Author's Note: Now for the answer you've all been waiting for since last chapter: what happens next. Be prepared for high emotions, intense drama, yadda yadda yadda, and as always, enjoy.

I'd like to give another "Welcome Back" to Vitanie Tora, it's been awhile. Hope everything has been going well for you and that you are feeling all right.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing and I do not own Our Lady Peace's "Bring Back the Sun"

Warning: language, shounen ai, bigotry

Tearing Away the Masks We Wear

The saying "seeing red" would be a good description of what Dorothy was feeling at that moment. One minute, she had allowed herself to be led onto the dance floor by her ever-doting boyfriend, the next she was moving away with the crowd, the mass of people all focused on a certain pair of dancers.

At first, her heart had stopped, seeing that Solo was one of the dancers. Then her heart began to beat with a vengeance as fury boiled her blood once she caught sight of who the blond god's dance partner was.

She ignored the murmurs of praise that swept all around her at the sensual display of skill and talent as she could only focus on the fact that it was that little twerp out there and not her. She clenched her teeth and her hands were fisted so tightly that she had white knuckles. She was rapidly losing her fraying control and about to go over the edge any minute now.

Her patience finally snapped when she saw the little twerp bury his face into Solo's chest as soon as he realized the audience that was applauding them. She could not take it anymore. She would not allow this farce to continue any longer!

She had done everything, even changed the way she appeared, just to gain the affections of that blond god and she wasn't going to take it anymore!

Pulling away harshly from her confused boyfriend, she shoved her way through the crowd and stomped up to the two teens, her hatred for the braided teen evident for all to see. Her hands grabbed Duo roughly and tore him away from a surprised Solo, Dorothy mustering all the strength in her body to shove the braided one to the gym floor.

--

It had happened so suddenly that his arms were still up, holding nothing but air, as his braided date was thrown to the floor by one obviously pissed Dorothy. Solo was still blinking in shock, trying to process what had just happened.

Along with everyone else, he watched dumbly as the braided blonde girl grabbed Duo by the front of his tux and pulled his body up so that she could smack him. He winced as the slap was quite audible but that was nothing compared to the words that were spilling forth from the blonde girl's mouth.

"Get your disgusting hands off of him, you little, faggy bastard!" Dorothy screamed into Duo's face. "What ever gave you the idea that you could ever, ever look at him you stupid, little twit! Why don't you go back under that rock that you came out of and never bother us again! Even better, why don't you just die already? This world will be a better place without scum like you messing it up!"

Solo's face contorted in anger and outrage. How dare that slut speak to Duo like that? She was just begging for an asskicking and he never let gender ever stop him before. She was not going to get away with this, no way in hell. Not bothering to keep his rapid approach from being noticed, he roughly grabbed Duo's assaulter and slapped her good and hard before shoving her away.

Dorothy could only stare at him in disbelief and hurt, as if he had betrayed her or something. He took his position between Duo and the slut, raising his fists up and ready to defend his friend from any and all threats.

"Don't you dare lay another finger on him," he hissed. "If you so much as ruffle a hair on his head, I'm going to send you on a one way trip to the emergency ward you two-timing slut!"

He wasn't able to go any further since at this time, Walker stepped up, taking his place between the frightened Dorothy and the furious Solo.

"You're not going to lay a finger on her," he growled, his body trembling from trying to keep himself from rushing Solo.

"You should have a leash on her or something," Solo snapped, his anger starting to blind him. "First she hits on me and now she's attacks Duo. There is no way in Hell I'm about to let her get away with this!"

"Over my dead body!" Walker snarled.

Solo only cracked his knuckles in response as he glared bloody murder at the other teen.

Throughout this whole exchange, Duo stared wide-eyed at both of them. Despite the fact that he was still reeling from Dorothy's hurtful comments, he was still quite aware of his surroundings and knew that things were getting out of hand. He would not, could not let a fight start over him.

So, with a little effort, he reached out and tugged on Solo's pant leg, succeeding in getting the blond's attention. His rage still enflamed, he was not able to hide it all as he turned his head around just enough so that he could eye the braided one.

Taking his courage into his hands, despite being the target of a murderous green eye, Duo pleaded, "Don't."

Solo raised an eyebrow.

Continuing, Duo pressed, "It's not worth it Solo. Just let it go. Please."

He did not waver or shrivel up as he bore the brunt of Solo's gaze. At this point, Solo had turned his body around just enough so that both of his eyes now rested on the braided one that refused to cower before him.

Grasping for straws, Duo blurted, "Do you think she is worth all this?"

Slowly turning around, Solo's gaze bypassed around Walker to get a look of what he could see of the bimbo that had dared to cause this mess. Though still frightened, Dorothy seemed as if she wanted the fight to happen.

Now that his anger had been pierced and touched by Duo's cool yet odd logic, Solo lowered his fists. "You're right," he admitted to Duo. "She isn't worth it."

Without sparing another glance at either Walker or Dorothy, Solo turned his body completely around and pulled the braided teen up to his feet. Duo was relieved to see that the anger that had been mirrored in Solo's green eyes was greatly diminished. Ignoring the spectators around them, he put his arm around Duo's back and began to escort the braided one away, not saying one single word.

Seeing that the long haired blond was walking away, Walker allowed himself to relax somewhat and turned to help his angel. However, he was not prepared for the look of utter hated that had etched itself onto Dorothy's face.

"Dorothy?" he asked, uncertain as to what could be the cause of such a look on his beautiful angel.

That seemed to be a catalyst for whatever was simmering in the blonde's body. She was up on her feet in the blink of an eye and a second later was shoving Walker out of her way as proceeded on another death march. A hurt expression on his face, Walker followed after her.

Heedless of her surroundings, she only stopped when she was mere feet away from the two long haired teens. "How could you?!" she nearly shrieked at the long haired blond.

Not expecting to hear from the girl so soon, Solo turned to look at her. "How could I what?" he asked.

"How can you stand to be around that disgusting faggot?!" she snarled.

Solo's face was contorting in anger as his fists clenched, ready to pummel the blonde girl into a bloody piece of meat, the only thing stopping him being the braided teen next to him who held onto his hand desperately.

"What does he have to offer you anyway?" Dorothy continued mercilessly. "He can't, that's what. Why can't you pay attention to other, more deserving people? I've been here since your first day; I've been kind, I've been nice, I've changed the way I look, I've done everything that I could to get you to just look at me and you just keep on ignoring me anyway! Can't you see that there are plenty of other girls around here who would kill just to have you look at them just once?!"

"And I'm not interested in any of them," Solo snapped while squeezing Duo's hand reassuringly. "Is it against the law or something for me to choose who I like or who I want my friends to be? If there is, this is the first I have ever heard about it. Besides, you already have a boyfriend."

"Fuck him!" Dorothy snarled. "Do you really think I could settle down with a grade-A wuss like him?! He means nothing to me! You're the only person that I have ever truly wanted, needed even! Why can't you give me a chance?"

"Perhaps you have already forgotten but I know I told you this once," Solo said with scorn. "I don't date sluts and you fit into that category perfectly. Leave me alone."

Whatever tenuous control Dorothy had now broke and she launched herself at him, her fingers curled and ready to use her nails as claws. However, she wasn't able to reach the target of her rage as Quatre came out of nowhere and grabbed one her wrists while delivering an audible slap to her cheek.

Her anger managing to prevent shock from settling in, she turned her sights to the smaller of the two Winners. "What was that for, you little bastard?!" she hissed.

Quatre's normally passionate eyes hardened and he gave her an uncharacteristic glare, something that managed to make her pause.

"Lay one hand on my cousin or my best friend and you're going to regret ever laying eyes on them Dorothy Catalonia," Quatre warned, making no attempt to cover the steel in his voice.

Everything was frozen; no one had ever expected to hear anything like that ever come out of the mouth of this particular Winner boy. He was always so kind, considerate. To see him now was like seeing a complete stranger. Dorothy couldn't get her mouth to move to even speak one word.

The deadly look on Quatre's face soon morphed into an utterly wicked one. "I wouldn't want to be in your shoes, Dorothy. It looks like your night is about to get even longer."

He spun her around, leaving her to ponder on those words for but a second before she realized what he had meant. Standing a few feet behind her was none other than Walker. Walker had a hurt look of betrayal on his face; tears were beginning to leak from his eyes, threatening to come crashing out like a flood.

"I loved you…" Walker began, obviously heartbroken. He had finally seen Solo's claim in action and heard it from her very own lips. "…How could you…do this to me?" he asked.

Dorothy found she couldn't say a thing. Never had she ever been caught up in this position before. There was no way she could ignore the hurt look on the teen's face like she had to countless others before him. Quatre made sure she couldn't turn away by holding onto her shoulders and forcing her to remain.

"How can you be so cruel?" Walker continued. "After everything I've done…everything I've given up…just for you, just to show you how much you mean to me, to show you how much I loved you!" Now that he was getting into it, Walker couldn't keep the words from pouring out. "Why did you use me? Why?! How could you do that? Don't you have any feelings?"

Silence reigned, no one made a move. The drama was not close to finished yet.

"If I mean nothing to you," Walker began to wind down. "If that is how you truly feel, then it's over between us. I'm breaking up with you Dorothy. It's over…"

Dorothy felt her whole world shatter. Yet, she was so focused on herself that she didn't see Walker turn and run, his tears finally breaking through their dam.

She had nothing now.

Nothing.

--

Solo hadn't bothered to remain in the gym. This night had not gone the way he had thought it would. He had never intended to get caught up in some overrated teen drama and to drag Duo into it.

Perhaps Duo had had the right idea in staying home after all.

Nonetheless, he told Quatre that he and Duo were out of there and that he needed to know if Quatre was going to be coming back to the house.

Getting the affirmative and letting his cousin vanish off to find his boyfriend, Solo led Duo back to his car. The braided one was so quiet that it was unnerving him. He hadn't spoken a word until he had opened the passenger door.

"So much for having a good time, huh?" he said, his violet eyes lifting to look directly into his green ones.

He couldn't help but chuckle at that. "Let's blow this joint," he replied. "I think our welcome has kinda been flushed down the crapper, hasn't it?"

"Yeah…" Duo sighed as he got in. Before he could close the door, however, Duo added, "Just get us back safely and in one piece, okay Tree Trunk? The last thing we need is to get into a wreck and ruin your precious baby, huh?"

His mood lightened slightly, he could only shake his head as he closed the car door.

--

Though things had definitely calmed down since the little show, Wufei still found himself without companionship.

Was it his scowl that was warding people away from him? Probably, but he didn't care. He had enjoyed and even reveled in watching that little rat get his just desserts only to see the taller Winner come to his defense.

Still, Dorothy had nothing now, just like he did. However, he wouldn't go to her side, no way, no how.

He just didn't like her, end of story.

So here he was, all alone in the midst of a homecoming dance. Perhaps he should leave. He could do better things than just stand around here all night.

He still needed to pay back Maxwell for everything he had done to him.

--

Though the air of the night was cool, it did nothing to help soothe Walker as he let all his emotions spill from the mask of masculinity that all men were forced to wear.

How could this have happened? How could Dorothy betray him like this? He had never believed all the rumors and gossips about her and had been ecstatic when she agreed to go out with him and become his girlfriend. But now having heard what she really thought about him and that she had been openly flirting with that new guy…at least he could see the new guy had balls in refusing her.

How could he have been so blind? How could he have not seen that she was just using him as a fuck toy and meant nothing else than that? He had never had such a bad judge of character such as that.

And of all the nights for this to happen! It was Homecoming, damn it! Sure it wasn't as important as Prom but it was still one of the highlights of senior year. But it had happened and here he was mourning his loss instead of being like everybody else and partying all night long.

"She didn't deserve you," a soft voice came from behind him.

Snapping his head around, furious at himself for letting anybody catch him like this, he was surprised to see Relena Peacecraft standing there, looking at him with concern. What was she doing here anyway? Shouldn't she be hounding Heero up at the hospital or something?

Not saying anything, Relena seemed to take his silence as an invitation and she sat down next to him. For the next few minutes, neither of them said anything just content with each other company, though Walker wouldn't admit it.

"I know what it's like," Relena began, breaking the silence. "I know what it's like to find out that the person you love is not who you thought they were."

That admission surprised the brokenhearted jock. What could this girl be talking about?

"For a long time, I was in love with Heero," Relena continued and Walker barely managed to keep himself from rolling his eyes. Seriously, was Heero the only thing she talked about? "I thought that he was perfect, the greatest thing to have even been born. However, I learned one day that he wasn't perfect, that he had another side to him, an ugly and disgusting side."

Walker jerked his head to stare at Relena. Never in all his life would he, or anyone else for that matter, believe that Relena Peacecraft, the ditzy, Heero-obsessed blonde, would ever say anything bad about the one and only Heero Yuy.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I found out from Heero's own admission that he was a bully," Relena answered. "He beat up one of our fellow classmates and left him in a restroom without remorse. I figured that if he did it once, he had done it again, perhaps many more times than I care to count. He was also extremely rude to me when he admitted this but I refused to let him walk all over me like he had done in the past."

"What did you do?" Walker asked softly, really interested in what the girl had to say.

"I dumped the contents of a flower vase into his face and told him I was moving on."

Walker had to admit, the girl had guts since she literally (and physically) didn't have balls but still, there was one question lingering on his mind. "What does this have to do with me?"

"I've always known that Dorothy was promiscuous in her relationships," Relena explained. "I noticed how she treated you and how she just used you. You were too good for her I guess is what I want to say. If you need someone to talk to, just let me know, okay?"

Walker could only blink at the words and he was barely aware that Relena had gotten up to leave. Coming back to himself, he suddenly asked, "Would you like to stay with me for awhile, go to my house?"

Relena looked at him before letting a small smile out. "Is that what you want?"

"I would very much like to," he admitted. "I'd like to get to know you a bit better."

Her smile widening, Relena replied, "I would like that too."

--

Solo sighed as he walked down the hallway towards the guestrooms. He didn't really feel like doing anything for the rest of the night and had already taken the liberty of removing his tux coat, tie, and shoes. However, he needed to tell his uncle what had happened to cause both him and Duo to come back early and what Quatre's plans for the weekend were.

Uncle Raberba wasn't happy at hearing about some of the things he did and let him off with a warning but also warned that should he get into any more trouble, there would be hell to pay.

So he was on thin ice. Not much of a difference from back home except that the disciplinarian here had the teeth to back up his bark. What a mess he was in…

As he passed Duo's room, he heard the braided one call for him. Curious about what prompted the unusual call, he turned back and entered the room of his boyfriend. Folding his arms over his chest and looking at the squeamish teen who sat on his bed, looking nervous and devoid of everything except for his dress shirt, pants, and socks, Solo waited to hear what Duo wanted.

"Sorry about what happened at the dance," Duo uttered, his eyes averted.

Solo rolled his eyes. "Look, none of it was your fault," he explained. "I should have done something earlier to make it clear that I had no interest in that bitch. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine and it's hers."

"It's not just that," Duo sighed.

"What is it then?" Solo asked patiently.

"I know that you wanted to do more at that dance," Duo said. "We only got one dance in."

"You think that's important?" Solo inquired, wondering where Duo was going with this.

At the sight of Duo's light blush, Solo knew something was definitely up. "I was wondering if you'd like to…you know…have another dance?"

Now he was a bit confused. "Huh?"

Standing up, Duo made his way over to the stereo system and pressed a button. Soft music began to pour from the speakers and finally Solo understood. He couldn't help but chuckle. Duo was certainly one of a kind. He uncrossed his arms and crossed the distance between him and Duo, his arms wrapping strategically around the braided one and led him out to the uncluttered center of the bedroom.

He barely recognized the song and the band but if he was to take a guess, he assumed it was Our Lady Peace. It sounded like one of their more softer and gentler songs and it oddly felt like it fit the occasion. Slowly, he began rocking his body and led his braided significant other in a slow dance, reveling as Duo rested his head against his chest and let him lead.

By the doorway, Raberba Winner caught the sight and allowed himself to indulge in it. From where he stood, he could see the sight of Duo's relaxed face and he couldn't bring himself to interrupt the moment. As the two teens continued, he marveled at the transformation that had occurred. Now that he could see Solomon's face, he wondered if perhaps he should reconsider what he had been about to do.

He had been ready to inform his nephew of what was going on, why exactly he had been sent here and how close he was to loosing everything. Yet, he found he didn't have the heart to do it. Perhaps there was ample reason why his nephew had done the things he had tonight if the sight before him indicated anything. Backing away to give the two teens privacy, he allowed himself to be gracious this one time and give Solomon another chance before bringing the hammer down closer.

He was really becoming soft, he just knew it.

Meanwhile, Solo let himself take deep breath and take in the rich scent that was purely Duo. He could hear Duo's soft voice from below breathe out, "…the mystery's gone…so bring back the sun…we'll bury this hate…we'll build it with love…"

It was enchanting, calming. The blond could feel all the negative emotions that had built up inside of him all night drain out and leave him content for once in his life. Lowering his head enough, he let his lips brush against the braided one's forehead, planting a light kiss on the expanse of skin as Duo leaned his head back just enough to allow him better access.

His cheek nuzzled the soft hair on Duo's hair and he let out a relieved sigh.

"…mystery's gone…the mystery is gone…mystery's gone…"

If Solo had ever believed in magic, he knew that he could agree to this.

This night was certainly magical.