Disclaimers: Don't own any part of Gundam Wing nor it's characters. Merely borrowing them for a little torture.

Warnings: Shounen-ai (because I suck at yaoi) , major A.U, some OOC I think, probably future mpreg

Fates and Choices

Part 8: Of Check ups and Recalcitrant Patients

A week later found a much improved Duo settled in the Healer's dwelling with Wufei hovering close by. The braided Shifter sighed with annoyance as he was stripped of his shirt and prodded incessantly by the little blond Healer.

"Are you done torturing me?" Duo groused, wincing when slim fingers hit a particularly tender spot.

Quatre quirked a smile. "Just checking if everything is well. Appears that you are eleven weeks along. Did you know that?" He raised an eyebrow.

Eleven weeks, Duo thought, he counted rapidly. That last night. That night before he walked out of Heero's home, their home. He had wanted to say goodbye and he flushed hotly. So much for goodbye.

"Ah, I see…" Quatre smiled in understanding. He grabbed hold of a long tunic and threw it at his friend, brushing off several curious Healers. He knew Duo felt self conscious about all the attention he was getting and tried to minimise this feeling as much as possible. As a Healer, he also understood the burning desire to understand how one not made for child bearing be carrying one right now. But first and foremost, Duo was his friend and therefore, it was his duty as a friend to protect him from prying eyes.

"Duo, put that on," Quatre turned and washed his hand in a warm basin of water. He then turned to the audience that had gathered and shooed them away. "I need want some privacy, people. Out."

Almost reluctantly, the room cleared, leaving the two Healers and a stoic Shifter.

"That means you too, Wufei," Quatre indicated.

"But… but… Heero ordered me to…"

Duo smirked at the sight of the spluttering Wufei. It wasn't something one witnessed often. "Look, Wuffers, do you really expect something to jump out from nowhere and attack me here?" He put on his most pleading, and insincere look. "Please, Wuffers, please?" To add insult to injury, Duo blinked rapidly, twice, batting impossibly long lashes at the currently pole axed Wufei.

While Quatre snorted, trying to choke down a full blown laughter. He was sure Wufei would not attack him, Healers were respected in all cases, but he wasn't certain that the Shifter wouldn't smack him if he dared laugh.

"My name is Wufei. Stop calling me like I'm a dog," Wufei groused, more than a little annoyed at the nickname his leader's mate had tagged on him.

"Sorry," Duo said, contritely, then lifted mischievous violet to black. "…Wuffers."

"I will not kill Healers, I will not kill Healers, I will not kill Healers," Wufei stomped away, repeating that litany. "Even they are braided pain the asses, I will not kill Healers."

The two friend burst into laughter, with Duo succeeding once again in annoying the hell out of Wufei. Apparently, it was daily entertainment for the braided man. The two Healers stared at each other, before Quatre spoke up. "You know what I need to see."

Duo blushed. "I could tell you," he said, hopefully.

"I have a better vantage point," Quatre challenged, smiling.

"You're just a pervert," Duo countered, really not wanting to do this.

"You're being stubborn."

The two faced off, both unwilling to give in. Unfortunately for Duo, the high flush on his cheeks didn't help his argument.

"Duo," Quatre reasoned. "It's for your baby, I do need to know if there is a possible way for it to.. come out." At this point, Quatre was blushing as hard as his friend.

"I could tell you," Duo offered.

"I have a better vantage po….. didn't we just have this conversation?" Quatre said, exasperated. "Change." With that, the blond turn and began taking inventory of his herbs, leaving the braided Shifter some privacy to get out of his pants.

Duo stared indecisively at the robe in his hands and the back of the blond's head, wondering if he could make it out of the dwelling before being caught. He was almost certain Wufei was just beyond the doorway and therefore, would catch him easily. He sighed, resigned that there will not be anymore escape routes for him and proceeded to rid himself of his pants, shrugging on the robe reluctantly. The smooth material felt absolutely fantastic on his naked skin, but recently, everything had felt good on his skin. It appeared more sensitive than usual. He imagined how wonderful it would feel with Heero's hands all over his extra sensitised skin and shuddered as lust coursed through his body.

"Do your worst," he announced, settling himself onto the bed, looking slightly disgruntled.

Quatre almost laughed at the expression on the other Healer's delicate features. He now believed the saying that Healers cannot Heal themselves, but he didn't know that they would be so moody about it. "Duo, I need you to… to…" Why was this so difficult? He had been tending to and examining pregnant Shifters for years now and it had never felt this awkward.

"Spread my legs?" Duo snapped, thoroughly embarrassed. "Sorry, I only do that for Heero." The reconciliation of the tribe chief and his mate had been carried more smoothly than Duo thought was possible. In fact, it was as if he never left and the rift between them had never happened. In Heero's opinion the rift never happened and was only waiting for Duo's agreement to move back into their home. Now that Duo had gotten it into that stubborn head of his that he was going to be able to give Heero what Duo thought he wanted, the braided Healer had become a very docile mate.

"Duo," a rather annoyed voice came from the entrance.

Duo turned and stared at his mate, words stuck in his throat. Heero still took his breath away, with shoulders that were broader than his own and deep blue eyes that seem to reach out to his soul.

"Why are you being this stubborn?" Heero sat down next to the violet eyed Healer, taking his mate's hand into his own, while nearly smiling at the relief colouring the smaller blond's face.

"It's embarrassing to be poked and prodded like this. I have never been so humiliated in my life. Besides, I'm positive Quatre has looked when you brought me back last week. So why look again? I never thought my friend would have such a weird fetish and…." The rest of the rant was abruptly cut off as when a pair of warm lips descended on Duo's own. It was hungry and wild, questing softly, tongue delving frantically.

When Heero finally ended the kiss, he saw the braided man lying there, lips swollen and violet eyed dazed with passion. There was a stirring in his loins and had to bite his lips from asking if making love was fine during his mate's pregnancy. He was that close to ripping off that robe and ravishing his mate in front of his Healer. It had been a long and painful eleven weeks. More like painfully swollen. If Duo wasn't carrying his child, Heero doubt his mate would be able to walk now, a rueful smile shaping his lips.

"I love you, Duo. Now be a good boy," he admonished softly, leaning over his still dazed mate.

"Thank you Heero," Quatre grinned wickedly, looking up from in between Duo's raised legs.

"By the Ancient," Duo exploded, humiliated, raising himself on one elbow, imitating Heero's glare quite effectively. "You don't wait do you?" He snarled at Quatre. "Attack a man while he's distracted won't you? And you call yourself a Healer," Duo sulked. He was annoyed with himself by being completely blindsided and with Heero for participating in this added humiliation.

Quatre shook his head, prodding gently and apologising when Duo hissed in discomfort. "I'll take all the help I can get when I deal with recalcitrant patients." He slapped Duo's hip lightly. "There, all done. Didn't hurt now, did it?"

"Didn't hurt me," Duo muttered. "I can't say the same about the both of you." He sat up, pushing Heero's hands away, branding him as Quatre's accomplice. He got up and routed around for his clothes, complaining all the while. "Go kick puppies for a while why don't you? Seems that both of you have nothing better to do than to attack a defenceless man and…"

Heero grabbed hold of his mate, shaking his head. "Shut up," he told Duo, tenderly and swooping down for another kiss. He stilled Duo's struggling and after a while, his mate melted instinctively against him, deepening the kiss. Both were breathing hard when they broke for air and Heero gently pushed Duo into a chair, helping him button his shirt. "Now, that was a really pleasant way to stop you from talking."

Duo pouted slightly, but decided that he did indeed like Heero's methods. Leaning against his mate's side, the braided Healer looked up at the blond. "So, what's the verdict?"

"Well, it appears that you do have the…." The blond coughed delicately. "Necessary equipment to deliver the baby." He blushed to match the colour on Duo's cheeks. "There is an opening where it is normally present on a bearer and will remain closed until the birth pains are on you." Quatre then reached out and pulled Duo's shirt off his shoulder slightly, staring at the tattoo, the mark that was still a Healer's.

Duo followed the blond's gaze as well. "Seems I can still do my job," he noted, flippantly.

Quatre shook his head vehemently. "I don't think that is a very good idea, Duo. You nearly had a miscarriage the last time you tried. No Healing for the next six months."

"Six months?" Duo's violet eyes bugged out. "What am I going to do for the next six months? I can't go into battles, I can't kill and now you tell me I can't Heal?" He looked imploringly at Heero, willing him to understand.

"You can take care of my son," Heero told him flatly. "You can join the other Shifters who are currently expecting at the moment."

"And do what? Knit? Cook?" Duo was at his ranting best today. He knew he was being unfair, Shifters who cannot go on patrols were left at the village to tend to it in various ways, which included cooking sometimes and other times weapon making or the like. Shifters do have their domesticated side, but to pile it all on those who were carrying babies was grossly unjust but Duo didn't particularly care at the moment. He wanted to make a point and by all that's holy he will make it. "I don't know how to do any of those. I was raised as a Healer and I'm not going to…"

Quatre decided to intervene before his friend had a seizure. "Heero," he cut the babbling Shifter off.

I am not babbling, Quatre Winner Came a tart reply attached to smouldering violet eyes.

Oopsie Quatre threw the thought back at Duo almost insincerely.

"Heero," Quatre began – again. "Let him come here. Healing is not always the type you see after a battle. I'm sure I can keep him busy and out of everyone's hair." He had learned earlier on that a bored Duo was a dangerous Duo.

The pregnant Shifter was too delighted at this arrangement to comment on the 'keep him out of everyone's hair' used by Quatre. He turned pleading eyes at his mate, but kept silent, letting his leader decide. Heero decided his mate was not playing fair. How was he to say no when those beautiful orbs were looking so pleadingly at him? If Duo wanted the moon, Heero would try for the rest of his life to fly high enough to get it for him.

The tribe chief sighed, nodding resignedly. "Just make sure you don't over do it." He turned towards Quatre. "And you are responsible for making sure he doesn't. Are we clear?"

Heero was met with two identical artful look of innocence beaming at him and nodding eagerly. He shook his head, muttering something about being too long in each other's company.

"Uhm.. Quat?" Duo asked, hesitantly, a slow flush creeping up his slender neck. "I know couples ask me all the time and I say its all right but I need to ask you anyway, just in case and since it is your duty as a Healer to answer my question, I guess I will have to ask you as well and you would answer me and make sure that…." He trailed off when he saw the blond Healer stare at him in amazement. "What?"

Quatre shrugged, losing the battle to keep a grin from his face. "I was waiting for you to take a breath, dear friend."

Duo inhaled loudly. "Can I have sex?" He blurted out; much to the delight of Heero, who felt it wasn't his right to ask about ravishing his mate in his delicate condition.

"You don't need my permission," Quatre deadpanned. "I'm not your mate, you know."

"Quatre! Don't make me come over there and smack you."

The blond Healer burst into laughter and started feeling better than he had in a long while. Something told him by the Ancient's grace, everything will be well from now. "You can if you don't over do it. But I am afraid that Heero will be the one overdone."

"Huh?" Heero said intelligently, while his mate smiled softly, understanding what his fellow Healer meant.

"It is normal for expectant Shifters to have an overdeveloped sexual appetite," Quatre put as delicately as possible.

"It means I am going to go at you like a damned stallion in heat, love," Duo corrected and decided in future to make Heero blush as much as possible. After all, he looked just too adorable.

"But, when it starts to hurt, you stop," Quatre warned, absolutely serious.

Heero nodded. "I will never hurt him again."

"Yeah, whatever," Duo jumped to his feet, grabbed Heero by the forearm and proceeded to drag the startled tribe chief along with him. "Bye, Quat, thanks." And the couple disappeared through the door.

"Little one?" Trowa asked, coming into their dwelling not long after. "Why is there a sign in front of Heero's dwelling that says Disturb on pain of death. Just because Healers don't kill doesn't mean they don't know how?"

Quatre decided that today was indeed a fine day for laughter.

XXxxXX

Duo screamed as he climaxed, spilling his hot seed all over their embracing bodies, Heero's lips throttling the scream before he had Wufei rush into the room, wondering where the threat was. The tribe chief rolled them both over, letting a gasping Duo rest on his sweaty chest, careful not to hurt his mate in the process. He pressed a kiss into his mate's temple as he felt Duo's breathing slow and then even out. He had to smile at the adorable picture his mate made, curled against his chest looking as sated as he felt. While Heero didn't mind taking it slow, it appeared that his mate had other ideas, trying to make up for loss of contact of the past eleven weeks in one short, no long afternoon.

"Duo," Heero murmured, stroking the braided Shifter's smooth back.

"Hmm," Duo purred sleepily.

"We need to get cleaned up, again."

"Don't care," his mate yawned. " 'M tired."

Laughter rumbled deep in Heero's chest. "And whose fault is that? Five times, love." He caressed Duo's silky hair that draped over their naked bodies. Sometime during the afternoon, the long braid had been freed of its binding and had fallen in a rippling chestnut waterfall.

Duo decided he was just too wonderfully drowsy to protest and continued to purr like the lynxes in the Forest he loved so much, his eyes sliding shut by its own volition. "Goin t'sleep. Leave m'lone."

Heero held his mate tenderly against his warm body, listening to the steady breathing of his love, telling him that finally Duo was asleep. He couldn't stop grinning like a loon, pleased that his patience had finally paid off and he had his heart back where it belonged once again. He wanted to remain like this forever, but if he knew they stayed like this for very much longer, they would be permanently melded together. With a small sigh of regret, he laid Duo gently back on the bed and retrieved a washcloth that seemed to have gotten much use this afternoon. He rinsed it out carefully and slowly ran it over his mate's body, caressing more than wiping, until he reached the slight swell of his mate's belly. Still nothing much really, but to Heero it was the most beautiful sight in the whole world. He had never thought about children actually, and couldn't actually say he was desperate for them, but the life within his mate had brought them back together. For that, he was extremely grateful.

His son, he thought wistfully. He hoped for the world his son had Duo's eyes, smile and his love for life. He hoped for every one of his children to be little replicas of his love but if the Ancient would grant him only one, it would be enough.

Besides, he rationalised, the Forest would be in trouble if it had to handle more than one braided whirlwind.

"I love you so much," he whispered softly into Duo's ear, cupping his cheek softly.

"Love you too," Duo murmured sleepily.

Heero pulled the covers over the both of them and finally surrendered to slumber.

tbc….