HEY EVERYONE! …Anyone? Mmm… I do realize it's been quite a looong wait, but out of nowhere I woke up at 2 am and had the sudden desire to continue this fic. During these past months my life has changed completely and I have found it real hard to try and concentrate on all of my fics. Besides, last chapter only got3 reviews and that wasn't really encouraging. THANK YOU NIKKLER, PRISCEL AND MY DEAREST SISTER AKANE! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST! Oh well, I'm finally back, I suppose I'll just stop this useless rant and get on with the chapter…

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Nothing

What had truly caused Sixto's death? Had he really died victim of the virus, just as the Preventers liked to believe? Or had he, as Heero suspected, committed suicide? However, the how wasn't really important now. Sixto was gone and he was unable to help them. Heero was now in possession of his diary and it was rather clear what he had to do. He shut his laptop down and got up from his spot in the empty room. He had to give that journal to the scientists in charge of the viral research. The whole process of how the virus was created was there, and he was sure that it would aid on the finding of the cure. Without further thinking he made his way out and towards the labs.

All the way, a hundred thoughts assaulted him. This diary might just be the answer to all their problems; it might just as well be like handing out the cure to the scientists on a silver platter. To think that perhaps he was just a few steps away of delivering human race the salvation everyone longed for. It would only be a matter of time now before the antidote was produced in mass quantities. Many lives would be saved, and the virus might even be eradicated…

But… what if the diary proved to be useless, or what would be worse, confounding? Either thing was possible, but as of now, Heero preferred to look at it on the optimistic side. Hope was scarce nowadays and he had to maintain faith to make the rest feel better. Time ago, he would have thought it was just unavoidable. Years ago he would've taken it all with a cold, emotionless stride. Just as he had once thought before: he had grown attached to life… or rather, Duo had made him grow attached to it.

Duo…

Heero hadn't thought about him while looking at the diary's contents. Well, maybe not specifically thought about him, but one way or another, Duo was always in his mind. Heero wondered whether Duo had forgiven him by now; forgiven him for having walked out of the place, forgiven him for have left him alone when he most needed him… forgiven him for having lost his patience and despaired. The leather-covered book somehow made him feel stronger than he had when his argument with Duo was recently over. Any fears of ever losing Duo might as well disappear as soon as he delivered the diary. It would only be a matter of time… and he couldn't wait any longer.

At first he walked, then he sped up, and finally he was running. Who knows how long he might've been gone, how many hours he might've wasted. Emotion now overwhelmed him and he knew nothing about its source. He felt neither happiness nor fear, only anxiety. It kept him running, and it made him quicken his strides.

"Attention Preventers. This is Lady Une. Special agent Heero Yuy is requested over at my office. If someone has seen him, please let him know about this"

Heero stopped dead on his tracks. He distinctly heard Lady Une's voice through one of the large speakers in the hall he'd just passed. She wanted to see him at her office. Why? The earlier rush of emotion in Heero only made it easier for him to panic. His mind was such a mix of thoughts, feelings, everything at the moment, that fear didn't take long to overcome them. His chest felt tight and he desperately sought good reasons for Lady Une wanting to see him at her office.

Bingo! The test results were probably ready now, and she wanted to tell him personally that the computers were now running smoothly, and that the whole HQ was well on its way to get rid of quarantine, and that Duo was waiting for him to hug him in happiness, and that he had to keep running towards the labs, and that it was all just a lie, the Disease had claimed Duo's life…

Heero felt dizzy from all this brainstorming. Lady Une's unexpected call along with his outburst triggered something in him, slowly making him lose control. There were plenty of reasons for him to be scared, afraid, exited, even giddy, and everything was clouding his mind and keeping him from thinking straight.

"Hey!" someone yelled behind him, startling him further. "You're Preventer Heero Yuy, aren't you?"

It was a man, old enough to be his grandfather. Somehow, his voice seemed to set an order in Heero's mind.

"Yes" he answered calmly, although his voice was unexpectedly hoarse.

"I just heard Lady Une's looking for you. You oughta go to her office, might be important"

"I will, thank you"

All he needed was something to bring him back to reality. He calmed himself and breathed deeply. The man's voice had been like a string, jerking him back to present time. Now was not the time to panic, he had better things to do.

Heero nodded to the man and set off at a run again. He knew he had to go and see Lady Une, but first he was allowing himself a quick detour. Once the diary was safely under the researchers' custody, he'd grace Lady Une with his presence, not before. He felt he owed his friends at least some good news to make up for his absence… maybe even after that Duo would forgive him.

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"DUO!"

"What?"

"They've found him, he's at the labs!"

Duo stopped so abruptly, Quatre ran straight into him, almost knocking both down to the ground.

"What is it?"

"Lady Une said Heero had been found. Come on, he's at the labs."

Trowa and Wufei were already there. Noin and Zechs apparently wouldn't be showing up. The door was closed and all they had to do was turn the knob. Heero would most surely be right behind it. No time to lose, a whole hour and a half had escaped them. Duo became aware that he'd been holding his breath and gasped for air. It was Trowa in the end the one who reached out and opened the door.

"Here you are" instead of Heero, it was Dr. Sen the first to greet them. "Heero's already downstairs. We've just explained to him the present situation and he's getting prepped for examination. Please come with me and we'll ready you guys as well."

The four boys said nothing. Duo was lightly trembling, and only Quatre could notice, as he was standing right next to him, slightly making contact. He placed a hand on Duo's shoulder and gave him a reassuring look. Duo nodded and they all left.

There was no chance of seeing Heero yet. The other four were parted into different rooms were a whole medical team was waiting. Time had been defeated, and maybe they couldn't cheer yet, but soon they'd smile, knowing there was still chance to save one of them. Duo longed for nothing more than to embrace Heero and ask for forgiveness. He should have never allowed that to happen. He wouldn't allow himself to be defeated by this Disease. He would no longer permit it to distance him from his friends and his lover. Duo had been foolish, but now it was enough. No matter what the outcome of this whole testing be, he promised himself to make the others know he was there. He felt like crying, but now was not the time to be weak; now was the time to show strength, to show that mother fucking Disease what Duo Maxwell was made of.

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The door opened and he saw the braided baka run towards him. Unconsciously his arms spread wide open, ready to receive his lover, all past problems forgotten. Nothing else existed, only them. There was nothing outside, nothing in. Nothing but the burning love they both felt.

Heero closed his eyes and inhaled deeply Duo's scent. All worries that might have been piling up in his brain dissipated in an instant, and his heart felt lighter than it had in days. He didn't care about the rest staring, he knew they'd understand. All he cared about right now was the being held between his arms.

"I'm so sorry Heero" whispered Duo.

"No Duo, I'm the one who's sorry"

The looked at each other and smiled. Nothing had happened. Nothing would ever break them apart.

"Hey guys, I have… news for you" said Heero turning towards the other pilots, his hand held Duo's tightly.

"What kind of news?" asked Duo.

Heero sighed and led Duo towards the chairs near the others. Only the five of them were in that waiting room. It was set next to the sickbay, right above the labs. Only a corridor away from the cryogenic freezing chamber.

"I found Dr. Sixto's diary in his room… it was him, he created the virus."

Heavy silence befell them. Not a single sound came from that room, not even the sound of breathing.

"That mother fucker…" swore Duo in a harsh whisper.

"That's not all" continued Heero now that the silence was broken. "As I read it, I found many data related to it, and to how it was created. His diary describes in full detail the process he followed. It also said he'd been working by himself."

"Why did he create such a thing in the first place?" asked Wufei in a stiff voice.

"It was originally intended to be a drug. He was secretly selling them in the black market and apparently he was asked to do a better, more powerful one. Like I told you, he worked alone on this drug, and I'm sure the work was too much. He must've made a dozen mistakes along the way and his project mutated, resulting in what we are now fighting against."

Duo swore once more.

"Did it say anything else? Like how's it transmitted?" asked Quatre.

"No. Dr. Sixto himself had no idea what the Disease was. Only when people started dying all around did he realize what he'd done. And my guess is that he couldn't stand the pressure of knowing it had all been his fault. He was such an idiot, and a weak man. He opted for suicide instead of trying to be useful. I just gave the diary to the scientists at the labs. I'm sure they'll put it to good use."

So far, no one had mentioned anything about the risk of one of them having the Disease. All of them still held hope that it had all been some sort of misunderstanding. The computer had been malfunctioning, how could it bee so sure one of the ex gundam pilots had the Disease? Now, with this news about Heero's findings, hope shone brighter.

Heero smiled when he thought he had finally accomplished his mission. Ever since the beginning he'd been sent out to find the origin of this virus. He had finally come across it. Maybe everything did happen for a reason. If he hadn't fought with Duo, he might've never encountered the diary and more time would be wasted away trying to discover some answers. If destiny had been so kind to him then, maybe there really was hope. Maybe everything would really turn out all right in the end.

Heero squeezed Duo's hand softly and his braided lover turned to look at him. He saw Heero smiling and he couldn't help but do the same.

"Why so happy Hee-chan?"

"Don't call me that Duo."

They looked at each other seriously for an instant then unexpectedly burst out laughing. The rest stared at them, startled at first, wondering if madness was another unaccounted symptom. In the end Quatre joined their laughter, Trowa graced them with a smile and Wufei was confused beyond speech.

"It's been a while since I last heard anyone laugh around here"

Through the door came Lady Une and they all turned to look at her, four of them still with big smiles. She smiled as well, but she was too tired to actually look happy. She was relieved to see all of them still there, laughing together, like they had nothing to care about in the whole universe.

"It's good to see you still haven't lost your good mood despite the circumstances"

"Life's too short to be wasted away in tears, ma'am" answered Duo putting an arm around Heero's neck and pressing his face to his own.

"Quite true."

"So, any news for us?" asked Wufei bothered that he hadn't caught on the joke.

"Well, Heero certainly made the researchers' day when he gave them that diary. They've just been trough some of it's content and they're positive something good's going to come out of it. Sen seems to have particular interest on it and he understands a great deal more than the rest. I have placed my whole faith on them."

"Any chance I may speak to him?" asked Heero.

"Well, he's upstairs, I'm sure he won't have any inconvenient if you go and see him now."

"Lady… why haven't we been isolated or something?" asked Trowa suddenly.

"What?"

"If there's a possibility that one of us carries the Disease then why do you still come to us with no protection, or why haven't we been locked up somewhere"

Lady Une stared at Trowa for a while, then turned to look at the rest. She chuckled, confusing them all.

"I've been in contact with you for the past hours. If the Disease wants me, then she ought to get me soon… I have faith in you guys, and maybe it's a lame excuse, but I want to be by your side no matter what. If you are in danger, then I will willingly set myself next to you, and suffer the same. Never forget that I was once a soldier as well."

"But…"

"I know, you could have infected half the HQ while looking for Heero, but somehow I have a feeling it doesn't work that way…"

"We can't take any chances"

"By the time we knew about it you already had had the chance to infect dozens of people"

"We could've spared more"

Lady Une sighed. "Yes, I guess that might be true. However, I just can't bring myself to believe one of you is sick. I suppose it was due to my own hope that you are still out here with me and not locked up inside some ugly room"

Trowa imitated the woman before him and sighed. There was no point in arguing further.

"So, about seeing Dr. Sen… follow me"

The five pilots rose to follow Lady Une. Her words had offered comfort and widened the ray of hope they had. She opened the door and was ready to lead Heero towards Dr. Sen.

Heero had much to tell Dr. Sen. He was sure he held the key to the cure, as he was the closest to the project when Sixto was still alive. Sixto might have led him astray, but Sen understood the way things worked; he was Sixto's most valuable companion before things got nasty. Heero firmly believed Sen could right Sixto's wrongs and become a hero. He had to talk to him…

Lady Une was right in front of him…

Duo was behind…

Next came the rest of his friends…

He was just a few steps away from Lady Une… and then he lost focus.

"HEERO!"

The last thing he heard was Duo's panicked yell and then he fell to the ground.

"HEEEEROOOO!"

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A/N: Before I wrote this chapter, I had to re-read the whole story, just to make sure I wasn't making any mistakes. I'd abandoned my dear fic for way too long. As I was reading I discovered plenty of mistakes in the past chapters, but none are too important, don't worry, nothing life threatening, I'm just too lazy to double-check the chapter once it's finished before uploading it.

I can't get enough of thanking Nikkler, Priscel and Aka-chan, THANK YOU! You guys are the only ones who've submitted reviews for each chapter and you make me happy. By the way, did you like the way this chapter ended? My guess is you can get plenty of conclusions from this…