05-Jun-2000
Category: Adventure, Angst, Romance, Friendship
Timing: After the events of OCT, the investigation continues.
Pairings: 3+4, 1+2 But there will also be a lot of scenes of the
friendships between the five.
Disclaimer: Not mine, no money being sought just lots of wonderful feedback
and enjoyment by all.
Notes: I want it understood that Wufei is ALL Bonne in this. She wrote him
and spoke for him and did a remarkable job. Any comments about how great
Wufei is... and he is... are to be directed to her.
Second Note: Bonne, it's Bonne not Bonnie. I'll be presenting myself for
100 wet noodle lashings later if anyone wishes to join in. :D
Wufei thought it over and decided to stay. Paul paced towards Quatre, as usual the older man tried to use his height against the diminutive Winner heir. Quatre was used to this and just lifted his chin, fixing the older man with an expression of polite interest.
Paul's smile did not reach his eyes. "Master Quatre, you haven't been returning my messages."
"Not quite accurate Paul, I've been sending answers to your secretary. " Quatre returned smoothly.
Paul cleared his throat a little and gave Wufei a pointed look which Quatre ignored. The older man shifted in an agitated action and ground his teeth together before speaking.
"The project needs your attention Master Quatre. We have decisions we need to be making in regard to the funding."
Quatre frowned. "I haven't seen anything that needed my personal attention. Everything has been halted for the time being." Paul smiled in a condescending manner before speaking. "There are people who would like to meet with you to discuss WEI's continued funding. Is it possible you could accompany me back to the colony. "
The request surprised Quatre and he took a step back looking at the older man with an expression of.. 'come again?' Wufei stepped up, his arms crossed over his chest, radiating his best 'tough guy' aura.
"That will not be possible," Wufei answered, his dark eyes staring the man down coldly.
Paul turned to look at Wufei. His manner at first dismissive but then he took a step back at the ice in the young man's dark eyes. Turning away from the chilling gaze Paul took a breath, intending to launch into another attempt to sway Quatre to accompany him but Quatre quickly interrupted.
"Wufei is correct. That is not possible at this time."
"But...then perhaps these people could come down here." Paul still tried.
Wufei's lip curled slightly. "Such appointments are made by going through Mr. Winner's office," he said in the same cold tone. " As Mr. Winner's new head of security, I see that I must have a conversation with whichever staff member allowed you to come back here." Quatre turned his head to the side for a moment to stifle a giggle.
Paul looked positively taken aback. "I know the head of WEI security. She and I have been long standing friends. I have never had to go through security to speak to Mr. Winner." Paul sniffed.
"Surely you understand that since the attempt on Mr. Winner's life." Wufei enunciated each word as if it were chipped out of ice. "It was decided that Mr. Winner required additional, *personal* security. My authority in matters of personal safety supersedes that of WEI." He said, and turned to Quatre with a smooth change of tone. "Doesn't it, sir?"
Quatre has to fight down a blush at being addressed as sir by a friend but he stepped smoothly into the role and turned to Paul, giving the older man his finest 'Master Winner' expression.
"Indeed. Wufei's orders and decisions regarding my personal safety supersede anything in place by current WEI practices. I would be most appreciative if you would carry that back to the offices with you when you head back." Quatre put a snap into his words, letting the tone indicate dismissal.
Paul gaped a couple of times, then locked his jaw shut, stepping back with a nod of his head. "As you wish of course Master Winner."
Wufei continued to stare coldly at the man, moving a step closer to Quatre as if expressing his doubts about the man's bona fides. His stance radiated that the 'audience' was over. Paul swallowed his dignity and with a nod to both young men turned and smoothly retreated.
Quatre watched the man's back thoughtfully and without turning to look at Wufei addressed him in a pensive tone. "Wufei... do you know if the Preventers have a copy of the news report of the shooting?"
"I am certain that they do," Wufei said. "Quatre, you allow your employees far too much familiarity for someone in your position." Mentally, he was preparing a report of this incident to pass along to the others.
Quatre turned to look at Wufei. "A lot of these people have been running WEI before I was born. I feel.. strange giving them orders, having them look to me for orders." He makes a graceful gesture with his hand. "It still feels strange to be. Master Winner. That was always my father's title."
Wufei looked sharply at Quatre. "Get over it," he said, then tried to soften it with a look. "For... for Trowa's sake," he added, trying to find the best leverage. "You almost lost your life. Time to put scruples aside and grow up."
Quatre did take a step back at the 'Get over it' remark but he was getting used to Wufei's direct manner. He ducked his head a little and smiled.
"You don't have to use Trowa to get me to see logic Wufei. I suppose that you have a point. I... you're my friend Wufei and my teammate but I would appreciate your assistance in reworking WEI security."
Wufei smiled slightly. "Why don't you just fire everyone and let me rebuild it from the ground up," he said, wondering if he was going too far. He wasn't entirely serious, but was finding the exchange with Quatre possibly the most interesting they had ever had.
Quatre did a double take with Wufei for a moment as if trying to gauge his level of seriousness. "They're good people Wufei. Well, a lot of them are good people. There are just a few who still hold outdated views on some things. Still, they could use a shaking up." Frowning a little the blonde slide his hands into the pockets of his borrowed sweatpants. He always used Trowa's sweatpants for these workouts since the fabric was less constrictive then his own fitted wardrobe.
"I don't want to believe Paul had anything to do with it. But... I remembered something. He got out of the limo, talking to me.. then he seemed to get distracted and quickly stepped over to speak to the Prime Minister. It's not like him to just drop a subject."
Wufei looked sharply at Quatre. His body tensed as he fought with his immediate impulse to go after the man and drag him back by the neck and hold him until Heero and Trowa returned.
"I should have trusted my feelings," Wufei growled softly. Taking a breath, he decided that it could work out if the man did not know he was suspected. It wouldn't be as satisfying as slowly flaying the skin from Paul's body with his saber, but it might get them further along the chain of scum. "From now on, I *am* your personal bodyguard," Wufei said shortly. "I need to call Heero and Trowa."
Quatre stared towards the dark house then turns back quickly to Wufei. "We don't have proof Wufei. I need to see the tapes. I agree, talk to Heero. If ... it is as we suspect, then we just found a lead that could make up for the loss of Goines. Wait, 20 minutes. That will give Paul time to get off Earth." The last thing they needed was for Trowa to go off half-cocked.
Wufei scowled. He did not like this plan at all. 'Trowa will kill me if he realizes I let this man go, and he might have had something to do with it.' He thought.
"Law may require proof," he said aloud. "But Justice only requires guilt."
Quatre got that stubborn look about the eyes and Wufei just nodded towards the house. "Come." He said, turning to the house to get to a communicator.
Quatre fell into step beside Wufei, giving a couple little trot steps to keep up with the slightly taller young man.
"I know Wufei. But we don't know for certain that Paul did have anything to do with it. The evidence is circumstantial. A gut feeling that might not pan out."
Wufei glanced down at the blond. "How often have *your* gut feelings not panned out?" he asked pointedly.
Quatre ducked his head a little, taking a moment to gnaw on his lower lip. Reaching up he rubbed at the back of his neck in a nervous gesture.
"Yes, well. Mmm. There's a communicator on my desk." Heading towards the French doors that open into his study from the garden.
Wufei quickly took the lead, stepping into the large room and finding the communication device built into the desk. Entering Trowa's 'urgent' code he spoke quickly and to the point.
"We have a lead and it's getting cold fast."
Laekin
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