Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Theories of Revolution and Affairs of the Heart ❯ Defenses ( Chapter 3 )

Treize leaned forward in his chair, gazing out the window. He was acutely aware of the unfinished paperwork beneath his elbows, but chose to ignore it in favor of thinking. To his annoyance, however, his thoughts kept centering on what he'd seen in Zechs' office a mere half hour ago. And his reactions to it weren't professional in the least. An idea suddenly came to him, and he pushed a button on his computer. He entered the access code, and waited patiently as the information loaded. Soon, the data he wanted was in front of him.

He was interrupted by a polite tap on his door. The next moment the door opened and Zechs entered, his uniform immaculate, his mask firmly back in place, his manner as formal as ever. "You wished to see me, your Excellency?"

"Zechs." Treize shifted in his chair, not looking up from the computer. "Come take a look at this. I think you'll find it interesting."

Zechs obediently crossed over to stand behind his superior, inwardly waiting with dread for when Treize would bring up the scene he'd witnessed not that long ago. He held a great respect for Treize, and most of his efforts as his lieutenant had been in an effort to earn Treize's respect in return. With a sinking feeling, he figured that this debacle would ruin that possibility. He focused on the screen and barely restrained a gasp. "That's--"

"Duo Maxwell," Treize finished. "Pilot 02, of the Gundam Deathscythe. Originated from the L2 Colony, a member of the Sweepers. Were you aware that he was a Gundam pilot, Zechs?"

'Well, hell, don't bother to beat around the bush, why don't you, Treize?' Zechs was glad of the mask, knowing it helped to hide some of his expressions. He wondered briefly how much of a lie he could get away with. He couldn't tell Treize the truth. 'Well, matter of fact, yes I did, Treize. And he was just so delectable that I had to have him, and then couldn't hold him here.'

Taking one even breath, Zechs made a sudden decision on his lie. "I suspected that he was one of the rebels, but a Gundam pilot? No, sir. Waltzing into my office would seem too risky a move for even a Gundam pilot. I just thought he was hoping to steal some information."

"And did he receive any of the information that he supposedly came for?" Treize asked calmly, closing the file on the computer and turning his chair around to face Zechs.

"Of course not, sir. I would not betray you."

"I never said you would. It just seemed to me that your defenses were... down. That isn't like you, Zechs." Treize stood up and walked to the window across the room, opening it halfway and leaning against the sill.

Zechs took a few deep breaths to keep his calm, though his voice still came out somewhat sharply. "Speaking frankly sir, the situation was always under control."

"That's good. Just, in the future, try to be more careful, Zechs. You can't get off this easily every time you sleep with the enemy. There are bound to be complications and mistakes, even now."

Zechs fought down a flash of anger. 'Every time I sleep with the enemy?! He makes it sound as if it's an everyday occurrence!' Treize the sensualist was scolding him? He settled for the appropriate response. "Yes sir."

Treize chuckled, sensing Zechs' anger without even turning around. "Don't take it the wrong way, Zechs. I just don't want to see you get too careless."

"Heaven forbid." Zechs couldn't halt the sarcastic drawl. "We wouldn't want respect for our noble enemy to become friendly, or even worse, obsession."

"A heinous crime indeed," Treize laughed, turning around to face Zechs again. "Truly unthinkable." He smiled at his subordinate -- his friend -- and nodded slightly. "I have work to do, as do you. Dismissed."

Zechs came to attention and saluted, turning smartly on his heel to head to the door. There he paused, and turned around. "Thank you, Treize."

Treize smiled warmly. "No need. And as I've said before, I look forward to the day when you take off that mask... permanently."

~OWARI~