Contains: 1x2x1, 2?4?2, and mentioned Dx4xD

“You two want to have a child together?” Sally leaned across her desk in the consultation room. She squinted at the pair.

“Yes, that's one of the reasons we flew in. Sally, we're sorry it's taken this to come see you. It's been a long time, hasn't it?”

“Yes…yes it has. Almost 5 years…” Sally peered at Quatre, some of the worry receding from her face. But the anxiety returned once her eyes moved to Duo. She began to play with her fingers. She still couldn't get over how much he'd changed.

“Sally, you've got to stop staring at me like that. Just accept it. I cut it off.”

Dr. Sally Po frowned and settled on gnawing on her bottom lip. It wasn't just the absence of the braid that startled her, or the pair's request (even though it was daunting in itself). It was how good Duo looked…even without his characteristic coif. At 25, he was handsome devil. He had a smooth sure jaw line, a beguiling, expressive mouth, and eyes that never seemed to stop twinkling…and that was just from the neck up… In that moment, Sally was enamored enough to offer her services to the pair, provided that his Duoness would help her sire the child…She blanched at the fantastical thought. She already had one rambunctious toddler to contend with; she definitely wasn't ready for another emotional, wailing life form.

Sally blinked azure eyes at them. “You do know that any technology we have regarding this is experimental. We can build weapons of mass destruction…yet a sperm and sperm fertilization is still something of fantasy…”

“We know this, Sally. We came for another request.”

Sally turned blue in the face. She didn't like the way Quatre was looking at her. “…please, tell me you aren't considering asking *me* to carry the child for you…” Her face went from blue to green as she recalled her recent yearning to mate with Duo. She was feeling a bit hypocritical at the moment.

Duo almost laughed. “No, Sally. We're fond of you, but not *that* fond to want a little sprite of yours running around the house. Layla, Quatre's sister, has offered to carry the child for us. We want you to impregnate her with…my sperm. We want a child as close to the one we could have had if it were possible for us to combine our genes.”

Sally's natural fawn complexion returned. But, this time, there was a dot of color on each of her cheeks. “Well, that's a rather common procedure…”

This time Quatre spoke up. “She wants to carry the baby to full term…we agree with her.”

“But the risks? Women born in the your colony almost never have successful--”

“She knows the risks and accepts them. I can't deny her the right to choose. She doesn't want the baby to experience the stigma we were born into. The world still doesn't have respect for test tu—“ Quatre couldn't even finish the sentence.

Sally watched as Duo's hand squeezed Quatre's knee. She hadn't realized the hand was there until it made a move to comfort Quatre with its pressure.

Sally couldn't quite smile. Her mouth struggled with itself before settling into a straight line. She was happy to see them, happy they wanted to start a family, but two thoughts kept nagging at her elation: how had these two come together and what happened to their former romantic interests? Although she hadn't remained in contact with Duo and Quatre for the last half of the decade, she'd used her ties at the Preventers Agency to keep tabs on the former gundam pilots. And, with this investigative aid, she was well aware Duo had spent the 4 of those 5 years living with Heero and Quatre had spent about the same stretch living with Dorothy. Dorothy…Sally couldn't figure that one out. She always thought Quatre was predisposed to favoring masculine charms…In fact, for some time, she believed he'd end up living with Trowa. Hmmm… stranger things had happened. For one, take Noin, Zechs and Une…

“Sally, will you help us?”

Quatre's mature but hopeful voice cut through her doubts. She finally managed a smile as she said, “Of course. You two would make wonderful parents.”

Heero cursed himself as he stood outside Le Beret Rouge. That…woman had asked that they meet there. Why he agreed, he didn't want to think about. He'd agreed and that was it. He stood outside the gaudy, opulent restaurant and cursed her instead. This meal was going to set him back big time and she, sure as hell, wasn't worth the expenditure. Heero heard the sound of shuffling. An old lady with a dog walked past him. She glanced up to smile a toothless grin at him as she teetered by. Heero erased the scowl from his face and tried to appear civil. It was a stretch considering his current mood. With a miniscule amount of amusement, he noted the woman's terrier appeared to be as old as she.

He still had the slight smirk on his face when he heard a feminine voice murmur in a soft, intimate tone, “Konnichiwa, Heero-san.”

Heero froze, marveling at how perverse Japanese sounded on her lips, even in that short greeting. He turned to face a tall, curvy Dorothy Catalonia.

She smiled benignly at him.

Heero was immediately put on edge. “Save the pleasantries.”

“Still holding a grudge against me, I see. Well, can't we pretend, just this once, to tolerate each other?”

The same dark look Dorothy remembered so well took over Heero's features. She hadn't seen that look in years, yet it hadn't lost any of its potency. Her mouth curved upwards in a smile as he took her arm and half-dragged, have led her into the classy restaurant she believed was perfect for this meeting.

Dorothy was shocked when Heero ordered his meal in a precise, rapid spill of French.

The waiter turned to him and asked in the same tongue, “Would monsieur like to order for the Lady as well?”

With barely a pause, Heero ordered for Dorothy.

More French, Dorothy noted. She hid her surprise and disappointment well. She chose this restaurant for a reason. This was *her* territory: a decidedly European environment. She was hoping to have Heero depend on her as a translator. Her smile faltered for an instant. In fact, it was imperative that Heero needed her for something.

His brusque tone cut through her thoughts. “Ok, start talking.”

“Ever quick to the draw, Heero. I assume nothing much has changed on your end, has it?” Dorothy sighed as he continued to glare at her. “Heero, give it a rest. There might be some people who find that scowl captivating, but I'm in no mood for it.”

“You told me you had some information…” Heero's voice tapered off.

“On Duo,” Dorothy finished for him as she reached out to pat his hand. If she had a problem with his glare, she must have been supremely displeased with the acrid expression controlling his features. She took her hand back and sighed once more. “I'll share everything with you *after* we eat. It's the only way I can guarantee you'll stay the entire meal.” She smirked. “Am I right?”

“Hn.”

It was Dorothy's turn to frown. “My God, you're *still* grunting your responses? Dear me, this is going to be more difficult than I anticipated.”

Duo and Quatre could have gone to any medical specialist. Just as Sally said, artificial insemination was quite commonplace. But, the result would be absolutely priceless. A part of them wanted to share this miracle with people from their past. It had been such a long time since either of them admitted to wanting to see the others. The split began five years before, each pilot realizing he could never truly live his life while fighting for the security of the earth. And, one by one, as this realization hit home, the pilots left Preventers and settled for a mundane existence.

As he and Quatre entered their lavish hotel suite, Duo commented, “Sally's one hell of a woman, but I can't quite picture her as a mother.”

A warm chuckle rumbled from Quatre's throat as he took in Duo's stunned expression. The blond put hand to his stomach as he continued to find humor in Duo's reaction. “Your jaw almost hit the floor when she told you about Baozhen…”

Duo's stunned expression became defensive. “Well, you saw how she acted…like it was some big secret…I can't help reacting to suspense, especially when she begins saying, 'Guys, there's something I'd like to tell you, something…I haven't told any of my old friends'…blah blah blah.”

“Duo, you're horrid…but you're right…she didn't even tell us who the father was.”

Duo threw an arm around Quatre's shoulders and pulled the blond close. He used a well-formed fist to rub at Quatre's head. The two men struggled for a bit.

“Ow, Duo, not so hard.”

“Don't be dense, Quatre. What kind of name does the child have?”

“Chinese...” murmured the blond as he lodged his elbow in Duo's gut.

Duo felt the wind knocked out of him. But, after a few gasps, he managed to ground out, “And, what virile Chinese male floats Sally's boat?” He released the captive, struggling blond.

Quatre smoothed back his tousled hair. His eyes took in Duo's roguish expression. “Sally's also Chinese…so there's no guarantee—She didn't even mention Wufei…”

“Well, there's one way to settle this. We're going to pay Dr. Sally Po a little house visit.”

Heero inspected the meal before him. Meal…could this actually qualify as a meal? He grabbed his complimentary glass of ice-cold water and chugged it. Perhaps, it was the only safe thing set before them. He eyed his plate with an obvious amount of skepticism. He admitted he hardly ever had a use for French…but he was sure he ordered Medallion of New Zealand Venison…he was quite sure. But, what was this decorated bleeding, brown cube before him? He ordered it well done, but why was it oozing? Was he supposed say “charred” instead? And what was this green goop on top?

Across from Heero's perplexed expression, Dorothy wore one of her own. She'd eaten in countless sophisticated establishments, dined on the finest foods prepared by the world's most renowned chefs--she wrinkled her nose--and she knew for a fact rabbit was not supposed to look *or* smell like this…She looked up for a moment. “Heero, if you value your life, don't even attempt to touch your entrée.” She watched as Heero reached across the table and downed her glass of water as well.

Heero's gaze did not waver as he continued to hold the emptied glass to his lips. “I may not value my life, but I value my taste buds. We're leaving here *now. *”

Dorothy didn't argue with him.

Duo stretched out on the couch of their suite. He and Quatre would stop in on Sally in a couple of hours. They would catch her off guard, right as she arrived home from work, right when she'd begin her maternal duties…An evil smirk teased Duo's lips. And then, when she was totally unprepared, they'd pump her for information regarding the paternity of Baozhen. Duo tried not laugh. Earlier Quatre remarked that what they were planning verged on despicable. Duo responded that it was merely practice for parenting. Snooping was not a skill that just came to you; a person had to work at it. This thing with Sally was valuable practice.

Quatre murmured something about overarching delusions before he left Duo to shower.

Duo could still hear the shower running in the background. This all felt so normal: lying on the couch, picturing Quatre under a stream of cool refreshing water…Duo turned on his side, still amazed that one email had led to this arrangement, and arrangement that would guarantee him immeasurable happiness. A slight frown teased his lips. Yes, immeasurable happiness loomed over the horizon…but was it with the right person?

He thought back to Heero and what led to their separation. Duo actually snorted at the thought of his former koi. Loving Heero was akin to skydiving; few people possessed nerve enough to do it and the sanity of those who did could always be called into question. Duo closed his eyes. Loving Heero was like that first leap away from the plane. You freefell, barreling so fast toward the ground you lost sense of yourself. It was impossible to breath. A seemingly relentless force sucked you down. You felt weightless and heavy at the same time. And, the very moment you verged on destruction, a huge parachute opened to save you, lifting you away from perfect annihilation, causing you to soar above the very thing which threatened your life. Then you'd drift slowly down to touch the ground and wonder why you'd feared the descent to begin with. The funny thing was… each time you leapt it never got any easier. There was still the same rush, the same excitement and fear that this time you wouldn't be saved, that the parachute would fail to open and your fears would be realized.

And, that's what happened. Duo nuzzled the side of the couch. His fears had been realized.

If it weren't for his determination to stay in a sour mood, Heero would have been impressed with Dorothy. With a simple name drop, she saved them from paying for a rather colorful…unappetizing, his mind struggled over the word, “meal”.

As they walked out of the restaurant and onto the sidewalk, Heero turned to Dorothy and said, “Remind me to never allow you to pick the restaurant *ever* again.”

Dorothy looked up at him, her expression teasing. “So that means I can look forward to future dates?”

“Enough. Let's forget the meal and these little attempts at flirtation. Tell me what I came to hear.”

Dorothy sobered immediately. Obviously there was no fun to be had with Heero, ever. “We should walk and, as we do, I'll relate everything.”

They began to stroll. She led him to a nearby park. Heero noted the dark green gates that ensconced what he assumed to be miles of paths and greenery.

“Quatre and I ended our relationship on a…dreadful note. I didn't think he'd ever contact me again, but a few weeks ago I arrived home to find a message left for me. I played it…and there he was: flaxen haired with long, sloping bangs and the most clear blue-green eyes…staring back at me… telling me that, despite what happened between us, he wanted to stay on good terms with me…” Dorothy scoffed, “Always the peacemaker…”

Heero was loosing his patience. He didn't come there to listen to Catalonia drone on about her relationship problems. If Winner left her, he probably had a damn good reason. If she was trying to rally his sympathy and support, she was barking up the wrong tree.

With a frown, Heero remembered her call to him. His number was unlisted and he made sure only a few closed-mouthed individuals had it in their possession. One night a week ago, he answered the phone. It had been years since he heard her voice. She veritably purred his name and told him she had some very valuable, time-sensitive information. She told him that if he didn't listen to her now, he'd regret it for the rest of his life. He hung up on her. But, she persisted in calling. He disconnected the line. He knew from past experience that any contact with Dorothy would lead to his undoing. Their last meeting had proven that and he wasn't about to push his luck once more... And, then it came: a package addressed to him from an unknown sender. After doing the usual explosive checks, his curiosity won out and he opened the box to find snapshots of Duo. His former koi was braidless and evidently very content in those photos…and, with the photos came a note, which said, “He's happy, but are you?” That was the extent of the note and then he saw the signature. It was a wanton black scrawl of ink, which detailed the name of his benefactor: Dorothy Catalonia. He reconnected the phone line and the rest was, as they say, history.

Dorothy continued to babble about Quatre.

“What does this have to do with--”

She ignored Heero's attempt to cut her short and continued, undeterred, “He told me he found someone who was willing to do what I would not. He… told me he found someone who wanted nothing more than to start a family with him.”

Heero's fingers twitched. He could feel something rising in his throat. He could see where this was going and why Dorothy was so anxious to make nice with him.

“He told me that he and Duo plan on raising a child together.” Dorothy watched in shock as Heero promptly turned to the side and emptied the contents of his waterlogged stomach into an unsuspecting bush.

Duo remembered his fateful conversation with Heero with the utmost clarity. At that point, they were closing in on their fourth year of living together. In fact, the anniversary of the day they made the decision to shack up together was only days away.

~*( Begin Flashback)*~
Duo was in the kitchen of their roomy flat sipping on white grape juice. Heero would be home any minute. Duo, himself, was home earlier than usual. He wanted to leave work early so he did; it was one of the benefits of being his own boss. Duo purposely dipped both lips into the beverage. Heero loved it when he tasted of anything partly sweet and tangy.

At that moment, said choosy koi happened to walk into the apartment. Duo set down his glass and moved toward Heero with familiar, long strides. Heero barely managed to kick the door shut behind him before Duo's wet sticky mouth captured his lips.

The long black computer kit that was in Heero's hand fell to the floor. One hand reached up to lightly touch Duo's hair while the other rested on his rear. Duo groaned against his mouth. Heero sucked every trace of the juice from Duo's delectable, parted lips.
~*(End Flashback)*~

They were good together, when their relationship consisted of physical demonstration. It wasn't to say there was no love between them. Duo's fingered toyed with the fabric of the couch. It was just that a relationship with Heero came with all these hidden costs. If Heero was kind, there was usually a period afterward where the former pilot would distance himself. It was like every bout of benevolence on Heero's part had to be balanced out by some act of severity or detachment. Nothing ever came up entirely roses and nothing was entirely unpleasant. But, it took a toll on Duo: this waffling back and forth between affection and antagonism.

His mind flew back in time. It was the same day, only moments later. He was sitting on Heero's lap, playing with said koi's still unruly mop of hair. Even after all those years, Heero looked the same, just grown up. With a frown, Duo realized Heero's outlook didn't brave the same maturation as his features.

Duo's frown intensified. Perhaps, it was his own fault for expecting so much from Heero. After all, he'd lived with the former pilot for years; he'd known what he was dealing with. Hell, he'd pretty much mastered the art of reading Heero's grunts and scowls. Why hadn't he foreseen such a reaction? With a sigh Duo realized why he'd been so naïve. He allowed himself to sink further into the couch. Back then, he hadn't wanted to see it. He was too blinded by his own intentions to see that Heero could never want a child.

~*( Begin Flashback)*~
The desire had nagged him for weeks. Perhaps, it was a little selfish of him, but he wanted one more than he could explain. A child…maybe one who had Heero's sulky mouth or his intense eyes… or one who had his own chestnut hair and loud mouthed mentality… Duo shifted on Heero's lap. His fingers teased Heero's dark unruly mop.

Perhaps, he believed it would be the final act sealing the fact that they'd successfully left their tumultuous life behind. A child…someone he could spoil and foster…someone he could teach…someone innocent who needed his attention and love…someone trusting…someone who'd be the perfect captive audience for his bad jokes…someone who could love the both of them without censure.

Duo smirked. This was so unlike him, this desire to settle down and be like everyone else. But they were 24, securely employed, and responsible. Who could argue with him for wanting to wind down and start a family? He leaned against Heero to brush his lips against his furrowed brow.

A part of Duo knew the desire came out of something selfish. His hand tightened on Heero's shoulder. But he could think of worse things than his wanting to live the childhood he never had through his offspring. It almost didn't matter; the desire sprung from harmless origins. In the end, the child would benefit the most. He knew he and Heero would make great parents. Now, all he had to do was turn Heero on to the idea.

A familiar wicked grin tugged at Duo's mouth. Yes, turn Heero on…The plan had merit.
~*(End Flashback)*~

Heero swabbed at the corners of his mouth with his handkerchief. At his side, a green-faced Dorothy stood wide-eyed. Half of her wanted to pat him on the back to comfort him; the other half solely wanted to walk away. She'd never actually witnessed someone undergo 'reverse peristalsis'. Yes, if she thought of it that way, within the confines of medical jargon, she could forget how repulsive an act it was.

She covered her nose with her hand. Heero turned to look at her. He didn't feel any better. He'd managed three or four gushing convulsions but the rest consisted of dry heaves. For a brief moment, his hand rested on his stomach. Dry heaves were the worst. It made a person feel so powerless to be seized by spasms that let loose nothing.

His hand fell to the side. He could only think of one other time he felt this used and ineffectual. It was almost a year ago…the day he and Duo split for good.

~*(Begin Flashback)*~
Duo had been all over him with a ferocity that scared him. They lay back in bed both drenched and weakened by their exploits. It was good sex—with an arm tucked behind his head, Heero looked up at their white ceiling-- better than usual, which was to say a lot since there was nothing that needed improvement. Duo's head was against his chest; his hand played with the rising and falling area around Heero's navel.

Heero's eyes scoured the room for some reason for his uneasiness. Then it came to him, what was eating away at his euphoria: it was sex; that's all it was. With Duo it was never supposed to be just sex.

Duo's voice cut through his thoughts. Heero could feel his breath on his chest as he said, “Heero, I want a child.” Duo moved his head to look up at him. What Duo received was a definite look of bewilderment.

“Nani?”

“A child, Heero. You know? A little you or me with arms, legs, you name it…”

“What for?”

Duo screwed up his face. “ 'What for?'” he snorted in a Heero-like fashion. “To raise, baka.” His hand continued to toy with Heero's chest.

“Why?”

“Because…I can't stop thinking about having one…it must mean something.”

Heero was speechless.

“I think we're ready for the next step.”

“…”

“Propagation.”

Heero's face darkened. So, that's what Duo's recent sexfest was about. It was all a matter of coercion. “You expect an answer from me on this?”

Duo sat up on an elbow. “Well, yeah. That's why I broached the topic…”

“ 'Well', it seems like you've already made the decision.”

Duo only blinked at him.

Heero shifted away and reached over to the side to grab his pants. There was no way he was going to have this conversation in bed. “Put your clothes on. We're going for a drive.”
~*(End Flashback)*~

Duo could feel himself sinking further into the couch. His shoulder length hair was spread out behind him. He remembered how confused he felt during that drive. It was one of the few times he couldn't tell what Heero was thinking.

~*(Begin Flashback)*~
The thing he remembered before he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep was the sight of Heero's white knuckles clutching the steering wheel. They'd been driving for hours and Duo could barely remain conscious. It was too quiet and all he could hear was the hum of the car's engine as it moved across the lanes of the seemingly never-ending highway. Despite the tension, he found himself lulled to sleep.

Duo couldn't figure out if Heero tried to shake him awake. But he did remember that he awoke to the sound of Heero's voice as he said, “Wake up. We're here.”

They stepped out of the car. The sun was close to setting. The sky was tinged with oranges, reds, and purples. But, even in the dimming light, Duo could make out the scene that surrounded them. He gasped and backed into the car.

He turned to face Heero with incredulous, alarmed eyes. “Why'd you bring me here?”

The car's roof stood as a barrier between them.

Heero gestured to the long since charred ruins of the church. “It's almost like you've forgotten.”

Duo was conscious of his pulse beating at his temples, of the feel of his heart knocking at his ribcage, of the dizziness threatening to swallow him whole… He worked as a contractor dealing in turning sites damaged during the war into revamped real estate property. It was his way of purging the land marred by his and his comrades' sins. But this church was one of the sites he'd refused to touch. An aging businessman, who'd acquired it through a gambling bit gone awry, offered it to him some months ago. The church was bombed in A.C. 195, the same year the gundams came to earth. Up until that moment, when he stepped out of the car, Duo had only seen a picture of the land and upon sight of it he'd refused the deal. It reminded him too much of…

“Maxwell Church…” murmured a distraught Duo as he pressed himself further against the car.

“Do you remember all those things you told me?” Heero looked off into the desolate area. “The hunger, the loneliness, the fear…and how you came to find everything that gave you a glimmer of hope destroyed? The church, all those innocent people…Sister Helen…Father Maxwell?”

The sky grew dark with each passing second. The sun was a glowing, orange ball behind the church. It was if the light from a dying fire moved behind the ruins.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

“I just wanted to remind you of who you are…who we are…”

“Why?”

“We're not fit to raise anything.”

Duo felt himself go cold all over. He squinted at Heero from across the car's roof. “What are you trying to say?”

“We're unsuited… we're murderers…we're maladjusted at best…and you want a child? For what? To delude yourself into believing all of this is over?”

Duo felt his voice stick in his throat. “It *is*, all of it.” His mind flew back to the good times they had living together: the moments of jocularity, intimacy, and absolution. At least, *he* saw them as good times. What did Heero see them as? Just gaps in a never-ending unhappiness?

Duo swore under his breath. He tried to keep his eyes on Heero and not the scene surrounding them. “What's with you? Why do you have to take everything we've built and dash to pieces every time you feel threatened? Fine, you don't want a kid. Then say so. Don't pull this kind of shit on me. I don't need this.” He was shaking and he could do nothing to stop it. It was so dim he could barely make out Heero's eyes.

“Are we finished here?”

Duo didn't respond. His hands clutched at nothing.

“Then, it's settled. Get in the car. We're going home.”

Something fierce gurgled in Duo's throat. “*No*, we're not. You don't own me and you don't own how I think or feel about this.”
~*(End Flashback)*~

God, it was ugly. Duo stared up at the ceiling, totally unaware that the shower had stopped and that Quatre was standing some feet away, watching him.

“Heero, can I get anything for you,” asked Dorothy, her legs unwilling to move closer to his hunched form. What if he threw up again? Her forked eyebrows scrunched together at the nauseating thought. But somehow, she managed to inch closer to him to reach out a hand to touch his shoulder.

He looked up at her. Her hand continued to rest on his shoulder. She was a bit surprised he didn't shake her off. Dorothy frowned. She understood why: it was like he was staring right through her.

~*( Begin Flashback)*~

“Get in the car, Duo.”

“No.”

Heero slammed the door he'd just opened. “You're going to be stubborn about this?”

“Duh.”

“Just say what you have to say.”

“What's the point? You'll disregard it, scowl like you always do, and then it'll be like I've said nothing at all. This isn't about a child. This isn't about me wanting too much. It's about you. You aren't happy with me. You'll… never be happy with anyone…”

“Where did that come--”

Duo laughed. It was a derisive, dark chuckle. “How do you feel about me, Heero? We've been together nearly four years and I've never had the nerve to ask you. Say it. I want to hear the words, Heero. Whatever they are.”

“Let it go.”

“Let it go? Come on, Heero, you can do better than that. I'm a great lay. You can tell me that. You can tell me I give the best blowjobs. You can tell me that you like my hair. Just say something about *me*. Let me know that you consider me...at all.”

Heero watched as Duo's gaze flickered across the darkened landscape. He heard himself say, “Your hair's too long.”

“Typical. Real typical, Heero.”
~*(End Flashback)*~

Duo closed his eyes. He didn't know how it had happened, but they ended up screaming at each other. For all the quick, caustic retorts that had passed between them over the years, it had never come to that point before. If it weren't for the barrier created by the car, Duo was quite sure they would have ended up slugging each other.

~*(Begin Flashback)*~

Heero slammed his fist down on the roof of the car. “Take that back!”

If it hadn't been for his anger, Duo would have winced at Heero's near panicked tone. “NO! It's true and you know it. I'm going to say it again: you can't get over it! In your mind, you're still a 'baby killer'! That's why this entire child issue is getting to you!”

Heero's hand twitched at his side.

“*You* are the one with the hang-ups and the fucked up past! Don't try to put this on me. Why bring me here? To a place that looks just like--” Duo shook his head. He couldn't say it. “You're not getting off easy---You--”

Heero yanked open the door of the car. He threw himself inside.

Duo listened in disbelief as he heard the car's engine start. He watched the car's headlights come on. His astonishment increased as he felt the car lurch away from him and take off down the road they'd came. He was left alone in the quiet darkness of the ruins.
~*(End Flashback)*~

He ended up spending the night there.

“Duo, the shower's free.”

Duo was startled out of his reverie by Quatre's voice. He looked up to see a comfortably dressed man with damp, brushed back blonde hair. Quatre as a man…the concept still boggled his mind.

Duo managed a smile. “I'm surprised you don't resemble a prune. You were in there for quite a while.”

“I've been out of the shower for at least ten minutes.”

“Oh…” Duo looked away from the unwavering blue-green gaze. God, all of this was so easy for Quatre. He had nothing to run from, nothing that continued to eat at him. Weeks ago, they'd both agreed to contact their exes and tell them about their plans to start a family together. Duo knew Quatre had taken care of things on his end…but…he, himself, had never worked up the nerve to contact Heero. It was something he didn't think he'd ever be able to do. Not after what Heero pulled, not after abandoning him like that…and in of all the places...

Heero and Dorothy sat on a park bench. Heero continued to stare off into some indiscernible direction.

“Heero?”

“What?? What do you have to say to me now?” he snapped.

Dorothy brought a hand to her ample bosom. Why was Heero looking at her like that? “My…my, Heero, I never expected such a colorful response from you.” Dorothy grimaced. Her mind flew back to what Heero did to that poor bush…why did she have to use the word “colorful?” She swallowed.

“How did you get those photographs?”

Dorothy tried to mask her delight. As long as Heero was asking questions, she was in the clear. “I've found the most dedicated PI. The man loves his work.”

“You've had him followed…”

“ *Them,*” Dorothy corrected. Her voice took a hard edge as she said, “They're an item now. That means two people under surveillance for the price of one.”

“What's the point?” Heero focused his gaze on a troupe of ants that continued to march by his dark boots.

“Isn't it obvious? The plan is to break them up. Quatre is mine. Obviously, he's forgotten that...”

“Why I am here then?”

Dorothy gave him a long-suffering glance. “Are you happy, Heero?”

Heero didn't waste his time answering. He didn't even bother to glance at her.

“I'll take that as a 'no'. How would you like untold happiness? Happiness wrapped in a strapping young body, a deep throated chuckle, and depthless indigo eyes? How would like strong arms pulling you close into a hot embrace. How would you like--”

“*Enough*.” Heero cut her off with a patented Yuy death glare.

Dorothy suppressed a smirk. She'd gotten her point across.

“It's going to take a consorted effort on our parts,” she murmured mysteriously.

“…I don't understand…” No, that wasn't an accurate statement on his part. He didn't *want* to understand. He was crazy to continue listening to her.

Dorothy's smile had never been more catlike. “That's the beauty of the plan, Heero: we work together, but only one of us needs to succeed.”

Part 2