Gundam Wing/Xmen cross over fic - "Zero X" part 4
Duo finished the last piece of bacon looking up to see the other four boys staring at him “What? Do I have something on my face?”
“Duo, Heero was about to eat that, you took it off his plate.” Quatre pointed out calmly
“I did? Sorry man, just you know how hungry I get after along day. I’ll make it up to you later ‘K?”
Heero shrugged “Don’t worry about it.”
“Cool, anyway I’ve been thinking if we’re going to be hanging about for a bit, we need to test the ground so to speak. Jubilee, Bobby and Kitty are all going to the mall later they asked me to tag along so I’m going to go scope ‘em out a bit.”
“You mean you are going to go shopping and eat junk food, Maxwell.” Wufei sniffed disdainfully
“Well you know Wufei, we all have to make sacrifices for the mission. You could always come to, loosen up a bit and learn to blend.”
“That’s a good idea, could you get me a new book whilst you’re out to Wufei” Quatre interjected quickly before Wufei could refuse.
Duo and Wufei shared a look of disbelief “What?” they chimed simultaneously
“Well that way Duo has someone to watch his back, you don’t have anything else to do Wufei. Trowa will stay with me and Heero’s got lots to do.” Quatre smiled brightly “So that’s all settled then.” So saying he stood up, slightly gingerly so as not to pull on his healing wounds, Trowa quickly coming to his side to help him walk back.
Wufei and Duo turned to Heero who simply said “Watch your backs,” before walking off in the other direction.
Wufei looked at Duo and Duo looked at Wufei, “Either they’re expecting us to get attacked or they just want to get rid of us for the morning so they can sit down and discuss their super duper top secret plans, which we’re too stupid to be told about.”
“It is unlikely they would allow us to walk into a trap without warning us first.” Wufei pointed out calmly
“Yeah and doesn’t it make you mad that they’re sitting around hatching plans and not including us?”
“I have never enjoyed being uninformed, however they have always acted in our best interests.”
“Yeah well fine, whatever, let them keep their little secrets, we’ll go to the mall and blow the groups budget for a week.”
“Maxwell you sound like a petulant teenager.”
“I am a teenager ‘Fei, and stop calling me Maxwell, you sound like Heero in lecture mode.”
xxxxxx
Bobby, Jubilee and Kitty stood chatting at the bottom of the manor steps waiting for them to arrive, Wufei automatically checked his surroundings as he and Duo stepped out into the sunlight to join them. At his side Duo was a bundle of tense activity, at some point he had picked up a large silver coin which he was flicking between his fingers probably totally unconsciously. Wufei sighed recognising the signs of one of Duo’s more reckless moods. Duo leapt down skipping the last three steps into the midst of the huddled young mutants, feet barely shifting the gravel on the wide path. Duo grinned widely slinging an arm over the startled Bobby Drake
“So hope you don’t mind, Mr Responsibility over there decided to crash the party, he thinks I need supervising or something.” Bobby nodded slightly, in dazed agreement “So we are in your experienced hands, where are we heading off too. Will there be madness, mayhem and lots of food?”
Wufei glared at Duo in silent reproach and the five teenagers set off towards the bus stop as Bobby Drake explained which mall they were going to and the games arcade they planned to visit. Bus journeys were rather a rarity for both Wufei and Duo, Wufei hated buses the lack of control over the vehicle put him on edge and the presence of large numbers of strangers crammed close to him left him tense, unsettled and hyper aware. Wufei knew that Duo was similarly affected but he hid it well chatting constantly to the other three young mutants, laughing and making jokes, he could hear him breath a sigh of relief though as the bus finally pulled to a jerking stop outside the mall. Climbing gratefully out of the bus he followed Duo grudgingly into the crowded mall falling into position behind the other teenagers automatically, eyes flicking constantly marking the positions of people, exits and obstructions trusting that Duo was doing the same.
xxxx
Logan had tracked Yuy down and stood at a distance examining the boy. Heero was sat on a bench back rigidly straight as he typed on a lap top, something about the set of Heero’s shoulders suggested to Logan that he was aware of his presence but he continued his scrutiny regardless. The half formed impression of a memory had been nagging at him since he had first encountered him and he intended to track it back to its source.
A good proportion of Logan’s past was nothing but a foggy mystery to him, and over the years he had realised that there were few things he liked less than mysteries. Standing and watching Heero sent every instinct into overdrive the Professor had been adamant that the boy was a psionic and despite Xavier’s inability to read the newcomers Logan trusted his opinion, however he remembered the force with which Heero had thrown him into the danger room wall. That had been pure physical strength, every drop of body language had confirmed it from the increase in breathing to the tightening of his muscles.
So Logan stood and watched him searching for clues in the tension in his back or the speed of his fingers flying across the keys, gradually though his curiosity brought Logan closer step by step to the boy. Heero seemed completely unconcerned by his presence and Logan peered curiously over his shoulder at the computer screen, the screen went blank and Logan found himself staring into a pair of cold blue eyes as Heero swung round to look at him, one eyebrow raised.
“So tell me kid, how is it I feel like I know you?” The two soldiers stared at one another in silence. “Huh… Don’t want to answer, that’s OK kid, only really one place I could know you from and I don’t like talking about it either.”
Looking into Heero’s eyes Logan could see the cold assessment of a trained killer considering and discarding the idea of killing him “I am not a member of weapon X.”
Logan nodded thoughtfully, instantly believing him despite his suspicions “If you say so kid, just so long as you know I care about these people, don’t put them at risk.”
“I never put civilians in unnecessary danger.”
Logan snorted slightly not commenting on the strange understanding they were reaching, Heero may not want to put them in danger but he wouldn’t hesitate to do what he felt was needed. Logan also knew that if it came to violence he would be the first in the firing line.
Xxxx
Trowa watched as Quatre resettled in his seat, the wounds he had sustained were still deep enough to keep him from sitting comfortably and were probably a large part of the reason his game with Henry McCoy had yet to reach checkmate. Trowa could tell from the faint lines of concentration running across Quatre’s face that the blue X man was an exceptional chess player but there had never been any doubt in Trowa’s mind as to who would win.
Quatre slid a knight into position and Henry McCoy knocked over his own king smiling “I resign, mate in 4 moves.”
Quatre looked up from the board returning the smile with one of his own “You are an excellent player, I would enjoy facing you again.”
“Thank you, you are most kind. I fear however that when you are free of distraction that I would prove to be an even poorer challenge.”
“Not at all, you are by far the most challenging player I have faced in years.”
Trowa watched in silent amusement as the two exchanged pleasantries, Beast seemingly both flattered and embarrassed by the praise and excited by the prospect of future games, he sighed slightly as he fetched a Go board from the cupboard for the pair. Trowa had been hoping to talk to Quatre all morning and question him about his decision in staying, but whether by design or accident he had not had so much as a moment in private for a conversation with him. Quatre looked up at Trowa, a grin flashing across his face so briefly that anyone else would have missed it
“Trowa, do you think you could find Heero and ask him if he’s found anything yet.” Trowa frowned at the thought of leaving Quatre alone “Don’t worry Trowa, I am perfectly alright I’m sure Dr. McCoy will help me if I need to move around.”
Trowa looked on unhappily for a brief moment before being reassured by Quatre’s calm smile and slipped out, leaving the two prodigies to their games.
Xxxx
Heero was sat alone when Trowa joined him, following his instincts unerringly to his friend’s position. The faint tension in Heero’s shoulders and increase in typing speed would probably be indiscernible to anyone else but practically screamed unease to Trowa as he took a seat next to him.
“Wolverine thinks he recognises me.” Heero said shortly without preamble
“You know him?”
“There were links between the project and Weapon X during the earliest stages of development. It is a minimal risk, his memory was destroyed before he left Weapon X, I will take care of it if necessary.”
Trowa nodded thoughtfully “Quatre wants us to work with them, he would know if the risk was too high. Did Quatre tell you why we are staying?”
“No, just that we need these people alive. I’m not sure why he sent Wufei with Duo either so I’ve hacked into the shopping mall surveillance to be safe but nothing has happened yet. There’s nothing unexpected appearing in either military or police channels after yesterday. An alert has been issued but the military are still investigating the explosion. I’ve laid down false trails and covered our tracks to prevent anyone else discovering us, but those who know of our existence will consider us possible suspects whatever I do.”
“When the time comes we’ll all do what we must as always.”
Heero smiled grimly “Of course.”
Next part here
“Duo, Heero was about to eat that, you took it off his plate.” Quatre pointed out calmly
“I did? Sorry man, just you know how hungry I get after along day. I’ll make it up to you later ‘K?”
Heero shrugged “Don’t worry about it.”
“Cool, anyway I’ve been thinking if we’re going to be hanging about for a bit, we need to test the ground so to speak. Jubilee, Bobby and Kitty are all going to the mall later they asked me to tag along so I’m going to go scope ‘em out a bit.”
“You mean you are going to go shopping and eat junk food, Maxwell.” Wufei sniffed disdainfully
“Well you know Wufei, we all have to make sacrifices for the mission. You could always come to, loosen up a bit and learn to blend.”
“That’s a good idea, could you get me a new book whilst you’re out to Wufei” Quatre interjected quickly before Wufei could refuse.
Duo and Wufei shared a look of disbelief “What?” they chimed simultaneously
“Well that way Duo has someone to watch his back, you don’t have anything else to do Wufei. Trowa will stay with me and Heero’s got lots to do.” Quatre smiled brightly “So that’s all settled then.” So saying he stood up, slightly gingerly so as not to pull on his healing wounds, Trowa quickly coming to his side to help him walk back.
Wufei and Duo turned to Heero who simply said “Watch your backs,” before walking off in the other direction.
Wufei looked at Duo and Duo looked at Wufei, “Either they’re expecting us to get attacked or they just want to get rid of us for the morning so they can sit down and discuss their super duper top secret plans, which we’re too stupid to be told about.”
“It is unlikely they would allow us to walk into a trap without warning us first.” Wufei pointed out calmly
“Yeah and doesn’t it make you mad that they’re sitting around hatching plans and not including us?”
“I have never enjoyed being uninformed, however they have always acted in our best interests.”
“Yeah well fine, whatever, let them keep their little secrets, we’ll go to the mall and blow the groups budget for a week.”
“Maxwell you sound like a petulant teenager.”
“I am a teenager ‘Fei, and stop calling me Maxwell, you sound like Heero in lecture mode.”
xxxxxx
Bobby, Jubilee and Kitty stood chatting at the bottom of the manor steps waiting for them to arrive, Wufei automatically checked his surroundings as he and Duo stepped out into the sunlight to join them. At his side Duo was a bundle of tense activity, at some point he had picked up a large silver coin which he was flicking between his fingers probably totally unconsciously. Wufei sighed recognising the signs of one of Duo’s more reckless moods. Duo leapt down skipping the last three steps into the midst of the huddled young mutants, feet barely shifting the gravel on the wide path. Duo grinned widely slinging an arm over the startled Bobby Drake
“So hope you don’t mind, Mr Responsibility over there decided to crash the party, he thinks I need supervising or something.” Bobby nodded slightly, in dazed agreement “So we are in your experienced hands, where are we heading off too. Will there be madness, mayhem and lots of food?”
Wufei glared at Duo in silent reproach and the five teenagers set off towards the bus stop as Bobby Drake explained which mall they were going to and the games arcade they planned to visit. Bus journeys were rather a rarity for both Wufei and Duo, Wufei hated buses the lack of control over the vehicle put him on edge and the presence of large numbers of strangers crammed close to him left him tense, unsettled and hyper aware. Wufei knew that Duo was similarly affected but he hid it well chatting constantly to the other three young mutants, laughing and making jokes, he could hear him breath a sigh of relief though as the bus finally pulled to a jerking stop outside the mall. Climbing gratefully out of the bus he followed Duo grudgingly into the crowded mall falling into position behind the other teenagers automatically, eyes flicking constantly marking the positions of people, exits and obstructions trusting that Duo was doing the same.
xxxx
Logan had tracked Yuy down and stood at a distance examining the boy. Heero was sat on a bench back rigidly straight as he typed on a lap top, something about the set of Heero’s shoulders suggested to Logan that he was aware of his presence but he continued his scrutiny regardless. The half formed impression of a memory had been nagging at him since he had first encountered him and he intended to track it back to its source.
A good proportion of Logan’s past was nothing but a foggy mystery to him, and over the years he had realised that there were few things he liked less than mysteries. Standing and watching Heero sent every instinct into overdrive the Professor had been adamant that the boy was a psionic and despite Xavier’s inability to read the newcomers Logan trusted his opinion, however he remembered the force with which Heero had thrown him into the danger room wall. That had been pure physical strength, every drop of body language had confirmed it from the increase in breathing to the tightening of his muscles.
So Logan stood and watched him searching for clues in the tension in his back or the speed of his fingers flying across the keys, gradually though his curiosity brought Logan closer step by step to the boy. Heero seemed completely unconcerned by his presence and Logan peered curiously over his shoulder at the computer screen, the screen went blank and Logan found himself staring into a pair of cold blue eyes as Heero swung round to look at him, one eyebrow raised.
“So tell me kid, how is it I feel like I know you?” The two soldiers stared at one another in silence. “Huh… Don’t want to answer, that’s OK kid, only really one place I could know you from and I don’t like talking about it either.”
Looking into Heero’s eyes Logan could see the cold assessment of a trained killer considering and discarding the idea of killing him “I am not a member of weapon X.”
Logan nodded thoughtfully, instantly believing him despite his suspicions “If you say so kid, just so long as you know I care about these people, don’t put them at risk.”
“I never put civilians in unnecessary danger.”
Logan snorted slightly not commenting on the strange understanding they were reaching, Heero may not want to put them in danger but he wouldn’t hesitate to do what he felt was needed. Logan also knew that if it came to violence he would be the first in the firing line.
Xxxx
Trowa watched as Quatre resettled in his seat, the wounds he had sustained were still deep enough to keep him from sitting comfortably and were probably a large part of the reason his game with Henry McCoy had yet to reach checkmate. Trowa could tell from the faint lines of concentration running across Quatre’s face that the blue X man was an exceptional chess player but there had never been any doubt in Trowa’s mind as to who would win.
Quatre slid a knight into position and Henry McCoy knocked over his own king smiling “I resign, mate in 4 moves.”
Quatre looked up from the board returning the smile with one of his own “You are an excellent player, I would enjoy facing you again.”
“Thank you, you are most kind. I fear however that when you are free of distraction that I would prove to be an even poorer challenge.”
“Not at all, you are by far the most challenging player I have faced in years.”
Trowa watched in silent amusement as the two exchanged pleasantries, Beast seemingly both flattered and embarrassed by the praise and excited by the prospect of future games, he sighed slightly as he fetched a Go board from the cupboard for the pair. Trowa had been hoping to talk to Quatre all morning and question him about his decision in staying, but whether by design or accident he had not had so much as a moment in private for a conversation with him. Quatre looked up at Trowa, a grin flashing across his face so briefly that anyone else would have missed it
“Trowa, do you think you could find Heero and ask him if he’s found anything yet.” Trowa frowned at the thought of leaving Quatre alone “Don’t worry Trowa, I am perfectly alright I’m sure Dr. McCoy will help me if I need to move around.”
Trowa looked on unhappily for a brief moment before being reassured by Quatre’s calm smile and slipped out, leaving the two prodigies to their games.
Xxxx
Heero was sat alone when Trowa joined him, following his instincts unerringly to his friend’s position. The faint tension in Heero’s shoulders and increase in typing speed would probably be indiscernible to anyone else but practically screamed unease to Trowa as he took a seat next to him.
“Wolverine thinks he recognises me.” Heero said shortly without preamble
“You know him?”
“There were links between the project and Weapon X during the earliest stages of development. It is a minimal risk, his memory was destroyed before he left Weapon X, I will take care of it if necessary.”
Trowa nodded thoughtfully “Quatre wants us to work with them, he would know if the risk was too high. Did Quatre tell you why we are staying?”
“No, just that we need these people alive. I’m not sure why he sent Wufei with Duo either so I’ve hacked into the shopping mall surveillance to be safe but nothing has happened yet. There’s nothing unexpected appearing in either military or police channels after yesterday. An alert has been issued but the military are still investigating the explosion. I’ve laid down false trails and covered our tracks to prevent anyone else discovering us, but those who know of our existence will consider us possible suspects whatever I do.”
“When the time comes we’ll all do what we must as always.”
Heero smiled grimly “Of course.”
Next part here