Title: Written in Blood
Author: AstroKender
Pairings: 5x2, 3+4
Rating: action/mystery
Warnings: Slight Duo torture
Spoilers: None.
Notes: Takes place after the Eve Wars of Endless Waltz. Everyone works for the Preventers.
Disclaimers: I own nothing...not even my computer. So obviously GW isn't mine. Don't sue.
Reaching into his pocket, Duo pulled out his cell phone. Dialing Heero's own wireless phone, he began pacing impatiently, waiting for the Japanese boy to pick up. Duo winced as the movements made his wound throb and eased himself back down in his chair with a worried sigh. No answer. This can't be good.
Biting his lip, he reached over his desk for his vid-phone. Quickly, he dialed up security over at Relena's estate, letting his cell-phone continue ringing. A woman with a less-than-helpful expression popped up on the vid.
"Who is this? This is a secure number." Her nasal voice demanded.
"This is Duo Maxwell. I need to speak with Heero Yuy immediately. Patch me into wherever he is."
"I'm sorry sir," her tone said otherwise. "But I cannot do that. I do not know what business you have with the head of Miss Darlian's security but if you'd like to leave a message I'll see to it he gets it first thing in the morning." She took out an emery board and started filing her nails.
Yeah right. Duo thought angrily. "Listen, Miss Minimum Wage. I am Duo Maxwell. I work for the Preventers. This is a matter of such importance that your primitive mind couldn't possibly understand it. I need to speak with Heero Yuy. Patch me in to him. NOW."
The woman stared at him for a minute, stunned. Then the screen went black. Thinking she hung up on him, Duo cursed and prepared to hit redial. Just then, Heero's face appeared on the screen.
"Duo?"
"Well if it isn't Mr. Secrecy." Duo forced himself to grin. "What do you need, Man?"
"Why did you call this number? I'm surprised you got through."
The American reached over and picked up his still ringing cell phone. "I didn't have a choice, I couldn't get through on you private number. Oh, and fire your secretary."
Heero's brow furrowed. "That's impossible." He pulled his own phone from somewhere in his pants. He frowned.
"Never mind." Duo said tiredly, pinching the bridge of his nose. He tried to ignore the buzzing in his head. "Just tell me what you wanted."
Prussian orbs darkened. "Are you alone?" Duo looked around.
"Yeah, Man. What the hell is up?"
"It's WuFei."
Duo's eyes widened. "What? Is he in trouble? Where-?"
"I don't trust him." Heero's face remained impassive. Duo gaped at him. "What are you talking about?" He shouted.
"His loyalties were never very strong to our side. I've been keeping an eye on him since the Mariemaia incident and I don't...I don't trust him."
Duo stood up angrily. "I can't believe you, Heero! WuFei is one of us! He had more honor in his little finger than we both have combined! How can you think he's a murderer?"
Heero's eyes flashed. "I never said that, but now that you mention it, it is a possibility."
"Shut up!" Violet eyes blazed with fury.
"Listen to me, Duo. I took your pill bottle to have it analyzed. It came back with a heavy amount of sedatives-"
"You what? Why?"
"Because...I just did, damn it! The amount of sedatives present was abnormally high."
"Well fucking duh, Heero! They are pain pills!"
"Listen to me!" Heero shouted. "How did WuFei get to you so fast when your apartment blew up?"
Duo sat down. "How did you know about that?"
"Sally told me, but that's not important. How did the coroner end up dead when waiting for a body WuFei was investigating? Why is he absent every time something bad happens? Why is he always around you?"
Duo slammed his hands down on the desk. "Stop it!" But the Japanese boy continued. Duo felt the room spin dizzily.
"WuFei is a killer, Duo. His honor is just a façade. Don't you wonder why the plane I was supposed to be on suddenly blew up? Do you know where I was? I was at the office, tracking down the hacker, even though WuFei wanted me to leave immediately. The computers were hacked into from the inside! Someone within the Preventer's is doing this!"
Duo slumped down into his seat. "Why do you think it's WuFei?"
"He gets this strange look in his eyes whenever he looks at you. You're probably in more danger around him than with the whole Romafeller council! WuFei's gone to the other side a bit too many times. The Mariemaia incident, sleeping with Treize Kushranada...I'm surprised he hasn't betrayed us all before this."
"Treize?" Duo's eyes widened. "He never told me..."
Heero glared at him in frustration. "Why would he tell you?"
"Because he's my lover!" He yelled.
He looked at the screen to see Heero's face totally drain of color. The Japanese boy stared at him for a long moment, silent.
"I'm sorry. Forget I said anything." Heero's voice was devoid of any emotion. "Yuy out."
Duo lurched forward. "Heero! Wait!" But it was too late; the former Wing pilot had ended the call. Putting his head in his hands, Duo stared at the blank vid-phone. His head felt heavy and his eyes and mouth seemed bone dry. The far wall reflected back at him impassively through the screen.
Dark eyes suddenly stared back at him. Duo looked at the figure reflected in the glass, his heart in his throat. He watched through the monitor as WuFei slowly came closer. Then, everything went dark.
"Duo? Duo! Wake up!"
The American's head shot up as a hand shook him firmly. Instinctively grabbing the hand, he flipped the intruder over his shoulder to slam onto the break room table. Wait! The break room? Duo's eyes widened.
"Lady Une! I'm sorry!" He frantically reached to help her up.
The brunette winced slightly as she slid off the table, ignoring and attempts of assistance. Brown eyes gazed levelly into horrified violet ones. "Are you okay?" She asked.
"I should be asking you that! I'm so sorry! I didn't know it was you!" His brow furrowed. "What happened?"
Lady Une looked at him in concern. "I came into the break room and found you asleep." She carefully readjusted her clothing. "I know it's been a tough case for you, but maybe you should take a few days off."
Duo gazed off distantly. "I was asleep the whole time?"
"As far as I know. Should I call WuFei and have him take you home?"
Sharp eyes pinned Une where she stood. "WuFei! Where is he?"
"As far as I know, he's still out searching for leads. He hasn't checked in." She gave Duo a funny look. "What is the matter Duo?" The braided boy shook his aching head. "Nothing. I just had this weird dream..."
Lady Une and reached for Duo's cell phone, which was sitting on the table. As she dialed up WuFei's number, she kept a close eye on the American. Dark circles ringed his eyes and his brow was furrowed up as if in pain. After a moment, the other line picked up.
"Maxwell?" WuFei's voice gasped, as though short of breath.
"No, this is Une. What is wrong, WuFei?" Duo looked up at her sharply.
"Lady. I was investigating the morgue...when I ran...into what I believe to be our suspect. We both got off a couple of shots," Une could hear him his in pain. "And unfortunately one of his connected. I tried...to pursue him on my motorcycle, but he shot it out from under me. He escaped."
"That's okay WuFei. How badly are you hurt?" She motioned for Duo to stay silent.
"Just shot in the shoulder. If only I tried harder, I could have apprehended him!" His voice was filled with self-loathing. Lady Une's eyes narrowed.
"Don't worry about that! Where is your location? I'll send Duo and Sally Po there immediately."
The Chinese boy gave her his co-ordinates and Lady Une hung up, handing the phone back to Duo. "Go downstairs and get Sally. Chang is in the South Market district with a shoulder wound. You are to pick him up immediately."
Duo bit his lip and nodded, rushing out of the room. Running past his desk, he paused. Trembling hands slid out his keyboard, looking for a little yellow memo. Seeing nothing, Duo sighed. Maybe Une was right. This case was really getting to him. But there was no way he could take a break with the killer still loose.
He continued his way towards the stairs at top speed, resolving not to tell anyone about his disturbing dream, least of all WuFei.
End Part Thirteen
(:./astrokender/written13)
