See first two chapters for disclaimers and warnings...Im really too lazy to put it up again...please dont sue me -_-;;
also this chapter...like the others...is relativly short...

Heero woke up the next morning to realize that he HAD fallen asleep on the windowseat.

He smiled faintly, it was actually quite comfortable. Hoisting himself up he heard a faint beeping coming from his laptop. It was a reply from Wufei confirming the time and place of their meeting.

Heero looked at his watch...4:45!!!![1] Heero couldn't believe how late he had slept in!

He cursed under his breath and got cleaned up quickly. He found an arrangement of clothes in the large dressers near his bed and mentally thanked Quatre since he really didn't feel like wearing his usual clothes. They were soiled and besides, it was raining.

He instead found a pair of comfortable black splash pants and a white shirt to wear out. He quickly showered in the bathroom adjoined to his room and pulled on the clothes. He dried his hair and went out to find the kitchen. He hadn't had anything to eat since the party and he hated to admit it, but he was hungry!

He noticed many more doors along the unfamiliar hallways and was soon lost. Thankfully he saw Dorothy coming out of some room or another. She looked at him and smiled knowingly "Stay up late last night? You can sure sleep if someone lets you" she laughed when he remained silent and said "follow me, Ill take you to the kitchen."

Heero reluctantly obeyed and soon found himself in a brilliantly lit grand kitchen. Trowa and Quatre were sitting at a table talking and having tea when they heard Heero walk in. Quatre smiled briliantly "Oh! Your up! Good. Do you want breakfast or lunch?"

Heero was aware of the amused look Trowa gave him and had to stop himself from blushing in embarassment. The perfect soldier didn't sleep in. "Ill just have some toast...Im going to meet Wufei at the Bijou for dinner soon"

Quatre looked surprised. "Oh, so Wufei got ahold of you? Hes been calling here for ages. I wonder what he wants?"

"Something about preventers" Heero informed them, taking the toast that one of the servants offered him.

"Oh I see" Quatre nodded "Well when do you expect to be back?"

Heero looked at his watch, it was already 5:15, "Im not sure. Im supposed to meet him in fifteen minutes"

Quatre nodded again "Well as long as you're back by ten then you can use one of the cars in the garage if you'd like. The security guards like to run a check on them at ten" Quatre sighed "I think they're being a little paranoid but I guess you never know..."

"hn..." Heero nodded and retreated from the kitchen. Now in the main part of the building he found the door easily, and after making a quick trip to the garage, took off for Bijou's.

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He found Wufei rather easily, considering the crowd, he was seated near the window, meaning he had probably gotten there much earlier then they had planned and just waited at the table.

He waved to heero briefly as he walked in, and Heero quickly went over to sit in the vacant seat across from him. Just as he sat down, a waitress came up to them. They both ordered and she left, leaving the two alone.

"I had a hell of a time finding you Yuy," said Wufei, obviously upset at the time and energy he had put out to meet him here.

"So I've heard" answered heero casually

"So where have you been?"

Heero sat for a moment, considering not answering the question, but it was harmless really...wasn't it?

"Ive been living in Cinq. At Relenas palace"

Wufei looked taken aback and then smiled slightly "So, Maxwells efforts DID pay off..."

"Duo..." Heero looked up at Wufei "What does he have to do with this?"

"Oh come off it Yuy, Maxwell was trying to get you and that onna together for months after the war, I never thought hed actually get you two living together though...Im impressed."

Heero didn't say anything, all along it had been Duo? He smiled slightly as well. He should've guessed. It was so like him. Still, this time the matchmaker had been terribly wrong.

"Actually, I have to say that his efforts were completely in vain" Heero started. Wufei looked shocked and confused "I moved out yesterday." Heero said this with such finality that Wufei decided it would be best to change the subject and brought up the matter of the preventers job.

Neither noticed a black cloaked stranger sitting nearby, suddenly get up, and walk away quickly at those last words.

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The stranger walked quickly among the crowded street, he seemed as always to be going against the flow of the crowd, but he wasn't some weak pushover, using his elbows he clawed his way through the passerbys until he reached his desired side street turning quickly to the deserted road. All the while the words of the short haired brunette ringing in his head...

"..all of his efforts were completely in vain...moved out yesterday..."

After all he had done to get those two together...now this? It was over in less than a day? Though a part of him cheered that Heero had finally gotten rid of that girl, another part of him screamed.

"Its wasn't supposed to be this way..." he mumbled angrily, as he slammed his back into a wall and slid down slowly till he was sitting. He put his head in his hands and shook it as he mumbled
"You were supposed to be happy with her. You were supposed to live one of those fairytale lives. You weren't supposed to go back. No looking back. Ever. Live a normal life. With her..." He stopped to regroup and try to think straight again. He looked at the ground through his fingers.
Somehow, he would get them back together. They were meant for eachother, even if it tore away at his heart to see them as such. Heero deserved someone like her. Needed someone who could treat him well. Someone stable he could turn to...

Now it seemed that Relena hadn't truly loved Heero, but heero loved her. He could see it in his eyes during the war. He would always love her, Though HE desperatly wanted...the stranger stopped that thought and smiled ironically.

"Give it up Duo man. Like THAT would ever happen" After all, hadn't that been the reason he had tried to hook them up in the first place? With Heero in his life. He had been brutally tortured. Every time those blue orbs fixed on him...every time they would casually brush by eachother during matenence sessions during the war... it had been another rip in his already bleeding heart.

Duo picked himself up and brushed off his pants with renewed determination. He had no choice. He just had to try again, he grinned sadly "I guess I just CANT leave them alone..." he looked down at his shoes. "Not until...hmm..." and he walked off in the direction of the Winner mansion..

Heero stood up, his neutral look still intact, but Wufei looked quite pleased. He had convinced Heero to work along with them for their cause. That is after all, what he had come here to do.

"So where are you staying again?" Wufei asked him, only slightly interested.

"At Quatres place" Heero again felt embarrassed at having sought help from the blond boy. Well he hadn't really sought it, it had been offered but it still chipped at his pride.

Wufei allowed himself a smug smile, aware of Heeros pride having been threatened by this mere statement.

"Hmmm, Ive been meaning to talk to him as well...maybe Ill stop by sometime..." with a nod and a wave he was gone, reminding Heero over his shoulder not to be late for his first day of work the following monday.

Heero just stared for a minute, thinking about nothing in particular, before heading out the door as well, he quickly jumped in his car and took off, only to be stopped by the evening rush of traffic. Cursing he leaned back in his seat and braced himself for the long drive back to the mansion.


When he arrived, one of the servants was waiting to take the car to the garage. Heero got out and handed the man his keys before walking through the front door. Something was...different
Heero looked up, everthing was in its normal place, but he still couldn't shake that feeling. He was completely puzzled. Shaking his head at how easily he was distracted, he walked down the main hallway, Not catching the long black coat hanging just inside the door...


[1] hehe, raise your hand if you've ever slept in this late...*raises hand meekly* ^_^;; i was doing some intense 'soul-searching' one night and i slept till almost 5 the next day :P i thought it would fit the situation...

Muahaha...ok so its not much of a cliffhanger but I just cant write anymore right now...*looks to her muses who are all passed out around the computer screen* umm...hehe...maybe some caffeine will help out...runs off for some soda...must....stay...awake....