A/N: Sorry I'm not leaving much time in between posting for comments on each chapter. I'm just hoping that I can keep this interesting. As an after-thought, I realized that I hadn't intended to have anything "Senshi-fighting" related, just include all of the Inner Scouts and proceed as if this was a normal story. I'm trying very hard to play a storyline close to, or relating to the series now, with the exception of the child, of course. Thanks for reading and please be patient! (I can't promise that the Gundam part will be active!)

Chapter Two: Two Years Later

As the dawn of early morning traveled slowly to the bedspread with the rising sun, Rei awoke to a muffled crying. She was quite grateful for the wake-up call because she had been trapped in a nightmare, though they weren't as frequent anymore. She only suffered from them once every couple of months.

She had loved Derek, yet she had never felt such a strong love until she saw her son, Hunter Hino. She hadn't given him a middle name, mainly because Derek and she had agreed she'd choose the first and he got the second. She had also given Hunter her maiden name as she didn't wish to explain the last name to inquiring minds.

She rose from her silky sheets and headed for the other side of the room, where a bamboo crib rested. Inside a squirming bundle awaited the nurturing only a mother could provide. He was exactly 18 months old today. She smiled as she leaned forward and lifted him from his bed.

Bright crimson eyes looked at her and a grin split across his chubby face. He shyly lifted his hands to cover his face and tangled his fingers in the locks of dark brown hair. He was amazing. A little doll. Her baby boy. She could hardly believe he was so old already.

She headed for the kitchen, with him resting on her hip. Things needed to be attended to today. Today was a special day indeed.

A doorbell chime sang a melody throughout the house and Rei scampered for the door, hoping that whoever it was wouldn't wake Hunter. She paused wondering who it would be. Sighing and hoping it wasn't her darling friends, she reached for the knob. She didn't need a repeat of last year's loving performance.

He waited patiently for her to open the door. He could hardly wait to ask her. Rei was such a lonely, beautiful woman, even if she was content with her life. She needed a man in her life. He plastered the biggest grin he could muster on his face. The door opened within seconds. A smile took over her delicate features.

"Duo!" the excitement in her voice was unmistakable. "What are you doing here?" she looked good even though she was wondering her house in a baggy t-shirt that was almost big enough to be a short dress and spandex shorts. Definitely not a fashion statement.

She felt silly when she noticed he was looking at her clothing choice. "I was doing laundry just now." Her voice had a teasing lilt and it brought his eyes back to her face. "Come in."

Accepting her offer he walked in. "Where's the little guy hiding?"

Rei put a finger to his lips. "He's finally asleep, the little speed demon. So hush! Don't even say his name. I swear that child has ears that hear everything related to food or Duo."

Duo shifted restlessly on his feet. "Well, to be honest…" he rubbed a hand against his pant leg. He had her undivided attention. "I came to ask you a question, really. I wouldn't mind seeing the squirt though." His attention was directed towards the living room where he assumed the child was. He could just picture the tot sleeping slumped over a toy on the sofa or even laying on the floor.

"What's your question?" Rei broke his thoughts. She had a wonderful voice. He imagined Hunter would be a little devil because his mommy didn't have that 'mean voice' part down yet.

"I wanted to know if you could find a babysitter for Hunter for Friday evening. I'd like to take you out. Makoto and probably a friend will be there, give or take." He paused once more, gulping quietly before continuing. "You could bring someone if you like. I was thinking maybe Ami?"

Rei smiled. "I'll be there Duo. I'd love to get away from Hunter, much as I love him. Where at?"

"I'll pick you up. Seven sound good?" his eyes focused on her face, searching for some sort of reaction. He had been hoping so badly for this. He thought it was a positive sign that she didn't really have to consider his request.

"Wonderful. See you then?" her eyes were bright with anticipation. He was immensely pleased. The last two years had been hard on her. He had seen genuine joy in her eyes so rare that he had wondered if it would ever be restored.

After giving Duo a hug, Rei showed him to the door. How awkward that the whole conversation had taken place in the entry hall. She was so fond of Duo, it was disturbing. With a smile on her face she headed for the living room where her wild-child was just beginning to stir.

Friday morning dawned sooner than she had expected. She was so exhausted. The night before had been trying. Hunter had come down with a cold or illness of some sort. She showered and dressed as quickly as she could. She had so many things to accomplish today. Tonight she had a date! Could she even call it that? She hadn't been out formally with a guy since Derek. The thought brought a sad feeling to surface. It hurt still, but not like it once did. She could move on… and would.

Finally settled in the car after feeding Hunter and dressing him, she headed for the mall. Shopping was in order. Duo had said they'd most likely be eating at a nice restaurant, but nothing too dressy was in order. She still needed to get something. She hadn't bought nice things for a while. She finally settled on a skirt and top with matching accessories after three hours of shopping. What a waste of time it seemed when she was missing time with her friends or her son.

The doorbell rang promptly at six-thirty and she rushed to open it, Hunter on her hip once again.

Minako stared at Rei stunned. What was she thinking? Sweatpants and a shirt with some unidentified substance stained on it and this was a night out? "Rei-Chan. Umm let the child walk. He can, you know. And is that what you're wearing tonight?" her lip curled in disgust at the thought.

"No silly. I need you to take him so I can get dressed. I'm looking more and more forward to tonight with this demon chasing me everywhere and getting into everything." Rei laughed at the preposterous thought that she would go out like this. "Thank-you so much Minako. I need this." Rei plopped the squirming toddler in Minako's hands and rushed up the stairs.

The doorbell once again rang at seven. Rei was just grabbing her purse from the entry hall. She self-consciously tugged at her skirt a little bit and fluffed her hair. Finally --after much self-encouragement—the door was opened. She hoped she looked alright.

Duo waited impatiently for the door to open. He had thrown together an outfit of dressy slacks and a nice white dress shirt. His sneakers he hoped weren't too noticeable. When the door opened, every phrase he had thought to greet Rei with died on his lips.

She was a vision in red and black. Her red top had an oval shaped drop but ended modestly three inches below her collarbone. It was short-sleeved and spectacular. Her black skirt had slight ruffles and ended just below her knees. The pumps set off the whole suit, black with delicate beaded red flowers on the buckles.

"Rei…" She was perfect tonight. Tonight was going to be perfect. "You look lovely."

"Did I over-dress?" her question seemed appropriate since he looked like a bum next to her.

"No. Let's go." He took her arm and like a butler, led her to the car and opened the door for her.

They arrived at a comfortable restaurant where you were given the choice of dining in or eating on a patio setting. Duo had chosen a table towards the upper portion of the restaurant where there was privacy by shrubbery and décor.

As they approached the table, she noticed four people already sitting there. Makoto looked up and waved at her. Ami was also seated there. She wore a graceful smile which matched her demeanor. Two guys, one vaguely familiar, were sitting across from the girls.

Duo pulled out a seat for her next to the familiar man. She couldn't place a name and now she was going through the Have-I-met-you-before mind boggler. "Rei, this is Quatre Winner," Duo pointed at the angelic looking blond and Rei noticed Ami blush. Oh boy.

"And this is Heero Yui." His hand fell on the man sitting beside her. Now she was really thrown for a loop. She had a name for the face but still couldn't place him. Where had she seen him before?

He didn't understand why Duo had arranged the whole blind date fiasco. The two women he had met were gorgeous, sure, but he wasn't really interested. Then Duo finally showed up, bringing along with him the prize of the evening. Duo always was a ladies' man. For sure he'd have brought the most beautiful lady. He waited for Duo to finish introducing them to the girl who he called Rei. When he saw her attention was directed across the table to her friends, he took the opportunity to admire her.

He had never seen raven hair that was naturally so vibrant. Her eyes were Pandora's Box in itself. As he saw the different emotions play across her face, the shading of the amethyst changed as well. Just as he was about to allow his eyes to travel downward, her eyes locked with his. He couldn't look away. He felt like a little boy with his hand caught in the cookie jar and he saw by the look in her darkening purple eyes, she knew what he'd been about to do.

She couldn't believe the nerve of men! As she stared at him, she felt the feelings of anger that came so naturally begin to fade. Those Prussian blue eyes coupled with that gorgeous face were worthy of any modeling gig that top names could provide. She still couldn't place a meeting with his face and it bothered her that she should remember, that it was vital.

"Rei…" Ami's soft voice compelled her to immediately snap from her thoughts and where they were surely heading. "The waiter is here and he needs your order." A slight blush took over her cheeks. Had she been so trapped in his gaze that she didn't notice the waiters' imminent arrival and everyone else placing their orders? She lowered her eyes to the menus and heard Duo telling the group some joke.

After placing an order, she risked a glance in Heero's direction and saw that he too, appeared to be embarrassed by the fact that he missed out on the waiter as well. He was doing an excellent job of putting on a cold façade but she had learned long ago how to read people. As she glanced at Duo she realized that perhaps it didn't apply to all people. He was completely devoured in thought, giving short answers to the questions plagued on him from Quatre and Makoto.

He couldn't think straight anymore. How long ago had he realized that he was in love with her? He couldn't believe that he, of all people, had fallen in love. Every waking moment he thought of her. His heart ached as he watched her display interest in other men. Every once in a while anger and a feeling of possessiveness would overtake him. So was this jealousy? Duo, get a hold of yourself!

Rei was trying to look for an opening to engage in conversation with one of her friends or even the boys, but Duo was still deep in thought by the spaced-out expression and Ami and Quatre were immersed in some conversation about the modernization of gadgets. She wrinkled her nose in distaste. Makoto had excused herself for some reason or another. She peered at Heero and found him watching her again. He was a rather bold man.

"I don't know quite what Duo was thinking when he brought us all here." Rei muttered.

"Agreed." The rich voice caught her attention. She didn't think she had spoken that loud. His voice was so masculine… and those eyes. She was almost frightened to meet his gaze, fearful that she would be trapped within it again. Never less, she found herself moving against her will into it. "It looks as if there's no one to talk to but each other."

"It seems so. So, what should the topic of the hour be about?" She almost felt guilty speaking to another man.

"I think we should talk about what a flop Duo's match-making is." His grin showed that he was merely giving Duo a difficult time.

Duo suddenly snapped to attention. "Now that's not fair! Who's to say I didn't bring Rei for myself?"

He hadn't considered that. He had just met this woman and already he was feeling like Duo was treading on his property. He frowned. What was this? He didn't have any desire for a woman in his life. They were more trouble than they were worth despite the fact that they had nothing in common with his interests. Yet… that feeling still washed over him. "Rei, would you like to go out with me sometime?" Did that just come out of his mouth! Something was seriously wrong now, for sure. Maybe he was getting soft in his old age.

She couldn't believe her ears. His cold indifference had told her he'd have no interest whatsoever in her. If she hadn't caught him checking out her assets, she would have thought he were gay. She was speechless, what does one say? She saw Duo's face blank. What would he say? And Hunter? "I'd love to. But I'm not a fan of sappy romance flicks… oh, and I don't kiss on the first date."

Duo burst out laughing. That was so Rei. She was completely enchanted by him yet she needed to be stubborn and lay down the law, all the same. He wondered if Heero would respect that. He was so used to be the commander. Duo shifted his gaze to Ami and Quatre. They looked as if a second date was in order. His job was done.