Summary: AC 202, Duo disappears. AC 204, a new artist called Violet Vendetta emerges onto the art scene. Will a newly identified threat reveal the connection between Duo's disappearance and Violet Vendetta's art?

Disclaimer: I don't own it. The end.

Violet Vendetta
CaramelAriana
Epilogue 2

Nimble fingers flew over a keyboard as Heero entered data into his computer. It was one of those days when there was little action and plenty of paperwork. Strangely, Heero was beginning to like these days more and more. His energy in the field wasn't the same as it used to be, but his mind was still as quick and able as it was when he was younger.

A pop-up alerted him to a new email message. It was a headline from the news source he subscribed to. Normally he would put it off until he was done with his data sheet, but the headline caught his attention: "Violet Vendetta Set to Reveal Himself". Heero quickly opened the article and read through it quickly.

It had been four years since he had last seen the ex-pilot. Since then a lot had changed. His marriage with Relena had ended two years ago after they discovered Heero could never have children. Heero wasn't really that surprised when Relena had filed for a divorce; she wanted and deserved to have a family. He hadn't fought it, their marriage was failing anyway. He just hadn't been as happy anymore.

After the divorce he had been left to deal with his own thoughts and feelings of the situation. One thought that just couldn't seem to go away was the memory of Duo telling him that he loved him. Heero began to wonder if he possibly returned that love. It had taken another year to figure that out, and by the time he had an answer it was too late. He had gone to visit and discovered that Duo had disappeared again.

About a week after that unsuccessful visit, Violet Vendetta released a set of paintings that showed a change in direction for the artist. Instead of the dark and gruesome images of death and destruction, his paintings were colorful depictions of various landscapes that seemed to convey a sense of peace and happiness. It was then Heero decided not to search for Duo a second time. It was obvious the other man had found his peace, he didn't want to disturb. Besides, it was very possible that Duo had finally gotten over him.

He let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. The "unveiling" was taking place in Miami in a week. Heero's gaze flicked to his calendar. He could afford to take some of his vacation days.

He glanced up as someone cleared their throat from the doorway. "Wufei," he acknowledged.

Wufei bowed his head and walked into the office, closing the door behind him. "Did you read the article about Violet Vendetta?" he asked.

Heero raised an eyebrow. Wufei didn't often swap celebrity gossip. "If you mean that the artist is revealing their identity, yes."

Wufei studied his partner thoughtfully. "Are you going?"

Heero frowned. "Why would I?" It didn't matter that he himself had just been debating that.

Wufei rolled his eyes and glared at Heero. "Do not take me for an infant, Yuy. I have a good guess as to who this mystery artist is, and I know that you know who he is. I also know that the reason you've been unhappy for the past couple of years has very little to do with your divorce."

Heero stared at Wufei, surprised. He should have known Wufei would figure out eventually. The man was almost as sharp as he was. Heero allowed a sigh to escape his lips. "I don't know, yet."

Wufei nodded. "Let me know when you decide. I already turned in my request for the week off."

"You're going?" Heero asked.

Wufei nodded with an angry glint to his eyes. "Of course. That baka has a lot to answer for."

Duo sipped his cup of coffee and enjoyed his solitude at a little booth in his favorite café. This would be probably be the last time he would be able to enjoy peace in the public. After this afternoon he wouldn't be able to go anywhere without being recognized. He frowned a little at the thought. He didn't like the idea of fame, but the decision was made. He had made his peace with himself and no longer needed to hide. Revealing himself would ensure that he didn't. Once he did, he knew he was going to have to answer to a lot of people. He could almost see Quatre's tear-filled gaze as he asked him why he'd hidden for so long. The person he wondered most about was Heero.

He knew about his divorce with Relena—the whole world did. He had hoped that after the divorce Heero would come find him. He had waited a year. It was then Duo realized he was being ridiculous. He'd told Heero how he felt, Heero never expressed ever feeling the same. Finding the quiet solitude of his home that he had once basked in no longer made him happy, he had moved to the bustling city of Miami. It was here that he had found the inspiration to move on. The beautiful sunrises over the ocean had almost seemed like a promise when Duo watched them. He could forgive himself. Still, he had some small hope that Heero would find him. He hadn't even bothered to cover his tracks this time. That made it even more painful when Heero still didn't come after him. But he wasn't ready to give up just yet.

Duo looked up as he heard the door open and almost choked on his coffee. Heero and Wufei had just walked in. It had to be pure coincidence that they were in Miami the same day he was revealing himself. Or maybe the Preventers were concerned that something might happen at the unveiling. Yes, that must be it. He sank in his seat to try to hide from them. He almost laughed at the ridiculous attempt, but at the moment that was not his immediate concern.

Wufei's cell phone rang and Duo watched as he said something to Heero and then stepped outside. Heero grabbed both drinks and turned to find a table. Then he spotted Duo.

Time seemed to stand still. Duo stared into Heero's shocked eyes and gripped his cup tightly. Heero seemed to shake himself out of his surprise and walked over.

"Duo," he whispered.

"Hey Heero," Duo forced a grin. Meanwhile the butterflies in his stomach were doing the can-can.

"Is this seat taken?"

Duo motioned for Heero to sit down. "So what brings you out here?"

There was a pause. "You."

By now the butterflies had given up choreography and were fluttering around in frantic chaos. Duo took a sip of his coffee to recover from the answer. "Really?" he asked, congratulating himself on the calm in his voice.

Heero sighed. "Let's not play games, Duo."

He let his grin fall. "Okay," he said seriously. "You obviously have something to say. So, talk."

Heero looked down at the table. "I've been thinking about you, a lot," he said. "About what you told me." He paused and looked up at Duo. "I went looking for you, but you were gone."

Duo felt his heart sink. Heero had come for him, he just hadn't been patient enough. The thought made him angry. "I got sick of waiting," he said. "What took you so long?"

Heero flinched and Duo felt his anger fade as quickly as it came. "I had to get my thoughts straight. I didn't want to find you until I knew exactly what I wanted to say."

"You didn't look for me." Duo ran his finger along his cup. "I didn't even cover my tracks, but you didn't bother to look."

He dared to face Heero again and was shocked at the sadness he found in his eyes. "I didn't want to bother you," Heero said softly. "Your paintings were…different. It looked like you finally happy." He looked down at his cup. "I didn't want to disturb that."

It didn't take long for that to sink in and Duo reached across the table and grabbed one of Heero's hands. "You wouldn't have. You'd have made it better."

Heero looked at there clasped hands. "Does this…does this mean you still want me?"

Duo smiled. "Only if you want me to."

Heero nodded and looked up again. "Yes."

The door opened and Duo glanced up, making eye contact with Wufei. The Chinese man's eyes widened and he stormed over. "Maxwell." He could swear Wufei had growled his name. He grinned and with an inner sigh prepared himself for a long conversation.

Later that afternoon when he walked off the stage to a standing ovation, Heero was waiting him.

A/N: ... ... ...it's done! (does a victory dance) I'm not entirely happy with this ending, but once again my characters hijacked the story and shaped it as they saw fit. Thank you to everyone who has been reading and especially to the people who reviewed and inspired me to keep going. And as always, please review!