Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Missing Piece ❯ Chapter 51

Title: The Missing Piece

Author: Skeren Dreamera, with Bagelbunion co-writing

Archive: http://www.gundam-wing-fanfiction.net/, www.Mediaminer.org, www.nfiction.com, (All under Skeren Dreamera), http://www.afallenangel.net/makotosagara/frames/fanfiction.html

Categ ory: Sci Fi additions, Yaoi/Shounen Ai

Pairings: 5x2, 3x1, 4x1, 3x4, 3x4x1 2+6, 4+6, 1+6, 1+2 only kinda

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, so please, don't sue me, it would be pointless!

Rating: NC-17

Spoilers: Heero's Zero stuff, A bit of Trowa's, Sanq stuff.

Warnings: Just the OOC warning that applies to the whole thing.

Contact: Mickeofas@yahoo.com, bagelbunion@cox.net

Notes: *thoughts* Alright, I apologize to all those ML people out there that were reading this when I up and stopped posting on you. I'm sorry! ::hugs:: Reviews would let me know that people are still reading this thing, really, since I get like, none, anymore. ::shuffles:: not that I want to be a review beggar, but... please?

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Begin part fifty one

Heero snorted quietly. There was enough room in the bed if Quatre would cease being everywhere. Of course, he just waited to see how Trowa would react to finding his bed inhabited. Trowa came back out of the bathroom and headed for his futon again and made a loud sound of disbelief seeing his bed stolen. He sighed and figured it was just his luck, it wasn't the first time Duo and Wufei had stolen his bed. He grunted, went to his bag and threw on a shirt, not bothering to button it up and left, slamming the door behind him.

Heero winced a little as Duo started violently with the loud noise, the longhaired blond in front of him also waking. *That had been unnecessary.*

Quatre woke up then as well. He'd slept pleasantly, being back in his "home", and his own bed. He sat up; blinking at the two other bodies curled up in his bed. It was king sized, but Quatre didn't expect to see them there.

Zechs looked around in confusion, not seeing anything amiss, but he had just heard that loud bang... "What was that?"

"Trowa was a bit upset Duo and Wufei stole his bed... Again." Heero rolled over looking at Quatre. "Morning."

"Morning." Quatre stretched his arms, deciding not to comment on him being there. "I want some breakfast. What do you think should I have Rashid bring us?"

Heero glanced over to the bed where Duo lay wide-eyed, still jumpy. "I'd recommend meeting him outside the room."

"Yeah, that's a good idea, anything special you'd like to request?" Quatre turned to Zechs. "Milliardo? Any special requests?"

"My chosen name and permission to relieve myself?" Zechs eyed Quatre, sitting up in bed, his legs crossing a little. The few days of dependence, added to the drugs in his system, made approval from three of the five pilots something important in his mind.

"Heero, help him to the restroom. It's that door on your left, and make sure he doesn't hurt himself and re-open his wounds." Quatre got up, threw on a white robe, a thin one being ideal for the desert, and left to find Rashid to get some food.

Zechs glared venom at Quatre. "I can walk that far on my own, I'm not so hurt I can't use the lavatory on my own."

Heero raised his eyebrows but said nothing, moving off the bed to assist if Zechs should need the support while the blond waveringly stood.

"Zechs isn't hurt bad is he?" Duo's voice was small, wide eyes staring at the unfolding scene. Zechs would be recovering better if it weren't for him.

Quatre returned a large tray in his hands. He shook his head with a smile on his face. "He'll improve soon. The Maguanacs have been busy at our food according to Rashid." He set the tray down. "I hope everyone's decent, they're bringing up enough food to feed all of L4 for the next 3 years for the lot of you."

Duo's eyes widened a little and he bit at his lip, waiting for Zechs to get out of the bathroom before darting in, locking the door behind him. "I'm good!" Heero stared at the door in slight shock before pushing Zechs' glaring form gently, yet firmly, back into the bed.

Three of the Maguanacs came in a moment later, large trays filled with: muffins, fruit, juice, coffee and tea, not to mention several different kinds of cereals, breakfast cobbler, several still steaming omelets, fresh breakfast cakes, several slices of French toast, hash browns, several bagels with jam, English muffins, and rice.

"We didn't know what Chang-sama likes so we brought a mix of everything." Jamal was watching the wide-eyed group nervously, glancing to the still sleeping figure on the futon.

"I honestly don't think it will matter. He doesn't appear to be getting up anytime soon. Thanks though." Quatre pulled up a chair to the not loaded table. "Do you think you could bring another small table and some chairs? This one is only big enough for three." Jamal, Faheed and Sakeem all left again, eager to please Quatre by finding a table and three chairs.

Zechs reached over, casually sliding the sunglasses back up his nose while he watched them bring in the mass of food. He didn't want these people being able to get a good look at his eyes.

Duo still didn't open the door. "Are they done?"

"Yes! They brought lots of food, too." Quatre chimed. "They'll be back though. To bring some chairs."

"I'll wait then." There were a few sounds from behind the door, like Duo was sitting down.

Quatre covered up a small giggle as the Maguanacs came back in with another table and three more chairs, Quatre nodded his thanks and shooed them back out again.

Duo waited a beat, listening. "Are they done now?"

"Yes. They are gone. Please come out to eat Duo." Quatre turned to Heero, an eyebrow lifting as if saying 'Well? Aren't you going to join me?'

Heero looked over at Zechs, who was staring back at Quatre. "You aren't planning on starving Miri are you?" Heero moved to the table just as Duo peeked out, kicking his shoes off and undoing his over-shirts before reaching the table. Heero simply smirked, picking up a muffin.

Quatre smiled at him and reached over to grab Heero and pull him into his lap, giving him a kiss.

Duo moved across the room, sliding into a chair quickly, his movements ready for flight, unlike any actions since they'd returned. "At least I know you two are having a good morning." He sounded more amused than anything as he watched the pair kiss.

Zechs looked over at Duo. Duo had more authority than the other two in his mind, and if he said he could come get his own damn breakfast, then he was getting out of that bed! "Duo, care if I join you three at the table?" Duo looked over, then just gestured for Zechs to come over, a request that was quickly taken advantage of before Quatre could nay say him.

Quatre scowled. "You better not hurt yourself." He threatened softly.

Zechs lifted his chin, settling into a chair beside Duo gingerly, and gaining a deeply apologetic pair of orchid shaded eyes as he did so. "I have yet to injure myself."

Duo rested a hand on Zechs shoulder, mumbling too low for anyone but Zechs to heard him. "Is this forgivable?" His answer was a nod and a flash of a smile as Zechs tipped his head back, tickling his hair over Duo's hand as a sort of reassurance.

Zechs then leaned forwards slightly to get a cream cheese muffin. "Would you like me to re-braid your hair? It's starting to get rather messy."

Quatre just ignored them. *Well if Zechs kills himself, it's not my problem.* He grabbed some fruit and proceeded to feed Heero, his free arm tightening around his waist.

Heero wiggled around until his back was against Quatre before he grabbed his muffin again, taking a bite from it. He witnessed Duo's nod and happy smile with some relief. *Duo hadn't been smiling often enough.* He then realized he was being fed and sat the slightly chewed muffin aside.

Quatre chuckled softly and nuzzled the back of Heero's neck as he fed him some more fruit. Heero simply rolled his eyes, watching the other two talk with what appeared to be just actions, a hand gesture and a turn of the head signifying something he doubted the two realized the others wouldn't understand. It was interesting, and he didn't mind being fed either.

"I think you need a shower." Quatre said suddenly as he picked up another piece of fruit and fed Heero.

"Who?" Heero leaned back from the fruit then turned his head to look at Quatre.

"You." Quatre teased, his hand around Heero's waist steadily going lower.

"And why do I need a shower?" Heero closed his eyes partially, leaning back against Quatre.

Duo rearranged himself in his chair, turning so that his back was facing Zechs while he nibbled at some bacon. "Don't forget to eat a few bites Zechsy."

"I won't." Zechs quirked his lips, unweaving Duo's hair quickly before running the fingers of one hand through the mass and causing Duo a visible shiver as his other hand got a few grapes to chew on.

Zechs smirked to himself as he heard Duo stifle a moan, then popped the last grape into his hands. He then parted the hair into five sections and started to braid, nimble fingers quick over the strands as he listened in on the pair across the table.

"Cause you're dirty." Quatre whispered in his ear, blowing softly.

"How am I dirty?" Heero tilted his head the barest fraction, his hormones more visibly in check with so many people running around, but not really put back in their original little box.

Quatre scooted his chair back and lifted Heero into his arms, carrying him to the bathroom. "You are very dirty and you need a bath." As soon as he shut the door behind him, he planted Heero's feet on the floor and pushed him up against the door, then kissed him hard.

Heero leaned back into the kiss for a moment before pushing at Quatre a little. "Quatre. We all have things we need to do." He wants to, but he doesn't feel right taking pleasure when he had higher problems.

"Like you." Quatre purred and began to kiss down Heero's neck. "I need a shower too, best to conserve water." He bit Heero's neck, before soothing it with a small lick.

Heero reluctantly framed Quatre's face as he pushed him away. "Then we can shower. There isn't time for the rest."

Quatre frowned and then pouted. He pulled away, stripped and got in the shower, which was huge, big enough for 10 people at least, and surrounded by huge blocks of glass. There was also a large tub nearby and lots of plants and light for the bathroom.

Heero shook his head slightly and climbed into the shower. "Don't be so upset, you haven't lost a hand created item that you have to replace for the second time in a week."

"I'm not upset." Quatre found that he really wasn't. He was just feeling a little frisky and wanted to relax now that he was home. He sighed. "What do you suppose is going on? Why did they betray us..." he whispered the last part, looking down at the tile floor.

"Duo knows something. Let him relax from whatever made him so jumpy, then we see if he knows." Heero reached out for the soaps, liberally dealing with any dirt on his skin once he was nude; clothes dropped by the tub.

Quatre just sighed again, grabbing some shampoo and dealing with his hair. *This is frustrating! I never expected nor wanted... this to happen!*

"The reprieve seems to be over." Heero was quick, mostly just standing under the spray to enjoy the water.

"Well... I guess we better do something. As good as it is to be home, as much as I can call this place my home..." He trailed off, not really knowing where he was going with this at the moment. He soaped up his body and rinsed, sensing that Heero was eager to get out and do things, rather than take a lazy shower with him.

Heero nodded, waiting for the spray to be turned off before stepping out, looking for towels and leaving water in his wake.

"Don't make a mess!" Quatre yelled after him. "The Maguanacs will insist upon coming in to clean!" He hurriedly threw a towel across the floor and mopped up the mess. "They baby me enough as it is, I don't want to give them more fuel, especially if we need to stay here."

Heero glanced back, flushing slightly as he dried himself off. "I never considered that. We have more than enough issues without that being included."

"Good. I'll have to remind the others, Trowa already knows." Quatre sighed loudly and then groaned. "In fact Trowa encourages them, he loves to be pampered."

"He isn't in the rooms though right now. He left after Duo stole his bed for all of five seconds." Heero shook his head, wrapping the towel around his waist and striding nearly naked across the bedroom in search of his bag.

"I wonder where he could be then..." Quatre's words were mostly to himself.

Duo blinked, catching sight of a nude figure out of the corner of his eye. "Hey Zechs, who's streaking?"

Zechs paused, his hand movements briefly to look up and stare. "That would be Heero."

Heero pulled on his customary outfit, the spandex and tank top firmly back in place. "Is there a reason you two are staring?"

Quatre dressed quickly watching Heero out of the corner of his eyes. He snickered. "Heero, remind me to be more gentle with you next time." Quatre smiled brightly.

"You're running around naked man!" Duo waved a hand, himself for once nearly fully dressed.

Heero muttered. "First, you've been running around naked frequently Duo, and second, I think you were too gentle Quatre."

Quatre grinned very seductively at Heero. He strode towards him and whispered in his ear, "Don't tempt me like that, I can get very naughty... and you said 'we didn't have time'"

Zechs cleared his throat. "Not that I mind, but aren't there other things to deal with?" He knew he wasn't gong to be doing a damn thing. That didn't mean he wasn't going to make some calls.

Quatre scowled at him. "Like you getting lots of bed rest?"

"I am going to need a secure line to make calls for the parts I'm going to need later." Zechs finished with tweaking Duo's hair and tied it off with a flourish; amused at the odd look Duo gave the extra parts of the braid.

"Not a problem. I can get that for you later, or if you see Rashid before I do, just ask, okay?" Quatre pulled open an armoire in the corner of the room. It was filled with computer equipment. "Heero, do you think you can use some information from this? It's completely untraceable."

Heero was there in an instant. "I need to replace my system, is it possible you can get a set of equipment for me?"

"Yes. Abdul keeps a supply of parts; you can probably build something very nice from that. I'll get him to take you 'shopping' later today." Quatre smiled at him.

Heero breathed a sigh of relief. "Perfect. I'll have to develop an entirely new security system that the Mad Five are unfamiliar with."

"Sounds good. I'm going to work on Sandrock most of the day, oh yeah, Milliardo, I'll get Sakheed to come up here later today, and he'll get started for a new suit. Duo? Do you need anything?"

Duo shook his head, still fingering the new braid. "No, I think I'm alright. I'll stay here with sleeping beauty and Birdie."

"I have any other variety of names, must you insist on that?" Zechs sighed a little.

"Yes, I do." Duo grinned cheekily and leaned back against the taller blond a little.

"Let me know if you need anything okay?" Quatre fetched two stools and sat down next to Heero. "We need to make a new security system for the Gundams and some new networking programs, ones the doctors can't get access to..." Quatre trailed off thinking.

Duo grinned. "The docs still can't figure out how I did the stealth system on Deathscythe, I had to rework it into the new shell, but they managed to salvage the old system, and they built around it. I can help with the systems the docs can't hack, if you want special things on your gundams that is."

"I'd like to put a cloaking system on Sandrock, I think Wufei should have one too, Nataku is a short-range Gundam like Deathscythe. Heero what are you doing?" Quatre didn't even look at Duo as he issued his orders.

Duo shook his head with a laugh then. There was simply no way Quatre could be serious. "No, no, no, I can't duplicate it. I don't know how to duplicate it. No, I can give your gundams something un-replicable and impossible for the docs to touch that you can use on your machines."

Heero looked up a little guiltily. "Hn?"

"What are you doing?" Quatre pointed to the screen. He had completely ignored what Duo had to say.

Heero looked back to the screen. "Creating a new protection system to add to our computers later. I have to develop it somewhere." Quatre sighed and just continued to watch, figuring it was all for the best. Heero's fingers were flying much to fast for Quatre to follow his movements, but it was clear that Heero could follow it. After a while, Duo came near and leaned over Heero's shoulder to watch.

Zechs turned his chair around, watching the three at the computer in amusement. "Makes me wish I was a computer person."

Wufei awoke groggily, moaning as he did so. *Why do I always feel worse when I wake up?*

Duo shook his head suddenly. "Oi Heero, back up a few screens, you missed a loophole!"

Wufei rolled over onto his back and looked at the others who weren't far from his bed. *What are they doing?*

Heero frowned, doing as requested. "Where?"

Duo leaned forward, pointing at a potion of the screen. "There, that part of the code, it's a weak point that the docs use, change it around or something."

*Where's my hairtie? I thought it was around here somewhere...* Wufei fumbled around with hands under the pillows.

Heero frowned a bit more deeply. "You're right. Do you have any special defenses on your system?"

Duo grinned, nodding his head. "Yeah man, I do, I'll show you once we get done with this thing."

Zechs peered over at Wufei. "What are you looking for?"

Wufei sat up slowly and spotted it. *There it is!* Wufei leaned over to grab it, but he was just shy a foot. *C'mon... just a little further.* The hairtie floated slowly towards Wufei and Wufei grasped it. *Finally!* He picked it up and pulled his hair into a tail.

Zechs closed his mouth abruptly, blinking. *Did that hairtie just float?*

Wufei looked up at Zechs staring at him and he glared. He got up and walked over to Heero, Quatre and Duo to read over their shoulders. He was curious as to what was going on.

"This is why I never speak to the man." Zechs sighed, then got to his feet, moving towards the others and sinking into a kneel by Heero before Quatre could howl at him for moving around.

Duo grinned. "Perfect, alright, back to the program. You're brilliant at this you know; I just don't have the patience. Oh! Are you gonna let me mess with your gundam?"

Quatre felt like kicking Zechs in the shin. *Does he listen to anyone's orders?*

"Maybe. I'll see what you do to the others first." Heero shook his head, staring intently into the screen.

Zechs grinned to Duo. "Feel free to make any modifications your genius mind can come up with to the suit I end up with."

Wufei scowled and his teeth began to grind together. He positioned himself behind Duo and wrapped his arms around Duo's waist.

Duo just grinned. "My pleasure. I'm still trying to figure out if I brought Scythe to life, think you can handle something like that? Oi Heero, pause, another weak spot!"

Zechs nodded. "Definitely."

Heero frowned, searching. "Why am I not seeing these?"

"What are you doing?" Wufei asked, of everyone, he really had no idea what was going on.

"Because you're being too straightforward. Fei babe, We're developing stuff the docs don't have. Bottom right corner, the C code on the end. Mess with it." Duo didn't break eye contact. He was a good hacker, but building programs wasn't his thing at all most of the time.

Wufei nodded, giving Duo's neck a little nuzzle as he watched.

Heero redid the code, then sped forwards. "How long did you have your own system codes?"

Duo leaned his head forward, but refused to be distracted. "Since I came to Earth, aside from the communications on Scythe, they can't get damn shit on my buddy an me."

"Well... I'm going to go work on Sandrock. If Trowa comes back, tell him I went to do so. I'll see you guys down there later." Quatre stood and maneuvered through the bodies around the computer and left the room, preparing to talk to the Maguanacs. It was going to be a busy day.

Zechs was the only one of the three focused on the screen to even raise a hand in acknowledgement. He was starting to understand the figures on the screen, though he didn't see how it made a program like the other two did.

Wufei wanted to go work on Nataku, but Duo didn't look like he was going to go anywhere... so he was stuck. He sighed.

Duo glanced to Wufei. "I can't Wufei. Please, I'm safe with these two, just go..." Duo considered, then went to his bags digging around before finding a set of devices he'd made a while back. "Here! If you start to worry, just open it, it'll buzz, and then you'll see I'm okay!" Duo handed one of the walkie-talkie like devices to Wufei and hooked the other at his waist. "Okay?"

Wufei hesitated as he fingered the device. "But..." he protested softly. He wasn't worried about Duo so much as he was worried for himself. Yet he said nothing about it. *They were around a lot of strangers here... But Quatre will be nearby... but... but...*

"You seem to want to go. I know this is holding little interest for you. Zechs can't leave, Heero isn't going anywhere, and I can't stomach the idea just yet."

Wufei looked at the device in his hands and switched it from hand to hand. He stood there staring at it for a long moment, wondering exactly what he was doing.

Duo clicked on the device hanging from his belt, setting it to hum if he was being paged. It looked rather like one of the handheld game devices crossed with a mini CB.

Wufei nodded a few times, still staring at the device in his hands for a few moments. He looked up at Duo with a very peculiar look on his face before he turned away, and with shaky legs he walked out of the room.

Duo looked after Wufei then nodded once, looking back to the screen, then over to Zechs. "Get into Q beans chair man, it'll be easier on you."

Wufei walked down the hall slowly, watching his feet carefully. *I can do it... nothing will happen to Duo. Heero won't hurt him. Zechs...* Wufei paused and then made an about face back towards the room. He paused one foot in the air. *Duo will be mad if I come back. I can't!* Wufei shook his head vigorously. "Argh!" he screamed silently. He closed his eyes and ran furiously down the hall; somehow he arrived at the hangar without really knowing where he was going.

Zechs was climbed into the indicated chair as told. Why he'd be a worry to Wufei was a mystery by this point; he utterly obeyed the braided boy. Far beyond any of the others, caught at his most impressionable while at the previous safe house.

Duo took a deep breath; glad that there were only pilots in the room, then he focused on the screen, pointing out things to Heero here and there when the logic minded teen didn't catch the same angle.

Wufei was shaking as he walked into the hanger and collapsed to his knees. He shivered and hugged himself.

Quatre saw the motion out of the corner of his eyes as Wufei came into the hanger. "Wufei?" he called. *He's not with Duo?* Quatre hoisted himself out of Sandrock and over to Wufei. Quatre crouched down next to Wufei and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Wufei?"

Wufei flinched, but didn't pull away, nervous eyes looked up at Quatre and he swallowed.

"It's okay Wufei." Quatre cooed softly. "Nothing is going to happen. It's just you and me here." Quatre took his hand off Wufei's shoulder and stood very slowly. He lowered the hand back to Wufei. "Would you like me to help you with your Gundam?" he asked, his tone very quiet. Quatre smiled and gave Wufei's hand a little squeeze and started to lead them over to Wufei's gundam.

Wufei brought down the cable for Nataku and hoisted himself up and began to get to work, starting with Nataku's operating system.

Quatre pulled out a small radio and told all the Maguanacs to stay out of the hangar unless they were under immediate attack. He knew Wufei would freak out if anyone strange came in. After the radio message, and endless questions from the Maguanacs as to why they had to stay out, Quatre knocked on the side of Nataku's leg. "Mind if I come up Wufei?" No answer came, so Quatre grabbed the cable and lifted himself up. Wufei was crouched on the ground of the cockpit working softly with a small computer hooked up to Nataku's larger computer systems. Quatre smiled. Wufei seemed to have calmed down a bit working on his gundam. Quatre took a seat neat Wufei on the open hatch. "Would you like to talk?"

"What about?" Wufei replied gruffly.

Quatre grinned brightly, it was the closest that Wufei had come to his old self and Quatre really wanted to bug him while he worked now. *Wufei used to hate that!* "Let's talk about you."

Wufei stopped his work and looked up at Quatre. "What?" He asked, blinking at the blond boy who was grinning at him.

Quatre nodded. "Yes. Tell me something about you."

"There's nothing to tell." He replied and turned away going back to his work, trying his hardest to ignore Quatre.

"Why not?" Quatre very nearly whined and scooted closer to Wufei.

"Because I'm trying to fix this." Wufei replied not even looking up.

"Alright. Then I will just sit here and watch you do that." Quatre grinned again.

Wufei looked up at Quatre again, a 'what the hell is wrong with you' look on his face. Then he just shrugged and got back to work, trying hard to focus.

Meanwhile, Trowa skipped happily back up to Quatre's quarters. He hoped that by now everyone had gone back to the hangar to work on their gundams and he could just be left alone to work in a peace for a few moments.

Zechs leaned forward in his chair a little, glancing around the room. "Do you think there's a secure phone line hidden in here somewhere as well?"

"Should be, Quat's a good host like that." Duo shrugged, still looking over Heero's shoulder. It was amazing he wasn't getting a stiff neck. Zechs pulled himself from the chair with a sigh and proceeded to hunt around the room.

Trowa opened the door and shut it, smiling, and not noticing the others and he helped himself to what was left of breakfast. He'd already eaten with Jamal, Mukar, Hakeem and Safeed. So he wasn't really that hungry. He giggled a little as he remembered their breakfast. He looked up, startled as he saw Zechs moving around.

Zechs saw the glance and nodded to Trowa. "Don't you dare tell me to get back in bed, I *have* to find that phone."

Trowa blinked, giggled softly, and began to eat a muffin.

Duo turned his head as he heard the giggle that Trowa emitted. "You doing okay T?" He then looked back to the screen. "Ro! You aren't working with me at all here are you? Think out of the box a bit more."

Heero took a deep breath. "Duo, go get me your system and turn it so I can see your programs, then go do something else, please!"

"Yes. I am fantastic!" Trowa replied a bit too enthusiastically.

"Fine, fine." Duo stood, getting his laptop and opening it, keying into his security codes and measures then setting it next to Heero before joining in the hunt for the phone. "Really now Trowa? Why are you so giddy anyway?" Duo sniffed the air, trying to determine if Trowa was up on anything again, but it was too faint for him to be able to tell.

"Just had a good breakfast is all." Trowa replied stuffing the muffin into his mouth. *Smart move!*

Duo moved to Zechs, seating the blond firmly. "I'll find it, you're starting to wince around the edges." Ignoring the frown, Duo moved closer to Trowa, studying him. He'd never seen the boy so peppy outside drugs.

"Wha...?" Trowa mumbled around his muffin and swallowed.

"I was talking to Birdie. He's supposed to be staying in bed 'til he recovers." Duo moved closer to Trowa consideringly, nose twitching once before he turned to try and locate the phone near the secure computer Heero was on.

"Oh, okay." Trowa grinned again and pushed himself up from the table and stood, but then forgot what he was going to do and sat back down again.

Duo found the phone. "Ah ha!" Then he wiggled it free, putting it on the bed beside Zechs. "Make your calls babe.

Zechs let out a breath, fingers hovering for a second before he pulled his hand back. "Could you get me a shirt first?"

Duo laughed quietly and pulled a T-shirt from Zechs' backpack, tossing it to the blonde. "There you go."

Zechs nodded, tugging the shirt on then replacing the sunglasses on his nose. "Alright my friends, lets see how many of you are willing to aid an old friend..." Zechs' mutter was low enough only Duo could hear before he started keying in numbers.

"How did I get here?" Trowa asked, looking at the table.

Duo moved back to Trowa, trying to figure out why he was acting so silly. He didn't smell like anything, but he sure looked it. "You walked I bet."

"Yeah..." Trowa looked up at Duo. "I ...probably walked." Trowa suddenly burst into voracious laughter. "I certainly didn't use my canoe!" he shouted.

Zechs lifted his head. "Gag him if you have to, but keep him quiet! These people don't know who I am now."

"Err, right. Trowa, hush." Duo moved over to Trowa and shoved an apple into his mouth.

Trowa sputtered before taking a bite of the apple and chewing, a far off expression on his face. He hummed softly to himself.

Duo nodded then turned his attention to Zechs curiously.

Trowa giggled softly as he ate the apple then sat back. "Whoa..." he said, his expression now somber.

Zechs finally had someone on the line, and his speech patterns had taken an abrupt tilt into a dialect that had Duo's eyes wide. He knew street talk when he heard it. "Yeah oh course! I'd nev' forget you, Gallie. So, ya think ya can help little Miri out a bit?" Zechs leaned closer to the screen, gazing at something behind the person he was talking to. "That Julene?"

The person called Gallie laughed, his voice brash. "Yeah that's Julene, she's the only one still around from your old crew. I can have the parts for you in a week. Call back then. Stay in touch this time Miri!"

Zechs nodded, laughing quietly. "I'll do better, I'll try an come by sometime soon. Need to see how the runt is after all. Ack! I see her comin, tell her I said Hi!"

"Miiirrri." Trowa replied and laughed, slamming his palms on the table. *Oh fuck... that is the last time I eat Jamal's candy...*

"You little-!" Gallie's voice was cut out as Zechs abruptly hung up.

Trowa continued to laugh as he placed his hands over his mouth to quiet his laughter.

Duo was still staring at Zechs. "When did you learn to talk like that?"

"Streets. Where else? You might want to deal with Trowa before he chokes himself." Zechs was glaring at Trowa, hinting that he would be the one doing the choking.

Trowa snorted and his laughter only increased his cheeks turning red. "I'd like to see you try!" he taunted playfully.

Duo spun around, glaring at Trowa. "Shut up!"

Trowa just smiled crookedly at Duo.

Duo gave Trowa a final annoyed look before looking to Zechs again, only to see him already back on the comm.

To be continued.