Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing.
Life in the Fast Lane
Chapter One: Pit Crew
Relena heard laughter before she even walked into the classroom. She thought it had been empty. No one was at school at seven in the morning. Only the new freshmen. She listened through the door before she opened it:
"I'm telling you man, you should have been there! Jake completely wrecked his bike. I mean total annihilation. You would have laughed your ass off!"
"I'm sure I would have." Came a skeptical voice.
"Believe me, you would have." The same voice that had laughed a moment ago replied. "Even Demeter laughed, didn't ya babe?"
Relena found her interest peaked by the word bike and the tone of one of the boy's voice. She opened the door and all conversation halted.
"Hello." A blond boy said. His green eyes shone with friendliness.
"Hey." Relena replied walking into the classroom.
"Hey, are you new here?" Another boy asked. This boy's eyes were a radiant blue and he had an extremely long braid. Relena recognized his voice as the boy that had been speaking of bikes.
"Yeah." Relena answered setting her stuff down in the back of the classroom. She timidly walked up to the six people sitting in a cluster of desks. "I'm the 'new girl.'" She said making little quotation marks with her fingers.
"Allow me to introduce...ah, us." The braided boy replied. "I'm Duo, this is my best friend Heero, his twin sister Demeter, Quatre, Trowa, and finally Wufei."
Relena's eyes met each person's but she found her gaze returning to the boy named Heero. His bangs were unkempt and his blue eyes were a raging storm. Relena looked once more at his sister, Demeter. Her eyes held the same storm that Heero's did and her dark colored hair was also messy but pulled tightly into a ponytail. Both kids were pale for living in Daytona.
"I'm Relena." She found herself saying to mainly Heero. She blinked a few times. "So I couldn't help but overhear something about bikes?"
Duo's eyes lit up. "You mean, you're interested it this stuff?"
"It depends on what you call stuff." Relena replied sitting down. She noticed Demeter smiling.
Demeter spoke up. "Duo and my brother race cars. Wufei and Trowa race bikes. Nascar. Our rival's best bike totaled last night." Her voice was quiet and almost monotonous but laughter filled it as a smile played upon her lips. "So when we say stuff we mean cars---bikes."
Relena liked this Demeter girl already. "Really? My brother, Millardo, just moved here so he could race professionally. You guys aren't professionals, are you?"
Heero shook his head and Duo answered no.
"So how are you associated with Nascar?" Relena asked.
"Some of us are better than the pros. We race for car and bike parts until we're out of high school." Heero said in a cold voice though slight passion slipped through.
"Yeah, my girl here once won us the best racecar we ever had until we all got jobs." Duo boasted
"You race?" Relena asked looking at Demeter. She suddenly noticed that the girl's arms were well built from exercise and working with cars. Her stomach was also toned. The girl had to at least be involved in building cars.
"I used to, not anymore."
"But she stills gets behind the wheel every once and a while. Face it babe, you'll always be addicted." Duo teased.
Demeter smiled a bit but Relena could see sadness creep into her eyes. "So, you guys are really serious about this, aren't you?"
They all nodded and a 'hell, ya' came from someone. Relena smiled. "I can understand races but I can't keep up with cars and all that stuff. That's my brother's job. Are you guys the only ones really into this?"
Duo sighed. "Nope, in fact, we're one gang out of fifteen here that are seriously involved in racing. Then again, we don't worry about anyone but Treize's little group."
"Treize?" Relena asked.
"A real ass if you ask me but many people admire him and his gang. Dorothy has been chasing Heero around for years now." Duo piped up.
Relena didn't miss the slight movement as Demeter's hand shifted towards Duo down by the seats. Duo gripped her hand reassuringly and squeezed it. Relena tore her gaze up to Heero. "So you're a lady killer?" She laughed.
Heero rolled his eyes. "If you say so."
"All the girls love him because they can't have him. You can look but you don't want to touch. This is one guy that will bite." Duo laughed.
Heero glared at Duo and then turned back to Relena. "I'm not that bad, really. I just hate girls that are slutty, flirty, or just plain blonde."
Relena found herself breaking out in laughter. "Well, you're certainly a first. I like you already!"
Demeter looked over at her brother. "Heero needs a girlfriend. He hasn't kissed a girl since he was fifteen."
Relena laughed softer this time. "Well I agree with you but don't you think you should let Heero check out his options before you set him up with a racer's little sister? I mean, I'm a priss when it comes to dirty work, and I wear earplugs at all the races...I certainly wouldn't be down in the pit!"
She found Heero smile faintly at her confession.
"Hey, she's honest Heero. Would you look at that!" Duo laughed.
Heero shrugged, blushed a bit, and then turned to his binder and got something out. He pulled out a piece of gum and began to chew on it. Just as he did that the bell rang and kids started to file into the classroom. As everyone was moving around to sit by their friends Duo brushed past Relena as all six kids that Relena had just met headed to the back. "You see that blonde girl? That's Dorothy. Be careful around her." He whispered before sitting down in the seat next to Demeter.
Relena eyed the blonde girl and noticed that she was a bit of a....how to put it nicely?.........a slut? Relena smiled faintly to herself as she continued to the back of the room. Man, did she feel sorry for Heero.
Dorothy walked over to where Heero was sitting. "Hey Heero." She slurred starting to put her books down on the desk right up against his.
"Ah-hem. Excuse me, but this is my seat. Thank you *very* much." Relena interjected slamming her binder onto the desk. She slipped into the seat and smiled up at Dorothy. "First come, first serve. Maybe next time, hun."
"Try next period, bitch." Dorothy snarled. She grabbed her stuff and walked up to the front of the class and sat down to an older looking boy who smiled at her.
Heero sighed. "Thank you so much." He replied softly.
"I felt sorry for you." Relena replied as she got out a pencil and a piece of paper as the board said for her to do.
Heero looked over at Relena and studied her carefully. She wasn't flirting with him. She was just joking around and being honest. He found her innocence and want to be friends with him extremely attractive. He felt attracted towards her...already. He blinked a few times. He had to be getting soft. That wasn't a good thing either.
"Welcome to your junior year in high school." Mr. Smith, the AP History teacher replied. "I hope you all had a good summer. Does anyone wish to share?"
Duo's hand flew into the air.
"Yes, Mr. Maxwell..." The teacher said hesitantly, knowing Duo and the rest of the kids from last year.
"Well let's see, this summer all of my buds and I---"
"Thank you for finally using correct English, Mr. Maxwell." The teacher interjected.
Duo rolled his eyes before he continued. "We sold three bikes and five cars that we made on our own. We traveled to Atlanta and one the state-wide racing competition for money this time, Dem got behind the wheel five whole times during practices, I got a new car that's all souped up, and I actually finished the history assignment."
Mr. Smith smiled; he had always loved Duo no matter how annoying that braided boy could be at times. "Thank you for sharing Mr. Maxwell and I trust you and Ms. Yuy are still dating?"
Duo's hand slipped over Demeter's who sat in the desk that was up against his. "You betcha Mr. Smith, how could I settle for anything less than perfect now that I have it?"
"That's very romantic, Mr. Maxwell, I just wanted to make sure that she didn't become talkative over the summer because I don't want to have to separate the future married couple."
The class giggled and Demeter blushed.
"Anyone else care to share?" Mr. Smith asked with a hopeful smile. No one raised their hands. "Well if no one wants to share then I guess it's my turn to introduce our new student. Would you please stand?" He asked
Relena got out of her seat and stood by her desk smiling at all the faces that looked at her with interest.
"Relena Dorlian has come to us from New Orleans. I trust you will show her a lot of respect and be kind to her."
Relena sat down and she noticed Dorothy glaring at her. Relena just ignored her and smiled at all the other students.
"Okay," Mr. Smith said looking at the role. "Oh my, both twins this year in the same period. Wow, in the last two years I had you, both of you were in separate classes. Heero and Demeter. By the way, who named you?"
Neither kid spoke up for a moment. Demeter never talked it seemed. She had made an exception for Relena because Relena had seemed a little lost and in need of a friend. But Demeter rarely used her voice. Heero sighed; he knew his sister wouldn't answer. "Our mother was from Greece, hence the Greek names."
"Ah, and I hear you have a sister...Hera is it?"
"Yes sir." Heero replied.
"How old?"
"Seventh grade, sir."
"Oh, so I will have her soon. I look forward to another Yuy. Moving on, Duo Maxwell---check, never far from Dem. Quatre and Trowa---check, Wufei--- check. Dorothy and Treize---this could pose a problem. Can both of you prove to me that you can keep your PDA down to zero?"
"But Duo and Demeter are practically over there kissing!" Dorothy complained.
"Duo's hand is over Demeter's. And they aren't looking at each other lustfully. There's a difference Miss Catalonia. I'll thank you to remember that. But I won't interfere unless it gets out of hand." Mr. Smith scolded. "Moving on...Miss Relena, okay..." Mr. Smith continued with the role only then to start up on collecting the summer assignments.
~*~
Relena walked out of school and started to her bus when she heard Duo's voice.
"Go on, Heero, invite her over---she'll have a blast."
Relena purposely slowed down as she heard footsteps jog to catch up with her.
"Hey, Relena, wait up!"
Relena turned as Heero approached her. "Yes?"
"I---I was uh, wondering if you would, uh...man, I'm not good at this..." Heero stuttered. "I was wondering if you wanted to come to my place, with my friends, and see the race track."
Relena smiled. He really was cute when he didn't know what to say. "Sure!" she replied. "By the way, Heero, it's okay to breathe to ya know." She laughed patting his shoulder and walking over to the rest of the 'gang.'
Heero sighed with relief and followed Relena over to his friends.
Duo's arm was wrapped protectively around Dem's waist. Relena noted almost with envy that Dem's body seemed molded perfectly to Duo's. But there was something about Demeter that was closed off---protected---secretive. She had a feeling that Duo was really her lifeline, her life support. Relena's envy disappeared.
"Are we ready to go?" Duo asked.
Several different forms of yes came forward.
"Alright, then, everyone to the Yuy's!"
Duo and Demeter when off to the left of the parking lot as Quatre and Trowa went to the right. Wufei walked over to his motorbike and began to rev it up.
"Uh, you wan to come in my car?" Heero asked softly walking up next to her.
"Sure. Which one's yours?"
"It's that Corvette over there. Well, its body is a Corvette the engine that's in it is illegal for street use. It has some racing parts in it. I'm pretty good at disguising it but there are times when I need to use speed to uh, get away from people."
"Wow, is it really that fierce down here?" Relena asked following Heero to the convertible.
"Yeah, you've never been to an illegal street race?"
"No."
Heero shrugged. "We don't go very often but when we're low on cash occasionally we'll put a bet or two in. Dad's good about giving us money but we still need a lot."
Relena got in the passenger's seat and buckled up. Heero revved the car and Default's Deny blared through the sound system. Heero tore down the road faster than the speed limit. Relena laughed as she saw Duo and Dem tear past them with Trowa in a close second. Wufei was smiling wryly as he put on the gas. All four vehicles took a small deserted road to the spacious urban area around Daytona by the ocean. Relena found that they entered a large neighborhood where the houses were at least a mile apart. She was surprised when she recognized the neighborhood as the one she now lived in.
"Hey, that's my house!" Relena suddenly exclaimed.
Heero slammed on the brakes. "You live in this neighborhood?"
"Yeah!"
Heero seemed to study the house---more like mansion---carefully. "Nice house." He replied taking off again. He raced even faster until they reached the coast and he pulled into the largest house that they had passed by far. Heero parked his car in the twenty-car garage.
"Dem, is dad home?" Heero called as Demeter got out of the car.
Dem's eyes filled with fear as she looked to the other end of the garage. She shook her head and relief filled her eyes.
"It's okay babe." Duo whispered, though Relena still caught the soft murmuring. She watched Demeter nod her head and start to walk in the house with Duo.
"Come on." Heero replied to Relena walking through the door into the main house.
They arrived in the spacious kitchen. The wood and white walls gave the house a very seaside look. Large white counters and silver pots and pans adorned the far right area of the house. A large light colored wood table was in the center of the room with the living room attached to it. The entire far wall was a window that looked over the race track and dirt bike track on the hill just above the ocean. Relena walked over to the window and watched the afternoon's soft waves lap against the silky sand. She was so mesmerized by the sea that she jumped when Heero tapped her shoulder.
"You want something to drink before we head out?"
"Head out?" Relena asked.
"Yeah, a little racing before homework always clears the mind." Duo exclaimed pulling out a Dr. Pepper.
Demeter was drinking from a water bottle, Quatre and Trowa both had iced tea and Wufei had a Sprite. Heero grabbed a Gatorade.
"Water, please." Relena said politely.
Heero grabbed her a water bottle and they all headed out the glass door. Just as they did the front door opened, shut, and then locked. Footsteps could be heard running through the greeting room, down the wood hallway and into the family room/ kitchen.
"Demeter!" A younger girl's voice rang out through the room.
Demeter turned and smiled as a twelve-year-old girl came running towards her. Demeter hugged the girl.
"How was the first day of school, Hera?" She asked kindly.
"Fun, who's that?"
Duo laughed. "That girl is named Relena little missy."
"Hello Relena, I'm Hera."
"Well she sure compensates for both of you guys when it comes to being social." Relena laughed referring to the twins.
"That she does." Heero replied still holding the door open.
"Can I invite a friend over?" Hera asked Demeter.
"You know daddy doesn't like guests when he comes home. But you can go over to Sarah's house."
"Okay, can I stay there for dinner?"
"Sure." Demeter replied. "Have fun."
"Bye!" Hera called running through the hall.
Demeter's smile faded as she sighed.
"Oh come on babe, you just need to drive a little." Duo replied kissing her cheek.
Everyone went outside and Heero disappeared into an expansion of the house. He opened the garage door to show a perfect workshop for five cars and two bikes along with three parked cars and two bikes.
"Wow, you sure didn't stint on this little expansion." Relena laughed.
"Oh no, we all pitched in for this." Duo replied. "This is our own garage. And there is my baby now."
Duo jogged over to a black racecar with red and orange flames licking the sides. The car was souped up. It had all the accessories of a perfect racecar.
Heero walked up to a dark blue car that looked almost identical. Wufei and Trowa both started to check their bikes. All at once the four boys put on their helmets and pulled up to the track. Demeter walked over to the side of the track and held her arm up.
3...2...1...0
The same instant Demeter's hand fell all four vehicles took off down the track. Duo and Heero were tied the entire time with Trowa and Wufei pulling wheelies and tricks behind the entire time. They raced around the track fives times. The cars roared louder than thunder and they left hot chaos in their path. Finally, after the fifth lap they all pulled back into the garage and walked out to Quatre who was already studying and Relena and Demeter who watched with smiles.
Duo came up and kissed Dem fully on the lips and Heero gave Relena one of his rare genuine smiles.
"So what'd you think?" Duo asked Relena.
"As much as I hate to admit this, all four of you are better than my brother and he's a pro!"
"We're nothing compared to Demeter. Come on, sweetheart, get your bad boy out and show Relena what a true pro looks like."
Demeter looked longingly at the garage but held back.
"Oh don't give me that, you know you want to." Duo replied kissing her neck quickly.
Demeter sighed and walked over to the garage. She put on a helmet and pulled a large sheet off a car. Now Relena had thought that Duo and Heero had had the most rigged cars she had ever seen but Demeter's passed them up by a long shot. Her car had everything you could ever dream of. Her engine stuck out of the hood in the center and she had pipes upon pipes coming out the back of her car. The car was black with yellow stripes on it. She got in the car and even as she revved it its roar was louder than anything Relena had ever heart in her life. Demeter pulled out slowly to the starting line. Duo walked up to the sideline and held his hand up like Demeter had done for him.
"Hey Relena, we raced the track in 3:34.6, got it? Time this son of a bitch!"
Relena turned her watch to stopwatch mode and watched for Duo's hand.
3...2...1...0
Duo's hand went down, Relena started her watch, and Demeter took off faster than lightening. She hit her turns at over 150 miles per hour, hitting all of them perfectly. She went around the track at breakneck speed the entire time and as she hit the finish line Relena timed in exactly 2:20.3.
Demeter pulled her car back in the garage and came out. Her hand was pressed lightly against the area right below her left breast. Relena glanced at it for a moment before she looked down at her stopwatch. Heero looked over her shoulder.
"Holy shit." Relena murmured looking up at Demeter. "That could set a world record! How did you become that good? Not even the best pro can begin to hope to be that good."
Demeter smiled. "It's a passion." She said simply.
Duo kissed Relena's cheek and then looked down at his watch. "Damn, time to run guys. We'll see you tomorrow!"
Trowa and Quatre left together and Wufei followed behind them.
Duo started to leave but Demeter caught his wrist. "Duo..." His name softly escaped her lips.
"Oh damn it." Duo choked. He pulled a close to tears Dem into his arms. "I know it's hard to go back to this shit, babe. But you're strong. I'm only a few doors down, sweetie. If you need to spend the night you don't even need to call. It's okay---you'll be okay." Duo pulled back a bit and tucked a strand of Dem's hair behind her ear. "If you need me, I'm here for you." With that Duo brought his mouth to hers and they began to kiss passionately.
"Well, looks like their occupied. Do you want me to take you home?" Heero asked.
"Yeah, sure." Relena replied confused.
As Relena got back into Heero's 'street car' she just couldn't keep her question in. "Heero, why doesn't Dem race anymore?"
"She got in an accident once, it was traumatic. She was actually dead at one point."
"What happened?" Relena asked as they pulled out.
Heero stared straight ahead. "Treize was losing so he tapped his front wheel against her back one, and you've seen the way she races---it's breakneck. Well she spun out and her car exploded against the wall. She was trapped and part of the steering wheel went through her skin and punctured her left lung. Treize was banned from racing at that racetrack ever again but now, Dem is haunted forever. She used to be able to race faster than what you saw today. She's too scared to push herself anymore. And when she is physically exhausted or hurt her lungs, both of them, will just close. It's scary because it's unpredictable."
Heero's hand slammed against the steering wheel. "Damn Treize." He cursed as he pulled into Relena's driveway. "I'm sorry; I get carried away about that."
"It's okay Heero. I'm glad you told me. Have a good evening, I'll see you at school, okay?"
"Hey, you, uh, you want me to pick you up in the morning? 6:45?"
Relena smiled. "I'd like that. Yeah, I'll see you at 6:45. Goodnight Heero." With one last smile she walked up the walkway and into the house.
Heero sighed. He definitely had a crush one her. He pulled out of the driveway and took his time getting home. He went a little under the speed limit and just took the whole day in and smiled back on it. It had been one of the best days of his life, surprisingly. And just because it was simple and fun.
Heero pulled into his garage after fifteen minutes of leaving the house. Five getting to Relena's house and ten coming back. As Heero walked into the living room the sight that greeted him was horrific.
*Dad wasn't supposed to come home until six!* Heero thought in panic.
"You little bitch! What the hell were you thinking not having dinner ready when I came home?"
"I'm sorry Dad!" Demeter cried as he punched her again. "Please, Dad, don't! Ah!"
"You fucking bitch!" Richard Yuy screamed as he punched Demeter right under her left breast.
...silence...
Demeter backed up, clutching her left upper rib. Her eyes met Heero in panic. A tiny gasp escaped her suddenly waxy lips. Demeter sank to her knees and fell onto the floor.
"NO!" Heero screamed. He ran up to his father.
He was drunk...again...as always...as was expected.
But usually he didn't beat Demeter for such little reason. He must have had a bad day at work, left early, gotten drunk at the local billiard and bar, and then had come home pissed.
Heero closed his eyes. He knew what he had to do. Heero's muscled arm pulled back and he punched his father with all his might in the diaphragm. Richard Yuy fell to the floor and Heero ran up to Demeter and felt for her breathing.
Shit.
No.
Both lungs had completely closed. That had only happened once last year.
Heero stood up and ran over to the phone and dialed 911.
"I need an ambulance fast. 5436 Seashore Drive. It's Demeter Yuy, both her lungs have closed. She can't breathe!"
Heero was immediately on the floor giving CPR to his twin sister. If she couldn't breathe he knew he'd have to breathe for her. Within five minutes the paramedics were at the house and taking Demeter away with oxygen.
Heero watched the paramedics go before he pulled his father out of a nearby closet and set him down on the couch. With tears in his eyes he called Duo.
~*~
Duo was walking around with just his jeans on, making dinner already. He liked living alone. The orphanage had let him go early since he was living in the same neighborhood with all of his friend minus Wufei. He had paid for the house with his own money and half given from the Yuy's.
He was just about to start reheating his KFC chicken when the phone rang.
"This is Duo, talk to me." He replied in an upbeat tone.
"Duo, it's Heero."
"Heero, what's up?" Duo replied pulling the chicken out of the refrigerator.
"It's happened again."
The chicken slipped out of Duo's hands. "But he's not supposed to be home until six! What the fuck happened? I'm coming over."
"Duo both of her lungs closed. She's in the emergency room."
Duo's hand trembled. "I'll meet you there." Duo replied. He hung up the phone and let it drop to the floor as he ran to his car. He sped out of the garage at an ungodly speed and took off towards the hospital. In ten minutes he was there.
He sprinted into the reception area. "Demeter Yuy." He said breathlessly.
"I'm sorry; you cannot see her right now."
"Look lady, that's my girlfriend you're talking about. Now you can make this easy and tell me the damn room or I'll search this until hospital until you tell me."
The nurse looked at him in mild fear. "Emergency room number 13."
Duo knew exactly where that was. He tore down the left hallway and right into room 13.
There Demeter was hooked up to tubes upon tubes. Her heartbeat was irregular and she has a mask over her mouth and nose.
Heero was in the corner sitting in a chair his face in his hands. Duo pulled up a chair next to the bed and took one of Demeter's hands.
"Not again." He whispered.
Life in the Fast Lane
Chapter One: Pit Crew
Relena heard laughter before she even walked into the classroom. She thought it had been empty. No one was at school at seven in the morning. Only the new freshmen. She listened through the door before she opened it:
"I'm telling you man, you should have been there! Jake completely wrecked his bike. I mean total annihilation. You would have laughed your ass off!"
"I'm sure I would have." Came a skeptical voice.
"Believe me, you would have." The same voice that had laughed a moment ago replied. "Even Demeter laughed, didn't ya babe?"
Relena found her interest peaked by the word bike and the tone of one of the boy's voice. She opened the door and all conversation halted.
"Hello." A blond boy said. His green eyes shone with friendliness.
"Hey." Relena replied walking into the classroom.
"Hey, are you new here?" Another boy asked. This boy's eyes were a radiant blue and he had an extremely long braid. Relena recognized his voice as the boy that had been speaking of bikes.
"Yeah." Relena answered setting her stuff down in the back of the classroom. She timidly walked up to the six people sitting in a cluster of desks. "I'm the 'new girl.'" She said making little quotation marks with her fingers.
"Allow me to introduce...ah, us." The braided boy replied. "I'm Duo, this is my best friend Heero, his twin sister Demeter, Quatre, Trowa, and finally Wufei."
Relena's eyes met each person's but she found her gaze returning to the boy named Heero. His bangs were unkempt and his blue eyes were a raging storm. Relena looked once more at his sister, Demeter. Her eyes held the same storm that Heero's did and her dark colored hair was also messy but pulled tightly into a ponytail. Both kids were pale for living in Daytona.
"I'm Relena." She found herself saying to mainly Heero. She blinked a few times. "So I couldn't help but overhear something about bikes?"
Duo's eyes lit up. "You mean, you're interested it this stuff?"
"It depends on what you call stuff." Relena replied sitting down. She noticed Demeter smiling.
Demeter spoke up. "Duo and my brother race cars. Wufei and Trowa race bikes. Nascar. Our rival's best bike totaled last night." Her voice was quiet and almost monotonous but laughter filled it as a smile played upon her lips. "So when we say stuff we mean cars---bikes."
Relena liked this Demeter girl already. "Really? My brother, Millardo, just moved here so he could race professionally. You guys aren't professionals, are you?"
Heero shook his head and Duo answered no.
"So how are you associated with Nascar?" Relena asked.
"Some of us are better than the pros. We race for car and bike parts until we're out of high school." Heero said in a cold voice though slight passion slipped through.
"Yeah, my girl here once won us the best racecar we ever had until we all got jobs." Duo boasted
"You race?" Relena asked looking at Demeter. She suddenly noticed that the girl's arms were well built from exercise and working with cars. Her stomach was also toned. The girl had to at least be involved in building cars.
"I used to, not anymore."
"But she stills gets behind the wheel every once and a while. Face it babe, you'll always be addicted." Duo teased.
Demeter smiled a bit but Relena could see sadness creep into her eyes. "So, you guys are really serious about this, aren't you?"
They all nodded and a 'hell, ya' came from someone. Relena smiled. "I can understand races but I can't keep up with cars and all that stuff. That's my brother's job. Are you guys the only ones really into this?"
Duo sighed. "Nope, in fact, we're one gang out of fifteen here that are seriously involved in racing. Then again, we don't worry about anyone but Treize's little group."
"Treize?" Relena asked.
"A real ass if you ask me but many people admire him and his gang. Dorothy has been chasing Heero around for years now." Duo piped up.
Relena didn't miss the slight movement as Demeter's hand shifted towards Duo down by the seats. Duo gripped her hand reassuringly and squeezed it. Relena tore her gaze up to Heero. "So you're a lady killer?" She laughed.
Heero rolled his eyes. "If you say so."
"All the girls love him because they can't have him. You can look but you don't want to touch. This is one guy that will bite." Duo laughed.
Heero glared at Duo and then turned back to Relena. "I'm not that bad, really. I just hate girls that are slutty, flirty, or just plain blonde."
Relena found herself breaking out in laughter. "Well, you're certainly a first. I like you already!"
Demeter looked over at her brother. "Heero needs a girlfriend. He hasn't kissed a girl since he was fifteen."
Relena laughed softer this time. "Well I agree with you but don't you think you should let Heero check out his options before you set him up with a racer's little sister? I mean, I'm a priss when it comes to dirty work, and I wear earplugs at all the races...I certainly wouldn't be down in the pit!"
She found Heero smile faintly at her confession.
"Hey, she's honest Heero. Would you look at that!" Duo laughed.
Heero shrugged, blushed a bit, and then turned to his binder and got something out. He pulled out a piece of gum and began to chew on it. Just as he did that the bell rang and kids started to file into the classroom. As everyone was moving around to sit by their friends Duo brushed past Relena as all six kids that Relena had just met headed to the back. "You see that blonde girl? That's Dorothy. Be careful around her." He whispered before sitting down in the seat next to Demeter.
Relena eyed the blonde girl and noticed that she was a bit of a....how to put it nicely?.........a slut? Relena smiled faintly to herself as she continued to the back of the room. Man, did she feel sorry for Heero.
Dorothy walked over to where Heero was sitting. "Hey Heero." She slurred starting to put her books down on the desk right up against his.
"Ah-hem. Excuse me, but this is my seat. Thank you *very* much." Relena interjected slamming her binder onto the desk. She slipped into the seat and smiled up at Dorothy. "First come, first serve. Maybe next time, hun."
"Try next period, bitch." Dorothy snarled. She grabbed her stuff and walked up to the front of the class and sat down to an older looking boy who smiled at her.
Heero sighed. "Thank you so much." He replied softly.
"I felt sorry for you." Relena replied as she got out a pencil and a piece of paper as the board said for her to do.
Heero looked over at Relena and studied her carefully. She wasn't flirting with him. She was just joking around and being honest. He found her innocence and want to be friends with him extremely attractive. He felt attracted towards her...already. He blinked a few times. He had to be getting soft. That wasn't a good thing either.
"Welcome to your junior year in high school." Mr. Smith, the AP History teacher replied. "I hope you all had a good summer. Does anyone wish to share?"
Duo's hand flew into the air.
"Yes, Mr. Maxwell..." The teacher said hesitantly, knowing Duo and the rest of the kids from last year.
"Well let's see, this summer all of my buds and I---"
"Thank you for finally using correct English, Mr. Maxwell." The teacher interjected.
Duo rolled his eyes before he continued. "We sold three bikes and five cars that we made on our own. We traveled to Atlanta and one the state-wide racing competition for money this time, Dem got behind the wheel five whole times during practices, I got a new car that's all souped up, and I actually finished the history assignment."
Mr. Smith smiled; he had always loved Duo no matter how annoying that braided boy could be at times. "Thank you for sharing Mr. Maxwell and I trust you and Ms. Yuy are still dating?"
Duo's hand slipped over Demeter's who sat in the desk that was up against his. "You betcha Mr. Smith, how could I settle for anything less than perfect now that I have it?"
"That's very romantic, Mr. Maxwell, I just wanted to make sure that she didn't become talkative over the summer because I don't want to have to separate the future married couple."
The class giggled and Demeter blushed.
"Anyone else care to share?" Mr. Smith asked with a hopeful smile. No one raised their hands. "Well if no one wants to share then I guess it's my turn to introduce our new student. Would you please stand?" He asked
Relena got out of her seat and stood by her desk smiling at all the faces that looked at her with interest.
"Relena Dorlian has come to us from New Orleans. I trust you will show her a lot of respect and be kind to her."
Relena sat down and she noticed Dorothy glaring at her. Relena just ignored her and smiled at all the other students.
"Okay," Mr. Smith said looking at the role. "Oh my, both twins this year in the same period. Wow, in the last two years I had you, both of you were in separate classes. Heero and Demeter. By the way, who named you?"
Neither kid spoke up for a moment. Demeter never talked it seemed. She had made an exception for Relena because Relena had seemed a little lost and in need of a friend. But Demeter rarely used her voice. Heero sighed; he knew his sister wouldn't answer. "Our mother was from Greece, hence the Greek names."
"Ah, and I hear you have a sister...Hera is it?"
"Yes sir." Heero replied.
"How old?"
"Seventh grade, sir."
"Oh, so I will have her soon. I look forward to another Yuy. Moving on, Duo Maxwell---check, never far from Dem. Quatre and Trowa---check, Wufei--- check. Dorothy and Treize---this could pose a problem. Can both of you prove to me that you can keep your PDA down to zero?"
"But Duo and Demeter are practically over there kissing!" Dorothy complained.
"Duo's hand is over Demeter's. And they aren't looking at each other lustfully. There's a difference Miss Catalonia. I'll thank you to remember that. But I won't interfere unless it gets out of hand." Mr. Smith scolded. "Moving on...Miss Relena, okay..." Mr. Smith continued with the role only then to start up on collecting the summer assignments.
~*~
Relena walked out of school and started to her bus when she heard Duo's voice.
"Go on, Heero, invite her over---she'll have a blast."
Relena purposely slowed down as she heard footsteps jog to catch up with her.
"Hey, Relena, wait up!"
Relena turned as Heero approached her. "Yes?"
"I---I was uh, wondering if you would, uh...man, I'm not good at this..." Heero stuttered. "I was wondering if you wanted to come to my place, with my friends, and see the race track."
Relena smiled. He really was cute when he didn't know what to say. "Sure!" she replied. "By the way, Heero, it's okay to breathe to ya know." She laughed patting his shoulder and walking over to the rest of the 'gang.'
Heero sighed with relief and followed Relena over to his friends.
Duo's arm was wrapped protectively around Dem's waist. Relena noted almost with envy that Dem's body seemed molded perfectly to Duo's. But there was something about Demeter that was closed off---protected---secretive. She had a feeling that Duo was really her lifeline, her life support. Relena's envy disappeared.
"Are we ready to go?" Duo asked.
Several different forms of yes came forward.
"Alright, then, everyone to the Yuy's!"
Duo and Demeter when off to the left of the parking lot as Quatre and Trowa went to the right. Wufei walked over to his motorbike and began to rev it up.
"Uh, you wan to come in my car?" Heero asked softly walking up next to her.
"Sure. Which one's yours?"
"It's that Corvette over there. Well, its body is a Corvette the engine that's in it is illegal for street use. It has some racing parts in it. I'm pretty good at disguising it but there are times when I need to use speed to uh, get away from people."
"Wow, is it really that fierce down here?" Relena asked following Heero to the convertible.
"Yeah, you've never been to an illegal street race?"
"No."
Heero shrugged. "We don't go very often but when we're low on cash occasionally we'll put a bet or two in. Dad's good about giving us money but we still need a lot."
Relena got in the passenger's seat and buckled up. Heero revved the car and Default's Deny blared through the sound system. Heero tore down the road faster than the speed limit. Relena laughed as she saw Duo and Dem tear past them with Trowa in a close second. Wufei was smiling wryly as he put on the gas. All four vehicles took a small deserted road to the spacious urban area around Daytona by the ocean. Relena found that they entered a large neighborhood where the houses were at least a mile apart. She was surprised when she recognized the neighborhood as the one she now lived in.
"Hey, that's my house!" Relena suddenly exclaimed.
Heero slammed on the brakes. "You live in this neighborhood?"
"Yeah!"
Heero seemed to study the house---more like mansion---carefully. "Nice house." He replied taking off again. He raced even faster until they reached the coast and he pulled into the largest house that they had passed by far. Heero parked his car in the twenty-car garage.
"Dem, is dad home?" Heero called as Demeter got out of the car.
Dem's eyes filled with fear as she looked to the other end of the garage. She shook her head and relief filled her eyes.
"It's okay babe." Duo whispered, though Relena still caught the soft murmuring. She watched Demeter nod her head and start to walk in the house with Duo.
"Come on." Heero replied to Relena walking through the door into the main house.
They arrived in the spacious kitchen. The wood and white walls gave the house a very seaside look. Large white counters and silver pots and pans adorned the far right area of the house. A large light colored wood table was in the center of the room with the living room attached to it. The entire far wall was a window that looked over the race track and dirt bike track on the hill just above the ocean. Relena walked over to the window and watched the afternoon's soft waves lap against the silky sand. She was so mesmerized by the sea that she jumped when Heero tapped her shoulder.
"You want something to drink before we head out?"
"Head out?" Relena asked.
"Yeah, a little racing before homework always clears the mind." Duo exclaimed pulling out a Dr. Pepper.
Demeter was drinking from a water bottle, Quatre and Trowa both had iced tea and Wufei had a Sprite. Heero grabbed a Gatorade.
"Water, please." Relena said politely.
Heero grabbed her a water bottle and they all headed out the glass door. Just as they did the front door opened, shut, and then locked. Footsteps could be heard running through the greeting room, down the wood hallway and into the family room/ kitchen.
"Demeter!" A younger girl's voice rang out through the room.
Demeter turned and smiled as a twelve-year-old girl came running towards her. Demeter hugged the girl.
"How was the first day of school, Hera?" She asked kindly.
"Fun, who's that?"
Duo laughed. "That girl is named Relena little missy."
"Hello Relena, I'm Hera."
"Well she sure compensates for both of you guys when it comes to being social." Relena laughed referring to the twins.
"That she does." Heero replied still holding the door open.
"Can I invite a friend over?" Hera asked Demeter.
"You know daddy doesn't like guests when he comes home. But you can go over to Sarah's house."
"Okay, can I stay there for dinner?"
"Sure." Demeter replied. "Have fun."
"Bye!" Hera called running through the hall.
Demeter's smile faded as she sighed.
"Oh come on babe, you just need to drive a little." Duo replied kissing her cheek.
Everyone went outside and Heero disappeared into an expansion of the house. He opened the garage door to show a perfect workshop for five cars and two bikes along with three parked cars and two bikes.
"Wow, you sure didn't stint on this little expansion." Relena laughed.
"Oh no, we all pitched in for this." Duo replied. "This is our own garage. And there is my baby now."
Duo jogged over to a black racecar with red and orange flames licking the sides. The car was souped up. It had all the accessories of a perfect racecar.
Heero walked up to a dark blue car that looked almost identical. Wufei and Trowa both started to check their bikes. All at once the four boys put on their helmets and pulled up to the track. Demeter walked over to the side of the track and held her arm up.
3...2...1...0
The same instant Demeter's hand fell all four vehicles took off down the track. Duo and Heero were tied the entire time with Trowa and Wufei pulling wheelies and tricks behind the entire time. They raced around the track fives times. The cars roared louder than thunder and they left hot chaos in their path. Finally, after the fifth lap they all pulled back into the garage and walked out to Quatre who was already studying and Relena and Demeter who watched with smiles.
Duo came up and kissed Dem fully on the lips and Heero gave Relena one of his rare genuine smiles.
"So what'd you think?" Duo asked Relena.
"As much as I hate to admit this, all four of you are better than my brother and he's a pro!"
"We're nothing compared to Demeter. Come on, sweetheart, get your bad boy out and show Relena what a true pro looks like."
Demeter looked longingly at the garage but held back.
"Oh don't give me that, you know you want to." Duo replied kissing her neck quickly.
Demeter sighed and walked over to the garage. She put on a helmet and pulled a large sheet off a car. Now Relena had thought that Duo and Heero had had the most rigged cars she had ever seen but Demeter's passed them up by a long shot. Her car had everything you could ever dream of. Her engine stuck out of the hood in the center and she had pipes upon pipes coming out the back of her car. The car was black with yellow stripes on it. She got in the car and even as she revved it its roar was louder than anything Relena had ever heart in her life. Demeter pulled out slowly to the starting line. Duo walked up to the sideline and held his hand up like Demeter had done for him.
"Hey Relena, we raced the track in 3:34.6, got it? Time this son of a bitch!"
Relena turned her watch to stopwatch mode and watched for Duo's hand.
3...2...1...0
Duo's hand went down, Relena started her watch, and Demeter took off faster than lightening. She hit her turns at over 150 miles per hour, hitting all of them perfectly. She went around the track at breakneck speed the entire time and as she hit the finish line Relena timed in exactly 2:20.3.
Demeter pulled her car back in the garage and came out. Her hand was pressed lightly against the area right below her left breast. Relena glanced at it for a moment before she looked down at her stopwatch. Heero looked over her shoulder.
"Holy shit." Relena murmured looking up at Demeter. "That could set a world record! How did you become that good? Not even the best pro can begin to hope to be that good."
Demeter smiled. "It's a passion." She said simply.
Duo kissed Relena's cheek and then looked down at his watch. "Damn, time to run guys. We'll see you tomorrow!"
Trowa and Quatre left together and Wufei followed behind them.
Duo started to leave but Demeter caught his wrist. "Duo..." His name softly escaped her lips.
"Oh damn it." Duo choked. He pulled a close to tears Dem into his arms. "I know it's hard to go back to this shit, babe. But you're strong. I'm only a few doors down, sweetie. If you need to spend the night you don't even need to call. It's okay---you'll be okay." Duo pulled back a bit and tucked a strand of Dem's hair behind her ear. "If you need me, I'm here for you." With that Duo brought his mouth to hers and they began to kiss passionately.
"Well, looks like their occupied. Do you want me to take you home?" Heero asked.
"Yeah, sure." Relena replied confused.
As Relena got back into Heero's 'street car' she just couldn't keep her question in. "Heero, why doesn't Dem race anymore?"
"She got in an accident once, it was traumatic. She was actually dead at one point."
"What happened?" Relena asked as they pulled out.
Heero stared straight ahead. "Treize was losing so he tapped his front wheel against her back one, and you've seen the way she races---it's breakneck. Well she spun out and her car exploded against the wall. She was trapped and part of the steering wheel went through her skin and punctured her left lung. Treize was banned from racing at that racetrack ever again but now, Dem is haunted forever. She used to be able to race faster than what you saw today. She's too scared to push herself anymore. And when she is physically exhausted or hurt her lungs, both of them, will just close. It's scary because it's unpredictable."
Heero's hand slammed against the steering wheel. "Damn Treize." He cursed as he pulled into Relena's driveway. "I'm sorry; I get carried away about that."
"It's okay Heero. I'm glad you told me. Have a good evening, I'll see you at school, okay?"
"Hey, you, uh, you want me to pick you up in the morning? 6:45?"
Relena smiled. "I'd like that. Yeah, I'll see you at 6:45. Goodnight Heero." With one last smile she walked up the walkway and into the house.
Heero sighed. He definitely had a crush one her. He pulled out of the driveway and took his time getting home. He went a little under the speed limit and just took the whole day in and smiled back on it. It had been one of the best days of his life, surprisingly. And just because it was simple and fun.
Heero pulled into his garage after fifteen minutes of leaving the house. Five getting to Relena's house and ten coming back. As Heero walked into the living room the sight that greeted him was horrific.
*Dad wasn't supposed to come home until six!* Heero thought in panic.
"You little bitch! What the hell were you thinking not having dinner ready when I came home?"
"I'm sorry Dad!" Demeter cried as he punched her again. "Please, Dad, don't! Ah!"
"You fucking bitch!" Richard Yuy screamed as he punched Demeter right under her left breast.
...silence...
Demeter backed up, clutching her left upper rib. Her eyes met Heero in panic. A tiny gasp escaped her suddenly waxy lips. Demeter sank to her knees and fell onto the floor.
"NO!" Heero screamed. He ran up to his father.
He was drunk...again...as always...as was expected.
But usually he didn't beat Demeter for such little reason. He must have had a bad day at work, left early, gotten drunk at the local billiard and bar, and then had come home pissed.
Heero closed his eyes. He knew what he had to do. Heero's muscled arm pulled back and he punched his father with all his might in the diaphragm. Richard Yuy fell to the floor and Heero ran up to Demeter and felt for her breathing.
Shit.
No.
Both lungs had completely closed. That had only happened once last year.
Heero stood up and ran over to the phone and dialed 911.
"I need an ambulance fast. 5436 Seashore Drive. It's Demeter Yuy, both her lungs have closed. She can't breathe!"
Heero was immediately on the floor giving CPR to his twin sister. If she couldn't breathe he knew he'd have to breathe for her. Within five minutes the paramedics were at the house and taking Demeter away with oxygen.
Heero watched the paramedics go before he pulled his father out of a nearby closet and set him down on the couch. With tears in his eyes he called Duo.
~*~
Duo was walking around with just his jeans on, making dinner already. He liked living alone. The orphanage had let him go early since he was living in the same neighborhood with all of his friend minus Wufei. He had paid for the house with his own money and half given from the Yuy's.
He was just about to start reheating his KFC chicken when the phone rang.
"This is Duo, talk to me." He replied in an upbeat tone.
"Duo, it's Heero."
"Heero, what's up?" Duo replied pulling the chicken out of the refrigerator.
"It's happened again."
The chicken slipped out of Duo's hands. "But he's not supposed to be home until six! What the fuck happened? I'm coming over."
"Duo both of her lungs closed. She's in the emergency room."
Duo's hand trembled. "I'll meet you there." Duo replied. He hung up the phone and let it drop to the floor as he ran to his car. He sped out of the garage at an ungodly speed and took off towards the hospital. In ten minutes he was there.
He sprinted into the reception area. "Demeter Yuy." He said breathlessly.
"I'm sorry; you cannot see her right now."
"Look lady, that's my girlfriend you're talking about. Now you can make this easy and tell me the damn room or I'll search this until hospital until you tell me."
The nurse looked at him in mild fear. "Emergency room number 13."
Duo knew exactly where that was. He tore down the left hallway and right into room 13.
There Demeter was hooked up to tubes upon tubes. Her heartbeat was irregular and she has a mask over her mouth and nose.
Heero was in the corner sitting in a chair his face in his hands. Duo pulled up a chair next to the bed and took one of Demeter's hands.
"Not again." He whispered.