Well here we are again! YIPPIE!!! Very happy that I am actually getting places with this! Ahem...Well neckos please review and tell me how I am doing. Then I will be good and get more chapters out. I have to do all i can now before next semester stars and all my academic classes begin! Ahh, stupid me put all her academic classes in one semester. So writing my slow down after that, ahhh, maybe not. More info then ya wanted huh? Anyway, see ya!







Quatre sat upon the dune, sand shining in the sun and soft underneath him. The cloak that Duo had produced from his backpack was draped over his shoulders, the hood thrown back. The sun seemed to dance with the golden rays of his own hair adding to the beautiful and peaceful moment. For a moment he could forget that once again they would be forced to fight. That they were lost in the desert being chased by a group of people that sought to destroy all they had worked for, and them. That his friends lives were in danger too. For a moment he was here, atop a glowing sand castle in the clear afternoon light. Peace whispered in the soft breezes and let him relax wounds and muscles that no longer pained him so much. For a moment he was free to be happy.

But that serenity was shattered all to soon.

"They're about two miles west of us. Luckily they're heading away. " Heeros cool tone revealed none of his concern. He rose from his position on his stomach and put the binoculars around his neck.

" AH! These guys are sooo irritating!" Duo flopped down on the blanket beneath the tent that he had somehow fit in his backpack. He had grabbed everything he could before he had left. Cloaks, water, a small collapsible tent, and whatever he thought would help ease some of Quatres pain, went into the bag. He had carried it over three miles of desert until he had finally convinced the indestructible daredevils that they would have to carry him or rest. Casting a worried look Quatre way he was reminded of his real reason....well most of it. He himself was tired too, not to mention the others were getting an interesting shade of red. Though they could have kept going under those circumstances they had more important things to worry about. That were currently sitting in the sun getting a nice tan. His worry grew as Quatre tried to draw a deep breath but winced and grabbed his ribs instead.

" We need to get moving Duo." Heero spoke up again. " Trowa must be far ahead of us by now. Hopefully he found someway to get in touch with Lady Une. We need her and the Preventers to brings these guys down."

" Heero we need to let him rest." Heero knew who he was talking about. " He can't heal like this. We have to stop these nuts, but he is our first priority. And I know they're coming after us, but if we lose him while trying to get away it won't be worth it. Not without all of us together."

Wufei could see the conviction on Duos face. He meant every word he said, and he was right. This was not the war, they had so much to live for now and one of them was sitting on a sand dune staring off into the distance. He let his gaze wander to that boy and before he knew what he was doing he found himself in the sunlight standing behind him. For a moment they stayed as they were, enjoying the peace of the desert together. Wufei could not remember the last time he had just enjoyed a moment of time quietly with a friend and it felt good. He looked down as Quatre craned his neck back to look up at him.

" Hi."

Wufei could not hold back the laugh that rose in his throat at the simple happiness that just broke through the tension that had filled the air. Duo and Heero both turned toward the sudden laughter and completely forgot about the argument they had been engaged in. They watched in wonder at the gentleness as Wufei picked Quatre up and carried him back into the shade. As he walked by Duo whispered a " ahhh" and Wufei accidently kicked sand onto Duos exposed legs.

"Hey!" Duo tried unsuccessfully to wipe the sand off of his sweaty legs. " Great now I'm even grittier." He stuck his lip out in a pout but had quickly scramble away when Wufei walked back past him. As he did Heero caught the smile on Wufeis lips and noticed for the first time he did not even try to suppress it. In the back of the tent Duo helped Quatre pack their supplies and prepare for the trip. He smiled reassuringly at his friend and promised himself that he would get him safe and the others too.



An hour later they were walking again amongst the dunes. Quatre was holding onto Heeros neck while Heero carried him piggyback. When they had stared to move again Heero had just picked Quatre up ignoring Duo and Wufeis suggestions about a stretcher being made from the tent. He just felt safer when he had his friend this close like he could protect him from anything. In his eyes their was no need for a stretcher, he was more then happy to carry Quatre. Quatre himself made no complaint and had fallen asleep a few minutes before.

" Your getting possessive Heero." Wufei said with a slight chuckle. Ever since they had found Quatre downed in the jet Heero had gotten pretty protective. All of them had, and if it made sense Quatre had toward them to. His comment earned him a snort from Duo and light chuckle from Heero. They stopped short at the sound of a giggle. Heero craned his neck to look over his shoulder at the top of Quatres head where he had buried his head against Heeros shoulder.

" Thought you were asleep." Heero through over his shoulder. Quatre raised his head and rested his chin on the boys shoulder and smiled.

" Just resting."

" Well rest some more buddy. Leave the Heero teasing and work to us." Duo squeezed his shoulder fondly.

" Right." Quare laughed lightly turning his eyes forward then gasped. " There!" All eyes turned forward. Sure enough a jeep, a very beat up jeep was headed their way. Heero pulled out his binoculars. Quare let out a small hiss of pain as his legs were dropped but did not utter a word, just waited for confirmation that it was Trowa.

" It's him." At those words they began their move forward once more, energy renewed.





Trowa saw the three ragged forms moving in his direction and floored the accelerator. Sand flew up from the wheels showering his face and hair but he ignored that and stayed completely focused on the three in front of him. Now that he was closer he could see the sun reflecting off of blond hair from over Heeros shoulder and let himself relax a bit. Though he was prepared for an attack at any moment still he felt better with them in sights, and he felt pretty confident that he had thrown his pursuers even in the expanse of the desert. He let one hand drift to pull the cover smugly over a laptop he had traded for from the Nomads. The man was happy to exchange his laptop with te young man for Trowas watch*. The cat he had given to the man daughter before he left as a gift. Well she had been extremely nice to him and the cat had needed a home. So after a hastily made call to Une he had made his way back to the desert laptop in tow. Now they could really take begin the work to take them down, together.