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

A chapter in which Heero makes a phone call.

Rascal

Chapter 17

Heero had been sitting on his sofa, staring at the phone in his hand for at least fifteen minutes. I shouldn't be scared. They're my family. Of course they'll be mad, but….they'll still be glad, right? Wufei said it would be alright.

Heero frowned as he recalled his most recent conversation with Wufei where his "perceptive" friend kept teasing him about Milliardo until Heero got so frustrated he blurted out that yes he liked Milliardo and as much as he hated to admit it, they were in fact dating. Heero could feel the smugness oozing through the phone line from Wufei.

I'm glad things are going well. But how well? Have you two---?

"No! And why would you ask such a thing? It's Duo's job to be uncouth."

Wufei chuckled as Heero fell right into his trap.

You're right, it is. So maybe you should call him so he can do his job proper.

Heero scowled, realizing too late Wufei had maneuvered him. Masterfully. Then again, I expect no less.

"What's his number?"

There was silence on the other end and Heero smiled. Two can play this game, Chang. Suddenly a quiet chuckle sounded in Heero's ear and he couldn't help but chuckle along.

Do you truly want it, Heero?

"Yes actually. I really do."

Heero sighed and leaned back into the sofa, his hand with the phone lying limply in his lap. If I back out now, he'll kill me.

Heero smiled at the thought and raised the phone to within eyesight and dialed. I've stared at the number for so long, I've got it memorized.

Heero heard the phone ringing in his ear, once, twice, three times. Figures. I finally call and he's not home. But I can't leave a message….

"Hello?"

At the sound of his friend's voice, Heero couldn't find his own. He…sounds the same. Duo.

"Hello?"

The annoyance on the other end of the phone spurred Heero on and he cleared his throat before speaking.

H-hey, Duo, it's me.

The line was silent for a few seconds as the shock of hearing Heero's voice sunk in and then Duo started to sputter out a response.

"H-hey, man, um…yeah…." Duo let out a nervous chuckle as the lump in his throat tightened and cut off his words. He forcefully cleared his throat and coughed a few times before trying again. "How's it going, H-Heero?"

I'm doing just fine. I hope it was ok to call you.

At the casual, normal response, Duo gripped the phone tighter and found it wasn't so hard to express himself anymore.

"Of course it's ok! Damn it, Heero! I've been waiting for you to call for…for four years now! I mean, Wufei at least got me to stop being depressed about it and stop worrying about you, but still…."

I'm sorry, Duo. I really am.

"Yeah, well….like 'Fei said, there's no sense in worrying about you because if something bad would have happened to you, we'd have known. We're all connected like that."

Yeah, I guess he's right.

Duo's legs gave out under him, unable to sustain his weight after being shocked, so he fell to his knees and then back onto the floor with a thud.

Duo? Hello?

"Yeah, I'm here, I'm here. I just…"

He'd thought about this conversation hundreds of times through the years and he always came up with questions he wanted to ask and things he wanted to say and punches he wanted to throw, but now that he was hearing Heero's voice on the phone, he was dumbstruck.

So…..you're a teacher? I can't quite picture it.

Duo scoffed and shook his head a few times. Of course he would already know that. Heero Yuy does nothing halfway.

"Yeah, well, I'm not exactly a teacher. I run a youth center sponsored by a local church. I like working with the kids and helping them, like Father Maxwell helped me. But I know about me. Tell me about you. Where the hell have you been, you bastard? And where the hell are you now?"

Heero chuckled and Duo smiled to hear the rare sound. It's really him. He's alive and he's ok.

I've been busy. I opened my own auto body shop and it's doing really well.

"You always did have a way with machinery. Although it wouldn't surprise me if you told me you're some government computer hacker for hire either."

How do you think I found you?

Both men chuckled and Heero was glad Duo accepted his story. It was natural to assume Heero would find his friend using the computer. He and Wufei had agreed that would be the story and not reveal that the two had been in contact for the past few years. Heero had already hurt his friends enough, he didn't need to get Wufei involved.

"I know, there's no information safe from Heero Yuy. So where are you?"

Right now I'm sitting in my apartment staring at the wall.

"Stop avoiding the question and just tell me where you are so I can come over there and kick your ass."

Heero smiled, knowing that Duo's statement was both a bluff and a promise. And if Duo showed up at his apartment door, he wouldn't duck the punch. I deserve it.

I'm living in Silver City. I've been here for the past three years.

"S-Silver City? You…..? But how did we not see each other? Did you know? This whole time? Don't lie to me, Heero."

Heero closed his eyes and did what he needed to do.

It's a big city, Duo. And I only recently began searching for you and the others. I needed to know what it was like, to be totally free to do what I wanted, where nobody knew who I was. But I've come to realize that you guys……you will always be a part of my life. And I'm…grateful…for that.

Big fat tears rolled down Duo's cheeks as he listened to Heero's explanation for his absence and his return. I'm grateful too, Heero. I'm grateful you're alive and you're doing well and that you've realized your mistake. But the first chance I get I'm going to punch you so hard…

Duo blinked a few times and swiped at his cheeks as he cleared his throat, making sure his voice would sound normal.

"So who else knows you're among the living?"

I contacted Wufei first. I figured he would be a good gauge as to how much you guys would hate me once you found out I was alive.

"Makes sense. He's a lot more perceptive than people give him credit for."

Tell me about it.

"So is this call just to tell me you're alive or do I actually get to see you?"

I'd like to see you, Duo. I'd like to see everybody.

"Then it's settled. We'll get together for a big reunion dinner. It'll be great! I'll call Quatre and----"

Duo, stop. I haven't talked to Quatre or Trowa yet. Just give me a few days, ok?

"Yeah, sure. But you do know that telling Quatre is telling Trowa, right? Those two have been together for a few years now."

I noticed the matching addresses, but I didn't want to assume.

Suddenly Heero heard the sound of someone else's voice in the background. Female. Must be Hilde. She sounds worried. Heero strained to listen but static filled his ears momentarily, indicating Duo had put his hand over the receiver. When Duo returned to the phone he sounded normal enough, if apologetic.

"Yeah, uh, Heero, I'm sorry, I have to go. Good luck calling Quatre. He's a hard man to reach. And uh, I guess I'll be seeing you later."

Definitely. See ya, Duo.

Duo chuckled but it sounded sad to Heero and he frowned, unsure of whether or not his long lost friend was truly happy to hear from him.

"See ya, Heero."

To be continued….