Disclaimer: Don't own.


Warning: On first page... theres more than one.


Dedication: Dear Lynds/ WhiteWolfSearching and Berrful Hunter! glomples you guys are great!!!


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CHAPTER 23


Sunset slowly disappeared over the grassy hill, decorating the view from Heero's window. Heero stayed awake, keeping a strict vigil on the area surrounding any entrances to Relena's room. A man had broken into her room this morning, gun pointed and ready. He had nearly succeeded in killing her, if not for Heero's razor sharp ears, catching the sound of someone moving early in the morning. He had arrived as the trigger was pulled and he was barely able to jar his shooting arm, causing the shot to go wild and hit the bedside lamp. Heero blamed himself, even if he wasn't on shift and there were dozens of other guards he had gotten to. Because of this incident, it was deemed necessary to overhaul the security, and the days delegations were put on hold.


Heero trusted nothing anyone did anymore. His eyes would remain open and alert until they were safely home, and another bodyguard had taken over. Only 26 hours left. Heero watched, his eyes straining out into the landscape for any unwarranted movement. Night slowly crawled by and morning came. Heero walked into Relena's room where she slept peacefully. Heero was glad she could trust him enough to sleep after that, but he didn't deserve her trust.


Relena woke to his gentle urging, and immediately noticed his red eyes and knew he hadn't slept. "Heero? Didn't you sleep?"


"No, I deemed the security here insufficient to protect you so I will keep watch until we are back home and someone else has personal watch duty." Relena sighed, knowing no amount of arguing would get him to change his mind.


Throughout the day, Relena watched Heero, knowing he could make it, but that he shouldn't have to. She felt guilty, it was her fault but she couldn't do anything about it. So she went through the day, trying to keep her mind of her sacrificing bodyguard and hoping to finish the extended trip quickly and get Heero home before he burned himself out.


With a relieved sigh, Relena boarded the flight home, noticing Heero eyeing everyone suspiciously. His cell phone off and laptop closed, all his attention was focused on Relena and her safety. "You should rest, it's been a long day for you."


Relena nearly snorted in laughter at the concerned comment from Heero, "If you are staying awake then so am I," She responded defiantly. Heero looked at her and rolled his eyes.


"Fine, if I rest, then will you?" Heero leaned back against his chair and tilted his head back.


"Only if you promise to sleep," Relena looked over at him doubtfully, but noticed his breathing had already evened out and his eyes were closed peacefully. Satisfied, she rested her head on her own seat and allowed her mind to drift off into sleep. (A/n: Everyone should know its about 3 am while I am writing this... yawns)


Heero watched her through the slits of his eyelids and when he was sure she was asleep, he continued his vigil.


~*~*~


It was very early in the morning when Heero finally stumbled into his house. He pushed the 'PLAY' button on his answering machine and listened. The first one was from Quatre reminding him to call when he got home, the second one was also from Quatre wondering if he had gotten home safe and forgotten to call. The third was from Duo:


"Hey Heero! Its me, Duo, I was just calling to see whats up. I suppose I may have had the day wrong when you got home, but when you do could you call me? I am probably just being paranoid, I'm sure you are fine. But just in case? Just so I know? Thanks! Bye!"


Heero frowned, he probably should have called Duo. It was rather insensitive of him to not have. Quatre was used to this, even if he did worry excessively. Heero looked at the clock, three o'clock am. He didn't want to wake Duo up. He would wait until morning.


~*~*~


Duo slept rather uneasily that night. He had been valiantly watching the news as much as he could yesterday, but there wasn't much news about the peace talks. There had been an earthquake farther east so much of the news was a damage report. Duo thought he would be up all night worrying, but during work, in order to take his mind off his anxiety, he had pushed himself hard and finished two jobs days ahead of schedule. He was physically exhausted so he found himself drifting into an uneasy sleep.


He awoke to his alarm clock singing to him. Grunting he reached over and smacked his hand down, luckily hitting the snooze button. Satisfied he rolled over for another 7 minutes of sleep. Four and a half minutes later the phone started ringing, grumbling Duo marched over to the phone and slurred out some unintelligible response.


"Duo?"

"Heero?" Immediately Duo was awake. "Heero! You're home, wow, thats great!"

"Yes, I'm sorry I didn't call. I should have but things were a little hectic, let me make it up to you tonight at dinner?"

Duo grinned, if it was bribery, it was unnecessary, but he wouldn't refuse the offer. "I think I am free, I'm sure that would be fine."


"Ah great, I can meet you at your apartment and we can decide where we want to go then, and then ride together?" Heero offered.


Duo frowned remembering his revelations of the earlier week, "How about we meet at your house tonight? For a change in pace," He suggested, trying to keep his voice light.


Heero was silent for a moment, as if weighing the options. "They aren't really that many places to eat by my house-"

"I'm sure we could find somewhere, it'll be fun!"


"Well, alright. I suppose thats alright." Duo frowned, Heero sounded awfully hesitant and Duo hoped he hadn't crossed some line by suggesting it. At least though, he was getting his chance to see if Mr. Perfect-Yuy kept his house as clean as his car, clothes and appearance. Duo smiled and went to start his shower.


~*~*~


Duo drove slowly through the neighborhood, this was supposedly the street Heero lived on. The addresses were going in the right direction so it must be. Duo glanced once more at the sheet with the address and looked up again. Finally he stopped, 221 Lutz drive. He looked at the expansive manicured lawn, the artful landscaping, and the solid brick driveway. Duo wasn't a fool, he knew these things were expensive, and he sincerely hoped he wasn't about to knock on some strangers door. The driveway was about a quarter of a mile. Duo drove up it and parked his bike in front of the front steps. Looking around, the braided man walked to the front door gaped. The 'house' was at least 3 stories with probably 10 large sized bedrooms, and every possible company room availible. With a deep breath, Duo knocked on the gargoyle head knocker and waited.


After what seemed like hours, but was probably mere minutes, he heard the doors locks shift, and the handle turned. Slowly, the door opened and there was a set of familiar deep blue eyes. Placing a fond relaxed smile on his face, Duo greeted, "Nice pad ya got here."



Heero sat Duo down in the parlor, promised him a warm cup of coffee, and left. The sofa Duo was sitting in was obviously old, dark mahogony wood made up the legs and sides, the fabric was a artful canvas like fabric. Created to look cheap, while retaining the I'm-rich-and-can-damn-well-afford-this look. Heero returned.


He gave Duo a mug full of steaming coffee and sat down in a chair opposite the couch. He watched Duo's eyes flit over the expensively decorated room, and he could feel a judgement being passed. Never before had he been so eager to explain.


"It was a gift from the government after the war," He started, bringing Duo's gaze back to him. "The house I mean. Its big, but most of the neighbors are just as antisocial as I am," He grinned. "Except of course for the people across the street, I talk to them all the time."

"Who is it?" Duo asked.


"Its one of the Winner family estates and is where Quatre and Trowa reside most of the time."


"Really? Thats great, always someone around then." Duo looked around at the long hallways of Heero's house. "Do you live alone then?"


"Essentially, twice a week a cleaning crew comes through, but other than that I'm alone."


"Big house to be alone in," Duo said wide eyed.


Heero merely nodded, feeling somewhat discomfited. "Well, are you ready to go?"


Duo looked at him, and knew he was uncomfortable. "Sure!" He said standing, "Lets hit the town!"


tsuzuku


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Alright, I will post arigatous (half are written) and authors notes tomorrow! Thanks for reading and all your reviews mean so much to me! Thank you!!! If you don't get an email when I update be sure to tell me or leave your address if its an anonymous review. Thanks!


Arigatous:


Chain: A canopy bed. . . . hands lollipop I won't make any promises. . . . Wow, I opened up the reviews on Friday and just started cracking up. It all started with this one. THANKS FOR YOUR REVIEW!


Super Poodle: Ramen? sniffs air AI!!! I WANT SOME!!! ~10 minutes later~ Yum, I feel better. See what you started? I would love to update twice this week but, alas, I am going to be leaving on Saturday so I won't be able to. Hopefully someone will ... update for me! ^_^


rikasakuraduo- heerosyliaspike: bows Thank you very much. I appreciate your review... and love your name! glomps


Andie: I must admit I am not a Relena fan myself, but. . . . Well I feel she is important to the story, and in many bashing fics she transforms into some insane wild beast who goes around starting fights and trying to destroy everyones (usually Duo's) life. I must admit that is not what I see her as. I do not like her in the show, but in my fic I hope to make her a more agreeable character and take advantage of her power and further the plot. shrugs ^^* I am trying!


Akennea: flexes fingers and writes as fast as she can


Berrful Hunter: Well, I think most of your questions should have been answered in this chapter. . . . (not entirely sure since I am writing these before the chapter is written) glomps


Hikaru Matsudai: I think I agree. I was trying so hard not to rush it, but its been like ... 7 weeks and they are really close. sighs Though with true love ya never know... shrugs If you have some suggestions, you can email them to me. . . . it is always appreciated!


Ichigo Pocky: blinks No?


PATTY 40: Everyone is being so nice about the short chapter! feels loved I will keep writing, I swear.


Yuri Rikusentai: Eek, you people and your threats. Lucky for me this is written after the chapter is so I have nothing to fear. looks nervous I don't think.


MarieG: I can't wait to see your site. I will try to keep updating regularly. grins


Jade Crescent: It was updated (fairly) soon... a little more than a week. It wasn't meant to be a huge cliffhanger, it just sounded really ominous when I wrote it and I felt like keeping it.


LadyDragonWolfKnight: Thanks for your review! hands lollipop


Calencoireiel: GAH! hangs head So close, I almost had your name right. I was just missing one 'e'! Next time I promise! ^^* I do think Duo and Relena will grow closer, it was there first meeting so. . . . shrug


WhiteWolfSearching: looks severe Yes, I left you a cliffhanger b/c you didn't update. ^_^ Ya know ya left me two reviews? Thanks!


Du-kun: Ah you pointed out one of my biggest problems. By adding the mpreg element, it basically forces me to play it to conclusion. Which is what I want to do anyhow. But trying to make complete strangers fall in love and handle all the other messy little subplots. I agree, this story is getting gargantuan. I think a little later, I will do some time skipping. It will just have to be done.


PSL: Now you know what happens to Heero. ^_^ Thanks for your review it is very much appreciated! glomps


leemax: feels especially loved I especially like how you kept Norris in mind. He is going to be making a return. ^_^ I felt so special when you told me you spent so much time reading it. The story is so long I'm afraid it may be a bit intimidating. I just hope it doesn't drag too much.


Insanechildfanfic: Thank you, I appreciate it.


Sweetpea: I really like your penname. I like charity myself. She is kinda fun to have as a sub character. Thank you very much for the review.


Soon to be world renown Gracie: Like the new penname. Very aspiring. ^_^ keeps going (Who knows at any given moment Annie could be sitting at her computer.... 'going')


139: Thank you and I did. ^_^ glomps


chibidarkangel: I love your reviews, they sometimes point things out to me, or point out something I was hoping people would pick up. Whether intentional or not your reviews help point out things I should clear up. THANK YOU!!!! hands pocky


Alright, I did Arigatous. Sorry, sometimes I put the chapter off til late at night and don't have time for them. THANKS FOR YOUR REVIEWS! They are the food for my starving artists soul.


~Annie