"MAXWELL’S HOUSE!"
The sports announcer, straighten his tie one last time before the cameraman gave him his cue. "Welcome sports fans! We’re here at SSP where the Winner Shuttle has just landed to welcome home six-time Xgames Skateboarding Champion JJ Maxwell. As you can hear the fans are here to greet the beautiful goddess of the sports world. They have made sure that SSP has been turned into…"
"MAXWELL’S HOUSE!" The crowd continued to chant as Jai emerged from The Winner shuttle thrusting her latest Xgames Skateboarding Championship trophy in the air.
Her adoring fans cheered louder as she made her way down the platform acting like the true champion they expected her to be. Only a few people knew just how unstable she really was. Quatre, Trowa and Kellee emerged from the shuttle moments later. Jai was conversing with fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures.
"I wanna be just like you when I grow up." A young girl about 13 said as she held her skateboard while Jai signed it.
‘Like hell you do’
"Honey, just be yourself. You’ll be great no matter what you decide to do." Jai replied flashing her ever-present smile.
"Hey beautiful!" came a shout from the crowd.
Jai turned to see Duo bounding his way toward her with a big smile on his face. It had been three weeks since Jai saw Duo. He was going on a mission and she had competition in the colonies. She smiled back at him as she ran and jumped into his arms. They shared a welcome home kiss.
"I missed you." He said hugging her tightly.
"I missed you, too" she said returning his hug.
"Hi Jai. Did you have a good trip."
Jai stiffened in Duo’s embrace. Slipping on her cheery façade, she greeted the voice.
"Hi Hilde. It was Ok."
"Hey I haven’t seen my two favorite girls in three weeks. Why don’t we go out to lunch?"
"Sure" Hilde said.
Jai looked at Duo hurt before she masked her reaction, "Actually I’m kind of tired. Why don’t you two go ahead?"
Hilde caught Jai’s reaction before she hid it.
"You know Duo, I got something to do why don’t you take Jai out to lunch and I will see you at Relena and Heero’s later"
"Wait a minute. You just said you were all for it", Duo stated crossing his arms.
Jai turned on her heel and walked away.
"Hey babe where are you going." Duo asked his wife’s retreating back.
When she didn’t answer, he ran to catch up with her. Blocking her path he grabbed her by her shoulders when she tried to walk around him.
"Babe. What’s wrong?" He asked her the childishness gone from his voice.
She looked up into his violet eyes, "If you don’t know I’m not going to tell you."
She tore away from his grip and continued to walk away. Duo stared at Jai as her figure began to fade away in the distance.
"What the hell is wrong with her?"
Hilde came up behind Duo, "Did you bother to think that maybe she wanted to spend some time alone with you Duo. It has been three weeks since you last saw her. There is a such thing as quality time OUTSIDE of the bedroom."
Duo smacked his forehead. "Why didn’t I think of that?"
~*~*~
With his eyes hidden behind his dark sunglasses, Quatre observed the scene between Duo and Jai unfold. He could tell by Jai’s body language that she was very upset and by the way Duo was scratching his head that he had no idea why she was so upset. Quatre’s jaw-tighten as he watched Jai walk off in the distance.
"IDIOT!"
Quatre started to walk in the direction Jai headed in. Trowa restrained him by grabbing his shoulder and shaking his head. Instead Kellee took off in Jai’s direction. Things between Quatre and Jai had already gone too far. Trowa was going to have to enlist Heero help in order to keep the situation from spinning more out of control than it already was.
***flashback***
Quatre stood by the window playing his violin. The tune was full of sorrow and agony which reflected how his soul felt. When he finished he sat down on the window seat and closed his eyes as the memory of the forbidden night replayed in his mind for the umpteenth time.
"Why?"
Quatre turned to see Trowa standing in the doorway and returned his attention to the window. Trowa came in and shut the door. He walked over to Quatre and stood in front of him.
"Why did you sleep with Jai?"
Quatre looked Trowa straight in the eye, "Because I love her." He replied softly.
Trowa placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Quatre. Jai is Duo’s wife."
"I know that!" He shouted as he stood up and walked to the other side of the room.
Trowa could only watch as Quatre began pacing.
"Trowa. She is slowly dying. Duo is killing her and he doesn’t even know it."
Trowa lowered his head, "I know Quatre but that still doesn’t change the fact…"
"Why is it that I know what’s going on with his wife and he doesn’t? Where is he when she needs him? Who is he with? And at what point did I become the bad guy and Duo the saint?"
"The moment you slept with his wife."
Trowa walked over to Quatre, "Look, I know you love her but sleeping with her only complicated things. Now she has guilt added on top of all the stress she’s under."
Quatre ran his fingers through his hair and stared in to space, "It’s hard to stand by and watch her fall apart. I would do anything to put that beautiful smile back on her face. Trowa, I’m really worried that she’s teetering on the edge. I don’t know how much longer she’s going to last? I don’t know how much longer I’m going to last?"
***End flashback***
~*~*~
"Jai! Wait up!"
Jai stopped and waited for Kellee to catch up, her eyes hidden behind her dark sunglasses.
Kellee reached her best friend that she considered more like a sister.
"Are you OK?" Kellee asked her voice full of concern.
"No." Jai replied in a monotone voice that Kellee hadn’t heard her use since the Eve Wars.
Jai began to walk away from Kellee. Kellee reached out to grab her arm.
"Jai?"
Jai sighed, "Kel, there are a lot of things I need to sort out."
"I understand. I’ll just come along for moral support." Kellee stated with slight smile.
"Alone." Jai replied in a voice that left no room for argument.
"Jai, I really don’t think you should be alone right now."
Jai gave Kellee a watery smile, "It’s OK. I promise not to go loco unless supervised. Don’t worry, I’ll meet you at Heero and Relena’s later."
Jai started to walk away again but was halted by Kellee’s question.
"Do you still love Duo?"
"Yes."
"Do you love Quatre?" Kellee asked in a low tone.
"Yes." Jai whispered back.
With that Jai walked away.
‘I wish I could ease your pain.’
Kellee returned to where Trowa and Quatre were waiting.
~*~*~
It was the middle of the afternoon. Quatre was on a business call, Duo was out with Hilde and Jai was nowhere to be found. Trowa took the opportunity to brief Heero on the current situation. Heero ran his fingers through his hair. The situation with his sister’s marriage had gone from bad to worse and straight to hell. Heero could sympathize with Duo and Quatre but at the same time he wanted the kick the shit out of both of them. Heero hung his head in defeat, "I should have never let her marry him."
"Heero. What could you have done to stop them?" Wufei asked from his window perch.
"I could have made everyone confess the truth. It would have hurt her but at least she could heal from it. I’m not sure if she will from this."
"Duo didn’t even realize it until after they were married. Now he thinks that if he ignores its and pretend its not there then Jai will never know about it. I think he knows that she has figured it out and is avoiding the inevitable." Jase stated as he leaned against the doorframe.
Trowa, Heero and Wufei looked at Jase unsure of what to say.
"Look guys, Duo may be brother but that doesn’t mean I want to see Jai suffer. I think he should let her go. She should be with Quatre. Quatre’s in love with her, Duo loves her. There’s a difference." Jase said looking at his shoes unable to meet their gazes.
An eerie silence filled the room as each man digested what Jase said.
"Daddy!" Four-year old Heather Yuy shouted as she ran into the room hopping into her fathers lap.
"Have you seen Antie Jai? I want to give her the picture I drew for her. I hope it makes her smile again."
Heero looked down into his daughter’s eyes. Jai nicknamed her "Lil’ Lena" because she looked exactly like Relena and nothing like Heero.
"She’ll be here soon and I’m positive your picture will make her smile."
Heather gave Heero a kiss on the cheek as she got off of his lap and left the room but not before pulling on Jase’s waist long hair.
"Hey Runt!" he shouted with a smile as she ran down the hallway.
Wufei shook his head, "Even babes can see something is not right."
Every man was lost in his own thoughts.
"Whoa. Who died?" Duo asked as he walked up to Jase.
"Your marriage."
"What the fuck is that suppose to mean?" Duo asked irritated.
"Duo. Where’s your wife?" Heero asked.
"Whatcha mean? Isn’t she here?" He replied in a worried tone.
"Why isn’t she with you?" Wufei asked.
Duo looked at Wufei annoyed, "She said she was tired. I assumed she came here. I better go look for her."
"Don’t bother. She’ll come when she’s ready." Trowa stated.
"Look for who and who will come when they are ready?" Quatre asked catching the tail end of the conversation.
"Jai. She’s not here." Jase answered.
"Why aren’t you with her? You’re her husband. You should know where she is." Quatre said with an edge in his voice.
Duo was beginning to get angry, "Wives can be unpredictable. But you wouldn’t know that since you’ve never had one."
Quatre crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes, "I know this, if she were my wife and I hadn’t seen her in three weeks, I would not have to go look for HER. You guys would be looking for US."
The air in the room became so tense the guys didn’t know who was going to snap first Duo or Quatre. Each man eyed the other warily.
Duo smirked, "You know Quatre, if I didn’t know better, I think you had a thing for MY WIFE."
Before Quatre could respond the girls showed up.
"Guys were going to the pool come on." Relena said as she crossed the room to take Heero by the arm.
"Did I interrupt something?" she whispered to him in his ear.
"Yes and Thank You." He whispered back.
Heero gave her the "tell you later" look.
Sally, Catherine, Kellee, Heather and Hilde entered the room each already dressed in their bathing suits. Duo and Quatre continued their staring contest.
Heather tugged on Duo’s braid, "Unca Duo. I’ll keep you company till Antie Jai gets here." She said smiling brightly.
Duo smiled as he picked her up and headed for the pool. The other girls grabbed their respective mate and dragged them to the pool.
"Well Quatre. I guess its just us single folk." Hilde jibed as she watched the other couples leave.
Quatre chuckled as he held out his arm to her and she linked her arm in his and followed the others out, "Yeah, just us single folk."
~*~*~
Jai arrived at Heero and Relena’s just before dinner.
"Antie Jai!" Heather shouted as she ran for her aunt.
"Hey Lil’ Lena, missed you." Jai said as Heather jumped in her arms.
"I drew you a picture to make you smile again." Heather said with hope in her eyes as she handed Jai the picture.
Jai was stunned by what Heather said to her. Jai took the picture from her and smiled brightly, "Thank You Lil’ Lena."
Heather smiled brightly in return. Jai gave her a kiss on her cheek and Heather took off.
Jai felt a pair of hands on her shoulders and they glided down her arms, "Where have you been? I was worried about you."
Jai turned around and faced Duo, "I’m surprised you noticed."
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?"
"It means what ever the hell you want it to, Duo." Jai said as she started to walk around Duo to leave.
"I missed you while we were apart."
Jai huffed, "Yeah, you missed me so much that you spent our first day back with Hilde."
Duo pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her, "Babe, I’m sorry."
Jai looked up at him with pained filled eyes, "It’s too late, Duo."
Duo looked down at her and tighten his hold on her, his eyes mirroring hers, "Its never too late."
"It is for us." She whispered as she backed away from him and left.
Duo could fell his heart break as he watched her leave.
~*~*~
"Where did you go?"
Jai looked up to see Heero standing before her, " To evaluate my options."
Heero sat down next to her on the edge of the fountain, "Trowa told me everything."
Jai looked at Heero surprised and then turned back to watch the water, "I don’t think he knows that I know what everyone else has known the whole time we were married."
Heero wrapped his arms around her as she did the same.
"It hurts Heero but it will hurt worse if I keep living this lie."
"What about Quatre?"
"I don’t know. I don’t even know who the hell I am anymore. I didn’t mean to sleep with him but I don’t regret it either. Heero, Quatre knows more about me than Duo. I just wanted to feel what it was like to be really loved by someone and it felt wonderful. I know that he is hurting right now but I am too screwed up in my head to be of any help to him. I love them both Heero but I can only be in love with one of them and I don’t know which one that is."
He tightened his arms around her and stroked her hair as she began sobbing into his chest. A pair of sorrow filled violet eyes looked on from the second story window at the brother and sister.
~*~*~
After dinner they decided to go out for drinks to relax. They all entered the bar and sat down around a big square table. The waitress came over to take their drink orders. Jai was annoyed when the waitress asked her for her order. "I’ll have Barcardi straight."
Duo looked at his wife stunned.
"She’ll have a VIRGIN Strawberry Daiquiri."
All eyes flew to Quatre as he and Jai engaged in their own staring contest. Jai leaned back in her chair, crossed
her arms and nodded her head in agreement.
Duo looked from Quatre to Jai, "Did I miss something?"
"Duo. You don’t miss anything. You just chose to ignore it." Jai responded in a monotone voice.
They all sipped their drinks as they watched people get up on stage and do a little karaoke.
"Hey babe, why don’t you sing your wonderful husband a song." Duo said flashing his trademark smile, "I love to
here you sing."
Jai frowned, "You want me to sing you a song? Fine! I’ll sing you a song."
She got up from seat nearly sending it crashing to the floor and stalked to stage. She selected a song and the
music began. She grabbed the mic and sat down on the stool provided. She started of soft.
I don't understand
You look just like the man
In the picture by our bed
The suspense is pounding and clouding up my head
I'm checkin' your clothes
And you wear the same size shoe
You sleep in his spot
And you're driving his car
But I don't know just who you are
Duo sat his glass down and narrowed his eyes as the words hit home.
There's a stranger in my house
It took a while to figure out
There's no way you could be who you say you are
You gotta be someone else
Cuz he wouldn't touch me like that
And he wouldn't treat me like you do
He would adore me
He wouldn't ignore me
So I'm convinced there's a stranger in my house
Everyone looked from Jai to Duo uncertain of what to expect. The way this song was going they were sure that
Jai was sending Duo a definite message. This is not what they expected at all but it was only a matter of time
before it all came out into the open.
I'm not sure who you are
Don't see your shadow around when you walk
Ain't leavin' no kisses
Goodbye with no words
If these walls could talk
They would have nothing to tell
Jai looked straight into Duo’s eyes.
So what could it be?
Is there someone imitating me?
Could she be taking my place?
Look me in the face
And tell me that I'm wrong
When I say...
Hilde’s eyes grew wide as saucers with unshed tears brimming them. The audience joined in and began singing
along.
There's a stranger in my house
It took a while to figure out
There's no way you could be who you say you are
You gotta be someone else
Cuz he wouldn't touch me like that
And he wouldn't treat me like you do
He would adore me
He wouldn't ignore me
So I'm convinced there's a stranger in my house
Jai was pouring her soul, all the pain and all the passion she had into each and every word she sang. Duo’s jaw
tightened as he fought for control over his emotions. Jai rose from her stool and began walking in time to the
music across the stage.
Pop quiz
Tell me where we first kissed
Tell me where my spot is
Tell me if I liked it, loved it
Or could it be
That the stranger is me
Have I changed so drastically?
Is it I want more for me?
And you remain the same
The crowd began cheering. A tear rolled down Jai’s face.
There's a stranger in my house
It took a while to figure out
You can’t be who you say you are
You gotta be someone else
Cuz he wouldn't touch me like that
And he wouldn't treat me like you do
He would adore me,
He wouldn't ignore me
So I'm convinced there's a stranger in my house
Duo stormed out of the bar nearly breaking down the door in the process.
There's a stranger in my house
It took a while to figure out
You can’t be who you say you are
You gotta be someone else
Cuz he wouldn't touch me like that
And he wouldn't treat me like you do
He would adore me
He wouldn't ignore me
So I'm convinced there's a stranger in my house
Jai bowed as the audience applauded and gave her a standing ovation. She left the stage and exited out of the
door Duo recently used.
"It’s the beginning of the end." Jase said as he hung his head and Catherine wrapped her arms around him.
~*~*~
Duo tried to slip into bed without waking Jai. He was half way in the bed when he heard her voice.
"Duo, we need to talk." She said softly.
Duo got in the bed and pulled her to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he began kissing on her shoulder, "Duo" she sighed, "We really need to talk."
Duo trailed kisses from her shoulder up her neck and to her ear. "Please. Let’s not talk now but just enjoy one another." He whispered.
He placed soft kisses on her cheek down to her chin. He tossed her nighty to the floor and soon his boxers joined it. His captured her lips and kissed her with all the passion and love he had for her. She returned his kiss ten fold. Duo and Jai where in the throws of passion as the intense session of lovemaking finally pushed them over the edge.
"Duo!!!!"
"Hilde!!!"
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