Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Reservations For Sanity ❯ Chapter 5

Title: Reservations For Sanity

Authors: Skeren Dreamera, Makoto Sagara, and Bagelbunion

Archive: www.afallenangel.net/makotosagara/frames/fanfiction.html , www.fanfiction.net , www.foreverfandom.net (under Makoto Sagara) www.gundam-wing-fanfiction.net , www.mediaminer.org , and www.nfiction.net , (under Skeren Dreamera) (any others… Good luck finding them)

Category: AU, Shounen ai, Het, Action/Adventure

Pairings: 4+1, 3+5+3, 2+6, R+11, OCxOC, very subject to change

Rating: R

Contact: Skeren Dreamera: Mickeofas@yahoo.com Makoto Sagara: SagaraMakoto@aol.com Bagelbunion: Bagelbunion@cox.net

Spoilers: Yes, Romefeller for almost the whole story line

Warnings: shounen ai, shoujo ai, het, language, violence, OOC, AU timeline from Antarctica on, angst, crazy muses and authors, too little sleep?

Disclaimers: All we own are our original characters and the story line. Everything else belongs to this hideously long list of companies with lots of lawyers who could get our pennies. So, seeing as how that's been said, please don't sue. Mako needs to save her money to move to Texas!! We sure as hell don't get any money off of this…Just have fun.

Notes: Wufei tries to figure Trowa out, and Duo sneaks onto the OZ base for a conversation with Treize and Zechs.

.

Begin part five

Quatre sighed as he tried to digest the news that he and Heero had received from Wufei about the people Trowa had them meet. "Heero... What do you think about this... proposal?"

Heero considered Quatre for a moment and let out a breath. "It has potential."

"Potential? I don't like the way Wufei seemed ready to kill the one female... Something just doesn't... fit."

"Like why he would consider it in the first place?" Heero looked over at Quatre, his thoughts well concealed.

"No. I was thinking more along the lines of why would OZ, an enemy, consider siding with a small team of rebels? There's something off about this whole thing. I'd like to know more about this Skeren Dalren."

Heero lips twitched. "As I said, like why he would consider it in the first place. I believe the meeting is supposed to do that. Do we try the meeting, a place of our choosing?"

"I suppose we have little choice in the matter... I just hope this isn't a trap to catch us all and kill us, thus ending the war in one way. But you're right... it should be on our terms."

"If they insisted anything else, they would be denied." Heero nodded a bit.

"Of course," Quatre replied with a cold smile.

Heero just smirked back. "Then, maybe we should all decide when this would be."

"That means we should probably talk to Duo, Trowa and Wufei... Since I'm sure they didn't leave before getting contact information."

Heero nodded slightly. "That would be. Who should we start with?"

"Wufei again? Hmmm.... No, more than likely Duo, or Trowa...."

Heero nodded a bit. "Duo would tell the other two if we can't locate them."

"Do you want to contact him, or should I?" Quatre asked.

Heero considered it. "You. He'll know my standpoint if you tell him. If I did, he wouldn't be able to determine yours."

"I suppose you're right." Quatre quickly dialed into Deathscythe's link. "Duo?"

Duo answered, still amused that he'd been grouched at for taking the phone. The woman had the most interesting numbers on it; he'd been tracing them. "Yes?"

"How was your fact-finding mission?" Quatre had decided to start off small, and hopefully Duo would spill. If not, he was prepared to be as blunt as possible.

"Stole the nice politician's phone. She sure has some different contacts in here." Duo shook his head, still amazed by the sheer variety of people he'd gotten the information for. He hadn't been stupid enough to call any of them.

"Hmmm, why am I not surprised?" Quatre quirked an eyebrow. "Anyway, the reason I contacted you was that Heero and I are ready to join the three of you for the meeting with OZ."

"Good, so when is it? I can tell her when I give her phone back tonight. That way we don't have to monitor anything." Duo grinned at the screen. "Amazing as it is, I think this can work." Duo laughed a bit. "She even got respect out of Wufei."

Quatre stood there gaping. "She... did... what?"

Duo nodded immediately. "Yes! He was going on and on about the other chick, but said not one word against missy politics after she yelled at him. If she can do that, I think she can do this."

Quatre snorted. "I suppose Wufei has met a female him in the other one? Well, I suggest that we meet them tomorrow... afternoon. Any suggestions as to the location?"

Duo gnawed at his lip. "Yeah. Remember that huge park down towards the south of the city? There's that pavilion there that we can meet. It's deep enough in no casual observers will be around, and we can make sure that it isn't bugged or trapped if we get there earlier."

"I know exactly the place. Call Wufei and Trowa... and then contact the other group. Two PM, tomorrow afternoon, but we all meet there at noon to set up, okay?"

Duo nodded at Quatre. "Alright, sounds good to me. See ya!"

"Later." Quatre then turned around to Heero after cutting the link. "Acceptable, no?"

Meanwhile, Wufei had been puzzling over his reaction to Trowa's secret, finding it hard to stop obsessing over the point. So, after a few hours of pointless brooding, he decided to tap into Heavyarms' inner camera and see that the other teen was up to. Trowa was staring into space, calm as ever, and he had some light music on in the background. Wufei just stared, unable to tear his eyes from the serene look on the banged youth's face. He had only seen similar looks on those in a highly meditative state. Besides, the music was sort of nice. Trowa leaned back stretching his arms and closing his eyes. Wufei felt his mouth go dry as he continued to watch Trowa's languidly slow movements. He was at a loss for words to accurately describe what he was watching.

Trowa laughed and turned off his music, deciding that he had the munchies and now it was time for a snack. "Score!" Trowa yelled as he found some chocolate graham crackers stashed in Heavyarms. He opened the box and began to eat. It was a while later that Trowa sat back up and leaned forward and pressed a button on his panel. His face popped up in Nataku's cockpit. "There something you find interesting. Wufei?" He smiled slightly.

Wufei felt his face flush, and he silently cursed himself. "No," he ground out, cutting the link quickly and then he started to curse, out loud, in Chinese. about being an idiot who couldn't keep his mind off of foolish things.

Heero inclined his head slightly to Duo and quirked his lips. "Acceptable." He cut off the connection and moved to page the other two. "We have a time and place for the meeting tomorrow."

Wufei blinked as he heard Heero's comment come over his link. "Time? Place?" He waited for the answer, not turning on the video component because he was still flushed from being caught by Trowa.

"What meeting?" Came the rather fumbled response from Trowa.

"Yes, two PM is when they should be there, but we are going to set up about noon. It's going to be in the park, south side of the city at the pavilion. Meet us there at noon." Heero waited for confirmation he was heard.

Wufei answered quickly, eager to get off the comm line "Fine."

Quatre leaned over, worried that it was taking Trowa so long to answer. "Trowa? Did you catch that?"

"Catch what?" Trowa was still blinking at him.

Heero looked to Quatre with some confusion.

"I'm just fucking with you. Quatre, I got it." Trowa smiled and shut the link before Quatre could comment.

Heero eyed the blank screen, and then moved back. "That was... Odd."

Quatre smiled a bit weakly and then looked at Wufei's part of the screen. "Wufei, why can I see you?"

"I found it not necessary for you to be able to see me." Wufei's voice was annoyed.

"Ah, is that so? Well, tomorrow then," Quatre said, shutting the link between the three of them. "Ok," he said, whirling around to Heero. "What the hell is wrong with those two?"

Heero was mildly disappointed when Quatre answered and closed the link. He'd had an answer that would have made Duo proud. "I'm certain that something unusual occurred that they didn't share with us."

"Unusual, my ass... Trowa seems to have a sense of humor, and that stick up Wufei's ass is a lot pricklier than normal." Quatre stopped, realizing what he said. "That was horribly out of character... I've been spending too much time with Duo, I see."

"Don't worry. I wanted to ask Wufei why he only just noticed that the screen didn't have to be on." Heero gave a slight smirk.

Quatre paused in his thoughts. "Maybe he found the need for it all of a sudden..."

"It is possible." Heero nodded slightly, conceding the point.

While the other two debated, Trowa was mercilessly cracking up in his Gundam. He paused and took a breath and then starting laughing again a little more subdued this time. Trowa got a hold of himself, mumbling something about confusing Quatre before saying, "Shit... I am stoned." He chuckled a little more and hoped that Heero hadn't hacked into his system, but as far as he could tell only Wufei was watching him and he was wondering if he should give him a little show. He snickered again.

Wufei, was scowling, wondering what the hell had come over Trowa for him to behave the way he was... It took a moment, but it was then that he realized that the Heavyarms pilot was probably high. Wufei considered that his curiosity was not worth trying to watch Trowa again. His face flushed once more, and he closed his eyes to clear his mind. Meditation was very much needed at that point.

In a separate location.

Duo nodded to himself, leaving his Gundam in hiding and then moving into town, deciding that now was as good of a time as any to go visit the political chick, and he figured that stealing a car was the best means to get there. The fact that it was still daylight didn't even faze him. He got to the base, ditching the car in a suitable walking distance before strolling in, effectively dodging guards and locating a security station to figure out where the woman he was here to locate was at. Duo found the woman, and got a rather... interesting... look at Noin and Sally on Noin's desk before finding Skeren in Zechs' office.

"Hmm, might as well meet that one in person first, huh?" Then, Duo smirked, heading down to the currently crowded room. It was astoundingly easy to disable the cameras for the room, and he strolled right in as if he owned the place. "Hello. It's Zechsy, Missy, Ojousan, Doro, and you missy politics! You I have a gift for!" He took out her cell phone, grinning as Skeren's eyes focused on it.

Makoto looked up as the door opened. "Why, it's the pretty braided boy. 'Lo, Duo." Makoto couldn't help but snicker. "Ah, he's so prompt... in deliverin' things back to their owners after he steals 'em."

Dorothy snickered as well, while Relena just sighed. "I thought on a base I would be safe from your antics."

Duo glanced over to Relena and laughed. "Look who's talking!" He moved forward extending the phone back to it's owner.

Dorothy shook her head as Skeren took her phone back, immediately looking through it to see if it was messed with. "Relena is leaving Yuy alone now. She's set her sights on someone else."

Makoto snorted. "Yes, and a lovely aspect that's gonna be, too..."

Relena glared at Dorothy before looking at Duo. "I can talk for myself. Due to Heero's lack of interest, I've decided to extend my attentions to the Lady Angel instead."

Zechs rolled his eyes. "Is there a reason for you presence, Maxwell? Or shall I alert security?"

Duo turned his full attention on Zechs, who was still backed up into a corner, and grinned. "No, I have a reason, as you've seen. Besides, it isn't exactly the best way to win me over if you're going to go callin' the cops on me, now is it?" He moved around the desk getting between Zechs and it.

Makoto laughed and Zechs glared at her. "Well, please, tell me you have more than just that to do, and then I might reconsider my idea."

"Now now, you have got to be kidding me. What do you expect me to do? Try and kill ya? You might end up being too cute to kill if I can just get a look under that mask of yours. No, I'm here to tell you where the lot of you are meeting with us tomorrow."

Zechs refrained from commenting about the mask retort. "Really?"

"Yes really. Are you deafened with that thing?" Duo reached out, poking at Zechs' chest.

Zechs looked less than pleased "Care to illuminate the rest of us, or are you going to continue to belittle me?"

"I thought the first thing I said sounded rather like a compliment myself." Duo licked his lips a little, and then grinned. "At two PM. Y'know to give you a little time to organize. Sally can come by the way." As if on cue, there was a loud scream from the direction of Noin's office.

Makoto grinned. "Sounds like Noin and Sally are having fun right now. So, where are we meetin' you and your pretty lil friends, Duo, darlin'?"

Duo laughed a bit. "It sure looked like it. Moment I got an eyeful of that I decided to keep searching. No offense or anything, but I did not want to see a naked woman, let alone two." Duo shook his head.

Skeren snickered. "Hear that Makoto? He's out of your league."

Makoto pouted. "Awww... too bad... But, tell me, where are we meetin' y'all?"

Duo sighed in exaggerated fashion. "That park south of the city. In the pavilion where nobody ever goes. Any unwelcome company will be spotted."

"And killed on sight. I dun like busybodies," Makoto said, glaring at the OZ colonel.

Duo shook his head a bit, leaning his head back to look at Makoto. "C'mon now, we aren't all murderers here. Just knocking em out'll do."

Zechs glared back. "I will inform Treize about that. Thank you." He left his cramped office, glad to be somewhere were the walls didn't feel like they were closing in on him. Duo let Zechs go by, but took the opportunity to give the taller man an unexpected pinch.

Makoto laughed. "Well, darlin', you might not be, but I am... And witnesses are not somethin' you want when doin' your job." She checked her watch. "Oops, gotta go. Duty calls. I'll let Riku-honey know."

Skeren pouted, but gave Makoto a hug. "Bring him there, alright? Tomorrow?"

Makoto shot a look at Skeren before she left. "No problem, but, Sky, know how I can borrow a car or somethin'?"

Skeren make a face. "Not if you are going near our dear Riku."

Duo piped up. "You can take my car! It's over by the south end of the complex."

"How are you leavin' here if I take your car?" She flicked one of her black braids out of the way.

"I'll just get a new one. Go on." He gestured a bit, grinning widely.

"Keys?" She held out her hand. "Or... did ya get it a lil less than honorably?"

"I always have honor. I might have returned it if I hadn't totaled it, but go on ahead." He grinned at her.

"I'm not askin'. I'll live longer..." Makoto muttered, readjusting her huge bag before leaving. She found the car where he said it was. "Totaled my ass… It's just a scratch." She shrugged, got in, and took off, trying to find somewhere she could get some new clothes and a few supplies before meeting her white haired partner.

Duo spun to face the three women left in the room. "So, Missy Politics, what nickname would you like better?"

Skeren laughed. "Just call me Sky. You might want to go."

Zechs knocked on Treize's office, waiting until he heard the call to enter. "Sir, we've had contact from the Gundam pilots, and a time and place has been established."

"By contact, I assume you mean Maxwell snuck on base and informed you of the time and place?" Treize said it with a smile.

Zechs nodded once. "Yes, sir."

"Is there something else, Zechs?" Treize wasn't sure what to make of the fact that Zechs seemed reluctant to leave his office.

"No, nothing, Treize. It's the park in the south quarter of the city. The one with the pavilion at two PM." More delaying was clear by how he was parceling out the information.

"Ah, thank you. I shall tell Une and Noin, but later. They both seem to be... detained... at the moment." Treize was watching Zechs with amusement.

Zechs flushed. "Yes, well, as far as Noin is concerned. I think I should tell her, sir."

"As you wish." Treize gestured that Zechs could go.

Duo nodded to Skeren. "Of course, a pleasure, as always, dear ladies." He gave a flip bow, and then moved out the door. He thought he knew where Zechs went, and he'd much rather drop in himself to test his sincerity. He effectively stopped Zechs leaving that office too. "Hello again!"

Zechs and Treize both blinked. "Good afternoon, Mister Maxwell," Treize said standing up to greet his guest. "How may I help you?"

Duo grinned and shook his head a little. "Just testing the waters. If I get arrested, it won't exactly be the first time, see?"

Treize inclined his head. "Ah, yes, I quite agree, but I don't think I will have you arrested this time. Is there something else I can help you with?"

Duo moved to a chair and settled into it, giving Zechs a bright smile. "Do you pinch Zechsy over there on a regular basis?" Duo couldn't resist. After all, if Treize was going to be an ally, he wanted to see if he had a sense of humor.

Treize gave a look to Zechs, which caused his lieutenant to stand straighter and remain silent. "Yes, on a very regular basis. It keeps him in line."

"Must explain his lack of reaction then." Duo swung his feet, looking rather dainty sitting in that seat as he grinned at Treize. "Glad to see I don't have to teach all the new people how to have a sense of humor."

Treize smiled in spite of himself. "What ever do you mean, Mr. Maxwell? We all have a sense of humor. But yours is a special brand."

"Of course! There can only be one Duo Maxwell after all. You can spot a faker a mile away." Duo wasn't exactly relaxed, but he wasn't in a hurry either. If all else failed, he could go out the window.

"Yes, but might I convince you not to provoke either Zechs or Colonel Une tomorrow?"

Duo turned his head to look at Zechs. "But why? I bet I could figure out how to make 'em blush a great shade of red."

"Oh, that is quite simple, and once we've become acquainted longer, I will tell you how." Treize laughed at Zechs' gurgled response. "My Lady is not quite happy with the meeting, so I ask you to expressly refrain from provoking her."

Duo sighed and pouted a little. "Ah well, at least I can still bother Wufei!" A positively evil grin crossed his face. "You really should have heard the comment he made about you. He practically convinced me he was gay, and never saw how I was getting that message."

"Excuse me?" Treize asked, feeling a bit bothered about that last comment of Duo's. "Chang is gay?"

"More than likely not, but he sure has an interesting way of speaking at times when he refers to guys. Uses things that could easily be considered innuendo, but not when he talks about women. Don't mean to tell me you never talked to the guy before you beat him at swords did ya?"

"I'm sorry to say I never had the chance. He was quite set on trying to take my head off with that saber of his," Treize said, amused by the memory.

"Well, he did say that. He said he didn't want a woman; just that he wanted your head. That's how he always phrases it too." Duo's lips twitched and he glanced from one to the other. If they hadn't been enemies up till now, he could have made friends before. He liked them.

"Yes, well.... He certainly has an interesting way of putting things," Treize said, and he could have sworn that he heard Zechs muttering about nasty Asians.

Duo just grinned more widely. "How tall are you two anyway?"

Treize blinked. "I am 181 cm. Zechs is 184 cm. May I ask why?" (A/N Treize is 5'11" Zechs is 6')

Duo held his hands together. "Perfect. Thank you for sharing that bit of information with me."

Zechs frowned. "What are you going to do with that information, Maxwell," he asked, moving around to stand a bit closer to Treize.

Duo just grinned. "I really, really want to see under that mask sometime."

Treize snorted. "Get in line behind a few thousand female members of our ranks."

"I'm more clever than your soldiers. And I hate lines. Don't worry. I won't do anything but be my charming self." Duo then glanced back to Zechs before looking at Treize again. "Besides, Zechs might have an idea what he's in for. He heard my little comment about the Hentai pair in Noin's office. Sides, you guys are just right. I'd certainly like to think so anyway."

"Just right?" Zechs asked, his deep voice seeming to crack.

"Uh huh." Duo's grin widened.

"Well... Since we have established the time and place, could you please pass my regards to Chang before we meet?" Treize said, standing. "I'm going to have lunch with Lady Une right now. Good day."

Duo waggled his fingers at Treize. "Don't worry. I'll leave without blowing anything up!"

"Good. I will take your word on that." Treize left the room in search of his second underling.

Duo turned his full attention on Zechs. "You did understand what I was getting at, didn't you?"

"I am not dense, Maxwell, and Hell would freeze over first," Zechs said, storming out of the office to find both Sally and Noin, but mostly to get away from that look that was lurking in the boy's eyes.

"Yeah right, Blondie. We'll see who wins this little challenge, now won't we?" With that, Duo made his way off the base.

In a different part of town.

Makoto pulled the car into an empty lot an hour later, wiped her prints from the wheel, grabbed her bags from the backseat, shut the door, wiped the handle and walked the block and a half to the hotel. She waltzed inside the cool lobby, and made her way to the counter. She leaned over and smiled as she pulled down her sunglasses. "Excuse me, could you help me find the room Mr. Masterson is in?"

"And whom might you be, Miss?" the deskman asked.

"I would be MRS. Masterson, my good man."

"Oh, excuse me. He did say that the room was for two. Room 405. Would you like a spare key?"

"Yes, an thank ya, darlin'!" She took the key and breezed up towards the stairs, feeling the man's eyes on her as she walked. She'd get him later, the pervert. Makoto took the elevator on the second floor to the top floor (the fourth) and started to check the room numbers. They were fairly spaced apart, with only five on the whole floor, but 405 was farther back than the others. She put the key in the door and nearly dropped her packages when she opened it. They were staying in the penthouse suite. "RIKU????!!!!"

Riku looked up from the couch where he was calmly reading a book. He was wearing a pair of snug indigo jeans and a sky blue T-shirt, also snug. "Yes?" he asked.

"WHY IN THE SEVEN HELLS ARE WE STAYING IN THE PENTHOUSE???" she yelled, shutting the door behind her. "Need I remind you that we are assassins?" She looked around. "Nice though."

Riku had obviously showered and slept and seemed to be in a good mood. "You said you wanted something nice." He gave a light shrug and smiled at her a little. "So, I obliged. Besides...it's so high profile, it's not expected of us." He shut his book and got up. "Are you ready? We have a lot of work to do."

Makoto fumed before tossing one of the bags at him. "New work clothes. I'm goin' to change," she ground out, heading to the bedroom and slamming the door behind her. "And don't come in here. I'm showerin' first!!" she yelled through the door.

"You're welcome," Riku replied after her and frowned. You make one nice gesture for the woman... He quickly changed into something a little more fitting. And black. He printed out the list of targets; there were five. One he'd give to Makoto alone; that was more her style and the others they could do together. After they went 'shopping', of course.

Makoto stepped out of the shower, quickly pulled her hair into a ponytail at the back of her head, and pulled out the black cat suit and black ankle boots. She dressed quickly, strapping her katana to her back and trying to find a place for all her knives. When she was done, she came out into the sitting room. "Better... So, what we got here?"

"Here's our latest job." Riku handed her the printout. "Five males, all work for Romefeller, 30k for the whole job. He gave us a week, but I told him we could get it done tonight, and he'd up the price to 50k."

"Still low for five targets," she muttered, looking it over. "I want this one, and this one." She pointed to the third and fourth names on the list.

"I'd like to hit the second one tonight, I've memorized his schedule, he visits the local bathhouse at approximately 2000 hours. We have just enough time for me to make," Riku licked his lips, "a deposit."

Makoto snorted. "That's almost too easy. And a deposit would be nice."

"I'll help you with those." Riku gestured to the list as he armed himself heavily and slipped on his long dark coat and buttoned it up.

Makoto looked at Riku. "Is my trench still in your saddlebags?"

Riku crossed the room and picked up his favorite new weapon. "I want to snipe that last one." he checked his gun once. "Yes, it is." He wrapped up the rifle and strapped it to his back so it was fairly inconspicuous. "Haven't had a chance to use my new toy yet." He grinned at Makoto.

Makoto smiled. "My new toy from Sky is beggin' to be used... Nothin' like a lovely new toy."

"C'mon. Let's go." Riku tucked his phone into an inner pocket, setting it on vibrate as he led the way back out to the hallway to a side door and kicked it open. He disabled the alarm and started to walk down the metal frame. Best not to let the hotel staff know you were armed.

Makoto followed on silent feet, smirking at the efficient way Riku handled the hotel's security. There was a reason she teamed up with him, and now she remembered it. They reached the bottom of the stairs quickly and were outside. Riku hopped on his bike and waited for Makoto to climb on as he started the engine, his first stop already in mind. United Alliance Bank.

When they reached the bike, Makoto grabbed her trench coat out of the saddlebags, put it on, and climbed on behind the man. "Lead the way, hon'."

"With pleasure," Riku drawled and sped off.

Riku arrived at the bank within a matter of minutes and hopped off. "Oi, can I borrow that knife of yours again?" he asked holding out a hand while his other went after his phone.

Makoto pulled the knife from her boot and handed it to Riku. "'Course," she said getting off the bike and repositioning her weaponry. She felt almost alive with her trench coat on.

"Much obliged, Ma'am," Riku said, taking a perfect Texan accent as he walked up to the bank's lone ATM. He quickly inserted a phony card, then tore off the button pad and spliced some wires before connecting them to his phone. He smiled at Makoto as she came next to him. "These men are going to be dead in a few hours. I doubt they need the money, right?"

Makoto snickered. "'Course not, darlin'. Almost makes up for the shitty price that piece of shit tried to offer us," she said, clenching one fist. "I can't believe ya accepted that."

"I only accepted it for this." Riku pointed as the ATM slot opened up and cash started pouring out. "Three of them alone are worth over threemillion." Riku pulled out a black bag and started filling it up as money continued to pour out.

"Ok, that's more like it. I assume you checked up on 'em before you said yes? First time he called me, I told him to take his 30k and shove it up his retarded ass."

"I simply told him I'd get back to him." Riku had easily pocketed over a million now, all in thousands. "Get that other sack off my bike will you? This one's full."

Makoto snatched the other bag and handed it to Riku. "I'm thinking of some place good we can eat tonight. Got any ideas?"

"Not the place I destroyed," Riku commented with a smirk as he finished draining the accounts. "There. How do you feel about breaking into that new computer store? I could use some new parts." He pulled out the wires from his phone and attached them to a small bomb as he taped it to the side to get rid of his prints.

"Computer store sounds fine. I need a new whet stone, but I can buy that later."

"Buy?" Riku gave her a look. "This is my money." He teased.

"Right, just like the last job was my money," Makoto replied with a small laugh.

"I'm the one who thought this scheme up," Riku replied with a small laugh himself. "Alright, one mil, but you owe me a favor." He was still teasing as he hoped onto his bike and patted the seat behind him.

Makoto climbed on behind him. "Favor? And tha' would be what, 'xactly?"

"You know what." Riku smirked over his shoulder and gunned the bike, heading for the computer store, which would be closed now.

Makoto laughed as he pulled off. "Maybe I do..."

It didn't take much time for Riku to reach the computer store. He parked his bike in dark alleyway. "How fast can you be?" He asked as he put on latex gloves. "Oh yeah. Here." He tossed Mako a pair as he picked up a brick.

Makoto ignored the latex things and pulled on her leather gloves. "'Pends. How fast ya need me?" She winked.

Riku smirked and rolled his eyes. "Fast enough to get what you want and get out before the locals arrive. I don't want to bother with the alarms." He tossed the brick back and forth to himself.

"You know we're faster tha' 'em anyway, but yeah. I can." She made sure her pockets were as empty as possible before looking. "Ready."

Riku tossed the brick through the window and kicked the rest of the glass out. The alarm took a minute to go off, but by that time, Riku was already half done. "Don't use the door," he called to Makoto.

Riku took what he needed, filling up his backpack and climbing back out the broken window to his bike. It looked like they were going to have to stop back at the hotel again before going on their job. He checked his watch. They still had time.

Makoto rolled her eyes before jumping through the window. She snatched up a few extra pieces for her phone, a small laptop and a few other things, shoving them into her coat as quickly as possible. It was amazing how fast she could be when she wanted to. She hopped back on the bike and laughed. "Let's go, boy!"

"Boy?" Riku questioned and took off for the hotel again.

"You're younger than I am," she said sassily. "Think we might need to stop back though. This stuff is heavy."

"Yeah, that's where I'm going." Riku pulled up to the hotel a few moments later. He frowned as he looked up at the hotel. "Fire escape," he said with a little shrug and headed that way.

Makoto snorted as she followed. "No, we're gonna walk through the front door with all this crap."

"Well... If you really want to." Riku turned around and starting heading that way.

Makoto grabbed his jacket's collar. "Don't be an ass," she hissed, hopping on the fire escape's ladder and climbing up as quickly as she could.

Riku snickered behind her and followed her up. Once they were back inside the hotel suite, Riku stripped of his trench coat. "I really don't think I need this for those next jobs... Do I?" He re-tied his sniper rifle to his back. He put away his newly thieved goods on the coffee table; he'd upgrade his computer later. It was almost 2000 hours now.

Makoto had a thoughtful look on her face. "Not if your gonna snipe, but I like a little face to face action." She dumped her goods on a nearby chair. "Let's go... My hand's itchin'..."

"The snipe will be my last job," Riku said.

"Alright, let's go." He had turned from playful to his cold melancholy demeanor once again as he went back out the fire escape.

Makoto smiled coldly and followed, reaching one hand behind her to pat her sword. "Who's first?"

"Second name," Riku replied, already on his way down and back to his bike in a moment. "I don't think I'll need your help with this one, but I'd appreciate the backup."

"Intimidation tactics, Riky? I thought tha' was beneath us..."

"Intimidation? Really? What do you take me for? And don't call me Riky. My name is Riku." He got on his bike and started the engine.

Makoto got back on, laying her head against his back. "But it's cute! Kawaii desu yo, Riky-kun!"

"Koroshite aru," Riku commented as he drove off heading for the bathhouse.

"Dun be so touchy, Riku... I let you call me Mako.... Sheesh, you're no fun sometimes."

"I'll be fun later," Riku replied, with a light shrug, knowing Makoto would feel it.

Makoto giggled. "Oh, I know ya will... Let's just get this over with. I haven't slept in a bed in four days."

"The king size bed is rather nice," Riku commented as he parked the bike and just waited. His eyes were narrow as he waited for his target to walk in. "That's him," he said to Makoto in low tones.

Makoto shed her coat. "You want me to distract him, or what?"

Riku pulled out his Walter PPK and attached a silencer. He lifted his dark sweater and placed the gun in his waistband. He hopped off his bike. "Nope. Just make sure you keep the clerk distracted by any means necessary until we're out of the building." Riku walked up to the door and paused, waiting for his partner. "Kill him if he gets too suspicious," he added quietly once she was next to him and opened the door and walked in as if he owned the place.

Makoto slipped off the bike, making sure every move she made oozed sex as she smiled. "Will do." She waltzed through the door and up to the desk. "Hello, there," she said in a low voice, making sure her tight cat suit was in plain view of the plain looking man. "I was wonderin' if you could help me..."

Riku calmly walked into the back area and scanned around. There. He walked up to the man and stood behind him. "Jack Cunningham?" he asked, his tone neutral.

Jack Cunningham turned around, "Yes?" he asked. Riku calmly pulled out his gun and fired two rounds into the man's chest. All hell broke loose in the bathhouse as Riku calmly turned around and walked towards the entrance. He nodded at Makoto and left the building.

Loud screams came as another clerk ran into the front lobby and yelled, "A man's just been shot!"

The clerk tried to follow Riku, but Makoto sidestepped over to him. "Please, ya see, I think I got this eyelash in my eye. Could ya check for me?" she asked sweetly, snatching a small dagger and shoving it between the man's ribs. "Too easy," she whispered, dragging the limp body behind the counter and propping him up in a sleeping position.

"Eep!" The clerk shrieked when he saw his co-worker and Makoto glaring at him.

"Shit," she hissed, taking out another dagger and hitting the man in his throat. She ran as fast as she could to the bike. "FUCK!" She got on the back. "Remind me to not go there anymore." Riku just nodded and gunned the bike back down to their next target.

A place near Nataku.

Duo found his way back to his current partner, appropriating another vehicle for exactly that purpose and sneaking the rest of the way, only to pop in on his meditation. "Wufei!"

Wufei startled from his present state and nearly throttled the braided menace. "What?" he growled.

Duo laughed a bit, sitting back up from where he'd been knocked over, having stumbled in his dodge. "I'm baaaack. Nobody even tried to arrest me. In fact, Treize even said to 'Pass along his regards.' What's with you two anyway? He almost seemed disappointed you weren't going to try to kill him."

Wufei snarled. "I could change my mind about that, but I'd much rather kill the spawn woman. Is there something else you wanted? Or did you just come to annoy me, Maxwell?"

"I live to serve." Duo grinned at him, leaning up against the tree Wufei was sitting under. "I think they mean to go through with this tomorrow."

"That's commendable," Wufei said dryly, crossing his arms across his chest. "I feel uneasy about this."

Duo tilted his head, leaning in to study Wufei a bit. "It's not Treize-boy that has you uneasy, is it?"

"No. I can see the reason he would team with us. It is the fact that there are people like the ones in Romefeller."

"There are always people like that. You didn't grow up for this kinda life at all, didja?" Duo settled into a sitting position beside Wufei, not looking at him, but off to the side. "I mean, you didn't even know about L2, where you'd see people like what Romefeller seems to be everyday."

Wufei scoffed. "Hardly. I grew up in on L5. We at least have honor and dignity when we conduct business."

"Well, there you go, 'Fei man. Those things aren't exactly commodities. Now, thievery, back stabbing and trickery, those are easy to find where I come from, and in most other places too."

"So it would seem," Wufei replied, closing his eyes. "How do people like that come into power? At least, from what I've seen, Khushrenada has some sense of honor behind his motives."

Duo laughed a bit, and shook his head as he looked back to Wufei. "You're joking, right? It's way easier to get into power if you cheat your way there. I'm shocked Treize has gotten as far as he has alive."

Wufei glared at Duo. "I was never involved in politics, nor did I care to study them in school. I preferred languages and cultures."

"Politics are a big part of culture, Mr. Chang, or did you try to avoid that tidbit?" Duo hadn't ever used Wufei's last name that he could remember.

Wufei snorted. "No, I did pay attention to that. What I meant, Mr. Maxwell, was ancient cultures. I am a history scholar."

Duo looked a bit surprised, but then nodded. "Alright then. Why don't you ever get my old movie references then? The media industry was a huge part of the twentieth century culture."

"I didn't like the twentieth century. It's too much like now," Wufei stated, standing up.

Duo smiled a bit. "I know. That's why I liked it. Things got better before they got worse. Just... You think we can end this war, right? Even if history really does repeat itself, then that means things can improve again. Right?"

"Possibly," Wufei said, shooting a look over at Duo. He didn't like the almost pleading tone in his voice. "It depends on if the people are ready for that change."

Duo nodded a little. "We'll make them ready then. Because people shouldn't have to die anymore like the things I've seen." His voice was soft and then he smiled over at Wufei, having gotten an answer he could live with.

"You can't force the world to change, Duo. They have to come to that conclusion themselves. That's one of the things I have learned myself." He hung his head, refusing to look at the other boy.

"You can, Wufei. There just isn't any other way for some people to see these things. I think that's what this whole meeting is about. It took something serious to cause one important person to see what had to be done." Duo turned a little, looking a direction away from Wufei.

"Yes, well, there are extenuating circumstances this time. Not everyone will be willing to go quietly."

"Anything is better than slaughters of children, don't you think?" Duo's voice was soft and he shook his head, drawing in a breath. "This is a good first step. Besides, I think Treize has a good sense of humor."

"Nothing is lower than killing children, except for raising them to kill one another," Wufei all but shouted. "You spoke to Treize about a sense of humor?"

Duo shook his head. "I actually spoke to him about Zechs and managed to panic the blond. And killing children in the way's I've seen is lower than raising them to kill, got it?" Duo took a deep breath. "Treize played right along with my teasing Zechs actually."

"Treize and you teased Marquise?" Wufei shook his head in mock disbelief. "Will wonders never cease? Did you see anyone else while there?"

"Yep! Relena, who has given up pursuit of Heero for, and I quote, 'The Lady Angel', Dorothy, The woman you want to murder, Skeren, her being miss politics. And, that's it, I think."

Wufei growled. "The half-Japanese... woman?"

"Yes, her. She looked rather intimidated and quiet by the time I got there though. Looked less comfy than I was in the base."

"I doubt it with her," Wufei replied calmly, trying to resist the urge for his sword.

"Awww, c'mon Wufei, you'll be seeing her tomorrow. Don't let her bug you now okay?" Duo bounced a little, leaning forward to look up into Wufei's face.

Wufei scowled. "Per-son-al space, Maxwell. Look it up."

"No. Sometimes I like to be ignorant, thank you very much." Duo smirked, poking Wufei in the chest. "You want space, then lean back away from me."

Wufei walked away from Duo. "As you please. I'm going somewhere to get some peace, since it obviously isn't here with you." He got in his Gundam and took off as soon as the engines were warm.

Duo let his smile drop and shook his head, peering off in the direction that he'd taken off in. "I get it, Wufei. I won't ask you to look deeper. Looks like I've run through all my options, but that's cool. Hope the new guys like what they see better, eh?"

An alleyway in the city.

Riku stopped the bike in another alleyway. "You want to take the next target?" he asked, calm as ever.

"Yes," Makoto nearly hissed. "Damn place had a gay guy as the clerk. Need to take my frustration out." She got off the bike. "John Layfield, right?"

Riku nodded. "No. 3, you require my backup?" he asked. He remained on his bike, but turned off the engine.

Makoto thought for a moment. "He's 57? Old... Straight... Money hungry? No, no back up... I think I want this one's heart. You wanna watch though?"

"I'd be delighted," Riku replied with an almost perverse smile as he climbed off his bike. "Lead the way."

Makoto smiled, and sauntered up to the door, before knocking. "Who is it?" The reply seemed uninterested.

Makoto cleared her throat and came up with a Japanese accent. "Delivery for Meesta Rayfierd..."

"We didn't order anything."

"Package say this addless..."

"Very well." The door opened to reveal an older man, and Makoto smiled before snatching her sword out of its scabbard.

"Thank ya for openin' the door, honey." That was the last thing he heard before she pushed him down into the hallway and lopped his head off. "Effective and predictable."

"Gruesome," Riku commented.

Makoto then pulled out the new knife Skeren had given her, and preceded to cut the man's heart out with a surgeon's precision. "You ain't seen nothin'. Give me somethin' to wrap this bad boy with."

Riku pulled out two latex gloves. "These do?" He asked as he handed them to her, a little disgusted. This wasn't his style.

She snorted. "They'll do." She put them on, not wanting to stain her leather ones, and heard a dog bark in the back yard. "I think Spot's hungry." She headed to the back yard, tossed the still beating heart out the back window, and snatched the ring off the old man's hand. "I think Sky will like this pretty."

"Ugh," Riku commented at the body, wrinkling his face a little.

She kicked the body and threw the gloves in the trash as she headed back to the motorcycle. "You said you wanted to watch."

Riku squirmed as he hopped back on his bike. "That was more blood than I expected. On to No. 4?"

"I called that one too, didn't I? I think I need another bag though." She rummaged around her pockets until she found a canvas bag. "Perfect. Let's go."

Riku took off again, more slowly this time, feeling a little sick. He may have been an assassin, but he didn't like to stick around and look at bloody bodies. He preferred to either kill with his bare hands, or blow something up.

"This time, you don't have to come. I need to get somethin' from this one though. I know him personally," she replied, all humor gone. "Just stay on the bike. This is why they don't like me." Riku nodded and left the engine running. Makoto slipped in through a side window, surprised at the light security for someone so high profile. She found the man in his study. "Hello, Mr. Bishop. I have a response for you finally," she said coldly, kicking him in the groin and then chopping his head off quickly. "That is my answer, you old pervert." She then pulled out the canvas bag, carved the man's heart out and chopped off his genitalia. "Skeren can add you to her collection." She dumped both things into the bag and climbed out the window again. "Let's go," she said as she got back on.

"Fast as always." Riku commented and roared the bike off in another direction. He grinned. Now it was time for a little kaboom.

"You know me. I only play when it comes to other things. This is business."

Riku parked out side of a small office. "I'll need your help with this one." He climbed off and pulled out three small charges. "Attach this to the curbside window, after I've placed the others." Riku tossed one to Makoto and carried the other three as he walked around the back of the building.

Makoto stared at the charge and smiled. Riku always did prefer bombs and guns to her swords and knives. Effective yes, but not a whole lot of fun. She liked getting her hands dirty in their blood.

Riku placed the bombs in the back and walked back around and nodded at Makoto, as he climbed on his bike. She waited for the signal and when he gave it to her, she carefully placed the charge and climbed back on the bike. Riku parked the bike at another side street facing the office. "Watch this." His voice was highly amused, like a child with a new toy at Christmas. There were two loud explosions followed by a delayed shorter one from the front of the building as the place went up in flames moments later. "Fuck... how I love C4."

Makoto smiled as she watched the building explode and go up in flames. "It's like the 4th of July back home," she whispered, feeling in awe as she watched.

Riku looked at his watch. "We have some spare time before I use my latest toy. How about some dinner?"

"Why not?" She looked at her watch. It was barely 2300 hours. "Now you know why I stay away from meat? I see too much of it already."

Riku nodded in agreement. "It's work," he commented and he sped off for a restaurant he knew would be open at this hour.

To be continued.