Notes: This chapter is much shorter, but that's because the next one is going to be significantly longer than the others. It will also be the last. It's been a long, rough road with this fic, but things are finally getting to a point where they can be resolved-and hopefully in a way that's both unexpected and completely logical!

Warnings: None!

They stayed at the office, piling blankets on the couch. Duo draped himself over Trowa's chest, snuggling in to his warmth with a smile curving over his lips. Trowa's fingers slid through the loose mass of his unbound hair, soft and soothing. Interrogating Carl had been long, and tough. Duo felt sympathy for him, he really did. But he knew how Trowa felt about employees stealing. He didn't know if there was much he'd be able to do.

"I wish he'd come to us first," Duo started, cheek pressed against the warm skin of Trowa's chest. His lover grunted in return. "What would you do, if someone kidnapped me?"

"I wouldn't have to do anything," Trowa sounded amused. "You'd get out on your own."

"Trowa," Duo pushed himself up, glaring at him.

"You would.'

"That isn't the point."

"He stole from us."

"Because they have his daughter," Duo spoke through clenched teeth, crossing his arms over his chest. Trowa sat up, running a frustrted hand through his hair, jaw set.

"And if he had come to us then, it would be different," he growled, his own arms crossing over his chest. Duo's eyes narrowed, violet dark and angry. He met Trowa's hard emerald head on, nails digging in to the skin of his upper arms.

"How can you be this cold? If it was me-and don't give me that bullshit about being able to take care of myself. If It was me, would you let them have me?"

Trowa hesitated. Not long, but long enough. Duo slid off his lap, fists clenched. He marched to the door, back ramrod straight, hair wild and trailing down his back, brushing the tops of his thighs. Trowa watched with admiration, still struggling with the words on his tongue. His lover was beautiful, radiating anger like sparks. It warmed him, filled him, and he surged off the couch like a wave, desperate to cool the molten hurt of his lover. His hand closed on Duo's shoulder gently.

"You never give me time to answer," his voice held a hint of reproach. Duo's hands balled tighter, shoulders rising in defence of a blow he was constantly anticipating.

"You shouldn't have to think that hard," he spat, refusing to turn. He didn't want to look at Trowa, to see the hurt on his face. He had hurts, too, and they were important, and if Trowa didn't get that-

"It's not hard to think. It's hard to say," Trowa brushed his fingers down Duo's hair, biting on his lower lip. It was hard to say. Especially to say in English, which came hard to his tongue, still, on the nights they fought. He'd promised himself he'd never watch Duo walk away again, a promise that was being tested this trip. Duo's shoulders relaxed under the light touch of Trowa's hand. He sighed, then turned, jaw jutting out as he looked up at Trowa.

"So. Answer."

"We should go on vacation. After this is over. Somewhere warm. Just us," Trowa murmured, stepping in to Duo's space and wrapping an arm around his waist. He brushed his fingers over Duo's cheek, ignoring the confused tilt of his head.

"What-"

"We work too hard. And I…I forget that there are more important things than the business," Trowa admitted, leaning in to brush his lips over Duo's. He knew it was true. Trowa was used to being alone. To running things alone. He forgot what it meant to have someone else in his life, even after a year with Duo by his side. Threading his fingers through Duo's hair, he rested their foreheads together, taking a shuddering breath. Duo's eyes fluttered shut, his hand resting on Trowa's chest.

"With Carl. I don't trust him anymore. I can't keep him. But-we can help him get his daughter back," Trowa drew Duo against his chest, resting his cheek against his hair. The tension left his lover's body like smoke. Sliding the arm around Duo's waist down to grip him, he pulled him up, pleased when a pair of slim legs wrapped around his hips. He carried Duo to the couch, settling back on it and drawing a blanket over his legs.

"Do you think she's still alive?" Duo asked, stretching out on top of his lover, bringing the blanket higher. Trowa nodded, pushing a lock of hair back behind Duo's ears.

"Nikolai would not kill her without reason. And so far, he doesn't have a reason," he pressed a kiss to the top of Duo's head. "Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow will be long."

They spent the next morning finalizing their plans. Vlad gave them the use of the office. Trowa sat behind the big desk, frowning as he listened to Carl recount the whole chain of events. Leaning against the desk, arms crossed over his chest, Duo's brow furrowed. He held his hand up, cutting Carl off in the middle of a sentence.

"So you've spoken with her? Since?" this was important. They couldn't risk a rescue on a dead girl. Carl nodded.

"He brings her when he picks up the shipments," Carl wet his lips, avoiding Trowa's gaze. Trowa's hands steepled on the desk, eyebrow raised.

"He picks them up," Trowa needed that clarification.

"Yes."

"Duo-"

"I know," Duo pushed away from the desk, rubbing the back of his neck. The more Carl talked the more it sounded like a track. "I don't think it's for you."

"What? What do you mean?" Trowa's eyes narrowed further.

"Face it, lover. You're not known for compassion. On your own, you wouldn't go after Carl's daughter," Duo took a deep breath, giving Carl a look. The man cringed. He knew it too. It was only because of Duo that they were having this conversation. That they were planning to rescue. Trowa leaned back in his chair, eyes flashing.

"He wants you."

"I think he was counting on your ruthlessness."

"So what? Was he counting on you to try the rescue alone?" Trowa frowned, looking worriedly at Duo. That was exactly what Duo would've done, if Trowa hadn't agreed. Duo nodded, looking over at Carl.

"He picks up the shipments because it makes him an easy target. He thinks he can catch me," Duo shrugged, eyes gleaming in the office light. Trowa knew that look. He frowned.

"So you want to let him," Trowa didn't like the idea. It was too dangerous. Too many things could go wrong and he didn't want to let Duo do it. Didn't want to let Duo go in to danger. Sure, his lover could handle it. He knew that. He'd seen Duo take on men twice his size and come away without a scratch. Duo grinned viciously, all teeth and narrowed violet.

"Yes."