Duo sat impatiently on the operating table as he waited for Doctor G to come back.He wasn’t forced to wait very long because the door opened and the elderly scientist came in pushing a tray with numerous medical and mechanical tools carelessly tossed onto it.He gave the older man a wide grin.“Hey Doc.You gonna fix me up?”

The Scientist smiled slightly, “You should take better care of yourself.These parts aren’t cheap and it takes quite a while for the serum to mature enough to be used.”

Duo just shrugged as he slipped out of his shirt.“Yah, I know but I didn’t have much choice.If I hadn’t gotten in the way of the blast, Quatre would have been killed.”

Doctor G took hold of the limp arm and pressed gently on certain pressure points causing a slight panel to pop open out of what looked and felt like real flesh.“That may be true but it didn’t stop the blast from melting some of your circuits.Don’t forget Duo.You maybe human but because of the robotic enhancements you possess you…”

“…have to be even more careful.Yah, I know Dr. G.”He rolled his violet eyes upwards and blew his chestnut bangs off his forehead.

The Doctor grabbed his chin roughly and made him look into his eyes.“No Duo.This is NOT okay.You could DIE Duo.If you missed taking your injections or a maintenance checkup, the parts in your body would poison your blood and turn it to acid that would ‘eat’ your biological part alive.Your body would be over run by waste and that has got to be the worst possible way to die.”

Duo didn’t flinch from his gaze.“I know all of that Doc but we didn’t have much choice did we?It was necessary and I was well aware of what could happen when I agreed.I’m still willing to accept all that.Besides it’s a little late to change my mind now, isn’t it?”

The Doctor could only sigh in acceptance of Duo’s words and went back to work, hoping his upgrade would ease some of the stress off Duo’s biological body parts.

…………………………

Duo parked the truck outside the house Quatre had set aside for them to stay at.He’d managed to sneak out without Wufei noticing, to let the scientist do the necessary repairs.It had been just pure dumb luck that the others had been called away on a mission, or maybe not.

He grinned to himself.He marveled at how Doctor G managed to accomplish some of the things he did.

The wind caught ahold of his braid and pushed open his coat making him shiver slightly with cold, and pulled his black leather jacket tighter around his slim body.Not quite willing to go into the house at that moment he detoured towards the garage, and the underground facility, that held Deathscythe.

He sighed heavily as he made his way over the loose gravel.He’d miss piloting Deathscythe but, it was necessary for Doctor G to have some of it’s parts if he was going to complete the new model, he couldn’t deny he was eager to see Deathscythe Hell Two, or DH2 as he’d come to call it.

But it still meant that even with the other scientist’s help he’d be out of the loop for a few days.

With a shake of his head he opened the side door and stepped inside moving over to the hidden door and entering the code into the panel behind the light switch.

Stepping into the elevator he waited until it began lowering and leaned back against the wall, absently rubbing his left arm through his jacket.His ‘implants’ had opened up entirely different worlds to him, one of which had been a new way to experience pain.He smirked wryly to himself, luckily he was used to being in pain.If Doctor G had any idea how much he went through on a constant basis, the scientist would never let him out of the lab.

The doors swooshed open and he walked out of the elevator, right into somebody and then fell into a heap to the floor, only to open his eyes to find a very unhappy looking, Wufei only inches from his face.

Duo felt his cheeks flush crimson and his heartbeat quicken, not in fear or anticipation of a fight, but with a feeling and an appreciation a boy shouldn’t naturally feel for another boy, at least according to the less open-minded people.Unfortunately, he had a feeling Wufei was one of those people.

Grinning up at Wufei he laughed slightly.“Heya Wu-man.Watcha doing out here?”The words hadn’t even left his mouth when he started bracing himself for one of the other pilot’s ‘usual’ lectures.

Wufei’s dark eyes narrowed, “I’ll ask the questions Maxwell!Now where were you?You were gone for more than three hours!And don’t try to tell me you were sleeping, or in the house, or working on your Gundam because I checked.”

Duo blinked.“I went for a drive.”

“What?!”

Duo opened his mouth to respond but Wufei waved his arms, talking.

“Wait, don’t say a word.I don’t want to know.Quatre told me to make you rest and I intend to do just that, even if I have to carry you myself…”

“Carry me?”

“I’m not kidding Maxwell.”

Duo could tell he wasn’t but that only made him wonder if being carried by Wufei was all that bad.

He was a bit disappointed when the laptop on the table beeped an incoming message.With quickness gained from his artificial body he bypassed Wufei and quickly typed in the code and watched as Doctor G’s face filled the screen.

“Pilot 02, the time for the integration has come.”

Duo’s eyes widened, “So soon?”

The Doctor’s expression grew grim.“There send you the coordinates.You have two hours to get here.This isn’t a joke, 02.”With that the scientist cut the transmission and left Duo to explain to Wufei what was going on.

…………………….

“Look Wufei, you can’t come with me.I’m not going to tell you again.”He was packing a light duffle bag back in his room and had been arguing non-stop with the other pilot who kept insisting that if Duo hurt himself it would impinge on the honor of his word to Quatre.

“Where are you going Duo?”

Duo peered up at the small blond who’d suddenly appeared in the doorway, with both Trowa and Heero behind him.“I got a mission and it shouldn’t take longer then a week.”He tried not to smirk at Quatre’s startled look and continue to neatly but his handful of possessions in the tiny bag.”

“But Duo, your arm…”

Grinning he waved his repaired arm at Quatre.“See all better.Told you it was fine didn’t I?”He moved towards the bathroom to retrieve his serum injections only to be stopped short when Quatre cleared his throat and spoke softly.

“You won’t find it Duo.”

Duo felt his heart stop and he turned around very slowly to see Quatre’s flushed but determined very slowly to see Quatre’s flushed but determined face, Wufei shaking his head and Heero and Trowa frowning slightly.His blood ran cold, “Quatre… you didn’t…”

The blond looked upset.“Duo, drugs are never the answer…”

His eyes widened and when he spoke it came out as a squeak.“Drugs?!You thought the serum was… oh no…”It ended in a half moan-half groan.

Moving slowly he went over to the vid-screen and typed in Doctor G’s access number.Not noticing the odd glances the other’s exchanged.Seconds later he was looking at the long-nosed scientist.

“D…02.What’s wrong?You look as white as a ghost.”

“The serum, there was an ‘accident’ it’s, uh, gone…”

“Gone?!When did you last take it?”

Duo rubbed the back of his head slightly.“Before I came to see you earlier today.”

The Doctor’s face grew grim, “So you’ll need to have another injection tonight.”

Duo didn’t like the sound of the Doctor’s voice, “Uh, yah…”

“We have a problem.Consider it code red 02.Get here immediately and see to it the others come as well.”

He gripped his braid tightly, “Code red.So the next batch hasn’t matured enough yet…”

The doctor nodded curtly before turning to the other four pilots.“Your new mission is to see pilot 02 and his Gundam to the coordinates he’s been given, understand?”

Dumbfounded, the others nodded but Heero answered for them all.“Mission Accepted.”

……………………..

The others hadn’t come out and asked why he’d suddenly been made their first priority, not that he could have told them because it was top secret but from the looks the others were casting his way he was positive they were waiting to find out.

Plastering on a grin and trying not to fidget nervously, “Well we’d better get going huh?”

……………………..

The other three pilots were already in their Gundams, or so that’s what Duo thought until he felt a hand on his shoulder, turning slowly he met ebony eyes and a very serious expression.

“Uh, hey Wu…”

“I’m not letting you out of my sight Maxwell.I don’t know what’s going on but it’s obvious you’re right in the middle of it.Don’t do something stupid.”Shenlong’s pilot suddenly sighed and Duo could have sworn he saw worry in his eyes as he turned back to his Gundam.“But somehow I’ve got the feeling you already have.”

Watching him climb into Nataku, Duo felt a sudden determination settle over him.“It wasn’t stupid Wufei. I did it so that you and the others wouldn’t have to.And you may not let me out of your sight now but I”ve never let you out of mine, even when we aren’t together, I can still see you… I just wish you were watching me for another reason.”Biting his lip he turned on his heel and quickly scrambled into Deathscythe.

…………………

He’d so sooner landed his Gundam then the scientists were all over it, removing parts from Deathscythe as he climbed down to meet Doctor G who nodded curtly to him.A little confused Duo cocked his head at the busy scientists.“A little anxious are you?”

Doctor G paused, eyeing the other for a moment.“You four are dismissed, your services won’t be needed any longer.”

Duo watched as his fellow friends frowned but parted without a word.Leaving him alone with the mad five.

Doctor G cleared his throat grabbing Duo’s attention.“We think we’ve managed to make an upgrade that will eleviate the serum problem, if you come with me we’ll get started while they finish the Gundam.”

Duo blinked as he watched the scientist walk away, “Uh, sure.”

…………………..

Wufei paced the floor as he had been doing since they’d arrived back at their ‘safehouse’.

He didn’t like the idea of leaving a crazy pilot with five crazy scientists.The things that could come of that combination literally made him cringe, besides… if those scientists hurt the braided baka in anyway, he’d kill them.

…………………..

“Ow!”

“Duo.Hold still, it’ll only be in you for a second.”

“But it’s sooo big and it hurts!”

“Duo-o.”

“I know Doctor G but…”

“There it’s out.Now that wasn’t so bad was it?”

Duo shook his head in disbelief, “Why is it that all doctors have to have the biggest needles in existence?”

“To make people like you ask that same question.”

Duo groaned inwardly before hopping off the table and pulling his long-sleeved shirt back on.“Is that new implant working?”

The Doctor nodded his head, “So far your blood has been cleansed of the waste that was building up.So it would seem that was building up.So it would seem that the device is acting as the serum would.But it’s hard to say if it’ll hold up under the added stress from the interface.And we’ll only be able to find the answer to that when you’re hooked up to Deathscythe Hell 2.And at the present pace we’re going at it’ll be ready in about a day, which gives you ample time to review the fill I’ve prepared for you AND commit it to memory.”The Scientist pulled out a 3-inch thick folder and Duo rubbed his head at the start of a migraine.

…………………………

Wufei had given up on the pacing and had since thrown himself pacing and had since thrown himself into his kata with a little extra enthusiasm than was necessary.He couldn’t figure out why he found it impossible to think of anything but a certain loud American or why he felt so protective but he did, of that much he was certain.

………………………….

Duo rubbed his eyes sleepily and rolled out of bed, stumbling towards the bathroom, incoherently.It wasn’t humane to force someone up at five in the morning.

Stepping into the shower stall he forgot to test the water and was shocked awake by a blast of freezing water.Letting out a slight shriek he jumped back, out of the water’s reach before edging around the gingerly testing the quickly warming water with his fingers.

Sliding back under the water he began grumbling to himself.“This had better be worth it.”

…………………………..

Quatre stared at Wufei from the balcony for a long moment before eyeing Trowa.“He really is worried about Duo, isn’t he?”

Heavyarm’s pilot nodded sagely.“Yes.”

“But does Duo feel the…?”

“Yes.”

“Do they know…?”

“No.”

“How do you know all this?”

Trowa smiled a soft, secret smile, “When I look, unlike some, I also see.”

     Quatre frowned slightly, “But why tell me?”

“It’s time for you to do what you do best.”And Quatre smiled.

……………………………

Duo had to remember to close his mouth as he looked at DH2.It was amazing, similar to the old version, but sleeker and newer.It looked more shadowed, mysterious, and dangerous than the origional.

He started towards the mecha but stopped when Doctor G spoke to him.“Duo.I want you to know that the interface will hurt, eventually you’ll get used to it but…”

Duo grinned manically back at the Doc, “I know, we went through this.I’m as prepared as I’ll ever be.Read the book, done the homework.All that’s left is to try it.”With a toss of his braid he moved over to the Gundam pushing the priest shirt from his slim shoulders and removing his undershirt as well and shoving them into a compartment inside the cockpit, after he’d climbed up.

Slowly he sat on the chair and leaned his head back against the headrest and pushing his braid out of the way.Hitting the pressure points on his arm he caused the computer screen to pop up out of his skin.Typing in a code, little metal ‘holes’ or receptors appeared over his chest, arms, and one at the base of his neck.Snapping the computer screen closed he took a deep breath before making himself relax.

With his right hand he touched the red button on the chair’s arm, biting his lips, drawing blood, as cords shot out and inserted themselves into the receptors over his body.After the initial shock he sucked in a quick lungful of air before he hit the green button with his eyes squeezed shut.

The synapse interface entered the base of his head, and his eyes flew open at the pain.It was all he could do to hold still.After the pain subsided he felt a tingling spread over his body.

“Deathscythe Hell 2 activate.Code phrase-Till death do us part.Pilot Duo Maxwell interfacing.Commence starting phase, difficulty level…”He should say 1 for the easiest to build up to 10 but…“10 on my mark.Mark!”

……………………..

Quatre smiled to himself as he thought of what Trowa had suggested.It was true, as a matchmaker he was good so it was surprising he hadn’t noticed the obvious attraction between Duo and Wufei, though he could remember several times when he’d seen their overt looks at each other or differences in the way they acted.

It would be fun getting them together.

……………………….

Duo’s senses were flooded with information and it seemed like an eternity before his brain was able to make sense of even half of it.

Taking a second to absorb everything he realized he had no idea where Deathscythe ended and he began, it startled him to understand just how fully encompassing the interface was.He wasn’t sure if it was his hand that moved or Deathscythe’s, ‘they’ just were.Like they hadn’t really been complete before.

He thought of opening a communications link to Doctor G and got a surprise when it happened, as if by magic.Grinning, he cleared his throat and mentally made sure the loud speaker was off, just in case.“Doctor G?You there?”

“Duo.How’s the new suit feel?”

“Unlike anything I’ve ever tried on before Doc.Can I take her out, see how she handles?”

“One step at a time Duo.Come back down, I need to run some tests.”

Reluctantly he disengaged from Deathscythe, feeling the start of a nasty headache coming on.

……………………….

Duo landed for what felt like the millionth time during the last few days and disengaged, his head feeling as if Wing Zero, Shenlong, Heavyarms, and Sandrock were dancing the tango inside his skull.

Coming out he met Doctor G, who nodded, “The readings are good, you may take Deathscythe and rejoin the others when you wish.”

“So the implant’s holding up under the additional stress?”

“Yes, though we’ll have to have a month-end checkup, just to be sure.”

Duo grinned, “Alright then, Doc.Catch ya later.Death has gotta go knocking at someone’s door.”

………………………..

Duo had received an e-mail from Quatre a day ago, letting him know the coordinates of the mansion they’d moved to.He wondered what they would say to his unexpected arrival.With DH2’s higher level of stealth capabilities it was easy for him to set down and cover his Gundam close to the Mansion without being spotted.

Slipping on his shirt he headed towards the house, easily bypassing the Maganacs and the security system.Making his way upstairs he checked the rooms stopping when his eyes fell on an angelic sleeping Wufei.

………………………….

Wufei was dreaming of long chestnut hair and bright violet eyes.And he woke up in a sweat staring in confusion at his hands, trying to calm both his body and his mind.

………………………….

Duo couldn’t tear his gaze from Wufei’s disheveled appearance.The other boy was… breath-taking with his hair down, and the uncertainty creasing his face, gave him an endearing quality.Not sure of how to handle the sudden ache in his chest he backed up just as the hall was flooded with light.

“Duo?”

Turning he grinned sheepishly and waved, “Hey Quatre.I was trying to surprise you… uh, SURPRISE!”

Wufei came out of his room and blushed a slight red as he looked at Duo.They were also soon joined by both Heero and Trowa, but what surprised Duo the most was when Quatre threw his arms around him and hugged him tightly, stunned, he half-hugged back and blinked at the shock and anger that flickered over Wufei’s face.

“Duo.Are you alright?I’m so sorry, I should have checked to make sure that the serum was drugs but I…”

Duo chuckled lightly, “Don’t worry about it, Quatre.I’m fine, what you did was only out of concern and the fact that you’d care enough to do it for me means a lot.”His head throbbed painfully and he rubbed his head.“Look Q, I’m tired do you mind if I just go to bed?”

“Of course not Duo.But I’m afraid you’ll have to share Wufei’s room, the rest are under renovation.The second bed is already made up… I’m sorry you two have to sleep together but…”

Duo’s face burned but he grinned, “Ah that’s okay.Wu and I’ll get along just fine.”

A glance at Wufei’s suddenly blank expression told him nothing.

……………………….

Duo didn’t know what to make out of it.Quatre basically hung on him.Trowa, he could’ve sworn, was making passes at him and Heero was eyeing him suggestively.Wufei, though, just seemed really pissed off and it’d been like that ever since he’d arrived at the mansion three days ago.So he was extremely happy to get a mission…

………………………..

Dodging a shot, Duo brought Deathscythe’s scythe down on the Romefeller mobile doll.But gritted his teeth as something sharp dug into his arm, or Deathscythe’s arm… all he was truly sure of was that he was bleeding and it hurt.Angrily he swung around and sliced the enemy in half… moving faster then he’d ever been able to move before.

No more attacks came and he knew he’d succeeded.With a pained sigh he headed back to the mansion.

………………………..

As he landed he not only noticed the Maganac’s in the storage area, but all four of the other pilots which made him cringe but he was too exhausted to think about it.Disengaging the interface he was hit with a headache that dimmed his vision.Quickly tossing his shirt on he nearly fell out of the Gundam as he exited, barely stopping himself in time.Grabbing the rope he slide down but didn’t take more than two steps before sinking to his knees and slipping into oblivion.

………………………..

Wufei was the first at Duo’s side and gathered the braided pilot into his arms protectively, shooting the other three with a challenging gaze before taking the unconscious boy back to the room they shared, unaware of the triumphant smiles that passed briefly over the other three boy’s faces.

Gently he laid Duo down before gently setting a cool cloth over his forehead, and brushing the wayward bangs off of the sleeping face in awe and sudden realization.

………………………….

Duo groaned and tried to sit up but was forced back down by a warm, strong hand on his chest.Cracking open his eyes he felt his heart stop a moment before it restarted twice as fast as before.Sitting next to him, with a look of tenderness he’d longed to see directed at him, was Wufei.His mouth was suddenly dry.“Wu…?”

Wufei smiled softly.“Shhh. Just rest.”

“What…?”
………………………….

Wufei swallowed hard but decided to go on instinct.Over the last four days he’d come to realize how much he cared about Duo.So for once he let his body do his thinking and silenced Duo with a light kiss that left the other boy looking stunned.Wufei smiled softly at how cute he looked.

“Listen to me Duo.Sometimes things happen that you don’t understand, want of think you need but they happen for a reason.Some people call it destiny, others call it fate.I don’t know exactly when I began to see you in a different light, maybe it was when I realized how many layers there were to your personality, or maybe it was when I saw how good you were at what you do, that you never give up… maybe I even felt this way when I saw you for the first time but couldn’t admit it to myself… I’m not sure.All I know is that I can’t deny what I feel anymore than I can deny that I am of the Dragon Clan, and I am not one to run or hide… so I choose to tell you… I’ve come to care for you beyond anything I’ve ever felt for another human being.Watching the others acting as they were… well I was feeling… jealous.And then when I saw you collapse…”He had to stop as his throat closed up.

Feeling a soft touch on his hand he looked up at Duo.

Duo licked his lips, “No one’s ever said anything like that to me before…”

…………………...

Duo knew he had to tell Wufei the truth, especially because of what had just been said.“We’ve had to do things because of the war… No, don’t say anything until I’m done… To win we needed to go to the next level.DH2 is the next level, past even Wing Zero but in order to make the system work the pilot needs to synchronize or ‘interface’ with the Gundam.In order to do that the pilot must be part… machine… I’m not totally human Wufei, not anymore… but someone had to do it and I couldn’t have lived with myself if any of you had had to go through it… I…”He hadn’t realized he had started crying until Wufei gently wiped a tear away.Bowing his head in shame he held it there, not daring to look up.“I’ll understand if you’ve changed your mind…”

A finger under his chin gently raised his head till he was looking into two warm pools of ebony.“You did what your heart told you to and your heart is one of the main reasons I… love you.”The last was a whisper as if he’d been afraid to admit it out loud.

“You don’t care…”

Wufei shook his head, “Of course not.We’re Gundam pilots, we do what we have to, to protect those who are unable to protect themselves.You did what you thought you had to do.I can’t blame you for that, or hate you.I only hope it doesn’t harm you in anyway, and if it does I’d hope you’d come to me… let me know so that I can help…”

“It hurts…”Duo said softly, a sob in his voice.“It gives me a headache and it’s exhausting.The implants aren’t totally compatible so it hurts all the time…”

He felt strong arms pull him close.“Then you can count on me to be with you and help you, if you want me to.”

Duo leaned his head against his shoulder and smiled.“I don’t feel the pain when I’m with you, like this.Maybe if you just hold me…”

He felt Wufei smile into his hair, “You’ve got it.Now rest Duo.”

Duo fell asleep in Wufei’s arms with a smile on his face.

******Do you think there should be a sequel?******