Duo opened the new laptop that Heero gave him for his birthday. Like most of the children from the war, he wasn't sure exactly when the actual event was, so Heero had decided that Duo was definitely an Aquarius and told him to choose his birthday accordingly. Then it was just a matter of choosing between January 22nd and February 22nd, so he had decided by throwing a dart at the calendar, and luck made it February 13th, after twelve throws that landed consecutively on January 29th.

Heero had decided that he was tired of losing his laptop every time the braided former Gundam pilot needed to do a research paper, so he was going to just procure him one from the same place he had acquired his from, but Relena would have none of it, insisting that she could afford to purchase one. So after the long argument that followed, in which she claimed that if he was going to live under her roof, he needed to think about a change of habit, and he countered that if he wanted to live the life of a spoiled rich snob he could move back in with Quatre and Zechs and at least get better satisfaction in the bedroom, instead of the polite sex that they always had in her fluffy pink nightmare of a room.

Somehow the argument was good for the both of them, Heero delivered the purple and gunmetal grey computer, and Relena went on a shopping spree with an interior designer named Serge and Quatre, the trio comparing notes on Heero and Quatre giving Relena new ideas to try on her fiancee.

Duo's first impression of the new Heero that stood on his welcome mat, green 40's style overcoat dripping water on the absorbent mat, and thankfully not on the newly refinished hardwood floor, was that he was a man that had been newly conquered, and yet he could see the self-satisfied grin that Heero always wore when he had triumphed over a new enemy. Opening the box that his former leader had given him provided more questions than answers.

"Wait here. I'll get you something to put your wet coat in. You must at the very least stay for coffee. I think Hilde bought some the last time she went shopping." Duo said, setting the box and its contents down on the table in the entryway next to the coat rack and stopping the Japanese man from leaving as he had turned to do so. The braided pilot ran down the hall before Heero could respond, disappearing into the hall closet and coming out with a hanger and a towel, he went to the kitchen and found under the sink one of the fifty gallon bags he used to pick up trash outside in the courtyard that the neighborhood kids liked to play in. Setting the coffee to brew, and grabbing an extra bag to lay on the floor for Heero to step on as he removed his wet boots along with the coat he returned to the entry way to see Heero with a puzzled look on his face.

"Hilde lives with you? I didn't know you were trying to be straight?" Heero questioned as Duo lay the black plastic down in front of him before handing him the towel and hanger.

Duo looked at him with a curious expression on his face, "No, she goes shopping for me. I tend to forget to buy groceries, so she comes by twice a week to restock my pantry so I don't starve."

Heero laughed, "I'm sure you must keep her busy with your appetite."

Duo stuck out his tongue, "It's just lucky for you that she was here yesterday."

They had discussed many things before Heero left at Relena's call: the war, Trowa and Iria's wedding, Zechs and Quatre's commitment ceremony, Relena. It was surprising that they had fell into such an easy camaraderie, given the way Heero had left before.

Duo,

I don't expect you to understand it, but I can't go on any longer like this. There is nothing here for me but misery and resentment. It was fun during the war, but now that the war is over I need to move on. I'm in love with Relena. We've been seeing each other for a while now, and we want to see where it would go, so she's asked me to move in. I never thought it would come to this. Good bye, Duo. And good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Heero

The note was just laying on the night stand. Duo arrived home from work, taken a quick shower, and sat in front of the television for nigh on about six hours before his stomach protested that he hadn't eaten anything yet. The clock shown midnight, and it was then that he began to look around the house, Heero should have been back at seven.

All the drawers were empty, everything was gone, and then he found the note. And his hand picked up the phone of its own volition, dialing his number which went straight to voice mail. "You Fucking Asshole! I don't know why we ever thought you were so damn great. Don't even have the balls to face me or pick up your damned phone. You Fucking Cocksucker. Hope you and the pink bitch have a great life. You fucking deserve each other." Duo threw the phone across the room, it shattered into a million pieces against the portrait on the wall of the two of them, shattering the supposedly shatterproof frame as well.

Luckily, Quatre had been tipped off by Heero and was on his way over, or else Duo might not have made it. Quatre used Heero's key to let himself in, not bothering with the formalities of knocking, and found Duo in the bedroom, sitting on the floor, beating the ground with his fists, where he had laid the picture out, blood spraying all over the wall from where he had slit his wrists, the picture almost totally blocked out by the red.

That was four years ago. Now, Duo was again alone, but it was alright now. He survived seeing Heero again, and it didn't hurt anymore. He returned to the entryway and retrieved his birthday gift, taking it to the living room, he set it down on the coffee table before sitting down himself on the floor in order be at the same level with the computer.

He opened the laptop and pressed the power button, instantly surprised that the screen came on to an already opened file which was a newspaper article about humanitarian efforts on L2 colony. "Cleaning up the slum of space. A former rebel sets to make amends for the brutality of war." Duo read the headline aloud, wondering why it was on the screen. Not bothering to read the actual article, he scrolled down to the photo section, the first set was pictures of the L2 that Duo remembered, a tear coming to his eye as he saw a pile of rubble that still had legible writing from the building's facade, "well Church." The next series showed an entirely different view, cleaned up streets, beautiful city parks, and a new building that looked too much like it had before the war, Maxwell Church, and standing on the steps in front of the building was none other than Chang Wufei, shaking hands with the priest and sisters who were no doubt running the new church.

"Wufei. Is that where the fuck you've been hiding these past ten years? But why L2, buddy? I'm sure your family's colony was worse off." Duo said to the computer screen.

"Maxwell, I knew how much it would mean to you." Wufei's answer caused the former Gundam pilot to jump up, thermo-weapon drawn from under the coffee table, he spun around, surveying the room to find it was still empty. Looking at the computer screen, Wufei's face was in the bottom corner of the screen, light sounds of laughter coming from the computer as he had seen Duo's reaction. "Maxwell, sit down. I'm still on the colony. I've been waiting all day for you to open your present. Yuy didn't say it was going to take so long."

Duo grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head as he sat back down at the computer. "My fault. We finally had a chance to talk things out."

Wufei nodded in understanding. He too had talked with Heero and laid everything out on the table. Each had forgiven the other: Heero for Wufei taking up arms against them with the Mariemaia situation, and Wufei for Heero treating Duo like shit. "Yes, and I believe that now it is time you and I had a chance to talk. Look again in the box, there should be a ticket for a shuttle. Your bags are already at the terminal. You now only have thirty minutes to get to the terminal, but I know that there is a patrol car waiting in front of your apartment complex to get you there fast. I can't wait to see you, Maxwell, face to face. You'll be the first one of us that to come here, I hoped it would be you."

Duo got up and looked out the window that overlooked the street, there was indeed a squad car parked on the curb, a police officer was leaning on the car looking up at his window. The officer waved and Duo waved back before returning to the computer. "I'll see you in a couple of hours."

Wufei smiled as the lid began to close on the computer, Duo not bothering to turn it off.

Duo rummaged through the tissue paper in the box and found the ticket, and putting the laptop in the bag that was also hiding under the tissue he was out the door.

"Mr. Maxwell," the police officer said, tipping his hat. "You'll be riding up front, with me." He opened the passenger side door, tossing his cigarette carelessly at the trash bin near the curb.

Duo watched as the butt went into the bin, flashed him one of his signature smiles, and climbed in. "To the shuttle. And it's Duo, by the way."

"Dee. Dee Laytner" the officer said1, pointing at himself before closing the door.

He went around the front of the car, and Duo couldn't help but appreciate the specimen of masculinity in front of him. Gawd, it's been way too long. Dee climbed behind the wheel, and Duo too quickly looked away to the sidewalk, missing Dee's smug smile. "So how long have you been a cop?" Duo asked, not turning to look at him.

"Well, I'm actually a detective. I've just been assigned to work the beat temporarily. And I'm driving you as a personal favor to Chang." Dee boldly raked his eyes over Duo. "But he didn't warn me that you were such a looker. You and he involved or anything?"

Duo turned back to look at the cop, "You know Wufei?"

Dee chuckled, "Let me get you to the shuttle before it leaves without you." Jeez, between Ryo pushing me away and this guy barely noticing me. It's enough to crush a guy's ego. He put the car in gear and sped off.

"So, Detective, I assume you got into major trouble to be demoted to the beat."

Dee winked, "I stay in trouble."

Duo decided that it would be best if he didn't pursue any further conversation with the Detective, since it was obvious that not only was he going to evade any questions, but he was definitely stirring up trouble for Duo if he planned on being on the shuttle. It had been so long that he knew if this hunky cop made a move, he'd jump him right here in the car. "I don't think that Wufei would consider us anything. He just wanted me to see what he's done in person."

"That's too bad. He really needs someone." Dee looked serious now, and Duo looked out the window at the stoplight they were approaching. It had been green a while, but there was another squad car parked at the red light. "Want some action?" Dee asked, turning on the siren and flashing lights, and picking up speed, they sped through the yellow light. The other squad car followed suit, turning into traffic behind them.

"What's the situation, Dee?" a gentle masculine voice came over on the walkie talkie on Dee's cellphone.

"Tee hee." Dee said, picking up the phone to respond. He used it to point to the car behind, "My partner." Duo looked back and saw the car also had only one occupant. No one riding shotgun.

"Nothing, Ryo. Just got to make it to the shuttleport before the next flight to L2 leaves. Follow me, and we'll have dinner." Neither had come over on the station's radio, like they were trying to keep everything off of police radars.

"Sure. But what's at the shuttleport?"

"Oh." I almost forgot since he accepted my invite. "I've got a VIP in the car with me. He's going by Chang's personal invite."

"Oh! Hi Duo." Duo raised an eyebrow at the comment.

"Um... Hi. How do you know who I am?" Duo asked. The shuttleport was coming into view and Dee picked up speed.

"Oh, Wufei talked about you all the time. I hope everything works out for you. We'll definitely have to talk later. I'd like to meet the infamous Duo Maxwell." Dee stopped the car, turning off the siren and lights. Ryo pulled in right behind him, getting out of the car to let Duo out.

Now Duo knew how he'd look with short hair. Ryo's chestnut hair and facial features so mirrored his own, down to the cute nose and smile. Only the black eyes disarmed him. They suggested a mixed breeding of some kind, he must be part Asian. Ryo pulled Duo into a hug, "I've waited so long to meet you, but I feel like I've known you forever."

Duo breathed a sigh of relief as the final boarding call was announced. Ryo had insisted on escorting him to the gate, and Dee, jealous as always, was determined to come along and placed himself between them the whole way.

The American pilot had found out in the course of their conversation that Ryo had shared his apartment with Wufei while they were in college. Dee had looked concerned about that fact. Especially since Ryo said that they had kept in touch once Wufei had left for the colonies, having dinner together from time to time. Ryo even used his connections to help Wufei find some people, who exactly he was searching for Ryo wouldn't say.

Once the shuttle took off, Duo took out the lap top. Again Wufei's smiling face was in the bottom corner of the screen, though now a different document filled the main part of the screen. It was a three dimensional rendering of a memorial dedicated to those lost during the war. It was a stone angel, and he was looking down in sorrow, clutching his staff across his body, his fist rested above his heart. His wings draped about him like a cape or a blanket, barely shielding his nakedness, and a cross rose up behind him on the hill he was standing on. The wings were unique in that the scaled feathers caught strange shadows in the light. Closer inspection revealed that the staff was a scythe, blade to the ground, and the naked angel had a long braid down his back.

"The artist called it Shinigami, Bringer of Peace." Wufei said as the image on the screen rotated. "She did one for each of the colonies, but I must say yours is the most moving. Each feather is the face of an innocent who lost their life due to the war."

"It's naked." Duo said.

"It's art. And they all are. You should see Quatre's." Wufei laughed, pushing a button on his computer to load the file. Quatre's wings were raised in all the splendor of majesty though his gaze was cast down in humility. His arms were crossed at his chest, as if he were hugging himself. His feet barely touched the pedestal that was surrounded by miniature Maganac Corps mobile suits, kneeling in supplication. Sandrock, Heart of Space.

Duo laughed, one of those laughs that totally takes over your body, and Wufei quickly changed the picture, in case he drew attention from one of the passengers on the mostly empty shuttle. "They haven't been done yet. Lu just turned in the designs. I'm considering having her add clothes to them, at least a scarf or perhaps Isaiah's wings.2"

A surprised look crossed Duo's face. "You know of Isaiah's vision of heaven? I didn't think that it would fit in your beliefs." He gazed at the new file in front of him. Angelic Trowa, Lion sitting at his feet, his mane covering his neither regions, and a lamb draped over his shoulder. Wings unfurled as he too was looking down, his pedestal was that looked like one of the rings from a circus. Heavyarms, Guardian of Spirit.

"Of course. It was part of my studies in college. Do you want to see Heero's, or would you rather talk?"

"Both. But I don't know what to talk about. It's been ten years, Wufei. You've grown up, and so have I. We shall need to get to know each other again, ne? And you should have to explain why you never remarried."

"I've never done a lot of things." Wufei said wistfully. "You'd be surprised just what I've never done."

Duo laughed, "Yeah. A merry widower like yourself, women falling all over you, men too for that matter, not like you noticed either. But that was all during the war, and you are so much more handsome now, you can't tell me there is a lot you haven't done. I met Ryo, you know."

Wufei smiled, "Ryo is still a virgin. He's such a newbie. Still isn't sure if he's gay or straight." He winked. "Not that I ever tried to get with him. It would be too weird. Like trying to get with your brother."

"Oh, you noticed that too. What is he mixed with?" Duo asked, looking at Heero's statue on the screen, Wing, Deliverer of Vengeance. Naked except for the belt his scabbard was tied to, sword drawn and raised proudly to the heavens in one hand, a shield of valor on the other arm, resting at his side. His feet were apart, giving him a very domineering stance. Rather than casting his look down, Heero's statue was looking straight ahead, as if staring into the viewer's soul. And Duo remembered that look well. "Damn! Lu is a good artist." he said under his breath, hoping no one heard him.

"I see you approve of his statue at least, but stop drooling, you'll cause a scene." Wufei mock-chided, and suddenly Duo was aware of a sudden tightness to his pants. Wufei quickly closed the file, making his face fill the screen.

"Not fair, 'Fei. I didn't get to see yours."

"Oh, well, you aren't missing anything." Wufei began typing on his keyboard while Duo used the touch pad on the laptop to open the documents folder and briefcase folder to hopefully access the file before Wufei deleted it. It was in the briefcase and Duo quickly copied it to the documents folder, putting a password on it so the Chinese man would have to work at deleting it. "Damnit, Duo! Why do you have to be like that?!"

"You got to see them all, I want to too. It's only fair after all." Duo blew him a kiss before loading the file, Nataku, Warrior of Justice. He stood legs spread as wide as he could go and still have a firm stance. Most of his weight, if it were him, was on the back foot, his front arm, which was on the same side as his front leg, was fully extended palm down, level with his shoulder and hovering above his knee. His other hand held a single edged tai chi sword, parallel to the ground and held close to his chest, elbow out. His hair was loose and captured as if the wind was blowing it up and back. He too was looking straight into the viewer's soul. His was a hungry look, and his wings looked blown in the same direction of his hair, as was his manhood. "Where did Lu get her information on our appearance. I mean, 'Fei, do you really look like that?"

Wufei couldn't help but laugh. "Remember when Sal sent us those release documents, the ones that said she could release our full body scans to Imzhang Corp? Well that was me, and I commissioned Lu to create them."

"You're Imzhang Corp?" Duo blinked, looking away from the statue to the man it had been fashioned after. "Where did you get the money?"

"It was part of my wife's legacy, and some came from the war, saved from working with the Preventers, and some from Oz itself. I figured it would be best to use it to help remove the affects of the war, though not entirely."

Duo licked his lips returning his eyes to the statue. "So these statues are from our medical scans." Damn! I'm just going to have to see how accurate the statue is to the real Warrior of Justice.

"Excuse me, Sir. Can I get you anything?" the stewardess said, startling both men. Wufei turned red, trying in vain to remotely close the open file while Duo quickly pulled the complimentary pillow from the seat next to him on his lap.

"Just a soda." Duo managed to say.

The stewardess began giggling, seeing the image on the screen. "Your boyfriend is quite a looker."

Wufei cleared his throat. "He's not my boyfriend. We're just friends." Duo protested, closing the open file so Wufei's face would fill the screen.

"I didn't mean to offend." she said, handing Duo his drink. "And sir, it is quite a work of art." She looked back to Duo "If you need anything else. Anything at all. Don't hesitate to ask."

Duo winked at her, "I'll be sure to keep that in mind."

Wufei stifled a laugh, waiting til she was safely away before commenting. "You're such a flirt. You ever think of telling these girls that fall all over you that you don't like girls?"

"Have you ever thought of telling the men that fall all over you that you don't like boys?" Duo said, with an accusatorial glare.

"I never said I was straight. And I never said I was gay." Wufei protested.

"So which is it?" Duo asked.

"I haven't had a chance to decide. Since Meilan died, there was the war and now this reconstruction project, I haven't had a chance to find someone for me." Wufei said, looking defiantly into Duo's eyes. Though I do have someone in mind.

The shuttle landed and Wufei had left his office, from where he had been talking to Duo, a few minutes before its scheduled arrival so he could be waiting at the terminal for him. When they had last seen each other they had been about the same height, Duo was 5'4" and he had been 5'2", but he realized that it must have changed, especially since he now stood at the regal height of 5'11" he had no idea how much the American might have grown. He smiled when he saw Duo, almost a full head above the rest of the people who disembarked. He had to be at least 6 feet tall.

Duo saw Wufei standing opposite door where the shuttle had been docked, leaning on a pillar, watching the movements from the shuttle. His eyes widened as he saw a man in a business suit, probably a native to the colony, stop and had to literally look up to talk to the Chinese man. Few words were spoken and he saw the man hastily retreat as Wufei now searched the crowd for him again, their eyes met, and he gave him the look that the statue of the warrior of justice would give the world. Duo could feel his knees try to buckle just from the look, and tried to gently push his way past the colonists who were returning home to meet his Dragon.

Wufei was surprised when Duo emerged from the sea of people leaving the shuttle and ran directly for him, wrapping him up in one of those hugs that he had always given him during the war. The Chinese man had to admit to himself that it was these exuberant signs of affection that he missed most about the American. Duo could always find some way of making him feel cared for, less alone. Wufei leaned into the hug, holding onto him as if he were life itself rather than Death Incarnate, as the self titled Shinigami would call himself.

"Damn 'Fei, you got sexy." Duo said, loosening the hug so he could look into Wufei's eyes, which were almost at his eye level. He playfully kissed his Chinese captive on the cheek, then on the sensitive spot on his neck between his ear and shoulder, before tightening his grip again. "I think I'll have to keep you for myself."

Wufei indignantly sputtered, trying not to melt into the embrace. He knew the American would usually utter such nonsensical phrases when they returned from missions where one of them might have died. So why did it feel different now? "Duo, did you check any bags?"

"Nope. All I have is my laptop and this one satchel. I had Dee and Ryo take the rest back to my apartment. Heero had Quatre pack for me, so you know how much luggage he filled. It's not like I'm moving here, and even if I were, you know that I don't really need that much. Whatever I missed packing we can get from one of the stores here. Help the economy." Duo ended the hug, keeping his left arm about Wufei's waist, tucking his hand into Wufei's left back pocket. He felt Wufei's right arm do the same as his right hand disappeared into his right back pocket, as the Chinese man's head rested on his shoulder and together they walked out of the shuttleport. And you wonder why everyone thinks we're a couple.

Coming out on the street, Duo remembered why he liked the colony side of shuttleports better than the ones on Earth. Since the docking and unloading usually took place just inside the outer walls of the colony, the facade shown on the inside of the colony looked more like a storefront than the acres of wasted space that you found on Earth.

"My apartment is just a couple of blocks away. Do you want to walk or ride?" Wufei asked, not moving his head from Duo's shoulder.

Duo blinked at the artificial light of the colony. The sun was just setting in New York but here it looked as if the colony was barely waking. "Let's walk, please. If you are sure its safe."

"It is. I walk everywhere, for the most part. The people here respect what I've done to improve their homes, and their quality of life." He sighed contentedly. "I've missed you, Duo. I don't think I've realized how much until just now. I've had no one to talk to, not that cared. I wanted to contact you sooner, but I wasn't sure how you would feel about me interrupting your life with Heero. I didn't know about your breakup until Ryo sent me the announcement in the paper about Relena's upcoming nuptials. I wanted to kill him for breaking your heart after Trowa and Iria told me what happened. I didn't understand how he could do that to you. I know I never could. I lo..." Wufei stopped his words. I can't say, "I love you, Duo. I've waited all these years for you to be free so that we could be together. I've been with no one else because I was saving myself for you."

Duo's eyes widened at Wufei's confession. "You saved yourself for me?!"

Wufei blinked, jerking his head up from Duo's shoulder, he withdrew his hand from Duo's pocket and tried to pull away. "I said that?"

Duo stopped, a little confused. "Yeah... right after you said you loved me and were just waiting for me to be free." He saw the horror cross the Chinese man's face and realized immediately that he had said too much. "But then again we've been up all night so it was probably just fatigue talking. I won't hold you to it... unless you want me to." He pulled the Chinese man back into his arms. "Come on 'Fei. We were so relaxed before. I'm tired now, so we can talk when I wake up. Take me home."

Wufei settled back into Duo's embrace. "Alright, Maxwell. Let's go home."

They entered Wufei's 5th level apartment still linked together. It was obvious that Wufei was expecting Duo to not take the extra luggage that Quatre packed, since the exact luggage was sitting in the guest room Wufei escorted Duo to. "I had Ryo send it on an earlier flight."

"So what's in my apartment?" Duo asked.

"Movers loading the rest of it under Hilde's supervision. She's kicking you out of the apartment. She has new lodgers moving in." Wufei smiled. "Ryo and Dee need a place together, that's closer to the precinct, and Dee is taking ownership next week."

"So where am I going to live? Or did you think that I was going to jump into your bed on sight?" Duo said, playful tone in his voice, trying to cover his annoyance. He loved his apartment. Sure he hadn't slept in the bedroom since Heero left, and he couldn't walk around the silent house without hearing the clack of Heero's laptop keys.

"No. You'll be moving into Dee's old place in Hilde's building. That way she doesn't have to drive all the way across town to refill your kitchen." Wufei disentangled himself from the American ex-pilot. "I've just got one question. Why didn't you have the blood in your bedroom cleaned up? Where did you sleep for the past four years?"

"To tell you the truth, I usually watch TV until I pass out. I haven't been in the room in the past four years. Luckily my clothes were all kept in a hall closet. I just really miss that sword you gave me before we all parted ways. Quatre took it since that's what I used to slit my wrists. I couldn't see using something you gave me to rip out my heart, everyone would blame you for my death. At least slitting my wrist, everyone would know that it was my fault." Duo felt a little self-conscious as Wufei took both hands by the wrists and turned them up to face him. Owing to the sharpness of the sword, and the skill of Quatre's thermo-fuser, the scarring was kept to a minimum, even though the skin in that area was now more sensitive to touch. He visibly shuddered as Wufei absently ran his thumbs over the area. "Uhh Wufei, I need some sleep."

Wufei looked up from the wrists he held to twin purple orbs, wide in shock. Self-consciously, he released the wrists he held, putting his hands behind his back and tucking them into his own back pockets, keeping them secure from touching the American. "Sure. Get some rest. I'll have something to eat waiting for you when you wake up."

"Thanks." Duo said, moving towards the bed as Wufei retreated from the bedroom to the sanctuary of his own room.

Duo awoke to the rumbling in his stomach, as it protested, making him realize that the last time he had anything was the soda on the shuttle and before that the coffee with Heero. Breakfast had been his last meal, and looking at his watch, which read 0600, still on New York time, it had been almost a full day since he'd had anything to eat. Raising the darkening shades he had lowered before climbing into bed, he could see the glow of the city at night, which resembled his beloved Big Apple so much, he almost felt like the events of the day before had been a dream were it not for the Asian style of the decor of the room. Not typical Wufei, he knew that this was the hallmark of an interior designer who was trying to make sure that any guest staying here would think that Wufei had totally clung to his Chinese heritage mixed with typical American flamboyance. Going into the en suite bathroom, he freshened up his appearance, changing into the outfit he had thought to pack, the one that resembled the one he hadn't worn since the war. Donning the black priest shirt, jodhpurs, and slipping on the silver cross that had been his legacy since birth, and slipping on the house slippers that Wufei had placed just inside the door, since it was apparent the Chinese man had taken all his shoes out of the bedroom and had probably placed them in on a special shelf by the door, he walked out of the bedroom into the dimly lit hall.

He had slept a full twelve hours, his body finally getting some of the sleep it had been deprived of for the past four years. Looking at the clock in the hall, which glowed like the full moon that the colonists never saw in their night sky, it read 2245, and he frowned. "Wufei?" he said, quietly, barely above a whisper, as to not awaken the Chinese man if he had gone to sleep waiting.

"I'm in the kitchen." Wufei's deep melodic voice said, beckoning him down the hall, where he could now see light spilling in from an open archway.

Taking quick steps down the hall, he made his way to the area where the light was coming from, the smell of hot food wafting to his nose, making his mouth water. Entering the kitchen, he saw the Chinese man standing at the stove, clad in faded blue jeans that clung to him like a second skin, and a white button up shirt that was thrown loosely on, not even buttoned over the white tank he wore underneath. Over it all was a red and white gingham apron which, while bringing the loose shirt tight over his butt, hid that part of him that the angel had displayed in full glory. "Damn! Wufei, I don't know whether or not to eat the food or you." Duo said, playful jester's mask in place. The only way he had been able to stay aloof during the war, and he decided it would be best for now, especially since he came to L2 to see the colony, not for a quick fuck.

Wufei turned to look at the American, smiling as he saw the familiar costume, recognizing it for what it was, a protective cloak to hide himself in. "Well, I do have some whipped cream in the fridge." He gave his guest a suggestive smile. "But if I know you, your stomach would rather you eat the food."

Duo smiled, "You're probably right. I haven't eaten anything in 24 hours, and you know how I can be." He began to pile food up on a plate that Wufei had already set out for him.

"Save room on the plate for the omelette." Wufei folded the omelet over twice before placing it on the plate that Duo extended towards him so that it would be easier for him.

"Thanks." Duo said as he moved towards the kitchen table. Smelling the food, a combination of breakfast to dinner entrees, he whistled appreciatively as he looked under the lid of all the items he had yet to serve for himself, having only taken from the dishes Wufei still had on the stove. "Man, were you burning off nervous energy or what? I swear you've enough here to feed an army."

"I've only enough there to feed a Duo, with enough left over maybe to feed myself and Lien." Wufei took a plate down from the cabinet to sit at the table and eat.

"Who's LeeAnn?" Duo asked, pausing only for a moment to get the question out.

"L. I. E. N. Li-en. Lien is asleep right now, you'll meet her after school tomorrow. She can't be up at all hours, she's just a little girl, and my nearest surviving relative. My wife's sister, Long Lien, she was just a baby when I left the colony, and fortunately was sent to live with a peasant family on Earth, which is why she wasn't killed when Nataku's grandmother destroyed the colony."

"So, you're little sister lives with you?" Duo asked, batting his eyelashes at his host, who began blushing furiously.

"Yes. My dead wife's eleven-year-old little sister is under my guardianship. She has a semi-normal life. She gets up every morning at 0430, after Tai Chi and breakfast, she gets ready and is at school by 0630, then she's back by 1700. Yesterday she spent the night with a friend. Tonight she's here, in her room. If you wake up in time, you can meet her in the morning. Otherwise you'll have to wait til after school."

"Legal guardian?" Duo asked, leering at Wufei, suggestively.

"Duo, get your mind, as you say, out of the gutter. She's my little sister. She's like a daughter to me." He had begun to angrily slap food on his plate.

"Well it's no wonder you're not having wild monkey sex with anyone who bats their eyes at you. You have a live in chaperone."

Wufei slammed down the plate he had been filling onto the table in frustration and annoyance, making the whole table shake as he did. "For your information, with the exception of my wedding day... no, not even on my wedding day, I've never been kissed, let alone gone any further than that. Mei and I were too young, too headstrong, we never consummated the union. And then, with the war and such, I never had the time to want sex, never mind figure out who I wanted it from.

"I've been living like an eunuch for so long,... let's just drop it okay? One more word about my sex life, or lack thereof, tonight and I'll go..." Duo had done it. He had infuriated him so much, gotten under his skin, he had almost gone back to his mantra from the war. The clothes, the smile, and even the jibes that frustrated him so much, they made him want something he shouldn't. Back then it had been so hard sometimes, even meditation didn't loosen the tightness in his loins, but today he had no retreat, Nataku was gone.

"You gonna worship Nataku?" Duo said playfully. "Don't worry, 'Fei. No more talk of sex tonight. It is much more fun to do."

"What's more fun to do?" The little girl's voice intruded on their argument.

Both men guiltily turned to the open doorway to see the little girl standing there, wearing a deep blue cheongsam like a robe over her powder blue pajamas, with house slippers that matched the material of her dress. Her long, jet black hair was done in twin braids that came down her front, stopping just above her bellybutton.

"Lien, this is that baka American I told you about." Wufei said, getting up to get her a plate from the cupboard.

She carefully appraised him as she approached the table. "You're dressed like Father Stuart. Are you a priest as well?"

Wufei laughed as her question left Duo speechless. "I can see it now. Father Duo Maxwell. The only priest who's mouth can make even the most hardened sailor blush." He sat the empty plate down in front of her as she climbed into the empty seat next to Duo and across from Wufei.

Duo threw a grape at Wufei for his insolence. "Nah, I'm just plain ol' Duo Maxwell, former salvager and current student at NYU. You can call me Duo."

Her sloe eyes lit up behind the thin, wire rimmed glasses she wore for reading, obviously she had been doing just that rather than sleeping, just like Wufei used to do. "The Maxwell Church Demon. We read about you in today's history class. Is it true that you got in Shinigami and used it to exact vengeance on those who caused the destruction of Maxwell Church?"

Duo blushed as he nodded. "Yes. I even shot at our Queen of the World a couple of times, but Heero just kept getting in the way."

The little girl giggled as she removed her glasses so she could see to serve herself up a plate. "I told Meghan it was true."

They ate in silence, Lien watched as each man stole glances at the other when they thought the other wasn't looking. She almost broke into laughter whenever they happened to look at the same time and one or the other would make a lame excuse for looking. The salt was passed between them about fifteen times before she got frustrated and got up from the table. "Just go do it however men do it together. I'm too tired to play chaperone tonight. I'll play my music up so I won't hear a thing." She pushed away from the table. "And don't worry about the dishes, I'll get them in the morning."

The two men just sat there, open-mouthed, and watched as she retreated to her room.

"If Meilan was like that, it's no wonder you were never intimate. Do you want my help with the dishes." Duo recovered first and rose from the table, dish in hand. His appetite had inexplicably vanished, though he felt another hunger rising in his pants.

"No, I'll get them. You go to bed and I'll take you sightseeing tomorrow." And Wufei began stacking containers on the table so they could be put in the refrigerator. Neither man looked at the other. Neither saw the look of hunger present on their faces. Neither was willing to break a friendship that was barely being renewed for a casual fuck.

----end Chapter One----

1 Detectives Dee Laytner and Randy "Ryo" Maclean appear in FAKE a 7 part manga by Matoh Sanami. It also appeared in BeBoy and an OAV by the same name. Manga available in English, released by TokyoPop.

2 Biblical Reference: Isa 6:2 Above it (the throne of God) stood the seraphims: each one had six wings, with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he did fly. It is generally accepted that the two wings that are described as covering the feet do in fact cover the private area.

Original Date Posted: April 11, 2005

disclaimer: I do not own the GW characters, or any other commercially released thing mentioned in the contents therein. I do however own the personas of the characters contained within, and any resemblances to any other author's characters (of the same name or real life persons for that matter) is purely coincidental and is not done with that intent in mind.