Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or the song "O-O-H Child", even though it's a really cute song. I also don't claim Quatre would have a heart attack from being kissed! .

Chapter 13

"That was an awesome fireworks display! Did you see the one that looked like a ring?" Duo said cheerfully as the group stepped into the hotel.

"I liked the white ones the best, they looked like stars falling from the sky." Rachel said musingly, squeezing Duo's arm and tilting her head toward him. They paused in the hallway and Trowa said, "Sleep well, we have a lot of planning to do in the morning. Goodnight."

"Sleep well, Trowa!" Quatre said cheerfully as he waved goodbye to him. He turned then to the two lovebirds whispering to each other softly and giggling. Quatre couldn't help but smile at them.

They make such a cute couple, even if Duo has to tippitoe to kiss Rachel! Quatre thought as he chuckled. Rachel looked over at him and blushed, just noticing he was still there. Quatre looked over at their door and said, "If you'd like I can trade keys with Duo and go stay with Heero tonight."

"Uh. . ." Rachel's smile disappeared and she said, "That's okay, I think I'd like to sleep tonight, not stay up talking." Duo cocked an eyebrow and thought, Talk? Who says I have talking in mind. . .

I know what you're thinking Duo, and it ain't happening. Rachel thought as she saw Duo's expression. She tapped his nose and said, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"As soon as possible." Duo whispered, giving her a deep and gentle kiss, causing Quatre to scratch his head and look at the floor. They pulled away from each other and Duo walked down the hall toward his room, saying quietly, "Sleep sweet, Rachel."

"Sweet dreams, Duo." Rachel softly spoke just before blowing him a kiss. He caught it and brought it to his heart, floating into the doorway as he opened his room door and slowly closed it behind him. Rachel sighed and said, "Okay, let's get some sleep before it gets any later." She unlocked their door and opened it, finding a light on inside. Rachel was a little puzzled for a minute until Quatre looked in and chuckled, saying, "Oops, I left the light on." She rolled her eyes and walked in, finding the room rather tight. There was one of everything in the room: one closet, one dresser, one bathroom, one lamp. . .and one bed. Luckily, it was a queen size, so no one had to sleep on the floor. Rachel sat on the edge of the bed and bounced a little to test the level of firmness.

"Nice and soft, just the way I like it." Rachel said joyfully. She looked up to find her roommate. Leaning over a bit, she spotted him in the bathroom undressing. She quickly sat up straight and blinked.

I sure hope he's gonna take a shower cause he is not coming to bed without any clothes on! Rachel thought as she stared at the wall.

"Do you mind if I shower before we sleep? I haven't had a hot bath in almost a week!" Quatre said over his shoulder.

"Oh, sure! Shower away!" She said with a slight laugh, letting out a sigh of relief. As she heard the low hum of the shower drift into the room, she laid back on the bed, spreading her arms out across the sheets. She stared at the ceiling for a while but her eyelids became heavy and slowly closed. The sound of the shower started to lull her to sleep when she heard it suddenly shut off. Footsteps echoed into her mind and she heard a soft voice say, "Rachel, are you asleep?" She peeked open an eye to see Quatre looking down at her, wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist. She sat up and said, "Uh, yeah, I just got a little sleepy." She looked down at her lap as he walked back and forth, picking up his clothes and bringing them out to place his shoes at the foot of the bed. He paused and looked over at Rachel, saying, "Are you going to shower?"

"I don't have anything else to wear and it's not fun getting back into a body suit after a shower." She said.

"Does that mean you have to wear that all night? Are you sure you don't want to go see if you can get a robe or something?"

"It's okay, Quatre, I've slept in it before and I don't think one more night will be much of a bother."

"Okay. Do you mind if I don't wear my shirt?"

"No, that's fine." He smiled and walked back into the bathroom and closed the door to get dressed again. Rachel stood and unlocked her belt, pulling it off and setting it carefully aside, making sure the silk skirt attached to it didn't get wrinkled. She sat back down and wiggled her cramped toes, aching to be free from the boots. Quatre walked back out, now wearing pants, rubbing his damp hair with the towel he was wearing. He sat down next to Rachel on the bed and said, "So, did you have a good time?"

"What did it look like to you?" She answered, looking over at him briefly. He smiled and said, "Well, I thought you were a bit carried away for a first kiss but hey, to each's own." She looked down at her lap, fumbling with her fingers slowly.

"You're right, it was a bit fast. I. . .I honestly don't know what got into me, I haven't really acted like myself lately ever since I got here. Never in a million years would I have dreamt of kissing a guy before I was married, let alone kissing like. . .that." She looked embarrassed as she looked away. Quatre stopped smiling and looked concerned, saying, "Is that why you didn't want to switch rooms?" She nodded. He turned to face her and said, "But why are you so comfortable being here with me?"

"Because, I trust you. You're always so sweet and nice and I figured you would never. . ."

"I'm basically the safe guy?" Quatre finished for her. She nodded again.

"You don't mind, do you?"

"Not at all, I'd rather be the safe guy than the. . .rebel. . ." He said, blushing a little. She smiled and said, "You're so much sweeter in person, I'm glad I met you."

"I'm glad I met you too, you've made my life worth while." Quatre said. He stood up and walked around the bed to the other side, sitting down and stretching, letting out a yawn as pulled his feet up onto the bed. He laid back on the bed and folding his hands over his stomach and propping one knee up. Looking over at Rachel, he said, "Are you going to go to sleep yet?"

"In a minute, I just want to pray for a second." He looked surprised and said softly, "Oh. . .okay." She bowed her head down and folded her hands in her lap, becoming silent. Quatre watched her, a little curious of her faith, and what she had to pray about. . .or who. She finally sat up straight and sighed, pulling herself completely onto the bed and sitting Indian style on the sheets, hunching over a bit as she itched at her boot. Quatre saw this and said, "I can lend you my shirt for the night, it's really long." She looked over at him with a confused look and said, "What?"

"You can wear my shirt, so you don't have to sleep in that. You can't convince me that you're not uncomfortable when you're scratching at your clothes." He said with a little grin. She blushed a little and said, "Well. . .I. . ."

"I won't peek at you if you do, I'm not a pervert." Quatre added. She blushed more and said softly, "I never said you were. I. . .I just don't know. . ." He rolled over and reached to the floor, pulling up his shirt and showing it to her.

"See? It's actually a bit bigger than I would like it to be but I'm sure it would completely cover you, like a nightgown!" He said with a smile. She looked at it for a minute. It was long enough. Finally, she took it and looked down at it.

"I suppose. . .but promise you won't look at me too closely?" She said, giving him and look, slightly sarcastic. He laughed and nodded, watching her stand and walk into the bathroom. A few minutes later, she cracked open the door and peeked out to see if he was still awake. He was.

"How does it fit?" Quatre said, looking over at her. She blushed a little and said quietly, "Fine. Look away for a second so I can get into bed." He chuckled softly and rolled away, looking at the wall. He heard the quick creek of the door and fast pattering of her footsteps as the bed bounced up and down after she jumped in, the covers flying up and quickly back down. He couldn't help but laugh as she said, "You can look now. . .if you want." He rolled back over and smiled at her, seeing her indignant expression and choking back an outburst. She frowned and said, "What's so funny? If you're going to be a dork about it-"

"No no, it's fine. I just chuckle think it's funny how you got in bed." She rolled her eyes and scrunched down under the sheets. He composed himself and sighed, saying, "Do you want me to stay above the covers or do you not mind me being down there with you?" She eyed him again and said, "As long as you behave yourself and keep your hands on your side of the bed, you may sleep under the covers." He didn't hesitate to whip the covers up and over himself, snuggling in and smiling contently. A few moments of silence hung in the air until Rachel yelped and glared at Quatre, who was stifling a laugh.

"I consider poking personal contact, young man!" Rachel said, pulling the covers over to her side of the bed. Quatre pulled them back and she started wrestling over the covers with him. Finally, they got to a happy medium and calmed down. Quatre couldn't help but let out a little giggle, causing Rachel to look irritated at him.

"Are you sure you can trust me? I don't know, I might get wild later on during the night. . ." He joked, knowing it would tick her off. She kicked him under the sheets and he said, "Ooo, personal contact. . ."

"Now we're even, dweeb. . ."

"I'm a dweeb now, huh?"

"Yes, it's quite a step up from dork, you should be honored."

"I am." She sighed and suddenly wrinkled her nose, sitting up and grabbing her foot. Quatre stared at her as she grumbled and rubbed her foot. Sitting up as well, he said, "What's wrong?"

"My foot's cramped up. All that walking around with heels for several days made my feet achy." She complained as she frowned and wiggled her toes painfully. He waved his hands at her feet and said, "Here, I'll take care of that." With a blink, she replied, "What do you mean?"

"I know how to get rid of cramps really fast, come here." She turned and pulled her feet out, letting him rest them in his lap and begin slowly and gently massaging them. She closed her eyes and let out a soft moan of joy. He glanced up at her and softly smiled, rubbing until she motioned to him.

"Now the other one." He happily obeyed and switched feet, beginning to rub her cramped up toes. She rested her head on her shoulder as she enjoyed the pain relief, relaxing and letting her mind drift off to ease. He finally stopped and stared blankly at her, watching her open her eyes and look at him, a little surprised by the look. She blinked her eyes and said, "Why are you looking at me like that?" He didn't respond as he looked shamefully to the side. She pulled her feet back and cocked her head as she stared at his saddened expression. She looked sad too as she said, "Quatre, what's wrong? Why do you look like you did something bad?"

"Not so much did something but. . .thought something." Quatre muttered.

"Thought. . .something?" She tucked the shirt down into her lap and looked unnerved. He looked up guiltily and said, "I'm sorry, maybe I should go see if I can stay in someone else's room. . ."

"What did you think. . .about. . ." Rachel said as she looked in her lap. He looked down at his own lap and said slowly, "I. . .I thought about kissing you. And some other stuff. But I stopped myself before my mind got too carried away."

"I see." Was all she said, it was all she could say without shaking with nervousness. Quatre looked so guilty she thought he might run out of the room but he didn't move. She finally looked up and smiled, saying, "Have you ever been kissed before?" He looked surprised by her question.

"No. . ." He said. She leaned forward and gave him a soft kiss, leaning back and saying, "Quatre, I have always thought you were sweet and nice, and I wish that I felt something more than friendship for you but. . .my heart belongs to Duo." Quatre turned away and laid down, curling up in the covers and clenching the sheets tightly at the edges in his sweaty palms. Rachel looked sadly at him as her heart ached in her chest, causing her to sigh in grief. Her jaw quivered as she looked sadder, whispering through a choked up throat, "I didn't mean to hurt you, Quatre, please forgive me. . ." She got up and ran to the bathroom, shutting the door. Quatre sat up and stared at the closed door as he heard soft weeping echoing through the wood. His stomach churned and he felt a chill run up his spine as he stood up and walked over to the door. He turned the doorknob and opened the door slowly, looking down to find Rachel on her knees crying. He fell to his knees in front of her and pulled her into a tight hug.

"Rachel, please don't cry because of me; my heart hurts now. . ." She couldn't stop the tears, they fell on their own as she sobbed, "I'm so sorry. . ."

"Stop, please! Don't cry, please don't cry. . ." Tears began to roll down his cheeks as he held her tighter and cried with her. She shook with every breath of air, every sob she let out. Her whole body shook violently and Quatre pulled her into his lap, cradling her like a small child. Whether for his own comfort or hers, he held her close, holding her head against his cold and sweaty chest. She heard his heart pounding like a drum in her ear, making her own skip a beat as she gasped for air. She had held her breath as she realized how devastated Quatre was acting, becoming very emotional over a mere thought he had. She tried to control her shaking as she said, "Quatre, why are you acting like this? A thought doesn't make people break down into tears!" He couldn't respond as more tears and sobs bubbled up inside him, taking his voice and strength from him. He rested his head on hers as he began to shake as well, his hands pulling her closer as he lost control of his shaking. Rachel touched his arm, saying, "Please stop, Quatre, this isn't good for your heart. . ."

"I. . .I can't." He said, sounding slightly scared by his shaking. She pulled herself up and unwrapped his arms, taking him in her arms and holding him, trying to help his shaking stop. She gently stroked his wet blonde hair, softly curling his locks in her fingers as she said, "Listen to my voice, Quatre. Just calm down and relax. I'll sing you a song that I love so dearly. . ." She slowly started to rock back and forth as she sang.

"♪Ooh-oo child, things are gonna get easier; Ooh-oo child, things'll get brighter. Ooh-oo child, things are gonna get easier; Ooh-oo child, things'll be brighter. Some day, yeah, we'll put it together and we'll get it all done. Some day, when your head is much lighter. Some day, yeah, we'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun. Some day, when the world is much brighter. Ooh-oo child, things are gonna get easier; Ooh-oo child, things'll get brighter. Ooh-oo child, things are gonna get easier; Ooh-oo child, things'll be brighter. Some day, yeah, we'll put it together and we'll get it all done. Some day, when your head is much lighter. Some day, yeah, we'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun. Some day, when the world is much brighter.♪" She gently brushed his forehead, smiling down at him as he slowly stopped shaking and began to breathe steadily, his eyes closed and his hands clamped around her right hand, holding on tight. She could feel his calmed breaths on her skin, signaling his recovery from his heart problems.

Oh Quatre. . .you're like a little child in my arms. . . Rachel thought as she leaned down and kissed his forehead.

Duo stirred in the bed, rolling from side to side trying to get comfortable. But thoughts of Rachel and Quatre being alone in a room all night made him uneasy. He flopped onto his back and sighed, suddenly feeling a pillow whap him in the face.

"Wha!" Duo sat up.

"If you're going to do that all night then get out, I still have some work to do." Heero muttered, annoyance in his voice as he was finding nothing conclusive. Duo hunched over and pulled his knees up to his chest, hugging them with his arms.

"I'm sorry, it's just. . ." Duo looked sadly at the door. With an eye roll, Heero turned his chair and faced him, trying not to look like he wanted to kill him, even though he did.

"Alright, get it all out." Heero said. He knew if he didn't let Duo talk it out he would roll around and moan all night and he couldn't get any work done with that going on.

"Well. . .Rachel's over there with Quatre. . .alone." Duo said, looking at Heero's dark figure in the shadows.

"You don't trust Quatre."

"I don't trust any guy to be alone with her. . ."

"Not even yourself?"

"Well, that's me, I'm the one that wants her and. . ."

"Oh, now you want her? I thought you were just friends. . ." Heero seemed amused.

"We were but she told me how she felt about me earlier before we came back and. . .she kissed me." Heero cocked an eyebrow.

"And you wanted to get in a little action before morning?"

"Well. . .naturally, I'm a guy so I would think that. She mentioned not wanting to stay up because she didn't want to talk all night." Duo said, rolling his eyes. Heero cracked a grin and said, "Burn."

"No kidding. And what bugs me more is Quatre even asked her if she wanted to switch rooms. He saw how I felt and she still declined. What if she. . .what if she secretly likes Quatre? What if they're over there. . ." He grit his teeth.

"Getting it on?"

"You're not helping, Heero."

"Sorry. Continue."

"sigh My stomach's all knotted up inside and I feel sick just thinking of him putting his hands on her. I mean, what if I go over there and find her wearing his shirt! I mean, you can't really deny what happened if she's wearing his shirt. . ." Duo said assumptionally. Heero leaned his arm over the back of his chair and slouched a little, saying, "Then go over there now, macho man, break it up."

"But I don't wanna make a fool of myself if they're not and then she'll hate me!"

"Then don't worry about it, you hardly know this girl anyway so it's not like you've been best friends since kindergarten."

"That doesn't help my stomach aches, though. . .I can't make those go away. . ."

"Tough luck. Are you done ranting now?" Duo frowned at Heero.

"You don't really care about what I'm saying do you? You just wanted me to get it all out so I'd shutup."

"Something like that. No offense but you do talk a lot for a guy." Heero said, turning back to his computer. Duo sighed and flopped back on the bed, staring at the ceiling as he hugged the pillow thrown at him earlier.

Please don't be doing anything but sleeping. . .Duo thought as he closed his eyes and tried to get some sleep.