Disclaimers: Don't own any part of Gundam Wing nor it's characters. Merely borrowing them for a little torture.

Warnings: Shounen-ai (because I suck at yaoi) , major A.U, some OOC I think, mpreg (mentioned, implied, so on)

Reflections of the Past

Part 6

Heero was panicking. One minute he was holding Duo in his arms, the next minute he was a dead weight. "Duo, talk to me. Quatre, please," he begged, frightened beyond belief. He barely registered what his Healer had said only that. . . . "TWO?" He felt his breath coming in short gasps as his swirling mind tried to process what Quatre had just said. "What the hell do you mean?" Alright, so that didn't come out quite as forcefully as Heero intended, with his pitch escalating, making him sound squeaky.

It also didn't help that his warriors were all grinning openly at him being completely flabbergasted and his son, little Odin, ranting on excitedly about how he was going to play with his new brothers. Brothers, plural, two, more than one.. Heero swallowed convulsively, feel a little nauseous himself.

"Duo, wake up," Quatre leaned over Heero's prone mate, slapping his cheek gently.

Duo stirred, with a groan. "'Ero, had a n'ghtmare. 'Tre said 'm havin twins." He snuggled deeper into Heero's warmth.

It was unfortunate that Heero found the situation amusing now as a feeling of joy finally seeped into his being. His mate was pregnant, again. He was going to be a father, again. He was going to have, not one but two, little terrors to deal with, again. Alright, so the last didn't really bode well, but his mind latched onto the one thing that was causing euphoria to spiral within him. Duo was pregnant, again!

Heero exploded into laughter that was mixed with elation and relief. Complete relief that his mate wasn't injured or sick. Well, Duo was sick, but in a good way, or at least. . . . Heero clamped down on his thoughts, realising it was running away with him.

Violet eyes cracked open as Duo stared at Heero balefully. Then it cleared, remembering where they were. It also helped that Odin was shaking his arm, asking him when his brothers are coming. "Oh no!" He moaned, covering his eyes with one hand.

"Has someone been asking the Ancient for something lately?" Quatre teased, laying a hand on Duo's forehead. He frowned a little, noting it was slightly warm.

"You're not happy?" Heero asked, a little sad at his mate's reaction. He felt the dampening of his own excitement.

Duo finally realised the crestfallen expression on Heero's handsome features and hurried to assure him. "Of course I'm happy, but just not. . . . not now, not twins," that came out a little plaintive. He wondered just how big he was going to get. With Odin, Duo already felt he was huge and for two babies to grow he would be enormous.

"We are going to have to take things easy now," Zechs immediately started planning, taking Wufei aside to arrange for some sort of transport for Duo. It seemed it already was an unspoken decision Duo was not to be running in his 'delicate condition'.

The braided Healer stared at the proceedings and how the rest of the warriors bunched around Zechs and Wufei, listening intently to their every word, determined to ensure the comfort of their leader's mate. Duo sighed inwardly. At least now it was their leader's mate and not the Healer who was carrying a child. Twice didn't make it a miracle anymore, merely a coincidence.

"Father," Odin demanded. "When are my brothers coming? Where are they?" The boy danced excitedly around his parents, causing Heero to laugh at the childish exuberance.

"It's in your papa right now. It will be a while before they will arrive," Heero explained with an indulgent smile.

Odin looked Duo over carefully, as if to see where his Papa was hiding his birthing day present. "Where?"

"Here," Duo placed a hand over his stomach. "For now."

The child leaned down, examining the flat stomach suspiciously, peering this way and that, trying to ascertain if his Papa lied to him. He didn't see any brothers there, so why did his Papa say that they were there?

"They are still small, Odin," Quatre explained. "Give them some time to grow."

Odin nodded seriously and accepted the explanation. He hurried over to Brinan, trying to explain the wonders of having brothers to play with.

As Odin left them, Heero felt Duo sigh wearily. "Tired, love?"

Duo nodded, his lids closing, "Are you sure, Quat?"

"About?" Quatre asked distractedly. He continued to check Duo over, just short of undressing him in the open. Heart rate a little quick, distinct pallor, exhaustion, weight loss, heightened temperature. . . . His mind took in all these details and mentally checked his medicine bag, wondering if there were enough herbs there to ease Duo's symptoms.

"I think he meant the twins, Quat," Heero muttered vaguely, rearranging Duo's limbs to get him to rest more comfortably against him. The events had tired Duo out and he was seconds away from falling truly asleep.

Trowa squatted down next to his mate, offering Quatre his medicine bag. The blond smiled gratefully at the tall Shifter and rummaged through it, noting with some distress while he had herbs for cuts and other injuries, there were none for alleviating morning sickness.

"When I checked you over, I noted two additional energy signatures within you. Unless your unborn son has a problem with multiple personalities, I believe there are now two extra lives within you, instead of one," Quatre explained, mentally categorising the plants he would need.

"You really don't do anything in half measures do you?" Trowa asked Duo affectionately.

"Why does everyone think it's my fault?" Duo directed a look of sleepy accusation towards Heero, who immediately felt it was completely unfair,  since his mate was the one who had all his prayers answered.

Trowa was duly impressed with Heero's restraint at not mouthing off to Duo. Remembering how volatile the Healer was the last time he had all those hormones raging within him, Trowa could only guess it was self preservation more than restraint that was causing Heero's guarded tongue. Duo in full hormonal rage had the capability to rip someone into three with nothing more than the benefit of his tongue.

"So we were wrong in assuming that it was your head injury that was giving you problems?" Trowa said to Duo, since his mate seemed to be too preoccupied with something to carry on a conversation.

Duo hummed a drowsy affirmative.

"And your panic attacks are not causing your nausea?" Trowa continued. "It is actually morning sickness?"

"Maybe," Duo allowed, opening his eyes a little more. He sat up, closing his eyes and imagining going back to his former tribe, thinking about his father. Almost instantly, his stomach churned as the familiar pounding of fear thrummed his entire body. He just managed to push himself away from Heero before dinner, lunch, breakfast and everything in between came up violently. He stood there, shuddering with effort knowing the only thing that was holding him up was Heero and Quatre.

"So maybe I was wrong," Trowa muttered over the scathing reproach of his mate.

Heero swept Duo into his arms, planting kisses on his mate's clammy forehead. He looked almost passed out again, his breathing ragged and he was shivering as if cold. Heero glared at Trowa with death in his eyes, and the Shifter wisely slunk away to join the other warriors before his life ended prematurely.

"I don't know how this happened," Duo whispered, more than ready to surrender to sleep. "I didn't ask her for anything, I swear."

Heero hushed him, carrying him to the fire and tucking a heavy coat around Duo's shivering form. "It's fine. We'll work this out, I promise."

Before he could finish his sentence, his mate was completely dead to the world. He knelt there a while, drying Duo's sweaty forehead with a rag, brushing the stray tendrils of hair away from the pale and gaunt face. Excitement and worry warred violently within him and Heero wasn't sure who came out the victor. The thought of Duo's body rounded with his children brought a thrill of desire to him, but at the same time it worried him to no end. The last time it had nearly killed his mate. Thought it was an unfortunate coincidence, he couldn't help but feel that it just might happen again. This time was different as well, the last time Duo wasn't this tired, this worn. Of course, Duo had had some signs of fatigue during his last pregnancy but it wasn't as bad as this and they were home, where Heero could pamper and protect his mate. If Duo was awake, he could have snorted in disbelief and told Heero it wasn't pampering as much as coddling. His mind flashback to the past few weeks, going over how many times his mate had Healed for the sake of the Forest and the tribe. When the numbers escalated alarmingly, Heero wondered if this weakness was a result from that. What if something was wrong and Duo miscarried like he almost did the last time? Heero could still taste the terror from that long ago memory like it happened yesterday. Duo should be home right now, resting in their dwelling, being taken care. . . . fine, being coddled.

Instead, they were caught in the middle of nowhere, going towards a place that spelled terror for his mate, who didn't need any more troubles piled onto his plate at the moment.

~*~

Duo awoke refreshed the next morning and disappeared to the river by himself. He felt the familiar protest of his stomach once more and once he was finished he flopped onto the bank, lying under the morning sun. He was still tired but at least he was sure he was up to a day's travel. Also, it helped that most of his illness was just that, something that will pass after a spell. He had felt guilty keeping the fact that he thought he was still injured from Heero, who worried constantly for him, no matter how many professed him to being the strongest Healer of all time. Next the braided Healer worried about this new situation at hand. He couldn't help but feel that there was something wrong with the children he carried within him. Nothing too glaring, but just a vague unease that permeated every pore in his body that this pregnancy, no matter how miraculous it was, as Odin's had been, was different. He also felt a little foolish that as a Healer couldn't recognise morning sickness for what it was. He lay there, immersed in a whole trail of disjointed, confused thoughts.

However, he was ever vigilant of intruders. As Shifters, they were never safe until the Forest reclaimed them at the end of their existence. That was why he jumped to his feet, ready to do battle when a tousled blond head bobbed into view.

"Morning," Quatre greeted sleepily. He yawned hugely before muttering, "Should let us know you are going somewhere."

The two shared a companionable silence. "How did this happen?" Duo asked at length, his tone filled with confusion. "I honestly didn't ask for anything this time." He found his hand straying to his midsection, cradling it protectively.

"This is another miracle," Quatre reasoned. "Shouldn't you just enjoy it?" There was just a hint of bitterness in his voice.

"No, it's not that. . . ." Duo didn't know how to begin. "I'm scared." It cost him to admit that.

"Of what?" Quatre turned to face Duo.

"I don't know how long I've been pregnant, I don't know what I've done."

Quatre knew that meant Duo didn't know how many Healings he had carried out. He frowned. That was a little odd. From what he can detect, his friend was about six to seven weeks with child but he could remember Duo carrying out countless Healings during that period, without consequences.

"Maybe the babies aren't normal," Duo drew a shaky breath. "Hell, maybe I'm not normal." He fiddled with his sleeve, pulling it down. "Maybe I'm not really a Healer after all." He angled his head to peer at his mark, as did Quatre and both of them found it still to be little oak sapling, same as the one on the blond's shoulder.

Quatre pulled the shirt back into place, cupping Duo's cheek. "You're fine. Don't worry. Maybe you could Heal because the babies are still small, they didn't need you to expend too much energy to keep them protected."

"Maybe," Duo didn't sound convinced, but he was willing accept any assurance his Healer friend would give him.

"How are you feeling?"

"Not so sick since there is nothing left to come out," Duo answered with a slightly chagrined air.

Quatre chuckled softly. "I can't believe you didn't know pregnancy symptoms. Just what kind of half baked Healer are you?"  He teased lightly.

Duo sniffed in mock hurt. "Excuse me, as you recall my first pregnancy wasn't exactly normal and there were other explanations to the dizziness and the nausea I was feeling."

The blond continued to jeer his friend by clicking his tongue. They stared at each other a space before bursting into laughter. "But honestly, I want you to eat. You haven't been doing that so far."

"Don't blame me. Blame them," Duo stroked his stomach lovingly, feeling a small burst of love for the life nestled there.

Suddenly, pandemonium exploded as frantic warriors burst through the bushes with a wild eyed Heero at the forefront. They skidded to a stop when they saw their two Healers staring at them, eyes wide with surprise. Almost immediately, they stalked over to Duo and started to lecture him on his irresponsible behaviour and how he shouldn't slip past sentries to wander off alone.

Both Healers eventually became the recipient of a dressing down as Healers can't defend themselves enough to kill the threat. Quatre and Duo walked slowly back to camp, their head hung low, trying hard to stifle annoyance as they were surrounded by scolding warriors all the way back.

"I don't envy you at all," Quatre muttered.

"You are the same as them," Duo accused.

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

It was going to be a long trip.

tbc…

Ooh, thank for all your reviews, and for some of you, I am sorry, I don't intend to make Quatre pregnant… I guess it is just the plot of my story… and besides, I don't know how to write a Quatre centric story… for me it is Duo-sama or nothing… hehehe….

A few more hours over here and it is Chinese New Year.

For all those celebrating, Prosperous Year of the Monkey for all!!

Happy Chinese New Year… Gong Xi Fa Chai!!