Days After: Part 3 by Blind Zen Archer Days After by Blind Zen Archer Part 3

Heero gently rubbed his temples as he stared at the monitor on his desk.

There was absolutely no evidence that the fertilizer factory was being used as a bomb plant. They'd even laid off a shift's worth of workers this month!

Why had Une asked him to work overtime for this?

"Maybe she's slipping her glasses on when none of us notice..."

Oh. God. Had he said that aloud?

"I need to get out of here...good thing this report is almost done."

Good thing it was Duo's night to cook, or there would be hell to pay when he got home...

Duo heard the garage door, and began applying the finishing touches to dinner.

"So, are the farmers going to take over the world?"

"Not as far as I can tell...though I suppose the prices in the grocery store could be part of an elaborate plot."

Duo snorted. Heero was beginning to develop a quite subtle and somewhat acidic sense of humor.

"So, why was she making you do two hours of overtime, then?"

"I don't know...maybe she's still pissed about the time I trashed her Aries."

"Who can tell with her? Well, this is pretty much ready, so pour yourself a drink and sit down."

Heero poured a glass of water for himself, and let his jacket slip off his shoulders and onto the back of their couch before slowly settling into his seat.

"Seems like all I do lately is sit down somewhere. In the office, in the car...what is for dinner, anyways?"

Duo came in, setting a skillet onto the marble between their plates.

"Black pepper steak and rice skillet. I wanted to do something relatively quick that you'd like."

"Oh..."

Duo half turned as he filled his own glass, "Something wrong with that?"

"No, I just thought you were going to make the chicken soup recipe you found."

"Oh...I thought about it, but it would take two hours to simmer, and since I wasn't sure when you'd be home, I went for something quick and easy. This only took ten minutes."

"Ah...well, it smells great."

"Thanks," Duo sat and examined Heero carefully, "You look tired, love."

"I feel tired, love. Paperwork is a more stressful battle than any we ever fought with the Gundams."

"Well, how about we eat, watch a little TV to relax, and then get to bed early so you can get some rest?"

"Sounds pretty good...this tastes great, Duo."

"I thought you liked it."

"You want help with the dishes?"

"If you're not too tired."

Duo lay on the couch, with Heero atop him, and could feel Heero's sigh of relief and fatigue vibrate through his chest.

"Long day."

"Hai..."

"Well, what would you like to watch?" Duo let one arm snake around Heero's chest, while the other idly picked up the remote control.

"No idea...what's on?"

"Hmm...Zero-g football playoffs..."

"I don't think I'm really in the mood for watching people bash their brains out in null-grav."

"Okay...heh. Heheheh..."

"What?"

"Oh, just a historical drama that's coming on in a few minutes..."

"Historical dramas usually don't make you laugh like that."

"This one does. Ever hear of M*A*S*H?"

"No..."

"Trust me, I think it's just what you need."

"Who am I to argue with Shinigami?"

"Exactly."

Duo gently reached down and kissed Heero's forehead and temple, then let his other arm settle protectively acrost his chest after switching the channel.

Well...they'd go to bed early, but maybe they wouldn't go to sleep for a bit longer...

End Part 3

Blind Zen Archer

Please send comments to: BZArcher@gundam.com

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