Phoenix

by Zombie Pigeon

[Completed] 4+1, 5x2, 6x3. Five friends are making the transition into life’s next phase, with only each other to rely on. However, there are mistakes, misunderstandings, secrets, lies, doubt, depression...

7. Anticipation

::runs over and gives everyone a big hug:: HI!!!
T_T wow, I've been in hell! I've been cut off from my beloved compy-chan! But here I am, stealing time from it while my brother (who's been keeping me away from compy-chan) is at church ^_^;;

A Big Humongous Super-Thankful grin, hug and good thought to everyone who reviewed! Ya'll made me so happy!! ^____^ so much that I will no longer grovel for reviews! Just leave 'em outta the kindness of your heart! ::is in happy 'people actually like this' mode::

Okay! ::passes out lil' tubes of toothpaste and toothbrushes:: from now on, we have fluff and sweetness, so! ::wields toothbrush:: be on guard against cavities!

If ya wanna see the pretty version (as well as some of some other stuff) head over to my site (::feels bad 'bout plug::) at: http://www.geocities.com/mageofthewinds/

And now with out further oddness, the next chapter of Phoenix!
Love your over-hyper authoress,
Nikki :-P

Series: Phoenix
Name: Anticipation
Genre: Drama
Pairings: 1+4, 5x2, 6x3,
Rating: R

Key:
~()~ Break
*Thought*

Warning: You should know what to expect by now ^_~

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, any of it's characters, story lines or anything really ^_^ I'm an amateur doing this for my own amusement and maybe yours. Please don't sue me?

Anticipation

By Nikki :-P or Nataku's Child

~

Phoenix
 : a legendary bird which according to one account lived 500 years, burned itself to ashes on a pyre, and rose alive from the ashes to live another period; also : a person or thing likened to the phoenix

-Merriam-Webster's Dictionary

~

Clear, cool blue eyes slowly pulled open and blinked, clearing away the haze that misted them at first sight. Zechs slowly realized his consciousness, as well as his confined limbs as he yawned and tried to stretch. His eyes drifted to the body that he currently had wrapped in his arms.

Trowa lay still asleep and looking completely relaxed. Zechs couldn't help but smile. Trowa looked so bare, so...true. After a few months of knowing the ex-pilot more personally, he began to notice just how little Trowa showed of him self, he only pretended most of what people saw. In the few moments that Zechs caught of the un-guarded, raw Trowa, he saw just how afraid and unsure the man really was.

Zechs breathed in deeply, absorbing the warmth and comfort of the moment. Eventually, he would have to worry about the outside world. Eventually, he would have to help Trowa through what was probably going to be one of the hardest things his love would ever have to do. Eventually...

But for now, he only breathed, smiled, and felt content.

Zechs held Trowa closer and closed his eyes, not wanting to deal with anything just yet.

Like the truth.

His grip tightened subconsciously.

The truth...the truth was, that he didn't want anyone to know. Trowa's revelation to his friends was a good step, and would relieve a lot of his lover's anxiety. But Zechs knew that in all fairness, he should come out to. It would be good for him as well, secrets always come at a price. But in truth, he was afraid, though he would never tell Trowa that.

His sexual preference wasn't publicly known, in fact, many believed he was involved with Noin, even though the two had never had a romantic relationship. How much would change, if people knew he was gay? Would they still respect him? Trust him? Or even talk to him? How much had society really changed in all those years?

"I wasn't going to say anything, but now that's really starting to hurt," Trowa's muffled voice said softly.

Zechs immediately loosened the painfully tight grip he had on Trowa.

Trowa pulled away slightly and rested a hand on Zechs' hip. "Is something the matter?" he asked, his brow wrinkled slightly in concern.

Zechs twitched his lips in the familiar smirk. "I was just bored and thought it was about time you awoke."

Trowa smiled and punched him softly on the shoulder. "You need to learn patience."

Zechs' smirk softened to a smile and he pulled Trowa into a hug. "You're always saying that."

"And you never listen," Trowa answered softly, burring his head in Zechs' shoulder.

Zechs rubbed small circles in Trowa back as the smile faded and his features took on the worried look they held earlier. He couldn't tell Trowa his worries. He needed to be there for him. He needed to be the stronger one; it was what Trowa needed. And Zechs needed Trowa...

*And I can't sacrifice him for approval...I would be going against all that I'm trying to get him to understand...*

Zechs felt pressure on his shoulder, but didn't act on it fast enough. Trowa easily pushed him onto his back, his green eyes sparkling. Zechs raised an eyebrow only to be answered by a smirk. Trowa leaned down and placed small kisses along his collarbone, rubbing his leg against Zech's thigh.

Zechs' surprise soon faded. His fingers found Trowa's and he twined them together as they were pushed above his head. All he could do was lean back into the soft pillows as Trowa's tiny kisses moved across his chest and over his stomach. His breathing quickened and he tightened his grip in Trowa's hand as his lover went lower...

Then Trowa stopped.

It took a moment for Zechs to know why, because he only caught the second ring. The phone on the side of the bed was ringing, the sound only now piercing through his lust fogged mind. Zechs lifted his head and traded disgruntled looks with Trowa.

"Can someone else get it?" Zechs asked, still breathing heavily from Trowa's teasing.

Trowa smiled and leaned down, placing a small kiss to his navel in answer as silence returned. It seemed that someone had.

Zechs let his head fall back to the pillow as Trowa continued his trail from his navel. Trowa let his hands go and held Zechs' hips instead, keeping them down as his kisses got achingly close.

"Trowa! Phone!" Duo called.

Zechs couldn't keep the groan from escaping his throat. He peeled open his eyes and looked to Trowa again.

"Thank you, Duo!" Trowa called, throwing Zechs an apologetic look before crawling over to get the phone.

Zechs shifted to a sitting position and tried to be patient as Trowa picked up the phone.

"Hello?" Trowa greeted, sounding genuinely curious about who was calling him.

Zechs watched as Trowa's eyebrows rose.

"Hello Mark, is there something you needed?" Trowa shot Zechs a questioning look.

Zechs shrugged.

"No, it's fine." Trowa said to Mark, still looking confused.

Then Zechs' curiosity peaked when a light blush bloomed on Trowa's cheeks.

"Yes, he's here, hold on a moment." Trowa, eyes wide, took the phone from his ear and covered the mouthpiece before holding it out to Zechs. "It's Mark, from the office." He said calmly, though his eyes and cheeks gave away his feelings.

Slightly shocked, not about Mark knowing, but his calling him here, Zechs accepted the phone. "Hello?"

"Mr. Merquise! I'm very sorry to bother you, but you didn't show up this morning and Une is wondering why you're late for your ten o' clock meeting. I tried to call you at home..." Zechs could hear him try to keep from laughing. "I'm sorry sir, this was just a wild guess."

"My god! What time is it?" Zechs asked, still caught up with Mark's reason for calling.

"11:45, sir."

Zechs' hand quickly sprung up to meet his forehead. "I'll be there as fast as I can, give Une a message for me..." Zechs looked up at Trowa in apology. Trowa gave him a soft smile, but his arms were crossed over his chest, a comforting habit that Zechs had come to recognize.

"I'm ready," Mark said.

Zechs turned his attention back to the phone. "Tell her I had...family problems," he smiled softly, "that needed to be taken care of and find out if I can reschedule."

"No problem...and I'm sorry I bothered you...when you're...right, I'll give her the message. We'll talk when you get here." Mark said the last part a bit quickly.

"It's fine. Bye." Zechs hung up quickly and got out of bed, heading for the shower.

"I'll grab you something to eat from downstairs." Trowa said softly.

Zechs turned around quickly. Trowa had put on some sleep pants and was already headed for the door. "Trowa, wait." Zechs quickly walked over and caught Trowa in tight hug. "I'm sorry. I know you wanted to tell them today. We'll do it together, tonight, alright?"

Trowa nodded and hugged him back for a moment before pushing him away, a small smile on his face. "Go, you need shower." He wrinkled his nose a little, a playful gleam in his eye. "I'll get food."

Zechs smirked. "Why? Because I smell like you?" he said playfully turning again to head for the shower.

"No, believe me, it's all you." Trowa said before the door clicked closed behind him.

Zechs turned at the sound, smiling softly at the wooden door.

*Never...I could never sacrifice that...*

~()~

"Just don't go!" Duo pouted, arms wrapped firmly around Wufei's waist.

Wufei sighed and lifted the bed covers to peer at his stubborn boyfriend. "I have to go to work Duo," he explained...again. "After the 'fuck yourself' I gave Une yesterday, there'll be enough hell to pay without adding absence to the list."

Duo snuggled his face against Wufei's waist. "But I just got ya back! It's not fair!" he mumbled.

Wufei sat up, pulling Duo up with him. "Believe me," he said to a pouting face, "I don't want to go, I wish I could stay here..." he paused a moment, making his feelings known as best he could. "But I need to go to work."

Duo sighed and slumped against his koi, wrapping his arms limply around Wufei's waist. "I know..." He mumbled. "But that doesn't make it any easier..." there was a moment of silence before Duo sprung up straight, a grin planted on his face. "I know!" He fumbled out of bed to stand near the edge and planted his hands on his hips, chest puffed and looking proud of him self. "I'll get a job there too!"

Wufei couldn't help but smile at the site of Duo looking as though he were planning to save the world from evil space monsters.

Duo jumped back onto that bed, making Wufei bounce a little. He was grinning full force now. "I'll just walk in and demand Une give me a job!"

Wufei's smile softened. "You don't need a job, I make enough for us."

Duo pouted. "But I'm bored here!"

Wufei frowned and pulled Duo by the neck to bring their foreheads together. "So get a hobby. I can take care of you, you don't need a job."

Duo stuck his tongue out. "You and you're conventional ideals. You know, we can both bring home the bacon."

Wufei smirked. "Well, if I can't have a conventional wife, at least let me be the conventional husband."

Duo snapped at Wufei's nose, purposefully missing by a few inches. "Wife!" he pulled back, crossing his arms over his chest. "Since when am I you're wife? I wear the pants!"

Wufei raised an eyebrow. "Since when?"

Duo growled and tackled him, pushing him against the pillows and not missing the teasing smirk Wufei still wore. "Since always!" he said, straddling Wufei's waist. "You're whipped, love."

Wufei's eyes narrowed for a moment before, with a quick movement that Duo couldn't follow, he flipped Duo over. The smirk stayed in place.

Duo quickly got over his surprise. "Still," he said with a huff, "I'm still the husband."

Wufei smiled and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "And I'm still going to work." He climbed out of bed before Duo could voice any more complaints.

~()~

Heero sat up in bed, starring out his window. The most of his expression was blank, but there was a soft look in his eyes that had been missing for months.

He mentally went over every minute of the night before, recounting every word spoken by Quatre, every small smile, every light laugh that made Heero smile along.

He finally tore his eyes away from the window to check the time. Already eleven, he should have been getting ready by now. Mentally scolding himself for his unusual bout of absentmindedness, Heero scooted to the edge of his bed, stretching a little before standing.

Heero and Quatre had decided to take things slow. Quatre stayed at his apartment, but would be moving in as soon as he could get his things packed. Heero wasn't exactly happy about it, the temptation to bring Quatre home the night before was a strong one, but he knew more then to force the already fragile spirit Quatre had.

After his shower, Heero went to his closet and shifted through the various hangers, asking him self a question he'd never thought to ask before.

*What do I wear?*

~()~

Quatre awoke with a smile and a familiar song in his head. He sat up and stretched, taking in a big yawn while he was at it. Softly humming, Quatre fell back onto his bed. He hadn't felt that happy for longer then he cared to remember, including the night Heero kissed him the first time...though that had been good too.

Quatre smiled.

Very good.

But the night before...and now with the prospect of later that day...was much better. Finishing his hummed song, Quatre rolled out of bed, plopping to the floor with a joyful giggle. Today, he and Heero were to have their first actual date.

Well, truth be told, it was Quatre's first date altogether. Truth again, he wasn't really sure what he was supposed to do. Quatre frowned and stood up, straightening his sleep-twisted clothes. What did people do on dates? The most information he had was old memories of his sisters coming home after their dates and talking about them...but that was so long ago...

Quatre walked into his kitchen and got a glass of water. Sipping it thoughtfully, Quatre began feeling a bit nervous. What if he did something wrong? Would Heero know? Had Heero ever been on a date before? Maybe he would take the lead...but what if they were both lost?

Quatre finished his glass and got another, sucking it down as fast as he had the first.

What was he going to do! He had no idea what they were doing. Heero was going to pick him up, and then what? They hadn't even discussed it that far...

Quatre squeezed his empty glass. Catching himself before it shattered, Quatre put it down and made his way to the shower.

*Oh, I hope Heero knows more about this then I do...*

~()~

Zechs practically fell into his desk chair. He was breathing heavily, though more from fear then the fact that he ran the whole way to his office. If he was lucky, Une would never find out.

There was a sharp knock on the door, which was opened without permission by his brightly smiling assistant.

Zechs crossed his arms on the desk in front of him and promptly dropped his head onto them. "Morning, Mark."

"Good Morning, Mr. Merquise," said the far too cheerful Mark. "I have a...few messages for you."

"Shoot."

"Well, the first is from Miss Noin, asking if you two were still on for lunch..."

"Shit!" Zechs exclaimed, looking up from his arms. "I forgot about lunch!"

"Do you want me to cancel?" Mark asked, flipping through the small pieces of paper he held.

Zechs sighed and bit the inside of his cheek. *It would be the perfect time, and who better to tell first?* he sighed again. "No, call and tell her I'm still in..." he said reluctantly.

"Alright. The second is from Une, but I already told you about that." A small smile twitched at Mark's lips, he was obviously amused about that morning. He cleared his throat. "And the third...is from your sister..."

Zechs cocked his head to the side. "Relena? What did she need?"

"Another friend..."

Zechs groaned and hit his head on the table. Not another set up...

"She wanted me to inform you..." Mark went on, fighting a loosing battle to keep from laughing outright. "That she thinks you would make a great couple..." he swallowed a chuckle. "She thinks this friend of hers is...your type." He tried to cover his last bit of laughing with coughs, but Zechs didn't miss the broad grin.

Zechs rubbed his temples. "Maybe I should tell her?"

"I think it would be wise..." Mark said, walking over to sit in the chair that stood in front of Zechs' desk.

Zechs sighed. "So..." he looked up at his grinning assistant. "How long have you known?"

Mark chuckled and sat back in his chair. "It wasn't exactly sudden...gradually began to suspect..." He shrugged. "Trowa seems nice though, a little quiet..."

Zechs smiled. "He's great..." softened eyes turned tired. "Noin and my sister...what time is it?"

Mark checked his watch. "12:30."

Zechs groaned. "No time then. Never mind about calling Noin, I'll drop by her office...wish me luck."

Mark smiled. "Luck."

~()~

Duo was near glaring at the book in his hands, his concentration so fierce it looked as though he were trying to mentally burn it. The book he held, was one he'd gone out to get just for tonight.

Cooking: For Dummies

Duo stuck his tongue out in concentration, flipping through the pages to find a dinner that was easy enough for him to not mess up, but nice enough for the occasion. He wanted to surprise Wufei -along with the rest of his housemates- with a home-cooked meal. Though it would probably make the "wife" situation worse.

"Humph. Me? His wife? He looks more like a girl then I do..." Duo mumbled. "But still..." he closed the book softly. "If I'm his wife...then are we as good as married?" Duo thought about it, wondering if Wufei's teasing had a deeper meaning.

"God..." Duo sunk back into the couch, a wistful half-smile on his lips. "Me and 'Fei...married..." He laughed and shook his head. "I need to concentrate! Dinner...Dinner..." he mumbled, flipping through the pages again.

"Here!" He held up the book in success. "Everyone loves casserole! And I just need to dump and bake..." He read over the instructions carefully.

"What are you doing?" a voice asked softly from behind Duo.

Duo flipped back, hanging his head over the couch to look upside-down at the interruption. Trowa looked back, the one visible eye curious

Duo grinned. "Planning dinner! I'm gonna surprise 'Fei."

Trowa's eyebrow rose. "You're going to cook?"

Duo frowned. "I'm going to try...besides, I got this!" He said, handing the book to Trowa.

Trowa looked it over. "Cooking: For Dummies...Duo, these recipes are terrible..." he said, flipping a few pages. "'Piggies in a Blanket'? Even you can do better then this."

Duo looked down. "I just don't want to mess it up..."

"I...I can help," Trowa said softly, handing the book back.

"Really?" Duo asked, looking hopeful. "That would so kick Tro'!"

Trowa smiled softly, something Duo wasn't sure he often saw. "Sure, Duo, I'll help."

"Thanks man! ...So what do you know how to make?"

Trowa shrugged. "Why don't we see what's in the kitchen?"

Duo hopped off the couch, grinning full-force. "Kay."

~()~

Heero held his breath and knocked on Quatre's door.

It opened almost immediately to a flushed and grinning Quatre. "Hi," he greeted.

"Hi," Heero said, his mind blanking with everything else.

They stood there a moment, Heero starring at Quatre and Quatre smiling nervously. After a few minutes, Quatre broke the silence.

"Um, Heero? Uh...do you know...what we're supposed to..." he looked down. "...Do?"

Heero blinked. "Do?"

"Yeah." Quatre played with the cuff of his shirt. "On a...a date...I've never been on one...before."

"Neither have I..." Heero said.

"No?" Quatre asked, looking up. "Well I guess its not so bad if we're both lost..." He smiled up at Heero, but quickly looked down with a blush.

Heero caught himself starring again. He looked away. "So what do you want to do?"

Quatre shrugged, looking up. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes, a little," Heero lied. In fact, his stomach was doing flips and the thought of food made it worse, but since going somewhere was better then standing in Quatre's doorway, and he didn't have any better ideas, lunch sounded great.

"Great," Quatre said, echoing Heero's thoughts. He smiled. "Let me just grab my keys."

When Quatre disappeared, Heero exhaled deeply.

*This is going to be harder then I thought. What do people do on dates? And is it the same for us? I should have talked this over with Duo...*

"Ready?" Quatre asked brightly, snapping Heero from his thoughts.

Heero nodded. *As ready as I'll ever be...*

~()~

"...And I'll have the chicken club and an ice tea," Noin finished ordering.

"Alright! I'll be right back with your drinks," the bright and cheerful waitress said, smiling at her two customers with a smile that just screamed 'tip me well'.

Zechs and Noin looked at each other and rolled their eyes when the waitress turned her back.

Noin chuckled lightly. "I love how kindness comes at a price now."

Zechs smirked and sat back. "It always has, Lucrezia, you were just to naïve to notice."

Noin frowned. "Life was better that way. And don't tease me with that name, I'm not in the mood just now."

Zechs chuckled at his friend. "Why go by your last name when Lucrezia is a perfectly fine and beautiful name?"

"Because," Noin said, leaning her elbows on the table and glaring at her lunch date. "It makes me feel far too old and far too young at the same time. My Grandmother used to call me Lucrezia, that's reason enough."

Zechs chuckled and nodded his thanks to the waitress as she brought his wine. He took the glass and swirled it a little before sipping at it.

Noin shook her head and smiled at him, excepting her drink with a small nod. "Wine with lunch, I don't get it."

Zechs smiled sadly. "When you knew Treize as well as I did, you learned to appreciate wine no matter what time it was."

"Hmm..." Noin voiced softly before taking a sip from her tea.

"Noin...I need to tell you something," Zechs said reluctantly, putting down his glass and folding his hands in his lap. His stomach was twisting something fierce, but his resolve was set.

Noin put down her drink and raised her eyebrows slightly. "Oh?"

Zechs nodded. "I'm..." he changed his mind. "I've been seeing someone...that I haven't told you about."

Noin chuckled. "I thought you were going to tell me you were being shipped off to Mars, the way you were carrying on." Noin shook her head, smiling softly. "So who is she? One of your sister's 'prospects'? Or did you actually find her on your own?"

"No, I met h-we met at a...club, actually."

"A what?" Noin asked, surprised curiosity evident in her voice. "What were you doing in a club?" she asked with a chuckle.

Zechs tried to shrug casually. "I've been to a few...on occasion."

Noin laughed again. "Well, that's something I would have never guessed...and am frankly curious to see." Her face was shinning in merriment. Zechs had the feeling that he'd made her day. "So on one of these...occasions, you met her? So not only are you going to clubs, but you're dating one of the attendees. You're full of surprises today. Got anymore up your sleeve?"

"Quite a few actually," Zechs mumbled, grudgingly sipping at his wine again.

Noin laughed. "Oh come on Zechs, I'm just having some fun, lighten up. So tell me about her. What's her name?"

Zechs put his glass down, his hand shaking too much to hold it any longer.

"Are you okay?" Noin asked, looking concerned.

"Yes, I'm fine." Zechs said placing his hands on his lap again.

"So what's her name? What does she look like?" Noin grinned. "Is she pretty?"

"Well..." Zechs swallowed. "You see-"

Just then, the waitress appeared. "Chicken club?" the bubbly girl asked, holding the plate out to Noin.

Zechs sighed, thankful for the waitress's timing. It looked like she was going to get the big tip she wanted after all.

"Thank you. Keep talking Zechs, I'm listening." Noin said, moving her glass to make room for her plate.

"Well..."

"This is yours then!" The waitress said, handing Zechs his food with a smile and a wink.

It was all he could do not to roll his eyes, especially since the girl had saved him once again. "Yes, thank you." He said, taking his plate from the waitress.

There was a small silence while they got their food settled, but it didn't last as long as Zechs had hoped.

"You still haven't told me," Noin reminded him.

"Told you what?" Zechs asked, salting his food and not looking up.

Noin crossed her arms. "You know, if I thought it made any sense at all, I would think you were avoiding her name!"

Zechs sighed and put down the saltshaker. "There's something I need to tell you before hand..."

"Fine! So spill it, I'm dieing of suspense." She said sarcastically, picking up her glass to sip at her tea.

"I'm gay."

There was a loud clang as Noin lost the grip on her glass. It dropped, spilling allover her food and staining the tablecloth.

The waitress hurried over. "Oh! What happened?"

"She dropped her glass," Zechs explained, giving Noin his napkin to clean herself off, her napkin being soaked in iced tea.

"Why don't you move over there? I'll get this cleaned up," the waitress offered.

Zechs nodded and ushered Noin over to the other table.

"You're what?!" Noin whispered harshly as they sat down.

"I'm gay," Zechs repeated, feeling even more nervous after her first reaction.

Noin slumped back into her chair, starring blankly at the table. After almost a minute of silence, she looked up. "You and Treize never...?"

"No." Zechs said quickly. "No, we never...No."

Noin nodded and looked back at the table.

"Wow," she said, after a few more minutes of tense silence. She looked up. "I never...I mean...wow."

Zechs smiled nervously. "Are you...okay?"

Noin chuckled a little. "...y-yes. It's odd, we've known each other for so long...have you told Miss Relena?"

"No...not yet."

Noin sighed. "Well...I can't say I'm not a little...uncomfortable with it, it is big...but I'll be okay, I'll get used to it." She looked up and smiled weakly. "We're too good of friends for me not to be okay with it. I need some time though...okay?"

Zechs nodded. "Of course."

Noin laughed lightly. "Wow..." she looked up. "But I still want to know his name."

Zechs laughed, mostly in relief. "Well, that's going to be another surprise..."

Noin raised an eyebrow. "It's not your assistant, is it? What's his name..?"

"Mark, and no...Do you remember Trowa Barton?"

Noin was glad she didn't have another glass yet.

~()~

Trowa plugged his nose just in time. He held his fingers there for a moment until the urge subsided then went back to the bread dough he'd been kneading.

"What was that all about?" Duo asked, sniffing at his shirt. "I knew it was a bit warm in here, but I didn't think it was that bad..."

Trowa shook his head. "It's nothing, I just didn't want to sneeze on the food. By the way, I think that's stirred enough, you can put it in the refrigerator to chill now."

Duo nodded. "In the fridge to chill, gotcha."

"It should be thickened by dinner."

"Done by dinner, right."

"You don't need to repeat all my instructions."

"Stop repeating, roger," Duo said with a wink. He put the bowl away and stretched. "Now what?"

Trowa put the dough into a bowl and covered it with a cloth to rise. "That's all we need to do for now, in a few hours we boil the water, make the sauce and bake the bread..."

"Great!" Duo said, smiling at his friend. "Let's take a break then. Want a soda?" he asked, grabbing one from the fridge for him self.

Trowa shrugged. "Alright."

Duo grabbed another and closed the door with a sharp bump of the hip. He handed Trowa his drink and sat the table, draping his limbs over the chair in an unconventional but comfortable looking position.

Trowa sat down across from him, choosing to sit like a normal human being.

"So how've ya been Tro'?" Duo asked, opening his can and taking a sip.

Trowa shrugged and leaned back in his chair, opening and drinking from his own. "Fine." He answered shortly, not elaborating to cover...well, the truth.

"Thanks, by the way," Duo said, shifting to lean his elbows on the table. "I wanted to do this for 'Fei, I feel really bad about what happened and all, I thought I'd make it up to him. I think with your help I can actually turn this out with no disaster."

"You're welcome...if you don't mind my asking, what did happen?" Trowa asked, trying to keep his voice as neutral as possible.

Duo blinked. "What do you mean? ...You don't know?"

Trowa shrugged. "I knew something happened, due to Wufei's absence, as well as your and Heero's lack of presence. But other than that..." he shrugged again.

Duo slouched back in his chair. "Man, all this time you never knew...well, since we have time, I guess ya will now." Duo told Trowa an abridge version of the story, finishing with, "and the whole time he was only trying to help Quatre through his stuff."

Trowa, who had slowly drifted forward on his elbows during the story, once again leaned back. "That explains a few things..." a small smile tugged at his lips. "So they finally got together?"

Duo nodded. "Or so I think, since Heero hasn't told me otherwise and he seems to be in a good mood...though it's hard to tell at times." He said with a chuckle.

Trowa sighed, putting down his now empty can.

Duo looked closer at Trowa. "So what've you been up to man? I was sitting here thinking we hadn't talked in a long time, but come to think of it, we hardly talk at all. 'Fei hasn't said anything -though the thing with Quatre proved he doesn't tell me about other people- and Heero's not really...well, he's Heero. Anyway, what I'm sayin' is that you've been locked up in your room a lot lately...you all right?" the last two words were said softly, not with fear but with genuine, caring concern.

Trowa was about to open his mouth to assure Duo he was all right, but he caught the softness in Duo tone, and the intense emotion in his eyes…he wanted to know the truth. But was he ready?

After a few moment's silence, Duo's lip quirked. "Well, if ya ever need me, I'm here."

Trowa nodded and swallowed the small lump that had formed in his throat. *Maybe they aren't so bad after all...at least Duo doesn't seem as self-centered as I thought he was...*

~()~

"Welcome to-Quatre!" The dark haired hostess looked pleasantly surprised. "What are you doing here?"

Quatre smiled at his co-worker. This being the first restaurant he thought of, Quatre decided that his work would be the best place to eat. Besides, the girls had been dieing to meet Heero. The man himself was hovering just behind Quatre, looking torn between nervousness and confusion...well, to anyone who knew him anyway.

"Hi Kristy. I'm having lunch with a friend," Quatre answered the girl with a smile.

Kristy peered behind Quatre to see said friend. "Oh?" She said, still craning her neck around to get a better view.

Quatre reached back and linked arms with Heero, gently pulling him forward. "Kristy, this is Heero. Heero, this is Kristy, we work together."

Kristy's eyes narrowed slightly and she mouthed Heero's name a few times, as though searching her memory... "Heero!" she exclaimed, her face clearing as recognition dawned. A small smile twitched at her lips as she grabbed a couple of menus. "Nice to meet you Heero. Quatre, I'm gonna to give you one of Meiko's tables, she had a bad time with some customers earlier...she could use this." The smile broke free and she turned to hide it, leading them to their table as an excuse.
[1]

When they were seated, Quatre's eyes followed Kristy as she went in back to whisper to Meiko, giggling and pointing to them. Quatre smiled and waved, then looked back to Heero.

Heero was looking around, his face blank as he seemed to analyze the place. His eyes slowly drifted to Quatre again. "This is where you work?" he asked.

Quatre nodded. "It's small, but the people here are nice and the customers tip well," he said with a small smile.

Heero nodded and looked around again. His arms were crossed over his chest and he seemed a little uncomfortable. "Why don't you come to work for the Preventers?" he asked after a few moments. "I'm sure that Une would have something for you...it would pay better and..." Heero trailed off as Quatre started shaking his head.

"Thank you, but I like it here," he said softly, looking around with a wistful softness to his face. "I don't want to leave...people would respect me there...but people like me here... It's hard to explain," he said softly, resting his chin on his hand.

Heero looked slightly confused, so Quatre continued. "Before, people would always tell me that it was amazing that I was doing so much at such a young age, they thought it was great that I helped in bringing peace, were impressed by my political views...but they were all so fake, they only wanted to get on my good side...here, I had to earn my friends, they weren't already bought...and..." he crossed his arms on the table, and lowered his head onto them. "And they don't treat me like a hero, they treat me like everyone else. You know how good the feels?"

"You sound happy here." Heero said softly. Something flickered in Heero's eyes for only a split second, too fast for Quatre to catch. "I'll be right back." Heero mumbled quickly as he stood, then made his way towards the bathroom.

Quatre lifted his head slightly from his arms and watched Heero go, confused at the suddenness of his exit.

"So that's Heero, huh?" a cheerful voice said from behind Quatre. Two glasses of water were slid onto the table as a grinning blonde slid into Heero's empty seat.

Quatre sat up and smiled. "Yep. What did I tell you?"

The girl giggled. "You weren't lying, he is cute! All the good ones are either taken or gay, it's not fair." She said with a full pout.

Quatre mock-glared. "Well this one is both, so hands off, Meiko."

"Oh alright!" Meiko said, sighing forlornly.

 Quatre smiled. "Kristy told me you had trouble earlier."

Meiko wrinkled her nose. "Yeah, I got two snobs a little while ago." She sighed. "I knew they were gonna be trouble as soon as I saw them...nice clothes, nice car..." she frowned bitterly. "They always think the world revolves around them."

"Meiko..." Quatre sighed. "You know that they aren't all like that."

Meiko crossed her arms. "Well you're the only nice person I know who's had money, and you don't count."

Quatre tilted his head. "So what was wrong with these 'snobs'?"

 "Besides the money thing?" she smiled when Quatre rolled his eyes. "Well...nothing really...I had the feeling they didn't like me...anyway, they were a couple I think...I was mad because the guy was cute! You see my point? Anyway, the girl spilled her tea all over the place, and you know how much of a hassle that is to clean up...the guy tipped well though, and that's all that matters, right?" she said with a wink.

Quatre smiled. "Money isn't everything."

Meiko mock-glared. "I wont know that until I'm rich."

"I thought you hated rich people."

"Yeah, but when I'm rich, I wont have to kiss up to them anymore," she answered with a grin.

~()~

Heero all but ran to the nearest phone.

*'You sound happy here.' Of course! He just said that!* he yelled at himself. *I'm too nervous to think straight...*

He put some change into the payphone and dialed.

"Yello?" Duo's voice answered.

"Duo, it's Heero. Help."

Duo chuckled. "What's wrong?"

Heero sighed and leaned against the nearest wall. "I'm out with Quatre...I can't talk to him. I don't know why, but I feel...nervous."

"Don't worry man, that's all I can say. I was nervous as hell around Wufei at first, and I had known him for years too, it's natural."

"What did you do?" Heero asked.

"Other then make a complete ass of myself?"

Heero groaned and closed his eyes. "I'm screwed, aren't I?"

"Basically. Just try to relax, its just Quatre, you don't need to fear Quatre."

"Simpler said then done...I don't want to mess this up, Duo." Heero said softly.

"Yeah, I know. Think everything through before you say it and most of all: breathe!"

Heero took a deep breath and tried to calm down. Another thought came to mind. "Duo...what are we supposed to do?"

There was a short silence. "Do?" Duo asked.

"On a date. What do people usually do?"

"Movies, food, just about anything really. Why? Where are you now?"

Heero looked around. "The restaurant where Quatre works."

"Well, that's a good start. He didn't mention anything else?"

"No," Heero said. "He says he's new to this too."

Duo laughed. "Then what the hell are you worried about? And why are you still talking to me? Look, he's probably nervous too, just go with what you think you should do. I'm hanging up now, have fun!"

"Duo wai-" was all Heero got out before Duo hung up. "Damn it!" Heero cursed, hanging up the pay phone. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Now what?"

He looked over to where Quatre sat laughing with a girl wearing what Heero figured was the place's uniform. Heero leaned against the wall again and watched with a small smile. Quatre was practically glowing. There was a soft feeling of warmth and comfort that surrounded Quatre, Heero knew that's what drew people to him...it was one of the many things that drew Heero himself.

He pushed off the wall and made his way over to their table. He was still nervous, but some things were worth it.

To be concluded...
Kinda...

~~~~

[1] Meiko is named after (but not based on) a character in a *really* good online shounen-ai manga that everyone should read! "Your Wings Are Mine" ^_______^ You can find it at http://www.aoihayashi.com/ Go read!!

Wooo! We're almost done people! ^___^ got the last chapter and the extra scenes! ::almost done dance::
Nikki :-P

PS Please show your love and review! Ya know I love ta hear from ya!