Not much happening in this chapter, sorry. Well maybe....I dunnu?! I'm trying to set things up for some stuff in coming scenes and don't know how to do it. Well don't own them and never will. Unless I use my imagination! Oh, well. Review!!!! Ideas would help too! See ya nekos!


They had been on the move for over two hours. They carried Quatre in turns, Wufei held him now. Gently cradling him in his arms he walked briskly, his energy seeming not to even waver. He had decided that he could not afford to let himself rest or even be tired. The enemy was still behind them. Wufei let his gaze stray from the endless expanse of desert to the boy in his arms. A smile made its way through the determined scowl. Quatre had fallen asleep just after his legs had been set and had yet to wake up. 'Sleep, you deserve it.'

" How much longer guys?" Duo called from he back of the lagging group.

"He's right we need to rest soon." Heero scanned the desert for any sign of shelter. 'Endless sand.' Nothing was in sight, nothing but sand. All they had were what they had salvaged from the wreck, a bag of dried fruits and a tattered tarp. " Just keep moving a little while longer."

" We are gonna have some killer sunburn when this is through." Duo stretched, popping his aching back, and continued on.

Two hours and a piece of fruit later the night was beginning to descend on the ever changing desert. The stars were just visible in a brilliant setting sky. They were headed toward the sunset, to a oasis in the distance. They had decided it was not a mirage since it never seemed to fade even long after it tempted them. Now they were close enough to see the water shining through the beautiful sight of green leaves from swaying palm trees that danced in the slight golden breeze. The magic was made complete with the setting sun painting the desert a flaming golden red, mixing with the white sand and blue of sky and water. Magic seemed to light the very air. All were stunned by the brilliance. Breathtaking had new meaning. They realized just why Quatre loved the desert so much. Even though it seemed baron it wasn't. Life seemed to emanate from every grain of sand, singing in tune with the sky around it. Ever changing each minute was a new sight. The oasis that doted the vast expanse seemed to harmonize with the beauty of it all. It is something worthy of respect, and yet it had their love at that very moment. To the golden haired boy gently resting in his friends warm embrace it felt like a gentle mothers touch. Space was his home nothing could change that, but here, he could feel that too.

Having reached the oasis they staggered in. The water glimmered in the bright moonlight. Drinking, they eased the dryness in their parched throats. Trowa and Duo stretched the tarp out on the ground before falling onto it. Heero and Wufei gently placed Quatre onto the tarp and laid down on either side of him adding warmth as the night cooled. They were asleep in seconds, danger forgotten for now.

Heero awoke to the sun streaming in his face from between palm leaves. For a minute he forgot were he was. The it came back to him, the plane crash and Quatre, walking through the open desert, falling asleep in an oasis. He threw and arm over his eyes blocking the sun from his face as he prepared himself for the day. Sitting up he looked over to Quatre his eyes widening as they met crystal aquamarine depths.

" Moring!"

" Good morning Quatre." He held back a laugh, even hurt he was still a morning person.

" We should be close to town by now, since we have been heading in that general direction. Then we can get these creeps off our backs."

" Right, and I suppose I owe Une an explanation." Quatre cocked his head in curiosity at this but Heero waved him away.

" Sooo, who's gonna wake Duo up?" Quatre could not keep the laughter down as Heero rolled his eyes at the soundly sleeping American.

" Wufei can have the honors." They both smiled at the thought.

An hour later they sat around the small pool of water preparing for a day of walking. Wufei sat well away from Duo who was shooting his best impersonation of a ticked of God of death. Wufei in turn glowered at the other three who were holding back laughter.

" Lets get going." Heero said as he bent lifting Quatre into his arms. They left the comfort of the oasis, setting out across the desert toward a town that glimmered in the distant dunes. They had not realized they were this close the night before or they would have continued on. Quatre still needed medical attention, not to mention some good rest.

Heero surveyed the land around them, the sand was really beggining to kick up. The town was only a little over a mile away now. 'Just a little farther, we have o keep going.' Shooting his compainions unobtrusive glances he relaized just how strained they were now. Even he was begging to lag, not to mention he was developing a nice sun burn. ' I hate it when Duos right.'

" Sand storm." The voice was so light he barley heard it. Looking down Quatres eyes were beginning to lose focus as he stared out into the desert. Looking out Heero realized too, the sand and wind were quickly picking up to a dangerus level.

" Move! We have to make it to town before the strom hits!" They picked up there lagging pace to a near jog as they pushed farther out toward the town. Heero held Quatre possesivly as the sand and wind threatened to tear him away from his strong grip. Sand was stinging his eyes almost forcing them closed. The others held onto each other blocking the sand as best they could. Sand stung his bear arms and face graining onto his skin. Squinting he pushed on barley keping his eyes open. Something hard was placed over his head by a soft hand and the sand cleared his eyes. Looking down he realized what Quatre had done. The goggles fit smuggly over his eyes, protecting them from the elements. Quatre and he shared a smile, his of extreme graditude and honor. Quatre loved those goggles, they were always with him it seemed. He felt honor well in his chest at being trusted with them . Pushing forward he nearly stumbled as Quatres eyes fluttered shut and he became even more limp in his arms.

" Hold on-" Sand threatened to choke his lungs as he said the words. He pushed forward harder then before his strength leaving him quickly. Taking two more steps he stumbled falling to his knees. 'NO! I can't stop now.' He struggled to stand but kept falling. Pushing upwards a hand on either shoulder pulled him up. He looked up into the faces of Trowa and Duo. Abrubtly the force of the wind slowed as Wufei shielded him and his precious cargo. Resolutely the pushed on.

The walls of the town came into view. Their protective arms outreched to them. They had made it.

Heero smile was genuine as looked down at the form in his arms. The smile was gone in an instant, Quatre was unmoving. Sand had coated itself into his long eyelashes keeping them pushed firmly down, but Quatre wasn't trying to move them. Heero's heart froze as he placed his ear to Quatres chest. He was rewarded with a faint beat. Music to his tired ears. Briskly stepping forward they pushed on into the town. They still needed help. They were Not going to lose him, not after all this, not ever.