A/N: Hey everyone! I do not own any of the g-boys but I do have a few OC outside of them that were of my creation. Here's another idea that I came up with recently that I thought would be somewhat of a challenge to write. I am still pretty iffy on this one, so let me know what you think.

Summary: After Project Meteor, the G-boys went their separate ways. 7 years later, a new race has made an appearance. The movement is called the "Genesis" movement. The G-boys come together to help Preventers bring a halt to the illegal experiments that have been taking place. Eventual Duo/Heero get together fic. The story centralizes around the "Genesis" movement and the trials and tribulations the G-boys face in the process.

Sake: I'm alive! Sorry for the long stint without posting, thank you for your concern. I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far, hopefully, I do well enough to keep you interested, I try but I'm still kinda still rusty :)

The Space Between Us

Chapter 6

Heero's POV

Opening my eyes, I looked at the clock on my bedside table, it's blue lights flashed 9:30, which was late for me. I threw my arm over my eyes and let out a sigh, my leg was still slightly aching and my back twinged as I bent my left leg, making a tent in the sheet that covered me. Duo's soft mumbling voice filtered down the hall from the kitchen. From the sounds of the conversation, he didn't seem amused but was trying to keep his voice down. I smiled at the amusing thought that he even knew what morning looked like, he was never known to be an early riser.

After running into him last night I felt emotionally and physically drained. It had been two years since the last time I spoke with him, even longer since the last time we spoke face-to-face. When I first saw him near the port I thought I was seeing things. Any time I tried to contact him he always seemed out on a job. On the rare occasion we did catch up the conversation was always short and curt, as if he was bothered by it.

Despite the radio silence and the short conversations, being space-side seemed to have done some good for him. He has calmed down some from his usual obnoxious self and has turned into a decent young man. From what I could tell time has been good to him, he looked good if not a little skinny. What surprised me the most was the length of his hair. His braid was gone...he was always adamant about keeping that damn thing and swore he would never cut it. I feel bad for not asking more about him, but after the emotional onslaught after seeing him again, my brain short-circuited and defaulted back to my old habits.

Sitting up in the bed slowly, I rested my elbows on my legs and ran my hand down my face. /Should probably get up.../

I shifted myself over to the wheelchair, slipped on some sweat pants, pinned up the right leg, and made my way into the kitchen.

"Damn-it Gerald, do I have to hold you guy's hands! You got the list of supplies we need, go get it and load it up!" Duo's voice yelled as the kitchen came into my view.

He looked beyond frustrated, his hair was down and he was wearing a pair of blue sweats with what I assumed to be the abbreviation of his college down the right leg. He ran his fingers through his hair in irritation as he looked at his tablet. He hadn't seemed to notice me yet.

"No...Fuck seriously? Jezus..." Duo sighed and rested his elbows on the countertop, his tablet between his bent elbows. His brown hair fell forward around the fingers in his hair.

"I don't care how fucked up you got last night! Get the food supplies on the list and get your asses back to port and ready to go by this afternoon...NO..." he took a deep breath, stood up, and walked around the island to grab a power drink from the fridge. He roughly opened the door, pulled out the drink, and slammed the fridge door shut making it rattle from the force.

"I'm done discussing this with you. Get your shit together and get the damn supplies, Howard is expecting you two back this evening."He put his finger up to his ear and turned off his phone and snapped around. His violet eyes finally made contact with mine and he jumped.

"Fuck 'Ro...didn't hear you.." He ran his hand over his face and took a large swig from his drink. "Sorry if I woke ya...the dumb asses can't do anything on their own..."

I held my hand up and shook my head, "No apology needed, I was already up." I Wheeled over to the fridge and grabbed a drink out myself. I watched as he seemed to calm down and then he leaned against the island counter. We stared at each other for a few minutes, neither of us knowing what to say.

After a minute of awkwardness, I cleared my throat and wheeled myself into the living room. He followed me and sat down on the couch, "So..."

I decided to spare him, "So, you will be going to the license place today?"

He sat up and nodded, "Yeah, something about needing a transfer license for some parts we need for a tow ship." He looked down at his watch and started, "SHIT! Do ya mind if I catch a quick shower? I'm runnin' late as is thanks to those worthless idiots, couldn't find themselves out of a paper bag by themselves I tell ya..."

I chuckled softly and gave him a nod, "That's fine," He playfully winked at me before taking off down the hallway.

I made my way into the kitchen and started to heat water when I heard the door shut and the shower start. Seems like his habit of not being on time still hasn't changed. As my water heated I went into my room to get ready for the day.

/I should probably do some laundry today.../ I thought to myself as I rummaged through my drawers.

I managed to find a blue v-neck fitted t-shirt and only had one pair of faded, designer jeans. With a sigh I slipped the clothes on and grabbed a button-up white shirt as well, making myself somewhat presentable. I usually wouldn't even bother on the weekends but seeing that I will have to get some groceries and do laundry later, I couldn't go around town only in sweats, much to my dismay. Grabbing a pair of socks I slipped them on, grabbed my prosthetic and contact jell, and made my way back into the living room.

Duo came out of the bathroom as I made my way down the hall. He was wearing a pair of low hip-hugging jeans and a black, fitted sleeveless turtle neck that looked to be corded and complimented him in all the right places.

He rubbed a towel through his hair before he saw me and gave me a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, "Hey...I don't think I had a chance to say it last night but thanks for letting me stay for a bit. You saved me having to bug Howie for an advancement on my paycheck."

I just shook my head and made a dismissive motion with my hand, "It's no problem, Were you hungry? I could whip up something fast before you head out to the licensing place. You probably won't get out of there until well afternoon."

He draped the towel around his shoulders and snorted, "Don't I know it...I would have been there right as they opened if those idiots hadn't called." He rested his hands in his back pocket and shifted to lean against the wall with his shoulder.

"I'll start on it as soon as I put my prosthetic on, how does an omelet sound?"

He smiled a little brighter at the mention of food and nodded, "That sounds great! Got any mushrooms by chance?"

I nodded and started to wheel toward the couch. He followed me and plopped down on the couch to finish drying his hair. I took up the other end of the couch and rolled up my jeans. "So, is that the one you normally wear?" He asked.

"Yeah, this is the one with the bionics...In all honesty, I usually don't wear it on the weekends but I have to make some runs while your gone and this one is easier to move around with..." I answered while gently applying the contact jell to the plate on my leg. I winced slightly at the tenderness and noticed my leg looked a bit swollen, probably from overuse.

"Can I see the prosthetic?" He asked softly as he dropped the towel back around his shoulders. I nodded slightly before passing him the prosthetic and went back to applying the jell.

He stared at it intently and tested the weight in his hand as if fascinated by how light it was. Fake skin covered the bionics, nobody would be able to tell that it wasn't his real leg except for the toes pointed like a doll's.

He had a look of concentration on his face as he touched the contact plate, "When was the last time this was looked at? It looks like the plate in the thing is starting to wear. That could be causing your binding as well since the plate isn't smooth."

I shrugged at his inquiry, "The binding didn't seem to be that big of a deal and I didn't warrant it bad enough to have the plate replaced. With how often I am on it I should probably have it looked at more often but I didn't see the need. I'm still able to work with it, even with the occasional binding. I've gotten used to them. I only seem to notice it when it becomes moderately painful or severe."

I reached out and took the prosthetic from him and lined it up with my leg. With a small intake of breath, I connected it to my leg and let out a shaky breath. My leg cramped up for a minute as the connection was made and then relaxed, leaving a dull ache behind.

Duo stared at me during the whole process with a disconcerting look on his face, "Does it hurt like that every time you connect it? I'm sure that's not normal 'Ro, you should get the plate checked out."

I let out a frustrated sigh and looked up at him, "It's none of your concern. I've been handling this by myself from the beginning, I don't need someone to help me now."

He had a look of disbelief on his face and I could swear I saw a little bit of hurt in those violet eyes. He looked down and started rubbing at his hair again with a sigh before getting up off the couch, "Whatever..."

He made his way back down the hall and shut his bedroom door. Who was he to worry now? I know it wasn't his fault that he wasn't around when it happened but I was upset with his lack of keeping up-to-date on things going on land-side. He couldn't just come back down here and act like no time had passed and like nothing had happened. He disappeared years ago without a call and left the rest of us to wonder what happened to him. It had been months before I was able to track him down and even then he seemed to want to be left alone. I sighed and rolled down my pant leg before standing with a wince.

/I need to take it easy today.../ I thought to myself as I slowly made my way into the kitchen to prepare our late breakfast.

I was just finishing up the second omelet when he came out with his hair dry and partially pulled back in a small top-knot. "That smells good 'Ro."

He sat down on at the island and I slid the mushroom omelet in front of him by his power drink. "I'm surprised you asked for mushrooms. You used to hate them."

With a shrug, he took a bite out of the omelet and closed his eyes in delight. He made a small 'mmm' noise as he continued to eat the rest in vigor. I smiled at his response and took a bite out of my omelet. We sat there in silence for a few minutes before I decided to break it.

I motioned at his hair with my fork, "So, what made you decide to cut your hair. I would have never thought you would have cut it off willingly."

He took a swig from his drink before answering, "It's stupid really...Leave it to me to get the damn thing stuck in an airlock. It got stuck between the doors and it almost ripped out of my scalp! I had no choice but to cut it or end up with a bald spot and a major concussion. I was able to retrieve it after the room was pressurized. I couldn't bring myself to get rid of the thing. It still feels odd now, it happened about three months ago on a job."

I nodded at his explanation, "Shame...As much as I hated the thing it suited you. Not saying your hair doesn't look good now but it's different." In all honesty, I was never bothered by his hair. It seemed to compliment him in a way. I enjoyed helping him with it on the rare occasion he needed help with it when he was injured.

He took another bite of food, "What about you? I never thought you would let that mop grow out." There was a small amusing smile on his face.

I ran my free hand through my bangs and looked up at it with a shrug, "I was looking for a change I guess. Relena always liked it short. After leaving her I guess I figured if I let it grow out that she would back off. She never seemed to be fond of long hair."

He chuckled softly, "I doubt there is anything you could do to chase her off 'Ro. She has always been infatuated with you. Still sorry to hear you guys didn't work out, I would have expected you guys to be married with kids by now." He shook his head and finished off his omelet.

"If she had it her way we would have been engaged the moment I entered her employ." I shook my head, "I couldn't bring myself to care for her in the way she wanted me to. She still has the thought in her head that I just need space and I'll come back eventually. To tell you the truth I was hoping that we could be friends. I will always be grateful for what she did for me and my job but she is making it almost impossible."

He stood up and set the empty plate in the sink, "That sucks 'Ro. I can't stand that banshee, then again we never seemed to get along. But I know she means a lot to you even if it's not in a romantic sense. I wish I could have that kind of relationship with Hilde but she pretty much shot that to shit. Sure, I helped her out once or twice but nothing will ever be the same." He threw his empty bottle away before turning to lean on the island next to me. "So, what are your plans today."

"I have some laundry that needs to be done and probably should do some groceries. Other than that I may go for a run later this afternoon or to the pool, it helps when my leg and back are inflamed." I responded.

"Mind if I join ya? Its been a while since I have gone on a run and ages since I was in a pool. Living in space kinda makes those kinds of luxuries impossible." He inquired.

I stood and winced slightly before placing my plate in the sink as well, "Sure, I wouldn't mind the company."

He rested his hand on my shoulder and sighed, "Look, I know you don't want me butting in but it's obvious that leg is botherin' ya. Do you have any pain meds?"

I sighed and shrugged his hand off my shoulder, "They are in the bathroom cabinet...I don't like taking them because they make me drowsy."

He stuck his hands in his back pockets with a sigh, "Maybe you should take some anyway. You're gonna be out and about today and honestly, I'd feel better if ya took some."

I sat down at the island and sipped at my tea with a defeated sigh, "Fine...I'll take half the dosage before I leave, now will you drop it? I don't need you mother henning me...Wufei is bad enough about it."

He chuckled softly and ruffled my hair, "He's your partner, wouldn't do him any good if ya collapsed during a job." I pushed his hand out of my hair with an annoyed look on my face.

"Well, I better get goin'." He pulled out his comm unit, "Oh, that reminds me, can I get your number. That way I can let you know when I'm on my way back."

I looked at him nonplussed, "You don't already have it?"

He shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck while holding out his comm unit to me, "Any time you guys called it was always on the satellite phone or to Howard's port." That was right, we never really did get his number after he changed it. I took his comm unit and pressed it to the back of mine, transferring my number to his contact list.

"Thanks, I'll text you later so that you have my number in your phone." he got a look of thought on his face before continuing, "Also...Could you hold off on telling the guys that I'm land-side? We didn't leave on the best...terms."

I looked at him slightly confused. The last that I knew he and the other's were on good terms, maybe it was only Wufei? He didn't seem to be upset with Duo when he mentioned him the other day. I nodded before placing the comm back in my pocket. "I don't plan to run into them but if they reach out I won't mention it."

He smiled before placing his comm back in his pocket as well, "Thanks," He walked over to put on his shoes and turned to face me one more time, "Look...I know we didn't leave on the best of terms either. I am sorry for just ghosting...I appreciate you being so hospitable even with the rift I made..." He turned and opened the door, "Guess what I'm tryin' to say is sorry, I wish I wouldn't have cut everyone off and caused all the misunderstandings I did, I just hope that I can repair the damage." With a sad smile to me, he stepped out the door and softly closed it behind him.

It was about 11:30 by the time I finished getting ready to go after Duo left. As promised, I took half of my pain meds and my leg had loosened up enough for me to manage. Before I left, I put my clothes in the wash and decided to go ahead and do his as well to save on money. After it was dried and put away I headed out to the grocery store to pick up some things. My watch beeped at me, breaking me from staring at all the different brands of coffee, wondering which one Duo preferred. I looked down at my watch and tapped on the message with a smirk.

Duo: Holy hell this line is ridiculous!

I smirked and typed out my response on the small screen, It's worse at the DMV.

Duo: There is no fucking way I am getting out of here for a couple of hours, I haven't even gotten the forms to fill out yet.

You: Patience is a virtue...

Duo: One that I lack!

I smirked again before turning back to the Coffee. Giving up on trying to figure it out on my own, I figured I would just ask.

You: I'm at the Grocery store. Was there any specific Coffee you wanted?

The screen was blank for a few minutes before it pinged with his response.

Duo: You're a life saver! Galactic: French Vanilla Bold.

I knew the brand, Trowa preferred the same brand except he liked the Mocha flavor.

You: Is there anything else that you want me to pick up?

Duo: You don't have to go through the trouble 'Ro. Coffee is plenty.

I grabbed the Coffee off the shelf and added it to my basket. I had a few vegetables and pork to make Shogayaki and some of the 'blue frost' power drinks he seemed to prefer. As I debated what else I would need my earpiece beeped, informing me of an incoming call.

I pushed the button to answer, "Yuy"

"Hey, Heero! How are you doing." It was Relena.

I internally sighed before answering, "Is there something I can do for you Miss Peacecraft?"

"What have I said about the formalities is Re-le-na. Would it kill you to say my name every once and a while?" She sounded perturbed.

I sighed, "I'm busy what is it that you need Relena..."

"Now was that so hard?" She huffed, "I was wondering what you were up to today. Isn't today your day off? I thought maybe we could meet up for lunch at that little cafe we used to go to. It's been so long since the last time we went out that wasn't business-related."

"Look Relena, I am busy and you know exactly the reason why we haven't done anything outside of work. If there is nothing else I would like to get back to what I was doing." I responded in an irritated tone.

"Oh come on Heero...I thought we were still friends. Friends hang out and do things, I miss the stuff we used to do." She wined over the phone.

"Relena...it's not a good idea."

"Please? I miss spending time with you Heero, what could it hurt."

I sighed and rubbed the bridge of my nose, "Fine, but this isn't anything but lunch Relena, don't read into it."

She giggled, "Oh I wouldn't DREAM of it Heero. Meet you there in...let's say an hour?"

"That's acceptable, I'll see you then." I disconnected the call and went up to the front to pay for the items before heading back out to the car.

I was able to get back to the apartment and put everything away with time to spare. Shutting the door and locking it, I decided just to walk to the Cafe. By the time I arrived, Relena was sitting at an outside table and waved me over.

"Heero! So nice to see you outside of that stuffy work uniform, you look good! Is that a new shirt?" She gave me a short hug and kissed my cheek.

I stiffened when she embraced me and gently pushed her back without reciprocating before taking the seat across from her. She stood there with a pout on her face for a minute before it was replaced with a smile and she sat back down in her seat.

"I'm so glad you agreed to come! It's such a beautiful day out, it would have been a shame to spend it inside. How has your day been?" she inquired.

I shrugged and picked up the menu. I had nothing to say to her and didn't really know what she expected to get out of this meeting. It used to be easy to speak with her but after we broke up it became difficult. I didn't know what I could say that she wouldn't read to far into or take the wrong way, so I opted to just let her talk.

"Oh don't be like that! Tell me about your day, has anything exciting happened?"

I sighed and set the menu down, "There isn't much to say, Miss Peacecraft, It's just the normal day of laundry and groceries, I don't always have something exciting going on, you know this." I hated how she tended to act like we didn't live together for three years. It's like she's completely forgotten how things were during the time we were together.

She sighed in annoyance and picked up her own menu. When the waitress came over, I ordered an Asian Chicken Salad with water and she ordered her usual Turkey BLT with iced tea. The waitress nodded and winked at me before walking away to put our order in.

She huffed and rested her elbow on the table, propping her head in her hand, "RE-LE-NA, its Relena not Miss Relena or Miss Peacecraft. Honestly Heero, after everything we've shared acting professionally isn't going to change what happened."

She continued, "Anyway, how are things? You rarely talk about your life outside of work anymore and I refuse to believe that you do nothing in your spare time."

I rubbed at my forehead to try and relieve the headache that was starting to form, "Honestly Relena, nothing has been going on that is worth mentioning."

"What about that man you were seeing, Mikhail was it? How are things going with him." Her face screwed up in distaste.

"I don't want to talk about it Relena, since when were you so interested to hear about him anyway," I said defensively.

Her eyes twinkled slightly in interest, "I've always been interested in your well-being and happiness Heero. Something happen between you two?"

The waitress chose that moment to come over with our drinks and inform us that our food would be ready shortly. I nodded to her politely in thanks and took a drink from my glass, "I already said I don't want to talk about it. It doesn't concern you anyway."

"Oh come on Heero, you used to be able to talk to me about anything. Despite how I feel about your...preferences," she responded in a displeasing tone.

I have had about enough of her attitude toward my preferences. She hasn't made it any secret what she thought on the matter. I pushed my chair back and threw my arms up in a rare show of frustration. "This isn't going to work Relena. If you refuse to get over your hang-ups on my life choices, there is no way we are going to find a middle ground. You can think what you will about my preferences but you don't have to blatantly show your disgust in it."

Relena hurried to reach out and grab my hands and rested them on the table, gently rubbing her thumbs over the backs of them, "I'm sorry Heero! I just can't believe you left me for the preference of men. Do you know how that makes me feel? People look at me differently now, like I was such a disappointment that you prefer men to me."

I sighed and pulled my hands back, running one through my hair that I had pulled back in a small half ponytail before going out. "It wasn't you okay...Don't let what others think bother you. It's that simple, why is it so hard for you to ignore. You have no problem ignoring the press, why not this?"

"Because I still care for you Heero. You're the one that called it off, and at the worse time, I might add. I was willing to be patient and help you transition into peacetime. Everything I did was for you..." she replied.

"No...everything you did was for your image. You didn't like the way I carried myself at diplomatic affairs, you tried to change my clothing and insisted that I kept my hair short and manageable. All for your image."

Hurt shown in her eyes as she sat back in her chair, crossing her legs at the knee, "I'm sorry you think that way but it couldn't be farther from the truth. I was trying to help you fit in, show you what was acceptable in public and how you should carry yourself. You were too stubborn to listen..."

Hearing the conversation the waitress cautiously approached the table with the food and left with a sympathetic look in my direction. I wasn't about to get back into this conversation with her and didn't warrant Relena with a response. I just shrugged and took a bite from my salad.

We sat in silence for a few minutes eating our food before she let out a sigh, "Look, I'm sorry okay? Is that what you want to hear? I won't try to change you, I realize that now. Hasn't this charade lasted long enough? Come back to me Heero, you would want for nothing and could work as my bodyguard again. I'm sure the pay is better than the preventers, why are you being so stubborn in this?"

I suddenly was no longer hungry and sat my fork down by my half-eaten salad, "It's not a charade Relena, it's been three years, how much longer are you going to wait for an outcome that doesn't exist?"

She sighed and took a drink from her tea, "I refuse to believe this is going to last. You'll eventually get bored with that lifestyle and want a family. This Mikhail can't give you children or a title like I can. Please just think about the possibilities..."

I have had enough. I threw money down on the table to pay for my meal and stood, "This meeting is over Relena. And for your information, Mikhail broke it off with me last night. The distance was something we both were having trouble with while he was in school, not that it is any of your business."

"Heero, sit back down, you're making a scene." She whispered as she looked around warily at the people that were sitting near us.

I shook my head in disbelief and pushed my chair in, "Until you get over your hang-ups I don't see us even being able to talk. I am sick of your demeaning attitude on the subject. For now on, if you need me contact Une." Her face was beat red with embarrassment. With one last glance, I walked away to head back to the apartment.

A/N: another chapter finished, yay! I want to apologize for the long wait, things have been crazy over here and I couldn't find the motivation to continue at the pace I was. I hope you enjoy the chapter and thanks again for all the wonderful reviews! :)

*Shogayaki- Classic Japanese Ginger Pork dish. It's made with tender sliced pork loins in sweet ginger sauce with a side of rice and veggies. A simple recipe done usually in 20 minutes.