Alright, Annie's internet died. 100 completely for most of August. So for the brief moments when I could get on, it was to explain to people why I couldn't be on normally.

Finally, at the on the first and second of September, Annie's internet worked again. Unfortunately she was packing for college. Annie gets to college, it takes her two and a half days to get it working and now finally she can update.

Sumimasen

XXxxXX

CHAPTER 11

Duo found himself staring surreptitiously at Heero for the 'n'th time that the day. And it was pissing the hell out of him. The human was the same annoying, disgusting person three months ago when he waltzed into his life, and basically strong armed his way into taking care of him. The braided elf knew it was out of interest in his 'sister' and nothing more.

But he had been a rather pleasant companion when it came right down to it. Not to mention he could cook four meals really well. Duo had a lot of those 4 meals lately, though the taste of chicken was getting old.

It didn't help that once freed of caring for his brother, the blond elf had nearly tied his lover to the bed and from the odd sounds coming from Trowa's room. . .

Duo shuddered, he really didn't want to know.

"Are you cold?" Heero asked solicitously, throwing a warm coat over Duo's shoulders.

Duo looked at him and then looked out the window at the sunny summer day and laughed. Duo felt something in him. . .well, melting at the action. Why did Heero have to make himself so. . .so. . likable?

Heero had generously never brought up Duo's attempts at 'mating' again, and he carefully kept mentions of 'Elle' out of the picture, but Trowa told Duo that Heero asked about once a week about 'her'. With every inquiry, Duo fell more and more into depression. It didn't help that he was feeling slightly less than desirable right now. After so rapidly losing all that way, the swift gain of it as his stomach started to swell was unnerving. His hand came to cover his rapidly thickening waist at its own volition. There was no denying it now, he was indisputably pregnant.

Heero had made a few casual joke about it – blaming it on his own food – and Duo laughed them off, but it was becoming quite embarrassing.

And he didn't really know how to keep lying (not lying so much as half truths) and covering it up, especially after last night when he asked for chicken and strawberry jam. . .together. Duo was worried that Heero might have been offended, thinking that Duo no longer liked his chicken, and was no hinting at a new dish for dinner today.

They got off quite well, but Heero couldn't completely hide his suspicions, Duo thought that perhaps Heero thought he was mad. Duo's accidental and rare requests for Heero to join him in some sort of dirty, naughty act didn't help.

"Duo? Is something wrong?" Heero asked, breathing softly into the elf's pointed ear, bringing him back to the present.

Do smiled brightly at Heero, unsure of why he needed to alleviate the human;s worry. "I'm perfectly alright. I was just thinking . . ." Duo paused and felt a chaotic flood take over his thoughts, "I think I'm . . . I'm going on a walk."

"Oh, I'll accompany you." Heero grabbed a shirt and put it on - yes he puttered around the lodge without a shirt, much to Duo's distraction - and opened the door. He ushered Duo out and Duo rolled his eyes, taking initiative and heading into the woods. Despite Duo's recovery from his 'illness', Duo was still a little off-balance and had actually passed out a time or two; and Heero used that as an excuse to keep visiting Duo (and no doubt await a visit from Elle).

Duo had a blast getting Heero hopelessly lost in the woods. There wasn't an inch of woods that Duo couldn't navigate; and while Heero was brilliant and exceptionally hard to confuse – Duo was still an elf, and Heero didn't have a chance. The fresh air and woods was so refreshing; a few birds twittered right above their heads. Watching them, he could tell they were a bit upset. He was about to ask what had them so huffy when Heero cursed and Duo turned to see a huge drip of bird poo oozing down the man's shoulder.

Duo started laughing, Heero glared at him, but Duo had seen that face too many times in the last few months to care anymore. Duo's mirth disgruntled Heero who turned away and disappeared into the trees. Duo waited, chuckling quietly. When Heero returned, there was a huge smear of white on his shoulder, but the bulk of it was gone. He'd probably tried to wipe it off with a leaf. Heero tried to scowl, but gave up and smiled reluctantly when Duo couldn't stop laughing.

"This really isn't funny. And if I find out you have been setting your friends on me..." Heero raised his eyebrows threateningly.

Sweetly, Duo smiled, "I didn't ask them to." How he had guessed elves could communicate with animals was beyond Duo. He never said anything to anyone who wasn't an elf. Perhaps Quatre was guilty?

Heero immediately grabbed a fistful of leaves and threw it at Duo. Most of it fluttered around the elf but some did manage to aim properly and stuck themselves in his slightly opened mouth. Duo spat it out, "Uh-uh," He pointed upwards, "They might get angry."

Heero froze, staring warily into the branches above. He couldn't hear any twittering of birds but he never knew, those feathered creatures were horribly sneaky creatures. They could just be aiming their feathered. . .behinds at any part of his anatomy. Just what had he done to the birds that was so bad?

Duo watched his face and started cracking up again, "If you're good, I'll tell them to let you be?" Duo offered mischievously.

"Is that blackmail?" He said, his left eyebrow twitching above the other.

Duo grinned and Heero sighed and nodded. He gave up. He could never win with Duo. He doubt he ever would. He wondered about the elf though. Where was that insane being that waded through his pond sticking feathers in his hair or the person that sat on his chest, forcing him to ingest berries? This was a perfectly normal person with likes and desires and hates like everyone else. Why had he hated Duo so much in the beginning? Why had he hated all elves in the beginning?

He shuddered at the thought of Trowa and his lover though. How did two people manage to make so much noise that all the smaller forest creatures decided to flee the area around the cottage? How did two normally silent and polite people manage to be such exhibitionists that they forced Heero, who had seen his share of naked beings, and blase Duo out of the house?

Didn't they ever get tired of it?

Seeing Heero shiver Duo said, "Don't worry - even if I am able to convince all the animals in the woods to attack you - I won't let them kill you." Duo sighed, "probably."

Heero shot Duo a look, not really sure if he was serious, but he decided to keep wisely silent. Duo's moods had been very odd recently. It ranged from deliriously happy to raging torrents of temper within seconds of each other. The elf sometimes made him very much afraid of being in the same room with him. But he endured. Because he knew that if he was patient, he would see Elle again one day. He just found it odd that Elle always picked the time when he was back at the castle to visit her brother. Was Elle purposely avoiding him?

Or maybe she felt embarrassed after what happened. Duo had hinted that that might be the case, but Duo had also promised to tell Elle that he wanted nothing more than to make her his duchess.

Duo had looked somewhat, torn at that pronouncement. He was rather. . .happy? That was at first before there was a severe darkening of his mood and Heero was thrown out of the house for the first time in his young life. He was a duke damn it, no one threw him out.

Just what did he say to set Duo off like that? He thought the elf liked him. At least from the way he acted, Heero thought he did.

Of course, Duo did have a tendency to be. . . temperamental - and that was what Heero had blamed it on. Nonetheless, Heero found himself cherishing the time he spent with Duo, and would be more than willing to continue the friendship once he married Elle. But as brothers-in-law, they would have more than a friendship. And that made him very happy. Being friends just wouldn't be enough.

Heero didn't even stop to think how odd that line of thinking sounded. Or even if he did, he chose to ignore it rather then mess around with all the sloppy potential ramifications such thinking could bring.

"Uh... Heero?" Duo asked, peeking at the man next to him. "Just what do you like about my twin?" At Heero's startled expression, he was quick to explain. "She's rude, uncouth, unfeminine, she hit you. . ." He trailed off.

Heero laughed, "I don't know. I don't think love works that way. Besides, it didn't really hurt when she hit me."

"Oh yes it did, don't you pretend it didn't!" Duo said, his voice rising.

Heero looked startled, "Well, maybe just a bit." Duo 'harumphed'. Heero moved to be right in front of Duo, "Why did you want to know?"

"Why do you think?" He asked, feeling suddenly inexplicably angry. Duo couldn't really tell him the truth.

"Well," Heero took a step forward, a step closer to Duo. "I would think," another step. "You were actually jealous." He stopped barely inches away from the elf.

Duo stuttered, "D-don't. . .be. . ." Heero's closeness was making him illiterate. Duo's face flamed red at the thought of being jealous at himself for lack for Heero's attention.

Heero sighed, resting a hand on Duo's shoulder. "Duo, don't be silly. Elle's not going to leave you or stop being your sister if she becomes my bride. There is no reason to be jealous of me."

The elf stared up at Heero and said the most intelligent query of his life, "Huh?" Duo tilted his head just a little, "You won't get Elle without me."

A small smirk curved Heero's lips, "Perhaps not, but I get you all the same."

He didn't even realize what he was saying but at the risk of sounding like an absolute cliche, he found himself being drawn closer to the elf like a moth to an ever enticing flame. Duo moved forward until they were just barely touching, they paused and Duo looked up ever so slightly and Heero tilted his head down.

"I get you all the same," Heero whispered, moving in slowly, unconsciously closing his eyes.

Duo, forgetting for a moment that he lacked the proper equipment that Heero found so attractive when he took an unauthorized peek during Duo's bath at the waterfall, fell into the spirit of things and rose a little onto his toes. It was the perfect moment, and the perfect setting in a quiet forest, with no annoying birds feeling the need to show their displeasure to a man encroaching in their domain. It was completely perfect for Duo's first real kiss. . . .

A walnut came flying through the air and hit the pointed spot on the back of his head, his head moved forward automatically and he found himself tasting of Heero's wonderful, soft lips briefly before teeth collided with teeth. "Ow!" Duo exclaimed, echoed by another pained cry before the two bounced apart.

Another walnut came whizzing towards Duo's head, but Duo moved and instead it hit Heero squarely on the nose.

Heero brought his hand up to his nose automatically and looked dazed. Duo turned and stared in the trees, listening for any sound that would give away his attacker. "You surely have a way with animals," Heero groused. "First it is birds and their... excrement and now, it is squirrels with walnuts." He turned abruptly, a faint flush stealing across his cheeks and started stalking toward the direction of the cottage.

His mind refuse to let go the scene that had just taken place. They kissed, well, not really long but still, lips met lips! Heero kissed another... male! Of course it wasn't his fault, a squirrel caused it, but they were well on their way there anyway.

He was muttering choice recipes of cooking squirrels before another walnut hit him squarely on the ear.

Duo winced and glared at the trees, they had ruined it. Duo's first kiss. . .while lucid that is (Duo had a feeling that he probably had kissed Heero when they were . . . mating).

Stupid Chip! Thank you for that! The animal chittered away in the trees and Duo saw the movement of the leaves as Chip skipped along the branches. Suddenly, a very angry Duo headed straight for the nearest tree and began climbing, "COME BACK HERE CHIP!"

It would have been fine if he wasn't carrying just a tiny weeny extra load right around his belly button. He knew it was a mistake the moment he lost his grip. He was going to die but not only that, he was going to kill their baby as well. He did the only he could think of. He cried out, "Heero!"

Heero turned and ran. Ran towards Duo, with a speed that could only be called unnatural – for a human.

Duo found himself caught and tucked tightly away in Heero's arms. Heero began marching again, before Duo could even assimilate what had just happened. "Heero," the elf protested, "Let me down."

"No, because if I do, you'll find some way to kill yourself or get me brained with nuts."

Duo looked at Heero in exasperation. "I was trying to stop them from hurling the nuts at you."

His shaking hands curled protectively over his growing middle. He couldn't believe how close he had come to losing his child or how careless he was. When was he going to learn or remember that he was no longer living for himself? He found it odd that of all times, when he was least like a woman, he knew exactly how a mother felt. Life sure had a great sense of humour.

Heero looked down at Duo, "You're not going to be sick again are you?" Despite the fact that it had been months since Duo had thrown up on Heero, the duke still seemed rather wary of any and all indications that it might happen again.

Duo shook his head and sighed, tucking his face into the side of Heero's neck. Might as well enjoy the ride home. After all, he doubted his legs could carry him home now. The adrenaline rush that had hit him while he'd been falling had left him feeling weak in the knees.

Even in the midst of wild animal sex, Quatre managed to maintain his concern for Duo, especially now that he knew he was going to be an uncle. The high pitched squeal of distress could be heard even before they were in sight of the cottage. Sometimes Duo really hated elven eyesight.

"Duo?" Quatre ran out of the cottage, a sheet covering him.

"What happened?" Trowa raced out as well, he was wearing a shirt and Duo was rather shocked to see that Trowa had rather spindly legs. Perhaps they were not spindly but that they were goosepimply from the cold and it made the overall appearance of a powerful prince rather amusingly awkward.

Duo began to laugh again.

"I'm fine. Heero decided I couldn't walk," he announced, trying to stifle his giggles at the sight of the two messily dressed males.

"You fell from a tree," Heero stressed, rolling his eyes. Well, that was an intelligent thing to say. Trowa and Quatre soon showed Duo what nagging really meant.

Soon, all three men were pulling on Duo to get him inside and into bed. Duo rolled his eyes, he had learned that it was useless struggle – about as effective as an ant lifting an elephant. Heero was soon backed into a corner while his cousin and his cousin's lover tucked the heavy covers high under Duo's chin, offered him a moist towel to 'cool him off' while his temperature was checked. Did they understand that he nearly fell? He sure as hell did not have a fever. Besides, he looked too healthy to have a fever. In fact, it looked as if Duo had put on some weight. Not a lot but enough to give him a slight pot belly. Heero was shocked to realize he found that rather adorable.

Heero felt a small proud smile, it was because of his cooking of course that the elf had been able to gain back the weight he had lost.

Duo stole a glance at Heero, hoping he would come to his rescue. After all, he wasn't hurt at all. Well, jsut his pride but other than that, he really was alright. Heero however seemed rather lost in thought. It was then he felt it. A small tickle around the area of his belly.

What scared him the most was he felt it from the inside.

Duo realized he must've paled because suddenly there were three faces bent over his, "Duo? Is something wrong:

He shot Quatre a frantic look, his mouth gaping open. A tiny squeak escaped but nothing else.

Quatre looked puzzled, and he looked around, "Heero, Trowa - please leave." Heero opened his mouth to protest, but Trowa grabbed Heero by the arm and began pulling him out the door.

Duo felt the movement again jerked, wrapping his arms tightly around his midsection. Quatre's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "Oh no, is it the baby?" He laid his hands next to Duo's. "Are you in pain? Please talk to me Duo."

"Not in. . . pain. . ." Duo said uncertainly. "There's just something. . ."

"What?" Quatre asked, confused.

There was another soft flutter tickling Duo's insides before it stoppped.

Duo swallowed and he took in a deep breath. "Something is. . . different - Maybe its because I fell out of the tree?"

Quatre stood, striding quickly to the door. Determination was etched into every line of his face.

"Where are you going?" Duo asked in a small voice, suddenly afraid of being alone.

"I'm going to get help. We don't know whats going on."

Duo eyed him, "And leave me here alone?"

"I'll send Trowa back in, don't worry."

"But. . .but. . ." Soon he was left by himself staring at the door and clutching as his stomach. He never felt so helpless or so lost in his life. He never wanted anything else but to protect his younger brother but he couldn't even protect this fragile life in him. There was something wrong and the baby would die and it would be all his fault and. . .and. . .

Duo winced at his own ineptitude. He couldn't even solve his own problems and now he was supposed to be taking care of another. Another that was completely dependent on him. Even with Quatre's help, it came down to whether Duo was strong enough to protect the child..

Heero must have let himself back in because suddenly strong, warm arms encircled him, soothing him. It was then he realized he was shaking and on the verge of tears. Heero had his face pressed against his hard chest while he whispered nonsense to him. Trowa hovered in the background, wanting to provide comfort, since he knew what what the crux of the problem but he was being backed away by Heero's venomous glare.

When had his cousin become so protective of Duo. . .

When Quatre arrived, several hours later with a very harried Sally in tow, Duo was sleeping. Heero was next to Duo in deep thought, not even noticing Quatre's arrival.

Trowa, on the other hand, never looked more relieved at the healer's presence. "Thank the heavens!"

Sally rushed in, her face white and ragged, "Where is he? What's he.. . He's sleeping?" Sally looked accusingly at Quatre, who it had seemed once again exaggerated just a bit.

"Look he was panicking. He said something was happening! What did you expect me to do?" Quatre gestured helplessly. "You're the expert here."

Sally rolled her eyes and grumbled, "You made it sound like he was in the throes of death." Nonetheless, she moved over to Duo and gently pushed him on the shoulder to awake him. Looking at the humans, she asked, "What happened after Quatre left?"

Heero stared at Sally in confusion, wondering what she was doing here and remained silent.

Trowa stood, "Not much, he was still panicking and seemed worried - but as far as we can tell. . . everyone's alright." Trowa looked at Heero, hoping his cousin wouldn't ask about the term 'everybody.'

Heero shot a sharp glance at his cousin, noting everything but remained stubbornly silent. He clenched his fingers into a fist as he resisted the urge to pick up the sleeping elf's hand and squeeze it reassuringly. But reassuring to whom? He couldn't be certain.

"Damn it, Duo wake up!" Sally shoved rather firmly. She came all this way to see a sleeping elf?

Duo opened his eyes and saw Sally. He seemed really confused for a moment then sat up straight, his hand immediately going to his stomach. "Sally!" He exclaimed, relieved. "There's something wrong with my mphphmf..." He was cut off by Quatre's hand over his mouth.

Quatre looked sweetly at his lover and his cousin. "Trowa, please take Heero home. Now."

Duo looked at Quatre who looked pointedly at Heero.

Trowa understood immediately and took Heero's hand. "Let's leave the lovers alone to do their dirty sexy deeds." Trowa groaned, he had tried to say 'brothers alone.' That stupid curse struck at the worst of times. Heero looked rather shocked and so did Sally. Trowa laughed weakly, "It was a joke."

Sally gasped loudly. "You have a dirty mouth, prince!" She gave him an admonishing look worthy of anyone's mother. "Joke or otherwise."

Trowa looked pointedly at his cousin, who looked pointedly at Sally who looked vaguely amused. Heero tried fighting off Trowa's unyielding arm drawing him away but with each unsuccessful attempt, a low growl started building until a full snarl.

"We are leaving now, don't make me a make it a royal edict." If looks could kill, Trowa would be a pile of smoking ashes right now. But left they did and Trowa was graced with the delightful company of a seething cousin.

"Why did you make me leave? I wanted to find out what was wrong?" Heero said, wrenching his arm out of Trowa's grasp.

"Leave the elves to their... elf things. You are better off not knowing."

"Not knowing what Trowa?" Heero positioned himself in front of his cousin. "Seems like you know? Why can't you tell me whats wrong with Duo?"

Trowa sighed. Heero was itching for a fight. If he was lucky, he would walk away with nothing but bruises. Rather than go threw the tedious argument in which both sides would only get more and more frustrated, Trowa decided to start out right.

Heero stumbled back as a Trowa's killer right hook connected with his jaw.

Heero bent over and threw his shoulder into Trowa's midsection. "What aren't you telling me!" Trowa noted Heero was mercifully avoiding his face. His father would throw a fit if he appeared to court with a black eye. Also Heero knew if he accidentally broke Trowa's jaw, he wouldn't be able to tell him anything either.

Trowa winced, "Don't nose into someone else's business!" Trowa grabbed Heero's waist and threw him backwards. As Heero stumbled, Trowa turned away, hoping to be able to just walk away - though the hope wasn't all that great. He was tackled from behind by his stubborn cousin.

"Tell me," Heero roared. "I have a right to know!"

"Why?" Trowa spat, kicking at Heero.

Heero grabbed Trowa's arm and chickenwinged him, "Because he is my friend, I care about him and he has been sick for months. Tell me."

"Trust me, you don't want to know," Trowa grunted.

Heero let Trowa go suddenly, "He's not dying is he?"

Trowa was about to shake his head but realized that after today's events, he really wasn't sure if Duo was dying or not. Instead, Trowa said, "I am not the one to ask - it's not my place to tell you this."

Heero paused, "Trowa - please."

Trowa paused and shook his head, "I'm sorry Heero."

Trowa walked towards the castle, leaving Heero behind.

XXxxXX

Sally frowned, "Well Duo, I don't see anything wrong with you, but . . . describe what it felt like?"

"It's like this... weird feeling inside my stomach. It felt like when some butterflies tickled my cheek that summer when I fell asleep in the fields." Duo stared at Sally, fear crossing his face. "Is something wrong?" Sally watched him a moment, and then started laughing.

Quatre inched closer. "What? What's so funny?" He gripped Duo's shoulder supportively

"I don't think you need to worry Duo." She calmed herself, "I think that was the baby moving."

Duo sat up straight, "The baby moves?"

Sally felt the urge to slam her head against something. Sure, having a pregnant male elf was odd but having an elf that didn't know that the baby would move when in the womb was completely insane. "Of course the baby moves. Why wouldn't it move?"

Duo looked uncertain, "How was I supposed to know, I've never had a baby before. . ."

Quatre's immediately flew to Duo's middle. "Hey, is it moving? Is it? Is it?" His blue eyes were glittering and there was a joy in them that reminded Duo of a child let loose in a kitchen full of sweets with no adults around.

Duo pulled back a moment and then relaxed, "No, its not moving right now Quatre - sorry."

The look of disappointment on Quatre's face was amusing.

"Don't worry," Sally ensured the two of them. "It's going to move enough for both of you to feel later."

Duo laughed at his brother when Quatre perked up. They were both so relieved that nothing was wrong that they couldn't stay upset for long.

Sally got up. "Can I go home now?"

Quatre nodded guiltily, "Yes, you may."

Duo looked at Quatre, "That sounded awfully highhanded, Quatre" At Quatre's perplexed expression Duo smiled, "I think that you've been spending too much time in court lately."

"Is it my fault that you are not there to break my concentration and make father throw us out of the throne room?"

Duo smiled, "Sorry, poor father. . . no distractions, no breaking valuables. . ." Duo laughed. Neither of them even realized Sally had already quietly left them alone.

Quatre punched Duo in the shoulder, "And now no one to share the 'royal' duties with." Then he brightened. "In a very short time, I will have someone new to corrupt," he smiled, resting his hand on his brother's stomach. "I'm going to be an uncle."

Duo glared at Quatre, "What if I refuse you access to my child?"

"Then I would start hiding all the chocolate," Quatre grinned, unrepentant.

Duo pouted, "Thats fighting dirty."

"That's strategy," Quatre beamed.

"No, its dirty, because I can't wrestle you to the ground and make you cry chicken."

"You never could anyway," Quatre taunted, backing away off the bed.

"Oh? Is that a challenge little brother?"

Quatre smirked, "Put it on my tab."

Duo rose from the bed with an evil gleam in his eyes, pulling with him a large pillow. "Why don't we settle this now?"

When the night was over, Quatre had to remember to order more pillows.

XxXxX

With an irate swipe of her hand, Relena pushed the scrying bowl off her work table. She clenched her hands tightly, threw back her head and screamed. "No! NO! This isn't how it is supposed to be! She's a male now. She can't be pregnant!" Grabbing a jar from the table she smashed it to the floor, "They even kissed! I can't believe he kissed her?"

Just goes to show. . . You stink, Dragon smirked in her mind

You. Shut. Up!" She punctuated each word with the smashing of another piece of pottery. "You did this, you made me slip up in the spell! You made this happen. So you can win your little bet!" Dragon remained silent. "Well, that stupid elf is not getting away with this."

Relena moved toward a heavy tome sitting in a corner of the room. It was her family heirloom away from the stupid stone that now made her life a living hell. It was a book of spells and curses left by her mother. "I'm going to get Heero if it is the last thing I do!"

She looked up 'doppelganger' and perused the spell. "Perfect."

What are you planning, little witch? the stone actually sounded wary, even a little... concerned. That's a dangerous spell

Relena cackled, "You can't stop this Dragon."

The onyx started glowing softly, vibrating against her skin. I can try.

"No, you will not interfere this time." Relena said firmly.

You shouldn't –

The dragon was cut off when Relena snapped the chain off with a swift jerk of her hand and threw the stone across the room.

It flickered briefly, but Relena paid it no mind. She sat down - knowing it would take every ounce of energy she had to perform this spell. Placing the book in front of her, she began the incantation.

Slowly, her honey blonde locks darkened and lengthened into long shiny chestnut hair. Her skin paled and her ears shimmered as they became pointed. The witch began to shake at the amount of power this was taking. Relena's figure extended and her curves filled in. Her fingers lengthened and her eyes began slowly to turn from blue to amethyst. She shuddered, her eyes shifted back again, turning blue.

"Damn," she whispered, slowly slumping to the floor as exhaustion and darkness slowly overcame her senses. Unable to continue the spell, the young witch collapsed on the floor - no longer Relena the witch, but Duovielle, the elf.

Tbc...

XxxxXX

Well, there goes another chapter. We are steadily marching along with the next one. Please leave us reviews, with criticism or your thoughts or whatever! We love to hear from you!

AnnieTsu