calic0cat

Guh. Between AquaFit classes eating up my evenings and everything else that's been going on in RL, I kind of dropped off the radar again for longer than I'd intended. And this weekend's shaping up to be yet another busy one. :P And next weekend, I'm doing a three-day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) intermediate level glass fusing course, so it's going to be pretty much a lost cause for writing as well. *sigh* I'm once again way behind on email responses and I've barely even skimmed my flist, let alone posted any comments. Maybe I'll manage to find a few minutes to tackle some of that after the parade on Sunday. Maybe. :P

Anyhow...

Everyone has probably completely forgotten about this story, it's been so long since I last posted something for it. Had a tough time getting the "feel" back for this, and I'm still not completely sure that I managed to match the earlier parts perfectly, however... *shrug* I think it's as good as it's going to get at this point and if I keep poking at it, it'll probably start getting worse rather than better.

Previous parts available here.

***

After just one look at the man that Trowa had escorted into the room, Heero was instantly and intensely grateful that he hadn't assigned the Winner contract to another Guild hunter. He'd taken it on himself as a personal favour to Quatre and Trowa, but if Duo Maxwell's personality was half as good as his looks, then he was going to owe *them* an even bigger favour.

Despite an almost unnoticeable hesitation as he'd entered the office, Duo Maxwell's stride was confident as he followed Trowa across the room. Tall and lean, he moved with such an easy grace that Heero couldn't help but appreciatively watch his every step.

Stepping out from behind the desk, Odin greeted him. "Ah, Mr. Maxwell, a pleasure to meet you."

"Mr. Lowe," Duo acknowledged as they shook hands. Heero noted with satisfaction that, although their guest was polite, he did not offer the usual glib, socially-expected assurance that the pleasure was all his. Good. Social lies were something that Heero had little patience for, and he generally found the company of those who did not indulge in them greatly preferable to that of those who did.

"Speaking on behalf of the Counterpoint Ghost-hunters Guild," Odin continued, "I am pleased to have this opportunity for our organizations to work together on such an interesting project. I assure you that you have the Guild's complete cooperation and full resources at your disposal. If the Guild, or I myself, can be of assistance in any way, you have but to ask."

"Thank you for the kind offer. My team is very capable, but I'll keep the Guild in mind - should anything come up that they could help us with."

The corner of Heero's mouth twitched slightly as he controlled the urge to snicker at the slightly defensive, oh-so-polite but very clear brush-off and the accompanying unspoken implication that anything Maxwell's group was unable to take care of would be beyond the Guild's ability to deal with as well. The slight twitch of Odin's eyebrow told him that Odin had also picked up on that.

Odin probably didn't find it quite as amusing as he did, however. Traditionally, Guild bosses had commanded a great deal of power in society and, although Odin was in many ways a very progressive leader, he was also accustomed to being accorded respect by everyone he dealt with. Even while trying to erode Odin's power base, Khushrenada gave him the respect due to his position. It was automatic within the social circle that Odin moved in.

But ruin rats weren't part of that same segment of society. Amongst their ranks, respect was probably something that was earned rather than automatic. So far, none of them had done anything to earn Duo Maxwell's respect, which meant that politeness was about the most they could reasonably expect him to offer.

For now.

Heero had every intention of convincing him otherwise, on a personal level as well as a Guild one; respect and friendship would do for a start. If his initial impressions of the tangler proved true - and the fact that Quatre liked and respected the man well enough to sponsor him made that highly likely - then Heero would adjust his goals accordingly.

"And, of course, you'll be working with Heero Yuy," Trowa continued, giving Heero an expectant look.

A bit belatedly, Heero stepped forward and held out his hand. "I'm looking forward to working with you, Mr. Maxwell."

"Mr. Yuy." The handshake that followed was firm, but not excessively so.

Wary, but polite, and prepared to give their working relationship a chance, Heero decided. Whatever trouble the tangler may have had in the past with ghost-hunters, it had made him cautious but not intractably prejudiced against them as a whole. "Since we will be working so closely together, I see no need for such formality," he said, Duo's hand still clasped with his own. "Please, call me Heero." Out of the corner of his eye, he noted Trowa quirking an eyebrow in surprise and Odin directing a very thoughtful look towards him; encouraging such familiarity was certainly out of the ordinary for him.

Heero had a feeling that being around Duo Maxwell was going to result in a lot of things that were out of the ordinary. He was looking forward to the experience.

***

Heero Yuy was nothing like Duo had feared or even expected him to be. The ghost-hunter radiated calm self-confidence rather than arrogance; he was polite and friendly rather than condescending. No gaudy, oversized chunk of amber marred his belt buckle, though the amber face of his watch and the faint round outline of an amulet - probably his backup amber - concealed beneath his shirt were proof that he took his skills seriously and was always prepared to use them.

Duo liked a man who was always prepared. Growing up in the catacombs of the Dead City, you couldn't afford to be anything else.

The ghost-hunter was also one damn good-looking man. Sensible and understated rather than flashy, his clothing complimented a fit, well-muscled body that Duo couldn't help but appreciate.

Judging by the look on his face and the fact that he had yet to release Duo's hand, Yuy - no, Duo corrected himself - *Heero* returned the appreciation in full measure. "Heero it is, then," he acknowledged. As Heero finally - almost reluctantly - released his hand, he added, "And Duo's fine by me; my crew's not exactly big on formality." In fact, most of his crew frankly wasn't too big on either politeness or what most people would consider sanity, either. The Mad Five got their nickname for a *reason*. Well, a whole lot of reasons, actually. But they were still the best damn exploration team working the Counterpoint Dead City, bar none.

"Of course, Duo," Heero responded. "The purpose of my presence is to assist you with project security, not to create unnecessary tension by interfering with your team's usual operations."

"Good," Duo said firmly. "My crew's a kinda... unusual... group. Unique, really." Or maybe more like downright eccentric. "But they're damn good at what they do; I don't want anything messin' that up."

"In that case, perhaps it would be wise for me to know a bit more about them prior to meeting them." Heero suggested, "Would you care to continue this conversation over lunch? It would be my pleasure to have your company."

"Uh..." Duo fumbled for a response, the invitation taking him entirely by surprise. He hadn't really expected to find the ghost-hunter tolerable, let alone to find that he actually *liked* the man, quite possibly as something other than just a business associate. He was seriously tempted to accept Heero's offer but he really *should* get back to work before the whole day ended up being wasted. Besides, he didn't want to read too much into the invitation; the ghost-hunter probably really was just interested in learning more about the group that he'd be working with shortly. "I, uh, really should be getting back to work..." he said, a bit reluctantly. "Sorry. But there's really not that much that I can tell you about the crew; you pretty much have to meet them to understand what they're like."

"I'm sure that there must be a few things that you can tell me. Something about yourself, at the very least," Heero persisted. "If not at lunch, how about dinner? Surely you don't intend to work all evening?"

Okay, maybe he *wasn't* reading too much into the invitation. Maybe Heero *was* interested in taking Duo Maxwell out and learning a little more about him personally rather than merely interested in finding out more about the group that he was going to be working with. "Well, not *all* evening," Duo admitted. "I suppose we could meet up somewhere to talk for a while..."

"Good. It's a date," Heero said firmly. "If you'll give me your home address, I'll pick you up there at seven. If that's alright with you?"

"Uh, yeah, that'll be fine," Duo managed. Date? Well, today was certainly shaping up to be more interesting than he'd expected it to be.

Much, much more interesting.

***