"I don't care what consequence it brings.
I have been a fool for lesser things.
I want you so bad, I think you ought to know that
I intend to hold you for the longest time."
~Billy Joel, "For the Longest Time"
When Duo opened his eyes, he was surrounded by the most wonderful glow he'd ever felt. It was Warm and full of Light, much different from his first experience of Heaven. Not that the first one was bad, but there weren't words for this.
"You're in the very presence of God," Michael said, from somewhere Duo couldn't see. "It's the best feeling anywhere."
"Did it work?" Duo swallowed. If all of this pain had been for nothing...
Yes. Once again, We triumphed.
He'd done it. Duo had really saved everyone. He winced; almost everyone. But the planet...the planet would live. Raven had imploded, and who knew (or cared) what had happened to Kiran.
I'm very proud of you, Duo Maxwell.
"Thank you," Duo whispered.
"So are we." Smoke couldn't be seen either, but it could be assumed that she was wherever Michael was.
"Not many people could be that brave, Duo." Michael's voice was thick and sniffly. "You're something else."
"I just wish...Heero, and Wufei..." Duo felt something heavy sink into his chest. Heero was dead. Wufei was alone now - really alone, because he was Saved, and now Duo couldn't ever see him again.
It was against the Rules.
"I'm sorry, Duo," Smoke said. "I wish it didn't have to be this way. You don't deserve this..."
"It's alright. It's only eternity, right?" Duo tried to chuckle. Only eternity.
We'll always have Hell, Duo mused. Sheesh, but what kind of relationship was that?
The best he could hope for was Wufei to be happy. There were billions of people on Earth, after all! Maybe someone else could make Wufei smile that delectably cute smile of his, or maybe some else could hold him, and someone else could breathe in that wonderfully exotic fragrance that was Wufei and maybe someone else would have Wufei say, "I love you"...
But it wouldn't be Duo Maxwell. Nope, not Duo Maxwell. Duo Maxwell was currently Personal Be-braided Angel Servant of the Divine, and being madly in love with a mortal was not written into the contract.
"Is Hee-chan alright?" Duo asked in a choked voice.
"Oh, he's cranky," Michael answered, "But he'll be okay."
"He can feed Mewser for me," Duo said nearly inaudibly, "Maybe him and 'Fei...? Or what about Sally...Sally does love him."
Duo Maxwell, I'm surprised at you!
"...eh?"
Didn't I tell you before? Nothing is over until ~I~ say it's over.
"...eh?" Duo said again. Okay. Wufei was saved, the Gates of Hell were closed...what else was there? Was he supposed to fill out a mission report or something? Une always made him fill out mission reports. If Duo had been in Sally's infirmary and bleeding to death, Une would still march in and demand a mission report. And if he didn't comply, it was hellooooooo glasses.
All and all, as far as employers went, Duo preferred God's temperament.
I don't want a mission report, Duo. I was THERE.
"So...what's left, then?" Duo asked.
Starting over.
Somewhere nearby, Michael and Smoke went, "Ohhhhhhhhhh..." at the same time. Obviously, they understood.
"Um, anyone feel like letting me in on whatever you're talking about?" Duo said, scratching his head. Starting over? He had to do EVERYTHING over: Maxwell Church, the war, the anxiety over 'Fei not knowing--?
Not that far back. Just...enough.
Duo sighed. "I still don't get it."
Some of us never do.
"Father, being cryptic is only going to confuse him more..."
"What she said," Duo added.
Nothing wrong with a little confusion. No one needs to understand everything all the time. ...besides Me, that is.
*~*~*~*~*
The first thing Quatre saw was a lot of brown hair right up in his face. He sneezed.
"Koi, I think I'm allergic to you," he muttered, blinking blearily. They'd done it; Wufei and Duo and Heero, they'd really saved everyone.
"Merf nerf?" Trowa mumbled drowsily. Obviously, he'd curled up next to Quatre on the Wufei Chang Cot of Fame...how he'd manage to weasel by Sally would probably be an eternal mystery.
But still...Duo and Wufei had prevailed.
And they were getting a second chance.
Quatre smiled slightly. Maybe some things were just meant to be...even if someone had to occasionally go back and hit the "restart" button. There was a moral to this story: Don't Piss With Fate.
Besides, Duo and Wufei were just so undeniably adorable together!
As for Heero...who knew what Fate had in store for him? And who knew what Fate was going to do to /make sure/ Heero got what he deserved.
"It's about to start over, koi," he whispered into Trowa's hair and cuddled up against the other boy, "Maybe this time around you'll remember to roll up the Jeep's windows?"
"Mfrngleschrp..." Trowa agreed, curling up closer as he realized semi-coherently that Quatre was awake.
Quatre resisted the urge to giggle. "Whatever you say, koi."
Something warm and light seemed to brush past his cheek, like the touch of a finger. He yawned, clutching a bit of Trowa's shirt and getting comfy. The same warm feeling began to fill the room, drifting through the unopened door.
(("It's not easy trying to understand
How the world can be so cold,
Stealing the souls of man.
Cloudy skies rain down on all your dreams.
You wrestle with the fear and doubt;
Sometimes it's hard but you gotta believe..."))
The voice was sweet and thick, like honey, and the song lilted through the room softly. It made Quatre even drowsier, and as exhaustion and relief consumed him, he heard someone say:
It is Time. Time to begin anew; time to repair what was broken...
*~*~*~*~*~*
The only conclusion Wufei could come to was that he was not dead. Because he wasn't in Heaven, nor was he in Hell anymore, so that either left Earth or Purgatory.
Somehow, the latter just didn't seem to fit.
"What happens now?" he questioned softly, trying to figure out where he was and why he was there.
You're...well...Somewhere.
Wufei snorted and shook his head. "Yes, that certainly narrows it down."
Hey, you could be a little more thankful to the omnipotent being who saved you from being a crispy critter.
Beep...beep...beep...beep...beep...
Great, he mused to himself, We've gone and been thrust into the world's largest microwave...I just know it.
Oh, ye of little faith...
Beep...beep...beep...
That was going to get real old, real fast. His reward for surviving Raven and Hell had been to participate in a bizarre version of Chinese water torture. Oh, the injustice.
Raven. He felt his lips curl in disgust. The prime example of obsession. To think, of all the things she had done, just so she could hang her trophy on a wall. She had deserved her fate. And what of Kiran? What /had/ happened to him? Had he been...eaten...as Raven had, or was he still loitering down Below, being kicked around by the Boss.
Wufei decided he was probably better off never knowing.
Beep...beep...beep...beep...
Wufei resisted the urge to scream and tear his hair out. What was that BEEPING???
May I make the novel suggestion of oh...opening your eyes?
"I thought you didn't know where I was," Wufei grumbled. What was that he was smelling? Antiseptic?
Oooohhhh, I figured it out...
Wufei sighed. Fine. If the beeping would stop, he'd open his eyes. Slowly they creaked open, to reveal...
White. And lots of it. It took a moment of desperate focusing for Wufei to realize that it was a very white hospital room, and the beeping was a heart monitor.
"...wha?" Wufei mumbled half-intelligently. Why here? What did it mean?
Read the chart on the bed, bucko.
Wufei snatched the clipboard dangling off the bed. Gender - M, Age - 18, Status - Critical (Stable)...
Name - Duo Maxwell.
Everything seemed to fall into place.
Wufei's eyes snapped up to the figure in the bed. Chestnut hair laving disheveled over a pale form, breathing slowly and steadily. The beeping continued.
"Does this mean...?"
Yes.
Wufei plunked down into the chair closest to Duo's bed. So he was back to square one. Almost back to square one.
"So, none of that ever happened?" he asked.
You could say I wiped the slate clean. I couldn't undo everything...but I can give you a second chance. And Wufei?
"Yes?"
You are among the few people who will remember. Never ignore what happened, because it could happen again.
"Yessir." Wufei clutched Duo's hand in his own. He was in shock. Their love actually had a chance.
Good boy. Now don't screw this up, or you can come back here and do the paperwork.
Wufei gave the ceiling a funny look, but there were no more...cryptic remarks. He shrugged and returned his gaze to Duo's waxen face. Despite his lack of color, despite his hair spread around him in a tangled mat, and despite the fact he was unconscious, he was still so beautiful.
And alive.
"You've looked better," he muttered wryly and reached forward with his free hand to brush some of the hair from Duo's face.
"'Fei...I've been shot and stuck in Hell..." Duo's voice sounded about as weak as he looked. His eyes were closed, but he was definitely grinning, "I haven't exactly...had an...abundance of primping...time..." Violet eyes cracked open and tried to focus on their surroundings, "Where'd they...plop us...?"
Before Wufei could answer, Sally burst into the room with an overly enthusiastic grin, a clipboard, and a brand spanking new lab coat, "Goooood morning, Duo!" she chirped merrily, "Nice to see you again! Une's pretty pissed about this, so how do you feel?"
Duo sighed, "My dear Lady Bitch is...pissed...so...we're back in...Hell, 'Fei?"
Sally raised an eyebrow. "That's what we're calling my facilities these days, is it? I wouldn't insult the lady who's going to fix you."
Wufei interjected before Duo could. "He's fine. Would you...please give us a moment?"
"You were in here all night," Sally regarded him dubiously, "but I suppose. It's only fair, after all..."
She slipped back out the door. "I'm giving you FIVE minutes. And then I'm coming back in."
"Yes'm," Duo wheezed. The door clicked shut, and it was just him and Wufei.
"We couldn't...be back in Hell. He wouldn't...do that...to us, would He?" Duo mused, sounding half-awake.
"I don't know quite how to explain it," Wufei said softly, leaning in closer to Duo. "I think...everything that happened after you got shot was erased. It never happened. You didn't die."
Duo's eyes opened fully with that realization. "So Raven...and the...memorial service, and almost losing...you, and Hell...it just went away?"
"Looks that way."
Duo's eyes closed again and he leaned back into his conglomeration of pillows with a sigh, "Well...that's anti-climatic..."
Wufei chuckled lightly and carefully ran his fingers through Duo's bangs. Duo sighed again, this time in contentment. Wufei leaned down until he was half in the little plastic hospital chair, and half lying on the bed, and just continued his petting.
"'Fei?" Duo asked sleepily.
"Mmmm?"
"If all that...stuff didn't happen...that means you never read the note..." Duo cracked open an eye, but Wufei could still see the trademarkable Maxwell Gleam of Mischief, "So you don't...know how I feel..."
Wufei grinned, "Guess not. You better tell me then."
With some effort, Duo managed to get his arm across his chest and brushed his fingers lightly across Wufei's cheek, "I love you, 'Fei."
Wufei blushed slightly, but didn't break his gaze, "I love you, too."
Suddenly, someone sniffled. Wufei's head shot up, nerves on edge and prepared for anything --
-- except Smoke, dabbing her eyes with a tissue, and Michael by her side.
"What a...surprise!" Duo said, smirking. "I would think you have more important things to do than visiting me."
"Nothing that can't wait," Michael smirked. "You know, just some paperwork."
Smoke blew her nose. "A happy ending, Mikey! We had a happy ending!"
"What else did you expect?"
"How are you two doing?" she asked, sniffling some more.
Smoke could have sworn Duo was smirking. "Well, aside from the fact that my torso is a mess, I'm fine."
"I'm going to miss those wings," Wufei said, perfectly deadpan. Duo stared at him for a moment, and then erupted into giggles.
"I take it the sense of humor will take some getting used to," Michael looked up, a wee bit exasperated. "Father, we're TRYING to keep this moving along, but this is kind of important."
Between giggles, Duo got out, "I think Michael's the only guy who can back-talk God..."
Smoke shook her head, "If He didn't have paperwork up to His Gizzard, Mikey here would be a fried fritter, that's for sure."
"Alright, alright already!" Michael snapped at the ceiling. He sighed in exasperation and looked back down, "He's getting cranky, so we really must be going. We just wanted to say things like bye and stuff."
"I'll miss you!" Smoke exclaimed and wailed dramatically into her tissue.
Everyone, mortal and angel alike, rolled their eyes.
Duo cracked a grin, "It's not goodbye, Smoke!" he said with a false gusto, "We'll send...Christmas cards with pictures!"
Wufei fixed Duo with a look, "And how do you intend to pull that off...?"
Duo's grin grew broader, "Hallmark," he answered simply.
Michael shook his head in disbelief, "Glad to see you're feeling better."
Smoke gave her eyes a final dab before tossing away her tissue, "I want GOOD pictures," she proclaimed, "Not cheap snapshots...I expect some professionally done photographs here!"
Duo winked, "Of course."
"I don't like having my picture taken," Wufei said, again in his most deadpan voice.
Smoke fixed him with a glare and boinked her soggy tissue off his forehead, "Better watch yourself," she warned mockingly, "We'll send you back to Hell."
There was a soft knock at the door, followed by Quatre's muffled voice, "Hello?"
With a smattering of paper clips and feathers, Michael and Smoke were gone.
"Q-bean, c'mon in!" Duo chirped as cheerfully as a shot person could.
"And bring Sally in with you!" Wufei added, receiving a sound thwap from one of Duo's many pillows. "What?!"
Duo shook his head vigorously. "No way, 'Fei. We can't let her back in here! She might wanna...take me for uncomfortable X-rays!
"Already did that."
Duo raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you know that?"
Wufei paused, looking puzzled. "Er...I don't know?"
They both exchanged Looks, and then a glance upwards.
"It figures," they mumbled in unison as Sally the Overbearing came bustling in with six nurses, a cart of medication and Quatre (with Trowa naturally following like a cross between a puppy and a shadow.)
"How are you doing, Duo?" Quatre managed to get in as the nurses surrounded the patient, fixing IVs and adding yet more random tubes and needles.
"Well, as good as can - HEY! I'll have you know that shots aren't supposed to go there! - be expec-- would you STOP that, onna, I'm trying to talk to Quatre!" Duo said, bewildered by the sudden frenzy of medical personnel.
"He just called Sally 'onna'," Trowa said softly. "Do we take that as a sign...?"
No on answered, for all motion in the room stopped. Sally's left eyebrow twitched slightly. Several nurses "meeped!" and fled the room as she ground her pencil tip into her clipboard.
"No one," she growled in a dangerously low voice, "But NO ONE, calls me 'onna'! My name is SALLY. SALLY PO. DOCTOR SALLY P-"
"Shut up, onna," Wufei said simply.
Sally shot him a wonderful rendition of the Heero Yuy Glare of Death, but shot it at him silently.
With the room devoid of most of the nurses, Quatre tried again, "So, how are you doing, Duo?"
"I feel like I've been to Hell and back," Duo said quite honestly, before yanking his arm away from the sole nurse left, "Quit /poking/ me already!"
The nurse huffed indignantly and stomped out of the room.
Sally siiiiiigggghhhhheeeedddd, "Maxwell..." she grumbled before grinning slightly, "What would we do without you?"
Quatre gave a wistful half smile, "Pray you never have to find out," he murmured, but was drowned out by a sudden clap of thunder.
Trowa swore rather loudly, much to everyone's shock, "I left the Jeep's windows down..." he muttered before he darted out of the room.
"Trowa, no!" Sally called after him, and gave chase, "The elevators are to the RIGHT! That's kitchen access...."
Quatre was left alone with Duo and Wufei.
Wufei gave Quatre a good, long, introspective stare, "You remember," it wasn't a question.
Quatre nodded slightly.
"Whoawhoa...how does he know, exactly?" Duo asked, removing all the tubes and wires in varying uncomfortable places. "In that same vein, pardon my pun, har har...what does he know, exactly?"
"Raven got exactly what she deserved," Quatre said.
"Ooh..." Duo sighed. "So, I'm guessing the words 'space' and 'heart' are involved somewhere here."
"That's about it, yes," Quatre sighed, leaning against the door. "I have quite the case of indigestion right now, let me tell you."
"Sorry," Wufei and Duo chorused at the same time. They looked at each other, and blushed.
"It just means I love you," he said, smiling. "Besides, it's not bad heartburn. Trowa's sandwiches...really, I love him, but those things kill me. Don't tell him I said that."
Duo raised an eyebrow. "Ooh, blackmail possibilities."
Quatre groaned. "Remind me why I saved you again."
Duo flashed a sickeningly sweet and completely false grin, "Because you just love me so!" he chirped merrily. And then, quite abruptly, his face changed expressions, "Q-bean," he said much more quietly, "Do you know what's happened to Hee-chan?"
Wufei cursed silently. He had completely forgotten about Heero! Heero, who had been brutally killed for the one he loved...even though it was unrequited!
"Crapppp," he muttered. There was /always/ a lose end.
Much to both of their surprise, Quatre grinned broadly, "Heero's fine, Duo. Last I checked, he was baby-sitting Mewser."
Duo raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean, 'baby-sitting'? Hee-chan isn't--?"
"He's set up temporary camp in your apartment," Quatre chuckled softly and shook his head, "He loves that cat...and you," he added as an afterthought.
Duo sighed and leaned back into his pillows.
"He doesn't remember a thing," Quatre continued in the same quiet tone, "Trowa and I checked on him before coming over. But that doesn't mean he isn't affected. He's..." Quatre was silent for a moment as he dug for the right word, "Contented," he settled on, "He's peaceful. He got the closure and acceptance he needed...even if he doesn't remember it."
"Naw," Duo murmured from his pillow mound, "Mewser just flashed those eyes...no one can withstand a LOOK from Mewser...not even Heero Yuy."
"I must meet this 'Mewser'," Wufei said. "Sounds like the two of you would get along swimmingly."
"He eats my leftover lunchmeat...I can't complain." Duo scratched his head. "Umm, okay, so far...three of us remember what happened. Anybody else?"
"Trowa doesn't remember...and every Preventer I've run into hasn't said anything about 'have Wufei's fainting spells gone away?'..." Quatre shrugged. "I haven't seen Une yet."
As though she was psychic, three sharp raps were heard, followed by, "I'm coming in, Maxwell."
Wufei shook his head. "This should be interesting."
Duo swallowed. "'Maxwell.' She called me 'Maxwell.' I'm SO screwed..."
"She'd have to wait until you're feeling better," Quatre said, and Wufei covered his sputters with a cough just as Une bustled in the room with twelve manila folders under her arms, but fortunately with glasses off.
"Maxwell, WHY are these not finished?" she demanded. She pulled a folder from the pile and shook it vigorously, "What am I paying you??"
"Not much," Duo muttered.
Une glowered and reached for the pocket that contained her glasses, "Don't you start," she threatened and plopped the pile of manila on Duo's lunch tray, "I've had enough paperwork to fill out...the S.E. forms..."
"S.E.?" Quatre inquired.
"Shot employees," Une replied curtly. She sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose, "I didn't know they existed either, but POOF! there they were on my desk."
"Une..." Wufei said, letting just the proper amount of irk-dom into his voice, "What are those envelopes?"
But Duo was way ahead of him. He opened the first envelope and piles upon piles of cards, candies, and general get-well wishes spilled over his lap. His eyes widened and he whistled, "I'm going to be WIRED once I get out from Frau Po's clutches..."
"There's nine more just like it," Une paused in her nasal massaging. "I could barely get to my desk this morning, the hall was clogged with so many flowers..."
Duo felt something warm and squishy settle in his chest. All those nameless Preventer lackeys...they cared?
Wufei squeezed Duo's hand. "Of course they care," he whispered. "Who wouldn't?"
Une caught sight of the hand-holding. Wufei realized that Une didn't remember the whole ordeal, and was about to pull away when she said
"Well, I guess I should have seen that coming."
Wufei looked at her, dumbfounded. Duo blinked a couple of times. Quatre, however, bent over in peels of laughter.
"I certainly don't see why it's so funny, Winner," Une muttered, but she was smiling. "I may be Schizo Bitch from Hell, but I can pick up on flirtation waves just as well as any other female."
"We never called you Schizo Bitch from Hell," Duo blinked innocently. "Who would do such a thing?"
Une shook her head. "You're injured, so I'll refrain from hitting you. Chang, I do expect to see you bright and early in the morning..."
Wufei nodded. "Yes, ma'am." Even the almost-end of the world wasn't an excuse to skip out of his paperwork.
"Well, the ball and chain is awaiting my presence...I've practically been married to that damn office," Une muttered. She turned to make her way to the door, "Besides, there's only one bitch from Hell...and she got what she deserved."
Duo choked on the peppermint he had popped into his mouth. The blood drained from Wufei's face. Quatre's mouth moved, albeit without any audible sounds.
Une blinked at them, "Did I say something?" she asked confused.
Quatre was the only member of the trio that was able to shake his head no.
Une shrugged and left.
It was several moments before the silence was broken.
"I thought she didn't remember!" Wufei spluttered and yanked open one of Duo's envelopes, "Oh! Espresso beans!"
"...not consciously..." Quatre whispered with a hint of awe, "Not even God can take on Une..." he chuckled and shook his head, "Did you say espresso beans?"
Wufei nodded vigorously and passed the envelope to Quatre. Quatre grinned, "Thanks! Trowa won't let me eat these at home..."
"Those are MY beans, thank you!" Duo huffed indignantly, "A coffee-crazed Quatre. Man, between that and T-ball's sandwiches...I'm glad it's just me, Mewser, and my 'Fei."
"Mewser? Who's that?" Trowa peeked an eye - the non-concealed one - through the door. Quatre beckoned him in, and he entered all the way.
"Duo's feline companion," Wufei answered. "I can't wait to meet him."
Duo chuckled. "You'll get along great. He's particularly fond of sleeping in the cabinet where I keep my tea..."
"A creature after my own heart," Wufei smirked.
"I hate to be going, but I too hear the call of paperwork." Quatre rolled his eyes. "Bureaucracy stops for no man, though sometimes I wish I could just throw a wrench in the works for shits an giggles..."
There was a collective snort, and Wufei inhaled an espresso bean.
"Catch you two lovebirds later!" he called merrily, dragging Trowa out of the room before he could even get a word out.
"When I'm well..." Duo patted Wufei heartily on the back until he regained his breath.
Wufei nodded. "At least Quatre got something out of this whole ordeal - a strange sense of humor."
There was silence for awhile, while the two young men pondered...well...things that deserved pondering. Finally, Duo spoke up.
"'Fei?"
Wufei sat down in a chair. "Yes?"
"What happens now?" Duo looked into his lap. "We got a second chance, 'Fei, but...what are we going to do with it?"
"Not screw it up, for one," Wufei leaned over, and planted a soft kiss on Duo's cheek. "I learned my lesson the first time around."
"Do you squeeze the toothpaste from the top of the tube, or the bottom?"
Wufei blinked, "What?"
"The toothpaste, 'Fei. This is URGENT. I have to know," Duo locked his eyes with Wufei, "The top of the tube, or the bottom?"
"The...top..." Wufei said a bit uncertainly.
Duo sighed dramatically and flung an arm over his eyes, "I save you from Hell only to learn we have incompatible dental care habits! Oh the injustice!" he peeked out from his arm to give Wufei a wink, "If you kiss me Chang...and do I mean KISS me...I just MIGHT forgive this fatal flaw of yours."
Wufei put his hand to his chin to give himself a scholarly look as he thought his predicament over, "And what makes you think that you'll have control of the Crest, hmmm?"
"If you think that after all I went through, I'm going to let you remain in that BROOM CLOSET you call an apartment-" Duo started to grumble, but trailed off as Wufei gently moved his tube-laden arm from his face and leaned forward far enough to bump his nose, "Then you've got another thing coming..." he said quietly.
"Do you want me to kiss you, or are you just going to keep shooting your mouth?" Wufei asked just as quietly.
"You're giving me a choice?"
"No," Wufei said, "But it'd be horrible if our first incredibly sentimental kiss wound up with me kissing your teeth."
Duo's eyes widened in mock horror, "I never thought about that! Quickly, you fool! Kiss me! Kiss me for all you're worth!"
Wufei happily obliged.
The kiss lasted a very, very long time. Finally they parted, although
they both thought they could last a lot longer.
"That was very nice," Wufei said, nearly out of breath.
Duo grinned. "Want seconds?"
"Of course," Wufei grinned.
Sally peered in, ready to stomp in and demand why Duo had
thoughtfully "reorganized" her patients' charts, but stopped when she
saw Wufei and Duo having a very good time...doing something she
thought she'd best ignore.
She shook her head, "Should have seen it coming."
Sally kept going, leaving the two lovebirds in their bliss.
*~*~*~*~*
"I don't know how I survived
in this cold and empty world for all this time...
I only know that I'm alive
because you love me..."
Smoke was reclined on a cloud, eyes closed, singing softly to
herself.
"When I recall what I've been through
there's some things that I wish I didn't do;
but now I do the things I do
because you love me..."
"We did good, Smoke," Michael said. He was lounging on his stomach
atop the same cloud, feet kicking in the air.
Tsch, for an angel who's so picky about grammar...
"I'm allowed a day off," he replied loftily. "We deserve it."
"Saving the world does feel pretty good," Smoke agreed, stretching her
arms above her head. "I feel like...like there isn't anything I can't
do now."
"Yeah, once you defeat Hell, everything else seems pretty boring,"
Michael said drolly. Smoke smacked him on the nose.
"This job is never boring."
If you're bored Michael, ~I~ can always find something for you to do.
Michael stretched and flopped on the cloud. His wings twitched and he grinned, "Like what?"
Well, the downstairs bathroom needs cleaning...
Michael crinkled his nose and traded a confused look with Smoke, "We don't HAVE a downstairs bathroom..." he said a bit uncertainly, "We don't have a bathroom period!"
I can fix that.
"You could always clean out their bathroom," Smoke said inclining her head down below. She didn't have to explain who the bathroom belonged to, "Can you really see Duo with a scrub brush and rubber gloves?" she giggled behind a hand, "Michael the great arch angel reduced to scrubbing toilets. Ahhhh."
"Well, if Raven wasn't in many itty bitty particles, SHE could do it," Michael said reasonably.
Smoke's expression darkened, "She deserved what she got...say...do you remember what happened to Kiran?"
"Do I care?"
Smoke nodded and flopped on her back, "I see your point. Well."
"Well."
Well.
Michael plucked two sodas from the air and handed one to Smoke, "Here's to love."
"Soda, Michael?" Smoke winked, "But yes...to love."
They clinked their cans and drank.
"So, what happens now?" Michael asked, thoughtfully examining the label of his Pepsi.
That's for Me to know, and you to find out.
"Cryptic as always. I like that."
I have been a fool for lesser things.
I want you so bad, I think you ought to know that
I intend to hold you for the longest time."
~Billy Joel, "For the Longest Time"
When Duo opened his eyes, he was surrounded by the most wonderful glow he'd ever felt. It was Warm and full of Light, much different from his first experience of Heaven. Not that the first one was bad, but there weren't words for this.
"You're in the very presence of God," Michael said, from somewhere Duo couldn't see. "It's the best feeling anywhere."
"Did it work?" Duo swallowed. If all of this pain had been for nothing...
Yes. Once again, We triumphed.
He'd done it. Duo had really saved everyone. He winced; almost everyone. But the planet...the planet would live. Raven had imploded, and who knew (or cared) what had happened to Kiran.
I'm very proud of you, Duo Maxwell.
"Thank you," Duo whispered.
"So are we." Smoke couldn't be seen either, but it could be assumed that she was wherever Michael was.
"Not many people could be that brave, Duo." Michael's voice was thick and sniffly. "You're something else."
"I just wish...Heero, and Wufei..." Duo felt something heavy sink into his chest. Heero was dead. Wufei was alone now - really alone, because he was Saved, and now Duo couldn't ever see him again.
It was against the Rules.
"I'm sorry, Duo," Smoke said. "I wish it didn't have to be this way. You don't deserve this..."
"It's alright. It's only eternity, right?" Duo tried to chuckle. Only eternity.
We'll always have Hell, Duo mused. Sheesh, but what kind of relationship was that?
The best he could hope for was Wufei to be happy. There were billions of people on Earth, after all! Maybe someone else could make Wufei smile that delectably cute smile of his, or maybe some else could hold him, and someone else could breathe in that wonderfully exotic fragrance that was Wufei and maybe someone else would have Wufei say, "I love you"...
But it wouldn't be Duo Maxwell. Nope, not Duo Maxwell. Duo Maxwell was currently Personal Be-braided Angel Servant of the Divine, and being madly in love with a mortal was not written into the contract.
"Is Hee-chan alright?" Duo asked in a choked voice.
"Oh, he's cranky," Michael answered, "But he'll be okay."
"He can feed Mewser for me," Duo said nearly inaudibly, "Maybe him and 'Fei...? Or what about Sally...Sally does love him."
Duo Maxwell, I'm surprised at you!
"...eh?"
Didn't I tell you before? Nothing is over until ~I~ say it's over.
"...eh?" Duo said again. Okay. Wufei was saved, the Gates of Hell were closed...what else was there? Was he supposed to fill out a mission report or something? Une always made him fill out mission reports. If Duo had been in Sally's infirmary and bleeding to death, Une would still march in and demand a mission report. And if he didn't comply, it was hellooooooo glasses.
All and all, as far as employers went, Duo preferred God's temperament.
I don't want a mission report, Duo. I was THERE.
"So...what's left, then?" Duo asked.
Starting over.
Somewhere nearby, Michael and Smoke went, "Ohhhhhhhhhh..." at the same time. Obviously, they understood.
"Um, anyone feel like letting me in on whatever you're talking about?" Duo said, scratching his head. Starting over? He had to do EVERYTHING over: Maxwell Church, the war, the anxiety over 'Fei not knowing--?
Not that far back. Just...enough.
Duo sighed. "I still don't get it."
Some of us never do.
"Father, being cryptic is only going to confuse him more..."
"What she said," Duo added.
Nothing wrong with a little confusion. No one needs to understand everything all the time. ...besides Me, that is.
*~*~*~*~*
The first thing Quatre saw was a lot of brown hair right up in his face. He sneezed.
"Koi, I think I'm allergic to you," he muttered, blinking blearily. They'd done it; Wufei and Duo and Heero, they'd really saved everyone.
"Merf nerf?" Trowa mumbled drowsily. Obviously, he'd curled up next to Quatre on the Wufei Chang Cot of Fame...how he'd manage to weasel by Sally would probably be an eternal mystery.
But still...Duo and Wufei had prevailed.
And they were getting a second chance.
Quatre smiled slightly. Maybe some things were just meant to be...even if someone had to occasionally go back and hit the "restart" button. There was a moral to this story: Don't Piss With Fate.
Besides, Duo and Wufei were just so undeniably adorable together!
As for Heero...who knew what Fate had in store for him? And who knew what Fate was going to do to /make sure/ Heero got what he deserved.
"It's about to start over, koi," he whispered into Trowa's hair and cuddled up against the other boy, "Maybe this time around you'll remember to roll up the Jeep's windows?"
"Mfrngleschrp..." Trowa agreed, curling up closer as he realized semi-coherently that Quatre was awake.
Quatre resisted the urge to giggle. "Whatever you say, koi."
Something warm and light seemed to brush past his cheek, like the touch of a finger. He yawned, clutching a bit of Trowa's shirt and getting comfy. The same warm feeling began to fill the room, drifting through the unopened door.
(("It's not easy trying to understand
How the world can be so cold,
Stealing the souls of man.
Cloudy skies rain down on all your dreams.
You wrestle with the fear and doubt;
Sometimes it's hard but you gotta believe..."))
The voice was sweet and thick, like honey, and the song lilted through the room softly. It made Quatre even drowsier, and as exhaustion and relief consumed him, he heard someone say:
It is Time. Time to begin anew; time to repair what was broken...
*~*~*~*~*~*
The only conclusion Wufei could come to was that he was not dead. Because he wasn't in Heaven, nor was he in Hell anymore, so that either left Earth or Purgatory.
Somehow, the latter just didn't seem to fit.
"What happens now?" he questioned softly, trying to figure out where he was and why he was there.
You're...well...Somewhere.
Wufei snorted and shook his head. "Yes, that certainly narrows it down."
Hey, you could be a little more thankful to the omnipotent being who saved you from being a crispy critter.
Beep...beep...beep...beep...beep...
Great, he mused to himself, We've gone and been thrust into the world's largest microwave...I just know it.
Oh, ye of little faith...
Beep...beep...beep...
That was going to get real old, real fast. His reward for surviving Raven and Hell had been to participate in a bizarre version of Chinese water torture. Oh, the injustice.
Raven. He felt his lips curl in disgust. The prime example of obsession. To think, of all the things she had done, just so she could hang her trophy on a wall. She had deserved her fate. And what of Kiran? What /had/ happened to him? Had he been...eaten...as Raven had, or was he still loitering down Below, being kicked around by the Boss.
Wufei decided he was probably better off never knowing.
Beep...beep...beep...beep...
Wufei resisted the urge to scream and tear his hair out. What was that BEEPING???
May I make the novel suggestion of oh...opening your eyes?
"I thought you didn't know where I was," Wufei grumbled. What was that he was smelling? Antiseptic?
Oooohhhh, I figured it out...
Wufei sighed. Fine. If the beeping would stop, he'd open his eyes. Slowly they creaked open, to reveal...
White. And lots of it. It took a moment of desperate focusing for Wufei to realize that it was a very white hospital room, and the beeping was a heart monitor.
"...wha?" Wufei mumbled half-intelligently. Why here? What did it mean?
Read the chart on the bed, bucko.
Wufei snatched the clipboard dangling off the bed. Gender - M, Age - 18, Status - Critical (Stable)...
Name - Duo Maxwell.
Everything seemed to fall into place.
Wufei's eyes snapped up to the figure in the bed. Chestnut hair laving disheveled over a pale form, breathing slowly and steadily. The beeping continued.
"Does this mean...?"
Yes.
Wufei plunked down into the chair closest to Duo's bed. So he was back to square one. Almost back to square one.
"So, none of that ever happened?" he asked.
You could say I wiped the slate clean. I couldn't undo everything...but I can give you a second chance. And Wufei?
"Yes?"
You are among the few people who will remember. Never ignore what happened, because it could happen again.
"Yessir." Wufei clutched Duo's hand in his own. He was in shock. Their love actually had a chance.
Good boy. Now don't screw this up, or you can come back here and do the paperwork.
Wufei gave the ceiling a funny look, but there were no more...cryptic remarks. He shrugged and returned his gaze to Duo's waxen face. Despite his lack of color, despite his hair spread around him in a tangled mat, and despite the fact he was unconscious, he was still so beautiful.
And alive.
"You've looked better," he muttered wryly and reached forward with his free hand to brush some of the hair from Duo's face.
"'Fei...I've been shot and stuck in Hell..." Duo's voice sounded about as weak as he looked. His eyes were closed, but he was definitely grinning, "I haven't exactly...had an...abundance of primping...time..." Violet eyes cracked open and tried to focus on their surroundings, "Where'd they...plop us...?"
Before Wufei could answer, Sally burst into the room with an overly enthusiastic grin, a clipboard, and a brand spanking new lab coat, "Goooood morning, Duo!" she chirped merrily, "Nice to see you again! Une's pretty pissed about this, so how do you feel?"
Duo sighed, "My dear Lady Bitch is...pissed...so...we're back in...Hell, 'Fei?"
Sally raised an eyebrow. "That's what we're calling my facilities these days, is it? I wouldn't insult the lady who's going to fix you."
Wufei interjected before Duo could. "He's fine. Would you...please give us a moment?"
"You were in here all night," Sally regarded him dubiously, "but I suppose. It's only fair, after all..."
She slipped back out the door. "I'm giving you FIVE minutes. And then I'm coming back in."
"Yes'm," Duo wheezed. The door clicked shut, and it was just him and Wufei.
"We couldn't...be back in Hell. He wouldn't...do that...to us, would He?" Duo mused, sounding half-awake.
"I don't know quite how to explain it," Wufei said softly, leaning in closer to Duo. "I think...everything that happened after you got shot was erased. It never happened. You didn't die."
Duo's eyes opened fully with that realization. "So Raven...and the...memorial service, and almost losing...you, and Hell...it just went away?"
"Looks that way."
Duo's eyes closed again and he leaned back into his conglomeration of pillows with a sigh, "Well...that's anti-climatic..."
Wufei chuckled lightly and carefully ran his fingers through Duo's bangs. Duo sighed again, this time in contentment. Wufei leaned down until he was half in the little plastic hospital chair, and half lying on the bed, and just continued his petting.
"'Fei?" Duo asked sleepily.
"Mmmm?"
"If all that...stuff didn't happen...that means you never read the note..." Duo cracked open an eye, but Wufei could still see the trademarkable Maxwell Gleam of Mischief, "So you don't...know how I feel..."
Wufei grinned, "Guess not. You better tell me then."
With some effort, Duo managed to get his arm across his chest and brushed his fingers lightly across Wufei's cheek, "I love you, 'Fei."
Wufei blushed slightly, but didn't break his gaze, "I love you, too."
Suddenly, someone sniffled. Wufei's head shot up, nerves on edge and prepared for anything --
-- except Smoke, dabbing her eyes with a tissue, and Michael by her side.
"What a...surprise!" Duo said, smirking. "I would think you have more important things to do than visiting me."
"Nothing that can't wait," Michael smirked. "You know, just some paperwork."
Smoke blew her nose. "A happy ending, Mikey! We had a happy ending!"
"What else did you expect?"
"How are you two doing?" she asked, sniffling some more.
Smoke could have sworn Duo was smirking. "Well, aside from the fact that my torso is a mess, I'm fine."
"I'm going to miss those wings," Wufei said, perfectly deadpan. Duo stared at him for a moment, and then erupted into giggles.
"I take it the sense of humor will take some getting used to," Michael looked up, a wee bit exasperated. "Father, we're TRYING to keep this moving along, but this is kind of important."
Between giggles, Duo got out, "I think Michael's the only guy who can back-talk God..."
Smoke shook her head, "If He didn't have paperwork up to His Gizzard, Mikey here would be a fried fritter, that's for sure."
"Alright, alright already!" Michael snapped at the ceiling. He sighed in exasperation and looked back down, "He's getting cranky, so we really must be going. We just wanted to say things like bye and stuff."
"I'll miss you!" Smoke exclaimed and wailed dramatically into her tissue.
Everyone, mortal and angel alike, rolled their eyes.
Duo cracked a grin, "It's not goodbye, Smoke!" he said with a false gusto, "We'll send...Christmas cards with pictures!"
Wufei fixed Duo with a look, "And how do you intend to pull that off...?"
Duo's grin grew broader, "Hallmark," he answered simply.
Michael shook his head in disbelief, "Glad to see you're feeling better."
Smoke gave her eyes a final dab before tossing away her tissue, "I want GOOD pictures," she proclaimed, "Not cheap snapshots...I expect some professionally done photographs here!"
Duo winked, "Of course."
"I don't like having my picture taken," Wufei said, again in his most deadpan voice.
Smoke fixed him with a glare and boinked her soggy tissue off his forehead, "Better watch yourself," she warned mockingly, "We'll send you back to Hell."
There was a soft knock at the door, followed by Quatre's muffled voice, "Hello?"
With a smattering of paper clips and feathers, Michael and Smoke were gone.
"Q-bean, c'mon in!" Duo chirped as cheerfully as a shot person could.
"And bring Sally in with you!" Wufei added, receiving a sound thwap from one of Duo's many pillows. "What?!"
Duo shook his head vigorously. "No way, 'Fei. We can't let her back in here! She might wanna...take me for uncomfortable X-rays!
"Already did that."
Duo raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you know that?"
Wufei paused, looking puzzled. "Er...I don't know?"
They both exchanged Looks, and then a glance upwards.
"It figures," they mumbled in unison as Sally the Overbearing came bustling in with six nurses, a cart of medication and Quatre (with Trowa naturally following like a cross between a puppy and a shadow.)
"How are you doing, Duo?" Quatre managed to get in as the nurses surrounded the patient, fixing IVs and adding yet more random tubes and needles.
"Well, as good as can - HEY! I'll have you know that shots aren't supposed to go there! - be expec-- would you STOP that, onna, I'm trying to talk to Quatre!" Duo said, bewildered by the sudden frenzy of medical personnel.
"He just called Sally 'onna'," Trowa said softly. "Do we take that as a sign...?"
No on answered, for all motion in the room stopped. Sally's left eyebrow twitched slightly. Several nurses "meeped!" and fled the room as she ground her pencil tip into her clipboard.
"No one," she growled in a dangerously low voice, "But NO ONE, calls me 'onna'! My name is SALLY. SALLY PO. DOCTOR SALLY P-"
"Shut up, onna," Wufei said simply.
Sally shot him a wonderful rendition of the Heero Yuy Glare of Death, but shot it at him silently.
With the room devoid of most of the nurses, Quatre tried again, "So, how are you doing, Duo?"
"I feel like I've been to Hell and back," Duo said quite honestly, before yanking his arm away from the sole nurse left, "Quit /poking/ me already!"
The nurse huffed indignantly and stomped out of the room.
Sally siiiiiigggghhhhheeeedddd, "Maxwell..." she grumbled before grinning slightly, "What would we do without you?"
Quatre gave a wistful half smile, "Pray you never have to find out," he murmured, but was drowned out by a sudden clap of thunder.
Trowa swore rather loudly, much to everyone's shock, "I left the Jeep's windows down..." he muttered before he darted out of the room.
"Trowa, no!" Sally called after him, and gave chase, "The elevators are to the RIGHT! That's kitchen access...."
Quatre was left alone with Duo and Wufei.
Wufei gave Quatre a good, long, introspective stare, "You remember," it wasn't a question.
Quatre nodded slightly.
"Whoawhoa...how does he know, exactly?" Duo asked, removing all the tubes and wires in varying uncomfortable places. "In that same vein, pardon my pun, har har...what does he know, exactly?"
"Raven got exactly what she deserved," Quatre said.
"Ooh..." Duo sighed. "So, I'm guessing the words 'space' and 'heart' are involved somewhere here."
"That's about it, yes," Quatre sighed, leaning against the door. "I have quite the case of indigestion right now, let me tell you."
"Sorry," Wufei and Duo chorused at the same time. They looked at each other, and blushed.
"It just means I love you," he said, smiling. "Besides, it's not bad heartburn. Trowa's sandwiches...really, I love him, but those things kill me. Don't tell him I said that."
Duo raised an eyebrow. "Ooh, blackmail possibilities."
Quatre groaned. "Remind me why I saved you again."
Duo flashed a sickeningly sweet and completely false grin, "Because you just love me so!" he chirped merrily. And then, quite abruptly, his face changed expressions, "Q-bean," he said much more quietly, "Do you know what's happened to Hee-chan?"
Wufei cursed silently. He had completely forgotten about Heero! Heero, who had been brutally killed for the one he loved...even though it was unrequited!
"Crapppp," he muttered. There was /always/ a lose end.
Much to both of their surprise, Quatre grinned broadly, "Heero's fine, Duo. Last I checked, he was baby-sitting Mewser."
Duo raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean, 'baby-sitting'? Hee-chan isn't--?"
"He's set up temporary camp in your apartment," Quatre chuckled softly and shook his head, "He loves that cat...and you," he added as an afterthought.
Duo sighed and leaned back into his pillows.
"He doesn't remember a thing," Quatre continued in the same quiet tone, "Trowa and I checked on him before coming over. But that doesn't mean he isn't affected. He's..." Quatre was silent for a moment as he dug for the right word, "Contented," he settled on, "He's peaceful. He got the closure and acceptance he needed...even if he doesn't remember it."
"Naw," Duo murmured from his pillow mound, "Mewser just flashed those eyes...no one can withstand a LOOK from Mewser...not even Heero Yuy."
"I must meet this 'Mewser'," Wufei said. "Sounds like the two of you would get along swimmingly."
"He eats my leftover lunchmeat...I can't complain." Duo scratched his head. "Umm, okay, so far...three of us remember what happened. Anybody else?"
"Trowa doesn't remember...and every Preventer I've run into hasn't said anything about 'have Wufei's fainting spells gone away?'..." Quatre shrugged. "I haven't seen Une yet."
As though she was psychic, three sharp raps were heard, followed by, "I'm coming in, Maxwell."
Wufei shook his head. "This should be interesting."
Duo swallowed. "'Maxwell.' She called me 'Maxwell.' I'm SO screwed..."
"She'd have to wait until you're feeling better," Quatre said, and Wufei covered his sputters with a cough just as Une bustled in the room with twelve manila folders under her arms, but fortunately with glasses off.
"Maxwell, WHY are these not finished?" she demanded. She pulled a folder from the pile and shook it vigorously, "What am I paying you??"
"Not much," Duo muttered.
Une glowered and reached for the pocket that contained her glasses, "Don't you start," she threatened and plopped the pile of manila on Duo's lunch tray, "I've had enough paperwork to fill out...the S.E. forms..."
"S.E.?" Quatre inquired.
"Shot employees," Une replied curtly. She sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose, "I didn't know they existed either, but POOF! there they were on my desk."
"Une..." Wufei said, letting just the proper amount of irk-dom into his voice, "What are those envelopes?"
But Duo was way ahead of him. He opened the first envelope and piles upon piles of cards, candies, and general get-well wishes spilled over his lap. His eyes widened and he whistled, "I'm going to be WIRED once I get out from Frau Po's clutches..."
"There's nine more just like it," Une paused in her nasal massaging. "I could barely get to my desk this morning, the hall was clogged with so many flowers..."
Duo felt something warm and squishy settle in his chest. All those nameless Preventer lackeys...they cared?
Wufei squeezed Duo's hand. "Of course they care," he whispered. "Who wouldn't?"
Une caught sight of the hand-holding. Wufei realized that Une didn't remember the whole ordeal, and was about to pull away when she said
"Well, I guess I should have seen that coming."
Wufei looked at her, dumbfounded. Duo blinked a couple of times. Quatre, however, bent over in peels of laughter.
"I certainly don't see why it's so funny, Winner," Une muttered, but she was smiling. "I may be Schizo Bitch from Hell, but I can pick up on flirtation waves just as well as any other female."
"We never called you Schizo Bitch from Hell," Duo blinked innocently. "Who would do such a thing?"
Une shook her head. "You're injured, so I'll refrain from hitting you. Chang, I do expect to see you bright and early in the morning..."
Wufei nodded. "Yes, ma'am." Even the almost-end of the world wasn't an excuse to skip out of his paperwork.
"Well, the ball and chain is awaiting my presence...I've practically been married to that damn office," Une muttered. She turned to make her way to the door, "Besides, there's only one bitch from Hell...and she got what she deserved."
Duo choked on the peppermint he had popped into his mouth. The blood drained from Wufei's face. Quatre's mouth moved, albeit without any audible sounds.
Une blinked at them, "Did I say something?" she asked confused.
Quatre was the only member of the trio that was able to shake his head no.
Une shrugged and left.
It was several moments before the silence was broken.
"I thought she didn't remember!" Wufei spluttered and yanked open one of Duo's envelopes, "Oh! Espresso beans!"
"...not consciously..." Quatre whispered with a hint of awe, "Not even God can take on Une..." he chuckled and shook his head, "Did you say espresso beans?"
Wufei nodded vigorously and passed the envelope to Quatre. Quatre grinned, "Thanks! Trowa won't let me eat these at home..."
"Those are MY beans, thank you!" Duo huffed indignantly, "A coffee-crazed Quatre. Man, between that and T-ball's sandwiches...I'm glad it's just me, Mewser, and my 'Fei."
"Mewser? Who's that?" Trowa peeked an eye - the non-concealed one - through the door. Quatre beckoned him in, and he entered all the way.
"Duo's feline companion," Wufei answered. "I can't wait to meet him."
Duo chuckled. "You'll get along great. He's particularly fond of sleeping in the cabinet where I keep my tea..."
"A creature after my own heart," Wufei smirked.
"I hate to be going, but I too hear the call of paperwork." Quatre rolled his eyes. "Bureaucracy stops for no man, though sometimes I wish I could just throw a wrench in the works for shits an giggles..."
There was a collective snort, and Wufei inhaled an espresso bean.
"Catch you two lovebirds later!" he called merrily, dragging Trowa out of the room before he could even get a word out.
"When I'm well..." Duo patted Wufei heartily on the back until he regained his breath.
Wufei nodded. "At least Quatre got something out of this whole ordeal - a strange sense of humor."
There was silence for awhile, while the two young men pondered...well...things that deserved pondering. Finally, Duo spoke up.
"'Fei?"
Wufei sat down in a chair. "Yes?"
"What happens now?" Duo looked into his lap. "We got a second chance, 'Fei, but...what are we going to do with it?"
"Not screw it up, for one," Wufei leaned over, and planted a soft kiss on Duo's cheek. "I learned my lesson the first time around."
"Do you squeeze the toothpaste from the top of the tube, or the bottom?"
Wufei blinked, "What?"
"The toothpaste, 'Fei. This is URGENT. I have to know," Duo locked his eyes with Wufei, "The top of the tube, or the bottom?"
"The...top..." Wufei said a bit uncertainly.
Duo sighed dramatically and flung an arm over his eyes, "I save you from Hell only to learn we have incompatible dental care habits! Oh the injustice!" he peeked out from his arm to give Wufei a wink, "If you kiss me Chang...and do I mean KISS me...I just MIGHT forgive this fatal flaw of yours."
Wufei put his hand to his chin to give himself a scholarly look as he thought his predicament over, "And what makes you think that you'll have control of the Crest, hmmm?"
"If you think that after all I went through, I'm going to let you remain in that BROOM CLOSET you call an apartment-" Duo started to grumble, but trailed off as Wufei gently moved his tube-laden arm from his face and leaned forward far enough to bump his nose, "Then you've got another thing coming..." he said quietly.
"Do you want me to kiss you, or are you just going to keep shooting your mouth?" Wufei asked just as quietly.
"You're giving me a choice?"
"No," Wufei said, "But it'd be horrible if our first incredibly sentimental kiss wound up with me kissing your teeth."
Duo's eyes widened in mock horror, "I never thought about that! Quickly, you fool! Kiss me! Kiss me for all you're worth!"
Wufei happily obliged.
The kiss lasted a very, very long time. Finally they parted, although
they both thought they could last a lot longer.
"That was very nice," Wufei said, nearly out of breath.
Duo grinned. "Want seconds?"
"Of course," Wufei grinned.
Sally peered in, ready to stomp in and demand why Duo had
thoughtfully "reorganized" her patients' charts, but stopped when she
saw Wufei and Duo having a very good time...doing something she
thought she'd best ignore.
She shook her head, "Should have seen it coming."
Sally kept going, leaving the two lovebirds in their bliss.
*~*~*~*~*
"I don't know how I survived
in this cold and empty world for all this time...
I only know that I'm alive
because you love me..."
Smoke was reclined on a cloud, eyes closed, singing softly to
herself.
"When I recall what I've been through
there's some things that I wish I didn't do;
but now I do the things I do
because you love me..."
"We did good, Smoke," Michael said. He was lounging on his stomach
atop the same cloud, feet kicking in the air.
Tsch, for an angel who's so picky about grammar...
"I'm allowed a day off," he replied loftily. "We deserve it."
"Saving the world does feel pretty good," Smoke agreed, stretching her
arms above her head. "I feel like...like there isn't anything I can't
do now."
"Yeah, once you defeat Hell, everything else seems pretty boring,"
Michael said drolly. Smoke smacked him on the nose.
"This job is never boring."
If you're bored Michael, ~I~ can always find something for you to do.
Michael stretched and flopped on the cloud. His wings twitched and he grinned, "Like what?"
Well, the downstairs bathroom needs cleaning...
Michael crinkled his nose and traded a confused look with Smoke, "We don't HAVE a downstairs bathroom..." he said a bit uncertainly, "We don't have a bathroom period!"
I can fix that.
"You could always clean out their bathroom," Smoke said inclining her head down below. She didn't have to explain who the bathroom belonged to, "Can you really see Duo with a scrub brush and rubber gloves?" she giggled behind a hand, "Michael the great arch angel reduced to scrubbing toilets. Ahhhh."
"Well, if Raven wasn't in many itty bitty particles, SHE could do it," Michael said reasonably.
Smoke's expression darkened, "She deserved what she got...say...do you remember what happened to Kiran?"
"Do I care?"
Smoke nodded and flopped on her back, "I see your point. Well."
"Well."
Well.
Michael plucked two sodas from the air and handed one to Smoke, "Here's to love."
"Soda, Michael?" Smoke winked, "But yes...to love."
They clinked their cans and drank.
"So, what happens now?" Michael asked, thoughtfully examining the label of his Pepsi.
That's for Me to know, and you to find out.
"Cryptic as always. I like that."