A/N: Hey guys... Uhh.... Didja miss me? Many apologies on leaving ya'll with another of my infamous disappearances but I was busy pulling off what I think might be a world record on time spent searching for and attaining a job.. 6 hours. Since then I have been working my sorry hiney off earning money. But I have briefly returned. Now then..

To the reviewers:

Silencebeforebetrayal: Glad ya like it. .

Duo-23: Well... You see.. Duo had no choice really.. He was only a kid and hoping to find a place to call home.. But I'm not nice enough to grant him that.

RikoRishodeathangeloflight: Well... I'm no fan of Relena's either... But this chap doesn't involve her.. So that doesn't matter. And we'll see how the story goes as to whom she wishes to kill.. Maybe she wants to kill Heero. You know.. that whole.. 'I can't have him, no-one can' thing..

Weissangel24: Now if I updated when ya wanted me to, it just wouldn't be right.. I gotta let the muse take its time.. Especially since songs inspire most of my chapter. But since I don't listen to music very often... And don't worry... There is a fitting ending planned for this little affair with Relena

pUnKRoCk's Sk8ter chic: Heero knew all along.. he just didn't want to accept them and was feeling a little doubtful about whether Duo would reciprocate his feelings and if he deserved Duo's affections.. Gotta remember.. This guy was brought up believing emotions were weak and that he was meant only to kill people.. Being a Gundam Pilot with Duo and the others kinda taught him the value of life so now he realizes all the killing he did was wrong and doubts his own worth.. Also, let us not forget his famous line from Episode Zero "Life comes cheap. Especially mine." And the spelling errors... I know... I'm just being lazy in fixing them..

AnimeOnna: I said I was cruel, didn't I? And yes, you are smart for figuring it out.. gives you a cookie Glad ya liked it and many apologies for what I did to Duo last chapter. Unfortunately.. This chapter isn't any better..

Raven'sLight: Aren't you proud of me? I didn't ask for help this time. And yes.. Relena bashing is a good thing..

Onto the fic!!

Chapter 14:

I sat in the den with Heero for what must have been at least half an hour before I fell back into a light sleep. I jolted awake a couple hours later alone on the couch. The storm had rekindled memories that I wished would stay dormant. Trembling I curled tightly around myself hugging my knees to my chest. What did I do that was so wrong to deserve such a horrible childhood? Another image of my foster father and the sadistic grin he wore on his face that night flashed through my mind and I curled a little tighter, letting out a quiet whimper.

Heero must've heard me because not 30 seconds later he came into the room and sat beside me, allowing me to curl into his arms and draw from him the comfort and strength I so desperately needed. Gently he rubbed my back in small circular motions with his hand in an attempt to help me relax. That act led me to think that maybe he cared for me more than I had originally thought. Maybe we could be friends at least. With that thought in mind I smiled a little and began to forget about what had led to me being curled up in Heero's arms.

It didn't come back to me until later that night, but it came back with a vengeance. I had allowed myself to fall asleep in Heero's arms that night. I wish I hadn't. I wasn't going to tell him about my nightmares. But after I had one in his arms... I had to. It started...

"What the--?" I muttered as I looked around. For as far as I could see I was surrounded by pitch black. Absolute nothingness. I was completely alone. I felt so empty... Reluctantly I stepped forward hoping that I would somehow find my way out of this dark fog.

After walking for what seemed like hours I finally collapsed to my knees, weary. As I sat, catching my breath a figure slowly appeared through the gloomy shadows and approached me. I looked up to see who the mysterious person might be but what I saw surprised me. "...H-Heero?"

His face was hidden by the unruly fall of his chocolate brown locks but I could still see his eyes, blue as the ocean in the first moments following sunset. Slowly I stood to be eye level with him. "What are you doing here?" I asked. A small smile crossed his lips as he brought his hand up to gently cup my cheek. Instinctively I leaned into the simple caress feeling some small measure of comfort. Suddenly he pulled his hand away and hit me, sending me sprawling to the ground.

Confused I gently brought my hand up to where he had slapped my face. Looking up at him I saw that the smile that he had been wearing had turned into a cruel smirk as he walked the short distance of a few steps between us and kicked me in the ribs, hard, sending me flying a few feet away from him and landing with a resounding thud.

Slowly I started to get up, my breathing slightly laboured. "H-Heero? Wha-what are you doing?" His response was cold and filled with disgust. "You're nothing more than a lowlife street urchin. You don't deserve to be anywhere near me."

"Heero?" I asked, suddenly scared. Slowly his raised his gun and aimed it at me. "Heero? What are you doing with that? What's going on?" I asked frantically. "Omae o korosu, Duo." Was all he said as he pulled the trigger. I felt the burning sensation as the bullet lodged itself in my shoulder, causing me to fall again.

A few seconds later I saw Heero's mustard yellow sneakers appear in front of me and I looked up at him, holding my injured shoulder. "Why?" I asked, wanting to understand why he was trying to kill me. "Because, you don't deserve to live." He replied then aimed the gun at my forehead and fired.

That's when I woke up. Heero was holding me tight, looking scared as I felt panicked and was trying desperately to break free of his grasp. Tears were streaming down my face as I struggled and fought. Heero was saying something, trying to calm me down, but whatever it was fell on deaf ears. I eventually broke free and ran from the room. I soon found my way to Wufei's room and collapsed into his arms sobbing. Soothingly he rubbed my back and whispered soft reassurances to me as I cried.

Maxwell entered my room at an alarming hour. It was painstakingly obvious he had been having a nightmare. Now the only question was what was this one about. Maxwell has nightmares that could make your blood run cold. I suppose it doesn't help matters that he has an extremely vivid imagination and a tragic childhood. I suppose none of us can say we really had a perfect childhood. Many would argue that Winner was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and had a wonderful life with everything he could want or need. But indeed sometimes having everything can be as bad as having nothing. Gazing down at the weeping figure in my arms I nearly wept myself. My heart went out to him. This was someone who had been through the worst of the worst and still managed a ten-point landing.

So if he was so perfect, and strong, and gallant, and arrogant, and brave, how did he end up crying in my arms? Sometimes one of the strongest things you can do is reach out for help. But it bothered me that he had not gone to Yuy for help. I mean I've put everything I have into keeping those two together but nothing seems to work. Perhaps Maxwell would be better off without him. He might even be better off with me... I dropped that thought to utter soft reassurances to the weeping, fallen angel.

Looking up at Wufei's caring and knowing face I started to wonder... why was it that I always went crying to him when Heero hurt me? Was it just because we were good friends? Or was there something... more?