14-Jul-2000

Disclaimer: GW boys are not mine *sob* *sob*
Warning: yaoi, a bit angsty at some parts, nice Relena <gasp>!! But fear not, I am a firm believer of 1x2
Timeline: The first part of the story takes place shortly after the series.
The second part of the story takes place after Endless Waltz/OVA.

Faire Tale by Draco

Part I: Princess Fair

Relena saw Heero approaching the massive army of mobile suits as she stood on a cliff in a distance. No, a voice screamed in her head... he is going to be killed! She forced herself to be calm. She willed all emotions away from her face. She would *not* be weak.

Quatre gently put his hand on her shoulder to offer support. Relena appreciated the kind gesture, but she did not need it. Heero was the perfect soldier. Everyone said so. To be the perfect soldier, one must not fear death. He is doing what he is trained to do, the only thing he knows how to do. But damn it, why did it have to hurt so much...

Relena bit back the tears as Heero's Gundam plunged into battle with the vast army. Blazes of orange light struck Wing as it bore the countless attacks. The whole fight took only a matter of minutes before Wing emerged from the carnage. Relena was not an expert on Gundams, but even she could see that it was severely damaged. As if it was human, Wing wobbled slightly and collapsed onto the ground. Relena told herself that she would *not* cry. That would accomplish nothing. Weakness had no place in a war. And the perfect soldier certainly would not stand for weakness. No, she would be strong for Heero... she would be strong for herself. Heero has survived worse, she told herself sternly.

"Are all the enemies destroyed?" She asked Quatre with a steady voice that shocked herself.

"Yes," Quatre answered as he looked up from his laptop, equally surprised by her composure.

"How many killed?"

"Over one hundred."

Relena tightened her hands into fists. Her nails dug into her skin. War is so meaningless... but she would be strong. She would be strong like Heero was. She must be strong to be with the man that she so desperately loved.

"Look, Duo and Trowa are here," Quatre pointed at the outlines of two large gundam behind the smoke of the explosion. With precision, the Deathscythe kneeled beside the fallen Wing as Duo jumped out of his cockpit and raced over to Heero's Gundam. Several moments later, Duo re-emerged with an unconscious Heero by his side.

He waved wildly in the direction where Quatre and Relena were standing and yelled, "He'll live! Even Death can't get to this guy!"

Quatre breathed out a sign of relief. Relena bit her lip once more. Why couldn't they get here earlier? No, she shook herself; she could not blame the other Gundam pilots. They were all just doing the best they could... but Heero...

Heero's whole body ached like hell. I live another day, he told himself quietly. He easily pushed the pain into the back of his head, and forced himself to open his eyes. He knew, more often than not, Relena would be there. It was without surprise that Relena's concerned face greeted him.

"Relena," he whispered.

"Heero," she said without a trace of smile on her face. She had a nice smile, but Heero so rarely saw it. Without warning, the smell of fragrant lilies pervaded his nostrils.

"Thank you for the flowers," Heero did not know what to say to her. She had ripped up his good-bye note and birthday card. He wondered what she did with the Teddy Bear. The Teddy Bear was Duo's idea.

"You're welcome," Relena smiled slightly. They stayed in silence until Heero fell asleep again. Despite himself, Heero briefly wished she would talk him to sleep, a weakness he quickly banished... still her voice would assure him that someone was there, and that he was not alone.

Duo stared into the ward of Quatre's safe house from the garden. Through the window, he caught Relena's brief smile. That girl definitely needs to smile more, he decided. If Heero knew how many times Duo saw him showing weakness while Heero was unconscious, Heero would probably kill him.

Duo stored that realization for later use. Maybe he could blackmail Heero with it later when Heero would pull on his hair to make him be quiet... maybe not. There was something comforting in Heero's complete disregard for him. Heero would never notice how Duo watched him... Duo looked through the window again. Neither of their mouths was moving! Geez, how can these people stand the long silences! Duo shrugged. With Relena there, she would make sure Heero was okay. Even if she did fuss. Besides, Relena didn't exactly like him, and she might get totally freaked out if she saw him there. Duo walked away whistling and ran straight into a tree. Rubbing his face, he muttered a curse. Man, what's wrong with me today? Duo wondered.

Perhaps it was getting drunk last night in the town. Hmmm, that must be yet. At least he won the drinking contest. He threw up waaaaay later than the other guy. Besides, he wouldn't have gotten drunk in the first place if Heero had been there. Heero would have stopped him. To add to that, it was because of Heero he got drunk in the first place. It is definitely all Heero's fault. . . With one last look at Heero's sleeping face, Duo made his way more carefully away from the ward. Really, Heero looked much more gentle when he was asleep. Maybe that's why Relena likes to watch him sleep.

Quatre and Trowa watched Duo leave the window. Quatre winced slightly when Duo hit faced first into the tree.

"Duo always watches," Quatre said with a sigh, "Why doesn't he just go in?"

Trowa smiled slightly, "Because pride, perhaps a false sense of pride, is essential for the perfect soldier. Duo doesn't want Heero to know that he has seen Heero's weaker side to help Heero preserve that cold mask that Heero so desperately tries to maintain."

Quatre looked at Trowa in surprise, Trowa's insights never ceased to amaze him.

Heero was back in his own room staring at the ceiling. He had to share the room with Duo. Duo snored softly after a long day of battle. A battle that would have been finished a lot quicker had Wing been there. The Sandrock was also seriously damaged, which left only three Gundams fully functional.

Heero did not like the situation at all. Besides, Heero hated being inactive. Still, it was his own miscalculation that had cause the damage to his Gundam. If he could have reacted just a second faster, he could have avoided most of the damages to the left side of Wing. For now, he must wait while Quatre tried to find the parts they needed. The war had already ended, and the factories had stopped producing products of war. This would make the process of acquiring components difficult.

Duo stirred slightly as he dropped his blanket on the ground. Even in sleep, Duo was smirking. Even in dreams, he is happier than I, Heero thought with some bitterness. Duo puzzled Heero, he called himself Death and yet he was more alive than any of them. Perhaps Duo was a better soldier than I am, to be so unaffected by so much bloodstain. Self-doubt is meaningless, Heero told himself. Better go back to ignoring Duo than try to analyze him. Still, he watched Duo's chest rise and fall slowly as he always did. With a half grunt, Duo rolled over and hugged his pillow like a big teddy bear. I am *definitely* the stronger soldier, Heero assured himself with half a smile as he fell asleep to Duo's rhythmic snoring.

Relena stared at the moon and sighed. She was almost grateful to for yet another attempt on her life. They brought him to her again. It had been so long since she seen him, yet whenever she was in danger, he would appear.

She smiled a little as she brushed the face of the Teddy Bear Heero left her. She regretted tearing Heero's note, now she would never know what he wanted to say. Heero was not the type of man to express his feelings...

Relena knew she must learn to accept that. She slowly opened the drawer and took out a children's book. She felt a little foolish that she picked it up from her childhood home when she visited there, but in some strange way, the book reminded her of home... and Father. She caressed the fragile pages gently, and when she flipped the pages, they crackled slightly to the touch. It was very old when Father gave it to her, and now, it was all the more ancient. She lowered her head and inhaled the gentle perfume of the book. It smelt like a fireplace still... her fireplace where her father used to read to her. The story was silly really. It told of a cursed prince who was turned into a horrible beast.

The lonely beast lived in sadness until one day he rescued a beautiful princess, who saw past the beast's exterior and found the beauty inside. By loving the beast, she saved him and he became a prince again. She used to beg Father to read it every night. The story enchanted her childhood, and comforted her when Father was not near. Father had assured her that she was a princess, and that someday a prince would come for her. Relena smiled slightly, I am a princess. A wish that few girls are granted. And yet, what horrible price and responsibility came with that title... And her prince ... her prince did rescue her, but she had yet to return the favor by saving his heart.

"Heero," the word escaped her lips as it often did.

The boy she had found on the beach one day and who had come to dominate her thoughts and her waking hours. And yet he didn't seem happy to see her.

Then again, Heero never seems happy, and he did not object either when Quatre suggested that Relena stayed with them until they can safely deliver her back to the embassy. That was progress, she supposed. Someday, someday... I'm going to rescue you back.

Heero woke up to find himself alone in the room. For once it was he instead of Duo who had overslept. Silent, he walked to the kitchen. Duo was munching happily on a piece of bread stick that Quatre had handed him. Trowa was helping Quatre with something that Heero could not see. Wufei was sharpening a knife while Relena sat quietly by the table, looking at him.

"Who still wants to kill you?" Heero asked Relena. She was in a position of power now, and yet danger still seem to follow her wherever she went. Is peace really so fragile that all men want to destroy it? Heero pushed back these thoughts as he sat across from Relena.

"I do not know who they are, but I know their purpose," Relena began, her voice coated with diplomacy. Heero was used to this voice now. Still, the illogical and soon to be banished part of Heero wished that she would always speak with her real voice.

"The production of weapons has fueled the economy for so long that peace has brought an economic depression to most of the colonies as well as earth itself. People are asking for more war... this new group has seized control of some hidden bases of the old Federation, and they are answering that demand. Lady Une believes that they have no real leaders, only a large quantity of mobile suits. But they are only the beginning of the troubles that a peace time government must face..." Relena broke off, her eyes distant. It pained her to have war, Heero thought with a tingle of something like sympathy.

"Peace is worth the price of some sacrifices," Quatre said with determination.

"But people have grown so accustomed to one war organization after another that their blood has grown cold," Trowa muttered below his breath. The sharpness of the truth in Trowa's words cut through the air. Wufei continued to clean his knife while Duo continued to munch on his bread stick thoughtfully.

So this would be my life, Heero thought without emotions, endless war. Always war... always fighting...

Heero held his gun close. At least for this mission he didn't need Wing, which still needed a few parts. He and Duo would proceed on foot while Wufei and Trowa hid in the nearby forest with their Gundams. Wufei had suggested that Quatre stay with Relena to protect her, since she seemed to be their main target. Relena...Heero banished that train of thought. Focus was essential for the success of the mission.

Near him Duo made a signal for them to proceed. With caution they approached the warehouse that was reported to be a factory of mobile units. As they entered the compound, they noticed large machinery covered with dusty plastic covers. Something was not right, he could sense it, and yet he could not pinpoint it.

Suddenly, he knew, as he felt his head getting heavy. Despite his sheer strength of his will, darkness settled in.

"Heero." Someone was calling him. Someone was poking him gently. Around him, the air permeated with mildew had a scent of musk and mild shampoo.

"Heero." Heero opened his eyes to find Duo hovering above him.

"Man, that gas took you out longer than any explosions," Duo teased him as he helped Heero to sit up.

"Where are we?" Heero asked as he studied his surroundings.

"Some kind of detention cell," Duo replied, examining Heero's shoulder with interest, "Wherever we are, they weren't kind enough to give us a toilet."

Duo shrugged as Heero ignored him, "It makes my skin crawl to think where this floor has been..." Suddenly Duo's eyes narrowed slightly, "You are bleeding."

Heero looked down at his own shoulder and saw blood trickling down.

"Your wounds are opening up again," Duo said coolly as he ripped his sleeve off and began to bandage Heero, but he continued talking, "You owe me a shirt. Come to think of it, you ate my toast this morning too..."

Heero blocked out of the sound of Duo's voice just as he had learned to tune out pain. Somehow, trying not to listen to Duo talk was a lot more difficult than ignoring the pain.

Heero examined the small detention area. One door, no windows... no way of knowing whether it was night or day...

Suddenly, he heard footsteps coming toward them. Duo smiled at Heero apologetically, and then proceeded to punch him out. Normally, Heero would have shrugged it off, but with the sleeping gas still raging through his system Heero found darkness setting in once more.

Blood. Smell of blood mixed with shampoo and musk. Heero opened his eyes and found Duo cuddled around his feet. His first thought was to punch him back, but the blood stopped him. It wasn't his blood, it was Duo's blood.

"You owe me big for this," Duo stirred a little. When he looked up, Heero saw that his face had been completely bashed in. His eyes were so swollen that Duo's purple eyes were barely visible.

Only one word came out, "Why?"

"They would have beaten you to death before you budged," Duo's smirk never left his face, "You are stupid that way. Me on the other hand..."

"You told them where Relena is?" Heero's face was dangerous, "Omae o korosu."

"You know when most people say that, I laugh, but when you say it, I get a tingling feeling all over," Duo winked.

Heero grabbed Duo by the collar and pinned him against the wall, "What did you tell them?"

Duo smiled and said nothing.

Before Heero could react, the top of their cell lifted open, and Heavyarms grated them.

"This is not over yet," Heero warned Duo.

"Yes it is," Duo continued to smile and passed out.

"He misled those people," Quatre explained to Heero as he poured him some water, "He gave them instructions to a sand puddle where the two Gundams were hidden. Wufei... convinced them to tell us where you were."

Heero stared at Quatre steadily. Quatre studied Heero's face with concern. Heero was not staring at him, he was staring past him.

"Heero..."

Heero did not seem to be listening as he placed his glass on the table and walked out of the room almost bumping into Trowa and Wufei as they walked in to the kitchen.

Trowa's eyes trailed after him. After a moment, he turned to face Quatre.

"Did you tell him?" Trowa asked Quatre softly.

"No, I didn't get a chance to," Quatre looked down, "Poor Duo."

"It's better that way," Trowa put his hand over Quatre's shoulder, "Let Heero continue to be his perfect soldier. Let him have no debts."

"But it's not fair to Duo. . ." Quatre's eyes echoed with compassion.

"Duo doesn't want any of us to know," Wufei stared outside the window, "He needs his honor. Don't speak of it again."

Quatre nodded reluctantly. Poor Duo, he whispered to himself once more.

Relena did not mean to eavesdrop, but she couldn't help but hear the conversation in the kitchen as she was gathering some flowers for Duo. Relena always thought Duo was a bit too eager to kill, but he had always been kind to her even if he did seem to tease her sometimes with that smirk of his. Now it seems something terrible had happened to Duo, and Relena couldn't help but feel sorry for the young pilot with long hair.

Hugging the flowers she had collected, she knocked on Duo's door.

"Come in," an eager voice came from inside.

Tentatively Relena entered the room. Duo's face fell slightly when he realized that it was her. He quickly replaced his disappointment with a knowing smirk. I guess I'm not as entertaining as his guy friends, Relena thought without bitterness.

"I brought you some flowers," Relena said quietly. She wasn't sure what to say to Duo... fortunately he didn't seem to mind.

"I hope Heero doesn't get jealous that I get flowers from you," Duo said as he sat up from his bed.

Relena blushed slightly.

"While you're here you really should spend more time with him," Duo advised, "I don't know when the next time will come when someone will try to kill you again now that there is pretty much peace except for this small faction."

Relena blushed slightly deeper. She never realized how observant Duo was.

"You two are unbelievable you know," Duo continued. He was so used to Heero never answering him back, he had gotten good at the art of talking *at* someone, "You obviously like each other, but neither of you say or really do anything about it. You follow him around and around and hopes that he appears every time you see an explosion, and he protects you whenever you are in trouble. You never tell him to his face that you like him, and you will follow him in to the boys' bathroom if necessary just to be *near* him and he never tells you that he whispers your name whenever he is in the middle of a crisis."

Relena blushed until she couldn't blush any deeper, yet her heart was racing. Was what he was saying true? Did Heero really whisper her name when he was in trouble? Duo always joked around, but he wouldn't tease her like this, would he? Would he?

"Really, you two are perfect for each other," Duo's smirk widened, "Neither of you says anything."

Luckily for Relena, Quatre came into the room to check on Duo and Relena took the opportunity to make her escape. Her mind lingered on Duo's words.

Did Heero really call out her name sometime? Did Heero really care? Part of her chided herself for being so foolish as to think that a matter of the heart was more important than achieving peace for earth and the colonies. My duty has always been to try to reach peace diplomatically while Heero's duty is to fight, Relena told herself sternly. Their duties were much more important than what their personal feelings were, Relena reminded herself. But peace was so near she could taste it. Of course it was not going to be easy as this new group had already demonstrated, but when peace comes, when true peace comes... Relena smiled. It would be wonderful.

Duo lied in bed and stared into nothingness. A breeze of wind carried a soft flower petal on to his chest. He smiled at the flower sadly, "Is it the fate of flowers to be plucked for others' pleasure?" He shook himself slightly, "Funny how I survived this long only to..." He shook himself again, "I have been talking to Heero and Relena for too long. I talk to myself too much."

Heero stared into the empty bed next to his. Quatre had insisted that Duo sleep in the ward with the monitors on his vital signs. Duo surrendered. When Quatre wanted them to do something... they did it. Somehow without the sound of Duo's breathing in the nearby bed Heero could not sleep. Duo saved me. He wagered his life to save me. Heero tossed in his bed. No one has ever cared enough about me to put their own life on the line to save me...except Relena. Trowa might have because he views death as I do. Quatre might have because he cares too much about everybody's lives. Wufei might have to save his own honor, to show that he is strong.

But why on earth would Duo do it? Perhaps he simply valued me because I am the perfect soldier. No. Duo Maxwell didn't function on those parameters. He liked living too much. Then why did he save me?

Heero stared into the empty bed. Damn you Duo. I hate debts.

Wufei did not like getting into people's business. He wished to be left alone, and he understood that need from others. But there were times when he wanted to beat the crap out of someone because of their sheer stupidity in dealing with their own business.

Today, that person was Heero. In the morning, Heero spent the entire breakfast staring past that girl Relena as if she wasn't there when it was completely obvious even to Wufei that he had feelings for her, whatever they may be.

Next, he completely ignored Duo who limped into the room with obnoxious cheerfulness. No one would have blamed Duo if he sulked for a while, but no, the cocky young pilot was so full of forced cheerfulness Wufei wanted to smack him.

Next, Heero was rude to Quatre, causing Trowa to throw him dirty looks. Then Quatre and Trowa started to make googoly eyes at each other.

As if that was not enough, Heero then proceeded to challenge Wufei's honor by offering to switch places with Wufei in the next mission to take on the more dangerous operation now that Wing was fixed. Wufei plunged his fist into the table wishing it was Heero's face.

Everyone turned to look at him with surprise.

"Wuffie, try not to break Quatre's table, okay?" Duo implored. It was more than Wufei could take, he needed to go destroy some facilities and he needed to do it soon. Luckily, their next mission sounded sufficiently deadly to calm Wufei down... a little.

The five Gundams operated swiftly as they cut through a sea of mobile suits. Wing and Sandrock functional once more. There enemies had been wise, and chosen their battle ground on the edge of a small city. Severely limited in their movements, Heavyarms was running out of ammunition, and Sandrock had sustained some damages. Duo still wasn't fully recovered, and his Gundam occasionally took hits. Heero and Wufei were the only two still fighting at their maximum capacity, they needed to finish this before more serious damages occurred.

Wing plunged its sword into five mobile suits and realized too late that the angle of the sword did not cooperate with his calculations. One of the mobile suits collapsed into an apartment building.

Relena watched the civilian building tumble and gasped. In the fire, a small figure struggled until finally it stopped moving all together. A child! Children were dying. In the background the ominous figure of Wing stood erect. Relena turned away from the wreckage, she could not watch any more. Heero, how could you let his happen? How could you do this? Relena's mind screamed.

Heero and Relena stared at each other in the darkened hallway. Relena tried so hard to not blame him. She tried so hard to see past the cold mask that Heero wore. But her eyes betrayed her. And she knew Heero saw what she felt.

"Casualities of war," Heero said finally, and walked past her.

I refuse to cry, Relena told herself. I refuse to cry. I will put a stop to this. I will bring peace, real peace, and I will not cry.

The ocean wind caressed Heero's hair. He had miscalculated the extent of the damage on Wing's left arm . That will not happen again. And yet the image of a little girl and her puppy haunted him. Like a monitor, his mind replayed the fire and the screams over and over again. Causalities of war, he told himself. Causalities of war, he chanted. And still the images did not go away. He could not force the pain away. How much innocent blood is on my hand? How much more innocent blood will be on my hands?

"Sometimes, it hurts so bad I don't think I can go on," Duo's noiseless steps brought him next to Heero, "I never thought I would come know the meaning and the desperation when my mind cries 'God, make it stop'. I never thought I would be so desperate I would call a deity for help when I question his very existence. Then I tell myself, sometimes, the appearance of strength is just as important as strength itself. And I will always be strong for I am Death and Death follows me. And then I go on."

Heero stared into Duo's bottomless purple eyes and for the first time since Heero had know him, Duo stopped talking and stared back. Heero said nothing, and turned once again to the ocean. The ocean's rhythmic waves drowned out the screaming.

Relena was home. She laughed slightly at the absurdity of calling this home. The presence of Lady Une in the nearby room was the dearest item in this so called home. She no longer had a home... the thought filled her with more numbness than pain. Slowly she began to unpack her luggage. Not that there was much to unpack, but the systematic motion calmed her mind slightly.

Heero never said goodbye on the day she left, but she saw his reflection in the window looking at her as she was driven away. Heero did have feelings for her. Now, she must forgive him for the accident that she witnessed.

Yet, her mind cringed as she thought of how many innocents Heero killed. No, it was an accident, and accidents are unavoidable... Yet, try as she may, Relena could not get herself to believe that. The slaughter of the innocent was never justified...

But peace was drawing closer. One hidden base after another of this small rebellion was destroyed. Relena's hope rose slightly. In peace, there will be no more death of the innocent. In peace, she would forgive Heero. In peace, they could be together. Staring at the agenda for today's plans she promised silently, I will do my part to usher in the new peace Heero. I will do my best to bring a better future for us. She tugged the Teddy Bear slightly, "Heero..."

Heero stared into the monitor of his laptop. The room was bathed in darkness except for the dim light from the monitor. Heero was carefully tracking the location of the officers that had been stationed at the detention cell where Duo and him had been kept. Trowa had already destroyed the base, but two of the officers that were labeled interrogators were missing from the list of the deceased. Heero knew he must kill them. He needed to kill them. He needed to kill them with his hands.

Duo woke up from his sleep and stared sheepishly at Heero, "What are you doing? Found another base?"

Heero said nothing.

Duo stared at Heero curiously as he scratched his head slightly. Heero felt Duo get up from his bed. With curiosity, Duo peeked over Heero's shoulders. Heero abruptly changed the screen to show the recent weather reports.

"What are you looking at those for?" Duo asked, his large loosened braid dangling by Heero's face, the smell of shampoo and musk stronger than ever. "Trying to find a vacation spot for you and Relena?"

"Go back to sleep," Heero commanded him.

"You should turn a light on when you read, this is bad for your eyes," Duo told him as he rubbed his eyes and turned on the lamplight. With that Duo collapsed back into bed. Heero listened to Duo's breathing, knowing the exact the moment he fell back asleep before he took a deep breath and continued on his search.

He needed to kill the people who had tortured Duo. Then he would owe Duo nothing. If he killed the people who had hurt Duo, then he would be able to tone out Duo's voice once more. If he did that, he wouldn't feel the need to always watch Duo wondering what he was thinking.

"Where is Heero?" Duo asked Quatre casually the next morning as he munched on his toast.

"I'm not sure," Quatre answered as he sipped a hot cup of coffee, "He left really early this morning. Something about unfinished business."

Heero held the officer with disdain.

"What do you want?" The officer demanded, unafraid for his life. He looked half amused that a boy was questioning him at gun point. How could this boy possibly understand what it's like to be in total control?

"Did you torture a boy with long brown hair and purple eyes named Duo Maxwell?" Heero pointed the gun closer. The man studied Heero carefully, and slowly laughed, a short ugly sound.

"I recognize you," the man's lips flared slightly, confident that he was now in control, "You are the boy we captured with him."

Heero's cold stare betrayed nothing, but his mind was racing. This was the man that tortured Duo. He finally found the bastard.

"What's he to you?" The man continued with a half a smile.

Heero punched him in the face.

"Are you his little lover?" A thin line of blood trickled from his lips but he was still smiling, "Is he your little pet?"

Heero punched him again, harder this time.

The man's smile widened, "He was such a good lay. And God, he didn't even scream. He just smirked at me, convinced that he was still in control. Does he scream for you? "

Heero's hand shook slightly, but he said nothing.

"I wanted to make him scream," the man's eyes brightened slightly, "He was so pretty. Such pretty hair, such soft skin. It was a pity he wouldn't scream for me. I had to beat him. And still he would not scream. He could hardly move and yet he would not make a sound. Only the smirk. But he was so pretty. It's so nice to possess him. I'm sure you know how nice that feels already..."

*BANG*

Heero stared at the man as a pool of blood collected underneath him and started breathing very very hard. It was foolish to let anger control your actions like that, he scolded himself. But something in his mind snapped, he wasn't sure what it was, but something has definitely snapped.

*BANG*

Heero shot the man again and again and again...

Duo stared outside the window to look at the stars. Actually, he was waiting for Heero to come back, but if anyone had asked he would have told them he was watching the stars. It was getting late. He could hear Trowa and Quatre playing their music in the adjacent room. He never told them, but the music always calmed him. He suspected that Heero and Wufei felt the same way. Tonight, however, the music did little to settle him. Heero had been behaving strangely for the past few days, I wonder what's he's up to, Duo thought restlessly.

The door slammed open, Heero walked inside.

"You look terrible," Duo told Heero who said nothing.

"What happened? Did Relena dump you?" Duo teased. Heero said nothing.

Something though, was very wrong. Duo was used to being ignored, but there was something in Heero's eyes. Something so raw and so unconfined that Duo stopped himself in mid sentence.

"Do you want to go get drunk?" Duo changed his tactic, "I know the perfect place."

Heero turned slowly to him and nodded.

Duo couldn't believe Heero was here with him getting as drunk as he was.

Something must be very wrong. Duo thought maybe if he could get Heero drunk he would tell Duo about what was bothering him. But that plan obviously was not working since his head was spinning and Heero still hadn't said anything. Heero was slowly spinning around him... moving faster and faster until darkness settled in.

Duo crashed into the table, head first. His brown hair half covering his face. Heero studied the face of his fellow pilot. Instead of a smirk, a flash of pain was on Duo's face. Heero was sure there was a reason why he was feeling knots in his stomach, but he didn't want to think about it, so he did the only thing he could. He kept on drinking.

The bartender walked over to them and placed a pillow under Duo. He smiled at Heero and pointed to Duo, "Nice kid, comes here often enough that I got him a pillow."

Heero looked at the bartender, and then went back to drinking. But the bartender was not so easily dismissed, "You must be Heero."

Heero looked up again.

"You are Heero, aren't you?" The bartender was now completely convinced of it.

Heero looked at him and said nothing.

"You really should be more careful you know," the bartender advised him.

Against his will, Heero asked, "Why?"

"Because about every couple weeks or so, Duo gets in here and gets drunk muttering something about that stupid son of a," the bartender stopped himself and continued again, "that stupid Heero nearly got himself killed again."

Snap snap snap. More things were snapping inside Heero's head, and the alcohol was not doing enough to drown it out.

"He really cares about you, you know," the bartender insisted.

Heero slammed down a generous tip. Without a word, he carried Duo out of the bar.

Heero gently placed Duo on his bed as it squeaked under the pressure of his body. Shampoo and musk mixed with alcohol. Heero had never realized how soft Duo's hair was. He touched it gently, and Duo almost purred like a cat. For a brief moment, his face brushed against Duo's face.

Heero walked out of their room without looking back. He needed to get some fresh air. The alcohol was getting to him.

Wufei bolted from his bed, wide awake when he heard the sounds of someone shaking a tree near his window. Gun in hand, he peeked outside his window and saw a figure with short hair punching the tree ruthlessly. There was no mistaking who it was. Wufei groaned. He really did not want to have to deal with this. The thought of shooting Heero to put him out of his misery briefly crossed Wufei's mind... Sigh, at last, there was no honor in shooting a half-crazed masochist. There is no justice! With a grumble, he put away his gun and began to get dressed.

Heero's hands were bleeding, and for once, Heero forced himself to concentrate on the pain instead of the more logical part of himself. He was drunk. That was all. He was incredibly drunk and he hated owing a debt to Duo. That was all. He owed Duo. That was all. He was drunk. He wasn't himself. He was incredibly drunk. He should have known better than to go out and get drunk with Duo. He repeated it to himself over and over again, forcing the repetition to silence out all other thoughts. Perhaps if he repeated enough times, he will start to believe it.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed his fist before he could punch the tree again.

"What are you doing?" Wufei asked coolly.

"Leave me alone," Heero looked away.

"You are hurting yourself," Wufei did not like stating the obvious, but Heero had a tendency to ignore the obvious.

Heero ignored him. Wufei, unlike Duo, did not like to be ignored. Wufei stared at him for a moment. The cold mask and emotionless blue eyes were covered with confusion. It was more than confusion- it was terror. What could the perfect soldier be afraid of...

"You are blind," Wufei finally said. Wufei begin to walk away because he heard Trowa's quiet footsteps. Somewhere in Wufei's mind a voice said that it wasn't entirely honorable for Wufei to leave Trowa in the middle of a complex situation. Wufei ignored it. It wasn't his place to mingle. Trowa of all people should know Heero.

Trowa stared at Heero.

Heero stared at the tree.

"Heero, what's Duo's favorite food?" Trowa asked.

"Chocolate."

"What's his favorite book?" Trowa continued.

Heero felt terribly confused at this line of questioning but then again, he was terribly confused in general, "The Dragonslayer."

Trowa was silent for a moment.

"When I started to fight, I sought death. I admired you because you sought only to finish your mission whatever the cause. I think our objectives have changed," Trowa's voice was calm without reproach nor alarm. With that, Trowa too walked away.

Completely exhausted and utterly confused, Heero collapsed to the ground. What are you doing to me Duo Maxwell? Heero wondered as the last coherent thought disappeared into darkness.

Duo was dreaming... rather he was reliving a nightmare. Please God, make it stop. Duo begged, but the scene rolled on.

"You are so pretty," the man touched Duo's face roughly, "You must be someone's whore."

"You are so ugly. You must have to pay people to go near you," Duo countered. It might not be a good idea to make this man mad. But damn it, I'm panicking.

Slap.

"I have had nuns slap me harder than that," Duo said as he spit out blood. He's unbuckling his pants. Really panicking now. God, please, please, please, please make him go away. I'm going to close my eyes, and when I wake up, he's going to be gone, okay? Duo closed his eyes hopefully. When he opened them again, the man was still there.

Damn. Just a tiny miracle God? Let Heavyarms, or Sandrock, or Nataku come through the roof right now... God it hurts! It hurts!

Duo's bit his lips until they were bloody, but a tiny yelp escaped.

"Does it hurt? Do you want to scream? Scream, it will make you feel better. Scream for me, I want to hear you scream for me," the man said lustfully.

Bastard, I'd rather die than scream for you, you #*&#en bastard. Just keep smiling. I will smile even if my stupid face cracks. God, a little mercy please?

The man let out a moan.

Thank you God. At least he's done.

The ugly man tossed Duo to the side of the room with Duo's arms and foot still bound.

Despite Duo's best efforts, he groaned a little.

"Did I hurt the poor pretty boy?"

KEEP SMILING. God, no matter how badly it hurts, I gotta keep smiling. Or else I'd die.

"Only my nostrils. You got the most horrible body odor."

The ugly man begin beating Duo brutally, but Duo kept on smirking. Never faltering.

At last the torture was over. They threw him back into the cell with Heero.

I can't believe he's still out. I must have punched him harder than he's ever punched me. Although he tends to go for internal organs, while I go for the head. Why the hell am I being so damn cheerful? Probably because if I let it stop for one moment, I'd start crying, and I might not stop. Keep smiling. I will keep smiling if it kills me.

Duo bolted from his bed, his face covered with sweat. The darkness was beginning to fade revealing the first signs of morning. Duo shook himself. It wasn't my fault. It's not my fault! I will not let that bastard ruin my life! DAMN!

The dark shadow of morning fell on Duo's face.

After a moment, Duo looked up. He noticed that Heero wasn't in his bed.

Memories of the previous night flashed before him. I passed out at the bar... Heero must have carried me home...but where is he? Did I say something stupid? Duo thought with alarm, but then quickly brushed it aside. To Heero, everything I say is probably stupid. With that thought, Duo began his search.

The morning air was crisp and cool. The wind felt like tiny razors against his skin. Still Duo enjoyed the freshness of the morning.

To his surprise, it did not take long to locate Heero. The perfect soldier must have been really drunk to fall asleep by a tree, Duo observed. Might as well help him preserve his dignity. Duo begin to pick him up. Suddenly, he realized that Heero's hands were covered by dried blood...

"Put me down," Heero muttered.

Duo obeyed, "Eeer, Heero, did you think the tree was an enemy?"

Heero pulled himself from the ground but said nothing. Instead, he threw up.

"Er, Heero?" Duo tapped his back, "Do you have a hangover?"

As usual, Heero ignored him. But this time, he had a good reason. He was throwing up the contents of his stomach. Duo was half-sympathetic and half-amused. He waited patiently until he was quite sure Heero was finished.

"Let's go get some apples," Duo smiled his sweetest, "They are great for hangovers."

Without knowing why, Heero nodded.

Sitting on top of the tree Heero felt slightly better. The apple orchard overlooked a field of grass. As the wind blew, waves rippled across the green sea. Duo sighed contentedly as he plucked an apple.

"You have to get them from the top," Duo explained as he wiped the apple with his shirt, "They are the best because they get the most sun. Damn, I sound like a field guide."

"Here," Duo handed Heero the apple with a smirk, "Try it. Apples on the colonies don't taste nearly as good as they do on Earth."

Heero stared at the apple.

"I didn't poison it, I promise," Duo told him with puppy eyes. Heero avoided Duo's gaze and bit into the apple viciously.

Duo looked at him inquiringly, "Well, what do you think?"

The piercing purple eyes were surprisingly close to Heero's face.

"It tastes..."

Duo waited.

" ...like an apple." Heero finished.

"Heero, remind me never to buy you dinner," Duo exclaimed as he leaned back in disgust. Still a bit drunk, Duo toppled over and fell off the branch he was perching on.

"AHHHHHH!!!" Duo screamed, but a firm hand had gripped his. Looking up, he stared straight into Heero's blue eyes. Heero's eyes were so clear that Duo could seem himself reflecting in it.

Heero stared at Duo as he dangled by his hands. Duo's eyes piercing through his. Heero felt his heart skipping a beat. I... Before Duo knew what happened, he crashed into the ground.

"What did you do that for?" Duo demanded as he struggled to get up, "I didn't think the apple could be that bad!"

Heero said nothing as he jumped out of the tree and walked off.

"Grrrrr, who likes pathological silence anyway?!" Duo demanded. Then he noticed Trowa and Quatre walking along the grove and smiling to each other.

"Never mind." Duo grumbled.

As if it couldn't any worse, the figure of Relena also appeared in a distance, walking after Heero.

"I asked a silly question," Duo told the sky, "I got a silly answer."

"Heero," Relena called Heero tentatively, but he did not hear her at all. He was walking towards his Gundam. Quietly she followed him and watched him jump on his Gundam. Heero planted himself on top of the Gundam, and took out a piece of black fabric. Relena watched curiously as Heero gently stroked the fabric unconsciously while his eyes looked toward the orchards.

Relena studied the fabric inquisitively. It looked as if it was torn from something. Suddenly, Relena knew. The day Trowa saved Heero and Duo, part of Duo's sleeve had been torn... Relena wasn't sure how to respond to this realization. She was also embarrassed because she recognized that she was looking at Heero in a private moment. A moment that she was not meant to see... with a sigh that no one but the wind heard, she walked away.

"Relena-san," Quatre studied the former Queen of the World, "What brings you here?" Quatre had a pretty good guess what brought her here, but it would not be polite to say.

"I came here..." Relena wasn't sure why she came here. She wanted to see Heero... she wanted to tell him that the new terrorist group was nearly destroyed...she wanted to apologize for blaming him for the accident... she wanted to tell him how much she missed him...

Quatre watched a series of expressions go through Relena's face, as her eyes avoided his, "Why don't you sit down for some tea?" Quatre offered kindly, as he prepared the table.

"Thank you," Relena accepted gratefully. Watching Quatre make tea with precise movements calmed her.

"Why does Heero keep part of Duo's sleeve?" The question suddenly came out of Relena's mouth. The question had been revolving in her mind, but she did not mean to...

"He does?" Quatre's back was toward her so she could see his expression, but his voice sounded oddly pleased.

Quatre quietly turned around and placed a tea set in front of Relena, "I suppose it's because it's something to hang on to."

Relena's eyes glazed over with confusion.

"Peace is preciously kept in the hearts of a few, Relena-san," Quatre poured the tea for Relena, "And it shines most brightly in your heart."

Relena blushed slightly at the undeserved compliment.

"I think that's why Heero likes you so much," Quatre continued as he stared into his tea. "In times of desperation, I think you have always been the one thing that he could rely on to believe in so that he knows that he is actually fighting for peace rather than killing for a hopeless cause."

Quatre paused slightly and sighed a little, "But with Duo... with Duo, Heero shares a wordless understanding..."

Relena looked up.

"All of us, the ones who pilot the Gundams, know the price of peace. We have fought and killed in the name of peace. We all have innocent blood on our hands... that pain is something we share with no one else. In our most desperate hours, we have only each other to understand that pain. I have found Trowa, and perhaps, in some strange way, Heero shares the same bond with Duo though it is unspoken." Quatre's face was strangely beautiful as he talked, "The war is over, and the time for us to go our separate ways is near, I suppose all of us want something to hold on to... Memories of this life."

End of Part I

(:./draco/faire1)