Duo stepped out of the small store, waving fondly to the storekeeper's daughter. She'd made it her priority to find Duo the best outfit they had available. The girl flushed the whole while; she never quite let her eyes meet Duo's. It was something he found interesting. He was used to the attention from girls, they were either shy around him, or they wanted to get to know him better. He never really thought about getting a girlfriend before, with the war going on, he didn't get to really think of romance and relationships. Between the smell of fresh blood on the battlefield and the aching in his body from the strains of fighting, a true relationship was the last thing that caught his mental attention. After his experiences and piloting Deathscythe, he could never 'settle' down to the typical cozy life. And he'd need someone that understood that. Someone like-

     "Hero!" Cried out a giddy voice in english. Duo snapped his head quickly, turning to see a women wrap her arms around a tall, older man. "You're my hero, John!" She said fondly, her fingers clasping to the back of the mans neck. Why did hearing that name make his heart race so fast? It was just a name, not even a very good name at that. Yet every time he heard that name, it began to mean more, and it actually was beginning to seem like a pleasant name. One only suited for Heero. A name no one could quite wear like the true, unique figure himself. Duo tossed his braid over his shoulder, paying the absentminded couple no further thought as he continued towards the club. The music was blasting so loud; Duo could hear it from outside. A young boy slammed against Duo's shoulder, running past him. Duo quickly flashed the running boy a glare, "Fuck you man!" Some people were so impatient. "Hi cutie," A young drunk woman told Duo as she giggled. The woman was a character of mild interest. She was attractive, but her drunken mannerism made her loose all visual and sexual appear. Her rose red lipstick smeared, her stocked slightly torn. The smell of the heavy whiskey still lingering to her every breath. The braided boy offered her a broad, smile, his arm leeching out to clasp around her shoulders. He talked to her idly, it was meaningless chitchat. "So, how's that job of yours going, doll face?" "Hm? Huh? Oh, it's good," The drunken woman replied. Of course. They'd never met each other before, but the bouncer didn't seem to notice, and Duo was let right in.

     The music was loud, blasting painfully, and heavily into Duo's ears. It was almost unbearable, but the dancers didn't notice. Duo tried to keep his face shielded, it was too easy to spot his age. A series of thin red curtains separated the tables from the dance floors. Duo knew Cooper was seated behind one of those curtains, but which one? "You look like you could use a drink," A young voice told Duo. Duo's attention turned with interest towards the young man who called him. The boy looked around Duo's age, his bright, blue eyes, and light, brown hair seemed to take on a new light in the club. Duo quirked a smile, turning his attention back to the curtains, "I don't drink." Duo lied through his teeth. He knew there had been times he fed on liquor like a nursing infant. "Not even a simple glass of juice? It's my treat," the boys voice was calm, and pleasant. It was a deeper voice, but it held Quatre's same, gentle, passive manner to it. He decided it would be better to stay and wait until Cooper actually left his table. "All right then, a juice."

     Heero would be pissed, he always tells me to stop socializing and get the mission done. Besides I'm really itching to know what Heero got for me. He's never gotten anything for me before.

     Duo settled onto a barstool, keeping his head lowered as the bartender delivered him a small glass of juice. "Don't worry, you won't get kicked out of here," The boy assured Duo. Duo didn't quite understand how the boy could be so sure of this. Nonetheless, Duo lifted his face. The boy was seated beside him, his fingers wrapped around a pale blue glass. His bright eyes watching Duo, as a pleasant smile displayed to his face, "That's better. You should look up. You have an attractive face. It is not meant to be hidden." Duo widened his own eyes. Was this boy trying to pick him up? He had to admit, the boy was attractive, and he was his age, but Duo... well he didn't like *guys*, per say. He just was *starting* to show an interest in Heero. Duo set down his glass, rubbing at the back of his head, "Ah, look, I didn't come here to..." "Chat with a man? I understand. I just thought that we might have a lot in common," The boy spoke the words softly, pressing the glass to his lower lip. Duo found his assumptions humorous, "You and me? Okay, shoot, what do you think we have in common?" The boy took a long slow, sip of his juice, "Either you have runaway from home, or you are like me, and you have no family. Either way, we are without parental figures in our lives." "H-ow-" "You would not be here, at such a dangerous place if you had parents. I knew you wouldn't be coming to meet friends or to impress them because you sat here alone, and you snuck in with a drunk woman." The guy was just as perceptive as Heero was, for a moment he felt like he was actually talking with Heero.

     "Do you have a love interest in your life?" The boy continued to ask. The word 'love' caused Heero to briefly flash in his mind, but that was absurd, he knew for certain that he couldn't love Heero. Duo shook his head, his braid swaying with his negative response. "No." The boys smiled, finishing his juice, he leaned forward, moving in closer to Duo. He extended his hand, casually speaking, "My name is Keith, and yours?" "D- ah, Damon," Duo caught himself. He was undercover, he had to remember that. "Damon? What an interesting name, you see, I could have sworn we've met before," the boy said in just as calm a tone of voice. "No, I don't forget a face. My minds like a steel trap ya know," Duo assured him. "Are you certain? I remember someone who looked similar to you on L2," Keith finished his juice after his words. Duo shook his head, rubbing his mouth attentively as a faint tint of red crossed his face. Did he really know Keith? Had Keith been one of the children at the orphanage? A survivor of the great massacre? Or had he been spotted when he was digging for parts at the scrap yard? The questions that were quickly filling Duo's mind were left unanswered as he spotted his target leaving from behind the red curtain. Duo snapped his attention to the boy, "Thanks for the drink, but I've gotta run." He didn't let the boy give him parting words. There was something unsettling about Keith.

     Cooper looked to be no more than twenty-three years of age. He had short, blonde hair that stuck straight up and today he was wearing a dark, red jacket and a pair of sunglasses. There was a young girl on his arm, a small, thin girl; she was very pretty, with long flowing red hair and green eyes. She kept leeched on to Cooper.

     Cooper's a real player for a scientist. And he's not a drug supplier, so where is the extra money coming in from? Oz?

     Duo attempted following the two nonchalantly through the crowd as they moved towards the door. Duo's eyes watched as Cooper's hand shifted up, lightly groping the breast of the girl to his side. The girl didn't seem to respond to the action, she just smiled calmly to Cooper, it was at that moment Duo realized that Cooper wasn't touching the girls breast. He was pulling out something he'd hidden in her bra. It was a small, black device with blue flashing lights. What was he doing stashing electronic devices? A hidden cover-up? Stolen materials? Was Cooper really a drug addict? Or was that a cover-up as well? Maybe this was the real deal, stolen technology. The colonies and Oz would let an employee get away with drugs, but not with stolen materials. The only question was, what and who's was it?

     This is big, it could affect Heero's mission I'll have to give him a call.

+++
They say you never forget your first love.
Because they introduced you to the whole,
Experience. But it's never your first love that really
Matters, it's the last love. The one that stays with you.
I don't want first love memories, I want one love reality.
+++

     Duo left the club; sneaking past the bouncer was much easier upon leaving the establishment. He turned to glance back one more time. Keith. He'd simply left the guy without even letting him say good-bye in return. If it hadn't been for the mission, he might have actually hung out with the guy, they could have reflected back to the great places back on L2 that he cherished. He could probably even ask about the place. It was official, everywhere else was better, but Duo's heart was still within L2. He passed a shop window the clocks time flashing at him in sequence. Each clock flashed a different time. 4:00, 2:10, 1:50. 8:00, 5:00, 5:00, 1:80, 1:50. Duo froze in his tracks "1:80? What the hell? There is no 1:80..." Duo continued to stare at the electric clocks, in a matter of seconds they flickered, changing simultaneously to 2:00 on all the clocks. It must have been an electric problem.

     "I promise you, I'm not going to leave your side, ever," whispered a soft voice. Duo's eyes were directed towards a young man his age. The boy was talking to a young schoolgirl, still dressed within her uniform. Tears trembled down her pale cheeks. The boy looked almost like Heero, the same wild hair, but he was taller, and wore a soft smile on his face. Nothing like Heero's harden features. The boy lifted his hand to her cheek. "Love sees through anything. The way we feel can't be wrong, that's how I know that I'll always love you. No one understands what we do. Only us," The boy told her, brushing her tears from her cheek. She crumbled into his arms, sobbing softly, "Keskue! I'm so lucky to have you in my life. Keskue! Don't leave me again! I can't take it! Keskue!" She cried, her tears staining his sleeve. The boy Keskue rubbed her hair affectionately, "I'll be here always and forever. I love you. With all my heart." Duo continued to walk forward, something stung at his heart. The boy Keskue's words stuck within Duo's mind, caged in his thoughts. He wanted that. That feeling of loving and being loved, it was something he'd never known, the only enigma in his life. Was he even capable of love? But the look on Keskue's face, that pure contentment, the girls exceeding joy. It was heaven. The perfect moment.

     Duo dragged up into his apartment, throwing down his coat and glasses messily to the floor. He sighed softly. If Heero had been there he'd offer a cold glare, pick up his things and put them on the chair or the hanger. Heero was much neater with his things. Damn, he was really beginning to miss Heero. He was glad that he obtained more information. It was an excuse to call the soldier. Duo snatched up his phone, pressing a red button on the side.

     "Duo…" answered a cold voice.

     "Yeah! It's me! Wow, I guess I'm the only one that calls ya."

     "What is it this time?"

     "I can't tell you over the phone, we gotta meet. Trust me it's good."

     "Hn. Meet me in the motel on the fifth street from the coffee shop. C-l-l-llllliiccckkkkk---"

     Heero hung up so quickly. Heero was not a man of many words. They'd never be able to have long phone conversations. Duo snatched back up his coat. He hoped that Heero would find his information worth time; otherwise the Wing pilot would probably toss the cell phone in the trash.

     Finding the motel had been a breeze for Duo. He glanced up to the sign; it was faded and hidden in the worst part of town. Duo approached the door, reaching to pull it open; suddenly a hand jerked him back towards the alley. "Kuso! Let me go you- Heero?" Duo caught himself as he stared at the obscured figure. It was Heero, dressed in a brown leather jacket with the hood up. He wore a pair of blue jeans and a green shirt that showed off parts of his collarbone.

     "Heero! You won't believe what I found out-" "Our missions are connected," Heero interrupted. Duo looked confused, "That's not it man, listen, Cooper is doing more than just dealing drugs, I don't think he even was dealing drugs!" Heero growled, his hands reaching forth to grasp hold of Duo's collar, "Shut the hell up and just listen to me!" Duo hissed softly, snagging back his collar away from Heero's grasp, "What the hell are you so tense for? You look like you've seen a ghost or something!" Heero ignored Duo's words, his hands reaching back to grasp Duo's braid, dragging the braided-haired boy closer to him. "That boy you were talking to at the bar," Heero said lowly. "W-what? You… you *saw* that? You were there?" Duo stammered.

     Wait... I remember now... the boy that ran past me and bumped my shoulder! He was wearing a leather jacket. Heero?

     "You mean, Keith?" Duo muttered. "Hn. Keith. He was- with my suspect only a few hours ago. I followed him to the club where he met with a man. I noticed you, and took into assumptions that you were there for mission purposes and that our missions were connected," Heero explained. "Keith? You think that boy Keith has something to do with it? He's as young as we are Heero! He could have been there having a good time," Duo refused to believe Keith had anything to do with it. "Look we don't do anything on him until we get our facts straight he's a civilian Heero. Remember? Those are the people we're supposed to not screw up," Duo said with a scowl. Heero released Duo's braid, shaking his head faintly, "Even if the civilian is screwing our suspects?" "What you think he's messing them up?" "Baka, come on," Heero reached back once more, tugging Duo's braid as the boy loudly protested. "Itai!!!"

     He led Duo inside the motel. Heero tossed a few yen to the man, the man giving Heero a nod as he tossed a key to him. "You two lovebirds get one hour, then you gotta get out of there," The man grunted. Heero continued to pull Duo's braid leading him up the stairs as Duo yelled loudly, "WHAT? One hour?? We're in a friggin' sex motel! Heero!" "Shut up, it's anonymous and it's where we need to be." The room was small, nothing glamorous, but the sheets looked clean at least. They could have expected much worse if they were on L2. Heero released Duo's braid, finally letting the Deathscythe pilot seat himself on the bed. Duo tossed his gaze up as Heero who stood in front of him. "Okay, you need to explain to me," Duo demanded, rubbing his head from the sores induced by Heero tugging his braid.

     Heero stood perfectly still, standing in front of the boy as he folded his arms; "Keith is having a sexual relation with my suspect. Apparently he has either a business relation or more with Cooper." Duo's eyes widened. Sexual relation? "How... do you know this?" Duo asked timidly. In answer to his question Heero pointed towards the window. Duo peered through the curtains, staring into the window of a room where a young boy was undressing with Cooper. It was obvious as to who the young boy was. "Holy- I- he's a, male whore?" Duo asked, his gaze returning to Heero. "Hn. I am uncertain, of the role he plays in our mission. I believed that he knew of my presence, but apparently he thinks of me as a spectator, not a spy," Heero lowered to sit on the bed with those final words.

     Duo lifted a faint smile to his mouth, "In other words he thinks you're a pervert? You? That thought is hilarious! So, did you enjoy watching it?" Heero simply stared at Duo, offering no response for a long period of time before turning his gaze away, "Baka." Duo couldn't break the smile to his face. He liked being back around Heero. He liked Heero's stoic manner. He actually liked it. Finally Heero broke the silence, "I have you something." Duo's curiosity led him to sit beside Heero. Heero held out to Duo a yellow box with piyo on the front. Duo flipped it open, "Piyo chocolate! This is awesome! I could only get these on L2! Hey- some of them are eaten-" Heero grasped the box, "If you don't want-" "No! I want it! I just... they're your leftovers? And you're sharing them with me..." Heero released the box, his eyes watching Duo's with a serious undertone, "Hn." Duo's smile broadened. Normally, one wouldn't be happy that their gift was someone's leftovers, but to Duo, it meant much more. It was Heero's contentment he was handing over. That he was sharing. He understood now. He grabbed hold of one of the chocolate candies, breaking it in half. He gave one half to Heero. "Then we can eat it together."

     Heero took hold of the piece of chocolate. Duo ate his own piece quite happily, his eyes staring to the chocolate chicks in the box. Suddenly Heero's hand lightly touched Duo's cheek. Duo turned to look towards Heero, his violet eyes widening, "Ah- Heer-" His words were silenced, Heero was pressing his lips softly against Duo's. The warmth of his mouth was caressing and teasing Duo's lips mercilessly. Duo's arms weakened, the box tumbling from his hands to the orange, moonlit carpet along with the piece of chocolate from his hand. The sweet taste of cocoa and sugar was on Heero's lips. The euphoria of the unexpected, affection seeped into the physical elation. Duo couldn't even raise his arms. He was shocked. Heero Yuy, man of steel was kissing him. It was tender, warm, and he felt that kiss through out his whole body. Heero pulled back, his eyes looking just as plain as they had before. The same, dull, stoic eyes were open. Heero was acting like the kiss never happened. Duo's body was still tingling, and giddy with sensations that attacked and assaulted him. It was nothing like he ever expected. It was gentle and soft. Heero's eyes were watching the window. "Heero-" "Through the window. We were being watched. If we are not taking drugs or engaged in some activity, we are suspicious." It was a cover-up, nothing more. If Duo had been hurt by those words, he hid his pain behind a smile. Forcing the smile to his lips despite the fact that something inside of him was aching.

     "Love sees through anything. The way we feel can't be wrong"

     "We must go. Our time will be up soon. You can stay at my apartment," Heero informed as he stood to his feet. Duo lowered, collecting the chocolates that dropped form his hand. He was trying to be oblivious to the fact that they kissed. "Really? I can?" "Our mission is joint once more, it is critical that we are together from this point on." Duo smiled. He liked the sound of that. He was really starting to enjoy these joint missions. He wasn't sure if he could ever go back to anything else.

+++
Can you imagine what it's like to never die? No really, think about it. On the battle field, your legs
Are broken. Your spirits are broken. You're mouth is bleeding. Pain is infecting every pore.
And you live. You know what? It really sucks. : )
+++

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. (Except for a few originals like Sakura) This is strictly fan fiction on the televised series Gundam Wing. It is for non-profit and I am in no way affiliated with it. (duh!) Purely entertainment based here.

Author's note: Sheesh!! *_* Look I know this is starting out really slow, but it is all important to the story. I'm sorry! I'll make the next chapter better! Please give me a chance!! Arrgh!

Lol Did anyone catch on to the clock thing? Probably not. 4:00, 2:10, 1:50. 8:00, 5:00, 5:00, 1:80, 1:50. Is basically 2, 21, 15. 4=D 21=U 15=O. Get it now? Duo and Heero? Ahem, it IS relevant to the story. You'll see later on.