January 21
4:50 p.m.
Mexico

Imight just murder him.

“See? I told you so. Everything is working out just fine.” Quatre beamed.

"I hate it when you say ‘I told you so’ and could you for once stop being so damn cheerful?” I bite out, bracing against each rough bump of the road.

Quatre stuck his tongue out at me. “No, I’m happy and you will be too once you get over the fact that I was entirely right for making you take me with you. Now stop your complaining, we still have six or so hours to go and they say the road will get a bit rough.” Another jagged bump.

“Oh… like this isn’t rough?” I say dryly. He doesn’t seem to catch on to my sarcasm for he immediately shakes his head. “The people said they take good care of this road. They don’t touch the roads going into Tenajo because they don’t think there’s enough people for it to matter anyway.”

“Well, if there’s so little people what was the point in them giving me this assignment? There’s probably nothing there.”

“I’ll find bunches of things for you!” Quatre chirped. “I’m sure it has a lovely church… and every Mexican town has a plaza!”

“What? So you’re directing my shoots for me now?”

“I just approve of this one Duo. I don’t see what thrill you get from crazy-idiots shooting at you! You ended up in the hospital after your shoot in L2. You should have gone into business with me.” A slight frown creased his fine features.

“Quatre I enjoy my work. And I could never be cut out for business. I realized that the day I lost all the spread -sheets and messed up the balances for your one company. I don’t know how you stayed so organized or can stand to stay cooped up in an office all day like that.”

“And what about L2? When are you going to tell me what happened at L2?”

I stiffen at the mention of the colony. “Stay out of my job Quatre. I’m almost twenty... I don’t need your supervision.” I fidgeted. “Shouldn’t we set up camp soon? And maybe you’d want to call Trowa. We’ll probably be outta range soon.” I prayed the distraction and change of subject would get his mind off the topic.

It worked.

“That’s a great idea! It’ll probably be my last chance before he goes off to visit Catherine while I’m gone!” He pulled out his cellular and dialed, placing the device by his ear. He listened intently for a moment before letting out a pout. “Duo, why couldn’t you bring me to a more civilized place to go? I’m getting nothing but static.”

“I only go where I’m assigned. And you weren’t even invited.”

Ignoring me he pulled over. “Well, this is as good of a place as any, don’t you think?”

I hopped out of the jeep and stretched, “Yeah Q… whatever you say.”

“And don’t you think I’ve said all I have to say. Our conversation isn’t over.”

Shit.

***************

“They’ve stopped and are setting up camp. But there’s no doubt they’re heading for Tenajo.” Heero lowered his binoculars. “What do you what to do?”

Dekim frowned. “It could cause complications. When are the reports due in?”

“A hour or so, I sent the order for them when we first caught of them this morning. The license plates are registered as unknown so its taking longer than expected to figure out who the hell they are and what they are doing here.”

“Everything was going so well. These complications do annoy me.”

“Then remove it. Isn’t that why I’m here for?”

Dekim smirked “Aa. You came highly recommended. What do you suggest?”

“Take them out. It won’t be hard to out here.”

“What if they aren’t so innocent and have ties?”

Heero shrugged.

“Bloodthirsty fool.”

“Iie. You wanted a solution and I gave you one.”

“Don’t be so cocky. I’ve put down better men than you.”

Heero looked undeterred. “If you say so.” He raised his binoculars again. “Now would be the time.”

“We’ll wait!” Dekim snapped. He would have said no such thing, but he wouldn’t have that Heero boss HIM around. “Go and wait for the reports and return when they’ve come in.”

Heero immediately turned with indifference and started the jeep. His obedience should have asserted his feeling of superiority, but Heero did not fear him and that angered him to no end. “Oh but if you feel like killing someone I wouldn’t be too disappointed if Quinz was to end up dead.”

Heero quirked an eyebrow, “You’re sure?”

“Hai.”

“Then I’ll take care of it.”

“Aren’t you curious as to why?”

“No.”

He proceeded to tell him anyway. “He’s a very stupid man. He runs off at the mouth. He’s been too curious. Don’t you dare make the same mistake.”

“Why I should I?” Heero met his gaze. “When I don’t give a damn.”

Dekim shook in frustration as he watched him disappear. He should have felt triumphant with his command to kill, but he didn’t. Heero would get Quinz when it was convenient. He needed his entire team for this job. But after Tenajo…

***************

The trucks and equipment had arrived by the time Heero returned to camp. He stood there quietly until Quinz was done giving orders and finally walked toward him.

“Better get some unless you think you can do without, Heero. Can you walk on water too?”

“I’ll get it later.”

“Know what it is?”

“Seen it before.”

“Bet you didn’t know you’d need it here. Dekim tries to make it a secret but I knew it was coming.”

He was right, Heero thought. Quinz was stupid to be talking so openly. “Have the reports come in?”

“I checked the fax machine fifteen minutes ago. Nothing. Well, except from Morrisey.”

“Morrisey?”

“He’s always getting call and faxes from him. You didn’t know? Maybe he doesn’t think so much of you after all.”

“Maybe not. Just go and check again.”

Quinz shrugged Heero followed him to the tent. “Still nothing."

”Are you sure? Maybe its out of paper.”

Quinz bent over the machine, “Look I’m telling you there nothing here dammit. Leave me-“

Heero’s arm wrapped around his throat, it didn’t take much to break his neck.

***************

January 22,
12:30 a.m.

“So?”

Heero passed him the files. “There seems to be no connections with any government agencies. Quatre Raberba Winner, nineteen, has a thriving industry in many parts of the world and colonies alike. His husband, Trowa, seems to not have any permanent job.”

“The other?”

“Duo Maxwell, also nineteen. Photo-journalist.”

Dekim frowned. “I don’t like that.”

“He’s on assignment.”

“Why now?”

Heero shrugged. Dekim focused on the two pictures included. Winner had light blonde hair, sea green eyes, and soft fine features, while Duo Maxwell had long chestnut hair, cherubic face, and a set of sparking violets.

“How long are they to be gone?”

“Two, three weeks. No one would bother searching for them for about a week. They have a cellular but can’t use it. The lines are already cut in Tenajo so it’ll be weeks before a crew would notice to come out and fix them.”

“Your point?”

“Be rid of the obstacle. Why let them go on in when I could go in and dispose of them where no one could find them?”

“You are a persistent bastard aren’t you?”

“It’s the smartest course.”

“I’ll decide that. You have no idea what’s involved.”

“I don’t intend to prod. I don’t intend to end up like Quinz.”

”You did it already?” Dekim searched Heero’s face.

Heero almost looked surprised. “Of course.”

Pleasure flooded Dekim. He had regained control. But it was spoiled by his casual attitude. “I won’t let you have them. Let them go into Tenajo.”

Heero was silent.

He wasn’t happy Dekim realized. Good. Maybe he should have let him do his job. But it didn’t really matter anyway. He tingled with excitement as he realized that even at that moment it was already going on.

***************

“You must have slept well. You look rested.”

“I’ll be even more rested by the time we leave here.” I met Quatre’s gaze. “I’m fine… So back off.”

Quatre smiled. “I’ll start packing things up. You go eat some breakfast.”

I nodded, but opted to sticking to only some coffee. I took a deep breath and scanned the surrounding area.

It was… quaint.

Quatre appeared again. “Now everything is going to be ok, right?”

“If you can keep yourself from-“ Oh what the hell I thought. “Yeah Q… everything’s gonna be great.”

“Great!” He beamed “And…?”

“And?” I blink. Then sweatdropped. “And I’m glad you came.”

Quatre giggled and returned to the jeep. I couldn’t help myself, I smiled too.

“So are we ready?” He asked as I approached. I set in the last of the things, mostly the coffee, and jumped inside. “Then let’s go! We should get there by two and I want us to be swinging in hammocks by four. I’m sure it’ll be paradise!”