Part 16: One More

He'd never understand his own heart. Why had he let him go so easily? It was true that Duo was the first true friend he'd ever had, but he was also a very attractive boy. He could tell himself that he never had a chance with Heero as competition, especially since there was obvious chemistry between the two of them. He could tell himself that, but it wasn't enough. He hadn't even tried. Hell, he'd pushed them together by provoking Heero like that. It was as if he wanted to be alone...

With a long sigh, Wufei leaned back on the steps and stared broodily up at the stars.

It wasn't as cold as he'd thought it would be, and he was glad he'd gone outside. It was very peaceful and he'd always been more comfortable alone, away from people. As much as he enjoyed the others' company, and he did, he hadn't realized how much he'd missed just sitting alone beneath the stars.

He did like to be alone, but not forever. He wanted someone with him, just not Duo. Maybe he'd known Duo had his heart set on Heero, though God knew why he would. Or maybe he hadn't wanted to ruin their friendship. He'd have liked to use that excuse, but it sounded flat, even to him. He just didn't know. Maybe the fact that Duo was so close to everyone had turned him away. He wanted someone who would...see him. Just him. He didn't want someone he'd have to be jealous of every time another man looked at him.

Wufei thought of the way Heero had glared at him when he'd looked at Duo, and he gave a slow nod. He'd probably be like that, too, if he had someone as beautiful as Duo. He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. Minutes passed. Then he jerked abruptly as he realized he'd almost fallen asleep. Not on the steps. He wasn't about to fall asleep on the steps. He stood and stretched slowly, sending a sullen look at the door. Were they done? Damn it, he wanted his bed back...

A glare was firmly locked on his face as he opened the door silently. He paused, listening for any suspicious sounds. He didn't hear anything. He entered with a relieved sigh and bolted the door behind him. The couch was just long enough for him to stretch out on it. He still eyed it with distaste. He could always use Duo's bed. He really doubted Duo would be using it tonight. He considered that for all of twenty seconds before he remembered the mess in Duo's room. He disgarded the idea and sat on the couch with a resigned sigh.

.-.

Duo was in a bright mood when he looked around the table the next morning. He nodded to the strange girl, who'd moved to sit next to the tall blonde man. Zechs, he remembered Wufei calling him. And she had to be the girl Quatre had sensed in the base, before everything went wrong.

"So where do we start?" asked Duo.

"I believe introductions are in order," the girl said lightly, turning to look at Zechs.

"Zechs Marquise," he said softly, nodding to Quatre before turning to tilt his head toward his sister. "And this is Relena Peacecraft."

Relena smiled at the five boys, nodding as each gave his name. She was about to say something when Duo interrupted with an apologetic grin.

"That's not what I meant," said Duo. "It's nice to know who everyone is, but I was hoping to hear what happened last night. I don't know about you," he said to Quatre, before glaring at Wufei, "but I was told I'd get a recap in the morning." Pinning the Chinese boy with his expectant gaze, he smiled suddenly, belying his pretense at anger. "Well, it's morning."

"Breakfast first," said Heero.

Duo turned to give Heero a glaring pout, but sighed as he took in the boy's calm, steadfast expression. "Can't we talk and eat at the same time? After all," his eyes lit up, "It would be a more efficient use of our time."

Heero wasn't buying that for a second. His eyes narrowed. "No. We'd talk while you ate."

He dropped his gaze to his plate and took a bite of food. The conversation-slash-argument was over just like that. Or it should have been. Relena cleared her throat and Heero's eyes snapped up.

Before she could get a word out, Duo interrupted again. "How come it's okay for her to ask questions but not me? That's hardly fair."

Silence reigned as all eyes moved to Duo, then Heero groaned audibly, a hand going to his forehead as he resisted the urge to bang his head on the table.

"Fine," said Heero, not looking up as he slowly resumed eating. "Ask what you want, but I'm not answering anything until I've eaten."

.-.

"Do they always argue like that?" asked Relena.

Wufei glanced at her and smirked. "Worse. This isn't bad, as early as it is." He turned to include Zechs in his warning, "Duo is not a morning person."

"Even so," Relena frowned, "that's no excuse for such immature behavior."

Wufei gave the girl an irritated look. Why had she followed him outside, anyway? He wasn't sure what it was, but something about her rankled him. Then again, he'd never been fond of the 'weaker sex'. Deciding to ignore her, he looked at Zechs, who was leaning against the post beside where he sat on the steps. Him he liked, though again, he couldn't say why since the man was a bit too passive for his standards. Wufei fought a smile as he remembered the man's hasty retreat when he'd woken up in time to catch Zechs staring at him. As if he'd actually sleep through that. Zechs must not have read his mind or he'd have known he was awake the entire time. Watching him while he slept, huh? It looked like he had it bad.

Zechs blinked and raised an eyebrow. Wufei smiled a little and turned to look through the open screen door.

"I'd say things have calmed down enough for intelligent conversation now," said Wufei. He didn't care if the girl came in or not, but Duo needed to hear what Zechs had told him. "Hope you weren't planning on running off just yet."

"Actually," said Zechs, "that's something I wanted to discuss with you before we rejoin the others."

Wufei gave him a questioning look, but Zechs didn't explain immediately. He turned to his sister. "Would you mind giving us some privacy, Relena?"

Relena stood up with a frown, but made no move to go inside. "Whether or not we stay here has as much to do with me as it does with you. You have no right to decide such a thing without me."

Wufei sent her another of those annoyed looks, and Zechs' eyes narrowed as he gripped his patience tightly.

"I am not your guardian, Relena," said Zechs. "The only thing that holds me to you is blood. As it is, I fully intend to see you back in Sanq Kingdom before I go on my own, so the discussion does not involve you. Now please, let us speak in private."

Relena blinked for a moment, looking hurt by the cold words. Then she turned and quickly entered the house. Zechs sighed. He shook his head at Wufei and took the seat his sister had abandoned.

"She's a princess," Zechs explained, "and she's used to being treated as one. I never knew she would be spoiled so badly when I left home, or I might have tried to stop it from happening."

"Why do you put up with her?" asked Wufei. "Especially since she's a weakness to you." Zechs looked at him in surprise, and Wufei nodded, scowled at the door. "Oz used her against you. It's obvious that she's a weakness."

"She is," Zechs said slowly, glancing over the yard. "But if you had seen her six years ago, you'd understand. She was such a sweet, inquisitive child, so peaceful and caring in nature. Those traits haven't actually changed, they've just been buried under her snobbish behavior. I guess it's the memory that makes me care, makes me want to protect her."

Although Wufei didn't particularly want to hear excuses for the irritating girl's behavior, he nevertheless found himself feeling sympathetic towards the man beside him. "So long as you know your weakness, you can keep it from being used against you. Don't make the same mistake twice."

"No," sighed Zechs. He looked at the solemn boy beside him. Wufei's black eyes were wide with wisdom beyond his age. "But that isn't what I wanted to discuss. I'm in awe of the five of you. I'm sure you can guess what I want to ask."

Obviously he wanted to join them. Wufei smirked. "I would say yes just for the chance to have a healer in the group, but it isn't my decision. We've...rallied behind Heero. Either get a majority in your favor, or convince him. It's that simple."

Zechs folded his arms over his chest with a frown. That was something that had been bothering him before he even met them. "Why him? Although I'd rather not remind you of my crimes against you, I've looked into your minds. What I've seen tells me that Quatre is the best strategist, not Heero."

Wufei reacted as if he'd been stung, jerking away before leaning forward. "Are you certain of this? Quatre has never fought, he knows nothing about actual battles."

"You're wrong," Zechs said, shaking his head slowly. "I'm not sure why he never mentioned it, or why Heero didn't think to look into his history, but that boy has been leading troops for years. True, he did it from a distance, but he was the guiding force of his army in many battles."

"His army?"

"Maguanacs, I think he calls them. Since his father died, they have been his family, until now of course. Though I've never heard of them myself, Quatre has great self-confidence when he thinks about them. It seems they never questioned his orders when it came to battle strategy. He has a very keen mind."

"I don't doubt his mind," Wufei said in his defense, "it's just that Quatre...he isn't the type to hold things back. I don't understand why he would keep such skills a secret."

"I thought it was because of Heero," said Zechs, "but having had a glimpse of Trowa's mind, I know it's him. Mainly Trowa, but yes, it's also the rest of you. Quatre doesn't see himself as a member of the...team. He...thinks he's a weak joint. As I said, when he remembers his soldiers, he is extremely confident, but comparing himself to the four of you has crushed that. He's unsure."

"You saw all of this? But Trowa has the ability to read minds, too. Surely he would have sensed this."

"I imagine he has," said Zechs, "but he'd no doubt hide that from Quatre since he obviously doesn't want you to know. It's my opinion, for whatever it's worth, that you need to know. It's wrong to let one of your best resources go unused, and Quatre shouldn't be left thinking of himself as useless."

Wufei was rather impressed. He smiled at the man's serious expression. "Well, if you didn't have my vote before, you'd have it now. You seem to know more about us than we do. That sort of insight could prove very handy. As it stands though, you'll still have to talk to Heero."

Seeing Zechs' uncertain expression, he smirked. "I wouldn't worry about that. Just tell him about the possibility of Duo's having another power and he'll be on your side in no time."

Zechs' eyes widened at the implications of that statement, and he cleared his throat. "Like that? The two of them?" At Wufei's semi-proud nod, he managed a smile. "That explains the banter then. I take it it's a matter of opposites, yes?"

"They'll certainly keep each other on his toes," Wufei said, an evil grin surfacing as he climbed to his feet. "Come on, if we don't get in there, Duo'll be dragging us in. He's waited long enough."

"You're very close to him..."

Turning at the man's soft, surprised voice, Wufei met his eyes without flinching. "He's the best friend I'll ever have."