Ta-daaa…I've FINALLY taken it on myself to reply some of the reviews! (Just to let you know I DO appreciate them…Thanks a WHOLE lot!)
Ryoko-Onee: I'm SORRY about being so cliché…it is the result of writers block, a mood swing and too much coffee…I am TRYING my best to improve…*Sweatdrop*…I promise!
Serafina: Eek! I do not mean to make anyone feel sick to the stomach (or any other part of their body…) I try to limit my Relena bashing as much as possible (To avoid insulting Relena lovers tho heaven knows why they'd read this anyway) Don't worry, she will get what she deserves in due course!
Kcgal: Voodoo dolls…now THERE'S A POTENTIAL MARKET!!! Heehee! *muses* now maybe I can start a business…
Micro-chick: I kinda had the story planned out before (although writing it DOWN is A LOT harder than I thought) but it is a LITTLE similar to what you suggested, ne? Duo ran away (although Heero was a little out-of-condition to do any chasing) Thanks anyway! Glad you care!
Eternal-sleeper: I'm gonna make things a LOT nicer from now on…(or at least I'm hoping…heeheehee) So don't worry!
Cob: In the morning…*points down to the fic*…that happened! Did you like?
Sakura-Yuy: Yeah I know Duo was silly, but I think watching one's koi muttering the name of…HER would be too much for anyone to want to stay around…
Elle-FaTe2x1: Didn't need to wait long this time!
Keimei: Yay! Nice to know you're still following it! I left that last bit up to people's imagination (the 'rape' and all) and it's kind of like a foreshadow to what's gonna happen later (I won't say just now), glad you still like the story although I realize the humor's kinda gone out of it, I wasn't even intending to do humor you know? I'm more an angsty person…but glad you liked it!
Diane: Thanks for reviewing! You're so thoughtful and deep! And I am determined to get Duo on your good side again soon! (Unless he kills her eh…hmm…now there's an idea…"
Rez: I'm just happy you enjoyed it! Makes efforts worthwhile!
Relwarc: So did you like the little ranting session? (Maybe I should've made it longer but then I thought Duo has suffered enough without Wufei bruising him more…)
TerraHarpel: Nononono…I don't mean disturb in THAT kind of way! Don't worry, no one shall die in my fic (for once) and I am SO against Heero with Relena that you don't need to worry about that either! Be happy!
LB: Whew! Good to know my standards haven't fallen…yet (gulp) Anyway, I've become more efficient ne? (Although my eyes are going crazy…and I need time AWAY from this computer…I need a life...). And if my chapters still keep getting longer…well…let's just say EEK!!
Now…lets proceed shall we? ^-^
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
This feels like a bad dream…
Alone in the darkness Duo lay, his trembling hands clutching desperately at his bed sheets. His pulse was racing and he felt as if there was a giant weight on his chest restricting his breathing. An anguished cry was building in his throat and threatened to escape, as an effort to keep it in, he bit down on his lips until his mouth filled with the nauseating taste of blood.
I should've listened! I shouldn't have given a damn to what may happen after Heero got his memory back! I shouldn't have taken the risk! Heero! How could you be so fickle? You of all people! I trusted you! You betrayed me! How can you be taken by her so soon? Does what we've gone through together mean nothing to you?
There was no moon that night, everything was pitch black.
The darkest hour before the dawn…?
The thought came so inappropriately it made Duo want to laugh, this wasn't the darkest hour, this was just the beginning…now he's gonna have to learn to be alone again, to be the bystander as Heero journeyed his own path of love without him.
I can't accept this…not when things are happening so quickly…
His eyes opened with daunting thought.
How am I going to face him in the morning?
It was hard enough pretending nothing was wrong when Heero was merely going out with her, but now that he…belongs…to her…
Heaven help me…that's too much to ask of anyone!!!
Duo sat up, switching on his light. He glanced at his bed side clock.
One-thirty seven…
It's only been an hour since I came in here? It felt like a century!
No matter…as soon as daybreaks, I'll get out of here…not permanently…just until… I can come to terms with this…I just can't face him yet…
He laid back down, and waited for the first sign of morning.
* * *
Where the hell am I…?
Heero blinked repeatedly in the effort to focus his blurry vision, trying to figure out his surroundings. His head was throbbing with pain and his limbs felt stiff and sore.
What in the world happened? What did I do…?
He couldn't recall anything that had happened, and he couldn't concentrate, his head was threatening to explode.
"Ugh…" He moaned, struggling to lift a hand to his forehead I feel so sick…
"Heero?" A gentle voice sounded, and Heero felt a hand against his cheek "How're you feeling?
Duo…?
Heero searched for the source of the sound, and found it right above him. But it wasn't Duo at all; Quatre was the one leaning over him with that worried expression on his face.
"Better now?"
"What…happened…?" Heero managed to croak.
"You don't remember?" Quatre looked at him sympathetically "You had too much to drink last night, you should really watch that alcohol, your tolerance for that stuff is terrible!"
Oh yeah…
Vaguely Heero recalled that dark red drink with the intoxicating flavor, how much of that did he have? He couldn't even keep count; all he knew was that someone was there ready to fill up his glass whenever it became empty.
What did I do after that…?
His headache was getting worse, he just couldn't bring to mind anything else.
"Where…is everyone else?" He asked, mentally noting he was in his own room.
"Trowa and Wufei are outside, and I think Duo's still in bed…"
"Think again" A voice interrupted Quatre from the door, the two boys looked up to see Trowa standing in the doorframe.
"Trowa?" Quatre's look of worry deepened "What do you mean?"
"Take a look at this" The green-eyed pilot held out a piece of paper at Quatre "We just found it stuck on the kitchen bench top.
Quatre skimmed over the note, his eyes widening "Oh my…" He murmured, glancing up "You think this is because…?"
Trowa nodded.
Quatre sighed, exasperated "He's so foolish! How is this meant to achieve anything?! What could Duo be thinking!?"
Duo…?!
Heero couldn't stand it any longer "What is it guys?!"
"Umm…" Quatre was hesitant but Trowa gestured that he may as well show Heero the note.
"It doesn't make a difference anyway…"
Heero grabbed the piece of paper impatiently, eager to find out its contents.
Hey guys! Duo here!
I would've already made my way outta there by the time you've found this (slowpokes!) I just feel like I need some alone time you know? I can still be reached via the laptop if a mission comes in, so don't worry 'bout that! I'll be back soon!
~~~Duo Maxwell
He's gone…?
Heero's hand shook as he tightened his grip on the slip of paper.
Is that why I'm in here and not his room? Did I even see him last night? Does he even realize how sick I'm feeling? How could he abandon me at a time like this? Why would he do something like that…?
He reread the note several times, trying to find some subtle hint as to why Duo would leave all of a sudden, but that only resulted in the pain in his head intensifying even further. Finally, he scrunched up the piece of paper and threw it on the floor before collapsing back onto his bed.
"Heero!" He could hear Quatre's cry, but it sounded so far away "Heero are you alright?!"
How can I possibly be alright? He thought in a daze, but managed to reply "Yeah, sure…I just need more sleep right now…" He shut his eyes as if to prove it.
"Well…okay then…just call us if you need anything, we'll be here…"
Quatre's voice grew softer and further, until Heero could no longer hear it, he wasn't sure if or when they left his room, but he didn't care, he was hurting too much.
Help me…
* * *
Wufei slapped a dishcloth against the stove angrily, ignoring the fact that he probably looked like a complete idiot. That's what I am anyway! That's the last time I wait 'until the morning' to handle any situation, how the heck was I to predict he'd run away before I could give him a good beating?!
Quatre and Trowa made their way into the kitchen, and Wufei threw down the dishcloth to make an announcement.
"Okay you two, I'm not sure how you're taking the current state of things but I've had more than enough, I'm going to put an end to this right now!"
"What?" Quatre blinked, confused "You're going to what?"
"The whole Heero-Relena affair! I'm gonna put an end to it right now!"
"Arrr…" Quatre exchanged a look with his partner "How do you plan to do that?" He inquired cautiously.
"I'm going to get Heero his memory back, I don't care whether the time is right or not!"
"Wufei!" Quatre exclaimed "If it was that easy we would've done it ages ago! How in the world can we just restore Heero's memory like that? It's not that simple!"
"You haven't thought of it" Wufei brushed past the blond pilot as he headed towards Heero's room "I'm setting the ZERO on him"
As soon as he said this, he was stopped in his tracks by a huge GASP from behind and immediately following this he felt a tug on his shirt.
"You're crazy!" Quatre cried desperately "You can't do that! Do you know how much risk that would be? You can't leave Heero with that system in his state! It's too dangerous!"
"So you think leaving him with Relena Peacecraft is safer or something?" Wufei retorted, shaking off Quatre's hold "I can't get across to Duo and Heero's going to become a whimpering, submitting, useless being if he stays around her any longer!"
"You may be right Wufei" Trowa approached them "But I don't think ZERO is healthy for someone suffering from a hangover"
"Oh terrific!" Wufei slapped his forehead with his palm "I forgot about that one! Does this mean I'm gonna have to wait? Dammit! I just hope that woman wouldn't make any further moves while this is happening…"
Before anyone could give a reply, a beeping sound was heard from Duo's room, they identified it at once as being the incoming signal on Heero's laptop, which had found its way there a long time ago. They rushed into the room and crowded in front of the screen.
"Instructions for the next Mission" Trowa murmured as he read the message on the screen "They need two Gundam pilots down there…01 and 02?"
"Oh gee, great timing!" Wufei yelled at the screen "What do we say? '01 has a hangover and 02 has run away from home'?!"
"We can still contact 02…" Trowa reminded him "As for 01, well, one of us could fill in for him, just say that the pilot is in an 'unsuitable' condition and…we'll send someone else…"
"I'll go" Wufei volunteered immediately "I still have something to settle with 02"
"Right" Trowa nodded, tapping away at the keyboard "Just let me send that info and locate Duo…why don't you go and get ready to leave?"
"Oh yes, remind me to bring the sheath for my sword, I may lose control and hit a certain someone with it and I don't want to cause permanent damage…"
* * *
There was a lot of commotion going on outside, Heero could tell by all the rustling around, but he couldn't pick up enough snatches of dialogue to figure out what exactly was happening.
I may as well get up now…He thought…it won't do me any good just lying around here all day, maybe Duo's back or something…
He stumbled out of bed, feeling misplaced after having woken up in Duo's bed for so long. His curtains were drawn and his room was dark, but he didn't really care. After searching around for a while he realized most of his clothes were still in Duo's room.
He slowly made his way to the door and pulled it open, vaguely aware of the activity going on down the hall in the living room, he lacked the energy to pay attention to what the other three boys were talking about. Throwing all his weight on Duo's door he pushed it open.
The room was uncharacteristically tidy; the bed that's only made once in a blue moon had its sheets spread neatly with corners tucked in and pillows arranged. The shirts and other items of clothing usually strewn about the floor were gone, and even the clutter on the desk had been straightened.
I guess…he wasn't intending on coming back for a while…a sense of loneliness gripped Heero's heart…Why…
Something shiny at the foot of the bedside table caught his eye, bending down, he realized it was the silver cross he had given Duo a while back, still on its chain.
He left it behind…Heero bit his lip as he picked it up…He didn't even want something to remember me by…I guess it's true then…he really doesn't give a damn…He wasn't even sure if he was feeling anger or frustration or abandonment or misery. His initial purpose in entering that room was forgotten completely, and he fled back to the darkness of his own room, holding the pendant in a white-knuckled grip, his eyes becoming wet.
What did I do…?
* * *
"You think they'll get this sorted out?" Asked Quatre after Wufei had left. He and Trowa had retreated into Trowa's room and the two of them were currently snuggled up very cozily on Trowa's bed.
"You know as well as I do" Trowa replied "We can only hope that Wufei'd be able to hit some sense into Duo…cos I seriously can't see anyway of getting through to them"
Quatre leant back against Trowa's shoulder, and Trowa wrapped an arm around him, simultaneously, they sighed.
"I feel…wrong for this sometimes you know…" Quatre admitted suddenly.
"Wrong?" Trowa frowned "What's wrong about it?"
"Well…with the two of them so confused and messed up with their emotions, I feel so sorry for them yet I can't do anything about it, it's just impossible to influence them! And here we are…it's just…I feel like we have so much for granted…"
Trowa tipped Quatre's chin, forcing him to face the glare of his one visible eye "Don't think for a moment that I take you or what we have here for granted, I never see it that way. Even if I don't show it I am grateful to have what we share…Quatre, they will find their way, we've just found ours a lot earlier…"
"I'm just thankful we never had to go through what they have…at least not as severely. I don't know what I'd do if I ever had to face losing you…"
Trowa held him closer, and was about to reply when a knock sounded on their front door. They drew away from one another.
"Did they forget something?" Quatre wondered, hoping off the bed "Can't possibly be back so soon"
"Hmm…" Trowa followed him to the door, he had a pretty good idea who was on the other side of that door, and he was sure it wasn't Wufei or Duo…
"Miss Relena!" Quatre exclaimed as the door was opened "What…an unexpected… surprise!" Considering Heero's state last night I'd think she'd be a bit knocked out as well…obviously I was mistaken…
"Hello Quatre, Trowa" She smiled and greeted the two of them as she stepped inside "Where is Heero?"
"He…I…umm…" Quatre stuttered, nodding in the general direction of Heero's bedroom "Maybe…he could be…arh…I think he's still in bed…?"
"Oh I see, can I go in to see him?" She started off.
"I don't think that's a good idea Miss Relena" Trowa stepped out in front of her, blocking her path "He's very tired and is in an unfit condition to see you"
"That's alright" She side stepped him "I understand he'd be a little tired after last night, but I'd still like to see him if he's not asleep"
Immediately she found herself staring at Trowa's chest again "I think he is, Miss Relena" He insisted.
"I don't mind!" She tried to push past him again "I just want to check up on him!"
"He's fine" Trowa's response was quiet but firm, still refusing her entrance.
She looked up at him with an icy glare "Please let me through"
Trowa stared back down at her, just as intensely "I seriously do not think that will be wise"
"Is that so?" She sneered at him. Suddenly both her hands came against his shoulders and she shoved, hard. Caught off guard, Trowa fell against the wall.
"I won't disturb him" She said calmly as she reached for the knob "Please leave us alone for a while"
Quatre watched in dismay as she entered "Trowa you alright?"
"Yeah…I'm surprised at her strength!" Trowa proceeded to dust himself off "Good thing Wufei didn't see that one, he'd have a field day at my expense!"
"So what do we do now?"
"…"
I don't know Quatre, I really don't. I can see a storm coming on but I don't know what either of us can do to prevent it…she's the queen of the world, and unless Heero tells her himself she's not going to relent…
I'm just hoping Duo gets back soon…
* * *
Heero sat cross legged on his bed, leaning back against the wall. The pain in his head had subsided, but now he was aching somewhere else. He fingered the cross in his hand, trying to seek comfort from the cool metal.
Thank you…I'll treasure it…
That's what Duo had promised when he first gave it to him. So this is your idea of treasuring something? I wouldn't want to know what you'd do to something you discard…
There was a soft creaking sound, Heero gasped as he suddenly found a figure standing in the doorway. Even though it was in shadow he knew who it was by her greeting.
"Oh Heero!"
Quickly he shoved the necklace under his pillow, feeling somewhat uneasy as he was still in his nightclothes (How he got into them last night is still a mystery to him), he sat up shakily to meet her.
"Relena…" He said as she sat down on a chair facing him "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you of course!" She replied, smiling "Oh Heero, you look so terrible!"
You're not the first to notice. He thought bitterly "I'm just tired"
"You haven't had to go out to fight lately have you?"
"No…" How long has it being since his last trip with Duo out to the battlefield? A lifetime it seemed "It's not that…"
"Oh poor Heero" She cooed, getting up and taking a spot beside him on the bed "You must be under so much stress…"
You have no idea…
"I wish there was something I could do to make you feel better…" Her hand closed on top of his "Tell me Heero, won't you like to forget all your troubles for a while?"
"If only that was so simple…"
"But it can be!" She exclaimed softly "I can take you away from this place!"
He looked up with slight alarm "Away from here?!"
She nodded enthusiastically "Wouldn't you like that Heero? You can come and stay with me for a while! Come on! You've been looking more miserable every time I see you! A change is what you need!"
"I don't think so Relena" Heero shook his head "I'd really rather stay here and wait for D…umm…for things to get better…"
"You have to take control of things to make them better Heero!" Relena tugged at his arm "Come on!"
Take control of things…The words echoed in his head I have to take control…
She's right!
I have to take action to make things better for me! Can't keep sitting around here waiting!
"Relena!" He shook free of her, and stood up "I don't want to go okay? Save it!"
"Oh Heero…" Her face filled with disappointment, but he didn't really want to see it, he left the room and found Quatre and Trowa still standing at the end of the hallway.
"Do you know where Duo went off to?" He asked in a rush "Any way you can contact him?"
"Umm…actually we already have" Quatre told him "A mission came in a while ago and Duo's on it with Wufei"
"Dammit!" Heero stamped his foot in frustration "Bad timing! Ugh! When would they be back then?" He wanted to know.
"It's…kinda hard to tell…" Quatre mumbled, feeling oddly guilty "What is it you wanted with him?"
"Never mind, I'll wait…" Heero turned to return to his room. I've already waited this long…a little while more isn't going to kill me…
Relena was in exactly the same spot as he'd left her, as he flipped listlessly back onto his bed she asked "What happened?"
"Nothing…" He shrugged the best he could, lying down "Duo's off on a mission with Wufei…"
"Oh…" She nodded and smiled as if she knew something "Those two are off together eh? Kind of expecting that…"
"What are you on about?" Heero asked, irritated "This is a mission, Relena, it's serious, it's not like they have a choice"
"Mmmhmm…" She went on smiling "Yeah but don't you think it's interesting how much time they spend together?"
"Huh?" Heero got up on one elbow to see what she was getting at "How do you know that they're…"
"A woman's instincts" She said "I find that a lot of the times when I'm over here those two are with each other more than anyone else…"
"But…"
"I guess it's only natural in a way, I mean that Trowa and that Quatre guy obviously have something going on, so I guess Duo would want to find someone too, don't you think so Heero?"
"I…" Heero was at a lost for words. What Relena had just said was starting to make his head hurt again, yet it seemed to make so much sense somehow…
Is that why…he's been so indifferent to my absence lately? I'm the only one who has been feeling lonely…?
An image came to mind, a morning many months ago, Duo sprawled on top of Wufei in the hallway…I admire him…Duo had said…He's a good friend…
"Do you…really think it's true?" He murmured, almost to himself.
"Yeah, it's sweet isn't it?" She grinned broadly.
Jealousy was a strange thing, it acts like fire, a very small inflammation can lead to a disastrous, uncontrollable blaze. Heero's hands gripped at his pillow, trying to reason himself out of these assumptions, but good sense could hardly prevail when there was someone there to fan the flames.
"Since all of them seem to have found themselves someplace what do you say you come back with me Heero?" Relena tried again.
"This is a war not a tea party Relena! They're not off to play they're off to fight!"
"I know I know" She said in a way that sounded like bribe "But you're not fighting, and neither am I, come with me Heero, I promise you'll feel so much better there!"
"I'd rather stay here, really!"
"Why?!" She demanded "What's in for you here? Why would you rather stay here? It's not like they can't contact you if you're needed on a mission…"
"It's not that…" He said faintly. It's not like they'll send me on a mission anyway if they could help it, not like this…
"Then what is it?!" She shook his arm "What are you waiting for?!"
Heero blinked at her question. That's right…what am I waiting for? I'm waiting for someone who will never come back to me…is that what it is?
His hand slipped under the pillow and came in contact with the neglected cross he had placed there earlier.
Duo…he no longer wants me…?
There's nothing left in him for me…
"Whatever you want Relena…" He heard himself say in a voice that was not his own "Do whatever you want"
"Oh Heero!" Her voice grew to a squeal "You won't regret this! I promise you!"
What is there to regret? What other choice do I have anyway…?
He followed her halfheartedly towards the door.
"Heero?" Trowa suddenly materialized before him "Where are you guys going?"
Heero pointed at Relena without putting up any effort to explain what was going on, she placed both hands on his shoulders and said "I'm taking Heero to live with me for a while, I think a change of environment would be good for him"
"What?!" Quatre yelped, joining the rest of them "Heero you can't go now!"
"Hn" Heero leant against the door without saying anything further.
"You can't stop him from doing what he wants!" Relena blocked Heero from his two friends "I can tell that he's miserable here! I want to make him feel better!"
At that, Trowa broke into a bitter laugh. Miserable? YOU want to make him feel better? Of all the ironies of this world…!
Relena's eyes shot daggers at him "I'm taking Heero away from here, he needs it!"
"But Heero!" Quatre exclaimed "Don't you want to wait until Duo and Wufei comes back?!"
Duo and Wufei…
Heero turned his face to the side, avoiding eye contact with the Arab boy, he didn't want to think about what may happen after they came back.
"That's enough!" The girl placed her arms around Heero protectively and pulled the door open "Stop making him more depressed than he already is!"
Four of her servants were ready and waiting at the door, and before Trowa or Quatre could issue another word of protest, Heero had been escorted down the garden path into the pink limousine.
"This is bad, this is really really really really bad!!" Quatre panicked, circling the living room "Duo's gonna kill us! Wufei's gonna kill us! What are we gonna go? TROWA!!!"
The said boy sighed, watching the little blond go into a frenzy. If they don't get things sorted out soon, we're all going to go ZERO mad.
* * *
"Whew!" Duo wiped the sweat off his brow as he stepped out of Deathscythe's cockpit "That was refreshing!" He yelled at Wufei who was standing at the foot of his Gundam, his sword lying at his feet.
"You think?" Wufei smirked. If you thought that battle was good wait 'til you experience what I have in store for you. "Get down here, I wanna talk to you"
"OH…well okay…" A bit surprised by the request, Duo lowered himself to ground level "What is it?"
Wufei smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder "I'll apologize for this later" He said quietly.
"Huh? Wha…" Before Duo could respond, Wufei swung his fist into his lower jaw, sending the unexpecting soldier flying backwards, crashing against his Gundam.
"Have you gone crazy?!" Duo screamed after having caught his breath, "If you wanna practice your karate or whatever don't do it on me!"
"That wasn't a karate move, and anyway I don't do karate" Wufei looked down his nose at him "Get your facts straight"
"Whatever!" Duo stood up and glared at Wufei "What the heck was that for anyway?"
"That one was for Heero" Wufei replied "And this one's for me" Again he swung his fist, this time into Duo's cheek.
Being more prepared this time, Duo managed dodge the punch and grabbed Wufei's arm. "What the hell are you on about? Did you get hit in the brain in that battle?!"
"No but I wish you had!" Wufei spat "You deserve to get bashed up much more than that for the way you've been acting as of late!"
"I...act…bashed up…?" Duo sputtered "What's gotten into you? I'm not registering a single word you're saying!"
"How DARE you leave Heero with that woman?!" Wufei finally got to the point "How dare you subject him to HER influences?!"
"I…leave…woman…dare…WHAT?!?!" Duo scratched his head, semi-understanding but not getting the whole picture "Who…when…umm…"
"You allowed Heero to repeatedly go out with that…that…THING!" Wufei ranted "I told you to stop him! Why didn't you listen to me Maxwell?! Has the reading on your baka-o-meter reached another record high?!"
"We've been through this before Wufei!" Duo retorted, annoyed that the subject had to come up again "I told you I can't stop him from doing what he wants to! I don't have that right!"
"You damn well do!" Wufei yelled "What you don't have a right to do is to make him so miserable!"
"Miserable?" Duo echoed "He…seemed fine…" Well, not really…He corrected himself upon recollection of the last time he had seen Heero But it's not like it's me he wants to comfort him now…
"Fine?!" Wufei had to count to ten to restrain himself from launching another blow at Duo "You saw him last night! You call that fine?! He was practically knocked out and crying to you for help! And you just LEFT him there…"
"Whoa Whoa Whoa! Backup here!" Duo help up both his hands to stop Wufei from going on "He was crying out for who?! Weren't you even listening?"
"My question is were you?!"
"No duh!" Duo cringed as the scene came back to him "He was calling…Relena…"
Wufei's eyes grew to the size of small saucers "Is that what you thought? Is that why you ran away?"
"I wasn't running away!" Duo pouted for a second "So what are you saying? That wasn't what he was muttering about?"
"Heck no!" Wufei picked up his sword, and started juggling it from one had to the other, as if he was testing its weight "Far FAR from it!"
Duo frowned "What…did you hear him say?" He asked in a small voice.
"To the best of my memory" Wufei replied "It was 'It's just not right Relena, I can't do this…' and…" He raised the pitch "'Duo! Why don't you care? Why do you keep pushing me away?'" He stopped and shuddered "Ugh! Did I just say that?!"
"You…you're serious…?" Duo stared at him, his mouth hanging open in shock "You're…not just screwing with me are you?"
"Since when did I screw with anyone?!" Wufei glowered at him "If you didn't jump to conclusions so quickly and stayed around you'd realize…he needs you, you baka!"
"I…what…what should I do then?"
"You're willing to listen to me this time?" asked Wufei, and Duo nodded robotically.
"When we go back, tell him how you feel about his outings with Relena, how you REALLY feel that is, and ask him to stop it! He wants you to stop him!"
"I...but…" Even though he was terribly tempted, for some reason he had to put forward the protest, ridiculous as it may sound "Wouldn't that be like stealing him from her?"
This time Wufei didn't even bother trying to contain himself, with both hands on his sword he swung it against Duo's side, (grateful that it was still sheathed) before letting lose another outburst.
"I always knew you were an idiot Maxwell, but this has got to be the worst take I've ever heard! Steal him? STEAL him?!? Even if he did love her, she was the thief first! That gives you the right to try to get him back! And in this case he doesn't even like her! It's practically your duty to get him back!! Stealing! What the hell are you thinking? You brainless fool!"
"Come on Wufei go easy on me…" Duo pleaded, standing up shakily rubbing his aching body, but there was a twinkle in his eye and he was starting to smile "Then…I guess I have a new mission to fulfill eh?"
"Yeah, call it "Operation Heero-rescue"" Wufei suggested "As soon as we're done here…you know what you need to do, right?"
Duo grinned as a sense of excitement and anticipation filled his heart.
"Ninmu riyoukai!"
Wait for me Heero! I'm coming!
* * *
No…please…not again!
Heero closed his eyes in fear. Once again he found himself in that dark empty field, all alone and lost. Soon he knew he'd start running, running into the fire that will try and engulf him…
This is a dream…I know this is just a dream…snap out of it! Come on! He willed himself.
No! He screamed as his feet started to carry him, the wind whooshing in his ears. Stop! Please stop this! I need to get out of here! Help me!
Duo!!!!!
He screamed, or at least it felt like he did, no sound was coming out of his throat yet his ears filled with a sharply-pitched noise. He couldn't tell what it was, but all of a sudden he discovered he was awake, out of that nightmare and held by a pair of arms.
Duo…
He sighed with relief, it was alright now, that dream was over…
"Oh my poor Heero…"
Huh…?
He craned his neck to look at the face of the speaker, the person holding him.
Relena…
It wasn't Duo at all…
Melancholy and loneliness took over him, and he felt as if he might have a break down right there and then.
"It's alright Heero, I'm here…" She soothed.
I'm right here…Duo's voice ran through his memory. No, it's not alright! You're not here Duo! You're not here!
He felt Relena place him back onto his pillow, giving him a soft kiss on the forehead and whispering "I'll stay with you always Heero, nothing will hurt you…it'll be okay…"
Duo…you promised to stay with me too, why aren't you the one with me now? Was it that easy to forget me?
He closed his eyes to shut the tears from flowing, swallowing hard so as to not give his emotions away to the girl watching over him. But inside, his heart had finally started to break…And the pain was worse than any of those he'd experienced in his nightmare…
When are you coming back Duo? Can't you sense how much I miss you? Come back to me…please! I need you so…
I love you so…
Duo…where are you…?
A/N: Yeah! Another chappie done! (My block may be clearing! You decide!) I have to stop making these longer, they're taking longer and longer to get out! EEK!
Well…things are starting to look brighter eh?
FACT OF THE DAY!!…did you know that ZERO system is actually an acronym for Zoning and Emotional Range Omitted system? I didn't! I'm HAPPY to find out! ^-^ So I share with all of you out there!