Disclaimer: I do not own, nor pretend to own Gundam Wing.





Desert Dreams





Quatre stared out at the vast expanse of desert stretching before him. Heat danced on the dunes shimmering like starlight in the air. He sighed and closed his eyes letting the sweet breeze kiss his upturned face. Opening them again he smiled as he watched the lone figrue come toward him. He was no mirage, Quatre could make out the unruly brown hair and the defiant stride.

" Heero!" Quatre raised a hand in greeting running to meet his friend.





Heero and Quatre sat in silence in the kitchen of the small but spacious house in the little town. Quatre had bought the house a few months ago so he would have someplace all his own to go to when he visit the desert he loved so much.

They had all just about completely lost touch over time. All had gone their separate ways and were busy with new lives. Quatre felt the need to have them near grow and the emptiness reach up to swallow him again. They were his family, yet he did not know if they would accept him into their worlds once again. His brooding was broken by one of those he cared for most.

" How have you been?" Heero broke the silence looking up.

" All right I guess. You?"

" Good as I'm gonna get." He flashed Quatre a rare smile. Quatre smiled his broadest. Heero was really learning to live in this peaceful world of theirs. He began to feel better then he had in months.

" You've been working too hard."

" Miss Relena needs all the support she can get." Quatre smirked, " of course she always has yours."

" Hnn."

" We can't stop supporting this peace, not after finally achieving it." His eyes conveyed his passion for the subject.

" It is people like Relena and you that are holding this peace together."

" And yet we are still called to arms to protect that peace too often." He shook his head sadly then looked up at Heero to find his intense Purrsian blue eyes staring at him.

" Peace has to be protected, that is why we are still needed. To make sure other people are not hurt." Heero knew they both believed that with all their hearts.

" Thanks for reminding me."

" You have the influence, and the kindness of heart to help keep this peace."

As head of the Winner family, even at seventeen, he had become representative of the colonies. He had earned respect that far out weighed his families name, on earth and in space. He gave all his support to Vice Foreign Minister Darlain with her new weapons treaty. He would not relent in his course to help her which pushed him to his limits and exhausted him physically. Rashid, his ever loyal and trusted friend, had gone into father mode when he heard and forced him to take a vacation.

He looked over at the ever silent Heero wondering what had brought him out there after being missing for so long.

" What brings you out here?" Quatre looked questioningly at Heero.

" Heard you where in the area so I decided to drop by." Heeros monotone masked his concern. He glanced at Quatre knowing he knew risk he had taken supporting Relena in this.

" I'm glad. Are you going to stay awhile? I have pleanty of room, and to be honest I was getting pretty loney here."

" I thought some of the Maguanucs lived here too."

" They have their own lives to live and their own jobs and families. Not a lot of time for some kid." He laughed lightly.

" Now your being ridiculous." A voice came from the open door. The boys looked up, Rashid stood leaning on the door jam.

" Rashid!" Quatre ran giving the man a hug that was returned ten fold by the other man who was laughing lightly, obviously pleased to see the boy in his arms. He and Quatre broke the hug smiling at each other. Rashid looked up nodding to Heero. Heero nodded back in welcome. Rashid smiled at him. He had contacted Heero himself after suspicion had arose that Quatre was being stalked. He felt such a bond with the young arab pilot who had won his respect the first time they met five years ago, he would give his life for him. And who better to protect the boy then the other gundam pilots.

" What brings you here Rashid? I thought you were on vacation too." Quatre looked up at the taller man nearly having to crane his neck.

" I heard you had come back down to Earth and I wanted to see you."

" You see every other day of the year, I'm scared you'll get sick of me." They smiled at each other as they took their seats.

They three of the them talked into the night, reminiscing about the war and how there lives were going. A normal conversation for a normal night. Quatre was a little taken back by Heeros sudden openness as he chatted lightly and even occasionally smiled.



Heero lay in bed staring into space. He didn't know what had come over him today. He talked and smiled like he hadn't in years long forgotten, if they even existed. He had felt so good and finally free sitting there with his ..........friend. He turned the word in his mind looking at it from every angle possible. Yes, he fianlly agreed, Quatre was his friend. He had felt so lost the last few months, just wandering. Now... he didn't know what would happen now, but for the first time he felt some hope for his future. He let a faint smile paint itself on his face. There were others he could call friends too. He did not have to be alone any more. Whoever was stalking Quatre was going to find he had messed with the wrong people. Heero drifted off to sleep a smile still on his face.





Heero awoke to the smell of eggs and bacon frying. He pulled himself out of bed and got dressed then headed down the hall. In the kitchen he found Quatre flipping eggs in a skillet with ease and grace that seemed to follow his every move. Heero placed himself at the table and picked up the paper looking at the face that jumped out at him from the first page. The heading read:



Vice Foreign Minister pulling for new weapons treaty





Relena looked up at him from the page smiling for some unknown reason. Heero looked up to see Quatre looking at him with a peculiar look on his face and the beginings of a smile.

" What?"

" Nothin'." He turned back to their breakfast.







Later that day the boys strolled the sandy streets of the desert town in a companiable silence. People around them moved with ease in no hurry, just enjoying the day that shone bright with cloudless blue skies and a slight breeze. They looked curiously at the boys that walked almost as one. Most knew the light haired boy, he had earned all their his respect with kindness and generosity. The other boy was a stranger to them but he walked in perfect pace with the other boy like they were in tune somehow.

The boys walked to the market that was just beginning to come alive with movement. Quatre walked over to a stand holding large imported watermelons.

" I'll take one please." Ever polite he went about shopping. Heero walked beside him every now and then picking up something of his own.

" How long are you staying here?"

" Two more days, unless I get called back early. Your welcome to stay at the house as long as you want. It would make it easier to find you." He looked at Heero, his eyes laughing.

" Hnn." Heeros eyes let the humor race through for a second.

They walked back to the house carrying their packages inside and putting them away. Walking back into the kitchen they stopped short in surprise to find someone standing in front of them. In reflex Heero slipped his gun out of his pants and fixed it on the stranger. There was something about him he just did not trust.

" Who are you?" Quatre stepped up beside Heero. The man did not answer, he merely inspected the boys and his position.

" Answer him." Heeros voice had a dangerous edge to it. Finally he raised his eyes to meet Quatres..

" Just bringing a warning." His eyes swerved to meet Heeros challenging them. " I suggest that you do not attend the confrence this Monday. You will regret it." With that he turned and walked out the back door leaving the two boys standing confused in the kitchen.

" They won't scare me off that easily." Quatre turned and walked over to the cupboard to begin their lunch.

" Don't take it so lightly, I don't like the look of that man." Heero replied putting his gun back into its hidden place and reaching for the laptop on the shelf. He began typing furiously on the computer. He sent the letter to the Preventers telling them what had happened and a description of the man. In an afterthought he ended the letter asking them to send their best, knowing full well who that was.