Disclaimer: They're not mine, just taking them out of the drawer and dusting them off a bit...

My Angel's Cry
One

You've heard my story, weather from my own words or from a friend, of a friend, of a friend, and so on and so fourth. Sending it down through person-to-person twisting so much that it's hard to tell which part was the original and what has been stretched to make it sound more exciting. I suppose it really doesn't matter anymore, nothing really does. Just smile, put on the mask and go to work. Play the loud music that I love so much only because the screaming of the guitars and hoarse voices drowned out the screams in my dream. That's a perfect day for me. The heavy beat of a base drum vibrating off the walls of my very own cramped office owned by my very own little salvage yard. And for the first time in my life I was happy...sortta. I had built a simple life in the past six months but I suppose after eight years of being drug dependent and two years of rehab anything would seem simple. Let's not mention the war, please. I had no serious addictions and no nightmares...I do wake up in a cold sweat and tears upon my eyes early every morning, but they're not considered bad dreams if you can't remember them.

The only outside help I got was an occasional fruity taste of 'Sex on the Beach,' half-a-pack of cigarettes a day and of course the week flings with various clubbers. Never can forget about weekend fucks, it's the next best thing to heroin but it'll still kill you if you're not careful. Hell, junk food evens kills you slowly, every little thing always ends up doing you more harm then good these days, even breathing on L2 is toxic. Anyway I was happy, but like everything in this fucked-up life all great things always comes to an end, especially if you're the God of Death. For me, the simplicity of life only lasted half-a-year and it took a mere hour to destroy it all, everything that I had accomplished. Damn her for that.

After the lovely Dr. Po sent me out into the real world, promising to keep my secret from the others I set up my own rink-a-dink shop on L2. Finding bits and pieces of old junk metal left over from the war, I was successful at what I did only because I knew where to look for the rarest of all and charged an ass load for it. Hey, sue me; I had to live somehow didn't I? But that's what got me in trouble in the end, housing the galaxy's largest supply of a metal know as gundamnaium. I should've seen it coming though, it was one of those days, the ones were no matter hard you work you're always behind and no matter how fast you work you're always late. I hate being late for meetings, especially ones I set up with clients and it's my first time talking to them person, it sets a bad impression of you from the beginning. These people had caught a shuttle from earth and traveled here looking for the gundamnaium that I harbored and from the talk that I had them they wanted it all. That was kindda weird. But hey, they were very well paying customers, who was I to questions. Saves my conscious some trouble if I was unaware of what it was really being used for. Ignorance is bliss.

When I walked into the office my devil-may-care smile almost fell, almost. My clients were two women, the one I was closest to was easy to recognize. With her wide expressive dark eyes to match the black hair that she had kept sort, after two years Hilde had not changed one bit. Even at eighteen she still looked like the kid I used to know her as. The other was more difficult. Her eyes were hidden behind dark glass, much like my own. She wore a red dress that looked like it cost more than L2 it's self. Not to fancy just one of those simple designer gowns that cost as much as a fucking corvette. Wouldn't be surprised if it was made for her to begin with, the only dress like it. Her golden hair was bunched up in curls behind her head with little ringlets framing a very beautiful face. Shame too bad I couldn't see her eyes.

I smiled wider and offered my hand, "Mrs. Johns," I shook Hilde's hand, her grip firm. So, who would have thought De would get married, even go as far as to change her name. "It's nice to see you again, I'm terribly sorry I'm late. I had other pressing matters I had to deal with." My business speech coming into check. God I hated the business speech, makes me feel like a nerd.

She smiled back, "That's quite all right Mr. Maxwell, We didn't have to wait long." Her eyes glittered when she said my name. Something passing through them that told me that she knew who I was...fuck. I knew I should have changed my name. "Of course I'm only here to keep Mrs. Yuy company, but now that I know for sure that it's you it's a great opportunity to catch up on old times." Her smiled got bigger, reaching to her eyes as she got up from her chair and wrapped her arms around my neck. I stiffened at first not used to being this close to another person other than for sex, but sex didn't have this warmth behind it. I wrapped my arms around her slight waist bringing her closer to me.

She giggled and pulled away after a few moments. "Where have you been?" she asked, "Everyone thought you dropped off the face of the universe. Relena was even some what worried." She stole a glance at the women seated next to her, causing me to look a little closer at the lady clothed in red. By god, it was a grown up image of the Former Queen of the World.

I shrugged, not letting my surprise show, letting her get back to her seat while I took my own behind my wooden desk. "Right here, just trying to make a living after the war." It really wasn't a lie. It just wasn't the whole truth in its entirety. I knew De wouldn't be interested in my tale of woes, she would just preach to me. I hate it when people do that, it makes me feel inferior and I am NOT inferior. "Well De," I continued, "As much as I would love to catch up for old times sake, I can't. You are not the first people I had to see today and you won't be the last. I am tired and cranky and still have very long day ahead of me. Forgive me for my rudeness," I gave them one of my best charming smiles, "but I do have other people to see that are just as important as you two are, business wise."

She almost looked hurt, poor girl. Nice girls don't need asses like me for friends anyway. I probably would just end up fucking her and leaving...okay...maybe not...this is Hilde; she's the closest thing that I have to a normal sibling. But still, she didn't need to care for me. Relena put a hand on her shoulder and took off her dark shades. "Hilde, I understand that you and Mr. Maxwell were...are long time friends, but I'm afraid I have to agree with him on this one. The sooner we get this done the better. As you know my deadline is very short."

Hilde looked at her, "Relena don't be so rude!" She whispered harshly, "He's the only chance that we have." I didn't know what they were talking about, I didn't want to know.

But I can still say that I was just a little surprised, De thought Relena was being rude? That was the nicest thing she ever said to me. Even though her voice was dripping with sarcasm when she said the formality of my name. In the past she just ignored me. Big improvement.

I gave her another charming smile, "Thank you, Princess. But I am surprised to see you here, I wouldn't think a junkyard would be your idea of a nice place to do your kind of business. Unless you're trying to promote us 'lesser folks' into your peace campaign."

She returned my smile only hers was slightly mocked. "Peace is for everybody, Mr. Maxwell. Not just the upper class."

I couldn't keep the sneer off my face, "But only the upper class are allowed to attend your parties and meetings. How stupid of me to think it was just for them."

She glared at me. Damn, she sure was pretty when she was mad. "Mr. Maxwell I for one -"

I cut her off with a wave of my hand, "Forget it 'jousan. Let's just get down to business please. The quicker we start the sooner you can leave."

Her glare deepened, I think that she might have been taking lessons from her husband.

"Ex." She said.

I blinked at her, "Excuse me?"

"Ex-husband. He divorced me six mouths ago."

I tried not to chuckle, a little ashamed that I had spoken out loud and did not realize it, but still the situation was quite funny. Bitch deserved it for taking my boyfriend from me. I hope he broke her heart to pieces. I wasn't still bitter over that. Not at all. "I'm sorry," was all I said to that.

She gave me another one of her mocked smiles, slightly forced, "No you're not. I took him from you and you're still jealous."

I gave her the same look she gave me, "I might have been, but he left you too, dear sweet princess." My voice dripping with sarcasm.

Her face fell.

Stuck a nerve. Go me. "Let's get down to business, shall we." It was more of a statement than an actual question.

"Let's," Hilde spoke for the first time in five minutes, thank you God. I didn't know how much longer I could last under the now Relena-glare-of- death. It was almost as scary as Heero's...only I knew Heero really didn't mean it when he gave me that 'I will kill you' look. Relena, I was afraid, just might follow through. Or at lest have someone do it for her. I unconsciously shivered. Life was not fair.

I cleared my throat, "I'm guessing you were the one who called me 'De." She gave me a quick nod, one up and one down. "If I remember correctly you needed a large supply of gundamnaium."

She gave another quick nod, "That's right."

I folded my hands in front of me, "What makes you think that I have the amount that you need?"

Relena spoke this time, "You're a business man, if you don't have the amount we need, and I'm sure with the right price you would find it."

I shook my head, "Not everything comes with a price Ojousan, yes I could get the amount that you need...if I don't already have it. The problem is that it would drain my resources and I would have nothing left for the other costumers. Your request would put me out of business."

Hilde glanced at Relena, slightly biting her bottom lip, "You should tell him...?" It was more of a question then a request.

I glared at both of them, my patients running thin, "Look, I am going to tell you straight out. None of this 'well he used to fight for the colonies and was our friend at one time' shit. The key word is 'used to.' I am not any more so lets cut the bullshit and talk. I won't give you the amount that you need or want. I will give you half of what I have. Don't bitch at me or argue, you two are lucky I am giving you that much. And I do NOT want to know what it is going to be used for," I pointed a finger at Relena, sure pointing was rude, sue me, I didn't care, "If you are plotting something, I don't want a part of it, not even a fucking crumb, understand?"

Relena narrowed her cerulean eyes, "You won't even listen to what I have to say?"

I shook my head, "You haven't listened to anybody else's logic but your own in the past, something tells me that you have not changed much in that aspect. There for it's impossible to listen to some who will not listen to you. Save it."

Hilde turned her dark gaze on me, looking away from the Chief of Foreign Affairs, "Duo please, just hear us out. The Preventers desperately need your help. The other pilots have ready agreed to help us--"

I shot her a sharp glance, "Are you after my supply of gundamnaium or myself?" I really didn't want to know, I think I already knew the answer. But I had asked anyway, too late to take it back.

She looked away from me, her dark hair spilling into her eyes, "We need the gundamnaium and your skills." Her voice dropped to barely above a whisper, "It would take too long to train another pilot...we need you to..."

I stood up, my chair would have fallen over if it didn't have wheels, "No fucking way..." I said through gritted teeth, "who the FUCK do you think you are?"

Hilde's eyes filled with tears, "Duo...please...even Quartre came back to-- "

"Quartre didn't go through what I did!" Maybe it was unfair to judge the Winner family heir like that, but fuck it, I was pissed. "I will NOT do any of that again. Again, who are you to ask any of us to kill again...?"

Relena stood, "Quartre, Trowa, Wufei...and...Heero," her voice choked on the last name, "They have all agreed to start fighting for us again. Some how Oz has resurfaced and have become more powerful then they were years before. Treize has picked up the ashes and remains of the military forces that he used to rule and reformed them." She looked at me, her eyes taking on that strong intensity that many people found intriguing. I was not one of these people, I didn't find it intriguing in anyway. I just wondered if she would look like that if she were under me, her face flushed and eyes half closed while she came with me inside of her. That look did nothing to quench my libido, if anything it intensified it "Yes, Maxwell. Treize is alive." She must have miss read the look that crossed my face, only now did I realize that this was the second time that she had said the Oz general's name. This time the shock that passed over my face was real. "We do not know how it has happen but he is alive and even more dangerous." Her voice fell, "Duo, I am speaking to you as an old comrade. Please help us, Oz has been attacking the colonies directly not even bothering with tact. It's like he doesn't even want their support, he just wants to annihilate them..."

I blinked, trying to believe what she was telling me but I couldn't. As much as I hated Oz's leader I knew that he wasn't completely insane, everything he did had a purpose and in some sick twisted way it always it always made sense. But this...attacking the colonies was crazy. Treize wanted power threw the colonies and Earth.not destruction of them. It just didn't make any sense what so ever. "You have got to be kidding.?" I already knew the answer to that question, but I had asked it anyway. I seem to have been doing that a lot throughout this conversation.

The look in her eyes told me that I knew she was not, "I wish I was, Duo, I really wish I was."

I slumped down in my chair, knowing the minute that she had uttered his name that she had me hooked. That bastard was alive, my tired soul was not yet put to rest nor were the ghosts that haunted my past. I ran my fingers through my long bangs and down to the back of my neck to play with my shortened hair. My other hand picking up an ever-present lighter from next to a pile of papers, flicking it on then watching the flame extinguish. Sometimes I wish reality was that simple, just a small movement it was on, and just like that it could be shut off again. I ran my hand back through my hair, up this time to cover my eyes and enjoy fall of the lesser wait settle back in it's close to original state.

I looked past her, tearing my gaze from the lighter on shifting it to the far wall and starting at no particular spot just above her shoulder. I sighed trying to hide the disappointment from my eyes, I knew what she was asking I just didn't want to believe it. I had to hear her actually say it, "So what the fuck do you want? Besides my Gundamium, of course."

Relena smiled at me sadly "I do need your supply of Gundamnaium, Duo. But I need your skills more, I want you to come work for the Preventers."

I nodded not really hearing her still stuck on the disbelief of everything, of all the luck that somehow manages to follow me and not all of it good. "I know," I softly whispered to her, shaking my head. "I can give you what I have to remake DeathScythe or any other Gundam that you need it for. If you need more, I can get it to you in the span of a month or two, it depends on the dealer and how far I have to dig for the rest. As for personally helping you." I took one of my business cards and flipped it over, writing my home number and e-mail address on the back of it in a purple ink pen that my secretary had given to me for 'just the hell of it' and handed it to her, "give me a call to let me know when you need me, or when you ship out. If I am not there leave a message and a warning so I have time to pack the few things that I own and find someone to watch my cats."

She took it from me and looked to the back of it, slightly frowning. "I would like to leave as soon as possible, you with me of course."

I shook my head at her again, "I can't, I have other business to attend to and if you want that amount of Gundamnaium that you need, I have to work inside my office. It goes much quicker that way and it's easier to get a hold of me for deals." I stood up and walked to the door opening it up and turning to face them, "Please leave, I have other people to see today." My voice was cold and emotionless, I think that my eyes probably mirrored that voice, years a practice of not wanting people to read you will do that to you, sometimes I don't realize that I do it anymore. That is the only thing that really scares me now a days, The thought of becoming as emotionless as the prefect soldier.

Relena and Hilde both nodded, as if they did the small moment on cue. Hilde walked to the door stopping a few steps outside of my office and turned back to face Relena when she stopped and looked up at me. I gazed down at her, realizing that her eyes had never lost that spark that somehow attracted me too her from the first day that I had met her on that piece of shit ship.the first time I had met Heero too. It was still there, only slightly intensified by the years and missing that naïve like quality that I found so very annoying. None the less, her cerulean eyes were still very beautiful and captivating.

She smiled at me, a small hint of sadness to it, "Arigato," she whispered and stood up slightly on her tip-toes and kissed my cheek, "you don't know what it means to everyone.to me.to have you back, Duo."

I blinked down at her, my brain still trying to compute the small kiss that I had just received. "Yeah," I managed to mumble, "I am just a great big barrel of monkeys." I knew that I sounded sarcastic. It was meant too.

She shook her head and I didn't bother to watch the two of them leave. Just in case they just so happened to look back, I didn't want to give them the pleasure of catching me watching them walk away. Me, being petty? I would never.

TBC...