Afterthoughts (Chapter 2)

Chapter 2: Meetings

Heero continued walking and reached his home. As he stepped inside he thought about his work day. More people wondering who this man was who could tell them all about how to build things and repair them... even more so than the legendary Duo Maxwell. He would have to keep a lower profile.
He walked to his kitchen and checked the cupboards. Not much. Being a travelling repairman and mechanics expert had its definite disadvantages, including the low and inconsistent pay. He was lucky enough to be living where he was, though the place was very small. And run down. He ran his hand through his hair and sat down. Looking out the small window, his thoughts wandered again to wondering how everyone else was, where everyone else was, what they were doing... *RIIIINGG!!* The phone interrupted him. He walked to the small table.

"Hello?" he said into the receiver.

"Are you the guy who repairs stuff and can work with mechanics?" a woman's voice asked abruptly.

"Yea," he said. "When, what, and where?"

A pause. "How do I know you're that guy?"

Heero became exasperated. "Look lady, if you want me to fix your stuff then just tell me where, what, and when!"

The woman laughed. "You sure as hell have the temperament of a mechanic. Tomorrow around five." She gave him the address and hung up quickly. He realized after that he didn't know what the hell he was fixing. He sighed. Oh well. He'd find out; he was sure he'd be perfectly capable of fixing it.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Vixen turned from the hall table and walked to the room again. She had been so good at this only a year before, why couldn't she fix the pack? Sighing softly, she pushed the heavy hunk of metal back into its place by the wall. Flicking off the light, she headed to her room. Tomorrow would bring what it may. As she changed for bed, she gazed out her window. What it may... God knows what that will be. He only knows. She turned off the light and soon fell fast asleep.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Heero awoke to the sounds of birds. Country life. He hated it. Looking toward his window he yawned, trying to wake up. The sunlight streamed into the tiny room, giving it a cheery look. His head dropped back onto the pillow. Why did he need to get up? To spend another worthless day scraping for money? He sighed inwardly. He needed it, no matter how small the job was, or he wouldn't eat for another week. Wearily he pulled himself out of bed, got dressed and tried to find something for breakfast.

He wandered around the city, not really going anywhere. He browsed sections of stores, looked at things he couldn't afford, and left.

What a day... wandering around doing nothing until 5 o'clock when I can finally go get some cash.

Heero looked again at the slip of paper that had her address on it.

Wonder what I'm supposed to fix.

It couldn't be anything too special, though.
He was thinking about it with such concentration that he didn't notice the young man walking towards him.

"Ooof!" the guy cried out as Heero walked into him. "Hey buddy, watch it! Better pay attention to- huh?" Heero looked up the same time the other man did. "Heero?!"

"Hm? Duo?" Heero asked in surprise.

"Hey man! Long time no see! What're you doin round here?" Duo asked cheerfully, springing to his feet. Heero rose more slowly.

"I-" he began, taking on his "prefect soldier" attitude once more. "None of your business Maxwell. I have my reasons."

Duo's face clouded, but he quickly recovered. "Okay, whatever. I'm here looking for some mechanic guy who's stealin' business from me. If ya ever meet the guy, tell him the God of Death's hot on his trail! Later!" he called as he sauntered away.

So Duo's here. And looking for me.

Turning from Duo's retreating form, Heero checked his watch. 4:45. Well, he could start walking now. Always better to get there early, maybe he'd get a tip or something.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"Thank you," Vixen said to the shopkeeper. As he stared with that stupid smile, she grabbed her bag of groceries and left the store. Honestly. Men.

Not all men.

She shoved the thought out of her head and headed home. Turning the corner of her block, she paused to adjust the contents of her bag. Not paying any attention, she began to walk again, still sifting her groceries. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed someone behind her. When she paused, he paused. She began again, so did he. She had nopatience for this right now.

"Hey look," she cried, spinning around. "I have NO tolerance for people following me around, got it?! So just back off!"

Wait a sec- hold it! Hair-face-eyes...

"Heero?" she whispered, barely audible.

It's Heero...!

There was something different about him... not just his outfit... not his hair, that was the same... that's it! He actually looked surprised!

Vixen...?!

Was this the same girl? Could it be possible that she had grown even more beautiful over the course of just one year? And yet her eyes reflected something he hadn't seen before... a look of sincerity behind her harsh front.

"Vixen..." he said.

She regained her composure and tossed her hair back. "Heero." she said matter-of-factly. "Fancy meeting you here."

"Yea, just by chance..." he replied. "Why are you here?" asked, trying to hide his curiosity.

She gave a start. Why did he want to know? Warily she answered. "I have to... meet someone."

"Oh. Okay," he said.

"Why are you here?" she asked, just as pathetically trying to hide her curiosity.

"I..." he started, then thought better of it. I HAVE to keep my image as a perfect warrior,he thought. "I'm meeting someone as well."

"Well then," she said, pretending not to care and smiling coyly. "I guess I'll see you around."

"Yea, whatever," he replied, looking around as if uninterested.

"Fine. Bye." Vixen began to walk away.

"Hey! Um..." Heero said, advancing then stepping back. "Uh," he said less gently. "Tell me where this place is."

Her eyes narrowed. "Pardon? Tellyou? Excuse me, ask me like a gentleman" she said, stressing the word, "and I might tell you."

As straight-forward as ever,he thought. "Never mind. I only asked to be polite"he retorted. "I'll find the place myself." He turned and strode away, pretending to be oblivious to what she was doing.

She watched him for a few seconds, then tossed her head haughitly, spun around, and headed home.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

((*END CHAPTER 2*))

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*