AN:….Oh…My…GOD!!!!!!…IT'S AN UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yes my faithful readers I have indeed returned from falling off the face of the earth….and you thought I'd given up on the fic didn't you?  Well to tell the truth, I think I've actually left it hanging longer than this.  Don't ask me why…I just have one word for the delay….SCHOOL!!!!!!!  And I am REALLY sorry for it, that and I'm often working ten hour shifts a day at my shit paying job….Yes, say it will me, $2.13 an hour is shit pay….  So on that note, on with the fic!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing…..It's one o'clock in the morning….I couldn't be witty if I tried….

Warnings:…ah fuck it…you know what to expect.

Italics denotes thoughts

****** denotes scene change

Spoils of War:  Chapter 22 (GASP!)

         Heero's braided master did not return until well after nightfall.  Entering the darkened room, he moved with silent grace to his bed.  A single candle burned lowly on the small table next to his bed.  In the flame's feeble light, Duo could see a set of bedclothes laid out on the comforter for him.  Moving with a tired languidness, Duo removed his clothing, letting the garments drop to the floor with quiet rustles.  Slipping the pants and shirt on, Duo sighed as the cool light material settled over his frame.  Lifting the covers he slid into the bed and blew out the candle.  Laying his head on his pillow, he fell into and exhausted slumber almost immediately.

         He hadn't even noticed the figure watching him from the shadows.  Heero emerged after watching the steady rise and fall of Duo's chest for a few minutes.  Approaching the bed his bare feet made no noise on the hard stone floor.  Watching the boy's face relaxed in sleep, Heero's eyes softened.  Before he realized what he was doing he had reached up, running his fingers over his lips, remembering the soft kiss Duo had given him. 

         Heero jumped slightly when Duo sighed and shifted.  The boy nuzzled the pillow beneath his head once more before laying still once again.  Heero watched the slumbering figure a few more moments before retreating to his own curtained room.  Laying down on the rich silk bedspread, Heero absently wondered about Duo's actions before falling asleep himself.

*****

         Wing fidgeted under Heero nervously drawing a soothing pat to the neck from the rider.  Looking up he scanned the yard, searching for Duo's familiar form.  It had been two weeks…a fortnight since the whipping, and the kiss and Duo had commanded that Heero was not to leave the room or bed.  Well, Duo hadn't actually commanded Heero, the braided boy had just left explicit instructions with the servant he had assigned to see to Heero's needs.  While Heero had been very well cared for, the confinement had been driving him mad.  What was worse was that he hadn't seen Duo at all since the incident.  The advisor was obviously avoiding him.  That knowledge hurt more than Heero was willing to admit…even to himself.  At least he'd been cleared for light activity by the palace healer.

         Sally had been a bit of a surprise but she had also proven to be a bit of a comfort and the two had rapidly established a friendship of sorts.  He'd sympathized with her situation though she seemed rather pragmatic about the whole affair.  She had also promised to inform Duo of her decision of Heero's health.

         So…here he was, waiting to see if Duo would join him for their usual ride.  Wing fidgeted again, biting at the bit and dancing restlessly.  Knowing the horse had been cooped up in the stables of the last two weeks after being retrieved from the clearing, Heero flipped the reins loose as he nudged Wing's flank, allowing the horse to trot sedately about the courtyard to work off some of his excess energy.

         At the sound of approaching hoof beats, Heero looked up, hope clearly blossoming in his eyes.  The sight of Quatre and Trowa riding toward him crushed the small spark, and Heero realized he would not be able to talk with Duo.  He stopped his horse and waited for them to catch up.

         "Heero, it's good to see you again." Quatre's smile was troubled.  "Are feeling well?"

         "I'm fine." Heero replied curtly.

         Quatre nodded and looked down at the reins in his hands. "Duo was busy so he asked us to see if you wanted to join us on our ride."

         Trowa only gave his former fighting partner a searching look.

         "Heero?…"

         The boy nodded once and Quatre smiled brightly.  "There's a beautiful field that I wanted to show Trowa.  I'm sure you'll like it too, it's very peaceful."

         He turned Sandrock to the forest and nudged the small Arabian forward.  The horse took off at a swift canter, the other two riders following close behind.

*  *  *  *  *

         Duo watched Heero move off after the other two, a frown touching his lips.  Turning from the window with a sorrow-filled sigh, he returned to the desk he'd had set up for himself in the council room.  After what had happened several days ago, Duo couldn't face Heero.  He'd always felt so cheap and used when his master had tried to take such affections.  And no doubt Heero was also feeling betrayed.  What was worse was that Duo knew that if the opportunity arose, he'd kiss Heero again, without hesitation.  Sighing, Duo realized he'd be spending another night in a guest chamber.

*  *  *  *  *

         Heero paced his and Duo's chamber worriedly.  He'd been determined to see Duo so that they could talk.  It was well passed the Witching hour1 and Duo still had not come to bed.

         "Sir?"

         Heero turned to the query and saw the servant that Duo had obviously assigned to him, watching him from the hidden door behind the tapestry.

         "Can you not sleep?"

         Heero sneered in disgust.  This young girl wanted nothing to do with him.  He could see it in her eyes.  She felt insulted to have to care for a slave, someone who was even lowlier than her.  The only reason she performed her tasks diligently was because she feared Duo's wrath.

         "I'm fine." Heero deadpanned.  "Go to bed."
         "Are you sure?"

         "Leave me." Heero stated coolly.

         She frowned at him, but nodded and closed the door with a loud slam.

         Sitting down on Duo's bed, Heero attempted patience, but the virtue proved to be elusive.  With a sigh he stretched out on the soft comforter.  The faint scent of chamomile and jasmine combined with Duo's unique musk tickled Heero's nose.  Lifting his head, he gazed up at the pillows that crowned the head of Duo's bed.  Reaching out a hesitant hand, Heero touched the closest pillow gently.  Curling his fingers into the downy softness, he tugged the cushion towards him.  He gently smoothed the ceases out of the fabric, fingering the material nostalgically.  His breath ghosted over the cover of the pillow as he inhaled Duo's scent.  The calming effect of that all too familiar odor was undeniable.  Laying his head down he relaxed on the bed.  Reaching up he traced his lips with practiced familiarity.  It was not use denying how much me longed for the gentle touch of Duo's lips again.  He'd never felt anything like it before.  Trowa had given him friendship, a formerly foreign concept, but Duo's tender kiss had whispered of something more.  Sighing Heero nuzzled the pillow with his cheek, wishing for the reality, not some poor shadow of remembrance.

1) Witching hour….midnight for those of you who didn't know.

AN:  Damn, straight…that is another chapter.  Good god an update.  But, just to let you guys know.  This year my New Year's Resolution is to FINISH…yes you heard me, FINISH this fic.  I can to it!