Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ In the City at Night ❯ Original Sin ( Chapter 29 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

A/N: Okay, so I wrote two chapters last night and intended to up them, but didn't get to...so that means that the last one y'all would have read is 26, so my apologies. I slipped...thanks for the reveiws and I'll try to be more prompt in the future.

Original Sin

Jon moved into the hall with his possessions and a mildly amazed expression as he met Jordan's eyes.

"Sorry you got stuck here for three months," Jordan muttered to his friend, following him toward the doors. He took the guy's bag from him and smiled slightly. "I'll talk to Duty about getting you a pass, huh? That way you can get in and out. I'm pretty sure we get a handful of'em...you just had best not bring any drugs."

Jon gave him a very disgusted look as the man's car pulled into the parking lot. "I'm just shocked that I can leave like this."

"Well," Jor shrugged slightly, "We've already had one murder on the base. It's obvious someone figured out how to fool our cameras. I already know that no one will dare touch you in Angels. I made my case this morning," Jordan lit a cigarette he'd filched from Wufei and winked slightly at his friend. "They're gonna send a guy with you, to make sure you're safe. I tried to get us assigned to it, but they've got us thrown out in sweeps all month, plus I have to train my crew. I'll visit on weekends when I can."

"I still think Lamb might be an issue," Jordan ventured with a slight smirk.

Jordan smirked back, "Funny, the thought had actually crossed my mind." He got a grin for that and exhaled, "I'll talk to Une."

"You're a true friend, Jordan...Duo...whatever the hell your name is."

"I have a name in every culture," Jordan noted with another smirk. "I have a different face in every culture; sometimes I'm male, sometimes I'm female...sometimes I'm neither and sometimes I'm both."

"I heard something a while back," Jon muttered, considering his memory for a moment, then met Jordan's eyes properly again. "What is the devil's due?"

The sound around them changed, and the dry dusty smell of summer suddenly shifted. Jordan watched the first sweep of fall rain, listening as the pattering of raindrops surrounded them. There was a flash and they both blinked...as thunder tore across the sky above them. The roar was loud, and deep enough to rattle glass. In the distance, a car alarm was set off...

"How appropriate," Jon noted as a warm wind ripped past them, looking to the sky.

"We should probably wait inside or something," Jordan noted.

"No," Jon returned, looking around. "I want to get home. My sister was freaking out that I'd been kept here this long."

"Remember what I told you before," Jordan reminded him as they started moving toward the car. "Keep your head low and your dealings on a minimal level."

"I know," Jon reassured him, smiling slightly. "I don't intend to be thrown in prison. This was bad enough," he gestured toward the base, though the courtrooms opened to the main-road, so they were only barely on the base. "I had Chai here, and this was bad enough."

"I'm not moving back to Angels," Jordan muttered, moving to the man's trunk as the guy popped it open with a push of a button. "If I come asking for work again, I'm either on a mission, or running. I'd appreciate it if you just assumed I was running."

"That's fine," Jon reassured him as he watched his friend throw the bag into the car. "I think you owe me something, though."

"Like what?" Jordan returned, raising an eyebrow, "Last I recall, you owe me a couple grand." He tossed the cigarette into one of the forming rivulets of water.

"That's right, you got shot for me," Jon smiled, looking to his leg and shaking his head as he extended his hand. "I guess we are even."

Jordan pulled him into a brief hug, meeting his eyes, "What were you going to ask me?"

Jon smirked, "Nothing. We're even."

There was another flash of lighting to their left, and they watched it dance in the sky before the almost immediate rumble of thunder.

"I guess I should get in the car," Jon muttered, pulling Jor in for another hug, then brushing his lips very slightly. "Take care of yourself, and take care of that girl of yours."

"I intend to," Jordan reassured him, following him around toward the driver's seat. "You have to remember, I took care of her since I met her."

"That's a good point," Jon muttered, sliding into the car and taking his keys from the waiting soldier. "I've got your cell, so it's not like this is a final parting, huh?"

"Yeah, you live about forty minutes away," Jor looked in the general direction of Angels as more lighting flashed.

"Sir, we need to get out of the open," the soldier muttered nervously, touching Jordan's arm.

Jordan nodded at him, then touched Jon's face and smiled at him.

Jon considered that a moment, looking down, then met his eyes. "You realize that Mouthy could be a target, don't you? The people you care about...if you start becoming too much a hassle for them."

The thought chilled Jordan to the bone.

"That boy is sweet," Jon added, still studying his friend.

"Sir," the solider persisted as thunder rumbled again.

Jordan nodded his approval, stepping back as his friend closed the door.

The rain thickened.

Jordan slammed the flat of his hand twice on the roof in parting as he moved back, and got a huge grin for it since it was something he'd do for readiness when he'd been playing bodyguard for the kingpin.

That already seemed a lifetime away.

The soldier jumped at another flash of lighting, then gave up on the superior and darted for the protection of the building.

Thunder rumbled again as Jordan watched Jon cross the parking lot, then pull out almost without stopping...and fly down the road. He didn't know if the man looked back, and he didn't know if he'd have anything to look back for...but Jordan knew that in some way he'd become Duo again.

Lightning danced not far off, and as the thunder nearly shook the ground around him, Jordan realized something.

He would never be Duo again...but he'd never stopped being the god of death. In a sense, he'd lost his tie to hell...because Angels was the most inappropriately named place that could have existed on the planet or on the colonies. He'd lost his immediate care for the place, but that didn't mean he'd stop sending people there.

Of course, for all that it was a small sinking boat, Jon's willingness to pay people who worked for him gave them a chance at a better life. He gave them a chance out of hell...so maybe the kingpin was savior? Maybe a man who sold the worst addictive drugs, the most disgusting poisons...who thrived on money and had no other drives but his own personal satisfaction...was a savior. That was the legend of gods, wasn't it? Selfish, self-centered...wanting worship, and giving favors.

Lightning flashed, and this time Jordan got a sense of danger from it as the thunder boomed. He turned, noting slightly that Jon's car was finally turning from the end stop sign. He moved toward the court building again to see Heero standing at the end of the stairs with his hands in his pockets, and started for him.

"You all right?" the Japanese man asked in a very quiet voice when they were close enough.

"I'm a god, Chance," Jordan returned with a slight smile. "I was born of no woman to no man, I coalesced out of nothingness of my will alone. I'm alive and powerful..."

"And wet," Heero cut him off, grinning slightly. "And very wet."

"Yes, and wet," Jordan agreed, plucking at his shirt "Wet and cold."

Heero smirked at him.

Jordan turned to see Jon's car disappearing far distant along the road.

"Let's call this your birthday," Heero suggested, starting across the parking lot toward their cars as the idea hit. "September first sounds a lot like a pagan holiday."

"If you say so." Jor muttered, digging his own keys from his pockets, "You ever decide on one for yourself?"

Heero stopped, turning to meet his friend's eyes, studying the bedraggled chunks of hair in some amusement...as more lightning flashed and more thunder rumbled. "You need a hair cut."

"Yes, I do," Jordan ran his fingers through his hair. "Where's Fei?"

"His team is meeting to discuss a retraining," Heero shrugged.

"You ever decide on a birthday for yourself?"

Heero stopped, turning to study him again and grin. "I was born of no woman to no man. I coalesced out of the void of my own volition. I'm alive and powerful. I choose no one day for my worship, but receive it every day."

Jordan snickered as they reached the spot to split for their own cars, "Which is why you haven't gotten laid in a week."

"Yes," Heero agreed, moving toward the front of his rig. "We really need to fix that."

"Royal plural doesn't work for gods," Jor stated easily, unlocking his doors. "And there's no way I could help get you laid."

"Oh, I dunno. Not only did you get me laid, but you made it so everyone was all right with it. Do it again." The man opened the door to his vehicle.

Jordan smirked at him, dropping into the seat, "That's hardly a prayer."

Heero smirked as he slid into his own car, "I'll think of something."

X x X x X

"Okay," Corringer muttered as he moved along the breezeway with his hands crammed into his pockets. "This is getting ridiculous."

"Patience is a virtue," Crater reminded him. "I heard that Baits is heading back to his manor."

"Good, he'll be easier to access there."

"Marquise is heading back to his, too."

"Mm, that's exciting."

"You have something personal against the man, don't you?"

"He's just one of many fuckers I can't stand," Corringer shrugged. "What about Beedus?"

"I'm not entirely sure."

"Miss Elizabeth?"

"She was locked down in a Brazilian base. I haven't heard any more about her."

"Zerone?"

"I'm not even going to attempt the actual presidentials, Corringer. I'm not that stupid."

"We'll have to figure something out sooner than later," Corringer noted. "But that's not your worry. Send men after them."

"You didn't ask me what the bad news was," Crater noted, tilting his head very slightly.

"There's bad news here?" Corringer frowned slightly as the pair stopped.

"The Gundam pilots...they're all leaving. No one has been told where they're going, but the timing coincides nicely. Breer's gone, you realize that don't you?"

"I talked to Terry," Corringer agreed with a frown. "He left a week ago and they never got to talk, so he's upset about it. He's heading back to his manor, too."

Crater nodded slightly, hesitating as he thought.

"I have some shit to do," Corringer muttered. "Get our people going. I want them to find out what those damn pilots think they're doing."

"All right," Crater stopped. "I'll see you tonight, then."

Nothing else was said, and Heero watched Crater move quickly back toward his own car with interest as he and Jordan hunkered down on the rooftop. The pair exchanged a look as the car pulled out, then listened intently.

Matthew studied the empty breezeway behind himself a long moment before deciding he was just being paranoid. There was obviously no one in hearing range. He moved into the building, heading toward the lower halls.

"Shit," Jordan muttered as his foot slipped out on the wet tiles, sliding a few feet as he also scrambled for a handhold.

Heero started laughing, sliding more carefully down himself and assisting his friend to regain his traction.

"Shut-up," Jordan grumbled, feeling his cheeks color very slightly as he started sliding down the edge. He lowered himself slowly until his feet hit the half-wall, then stepped slightly aside to help guide his friend over the edge.

"I told you this was a good place to sit," Heero muttered, brushing his rear off a bit. "If you keep low and quiet, no one notices you."

"You think anyone would flip if I took Xane with me?"

"Why?" Heero asked somewhat skeptically, feeling a pit in his stomach. He'd realized that it was well within Jordan's self-control to maneuver a situation around so he could place a few well-aimed shots.

"Jon noted that he could be a target," the man shrugged slightly, looking to his feet. He dropped off the low wall onto the sidewalk. "If he's willing to beat someone around just for kicks, I don't want to find out what he'll do if we irritate him."

His comment on atrocities crossed Heero's mind again and he nodded somewhat. Having Mouthy with Jordan would certainly ease the burden on his mind somewhat. That was the only reason he had any issues with their plan to stay with the leaders for the week. Granted, having Jordan working on Xane's safety as much as he himself would definitely ease the situation.

"That...yeah," Heero muttered finally. "I approve of it, we can get the others to, too."

"How will we explain it to him, though?" Jor slowed to study his comrade seriously. "If none of you are taking seconds, how should we explain it?"

"Honestly," Heero shrugged slightly. "You noted yourself that he's associated with you. Besides, it'll piss off James."

That made Jordan smirk. Xane's main boyfriend was an irritation in the best of situations.

"You might want to...to..." Heero hesitated as his mind flashed back to the severe beatings he'd received in his youth, then shuddered away from the memory.

"Hm?" Jordan asked, starting for the building and glancing to the man.

"Nothing," Heero muttered. "I was going to suggest something that would probably horrify you."

"Like what?"

Heero looked away a moment, then started toward the guy, "Beat him."

Jordan stopped, looking to him in disbelief.

"Like I said, never mind."

"He like...thrives on physical affection, and you want me to hit him?" The idea actually offended Jordan.

"I say again," Heero muttered, moving past him. "Never mind."

"That is the singly most fucked up thing you have ever suggested, Yuy," Jordan persisted, keeping pace with the faster strides. "You've said some real shit to me, but this takes the fuckin' cake."

"You're wearing your rank," Heero muttered. "Don't talk like a street-rat."

"Don't try to change the topic. Why did that thought even cross your mind? Shit, I don't even think that's legal."

Heero shrugged noncommittally, starting for the stairs.

Jordan stared after him a moment, still offended. He changed his focus toward the floor level instead of ascending the stairs, then looked around as something caught his attention. It was a feeling more than anything, and he wondered how much of it was that Quatre was connected to him...at any rate, his eyes landed on Xane himself as the guy talked into his cell phone with a happy smile.

Jordan took a step toward him, then turned his head sharply as that something that had distracted him prickled...to see Corringer standing at the end of a hall with his arms crossed and his focus completely on the green-eyed male.

Anger, fear, and something else flashed through Jordan's senses and he found his hand had strayed toward his weapon.

...brutally, and publicly...

"Maxwell!" Xane bounced as he noticed his superior, closing his phone and lowering it as he saluted. He still had that happiness about him as he bounced across the room, "Morning, oh great leader."

Jordan returned the smile slightly, then turned to meet eyes with Corringer. Xane stopped next to him and followed his focus until he saw Corringer himself, blinking as a sick feeling of uncertainty weighed down in his stomach.

Corringer stood straighter as he noticed Jordan's attention, reminded of the guy's irritation when they'd been on the breezeway. He looked back to Xane, then backed up another step and turned, disappearing down the hall.

"If he's ever near you," Jordan said levelly, looking back to his second, "You'd better call us."

"Sir," Xane muttered, blinking at the order that even sounded like the one Heero'd given.

"Come on, let's go up to my office," he turned and started toward the stairs, the idea of his own office making him feel a little better. Une had converted a small office and part of an overly large utility closet into an office for Jordan in the area by those of his friends.

"Well, sir," Xane loosened his tie with a grin, "I didn't know that was allowed."

Jordan snickered, turning to give him a 'hush' sort of look, "Who has to find out?"

Xane started laughing.

X x X x X

"Heero overheard Corringer saying he'd perform some atrocities on Xane to keep Jordan docile," Wufei explained to Morgan as the pair rode in the back seat of Heero's SUV. Mario, Heero's second, was sitting in the passenger seat. "He insisted that Xane go with him...you've seen the two of them. Shit, they got me to start doing it."

"I don't mind being petted too badly," Morgan muttered with a grin.

"Yeah, but Danielle's giving me shit," Wufei considered the girl a moment, then sighed regretfully. "Don't let me forget to get her something while we're gone."

"Um, there's no way I hell you yourself would forget," Morgan noted. "She's got you whipped you know."

"Mm...but it's so nice," Wufei nearly purred the words as Mario snickered and Heero grinned. "Get a girlfriend, Morgan. They do wondrous things for your outlook on life."

Morgan laughed.

"My point, though," Wufei noted, "is that you'd have to be deaf and blind not to see how attached Jor is to the little mouth. If I wanted something to hold..."

"My thought would be his girlfriend," Morgan protested.

"Shit, Duo's?" Heero asked, looking in the review mirror. "There was an incident once before we ran where his girlfriend was put in a safe room," the guy glanced to Mario. "He'd infiltrated the place before us, and by the time we got there..."

Wufei shuddered at the memory of the blood. "You don't touch Jordan's girlfriends unless you're ready to lose yourself and your men."

"I'm starting to see some definite benefits to his friendship," Morgan noted to Mario.

"Until you add in the bit where it makes you a target," Mario suggested. "The two things make it come out about even with or without him."

"Hm, point."

Wufei marveled a moment at the very civil conversation they were holding, deciding that Chai's making them cooperate in her house was a very good thing.

"The thing with Jordan," Heero added, "is that he has a history more tied to his personal life than we do...well," Heero glanced at Wufei. "Not all of us."

"No," Wufei reassured him, "she went out of her own accord to protect us...and when they....uh..." the Chinese man's throat constricted as he refused to let himself remember and tried to think of some sort of summation.

"What went down with him to make him so blood-thirsty?" Morgan asked quickly. He'd talked the story out of Wufei before and felt no need in seeing the man's complete and utter grief ever again. He also didn't want his friend exposed to the raw emotions like that. He noted Heero studying his eyes in the mirror and averted his own.

Mario looked to his leader a moment, then back toward Wufei expectantly.

"Rebels," Heero shrugged. "He was just some orphan in just some church when the rebels came and took the place hostage and sent him to fetch an MS for them from the local base...by the time he got back, there was no one left alive."

"Ooh," Mario flinched hard at that. "I'd heard of that one."

"He's always had a group of varying degrees around him," Heero added, thinking back to the friends that'd gravitated to the braided male fondly. "It was no different when he was young. Shit went down and he stowed on some ship, and because the pilot of Deathscythe because of it."

"So...he just goes berserk?"

"Oh no," Wufei laughed a bit coldly. "He's perfectly lucid. There's a reason he's the god of death."

"He was born of no woman to no man," Heero noted, grinning slightly. "Willed himself of the void."

"I told you to stop reading those damn epics," Wufei muttered as Morgan blinked at the guy's head.

"He said it himself, Wufei," Heero muttered, glancing to him. "You're not fair to me."

"How about you?" Mario muttered to Wufei, looking to the ceiling. "I never did get a straight story on why you joined."

"Now that's just fucking stupid," Morgan sighed, looking out his window with a hand to his mouth.

"What?" Mario asked, blinking at the man.

"My...wife," Wufei said quietly, looking out his own window.

Their voices were quiet as they explained his immersion into the world that had taken him over, and when he hesitated over the information of his colony's destruction, Heero interjected with information he knew Mario was more interested in. His own story. He'd never told his second about the happenings that brought him to war.

For all that they'd never pretended to get along before, Morgan made a comment so absolutely dripping with respect that Heero did a double take. He'd always assumed the man just didn't like him, and had been completely content with the assessment, but there was something in the man's manner that suggested his attitude was a reaction.

"So why am I in this car heading to god knows where with two men who saved the world?" Mario asked no one in particular.

"We didn't save the world," Heero noted, reading a sign to be sure they were heading the right direction. "And we're going to Zachary Baits' to camp out with him."

"Why am I here?" Mario persisted.

"Yuy overheard Corringer saying he'd perform some atrocities on Mouthy to keep Maxwell docile," Morgan noted with a grin. "Maxwell insisted that Mouthy go with him."

Mario started laughing.