Ok, some more proper warnings this time. I've already started writing part 3 ;-) It feels good to be writing normal stuff again! :D

Author: femaleshinigami
Title: The Herald
Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue. Don't Kill.
Warnings: Not beta read. Possible citrus later on. Maybe some swearing, and definitely bad spelling.
Pairings: None so far, but future 1x2. The pool is still open about Quat and Tro. Maybe some 5xR. We'll see.
Rating: so far PG./PG13 Probably R/NC17 later.
AN: The names of the newspapers are made up. If a paper with a name like this does exist and Herald probably does it's not my intention, to compare the two. Enjoy the fic, and please comment. The story is written in name of a community on LiveJournal, gundamherald, which hoster a challenge that prompted me to write this story :)

Part 2

The next day Duo was at work early. Wanting to make a good impression, he decided to be there before anyone else. To his surprise, the office was already opened. He came in, but didn't see Relena at the desk, which meant it wasn't her. He still didn't know the rest of the team, but he highly doubted one of the reporters or editors had the keys and security codes to open up. Going with th next logical choice, he went to his bosses office and knocked on the door, not really surprised when he got a quiet "Enter" in reply.

Heero looked up to see who came to see him so early.
"Duo? You came early? Do you have some problem?"

"No, no, just wanted to make a good impression and all, I guess. Didn't think anyone would be here yet," Duo stepped more into the room.

"Well, I like to sort everything out before the reporters get here. Is Relena here?" Heero lay down the papers he was reading, and added them to the pile on his left.

"No, I didn't see her on my way here."

"Than come, I'll show you around," he stood up and started walking towards Duo, "I'll give you the list of events you have to attend for this month, any additional story you want write needs to be approved by me, first."

"Ok."

They started the slow tour, Heero showing Duo all the offices, the small kitchen, the conference room, archive, coping room, and so on. He pointed out where the assistants had their desks, and warned him that if he ever was unable to attend one of the events, he was to get an attendant to go there, "We can't miss anything, it takes just small mistake, for the public to declare a paper unreliable, and for our reputation to go down. Also, there is always a small chance something interesting will happen at one of them. For bigger events, you get one or two of the photographers. For smaller affairs, You need to take the pictures yourself. Most of the time, they don't even go into the paper, but be sure too always have a camera with you, just in case."

At last they arrived at Duos new office. A small, but bright room, a plant in one corner near the door, a desk with a computer sitting near the window.

"Neat place," Duo grinned, looking around, "Hey, Heero, why did the other guy loose his job?" he turned to look at his boss, noting a dark look passing on his face.

"He resigned."

"Huh? Why?"

"He had some... personal issues with his boss."

Duo gave him a surprised look, but when Heero didn't continue, he got the hint and didn't press for an answer.

They went back to Heero's office, Duo getting introduced on the way to all the people that have already arrived. The braided man got his list, thanked his boss and went back to get to know his new work place, and the people in it, a little better.

Weeks passed, and life for the braided reported was good. He was getting along with most of the team, the only exception being Dorothy, the fashion expert. For some reason, she got it into her head that she needed to straighten Duo fashion sense, and kept bugging the crap out of him. So far Duo was able to attend all the events himself, writing up short stories about it, and in the mean time he came upon some corruption story concerned with the local football team and the building of their new stadium. The story got approved by Heero, and now Duo just needed to make some last interviews out of the way, before doing a clear draft of the article, and taking it to his boss.

Hilde was doing good at school, which was no surprise. She was working in the school paper, and was thinking about getting some part time job for the weekend to help them with their budget.

Duo was just finishing up for the day, he needed to pick Hilde up in 20 minutes, and he was gonna be late, if he didn't hurry. Closing up his computer, he grabbed his files, backpack and jacket, and run for the elevators, tossing a quick "bye" and a wave for Relena on his way. He got down into the parking lot and run to his car. A few seconds later a loud "Fuck!" could be heard, while Duo was kicking the flat tire.

"A problem?" a familiar voice asked from behind him.

"Heero! Yeah, I've got a flat tire, and I don't have a spare. I was supposed to buy one next week... damn. I need to get a taxi, my sister is going to kill me. I was supposed to pick her up 2 minutes ago."

"I can drive you both home, if you want?" his boss asked politely.

"No, no it's ok, you probably want to go back home and relax." Duo smiled at the other man.

"Honestly, it's no problem. The only thing waiting for me at home is my nosy neighbor, and left-over take out," Heero smiled back, and waved for Duo to follow him to his car. The braided man quickly grabbed his things, and run after Heero.

The came near a shining, black Chrysler300, and Duo whistled when he saw the car, "Now this is what I call a ride!"

"You like? I've bought it about a month ago, always wanted to have one of these." Heero smiled, opened the car and slid into the drivers sit.

"Damn, who doesn't!" replied Duo, and sat beside him. The car started with a low purr, and Duo gave Heero directions to Hilde's school.

Hilde was standing on the sidewalk, looking totally pissed off, her backpack lying on the ground beside her. When the expensive looking car stopped right before her she was a little surprised, but nothing would have prepared her for the view of her brother's face once the window on the passenger side was lowered.

"Hi! Hil! sorry I'm late, but our old crap-mobile got a flat. But Heero here offered to give us a ride!" a handsome men, about her brothers age, with a mop of tousled, chocolate brown hair, and piercing blue eyes, smiled and waved slightly from behind her bro.

"Oh! Hello Mr. Yuy! Duo told me so much about you, sir!" Hilde smiled, and hopped into the back seat.

"He did?" Heero looked with a smile and a raised eyebrow at Duo, who just blushed, and threw Hilde a glare. "And please, call me Heero," he smiled back at Hilde, and they shook hands.

The ride to Duo's and Hilde's house was quick, filled mostly with the girl saying some funny stories of things that happened in the school. They soon arrived before the small house, and Duo turned to thank his boss yet again.

"It's not a problem, Duo, really. It was a pleasure."

"Than maybe I can at least convince you to come have dinner with us? You said yourself you have only left-over take-out at home," the braided men winked at his boss, "It's the least we can do."

"Yes! You must taste Duo's spaghetti! It's the best thing in the world!"came Hilde's voice from outside the car.

Heero just laughed and pulled the keys from the ignition, "In that case, I'll gladly accept."

The house was small, but comfy looking. A two bedroom, one story building, with a fairly big backyard. A kitchen with a dining corner, and a living room with a couch and matching arm chair facing a TV, a small coffee table. One wall was covered with bookshelves, the other had a computer desk standing against it, papers and magazines covering everything but the monitor and keyboard.

It had a homey, lived-in look in it, and Heero felt instantly comfortable here. They told him to feel at home, and Duo went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, while Hilde brought him something to drink.

Duo was standing at the counter, slicing tomatoes and waiting for the water to boil. Hilde came in ans stood beside him.

"He's cute."

No answer.

"And he has a sexy smile"

No answer.

"Want me to go hide in my room after dinner?"

"Hilde!"

She just giggled at him, "Oh, come on Duo, why not?"

"I've already told you why, he's my boss!"

There was a short silence, and then, "He likes you," Duo gave her a surprised look, "He does, it's clear as day."

"Hilde... I can't... " Duo looked sadly down at the counter, tomatoes forgotten for the moment.

"What's the worst that could happen, Duo?" her brother didn't reply, so she continued, "He rejects you - you'll live, He fires you - you'll find another job, we'll manage, we've been through worse. But if it works out, wouldn't it be worth it to find some happiness? I'm your sister Duo, and it pains me to see you sad and moping around,"

"I'm not moping..." he mumbled, but she ignored him.

"Ever since mom died you took care of me, and I appreciate it. But I'm not a little girl anymore, I can take care of myself now, so you can step back a little. Go out sometimes. Have some fun. Even Trowa doesn't visit us as often as he used to. Please bro, at least try. For me," she grabbed his arm with both her hands and looked him in the face. He looked serious for a moment, then closed his eyes and sighed, "All right, I will. But no promises, ok?" he smiled at her.

"I'll take what I can get!" she winked at him, and they went back to working on dinner.

Soon, Heero wandered into the kitchen, where Hilde promptly settled him at the table, stating dinner will be ready in a minute. A pleasant conversation was started, and continued throughout dinner. Duo appeared to be a remarkable cook, since they all had a second helping, and when they were finished, Heero offered to help with the dishes. Hilde excused herself, saying she had a lot of homework to do, and giving Duo a wink, while Heero wasn't looking. Soon, some music could be heard coming from her bedroom.

The two men were left alone, working in a comfortable silence, Duo blushing every time their hands touched. It was getting late when they finished, the sun long since set. Duo walked Heero to the door, standing beside while the other man dressed.

"It was a very pleasant evening, Duo. Thank you for the invitation," Heero turned to smile slightly at him while walking out the door.

"It was a pleasure for me... us too, Heero. I hope you will be able to come have dinner with us again?" Duo tried not to look to hopeful, but wasn't sure if he managed it.

"I'd be more than happy too." the man was still smiling, looking Duo straight in the face.

"Hmm... hey! How about Friday, two weeks from now? Hilde is going over to a ne friend from school, a birthday party or something, and I hate to eat dinners alone."

"Sure, I'll be here."

"Great!" Duo exclaimed, and then felt a little awkward, "Um, so, good night Heero..."

"Good night, Duo." Heero lifted one hand in a wave, smiled at Duo, and walked to his car. When he reached it, he turned to smile at the other man one last time, before getting in, and driving off. Duo didn't lose the door until the black Chrysler disappeared behind a corner, and when he shut them he slumped his back against them, and closed his eyes with a sigh.

"What have you gotten yourself into Maxwell? A night alone, with Mr. Sexy. I am so screwed," he said to himself, banging his head against the hard wood.

TBC

Hope you guys like it! Please comment, constructive criticism is also welcome! :D