Disclaimer: I am a fifteen-year-old kid. Therefore it should be pretty damn obvious that I don't own Gundam Wing or any affiliated characters. Enjoy.

Chapter 2

The next week passed easily. Duo seemed to be rising from his depression. He still got a bit choked when something reminded him of Hilde, but he no longer looked so desolate. He made it a morning ritual to join Quatre at the oasis and swim. He found it was very pleasant to immerse his body in the water and watch the sun rise over the sands.

Finally it was Saturday. Quatre had the jet waiting at 9:30. He and Duo were both dressed in tuxedos. Duo shuffled uncomfortably when he saw Quatre holding a wrapped package. "Oh crap," he muttered.

"What's the matter?" Quatre asked, suddenly worried.

"I don't have a present," he smacked his head, "How could I forget?"

Quatre laughed easily, "Don't worry about. They'll just be happy you're there" With that they hurried onto the jet.

It was only an hour-long flight, but traffic was horrible. By the time they had gotten to the Peacecraft Mansion, the wedding was about to begin. They hurried inside and looked around. Releena's mother sat in the front row and Zechs sat beside her. Next to him was Noin who was talking quietly to Sally Poe. A few feet away Wuffei sat looking angry.

Uh oh, Quatre thought, Sally and Wuffei are having more problems. Oh well.

Trowa was talking with his sister Catherine and a few people Quatre didn't recognize. Heero and Releena were nowhere to be seen, but that was to be expected. Suddenly Quatre ducked behind Duo. "What? What is it, Quatre?"

"She's here." Quatre said significantly.

"Oh come on you're not still mad at Dorothy are you?"

"Well last time we met she did try to kill me."

"Come off it Quatre, that was two years ago! Oh well, looks like everyone's here."

They went over to where Trowa was standing. They were about to join the conversation when the Organ began to play. Quickly they scrambled into a pew. Releena and Heero walked down the isle. Heero was dressed in a tuxedo. His hair was combed, and he was smiling. Duo did a double take. It was undeniable. Heero Yui looked happy. Releena strode serenely beside him dressed in a flowing white bridal gown. Her hair was up with white roses tucked into it.

The pastor stood at the altar and they exchanged their vows. Through the ceremony Duo had looked more and more depressed. When they kissed, he grimaced.

At the reception he resisted all attempts at conversation. He seemed distant, not paying any attention to the world around him. He didn't even notice when Zechs and Heero tried to kill each other with iron spars. All in good fun of course. Releena didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with her brother and her husband engaging in mortal combat. They had done nothing but for as long as they'd known each other. But Duo noticed none of it.

Noin was feeling sorry for him and came over and asked if he wanted to dance. At this Duo entirely broke down. Reeling back he shouted, "How can you ask me that?" Tears gleamed in his eyes, "I should be dancing with my wife. She's dead! Why do you want to make this more painful than it all ready is?"

With that he spun around and sprinted out the door.

Quatre shouted, "Duo, wait!" he looked around helplessly, "What do we do now?"

Heero ran after Duo, yelling over his shoulder, "I'll get him."

Outside it had gotten dark. There had been a short shower earlier and the grass was wet. The night had a rich earthy smell. Duo's chest heaved as he sprinted across the lawn. The cold air bit his lungs. He heard feet pounding the ground behind him. Something hit him from behind and he was driven to the ground. He lashed out and tried to throw his attacker off of him. Heero was surprised by the force of the blow and caught it in the gut. He rolled off, winded. Duo stumbled to his feet, tears streaming down his face, mind reeling, breath rasping in his throat.

Zechs and Noin ran over to him and blocked his way. Noin said in a pleading voice, "Please Duo, tell us what's wrong."

"What's wrong?!" Duo screamed, "What's wrong?! She's dead, that's what's wrong!" He dropped to his knees and pounded his fists into the ground.

It began to rain again, hard. Water streamed down from the sky, pounding his hunched body and mingling with his tears in the mud. "I see the two of you, Heero, and all I can think of is that it should have been that way with Hilde and me." He stopped crying and stumbled to his feet. They were afraid he was going to run again but he stood tall. Anger and determination mingled in his voice. "I will find those responsible and I will destroy them. Then I will never fight again. This life cost me too much."

Quatre stepped forward, "But Duo, where will you go? You have nothing."

Duo began to laugh a low, sinister laugh. Everyone there got the distinct impression that Duo was no longer sane. Grinning, he whipped a small box from his pocket, the one he had brought from his apartment. Flipping up the panel he pushed the button. "Correction, I have everything I need. I'm going into space. I will destroy those who are responsible."

Twenty miles away a concealed hanger opened. The hunched, metallic figure inside came on line. Its eyes glowed and it launched into the stormy night. Rocketing to the origin of the call signal, it followed its programming. It soared over the Peacecraft lawn and dropped to the ground. It crouched behind its pilot.

Duo stood holding the remote in front of him like it was a self detonate trigger. "As you can see, I've planned this rather extensively." With that, Deathscythe Hell threw open its wings and opened the cockpit. Duo back flipped into the pilot seat and jabbed the hatch control.

Quatre ran forward, Trowa and Noin closed behind. "Duo, no!" Quatre shouted. In answer Duo activated his beamscythe and brandished it above his head. The wings straitened into flight position and the mobile suit leaped upward. A millisecond later the thrusters fired, sending Duo spiraling toward the heavens. Deathscythe broke above the clouds. The full moon shone brightly. In the cockpit Duo pulled on his helmet. Soon he had left the atmosphere behind him and was rocketing up into the diamond-studded solitude.