Duo: I'm still waiting for this karaoke thing . . .

Thai: Next chapter Duo. The next chapter is the BIG finale.

Areia: You mean, I'll cease to exist?!

Thai: Yes.

Trowa: No fair!

Thai: Shut up! I've got plans for you!

Duo: What about me?

Thai: You too!

Areia: But, essentially, I only have 2 chapters left of fame?

Thai: That's right.

Areia: ::sniffles:: Bitch.

Wait and See.

By Bubblegum Thai.

Chapter 14; Going back.

"Are you alright?" Trowa asked, sitting opposite Areia in her favourite little café about 20 miles from their home,

"Yes."

"Catherine told me what happened."

"Yeah . . ."

"Don't let them get to you, alright?"

"I'm not."

"Then, why so sad?"

"Because people think I'm a slut."

"I don't think you are."

"I know you don't . . . but my friends have such low expectations . . . I . . . wish I could do everything again!"

"What do you mean?"

"I wish I could've done everything again! I WISH I COULD BE 15 AGAIN!" She snapped, standing up, "If I were 15 again I wouldn't have slept with Duo, I would kill everyone in my way I would have fought until I bled from the strain! I would . . . I would've died . . ."

"Areia, what're you saying?"

"I hate that everyone thinks I'm a . . . slut . . ."

"But you're not! I know that you're not! Come on! Don't let them get to you! Please, 'Rei . . . think about it . . . Sally's married Wufei . . . Mr Anger Management! Hilde's still single . . . I bet she's a lesbian and as for Relena! Pft! She stalks Heero and thinks she's better than everyone else! I don't think she even knows my name!"

Areia smiled slightly,

"And I've got you . . ."

"And Duo." Trowa reminded, "You've got us forever! Face it! You're stuck with us! We're not going anywhere! Duo's mad at Hilde . . . when I left, he was yelling at the girls."

Areia smiled faintly,

"I guess . . . I can only trust you two . . ."

"And Quatre."

"Quatre." Areia sniffled, "I don't understand him . . . I tore you away from him and yet, he still helps me. He's still there for me."

"That's because he loves you. He loves me. The 6 of us . . . we're inseparable. We have something, from the war that few people have. Even though Wufei's married someone who wasn't a pilot, he's still one of us."

"Yes . . . I know . . ."

"Ok, so we don't all get on . . . but . . . when it matters . . . even Heero's there for everyone."

Areia sighed sadly,

"You should be a motivational speaker."

He smirked and leant forwards,

"No . . . I'm no good at talking . . . you know that . . . it took me three years to realise that . . . I was doing the wrong thing by leading Quatre on. It took me 18 years to find my voice."

Areia moved her spoon around in her coffee . . . idly hmmm-ing to herself before looking up at Trowa,

"Can I go home now?" She whispered,

"If you like."

"Will they still be there?"

"Doubt it. But, I can call Wufei if you wish."

"Please."

Trowa tugged his mobile from his jeans pocket and dialled Wufei's number. He answered quickly,

"Yes, Barton?"

"Have they left?"

"Yes. We're already home."

"Good. I don't want you to bring Sally anywhere near Areia . . . is that understood?"

"Yes."

"Oh, and Wufei . . ."

"Hm?"

"If Relena and Hilde have any common sense, they'll stay away also."

"Duly noted." Wufei sighed, "Look, Trowa, they're truly sorry. They're just stupid women having fun when alcohol was involved. I don't think they truly meant to hurt Areia."

"It doesn't matter what their intentions were."

"Yes. I know. Until Wednesday."

"Wednesday."

The pair hung up and Trowa looked at his love who was nibbling on a biscotti,

"You look really cute." He chuckled,

"When do I not?" She teased before standing up slowly, "Is it alright if I take your bike back home?"

"So long as I drive."

"What about your car?"

"I'll pick it up tomorrow."

"Does that mean . . .?"

"Mmmm hmmm."

"Goody!" She jumped for joy, clapping her hands slightly, "I love riding on the back of your bike!"

"You usually find that you burry your face in my back and squeeze tight enough to stop me breathing!"

"And that's why I love it so much!"

Trowa snorted, shaking his head as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her towards the door,

"You've always loved my bikes, haven't you?"

"Hey! When I first saw you on one, you were 15 and it was red and black! That's just cool . . ."

- - -

As Trowa pulled the bike up in the driveway, Areia still cling onto him tightly, her face buried into the back of his t-shirt. She gingerly kissed his spin where his neck met his shoulders before sliding off of the bike. She ventured cautiously into the house and was met by a hug from Catherine,

"Are you alright, Areia?"

"I'm fine Cathy." Areia sighed, hugging her friend tighter, "Thank you for telling Trowa what happened."

"No problem. Well, I've got to get back to the circus now, so you take care, alright?"

"Will do."

"And you." She turned on Trowa, "Take care of her, ok?"

"Of course!" Trowa chuckled, kissing Catherine's cheek, "See you soon."

"Yes. Bye."

She trotted off and Trowa stepped up beside Areia,

"She really likes you. She's usually over protective of me, but now . . . it's your turn!"

Areia smirked slightly and cuddled up against him,

"Yeah . . . well . . .DUO!" Areia gushed, running up to him and hugging him tightly. His head was bleeding rapidly. Areia pressed her hand to it, "What happened?"

"Hilde happened."

"Pardon?"

"Well . . . she and Relena started a fight. Hilde got a punch in and when Noin and Sally were dragging them apart, Hilde hit me as I stood between them; I stumbled against Relena and fell against the wall,

"Oh Duo . . ." Areia sighed as Trowa came back with the first aid kit.

The pair cleaned up Duo's wound quickly and bandaged his head before sitting him down for a stiff drink. Quatre appeared from the garden,

"They're all gone now . . . oh Duo . . . you said it wasn't bad!"

"It wasn't . . . it isn't!" Duo fussed,

"Oh Duo . . . I should get you to the doctor!"

"That's what we were just discussing."

"I'll take him. I think you've had enough excitement for one day."

Areia nodded, yawning slightly. She stood and looked at Trowa,

"I'm going to shower. Duo . . . call me, k? Lemme know what happens, alright? If she hurt you, I'm gonna kill her!"

"Calm down . . . please . . . it's not too bad!" Duo sighed defensively.

Areia turned and went off to shower.

Quatre looked at Trowa,

"Take care, alright?"

"Will do." He nodded.

- - - To be continued . . .

Yeah . . . I know . . . sucky , right? Well . . . one chapter left . . . I was tellin' Gemini 'bout this last night and she said it sounded funny . . . sooooooo . . . yeah . . .