Hey guys! I'm making a desperate attempt to update regularly, and since I'm stuck at school for * looks at clock * four more hours to watch the musical tonight (^_^;;) I decided to get moving. Like I said.I'm hoping this chapter will be the longest yet in the story. * cracks knuckles * ok.lets get going ^_~

Same warnings and disclaimers as always.Pairings: 1x2, Relena+OC, Hilde+OC, maybe some hints of 3+4 but not very noticeable and perhaps a smidgen of 5+Sally though the last two aren't focused on at all ^_^;; gomen to all of you 3+4 and 5+sally people out there.I just wanna keep the focus on 1x2 k?

Thanks to reviewers: Emily Hato (hehe.I need the caffeine to stay awake at the hours I'm usually writing ^_~), Serafina (lol.don't worry duo wont suffer forever, I promise), mayu kawaii (thanx ^_^ but I'm afraid I'm avoiding relena bashing in this one as much as possible :P), Strider Battle (yes don't worry, this is 1x2 fic.or course there'll be more!), unlistedtrout (thanks! Sometimes I think I go to far into their minds ^_^;;), CSMars (lol, sensitive Dorothy.I figured she'd change after the war too so I'm glad you like it ^_^), Alex (I'm happy you're enjoying it :) ), Cat (ooh sweet tarts! Can I have some! Lol), Violet tears (hehe, I still feel bad for making people wait so long -_-;;), Daughter of Night, (I feel that falling "in love" too fast causes problems too.that's the reason I can never seem to write a lot of one-shots.lol they happen too fast :P), Super Poodle (0.0 * runs for cover waving a little white flag * I'm working on it! And don't worry, he wont doubt himself forever ^_~), Leaf Zelindor (no problem! Glad you like!)

Please review! I'm not a very "seasoned writer" and reviews encourage me to keep going. Even if you've already reviewed, keep me up to date with how you feel about the later chapters ^_~ Arigatou!

OK on to the fic!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When Heero awoke on the following Monday, it was raining. He stood and walked over to the window, seemingly mesmerized by the drops falling from the sky. Sitting on the window seat and bending one of his legs to his chest he stared at the dark sky.

It had been awhile since he had seen rain like this. Real rain. Not the artificial kind on the colonies. Or the misty drizzle that would occur every few days on earth. But pouring rain. The fat droplets falling from the clouds and landing with a satisfying 'splat' on the windowpane.

Absently he wondered when he had started looking at things so closely, but the thought was ignored as he studied the expanse of sky covered by dark cotton.

When had his life gotten so complicated? He asked himself as the drops continued to fall against the glass. During the war, he had had only the purpose of a soldier. He wasn't even supposed to live to see the end of it.

And then Relena had come into his life, and he thought that he would be content to live with her for the rest of his existence. But he realized now that that would never have made him happy. And it certainly would not have made her happy.

Duo told him that night that he needed to hold onto something. Hold on to what? He was still trying to find the answer to this question, even thought the confrontation had happened over a week ago.

In fact, Heero was surprised at just how much Duo had entered his thoughts in the past week. He couldn't get why Duo would be so concerned about his supposed happiness that he would go as far as sabotaging a wedding to get Relena an he together. He didn't think that the plan had changed, seeing as the baka had yet to cease his strange behavior.

But Duo hadn't said anything to him about it since then. In fact, Duo seemed to be avoiding him. Heero frowned a bit.

After sitting there for a few moments reflecting, he sighed and stood to get ready to work.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Duo rested his head against the window as he hugged both legs to himself in a tight ball. He sighed happily as he watched the rain. It was nice to see real rain for once. The colonies just couldn't compare.

He hadn't really talked to Heero since the confrontation in the kitchen a week ago. Duo had started working in the large garage of the Preventers headquarters, but he had constantly thought about the ex-pilot of Wing.

Of course he had remembered what Quatre said to him that day, but it seemed that every time he got anywhere near talking to Heero about his feelings, he would clam up again and walk the other way, pretending he had not meant to say anything.

Duo lifted his head a bit, and dropped it again, making it collide with the window with a soft 'thunk' of frustration.

'You're such a coward Maxwell' his mind taunted.

'Am not.' he countered.

'Then why are you so afraid to approach him? You've been avoiding him and you know it.'

'Have not!'

Somewhere in his mind he was sure that it wasn't exactly normal to argue with your thoughts but he supposed he could blame it on the early hour.

'You know you have Maxwell. Don't deny it. You spend all of your time at work, and you locked yourself in your room over the weekend.'

Duo didn't disagree. It was true that he had spent nearly everyday from 7 to 10 working at Preventers and during Saturday and Sunday he had continued with his plan for Relena's wedding, which was in a mere seven days. Everything was ready.

But he was starting to have second thoughts.

'What if you're wrong Maxwell? What if he was telling the truth when he said that he didn't love her? You'll be ruining her wedding for nothing'

Damn that voice was annoying.

'No, I'm right, and they'll both realize it when I'm finished.'

The little voice didn't seem to reply to that so Duo lifted himself to prepare for another long workday.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Heero had no idea why he was here.

He stood above the garage, scanning the area for.aha! There. Only one person had hair like that! He made his way down the steel staircase and headed over to where a long rope of chestnut hair was peeking out from under what looked like a vehicle being upgraded for field work.

He cleared his throat and a hand waving impatiently appeared next to the braid.

"Yeah yeah just a minute!" came a muffled and seemingly frustrated voice from under the car. Heero smirked at the impatient tone that Duo had often had to use with him personally.

Duo's body came sliding from underneath the car and violet eyes widened when recognition hit.

"Heero! What are you doing down here!?" Duo asked, grinning and standing to wipe the grease from his hands with a towel hanging near the car.

Heero, avoided the question by gesturing towards the car. "What are you working on?"

Duo looked surprised for a minute but laughed and explained. "Oh that? I'm just fixing the brakes, adding some thrusters, energy cells, missiles.Y'know, basic tune-up for Preventers ne?"

Heero smiled a bit. But didn't say anything else for a minute or two.

Unable to stand the silence Duo finally spoke. "So, is there any particular reason you came down here? I mean, you didn't just wanna see the car did ya?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Inside, Duo was fidgeting nervously. His jokers mask firmly in place, he refused to let Heero see how anxious he was. But if Heero didn't tell him what he was doing there soon, he was probably going to crack.

Lost in his thoughts, Duo almost didn't catch what Heero asked next.

"Would you like to go get some lunch? There's a Panera down the street. My treat."

Duo looked at him disbelievingly. Did he just?.Duo grinned from ear-to-ear as he enthusiastically replied.

"Sure! Just let me get cleaned up a bit.I sorta look like I just got dumped in a tub of gasoline." he laughed and saw Heero crack a small smile at the joke "Meet me in the lobby, ok?" Heero nodded once and Duo headed off to his office in the back.

He reached the office quickly, happier than he had been most of the week. A full hour, out at Panera with Heero. Suddenly, realization dawned on him. A full hour!? At Panera!? With Heero!?

'Shit!' he thought, 'what was I thinking?!' He winced as he realized that he hadn't been thinking, and had been acting much like a teenage schoolgirl. He wanted to cry just thinking of how hard it was going to be to keep his mouth shut when Heero and he were alone for that long.

"Good going Maxwell" he muttered as he pulled off his jumpsuit. Washing his face and hands he grabbed his coat and walked out to face the inevitable, once again slapping on a grin.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Heero didn't know what had been running through his mind when he had asked Duo to go out to lunch with him. It had been a spur of the moment thing. An excuse to be with Duo a bit longer and perhaps question him further about his behavior. Though for some reason he found that he could settle for just the first.

He saw Duo walk out of the doorway from the garage, a huge grin on his face.

"Ready!" he announced as he reached Heero, his jacket swinging over his shoulder.

The two boys signed out and walked through the large doors. Turning right they began to walk down the street, Duo already voicing a one-sided debate over his food choices.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Upon arriving at Panera, the two were surprised to find that the place was nearly empty. Usually, it was extremely busy this time of day. Deciding not to complain, Duo led the way to the counter and placed his order.

"A bacon chicken sandwich with a soda please!" he said the woman behind the counter grinning.

"Sure thing! And for you sir?"

Heero thought for a moment and finally decided "A Chef's salad...and a soda."

"Ok, that comes to.$15.87 please."[1]

Heero took out his wallet and paid for both meals and Duo squirmed a bit nervously. He wasn't used to being treated to lunch by someone else. Usually it was him doing the paying.

Putting his wallet into his back pocket and telling the woman his name, Heero didn't seem to notice Duo's sudden nervousness and he headed over to pick up the meals. When the pick up for 'Yuy' was called, they both grabbed their respective trays and went to sit at a table in the corner.

After a moment of silence as they both began to dig into their food, Duo decided that he once again had to make some noise.

"So.Heero, was there something you needed to talk about?" He figured that if Heero would take the time to go out and buy him lunch, he needed to talk or ask a favor. So he waited.

Heero looked up at him for a moment, seemingly confused. "Do I have to have a reason to want to eat with you?"

Duo looked down at his food. Heero continued to stare at him questioningly and he replied "No no.I was just wondering. You know.that's just usually the motive when you take someone out to eat." Inside his spirit rose once more at Heero's comment. Heero wanted to take him out?

Heero watched him for a moment longer before refocusing on his salad and continuing. "Well there was something I wanted to say." he began.

The euphoric feeling vanished as those words came out. Of course. "Oh, I see." he replied.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Heero looked up at the boy sitting across from him. Damn it! There was that disappointment in his voice again! What had he done now?

His thoughts were interrupted as Duo looked up, smiling again. "So.what is it?"

But Heero didn't fall for it this time. He knew that he had heard the sadness in Duo's voice just moments before. This was a mask.

Suddenly, he was angry. All he wanted was to try and fit in. To make his friends happy. Why was Duo always so disappointed in him?!

"What am I doing wrong!?"

Oops, he hadn't meant for that last part to come out. But it had. And Duo was now staring at him in surprise.

Calming down a bit he tried to explain. "Duo, I.I don't understand. Why are you so disappointed in me? Why do you feel that you have to put me back with Relena? Am I doing something wrong? Are you trying to get rid of me?" he looked up. For some reason he felt that he wouldn't be able to stand it is that last part was true.

"Am I that bad of a friend?" he finished quietly, looking down again and glaring at his plate halfheartedly.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Duo didn't say anything for a good five minutes. Whatever he had been expecting, it WASN'T that. The meaning of Heero's words eventually sunk in after a moment and he suddenly panicked. That wasn't the truth at all! But what could he say?

Finally, he decided it was all or nothing. Grabbing Heero's sleeve quickly, causing the boy in front of him to look up and meet his eyes he said in a low voice that he felt clearly showed his panic.

"Heero.It's not you! You're a great friend.it's just."

He saw Heero wait for him to continue, patiently watching Duo as he fidgeted and looked down again, letting go of Heero's arm nervously. After a minute he finally finished.

".I.I don't want you to be just my friend."

Damn! That hadn't come out right, but maybe.

Heero had yet to reply and Duo peeked up at him to see that he looked extremely surprised.but not disgusted. A bit of hope bloomed in his chest.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Did he just hear what he thought he heard? Or maybe it was his imagination.

He looked at Duo uncertainly. It had obviously taken all that he had to make that confession.but.it didn't make sense. If what Duo just said meant what he thought it meant then.

"Then.why?"

Duos head shot up at that. It seemed he hadn't been expecting that.

"Why would you go through so much.to.make me love her?"

Duo stared at him for a long time. Seemingly speechless. But then he said, still in a quiet voice. "She makes you.happy."

Heero could see just how upset the braided boy was about the whole situation. But he decided that it was time to put an end to this stubborn notion that he seemed to have.

"Duo." Heero began firmly, taking Duos tense hand in between his own two, much to the obvious surprise of the latter, "I don't love her like that." He made sure that his tone made that very clear. "I found out that.well, I love her, more like, a sister. Like the family that I never had. Yes I thought that I would be happy with her, but I realized now that that wasn't true." He looked Duo straight in the eye, making sure that what he was saying was making it through. Duo's wide eyes proved that to be true.

"Please stop this Duo"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Duo was shocked. Heero was taking this way too well. His hand was tingling from being held by the cobalt-eyed boy in front of him and he was sure that his heart rate had increased about ten-fold.

Looking into those intense eyes, he saw only concern and.truth.

But that meant, he really, didn't want to be with Relena? He searched those eyes again. They were confidant in their decision, he could tell. Finally his mind was able to accept it. Heero was not in love with Relena. The knowledge finally registered and it felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his chest.

Caught up in his musings, he almost didn't notice when Heero hesitantly lifted his hand and delivered a small kiss to his palm. Almost didn't.

Duo's eyes, if possible, widened even further, and Heero looked a bit embarrassed at having shown such feeling to the other, but didn't seem to regret it. In fact he managed a weak smile and said quietly.

"Maybe we should have lunch together more often."

Duo just grinned.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Heading back to Preventers, neither said a word. Duo couldn't stop grinning, his hand firmly clasped in Heero's, and Heero was busy thinking about the sudden change of events.

He didn't know what had caused him to do what he did at the restaurant, it just felt right. He wasn't exactly sure what he was feeling at the moment, but sneaking a glance at Duo, he smiled. If it could get his friend to smile like that, it was definitely worth it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

[1] lol, one thing about Panera.great food.but some of the prices *shakes head*

Ok.so that's it for this chapter. It wasn't quite as long as I'd been expecting, but its pretty long. And.It's got some actual 1+2 in it! Wufei: But Heero's not sure of his feelings.that means it isn't really 1+2 Shhhhhh ^_^;; umm hehe, well I couldn't just have him jumping in and saying oh yes I love you too Duo! That's unrealistic! Duo: *grumbling* I wouldn't have minded. Heero: neither would I. C'mon guys give me a break! Anyway, I promise the next chap will have some definite starts of REAL 1+2 ;) and it should be out.by the end of the week? *crosses fingers* see ya then!