Disclaimers: Don't own any part of Gundam Wing nor it's characters. Merely borrowing them for a little torture.

Warnings: Shounen-ai (because I suck at yaoi) , major A.U, some OOC I think, deathfic

Finding Heaven

Part Eleven: Can I send you home?

Dinner had settled into a wonderful sort of domesticity after that. Trowa had to coax a pouting Quatre into the living room while the rest of the servants cleaned out the ravages made to the kitchen and whipped six hungry people something to eat. They handled the cooking fire well, apparently, the stove exploding into a fiery end was a normal occurrence in the Winner household. Especially during Quatre's cookout night.

"Quat, it's just dinner," Duo smiled at the sulking Quatre.

"It was going to be delicious," Quatre insisted, crossing arms in front of him.

Trowa and Duo shared a knowing look before chorusing at the same time. "Of course it was, Quatre. Too bad, we were dying to taste it as well."

Quatre shot both of them a look that could have stripped paint of a wall before sinking into the couch again. "You guys are mean."

"We love you," the unrepentant two continued.

Aqua eyes glared at Trowa and threatened, "Guess who's sleeping on the couch tonight?"

"Why does Quatre want to sleep on the couch tonight?" Duo whispered conspiratorially to the emerald eyed man and was rewarded with a pillow to the face from an irate blond.

At the sight of everybody looking and feeling so relaxed, Quatre couldn't really stay angry, or pouty as the case was. Duo was actually sparkling with joy. The blond hadn't seen Duo this animated in a long time and it was caused by one Heero Yuy. He exchanged a warm look with Trowa, who had been observing Heero during the same time. The auburn haired man noticed a marked change in the normally stoic Heero Yuy Lowe. He seemed softer somehow, for the past few days. He was more caring, more aware of other's feelings, well, not really others, more like Duo's feelings. Normally getting what he wanted easily, Heero didn't need to care what others felt about him, although Trowa knew there was a caring soul under all the layers. This was the first time Trowa had seen his friend worked so feverishly for something. Knowing Duo, he knew the smaller man was worth it, very much like his blond angel.

"This is nice," Quatre commented, stretching. "Like the last time before Solo…" He bit the rest of it off, his gaze flying towards Duo's stricken expression.

Everyone in the room stiffened at the name and Duo seemed to wilt, looking surreptiously at Heero. He was stunned to note that there wasn't a hint of confusion written over Heero's normally stern features, only slight discomfort and concern.

Duo's head shot up and bored accusingly into Heero's. "Who told you?" His eyes swung around to settle on the guilty flush on both Quatre's and Trowa's cheeks. "How could you?" He whispered achingly and bolted into the patio.

"Winner, Barton," Wufei said, warningly. "There is no honour in what you did."

"I asked them for help, Wufei. I needed information to find out what I did wrong and how I was going to atone for it. I forced the issue," Heero spoke up, taking all the blame.

Wufei stared at the other dark haired man, unsure of whether to allow him to take the blame. He stood up abruptly. "I'll go see to Duo," he told the room and made to follow the path his brother took but was stopped by a muscular arm attached to one Heero Yuy.

"No," Heero said, firmly. "I believe that is my place." An unspoken communication passed between the two strong willed men, before Wufei nodded.

Obsidian eyes followed Heero out the door into the patio with slight regret. He had official given his little brother over to Heero Yuy.

Duo leaned against the railing that separated the patio from the rest of the massive garden, staring dully into the night. He didn't know whether to feel pissed or horrified. Heero knew. He knew every single thing about him and Solo, well, actually he didn't really know how much Heero knew, but his friends, they went behind his back to tell Heero.

The next question was how much was told? How far back did Quatre go?

"Duo," Heero ventured, unable to keep his eyes off the portrait Duo made, being bathed in the glow of the moon, casting his elfin face into a ethereal radiance.

Duo didn't turn, but noted Heero's presence. "What do you want?"

"Will you let me explain?" Heero reached out to Duo, touching him lightly on the shoulder.

Duo flinched reflectively. "Explain what?" He turned to face the Japanese man. "How you went behind my back to find out things that I may not want you to find out about? How you conspired with my friends to betray my trust? How you showed me how low you can be?"

Heero bowed his head, sighing softly. He stepped closer to Duo. "Love."

"Don't call me that!" Duo yelled, turning and hugging himself. "You got back with me out of pity!"

"No!" Heero assured hurriedly. "I did it because I love you." Unable to stop himself, he grabbed Duo in a tight hug, ignoring the other man's struggling. "I was a fool. I needed to know, I need to understand. I couldn't make things better if I didn't understand. Please, love," Heero implored, burying his face into Duo's neck. "I wanted to give you back everything Solo took from you, the trust you gave so willingly, the love you offered so unconditionally. I want that to be us."

Duo arms twitched indecisively. Heero's words were having more effect on him that he was willing to admit. He told himself he didn't trust anymore, but Heero was doing his damnest to making Duo trust him again, trust him with his heart once more.

"I screwed up again, I know that," Heero continued to speak; hoping the words that came deep from his heart would have some affect on the young man he had hurt again. "Don't let this break us; I love you too much to let this break us. Don't let Solo come between us again, please, love."

He's right, Brian told Duo seriously.

So what?

Solo shouldn't be such a painful memory anymore. Admit it to yourself; you want what he wants as well.

How can I forgive him?

There are other ways to make up Duo, just don't let something like break you again. You need him. Admit it.

No…

ADMIT IT!

Duo was tired of fighting, fighting Heero, fighting himself, fighting Solo's betrayal. He came to a decision. Hesitant arms crept up ones that tightly held him. He rubbed Heero's shaking arms soothingly. "I'm not going anywhere, love," he whispered softly.

Heero's head jerked up, and searched Duo's expressive eyes desperately, trying to find a very much sought after answer. Finding it, Heero moaned with relief, pulling Duo closer to him and was overjoyed to feel slender but strong arms enveloping him in return.

"I'm nothing but a street rat," Duo warned.

"I'll get rid of all the rat poison I have."

"I will never fit in with your Ivy league friends."

"I can't stand them anyway."

"Solo probably ruined me for life. I may never fully let go as I did with him."

"I wait until you can."

"I have a lot of emotional baggage."

"We'll get a bigger apartment."

Duo pulled away from the embrace but stayed in Heero's arms. "Are you sure? You really weren't a month ago. You never wanted this." He gazed deeply into Heero's cobalt blues.

"I was an ass a month ago," Heero told him simply. "People change, even in a short month. But my feelings for you have never changed Duo. I still love you just as I did last month. The only thing that has changed is my priorities and I did take that stick out of my ass you keep talking about." Now he smiled.

"Feels more comfortable, doesn't it?" Duo grinned.

"Lots," Heero grinned back at him.

"Kiss me," Duo said, huskily. "I think the whole second date thing is…" He got no further as Heero gently lowered his lips to silence him.

"You talk too much," he told Duo before claiming the soft lips that he had dreamed of for so long.

Duo's lips part as an invitation and was immediately accepted by Heero. They tasted each other, as if for the first time. Maybe it was the first time. Their previous encounters had nothing of the emotion that ran through both of them now, nothing of the desire to not only pleasure, but to comfort each other as well, to share each other's pain, to love. Their lips teased and tantalised, their breath mingled, their bodies danced to the song of rising passion. It seemed an eternity, it was a moment, but all too soon, it ended. Unwilling to let go of the thing that he had chased for so long, Heero kept Duo trapped in his encircled arms, resting his head on the wealth of chestnut hair, breathing heavily.

"That felt different," Duo gasped, apparently in no better condition than Heero. "It was different from anything we did before."

"I know," Heero kissed the top of Duo's head softly. "Something has changed. Maybe it is me. Maybe I finally understand your question."

Duo remembered the question well. Maybe Heero had finally understood what it meant to be in a relationship. He had stopped all his sexual innuendoes that made Duo so flustered. In fact, the word sex hadn't even been uttered so far.

"Let's go back in," Heero invited.

Quatre and Trowa had apologised profusely to Duo when they went in but they had seen the warm glow on both men and the swollen lips. Duo had been pliant and forgiving. They sat down for a tasty dinner and it seemed like family. Duo had teased Wufei mercilessly and many times, Heero was actually afraid for his boyfriend. The Chinese man looked almost ready to rip the braided man's neck out, but Wufei merely shook his head and threatened to cut his braid off. They both knew their limits and had known each other too long to be insulted by a little teasing. It was close to midnight when Quatre decided to call it a night. He offered to have someone drive Duo home, seeing his little precious was not feeling well.

Heero snorted, realising everyone knew Duo's affinity with his car. It was disturbing to say the least. Sure some of his cruise ships had names, but he has never named his car.

But… Wing would be a nice name for his car though. Then he realised just how much influence Duo had had on him. He was getting to be as insane as the braided young man who has claimed his heart.

"Heero," Duo called, shyly. "Can you send me home?" He felt all eyes on him, especially Wufei's disbelieving ones. It was time to let go a little more.

Heero was stunned for a moment, unable to react. Part of him wanted to scream for joy, the other part was just screaming finally, finally, finally.

Trowa noticed Heero was in a state of brain freeze at the moment and quickly jumped in. "We can…"

"I'll send him home," Wufei interjected.

Duo flushed deeply, embarrassed that Heero didn't appear to want to send him home. "Yeah, sure 'Fei. Maybe you coul…."

"NO!" Heero yelled, just a little heatedly.

Every one turned to stare at Heero, shocked.

"I'm sending him home," Heero cut in. "Now," he grabbed hold of Duo's hand and began pulling him towards his car. He didn't want to risk Duo changing his mind. It could happen all too easily. He practically threw Duo into the passenger seat and slammed the door securely behind him. No, Duo wasn't going to get away this time. He nearly ran to the driver's side and revved the engine before the door was securely closed. That done he pulled out of the driveway like a bat out of hell and continued driving for long moments before turning to Duo and asked a little helplessly, "Where do you live?"

Duo burst out laughing and gave Heero the directions. He settled back onto the upholstery, unable to believe all that had happened during the night. This Heero Yuy was not the one he had been having dinner with for the past few months. This Heero Yuy was a new and improved version, fresh out of the factory. This Heero Yuy, he liked. The kiss had been completely out of this world. The intensity of their kisses hadn't changed but the feelings behind them were different. Duo liked this difference, a lot. He pondered on asking Heero in later. A slow bubble of excited nervousness grew in the pit of his stomach. Would he accept? Would he come in?

By the time Heero pulled into his modest home, Duo was a mass of nerves.

"Very nice," Heero observed, taking in the white picket fence and the smallish two storey home.

"It's just something I used to dream about when I was younger. So when I had the means…" Duo trailed off. He wasn't sure who initiated the kiss this time, but it was just as sweet and just as satisfying. It left them wonderfully breathless. "Do you want to come in?"

Duo saw hunger in the dark blue eyes and Heero searched his earnestly, as if trying to decide if going in was a good idea. Long moments passed and a rueful expression crossed Heero's features. He leaned in, kissing Duo's forehead softly, tracing the smaller man's shoulder to waist with his finger. No, maybe not yet.

"Not every relationship is about sex," Heero teased, enjoying the way Duo's eyes widened at having his own words thrown back at him. He silenced Duo with a finger on his lips. "You are not ready. I'm not ready. We will wait," he continued to caress the braided photographer's lower lip with a thumb. "Thank you for offering. You have no idea what it means to me."

"This is goodnight?" Duo asked, disappointed.

"For now," Heero cupped the back of Duo's neck, bringing him close for another breath stealing kiss. It wasn't long before both men's pants felt incredibly tight.

"Let's have dinner tomorrow night," Duo offered. "I have nothing in my kitchen, but we can call for a pizza or something?" He was unwilling to leave the car, to leave this delicious heat Heero was awakening in him.

Heero laughed a deep, throaty sound. "You don't have enough servants to put out kitchen fires like Quatre. I'll cook."

"So, it's a date?"

"You better believe it."

tbc…

Heero: I'm finally going to get some?

Tsu: Of course! *snickers*

Guys, thank you all for your reviews!!! This is so great, my insane babble is actually liked by some people!! As promised, 60 reviews, next chappie. You guys know the drill… Loves you all for those who reviewed and those who keep reading.