Warnings: R, 3x4, 1+R, 2+H, 5+S, 13+11, 6+9 – Sap, Angst, Lime, AU

Disclaimer: As always I make no claim to Gundam Wing or any of its characters!

A/N: Yay…I've finally worked out how to sort the damn format on these things…hopefully the fic should be a little more reader friendly from now on!

No notes for this chapter really, it's a bit of a filler chapter really…sorry but sometimes it just has to happen! Thanks again for reading…I'm sorry updates are a little slow, no pointy objects please ^_^

Anyway…I hope you enjoy!

FALCON'S REVENGE

Part Eight – Farewells

'Exactly how long do you think it's going to take us to reach Setadon?'

Heero asked Wufei as they climbed the stairs to Quatre's room. The magician shrugged, 'about a week if we were to travel straight there but I'm almost certain Quatre will want to go to the capital first to see Iria.'

Heero frowned, '…do you suppose she will have already heard of what has happened before Quatre gets there?'

Wufei nodded, 'almost certainly…but there are some formalities Quatre will need to take care of before we can move on.'

Both men fell silent as they climbed the last stair leading to the Innkeeper's room where the Duke now slept, '…by the way have you seen Trowa this morning…he wasn't in his room…' Heero asked as they came to a halt outside the wooden door.

Wufei smirked and raised an eyebrow, 'really…I wonder where he could be…?'

'I've got a few ideas…'

Wiping the grin that threatened to spread across his face Heero set his expression before knocking heavily on the door and entering, Wufei close behind him. Both men had to stifle their laughter as they entered and surveyed the scene in front of them.

Startled awake by the knock on the door Trowa had sat up so quickly when the two men entered that he had pitched Quatre clear off the bed.

The blonde woke with an indignant squeal as he hit the cold floor and blinked rapidly as his sleep fogged mind tried to grasp the situation.

'W-what the hell is going on?'

He demanded picking himself off the ground and turning to glare at the three men before him. Trowa began to stammer an apology but Quatre waved it off, 'not you Trowa…Heero, do we no longer wait to be admitted before entering a room?' he challenged trying his best to look imposing, though only too aware of his unclad state.

The captain fought the urge to snicker and amazingly kept a strait face as he replied, 'apologies my lord, we weren't expecting you to have…ah…company.'

Quatre looked at the three me in front of him, Heero and Wufei obviously trying their utmost not to breakdown while Trowa had retreated into hiding under the sheets on the bed.

Unable to keep the stern demeanour any longer Quatre closed his eyes and began to laugh moving to the side of the bed to pull the sheets from a rather red-faced Trowa. 'A-are you…alright?' he asked the ranger through mirth filled gasps, 'really Trowa, there's no reason to be so embarrassed!'

The brunette merely glared at Quatre and snatched the sheets from the blonde before pulling them back over his head, 'when you said you would 'take care of it' this wasn't what I envisioned…' he grumbled from beneath the sheets.

At that point Heero and Wufei finally gave into their mirth and soon the room was filled with laughter. Sighing Quatre looked suspiciously at the sheets beside him, which were shaking as Trowa fought his own laughter and the blonde was grateful to see that his lover was also finally beginning to see the lighter side of the event.

Wiping his eyes Quatre looked away and out of the window onto the grassy plains behind the inn, he knew that their laughter was born as much from tension as humour, but he was glad that his companions seemed to be returning to themselves somewhat after the trials of the previous few days.

'Wufei…Heero, if you wouldn't mind, Trowa and I will join you shortly.' The two men inclined their heads in ascent and left the room, though Quatre could still hear them chuckling as they moved down the stairway.

Climbing across the bed Quatre tugged the covers from his green-eyed lover and pulled Trowa onto his back pinning the brunette's hands with his own.

'You seem to be feeling better…' Trowa said pushing Quatre back so he could look at his side and arm. The black veins that had been so prominent the night before were faded so that only a light scaring across the skin could be seen.

Reaching up Trowa traced his fingers along the lines causing Quatre to hiss and lean into his soft touches. Catching Trowa's hands again Quatre pressed him back into the bed before leaning down and delivering an ardent kiss. Both young men were breathless when he finally pulled back and Quatre gave Trowa a lazy smile before moving his kisses to the brunette's neck.

Using all his willpower not to get lost in those delicate kisses Trowa pushed the blonde back slightly and sat up pulling Quatre close and wrapping his arms around the blonde's waist.

'Do you really think we have time for this?' he asked and Quatre sighed placing one more gentle kiss on Trowa's mouth before pulling back and padding across the room to retrieve their clothing.

Throwing Trowa's clothes to him Quatre pulled his own on before once again joining the brunette on the bed, '…no I suppose not,' he said as he buckled his sword belt around his waist.

'Are we heading straight for Setadon?' Trowa asked the blonde as he stood pulling his tunic over his head.

Quatre shook his head, 'no…we need to head for Levas first, I have to take care of some things there before we can move on.'

'Things…?'

Quatre frowned and looked away, 'I'd really rather not talk about it at the moment Trowa…just some formalities that need to be taken care of that's all.'

Trowa had the good sense to drop the conversation as they left the room and headed down to the innkeepers kitchen where the others were waiting for them.

'The horses and supplies are ready Quatre.' Wufei said looking up from his gruel as the pair entered the kitchen.

The blonde nodded and wondered over to the iron pot that stood over the fire, he frowned slightly before beginning to spoon the watery substance into his bowl.

'What's the matter?' Trowa asked as he came up behind him.

Quatre shrugged and leant closer to Trowa, 'don't tell the innkeeper…but I hate gruel…' he grumbled wrinkling his nose as he picked his spoon out of the bowl and watched the liquid slide off the implement and land back in the bowl with a sickly squelch.

Trowa chuckled quietly as they made their way back over to the table where strips of bacon, hard cheese, fresh fruit and warm loaves of black peasant bread were laid out. 'Do you not want any of this?' Trowa asked the blonde as Quatre ignored the food on the table.

Quatre shook his head 'no…thank you' he said, before heading out of the kitchen to find the innkeeper; his bowl still in his hand.

The brunette frowned after Quatre's retreating figure and glanced back down at the table, if Quatre didn't like the gruel…why would he take that instead of the other food on the table?

'It's because he knows that the innkeeper can't really afford to spear it…'Wufei said in answer to Trowa's unspoken question.

'…sorry?'

'Quatre knows that the only reason the man put this out…' Wufei swung his arm across the food on the table, '…was that he felt he should provide more for a duke than just gruel. They can't really spare the food though, it will take days for emergency supplies to arrive from nearby towns and the people here will need all the provisions they have to survive until it does…that is why Quatre does not take it.'

Trowa nodded silently his eyes returning to the doorway Quatre had just disappeared through, the blonde was so considerate, Trowa thought his insides warming at Quatre's unconscious compassion and nobility.

'We know…'. this time Heero answered Trowa's unspoken thoughts and the brunette began to wonder if everyone in their little group except him could read minds.

'It's in your expression…' Heero clarified as Trowa raised an eyebrow.

'We all care about Quatre very much Trowa…' Heero's voice had taken on a slightly ominous tone.

Wufei continued, 'We can understand how you would feel the way you do about him…but Quatre has many trials ahead of him, he doesn't need any more…do you understand?'

Trowa nodded, 'I won't be a burden to him…' he promised quietly.

Both Heero and Wufei nodded please with Trowa's understanding, 'good…then we wont have to speak of this again,' Heero said falling silent as they waited patiently for Quatre to return.

An hour later saw them mounted and ready to move out. Half the provisions the innkeeper had originally given them now lay back on the kitchen table.

Quatre had refused to take all of them, informing the man it was only a two day ride to Levas and they did not need all the supplies he had provided them with.

Relena stood beside the innkeeper and his wife her posture ridged as she fought the tears that threatened to overwhelm her. She had already said her farewells to her husband in private and now approached Quatre's horse.

'Goodbye Quatre…may your goddess grant you mercy' she said to the young duke her eyes mirroring the pain etched across her face.

Quatre smiled gently and moved his hand to cup her face, '…look after Heero when he returns…' he told her and Relena nodded no longer able to stop the tears from falling down her cheeks.

'I'll miss you…' she whispered, 'we all will…'

Quatre closed his eyes from a moment to force back his own tears, 'I know Relena…I will miss you all too, take care.'

Relena nodded and caught Quatre's hand, kissing it before walking back over to where the innkeeper and his wife stood. The older woman wrapped a motherly arm around the young noblewoman rubbing comforting patterns on the girl's back, 'hush now dear…' she soothed as they continued to watch the party.

Quatre waited for Relena to return to the older couple and then turned to the others, 'we need to leave…now' he said, his voice slightly choked.

Nodding the others set their heels to their mounts before setting off down the dirt track leading away from the inn and towards the capital. Quatre glanced over his shoulder one last time before turning his back on his childhood home and following after the others.

'Goodbye sweet Rebalion…we will not meet again.'

They travelled quickly towards Levas, keeping a steady trot, canter pace for the first few hours before slowing to give their mounts chance to rest.

'How long do you expect us to be in Levas Quatre?' Wufei asked.

The blonde shrugged, 'no longer than a couple of days I hope…we cannot tarry long.'

The magician nodded thoughtfully, 'you will send Iria back to Rebalion?'

'Only if she wants to go…I won't order her to. I do not know if she will want to take up such a burden…'

Quatre trailed off and looked away obviously uncomfortable with the conversation, deciding to drop the matter Wufei changed the subject. 'When we reach Setadon…what do you plan to do there?'

'Train.'

'Train…?'

'Yes, I will need to go to the head priest and receive instruction on how to correctly summon the goddess' power…and how to control it.'

'Hmm…and this will take some time I suppose?'

Quatre grimaced slightly, 'it should take years Wufei…but obviously we don't have that sort of time. I hope to be there less than a fortnight, but until I get there…I just don't know.'

They fell silent again as they continued to travel towards the city. The sky above them gradually changed from a clear blue to a ruddy orange as the sun began to set and the evening chill filled the air.

Trowa glanced across at Quatre noticing the way the blonde sagged slightly in the saddle. 'Quatre…' he called.

'Yes Trowa…?'

'I think we should be calling it a day…it's going to be dark soon and we'll need the remaining light to see to the horses.' It was as good an excuse as any Trowa decided…telling Quatre he was worried about his stamina probably wouldn't be the best way to approach the issue.

Quatre sighed glancing up at the sky, 'yes…I guess you're right. We'll head for those trees over there,' he said pointing to a small copse about half a league ahead of them.

True to Trowa's prediction it was dark by the time the horses were tethered and fed and the four men sat silently around a small fire as they waited for the peasant bread and bacon to warm.

Quatre leant against Trowa his eyes shut as he enjoyed the gently warmth from the fire, readily loosing himself to the soft crackle of the flames and the rhythmic rise and fall of his lover's chest.

Trowa glanced down at the blonde and smiled, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and pulling him closer. Quatre sighed against him and moved his own arms to wrap them around Trowa's waist before shifting his head to lay it against the ranger's chest.

Heero gazed out into the darkness his face thoughtful, 'we're about ten leagues from Levas…' he told them, 'we should be there by late afternoon or early evening tomorrow.'

Quatre nodded in agreement opening his eyes to look at his captain, 'we've made good progress, I wouldn't be surprised if we arrive a little earlier than that if we don't stop for meals.'

They sat watching the fire as it cavorted between the charred branches; talking quietly among themselves while they ate their meagre rations. Everyone unconsciously steered clear of conversations involving their journey, sticking to trivial matters instead, each loath to break the quiet serenity enticed by the still evening.

Once they had finished their meal Trowa glanced down at Quatre to ask him a question, only to find the blonde fast asleep in his arms, fatigued from their journey and the previous days' trials. Though Quatre's wounds were now almost fully healed, the increased energy needed to heal his injuries had left him exhausted.

Wufei watched the blonde sleep for a moment before raising himself to his feet, 'I will stand watch tonight' he said to the others.

'Come and find me at midnight and I'll take over from you' Heero said.

Wufei shook his head, 'that is not necessary…I need to meditate anyway.'

Heero shrugged, 'well if that's what you want…I wont force the issue.' He stood up and moved to the packs pulling out their blankets and throwing one to Wufei and two to Trowa, he took the last one for himself before moving back to the fire.

Wufei nodded in thanks and moved silently into the darkness to head back to the roadside.

'Doesn't he sleep…?' Trowa asked the captain.

Heero shook his head, 'not much…don't think he needs it…he's a strange one Wufei.'

Trowa nodded in agreement and stretched out on the ground, shifting until he could find a spot where no twigs or stones thrust into his back. Quatre lay half over him his head resting on Trowa's chest and his breathing deep as he slept.

'Well…goodnight Heero' Trowa said.

The captain grunted in response and soon both men were deep in slumber.

Wufei sighed slightly as he watched the three men around the fire, turning his back on them he settled himself on the ground, crossing both legs beneath him. Closing his eyes he began his mental exercises envisioning pure whiteness surrounding him, and after a while he felt his thoughts calm and his fears still.

Focusing his mind he began to search the surrounding area intent on finding any who wished their party harm; when he found nothing he retreated back inside himself satisfied that for this night at least, they were safe from attack.

With that though in mind Wufei let his mind wonder, and though always aware…like the others, he rested.

TBC…