New Haven

Chapter Sixteen: Time for work!

Wufei woke to an empty bed with a groan. He smelt something interesting. He knew that Duo had woken him for a kiss and told him he would be in the kitchen making breakfast. He heard the clang of a pot lid or something else similar and grinned. The smell that had woken him was the cooking of delicious food.

He slid from the bed and stretched. He would have to do his kata later. The smells from the kitchen were to interesting to ignore. He rubbed his stubbled chin and yawned as he pulled on his robe and wandered out the door of his room and down the hall to the kitchen. He found the others sitting there watching Duo putter around the kitchen humming to himself softly.

He ignored his audience as he went about making the specialty waffles that had gotten him a perfect mark in the breakfast test. He loved the kitchen of this place it was meant to be cooked in. He had already set up his things in the kitchen. He was more comfortable with his own things. He just hoped that the others wouldn’t be to upset. With the changes he had made.

“Hello,” A kiss was placed on his cheek. “Love.” A yawn punctuated his words and kiss. “Did you change the kitchen around to your liking?” Wufei asked as he wrapped his arms around the lithe form.

“Uhmmm,” Duo hesitantly replied. “Yeah I did.”

“Good.” Wufei placed another kiss on the wraith he held. He watched as they swiftly and precisely chopped and sliced fruit. Before his eyes Wufei watched as the fruit was transformed. He pulled away and looked questioningly at the other men. “What are you waiting for?” He asked of them. “A signed order. Set the table.” He turned back to whisper in the ear closest to him. “I’ll be right back, I have to go to the bathroom.”

Duo nodded and wiggled slightly to get his release. He placed a little kiss on the jaw that was leaving and went about his business. He finished his work and settled platters of food on the table to be consumed. He looked up at the expressions of astonishment and looked down guiltily.

Wufei walked back to see three men frozen in astonishment and one frozen in fear. He approached the table slowly and stared at the display. He looked up in wonder at his love. “It looks spectacular, Duo. I don’t know where to begin.” He pulled the unresisting body towards him and glared over his wraiths head at the others. His glare portrayed the need of the others to say something.

“Are you sure?” Duo whispered against the skin that was peeking out from the robe.

Three chairs being pulled out brought the eyes of the wraith to the table. Aquamarine eyes met his.

“Duo where do we begin?” Quatre asked as he stared in wonder at the display. If he had any doubts of Duo’s skills as a chef they had died at the sight on the table. He had only seen a display like this at the Vice Foreign Minister’s Holiday parties.

“The only time I’ve seen anything like this was at one of the pink menace’s parties.” Heero said sourly at the thought of Vice Minister Relena Dorlian. She was still trying to get him into a marriage that would never happen.

“I should of killed her when I had the chance.” Duo muttered as he pulled out a chair to settle at the table. “I had the chance to and I should have.” Duo grouched as he helped himself. The others mirrored the younger man’s moves. He looked up and snickered at the mirrored motions. “Just help yourselves. Try what you want.” He told them as he ate. “It’s just food nothing to be scared of.”

Wufei chuckled. “So why didn’t you?”

“Because I thought I would be her night in shining armor and that would send her into joys. But noooo,” He muttered as ate. “She has to go for the dark and dangerous. If I had known I would have shown he my dark side. But the way she behaved sort of put me off kinda quick. I mean she is kind of wickedly stupid!!!” He ranted between bites of food. “I mean she was stalking this dude all over the place. The guy was lucky I was around to persuade her to other endeavors.” Duo didn’t see the stunned expression on the other side of table. He also didn’t see the other two trying not to die of laughter beside him.

“That was you?” Was finally shouted at the person who wasn’t really paying attention to anything but the food and thoughts he was having.

Duo looked up startled. He looked like an animal caught in the headlights of an on coming vehicle. “Ahhh, yeah.” He answered slowly.

Heero almost threw himself across the table at the other man. “I owe you my life.” He said in a voice that was nearly squeaking in delight. “You saved me from the evil pink menace’s hands.” Duo stared at the man who was almost lying in the food.

“You…you…” Duo stared at the other man and started to giggle. He remembered all the woman had done and the color that she wore prominently all the time. “You don’t mean…?” His laughter turned into full blown gales at the sheepish nod he received. “Oh…oh…oh…that is…soooo…rich!” Duo managed to get out between laughs and air take in. He fell out of his chair and rolled on the ground. He remembered everything that he done to the woman to get her away from who ever she was stalking.

“Okay.” Heero growled. “I got the point. Let’s finish breakfast and go work on the birds.” He walked around to toe the man he was thankful to. “Why did you ask for three of them? And why the big ones?”

“Because of the hostages.” Duo told them softly. The laughter left him quickly at the reminder of the things he had to prepare for. “Because of the hostages.” He repeated. “I have to go through a file in the War Room.” Duo lunged up so quickly and was down the hall before anyone could move.

“The hostages?” The questions hung in the air around the four men.



They arrived at Preventer Headquarters at 9 o’clock. Duo headed straight to the motor pool to check out the helicopters and start work on them. The other four headed straight for Une’s private office. They had a very important question for the lady.

Duo arrived at the motor pool and stared at the hulking behemoth of man walking toward him. He looked like a Viking throw-back. Duo raised a hand and placed it behind his neck as he stared upward. The man had to be at least a foot taller than Trowa’s six foot six height.

“Who are you and what do you want?” The man asked in amazingly high pitched voice for a man.

Duo had to suppress a giggle at the voice. “Uhhhh, I’m here to do some work on three 286 Zipper Wings.” Duo told the man as he stared up at the man getting a kink in his neck. He sighed in relief when the man took a step back from the him.

“Let’s see some ID.” The man order in the same voice. “You don’t get by me till I see some ID.”

Duo pulled out his paramedic Preventer ID. He showed it hesitantly to the man.

The man looked it over and eyed the man before him. He grunted and went to a near by phone. “Yeah I got a question for Une.”

Duo watched as the man turned away and held his conversation with the other person. He looked around the garage and was surprised at how well it was kept. Most motor pools he had been in had been very messy. All that is but Howie’s.

He turned back when he heard the phone being placed back on the receiver. “You keep a neat place.” He told the other man. “I never saw a cleaner place since I was with Howie.”

The man stopped startled. “You know Howard? Howard Green?” The question was posed to Duo in consternation.

“Yup.” He said absently as he looked over the machinery he saw in the garage. “He was very strict about cleanliness in the workplace.”

“Well if I hadn’t talked to Une that answer would have let you in here easily.” The man replied. “I’m Bastion Delancey. Follow me and I’ll take you to the birds in question.”

“You wouldn’t happen to be the Bastion Delancey that took down the 82nd third would you?” Duo asked eyeing the man as he was lead to the helicopters.

“No I’m the Bastion Delancey that took down the 82nd third with help from Shinigami.” Bastion told the younger man as he lead him out doors to the tarmac outside. “You wouldn’t happen to be the old man’s adopted son, would you?”

Duo nodded as he was lead across the tarmac to a large hanger on the other side of it. He had chosen the choppers for their abilities as well as their size. He knew what Trowa would find in the depths of the cells. He wanted to make sure that they would have enough room for everyone.

“Well if the old man adopted you I have no trouble letting you play with the birds.” The head mechanic looked down at the man as he opened the door to the hanger. “If you need any help…” He trailed off as he watched the silent man. There was something about the kid that told him that he shouldn’t be messed with.

“Nah, but could you make sure no one but Chang Wufei, Heero Yuy, Trowa Barton, Quatre Raberba Winner, Sally Po, Noin, Merquise, and the Lady come in here.” He told the other man as he looked over at the helicopters he was going to get to play with. His mind was already on the changes he would have to make. He didn’t hear the other man leave the building as he slowly went over the schematics in his head that he had memorized that morning. His photographic memory had been an asset during the war and his schooling.

He immersed himself in his work and didn’t even notice the time passing him by.



Wufei looked at Lady Une in consternation. She wasn’t answering their question and for some reason he really really didn’t like that fact. “Fine.” He growled at her. “Don’t tell us. But tell me this. What do you think is possible that we will find?”

“Expect the worst.” Une murmured. “The worst.”

Wufei stared at her in disgust. He was already expecting the worst. “Alright. Alright.” He turned and regarded the other men. “Let’s go see if Duo needs any help.” He stormed out of the room ignoring the wince of the leader.

“I’ll get Noin and Zechs.” Quatre murmured as the other two followed the nearly vibrating lawyer. “Make sure he doesn’t blow a fuse.”

He received two nods and he went off to get the other agents.



Wufei stormed threw the garage ignoring the looks that the mechanics were giving him. “Bastion,” He growled as he stormed up to the man. “Where’s Duo?”

The behemoth turned in surprise. “Uh, he’s in the hanger across the tarmac out that door.” Bastion told the angry lawyer pointing to the door that would lead him to the man in question. He watched as he stormed out of the garage with Agent Yuy and another man following behind him. “Hey,” He called to the agent.

“Trowa Barton.” Was called to him from the man with few words.

Wufei ignored the people around him as he strode across the tarmac and glared at he guards at the door to the hangar. They stiffened and opened the door for him immediately. He paused as he allowed his eyes to adjust to the dimmer light in the hangar. He looked around the room and his eyes settled on the legs and backside of the man he was looking for. He watched as it swayed back and forth enticingly. The fabric of the jeans were cupping the ass in question lovingly showing off the tight curves.

Duo felt eyes watching him and pulled out of the engine compartment he was currently working in. He turned to Wufei eyeing him in a lusty way. He blinked and grinned at him. He waved a hand holding a wrench at him as he swiped at the sweat on his forehead.

Wufei stared as he watched sweat running down the torso of his mate. Duo had removed his shirt as he was working on the helicopters. The sight riveted the man to the spot. Grease and sweat decorated the body of the man and set Wufei drooling in delight at the sight. He didn’t know that he blocked Heero and Trowa from coming in.

A shove from behind sent Wufei into defensive mode. He turned swiftly to see the two silent men staring at him questioningly. They looked to where the other had been looking and their eyes widened in silent appreciation of the sight Duo made. The two silent ones looked back at Wufei with a grin.

Wufei blushed in embarrassment at the silent understanding.

“Hey guys,” A deep husky feminine voice greeted the three in the doorway of the hanger. “What’s up?”

Three men jumped and stared at the woman standing with Quatre. The tall man with long blond hair the same height stood behind them smirking at them.

She looked around them to see a frowning Duo as he wondered why they were all staring at him. She whistled at the sight he made and Duo blushed. “Now that is a sight anyone would want to see.” She murmured to the group.

“Noin.” Heero growled at the unrepentant woman.

“What?” She asked innocently. “I can appreciate a wonderful sight, can’t I?”

Wufei snarled and stalked across the hanger to Duo. He wrapped an arm around the man in question and glared at the people ogling his boyfriend. His stance shouted ‘MINE’ to the people.

The tall blond whistled at the sight of the over protectiveness of the chinese man. He looked back at the others in question.

“Don’t think he can’t do anything for himself Merquise.” Heero stated flatly. “Trust me he is a very deadly man.” Heero stalked across the hanger and joined the men as they talked quietly to each other. The rest followed him at a more leisurely pace.

Merquise looked down at Noin and the two followed the other three. He couldn’t believe the reaction he had gotten.

Noin looked more closely at the man in question and frowned as she got closer.

“Duo,” Quatre began to introduce the new people to Duo.

“Noin, Merquise.” Duo finished the introduction as he looked up at the blond. “Hey Goldilocks. How long did it take you to get the dye out?”

Merquise eyes narrowed as he looked down at the man before him. He shook his head as he remembered the day someone had put dye in his shampoo and conditioner. “Uh, uhn,” He said in denial. “No way. Not possible.” He said aloud.

Duo grinned and winked at the man. He turned to Noin and grinned wider at her. “Don’t you think he looks good with turquoise hair?”

Noin gasped at the question. She remembered the day perfectly. The Commander of the base that she and Merquise had been stationed at had been killed. Shinigami had been the one to do so and he had left some practical jokes behind to keep the fact from being known to quickly. Dying Merquise’s hair had been one of the things he had done.

“…I couldn’t help it.” Noin zoned back into the conversation in front of her. “It was just to tempting.”

She watched as Wufei shook with laughter his head pressed to a shoulder of the man in question. She had never seen the lawyer so openly showing feelings before.

“Anywayyysss,” Duo continued. “We have four days to turn these whirlybirds into the deadliest things that fly. Plus make them stealth worthy.”

“Zechs?” Noin asked softly when she heard the last.

Merquise turned to look at Noin with a question similar to her own. He turned back to the other’s to ask them the question. “Stealth isn’t possible. How can we possibly do that?”

“Yeah it is.” Duo flashed one of his manic grins at the tall blond. “Howie didn’t create it. I did.” He lead the people to the table that some blueprints were laid out on. “I know you all have some mechanical knowledge. This is what I want each of you to do. If you can’t tell me and I’ll find something else for you to do. Oh by the way I recommend that Noin and Merquise go with Trowa on his part of the mission.” Duo proceeded to give his orders to the people who stood around him and he showed them the changes he wanted to make.