Heero walked around the block again. It was raining cats and dogs. He didn't even live on this block. But Zechs did. This was the tenth time Heero had passed Zechs' apartment building. Zechs' car was not parked out front. Heero raised his his eyebrows in concern. It was nearly five in the morning and Zechs was not home.

Then, as if it happend because Heero wished it so, Zechs' car pulled up in his "spot." And like he was in a transe, Zechs got out of his car and blankly walked into the building. He did not even notice Heero standing there. Heero walked in after Zechs.

"Zechs?" Heero called out. He was lucky enough to catch Zechs waiting for an elevator. The blonde man looked over at Heero. Zechs had been crying. His icy eyes were red and irritated.

"What are you doing out so late?" Heero asked Zechs. Heero stayed a good distance away from Zechs.

"I had a personal matter to attend to. Concerning a friend of yours." Zechs said. There was an edge in his voice. Pain, perhaps?

"Oh. Who?" Heero examined Zechs from a distance. The elevator arrived and Zechs stepped inside, and Heero rushed to get inside also. Heero now stood three feet from the tall blonde.

"Your friend, Duo Maxwell, was in love with me." Zechs said, the pain now evident in his voice. Zechs did not look Heero in the eye.

"Was? He's not anymore? What'd you do, drive him away with that cheerful personality of yours?" Heero joked. A little too late he realized what he had said.

The elevator reached Zechs' floor. The solemn Zechs stepped out and into the hallway. Heero reluctantly followed. Zechs was about to unlock his apartment door when Heero spoke to him again.

"I guess this is a bad time to tell you, but," Heero began, "I guess I love you also."

Zechs' glare was icy. Colder than the entire continent of Antartica. His face displayed no emotion. His lips formed a frown.

"I already knew. Relena told me. Heero, you know I am engaged to Lu. You were there at Valkyrie's coming home. You know how much they both mean to me. Besides them I love only one other person. My sister. I respect you greatly Heero, and you are one of my closest friends, but I do not love you." Zechs stated coldly.

"Zechs, you must be really tired and stressed. I understand. Call me when you have the time. Please. I hope you change your mind. Or at least your tone," Heero said in his monotonous voice. With that understanding both men went home. For Zechs it was a matter of two feet. For Heero, a walk of two miles. But he didn't mind the rain. Rain was thinking weather. And he needed to think. Desperately, he needed to think.