AN: If you couldn't tell, this story isn't exactly my top priority, though it isn't my last priority either. As of right now I'm working on my Digimon and Kingdom Hearts, stories first, merely because they're about three times the size of this fic and well, I get all fuzzy when peoples review those. Regardless, this should be updated once a month, which I hope is fast enough for people. I'm hoping to increase the chapter length to between five and seven pages, much like this chapter here.

I do want to thank the four of you who have reviewed. It gives me fuzzies too.

Disclaimer: Don't own GW or its characters.

Chapter 3:

He sat huddled in his small apartment, staring blankly at the television which was turned onto the Discovery channel. Apparently, the mating habits of the Snowy Owl just weren't that fascinating for him. Nothing seemed to fascinate him anymore. Quatre ran his hands through his now black hair and groaned. Nothing was going as he had planned it. He had known that he would have to survive in the world on his own; he knew that well before he had faked his death. It still was hard for him and it was three years later.

"You just couldn't keep away, could you? Idiot!" He berated himself. "You were doing fine, and now you can't stop thinking about them. Thinking about how happy you could have been had you not gone all psychotic, scared, and noble, whatever you did! Gah!"

Quatre stood, pacing around the dark room. "I know Wufei recognized me. I mean, shit, he said my name and everything. How the hell could he have recognized me? I look nothing like I used to. And Duo…I know Duo noticed me too. Trowa and Heero, they didn't seem like they were all there in the mind. Probably stress from something. I shouldn't care if they are stressing. God damn it, I shouldn't care anymore!"

Quatre punched the wall, not putting a whole through it, but denting the plaster. Then he continued talking to himself, as it was the easiest way to sort out his thoughts and feelings. He had always just bottled them up inside of him, which is why he had left them. It was easier to leave than to admit things.

"They'll probably try to find me. I can't leave, because now that they are looking then they will search every available route out of town. I have to stay here. I don't have a choice." Quatre sighed and sat down. "Why did they have to show up now of all times? Why did I have to go to the cemetery? I knew that they would be there."

Quatre looked down at his table, which held a photo album. It was one of the things that he had never gotten rid of. He just couldn't make himself let go completely, even if that did hurt. Maybe it wouldn't have been such a bad thing. He sighed and leaned back on the couch, whatever happened he would face it when it came and then decide what to do.

Wufei and Duo were at work at the Preventer's headquarters. Duo was his normal cheery self after four cups of black coffee, while Wufei was tired and listless. He hadn't gotten a lot of sleep the night before, because all the memories of the past were plaguing him. They way they had all thought that Quatre has happy and content. The way he had thought that Quatre was happy and content. They way he didn't notice the signs. He was sure it wasn't his entire fault, but the blame was there and it still weighed heavily on his soul. Especially since he was giving what he had with Trowa up for this. He knew deep down that Trowa would find out, and then whatever they had would be over. He could accept that loss though, because he wasn't even sure what he and Trowa had anymore. Thoughts like those were more than enough to render someone sleepless.

"Hey, Wufei," Duo said from the desk next to his. "What was the description of the person you saw? You saw him better than the rest of us and I just want to make sure, since I think I found something."

Wufei rubbed his forehead with his hands, "Green eyes, black hair pretty thin if the way he was shivering was any indication and about 3 inches taller than we are."

Duo nodded and moved to the side while motioning Wufei over. "Sort of like this person?" he asked, pointing at the screen.

Wufei felt his breath catch, "Exactly like that person."

Duo looked in the file and started making notations onto a notepad, "Last known address, height, weight, last known employment." Duo smiled as he stood up. "Well it's enough to start with at least. We can check these places out and see if anything turns up."

"We have work to do right now, Duo." Wufei said stiffly, even though the longing to just leave and search was evident in his voice.

"Work, work, work! That's all you people think about! There are so many more important things in life than work!" Duo yelled in exasperation, which caused a few heads to turn.

Wufei sighed and let his head fall onto the desk in embarrassment. Only Duo could cause so many heads to turn. Finally he sighed, "Ok Duo. I agree with you. This is more important than work."

Duo grinned in triumph, though he was slightly surprised to see Wufei give in without much fight. Finding Quatre must have been that important to him. Of course, it was that important to Duo, and he and Quatre had not been lovers. He could only imagine the strain that Wufei was under. "Okay, now we just need to get out of here…without getting in trouble."

"Getting in trouble for what?" a voice said, clearly indicating that more than just the last bit had been heard.

Wufei groaned slightly and waved a hand at Duo to make him explain. He just wasn't up to lying. Of course, he forgot that Duo never lied.

"Well, we're going to try and walk out of here all quiet like so we can follow a lead, Lady Une." Duo said, shrugging as though it was no big deal.

"What is so important about this lead that you have to do it during work hours? For that matter, who is this 'lead'?" She gave them both the better explain now look and tone of voice, which Duo saw and Wufei didn't, since Wufei's head was still on the desk trying to hide his anger and embarrassment.

"Well…" Duo thought about it a moment and as always went for the truth. "We're doing this now because if Heero and Trowa find out about it, we're dead meat. And the lead is…"

"Maxwell, don't you dare!" Wufei said, bringing his head off of the desk and giving Duo pleading eyes.

"You're the one who asked me to explain." Duo said calmly looking at Wufei. "So, I'm explaining my way." He turned and looked at Lady Une who was tapping her fingernails on the edge of the desk as a sign of impatience. "The person we're looking for is Quatre."

Une could not control her facial expressions as her eyebrows rose in disbelief. "What makes you think that you found something that we missed? I know you miss him, but it's been three years."

"I know what and who I saw the other day. I know it was him." Wufei said standing up. "I don't really care if you believe it or not, but I am going to go and find him. If that means leaving here and not having a job, so be it. As it is, if for some reason I turn out to be wrong, then I will have lost pretty much everything anyway." He turned and grabbed his jacket off the chair. "Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go get my bike and check out these leads." With that he walked swiftly out of the room, trying to come to terms with what he just said.

Lady Une looked shocked as her eyes followed Wufei. "He really is willing to give up everything just to chase this ghost, isn't he?"

Duo's eyes were also following Wufei, but with a look of tenderness and understanding. "Yes, he is. When this is over, he won't have Trowa any more…not that it's that bad of a thing. But he is willing to give up everything for this. He's already lost the most important people in his life, and if there is any chance that Quatre is alive, he wants to know, even if it is just to clear the water and talk." He looked at Lady Une. "Wouldn't you take the chance? He knows he saw Quatre. The proof is pretty irrefutable. I mean, I was there. So if this costs him everything, then I'm going to make sure it doesn't cost him my friendship."

Duo grabbed his coat and put it on. "Sorry Lady Une. But this is something that we have to do, for our piece of mind and our sanity. You know that Wufei would never do something this rash without believing in it. Don't be like Trowa and Heero. Believe in it too."

Lady Une shook her head. "I can't make myself believe you. But I do understand that you have to do this. So, you're both on leave for the week. Have it settled before then."

"We can try but no promises." Duo responded, as he ran out of the room, heading towards Wufei's motorcycle.

Lady Une stared at the desk where they had been sitting at and starting going through the computer files. Maybe she didn't believe them, but there was always what if. She would have given anything to have a chance to see Treize again one last time so maybe, even if she didn't believe, she wanted to help.

Duo had barely caught up to Wufei as he was starting the engine on his bike. Dup hoped on behind him without a word, which gave Wufei pause. Turning, he looked at Duo. "What do you think you are doing?" He asked giving his best glare.

"What does it look like 'Fei? I'm coming with you!" Duo answered cheerfully.

"That I did not doubt or question," Wufei said looking in Duo's eyes. "My question was merely, what do you think you are doing on my bike without a helmet?"

"Oh come on, Wu! I never wear a helmet!" Duo said in a carefree manner. Truth was that his helmet was in the backseat of the car he had driven to work that day.

"Then get off my bike." Wufei said flatly. "I don't need your life on my shoulders either. You will not ride with me without a helmet."

"If I go get my helmet from the car, then you'll just take off and leave me here. I'm not stupid 'Fei," Duo said while glaring.

"I said that your help would be welcome and valued. Indeed you are the one who thought of this excursion. I will not leave without you," Wufei said gently, before his eyes hardened slightly. "Now go get your helmet."

Duo pouted, but reluctantly got off the bike to go get his helmet, while Wufei waited, almost impatiently.

In little time at all, Duo was back with his helmet fit snuggly around his head, slightly miffed but not too bothered by being told what to do. He wrapped his arms around Wufei's waist so he would not slip, but mostly because he just wanted to. It was not often he was able to get close to Wufei, not with Trowa around. He had known for some time that he felt something for Wufei above friendship but he was not sure it was love. He had never truly felt love so he was not sure that love was the feeling. He did flirt a lot but that was something he always did, something that was not limited to Wufei alone, but to most of the people he met. Given a choice however, between having Wufei's love or his friendship, Duo would take the friendship because he felt it was most important. Sighing, Duo scooted closer to Wufei going back to his deep thoughts.

Wufei drove methodically, obeying all driving laws and not rushing at all. This cool and calm driving was in fact an antithesis of what he was feeling at the moment. Confusion as to why Duo was so willing to help, even if they had been becoming better friends over the years, it did not mean that Wufei understood Duo any better. Pressing to the forefront of his thoughts though, was the turmoil of emotion he was feeling considering he was on his way to see Quatre. He was feeling, fear, anticipation, resentment, hurt, and happiness. Above all though, he was feeling love floating through his body. It scared him, the fact that even after all this time he loved Quatre.

The motorcycle turned another corner drawing closer to its intended destination.

They pulled up to the building of what they believed was 'Quatre's' employment. Since he had never been a night person before they couldn't believe that he would work anything but a day shift. After hopping off the bike, they both straightened their Preventer's uniforms and headed inside the large building. Together they walked up to the front desk of the lawyers' firm and waited with feigned patience for the secretary to notice them. Once she got off the phone and looked up to meet their eyes Duo stepped forward, as he was the more approachable of the two.

"Excuse me, miss? Have you seen this person recently?" He held up a photo of the person that Wufei had seen at the graveyard the day before.

The secretary blinked at the picture and then scanned her eyes over their uniforms before apparently coming to a decision. "No, I haven't seen him recently."

"Judging from your reaction though, you have seen him." Wufei said, leaning on her desk while his onyx eyes glittered at her dangerously.

The secretary gulped. "I have seen him before yes. He worked for this firm for about one month before he was fired for negligence. That was about six months ago."

"You had better not be lying, woman." Wufei practically snarled, glaring at her.

Duo quickly placed a hand on Wufei's should in an attempt to calm him. "Thank you, miss. If for some reason he does show up, could you please contact this number?" He gave her his private com-code, one that even Heero did not have access to. Once she accepted the piece of paper, Duo steered Wufei out the door and back to the bike.

"I'm driving." Was all Duo said has he got onto the bike. Wufei glared at him, but got onto the bike once Duo started revving the engine. He sat in a contemplative silence until he realized they were almost home.

"Duo!" Wufei pulled on Duo's braid gently to get his attention. "We have to go check out the other leads!"

Duo chose not to respond as he turned onto their street and into the driveway. He pulled off his helmet and looked at Wufei. "Man, we've got to talk," he practically growled, letting Wufei see the anger in his eyes before turning on his heel and going into the house.

Wufei's eyes widened before they narrowed and he followed at a fast pace, almost on Duo's heels. Duo had no right to be angry with him, and that was what his intuition was telling him. Duo was damned right when he had said they had to talk.

Duo entered the house, kicked off his boots and jacket and headed right outside to the garden in back. It was the one place he knew there wouldn't be prying eyes or ears, even if only he and Wufei were there at the moment. He sat down at the table that was in the middle of the garden, one of the few things that Heero and Trowa had left that Quatre had put in, and he silently stewed.

Wufei was practically growling as he walked into the garden and sat down across the table from Duo. "What the hell are you so angry at," He said, his whole body vibrating anger.

"You think I am angry, do you?" Duo asked raising frozen eyes to look at Wufei. "I'm not angry, more like disappointed in myself for not realizing that you might have jeopardized information gathering at that place today." Duo's face softened slightly. "I know you love him Wufei, but going back to the stick-up-your-ass guy will not be the thing to get answers."

"Stick up my ass, guy?" Wufei yelled, leaning across the table to grab Duo's collar and pulling him close. "What do you mean by that!"

Duo looked at the angry black eyes centimeters from his own and felt himself drowning. "Don't you get it Wufei? You are so angry, hurt, and broken that no matter what you tell yourself you are NOT being logical in the least. Have you ever taken the time to step back and look at yourself? To step back and see how you interact with people? You scared that woman today with how you were. I love you like you are, but most people don't understand you." Duo's eyes widened. Oh shit. "You scared her. And if Quatre goes back there she may never give us information because of that. We need to come up with a plan, but since you love Quatre so much it would be stupid to let you go on your own. So for once, step back and let someone else take the forefront. You're my best friend 'Fei. You should know I would kill myself before I hurt you."

"What gives you the right to patronize who I am?" Wufei growled before continuing, "What right do you have to tell me how to act or what I do? How dare you try and change me into something I'm not! Can you answer that honestly?" Wufei was practically nose to nose with Duo when he finished his questions.

"Yeah, I can answer that honestly," said Duo. "I'm not trying to change you, because changing who a person is inside and what they feel is impossible. I learned that by being with Heero. He tried to change me and I wouldn't change and that's when I realized that he would never love me like I was. I do love you like you are, so why the hell would I try to turn you into someone you are not? All I got was a broken heart from that experience. I would never try to change you. Like I said before, you are my best friend. I would rather die than hurt you and to change who you are would hurt you. What I am saying is that you are so grief-stricken and hurt that you might jeopardize finding Quatre. That would kill you, and I would not be a friend if I let that happen! I don't want to watch you lose your chance at happiness again like I have. I want to see you smile gain, 'Fei! What is so wrong with that?" The last was said in almost a whisper, Duo no longer really being aware of what he was saying.

Wufei stared into the violet eyes so close to his own. Duo's breath was brushing against his lips and he almost lost his composure. All he could think of was the emotion coming off of Duo for him. He understood the words that Duo was saying though and felt them pierce his angry haze. Duo was right and Wufei knew it. He closed his eyes in defeat and sighed sitting back. "Then help me plan…please." That was all he could say, everything else was a large jumble of emotional thoughts and feelings at that point and he needed to focus on Quatre, like Duo had said.

Duo let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. Mostly for the fact that he had let too many things slip and he did not want to ruin the friendship he had. At least Wufei had seemed not to notice, which Duo knew was because Wufei was so distraught.

"Well first off, we have to set up random inspections, with both of us present. If he isn't there, we have to act like we are acquaintances of his. Close friends, a couple, anything like that. We cannot come off to these other people that knew or know him as Preventers. Most likely they will just try to protect him or decide that they don't want to be involved. So we have to act like we know him too and that we are friends with him. I leave it up to you to pick the front we use, but remember, right now we only have one week. If we can't find him by then, there will always be more time. But for the sake of my braid not being wrapped around my neck, I'd like to get something accomplished this week. If it can't be done, then I will do anything to help you find Quatre, no matter how dangerous or stupid for my health."

Wufei took a deep breath through his nose and let it slowly out of his mouth. "You are still insane for even thinking of putting yourself on the line for this, but just remember, you are my friend too. So I won't let you get hurt. At the same time, you have to know that finding out if that is Quatre is my main priority."

Duo smiled, it was a sad smile but he doubted Wufei would notice. "I knew that coming into this 'Fei. I'm not an idiot."

Wufei nodded, for some reason feeling slightly like he was using Duo, but Duo was the one who had agreed. "Very well then, let's start planning."

The rest of that afternoon was taken up with planning and various phone calls just in case things didn't go as planned. A former Gundam pilot was always prepared.

End Chapter Three.

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