Disclaimer: I do not own GW – seriously? I mean if I owned it, it would have been WAY different (obviously) and well – I'd be richer. :D

Thanks to my reviewers, especially priscel (thanks for the pillow) and inuyashalover45. You make me happy!

Chapter 15

Duo looked down the street. He thought he saw a familiar figure walking around a corner. A sudden need to reach this beloved person gripped him and propelled him forward, sending him running toward the figure. A fear that if he didn't catch him now, he would disappear forever shook him. Fighting the panic, Duo continued to run, but he didn't seem to be making any progress.

Danger. Duo knew that whatever was happening, if he didn't reach him, didn't reach Heero in time he would be gone forever. Duo sped up, hearing nothing, only knowing that if he didn't hurry. . .

A shot. It broke the silence that Duo hadn't realized reigned. Suddenly Duo was there, around the corner. And he saw him, lying on the ground, his blood rushing out from many wounds. His face was frightened. Duo knelt by Heero, his hands desperately trying to stop the flow of blood, but he was unsuccessful. No matter what he tried, it kept coming. Heero's face turned white as Duo gave up and began to hold him, a stark contrast to the blood covering his hands.

"No, Heero!" Duo cried. Heero looked up and saw Duo jerk upright, his face panicked and then quickly disintegrating to nothing but pure sorrow as he began to weep in his hospital bed. Alarmed, Heero moved to his side as he began to rock back and forth.

"Shh," Heero comforted, wrapping his arms around Duo, "I'm here, you're okay." It took a moment, but Duo began to calm, seeming to realize that everything was alright. Heero wondered what had upset Duo this much, he had never seen Duo so upset before in his life. The doctor said he hadn't had any head trauma, hopefully that was true.

Taking in deep breaths, Duo looked up at Heero, his face red and blotchy. After seeing Heero's face he turned his head into his neck and breathed deeply. Heero kept his arms around him until he was ready. After a few minutes, he pulled back.

"Why do I feel like I've been hit by a truck?" Heero smiled. That sounded more like Duo.

"I found you in a ditch. It looks like you fell off your bike." Heero tried not to think of what could have happened, if he'd hit only pavement, instead of mud and grass. If he'd fallen face first in the mud instead of on his back. Heero sent a prayer up to Duo's God. It seemed miraculous that he had come away so uninjured.

"Yeah, I. . ." He thought, "I tried to pull over. . ." He groaned and leaned back. "Why would you take me to the hospital?"

"Because I know how much you like them."

"Ha ha," He said dryly, observing that it was a sterile, white walled room. There were vaguely ominous machines beeping around him. Everything he disliked about hospitals wrapped up in a neat little package. There was even a mysterious tray of instruments to top it off. "So when can we go?"

Heero laughed, "You've been unconscious for at least 4 hours, Duo. We are going to stick around for a little while."

Though the news didn't make him happy, he seemed to be expecting it. His eyes snapped open, "Oh no. . ." Heero tensed, hoping that it wasn't another episode. "My bike! All our account work? Heero did you get it all?"

Trying not to grin, Heero nodded, "Trowa sent someone out to retrieve all your stuff about an hour ago. Don't worry."

Heero watched him settle down again, relieved. Dr. Croats had said all seemed well, he had a sprained wrist and a lot bruises and cuts, but no serious injuries. The doctor was going to come by to do another test on the baby soon though. He seemed worried. Heero didn't know if it was because of the accident or something else. Dr. Croats had been a little tense the whole time.

Reassuring Duo he would be right back, Heero opened the door at the same time as the doctor hurried in. Nimbly moving aside so neither of them were knocked back, Heero gently shut the door, following behind the doctor who was looking at something.

"I'm going to run another test, the ultrasound we did two weeks ago seemed normal, but Duo is larger than I would expect. After the accident today, I don't think it is remiss to do another one, however, if he wakes up soon, I'd rather do it in my office, with my nurses." Duo had closed his eyes and Heero was certain that Duo was pretending to be asleep. The doctor set his papers down and paused. "Why have all his monitoring devices been removed?"

"Duo," Heero said warningly.

"I didn't take them off on purpose," He protested. "They came off when I woke up." Finally opening his eyes, he gave a small smile to the doctor. His chin was swollen on the left side, with a bandage covering his scratches.

"No matter, you are awake now." Dr. Croats pulled up a stool. "Tell me, how do you feel?"

Duo gave it due consideration, "I feel like I fell off a speeding motorcycle."

Smiling wanly, the doctor continued, "Any aches or pains that seem abnormal? Something we might have missed during our exam?" Duo held up his wrist, but let him know that was his only problem.

"I would prefer to let you stay here and rest, but I really would like to get you checked out at my office."

Duo looked over at a clock, "Doc, it is seven p.m. Don't tell me your nurses are still there."

"Duo, my nurses are paid very well to be on call. If I need them there, they will be."

Duo groaned, "Can I go home when they are done?"

The doctor smiled, "Only if you promise to let Heero drive you."

Quatre and Trowa were very surprised to see Heero help Duo through the door that evening. Heero gave them a look that clearly indicated that he would answer all their questions later and he escorted Duo to see Camille who had been upset about her missing parents and once she was resting, helped him to their room. Duo took it graciously, complaining only a few times that he was not an invalid, thank you very much.

Knowing he couldn't get out of work tomorrow to coddle Duo, Heero decided to mention something that had been weighing heavily on his mind, "I don't think you should drive anymore Duo." It would be a blow, Duo reveled in the feel of a vehicle accelerating beneath his feet. "We can arrange for you to be driven wherever you want."

"Heero," Duo was using his reasonable voice. That seemed worse than anger or whining. "I know that what happened today was upsetting, and you're right, I probably shouldn't drive for a few days, but there is no reason to inconvenience someone else just to drive me around." He smiled, "I would be cranky all the time anyway." The smug expression on his face indicated that he thought he had won the argument.

Heero took a deep breath, trying to imagine how he would feel if he was Duo. Very calmly, he took Duo's hands in his and looked intently into the braided man's eyes. "You can't drive anymore, because I can not ever experience the fear I felt today when I saw your bike off the road –" He stopped himself. "Duo, I can't keep doing this."

Duo looked at him questioningly, "Can't keep doing what?"

"I think my heart has stopped beating out of fear for you more times these past weeks than can really be healthy. And I'm thrilled that you are having my child, but the doctor is so worried about it, and you really haven't been well. It makes me wonder. . ."

Duo cringed, he knew it was true, "I'm sorry Heero." Duo was sure he would be alright, he always was, but he knew that Heero couldn't share that same blind faith.

"Don't apologize," Heero looked away, "It's just that I need to know that you, at least, are safe."

"Me at least?" Duo asked, raising an eyebrow somewhat bemused. When Heero looked ready to withdraw Duo pushed, "Talk to me Heero – you can't keep it all to yourself."

Heero sat silently, Duo thought that he had said all he would said when he continued. "I spend all day trying to keep Relena safe, than at night I devote time to keep. . ." He shook his head.

Shifting painfully, Duo put an arm around Heero, "I know you can't tell me, but why do you have to end the fighting? Shouldn't you give your attention to keeping Relena safe and allow her to work towards peace rather than whatever it is you do." Heero didn't respond, "You've already fought for peace, you won, maybe now people need to see that peace can be achieved through means other than fighting. If no one ever tries to work things out differently, there will always be war."

Heero furrowed his eyebrows, "Maybe you are right."

"Of course I am," Duo yawned.

"And now you need to go to bed, and to promise me you won't drive."

Duo's eyes narrowed, "I'll promise one month – no more than that though. You can bring it up with me again then." With that, Duo fell asleep, feeling very generous indeed.

Heero suppressed a yawn as he leaned over some reports with the Vice Foreign Minister, Duo had not been sleeping well since his accident a month ago, he frequently had nightmares, and if he wasn't in a cold sweat from a dream then he was using the bathroom every few hours. Heero didn't mind, but he was very aware of Duo at all times, so he woke up as well and made sure everything was all right with Duo before he would go back to sleep.

At least most of Duo's sickness was gone. He was eating more now and gaining weight quickly, much to Duo's chagrin. He was always hungry though and since Quatre's kitchen was well staffed, Duo could get delicious, nutritious food any time of the day.

Next week was the week Duo would try to convince Heero to let him drive again, but Duo was still dizzy sometimes, and Heero didn't think it was a good idea. Besides, having someone drive Duo places ensured he would make it to his doctor appointments. Trowa was taking him today. It was a relief for Heero not to have to worry about that. It wasn't that Duo didn't want what was best for the baby, he just didn't think he needed to go to the doctor, he said he was as healthy as a horse. Whatever that meant.

"Heero?" Relena's brought his thoughts back to the present.

"Sorry, just thinking about something." Heero looked back at the reports. They were trying to get together a diplomatic conference to discuss a cessation of the fighting. They were hesitant to call it a war. Many countries were still recovering from the last war and would be willing to sign a peace treaty, but it was becoming obvious that someone was at work to prevent this from happening. Strange reports of incidents occurring whenever a diplomat or politician attempted to reach neutral ground to discuss peace. That's why the conference would be a good idea, if someone was intentionally trying to prevent people from reaching it, they would have a hard time if everyone was moving at the same time.

Right now, Heero and Relena were discussing the possibility of providing transportation for everyone. Relena wanted to, as a show of their effort and goodwill; Heero felt that if something went wrong, they would be held responsible and possibly it would be seen as an act of war. They were currently at a standstill, but Wufei was on Heero's side, so he was confident he would win.

Heero was startled out of his reverie by a small vibration. He pulled out his phone. It was Duo. Excusing himself, Heero went into a corner. Duo should be at his doctor's appointment, he hoped nothing was wrong. Making sure no one was listening, he answered.

"Is something wrong Duo?"

"Uh, yeah I would say something is wrong." Duo didn't sound panicked, that was good.

"What's the matter?"

"The baby." Despite Duo's exasperated tone, Heero felt his stomach drop

"What's wrong with the baby?" He almost whispered

"It's twins!" Duo's voice did not hold the rejoicing tones one would expect someone's to when they find out they are having twins.

"W-what?" Heero asked, his fear completely disappearing, filled with awe. "How could this be?"

"You really need me to take you through the process?" Duo wailed, "I'm already so fat! I'm gonna get huge!" Heero was glad Duo couldn't see the ridiculous grin he was wearing, he would definitely be in trouble if he could.

"Duo, you aren't fat – you're pregnant there is a big difference." Heero had wondered at how large Duo had looked, but it was not a question he was going to bring up with his husband. "How did you find out?"

Sighing, Duo explained that the doctor had done an ultrasound and it had shown two figures. When Heero asked how he missed it before, Duo said one of the babies was hiding behind the other. Now that they were bigger – it was harder for them to do that. Finally giving in to Heero's lightly veiled enthusiasm, Duo promised to bring a picture home.

When Heero hung up the phone, he quietly shared the news with Relena who called for a small celebratory meal to be brought in while they worked. There was so much left over, Relena had it expertly wrapped up and placed in a basket for Heero to take to Duo that night.

That evening. Heero decided he could head straight home. With the basket secured in the backseat of his car, he pulled up to the Winner mansion. He procured some blankets, his daughter and then went in search of Duo.

Duo was sitting at his desk, looking vexed and going over what appeared to be his shop's accounts. Heero greeted him silently with a kiss. Duo smiled at him, "You're home early."

"Yes, I've come to celebrate with you."

Duo rubbed his stomach and grimaced, "Please tell me it involves food."

"Please, who do you think I am?" Heero helped Duo stand, "In all the time we've been together, when have I ever not fed you?"

Duo considered, and not being able to think of more than one occasion, responded, "Fair enough. Where are we going?"

Heero led him out the door, he picked up Camille in her carrier and they loaded into the car. The whole way there Duo pestered Heero as to their destination. He tried guessing but Heero replied with 'hn' to all of his guesses.

As they neared, Duo realized that they were headed toward the city park. "Are we going to the park where we first met?" Though Heero replied as noncommittally as before, he pulled into the parking lot. Duo assumed they weren't there to go running.

In a strangely delicate gesture, Heero laid out a blanket, took Camille from her seat and displayed the basket stuffed with food.

Duo's eyes brightened as he unloaded the basket. Camille tried touching everything, screaming 'da da' in excitement the whole time. Duo was convinced that she meant him when she said 'dada' when he picked her up, but it was the only syllable she had mastered.

After eating, Duo pulled out a folded up picture from his pocket. Heero looked at it and saw two tiny figures, side by side.

"They look so big." Heero observed as he studied the image.

Duo shrugged as he guzzled some water, "I didn't know if you wanted to know if they were boys or girls, so I had the doctor zoom in. Don't want anything to give it away."

"Maybe it will be a boy and a girl?" Heero suggested, chuckling, strangely excited by the idea of twins.

Duo shook his head, "Nope, the doc says they are identical twins. So this will tip the balance, either our family will have a lot of boys or a lot of girls." Rubbing his stomach, "Do you want to know?"

"I like the idea of a surprise." Heero said and Duo agreed. Camille, tired of all the talking, let out a shriek and took off running across the park.

"She's gonna be loud." Heero said dryly.

"Are you saying that is bad?" Laughing, Duo sent Heero after her, being too unwieldy to chase cross country.

That night as the two men fell asleep, they both considered themselves the luckiest in the world.

Tsutsuku

Well, again, took longer to get out than I hoped – or rather, it was done but just kept falling asleep before it got posted... than I forget and then some dear sweet person reviews and my life is made immensely better and I am reminded that I have some people somewhere who want me to update! For this... I don't do my homework. :)

Better all appreciate it! ^^*

Have a great week

Annie