Chapter Six

The Fight and the Fright

Duo returned to his room after his shower to find the room empty. He smirked. Perhaps Relena was more ready than she thought. He chuckled to himself and walked over to the dresser in his room. He pulled out a white button up shirt and loose black pants to sleep in. After changing, he walked out to the balcony and sighed. He had left the shirt unbuttoned and the crisp air nipped at his chest. Normally he loved this weather, but tonight he has something else on his mind. He was wondering how Quatre was fairing with Trowa. He received his answer when he heard a window open below him. Glancing down he saw a load of shirts fly out into the snow. He leaned over the balcony curiously. He gasped when he realized the clothes were coming from Quatre and Trowa's room. He leaned over more to try and hear what was being said.

"Four long years and this is how you repay me!" That was Quatre's voice! It was rare that Quatre ever screamed let alone threw things.

"Quatre, you're being unreasonable!" Trowa shouted.

"Unreasonable? You're in love with someone else! For four years you've been in love with someone else and you never told me! You used me!"

"Quatre wait!"

Duo heard a door slam and then silence. "Uh oh…" He muttered and turned back into his room. He had every intention of going after the heart broken Quatre. He had just reached the door when he heard footsteps. He paused and put his ear to the door. He heard crying, but not just any crying, it was Quatre! Duo opened the door a crack and watched as Quatre carried his suitcase into the room directly across from Duo and slam the door shut.

"This isn't good…" Duo muttered.

Part of him felt enraged that Trowa had hurt Quatre, but his instincts told him to hold off on judgment until he knew exactly what happened. Deciding to let Quatre be alone, Duo walked down stairs to Trowa's room. He knocked and then waited. It was silent for a moment before the door opened and Trowa appeared. His face was tear-stained and sullen. Duo crossed his arms over his chest and frowned.

"Rough night?"

Trowa looked down. "You…heard?"

Duo nodded. "How could I not? I'm surprised the whole house hasn't heard."

"I didn't want to hurt him…I didn't…" Trowa stuttered as a few more tears fell down his cheeks.

Duo sighed. "I think you better tell me what happened."

Trowa nodded and backed into the room so Duo could walk in and shut the door. "Quatre came back in from his shower and said that we needed to talk. I agreed, so we sat on the bed. He told me that we were drifting apart and he didn't want to loose me as a friend."

Duo nodded. "And what happened?"

"I told him he was right. And then…I…"

"You what, Trowa?"

Trowa sighed. "I told him I had fallen in love with…someone else."

"And?"

"And he went crazy! He started throwing my clothes out the window and saying that I was using him all this time and…and…" More tears fell down Trowa's face.

Duo sighed. "I'm sure he'll calm down. I don't think he wanted to admit that it was over."

I know I didn't…

Trowa nodded. "I suppose you're right. Maybe…maybe I should go talk to him." He said and stood up.

Duo pushed Trowa back down to the bed. "No. I think Quatre needs to be alone for a while. And I think you do too. Maybe you should talk to him in the morning. It'll give you both a chance to calm down."

Trowa sighed and looked at his lap. "I suppose you're right…"

Duo nodded. "Well…I leave you alone…goodnight Trowa." He said and turned to walk away. He paused at the door and turned around.

"And by the way, who is it you're in love with?"

Trowa blushed and didn't respond. Duo nodded. "Fine. You don't have to tell me." He waved and left the room. As he walked back up to his own room, he glanced at his watch; midnight.

"Hmph…" He grumbled. "Merry Christmas…" He muttered gloomily as he trudged back up the stairs.

Duo woke the next morning in an even worse mood than he had the night before. He groaned and rolled back over. He paused and opened his eyes. Heero wasn't there. He never came back to the room. He smirked. At least something was going right this trip. He closed his eyes and had every intention of going back to sleep when suddenly a rather frantic, and very nude, Heero ran through the balcony doors and dove into bed with Duo.

"Umph." Duo gasped when Heero landed on him. "Heero what the-"

"Just pretend I've been here the whole time." He muttered and closed his eyes.

Duo opened his mouth to speak when there came a knock on the door. Duo looked up but before he could get out of bed the door opened and in came a rather chipper looking maid.

"Good mornin'" She smiled.

Duo smirked. Now he understood. Heero was with Relena when they heard the maid and Heero had only just made it over to his actual room before she made it over here.

"Mornin'" Duo replied and glanced at Heero who blushed.

The maid busied herself around the room, dusting and the like before she left without a word. Duo blinked after her and then turned to Heero.

"Caught in the act, eh?" He smirked.

Heero's face turned a dark burgundy and he turned away.

Duo laughed and then turned when another sound at the door caught his attention. Quatre was standing there with a smile on his face.

"Merry Christmas!" He exclaimed.

"Merry Christmas, Quat!" Duo smiled.

He looks better…he and Trowa must have talked…Duo thought.

"Hurry and get dressed," he said, glancing at Heero. "Breakfast is being served in five minutes." He said and walked away.

"Five minutes!" Duo jumped out of bed and turned to Heero. "Hurry before there's nothing left!"

Heero remained still.

"Oh…" Duo frowned and turned around. "S-sorry…"

Heero sighed and stood up. "I'm sorry Duo…I…I know you've seen…I just…"

Duo shook his head. "It's okay. I understand." He smiled, even though Heero couldn't see. "So…how was it?"

Heero froze and dropped the sweatpants he was holding. "Wh-what?"

Duo chuckled. "You know what. How was it?"

Heero blushed and quickly pulled his pants up. He stormed past Duo to find a shirt. "It's none of your business."

Duo smirked. "That good, huh?"

Heero blushed again and ripped his shirt from the dresser and stormed down the hall. Duo laughed and followed him after running a brush through his hair once. When they got down stairs, the others were already eating. Zechs, Noin and Relena were discussing old Christmas plans, Wufei and Sally were talking in hushed voices (No doubt about the Preventers, Duo thought.), Hilde was tinkering with some machine she had brought with her and Trowa and Quatre were talking quietly. Duo smiled.

That's a good sign…

Once Heero and Duo sat down Quatre stood up. "Everyone, I have something to say."

"Not another surprise, Quatre. You've done enough." Noin smiled.

"No, it's not a surprise…it's something more…serious." Quatre said with a slight frown.

The table hushed and all faced Quatre.

"I just thought you all should be the first to know…" He glanced at Trowa who nodded. "…that Trowa and I are breaking up."

Everyone gasped and looked from Trowa to Quatre and back again.

"But…why?" Sally asked.

"Yeah, I thought you two were happy." Noin added.

Quatre smiled sadly and shook his head. "Not anymore. We were only kidding ourselves. It wasn't meant to be." His smile warmed noticeably. "But don't worry. We talked last night and we're fine."

Trowa nodded and smiled over at Duo who shot him a 'thumbs up'.

"We just thought you should know." Quatre finished.

"I must admit…" Wufei started. He looked up at Quatre, "your honesty is admirable."

Quatre nodded. "Thank you, Wufei."

"Yes, we're sorry you're not together anymore, but we're glad you're still friends." Noin smiled.

Quatre nodded. "We are too." He smiled and this time it was a true smile. Even Trowa seemed more upbeat.

Breakfast was light and full of laughter and afterward everyone retired to the living room where Quatre brought tea and cookies for everyone. While the mood inside was light and happy, outside the clouds began to roll in and the wind picked up. Soon it was banging against the windows and rattling the door.

"Man, it's bad out there!" Duo exclaimed looking out the window.

"Are we safe in here, Quatre?" Relena asked.

Quatre nodded. "Yes, don't worry. This house has been reinforced several times with the strongest material. We'll be okay."

Everyone nodded but the women didn't seem so sure. Attempting to lighten the mood, Zechs stood up.

"Well, since we're all here, why don't we play a game?"

Duo jumped up and turned to Zechs. "Hey! Great idea!"

"What should we play?" Relena asked.

"How about charades?" Trowa suggested.

Quatre smiled. "Ooo I love that game!"

"Me too!" Duo giggled. He ran to the center of the room. "Me first! Me first!"

He snapped his mouth shut and held him palms face out.

"Let me guess…you're an idiot?" Wufei scoffed.

Duo glared at him and shook his head. He held up two fingers.

"Two words?" Quatre asked.

Duo nodded and then held up one fingers.

"First word…" Trowa leaned forward.

Duo made a motion like he was swinging a bat.

"Baseball?" Quatre asked.

"Bat?" Noin tried.

Duo shook his head and did the motion again.

"Hmmm…is it a club?" Zechs offered.

"It's a scythe." Heero said without looking up.

Duo jumped up and down nodding. Everyone turned to Heero who looked up. He turned to Duo with a slight glare. "Death God."

Duo slumped slightly. "Aww, no fair. You guessed it!"

Heero turned his gaze down again and shrugged. "You're too predictable."

Duo huffed and slouched over to the couch where he plopped.

"I'll go now." Quatre smiled and stood up.

He walked to the center of the room and as soon as he turned around they heard a loud BANG against the door. Quatre jumped and turned around.

"What in the world was that?" Zechs asked jumping up.

"I…I don't know." Quatre said and walked to the door. He placed his ear against the wood and listened. "I can't hear anything…" He reached over and carefully pulled the door open just an inch or two. He gasped and slammed the door shut again.

"Uhh…" He muttered and backed away from the door.

"What's wrong, Quat?" Duo asked standing up.

"I think we have a problem…" He said pointing to the door.

Heero stood up instinctually. "What is it?"

"We're snowed in!" Trowa exclaimed looking out the window. "There must have been an avalanche…"

Quatre nodded. "I think we're stuck here for a while…"

"What supplies do you have in this house, Winner?" Wufei asked.

"We always keep an emergency supply in the basement. It should last us about a week or two if we use it all sparingly." His voice was steady but he looked faint.

"Don't worry, Little One. We'll get out of here." Trowa cooed.

Quatre smiled and even blushed a bit. "I know. I'll call Rashid and he can get us some help." He said and walked off into the kitchen to find the phone.

"I should call work. I don't think we're coming back any time soon." Sally said to Wufei and pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. The others scattered to various parts of the house to call works and family to let them know of their whereabouts. Duo sighed and leaned back against the house rubbing his temples.

"This is turning out to be a very joyous occasion…"