Part 23
The shot rang through the streets, echoing darkly off the walls and windows. There was absolute silence, save for the sound of the wind blowing through the sand.
"Duo..." Heero managed, voice sounding suspiciously like a whimper. He bent down to touch the prone young man. A dark flower bloomed in his shoulder.
"Just a scratch, Heero..." Duo said softly. Heero's smiled at him, then he looked up, eyes dark with rage. He opened his mouth when the thundering of hooves was heard. Everyone looked at the newest arrival.
The rider was on what was once a white horse, though now that the horse was covered with dust it was hard to tell. The rider pulled to a stop and leapt off the horse, slapping its behind. The horse gave the rider an infinitely patient look and wandered off to find some water.
The rider wore black boots and white buckskin pants, a white vest and a black shirt underneath with kerchief the colour of spilt blood adorning their neck. Under a tan hat, twin black tails hung down. Obsidian eyes scanned the crowd, finally spotting someone.
"Wufei! Did you find him?" the rider asked. A collective gasp was uttered when the voice registered as that of a female!
"I have, but he isn't in good shape," Wufei noted dryly. He reached the woman and gave her a chaste peck on the lips.
"Oh no you don't," she stated firmly and pulled Wufei towards her and gave him a scorching kiss. "You don't greet your wife with that after three months, Fei," she said sternly.
"Meiraaaaaan," Wufei whined, then caught himself. "We have witnesses to prove this man, Duo Maxwell, was only taking what had been stolen from other people, then returned. Unfortunately, Maxwell is currently bleeding out." Meiran Chang looked over at Duo, who was being tended to by Howard, while a reluctant Heero was being badgered away from Duo by Quatre. Trowa was locking a pair of handcuffs around Relena's hands. Her brother gave her a look of pure revulsion and refused to speak to her.
"We'll talk to this Maxwell later, when he recovers," Meiran said decisively. She hooked an arm through Wufei's and Wufei graciously led her to the tavern. "Now, tell me about Sanq..."
[Two Months Later, Sanq]
Duo stretched comfortably. It felt good to be free of any injuries. After being snake bit and shot, he never wanted so much as a paper cut again. He ran a hand over a tanned back. It's owner murmured sleepily. Duo smiled.
About two weeks ago, he'd been well enough to talk to Meiran and Wufei. It seemed Wufei was not the bounty hunter he claimed to be, but a government official. He had indeed tracked Duo from where he said he had, but the difference was Wufei was tracking Duo because he wanted to talk to him about those that had killed his brother.
Wufei and Meiran had noticed the pattern in Duo's strikes and had followed the paper trail: the complaints sent to their office and promptly ignored. Wufei had been sent ahead as Meiran answered calls, tracking Duo after the fact. After hearing about Tsuberov, she had come as quickly as possible.
Now that Duo was free and clear, Heero had insisted on calling a meeting of all the people in the Sanq district. He declared that never again would the people outside of town have to rely on the kindness of a black-clad stranger to find them justice; he and his deputy Duo Maxwell would take care of anything. Deputy Barton, apparently, had been given a generous offer by Quatre Winner to be his personal body guard. Though 'guarding' wasn't the only thing Trowa was planning on doing with Quatre's body.
The Changs had gone back to Washington D. C. with their paperwork; Relena, Tsuberov, Dermail and Dekim had been tossed in jail, pending trial. No one expected any difficulty with that. Hilde and Dorothy proved to be not so bad after all, and Mariemaia's family received all of Tsuberov's worldly goods as compensation.
Yes, everything was very nice for Duo. Particularly, Heero. The man in question rolled over, staring up into Duo's violet eyes.
"Good morning, Duo," Heero said. Duo said nothing but leaned down for a deep, deep kiss. Heero's hand automatically raised to bury themselves in Duo's long hair.
"Good morning, Heero," Duo murmured as the kiss broke. Heero gathered Duo into his arms and together they watched another day dawn on the sleepy western town.
The End
I want to thank everyone for being infinitely patient. Now, this is officially the longest thing I have finished.
Special thanks go to Ashkara for being patient and hoping I would write. This fic was meant to be exchanged for bits of Darkness at Dawn and The Saint. I'm so very sorry this took so long Ash. *hands her pocky*
And now, I should rest. *wanders off whistling happy birthday*
Finished at: 12:35 am, October 4th, 2002. (my birthday was the 3rd)
TBC...
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