A/N: I forgot to say at the bottom of the last chapter that the song being listened to when the guys were dancing was called 'There it Go' (The Whistle Song) by Juelz Santana :)

Chapter 25

The Wager

Duo POV

Quatre's running late today. One of his sisters came home from University this morning and the whole of his family had to be at the airport to welcome her home. Therefore I knew the first half of today was going to suck BIG time. Heero left unusually early this morning, normally I see him reversing out of the church drive as I grab my lunch, however today I noticed his amazing sports car was gone before I even had chance to eat my breakfast.

He still doesn't suspect after everything that has happened. After Saturday night I was sure he would have realised, but he didn't leave his room all Sunday – and I never left mine. It just shows how good my disguise is! Anyway, you could say that I sat in my room all day waiting for my fate, for Heero to come bursting in and reveal that he knew who I really was and then either a: beat the shit outta me or b: run for the hills. In my version c: he wouldn't do any of them and it would involve me, him and – wait, wait! Hold on Maxwell, no point going down that line. Like Heero Yuy would ever look at you in that way anyway.

Since that night he's been unusually quiet – not that he's usually not quiet, he just doesn't seem like he's awake properly – like he's thinking too much or has too much on his mind. It's probably Relena, he's probably making plans on how to get her back. My heart sinks at the thought.

Stumbling miserably into Music class I settle into my seat at the front of the class. As usual the seats either side of me and behind are not taken by the other students. I sniff the clothes I'm wearing. I don't smell bad today -

"Alright everybody!" Mr Kershaw, my Music teacher yells over everyone as they cease their gossiping. "I want everyone to continue researching their chosen musician for their final coursework next term. I've booked us the computer room down the hall away, so would you all sensibly make your way to M8."

There were some murmurs as the chatter started up again and everyone began to leave their seats. Gathering up my stuff and shoving it into my plastic bag I make my way out of the classroom only to have Mr Kershaw stroll up to me.

"Ah Duo!" He calls happily as he makes his way to my side. "Are you all ready for Friday?"

Friday? I frown at the words, "Ready for what?"

"The Talent Show!" he exclaims happily, "someone tipped me off that you were dying to take part in it, so I pulled some strings to get you in." My whole body suddenly turns numb as I feel my mouth flop open. The Talent Show – why the hell would I want to do the school talent show?

My heart suddenly begins to beat erratically. I can't do the school talent show! Oh God, Oh Jesus! Someone is trying to set me up! My legs feel extremely weak underneath me and I have to grab hold of the door to steady myself.

"To tell you the truth it was pretty hard work since that the head has to now rework the show schedule to fit you in..." I need to get myself the hell outta this situation before it can actually happen. I go to open my mouth but stop to listen to the rambling from my teacher.

"It's going to be great Duo, I'm so happy you finally wanted to give it a go!" The excited look on his face makes me instantly feel guilty. Mr Kershaw has always been a pusher, and has told me before that he wants to see me achieve musically in some way. He would probably want to see me get all big and famous – what he doesn't know is that I'm famous - in South Sanc.

"So what are you thinking about performing?" He asks excitedly and full of energy, "have you got your act sorted?"

Still in shock I try to shake myself out of it, "I – I – I mean, I don't really know yet." Jesus Maxwell you're supposed to be getting yourself outta this mess not deeper in.

"Jesus boy the show's on Friday!" Mr Kershaw exclaims, "I've always got the music to chart songs if you want them."

"No -" I say quickly just the thought of me standing in front of the whole school singing to anything like the Backstreet Boys makes me cringe. I sigh deeply in defeat as I take in my teacher and the way he looks generally happy for me to be taking part. If I pulled out now he would be deeply upset and I would feel instantly terrible.

"I'll be fine," Are you sure Maxwell? You have to sing in front of the whole school. Someone might recognise you and sell you out to the teachers and the rest of the school. "I've got my own song I could sing."

"Well that's good to know," suddenly he places his hand on my shoulder and looks me straight into the eye. "Duo you don't know how long I have waited for you to come out of your shell and show everyone what you are capable of. I hope you win on Friday."

For the first time in my life, I instantly feel like I'm not the inferior person who attends this school and I know that his comment was genuine. I feel a smile come to my lips as I stare at the middle aged greying man who actually wants me to win and by God I'll do my best to win just to prove to him and the rest of the school that I am not just a choir geek.

Having been too absorbed in going over possible songs I could sing, what image to portray and what outfit to wear to actually do some real work, the bell rang for lunch making me jump.

As I put my books away I wonder over if Quatre will let me borrow some clothes and if they will have the right sound equipment - suddenly it hits me as I stand next to my locker waiting for Q that I don't have the equipment to perform properly. If I wanted to win I would either need people to play instruments or to record the whole melody of the song on a CD. The only other option would be to take up Mr Kershaw's offer of backing music. This thought takes me on a instant downer.

"Hey Duo," I hear Q's voice as he approaches and I can feel his eyes burning into the side of my head. "Something wrong?" Yup.

"Quatre I'm in big trouble." I sigh running a hand across my face feeling the stress of the situation finally catch up with me.

"What's up, anything I can help with?" Q asks concern lacing his voice. So I launch into the whole story of what I've got to do and why I can't get out of it. I watch Quatre's face as I do so, it goes between shock to anger to blank. "Duo someone's set you up, they obviously thought you'd make a fool out of yourself."

"But who would do that Q?" I see his eyes glance off to our right to see Relena and Dorothy chatting to a bunch of guys before bursting into laughter. I cringe at the annoying sound. Suddenly Relena notices us and races up to Quatre before placing a kiss on his cheek. I see my friend recoil at the touch.

"Hello Relena," he says and I can hear the slight anger in his voice. Quatre really doesn't like Miss Peacecraft. I watch as she links her arm around his and turns her attention towards me.

"Duo, I've just heard the great news!" She squeals in obvious fake delight, "I can't believe you've entered the talent show." I feel my hands clench tightly at my sides as I resist the urge to snarl an insult at her. She did it. She entered me into the stupid talent show, no doubt to try and make me look fool – not that I already don't look stupid enough around this school.

She continues, "I didn't even know you had a talent, but I suppose you learn something new every day!" My hands suddenly tighten and I can feel my nails digging painfully into my palms. Why if I were a girl I'd -

"I can sing Relena." I force out trying to sound calm. I can see Quatre's eyes have drifted off and his body is as rigid as an ironing board. I can tell that he's trying to keep his calm as well, if I were in his shoes having to live with the Bitch I think I would have killed myself by now.

"You can sing?!" Relena says trying to act shocked, "I can't wait to see what you have to offer!"

"I'm sure you can't" I hear Quatre growl before unhooking his arm from around hers, "was there anything you particularly wanted Relena?"

"Yes actually," she now turns her full attention onto Q. "I was just going to tell you that since the talent show is on Friday I wont be around the house from 7 till 9 every day till then." She bats her eyelashes at him as she places her hand tenderly on his arm, "I'm sorry if you were hoping we were going to spend time together, but when I'm done we'll spend the whole of Saturday together."

You have got to be kidding me.

"I'll check my diary Relena." Quatre says and I have to hold back a laugh, "I think Trowa and I might be doing something then." Her blue eyes suddenly flash madly as she snaps her hand away from him as if she'd been burnt.

"Quatre your supposed to be my English partner not his!" She screeches, the look on Quatre's face makes me burst out into a fit of laughter. Spinning around her raging eyes land on me. "What are you laughing at choir geek! How dare you laugh in my face!"

"Relena!" Quatre yells, "don't you dare talk to Duo like that, just because you can't have your own way doesn't mean you can treat other people badly!"

"But he was laughing at me," her voice whines and I inwardly cringe again. "Quatre, I only want us to hang out and be friends."

"Relena - " Quatre begins and then sighs in defeat. "- Fine, we'll hang out Saturday." I see a sly successful smile come to her lips.

"Great, I'll see you later." She reaches up and kisses him again on the cheek before turning and giving me a death glare. With that she storms away her heels clipping on the wooden floor of the corridor.

"You are so going down Relena Peacecraft," I hear my friend murmur, his usually calm and peaceful eyes flashing madly. Turning to me he grabs my arm, "You're going to win this talent show Duo Maxwell and I'm going to do all in my power to help you."

"You will!" My downer instantly washes away as I think of all the possibilities Quatre and I could come up with to beat the wicked witch of the North. Suddenly a particular song dawns on me. One that I wrote a couple of weeks ago and had Quatre write the music for. It isn't the kind of song I would sing at Underworld, I just wrote it one night when I was in a particularly down mood. Every word reflects what I feel about life and about a certain someone. Quatre was nearly in tears when he read the lyrics, so I am hoping it will capture everyone else's attention.

"Quatre I'm thinking about doing The song."

"You mean..."

"Yes," I say with a million and one thoughts running around in my head. There's so much I need to do – I need to practice big time.

Quatre instantly looks excited, "come over to my house tomorrow, we'll practice while Relena is away." Jumping forward I capture my best friend into a hug. I know I can always count on Quatre, through thick and thin he has always been there for me. Pulling away I give him the biggest grin I can muster.

"Thanks Q, you've always been here for me when I need you the most." A blush comes to his cheeks as I throw an arm around his shoulder, "you're my best friend you know that."

"And you're mine Duo." He replies happily, "Now lets work out a plan to bring the bitch down." And that we did, and by the end of school I was bouncing off the walls with excited about our meet tomorrow. I need to read over the lyrics to my song and practise before singing in front of Q - I don't want to sound too bad.

Luckily when I got back the kids were too busy playing in the bunkhouse to know that I was relaxing out on the lawn. Looking through my little black book of lyrics I turn to the particular page I want and begin to read through. Lost in my own little world I didn't notice that I was not alone any more until I hear someone mumble behind me.

"What you doing?" I jump slightly at the sudden noise before turning round to see Heero standing behind me. I feel like I can't breath as I take in his perfect form. Today he is dressed in some low cut dark wash jeans and a plain white t-shirt. It's simple but he looks stunning. My mouth suddenly feels dry and I can't find the words to speak.

Why do you always make a fool outta yourself around him?!

I watch as he silently makes his way towards me and plops down on the grass. Leaning back on his elbows he sighs and I gulp as I watch him throw his head back and close his eyes letting the sun rays wash over him and completely cover him in a hazy golden glow.

He really is an Angel.

Cocking one eye open he frowns at me, "you OK Duo?"

"Yes!" I say almost too quickly as I fumble with my book, "just, you know, erm – getting ready for the talent show."

"You're entering the talent show?" He places his full focus on me now. "Why? How?"

"I'm guessing Relena entered me -" I begin uncertainly as a very dark look comes to his face - he looks like he wants to murder someone. "But I'm sure I'll be fine, I'm just thinking over what I'm going to sing."

"You're going to sing!?" I swear if Heero's eyes bulge out any more they are going to pop out. His hand suddenly slaps across his face in horror. "You're nuts! You're going to be the laughing stock of the school do you know that!"

"Why do you think that?"

"Duo you're -" He begins and then sighs and I can feel anger burning up inside of me. He thinks I can't do this. He's thinking what everyone else will be thinking – Duo Maxwell choir geek is going to try and sing and make a fool outta himself. Like a guy like him would have any talent at all. I want to burst into a fit of laughter, little does he know he is sitting next to the one and only Shinigami – but then again I'm just Duo to him. Plain, boring, old Duo Maxwell who would rather cower in a corner than go up on a stage and sing.

"I'm what?" I snap

" - Nothing."

"Come on say it!" I yell in anger feeling the grip I have on my book tighten. "Or do you want me to say it for you!"

"Duo -"

"I'm the choir geek, the biggest loser in school, the class reject, the poorest person in the whole of Sanc, a loner!" I snarl and I can feel every word stabbing into my heart making me realise why I like to keep a low profile at school. Maybe I shouldn't do this after all – or maybe I should prove them all wrong. "And you bet I have no talent and I'm going to make the biggest fool outta myself so I can be taken down as the biggest loser in the Guinness Book of Records."

"I just -"

"Didn't know I had a talent?" I say, I'd already heard those words once today from Bitch Peacecraft. Then again the two of them used to go out so why shouldn't they think in the same way – like two peas in a pod.

"Just because I'm a nobody doesn't mean I can't be good at anything that a somebody might be good at."

"Duo – look – I'm not trying to sound mean or anything but compared to Relena you don't have a chance." You think Shinigami hasn't got a chance against Miss Pink? Oh yes – you've really made me mad now.

"So why don't we make a little wager." I snarl, his eyes widen slightly and then darken.

"What are the conditions?" I sit there thoughtful for a few minutes trying to think of something I have to bet, and then it dawns on me – I have nothing Heero Yuy, God of the Sanc, would want.

"How about if Relena wins you have to tell me about your real past before you came here." Except that.

My mouth flops open, "but -" He can't know any of that stuff!

"And if you win -" he continues, the look that comes to his face will be burnt into my mind forever. Rolling onto his side he says with the sexiest grin, "I will take you out to dinner."

Holy fuck – sorry Lord – Heero Yuy is offering to take me out to dinner if I win! Holy mother of God! But what does that mean?! A celebratory dinner? A punishment for him? A date? (probably not the latter), but oh GOD! I smile openly and hold out my hand more confident.

"Deal." He takes it within his.

"Deal." He gives me a sort of smile which makes my heart skip a beat.

You see the thing is Heero Yuy, Shinigami always wins.

TBC...