It took Catherine close to twenty minutes to find it, but when she did, you could tell by the light in her eyes that it was worth the work.

"Our mother gave it to us," she smiled, "it's the only thing I have of value really." In her arms she held a beautiful crystal vase, etched with whimsical patterns all around. "Trowa will be happy to see it out, he always told me I shouldn't keep it hidden away. Hand me those roses will ya?" Heero was standing by the sink, unwrapping his new purchase carefully from the plastic.

"All right, but be gentle," he handed them to Catherine who arranged them in the crystal vase.

"There, all they need is a bit of water and they'll be just fine."

"You sure?"

"Course I'm sure, don't I look like I know what I'm doing?" Heero just smiled at her. "Trowa's going to love this," she said admiring her handy work, "it'll really make him feel at home."

Heero went and laid down in the bedroom after that. Catherine said it was a good idea, especially if the jetlag was catching up. But of course that wasn't what was wrong.

Closing his eyes and taking in a heavy breath, Heero said the words he never dreamed that he'd ever be able to speak out loud.

"I was wrong," he whispered, "I was wrong, I'm sorry." Heero watched his vision fade into watery droplets, ashamed of what he had done. "I was wrong," he said louder, his voice began to quiver, his hands began to shake. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Closing his eyes he forced warm tears down his cheeks. He tasted them on his lips, and cringed. He was really crying, no holding back, no attempt to save face.

"I was wrong, I'm sorry!" In his mind he could see Duo, late at night before they'd turn in for bed, letting down his hair, locks of warm earthen brown falling over his shoulders, violet eyes lidded in sleepiness.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I love you so much." Duo's head hit the pillow, his hair falling lightly around his face, framing it so perfectly. Heero felt more tears break free as those images turned into memories. Memories of late nights the two would share, dazed and playful, touching and laughing quietly under the sheets. Falling asleep half naked wrapped up in each other and then sneaking off alone for a quite private breakfast.

Those happy times now made for bittersweet tears as Heero threw himself into the pillows in order to stifle his crying.

Duo was never going to want him back.

And he faded away, his smile and shining eyes melted into darkness.

Then Heero saw Quatre. He saw his friend, tired and worn, hunched over the washing machine at 2 am, bags sagging under his beautiful blue eyes.

Heero saw himself approach.

"I'm sorry."

He could see his mouth move, but no sound was made. He saw a powerful determination rip across Quatre's face, the boy was yelling furiously.

They were both yelling, the confrontation was escalating.

"I'm so, so sorry." Heero saw Quatre on the ground, he saw himself atop the smaller boy, he saw his fist crashing into his face. And then everything turned to black.

And everything was quiet and still, save for the sound of a television set.

Heero opened his eyes, startled by the noise. He was still in the bedroom, lying on that same old bed, but it was early morning and his body......his body was wrapped in....bandages?

Looking up Heero felt slightly blinded by the newborn sunlight, but by shading his eyes he was able to make out a figure standing by the window.

He was tall and lean, one of his long hands fell casually to the side, the other rested his the front pocket of his faded denim jeans. The room was warm yet despite this the mysterious figure wore a turtleneck sweater. Like the jeans, it was also quite tight showing off the tall boy's best features.

Heero tried to focus in on the face but all he could see was a deep forest green staring back at him. That, and a friendly smile. A friendly, welcoming smile.

"I was wrong. I'm sorry Trowa, I'm so sorry."

"What did you say?" Heero snapped out of trace and woke up face down in a pillow. "are you all right?"

"Yeah," Heero mumbled, slowly trying to sit himself up straight on the bed. It was now twilight, the first stars of the evening were beginning to outshine the fading sun.

"Had me worried for a second," Catherine whispered, brushing a few strands of stray hair from Heero's eyes.

"Sorry, did you need something."

"I just came to tell you they're here." Heero felt his heart leap into his throat, he felt it beat a thousand times per second. "Just come on out whenever you're ready." She placed her hand on his the quietly exited the room.

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"Is he still asleep?"

"I'm afraid so, it was an awful trip as you well know."

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to a good nights rest myself."

"And what about you, little brother?" Catherine kneeled down beside the wheelchair and gave Trowa yet another series of welcome-home kisses. "I know I embarrassed you enough when you got here," she laughed, "but you have no idea how happy I am to see you!"

"I'm sure he's quite happy to be home too, aren't you?"

Trowa smiled.

Quatre took delight in making up the sofa bed, knowing that he and Trowa would once again be sleeping safely side by side with another, the memories of what had happened far behind them, only pleasant dreams lay ahead.

Only one thing was bothering him and that was Heero's presence, or lack thereof. Catherine said he'd been asleep the entire time, but, well, that didn't seem right at all too him.

"Are you still hungry?" Catherine asked, coming from the bedroom.

"Oh no, that dinner was more than enough,"

"Well, there are leftovers in the fridge if you boys get hungry," Catherine chirped as she went around the trailer, turning out all the lights.

"Where are you going to sleep tonight?" Quatre asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, isn't Heero still asleep in your bed?" Catherine paused on the last lamp, golden light covering her face as the rest of the trailer sat in darkness. Her featured softened a bit and became somewhat sad. She left the final light and went to sit on the newly made sofa bed beside her brother.

"I can't say what he's going through right now, I don't think any of us could understand it really. But I do have a women's intuition, and I know that inside of him he's ashamed of what's he's done and afraid of what that means. He's a headstrong boy, you two know that, and I know you're angry about what he did, I can't say I'm too pleased either, but he's still your friend and your leader and a boy. Just a young boy, like you."

Quatre sighed as he took in those words. He didn't want to forgive Heero, he just couldn't conceive of ignoring everything that had happened and greeting Heero with open arms and a kiss on the cheek. But at the same time, Catherine was right. Heero was only human, he was only a young boy caught in a situation that many people couldn't understand. It wasn't fair of him to judge his leader, but then, Heero had been so heartless and cruel and violent, but maybe that was because he was scared....but then....how could he......

Quatre felt something warm sneak up onto his hand, and looking down he saw Trowa's long fingers inching over. Green eyes shimmered and Quatre smiled in return.

"You forgive him, don't you?" Trowa gave a slight nod and smile. "I suppose if you can....." the blonde boy didn't finish. He got from his spot on the bed and made his way towards the bedroom. Both Catherine and Trowa watched Quatre's face as his eyes caught Heero's. Inaudible words were exchanged, then, the door closed and the two were left alone.

Catherine laid down beside her brother, he head resting gently on his heaving chest, her dark locks falling into her face.

"You're a good friend for forgiving him." She whispered.

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Their eyes met and for a moment not a breath was taken in that tiny room. Heero tried to stand but he feet wouldn't allow it, Quatre tried to move but his body had frozen up.

"You missed dinner," he managed to utter. He didn't know why he said that, he just did.....

"Not hungry," Heero replied quietly. The two stared at each other in silence, then, Quatre slowly closed the door.

"Look," Heero got up, "let me just say I'm-"

"I'm sorry," Quatre blurted out.

"Excuse me?"

"I said I'm sorry," the blonde looked down at his feet as he made his way toward the bed, "I don't know what for, but I know I couldn't have possibly been perfect through this entire ordeal. At the very least I'm sorry for being so angry with you.....you didn't deserve it."

There was a moment there where the best Heero could do was stand still, mouth agape and eyes wide open. Disbelief was painted all over his face.

"But I did deserve it," Heero finally said. "I'm-"

"Don't say you're sorry." Quatre whispered, plopping himself down on the bed.

"I am though."

"I know, but" Quatre looked up, his crystal eyes brimming with tears.

"What is it you want?" Heero asked, taking a seat as well.

"I want things to be the way they were, I just wish none of this had happened and that Trowa was okay and you and Duo were okay and we weren't sitting here trying to apologize to each. I want everything back to normal.......but it can't be that way......" Heero watched as a stray tear made it's way down Quatre's cheek. Silently, he reached up and brushed it away.

"I'm tired of feeling so...." Quatre paused, "just negative. I can't hate you anymore, it hurts too much to hate you. It hurt me to hate that OZ soldier who did this, yet somehow in my mind I was able to let that hatred go. I didn't realize why that was until just now." Silence stepped in as Quatre tried to compose himself. "It wasn't his fault, it wasn't your fault, it is this system of life that has failed. Wufei said to me that people will always have to suffer for other's to live freely. Trowa wanted to give his life so that we could live another day. I gave up everything within my soul so that at least for a few moments Trowa may be at peace. You gave up your prideful stance so that I may again know the joy of being close to the one I love dearest. And Duo" Heero quickly looked up, his eyes locking onto blue, "Duo devoted himself to a person which he couldn't wholly guarantee loved him in return."

Quatre waited for a response, but it seemed there was to be none. "We can't blame ourselves for what life does, there will always be harshness in this world, we can't avoid that, and we cannot hate each other because of this. The only way we'll be able to survive the clockwork of life is if we admit our love and remember to love each other each and every day. Only then we can be saved from misery."

"I love you, Quatre," came a quiet voice.

"I love you too, Heero."