-1Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Gundam Wing, and this is purely for entertainment.

Note: Many thanks to KS for all your help.

Rules of Engagement:

'You,' Wufei glared at his love, his lover, the man he'd agree to marry, 'are the most inflexible, obstinate, unyielding person I have met in my entire life.'

Zechs only smiled. 'From you, dearest, I think I'll take that as a compliment.' One finger reached out and stroked the shining black hair. 'I'm not leaving you.'

'It's too dangerous to stay here!' Wufei snapped, gesturing towards the TV screen. The picture showed protestors gathering outside ESUN buildings on Earth and the Colonies. Even with the sound turned down, their anger was obvious as they waved placards accusing ESUN officials of somehow orchestrating Quatre Winner's disappearance for their own ends.

'You've seen the news. It's impossible to protect you here; it's not a secure location. Now that you're not on the ventilator any more, your doctors say you can be moved. And we've already arranged everything; Trowa has the perfect place organised.'

'Fine,' Zechs settled back against his pillows. 'But only if you agree to go with me. I'm not going to the other side of this godforsaken colony without you.'

'Milliardo, I'm not going to fight about this. I want you to be safe, that's all.'

'And I want you to stop treating me like a liability, to be stashed away somewhere out of sight until you have time to deal with me.'

'I'm not!' Wufei's voice shook slightly. 'Don't talk like that, please. Can't you see that I'm worried about you?'

'I appreciate that, dearest, but I'm quite possibly the best protected person in the universe at this moment. And what those news reports are saying is utterly ludicrous; Jack and Theo would never try to hurt me.'

Wufei sighed. 'You can't know that, not for sure. The Preventers and the local police force have been trying to trace them and they've both apparently vanished. And you saw the news; they both landed on L4 using false passports.'

'If the Preventers were searching for me, I'd do my best to vanish as well.' The poor attempt at levity fell flat on its face. 'I know them, sweet. If they've disappeared, they will have a very good reason. Maybe they've found something. You do know that one of Theo's men had been following Quatre?'

'Duo told me, and he also said that the poor man had been killed. Mil, please. You can't stay here. I can't just leave Duo and I'm terrified that something will happen to you, and I won't be able to protect you.'

'Oh, 'Fei. I already owe you my life; of course you can keep me safe.'

'I nearly didn't,' Wufei dropped his head into his hands. 'You nearly died. In my arms. I thought you were going to die…. I - I can't go through that again.'

'Hush, kaerste,' Zechs soothed. 'Don't upset yourself like this. I'm fine, and I have you to thank for it. How about a compromise? I can go to the Sanque Embassy here, and you and Duo can stay there with me? Will that do?'

'I suppose it will have to,' Wufei admitted grudgingly, blowing his nose. 'At least until you're well enough to fly back to Earth.'

'We'll talk about that when the time comes,' his lover hedged, and then grinned. 'Lucky I haven't promised to love, honour and obey you yet, isn't it?'

Wufei sniffed disdainfully. 'That'll be the day; when you actually do something you're told.'

Zechs smile broadened. 'Maybe you should provide a better role model for me then? I seem to remember a little conversation we had when I first woke up. Something about you promising to do everything I ever wanted? Didn't we talk about a veil and a tiara?'

'I didn't realise you were properly awake! I was under a great deal of strain, and you were still half-unconscious,' Wufei spoke with great dignity. 'You know perfectly well that I wasn't being serious.'

'Really? A diamond tiara would look wonderful against your hair, and maybe something flowing in white silk.'

'In your dreams, as Duo would say,' Wufei flustered. In truth, he had no idea what he had said during those awful hours before his partner had regained consciousness. He had the vaguest memories of prattling pure gibberish, anything that might elicit some sort of reaction. He hadn't even noticed, wrapped up in his own misery, that the blue eyes had finally opened until Zechs had spoken, and he'd assumed that the other man had forgotten the ridiculous conversation.

But Zechs was alive and he would have given anything, promised anything, for that to happen. He squared his shoulders. 'If that's truly what you want, very well. Since I promised.'

'We'll see,' Zechs' eyes danced. 'We still have plenty of time to think about it, haven't we?'

'I suppose,' Wufei reached for the remote control as a 'Breaking News' icon flashed across the screen.

An earnest young reporter, standing outside a hospital building, was informing his audience of the death, ten minutes earlier, of Azzam Sami, the only man to have survived what the media was calling the 'Desert Massacre'.

'Another one,' Wufei whispered. 'That's four men I killed; four men who may have been innocent and who died because I panicked out there.'

'Stop that,' Zechs said sharply. 'You reacted as any trained soldier would have done. You identified a threat and you dealt with it. And you saved my life. Beloved, I know you. You're the last person to lose control like that; you may not have seen them fire at us, but some part of your mind acknowledged them as the enemy and you acted accordingly.'

'I don't know,' Wufei said wretchedly. 'I've tried to think, and I can't remember exactly what happened after you got shot. I saw the two SUVs heading for us, and I just assumed it had been them, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe I did kill four innocent people.'

Zechs sighed. 'Don't, 'Fei. Please, my love. Stop tormenting yourself.'

Wufei glared at him. 'I deserve it.'

'Stop this.' Zechs grasped one of his hands. 'Stop. I have known Theo and Jack for years; I would trust either with my life. They're not involved in what happened to me; whatever sensationalist stories the press may be spreading.'

Wufei snatched his hand back. Zechs was only trying to help, trying to make him feel better, but his conscience made him reject even that small bit of comfort. He had killed during the war, but they had been soldiers, even if few of them had been worthy opponents. But now he had killed innocent civilians. Possibly.

'Four people are dead because of what I did out there; four families have lost husbands, fathers, sons. All because of me. That's rather more than a sensationalist story, don't you think?'

'You were protecting me,' Zechs argued. 'You saved my life. You know that.'

'I don't regret that,' Wufei whispered. 'But…Mil, half of L4 has already branded me a murderer. Gods, I'd probably be under arrest right now if it weren't for Noin.'

Their eyes flickered to the screen. Exactly on cue, a second journalist, was stating that a team of Preventers had begun an investigation into precisely what had happened, and the camera panned out to show a noisy crowd demanding justice for the slain men and their families, and punishment for the ex-Gundam Pilot who was responsible.

'That's quite enough of that rubbish,' Zechs said crisply, pressing the mute button. ''Fei, all of this is quite absurd. Of course none of this was your fault, and if we have to undergo this travesty of an investigation, then we shall.'

Wufei nodded, gazing blankly at the screen. A small boy was sobbing in his mother's arms as she brokenly begged for her husband's murderer to be brought to justice.

'How is that a travesty?' he demanded. 'That child will grow up never knowing his father. That young woman is widowed; how can she not want her husband's killer to be punished?'

'No more,' Zechs said suddenly, using the voice that had probably sent scores of OZ soldiers scurrying out of range. 'You will stop this, now, Wufei. Yes, what happened was a tragedy, but there is no evidence whatsoever that you didn't act in self-defence, only some scandalous reporting, based on speculation rather than hard fact. What you did saved my life; if you have to blame someone, then blame me, for being so foolish as to get shot. Is that understood?'

Wufei nodded jerkily. He didn't believe it, not really, but it was tempting, just for a few minutes to pretend that Zechs might be right, to respond to the pure certainty in his voice.

'Good. Now I've had quite enough of your wallowing and you know my doctors said I'm not to be agitated in any way. Let's talk about something more pleasant. Can I show you something? It would give me great pleasure if you would consent to wear this.' He reached into his bedside locker, and produced a small wooden box. 'I was going to wait until I was discharged, but I'd like you to have it now.'

Wufei kept his face carefully blank as he accepted the small box. Even if it was a heart-shaped diamond set in pink gold, he would wear it and thank the gods and his ancestors for his good fortune. Instead… his breath caught as he slid the box open, and saw the plain black circle inside.

'Mil, I can't possibly wear this.'

'You don't like it?'

Wufei shook his head. 'That is …hardly the point. Have you any idea how valuable something like this is?'

'I'm sure you'll look after it.' Zechs, for once, sounded just a little unsure. 'It seemed appropriate.'

'You do know what it is? Jade was the most prized material of the ancient Chinese dynasties, far more precious than gold or silver.'

'I know; I've been doing some research. It seemed appropriate, really. The Chinese associated jade with a number of virtues, didn't they? Morality, grace, dignity, conviction and honour. Appropriate, as I said.' He smiled slightly.

Wufei nodded; almost despite himself, he lifted the precious thing out of its box and let it lie in the palm of one hand. 'And the colour black symbolised happiness to the Ming Emperors. Mil, have you any idea how old this is? And how valuable?'

'I've seen the insurance forms, yes. And I believe it was carved sometime in the 14th Century Pre-Colony. It was a gift to one of my ancestors in the 19th century; he served as Sanque ambassador to China for many years, and advised the reigning Emperor on opening the country up to European trade. My father wore it sometimes, when greeting Chinese officials to Sanque.'

'It's exquisite.' Wufei's fingers closed carefully about the ring. 'And I love you for wanting me to have it. But it belongs in a museum, or the Sanque Treasury.'

'It belongs here,' Zechs reached over, gently uncurled his lover's fingers, and slid it on to his third finger. 'Beloved, it's been lying at the back of a display case in the Treasury for decades. I asked the curator to find it when we were in Sanque, and it's taken him this long to locate it. The courier only arrived this morning. Truly, I think you'll take better care of it. Does it fit?'

'Perfectly.'

'You were meant to have it then. It's said to guarantee protection from harm, a bountiful life and safe travels, all things I wish for you. Will you wear it, please?'

'Of course I will. It's perfect.' Wufei hesitated, staring at the ring as he twisted it on his finger. 'I am sorry. About before, when you offered to give me a ring.'

'I understand,' Zechs murmured soothingly. 'It will be different this time. A union of two people who truly want to be together.' His lips quirked. 'Now that we're officially engaged, I think that calls for a kiss, don't you?'

'You're sick!'

Zechs snorted. 'I'm wounded, not dead, dearest. And indulge me; I'm not supposed to be agitated, remember?' the prince pointed out, shifting slightly on his mattress and pulling the Chinese man against him.

'Or excited,' Wufei murmured, settling carefully against Zechs' uninjured side. It felt so unbelievably good to be held like that, for the first time in too long. 'I just don't want to hurt you, Mil. Your doctors would probably have a collective coronary if they could see us now.'

'Not at all,' Zechs assured him, dropping a kiss on his forehead. 'I asked Dr. al-Hamid, and she said a little affection wouldn't hurt. We're a newly engaged couple; don't you think you should indulge me a little.'

'Is there a law that says so?' Wufei muttered, trying hard not to think of Zechs asking that nice young doctor, who wasn't even married, about their sex life. Although he had to admit that the physical contact felt very good.

'There's an ancient Sanque custom,' the prince said glibly, 'and I know how much you respect tradition. Since you've formally agreed to marry me, and accepted my ring, you are now obliged to pander to my every whim.'

'That sounds rather one-sided.' Wufei made an effort to join in the teasing. He knew Zechs was trying to cheer him up, to jolt him out of his misery, but it wasn't working.

'Not at all; it works both way and I get to spoil you shamelessly.' Zechs lifted Wufei's left hand and kissed the finger that wore his ring. 'I think you have to give up that little tree-cutting hobby of yours, though. Since you're going to be a Peacecraft by marriage, it won't look too good if you're determined to destroy a national symbol.'

'I didn't cut it down,' Wufei protested, flushing. 'I merely removed a couple of branches; I'm sure the tree itself will be fine.'

'I'm teasing, love.' Zechs planted a kiss at the corner of his mouth. 'As far as I'm concerned, you can cut down every tree in Sanque if it gives you a moment's happiness. I'd just prefer you not to store them in the bathtub.'

'I promise I won't,' Wufei started to laugh, despite himself. 'I still can't believe you thought I was using them for aromatherapy.'

'Why not?' his lover asked, amused. 'You've had those hot mud wraps before, and that awful seaweed; a couple of trees in the bath seemed fairly tame by comparison.'

'You liked the mud, so far as I can remember,' Wufei pressed slightly closer, and kissed Zechs' mouth gently, pulling back when the other man didn't respond. 'What's wrong? Did I hurt you?'

'Of course not,' Zechs' gaze was riveted to the TV. ''Fei, can you turn up the sound? My sister's on the screen.'

'You can't be serious!' Wufei gazed disbelievingly at Relena. It had to be old camera footage, but she was wearing the dress she'd had on earlier that morning and standing in the main hospital courtyard, beside the fountains. What in the world was she doing? It had been impossible to keep her presence on L4 a secret, but they had agreed that she would keep as low a profile as possible.

'Of course I don't believe it,' she was saying firmly. 'The ESUN is an elected democracy, chosen by the people of Earth and the Colonies. It was set up after the war to benefit everyone. Many of the Assembly members may disagree with Mr. Winner's opinions, but that is their right, just as he opposes many of the ESUN's current legislation. Disagreements are to be settled in Assembly sessions and debates, not by abductions and murder.'

'Can you prove this is so, Princess?' An unseen reporter's voice asked. 'You have definite proof that no member of the ESUN is involved in this?'

'I know it,' Relena's voice rang with her own convictions. 'This is a terrible, troubling time for all of us, for this colony in particular. Of course, everyone is desperately worried about Quatre, but all of these wild conspiracy theories are only contributing to the confusion. Mr. Winner is a personal friend of mine, and I assure you, I understand how worried all his friends on L4 must be, and I want him found safe and well as much as anyone.'

'Indeed? Might I ask when was the last time you spoke with Mr. Winner, apart from the ESUN assemblies? For that matter, Highness, when was the last time you visited L4, or any other colony?'

'I am unable to leave Earth as often as I would like, unfortunately.' Relena explained, with her most charming smile. 'I have my duties in Sanque, and also at the ESUN.'

'Quite. According to our research, the last time you left Earth was in Summer 200, for a brief visit to L1. Your highness has visited L4 precisely once in the past six years, and that was merely an overnight stop. Is that correct?'

'I - I would have to consult my schedule,' Relena sounded flustered for the first time. Universally adored on Earth, and deferred to at the ESUN Assembly, she was certainly not used to being interrogated like this.

'I assure you, it is quite correct,' the journalist murmured silkily. 'In those circumstances, your highness, it seems rather presumptuous of you to claim so much empathy and understanding between yourselves and the people of this, or any other, colony. Particularly in the light of your support for the recent ESUN bill to cut financial support to the Colonies next year.'

'Those grants were a short-term measure only, to help the colonies rebuild after the war,' Relena stated, back on firmer ground now. 'At the time, it was decided by a body of experts that a certain amount would be made available over a seven year period to each of the colonies, to be used to assist them in their efforts to build up their infrastructure and economy. Earth has no intention of cutting off financial aid where it is still needed, but ..'

'But that is precisely what is planned, is it not?' Relena looked shocked at the interruption. 'Anyone can see the figures, Princess. The Earth is planning to reduce our autonomy at the same time as it slashes much needed financial aid.'

'Only where it is no longer necessary. This colony for example is generating more…'

'I think you cannot presume to comment on this colony, Highness. Have you seen the slums in this very city, where thousands of people live without the most basic necessities of life? Where children are forced to forage like animals?'

'I may not have seen the poverty on this, the wealthiest of all the colonies,' Relena's chin jerked up, never a good sign.

'She's going to lose it in a moment,' Zechs whispered, and Wufei nodded. It was madness; whatever had possessed the girl to do this? This wasn't Earth, where her lightest pronouncement was met with awe and applause. Dear gods, it was madness. The only good thing was that she seemed to have observed basic safety precautions; Dorothy Catalonia stood to one side, along with a dozen other guards from Sanque.

'But I have seen the affluence on L4; I know it is the Colony with the richest natural resources In the space of one short helicopter ride yesterday, I saw only signs of wealth; skyscrapers, massive highways; huge construction projects. Even this clinic. If such wealth can co-exist with such poverty as you speak of, surely it is the responsibility of L4 to help these poor people by distributing the wealth more equitably, so all can share.'

'Good girl,' Zechs said softly.

'You know nothing of it!' The reporter snapped back, losing his detachment. 'You have just arrived here, and the reason you are here is not to encourage the search for Quatre Winner, or to help the people of L4, but because your degenerate brother is here, in this very clinic you disparage. Do you deny it?'

'Certainly not,' Relena shot back. 'Surely any sister would wish to comfort her brother at such a time. I had heard that the bonds of family are considered paramount on this colony; have I been misinformed?'

'Not quite. We do consider blood important; we also believe that if a person sullies his heritage, as your brother has done, that his family is justified, even expected, to disown him.'

'I have no intention of disowning my brother!'

'No? Tell me, Princess, is it true that he has become engaged to another man, or is that merely an example of the corrupt, sensationalist gutter press on Earth?'

'I am delighted to say it is true!' Relena's eyes flashed, and Wufei felt ridiculously touched. He had always known that she liked him, that she believed him to be good for her brother, but for her to say it to the whole universe was another matter. 'Chang Wufei is a wonderful man, and I am proud to welcome him to our family. I know they will be very happy together.'

'On this Colony, we believe such relationships to be an abomination,' her interrogator spat. 'These men should never have been allowed to land on our colony, exposing their filthy perversions to our vulnerable children. Do you deny the ex-terrorist Chang and your brother smuggled weapons into this colony, and are responsible for the deaths of four innocent citizens?'

'I certainly do deny it!' Relena snapped. Her next words were drowned out by the reporter's stream of abuse, accusing her of being an ESUN puppet and stating that L4 was no longer prepared to tolerate such behaviour from Earth.

The camera pulled back to reveal Dorothy stepping forward, gun drawn, as the Sanque guards formed a protective circle around the princess, then to a large screen in the city centre, where crowds of people were watching the proceedings.

'Hell,' Zechs muttered. ''Fei, can you bring her up here, please, before she gets herself into even more trouble? She'll be forgetting her principles and bashing that blasted reporter with her handbag in a minute.'

'I'm going.' Wufei was already off the bed, and heading for the door. She had undoubtedly meant well, but that wasn't the point. Idiotic woman! Well, Zechs would flay her alive, and that might teach her a little bit of sense.

The ground floor of the hospital was in chaos. The media crew was being escorted out - protesting loudly - by a squad of Preventers, while a company of Sanque guards clotted around Relena. She seemed to be resisting their efforts to urge her back inside the hospital, demanding to be allowed to finish her interview.

Grumbling under his breath about stupid women who couldn't keep their mouths closed - although maybe that was a Peacecraft family trait, come to think of it - Wufei scanned the surging mob for a clear path to the princess.

Most of the Sanque guards knew him from his visits to the palace and moved aside as he made his way to Relena's side. The girl was unlikely to listen to reason in this mood, so maybe he should just throw her over his shoulder and let Zechs deal with her? He was actually considering this rather appealing course of action when he spied Heero Yuy in the midst of the press shepherding Relena and Dorothy in his direction and issuing orders to the captain of the Royal Guard.

'Escort the ladies upstairs to Prince Miliardo's ward at once.'

'You can't tell me what to do! I'm not a Preventer any more,' Dorothy retorted, apparently forgetting Heero wasn't either. 'As Relena's Head of Security, I'm answerable only to her.'

'And you will be answerable to her brother and to the people of Sanque if she is harmed in any way, due to your failure to protect her adequately.'

'I'm doing that,' Dorothy snapped. 'I took every possible precaution.'

'Really? I gather the princess suggested the interview less than an hour ago? In such a short time, you managed to run background checks on everyone who would be present, every item of camera equipment was thoroughly checked, and this whole area was searched. I congratulate your efficiency, Miss Catalonia.'

'It wasn't her fault, Heero,' Relena cut in. 'I insisted on doing the interview. I wanted to do something and I thought I would help.'

'Really?' Heero's tone was very dry. 'Captain Janson?' He gestured to the captain of the Sanque guards. 'You will escort her royal highness and Miss Catalonia upstairs immediately. If they refuse to go, you have my permission to drag them by the hair. If Princess Relena issues any orders to the contrary, I expect you to disregard them. I assure you that her brother will support me on this. Now go. I am holding you personally responsible for the ladies' safety.'

Both young women looked as if they dearly longed to refuse. Relena glared at Heero and Dorothy's fingers settled on the handle of her gun, and Janson looked torn about who to obey. This was ridiculous.

'Do as he says, 'Lena,' Wufei cut in suddenly. 'Your brother wants you upstairs, now. Captain, I have orders from Prince Milliardo that the princess is to be brought to him.'

'Thank you,' Heero nodded. He didn't look particularly surprised to see Wufei, but then he'd always been hard to read. 'I thought I was going to have to pick her up and carry her myself.'

'I'd been considering that option,' Wufei spoke without thinking, but there had been a fraction on a second back there, when their eyes had met over and the two of them had been on the same side.

'Idiotic woman.' Heero muttered, running his fingers through his hair. 'What in hell was she trying to accomplish?'

'I imagine she had some misguided notion that she was trying to help.' Wufei offered, clearing his throat.

'You think so? It failed rather spectacularly, didn't it? Excuse me,' He flipped open his cell phone. 'Lucrezia? No, she's safe. We're going to need more agents at the hospital, ASAP and I want 'Lena and Milliardo out of here before someone forgets this is a pacifist colony. You'll need to send a chopper. Oh, did she? What, she went ahead after you'd advised against it? Don't worry; I've sent her up to her brother and I imagine he'll give her an earful.'

He nodded, and hung up, glancing towards one of the security monitors, which showed an angry crowd outside the hospital gates.

'I thought L4 was a meant to be pacifist colony. Damn! This is all we needed. One of the Sanque guards called Noin thirty minutes ago, to tell her what Relena was planning; she contacted 'Lena and told her not to go ahead, but it obviously didn't make any difference.'

Wufei nodded, digesting this piece of information. Thirty minutes ago. There was no way Yuy could have driven from Preventers HQ in such a short time; he had to have been on his way already.

'Have you come to arrest me?'

He'd been expecting it ever since he'd seen the first news report, of what he'd supposedly done. Had been expecting the Preventers to appear at any minute. That it was Heero merely made it more of a nightmare. Would he even be allowed to say goodbye to Zechs?

'Of course not,' Yuy actually looked surprised. 'From what I've heard, you saved Milliardo's life out there. I would have done exactly the same, if Duo had been in danger.'

He supposed that could be considered a compliment. 'You would have massacred innocent people?'

The other man shrugged 'That hasn't been proven yet, so far as I know I've read your report of what happened, and seen the initial findings of the Preventers Investigative team. They seem to bear out your version.' His gaze swept around the courtyard, then back to Wufei. 'I think we should talk,' he said abruptly.

'I doubt we have anything to say to each other,' Wufei replied stiffly, turning on his heel. He had taken two steps before Heero spoke again.

'I haven't told him. I have no intention of doing so.'

Wufei stared at him. 'And what do you want in return?'

'I want him to be happy. He …. values you greatly and I have no wish to take away his closest friend. That's all.'

'You want him to be happy? Why do I have no particular confidence in your ability to achieve that? You failed miserably the last time, from what I remember. I was there with him, Yuy, after you'd walked out on him. I saw what he went through.'

'I know,' Yuy said quietly. 'I was an idiot. Duo is prepared to give me a second chance, Wufei. For his sake, can't you at least give me the benefit of the doubt? Or are you going to force him to choose between us? I know he values your friendship more than anything; it's going to hurt him if we can't at least be civil to one another.'

'I'm sure he'll manage to cope,' Wufei snapped. 'Don't delude yourself, Yuy. Just because he let you screw him last night doesn't mean you're a couple now. It wouldn't be the first time he's had a one night stand that he regretted the next morning.'

'He isn't regretting it! I called him earlier and the only thing that was worrying him was how you were reacting to us getting back together. He was right, wasn't he? You're so obsessed with what happened between us six years ago that you can't even admit that maybe I've changed, that maybe we can make it work this time.'

'Duo's incredibly vulnerable right now, what with everything that's going on, and from I can see, you are taking advantage of that. It's not going to work, do you hear me? He may be under a great deal of strain right now, but he'll come to his senses eventually, and realise he's making a mistake. The last thing he needs is to have you in his life.'

'From what I can see, you're the one who doesn't want me back in your nice cosy little life,' Heero snapped, and then took a deep breath, visibly trying to control his temper. 'Wufei, please. Anything that happened between us was years ago. I am truly sorry that I hurt you and…'

'Hurt me?' Wufei glared at the other man. 'Don't flatter yourself, Heero. You never had the power to hurt me.'

It was true; hurt was by far too mild a term for what he had felt back then. Chang Wufei had never felt those sort of emotions for anyone in his life, and when had tried, clumsily, haltingly to express them, Heero had been furious. And rightly so, of course. Over six years later, he could still feel the scalding shame at his dishonourable conduct.

He had made a fulsome apology, but Heero had rebuffed all his attempts to make amends, to try to stay in contact. They had, inevitably, met over the past six years, and had assiduously ignored one another's existence until that night in India, when Yuy had taken Duo away.

Oh, Gods, if Duo ever found out any of this….

'You can't forgive me, because that would mean having to forgive yourself, wouldn't it?' Yuy said slowly. 'Having to face up to the fact that you weren't perfect any more than I was. Gods, Wufei, we were kids. I behaved appallingly and I can only ask you to forgive me.'

'I - I said things back then, that I should not have,' Wufei faltered. Ridiculously, every word of that conversation was still branded on his consciousness. He had been on the verge of blurting out just how much he cared…

'It wasn't all your fault,' Heero told him bluntly. 'I loved Duo. But there were times when I wondered if we were all wrong for each other. I tried so hard to help him, and I just seemed to make things worse.' He looked down at the floor, one hand brushing that messy lock of hair back from his forehead. 'Neither of us had a clue what we were doing,' he admitted. 'Duo had so many plans for us, after the war, about travelling and buying a house and living normal lives, and they terrified me. I had no idea how to live any sort of normal life that didn't involve killing people; I didn't know if I could live like that.'

'We all had those problems, Heero. Didn't you know that?'

Heero shook his head. 'You didn't seem to. You joined Preventers because you truly believed in their aims, and you wanted to help. You just seemed to have it all worked out; you had a career you loved, and a proper home. I used to love visiting your apartment, you know.' He gave Wufei a bittersweet little smile. 'It was so…peaceful. Like a little refuge away from the world.'

'Because I was trying to hide away from it,' Wufei told him harshly. 'I had my job and my books and I tried to convince myself I didn't need anything else. And I was desperately lonely, Heero. Quatre and Duo - and Sally - were always trying to convince me to meet up and socialise, and the idea petrified me; that they might get close enough to see how messed up I really was. It was…easier to push them away.'

'We're too alike, that's the trouble,' Heero stated. 'It was so much easier to bury myself in work, and pretend that everything else would somehow sort itself out. I wasn't there for Duo when he needed me, and when I was, we fought most of the time.'

'He is….not always the easiest person to live with,' Wufei offered tentatively. 'It took me months before I even started to figure him out. Most of the time, now, I listen to the things he doesn't say.' He grinned 'It would be so much easier if he weren't obsessed with never lying. He ties himself up in knots trying to get around it; I don't know if he even understands what he's saying some of the time.'

The Japanese man nodded. 'I know. It's a stupid thing to say, but it was all so much easier during the war. I suppose we were honest with each other all the time, because we never knew if we'd see each other again; we had to make the most of whatever time we had together. Afterwards, it was.. Different.'

'I don't know if you ever realised just how much I valued your friendship,' Wufei said, abruptly. 'I had problems, just like the rest of us, but I thought if I pretended otherwise, no one else would notice. I pushed the others away, but gods, Heero, I admired you so much; it killed me to say how unhappy you were. I - I convinced myself how much better we would be together.'

'At least you were honest about what you wanted from me.'

'I …was such a fool. I knew how much you loved him, but I let myself think that maybe I had a chance. Heero, I am so sorry. I probably broke the two of you up.'

'Absolutely not. Wufei, that wasn't your fault. It was mine. Whatever you did, you are in no way responsible for something that I did.'

'After Duo's accident, I used to dream sometimes, that you'd come to me again,' Wufei faltered. 'And then you were with Relena. That was…the hardest thing of all, you know. At some level, I did accept that you and Duo were right together, even if I wouldn't admit it, but when you went of with her, it was like you'd just been playing with us both, before you got the person you really wanted.'

'It was never like that. Never. What happened with Relena was the biggest mistake of my life. I was just trying to comfort her that night, and she….anyway, you know what happened after that. I tried for months to contact Duo, to explain, and he made it very clear that he didn't want anything to do with me. In the end, I thought maybe was better off without me, with somebody else.'

'Duo said you thought we were together.'

'I did, yes.' Heero's stare was very direct. 'It would have been a suitable irony, wouldn't it? For the two of you to end up as a couple. It seemed a fitting punishment, you know. That I couldn't have either of you.'

'Oh!' Wufei gasped.

Heero nodded. 'It probably doesn't mean anything, now, but if there had been anyone else, it would have been you.' He tossed his head, sweeping his hair back in that old, familiar gesture. 'Some things aren't meant. And I see you've found your own future.' He gestured to the elegant jade band on the other man's hand.

'It's far too precious for me, really.' Wufei regarded the ring; he was going to have to make an effort to stop twisting it on his finger. 'But Zechs chose it and he wants me to wear it.'

'It suits you. Of course, a royal prince would have excellent taste.'

Wufei smiled at the implied compliment. 'He said the same thing to me, actually, when I told him about you?'

'You told him about us?'

'Of course,' Wufei replied loftily. 'We have a totally honest relationship. He knows I had feelings for you, once; I think he was relieved to hear it was you, actually. He knew there had been someone and he thought it had been Treize.'

'And?' Heero quirked one eyebrow at him.

'Of course not! He was our enemy, albeit an honourable one. Although he did possess a certain…. magnetism.'

'Didn't he just?' Heero's grin broadened.

'Duo's probably going to collapse from shock when he sees us talking to each other,' Wufei commented.

Heero grinned. 'Well, it's probably good that he's in a hospital then. I'm sure the nurses here will be able to revive him.'

Wufei threw him an odd look. 'What do you mean? He's already left to go to the Preventers. He said you were arranging a driver to bring him.'

'I did,' Heero looked puzzled. 'But the driver - Agent Walsh - called me about forty minutes ago to say he'd had a message from Duo that he'd changed his mind, and wanted to stay here for another hour or so. That's why I came over; I assumed he wanted to spend more time with Milliardo, and I thought I could drive him over when he was ready.'

'Oh,' Wufei frowned. 'I didn't actually see him leave, so maybe he is still here. He said he wanted to have a word with Trowa before he left, so possibly he got delayed with something.'

'I'll try calling him,' Heero took out his cell-phone and then hesitated. 'I'm not sure…what you said, a minute ago, maybe it's true. Maybe I have been … taking advantage of him last night. Maybe he is regretting it.' The 'phone beeped as he slid it back into his pocket and they both jumped. Heero glanced down at the dial. 'Just a miscall.'

Wufei shook his head emphatically. 'No. I saw him this morning, remember? He looked ….happy, not like he was regretting anything. I think that I may have upset him, earlier.' He swallowed. 'We…mean a great deal to each other, he and I.'

'I know. Truly, Wufei. I don't mean to come between you. Not ever. We both want his happiness, don't we?'

'You're right.' Wufei took a deep breath. 'I told you how much I valued your friendship, and I meant it. Perhaps we can find that again?'

'I would like that.' Heero held out his hand; and Wufei offered his own.

'Do I need to call extra security to stop you two killing each other?' A voice asked beside them; Trowa's green eyes were very wide as he regarded the two men.

'There you are,' Heero ignored the comment. 'We're wondering where Duo is. Wufei thought he might be with you?'

'Me? No.' Trowa glanced at his watch, surprised. 'He went to Preventers HQ, didn't he? I saw him being collected at ten, by a guy in Preventers uniform.'

Yuy blanched a matching grey-crème skin colour; it probably matched his own; Wufei thought as they traded stricken expressions back and forth, ricocheting off the other's face before landing on Trowa. Suddenly, it no longer mattered who counted the most in Duo's life. What was important was finding him, and ensuring that he was safe.