Chapter One: Part One: Soft Comfort and Soldier Don’t Mix

 

Duo Maxwell took a breath of morning air, yawned, stretched and rubbed his sleepy eyes. Today, on Earth the sunrise

was a welcome change from alarms and black coffee. He leaned over the cold rail and caught a glimpse of the balcony below his.

It was Quatre’s room and Duo wondered what the young Winner heir was up to that morning.

            The night before had been rough, hot tempers boiling, nerves on edge. A ceasefire had been called in the midst of the

battle because the pilots were at their end. In space the wars still waged, the mighty forces of Oz still advancing.

            They had been told not to think about the war. A rest and some fun might put them right again. Their honored

benefactress, Duchess Kara St. Knight, a lady loosely associated with the Peacecrafts, accommodated them for their stay on

Earth.

            Duo felt no detachment from the other pilots. He only wished they’d get over whatever trip they’d been on and relax like

they were supposed to – particularly with him. He was lonely and restless and in desperate need of some company.

             “Let’s call a truce for now,” he thought, “and we can kill each other later.”

            He wrapped himself in the satin robe he had received from the Kara as he came in from the balcony. The Lady had said

that breakfast would be served at nine, and he was famished.

             “It’s only a quarter to eight,” he sighed. “I suppose I’ll have to entertain myself til then.”

            He slipped on a pair of comfortable sandals and stepped out into the hallway. The house was awake, alright. Muffled

voices and noises of preparation issued down the long, wide hallways and drifted up from downstairs. Duo wondered if all five

pilots were awake. He decided to see for himself.

            As he walked down the hall that led to Heero’s quarters, he began to feel uneasy. He wondered way the Lady had

placed the pilots so far apart. Suspicions that were hazy the night before hovered clearly now in front of him.

      He and Heero were on the third floor, Quatre and Trowa on the second, Wufei was on the first and they were separated

by hallways. Why? Hmmm, maybe he was only paranoid, only selfishly wanting his comrades close. Maybe.

      He tapped on Heero’s door. It was red wood, and nicely stylized. His door was blue. Trowa’s was green, Quatre’s was

gold, and Wufei’s was black. Why’d he suddenly remember that? Weird.

      He tapped again.

       “Blast it, Heero. You’re not still asleep, are you?”

      The doorknob turned, clicked, and opened a crack. Two dark eyes peered out.

       “What do you want?”

       “Heero, it’s me, Duo.” Duo grinned back at him. “I wanted to see if you were still alive…” He caught himself in Heero’s

stare. “Remind you about breakfast.”

      The door opened to reveal all of Heero’s face. He was dressed in pajamas that matched Duo’s robe.

       “I suppose you want to come in,” he said as if it weren’t an offer.

       “Um, sure,” Duo replied. He stared past Heero, wondering how he was to enter since Heero blocked the way.

      Heero moved stiffly to one side and Duo shuffled past him into the dim room. The shades were drawn on the windows so

that the sunlight could only bleed through. The bed looked as though a tornado had hit it.

       “Rough night?” Duo remarked as Heero closed the door behind him.

      Heero frowned and folded his arms.

      Duo felt a weight in his stomach at this cold greeting. He took a step toward the bed. “Mind if I sit down?”

      “No.”

      Heero remained standing, looking forbidding in his satin pajamas and bare feet.

      Duo took a seat and discarded his robe. “Is it hot in here to you?” he asked, hoping for some kind of response.

      Heero seated himself in an armchair. “Not really.”

      Duo touched the wrinkled sheet. “So, how’d this happen?”

       “Nightmares.”

      Duo caught his gaze. “Yeah. They can be pretty bad. You wanna talk about it?”

      Heero looked away. “No.”

       “Well-“

       “Did you come here just to talk about nightmares?”

      Duo stared at the blankets.  “No, I came to talk.”

       “We don’t have anything to talk about.”

      Duo swallowed a feeling of nausea. He glanced up at Heero. “I was just lonely, okay? After all we’ve been through I just

needed somebody to talk to. I thought you did too.”

      Heero stared back sternly. “I don’t need anyone, Duo.”

       “Yes, you do. You haven’t been sleeping.”

      Heero didn’t respond.

      Duo’s heart was racing. “Are you that angry with me, Heero?” his eyes questioned. “Don’t turn me away…”

       “Stop being the perfect soldier and talk to me, Heero,” he demanded.

      Heero glared at him, but his eyes seemed to soften. “Alright.” He lowered his eyes. “But none of this goes out of this

room.”

      Duo nodded. “I swear I won’t repeat anything.”

      Heero folded his legs in the chair. “No, I haven’t slept… for days. When I try to sleep I have horrible visions of death,

destruction. Wing Zero and the other suits are destroyed. We all die horribly, pitifully – and not for any good cause, save Oz’s

greed. We can’t even protect the colonies. We are useless.” He closed his eyes as if he were shutting out the visions he spoke of.

       “Heero…,”Duo soothed. “They’re only dreams. None of that will happen.” He sat perched on the edge of the bed,

watching Heero’s face.

       “I’m not so sure,”Heero replied with a grimace.

      Duo couldn’t watch his friend suffer. He rose and went to Heero’s side. “Heero.” He placed his hand on Heero’s

shoulder.

      Heero stared straight ahead. “Duo, you don’t understand. I saw each of you die. I saw your faces, heard your screams.

Every detail… I witnessed.” He bowed his head. “I saw our future.”

      Duo knelt beside Heero and gazed into his face. He felt a prick behind his ribs and his brow furrowed. “Heero, it can’t be

true. Our future is in our own hands. Just… let it go.”

      Heero looked into Duo’s eyes. “I can’t, Duo. I don’t know how.” His eyes seemed to say, “Help me.”

      Duo looked into those troubled eyes. “How could I help you, Heero?” he wondered.

      Heero’s eyes glistened with tears that he refused to let spill.

      Duo swallowed. He didn’t know what to do, so he slipped his arms around Heero’s shoulders. Heero didn’t protest.

       “Honestly, Heero, it’ll be alright,” Duo whispered.

      Heero clung to Duo’s shoulder, swallowing painful tears. “If anyone knew about this…,” he began hoarsely.

      “Shhhh,”Duo murmured. “Hush, tough guy. I won’t tell anyone. I’ve got a reputation to uphold too, you know.” He patted

Heero’s back.

            Duo sighed within himself. “I’m so selfish,” he thought. “I want attention so much. I hope he doesn’t think I’m pushing

it.”

            Heero closed his eyes. “Duo’s being so kind,” he thought, “but he has no idea what’s going on. We’re all going to die in

vain.” He shuddered.

            Duo felt him tremble. “Hey, Heero, are you okay?” He released his hold.

             “You just don’t get it, Duo,” Heero said. “I predicted the demise of the gundam pilots!”

             Duo looked into Heero’s sullen face. “Heero, you didn’t predict anything. I refuse to believe that I’m going to die

because you had a blasted nightmare!”

            Heero pushed Duo away and frowned. “What you prefer to believe doesn’t change the truth.”

            Duo stared at him, flabbergasted. “You’re crazy! Your dream doesn’t mean anything!”

             Heero stood up. “Fine, Duo. Don’t believe me, but we’re still going to die… soon.” He turned his back and walked to the

window, drawing the shades open just barely enough to peer out.

            The slice of light blinded Duo. He rose to his feet, blinking, and retrieved his robe from the bed. He stood staring at

Heero’s back. “He really thinks that we’re all going to die…,” he thought.

             “Heero,” he offered. “Heero, listen. Your dream can’t be true because… if I die you’ll be the one to take me out. You

know that.”

            Heero didn’t turn around. “It doesn’t have to be that way.”

            Duo strode toward him. “Yes, it does,” he protested. He felt frustrated and angry. Tears began to sting his eyes and he

didn’t know why. “That’s the only way,” he choked. He covered his eyes. “Blast you, Heero,” he sobbed. He sat down on the

bed, wiping his betraying eyes.

            Heero turned around and caught Duo’s futile attempt to conceal the tears.

             “Don’t look at me, Heero!” Duo ordered, drying his eyes on his robe. “I hate this!”

            Heero stared in amazement. “Duo.”

             “Shut up,” Duo sobbed. “I’m such a loser.”

            Heero continued to stare.

             “You’re some friend!” Duo’s eyes flashed angrily at Heero. “Don’t just stand there staring!”

             “What do you want me to do, kill you?” Heero folded his arms.

             “Very funny,” Duo remarked. “You’re a laugh riot. Come here and let me punch you in the face.”

             “At least I wouldn’t cry like a girl,” Heero retorted soberly.

            Duo glared. “I’m not a girl, and I don’t cry like one.”

             “Could’ve fooled me.”

             “That’s it!” Duo sprang at Heero angrily, swung to punch him and missed.

            Heero landed a punch directly into Duo’s stomach. Duo groaned and doubled over. “Jerk.” He staggered and fell to his

knees. “I hate you, Heero.”

             “You deserved that,” Heero replied, standing over him.

            Duo growled under his breath. “You deserve a fat lip.” He gathered his strength and tackled Heero, punching him in the

jaw.

            Heero wrestled him down and punched him back. “You know I can beat you, Duo.

      Duo kicked Heero with his knee and rolled him onto the floor. “Maybe I’ll beat you this time.”

            Heero elbowed Duo in the mouth and knocked him backward. “Don’t – count on it.”

            Duo lay dazed, sprawled across Heero’s feet, his lip bleeding and cheek bruised. He squinted up at Heero. “I – told you

you’d be the one to kill me,” he coughed.

            Heero lifted Duo’s head onto his knee. “Your mouth gets you into more trouble than anything.”

            Duo managed a weak smile. “Yeah, but at least I can handle myself.” He chuckled.

            Heero slid his arm around Duo’s shoulders to help him up. Duo grunted. “Easy, Heero.” Together they stood up and

Heero deposited Duo onto the bed.

             “Why are we fighting, Heero?” Duo asked, touching the bruise on his cheek. “We’re supposed to be on vacation.”

            Heero sat down beside him. “It’s not that easy for me to relax.”

             “Your dream, huh?”

            Heero nodded.

            Duo stared into his eyes. “I wish there was something I could do.”

             “I appreciate the thought.”

             “You know, I really missed you, Heero. It wasn’t the same without you trying to kill me,” Duo grinned.

            Heero caught him in a headlock and rapped him on the head with his knuckles. Duo punched Heero affectionately in the

ribs. There was a low gurgling sound.

             “What was that?”

             “My stomach,” Duo laughed. “I’m hungry.” He pulled out of Heero’s hold. “You want breakfast?”

            Heero glanced at the clock on the wall. “I think we’re late.”

            Duo got up and threw his robe around his shoulders. “Well, I’ve gotta get dressed.” He fingered his injured lip and

chuckled. “Maybe clean up a little.”

            Heero cracked a little smile. “Next time I won’t hit you in the face. Duchess Kara might get the wrong impression.”

            Duo walked to the door and glanced back at Heero from beneath his bangs. “Next time I won’t be the one who gets

hurt.” He smiled darkly and left the room.

 

            Duo met Heero at the top of the stairs and they exchanged glances.

            “I messed him up pretty bad,” Heero thought, looking away from Duo’s eyes. “At least he doesn’t’ mind much.”

            They walked down to the main dining room. The other three pilots and Kara herself already sat at the table. They turned

to look as the boys walked in. They stared at Duo and he grinned.

      “Uh, sorry we’re late, Duchess,” he remarked as he took a seat next to Quatre.

      Kara nodded and smiled.“Good to have you join us, Heero, Duo.”

      Trowa caught Heero’s eye and silently asked, “What’d he do?”

      Heero didn’t respond. He addressed the Duchess, who smiled gently. “If you don’t mind my asking, Duchess, how goes

the battle?”

                  Kara’s eyes sparkled scoldingly. “Now, Heero, you know my rule. No talk of war. You’re supposed to relax.”

      Heero nodded politely. “Yes, I know. However, I would be more at ease if I knew how things were going.”

      She smiled. “Very well, Heero. To ease your mind I will tell you that Oz is retaliating and currently there is a ceasefire.

So, don’t worry.”

      Quatre nudged Duo’s arm. “What happened to your face?”

      Duo grinned. “Just having a little fun.” He stared at the plate in front of him. “Where’s the food?”

      Wufei frowned at him and Kara chuckled. “Hungry?” she asked, tossing her auburn hair.

      Duo met her eyes. “You might say I … worked up an appetite.” He threw a side-glance at Heero.

      Trowa glanced at Quatre.  “So, what’d you do last night?”

      “I had a little trouble sleeping, so I read.”

      Duchess Kara looked concerned. “I had hoped you all would sleep well…,” she remarked sadly. “I’m disappointed to

hear that you didn’t.”

      “Oh, it’s not that, Duchess,” Quatre quickly interjected. “It’s just hard to relax after being in a war.”

      She glanced around at each of the pilots. “So, how did the rest of you sleep?”

            “It took some time, but I slept,” Trowa answered. He turned to Wufei. “How about you?”

      “I had a good night.”

      Duo folded his arms behind his head and sighed. “I slept like the dead.”

      The Duchess smiled. “Glad to hear it, Duo.” She glanced at Heero who stared at her soberly. “How did you sleep,

Heero?"

      “Don’t ask him,” Duo interrupted. “He has nothing to say.”

      Heero glared at him. “I can answer for myself, Duo.”

      “Yeah,” Trowa added as the breakfast arrived. “Please, put something in your mouth.”

      To Duo’s surprise Trowa reached across the table and stuck a roll in Duo’s open mouth. Duo turned red and took the roll

out as Quatre chuckled next to him.

      “Thanks, Trowa.”

      “Now, boys, don’t fight,” the Duchess corrected. “Heero, you were saying.”

      Heero deposited a mound of rice on his plate. “I was saying that I slept last night as well as I’ve slept in days.”

      Duo gave Heero a shocked and puzzled look, but the Duchess smiled in satisfaction.

      “You’re very kind, Heero.”

      The boys commenced to eat their breakfast and talk of lighter things. The Duchess watched and listened quietly. She

smiled and told the five the schedule she’d planned for them. They each seemed satisfied.

      After breakfast, she released them to their activities and each headed off in search of hi particular idea of fun.

      Duo caught up to Heero in the hallway outside the dining room, making sure that Duchess Kara was out of sight. “You

lied to her!” he exclaimed as Heero turned around.

      Heero stood patiently. “I didn’t lie to her, Duo. I told her I’d slept as well as I had in days and I haven’t slept well in days.

So, I didn’t lie.”

      Duo folded his arms. “Okay. Now I feel stupid. So,” he grinned, “what do you wanna do today?”

      Heero began to walk down the hallway. “Target practice.”

      Duo followed. “Heero, don’t you ever take a break?”

      “I’ll only take a bread when the war is over.”

      “Man!” Duo ran up beside him. “Well, at least say you’ll come down to the pool later. We’ll all be there.” He gazed at

Heero expectantly.

      “Alright,” Heero replied, glancing at Duo out of the corner of his eye.

      “Cool! Well, I guess you don’t want me following you around anymore then, huh?” He clapped Heero on the shoulder.

“Catch you later, buddy.”

      Duo headed off by himself down the hall.

      “How can he be so easy-going about this?” Heero wondered. “We were plucked out of a war and given a week to rest

before going back to space. I’d rather finish this battle.”

      

      Duo found his way to the atrium and discovered Quatre and Trowa playing chess.

      “Check, Trowa!” Quatre exclaimed, smiling into his face.

      “Hmm.” Trowa surveyed the board. “Looks like you’re doing pretty good, Quatre.” He made his move. “But not as good

as me. – Checkmate!”

      Quatre sighed, staring at the chessboard.

      “Hey, have either of you guys seen Wufei?” Duo interrupted, watching over Quatre’s shoulder.

      “He went to the training room,” Trowa replied.

      “Man! What is it with those guys?”

      “What do you mean, Duo,” Quatre asked as he and Trowa set up another game.

      Duo stretched out on a stone bench and folded his arms behind his head. “Heero and Wufei,” he responded. “They act

like they’re always in training. They can’t relax for a day much less a week!”

      “Don’t be angry at them, Duo. It’s not that easy, you know,” Quatre remarked.

      “It came as a shock to all of us to be pulled out of battle,” Trowa added, “and we’re not given a very long vacation.”

      Duo stared up at the clouds floating just beyond the glass roof. “I just wanted us all to have a little fun.”

      

      Heero fired round after round inside his plastic booth. Somehow the sound of the shots and the recoil of the gun in his

hand eased the pain of his thoughts. He glared into his target. “How could they just take us out of battle like that? Our strength

wasn’t gone yet! I’d rather die in battle then be stranded on Earth without Zero – helpless. We’re all going to die soon anyway.

We’d be safer in space where we could see our enemies. Plainly. On Earth they all wear masks.” BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!

Click.  Empty.

      He wiped the sweat from his forehead. His hands were shaking. “Heero, get control of yourself. A good soldier doesn’t

lose control.” He loaded his gun for another round.

      “Heero.”

      The voice disturbed him and he turned around abruptly. “Duchess Kara!”

      The Duchess stood in the doorway dressed in a floral print sundress and holding a glass of iced tea. She smiled. “I thought

I’d find you here.” She walked up to Heero and offered him the glass. “I brought you a drink.”

      Heero accepted the cold beverage, staring uneasily at the Duchess. “Thank you.”

      Kara noticed the gun he still held tightly in his left hand. “If I’m not interrupting anything, I’d like for us to talk.”

      Heero glanced at the gun, and with much effort, laid it down. “No. We can talk.”

      She smiled and he followed her out of the room. His mind churned with bottled rage and unanswered questions as she led

him out onto a terrace.

      “So, Heero,” the Duchess began, facing him with her ever-gentle eyes. “You don’t seem very happy here. Is there

anything I can do?”

      Heero avoided her concerned gaze. “There is nothing you can do, Duchess. It is hard for a gundam pilot to ever be

detached from war – especially if he should still be fighting.”

      Kara stared into his turbulent eyes. “You’re resentful, aren’t you, Heero, that they took you out of the war?”

      Heero frowned. “Yes. And if they can’t understand what a mistake it was, I don’t expect you to understand why I have

to fight.” He began to walk away. “So, if you’ll excuse me, Duchess, we have nothing more to talk about.” He set the iced tea on

the terrace rail and left.

      The Duchess stared after him. “Heero.”

      “Civilians do not understand war,” Heero thought angrily as he walked down the hall to the shooting gallery.

      

      Wufei was working up a sweat in the training room. Using his body like a tool and keeping his mind clear, he pushed

himself as far as his body allowed. “I’m too slow,” he thought, panting. “How can I expect to fight at my best if I’m too slow?”

He forced himself to repeat the attack once more. “HAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIII!” Then he tripped on the mat and fell. He slammed

his fist into the mat. Sweat blurred his vision. “I’m too WEAK!” he yelled. “I am nothing without Nataku!” He rolled onto his

back and stared up at the ceiling lights. “I cannot fight without Nataku.”

      

      Trowa and Quatre finished their last game and sat drinking lemonade beneath the atrium foliage.

      “I didn’t know how rusty I was at chess until you beat me today,”Quatre commented.

      “Trowa shrugged. “It’s no big deal. You have a gift for strategy in battle.”

      Quatre smiled humbly. “Thanks, Trowa. I think you’re a good fighter too.”

      “Speaking of battle,” Trowa added, glancing into Quatre’s eyes. “How do you think it’ll be for us when we go back to

space?”

      Quatre stared at his lemonade glass. I don’t know. I guess we’ll just pick up where we left off.” He caught Trowa’s

gaze. “It won’t be hard for soldiers like you and Heero.”

      Trowa smiled. “I’m not quite like Heero, Quatre. He was born to fight. I’m just hoping my performance is as good after

this week.”

      Quatre smiled back. “It will be. This rest will be good for us, you’ll see. We did need a break, Trowa. War is hard on

people.”

      Trowa lifted his glass. “Then here’s to this vacation!”

      Quatre touched his glass to Trowa’s. “Here’s to fun and friendship. – Through everything, Trowa, remember.”

      Trowa gave him an affectionate look. “I’ll remember, Quatre.”

      Over on the bench, Duo stirred. He stretched and yawned. “Was I asleep?” He glanced over at Quatre and Trowa.

“Man, you guys are boring! You mean I drifted off to sleep and nobody said anything?”

      Quatre shrugged. “We didn’t think you wanted to be disturbed.”

      “Duo sat up, rubbing the back of his neck. “Oh…,” he groaned. “Are you kidding? I’d LOVE to be disturbed!

Anything’s better than being bored!”

      “Okay,” Trowa responded. “We’ll remember that next time.”

      Duo stood up.  “Nah, I think I’ll just go find some excitement.” He shrugged. “Or maybe create some for myself!” He

mock-saluted and walked to the doorway. “Catch you guys later.”

      “Bye, Duo.”

      

      Duo strode down the hallway. “Man, what is there to do around this stuffy joint?” He grinned. “If it comes down to it, I

could pick another fight with Heero.” He rubbed his cheek. “On second thought, that guy only knows one way to spell ‘fun’.”

      He turned a corner and nearly bumped into Duchess Kara. “Oops!” He stepped back. “Oh, Duchess, I’m sorry!”

      “That’s quite alright, Duo,” Kara smiled, gazing gently at him. “What are you doing wandering the halls?”

      Duo stared up into her face. “Don’t think I’m rude, Duchess, but is there anything cool to do around here? I mean, I just

nodded off a few minutes ago and I really need something to do.”

      The Duchess chuckled. “Of course, Duo. I can imagine how you must feel, a restless young pilot such as yourself trapped

in a big fancy house.” She placed a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry. I have a game room.”

      Duo’s face lit up. “You’re kidding! I thought people with titles never played games. What’ve you got?”

      She took him by the hand. “I’ll show you.”

      As he walked with the Lady down her beautiful hallways, Duo smiled to himself. “Wow,” he thought.  “Finally some real

fun and attention for a royal babe to boot! Man, things are looking up!”

      They reached a door labeled “Game Room”.

      “This is it.” Kara released Duo’s hand and pulled the door open. She flipped a switch inside the room and a dazzle of

lights and colors made Duo blink.

      “Wow,” he remarked. “It looks like a circus in there!”

      She smiled. “Indeed. Well, I’ll leave you to your fun, Duo. You know where to find me if you need me.” She began to

walk back down the hallway.

      “Hey, thanks!” Duo shouted after her.

      “Don’t bother,” she thought. “The look on your face is all the thanks I need.”

      

      Duo stepped into the game room and grinned at the variety of sports that lay before him. “Man,” he breathed. “I probably

don’t know how to play half of these things!” He grabbed a helmet from the wall. “Well, let’s get to it!”

      

      In the shooting gallery, Heero breathed a sigh of release. He let his gun fall to his side and relaxed. “My target is not

here,” he thought. “My enemies are in space. I have to remember that.” He laid his gun down and left the room.

      He walked down the hallway. “Duo’s right. I need to relax… if I can. I need to trust that we won’t die before we leave

Earth.” He took a deep breath. “A good soldier knows the time to fight.”

      

      Wufei sat cross-legged on the mat in the training room. His eyes were closed and his wrists rested gently on his knees.

He kept his breathing slow and regular. “I must clear my mind,” he thought. “I must not get angry or frustrated. I must keep

control.” He slipped into a peace of darkness, the clarity of what his thoughts had become. Nothing… mattered.

      “Wufei.”

      Somewhere beyond the darkness he heard a voice. “Wufei, can you hear me?”

      “Heero.” He felt his thoughts coming back, the darkness slipping away. He sensed someone near. Slowly he opened his

eyes and saw Heero sitting in front of him.

      “Wufei, did you hear me?”

      “Yes.” He looked into Heero’s face. “I thought you were training by yourself.”

      “I was,” Heero replied, “but I decided it was time to join the others.”

      Wufei got to his feet. “Where are they?”

      “I’m not sure,” Heero answered as they walked out of the training room. “Duo said they’d be at the pool later, but I don’t

think it’s time yet.”

      “We’ll find them.”

      

      “Yaaaaaaaaaahooooooooooooo!” Duo yelled, propelling himself off a springboard into the air. He did a flip and landed

SMACK upside-down like a piece of human Velcro on the wall that had been in front of him. He laughed delightedly as the blood

rushed to his head. Everything looked upside-down.

      “Now this is fun!” he exclaimed, staring at the colored lights dancing. Then a horrible thought hit him. “Only… how do I

get down?” He pulled with his whole body, but the Velcro suit wouldn’t budge. “Oh, NO!” He glanced around, but saw only lights

and game equipment. He was beginning to feel sick. “Help! Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp!” he screamed. “Hey! I’m stuck!

Heeeeeelp!”

      

      Down the hallway Trowa and Quatre heard Duo’s screams. “Hey, that’s Duo!” Quatre exclaimed. “He’s in trouble!”

      They raced down the hall and pulled open the game room door, their hearts in their throats. Then they ran in and saw

Duo. He hung like a bug stuck to flypaper, screaming his lungs out. Instead of helping, they laughed… and kept on laughing.

      Duo stopped screaming and opened his eyes. He saw Trowa and Quatre rolling on the floor, laughing until tears streamed

down their faces. “Hey!” he yelled. “What are you guys laughing doing? Quit laughing and get me down!”

      This only seemed to make them laugh harder.

      “It’s not funny!” Duo yelled, his face red from being upside-down.

      Trowa tried to speak, but only succeeded in a sputtering laugh. Quatre snorted. “Sorry, Duo!”

      Duo was boiling, his pride vitally damaged. “Will you guys cut it out?!”

      The boys managed to sit up, wiping their eyes and holding their stomachs. They caught their breath. “Sorry, Duo. I’m sure

you don’t like being stuck up there like that,” Trowa remarked, gasping. He was overcome with chuckles, “but could you – could

you hold on just until I go get Heero?”

      “No, I won’t!” Duo snarled. “GET ME DOWN!”

      “I don’t think he’s going anywhere,” Quatre laughed, as Trowa slipped out the door. “We’re really sorry, Duo. It won’t

be much longer.”

      Duo glared at the upside-down image of Quatre. “It’d serve you right if I threw up all over the place, you traitor!”

      

      Trowa hurried down the hallway, concealing his amusement carefully. He spotted Heero and Wufei walking ahead with

their backs to him. He caught up to them, wearing his usual poker face. “Heero, Wufei, come quickly. There is something you

have to see.”

      The two glanced at each other. “Is something wrong?” Heero asked.

      Trowa hesitated. “Let’s just say this is a sight you won’t soon forget.”

      Heero and Wufei followed Trowa with anxious curiosity. He led them to the door of the game room. “I must warn you,”

he added soberly. “This is not for the faint-hearted.”

      As they entered, Duo’s angry screams greeted them. “Trowaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

      When they saw him, he was trying to jerk himself free of the Velcro wall. “Trowa, you dirty, rotten - !”

      Heero cracked a tiny smile, and Wufei responded with a “Hmph!” at the end of which he allowed a smile. Trowa

chuckled, watching Duo with amusement. “He hasn’t moved since I left him.”

      Duo’s body went limp and he gasped. “You’ll – pay for this – Trowa.”

      “We really should get him down now, Trowa. He doesn’t look so good.” Quatre’s eyes were concerned.

      Trowa conceded. “Alright, come on guys.”

      The four approached Duo’s wall.

       “Get that step ladder,” Trowa ordered. “Quatre and I will get him down. Heero, you and Wufei can catch him.”

      Quatre and Trowa climbed up next to Duo and pulled at his feet. “Why didn’t you come and get me and Trowa before

you tried this, Duo?” Quatre asked as the Velcro on Duo’s legs tore free.

      “Oh, I don’t know. Feeling spontaneous, I guess.”

      “Trowa, hold his feet.” Quatre tugged at Duo’s waist. “I might need a little help. Wufei, could you hold onto me while I

pull Duo loose?”

      Wufei climbed the ladder and steadied Quatre as he continued to tug at the Velcro suit. RIP! The suit gave.

      “Ouch!”

      “Hold still, Duo. Your braid’s caught.”

      “So are my arms. I feel like a blasted rag doll!”

      Trowa frowned. “Be quiet, Duo. We’re doing the best we can. Don’t tempt me to drop you.”

      Duo tumbled out of the boys’ hands and landed with a thump on top of Heero. “Oof!” He lifted his head and groaned.

“Oh, my head…. I feel awful.”

      Heero shoved him onto the floor. “Get off of me.”

      “Hey!” Duo frowned at Heero as Quatre helped him up. “You should be more careful. I’m not exactly feeling great, you

know.”

      Heero glared up at him. “You’re a fool for getting yourself stuck up there like that.”

      “Well, excuse me for wanting to have a little fun!” Duo stepped away from Quatre and over toward Heero. “Maybe if

you had some fun yourself you’d lay off me.”

      Heero met his stare. “I’m not here to have fun.”

      Duo’s frown faded. He stared into Heero’s eyes. “Heero, you can’t mean that.”

      “I don’t trust Duchess Kara.”

      Wufei glanced at Heero. “For once, Heero, I agree with you,” he thought.

      Quatre listened intently. “Why don’t you trust Duchess Kara, Heero?”

      Heero glanced at him. “I’ve got a bad feeling.”

      Duo stripped off the Velcro suit. “The Duchess doesn’t seem dangerous to me.”

      Wufei folded his arms. “Never trust a woman.”

      “What do you think, Trowa?” Quatre asked.

      Trowa glanced at Heero and Wufei. “I’d rather not discuss it right now.” He turned to Quatre “Aren’t we supposed to be

down at the pool?”

      Quatre looked at his watch. “It’s two. You’re right. We’d better get down there.”

      “Well, what are we waiting for?” Duo questioned. “Let’s go, guys!”

      

      Due to some reluctance on the part of Heero and Wufei, the group was a little late arriving at the pool. However, when

they did show up, Duchess Kara was waiting for them. She stood by the poolhouse wearing a blue bikini and a smile. Her hair

was pulled back in a blue ribbon.

      “Ouch!” Duo whispered under his breath.

      Quatre nudged him, frowning. “Duo!”

      “Hello, boys,” the Duchess greeted. “Your suits are in the pool house if you’d like to get changed.” She turned and

glanced over her shoulder as she left. “I’m so glad all of you decided to keep me company.”

      “Me too,” Duo grinned as she disappeared around the building.

      Trowa pulled him by the arm. “Put your eyes back in your head, Duo.” He ushered him into the poolhouse, following the

others.

      “Man! What are you guys – blind?!” Duo exclaimed, once inside the resort-styled poolhouse.

      The other pilots were withdrawing their swimsuits from lockers marked with their names.

            “No, just choosy,” Trowa remarked, taking his shirt off.

            “You need to have more respect for women, Duo,” Quatre added, hanging his vest in his locker.

Duo opened his locker. “Well, sorry!” He unfolded his swimming trunks. “Cool, I’ve got red!”

            Heero and Wufei changed in silence.

            Quatre, in blue trunks, sat on a bench folding his pants. Trowa rubbed on sunscreen.

            “Hey, I look pretty good!” Duo remarked, grinning at his reflection as he posed in front of a full-length mirror.

            “Oh, get over yourself,” Heero responded.

            Quatre laughed. “Come on, guys. Don’t fight.”

            “You’re just upset because you don’t look this good,” Duo teased, smacking Heero in the back of the head. He raced out

of the poolhouse before Heero could catch him.

            “He’s insane,” Heero murmured as he grabbed his towel and walked out with the others.

            Trowa glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. “No, Heero. I believe he’s more sane than any of us.”

            They walked out onto the hot concrete near the pool.

            “Don’t move, scumball!” Duo held a water gun aimed directly at Heero’s chest. He grinned. “I shoot to kill.”

            Heero frowned and took a step. He promptly received a stinging spray of water.

            “I told you not to move!”

            Without a word, Heero took off after Duo as Duo dropped the water gun and ran.

            Duchess Kara and the others watched as the two raced around the pool. “Be careful!” Kara called.

            “You’ll never catch me, Heero! You’re all washed up!”

            Trowa spread his towel on the concrete.

            “Aren’t you coming in the pool?” Quatre asked.

            “Sure, Quatre, but not right now.”

            Quatre nodded, looking a little disappointed. “Okay.” He watched Wufei take off his sandals and get in the water. With a

sigh, he followed.

           

            Duo tripped over a beach chair. Heero caught him and pinned him down. “What were you saying, Duo?”

            “Let me up, Heero! I was only kidding!”

            Heero grabbed him by his wrist and his ankle and lifted him off of the ground.

            “Hey! Hey, Heero, what are you doing?!”

            Heero swung him as hard as he could and let him go. Duo went flying, his arms flailing, and landed with a huge splash in

the pool.

            Heero folded his arms. “That’ll cool you off, Duo.”

            Duo emerged, drenched and sputtering. He wiped his stringing bangs out of his eyes. “That was rotten trick, Heero!” He

paddled over to where Heero stood. “Will you give me a hand?”

            Heero shook his head. “No way.”

            Duo grinned. “Fine…, but I’m taking you down with me!” As he said it, he seized Heero by the ankle and pulled him off

balance and into the water.

            Heero grabbed Duo’s arm and pulled him under. The two slashed and struggled, trying to keep the each other from

getting away.

            Quatre squinted across the water. “Are they okay?”

            “They’ll be alright,” Trowa replied, soaking up the sun.

            Duchess Kara glanced kindly at Quatre. “I’m sure they’re just playing.”

            “Heero doesn’t play,” Trowa thought.

            Heero and Duo broke the surface of the water, gasping. “That’s enough, Heero!” Duo coughed, trapped in another

headlock. “You are playing, aren’t you?”

            Heero didn’t respond. Then he let go.

            Duo caught his breath and grinned at Heero. “Having fun yet?”

            Heero just looked at him.

            Duo laughed and began to swim toward the side of the pool. “You need to loosen up, Heero! Enjoy life!” He hoisted

himself out of the water and squeezed the water out of his braid. Then he walked down to where the others congregated. “Hey,

Quatre! Go on out in the deep end! Heero’s all alone!”

       He walked over to Duchess Kara’s chair. “Say, Duchess, why don’t you join us in the pool? The water’s great!”

      She smiled at him over her sunglasses. “I’m letting you boys use the pool for now,” she replied, gazing into his blue eyes.

      “Ha! What kind of an answer is that? You deserve to have a little fun too!” With a grin, he stooped down and picked her

up in his arms.

      She shrieked, startled. “Duo! Put me down!”

      “Sure!” With a heave, he flung her into the pool screaming.

      She sputtered and laughed. “You little hooligan!”

      Quatre laughed and Duo laughed, but the others showed little amusement.

      “She’s too even-tempered,” Wufei thought.

      The Duchess splashed Duo. “Take that!”

      He dove into the water and splashed her back. “Hey, you’re pretty cool, Duchess Kara.”

      “Please, call me Kara,” she laughed as he splashed her again.

      Heero climbed out of the water at the opposite end of the pool. “All of this ridiculous nonsense,” he thought. “What is the

Duchess trying to achieve with it all?” He walked to the house by way of the gardens to avoid drawing attention. “We’re gundam

pilots, being reduced to a rich girl’s playmates.” He slipped through the side door of the mansion. “Duo’s a fool. He’s letting her

deceive him.” His expression fixed in a frown. “If I’m the only one left to fight when it’s done… then so be it.”

      

      After the excursion in the pool, the four remaining pilots were feeling hungry. Duchess Kara offered them access to the

kitchen, apologized for not being able to join them, and retired to her quarters.

      “I prefer eating without the company of the Duchess,” Wufei commented as he fixed himself a sandwich. “She does not

make me comfortable.”

      Quatre stirred a glass of iced tea. “I think she’s charming.”

      “I think she’s hot,” Duo grinned, stuffing a banana into his mouth.

      “Don’t get too attached, Duo,” Trowa advised. “We won’t be here for long.” He leaned against the counter, carving an

apple deftly with a paring knife.

      “Go ahead and have fun, Duo,” Quatre added, with a gentle smile. “It’s what we all need to do.”

      “What we need to do is go back to space where we belong,” Wufei interjected.

      Quatre threw him a questioning frown. “The Duchess is being very kind to us, Wufei. It would be very poor manners to

leave now.”

      “Besides,” Duo burped, and took a drink of cola, “we can’t leave. They’ve got our gundams in space and we’ll have to

wait for them to send us a shuttle.”

      Wufei glanced at each of their faces. “Even if we can’t leave Earth, we do have the means to leave this place.”

      Quatre’s brow furrowed. “What exactly is bothering you so much about staying here, Wufei?”

      Trowa caught Wufei’s gaze. “Don’t tell him anything, Wufei,” his eyes warned.

      “Nothing, Quatre,” Wufei replied calmly. “My anxiety is caused from being away from Nataku.”

      Quatre looked sympathetic. “I understand. I miss my Sandrock.”

      Trowa’s eyes said, “Well, done,” as they met Wufei’s.

      Duo propped his elbow on the counter. “Since we’re all getting sentimental about our suits, I don’t mind admitting that I

miss piloting my Deathscythe.” His expression became wistful. “Together we killed a lot of people.”

      Quatre frowned. “Don’t make fun of us, Duo.”

      Duo looked shocked. “No, I really do miss Deathscythe!” He finished his banana. “I miss being up there fighting,

destroying army after army of mobile dolls! Man, it’s great watching those things explode!”

      By then his eyes were glittering devilishly. The other just stared at him.

      “Say,” Quatre remarked, “did any of you notice where Heero went when we were in the pool?”

      “You know,” Duo added, “I was wondering the same thing.”

      “He probably came back to the house and went up to his room to be alone,” Trowa replied. “You know Heero’s not very

social.”

      Duo grinned. “Guess we’ll have to pay ‘im a little visit then. Wanna come, Quatre?”

      Quatre finished his iced tea. “Okay.”

      The two left the room and Wufei got up to leave also. Trowa caught his arm. “Wufei, I have to talk to you.”

      “About what?”

      Trowa’s eyes held unspeakable secrets. “Why we’re really here.”

      Wufei took a seat in front of Trowa. “Go on.”

      Trowa leaned closer and dropped his voice. “I can’t tell you this here, Wufei. Meet me in my room at three a.m. and I’ll

tell you everything I know.” He glances toward the kitchen door. “I’m going to ask Heero to join us, but for now I don’t want

Quatre or Duo to know. So, don’t tell them anything about this, alright?”

      Wufei met his gaze. “Fine. Then I’ll see you later, Trowa.” He rose, gave Trowa one last glance, and left.

      

      Duo and Quatre reached Heero’s door and knocked. “I wonder if he’s in there?” Duo murmured.

      “He should be,” Quatre replied. “Trowa said so.”

      Duo knocked again. “Either he’s not there or he’s ignoring us. – Hey, Heero!”

      “Maybe we should come back later.”

      Duo shook his head. “Nah. I’m not going to bother. I need to go take a shower.” He began to walk away.

      Quatre followed. “Good idea. I think I’ll do the same.”

      “Not with me you won’t!” Duo retorted. “I shower alone!”

      I wasn’t planning on it, Duo,” Quatre scowled. “You’re a little strange, you know that?”

      Duo laughed. “Yeah? Well, so are you .”

      Quatre grew quiet. “Do you really think I’m strange, Duo?”

      Duo stared into his sensitive eyes. “You? No, you’re a nice guy. – A little restricted… but nice.”

      

      When Duo walked through the door of his bedroom, he nearly stepped on a white enveloped lying on the floor. It looked

as though someone had slipped it under his door while he was gone. He picked it up and closed the door. Then he sat down on his

bed and opened it. Inside was note penned in lovely curling handwriting. It read:

      “Dear Duo,

      I had a fabulous time today. I haven’t had fun like that in ages. I wish to repay you for your kindness. Please do me the

honor of meeting me on the west terrace tonight at eight o’clock. I look forward to seeing you.

                                       Signed,

                                     Duchess Kara St. Knight”

      

      A wide grin spread across Duo’s face. He read the note three more times. Yes, he had read it right. The Duchess

wanted to meet him that night at eight to repay him for his kindness.

      His heart skipped. The Duchess wanted to meet him? – Of course, the Duchess wanted to meet him! After all, she’d

held his hand once already. He didn’t notice her taking such an interest in any of the other pilots. Why wouldn’t she like him? He

was Duo Maxwell, the Great Destroyer, pilot of the mighty Deathscythe, the God of Death, Shinigami, and, of course, the cutest

of the gundam pilots.

      He fell back on the bed with a sigh. “Wow…” He stared at the ceiling. What was he going to wear? Could he get his hair

washed and braided in time?

      

      Quatre rubbed a towel over his blonde hair. “This war has everything turned upside-down,” he thought. He pulled on a

pair of khaki shorts and a tee shirt. “We’re so torn apart that we can’t relax. We can’t even trust those who try to help us.”

      He glanced at a photograph that sat on the dresser. “Some day, Father, the war will be over. No one will have to fight or

die anymore, and every warrior will be able to find peace.” He lowered his eyes. “Even my friends.”

      

      Heero returned to his room, his mind still brewing with unrest. He collapsed in an armchair, his eyes adjusting to the

darkness of his room. “I’d kill the Duchess myself only it would be unwise… just now,” he thought. “Better bide my time. If only I

could get Duo to listen to me, then maybe I’d have an ally.” He frowned. “No, not Duo. I’d do better going to Trowa or Wufei.”

His stomach cramped. “If I don’t warn Duo about the Duchess, I’d be no better than an Oz soldier.” He rose from his chair.

      

      Duo stepped out of the shower, his wet feet making puddles on the bathroom tile. “There are many pleasures in life,” he

thought, “ and one of them is definitely a hot shower.” He twisted his hair into a long whip and squeezed the water out of it. The

he wrapped a towel around his head and one around his waist and walked out into the bedroom.

      “Now, where’s that hairdryer?” He spotted it lying on top of his dresser. “Better not leave this thing lying out. The guys’d

really tease me then.”

      He stepped in front of a mirror and took the towel off his head. His wet hair draped down over his shoulders. “They’d

tease me if they saw me looking like this too.” He laughed.

      

      Quatre set out to find Trowa, winding down hallway after endless hallway. “Boy, this place sure is big!” he thought. “I

wonder how Duchess Kara finds her way around?”

      He glanced on either side of him. “All the doors look alike too – all except for ours and the ones with labels.” He

scratched his head. “Why is that?”

      Heero came to the end of his hallway and noticed Quatre walking down the hall to his right. “What are you doing,

Quatre?”

      Quatre walked over to him. “I was looking for Trowa, but I guess I got lost.”

      Heero continued walking. “I haven’t seen Trowa.”

      “Where are you going, Heero?”

      Heero glanced at him. “I need to talk to Duo.”

      Quatre looked into his face. “Well, if you see Trowa, maybe you could tell him I’m looking for him.”

      Heero nodded. “Sure.”

      “Bye, Heero,” Quatre waved, turning down another hallway.

      

      Duo sat on his bed brushing his hair. He ran his fingers through it and smiled to himself. “I wonder what the Duchess will

be wearing…?”

      He sat in his shorts while he worked on his hair. When it was down he loved to feel it against his bare back and

shoulders. He gathered it over his left shoulder and began to braid. Suddenly, a knock at the door nearly made him jump out of his

skin. He sat, his heart pounding, clutching his hair and staring at the door. “Who is it?”

      “It’s Heero. Let me in!”

      Duo’s nerves were in his throat. “I’m busy! Go away!”

      “No! I came to talk to you!” Heero pounded on the door. “Duo, open up!”

      Duo fumbled a band around his hair and pulled it back in a ponytail. “Just a minute!” He hid the hairdryer in his top

dresser drawer along with the brush and hand mirror he’d been using. “I can’t let him see me like this!”

      He crept to the door an opened it enough to peer at Heero. “What do you want to talk to me about?”

      Heero stared at him soberly. “Can I come in?”

      Duo hesitated.

      “Just let me in, Duo.” Heero pushed the door open and walked into Duo’s room.

      Duo stepped back, hoping Heero wouldn’t notice his hair. “Heero, I was kind of in the middle of something.”

      Heero glanced around the room.

      “I was getting ready for a date,” Duo added, watching him.

      Heero turned and glared at him. “You’re not seeing Duchess Kara, are you?”

      Duo folded his arms. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. Do you have a problem with it?”

      Heero stared into his eyes. “Yes, I do. I felt it was my duty to warn you – since you’re a fellow gundam pilot. Don’t be a

fool, Duo. She’s not trustworthy.”

      Duo frowned. “Just because she isn’t interested in you, you have to ruin all my fun, huh?”

      Heero walked up to him. “I don’t want to see you get killed because of a woman!”

      Duo remained stubborn. “I don’t believe you, Heero. You’re just jealous – and I don’t have time to argue with you over

this.” He pulled the door open. “I’d prefer it if you left now.”

      Heero glared. “Fine, Duo. Just don’t expect me to come and save you.” He walked out the door and slammed it behind

him.

      Duo glanced at the door. “I hate to get Heero mad at me like that, but his suspicions have gone too far.”

      

      Heero walked back down the halls to his room. He was angry, frustrated, and his body was worn from lack of sleep and

food. When he reached his door, he met Trowa leaning against the wall waiting for him.

      “What do you want, Trowa?” he asked.

      “I know you’re suspicious about Duchess Kara,” Trowa began. “Well, you have good reason to be.”

      Heero stared at him. “What do you mean?”

      Trowa met his gaze. “The Duchess is not our ally, and we weren’t sent here for a vacation.”

      Heero frowned. “I thought so. What have you learned?”

      Trowa turned to leave. “I’ll tell you later. Meet me in my room at 3 a.m.” He walked away.

 

       (to be continued…)

      

     

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