Wow, I wasn't able to get online, so when I finished the chapter I was angry cause I couldn't post but now I can I think. Errmm, I have a flight to catch in ten minutes so I don't have time to write thank you's until later, so I will put them up in last chapter.
Disclaimer and warning: On first page cause I have to go!
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CHAPTER 7
It was the unnamed doctor's assistant. What is he doing . . . In a brief flashback, he remembered his escapade when he followed Norris, and the man he had recognized. It was him, the doctor's assistant, so by telling him where they were going they were unwittingly inviting trouble to come.
A slow, malicious smile spread across Norris' face, but his eyes glinted in anger. He sauntered over to them where Duo was standing with clenched fists. "So Duo, tell me? It's alright for you to have an extra beau but not me?" His voice was sickeningly sweet and rudely condescending. Duo glared, Norris didn't deserve an explanation, so he wasn't getting one.
"Duo?" Heero came up behind him and settled in a defensive stance at his left shoulder, but slightly in back, so that no one thought he was fighting Duo's battles for him.
"This man here is my ex," Waving vaguely with his arms, he introduced them. "Norris, Heero. Heero, Norris." Both men glared at each other, but Heero's piercing gaze would make a cat cry, and Norris couldn't beat the cat. Norris turned his gaze on Duo.
"Aw, Duo I am sure you could have done better," His voice sneered and Duo's fists clenched.
"After you even a slug would have been better!" Duo's voice echoed in the small restaurant. The entire place looked up. It was an unusual sight, 4 men, two couples fighting at the top of there lungs. Duo looked around, slightly abashed, when Norris came up and sucker punched him in the gut. Coughing, Duo doubled over. Heero moved up to attack Norris, but his companion, got in the way. Coming up, Duo rammed his head into Norris' shoulder, dropping him to his knees. Norris stood again as he matched Duo, who was still clutching his stomach protectively, anger swelling in his eyes.
"How dare you do that?!" Norris shrugged, but winced in pain from where there was undoubtably a bruise already forming on his shoulder. Duo turned to leave but Norris grabbed him from behind.
"Where are you going? Gonna go home and cry?" Duo clenched his teeth, he couldn't fight, it wasn't safe, for him or the baby; but Norris had other ideas. Using his uninjured arm he grabbed Duo by the shoulder, resentment and anger filling his body.
"Norris! Let me go!" Heero walked forward just as Norris lunged and Duo moved backwards. Putting up his fists, Norris once more charged, but Duo dove between Norris' legs, but Norris recovered far too quickly and jammed his heel into Duo's back. Duo buckled and rolled over, doing likewise from the floor, smashed his foot into the small of Norris' back. Norris came down and Heero, who had been 'detained' by the doctor's assistant (who, by the way, was out cold on the floor) came up behind him, clamping his arm on his injured shoulder. In a quiet, calm, deadly voice he addressed Norris.
"I suggest you leave, and take your boyfriend there with you," Heero jerked his head back in the assistants direction. Norris was brutally hauled to his feet. As his boyfriend began to come too, he was also thrown towards the door. Together they struggled out the door and into there car, a black Mercedes. With tender concern, Heero turned to the pained Duo. Duo was standing, his eyes flashing in anger.
"I'm sorry, but can we please leave? I don't know if I have the appetite to eat right now." Heero nodded and motioned to the waiter, apologizing and paying for Norris and his 'friend.' He then followed Duo out the door and watching him struggle to control his anger.
"Heero? May I drive? We may not be going home right away, but it helps me relax," Mutely, Heero handed over the keys, and Duo fell into the car, with a serious wince of pain. Heero noticed but understood that Duo didn't want to talk right now, a stark contrast to his normal mood. He stiffly got in the car, leaning forward, back ramrod straight, avoiding contact with the injured portion. He sped out of the parking lot, and onto the nearest highway. Duo went dangerously fast, but not once did he lose control. The whole way was a muttered dialogue, spoken in angry tones and littered with colorful expletives. Occasionally he glanced at his stomach where he had been punched and he still kept his back warily from the seat. Heero watched him, slightly worried and decidedly upset. Today was not going well.
Duo's muscles began to relax as some if his anger faded, leaving only a lingering resentment. He glanced over at Heero, as if suddenly remembering he was here. Grimacing to himself, Duo muttered apologetically to Heero. Heero nodded in acceptance and looked forward again. Inwardly cursing himself, Duo plastered a huge grin on his face. Heero watched him curiously, as Duo watched the side of the road. Apparently spotting the exit he desired, he signaled and got off.
Duo watched the road, as he pulled onto a busy street, he knew what he was looking for. When he was younger he had come here often, and it still held some juvenile appeal for him. Finding the place of his desire, he pulled in. He leapt out of the car, most of his good spirit renewed. Heero just sat there, looking incredulously at the place, Toni's Arcade and Pizza Parlor.
"Come on Hee-chan!" Heero looked at him, jaw open from the nickname and the destination of the previously enraged man. The building flashed in neon and the inside glittered with arcade games, some in use, many not.
Duo ran to Heero's side of the car, prepared to drag him out if necessary, but Heero finally closed his mouth [1] and moved. He followed Duo into the rundown building, as the faded carpet, once black now grey, with an indistinguishable design etched upon it. The greasy scent of pizza wafted in the air, along with the oily, sweaty scent of dirty kids. Heero had seen worse, but not by choice. [2] With old familiarity, Duo slid into a cracked leather booth, and picked up the ancient phone at the side, waiting patiently for someone to ask for his order. Heero sat down, what else was there to do?
Duo quickly placed an order, and then proceeded to pull out a wad of crunched up bills. Heero watched him curiously. Grinning, Duo explained, "If we want to play video games, we need quarters, since I don't have any on hand I will have to use the machine." Duo pointed at a faux wood covered plastic machine, with large money symbols on it and explanations for how to put the bill in and what type of bills were accepted. Duo stood and expertly popped in a twenty, out spilled 80 quarters and he used a convenient cup to catch the coins. Duo then proceeded to challenge Heero to a racing game. Mutely, Heero nodded in agreement, quickly getting a handle on the controls and desperately trying to keep up with Duo's experienced 'driving.' Without realizing it, Heero's competitive streak acme out and they found themselves draining the cup, as a group of young boys milled about, watching the unusual sight of two, well-dressed adult men, duking it out on a racing game. As there quarters ran low, Heero pulled out a bill, handed it to a boy and told him to get them some more quarters. Gawking, the kid explained to him that the machine didn't take $100 bills. Duo was pulling ahead and Heero told the kid to buy what he could and keep the change. Now Heero was in the lead as Duo watched him, dumbfounded. Heero reached the finish line, as Duo's car idled and was hit by other 'racers.' Grinning with satisfaction, and the arrival of there pizza, Heero never noticed Duo's reaction.
Heero watched Duo eat the pizza, nothing more than grease and cheese on cardboard as he would later describe, and found himself reluctantly downing a piece to avoid being rude. Then he stood, determined to beat Duo once more in an arcade game, but Duo stopped him.
"Heero, we have been here for three hours, no offense, but I am beat, I don't know if I can stand for the amount of time it will take to determine a winner for that game," Duo grinned, usually he would stay all day, but a lurking worry pranced in the back of his mind, his stomach had been hit really hard today, and only now was he thinking of possible damage done.
Heero's face immediately became a mask of concern, "Are you not feeling well? I am sorry, I knew you were ill and still I kept you, I apologize," Heero bowed where he stood.
"Oh, don't be sorry! If anyone I should be sorry, it's me, I totally ruined our date." Duo's face grew even broader as his grin grew. Heero straightened.
"I will go pay, and then we can leave," As he walked past Duo he whispered in his ear sincerely, "And thank you, I haven't had this much fun in a long time." His breath tickled Duo's ear, and Duo shivered in delight.
As Heero drove them home, they started up a debate on who really won the racing game, a slow, cautious idea occurred to him.
"Hey Heero, I was wondering if you could drop me off somewhere else, instead of home," Heero nodded.
"Just tell me where," Thanking him, Duo gave him directions to Dr. Croats office. They pulled up to the building, "What is this place?" Duo not wanting to tell the full truth answered thus:
"This is where that young friend of Norris' works, I am going to go have a little chat with his boss," Slightly confused, but not going to pressure him, Heero nodded.
"Do you want me to wait for you?"
"No, I don't know how long I will be. Don't worry I will get home somehow," Duo waved as he entered the building, closing the door behind him.
Tsuzuku
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[1] I know Heero is being a little OOC but . . . forgive me! Sumimasen!
[2] This was modeled off the Chuckie's Cheese around here . . . blech .
As I said above I don't have time for personal thank you's but THANKS! So much to all the people who reviewed! I really appreciate it. Alright, Review = more love feeling= more story the moment Annie gets back.
Doumo arigatou Gozaimashita~
~Annie
P. S. I didn't have time to edit this, I will when I return!
