03-Sep-2000
Title: Demons
Authors: bonnejeanne (bonnejeanne@yahoo.com) and vonceia (vonceia@yahoo.com)
Archive: GW Addiction and if she chooses, Darkflame
Category: yaoi, angst
Rating: NC-17
Pairings: 1x2, 6x5, various
Warnings: Lemon in some scenes. Angst. AU - we do not guarantee that our interpretations of characters or events will agree with yours, so a general OOC warning. Some events and implications may be offensive to the religious.
Spoilers: Series, EW
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing characters and universe are the property of the copyright owners. Our stuff is ours. No money being made here. As with all our fics so far, while our goal is to stay as in character as possible, any discrepancies are our mistakes.
Feedback: Any and all comments, feedback, critiques welcome, be they short or long.
Notes: This is part of the Frozen Colony Arc, and takes place following The Hunt. If you are not familiar with the timeline and are curious, you can find the stories on GW Addiction and on DF's site. On GWA on the Bonne&Von page, there are numbers denoting which stories are FC Arc and should be read in what order.
Duo's demons appeared first in Down Time in Hell, and reappeared in Dancin With My Mirror. This is a fic to explore their existence and origins. Liberties are taken with Duo's history and original characters from ESO appear.
A short while later, there was a tap on the door of the Waiting Chamber. Heero kissed Duo deeply, then stood up and unlocked the door.
"They're ready. Is Duo okay?" Father Thomas asked.
Heero looked at the young priest and nodded. "Hn," he remarked.
"I'm great, Father Tom," Duo said, bouncing up to the door. He grinned. "I'm almost getting to like this room."
"Oh, ok," Father Thomas replied, with a small smile. "Come then," he said and led the way to the Council Room.
Duo straightened his tie, brushed at his clothes absently and then winked at Heero. "Here we go," he said softly.
Heero nodded, but said nothing. His focus was on Duo as they walked to the Council Room.
Five ornate chairs stood in a great hall of the Ecumenical Council. Four of the five Monsignors which comprised the council, sat in their places, attending to the matters of the day. Monsignor Elvay was the last to arrive and took his place next to Monsignor Simon. Neither spoke to the other, but the silent tension was there.
Duo and Heero were announced and brought before the Council by Father Thomas, who stood near by. Monsignor Simon, looked at the two pilots and nodded to himself.
"Mr. Duo Maxwell," Monsignor Simon said. "Welcome. I see that you have not accepted an offer of Absolution as is your right. You wish to address the Council, however. Please do so at this time."
Duo stepped forward, taking a place in the middle of the space, and looking for a moment at each of the five men before him.
"My name is Duo Maxwell... however I don't have a birth certificate or any credentials to that effect. I never knew my parents. I grew up on the streets of a colony in L2... and other places. There were a lot of orphans in the colonies then and we mostly stuck together. I learned to survive by stealing, by basically doing anything I could to get food and necessities. My friends often died - starvation, exposure, disease. No one cared about us. I thought that was just the way it was - the way it always would be."
Duo's violet eyes were serious and moved from one of the council to the other as he talked.
"Then someone tried to help me. His name was Father Maxwell. He had a small church and did everything he could to help people - but mostly he tried to help the kids - kids like me. Sister Helen helped him." Duo paused, and shrugged. "I thought they were crazy. I'd never known anyone to just try to help, for no reason, no personal gain. But they gave us food to eat and clothes and a place to stay. They even tried to find homes for us. I didn't understand, but I needed the help. At first I thought I figured out the angle... that Father Maxwell was helping us so we'd believe in his God and go to his church or something. And he did try to teach us about God and the Savior. But even when I told him I didn't believe, he still helped me. He never rejected me. He did everything that he could."
"It was the first home I ever had. And it was where I learned something important - that helping people was a good thing, whether you got rewarded for it or not. It took me a long time to understand that. And I don't know if my life has been one that Father would have approved of. I kind of think maybe not. So I can't offer myself as proof of what he did. I can only be a witness."
Duo stepped forward. "There was no price that could be put on what Father did for his colony. Even when rebels tried to make him shut up - you see they didn't want him preaching the ideals of peace and loving thy neighbor, they wanted everyone in the Colony to rebel against the Alliance. But Father was true to what be believed. It wasn't his fault a disobedient orphan tried to buy the rebels off with a stolen mobile suit. It wasn't his fault, but he and Sister and lots of others paid the price."
Duo paused for a moment, his eyes shining a bit, but his expression remained serious and intent. He continued. "Now I hear that the Church doesn't approve of Father Maxwell. He's supposed to have been disobedient or something. And the Church never sent another priest to L2 to take his place. I'm here to tell you what I know - what I've seen with my own eyes. And to tell you that Father Maxwell, and Sister Helen... they were as close to real live saints as anybody could be. They don't deserve to be remembered this way. If they could speak to you... if Father could speak to you, he wouldn't ask anything for himself, I know it. But he would ask that you support a mission in L2."
Swallowing, Duo raked his eyes down the line of council members one last time.
"I don't know if *I* really believe a church in L2 is that important. But Father would. Father believed in God and his Son, and tried every day to do what he thought They would want. Father believed in the Holy Church, which means he believed in you. I would like to believe in you, too. Maybe you can tell me why I should."
Duo then stepped back, bowed slightly, and waited.
Monsignor Simon smiled, but said nothing.
Two of the elder members of the Council looked to each other and one of them looked to Duo.
"Duo Maxwell," he said. "Do you realize that you have just made statements that contradict the Church's records of L2? We have a written statement which outlines Father Maxwell's intentions at the time."
"Did Father Maxwell write this statement, sir?" Duo asked.
"His signature is on the document," the other Monsignor replied.
"Alleged signature," Monsignor Simon said.
"The document was clear," Monsignor Elvay said.
"Duo Maxwell," Monsignor Simon said, looking at the young pilot. "There has been some confusion on the Council regarding the L2 colony for some time now. I have seen this document in which Father Maxwell supposedly states his complete agreement with the Rebel forces at the time. No mention was ever made of a mobile suit. This is new information."
Duo worked hard to keep his face from reflecting the anger he felt at these men. He took a deep breath. "The rebels occupied the Church for a whole day, and held Father and Sister Helen at gunpoint. Perhaps they forced him to write the statement, perhaps they wrote it for him. I don't know. I can only tell you what I saw. I was there. Father took no sides - he was concerned for the safety of the kids - us. His pacifism didn't please the rebels. I thought...." Duo closed his eyes and then opened them again. "I thought if they had a mobile suit, they would go away and leave us alone. I wanted to help Father like he helped me. I was... stupid... I thought I knew how things worked, but I hadn't seen it all yet. I slipped out of the church and went to where the Alliance kept their weapons. I stole a suit and brought it back. The Alliance... retaliated. They killed... everyone." Duo's eyes filled but he blinked until his vision cleared.
"You can believe me, or an old piece of paper. I can't make you see the truth," he said. "If I were Father, maybe I'd pray for it. But I'm Duo Maxwell. Believe it, or don't."
Monsignor Elvay watched with different eyes than the Council. He made note of Duo's determination and drive. He saw the small boy in the young man standing before them. It pleased him.
"Duo," Monsignor Simon said, "Please forgive us. It is apparent that you have suffered and that Father Maxwell and Sister Helen have suffered as well. The L2 colony is not an easy place and never has been. Monsignor Elvay was assigned that area a number of years ago and we have all read his accounts. My fellow brethren. We can do no less for the ill that we have caused in besmirching the names of Father Maxwell and Sister Helen than to send a representative to L2. Are we agreed?"
The other members of the Council looked down. Two of the Monsignors assented and agreed. Monsignor Elvay added his assent as well. The last Monsignor looked up. "But we were given this information by the Alliance," he stated.
"Excuse me," Heero said, coming to stand next to Duo. "The Alliance was known to have lied. It had an agenda. Any information from them or Oz should be looked at as suspect."
The elder Monsignor frowned and looked down, clearly not liking what he was hearing.
"Thank you, Mr. Heero Yuy," Monsignor Simon said. "In any case, L2 will have a mission by agreement of Council four to five in favor. It is only what we were meant to do or should have done in the first place, regardless."
Monsignor Simon looked to Duo. "What else may we do for you, Mr. Maxwell?" he asked.
Duo shook his head. "Remember Father Maxwell and Sister Helen," he said. "I will remember them every day and they will always represent to me something which from time to time I loose faith in - the goodness in human beings. That's all you can do, and don't do it for me. Do it for yourselves."
Duo stepped back once again, and then looked over catching Father Thomas's eye. His glance seemed to say, Father Tom, the rest is up to you.
Father Thomas nodded and then walked up. "Members of the Council. I have discussed this with Monsignor Simon. I would like to be assigned to the L2 colony as representative of the Church."
Monsignor Elvay leaned forward slightly. "As it has been stated, L2 is a difficult place, Thomas. Are you certain?"
Father Thomas looked at the Monsignor directly. "I have never been more certain, Monsignor. It is a place where I would be needed and quite frankly a place that I need as well," he said.
"So, are there any objections to the appointment?" Monsignor Simon asked, glancing at Elvay and the others. "Since there does not seem to be objection, it is agreed that Father Thomas should head the new mission on L2."
Father Thomas took a deep breath and stepped back. He clasped Duo on the shoulder as he moved back. "Thank you," he said, quietly.
Duo smiled slightly. "Don't thank me," he said softly, and seriously. "Thank Father Maxwell."
"Every day," Father Thomas said.
"Mr. Maxwell," Monsignor Simon said. "Please be assured that your statements will be kept in the official records of the Church and that we will be investigating the matter until we find out everything that transpired on L2 during that time. Also, if you should have need of the Church, please do not hesitate to contact us. Be at peace."
Duo looked directly at Monsignor Simon. "Thank you, sir," he said. "When I came here I thought you would probably throw me out. I'm glad you've all taken the time to listen."
He bowed slightly, his eyes flickering over Monsignor Elvay as he did so.
Father Thomas led the way out of the Council hall and looked back at Duo and Heero once they were outside. "I hope you got some of your answers, Duo. I know I've gotten a place to start myself," he said.
Duo glanced at Father Thomas. "I got my answers. Someone lied about Father Maxwell. Whether it was through ignorance, misunderstanding or malice... it's possible no one will ever know. If those holy men in there know the difference between the truth and a lie... maybe they'll be adding some extra sins at confession. Who knows. I'm done here."
"I soon will be," Father Thomas said. "It has been a pleasure to meet you both. I thank you for helping to restore my faith. I'll be working on answers too, Duo. In the meantime, here," he said, handing Duo a small package. "Inside is a small gift that visitors are given. Underneath it is a disk with all of the records I was able to assemble, if you're interested."
"Thank you, Father Tom," Duo said. The he surprised the priest by giving him a quick hug. "Father Tom..." he started to ask something else, then changed his mind. "Never mind. Maybe I'll see you in space, Father."
Father Thomas was a little startled, but returned the hug. "I have no doubt about that," he said. "I will send you both an invitation to the new mission as soon as it's built."
"We'll be there," Heero said, simply.
The ride back from Rome in the shuttle was remarkably uneventful. Duo was wide awake and carried on a lively conversation about whatever entered his mind, from his opinions to the robes the Council members wore, to the edibility or lack thereof of the food on the shuttle flight. He stayed away from anything to do with Monsignor Elvay or what had happened in that man's office.
While Duo talked, Heero listened carefully. He made a point of holding on to Duo's hand as much as possible during the flight. He also stayed away from the subject of the Monsignor thinking that Duo needed some down time before launching into the next phase of this journey. The Perfect Soldier was reassured by the electronic gadgets that were safely tucked into his pocket. That device would reveal another piece to the puzzle and Heero hoped that it would answer more questions. The mission wasn't over.
Sighing a little, Heero raised Duo's hand to his lips and kissed it.
Duo looked over at Heero, feeling the light touch. His violet eyes softened and he smiled warmly. "Oh Hee-chan," he said. He squeezed Heero hand in his. "Thanks for putting up with... all of this," he said.
Sighing a little, Heero raised Duo's hand to his lips and kissed it. Heero's cobalt blue eyes twinkled. He raised Duo's hand again, but this time took one of Duo's fingers in his mouth, sucking it a little before letting it slide out. "Pleasure," he said.
Duo shivered. Then he grinned. "You are... you have become a very bad boy, Heero Yuy," he said, with a touch of pride. "I could never have imagined you acting this way before." He winked. "I like it though."
"Good," Heero responded. "But you'll have to compliment my teacher, Duo Maxwell. He taught me everything I know," he added, with a wink of his own.
Duo looked down modestly. "It was nothing," he said modestly, looking up through his eyelashes. Then he grinned wickedly. "Corruption of beautiful and perfect soldiers is my specialty." He leaned over and kissed the side of Heero's neck, under his ear.
"Hn," Heero remarked, closing his eyes for a second to the touch. "You know if you keep that up, I'll be down on my knees between your legs in a minute. I don't know if the shuttle attendants or other passengers will be able to take it," he said.
Duo shivered again, nodding. He clasped Heero's hand tightly in his, and sent up a wish that the flight would end soon.
End of Part 8 - TBC
What did you think?
bonnejeanne & vonceia
Please send comments to: bonnejeanne@yahoo.com or vonceia@yahoo.com