One Night
Trowa pushed open the door to the bar and slipped
inside. He scanned the darkened crowded room, looking
for his target. No sign of the young man, he must’ve
come too early. Still, it might be better to have
established himself here before the target arrived. Not
that there would be a huge investigation, not in a
country like this one. They would play it up for the TV
maybe, but for the most part, the police would assume
the tourist had gone into one of the seedier areas
looking for an ‘experience’ and gotten more than he had
anticipated. Happened all the time.
He made a quick round of the room, just in case the
target was in a corner somewhere, then found an empty
stool at the end of the bar, one that gave him a
somewhat clear view of the door, ordered a drink and
settled in to wait.
This was a weird job, no doubt about it. Not that the
outcome was odd- but the point of it. This stinking
cesspool of a city was hosting a chess tournament.
Trowa hadn’t even known that there was such a thing
anymore. Who would care? Computers could beat people at
chess any day of the week- why have a tournament? And
why have it in such a city as this one? A place more
famous for its debauchery and sin than its intellectual
pursuits.
Well, maybe the players needed to blow off a lot of
steam after all that high-level thinking. Trowa smiled
to himself at the thought.
You’d have to want to blow off some steam to come to a
dive like this one. It was designed to look like some
kind of temple, but the gilt paint was showing signs of
fading, and the ‘statue of the goddess’ over the bar
looked more bored than sexy, despite her provocative
pose and fake pearls.
Trowa sighed. He couldn’t believe that someone was
willing to pay his prices just to get rid of a
competitor in a chess tournament. Someone was taking
the whole game a little to seriously in his opinion,
but it wasn’t his job to question what or why. He just
did as he was told.
He lifted his glass to his lips and shivered a little
as the alcohol slid down his throat. He didn’t like
this job- it seemed almost like he was helping the
other person cheat. That sat badly with him- but on the
other hand it paid well…
“Is this seat taken?” The voice was soft and low, with
a hint of suggestiveness.
Trowa turned slightly to look at the speaker and had a
brief moment of surprise.
The target. Quatre R. Winner.
When had he come in?
“Sure, have a seat.” He smiled warmly and waved at the
empty stool.
The young blond man slid onto the barstool and gave
Trowa an appraising look. Trowa was used to such looks,
and this one made him smile inwardly. Ahhh, so that
detail about the client had been right. This would be
easier if he could lure the young man back to a hotel
room somewhere… pity though. The target was much better
looking in person- and it had been quite a while… Trowa
wasn’t one to indulge himself with a target however-
that just made things messier.
Winner signaled the bartender and ordered a drink. He
gave Trowa another appraising glance when he finished,
a faint smile lurking on his lips.
“Considering how to kill me Mr. Barton?”
Trowa didn’t let his reaction show on his face, kept
his body relaxed- even as he cursed inwardly.
“What?” He responded, and let his hand drift towards
his wrist sheath. “My name is Bloom, not Barton. Maybe
you have me mixed up with someone else?”
“Very good,” the blond smiled. “Very innocent. You are
as good as your reputation. But seriously, Mr. Barton,
it’s no use. I know exactly who you are and why you’re
here- and it’s not to pick up someone for the evening.”
He gave Trowa another considering look. “Unfortunate
that. Still, Mr. Barton, I have some business I’d like
to discuss with you.”
Trowa’s mouth tightened. This was bad. Very Bad.
The bartender arrived with the drink. “Is the room
ready?”
“Of course Mr. Winner. The boys are already there.”
“If you care to join me?” Winner slid off the stool and
raised an eyebrow.
“I think I’d rather stay here.”
“Then your employer will have you killed for failure.
That is not a winning situation for you.”
“I don’t see how following you will make it better.”
“Ah, this way you have a chance to survive. I assure
you, Mr. Barton, I know all the angles. This is your
best option.”
“Of course you’d say that.”
“Mr. Cho? I need your help persuading our friend here.”
The bartender put a bottle down on the counter in front
of Trowa with a friendly smile. “I put some of these in
your drink. Mr. Winner has the antidote.”
Trowa picked up the bottle and read the label. Ah hell.
He slid off the stool and sighed. “Very well.”
Winner smiled. “I knew you’d see reason. This way
please-“ he gestured towards a door half hidden behind
the bar. “If you don’t mind- I’ll follow you.”
Trowa went to the door, mind clicking away. He hadn’t
had much of his drink, but the poison they’d used was a
strong one. He might be able to get away and to one of
his contacts in this city… but the chance was a slim
one.
“Open the door Mr. Barton.”
Trowa did as he was told, and stepped inside the room.
There were two men seated at a table, playing a game of
poker. They looked up at him and Trowa blinked. It
wasn’t often that the dead came back to life.
“Barton.” The darker haired man smiled at his surprise.
“Good to see you.”
“Same Yuy.” Trowa nodded at the man’s longhaired
partner. “Maxwell. Thought you two went down a few
years ago out in China somewhere.”
Maxwell shuffled the cards and grinned. “So we did.
This is our afterlife.”
Yuy got to his feet and opened another door on the
opposite side of the room. “All set up Mr. Winner.”
“Thank you Mr. Yuy. Continue to keep an eye on things
for me?”
“Of course.”
“This way Mr. Barton?” Winner gestured at the door and
Trowa headed for it. He wasn’t sure what his two former
coworkers were doing here, and it made him twitchy. Yuy
and Maxwell had been some of the best in the business-
he’d worked with them a few times himself. They had
been reliable- never once double-crossed him- but now…
well, an assassin’s loyalty was often up for sale.
The room was small, empty except for a table with two
chairs. The table had two glasses and a chessboard-
already set up- on it.
“Please have a seat.” Trowa sat down warily. Winner sat
down across from him. “Do you play?” He gestured at the
board.
“Not since I was a child.”
“Pity, it’s a fascinating game.”
“Apparently,” Trowa frowned. “There seems to be a great
deal of stress placed on it these days.”
“The tournament you mean?”
“Yes.”
“Ah well,” Winner rested his elbows on the arms of the
chair and steepled his fingers in front of him. “As you
might have guessed, there is a great deal riding on
this game.”
“What exactly? This seems to be a bit… overkill.”
Winner smiled. “It does, doesn’t it? Before I tell you,
I would like you to tell me something....”
“I don’t give out the names of my employers.”
“I know. I’m not asking for that. I already know hers-
or theirs rather. What I want to know is if I was your
only target.”
Trowa considered. That seemed reasonable enough. “No.”
“How many?”
“You and one other.”
“Have you killed the other one already?”
Trowa shook his head. “You arrived in town first.”
Winner leaned back in his chair and frowned slightly
for a moment. “If I gave you the antidote would you be
willing to tell me who the other person is?”
Trowa thought. It’s not like he hadn’t gone after
targets that had been warned he was coming… it made
things a little more difficult, but not impossible…
“Yes.”
Winner’s eyebrow lifted slightly. “I’m surprised.”
“Better a live dog than a dead lion.”
“And a live dog can still bite.” Winner nodded. “Very
well.” He reached into the breast pocket of his suit
and pulled out a small bottle. “Here.” He tossed it
across the table.
Trowa opened the bottle. Who knew what this really was?
Still… he was already feeling lightheaded…
He lifted the bottle to his lips without taking his
eyes off the man across from him and downed the
contents.
“Zechs Merquise.”
Winner’s eyes widened slightly. “I hadn’t thought she’d
go that far…” He frowned. “Thank you Mr. Barton. It
will be a few moments until the antidote takes effect.
While you wait- I’d like you to listen to a business
proposition.”
“I have a choice?”
“Of course. You could get to your feet and walk out
that door.”
Trowa looked at the door and then back at Winner. “And
have Yuy or Maxwell blow my head off.”
Winner smiled. “Well, not exactly. I think guns are
barbaric. But yes, they have their orders- yet it’s
still your choice.”
Trowa leaned back in his own chair. “I’m listening.”
“As you have guessed, this tournament is no ordinary
competition. I’m sure you were told that the prize was
highly desirable- but I doubt you were told what it
was.”
Trowa nodded.
“We’re playing for control of the Earth Sphere.”
Winner’s lips quirked up in a faint smile. “Or at least
more power for our part of it. The people who play in
this tournament desire power. They want their section
of the Sphere to be the most influential- to have the
most power.”
“But… I read the papers. I know who the world leaders
are- none of you involved in the tournament…”
“Of course not. We prefer to direct- not to claim the
spotlight. That’s for the showmen. We are the real
powers.”
“And you play chess for control?”
“Yes. Every year. We meet someplace on Earth- it’s more
secure than the colonies.”
Trowa frowned. “Why are you telling me this Mr.
Winner?”
“I don’t like introducing players into our game
blindly. They need to know their place on the board-
understand the stakes. Especially when they are as
valuable as you.”
It took a moment for Trowa to grasp what the other man
was saying. “You play with people? Not pieces? I’m just
a pawn in this?”
“Hardly.” Winner shook his head. “Regardless of what
you are, however, you are now on my side of the board-
and surrounded.”
Trowa closed his eyes for a brief moment. “Are you
planning to sweep me off the board?”
“That depends on you.” Winner gestured at the board in
front of him. “You see, this isn’t an ordinary game.
You’ve been sent out to sweep both kings off the board
and leave only the queens and the minor pieces behind.
That would upset the balance of power in the Sphere
greatly. Especially since the Queens hold Earth- and
the Kings the colonies.”
Trowa frowned as he realized the possible implications.
“It would set off another war…”
“Precisely.” Winner sighed. “The people of the colonies
have suffered so much already…”
“I know it.”
“Yes, you are a child of the colonies. As am I. As are
your two old friends in the other room. You have skills
that I need- skills I would be willing to pay any
amount to gain. But, you are known as an honest dealer,
Mr. Barton- you have never failed on a job, never
failed to get your target. Could you see your way clear
to doing so now?”
Trowa blinked. This he hadn’t expected.
“To do that- I’d have to kill the ones who hired me…
make sure they couldn’t smear my reputation…”
Winner shook his head. “I don’t want them dead- not
yet. Taking them off the board would still lead to war.
They haven’t realized that.” He sighed. “No, Mr.
Barton- I’m asking for a different solution. I’m asking
you to give up your life- and start a new one.”
“Like Yuy and Maxwell did.”
“Yes.”
Trowa leaned forward and rested his elbows on the
table. He was intrigued… a chance to start over… but
not the way he had hoped. Still a hired killer. Still
bought and sold. Still moved around the board by forces
outside his control.
“What part of the colonies are yours?” That would tell
him a lot.
“The L4 and L5 clusters.”
The wealthier of the colonies- the people of those
colonies lived fairly well compared to the other three…
no slums, no civil wars… Was it because of the man who
sat across from him?
“What if I say no?”
“Then I’m afraid Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Yuy will sweep you
off the board. A terrible task for them- they spoke
very highly of you.”
“Do you dislike giving your servants unpleasant tasks?”
Winner’s eyes narrowed. “They are not my servants, but
my soldiers. And yes, I do. They are valuable resources
for me- even as you would be. I want them to be happy.”
“I’d be happier out of this whole game.”
“I’m afraid that’s impossible at the moment, Mr.
Barton.” Winner did in fact look as if he was sorry
that he couldn’t. “I would free you if I could, but I
can’t.”
“I could almost believe you mean it.”
“I do. I wish this wasn’t necessary, but it is. Will
you accept my offer, Mr. Barton?”
There didn’t seem to be much of a choice. “Yes.”
“Very good.” Winner smiled, pleased. He got to his
feet. “Then we need to get started. Maxwell has already
set up plans to fake your death. You can get started
right away.”
Trowa blinked at him, startled. The man didn’t just
assume that Trowa had agreed and was going to stick to
his promise? Not that Trowa planned on treachery, but
still…
Winner opened the door and gestured at him. “Come on.”
“Just like that?”
Winner smiled and tapped his chest. “I feel that I can
trust you Mr. Barton. I’m sure you won’t disappoint
me.”
Yuy and Maxwell were studying a small bank of screens-
Trowa hadn’t paid attention to them when he had first
walked into the room- he had been too surprised to find
two dead men playing cards. Now he noted that they
showed several different angles of the bar.
Maxwell looked up and smiled at him. “Joined the club I
see.”
Trowa nodded.
“We might have a small glitch, Mr. Winner,” Yuy said
quietly.
“What’s is it?” Winner asked, going to stand by Yuy’s
shoulder.
“Looks like one of our Queens has sent in a pawn to
keep an eye on things.” Yuy tapped the screen.
Winner frowned. “One of the ones from last year- which
means there might be more that we don’t see.”
“Probably trying to make sure that you take the bait.”
Maxwell suggested.
Winner looked at the clock. “It’s not my normal time
yet. Shall we try an obvious gambit?”
“Cho says he could vouch for all the customers up until
a half-hour ago- all locals.” Yuy said. “But that
doesn’t mean that she hasn’t tried to use one of them.”
“Still…” Winner tapped his chin. “It’s worth
a shot.”
He turned to Trowa and smiled. “Feel like trying to
pick me up again?”
“I suppose I could try a few different lines this
time.” Trowa agreed. “Are we going to try and make her
think you took the bait?”
“Yes, and if we arrange for your “death” to follow
afterwards, I’m sure that might send an interesting
message to our Queens. Mr. Yuy- if you’ll show Mr.
Barton the back door? We’ll put on a show for the
audience.”
Yuy nodded and gestured to Trowa. “This way.”
A few moments, and Trowa found himself standing in an
alley behind the club. How easy would it be to just
run? He could hide… maybe. If these people were as
powerful as they seemed to be it wouldn’t be for long…
but then again- how did he know he wasn’t being set up?
Though to waste all of this effort on a set up… He
sighed. He could argue with himself about it for hours.
Might as well just do as the man asked…
He took a deep breath and went to the front of the
building.
Once again, he stepped into the dark smoky crowded
room. Again, he scanned the crowd for a young blond
man.
This time he spotted him right away- seated in the
corner- at a table. Better.
This time he felt eyes on him as he made his way over
to the bar and ordered a drink. The bartender winked at
him, his monocle glinting in the dim light.
He set Trowa’s glass on the bar, opened a fresh bottle
of scotch and poured it over the ice.
“I’m still not drinking this,” Trowa muttered at him.
The bartender merely smiled.
“Your loss.”
Trowa picked up the glass and turned, leaning against
the bar, scanning the room as if he was just some guy
out on the prowl.
He let his eyes linger on a gorgeous redhead, moved on
to a petite brunette and then let his gaze move to
Winner’s table.
Winner met his gaze, let his eyes wander lazily over
Trowa, and then lifted his glass in invitation.
Trowa strolled across the room, taking his time, trying
to note where the watchers were…
On the way there, a young woman bumped into him. For a
moment he felt her hand dive into his coat pocket and
back out again.
Bugged.
He nearly caught her hand and complimented her on the
smoothness of her move, but he didn’t think he was
supposed to give the game away like that.
He caught Winner’s eye again. The other winked at him,
and let his eyes follow the girl as she vanished into
the crowd.
Apparently he had chosen the right response.
Winner smiled when he reached the table, his head
inclining to the right. “Care to join me?” He patted
the seat beside him and smiled wider.
Trowa slid in beside him. “Can’t believe someone like
you doesn’t have company already… or am I just a way to
pass the time?”
“Depends on how you use your time.” Winner replied. His
eyes flicked to the right again, and Trowa caught it.
One of the watchers was at the table to the right. He
continued to banter with Winner as he studied the
person out of the corner of his eye.
An unremarkable brown haired man- nothing that stood
out. Good choice for a job like this. So that made two
of the opposing team in the bar.
Trowa nearly felt insulted. Why so many to make sure he
did the job?
Or was he expected to fail- and someone else was to
learn from his failure?
“Sooo,” Winner drawled at last after a few more minutes
of flirtatious chatter. “Feel like taking this
someplace else?”
“Are you inviting me home to see your etchings?” Trowa
parried.
“Oh no, I’m interested in showing you a different kind
of art all together…”
Winner leaned forward, seizing Trowa’s tie, and pulled
him into a kiss. Teasing and light at first, it
deepened into something else quickly.
His arms slid around Winner’s waist, pulling the other
man closer, as Winner’s mouth moved demandingly over
his. Trowa was feeling warm, and oddly shaky when they
parted, panting. Winner leaned into him, smiling
smugly.
“Ready to go?”
They stumbled out to the curb where a long dark blue
limo waited. Trowa tried desperately to regain his
equilibrium, forcing himself to keep his mind on the
situation. Things were still dangerous. One kiss should
not affect him like this…
Then they got into the car, and after giving a quick
order to the driver in a language Trowa vaguely
recognized, Winner climbed onto his lap.
Trowa started, but Winner’s fingers tapped his side,
right next to the pocket with the bug. They were being
listened to- not watched, Trowa nearly protested, but
then Winner’s mouth was on his again, and his protests
vanished.
Mouths met and fought for dominance, hands slid under
clothes, skin was caressed and licked and kissed and
nipped…
By the time the car stopped, their jackets and ties had
been tossed to the floor, and both looked more than
slightly disheveled. Winner gave him a satisfied look
as he pulled Trowa out of the car. He gave the driver
another order before heading for the house. Trowa
suspected it had to do with his jacket.
“You are definitely worth having on my side.” Winner
said as the door opened for them. A tall dark man stood
there, eyeing their appearance with disfavor.
“I haven’t done anything yet,” Trowa managed to retort
in a dry tone.
“Oh, I disagree,” Winner smiled at the dark man.
“Rashid, we’ve captured the knight. Maxwell has plans
for the phone call this evening with the others. Once
he and Yuy get here, please see that all is done as he
wishes.
“And what do you want done with this one?” Rashid
glared at Trowa.
“He’s come over to our side. Please install him in the
guest quarters near Yuy and Maxwell, and let him
freshen up. Maxwell will want to see him.” Winner gave
Trowa a smile. “I have business to attend to. I hope we
will be able to continue our discussion later.” He
turned and strode off down the hallway.
Rashid huffed out a breath. “If I had my way, you’d be
off the board… However, Master Quatre feels he can
trust you. I hope his faith is not misplaced.”
Trowa lifted an eyebrow. “Indeed.”
Rashid led him up a staircase and down several
hallways. The place was like a maze. Trowa wondered if
it was built that way on purpose…
Rashid showed him into a small suite of rooms- bedroom,
living room, and bathroom. “Please stay here until
someone comes to get you. There are clothes in the
closet and towels in the bathroom.” He sniffed audibly
and closed the door behind him.
Trowa sat down on the end of the bed and rubbed his
temples. This was supposed to have been a simple job-
fly in, take out the targets and get the hell out of
this city. What had he fallen into?
The scent of smoke from the bar clung to him, making
his stomach roil.
He rose to his feet and went to take a shower.
After his shower, as he stood before the mirror in the
bathroom drying his hair, he noticed a small red mark
on his neck and several more scattered across his
shoulders.
No wonder Rashid had been eyeing him like that.
He wondered if he had left any on Winner’s fair skin.
The marble of the countertop was cool under his palms.
He leaned against it, eyes closed. What had he done? He
had never lost control like that… not with anyone… And
he never slept with clients… just like with targets- it
tended to be a messy business…
There was a knock on the door. Trowa grabbed his pants
and pulled them on before going to open it.
Maxwell stood on the other side, grinning as his eyes
skimmed over Trowa’s torso.
“Looks like your ride home was more fun than mine.”
“It was cover. One of the girls slipped a bug in my
pocket.”
Maxwell nodded. “Yep, we caught that. Still- looks like
you had fun.” His grin widened. “Ready to die?”
Despite knowing the plan, that sounded a bit ominous to
Trowa…
“Just let me finish getting dressed before you kill
me.” Trowa said dryly. Duo shook his head.
“Actually, just the pants will work much better- kind
of like you got started with Mr. Winner, tried to kill
him, he stopped you, had a bit of a fight…” Duo
chuckled. “This way we can give you some interesting
looking bruises. Make it look like you put up a good
fight.”
Trowa could see the wisdom of that, though he wondered
about how he was going to get some ‘interesting looking
bruises’. “All right.” He joined Duo in the hallway.
“Let’s go.”
“I was glad you joined up,” Duo said as they started
down the hallway. “Heero and I were hoping we wouldn’t
have to ice ya.”
“So was I.”
Duo laughed. “You haven’t changed a bit. How’s
everything at the Org?”
Trowa rolled his eyes. “Same as it was when you left.
The new management has not been very careful with its
resources- I’m sure you’ve heard.”
“I’ve heard.” Duo frowned. “That’s one of the
reasons
that Heero and I took up Winner’s offer. He’s very
careful of his resources. I for one like being treated
as a valuable commodity.”
Trowa added this bit to his knowledge of Winner with an
inner sigh of relief. That meant that he wouldn’t be
asked to throw his own life away merely for profit.
All he said was: “And Heero of course, also likes the
fact you are treated like a valuable commodity.”
Duo shook his head, laughing. “I suppose you heard
about that last little dust up in the office?”
“Of course. They wanted you to start going alone.
Claimed Heero’s morals were getting in the way of you
reaching your potential… I had thought your deaths were
linked to that argument…”
“Oh, they tried.” Duo rolled his eyes as they stopped
at a door. “Just didn’t succeed.” He opened the door
and waved Trowa inside.
The room was white, the tile floors and walls blending
seamlessly into each other. In one corner was an
overstuffed armchair with a large monitor and camera in
front of it. Closer to the door was a plain wooden
chair and a stool with a box on top.
“Have a seat.” Duo gestured at the chair. “Let’s get
started.”
Trowa sat as Duo flipped open the box and produced a
few jars and bottles. “Relax. I studied under a
Hollywood makeup artist. You’ll be a very good looking
corpse.”
“Did you?” Trowa watched as Duo started uncapping jars
and bottles.
“Yep, Heero thought it might be useful- so he studied
with a special effects guy at the same time.”
“The organization approved of that?”
“No, that was Mr. Winner. He’s found our skills with it
quite useful.” Duo tilted Trowa’s head back a little.
“I think we’ll start with a shiner, and then just see
how things progress…”
Trowa wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that, so he
asked instead: “Can you explain how this game works?
Winner said something about chess, but playing for
power- with people?”
Duo nodded. “Yep, exactly so. Once a year the big
powers- and the not so big- gather in one of four
cities- and start the game. The rules are simple- the
person with the most pieces at the end wins.”
“So, you try and capture other people’s pieces?”
Duo shrugged. “Sometimes. Sometimes the pieces are
powers in their own right, so you try and get them to
switch colors on their own so to speak. Or you sweep
them off the board. The more power a piece has, the
more valuable it is…”
“And so Winner’s a King.”
Duo nodded. “You got it.” He frowned a little. “Though,
you should know- that unlike the others, Winner is more
concerned with keeping his section safe rather than
expanding it.”
“Why?”
“He says too much power is a bad thing. He wants a
balance.” Duo shrugged. “He could explain it to you
better than I can, but that’s basically it. That’s
another reason we joined up with him- his section of
the Sphere is in better shape than the others.”
Trowa nodded, considering. Winner had called him a
‘knight’- not a pawn, so he had to have some value… but
that made no sense. He was an assassin, a tool… a pawn.
How did he become a knight in this game?
He was still thinking it over when Heero joined them an
hour later, his hands full of ropes and tubes and
things that looked like dead animals.
“Hey,” he said as he put his armful of supplies on the
floor and looked at Trowa. “You look like someone beat
the shit out of you.”
“I thought that was the idea.” Trowa now had a black
eye, a bloodied lip and a spectacular bruise on his
torso.
“Great timing babe, I’m pretty much finished.” Duo
stepped back for a moment, admiring his work before he
began putting the bottles and jars away. “He’s all
yours.”
“Thanks.” Heero gave Trowa a faint smile. “Duo explain
what was going to happen?”
“Of course not.” Trowa shook his head. “Just like that
time in Cairo- I’m completely in the dark here.”
Heero laughed as he sorted through the things he had
brought into the room. “But it all worked out okay- we
got you to the doctor in time.”
“He still could’ve mentioned that he poisoned the
dates.”
“I resent being talked about as if I’m not here,” Duo
commented. “Besides, I did tell you the dates had been
poisoned.”
“You said some of them might have ‘gone bad’.” Trowa
pointed out as Heero moved to stand behind him. He felt
a cool touch on the back of his neck and flinched.
“Relax,” Heero said. “Let me work.”
“Well, the target was right there!” Duo protested.
“What was I supposed to say? Don’t eat the dates- I
poisoned them? Besides, I think you more than made up
for it that time in Montreal…”
Duo kept Trowa too busy to focus on what Heero was
doing behind him. It was only when Heero stepped away
and said: “Tie him up” that he finally remembered to
ask how he was going to die.
Duo bound him to the chair as Heero explained briefly.
Trowa was not sure of the wisdom of the plan- but
before he could protest- Duo gagged him.
“Sorry,” he said. “Time’s running out. Just do your
part. Trust us.”
The door to the room swung open and Winner, followed by
what seemed to be a dozen men in dark clothes came into
the room.
“Finished?” Winner asked as he joined them.
“Yes,” Heero answered. Winner let his eyes run over
Trowa.
“Very nice work gentlemen. If you would please get
ready for the next part?” Winner gestured and several
of the men moved over to pick up the supplies and cart
them away.
“Of course,” Duo replied and left the room, Heero
following behind.
The remaining black clad men swept over to the other
side of the room, focusing their attention on the
monitor and the chair, rearranging and making
adjustments.
Winner’s eyes met Trowa’s. “I apologize for this small
inconvenience. I assure you again that it is necessary,
and I do appreciate your willingness to play along.” He
smiled slightly. “In a way, this is a test of your
loyalty to me- as I’m sure you are aware.”
Trowa nodded. He had figured that out already.
“I would assure you as well that if you are indeed
loyal to me, anything else of this nature,” Winner’s
eyes moved to the ropes, “will be unnecessary.”
Then his expression changed, his smile becoming
slightly predatory. He leaned over, his cheek brushing
Trowa’s, and murmured: “Though I will admit that I hope
to persuade you to consent to ropes at… another time.
And in a much more pleasurable way.”
Heat immediately stirred in Trowa’s blood.
A moment later, and Winner was on the other side of the
room by the monitor, adjusting the collar of his white
turtleneck, accepting a pair of sunglasses and gloves
from one of the men.
Trowa wondered at first why Winner was covering up so
much of his skin- and then realized that Winner was
trying to look like he was covering up his own
injuries.
Winner arranged himself in the chair, giving a quick
glance to his watch.
A moment later, and the door opened again. Two more
dark clad men- though these two wore caps pulled down
to shadow their faces, sunglasses and masks pulled up
over their noses. Unlike the others they both carried a
gun in each hand.
They took up positions on either side of him. He tensed
until one of them whistled faintly… and he recognized
the tune.
Duo and Heero. He relaxed again.
Winner gave them one last look, before he turned to the
men behind the monitor. “Auda- it’s time.”
Trowa couldn’t see the monitor from his position, but
he recognized the voice that issued over the speakers.
“Quatre, darling! How good it is to see you again!”
“Indeed,” another female voice agreed.
“Ladies,” Quatre tilted his head slightly. “Gentlemen.”
“Sir,” a deep baritone answered. “Ladies, a delight as
always.”
“So,” a second male voice started, “a phone call
already? We just arrived- the game has just started.
Has one of you caught one of the pieces already?”
“Yes,” Quatre replied. “The ladies were good enough to
send him right to me.”
A shrill laugh. “Are you so sure it was us?”
“It is your designated knight.” Quatre said, smiling
faintly. “See?”
One of the dark-clad men tilted the camera towards
Trowa and then back again.
“So you did,” the second female voice. “What do you
want in ransom?”
“Willing to ransom so soon?’ First male voice.
“”It’s still early in the game.” The one who hired him.
“I’m afraid, Dorothy, that I won’t be ransoming him.”
Quatre said.
“That’s not fair- you can’t have possibly turned him to
your side! He’s an assassin- one that stays bought!”
Dorothy snapped.
“And you hired him to kill me- and Merquise. No. I’m
sorry- he’s too dangerous to keep on the board.”
Winner’s voice was now pure steel.
“What?” The first male’s voice- presumably Merquise.
“So I was a target as well?”
“Don’t be silly,” the second female’s voice. “You
know
I wouldn’t countenance that!”
“Quite the contrary-“ Winner made a gesture and the
camera turned back to Trowa. “Mr. Barton could refute
that statement- couldn’t you Mr. Barton?”
Trowa lifted his head and glared at Winner. He was
gagged! How could he?
“A man of few words. Pity, he could’ve been very
useful. Kill him.”
Duo and Heero raised their guns and fired at Trowa.
Blood splattered on the wall behind him, turning the
white into a dark red. Trowa slumped over in his bonds.
“NO!”
The camera swung back to Winner. “Clean that up, will
you please?” He asked and then frowned the camera. “I
told you last time not to underestimate me…”
“He was a valuable piece!”
“I’ll send you a check.”
“Dorothy, Quatre please!” The second female stopped the
argument as Duo and Heero picked up the chair with the
bloodied Trowa in it. “Dorothy- you and I are going to
talk later about this decision. Quatre- how could you?
You know how important he is!”
“I’m afraid he got a little too close,” Quatre fingered
his collar. “If you didn’t want to lose him- you should
not have sent him against me.”
The door closed behind them, and Trowa couldn’t hear
the conversation anymore. He lifted his head and
blinked at the two men carrying the chair.
“So,” Duo grinned at him as they set him down in the
hallway on a waiting plastic tarp, “how does it feel to
be dead?”
“Sticky.” Trowa could feel the fake blood dripping down
from his head, coagulating on his back and arms.
“I know,” Heero nodded as he started untying Trowa.
“Sorry about that. You’re going to need another
shower.”
“The spatter was impressive,” Duo said to Heero. “I
really liked all the little chunky things you put in
it. I really thought we had blown his brains out.“
“I’m glad you liked.” The ropes came free and Trowa
carefully stood up. Duo handed him a towel.
Trowa wiped himself off the best he could. A small
contingent of the dark clad men came and took the
chair, tarp and towel and vanished.
“Who are they?” He asked Duo as the three of them set
off down the hallway.
“Winner’s bodyguards- the Magunacs.” Duo grinned. “If
you need anything just ask one of them. Mr. Winner
doesn’t need to see us until tomorrow morning- what
time?” He looked at his partner.
“Ten. In his office.” Heero smiled. He stopped as the
hallways branched off into two different directions.
“Can you find your way back to your room from here?”
“Yes.”
“Good. We’ll see you in the morning then.” He took
Duo’s elbow and led him off down one branch of the
hallway. Trowa took the other and managed to find his
room again. Another shower was definitely in order.
As he stood under the warm water, hoping the makeup and
fake blood would melt off, he wondered about the last
part of the conversation he had heard. How was he
valuable? That didn’t make sense. He was an assassin…
not a leader. He was wealthy, but not rich enough to
influence anyone… How did he have any value in this
game?
He sighed and picked up the washcloth as he realized
the mess was staying stubbornly in place. At the very
least though- he was free of the organization. His
death would be reported; he wouldn’t have to go on
anymore jobs. Duo and Heero seemed happy with their
employment with Winner… maybe it would be better than
he’d hoped… And really anything would be better than
working for the Organization these days…
Trowa walked out of the bathroom, drying his hair and
reminding himself not to let Duo and Heero kill him
again. It had taken ages to get all of that gunk off of
himself. He shivered in the slightly chill air, and
decided to see if the dresser contained anything warm
he could appropriate for himself.
“Glad to see you looking so much… healthier.” Trowa
blinked, and automatically dropped the towel to his
waist. Winner was stretched out on his bed, propped up
against the headboard, a newspaper in his hands. He
gave Trowa a lazy smile. “I did knock.”
“I wasn’t complaining,” Trowa replied and retreated to
the dresser. He was hoping that he wasn’t turning red-
which was ridiculous because he was never embarrassed.
“To what do I owe the honor of your company?” He found
a pair of loose pants and a t-shirt in the drawers and
pulled them on hastily. Winner didn’t answer until
Trowa had once again turned to face him.
“It’s been quite a night for you so far,” Winner smiled
and folded up his paper. “I thought you might have some
questions for me? Or perhaps would simply like to
reflect on the choices you’ve made. I’m afraid I had to
rush things a bit this evening.”
“I do have a few questions…” Trowa decided that he
wasn’t going to let Winner intimidate him, no matter
how attractive he found the man. He stretched out on
the other side of the bed, propping himself up on one
arm.
“Ask. If I can answer, I will.”
“In this game… who are the players? The Kings and
Queens?”
Winner reached into his pocket and pulled out a small
wooden box. He opened it to reveal a tiny chess set. He
put it on the bed between himself and Trowa.
He touched the White King. “Myself.” He touched the
Queen. “Relena Peacecraft.” His fingers moved to the
other side of the board and touched the Red King and
then the Queen. “Zechs Merquise and Dorothy Catalonia.”
Trowa frowned. “I know none of them. Dorothy was the
one who hired me- she gave me yours and Zechs name. Why
am I so important to this game?”
Winner smiled. “That’s where it gets complicated. You
see, in this game we also have all the supporting
pieces.” He touched the pawns. “These would be the ones
you have heard of- the leaders, the presidents- as well
as the ones who simply serve in minor capacities. They
merely serve as placeholders, vessels to hold power
that they are given- though any one of them could take
out a King or Queen.”
“You called me a knight.”
“And so you are. The pawns are a major part of the
struggle. They shift hands, move around all during the
game as alliances are made and broken. Some are
valuable and some are not so. And then there are
these…” He touched the rooks, the knights and the
bishops.
“Who are they?”
“They are the ones who help us distribute our power. My
rooks would be my Magunac corps, and your two friends.
My bishops are those who help me hold my power.”
“And the knights?”
“The ones dearest to us. Our champions.”
Trowa frowned. “I have never been dear to anyone. That
does not make sense.”
Winner smiled. “This year, things have changed
slightly. We have two bishops that are trying to become
royalty.” He frowned at the chessboard. “You see, in
actuality it looks more like this…” He took all the
pieces off the board. “The two queens stand together,”
he put the red queen and the white queen in one corner
of the board. “One king stands with his bishop,” he put
the red king and a red bishop in the corner. “I stand
here,” his piece went into another corner. “And this
time we have, two new major players,” he put a red
bishop and a white one into another corner. “It’s a
little more complicated than this, but simply, that is
how things stand.”
Trowa touched the two bishops standing together. “And I
am dear to them?”
Winner nodded. “Indeed. Their main power- their pawns-
are among those who traffic in information and seek to
walk around the sides of the laws.”
“Like the Organization.”
“Exactly. Your organization is one of theirs. They are
rival powers and this year we seek to make our
alliances with them.”
“I can see why I’d be valuable to them- but not dear. A
pawn but not a knight.”
Winner smiled and folded up the chessboard. “I’m sure
all will be clear by the end of the week.”
“Is that the end of the game? Only a week?”
Winner nodded. “Only a week and then we can go back
home.” He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair,
looking suddenly weary.
“You sound as if you don’t like the game.” Trowa
observed. It surprised him, Winner seemed liked he had
been in his element earlier.
“I do- and I don’t.” Winner frowned. “I never truly
wanted to play, but my father pointed out that it is
the only way to keep our sector the way it is. The game
can be exhilarating, but there is a lot riding on the
outcome.” He smiled suddenly. “But without high risks,
what game is worth playing?”
“True.” Trowa returned the smile. “Thank you for taking
the time to explain.”
“It was my pleasure.” Winner’s look suddenly changed.
His eyes swept over Trowa, and the other again felt
that hot surge in his blood. “Very much so.”
Before Trowa could manage a reply, Winner leaned over
and captured his mouth with his own.
This time there was no hesitation, no protest… this
time Trowa simply reached out and dragged Winner
closer, opening his lips and allowing Winner access.
“I never do this with employers…” He said when they
parted.
“I do seem to be making you break all your rules,”
Winner parried, and kissed him again.
Trowa awoke the next morning and found himself alone in
bed. A situation that was disappointing, but not
particularly surprising.
He sat up, squinting at the light that was making its
way through his curtains, and then winced slightly as
sore muscles made themselves known.
He put his head in his hands and wondered what the hell
he had been thinking.
Well, the answer to that was simple- he hadn’t been
thinking at all. Quatre seemed to rob him of all
logical thought. One kiss and all of his principles
just disappeared…
Not that it hadn’t been worth it…
That delightful feeling of being filled, taken, giving
himself over to someone else… he had never done that
before and Quatre seemed to know it. He went slowly,
his mouth on Trowa’s throat, pushing deep inside…
Trowa shuddered and shoved the memory to the side. It
was just one time. Just once to get rid of the heat
that had flared between them when they’d met. He
couldn’t be more than that, not to one of the men that
controlled the sphere. Not to his employer… He knew
that without Quatre telling him.
This morning- he’d clean up, get dressed and go find
something to eat. By that time he should be settled in
his mind enough to face Quatre… to face Winner in his
office and be his professional self again.
No matter that his private self was willing to do
anything to get another night of that…
Trowa groaned and fell backwards into the sheets. What
was wrong with him? He’d been off balance since he’d
joined Winner’s side. He needed to regain his old
balance…
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The scent of
Quatre’s cologne rose off the sheets, filling his
senses and invoking the memories of a few hours ago…
One hand tight at the base of his neck, tugging at his
hair, the other tightly fisted in the sheets, the small
sounds that rose up from his throat…
Trowa shook himself, banishing his thoughts. He slid
out of bed and grabbed clothes from the dresser before
heading to the bathroom.
He was showered, shaved, dressed and brushed when
someone tapped on his door.
“Good morning!” Duo greeted him cheerfully. “I realized
you might want to eat breakfast sometime before we had
to work today, so I came to get you.”
Trowa smiled his thanks and joined Duo in the hallway.
“Where’s Heero?”
“Oh, I sent him down to eat already.” Duo grinned. “He
needs his fuel this morning.”
Trowa knew what that meant. He rolled his eyes. “I
hope we’re not doing anything too strenuous today…”
“Hey! Heero’s got a fast recovery time. Don’t worry
about him!”
“Like that time in Montreal where he could barely get
out of bed because you…”
“Please!” Duo interrupted, waving his hand in the air.
”He was already tired that time. Plus he got to nap in
the back of the jeep!”
“He lost consciousness Duo. You’re going to kill that
poor man someday.”
It was Duo’s turn to roll his eyes. “Like I haven’t
already tried?” He opened a door and ushered Trowa
inside.
Heero was there, sitting at a small table, sipping at a
cup of very black coffee and reading a paper. He had
faint dark circles under his eyes, but he managed to
give Trowa a smile of welcome and point at another
table that held a variety of breakfast items.
Trowa headed for the table. Duo sat down beside Heero
and picked up his coffee cup. “Trowa says that I’m
going to kill you.”
“Did you tell him you already tried?” Heero shook his
head. “Hurry up and eat. We have to meet Mr. Winner in
half an hour. You know how he feels about being on
time.”
…………………..
They were ushered into Winner’s office at ten exactly.
He was waiting for them, leaning against his desk, a
folder in his hands.
“Good morning gentlemen,” he said with a smile, waving
them to the overstuffed chairs in front of his desk. “I
have an interesting job for you today.”
Heero sat down in one chair and Duo perched on the
armrest. Trowa took the other, carefully avoiding
Winner’s eyes. He had thought he could handle this, but
the look Winner had given him when they’d walked in had
undone all his good intentions.
“Interesting is good,” Duo noted. “What is it?”
“As you know, we have two new players entering the
game, ones that alliances with will be the focus of
this particular game. One of them, I’m afraid has
already decided who he is going to align with…” Winner
paused, frowning.
“And it’s not you.” Heero finished.
“Exactly. So… I’m going to need to undermine him a bit…
make him a bit vulnerable- find the weak part in his
armor- so that I can present it to the other new player
and perhaps win her favor.”
“She hasn’t made any moves that tell us where she’d
like to be aligned?” Duo leaned back on Heero’s
shoulder.
“None. She was with the Queens- but I’m afraid they
have fallen out of her favor recently- and some new
events haven’t helped much.” Winner glanced at Trowa.
“I think we have a good chance to get her on our side-
if we make it worthwhile.”
“What do you need us to do?” Trowa asked.
“I suspect some of it might be done already.” Winner
handed the folder to Heero.
Heero flipped it open, Trowa and Duo leaning over to
see.
There was a photo inside. One that made Heero’s eyes
widen, Trowa snort and Duo collapse with laughter.
“It’s our old boss! I knew all that retirement stuff
was just crap!”
“Indeed.” Quatre nodded. “He never really left. He
merely handed your organization over to one of his
lieutenants and went to set up another one. And so on…”
Heero shook his head. “That was unwise- the one he left
in charge of ours is not up to handling the
responsibility. Did he make the same mistake with all
of them?”
Winner shrugged. “Some yes, some no. Like any large
organization it has troublesome areas.”
“So… you need us to infiltrate our own organization?”
Trowa frowned. “You should’ve left me alive then…”
Winner shook his head. “No. Nothing so complicated. I
need you three to do some snooping for me. I suspect
that our Mr. Chang has been trying to take over some of
his rival’s organizations. Small attacks, things like
that… nothing she has been able to prove. I need the
proof of it- but at the same time, he can not find out
that you three are still alive.”
Heero nodded. “Where is he staying?”
“With Merquise.”
“Tricky, but not impossible.” Heero looked at Trowa.
“Can you still walk a high wire?”
“Of course.”
“Then we have a good chance- unless Merquise has
changed some things since the last time I looked.”
Heero met Winner’s eyes. “When?”
“Not more than two days.”
“Got it.” Heero rose to his feet. “Updates?”
“Every four hours?”
“Done.” Heero headed for the door, Duo in his wake.
“Stay a moment Mr. Barton?” Winner’s voice stopped him
as he was starting to rise out of his chair. He sat
back down obediently as the door closed behind Duo and
Heero.
Winner moved away from his desk and stalked towards
Trowa. “I wanted to apologize…”
“For what?” Trowa was startled enough to look up.
Winner’s eyes met his and the blond gave him a faint
smile.
“I don’t make a habit of running out- I had some early
meetings.” Winner sounded apologetic. “I didn’t want
you to think that it was because I didn’t want to
stay.”
“I understood,” Trowa managed to reply. “I wasn’t
surprised…”
Winner’s fingers touched Trowa’s chin, tilted his face
up. “I’m still sorry. At the very least, I should’ve
said thank you.” His smile turned faintly mischievous.
“And told you that I’d like to do it again sometime.”
He bent slightly and kissed Trowa’s mouth, sending the
now familiar heat through Trowa’s body. “So please
make sure you come back in one piece?”
“I’ll do my best,” Trowa assured him, getting to his
feet as Winner moved away.
“Thank you. And please remind Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Yuy
to be careful as well?” Winner rolled his eyes. “I’d
like to get them both home in one piece this time.”
Trowa nodded and let himself out. Duo and Heero were in
the hall waiting for him. Heero was studying the
folder. Duo met Trowa’s eyes and smiled knowingly.
“And you complain about me wearing out Heero?” He said
teasingly in a soft tone.
“Shut up Maxwell.”
“Jeez, nothing lightens up your attitude, does it?”
Heero closed the folder. “Ready to get started?”
*
Trowa studied the photos of Merquise’s home spread on
the table in front of him. If he did have to break in,
this was not going to be very easy. He had already
come to that conclusion earlier when he had been trying
to figure out a way to get close enough to Merquise to
kill him. He had ruled out the complex then. Now it
looked like he was going to have to infiltrate it.
Duo and Heero were bent over a computer in the corner,
trying to hack into the Org’s database, trying to dig
up some evidence that way. So far they hadn’t had much
luck. Trowa wasn’t sure that they’d have a lot of luck
breaking into Chang’s room, but at the very least they
could copy the files off his computer and maybe stick a
few bugs around.
Trowa ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. The
complex where Merquise had his set up was heavily
guarded… he could see why Heero had asked if he could
still walk a high wire- the best way in would be over
the fence via the power lines… not the safest, but he
could use them to walk in.
He smiled faintly. Back when he’d learned how to walk a
high wire he’d never thought he’d be using it for
breaking and entering… granted, he had never expected
to leave the circus...
He blocked that memory, he couldn’t think about it now.
He heard Duo curse softly behind him. “There’s nothing
in here we can use… some data on rival organizations,
but nothing that suggests he’s been ordering attacks on
them.”
Trowa frowned at the pictures. “Then I’ll have to go
in. Any idea where in the complex he’d be?”
Heero got up from his chair and moved to Trowa’s side.
“The guest quarters are located here.” He pointed
towards the left side of the building. “Merquise and
his bishop usually change rooms every night- the whole
top floor is bedrooms… but the guests usually stay
put.”
“I’m going to have to go in at night- they’d see me
otherwise. Do I dare gas the rooms?”
“Safer not to- we don’t want them knowing you’ve been
there.”
“So sneak in and hope I don’t wake Chang up?”
Duo leaned over Heero’s shoulder. “You might be okay.
Merquise prefers to strategize at night- chances are
they’ll be in a meeting if we go in before midnight-
and after…” Duo smiled. “Well, Merquise isn’t above
letting his guests join him in certain activities… I’m
not sure if Chang would even do such a thing, but…”
“Let’s hope he would.” Heero met Trowa’s eyes. “We
can’t follow you in, but we’ll set up a base, and
monitor your progress. If you need us to, we’ll create
a distraction.”
Trowa nodded and looked at the clock. “It will be dark
in about two hours- should we head out then?” Trowa
looked at the pictures again. “I’m going to need some
special stuff for this…”
“The boss has a storeroom.” Duo nodded. “I’ll take
you
down there and Heero can give Mr. Winner an update. If
we don’t have what you need- we’ll go get it after.
Sound okay?”
Trowa nodded.
……………………
Duo hadn’t been kidding about the storeroom. It had
everything Trowa needed. Duo helped him select the
things he needed, and then helped him carry it back to
his room.
“We’ll meet you in about an hour,” Duo said as he put
the stuff he was carrying down on Trowa’s dresser.
“I’ll be ready.”
Duo slipped out of the room and Trowa went to sit on
his bed. He closed his eyes and focused on the job,
running over it in his head. Over the fence to the
roof. Down to the balconies. Inside. Fast data
transfer. Bugs. Back out to the roof. Back over the
wall.
It would not be that simple, he knew better than that,
there were too many unknown variables…
Actually, that seemed to be par for the course these
days. He took what he thought was a simple job and
nearly got in over his head. He was free of the
Organization and working with at least two people he
trusted… but even they could be fooled. Winner seemed
like someone caught in a situation that he disliked-
yet playing the game as best he could…
And what better way to ensure a new employee’s loyalty
than to bind him to you emotionally. Was that what
Winner was doing? Was that how he got people to work
for him and stay loyal?
Well, no, he couldn’t use the exact same tactics. It
wasn’t smart to clutter up your working relationships
like that. People got jealous after all… and Trowa
doubted highly that any physical tactic had worked on
Duo or Heero. He had seen what happened to people that
tried to come between the two of them…
He slid off the bed and began to get dressed for the
evening, banishing the thought of Winner from his mind.
The man had gotten him free of the Org, and Trowa owed
him. That would be good enough for now.
It was Heero that arrived at the door at the minute
specified. “Ready?” He looked Trowa up and down,
nodding.
“Yes.” Trowa smoothed one of his tight black sleeves
and joined Heero in the hallway. “Duo?”
“Getting the van ready.”
Of course, Trowa had forgotten. Duo was always the
driver.
Duo was waiting for them in the van. It was a beaten up
POS with a faded beer logo on the side. Inside was a
different matter. Heero took his seat in front of a
computer mounted on the side wall and handed Trowa a
tiny earpiece. “Put this on. We’ll let you know if we
see anything at all.”
Trowa accepted the earpiece and fastened it on
carefully, as well as the tiny throat mike.
“We’ll only hear you,” Heero reminded him. “If you
happen to run into trouble, say something, okay?”
“Got it.”
As Duo drove them out to the designated spot, Trowa
rechecked his equipment. He had to travel light on this
one, and everything had to be securely fastened.
“We double checked everything,” Heero told him. “We’re
fairly sure Chang is the only guest in the complex at
this time.”
“That’s good.” Trowa smiled faintly. He hoped it really
was the case. He didn’t want to have to tap several
computers.
“More than likely the hallways are monitored- stay out
of them.”
“I’ll be surprised if the rooms aren’t too…”
Duo shook
his head. “Merquise is apparently a bit of a voyeur.
Don’t let him get his hands on you. I don’t want Winner
pissed at us.”
Trowa ignored the last part of Duo’s comment. “If he
does, I will get out of his hands as fast as I can.”
Duo gave Trowa a quick grin over his shoulder. “Don’t
make us come and rescue your ass, okay?”
“Okay.”
It was full dark when they arrived. Trowa was glad to
see that this part of town was not well lit. He should
be able to at least get over the wall easily enough.
“You should be able to go up down there-“ Heero pointed
to a small alley. “There’s a post at the end.”
Trowa nodded and picked up the light coat he had
brought. “See you two in a little bit. Don’t get
distracted.”
Duo made a face at him. “That’s after you get back. Be
careful.”
Trowa nodded and wrapping himself up in the coat, got
out of the van. He walked down the street at a good
pace- not too fast, not to slow. He reached the alley
and turned down into it.
Fortunately it was deserted. He reached the pole and
pulled his coat off. He tugged a black mask down over
his head, and then started to shimmy up the pole.
He reached the wires and taking a deep breath, stepped
out onto them. He remembered his sister Cathy when he
was first learning to walk the wire, standing on the
opposite side, her arms outspread.
Don’t look down. It’s a lovely walk… as long as you
don’t look down.
Trowa walked the wire, eyes ahead of him, focused on
the other side. He reached the wall, topped with barbed
wire and stopped, knowing he had to look down.
He saw the gates a few meters away, below him. Guards
there- but none on the perimeter… He walked a few more
steps until he reached the corner of the building.
Trowa vaulted off the wire and onto the top of the
building.
“Showoff,” a voice murmured in his ear and he smiled.
“Heero’s tuned into their frequency. No one has noticed
you. Keep going.”
Trowa walked to the opposite edge of the roof and knelt
down. The first of the rooms was this corner one. He
let himself down onto the balcony carefully. The room
was dark. He pulled out a pair of night vision goggles
and pulled them on.
The bed was made, but there were no suitcases, no
clothing, nothing that suggested anyone was using this
room. It was possible that they were simply very tidy,
but Trowa thought there should be some signs of life.
The Chang he remembered liked spreading his paperwork
all over his desk…
Trowa sprang over to the next balcony. The room was
dark, again no sign of any habitation.
Before he could move onto the next balcony, it flooded
with light. Trowa ducked; thankful that the balconies
were solidly built- they shouldn’t see him here.
“I do have to tell you again how pleased I am that
you’ve joined us…” A voice purred. Trowa recognized it
from the phone call of the day before.
A familiar snort. “You make it sound like I had some
kind of choice Zechs.”
“There’s always choices.”
“Humph. You know damn well that I’m too in debt to you
to go anywhere else.”
“And you don’t think my opposition would pay to acquire
you? You undervalue yourself…”
A faint sound, as of flesh striking flesh reached
Trowa’s ears. “Keep your hands to yourself, Zechs. I
told you before.”
“You let Treize touch you.”
“I don’t owe him money. You’d make me feel like some
kind of whore.”
“I’m sure you’d be worth every penny.” A soft sigh.
“Well, at the least he lets me watch…”
A growl. “Perverts the both of you. Don’t we have
things we should be doing?”
“Of course. I’m sure Treize is waiting for us. Shall we
join him?”
Footsteps faded away, the light vanished. Trowa waited
to move again just in case one of them came back, then
he jumped over to the next balcony.
A moment’s work and he had picked the lock on the
balcony doors.
The room was dark, but Chang had left his computer on-
perched in the middle of a desk that was covered with
papers. It took only a moment to attach the device to
it. As it copied all the files, Trowa placed a few bugs
in the dark room.
He scanned the documents, careful not to move any of
them- there was nothing there Winner could use.
A moment more and the download was complete. Trowa
pulled the device off the computer, went back out the
doors, locking them behind him.
Then back up to the roof, where he waited for a soft
‘all clear’ and then back across the wire.
It wasn’t until he pulled off his hood at the other end
that he realized he was sweating. He tucked the hood in
his coat pocket and returned to the van.
Heero slid the door open for him. Trowa climbed inside
and handed Heero the device as Duo threw the van into
gear.
“Good job.” Heero said as he plugged the device into
his own computer.
“Thanks. Nearly got caught.”
“How?” Duo asked.
Trowa told them about the overheard conversation as Duo
drove and Heero searched the files.
“Tsk tsk… sounds like Chang has his hands full,” Duo
chuckled when Trowa finished.
“Ah!” Heero said before Trowa could answer.
“Ah what?” Duo glanced over his shoulder.
“Some documents in an obvious code. I’ll need the code
breaking programs on the comps we have at home to crack
them... but… ”
“They should be an interesting read at the very least,”
Duo agreed. “I’m sure Mr. Winner will be somewhat
pleased.”
They reached the complex and parked the van in the back
of the garage. “Can you go update Mr. Winner while we
get to work on cracking these?” Duo asked.
Trowa looked at his watch. “It’s late…”
“He’ll be up.” Duo assured him. The door opened when
they reached it. “Hey Rashid!”
“Gentlemen,” Rashid frowned. “Mr. Winner is waiting
for a report.”
“Trowa’s reporting,” Heero said. “I have some code
breaking to do.”
“Very well,” Rashid turned his frown on Trowa. “If you
will kindly come with me?”
Trowa nearly retorted that he could find the office by
himself, but he thought that perhaps it wasn’t wise to
get the man any more upset with him. So he followed
Rashid quietly down the hallway.
He was surprised when they stopped at a pair of doors
that had two of the Maguanacs stationed in front of
them. This was not Winner’s office.
One of the Maguanacs tapped on the door, “Mr. Barton is
reporting in sir,” he called.
“Send him in.”
The Maguanac opened the door and ushered Trowa in.
Trowa wondered if like the Red King, Winner changed
offices all the time.
Then he realized that he was not in an office. Winner
was perched in the center of an enormous bed,
surrounded by folders and paper.
“Mr. Barton,” Winner gestured him closer. “I apologize
for the informality, but Rashid gets upset if I don’t
at least pretend to keep normal hours. How did it go?”
Trowa sat down gingerly on the edge of the bed. “Well,
I got a copy of everything on Chang’s computer, and I
overheard a conversation between him and Merquise. They
didn’t talk about anything related to the game in
particular, but Heero found some encrypted documents in
the files I copied. He’s hoping they have something
useful.”
“Tell me about the conversation.” Winner gathered up
the papers and folders as Trowa told him about what he
had overheard.
“So, Chang is in debt to Merquise… and he’s only
sleeping with Treize. Very interesting. Those pieces of
information might prove useful.” Winner smiled. “Thank
you.”
Trowa nodded, still unused to being thanked by an
employer. Winner slid off the bed and put the stack of
paperwork on a small table. Then he turned back to
Trowa with a look that made Trowa’s heart rate speed
up.
“So, the information is in Yuy’s capable hands- and
your part is finished.” Winner smiled. “I wonder then
if you have some time to spend with me?” He moved to
stand in front of Trowa, letting his fingers brush
against Trowa’s cheek.
Trowa swallowed hard. He reached out and let his arms
encircle Winner’s… Quatre’s hips, pulling the other man
closer.
“I think my boss might let me have a small break,” he
said, and Quatre smiled.
“Just a small one? What a slave driver!” He leaned into
Trowa sending them both sprawling onto the bed. “Then
we’d best make good use of our time…”
*
Trowa dreamed of fire.
He’d been sleeping when the fire started- the roaring
of the lions had woken him up, he’d stumbled out of his
trailer half-asleep and it had taken him a moment to
realize what the red glow in the main tent meant. He
air was filled with screams, human and animal, and a
popping noise that at first he thought was the fire…
The ground was rocky, he’d cut the bottoms of his feet
as he ran for the tent, intent on getting the animals
out… other people were running around screaming, and it
wasn’t until one of them fell over in front of him that
he realized what the popping noise was…
Someone was shooting at the circus people…
Where was Cathy? Where was his sister? Panic rose
higher, choking him…
Louder screams by the tent alerted him to the fact the
lions were out… and they were scared- running… not
caring what or who was in their way…
He didn’t let that stop him- he still ran for the tent,
ran for the animals, hoping to calm them down… hoping
to find his sister…
But now the unknown shooters were aiming for the lions-
and he watched them fall, saw the ground turn slick
with blood…
“Trowa,” a voice in his ear, a cool hand touching his
temple and the nightmare vanished, leaving him gasping
in the dark. “Trowa?”
“I’m awake,” he answered, still trying to get his
bearings. Where was he? An arm was wrapped around his
shoulders- who did it belong to?
“I’m sorry to wake you. You… seemed distressed.” The
voice continued. A light snapped on.
His eyes focused on the person leaning over him.
Quatre.
That’s right. He’d fallen asleep in Quatre’s bed…
“Nightmare,” Trowa said, shivering as the sweat on his
skin began to dry. Quatre’s arms tightened a little,
pulled Trowa closer to his warmth.
“Triggered by something you did on the mission?”
“Yes.” He answered shortly, not wanting to stir up the
memories more.
“What exactly?”
“Why are you asking?”
Quatre’s fingers touched Trowa’s cheek. “So I know not
to ask you to do it again.”
Trowa found that he couldn’t speak for a moment. “You’d
truly do that?”
“Yes.”
“What if it was the only way to complete a job?” Trowa
couldn’t help the cynical note that rose in his voice.
“I’d find another way.”
“Really?”
“Really,” Quatre’s voice was even. He didn’t sound
upset that Trowa was doubtful. “Ask Duo if you don’t
believe me. What triggered the nightmare?”
“The wire,” Trowa drew in a breath. “Walking the wire…”
“Because of what happened to the circus?”
Trowa pulled away from Quatre. “How did you know…?”
“I told you. I did some research on you. I read several
news articles on what happened. It was a terrible
thing.”
“It was,” Trowa relaxed. He didn’t have to tell, Quatre
already knew…
“So I won’t ask you to do it again.”
It was kind of Quatre to say, but… Trowa shook his
head. “No. I’d like to do it again. I don’t want to
avoid it. I know it will give me nightmares- but it’s
worth it.”
“I understand.” Quatre’s mouth brushed his temple. “Let
me help you get back to sleep.”
Trowa tilted his head up, met Quatre’s mouth with his.
“Shouldn’t I be sneaking back down the hallway to my
own bedroom?”
Quatre’s laughter vibrated against his skin. “I assure
you, despite my Maguanacs’ attitudes, they do realize
I’m an adult.” He slid down Trowa’s body, making the
assassin gasp. “I don’t think they’re assuming we’re
in
here still discussing business at this hour.”
“Have you seen the way Rashid glares at me?” Trowa
managed. “Maybe we should be, Mr. Winner…” He gasped
when Quatre’s teeth found the sensitive skin of his
thigh.
“I think, when we’re here, I prefer Quatre…” The blond
moved his mouth slightly and Trowa arched into his
touch. “Especially when I get you scream it… Let’s see…
what worked last time?”
…………..
Duo didn’t say anything the next morning when Trowa
walked into the room a step behind Winner. His mouth
just curved up into a knowing smile. Trowa lifted an
eyebrow at him in reply.
“Any luck?” Winner asked.
Heero’s smile was feral. “Oh yes. I think you’ll be
able to show the Lady that Chang’s organization was
targeting hers- and even better- because Zechs was
ordering him to do so.”
Winner’s eyebrows lifted as he took the folder from
Heero’s hands and scanned the hard copies. “Excellent,”
he said after a few moments. “I’ll be able to go
through these thoroughly before I meet with her
tomorrow night.” He stopped on one of the papers and
frowned. “Considering what Mr. Barton told me last
night and a few of these papers… I wonder if Chang and
Treize can be bought away from Zechs…”
Duo chuckled. “I was going to bring that up. Mr. Barton
planted a few bugs last night in Chang’s room- I took
the opportunity to go through the tapes this morning.”
He handed Winner a small disc. “I recorded the most
interesting conversation- if you ignore the background
noises…”
Winner went to his desk and pulled out a small player.
He inserted the disc and lifted up the headset. His
eyes widened slightly as he listened. Trowa looked at
Duo, who winked.
“I thought Heero and I were kinky!” Duo whispered.
“Chang wasn’t kidding about the watching thing- and I
don’t think Treize is happy with it either. “
Winner was smiling when he put the headset down.
“Excellent.” He looked at the clock. “As two of you
know, Treize has lunch at the same place everyday by
himself- I think I will join him today. Can the three
of you provide undercover backup? I don’t need you to
do anything but be extra eyes- the Maguanacs will take
care of the rest.”
Duo nodded. “Yes, I already have made up the basics for
Mr. Barton. We can handle that easily.”
“Perfect. I thank you for your foresight. Try to be in
place before I get there- Treize arrives at 11:30.
Don’t stay in there for the whole time either- not
unless it can be convincing.”
“Easy enough- and the ones that leave can watch the
outside.” Heero nodded. “If you don’t mind the
question- what about the Queens?”
“They’ve been very quiet so far after that first
mistake of Dorothy’s. I suspect they are playing a mild
game this time after that mess- but I do have some of
the Maguanacs watching them. So far the ladies are only
solidifying their positions. It’s early in the game
still. We have three more days after all.”
“If you need us in place before Treize gets there then
we should get ready now.” Heero said, looking at the
clock.
“Thank you gentlemen.” Trowa followed Duo and Heero out
of the room.
Duo nudged him with an elbow. “Soooo, have a good
night?”
“As good as yours was I imagine.”
“Yeah, watching Heero at a computer screen all night
was just stimulating, believe me.” Duo rolled his eyes.
“I wasn’t there all night,” Heero protested.
“Most of it.”
“Maybe half.”
“How are we going to go in?” Trowa asked, cutting the
argument off. “Single diners? I don’t think we can fake
staff…”
“We won’t,” Heero assured him. “That’s the first
thing
Treize’s men do- ask who the new staff members are. We
could try to replace a few, but it’s too short notice
for that.”
“Replace a few?”
Duo chuckled. “I told you we spent some time in
Hollywood with the makeup and special effects guys-
just wait and see what we have for you.”
…………….
Trowa blinked at himself in the mirror. Duo hadn’t been
kidding! The only thing he recognized in the mirror was
his eyes- and those were half-hidden behind a thin pair
of wire-framed glasses. The rest was totally different.
They had darkened his skin, given him a short dark-
haired wig, and added tiny layers of fake skin to make
his cheekbones wider and his chin sharper.
“Great!” Duo was working on Heero’s face when Trowa
came out of the bathroom in a light tan linen suit.
“Here’s the directions,” he pointed to a piece of paper
on the counter. “There’s some weapons and a wallet on
the bed with a fake ID for you- the brown one. Buy a
book or a paper- something that would give you a reason
to linger over your lunch.”
“Any specific orders other than keeping an eye on Mr.
Winner?”
“No- unless you’re close enough to hear the
conversation at the table- but that may be impossible.
Don’t forget to- leave about half an hour after Treize
gets there to keep an eye on the streets.”
“Got it. See you there. ”
Duo grinned. “You’ll have to see if you recognize us.”
Trowa grinned back. “Since I don’t recognize me, I
doubt it.”
……
It wasn’t that hard to find the restaurant. Trowa could
see why Treize preferred it- the little tables were
well spread out and the wait staff was quick, organized
and minded their own business. He found himself seated
in a corner table with a good view of the restaurant
and all of its patrons. He had brought a newspaper,
which he pretended to be studying intently as patrons
entered and left the restaurant.
Duo had shown him a picture of Treize, so he was easy
to spot when he came in- not that it would’ve been hard
to guess- he was the only one who entered with an
entourage. Trowa barely glanced his way- no sense in
alarming the target. He kept his eyes on the muscle
instead- noting where they went, watching to see where
weapons might be concealed…
He realized that if Treize was here- then so were Heero
and Duo. He looked around the restaurant- it was mostly
natives, some couples, some business men- he didn’t see
anyone who looked remotely like his allies. Not that he
was surprised- his disguise was a ‘quick’ one according
to Duo- just kind of thrown together. His and Heero’s
must be even more refined.
Winner came in a few minutes after Treize, who seemed
very surprised to see him- and even more surprised when
Winner simply sat down at his table.
His expression smoothed out once Winner started
talking, and Trowa wondered how this surprise meeting
was going. He knew how persuasive Winner could be…
Much to his surprise he found that he didn’t like the
way Treize eyed his lunch companion. Some of those
looks were not wary or assessing- but appreciative.
He couldn’t be… jealous?
Checking his watch, he realized it was time for him to
make an exit. He got to his feet, dropped money on the
table for his bill and wandered out to the street.
There had to be a good place to linger…
He found it at a magazine stand only a few feet from
the door of the restaurant. As he flipped through the
magazines and kept an eye on the door- something caught
his attention.
Someone else doing the same thing- on the opposite
sidewalk- and by a bookseller’s storefront not a stand.
At first he thought the man might be one of the others
in disguise, but Trowa put that thought to the side as
the man kept nervously slipping his hand under his
coat…
That suggested hired gun- a newbie- obviously nervous…
was he there for Winner? Or for Treize?
Or for someone else entirely?
Trowa decided to get closer to the guy, just in case.
He put his magazine down and moved over to a noodle
stand next to the bookstore. He bought a bowl and ate
slowly, keeping his eye on the nervous hit man as well
as scanning the street for more trouble.
Winner came out of the restaurant- heading for his car
on their side of the street, the Maguanacs around him-
and the hit man moved, a fast walk designed to bring
him on a collision course with Trowa’s boss.
Now that was not acceptable.
Trowa tossed his noodle bowl at the trash, and walking
casually but quickly, moved to intercept the other.
The hit man sped up once Winner was on their side of
the street, and Trowa deliberately walked into him,
letting his hand slide under the other’s coat.
“Nice try, but no,” he said, letting his knife touch
the other’s ribs.
Something shoved hard into his back, and Trowa realized
he had made a mistake.
The guy had a backup that Trowa had somehow missed- and
that one had managed to sneak up on them and pin Trowa.
He looked over the newbie’s shoulder- Winner was
getting in the limo, apparently unhurt. He looked in
Trowa’s direction and his eyes widened.
A sharp burst of pain in his side- the guy behind him
had taken advantage of Trowa’s distraction and stabbed
him.
“You won’t live to stop us again,” the guy in front of
him hissed. “Knife is poisoned.”
“You won’t live to try again.” Trowa pushed his knife
into the one in front, pulled it out and plunged it
into the one behind him. He slid out from between them
before either one could fall and ducked into a nearby
alley. He ran as far down it as he could- the more
distance the better… hopefully the cops would show up a
little too late to figure out which way he went…
Breathing hard, he leaned against the wall. His vision
was already blurring… this was not good…
Trowa tried to slow his breathing down, he could feel a
slick wetness on his side where it was pressed into the
wall, the knife wound was bleeding pretty heavily by
the feel of it. He shivered, his body was losing heat…
Between the bleeding and the poison on the blade, his
odds were not good. He could try to find a clinic or a
hospital, but a knife wound would be suspicious- and
the police would no doubt be looking for someone with
one after that dust-up on the street…
Unless the players controlled the police… which was
possible, but without knowing loyalties…
It was getting hard to remain upright. Trowa let
himself slide down the wall, closing his eyes as he
fell… he was so tired… and so cold…
Not quite the way he’d imagined that he’d die… but
close enough. An assassin didn’t usually survive a
mistake… and he’d gone out protecting a boss that he
respected… trusted… loved…
He wanted to laugh at himself- but couldn’t find the
breath.
“Barton!” A hand grabbed his shoulder, shook him.
“Hey!”
He opened his eyes, blinking, trying to focus. A woman
was bent over him, her black hair brushing his cheek,
her dark eyes wide with concern. He didn’t know her.
How did she know him?
“Barton? Where are you injured?” She asked, and her
voice was familiar, but he couldn’t place it…
“Left side, stab wound…” He managed, and gentle hands
touched his side. He heard a sharp hiss.
“It’s bleeding badly.”
“Knife was poisoned.” Trowa said, realizing he should
warn her since she was being so nice. “Be careful.”
She swore softly, and he felt a bit of pressure on his
side. “I’m being careful,” she said when he opened his
mouth to protest. She whipped out a cell phone and hit
a button. “I need retrieval now,” she snapped into the
receiver. “Barton is down.”
Trowa decided to close his eyes again. It was too hard
keeping them open.
He heard the snap of the cell phone closing. “Barton?
Trowa? Stay with me.” The pressure on his side
increased. “Can you hear me Trowa? Hang in there, help
is on the way…”
Trowa wanted to answer her, wanted to tell her that he
could hear her, but it was too difficult. Easier to
keep his eyes closed, to drift in the darkness where
the pain was lessened.
She was still talking to him, but her voice was getting
fainter… for a moment he thought he heard another voice
join hers, but by then he was too far away to care…
………………
His side ached.
That’s what he felt first. A deep ache in his side that
made him want to curl up and whimper, but he couldn’t
get his body to move.
Then other sensations joined the first. A soft
smoothness under his cheek, something warm around his
shoulders…
He cracked an eyelid open. There was something golden
beside him. He blinked, trying hard to get his eyes to
focus.
Quatre. Seated in a big chair beside the bed, sitting
sideways, his legs over one of the arms, a laptop
balanced on his knees.
He was frowning at the screen in front of him, unaware
of Trowa’s regard.
Trowa blinked again, the rest of the room coming into
focus. He was in Quatre’s bedroom. How had he gotten
here? He’d been in an alley, some strange woman leaning
over him… though her voice had been familiar…
Quatre hit a few keys on the laptop and then glanced at
Trowa. Immediately his cross expression smoothed out
into a smile. “Trowa?” He sat up, placing the laptop
down on the chair’s seat and leaned over the bed. “How
are you feeling?”
“Side hurts,” Trowa managed, wetting his lips the best
he could with his dry tongue. “How did I get here?”
“Mr. Yuy and Mr. Maxwell brought you. Rashid and some
of the other Maguanacs have medical training- they
managed to get you patched up. Fortunately, it seems
like most of the poison bled out of your system, but it
was a close thing.” Quatre’s frown returned. “Please
don’t do that again.”
“He was headed for you.”
Quatre picked up a glass of water and slid his arm
under Trowa’s shoulder. “I know,” he said as he helped
Trowa drink, “but I don’t like having my employees get
knifed on my behalf.” He put the empty glass down on
the bedside table and helped Trowa back into a
comfortable position. “I need to let Rashid know you’re
awake so he can check your wound.”
“You haven’t been watching me all this time?” Trowa
asked, surprised.
Quatre shook his head. “I couldn’t. Treize agreed to my
deal- if I could get the Lady to join me as well. Mr.
Maxwell and Mr. Yuy were here while I was… considering
strategies.”
“You meet with the Lady tomorrow night?”
“Tonight.” Quatre smiled faintly. “You’ve been out
for
a while.” He bent down and pressed his mouth to
Trowa’s. It was not a gentle kiss, it was fierce and
demanding, and Trowa did his best to meet it…
“If you pull that kind of stunt again, I will tie you
to the bed and never let you go out alone again.”
Quatre said with a glare. “Understand me?”
“It’s part of the job, boss.” Trowa reminded him.
Another fierce kiss.
“I’m not telling you that as your boss.” Quatre
straightened up and headed for the door. “And don’t you
dare get out of that bed unless Rashid says it’s okay.”
Trowa stared at the door thoughtfully after Quatre
left.
………
Rashid poked at the wound with surprisingly gentle
fingers. “You can get up,” he declared, “but you have
to take it easy.”
Trowa nodded. “Got it.”
“That means no knife fights.” Rashid’s eyebrow arched
up.
“What about hand to hand?”
An eye roll was his only reply. As Rashid replaced the
bandage, the door to the room swung open and Heero and
Duo entered.
“How’s he doing Rashid? Can he get up?” Duo asked
cheerfully.
“As long as he doesn’t overexert himself, yes.”
“Can he go with us tonight?” Heero smiled at Trowa.
“All he has to do is stand against a wall for a bit and
look mean.”
Rashid nodded. “Safe enough.” He gathered up the
bandages and bottles that he had brought into the room.
“But make sure he doesn’t overexert himself. Master
Quatre’s orders.”
Duo gave a theatrical shiver. “No chance of us
forgetting that. Not after yesterday afternoon…”
“What happened yesterday afternoon?” Trowa asked. Duo
grinned.
“Let’s just say that the boss-man was very unhappy when
we brought you in bleeding and poisoned.”
Rashid snorted and headed for the door.
Trowa frowned. “You guys brought me in? But there was a
woman in the alley…”
Duo laughed and Heero sighed. “That was me.”
Trowa blinked at Heero. “That was you?!”
“I told ya we had good disguises.” Duo chuckled. “Which
brings me to the topic of tonight’s outing…..”
*
Trowa leaned against the wall in the hotel conference
room that had been chosen as ‘neutral territory’ by
Winner and The Lady. Both players had sent ‘teams’
ahead to check out the premises and do individual
sweeps. Trowa would’ve thought it was overkill, except
for the evidence of yesterday. No one but Winner’s
employees had been told he was meeting Treize in that
restaurant, and yet there had been assassins waiting
outside at the end.
Who had sent the assassins? That was the question of
the moment. Heero and Duo had been working on that
little problem since yesterday- Winner had assigned
them to it right after they had gotten Trowa back- and
they hadn’t found anything yet.
He looked across the room at Duo lounging against the
wall, his braid hidden under a blond wig, tinted
glasses resting on his nose disguising his eye color.
He gave Trowa a grin, and tilted his head towards
Heero.
Heero was by the door, back in his feminine guise,
having a low voiced discussion with a man in a dark
coat- one of The Lady’s guards.
Trowa shook his head at Duo. He couldn’t really believe
the other man would want his lover dressed in a way
that seemed to earn him more attention than usual. Duo
was notoriously jealous- and yet, there was the guard,
practically drooling over Heero, and Duo was not
showing the slightest sign of wanting to rip his throat
out.
How strange…
Trowa settled himself back against the wall, thankful
that his own disguise was nothing more than a baseball
cap with his bangs tucked up inside and dark glasses.
Winner had requested that Trowa be able to remove his
disguise quickly. Trowa wasn’t sure of the reason, but
knowing Winner, things would become clear eventually.
He checked his watch. The meeting was due to start
soon; they should be arriving any moment.
“Ready?” Heero joined him, scanning the room one last
time.
“Of course. I have no idea for what, but I’m ready.”
Heero’s lips twitched into a smile. “A lot is riding on
this. If the Lady consents to a partnership, then so
will Treize and Chang, and Winner will have a strong
position to bargain from.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
“Then the Lady will most likely forge an agreement with
the Queens, and the other two will stay with Zechs.”
Before Trowa could answer, the doors opened, and Winner
came in surrounded by his Maguanacs. He took his place
at the table in the center of the room, leaning back in
his chair with deceptive casualness.
He was barely seated when the door opened again, and a
bunch of people in dark blue suits came in, a woman in
the middle. Her long black coat had a hood, which was
pulled up over her head, shadowing her face, making it
impossible to see what she looked like.
The Lady.
She stalked across the floor and one of the blue-suited
men pulled out the chair for her. Winner rose from his
seat briefly as she took her seat, and then sat down
again.
“At last we meet face to face,” he said, a small smile
curving his lips as he looked pointedly at her hood.
“Indeed, Mr. Winner, so we do.” Her voice was sweet,
but there was an undertone to it- of anger- Trowa
thought. Why was she angry?
And she sounded familiar… did he know her? Was she with
the Org before she had gone out on her own?
“I agreed to this meeting for one reason alone,” she
continued, “because I wanted to tell you how I am going
to kill you.”
The Maguanacs tensed. Trowa’s hand tightened on the gun
strapped to his waist. Heero shifted beside him and
Trowa heard a faint metallic rasp.
Winner simply smiled wider.
“Hardly sporting of you, my lady, when I wanted to meet
with you only to pass on information that I thought
might be of interest to you.”
He lifted a hand and Rashid produced a slim file
folder. Winner took it and placed it on the table.
The Lady seemed hesitant- apparently she had expected
her threat to cause a different reaction. She reached
cautiously for the folder and opened it, scanning the
documents inside.
“Proof of the Org’s involvement in the attacks against
my organization,” she said after a moment. “Very
valuable information, and I thank you for it.”
Her voice grew colder. “But it is not enough. Not to
cover what you took from me.”
“Are you so sure I took it?”
She slammed her hands on the table. “I saw it with my
own eyes! You KNEW his importance to me! You could have
spared him!”
Trowa wondered what she was talking about. What had
Winner done? Had he expected the information in the
file folder to make up for a death? The Lady clearly
had valued whoever it was… It didn’t seem like the kind
of mistake Winner would make…
Winner leaned back in his seat, still smiling.
“You still have much to learn my dear.” He looked
towards Trowa and beckoned. “Will you please join us
Mr. Barton?”
Trowa blinked but did as Winner asked. What was going
on? Why was Quatre revealing his identity to a roomful
of people?
He stopped beside Winner’s chair and waited.
“Hat and glasses, please Mr. Barton?” Winner prompted,
and Trowa pulled them both off. There was a faint gasp
from The Lady and a few of her people as well. “As you
can see, Miss Bloom, I do not believe in wasting my
resources.”
Trowa found he couldn’t breathe. Bloom? It couldn’t be…
Not…
But The Lady was already out of her chair, pulling her
hood back as she moved to hug him… her eyes sparkling
with tears.
“Trowa,” his sister said as her arms enclosed him
tightly.
“Cathy?” He gasped. He could feel her wet cheek pressed
to his.
She was alive!
They held each other for a long moment in the silence
of the room. Trowa struggling to come to terms that not
only was Cathy alive- but she was in the game… a leader
of one of the underworld groups… how? Why? And why not
contact him before now?
“Where the hell have you been?” He demanded and then
bit his lip. He heard her giggle.
“I could say the same for you.” She pulled back a
little ways, cupped his face in her hands just like she
used to do. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you
little brother. I only just discovered you were working
for the Org a few months ago. They hide their agents
well- as you must know-“ That was true, he did. “I
tried to bargain with Chang to get you free but he
refused…” She kissed his cheek. “I am so glad to see
you again.”
He felt his chest ache at her words. “Cathy- I thought
you were dead… I’m sorry- I should’ve looked for you…”
“You wouldn’t have found me.” She pulled further back
and looked at Winner. “I agree to a alliance- you can
name your terms for giving my brother back to me.”
“It was my pleasure,” Winner’s smile was softer now. “I
don’t need to be repaid for this.”
“Then I ask you for an alliance.”
Winner leaned back a little in his chair, looking
thoughtful. “I will happily accept- but, you need to
know that Treize has offered to align himself with me
if you do- and Chang along with him.”
Cathy frowned for a moment. “They wish to be free of
Zechs.”
“Yes.”
Her arms tightened around Trowa for a moment. “Chang
refused to give Trowa his freedom because of Zechs-
because Zechs wanted a hold over me. I will happily do
anything to hurt his powerbase because of that. I have
nothing personal against Chang- indeed; I want him and
his people to be free of the Red King. I will ally
myself with them as well.”
“Then my lady, I accept your offer gratefully.”
……………………..
Trowa sat on the sofa in his sister’s office, watching
as she took reports, dealt with her people, and
wondered when it would seem less strange.
Cathy was still Cathy, still his beloved, much-missed
sister, but it was hard to reconcile the woman in front
of him with the one he remembered.
His sister… the leader of the rival to the Org? How
long had she been doing this? Was this why the circus
was attacked?
He hadn’t had time to ask her yet. Since they had left
the meeting with Winner his sister had been a whirlwind
of motion.
That had been another shock… leaving with Cathy…
Not that he didn’t want to be with his sister, but…
He had made some comment about it, after the contract
was signed and Cathy had looked at him, ready to go.
Winner had waved his hand and said:
“My dear Mr. Barton, I don’t expect you to continue in
my employ now. You belong with your sister- I wouldn’t
dream of keeping you apart.”
After everything… that was his farewell? Trowa knew
that he shouldn’t have expected more, not from Mr.
Winner…
But from Quatre… From Quatre he expected more… and it
hurt that he hadn’t gotten it.
*
It was late when Cathy finally finished with her
business. Trowa had listened as she sent orders out
that seemed to mostly deal with her deal with Quatre-
either pulling out of things in his area, or providing
reinforcements. She also ordered a few agents to stop
harassing the Org- which made sense as it looked like
there would soon be an alliance.
The longer he sat there the easier it was to adapt to
this version of Cathy. She hadn’t really changed. She
had always been clever; always been assertive- these
traits had just sharpened… She still had a soft heart-
she treated her agents as friends, called them by first
name, asked them to take on jobs… and they would do
anything for her- Trowa saw that too. Cathy had their
loyalty and trust- she was a good leader and he was
strangely proud of her… even as he wondered how she had
become the head of such a business…
Cathy turned to smile at him when the last agent left.
“Sorry that took so long- I’m sure you have some
questions for me.”
“Too many to know where to start,” he confessed.
She joined him on the sofa; curling up with her legs
tucked underneath her- the same pose she used to use
back when she told him stories at night…
“This is our parents’ business.” She said, her lips
curving faintly when he blinked at her in surprise. “It
wasn’t as big then- and not nearly as diverse. They-
and the rest of the crew- used the circus as a cover
for their real activities.”
“They never… I didn’t know…”
“I didn’t either.” Cathy frowned. “Not until that night
when the circus was attacked by some business rivals.
You remember the Ringmaster? He helped me escape- and
then told me what had been really going on.” Her
features hardened. “I thought you had been killed along
with Mom and Dad… so I went looking for revenge.”
Trowa took a deep breath. “Did you get it?”
She nodded. “And afterward… well, what else was there
for me to do?”
Trowa slipped an arm around her shoulders. He could
understand that line of reasoning. “Do you want to
leave it?”
She shook her head. “No- to be honest- I enjoy it. Does
that… are you…?”
He kissed her forehead. “I love you sis.”
She relaxed and curled up against his shoulder. “Love
you too little brother.” She laughed. “Remember how you
used to scrunch your face up when I called you that?”
“And you got mad when I called you big sis.”
“That’s because we called the elephant Big Sis!”
“Remember when you tried to ride her that first time?”
“And she doused me with water? As if I’d forget!”
They traded remembrances for a while until a sharp tap
on Cathy’s office door interrupted them.
“Miss Cathy?” A brunette woman stood in the doorway,
her face hidden behind glinting lenses.
“Une,” Cathy sat up. “You’re back. What news?”
“It looks like the real thing. Chang and Treize left
the compound this evening- and their men went with
them. They moved into another complex- the local Org
headquarters. There was a transfer of funds into Zechs
accounts tonight as well- for the sum Chang owed him. I
think the Red King has truly lost his bishops.”
“Then they are our allies- if the White King was
successful,” Cathy smiled, “and the game ends
tomorrow.”
Une stepped into the room, closing the door behind her.
“We will have to be careful. The Red King is cornered-
the Queens are sure to also regard this as a huge
threat. I think one of them- if not all- will make an
attempt to sweep the White King off the board.”
Trowa felt a shiver go down his spine. “Are you sure
he’d be a target? I can understand Zechs- but the
Queens?” Though one of them had been the one to send
Trowa after Quatre in the first place…
Une nodded. “Of course. He is the only reason your
sister would consent to an alliance with the Org.
Otherwise…” She looked at Cathy as if asking
permission.
“Otherwise, I would join with the Queens. That was my
plan originally- they promised to get you free and I
promised them my allegiance if they did so. They
failed- and now they know I’ve aligned with Winner.”
“So they will also be gunning for him.” Trowa felt his
stomach sink.
Une lifted her shoulders. “I would think so.”
Trowa got to his feet. “Sis- I’m sorry, but… I can’t
just sit by and let them kill him…”
Cathy studied him for a moment. “You… are fond of him?
I saw your face earlier when he told you to leave with
me…”
Trowa nodded. “I can’t really explain… it not that I
didn’t want to be with you… but I didn’t think that I’d
be leaving him…”
“You’ve only known him a few days…”
“I know. Like I said… it makes no sense. I was supposed
to kill him- then he was going to kill me… and then he
saved me from the Org…” He shook his head. “He was kind
to me- kinder than any other employer has ever been…
watched over me when I was stabbed…”
“When were you stabbed?” Cathy asked, and Trowa lifted
his shirt, explained the wound. She turned faintly pale
at the story. “I have to help him sis…” Trowa ended and
waited.
Cathy got to her feet and slipped her arms around his
shoulders. “We won’t let him be killed little brother.
My people are already watching him. He has his guards.
Tomorrow we meet for the final round- I have a feeling
that if anything is going to happen it will be there.”
“Or nothing may happen this year,” Une said. “They may
simply back away and lick their wounds and plot for
next year- I doubt it, but it is possible.”
Cathy looked at the clock. “Tonight though I think we
should double our guards on him- and perhaps you should
join them little brother.”
“I would like that.”
“I will get it arranged.” Une headed for the door.
“Meet me out front Mr. Barton?”
“Thank you,” Trowa turned to his sister, kissed her
cheek.
“Just be careful Trowa,” she returned the kiss, patted
his cheek in the old way. “I just found you, I don’t
want to lose you again.”
*
Trowa had to admire Une’s competence. His sister’s
second in command had indeed increased the guards on
Winner’s base- a second unseen ring around Winner’s own
guards.
Une let Trowa have full access to her command center-
something which he quickly realized showed her loyalty
to Cathy- but not much sense…
Or maybe she had expected him to react the way he did…
maybe she saw him as a potential rival for Cathy’s ear…
he didn’t know and didn’t want to speculate on it…
Because there was a more important problem to be dealt
with: Cathy’s people didn’t want to be guarding Winner.
At first, Trowa thought the occasional grumble he heard
was a complaint about the lateness of the hour… he
didn’t pay attention to the words- only the tone, and
his attention was focused on the screens that showed
Quatre’s base- on the reports that came in every
quarter hour…
He prowled the room when he wasn’t reading reports. It
went against his nature to stand back and watch others
do a job that he wanted to do… He stopped behind a
blonde-haired woman who was carefully monitoring the
front gate of Quatre’s estate. Trowa was silent on his
feet; he doubted the woman even knew he was there.
And so he heard more than he expected to.
“I can’t believe the Lady switched loyalties like
this,” the blonde muttered to her coworker beside her.
“Even if Winner did return her brother, his goons
killed Zack and Scott- knifed them down on the street!”
Trowa inhaled sharply.
“When was this?” He demanded and the blonde turned
around, her eyes wide.
“Sir! I didn’t…”
“When?” Trowa demanded.
“A day or so ago- outside a restaurant…” She stammered.
Trowa swallowed hard. So… it had been Cathy who had
sent the assassins…
“They killed our men!” The brunette beside the blonde
had more guts. “So why are we guarding him?”
Trowa heard the muffled sounds of agreement in the room
and bit his lip.
This was not good.
“Stop!” Une ordered as she joined Trowa. “Do you
question Our Lady?” She snapped, her tone cutting
through the room, leaving silence in its wake.
“No ma’am…” The brunette said hastily.
“If it makes you feel any better,” Trowa lifted his
shirt a bit to show the bandage on his side. “They
almost killed me too.”
The two women gasped, and Une frowned. Trowa spun on
his heel. Cathy’s people didn’t want to be on Quatre’s
side. What if one of them defected- or decided to take
revenge? He couldn’t risk it…
He ignored Une’s plea to wait for her, and left the
room as quickly as he could. This small command center
was in a dilapidated building, not far from Winner’s…
he could get there easily enough…
He had to get to Winner and warn him that his allies
were not the most reliable.
It didn’t help his mood that he found it ridiculously
easy to slip through his sister’s patrols- either they
were very incompetent- or they were not putting their
best into guarding Quatre- Did Cathy know about the
discontent in her ranks?
Or was it part of another plan? Another move on the
board?
He vaulted over the wall and found himself beside the
garage.
Something sharp touched the side of his neck and he
almost sighed in relief. At least Quatre’s guards were
paying attention.
“It’s late for a visit.” A familiar voice said in his
ear.
“Duo?”
“Trowa?” His shoulder was seized and he was pulled into
the light. “Damn it! Why did you sneak in? You’re lucky
I didn’t just kill you on principle! Haven’t you heard
of knocking?”
“I was worried someone would try and stop me.”
Duo shook his head. “Mr. Winner said you were to be
admitted at any time.”
He had?
“I wasn’t worried about Winner- it’s my sister’s people
I had to avoid.”
“What?” Duo blinked and Trowa explained. “Shit.
Figures. You need to see Winner.” He led Trowa towards
the house.
Heero was by the front door.
“Trowa.” He sounded totally unsurprised.
“Heero.”
“Did you check him?” He asked Duo.
“He’s not here to kill the boss.”
“You’ve gotten trusting,” Heero didn’t sound
disapproving. Duo snorted.
“Not like Winner couldn’t take him out if he tried
anything. We trained him after all.” Duo grinned at
Trowa. “No offense meant.”
“Actually, I’m relieved to know you two trained him.”
Before Duo could respond, Heero opened the front door
and waved Trowa in. “Winner’s in his office. Do you
remember the way?”
Trowa rolled his eyes. “I think I can find it.”
*
Trowa passed by a few Maguanacs on his way to Winner’s
office- all were armed and alert, and all gave him no
more than a passing glance.
Did Quatre really trust him that much?
He felt a little better when he reached the office
doors and Rashid frowned at him as usual.
“It’s late for a visit.”
“I need to see Mr. Winner. I discovered that my
sister’s ‘protection’ may not be very protective of Mr.
Winner.”
Rashid’s frown deepened. “Explain.”
Trowa did.
Rashid opened the door to the office. “Go in. I have to
go act on some of this information.”
Winner looked up when Trowa entered the room, his
eyebrows lifting in surprise. “Mr. Barton? What are you
doing here?”
“I have information.” Trowa crossed the room, studying
the man behind the desk as he did so.
Winner looked tired. Trowa wondered when he had slept
last. Certainly not tonight- and the night before he
had been watching Trowa…
Without thinking, he went to Quatre’s side of the desk,
one hand reaching out to brush Quatre’s cheek. “You
look exhausted.”
“I never get any sleep at this stage of the game,”
Quatre’s hand came up to cover his. “But I’m sure you
didn’t come visit at this hour of the morning to tell
me that.”
“No,” Trowa shook his head, and explained what he had
heard and seen among his sister’s people.
Quatre didn’t look surprised. “I figured she was behind
the attack that day.” He said, releasing Trowa’s hand
and reaching out to touch Trowa’s side. “How is it?”
Trowa shrugged. “Fine. What are you going to do?”
Quatre looked at the clock. “Wait until a decent hour
and call her I suppose. Ask her if she’s sure she wants
to hold to our agreement since her people are set
against it.” He took a deep breath. “It would be better
to know that before the final gathering today.”
Trowa knelt down beside Quatre’s chair. “What can I
do?”
Quatre smiled. “You don’t have to help me. I meant what
I said- I wouldn’t take you from your sister- she’s
been looking for you for a long time. You saved my life
at the risk of your own- you don’t owe me anything
now…”
Trowa frowned. But…
“What if I want to help you?” Trowa looked down at the
carpet, wondering if Quatre was going to send him away…
Quatre bent forward, his fingers reaching out to cup
Trowa’s head, tilting it up so he could meet Trowa’s
eyes. “Then you’d have to be very careful, because I
might not let you go again.”
Relief flooded Trowa. He reached up and pulled Quatre’s
mouth down to his, kissing him fiercely.
“I wasn’t sure you’d want me…” he said and Quatre
laughed.
“Quite the contrary- let me show you…”
*
Trowa looked out the window again. Only an hour, he
told himself, just this last final part of the game,
the declaring of allegiances for the year, and then the
game would be over.
He looked at Winner on the seat opposite, calm, cool
and collected, studying spreadsheets on his laptop. He
looked up and smiled at Trowa briefly. “Almost over,”
he said, and Trowa nodded.
He looked back out the window. Cathy had called Winner,
first thing this morning, and told him the alliance
still held. She’d said her people hadn’t realized it
was her brother they’d injured, that bit of news had
shaken some of them out of their attitudes.
Trowa wasn’t sure if he believed it- not that he
thought Cathy was lying, but it wasn’t that easy to
change an attitude. She might be loyal- but her people
would have to be watched. Rashid had backed him up on
that one, and so the Maguanacs were told to regard only
each other as allies.
The car stopped in front of the building, and Winner
closed his laptop before he glanced outside.
“Odd.”
“What is?”
“They usually have an awning.”
Trowa tensed. That meant someone decided to leave the
path from the cars to the door open and exposed.
“Stay here.”
He got out of the car and found that Heero and Duo had
already realized the problem. They were beside the car,
binoculars out and scanning the buildings.
“I don’t see anyone, but that doesn’t mean anything.
They could try going out as easily as in.” Duo frowned.
“Should we call the Maguanacs back outside?” Heero
asked.
Duo thought for a moment. “We could move faster without
them- but...” He looked at Trowa.
“Whatever you think is best,” he said. “For all we
know- this is the distraction and there is something
more serious inside…”
Duo nodded. “Okay- fast then. Keep your eyes open.”
He opened the door to the car and bent to look at
Winner. “Ready Mr. Winner?”
“Of course.” Winner sounded amused. “I take it we’re
going fast?”
“As fast as we can, without running,” Duo answered.
“Shall we?”
The three of them surrounded Winner- Heero and Duo to
either side, Trowa behind them.
They almost made it to the building.
Trowa had kept scanning the area as they moved, and
right before they reached the doors, he saw a glint in
one of the windows of a building to the left.
He shoved Winner forward, calling out a warning as a
shot rang out. Heero pushed open the door, pulling
Winner inside, even as Duo and Trowa went for their
guns.
Trowa felt pain explode in his chest, but kept firing
until Duo grabbed his wrist. “We got him!’
Reaching up to feel the wetness spreading across his
chest, Trowa met Duo’s eyes. “I think he got me too…”
Trowa kept one hand firmly on the wound. It didn’t seem
to have an exit point, which was, at this moment, a
good thing.
“Go make sure we got him,” he said to Duo.
“I got him,” Duo snapped, reaching for Trowa’s wound.
“Let me see.”
“It’s okay. Just need a bandage.”
Duo yanked back Trowa’s coat- “It needs more than
that.”
“I’m fine.” Trowa pulled away and headed for the door.
“Are you crazy? You need…”
“To keep an eye on Winner until this game is over.”
Trowa grabbed the door handle and swayed for a minute.
“Stubborn bastard.” Duo took Trowa’s free arm and
draped it over his shoulders. “Heero should have some
bandages.”
He opened the door and helped Trowa inside. Heero was
there, along with several Maguanacs. “All clear?” He
asked, and his eyes widened when he saw Trowa. “What
happened?”
“We need the bandages- and someplace quiet for a few
minutes.”
“Why aren’t you with Winner?” Trowa demanded.
“He said to wait for you.”
“Trowa!” That was Duo again. “We’re going to bandage
you first.”
“Heero- please- Winner needs one of us with him!”
“What am I supposed to tell him?”
“That it’s not serious. He can’t be thinking about this
now… please Heero…”
“Fine,” he heard Heero give in. “Abdul, stay with
them.”
Trowa’s vision was starting to blur, but he hung on to
Duo, trusting the other man to understand what was
needed. He was moving- and he heard voices, but the
pain made it too hard to concentrate.
“Trowa- move your hand!” Duo snapped
Trowa blinked, they were in a restroom, leaning against
the sinks. He moved his hand, helping Duo pull his coat
off.
“You are a stubborn bastard.”
“And in my place…?”
“Oh, I do the same thing.” Duo chuckled. “That’s why
I’m helping.” Abdul appeared at that moment, a jacket
and shirt in his hands. “Thanks Abdul.”
“I can assure you Mr. Barton,” Abdul said as he watched
Duo wrap the wound. “We will not let anything happen to
Master Winner.”
“I know you won’t,” Trowa gave him a weak smile. “But
I
need to be there.”
Abdul nodded understandingly.
Trowa focused back on Duo.
“Wait- you aren’t disguised…”
“You just noticed?” Duo lifted an eyebrow at him. “I
know it’s been a hell of a few hours there for you, but
I did expect you to notice sooner than this.”
“Why not?”
“Why do you think? As part of their agreement, Winner
got amnesty for us from Chang. So we don’t have to
pretend to be dead anymore.”
Ah. Well, that was good- if the treaties held. He said
as much to Duo who grinned.
“If not, well, I could do with some more excitement.”
Duo laughed as he finished wrapping the wound. “You’re
lucky it didn’t hit a lung. You’ll be even luckier if
you manage to hold out til the end of this.”
“I have to.”
Duo nodded. “I know.” He and Abdul helped Trowa pull
on the fresh clothes. “Good enough.”
Trowa managed to get himself to the doorway of the
bathroom without swaying. Having the wound bandaged was
helping. He saw Duo nod approvingly.
The ‘party’ was being held in a room the size of a
ballroom. In the center was a huge table with a
chessboard in the middle of it and four chairs around
it. No one was seated in the chairs yet.
“Still waiting for a few,” Duo hissed in his ear as
they went to go join Winner’s entourage. “They sit
down and snipe at each other a little, declare sides,
drink a toast and then we can all go home.”
Winner was talking with Treize, but he gave Trowa a
brief sharp look. Heero and a few of the Maguanacs were
standing around, their eyes flickering over the room as
people moved back and forth.
Trowa caught sight of Cathy standing a little bit away,
talking to Chang. Une was beside her. Une met Trowa’s
gaze and bowed her head slightly.
Across the room, two blonde women were talking with a
tall blond man. The man was frowning, as was one of the
women- the one who had hired him to kill Winner. The
other one was smiling serenely, but perhaps that just
meant she was better at hiding her true feelings than
the other two were. There were other people around them
too- people with watchful eyes and hands that never
moved too far away from their sides.
It was a little surreal. Trowa shook his head, trying
to clear it.
Treize moved to talk to Cathy, one of the blonde women
joined them, the serene one moved to speak to Winner,
Chang went to speak to the blond man. A careful,
cautious dance.
Trowa didn’t listen to the words- there was no way keep
track of them all. He watched faces, listened to tones,
observed body language…
And tried not to fall over. Duo had done a good job
with the bandaging, but…
At an unseen signal, everyone moved towards the center
of the room.
A hand touched his back. “You don’t look good Barton,”
Heero whispered.
“I’ll last til the end.”
“It’s the after part I’m worried about.”
The four players took their seats.
“Bishops, align yourselves,” said the serene faced
woman. Cathy, Treize, Chang and a few others moved to
stand behind the players.
The blond man glared at Chang and Treize as they took
their places behind Winner, Cathy in-between them.
“Is this where you choose to stand for the year?” The
woman continued.
A soft-voiced chorus of affirmatives answered her.
“Knights and rooks, look to your places.”
Trowa hoped he didn’t have to move. He didn’t think he
could.
“That’s us.” Duo said quietly over his shoulder. “We
just stay here.”
There were a few that moved- but not many.
“Then, this is where we stand,” the woman smiled. “A
challenging game it was this year, but I think the
honors go to the White King.” She inclined her head
towards Winner with a smile. “Well-played.”
“Thank you Relena.” Winner smiled back at her.
“Indeed,” snapped the other blonde, her eyes focused on
Cathy. “Quite a few surprises this year.”
“I agree,” the Red King narrowed his eyes. “I shall
have to think long and hard about next year’s game.”
“I look forward to a challenge.” Winner’s smile didn’t
change.
“Then we are at an end,” Relena turned and gestured to
one of the people standing behind her. “The toast
glasses, if you please.”
Four empty glasses were placed on the table.
Trowa’s eyes were blurring with sweat. It was getting
harder and harder to stay on his feet. He wiped them
quickly, heard Heero make a faint noise.
“Almost finished,” Duo said.
Trowa wondered if Duo meant the ceremony or him…
“I supplied the wine this year, from one of my
vineyards.” The Red Queen lifted an eyebrow. “I hope
you find it satisfactory.”
Trowa felt a shiver go down his spine at her tone. He
recognized it from when she had hired him…
He watched the server carefully, saw her glove move
slightly as she poured the wine into the last glass.
Saw the look that the Red Queen gave her, saw the faint
nod. Didn’t anyone else see it?
The glass was placed in front of Winner.
Had Winner seen it?
Could he take the chance?
No. Not with Quatre’s life on the line.
He was too far away to get there in time. He grabbed
Heero. “Wine was poisoned.” He hissed, and saw Heero’s
eyes widen.
There was only one thing to do. Create a distraction…
He reached up under his coat and shirt and clawed his
bandages open, then fell, making sure to fall into the
group of people that stood to the left- behind the
White Queen’s chair…
People shrieked in surprise as he fell, even more when
he reached up a bloody hand to the nearest one.
To his surprise- the nearest one didn’t shriek. She
simply took his bloody hand and sat down next to him.
“I’m a doctor,” she said as she pushed aside his shirt.
“What the hell happened to you?”
“Shot,” he muttered as he looked past her. Please… let
the players have moved from the table…
“Obviously. Why aren’t you at a hospital?” She shook
her head. “This is not good.”
Her fingers probed at the wound and the edges of his
sight got all sparkly.
Cathy was suddenly there. “Trowa! What happened?”
He wanted to answer her, found that he couldn’t.
“We were sniped outside-“ Duo’s voice. “I told him
to
go to the hospital…”
Trowa wanted to snap back, but all his strength was
taken up with trying to stay conscious.
“I thought you said it wasn’t serious!” That was
Quatre. He was leaning over the doctor’s shoulder, his
eyes meeting Trowa’s.
He looked furious.
“With all due respect, Mr. Winner, I said no such
thing.” Duo answered.
“It was me” Heero’s voice, “and I said Trowa said to
tell you it wasn’t serious. Which he did.”
Trowa turned his head to see him. Heero met his eyes
and nodded.
Reassured, Trowa closed his eyes and fainted.
*
He woke up. Which was rather a surprise as he hadn’t
been at all sure that he would.
“Ah, awake at last,” a familiar cheerful voice greeted
him. “You’ve been out for two days.”
He turned his head slightly.
The female doctor from the party stood there, adjusting
the IV tubes. She smiled at him. “How are you feeling?”
He thought about it. “Crappy.”
She laughed. “I’m not surprised. Next time you get shot
you need to seek immediate medical attention,
Understood?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Doctor Po,” she tapped her name badge. “I know I’m
not
the one you expected to see her at your bedside- but
all the others had a funeral to attend.”
“Funeral?”
Not Quatre…. Please not Quatre…
“Yes, It was very odd. Miss Catalonia- the Red Queen?
She had a heart seizure right after the toast was
made.” Doctor Po smiled. “I’d suspect poison, but the
wine was from her own bottle and none of the other
guests were affected. Very odd.”
So Heero had switched glasses… Trowa approved.
“That is too bad.”
The doctor shrugged. “I suppose so. I know my lady
won’t miss her much. Miss Catalonia was getting a
little too… oh… unhonorable in her tactics, I guess you
could say.” The doctor picked up her clipboard and
turned towards the door. “Just rest. I’ll send a nurse
in to help you soon.”
Trowa heard the door close and relaxed. Quatre was
okay.
A moment later the door slammed open.
“What the hell were you thinking?”
Trowa blinked up at the man leaning over his bed.
Quatre looked furious- just like the last time Trowa
had seen him. Had he looked this way the whole two
days? Even at the funeral?
He blinked again, surprised at his thoughts. What the
hell kind of drugs did Doctor Po have him on?
A gentle touch on his cheek refocused his attention on
Quatre.
“Trowa?”
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
Quatre shook his head. “I’m fine. I wasn’t in any
danger- I saw the girl slip that stuff into my glass. I
wasn’t going to drink it.”
“I didn’t know.” Trowa apologized. Another thing
occurred to him. “Don’t be upset with Heero and Duo- I
asked them to help…”
“I know. I’m not.” Quatre smiled. “They’ll be
here in a
moment too- and so will your sister.” He sighed. “I
hope next year’s game isn’t like this.”
“We’ll just have to be ready.”
Quatre’s hand cupped his cheek again. “It doesn’t have
to be ‘we’ Trowa. You don’t have to stay with me. You
can go with your sister- hell, you can walk away from
everything if you want…”
“I want to stay with you.” Trowa carefully lifted his
hand and caught Quatre’s in his. “You said you wouldn’t
let me go again.”
Quatre bent to kiss him hungrily. “And so I won’t.”
Sidestories:
Duo persuading Heero to wear the dress
Heero smiled in complete satisfaction and shut down his
computer. He glanced at the clock- it was late, but not
terribly so, hopefully Duo shouldn’t be too upset with
him.
He cast a look towards the bed where his partner was
curled up against the headboard, seemingly immersed in
the novel he was reading.
As Heero had learned early on in his partnership with
Duo, appearances were usually deceiving.
“All finished,” he said quietly.
Duo looked up from his book. “Find anything
interesting?”
“Oh yes. Definite proof. Winner should be very happy.”
“Good,” Duo put the book to the side. “Does that mean
you’re finished staring at the computer for a while?”
“Yes,” Heero tugged his shirt off over his head and
tossed it towards the hamper.
“Good. I finished the disguises tonight.”
Heero lifted an eyebrow. “Disguises? I thought you were
only making one for Trowa.”
“And one for you.” Duo’s smile was too sweet. Heero
didn’t trust it. “I didn’t like the other one I had for
you anymore.”
“What was wrong with it?” Heero asked cautiously.
“That woman flirted with you last time you wore it.”
Heero blinked. His usual disguise made him look like a
forty year old man- and the last woman he remembered
talking to while wearing it had been less than half
that.
“She said I reminded her of her father.” He pointed
out.
Duo tilted his head. “Still, you got too many looks. I
didn’t like it.”
Heero got a bad feeling. “So, what is the new one
like?”
Duo’s smile widened. “It’s in the bathroom- why don’t
we go look?”
Heero’s bad feeling increased. He went into the
bathroom, Duo on his heels and blinked at the clothes
that hung behind the door. It took him a moment to
realize what he was looking at.
“That’s a dress….” At least he thought it was. There
wasn’t a lot of material in the lower part of it- and
the top looked… curved.
“Yes it is.” Duo sounded amused.
“You’re making me wear a dress?”
Duo’s slid his arms around Heero’s waist and rested his
chin in the hollow of Heero’s shoulder. “Uh huh.”
“And that’s going to make people stare at me less?”
Heero tilted his head so that it rested against Duo’s.
“I don’t think so. A guy in drag draws attention.”
“You won’t look like a guy in drag,” Duo sounded
faintly offended. “You’ll look like a woman. A very
lovely one too, if I did it right.”
Heero had no doubt that Duo had done it right. “But…
won’t that make people look at me just as much?”
Duo laughed softly. “Oh yes.”
There were lots of times that Heero couldn’t follow his
lover’s logic. This plan made no sense to him at all.
Duo turned Heero in his arms and pressed him back
against the counter. “Don’t get it do you?” He asked.
“Totally lost me,” Heero admitted.
“You’re going to look like a very lovely woman,” Duo
nudged his head under Heero’s chin, letting his lips
drift over Heero’s throat. “With a very jealous and
possessive boyfriend.”
Ah. So this costume would let Duo manhandle him without
people giving them a second look no matter where they
were… and allow him to act the way he usually did
without fear of exposure…
On one hand, a tempting proposition…
On the other… “I don’t really want to wear a dress.”
Heero protested. Duo’s lips nipped his shoulder, his
hands slid down to Heero’s waistband.
“Please?” Duo murmured against his skin. “I’ll make
it
worth your while….” His clever fingers undid Heero’s
fly, slipped inside.
“I’ve never shaved my legs…”
“I’ll help.” Duo slid down to his knees, giving Heero a
mischievous look under his bangs, his fingers still
working on persuading Heero to give in. “We can take a
bath together…”
Heero closed his eyes for a moment- he knew what Duo’s
idea of bathing together meant- and what it always led
to… Duo took advantage of his distraction and moved the
cloth that was blocking his access.
“Please?” Duo asked, his breath hot against Heero’s
exposed skin. “For me?” He leaned forward just enough,
letting his lips brush ever so gently on that most
sensitive area…
Heero bit back a moan.
“All right,” he gave in, helpless to resist his lover’s
arguments.
Duo, gracious as ever in victory, tumbled Heero down on
the floor next to him. Heero let his head rest on the
cool tiles, let his fingers thread through Duo’s hair
as the other bent to his self-appointed task. Heero
looked up at the dress hanging behind the door,
distracted for a brief moment. He wasn’t looking
forward to wearing it.
But Duo was always so damn persuasive...
Fireworks:
It's a fandom blood-pressure day. *wry grin* I can't
help it- to watch someone abuse their flist's trust
makes me mad. Not you guys, someone else!
I jumped ship a little bit today and have been reading
Kenshin fanfics (for some reason I love the ones
written like romance novels- I'd say bad romance
novels, but the fics are good- there's just a lot of
Battosai possessiveness going on.... *swoons*) and
plotting out a few Saiyuki things.
But I did get the last of the drabbles done! Yay!
For Amy- who asked for ON Duo blowing things up- this
turned out a wee bit different, I think I needed the
boys to be happy... sorry!!
I sipped my drink, dodging partygoers and keeping an
eye out for trouble. I didn’t expect any, not here on
Winner’s turf- the locals loved him dearly- but it
never hurt to be careful. I nearly bumped into someone,
realizing a moment later that it was Trowa.
“Where’s your shadow, Yuy?” Trowa sounded amused.
I lifted an eyebrow at him. “Where’s yours?”
He tilted his head to the side. “Mr. Winner is mingling
with his guests of course, and he’s not my shadow.”
“No, but he gave you some.” I smiled back, gazing for a
moment over his shoulder at Abdul who raised his
wineglass at me with a grin.
Trowa sighed. “I think he forgets I’m not helpless.”
“I think he remembers you have that disturbing tendency
to throw yourself in the path of danger.”
“Well, if he had a less dangerous job…” Trowa shook his
head. “Anyway, you didn’t answer my question. I’ve been
talking to you for three minutes and Duo hasn’t shown
up to glare at me.”
“Duo doesn’t see you as a threat.”
“I’m not sure if I should be insulted… or very
pleased.”
“Ha ha. You know he’s trusted you since that time in
Vienna.”
“I know,” Trowa’s smile warmed. “But, where is he?”
“You know that Quatre sets off fireworks for this
holiday right?”
Trowa nodded. “Of course- he was saying something about
ordering the best, and quite a lot of them…” His eyes
widened. “Duo’s in charge of the fireworks?”
“Yes. So he’s a bit busy at the moment.”
“He must like that.”
I shrugged. “Well, since the new air launch ones have
come out he doesn’t get quite the rush he used to off
of it, but it is close enough. They still explode in
the air after all.”
Trowa grinned. “You aren’t down there helping?”
I shook my head, “He’s has some of the Maguanacs
helping.”
“You’re staying away because you’re a distraction,
aren’t you?”
“Don’t push it Barton.” That wasn’t it really, but
I
didn’t want to explain. “It’s almost time. I expect
you’ll want to get closer to Winner?”
No need to remind Trowa how easy it was to assassinate
someone under the cover of fireworks…
He nodded and vanished back into the crowd as the first
of the fireworks started.
I did my job, cruising the crowd, keeping an eye out
for things- all the while knowing that I was operating
under a time limit.
When the last firework fizzled out, I started the
countdown in my head. Winner was bidding his guests
goodnight, Trowa beside him.
By the time I got to five minutes left, Winner had
finished and gone inside with Trowa. I headed for Duo’s
and my quarters, shift over, knowing the Maguanacs
could handle anything else.
I had to be ready to handle Duo.
Once inside our room, I turned the lights on, did the
routine check quickly…
My heart skipped when Duo bounced into the room,
glowing and happy. “What did you think?” he asked as he
closed the door behind him.
“Perfect, like…” I didn’t get to finish. I never got
to
finish. Duo threw his arms around me and kissed me,
cutting off my praise. I welcomed his kiss, let him
pull me towards the bed, happy because he was, because
the only thing he’d blown up was a few fireworks- and
they were beautiful…
Opening Moves
His back was to the door. Trowa suppressed a smile.
Sitting with your back to the door in this business
meant you were either very confident- or incredibly
stupid.
He knew perfectly well that the other would’ve chosen
this restaurant for a reason, that he was no doubt
surrounded by the other man’s employees.
Perhaps he should’ve been worried- but he had an ace of
his own up his sleeve.
He sat down in the seat opposite Chang. “Sorry I’m
late.”
The other man just lifted an eyebrow. “Only by a few
minutes. Was traffic bad?”
“No more than usual.” Trowa smiled faintly. “I must
say- I was surprised to get your call.”
Chang folded his hands in front of him. “Not used to
getting phone calls from former employers?”
“Well, can’t say that I left the Org under the best of
circumstances.” Trowa shrugged. “Defaulted on the job,
faked my death, went to work for the man I was hired to
kill…”
The corner of Chang’s mouth curved in a smile. “Ah,
just following in the footsteps of some of your smarter
coworkers.”
“I’ll pass on the compliment.”
“Do that,” Chang leaned back as a waitress deposited a
teapot and two cups on the table and vanished again. “I
suppose you are wondering why I asked you to meet me?”
“I am curious. The game isn’t due to start for another
six months. I don’t think things have gone so badly
that you’d be looking to shift alliances, and I doubt
that you’d look to align yourself with me as I have no
power of my own. Plus, you have to know that my loyalty
to Mr. Winner is unquestionable.”
Chang poured himself a cup of tea. “Loyalties can
change.” He lifted a hand when Trowa opened his mouth.
“I am not implying anything. I am merely stating facts.
You were loyal to the Org once, weren’t you? Then a
better offer came along…”
“It wasn’t like that.” Trowa frowned. “I might have
stayed loyal to the Org if they had dealt fairly with
me, but....”
“I know it.” Chang frowned. “I did not choose wisely
when I left. Unfortunately they were more like the
person I inherited the Org from in the first place.”
Trowa nodded. He didn’t think the Org had done
everything as well as it could have when Chang had been
in charge, but it had been much better under his
leadership than it was now.
“Tell me,” Chang said, leaning over the table. “You
spoke of having ‘no power’. Do you truly believe that
is so? You were a valuable piece in the last game.
Don’t you think that being Cathy’s brother and Winner’s
lover gives you some kind of power?”
The back of Trowa’s neck prickled. Was this some kind
of trap? He had thought that Chang and Treize were
happy with their new alliance… but they had been loyal
to Zechs before. He scanned the restaurant quickly.
Two waitresses moving from table to table, smiling
politely, a table full of footballers talking loudly, a
few families with children, a couple sitting close
gazing into each other’s eyes, a man by himself reading
a newspaper, a woman on a laptop, two business men
getting buzzed at the bar… some of them had to be in
Chang’s employ…
“I suppose it does,” he said. “I never thought about
it. I know Winner is not the type to be swayed by
sentiment- and my sister wouldn’t endanger the people
who work for her just for me.”
Chang smiled. “I think you undervalue yourself.” He
took a sip from his cup, leaned back in his seat.
“However, your value to them is not what I brought you
here to discuss.”
“Then why am I here?”
“I need someone to run the Org. Someone who values the
operatives and understands them. Someone like you.”
Trowa blinked. “Why me?”
“Why not you? You’ve worked for the Org for a long
time. You know how things should be done.” Chang shook
his head. “I would take it over myself, but I can not
oversee every detail, and I need someone I can trust in
charge.” Chang took another sip of tea. “As far as what
is in it for you- a power base of your own.”
Well, this was interesting. “For which I would be
indebted to you.”
“Exactly.” Chang tilted his head to the side. “Don’t
look like that. Hear me out. I have no intention of
breaking the deals I made with Winner. He has treated
me fairly, kept his promises and kept faith. I have no
intention of returning to Zechs,” his lips twisted
slightly, “nor does Treize.”
“There are other players,” Trowa reminded him.
“There are,” Chang agreed.
Trowa had to smile. “I am greatly flattered that you
would offer me such a place. It is tempting- but I have
to refuse.”
“May I ask why?”
“I have other duties that take precedence- duties that
would keep me away from the Org for periods of time.
The Org needs someone who can keep a close eye on it.”
Chang nodded. “I agree. The other duties you speak of-
would you like to be free of them?”
Trowa lifted an eyebrow. That was an interesting
question. Why was Chang asking it?
“At this moment I am content with things as they are.”
He replied carefully.
Chang didn’t look surprised. “Life is a series of
changes. If a change occurs and you wish to take my
offer, then it will be waiting for you.”
Trowa bent his head and got to his feet. “If you will
excuse me,” he said with a smile.
“Of course.” Chang lifted his hand. “I look forward to
continuing this at a later time.”
Trowa nodded and made his way towards the door, half
expecting something to happen. He made it to the door
and stepped outside. The woman with the laptop stood
there, smiling slightly. “At last. I wondered when
you’d finish.”
“You left me in there.” Trowa frowned.
“Hardly, Heero is still in there after all.” Duo
grinned and brushed his hair off his shoulder. “I got a
call I had to take.” He lifted his hand and gestured
toward a familiar looking limo at the end of the block.
“Mr. Winner is waiting for you.”
What? “He’s home already?”
“I think he was a little disturbed when we called him
last night and told him Chang had asked to meet with
you.”
“Duo- I told you I could handle it!”
“Trowa- he’s the man that pays us- and he scares me at
times. We had to call in.” Duo rolled his eyes. “I did
tell him that you could handle it- and I told him that
Heero and I would go to back you up- but you know how
he gets about your safety.” He grinned and patted Trowa
on the shoulder. “He’s waiting. Relax, he likes you too
much to kill you.”
Trowa groaned and headed towards the car. The back door
opened as he approached it and Rashid stepped out. He
winked at Trowa and gestured him inside.
Winner was in the backseat, his black suit nearly
blending into the upholstery, arms crossed in front of
him. Trowa wasn’t used to seeing his lover idle-
usually there were folders, computers, reports… but
Winner looked like he had just been waiting… not a good
sign.
Trowa prudently took the seat across from Winner, who
simply looked at him with that cool blue gaze as the
car engine started up and the car began to move.
“Why did you not report to me immediately that Chang
had asked for a meeting with you?”
“Because I wasn’t sure what the purpose was,” Trowa
replied. “For all I knew, he wished to try and have me
smooth things over between Cathy and himself, or
between the two of you or he may have wished to ask me
questions about the Org. His purpose could’ve been
totally innocent. He is your ally, after all.”
“He is a new ally and one that is still earning my
trust.” Winner snapped back. “Why did he wish to see
you?”
“He wanted me to take over the Org.”
Winner frowned, considering. “He wanted to put you in
debt to him.”
“Yes.”
“Did you accept?”
Trowa shook his head. “Of course not. Taking over the
Org would require me to give up my current job. I have
no desire to do that.”
“What did Chang say?”
“That the offer was open if I changed my mind,” Trowa
replied.
Winner frowned. “So, the opening moves are already
being made.”
Trowa nodded. “I think so. He asked if I wanted to be
free of my duties- and yet also claimed that he had no
intention of breaking his alliance with you. He said he
wanted someone who would know how things should be done
in the Org.”
Winner was silent for a moment, deep in thought. “It’s
possible that he is simply looking to see if he can get
someone trustworthy to run the Org. The only other
possible one would be Yuy- and he would never take that
offer.”
“Definitely not. By offering it to me, he establishes
closer ties to Cathy as well.”
Winner nodded. “I can only hope it’s that simple- but
just in case, I think I need to keep a closer eye on
Mr. Chang.”
“I think that would be wise.”
Quatre’s lips curved in a smile. “And on you as well. I
can’t let you out of my sight for a moment.”
“I took Duo and Heero with me!”
“Into what may have been a trap,” Quatre countered.
“You are too careless with your life.” He leaned
forward and pulled Trowa into the space beside him.
“How many times do I have to tell you how important you
are to me?”
“I know I am,” Trowa slid his fingers across Quatre’s
cheek, caressed the nape of his neck. “It worries me.”
“It worries me too.” Quatre said quietly. “But I can’t
change it.”
“I don’t want you to,” Trowa replied and gently kissed
his lover.
A Little History
Duo pulls on his gloves and winks at me. “Ready for
this?” He asks and I just shake my head at him.
“Of course I am,” I tell him and tap the console next
to me. “Mine is the easy part. It’s you I’m worried
about.”
He grins, and I can see the excitement underneath the
surface. Duo loves jobs like these, ones that give him
a challenge with every step, and since we’ve been
working for Quatre we’ve had quite a few of them. Only
one of the reasons I’m glad we made the choice we did.
“I’ll be very careful,” he says, more to placate me
than anything else, and leans over to kiss me
bruisingly. “Just follow along and be ready for me when
I finish.” The last half of the sentence is uttered in
a tone that tells me what to be ready for- if I didn’t
know already.
“I’ll be waiting,” I tell him and get another kiss
before he waltzes out of the van.
I turn to the console and start. I need to be into the
system before Duo reaches the entry point. It’s not
difficult, I’ve hacked this system before- I know its
secrets… as long as no one has decided to add any new
ones.
My screens flare to life as I access the security
cameras. I will have to loop each camera before Duo
reaches it, have to make sure no one knows he’s in the
building.
No need to cause a panic after all…
My fingers fly over the boards, making sure that each
area is secure before he reaches it. Duo approaches the
back door, guarded only by the security system; it’s
the easiest entry point. I open the door for him.
“Clear?” His voice whispers to me over the mike.
“Hallway clear. Elevator on the way.”
The doors to the elevator open as he enters the
hallway. A moment more and he’s in the car, reaching
for the ceiling hatch.
“Above?”
“Clear.” He pops the hatch and swings up to the top of
the car. The office he needs to reach has it’s own
elevator- harder to reach- but this shaft reaches the
top floor even though this elevator no longer stops
there.
A useful thing that we’d learned when we still worked
in this building.
“I never thought I’d be back in here,” Duo says, the
amusement in his voice plain.
“Well, let’s not let the Org know that you are,” I tell
him and he laughs.
It’s easy enough to override the controls of the
elevator to get it as close to the top floor as I can.
Duo will have to climb a bit to get to the vent we
need.
“Nearly there,” he whispers in the mike. “Hallway?”
“Three guards, armed,” I tell him and hear his soft
grunt in reply. He’ll have to be very quiet as he moves
along the vent- but Duo is an old pro at this.
“Vent,” I hear him say and then all I can do is wait.
There are no cameras in the vent, no way to track his
progress, all I can do is wait for him to speak and
watch those guards…
“Office,” he says and I release the breath I was
holding. I lower my voice, even though I know the
receiver is in his ear and turned low.
“He’s there- it’s nearly time.”
“Visual confirmed,” Duo murmurs back and I know he sees
what I do- Trowa sitting at his desk, on the phone,
frowning. He doesn’t look happy, not like the last time
I saw him.
We wait as Trowa finishes his call and gets to his
feet. We watch him walk out of the office; his pace
slow, rubbing the back of his neck. I watch him in the
hallway, gesturing to the guards to follow him. They
enter the elevator.
“Clear?” Duo asks me after a few minutes and I confirm.
“All clear. No one outside.”
I hear the soft sound of the vent opening even as I
loop the cameras. I know Duo is pulling the small brown
box out of his vest pocket, attaching it to the fishing
line.
“Lowering,” he says and I watch the box start its
descent. It’s nearly to the desk when one of my alarms
chimes.
“The elevator is returning!” I hiss. What is going on?
Trowa always leaves the office for lunch for an hour.
We’ve watched him do it for a week now!
“Crap,” I watch as the string jerks, freeing the
package, which falls the last few inches with a soft
thump. For a moment I think it’s going to fall off the
desk, but it doesn’t. I sigh in relief as the string
quickly retreats back up into the shaft and the cover
is replaced.
The elevator doors chime open and I remember to take
the cameras off the loop.
“Back out!” I tell Duo.
“Not yet!”
What? “Duo!”
“Shh!”
What the hell is he doing?
So we both watch as Trowa walks back into the office,
leaving the guards outside and throws himself into the
chair, one hand covering his eyes. What happened that
sent him back inside?
He mutters softly to himself, something I can’t catch,
and I wonder if Duo can hear him.
Trowa moves and his arm bumps the small package. A
thought strikes me and I hit the record button.
We watch as he blinks at the package, watch as he picks
it up and reads the short message that Quatre wrote on
the top. Not that he left his name on it- but Trowa
should know the handwriting. I’d read the top of the
package in the van- it was a quote that I didn’t
recognize, but I understood why Quatre used it: What
the heart has once owned and had, it shall never lose.
*
Trowa smiles, the depression that wrapped around him
vanishes, and I am suddenly glad that we agreed to this
mission for Quatre.
Not that we would’ve refused him. We knew what day it
was, knew that spending this anniversary apart- though
necessary- was hard on both of them.
We watch as he carefully opens the package, watch as he
opens the box inside and lifts the contents up to the
light.
His expression changes and I am glad that I am
recording this for our boss. It should help him, at
least a little.
A moment later and Trowa is frowning, looking down at
the package, and then around at the office and I know
he’s wondering how we managed to get it in there. His
eyes lift briefly to the vent and then away as his
smile returns.
He slides the ring on his finger and gets to his feet.
We watch as he leaves the office, whistling softly to
himself. I recognize the tune- it’s one of Quatre’s
favorites. I stop the recording and make a mental note
to have the tape ready to give to Quatre when we report
in.
“Clear,” I murmur to Duo a few minutes later.
“Roger that,” he says and I send the elevator up to the
right point as he wiggles out of the vent.
He makes it back down to the elevator, back inside, and
then slips out of the building on my mark. I wait by
the console until the door to the van opens and he
slides inside.
I’m half-expecting some kind of cocky remark, so it
surprises me when Duo simply sits down on my lap and
kisses me gently.
“Ready to go report in?” I ask when he lets me.
He nods. “I don’t suppose you saved that…?”
“Recorded.”
He smiles and kisses me again. “Well, that should
improve Boss’s temper a little.”
“I hope so.”
“I’m glad we don’t have to….” His voice trails
off as
he gets up from my lap and he gives me a sheepish
smile. “I don’t think I could… I know I’m… better
than
I was, but…”
I get to my feet and catch him for a kiss of my own. “I
couldn’t either. Nothing can take me away from you.”
Relief floods his face for a moment and then he smiles.
It’s the heart-stopping smile that won my heart all
those years ago. “Let’s go report in- and then lock
ourselves in our room for a bit.”
I smile back at him. “Mission accepted.”
*quote: Henry Ward Beecher
Waiting
It's Friday!! *dances*
Okay. Two drabbles again.
Forelyse asked for ON Quatre and Duo- bittersweet. I
hope this fits. I put in the 'Trowa went to work for
Org' timeline.
I watched Duo pace across the floor of my office and
was worried. It wasn’t that I didn’t know what he was
capable of- indeed between the reports I had read and
Trowa’s stories I knew all too well.
It was just- I had never really seen it. Not really.
When Duo had come storming into my office for a moment
I truly thought that if I gave him the wrong answer he
would kill me.
Considering the look he cast my way, I still wasn’t
entirely sure he wouldn’t.
“He didn’t seem concerned,” I said in the calmest tone
I could manage. “According to Rashid, he seemed to
recognize the code right away.”
Heero had apparently been passing the front door when a
messenger had dropped off a piece of paper with what
appeared to be a bunch of jibberish. I couldn’t make
heads or tails of it, but Rashid said that Heero had
taken one look at it, laughed, and told Rashid to tell
Duo and I that he’d be back soon.
Duo picked the paper up from my desk and frowned at it.
“It’s not one the Org used.” He dropped the paper and
moved to the window. “He’s been gone for hours.”
“Just two,” I said and Duo shot me a look over his
shoulder.
“I know,” he said, turning back to the glass, his head
resting against the panes. “And I know that he can take
care of himself. It’s just-“ He stopped there.
“I understand,” I said, because I did. “Even though you
know perfectly well that he can defend themself, it’s
hard because you can’t be there to help. All you can do
is worry that he’ll remember that he is living for you
too, and be extra careful.”
Duo turned and smiled sadly at me. “You miss Trowa.”
“Every minute.” I sighed and sat down at my desk,
trying to lighten the atmosphere. “The man is a trouble
magnet as it is. It’s even worse when I can’t keep an
eye on him.”
“He’ll be okay,” Duo looked out the window again and I
wondered which of us he was trying to assure.
The door to the office opened a minute later and Heero
stepped in. He was smiling, apparently unharmed and I
was relieved for Duo’s sake if not for my own.
“Where have you been?” Duo demanded, moving towards
Heero in a way that had me automatically reaching for
the gun kept in my desk drawer.
Heero, unconcerned, simply pulled him closer and gave
him a one armed hug. “Sorry love, the errand took
longer than I thought.” He reached into his pocket and
pulled out an envelope. “Trowa sent for me.”
“That message was from Trowa?” Duo relaxed and I sighed
in relief. Heero smiled at him and tossed the envelope
onto the desk in front of me.
“It was. He wanted someone to meet him right away.”
Heero ran a hand down Duo’s braid. “I would’ve come to
get you, but I didn’t think I had time.”
I picked up the envelope. “Is he- what is this?”
“That is what you were looking for. I think there might
be a note in there too.” Heero smiled wider.
I was already opening the envelope. A small bunch of
computer disks slid out along with a piece of paper. My
heart rose at the sight of Trowa’s handwriting. A
simple letter was a very precious gift to me these
days.
“If you’ll excuse us?” I heard Heero say softly and the
two of them left me alone with my letter.
To: Leaving The Org
Back to: Before One Night