Track 4: Zen Arcade

"Everything alright?" The blonde haired man asked as he looked through some files in the computer on his desk.

"Hn." Heero responded with an added shrug. He leaned on the wall behind that same desk, watching as the man worked with his arms folded in front of him.

"So good as always, I see." The blonde man gave a lighthearted chuckle as he typed away.

"Your dad, Quatre?" came Heero's simple, two-worded question.

"Oh you know him." the younger Winner responded, turning in his chair to face Heero. "He's got other things to occupy his time."

Heero nodded, knowing how busy of a man Zayeed had become throughout the years. He was slowly transitioning from being the head of G-Team Records when Heero and his band had jumped on, knowing that there were far more lucrative business ventures for him out there. Quatre had pretty much decided to pick up where his dad left off. Zayeed would pop up occasionally, but it's been Quatre's show for a little while now.

Heero couldn't blame the older Winner.

"Running an independent label in this day and age isn't really what you would call a sound business move. We're lucky to still be around, quite frankly." Quatre smiled at his friend and employee.

Being employed by Quatre worked in a couple different ways. Heero created music that sold under the G-Team banner and, every now and then, he would come to work at the warehouse that stored band merch, records and other related goods. It was another way to gather funds for recording and paying rent. Heero did what he could to both live and create. He had to admit, it felt funny boxing up copies of Metal Circus and Everything Falls Apart to be shipped out for customers.

Well, for those that still bought physical media, anyway. Basically, the hardcore.

"Thankfully Dorothy, Hilde and now Relena have developed such a large and devoted following. Those three albums definitely kept us afloat during these strange times." Quatre noticed Heero's eyes darken at his comments.

"Sylvia was there, too. Let's not forget she existed. That's her hard work on those albums you're glossing over." Heero made sure no one would forget.

"Yeah, you're right, my fault." Quatre sighed. Heero just wasn't giving her up. Even though she left him, one would think Heero was given some sort of promise of her return. So far, nothing. Everyone knew she hadn't reached out… to anyone, not just Heero. She had relationships with a lot of people here. Quatre didn't quite understand her sudden departure. Heero never liked talking about the details, only giving some vague hints here and there but nothing solid. Dorothy knew even less, just getting some weird answers about how she was doing this for herself, or something like that.

"And let's not throw Relena's name in there like that. She hasn't done anything." Last week at Peacemillion, she proved that she could play. That's it. A lot of people could play, but that didn't mean she was in Sylvia's class as a songwriter. That was something else entirely. He didn't care how highly Dorothy thought of her, he needed to see and hear for himself if she could produce anything that was even half as good as Sylvia's work.

"Still not a fan, huh?" Quatre saw this coming. Dorothy told him Heero wasn't too happy about the woman who replaced Heero's ex. But what could his friend do? That wasn't his band. He didn't have any say in the matter. Heero would just have to sit there and take it.

"What's there to be a fan about, Quatre?" Heero's eyes narrowed. "Like I said, she hasn't done anything."

"Sure, but your guys seem impressed. Trowa, Wufei and Duo all told me how well she plays."

"Quatre, you can play guitar, drums, sing, rap or whatever all your life and still not have what it takes to write a quality song." She was playing someone else's music. That proves nothing as far as Heero was concerned.

"I guess there's some truth to that." Quatre nodded. "Does that mean you're not even gonna give her a chance?"

"What does it matter?" Heero shrugged. "It's not like I can kick her out of the band."

"You have to give her a shot, Heero." Much like everyone else, the blonde man wanted Heero to get over Sylvia. Heartbreak is a terrible thing, Quatre thought, but remaining bitter like that was just as bad. It was bothering everyone around him and now he was taking it out on someone who didn't do anything to deserve his contempt. Relena just wanted to be in a band and make music. It wasn't her fault Sylvia left Heero. "She didn't create this situation. An old school friend of hers reached out and asked her to fill the void left behind. Let's just see what she can do."

"Hn." Heero focused his eyes elsewhere. What choice did he have? Of course he was going to give her a shot. There was literally nothing else he could do.

"Besides, she seems nice. I like her." Quatre smiled at his annoyed friend. "They were here early this morning, actually. Dorothy introduced us."

Heero said nothing. Yeah, she seemed nice. He recalled the small conversation he had with her after their first meeting. In all honesty, she did come off like a genuinely good person. She was respectful of the craft and admitted to being a fan of his… which still felt a little funny to him. Relena didn't give him any negative vibes and she actually kind of fit nicely within his group of eccentrics.

Were this any other situation… Heero could find himself really liking her.

But this wasn't any other situation.

"Which reminds me. I was talking to them about something that would involve you as well." Quatre crossed his arms and leaned back into his seat.

Heero gave Quatre a curious look. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, you know that the Jezebels haven't played any shows in support of Dig Me Out, right?"

Heero nodded, remembering that Sylvia left as soon as recording had wrapped up.

"So, I had this idea… and you don't have to agree to this right away, you can think it out if you want, but just so you know, those girls were on board with this so it's really up to you guys." Heero gave his 'boss' a raised eyebrow. What was Quatre getting at, he wondered. What big idea did he have?

"So, what is it?"

"You've shared the same stage with them before, but now I was thinking that maybe you guys could do a bigger nationwide tour together. The Jezebels and Do You Remember?" Quatre watched as Heero tilted his head at him. "It would be great. They already have a name that draws and you guys are probably the next big thing we have going. What do you say?"

"Hmm…" Being out months at a time with those three touring the country… Honestly, it wasn't that bad of an idea. His band would benefit from their audience, although he figured there was enough crossover between their fanbases. If you liked the Jezebels, there was a good chance that you would like Do You Remember? as well, even if Heero's music was a little more abrasive.

Well, they still haven't heard Zen Arcade.

"I… don't hate the idea. But I'll get back to you, I gotta think about how much Dorothy I can tolerate."

Quatre laughed, they would be spending a lot of time with each other if they all agreed to this. He could only imagine how much fun this tour would be. It kind of shocked him that Dorothy was so gung ho about it. Did she not remember that she would have to deal with Duo everyday also? Maybe Hilde could reign him in, he thought. Probably not, though.

"Relena…" Quatre looked at Heero who kept his eyes towards his shoes. "She's okay with this?"

Quatre wasn't sure why he would suddenly ask about her. He shrugged. "She seemed game."

"She's never even played a show yet, and now she's going on the road?" Heero wasn't sure she was ready for this. "This may be too much for her."

"Oh. now you're worried about her?" He gave Heero a wink. He was seriously spending too much time with Dorothy, Heero thought as he rolled his eyes.

"Worried about how it might affect them and, by extension, the tour."

"Well that's on those three." Quatre threw his hands up. "But I get the feeling that it'll work out. Hey, you two can use that time to get to know each other better. Maybe the more you understand Relena, the better you'll feel about your own situation."

Heero grunted, that wasn't what he was concerned about. "Whatever." What could getting friendly with Relena possibly do for him? "Anyway, when did you want to get this going?"

"Hmm, I'll obviously have some work to do but we have enough cache with most club owners to get spots. Give me some time to work my magic and we should be good to go by at least the end of this month."

"That's pretty quick." Heero's band hadn't played in a little while. All of his energy was directed at the completion of their next record. Which reminded him…

"It is." Quatre nodded. "But we have to strike while the iron is still kinda hot. We released Dig Me Out over two months ago. Would've been nice to get those girls on the road when the album was still fresh. It's still doing well, but you know how that goes. It'll stop eventually, I'm shocked it's still doing numbers, honestly."

Heero wasn't, that album was amazing.

"Would have been nice to get Zen Arcade released, too." Quatre sighed. "Then we would have a huge tour to promote both of your records… oh well."

Heero moved from his spot on the wall and walked over to Quatre's desk. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a jewel case. He placed it in front of Quatre and backed off.

Quatre looked at the item and then back at Heero. He got a nod from the frontman and then reached over to open up the case.

It was a generic CD that had the title Zen Arcade written in black marker.

Quatre chuckled. "Well, okay then." Now, he had more work to do.

Heero nodded again at Quatre and then walked off, deciding to take his leave. "See you around." Quatre watched him walk out the door of his office. He grabbed the case off of his desk and gave it a look.

"Hmm, I might as well have a listen before I do anything." Quatre got up from his seat and headed for his stereo.

Finally, it was time to hear Heero's 'masterpiece'.

"Hilde… why did you bring him?" Dorothy dropped her head in her hands, feeling greatly annoyed.

"Sorry, Dorothy, he really wanted to come… for whatever reason." Hilde laughed, feeling a little bad for her band-mate.

"Aye! You don't have, like corn dogs or something I can heat up in the microwave? I kinda missed lunch!" Duo yelled as he rummaged through Dorothy's refrigerator.

"Corndogs…" Dorothy mouthed to herself in disgust. "Will you get out of my fridge?!"

Duo kept searching for… something. "There's nothing but vegetables, vitamin water and stuff like that. Let's see, I peep some kale, broccoli, cherry tomatoes… Oh you got some grapes and apples and all other types of fruit. What'd you got in this freezer… Wait, why are these fruits frozen?"

"Oh my god, Duo! If you don't want a five hundred dollar heel thrown at the side of your head then I suggest you get your ass away from my fridge! Will you please sit like a good boy for once?" Dorothy was reaching down to her foot, dead serious about tossing her footwear at him.

"You pay five hundred dollars for shoes?" Duo stepped away from her food and headed back to his spot on the couch that was also occupied by his drummer girlfriend.

"Duo, will you behave?" Hilde pleaded. She had a feeling that her boyfriend did this on purpose. He really enjoyed getting on Dorothy's nerves and she could tell.

"I'm good babe, like I said, I missed lunch." Duo defended.

"Yeah, I asked if you wanted to eat and you said no." Hilde sighed.

"I wasn't hungry then, and now I am. What do you want me to do?" Duo leaned back into couch and groaned. "Can I eat your grapes, Dorothy?"

"No, now shut up." Dorothy growled. Duo groaned again.

Relena sat there just chuckling at the whole scene. She sipped on the tea Dorothy had made everyone not named Duo Maxwell. Dorothy sure did end up meeting quite the cast of characters. Which made sense since Dorothy was something else herself. They were all hanging out at Miss Catalonia's luxury apartment located in downtown. Dorothy wanted some bonding time with her band, or whatever silly thing she called it. Unfortunately for 'Dotty', Duo decided to join in the fun.

"Hilde, I beg you, next time just leave him in his cage at home. Don't listen to him, just lock him up and walk away." Dorothy said while rubbing the sides of her head.

The short haired girl nodded and smiled. "I'll try."

"Oh c'mon, you're gonna have to get used to this, especially if we're gonna be on the road together." Duo was actually really looking forward to this. He hoped Heero would agree to it.

"Yes, well, I'll make sure we have two different tour buses. I'll only deal with you if I have to." Dorothy finally took a sip of her tea, hopefully done admonishing Duo.

"Sweet, now we don't have to worry about our van's engine blowing." Duo smirked, recalling his band's usual road trips.

"And that's exactly why I had to make sure you had reliable transportation. Last thing we would need is to be delayed because of some twenty year old van with over a million miles on it." She looked over at her friend. "Are you sure you're ready for this, Relena?"

"Probably not." Relena said honestly. "But It's something I'll have to do eventually and I have this weird feeling that it's gonna be fun."

"That's the spirit." Duo nodded. "We're gonna tear shit up together. Two best bands in the world, I don't care what anybody says."

Relena chuckled at Duo's enthusiasm. She had to say, she agreed with that statement. She felt lucky to be a part of this. Though there was something that was beginning to bother her. It shouldn't… but it did. That's just how her heart worked.

"Um, Dorothy." Relena looked over to the platinum blonde.

"Yes, dear?"

"So… should we stop playing 'One More Hour'?" After finding out from Dorothy just what, or who, that song was about, it made her feel kind of uncomfortable. Heero may not have acted too kindly to her, but if the roles were reversed, Relena would find it incredibly difficult to continue hearing a break up song where she was the primary subject. It must've pained Heero greatly to hear her play that track.

"Why? It's becoming one of our most popular songs?" Dorothy didn't see why they should stop playing it. Even though there's no footage of them playing it live, Dorothy was well aware of the song's growing popularity in the fan-base.

"Well, If Heero chooses to do this with us then that means he'll always be around. I'm sure he doesn't want to hear it every night." Relena explained. Dorothy gave her friend a funny look.

"Look at you… Heero acts like a child when he first meets you and now you're trying to look out for him?" This surprised Dorothy. "No, we're playing it."

"Heero is just gonna have to grow up." Duo jumped in. "Sick of hearing about Sylvia. Maybe if he hears another cute blonde playing her stuff all the time, he'll forget about the one who dumped him."

Relena rolled her eyes at his comment. "Yeah, I don't know. Just feels odd playing something you know is directed at someone you respect. I'm not forgetting how he acted when we met but it still doesn't sit well with me. I know it would be tough for me if I were in his position."

"And if you were in his position, I would tell you the exact same thing we all tell Heero." Dorothy didn't need Heero's love life holding back the group. "I mean, if I were in his position I would have been sad for a day or two and then found myself at a Chippendales show."

Relena chuckled. "Yeah that does sound like you."

Hilde laughed. "I would hope you would take me with you."

"Hey!" Duo wasn't trying to hear that. He had a better idea. "If y'all want a show just let me know." He gave the blondes a wink.

"Uh no, sorry ladies, I don't share." Hilde elbowed her man.

"Oof!" Duo rubbed his side. "Babe, you just said you would want Dorothy to invite you to see a bunch of shirtless buff guys!"

"Yeah, but they're not dating my friends, dummy."

"It's okay, Hilde." Dorothy said with her tea raised. "I would pass on that offer anyway." She sipped from her cup before giving a smirk. "Now your bass player on the other hand… I don't mind seeing that in only a bow tie."

"Wow." Relena blushed with a smile as she took in some chamomile.

"Oh, don't tell me I'm the only one." Dorothy gave her female companions knowing looks.

"Hilde, don't answer that!" Duo snapped his head at her. He wasn't trying to hear his girl fawn over his bandmate.

"I'm not saying anything!" Hilde tried to hold back her giggles, getting a nice laugh out of her platinum blonde friend.

"What say you, Relena?" Dorothy wiggled her famous brows at her good friend. "It would be quite a sight, wouldn't you agree?"

Relena's face flared up again from this continued topic, but if she was being honest… "Well, I certainly don't think I would look away." Relena went for her tea, smirk plastered on her face.

"Glad we're in agreement there." Dorothy nodded.

"Ooooh, I'm telling Quatre!" Duo pointed at Dorothy, getting an eye roll in response.

"Oh, he'll be fine." Dorothy waved him off. "He's already heard me refer to Trowa and Heero as gorgeous. This stuff doesn't bother him."

Duo could only shake his head at this. "Poor Q…" he muttered.

"I wouldn't mind swooning over Heero but he's been getting on my nerves lately. Such a turn off." Dorothy looked over at Relena. "But anyway, if playing that song really bothers you, then we don't have to play it. I won't be happy about it and I don't think Heero deserves your sympathy, but I'll leave it up to you."

"Hmm." Relena knew that this should be the kind of situation where the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or more accurately, the need of a specific individual. The song 'One More Hour' had become one of their most popular tracks. Many fans would want to hear it played live. They would be calling for it. She shouldn't be thinking about one person's feelings on the song. If that's what the fans wanted, then she would play it. It's not like she didn't like the song. It was fantastic! But…

'It's her band… she can play what she wants.' She remembered the look he gave her before he walked out of the room. There was something about his eyes that stuck with her. He looked pained. Those blue eyes of his… they were too… striking to look that distressed.

Dorothy was right, she was a fool for thinking this much about Heero's feelings, especially since he had yet to warm up to her. However, she didn't operate that way. Hate her all you want, Relena thought, but at least everyone would know that she was well intentioned. Heero had his own pain to deal with, but she knew she didn't want to add to it.

She was leaning towards scratching that song entirely from their live performances.

Relena felt something inside of her that just wouldn't let her do it. What it was, she couldn't put a finger on it, but there was something… something...

"Oh!" Dorothy jumped. "Well look what I have here!"

Everyone turned to look at their host.

"What's up, Dotty?" Duo asked, curious to know what she saw on her phone.

Ignoring the name he used, Dorothy continued. "Duo, when were you going to tell us that you guys had finished up recording that album of yours?"

"Huh?" Duo scratched the back of his head. "How do you know that?"

"I just got a message from Quatre telling me to check my emails; it was there that I saw he sent me something called 'Zen Arcade'. Hmm… twenty-three songs?" She gave Duo a grin. "Sound about right?"

"Q just went and sent you the album? Did Heero give him the 'ok'?" This confused Duo.

"I don't know, but if this is the album then…" Dorothy's voice trailed off when she got another message from Quatre. "Wow…"

"What he say?" Hilde nodded her head at Dorothy's phone, now she needed to know what was up.

"Dorothy?" Relena saw an amused look form on her friend's fair skinned face.

"He sent me a four word message. It reads… Album of the Year." Dorothy chuckled. "Our album came out this year, does he not remember that?"

"Damn, Quatre always likes our shit but I don't know if he's ever said that." Duo whistled with a smirk. "I won't lie, I kinda felt the same way when it was all said and done. Heero really went above and beyond for this one."

"Listening party here! Duo, I'm gonna need you to set this up. We're listening to this right now!" Dorothy got up and went to get things ready.

'So, this is what Heero has been working on…' Relena wanted to know what this record sounded like just like everyone else. It was their first full length album since Everything Falls Apart and Relena knew that Zen Arcade wouldn't sound all that much like it. The smaller EP Metal Circus hinted at that, and this new album had to be Do You Remeber? in their newest form.

'Okay Heero…' Relena watched as Duo and Dorothy got everything ready. 'Let's see what you can do.'

AN: Hope you all have a wonderful day! Luv u :-)