Next chapter! Whoo- hoo! Yippie! Uh...sorry. Enjoy neckos!







Duo and Heero held onto Quatre as the jeep kicked up the desert sand. The atmosphere in open car was strangely calm and cool. Trowa had one arm propped on the side of the door, sunglasses slipping down his sweat soaked nose. The wind blew cinnamon hair back revealing emerald eyes. Wufei sat next to him his arms over the back of the seat on either side, his eyes were closed but a truly happy smile stayed easily on his lips. Quatres head lay in Heeros lap as he slept soundly, Heeros arm was slung snugly over his chest. Duo cradled his feet, and for once he felt completely at ease. They had evaded their enemy for the time and had the calvary on the way so they were content to get their friend to safety before springing the guys butts for even thinking about destroying the peace. Though when they had gone over the plan earlier Heero, Trowa, and Wufei were un-nerved by Duos laughter when going on the attack without Quatre had been brought up. Of course they had thought Quatre asleep at the time and had missed his own smile.

Trowas sharp eyes scanned the horizon looking for his destination. The nomads had welcomed him with open arms and he felt at home with them before so he would take the guys there. They needed shelter and food while waiting for Une and the Preventers, but they knew they could count on the Lady to get there quickly. They were ready to infiltrate now on their own, but they wanted their injured companion back to safety first. Trowa shook his head ruefully as he thought of how Quatre would fight to stay with them. This wasn't the war though, there was no need to risk someone they needed so much in there lives for one mission. Not when the faction was doomed to start with, ever since they shot down a Gundam pilot. The faction was like many others that had come up since the peace began, all attempting to bring about their own order or just throw the Colonies from their bond with Earth. That's what they were here for, to keep the peace they had fought so much for. They had gained a lot more during that time then they had thought they would though and now had even more reasons to beat these factions down and to live.

" Ya know, I think these guys aren't as coordinated as Quatres reports gave them credit for. Huh Quatre?" Duo's voice eased into the companionable silence.

Three pairs of eyes shot to Quatre waiting for his answer, none came.

" Huh! Whata you know," Duo whispered, " he really is asleep this time!"

Trowas eyebrow shot up in question but Wufei waved him off. They lapsed into silence once more letting the matter drop. Another ten minutes passed without a word, but they knew it wouldn't last.

" Hey how 'bout some music Trowa?....Wufie?.....errrrr." Duo sat back with a growl of annoyance. Trowa let his mouth quirk. Wufei decided not to fight the quirk on his either. It was getting easier open up each time. People had said he had changed, had learned to live again and to live better. He had to agree with them. For once he felt his life going in the right place and that he had people to turn to when he was lost. That did not mean he could just drop his pride. He snorted lightly, especially around Duo Maxwell. Nor would he lose his sense of honor and justice, they were as apart of his life as the others now were.

Letting things ease back into the comfortable day they drove on. Five teens for once teenagers. They let Quatre sleep in their arms as theirs eyes wandered to the expanse of golden white sand. All looking for any sign of the enemy or for friends that had seemed to find them in this place. The setting sun lit there way west.

Quatre opened his eyes to the starry night sky. He tried to sit up as the shock that it was night now hit him but something held him firmly in place. Craning his neck he looked up into Duos slumbering face. He whispered a thank you to the sleeping boy and pushed his arm off of his chest. Sitting up slowly he surveyed the area. He was still in the jeep and looking down he saw that someone had covered him with a warm blanket. Quatre was surprised to see tents around them, all the occupants were asleep though. He looked quickly around but saw no sign of his other companions. ' Where are we? Are those camels?!' A laugh escaped his chapped lips as a wayward camel snuffled Duos hair nipping at his braid. Shifting slightly he gasped in pain as he was reminded of his injured legs. Duo was awake in an instant.

" Quat!" He reached out and pulled the smaller boy to his chest as Quatre tried to shake off the pain that ran up and down his battered legs. " I'm right here Quatre."

" Duo? Where are we?"

" Trowa found some friends, nomads. They're letting us stay here till we meet up with the Lady."

" 'Kay."

" Heheh, you sound sleepy."

" Am. Where the others?"

" Inquisitive tonight aren't we?"

" Duo."

" Alright. They're around, Trowa is on the other side of camp on watch. Heero is around here...somewhere."

"Wufei?" Quatre yawned the name out as Duos chest became such a soft pillow.

" Heheh. Uhm, he's meditating around here somewhere. You know him and Heero, just pop in and out when they want to." A soft chuckle was felt against his chest as Quatre drifted back to sleep. " Sleep Quat. We're gonna need you sharp tomorrow ehe aa,, ah!" Soft furry lips nipped at his cheek in a light kiss. He pushed the camels face away from his braid as he leaned in to take a bite. " Go on you stup.." With a splat something sticky hit his cheek. " Eww." He watched the camel lean down and nuzzle the sleeping boy in his lap before she padded lightly on the soft sand to her own companions. Duo watched, mouth agape. His lips curved into an amazed smile at the gentle creature. A slight tug brought his attention back to his friend. Quatre was still asleep, Duos braid firmly clutched in his hands. Duo shook his head and snuggled back down to sleep. In the distance a flash of light caught the attention of the grazing animals.

Heero watched the horizon attentively waiting for the light to come again. He was sure he had seen it.

" Is it them?" Heero shot Trowa a glare.

" It's not healthy to sneak up on people." Trowa sighed and looked to the horizon.

" We can't put these people at risk Heero. If it is them we need to get out of here and lead them away."

" Right. What about Quatre? You know he won't want to leave us, but we can't take him."

" They'll take care of him here. He speaks the native language, so a little disguising shouldn't be hard."

" Getting him to listen and stay will be. And I don't want to just leave him with people we don't know."

" Trust a little Heero. They're good people, they remind me of Cathrine and the Circus." They're eyes were pulled back toward the horizon as the lights broke over a distant dune. Heero lifted binoculars to his weary eyes. The distant vehicles jumped into view.

" Fine." Not waiting for an reaction from Trowa, Heero jumped up and ran for the jeep pulling Wufei up as he ran by his seated form. Reaching the jeep Heero shook Duo awake.

" Wha.." Blinking he focused on Heeros stoic face. The dark crystal blue eyes betrayed his worry. " What is it Heero?" Duo was instantly alert.

" They're coming on us fast. Get Quatre up and out of the jeep."

" What? Heero?....NO! We can't just leave him."

" Duo. We stand a better chance with him here and so does he. I don't want to either but we have no choice." Duo was momentarily stunned by the emotion that was hidden just under the even tone. He felt a tug on his braid and looked down.

" Just listen to him Duo." Quatre looked tierdly up at him. " Heero, leave a communicator here with me at least. That way we can stay in touch." Heero nodded and grasped Qautres hand briefly before moving to the front of the jeep to scrounge through their bags. Trowa and Wufei came over with the girl and her father that Trowa had befriended. They gently eased Quatre off of Duo's lap and carried him into a nearby tent. Heero followed them after finding the old two way comms. Duo's eyes were riveted to the distant desert. He tore his vision away as an indignant cry from inside the tent.

" Ah! NO,no,no.no,no, and no! I don't want to." Duo snickered as a low grumbling he identified as Wufei quieted him with what Duo took to be a threat. He felt kinda bad for the poor guy. He shook his head as he looked back. His alarm rose as the headlights were blinking closer. Running to the tent he burst in then stopped in shock.

" Don't say a word. Please Duo." Quatres big eyes just added to the cute picture and Duo had to hold back laughter. The four beaming artist held back laughter as their ticked off masterpiece looked imploringly at Duo. Heero just stared.

" I've never seen a cuter.."

" Don't say it!" Quatre pleaded.

" ...twelve year old ..."

" NO!" Quatre covered his ears.

" ... girl!" Laughter echoed in his ears. Then in a drastic change of mood Duo turned deadly serious. " They're getting closer, we need to move."

Everyone turned serious and turned to business. As the four on the run stood in the entrance way Quatre lifted one thin hand in good bye.

" We'll be back for you soon." Wufei locked eyes with him for a minute sealing a promise. With that they strode out. Quatre listened as the jeep started and faded into the distance.