Betaed by Skippyscatt

~ * ~

The media blitz over the Leo continued for two days. They interviewed Mick, and Billy, and bothered everyone who had anything to do with the Leo. In other words they behaved like reporters.

Duo wanted to shoot the lot of them, Heero and Wufei ignored them with chilly dignity. Zechs simply directed them to speak with either WEI public relations or Relena's Publicity Director.

They didn't get very far with WEI as the public relations director himself told them to talk to Quatre. Quatre was still out of touch on the colony. Relena's publicity director simply told them no comment. So out of frustration or spite they started rebroadcasting anything they had, which made Duo even more furious

They kept running the footage of Duo's almost execution. Especially the ten second clip of him walking into a large open area in shackles, his face bloodied, bruised and swollen. They led him into the camera's range then knocked him down and kicked him. One of his guards dragged him to his feet by his braid and slammed him into the pillory. When they locked the cuffs, they cut his wrists.

He looked at least four years younger than he really was, which meant at fifteen he looked eleven. The weight of shackles, pillory and bruises made him look small and helpless. Especially since his cut lip and bloodied nose had bled down his neck and stained the white priest collar he wore.

Heero had never seen the clips for some reason or other and his horrified look made Duo swear that he was going to find that reporter and gut him.

Then they showed excerpts from Heero's training, and Duo cried. Wufei swore and hid his face in Zechs' chest. Zechs said things in German that even Trowa probably couldn't have translated.

Finally Wufei lost his temper completely and pulled what Duo later called an Elvis. He drew his service pistol from somewhere in his clothing and shot the vid. Several times. Zechs snatched the gun from his hands and swore in German some more. A few of the braver servants peeked in the doors to see what was going on, but the housekeeper shooed them away.

Then she firmly told them that they weren't allowed to shoot the vids or even watch them for the rest of the day.

"You should go out. Do something active. Ride the horses! They need exercise. Go, shooo, go."

~ * ~

The stables had never interested Duo but Wufei, Heero and Zechs had all been in them at one time or another. The stable boys were glad to see them and immediately started recommending horses for them. Duo watched with mounting distress, Heero could ride quite well. Duo remembered being told by Catalonia that he had a great seat. What Duo didn't realize was that Zechs had practically been born on a horse and Wufei had been taught to ride as part of his education. It was suitable to his station.

Duo on the other hand had limited experience with horses. In fact the only encounters he'd ever had with horses were on the table.

Duo watched as Wufei and Heero examined the horses they were offered. Zechs had a mount, a thing which puzzled Duo until he asked one of the stable boys. Who informed him that Master Zechs was a horseman of some renown and had always had a horse at Master Treize's residence. This horse had been brought here when Zechs and been incarcerated, so that he would have it near by.

Heero turned to see where Duo was and realized that Duo was nearly hiding behind the stable boy. He walked over to where they were standing and put his arm around Duo.

"You don't have to ride if you don't want to. I know you don't have any experience with horses. I'm sorry, love. I . . ."

Duo squared his shoulders. "It's ok Heero. If you wanna, go ahead. I'll wait here until you get back."

Zechs put one hand on Duo's shoulder. "We're going to ride over to my club. If you want to come, I'll make sure you have a suitable mount. Not all horses are . . . spirited. There are some here that I would put anyone on. Even a . . . er . . . inexperienced rider. We have a nice mare . . . let me check to see if she'll jump or not."

Duo gulped at the word jump. He wasn't interested in breaking his neck on some wild beast.

"‘Ro, if you wanna go. Fine by me. But you're not getting me on a horse. No way."

Heero just hugged Duo and whispered in his ear. "The best way to get out of this is to try it. Ok? If you really don't like it, Zechs won't force the issue. But . . . please. Just try it? For me?"

Duo grudgingly nodded his agreement. "Ok, but if I get killed I'll never speak to you again."

Wufei just watched doubtfully as Zechs lead out a small quarter horse mare. This near pony wasn't going to jump much of anything.

"Zechs? How is she going to get to the club if she doesn't jump?"

Zechs smiled. "There are several gates between here and there. I'll send someone to open them. All Duo has to do is stay on Miranda. And she's a good girl, she won't lose him easily." Zechs stroked the mare's silky nose. "Aren't you girl?" The mare lipped at his hand and snorted her disappointment at the lack of treats.

Duo flinched. "What? What was that? She's . . . um . . . Heero?" Duo's voice had a definite squeak.

"She's looking for treats. That snort was just her complaint that there aren't any."

Heero and Wufei wandered off into the depths of the stables in search of mounts, leaving Zechs to get Duo mounted and comfortable. Heero wanted desperately to stay but he knew that it would only make Duo nervous. And a nervous Duo was, not something he wanted Zechs to have to deal with just yet.

~ * ~

Duo eyed the mare with some dismay. "She's awful big. Don't you have anything . . . smaller? Er . . . shorter?"

Zechs shook his head. "She's small. Barely more than a pony. She's calm, steady and knows where to go. All you have to do is hold on and ride her. I'll send a groom with you to open the gates . . . you don't have to do this if you don't want to. I can have you driven around by car if you like."

Duo firmly shook his head. "I'll ride. I want to see Heero jump stuff . . . um, you too, of course."

Zechs just laughed, making the mare shake her head. "You want to see Heero jump stuff. Ok. I'll see to it that he does exactly that. And Wufei. I hear he has a good seat. Well, here's James with the tack."

A groom approached them with a saddle over his arm and a bridle in one hand. He handed the bridle to Duo who immediately jumbled the carefully arranged tack. The groom gave him a doubtful look, then turned to Zechs.

"James. He's never been on a horse before. You'll have to saddle her up for him. You'll also be going with him." Zechs smiled at James with some sympathy. "I know you'll take good care of Duo. He's been wanting to watch jumping, so you'll be leaving now and make sure you get him to the Bank and Ditch, he'll get a kick out of that."

Duo watched as James bridled and saddled Miranda. He was amazed that such a big animal accepted the man's ministrations without objection.

James smiled at Duo and invited him to come pet his mount telling Duo that Miranda was a nice mount and wouldn't hurt him.

Duo carefully stroked the mare's nose and realized that what she had in her mouth was a solid bar of metal.

"That's mean. Take it out. Now. She's gonna be hurt."

James just shook his head. "Won't hurt her at all. Unless you yank on the reins. Look." James gently stuck two fingers into the mare's mouth and pulled on her tongue. She obediently opened her mouth and Duo saw that she was missing teeth. "See where the bit sets in her mouth. That's natural. Horses don't have teeth there. If you really don't want a bridle, I'll put her on a lead line. But just give it a try. If she starts shaking her head, you're holding the reins too tight. I'll be right there with you so you won't hurt her."

Duo gave James a level look, but James just gazed right back. Duo nodded shortly and announced that he would keep the bridle. James nodded back and turned to adjust the stirrups.

They were alerted to the approach of the others by the clatter of metal shod hooves on the floor.

Duo turned to see Heero, Zechs and Wufei mounted, on very tall horses. James inspected the riders with a practiced eye. Zechs had an excellent seat, he rode like he'd been born on a horse. Heero also had a good seat. He sat his horse like a showman. Wufei was a little off center, so James went to adjust the stirrups for him

When he was finished Wufei nodded to him. "Thank you. It's been so long since I've ridden, I hope I don't make a fool of myself."

James smiled up at Wufei. "Don't worry, sir. You'll do fine. Just remember that Master Zechs is an excellent rider and don't try to throw your heart over a jump that's too much for you. You're more liable to lose his respect that way than by refusing a jump that might hurt you and your horse. Good luck to you. I'd better get back to Master Duo."

Duo was eying the horses with disgust. "They're all giants. How tall is that brute that Heero's riding?"

James grinned. "He's about seventeen hands. Not that big, as Master Zechs' horses go."

Duo snorted. "Well, get me on this beast. We better get going if I'm gonna see anything much."

So James helped Duo mount, which Duo found was called ‘throwing' him into the saddle. He settled into the saddle and gathered the reins up. James talked to him all the way through the process, which Duo found to be comforting.

The mare wanted to follow James on his taller sorrel gelding, so Duo just held the reins like James showed him and relaxed as much as he could.

Heero watched from the height of his larger horse as Duo rode out following James. He winced as Duo bounced awkwardly. He wondered if this was a mistake, but he wanted to ride so very badly.

Wufei smiled at Zechs who was also watching Duo. "Zechs, don't look so worried. I'm sure that James will make sure Duo comes to no harm. Besides, Duo's tough, if he falls off, he'll probably just swear and get back on. If he doesn't decide to walk instead."

Zechs turned to Wufei and shrugged. "Our Duo's a big boy. But I am a little worried. If Miranda manages to unseat Duo. Heero will turn her into cat meat."

Wufei snorted. "If Duo doesn't do it first, and leave Heero the remains. And you know it."

Zechs made a rueful face. "Yes I do. But Miranda is a good mount and James is excellent. I really don't think we have much to worry about, so I'm not." With that Zechs gave his horse the office to walk.

Heero and Wufei followed him out of the stable yard and onto the bridle path for the short ride to the beginning of the jumping course. It was nice that the estate bordered on the club grounds.

Zechs set the pace at a gentle canter and Heero and Wufei followed. They cantered down the path enjoying the view and getting accustomed to their mounts.

Heero realized that Zechs had led them into a cross country course that was part of the club grounds which abutted their property. The jumps were all different, with an arrowhead, and an oxer back to back, then an in and out, after that there were only a few fences, but the last jump was what was called a ditch and dike, or bank and ditch.

This was a combination jump, with a berm of dirt built up then a ditch. This forced the horse to jump from ground level up to the top of the pile of dirt then down again. But the horse also had to clear the water filled ditch.

Duo and James rode a short route between the features that James wanted Duo to see, but the other party of riders followed a set course from one jump to the next.

James made sure that Duo saw it all. Duo was impressed with Heero's horsemanship and said so. He also complimented Zechs and Wufei. But James could see that his eyes were really only for Heero.

Duo groaned. He couldn't believe it. The group had turned after the bank and ditch and were headed away from Duo and James. "Where the hell are they going? I thought that the club was just over the hill."

"Yes, sir, it is. I believe they're going to go around again. The horses are fresh and in good condition. Would you like to watch some more?"

Duo stood up in the stirrups and grimaced. "Not really. We'd have to ride all the way back to the beginning too. I don't think so." He sat back down in the saddle again. "How the hell can anything stuffed with hay be this uncomfortable?"

James grinned at Duo. "It's the saddle sir. If you'd prefer, I can take you on to the club."

Duo sent one longing look at the rapidly disappearing group, then decided he'd rather go on to the club.

~ * ~

Zechs was in seventh heaven, he hadn't been on a horse in so long that it was sad. He glanced over his shoulder to see Heero and Wufei following his lead. He was also proud to see that they allowed safe distance between them.

The ride was fun, exhilarating, Wufei couldn't help grinning foolishly as Zechs rode like a mad man. He jumped everything he saw.

Heero followed Wufei and admired his seat, Wufei sat his horse firmly, without the ‘flapping' elbows of someone who thought they could ride. He wasn't inspired like Zechs, but workman like and comfortable with his skills.

Heero never realized that he rode as well as Zechs, with flair and panache. And a total lack of fear. They were both careful of their horses but if the horse would jump they would too.

The pulled up in the shade of a large tree to discus whether they were going to go around the course again.

"Heero, I'm game if you are. Wufei?" Zechs looked to Wufei for his answer.

Wufei shrugged. "I'm game if you are. Heero?"

Heero grinned at his two companions. "I'll go again. But what about Duo?"

"James will take him back around, or if he's tired, he'll take him on to the club. I trust James, he's a good man. ‘Round again?"

Heero nodded, Wufei just turned his horse into the first leg of the course.

They stopped at an oxer to check Wufei's girth, which was loose. Zechs tightened it and snuck a quick squeeze to Wufei's thigh. Heero noticed but didn't say anything.

They rode the rest of the course taking it carefully so as not to unduly tire the horses. Or themselves.

The last jump was the bank and ditch again, but while they'd been running the course someone had set up a fence three strides away from the ditch. They only had time to collect their horses and hope before they were rushing on the fence.

Zechs cleared easily, his horse was large and powerful. All he had to do was collect him and give him the office to jump. Heero didn't have much trouble either as he was warned by Zechs shout.

But Wufei had fallen behind just enough that the fence was a nasty surprise.

His horse refused the jump, jamming straight legs into the ground and then bucking. Wufei took a header right over the horse's shoulder and into the water-filled ditch. His aborted cry alerted Heero and Zechs that something was wrong.

Zechs got back first and dismounted with a quick kick of long legs. He tossed his reins to Heero and snarled as he realized that Wufei had hit his head on something in the ditch.

Heero gave Zechs one long look, then dismounted, ground tied both horses, and ran to help. Between them they checked Wufei for broken bones, not finding any, Heero got out of the way and let Zechs take it from there.

Zechs lifted Wufei from the water and carefully carried him to the bank of the ditch. He settled him on his back and took one small hand in his own. "Wufei, please. Open your eyes. I need to see if you have a concussion. Fei?"

Wufei grumbled. "Ow! Damned beast. Refused. My head." Wufei started to sit up, but Zechs stopped him with a soft touch.

"Stay there. If you try to sit up . . ."

Wufei sat up, and was promptly and thoroughly sick. Zechs held him while he retched then used his handkerchief to wipe his mouth.

"I'm sorry. That is disgusting . . . and I'm wet."

"You fell into the ditch. Let me look at your head."

Zechs ran a hand over Wufei's head and found a nasty lump just behind his ear. He turned to look at Heero who just raised an eyebrow and remarked, "He'll be ok. His head is as hard as Duo's. But we should get him somewhere so he can lie down."

Wufei started to protest but decided that he wasn't going to make a fool of himself by arguing with Zechs. Zechs was in full protector mode and wouldn't listen to him. Besides his head hurt like fury.

Heero held the horses and let Wufei lean on him while Zechs mounted. Then he helped Wufei mount in front of Zechs.

Wufei eyed Heero for a moment. "And you're being so quiet because?"

"Zechs will rip off my head if I get in his way. And I can't shield you from the chill like he can."

Zechs just smirked. "And don't you forget it . . . Wufei, it's cold enough that you'll freeze. We're all wet, but you're soaked through. Be still."

Wufei settled against Zechs with a soft grumble. "I'm ok. Just took a knock on the head."

Zechs pulled Wufei against his chest and rumbled softly. "Don't be silly. That was a nasty knock. Just relax . . . unless my touch is repulsive?"

"Not repulsive. Just . . . unnecessary."

"To whom?"

Wufei decided to just shut up and enjoy the warmth radiating from Zechs. He had to admit that he was chilled.

~ * ~

James took Duo on to the club, with a few backward glances of his own. He really wanted to watch the others go through the jumps again, but he knew that he had to stay with Duo until he got to the club house.

When they got to the club house stables, James took charge of the horses and told Duo to go to the main part of the complex.

Duo entered the house through the stable side door and was met by a rather snooty man in a fancy uniform.

"Stable boys aren't allowed in the club proper. Go to the back door and wait for your master there."

Duo snorted. "I'm a guest. Merquise asked me."

"Indeed?" The man looked down his nose at Duo, which wasn't hard as he was a good foot taller than Duo.

Duo got defensive. "Yah, he did. He's tryin' ta break his neck on that jumpin' track right now. So can I get a soda, or what?"

"Or what, you impudent young whelp. I said to wait at the back door and I meant it."

Just as the man risked getting his arm broken, a sharp voice snapped, "Exactly what is going on here?"

Duo recognized that voice at once.

"Lady Relena. Hi."

Relena eyed Duo's disheveled appearance with a tiny smile. "Jumping? I didn't know you could ride."

Duo shook his head. "Not me. Never again. Heero and the other's are out on the track tryin' ta kill themselves right now. The groom, or whatever he's called, brought me on ahead, but they won't let me in." Duo rubbed the back of his neck "Give a guy a hand, will ya?"

Relena managed to look down her nose at the footman. Then she gave a tiny sniff. "Are we going to be forced to stand in this chilly entryway all day, or will you kindly move aside."

The footman gulped, he was very uncomfortable now. He looked from Relena to the scruffy long haired boy and then snapped to attention. He opened the door to the sitting room and ushered Relena in, Duo followed, giving the man a nasty look.

"Thanks, I didn't think that . . . un . . . he was going to let me in. I can just see the look on their faces when they found me at the back door."

Relena motioned Duo to a chair with a delicate shudder. "Oh, no thank you very much. I don't even want to think about it. Milliardo would have been very upset."

Duo snorted rudely. "Not exactly what I was going to say. More like ‘go ballistic'. But now that I think about it. You a member?"

Relena nodded. "Yes. The Peacecraft family is a founding family. We helped start the club in the 1960's old calendar. It's quite old. And . . . oh, tea?"

Duo would rather have had soda but if Relena was offering, he was accepting. "Um . . . tea's fine. If you can stand the way I drink it. Wufei says I'm a barbarian, and even Heero rolls his eyes."

Relena settled into her chair and prepared to play ‘mother'. "I remember. Two sugars, double milk. Milk in first."

Duo blinked, he'd had tea with her once, months ago. And it had been during the trials.

"Wow. I don't believe you remembered." Duo accepted the cup and sneered rudely at the footman. "Thank you, my lady."

Relena glanced at the footman, then bowed her head slightly. "You may call me Lena if you like." The footman turned pale.

"Well, I'm honored. Lena. Thank you." Duo realized that the man had put the cake out of Relena's reach. "Let me." Duo handed Relena the cake plate balancing his cup, spoon and cake plate with practiced ease.

"Thank you. Duo, I need to ask you a question in the strictest confidence. Please."

"Ask. I may have to say ‘no comment' or even ‘I don't know' but feel free to ask." Duo sipped tea while Relena composed her question.

"I know Quatre is up to something . . . um . . . major. Do you know what it is? Please feel free to tell me if you know. I'm mum as a nun. But I need to know, so that I can be prepared. You understand?"

Duo nodded. "I'd tell you if I knew. I think he's playing his cards really close to the chest just now. If something blows up in his face, he'll be the only one burnt."

Relena frowned, making Duo want to smooth out the tiny crease between her eyebrows. "Well, I find that very considerate of him." Relena gave Duo a level look then sighed. "No, I can see that you're not holding out on me. Sorry. I . . . oh, dear. I just wish he'd let me help more. He's so . . . drat that man."

Duo shrugged. "He's got trouble with some of his sisters still. They're . . . ahem. Never mind. You know what I mean. But he wants to secure our futures. ESUN still wants to . . . forget us by shoving us into the bad boy box and locking us away. I still have nightmares about winding up . . ." Duo snapped his mouth shut, realizing that what he was about to say would probably shock Relena to death.

"Winding up Bubba's butt monkey? I'm not completely stupid. I know what goes on in prisons. Unfortunately. That's one of the reasons I'm still visiting them. I'm trying to get the wardens to see that that sort of behavior doesn't help . . . Duo, you look positively green. Are you all right?"

Duo was trying to keep from choking on the sip of tea he'd taken just before Relena had shocked him to his toes. He hadn't known that Relena even knew the words, much less what they meant.

"Dammit, Relena. Ladies don't talk like that. You shouldn't . . ."

"Oh, please." Relena rolled her eyes. "I did extensive research the minute I realized that Milliardo and Heero were going to be sentenced. I'm just glad that between us Quatre and I managed to keep the rest of you out of jail. And that little trick Quatre pulled with the name switch and getting the papers lost etc. so that Heero went to that juvenile center instead of that horrible . . . I forget the name. But anyway. "

Duo was looking at Relena with a deer in the headlights expression that made her trail off then start laughing.

"Duo, please. I'm a politician. And a very good one. I don't like abuse of power, but sometimes things can be . . . adjusted . . . in the name of justice. Or just plain common sense. So don't tell but remember. I can and will use my power to help you all I can . . . unless it conflicts with the greater good. Then you're on your own."

Duo grinned. "Well, that's nice to know. I mean . . . nice to know we can depend on you unless it's . . . I think I'll shut up now."

Relena eyed him over the edge of her cup for a moment. "I'd like to be able to promise you unconditional help, but I just can't. For which I am truly sorry. But there you are. Conflicting obligations don't help anyone. I'm juggling so many balls just now that I'm afraid I'll drop something delicate. If you know what I mean."

Duo did and shrugged. "I guess I'm just used to the way we were during the war. Everyone was against us for a while there. We learned that all we had to count on was each other. So . . . I know you want to promise us the world on a plate. But you have lots of stuff to consider. I do understand. I just don't like it."

"Well, this is thoroughly depressing. Shall we change the subject?"

Duo nodded. "Sure. How ‘bout those Mets?"

Relena blinked. "Excuse me? Meets? Which meets?"

Duo laughed. "No. The Mets. Baseball. Not a clue, right?"

Relena shook her head with a light laugh. "Oh, baseball. American foolishness. Footer is much better. I like Manchester United."

Duo rolled his eyes. "Well, don't tell Zechs that. He'll spend the next two hours explaining why Hampton Heath is sooooo much better. I'll have a nice nap and Heero will just kindly explain that basket ball is really where it's at. Personally, I'd rather talk about verners. Or gear ratios. Or oxy demands."

There was a loud clatter in the hallway just then and Zechs entered, with Wufei in his arms.

Duo jumped up putting his tea cup down with a sharp click. He pushed the chair back and hauled the coffee table out of the path between Zechs and the couch. Zechs took advantage of the clear path and carefully put Wufei down.

"He took a header and he's chilled and dizzy. Get . . . oh tea. Good . . . ." Zechs took the tea from Relena without even seeing her.

"Wufei, you must drink this. You're shivering. Damn. You need dry clothing and I want a doctor to look at you."

Heero gently put Zechs out of his way. He knelt down in front of Zechs and eyed Wufei. Duo stood ready to go find whatever Heero asked for. Relena watched from the sidelines, dumb struck to see them all in combat mode.

"Look at me . . ." Heero eyed Wufei's pupils. "Not blown. Not uneven. Dizzy?" Wufei grunted. He wasn't about to nod. "Ok, you're cold as a frog. Duo, blankets and a hot water bottle. Wine bottle full of hot water if nothing else. Go."

Duo started to leave the room but was forced to jump out of the way as the door popped open and a gray haired, distinguished looking man hurried in.

"You . . . boy. Get the footman to bring a hot water bottle and my kit from my car. . . Master Milliardo. I heard there'd been a spill. This the young man?"

Zechs got up from his place on one knee behind Heero and held out his hand. Heero stood too.

"Yes, took a nasty one. Landed on his head in the ditch at the bank and ditch. Someone put up a fence while we were taking our second go ‘round. Horse refused. He's soaked through . . ." Zechs laughed slightly. "Well, we all are. Splashing about in a ditch, you know."

The doctor smiled then turned to Wufei. "Well, young ‘un. Let me take a look at you." The doctor did doctor things and declared Wufei. "Good enough. You'll have a hell of a head. But other than a nasty bump, I don't see much wrong. No concussion. And the chills are just from being cold. Get him dry and warm. Doctor his tea with some rum and let him rest a while."

Zechs looked for a footman, but Duo was already on the job. Relena had fixed Wufei another cup of tea which she now handed to him. Duo returned from the depths of the club with a trail of footmen and club officials, a warmed blanket and a hot water bottle. As well as dry clothing for all three men. They quickly changed into the dry things.

Heero went aside with one of the hunt masters, who wanted details of exactly what had happened.

The rest of the people followed the doctor's orders and wrapped Wufei in the warmed blanket tucking him in with the hot water bottle. Much to his embarrassment.

Zechs finally settled down in a chair next to the couch as close to Wufei as he could get. Heero settled on a love seat with Duo, where he quickly explained what had happened to him.

Relena watched it all with quick eyes and a slightly stunned expression. Everything had moved so fast that all she knew was that Wufei had fallen.

"Well, that was exciting. What happened, please?"

So Zechs started explaining what had happened. The footman brought more tea and cakes and sandwiches. Relena made appropriate noises at appropriate times and horrified faces as well. Duo enjoyed the story because he was watching Relena. Heero grunted once in a while, usually when Duo jabbed him in the ribs with an elbow.

They never noticed the people who peeked in the open French doors to watch the laughing, chattering group of young people.

They sat and visited for a while and Relena made the mistake of mentioning football, which made Duo and Wufei groan. Zechs immediately changed tack from football to headaches. Wufei shamelessly claimed a headache as excuse to lean back and close his eyes.

"If you're going to talk footer, please just ignore me. I'll take a short nap, then I'll be ready to return home. By car, if you don't mind"

Zechs claimed his hand and settled back in his chair declaring that he also needed a nap.

Relena gave Duo a pleading look, which he smiled at.

"I'd like to speak to Heero . . . alone. If you don't mind, Duo."

Duo grinned at her. "Got eyes for my boyfriend?" Relena mock glared at Duo. "Ok, ok. I don't mind. I'll go take a walk in the garden. Don't do . . . well, um . . . never mind."

Heero snickered at Duo, who glared back.

~ * ~

Relena and Heero slipped out the door quietly and found a smaller sitting room to settle in.

"Tea?" Relena grimaced. "Oh, no. I couldn't. I'll slosh as I walk soon."

Heero put an afghan over her legs and settled in a chair. "What did you want to talk about?"

Relena sighed and shifted uncomfortably. "I . . . you . . . oh, dear. Darn it."

"Relena, whatever it is, you can ask or tell me. You know that. So, just spit it out before you choke on it."

Relena settled her nerves. "I want to apologize to you for my actions during the war. I know I was a complete pest. I'm sorry."

Heero shrugged. "It's fine. You've done nothing but try to help us since the end of the war. I think you've done more that enough to make up for anything you did. Don't mention it again."

Relena sighed. "Thank you. I hope . . . well. That's another thing. You and Duo . . . you're a couple?"

Heero smiled gently. "Yes. You knew that. So . . . ?"

"Are you getting married? I mean . . . um . . . whatever they're calling it now."

"It's actually a civil contract. But most same sex couples have some sort of ceremony. You're invited . . . when we get around to something. I haven't actually asked him. And he won't ask me. Too shy."

Relena frankly goggled. "Maxwell, shy? In what alternate universe?"

"He is. He acts like he doesn't care. But he does . . . very deeply. I think he's afraid I'll say no. Or something."

Heero wished for a cup of something, so he could hide his expression in it.

"OH . . . for pity's sake. Don't make that face. He'll fall on your neck. I was so hoping that you'd let me make the announcement."

Heero shrugged and allowed that when he worked up the nerve to ask she was more than welcome to make their announcement. Then dropped a bomb he didn't even know he had.

"And Zechs and Wufei will want you to make their announcement too, I'm sure."

Relena made a strangling sound. "Milliardo? And Chang? Oh, my. That's news to me. But . . . well . . . Noin . . . damn that woman anyway. Why'd she have to take off to Mars like that?"

Heero gave Relena. a sharp look. "You don't like Wufei and Zechs together? I'm slightly disappointed. They make each other happy."

Relena shook her head quickly. "Not a bit of it. I don't care who he's with, as long as they're happy. In fact, this is good. The chances of anyone taking advantage of a child are now gone. That's good. I'm just sad that Milliardo and Noin couldn't make a go of it. This whole thing is a nuisance. I have to make some . . . political hay while the sun shines so to speak. Long term plans. If you're interested, I'll explain."

Heero was, so she did. It seemed that, as long as Zechs and Noin were an item, there was a chance that someone would claim that their child was more entitled to the throne of Sanq than Relena. Which would cause all kinds of trouble with succession and political influence. But since one of the requirements of same sex marriages in the line of succession was abdication it cleared up several problems for both Relena and Zechs.

But Relena was still mad at Noin for taking off to Mars when Zechs was so emotionally unstable. It ‘just wasn't nice' was all she would say, but Heero could see that she was hurt for Zechs. After a while he just sat and listened as Relena poured out her troubles, he didn't understand some of the things she talked about, others upset him just as much. He realized that Relena didn't have many people she could just vent to. He settled in for a long session of grunts and knowing nods.

~ * ~

Duo unashamedly listened in for a few minutes, if Relena was going to upset Heero, he was going to butt in and stop her. But he soon realized the same thing Heero did. She just wanted to let things out.

Why she felt she couldn't talk to him, Duo didn't understand but Heero didn't seem to want to get away from her so Duo decided to take that walk in the garden.

He walked up and down the paths and found that the garden was very nice, peaceful and cool. He heard voices, but decided that he didn't feel sociable. He hid behind a large Graham Thomas rose bush and waited until the girl, her boyfriend and a small dog were gone.

Duo decided he needed to check on Wufei and Zechs. They had both claimed a need for sleep, but how either of them could sleep in that open room was beyond him. So he felt a need to check on them to see if they were all right. Sometimes he just ignored things like that but right now he was feeling needy. Not jealous of the queen of the world, not him, not much. He snorted at his own insecurities and catered to them.

~ * ~

Zechs opened his eyes as the door creaked slightly. He saw Duo peeking in and motioned for him to come on in.

"I'm awake. Come on in"

Wufei stirred and reached for Zechs in his sleep.

"Should he be sleeping?"

Zechs shrugged. "The doctor said it would be all right. I've known him most of my life. If you're worried, I could send for him and asks him again."

Duo thought for a second then nodded. "I wish you would."

Zechs just picked up a small remote with a single button on it and pressed it. They waited for a moment until a footman stuck his head in the room. When Zechs asked him to see if Dr. Smythe would come back, he just nodded and closed the door.

Duo jittered around the room until the doctor showed up to check Wufei. Zechs merely asked if Wufei should sleep so much. Dr. Smythe walked over to look at Wufei again.

Wufei opened one indignant eye when the doctor gently shook him. Dr. Smythe put his paper down on the table and checked Wufei over again.

"Well, I don't see anything different from what I saw twenty minutes ago. He's shivered himself into a mild state of exhaustion. He's physically and mentally worn out. All this hoo ha with that Leo and everything before. It's a wonder you all aren't running on fumes. You need to relax, have some fun. Milliardo, you should see if you can't get invites to that ball tomorrow night. Dancing, wine, food, good company. I won't say of your peers, that's outrageous. Well, you need me, send for me."

Zechs looked at Duo who just shrugged. Wufei grumbled under his breath. "I don't see what you have against me getting some rest. I'm tired. Leave me alone."

Duo raised an eyebrow at Zechs who just patted Wufei's hand. "All right my grumpy dragon. Go back to sleep."

Zechs settled himself back in his chair and dozed off again too. Duo picked up the paper from the side table and started to read it.

After he read it, he checked on Heero and Relena. They were still talking, or Relena was talking and Heero was nodding. Zechs was still dozing with Wufei's hand in his. Wufei was half awake and shivering slightly, so Duo pulled the blanked up a little more and tucked it in. Wufei mumbled ‘thank you' and promptly went back to sleep.

Duo sat back down and picked the paper up again. There was nothing else to read, but there were puzzles on one page. So Duo opened the drawer in the end table and found a pen.

He settled in to work the crossword, then, as Wufei and Zechs showed no sign of waking and Heero and Relena were still in the smaller sitting room, he worked the sudoku. It didn't take him long to fill in the numbers, but he counted the squares any way. The nine by nine puzzle was divided into nine squares of nine numbers each. He counted eighty one numbers so he knew it was done properly.

Duo startled at the voice from the door.

"Excuse me. Have you seen my paper?"

Duo grimaced. "Um . . . here it is. I . . . sorry. . . I worked . . . "

The doctor gave him a funny look. "You didn't. I swear."

"Look, I said I'm sorry. I'll buy you a new paper.

Dr. Smythe sighed. "It's not that."

Zechs and Wufei were both awake. Zechs stood up and took the paper from Duo's hand. "I'm sorry too. It doesn't do any good to be ugly with him. He didn't mean any harm. And you did leave it here."

Dr. Smythe held up a hand. "If you'll let me explain." Zechs inclined a regal head. "He worked the sudoku, and the crossword, in about an hour. In pen."

Zechs raised an eyebrow. "I'm missing something, I think." He missed the look Wufei and Duo exchanged.

The doctor was glad to explain. "It takes an average of two hours to work the crossword, with a minimum of eight mistakes. The sudoku usually takes half to three quarters of an hour and requires pencil marks. Only he did both in an hour, in pen, without cross outs. Quite a feat and most annoying."

Duo wisely didn't tell the doctor that he'd spent twenty minutes of the hour reading the paper first.

Wufei snorted softly. This was one of Duo's guilty little secrets. He loved puzzles of any kind. Logic, crossword, circle a word, sudoku. Anything. Wufei remembered a time when Duo would shut himself up in his room and work his way through a whole book of puzzles in a single night. Or spend the whole night online working puzzle after puzzle alternating with hitting the check messages button on his email.

Duo met his eyes and gave him a sympathetic twitch of the lips.

Zechs sympathized with the man and asked again if he wanted a new paper. Dr. Smythe refused remarking that it was nothing but jealousy. "The young man is incredibly intelligent. He should go into science of some sort. See that his counselors don't spoil him." With that he left, shaking his head.

Duo rolled his eyes at Wufei again and Zechs caught it. "Ok what's up?"

Wufei shrugged. "We're all in advanced Masters courses by internet. None of us can attend regular school. Can you imagine the chaos we'd create? So we all have multiple majors. Mostly sciences."

Zechs sighed. "You are all incredible. I remember that Heero was taking internet classes. What the hell are you going to do with your lives? You can't just wander around doing nothing. You'll waste your lives."

Duo laughed. "Zechs . . . please . . . we could use some time to just be us. Find out what we want to do. Get the head on straight, that sort of thing. Frankly, I just wanna spend about a year with Heero, surfing, snow boarding. Whatever we can do. Ya know?"

Wufei shook his head. "I want to spend some time in study. My calligraphy has suffered. And I've always wanted to continue sumi-i. Heero just wants to be with Duo. Quatre and Trowa are in space, doing something or other."

Duo looked from Wufei to Zechs. "And what would you like to do, Zechs? I mean really. If you could do anything you wanted?"

Zechs just shrugged. "I want to be with Wufei. I don't care where we are or what we do. And I think I have a way to do exactly that."

Wufei looked at Zechs who just smiled at him and asked him, "Would you mind if I keep my plans to myself until I can be sure?"

Wufei nodded his acceptance of the request, but he smiled slightly. If Zechs had plans the chances of them falling through were slim and none.

~ * ~

Heero and Relena were still talking when Zechs decided Wufei needed to go home. So he called for a car and told Duo that he was welcome to come with them or stay and wait for Heero. Duo decided to wait there.

That left Duo to wander around the club some more. This time he didn't have trouble with the footmen or any of the rest of the help, but he was bored. And a bored Duo usually wound up in some kind of trouble.

This time it was simple. He couldn't stand cruelty to animals and he had to intervene when he saw the girl kick her dog.

"Hey, stop that. What the hell is wrong with you."

Duo scooped the little dog up with one hand and fended off the boyfriend with the other.

"Who do you think you are? If Missy wants to discipline Binky, it's her dog."

Duo gave the boy a disgusted look. "Discipline is one thing cruelty is another."

The girl made a disgusted face. "Well, she's stupid, and she smells. She won't do anything she's supposed to. Like sit, or fetch, or anything. For two cents I'd . . . well. Something."

Duo reached into his pocket and pulled out two copper disks. He tossed them at her feet and announced. "Here. Two cents. Dog's mine now. Take off."

The girl made a rude noise and started to say something. Duo stood up with the little dog in his arms. "Something?" But the look on Duo's face said it better not be anything.

Boyfriend decided to make it something. "Look, I said I don't know who you are, but that's Missy's dog. You better put her down before I do something I'm gonna regret."

Duo blinked at the boy for a second, then started laughing. "Buddy, you better check your attitude. It'll get you killed. You don't know who I am so I'll tell you. Duo Maxwell, that's who."

Missy turned an astonishing shad of puce, boyfriend turned so pale he looked blue. Then a soft voice cut through the silence like a knife.

"Duo, you all right? What's the problem?" Heero strode up to them with a look on his face that would have scared a marble statue. It terrified Missy and made her escort start cautiously edging them both away.

"Heero, what's this? Duo, what a cute dog. Where did you . . . oh, it's . . . bunky. Binky. What ever." Relena gave Missy a tight lipped look. "You need to get her groomed. She's all matted."

Missy immediately dumped the whole mess in Duo's lap. "She's his dog now. He bought her. Come on Max, let's go."

Relena stopped them with a soft, "Stay a moment." When they turned to her, she told Missy to be sure to send Duo the dog's papers. "So he can show her if he wants. Although . . . Duo?"

Duo just shrugged. "If she's got papers, I want them." He gave Max a look that made him start sweating. "You can go now. Bye."

Relena watched as the two quickly made their escape. "Well, Duo I've always said that girl didn't have the sense god gave a goose. What did she do?"

Duo was cuddling the dog despite the atrocious smell. "She kicked her. I don't think she did anything to deserve it either. She's a nasty thing, isn't she Binky. And is that a stupid name for a dog or what?"

Relena gave a little sniff of disdain. "That girl shouldn't be allowed to keep a goldfish, never mind a dog. But . . . I have to say . . . um . . . she does smell."

Duo gave Relena a funny look. "A little soap, a little warm water. All it takes. And it's not like it's the dog's fault."

Heero reached out and gently took the dog from Duo. He sat her on the ground and just looked at her.

Duo suddenly paled. "Um . . . Heero, we gotta keep her. You know I can't just. . . "

Heero smiled at Duo. "You want her, you keep her. But there's something wrong with her. She's not moving right. She . . . Relena?"

Relena was shaking her head slowly from side to side. "Oh, she didn't . . . that stupid, stupid girl."

Duo gave Relena an anguished look. "She's not . . . sick . . . or anything. Is she?"

Relena reached out and patted Duo's arm. "No. I'm sorry I scared you. She's all matted. And she needs her toenails clipped."

Heero picked Binky up and carefully felt along her sides and under her belly. The poor little dog just let him. "She looks good, but it's all surface. They brushed her top coat but her undercoat is matted. Her legs are matted to her belly. Give me your knife."

Duo pulled his knife out of his braid and handed it to Heero. Heero took it and settled on the ground with the dog between his legs. He coaxed and cajoled until the little dog let him turn her over on her back. Her legs were indeed matted to her belly. She was nearly crippled by the mess of hair and unidentified ‘stuff.'

Heero gently pulled her leg away from her body, then neatly sliced through the mat. She yelped, then tried to lick his hand.

"No! Silly girl. That's a knife. You'll get cut. Good girl." Heero repeated the operation on the other side and remarked that he really needed a pair of clippers so he could shave away the mess.

Relena just nodded. "I'll call one of the footmen and send her to be groomed. She'll probably have to be shaved to the skin . . ." Relena saw Duo's horrified look. "Oh don't be such a baby. It won't hurt her. In fact it'll probably make her feel much better."

So Duo allowed Relena to give the orders, Heero hid his smile behind his hand and Duo Maxwell, Gundam pilot, was now the proud owner of a Maltese named "Binky."