Chapter Two

Duo sat silently sorting through his emails. He had been waiting for an email from Quatra to tell him if they had finally located Heero. Leaning back in his chair, he ran his hands through his hair. It was incredible frustrating how hard it was for them to find one guy. He snorted, "Perfect soldier indeed."

A knock on the door startled him, he looked up. Donovan Michaels, his current partner, was leaning against the door frame a file in hand. "What's up Donny?" Duo ask.

"We have a mission." He answered holding up the file, a smirk on his face.

Heero sighed contentedly from his chair nestled in the sand. From the clear blue sky, to the white sandy beaches, and the teal blue water, the Caribbean was his favorite location yet. Heero was on the small island of Coco Cay, where the sun was hot and the guys in banana hammocks hotter. Heero folded his arms behind his head, his olive complexion darker than ever before. He was determined to enjoy every minute of his freedom as long as he could. Heero hoped that he could stay free, but he knew J too well, and how sneaky he could be.

Getting up he made his way to the tiki bar next to the pier. "What can I get you sir?" the rather handsome bartender asked.

Heero was silent for a moment, the blonde man waiting. "Something fruity and tropical." Heero said finally.

"ID?"

"Here." Heero handed the man his false ID card.

"Alright Mr. Watanuki, coming right up." Heero nodded taking his card back.

"HELP! PLEASE SOMEBOD-" a loud voice called from beyond the pier.

Heero looked to see if he could see anything from his vantage point. Splashing alerted him to the nature of the emergency. He ran along the pier, he could see a pair of arms splashing, a head of dark hair attempting to stay above water. Heero jumped into the water close to the sinking body. Swimming under he pulled the man above the water and back toward the shore where a group of onlookers had gathered. Heero pulled him up and away from the waves and looked down at him. The man was of obvious Italian decent. His breathing ragged but he seemed alright. The man opened his eyes, a green that matched the sea, and looked at Heero. "Thank you, thank you so much." He gasped.

Heero looked at the man, he had an olive complexion, dark curly hair, plump lips, his voice was deep but smooth. Heero could feel his cheeks darken and he knew it wasn't from the sun. .He nodded offering the man a hand, pulling him to his feet. The people around them seemed to disburse slowly, an ambulance siren wailing in the distance. "My name is Leonardo Romani. Everyone calls me Leo. What's your name?"

"Watanuki. Hitoshi Watanuki."

Heero offered his hand, Leo took it. The EMS workers walked over checking Leo over. Heero waked away, chancing one last glance over his shoulder at the man who met his gaze. Heero felt heat touch his cheeks once more before he walked away. He made his way back to the bar and retrieved his drink taking it back to his chair in the sand.

Sighing he took a large gulp of his iced drink. "Hey!" Heero jumped slightly at the voice. Looking over he saw Leo trotting toward him.

"Didn't think I'd find you," he smirked, "you should let me thank you properly."

"It's fine."

"No, come on man; a beautiful guy like you? You have to let me take you to dinner."

Heero looked surprised at the mans forwardness. "I'm sorry but I don't even know you. I'm going to have to say no."

Leo smiled, "But that's the beauty of a date, you learn about the other person. Therefore we aren't strangers but acquaintances. Soon to be more."

While Heero was taken a back he was intrigued. "No I don't think so." He replied, if this man wanted to play he wouldn't make it easy.

Leo's smirk only grew at Heero's answer. "See with every 'no' you make me only want to get to know you more."

Heero quirked an eyebrow, this man didn't understand the word no very well. "Look, I appreciate the offer but I'm not going to say yes."

Leo was silent for a moment, "You say that now but I promise you that I will pay you back." With that Leo left, leaving Heero alone under the warm afternoon sun.

"Over 2 billion dollars worth of medical equipment has gone missing in the last 6 months from all over the colonies. The thieves left no evidence on any of the scenes. However we do have some intell saying that the equipment has been hidden somewhere on Earth." Donny said leaning on the table, reading through the file.

"Who would need that much medical crap?" Duo ask.

"That's the question huh? We can't seem to figure that part out. We have narrowed down the search area though. A van carrying the stolen goods was found wrecked on a road just outside St. Petersburg Russia. So we're looking at somewhere probably in either Europe or Asia. The men driving were gone, there wasn't even a trace of them in the car."

"How is that possible? I mean everyone leaves something behind."

"I don't know man; we've been over that van with a fine tooth comb. There are no fibers, hair, or even a flake of skin. Who ever we're dealing with is a professional."

The phone rang on Duo's desk breaking the momentary silence. "Maxwell here."

"Hey you! I was just calling to see how your day was going."

"Hi Hilde, it's fine just working on a large scale theft case right now."

"What are they stealing?"

"Can't really discuss it babe."

"That's okay, I was wondering if you'd let me steal you for lunch."

"I don't know Hil I'm swamped with work right now."

"Oh. Well that's okay then. Umm…what time will you be home?"

"Not too late How about we go out instead of you making something. How about Nobu? I've heard their sushi is excellent."

There was a silence on the other end of the phone followed by, "Sure, that's okay. Call when you're on you way here."

"Okay bye Hil."

"Bye."

Upon Duo hanging up Hilde glared a the phone, Japanese food? The mention of anything to do with that particular race pissed her off. "I can't believe that he would even offer me that! I though he was over that Asian freak!' She slammed the phone down onto the receiver. It wasn't that long ago that he told her about their quest for Heero. She had been totally against it of course, if Heero didn't want to be around d them why force him? But Duo was adamant that they had to find him, to make sure he was okay. She couldn't stand the thought that Duo had once slept with him, Duo was hers and hers alone. Hilde set off to their bedroom, she was going to make herself look beautiful, to remind him that she was all he'd ever need.

Heero walked through the open air market. He glanced at the different sellers, occasionally stopping at items that caught his eye. He stopped at a small booth back in the corner. A small, tan, elderly woman sat behind a table fanning herself. Her items included jewelry and different throws all hand made. A necklace caught his eye, it was an odd looking bronze symbol on a black cord necklace. (The necklace that Tidus wore in FFX) It was simple looking at first but upon closer inspection there were tiny silver thorny vines that curved around it with small roses blooming in random places. The work that had been put into the piece was magnificent.

"Ma'am how much for this?" Heero ask.

"35 dollars, that piece is special. The symbol represents hope and rebirth, while the vines represent that nothing is what it seems, while beautiful they are painful."

Heero smiled, it suited him. "I'll take it." He handed her the money.

"Let me help you with that." A voice to his left said.

Heero was in mid turn before a pair of arms went around him and put the necklace on him. Heero looked over his shoulder and saw Leo. Heero raised his now pierced brow, 'is he serious?'

"I think it suits you." Leo said simply smiling.

"And I think that you're trying too hard."

Leo chuckled, "Most people would be flattered."

"Sorry I'm not some floozy ready to spread my legs whenever you talk."

"I didn't mean it like that. Look Hitoshi…you are a special person. It takes a lot of balls to do what you did, most people would be afraid that I'd drag them under with me. I just want to show you that I'm grateful."

"I'm not the dating type." Heero mumbled and walked away.

It was getting later in the day, the heat of the summer was dissipating, making way for a warm night. A cool breeze blew salty air over the small island. Heero was walking around the boardwalk mentally kicking himself. 'I can't believe I turned him down. It's not like I'm not attracted…the man is down right gorgeous. But why would he want me? I don't have all that much to offer.' Heero thought back to what Leo had said in the market. 'Special huh? I don't see what's so special about me. I mean I do know more than 160 ways to kill a man and not get caught but….that's not really useful anymore, nor attractive.' To himself, he was rather plain looking and small. That he was nothing much to look at.

"HITOSHI!" a voice called in the distance.

Heero sighed and turned, watching Leo jog toward him. "I got you this." He said simply handing him a bouquet of light blue Asiatic lilies.

Heero blushed lightly, accepting the gift. "Can I ask you a question? Why me?" Heero ask.

"Other than the fact you saved my life?"

"Well, yes obviously. Most people would thank you, not stalk you."

Leo laughed, "I'm not stalking you. Aside from the fact that you're beautiful. There's something about your eyes…" he lifted Heero's chin gently, "an odd sadness that shouldn't be there. I want to erase that and make your eyes sparkle and glow in happiness."

Heero remained silent as he stared at Leo, searching for some sign of deceit. He found none, he slowly nodded. Leo smiled, "So Mr. Watanuki would you give me the honor of taking you to dinner?"

"…I'll give you a chance."

Leo smiled, "Good, it's a date then."

Okay people! Sorry it took so long my son has been sick then I caught a cold. And now I'm having to take my sister to and from work. -_- so yeah. BUT I shall continue this story and hopefully update faster. I've already started on the next installment. Thanks for those who reviewed and favorited and what not. More reviews people, they honestly do motivate me. Oh, and what do you guys think of Heero's new arm candy? Lol.