This is a GW fic that I started writing quite a while ago but abandoned because I lost the plot, literally! I actually lost a fair chunk of the end of the story that I decided I would write out to keep it fresh in my mind, but I lost it due to an evil damaged floppy disk whom I condemn to hell! *Hchrm* Anyway! On with the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of its characters, and also have a substantial lack of cash, so don't bother suing.

Saikin no - new

AC.201, Sunday 23rd June

So this was it. This was where I'm gonna' spend the rest of my days until I'm decrepit and wrinkly and to old to bother doing anything about it. Great.

"Of course that hot water does have to be turned on and heated up before use as the timer is out of order, but someone will be sent round to fix it," the sales woman, all proper in her pencil skirt and tan tights, said with a tick on her clip board.

'Sure' I thought 'like I've never heard that one before. Where do you think I've been living all my life, a cave…?'

"Sure, great, of course," I raised a half smile towards the prissy lady in the doorway as I continued further into the little dump I would soon be calling home.

The hallway hadn't exactly oozed homeliness, and I would say that the living room, which was entirely dead, would rate at -45 on the liveability scale. There were damp patches on the walls and the carpet was brown with stains, the occasional patch of the original blue showing through. The windows were dirty and the old puckered and dowdy couch lay dejected in the corner like an old dog that no one wanted to play with any more. The kitchen was just as bad.

"There are three standard storage units, -'you mean boxes lady' - ," the little woman stated, fixing her glasses with the edge of her pen and trying to look as she professional could in her current surroundings, "all the electrical equipment you see comes as part of the apartment – 'don't you mean rathole?'- and it only needs minimal work to become fully operational."

'Gees what manual has she been reading from' I thought 'the bullshitter's manual of crap designed to weasel money from any unsuspecting idiot…did I just insult myself?'

"Yeah, great, will do," I said, the smile even more half hearted than the last one.

"Good, now if you would follow me to the bedroom," she snipped turning curtly on her heel and walking back down the hallway.

"Course," I said sauntering after her, "couldn't be more obliged 'if you nailed pins through my feet attached lead weights to the end and then asked me nicely'".

"This is a double room and the apartment is big enough to cater for two people –'you mean midgets, not people'-," she continued, almost sounding like she believed what she was saying, "but it's the only one currently on the market- 'you mean the only one presentable enough to be offered for money'-."

"Right," I sighed, "you never know, maybe I'll get someone to move in here with me."

Maybe the sarcasm in my voice was too heavy to miss, or maybe just the thought of someone else being persuaded into living in this tiny box was too much to handle, but whatever it was it made the woman smile.

"Of course," she said retaining her annoying "professional" voice and suppressing a laugh, "of course you would have to consult with us first if you were to move in a flatmate."

"'Kay," I said nodding lightly.

She warbled on about some other shit before ushering me to the door and closing it before I could fully take in the shitiness of the little hole and change my mind.

"Be here at two tomorrow and I'll give you the keys and legal documents," the saleswoman snipped again before shaking my hand and clicking away down the concrete walkway to her car.

"Awww hell," I said looking round at the door with the gold number three staring dully out from the dull red paint. And y'know what the saddest part was? The door was probably the nicest part of my apartment.

I drove back to Quatre's house to spend the night, my motorcycle purring contentedly in my grasp. The roads were winding and it was getting pretty dark, but my vision and senses are thankfully finely tuned and I haven't ever had an accident. Yet. Hell where's some wood to touch when you need it?

The tyres bounced uncertainly as I drove over the gravel in Quatre's driveway and I cursed as the bike slipped this way and that on the small red chips. If I hadn't been sliding so damn much I might have noticed the other skid marks in the usually perfect gravel, but I didn't. Wondering how I ever became a Gundam pilot? Welcome to my world.

I finally reached the tarmac at the side of the house and sighed with relief to be able to take my helmet off. I hate enclosed spaces, they take away my sense of freedom, and I'll tell you now that no-one can do that to me without a fight, not even myself! I know what you're thinking, 'he's just so darn complicated!', either that or 'he's just so darn stupid.' Either way at least you're thinking about me, heh heh.

I parked the bike beside Quatre's rosebushes and started when I realised that there was another bike hiding behind an overgrown rhododendron bush. It was a sleek, rich blue colour with gold alloy wheels, not the cheap tacky kind but the fancy shiny kind that make you go 'oooooh' when you see them. Other than the fact that it was a Yamaha there were no distinguishing features on it.

Now I know for a fact the Quatre doesn't like motor bikes, some bad experience or something. He can go near them, but turn one on when he's leaning on it and you'll be rolling on the floor with laughter within two seconds guaranteed. I should know, I've done it. I swear he's so cute sometimes you just wanna squeeze every last drop of sweetness out of him and keep it in a jar. A bit weird that thought, but it's true. He's got so many quirks I just don't know where to begin, but all of them are what make him so sweet, so I'm not complaining. But I'm off track again, just slap me ok?

The bike wasn't Quatre's, okay. So I'd just have to ask him whose it was; even though I love to solve mysteries on my own, it's more fun that way.

As I walked round to the front of the house I could hear the faint ring of plates and cutlery from the kitchen, and then I remembered just how hungry I was.

Quatre serves great food, I tell you I would kidnap his chef right now if it wouldn't mean the sad little look on his face and the impending court charges, but he's sooooo gooooood! Mouth watering steaks and Bolognese and fries and ice cream and everything you've ever loved to eat he can make. So you can imagine how disappointed I was when I entered the dinning room to see that the ringing of cutlery and plates had been from clearing up. My disenchantment (yes I did just use a word with four syllables, don't have an aneurism) must have shown through because Heunrie, the head chef put his hands on his plump hips and shook his head.

"Don't you worry master Duo," he smiled wryly, "we 'ave saved some for you."

"Really! Great, thanks buddy, I owe you one," I smiled giving him a wink.

"I will 'ave it sent to your room?"

"Whatever pleases ya!" I smiled back as I left the room, my braid quivering with anticipation as to what culinary delight was in store for me.

Even though the thought of a good meal had made me a little livelier than I had been, I was still dead beat from the long drive to Quatre's mansion and the draining work the prissy lady and the apartment had done on me. I can guess what you're thinking. If it's such a dump, why take it or even consider it in the first place? Well, I did embezzle a lot of OZ funds during the war and my savings aren't bad, but I just don't feel comfortable in luxury. Sure I like staying with Quatre and I'm not saying I don't enjoy the big beds and the gourmet cooking, but I could only take so much. I don't really like luxury that much when it comes down to it, and anyways, once I have moved in and have customized the apartment until it is one hundred percent Duo from the ceiling to the grubby carpet then it would be much more fun to be in. But I'm off again; I thought I told you to slap me?

Right, so I was tired, but I didn't want to go to my room just yet. I needed to find Quatre and the mystery biker. I knew that Trowa was coming up to visit while the circus was in Quatre's part of town. He said he had come to see Catherine and the rest of the troupe, but I bet he wants to see his lions too, he just doesn't say it. Quatre's really great at putting people up, -like me for the last three weeks!-, he's one of those people who like to have his friends around him and wrap himself up in them like a blanket. Ok so my similes aren't getting any better, but I'm not gonna apologise for them. There just there, deal with it. Yeah, anyways Trowa wasn't due for another three days, and he usually like to keep to his schedule, and if that was his bike then it was new 'cause I'd never seen it before. Well, it looks like this mystery is gonna have to solve itself without the help of Duo-the-great-mastermind-of-the-universe. Kidding, I may have no manners but I am modest.

Walking down the hallway wondering where to begin my search I heard voices in the sitting room and the clink of glasses. Lucky lucky me! I tried my best to distinguish who the voice belonged to, but the doors in Quatre's house are solid oak and really heavy, pretty crap all round for eavesdropping even with my great hearing. So I did the next best thing, I walked up to the door and opened it. Nice and simple.

"Duo!" the Quatre said with only a hint of wariness quivering through his usual optimism "glad you're back. Drink?"

"Nah," I said waving away the glass he offered me to look attentively at the large plush armchair which held the mystery guest, only their hand showing, "I'm not that thirsty."

"I'm afraid you missed dinner," he said trying not to disappoint me.

"It's cool Q-man," I said smiling, "your gourmet ace saved me some."

"Good," Quatre smiled in return, "but, oh, I'm being rude. Duo, guess who's here."

'Don't you think I've been doing that for the past five minutes?!' I thought to myself, 'I don't wanna guess, just show me!'

But I didn't have to ask because the mystery guest stood up anyway and looking straight at my shocked face said, with a slight nod:

"Duo."

I gaped at him. I didn't blink. I almost began to believe that if I blinked then the figure in front of me would change into someone it was much more likely for me to see in Quatre's sitting room, and not the old friend that I hadn't seen for two years.

"Heero…" I nodded back, smiling. I looked at him for a long time, letting his face sink in, his body, his hair. All there, good good. Wow, he looks great, who am I kidding, he looks fantastic! A little tired maybe but he's all there, the love of my life. Oh did I forget to mention that? That the love of my life is another boy, and my best friend, or at least we used to be best friends, till he disappeared.

Right after the Mariemia incident with the near destruction of the peace we had fought so hard to gain, with Heero and me and all of the other pilots saving humanity once again, well you can imagine how hectic our greeting party was when we returned from our "adventure". I was busy helping Trowa carry Quatre, injured from his fight with Dorothy, down the walkway while doctors and well wishers and weeping people threw themselves around us like a net. I gave Quatre over to the doctors and desperately tried to shake every hand that was thrust in my face hoping that if I did they would go away. Fat chance. Shaking the hands only meant that more swarmed in their place and I was stuck in the middle of the big fat crowd that had come to greet us. This was the reason that I missed Heero, and also the reason that I didn't get a chance to tell him how I felt about him before he disappeared into nothing but a memory, a good memory, but still only a memory. And now he was here, in front of me, in Quatre's sitting room, holding a glass of what looked like orange juice and I had nothing to say. Well, actually it was probably more like too much to say.

Seeing my shock and lack of conversation Quatre came to my rescue.

"Heero arrived about an hour ago," he said, blue eyes shining, "I was just as shocked and glad as you."

Quatre's always been good at seeing people's feelings, usually even if they don't know their having them in the first place, and through my mask of utter surprise he could see the relief and the joy. Thank his little space heart…

'Thanks for saying it for me Q-man" I thought as I smiled.

"So where ya been buddy," I asked him while I leaned against the door for support, trying to make it look casual but failing, "we've been worried about you."

"Hn," came the familiar grunt, "around."

"Sounds nice," I said, my smile changing to a grin, "how was it?"

"Fine," he said taking a sip of his drink and then placing it soundlessly on the side table. I had forgotten how utterly graceful he was, a little mechanical, but still graceful. His long bangs half covered his eyes, those wonderful Prussian blue eyes that reminded me of the sea at night. He was a little taller than I remembered, but then we'd all grown (well…uh, except me), and damn if he wasn't even MORE attractive than I remembered him. I didn't think that was possible, but I was sure that his maturity had given him a more masculine beauty than before when he was just a handsome boy. Well, I'm not complaining. No sireeee'!

"Well it hasn't improved your vocabulary," I said winking at Quatre who gave me a watery smile in return to show that he knew what I meant, "but, well, it's good to see you."

'Good, try fucking fantastic!' my mind shouted and danced with joy, 'Who are you trying to kid, just hug him and never let go damn it!'

"Hn," Heero said nodding again, "you too Duo."

"Well that's a first," I said laughing, "I'm sure the novelty will wear off soon enough. How long ya here for anyway?"

"Not sure, as long as Quatre will have me," Heero shrugged.

"You know you're welcome to stay for as long as you like," Quatre told him with a gentle smile, "and Trowa will be here in a couple of days, I'm sure he'd be just as glad to see you as we are."

'Gees Quatre rub it in that I'm happy to see him already,' I thought, then changed my mind, 'alright then go ahead, I'm not complaining.'

"Arigatou, Quatre," Heero said sincerely, "but I'm still looking for somewhere to stay. I won't bother you after I find somewhere."

'Alright Duo Maxwell,' my mind warned me suddenly, 'snap out of it before you do what I think you're gonna do. I know the apartment could use company and there is really room enough for two but don't you DARE say it."

"Well isn't that luck," Quatre said with a look in his eye that made you know that he wasn't being sadistic but meant well, "Duo's just found an apartment near the centre of town. You were just there weren't you? Didn't you say it was a double? What was it like?"

I couldn't speak. I couldn't get my stupid voice box to say do a damn stupid word when it would have been a good time to say…something, anything! Now there's a first, right!? Duo Maxwell stunned into silence, well you know I'm not lying even though I can see why you might think I am. Well you know my motto, and I'm not gonna break it.

"Good," I managed to say in a strangled voice, shrugging my shoulders as ambiguously as I could, "a little bare…"

"But in a good location, and its cheap right? So you have more to spend on furnishings…" I could see he was struggling to come up with any good reason for Heero to move in with me. I was still a little stunned that he had said it. I guess Quatre really did know me better than I thought if he knew what I had just thought right there and then. Better not to underestimate him even though he's short and looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. I know, I know, who am I calling short, me and my five feet five inches, and proud of it!

"Yeah, I guess," I said trying to regain a little of my mischievous smile as I played with the end of my braid, "I mean if you really think that you could stand being with me for more than a day in total then it's fine with me. And y'know you can always move out if my charming personality gets to you…"

"Sounds good," Heero interrupted me to my utter shock, again.

"Unnn…okay," I corrected myself.

"When do you move in?" Heero asked in his usual monotone, brushing his unruly bangs from his face allowing me a quick glimpse of his stunning eyes. I was so stunned by them that I was stunned that I could even breathe never mind talk.

"Tomorrow," I blurted out, "are you sure you want to –'idiot Maxwell don't make him question himself are you crazy!! Just shut up!'-…?

"Hai," Heero almost grunted out the word, "if you're fine with that?"

"Un huh," I replied dumbly.

I could see Quatre grinning out the corner of my eye, cheeky little swine.

"Well, now that that's sorted," Quatre said setting his own drink down, "I'll show you to your room Heero."

Heero nodded and followed the grinning Quatre out of the room, closing the door behind him. I only caught a glimpse of him before the door closed, but I could have sworn I saw a smile on his face.

'SNAP OUT OF IT!' I said hitting my head with the palm of my hand, 'why would Heero be smiling after agreeing to stay with you, sheesh, get a grip!'

I flopped down onto the chair and waited for Quatre to come back. That's if he did come back. I could see him wondering if explaining himself was important enough to risk Shinigami's glare. But I really doubted that Shinigami was going to make an appearance tonight. Even though I had had to put up with the prissy little wench saleswoman and the crappy apartment and feeling like my eyes were going to fall out their sockets with lack of sleep and suddenly feeling unbearably hungry. Why? I was too damn happy…and confused!