March 3, 2001
Title: Crossed Wires
Author: AstroKender
Pairings: very (very) faint 2+3
Rating: Alternate Timeline
Warnings: foul language. Some minor angst here.
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.
Trowa sighed as he juggled his burden while punching in the codes for Duo's cell. The door opened with a whoosh and he peered into the shadowy depth, ready for any surprises. He looked over at the cot and he felt his eyebrow rise.
Duo was sprawled across the small mattress, one knee leaning up against the wall as a stray arm was flung over his eyes. A soft snore floated out between the boy's slightly parted lips. Trowa shook his head and set a tray of food down on the ground before walking over to stand above the prisoner.
"Hey, wake up." He shook the American lightly.
Suddenly Trowa was thrown against the wall with Duo's arm pressed against his throat. The braided boy opened his eyes and peered at the Latin boy in shock.
"Trowa? Gods man, don't sneak up on a guy like that! I could have killed you!"
Trowa stared at him impassively. "I highly doubt that." Duo winced as the barrel of Trowa's gun dug into his side. Aimed for his heart, the boy was good. Duo shrugged and released the banged boy, and walked over to the far corner of the room.
"Enjoying your stay?" Trowa asked sarcastically as he sat on the edge of the cot.
Duo snorted and unzipped his pants. "A toilet would be nice. But I guess I can't deny the advantages of a well placed drain." He said as he relieved himself.
"I brought you some food. And some water. I figured you'd be dehydrated after that little stunt you pulled this morning."
Duo fastened his pants and went over to inspect the tray. "What can I say? I had some nervous energy I had to get rid of." He sneered down at his food. "No silverware..." He let out a bark of laughter. "And styrofoam dishes. Come now, Tro? Can't even trust me with plastic?"
"I'm not taking any chances, you are too unpredictable."
Duo grinned and grabbed the large bottle of water. "I'll pass on the rest, but thanks for the water."
Trowa frowned. "You need to keep up your strength."
"Aw, Tro, worrying about me again?"
"I could personally care less about what happens to you." The banged boy glared. "But Doktor S warned me of certain...recriminations should you not come out of this mission alive."
Duo's expression darkened. "Where does that bastard get off threatening you? Someone should teach him a lesson on respecting people in charge of giant machines capable of mass destruction."
Trowa was shocked that the braided boy would come to his defense so vehemently, but shrugged it off. The other boy's reasoning was beyond him. "You should eat."
Duo took a swig from his water. "No thanks, man. Never was much for prison food."
Trowa glared at him. "Look, I didn't lug that tray all the way down here just so you could turn your nose up at it. Now eat the damn food."
"Okay, okay! Geesh..." Duo picked up the nearest plate and blinked. "A hamburger?"
Trowa snorted and stood. "You're an American, aren't you?"
Duo opened his mouth to give a scathing reply when suddenly a deafening boom resounded through the base. He stood quickly, trying to keep his balance as the floor trembled beneath him.
"This is not good..." He muttered as the ceiling above him groaned ominously.
Another explosion was heard as the ground heaved violently. Duo lost his balance and fell to the ground. "Is it a meteor shower?" He shouted over the din.
Trowa was saying something to him but Duo couldn't make it out. A sudden cracking sound drew the braided boy's attention to the ceiling above him. He watched, frozen, as the panels spilt and cracked overhead and slowly started to fall.
A heavy weight suddenly slammed into him as a large piece of panel crashed into the floor where he just was. Duo looked at the figure on top of him. Trowa looked down at him grimly, his body shielding Duo from the smaller bits of debris.
"Trowa..." Duo's voice was lost in the clash of metal on metal.
Suddenly the shaking stopped and the Latin boy grabbed Duo's arm, yanking him to his feet.
"Where are we going?" Duo demanded, dragging his feet.
"I'm going to find out what's going on."
"But why are you taking me?"
Trowa stopped and stared at him. "Do you want to stay in there?"
He took Duo's silence as a negative and continued to drag him along. Soon, they came upon a handful of his officers as they ran around frantically. One young man, the Private that had warned Trowa about the men attacking Duo, ran up to him.
"Lieutenant! Thank God we found you! We are being attacked!"
"Attacked? By who?"
The officer looked nervously at Duo before turning back to his commanding officer. "It's a Gundam sir. One we haven't been able to identify."
Duo and Trowa stared at each other for a long moment before the Latin boy flung him at the young officer. "What's your name, Private?"
"Uh...uh..." The young man tried desperately not to flinch as he reflexively caught the braided boy. "Jeremy sir. First Private Jeremy Johnson."
Trowa nodded. "Good. Private Johnson, keep a hold of him so he doesn't escape, and follow me." Trowa strode down the hallway.
Jeremy stared fearfully at the deadly prisoner in his arms. Duo couldn't help it; he gave the officer a malicious smile. The Private quickly released him and drew his pistol, pointing it shakily at the American. He grabbed one of his fellow officers. "I need some wrist cuffs." He demanded, his voice cracking. "Hurry!"
A now shackled Duo was hastily shoved into the communications room. Trowa looked up and nodded as Private Johnson gave him a hasty salute.
"That's all, Private. You may leave."
Jeremy looked from his commander to his prisoner. "Sir! I can't leave you alone with this guy! He's dangerous!"
"That's an order, Johnson."
"Sir, I'm afraid I have to ignore that order. The prisoner is a Gundam Pilot and should be watched as closely as possible." The officer looked stricken but firmly held his ground. Trowa had to admire his courage. He glanced at Duo, who gave him a meaningful look that seemed to say 'it would look suspicious for you to have me around with no guards.'
Trowa sighed. "You're right, Private. Please keep an eye on him for me."
Jeremy smiled, relieved. "Yes, sir!"
"What is our situation?" The Latin boy asked as he walked over to the consol and began typing furiously.
"The base is being attacked by an unknown Gundam. It has struck the base twice with some sort of beam rifle. We've sustained heavy damages to West sector G and H, at least four levels deep."
Trowa nodded. "Down to the prisoner's cells."
"Correct. We've sent out a troop of Mobile Dolls but this Gundam seems to be able to destroy them like they were nothing. Our ground cannons have held it off temporarily, but not for long."
"Bring the prisoner forward. We may be able to use him to halt the attacks." Trowa gestured.
The officer did as he was told and Trowa pressed a button that made the screen in front of them come to life. Duo's breath caught as he watched the scene before him. A Gundam, similar to Wing but immensely more powerful, moved as fast as lighting as it destroyed everything in it's wake.
Trowa opened a communications line. "Gundam Pilot. Throw down your weapons and surrender. We have one of your own here and if you don't comply we won't hesitate to kill him."
Duo's eyes narrowed. That better be a bluff...
A soft laughter filtered through the speakers. "What is one more sacrifice for 'the good of the colonies'?" the voice purred scornfully.
Trowa's eyes widened. He recognized that voice...
Just then Duo broke out of the young officers arms and ran forward. "Quatre!"
The screen suddenly lit up with a visual of the inside of the strange new Gundam's cockpit. Aquamarine eyes peered coldly from underneath pale blond hair. The eyes softened slightly upon seeing American's shackled and bruised form.
"Duo..."
Quatre's eyes moved over to rest on the Latin boy and he gasped. "T-Trowa?" The blond stared, wide eyed, at his former friend, now clad as the enemy.
Trowa's eyes narrowed. Drawing his pistol he walked over to Duo and pressed the cold metal to the braided boy's temple.
"Quatre Raberba Winner. Surrender now or I will shoot him."
End Part Four
(:./astrokender/crossed4)
