Chapter Four
It was when Duo started yelling at Wufei over the vidphone when Heero
noticed that something was up. Prior to noticing this vocal war he had
been busy tidying up a spot to put Leila to bed. Now he remembered that
Duo had said something about a situation that had occurred earlier that
afternoon.
"I'm so sorry. I forgot!" Shouted Duo into the vidcam. "Its just that
there's been a new addition to out family. YES Wufei. Don't look so
surprised. I said family. We may not be married but I do treat them as my
own kin."
"Maxwell. The problem here is serious. We need your help. You can't go
running off to another colony just because your boss said so."
"Well it's either that or my job and I NEED my job to survive."
Heero listened to the conversation in confusion. Just what was going on
here? Duo had never mentioned anything about moving or discussed the
topic. The most perplexing thing was that Wufei sounded like he was in
trouble and in desperate need of help. Heero walked up to the vidphone and
pushed Duo aside gently.
"Chang. What's wrong?" he said bluntly.
"Jolin is missing." The Chinese man sounded like he was on the verge of
tears, unusual behavior for a man who was usually so strong. "She was
kidnapped last night. Security has searched everywhere. No ransom notes,
no nothing."
"How's Relena coping?"
"She's in a state of distress and despair. The servants are trying their
best to calm her down but nothing is working. We need your help in the
search but Maxwell has decided that he would rather follow his boss's
orders."
"I'll have a word with him."
"Thank you Heero and please if you get any information about Jolin, let us
know immediately. You have the number for the secure line?"
Heero nodded.
"I'll call you as soon as I get any information." He said and hung up.
Not missing a beat Heero narrowed his eyes. "Duo, what exactly did Wufei
mean when he said that you were moving? You told me that you would discuss
any major changes between us before we decided to move in together."
"I...I was going to tell you this afternoon. But seeing you with a kid in
your arms kinda distracted me."
"And Jolin? Missing?! How could your job be more important than that?
Not wanting to look Heero in the eye Duo turned around and faced the
window. "I've known about the promotion for a long time. In fact I worked
so hard for it and now that I've finally got it...Heero this is important to
me."
"More important than a missing person? Good to know where your priorities
lie." Heero huffed.
Duo felt his heart shatter. That statement had hurt.
He has changed. How could he change so much without me noticing? Perhaps I
shouldn't tell him that he was part of my plans. Perhaps I should just
move...alone.
But somewhere in his mind Duo knew that he had to tell Heero about his
plans. He felt that it wasn't right and it urged him to tell. That Heero
deserved to know, even if it ended their once strong bond as friends.
"Heero." He began. "I had made plans. I had planned to tell you about this
and even thought about convincing you to join me. My boss has decided to
let me run the branch on L1, the main branch. My plans did not include the
kidnapping of Jolin. Just you and me."
Suddenly Heero felt guilty for misjudging his best friend. A few months
after the war ended, Duo had begun study at a nearby university. He had
excelled at his chosen course, business management, and had completed the
degree half expected time. Then Duo had worked hard during the year and a
half for his course and Heero was proud of his friend for graduating with
honors. Not long after graduating his best friend had found a job, working
at a well-known business firm as a CEO.
Driven by the need to help those still suffering the affects caused from
the war, Duo worked hard and donated half his monthly earnings to
well-respected orphanages and charities helping suffragettes rebuild their
lives. His hard work paid off and as the American made his way up the
ladder his earnings increased. But this didn't change the braided boy's
heart. Duo still continued to donate half his earnings.
The fact that Duo had included the Japanese in his plans was important to
Heero. It meant that he had been accepted in his heart as family. Heero
ran a hand through his wild, already ruffled hair.
"You had...included me?" he asked.
Duo nodded. "Yes. I was hoping that we could work together once more. But
this time not as war buddies. I would like for us to become business
partners."
Business partners. Not war buddies. But I know nothing about business
management.
As if he could read minds Duo spoke. "I know you're having doubts because
you're not used to handling people and managing them. But please consider
it. I've already signed the documents and will be leaving earth soon.
Please Heero. You know how important this is to me. Please come with me to
L1."
I'm not sure about this. I'm not sure if I want to leave earth and go back
to the colonies again...but this is important to Duo. And I don't think I
could leave him either.
Heero brought his hand up to his chin looking deep in thought.
Duo clasped his hands together. "Please Heero. I didn't mean for you to
make such a rash decision. I had planned to give you time to think about
it." He pleaded.
"Ok. I'll go."
"You will?"
"Yes."
"Thank you. Thank you so much." Duo was practically glowing with happiness.
"We can start anew and we can look after Leila together. I'll go book
another ticket and get the extra documents to start a partnership."
"When do we have to leave?" asked Heero. He wanted to get straight to the
point.
"In about a months time."
"I'll go make preparations for our flight."
