Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 25 ( Chapter 25 )

Disclaimer: I don't own the G Boys, I just borrow them from time to time and return them a whole lot happier. I do own the plot line and any other characters that appear here that are not in the Gundam Wing Universe; please do not take them without permission. Written for pleasure not profit.

 

Warnings: Angst, sap, fluff, violence, Mpreg.

 

Rating: NC 17

 

Pairings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3, 5xS, HxOC

 

Summary: Sequel to Chimaera. Life in the Maxwell -Yuy household has undergone some big changes when Duo brings Keitaro home from the hospital. Hilde's wedding is approaching and the guys find there's more to this baby business than they thought. Struggling to raise a child, work at Preventer and keep the home happy is certainly a trial for both guys. Add an assassin's threats to prominent government officials' lives and both men find their lives are suddenly changed. Just how far will one go to protect the ones he loves?

 

Dedication: to all my lovely readers out there who enjoyed Chimaera and have since begged, threatened, pleaded, bribed and blackmailed me for a sequel. ^_^

 

 

 

"Family Ties"

 

January. 2007 ShenLong

 

 

Chapter 25

 

Duo swallowed hard as his eyes scanned over the image of nurse and his son that had appeared on the vid screen.

 

“I take it you wish to reconsider?” Nolen's voice came over the speaker.

 

“If you've hurt one hair on my son's head, I swear they will be scraping you off the walls.” At this stage, Duo was content to simply dismember the guy, but if he'd harmed Keitaro... All bets were off.

 

“Now, now, now, Duo. No need to get like that. As you can see, both the nanny and the baby are perfectly fine. Whether they remain that way though, is entirely up to you.” Nolen gave a low chuckle.

 

“What is it you want?” Duo asked through gritted teeth, his eyes full of violet fire and promising a very painful end to the man that had dared to touch what was his.

 

“I don't want much, nothing that a man of your capabilities isn't able to do.”

 

“Get to the point,” Duo snarled.

 

“Fine, fine. There's a diner on the corner of sixth and fifteenth. Be there in an hour, unarmed and unwired. I'll have a colleague pick you up. You will know who he is by giving the following code: 'Four and twenty blackbirds'. My colleague will reply with: 'Baked in a pie'.”

 

“You know you're a dead man.” It was a statement, delivered with an icy tone.

 

Nolen snickered. “Oh, one more thing. Do not tell anyone where you are going. No contact at all, no notes, calls or anything of the sort. Failure to comply...” Nolen raised a pistol and casually looked at the nurse and baby. “I think you get the picture.”

 

“I'll be there.”

 

“Good.”

 

The vid screen went blank as the call was disconnected.

 

* * *

 

Wufei walked down the hallway to Yuy's office, mind still full of his conversation with Une. He had utmost faith in Yuy's skills with a computer. No one could get in and out of a system as quickly and cleanly as Yuy could. Maxwell was also excellent at hacking, given enough time he could crack pretty much anything too, but Yuy, he was the master. Well, in Wufei's book anyway. He could hear the familiar sound of fingers on a keyboard before he entered the office.

 

Looking up, Heero nodded to Chang and then resumed his typing. Wufei looked around and noticed Maxwell's absence. Pulling up a chair, he cleared is throat.

 

“One second, Chang,” Heero said and continued to type feverishly. “Okay.”

 

“Where's Agent Night?”

 

Picking up the note, Heero passed it over to Chang. “He left a note, something about a lead he was looking into.”

 

“Any idea what?” asked Chang as he passed the note back after reading it.

 

“No. I haven't had any contact with him since getting back myself.”

 

“How did it go? Get anything further?”

 

“No. I checked out the address Cropp was supposedly living at.”

 

“And?”

 

“It was a pet shop.”

 

“Figures.”

 

“I spoke to the owner and he let a little something slip.”

 

“Really?” Chang moved to the edge of his seat.

 

“Yeah. Apparently I was the second person asking about this guy.”

 

Wufei's eyes lit up a little with that information.

 

“Someone else was in a few days ago also asking about this guy. The owner didn't get a name but gave me a rather hazy description.”

 

“What's the description?”

 

“About five foot ten, solid build, brown hair. Guy pegged him for around late thirties, early forties.”

 

“I hate to rain on your parade here, Yuy, but that description fits about half the population of this city.”

 

Heero sighed. “I know, but it's the best I can come up with so far.”

 

“Then I hope Maxwell is having more luck. Heaven knows we need all the help we can get right now.”

 

“How did it go with Une?” Heero gave his computer a quick glance before focusing back on Chang.

 

Wufei ran a hand over his face. “As well as can be expected. She's just as frustrated as we are with the lack of leads and information.” Wufei paused for a moment. “I did tell her about our third person and she agrees with our findings.”

 

Heero raised an eyebrow, clearly asking the unspoken question.

 

“She knows nothing,” Chang replied. “You had better be careful, Yuy. I put my reputation on the line for you and your skills.”

 

“You're not the only one with a reputation to risk, Chang. I'll do my best.”

 

“I expect nothing less.”

 

Both men sat in silence for a moment, the thought of what would happen, not only to them, but Une and Preventer too if Yuy were caught hacking the database, weighed heavily on both their minds.

 

Heero broke the silence. “I'd better get started then.”

 

“I'll leave you to it.” Wufei got up and turned to leave. “Let me know as soon as you hear from Maxwell. I want to know what this lead is and what luck he's had with it. I'll be in my office putting together proof of our findings for when we need it.”

 

Heero nodded and then fixed his attention back on the computer. The door closed quietly and Heero bent to his task.

 

* * *

 

Wainright looked up as Richards burst into his office, clearly agitated and threw himself into one of the plush chairs opposite Wainright's desk. The com unit beeped and Wainright pressed the receive button.

 

“I'm sorry, Senator, I tried to tell Senator Richards you were busy, but he pushed right past me and insisted he speak with you.” The secretary's voice held an annoyed edge to it.

 

“That's okay. Don't worry, it's not your fault. Please see that I'm not disturbed for a while.”

 

“Thank you, Senator. I'll do that.”

 

Releasing the com button and checking the machine was off for the moment, Wainright turned to face the other senator. “What the hell is up with you?!” he hissed.

 

Richards had recovered a little and turned his eyes to meet with the other senator's. “I thought you said you'd take care of it?” Richards fired back.

 

“Of what?” Wainright asked, clearly irritated.

 

“That hacker and the police report.”

 

“I did.”

 

“Then why the fuck was Preventer nosing around?”

 

Wainright's head snapped up. “Preventer?”

 

“Yes, Preventer. They were here earlier, nosing around the mainframe room and asking a lot of questions. They interviewed some of the staff too.”

 

A deep frown creased Wainright's brow as he took in the new information. “Any idea what they were doing in the mainframe room?”

 

“No. I didn't get the chance to find out.”

 

“Hmm.” Wainright rubbed his temples. “See if you can get any further information on what they were looking for,” Wainright said as he turned to his computer.

 

“And how am I supposed to do that?” Richards questioned, rubbing his sweaty palms on his trousers.

 

“By using your tongue and asking,” Wainright replied sarcastically. “For fuck's sake, do I have to do everything?”

 

“Yeah, well...”

 

“Richards, you're in this up to your neck, same as I am. I suggest you start pulling your weight and acting like a man, not a mouse. Grow some balls for a change. If I go down, you do too,” Wainright snapped. He was clearly beginning to get annoyed and frustrated with his fellow senator's lack of backbone.

 

Richards swallowed nervously. “Okay. I'll see what I can do.”

 

“Keep me informed. Depending on what exactly they were looking for and what assistance the ESUN has given them, we may need to speed things up a little.”

 

“But... We aren't ready yet!” Richards spluttered.

 

“We're pretty close and if things are getting a little too hot here, we just may have to go with the plan a little earlier. Shouldn't make too much difference, we were planning on doing this in six months, but, priorities change.”

 

Richards couldn't see how Wainright could possibly remain so calm amongst all this. He gave a loud sigh of resignation. “Whatever you say.”

 

“Good. You go see what you can find out, I've got shit to sort out here, thanks to our Preventer friends.”

 

Taking the words for the clear dismissal they were, Richards stood up and departed.

 

Wainright waited until his fellow senator was out of his office before he brought up the files he wanted and began to go through the security he had in place.

 

* * *

 

As soon as the vid screen went blank, Duo was in motion. He dashed back to his bedroom and grabbed his sneakers and a sweater. Whilst shoving his feet into the sneakers, he began to dig around in the closet for his knives. He found them, locked away in the small gundanium strong box he'd made from parts of Deathscythe. Unwrapping them from the cloth, he stroked the blades lovingly, pleased with the razor sharpness of them. He very rarely used them now, but it didn't mean he neglected them. He took them out regularly, cleaned and sharpened them before replacing them. One could never be too careful. Duo never knew when he would need his old friends and was sure to keep them in tiptop shape.

 

Grabbing the small straps, he fitted the blades to his body, hoping he wouldn't have to use them, but already knowing that hope would probably be futile. As much as he didn't like taking lives anymore, someone had dared to touch what was his; and for that, there would be no mercy.

 

Grabbing his gun, he tucked it down the back of his jeans. Satisfied he was as well armed as he could hope to be, short of having some C-4 which wasn't exactly on the Preventer Agents supply list, Duo shot back down the stairs and into the kitchen to fetch his car keys.

 

“Going out, going out?” Barney chattered.

 

“No choice, Barney,” Duo answered back. “Some bastard has my son and I'm not about to sit here and let that happen.”

 

Barney cocked his head. “Shit's gonna hit the fan,” the bird chirped.

 

“Too fucking true,” Duo muttered as he located his keys and picked them up. “Gotta run.”

 

Duo took off out the back door, barely remembering to lock it on his way. He completely forgot to engage the security system and dived into the pickup. Starting the engine, he backed out of the garage and drove off with a squeal of tires.

 

* * *

 

“Duric, I need you,” Nolen called.

 

Casting a glance at Murphy, Duric got up from the couch where they were watching television and went through to the next room where his boss waited. “You called, boss?”

 

“I've contacted the bird and it's time. Here,” Nolen slid a piece of paper across the desk to Duric. “That's the rendezvous point and the code with which to greet him. I expect you to bring him back here.”

 

“What if he tries something?” Duric picked up the piece of paper and noted the instructions.

 

“He won't. He knows we have the child. Just remind him you have to report in once contact has been made and if he dares to try anything at all... the child will suffer.”

 

“Okay. What about weapons?”

 

“You take your usual, we will frisk him once he gets here.”

 

“Right. “

 

“Duric, be careful. We have risked too much to let things fail now.”

 

“Will do, boss.” Duric checked his gun and pocketed the paper. Passing back through the house they were currently holed up in, he spoke with Murphy. “I'm going to go pick up the bird. Check the nanny and kid.”

 

“Will do,” Murphy replied.

 

Duric nodded and left. With the departure of the other man, Murphy got to his feet and headed through the small kitchen to a door in the corner. Unlocking it, he made sure to have his gun ready. He flipped the light switch on and pulled the door slightly open, checking the stairs ahead were clear.

 

As he made his descent into the basement, he could see the nanny off to his right, sitting on the only chair in the room. Pausing just before the bottom of the stairway, He made sure to wave the gun around before speaking.

 

“Where's the kid?”

 

“Asleep, so I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't make too much noise,” Nurse Brown replied as she waved in the direction of the small bed in the room.

 

Murphy glanced across, making out the form of the baby lying on the dirty mattress. “You need anything?” he asked, his tone gruff.

 

“My freedom? An explanation as to why I'm here? A phone? All of the above? Even a suspect when arrested gets the courtesy of one phone call,” the nurse replied in a haughty tone.

 

Murphy grunted. “Shut your mouth. If you can't ask for something sensible then don't ask at all.” He turned and climbed back up the stairs, switched the light off and locked the door securely after him. Grabbing a soda from the 'fridge, he returned to the lounge room.

 

In the basement, it took Nurse Brown's eyes a few moments to adjust back to the darkness and she gave a deep sigh. Antagonizing her captor probably wasn't a smart thing to do, but Nurse Brown was damned if she was going to sit back and take whatever it was these people wanted to dish out. She had a child to protect and by heavens she would make sure that no harm came to little Keitaro.

 

Getting up from her chair, she went to the bed and checked the child. Her nose wrinkled in disgust at the state of the basement, but there wasn't a whole lot she could do about it. She knew the child would sleep for a little while yet so she had some time on her hands. Her mind wandered to Heero and Duo. She wondered if they knew the baby and herself were missing yet, and if they did, how long before they found them?

 

She had no doubt in her mind that once Heero and Duo found her and the child, their kidnappers would regret the day they ever laid a hand on either of them. A soft smile played over the nurse's face as she recalled a saying from long ago, something along the lines of 'there is nothing more fearsome than a mother protecting her young.' Whilst Duo wasn't female, he was Keitaro's mother, and Margaret had seen enough of Duo's protective streak to know that anyone who dared to touch Keitaro would surely pay for that with their blood.

 

And then there was the father - Heero.

 

Whatever Duo left, she knew Heero would finish off.

 

Margaret snorted softly to herself. She was a nurse! Someone dedicated to saving lives, patching people up and looking after them. But in this case, she couldn't help but know she wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to patch up anyone concerned with hers or the baby's abduction.

 

Surely it would only be a matter of time before Heero and Duo began looking for them? Meanwhile, rather than sit here doing nothing, she had at least an hour before Keitaro would wake so it would be a good idea to see what she could do about freeing herself.

 

Never one to rely on other people, Nurse Brown's independent streak took over and now that her eyes were accustomed to the dark of the basement, she set about trying to find some way of escape.

 

* * *

 

Duo pulled up at the diner and parked the pickup out the back. He checked his watch, noting he was five minutes early. Locking the car, he double-checked his person for his weapons, making sure they were all still there but not visible to anyone else. With his sense of anger and trepidation rising, he entered the diner and looked around.

 

There weren't many people inside, a couple in one booth, older guy by the counter on a stool, two more guys a little further down and three teenage girls giggling away in another booth. Their giggles increased as they appraised Duo.

 

Figuring his contact would know him and approach first, Duo nodded to the waitress and slipped into a booth where he could clearly see the entry door and also the exit through the kitchen.

 

The waitress came over. “What can I get ya, honey?” she asked, smacking her lips together as she chewed her gum and not attempting to hide her ogling of his body.

 

Duo's stomach churned and he made sure his wedding ring flashed in the girl's face as he turned the menu over. “Coffee, white, thanks,” he said and flicked the menu back to the tabletop.

 

The waitress looked a little miffed at the simple order, or maybe it was the sight of the wedding ring; either way, Duo didn't care. The girls in the other booth continued to giggle and whisper amongst themselves, casting coy glances in his direction from time to time. Duo ignored them.

 

His coffee arrived and he added a packet of sugar to it, stirring slowly before raising the cup to his lips and taking a sip. He almost spat it right back out again. Glaring at the cup, Duo tried to decide if it was coffee or tar the diner was serving, you could certainly resurface a few roads with it!

 

“Nurse Brown always did say I needed to cut back on my coffee intake,” he muttered. Rather than drink any more of the 'poison', Duo opted to stir his spoon around in it, wondering if the end would melt before his contact arrived.

 

The bell above the door jingled, Duo looked up as a man around thirty-ish stepped inside. He glanced around, eyes falling on Duo and lingering for a moment. He said something to the waitress and then proceeded towards Duo's booth.

 

“Mind if I sit here?” the man asked.

 

Duo shrugged. “Free country.”

 

“I think four and twenty blackbirds might disagree.”

 

“Only if they were baked in a pie,” Duo replied and narrowed his eyes. “Where is my son?” he demanded through gritted teeth.

 

“Now, now, Mr Maxwell. Your son and his nanny are quite safe. In fact, I'll take you to them in just a moment.” Duric leaned back as the waitress placed a coffee in front of him.

 

“Drink that shit and you won't be going anywhere, other than a hospital to get your stomach pumped,” Duo commented as he eyed the black coffee.

 

Duric looked at his coffee and Duo's largely untouched one. “That bad?”

 

“Let's just say I don't want you dead before I get my son. After that, I'll happily hook you up to an intravenous drip of the stuff.”

 

Duric glanced over and locked eyes with Duo. He shivered. Those violet depths held nothing but hatred, rage and the promise of a very messy end. He sure as hell hoped Nolen knew what the hell he was getting them all into.

 

Pulling his eyes away, Duric stood and dropped a few bills to the table. “Let's go. I warn you though, don't pull any stupid shit. If I don't report in regularly, the boss will start to carve up that child and the nanny.”

 

Duo growled low in his throat, buried his hands in his pockets and followed the guy out the door.

 

~ * ~

 

tbc...

 

Many thanks to all of you who are reading this story. To those of you who have left a review, I thank you for taking the time to let me know your thoughts on this fic. *hugs and Gundam Pilots*
Shen ^_^