A/N: There have been a lot of questions about pairings for this fic… and I left those out on purpose, because, for this fic especially, things aren't always what they may seem…. Rest assured, there WILL be pairings – it being a romance and all, but they might not be what you expect.

And thanks again for all the great reviews, it's wonderful to know that you folks are following my stories and enjoying them. Thanks!

Also, once again, my profound apologies for being so bad at updating regularly. I just started grad school, and I thought I would have more time on my hands… that is so not true. So, expect fairly infrequent updates – but this will be finished and I appreciate all the support you folks have given me!

Warnings: Language, angst, yaoi, the usual….

Chapter 2

When Duo woke the next morning he wasn't surprised to find Quatre still in bed across the hall. While Quatre kept ridiculous hours at his job, the blonde also knew how to have a lie-in. Duo doubted he would be up before ten. During the school year Duo usually set his alarm for six, but since he was on vacation he slept in until seven during the summer.

After a quick shower Duo dressed and set out in search of breakfast and Heero.

Breakfast was easy enough to find. Trowa was in the kitchen making pancakes while Catherine and Izzy sat at the table, anxiously awaiting the food.

Duo smiled a greeting, which Catherine and Izzy both returned.

"Morning," he said to Trowa, who had his back turned.

"Good morning," Trowa said stiffly. Still mad then, Duo decided. He sat down beside Izzy at the table.

"Uncle Trowa's making pancakes," Izzy said.

Duo nodded.

"Smells great, too." He turned to Catherine. "You two must be pretty spoiled with him cooking for you. If last night was anything to go by, your brother is a great cook."

Catherine chuckled.

"It's not a matter of him spoiling us. It's more a matter of survival."

Trowa set a plate down in front of Duo, green eyes just this side of angry.

"It's not that Catherine CAN'T cook. She just isn't any good at it."

Catherine shot him a glare, but Izzy nodded in agreement.

"It's true. The only thing Mom can cook is soup – and that's because it's from a can."

Trowa put a plate stacked high with pancakes down on the table before sitting down on Duo's left.

Izzy immediately dove in, earning a reproachful glare from Catherine and a smirk from Duo.

Duo waited until Izzy had loaded down her plate before he snagged a few pancakes for himself.

"These are amazing!" He said after a bite, hoping to win back Trowa's good graces.

"Thank you," came the somewhat sullen supply.

"No, really. I'm such a snob when it comes to pancakes, and these are the best I've ever had. I might not leave, ever."

Catherine's eyes glittered.

"I'm afraid we'd have to put you to work in that case, Duo."

"No problem. I'm sure I could do something… maybe sweep?"

Izzy laughed.

"Still feeling up for a hike, Mr. Maxwell?" Trowa asked, voice painfully polite.

Catherine looked between Trowa and Duo, frowning.

"Uh, yeah, if Heero's still okay with taking me. I'd really like to."

Trowa nodded.

"I'll find him after we've finished breakfast."

"Oh – um, he doesn't eat with you?" Duo abruptly realized that question might also offend Trowa. But it was too late now.

"Not normally," Catherine said, just as Trowa's eyes started to narrow again. "He likes to get up at dawn, most days. Speaking of, when can we expect to see Mr. Winner this morning?"

"Quatre? He won't be up before ten – oh, and he has these protein shake things for breakfast, even brought his own, so don't worry about that or anything."

Trowa stood up and reached for Duo's plate.

"I'll clean up in here and then get Heero. Duo, you're free to wander around, I'm sure he'll find you."

"No, let me help you with these." Duo grabbed his plate back from Trowa and reached for Catherine's empty plate.

Trowa arched an eyebrow, then turned to Izzy.

"Izzy, can you go find Heero? Tell him that Mr. Maxwell is ready for the hike."

"Okay…" she looked at Duo and shook her head. When she walked by him on her way out of the kitchen she stopped. "You're in trouuuuble," she whispered.

Catherine looked between them again.

"I'll be in the office, working," she said and made her own retreat.

Leaving Duo alone with Trowa, who was once again glaring at him.

Duo stacked a few more plates on top of his and walked over to the sink. He set the plates on the counter and turned.

Trowa was right in front of him, holding the rest of the plates.

"Mr. Maxwell, you are a paying customer, and it is my job to treat you with the respect you deserve." Trowa sucked in a breath and put the plates on the counter. "However, I draw the line at allowing you to make insinuations about my personal life."

"Wha –"

Trowa held up a hand.

"Yes, I am homosexual. But that is no business of yours. Yes, I cook instead of my sister. I LIKE to cook. Again, it isn't any business of yours. I've been doing this for five years and my sexual orientation hasn't been a problem before. If it bothers you, you are more than welcome to leave. But I haven't worked for this, just so people can come out here and judge me."

Duo's jaw dropped.

"Seriously?"

Trowa scowled.

"Whoa. Okay. A few things – I'm nosy, so last night, when I asked about you and Heero, it came out wrong – but I WAS curious. Me complimenting you on cooking – that's all it was, complimenting. Because you really are a great cook. As for me JUDGING you. Um, have you actually seen me and Quatre? I'm the guy with a three foot braid wearing tight t-shirts and cologne to go on a HIKE. And Quatre showed up with brand-new, color coordinated luggage. We – I'm not judging."

There was a moment of silence.

"Okay," Trowa said and turned on the water to start washing dishes.

Duo stood there, confused.

"Um – does this mean you aren't going to leave me to die out in the woods, then? Are we good now?"

Trowa's lips twitched.

"Yes, I suppose it does."

Duo heaved an exaggerated sigh of relief.

"That's good – had nightmares about it last night." Duo paused, looking at Trowa, trying to gauge his mood. "So have you and Heero been together for eight years, then, or –" He stopped abruptly when he spotted Heero walking up to the kitchen from outside.

Trowa smirked.

"Ready?" Heero asked as he opened the door and stuck his head in.

Duo nodded and walked towards him. Heero turned and started to walk away.

"Oh – Mr. Maxwell," Trowa said.

"Duo, call me Duo."

"Duo. I like your cologne."

Duo felt his face flush and he made a speedy escape from the kitchen, ignoring the sound of Trowa chuckling as he closed the door.

"Smooth, Maxwell. Real smooth."

"Talking to yourself is a sign of insanity," a solemn voice said.

Duo looked down at Izzy, who seemed to have appeared from nowhere.

"Um. I'll keep that in mind."

Heero was waiting for him by the porch, a backpack slung over his shoulders, hat firmly in place on his head. Idly, Duo wondered if he ever took it off. Maybe he even showered with it on?

"We'll need to hike one mile every twenty minutes, if we're to make the lookout and then turn around and be back in time for lunch," the blue eyed man said without preamble.

"Er… okay. That doesn't sound too bad."

Heero smirked.

"I doubt you'll be saying that once you see the incline we're on." He looked Duo over, a dubious expression on his face. "Of course, we'll turn back whenever you want, if the hike gets too hard."

Duo bristled.

"I'll keep whatever pace you set, don't worry about that."

The smirk was back.

"We'll see. I hope you were in the mood for some exercise."

And with that the guide turned, heading towards the trees at the edge of the ranch. Duo followed him, trying not to panic as he looked around at the mountains.

Sure, Trowa had promised not to leave him in the woods to die – but he doubted Heero would be willing to make the same promise.

And Heero hadn't been kidding about the workout.

The first hour they hiked in silence. The trail winded uphill at a fairly steep angle, and the ground was shaded by tall, ancient evergreens. The sounds of wildlife were faint and the air had a musky, unfamiliar scent.

It wasn't until they stopped for a brief rest and Heero passed him a bottle of water that Duo thought to ask Heero about their path.

"So, where are we headed?"

Heero took a healthy swig of his own water before responding.

"Towards the Missouri. We'll keep going uphill for another mile, and then it will level off. We should reach the overlook in about an hour, if we keep up this pace."

"What's the smell around here?" Duo asked, feeling bold after Heero had responded in such detail.

"The forest. You aren't used to it, I suppose. It's basically the scent of decay."

"Er, sounds nice."

"It's natural. Further on, closer to the river, the air clears a bit."

"It's not bad, I guess. Just different."

Heero nodded and looked at his watch.

"Let's get back on it."

"Sure, hey, what's that flower over there?" Duo pointed to a round, pinkish flower.

"Bitterroot. State flower."

"Oh." Duo passed the water back to Heero and the two set out again.

"Those trees to our left are red cedars," Heero said after about five minutes of hiking.

"What about the shorter ones, are those –"

"Cottonwood trees."

And so the hike continued, with Heero pointing out vegetation every few minutes or so. Strangely, Duo found himself drawn to the landscape as he learned more about it. It was as though he was learning the lands' secrets. When he was able to tell the difference between dryads and columbines Heero even complimented him.

It was another hour before they reached the lookout, and it took Duo's breath away.

Suddenly the trees parted and a great expanse of wilderness was before him. The Missouri winded through the rocks below and green mountains stretched out beyond, the great blue sky above it all.

"Wow." It was all Duo could say, all he could think as he took in the sheer spectacle of the unspoiled land.

Heero walked up to his side, smirking slightly.

"Wow," Duo repeated as the details of the place – the swirling foam of the rushing river, the sharp fragrance of the trees – reached him.

"Hn."

"This place is amazing."

Heero didn't respond.

"I never knew it was so…"

"Perfect," Heero supplied.

Duo nodded in agreement.

"It just feels, like… like HOME almost. Looking at it… it's like it belongs, and like I belong. Sort of. I…" Duo trailed off, aware he was vocalizing his thoughts and sounded ridiculous.

Heero shook his head.

"I know. The first time I saw it, I thought I wouldn't be able to walk away."

Duo nodded emphatically.

"It's so open. It's like it's welcoming you."

"See that path over there, down by the river? We'll follow that tomorrow." Heero pointed at a place to their right.

"Is most of the trip near the river?"

"A good part. Towards the end we stray a bit. It's easier to stay close to the water, though." Heero paused. "We should head back, if we're going to be on time for lunch."

Duo nodded absently.

"Thank you – for taking me on the hike."

Heero shrugged. "It's my job."

Duo rolled his eyes.

"Still, I appreciate it."

Heero hesitated, then nodded. "You're welcome."

They arrived back at the lunch just as Quatre, Izzy, and Catherine did. Quatre was still in his swim trunks (it had taken nearly an hour of persuasion by Duo to get his friend to pack decent swimwear), with a towel wrapped around his neck as he and Izzy approached.

As they walked out to meet the trio, Duo heard Heero suck in a breath. He felt like smirking himself.

It was no doubt Quatre's torso that had caught Heero's attention.

Quatre might be a workaholic, but he was also addicted to exercise, and it showed. Though he was pale, Quatre was also incredibly toned, and his lean frame showed off his muscles well.

"Not a bad view, huh?" Duo teased.

Beside him Heero scowled and Duo chuckled.

"I don't blame you for looking," Duo continued, "he definitely takes care of himself. Guess it must pay off to be a health nut and have a private gym in your office… I'm a big fan of his abs, personally. His arms are great, mind you, but it's the abs… the way they flex when he walks, or…"

Heero's glare became nuclear and Duo trailed off, content with his minor victory.

As they turned towards the house, he couldn't resist another comment.

"Course, he's convinced you're straight, so if you want to see the tattoo on his ass, you'll have to convince him you think he's hot. Oh, hey, do you want a cup to catch that drool?"

Lunch was pleasant – salad for Quatre and sandwiches for everyone else – and Duo spent the entire time trying to avoid looking at Trowa, afraid to get caught staring.

After that came the riding lessons, which Duo looked forward to about as much as he looked forward to going to the dentist. Quatre, of course, was relaxed about the whole thing – he'd been riding since he was four and had even contemplated a career as an equestrian before his father had forced him into the family business.

The closest Duo had come to a horse before now was a strange encounter with a New York City cop, a memory Duo had blocked out for a long time but that now came back to him as he approached the stables.

"Stop being so apprehensive. It won't be that bad – besides, they can smell your fear and it makes THEM anxious."

Duo glared at Quatre.

"Easy enough for you to say, you didn't get chased through Central Park by one of these beasts when you were seven."

Quatre paused.

"No, you're right about that," he agreed.

Duo rolled his eyes.

"If I die – "

"I get your CD collection and your next door neighbor gets your books, I know."

"Um, I was going to say that I'd come back to haunt you. But your ruthless efficiency is charming, you know."

"I know! People tell me everyday, too, but it's still nice to hear."

Duo chuckled and Quatre grinned at him.

Their jesting had carried them into the stables, where Duo and Trowa were saddling two horses.

Trowa nodded at them.

"We're going to start out with a few laps around the corral, and then we'll try a few miles to the river – to give you a feel for the terrain we'll be taking tomorrow." The tall man led a white, spotted horse towards Duo. It had large, blue eyes and looked slightly demonic. Duo took a step back.

"This is Scythe, she's rather well-behaved, and she'll be your mount for the trip," Duo explained.

"Appaloosa?" Quatre said, coming to inspect the horse. "She's beautiful – really remarkable coloring." He ran a hand over the horse's mane.

Trowa nodded, smiling slightly.

"Thank you, she is. And for you we've got Sandrock. He's a Colorado Ranger." He gestured to the large bay that Heero was still saddling. Quatre moved past Scythe, towards the other horse.

Trowa turned to Duo.

"You'll need to get over your fear of horses if you intend to ride one," he said, smiling slightly.

Duo glared at him.

"Don't you have anything… smaller?"

Trowa shook his head and reached into a pocket, pulling out a carrot.

"Here, feed this to her," he instructed.

Duo took the carrot gingerly. Scythe followed his movement with interest and stepped forward, nose twitching as she smelled the treat.

"Um – " Duo forced himself to remain calm when the horse's mouth opened and then closed over the carrot.

"That's good – just let her finish. Try petting her." Trowa's voice was calm, soothing, and it relaxed Duo enough that he reached out a hand to Scythe's mane.

The horse stood placidly and allowed Duo to pet her.

"Huh. Not so bad," Duo conceded.

"Good. Let's try mounting, shall we?"

There was a suggestive tone in Trowa's voice and Duo shot him a dirty look.

"Come over here, to her side." Duo did as instructed and with Trowa's help he managed to clamber onto the saddle. He awkwardly, holding the reins stiffly and praying he didn't die.

Trowa put one hand on his leg, just above his knee, and squeezed lightly.

"You're doing fine. Scythe will take care of you. She's only ever killed one of her riders, and he wasn't nearly as good looking as you are."

Duo snorted.

"Yeah, I'm sure my stunning good looks have SUCH an effect on her," he muttered.

"She's not the only one," Trowa assured him.

Duo felt his face flush and looked down at the saddle horn, clenched tightly by his left hand.

"Ah –"

Quatre, comfortably mounted on Sandrock, rode past them, led by Heero.

"Shall we?" Trowa asked.

"Sure. Just – let's not go too fast, okay?"

"Okay," Trowa agreed and led them out into the corral.

Quatre was doing laps easily on the other horse, looking like he was born to sit there, while Duo continued to cling onto Scythe for dear life for the next hour.

Trowa taught him some basic commands, and by the end of the hour Duo was slightly reassured that Scythe wouldn't kill him.

"Ready to hit the trail?" Trowa asked.

"No," Duo assured him. "Can't we hike instead?"

"I'm afraid not. It's a bit too far, and the supplies a bit too heavy, to hike."

Duo sighed.

"Okay, then I guess I'm ready."

Trowa nodded.

"Then I'll go saddle up Heavyarms and Wing. Stay right here."

"Yeah, like I'd go anywhere on my own."

Duo watched Trowa walk away, admiring the view, until he saw Quatre also looking. Quatre caught his eye and winked. Duo shook his head, admiring and slightly jealous.

Trowa returned a few minutes later, mounted on the back of a large, brown stallion. He rode towards Quatre.

"We're just going to ride up to the ridge, and then back. That should give both of you a feel for your animals, and the terrain."

"Great. It's wonderful to be riding again, I haven't in years…" Quatre trailed off, wistfully rubbing his hand on Sandrock's mane.

Heero rode out just then on a white horse, and Duo felt proud that he refrained from commenting on the irony.

He seriously doubted that, white horse or no, Heero was a knight in shining armor who would risk saving anyone. Especially Duo.

Three hours later Duo limped back towards the house, cursing animals, nature, and Quatre.

His blonde friend, however, was ecstatic.

"Oh, Duo, we're going to have an amazing time for the next two weeks. Really, getting to experience nature – all of it – it's going to be great."

"Mm. Yeah, can't wait for a repeat of today."

Quatre frowned.

"It really wasn't that bad, Duo."

"I was knocked off my horse by a tree branch and I made an idiot out of myself. How is that not bad?"

Just then Heero strode past them, smirking at Duo.

"Didn't seem that out of place," he said without stopping.

Duo's eyes widened.

"You –" Quatre caught his arm.

"He's just teasing you, Duo."

"Whatever. Are you sure it isn't too late to back out of this?"

"If you back out now you won't get steak tonight."

"Steak does sound really good…almost as good as getting eaten by bears," Duo muttered.

Quatre rolled his eyes.

"You're – " he stopped and looked away. Duo followed his gaze to where Trowa was just leaving the stables. "You go on, I'll be in soon," he finished, already walking away.

"Sure, leave me alone with a guy who wants to kill me. That's what friends do." But Quatre was already too far away to hear him. Duo shook his head and continued walking to the house alone.

Catherine was sitting on the back porch. She smiled at him as he approached.

"How was it?"

"I prefer hiking. That I could do all day long. Riding in the saddle is another thing."

She nodded sympathetically.

"It IS an adjustment. Remind me after dinner, I've got some ointment I usually give to our first-timers. Rub it on tonight and again tomorrow – it should relieve most of your soreness. You'll get used to it by the third day or so, though."

"Great, only a few more days of torture then."

She laughed.

"Surely it isn't that bad?"

"No, it isn't. I just like to complain. Actually, I'm sort of amazed by how bad it isn't. I came here expecting to hate every minute, but…" he trailed off at the sound of Quatre's laughter.

Both he and Catherine looked over to where Trowa and Quatre were leaning against a corral fence, talking.

Catherine frowned slightly.

"Your friend, Quatre…"

"Is very friendly, I know."

"Well, what I was going to say is that he seems quite taken with my brother."

Duo looked at her uneasily.

"What makes you think that?"

She leveled a glare in his direction.

"Other than the fact he can't keep his eyes off of him?"

Duo shrugged, he was guilty of the same crime.

"I just want to make it clear that my brother is a good man, and even if he's quiet, he's still very open. Some people can mistake that for, well…"

"You mean you don't want Quatre under the impression that Trowa is leading him on."

"Right."

"Um, you realize your brother is a grown man, and that, well, maybe he's interested in Quatre also?"

"My brother isn't interested in flings. If he is interested in Quatre, then it won't end well. It's clear your friend only wants to have fun on his vacation, not begin a serious relationship."

"Whoa, whoa. Maybe Quatre COULD be interested in something serious with Trowa, but even if he isn't, that their business, right? Quatre's a good guy, too. He won't encourage Trowa with false promises."

Catherine frowned slightly, but eventually nodded.

"I've seen him hurt too many times, Duo. You two aren't our first handsome clients, you know. And, well… Trowa's never had an easy life, I just want to spare him pain when I can."

Duo reached over and squeezed her hand.

"And that's great, Catherine. But you can't shelter him from something just because YOU are afraid."

She nodded again, more reluctantly than before.

"Well, those two will be in soon enough, I suppose. It'll be an hour before dinner is ready, do you want to get in a shower?"

"Why, Catherine, I can't believe you just propositioned me after all this talk -"

"Quiet, you." She swatted at him playfully and he jumped out of the way.

"Shower sounds great. See you in there!"

The steaks tasted amazing, but watching Quatre flirt with Trowa was increasingly unsettling to Duo. His mind kept going back to his earlier conversation with Catherine and he debated whether or not he should say something to Quatre. And then he wondered if that would be for Trowa's sake, or out of Duo's own jealousy. So he eventually decided to keep his peace.

But that was before the meal ended and everyone seemed to run away, leaving Duo alone with Heero.

Duo spun in his seat as Quatre and Trowa disappeared to wash the dishes and caught his friend's wink.

He groaned. So Quatre wanted to play matchmaker with him and Heero. Great.

Turning back to his reluctant companion, Duo couldn't help but admire him. Sure, he was sullen and seemed more likely to kill Duo than kiss him, but that didn't hide the fact that he was gorgeous.

"So…."

"I have absolutely no interest in you, Maxwell," Heero said without preamble.

Duo blinked.

"Er, well –"

"It's obvious that your friend is trying to set us up, but it isn't going to happen. I AM interested in him, a fact that you're aware of, and I'm not going to accept you as some sort of replacement. If he isn't interested, then fine." Heero shrugged and stood to go.

"You arrogant asshole! What even makes you think I'm interested in you? Yeah, it's clear Quatre's trying to set us up – it doesn't mean that I'm in on it! And as for me being some sort of replacement for him – well, fuck you. I get that I'm nowhere near as good looking as he is, but that doesn't mean I'll settle for some asshole who wishes I was someone else. So, don't worry, you're safe from me."

Duo pushed away from the table and started to leave, but a strong hand clamped down on his arm.

He turned, ready to throw a punch at Heero, but there was a look of sincere apology on his face.

"That was unfair of me," he said, practically growling the words. " I apologize, and –"

The sound of someone clearing their throat stopped Heero. Both men turned to look at the porch, where Trowa stood, arms crossed, looking down at them.

Heero released Duo's arm and walked away without another word.

"Um –"

"I'm sorry if my obtuseness made you uncomfortable, Mr. Maxwell," Trowa said, coming down to the table and collecting the last of the plates.

"What?"

"I assumed that you were interested in me – I should have realized that when you asked about Heero and myself you were interested in him."

"What – wait –"

"So, the answer to your question: no, Heero and I haven't been together for eight years. Or ever, actually. We're just close friends."

And with that Trowa walked back into the house, leaving Duo alone.

----------------

TBA