Title: There Must Be A Reason

Author: Karina

Rating: PG

Pairing: Duo + Wu Fei, Zechs + Wu Fei, Past mention of 13x6

Notes: Challenge 3. Set around about AC 200 and a month after Comfort.

Spoilers: None

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine.

Title: There Must Be A Reason

"Yo, Wu. How's things?"

Irritation sparked, dispelling the pleasant contemplation. He had been enjoying the solitude of the moment, the glory of the setting sun and the memory of quiet companionship. With Maxwell's arrival any hope of continuing his meditations was useless.

"Good evening, Maxwell. Back so soon, I see."

"Well gee. Nice to see you too." Duo settled on the grass facing Wu Fei. "What ya been up to while I was gone?"

"The usual, as you well know. I am a Preventer agent."

"Sally tells me you've been spending time with Blondie."

A slight frown marred the man's brow. "Blondie?"

"Yeah. Blondie. You know; legs that go on forever, long white hair… Blondie."

"You mean Marquise? The man has a name, Maxwell."

"Loads of names, actually. Zechs, Milliardo, Lightning Count, Sex on Legs." He grinned at the 'look' fired at him. "Wow, a reaction there."

"You are impolite, uncouth and loud."

"Yep. Me in a nut shell. So why you keeping company with him?"

"When was the last time you saw him?"

"Eh? When… Ah… About a month ago, I guess. Why?"

"Do you not think that he might like to see a friendly face?"

"Well… Hey, he didn't want to see anyone. Made that clear enough."

"He had lost his wife, Maxwell. Mourning is a complicated process if you are to come from it whole. There is a time when you wish only to be alone, solitary for you to walk again with the past. Like all things this passes and you must face again the world around you. It is best to do so with the company of a friend."

Duo considered the man opposite him for a long moment. "Why you?"

"Perhaps because I understand. I was married. I lost my wife."

"That's it?

"There should be more? Does there need to be more?"

"Well… I guess not but…"

Wu Fei waited, watching as Maxwell's expressive face ran a gauntlet of emotions he was uncertain how to take. He sighed softly.

"Just say what is on your mind."

"Well… Just seems odd is all. You being with him."

"I am not 'with' him, Maxwell. I am simply 'there' for him."

Duo sighed. "Because you killed his lover?"

That hurt. The abrupt reminder of the war long over and actions taken that he had come to deeply regret. It was a question he had asked himself and one he had been surprised he could answer quite simply and truthfully.

"No. Not because I killed Kushrenada. That is long in the past and forgiven as the result of the times."

"So why then? There must be a reason, Wu."

"Must there?"

"Well… yeah. You were enemies, we all were. Now you want to be his friend?"

From enemies to friends? The choice was so simple.

"Yes."

End

Karina Robertson 2005