Disclaimer: Too busy sleeping and eating during the last few weeks to think much about procuring GW or SM … so … the mission resumes, ne? Haha … watch out world! ^^;;;

Thanks go to Ashika nee-chan for being so patient with me! ::bows:: And, of course for beta-reading. ::luffs::

Ahhh~! ::stretches:: It's good to be back, minna-san! ^^ The break was nice … :D ::ahem:: So … down to business? Rofl … the title's trite so … please ignore it. XD Happy reading!

Note: I don't know if I mentioned this last chapter or not (I don't think I did) but the title for chapter 16 (Recalled to Life) was from Tale of Two Cities (again! XD) … err … Part I, I believe. :D

Chapter 17: To Learn to Love

"Are you … real?"

For the first time in the short amount of time she had stayed with Hiiro, Usagi heard his voice waver and break with uncertainty. Glancing back towards him, having almost forgotten that he was there, she frowned as he refused to even look at Duo, as if questioning his eyesight and mental state.

"Course I'm real, Hiiro! If I wasn't, would I be able to do this to you?" In a friendly gesture, Duo gently punched Hiiro on the shoulder, grinning. Usagi's frown deepened as Hiiro staggered back before getting a hold of himself.

"Hiiro … are you all right?" She stepped towards him and laid a gentle hand on his other shoulder, eyes darkened with concern.

Duo frowned lightly and tried to shake off the nagging feeling in the back of his mind. Usagi's voice towards Hiiro had been tender and soft, almost, if he hadn't known better, loving. And beyond friendly, too. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind and mentally scolded himself for being paranoid.

"I'm … fine," Hiiro muttered, almost as if to himself, before slowly shaking his head and looking up, eyes once again cold, the moment of human weakness freezing over. "Where … have you been, Duo?"

"Oh … well … y'know. Places."

Usagi raised a skeptical brow and, attempting to lighten the dense atmosphere, grinned. "So you've been 'places' for more than two months?"

Duo sighed. "Okay, fine. I admit it. I was taking a vacation. Besides, I really needed a break from Treize and his arrogant ass."

Usagi laughed and shrugged but upon turning back to Hiiro, she found his frace frozen and hard, darkened with something akin to rage and hatred directed completely at his best friend.

The words came out deliberate and cold, chilling the ambiance once again. "You were taking a vacation while everybody who cared for you believed you were dead? You better have a damn better excuse than that, Maxwell."

Hiiro's words carried the effect of shouting though his voice barely lifted above a growl. Duo gulped and smiled weakly. "All right, all right. I realize how stupid I'd-"

"You're damn right."

Duo continued, unfazed. "-been but really, Hiiro. I'd just been shot by Usa over there and after supposedly bleeding to death, they dumped me off in some dark alley in the middle of NYC and told me to come back when I'm ready. Well, really. I wasn't ready until now."

"Why … why did the reports say that you died, Duo?" Usagi gave up at lifting the atmosphere and settled for asking a question that had been bothering her ever since her suspicion that Duo was really the voice arose. Her voice cracked and she looked aside, the last words dying away in a whisper.

Duo sighed and leaned tiredly against the wall behind him. "Well … it's pretty complicated. Treize believed that I had been accomplices with you but nothing could stick on me. Plus the doctors suggested that perhaps after the shot, I went into shock and couldn't discern you from the description I gave them. Treize hated having been thwarted but there was nothing he could do. So, like the high-powered official that he is, he dumped the situation into Trowa and Wufei's hands. They decided to fake my death and get rid of me, realizing that my reporting back too soon to Treize could lead to trouble. So we decided that I would wait until the situation simmered down a bit before, well … I headed back to work."

"So the FBI lied to the entire ESUN and you went along with it." Hiiro's tone of voice didn't need to be reproachful to hurt.

"There wasn't much else I could do but…" Duo's eyes narrowed as Usagi's hand, almost with a nature of its own, sought out Hiiro's and Hiiro accepted it without much of an indication. The sinking feeling in the bottom of his stomach intensified as he fought to resume his words. "But … that doesn't change anything … does it?"

"Duo," Usagi's voice sounded gentle and feminine in the room as she uttered his name in a brief sigh. "You were reported dead to the press. To the ESUN, you are dead. If you head back to Treize, he is going to have to come up with some explanation as to why the FBI gave a false report to the people and it's probably going to get pinned on somebody completely innocent."

Duo's hopeful expression crumbled. "I … I can't go back?"

"What she's saying is that you can but you're going to call in a hell of a lot of favors."

Duo's frown intensified as he looked downwards, thinking out the situation. "Either Quatre or Relena will be able to handle it," he decided, but the troubled frown never left his face as he looked back up. "But Usa … are things still the same … between us?"

…………………

Treize stared pensively at the towering stack of paperwork in front of him. Against his will, his eyes glanced over to the trashcan and the paper shredder capping it. Involuntarily, his hand slowly reached out to grab twenty something slivers of paper that could seal his fate.

As if the paper had sparked a burst of energy in him, Treize instantly got down to work, flipping open his laptop and accessing the FBI database, entering a level four code to access the results in the search for 'Tsukino, Usagi'.

He scanned the page quickly, scrolling down to the vital section dated when Maxwell had been reported dead and highlighted the names next to it – Trowa Barton and Wufei Chang.

"Stephanie, call Agents Chang and Barton to my office."

"Of course, Mr. Khushrenada."

…………………

"Are things still the same between us…?" Usagi repeated the words slowly as if slowly figuring out their underlying meaning. "Duo, I…"

"Usagi." She turned back to face Hiiro. "What was the relationship between you and Duo prior to his death?"

Before she could open her mouth to answer, Duo jumped in with a defiant, "We were lovers. And, if I may ask, what is the relationship between you and Usagi right now?" He threateningly took a step towards Hiiro, but Hiiro didn't falter.

"We're friends."

"Are you sure?"

"Friends."

Duo's expression looked more like he had been hit in the face rather than relieved. Then, noting the soft frown playing on Hiiro's face and Usagi's cold, unseeing stare at the wall, he stepped back slowly and closed his eyes briefly. "Are you trying to convince me, Hiiro, or yourself?"

………………..

Trowa sighed and chanced a glance towards Wufei, flinching at the highly reproachful look shot towards him. "Take a deep breath and bluff your way through."

"Sorry, Barton. That's not my way of doing things."

When Trowa didn't say anything, Wufei continued, whispering fiercely, "This is all your fault, you know? Why out of all the options we had, did you have to choose this one? We should have just brought Relena to Khushrenada and be done with it. But you had to go out of your way and take her to Quatre to save her!"

"Wufei, hush. And I don't believe now is the time to assign blame," Trowa whispered back. He briefly saluted the guard at the door, Wufei following his lead, and checked in with the secretary. She nodded, shot them a curious look, but at the last moment decided not to ask. The door swung open and she ducked out of the way.

"Chang, Barton. How good are your memories?" Treize didn't bother looking up, still scribbling away at his legal pad. Trowa had expected shouts, curses, or even flying projectiles, but this was the last thing on the agent's mind. Treize barely looked disturbed as he carefully took his reading glasses off, rubbed his hands over his face, and finally turned to look at them.

"Well-"

"Never mind. Don't answer that. Do you remember an assignment I gave the two of you not too far back?"

"Well, sir, there were many assignments," Trowa replied delicately.

"An assignment regarding Duo Maxwell?"

Trowa tensed as Wufei scowled.

…………………

"Convincing you or myself? What kind of a question is that?" Hiiro snapped but Duo didn't back off.

"Do you honestly believe that you are not in love with Usagi?"

An uncomfortable silence passed. "Yes."

"Stop trying to delude yourse-"

"Shut up." Duo looked up in surprise to meet Usagi's pleading eyes. "Stop talking about me as if I'm not here!"

"Well … what do you feel, Usa?" Duo's voice came out softly, like a breath of air, as he waited for his heart to break.

She looked aside, a clear look of uncertainty marring her smooth complexion. "I … I don't suppose I know…"

"Usagi…" The bottom of Duo's entire existence had fallen out and he faced a dark abyss of disappointment and hurt. "Usagi, look into my eyes and tell me that you don't love Hiiro."

Her eyes turned steely as she glared at him. "Stop making me do this! You know I can't do it!"

"Usagi?" Her eyes widened. She had almost forgotten that Hiiro was still there.

"Well, Hiiro. Can you do it?" Duo challenged, arching an eyebrow at his best friend.

Usagi clutched her fist to her chest as an eternity passed.

"…No."

"And why is that?"

"Duo, you have no right to be doing this."

"Doing what? Changing your lives for the better?"

"No, sticking your nose into our private affairs."

Usagi shook her head, drawing both men's attentions to her. "I'm tired of playing charades, Hiiro. I admit it. I love you." She didn't look up.

A moment passed as nobody spoke before Duo let out a frustrated sigh and demanded, "Well, what do you have to say to that, Hiiro?"

"I…"

"You…?" Hiiro glared at Duo as the braided man attempted to coach him by mouthing the words to him.

He abruptly turned to Usagi. "How can you love me? I've done all the worst possible things to you … how can you love me?"

"I don't really know … But I know that you also evoke the most … wondrous feelings inside of me…"

Duo rolled his eyes and made as if he were jabbing a finger in his mouth, gagging.

Hiiro stared at her. "I love … you, too."

Duo grinned as Usagi flung herself to Hiiro before pausing and frowning to himself. What had he just done? Given the love of his life to his best friend without not only much of a fight but actually with encouragement. He sighed and stared at the beautiful picture in front of him and decided the ends justified the means.

…………………

"I'm not angry, just disappointed."

Trowa had never even dreamed of the day Treize would say something like that.

"I'm disappointed that you did not log what you did to Duo Maxwell in the database and lied to the press and the world. I'm disappointed because…"

"Sir, we realize that Duo Maxwell's death is the only tangible thing you have against Usagi Tsukino." Trowa silently jabbed Wufei in the stomach. Even at a time like this, Wufei was saying things bad enough to be taunts.

"Yes, well … this whole debacle will cause me some embarrassment. So until this is over and plus another half year, the two of you are put on hold. Once you come back, you will be put on probation for six months. Be glad you weren't arrested for falsifying reports, boys." He nodded at them curtly, signaling that they should leave before he changed his mind.

Trowa grinned at Wufei as they walked down the hallway, unfazed when the Asian agent glared back. "Pack your bags, Wufei, we're going on a six-month vacation."

The Asian agent scowled darkly and bit out two simple words: "Without pay."

…………………

"Duo, how much longer are you going to be staying here?" The addressed person shrugged and grinned ruefully.

"I suppose I'll get going now…" He lingered and glanced at the serene picture in front of him, Hiiro sitting on the sofa after the three of them had had lunch together while Usagi leaned upon his shoulder, sleeping. "…Don't want to disturb the happy couple and all…"

Hiiro stared at his best friend and shook his head slowly. "You can stay as long as you want."

"But I can't. I have one majorly pissed off upper official to deal with." Duo winced and smiled.

A moment of silence passed as both stared at the third occupant of the room, one memorizing her features and the other marveling at them.

"You know … I'm sorry…"

"There's nothing to be sorry about. It was her decision and I couldn't make her go against something she wanted."

Hiiro shook his head. "If you hadn't gone away, she would still be with you."

"But maybe He arranged it that way. I mean, I know you're an atheist but … who knows…"

Another pause passed as a sense of serenity floated down over the three people, eliminating the previous tense and guilty ambiance.

"Well. I should get going right about now."

Hiiro looked up, surprised. "But … don't you want to say good-bye to her?"

Duo shrugged and grinned cockily. "Why would I do that? I know I'll see her again." Then, seeing Hiiro's serious face, he sighed and his grin drooped. "I just don't want her to feel guilty or apologize to me for something she had no control over."

He headed towards the door as Hiiro sat, watching him closely. Before reaching it, he hesitantly turned around and glanced meekly at Hiiro. "May I … kiss her?"

At the softening of Hiiro's usually stark features, Duo turned and, almost reverently, brushed the waves away from her face, gently pecking her on the cheek. Then, smiling softly down at her, and nodding towards Hiiro, he exited the door.

It was the next morning when Usagi woke up with the faintest recollection of somebody whispering "I love you" into her ear.

…………………

Wow … revisiting this fic has been something of a nightmare! o_o This chapter (and the last few to come) were all written around spring break time … lolol. But … kinda gave up and didn't edit too much. ^^;;; Even if every Hiiro/Usagi/Duo scene was insanely awkward … and redundant. xD Hang in there, minna-san! It's almost over. ^^;;;

Firefly Princess: Waiiii! I'm glad you're back. ^^ (and also am very flattered that you visited this first. ^^) Though … I never actually knew the changing of scenes actually worked! Lol … you exaggerate, right? ^^;;; Careful! Don't fall off that chair … rofl … you have such a way with words. ::blushes::

Sadie Joy :: Neko Neko: Lol … ahhh, yes. The online time restriction thingi. I'm a bit too familiar with that. Rofl. You read fast, y'know? It's great to have you here. :D

Lynn: Err … ::stutters:: thankyouverymuch! :DDD

Hot_chick_1231: Wow … I didn't quite know how obvious I was until now … lol. xD Yes, Duo's the shadow in Hiiro's room … heh. Thanks you so much for the compliments … I'll keep them even if they're undeserved~! 3

Misty H: ::is so flattered that she is speechless:: Lol … thank you, thank you! ^^;;;

Tenshi no Hi: Rofl … my thoughts exactly! The Duo is back part. :D

Obsessed: Love triangle, ne? Lol … it resolved itself quickly. xD

The Desert Fox: Hmm … you're reviews are always so unique. :D But anyhow … there was the explanation about Duo (not all that great of one, I might add…) and … well … about the whole killing thing … I try to refrain from it in general. ^^;;

Aisho: Lol … for one chapter? ::apologizes::

Sunshine Fia: Lol! Oh but Fia-san! I do have a fever … the Duo fever. Can't live without him. xD Sorry for the confusion. ^^;;;

Crazygurl70: Rofl … well … it sounds so cheesy when you put it like that. xD (which means it is cheesy … :D)

Blu Moon: Ahh! Sorry about the disappointment with the letter … since you were expecting a new plot "sidestream" from it. :x It was, if everybody inferred it, just a letter from Duo to Treize regarding his return from "death". Heh. Gomen nasai! :D

Dragon-Wing: Rofl … am I so cruel that I'd change the couple at chapter 16? …Do I carry over as being that sadistic? Haha … maybe you shouldn't answer that. ^^;;;

Thanks everybody for the reviews and for being patient enough to wait out this hiatus! ^^ Yours, Angel.