To Robin Maxwell- Don't worry; I'm a shameless self-advertiser, too. I've mentioned a fic or two of mine in a review in the past. And yes, Trowa and Duo make a very cute couple. I wonder why more people don't write them together…

To Andrea- Yes, he lives. No, I haven't introduced anyone but Quatre, Relena, and Zechs, who goes by Milliardo in this one. I was debating adding Heero and Wufei in as major players, but it just never happened. Yeah, seven chapters seems kind of short… But at least I know how many chapters this one is, right? Unlike the Ties that Bind, which could have two chapters to go, or two hundred.

To Keiichisei- Wow! I love your name! As for Duo being Death but still human… Yeah, that is fun. Especially when you toss Death herself into the mix. Trust me, that Reaper is about as human as a demon can get. You like that song, too? Do you know what movie Duo was thinking about, then? I hope you get more into 2x3x2 after this. I love stories with odd pairings in them. 1x2x1 and 3x4x3 are very overdone…

To MistyPixieGal- Isn't it though? It wasn't originally intended to fit so well, but I'm glad it did. I was having trouble finding a song to put there, and I had the lyrics for Everything I Do lying on my desk, so I just used it. Yes, this is the last chapter. As for why Micheal wanted Trowa dead...

To GundamPilot03- I'm glad you like. And I agree with Duo's course of action, too. The bastard needed to be destroyed. I promise, I'm working as fast as I can on the final installment, but it could still be a while.

To Yazzy- Yay! I didn't kill him! I try very hard to keep the characters IC, so you just gave me the greatest praise anyone ever could! I'm so happy!


"Trowa!"

"Ow, ow, ow! Watch the wounds, Duo! Ow! Yes, that's a wound."

After a few seconds of relative silence, Death felt safe enough to peek in and see if maybe she'd started hallucinating.

She hadn't; Trowa Barton was indeed sitting up as best he could with Duo on top of him, trying to hug without hurting.

"Trowa, you're awake!" Duo yelled happily, not caring in the least that he was stating the obvious. "You ass! Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

"I can guess from the reaction." Trowa commented, smiling at Death over Duo's shoulder. "Hello, Death."

"Hello, Trowa." Death replied, wondering just what Duo had been babbling for the past week. "How are you feeling?"

"As well as can be expected." Trowa said. "I seem to have acquired a few bruises and bad memories, but nothing too bad."

"Yeah, right." Duo retorted. "I wouldn't be surprised if you said a sword through your stomach was just a little ache. Your gift for understatement goes way beyond the bounds of normal."

"Look who's talking."

"Enough, boys." Death spoke up gently. "Trowa, I'm going to go tell your mother you're awake; if you have anything private say, do say while I'm gone. It's going to be a while before you're alone together."


"How did you-"

"Know your boss was the Grim Reaper?" Trowa interrupted, smiling at the expression on Duo's face. "I've seen her before. She came to get my father when he passed on."

"Oh." Duo said, at a loss for words.

"As to your impassioned confession… Duo, do you have any idea how many times I've dreamed of you saying those words to me? How much I've wanted to hear them? How often I've lain awake just thinking about you, afraid that if you knew how I felt you wouldn't want anything to do with me?"

For a moment, Duo just stared. Several emotions flickered across his expressive face- disbelief, fear, understanding; and finally, something akin to ecstasy.

"Dammit, you idiot, why didn't you just say so?" Duo demanded, throwing his arms around Trowa's neck again.


The news of Trowa Barton's recovery spread through the school like wildfire, faster even than the news of the attack on him. Part of the reason for that was one Quatre Winner, who made sure everybody he saw knew. He also made sure that they all knew who Trowa owed his life to, although most refused to believe it.

One person in particular who was causing problems was Relena Peacecraft. Whenever someone mentioned the incident around her, she immediately broke down crying and had to leave the room, sobbing about how Duo was being wrongfully accused and wouldn't hurt a fly and Duo's mother wasn't letting her help at all.

The biggest surprise, however, was Duo's support base; heading the small boy's defense was none other than the star of the football team, Heero Yuy, and his right-hand man, Chang Wufei. Both informed anyone who held still long enough that Duo was a lot tougher than anyone imagined, and they had no doubt the stories were true. There was even talk that they would organize a protest rally if Duo was convicted,

In the midst of all this chaos, Quatre was content to sit quietly and apply himself to his duties as student body president. The blond kept careful tabs of everything that was said, but added nothing himself. He had a few ideas he'd like to share with Duo and Trowa after this whole mess was over, however.

There was no doubt in his mind that Duo would be acquitted. He'd heard of Catherine Riker; she was just about the best criminal defense attorney money could buy, and she wasn't for sale. If anyone could save Duo's bacon, Catherine Riker could.


"Duo, sit still." Death hissed for about the hundredth time. "Or so help me, I'll ask the judge to send you out."

Duo reluctantly obeyed. Now that he wasn't worried sick about Trowa, he was worried sick about himself. His future was on the line here, after all, and possibly even his relationship with Trowa. Sad to say, he wasn't exactly confident that Death could bail him out of this one; until a week ago, he hadn't even known she was licensed to practice.

The prosecution rested its case on the testimony of an expert on teen violence, leaving the floor open for Death. Joshua Stone looked nervous for some reason, and kept glancing at the two brunettes out of the corner of his eye.

"Your Honor, the defense would like to call Trowa Barton to the stand."

"Objection!" Stone interrupted with a hint of desperation, jumping to his feet. "Trowa Barton is not on the witness list!"

"Surprise witness, your Honor." Death said smoothly. "Mr. Barton has only recently become available. His testimony is vital to the defense's case, as it will establish the emotional duress my client was under at the time of the crime."

"I'll allow it." The judge said after a short pause. "Call your witness, Miz Riker."

"Thank you, your Honor."

An expectant hush fell over the courtroom as Trowa, still confined to a wheelchair and covered with bandages, made his way to the stand.

He was calm; Duo could feel how calm he was. And Trowa's calm helped him settle down a little himself, much to Death's relief.

"Mr. Barton." Death began after Trowa was sworn in, pacing slowly up to the witness box. "Tell me, are you aware of why you're here today?"

"To testify on behalf of Duo Maxwell." Trowa answered quietly.

"And do you know what Duo Maxwell is being charged with?"

"Murder." This whole song and dance was nothing new; Duo, Trowa, and Death had gone over what would most likely happen when Trowa took the stand several times, not including the private discussions Trowa and Death had engaged in while Duo was resting.

"Tell me, Mr. Barton, what is Mr. Maxwell like?"

"And what exactly do you mean by that?" Trowa asked, raising one eyebrow.

"Is he a violent boy?"

"By nature, no. By necessity, yes."

"Has Mr. Maxwell ever willfully harmed you or anyone you know?"

"No."

"Do you know whose murder Mr. Maxwell is being tried for?"

"No; the victim and I didn't have much of a chance to get aquainted."

"Mr. Barton, would you mind telling the jury what happened in your apartment on Sunday, April 10th of this year?"

Yes. Trowa said quietly, although his lips didn't move. "Do you want me to start before or after a psychopath with a scythe broke into my home?"

"After will work, Mr. Barton."

"Well, in that case, I got my ass kicked, my arm nearly chopped off, and my virginity stolen." That bastard. Again, Trowa's mouth didn't move, although Duo was sure he'd heard the quiet boy's voice. What the hell did he want with me? Why? What did I ever do to him? How can he be looking at me with so much concern in his eyes? How can he stand to be in the same room as me?

After a moment, Duo realized that Trowa was no longer refering to his attacker; now he was talking about the boy being tried for murder here. Nor was he speaking; Trowa's thoughts themselves were pouring into his mind now, the way Death's did when she was upset.

Because I love you. Duo thought, pushing the simple message towards Trowa and hoping the other boy received it. I love you, you ass. What that bastard did has no bearing on how I feel about you, except maybe to arouse certain slightly maternal instincts.

Trowa, who was in the middle of giving Death the gruesome details, paused, his face taking on a shocked expression so slight that Duo was probably the only one to notice. The unabang began speaking again, but the words Duo heard were different.

You can... hear me?

Every friggin word, buddy. Duo assured him. And if you keep thinking that way, I'm gonna have to do something about it.

But... Duo, I'm spoiled goods. Surely you realize that!

Not in my eyes, you aren't. Duo said firmly. Now pay attention to Death before she wipes us both off the face of the Earth, okay?

Trowa's testimony continued uninterrupted by telepathic love confessions, and Death wrapped it up smoothly.

"No further questions, your Honor." Death said with a slight smile, turning on her heel and walking back to her seat. "Now we see what Stone does." She muttered darkly to Duo, glaring across the courtroom at the ADA.

"No questions, your Honor." Stone said wearily, and Duo felt defeat rolling off the attorney in waves.


In less than an hour, the verdict was announced; Duo was a free man. They'd won.

And the only thing Duo cared about was that he wouldn't have to leave Trowa.


"Duo?" Death said quietly, peeking into Duo's bedroom and hoping she wasn't about to witness something she'd rather not. "Trowa?"

"Hmm?" Both boys were lying on Duo's bed, fully-clothed, and neither's mind smelled of sex. Well, maybe there was hope for this generation yet.

"Duo, we have to go. Trowa, too."

"Go where?" Trowa asked, sitting up and dragging Duo with him.

"To meet God." Death said, smiling at the pole-axed expression on Trowa's face. "He wants to talk to all three of us. And when God says move, we move."

"Yes, ma'am." Trowa agreed with a salute, standing up. As soon as they'd released him from the hospital, he'd gotten rid of his wheelchair, relying on his own two feet and Duo to get him where he needed to go. "Let's get going, Duo."

"I don't wanna." Duo pouted, although he did drag himself out of bed. "I wanna sleep."


"This place looks huge when no one's here." Duo commented, looking around at the white marble walls and gigantic windows. "And just a little creepy."

"I think it's nice." Trowa said, smiling slightly. "Wouldn't want to live here, mind you, but it's a feat of architecture, to be certain."

"It was constructed entirely by magic." Death informed them. "The angels made the marble, and the devils shaped it into this. I actually helped carve the engravings on the door."

"No way!" Duo exclaimed, his voice echoing off the vaulted ceiling.

"Yes, way." Death disagreed. "And keep your voice down."

"Death." God said calmly when the three reached His throne. "Duo. Trowa."

"Lord." Death responded, dropping to one knee and signalling for Duo and Trowa to do the same. "To what to we owe this unexpected pleasure?"

"I have an explanation to give." God said, His handsome face taking on a slightly guiltly expression. "Firstly, I apologize for the actions of My angel, and assure you that he has been well-punished." He turned to Duo and smiled. "And have you found the object of your quest?"

"Yeah." Duo said, blushing slightly. "I guess you could say that."

"Do not be embarrassed of something so pure as your love for My Child." God said, the capital C on child evident in His voice.

"Child?" Death repeated, sounding slightly alarmed. "Lord, tell me you're not serious! If Trowa was your Child, I would surely have sensed it by now!"

"You most certainly would have, if he did not have a seal set on his powers."

"What's the Child?" Duo asked, frowning in confusion. "What's going on?"

"The Child is a mortal with power to rival that of an angel." Death explained. "It's said that when the Child comes, the fate of the world hangs in the balance. If he lives, prospers, and finds love, then the world is safe for a few thousand millenia. But if he dies before he finds love, then the world is doomed. His death would release a tremendous amount of energy into the Earth. Enough to melt the crust and freeze the core. Maybe even enough to destroy it outright. One of the missions of the Reapers is to keep watch for the Child, and protect him from harm when he does appear. But why would Micheal want the Child dead?"

"Maybe he wanted the world to end." Duo suggested. "Maybe he doesn't like humans or something. Or maybe he was crazy."

"Or perhaps all three." God interjected. "When his vendetta failed and he was sent to Lucifer's domain, Micheal lost all semblence of mind and thought. He is no better off than a newborn human."

"Helpless as a baby kitten, huh?"

"Precisely so, My Child."


"So that was God, huh?" Trowa spoke up idly, as if commenting on the weather. "Have you met Him before?"

"You remember that time I got really sick overnight?" Duo asked, continuing when Trowa nodded. "Well, I went to a big to-do in the Marble Hall with Death and got myself poisoned. God sucked whatever it was out of me. It took a few days, but He did it."

"I would have given anything to see that party." Trowa sighed wistfully, his eyes bright with imagination.

"You want me to tell you?"

"Would you?"

"Okay. First of all, I have to tell you about Lucifer! The woman is beautiful, but psychotic. She-"


Death smiled to herself and closed the bedroom door all the way, giving Duo and Trowa some privacy.

"Those two are going to make things interesting around here." She commented softly.

"Methought that was my job." Sissa pouted, draping her arms over Death's shoulders and burying her face in the brunette's hair.

"Only in the bedroom." Death countered. "What say we go introduce my bed to its newest occupant?"

"I thought thee'd never ask."


Done! Finito! My first completed multi-part fic! I'm so proud of myself for seeing this through to the end!

I'd just like to thank all the people who reviewed this story and encouraged me to keep going! You kept me from giving up so many times, and I don't know how I can thank you enough! Thanks also goes to my little sister Immortal-pain, who inspired me to keep at it, if only to spite her; Link Worshiper, who helped me improve without even knowing it; again, to the reviewers, who were the only reason I kept going at times; to the creators of Gundam Wing, because without them, I wouldn't have such wonderful characters to work with; and last but far from least, I offer graditude to my mother for encouraging me to write and putting up with my fits when the story wasn't going my way.

Thank you, everyone! I could never have crossed the finish line without you!