May 5, 2001
Title: Crossed Wires
Author: AstroKender
Pairings: 2+3, 3+2
Rating: Alternate Timeline
Warnings: You're going to kill me for stopping here too...
Spoilers: Hmm...nope.
Notes: This is a small fic I've wanted to put out to reflect how much Duo and Trowa seem to clash during the series. Important! This doesn't go along with the series. There may be some similarities, but don't try to pin it to a specific time or you'll get a headache. This is purely a 'what if' kind of thing.
Disclaimers: I own nothing...Don't sue.
Heart catching in his throat, Trowa listened desperately for a reply. He heard a low moan off to his left and fumbled frantically for his flashlight. Nerveless fingers suddenly brushing against the desired object, the Latin boy raised it hurriedly, searching for his partner.
"Duo?"
Lying on the cold floor, Duo winced as the bright light stung his eyes. "Have a heart, Tro." The American grunted. "I'm in enough pain as it is."
The emerald-eyed boy sighed in relief and crawled over to the other boy. Duo lay on his side, his left arm cradled protectively against his torso. His teeth bared in a grimace as he shifted into a sitting position. "Are you okay?" Trowa asked worriedly.
"Yeah..." Duo muttered. "But I think my arm's broke."
Trowa cursed. "Why did you pull a foolish stunt like that anyway? You could have been killed." The Latin boy gently pried Duo's arm out where he could see it. Rolling up the sleeve of the stolen OZ sweatshirt, Trowa winced in sympathy.
"You've definitely broken your Ulna, but not badly. It hasn't punctured the skin."
"Ewww! Do you mind not getting so graphic?" Duo turned green, refusing to look at his arm. Trowa shook his head grimly.
"I'm going to have to set this."
"What?" Duo's eyes widened. "Oh, no! I don't think so! Stay away from me you sadist!" The American tried to frantically pull his arm out of the other boy's grasp, but only succeeded in causing himself more pain. He banged his head against the wall in resignation.
"How do I get myself into these situations?"
Trowa gripped Duo's arm tightly at the elbow and at the wrist. With out warning, he yanked, snapping the bone back into place. To his astonishment the American didn't scream. Afraid the boy had fainted, Trowa peered closely at his face and his green eyes widened as he watched the blood trail down from Duo's bitten lip.
"I'm sorry." His hand came up automatically and wiped the blood away. Duo nodded wearily; sweat beading across his brow. Trowa cast about for something to use as a splint.
"Broke my flashlight too..." Duo muttered. "Use that."
Trowa found the flashlight and laid it beside him and grabbed Duo's sleeve, ripping it off at the seam. Using his teeth, he tore the fabric into strips before using them to firmly tie the flashlight to the American's broken arm.
"It's the best I can do for now. I made sure to take the batteries out so it wouldn't be so heavy. Try not to jar it by doing something stupid, like getting between me and flying debris with my name on it." Trowa said sternly, but he squeezed Duo's uninjured arm in gratitude before helping the longhaired boy to his feet.
"Heh...it teaches me never to try stopping a rampaging metal rod with my arm again." He waited for Trowa to pick up his flashlight and their guns before adding. "Next time I'll use your head. With as much hairspray as you probably use, it's much harder."
Trowa gave him a mock glare, as he discreetly made sure that the boy was able to walk on his own. Seeing that the injured boy could handle himself, he felt around in his pockets and pulled out the two-way radio Jeremy had given him, making sure it hadn't been damaged during the confusion. Duo looked at him curiously, the pain in his arm momentarily forgotten.
"Jeremy! Are you there?"
The line crackled before the young man's worried voice filtered through. "Lieutenant Barton?"
"What's going on? We were damn near killed by that last blast."
"It's Zechs Marquise. He's here for Epyon, and he isn't taking no for an answer. I was on my way to the weapons department when he struck. Right now I'm with Lady Une. I told her what was going on and we're using every Mobile Doll we've got to try and stall him."
"Listen Jeremy, Zechs will destroy this base without batting an eyelash. He knows that Epyon would be able to survive all but the most powerful of explosions. You've got to get Lady Une out of here."
There was a sudden rustling noise and then Une's voice blared through the speaker. "Barton, we need time to evacuate this base. I won't just leave my men here to die."
Trowa rubbed his temples hard, thinking. "I don't know how you'll be able to get everyone out, Une. Zechs is sure to attack any carriers you send out." Duo's eyes narrowed thoughtfully and he bent over Trowa. Placing his hand over the Latin boy's, he moved the radio up towards his mouth.
"Hiya, Lady! Pilot 02 here. I think I know a way for you to get all your men out."
"Go on."
Duo's expression turned deadly serious. "Listen, Zechs is only after Epyon. He's not going to go on a needless killing spree. Trowa is right, he will attack any carrier that you sent out, to make sure Epyon isn't in it. If you want to escape, you need to do it in small crafts, where there will be no mistake whether or not Epyon is aboard. I'm talking private shuttles, space Leos, hell, use the Mobile Dolls if you have to! This is a military base, you should have no problem finding the resources."
There was silence on the other end for a long moment. "You think that will work?" Une asked, hesitantly.
Trowa nodded to Duo. "As long as you stay far from Tallgeese and make no threatening gestures, he should let you go." The Latin boy said. "The space fortress Barge isn't too far from here and it's big enough that even Zechs would hesitate to attack it."
"Right, we'll get started immediately." Une spoke firmly. "Une out."
"Trowa?" Jeremy's voice wavered through the speaker.
"You need to make sure Une gets out of here. If something happens to her, Treize won't hesitate to counter attack and we'll end up caught in the middle of a massacre."
"But Epyon..."
"Leave it." Trowa's tone implied he really didn't like the idea. "There is nothing we can do to stop Zechs from getting his hands on it. Just focus on getting yourself out of here."
"No."
Duo glanced at Trowa in surprise. "No." Jeremy spoke again, firmly.
"Zechs cannot be allowed to take Epyon. You said it yourself, Sir, that that suit is the incarnation of war. It is too powerful to let fall into the wrong hands. I'm going to destroy it."
The two Gundam Pilot's looked at each other wordlessly. What Jeremy was proposing was a suicide mission. Duo again grabbed the radio, his blue eyes troubled.
"Are you sure about this, PJ? You might not have time to escape. And if Zechs catches you...you'll be toast."
"I'm positive, Duo. I want to do this."
Duo shook his head. "Well, best of luck to you buddy. You're not too bad for an Ozzy."
Jeremy laughed weakly. "You too, Duo. Even though I thought you were quite scary at first. You're still scary now, but at least I know we're on the same side."
"Be careful, Private." Trowa said. "You're a good man."
"You too, Sir. Private Jeremy Johnson out."
"Whoa! One more thing, PJ!"
"Yes?"
"You have got to chance that last name. It sounds so uncool."
There was a stunned silence on the other line. "What?"
"You know, you're a big shot now. You need a cool name. Something more impressive than another word for penis."
"Umm..." Jeremy sounded dumbfounded. "So what do you suggest?" He asked hesitantly.
"Hmm..." Duo made a show of thinking hard. "How about J. J. Maxton?" Trowa raised his eyebrow incredulously. Duo ignored him.
"Umm...I'll think about it, Duo." Jeremy said finally.
"Great!" Duo grinned. "Catch ya later buddy! Shinigami out. "
Duo looked over to where Trowa was still staring at him. "What?" Trowa shook his head.
"Maxton?"
Duo blushed and stood swiftly. "So are we ready to go or what? We're sitting ducks in this air shaft."
The Latin boy nodded. "Since Une will be focused on the evacuation, she won't be sending the Mobile Dolls to confront the Tallgeese. That means he'll attack the base again. We have got to get out of here as quickly as possible."
The two began jogging down the debris-strewn passageway, trying to move as fast as possible in the near darkness. Duo kept his broken arm close to his body, trying not to jar it. How he wished for a bottle of painkillers right then!
"Duo."
"Duo!" A hand reached out, jerking him to a halt.
"Huh?" The American glanced up, his eyes clouded in pain. "What's up?"
Trowa looked at him in concern. "We're here. DeathScythe is in the cargo bay right above us."
Duo looked up to see a metal grating in the ceiling. He couldn't make out much about the room on the other side except for it was huge. It was definitely big enough to store a Gundam. He glanced over at Trowa and nodded.
"Boost me up."
The Latin boy cupped his hands out and Duo placed one foot carefully on them. With a heave, Trowa straightened, bringing the American in reach of the grate above them.
"It's not bolted down." The longhaired boy mumbled down to him in relief. "Just hold me steady for a minute and I'll push it out of the way."
Trowa remained silent, but he never wavered. Duo swiftly lifted the grating and shoved it squealing across the floor. Standing on tiptoes, he peered out of the opening. The bay was dimly lit, but his eyes unerringly found the object he was looking for.
"There it is!" The braided boy pulled himself into the room suddenly and Trowa rushed to follow.
There, in the center of the room, stood the towering figure of DeathScythe Hell. Wings spread archaically, the black mobile suit looked like the incarnation of Death itself. Duo was in love.
"Oh wow, Tro! Check out those wings! And look! G kept the Buster Shield!" Duo grabbed his arm like and excited kid. "There are the Hyper Jammers, so I'll still have my cloaking ability. That will come in handing when we're trying to get past Zechs...." He paused, looking over at Trowa seriously. "You are coming with me, aren't you? I mean I'm sure we can both fit in the cockpit."
Trowa shook his head. "My mission is over. I have brought you to DeathScythe. Now I have to go back and figure out how to stop Zechs. Treize doesn't want him dead, but he is complicating our plan greatly. Unless he's stopped, peace will never be attained."
Duo bowed his head. "Then I guess here is where we part ways." He stared up at Trowa through his ragged bangs. "It's been fun, buddy. We should do it again sometime."
Trowa gripped the longhaired boy's shoulder reassuringly. "Yeah...we should."
Duo shifted from foot to foot awkwardly. "Man, I hate goodbyes. I never know what to say when it really counts."
"Then say you'll be careful." Emerald eyes stared deep into his own. "And you won't do something stupid, like try to self destruct. Even though it won't work anyway."
Duo grinned. "Will do. And you tell that bastard S that if he threatens you one more time, he's gonna have a very angry God of Death at his doorstep. And while you're at it, make him do something about that ammo problem."
Trowa gave him a small smile. "Will do. You going to be able to pilot that thing with your arm?" Duo nodded.
"I'll put it on autopilot till I get closer to my destination. I'll probably hide out on L2 for awhile till this heals." He waved his broken arm carefully.
"Right." Trowa's fists clenched slightly at his sides. "Well, you better get your ugly mug out of here before Zechs turns the moon into Swiss cheese."
Duo turned and began to carefully climb up DeathScythe's slick form. "Alright, Bang-boy. Go fight your battle before I decide to give you a haircut."
Trowa watched him ascend silently. Reaching the cockpit, Duo gave him a small wave, which he returned with a firm nod. "I'll go open the bay doors." He called up.
Turning, he walked towards the room's entrance, where he would stay in the air lock while the bay doors we're open. He was about halfway there when he saw a flash of motion in the corner of his eye. Hearing a gun shot, he dove to the ground reflexively and felt a white hot pain sear through his abdomen.
Duo glanced up from DeathScythe's controls when he heard the shot. Jumping out onto the Gundam's still-open hatch, he watched as Trowa fell to the floor, a dark puddle of blood beginning to surround him. Duo's heart seemed to explode with pain as a scream ripped past his throat.
"NO!!!"
End Part Eleven
(:./astrokender/crossed11)
