Ever had a plot bunny get rabies and simply would not leave you alone? Yeah. I did.

Ever had a plot bunny that up and died? Yeah. Me too.

Ever had a plot bunny rise from the dead with a vengeance? Yeah. That's exactly what happened.

So... blame this on rabid mutant zombie plot bunnies.

Disclaimer: I sent my muse to steal the GW boys for me. She came back empty handed. But hey... there's always next time.

Ah... might wanna mention that this is a sequel to 'All The Right Reasons'. My version of what takes place after the series, instead of the original EW. (Um, this is AU, starting mostly right after the battle with Libra) Pre-established 3x4... but, er, Quat's a girl- hence the beginnings of the AUness.... pre-established 1x2, pre-established 5xR. Will probably add in ZxN, MarinaxOC, and maybe others, only minor pairings though (Our pilots are the main pairings... everything else is superficial). 1x2 is the only yaoi couple, though. Reading 'Reasons isn't a requirement, but it would certainly make understanding what's going on easier for you. For instance, if you haven't read 'Reasons, then you might be confused as to Quatre being a girl and some other things mentioned here.

And... er... the last one was supposed to be only 11 chaps, but kinda got away from me, so I'm not even gonna guess on this one. It will use any songs I decide to use, not just Nickleback b/cause it might be pretty long, though not quite as quickly updated. And yes, the title of this fic is the title of a Nickleback CD. (PS... don't own them either, though my sister has a huge crush on Chad. Hmm... my sister has a crush on just about every hot guy out there, eh?) Rating might, might, might go up later on, but it's T for now.

And enough ramblings. On with the show.

Dark Horse

Sequel to All The Right Reasons

1: When I'm Gone

"I'd never let you down, and even if I could, I'd give up everything if only for your good..." Three Doors Down

*Trowa's POV*

I'm not sure I'll ever get used to this. Everyday is like a new day. Everyday, she's there. Burning brightly, like my own personal shining star, a guiding light for only me.

I would give her anything. I would give her everything.

And thinking back on our conversation yesterday, I realize that I have.

She asked me for HeavyArms. She said she wanted to destroy it. My last link to my former life, I'd thought.

And just like always, she knew what I was feeling. She gave me that soft smile, and graced my lips with a tender kiss.

"I know," she said. "But it's not all you've got. You have your friends. You have Cathy. You have me. But it's been months now. Peace is here. We don't need the Gundam's anymore. I want to destroy all of them, and I have a plan to do that. Duo helped me think of it. He's already agreed. And he's talking to Heero. Trowa... I know what you're feeling. I know what you're thinking." She looked up at me with those wide aquamarine eyes, and I knew that she did know. "I understand."

I didn't need to think about it. I pressed my lips back against hers, and returned her small smile.

"Quatre... everything I am is yours, to do with as you please. Everything I am, and everything I was."

I kissed her again. And again. And no more words were spoken.

*Quatre's POV*

I'm not sure I'll ever get used to this. Everyday is like a new day, with him as my sun, my moon, my sky. My light. My everything. I once thought that I'd lost him, but I'm so glad that I didn't.

I knew he loved me. He's said it so often. And showed me just as often with soft kisses and tender caresses. It's been almost exactly one year since we finally defeated Treize Kushrenada, since the destruction of Libra... since my secret came out. It's been almost three months that me and Trowa have been together. We've never gone much further, physically, than those kisses and those caresses. The occasional 'petting session', as Duo was fond of saying. But for the moment, that didn't matter. We shared the same room, the same bed. I was content with waiting... for the moment.

Because I know how much he loves me. And I knew that that love was deep and strong. But I just never understood how deep or strong until he told me to destroy HeavyArms.

I'd asked, and prepared myself for serious 'diplomat' mode in order to reach my goal, but he completely surprised me. It took barely a few sentences from me, and he returned my kiss.

"Everything I am is yours, to do with as you please," he said in a hushed whisper against my lips. "Everything I am, and everything I was."

And then he kissed me again. And again. And again. It was already late night, and we fell asleep, in each other's arms, on the couch in the living room of the hotel we were at for the night. Soon, we would leave for 'home'- the family villa in the desert. But for now, this is home.

The morning light is filtering through the curtains, and I snuggle back into the warmth under me. I don't know how, but no matter how we fall asleep, I inevitably end up sprawled over top of him. He doesn't seem to mind... so I'm not complaining. I hear a mumbled sound, and I smile, resting my head back down into the crook of his neck as he pulls me closer.

I don't have any meetings today... except for talking with Duo and Relena about how Heero and Wufei are taking the whole 'we-want-to-destroy-the-Gundams-by-sending-them-into-the-sun' thing. So, except for that, I have the entire day free. I close my eyes and listen to the strong heart-beat under my ear. With a small smile on my face, I let myself drift to sleep.

I'm not sure how much later it is when I'm awakened very rudely by the alert of the vid unit. As my warm bed shifts restlessly under me, I mutter a few very un-ladylike phrases as I try to make out whose calling.

It's only Duo. It would be wise to take the call, but I can't seem to force my body to get up. I contemplate simply letting him wait.

"We should answer that," Trowa says sleepily.

"Agreed," I return, looking from our position on the couch to the wall. I really don't want to get up, though. I shift just enough to grab the bunny slipper from my foot and lob it at the wall with precision aim that only a former Gundam pilot can possess.

Surprisingly, it actually worked. Trowa's eyebrow raised, and I shrugged as the call connected.

"Eh... Is this a bad time?" Duo asked. His face had popped up on the screen, with Heero standing behind him. Duo had a bemused expression on his face, and Heero's expression was quite blank except for the raised eyebrow.

"Not really," I answer. "I just didn't want to leave bed."

"Bed?" Duo questioned. "Uh huh," he nods with a smile.

I shrug. "Yes. Bed." The fact that I'm on the couch and laying completely on top of my lover never crosses my mind.

"Alrightey then," Duo drawls. "We just wanted to let you know that Operation: StarFire is a go, as far as me and Heero are concerned."

"Really?" I brightened up at this, even leaning up a little. I had really expected Heero to put up a fight.

Duo smirked wickedly. "I, ah, had to barter for it. But it's a price I'm more than willing to pay."

"I don't want to know," I said, shaking my head.

"Yeah, you really don't," Duo agreed.

"We also thought it prudent to inform you that Wufei has declined," Heero added.

I sighed. That, I'd kinda expected. "Understood,"

"So," Duo asked innocently, "What're you having for breakfast, Q?"

I laugh even as Heero smacks his boyfriend in the back of the head and disconnects the call with a short goodbye.

I'm still laughing when I look down at my lover. That small smile on his lips sends chills down my spine. Good chills.

"So," I ask sweetly, "What is for breakfast?"

I can't contain the squeak when he quickly flips over so that my back is pressed into the warm cushions where he was laying only seconds before.

"You," he responded without a trace of humor in his voice, but a gleaming light in his eyes. I laugh until his lips descend on mine.

Needless to say.... breakfast is forgotten.

tbc...

~~~~~{*}~~~~~

AN: For Snow, for proving that amazing writers make amazing reviewers. Also to turntofacethisway for completely totally putting the plot bunny for All The Right Reasons on life support until I could finish the 1x2 aspect. And to BigSister, because even though she doesn't usually like Quatre being a girl, she still stayed with me through the entire story and reviewed every single chapter. Huggles to all of you and everyone else who loved the other story!

I am still working on How To Save A Life, but I had an excess of sweetness and fluff that I simply had to get out and 'Life' is simply turning too dark and angsty for it all.

Oh, and Please, please, please read my story Psych. I had to log it in the crossovers archive, but it's really really funny.