Fathoms

Summary: Duo comes to Heero’s rescue…but who will come to his?

Author’s Note: Thanks for your patience. This story is kicking my butt. The inspiration is there, but my initial plot got so jumbled and has strayed so far away from me. I’ve been wanting to draw some fan art to go with this eventually, since I have a whole mess of X-Men fan sketches and lots of Archie stuff, too, but none for Gundam. One more thing on my huge list of stuff to do.

If I'm away from this story for a while, don't be surprised. I have five more open fics on this site alone, all in various states of completion, for fandoms I'm more comfortable with, even though I love this fandom. I'm just too new to it for this to be cohesive, and it will take time for it to improve. Thanks!

*


“Sir, can you slow down a bit? Speak more clearly so I can understand you.”

“His name’s Heero Yuy,” Wufei barked impatiently, pacing Heero’s living room and tightening his sweaty grip on the handset. “His boat was hijacked.”

“You’re certain of this?”

“I heard voices in the background and sounds of him being attacked. I know he fought back. There were at least two men on the boat with him, that much I’m sure of.”

“What’s the name of his boat?”

“The Zero.” Wufei rattled off a basic description of the yacht and gave them Heero’s original itinerary. “He was planning to be gone three days. I’m housesitting for him.”

“So you’re at his residence right now, Mr. Chang?”

“Yes.”

“We’ll send someone over. It would be helpful if we had a photo of him, and the boat itself as a point of reference.” After a few more minutes, Wufei rang off and wandered to the glass patio door. He leaned his forehead against the cold surface, closing his eyes in frustration and exhaustion. It had been the night from hell.

Quatre reacted predictably, making Wufei regret calling him to let him know. His speech sped up, voice rising in near hysteria, and he was on his way over with Rashid. The young blond executive’s voice was garbled and muddled on his cell by various sounds in the background; Wufei heard him gun the engine of his Lexus and he picked up the traffic noises and the wind whistling in through the windows. Wufei sighed; Quatre deserved to know. He adored Heero and worried about him as much as Wufei, albeit more vocally, and he had a tender heart.

Wufei stared out into the darkness, feeling it close in on him ominously. It felt surreal to trade jibes with his stoic friend one moment, and to fear for his life the next. Wufei’s insides felt raw and ugly gooseflesh broke out over his scalp and neck. Heero was the strongest, most capable, independent man he knew, the kind who went through hell and back, shook his head in amusement and told you about it over a cold beer.

Heero was trained in self defense, but he was all alone in the middle of the ocean, against two men with guns. Wufei’s mind puzzled out various desperate scenarios, but all of them lead to the painful conclusion that Heero getting away from the men unscathed was impossible.

Wufei thumped his fist against the cold glass. No. He wouldn’t ponder it. Heero needed his prayers and strength of will.

Quatre was a mess. Minutes later, he flung himself inside the door as soon as Wufei undid the dead bolts, practically knocking over the smaller, wiry man in his zeal. He gripped Wufei’s forearm so firmly that he grunted. “What have you heard?”

“Nothing since I called you. They’re on their way over to get some photos of Heero and the boat so they’ll have a point of reference.” Quatre closed his eyes and shuddered, drawing in a deep, strained breath through his nose. He couldn’t center himself, and Wufei wasn’t sure how to deal with the situation of Quatre deteriorated on him.

“Why did he just take off like that in the first place, ‘Fei? Three days on a boat, alone? Why couldn’t he have taken you with him?” Rashid followed Quatre inside, nodding to Wufei and re-securing the townhouse’s locks.

“He wanted some time alone,” Wufei snapped raggedly, scraping his fingernails through his slippery sheaves of black hair. “I’m not his shadow, Quat. I go along with him on dives as a safety precaution, you know that. But he wasn’t diving this time. It was none of my business why he was making the trip. I just offered to get his mail.”

“But why now? Why did he need to be alone? What was wrong with him, ‘Fei?” Quatre rubbed his nape as he paced. “Did he say anything?”

“Does he ever say anything?” Wufei countered. “Quat, he probably just needed to stretch his legs. Don’t read anything else into it right now. When we get him back, you can talk to him about it!”

Quatre’s blue eyes hardened, an expression that unsettled ‘Fei since it was so out of character. “How do you know we’ll get him back?” he accused.

“Because it’s the only thing that’s keeping me going right now,” Wufei said hoarsely, fists clenched at his sides. “Don’t put thoughts in my head that I can’t handle right now.” Wufei headed toward the kitchen. “I’m making some tea. Sit down.” Wordlessly Quatre obeyed, deflating instantly. Rashid automatically took the chair beside the couch, joining the men in their vigil.


*

The princes’ royal suite was tranquil and nearly silent, cocooning its lone occupant in pristine comfort.

Zech’s blue eyes snapped open and sparked with lightning. His white blond hair crackled with the same energy as he propelled himself from the bed pod.

DUO!

He’d felt something was wrong, even in his dreamless sleep, an atmospheric shift that was missing its most important variable. He couldn’t feel his brother’s thoughts, something that only happened when he wasn’t in range. Zechs pondered his options as he darted from the suite and swam into the long corridor.

Of course his brother had to have left the dome. Zechs was as certain of this as he was that the moon rose at night; Duo had been too quiet lately, and he abhorred being stifled.

I’m going to throttle him with his hair, Zechs fumed as he made his way to the palace armory. He was grateful to find it empty, and he navigated the large storage cell with a dim lantern until he found what he was looking for. Zechs strapped the compact harpoon to his wrist, a twin to his brother’s, and he took along a small coronet that his father’s weapons master had created for Sanq’s militia. It was inlaid with glowing green light pods and would provide better illumination in the depths. It felt heavy against his brow when he donned it, but it would come in handy.

As he swam past his father’s master chamber, he gave pause. Zechs knew he should wake him and let him know his suspicions; their father would dispatch a contingent of guards to search for Duo, once he roared himself hoarse. He disabused himself of that notion quickly. That would take too long, certainly longer than it would for him to make his way out of the grotto on his own.

Zechs headed toward the galley, thinking to bring along something to eat. Duo would no doubt be ravenous from his journey, and he’d be more likely to get caught rummaging in the food stores in his zeal.

Now where do you think you’re going? Zechs froze, then turned toward the familiar voice. He sighed in resignation as Noin watched him with a mixture of amusement and annoyance.

It doesn’t matter where I’m going. Don’t keep me.

You’re not getting away that easily.

I have to find Duo.

Of course it’s about Duo; when isn’t it? she asked bitterly.

Don’t start… Her sapphire blue eyes measured him, taking in his weaponry.

You think he’s in danger?

He’s out by himself, in the middle of the night without telling anyone. Father confined him for three days and assumes he’s staying in the dome.

Bless his foolish heart.

NOIN! You’ll show him respect!

Hush! And you’ve said as much yourself, whenever Duo’s given him the slip. Your father’s a good, noble man, but he has his hands full with your brother.

It’s fine for me to think that. Not you.

I was out of line, she apologized.

I have to go. She automatically followed him from the galley to the rear alcove, one of the only exits from the dome not flanked by guards. Get back to your room, I don’t want anyone wondering where you are, too.

That’s a shame, then. Lead the way. He whirled on her, electricity burning from his eyes again.

Like hell! he flared, closing the gap between them and grabbing her wrist. It’s too dangerous! Duo’s my responsibility, not yours!

Duo’s the youngest member of the royal family, and I serve my king. That does make him my responsibility. She wrested her wrist from his grip and snatched the harpoon from his opposite hand.
‘
HEY!

I’m a better shot than you, remember? Lead, she continued, beckoning him to move ahead of her. Zechs fumed as he undid the sturdy bolt and swam down the chute. He felt her behind him and mentally cursed.

I heard that…

You’re worse than he is, sometimes. Honestly.

Thank you. Noin’s tail whipped in rapid, sharp, graceful arcs as she easily kept up with Zechs. The lights of the dome dwindled behind them as they made their way through the sparsely populated grotto, and Noin felt a sense of foreboding.

He’s all right.

Of course he is, he snapped.

I wasn’t asking a question.

She made no further attempts to comfort him, and her jaw was set as they navigated east, cutting a wide berth around caves recessed into the ocean floor, obscured by a fog of ink. Noin read his mind again as she noticed his eyes flaring again.

He’d never go there.

I’d kill him, even if she didn’t harm a hair on his head. Anger bubbled in Zechs’ blood like lava. Murdering cracken… Old memories made Zechs taste metal and hatred churned his gut.

You can’t choose your family. Noin reached out briefly to squeeze his hand; her grip was strong from years of handling different weapons, refuting his earlier claim that his trek was too dangerous for her. Despite her slender build, Noin was as capable as any soldier of Sanq’s troops. He squeezed her hand back. For one brief, idle moment, Zechs eyed her short, black hair and regretted her cutting it, but she was still beautiful. Her mother braided it in several slender plaits when they were merely squirts; he used to love twining his fingers in them when they were juveniles, merely playing at being lovemates.

Zechs didn’t have time to ponder how things between them had changed.

*

The boat was moving; Duo narrowly avoided being pulled into the rudder’s blades as it roared to life. The rush of water blew him back, catching him in the boat’s wake. Duo sputtered as water tunneled up his nostrils, creating a sharp sting in contrast to the cooler night air.

He sank back into the depths out of habit, feeling safer in his native environment, but he gave pause as he noticed something large dropping into the deep several yards away.

What’s that…a man? A rush of bubbles surrounded him as he descended, and Duo didn’t like how limp he looked, not making any effort to swim or propel himself.

Duo had never seen a surface dweller up close; his earliest memories of his mother were all after her Change. Like any other denizen of his father’s kingdom, he’d heard grim tales of merfolk encounters with air breathers and their boats, nets and toxic pollutants.

Zechs would warn him away from this one, Duo was certain of it. Whenever they spoke of Duo’s mother, a cloak of sadness descended over his brother, and Milliardo bade him tersely not to speak of her. Neither of them would indulge his fascination with the surface world, something that piqued him.

But Duo’s gut clenched with fear and concern. The man appeared helpless and in a bad way. Duo’s conscience nagged at him.

He couldn’t desert him, despite Zechs’ likely anger with him. Duo darted through the water, swimming against the current of the departing boat, and he reached out, grasping the unconscious man’s arm. His skin felt firm and supple, not unlike his own. Duo gathered him close, wrapping his arms around his chest. The man’s limp bulk cleaved to him as he swam, a task made slightly more difficult with only his tail unencumbered.

Duo couldn’t hear the pulse and rush of breath from the man’s lips, which appeared slightly blue. Panic seized him.

You can’t breathe, can you? Duo gritted his teeth and shot toward the surface. He broke through, gasping in great gulps of air to reacquaint himself with it, and he kept his burden’s head above water as best as he could.

You look horrible. Duo wondered why the man wasn’t responding to him, not realizing that humans weren’t telepathic or empathic like merfolk. They’d evolved past the need for verbal speech, since the ocean muted sounds without the use of vocal sythesizers, an obsolete technology. Milliardo banned their use in Sanq’s domain following unfortunate encounters with surface dwellers, forbidding them entrance into the grotto.

Duo noticed various minor details about the man in his arms. He smelled strange despite his immersion in salt water; his scent was…earthy, somehow, with a faint hint of musk that wasn’t unpleasant. His wet lashes were dark and long, and he appeared to be young. He had a square jaw and high cheekbones, and there was something stubborn about the set of his mouth, even while he was out cold. Duo read strength in his face and he wondered what color his eyes were. His hair was shorter than Noin’s and it felt soft where it tickled Duo’s jaw.

You don’t look dangerous, for a human, Duo quipped. But you need to breathe, y’know. Duo lightly patted his cheek. Hey. C’mon. Breathe for me. He patted his chest, urging him. You’re frightening me, here. Unease crept over him.

Have to get air into him, or get the water out! Duo searched his memories, mind racing.

Something Noin told him once came back to him. Air breathers need oxygen. They use tanks of it when they submerse themselves in our domain, Duo. That’s what allows them to inhabit it when they dive down here. They don’t always plan their visits well, though. I can’t tell you how many of their bloated bodies I’ve seen floating by during warmer lunar cycles because they were foolish. Their brains starve without air.

They have means of pushing air into their lungs. It’s called artificial respiration…

Now he remembered. Noin called it a “kiss of life.”

Duo rearranged him in his grip so that he was facing him, even though it was awkward. He attempted to make him tip his head back, but it kept flopping forward. Cooperate, damn it! He tugged him and made him float more on his back, still holding him tightly enough to lend him his own buoyancy. Duo grasped that firm jaw carefully and pried his lips open with his thumb. Open wide, human. Get ready to breathe. He covered his mouth with his own and expelled a gusting breath directly into it. Nothing. He tried again and heard the air traveling down his throat, but Duo didn’t know if it was having an effect on him. He leaned in close to his face and felt no warm air coming from his nostrils.

That’s when it hit him. Gotta close up one set of holes and breathe into the other! How am I gonna do this? Duo struggled for a better vantage point, trying to manipulate his limp body again. Finally, he managed to crook his arm around his back and this time, his victim cooperated, head tipping back just enough. Heero pinched his nose shut firmly and breathed forcefully into the still-open mouth. One gust. Two. Three. He paused, then tried again. Paused. Then again. His hope was flagging, and the man still looked so pale, and his skin felt so cold. Duo grew sick with dread, and genuine fear twisted his gut.

BREATHE! Duo was slightly dizzy from his attempts, but he gave him one final, even breath, hoping his attempts would warm him, if nothing else…

“Grrblplp…bluuuurrrggghh…*kaffkaff*…UUUURRGGH! Duo whipped his head back at the first strangled gasps that worked their way from the man’s throat. He was choking! Duo tried to adjust him again as his body flailed and jerked with his efforts to breathe, and suddenly he vomited up mouthfuls of water and bile.

“Ugh,” Duo said aloud, surprising himself. He’d never heard the sound of his own voice before, and its thrum felt odd in his throat. His tail backpedaled slightly, nudging them away from the floating puddle of sick. Duo gently wiped his face and nose, and he grew alarmed at the way his newfound friend began to struggle against him. “Uh-uh,” he grunted, trying to get Heero to listen, but he couldn’t form the necessary words.

“Nnnngh…hhnnnggh…” The man’s teeth started chattering and he shivered against Duo, who then held him more tightly in an attempt to comfort him.

It’s all right, he sent to him, wishing he could hear him. Duo peered down into his face as he drowsily opened his eyes.

Deep blue. Duo’s night vision was limited on the surface, but in the moonlight he made out that much and he focused on the way his pupils dilated as he began to focus. His eyes jerked back and forth, and he kept jerking his face away from the water.

His eyes finally landed on Duo’s, and his breath caught in his throat. It’s all right, Duo repeated soothingly.

“Where am I? Oh, God…tell me, where…” His panicked demand was interrupted by another spate of coughing.

You were hurt. I have you now. He still clung to Duo instinctively, despite that he hadn’t given him an explanation yet.

“Head…hurts.”

I know. You’ll be all right.

“Where’s my boat? Where the hell’s my boat?”

Gone. Duo began to slowly propel them in the direction of myriad lights in the distance, assuming it was the shoreline. Rest, now.

“Who are you?” Heero croaked. “Please tell me!”

“Duo.” That much he could manage. Even the sound of his own name spoken aloud made it seem foreign to him.

“Heero,” he told him, and his teeth began chattering again. “Call me Heero.”

“Heero,” Duo murmured. It was nice; it seemed to suit him. Duo was backstroking and had Heero in an over-the-chest hold, and he felt his heart hammering through his cold flesh. Duo regretted how exposed his friend was, knowing his outcomes were just as dire from the cold as they were from oxygen loss. I’ll take care of you.

“Thank you…f’r takin’ care of…” His voice cut off and his eyes drifted shut. Duo’s heart pounded and adrenaline flowed through his veins.

“HEERO!” he cried. Desperation lent him inhuman speed, and Duo’s tail whipped up froth in his wake as he swam toward the shore.

*

The motor life boat was small but fast, cutting neatly through the black waves.

“No sign of any boat yet. It’s a yacht we’re looking for, huh?”

“The Zero. It’s not a big craft, just a little weekender.”

“Doesn’t sound like much of a boat for a three-day trip.”

“Somebody thought it was worth hijacking,” the officer grunted as he stared into the darkness. “I don’t want to tell this guy’s friends to give up hope.”

“That’s all they have left,” the captain pointed out grimly. “It’s not up to us to rip that out of their hands while there’s still a chance. I want to find this guy. And I want to find his boat jackers pretty bad, get them off the grid so they don’t do this to anyone else.” Overhead, a helicopter drowned out their conversation, its blades scattering the ocean’s spray over the boat’s hull. The occupants of the boat squinted in the glare of the search lights as they scanned the radius, but they weren’t optimistic.

Overhead, the chopper pilot exclaimed in surprise. “Look!” He pointed to a flicker of movement roughly two miles from the life boat. “I’ve got something down there.” He radioed the boat and signaled with his search light.

Duo squinted as the blinding lights hit him, and he raised his arm as much as Heero’s weight would allow, beckoning to them. He was exhausted and didn’t know how many miles he swam, but his lungs and muscles burned and his throat was so parched it stung from breathing the cold air.

“There’s two of them,” the pilot muttered. “One’s carrying the other one.”

“Can’t be one of the hijackers?”

“We don’t know that it’s not. Maybe he changed his mind, or maybe his partner decided he didn’t want to share the boat or their take.”

The chopper blades stirred up the waves as the helicopter descended, and the lifeboat closed in on the two men.

“We’re from the United States Coast Guard,” the captain’s voice boomed on the boat’s loud speaker. A second crew member on deck bellowed additional greeting using a megaphone.

“We’re here to help you! We’re coming to get you! Are there only two of you?” Duo held his hand protectively over his face, sputtering at the spray that pelted his cheeks. He had no reply ready for them. “Can you give us your status?”

“HEERO!” Duo cried out. He waved to them again. “HEERO!”

“What’d he say?”

“It sounded like Heero! Isn’t that the guy’s name?”

“We hit paydirt,” the captain said with a grin. “Pull him in. Get a med kit, stat!”

Duo and Heero drifted in wait, and Duo felt relieved but was still fraught with worry for Heero’s poor response to his voice and telepathic communication. He could feel a shadow of his thoughts, somehow, not words so much as emotions, but it wasn’t the sophisticated aura projected by merfolk.

They’ll take care of you now. Duo peered down into Heero’s face one last time, and he leaned down and kissed his frigid cheek. You’ll be okay. Duo felt a shift in him, and he opened drowsy blue eyes, finally allowing Duo to see their full color in the glaring lights.

They were a spectacular, deep blue, almost the same cobalt of Duo’s scales, with a hint of ultramarine and deeper green. “Duo,” Heero rasped.

“Heero,” he replied, offering him a shaky smile. The boat approached slowly, and Duo swam toward its starboard side.

“Let us come to you!” the captain bade him, but Duo was desperate to get him aboard. Heero’s flesh was freezing and his heartbeat was more faint. He could barely feel his pulse where Heero’s neck pressed against Duo’s shoulder. The boat motored to a stop, and two crew men approached the ladder. “Relax, we’ve got him.” They reached toward them, and Duo reluctantly urged Heero toward them with some difficulty; Heero’s hands had held limply onto Duo, tangling in his long hair, but now they clung to him suddenly, and he fought against being taken from his only support. “Easy! We have you!” They hauled Heero over the side and onto the deck. “Christ, he’s in bad shape!” They called out to Duo, “Come on, let us pull you up…HEY!”

Goodbye, Heero. Duo waved limply and ducked beneath the waves.

“Holy…he went under!”

“We need a man in a wet suit, pronto! We can’t lose him!” The crew sprang into action and they radioed the chopper.

*

Duo pushed himself, descending and reacquainting himself with the water. It felt so good flooding his lungs with needed moisture, and he felt his strength returning, but he was still fatigued. The deep welcomed him back like a lover, and his ears picked up the familiar song of whales. He had several miles to go before he reached the grotto.

Belatedly he felt an odd stinging sensation on his hand. His eyes grew round in horror. Blood. A long gash marred his knuckles, staining his pale flesh red.

He swam hell for leather toward the grotto, praying he was within range of help, regretting like never before that he was all alone.

*

Une stirred awake in her den as she heard three of her minions propel themselves from the mouth of the cave. She knew their comings and goings intimately through their psychic link, one she shared with all of the predators of the deep. She stretched her tentacles, unfurling them as she expanded her awareness and communed with them.

Blood, mistress. One juvenile. She huffed, puzzled as to why they sounded so enthusiastic about it. She sighed as she braided her long, chestnut brown hair.

Live-mater, they added smugly. Her long, slender fingers paused, and a crafty smile curled her thin, cruel lips.

There was only one young merboy foolish enough to be out so far from the dome in the middle of the night. Things had taken an interesting turn, indeed, she pondered.

She didn’t deter them from their pursuit. She wouldn’t discourage it, but she would stop them before they took him down. She had a vested interest in the youngling, and it wouldn’t do to lose him as a bargaining chip.

Not yet.

*