Title: Three Days part 5a: Day 3…. Christmas Eve
Author: Little Angel
Warnings: OOC, semi death fic (literally ^^;),
Pairings: 2+1, 3+4

AN: This is just the first part of chapter 5…. And I am leaving this with a nice semi cliff hanger… which is much better than how the end of this chapter WILL turn out…. *wonders how long it would take to get a good head start on hiding*…. Ehehehe…

~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~

7 am: Duo and Heero's room at the Bed and Breakfast

Duo sat back against the pillow hugging Heero closer to him. He only had 17ish hours before…

/No. I am not going to think about that./

He focused his attention back on Heero so he didn't have to think about *that.* They still had sometime before sun rise, which was good because Duo wanted to share it with Heero. Heero stirred slightly as Duo slowly petted his hair.

"Morning Hee-chan. Did you sleep well?"

Heero gave him a small smile, "Hai." Duo hugged him closer and kissed his forehead. They stayed together in bed for a while longer, just snuggling.

"Hee-chan, I have another surprise for you, but you have to close your eyes."

Heero looked into Duo's eyes for a moment, looking for something to tell him what his koi was up to this time. After a few seconds he closed his eyes and waited. The bed shifted as Duo got up and Heero felt a gentle tug at his hand. He followed Duo's lead and got out of bed also. Duo let go of his hand for a moment, so he could grab some blankets. When he had everything ready he gently took Heero's hand back into his and started walking. Heero was slightly confused because he didn't know they would have to leave the room for a present. He was suddenly thankful they were wearing tank-tops and pajama pants.

"Careful Hee-chan, we are going upstairs," Duo gave Heero a small commentary as they went to their destination, making sure that he wouldn't fall or get hurt. Dup stopped just short of the doors which lead to the balcony on the roof. They were both not wearing warm clothes, so it would not be smart to go outside dressed as they were. He took one of the blankets and placed it around Heero's shoulders, "Don't open your eyes yet Hee-chan."

Duo then took a second blanket to cover himself with. He opened the doors and they were both hit with the cold winter air from outside. Duo sighed in relief because they still had some time left. "Ok, Heero, open your eyes…"

Heero opened his eyes and gasped at the scene before him. A small lake not frozen over from the weather had small waves rippling in the breeze. The ground was covered in pure white snow, which was completely untouched by humans. Animal tracks were the only think keeping the snow from being completely smooth; however, the tracks were very sparse. Snow covered pine trees as well as bare trees were circling around half of the lake and pushing back onto the horizon. Very few clouds dotted the sky, yet the ones present glimmered as the sun's rays fell upon them.

"Oh Duo…" Heero did not know what to say, and he did not want to break the euphoric feeling of this peaceful moment. When they were at their apartment and Heero watched the sun rise, it was nothing compared to this. He engraved the picture into his mind. If he was a painter, he could not have created a more beautiful picture.

"Merry Christmas Eve, Heero." Duo wrapped his arms around Heero from behind and placed is head on Heero's shoulder. The couple just stood together, watching as the sun made its journey through the sky.

After what felt like forever, which in reality was only about an hour, Heero remembered that they still did not have a Christmas tree, or any of their decorations up. As much as he wanted to stay and here, he wanted to spend Christmas with Duo in their apartment even more. It had been so long since they were able to curl up with a book by the fire, or just cuddle in the safety of their own home. "Nee Duo, shouldn't we get back to the apartment? It *is* Christmas Eve and we still need to get a tree… Duo? Are you alright?"

Duo tensed at Heero's question about going back to the apartment. /We *can't* go back…/

"What! Why? Don't you want to spend Christmas here Hee-chan with the guys and the orphans?"

"We already had a party with them… I would like to spend Christmas back home just you and me. It's been so long since we were able to just be together."

"Aren't we together now?"

"Not like this… I mean in *our* home. Not a bed and breakfast, or at Quatre and Trowa's mansion. It's not our home. It's not the same." The last bit came out as a whisper, as Heero cast his eyes down. He knew Duo was reverting back to the way he was acting on the first day when they arrived and there was no hope for them to go back using that tactic.

Heero decided to play his trump card. "And you did say we would do whatever I wanted for our vacation…" /Why do I feel like I am trying to plan a strategy for fighting a battle and not trying to talk to Duo…/

There was a slight hesitation on Duo's part then, "Of course we can Hee-chan! Anything for you! 'Cause I love you so much. I just thought you would want to spend time with the guys and kids, because we don't see them that much anymore…" Duo had a forced smile in place of the one he was wearing that morning, as he started babbling and walking presumably back to the room to start packing.

Heero stood silently looking at the stairwell that Duo just disappeared through, hoping what just happened was a figment of his imagination and Duo would come back with a large grin on his face saying "gotcha!." That Duo didn't just do what he'd been doing all along.

/I knew it was too good to be true…/ Heero's eyes became ice cold, similar to how they were during the war. He sighed slightly as a flash of disappointment passed so briefly across his features that not even Quatre would've been able to catch it, if he was kissing him.

~+~+~+~+~

Duo was rambling to no one in particular as he stalked – yes stalked, around their rented room to gather his clothes and other supplies. As he was closing his suite case Heero came downstairs and started changing for the day. Not a word was spoken from Heero and Duo's ramblings quieted down. Duo moved to help Heero pack when a hand pushed the cover of the suite case down, almost catching his hands in the process, "I am a big boy Duo, and I can pack my own suite case. Why don't you go sign us out or something?"

Heero's voice was different; in fact it took Duo a while to realize that Heero was using his monotone, something he hadn't used since before the end of the wars. Although be then it was too late. Duo nodded and grabbed his own packed bags, heading in the direction of the stairs.

~+~+~+~+~

The lobby of the bed and breakfast was right next to the stairs leading up to the rooms. The stairs went up in a square type manner that wrapped along the walls. If you were standing on either side of the desk you couldn't see very high up the stairs, which may not always be the best thing in the world.

~+~ 9:30 am (14.5 hrs. before Christmas)

Duo dropped his bags rather loudly by the desk and cursed silently when he didn't see anyone there to sign him out.

He ran the bell. Nothing happened. Duo sighed and rang it again, "Hello?"

/He's probably in the kitchen./ Duo leaned against the counter expecting a long wait.

The door to the entrance of the bed and breakfast opened behind Duo, "Duo? Is that you?"(1)

~+~+~+~

Heero silently packed his bags, not really sure if he understood what was going on in Duo's head. /Why does he keep sending off such mixed signals? Is it me? Is he mad at me? Did I not do something right? I just wish he would talk to me…/ Heero sighed and made one last look around the room before grabbing his bag and shutting the door. Out in the hall he could hear Duo at the front desk.

He slowly walked to the stairs and slowed even more when he heard a familiar voice come into the building. /Why does Duo suddenly sound nervous? / Against his better judgment Heero decided to stay hidden on the stairs.

~+~

"Howie? What brings you here?" There was a slight hint of nervousness in Duo's voice, but he quickly masked it and only let his surprise show through. For some reason, he felt like fate was again working against him…

"Quatre and Trowa asked me to play Santa at the orphanage after the war and I've been doing it every year since. What are you doing here? Are you and Hilde here on another 'Business' trip?"

"WH…what? I don't know what you're talking about Howie…" Duo now looked nervous.

"Oh, come on Duo, she told me about what happened the last time. Tooth paste?" He laughed, "That is such a funny excuse. I feel bad that you guys were interrupted like you were-"

"Howie, I really-" Someone ran by them and out the front door before Duo could finish his sentence.

"CRAP! Heero!" Duo ran to the door but it wouldn't open. He ignored Howard and the inn keeper, focusing on the door. "Open it up!! Odin please! Any of you!"

There was a click and the door opened. Duo ran outside but it was too late, Heero was nowhere in sight. "DAMN IT!"

/what to do… what to do…Trowa! / He went to pull out his cell phone, but it wasn't in his pockets /Heero must've grabbed it when he ran by. /

Duo was getting frantic, so instead of going back inside to use the bed and breakfast phone, which would be logical, he took off for the mansion. Logic at this moment wasn't on Duo's mind, getting to Heero was.

~+~+~

"Master Quatre, Mr. Maxwell is here to see you, he seems panicked."

"I'll go talk to him," Trowa spoke up next to Quatre. The blonde was a tad pale, so he just nodded.

~+~+~

Duo paced in the front hall of the mansion for either Trowa or Quatre.

"You should try to calm down Duo." Duo spun around to find Trowa right behind him.

"I can't, I need to find Heero. Can I barrow your car? Jet? Perhaps a helicopter?"

"Heero took the plane; he called Quatre a little while ago. He's on his way back to your apartment. Duo what happened?"

"I… I screwed up Tro. I mean this is really, really bad. Heero thinks I am having some kind of affair with Hilde, but I'm not! And I never was."

"…But you were thinking about it at one point weren't you."

Duo hesitated for a moment before he nodded. It was so small though, that Trowa barely caught it. /That explains why Quatre could barely wake up from his nightmare. It must have been amplified from the emotions running off of Duo and Heero. /

"Heero has the plane Duo. There is one train leaving later this afternoon around 4 that will take you back."

"That is HOURS from now! Can I barrow a car?"

"With all the traffic it would take you just as long to get back with a car. Why don't you just wait? You can stay here with us."

"No thanks Trowa. If I stay here I'll only hurt Quatre more. I will just walk around town for a while." With that Duo turned around and walked outside, not really paying attention to where he was walking, he was too caught up in his thoughts.

/I've really done it this time. How am I going to be able to make it up to Heero now? Maybe Odin was right. Maybe it would be better for Heero if I wasn't around anymore. Hopefully Heero will let me explain what happened with Hilde…/

Duo looked up and realized he was at the institute where Wufei was at. He blinked and was about to turn around when he remembered his promise to Heero. Without thinking about it, Duo entered the building. He took the stairs down to the rec room, hoping to see Wufei. Duo looked around but his hoped dimmed when he didn't see him.

There was a small movement to his left so Duo turned to see what it was. He smiled as he spotted Wufei curled up reading a book. Quietly, as to not disturb him, Duo made his way across the room. "Hey Wufei."

Wufei looked up to see Duo standing there looking mildly upset. Instead of prying into Duo's personal affairs, considering their history, Wufei just smiled up at him, "Maxwell. Merry Christmas Eve."

"Care for a game of chess?"

"I would like that. Thank you." Wufei placed his book down while Duo moved the chess board across the table. In no time at all the pieces were set up, and colors were picked.

"White makes the first move 'fei."

"So it does Duo. So it does."

Time: Noon
ETA for Christmas: 12 hrs.

~+~+~+~ End part 5a ~+~+~+~

anou… eheheh…. See? Twasn't THAT bad of a cliff hanger… right…? *slowly edges away to find a finding spot*…..