Title: Written in Blood
Author: AstroKender
Pairings: 2+5, 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.
Duo stepped into the kitchen to get away from the disturbing writing. He desperately needed some coffee about now. WuFei lived all the way on the other side of the city, so it would take awhile for the Chinese boy to arrive. Nervously laying his gun upon the counter, he went about brewing some coffee. As late as it was, undoubtedly WuFei would appreciate it.
Suddenly, he felt the hair on the back of his neck rise. Snatching up his pistol, he whirled around. His gun was pointed at thin air. Laughing uneasily, he poured himself a cup of the harsh black liquid and to a seat by his rickety three legged table. He sat there, elbows on the table, and his gun beside him, as he stared into he coffee, wearily pinching the bridge of his nose.
That act saved his life.
As he stared at his distorted reflection in the murky black liquid, he saw a dark shadow slip up behind him. He threw himself to the side just as a large metal baseball base came barreling down. The blow that should have crushed his skull merely glanced off him, knocking him to the ground, stunned.
The bat came across on a vicious back swing, slamming into the braided boy and sending him skidding across the floor, further away from his gun. Dazed, Duo tried to focus on the dark form of his attacker. Dark clothes and a five o'clock shadow was all the American could discern.
The intruder picked Duo up by his color and slammed him against the wall. Meaty hands enclosed around his throat and began to squeeze. Duo began to see stars as the world darkened around him. He could smell his attacker's fetid, alcohol soaked breath.
Growling, Duo raised his fist and flung it out blindly, using all of his failing strength. He felt the blow connect and the hands that held him loosened. Kicking out, Duo's foot made contact with the man's gut, driving him away. Coughing, the American fell to the ground.
With a howl of rage, the attacker took up the baseball bat and lunged at the prone boy. Duo closed his eyes and braced himself for the blow that would likely kill him. He felt a whoosh of air, then the sound of the metal bat hitting the tiled floor.
Opening his eyes, his saw his savior. WuFei had the intruder on his knees and in a headlock. The Chinese boy looked ready to break the man's neck, but stopped when he saw Duo rise unsteadily to his feet. Instead, his hand shot out and struck the man across the neck, instantly rendering him unconscious.
Seeing Duo sway dizzily, the ebony haired boy rushed to assist him. Taking one thin arm, he carefully slung it over his shoulders. Guiding the boy back over to the table, he carefully righted the upended chair and sat his burden down on it.
"Duo, Daijobu? Are you alright?" He knelt down next to the American.
"Hai, Wu-chan. I'm fine." Violet eyes closed tightly, trying to bring the world back into focus.
"It doesn't look like it." A slender hand slid up to touch the American's brow, and came away stained with blood.
"Yeah, well. A baseball bat'll do that to you. We better call this in." Trembling hands reached inside his jacket for his cell phone. Duo began to laugh.
"What is it?" For the first time, Duo noticed those sloe-eyes were clouded with undisguised worry.
He removed his hand from his jacket, taking with it the broken remains of his cellular phone. Regarding it with bemusement he absently rubbed his bruised ribs.
"I think we'll hafta use your phone to call Une."
With a grunt, WuFei pulled out his own phone and dialed up Une's office. He knew she always worked late Monday nights. Barking a few short, clipped orders, he hung up and returned his attention to his injured partner.
"How bad are you really hurt?"
Duo winced and took a mental survey of his injuries. "Bruised trachea, possible cracked ribs, none broken though. Laceration to cranium over left eyebrow, Concussion possible, but not likely." He delivered this all in his best Heero Yuy voice, perfectly straight faced besides the mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
WuFei snorted and stood. "So where's this letter you were so worked up about?"
Duo gestured to the adjoining room, frowning darkly, the Chinese boy went to investigate. He came back quickly, dark eyes troubled.
"This is serious."
Duo rolled his eyes. "No duh." WuFei ignored him and knelt down beside the crumpled figure of the intruder. "Do you think he could have done it?"
Duo shook his head carefully. "Unlikely, unless he did it, and then came back. That blood is hours old and there was no one in the apartment when I came in."
"You could have missed him." WuFei pointed out.
Duo glared at him. "I missed nothing. There wasn't a square inch of this place I didn't cover. I don't slack when it comes to my life."
"My apologies."
An awkward silence filled the room until the backup arrived. Une barreled through the door, with Trowa and Quatre close behind. She must have called them up, Duo thought, because they were wearing hastily donned civilian clothes.
"What happened? Are you all right? Where is the assailant?" Une fired the questions rapidly.
"A bat to the head. Yes. And over there." Duo pointed.
Issuing orders left and right, Une had the man dragged away for questioning. She turned to Duo, who was now fending off the tender ministrations of both Quatre and Trowa.
"Is that all?" She asked, her voice noticeably softer.
Duo winced as Quatre dabbed at the cut over his eyes. His eyes wearily sought WuFei's, silently telling him that he was too exhausted to deal with this. Clearing his throat, WuFei gesture for Une to follow him into the living room. Trowa followed them, a silent shadow.
"Oh, Duo. Are you okay?" Quatre held a white cloth to the American's bloody temple. His aquamarine eyes shined with worry.
"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" Duo groaned.
"Cause we're worried about you, baka. Une had to basically order Heero to not leave his post at the Vice Minister's mansion."
Duo chuckled, wishing he could have heard that conversation. He looked up as Trowa stalked through the door, his expression stormy.
"You're not staying here tonight." He commanded.
Quatre looked up in confusion and Duo just stared at him, eyes dull. "What do you mean? Trowa?" The Arab asked. "What's in there?"
Trowa was silent and the blond rose to investigate for himself, but his lover stopped him.
"Don't." He pleaded.
Quatre looked up at him helplessly, but those green eyes did not waver. "You will tell me later." His tone brooked no argument. Trowa nodded.
"So," Duo spoke up finally. "If I can't stay in my own apartment, where do I go?"
Quatre immediately opened his mouth to extend an invitation, but a low voice cut him off.
"Maxwell will be staying with me."
Everyone turned to watch as WuFei reentered the kitchen, Une trailing behind. Trowa stared at him, his one visible green eye expressionless. Quatre started to protest and then closed his mouth, deciding against it.
Duo rose shakily to his feet. "I'll got get my stuff."
The American laid his head wearily against the door of the jeep. He hadn't objected when WuFei demanded to drive. In the back lay one shabby suitcase containing a few changes of clothes and other meager collections. Duo tiredly reached up and loosened the tie of his Preventer's uniform. He hadn't even gotten to change.
"Look at it this way, Maxwell. At least Une gave you tomorrow off."
"You mean today." Duo muttered, gesturing to the digital clock on the dash. It was indeed late, or rather, early.
Thanks to Shinigami, they reached WuFei's apartment in record time. Stepping into the Chinese boy's Spartan dwelling, Duo realized he had never really been inside of WuFei's home. It was immaculate, of course, and had an elegance to it that was enhanced by its simplicity. Duo was too tired to register much more then that, though.
WuFei seemed to sense this and ushered the American towards his small bedroom. A queen-sized bed took up much of the space and heavy curtains covered the windows, muting any light that tried to peek through. Duo paused in the doorway.
"Where are you gonna sleep, Wu-man." He felt a shove and nearly fell into the soft mattress. Behind him, the Chinese boy snorted.
"Where do you think, Maxell? The couch."
"Oh." With the last of his strength, Duo managed to pull the covers about him. Eyelids suddenly too heavy slid closed as his snuggled into the fragrant pillows beneath him. They smelled like WuFei.
"G'night, Wuffy."
"Goodnight, Maxwell."
Duo was asleep before the door silently closed.
End Part Four
(:./astrokender/written4)
