Wufei walked into the dining room and began to neaten things up. Putting all the chairs and nick nacks in their perfect little place.

That's right, Relena. Wufei said to the maid that had followed him into the room. Put the ice bucket on the table there.
Yes, sir.

Wufei touched the top of the fireplace, and made a face at the dust that was on his finger.

Did you manage to get the ice out of the little tin trays?
Yes, sir, I had a bit of a struggle though.
And you refilled the trays?
Yes, sir.

Wufei smiled. Very good, Relena, You're making giant strides.

Relena smiled and nodded. Yes, sir!

Wufei straightened some flowers of the mantelpiece then turned to face Relena.

When your serving dinner, Relena, remember to do it calmly and slowly. You are not in the navy, and it is quite unnecessary to do everything at the double.
Yes, sir. Relena turned to and left the room in a hurry.
Not at a run, Relena! Wufei called, and the maid began to make her way back the the kitchen more slowly.

Heero smiled as he entered the room. No sign of the guests yet?

Wufei shook his head and sat down at the table, Heero walked over the cocktail tray.

A dry martini, I think, don't you.
Yes, dear, But I expect Madame Hilde will want something sweeter.
We'll have these ones for ourselves anyhow.

Heero occupied himself with making the martinis and Wufei sighed, leaning on his hand.

Oh, dear!
What is it? Heero asked pouring the drinks into glasses.
I have a feeling that tonight is going to be horrible.

Heero laughed, and handed Wufei his drink. It will probably be funny, not horrible.

Wufei smiled at him. You must promise not to catch my eye, If I giggle, and I most likely will, it will ruin everything!
We have to be utterly serious. Heero said. We can't hurt the mediums feelings, regardless of how funny or strange that she is. How's your drink?

Wufei took a sip of his drink and choked.

Heero smiled, and got up to get himself another. Wufei quickly poured the rest of his into a potted plant. His eyes fell on a picture of Heero's first wife, a long haired vixen who died seven years ago.

Did Duo ever help you when you were thinking something out? Wufei asked, standing and walking over to the mantelpiece. Heero thought for a moment, then smiled wistfully.

When he concentrated, but he didn't concentrate very often.
I wish I could have met him.

Heero glanced at Wufei. I wonder if you would have liked him.
I'm sure I would have! Wufei said sarcastically. The way you talk about him, he sound....charming...and you know that I haven't ever felt jealous of him...that's a good sign.

Heero, not hearing the sarcasm in Wufei's voice sighed. Poor Duo.

Wufei sauntered over to Heero. Does it still hurt when you think of him?
Not really...I sometimes wish it did. I feel guilty that I don't miss him.

Wufei frowned. I wonder if I died that you'd forget me so quickly?

That's a terrible thing to say! Heero cried, appalled.
Wufei said, shaking his head. I think it's interesting.

Heero sighed and got a dreamy look in his eyes. Well, I haven't forgotten Duo, not at all, I remember him distinctly. I remember how fascinating he was, and how maddening...I remember how badly he played all games, and how cross he got when he didn't win...I remember his charm when he got his own way, and his extreme acidity when he didn't...I remember his physical attractiveness, which was tremendous. Wufei crossed his arms over his chest in a fit of jealousy. And I remember his physical attractiveness...which was treme---
You already said that! Wufei snapped, then put on a sultry look walking over to Heero. Was he more physically attractive than....I am?
That is tiresome question, dear, and it entirely deserves the wrong answer.

Wufei smiled at Heero. You really are very sweet.

Heero reached out to touch him, but Wufei stepped away. And a little naive, too.

Heero asked puzzled.
Because you think that I mind that Duo was more physically attractive than me.
I thought that anyone would mind....If it were true.

Wufei pouted. I don't really care, Duo was a more physical person than I am...of that I'm sure. And just because Duo would mind if you found another person more attractive than he was, It doesn't mean that I would.

Heero smiled. I love you.
I know you do. Wufei said coldly.
I hope I haven't been a disappointment to you.

Wufei stared at him confused. A disappointment?
Well, your first husband was much older than you.
There are moments, Heero, when you go too far! Wufei said snittily.
As I think I mentioned before, Heero said, kissing Wufei. I love you.

Wufei sighed and leaned on Heero's shoulder. Poor Duo.
He certainly had a talent for living. Heero said sadly. It's a pity he died so young.
Poor Duo.
That remark is getting monotonous.

Wufei smiled. Poor Heero, then, and later on, Poor Wufei I expect.


Their conversation was interrupted by the door bell ringing, and moments later, Relena brought in two of their guests, the Bartons.

I hope we're not late. Trowa said. I just got off work a few minutes ago.
You're not late, Madame Hilde isn't here yet. Heero said, shaking Trowa's hand.
We've been looking forward to this! Quatre gushed, sitting on the sofa with Wufei. I mean, it's not every day you get to participate in a seance!

After a few moments of chatting, the doorbell rang again, and in swept the mysterious, and slightly eccentric, Madame Hilde.

Good evening, Madame. Heero said.
Hello, everyone! Hilde called, pulling off her bike helmet and straightening her skirts. Ah, it was just wonderful biking through the forest, I almost got lost, but I found my way!! And I was inspired for my next book!
How interesting, Wufei said. Is it a novel or a memoir?
Hilde said. It's a children's book!! The main character is a moss beetle!

The room was silent, then Quatre burst into hysterical giggles. Trowa lightly smacked him on the back causing him to choke.

Well, are you all ready? Hilde asked.
Yes, of course. Heero answered.
She gushed. Will you all please take a seat around the table and place your hands face down, fingers touching.

They sat down the way she told them to, exchanging curious looks with each other.

Where is your gramophone?
It's on the left of the mantelpiece. Heero explained.
Let me see... Hilde murmured to herself. Bach...Rachmaninoff, oh, no, too florid...ah! Here's one...Always.

Heero jumped up.

Sit down, Heero! Wufei barked at him. Why shouldn't she play
Never mind. Heero said.
This is so exciting! Quatre cried.
Quiet, Quatre! Trowa hissed.

Suddenly Hilde turned on the gramophone and ran across the room, switching off the lights.

Quatre squeaked.
Hilde said standing at the head of the table. Is there anyone there.....Is there anyone there.....one rap for yes, two for no. Now then....Is anyone there?

The table bumped once loudly. Quatre cried out in shock.

Ah, now we're getting somewhere! Hilde said excitedly. Is that you Dorothy?....*bump*....Oh, is your cold better dear?......*bumpbump*....I'm sorry to hear that! Are you doing anything for it?.....*bumpbumpbumpbumpbump*...NO! DOROTHY STOP IT!! STOP IT!! BEHAVE YOURSELF!!...NO! Hey, don't touch me there!! DAMMIT, BE NICE!.....*silence*...that's better, now is there anyone there who wants to talk to someone here?....*bump*...Ah! Lovely!...Is it me? ...*bumpbump*....is it Trowa?....*bumpbump*...Is it Quatre?...*bumpbump*...Is it Wufei?.....*bumpbump*.....Is it Heero?....*bump*....There's someone who would like to talk to you, Heero.
Tell them to leave a message. Heero said, snickering.
Heero, how can you be so stupid! Wufei smacked his hand. You'll spoil everything!
Don't worry about it. Hilde said. Hello...Dorothy....?...Dorothy? Oh, my! There's no one there at all.
How disappointing! Quatre said. And just as it was getting interesting, too!
Well, there's nothing for it, but to start over! Hilde said, and started the gramophone again.

After several unsuccessful tries, Madame Hilde went home, and shortly after Quatre and Trowa left as well. Heero went and poured himself a glass of brandy, while Wufei sat on the sofa.

I hope you got all the atmosphere you wanted for your book. Wufei said.
I think I did. Heero answered. I'll start the notes in the morning.

The window suddenly blew open by a strong gust of wind. Wufei gasped, and Heero rushed over to shut it.

That was a strong gust of wind. Wufei said.
Maybe it was ghost! Heero said laughing and Wufei smiled. Lets go to bed, darling.

The pair turned off the light and left the room.



Well, that's stupid! Duo said stomping his white slipped clad foot. Shutting the window on a lovely night like this! How am I supposed to get in!

He pushed at it with ghostly hands, and it blew open as if it was a gust of wind. Duo stepped inside smiling at the familiar room. He watched Heero rush across and shut the window.

My dearest darling, Heero!' Duo thought happily.

That was a strong gust of wind. Wufei said.

Duo turned to the unfamiliar voice, and glared at him. Just who is that? And what is he doing with my husband!'

Maybe it was ghost! Heero said laughing and Wufei smiled. Lets go to bed, darling.

Darling??' Duo's ghostly form went from a pale grayish white to a blazing red as he watched them leave. Heero called that darling?'

He picked up a vase of flowers and threw it too the ground. I don't care what it takes, I'll get Heero back! And then we'll be together for eternity!



Heero and Wufei had rushed back into the room at the sound of the crash.

My vase! Wufei cried staring at the mess.

Heero gasped as he saw the figure behind the broken vase. A slender figure dressed in a long, sheer, flowy white dress. It can't be!' He thought. Duo smiled and carefully stepped over the mess, and Wufei who was kneeling and picking up the pieces of it.

Duo cried happily, throwing his arms around Heero's neck. Oh, my dearest darling I missed you sooo much!! It's so lonely on the other side, and I just couldn't forget you!
What are you doing here? Heero asked staring at the ghostly form his first wife.

Wufei stood up looking angry. What does it look like, Heero, I'm cleaning up my vase. Why aren't you helping?
I came back to see you! Duo said.
Heero asked.
Well, I'm not sure, Duo said. I was playing poker with a very sweet old oriental gentleman, I think his name was Ghengis Khan, and I'd just thrown a full house, when a girl with scary eyebrows showed up and told me you wanted to see me urgently. Oh, darling, it made me so happy to hear you playing our song!! I thought that you'd forgotten!
Ghengis Khan...? Heero asked shocked.

Wufei glared at him. What are mumbling about?

Heero smiled at Wufei. Dear, it's Duo! He's come back to see me!
Wufei asked.
Wufei, meet my first wife, Duo. Heero said, gesturing to the air.

Duo smile and held out his hand. Charmed, I'm sure.

Wufei stared at Heero as though he was insane. Heero, there's no one else here.
You can't see him?
See who? Wufei asked.
Heero said pointing.
Duo said at the same time as Heero.

Wufei looked at him worriedly. Heero, dear, come sit on the sofa.
Heero asked as he was led to the sofa.
Let me get you a drink. Wufei said getting him a brandy.

Duo climbed up onto the dining room table and spun around in a circle.

Wufei handed it to him. Here, drink this.
But you hate it when I drink. Heero said.
Heero, just sit down an drink your brandy. Wufei said in voice.
What good will sitting down do? Heero asked stepping away from Wufei.
You can't relax if you're standing up. Wufei said gently.

Duo looked over from where he was standing on the dining room table. Flamingos can! He said jumping off. They can stand on one leg for hours!
I don't happen to be a flamingo. Heero said.
You don't happen to a be a what?
A flamingo. Heero said, as Duo hugged his arm.
What's that got to do with anything! Wufei cried.
Heero said as he took the brandy and drank it. There now.
Now let's both go up to bed, and in the morning we can call the doctor.

Duo pouted up at Heero. Oh, make him go away!! Then we can be alone...
That is a thoroughly immoral suggestion! Heero said to Duo, but as Wufei couldn't see Duo, he thought Heero was talking to him.
Wufei cried. I calmly suggest we go to bed and you tell me it's
Wufei, I wasn't talking to you! Heero said pulling away from Duo.

Wufei glared at him. Then who were you talking too?
I told you before, Heero said calmly.

Wufei stared at him in shock. I'm going up to bed, stay down here and do as you like with ! I have nothing else to say to you tonight.

Wufei stormed out of the dining room. Heero took a step after him. Wufei, wait!
Oh, let him go! Duo said. Stay with me!
Heero began.
I haven't seen you in seven years!!
But you can't just show up like this!

Duo's lower lip trembled. Why not!! I lived here too!! Then I died!! How rude of you too say that I'm not welcome in my own home!! And when I go through a great deal of trouble just to come back and see you!!'

Duo burst into loud tears. A-a-a-nd I only came b-b-back because I thought that you'd be h-happy to see me!! But I was wrong and you didn't miss me at all!! You got remarried and forgot all about me!! Fine!! I'll leave!! And I have nowhere else to go!! But that doesn't matter because you don't even care!!
Heero said, lightly laying his hand on the slender shoulder.
Don't touch me!! Duo sobbed hysterically. And you were glad I died weren't you!! You went and got married that very day!!! Oh, I can't bear it!! I loved you so much and I was always faithful and you go and get married again and now your making me leaaaave!!! WAAAAAHH!!!!

Heero gently pulled the hysterical ghost into his arms. Duo, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry. I love you, too! But It's very complicated!! I'm married again, but I waited a full five years before I even looked at any one else. It destroyed me when you died. You can stay for a while.

Duo pulled away smiling brightly.

Heero sighed, and rubbed his temples. Duo gasped and gently took Heero's larger hand into his own. Oh, my poor dear! Come and sit on the sofa! Just relax.

Duo sat down and let Heero use his lap as a pillow. He smiled gently and stroked his ghostly fingers through Heero's hair.

How's that, my love.
Heero said, having almost forgotten the feeling of Duo's fingers. But I really should go and make sure Wufei is okay.

Duo shushed him and told him to relax. You can fix everything tomorrow.
I suppose... Heero said as he drifted off to sleep to Duo softly humming Always'.

Duo smiled wickedly and said in a soft, sweet voice. To hell with Wufei.