A Lesson to be Learned
By Wolf Girl

Disclaimer: I do not have any sort of ownership over the characters or the premise of Gundam Wing. I do not make any sort of profit off of this story. And, as a plus, Shakespeare has been dead long enough that I don't have to worry about copyrighted material! So sue me!
Warnings: Post-cannon, Yaoi, minor Relena bastardization, slightly OOC Heero (per the series, but not per what I think he would be like after the war).
AN Warning: Unfortunately, my grammar and punctuation usage is a weird mix of American and British styles... Enough said.
Pairings: 1+2, 1x2x1, 3x4, others...
Italics thought (unless obviously otherwise).

ONE
"A pair of star-cross'd lovers…" (Chorus- Pro. 6)

"I still can't believe you talked me into this," Duo whispered. He slumped down in his seat with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Hn," Heero said, accompanied with a mild glare, which Duo thought to mean, You're here now, so stop whining. "Our counselors informed us that extracurricular activities were required for us. Since we have an unfair advantage in sports, math, and chess, this was the only option."

"Heero, you just used up your word quota for the entire week! I'm so proud of you!" Duo squealed, latching onto Heero like a lamprey for an entire ten seconds before he was wrenched away. Heero looked at his lap, his cheeks suspiciously pink.

Quatre giggled and poked Duo. "Come on, this is one of the perks of being in high school again! I was so happy when I heard."

"If you think being at school again is a perk, you're more nuts than I thought you were." Duo retorted.

"Well, if I'm not in school I'm running father's business, and since I had tutors most of my life, being at a school is rather nice." Quatre glanced around again.

"Not when you're a world-renowned hero-terrorist," Duo snorted. Heero gave him a small glare as a large somewhat portly gentleman walked out onto stage, silencing the whispers buzzing round like small flies.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen to the casting for Romeo and Juliet. I won't say whom the play is by, because if you don't know you have no reason to be here. A few warnings before we start. If, by certain chance, the acting talent is so varied, there will be females playing males and males playing females. In the Elizabethan Era, all the roles were played by men, so there is no reason for me not to cast it that way.

"My second warning is that the male roles will be wearing tights. If you would not like to continue anymore, please leave. Don't forget there is also backstage and lighting crews which need people."

Wufei gasped. "Tights? Injustice!" Trowa just smirked.

"Now, on to the casting. First, there are the small, but nonetheless important roles—" the director stopped as someone came rushing into the theatre. Heero went stiff, and Duo whistled lowly.

"My god, what is she doing here?" The person in question, of course, being Relena Peacecraft, dressed entirely in pink as usual. Duo frowned. "Don't tell me she was required to finish her schooling as well! Doesn't she have tutors for that?"

"Please be seated Miss… Peacecraft. I hope you won't be late in the future," the director continued over Relena's opening mouth. "All the roles will be posted on the wall, as there are many of them to name. The leading roles I will read out right now. If anyone has a problem with any of the roles, they should see me immediately. Do not go see anyone else about this because they won't be able to help you."

Quatre smiled. "That's good. Less trouble among cast members." Heero smiled slightly and nodded.

"Now, here we go. I was surprised at the ability of many of our new students this year. Mercutio will be played by Quatre Winner; Tybalt by Trowa Barton with an understudy of Chang Wufei, who I understand is doing lights; Nurse by Relena Peacecraft with an understudy of Marie Schultz; Friar Lawrence by Thomas Marino. Now, what you've all been waiting for, I'm sure, since I believe almost everyone tried out for these roles. Romeo Montague will be played by Heero Yuy with an understudy of Yence Stutgard; and Juliet Capulet will be played by Duo Maxwell with an understudy by Relena Peacecraft. There will be a read-thru on Friday after school. See you all then."

Duo stood stock still. "Juliet! I'm Juliet! There must be something wrong. I'm a boy. I can't be Juliet."

Heero's stopped smiling and frowned. "If you quit, then I have to be opposite… her…" Duo looked at him and frowned.

"Okay, fine, I'll do it for you, Heero buddy. Geez, you can pilot a Gundam, but you can't stand up to Relena the pacifist."

Wufei got a funny look in his eye. "You don't know what pacifists can do when you make them angry…" He shuddered. Everyone decided not to ask.

"I'm Mercutio… I tried out for Romeo, then Paris… Mercutio is violent," Quatre whispered. "And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something. Make it a word and a blow," Quatre quoted.

"And I'm Tybalt," Trowa smiled wolfishly. "You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an give me occasion," he quoted in a deep voice. Quatre started and looked at him. Trowa remained staring at him for a moment longer.

"Break it up you two lovebirds," Duo quipped, causing both to blush, "Hey wait! Does this mean I have to kiss Heero?" He turned pale. "Heero, how well can you act? Are you planning on being a stone for Romeo?"

Heero murmured something that sounded like, "Kissing you is in the script," but Duo wasn't sure. Duo glanced at him.

Relena must have practiced her stealth because suddenly she was right there. "Hee-rooo! Aren't you happy? I'm playing opposite you in understudy! That means I come to all the rehearsals and get to practice with you!" Relena glommed onto Heero's arm, ignoring Duo completely. Heero's eyes glazed over and he didn't reply.

"Relena! Great to see you! You don't sound like an elephant charging anymore either! Well, we'll just be going now and leave you two alone to catch up," there was a twinkle in Duo's eye. "Come on Quatre, Trowa, Wuffers."

"My name is not Wuffers! Injustice, you long-haired onna!" Wufei's face screwed up in anger.

"Okay, pizza sounds great to me, let's go!" Duo grabbed Wufei and Quatre's arms and started to drag them from the room. Trowa followed with an apologetic smile, leaving Heero staring dumbly, his mouth hanging slightly open.

"Now, silly, let's go get some Japanese food." Relena reached over and closed Heero's jaw.

"Hey, Heero, how was your date?" Duo asked cheekily as the door opened. Heero walked into the room, nostrils flaring.

"You left me alone with her for five hours," he stated plainly. Duo shifted toward the hallway. Heero's eyes narrowed andtracked his every move down to the 10th of a centimeter. Suddenly, he charged.

Duo yelped and threw his popcorn in the air, running down the hallway. Quatre flattened himself against the wall so he wasn't trampled by Heero.

Duo slammed the door and braced himself. When it was evidently not going to hold, he dove under the bed. Heero rushed in and grabbed him by the foot. He threw him on the bed and pinned him down. "Do. Not. Ever. Leave. Me. Alone. With. Her. Again." He panted, glaring his best death-glare at Duo.

"Okay, okay. I wouldn't put a guy through that torture again anyway, at least not this month." Duo said, squirming uncomfortably. Heero nodded, but didn't move. "You a little excited by chasing me, or are you just happy to see me?" Duo purred, eyelids lowering.

Heero was off him and out of the room like a flash. Duo sat up, rubbing his wrists. "I am so going to call him on that."

Endnotes: Okay, well that's the first chapter! Hope you all liked it. I know it gets repetitive, but whenever I am quoting Shakespeare, just to make it clearer, the speaker will be written as such. "Quoted (person)", unless it is obvious they are acting out a scene and not talking normally.

Well, this should be shorter than my last fic, Something to Talk About, but there's no way of knowing what mischief these guys will find their way into.

As always, R&R si vous plait! You can email me any questions or comments at