Just Let Me Grow Up

Chapter 1

Heero stood outside of the room, pacing the floor as many a frantic and worried father would. It was the classical image: the new father, worry clearly etched over his features, his friends trying to calm him as they waited with him, more worried for his sake instead of the new mother's. "How long does it take to give birth?! I swear, Relena's doing this to purposely keep me in a nervous wreck like this. Why, of all times….."

Quatre stood, taking Heero's shoulders and making him stop his pacing. Smiling, he gave a small chuckle and met his friend's eyes. "My God, Heero. I've never seen you this nervous since your wedding. For Pete's sake, she isn't doing this on purpose, it's only natural to take this long. Give her a break, I'm sure she's not trying to make you upset or angry. Just settle down."

Duo started laughing as Heero took a seat obediently, but seconds later was up and out of it, pacing the floor once again even after Quatre tried to stop him. "Man, you're wearing yourself out, you can't do anything for her, just let nature take its course. She's fine, I'm sure of it."

Trowa only smirked at seeing the scene, the once Perfect Soldier was now an absolute wreck, but he had good reason to be. He was now going to be a father, something no one thought would ever occur. Then again, no one thought that he'd marry Princess Relena and become king either with Relena as queen. "Five years ago, when the war was still on, someone could have told me that you would end up being a father, Heero, and I would have just laughed. Yet know, here you are, here we are, and your queen is now giving birth to your first child. It's amazing the way things turn out."

Wufei nodded, slowly rising from his seat and striding over to the water fountain. "I thought it was a joke when you told me she was pregnant, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it, and if I wasn't here now."

A high-pitched cry arose from the other room, stopping all movement and sound around the five young men. One sound, that's all it was, and it was perhaps the most wondrous sound that had ever reached their ears.

Heero heard the cry of a baby, his child, arise from the room before him. With a moment's hesitation, a large smile graced his lips, his friends rising from their chairs with smiles identical to his. Congratulations arose, but Heero heard none of it, watching the doctor step from the delivery room with a tired smile.

"Both mother and child are doing fine, you can come in now to see your little boy."

Heero stood in disbelief. He had a son, a son! Pushing past the doctor and striding into the room, he crossed over to Relena's beside where she tiredly held a small bundle in her arms. "Are you okay?"

With a weary smile, for it had been a very painful and long experience, Relena looked up into the loving eyes of her king. Nodding, she spoke softly, "I'm fine Heero. It hurt, no doubt about that, but it was all worth it. Here, come see your new son," and pulling back the blanket that covered his tiny face, she held him up for Heero to see. "He looks so much like you."

Heero looked at the tiny form, bundled sleepily in a sky blue blanket. His tiny eyes looked curiously at the world around him, his small hands and feet kicking as if he didn't know they were his. "God, he's so beautiful." Looking up at Relena with eyes of wonder, he could see her amused smile.

Relena gave a soft laugh. "You should see your face right now." Giggling, she held the small child that had grown inside of her body for so long in her arms in pure pleasure. "Do you want to see your daddy? Tell him, "hold me"." Giggling again, she watched him look at her in confusion.

Heero hadn't held a child that small before, he didn't want to hurt him. "I-I don't know if I should. He's so small and, well…..small. I don't know how to hold a baby."

Smiling, Relena shook her head. "Come here, just hold your arms like this," she let the child rest in the cradle of her left arm as she tried to help Heero position his arms into a cradle. He didn't rebel, but looked worried about holding his son. "Here, now just hold him, he'll be fine. You won't hurt him, I promise." And she placed their son in his arms, watching his face light up when her husband held the tiny, squirming form.

Heero stared in amazement at his son, so tiny and full of life, resting gently in his arms. His son was so small, so light. It was amazing; the small little bundle of life he now held was something that helped to create. "Oh God, he so….he's a miracle." With a huge smile, he looked into his son's eyes. "He has your eyes, Relena. What are we going to call him?"

"I'm not sure. Why don't we name him after his father?" Smirking, Relena watched her husband's face light up at the mention of it.

"My real name, or the name I go by now?" Heero didn't use his real name any more; he had no need of it since the war was over and his family gone. Relena and his friends had become his family and they knew him as Heero, so Heero he was.

"How about Adam, your real name?" Relena sighed happily as she watched him pace back and forth, his smile widening as he rocked his new born son in his arms.

"Adam," he repeated, true happiness filling his being. He didn't know happiness until he married Relena, and know he truly knew why he kept fighting, why he was one of the six keys of the outcome of the war. He lived for this moment, to be a father.



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Adam raced along the back palace grounds, loving the feel of his mustang galloping freely over the ground. Throwing back his head as he intertwined his fingers deeper into the stallion's mane, he released a cry of joy and freedom, enjoying himself for the first time in days. His father and mother were always busy, always expecting so much from him. But he hated to be a prince; he hated to be treated any differently than his peers. He just wanted to be a normal teen, going to parties and hanging out with his friends and not having to be put above everyone else.

Soul of a Renegade flew across the ground, his hooves digging in and pounding the ground furiously as he raced with the wind. His wild spirit carried the two along, away from the stresses and woes of life.

Adam slowed Renegade to a trot, then to a brisk walk and finally slowed him to a stop upon reaching the small lake area. Jumping down off of the tired horse, Adam stretched his legs and sat down by the lake. Looking out across the water, the youth basked in the ability to enjoy the peace.

The morning sunlight danced lazily over the water, tiny ripples disturbing the soft surface of the water as the aquatic life swam beneath its surface. A sweet spring wind crossed over the land, bringing with it soft scents of wildflowers and the woodlands. Clouds hung in small groups, drifting gradually across the bright morning sky.

Sighing, Adam looked back at Renegade, his deep black coat glistening with sweat. Patting the horses muzzle and leaning into his strength, Adam closed his eyes and listened to the animal's breathing. "Why can't life be this easy, Renegade? Why can't mom and dad just let me grow up? I'm already 16, so why do they still treat me like a child?" His only response was a soft whinnie and a gentle nuzzle. "Thanks, at least I know I can count on you."

Heero poured over his desk, piles of papers sitting in ominous mounds and they never seemed to decrease. A soft knock at the door made him stop his work, his eyes tired and strained but grateful for the intrusion. "Come in."

Relena opened the door slowly, having just finished revising her work and waiting for Heero to finish his. She had grown accustomed to the stacks of paper and the urgent problems, but she could see that it was taking its toll on the new king, even if he had been doing this for seventeen years already. Then again, things had never been this hectic. "Heero, why don't you stop for a little while. You've been at this all night and you need to rest. Adam never sees you anymore and it's a wonder he still has a father to speak of. You're wearing yourself thin, you didn't even get this tired during the war."

Heero looked at her and shook his head. "I have to get these done. If I don't, then we'll never be rid of these problems." Leaning back against the chair, he let Relena sooth his stiff muscles in his shoulders and neck, her delicate fingers working their magic.

"Trust me, an hour or two of rest will not kill you or bring the end of the world. I've been doing this longer than you have and trust me, it's not going to hurt anything to take a break." Relena smiled as she leaned down, resting her chin lightly upon his right shoulder.

"How do you ever manage all of this? It's been how long and I still can't keep up with you?" Smiling and chuckling softly, he turned to face Relena and captured her lips with his.

After a few moments hesitation, Relena broke the kiss with grin. "Near seventeen years." Giggling softly, she stood and pulled Heero to his feet, resting herself in his warm embrace. "Why don't you go and spend some time with your son, I think he's forgetting what his father looks like. And the surprising thing is, all he has to do is look in the mirror to see his father's youthful reflection staring straight back at him."

Holding her for a moment longer, Heero felt her pull away. As he was getting ready to sit down once more, a pair of determined hands pushed him toward the door. "What are you doing?"

"Getting you out of this room and back into life!" And leading him out the door, the young Queen of the Sanq Kingdom forced the king from his study. "If you don't stop rebelling, I'll disown you." At this Heero stopped struggling and pulled her arms from behind him, wrapping his right arm around her waist as she was forced to walk beside him. "Now you're getting the hang of being nobility." Laughing, the two walked through the palace corridors and out onto palace grounds.

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Adam rode up to the palace stables, bringing Soul of a Renegade to a slow trot as they entered the large field that lay before it. Sighing, he dismounted the weary horse and led the tired beast to his pen, leading him in and taking the grooming brush in hand. He always insisted on taking care of Renegade himself, never letting the palace keepers do their jobs, for Adam knew he wasn't helpless and he enjoyed doing it. "One day Renegade, I'll be able to leave this palace and be on my own, I won't have to be a prince. So many people think that it's a privilege to be a prince, well, I guess they've never had the chance to be one!" Laughing softly, he continued to brush the stray grass and the sweat from the horse's silky coat, patting his sides as the horse leisurely nibbled on some feed.

"Well, being a prince does have its drawbacks, but there are also certain ups to the subject." Heero overhead his son's proclamation as he entered the stables, Relena having left to walk in the garden.

Adam turned around quickly to find his father leaning lazily against the pen's wooden frame, smiling as he watched over him. "Father. I didn't know you were out here, I didn't think anyone was. I was just out for a ride, I swear…." But his explanation was cut off.

"It's all right, you mother kicked me out of the house anyway." Chuckling softly, the once youthful pilot was now a man in his mid thirties though he still retained his boyish youth.

Smiling, Adam dropped the brush and strode over to his father, not having seen him in what seemed like years. His father was always too busy, always pent up in his study. "I'm actually surprised to see you, but glad none the less."

Nodding, Heero released a weary sigh. "I know I've been busy, and I'm sorry for it. Your mother made that point clear to me when she threatened to disown me." At this, he gave a small chuckle at hearing his son burst into laughter. "I seem to be missing out on life more often and it just keeps flying by."

Adam knew his father couldn't help it, he tried to be the best he could. But he was always working, always hidden away and not to be disturbed. "Maybe this afternoon we could go riding? That'll give Renegade a chance to rest after this morning's ride." Hopefully he looked at his father, but then cast his gaze to the floor expecting a no, he couldn't today.

Heero thought for a moment, then replied. "That sounds good, I haven't been riding in years." Actually, it had only been about five or six months but it felt like so much more.

"That's okay, I know you're…. What?" Adam looked up to see his father smirking.

"I said that I'm taking the time off to go riding this afternoon, the paperwork can wait." Heero nodded in affirmation at his son's skeptical look. "What? Is it so hard to believe that I can have a life?"

Adam thought for moment, and then smirked. "Well…."

"Don't answer that."

"Well, you just asked me! Besides, you're always hidden in the study that I was beginning to forget what you looked like!" Smiling and letting his father pull him into a quick hug, he heard him laugh.

"Well, I'll try not to make the paperwork my life. If I do, your mother really will lock me out of the palace." Standing back, he was amazed at how much Adam had grown in the past few years. He reminded Heero a lot of himself when he was younger, but his young life wasn't really missed. He grew up becoming the Perfect Soldier, making himself a cold-hearted killer and taking the lives of others. He was just glad the war was over with and that Adam never had to see it.

"I'd like to see that one." Releasing a sigh, Adam bent easily and picked up the brush once more, working his way down Renegade's coat. "You going back to the study?"

Heero really didn't want to and knew that Relena would have a fit if he did, but if he wanted to go riding with his son later that evening, he had to get some of the paperwork out of the way. At least most of the larger and more serious problems. "Well, I don't have much of an excuse not to, but to tell you the truth, I'd rather procrastinate for a while longer. I never will see how your mother survived all this when she was your age if I can't get it now!"

"Well, you could always go and wander about the palace or the grounds, just for something to do." Adam laughed at hearing his father's soft snort.

"Now I know who to ask if I ever want to waist time aimlessly. Did you learn this from your uncle?" Duo had probably taught his son to procrastinate to the very best of his abilities.

"Uncle Duo tried, but gave up when he finally figured out that I was teaching him." Smirking, he looked at his father as he slowly shook his head.

"That sounds like Duo." Technically, Duo and the other pilots weren't Adam's uncles, but they had become friends and like a small family during the war and thus they were named his son's uncles and godparents. Sighing heavily, Heero knew that he must get the work done and the sooner the better. "How about before dinner? Maybe around 3:00? I have to get some more of the work done or I'll be stuck in that miserable room for another hundred years."

"I'll have the horses ready and waiting. Don't lecture me about it please, I hate others doing a job I'm perfectly capable of. I say we should dismiss all of the servants, they make me feel extremely helpless." Adam put the brush down and picked up the comb, then started to comb through Renegade's mane as he nickered softly in response. "Renegade agrees. You're outmatched, so that settles it."

"Ha! If only it were that easy. Life seems so simple, but is far more complicated than we can even begin to imagine."

"Try me. And why can't you just let the work sit for a day? Is it really that important that you would forget your life and family?" Adam listened to his father's sigh, feeling his hurt gaze. Yet he could not turn to face him as he spoke the questions softly, so instead he kept his gaze steadily on the horse's mane as he finished the last portions.

"No, it isn't more important than you or your mother. You'll understand later when you grow up." Heero turned from the stall and began to leave, trying to ignore the clattering of the comb on the cement floor of the stables.

Adam held his tongue, leaning into his friend. "When I grow up? How old am I Renegade? I'm sixteen and they still tell me, "When you grow up." Well, when will that be? They treat me like a child! I have grown, most of the time without a father and a very busy mother. Why can't they stop acting like I'm their little boy. I will always remain the same age difference from them, but I am growing, every second I grow older. When will it be enough for them to let me be myself, to lead my own life, and to finally see that I'm not a little kid?" He whispered these words into Renegade's mane, feeling the soft muzzle of the creature rub against his back in an action of comfort.



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Adam stood outside the stalls, holding the reigns of both Soul of a Renegade and Midnight Sky, his father's horse. Most of the time, when Adam wasn't riding Renegade, he was exercising Midnight for lack of his father's efforts. "Where is he?"

Heero sat before his desk, his mind clouded over by the numerous demands and requests that sat before him. He couldn't concentrate decently, this making his frustrations grow and he did not hear the clock strike 3 in the room with him.

Adam held the reigns of the impatient horses, alternating his weight from foot to foot. "He couldn't have forgotten, he wouldn't. He's just taking a little longer to get down here." Quickly and skillfully mounting Renegade, he led the horses to the front entrance, awaiting his father's arrival with patience and slight irritation. The minutes passed, adding into hours as Adam sat upon Renegade, every now and then glancing at his watch. "Urgh! Where is that man?!" With a sudden burst of anger, Adam spurred Renegade and headed back to the stables with Midnight Sky, his father having forgotten about their appointment.

Leading Soul of a Renegade into his stall, he quietly took the saddle from his back and hung it, listening to footsteps echo down the long, cement walkway between the stalls. Turning to greet the person, he found his mother walking toward him with a slight frown.

Relena looked at her son with a smile, not sure of why he was so solemn looking. "What's wrong Adam?"

Shaking his head, he closed the door to the stall and spoke quietly. "It's nothing, there's no need to worry about it. Did you want to speak with me?"

Relena smiled and hugged her son, then released him and held his shoulders at arms length. "Just that dinner is done early. Ah, look at you. Why did you have to grow so fast? You remind me of your father when he was your age, you look just like him."

Adam tried to smile but shook his head. "I'm surprised father hasn't realized that I've actually grown. He was never there to see me as a child." Turning away, he began to head toward the house, not listening to his mother's depressed sigh as he went to get ready for dinner.



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Adam sat at the dinner table, picking at his food and not really doing anything except rearranging it. He wasn't hungry, he didn't even want to be at the dinner table but his mother had insisted that he try to eat something.

Heero looked over at his son, curious as to why he was acting so weird. It had taken him hours, but he'd finally found a solution that the two countries would abide by so that war was avoided. "Adam, are you feeling okay?"

The youth only shrugged off the comment. "May I be excused?" His tone was rude and impatient.

Heero placed his fork down and looked at Adam. "Something's wrong, just tell me."

Adam stood hastily, disregarding his chair as it clattered to the ground. "Look, I don't want to be here and I don't really care anymore. You should be one to talk about caring, I sat for two hours outside the house waiting and you didn't even bother to tell me that you didn't want to go riding. Just forget about it! I don't care anymore. I'm tired of trying to understand you and be patient and nice about everything when you just keep blowing me off!" Turning, Adam began to stride angrily from the room.

Heero hesitated a moment, surprised at his son's sudden outburst, then stood. "Adam, you don't understand. I had something to take care of or lives would have been lost needlessly! You'll understand these things when you're older, so don't contradict me on things you can't understand now." Heero spoke firmly, his voice rising.

Adam swung about, his eyes filled with frustration and pain. "When I'm older? Why can't you see that I have grown! I'm not a child anymore, but then again, you were never there to see me as one anyway! The ones I turned to were Uncle Duo, Trowa, Quatre, and Wufei, you never had time! Hell, Ms. Noin was a better mother to me than the both of you were as parents! You always put your work in front of your family, you always have! Well, maybe I needed my father and mother, maybe I needed you just a little bit more than the rest of the world! Did you ever think about that? I guess not, you're always too busy with your work. Well, if your work means more to you than I ever can, then what the hell am I doing here?!" Throwing his hands in the air in frustration, Adam felt his voice begin to shake, for he couldn't control his emotions as well as his father and mother could. "And evidentially, you love your work more than you can care about me. I hate you and being a damn prince! I hate you for messing up my life!" Running from the room, the troubled teen raced to his room, throwing open the door and slamming it shut quickly, locking it.

Heero stared at the place where his son had stood, taking in what he just said. No, Heero hadn't been there for a lot of Adam's life as a child, and he still wasn't there much, but he was doing the best he could. "For God's sake, why can't he see that I'm trying?" Sitting down slowly, he listened to Relena turn to him wearily.

Relena looked with saddened eyes toward her husband. "Heero, he tries. He tries to understand, but he is somewhat right." Holding up her hands, she stopped his comments before he could speak, sorry to see his hurt look. "I know I'm guilty of the same thing, but we're getting into the paperwork too much and not in our son's life enough. You're the one he really looks up to and misses, and he was happy and lighthearted all day when I saw him, waiting for 3 o' clock to get here. Maybe you should go and try talking to him." With a soft smile, she watched her husband nod and rise from his seat.

Adam looked out his balcony window, throwing open the glass doors in anger. He not understand? How blind was his father?! With one last look around, Adam climbed quickly over the balcony rail and grabbed onto a sturdy branch of the tree that stood outside his room. If he wasn't needed there or constantly ignored, who would miss him if he were gone? Surly his mother and father didn't have time for him; that was obvious. Their work was always took priority over everything else. Climbing down the tree hastily, he jumped from the lowest branch, which stood a good five feet from the ground. Without hesitation, he raced for the stables, straight to Renegade's stall.

The horse released a surprised snort at seeing the youth suddenly appear at his stall door, the night sky creeping over the Earth. The sun was setting low over the hills and the young man never came out this late.

Adam pushed open the stall door, his anger and frustrations not allowing him time or a chance to rethink his actions. Mounting Renegade's back and entwining his fingers in the stallion's mane, he spurred the ready creature into a quick gallop as the two raced away from the palace, off through the town and out into the vast, uninhabited wilderness.

Heero slowly came upon Adam's door, the light from his room shining underneath the oak entrance. Knocking softly, the tired man waited an answer, but none came. "Adam? Look, I need to talk to you. I'm sorry about this evening, there wasn't an excuse for it. Adam, open the door." Reaching for the doorknob when no movement was heard, Heero found it to be locked. "Never thought I'd have to do this again." Digging into his pocket and bringing out a small object, the ex-pilot proceeded in picking the lock. Finishing in seconds and opening the door, Heero was prepared for his son's extreme anger but was met with an empty room instead. "Adam?"

No reply sounded, the curtains that hung over the balcony doors blowing in the slight breeze.

Looking about, Heero released a sigh upon seeing that Adam wasn't there and that he obviously didn't want to talk. Soft footsteps behind him set the young father on edge, but turned only to find his wife.

"What's wrong?"

"Adam's not here, he's probably down with Renegade." Looking about the room, he turned the light off and headed toward the stables.

Adam raced on, but slowed Renegade to a trot for the poor beast was becoming tired. "Just a little longer Renegade, then we'll be safe." Stopping the horse and listening to the silence of the evening, he sighed in content. The summer crickets filled the air with their songs, a bird or two calling across the fields from time to time, their sweet harmonious voices carried on the wind. Urging his weary horse to the right, he headed down the lonely road. The only other relatives he had that lived on Earth were his Uncle Duo and his Aunt Hilde and the young prince needed somewhere to stay. Besides, his uncle had always promised him that should he need somewhere to go or someone to talk to, he was always welcome.

A light drizzle fell from the clouding sky, the rain drops cold and ominous on the depressing night.

Heero came upon Renegade's stall, finding it empty and the horse gone. The saddle and reigns were still in their place, but he knew his son better. Adam didn't need the saddle or reigns to ride. "He's not here, and I don't think he's gone out for a ride either." Turning to Relena, he shook his head wearily and embraced his queen.

"He's never runaway before Heero." Leaning into his embrace, Relena knew that her little boy would only go to one other person. "We should call Duo."

Heero nodded, Adam's only other place of refuge at his uncle's home. "I'll go call him, why don't you go and rest. Adam'll go to Duo's and Duo will let or rather make him stay, knowing Duo's protective nature. He'll be safe."

Adam jumped off of the tired stallion, the beast panting heavily after the hard and instant run. Walking in the rain through the dusty road, the teenager walked aimlessly. He didn't really care about the rain or the cold wind, he was still upset over his father's words.

A small light shown as a beacon to the youth, it's true light shining brightly in the small country house.

With a gladdened sigh Adam walked down the hill, now only yards from his uncle's house. His aunt had finally gotten his uncle to settle down in the country, away from the normal city life that he was used to. "We're almost there Renegade, just a little further." Nearing the house, Adam knocked softly upon the wooden door.

Duo heard the knock, unsure of who or what would be out and about in the steadily increasing rain in the middle of nowhere. Standing from the kitchen table and reaching for the doorknob, he was surprised to find his nephew staring back at him. "Adam! Hey, what are you doing out there? If I knew you were coming by I would have…. Adam?" There was something in the boy's eyes, a pain and confusion greater than anything he'd ever seen. With a warm smile, he placed a comforting hand on the young man's shoulder. "Come on in Adam, I'll go put your horse away."

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"What are you doing all the way out here Adam? I didn't expect ya, like I said. It's cool, you're welcome to stay as long as you want, but you look like you need to talk about it." Duo handed his nephew a cup of hot chocolate, Hilde always made it when Adam visited because she knew he had a sweet tooth for it, and sat on the couch across from the youth.

Adam felt the warmth of the cup on his hands, feeling better about being in the house with his aunt and uncle. He had changed his clothes, he was about the same height as Duo and he didn't really care much that they were baggier than his normal attire. Sighing, he nodded and started talking. "I just couldn't stay at home anymore. All this time, I've put up with my parents working at home, always near non-stop, always too caught up in the paperwork to care about anything else. Mom finally kicked Dad out of his study this morning and we talked, he said that we could go riding or do something this afternoon. I waited with the horses ready for two hours in front of the stables, then in front of the house and he never came out of the room until dinner. He just forgot about it and me. He's always doing that! My mother does the same thing and I'm just tired of it. Then he tries to tell me that I'm not old enough to understand what he's doing! He's never let me, and then he turns around and…." Looking away with hatred and anger in his blue eyes, Adam felt his breathing increase.

Duo looked on in pity, for he knew all too well the feeling that Adam was experiencing, only for him it was under different circumstances. Adam was missing his mother and father and hated the feeling of being lonely, only because his parents didn't take the time off from the world's needs and pay attention to their son's. "I know what you mean buddy, I've been down that road quite often. Don't worry about it, you can stay here tonight and go back whenever you're ready."

Adam looked at his uncle in uncertainty. "Will you let me?"

Duo laughed, surprised that he still had to ask that question. "Of course I will, do you think I'd actually kick you out or make you go home in this? I know exactly what you're saying and I think it'd be better if you had some time away from everything, to relax and think over things. Everything's much easier to settle and figure out when you've had time to cool down. Come on, let's get your bed ready and you possibly into it. You look tired." Standing and clapping his hand on Adam's shoulder, he was pleased to see the young prince smile in gratitude.

Adam felt a lot of his anger drain after talking with Duo, his uncle always knew how to understand him. With a weary sigh, Adam let his uncle fix the bed while he sat in the overstuffed chair, feeling the exhaustion from the day actually settling upon him. Without hesitation, he fell onto the bed and let himself relax as he felt Duo watch over him, for Adam really didn't care. Actually, he didn't mind the feeling of someone standing watch over him, giving him a sense of security and worth. "Please don't call my parents or ask them to come down here, I don't want to talk to them. At least don't call them for now, please?"

"All right, Adam. I can understand that." Duo looked over his nephew a final time to make sure that everything was all right before heading off into his room where Hilde had gone to sleep. She'd given Duo time to talk to his nephew, and it was a well-needed talk indeed.

Grabbing up the vid-phone and opening the screen, he immediately typed in his friend's number and waited for an answer. He'd told Adam that he wouldn't call, but he had to at least tell Heero that his kid was there. Knowing Heero, a war could start up within hours because of his protective nature. "Hey Heero, I guess you kinda know who showed up on our doorstep."

Heero nodded, sleep beckoning to him but he fought it off. "How's Adam doing?"

"He's sleeping now, he's tired and ticked off, that's for sure. I just got done talking to the poor guy and told him he can stay here as long as he needs to. I'd say just give him a little space and time to cool down." Duo didn't want to sound like he was reprimanding Heero's ability to make decisions, especially when it came to his child, but he wanted to help Adam out. A little time alone to cool down would allow the youth to rethink his decisions.

Sighing heavily, Heero rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands. "Thank you, Duo. I'm sorry about all of this."

"Hey don't sweat it, what else are friend's for? Man, I thought that once the war was over I wouldn't have to sit here and save your butt continually. What would you do without me? " With a smirk, Duo tried to lighten the mood. "But seriously, maybe you could stop by in the morning and speak with him or something. I'm not tryin' to nag you or anything, but you do seem to be getting more caught up in work than life and your son needs you. A lil' vacation might not hurt."

"I know, I know. Would you mind if I stopped by in the morning?" Heero knew that his son was in good hands with Duo, but he was still worried as any normal parent would be.

"Absolutely. 'Round what time would ya like to swing by?"

"Would 6 be all right? I know Adam wakes up early and I'd really like to settle this as soon as possible." Heero closed his eyes momentarily, then forced them open again.

"Sure, but get some sleep. You seem to be running a bit low on energy yourself. Don't worry about it, just show up whenever you're awake and rested, we'll be here all day." Duo smiled before closing the connection with Heero.

Adam sat on the couch, tired but angered once again. Even his uncle was lying to him! Standing and rising from the couch, he knew he couldn't stay. If Duo was going to lie to him, then he obviously didn't want him around, so why should he stay? Opening the front door, Adam looked back one last time before he sprinted out into the falling rain, running down the road toward the city once more.

Author's Note: Okay, this was a spur of the moment idea and I'm going to see how well I do. ~smiles~ Hope you liked it! Actually, I wrote the best part and then I have to write everything that leads up to that, so it does get better! I've been told I'm evil later on, so just a prewarning. ~nothing sick, I just seem to have a habit of torturing the characters~ Well, if you want to help me out, please review. Thanks for reading this! Look for the next chapter....