25-June-2000
Title: The Hunt ()()()()()()()() Notes: ESO SPOILER: for those of you who read ESO or don't mind being spoiled, Wufei revealed to Zechs at the end of that story that Treize was still alive, which events actually happened in The Future. We do not know at this time how many other characters will come into the story. This is a multi-parter, but will definitely NOT be anything like the length of ESO (sigh of relief heard all around).
Author: bonnejeanne (bonnejeanne@yahoo.com) and vonceia (vonceia@yahoo.com>
Archive: GW Addiction http://www.oocities.org/fenris_wolf0/ and if she chooses, Darkflame http://members.xoom.com/riouka/gwpage.html
Category: yaoi, angst
Rating: NC-17
Pairings: 6x5/5x6 so far, mentions of 1x2 and 5x1x2
Spoilers: Series, Endless Waltz, fics of ours
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.
Warnings: Yaoi, will contain Lemon (graphic sex). No one is intentionally bastardized, but we do not guarantee that our interpretations of characters will agree with yours, so a general OOC warning.
()()()()()()()()
This is a *direct sequel* to our previous fic, ESO, and picks up about two weeks or so after the conclusion of that story. This is the most recent entry in what I am now dubbing the Frozen Colony Arc (whoo hoo, we have an Arc!!! Doesn't that sound impressive? ^_~). Many references are made to events in the previous fics. I would like to think this would not be annoying to anyone who hasn't read the previous stories, but I might be on crack. In the event that anyone is interested, the *chronological* order of these stories is as follows, and all can be found at GW Addiction. [Discoveries: Her Fallen Count; The Frozen Colony; Down Time in Hell; The Rematch; The Future; The Power of Goodbye; and E.S.O.]
Wufei was the last to leave Duo's small apartment - not counting Heero, of course, who had moved in on a more permanent basis.
Tucking the last things in his small bag, Wufei stopped to have tea with the two before departing to catch his shuttle for Earth.
"So, Wufei... you're going to just show up at the Preventers office, right? No call?" Duo asked.
Wufei nodded. "I told them I would come. It's time to finish what I started. If I don't go, I think Zechs will try and do it on his own."
"Either him or me," Heero said, draining his cup as he left his position leaning against the doorframe. He walked over and sat down.
Wufei frowned. "No." he said with finality. "Stay out of this, Heero Yuy."
Duo glanced from one to the other of the most stubborn men in the system and sat back, folding his arms, to watch the contest of wills.
"I understand," Heero said, evenly. "But, he, Treize hurt you, Wufei." Cobalt blue eyes looked into the other pilot's eyes, as Heero let the few words carry his meaning.
Wufei's eyes softened but his mouth remained stubbornly set. "Do you think I'm weak? Like a child that has to be protected from some villain who has hurt me?"
Heero continued to watch Wufei as he spoke. He caught the shift in Wufei's dark eyes. "I understand what you're saying, but I would be the best choice in this situation," Heero said.
"I don't agree. I have far more experience in the matter. If you don't think I'm weak, then I am the logical candidate," Wufei said. "Stop being so arrogant," he added sternly, but his mouth quirked to one side, betraying him.
Heero sighed. Then he leaned over and kissed Wufei. "All right. I will." he said a few moments later, with a slight smile.
Duo's eyes widened. "My god... Wufei.... you did it... you got him to back down. Wufei one, Yuy nothing! Whoo hoo!" he said, clasping his hands over his head. He grinned at Heero impishly.
Heero looked at Duo. "I wouldn't exactly say I got nothing," he countered. Looking back at Wufei, he ran his thumb over Wufei's lower lip.
Wufei flushed, his tongue coming forward to touch that caressing thumb tip. "I've created a monster," he said, lovingly. "Duo... keep him on a short leash."
Duo goggled. "Me? Him? Uh yeah, I sure will... as if..." he said and them muttered, still grinning, "If there's a leash around, *I'd* probably be wear..."
Wufei snickered.
"Whatever happens, get in touch with me," Heero said.
"I will," Wufei said, deciding to quit while he was ahead. "I'll call when I get to Earth. I'll keep you up to date as much as I can. Meanwhile, enjoy your extended vacation."
He got up, grabbing his bag. "Just enough time to make the shuttle. You two stay here, I'll move faster without you," he said, with typical Wufei arrogance. Then he spoiled it by going to Duo and hugging him, as well as exchanging a deep and tender kiss.
"Be careful, Wu-man," Duo said softly. "Your backup is here and ready, don't forget that."
"I won't," the Chinese pilot said. Then he went to Heero. He looked into the Japanese boy's deep blue eyes. "I've got to do this. Like you had to follow Duo and find Alfa, and fight the ESO. If I need you, I'll call. I promise."
Heero nodded. "Good," he said and then leaned forward and kissed Wufei deeply, wrapping his arms around the Chinese pilot. "Whatever you choose to do, it will not change how I feel. I love you Chang Wufei," Heero said, releasing him.
Wufei flushed, and smiled, a full, sweet smile. "And I you. Duo..."
"I know," Duo said, waving one hand, but his smile was very pleased.
Wufei went to the door, turning, and bowed briefly, according them the formal measure of respect. "Stay out of trouble for a while," he said as a parting shot, and then left, closing the door behind him.
Duo sighed, flopping on the couch. His wide, violet eyes settled on the door. "He's... he's gonna be okay, right?"
Heero walked over to the couch and sat down beside Duo. Leaning down, Heero stretched out over Duo and slid his arms around Duo's body. "Don't worry. Wufei will be fine. He knows that we love him," he said.
Sliding his own arms around Heero, Duo nodded. "Yeah... that will help. We better keep an eye out anyway though. Hey... Heero... wonder if he and Zechs... you know.... they sure were reacting strongly to each other out there when we came back from fighting."
"I saw," Heero said. "There was something there. I think they will be all right. They have Treize in common. Besides, I put a tracer on Wufei before he left."
Duo laughs out loud. "Good move! I love it!" He rewarded Heero with a kiss which turned into a grope and a kiss and then...
Wufei got off the shuttle and took a moment to look around, and smell the air of Earth. It had been some time since he'd left the Preventers, and Earth behind. He caught a taxi and went directly to the government building, which housed the Preventers' headquarters. Stopping at the front, he noticed that the person manning the reception area was someone he didn't know. He went up to the brown-eyed girl and showed his identification - Preventer ID but months out of date. "Chang Wufei, to see Lady Une," he said simply.
The receptionist looked up from the man to the identification tag and nodded. "I will need to check. One moment," she said and then entered Wufei's code. She half expected the tag to be a fake, or at least she held out hope that it would be. That would have meant that the nice looking young man would have to stay at her desk until they worked it out. 'He's gorgeous,' she thought as she entered his information into the computer. Her eyes widened as the name suddenly sank into her brain. 'L5 - Chang, Wufei,' she read on her screen as it displayed Wufei's information. Her eyes stole a glance up at the Gundam pilot. She'd heard of him. 'Chill, ice, cool down,' she chanted to herself as she turned back to Wufei. "Lady Une is in her office. She is expecting you," she said. "Your information has been updated in the data base, but your tag is out of date. I will have a new one for you in a few minutes."
Wufei nodded. "I'll pick it up when I come down," he said. Nodding briefly to the girl, he turned and quickly made his way through the security scanners and into the building.
In a few minutes, Wufei was knocking on the door of Lady Une's private office.
Hearing her summons, he stepped inside, and saw her sitting at her wide desk. He came in and bowed formally. "Lady Une. I am here take care of any business the Preventers have for me," he said.
"It is good to see you, Wufei. Please sit," Lady Une said, looking closely at the young Chinese pilot. He looked different than the last time she'd seem him, some months ago. Little signs of strain and tension that he'd held so closely for so long were eased, now only noticeable by their absence.
Wufei took one of the chairs in front of her desk, dropping his small bag beside it. "I've just arrived on Earth," he said. "I'm sorry it took two weeks to get here. I had personal business I wanted to finish before coming, so that I would be free for whatever came up when I arrived."
"That is fine, Wufei. You deserve far more than two weeks. I regret that I did not have the chance to speak with you out in space, but I am very glad to see you here now," Lady Une said and then took a deep breath. "It seems that, for the moment, everything is quiet. We are monitoring, but indications are that most people are still thinking over the consequences of the war and now, the recent battle, as well."
Wufei smiled very slightly. Then he looked directly at Lady Une. "I believe Zechs told you something which I shared with him," he said. "I am here to follow up on that as well. I believe when I saw him last, he had decided that there was some action that he thought was required by his honor. Tell me, has he taken any action?"
Lady Une felt her heart twist, but did not show anything but calm serenity. "No Zechs has not," she replied, unable to keep the face of Treize Khushrenada from rising in her mind. "In fact, he and I talked further and agreed not to do anything until you could be involved."
Wufei acknowledged this with a slight nod. Then his eyes softened. "I know you were close to him, Lady," he said, not talking about Zechs. "I suppose this has been a shock to you. I truly regret that circumstances and my own decisions forced me to withhold this from you. I've learned rather forcefully that what I believed to be the honorable thing to do may have been something quite different. I offer you my apologies for any harm my actions have done to you personally."
Lady Une looked down and then lifted her chin, feeling Wufei's words pour over her. Her hands balled into fists and then fanned out on top of her desk. "It has been a shock, Wufei. I have been trying to think of what to tell Mariemeia and when... or even if I should say anything at all. As for myself, after speaking with Zechs, I find myself going from sorrow to self-doubt." she said. "I feel for both you and Zechs. His Excellency was never an... easy man to know."
Wufei watched Une closely. "You loved him a great deal," he said. "Your devotion was obvious even during the war, when we were your prisoners. You saved him from the Libra's cannon. I have wished once or twice that you had stayed in space that day. Perhaps you could have kept him from the actions that drove us together so violently. Such thoughts are not productive, however."
Lady Une shook her head in agreement. "No, but I have thoughts like those as well," she said. Then, "I promised Zechs that we would all speak together concerning what, if any actions will be taken. The decision is yours, of course. I will support what you decide."
Wufei shook his head. "My actions have all been taken. It was Zechs who felt something was required of him. I am here because I do not wish him to take something on that will cost more than he can afford to complete."
From the shadows of a small alcove off the large office, Zechs Merquise had been watching and listening to most of the conversation thus far. His attention was focused on the Gundam pilot and he found himself tilting his head down to listen to the timbre of Wufei's voice. He thought he might have detected some changes. 'Surely the tension level seems to have decreased,' he thought and then cursed himself as a 'bastard.' 'Zechs what are you playing at here? Leave the boy alone. He's already had one predator bending his psyche and toying with his body...' Zechs thought, and then closed his eyes as the last thought made him clench hard. Silently he cursed himself for giving into Noin's flattery and wearing the jeans, as he felt the uncomfortable consequences strain against the rough material. 'Stop this childish game, Milliardo at once!' he admonished himself, but none of these thoughts managed to dim an inexplicable lightness that seemed to invade his heart. The presence of the Chinese pilot had a definite and unexpectedly positive effect on him.
"I thank you for your concern, Wufei," Zechs said, walking out into the office. "Please forgive me for interrupting, " he said, praying that it would cover a multitude of sins, which included the small hill in his pants.
Lady Une looked up, quickly covering a start. He *would* make those unexpected entrances. "Have a seat," she said, to the tall blond man.
Zechs sat down in the chair next to Wufei's. He looked at Wufei and felt the type of excitement like right before a battle. 'Why?' he thought, 'How can he just illicit this response without saying a word. I thought that I had achieved some kind of balance these two weeks, but now...' He looked at Lady Une for stability. "As for taking on something costly, I feel as though I have no other choice," he heard himself say and was grateful that he sounded fairly normal.
Wufei glanced to one side, and was mildly pleased with himself, for not flushing. "Zechs," he nodded. Then he answered the man's words. "When you feel you have no other choice, that is when you must find a way to make one. Trust me on this one, I know what I'm talking about."
"I *have* made another choice," Zechs replied, now grateful for the banter. The familiar opposition was a comfort. "After speaking with you, I have decided not to destroy him outright, but to listen to what he has to say." 'Then I'll challenge him to that damned duel he wanted before and slice him to pieces,' he thought. 'Zechs!' a sterner and more sensible part of his mind warned, silently. He then sat back in the chair and looked at Wufei closely, attempting to bolster his saner side with proof that he could rise above the nonsense. It was a mistake. The ice blue eyes closed briefly as he felt his body tense and flush.
Wufei met the tall blond's gaze calmly, thanks to the healing of the last three weeks, able to feel his own heart straining to answer those ice-blue jewels in a way other than verbal. I'm falling in love, he thought quietly to himself. Wrong time, wrong place, definitely wrong timing... as if that would make any difference at all.
"Then the task is to find him," Wufei said simply. "How easy it may be will depend on if he wants to be found. But I have the best chance of picking up his trail quickly. I know many of the places he has stayed during the last year, and people he has been in contact with, in his new identity. I'll simply begin gathering information. It's possible... though not likely... that if he discovers I am looking for him, he may contact me."
"Then I will create this as a two-man mission, on a need-to-know basis. Only the three of us will know of this matter," Lady Une said, mentally shaking her head as she realized the undercurrents swirling in the room. 'I'd have to be dead not to feel the tension between these two,' she thought.
Zechs looked through the fringe of his bangs, which did not help either. 'I'm toast,' he thought. "Will you be all right if he does contact you? I... I never asked how you felt about all of this," he admitted.
Wufei's mouth quirked slightly. "That's a rather insulting question. For some reason suddenly everyone is treating me like a child. I wonder what I've done to warrant that." Secretly he felt a tiny bit of amusement, mixed with guilt, knowing Zechs did not mean it that way and knowing also that the man would probably fall over himself apologizing for it. He reached over and brushed his fingers across the back of Zechs' hand lightly. "If I were not able to face this I wouldn't be here.... have a little faith, will you?" he made the tone light, to try and cushion the reaction.
'See what you've done, you bastard,' Zechs scolded himself. 'You've insulted and hurt him.' Zechs' eyebrows knitted together as he felt more than a little thrown by Wufei's answer. "I'm sorry," he said instantly. "I..," he tried to answer and then felt Wufei's fingers brush his hand, the impact which shook his body. 'Get a goddamned grip, Merquise' he thought to himself. "I do have faith in you," he said and then mentally pronounced himself 'lame'.
"Good," Wufei said simply, and smiled slightly, a reserved smile but more than he'd shown to many people. He tore his eyes away from Zechs by force and looked at Lady Une. "I came from the spaceport directly. I need to find a place to stay and get settled. It won't take long. And I need to get in touch with a couple of people here on Earth. It might be a day or two before I'm ready to use the Preventers' resources." He reached into his bag and placed a chip on her desk. "My private comm code," he said. "I'll download the current scrambling keys before I use it for Preventer business. Is there anything else you need from me right now?"
Lady Une watched the exchange between the two men and regretted that she had not remembered to tape the conversation. The show, however, was one she would remember later in bed. 'I cannot win,' she thought. 'I try to hate them, stating righteous causes, but I must concede that the Creator of All has placed me in a very wonderful position and place. I love them and hate them, but I cannot even conceive of giving them up.' "Umm, no. I think we have a good start. Welcome back, Wufei," she said, then looked at Zechs. "Do you need anything from Wufei at this time?" she asked and then looked down, catching her own double meaning.
Zechs' ice blue eyes widened and then he took a breath. "Uh, no," he said, feeling his skin warm. 'Liar,' he thought. He cleared his throat, slightly. "But, if you need a place to stay, I'd be happy to have you as my guest," Zechs heard himself say.
Wufei turned, raising his eyebrows slightly and said, "Oh? Are you certain you have room? I wouldn't be putting you to a great deal of trouble?"
"No, not at all," Zechs replied, as he felt that elation once again. "There is more than enough room. I have a house," he said and then worked very hard at maintaining a casual ease. 'That could have been better,' he thought, as he started to do battle with images in his head of Chang Wufei in different rooms of his house and in various modes of dress or undress. He got a sudden flash of seeing him on Mantasail with his hair down in Heero's room, and other pictures formed in his head. Zechs swallowed and looked at Wufei pointedly to concentrate. Mistake.
Wufei said, "Then... thank you. I would appreciate it. Do you mind going there now? I won't keep you once I know where it is." He rose, grabbing his small bag from the floor. He nodded once more to Lady Une and waited for Zechs' reply.
Zechs stood, refusing to look down. "I don't mind at all. We can have lunch there, if you would like," he said, with his usual ease. "I have someone who comes in and cleans, so you don't have to worry about that either. I do cook for myself as well," he said. 'This kind of friendly is weird on you, Zechs,' he thought and then told himself to shut the hell up.
Wufei suppressed a smile and the urge to say, 'how accomplished of you!' "Fine," he answered simply, waiting for the blond to lead the way.
"Then, let's go," Zechs said, and nodded to Lady Une. "I will be in touch."
Lady Une glanced up at Zechs nonchalantly. "Of course," she said.
Zechs headed for the door. "The car is downstairs," he said and led the way.
Wufei suppressed another smile - it would hardly be upstairs with them - and followed.
End of Part 1 - TBC
Sure would like to hear what you think of this!
bonnejeanne & vonceia
Please send comments to: bonnejeanne@yahoo.com or vonceia@yahoo.com