Pairings: Duo/Heero, Quatre/Trowa

Warnings: possibilities of later violence? supernatural stuff, kinky moments, not sure what all's gonna be in here yet

Author's comment: Sorry for such a long delay on getting this one out. x.x For having been done a while, I'm only just now getting the chance to upload it. By the way, sinus infections suck and so do random family visits at the same time. :grunts: Anyways, here's hoping you enjoy this chapter.

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Operation Blank Conspiracy 8

Time: 0600 hours (The following morning)

"Duo…" The voice came out with a tone of warning to it when Heero said the name. He saw the braided boy deflate beside him, seeming to pout as he stared down towards the abandoned airfield from their vantage point. They were sitting in in the control tower which was high enough to be able to see the airfield easily. It hadn't been hard to find an empty one, not on the poor colony of L2 where business seemed rare. The others had gone on ahead; all except for Trowa who was down there with Father Maxwell right now, making sure everything went smoothly as everyone prepared themselves to board the large airship.

Heero had thought about it at one point, about the five of them boarding as well and being dropped off at HQ. But it was risky, for several reasons. The ship for transport was not so small or so fast that it would go undetected by the enemy. And there was a bigger possibility of spies as well. Then considering that OZ knew about Maxwell Church, they were probably out there watching and waiting for the opportunity for Duo to make himself known so he could be captured…or killed since they didn't know OZ's real objective yet.

With the transit they were heading to, it'd be small, nearly undetectable, and much faster even if it did take them a couple of days to even get to the ship. They would only have to worry about two crew members, the two pilots, and if it came down to it any one of them could fly the ship themselves, with the exception of Duo of course.

Basically, it was less likely for them to be eavesdropped on and gave more freedom to try and get more information out of 02. It also made it easier for 02 to focus more on the task at hand and not on the people he was trying to protect. Though they hadn't received much more information than what he'd provided a few days ago, he'd at least now opened up to the others a bit more, well with the exception of Wufei where neither male seemed to want to come to a truce.

The antsy Duo shifted beside him again, just itching to get into contact with his family. And though Heero said before that he wasn't letting Duo go see them in the case that OZ was out there watching, he did relent to one thing and tapped his earpiece to cut it on.

"Heavyarms, what's the situation?"

It took a second for him to get the response, even though he saw Trowa lift his hand and talk into the earpiece before the words came through. "Everything's ok on this side, Zero. What about you?"

"We're good here," Heero said glancing to the side at Duo who was biting his lips and staring down at the church. Heero looked down at the braided boy's hands, watching the twitching of his fingers before he returned his attention to the church. The boy was going to break and probably would abandon all reasoning soon if Heero didn't do this. "Let Father Maxwell use your earpiece for a moment."

Trowa didn't say anything, but from the sound of shuffling and the visual itself, he knew the other was doing as told with no questions. He removed his own earpiece, looking over at Duo who was staring at him like he'd lost his head before he reached down placing the earpiece in his hand.

"One minute," was all Heero told him, just barely seeing the nod as he got up and walked away to give Duo a moment. There was no harm in letting Duo take a moment to say goodbye to the family he'd lived with so long even though Heero was worried the other would decide not to go with them. They needed Duo's cooperation and the only way to make sure he stayed put was to give him a little leeway, at least in things he really wanted. Like talking to his family and making sure they were safe.

It was the same thing they did for witnesses needed to protect to testify against someone dangerous. The only way to receive their cooperation was to give them something they wanted, initially sealing a deal. Of course they didn't have the ability to escape so easily like Duo did, but their words held water as needed evidence. But just like with any negotiation, if the other team didn't fall through with the agreement, they could pull back whatever it was they'd given out. Duo Maxwell was no exception to this rule. If he didn't stay put and cooperate with them, they'd have to use his family to make him cooperate.

And as much as Heero hated doing it, it was a necessary part of the job that everyone had to and needed to take into consideration. But this was a special case. Because Duo Maxwell was one of the most important pieces to taking down OZ, they had to be careful. Because if something happened to his dear family, Heero had the feeling they would feel the brunt of it times two. Duo Maxwell was strong, not just mentally but strong physically as well.

For Duo to be able to catch his kick, something Heero had managed to knock two, even three men at a time down with, he must have known how to fight. He wanted to question whether OZ had taught him that as well, but he left it alone. Even if he asked, Duo wouldn't answer. Duo didn't trust them enough to give out too much information, something they were going to have to work on. He doubted he himself could get much out of the violet eyed male, but he was betting with a little work Quatre could make himself to be the greatest best friend the kid probably never had.

Heero leaned back against the doorframe of the large room and folded his arms. He glanced over, staring at Duo's back and barely listening to the quiet conversation the young male was having before he closed his eyes and relaxed tuning him out.

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"Are you doing well, Duo?"

The sound of the father's voice calmed Duo in a way he didn't think he needed. He felt himself relaxing and smiling as he stared down towards where the man was standing with the earpiece to his ear. It was something about seeing and hearing a person's voice to set one's mind at ease. At least in this case it helped set Duo's right.

"I'm fine, Father," Duo said softly, reaching out and placing his hand against the broken window. Even though he could see Father Maxwell and the others, he knew the man didn't know he was there. He wasn't supposed to know…because if he knew, then it'd be easy for OZ to know as well. They would know because Father Maxwell would be looking for him, even if he didn't intend to. "How are Sister Helen and the little rascals doing?"

"Fine. Everyone's fine here."

"That's good." He was genuinely relieved by that. These people were important to him. They'd helped him to survive and gave him a true reason to want to live besides through just revenge. He'd escaped from OZ but that didn't mean he didn't want to pay them back for what they'd done. Now if he only knew what he needed to do to make that happen.

"…How's Howard doing?" Duo asked, glancing back for a moment to see where Heero was. When he noticed the male resting up against the open doorway, arms folded and eyes closed, he turned around again. To anyone listening outside of the conversation, it sounded like he was asking about a friend.

"Oh, he's still getting over his illness. Nothing's changed for the better yet." Father Maxwell knew the game well, of what the 'illness' really entitled.

"I see." Duo frowned. Howard was the one that'd found Duo back when he'd escaped from OZ. He'd learned a lot of things from him. It was thanks to Howard that he'd ended up at Maxwell Church and lost a lot of his bloodlust.

The reason Duo knew so much about OZ and the world was thanks to Howard, the man former known as a member of OZ. Duo had learned a lot about how OZ worked and what their goals were. He'd been told of other experiments, other people that had been tested on and didn't live to tell about it. He didn't lie when he told Heero that OZ wanted world domination. OZ wanted control and was only a small part of the Romefeller Foundation stationed on Earth.

The Romefeller Foundation, as of this moment, could be said to own about sixty five percent of Earth, including resources, income, and military. Thirty percent was owned by the Sanc Kingdom under Queen Relena's reign and the final five percent by a miscellaneous guerilla faction that probably wouldn't last long. It was very probable that OZ was the research facility for Romefeller, even though two and two hadn't been put together yet publically to accuse them of the fact. Probably because OZ was a secret part of the foundation since they were doing illegal things under the table, such as experimenting on humans, kids even. However, even being a secret, there were leaks and of course rumors online based on said leaks.

OZ hid themselves well. In the years since his escape, he'd only found one of OZ's bases. It proved too much for him and in the process of trying to escape, he'd blown up the OZ base along with the colony it was located on. He'd been careless, hardheaded, and hotheaded at the time. Had he not been so stupid, had he not been so out to get blood and revenge….

No, he didn't want to think about that. He was different now. He wanted revenge, but he wasn't a cold blooded killer anymore. Father Maxwell had taught him that.

"Ah, tell Sister Helen I said hi."

"I will." Duo actually smiled as he saw Father Maxwell do just that before he glanced back seeing Heero looking at him as if to say time's up. "Look, I uh…I gotta run. I'm getting the evil eye now." He stuck his tongue out at Heero who just seemed to look away before looking at his watch. "Tell everyone I said hi…see ya when I see ya." He wouldn't lie and say he wasn't sad. He was leaving his only family after all.

"Bye Duo." And Duo thought for a moment that Father Maxwell saw him as he looked up in his direction. He didn't wave, gave no indication that he saw him other than the soft smile on his lips. "Stay safe." Duo smiled softly reaching out holding his hand against the glass, hating to have this barrier between them.

"Bye…Father Maxwell." His fingers lingered over the button to the earpiece before he sighed. He finally pressed it cutting the connection to his only link to Father Maxwell. No, it wasn't his only link. As long as he knew they were staying around the Preventers, he would find them again…as long as he stayed with them too.

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Heero stood there, his arms still crossed as he looked over at Duo. He stayed leaning against the wall watching the braided boy, just barely able to see the side of his somber face. Aside from a sort of calm look, Duo didn't show any real expression as he stared out the window towards his family.

It took a while for Duo to finally move as he stood up. Heero assumed that to mean that everyone had boarded the shuttle. 02 started walking towards him then past him, almost in a daze. Heero found himself reaching out and grabbing his wrist before he could stop himself.

"I'm just going to the toilet," Duo said before he smirked. Heero frowned and gripped his wrist tighter. A normal person would have winced in pain by now. Duo didn't. "What? You want to hold my hand while I piss? Didn't know you were that much of a pervert."

"Who is Howard?" Heero asked letting him go and wishing his ears would stop burning. This guy…was something else.

"Hm?" Duo blinked staring at him. It made Heero uneasy which was unusual and made him glance away as he tightened his jaw. It was only a few seconds to gather his bearings but by then Duo was looking away, if not to look out the window again.

"Howard's a family friend, "Duo said. "Found me when I was a kid on the streets. He's the one who brought me to the Maxwell Church." He smiled. "I learned a lot from him on the way there."

"Like what?"

Duo looked at him again but this time Heero didn't look away. "Reading, writing, the basics until we got to the church." Something was off. But he couldn't read it in Duo's eyes. As much as he loved to talk, he was pretty good at hiding things.

Heero shook his head dismissing the whole thing. Just like with everything else, including OZ, he'd have to wait until Duo provided them with the information.

"So am I allowed to go pee now, oh so majestic one?" He did a little bow as he said those last few words, smirking when he stood up to meet the glaring eyes and probably smiling in satisfaction when Heero looked away again.

"Hn. Don't take too long," Heero said watching him walking down the hall. He kept his eyes on him, trying not to stare at his butt as he walked. It was hard not to, not with the braid swinging back and forth past it like the pendulum of a grandfather clock. When Duo turned to the side to open the door, Heero could see the face clearly. He stared at the features, the chunky cheeks up to the round nose and on up seeing his eyelashes brush his skin each time he blinked.

He wondered if Duo felt saddened by having to leave his home so abruptly. Heero didn't know how long 02 must have lived there but he was able to bet it'd been some years. Duo had said since he was a kid…so how old was he now? He couldn't have been much older than Heero himself. At least he didn't look it.

He was startled out of his stupor when Duo looked at him suddenly. Something about those violet eyes got to him. They felt familiar to him. They drew him in. Had he met Duo once before? Maybe on a mission during his younger days as an apprentice assassin? It was possible. But he should have remembered such vivid features, especially those eyes.

"I'm not sad," Duo said suddenly drawing Heero's attention to him again. He was frowning and watching Heero, a bit cautiously it felt. "As long as they're alive and I know I'll see them again, I can't be." He smiled now, one that Heero found uncharacteristic for him though it was still charming. He actually smiled like he meant it. "Besides, I've gotten over being sad a long time ago. If a situation required me to cry, I wouldn't be able to."

"…What do you mean by-"

"Whoops! Nature calls!" He rushed into the abandoned bathroom and closed the rickety, broken door which creaked so loudly, Heero was worried someone would hear it. But they were safe here, he'd scoped this building out earlier and set up the necessary traps to alert him if someone came in. He turned heading back into the room and walking over to the window looking out. Everyone seemed to be in the shuttle now and he could see that Trowa had moved a ways back. It looked like they were just waiting for the takeoff and they'd be done with this.

His foot bumped against a bag by the wall and he glanced down staring at Duo's laptop bag. A portion of Duo's stuff, such as clothes and hair products were stuffed into Heero's duffle bag which was tucked safely away on his bike along with his laptop.

Duo's own laptop, however, was here, close to where the boy was. He refused to part from it and it was surprising he'd even left it here unattended except by a man he probably didn't fully trust. The laptop contained a key to Duo's past and maybe even hints to OZ's plans located within the small folder called simply "My Happy Place." It held tons of "Dear Diary" entries, each accessible only by entering a key password.

Heero wanted to get in and hack into those files to find those secret, but with the way things were right now he didn't have the time for it. They were on the move, trying to get to a destination that would be at least a few days ride from here as long as everything went accordingly. So for at least a night or two they would have to deal with finding a temporary hiding spot until they finally reached transit. Once that happened, they'd be on their way to the Preventers HQ and he'd have Duo out of his hair.

He needed to get him out of his hair. In the past few days since staying with Duo, he'd been having odd dreams about the violet eyed boy. Dreams that well…weren't meant for children that's for sure. He'd never had dreams like this or experiences like this. It made him restless, even uncomfortable being around Duo for long periods of time. How the other spoke to him didn't help things either and his crotch seemed to ache more the more he had those intense dreams.

Heero glanced out the window at the shuttle. Right now Trowa was talking with the captain, probably to figure out how much longer it would take them to get into the air.

Heero kneeled down starting to type on Duo's laptop before he flipped through the camera feeds for the area. He wasn't taking any chances. Considering how long they had to wait for transport to show up, the people of Maxwell Church were still in danger, at least until they could get in the air. They were vulnerable right now, with only a handful of agents there with weapons to help protect them. The field they were waiting in was pretty big aside from a few buildings here and there.

He'd suspected that OZ would question such a large shuttle showing up in the middle of nowhere. Not just that, but they were already suspicious of the Maxwell Church so he wouldn't have been surprised if they were still watching the people there. Something caught his attention from one of the cameras.

Crouched behind the surrounding bushes he saw the branches moving before he caught the gleam of weapons. He didn't need to ask who they were. They seemed like they were waiting on the shuttle to take off. And by the looks of it, their plans didn't fit in with his own, specially the large bazooka two of them were carrying.

"Heavyarms," Heero said into the headset not waiting for a response as he continued talking. "Two clock from where you're standing. We've got trouble."

"Roger that. I can take care of it from here." He didn't turn around to look but Heero knew he was accessing the situation. He knew the place well by now. Trowa pulled out his cellphone just looking as if he were just texting a message though Heero knew what he was doing. He was able to tap into the cameras using the phone. So he'd be able to see the enemy if necessary. But there were a few other things he could do as well…such as setting off traps.

They were already prepared for this. Since the plan to set up transport for Maxwell Church, they'd been planning and setting up booby-traps just in case OZ really did show up. There were various places around the current location that could be set off. The one that Trowa was about to activate was one of them.

He heard the static sound before Trowa's voice came through the mic. "Elimination completed." As soon as he'd said the words, Heero looked up hearing the large boom and seeing the smoke showing up in the direction the OZ soldiers were in and making the floors of the old building rumble slightly. So he'd set off one of the bombs. But if they were here already, there had to be more.

"Heavyarms, tell that pilot to hurry up and get those people out of there."

"Roger that." Trowa spoke with the pilot. It seemed the pilot needed no coaxing as he looked towards the black smoke curling towards the sky. The words were brief but in the next moment the pilot was heading inside the shuttle.

Heero felt himself breathing a little easier when he heard the shuttle starting up. Trowa was moving back away from the ship, taking cover by one of the nearby buildings to watch. His fingers were plugging up one ear while he seemed to push the earpiece deeper in the other against the loud screeching sound of the engine's roar.

Heero looked down at the laptop towards the feed. It seemed one of them had went out, probably do to the powerful winds the shuttle was pushing off. But he wanted to be safe and was about to try and get into contact with Trowa when he saw another of the feeds go out. It was followed by another then another. He knew this was no accident. The enemies were taking them out deliberately. He didn't even know how they were finding them. Some of these cameras were in some really hidden locations.

"Trowa, be careful. Something's taking out the cameras down there." He stood up, pulling out his gun to be safe and was about to close the laptop down when he saw something in the last feed. Frowning, he zoomed in on it. A man stood there in front of the camera, wearing what appeared to be a white suit with a white trench coat. He had a white, wide brim hat on that was tilted down enough to cover his eyes. But Heero saw the smirk on his lips as he lifted his hand up showing off all the cameras that had just been disabled before this feed as well suddenly snowed out.

Heero kneeled there frowning and staring at the monitor. There was no way this one person had taken out all those cameras. They were stretched around the whole airfield. Hell, it'd taken Heero a good hour to walk around earlier not to mention locating the cameras which he needed Duo's help with.

Then something else dawned on him. The last few cameras hadn't been out on the field like the rest of them. This one in particular had been planted inside the control tower on the fifth floor. They were on the seventh…which meant none of his traps had been set off otherwise he would have known instantly.

"Heero, we-"

Heero turned quickly pointing the gun at a startled Duo before he breathed a sigh of relief lowering the gun down. "Don't do that," he said glaring at the male.

"Sorrrry!" Duo said rolling his eyes slightly. "I told you, guns don't hurt me."

"Hn." Heero just grunted choosing to ignore his words. He didn't put the gun away, reaching down and sliding the laptop into the pack before carrying it over to Duo. "Carry this. We need to go."

"Yeah, that's what I came in here to tell you. I think someone's inside the building." Duo looked down at the bag mumbling something about a waste of good cameras, but Heero disregarded it even though he really wanted to question how Duo knew these things. Right now he was focused on how to get them out of here. They'd already planned this out before, the route they would take. Three ways out in case of invasion.

"Let's go," Heero said only glancing back briefly. "We're heading to the first escape route so stay close and stay quiet."

"Yes, boss." And if he could smack the smirk off that face he knew was there, he would. But he'd have to wait on that. Top priority was getting 02 out of the building and to safety.

TBC…

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Yep, we're getting to some action now. :3 And I am so enjoying it.