Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Advanced Reservations ❯ Chapter 12

 

Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue. Won't get much if you do.

 

See first part for any warnings.

 

On with the next part!!

 

 

Over two hours after lift-off, Trowa was growing concerned about Alexi. With almost three more hours travel time, the Russian man's fear of flying combined with concern for Duo had compounded to make him a nervous wreck. Car sat beside him, one large hand held in both of hers in a supporting grip, her face becoming more strained with fatigue. With a sigh, she turned green eyes to Trowa, silently asking for some form of aid.

 

He went to the sweating Russian, silently admiring the tenacity of the man. That he would take a cross-country flight to assist in the search for a friend, even though he was terrified, was an impressive feat. Crouching down to meet the wide blue eyes, he smiled a little, “How are you holding up, Alexi?”

 

“Sorry, Trowa. I usually take shorter flights, so they don't bother me this much,” the Russian gasped, face pale.

 

“You didn't have to come,” Trowa stated, patting the man's knee with affection.

 

Alexi frowned, pulling himself up straighter in his seat, “Duo needs us. I had to come. I'm good with people,” he met Trowa's eyes unwavering, his loyalty for his friend firming his resolve. “I know a few of the people that Duo has hired. They won't talk to you because they don't know you. They will talk to me.”

 

Trowa nodded, standing up to his full height again. He noticed that while Alexi was still pale, he appeared to be stronger than he had been a few minutes previous. “I suggest that everyone get some sleep. When we get to Miami, we're going to hit the ground running.”

 

Returning to his seat, he could see the two Asians talking softly, their heads bent together. Heero had an angry look on his face, while Wufei just seemed smug. The Japanese man looked to Trowa, rolling his eyes dramatically at Wufei's temperament. With a level look at the Chinese, he stated in a low voice, “Quit being an ass, Chang. He's our friend, even if we don't deserve it.”

 

Wufei's face turned a bright angry red. His voice was loud enough to hear from where Trowa sat, several seats away, “I don't believe any of this for a moment. To hear that Maxwell, of all people, is intelligent enough to own several businesses would be difficult to believe, but the idea that he is a multi-millionaire is ludicrous.”

 

“Instead of arguing about this, why don't you contact Commander Une? She can verify any information, and you can trust what she says. I need to speak with her myself, but I can wait until you see we are telling the truth. Once you learn that this is real, I expect an apology to those three,” he tilted his head in the direction of the three friends, unaware of the conversation. “And once we find Duo, you will apologize to him for being such an insufferable jerk. He thinks of you as a friend, though at this point, I honestly have no idea why.”

 

“Very well,” Wufei replied with a sneer, obviously believing that he was about to prove everyone wrong about their high opinions of the American. He quickly moved to the vid-phone, dialing the private number that put him directly in contact with the highest ranking person in the Preventer's organization.

 

Seeing the disgruntled Chinese, Une raised an eyebrow at him, “And to what do I owe this honor, Chang? I am a busy person, so make it short.”

 

“As you wish, Commander. What can you tell me about Maxwell?”

 

“Be more specific, please. Do you wish to know about the man, or the Foundation?” The perturbed expression on her face let her subordinate know that she wasn't pleased by the interruption to her schedule.

 

Wufei's face showed surprise for a fraction of a second before he recovered, “the man, if you don't mind.”

 

A long suffering sigh came through the speakers clearly, “Very well. Duo Maxwell owns the Maxwell Foundation. Through that and several smaller companies, he owns a number of businesses. The profit of those businesses is quite impressive. He could be the wealthiest man in the universe within the next ten years, if he didn't give almost all his money away. Is that enough to fulfill your curiosity?”

 

The Chinese nodded slowly, his face suddenly pale with the information that he had received. “I believe that Barton wished to speak with you,” he added slowly, then shuffled back to his seat.

 

When he took his place in front of the screen, he could read the concern written on her features. “I didn't think we would be speaking again this soon, Trowa. What has happened?”

 

Trowa could see two dark heads jerk in his direction when the Commander used his first name, but ignored them for the time being, preferring to address more important matters. “Duo is missing. Can I rely on your help if it is necessary?”

 

“You have Chang. Are any other Preventer agents with you?”

 

“Yuy is here as well. Quatre told them that I was in trouble after I requested the use of a plane,” he snorted, still angry about the action that the Arabian had taken.

 

“They are at your disposal for as long as you need. They are two of the best agents I have now,” she smirked at the reminder of his resignation. “If you need anything else, all you have to do is call. The number has been programmed into your phone. How long has Duo been missing?”

 

“Not sure, but he hasn't been in contact for almost four days,” his stomach was rolling again, the stress eating at him. “He would have called me if he was able. I'm worried,” that short statement told Une more than anything else he could have said; he could see the concern in her face at the two small words.

 

“I'll begin making some calls from here. If there is anything to learn from the local authorities, I'll find it. That will keep you from having to deal with them. If nothing else, I can smooth the way. I can also talk to the private investigator that Duo uses,” when he showed his surprise, she smiled evilly. “She's a very good friend of mine, Trowa. You'll be surprised. Is there anyone else I should call for you?”

 

Remembering the meeting that Duo was supposed to have with the colony leaders, he flinched, swallowing his pride, he asked for yet another favor. “We were supposed to have a meeting with some of the L3 colony reps tomorrow, regarding the…ummm…ability to trade,” he frowned, not sure how to put it in any other terms.

 

“Wouldn't it be easier to meet with all the colony leaders at the same time?” she queried.

 

“I'm sure it would, but we don't have that kind of pull with them, though it would save time,” he briefly wondered if he would get the chance to meet with them. If something happened to Duo, the entire discussion was pointless.

 

“I'll arrange it for you. When you find Duo, tell him he will have a meeting in two weeks, and to be prepared to speak to all the leaders of the cluster at the same time.” She paused for a moment, making sure that she had his full attention. “You will find him, Trowa. I have faith in you and your abilities. Besides, the world needs more people like Duo. I'll contact you when I have some information for you. Une out.”

 

Trowa stood for a moment, staring at the blank screen, fighting tears. To learn that the Commander believed in what and who they were fighting for was almost more than his strained emotions could take. Eventually, he went back to his seat, his entire body weary. He hadn't slept well since Duo had left, and when he tried, his sleep was interrupted by nightmares of his lover being harmed.

 

“How long has it been since you ate?”

 

He raised his head to see Heero standing above him, concern etched in his features. “I don't know. I haven't had an appetite the last few days,” he admitted.

 

“I'll find you something to eat. You need to keep your strength up,” Heero started to move away, then stopped, turning to meet his eyes again. “We will find him, Trowa. I promise you that. I won't stop until we find him.”

 

With the Japanese gone, Trowa let his head fall back to the seat, closing his eyes, calling to mind the time he had spent with Duo. He could vividly recall the shining violet eyes, the tender smile, the soft velvety skin, the smell of cinnamon on silky hair…

 

“I apologize for my behavior earlier. I haven't been a very good friend, to you or to Maxwell.”

 

Opening his eyes with a soft sigh, he found Wufei staring at the floor, pale cheeks strained with an inner pain. “Apology accepted, Wufei. I know that it's difficult to see past the mask that Duo wears. I guess I was always able to see through it, perhaps because I was looking closer.” He laid a hand on the other man's tense shoulder, in order to let Wufei know he was being sincere. “I am not the one you need to apologize to,” he added.

 

Wufei nodded and rose in order to make his way to the back of the plane, where the three friends greeted him cautiously. By the time Heero returned with a plate of food, Car and Wufei had moved away from the two men, talking quietly. Trowa sniggered when the Chinese was suddenly wrapped in a crushing hug, his face turning bright red in his embarrassment. To Trowa's surprise, the two promptly sat down, speaking softly, Wufei's eyes resting on the animated woman's face.

 

Trowa was eating mechanically, knowing he required the fuel for energy. He was startled when Heero began to chuckle, not realizing that he man was still so close. The former pilot of Wing Gundam had taken the seat next to him and was watching the interaction between Car and Wufei. “Did you know that Wufei and Sally are no longer seeing each other?”

 

“Why not? They seemed to fit so well together,” Trowa mused out loud.

 

“He's never said,” Heero shrugged, then pinned his gaze on Trowa, “We didn't know that you were having difficulties with Quatre.”

 

“To be completely honest with you, I didn't know we were having problems, either. I found out a few days ago that Quatre arranged for me to be in cities while Duo was there. He was trying to get rid of me for three years, Heero.” The cobalt eyes were filled with sympathy, and he shook his head, dispelling the anger that tried to rear up again. “All he had to do was tell me that he was unhappy, and I would have left. Instead, he lied to me, cheated on me, and controlled my career. If he had said something, we might still be able to be friends, at least. Now, I don't know if I can ever forgive him for deceiving me the way he did.”

 

“Why didn't you call me?”

 

“We haven't exactly been close since the wars, Heero. I didn't want to intrude,” he now understood how Duo had felt at the end of the wars, with everyone else paired up and him alone. He silently vowed that Duo would never experience that emotion again. “It's all for the best anyways. I'll forgive Quatre eventually, as long as he stops treating me like a errant child that doesn't know how to take care of himself.”

 

“When did that start? I never really realized it until you said something when we boarded, but he does treat you that way.”

 

Thinking about it for a few moments, he eventually shrugged, “When I moved in with Quatre, everything was so different than what I was used to. He taught me the rules and etiquette that go hand in hand with having wealth and an influential family. It was then, I suppose. I guess he lost all respect for me, and started treating me more like a possession than a companion. I wasn't allowed to interfere with anything regarding the business, or even trusted to choose food or drink for us if we were going to have company.” He mulled it over for a while, comprehending that he had resented the way Quatre had treated him for years, but had never said anything about it, fearing rejection. “At the time, it felt wrong, but I didn't know how to express how I felt. When I tried to bring it up, he would wave away any arguments I had, telling me it was for my own good.”

 

Heero watched him with a raised eyebrow, his eyes wide. “And is it different with Duo?” he prompted.

 

Trowa felt a smile spread across his face, thinking of his lover again. He nodded, “He talks to me, Heero, asks my opinion. We have a lot of things in common, and that could be one reason Quatre and I could never see eye to eye. Our pasts were just too different. Duo…he makes me happy…and he…needs me.” He silently pled with Heero to understand what he meant.

 

He was relieved when the Japanese man smiled at him, “I can see how that would be possible. Duo needs someone to keep him out of trouble. You care for him a lot, don't you?”

 

“I love him,” Trowa froze, eyes wide. That was the first time he had said the words out loud to anyone, even himself.

 

Heero laughed at his expression, clapping him on the back. “I guess we need to start making some plans for when we get back on land. I can't wait to see the two of you together,” there was pure happiness backed by friendship in the once stoic man's manner. With an understanding that they had been previously missing, they put their heads together and got to work.