Parallel

Parallel

A Harry Potter/Gundam Wing fanfic by Stormy

Chapter 1 (20-Jul-02)

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Heero strode briskly down the hallway, Duo right beside him, flipping his braid at random intervals at Heero´s arm in a teasing manner. They were on their way to another meeting with the rest of the Preventor´s inner circle regarding a possible resurrection of the White Fang group, and Heero wasn´t particularly looking forward to it. Not that he´d ever admit it to anyone other then Duo, but the idea of reliving what had happened had about as much appeal as watching Dorothy Catalonia perform a striptease in front of him.

The White Fang group had orchestrated the abduction of Vice Foreign Minister Relena Dorlian last year during a peace mission to one of the outer colonies. The kidnapping had taken place just one year after the end of a war that had spanned nearly two decades, and had threatened the very fragile peace the end of the war had brought. Heero, along with his fellow Gundam pilots had been brought out of `retirement´ to stop the group from succeeding in their plans - that being to drop one of the colonies on to the earth if their demands weren´t met. Such a collision would have had the same kind of impact as the moon striking the planet, and would have killed most of the earth´s population, and rendering the rest of it uninhabitable.

Heero had gone to rescue Relena. He had a kind of bond with the Minister after they had saved each other´s lives during the war, and he felt obligated to be the one to save her. Duo had waved him on despite knowing how much Relena professed to love Heero, trusting his partner would return to him.

Heero shook his head as memories assaulted him. A man named Tsubarov, figure-headed by Relena´s brother Mirialdo Peacecraft but going by the name Zechs Marquise, had led the White Fang. Tsubarov had used the late Oz General Trieze´s daughter Mariemaia as a way of making her claim to be the true leader of the world valid in the eyes of his followers, and had even gotten Wufei Chang, Heero´s fellow pilot, to follow their way of thinking for a short time before Wufei realized the error of his ways.

The worst part of the whole ordeal, Heero reflected, was that he had been forced back into the line of fire again. The strain of firing Wing Zero´s beam cannon against a massively shielded underground structure had nearly destroyed him, and then nearly firing his gun on Mariemaia, an eight year old deluded by Tsubarov had nearly traumatized his mind. Relena had taken care of him initially when he´d collapsed in the ruins of the destroyed compound, turning him over to Duo´s care when the braided pilot had stormed the hospital, looking for his partner.

That part made him smile a bit, and he looked with warm eyes at the American merrily bouncing down the hallway. Duo had his own demons about the White Fang group he knew, but the braided boy would never let anyone else know it. His mental walls were more harder to penetrate then that underground base.

" Okay Heero?"

Heero blinked as Duo waved a hand in his face. They had reached the conference room and Duo was about to open the doors but had stopped, checking his partner first.

Heero was about to nod and gesture him to go inside when a tingling feeling started at the base of his spine. He recognized it as the same kind of feeling he got when he´d had to infiltrate Oz bases during the Eve War, a kind of spider-sense Duo liked to joke, that warned him when someone was either coming, or watching him. He turned around slightly, his eyes darting up and down the hallway.

Two Preventor agents in their green and grey khakis were standing by the water cooler, chatting about their recent assignments. Another agent, obviously a trainee by the plain t-shirt he wore instead of a jacket, walked quickly by, carrying a stack of papers with an expression that clearly stated I am in a hurry, do not stop me please. Heero´s eyes automatically flicked to the ceiling before he remembered that the Preventor Headquarters´ had been based off a design that he and the other pilots had had a hand in developing, and there were no tunnels or crawlspaces anywhere in the complex big enough to crawl through, or if they did, did not go near any of the main conference halls. What few passageways remained were equipped with state-of-the-art sensors, both motion and infra-red, and they were monitored by miniature cameras twenty-four hours a day.

Duo was watching him closely.

" What´s up?"

" Just a feeling, " Heero said vaguely, still frowning as he scanned the hallway for anything strange or out of the ordinary.

" Your spider-sense is tingling, huh?" Duo´s words were flip but Heero knew that his partner was now checking the situation out just as carefully. Too many missions of fighting together had taught them each other´s strengths, and if Heero sensed someone around that wasn´t supposed to be, Duo was prepared to take it as the gospel truth. " I´m not seeing anyone. They left?"

" I guess, " Heero said slowly. He gave one last look and then shrugged. He looked at Duo. " We haven´t been on a mission in a month, I´m probably seeing things."

Duo nodded. " Cabin fever," he proclaimed. " You have too much free time." His eyes gleamed. " I´ll have to make sure to keep you busy from now on."

Heero chuckled quietly and gave him a light shove. " The meeting?"

" Yeah, yeah, yeesh! No pushing!" Duo pretended to stumble into the meeting room, falling to the ground in an undignified heap. Heero shook his head. A black boot clad foot nudged Duo in the side.

" Did you finally kill him?" asked a familiar voice.

Duo snorted, even though his face was still firmly planted into the marble floor. " You wish, Wuffers."

Wufei Chang grimaced at the nickname, stepped over Duo´s prone form and greeted Heero with a firm handshake. " Heero. "

" Wufei." Heero nodded respectfully. Duo grunted from the floor.

" Oh that´s nice. Everyone just ignore poor widdle Duo even though he´s abused and left for dead on the cold, hard ground."

Musical laughter came from across the room, and a blonde boy with bright blue eyes bounded over to Duo´s side, reaching down to grip Duo´s outstretched arm and tugging him upright.

" I´ll help you Duo!" He grinned, struggling to lug the American all the way to his feet. Duo made a huge show of how difficult it was to move when you were at death´s door.

" Thanks Quatre!" Duo mock-sniffled, throwing his arms around the Arabian. " I always knew I loved you."

" Ahem."

" Like a brother," Duo amended quickly. He grinned. " Hi Trowa. Miss me?"

Trowa Barton chuckled and reached for Quatre, sliding his arm around him and steering him back to their seats. Duo threw his braid back over his shoulder and surveyed the room with a large grin.

" Morning everyone!"

A chorus of "Good morning Duo," rang out. Wufei reclaimed his seat by his girlfriend, Major Sally Po, much to Duo´s amusement. The stickler-for-rules Wufei falling for the maverick-masquerading-as-a-proper-soldier Sally had been a constant source of entertainment for him but the level two death glare Sally was shooting his way, even if her eyes were smiling, made him decide to use discretion for the day. His buddy Hilde Schebecker waved somewhat distractedly before turning back to her newspaper - Duo knew she was reading the comics and trying not to giggle out loud. Lieutenant Noin sat in her customary place next to Zechs. Duo was expecting the announcement that they were getting married, any day now. The two were practically joined at the hip, and neither ever considered going on a job without the other.

Noin waggled her fingers at Duo. " Duo? Love?" Her tone was hopeful and Duo recognized it instantly.

" No Noin, you can make your own coffee," He deadpanned. The black-haired woman pouted.

" I can´t recreate that blend you make!" she growled. " And you´ve been off for three days - I need my fix, damnit!"

" Ahh...it´s all clear to me now," Duo nodded, grinning. " I´m only wanted when something else is wanted." He shook his head sadly. " You´re using me."

" Didn´t we have a meeting to get down to?" Wufei asked, settling back in his chair a bit. He drummed his fingers on the polished oak table idly. Zechs nodded.

" We´re just waiting for the remote feed from Sanq," he explained. Lady Une confirmed his words with a nod.

" Since the events of last year, Vice Minister Dorlian has taken a special interest in any information involving the White Fang."

" You know, you can call me Relena, Lady Une."

Yet another chorus of hellos rang out as the wide screen on the sidewall flickered into existence and the familiar face of Relena Dorlian appeared. Duo whistled.

" Wow....they say the camera adds ten pounds, but this screen adds about six feet!" Assorted groans and random objects including pens, pencils, paper balls and one Styrofoam coffee cup that had to be Noin´s were thrown in his direction. On screen, Relena laughed.

" Hello Duo." Her eyes fell on the person next to him. " Heero."

" I trust we can get this meeting underway then?" There were nods all around. "Good..."

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" Well, that was enlightening," Duo chirped, jamming his black cap down on his head and waving goodbye to their friends who were off to do their own work for the day. The hat was a violation of the dress code that all Preventor agents were required to follow, but as a member of the Inner Circle and an ex-Gundam pilot to boot, not too many people were brave enough to approach the American to tell him to remove it. " None of those figures match, you know."

" I know," Heero sighed with exasperation. The splinter group of 'the new White Fang' as it had been dubbed, claimed to have many of its former leaders still in place even though Zechs had confirmed that nearly all of the top brass had been imprisoned the following year. " I don't know where White Fang is getting it's intel and its ammo from then, if they're not telling the truth."

" I think it's a case of crying wolf and watching the people jump." Duo tugged at his braid automatically, his eyes thoughtful as they walked. " These guys aren't as powerful as the real deal but they want to create the illusion that they are, so that we're more likely to give them what they want."

Heero nodded; he had come to pretty much the same conclusion during the meeting. Suddenly, a familiar voice called out to them and the two agents turned as one to see Lady Une stalking down the hallway after them, waving a fistful of papers.

" Oui Madam?" Duo asked, bowing formally. Lady Une stifled a reluctant smile.

The former first commander of Oz under the reign of General Trieze was a strict taskmaster, tough as nails and utterly fearless. She had been known to strike fear in the hearts of her enemies, all the while projecting a ladylike air as per Trieze's wishes. But underneath the cool exterior was someone who fought tooth and nail for what she believed in, and Duo and Heero both knew that the Preventers Agency was something she was proud of, that she would fight to the death for. She was a lady worthy of both Gundam pilots respect. That still didn't save her from the sarcasm and wit that was Duo Maxwell though, and truth be told, she wouldn't have it any other way. So many people saw her as the top brass around the place and forgot she was still a person. The Gundam pilots were her equals, and in acknowledging that very important fact, she had won all of their respect.

However, some procedures still had to be followed.

" You two haven't reported to the firing range for practise in nearly five days," she admonished them, showing them the training reports for proof. Duo blinked.

" We've been off for three of those days, Lady," he pointed out.

" No excuse! It should be a daily thing Maxwell - and you haven't done it yet today, have you?"

" We were just on our way," Heero said calmly. Lady Une snorted, tucking the papers back into the folder under her arm.

" Of course you were," she said resignedly. " I give up. Just go already, would you please?"

" Anything for a lady!" Quick as lightning, Duo darted in and kissed her cheek before turning and snagging Heero's arm, dragging him full-speed down the hallway and through the door to the stairwell before the stunned Lady could do more then gape at him like a landed fish. Heero allowed himself to be propelled down the three flights of stairs before reclaiming his arm.

" I think we're out of range."

" You can never tell," Duo said, looking behind him and back up the stairs furtively.

" One day you're going to be cited for doing stuff like that."

" So?"

Heero finally grinned. The two of them entered the basement level and walked into the firing range that had been constructed inside. There were only a few people firing but if they stayed there long enough, Heero knew eventually they'd see nearly everyone from the meeting. None of them were paper jockeys, each preferring the action and adrenalin of being out on the street rather then the wild fun of filing. When there was a lull in missions, everyone seemed to converge on the firing range.

Sergeant Smith saw them coming and greeted them heartily. Smith was one of Sally Po's old-school soldiers who had saved her life on several occasions, thereby winning they're respect plus the eternal gratitude of one Wufei Chang who had only once made the comment that he was " glad someone had been there to baby-sit the woman and keep her from killing herself when I wasn't around." Smith was a big, burly man, all muscle and quite a few brains to boot. He respected Heero and everyone liked Duo so it was fairly easy for Heero to convince Smith to let him use his own collection of weapons, forgoing the paperwork associated with using the ones provided. His weapon, given to him years ago by Doctor J, was unregistered and untraceable, a fact that annoyed Lady Une to no end.

" Lane three's open boys."

" Thanks Smitty!" Duo accepted the gun that Smith handed him, a Smith and Wesson 22a that Duo had become accustomed to after losing his in a mission several months before. He had been requisitioned a new one but Duo claimed it didn't have as much character as the range weapons. Heero would just nod, not bothering to argue with Duo-logic. Duo-logic only ever made sense to Duo.

Heero went first. Slipping the earmuffs on, he stepped into the small booth, pulling the goggles down. Privately, he had complained about having to wear the protective gear. After all, no one had given him muffs and goggles in the field. Lady Une had put her foot down and told him to humour her. The paper target flipped down and Heero squeezed the trigger rapidly. Several seconds later, the paper came swinging back and he looked at his score. Perfect. Duo snorted.

" Show off." Duo stepped up to take his turn. His score came back: 95%. He mock-glared at Heero. " You distracted me!"

" How?"

" You look dead sexy in a uniform," Duo informed him so matter-of-factly that Heero had to laugh. Minutes later when his second score came back, he saw that he had only scored a ninety, unable to concentrate fully with Duo's comment running through his head. Duo snickered at the look on his partner's face. " See? Method to my madness and all that."

" I bet Wufei would be interested to hear about your method. I think he's under the impression you subscribe to the chaos theory just avoid getting the blame for the things you do."

" Wufei's smarter then he looks," Duo nodded, grinning. Several rounds later, they dropped their scores off with Smith who whistled at them, impressed as always, before heading to one of the side ranges that had been set up at Trowa and Duo's request. It was a larger target, a bulls-eye much like the ones used in archery. Duo reached into his boots and pulled out two wicked-looking daggers, the polished ebony handles gleaming in the light. Hefting one in his hand, he squinted down at the target and hurled it, followed quickly by the second. A third and fourth appeared from sheaths on his forearms hidden by his jacket and the fifth and final dagger slid out of the extra compartment in his gun holster. Checking the all clear, he strode over to the target and checked the bulls-eye. Top, bottom, left, right and dead centre. He grinned up at Heero who made a show of applauding.

" I may not have the perfect aim when it comes to guns, but knives are my domain."

Duo pulled the weapons back out and put them away. " Still got it," he sighed with satisfaction. He looked up. " Are we done here?"

Heero nodded. " We just had the meeting. I finished our paperwork from the last mission the last time we were in."

Duo ticked off his fingers. " I double checked the info I got from my contacts that Lady Une wanted from that shipping company she thinks might be smuggling illegal leftover mobile dolls and forwarded that off. Email checked, bins checked and we got paid the right amount this week so we have no more issues to take up with payroll." Which was a good thing - the payroll people would probably never be the same again after having an irate Heero brandishing a gun at them for missing two days. He cocked his head to one side. " By Jove, I do believe we're all caught up!"

Heero was about to suggest that they catch a light lunch before working out for the afternoon until Lady Une and Noin came after them with a new mission when that annoying tingling started up again. The feeling of being watched secretly.

He growled, turning around in a complete circle. No one was watching them. Duo eyed him with concern.

" Your mystery spy's back again?"

" Yeah," Heero grunted. " And it's driving me nuts."

Duo looked the room over but couldn't see anything amiss. Shrugging, he laid a hand on his partner's arm. " Forget it Heero. You'll catch whatever it is eventually." He rubbed his stomach with his free hand. " But my stomach's gonna chew a hole through my spine if I don't feed it soon."

Heero nodded and reluctantly allowed himself to be pulled to the cafeteria. But he couldn't shake the feeling, and all through lunch and the afternoon, he felt invisible eyes following him wherever he went.

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It was a reoccurring nightmare. Both the dreams and his life. Heero thought quite frankly he was going crazy, and when he mentioned it to Duo, the braided boy merely grinned and said it would be nice to have company. But his joking facade couldn't cover up the worry in his eyes over his partner's behaviour.

The dreams were coming with alarming frequency, waking him up nearly every night now, leaving him shaking. While he did his work during the day, the idea of someone watching him refused to go away and he found himself snapping at shadows, whirling around, thinking he'd caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye only to be confronted with emptiness. Quatre had openly expressed his concern; Trowa would check on him - even Wufei's eyes were showing concern. Duo was even starting to show signs of stress as well, waking up each time Heero did to calm him back into sleep, and helping him look for the invisible watchers. Heero was positive he was losing his mind.

Then finally, nearly two weeks after the first time he'd felt those eyes on him, his silent stalker approached him. And that's when the world he knew began to fall apart.

End chapter 1