Chapter Ten

The next few days passed in tensed silence. None of the ex-pilots were in the mood to converse and not even Duo had the motive to talk. Each man did his duty around the house and went to bed with little to no conversation in the process. They were just starting to go stir crazy when Duo pointed out a slight problem.

"We're out of food!" He shouted and his voice echoed through the small house.

Trowa and Quatre turned away from their card game on the couch to stare at him while Wufei and Heero took a time out from their separate training corners to glare.

"Must you shout, Maxwell?" Wufei snarled.

Duo smirked and leaned against the wall. "Well, it got your attention didn't it?"

Wufei rolled his eyes and collapsed his tired body onto the nearest chair. Heero sighed and straightened up, facing Duo.

"What do you mean we're out of food?" He asked calmly.

"Just what I said. The foods gone. We'll have enough for dinner but then that's it."

"We'll need to go and find some." Trowa said placing his cards down.

"I will go." Wufei said and stood.

Trowa nodded. "Take Quatre with you."

Both Wufei and Quatre turned shocked faces to Trowa, who didn't flinch. "Sally said never go anywhere alone. Besides, you'll be able to carry more supplies with more people."

Wufei couldn't argue with his logic. And maybe if we're alone I will be able to confess my feelings…He thought.

Similar ideas were running through Quatre's mind but he was much too afraid to vocalize them even to himself. So, with no argument between them, Wufei and Quatre gathered a couple of fishing poles and a few bags and left the house. Wufei was immediately calmed by the sound of the waves crashing up against the shore. He had always loved the oceans and though their situation was less than desirable it was also no exception.

"We'll need to find a calm spot so we can fish." Wufei said.

Quatre nodded and they began slowly walking down the beach, hoping to find a calm bay area. Quatre kept sneaking glances across at Wufei as they walked. He desperately wished he was braver. Maybe then he could just say what he was feeling without feeling fear.

About a mile from the house, Wufei spotted a cave that hung over a small pond. He pointed it out to Quatre and the two made their way over to it. They had to climb a small incline to reach it, but once there, the found it to be an excellent place for fishing. The fish were very active and within the first ten minutes, Wufei had already bagged twenty.

It was a relaxing day with wonderful weather and had the situation been different, Wufei would have found this to be the perfect place to confess his feelings; but for some reason, his tongue was caught in his throat. He looked over at Quatre, who was still fighting the latest fish into the bag. He couldn't help but smile. Quatre really was adorable. It was one of the reasons Wufei was so taken with him. Quatre was unlike anyone he had ever met; strong and intelligent with a child-like quality that was rare from war veterans. It's now or never Chang! He shouted inwardly. He sat up and turned to Quatre and opened his mouth to speak.

"Hey, do you think we could find shell fish on the rock face?" Quatre asked.

Wufei sighed and tried to cover his disappointment. "It would be dangerous in this area to scale the rocks and find them." He said, hoping that would squash Quatre's idea and give him time to speak.

Quatre frowned. "I don't think so." He leaned over the edge of the cliff face and looked down. "See, the tide is going out. As soon as it does we can easily collect some scallops and maybe even some clams and oysters if we're lucky." He turned to Wufei. "Why don't you stay with the fish. I'll grab some while we still can." He smiled and began climbing down the rock.

Wufei wanted to stop him, but he couldn't. He realized the small blond was right. Now would be the best time to collect such creatures and if he distracted him they may loose their chance. Wufei sighed again and continued to tug at his line, reeling in fish after fish, and regretting not talking to Quatre.

A few more hours passed and Wufei noticed the sun going down and the air getting cooler. He pulled in his line and began packing up to go back. He leaned over the edge and spotted Quatre knee deep in water still gathering shell creatures.

"We should be heading back now!" Wufei called.

Quatre paused and looked up with a wave. "Alright! I'll take the beach path back to the house. There's no since in climbing back up now and you shouldn't have to climb down!" He called back.

Wufei wanted to argue again, but he couldn't; again, Quatre was right. Wufei nodded his acceptance and gathered his things before walking carefully back over the rock face. The entire way home his inner thoughts were screaming at him. Why didn't you tell him? You were there for hours and you didn't say a word! You're an idiot! Unfortunately for Wufei, he was inclined to agree. He arrived back at the front door just as the sun was dipping under the ocean. He knocked three times and then a forth after a pause and the door opened. Heero frowned and crossed his arms over his chest.

"You're awfully late."

Wufei glared. "Do you want to eat or don't you?" He glared back and pushed his way back into the house but stopped halfway when he realized Heero was still staring at him.

"What?" Wufei growled.

Heero's expression had changed. It was laced with concern in the midst of his glare. "Where's Quatre?"

Wufei went pale. "He…hasn't returned?"

Heero shook his head and both men exchanged knowing looks before running out of the house. Wufei took off at light speeds down the path that he knew Quatre would have taken. How could you have left him alone? His inner voices yelled. You should have stayed together! What if he's hurt? What will you do then? Wufei ran all the way back to the cliff face with no sign of Quatre. Not even a foot print. Franticly, he began to climb the rock face, perhaps Quatre had changed his mind and wanted to go back the way they had come. He arrived at the mouth of the cave and suddenly felt faint. In the center of the cave was large bag full of shell fish but no Quatre. Sitting on top of the bag was a note with four bright red letters on it:

The blond is mine


Well, there's chapter ten! I hope that everyone is enjoying the story and I just want to thank Rachel07 for you're review. I'm glad you're enjoying it! Anyway, that's it for me. Happy Reading!