NB:

Disclaimer: Yes. In my own little world where everyone worships me and my friends muck out my stables and clean my toilets, I own Gundam Wing. But in this world (where I have been banished because I was naughty in another world), I do not own Gundam Wing and am merely using the characters for the enjoyment of others and myself.

No. I am not getting paid for writing this. Nope, not at all.

A/N: Remember to leave shoes and candy wrappers at the door when you enter, and leave your reviews when you leave by pushing the button that says review. I'm not trying to insult your intelligence, I'm merely 'pointing the way'. ^^;;

Thank you. Now, I shall get on with the story.

What If?

Masquerade

Chapter 2 – Named and Shamed

"I'm a…" Quatre started, pausing and biting her lip, pushing herself further into the pillow in an attempt to hide from Duo.

"What?" Duo urged softly, a change from the scary Duo of 30 seconds ago. Quatre's bottom lip trembled as she locked eyes with Duo, searching desperately for something that proved that he wouldn't tell on her. "I won't say anything Q, I promise." Nodding, Quatre raised a trembling hand and brushed her fringe from her eyes.

"Duo, I know that you won't, but you must understand, telling you this is very hard for me, especially since I have lived like this for quite a few years now. Duo, I'm a, a girl…" She shut her eyes and waited for Duo to shout something or make some sort of hurtful accusation, wincing in apprehension. When nothing came her way, she opened her eyes and looked at Duo who was sitting with a slight smile on his face.

"Well," He said simply. "I wasn't expecting that." When he caught Quatre looking at him fearfully, he hugged her. "Don't worry Q, your secret's safe with me. I am quite surprised that you've managed to hide it this well." She let a small smile slip onto her face. She was glad that finally she could trust someone and didn't have to keep it a secret from everyone.

"You understand why the others mustn't find out?" Quatre asked.

"Yeah," Duo said lightly. "You'd certainly get hell from 'Fei, that's for sure. He's the main problem."

***

Duo and Quatre spoke all day before she asked him to go downstairs and get her some more painkillers. While he disappeared off to get them, Quatre rebound her chest, got dressed and then hurriedly washed her face in an attempt to get rid of the blush that had crept on.

Duo came back in to find her ready to come downstairs again.

"Thanks Duo," She said quietly as she took the painkillers and then walked out of her room. Seeing his puzzled look she explained. "Surely you don't want to miss dinner do you? It's my turn to cook tonight."

"Oh!" Duo exclaimed, giving an exaggerated bow, arm sweeping in motion for her to go first. "Ladies first."

As they walked down the stairs, Duo bouncing merrily, Quatre watched his braid swinging and felt the urge to braid it. As her eyes followed the plait, she blushed furiously as it stopped and her eyes remained fixed on the point where it had rested – Duo's backside.

Catching herself staring, Quatre turned the other way and hurried into the kitchen to start cooking. Something quick but nice… she chewed on her bottom lip while she thought.

Duo watched her working, pottering through the kitchen and noticed things that he hadn't before. He noticed that she did things in a very 'feminine' way, if that is how it could be described. She was very proper and a real perfectionist. And, he noted, she had the cutest pout imaginable.

After about an hour, an elegant chicken meal was laid down on the table.

"Dinner, as they used to say in England, is served." Duo grinned and sat at the head of the table as the other pilots filed in.

END of chapter 2

A/N: Um… short but sweet? At least it's an update? Um… hopefully the next part will be coming up a lot faster this time. ^^;;

Yes, this will be 2x4, but not slash cause Quatre's a girl. ;)

Thanks to everyone who reviewed last time!! It's nice to know that people like it…. I think…. Hehehe…. **glares at N'Hrive and Elear who have been mean and given Willow a complex and made her really paranoid. **

Please review and banish this worry my muses have given me… please? Only four reviews for a new chapter!! Surely you can manage four!

Willow

~x~