Note: Fair warning, at some point, I'm going to bump this fic up to an R rating, if not NC-17 (which I'll be posting at adult ff.n) I wasn't sure at first but now… can't resist ^_^

Also… I must have frightened away all my 1x2 reviewers. Sorry about that, but if you're still reading please let me know. To make it up, I've got a new fic called "Casualties of Circumstances" and it IS 1x2 crosses heart Anyway, on w/ the story…

Chapter 9:

~~~~~~

"Aren't you at all worried about going back?" Zechs asked his Owned as Duo made sure everything was in its place in his trunk.

"Nope. Not at all. You're beginning to make me nervous though. You're so uptight," he replied flatly.

"But how will everyone else react—" Almost instantly, the First's face was only inches from his, violet boring into blue.

"Is not all that important. I am yours, Zechs. That can't be changed. How they deal with it, how they react is not going to suddenly make me who I was," he slid his arms around the taller man's waist and rested his head on his shoulder. The blond couldn't help but notice how well Duo seemed to fit in his arms, right under his chin. Reluctantly, Duo pulled himself away, caressing his Master's face. "Don't worry so much." With that, he turned back to his trunk, leaving the Preventer reeling mentally. The intimacy of his Owned's touch startled him. There had something dangerously close to want in those amethystine crystals. "Almost forgot," he stated, pulling something out of a bottom drawer. "This is yours," he handed it to the blond.

"What is it?" he asked, glancing over the cover.

"Don't freak, okay… it's basically an instruction book—"

"A WHAT?!"

"Well, try as he might, Collins can't cover all of the details that apply to us. The book has some guidelines as well," he admitted, trying to calm him by sitting the older man on the bed. "I think Collins has a letter in there for you too. I didn't look though. Read it or not, it's up to you…" he cocked his head thoughtfully. "You're really offended by this, aren't you?"

"What? Offended by the idea that you're less then human? Yes, I'm highly offended by it! You're—"

"Not human anymore, Zechs," he reminded gently, opening his wings and shaking them slightly for emphasis. "I'll take my trunk down to the shuttle. You look like you need a few moments to yourself," the braided Owned stated softly, resettling his wings on his shoulders and grabbing his trench coat. Tail wrapped unobtrusively around his left leg, and wings hidden by his coat, Duo almost looked like his old self. It was a startling transformation. "You want me to take your bag too?" he asked, head tilting and showing his pointed ears, ruining the illusion.

The blond took a moment to respond. "Uh, no… I'll get it," he stated. Duo knelt in front of his Master, closing his hands over the book.

"I am yours," he stated softly. "Every part of me belongs to you," he added, tenderly placing one of Zechs' hands on the silver cross still hanging round the blond's neck. "Please, don't forget that," he whispered, kneeling up and placing a barely-there kiss on the elder man's forehead, before turning and slipping out of the room, trunk in hand, with hardly a sound.

Somewhat shocked, the fallen prince reached up and touched his forehead in disbelief. "I thought that was a dream…" he gasped out, hand moving down to touch his lips. The tactical part of his mind took over and he flipped the slender book open. It didn't look to even be one hundred pages long, though it had a brief history of the Owned, notes about taking care of them, and strict, often repeated warning against abuse and a page at the back with a list of all the Owned thus far, their names and Masters if they had them. A loose piece of paper slipped to the floor and Zechs picked it up.

//Preventer Merquis, Zechs,

I am writing to you as I do to all Masters, but this one is of particular interest to me. My First is leaving me and I must confess that I am truly saddened to see him go. I hope that you will be able to love him as he does you, even though this was certainly not your idea. For the first time since entering this endeavor I wish there was a way to return him to what he was. Alas, there is not, nor is there meant to be. Mark my words, for until his dying breath, you will be the most precious thing in his world.

I know you are terribly disconcerted by the depths of his love for you, and that you see him only through the veil that friendship has laid over your eyes. To love him as he wants, no, needs to be loved, you must look at him through objective eyes. Since the beginning of your friendship, you have seen him in love with someone else, and as such, you deliberately veiled your eyes to his beauty and placed him on a pedestal from which you never intended to bring him down from.

Now I am telling you: He has fallen from the pedestal of friendship and it will not be long before he makes the true depths of his emotions be known. You have seen but a shadow of them as our Desolo struggles to hide them from you, knowing your confusion and conflict. When the time comes, I'm afraid you'll have to decide what his role will be in your life: Owned, friend, perhaps even lover. Once you decide, your choice will be final, for know that Duo will never overstep his bounds once they are set.

Do you remember what I told you that first conversation? "Your disapproval is his utmost fear. To fail you, unthinkable."

Though I am loathe to put more stress upon your shoulders than you are yourself, for the good of my Children, I must point this out. You must decide what his role in your life will be. You must decide how you will treat him. And before you do, look once again at him with unveiled eyes. See his beauty unhindered and find within yourself, your true feelings.

The best of luck,

Dr. Avery Collins.

P.S. "A love of requirement does not make it any less real."

~~~~

"We're going to be late," Duo tapped his sandaled foot in mock annoyance, arms crossed over his chest. "I know it's a Preventer shuttle, but it won't wait forever."

"It will if we're the only ones who are getting on it," the blond replied, bag over his shoulder and book in his hand. "Where's Collins?"

"He's not coming. He never sees the Owned leave. He's up in his office, probably going over applicants at the moment. Why?"

"I… I just thought he might see us off," he stated, a little uncertainly.

"Don't worry about him. He'll continue to make the Owned as long as he's allowed, and since you're not shutting him down yet…" he shrugged, climbing into the waiting van.

Zechs climbed in after him, at a loss as to what to do. The words of Collins' letter kept repeating themselves in his mind. He sighed heavily, noting that subtly Duo leaned toward him, though he didn't touch. "What are you going to do when you see Heero again?" he asked, eyes distant as they gazed straight ahead. Another shrug.

"I'm not sure. Hug him. Tell him I missed him, probably. Then tell him I am yours," his tone held little concern. He obviously didn't care all that much. It didn't weigh on the Owned's mind like it did on his Master's.

"Heero may very well try to kill me, you know?"

"You die, I die. How does that do him any good? Besides, I would not let him near you." There was a fierce intention in his tone now and he took one of Zechs' hands in his own, only to have it wretched away.

"Dammit, Duo! You can't do things like that!" Blazing crystalline eyes turned on the First.

Violet eyes darkened in confusion and his brows drew together. "Do things like what?"

The innocent pain in his tone made the blond loose most of his anger. "You can't touch me like that, Duo," he sighed, still seeing confusion. "The gentle caresses, the soft kisses, Duo… you touch me as you would touch your lover. You're touching me like you used to touch Heero," he explained.

Comprehension came quickly, followed and overwhelmed by pain in the next instant. Suddenly, he seemed to realize how close he was to his Master, and moved closer to the door. "I'm sorry… I hadn't realized… I'll stop," he stated, voice filled with regret.

// "Your disapproval is his utmost fear. To fail you, unthinkable.//

Zechs cursed himself but had to admit, he couldn't do anything more.

~~~~

The flight to Geneva and Preventer Headquarters was long and strangely melancholy. Duo was careful to keep his distance, and fiddled with his braid almost in rapt attention. Zechs recalled that only that morning he'd braided the silken mass, giving the Owned back his braid.

"We'll be landing at Preventer HQ and reporting straight to Une," the blond man told him.

"I remember," was the soft reply. "I always used to complain that my report would be much more coherent if I'd had a chance to go home and sleep first…" his tone was low, as if speaking up would anger his Master. "She never did believe me," he smiled somewhat ruefully.

"Anyone you're looking forward to seeing?" the silence was too awkward for Zechs to be comfortable with it.

"Quat, Tro… 'Fei and Sally… everyone really… but I could do without them too. It'll just be nice to see them again. That's all."

The blond leaned back in his seat and suppressed a sigh. It appeared as if that was all he could do for the time being. He would just have to let seeing the others do what it would and pray to God, any god, that Duo would transfer his Impression to Heero.

~~~~

Zechs' car was in the airport parking lot, and Duo set his trunk into the back, feeling a bit more secure that regardless of what his Master felt, he would be going home with him. "So to see Une next?" he asked the taller man. The blond nodded.

"And give her a full report."

"There's not much to report on. Everyone's there of their own volition, except for me. And I'm not exactly upset—"

"No, you weren't upset at all when you killed Kelvare, now were you?" the taller man replied sarcastically, getting in the front seat.

Duo glared half-heartedly as he got into the passenger side. "Anyone would be. I'm not complaining now though… even if you are…" he trailed off, looking out the window.

Great, Zechs thought, another foot in my damn mouth.

As a result, the radio filled the silence.

~~~~

Violet eyes took in the tall buildings that made up Preventer Headquarters for the first time in over a year. There was an odd detached feeling that came with it that the braided Owned could not name. "Zechs," he stated quietly as his Master turned off the car. "Please…" violet orbs burned into sapphire. "Remember that I am yours."

The blond clutched the steering wheel tightly but nodded, getting out. Duo followed quickly, keeping a few steps behind his Master.

"Ah, Agent Wind, welcome back—Agent Night?!" the receptionist at the front gasped in alarm as they passed. Duo gave a cheeky grin, but never slowed his pace. Zechs appeared not to have noticed at all and walked straight past her, his walk brisk and purposeful. They went straight to an elevator and Duo reflexively hit the fifth floor button.

"Uh… we are going to the fifth floor, right? The offices haven't been moved in my absence have they?"

"No, they're still on the fifth floor," the blond assured, just as the elevator stopped and the doors opened. He strode confidently into the room, eyes straight ahead. Duo followed, ignoring the eyes on him and the gasps that went through the room.

Sarah, Une's secretary looked up from her desk and smiled. "The Lady is in her office. She's waiting for you. Just go ahead in."

"Thank you, Sarah," the blue-eyed man nodded. Sarah's eyes widened a little as she saw Duo, but she wisely didn't say anything. Zechs opened the door to Une's office only to hear Wufei.

"… and exactly what was so important about Merquis' return that we all had to be here?" the Chinese Preventer demanded.

"Ah, Agent Wind. I see you have Agent Night with you," Une stood as the two entered, and everyone in the room went terribly still.

"Please, Une, I'm not a Preventer anymore," Duo stated, stepping out from behind his Master. "Hi everyone," he smiled softly.

Heero looked ready to have a heart attack. "D…Duo…?" Prussian orbs were shining in disbelief.

"It's me, Heero," he promised, something aching distantly in his chest. His once lover rushed forward, wrapping his arms around the Owned tightly, tears sliding from his eyes as he buried his face in the braid.

"You're back… thank God you're back…"

"I thought you didn't believe in God," Duo teased softly. "I'm glad to see you, Heero," he admitted, slowly easing out of the Japanese man's grip. "But things can't go back to the way they were. I'm not who I was anymore. I can't be yours…"

"What? Why not?" he demanded.

"I'm Owned, Heero… Zechs is my Master now…" he informed softly, sliding his coat off his shoulders and opening his wings for his friends to see.

"Zechs!" Noin snapped, leaping up. "What is the meaning of this!"

"It's not his fault!" Duo snapped, stepping in front of his Master.

"And I suppose you became Owned of your own will, huh?!" she shot.

Violet-eyes flashed white for an instant and a low growl rose in his throat. His sharp eyes caught an abrupt movement as Heero made to attack the blond. Gun came out and Duo reacted without thought, tail snapping up and whipping the weapon from his former lover's hand. A moment later, he had the former 01 pilot pinned to the ground. "Stop this, Heero!"

"I'll kill him!"

"It's not his fault! For the love of Shinigami will you people fucking listen to me! I saw his picture in the paper! Christ!" the braided Owned snapped, glaring coldly, managing to keep Heero's struggling wrists pinned to the floor. He felt the subtle shift that meant the Japanese Preventer was going to try to knock him off and countered it effortlessly. His tail flipped open and rested at Heero's throat threateningly.

"Duo! Stop this!" Zechs demanded. Instantly, Duo was on his feet, head bowed sedately. "You didn't have to attack Heero! You love him!"

"I loved him!" the Owned shot back, eyes blazing. "And he was threatening you! I am not going to stand by and watch you get yourself killed out of idiocy!"

"It isn't your place—"

"It is my place! You Own me, Zechs. Get over it! I belong to you and I will until the day I die. That can't be changed!" Every word brought him inches closer to the older man.

"You shouldn't! I didn't ask for this!"

"And you think I did?!" Duo's chest heaved in exertion, now only inches from Zechs' face. "When are you going to accept this?" there was defeat in his tone as he pulled back slightly. "Dammit, Zechs. You're my Master now… You're the one I love…"

Ice blue eyes glowered. "I don't love you. I don't want you," he stated, cold fury in his voice. "I am not going to lose everything I've ever cared about because you inadvertently Imprinted on me… Duo… I Disown you," he stated, head raised high, absolute certainty in his voice.

"No…" it was barely a whisper as pain ripped through him.

"Yes."

"You… you can't!" desperation was the only thing discernable in the First's tone.

"I will and I have!"

Duo collapsed to his knees, head hung and whispered something.

"What was that?" Une asked gently.

"…Kill me…"

"What?" Heero, this time, voice filled with shock and pain.

Violet orbs raised and looked only at Zechs, tears streaming down his face. "If you truly mean to Disown me, then kill me now," his tail snaked out and grabbed Heero's gun. He put it in the blond's slack hands and closed them over it, pointing the weapon at his heart. "If I have failed you so… disgusted you so… kill me… I've no other purpose in life except to protect you and to make you happy. I can protect you, but I obviously can't make you happy. So, please… kill me?"

All eyes grew wide in shock. "I'm not going to kill you, Duo…" Zechs' voice was shaky, as were his hands.

Fear sprung into amethystine orbs. "Please…" he begged. "Kill me now… if you've any pity in you… if you don't I'll only waste away…"

"You're free, Duo!" Quatre jumped and pointed out.

The braided Owned looked at him. "There is no freedom for the Owned, Quat…" he turned back to his Master. "We are Owned or we die. That is all there is. I told you Zechs: every part of me is yours," he reached up to stroke the silver cross in emphasis. "If you do not need me, then I am dead. Please… make it quick…"

Zechs jerked the gun out of Duo's hands and pitched it across the room, falling to his own knees and wrapping his arms around the First. "I take it back…" he whispered, stroking the golden braid. "You're mine… you're still Owned… for the love of God, please don't throw your life away like that…" he whispered into his hair. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…" then he looked up into the shocked faces of Une, Noin, Sally and the former pilots. "What can I do?" he asked, painfully aware of the strong arms wrapped tightly around his waist as Duo continued to sob quietly into his shoulder. "What can I do but keep him?"

TSUZUKU…

Okay, I really really hate begging for reviews. I always feel like such a heel, but this chapter was really important for me, so I want to know how I did. Was it over the top? Was it believable? Please lemme know…