Quatre began walking towards the staircase he had just recently come down. Act two was starting now, and he was saddened he couldn't actively participate. Ah, well, sacrifices must be made to remain 'innocent' in the coming matters. Everything would go as planned now. Nothing could stop his reign any longer. He had Trowa in his clutches, and soon that Duo Maxwell would follow. He was too beautiful to waste on Heero. "Come, Trowa. We have much to discuss concerning our.wedding," he smiled as he called this to the taller youth, his eyes glinting evilly at the thought of the upcoming events. Perhaps he'd watch after all. The secret passageway could be used for so much more than just looking.

Trowa barely shuddered at those words, but four pairs of eyes caught even that slight movement. He nodded and followed Quatre up the stairs, once again asking everyone to make themselves comfortable. _Master.no.not now.please._ he inwardly pleaded, wanting to beg for mercy, but not being able to form the words. A single word could bring ruin on Quatre, but Trowa couldn't bear to see the pain it would cause him. _Do I still love him? Even after all this? How can I? But I do.I can feel it.but why is he doing this? What happened to the Quatre I fell in love with? Is he gone forever?_ Trowa asked himself as he walked up the stairs obediently, a little piece of him dying with the action.

Heero's eyes grew wide as he realized what was happening right now and what was about to happen. _No! Not even Quatre would do something like this during a public gathering...unless he's got something planned for his guests._ Heero was torn between the need to save the green-eyed boy and the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach that something enormous was about to happen. Something having to do with Duo. Was Duo going to tell him to get lost? Probably. That could explain the way he acted in the car. That could also explain why he'd said more to Zechs than he had to Heero all night. Heero felt something stir in his body and he stopped caring what happened.

Duo closed his eyes and moved towards a wall, needing support from a stable object. He hadn't thought it would be this soon, hadn't thought it'd go this fast.it was almost time for his part. It only made things worse that Milliardo had chosen to make an appearance at the party. Duo'd thought Milliardo would have the sense to stay away from the party tonight, to send someone in his place, but no, there he was. Dang it, he didn't WANT Milliardo to have a place in this! Sure, he was mad at Milliardo, but he didn't want it to be Milliardo's turn tonight. _Damn it all to Hell! Why do I have to do this tonight? Why did he have to show up after all this? Why the Hell do *I* have to do this?_

WuFei scanned the room with his mind, searching for the missing part of his team. He almost wished the missing person would start the coming chaos so they could leave, but he stayed calm. WHERE THE HELL WAS HE? He should've been here by now...unless he was disguising himself again. WuFei inwardly cringed at the memory of his first meeting with his now leader. So many secrets within secrets, tricks within tricks within a larger, unapproachable plot. No, the missing leader must be here. But why hadn't he shown himself yet? Was he still angry after what had happened earlier? WuFei had to admit he probably was. _It wasn't my fault! That onna is always getting me into trouble! Why do I have to have her as my partner?_

Milliardo was still shaking with anger after he delivered Relena into the hands of Dorothy Catalonia and Lady Une. There was no denying it now, not now that.HE.was here. So this was why he was supposed to be here. But what was he supposed to stop? Who would be the victim this time? And who would be the perpetrator? Milliardo's mind froze as he remembered even he could fall prey. He had thought of killing Relena earlier. While it would do the world good, could he really go through with it while HE was here? Milliardo imagined the look of contentment and satisfaction on HIS face and barely kept from shuddering. No, he couldn't.could he?

Sally turned to WuFei, her lips barely moving as she whispered, with both fear and respect, "I've found him." Her eyes betrayed her worry, and WuFei almost felt repentant for thinking badly of her. She was truly sincere in her work, but she just seemed to always mess up his missions! However, WuFei had to admit he did his own share of screwing up every so often. "We'd better report," she added, and WuFei's sympathy vanished, and the anger returned.

"I do not need you to tell me to report, Onna! I know better than that!" he growled as they began moving towards their leader. However, they both knew their fates relied on their leader's good mood. Too bad for them he wasn't in one at the moment. They could both tell from his posture things were not going to go as planned.

Heero was quickly swept into the conversation between Relena and Dorothy as they moved in. Relena dropped blunt hints about him 'accidentally' arriving at her address, even going so far as to rub her hand over his arms, complimenting his muscles. Heero felt thoroughly sick, but he couldn't get away.

Duo leaned against the wall, his eyes closed in contemplation. Heero was missing, and for once, Duo appreciated the lack of his koibito. He needed time to think, as well as time to locate certain people. _Who will start it this time? Why? Does it really matter anymore? No, not really. It'll all end the same way. But this time is different. This time Heero will find out the truth, and he'll leave. Who wouldn't? Who would want to-- _ his thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of his companions.

"Shinigami-sama, we've been waiting for you," Sally whispered, inclining her head slightly. She didn't dare bow further considering they were in public, but she was equally trying to show respect. The result was almost comical as she almost fell over from remaining so tense. "You wanted us here to give us further instructions?" she asked, valiantly trying to keep from blushing.

WuFei merely kept a look-out as Duo answered her. "Why didn't the two of you get over here earlier for your instructions? Why didn't you tell me Milliardo was here?" Shinigami asked in the same dark tone he'd used on Milliardo. There wasn't a trace of anger in the tone, nor in the words, only deadly annoyance. Sally flinched at his tone, not particularly ready to challenge the god of death anytime soon. There were others better suited to the job.

"We were looking for you earlier, Shinigami, but you were disguising yourself. We couldn't have told you Milliardo was here because we couldn't find you," WuFei replied easily. He was one of the few people who could shrug off Shinigami's anger. He knew Shinigami wasn't happy with him, but he couldn't care less at the moment. Shinigami could go back to Hell for all he cared right now. His emotions were swirling inside of him, confusing his mind. _I know that 'Trowa' from somewhere.and why does Quatre seem familiar?_

"Fine. Blame it on the god who's just trying to do his job. Everyone does anyway. Everyone blames it on someone else. Everything's the same in the end. Everyone loses everything and everyone's left with only Death, but even Death is alone for eternity." Duo muttered, his eyes reverting to indigo from the black they had become while Shinigami spoke. His voice was strangely bitter, and it seemed he had only just realized something upsetting. His voice was softer than usual, letting out a feeling that he too was vulnerable to pain.

Sally blinked. She'd seen Shinigami change before, but it was always unsettling to see him return to the state of a mere mortal. Especially if the mortal sounded so unhappy. There was something distinctly wrong with an unhappy mortal-god, and she didn't like it one bit. ".Shinigami-sama, is something wrong?"

"Just go get ready, Sally. We're gonna get a lot of visitors in Hell tonight," Duo leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes. The discussion was over for the moment. Duo had way too much to think about to deal with decisions about his duties. Frankly, he hated what was about to happen.

He liked being Shinigami most of the time, but right now he'd give anything just to be a plain mortal. He was about to lose his love because of his work. Oh, Heero would live on past this night, Duo would make sure of that, but he would always remember he'd kissed, dated, heck, even slept with Shinigami. He'd never be comfortable within a fifty mile radius of Duo. Hell, he'd never even look at Duo again after he found out his true identity.

Tears formed in Duo's eyes, but he burned them away with the anger of Shinigami. He'd mourn his love later, after he lost him.

Milliardo moved towards a wall, finding himself directly opposite Shinigami. The god was collaborating with his two minions and would soon begin the attacks. _Don't I ever get a break? I never *asked* to be a Guardian! Why do I always have to go against a god? It's not like I even have a chance at winning! The outcome's already decided! So what's the point of even having Guardians of Life?_ Milliardo knew the answer to the question. There had to be a balance of everything. He'd been raised listening to the entire 'Story of Balance' and frankly, he was sick of it. There had to be an easier way of keeping a balance without ruining other people's lives. He'd given up so much because he was a Guardian. Relena was now the legal heir to their parent's wealth and she would receive the entire kingdom the day she turned twenty-one. That would ruin the kingdom. But what could he do?

He had to be thankful no one else knew she was the Crown Princess of Sanc Kingdom. If people started calling her Princess he'd never hear the end of it. His mind fleetingly wished he was back in Sanc, in the car, ANYWHERE but the party. There had to be a reason for him being there, but he couldn't find one anywhere.

Milliardo choked back a sigh as he scanned the room once again for any sign of trouble. There would be time for complaining later, after his work was done.

Both Duo and Zechs were brought out of their slight dazes by a piercing scream splitting the air. "You.you HIT me!" Dorothy whined, looking at her mentor in shock and anger. Une gazed back at her ward with eyes stern and unforgiving.

"That's right, Dorothy," she crooned in a sickly-sweet voice, succeeding in making Dorothy's temper flare over the edge. "I hit you," she smiled as she took a sip from her champagne glass. "You were acting like an immature little cur, and I'm your legal guardian, so I took the appropriate measures. I suggest you stop screaming your little head off; it's not going to do any good. You still haven't learned anything from when you were younger, and you obviously don't have enough brains in your head to learn anything now, so you should just keep your mouth shut."

"YOU B*TCH!!!!!!" Dorothy yelled, leaping on Une, hands outstretched. Her long fingernails sought to plunge into the skin around Une's neck, but missed their target as Une sidestepped her rampage. Dorothy crashed to the floor with a howl as everyone in the room froze.

Milliardo vaguely wondered why he couldn't move to stop what was happening. Shinigami must have cast a spell containing everyone, preventing them from interfering, but it shouldn't affect a Guardian! His arm seemed so heavy as it rose to his head to concentrate.and came in contact with a solid object. Of course! The mask was preventing his powers from coming to his aid.

The mask weighted twice what it should have, and his arms were lead weights as he laboriously lifted it off his head. Precious seconds ticked by, giving Shinigami the advantage, but Duo hadn't moved from his position. Milliardo wondered what was going through Duo's mind at this crucial point, _Can Duo still feel.no. Not Duo. Tonight's not about Duo. It's about Shinigami. Shinigami is the enemy. I can't let my personal feelings get in the way of my work._ Abruptly, the weight was gone and he threw the mask into a corner. Several items registered in his mind at once, filling him with confusion and hesitation, two elements which could be fatal to him or others he was sent to protect. First, Shinigami had come, not alone as he always had before, but with another.his boyfriend? Something burned in Zechs, and he barely recognized it as.pain? Regret? *Jealousy*? _NO! Concentrate._ Secondly, the forty guards had evacuated the hall, leaving the guests alone. Everything fit so well together.was this Quatre also an agent of Shinigami? Perhaps.

Duo's eyes switched to black at the first cry, quickly immobilizing all in the hall except for the two combatants. He sent a silent plea to Heero to understand why he did this. Shinigami smiled a cruel smile as he realized the Guardian was having a bit of trouble moving . _Well, Milliardo, you shouldn't wear the mask if you can't deal with the weight!_ Dorothy was going at Une with everything she had, and Une was merely waiting for the girl to tire herself out before making any moves. Shinigami sensed the hidden weapons Une was carrying and silently nodded approval. Une's methods were sadistic, but very workable. Perhaps a bit too workable.

Both Shinigami and the Guardian froze as they realized there was one other unaffected by the dark spell. Heero walked towards the two fighting as if compelled. Shinigami tried to call out to him, but no sound escaped his mouth, as if a power, higher even than death, was stopping him.

Heero reached the two fighting and stopped. Without saying a word, he whipped out a gun, seemingly from thin air. For one moment, all time ceased as Heero lifted the gun to the level of the two combatant's heads. _No! Heero!_ Shinigami fleetingly thought as Heero fired the gun twice.

Two thumps rang through the air as both combatants fell to the ground, as Heero turned to Duo like a man possessed. "Duo. Tell me what's going on." His eyes were calm and blank, startlingly so. There wasn't a trace of anger or resentment in the deep prussian blue depths, only serenity. Duo thought it looked so horribly out of place on the face of the one he loved.

"You'll see, Heero.koi.." Duo whispered the last word as he began walking to the two fallen. Milliardo stopped him with a shake of his head, his icy blue eyes capturing the indigo and forcing the memories back.

"They're not dead, [I]Shinigami[/I], or have your senses dulled that much?" Milliardo asked, his voice half mocking, half concerned. _Do I still care after all this time? I thought it would be gone by now._ "Apparently your [I]boyfriend[/I] there had the sense to use stun bullets."

Duo looked at Heero sadly, hearing Milliardo use his true name. It was only fair Milliardo was the one to send his love away. After all, hadn't Duo done the same for Milliardo in a slightly different way? _Good- bye, Hee-chan.I did love you, you know.I just couldn't trust you enough.I'm sorry._ the god whispered in his mind sadly.

However, Heero showed no surprise at the name. "So, is that your 'deep dark secret,' Duo?" Heero asked, his voice flat and unfeeling. "That you're Shinigami? Is that what you've been hiding from me this whole time?"

"Heero.I can explain." Duo started, his eyes begging for another chance for redemption in Heero's eyes. Those cold eyes, so unforgiving.

"No. I don't want to hear your explanation," Heero retorted calmly. His gaze never wavered from Duo's, his eyes betraying nothing, but stripping away the last barrier's Duo had erected. "I just want to hear you answer me one question, Duo, Shinigami, whoever you really are. Did you know?"

Milliardo watched silently as the confrontation rose. No one else in the room could see what was going on now, only they three existed. _Duo.I'm so sorry.but I can't let you have his love.not after you denied me yours._ Not too long ago, it had been he confronting Shinigami, asking him questions. Or rather, it had been Shinigami questioning him.

Duo stepped backwards as if he'd been slapped. His eyes revealed the pain he was in, but Heero seemed not to notice. "Did I know what, Heero?" Duo asked softly, his voice quiet.

"Was Quatre working for you? Were you looking for him? Was that why you came to me? To use me?" Heero asked, his words sending knives through Duo's soul. "Did you know about the pain? Did you know about the tears? Did you know about Quatre's little games? About the fear he made me feel because everything had to be perfect for him?"

Milliardo stiffened. So, this was one of the pieces of the puzzle he'd been looking for. Quatre. The golden haired conspirator. Now it was all coming together.but how did Heero and Trowa fit in? And what about Shinigami's minions? What other secrets were hidden here in this deadly trap?

Duo's shoulders slumped at Heero's accusations, defeated. "I see, Heero. Quatre did it to you too, didn't he. No, he never worked for me, Heero," he began, his gaze rising quickly. "I wasn't looking for him. I didn't know he was the one who'd hurt you. Yes, I knew you'd been hurt, but only because I remembered at night, when you woke up, biting back your screams." His gaze was defiant now, even angry. "I didn't know about Quatre until I came into this house tonight. I didn't know he'd hurt you, Heero. I only knew what he was planning on doing to Trowa. What he's probably doing now. I didn't want you to know about me being Shinigami, because I knew you'd leave me. Everyone leaves in the end."

"You haven't answered my question yet, Shinigami."

Duo closed his eyes, summoning the courage to say the words. With Milliardo standing there, he knew it was futile.but it was his last chance. "I came to you because.because I loved you. Because I still love you. I never used you, Heero. I wouldn't have come here tonight if it wasn't for you, yes, but things would've gone the same way. Nothing I ever did was because I wanted to hurt you. I've done many things to set out to hurt other people, Heero, I'll admit that. But never to you. Never once, because I love you. Because no matter what you choose to do after this night, I will always love you."

Heero stared into Duo's eyes, weighing, judging. "And what do you expect me to do now that you've told me this, Duo? Do you expect things to go on as they have been now that I know the truth? Do you really expect me to trust you, to believe what you're saying?"

Duo turned away from Heero, his voice dropping back to the muffled tone he'd used before. "I don't expect anything, Heero. Things aren't going to be as they were before, I know that. I don't expect them to be. But, yes, I do expect you to trust me."

Heero looked at Duo skeptically. _What the hell does he mean?_ he asked himself, trying to understand what was going on. _What the heck is that other guy still doing here?_ he wondered, looking at Milliardo.

Milliardo shook his head slowly. No, things weren't going well. He could speak up now, ensure Shinigami losing everything, so why was he so hesitant? _I do still care for him. That's why I won't stop him from this. I want him to be happy._

"Why do you expect me to trust you, Duo?" Heero asked, his voice a soft, dangerous caress through the air.

_Because I love you! Because I want you to love me! Because you complete me! Because I want to complete you!_ Duo thought, his mind spinning out of control. "I hid things from you Heero, but you also hid things from me. I've wronged you, but you've wronged me. I know you, Heero Yuy. You understand things have to be give and take. You understand loss, you understand pain. That's why you're still listening to me right now. Because you know these things, you understand these things, and you know and understand I know them."

Heero nodded slowly, looking into Duo's eyes, just as the ground under his feet shifted and he fell to the ground, the chill of the metal seeping through his suit. _What?! What's going on? Why's the world falling?_ "Duo!" he called, trying to find a way over to him.

Duo gasped as the floor literally rose up to meet him. He slammed hard onto the cool metallic surface, feeling the breath rush out of his body, his hands trying to grasp anything which would help him keep his balance. He glanced to the side for an instant to see both Heero and Milliardo trying to hold onto the floor as well. The floor was quickly becoming more like a wall, and it was obvious none of them would survive a trip into the emptiness beyond the floor. "Zechs, what's going on?" he asked frantically, trying to make his way over to Heero who was falling faster than the other two, not having powers to slow himself.

"I.I don't know," Zechs replied, sending a tendril of power to pull Heero up to Duo's level. Duo grabbed Heero's hand and sent Zechs a grateful look. "I haven't figured out the whole puzzle yet, Duo! Neither have you! Do something, Duo, or you're going to lose your boyfriend!"

Duo closed his eyes, trying to concentrate. _Zechs is right. I have to stop this.but how? I don't know if I can.I want to save Heero.Zechs too, but.I'm the god of *DEATH*! I kill things, I don't save them! This is Zechs' area!_ "Zechs, I can't! I don't know how to save people! I'm the god of death! You have to do something!" he called frantically as they fell faster and faster.

Zechs' hands scrambled for anything to save the three of them as he replied, "I don't have enough power, Duo! I'm not a god, and I don't know how to stop this!"

Heero felt something curl and awaken within him, and he touched Duo's shoulder gently. "Duo.stop fighting it."

"Are you insane, Heero?" Duo asked incredulously. "If I stop, we're all gonna die!"

"No, we won't. You're a god. You can't die. That guy.Zechs.he'll survive too."

"And what about you?" Zechs asked from the other side, weaving his energy into a spell to slow, if not stop, their descent.

"I'll be fine," Heero replied, giving Duo a reassuring look. "But we have to stop fighting it."

"Stop fighting what, Heero?" Duo asked.

"The fall."

"But--" Duo tried to protest.

"Trust me," Heero cut him off, his eyes sinking into Duo's, asking, promising, giving, taking, being everything at once, and being nothing.

Slowly, Duo nodded and looked at Zechs. "Zechs.I know you can't forgive me.but for old time's sake.please?" he asked, hating the pleading tone in his voice. But for Heero he'd do anything.

"You're insane, Duo," Zechs bluntly stated. "But.all right. For old times sake."

Simultaneously, the Guardian and Shinigami stopped their spells and the three fell towards the looming vacuous space.