Author: Karen, The Huntress
Rating: R
Warning: AU, Yaoi, Lemon, language.
Pairing: 1x2, 3x4, Wufei all by himself.
Feedback: Always appreciated.
Archive: DHML Archive, Shades and Echoes.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or its characters.
Strike Force Five Part 1
Enter the Dragon
A lone man stood on a second story balcony. Raising a hand to shield his eyes from the afternoon sun he studied a vague shape skirting the eastern horizon. Like a distant heartbeat a steady thump, thump, thump resounded off the pastel tile walls. As the flying form dropped below the sun's glare it was clear that it was a helicopter.
Bracing his hands on the balcony's railing the man leaned into the artificial breeze created up by the approaching "copter". "I should have known he would be the first to arrive." he thought reading "Lone Dragon" printed in bright crimson on the side door as the helicopter whipped the palm trees, cleared the estate's wall and settled down on the perfectly manicured lawn.
For a moment the silver-gray aerial machine set quietly as the engines wound down and the rotor blades slowed. The tinted viewport stared back giving no clue to the activity inside the cockpit then a side hatch popped open and the pilot climbed out.
The emerging man was dressed in loose-fitting khaki pants, a tee shirt and a black leather jacket that was too heavy for the warm climate. He carried a large duffle bag in one hand and a long, slender hard-sided case in the other. Coarse black hair feathered over his shoulders as the aerofoils made one last whoosh overhead. Sunglasses guarded the pilot's vision but the man on the balcony knew that the dark lenses concealed eyes that were as black as the mane and held an intense gaze that could stab straight into your soul.
Long graceful strides quickly brought the pilot through the side garden until he stood directly under the balcony. Sliding the sunglasses down on his nose the piercing ebony orbs were revealed. "Hello Winner." he greeted in a husky baritone as he gazed up at his friend.
"Chang." the man acknowledged sweeping back silken blond bangs to better see his Chinese comrade. "Come in the front entrance." he called before turning to go inside.
Chang Wufei paused in the foyer that he decided was large enough to hold his helicopter then cast a sideways glance at the servant who had opened the door. The male employee knew from previous experience that Mr. Winner's "guests" were often protective of their possessions and always independent in their actions so he made no attempt to take either the duffle bag or the case.
"I will show Mr. Chang to his room." Quatre Raberba Winner instructed as he descended the wide staircase.
"Yes sir." the servant replied leaving his employer and his guest alone.
"Nice place." Wufei announced as he surveyed the grand hall that could double as a hanger. "Do you really need all this space?" he asked peering into the equally grand formal receiving area.
Wufei preferred wherever he called home to be only big enough to accommodate his immediate needs, any more he believed was wasteful. But then he had always lived a Spartan lifestyle unencumbered by "things". All he needed was his helicopter and occasional work to pay the bills.
Quatre shrugged, his blond hair slipping over one eye, "If I hadn't inherited my parent's estate I would have chosen something smaller." he honestly replied as a lingering sadness clouded over his azure sight. After nearly two years Quatre still missed his parents and there was not a day that he didn't think of them.
Wufei took notice of his friend's melancholy recalling the night that Quatre's mother and father died in a plane crash. Remembered how inconsolable he had been and how long he had grieved. How finally Quatre moved to the estate using the massive mansion as a hiding place from the world.
Wufei still worried that Quatre would slip back into the deep depression that almost cost him his life. That the daily routine of taking pills to go to sleep and more pills to wake up would start again.
Forcing the memories aside Wufei tried to keep the worry at bay as he craned his neck to see up the stairs, "Just as big up there?" Quatre nodded "yes".
"Don't you get lonesome?" Wufei wonder hoping that his friend had found some measure of solace, that time had helped to heal his wounded heart.
At the concerned question Quatre lowered his eyes and shuffled his feet. His body language and the rosy blush on Quatre's cheeks told Wufei that there was something about the inquiry that demanded further investigation. "All right what is going on?"
After taking a moment to compose himself Quatre raised his head but didn't make direct eye contact. "You remember Trowa Barton?"
"He's the man you hired as Head of Security after you moved here last year." Wufei recalled.
Quatre nodded, "Well for the past six months he has been..." His voice trailed off and the blush deepened.
Wufei didn't need anyone to paint a picture for him. "More than an employee?"
Again Quatre nodded sending more blond bangs into his eyes, "Yes." he whispered.
As a grin tugged at his mouth's corners Wufei couldn't hide his relief. "A lover." he stated allowing the grin to blossom into a full smile. "Quatre has a lover." he repeated feeling some of the worry vanish as he realized that Quatre was no longer alone. Then placing a hand on Quatre's shoulder he asked, "Are you happy?"
The glow of pure peace on Quatre's angelic face told Wufei that yes, indeed, his friend was very happy. "Where is Barton, I want to meet the person who has rescued your sad soul."
"He went to town but he will be back soon. Come on let me take you to your room I'm sure you would like to freshen up." Quatre offered his hospitality to his faithful friend.
*********
"Let me know if you need anything." Quatre reminded as he closed the bedroom door.
Bedroom...it was a suit done up tastefully in peach and green. Double French doors opened onto a balcony that offered an excellent view of the gardens. A king-size bed, triple dresser and huge armoire took up the left side. A sitting area complete with two over-stuffed chairs, a sofa and a wall unit with a TV and more electronic equipment than Wufei's helicopter occupied the right side. The bathroom was also over-sized with twin mirrored wash basins, a huge shower and a separate bathtub that could hold a least three people.
Wufei stood in the center of the room shaking his head. "All these things and not one could make Quatre happy." he mumbled to himself. "Might as well make myself at home." he reasoned knowing that Quatre would be upset if he didn't.
The leather jacket was draped on a chair, his modest belongings put away in a single draw and his pistol placed with easy reach. His toiletries set on one bathroom sink. After washing his face and tying back his hair in a ponytail Wufei unlaced his high top boots, pulled them off and sat cross-legged on the bed.
Opening the hard-sided case he took a minute to admire his katana then removed it from its red velvet cradle. Holding the sword up to eye level he marveled at the way the light glinted off the finely honed blade. The gold handle was formed by entwined dragons, claws bared and fangs exposed in a manner that promised swift retribution to all those who dared to challenge the sword's owner. A blood red cord with a matching tassel had been tied in a ceremonial knot by Wufei's Sensei the day that he was given the title "Lone Dragon" and left the dojo to make his way in the world.
Now personal memories came flooding back. Days of sitting at his Master's feet studying and learning the ancient lessons passed down through generations of his Clan. The endless hours of katas and sword practice until his sensei deemed his student fit to represent his family.
Wufei remembered the day he said his farewells to his father knowing that they might not see each other again. He and his father did meet one last time as his father lay on his deathbed and whispered his final goodbye before traveling to join Wufei's mother and other ancestors that had gone on ahead.
The sword had been tested in battle four times since his lessons had been completed. Each time it had tasted blood and each time it had been victorious. Wufei held a deep respect for the powerful weapon employing his blade only when the dispute was a personal pursuit for justice.
The bedside telephone interrupted Wufei's recollections. It was Quatre saying that dinner would be served in half an hour. "No need to dress up." he added having long ago given up any formality at the evening meal. It was just as well because Wufei had never owned a suit and certainly not a dinner jacket and didn't intend to in the future.
Wufei did change his shirt opting for something a bit nicer than a tee shirt. As he retied his boots the sound of tires crunching on the pebble driveway drew his attention to the opened French doors. A dark blue SUV pulled around the circular drive parking just beyond the front door.
Keeping a discreet distance from the balcony's railing Wufei watched as a tall man got out of the vehicle and retrieved some packages from the seat. Long brown bangs hid one side of the man's face adding more mystery to the person Wufei assumed was Trowa Barton.
With several questions fixed firmly in his mind, Wufei made his way downstairs. Another servant guided him to the dinning room through a series of intercepting halls. "It's good that I have a keen sense of direction or I might not ever find my way out of here." Wufei thought as he traversed the corridors filled to overflow with the Winner family treasures.
Quatre set at the head of a long table. Three place settings were grouped at the same end for more intimate conversation. Gold rimmed plates and glasses sparkled under a multi-prism crystal chandelier.
On Quatre's left the tall man leaned over tucking stray stands of hair behind his lover's ear. Wufei thought that Quatre's color was not as good as it should be but a lot better than the last time he had seen him. Then it had been less than a week after an overdose had put him in the hospital. But that was a time better forgotten, the present and the future were all that mattered now.
"Wufei please join us." Quatre motioned for his friend to take the seat on his right. "This is Trowa." he introduced the man that had given Quatre a reason for living. A firm handshake and a "Nice to meet you." then dinner was served.
Quatre insisted that all the food be placed on the table so they would not be bothered. The servants were use to Master Quatre doing for himself knowing that if they were needed they would be called.
The odd trio engaged in small talk. Wufei asked a few prudent questions about Trowa's background and training. Trowa was ex-military having served with an elite unit during the Colonial War. He didn't want to go into precise details concerning his training or his duties but those facts made little difference now.
Trowa was more forthcoming when the questions turned to his and Quatre's relationship. If Wufei had any doubts concerning Trowa's devotion they were quickly dispelled. It was clear that loving Quatre was as vital to Trowa as breathing and that body, mind and spirit would gladly be sacrificed for his beloved soul mate.
Satisfied that his friend's heart was safe the questioning detoured to the real reason Quatre had asked Wufei to come. Through contacts developed during his military service Trowa had learned that influential politicians and disgruntled military leaders who didn't like the way the war had ended were planning a revolt. Their goal was to overthrow the present government and set up a dictatorial system keeping the citizens in line by force and intimidation.
"I can't let that happen." Quatre stated determined to use every resource at his disposal. "That is why I asked you to come. I want you to join a special Strike Force to fight against these traitorous factions that have reestablished OZ."
Wufei leaned back in his chair suddenly feeling quite insignificant in the overall plan. "Quatre I admire your willingness to commit to this cause but a force of three against an army as powerful as OZ is not feasible."
"What about a force of five?" Quatre countered Wufei's argument.
"Five." Wufei declared shaking his head harder. "What more can five do against trained troops?"
Quatre let an ever so slight grin flicker across his fair face. "That all depends on which five make up the force doesn't it?"
Wufei was about to register another protest when Quatre's raised hand cut off his words. "What I purpose is a force of five, a tightly knit group that would use infiltration and sabotage to undermine the core effort of OZ.
I have the financial resources; Trowa has the inside contacts and special training." he proclaimed, "You are the best pilot I know and can certainly take care of yourself in close combat. I have asked two men known for their skill in underground operations to meet with us. They will be arriving tomorrow." Quatre declared seeming to have no doubts that his plan would work.
Wufei swallow a sip of wine letting the fermented liquid warm his throat as he mulled over Quatre's proposal. True, he was an excellent pilot and Trowa an excellent soldier but the odds of success were still higher than Wufei would have liked. More information was in order before he could commit to Quatre's plan.
"Who are your other recruits?" Wufei inquired willing to hear the full extent of Quatre's strategy.
"I am sure you are familiar with one man." Quatre assumed, "Heero Yuy."
Wufei eyes widen at the name, "Heero Yuy!" he exclaimed, "How in the hell did you find him or, better yet, how did you persuade him to come here?"
"So you do know of him."
Wufei nodded, "Yes by reputation and if Yuy is half as dangerous as people say he is I wouldn't want to end up on his bad side." He readily admitted, "You must have made an unusual offer to get him to even consider a meeting."
Quatre cut his eyes at Trowa, "All I will say is that Heero owes me a favor." he answered but offered no further explanation.
"It must have been a bitching big favor. Do you think you can deal with Yuy?" Wufei wondered knowing that Heero Yuy always took solo operations and was almost impossible to control.
"I believe we can reach an understanding."
"Dare I ask who is the other outlaw you believe you can handle?" Wufei asked taking a gulp of his wine to fortify himself for Quatre's next announcement.
"Duo Maxwell. Do you also know him by reputation?" Quatre grinned in anticipation of Wufei's reaction.
"That's it you have finally lost you mind." Wufei declared reaching for the wine bottle to refill his glass with liquid fortification.
"I am surprised at your lack of faith in me." Quatre responded clearly enjoying his friend's struggle to follow his line of reasoning.
Wufei sighed finally giving up any attempt to make logical sense of anything, "All right Maxwell is one of the best explosives experts but from what I have heard he can be eccentric and just as hard to handle."
Leaning across the table Wufei locked his ebony sight on Quatre. "If you can get those two loose cannons to cooperate then I will never question your sanity again." he pledged, "But my friend I think you are asking for a lot of trouble." he proclaimed hoping that Quatre would give his choice of team members further, more serious, consideration.
"I suppose that tomorrow we will find out if I am indeed out of my mind " Quatre answered his friend's concerns.
"Tomorrow." Wufei repeated with another sigh, "Tomorrow is going to be interesting."
TBC...
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