She'd hoped her machinations would let the ‘Gundam Boys' as she thought of them, live some kind of normal life. But like her, their destiny seemed to be in the public eye, or at least still in some kind of combat. She was disappointed but not surprised.

"Miss, the representative you wished to speak with is here."

"Thank you, Pagan. Send him in, and bring me the paperwork I had made up."

After an hour of polite listening and head nodding Relena smiled a practiced and empty smile and asked. "Do you really think those boys knew what they were doing was . . . politically motivated?"

"Well, they knew that it was wrong."

"It was war. They were soldiers following orders."

The man sneered. "Bah. They were old enough to know . . . "

"Excuse me." Relena interrupted ruthlessly. "They were told that they were the only hope to end the war. Heero started training at twelve. Trowa was trained all his life to obey orders. Duo was a grief-stricken eleven or so when he started. Wufei saw his wife killed, she died in his arms if I'm not mistaken. The only one who might . . . might, I say, be held accountable is Quatre Raberba Winner and I'd like to see you try that one. Can you say political and social suicide?"

"Damnit, my constituents are demanding that someone be punished for things. It's more than my position is worth to ignore their demands. Someone . . . they don't care who."

"I see. Well, here, I know that you are signatory for quite a few other representatives. This is the best I can do. Most of the colonies are ignoring the problem completely. Denying any involvement in this mess. I think that we need to show that we are better than they are. You know that the minute the crunch came they denied them completely." The man nodded wondering where Relena was taking this and getting uncomfortable. "We can either treat them as criminals and show that we are no better than the men who sent five fifteen-year-old boys to their death." He looked startled. "Oh, those nasty old men didn't expect them to live more than six months at best. Martyrs to the cause, noble sacrifices. But they did live, and were instrumental in the destruction of the Alliance. So . . . do we place ourselves solidly on the side of truth, freedom and peace. Or do we show that we are no better than the Alliance and punish these noble freedom fighters for following the orders of their controllers." Relena managed to combine sadness and nobility into one expression.

The representative sat stunned and nodding. He'd lost this round and probably every other he was ever to have with the lady.

"How many signatures do you have?"

"Two hundred. They all just want their constituents satisfied that something has been done to redress their concerns. Those boys are a danger to . . ."

"Oh, stop right now." Indignation danced across her face. "They were taught to fight, they can be taught not to. But I know them all personally and I can grantee that they fought for peace and freedom. They will not fight just for the sake of fighting. I find that I have to admit that the Principle of Perfect Pacifism isn't working. We must fight. I am rapidly understand things that I don't want to. But in order to ensure . . . conditional peace . . . for as many people as possible there are some that must sacrifice their personal peace for the good of all. The Gundam pilots are some of those people.

"I need you to sign here and here, and attach the lists of signatories. I'll handle the details; all this is is to allow me to decide for myself what the necessary actions are. That will allow immediate action as no voting will be needed; it also relieves the Council of Representatives of the necessity of wasting the councils time debating what should be done. It's all in my hands now and I promise that appropriate actions will be taken. Tea?"

The representative accepted tea with the vague, unhappy feeling that he'd been manipulated. Relena poured tea and offered snacks then excused herself, explaining that she had to take care of some business.

She politely waited to gloat until she was in her private office.

~ * ~

Quatre hung up the phone and flung himself into Trowa's arms. "She got it signed. I think she flim-flamed the senior representative completely. She said there were no emendations to the resolution at all. She's a shark."

Trowa called Wufei and Duo to come to the big ‘family' room. When they all got settled, Quatre explained what he wanted to do after some discussion it was decided that the final footage of Duo and Heero being separated should be the starting point.

Duo stood up and stretched. "I'm going to see Heero. I really wanted to be there with him yesterday but the emergency room staff said I'd be in the way."

Quatre was glad to tell them that he'd gotten permission from the headmaster for all of them to visit Heero anytime they wanted to. So Trowa called for a car and they all went to the hospital to see Heero.

When they got to the hospital the floor nurse asked for relationship and, when told that they were friends, she tried to explain that only family was allowed in because of regulations. Then she told them flatly that he, Heero, wasn't allowed visitors, especially a bunch of rowdy boys.

Wufei took exception immediately. "Madam. We are not rowdy. Have we, any of us spoken above normal?"

"Well, no. but I know boys. You . . ."

Quatre interrupted her, handing her his ID. "I pay the bills. I think I have the right to visit whenever I like. We haven't broken any rules, so I don't understand why you are acting like this. If I have any more trouble I think it will be necessary for me to speak to the Head Administrator. I think we understand one another?"

The nurse looked like she'd bitten into something sour, but she let them go in. Quatre insisted that she make a note on the chart that they were to be allowed unlimited access at any time.

"Stupid. Why can't people have any visitors they want? It's just dumb. I bet lots of people don't get visitors they expect because they can't get in." Duo was feeling grumpy. He hadn't slept that well and had spent the morning worrying about Heero; so near and yet, so far.

~ * ~

Heero looked up from his book when the door flew open. He'd been settled into a very nice private room with a pretty view of the hospital's garden. Quatre had sent someone from his office late the evening before. That man had questioned him closely about what he needed. The box that had arrived this morning was full of things. An e-book reader, his laptop, and his assignments for the time he was projected to be in the hospital.

Duo dashed in and clambered onto the bed, careful not to bump the regen unit. Heero held out his arms and gathered Duo to his chest. He buried his nose in the curve of Duo's neck and inhaled.

"Duo sit up. Come on." Heero urged Duo upright. "Man, I've missed you. That smell. God you're so . . . " Duo collapsed back on Heero's chest snuggling down.

"What? What's this?"

Duo plucked at the heavy canvas band across Heero's chest. The strap ran across Heero's chest just under the lower curve of his pectoral's.

Heero made a face. "If you laugh, I'll . . . tickle you. I forgot, tried to get out of bed, and fell. Really made a mess. I feel stupid."

Duo snickered, "You fell out of bed? I'd have loved to be a fly on the wall."

"No you wouldn't. I rebroke my ankle and bruised my ribs. You should have heard the nurse swear. And the orderlies had fits too. I don't think the Doctor was really happy with me either. He . . . suggested that I wouldn't like being put in a straight jacket."

Duo was instantly indignant. "He what?. . . I'll . . . Quatre."

Quatre gave Heero a repressive look. "Heero, that's not funny. Duo's been having nightmares about what might be happening to you. Stop teasing him."

Heero stroked Duo's back gently and kissed his forehead. "I'm sorry, love. He didn't mean it. He was just trying to impress on me how important it is that I don't pull another stunt like that one. My ankle didn't heal well from the last break. He said something about lack of calcium and low grav. I didn't bother to listen. I'm not trained for that."

Wufei reached out and rescued Duo's braid from the danger of catching in the gear under the bed. "Maxwell, watch out. You're going to get caught. Here." Wufei handed the end of the silken rope to Heero.

Trowa urged Quatre to one side so he could close the door. The room was nice; large, airy and accommodating. There were several chairs and a couch arranged in a conversation group with side tables and a coffee table. Trowa and Wufei moved chairs to the bed side.

After some shuffling and hugging they all settled down; Trowa and Quatre close together, holding hands; Wufei slightly to one side, smiling indulgently.

Quatre cleared his throat and Heero perked up. That specific ‘ahem' had always prefaced something that was not good for their opponents.

"We've got to do something. There's a strong movement by the Doves to ‘do something' with/to us. We're undesirable . . . I'm afraid that, if we don't make some kind of splash, the public will turn their backs on us again. But . . . I have some ideas. We need to discuss them. I won't do anything without everyone's agreement."

Heero nodded. He had been keeping in touch with the mood of the people. They were reveling in the new found peace without thought to how to maintain it. Pirates were running rampant and drifting splinters of Oz and White Fang were starting to regroup. Kidnaping and hostage taking were on the rise and e-fraud was out of control. Not to mention the rise in simple crimes like muggings, burglaries and robberies of all kinds. Car jacking was at a new high.

In other words, the Alliance had policed strictly, enforcing laws with an iron hand. Now that the Perfect Peace Principle was being bruited about as the way of the world, criminals of all kinds were taking advantage of the removal of law enforcement.

The police were gutted. Two thirds of them had been ‘released from service', in other words, fired for ‘offences against the people.' That vague cover-all catch phrase was used to remove officers that were unable to conform to the new human rights rules, some of which had been copied from late twentieth century old calendar statutes. They were also used to remove officers that had problems with superiors and officers who were disliked by their fellows, no matter their record.

In other words, the peace wasn't going to last out the next two or three years unless some stern measures were taken. Quatre was ready to take some of those measures right now. The sooner the better.

After spending the next three hours discussing what needed to be done Heero finally moved Duo slightly to one side. "Scrooch, my leg is starting to hurt." Heero looked around at four deer in the headlight looks and shrugged. "What? It is. Why should I play the stoic anymore? Ignoring my hurts doesn't keep me in good condition. That was J.'s idea. Doesn't work." Heero settled Duo at his side instead of on top of him.

Quatre gave Heero a smile of such brilliance that everyone had to return it.

"Well, I see that the therapy is working. You did get therapy in the pen, didn't you?"

Heero snickered. "The pen. How archaic. It's a glorified boarding school. Only without privileges. And I've been getting intensive therapy. I see what J did to me, and frankly, if he wasn't already dead I'd kill him myself. I'm still messed up, but I'm willing to change. In fact, I want to. All I need, really, is education. I was never taught interpersonal relations. But do any of us really understand why other people do the things they do? I've just got inadequate coping mechanisms. I'm learning. Slowly, but surely. And your love and support help greatly."

Everybody found something interesting to look at.

The mood was brightened by the arrival of Heero's lunch. Duo was instantly critical, nothing on the tray was anything other than institutional. After inspecting the offering, they all agreed that Heero wasn't eating any of it.

"I don't even want to know." Duo poked a square of jell-O. "What the hell is that?"

"It's jell-O, Duo. You've seen it before."

"Yeah . . . with sweepers. But jell-O isn't supposed to be . . . rubbery. Jell-O is . . . squishy . . . and jiggly. This is . . . vulcanized. That's what. I wouldn't feed that to a hog. Besides . . . it's green."

Wufei eyed the offering with some displeasure. "It's green because it's lime. Not a very good choice . . . Heero, do you even like lime?"

Quatre hadn't bothered to do more than get on his phone, while Trowa gave up the effort not to laugh as a lost cause and nearly fell out of his chair.

Duo glared around indignantly. "Well, it is! And Heero doesn't like lime. I remember."

Heero hugged Duo and pushed the tray away. "I'll survive. I'll eat it later. I'm too excited to be hungry just now."

Again he got stunned and disbelieving looks from all the others except Trowa, who gave him a secret smile.

Quatre couldn't stand it anymore. Now that business was out of the way and a consensus met, he wanted his hugs. He crawled onto the bed and settled himself on Heero's left side Duo was on the right and being careful not to kick the regen unit on Heero's ankle.

Heero looked over at Wufei who was looking, lonely was the only emotion Heero could attach to that particular look. He held his hand out to the other young man and Wufei took it. Heero pulled gently until Wufei got up and leaned over the bed. Duo, understanding what Heero wanted, scooted closer to Heero, making enough room for Wufei to climb on the bed, just barely. Trowa, seeing what was wanted, got on the bed behind Quatre

That put Heero on the bottom, with Duo and Quatre sharing his broad chest, and Trowa behind Quatre; Wufei behind Duo, all of them sharing a group hug horizontal cuddle.

"This is nice. You guys ok?"

Affirmative answers from all made everyone more comfortable. They settled in to enjoy a good gossip.

"What's that?" Duo reared up slightly, listening. The sound of stressed metal was familiar to all of them. But where was it coming from?

The sound came again. Not very loud, barely a whisper; but to colony born people it was loud in the sudden silence.

Then it happened. The bed collapsed with a bang. Heero clutched everyone on the way down so no one was hurt. But the door flew open to admit a guard who pointed his .32 caliber snub nose at them.

"Freeze!" So they did. With open mouths and wide eyes. They looked like a pile of puppies.

Wufei gave up. He roared and the rest followed. The Doctor came in behind the guard and was treated to the sight of Heero, flat on his back with Quatre kneeling across his hips, Duo squatting on the floor beside him and Trowa and Wufei crouched on either side of the bed, laughing their heads off.

Suddenly Duo grabbed Quatre. "Hey, off my man. You floozie."

Quatre squawked in mock fear and they began to wrestle. Rolling around on the floor with Wufei and Trowa still laughing and Heero encouraging Duo to protect his virtue. The Doctor called them to order in a stern voice.

"Here. You boys stop that. You. . . how the hell did you break the bed. Get up and settle down."

After they got sorted out and settled a bit, the Doctor ordered several orderlies to bring in another bed and get it set up. While he waited, he squatted down and examined Heero.

"Well, vitals a little elevated, but that's to be expected. I was called by the Head Administrator, he's in a panic. Something not right? He didn't make much sense. Seems Mr Winner is in a snit."

Quatre shook his head. "I'm not in a snit, I'm in jeans."

The Doctor gave him a startled look.

"Yes, I know. You were expecting someone older. But I'm Winner. I . . . well." Quatre gave a gentle laugh. "Heero has had more than enough institutional food. I want him to have something a little more tempting. He'll eat anything, but that's not necessarily a good thing. I feel that he will do better on foods that tempt his appetite. This stuff . . ."

Duo interrupted. Showing the Doctor the jell-o, he announced. "No one should have to eat vulcanized jell-O. It's not . . . it's just gross. Would you eat that?"

The Doctor eyed the miraculously unspilled tray with disgust. "I don't eat in the cafeteria for that very reason. If you want to carry in foods just show what you're bringing in to the nurse so we can make sure he's getting a balanced diet." He stood back motioning Duo to take the offending food away. "You haven't done any damage to yourself with your antics. Though I'd still like to know how you broke that bed."

Duo eyed the Doctor then ‘fessed up' "Well . . . its structure, . . . while very sound, wasn't up to the weight of a group hug. The five of us must weigh in at around seven hundred pounds. We all weigh more than it looks like we should."

The Doctor had to laugh. The picture of all five of them on a collapsing bed was comical.

"Ok, since no one was hurt, I'll let it slide . . . this time . . . but no more of that. I don't want to have to take the next step with that leg. Mr. Yuy doesn't need a pin at his age. Now, as to the food. Two rules and we won't have a problem. Calcium rich. Cheese, dairy, green leafy vegetables, and I don't mean iceberg lettuce. Plenty of fresh fruit. . . please don't stuff him full of junk food and sugar. And you have to show everything to the nurse so she can record it. Other than that. No wheelchair races, keep him in bed. Amuse him. And no sex. I mean it. That'll get you all banned quickly."

Duo blinked. "Ok. But . . . shit."

The Doctor eyed the disappointed couple and sighed. "I know it's hard. But if he gets over excited, to be polite, he might do something to rebreak that leg. I can't over emphasize how bad that could be. I'm leaving you alone now. He has meds in . . . " the Doctor consulted his watch. "Twenty minutes. Make sure he takes them. He's not hurting now, but without the meds, he will. He's uncomfortable enough with that regen chaining him in place, he doesn't need additional pain. Now, they've got the new bed set up."

The Doctor left with a final warning that horseplay would get them thrown out. Orderlies moved the new bed into place and lifted Heero, regen unit and all, into it. They fussed around tucking him in and checking his catheter to make sure it wasn't pinched. Duo eyed it with disfavor but didn't say anything. Getting Heero in and out of bed with a full regen unit was impossible.

Just then, the sour faced nurse bustled in. "Broke the bed did you. Well, any more antics from you and you're all out. I don't care who's paying the bills. That's too dangerous to happen again. Bouncing on the bed. You could have broken that leg again." They all rolled their eyes. "And don't you roll your eyes at me young men. I've got sons older than you. I've got grand sons older, in fact."

Duo sighed. Heero poked him and hissed. "She's ok. Stop that. Make nice."

Trowa had just taken a tray from the nurse and was standing by, holding it for her. He frowned at Duo behind her back and Wufei backed him up with a glare. Quatre ‘made nice' for them all

"We weren't bouncing on the bed. I swear. It's just that we haven't been able to see Heero for some time, so we all wound up on the bed together, just hugging you see. And . . . the weight was too much for the thing. We're sorry to be so much trouble. Really."

The nurse gave him a skeptical look, but Quatre's wide eyed angel look had fooled much harder cases.

"Well, . . . all right. But no more. And Heero, you didn't eat your lunch." Her expression changed dramatically, from sour to indulgent. "Didn't you like it, honey?"

Heero shook his head. "No. I don't like lime, or green beans boiled to mush. And I'm positively not eating anything I can't identify. Mystery meat? No thanks."

"Now, Heero, you have to eat to get well. If you don't eat this, there's nothing more til supper unless your friends bring you something nice." The nurse inserted a thermometer in Heero's ear and glanced at it. Then she took his pulse and blood pressure still talking. "If you could get them to bring you a pizza that would be good. Nice cheesy pizza. Lots of calcium in cheese. Here's your meds."

Heero made a sour face, the pills made him groggy for a while after he took them. So he tucked them in his cheek.

Duo waited a beat then snarled. "Swallow them. They don't do you any good if you don't take them."

The nurse looked from one man to the other and sighed. "Heero, you have to take them. You haven't been stockpiling them have you? That's not good."

Heero acted like any other nearly eighteen-year-old caught doing something he shouldn't, he turned an amazingly brilliant shade of scarlet. "No ma'am. I just don't want to take them this time. They make me goofy. I haven't been able to see my friends for so long. I just want to have more time with them before someone figures out how to keep them out."

"Hum. Here's another glass of water. Swallow those pills. Now." This time Mrs. Jackson made Heero stick out his tongue to prove he'd swallowed them.

She turned to Quatre and eyed him, then caught the others with a look. "He'll be groggy for about twenty minutes. I think one of you could stay with him while the rest get him a pizza. And a malt. You might see about a fresh spinach salad too."

Quatre nodded, then told Duo to stay with Heero. "I've got to go to the office and get started on our little presentation. I'll be busy for the next day or two so don't expect to see much of me."

"Or me." Trowa rose to go with Quatre. Wufei nodded. That left him to run interference for Duo and Heero.

"I'll go get a pizza." Wufei made a face. "Heero, you want a malt too? I don't think the two go very well."

Heero yawned but nodded. "Have the nurse put it in the fridge. I can have it later. Chocolate please."

~ * ~

"Heero. Heero, you have to wake up." Duo shook Heero by the shoulder. " Ro, don't punch me. Wake up."

Heero groggily struggled to wakefulness, sort of.

"Mmmm. Wa'? ‘M wake."

An amused voice penetrated the drug haze "No, you're not. I can tell. What are they giving him?"

Duos' voice replied. "I'm not sure. The chart is on the door."

Mr. Compton's voice replied. "Ah, yes, I"m familiar with that drug. It not only eases pain but aids in calcium absorbsion. Not that good a choice considering Heero's age. But . . . I'll speak to the Doctor, I don't want Heero logy. It could be dangerous." Mr. Compton turned to Duo. "And who are you?"

Heero managed to drag himself to wakefulness and take part. "That's Duo. He's my . . . friend. Is it ok for him to be here?"

Mr. Compton shook hands with Duo. "Hello. You're his lover? I'm glad you could be here. If the hospital allows it, he's more than welcome as far as I'm concerned. I wanted to touch base with you to see how you are. I don't believe you did that. Amazing."

Heero sighed this was going to be difficult.

"I didn't lie to you. I. . . "

"Just didn't tell all the truth. We were well aware you were hiding something, but since we didn't have paper work, we just went with the flow. You were always so cooperative and . . . er . . . polite we couldn't believe you were in for much of anything . . . well, well. A Gundam pilot. If we'd known who you really were. We'd have made sure you got more therapy than you did. As it is . . ."

Duo stuck in his two cents worth. "As it is . . . he didn't wind up in Hellcreek. That's all to the good. If he needs more therapy, Quatre will make sure he gets it. We're all in therapy. Private sessions three times a week and a group session once a week."

Mr. Compton smiled at Duo, he was happy to see that the young man had good friends. Then he blinked ‘Hellcreek?'

"They were sending you to Hellcreek . . but . . .that's for long term sentences. . . adult felons, hard cases. That's no place for a . . . a boy. Damnit. Well I'm glad we didn't push it enough to get you sent there."

"I'd have been ok. You don't know what I can do if I have too."

Mr. Compton jumped Heero before Duo could. "I don't want to hear it. You could handle it, but it would have ruined you forever. You have a chance to be a contributing citizen, do something worthwhile with your life. By the time you got through fighting your way through a sentence in that hell hole, you'd never recover."

Duo was just nodding vigorously. "See Heero? I'm not the only one who thinks you can do something good. You're not just a Perfect Soldier. You're a worthwhile person. No matter what. So just shut up."

Heero looked startled then sat with an arrested expression. "I think I know what I want to do, but how to go about it? Duo, we need to have a talk after a while." Heero turned to Mr. Compton. "Thank you for stopping by. I really appreciate it. Are you in any trouble? I hope not. Will you be back soon?"

Mr. Compton shook his head. "No. And we got a big wig coming to tour the facility soon. No idea exactly when. You know how that goes. So I'll be busy getting things lined up for that. I probably won't make it back. And I'm glad to say neither will you be coming back to Fitzroy. Lady Peacecraft made arrangements for you to go to Allenville from here."

Duo gulped but Heero looked slightly stunned. "Allenville? Me? Well, isn't that a kick in the head."

Duo clutched at Heero "Kick in the head. No one's kicking . . ."

Heero shut Duo up by kissing him firmly.

"No kicking. No. Calm down. Pay attention. Allenville is a country club detention facility."

Duo looked from Mr. Compton to Heero. "Huh? A what? Tell me that's something good."

"It's very good. There isn't even a fence. It's all honor system." Heero brightened considerably. "And no work farm or chores."

Mr. Compton blinked, he hadn't thought that Heero was lazy, like most of the other boys. He'd always seemed eager to go out to do farm work.

Heero caught the look.

"I don't mind the chores. It was a good way to get out of the buildings and get extra exercise, earn some commissary money. I got along well with the other men on the gang. But you'll have to admit it's a waste of my time. This way I can spend time in the gym. . . . physical therapy for now. Real exercise later. Then I can spend quality time in the library. I can finish my degree before I get out."

Duo grinned, trust Heero to take advantage of every opportunity to learn. He was working on his fifth degree himself.

"What you getting a degree in? Ro, tell me it's not some sissy liberal arts degree." Duo ducked the miss-swat Heero aimed in his general direction.

"No, not liberal arts. Accounting. To go along with the degree in programming and the one in hardware design, and systems management, and law. I know you haven't been messing around."

Duo sighed, "Well, after I clepped out of my high school requirements . . . You did too . . ." Duo smirked happily. "I took up on line. I've got a degree in programming, systems analysis, electronic engineering, bio chemical engineering and aeronautic design. I'm thinking of working on one in colonial architecture as well, but I'm not sure. Of course, there's always a use for knowledge of any kind."

Mr. Compton goggled at both of them. "You're both outrageous. You've got between you . . ." He counted in his head. "Ten degrees. And you're talking about taking more?"

"Sure." Duo looked blank. "I didn't even learn to read until I was about nine. So I always feel like I'm making up for lost time. Heero's so smart it's . . . why don't you have more degrees than me?"

Heero shrugged. "You got to study anytime you wanted. I had chores to do and intensive therapy all afternoon, if I was caught up. Which I tried to do as much as possible. So I'm behind."

Compton threw up his hands "Behind? Five degrees and he says he's behind. I give up. Boy, you're a pistol. I'll see you around." Mr. Compton offered his hand to Heero, who shook it gravely, but gave him a sweet smile as well.

"You make sure he stays off that leg until the Doctor allows him up. Hear?"

Duo nodded and also shook Mr Comptons' hand. "I'll keep him down. Don't you worry. . . um. . . thanks for taking care of Heero. I . . .well, just thanks."

"You're very welcome. Good-by"

Mr. Compton left, holding the door open for Wufei and the pizza.

Wufei handed around slices of pizza, "I brought you a malt. Nurse Jackson put it away for you. She said you could have ice tea with the pizza but no soda. Says it interferes with the meds. So, tea or water."

"Water, I don't particularly care for ice tea. Its . . . tea should be hot. You know."

Wufei did indeed. "Yes, I miss our tea ceremonies. Some day soon we'll be able to do one again. Flip you for first."

Heero smiled "Ok." He used a paper napkin to wipe his mouth and fingers. "Got a coin?"

Wufei fished a coin out of his pocket and they flipped. Heero won.

"Here, Duo, be careful! Don't get sauce on the sheets."

"Ok, but it doesn't make much difference. The nurse will just change them."

"And why should she be bothered with our mess. She's got enough to deal with without having to change my sheets again just because you made a mess."

Duo gave Heero a chagrined look. "Yeah, you're right. I'm . . . I guess I'm just in a pissy mood."

Wufei knew exactly why Duo was in a bad mood. He wanted to stay with Heero over night. Never mind that they couldn't make love, he just wanted to be near him, but the Head Administrator had nixed that, saying that it was pushing regulations too far.

"It's ok, love. You wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. It's too noisy. I have to have a sleeping pill or I'm awake all night. They finally gave me one at two this morning. I'm still messed up" Heero yawned. "I think I'll take a nap . . . Wufei, if you say anything I'll have Duo smack you."

Wufei gave him a ‘who me' look and settled into a recliner. "I'm getting a few winks too.. . . Duo, settle down and get some sleep too. You look like hell."

"Yeah, well you don't look much better. Wind-down's a bitch, ain't it."

When Nurse Jackson looked in a few minutes later she saw Heero flat on his back with Duo curled into his side, head on his shoulder, braid draped across Heero's chest. Wufei was half asleep in the recliner and only opened one eye as she carefully gathered up the empty pizza box and used napkins.

~ * ~

The next three days were occupied with visits to the hospital and various duties in Winner Central offices.

Heero was finally put into a portable regen unit which allowed him freedom from the bed and catheter. He could use a wheel chair but was still forbidden to put any weight on his leg. Duo still continued to spend the after noon with Heero napping and talking. He brought Heero his laptop and they spent time deciding on what Degrees they wanted.

"Maybe a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering . . . or Material Science and Engineering is good. What about Aeronautics and Astronautics? What do you think?" Duo tossed the catalogue from MIT onto the floor and sighed. "Electrical engineering and Computer Science we both got already. Clepping that one was a real pain, I had to do a vid conference interview and that was a nightmare. Everybody seemed to think he or she was the only one asking me questions".

"How did you handle that.?"

"Oh, I just used the keyboard and a mic. at the same time and answered as fast as I could. Worked out pretty good."

Heero settled in for a nap. He'd found out that lethargy was another one of the side effects of the drug they were giving him to aid in mending his broken bone. Since he couldn't walk, he'd spent most of his time trying to get subjects lined up for his next degree. He didn't see any reason not to get as many as he was capable of.

Duo snuggled against Heero, he was glad they'd finally put him in a porta regen. Heero didn't like sleeping on his back and he'd slept restlessly, if at all, until now. Now, he seemed to be making up for lost time.

He didn't mind, he liked napping, especially with Heero. He'd learned long ago to eat, sleep, and take care of personal matters whenever he could.

When the door opened Heero was awake enough to realize that there was no threat, but sleepy enough that he didn't immediately come to.

"Heero? Heero."

Heero groaned silently, he wasn't in the mood for one of Relena's snits. He hadn't seen her since they'd turned themselves in, for which he was grateful.

Duo popped up from behind Heero and peered at Relena, bright eyed and smirking. "Hi Lady P."

"Oh, Duo you nearly scared me to death. Is he awake? In pain? Is there anything I can do?"

"Yeah, quit talking about me like I'm not here." Heero was grumpy. He'd been half tempted to go back to sleep, now he had to cope with ‘Miss Pink' as he'd begun thinking of her.

"Heero, I'm sorry. I know you need your sleep, but this is the only time I'll ever get to see you. Maybe for a long time."

Duo poked Heero in the back. "Make nice. She's done a lot for us. You know that."

Heero nodded and struggled to sit up. Relena hurried to help him and Duo let her. He handled the porta regen, turning it into a more comfortable position, as Relena helped Heero sit up. She stuffed pillows behind him and nattered around, smoothing the covers and fussing.

"Relena, I'm sorry if I'm being a little abrupt. The meds make me groggy for a while after I take them, so I usually nap until they wear off some. I'm still not quite compus. What do you want?"

Relena looked at Duo then Heero. The look on Duo's face finally convinced her that there was no hope. She gave up as gracefully as she could.

"Heero, I . . . oh, dear. I promised myself I wouldn't cry." Relena fished in her purse for a tissue. "I . . damnit."

Duo pushed a handful of tissues into her fumbling fingers. "Here. Just take your time. Mr. Grouch here, will wake up in a minute." Duo turned to Heero and made odd motions.

"Duo, you know I'm no good a pantomime. Just spit it out. Relena will understand. Won't you?"

Relena nodded and sniffled a little. "I'm sorry I just . . . I can't help mourning what might have been. I'll be ok in a minute."

Duo felt bad for Relena. Sure she was spoiled, but she worked hard for peace and he had to respect that; even if her idea of perfect peace was a pipe dream.

Heero, with typical directness, demanded to know exactly what was going on. Duo patted him on the shoulder, instructing him to wait until Relena had better control of herself.

When Relena finally sniffled herself to a halt she suggested going to the nearby solarium. "I feel strange trying to talk to you while you're in bed. It's just not done. I'm sorry to be such a prude."

So they started the laborious process of getting Heero into a wheel chair. Duo helped him move the regen unit off the bed and down to the floor. Then he pushed the chair up behind Heero, but actually getting him into the chair was a problem. He couldn't balance and push at the same time, so all he could do was sit on the edge of the chair and scoot back as far as he could. He couldn't lift the regen unit with his broken leg and he couldn't get enough leverage to scoot any farther back

Duo sighed, they usually had an orderly to help, but they were obviously not allowed anywhere near Relena.

Relena knelt at Heero's feet. "What should I do? He has to sit down soon or he'll put weight on that and that's not good."

So, at Duo's instruction, she lifted the regen onto the foot rest as Duo lifted Heero by locking his arms around him from behind and under his armpits. They managed to get him into the chair without incident and Duo wheeled Heero to the solarium with Relena walking beside him.

"Look, I know you want to talk to Heero. I'm gonna see if I can't find some coffee. I'll be back in. . . " Duo looked at Heero. "Half an hour?" Heero nodded and Duo left them together.

They did some catching up and some gossiping, but Relena had something she wanted to get off her chest, so finally she just started.

"Heero. I'm sorry. I'm so very, very sorry."

"Stop apologizing. You . . . just exactly what are you apologizing for."

Relena rubbed her forehead. She was beginning to get a headache.

"For not protecting you from that bunch of old ladies. For following you over half of Europe and endangering your missions. For being stupidly idealistic. You know the countries are reestablishing their borders? For . . . just anything and everything stupid that I've done that hurt you or Duo or any of the others."

Relena looked down at her hands, twisting the fingers into anguished knots.

Heero reached out and took her hands. "Don't. You did your best. I know that. I. . . just . . . I wish things could have been different. You don't deserve this. You . . ."

"I deserve a friend. But Duo . . . he . . . he's . . ."

"Relena, if you want to be my friend, you'll have to accept Duo too."

Relena made a little moue of distaste. "He's so ignorant. And crude. And . . . " Relena slapped her hand over her mouth. "I sound like a jealous bitch. Oh . . . Heero. If you love him, I'll love him too. For your sake. Maybe we could teach him?"

"Teach him what? Which fork to eat escargot with? He knows. Quatre taught him. . . and me. Relena. He's smart and bright and beautiful. If you'll only look. Please. I'd like for us to be friends. Please?"

Just then Duo came back in with a little tray holding three cups of coffee.

"Ersatz, but better than nothing. Here. Heero . . . virgin. Me . . . light and too sweet. Relena, half light. What were you two scheming about? I'll help ok?" Duo handed Relena her coffee first, with a little bow, then settled on an ottoman near Heero and smiled companionably.

"Duo? You remembered how I like my coffee after all this time?"

"Sure. Perfect memory. Now . . . what are you two up to?"

Relena put on an innocent face, but her eyes twinkled with mischief. "I've been having trouble with some of the representatives. I finally got the head representative to commit his signatories to my contract with you all. It's more or less set in stone. I'll pay for it, one way or another, but it was worth it. They can't sweep the colonial involvement in the Gundam ‘atrocities' under a rug anymore."

"Atrocities? What the fuck? Who started calling our . . . attacks that?"

Relena smirked at Duo. "I did. But I'm not referring to your attacks on the Alliance, but their treatment of you, and the others, when they captured you. There's a lot of footage from security cameras. Quatre has it all. Look out, because you're about to have your cover blown, big time. "

Duo shrugged. "Don't make much difference. We'll never really fit in. And the things we're trained to do aren't exactly the sort of things that keep you from being noticed. Q has us all working for him."

Relena nodded, she had so hoped that she could protect them all from just what was happening. She firmly pushed her hopes down and ignored them to death.

Heero held out his arms and then started to drop them, he wanted to be friends with Relena, he liked her when she wasn't being obsessive. Both Heero and Relena were startled when Duo scooped her up and plunked her in Heero's lap.

Heero cuddled her to his chest and Duo managed to squat in front of them so he could hug Relena from the other side. Relena turned her head to look into sympathetic amethyst eyes.

"I'd like to be freinds with you. We all fought for peace in our own way. Without all of us it wouldn't have been possible. I appreciate your efforts to help us. Even if they didn't work the way you wanted. Pax?"

Relena gave Duo a somewhat watery smile "Pax." As a distraction, she turned her attention to the catalogue on the floor. "What's this?"

Heero settled her more comfortably on his lap and watched as Duo opened the catalogue to the section they'd been studying. "We're trying to decide on the next degree we want to get."

"The next one? What?" Relena looked from one to the other. "How many degrees do you have?"

"Between us, ten. What? I'm crude, but not stupid. Scrounging from dumpsters has a whole other set of manners from eating at a table."

Relena gave Duo a horrified look and realized that the stories she'd heard were all true, not exaggerations. She burst into tears.

Heero just stroked her shoulders and made soothing noises until she wound down. Duo watched with interest.

Relena finally got herself together, apologized all around and tried to get up from Heero's lap, without much success. There was no way for her to get any leverage without ‘going below the belt,' which she was squeamish about doing.

"Here Duo, take her." Heero lifted her out of his lap and handed her to Duo who carefully put her on her feet. But not before giving her a quick hug of his own.

"Heero I . . you. . . er. . . " Relena found herself stammering.

"Why am I so . . . touchy-feely, as Duo would say?" Heero revealed that he had a sweet smile when he chose to use it. "Therapy, lots and lots of therapy. I . . Oden wasn't a toucher. And J. . . . every time he touched me it hurt or led to something unpleasant. I've finally gotten it through my head that touching doesn't always hurt. In fact it usualy leads to nice things, at least with my friends. So I'm kinda making up for lost time."

Relena couldn't help it, she gently brushed Heero's bangs from his forehead and kissed him gently, right in-between his eye brows. He sighed softly and cupped her cheek in one calloused palm.

"Nice. . . makin' moves on my boyfriend right in front of me." Duo's grin gave the lie to his words. "Left out in the cold. Story of my life."

Relena turned her head slowly, giving Duo plenty of time to worry. Then, with a devilish grin of her own, Relena attacked. Duo squawked and darted behind Heero who ruthlessly threw him to the lions, or in this case Relena. She tickled Duo until he begged for mercy and promised extravagant rewards if she'd stop. They wound up in Heero's lap together, giggling breathlesly and hugging him.

"Ahem! . . . I believe that is quite enough. If you three are through with your little display, Heero is due his meds and probably should return to his bed."

Nurse Jackson smiled at them as they sorted themselves out and started wheeling Heero back to the room.

"I'm sorry. We got a little out of control, but . . . well, I don't get a chance to just be a girl much. I'm afraid I got carried away."

"Well, . . . I'm sure there's no damage done. You two get him in bed while I get his meds."

So Duo and Relena reversed the process and got Heero into bed.

After taking his meds Heero struggled to stay awake, but only snapped to a few times, to realize that Duo and Relena were engaged in a political discussion that he wasn't capable of following in his present condition.

"Relena, the Perfect Peace Principle is all well and good in theory, . . . but in practice? Won't work. Too many people tout the theory, but practice something completely different. Total disarmament only means total helplessness, unless everybody disarms, and they're not going to do it. This whole peace is a spun sugar castle built on a cotton candy cloud. One rough touch and it'll crumble to dust."

Relena gave Duo a sad look. "I'm beginning to see the truth of what you say. Peace can't be maintained unless someone is willing to fight for it. It sounds so hypocritical, but . . . I just don't understand it at all."

"Human nature. You can't change it, so you just have to work within the boundaries of what is possible. It takes a thief to catch a thief. The best we can do is keep the mess contained so it doesn't touch the majority of the populace anymore than we can help."

Heero grumbled. "You two are making my head ache. You're not going to agree on this, so just drop it. Ok?"

Relena sighed. "Actually, Duo makes a lot of sense. I see things now that I didn't even six months ago. Preventers are going to get a lot looser leash. I'll see to it that some of the hawks serve my purposes rather than those of their sponsors. I'm getting very good at ‘you scratch.' The old boy system can be manipulated to serve the public good, you just have to make sure you don't promise something you don't want to have to deliver. That's the hard part. So. . . . I've got some dirty tricks up my sleeve and the first one is to rub the colonies' collective noses in how they stabbed you all in the back. That'll give me some leverage where I need it. I'm sorry, but I have to use you all again."

Heero shook his head, awake enough to understand that she didn't want to do what she was going to do.

"Whatever. I know you won't really . . . er . . . you won't make it worse, will you?"

Duo gave Relena an anxious look. She returned a reassuring one.

"No, actually, I think it will make your situation much better. I'm going to . . . or rather . . . Quatre is going to just . . . Um . . ."

Duo made a choking noise. "I think the phrase you're looking for is ‘tell all.' Quatre has already discussed it with us. We're ok with it. Right Heero?"

Heero was drowsing off again and only gave a vague grunt.

Relena smiled, if Duo could laugh about it, then it was going to be fine. She glanced at her watch and snarled in a most lady like manner.

"Oh, fiddle. Look at the time. I have to go. I'm late for a thing already."

Duo shook Heero awake enough to say good by. When Relena kissed him on the cheek, he smiled gently at her and mumbled. "Bye. Mail me. Ok?"

Relena turned to Duo and waited, shifting a little uncomfortably, but Duo slid off the bed and gave her a whole hearted hug. With a quick peck on the cheek she turned to the door, but turned back with a mischievous look.

"Heero . . . a cuddle bug? Who'd a thunk it?"

With that, she shut the door on Duo's drop jawed gape.

~ * ~

Mrs. Jackson came in a little later to check on them and remake the bed. Heero couldn't really get comfortable with the regen unit, so he was restless and tore the bed up, so she came in and remade it from time to time.

As she was straightening the sheets, her cell phone started to ring. And Heero started to scream.

It was a high-pitched scream of pure agony. Duo grabbed Heero and started running his hands over him trying to find the source of the pain.

"No, please. I'll be good . . . stop, please, please . . . I'm sorry, I'm sorry . . .whatever I did, I won't do it again! Make it stop! Please."

Heero writhed on the bed, clutching his head and begging.

Mrs Jackson took a second or two to realize that it had to be her phone. She usually just let it ring during work hours, letting it roll over, instead of answering it. Now she just plucked it out of her pocket and stamped it into scraps.

Heero went limp, tears running down his face, muscles twitching.

"Oh, my god. Heero, what the hell was that? What happened? Who . . . talk to me." Duo gathered Heero into his arms and just held him.

Heero shuddered. "It was my controller. Her phone activated it. I . . . I never . . . thought I'd ever . . . it hurts so much. Duo, I . . . "

Duo hushed Heero softly, gently rubbing his back and rocking him a little.

Nurse Jackson mean while, had called for a doctor, who arrived on the run.

"All right. What's going on here? The nurse said something about a panic attack?"

Nurse Jackson corrected that misconception immediately.

"I said an agonal attack. But I think it's externally caused. He said something about a controller."

The doctor moved to examine Heero, he poked and prodded, then sighed. "Where was the pain localized?"

Heero had finally managed to wheeze enough air into his lungs and reactivate enough brain cells to speak coherently.

"It's an electronic controller. Here." Heero guided the doctor's fingers to the base of his skull. "It's implanted."

The doctor probed gently and snarled. "Fuck. I mean, . . . no, I do mean fuck. We need to get that out of you now. Right now. Before some other random signal activates it again. Nurse, get an x-ray cape immediately."

Mrs. Jackson brought the cape and the doctor wrapped it around Heero, covering the nape of his neck carefully and making sure he was covered clear to his nose.

Heero didn't resist, he seemed almost comatose; submissive, suggestible, obedient. Duo had never seen him this way. He didn't like it at all.

"What happened? What . . . why . . . damnit." Duo suddenly knew exactly what had happened. He remembered Heero saying he didn't want to be retrained again, it hurt too much. "You got to get that thing out of him now. You . . . "

The doctor was already on his phone making arrangements for the tests they needed to find out how to get the controller out of Heero without damaging him. He closed his phone and turned to Nurse Jackson, after issuing orders to her, he turned back to Duo.

"I need you to call Mr. Winner. I'll handle the Headmaster. We'll be taking him for tests immediately. This is . . . barbarous. If they've done what I think they have, its also a criminal matter. It's . . . well, until I have the unit in my hand, I'm not saying another word. But someone will probably wind up in prison over this."

Six hours later the doctor handed the control unit over to a Preventer agent with a report. Lady Une was having fits.

Duo, Quatre, Wufei and Trowa were all there from the beginning to the end. Mr. Compton had faxed permission to operate without question when the Doctor explained the situation.

"Ok. Gentlemen, here's the situation. This controller is . . . old. It's a wonder it didn't rupture and kill him. But none the less it's an abomination. They were invented to control large animals like breeding bulls and such." He went on to explain how the unit worked and ended, " so he was punished with it and . . . I'm just sick. To do such a thing to anyone, much less a child. He's had it since he was no more that ten or twelve. I've turned the whole matter over to Preventers. Whoever did this is in a lot of trouble."

Duo eyed Quatre and Quatre gave back a smirk that proved his angelic looks hide the soul of a shark. Duo smirked back.

"Ok guys, lock and load. Look out world, here we come."