Author's Note: Let the games begin, as ShadowMajin said in his last review. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing

Warning: liberal use of the word "damn"

The Popular Duo Maxwell

Due to medical reasons, he was being sent back to Earth.

Medical reasons.

Pfft. It was just a minor head wound! He could take it! Ow. OW! Okay, maybe they did have their reasons but damn it, he wanted to stay! Though the rebellion was defeated, there was still the problem of the united gangs to contend with and they were fighting with tooth and nail over mere inches of their "territory."

Just as he was being sent to Earth, he overheard a few people mentioning his idea to blow up L2. Didn't sound so stupid now, did it? But according to Une, it was no longer his problem and he was to take a few sick days to recover, which amounted to weeks actually.

Damn it. He was saving those for retirement!

But at least he would have company. Solo was coming with him. When they enquired about Adrian, they found out Une had taken a liking to him. If anything came out of it, at least the boy had a life being made for him.

The braided one now found himself relaxing on a shuttle, the destination none other than Earth (what else had he been babbling about for the past few minutes?). He sat in the middle seat, reclining back, whoever was behind him be damned. Taking the window seat was Solo who was gazing out through the window with the excitement of a child. Taking the aisle was Quatre.

Now, was it his imagination or was that chill going down his spine real? He could have sworn he was receiving looks from both blonds and was starting to get wary as the looks began to subtly change from anything innocent.

It was starting to creep him out, seriously.

And it didn't help that halfway there, the two blonds started to ask him question after question.

"Can I get you anything Duo?"

"Hey Kid, ya need an extra pillow?"

"Are you feeling hungry?"

"Want ta use me blanket?"

"Do you want something to drink?"

"Wat's dis word Kid? I can't read."

"It's 'the' and would you like some headphones, Duo?"

"Is dat da moon?"

"Do you need more leg room?"

And on and on and on… He was seriously beginning to consider getting those headphones. If nothing else, they would block out the noises. Damn it, when did he get so popular?

But some good may have come out of it. The drone of questions eventually, repeat eventually, put him to sleep and the next thing he knew, they were back on Earth. Finally! Maybe now he could get some peace and quiet.

"Heeeerrrrrrooooo!"

Or maybe not.

Upon exiting the landed shuttle, they were…well Heero was anyway, assaulted by one Vice Foreign Minister by the name of Relena Peacecraft. With the exception of some pretty stupid decisions she had made during the wars (i.e. standing in the way between his gun and Heero, the stupidity of it all, why hadn't he shot them both?), Duo could have cared less what the princess did. But this time, her usual greeting had worsen the headache he had ended up with once Solo and Quatre stopped tending to his every need and want, which, by the way, were satisfied a long time ago.

Damn it, if he wasn't so tired, he would have murdered somebody by now, several even, including two certain blonds and a Vice Foreign Minister, consequences be damned. Hell, he'd even throw in Heero just because.

Nobody would miss them, right?

Anyway, Heero was looking flustered, which was always a plus. Wufei and Trowa were indifferent, well at least Wufei was. Trowa kept stealing glances of the Chinese man when he thought no one was looking. Who did that leave now?

Oh no.

He felt Solo wrap his arm around his shoulders in a friendly manner. "Ya feelin' okay, Kid?"

"Just fine," he answered, mumbling.

"Really? Ya don't sound like it."

"All I need is a little rest and I'll be good as new. Now, I'm going to head to my apartment and do just that. You can spend some time there until we can figure out what you're going to do, okay?"

"Is that all you're going to do?" Quatre asked, coming from nowhere. Damn, he forgot about him for a second.

"That's the plan, Q."

"If that's all, how about you do it at my place? You can relax and recover in comfort there."

Now that wasn't a bad idea. In fact, that was the best thing he had heard all day…correction, all week. Quatre's place was much bigger. Plus it had a lot of stuff that he could enjoy but could never bring himself to buy. Oh, he knew, that sounded bad but hey, he was a simple person. And Quatre was a good friend. He could trust him not to do anything to make him uncomfortable.

At least, he hoped so.

Might as well bring some sort of protection just in case. Crap, he didn't have his gun on him. Okay, the next best thing then.

"Can Solo come too?" he asked, giving Quatre the best "puppy-dog" eyes that he could.

It seemed to have worked because the Arabian gave in right then and there. "Sure. I guess your friend can come. That is, if he wants too…"

"But I do," Solo said. "Want ta make sure my Kid gets all better first."

Duo didn't notice the Arabian's eyes narrow and his fists clenched when the word "my" came out of Solo's voice because he was soon distracted by a girlish squeal.

"Oh Heero! A rose? For me? And it's white too! That's so romantic!"

Sure enough, the princess was holding a white rose in her hands as she gazed adoringly at Heero. The Perfect Solider seemed a bit…flustered at Relena's reaction and Duo couldn't help but smirk. That was until his nose started acting up and he had to start stifling some sneezes.

Beside him, Solo was exhibiting the same symptoms, harsh sneezes escaping him until he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Damn it, he wasn't even close and already! It was open space too, not enclosed! This was not cool, not cool at all. But if Heero had that on him during the flight, then why hadn't it bothered him then? Another mystery for another time, it seemed. But first thing's first. Time to get the hell out of here.

"As much as I would love to witness Heero declaring his undying love for the princess, I want to get out of here. These public displays of emotion are killing me."

Looking over expectantly at Quatre, the blond perked up with a glowing smile and grabbed his hand. "Follow me then," was all the warning the braided one had as Quatre nearly dragged him away.

Solo found himself just standing there with his arm still out in midair. Grumbling about stuffing a certain blond's head down a toilet, he followed after as quickly as possible.

No one saw the death glare that Prussian eyes were leveling on him and Quatre.