Heero-Ella

Chapter Nine: Duo POV:

I looked around my room, a spring in my step and a whistle on my lips. My stereo blared Garth Brooks' 'It's Midnight Cinderella' on constant repeat. I smirked, knowing I had many a maid and butler crazy. After all, who wouldn't go crazy when someone was playing a country song over and over for just the fun of it? I know I would if it wasn't for the fact I love the song so much. It reminds me very much of Heero and I. We were both in love and it was very much like a Cinderella story in real life. Only we didn't need a fairy godmother. All we needed was a mutual friend by the name of Trowa Barton. I'd have to remember to grant him a lordship when I became king. He truly deserved it and Quatre would then have absolutely no objections against being with him forever.

Oh, I wasn't acting as if I didn't understand anything. I understood perfectly well. Quatre was in love with Trowa. If I wasn't missing anything, then Trowa was also in love with Quatre. That was a very good thing in my book, seeing as my friends needed someone special. Heck, if I had someone special, then everyone needed someone special. I was waiting for Wufei to come back so I could get some information from him. He was always a fountain of knowledge for life here at the palace, so if anything were going on between Zechs and my father, then he'd know it.

"Duo?" Quatre called as he came into the room. Wufei and Trowa followed behind him and I knew by all of their expressions that something was up. I didn't like the feeling I was getting. I swiftly turned around and hit off the CD player, sending the room into instant silence. I watched as Trowa looked away and Quatre seemed about ready to cry. Oh, this really wasn't beginning to feel right.

"Heero's missing," Zechs said softly, suddenly walking into the room. I stopped dead in my movement toward Wufei and the others and turned my full attention on Zechs. Oh, please tell me this wasn't happening. If I so much as breathe wrong after that kind of news then I'll fall over. I know I will. I whimper in answer to his words and he moves toward me quickly, placing an arm around me. "Come, sit down, Duo," Zechs said, dropping all formality.

I allowed myself to be led to the couch and watched as Quatre brought me something to drink and Wufei looked around the room to avoid looking at me. Trowa was simply standing there silently, his lone green eye as worried as I felt. "Someone tell me what's going on," I said softly, wanting to know everything.

"Heero didn't show up at work today," Zechs began. I watched him closely. That wasn't the Heero I had come to know. He would have at least called, but even then skipping work wasn't something he'd do. "He did find a rather nice dress for tomorrow night though." I rolled my eyes. Sometimes Zechs was a little odd when it came to the uptake. There were more important things besides some dress for some ball. Granted I aimed to pop the question more formally then, but it wasn't important if he had suddenly changed his mind. Did he not want me after all?

"The dress be damned, Zechs. What about Heero?" This time, Trowa spoke up.

"We had plans for lunch today, but he never showed. When I stopped by the shop, Zechs was there, worried and pacing. Heero hadn't been in at eight when he was supposed to be." I drew a deep breath. Okay, this could be handled in a dignified and calm manner. I just had to relax. I really needed to relax.

"All right. Have you checked every where?" Wufei shook his head.

"We wanted to let you know first." I thought for a moment before looking away from them.

"Would he be at home?" I asked, looking toward Trowa after a moment. Trowa shook his head.

"If he was nervous or upset over something, then his home would be the last place he'd be," Trowa answered. I had to agree with him. His home wasn't a place one could relax in.

"Why would he be nervous or upset?" I asked, wanting all the pieces of the puzzle.

"He couldn't afford the dress he wanted for your ball. I'm also assuming he realized he had no ride and no way of being the perfect match for you," Zechs said softly, gaining a soft gasp from Quatre while Wufei had a sharp intake of breath. Just then I realized that only Zechs, my father, and I knew what Zechs had been talking about. I flushed a deep red, my cheeks burning. I suppose all secrets must be told amongst friends.

"Yesterday I told Heero I wanted him to be my bride. I've come to realize I love him. I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I got my father's permission and then asked Heero. He agreed, even with my father's odd idea of him having dress up like a woman tomorrow night just so that the people see me proposing to a woman. After all, can't have the whole castle in an uproar over my lifestyle choice, now can we?" I asked, looking at all of them. Obviously Wufei, Trowa, and Quatre were enjoying this.

"So you fell for Heero?" Trowa asked with a grin.

"That explains why you wanted to see your father when we returned from the water park. You had already decided that he was your soul mate," Wufei remarked with a grin, casting a glance toward Zechs.

"Was it love at first sight?" Quatre asked, a sweet smile on his lips. It was obvious I was missing something. Something that I would find out about once I talked with Wufei alone.

"Yes, I fell for Heero. Yes, Wufei, that was why I wanted to see my father. Also, yes it was love at first sight, Q-bean. Kind of like what happened between Trowa and you." Quatre flushed a pretty pink while even Trowa seemed to get a small blush across his cheeks. I grinned at that. They hadn't expected me to notice.

"How'd you know?" Quatre squeaked out. I laughed, unable to hold it back.

"It was kind of obvious. Every time we met up with Trowa, you always became so wrapped up in what he said. Your feelings were written all over your face." Trowa smiled gently, pulling Quatre into his arms.

"And you have no trouble with this, my prince?" Trowa asked, showing that he was asking this of his monarch, and not his friend. I couldn't help but smile even though I was slowly dying inside.

"Of course not, Tro-man. First of all, I'd be a hypocrite if I said I had trouble with your relationship. I mean I will be marrying a man myself. I would rather not see myself that way. Second of all, love comes in all forms and all shapes. I wouldn't be a good prince if I couldn't understand that one. Lastly, and certainly not least, I was hoping you would accept a lordship once this whole ball thing is over. This way, no one can give you two trouble." Quatre dropped all his pretense of being noble and rushed foreword to hug me. It was most certainly something I needed at this moment. I wasn't in the best of shape, especially with my mind racing over the thoughts of Heero having possibly changed his mind. I would die if I couldn't be with him. I had come to care too much for him to allow him to just walk out of my life without saying a word.

"That's a very noble sentiment, my prince," Zechs said, a smile on his lips. He then looked toward Trowa. "Let's get looking for him. If anything, he should be in one of the few places we know him to go. The library and museum are just two of the places I can think about were he might have gone to."

"Zechs, you said something about him finding the perfect dress but not being able to afford it. As well as trouble with a ride to the palace and being the perfect match for me?" I asked, suddenly allowing what had been the cause of his disappearance sink in. "Didn't he get a rather nice commission from everything I bought that one day?" Zechs nodded.

"Of course, but the dress alone is almost a thousand dollars. Not to mention the mask, shoes, purse, and wings that compliments the outfit. That would make it a rather expensive costume, would it not," Zechs remarked, knowing I would want to know all the details. I grinned and suddenly realized that the song I was playing earlier was very fitting. We were just like Cinderella. Right down to needing a fairy godmother after all, or rather a fairy godfather in this case.

"Then it looks like you get to play a major part for me, Zechs." He looked at me worriedly, knowing I was up to something and obviously knowing I wouldn't let him have a simple job.

"Am I going to hate this?" Zechs questioned, already pulling a bit of hair over his shoulder to worry at it.

"Only if you want to go all out and dress in a pretty pink dress and tutu," I replied, a smirk on my lips. Wufei choked back on his laughter while Quatre and Trowa couldn't help but snicker.

"Why did I even ask?" he muttered, causing me to laugh as well.

"Who knows, Zechs, who knows?" I replied. I then sought to calm him. "Don't worry man, I just want you to go get that dress and all it's accessories. Then I want you to take them to him once he's found and play fairy godfather. This way Heero gets his fairy tale night. Even set up a limo to pick him up and bring him back home. That is, as long as he still wants to go through with everything." Zechs smiled, suddenly realizing what I was getting at.

"Cinderella never had it so good, you know." I laughed. Sometimes life could be better than a fairy tale, I knew that to be true.

"I know. Yet would you please get going and see if you could find him. None of this will work if he isn't here," I said.

"Not to mention you'd have to then marry some boring woman from the ball if he doesn't show up." I shivered, my eyes wide and worried. That wasn't something I wanted to think about right now. Really I didn't.

"I know, Trowa. Don't rub that back into my mind. I don't want to think about that kind of torture right now. Wufei, stay here for a minute. I need to speak with you."

"Quatre and I can go check with a few places I know of," Trowa said, dragging Quatre off before I had a chance to ask anything else of them.

"I'll go check on those places I mentioned myself. Until later, Duo," Zechs said, heading off quickly. I smirked and watched as Wufei seemed to become nervous.

"What is it you need from me?" Wufei asked, watching me closely. I smiled and looked at him closely.

"What do you know about Zechs and my father, Wuffles?" I asked, watching him for his reaction. As I expected, he flinched and seemed reluctant to reply.

"Um, what is it you want to know about them?" he asked. Score! He was obviously nervous. There was something he knew that he didn't want to have to tell me about. Sometimes though, it was good to be the prince. Seeing as it was considered treason to lie to the crown, it was obvious Wufei couldn't lie to me.

"Is there something going on that I don't know? Are they seeing each other in a way that is more like Trowa and Quatre?" I asked, smirking when he began to fidget and worry his bottom lip.

"Yes, your highness. They have been seeing each other for a while now." Knowing he was too nervous to be worried about just that part, I threw in my added card, one that I had only just recently begun to see.

"Is it just between them or is there something more you aren't telling me Wufei?" I asked, hitting my target and watching as he swallowed deeply and shivered.

"There's more," he whispered. I smiled and walked up to him. I placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it in a show of compassion.

"You are a part of their little love triangle, aren't you, Wufei?" I asked softly. He nodded, now silent.

"Fire me if you must, my prince. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before hand." I shook my head, surprising him.

"No. You are my bodyguard until the day you can no longer perform your job or you die, which ever comes first. You love my father as much as you love Zechs and I'm certain my father returns both your love and Zechs'. The same can be said of Zechs, I'm certain. Thus, just be happy and love my father. Don't ever hurt him either, or you'll be wishing I had fired you." Wufei smiled softly and nodded. He then bowed to me and moved to leave.

"I'll go see if I can find anyone who's seen Heero," he said softly. I nodded, a small smile on my own lips.

"Good luck, Wuffles," I said, my voice barely my own. It had cracked during just those few words. He left quickly; knowing the only way to help me was by seeing to it that Heero was found. I sniffled softly, knowing I was just a short step away from crying. That was something I hadn't done since I was five. Princes didn't cry. That was a sign of weakness in a monarch. Yet I couldn't keep my tears from falling. It hurt. It really did hurt to think he had left me all alone. That he really didn't love me enough to want to be with me. I didn't know if I could handle this. One way or another we had to find Heero and I had to hear from his own lips that he didn't want me. After all, if I were going to live without him, I'd rather hear those dark words from him and him alone. I moved to my bedroom and fell onto my bed, crying finally. I couldn't keep the tears at bay any more and eventually cried myself to sleep.

FLASHBACK

"Duo! Come here! I have something to show you!" a small voice hollered. I looked up and saw the adorable little boy I had come to see as my best friend. Of course, I was only five. So was he. He kept thinking I was a little girl, although I never bothered to correct him. I wore my long brown hair lose and my eyes always looked more feminine than my father liked. Oh well, not even the king could always get what he wanted. He should just be glad he had gotten a son at all.

"What is it, He-ro?" I asked. I never could say his real name, so I used the shortened version of it. He smiled and I knew something was going to happen to our cooks. Possibly a double dose from us. They never could say no when we both used our childish charm on them. That was something I loved.

"Are you up to getting some chocolate from the kitchens?" he asked, a smirk on his lips. I loved that little smirk. I knew he was a boy like me and that I was still very young, but I always believed I was supposed to marry him. I wanted him to be my one and only.

"Only if you promise to marry me someday," I said, a sweet smile on my lips. He grinned and took my hand.

"Of course. We'll always be together." I laughed and kissed his cheek. We then headed off to terrorize my cooks, knowing my father would be upset with me later, but certain that his friend Odin would be able to calm him before anything got too serious.

END FLASHBACK

I quickly sat up in bed, my breath slightly hitched. What in the world? I thought over my memories and suddenly it all came back. No wonder my father remembered Odin Lowe, Lady Une, and Heero so well. He had been best friends with Odin. Heero had been my play mate when we where going up. That's why I had been drawn to him. I had already vowed that he would be the one I married. Now, years later, we had re-met and fallen for each other. At least, I believed we had fallen for one another. Maybe he wasn't as certain about things as I was. I didn't know. I'd only know that once I talked with him. A knock on my door startled me out of my memories and I glared toward the door.

"Enter!" I called. The door opened to show Wufei and several servants. I blinked.

"It's time to get ready for the ball, my prince," Wufei said, falling into the role he always used when we weren't a lone.

"Huh? How long have I been asleep?" I asked, confused.

"You were asleep when Trowa, Quatre, Zechs, and I returned last night. We couldn't manage to wake you up. Now you have to get ready for your ball and I'm afraid your father insisted you could not be late." I frowned. I was then led away and bathed, although I had taken care of it myself, even though I wasn't allowed to be alone in the room. I then sat down, wearing a plush black robe, while they worked on my hair. Tonight, it would be worn up in a neat bun that rested just below my crown. I really hated royal functions. I always had to do the oddest things with my hair.

"Wufei, is there anything new on the mission I sent you on?" I asked, hope in my voice and eyes. I could see it in the mirror while my personal hairdresser worked on my long mass of chestnut locks.

"I'm sorry, my prince. We have found no sign of him." I watched my violet eyes lose their shine and my expression become saddened once more.

"You're certain you've checked everywhere?" I asked. Wufei sighed and nodded.

"Yes, my prince." I sighed myself and then allowed myself to be dressed into a black uniform, this one reminiscent of the old royalty régime. I had gold and silver tassels at my shoulders and several badges on the front of the shirt. Obviously, my father loved the olden times even more than ever. I hated it, but at least I could wear my black. I would have gone nuts if I couldn't have black on my body. Lastly, my shoes were pulled on, which were a stunning jet-black pair of Italian leather dress shoes. They were the ones I loved the most. They reminded me of my mother, even though there was never much to have remembered of her.

"Thank you, Wufei. You can show Trowa and Quatre in now," I said softly. Wufei nodded and as the servants left Trowa and Quatre came in. Quatre smiled gently.

"You look very handsome today, Duo," Quatre said quietly. I smiled in return.

"Thank you. I suppose the women will be getting their fill today," I replied. Trowa frowned.

"I'm sorry we couldn't find him." I sighed.

"It's all right Trowa. I'm certain you did everything you could." Just then Zechs walked in, bowing deeply to me.

"My prince, you look splendid." He then looked toward Trowa. "I just thought of one place we didn't look." I perked up, a look of hope crossing my face again, I was certain.

"Please, let us all know," I said, wanting to know more than anyone else in this room.

"His home. What if Une found out about how close Heero and you were? She could have locked him up."

"Go! Break down the door if you have to. Just go find him." Trowa bowed and Zechs nodded.

"As you wish, my prince."

"As you say, your highness," Trowa remarked and together they rushed off. I looked toward Quatre and Wufei and gave them a weak smile.

"I really hope he's locked up. That would make me feel a whole lot better. At least then I can stop believing he just wanted to leave without a word." Quatre placed a hand on my shoulder.

"He'd never do that, Duo. He cares about you too. I can see it when he looks at you." I truly hoped Quatre was right. I drew a deep breath and allowed myself only to believe what Zechs had mentioned. There was certainly nothing else I could allow myself to believe, not if I wanted to survive the ball. He would be found and he would make it, he just had to.

The music was loud and the women were louder. I felt my head pounding and I knew the whole night looming ahead of me was only going to make it worse. So far I had danced with what felt like thousands of women and there was still more than half still to be danced with. It certainly seemed to drag on with no signs of stopping. If only Heero would show up and save me from all these airheads. I really was beginning to think that women were only good for one thing and that certainly wasn't company.

"Prince Duo, you're next dance belongs to Lady Relena," Quatre said, dancing Relena over to me and bowing to her. I rolled my eyes once and bowed my head, only to see her curtsy in return. I then took her into my arms and began a waltz. She was rather quiet, almost depressed. I couldn't help but feel a little sad for her, although not much.

"Lady Relena, what's troubling you?" I asked as I lead her in the steps of the waltz. She looked up, her eyes sad.

"No offence, my prince, I simply wish I was anywhere but here," she said. I couldn't help but smile at her.

"I see we both share that in common, Lady Relena. I would rather be anywhere but here as well," I answered, gaining a small smile.

"You would enjoy it more if Heero was here, wouldn't you," she said softly. I nodded.

"Yes, I would. Do you know where he's at?" I asked quietly. Relena once again became sad.

"I can't tell you. Only know that he won't show up tonight." That said she bowed once more and left on Wufei's arm. I frowned and looked away. This wasn't good. Zechs had better find him and quickly. Just then Quatre waltzed my worst nightmare my way.

"Prince Duo, this dance belongs to Lady Hilde," Quatre said softly. I winced. I couldn't handle this. Not after what I had just heard.

"Your highness, I'm so honored that you would allow me this dance," Hilde said, her voice high with excitement. I almost refused to place my arms around her in this dance. This was most certainly going to drive me insane.

"Make no mistake, my lady, 'we' have to dance with everyone here. There was no exception made for you," I remarked. She frowned prettily and I tried to keep from getting sick. Just then my gaze fell to a sparkling spot at her neck. There, resting around her neck was my gift to Heero. The platinum chain and little charm shaped like a set of platinum wings rested around her neck. I saw red. I was royally ticked off and ready to kill her at the drop of a single word from her. "Where did you get that necklace?" I asked.

"You left it for me, my prince," she answered, batting her eyelashes at me. I flipped. I lost my ability to remain calm and just went ballistic. With only a quick hand raised up to her neck, I unclasped the necklace and pulled it off. I glared at her darkly and passed her toward Wufei without dancing with her at all.

"Never darken 'our' sight again, lady. If you do, 'we' shall find a way to show you 'our' displeasure." That said Wufei led her away, Hilde making quite a scene in the process. She certainly wasn't one to give up, which was certain. I shook my head and sighed, waving off the next woman and moving off toward my father.

"How dare you?!" Lady Une suddenly cried, causing me to blink and look toward my father. This wasn't looking good. Obviously, she was very much like her daughter. Treize frowned softly and watched Une's eyes flash fire at him. My father was still a very good man, even when people were angry with him. That's what made him a great king.

"Please, my lady, do not cause such a scene here," I said softly. My father looked toward me and smiled softly.

"I thank you, my son, but I can handle this." He then returned his gaze on Une. "He is correct, though, my lady. It is not wise to cause such a scene here. If you would follow me, Lady," he replied diplomatically. Une nodded and allowed Treize to lead her away. I then looked back toward the silent ballroom and with a motion of my hand; I got the band to start up once again. I grinned and then looked toward everyone.

"Please, continue. This is a celebration, after all. Am I to believe this is all we can do to enjoy the evening?" I asked. I heard small laughs and murmurs of approval. This was really going to be a LONG night without Heero present.