White | Silver | Black
[No, no, no, no, no, no, no...] The word keeps repeating in Duo's mind as he listens to the news report being telecast. The litany alters slightly, [Not Q, not Q, not Q, not ...] He is only vaguely aware of Zechs closing and locking the front door of the apartment. The remote slips from nerveless fingers and he is about to follow its fall to the floor when strong arms wrap around his waist. Zechs is saying something but the ringing in his ears drowns out all other sounds. Eventually, he blinks and realizes the telecast is long over. "He's dead, Zechs. Q is dead," he whispers to the man supporting him. "It's... it's... " Duo starts to tremble. Convulsively he clutches at the arms holding him upright when the trembling worsens.
"He was a close friend of yours. It's alright to cry," Zechs says softly in Duo's ear holding him tightly.
"I... I should h... have expected it. Should've kno... known better. I w... won't cry." Duo clings, dry eyed, to Zechs.
Zechs maneuvers them both onto the couch, shifting Duo to a comfortable position on his lap. "How could you have known?"
Looking up, Duo places a shaky hand on his lover's cheek. "He was my friend," he explains patiently. "Heero will be home soon. You should go."
"No, I'm not leaving you like this."
"But..."
"I'm not leaving you."
"How is he?"
"The bullet passed within half an inch of his heart and punctured a lung," Trowa whispers to the man in the shadows. "Did you have to cut it so close?"
"I don't miss. It's what he wanted."
"Did you get paid?" Stepping backwards into the shadows, Trowa turns to face Heero.
The Japanese assassin nods.
"Is it enough?"
"No," Heero replies, "the payment was clean. I couldn't get a connection to Catalonia. The trail ends with Tuberov."
"He wants Catalonia."
"I kill them, I don't bury them," Heero finally admits. "We need Duo for that connection."
Trowa pauses, surprised. "I remember mention of too many parties observing him."
"The Romefeller threat is neutralized."
"Till the next time they want you to hit someone." Glancing at the bed and its patient, Trowa puts his hands in his pockets. "The cops?"
"Hn."
"And that means?" Trowa frowns, annoyed.
"Duo will take care of it. The Romefeller threat will be eliminated." Heero pushes himself off the wall, nodding toward the man on the bed. "Good luck with Q."
Trowa nods, returning to the chair by the bed.
The beep of the answer phone drags Duo's sleep clogged mind to wakefulness. Carefully untangling himself from Zechs, he quietly slides out of bed and goes to the phone. "Heero? Thought you'd be home by now." He settles himself into the big chair by the phone while listening to what is being said.
"Yeah, so I heard. On the news." Eyelids flutter close, long lashes lustrous against pale skin, as Duo silently digests Heero's lengthy explanation. "Don't you think it's a little late for that? Q is dead, Heero." Another lengthy stretch of silence before he finally sighs, "I realize that." Sitting up from his reclining position, he frowns before grumpily growling into the phone, "Location 2c, alone. Got it."
Hanging up, Duo turns to face Zechs standing in the bedroom doorway. "Go back to bed, Zechs. You can't come with me." He walks past the blonde towards the bathroom. Pausing at the door, he says without turning, "On second thought, go home. I might be gone for a few days." The bathroom door closes behind him.
The morning briefing is subdued and tense. Both, Merquise and Chang, are present for the first time in a week. Neither has uttered a single word since walking into the precinct together ten minutes before the start of the briefing. Chang sits upright in his seat taking notes while Merquise is slouched in his, barely awake.
"Chang and Merquise, I'd like a moment of your time, please." Lieutenant Une concludes the briefing and patiently waits for everyone else to file out. She closes the door behind them and turns to face Wu Fei, asking, "Is he awake?"
"You wanted to see us, Lieutenant?" Wu Fei looks up while prodding his partner with his foot.
Zechs lifts his head, blinking.
"I wanted a verbal report on your surveillance," Lieutenant Une explains amicably.
Glancing at his silent partner, Wu Fei sighs. "We lost him, early this morning, in the old town freight yards. He was on his way to meet Heero, apparently."
Une sighs when it becomes obvious that her new detective isn't about to elaborate. "And who is Heero?"
"His boyfriend," whispers Zechs, looking at his hands trace the edge of the chair in front of him.
The whisper is so soft that Une almost doesn't hear him. She turns the chair around and sits down, saying sternly, "Look at me." Waiting till she can see his eyes through his fringe, she continues, "Tell me this has nothing to do with your new boyfriend, Zechs."
Caught, like a deer in headlights, Zechs stares pensively at his Lieutenant before muttering, "There's a connection to the Winner assassination?"
"You're asking me?" Une stands up, placing her hands on her hips. "I haven't heard from you, both of you, for two days while you've been on this surveillance assignment." Pointing a finger in Zechs's direction, she warms to her subject, "An assignment you knew I wouldn't approve of, which a mutual acquaintance of ours owes me quite a few favors for, and you are asking me? Is there or isn't there a connection?" Her eyes narrow to slits as she steps closer to tower over the slouching detective. "Or," she growls menacingly; waiting, once again, for Zechs to meet her gaze, "is this about your new boyfriend."
"It's complicated, Une." Zechs finally says after losing the staring contest.
Wu Fei is suddenly seized by a coughing fit. His partner absently reaches across to thump him on the back.
"I'm waiting, Zechs," the Lieutenant reminds the detective, tapping her foot.
When Wu Fei's coughing subsides, Zechs launches into his explanation, "Well, it started while we were investigating the Wallace murder near Seventh..."
"Noin, I'm having trouble getting in touch with Winner's bodyguard. Did you get any other personal contact numbers for him after that first attempt?" Sally hangs up the phone, shuffling through her paperwork. "All I've got are Winner residence numbers and a cell phone that's been disconnected."
"It's been almost three hours." Noin informs her partner.
"I know, that Winner receptionist has been sending me from one department to the next," Sally grumbles irritably. "I'm beginning to think it's on purpose. Well, do you have any other contact points? You did spend quite some time with him."
"He's been distant since he got assigned Chang as a partner. I wonder if there's trouble," the speculation is obvious Noin's tone.
"Huh?" Glancing at her partner, Sally notices the glassy eyed stare in the direction of the briefing room. "Oh, I thought they got along." She frowns, realizing whom they are discussing. "As well as can be expected for a loner like Zechs anyway. That's two in a row. He must be mellowing," she remarks sarcastically.
Tearing her gaze away from the closed door, Noin stares at her partner, surprised. "I thought you liked him."
"I do," Sally concurs waving her pen to emphasize her points. "I just find him inconsiderate, chauvinistic, opinionated, impatient and occasionally, down right, rude to those he works with. He's probably having a shouting match with our erstwhile Lieutenant even as we speak."
"Sally..." Eyes wide with disbelief; Noin struggles to find a suitable denial.
The door of the briefing room jerks open. Zechs pauses in the threshold, doorknob in hand. His head tilts to one side obviously listening to something being said in the room. Turning on his heel to face the occupants of the briefing room, his raised voice can be clearly heard throughout the suddenly silent division. "The mess my love life is in, is none of your business." Long fingers rake silvery blonde tresses from his face, stopping at the back of his neck. "I don't care how many people know. I'm tired of playing these games and I honestly don't want to play anymore." Gathering his hair into a ponytail, he steps backwards as Wu Fei arrives at the door, just in time, to hand him a hairtie. "Thanks." He ties off his hair. "My preferences don't effect the way I work."
Wu Fei manages to get past the taller detective and ambles slowly toward the exit. Behind him, Merquise turns abruptly to face the rest of the division who are staring at him curiously. He issues a challenge quite calmly, "If you have a problem with my being gay, you may lodge a written complaint with the Lieutenant." Wu Fei manages to keep his facial expression neutral during his partner's statement, lengthening his stride to match blonde's pace as they leave the precinct together.
"Poh, Noin, may I request your presence in my office, please." Lieutenant Une says softly from the briefing room entrance.
"Heero!! Fuck! Q was our friend! He was MY friend. How could you accept a contract on him and not even discuss it with me! How could you pull the trigger without..." Duo stops his pacing at the window. Folding his arms across his chest, he stands there. Looking outward, his back to the man who has been his partner for as long as he can remember, he whispers, "Why?"
"Because he wanted it that way. Q wanted out of his life, Duo," Heero tries to explain.
"Great." Turning around quickly, Duo grabs his braid when it swings past his chest. "So you help him commit suicide. How's Tro taking it?"
"Not very well."
"I'll bet..." Duo laughs bitterly.
"He wants revenge. He wants the leaders, not the lackeys. They need a connection from Tuberov, who paid the bill, to the Romefeller Syndicate; Catalonia in particular. It's a different kind of death they want. The kind only Shinigami can deliver. Give whom you can to Relena. The others; send to hell and when you're finished, I'll kill them. It's what Q wants."
In a murmur so soft, it is barely heard, Duo corrects his partner, "Wanted."
"Wants," Heero insists. "Q wants out. So do you. We eliminate the threat to his sisters and we can disappear. Out of this life. Q, Tro, you and I. They are walking away and they'll take us with them. He made the offer, Duo. I said yes. Just like you wanted." Gathering the smaller man in his arms, he nuzzles his nose against a delicate jaw. "To get out successfully, Q has to stay dead."
Duo sags against the solid chest, letting Heero hold him upright. "Q's really not dead?"
"I missed his heart by half an inch, punctured a lung but didn't kill him. Tro is watching him. He's quite annoyed that I cut it so close." Heero's breath is warm against Duo's neck.
"Had to look good." Duo lets go of his braid to wrap his arms around a slim waist. "Right?"
"Hn."
"Then we disappear into thin air?" A quaver accompanies the question as Duo's lips tremble, ever so slightly.
"We disappear like we never existed." Heero assures him of their ultimate objective.
"Okay," is merely a breath escaping Duo's lips.
Heero feels a dampness on his shoulder but refrains from comment. Instead he holds tighter onto the limp trembling form in his arms.
"Trowa, please turn up the volume," a rather weak sounding voice requests from the bed.
"You're supposed to be resting." The volume of the TV remains low.
"But I just woke up," Quatre rasps hoarsely. "It's the news."
Trowa sighs and hands Q the remote.
"Could you..." Large aqua colored eyes frame the next request without the patient having to resort to more words.
The message is received. "Ice," is all Trowa mutters as he takes the cup outside to retrieve some ice.
The volume of the financial reports increases dramatically in the private room.
Dropping the duffel bag on his bed, Duo surveys the bedroom for details of his life that shouldn't be left behind. He retrieves a pillow and buries his face in it, inhaling a strange combination of Zechs's and Heero's scents. Quickly removing the pillowcase, he is about to put it in his duffel when he sees the hair tie on the floor beside the bed. Strands of platinum blonde hair are still tangled in the knot. Carefully, he wraps it in the pillowcase and places them both in the bag.
[I should call him.]
Duo zips up the bag and leaves the bedroom, closing the door behind him.
[Say goodbye, at least.]
Walking past the phone to the front door, he puts down his bag.
[I can't... I was... Yesterday... was it yesterday?]
Turning around, he checks the lounge for those irritating details, again. Finding none, his violet gaze comes to rest on the phone by the easy chair.
[I said I wouldn't leave him. Shit! Lena, I promised her... She knew... She knew I'd do this.]
Duo reluctantly walks back to the phone. Settling into the big, comfortable chair, he takes a few calming breaths before picking up the receiver and dialing. The wait is brief.
"Um... Zechs? I was hoping..."
The key is in the door when Zechs hears the phone ring inside.
"This is Zechs Merquise's message service," the recorded message of the answer phone informs the caller. "I'm not available at the moment. So, please leave a message at the tone." The beep sounds as Zechs steps through the door, closing it behind him.
"Um... Zechs? I was hoping you'd be home. I really need to talk..."
Zechs immediately picks up the phone, pleased to hear the already familiar voice. "Duo?" He smiles.
"No, wait. Don't say anything." Duo sounds panic stricken, even to himself. Regulating his tone a little more, he tucks his feet up on the chair, and manages to sound calmer. "I have to say this and I need you to listen."
Holding the phone to his ear, Zechs's smile slowly fades as he listens intently. The red colored phone is bright against his pale hair.
"I made a promise to Lena yesterday or I wouldn't have called at all." Duo idly notes his shaking hands. His voice is flatly calm as he continues, "She loves you, very much, and she wanted me to remind you that she will always be there for you. Go talk to her. 'Kay? No, don't answer that or say anything. Just go talk to her, later. Tell her what a bastard I am and how much you hate me." His voice cracks just a little and Duo pauses to breathe.
Zechs's ragged breathing can be heard on the other end of the line but nothing is said.
The first drop of moisture splashes on Duo's hand. "We're leaving. Heero and I are leaving... and you... can't come with us. You have a life here and there's nothing I can offer you. Not even ALL of me. So, I'm saying goodbye." Somehow, he manages to keep the tears streaming down his face from reflecting in his tone. He begins a slight rocking motion in the chair without realizing it.
"I can't tell you why but... I do love you and this is for the best." The rocking motion becomes more pronounced as Duo curls up into a foetal position on the chair. "It's the only way I can protect you from my life."
Duo can't even hear Zechs's breathing anymore.
"I... I hope... um... keep safe... and..." Duo stops talking. He holds his trembling hands over the mouthpiece while he takes deep ragged breaths.
Silence remains the only reply. A silence Duo requested.
"Just talk to Lena. She's kinda expecting you. We've been friends a long time and she knows what we're like. I'm sorry. I wanted forever for us but it's not gonna happen." Duo manages to get a hold on his braid and the rocking motion stops. "I'm sorry. Goodbye," he ends in a rush, quickly hanging up the phone before the threatening sob spills from his lips. Placing his head on the armrest, he curls up into an even tighter ball around his braid, allowing the realization of what he has just done overwhelm him.
Click.
The sound thunders in Zechs's ear with a finality he isn't ready to accept.
The warning tone finally reminds Zechs that he is still standing exactly as he was when he heard that click. Trembling hands dial a number of their own accord.
"Lena? Can you come over? I just heard from Duo. I really don't want to be alone at the moment." Without waiting for her reply, and suddenly, not caring, Zechs hangs up.
A single tear escapes the brimming pale blue eyes to slide down a face drained of color. Zechs remains there, staring at nothing, shoulders slumped in defeat.
Eyes, bright with unshed tears, blink at the insistent ringing of the doorbell. Zechs is still standing by the phone. The ringing stops when he opens the door. "He's left me," is all he manages to say to the woman standing there.
Relena steps across the threshold and embraces her brother in a fierce hug, kicking the door shut behind her.
End Part 7