See all warnings and disclaimers in the first chapter.

A/N: I have to confess, this story is winding up NOTHING like I planned. Of course, I didn't really have a plan when I started it. Even so, I'm quite pleased. I've been enjoying myself as much as you guys, which is saying something! I'm very critical of myself. Okay, enough blathering for one day. Enjoy!

The World of Tel'Mar

Heero padded down the ramp of Quatre's shuttle and breathed deeply of the familiar scents of Tel'Mar. Though he somewhat resented the reason he was being sent here, he wasn't sorry to be home. Duo's hand rested lightly on his neck, and he stepped into the huge courtyard of O'hndasai, the only city on Tel'Mar.

He put off assuming his secondary form for now. It wasn't appropriate for a young Telmaran to come home in that form until greeted by an elder. Especially since this was the first time his people would be meeting Duo. He abruptly wished Duo could see just so his love could take in this place's splendor.

"O'hndasai is the only city here," he told his Bonded. "Everything is made out of gold-colored glass. This is the only place ships are allowed to land, right here in this courtyard. The buildings we are about to enter serve as our communications tower, where we receive requests from humans to negotiate with us for a Bonded. Our only rule is we have the only say, and no one can negotiate a Bonded for themselves. Someone else must come for the recipient."

He could feel Duo's fascination. "You're going to have to sit down with me and tell me everything about your society's culture," he said.

Heero smiled inwardly. "I would love to." He raised his head, ears perking. "We're entering the Hall of Treaties, now. It was the first part of this city that was built after the Treaty of Tel'Mar. Beyond it is the Hall of Contracts, where all human visitors are taken to negotiate contracts. Beyond that we have our trade centers and living quarters for humans who wish to stay the night."

He didn't get the chance to go on, for at that time a Telmaran came trotting into the Hall. She was a fox, red and silver, big as a large dog. Heero recognized her as the formal receptionist of O'hndasai, the first Telmaran all humans saw. He'd never met her, personally. She radiated warmth when she approached, though.

"Welcome home, Heero clan Yuy," she greeted. "And welcome to your lovely Bonded. If you wouldn't mind waiting while I inform the pilot of that vessel that he may go?"

Heero nodded, and she trotted past him up into the shuttle. "She's from the Une Clan," he told Duo. "A red and silver fox. She's our greeter, basically."

Moments later she came padding back. "All right," she said, "you two follow me. Duo, I'm told you're blind, so I will remember not to spring any surprises upon you. Lady Midori clan Une is waiting with a healer to check over your injuries, Heero."

Heero blinked. He'd forgotten he'd been injured two days ago. "They're fine," he protested.

She panted laughter. "Spoken like a wolf. We'll determine that for ourselves. Duo, are you all right? Wufei clan Chang told us you are somewhat frail of health."

"I am thirsty," Duo said aloud, almost startling Heero.

The fox too, apparently. Then she nodded. "We'll bring you cool tea at once."

She didn't lead them to the Hall of Contracts. Of course, why would she? Instead she took them to the Hall of Healing. Heero described it to Duo as they entered the comfortable, tastefully decorated Hall. Many live plants were kept here, meticulously tended to create a welcoming feel.

"We don't like the sterile atmosphere of human infirmaries," Heero explained, "and we see no reason why they must be that way. Visitors here should feel comforted, not made nervous by a hostile environment."

Duo laughed inwardly. "Having spent many, many days in hospitals, I whole-heartedly agree with that sentiment."

Heero nuzzled his hand.

"I'll send in the healer and Midori," the fox said. "You two make yourselves comfortable. Heero, I suppose I don't need to tell you not to transform until you're requested."

"No," Heero confirmed.

When she left, Heero guided Duo to a bed so he could sit. Duo stroked Heero's muzzle.

"How come you can't transform here?" Duo asked.

Heero rested his head on Duo's knee. "Tradition, mostly. It's a way of younger clan members showing respect for older Telmaran from different clans. The Une clan runs O'hndasai right now, so youth like me wait until requested to transform. To tell you the truth, we seldom transform here."

"You know," Duo murmured, his fingers tracing the lines of Heero's wolf-face, "until these recent events I thought I had come to terms with my blindness. I've been blind now for . . . six years? Now, though . . . I wish I could see again."

"Isn't there some kind of . . . treatment?" Heero asked, licking Duo's hand.

"No," Duo answered. "Not for this sickness. It's rare, and it leaves too much scar-tissue on the optic nerves to be safely removed."

For a moment, Heero was silent. "Humans are always making advances in medicine," he said confidently. "Someone will make some sort of breakthrough."

Duo smiled down at him.

Heero heard someone coming and raised his head, ears perking. Moments later two Telmaran entered. He recognized both of them. One was his older sister, a wolf so dark brown she was almost black, fur shot with streaks of silver. Of his many sisters she was the eldest, and Nalan was usually more sedate than the rest. She was also a potent healer in the Yuy clan.

Smiling her wolf smile, she approached him and licked his face. Heero lowered his ears and accepted her affection, showing respect for her age, keeping his head lower than hers. Normally he wouldn't be like this with his family, but behind Nalan was Lady Midori Une. Midori was an incredibly impressive Telmaran, a tall and graceful white doe.

No other color marred her pure coat, a cleaner white than freshly-fallen snow. Her eyes were a piercing hazel-brown, and Heero sent as much of a description as he could to Duo, wishing he knew enough yet that his Bonded could see through his eyes. She was truly magnificent. For some reason, even more awe-inspiring than the predator O'Daijas.

"Welcome home, Heero," she said, eyes kind. "Wufei clan Chang tells us you have been making a bit of trouble for him."

Though the words sparkled with amusement, Heero still found himself bristling.

Nalan laughed. "That's my Heero. He said you managed to get yourself hurt?"

Heero immediately shook his head. "It's nothing—"

"Nevertheless," Midori cut him off, "we want to make sure of that for ourselves. Please take your secondary form, Heero. It will be much easier to determine the extent of your wounds."

Trying not to look petulant, Heero reluctantly transformed. Being in this shape reminded him of the stinging pain in his shoulders and arms. Nalan transformed, then, too and turned him around. She let out a sharp hiss between her teeth.

"You haven't changed, have you little brother?" she said. "This looks terrible. I'm sure it's hurting your Bonded." She reached out and patted Duo's hand. "Isn't it, Duo?"

Heero immediately felt guilty, and Duo nodded slowly. "A bit," he admitted. "Although I'm more worried for him."

"Of course you are," Nalan said. "Heero, lay down on your stomach on the bed. Duo, you just stay right where you are. By the way, I'm Heero's oldest sister, Nalan. Talani told me you wanted some tea?"

"I'll see to that," Midori said, turning and disappearing out of the Hall of Healing.

Heero grabbed Duo's hand as Nalan began gently probing his wounds, seeing the extent of the damage. It hurt, far more than it should have. After a moment, Nalan made a vexed sound.

"What in heaven's name did you do, Heero? Try to pull your arms out of their sockets? Torn ligaments, torn muscles, tissue damage all over the place . . . doesn't this hurt like hell? Duo, you answer that for me."

Duo's blind eyes fell a few inches shy of Heero's face. "It hurts a lot," he said quietly. "He's just been ignoring it really well."

"Well, no more," she said firmly. "You're not leaving this Hall for at least three days. Heero, you really need to start thinking in terms of 'we' and not 'I'. Everything you do affects your Bonded." She pursed her lips. "Maybe I'll have you talk with one of the older Bonded pairs. I know you two haven't been together long, but it's never too soon to start learning how to—"

"I don't want to, Nalan," Heero cut her off. "Besides, Wufei already offered. I didn't come here to be babysat."

Duo squeezed his hand, but Nalan laughed. "All right, all right. Then I'll just take you home, and you can let our sisters mother you until you are both smothered."

Heero made a face. "Great," he muttered.

Duo giggled.

o8o o8o

The temptation was too great, and Quatre couldn't resist. So he made a potentially disastrous decision, and invited both Relena and Dorothy to his manor for a visit. He was tingling with excitement when his first guest arrived, and he was not surprised to find it Relena. She would no doubt want any advantage she could get over her scheming cousin Dorothy. Smiling, Quatre graciously invited her into his home.

"Congratulations on your victory in Court," he said, seating her in the parlor and giving her a cool fruit drink. "How does it feel to be a vindicated woman?"

She laughed lightly, sipping her drink. "Wonderful, I must tell you. I knew the Court would side with me, agree that I had been wronged."

Maintaining his smile, Quatre lightly tapped his fingers against his own glass. The bright tone of pure crystal rang through the room. "It's amazing isn't it, how Prime Chancellor Maxwell changed his vote in your favor? Why, it was nothing short of a miracle."

Trowa chose this moment to enter, and his timing was perfect-he wasn't in his panther form. If Quatre's comment hadn't unnerved Relena, certainly Trowa's appearance had because she actually blanched. She did recover quickly, though.

"I don't know your friend, Quatre," she said smoothly, giving Trowa a smile.

"Actually, you do," Quatre said, leaning back. "You just know him as a large panther."

There was the briefest of pauses. "Ah," she said. "Trowa. Your Telmaran Bonded."

"I'm a little surprised you remember," Quatre said good-humoredly. "Yes. You don't mind if he joins us, do you?"

"Why would I mind?" Relena inquired, gesturing to the sofa.

"I definitely make her uncomfortable," Trowa said into Quatre's mind with a smirk. "She smells like someone who is worried and off-balance."

Quatre kept his face smooth. "So tell me what you've been doing with your newfound freedom," he urged.

At this, Relena relaxed. Brushing her hand over the soft rose of her lovely, tasteful gown, she smiled. "Actually, I've been visiting old friends and relations, catching up on things I've missed. Oh, speaking of things like this, Quatre, would you be an absolute lamb and help me head a search for my brother? Zechs is . . . well, he's just gone. I cannot seem to find him anywhere. No one else seems to have seen him, either, and I'm so worried. He hasn't exactly been . . . mentally stable. I'm so afraid he may have tried to hurt himself or worse, succeeded."

Well, that was a bit of news that actually managed to take Quatre by surprise. Zechs, missing? Not with his sister, supporting her and doing whatever she wished? He even let his surprise show on his face. Just a little.

"Indeed. How distressing. Of course I will help you. You still have that man working for you, Rashid?"

"Oh, him?" Relena scoffed. "He's just a gorilla in human skin. He's worthless, darling."

Smiling inwardly, Quatre filed that response away. So she probably treated him and his company poorly. A good thing for Quatre if he planned to strip Relena of everything, including those who may be loyal to her. "Well, he may know people in places the nobles wouldn't," he pointed out. "Even gorillas have their uses, Relena. You must remember that."

She laughed gaily. "Oh, I had forgotten how much I enjoy your company, Quatre. Quickly, you must tell me if you are betrothed."

Quatre joined her light laughter. "Unfortunately, my heart belongs firmly to another. But I find myself enjoying your company, as well. By the way, Treize sends his congratulations on your victory."

She smiled. "I shall have to remember to thank him personally."

o8o o8o

Relena took a sip of the sweet drink Quatre had given her. Blue mango, if she wasn't entirely mistaken. It was light and refreshing, and she smiled her appreciation. Until Quatre threw her yet again with a random, seemingly-innocent question.

"Oh, since we are gossiping until Dorothy arrives, I heard an interesting rumor," he said. "Apparently, Prime Chancellor Maxwell's son was missing. His housekeeper turned up dead somewhere."

It took every ounce of self-control she possessed not to react to that in a telling manner. Quatre was extremely good at this game. His tone of voice was so innocent. She couldn't tell if he was just telling her a rumor or if he suspected her and was digging for answers. It was time to tread very, very carefully. She schooled her expression to mild shock.

"Really? Why would anyone want to hurt Prime Chancellor Maxwell's son? Duo is such a doll." She smiled, trying her hand at swerving the conversation back to safe ground. "You and he were close, weren't you, before his father cloistered him on Hedara?"

Quatre returned her smile and seemed to take the bait. "Yes. In fact—" his laugh was low and almost conspiratorial—"we were rumored to be lovers. I didn't mind the rumors. I think at the time I would have liked it to be true. But now . . . I'm quite glad it never happened."

"You and your current gentleman are close, aren't you?" Relena said warmly.

Quatre looked at Trowa, confirming her suspicion that he and the Telmaran were lovers. And that loving look that passed between them spoke volumes of their love. They obviously didn't care if she saw, either. Finally, Quatre looked at her again.

"Yes." Then he blinked, looking back to Trowa. "Oh, you and Wufei were looking for Duo and his Bonded. Did you find them?"

"We did," Trowa said, voice even, level, and mild. "We decided to send them to Tel'Mar for their safety. Heero was hurt, and Duo was pretty shaken up."

Relena wanted to scream. She never thought she would be glad to hear servants bring her cousin in to them.