Disclaimer: I lay claim only to my family, cat, house and car.

Ok, kiddies, here's the deal: I had to split up an encounter into two chapters because it's fairly involved and rather long. So you're getting a 2fer! I just hope I split it up in an appropriate spot. Enjoy!

Rascal

Chapter 6

"Hello?"

Oh. Hello, Sally. Is Wufei around?

"Yeah, he's right here, hold on."

Heero heard Sally's muffled voice and a tired sigh before Wufei's voice sounded on the phone.

"Heero, hello."

Hey. Did I interrupt something?

"No, no. I'm just being reminded for the hundredth time to let everyone I know that Sally and I are moving in together. Consider this your official notice."

Heero chuckled and even though Wufei sounded annoyed, he knew his friend was very happy.

So she finally wore you down, huh?

The indignant snort on the other end brought a smile to Heero's face. Wufei had been working with Sally Po for the Preventors Organization for the past four years and Heero knew it was just a matter of time before the two officially became a couple. He could hear it in the way Wufei spoke about the doctor. The fact that he mentioned her in conversation at all was significant in itself. And now, after dating for over a year, they were taking the next logical step.

"I still like your reaction better than Quatre's. How does he manage to say so much without taking a breath?"

Heero chuckled and took a sip of his water as he sat back in the office chair and propped his feet on the near-immaculate desk. He decided to touch base with Wufei during his morning break after realizing they hadn't spoken in over three weeks.

"Anyway, speaking of Quatre, he and Trowa are as happy as ever and are actually considering adopting several children. And Duo and Hilde are the same although I expect that idiot to propose any day now since he got his raise over three months ago and I caught him researching rings online during company hours. I swear that man's skills have suffered ever since he hooked up with that woman."

Awhile back Wufei had confided in Heero that he wasn't fond of Hilde but he never really gave any concrete reasons. Then Wufei let it slip during one of their conversations that Hilde was a very skilled chess player and had apparently beat Wufei almost every time they played. The ironic part, and no doubt the source of Wufei's anger towards the girl, was that she claimed to hardly ever play and was never formally taught. This was the blow that sent Wufei over the edge and put Hilde at the top of his hit list.

Glad to hear everyone's doing so well.

"What about you?"

For a moment Heero considered discussing his continued weekly drinking sessions with Milliardo but thought better of it. It's really no big deal. It's not as important as what's going on in their lives.

No drama to report.

Wufei frowned at Heero's vague and uninformative answer. What about Milliardo? I know they still meet every Wednesday. And he knows I know about it so why not tell me? At one time Wufei worried that Heero never mentioned any new friends. He'd mentioned a few of his employees from time to time as part of an anecdote but that was it. But now there's Milliardo. I still don't understand why he would invite Milliardo in and not the rest of us. Is he hiding something from all of us?

And as much as Wufei wanted to ask when Heero was going to call their friends he refrained, thinking back on the first time he'd broached the topic. Wufei ended up yelling at Heero that he was being childish and hung up on him. The two didn't speak for over four months. Finally, Wufei had called back to apologize and that was the last time they spoke of the matter until a month ago. The fact that he's not willing to speak of Milliardo is not a good sign. He's still keeping to himself.

"Good to hear."

Heero heard a note of disappointment in Wufei's voice but wasn't sure why. I told him nothing was going on. That's good, right?

Well, I've gotta go. Procrastination isn't my style.

Wufei chuckled, but again, it didn't have that haughty tone to it and Heero frowned.

"Never was. Talk to you later, Heero."

Later, Wufei.

Heero hung up the phone and stared unseeing at his boots on the desk. He always enjoyed speaking with Wufei and this time had been no exception. They were of similar temperaments and had always gotten along. Of course they've had their bad moments too, but they were ultimately caused by their concern for the other and not out of malice or some other petty reason.

But something about their conversation today left him feeling uneasy. Wufei didn't give him any bad news. On the contrary, he had nothing but good news about his friends' lives. Adoption, impending engagement and moving in with your significant other were all joyous occasions.

So why do I feel……sad?

It was true that sometimes he wished he were there for these events and perhaps it was time to rethink Wufei's advice of finally getting in contact with everyone and not just Wufei. All of them seemed to have moved beyond their experiences in the war to live happy and fulfilling lives.

Heero had been living on his own for four years and was content with his new life. He thought that having his freedom would make his life happier and that as long as he had that, he would need nothing else. But after hearing Wufei's update on everyone's lives and how they were happy and had someone to go home to, Heero realized there was more to life than just doing what you wanted.

As his eyes slowly came back into focus and he found himself back in the here and now, Heero came to a sobering realization. He was lonely.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hey there."

Heero briefly looked up to acknowledge the greeting as Milliardo sat down on the barstool to his right.

"Hey."

Milliardo's smile fell when he saw the dull blue eyes aimed at him and heard the mumbled response. He turned his attention to the bartender and motioned for a drink and she gave a nod instead of her usual wink and smile and he instantly became worried.

"Heero? Is something wrong?"

"Everything is coming up roses. Why?"

He heard the slurred speech and his brow furrowed even more. When Rose put his drink in front of him he silently asked his question of her and she discreetly held up two fingers and let her gaze fall on Heero before walking away. He's been here drinking since 2pm? What the hell is going on?

"You should have called me if you were going to start early. I would have been more than happy to join you instead of working."

Milliardo's words brought Heero out of his haze and he sat up straighter and cleared his throat. For a brief moment he wondered how long Milliardo had been sitting next to him, but a quick glance at the glass to his right told him not long at all. Assuming that's his first drink.

Realizing that being unaware of his surroundings was a sign he'd drank too much, Heero flagged down Rose and ordered a soda and bowl of pretzels. The older woman smiled and left to get his order. He'd rather have coffee, but after hearing one of the regulars describe Rose's coffee as sludge, Heero thought it best not to.

Milliardo was relieved to see Heero putting himself back together but he was still curious what could have driven him to such an extreme. On a regular Wednesday night Heero would drink no more than six beers and was capable of getting himself home. But if he had to make the judgment call right now, Milliardo would have to say that Heero was not capable of getting himself out the front door.

The pair sat in silence as Heero drank a soda and ate a whole bowl of pretzels. Finally confident he could hold a reasonably intelligent conversation despite the alcoholic buzz, Heero spoke up, subconsciously bringing up the topic that had driven him to get drunk in the first place.

"So tell me something. Do you have anyone to go home to?"

Heero, in his slightly inebriated state, didn't see his companion's lips curl at the corners in a knowing smirk. Milliardo took another sip of his drink before deciding on his answer.

"In a manner of speaking….yes."

Milliardo heard the quiet scoff and smiled. He could just imagine the sort of assumptions going through the young man's mind as he stared down at his soda. You're not the only one who can give vague answers, Yuy.

Milliardo's answer didn't do anything to alleviate Heero's mood and he found himself gesturing for another beer.

"Are you sure that's wise?"

Heero glared at Milliardo but the man didn't seem a bit phased by him. In fact, he almost looked amused. As Heero fought to keep the hundreds of rude and even nasty comments locked tightly in his head, his beer arrived. With a sigh of relief he picked up the bottle and drained half of it before putting it back down.

"If you get sick I will show you no mercy, Heero."

"I don't get sick."

And with a smug grin Heero picked up his beer and finished off its contents, his eyes never leaving Milliardo's. After he put the bottle down with a little more force than he'd intended, he dug into his pocket and pulled out his wallet.

Milliardo watched the drunk man fumble with the bills and just when he was about to reach out in frustration and do it for him, Heero pulled out several bills and placed them on the bar.

"Heero, maybe I should----"

"Stay out of my business, Peacecraft."

Milliardo's eyes widened momentarily at the acidic tone and glinting eyes aimed at him. So he doesn't get sick when he's drunk, he gets belligerent. Lovely.

He watched as Heero stood up, swayed a little bit, and then continued to walk a winding path towards the door. Rose looked at Milliardo, her concern obvious and he held up his hand as he drained his glass before following after Heero.

Outside Milliardo caught Heero by the arm and spun him around to face him. The glare had lost some of its sting as Heero's body began to give in to the alcohol's effects and his lids were slowly making their way to half mast.

"Just let me give you a ride home. I….Rose is worried about you."

Heero scoffed and tried to push away but Milliardo held firm and grabbed him by both shoulders. Is this what my life has come to? The old woman bartender is worried about me? My god I'm so pathetic.

Milliardo could see that Heero's mind had become occupied with some other matter so he gently guided him to his car and opened the door, surprised that Heero willingly got in. Thinking his job just got a whole lot easier Milliardo made his way to the other side of the car and got in, starting the engine.

"So where do you live?"

Heero turned to look at him as if he'd just propositioned him and moved as far away from Milliardo as possible, pressing himself up against the car door.

"None of your damn business."

Milliardo stared at the drunken man in his car, incredulous. Is this really Heero? So not only is he nasty when he's drunk, but he pouts like a petulant child. Incredible.

"Fine. Then you leave me with no other alternative."

Milliardo pulled out into traffic and began driving home. After a few quiet minutes Heero suddenly jerked and he looked around as if just realizing he was in a car.

"Where the hell are you taking me?"

"My place."

"Why?"

Milliardo couldn't help but turn and give Heero a lopsided grin. Wow, he really is gone. Although his eyes, they're starting to look sharper, more like the Heero I know.

"Eyes on the road."

"Yes, sir."

To be continued…

A/N – I luuuuuv me some drunk Heero!