Chapter Ten
Caledonia

Notes: Yay!!! Oh yeah, OOCness goes along with that 'yay' too.

Disclaimer: Just like all the others. I don't own this, I do it for fun… blah de blah. I also don't own Celtic Woman.

POV: Heero

Duo's voice was beautiful and the song he was singing seemed to fit him perfectly. I'd heard him humming sometimes on the phone and knew he had a nice voice but I didn't know it was that good. At many points he would close his eyes as if feeling the words of the song. When he finished his voice still hung in the air for a few moments before fading away.

Beside me Solo smiled slowly and turned to wink at me. Duo moved to sit down and caught my glance. I nodded, heart beating rapidly, and smiled and he smiled back, looking thoroughly relieved.

Mass ended a few moments later and people tiredly moved to leave. Some crowded around Duo to talk about his song so Solo and I waited until the groups trundled away before advancing on him. He seemed to practically be shining.

Solo latched onto him, congratulating him before standing back. "I'll be by around noon to help with dinner and Quat and Trowa said they'd be there around 2." Duo nodded, kissed the top of her head and wished her a Merry Christmas. She waved to me and bustled away, yanking her hair down from its elegant bun.

Duo turned to me finally, looking almost shy. He didn't ask or say anything, just smiled as he took my hand and nodded to the door. He let me drive us home and say staring out the window looking thoughtful. I almost felt afraid to and just watched the blacktopped road disappear under our tires.

We still didn't speak as we got out of the car and even entering the house we were still quiet. I was sure he wasn't upset mad since he kept turning to grin at me but he never spoke!

We put away our jackets and took off our shoes like normal. Duo began to mount the steps, looking over his shoulder to make sure I was following him. Intrigued by his actions I carefully followed up the steps and found him waiting for me at the top of the steps, a small smile on his lips. "Well…" I started quietly. "Your song was nice, I bet your tired so… I guess we should be heading to bed." Duo still didn't move. "Um… Merry Christmas." I finished pathetically.

On a sudden spur of the moment thought I leaned forward and pressed my lips against Duo's own. Kissing him was different than kissing anyone else. His lips were soft and hard and cold and warm and perfect. It wasn't a magical moment where fireworks exploded because I pulled back too quickly.

"Good ni-" Duo cut me off by grabbing my wrist and pulling me forward to wrap his arms around my neck securely and melded his lips to mine. Opening my mouth to let him in was when I finally saw the fireworks.

We broke apart for breath and he rested his forehead against mine, watching my eyes carefully. I was sure that he hadn't had anything to drink so this wasn't like our night in Vegas so why was he acting like this?

"Duo?" I whispered, praying I wasn't in a dream. What had brought around this sudden change? Not that I was complaining, I just didn't understand it. Before I could say anything else he pressed his finger against my lips and whispered back.

"Please, don't say anything just yet." He kissed me once more and lingered there, hot breath playing across my lips in hot bursts. Slowly, almost tauntingly Duo's fingers slid down my arm to intertwine with my own hands. Our hands latched together and he pulled away and I was suddenly away aware of how cold the house was.

I was brought back to my senses as I heard Duo's doorknob rattle as he pushed open the door and pulled me into the warm, inky darkness of his room.

[xXx]

Moon shone through the still partially open curtains, casting a thin thread of light across the bed. A heavy presence rested against my lower abdomen, hair tickling the tender skin there and hot breath warming my body.

Sometime after we'd fallen asleep Duo had slid down to wrap the sheets around his body and use me as his pillow. His braid trailed up the bed to rest on the real pillow beside my own head while some hairs had come loose everywhere, especially around his face. He'd curled up into a protective ball against the cold of the room, even though I really couldn't feel any of it.

As I stirred he squeezed his eyes tight and burrowed closer to my body. I reached down to brush my fingertip against his cheek, marveling at how soft he was. He was still flushed from our previous activities.

At my touch his eyes flickered open to look at me, trying to make out my form in the partial light. "What time is it?" He whispered, as if he didn't want to ruin the almost sacred quiet that had fallen over the room. Slowly he slid his body up mine to rest his head farther up my chest. Even half awake the man drove me crazy and I loved it.

"4:33." I managed out, trying not to concentrate too hard at the feeling of him next to me. I started to stroke the top of his head as he breathed deeply, winding an arm around my body like a stuffed bear. "Duo?" I whispered, my throat tightening up.

"Hmm?" The sound vibrated against me.

"What does this mean? About us?"

Duo looked up at me; moonlight reflecting the light purples and blues in his eyes. "It means that you won."

I blinked, thoroughly confused. "I won?"

He nodded, untangling our bodies to crawl up and lay with his slight shoulder touching mine. "I told myself that I wasn't going to let you win me over. I wasn't going to fall in love but you changed that plan. You won my heart."

"How?" I asked, breathlessly. This was what I wanted, what I'd been working for for months but I hadn't exactly thought I would get it. All thoughts of Wufei and the plan flew right out of my mind as Duo began to speak again, staring out at the sliver of moon.

"No one has ever persisted for my attention like you did. I'd had a few relationships before but none of them wanted to stick around as long as you. They saw the family I'd created here and how deeply rooted I was here and they turned tail and ran the first second they could."

He tentatively took my hand in his, "I guess you could say this started when you began to bring me coffee and helped out at the clinic. Then you kept talking and listening to me on the phone and finally you sat through midnight mass for me, which I know is the last thing on most people's lists. All that just seemed to finally fit together until we ended up here."

My free hand moved to his braid to toy with the end, trying to ignore the burning blush on my cheeks. "You won me over too, you know." I whispered in his ear, reveling in the feeling of his turning towards me to place his hand over my heart.

"How?" He murmured, nuzzling my neck.

"In everything you did, from your original disgust of me all the way to this moment now. Everything about you won me over from the first second on that dance floor." I moved the tip of his braid down the bridge of his nose to brush over his lips.

We were silent for a second, "I want to stay here with you." I murmured.

"I don't mind staying here in bed with you either." Duo grinned.

I swallowed, "No… I mean here with you in Dustin." Duo's attention turned straight to me, almost as if he didn't want to believe it. "I don't like having to wait months before I get to see you again and I know you'd rather die that live in New York."

"But your job!" Duo protested but I silenced him with a soft yank of his braid.

"Wufei's may not like it but he's ready to take my job and I have more than enough money to retire now. I want to stay here with you Duo."

He laughed brightly and flung his arms around my neck hugging me close. "When?" He asked breathlessly.

"As soon as I possibly can. It'll take a few months to get everything started but very soon, I promise you."

His lips descended upon mine, kissing me hungrily. I had to stop him before we repeated what had transpired only a few hours before. "Your sister is going to be here at noon, we need to be up and looking respectable before then."

Duo pouted slightly but I kissed it away with a laugh. 'We'… I liked the sound of that.

[xXx]

Solo kept grinning at me each time I'd walking into the kitchen to retrieve the next tray. It was strange how I was sure that she knew, but I was glad she wasn't condemning me. Hours later Quatre and Trowa showed up on Duo's doorstep, both were quite a sight to see.

Trowa had been forced into a Santa hat with jingle bells at the end while Quatre was decked out in a red shirt with white fur. Trowa looked as stoic as usual but there seemed to be a red-ish dusting on his cheeks. Quatre looked cheerful as always as he trundled through the door tugging Trowa behind him by the hand.

"Merry Christmas!" He cheered, holding up a few bottles of wine and I knew that today was going to be a long day.

[xXx]

By the time we'd gotten to dinner Quatre was giddy and Trowa was louder than normal. Duo seemed to be unaffected and Solo had named herself the 'designated present opener'. Their tradition was eat dinner around noon and then open presents.

The dinner was amazing, all crafted by Solo's artful hand. It was one of the best holiday dinners I'd ever had complete with ham and potatoes and stuffing and almost everything else in the world that you could want for Christmas. My Christmas dinners were usually at a 5-star restaurant with tiny portions. Solo made sure that when she gave you your food there was so much you couldn't see the plate beneath it.

Duo was in the festive mood, singing carols with Solo while Trowa played the flute and Quatre brought out his violin. When dinner and singing was over we plunked down in front of the tree and Duo played the elf by handing out the presents to everyone.

Quatre had gotten me a set of classics he'd heard me talking about (though these ones had gold around the pages and thick covers) while Trowa got me an MP3 player. He didn't say why he did though. Duo saved my presents for last and even then he held back one, whispering conspiratorially in my ear, "Later Tonight."

Even though I could barely hear him myself everyone seemed to infer what was happening by the huge blush that formed on my face. My gift to Duo had taken me forever to find. He was one of the hardest people in the world to find presents for. He didn't want anything. I'd been wracking my brain for what felt like ages until I heard him humming on the phone, and then it hit me.

I handed him the package and he savagely tore it open, his jaw dropping open in surprise. "What is this?" He almost shrieked, ripping it from its box.

Solo leaned up from her knees to rest her elbows on his knees and whistled, "It looks like something you'd expect to see used by James Bond or Chuck!"

I just laughed, "It's a digital voice recorder. [1] When we talked on the phone you would hum and I thought this would be fun for you. Even if you don't use it to sing into it's still fun to play with and you can record music too." Duo was watching me with an indefinable expression but I soon got his meaning when he launched onto me and kissed me with more fervor than I'd expected at that moment.

At 9 when they'd all gone to their respective homes Duo showed me what my present was and then some. Later that night Duo rested on my chest, fingering the ring on the chain. He'd allowed me to take his braid out and I was still in awe over just how beautiful he was. Without really noticing my movements my fingers kept running through the silky locks. He just sort of complained by muttering, "It's going to be Hell in the morning when I have to re-braid…"

Finally my hand moved down to connect with his. "I'm glad you're wearing it." I murmured. He looked up at me and smiled, glancing over at my own ring.

"Do people ask about your ring back in New York?"

"They glance and wonder but they like to keep to themselves, don't pry. The newbies ask and I tell them that it means I am married to the most amazing person in the world. That's good enough for them because romance doesn't go very far in people's imaginations now-a-days."

Duo just laughed, reaching up to kiss the underside of my chin. "You don't say much and when you do it's amazing." He stopped to look up at me. "Why can't you just stay here?"

"Because I need to finish my Quebec project. It's a big project and if it goes through it'll be one of the best things to happen my company."

"It's really important?"

I just nodded. "There had been a lot of work put into the Quebec project and we need it to go through. Plus, it would be amazing to finish off my time there with this project under my belt." Duo nodded but he didn't say anything for a few moments until,

"Whenever you start working you look different." I started down at him, confused. "You look unhappy though when you're at the clinic you seem to change." He moved up a little more. "Do you even enjoy what you do?"

I was all ready to say yes but it stuck in my throat. I didn't like my job; I did it out of obligation. I'd never noticed it before but because of watching Duo at his job I began to realize how much he really loves being with the animals at the clinic and how happy he was.

Finally I shook my head, no, I didn't like my job.

[xXx]

For the next few days after I buried myself in the Quebec project and tiredly listening to Wufei rant about how I needed to be in New York and not out were "the red-necks" run wild.

For the time that I had with Duo I basked in his glow. Everything around him seemed to radiate with his energy and I loved it. He was beautiful and I couldn't wait for the time that I could stay with him. Forget Wufei's grand master plan to make Relena mad. Even now, thinking back to it I couldn't even understand why I'd agreed to this… but if I hadn't I wouldn't have forced myself into Duo's life.

I probably would have tracked him down and if he hadn't wanted me right away I would have gone back to New York, served him the divorce papers and gone on my merry way. But now I can't think of anything without him.

Duo's New Year Eve bash lasted well into the morning of New Year's day when Trowa and Quatre crashed on the couch and Solo was sleeping with her feet on the bed and the rest of her on the floor.

Duo and I had taken the couch near the Christmas tree. I'd wrapped the two of us in a blanket and had burrowed down as far as we could go. I was amazed when I found that Duo was still near coherency when he murmured "You're leaving on the 3rd right?"

"Yes."

"Then can we stay here until then?"

I just laughed, "You get very romantic when you're drunk, you know? I could never expect you to say this sober." Duo just pinched my side. "With this headache I have now I don't plan on moving for a while."

"Good." Duo murmured.

The next Day Duo still felt a ringing in his ears and he looked about ready to bite any dog that barked around him. He was still grouchy when I started to pack up my stuff that night but this time he was grumpy that he hadn't coerced me into staying just another night.

"Please?" He asked once again, giving me the biggest puppy dog eyes I had ever imagined.

I leaned over him to kiss him softly but didn't reply. Duo leaned back on his elbows and looked me up and down. "You'd better not be rushing back to New York for some other lover cause I think this ring says something." I turned and rolled my eyes at him.

I kissed him once more, only longer this time. "When I come back the next time I'm going to be here to stay." He just nodded and tugged me down to the bed.

[xXx]

When I got off the plane in New York I started to cough, the crisp air almost hurt compared to the cool, almost filtered air of Wyoming. I dropped by my apartment before going to the office, taking a moment to collect myself and just relax. Wufei called at least twice to demand why I wasn't at the office but I just ignored him and got there thirty minutes later.

Wufei was pacing in my office looking irate. "Your plane landed forty five minutes ago."

"I was tired so I went to my apartment to rest." I said, moving to sit at my desk. I wasn't going to miss this.

Wufei slammed his hands down on the top of my desk, "What is that hick doing to you?" He demanded angrily.

I turned to fix my own icy stare on him, "He's helped me." Wufei started to splutter angrily. "I have decided that after the Quebec project goes through I'm going to go back to live with Duo. You will take over my office and position and you will do it without complaint."

I'd never seen Wufei look so mad, but it was worth it. He stormed out of my office angrily, leaving me to boot up my computer and start looking over the Quebec project.

I love this story! I'm enjoying this so much! I was going to wait a while to put this up but I was just in such a good mood.

Here is my shameless music plug. The title is a song from the group from Celtic Woman. I would recommend this group to anyone who just loved a good song to fall asleep to or to relax to.

P.S. Listen to At the Ceili!

I finished watching Mona Lisa Smile and I just feel happy… and feel like taking an Art History class.

Hope you guys enjoyed this, hope it wasn't too OOC, hope you review.

[1] This is the link to the recorder that Heero got Duo. Remove the spaces and all that jazz.

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