Note: This was in the back of my mind while writing Uncle Duo, though I wasn't yet sure if I planned to write it as well. Then I realized I probably should, to fill out the rest of that story. Since I think it ought to be read in sequence, hit up part one if you haven't read it, prior to reading this part two.

Uncle Heero

"Uncle Heero?"

He was the last person Mei-Lin ever expected to see at her door, at least flying solo. She would've bet Uncles Quatre and Trowa would show up before him. She heard her housemates scatter as she tried to recall if she'd ever spent time with him that didn't also include her parents or Duo. Had it ever just been her and Heero?

It hadn't. Not once.

"Hi, Mei-Lin. May I speak with you for a moment?"

"Uncle Duo's not with you?"

"No."

"Does he know you're here?"

"No."

Something clicked in her head, and she started to panic.

"Who's with him right now? Is he okay?"

Heero gave her a soft smile, one she only sometimes saw, and asked "Would you like to discuss this here, at the door?"

Embarrassed for not minding her manners, she moved to allow him entry into the apartment she shared with her friends. It was a small place just off campus, and she knew her friends, most of whom where home, would be eagerly listening in to whatever conversation she was about to have. They were all very curious about her Uncle Heero after they heard him on the phone when she called up Duo in the middle of the night a few days earlier. If she knew they were being spied on, Heero definitely knew. He always knew these things.

She guided him into the common living room and the both took seats. It was a little uncomfortable for her. Heero always made her a bit nervous, once she was old enough to understand how he simply tolerated her. But after his words that night, after he said she had her father's integrity and her mother's tenacity, after he called her strong and brave... She found herself more nervous than ever.

"The neighbors came by to spend time with Duo, and that's why I'm here now. He's tutoring their oldest in physics and as payment Duo gets to walk their dog."

Mei-Lin perked up.

"He can do that?"

She watched her uncle's eyes drop contact, and suddenly she sensed sadness from him.

"Not really. If the dog pulls too hard it's not safe for him. But he can accompany them for a short walk and it always cheers him up. He can last a good twenty minutes before he's too tired and needs to sit down for a bit."

"I'm sorry, Uncle Heero."

He turned back to her, his eyes intense. She was looking at the floor, miserable.

"Don't say that. That's what I'm here to say."

Startled, she met his gaze. Did her uncle ever say he was sorry to her before? She didn't think so.

"Listen, Mei-Lin... I think it's important that you know I was terrified the other night. That doesn't excuse my behavior, but it is the reason for it. Your mom told me, years ago, that I sometimes get angry when I'm scared. She's right, and I'm sorry. With Duo ready to grab his keys and head over to you in the middle of the night—"

"He can drive?"

That small smile was back on his face, the one from before.

"He passed his exam three weeks ago."

"I thought they weren't going to let him drive again because of this right side—"

"He modified the car. Or... he had friends follow his directions to do it. I doubt he'll be able to work like that on a car or bike again, but you never know with him. They said he wouldn't live, and then that he might not talk normally again, and that he might not walk again, but he keeps proving people wrong."

"Mom loves to tease about that. How his refusal to abide by his prognosis makes her and her colleagues look like incompetent doctors."

They were both quiet after that, reflecting on the memories that brought up for each of them.

"He sounded really good on the phone that night," she began, just to fill the silence, "and I hope it wasn't only because I was a little tipsy."

"No, you're right. It's been a little over a month since he's been able to talk just as fast as before, without pauses." The smile on his face grew a fraction, and his eyes became soft. "Back when we were your age I never thought I'd miss him talking everyone's ear off, but I really did."

"My call brought back bad memories, didn't it?"

She could tell he appreciated her directness. He always liked people being direct, even though he was married to a man who rarely spoke directly when he could instead tell a story.

"Yes. But that's not your fault. I'm here to make sure you understand that Duo meant every word, and you can always call him. He lights up when you call just to say hi, and he has so much purpose when you call because you need something." He took in a deep breath, and she knew this wasn't easy for him. He wasn't the type to open up to anyone not exceptionally close to him. "I didn't bring all that up the other night to make you feel guilty, I just wanted Duo to stop hiding things from you. He'll never admit it, but it took a toll on him to lie to you, even if only by omission. He's been so worried that one day you'll look up what happened, since there were reports about it, and discover the real date and time of the accident. You told him you didn't want to read about it, or see the pictures, but he still worried you'd find it, or your friends would. I couldn't let that go on. And I wasn't lying when I said you were more than capable of handling it and understanding. It wasn't your fault. But sometimes, when that anger hits, I say stupid things."

Mei-Lin wasn't sure what to say.

"Thank you, Uncle Heero."

"Listen..." His voice became serious, almost deadly. "Duo can't show up for you like he used to. So if you need help, and it's something more than talking, you call me. Not him. Duo always told you he'd beat up anyone for you, and we know he was only half joking because you were always capable of that yourself. But he still has issues with right side motor function. So I'm the uncle you call for beating up people. I'm the uncle you call when you need physical labor, I don't even care if it's just to move a couch with you, you call me. I'm not good at the talking stuff, but I'll always be there for you with anything else, and I'll even try with the talking if needed. Do you have my number?"

She shook her head, a little ashamed.

"No, I don't."

He held out his hand.

"Give me your phone."

She unlocked it, and he entered his contact information. Then he handed the phone back to her.

"Call me any time, just like with Duo."

"You're not planning on working again?"

It was a topic even her parents avoided talking about. When Duo was hospitalized, Heero took all his unused leave at Preventers to be by his side. And when Duo woke up, and it became apparent just how long his recovery would take, he'd up and quit. Technically he retired, having more than enough years in, given he started working with the organization as a teenager. Duo was on disability until he finally agreed to officially retire. She remembered that. How broken he seemed, and how everyone worried it signaled that he'd lost all hope for recovery.

But her uncle, like Heero said, liked to prove everyone wrong.

"I picked up some programming work a few months ago. Keeps me busy, brings in money, and it's flexible enough with Duo's situation. He's been talking about how he wants to start working remotely, too. He's skilled enough typing left handed that he probably could take a few jobs with a good lead time before deadline."

"I'm sorry about your wedding!"

She blurted it out before thinking it through. But over the last several days since their late night phone call, she'd thought a lot about that particular incident. To her complete shock, those words elicited a laugh from Heero.

When he calmed down, he fixed her with a look she'd seen many times before. One he often directed towards his husband.

"You and I have been thinking about the same thing, haven't we?"

"Huh?"

"I've been meaning to ask your opinion about something."

"Really? Me?"

"Yes. Do you think Duo would be up for a surprise vow renewal? Perhaps a wedding do-over? And if yes, would you like to help plan it? I think telling him in advance will put pressure on him. He'll want to wait for further recovery. But I don't want to wait. I want to do it for our next anniversary. And if he's surprised, he'll just go with it and enjoy himself. And if you're involved in the surprise, he'll be over the moon."

Mei-Lin wasn't sure if she wanted to cry or if she was going to melt into a puddle.

"He would love that, Uncle Heero! And I'd be honored to help!"

Heero actually looked relieved.

"I'm so glad you think he'd be okay with it. You know how he is. With Duo you never know about surprises."

She smiled, feeling comfortable. Her Uncle Heero softened up after the accident. He was much more open about feelings, and she decided to tease him just a little to test the waters.

"Are you sure you want me there? I might just spoil your wedding again."

The warmth of his smile made her heart skip a beat.

"It wouldn't feel right to renew vows without you, Mei-Lin. The only thing that could make me delay would be your absence."

Her face was hot, and she knew she was blushing furiously.

"Gosh, Uncle Heero. You say things like that and I'm gonna get the wrong idea."

"Why? I'm sorry to be so direct here, but after Duo's accident I viscerally understand the value of knowing what you mean to someone. Do you not know I love you?"

She did. Even as she felt her eyes sting at hearing the words for the first time, she did. It was another thing she thought about over the last few days. When she got the call that Duo was in the hospital she dropped everything to go to him. Heero was there, looking awful and haggard like he'd been there for much longer than just a couple of hours. Now she knew that was because he'd been at the hospital for more than a day.

Mei-Lin thought her parents would approach her first, but Heero beat them to it, rushing over to hug her tightly. He thanked her for coming. He told her Duo loved her. And he comforted her as she sobbed into his shoulder.

She thought he was displaying strength, per usual. She had no way of knowing the real display of his strength would come with over a year of rehab advancements and setbacks. Staying by Duo's side through frustration, anger, and pain, was how he quietly displayed strength. She'd seen firsthand, especially in the early months after Duo woke from his coma, how without complaint he took over all the responsibilities in their lives and also took the added ones. He carried Duo, lifted him in and out of the wheelchair, helped him with all the tasks he wanted to try but didn't have motor skills for, and learned how to administer physical therapy to him. She saw his patience with Duo's slow speech, patience that outlasted Duo's as he'd get flustered, sometimes throwing things while Heero remained calm. And when it all was too much for her to witness, when she'd run away into a another room or into the hallway at the rehab center, when she burst into tears because seeing her unstoppable Uncle Duo in such bad shape hurt, he'd follow and hold her while she cried.

He could have kept his promise to Duo and lied about the timeline of events without comforting her.

But he comforted her, instead. He always comforted her. Maybe it was because Duo couldn't, maybe he was just filling in Duo's shoes while he wasn't up for the task, but he stepped up nonetheless.

"I know, Uncle Heero. I already know."

He nodded and stood.

"I should be getting back. I trust you won't tell Duo I was here?"

She shook her head and lead him back to the door.

"I won't say a word."

With one final nod he was gone. She stood at the door for a moment to absorb their conversation, aware her friends would swarm her soon enough. Even they were smart enough to know she needed a minute.

Mei-Lin closed the door and took out her phone. She couldn't help it when she began to cry, overwhelmed by a wonderful feeling. She didn't just have a new contact in her phone, she had a new emergency contact as well. And in true Heero Yuy fashion, he'd filled out all the details, even the parts that she wasn't sure anyone ever filled out.

Name: Uncle Heero (Yuy)

Nickname: Uncle Frowny Face

Relationship: Second favorite uncle

Notes: Loves you