir." His driver answered. "You also have a message from one of your men down at the docks. The new shipment is expected ahead of schedule."

"Well, that will complicate matters." Trieze straightened his tie and checked his appearance in a small mirror. "Let Otto know he'll have to handle it himself. I won't be able to get free this evening."

"Of course sir."

Trieze pulled on a pair of white gloves, fastening his cuff links with ease.

"Oh, and James?"

"Sir?"

"Have someone find out exactly what my cousin's been up to. Dorothy seems to be causing quite a stir lately."

"Certainly sir."

"Remember to be discreet."

"I'll take care of it myself sir."

"Thank you James." Trieze settled back and smiled. "Now let's head for that dinner party. After all I promised my wife I wouldn't be late."

"Of course sir."