CHAPTER 6

"...Odin Lowe..." Duo stood, his back against the door. "Hey, that's Heero's dad, isn't it? And this girl... hmm." Duo rushed down the hallway to the contact links. "Heero? Hey, Heero, buddy, ya there?"

A few cracks emitted from the radio before the other pilot's voice rang through the communicator.

"What is it, Duo?" Duo smirked.

"Nice to hear you're in such a pleasant mood. Hey, Heero, isn't your dad's name Odin Lowe?"

"As far as I know, yes. Duo, what's your point? Is that all you called me for?"

"Geez, Heero, calm down. It was just a question." Duo shut off the communicator, cutting off any smart comment from Heero.

Duo turned at the sound of a squeaking board and saw Kody standing there with the tray in her hands.

"What was that about?" She questioned and looked at him.

"Oh just the guys checking in. Nothing to worry about. Let me help you with that." He walked over and took the tray. She sighed and sat down at the bar top and looked at Heero's laptop.

"Duo?"

"Yeah?" She smirked.

"Why is there a picture of Pokémon on Heero's background?" Duo chuckled and turned around to face her.

"Just a welcome home present for Hee-chan when he gets back." Kody rolled her eyes and looked about the kitchen, oblivious to the fact that Duo was studying her features and every now and then glancing to a picture of Heero. "Hmm..."

"What, Duo?" Kody turned to face him.

"Nothing." She stood up and headed up stairs to get dressed. She put on a shirt that she had "found" lying around in Duo's dresser and came back downstairs.

"Nice shirt." Duo commented with a smile as she finally finished the stairs.

"I know! I just found it lying around, you know." She flashed him a little of a smile. Duo looked as if he were about to say something, but he stopped

"What is it, Duo?"

"Nothing!" Duo said innocently.

"Come on, Duo!"

"Uh! My lips are sealed!"

"I thought that was impossible for you." She smirked.

"Hey! That was a low blow..." Duo frowned and stuck his tongue out at her.

"You are such a baby!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!" Duo folded his arms and pouted. She smirked and walked over to him. "Want to play a video game?"

"Sure!" Duo perked up and they headed into the living room where Duo sat down on the couch and Kody sat down as well and grabbed the game controller.

"What game?"

"Batman!" Duo cried and Kody smirked.

"Okay." She put it in and waited as Duo ran through the game for his turn. They had decided that you had until you died then the other person played...Duo didn't get far.

She picked up the controller and started to play. Duo watched the look of pure concentration and quick reflexes as well as her cool composer, even when most would have freaked thinking their game was over. Duo smirked and sighed leaning back to watch. *I've fallen for the Perfect Soldier's sister.* He watched her face still smiling. *The Perfect Soldierette, * he thought to himself with a chuckle.

"Hey, what do you think you're looking at?" She grinned at him, watching the dreamy look on his face.

"Um..."

"It's your turn, silly."

"Oh yeah!" Duo picked up the controller and tried to concentrate, finding his mind drifting over to her instead.

"Duo, are you going to pay attention?" Kody giggled at his sad attempt at the video game. "Usually you're a lot better than this."

"I'm just off today, I guess." Duo smirked.

"Okay, Duo, what's up? Are you letting me win?" She grinned as if it was some kind of challenge. "Why aren't you paying attention to the game, Duo?"

"Um...My stomach is getting in the way."

"Oi." She rolled her eyes and stood up cutting off the game and took his hand leading him to the door.

"Where are we going?"

"To get ice cream."

"Yeah!" Duo took off running for the jeep and hopped into the passenger's seat. Kody got into it and headed into town.

She listened to Duo's meaningless chatter with a smile. "...and Wuffle bear got mad at be because I-"

"Who's Wuffle-bear?"

"Oh. You don't know that name. Wufei."

"I've heard Wuffie, and Wu-man but how did you come up with Wuffle bear?"

"Because one time I saw him sleeping with a teddy bear. And because I dropped my waffles on him one morning. Hence...Wuffle Bear." Duo chuckled and Kody smiled.

"Oh I get it. We're here." They both got out and walked into the ice cream shop. They ordered and sat down at a table to talk. "Hey Duo?"

"Yeah?"

"If you ever get married where would you want to have your wedding?"

"You'll laugh."

"No I won't."

"Okay...I want to get married in a graveyard...because most of the people I care about are dead...and I figure that could be a way for them to see my wedding." He smiled and to his relief Kody didn't laugh. "What about your wedding, Kody?"

"I want to get married on the beach in a formal wedding dress and all, but after the priest pronounces us husband and wife and we kiss, I am gonna say 'Are we done?' and once he says 'yes', I'm gonna rip off my dress, cause it's Velcro, and be in a bathing suit and run for the water."

Duo started laughing and she laughed with him.

"But what would the groom do? He wouldn't just stand there and watch you swim!"

"Well, obviously, if I was getting married to him, he'd be ready for all situations!"

"So I should be wearing swimming trunks at all time, huh?" Duo winked at her.

"Yeah, right," Kody laughed.

"Do you think you look like your parents?" Duo asked.

"Well, if my parents were purple space monsters, then no."

"Seriously!" Duo managed to laugh out.

"Maybe, if I knew them I'd be able to tell you the answer. I like to believe I look just like them!"

"Well you do kind of look like your bro-" Duo froze. How could he be so dumb as to let that slip?

"My brother? What?"

"Um... did I say brother? I meant toothpaste."

"Toothpaste? I look like toothpaste?" Kody laughed at him for a while.

Kody calmed from her laughing fit and ate some more of her ice cream, since it was melting after all of the talking. She watched Duo for a while, as he ate his ice cream. Duo looked at her and laughed.

"What?" She asked confused.

"Come here." She moved over a little and looked at Duo. He licked her nose.

"Duo!"

"What? We can't let good ice cream go to waste and you had some on your nose." Kody smirked and ate some more ice cream. Duo ate his and got down to the cone. "Do you want to go for a walk Kody?"

"All right." She got up and followed him to the door. They headed down the street towards the park.

Duo took her hand and smiled when she didn't pull it away. He led her through the trees and bushes enjoying the fresh air and just being with her.

"Kody...?"

"Yes, Duo?"

Duo stopped under a Japanese Red Maple and faced her.

"Would...would it be all right...if..."

"If what, Duo?"

"Nothing. Never mind."

"Are you sure?" Duo nodded.

"All right."

They walked hand in hand for a while, making a circle back to the car.

"Thank you, Duo."

"For what?" Duo smirked and wrapped an arm around her. "I was just being myself."

"For being you, then, I guess."

"No prob. At least you appreciate me, unlike Wuffie or Hee-chan who complain about me being such a baka and..." She grinned as he continued spilling on about his antics with the other pilots.

She listened to him as he spilled out his whole life story as they made their way back to the base, figuring they would pick the jeep up tomorrow. Duo looked to Kody.

"Kody?"

"Yes?"

"Do you know your parents?"

"I know my father was killed and I think my brother is dead too...at least that was what I was told..."

"Who is your father and brother?"

"Odin Lowe. And Odin Lowe Jr." Duo stopped and then smiled. "What is that smile for?"

"You'll see. Come on!" Duo took off for the base and she followed behind him.

Duo burst into the control room and picked up the radio receiver.

"Heero! Come on Heero! Pick up!" A few moments later the voice of a familiar friend came across the line.

"What, Duo?"

"Tell me your father's name again."

"Hn."

"Come on Heero, Please!" Duo looked at Kody and pointed to the radio.

"Odin Lowe. Why?"

"Cause old buddy. I found your sister."

"Duo, that's ridiculous, I don't have a sister." Heero didn't even seem shocked or moved by it, his voice the still void of emotion.

"But you do, Hee-chan!"

"Look, Duo, drop it. And don't ever call me Hee-chan again." The communication clicked off, leaving Duo sitting there, hitting the buttons angrily.

"But seriously, Kody, you believe it, don't you? He said the same thing you said, Odin Lowe!"

"I... Heero? My brother? But he was supposed to be-"

"Dead, yeah, but apparently his condition just got a lot better! I say, when Heero comes back, you have a good sit-down talk with the boy. You've got to have something that links you as bro and sis."

"I don't know, Duo..." Kody frowned a little, "I don't think he'll believe me."

"Oh, to hell with what he believes. You have proof!" Duo grinned. "This is so cool!" Kody laughed at him.

"What proof do I have? We think our father had the same name...that doesn't prove anything. Duo wouldn't he know if he had a younger sister?"

"Maybe he didn't know about you. But look at the likeness." He held up a picture of Heero and she took it looking at it.

"But if he is my brother...why is his last name Yuy and not Lowe?"

"Well, why is your last name Yuu and not Lowe?"

"Easy because the doctors gave me a code name before they sent me to you...."

"That's what they did with Heero before Operation Meteor."

"But how can we find out what his real name was before they gave him a code name?"

"Ask the doctors?"

"No way! I am not going back there!"

"Then I'll go back."

"No!"

"Why not? I don't think they'll do anything to me."

"But... you can't be sure of that! I forbid you to go!" Duo laughed a little.

"Nice of you to worry, Kody, but I'll live."

"Duo, please, just don't go..." Kody not only begged with her voice, but her eyes.

"Well, there's nothing for me to stay here for, and I'll just be up all night anyway, why not put it to good use?"

"Because that's not good use! It's stupid use! And you could always sleep."

"Pfft. Sleep. That's useless." Duo grinned.

Duo kissed her cheek then turned heading for the door. Kody sighed and sat down on the couch.

*~*~*

Duo made his way up the drive to the large base like building and forced his way in. He found the doctors all in a room talking.

"I'm back!" They looked up at Duo.

"What brings you here?" Dr. G asked.

"Just need a little info on my two good friends."

"What about them?" Dr. J asked.

"I want to know their real names. And I want to know now." He pulled out a small handgun aiming it at Dr. J.

"Who are these two whose names you seek?"

"Heero and Kody."

"Ah. Our two best students."

"Names."

"Don't be so rash. We can't just give them out." Dr. G said, stepping forward.

"Oh yeah you can. And you will. You have ten seconds. 10...9...8...7..." The doctors looked worried. "...6...5...4..." They glanced at each other. "...3...2..."

"Okay!" Dr. J glared at Duo and motioned to a computer. Duo walked over and looked at the screen. He printed out the personal information files on Heero and Kody then turned heading for the door.

A gunshot ran out and Master O fell backwards holding his arm.

"That's for hurting Kody." Duo turned and walked out of the room. As he made his way down the street in he jeep towards the base he leaned back in thought as he drove.

The guys will be back day after tomorrow. I just hope she'll trust me. If they come back her trust is out the window. He sighed and pulled to a stop inside the hanger.

Kody lay quietly on the couch waiting for him. When he strode in, that trademark grin on his face, she knew he had gotten something good.

"What?"

"Got the info. Now Heero will have to believe it." Kody sat up to look at the papers.

"I sure hope so. I want a family."

"You have one."

"Who?"

"Me. And Heero and all the other pilots. We can be your family." Kody smiled and leaned back on the couch. Duo came to sit down beside her while she read over the papers.

"Wow."

"What?"

"Me and Heero have the same birthday...just a year apart.... That explains him being a year older. Both our father's names are Odin Lowe...And under siblings it says 'One' but doesn't say a name."

"Maybe they never wanted you to find each other."

"But why?"

"Maybe they thought it would make you both weak to have family...I don't know..."

"Maybe."

"What about your mother?"

"Says her name was Sara." Duo looked up when a wet drop hit his hand. He glanced over and saw Kody wiped her eyes.

"What is it?"

"I wish I could remember them."

"You will." Duo leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I'll help you." Kody smiled and looked at him.

"Are you hungry?"

Duo looked at her, his eyebrows raising in a familiar way. Kody smiled.

"I know. I know. You're always hungry." She rose from the couch. "Good thing I'm always cooking. Or, rather, always trying not to burn things." Duo caught her hand as she moved past him. "What? You can smell the roast chicken, can't you? I swear it's not burned this time-"

"I love you, Kody."

Kody's jaw dropped. She blinked.

"Did you hear me?"

"Yes, Duo-"

"Do you know how you feel? About me?"

Kody took a shaky breath. She stared down at Duo. His big beautiful eyes were looking at her with such affection. Such longing. Of course she loved him. Of course she did. She just couldn't say it. Not yet.

"Kody?"

She sat down next to him. She took his other hand in hers, met his gaze in earnest.

"Duo, I know you care for me-"

"I love you."

"But I'm not sure what you feel is love."

"It is. And I do."

"But-"

"Kody, I'm a grown man. I know what love is. And I certainly know I feel it for you."

"You rescued me. You have a kind heart, but-"

"But what?"

"But you haven't even kissed me yet."

"Didn't I just kiss you a moment ago?" Duo said with a smirk.

"I mean a real kiss."

Duo laughed.

"What's so funny?"

His large, masculine hand cupped her delicate cheek. To Kody it felt like the hand of heaven. Like the comfort and protection of the whole world was embodied in this man's warm, strong palm.

"I haven't kissed you because I wanted to give you time. You've been recovering from trauma, Kody. Learning how to function in the world again. The last thing I wanted to do was burden you with confusing emotions to cope with before you were ready."

"What's changed tonight, then?"

"Tonight is about me, I guess. About what I need. And about what I can't stand to keep inside anymore. I'm not Superman. I'm just a man. And I've been waiting to express my love to you for so long now. I've been holding back, trying so hard to wait for the right time. But I felt it so strongly tonight; I couldn't not say it anymore. I guess this isn't very romantic, is it? Did I really blow it with you?"

Kody smiled. Her eyes were shining.

"That depends. Do you still want to kiss me?"

Duo dropped his callused thumb to brush against her soft lips. Slowly, he leaned forward, his hand moving back to tangle in her long hair. Slight pressure urged her toward him. He moved his lips across her own. It was sweet, feather-light caress. She felt the tenderness, the caring.

She did feel the love...

But she also felt the hesitation.

Something was wrong inside Duo. Something was being held back, behind a barrier. Kody could sense it. She pulled away and looked into his eyes.

"Duo, what's troubling you?"

He blinked, clearly a bit stunned that she had once again seen so deeply into him.

"Please tell me. What's weighing on your mind?"

"You," he admitted softly.

"What? My not loving you?"

"No. I know you care for me. I feel it. But...I can't get out of my mind what might happen if you suddenly remembered something...about someone else...another man. I don't think I could stand it, Kody."

She studied him. Someone had hurt him before. Badly. She didn't know the details, but she didn't need to. She just needed to know if he was willing to trust again. Willing to push past the barriers he'd erected-

"Kody, I'd like to think that any man who may have loved you would have been looking for you as hard as I would have. But...still...the truth is, as much as I hate to say it, as long as you can't remember your past, anything could be true of it. Anything."

"I feel as though I've never had anyone in my life before. No lover. No husband."

"You can feel it, but do you know it? Can you remember?"

Kody looked away.

"No, Duo. I can't remember. I don't know for certain."

She wanted so badly, so very badly, to remember her life before the doctors: to reassure this man-and herself. But she honestly couldn't.

"Not knowing for certain. That's not good enough for us. Is it, Duo?"

Duo pulled her into his arms, sighed as he stroked her hair.

"Not if we want a future together, free and clear."

In his heart, Duo knew he loved Kody. About that he was certain. But he wasn't so certain about what was in Kody's heart. And truthfully, he felt hesitation in her, too. A lot of it. But that was expected after all she had been through.

Perhaps she wasn't ready to take their relationship to the next level. And if that was the case, then it was wrong for him to rush her to the next stage-pressure her into something she might not be certain she wanted.

"What should we do then?" she asked.

"We'll just have to wait until you remember."

"Okay, we'll wait."

"Kody?"

"Yes, Duo?"

"If your memory did come back right now...and you never did have anyone else...would you love me? Would you trust me?"

Kody smiled and leaned towards him.

"Of course. How can I not after all you've done for me?" Duo smiled.

Kody leaned in gently and placed a soft kiss on Duo's lips, sealing their love for one another.