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

Er uhm yeah heh... February. Well it turns out the situation at work turned out to be much worse than I initially thought it would be and I was stuck without a computer for... about four weeks. After that the olympics (YAY!) came and I am just a huge olympics freak so I was spending my lunch hour checking the medals/competitions. After that I hit a huge block with the story and just couldnt manage more than a line or two at a time.

This story is almost over (YAY!) this is the second to last chapter. My issues now seem to be to keep reminding myself to write these stories how I wanted, and not worry so much about them being maybe too angsty or something as I intended this one to be a heavy angst story. I just keep going "What if people think its too much?" but then have to keep reminding myself I write these for myself, because I enjoy it and because I want to be able to remember/read them later. Anyway, this is the second to last chapter. Enjoy!

My eyes had slid shut, my body trying to go back to sleep while my mind slowly worked through that equation. But once it hit me I was out of the bed like a shot "Duo! You are in labor, why didn't you tell me? We need to get Harris, we need to get ready!"

Duo's chuckle is the only thing that broke through my panic. His chuckle turned into full blown laughter, but I was amiss as to what was so funny. Between the laughter he managed to gasp out a few words "Oh goodness... you look just like Wufei when Meiran told him she was in labor. Probably look just like me when she told me." His laughter finally died down and his voice had a tired tinge too it but one of happiness as well "Don't worry so much Heero, there is still a long time before anything is going to happen. I just want to try and get some sleep and rest until the contractions are very close together."

I nodded dumbly at his words. Normally I might have gotten the whole lecture on pregnancy and birth but, because Duo had left and seen another doctor and I had nothing to do with Relena's pregnancy I had missed that speech. Still I wanted to at least get the ball rolling. "Okay Duo, you just stay put for a few seconds, I am going to let Harris know what's going on so he at least is ready when it does become more serious." Duo nodded and yawned widely, closing his eyes to get as much sleep as he could before something woke him again.

As the door shut behind me I rethought leaving Duo alone, that Solo wolf who claimed to be Duo's brother was still here, and he seemed adamant that Duo was leaving with him. Until that was settled, I didn't want him alone. I let out a low howl, hoping to just gain the attention of someone nearby, and Trowa answered my call. I felt relief wash over me "Can you watch the door for a small bit to make sure no one bothers Duo? I will be right back". He got a confused face but nodded and stood guard in front of my dwelling. I ran as fast as my legs would take me, straight to the clinic, hoping to find Harris there. It appeared luck was on my side. He was sitting in a chair, his head in his hands leaning over a table.

I cleared my throat to get his attention and he looked up, sorrow filling his eyes. "I am sorry, Heero, for everything. I thought I was doing what was best for the pack when I pushed you to sleep with Relena. I thought I was helping you both when I gave her that book. But it appears I was horribly wrong and my mistakes almost cost us too much." I had considered my anger at Harris when I was looking for Duo. In reality I was mad at how things had turned out, not at him. He had only done what he thought was right and there was no way he could have predicted this outcome. I nodded at his apology, showing I had heard it, but I didn't have time to dwell on these things right now. Relena could keep sitting in the dungeon, and Solo could wait until the dust had at least settled.

"I accept your apology Harris, and while I am angered at some of the things you did. I do not blame you for how this all turned out. Right now though, I would prefer if we could put this behind us, if not permanently than at least temporarily as there are more important things going on. Duo is in labor, he said he wanted to stay at home until things had progressed farther but I thought you should know so you can be prepared."

He smiled and let out a half-hearted laugh "That Duo, even when everything seems to be crashing down around us he brings all the happiness he can manage to us all. Not to mention the wisdom and calm of someone twice his age. No matter how many times I give the labor speech, most wolves burst in here at the first tiny contraction and freak out that they are about to give birth. Let him rest for as long as possible, all the stress and physical labor must have worn him out and he needs his strength for what is to come. Do you know how long he has been in labor?"

I felt like hitting my head on the wall, I felt so stupid for not asking. I shook my head no and got this wide eyed look and Harris let out a real laugh then. "Now that's more like what I am used too. Don't worry Heero, I will drop by in a while to check on him and we can go from there. For now why don't you get back and the two of you just rest for a while. If things suddenly progress then come get me, but for the time being just relax." I nodded dumbly and left, sort of bewildered on my walk home. Trowa was still in front of the door, saying nothing had changed and no one had even come by. He asked what was going on and I gave into the temptation to tell him that Duo was in labor, but I pleaded with him to keep it a secret for now. The last thing I wanted was for a bunch of wolves to flood the entrance to our house to come visit Duo.

I opened the closed the door as quietly as possible and crawled back into bed with Duo. He smiled happily and nuzzled against me. It seemed like the perfect time to ask questions, since he was awake. "Duo, how long have you been in labor?" His brow scrunched adorably and he seemed to ponder the question before letting me know he felt the first contractions on his way back to the pack with Solo. The answer didnt give me a time frame but he seemed to happily drifting back to sleep so I wasn't going to push things, just try and guess it had been a few hours. I gently stroked his hair and watched him smile happily in his half-sleep. I laughed inside my head when I thought that if he was a cat he would probably be purring.

I waited patiently until the door opened and admitted Harris. I felt myself drifting off as he and Duo spoke, I was so tired I just couldn't stop my eyes from closing on me. I don't know how long I was asleep before I felt and arm shaking me to wake up. I groggily opened my eyes and saw Trowa hovering over me. I blinked a few times trying to hear what he said. They had taken Duo to the clinic as the time was near, Duo had insisted letting me sleep as long as possible but the baby would be crowning any moment.

I half raced and half stumbled my way to the clinic, and saw Solo hovering outside the door. I vaguely wondered if someone had told him, and if they had I was going to kill them. At least he had the respect to wait outside and say nothing to me as I went inside. Duo was already set up on the table and Harris was telling him to push. I have never seen him smile more beautifully than he did when he saw me come inside. I walked on unsure legs to his side and held his hand gently. He was squeezing mine so hard I thought he would break my bones, but I hardly noticed. When I heard the whining of the pup I think a few tears may have escaped my eyes, but I will deny everything if Harris or Duo ever mention it.

Harris handed the small furball to me after it had been cleaned and wrapped in a few skins. I smiled down and held it up for Duo to see, poor Duo was so exhausted he could barely keep his eyelids open. The pup's hair was so dark I would have assumed it was Wufei and Meirans instead of mine and Duo's. But I knew that the hair would fade with time and the two eyes that were currently sealed from the world would open. Based on how dark the coat was I assumed he would be closer in color to me than to Duo once it had shed out a few times. I dont know how long I held the pup but Harris finally took it from me to put it down in the clinic baby basket to rest undisturbed. Duo had fallen asleep, completely worn out. I was told it would be a while before Duo would probably wake up and be coherent. They would wake him when the baby became hungry but until then it was best to leave them both alone.

Harris shooed me out of the clinic and I felt sort of lost for a moment, until I saw Solo still standing outside the door, his eyebrow raised expectantly in question. I smiled, not sure why I felt this sudden need to be civil to him "They are both fine." He rolled his eyes like I said something stupid "I figured as much, but what is the gender?" I opened my mouth to respond and had to stop for a moment trying to remember what Harris said. "It's fully male, so a Beta." He patted me on the shoulder and I felt almost a brotherly bond forming between us.

He let out a deep sigh, preparing for a speech. "I am sorry, about earlier. I was so shocked when I picked up Duo's scent, and then terrified when I saw him with those other wolves being drug through the forest. I could not imagine he had been anywhere safe since he fell off the cliff as a child. After spending some time here, I am happy to admit I was wrong, about all of you... Things have been explained to me in depth, and while circumstances have been unfortunate your pack is a good one."

I smiled and accepted his apology easily. Though I think at the moment I was on some sort of happy high and probably would have agreed to anything. I came crashing down from it pretty quickly though when I remembered the other unfinished business I had waiting for me. Carefully, I pushed past Solo, but I think he figured out where I was about to go since he followed me. I went into the dungeons, and saw Relena, curled up and whining about how she deserved this or that. I had never in my life met anyone who infuriated me so. Solo didn't seem much pleased with her either. She finally seemed to notice us and sat up, a grim smile covering her features "So, did they kill the whore? Did you find his carcass?"

Solo had to hold me back as I lunged, reaching through the bars to grab at her. A voice bellowed out behind me, one I knew and had grown to dislike as well. I turned to see Zech's standing at the top of the stairs that lead into our dungeon. I could only assume he had come immediately after Treize had told him what she had tried to do to their pup. The time line was correct for him leaving after finding out. Treize was behind him looking remorseful. I growled low in my throat to Zech's. "You better take her and leave immediately or I will kill her, I don't care if it causes a war I will kill her." I could see the shock on her face but it only made me feel happy that she finally seemed to be understanding what was happening.

Zech's face was filled with pain, and Treize was the first to speak "I am sorry Heero, so sorry about Duo. There is nothing I can do to bring him back but... because of my deception his life was forfeit and you may take mine as payment." Zechs was in motion then, placing himself between us. I had to stop a moment, and assumed they thought Duo was dead because of what Relena said, and how I had reacted. I managed, in the most civil voice possible, to assauge their fears. "Duo is not dead, but if I ever see her again she will be."

I saw Zech's hesitate a few moments before nodding. He took the keys from me and opened the cell door. His sister rose to embrace him shouting and angry, saying how badly she had been treated, how she deserved better. It was clear she learned nothing. I turned to leave when she suddenly stopped making noise. I turned back a moment to see her fall to the floor, no longer moving or breathing. Her eyes open and empty, her neck clearly broken. My eyes turned to Zechs, shocked. He had just murdered his own sister. No one in the room blamed him or found her undeserving of such a fate, but for Zechs to be the one to end her life was a surprise.

His voice was low and pained as he spoke "I know what you all are thinking. But I think this was the best route. She has always been like this. At first I blamed myself but as time went on I could see that there was just something wrong with her, no matter what happened she never changed. No matter how anyone tried nothing effected her. For a while now I suspected there was something wrong with her mentally, but I figured she had reached a point where she was mostly just a nuisance. But I was wrong, she had escalated into something dangerous. She almost killed my own pup and made my mate feared telling me because he knew I would have to choose between them. Coming here proved even more that she was escalating, and nothing was going to stop her... I still love...loved her with all my heart but for her own good and, the safety of everyone around her... this was my only choice."

He turned and I could see tears clinging to the corners of his eyes, he gently grabbed his mate by the arm, his voice cracking as he spoke. "I hope, Heero, that we may continue our treaty and you will not hold my mistakes and the mistakes of my mate and sister against us. We do not deserve your alliance but we strongly desire it. I will leave immediately to return home, I know you cannot want me to linger. If you wish to sever the alliance, send a messenger once you have decided. No backlash will be given merely acceptance and a hope that our packs will have better luck with future decendants."

He took only a few more moments to lift Relena's body into his arms. I imagine he intended to bury her somewhere he could visit, she was still his sister, even after everything she had done. Solo and I were left staring at each other a bit confused after Zech's left. Finally he spoke, breaking the tension "Life here is certainly...eventful." I laughed and could not stop myself for a few minutes. His eyes showed some fellow amusement and finally we left the dungeon.

On our way back to the clinic to check on Duo, Solo halted and spoke with a clear tone. "I can see now, how Duo has grown to love this place, and why he wants to stay. I will not attempt to make him leave, but if you will grant permission. I am sure my family would love to visit him, as well as other members of our pack."

I shrugged as if the request was nothing to ponder. "You are welcome any time as long as you are peaceful." He let out a long breath and his steps mirrored mine to the clinic where I allowed him in to see my pup for a short while. I was still feeling too protective to allow him to hold our child though. He smiled brightly and we both slipped back out, trying not to wake Duo. He patted me on the back once we were outside. His voice was sincere when he offered his congratulations, then informed me he had to return home before his family worried too much over his location.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see Harris motioning for me to come back inside. I smiled when I saw Duo's eyes slightly opened and I gently stroked his cheek. "Hello there". He let out a half laugh and his face was overcome by a smile "Hello love" he responded and I am sure my grin matched his own. I clasped his hand gently and sat down next to him, we had a long talk ahead of us, about Relena.

By the time I had told him everything he was clenching his fists in his laps "So she actually meant to kill me?" I nodded solemnly. "Why!?" He practically shouted. I stroked his arm gently, trying to calm him. "Zechs thinks there was something wrong with her.. that mentally she was never quite right." Personally I just wanted to hate her for herself, no excuses no explanations, just wanted to think she was an evil person. But I knew Duo needed justification, he couldn't think people were just evil, he wanted to understand them.

I hugged him tightly, crawling into the bed and holding him, whispering into his ear. "Everything is going to be alright."