Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Frozen Heart ❯ chapter 20 ( Chapter 21 )

Frozen Heart 20

"You can come out now."

Wufei eyed Quatre, distrustful of the other boy's good cheer. Taking in the happy glow in the aquamarine orbs, he shifted his gaze to Trowa's more sombre face.

"I assume Yuy has finally regained control over his temper?" He queried in a tight voice.

Trowa nodded, silent amusement lurking in the emerald depths.

"Maxwell?"

"Back where he belongs." Quatre told him cheerfully.

"Hn." Wufei snorted darkly, his expression losing none of its wariness.

Quatre took in the Chinese pilot's obvious displeasure. His smooth brow furrowed. "What's wrong, Wufei?" He asked, seating himself on the edge of the bed, a good two feet from Wufei's personal space. The latter was definitely not the cuddling kind. Or, a stray thought that Quatre promised to examine closer at a later date, Wufei had not yet found anyone he wanted to cuddle with.

Wufei shot a malevolent glare at the door. "I cannot help but wonder how long this `good spell' lasts before we witness the next act in Yuy and Maxwell's drama anthology." His tone turned biting. "I am sick of it, Winner. We are Gundam pilots. There are injustices waiting for us to avenge. Instead we are holed up here waiting for Yuy and Maxwell to get their acts together." His voice rose. "We are Gundam pilots. But here we are, tiptoeing around Yuy and his jealous rages. I spent the morning hiding in this room to avoid getting in his way! It is injustice!"

Quatre bit his lip. He didn't need to look at Trowa to know that the other pilot shared some of Wufei's sentiments.

"Wufei-"

"I cannot take this anymore, Winner!" Wufei's fingers clenched at his sides. "They are driving me crazy!"

Quatre's eyes widened at the genuine distress in Wufei's voice. Using his `space heart', he realized that Wufei was not so much angry as he was confused and perplexed by the uncertainties surrounding Heero and Duo's relationship. And having had to contain his frustration for the past two days…Wufei was like Heero in many ways. Both preferred isolation to company. Both tended towards single-mindedness. And both lacked the skills to navigate the complex pathways of communication. Give them a mission to accomplish. An enemy to cut down. But faced with fragile emotions, neither seemed to have the patience or the experience necessary to express themselves appropriately.

"You're right." Quatre conceded gravely, holding the dark stare steady. "There is no reason for all of us to be dragged into Heero and Duo's affairs. It is, after all, strictly personal and should have no effect on our mission." He paused. "However, in spite of that, we stay. You stay. Because they are our friends, and even in war, friendships are needed. They need to know we are here for them, just as we need to know that when the need arises, they will be here for us." His mouth curved in a gentle smile. "After all, is it not the duty of a friend and comrade to stand by each other? You are a true friend to us, Wufei. Your continued presence here, in spite of your discomfort, proves that."

Wufei pursed his lips, his gaze sliding away. Damn Winner and his perceptiveness. He wanted to rant and rage. He wanted to vent his frustration and bewilderment. But Quatre's empathy and understanding had that easily disarmed him.

"I will not cower away the next time Yuy gets into a snit over Maxwell's escapades." He said harshly, hanging on to the vestiges of his anger.

"Certainly." Quatre allowed himself a smug grin. "Not that I expect him to. He was looking quite pleased with himself when we came in." Actually, as close to ecstatic as he had ever seen Wing's pilot would have been more accurate. Seeing Heero and Duo in each other's arms at the sofa as they had silently made their way in had made every bad moment worth it as far as Quatre was concerned.

"Maxwell's three days will end by tomorrow." Wufei said as he levered himself off the bed. "Let's hope he stays that way."

Seeing that the Chinese pilot was preparing to leave the room, Trowa raised a hand to signal a halt.

"What now?" Wufei queried irritably, eyes flashing.

"You might want to stay here a few minutes longer." Trowa advised him, straight-faced. "They might not appreciate an interruption at the moment."

Wufei blushed at the images Trowa's words put to mind. Sighing resignedly, he subsided back on the bed. "As it is already past lunchtime anyway I suppose we can all forget about eating and take a nap directly."

-o0o-

Derek stepped out of the elevator hurriedly, his brow knotted in a tight frown of anxiety. He had been attempting to reach his brother all morning, but either Jason had left the penthouse or was not answering the phone. He would have been home earlier, but he had had patients he had had to attend to.

`Please God, let Jason be alright…' He breathed beneath his breath as he swiped the card key through. He shouldn't have left, he berated himself. Not when he'd realized what Max wanted to talk to Jason about. But he'd been upset too, and hurt. He knew he had no right. Not when Dane had died just a few months ago…but there was something about Max. Something that called to him. And losing him, though for all the right reasons, still hurt more than he wanted to admit. Hurt that had driven him to take refuge in the familiarity of his work. Hurt that had led him to abandon his brother- the one person to whom Max's leaving would impact the most painfully.

The door slid open noiselessly.

"Dear God…!" Derek stared in horror at the destruction. Everything breakable lay in shambles on the floor. Mirrors, vases, glasses. A testament to his brother's pain and rage. "Jason?!" He shook himself out of his shock and ran to Jason's room. Finding it and the bathrooms in the same state as the living room, but thankfully, empty, he slumped against the wall, weak with temporary relief. For a moment visions of blood and death had danced before his eyes.

He took a moment to gather his wits, then straightened. Walking carefully to the bar, he poured himself a liberal amount of brandy and took it straight. The fire searing down his throat warmed him and cleared his head. His anxiety hadn't cleared completely. He still needed to find Jason, and that was going to require all his fortitude and resources. There were just too many bolt-holes in and around the city. Briefly, he considered calling Max and asking his assistance. Max, for all that he was blind now, had once been a very- active -youth and may have a good idea where a heartbroken and angry young boy could have holed up in.

However, on second thought, he decided against it. There was no need as of yet to alarm the blind young man. Besides, Derek didn't want Max feeling guilty about Jason's condition. It wasn't his fault. No, Derek sighed bleakly, if there was anyone to blame, that was fate. Fate, who seemed to delight in tormenting him and his brother by bringing them a glimpse of happiness, only to snatch it away again.

"Where are you, Jason?" He muttered, reaching for the phone.

-o0o-

Duo was cooking.

`Now there's a sight.' Trowa thought with amusement as he watched Quatre and Heero fidgeting in their seats. The two had been first disbelieving, then downright horrified, when Duo had cheerfully announced that he was preparing his favorite pasta dish for dinner. They were celebrating, he had announced with a meaningful wink at Heero's general direction. The Wing pilot had reddened, but a sweeping glare around the room had challenged anyone to comment. No one had, of course, beyond Wufei rolling his eyes.

However, when Duo had donned an apron and actually begun preparations, Heero had materialized at his elbow, eagle eyes watching intently and pre-empting Duo's needs. Quatre, more tactfully, had hovered at the background, calling out encouragements and warnings at appropriate intervals. They were worried, rightly so, that Duo was going to hurt himself with this display of culinary independence. Too many things could go wrong. Duo could cut himself slicing the onions. Could scald himself preparing the pasta. Could overcook the sauce. Trowa made sure to conceal his smirk.

Finally, Duo had turned and pointed the wicked-looking knife he held in his hand towards the door. "Out." One word accompanied by a threatening glare and the two Gundam pilots had meekly walked out.

Wufei had eschewed the guest room for the sofa, where he sat, oiling his katana with studied indifference. However, one eye watched Heero warily as the latter stared fixedly into the kitchen. He swore under his breath. He had never known the Perfect Soldier to exhibit such obsessive protectiveness towards anyone. Then again, he had never seen Heero in love. In spite of himself, he found himself listening to the sound of Duo humming as he puttered around the kitchen.

"You should have more faith in Duo." Trowa advised softly when he caught Quatre biting his lip yet again to keep from calling out a warning. "He knows what he's doing." And all that lip-biting was distracting him. His eyes narrowed speculatively. It had been several days since he'd had time alone with his diminutive lover.

Quatre gave him a weak smile. "I just never thought cooking could be so hazardous."

Trowa smiled back. He wasn't given to showing expression at all, but Quatre made smiling so natural. "I think Duo has it under control." He replied amiably, mentally computing the amount of time he had before dinner was ready against the time he needed for…other activities.

Quatre glanced at his friend's back. "I know." His tone held wonder. Duo had been a terrible cook before- to the point that the other pilots had agreed to confine him to doing the grocery and cleaning up. It had been, from their point of view, the healthier option. But now, Duo seemed to have suddenly discovered a knack for cooking. He knew exactly where everything he needed was, knew exactly how much ingredient to use, and most amazing for Quatre, he seemed to be enjoying himself. Shin had a running commentary on the side, but far from distracting the blind pilot, it seemed to keep him on an even keel. "I thought Duo would be helpless without us," Quatre murmured slowly. "but now I wonder if it's we who can't do without him." He glanced up at the taller boy beside him, his expression bemused. "He's simply amazing!"

Trowa gazed down at the beautiful boy beside him, his computations complete. It was going to be close, but he had always done well under pressure. He smiled, his eyes heating up. "He isn't the only one." He said huskily.

Quatre's eyes widened at the unmistakable hunger in his lover's green eyes. His mouth went dry and his tongue slipped out automatically to wet his lips. Trowa's eyes darkened in immediate response, his gaze following the movement eagerly.

"Trowa…" Quatre's face went beet-red as Trowa took his hand and pulled him to his feet.

"Mission briefing." Trowa intoned smoothly to anyone interested.

"But- Trowa-!" Quatre sputtered, his usual eloquence deserting him with his lover's hot hand on the small of his back.

"I think Duo would be much happier with less of an audience." Trowa stated calmly to his partner as he firmly led the smaller pilot to the guestroom. Over his lover's head he caught Wufei's incredulous stare. "Stay." He mouthed at the Chinese pilot with just a hint of a warning in his eyes. Heero was not the only one who can be downright scary when unhappy, and Trowa was going to be extremely unhappy if Wufei `accidentally' barged into his private time with his lover.

Wufei swore in Mandarin, face flaming as he watched Trowa close the door to the guestroom. He tilted his head back to stave off the nosebleed. Nataku, was this mission ever going to end?

-o0o-

Derek was beside himself with worry. None of Jason's friends had seen or heard from him the entire day. Nor was he at any of his usual haunts.

`Where are you, Jason?' He mulled the question in his head. A sensitive and insecure boy grieving over a failed infatuation- where would he go to lick his wounds?

The answer hit him and he cursed himself for panicking and overlooking the obvious. No matter how Jason now felt about Max, he was sure, at one point, to go to where they had first met. It was instinct. He glanced at the phone, hesitated, then squared his shoulders. God knows he had tried to keep Max out of it. But now, only the blind boy could tell him where his brother was.

-o0o-

Heero glared at Trowa and Quatre as the couple took their seats around the dinner table.

"You're late." He barked. Duo had gone to a lot of trouble to prepare dinner. The least everyone could do was be on time to eat it.

However, Trowa was unfazed as his warm gaze lingered on Quatre. "You finished early." He corrected Heero with his usual calm.

"Sorry Duo." Quatre shifted in his seat, his blush threatening to spread to his hair roots at the knowing look in Trowa's eyes.

"No problem." Duo grinned mischievously. "I'm sure you had more fun `discussing missions' than watching me sweat it out over the stove."

Shin snickered.

"Let's just eat." Wufei snapped. Much more of this kind of conversation and he'd be having blood as well as tomato sauce on his pasta.

Heero waited until everyone had had a bite, then asked sharply, "Well?" in a tone that threatened bodily harm at the wrong reply.

"It's great, Duo!" Quatre complimented wholeheartedly. "Really!" He added for Heero's benefit. It was clear that the other boy was nervous on Duo's behalf, and Quatre found that touching.

"I know." Duo replied smugly. He hadn't been worried at all since he'd practiced this recipe on Derek and Jason countless times. But then Heero didn't need to know that, and he didn't mind Heero's display of protectiveness one bit.

Only after all the other pilots had echoed Quatre's observation did Heero relax enough to actually enjoy his meal. He was surprised to find that it really was as good as Quatre had said. However, more than that, it was seeing the pride and happiness on Duo's face that made all the anxiety he'd gone through during the preparation worth it. He understood Duo's unvoiced message- that he could take care of himself, but he hoped his soon-to-be-lover also understood that Heero would always worry. It was his nature to worry over things he couldn't control.

"Max." Shin's somber voice sliced across the quiet contentment over dinner.

Heero tensed.

Duo stilled. Shin's tone was as much a warning as anything. "What is it?"

"Derek needs to talk to you." Shin said quietly. "He's very upset."

Duo straightened. "Patch him through." He reached for the personal transmitter, but Heero's hand over his stopped him.

"No more secrets, Duo." Heero reminded tersely. Duo hesitated, then nodded.

"Max?" Derek's harried tone sounded loud and ominous.

"Derek." Duo's heart beat faster. Something was seriously wrong. "What's wrong?"

"Jason's missing." Derek didn't have the time or the spare energy to beat around the bush. "I've been looking for him all day."

"Shit!" Duo's fists clenched convulsively.

"I'm very worried." Derek went on in a strained voice. "He didn't leave in a very stable frame of mind and I can't find him anywhere."

Duo's eyes narrowed. "I think I know where he might be."

An instant's pause. "I'm coming down." And Derek hung up.

Duo stood.

As did the four other pilots.

"We're going with you." Quatre spoke up firmly. There was no question that Duo was going on the search. Wild horses weren't going to be able to keep him away at this point. But he wasn't going alone.

Duo shook his head. "Not a good idea." He argued. "More exposure, more risk, remember? Derek doesn't know you. Let's keep it that way."

"Jason already knows us." Heero stated hardly. "One more or less doesn't make a difference."

The front door slid open and Derek strode through.

Duo met him halfway, clasping his arm reassuringly. "We'll find him." He said fiercely. "I promise you."

Derek squeezed his arm gratefully. "Thanks." Somehow, Duo's utter conviction lifted a load from his shoulders. His gaze moved to the boys behind Duo.

Quatre moved forward. "I'm Q." He introduced himself and the others quickly. "We want to help."

Derek stared at him intently. He had never met this boy- the boy who apparently weighed so heavily in Max's heart. Jason was right. Q was easily the most beautiful boy he had ever seen. Derek wanted to feel anger towards Q. After all, he had hurt Max before and now, indirectly, his brother. But seeing the compassion in the blue-green eyes, he found it hard to believe this person capable of inflicting pain knowingly or willingly. He shook his head inwardly. How could either he or Jason hope to compete with this boy? "Thank you." Was all he could say.

"Someone has to stay in case Jason comes here." Shin reminded them. "I can lock him in easily enough once he gets through the door, but I won't be able to do much otherwise."

A momentary silence. They were all men of action, and the idea of being left behind to wait wasn't a welcome one.

"I'll stay." Quatre spoke up finally. It made sense. Seeing him when Jason fully believed him to be Duo's lover was going to be detrimental to their efforts to calm him.

"I'll stay with him." Trowa stated. If Jason came around and saw his rival, there was no telling what he'd do. He had complete confidence in Quatre's ability to defend himself, but three Gundam pilots were surely enough to retrieve Jason wherever he was. There was no need for him out there.

"Alright." Heero took charge instinctively. "Let's go." He shot Trowa a look. "Don't get distracted."

Trowa sent him a flat stare. He was a soldier. He did not need to be reminded of his duty.

"Be careful, Max." Quatre said anxiously.

Duo spared him a quick grin.

Quatre bit his lip as the door slid close behind them. "I feel sorry for him." Remorse filled his voice. He had never meant for Jason to get hurt in this battle to win back Duo.

"He'll get over it." Trowa told him gently, laying a commiserating hand on his partner's shoulder. "He couldn't have made Duo happy, Quatre."

"I know." Quatre sighed. "I just wish he hadn't fallen so hard."

There wasn't really any good answer to that, so Trowa simply dropped a tender kiss on top of the blonde's head.

"Come on," He tugged on Quatre's arm. "I know one way to put your mind off your worries."

"Trowa!" Quatre stared at the other boy disbelievingly.

"Eat, Quatre." Trowa said soothingly. "We eat." And afterwards, well, that depends on how fast three determined Gundam pilots were in finding the missing boy, he thought to himself.

-end Chapter 20