Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Gods of War ❯ Noon ( Chapter 4 )

Title: Gods of War: Noon

Author: Shinigamis_Soul (AKA Starlight Soul, AzureInk_Parchment)

Beta: None… (I know, I'm lazy, I haven't responded to any of the offers yet)

Disclaimer: I don't own them; I only like to play with them.

Status: WIP

Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 5xS

Warnings: Torture, Angst, Preventor-ness, betrayal, Yaoi, Lemon (eventually),

Summary: The war has been over for years. Our pilots have worked hard to keep the peace they fought so hard to help create. Just months from retirement, Heero Yuy goes missing. Who is trying to capture the pilots and what is his connection to them?

 

Gods of War

Noon

 

They were exhausted by the time they reached the safe house. Trowa and Quatre spent the remainder of the trip alternating between passenger and driver. Duo had been oddly quiet since the discovery of the tracking device, all of his energy focused on Heero. Wufei moved into the backseat with his wife; the revelation of the nanites weighing heavily on his mind.

 

Wufei and Sally left the van to check the house. Guns drawn they slowly made their way through the small single story house. Once they finished a visual check from front to back, they took out Heero and Duo's hand held scanners and swept for bugs. Once it was deemed safe, they returned to the van to help bring in their supplies.

 

“I could sleep for a week,” murmured Quatre turning off the engine.

 

“Sally and I will take first watch,” said Wufei taking a look at the group. “Trowa, Quatre, will you assist me in setting the parameter?”

 

The green eyed man nodded while taking in the serious look between 05 and his wife. The glance conveyed the true depth of his concern while being stripped of his sarcasm. It was a full twenty minute conversation wrapped into one three second glance.

 

“Duo,” said Sally, “why don't you make some dinner while I check on Heero again. Once the two of you eat you are going to get some sleep.”

 

“Okay,” replied Duo softly moving towards the kitchen.

 

“Just fair warning,” replied Sally seriously as they made their way into the house.

 

As soon as they got Heero settled on the couch, Duo took off for the kitchen. Two pair of eyes watched in concern over his silence. Once the braided man was quietly working away in the kitchen, Sally turned her attention back to Heero. The chocolate haired man was looking better. With the help of the nanites, his strength was rapidly returning to that of a normal man his age. It wasn't up to his normal standards but it was better than she expected.

 

“Don't be too hard on him,” warned Heero as she examined his eyes. “He will be hard enough on himself for missing that tracker.”

 

“I realized that already,” she sighed, “He's been so subdued since we found it. I'm worried about him. He's been under so much stress since they took you. I'm pretty sure that he hasn't been sleeping.”

 

“He will endure,” answered Heero with a conviction that surprised her. “Duo has always been able to endure. It doesn't surprise me that he hasn't been sleeping. We have been chasing each others nightmares away since the wars. Don't underestimate him, Sally.”

 

“You're cleared to move around but I want you to continue taking in as much protein as your body demands. Nothing too strenuous for now, give yourself enough time to heal. I'll clear you for a weapon because of the situation,” sighed Sally. Loud enough to carry into the kitchen she called, “Duo, I'll finish dinner, go help your husband get cleaned up six weeks without a shower is too long.”

 

“Well, I wasn't going to say anything but it will make cuddling a little more pleasant,” joked Duo walking in with a towel in his hands. “I just started a big batch of chili; tell Fei to add chili powder to taste and don't let it stick to the bottom of the pan, I only got cheap ones here. There's frozen rolls in the freezer. Give us half an hour before you put them in the oven, which I so thoughtfully preheated for you.”

 

“I guess you've heard of my infamous cooking skills,” laughed Sally.

 

Heero tugged on Duo's braid to get his attention. “Ya ready `Ro?” asked Duo with a chuckle.

 

* * *

 

“These are his latest design,” murmured Wufei as he double checked and activated the pre-installed system.

 

“I have no doubt that this is his regular escape,” replied Quatre from his position, “I got worried once and tracked him down. The house is in the name of one Father Robert Maxwell and has been since before we were Gundam Pilots. I must admit, I underestimated him several times during the war. His network of contacts and safe houses is extensive.”

 

“He prefers to not use his contacts though he keeps in regular contact with them.” Wufei turned on the last sensor, before climbing down and rejoining the other two. “He has always been true to his motto.”

“I still, after all these years, think it's amazing how close the two of you have become,” Quatre said softly.

 

“Duo strives for friendship first and foremost,” explained Trowa. “His own need for those that can protect him led him to you and Heero, though I doubt he realized it. The two of you are the most obviously protective of the ones closest to you. Quatre, he sought to protect at first.”

 

“What about you?” questioned Wufei.

 

Trowa smirked, his one visible green eye twinkling. “He told me once, after the wars, that he didn't know what to make of me. You and Heero could be studied and your reactions predicted. Quatre, though deceptively innocent in appearance, can be just as easily predicted. He could not find ways to incite my anger to predict my reactions. Heero could read me better and it unnerved him. My appearance in several key places in the war only served to make him distrust me for a time. In the end, it was Heero's faith in me and Quatre's love that let him accept me.”

 

They were all left to think about Trowa's words as Quatre rummaged through the bag for the first wristwatch. He pointed the sensors to create the uplink and set it to the system before tossing it to Wufei. Once all six were set, they returned to the house where they were greeted by the scent of cooking food.

 

“Sally,” inquired Wufei stepping into the kitchen, “please tell me you're not cooking.”

 

Sally grinned before responding to the dark eyed man. “Duo put it together while I checked Yuy. He has a lot of pre-made and frozen food in the freezer. He must have spent days here cooking.”

 

Quatre handed Sally her wristwatch. “He has spent a lot of time here. Where did they go?”

 

“Yuy needed a shower, Duo is helping him,” replied Sally while examining the watch. “These are connected to the parameter alarms?”

 

“Yes, Wufei can show you how they work,” replied Quatre turning towards the interior of the house. “I'm going to leave these for them and check out the sleeping arrangements.”

 

* * *

 

Cool tile lined the bathroom in a gentle blue, the accents all a warm golden hue. The bath was a large sunken pool the likes of which he experienced only in Relena's mansions. On a nearby shelf fluffy blue towels waited for use. Heero sat on the closed lid of the toilet while Duo filled the tub with warm water and something smelling vaguely spicy.

 

“How are you feeling?” asked Duo softly still much more subdued than usual.

 

“Human,” replied Heero just as softly. While he waited for the tub to fill, he snagged Duo's belt loop and tugged the violet eyed man towards him. “Duo…”

 

Violet eyes stayed trained stubbornly on the floor. “I screwed up `Ro. I should have done a thorough scan.”

 

Heero sighed and tilted Duo's chin up to meet violet eyes. “Four or five years ago I would have chastised you. We haven't had need of these skills in a long time. It is a silly mistake and one I know you won't make again. I'm sure we'll all struggle to regain those old skills. Besides, this is the `02's oh shit plan',” Heero said giving him a quirky smirk, “where would we be without it?”

 

“Probably stuck in the stupid van till who knows when,” answered Duo giving him a small smile in return.

 

“You joining me?” asked Heero tugging on the end of Duo's braid.

 

“If you want,” replied Duo almost shyly.

 

Heero's brow furrowed in concern at Duo's behavior before a knock at the door disturbed them. Duo turned and opened the door giving him a view of Quatre.

 

“I just wanted to give you your alarms,” Quatre gave Duo a smile. “Thanks, Duo, for sharing your sanctuary.”

 

“Thanks Kat,” said Duo taking the wristwatches. “I would have shared it eventually.”

 

“If it was ever needed,” responded Quatre, “and we all understand that. Go help Heero.”

 

“Thanks Q-man,” replied Duo giving Quatre a smile before closing the door.

 

“I'll have to remember this is where you go,” sighed Heero softly before tugging the holder out of Duo's hair, “just so I don't worry so much.” He gently unraveled his husbands braid before spinning him around and wrapping his arms around him.

 

“God, I've missed you Heero,” groaned Duo letting his arms wrap around Heero.

 

“Me too, love you,” murmured Heero against Duo's stomach.

 

“Come on, before the tub overflows,” said Heero pulling on Duo's shirt.

 

He couldn't help but oblige as he turned his attention to Heero's clothing. Once they were comfortably seated in the tub, Duo worked a soft cloth over Heero's skin. A soft murmur prompted Heero to dunk his head before nimble fingers worked shampoo into the matted chocolate hair.

 

“This is gonna take two washings,” said Duo practically.

 

Heero nodded and moaned as Duo gently rubbed at his scalp. Dunking again to rinse, they quickly repeated the process before adding the conditioner. At Duo's order he left the conditioner soak in while the braided man washed his own hair. By the time Duo was telling him to rinse, He was getting sleepy again.

 

“Stay awake long enough to eat,” ordered Duo as he got them out, dried off, and dressed.

 

“Hn,” replied Heero softly.

 

“You're only getting away with that answer cause you're so tired,” chuckled Duo.

 

“You gonna braid that now?” questioned Heero sleepily.

 

“It really should dry,” replied Duo softly, “besides it's just the guys and Sally.”

 

Heero gave him a small encouraging smile as he slid a hair tie over Duo's wrist and a comb in his pocket, “Let's go get something to eat before I fall asleep.”

 

Duo led the way from the bathroom, his callused hand clasped around a comb as he tried to get the tangles out of wet hair. He took them through the living room and into the dining room where they found Trowa setting the table. The smell of warm bread and chili filled the air causing several stomachs to growl loudly.

 

“I've never seen you with your hair down,” exclaimed Quatre as he entered with the bread on a tray.

 

“Only a small handful of people have seen it down since Sister Helen started braiding it for me,” replied Duo with a shrug.

 

“What he's not saying,” supplied Heero, “is that the number is rising to six.”

 

“Sit down,” ordered Wufei bringing in the chili. His eyes widened at the sight of Duo. “Maxwell?”

 

“It's nothing Fei, just leave it be,” sighed Duo taking a seat next to Heero. “I know this isn't usually my line, but I think we need a plan.”

 

“I've been thinking about that,” admitted Quatre taking his a seat as well. “We're very vulnerable against some one that knows our collective weakness. I think that it's time to call in those people that we trust. Zechs, Noin, and Hilde are gathered with Une as we speak. Hiding isn't going to solve anything.”

 

“Quatre's right, we need people that aren't going to be susceptible to the EM pulse,” said Heero accepting a bowl of chili from Trowa. “Zechs, Noin, and Hilde are good, good enough to assist us. The next question is do we stay here one night or do we leave now and show up at Une's office today?”

 

“How far from headquarters are we?” asked Sally, “You managed to lose me while I was sleeping.”

 

“Just a couple of miles,” replied Duo. “If we're going, it has to be right after we eat. I recommend giving her a call with less than a mile from headquarters.”

 

“That's a good idea.” Wufei dunked some of his bread. “It will also give us a chance to rest. We've been on the run for six weeks without end, even during the war we had time to rest.”

 

“If you count sleeping in the Gundams,” grumbled Duo.

 

“At least we had time to sleep,” snapped Wufei.

 

Heero ran his hand through his hair and sighed, “Quatre, what are our chances without help?”

 

“A hundred times worse than we had in the war. Just having help from Zechs more than doubles our chances of survival. We can't do this alone simply because Cronus knows about the nanites,” anger crept into the blond man's voice. “I say we go tonight.”

 

“It sounds like we're all agreed then,” said Sally. “We're going to headquarters once we've finished eating.”