Heero and I left my apartment the next morning when it was still dark. We slipped down the back staircase to a waiting car and drove to the old St. Nicholas’s Cemetery in Metairie, just outside New Orleans.

Quatre was interred in an ancient moss-stained crypt overlooking a small, quiet pond. It wasn’t dawn yet when the clergyman closed his bible, nodded politely, and hurried out of the crypt.

Poor guy, I thought numbly. Dragged from his bed and brought to a cemetery that resembled something out of an Anne Rice novel.

“We should go too.” Heero said gently.

I looked down at the smooth stone sarcophagus in which Quatre’s coffin had been enclosed. Good-bye, Quatre. I love you. You’ll always be with me.

“Duo.”

I nodded, turned, and walked out of the crypt. The air was damp and fresh. I took a deep breath, watching the cemetery custodian lock the iron gates of the crypt. Weak gray rays of light were now filtering through the cypress tress and illuminated the inscription on the tomb.

Cartier.

Heero’s gaze followed mine. “I borrowed a place for Quatre from a Paul Cartier. It’s their family crypt. Everyone has to be buried above ground here.”

I knew that. But I hadn’t thought even Heero would be able to persuade someone to relinquish his final resting place. “Borrowed?”

“I thought it likely that Trowa Barton would eventually want to take him home.”

Take him home. The words were sweet and melancholy at the same time. Take Quatre home.

“In the meantime, he’ll be safe here.”

Safe in that tomb. Weren’t the dead always safe? They didn’t care they weren’t afraid or angry…

“Is that okay?” Heero asked.

I nodded. “I guess I didn’t think. Quatre wouldn’t have wanted to stay in New Orleans. He would have wanted to go home.” I turned back. I’m not leaving him alone. He’ll always be with me.

Heero immediately caught up with me, and we walked in silence down the gravel path lined with crypts.

“How did you get them to let us into the cemetery this early?” I asked as we neared the gates.

“Oh, Relena has her ways.”

“Are we trying to avoid a hit man? Is that why we’re creeping around in the dark?”

“Do you think he’d prefer it if you were an easy day-light target?” [Note: He’s referring to Quatre when he says “he”. ^_~]

“No.”

“I don’t either. That’s why we’re here at this time in the morning and eight agents are stationed behind those crypts.”

My gaze went to the row of crypts. “I didn’t see them.”

“You weren’t supposed to.”

I wouldn’t have noticed anything on that journey from the car to the crypt. I had closed out everything out but the thought of Quatre.

But it was done. All that was over now.

Heero stopped me as I started for the tan Lexus rental car parked at the curb. “Chotto matte.” He glanced at a man in a checked sports coat climbing out of a sedan parked down the street.

I stiffened.

“It’s okay. He’s one of ours. He was watching the car.”

The man nodded and Heero opened the passenger door for me.

“You were afraid of a bomb or something?”

“I’m afraid of anything and everything.” he said as he got behind the wheel. “You name it.”

“Is Relena in that car?”

“Probably.”

“What kind of lady is she?”

He looked at me in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“She seemed very angry and impatient at the funeral home.”

“She likes to be in charge.”

“So do you.” My gaze returned to the sedan. “Do you trust her?”

“To a point. I’ve known her to step on a few people on her climb to the top of the agency. She’s good at her job, but she’s ambitious, and that always colors a person’s actions.”

“Hai, it does.” My gaze went to the east. “The sun’s rising.”

“Which means we’d better get going. I’ll be glad to get away from this town. We’re driving straight out of the city from here. I’ll have someone pick up your suitcases from the apartment and deliver them to—”

“No.”

He went still and then slowly turned to face me. “Nani?”

“We’re not leaving, at least not yet. Drive me back to the apartment.”

“No way.”

“Drive me back to the apartment and send for Relena. I want to talk to her.”

“I’ll let you talk to her on the phone.”

“Face-to-face. I want everything very clear. Do you remember I told you once that was how I had to have everything?”

He was silent a moment. “I remember.”

“Then take me back to the apartment. Or I’ll get out and walk, Heero. Do you want to have to trail after me?”

“I could just knock you out and take off.”

“You’ve been there and done that,” I said. “It would be trite to repeat yourself. If you want to keep me safe, take me back to the apartment where I have four walls around me.” My voice hardened. “Because I’m not going anywhere else.”

“Don’t do this Duo.”

I reached for the door handle.

“All right.” He said through clenched teeth. He turned the ignition and stomped on the accelerator. The car jumped forward, pressing my back against the seat.

I had won the first battle.

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

“What are you still doing here?” Relena slammed the apartment door shut. “You’re supposed to be halfway to Shreveport to board that flight to Atlanta. Heero for God’s sake, I won’t stand for—”

“Heero had no choice.” I said. “And I’d appreciate it if you’d talk to me, ojousan. I’m a little tired of being treated as if I have all the intelligence of a prized cow.”

Relena glanced wearily at Heero sitting in the easy chair across the room.

Heero shrugged.

Relena turned back to me. “No one intends to treat you with anything but respect, Mr. Maxwell. We’re all very sympathetic toward your loss. I understand Mr. Winner was a fine man and a—”

“Quatre is dead. So what kind of guy he was doesn’t matter to anyone but the people who loved him. I didn’t bring you here to mouth condolences to me.”

“Then why did you bring me here?”

“Information. I need to be clear on a few points. Are you going to go into Mexico to get Dekim?”

“We can’t. That would cause a diplomatic incident. We have no proof.”

“You have Quatre’s body.”

“And a confrontation now might trigger another incident. Be patient.”

“I’m not patient.” I paused. “I need another piece of information. I need to know about Heero. I decided to go to you since I’ve noticed he tells me only what he wants me to know.”

Relena looked uneasily at Heero.

Heero said. “Tell him.”

“You’re his boss?” I asked.

“In a manner of speaking.”

“Which means you’re not his boss? It has to be one way or the other.”

“Heero has been working with us for a number a years that make him invaluable to us.”

“Qualifications in killing people or in germ warfare? He’s a scientist, isn’t he?”

“He told you?” Relena hesitated. “Then you know about Nakoa?”

“No, he doesn’t.” Heero’s gaze narrowed on my face. “What are you getting at, Duo?”

“I want to know how much power you have with these people. You seem to be able to call on them at will, but I have to know how far it goes.”

“We cut Heero more slack than we ordinarily would.” Relena said. “Due to unusual circumstances surrounding the—”

“They use me.” Heero said bluntly. “Everyone’s scared to death of this thing. I’m convenient because I’m there to blame if anything goes wrong.” He smiled sardonically at Relena. “And I use them.”

“You’re not scared?” I asked.

“Hell yes, I just can’t let that get in the way.”

No, Heero wouldn’t let anything get in his way. “So everybody uses everybody.”

“It’s the way of the world Mr. Maxwell,” Relena said. “But you can rest assured that we’re doing everything we can to stop Dekim.”

“I’m not assured. I don’t trust you.”

“You think we’d let a national disaster occur?” Relena asked impatiently. “We appreciate your concern, but it’s idiotic to suggest—”

“Listen to him,” Heero said. “He wants something.”

I nodded. “Oh, yeah.”

“Nani?” Relena asked.

“Not what, who. Heero.”

Though I was looking at Relena, I could sense Heero’s sudden tension.

“I’m not sure what you mean.” Relena asked cautiously.

“Everybody uses everybody. I wanna use Heero.”

“In what fashion?”

“To keep me alive. To help me get Dekim.” I looked at Heero and added deliberately, “To help me kill Dekim.”

“Ah, there we are,” Heero murmured. “The bottom line of the whole matter.”

“You don’t understand,” Relena said. “It’s not so simple. The picture is much bigger than—”

“I don’t care about the big picture. You worry about the anthrax. Just give me Heero and make sure he has the authority to do what has to be done.”

“Do you prefer me with or without gift wrapping?” Heero asked.

I ignored him, concentrating on Relena. “I want Heero.”

“I can understand you’re hurt and angry, but our efforts have to be focused on stopping Dekim from causing another Tenajo.”

“Then we agree. I’ve every intension of stopping Dekim.”

“If you’d listen to reason, I’m sure that—”

“You listen.” My voice vibrated with intensity. “I don’t trust your ‘reason’. I’ve seen too many deals made under the table, too many cover-ups. It’s not going to happen again. No one’s going to make a deal with Dekim and watch him walk away from this. No way.”

“No one’s going to make a deal.”

I whirled on Heero. “Could it happen?”

He nodded slowly.

“Damn you, Heero.” Relena said through her teeth. “You’re not making this any easier.”

“I’m too interested in all of this to lie for you, Relena. I’ve never been on the slave block before.”

Relena shot him a deadly glance before saying gently, “Mr. Maxwell, we’ve done everything we can to make sure you’re safe. Now we need your cooperation.”

“Stop patronizing me. Let’s be very clear. You need not only my cooperation you need my blood. Give me Heero and you can have it.”

“Bingo.” Heero said.

Relena froze. “You’d refuse? But it could mean thousands of lives.”

“Then I’m sure the White House would be very upset with you for antagonizing me and making me walk away. Give me Heero.”

“Suppose I promise after all this is over, Heero will be sent after Dekim. Will you go to a safe house and let us handle things?”

“No safe houses. I’m staying here.”

“My God, do you want to die? You’re a target.”

“No, I don’t want to die. Heero is going to keep me alive and you’re going to help him. Right here in the open. If I hide there’s not going to be any way of drawing Dekim.”

“Dekim will send a hit man. He won’t come himself.”

“Not at first. But I think he’s going to get more and more frustrated the longer I stay alive.”

Relena shook her head. “You’re too valuable to use as bait and you have no conception of what you’re asking.”

“I’m not asking. I’m not giving you a choice. That’s the way it’s going to be. Dekim is going to pay for Quatre. There’s nothing more to say. Sayonara, Miss. Relena.”

Relena stared at me in frustration then she started toward the door. “I need to talk to you Heero.”

“I thought you would.” Heero rose to his feet. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, Duo. We won’t go any farther than the hall.”

I walked into the bedroom. Second battle. I was glad to have it over but I didn’t fool myself that Heero would be as easy as Relena. He had sat there watching me, adding, subtracting, analyzing. I had been aware of him every second I had been fighting Relena. I changed quickly from a black suit into jeans and a shirt. Before I could fasten the last button, I heard the front door close. I braced myself and went back into the living room.

Heero again was sitting in the easy chair. “You won.” He tapped his chest. “I’m yours.”

“Are you?”

“As far as Relena’s concerned. Of course, he suggested that we go back to her first proposal and keep you doped up while we take the blood we need. But when I wouldn’t go along she caved.”

“Do you see a certain similarity to Dekim’s methods?”

“Maybe. Actually you handled Relena very well. She didn’t realize that you were bluffing.”

“I wasn’t bluffing.”

“I think you were. But at any rate, it was too dangerous to call your bluff. The blood is essential.”

“You’ll get it.”

“I know. I intend to make sure of it.” He paused. “And to do that I have to keep you alive. That means I’m with you every minute. You don’t get in a car, you don’t even answer the door without me.”

“I’m not arguing.”

“Let’s go over the apartment and show you the security measures we’ve installed.”

I followed him down the hall.

“Neither your bedroom nor this guest room had a fire escape or other entry. They were okay.” He went to the door at the end of the hall. “The lock on this door leading down to the small courtyard was too flimsy. We replaced it with a dead bolt. The courtyard’s enclosed by a wrought iron fence and has a gate. There’s a long walkway that leads to the side street so we’ve stationed a man in the courtyard as well as the front street entrance.”

“Can they make themselves unobtrusive? I don’t want to scare my neighbors.”

“Walker was on duty this morning when we came back from the cemetery. He was standing across the street in the shop alcove. Did you notice him?”

“No.”

“Then I guess he’s unobtrusive.” He opened the next door. “And this is your dark room. Turn on the light.”

I turned on the switch beside the door and the room was illuminated by a dim red glow. His gaze went to the window. “You had installed shutters, that’s good.”

“I didn’t do it for protection. I did it to block out the light. That’s why they’re specially sealed.” I frowned. “You’ve nailed the boards across them. Was that necessary?”

“Hai.” He grimaced. “It stinks in here. Chemicals?”

“I like the smell.”

“Weird.”

“Maybe. But it’s a good thing I do like it, since I spend a good portion of my time in this room.”

“Then you must not suffer from claustrophobia.”

I shook my head. “I like it. I always feel safer here.”

He looked at me inquiringly.

“I don’t know why.” I shrugged. “Or maybe I do. I guess it’s because when I develop a print in that pan over there, it’s going to show the world as it really is, not what someone else tries to tell me it is. It cuts through the bullshit.”

“You have an interesting idea of a security blanket.” He flipped off the light, went back into the hall and opened the next door. “As I said, the guest room is secure. I’ll occupy this room. It’s close enough for me to hear anything. Leave your door cracked open at night.” He glanced at me. “Any objections?”

“No, why should there be? You’re keeping me safe. That’s why I wanted you.”

“Not really. I’m a means to an end. You want Dekim dead and you want me to help you get him. All the rest is secondary.” He paused. “You want to be bait? Okay, but it will be my way. You want Dekim? I’ll deliver him but I’m not going to get either one of us killed in the process.”

“I don’t want you to deliver him. I just want you to help me get to him.”

“Do you know how many bodyguards he keeps around him? You couldn’t get near him.”

“It won’t always be that way. No one’s protected all the time. I could do it, if you help me.”

“And then Trieze might panic and go ahead with the strike on his own. Is that what you want?”

“No, find a way around it.”

“Do you think I can work miracles?”

I had thought it was a miracle when he had found the aircraft carrier for Iris. “You’re smart and you get the job done. That’s miracle enough. I’m not stupid enough to think I can do this alone. I need you.”

He was silent a moment. “So you’re really going to use me?”

I flinched. “Hai.”

“You’re already having trouble with the thought.”

“I’ll get over it.” My hand went to the band-aid on my arm. “You’re not the only one being used. I’m not asking for your blood.”

“You might be.” He studied me. “But not at the moment. So, like a true loyal serf, I’ll make myself handy in other ways. What do you want for lunch?”

Relief surged through me. I hadn’t been sure until that moment that he’d go along with me. “I’m not hungry.”

“You’ll have to eat anyway. You’re like Iris. It’s necessary to build the blood supply.”

“Then give me anything.”

He nodded and started for the kitchen.

“Heero.” I hesitated when he glanced over his shoulder. “I couldn’t see any other way. Everyone knows what Dekim is but no one’s stopping him. I don’t want anything to happen to you, but you’re the only one I can trust.”

“You… trust me.” He asked slowly.

“Hai.”

“Don’t, Duo.” He disappeared into the kitchen.

Third battle. I supposed I should consider it a victory, but I didn’t. Heero had temporarily conceded, not surrendered. I had sensed the anger and frustration in him seething just below the surface. It must have been that same anger that had caused him to say I couldn’t trust him. I didn’t always know what he was thinking, he was sometimes rough and brutally frank, but almost from the start he had been beside me helping me.

I’ll take care of you.

I didn’t need anyone to take care of me but it had been good not to be alone.

And right now… I felt very much alone. “Steak?” I looked down at my plate doubtfully. “I don’t know if I’m up for eating it all.”

“Sure you are.” He sat down opposite me. “It’ll be good for you.”

I shrugged and picked up my fork. “I’ll try.”

“I’m glad to see you’re cooperating.”

“We made a deal. I keep my promises.”

“As I recall it was more like blackmail. But that’s okay. Semantics don’t matter. Not if you eat your steak.” He took a bite of his own. “And I was a bit deceptive too. I’ve no intention of devoting my entire attention to serving you. I may have a few other things to do.

“What things?”

He didn’t answer. “Don’t worry, I won’t leave you unprotected.”

“What things?”

“I’ve been working for over two years to keep Dekim and Trieze from turning that anthrax loose. I wasn’t able to stop what happened at Tenajo. It’s not going to happen here.” He met my gaze. “I can understand why you want Dekim dead. Do you think I don’t? I have my own reasons for wanting the bastard dead. There were times when I was working with him down in Mexico that I was barely able to hold myself back. Do you know how many opportunities I had? It would have taken just one twist of his neck. But I kept myself from killing him and I’ll keep you from killing him until it’s safe to do it.”

I shook my head.

He shrugged. “I knew it wouldn’t do any good to talk to you. The pain’s too fresh. I wouldn’t have listened either.”

“You said you’d help me.”

“I’ll help you. I’m just trying to be honest with you. If killing him interferes, I’ll see that you delay it.” He glanced at my plate. “You’ve barely made a dent in that. Eat a little more.”

“I don’t think I can right now. Maybe we can stop at a restaurant while we’re out.” He stared at me in shock. “Out?”

“We’re going for a walk in the French Quarter. We’ll go out every day but always at a different time and to a different destination. I hear it’s always a mistake to show habit.”

“We’re not going anywhere outside this apartment.”

“Yes, we are. I want Dekim to know I’m here and that I’m going to stay here.”

“Bravado could get you killed.”

“It’s not bravado. I’m not safe here in the apartment either, am I?”

“You’re a hell of a lot safer than on the street.”

“Answer me.”

He finally nodded. “There’s always a way if you put your mind to it. An electrical charge, a poisonous snake in the shower drain.” He shrugged. “If they want to get extreme, a small missile through that window over there.”

“So much for security.”

“Why do you think we want you out of here?”

“It’s a question of relative safety then. If we stay holed up they’d only start figuring out how to get me in here. If they think I’m going to be someplace where I’ll be an easier target, they might wait.”

“Maybe. Are you going to risk your life on it?”

“Yes. It’s better than hiding and waiting for them to come get me. I’d rather go after them.”

“You don’t have that advantage. They know what you look like.”

“But I have you to protect me. That’s how it’s going to be, Heero.”

“Great, just great.” He said. “Anything else?”

“Yes, I want any calls from Zechs Marquise at the CDC to come over my regular line.”

“That line is sure to be tapped.”

“I want Dekim to know what we’re doing. I want him to worry about it. I want to make him nervous.”

“He’s not the only one you’re making nervous.”

“You’ll survive.” Curious, I asked. “Have you ever put a snake in a drain?”

“Hell no. I’m scared of them. But not everybody is as squeamish.”

“Comforting.”

“You asked me. If you want comfort, you’ll let me take you to that safe house in North Carolina.”

I shook my head.

“I didn’t think so. So we show ourselves and let them see that it’s not worth their while to target the apartment. Is there any place you particularly want to go?”

I said immediately, “Zontag’s.”

He gazed at me inquiringly.

“It’s the best camera equipment store in town. I have to buy a new camera.”

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

The camera in the window at Zontag’s captured and held my attention.

“I wish you’d look that way at the steak I made for lunch.” Heero said. “Ravenous. Definitely ravenous.”

I was. I could hardly wait to get my hands on it. “It’s a good camera. All the bells and whistles.”

“Is that the kind you had before?” Heero asked.

I shook my head. “That was a Hasselblad. Oh, I have other cameras too, but that was my favorite.”

“Don’t you want to replace it with the same model?”

“No, I can’t replace it. I lived with that camera for eight years. It was the first good one I ever got. It was like an old friend. You can’t replace old friends just because they aren’t there anymore.” Just as you couldn’t replace a brother. The though brought a rush of pain, but I quickly blocked it as I started for the shop’s entrance. “So you make a new friend with great qualities and hope for the best. I’ll be right back.”

He followed me. “Where you go, I go.”

All the way from my apartment he stayed glued to me. “I doubt anyone’s waiting inside to pounce on me.”

“I would be. You’re a photographer with no camera. This is the best shop in town. It’s an ideal match.” He opened the door for me and glanced inside. “No customers. It anyone comes in and gets close to you, step away. Don’t let anyone touch you. It would only take a pinprick.”

“Mardi Gras starts next week. It’s going to be hard to avoid being touched in the French Quarter. You’d have to run interference for me like a Saints linebacker.”

“Then that’s what I’ll do. But help me out, okay?”

“You can be sure of it,” I said absently, looking back at the camera in the window. The familiar eagerness was surging through me and I felt a moment of guilt. An obsession Quatre had called it and I had buried Quatre only this morning. Should I be feeling this—

“Would you rather go back to the apartment and curl up in the corner?” Heero asked roughly, his gaze on my face. Is that what Quatre would want for you?”

Quatre would have wanted me to live and enjoy life. Quatre hadn’t understood my passion but he would never have wanted me to do without anything that would make me happy. In fact, he would have fought anyone who tried to interfere with me. I could almost hear him…

I moved purposely toward the counter. “No, that’s not was Quatre would want and that’s not what I want either.”

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

“You’re stroking that camera as if it were a dog.” Heero said as he held the shop door open for me.

“I’m just getting the feel of it. And it’s definitely feeling like a German shepherd. Definitely not a golden retriever. We had one at the orphanage when I was a kid, and he was loveable, but really dumb.” I touched the camera hanging around my neck. “This camera is smart, very smart.”

“A new friend?”

I shook my head. “Not yet. It’s still just an acquaintance. But I think it will grow on me.” It was already growing on me. I was feeling that solid sense of rightness, of completion. I raised the camera, focused on the balcony across the street, and took a quick shot. “It’s a good camera.”

“Then I’m glad you managed to find it.” He took my elbow. “It’s time we got back to the apartment. We’ve been on display long enough.”

The tall clown with green hair juggling on the corner.

Focus.
Shoot.

The old lady with rouged cheeks and thick stockings sitting on the stool beside the alley.

Focus.
Shoot.

“If you keep stopping, we’re not going to make it back to the apartment before morning.” Heero said dryly.

“Well, I have to break it in.” I took another shot of the clown. “And there’s no place on earth more photogenic than New Orleans. That’s one of the reasons I moved here. It has everything I want. You can go one block in any direction and find a picture that tells a story.”

“Just so you’re not the story.” He kept an eye on the crowd around us. “And I have a hunch you’re not taking pictures for the love of it.”

“He could be here, couldn’t he?”

“He probably is nearby.”

“Then I may have a picture of him.”

“Is that why you picked up the camera today?”

“Iie.” I shot him a glance. “But I thought you’d approve of the reconnaissance.”

“Gomen.” Heero’s gaze was on a trio of teenagers ahead. “I guess I’m a little edgy.”

It would take a lot to make Heero edgy, I thought with a chill. “I don’t think your hit man is one of those kids.”

“Could be. Could be anyone. I’d bet he’s here, watching. You never can tell.”

“No, you can’t tell.” I had taken photographs of murderers before. In Somalia, at L2, that butcher of the young boy in Chicago. But I had never taken a picture of anyone who wanted to murder me.

Show them.

My hands were trembling, a little as I lifted my camera.

Focus.
Shoot.

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

He had taken his picture.

Odin Lowe gazed after Maxwell and Heero until they disappeared around the corner.

He’d taken him by surprise. He hadn’t expected him to be strolling around, shooting pictures. Security surrounding him was so tight he’d thought they’d be keeping him under wraps. Odin had already started planning how to get inside the apartment.

That cocky bastard Heero evidently thought his presence was enough of a deterrent. Baka. It wasn’t going to be as difficult a hit as Dekim thought. Easy money.

But it had bothered him that he had taken his picture.