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"That Which Mends"Written By: SkyLark Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, or its characters. I just love playing with them. Pairings: 2x1x2, past 2xOC, 5xOC, 3x4 Warnings: Angst, Violence, Sap, Lemons/Limes, AU Archives: http://www.gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com/gw/SkyLark/gwSkyLark.htm
and http://www.mizunoamy.bravepages.com/skylark/skylarkfics.html Summary: Heero is a straight A student studying Psychology and finds his world turned upside down when he attends a Frat party.
"That Which Mends" [And maybe it's a little too early -Lyrics to 'You Look Good In My Shirt' performed by Keith Urban] Chapter 30
Heero smiled to himself when he heard the muffled buzz
of the alarm clock going off behind the closed door of Duo's bedroom.
After a bit more shuffling, the ringing came to a stop and the door opened to reveal a very disheveled and perplexed Maxwell. Dressed in only a white T-shirt and gray sleep shorts, the officer's socked feet padded down the hallway towards the kitchen where the scholar was cooking their breakfast.
His braid barely hanging onto what hairs weren't sticking out at the sides, Duo blinked his violet eyes at his roommate. "'Ro?" he greeted, his voice husky with sleep. Pointing back down the corridor over his shoulder, he asked, "Why did my alarm go off?"
Peering back at his friend as he flipped over the pancakes on the grill, Yuy answered flatly, "Because I set it last night before you went to bed."
All the more confused, the tired agent dropped his arm at his side and frowned with little luster, "You set my alarm last night?" Rubbing his face with his hands, he mumbled, "What time is it?"
Maxwell shook his head, clearly bewildered as he continued to shake off his fatigue and couldn't muster the energy to decide whether he was really awake or dreaming. He inquired in his daze, "Why am I up at six o' three in the morning?"
The corner of his mouth curling up, Heero turned the burner off and removed the pancakes from the grill while informing, "Because you've been late to work every day this week except for Monday. And that was only an exception because you decided to take Wufei by surprise with your intervention. I figured while I'm living here, I could help you set a higher standard for yourself by pulling you into a new routine of taking some pride and showing up at the office on time for a change."
At that, it set in for Duo that, in fact, he really was awake and his jaw fell open. "Whoa, hang on!" he shouted, eyes glaring and arms tossed into the air. "I didn't think your staying here was going to mean that I'd have to adjust to your crazy way of life to wake up at the crack of dawn just to-" He cut himself off when his nose picked up a scent, he sniffed the air and his mouth watered. "Is that... cinnamon buns I smell?"
No sooner had he asked did the timer on the stove let out a single, bright ring. "Yep," Heero smirked on his way to the oven. Shoving his hands into the protective mitts hanging off the side of the adjacent refrigerator, he bent down to remove the tray inside as he said, "I knew you wouldn't be thrilled with me, so I figured these might take some of the edge off."
Feeling his stomach rumbling at the sight of the buns that were revealed, the braided agent harrumphed. "You live," he declared, shuffling his way to the dining room table. Before he even sat down, the scholar lowered a cup of fresh coffee next to his setting. "And you even get a smile from me at this Godforsaken hour," he grinned.
"I also figured you wouldn't want to miss catching the aftermath of the traps that were sprung last night," Yuy commented while he finished plating their meal and took to his own place across from his host. "After all the work we went through, it'd be a shame to miss that before the mess is cleaned up."
Eyebrow raising as he lowered his mug from his lips, Maxwell admitted, "Yea, you make a point there." Staring at his plate of food, he insisted, "Now no more talking. It's too early for that nonsense. We'll speak again after I finish this and get dressed."
Snickering, Heero nodded firmly, "Alright."
With that promise, they enjoyed their meal and company and the companionable silence that they had become accustomed to when there was no need for words between them.
* * * *
[Flashback]
Anna sighed as she returned to the world of the living at the bright light that burned through her closed eyelids. Already feeling the start of the hellacious hangover brought on from a little too much drinking the night before, she yawned and kept her eyes shut as she grabbed one of pillows her head was not currently lying on and threw it over her face to shield herself from the sunlight filling her room. "Good morning," a familiar voice chuckled softly.
Shrugging as she took a couple long swigs from the bottle of pedialite, Wufei replied earnestly, "I think you look beautiful no matter what."
The redhead gazed in disbelief at him, set the drink aside and smiled. Carefully setting the tray aside, she got onto her knees and crawled the short distance between them to claim a sound kiss that was returned without pause. "So my drunken brain didn't make up our conversation last night?" she asked when they pulled apart and their eyes locked once more.
"Nope," Chang smirked, only to have the curve of his lips droop as a thought came to mind. "At least, that's if you still want to be with me once the board meets this week to fire me." Quickly turning serious, Downs stated, "First off, I'm making a commitment to you no matter what. Secondly, I'm still going to be optimistic that you'll be reinstated."
Frowning, the Chinese agent sighed, "We can't get our hopes up, Anna. There's no guarantee-"
His newly established girlfriend growled, "Nothing in life's guaranteed, Chang. But you want to fight and so do the rest of us. That much you can count on. So no matter what gets throw at us, we sink or we swim together, just like you've always told us as our team leader. Got it?"
All the more in love for her devotion, Wufei chuckled and nodded firmly. "Got it," he murmured. And leaning in, he went for another kiss to distract him from his wondering over his unknown future.
[End Flashback]
* * * *
Wearing the white, Milwaukee Brewers T-shirt that she had inherited after that morning, Anna nearly choked on the latte she was in the middle of drinking when she, Wufei Trowa and Quatre turned around in surprise to watch their teammate and counselor walking up to wait for the elevator with them in the federal building's lobby.
Rolling his eyes, Duo snorted, "Yea, it's me. Get over it fast, people. I'm going to be here all day thanks to this guy since he thinks I need to take more pride in myself to get here on time." Heero chuckled when his roommate gestured to him.
His visible emerald eye growing anew, Barton smiled to the intern, "Holy shit. And you're still alive. I'm impressed. Few things are more important to him than his sleep."
Winner laughed, "Your living arrangement must be working out for Shinigami to not have made an appearance so he could claim your soul."
The weapons expert giggled, "Except I'll bet that you thought ahead enough to have had food waiting to soften the blow."
As his counterparts calmed down, Duo grumbled, "I hate all of you."
That only served to have the lot fall into louder hysterics as the arrival of the elevator was announced with a bright ring. Stepping through the opening doors of the lift, the tight band was taken up to their floor and they fell quiet in anticipation of what they were about to walk in on once they reached their floor.
Rounding the column to see the carnage that was laid out before them, the team threw fists in the air, high-fived, laughed, cheered and reveled in their successful ploy to get back at their would-be assailants. Their desks and the floor were covered in streamers, white powder, glitter and coloring and along the carpet, traced out footprints leading to the exit for the stairway told the tale of the fast getaway.
Even Heero had to let out satisfied laughter at the sight... and he couldn't help but feel good about being brought into the fold to join in on their victory.
Wolf gave Night a firm smack on his shoulder blade as he praised, "Sheer genius, Barton. The only thing that would have made this better was being able to see their faces when those cans went off."
Wiping a tear of mirth from her eye, Anna shook her head and accepted the case of her CD. "God, I can't wait to check this out. It's going to make the cleanup around here totally worth it," she stated.
Chang frowned, "Well, I hate to put a damper on this, everyone, but we now know we have a very real problem on our hands. If Zechs and his clan were bold enough to try to break into our desks for information on the case, there could be other threats like them who want in on the investigation. We can't have any loose ends in securing everything we touch to keep it from falling in anyone's hands who isn't a part of this team." "Well said, Agent Wolf," Lady Une smiled as she appeared from around the elevator wall. Taken aback by her unexpected presence, the agents blinked widely and stood smartly in greeting her. "I was in the ladies' room when I heard all of you arrive and thought I'd listen in on what the hell had happened to your work station," she informed with an amused grin.
Lifting her chin to the mess, she said, "I wasn't about to miss the reason behind... that. And I must say I'm impressed with the efforts you all went to in to getting one over on Merquise and his pack of fools." She turned to Trowa and snapped her fingers before she held the same hand out to him. "I'll take my copy of your recorded feed, please," she giggled.
Without hesitating, Night produced her encased CD and slipped it into her fingers as he replied, "Yes, ma'am."
The Commander frowned, "As entertaining as this is, Wufei's right. We now know beyond any doubt that we're targets. Zechs, Noin and the Three Stooges are surely not the only ones in this building who are going to want some part in this case. Anyone who wants in could be attempting more clever ways of breaching our security in the future. Be mindful of how you're saving your work and, as always, no discussing anything about the mission outside of this group."
Heero tilted his head, asking, "Why not go to HR or over Zechs' head to their supervisors with that footage to have them reprimanded... if not dishonorably discharged?" Facing him, Middie responded, "Because they will stay away for a while now that they've been warned. If they should step out of line by stooping to levels of this again, then I won't hesitate to see that they're punished."
"No weapon is efficient if it's not wielded wisely," Anna commented. Lady Une smiled to her, "Exactly." Pinching her CD case between her fingers to hold it up, she went on, "This will be used, if necessary. Until then, it would be best if our 'friends' backed off to lick their wounds without knowing what we have on them. Should they take a more personal and hurtful strike on us, this will end them."
The scholar smirked, "Got it. Smart call." The Preventers nodded to back the sentiment.
With another gesture to the work station, Middie ordered, "Alright, everyone, get to cleaning up around here and get back on track with the case." Not needing to be told twice, her team broke off for their desks and started to clear the area... except for Wufei.
Smiling, Chang replied, "I just wanted to say congratulations on the baby."
Shrugging, the Chinese agent grinned, "I have two older sisters who happen to be professional breeders with their husbands. So, I picked up on the early signs right away. Frequent bathroom visits, flushed skin, mood swings and the fact that you've stopped having your regular morning coffee at the start of the day." Raising an eyebrow, he said, "Yuy's not the only one who picks up on things."
"Yes, I see," Middie giggled, her head shaking. "Well done. And thank you for the congratulations. I only found out a few nights ago."
Genuinely curious, Wufei inquired, "Does Treize know?" Deflating at the mention of her husband, the Commander sighed, "Not yet. I just can't see this being announced to him over a video call." She brightened a bit as she continued, "But he is going to be home starting tomorrow night and I plan on telling him face-to-face right away. Until then, if this could stay between us I would appreciate it. We'll bring the news to the others on Monday when we stop in together."
Chang bowed his head and reassured, "Of course." He turned on his heels and headed for the door when he stopped just short of the automatic opening sensor. "For what it's worth," he began, turning his head over his shoulder so their gazed could meet, he stated, "I think you're going to make a great mother. Considering the lot of us that you have to look after, you already have a great head start."
Sincerely touched by those words, Middie's eyes misted over and she gave him a watery smile. "Thank you, Wufei," she whispered. "That... is worth a lot. It means more to me than you could ever know."
Winking, the team leader smiled back and stepped ahead as the door opened to him. Once her office was sealed off again, the Commander wiped a stray tear and smiled wistfully as she rested a hand over her abdomen.
"Hey, Annie?" he began as he reached for an armful of supplies. The weapons expert looked to him, humming an affirmative. "Did you and Wufei have plans for lunch tomorrow?"
Caught off guard by the inquiry, Downs thought a moment while she took a fistful of garbage bags and responded, "Not to my knowledge. Why do you ask?"
Maxwell cleared his throat. "I was hoping maybe I could take you out for a nice one at one of the restaurants. Your pick where. My treat."
There was no need for explanation as to why he was offering.
Anna hasn't missed the significance behind it if how she snapped her
head in his direction with wide, blue eyes was any indication. Her
shock quickly passed and she smiled brightly, "Sounds good. Thanks."
From start to finish, it took the Preventers just shy of two hours to have all of their desks and the flat carpet cleaned. But no one complained or regretted their little ploy.
* * * *
Another couple of hours passed before the tight band of friends realized that they were about to work right through lunch and any opportunity to grab a bite in the building's cafeteria. Needing the unwind from their concentrated work, they headed down to the practically emptied food court and took up a couple plates of food simply to go through the motions of eating rather than feeding their ignored appetites.
"So to reiterate this morning's discussion," Trowa opened as he looked over to Heero and Duo across from him, "things must be working out with your arrangement if you're both still alive after staying under the same roof together for close to a week now."
Quatre and Anna exchanged small smiles when they glanced at each other and Wufei made sure not to react as he drank from his water bottle.
But they had never taken into account that Heero had no idea where his feelings stood for Maxwell... not to mention how his braided roommate was dead set against committing to anyone.
Completely out of the loop on that much, Duo missed what was being hinted by Agent Night and snickered, "I'm not as impossible to live with as you all must have thought. And none of you will ever know the sheer joy that it is to stay with me. Right, Heero?"
"You see," Maxwell snickered, "You do have a sense of humor in there somewhere." The counselor responded with a smirk, silently relieved to be able to keep up with the others and feeling like more and more a part of the group.
Finishing the last bite of his sandwich, Quatre reached
for his bag of chips next and inquired, "When do you head back
to your dorm for the rest of the semester?" Violet eyes blinking, Duo assured, "You haven't been putting me out, 'Ro." Quickly putting on his jester smile, he shrugged, "But I do understand wanting to get back into the swing of things." What flicker of hope the other Preventers had witnessed
spark between the pair dissipated at that and their shoulders drooped
along with the corners of their mouths.
Minutes later, the agents and the counselor were riding in the elevator to return to their seventh floor when they came to a stop at the lobby to pickup whomever had called for a lift. When the double doors slid open, their eyes grew wide at the five equally shocked faces staring back at them.
However, the peeks of multicolored lock strands beneath the ball caps that they were wearing told an incredible tale of how they all must have worked tirelessly the night before to clean their hair of the hair dye that they had been sprayed with. They were going to be dealing with those rainbow hues for over a week, drawing attention and questions from everyone else in the building.
Anna was the first to nearly break the silence during the ride and had to slap a hand over her mouth when a bubble of a muffled laugh broke from her pursed lips. Closing her eyes, her entire body shook as she had to lean against her choking lover as Wufei almost cracked at her struggle.
Trowa and Quatre where wheezing and whimpering from how badly they were containing themselves while almost doubling over.
For their parts, Merquise and his teammates continued to bore glares into the doors ahead of them as their fists clenched at their sides and bodies tensed in their having to deal with the humiliation. They had been caught in the act of a serious offense and would have to take it on the chin for a while... no matter how much it killed them.
It was the longest forty seconds of their lives when the bell announcing their arrival at the sixth floor rang and there was a collective, deep breath of relief from all of them as the doors opened.
But before they could make their fast escape, Maxwell taunted, "Love the new looks, gang. They really bring out your eyes."
"You know, we probably should have shown a little more professionalism," Heero stated once the lift continued their ride to the seventh floor. To the wide eyes that fell on him at the stunned silence that filled the room, he chortled, "I can't believe you all bought that. What are we planning for them next?"
For the rest of their climb, anyone walking past the elevator shaft on any of the federal building's floors could hear the Preventers boisterous laughter.
TBC |
