Before One Night

by Merula

1x2

Heero knew he was in trouble. He didn’t really care. It
wasn’t like he was one of these Org-raised assassins,
depending on the damn Org for their every thought.
Hell, it wasn’t even like there were many of those left
these days- most of them had self-destructed or been
taken out by the Org because they had been proved to be
too dangerous.

Heero’s father had been an independent. Odin Yuy had
contracted himself out to individuals and companies,
and had taken his small son with him on jobs. No one
suspected a guy with a kid after all. Heero had never
found out what had happened to his mother. He had never
thought to ask his father about her, and then it was
too late…

After his father had been killed- in the line of duty
so to speak- Heero had gone to live with one of his
associates- also in the business, though not exactly
the way that Odin had been. Dr. J took care of medical
emergencies for people who wanted a low profile- there
were some injuries you just couldn’t explain to a
hospital after all. Dr. J had insisted on Heero going
to school, having a somewhat normal life, but didn’t
say no to the young man taking on an occasional job for
one of his father’s old clients.

When he’d turned 21, he had signed on with the Org when
they had come recruiting. It seemed the best thing to
do at the time, though now he was not so sure.

This time he had disobeyed a direct order from his
superior in the Org. It didn’t matter that he had still
gotten the job done- and in less time than anticipated-
what mattered was that he had not done it their way.

It wasn’t the first time. In the years that he had been
with the Org, he didn’t like doing things in the way
they so often ordered. In this case he had found it
sloppy and wasteful to blow up a bus of people to only
kill one. So he had arranged for a different kind of
accident.

The Org wasn’t pleased.

Which was why he was here, sitting in his supervisor’s
office, waiting to explain himself.

His supervisor had been studying a file when Heero had
come in. The man merely waved him to a chair, without
looking in his direction and ignored him. Heero had
expected that.

What he hadn’t expected was Mr. Chang to suddenly put
the folder down and meet his eyes coolly, without a
sign of temper. That wasn’t normal.

“Yuy. You are being sent out again today. We have a
small job in Rome for you.”

“Yes sir.”

“You will be accompanied by your new partner.”

“New partner?” Heero hadn’t had an old partner.

“Yes. We’re afraid that since you have this little
tendency to do things your own way, that we need to
send someone with you to keep you on task.” Chang
smiled. It wasn’t a pleasant smile. “He’ll be your
partner until we say otherwise and you will do all your
jobs together, is that clear?”

“Yes sir. Who is it?”

Chang glanced at his watch. “Well, I asked him to come
and join us so you could be introduced face to face,
but he’s a bit late.”

As if on cue, Chang’s office door slammed open and a
young man walked in.

Heero inhaled sharply as he took in the smiling long-
haired man in the doorway. The Org must’ve been more
displeased with him than he thought to give him this
one for a partner.

“Hey Wufei!” The young man said cheerfully, draping
himself over the free chair and grinning ear to ear.
“You sent for me?”

“Indeed I did Mr. Maxwell. I wanted to introduce you to
your new partner before you left for Rome together.”

“New partner?” Duo Maxwell’s eyes darted over to where
Heero sat and then back to Chang. “I thought you
weren’t happy about what happened to my old one?”

“We decided to give you another chance. Duo, this is
Heero Yuy.”

“Nice to meetcha.” Duo said with a smile. “I’ve heard
about you.”

“Likewise,” Heero nodded politely. He hoped most of the
stuff he had heard about Maxwell had been wrong.

“Excellent.” Chang pulled out two plane tickets and
passed them to Heero. “Here’s the tickets- your baggage
has already been arranged. Instructions are waiting
there. Your plane leaves in an hour.”

Heero got to his feet. “Thank you sir.” He looked at
Duo with a faint smile. “Guess that’s our hint to go?”

“Sounds like it to me.” Duo got to his feet and winked
at him. “Shall we?”

Once they were out of Chang’s office and heading
towards the elevator, Heero studied his new partner out
of the corner of his eye. He had seen Duo Maxwell in
the offices on his first day there and been hastily
warned by another operative to stay away from the man
if he wanted to stay alive.

When he’d asked why, he’d been informed that Duo was
one of the Org orphans, raised to be a killer-for-hire.
Most of his other classmates were dead- some of them
killed by Duo himself…

Heero suddenly realized Duo was also examining him out
of the corners of his eyes. He wondered what Duo had
heard about him. Was he already planning how he was
going to rid himself of his new partner?

It would be a pity if he had to kill Duo defending
himself… the young man was simply stunning. Heero
laughed inwardly. J would scold him for being so
confident. Duo was one of the best- he wouldn’t be easy
to kill.

Then again, Heero reflected, neither am I.

Once they got in the elevator, Duo gave Heero a smile
and asked: “What did you do?”

“Huh?” Heero was surprised by the question.

“You had to have done something bad to have gotten
partnered with me. What did you do?” Was that a hint of
sadness in Duo’s voice under the light tone? Heero was
intrigued.

Heero smiled faintly. “I disobeyed a direct order.”

Duo whistled. “And you’re still alive?”

“I still took out the target- and in less time than
they had asked. They couldn’t really punish me for
correcting their inefficiency.”

Duo looked thoughtful. Heero hoped he wasn’t going to
get skewered for saying something bad about the Org.
Most of the Org orphans were fanatically loyal to the
Org- he kicked himself for forgetting that fact.

Duo however, apparently did not take offense, because
after a moment the thoughtful look vanished and was
replaced with a rueful smile.

“So they decided to partner you up with me instead.”

“Are you that bad?” Heero asked, meeting Duo’s eyes.

“Depends what you’ve heard.” Duo raised an eyebrow in
challenge.

Heero rose to the bait, and set his own. “Well, on my
first day here I saw you in the hall and asked Ran
about you. He told me quite a few things, but I figured
it was all because he wanted to try for you himself.”

Duo blinked for a moment. “Try for me himself?”

Heero nodded. “Sure seemed like it.” He sighed. “That
was before I realized he was all wrapped up with
whathisname- the one that smokes all the time…”

“The blond?”

“That one. Other than that, I haven’t heard much more
about you than I have about our other coworkers.”

“That’s politely vague of you.”

“It’s always best to judge for yourself.”

That made Duo look thoughtful again. The elevator doors
slid open and they stepped out into the garage.

“I’m driving,” Duo said and headed towards a dark-
colored sports car. Heero followed without argument. It
would be better to defer to Duo as often as he could.
So far the young man hadn’t seemed as bad as Heero had
been told.

It’s only been a few minutes, he told himself. Stay
focused. Don’t let your guard down yet.
………………………..

The trip to Rome had been uneventful. Duo had spent
most of the plane ride absorbed in a book that he had
bought at the airport and hadn’t spoken more than a few
words to Heero. When he had, he was polite and cheerful
and didn’t seem to be anything like the monster Heero
had been told that he was.

But when they got to the hotel and found their
instructions, it was a whole different story.

“The orders are clear,” Duo said as he finished reading
the small packet. “The best way would be to knock the
guy out, set fire to the his shop and take the objects
out with us. That way our tracks are covered.”

“Hardly,” Heero countered. He scanned the instructions,
frowning. “The shop is on a busy street and it’s close
to other buildings. There is too great of a chance that
other people would die in the resulting chaos. There
must be another way to do it.”

Duo’s eyes narrowed. “We have to have the job completed
in 24 hours.”

“I can make sure he dies what looks like a natural
death in 24 hours without endangering other people.”

“What does it matter if other people die? Who cares
about them?”

“I do!” Heero snapped. “And so should you- we aren’t
being paid to kill innocent people!”

A moment later and he found himself pinned to the wall,
long fingers digging into his throat. “Are you telling
me what to do Heero Yuy?” Duo’s voice was harsh with
rage.

“No,” Heero managed to gasp out. “I’m asking you to
look at it another way.”

“It didn’t sound like asking to me.” The fingers
tightened and Heero lashed out with a foot, connecting
with Duo’s leg.

The fingers didn’t move. Duo didn’t flinch. What the
hell?

“That’s not nice either.”

“You’re choking me,” Heero managed to point out.

“You snapped at me.”

“I’m sorry, I won’t do it again…” Heero fell gasping to
the floor. Duo sat down on the edge of the bed and
watched as he sucked in air.

“I don’t like being snapped at.”

“I’ll remember that.” Heero tried to get his breathing
back under control. “But I don’t like not being
consulted about the way to do a job. I thought we were
partners.”

Duo blinked. “You’re right… It’s just- that’s what the
Org said to do…” He smiled faintly. “Aren’t you already
in enough trouble for not doing what they want?”

“It’s only their suggestion. Can you please give me a
few hours to look for another way?”

“Of course,” Duo tilted his head to the side, watching
as Heero got to his feet. “I can help if you like?” The
offer was softly voiced.

Heero nodded. “I would. Just let me change and get the
map.” He knew bruises would be forming on this throat
already- hopefully the Org suitcases contained
something high-necked enough to hide them.

*
Luckily there had been a turtleneck in the luggage- had
someone thought ahead? Heero didn’t know what Duo’s
preferred way of killing someone was- but at that
moment he was betting on strangulation.

Watching the way Duo eyed the shop, flipping his
lighter between his fingers, Heero was ready to change
that theory.

Then again- maybe Duo just liked killing… the how of it
didn’t matter.

Duo put the lighter down and sipped at his coffee. “He
lives above the store?”

“Yes,” Heero took a sip of his own coffee, grimacing
slightly. “Bet that is where the objects are.”

“Not a lot of customers,” Duo frowned.

“Work night?” Heero suggested.

Duo shrugged. “Shall we go check it out?”

Heero opened his wallet and tossed some money on the
table. “Let’s go.”

Once inside the shop, Duo went right to the shelves and
began looking at books, leaving Heero to study the
older man behind the counter. He looked like the man in
the pictures they had been given, but the target could
always have a relative who helped him with the shop.

He moved up to the counter. “Excuse me,” he said, “I
was wondering if you could recommend a book? My
grandmother has a birthday coming up.”

The man behind the counter gave him a practiced smile.
“A romance novel, that’s what the older ladies like- I
have a fine collection of them over on those shelves to
the right.”

“Any one in particular?”

“They are all pretty similar- try to find one written
in the time of her girlhood if you can,” the man
suggested. “I carry quite a few of the historicals.”

Heero nodded. “You carry? Then you own this
establishment?”

“I do,” the target gave him a sharp look.

“Then I will trust your judgment,” Heero smiled and
went to look at the shelf the target had suggested.

He pretended to study the titles as he noted the front
and back exits- as well as a partially hidden
staircase- the way up to the target’s rooms.

A hand slid around his waist and he started.

“These books are dreadfully overpriced,” Duo murmured
in his ear. “I suspect that is the reason there are so
few customers.”

Heero nodded, smiling, understanding Duo’s reasoning in
grabbing him. He turned his head slightly to the side.
“Behind the desk.”

Duo’s arm squeezed him. “Mm,” he reached out with his
free hand, plucked a book off the shelf and in a
slightly louder voice said: “Just get her this one,
lover. Even if she’s read it before she won’t remember
it.”

Heero rolled his eyes. “Fine, fine.” Duo let him go and
he moved back over to the counter, book in hand.

He placed it on the counter, but the target didn’t look
at him. His eyes were fastened on Duo. “What a lovely
young man you have there,” he said.

Heero looked over his shoulder. Duo was back at the
shelves, leaning against the corner of one, flipping
through a book. He looked up briefly, giving Heero a
quick flash of a smile. “Yes,” Heero agreed.

The target picked up the book, and gave Heero a
considering look. “I don’t suppose you would be
interested in a business proposition…”

Heero frowned as he realized what the other meant.
“He’s not for sale.”

The target waved his hands. “Not that! Just….” He
lowered his voice to a whisper. Heero’s eyes widened at
the proposition.

Well, that would be one way to get upstairs and get at
the target with a minimum of fuss….

“Very well. What time?”

Now all he had to do was convince Duo…

…………………….

Duo followed him down the street. “What happened there
at the end?” He asked.

“He offered us a… job of sorts.”

Duo lifted an eyebrow. “What kind of job? Will it give
us an opening?”

“Oh yes. Without a doubt.” Heero took a deep breath.
“We’re to meet him tonight, upstairs in his apartment-
going through the back door which will be left open for
us.”

“Perfect. All we have to do is make it look like an
accident…”

“Exactly- or slip one of the harp pills in his drink.”
A harp pill was an Org creation- it simulated a heart
attack.

“That would be perfect- he’s just the type to have one.
We just have to make sure he drinks it.”

“Oh, considering the job, that should be easy enough.”

“What is the job?” Duo asked again. “Don’t think I
didn’t notice that you avoided the question earlier.”

Heero stopped and looked at him. “Promise not to kill
me.”

Duo lifted both eyebrows.

“Okay, promise not to kill me for this.”

“I promise.”

“Well, he liked you. Really liked you.”

Duo’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “You did not sell me…”

“Of course not!” Heero snapped. “I wouldn’t do that.
He… just wants to watch…”

Duo blinked. “Watch?”

“Watch us… you know…” Heero waved a hand. “I’m sure we
can fake it long enough for the pill to work…”

Duo’s lips curved into a smile, and Heero took a step
back. “You promised not to kill me.”

“I’m not going to. I think that’s a good plan. We can
definitely distract him that way.” Duo looked at his
watch. “What time?”

“Ten.”

“Perfect- let’s go get dinner.” He hooked his arm
through Heero’s companionably and led him down the
street.

Heero breathed a sigh of relief. Now if he could just
live through the rest of the night…

*

Duo stopped to pick up a six-pack on the way back to
the target’s home. Halfway there, he pulled Heero into
an alleyway and Heero watched as he pried off one of
the bottle tops and dropped the harp pill in.

“I hope he likes this brand,” Heero muttered as Duo
carefully refitted the cap.

“I saw lots of empty bottles of it in the dumpster by
the store.” Duo opened another bottle and poured half
of it out. “We want him to think we’ve started…”

Heero nodded. “One more thing-“ he said as Duo turned
to leave the alleyway. “Anything I shouldn’t do? You
know- while we’re distracting him?”

Duo’s expression changed into what looked like
surprise. “You want to set boundaries?”

“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

Duo gave him a sad smile. “Heero, I’m an Org orphan. I
had uncomfortable trained out of me early on.”

Before Heero could think of a reply, Duo glanced at his
watch. “We’ve got to go! Can’t be late.”

The target was waiting for them at his door.

“Hello!” Duo greeted cheerfully waving his half open
bottle as he walked into the man’s flat, Heero right on
his heels.

“Good evening,” the target replied and Duo pressed a
bottle into his hand.

“Since you’re paying, we thought we’d bring the
refreshments!” He went and sprawled on the futon that
sat in the middle of the room. “I assume you want us
here?”

“Ah yes,” the target smiled. “Will that work?”

“It’s perfect!” Duo tossed back the contents of his
bottle and crooked a finger at Heero. “C’mon lover,
let’s not keep the nice man waiting…”

Heero let his eyes scan the room for recording
equipment- just in case- as he turned towards the
target. “Payment first,” he said and the target pulled
out his wallet.

Money tucked carefully in his pocket; Heero joined Duo
on the futon. “Anything in particular?” He asked the
target as Duo nuzzled at his jawline.

“No… just pretend I’m not here.” The target sat down in
a chair in the corner and took a deep sip from his
bottle.

Heero turned slightly and caught Duo’s mouth with his
own. He expected it to be awkward- more than that with
their audience- and the fact that he had a bad feeling
that if he did anything Duo didn’t like, he’d end up
dead…

But Duo kissed him back easily, sliding himself onto
Heero’s lap, wrapping his legs around Heero’s waist,
deepening the kiss.

Heero barely remembered that he needed to keep his mind
on the job… Duo’s taste was addicting… and he was so
responsive…

Heero let his mouth wander down Duo’s neck as Duo
arched back in his arms. He opened his eyes slightly,
saw the target take another large gulp from his half-
full bottle, his eyes roaming eagerly over the two of
them.

He slid his fingers under the hem of Duo’s shirt,
tugged it upwards, forcing his mouth away from Duo’s
skin long enough to pull the shirt off.

Duo helped, and then bent down to kiss Heero again,
sighing into his mouth as Heero slid his hands down to
Duo’s waist, pulling him closer.

Heero tumbled Duo down onto the futon, dipping his head
to Duo’s chest, delighting in the way the other moaned
at his caresses…

There was a faint thump, but Heero ignored it, reaching
up to kiss Duo again.

After a long moment, Duo pulled away. “I think half the
job is done…” He murmured against Heero’s mouth. “We
need to clean up, find the objects and report in…”

Heero shook himself. “Sorry…”

“Don’t…” Duo grabbed his shirt and gave Heero a faint
smile. “That was better than I thought it would be…”

*

Clean up done, and objects found- two books that
recorded the target’s roaring drug trade with a list of
customers and dealers- they headed back to the hotel to
report in.

Duo was silent on the way back, and Heero found himself
unable to come up with any conversation topics as well.
How could he say… How could he ask..?

Once they were back at the hotel, it was Duo who picked
up the cell phone the Org had provided and called in.

“Maxwell and Yuy. Job complete.”

Heero couldn’t hear Chang’s response.

“Yes, of course he is. Otherwise I would’ve called.”

Was that a faint squawk of surprise?

“No. We distracted the target and used a harp…. Yes,
cleaned up and retrieved.”

Duo was silent for a long moment, and then his lips
quirked up in a faint smile. “Yes sir. Of course.”

He hung up the phone and grinned at Heero. “We leave
tomorrow morning for Toronto.”

So, he was still Duo’s partner.

He didn’t know if he should be happy or concerned…

Duo dropped down on the bed beside him. “Don’t look
like that. I’m not going to kill you anytime soon…”

“How reassuring,” Heero found himself smiling back.
“And why not?”

Duo leaned towards him. “I have my reasons…”

*

Heero studied the packet that had arrived at their door
a moment ago. It contained their instructions for the
next mission, their travel itinerary and a small box.

“That was amazingly fast.” Duo raised himself off of
the bed. “I got off the phone what- five minutes ago?”

“Less than,” Heero answered. They’d been on the bed-
Duo had just been leaning towards him- and there had
been a knock at the door. Frustrating. “Though it looks
like we’re going to have to move to get to the plane on
time.”

“Do we take these suitcases?”

“Looks like it,” Heero scanned the documents quickly as
Duo pulled the suitcases out and tossed their things
into them haphazardly. Luckily they hadn’t unpacked
much.

“What kind of job is it?” Duo asked as he zipped up the
cases.

“We’re the backup.” Heero handed the papers to Duo as
he opened the box. “We’re supposed to go and get
settled in- establish ourselves in a hotel. In a week
there will be an ambassador staying there- he’s the
target.”

“We’re not primary?” Duo frowned as he looked at the
pages. “What’s our cover?”

Heero got the box open. “Newlyweds.” He held the box
out to Duo, displaying the rings inside. “I gather
we’re supposed to spend a lot of time in the hotel
room.”

“So I see,” Duo folded the pages and met his gaze.
“They really want you dead, you do realize that?”

“How do you know?”

“I killed the last person they put me on a mission like
this with.”

Heero swallowed hard. “Why?”

Duo picked up one of the suitcases and headed for the
door. “He snored.”

“You killed him because he snored?” Heero picked up the
other suitcase and followed Duo out.

“It was like a train. I couldn’t sleep. I get a little
crazy if I’m sleep deprived…” Duo shrugged.

Heero mentally vowed to make sure that Duo got nine
hours of sleep every night.

“I don’t snore,” he said, and Duo smiled.

“I hope not.”

*

They had slipped the rings on in the cab on the way to
the airport. Since the flight was a late one, they were
some of the only passengers on board. Heero studied
their tickets in the dim light- they had only brief
layovers- only enough time to catch the next plane in
most cases.

“Want to get some sleep?” He asked Duo who was curled
up in the seat next to him, reading. “I’ll keep an eye
out.”

“I’m not too tired yet,” Duo smiled. “Relax Heero- I
said I wasn’t going to kill you anytime soon.”

“Soon is a relative term,” Heero answered, yet found
himself smiling back.

Duo lifted up the armrest and slid closer. “We have to
pretend to be newlyweds,” he pointed out. “It’s going
to look odd if you flinch whenever I touch you.” His
tone was light, but there was something underneath that
made Heero form a protest.

“I’m not flinching…”

Duo put his head down on Heero’s shoulder- and sure
enough- Heero felt his muscles tighten. “See?” Duo said
quietly. “We did okay on that man’s futon, but now…”

“Now I’m worried I’m going to snore.” Heero admitted,
and heard Duo snort.

“Heero- it was days of it- and he…” Duo’s voice
dropped, “he tried to do other things. He tried to
force things…” His voice trailed off and Heero wondered
what had happened.

“I haven’t forced anything have I?”

Duo shook his head. “No. You… you’re different. You…
even when it was for the mission… you asked… and you-
were gentle…”

Heero closed his eyes. He took a deep breath, tilted
his head and let his cheek rest on Duo’s hair. “I’m
sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for- I wasn’t trying to tell you
that I’d kill you for snoring… only that you’ve really
pissed off the guys in charge.”

Heero chuckled. “I knew that already.” He relaxed
completely, letting his body rest against Duo’s. “If
you aren’t going to- mind if I get some sleep?”

“Go ahead. I’ll keep watch.”

*

Duo woke him in time for the landing, then it was a
quick dash across the airport to another plane, and it
was Duo’s turn to sleep.

Heero watched over him, his mind spinning. Duo was
dangerous, frightening… and yet… Heero didn’t want him
hurt. He made Heero feel protective- of all the bizarre
things since Duo was more than capable of looking out
for himself…

Then there was the wanting… he hadn’t wanted anyone
like this ever before… He forced himself to pull out a
magazine, tear his eyes away from the man sleeping
beside him. It wouldn’t be good to make Duo feel
pressured… Heero knew that if anything was going to
happen that it had to be at Duo’s instigation… and he
did seem interested…

Maybe if he stayed interested he would be less likely
to kill Heero on a whim too…

Another landing, another dash- and they were on the
last leg of their trip.

Once they were settled on the plane, Duo closed his
eyes again. “I think I’m glad we’re going to be there
for the foreseeable future, I’m tired of planes.”

“Me too.” Heero glanced around the cabin- there were
more people on this plane, but it was empty enough that
the passengers had spread out. There was no one close
enough to hear them. “So… what is permissible?”

Duo arched an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“We’re supposed to be newlyweds- what is permissible in
public?” He was rewarded with a smile.

“Hmmm…” Duo tilted his head to the side thoughtfully.
“Well, I suppose we can do this…” He took Heero’s hand
in his own, intertwined their fingers.

“Hand holding,” Heero repeated, as if making a list.

Duo lifted Heero’s hand to his mouth, kissed the back
of it. “Small kisses?”

“Small kisses,” Heero repeated and lifted Duo’s hand to
his own mouth, kissing the back and the curve of the
wrist. “Just on the hand?”

“In public?” Duo lifted an eyebrow. “Where else could
we?”

“Here,” Heero leaned over kissed Duo’s cheek. “Here,”
he brushed his lips down the side of Duo’s neck and
felt the other man shiver.

“What about here?” Duo asked and turned his head to
catch Heero’s mouth with his own.

Heero opened his lips, invited Duo in, his fingers
tightening around Duo’s hand. “There is good,” he
managed when Duo let him go.

Duo smiled and curled closer. “Anyplace else?”

Heero was having trouble focusing. The nice lady behind
the counter was explaining all of the amenities of the
hotel as she checked them in.

As she spoke, Duo had wound his arms around Heero’s
waist and started nuzzling the skin behind Heero’s ear.
The clerk was smiling the amused tolerant smile most
people bestowed on newlyweds, so the cover was working…

It was just very distracting.

Of course, Heero reflected, he should’ve realized it
would be- on the plane if that flight attendant hadn’t
appeared to take their drink order right when he was
contemplating pulling Duo onto his lap…

Duo’s teeth teased at the edge of his ear and he
shuddered.

“Here’s your keys, and your bags have already been
delivered to your room,” the clerk’s smile was wider
now. “I hope you enjoy your stay with us.”

Duo reached out and took the keys before Heero could
lift his arm. “Oh, I’m sure we will.” He tugged Heero
away from the counter, keeping one arm around Heero’s
waist as they moved through the lobby.

“Lots of exits,” he murmured in Heero’s ear.

Heero nodded, forcing himself to focus his attention on
his surroundings.

“Lots of people too.” It would be easy to lose a
pursuer in here- if the hotel was always this busy. Had
the clerk said something about a conference?

The elevator was half-full of people in suits; Heero
pressed the button for their floor, aware of the eyes
that were focused on him and the man who was snug
against Heero’s side.

“I think we chose a wonderful place for a honeymoon,”
Duo spoke softly, but his words were pitched to carry.
“I just hope the bed is comfortable.”

Heero heard a smothered cough, some uncomfortable
shifting, and lifted his eyebrows. Duo evidently wanted
to play. “Since when have we needed a bed?”

He saw Duo’s lips twitch in amusement. “True… you do
seem to like the floor a lot… oh, and there was that
one time on the elevator…” His mouth brushed Heero’s
neck and his voice deepened. “I liked that one…”

The elevator dinged, the door slid open and suddenly
Duo and Heero were alone in the elevator.

Duo looked at the floor number. “They couldn’t have all
been staying on this floor?”

Heero snickered and hit the close door button. “I think
they were afraid you were going to demonstrate the
elevator thing.”

He found himself pinned against the wall, both hands
above his head.

Damn… he hadn’t even seen Duo move…

Duo leaned into him, the warmth of his body sending
shivers through Heero. “I’d be more than happy to
demonstrate…” He said against Heero’s lips.

Heero opened his lips in anticipation- and the elevator
dinged again. Duo cursed softly. “Our floor.”

He let Heero go, pacing down the hallway, looking for
their room. Heero managed not to stumble out of the
elevator.

He needed to focus on the job. Granted, it wasn’t going
to start for a few days, but he needed to focus on
something other than how he wanted to drag Duo off to
bed at the first opportunity. That would get him
killed. Duo was being… affectionate… but that might
just be part of the cover- there had to be security
cameras up in the elevator- and more than likely in the
halls too.

Duo had stopped before a door at the end of the hallway
and was waiting, his lips curved in a half-smile.

He swiped the key through the lock as Heero joined him.
Once the door was closed behind them, Heero began a
sweep of the place as Duo called in to tell the boss
that they had reached the hotel and were establishing
their presence.

The task of sweeping the room was enough to get Heero
focused again- as long as he ignored the fact that
there was a very big comfortable looking bed taking up
half the floor space.

When he finished, he looked out the window, noting the
curve of the building and studying the layout of the
grounds.

“It’s nearly dinnertime,” he said to Duo. “Shall we go
down and eat?”

“On the first night of our honeymoon? I think we should
order in.” Duo joined him at the window, and Heero
watched as Duo swept his gaze over the grounds. “This
is a huge place- we’re going to have to be out and
about tomorrow- we want people to see us.”

Heero nodded. “I agree. The boss have any orders for
us?”

“No, just maintain our cover.” Duo turned to look at
Heero, his eyes narrowed. “That reminds me…”

Had he messed up somehow? Heero took a half-step back
and bumped into the table. Pinned. Not good…

“Yes?” He asked, making sure his voice was level.

“We talked about what was permissible in public,” Duo
moved closer still. “What about private?”

Heero’s pulse suddenly doubled. “What… whatever makes
you comfortable.”

Duo leaned into Heero, like he had done on the
elevator, putting his mouth next to Heero’s ear. “It’s
hard to make me uncomfortable,” Duo rubbed his cheek
against Heero’s. “But I think we both will be if we
don’t…” he paused as if searching for the words, “…
agree to some mutually beneficial terms…”

Heero closed his eyes. “I agree. You can set the
limits.”

A sharp intake of breath. Heero opened his eyes to find
Duo looking at him with surprise. “You trust me to set
the boundaries?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” Duo still looked confused- but also pleased.

Heero smiled. “I just do.” Duo was the one who had to
feel comfortable…

“Then…” Duo’s hands touched Heero’s sides, slipped
under his shirt, “…you will let me do whatever I want
to you?”

“Well, I am hoping you don’t want to kill me, but other
than that… yes.”

Hopefully Duo wouldn’t abuse the trust… hopefully he’d
see it as a reason to trust Heero in return…

“Wasn’t even considering it,” Duo smiled. “Not when
there are so many other interesting things to do…”

Heero closed his eyes as Duo’s lips touched the skin
behind his ear. Duo hummed gently, making Heero shiver.

“So… boundaries….” Duo’s hands slipped further into
Heero’s shirt, traced his spine. “How about- anything I
do to you- you can do to me?”

Heero slid his hands under Duo’s t-shirt, tugged him
closer. “Fair enough…”

He tried to ignore the little nagging voice in the back
of his head that pointed out that he might not be in a
position to ever return a favor… nor did he know what
Duo liked to do…

Duo’s lips were on his neck, gently tracing the fading
bruises. “No pain,” he said softly. “Not on purpose…
Sometimes it’s hard not to get carried away, but…”

Heero relaxed more. “No pain on purpose,” he agreed.

Duo pulled him away from the table, tugged him towards
the bed. “And if one of us tells the other to stop… we
do- right away- no matter what.” He stopped right as
the back of Heero’s legs touched the bed. “Is that
okay?”

Heero opened his eyes to find Duo looking at him
somewhat anxiously. “I think that’s a good one.
Anything else?”

The anxious look vanished and Duo’s lips curved up. “I
can’t think of any others… do you have any?”

Heero shook his head. “No- those work for me.” He
reached out and cupped Duo’s face in his hands, tracing
Duo’s mouth with his thumbs. “Kiss me?”

Duo’s smile glowed for a moment, and then he did as
Heero asked.

Duo’s kiss was distracting- Heero didn’t notice his
shirt vanish- didn’t realize that the rest of his
clothing was in danger of slipping off until Duo
tumbled him down on the bed.

He returned the favor, tugging Duo’s shirt off, sending
his hand down to unzip Duo’s jeans even as Duo pulled
his off.

Hands wandered, skin caressed skin, lips met and
explored. Duo’s fingers slid between Heero’s thighs,
teasing and demanding all at once.

Heero could do nothing but respond, lost in the heat.

“Can’t wait anymore…” Duo’s eyes were dark as he looked
down at Heero. “Please?”

Heero couldn’t speak- so he reached up and grasped
Duo’s hips, urging him down.

Duo was true to his word- he went slow, tried not to
hurt- not that Heero cared- all he wanted was Duo…

When it was over, Duo put his head down on Heero’s
shoulder, panting for breath. Heero licked his lips and
tried to slow his breathing.

“Thank you… I didn’t… It’s never been like that….”

It was a whisper, barely audible, but Heero heard it-
and ached.

He put his cheek against Duo’s and held him close.

*

“We should go down to breakfast. Scout around,” Duo
suggested when he came out of the shower the next
morning, tying up the end of his braid.

“I agree,” Heero pulled on a clean shirt and ran a hand
through his still damp hair. “I’m starving. We never
got dinner last night.”

Duo smirked as he went hunting for clothes. “And yet
you didn’t complain about being hungry.”

Heero rolled his eyes. “Neither did you.”

“Course not- I was completely satisfied.” Duo pulled on
a pair of pants and grabbed a shirt.

Heero stuck his feet in his shoes and waited until Duo
finished dressing. “Completely satisfied? So then I can
spend my afternoon at the pool?”

“Sure,” Duo grabbed the keycard and opened the door.
“As long as you don’t mind me molesting you in one of
those waterfalls they have…”

They continued to banter as they walked down the
hallway to the elevators. They were lucky enough to get
a car to themselves and Duo declared that Heero owed
him a kiss, since he didn’t get to finish last time
they were in the elevator.

It was a good thing the elevator was fast, Heero
admitted to himself, otherwise he would’ve been tempted
to do more than kiss Duo in it.

They were greeted cheerfully at the door of the hotel’s
café and shown to a corner table. Heero cast his eyes
over the room automatically and froze.

“What is it?”

“The primary’s here already.” He said and lifted an
eyebrow at the brown-haired man seated in the corner.

The brown haired man brushed his bangs out of his face
and nodded briefly before returning to his newspaper.

“You know him?”

Heero nodded. “I’ve worked with him a few times. He’s
very good. More than likely we won’t have to do
anything this time.”

Duo’s eyes narrowed. “Is he?”

Heero missed the implication. “Oh yes. He trained with
mercs, joined the Org a few years ago.”

Duo sipped his coffee, his eyes flickering over to the
man in the corner again.

“What is his name?” His tone was cool, impersonal and
Heero wondered what he was thinking. Was he mad that
the primary was a good one? Had he wanted to do the
job?

“Trowa Barton.”

*
After breakfast the two of them scouted around the
hotel, making sure that their identities were clearly
established. Not that it was hard to pretend to be
wrapped up in his ‘spouse’. It was all too easy…

“Want to go swimming before we spend the rest of the
day up in the room?” Duo asked as they crossed the
lobby.

“Did they pack us suits?” Heero frowned as he tried to
remember the contents of the suitcases.

“I don’t think so- but we can get them here.” Duo
nodded towards the hotel’s sundry shop.

Once inside, Heero blinked at the selection. All of the
trunks were obviously chosen by someone who was not
only tasteless, but also colorblind.

Duo, much to Heero’s surprise, selected a neon blue
pair with big red flowers. “Perfect.”

“Really?”

“Oh yes. They remind me of one of my teachers,” Duo’s
smile faded a bit. “He loved obnoxious stuff like
this.”

Heero noted the past tense and slid an arm around Duo’s
waist. “You’re going to have to help me pick- I think
I’m going blind from the glare.”

“What an opportunity,” Duo chuckled and fingered a neon
orange pair of trunks as Heero groaned.

*

“Those look good,” Duo said as they headed towards the
pool. They had made a quick stop in their room after
purchasing the trunks to change before heading out to
swim.

Heero looked down at his green trunks and shook his
head. “Well, I guess little sharks are better than
flowers.”

“Hey now,” Duo lifted an eyebrow. “Are you insulting my
fashion sense?”

“What looks good on you would not necessarily look good
on me.”

Duo smiled. “Very diplomatic.”

“I try to be.”

“I’ve noticed,” Duo’s smile changed slightly.

Much to Heero’s surprise, after a few laps Duo accepted
the invitation of a few of the kids in the next pool to
race. Heero declined, choosing instead to sit on the
warm cement, dangling his legs in the water and keeping
an eye on Duo.

Not that he thought Duo would do anything to the kids…
would he? He seemed to be having a good time, laughing
and splashing… and Heero found himself wondering what
Duo would’ve been like if the Org hadn’t trained him.
Would he be like this all the time?

A shadow fell over him and he looked up. “Hello,” a
sweet-faced older woman stood beside him. “Is that
yours playing with mine out there?”

Heero smiled, hoping she wasn’t about to complain.
“Yes, that’s my husband.”

“Newlyweds?” She asked, sitting down beside him.

“Yes- it’s our honeymoon.”

“I thought so. I could tell by the way you were
watching him- and all the looks he was giving you.” She
smiled. “So cute.”

Heero managed to keep smiling. He didn’t want to tell
her he’d been keeping such a close eye on Duo because
he was worried about the safety of her kids.

A hand touched his ankle. “Hey love,” Duo gave him a
warm smile before he looked at the lady. “You’re Mom?”

“I am,” she smiled. “Thanks for keeping them occupied.”

“It was fun.” Duo turned back to Heero, his fingers
stroking the instep of Heero’s foot. “Ready to go back
upstairs for a bit?” The tone was slightly teasing, but
the look he gave Heero made his heart speed up a
little.

“Sounds good,” he managed.

The lobby was crowded when they crossed it, the
elevator full. Heero stood beside Duo, watching the
numbers over the door change with impatience. Why did
they have to have a room so many floors up?

It didn’t help that Duo’s fingers were on his wrist,
sliding up and down slowly, a reminder of what those
hands had felt like on the rest of his body.

The elevator finally reached their floor; Duo had the
key already in his hand. Once the door was closed
behind them, Heero pulled Duo into his arms and kissed
him… it seemed too long since their last kiss…

“Shower first?” Duo murmured against his mouth.

“Hell no.” Heero’s mouth moved to Duo’s neck, tasted
the salt and chlorine and water… and Duo shivered.

Their clothes were wet. Heero moved back just enough to
pull off his damp shirt and trunks, tossing them into
the bathroom- Duo’s following a moment later.

Duo was cold, he shivered again in Heero’s embrace, but
Heero held him close, ran his hands over Duo’s body,
shared his warmth.

It was with some effort that he moved them to the bed,
knowing it was more comfortable than the hallway floor.
He pinned Duo underneath him, pressed him back into the
pillows and claimed his mouth…

And then set out to claim more… he lost himself in the
feeling of Duo underneath him, responding to his touch,
welcoming him…

Then he realized that there was something wrong.

Duo was responding, returning caresses, kisses, arching
his body against Heero’s… but was there a tenseness in
his face? Were his eyes closed a little too tightly?
Was he shuddering in pleasure… or something else?

Heero pulled back a little, wondering if he dared stop-
dared ask Duo what was wrong… it hadn’t been this way
last night…

Ah… maybe… Heero slid his arms around Duo and flipped
them over, so that he was the one with his back on the
mattress.

Duo’s eyes opened in surprise.

“Please?” Heero asked, pulling Duo’s hips down gently.
“Move for me?”

Duo smiled and did as he asked, and Heero had to force
himself to watch his lover, to make sure it had only
been that…

But the tenseness was gone… and his eyes were open now,
watching Heero as he moved…

Relief washed through him for a moment before it was
drowned in other sensations.

*

The next morning Heero cracked open an eyelid and
glanced at the clock. Was it so late already?

His stomach growled indicating that yes it was, and
damn it, it needed real food soon. He turned slightly
and found Duo spread out over most of the bed, still
sleeping. Heero yawned and considered just ignoring his
stomach, but Duo would wake up soon and be hungry too.

And as he’d learned the last few days- a hungry Duo was
not always pleasant to be around.

Heero slid out of bed and headed for the bathroom. A
quick wash and some clothes were needed if he wanted
food. He thought about ordering in, but decided that
running down to the small coffee shop would be faster.

“What you doin’?” Duo raised his head up from the
pillows as Heero exited the bathroom.

“Going down to grab some food. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay,” Duo put his head down again.

Heero left the room quietly and headed down for the
coffee shop. Right outside the lobby it already had a
line of people waiting for orders. He put his in and
then went to sit in the sun by the door to wait.

“Good morning,” a quiet voice said. “Come walk with
me?”

Heero looked up and smiled slightly.

“Safe?”

“Totally.”

Heero got to his feet and followed Trowa Barton down
one of the small concrete paths that led to the pools.
No one was headed there at this time of day. It was a
perfect place to talk.

“What is it? Is there a problem?”

Trowa shook his head. “Not at all. I was worried at
first- the guy changed his schedule- that's why I'm
here so early. However, I think I’ll be able to do this
remotely. Just make sure you’re ready to check out two
days from now.”

Heero nodded. “Very well.”

They walked in silence for a little bit. Trowa
obviously had something else he wanted to share, and so
Heero waited. At last Trowa looked at him and smiled.
“I was surprised to see you alive- your new partnership
has set the gossip machine going you know- there’s a
bet that you won’t last out this assignment.”

“I’m sure,” Heero smiled back. “Are you looking for the
inside track?”

“No,” Trowa shook his head and stopped walking. “I
wanted to ask if you wanted me to help you get free.”

“That’s against…”

“Regulation, I know- but I don’t like the thought of
having to see you dead. You did save me out in Greece
that one time.”

Heero frowned. Free of the Org… it was nearly
impossible. He knew what Trowa was offering to help him
do…

He reached up a hand and smoothed the hair down on the
back of his neck. Funny how the thought made him feel
like someone was watching him… He looked up at the
façade of the hotel… Duo was asleep- he wasn't watching
him from behind one of those windows…

“I’m really okay.”

Trowa's eyes opened wide. “Heero- they partnered you
with Death himself! Are you insane? No one has lasted
around him! He’s killed off his teachers, his friends…
if you can call them friends…”

“I know- but… it’s not that bad. It really isn’t. I'm
doing fine.”

Trowa looked at him if he’d gone insane. “All right-
but if you change your mind- let me know.”

*

Heero walked back into the hotel room, the food cartons
in his hands. All the way back up he’d thought about
Trowa’s offer. He’d known his odds weren’t good with
Duo, but… he didn’t want to leave him… or hurt him… and
if he wanted to be free, Duo would get hurt. He
couldn’t leave a hunter like that alive to come after
him…

The room was still dark. He put the cartons of food on
the table beside the door and moved towards the bed. It
was empty...

“Duo?”

“Right here.”

Behind him.

The blow knocked him to his knees, stunning him. He
turned in time to see Duo’s hands reaching for his
throat...
Heero grabbed Duo’s wrists, trying to keep the other’s
hands off his neck. It wasn’t easy. Duo’s fingertips
brushed his jugular as Heero tried to push away. “Duo?”

The other man snarled. “If you want to leave, I’ll help
you….”

What the hell….? How had he…?

“I don’t want to leave!”

Duo faltered. The anger vanished off his face and was
replaced by an expression that made Heero want to wrap
him close…

Except his hands were still too near Heero’s throat.

“Everyone leaves,” he said. “One way or another they
all leave.”

“I won’t. I promise!”

“You think others haven’t promised?” Duo’s hands
dropped away from Heero’s neck, but Heero didn’t let
him go. He held on to Duo’s wrists and pulled him
gently down beside him on the floor.

“Duo- I don’t want to leave you.”

“Yes you do,” Duo looked down at the floor, his bangs
shading his expression. “I saw your face when Barton
offered to help you leave.”

How had he seen that? “It wasn’t leaving you- it was
leaving the Org.”

Duo tensed beside him and Heero wondered if he’d made a
fatal mistake. Duo was one of the Org’s orphans after
all…

“No one can leave the Org,” he said in a soft voice.
“I’ve tried. But they don’t let you go…”

Oh. Heero carefully let go of Duo’s wrists and slid an
arm around Duo’s waist, pulling him close.

“I know. That’s one of the reasons I said no. I also
thought that Barton might have been asked by the Org to
ask me that question. To see if I would try to flee…”

He felt Duo tense slightly. “I didn’t think of that… It
would be like them.”

Heero brushed his lips over Duo’s temple. “It would. I
don’t know how much you heard…”

“The whole thing. After you left I got dressed and came
down to meet you…” Duo paused. “I saw Barton talk to
you outside the restaurant and I followed… I thought…
you knew him from before…”

Heero smiled, understanding. “Then you heard him
remind me that I saved him in Greece?”

Duo nodded.

“What I saved him from was a double-cross. An agent
from one of our rivals was pretending to defect- in
order to get close enough to a few of our higher-ups. I
think it was Trowa’s way of telling me that the Org was
trying to double-cross me.” He smiled faintly. “Or I’m
a paranoid bastard.”

Duo moved his hand up towards Heero’s throat. “I’m…
sorry.”

Heero shook his head. “It’s okay. I just told you I’m a
paranoid bastard. I think I can forgive you for being
the same.”

“But…”

“No.” Heero cut off Duo’s response. “It’s really okay.
Just… next time talk to me first? Before attempting to
kill me?”

“I promise.”

Heero relaxed. He cradled Duo closer, wondering if he
was insane. The other man was unbalanced- damaged in so
many ways, impossible to predict, near impossible to
control, and would more than likely end up killing him.

But Heero wanted to stay with him. Wanted to help him
find his balance, help him fight his demons…

Loved him.

“I meant my promise too. I won’t leave you… if I can
help it.” Heero knew he had to be completely honest-
nothing else would work.

Duo tilted his head to meet Heero’s eyes. He smiled and
it was pure happiness, no darkness, no shadows behind
it.

He touched Heero’s cheek. “Then… you’re mine?”

“Always.” Heero leaned forward and kissed Duo for a
long moment.

Duo pushed him away with a small sigh. “We’d better go
disable the bomb I put in Barton’s room.”

Heero’s eyes widened. “Timed?”

“No- triggered.”

Heero nearly laughed. He lay back, tumbling Duo to the
carpet beside him. “In a little bit then,” he said, and
claimed Duo’s mouth again.

Sidefics

Getting Rid of the Bomb

I sighed as I went over the plans in my head one more
time. I had reported in this morning as I was supposed
to do- told them that I had offered Heero an escape and
been refused.

I hated playing a double game like this. I knew Heero
had angered our employers, but this game of cat and
mouse was not the way to punish him. I still couldn’t
believe they’d partnered him with one of the Orphans-
and the worst one at that. I’d heard stories about
Maxwell that made even me flinch.

Heero was not going to survive. There was no way he
could. Maxwell was going to snap and kill him. I knew
Heero had some unusual training, but he was no match
for Maxwell.

Maybe I should help him leave for real. If I could just
figure out a way…

Someone knocked on my door.

I wasn’t expecting anyone, hadn’t called room service-
so who was it? Putting a hand on the gun in my pocket I
went and checked the door.

Maxwell.

What was he doing here? Had he killed Heero and
expected me to clean it up?

I opened the door quickly.

“Sorry to bother you,” he said with what I would’ve
called a shy smile on someone else. “I just came to get
something.”

“Get what?” I asked carefully.

He looked sheepish and for a moment I wondered if
everything I had heard about him was true. It just
didn’t work with the man in front of me.

“I can’t say it in the hallway,” he said softly and so
I stood to the side. He walked in and headed right for
the bed. What was he doing?

He dropped to his knees and slid his hand under the
bed. “It was right…. Ah! Here it is.”

A moment later he was on his feet again, a small tangle
of wires and fuses in his hand. A bomb? When had that
gotten in here? Wait- he said he left it? Was I
supposed to die? Had I ticked the Org off?

“Sorry,” he said with a smile as he dropped the bomb
into his pocket. “I thought you were here to take Heero
away.”

“No,” I replied without thinking. “The Org wanted me to
test him.”

He nodded. “Yeah, bet they’re pissed I haven’t killed
him yet.” He headed towards the door.

“Are you going to?” I asked. I couldn’t help it.

“Oh no,” he shook his head. Then he turned and looked
at me over his shoulder. The look on his face made me
believe every story I had ever heard about him. My
throat went dry and I swallowed hard. His voice was
soft, but the tone was steel: “He’s mine now.”

Then the expression was gone and he was smiling again.
“Sorry about the mix up!” He said, and left, closing
the door behind him.

I sat down on the floor, right where I was, my legs no
longer capable of holding me up. I hadn’t realized how
close I had come to death. I looked at the bed and
decided to call down to the desk and ask to change
rooms.

Better safe than sorry…

Home
Heero’s POV

I watched as Duo made his careful way up the stairs. I
stopped him by the bedroom door and gestured him
inside. “This one.”

He followed me in, blinking a little. “It’s not what I
was picturing,” he said with a small smile and I nudged
him with my elbow.

“Anything you don’t like, we’ll change.”

“Anything is fine with me,” he said and for a moment I
thought he was going to ask if I was sure about all
this again. But he didn’t. He studied the walls, looked
down at the bamboo floor. “I kind of like it.”

“I’m glad. I want you to be comfortable here.” I opened
the closet door. “See, just like I said- plenty of
room.”

“Thank you,” he put down the bags he was carrying.

“I’ll let you settle in a little and I’ll start lunch.
Okay?”

“Okay,” he answered, looking a little lost and so I
pulled him close and kissed him.

“I’m glad you're here,” I told him and willed him to
believe it. “You don’t know how happy I am that you
agreed to this.”

He smiled a little. “I think you shocked the hell out
of Chang when you told him that he could reach me
here.”

I shrugged. “I hope I did. Do you know for a minute I
didn’t think he was going to agree to giving you a
vacation too? After making us run around the globe for
the last few months?”

Duo looked down. “I’ve never had a vacation, not
really,” he said in a soft voice. “They never offered
me one before.”

I had to take a deep breath. Of course they hadn’t.
Bastards.

“Well, you will now.” I kissed him again. “I’ll be
downstairs when you’re finished.”

I left him standing in my closet and went downstairs. I
wasn’t sure I was doing the right thing. I felt like I
was crowding him, putting too much on his shoulders too
soon. But when we’d stopped by his apartment on our way
to the Org… I couldn’t leave him there. I didn’t want
to leave him anyway, but the apartment clinched it.
Nothing personal, the bare minimum of furniture- all of
Duo’s possessions fit into two bags.

Sure, we were assassins, but you needed something to
anchor you. I had this house. Granted, if it got blown
up tomorrow, I’d find another one, but it was my place.
Duo seemed to have no anchor and it worried me. I
needed him to have anchors- he’d become one of mine.

I wasn’t sure forcing him to stay with me would help-
but I didn’t want to let him slip away. Not after
months of spending every moment with him. I’d miss him
too much.

I wondered if he’d miss me.

After months of being gone, my cupboards were bare. I’d
have to go grocery shopping. There were a few boxes of
pasta, but not much else. I decided that we were going
to go out to eat.

Going back upstairs, I found Duo standing in the middle
of the bedroom, looking at one of the pictures I had on
the wall.

“Like it?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said in a soft voice, almost as if he was
scared to admit it.

Had I messed up? Should I have left him in his own
space? But… I didn’t want him to be alone. Not anymore.

“Duo,” I said and held out a hand to him. “Can I show
you the rest of the house?”

“Sure,” again the soft hesitant tone. He followed me
obediently as I took him on a small tour. Kitchen, den,
office, he looked at each without comment. The last
place I showed him was the loft. I hadn’t done anything
up there simply because I hadn’t a clue what to do with
what was essentially another living room.

“And this is the last. As you can tell- I ran out of
ideas.”

That got me a faint smile.

“But if you can think of anything else we need- or you
just want a space of your own- do what you like here,
okay?” I’m not sure what prompted me to say it, but I
was very thankful I did because Duo turned suddenly and
flung himself into my arms.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. I told you this is my house as much as
yours. You can do anything you like to any part of it.”

“But Heero- it’s already all so nice. I don’t want to
wreck it, but I…” he stopped and I smiled for him.

“You won’t wreck anything. I know you won’t.” I kissed
him. “So. Let’s go out and get lunch, go to a grocery
store for supplies and talk about what you want to do
to this room.”

He brightened. “Okay!” He gave me a tight hug. “You
won’t regret this Heero, I promise.” He added in a
softer tone.

I pulled back a little and met his eyes. “I know I
won’t.”

*****************************

Home
Duo’s POV

The sheets are silk. I twitch uncomfortably, not
wanting to wake Heero up. He’s been so good to me
today, I don’t want him to know how uncomfortable I am.

Why did he invite me to move in with him? Is he worried
about the Org? I know they aren’t pleased that not only
had he survived, but that he and I are…well, whatever
we are. Chang’s expression was one of sheer shock when
he realized, and I wonder how the Org missed it. Then
again most of the missions had required us to pose as a
couple… maybe they hadn’t realized that we weren’t
acting? I’m not stupid- I know they had been watching
us.

I am not going to kill Heero. No matter what his
reasons, he has been good to me. Better than anyone
ever has been before. I don’t care if he is using me…

That’s a lie. I do care. I care a lot.

I don’t want Heero to be using me. I want him to care
for me… Sometimes I think he really does- other times
I’m not so sure. Today, for a bit, I was sure. I could
tell he didn’t like my apartment, he seemed so happy
when I said I’d move in- and all the trouble he went to
today over making sure I had one space I felt
comfortable in… unlike this silk covered bed of his.

For a moment I contemplate going to curl up on the
floor of the loft. I’ll be away from this silk that
makes my skin itch with memories I wish I didn’t have.

But then I won’t be with Heero.

I close my eyes and focus on the feeling of Heero’s
skin under my cheek, trying to ignore the silk, not
letting those memories get a hold of me. I’m in a
different place now. No one is going to do anything
like that to me again.

I’ll kill anyone that tries.

It works- until I fall asleep.

I don’t have any defenses against the memories here.
Not in my mind. Not at night.

You aren’t focusing boy! You aren’t good enough yet.
You need more training. More discipline.

Why don’t we play a game?

I wake up with a scream on my lips. Someone grabs me
and I lash out. No one is going to force me to do that
again! I won’t!

A moment later I realize that I’m not in the training
center. I’m in Heero’s bed.

And Heero’s not in it with me.

I scramble to the edge and find him in a heap on the
floor, holding the back of his head.

I hurt him.

“Heero!” I reach out for him, but… I don’t dare touch
him. How badly is he hurt?

“Duo,” he squints up at me. “Are you okay? I’m so
sorry, I shouldn’t have tried to wake you up.”

He’s apologizing to me? It shouldn’t surprise me.
That’s what Heero does. He always takes the blame,
always tries to make me feel better.

Maybe he really does love me as much as he says he
does.

“I’m sorry,” I say as he reaches for my hand. “I had a
nightmare. The sheets- I should’ve known. It’s all my
fault. I’m so sorry…”

He lets me pull him back on the bed. Then he pulls me
close. “What about the sheets?” He asks, and I tell
him. I always tell him things when he asks. He deserves
the truth.

His arms are tight around me when I finish. “I’m so
sorry, love, so sorry. I didn’t know.”

“How could you? It’s not your fault.”

He kisses my forehead and pulls us both out of bed.
Then he rips the sheets off the bed and dumps them in
the corner. “We’ll get some cotton ones in the
morning,” he says and I can’t help but kiss him. He’s
so good to me.

I’m never letting him go.

**The rest of these are kind of random. I tried to put
them in order, but really they could go any old
way!!***

Taking Care 1

Heero closed the door behind him and hit the last code
on the keypad beside the door. Perhaps they were a
little paranoid about security, but Heero wanted their
home to feel ‘safe’ to both of them- and to do so,
security had to be in place.

He ran a hand through his hair, felt the cold, sticky
wetness that clumped his bangs together and closed his
eyes. What an immense mistake. The Org had told him
that it was an easy back-up job for one of the newer
employees- they’d insisted that he leave Duo at home,
that he was too unstable to risk on this kind of
delicate mission.

What crap. They must’ve known their newbie was a
maniac, and that if Duo had met him, he’d have killed
the idiot just on principle.

If the idiot hadn’t managed to take himself out along
with the target Heero might have been tempted to pay
his lover to do just that- though it would take away
the satisfaction of killing the man himself…

Which he should’ve done the moment he realized what the
idiot was trying to do… If only he had…

He covered his eyes, knowing he couldn’t block the
images, wishing he could… so many innocents…

“Heero? You okay?”

Heero lifted his hands away from his face and looked
towards the stairs. Duo stood on the landing, frowning
at him. “Hello love.”

“You’re bleeding.” Duo hurried down the stairs, his
expression dark. He pushed Heero’s hands out of the
way. “Why are you bleeding? What happened? It was
supposed to be an easy job!”

“It was a complete fuck-up. It will hit the news
tonight I’m sure…”

“As an attempt?”

Heero shook his head. “No, I did enough clean up so it
looks like a gas explosion- called the Org so they
could do some pressure if needed… but the idiot decided
to rig enough explosive to the guy’s car to destroy
twenty of the things… It damaged the building…
innocents were killed…”

Duo’s arm slid around his shoulders, holding him close.
“C’mon, you need to get cleaned up.” He steered Heero
towards the bathroom, sat him down on the edge of the
tub as he examined Heero’s head wound. “We can
butterfly close this.”

“Oh good.” Heero unzipped his jacket and pulled off his
shirt. Duo hissed at the scratches and bruises that
were revealed.

“What is this newbie’s name?” His voice promised
mayhem.

“Don’t know- we’ll have to check the headstone. Idiot
was too close to the blast.”

“That’s the last time you go without me. I’ll talk to
Chang.” Duo turned on the shower. “Wash the blood off,
I’ll bandage you after.”

As Heero stood in the shower watching the pink water
swirl away down the drain, he heard Duo on the phone.
He couldn’t make out the words, but he knew the tone.
It was one that usually made the hairs on the back of
his neck stand up, the one that usually made him seek
out his lover and soothe him.

This time he felt Chang deserved whatever Duo was
saying, so he simply stayed in the shower until Duo
came to coax him out.

Dry, bandaged and warm in Duo’s arms, Heero still
didn’t feel like closing his eyes. Duo seemed to
understand, wrapping his limbs around Heero and sharing
his warmth until Heero finally gave in to sleep.

Taking Care 2

Heero watched the rain trickle down the window and
frowned. Duo had left hours ago… and Heero had no idea
how to find him. They were supposed to be partners-
something that he’d thought that Duo finally understood
and accepted… but this…

He touched the bump on the back of his head and winced.
He hadn’t had to think about protecting himself from
Duo for months- had completely left his guard down… and
Duo had taken advantage of it…

And now he was out there, hunting down one of his old
classmates, one of the orphans of the Org on his own…
Heero knew that there was something about this one;
something about the way Duo had said the other’s name…
He didn’t know, didn’t want to speculate what this Solo
had been to Duo…

Of course… Duo had called all of the orphans his
‘siblings’, his ‘brothers and sisters’. Heero had never
had a sibling, never had anyone that he had cared about
that he had to kill. He couldn’t imagine what it was
like… the closest would be if he had to kill Duo…

And he could never bring himself to do that. Even in
self-defense…

The door to the apartment opened. Heero turned to see
Duo standing in the doorway, soaked to the skin.

Any recriminations he wanted to utter died at the look
on Duo’s face.

“Mission completed.” Duo’s voice was flat, but his
eyes…

Heero got to his feet, moved quickly to pull Duo
inside, close the door behind him, lead him to the
bathroom. Duo was ice cold. He should’ve been
shivering… but he wasn’t.

Duo followed Heero docilely, letting Heero pull off his
wet clothes, getting into the bathtub that Heero filled
with warm water.

Heero was disturbed by Duo's silence. He undid Duo’s
braid, squeezing out the cold water, tying up the hair
again, all the while wondering what to say.

Duo spoke first as Heero leaned over him to run a bit
more hot water into the tub. His fingers touched the
bump on Heero’s head gently.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Heero turned his head and met Duo’s eyes.
“I just didn’t want you to do that alone…”

“He was my big brother,” Duo said softly. “I had to do
it. He always took care of me. So I had to take care of
him. He asked me… when the voices got too bad… he said
I had to do it for him… he knew I’d be fast and it
wouldn’t hurt…”

“Duo…” Heero leaned his forehead against Duo’s and
searched for something to say.

“Come in?” Duo moved a little and Heero did as he
asked, pulling off his clothes and joining Duo in the
tub. Duo curled up against Heero’s chest and closed his
eyes. “I was fast… he didn’t know me… so I was fast… I
didn’t get to say goodbye to him at the end like I did
with the others…I hope it didn’t hurt.”

“I’m sure it didn’t.” Heero kissed the top of Duo’s
head. “I’m sure you were fast and it didn’t hurt.”

He felt Duo relax a bit more. “I tried. I know how bad
the voices get… I know they hurt. I didn’t want him to
hurt anymore.”

Heero took a deep breath. “Do you hear them often Duo?”

Duo shook his head. “Not so much anymore…” He kissed
Heero’s shoulder. “You keep them away from me. I never
hear them when I’m with you.”

Heero put his head on top of Duo’s and held him tightly
in the cooling water.

Bound

I don’t like it when other people touch him. Ever.

Not in crowds when people accidentally jostle against
him, not when we meet new people and they shake his
hand, not at all.

I really don’t like it when they touch him like that
idiot over there. I know he’s new to the Org. I know
Heero says we have to be patient with the new people
but if he touches Heero one more time I’m going to pull
his fingernails out.

Heero is mine.

He’s doing it again… touching Heero’s elbow, leaning
close, smiling… Does he think I won’t notice? Has no
one told this idiot that I don’t take kindly to people
touching Heero? You’d think after that last incident
word would’ve gotten around…

Heero knows that I don’t like it when other people
touch him… why hasn’t he done something? He’s moved
away from the touch, every time… but that’s not enough…
and he knows it’s not.

I watch him move back again out of range- but the other
just moves closer.

Maybe I should just cut his hands off.

Heero lifts his head and turns to look at me. Somehow
he always knows when I’m getting upset. I don’t know
how, but he does. He says something to the soon-to-be-
handless new guy and heads towards me.

“Duo,” his touch on my shoulder is soothing. “You okay?
I know you hate waiting…”

“I’m okay,” I reach up to touch his hand, happy that he
doesn’t pull away from my touch. “It’s not for much
longer.”

“You’re agitated,” Heero’s fingers tighten on me for a
moment. “What’s wrong?”

“He keeps touching you.”

“I’m trying not to let him.” Heero gives me a faint
smile. “I think he’s just that way.”

I don’t agree, but I don’t like arguing with Heero.
Sometimes I lose my temper and hurt him. He never gets
mad about it, but I don’t like it.

So I just turn back towards the window. The sooner this
job is over, the happier I’ll be.

Heero stays beside me for a little while. I can tell
he’s worried, and I want to reassure him, but if that
guy doesn’t keep his hands to himself…

Well, I won’t be responsible for the consequences. He
should know not to touch what’s mine.

There’s a commotion on the street- our target is headed
this way…

The job goes well, but afterwards as we are about to
head home, the new guy catches Heero’s elbow again.

“Hey… you wanna meet up sometime? Go have coffee…?”

Before I can say a word, Heero pulls his arm free.
“Sorry.” He grabs my arm and hauls me off down the
street before I have a chance to move.

“I’m going to kill him.”

“He didn’t know,” Heero says as we get into the car.

I doubt that. I know for a fact that myself, the other
Org orphans and all of our little ‘eccentricities’ are
part of the list of Orientation warnings- I overheard
Trowa going through the list with another newbie not
too long ago. I was amused at the time…

“Then someone should tell him.” Before Heero can
reply, I change the subject. “We have some free time
coming up next month- want to go someplace or stay
home?”

Heero’s worry fades a bit, and I’m glad. I don’t like
to worry him. We talk about what to do for our vacation
for the rest of the ride home.

Once we get inside, safe inside our security system,
and finish our check of the house, I find Heero in the
bedroom pulling off his tie.

He accepts my kiss, allows me to pull him close, taste
his skin. It’s not enough… I need more than this
tonight.

I pull away, reaching out to run my fingers over the
small cabinet by the bed. “Can I? Please?”

Heero isn’t surprised. He knows me too well. “Yes.”

I help him with his clothes, kiss and caress the
revealed skin, and when he lies down on the bed I open
the cabinet.

He lets me blindfold him, opens his mouth to accept the
gag, stays still as I bind wrist to ankle to thigh.
Only the faintest sound escapes his throat when I
gently clamp his nipples, slip the ring over his cock.

I like him like this. Bound, helpless… and all because
I ask it of him. He puts all his training, all his
instincts to the side and lets me do this… I’m the only
one who gets to see him this way…

He arches into my touch, moans when my lips brush his
skin, shivers when I bite down… gently. I don’t want to
hurt him. I cherish his trust in me. No one has ever
let me do this to them. No one has ever been what Heero
is to me…

I prepare him carefully, watching his response to the
touch of my hands, feeling the rise of heat in his
skin. He hides nothing from me…

The sound he makes when I slide inside of him…

The way he pushes back against me, twists to get as
close as he can…

The muffled pleading when I slide out again…

Mine.

When I finally let him come, he collapses back against
the sheets, breathing shallow, near unconscious.

I untie his bonds, straightening his body out on the
bed. I clean him up and slide into bed beside him. He
curls up against my chest and slides his arms around
me.

“Love you…” He murmurs against my skin. I hold him
close, cuddling him against me until the pattern of his
breathing changes and he’s deeply asleep. He's so
beautiful...

Slipping out of the bed as quietly as I can, I get
dressed and head towards the garage.

I need to go have a little talk with that new guy….

Cookies 1

It was raining. Not a light nice April shower, but a
torrent of rain that made the windshield wipers an
exercise in futility.

So, halfway to their destination, Duo had declared that
they were going to stop at the next public building- be
it restaurant, bar, supermarket or laundry and simply
wait out the storm.

Luckily, the next place had proved to be a tiny bakery.
They got a nice seat by the window where they could
monitor the rain, two cups of decent coffee and a
plateful of very hard cookies.

Duo picked one of the cookies up and tried to gnaw on
the end.

“How do you eat these?”

Heero looked up from the paper he had grabbed from a
nearby table. “I think you have to soak them in the
coffee first.”

Duo looked at the cookie dubiously. “But won’t that
make it crumble? I don’t want crumbs in my coffee.”

“Maybe you should order a muffin.”

“Maybe you should let me soak it in your coffee.”

“But then I get crumbs in my coffee.”

“But you’ll cope because you love me and want me to be
able to eat this cookie.”

As Heero was struggling to think of a way to prove that
he loved Duo and yet not get crumbs in his coffee, the
door to the bakery opened and a group of young men came
in talking at the top of their lungs. They sat down at
a corner table and began a boisterous conversation that
made any type of talking at the other tables near
impossible. Heero privately dubbed them ‘The Idiots’
and tried to tune them out.

Duo frowned, his eyes narrowing as he watched The
Idiots give the waitress a bad time when she came to
take their drink order. Heero, knowing the danger
signs, offered him a section of the paper and hoped the
rain would stop soon.

Duo was soon immersed in the world news section, but
Heero kept one eye on his lover just in case.

As it turned out, Duo wasn’t the one he should’ve been
watching.

Heero heard one of The Idiots a fraction of a second
after Duo did. Heard one of them say the word ‘braid’
and another word… one he knew from experience that Duo
did not tolerate.

The paper dropped from his hands as he reached out,
even though he knew he was too late to stop his
partner’s reaction…

A cookie flew across the room, skimmed the speaker’s
nose, hit the wall and then fell into the cup of coffee
in front of the young man with a splash.

Duo grinned across the room at the tableful of idiots.

“It just… slipped.” He said, his smile widening a bit
more. Heero knew that smile. He gave his lover a
warning look.

Duo ignored him. He picked up the butter knife, flipped
it over his fingers, tossed it in the air and caught it
again still smiling at the Idiots. “Good thing I was
only playing with a cookie, hm?”

The Idiots were apparently less idiotic than Heero had
given them credit for- they were out of the bakery in
less than a minute.

Heero shook his head and picked up the paper. “I’m
amazed you didn’t try and hit him in the eye.”

“It was a warning shot,” Duo shrugged as he picked up
another cookie. “Besides, I might have put his eye out
with one of these things. Think how messy that would be
to clean up.”

“The only way you could’ve put his eye out would be if
you put a spike in the cookie,” Heero sighed and looked
back down at his paper. Where was the article he’d been
reading?

The silence on the other side of the table made him
look up again to find Duo regarding the cookie in his
hands thoughtfully.

Uh oh. He knew that look too…

“What are you thinking?”

“Spikes would be good, but imagine if we stuck a wee
bit of explosive inside? The kind that goes off on
impact?”

“Exploding cookies?”

Duo nodded. “I could see ways to use them…”

Heero’s lips curved in a smile. “Once again, I’m glad
we’re on the same side.”

Duo winked. “You’re the one that suggested using the
cookies as weapons.”

“I never would have before I met you.”

Duo leaned across the table. “And are you sorry you met
me?”

The question was teasing- but his tone held a hint of
something else.

Heero met Duo’s eyes. “Not ever- and you know it.” He
picked up his paper again. “Though I think you need to
run the cookie idea by the lab guys- no trying it at
home this time, okay?”

“You’re no fun.” Duo pouted. Then his face lit up
again. “Hey- imagine if the cookies were poisonous!
Then anything you dipped them in would get poisoned as
the cookies dissolved… Or…”

Heero gave his lover an affectionate smile even as he
inwardly hoped that the rain would end soon- before Duo
got tired of cookies and decided to turn his
imagination loose on the other goods the bakery sold.

He’d never be able to eat in a bakery again…

Cookies 2

Heero got up from the chair with a sense of smug
satisfaction. It had taken him most of the day, but he
had finally managed to hack their next target’s
computers and insert a virus into the system. The job
should be a lot easier now.

He headed down the stairs, intent on finding Duo and
sharing his good news. Halfway down the stairs he
paused, sniffing the air.

What was that smell? It wasn’t unpleasant…but it wasn’t
anything he recognized either. He sniffed again,
trying to place it. The smell was emanating from the
kitchen.

Was Duo experimenting again?

Heero hurried down the rest of the stairs and headed
for the kitchen. He opened the door cautiously knowing
that Duo didn’t like being disturbed, but at the same
time making enough noise so Duo wouldn’t be startled-
Heero had learned the hard way not to accidentally
sneak up on his lover.

He put his head around the doorway and peeked inside.
Duo was leaning against the counter, studying a
cookbook. “Hey stranger,” Duo greeted him with a warm
smile. “Finished?”

“Yes,” Heero moved to the counter and accepted Duo’s
kiss. “The virus is in their system.” He kissed Duo
again. “What have you been up to?”

“I made cookies.” Duo pointed to two platefuls on the
counter. Heero blinked. Cookies?

“They look good.”

“I hope so.” Duo chuckled. “This baking thing was
harder than it looked- the first two batches I had to
scrap, but I think these turned out good. Try one.”

Heero reached out a hand to the closest of the two
plates.

“Oh no,” Duo stopped him. “Not from the red plate. Take
one from the blue.”

Heero moved his hand carefully away from the red plate
and took a cookie from the blue. He hoped Duo hadn’t
gotten the plates mixed up- was it really a good idea
to eat this cookie?

Duo was watching him with a hopeful expression though,
so he took a cautious bite and chewed. The cookie was
crisp and delicious, much to his relief, though he knew
that didn’t mean it was totally safe either.

“It’s really good,” he told Duo and took another
careful bite. Duo’s smile made it all worthwhile.

“Really?”

“Really- didn’t you try them?”

Duo nodded, and Heero felt a bit more relieved. “Of
course, but it’s not the same.” He kissed Heero’s cheek
and closed the cookbook.

Heero finished the last of his cookie as Duo opened a
drawer and pulled out several small plastic bags. He
watched as Duo started placing the red plate cookies
carefully into the bags.

“What are those for?” He asked casually.

Duo gave him an apologetic half-smile. “I know you said
not to experiment in the house anymore, but when I
tried to go to the lab they wouldn’t cooperate with
me…”

Heero frowned. “They wouldn’t?”

“Well, they all had really big projects, so I suppose
it wasn’t on purpose…” Duo shrugged. “I really wanted
these for the target… we’re supposed to go in as the
delivery people from the sandwich place you know…”

“I know…. So Duo… what do the cookies do?”

Duo bit his lip, picked one up from the plate and
walked over to the sliding glass door. “You don’t like
that bed of daisies, right?”

Heero joined him at the door. “Uh… right.”

“Good.” Duo opened the door and threw the cookie at the
daisies.

Once the small rain of dirt, pebbles and shredded
flowers stopped, Heero cleared his throat. “Made to
explode on impact I see?”

Duo nodded. “Just a little explosion, but I thought
they’d be a good distraction.” He gave Heero a worried
look as he slid the door closed. “You aren’t mad are
you?”

Heero slid an arm around his lover’s waist and kissed
him. “Not at all. I am, as always, both amazed at your
ingenuity and thankful that we are on the same side.”

Duo’s laughter rang out. He returned Heero’s kiss and
pulled him close. “We’re not on the same side,” he
corrected, “I am on your side. Yours and yours alone.
Always.” His voice dropped, “and no one is going to
take you from me.”

Looking at the remains of the flowerbed, Heero could
almost pity anyone who tried.

Cabin
Duo was on edge the moment we stepped into the cabin. I
don’t know what it was about the place that set him
off- and I didn’t ask. Duo would tell me if he felt
like it, it did no good to push.

I unpacked the food as he set up the surveillance
equipment; keeping one eye on my partner is now second
nature. It’s not that I worry he’ll attack me, not
anymore, but I never know what will upset him. Given
what he’s told me of his past, I am amazed he can even
function at all- so many of his ‘siblings’ can’t…

Once I finish I go to help him. I can see our target’s
cabin in the viewfinder, only a little ways down the
mountain from us, hidden in the trees. He’s due in
tomorrow morning. Hopefully he’ll be on time. I don’t
want to stay here any longer than we have to if Duo is
uncomfortable.

When the equipment is all set up, he goes to sit on the
bed. He’s trying to look relaxed and at ease, but I
know better. He hasn’t said a word since we got here
and set of his shoulders tells me that he’s tense and
unhappy.

“One night and we’ll be out of here,” I say as I sit on
the bed next to him, pulling him towards me gently. It
would not be a good idea to make Duo feel pinned or
trapped right now.

He settles into my embrace with a sigh, relaxing a
little bit as I run my hand down his braid. He still
doesn’t speak, just lifts his face up for a kiss.

If he’s willing to be distracted, then I’m more than
happy to do this for him.

I kiss him, going slowly, taking his clothes off a
piece at a time, undoing his braid, letting him undress
me but sticking only to kisses and caresses until he
digs out the small tube from his pocket and presses it
into my hand. Even then I know better than to rush,
know better than to flip him over and cover his body
with mine- as much as I may want to it’s not good for
Duo.

I wait until he guides my hand to the right spot; help
him keep his balance as my fingers get him ready.

His head is tilted back, his eyes are closed, his hair
is loose around his shoulders and he’s so very
beautiful that it’s hard not to simply pull him down to
me… but I don’t dare.

“Duo- look at me… please.” I don’t want him lost
someplace else; don’t want my touch to remind him of
something bad…

He opens his eyes and smiles for me. Now that I’m sure
he’s with me I can pull him down to me, waiting for him
to adjust before I urge him to move for me.

His eyes stay focused on mine as he moves; his lips
form my name over and over as I touch him, encouraging
him to take what he needs even as I lose myself in him…

Afterwards he curls up against my shoulder and falls
asleep. I’m glad. I hope he’ll sleep soundly until
tomorrow when we can do our job and then get out of
here.

I wake up alone in the dark. The bed beside me is
empty, there’s no sound of movement in the cabin other
than the soft hum of the equipment. Where has he gone?
I fumble for the light, worry uncurling in my stomach.

The cabin is empty. Where has Duo gone? I get out of
bed wondering if I should go looking for him- knowing
that if Duo doesn’t want to be found then I haven’t a
chance in hell in finding him…

Damn it. I never should’ve fallen asleep… I should’ve
realized he’d wake up…

The cabin is freezing. I build a small fire in the
fireplace and curl up in front of it in the blankets,
waiting for Duo to come back.

What will I do if he doesn’t come back? I can't imagine
my life without him...

It’s hours later, nearly dawn, when the door to the
cabin opens and Duo steps inside. He’s wearing only a
thin t-shirt and jeans- his feet are bare, his hair is
a tangle down his back.

“Heero? You okay?” He says, closing the door behind
him.

“You left,” I say and his expression goes dark for a
moment. He crosses the room to stand in front of me,
looking down at his bare feet, looking like a small boy
who is being called to answer for some small sin.

“I had a bad dream. I couldn’t stay.”

I lift an arm, holding the blankets open and he sits
down beside me, curling into the crook of my arm.
“We’re leaving as soon as the target gives us an
opening. Right when he steps out of the car if we can.”

Duo hums against my neck. “No need. I wired his cabin
to blow. It should look like a gas leak. We can leave
as sure as we know he’s alone in there.” He meets my
gaze and flashes a grin at me. “I had to do something
to distract myself.”

“You could’ve woken me up.”

He shakes his head. “It wasn’t safe.” He curls up
tighter against me. “I’m sorry you were worried.” He
takes a deep breath. “We used to play ‘catch as catch
can’ up in an area very similar to this…”

He doesn’t need to say more. I know about the kinds of
games his teachers made Duo and his siblings play… and
that one is one of the worst.

“We’re gone as soon as we know he’s alone in the
cabin.” I kiss the top of his head and cast a glance at
the surveillance equipment. We should be monitoring it-
the target is due in early this morning- but the sound
of a car would be loud enough up here that it would be
warning enough.

Duo lifts his head and gives me a weary smile. “I’m
tired, but we have to watch…”

“I can watch.” I get to my feet, leaving him wrapped in
the blankets by the fireplace and get dressed. The
cabin has one big chair- I pull it over by the
surveillance equipment.

Duo is half-asleep on the floor. I know he’s struggling
to stay awake and I wonder if it’s only because he
doesn’t want to leave me all the work, or if it’s
because he’s afraid to sleep.

I pull him to his feet and guide him to the chair,
settling in beside him. I can see all the equipment and
keep Duo next to me at the same time. He smiles at me
again before he puts his head down on my shoulder.

“I love you,” he says, his voice a tired murmur.
“You’re too good to me…”

“Not nearly good enough,” I say too softly for him to
hear. If I was I’d take him away from this job, move
him someplace where no memories of the past were
stirred up… but I don’t know how to do that, don't know
how to leave the Org…

Not yet- but I will. I'll get the both of us free.

Somehow....

Together too long

“May I ask you a question?” The man next to me is
watching my partner in a way that would make me very
nervous- if I didn’t have a hand on my gun. I realize
being put on a job with us is considered a death
warrant, but it doesn’t excuse his behavior.

“Of course.” I lean back against the wall scanning the
garage for signs of trouble- like this idiot is
supposed to be doing.

“How can you… stand to be with him?”

“Excuse me?” My hand tightens on the gun. No wonder
they sent this guy with us. If he’s always this dense
he won’t last long in this business.

He looks over his shoulder at me. “You know- I saw how
he took out those guys in the alley- I’ve heard
stories… and yet… you…”

Ah damn, not this again.

“I can’t be without him.” I snap and for some reason
that makes him relax.

“You mean the Org makes you?” He looks back at Duo and
shakes his head. “It’s not worth it.”

“The Org doesn’t make me. The Org would rather I wasn’t
with him at all.” Duo’s nearly finished. I’m hoping he
can’t hear this.

The idiot looks puzzled. I’ve apparently gone over his
head. Hell if I’m going to explain.

“You mean… he’s not as bad as the stories make him out
to be?” He looks at Duo again and it’s a different look
this time. A lustful one.

I force myself to relax my grip on the gun. For a
moment I want to laugh because I realize I’m reacting
like Duo would.

I’m used to my lover attracting attention from
strangers- and it never makes me feel threatened. This
though- this is… slimy. I don’t like his questions
about my lover, don’t like the way he’s eyeing Duo…

“No. He’s much worse.”

Duo slides out from under the car, gets to his feet and
heads towards us. “All done,” he says with that
cheerful smile. “Hopefully we’ve fixed that little
mistake of yours.”

“It wasn’t a mistake,” the operative snaps.

“You killed the wrong person.” Duo’s smile never
wavers. “So now you are going to stay here and make
sure the right person gets into that car. Heero and I
have a plane to catch.”

He grabs my elbow and tugs me towards our car, leaving
the operative gaping behind us.

“Our plane doesn’t leave for five hours,” I tell him
once we’re inside.

“I know- but if we’d stuck around you were going to
shoot that guy.”

“No I wasn’t!”

“You had your hand on your gun.”

“He was annoying me.”

“Well, like I’ve told you for years- that’s a good
reason.” Our eyes meet and we both start to laugh. It
takes us a few minutes to calm down.

Duo starts the car up. “So, want to tell me why you
were acting like me?”

“I’ve been around you for too long?”

He rolls his eyes at me. “Uh huh. I think we’ve been on
assignment too long.”

I pat his knee in apology. “Sorry love- it’s just…
well. I get very tired of being asked about things.”

“Was he trying to convince you to let him ‘rescue you’
from me?” Duo’s expression darkened.

“Oh no. He was more interested in if you were really as
bad as they said you were, because if not…”

Duo made a face. “Ew.”

“Exactly.”

Trust

Duo was late coming down to breakfast. I could hear the
water running upstairs and I debated as I put the bread
in the toaster if I should go up to him.

The last few days had been… difficult.

I took a deep breath and headed upstairs reminding
myself to be very- careful. The last time Duo had
hunted down one of the Org’s orphans, he’d left me at
home. This time I had insisted on going along- and I
shouldn’t have. No matter that the Org had ordered Duo
to take me along this time- Duo usually didn’t play by
their rules when one of his ‘siblings’ was concerned.

The bathroom door wasn’t locked. I had half-expected it
to be, was somewhat surprised when the knob turned
easily in my hand. At least I was spared the trouble of
trying to pick the lock.

Duo was in the shower, leaning against the wall, arms
wrapped around himself, his eyes closed, his hair
clinging to him.

I put my hand on the glass, said his name softly.

He didn’t move.

Carefully opening the door, I reached inside and shut
the water off. His eyes opened and he held his hands
out to me.

“I can’t wash it off.” His voice was faint, his eyes
unfocused. I knew this look and it worried me.

I took his hands in mine. “Wash what off?”

He blinked at the touch, focused on me. “Heero? What
are you doing?”

“You’ve been in the shower a long time. Breakfast is
going to get cold.”

He let me pull him out of the shower, reached for the
towel on his own. I turned to pick up his shirt and his
hand caught my wrist.

I flinched. I couldn’t help it.

“Heero?”

The shock in his voice made me turn quickly, pushing my
sleeve up a little. “Wrists are a bit raw still, sorry
about that…” I moved closer, putting my arms around
him, wrists out of his sight, and tugged the towel
around him. “After you get dry come downstairs for
breakfast, okay?” I kissed his eyebrow and turned to
head for the door.

“Are you… Do you… I didn’t want to hurt you…I’m sorry…”

Oh no. “Duo-“ I turned back around and pulled him
close to me. “This is not your fault. I should’ve
listened to you and stayed behind.”

He shook his head. “No… you couldn’t have. She told me
she was coming for you- she told me that she’d hurt
you. I thought you’d be safe with me…”

“I was safe with you.”

His fingers ghosted over my wrists. “No- you weren’t… I
didn’t know… I mean, she was always the best with the
drugs. Always figuring something out. She was the one
who developed the harp pills. I should’ve known
something was off…”

“Duo. Stop it. It wasn’t your fault.” He was shivering
under my hands. I ran the towel over him quickly and
pulled him to the bedroom. I twisted his damp hair up
out of the way as we curled up under the blankets on
our bed.

He closed his eyes and put his head down on my chest.
“I hurt you.”

“Duo- it doesn’t matter. It’s not any different than…”

“Yes it is! I didn’t… I never wanted to hurt you that
way…” His hand touched the back of my neck, traced the
faint scar there. “I never want to hurt you in any way…
but sometimes my reactions… I can’t help them…”

“I know that. It was part of my training too.” I
brushed my thumb over his cheekbone. “Like the time you
snuck up on me in the shower and I decked you,
remember? Dangers of living with an assassin, right?”
He didn’t return my smile.

He nodded. “But Heero… this was different…I didn’t… I
never…”

“Duo.” I cupped his cheek, made him look at me. “It’s
not as bad as you’re thinking. It’s truly not.” I
smiled for him again. “It’s not like we haven’t done
that before, right?”

“But…”

I shook my head. “Don’t. Don’t let her win. Can’t you
see? She knew the effect this would have on you.”

“Bitch,” he muttered, putting his head down on my
chest.

“Yes,” I agreed and waited. I knew there would be more.

“Did I… Do you hurt anywhere else?”

“No.”

He gave me a doubtful look and so I pulled away from
him a little so that I could yank off my shirt. I
tossed it on the floor, my jeans following a moment
later, and then I lay back on the bed.

“See for yourself love.”

He examined me carefully. “Bruised.”

“Where?”

He touched my hip, lined the marks up with his
fingertips. “Here.”

“Didn’t even notice.”

He shook his head at me. “Heero-“

“I didn’t.”

He snorted. “How can you be so calm about this?”

“How could I be anything else?” I lifted an eyebrow at
him. “What really matters? The job is complete. She’s
dead and we’re alive.”

“But I…”

“You were a little rough with me under the influence of
a drug. That’s it.”

Another snort. “A little rough,” he said and put his
head down on my shoulder.

“You’ve been a little rough before.”

“I know.” Deep breath. “You never are.”

“Have you forgotten that broken arm of yours in
Calcutta? And the black eye from that punch? And the…”

He put his hand over my mouth. “Not that kind of
rough.”

I kissed his fingertips. “I know.” I couldn’t tell him
that I had always been careful on purpose. I know too
much about his background to be anything else.

“Maybe you should be.”

“Hell no.”

“Didn’t I tell you once that anything I did to you, you
could do to me?”

That made me pause. Did he say that once upon a time?
Maybe he did.

I met his gaze, realized that he was going to insist on
it- and there was no way in hell I was going to do
anything of the kind to him.

“That doesn’t mean I want to do it.”

He lifted an eyebrow at me. “Truly? You mean all the
times I’ve used that rope on you- you never once
thought about using it on me?”

He had me on that one.

“Even if I had, I never would. I know why you use it on
me. It doesn’t raise any bad memories up for me. For
you… could you honestly say that it would be safe for
me to use it on you?”

I watched the emotions flit over his face, knew that he
was giving my question his usual careful consideration.

He rested his forehead against mine. “I think you would
be perfectly safe.”

For a moment I couldn’t breathe. He wouldn’t say that
unless he felt it was the truth.

“You trust me that much?”

“More.” I couldn’t help the smile that curved my lips
and he smiled back at me. “You know I love you more
than anything. Don’t look that surprised.”

“It’s not that and you know it.” I pushed him back into
the pillows and kissed him. He opened his lips, slid
his arms around me- and a moment later pulled away.

“Heero- I meant it- you can…”

“I know,” I smiled and nudged his legs open with my
knee. “But that’s not what I want right now, okay?”

I saw the faint hint of relief in his eyes. “Are you
sure?”

“Right now, knowing you’d let me… that you trust me
that much- is enough- more than enough…” I kissed him
again and he relaxed against me.

“You’re too easily satisfied,” he grumbled, trying to
hide the curve of his lips.

“Quite the contrary,” I told him, and set out to prove
it.

Mine

“Does he scream?” Kira hovers by my shoulder as we
watch my partner get into position in the crowd below.
“Does he scream when you fuck him? He looks like he’d
scream…”

I’m tempted to turn around and punch him but I know
what Kira is doing. Kira likes to make people
uncomfortable, likes to throw them off balance. It’s
one of his little eccentricities.

If he doesn’t stop soon he’s going to learn about a few
of mine… One more question and I will hurt him, Org
orders or no.

“Are you monitoring the transmissions?” I ask him
instead of answering his question.

“Of course. Normal. No sign that they know we’re here.”
He sounds nettled. Kira was expecting me to be upset.
It gives me a small sense of satisfaction to have
thwarted him.

I check the rifle over one more time. If Heero isn’t
able to complete the job, then I will be the one to
take out the target. I know my lover- he won’t make a
move if there is a chance of innocents being hurt. I
once derided him for it- what does an assassin need a
conscience for? Now it’s one of the things I treasure
about him.

“You never answered my question Duo.” Kira’s breath is
warm on my cheek. “Do you like…”

I lash backwards with the butt of the rifle, catching
him in the throat. It’s not a killing blow- the Org
would not be happy with me for taking out one of my
somewhat functional siblings.

Though I am fast beginning not to care…

He chokes for a moment, trying to draw breath and I
turn to look at him. “It’s none of your fucking
business, Kira.”

“Unfair,” he says, his voice harsh. “How am I supposed
to find one for myself if you won’t tell me?”

“One for yourself?” I lift an eyebrow at him.

“A lover,” he snaps, sounding like a petulant child.
“Why did you get one?”

He’s not… jealous? Kira who avoids any physical contact
at all?

“Kira- you’ve killed people who tried to ask you out.”
I point out and wonder if I should go farther, remind
him why he doesn’t like to be touched like that. But
I’m sure he remembers…

So I just scowl at him and turn my back, watching the
street. I can see the target’s car in the distance.

He leans over the windowsill beside me and I’m tempted
to simply push him out, especially when I see the way
that he’s eyeing Heero.

Heero’s mine. I don’t like it when people look at him
like that. Kira knows I don’t like it. He’s doing it
deliberately, trying to make me angry.

Maybe he wants to die?

“Not one like that. None of them were beautiful like he
is.” He says, his voice softer now. “None of them
looked at me like he looks at you. He loves you. He’d
do anything for you…”

“I’d do anything for him.” I adjust the rifle against
my shoulder. The car is closer.

“Then… “ Kira sounds puzzled, “is that how you got him
to love you? You didn’t do anything to him?”

“I didn’t do anything to him.” At least I didn’t think
I did. I think he started sleeping with me in order to
show me he had a value, but the love? That wasn’t
something I could force. That was just something to be
grateful for.

Kira’s expression twists. “That’s not fair. Why did you
have to be the one to find someone who could love one
of us?”

I don’t have an answer for him.

“Life’s not fair,” I tell him. “Speaking of- the car is
getting closer and you aren’t doing your job.” I click
the safety off and frown at him. “All I need is an
excuse…”

He frowns back at me and picks up the headset again.

I can’t wait until this damn job is over. I don’t know
exactly why the Org made us bring Kira with us,
something about it being a job in our ‘backyard’ and
needing to be extra careful, but I’m not going to let
them do it again.

Maybe they were hoping we’d kill each other?

The car reaches the designated spot and for a moment I
wait. Will Heero do his part? Or is the car behind them
too close?

The car explodes in a rush of flame, and I feel my lips
curve in a smile. This job is finally over.

Kira is back at the window, staring dreamily at the
flames. “So beautiful,” he says, and for just a moment
I think he’s talking about the explosion.

Then I realize he’s focused on something else.

A faint whisper reaches my ears: “I want him…”

I think I’ve been patient long enough.

*

Heero’s waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.
“Where’s Kira?” He asks and I bite back a growl.

“He’s dealing with the rest of the equipment. We don’t
have to wait for him.” I grab Heero’s arm and tug him
out of the building to our waiting car.

“I thought we had to drop him back at the Org.”

“They can just come and get him.”

Heero’s watching me, his eyes thoughtful. We get into
the car and he waits until I start the car and pull out
into the traffic.

“What did you do to Kira?”

“Nothing.”

“Duo.”

I hunch over the steering wheel. “He made me mad.”

Heero waits for a moment before asking: “Is he dead?”

“No, but if they put him on another mission with us he
will be.”

Heero nods. “All right. Let me call in and let them
know the job is done. Do they need to retrieve Kira?”

“Yes.” He won’t be moving on his own anytime soon. I
hope that was enough. I hope he sees it as the warning
it was.

If he doesn’t- if he goes near Heero again- I will kill
him.

Heero pulls out his phone and calls in, his voice even
as he reports the end of the job and requests a
retrieval team.

When he finishes, he puts the phone away and then puts
a hand on my arm. He doesn’t speak, doesn’t ask me to
explain, just reminds me that he’s there.

I wish sometimes that I had his calm… but he was
trained so differently than I was…

We get home, perform our checks, make sure that we are
secure in our home.

Heero is in the kitchen; he went down there after he
changed, to get something to drink. I can hear him,
even up here in the bedroom. He’s learned to make
noise, even as I have. Neither one of us is safe to
sneak up on.

I finish changing and head downstairs. Heero is sitting
at the kitchen table, a glass of juice in his hands.
He’s shirtless and I pause for a moment to just look at
him.

He is beautiful…

He doesn’t protest, doesn’t struggle when I pull him up
and out of the chair. He opens his lips under mine,
slides his arms around my waist.

“Kira wants you,” I tell him as I push him back against
the table.

Heero’s eyes widen slightly. He knows how I get.
“Upstairs?” He asks as he tilts his head to the side so
that my lips can trace the line of his throat.

“Right here,” I drop the rope that I pulled out of that
cabinet beside our bed onto the table.

Heero doesn’t protest. He simply smiles a little and
lifts himself up onto the table.

“You know you can do whatever you want with me,” he
says and surrenders himself to me.

*

Trowa is talking about our next mission as we climb the
stairs up to Wufei’s office. I’m glad he’s the one
going with us this time. I’m hardly ever tempted to
kill Trowa anymore.

There’s a nervous group of people hovering around
Chang’s office, whispering fiercely to each other. As
we approach they draw back a little and the sound of
whispering increases. What is going on?

I make out the words Kira, orphan and left, and decide
that my sibling has apparently given his notice. We
reach the office door and I hear Trowa inhale sharply.

The knife is driven point down into Wufei’s desk- and
there is a tinge of that dull brownish red on the
blade… that is one way to tell the boss man you quit, I
guess.

Wufei is in the middle of the room, arms crossed. He
looks up at out entrance.

“So, Kira quit?” I ask him. I had to give Kira
credit- he made his exit with style. A bloodied knife
on Wufei’s desk? Nice touch. I’d have to remember to
tell him that before he died.

“Apparently,” he says and the look he gives me is one I
can’t read. Something is making him tense and it’s not
the knife. Something else is going on here.

“Only apparently?” I ask him

“Did you read the note? Anyone tell you?”

I look at him closely. He’s pale, sweating slightly,
and that is not like Chang at all. “Tell me what?” I
scan the crowd of agitated people. Someone is missing.
“Where’s Heero?”

Wufei bites his lip, looking at the knife.

No. Kira wouldn’t dare… and if he did… I am not going
to be merciful when I find him…

“Chang…” I scan the crowd again. Unless he is busy
elsewhere I should’ve seen my lover by now. He was
supposed to meet us up here after he talked to
requisitions.

Wufei’s reaction tells me where he is, but I want to
hear him say it. Once it’s out, once I’m officially
told then no one will be able to stop me…. “Where is
Heero?”

“Kira took him.”

“Dead.”

“No,” Chang corrects me and Trowa’s hand hovers over
my arm, trying to comfort, but not quite daring to do
so. “Heero was alive when they left.”

“I meant Kira.”

*

Arrrgghhh....

“Follow him,” Chang says to me as Duo turns on his heel
and leaves the office.

Follow him? Will Duo even allow that?

“Call us when he gets to Kira.”

“How does he even know where Kira is?”

Chang looks grim. “Duo knows. Just go with him, Barton.
Try to stop it from getting too messy.”

Right, like that’s even possible at this moment. I turn
and try not to run down the hall. Duo won’t like being
pursued at this moment in time.

He’s at the elevators, the bloodstained knife that he
wrenched from Chang’s desk still clenched in his hands.
I stop beside him, just out of range, and wait.

He doesn’t notice me at first. All of his focus is on
that knife in his hands. After a moment, he looks up at
me and lifts an eyebrow.

“Chang sent me to be your backup,” I tell him and wait
for him to argue with me. I’ve worked with Duo a lot
these past years, and though I do not have Heero’s
ability to calm him down, I am hoping that I can at
least get him to allow me to help.

“Fine,” he says and his gaze drops to the knife in his
hands again.

I really do not like that look on his face…

The elevator doors slide open and for just a moment I
really don’t want to get into that small, enclosed
space with Duo. Not like this.

I push my fear down and step in beside him. He hits the
button for the ground floor and the doors close with a
click. A shiver runs down my spine. I hope I survive
this.

Duo is silent, his eyes still focused on the knife, his
body tense.

“How will we find him?” I ask cautiously. Kira could’ve
taken Heero anywhere…

“Mountains,” Duo says shortly and I blink. How does he
know?

He lifts his gaze up from the knife and meets my eyes.
“We are programmed to go to certain places when we
leave the Org.”

“And Kira’s is in the mountains?”

Duo nods.

“Are you sure he’ll go there?”

“All the others went to theirs,” he says shortly and
drops his gaze back down to the knife.

All the others? I’m still trying to figure out what he
means when we reach the garage. I follow Duo to his
car and hope that he doesn’t try to leave me behind. He
doesn’t. The door opens under my hands and I slide in
beside him.

The scream of protesting vinyl as Duo plunges the knife
into the dashboard makes me jump.

“Keeping it safe,” he says harshly and starts the car.

I’ve never seen Duo like this. Even on that first
mission when I thought Heero’s new partner was a little
scary, I had still been surprised to find him at my
door one morning telling me that he needed to dismantle
the bomb he’d put in my room.

And even then, he’d smiled and apologized, even been a
little sheepish about his behavior. Like a kid who
broke a neighbor’s window with a baseball.

I knew he didn’t like people getting too close to
Heero, had warned others about it on occasion, but even
then I hadn’t been one of the ones he’d scared off. I
don’t want to say I forgot about that side of his
personality, because that would’ve been suicidal, but
I’d been lulled by Heero’s influence on Duo’s
personality.

We were going to be in deep trouble if we didn’t get
Heero back safe.

I watch as Duo’s hands slowly tighten on the wheel,
watch as his gaze grows darker, and really wish that I
had stayed back at the Org.

“Duo,” I said quietly, hoping to distract him, “when we
get to the mountains, what are we going to do?”

“Kill Kira. Get Heero.”

Okay. I can work with that.

We are getting closer to the mountains and I wonder
again about what Duo said. Programmed to go to certain
places? I can see where that would make it easier for
the Org to track down rogue orphans… oh.

Duo is the one who tracked down his ‘siblings’. If he
said they all went to their places- then he meant the
ones that he killed so far… how many had there been? I
know they had thirteen children who finished the
training… and were now down to four…

No wonder they could never leave…

The road begins to curve as we enter the foothills,
winding up through trees and brush, and the light
begins to fade.

Duo suddenly wrenches the car to the right and hits the
brake. The car stops in a small cluster of bushes, just
off the road.

“Stay here.” He says and yanks the knife out of the
dashboard.

“Are you sure?”

That makes him pause. “Yes. If I’m not out in 15
minutes call for backup.” He reaches into the backseat
and pulls out a crowbar. “Are you armed?”

“Yes.” I show him the gun under my jacket. He nods.

“There’s more in the trunk.” He hands me the keys and
vanishes into the dark woods.

I pull out my phone. It can’t hurt to call in and tell
them where we are. Just in case…

**
Nearly there. I can see the light glinting through the
trees. Kira’s careless…

A faint scream reaches my ears and my hand tightens on
the knife. I know why he’s careless… his attention is
on something else. Something that belongs to me…

Closer still and I can make out the faint shape of the
cabin; can hear the sound of cursing. Kira is indeed
being careless… Almost to the door now…

“Fucking bastard!” Kira shouts, “Quit fighting me!” A
sharp crack underscores his words.

I know that sound.

How dare he…

The door gives way beneath my shoulder.

Kira looks up and his eyes widen in his blood-streaked
face. “How did you get here?” Heero is at his feet… and
the sight of him makes me very angry…

The knife hits Kira’s shoulder, spins him around just
enough for me to slam into him and knock him against
the wall.

He tries to kick me, but I’ve already yanked the knife
back out. One of his hands is headed towards my face,
so I grab it and use the knife to pin it to the wall.

Kira screams.

“Don’t blame me! He wouldn’t do as I asked! He fought
me!” He turns his head so I can see the bruise on the
side of his face. “I wouldn’t have hurt him if he
hadn’t fought!”

“You never should’ve touched him.” I hiss at him,
pulling his other hand away from the one pinned to the
wall. His fingers crack as I bend them backwards,
waiting for the soft sounds that will tell me that the
joints have popped free. His thumb makes a sharp
snapping sound and Kira curses.

“Can’t have you pulling that knife out.” I tell him and
take a step back, lifting the crowbar.

He screams when I break his arm, louder when I hit his
knees. His fingers crack as the bar hits them, just for
good measure. He won’t be moving for a while.

Heero is pushing himself up from the floor when I reach
him. His eyes are dazed; the pupils large and black and
I suspect he has a concussion. There’s a large
bloodstained bandage on his upper thigh- the source of
the blood on that knife? He’s covered in cuts and welts
and bruises and I memorize each one. Kira is going to
pay for this…

“Duo…” His voice is raw and it hurts me to hear it.

“Shh…” I lift him up in my arms, looking at Kira,
pinned helplessly to the wall, trying to pull the knife
out with his broken hand. “Let’s get you to the car.”
Heero’s eyes close and I hope he’s only passed out.

Trowa jumps out to meet us when we get close and I’m
glad of it. I put Heero carefully in the passenger
seat.

“Take him in, get him help.” I tell Trowa.

“What about you?” He asks as he starts the engine.

“I’m not finished yet.”

Trowa looks at Heero, his face grim and nods. “I’ll see
you at the medcenter then.”

I touch Heero’s cheek. “I’m trusting you with him.”

“I won’t fail you Duo.” Trowa meets my gaze squarely.

Stepping back I close the car door and watch as Trowa
speeds off down the road.

Then I turn back towards the cabin. I have quite a bit
of work ahead of me still…

*

The explosion lights up the inside of the cabin, the
walls collapsing inward, the roof falling to the side.
I don’t need to check inside. I know he’s dead.

I turn away, head for his car. It should be easy enough
to hotwire and get down to the medcenter. I need to see
Heero. I need to make sure he’s okay.

Kira’s keys are dangling from the ignition. So this
will be easier than I thought. I look over at the
passenger side as the car starts up. The seat has a
large dark reddish stain…

Heero’s blood… I reach down to wipe it away and realize
that my hand is already stained, the red fading to
brown in spots.

Damn. I look down at myself and realize that I can’t go
to the medcenter like this. I reach up to push my bangs
out of my face and hear the unpleasant crunch of dried
blood in my hair.

At least it’s still dark. I can go home and shower
before I go to see Heero. I hope he’s really okay. I
didn’t have much time to do more than assess his
injuries- I don’t know what Kira did to him before I
got there… didn’t think to ask at first- and when I
did, Kira couldn’t answer…

He better not have… Heero is mine. Kira knew that. He
knew that going after Heero would make me angry…

He got off easy…

***

Where is he?

I look at Trowa, sitting patiently beside me, reading
out loud from the newspaper and think about asking him
to tell me what happened again…

He’s already gone through it twice- and I still think
he’s hiding something from me. I woke up in the
medcenter a few hours ago, bandaged and stitched up.
Based on what Trowa’s told me- he left Duo up in the
mountains five hours ago.

When I told him to go get Duo, he’d just shaken his
head. “I told him I’d take care of you,” he said and
when I protested that I was fine, still refused to go.
“No. Duo trusted you to me and I don’t want him angry
at me.”

I wasn’t really sure what to say to that. I knew how
Duo could get… I should’ve been more careful. If only
I’d been more alert. I hadn’t been expecting to be
attacked in the offices- hadn’t thought anything of it
when Kira walked by me in the hall- until he drove that
knife into my leg. I’d bent over out of sheer reflex
and he must’ve knocked me out, because all I remembered
was waking up in that cabin…

Bile rises in my throat for a moment. That had been…
unpleasant. Kira hadn’t been pleased with me when I
woke up and shoved him off me.

“You let Duo touch you!” He screams at me as I knock
him off me. I slide away as fast as I can, nearly sick
to think that he’s been touching me. “Why him and not
me?”

“Because I’m his!”

I look at the clock again. Where is he? What if
something has happened to him?

“Heero-“ Trowa leans forward and taps my arm. “Stop.
He’ll be fine.”

“You don’t know that.” It’s petty of me, but damn it,
this waiting is driving me crazy. “I always hate it
when he goes out to face one of them. They’re just as
good as he is…”

“No,” Trowa corrects me. “If they were he wouldn’t get
sent to eliminate them. Besides he had to have
immobilized Kira somehow before he brought you out to
me…”

Kira, pinned to the wall, screaming as Duo swung the
crowbar…

“He was,” I admit. “But… that was hours ago.”

Trowa doesn’t speak for a moment and I shift,
uncomfortably aware of my bandages. I know how Duo gets
when he thinks someone is simply getting too close to
me… Kira did worse than that…

I don’t forget, I can never forget what Duo’s past is,
can’t forget the demons I know he carries inside of
him… all I can do is hope that I make him forget
them…but right now I fear that this has stirred them up
worse… what if he can’t make it back to me? What if I
lose him to those dark parts of himself?

How could I have been so careless? I need to go find
him… How can I convince Trowa to help me?

The door to my room swings open.

Duo stands there, shoulders hunched, hands in his
pockets, his bangs shading his face.

Trowa sighs in relief and gets to his feet. “And there
he is, Heero. See? I told you. Nothing to worry about.”
He moves to the doorway, his hand not quite touching
Duo’s shoulder. “He’s been waiting for you.” He says to
Duo.

I hear Duo murmur something and Trowa’s soft: “you’re
welcome.” He gives me a faint smile and vanishes out
the door, leaving Duo and I alone. He really is a good
friend.

Duo stays by the door, hunched in on himself. This
wasn’t how I expected him to act…

“Duo?” I try and he looks up at me. His expression
makes me hold my hands out to him. “Come here?” For
just a moment he doesn’t move and my chest tightens.
Won’t he take even this comfort from me?

Much to my relief, he does, takes my hands and lets me
pull him down beside me. His hair is damp, his black
shirt and jeans are not the clothes he had on earlier,
and I realize that he must’ve gone home to shower.

That surprises me- and then I realize what he must’ve
looked like when he finished….

He curls up in my arms without speaking and I stroke
his hair, wondering how to help him.

“Are you okay?” He asks, his voice soft. “Did he… hurt
you?”

“I’m fine.” I reassure him. “The docs stitched me up a
bit.” I touch the top of my leg. ”I got some bruised
ribs and a few cuts, but nothing serious. You got there
just in time.”

He lifts his head and looks at me, his fingers skimming
over my bandages. “Did I?”

I realize what he’s asking, why he’s so worried and
mentally smack myself. “You did. He only managed to
kiss me- and that when I was unconscious. That’s all.”

Duo frowns a little and leans up to kiss me, his lips
firm and demanding. I let him reclaim my mouth,
willingly open my lips for him. This is familiar,
expected and welcomed…

My hand slides down his braid, catches on the tie.
Something crunches under my fingers and I pull my hand
away as Duo curls back up beside me.

My fingertips are covered with a brown substance… dried
blood. I lift Duo’s braid up, pull it through my
fingers and find the end. The tie is coated… he must’ve
just grabbed it again without thinking…

What did he do that would cover even the tie like this?

“Love,” I say softly. “What did you do to Kira?”

“Killed him,” Duo’s answer is just as soft. His hands
are moving over my bandages.

It can’t be that simple. He’s been gone for hours, had
to change before he showed up here…

“Are you okay?” I try instead.

“Now I am,” he says, “because you’re here. I’m always
better with you.” He looks up and meets my eyes.
“That’s why I can never let you go…”

That makes me smile. “Good. I don’t want to be let
go.”

He puts his head down on my shoulder and closes his
eyes as I hold him close. Later I'll hear the whole
story, but for right now this is enough.

On to: One Night