Chapter – 5

Disclaimers—Gundam Wing does not belong to me nor has it ever.  The characters, in part, are only being used for non-profitable purposes.

Warnings—Some language, but not much else.

Duo shot bolt upright in his bed, a yell forced from his throat as he strained to catch his breath.  It was just a dream—but then he remembered that it wasn't just that; it was a memory.  Shaking his head a bit, he put his hand to it; a thin layer of sweat hung to him, causing his clothing to cling to his form.  Coughing faintly, he pushed away from his bed, walking over towards the bathroom as he splashed some water in his face.

                It hadn't been more than half a year since it happened, but he still couldn't help but feel he could have saved her.  Shaking it off, he started to walk away from the sink, though stopped as he looked down at the gem resting on the counter.  It had been Heather's.  Heero found it and had given it to Duo after the incident.  As he stared down at it, he couldn't help but feel that he knew it from somewhere.  Brief clips of memory flashed in his mind's eye, though nothing that seemed to make sense.

                "Maxwell!  Get down here!"  Duo huffed a breath before putting on his cheerful smile and springing down the stairs, still in his black shorts and gray muscle shirt.  "You're still in your pajamas?"

                "Yeah?  So?"

                Wufei shook his head before walking into the other room, saying, though not able to hide the annoyance in his voice, "Breakfast is on the table."

                Duo walked into the kitchen, looking around slowly as though it were new to him.  They had moved to a safe house that was in a small town; there was little to worry about in a place like that.

                Taking one look at the food, Duo's face lit up as he sat down, taking his share and inhaling it from his plate.  Quatre smiled to Duo as he sat down himself, "Good morning, Duo."

                Duo lifted his gaze, his mouth full as he smiled again brightly, swallowing hard as he lifted a hand, "Hiya, Q-man.  How'd ya' sleep?"

                "I slept well—but I have a feeling that you didn't again."

                Duo's eyes were underlined with dark circles, it quite obvious that he hadn't been getting the rest he needed.  "Still having those dreams about the war?"

                Smiling again, Duo hesitantly nodded, "Yeah—I guess so."  He wasn't really lying.  After all, it did happen partially because of the war.  Vibrant violet eyes turned back down to his empty plate as he started to tap his food, an anxious habit he'd developed over time.  It gained him a concerned stare from Quatre's direction, though he didn't press the matter.

                Heero stepped in as he looked around at them all, only to move past them and grab his laptop from the floor by the table.  He didn't say so much as a 'hi' before slipping back out and heading for another area in the house.  Silence fell in the room, leaving Duo to squirm uncomfortably in his chair before he sprang up.  "I think I should probably go and get dressed."  With that, Duo ran back up the stairs. 

Getting himself cleaned up and getting into his usual attire, he slipped back downstairs, heading right for the front door.  A nice long walk is just what I need.  Smiling to himself, he stepped out into the early autumn breeze, stretching out his arms before going on his way.

He hadn't gone more than five steps before he was pulled back.  Heero stood behind him, saying simply, "We have a mission."  Duo gave an exasperated sigh, his arms falling limp by his sides.

"Come on—just once I'd like to relax."

"You can do that when the war is over."

"Like that will be happening within the next decade."

Heero gave a simple, "Hn," before pulling Duo back inside to where the rest of them were waiting.  They all stood around the small living room, Heero's laptop set up on the floor.  Duo sat with a restless expression across his face, letting his head fall back.

"OZ has been working on a new type of mobile suit as well as new strategic plans.  Someone has already gotten a hold of the information—we just have to get it from them.  Dr. J has given us the location of it, though he recommends that only two of us go," Heero said while staring down at the laptop.

"I'll go—just to get this out of the way."  Wufei stood, showing that he was willing to go.

"No—you should stay here Wufei.  You've been scouting out the area and you know it much better.  I will be going as well as Duo."

Duo looked up towards Heero before springing to his defense, "Hey now!  I know this area just as much as Wufei."

Heero shook his head, saying flatly, "You're going to be coming with me.  Pack a week's worth of clothing.  We're going to be heading to L2.  You know that area, don't you?"

Freezing for a moment, he sat back down, tapping his foot against the carpeted floor.  Hesitantly, he nodded a bit before saying softly, "Yeah.  I know that area pretty well."

"Good.  Now let's go."

* * * * *

                Duo fidgeted in the shuttle seat, he grasping tightly to the end of his braid, his foot tapping loudly against the floor under him.  "We're almost there.  Calm down—you're drawing attention to yourself."

                Grumbling softly, Duo forced himself to sit still, his eyes turning to the window as he looked at the on-coming colony.  Swallowing the lump in his throat, he closed his eyes; slowly seeming to relax where he sat.

                It hadn't been more than 15 minutes before the shuttle landed and Heero and Duo were on their way to book a hotel room.  Duo felt somewhat at home in the area they were at; buildings were crumbling and worn down, though the streets were still busy, much like the streets of New York.  Taking a breath of air, he followed Heero to a hotel, though not the best of choosing, and booked a room.

                They went up, inspecting the room for bugs and wires of any kind; it was the usual routine, regardless that they doubted there would be any problem.  Heero carefully set his things down by the one bed, pulling out his gun and tucking it away for later.  Casually tossing his things across the room, Duo fell back on the bed while heaving a sigh.  He stared at the dull ceiling, watching a spider walk across before mumbling, "I hate bugs."

                Once done getting his things together, Heero stood, collected Duo and then dragged him back out into the streets of L2.  Rushing through the crowds of people, he pulled Duo along.  For having this as his home colony, he acted a lot like he hadn't seen it before.  Scuttling their way through the hordes, they managed to get into an area that seemed less infested with crowds.  Heero pulled aside after a moment, grabbing Duo by the shoulder gruffly and asking coldly, "What's wrong with you?  You are very quiet."

                Duo almost missed a step as his eyes turned back up to Heero, a grin suddenly forming across his features, "Oh—so now you want me to talk to you?"

                "You know what I mean, Duo."

                "I'm fine—you're just sniffing too many fumes."

                "Duo."

                "What?!"

                "Tell me what the matter is.  I'm not going to continue this mission with you if you're not going to be up to doing it.  Why not just go back to the hotel?  I'll do this on my own if you don't want to."

                "Fine—I think I'll do just that."  Not even giving Heero time to respond, he turned around again, getting lost within the horde of people just outside the alleyway.

~*~

Fire's Tempest: Hmm—working on the plot here…

Duo:  As though you couldn't tell?

Fire's Tempest walks away with a frustrated look on her face.

Duo:  Thank you for your reviews—keep 'em comin'.