The sun shone softly in the park; fresh dew glimmering in the light. It was early in the morning yet, but a certain fine-haired pilot had much too much on his mind for rest. There had been talk of peace treaties the day before, which is why he and his fellow pilots had no mission. But would it last?

Quatre sighed, and leaned against his gundam. "I wish you could tell me Sandrock. Tell me that it’s all going to end. But how can it?" Not long ago, it seemed, the White Fang had begun their attack against Romefeller. Things did seem to be calming in subtle ways, yet there was always a nagging fear at the back of his mind. At this point, Quatre simply wanted a government; no longer caring who ruled, just wanting peace. They were all nineteen now. Four years they had all fought, and for what? Perhaps his father was right, Gundams could not bring peace. But what else could? How would peace ever be achieved? People were getting reckless.

"Quatre?"

Turning, the Arabian found his lover walking up to him. Draining some of his inward stress, he allowed himself a small smile. Trowa always noticed when the bed seemed the slightest bit cooler than usual.

"Quatre, what are you doing out here?"

"Thinking," he answered softly, "I couldn’t sleep."

Trowa gave him a knowing look. "You’re worried again aren’t you?" When there was no answer, the tall man sat next to the blond, wrapping an arm around slender shoulders.

Sighing, Quatre leaned against his love. "Will this war ever end?" he mused.

"The age old question again, love? Don’t rack your brain over such things; no war lasts an eternity."

He knew what Trowa was saying. It may not be ended soon, but it will end. Despite this, he knew, there was no indication that they would live past the war. Why couldn’t the colonies see? Why couldn’t they get past these old arguments that consume them so? Why…was Trowa picking him up and carrying him?

"Trowa?"

"You’re freezing, Quatre. We’re going inside."

Quatre groaned. There were good and bad things about being the smaller ones; this was definitely one of the bad. Or perhaps it isn’t… Quatre mused as he snuggled back against his lover’s chest. Trowa had gotten really muscular over the years. And he felt so warm…

The uni-banged pilot chuckled over his love’s new state, rubbing his back more to keep him from being cold. It seemed amazing to him that Quatre could be calmed so easily. He was almost like a kitten; give enough attention, and he would snuggle up against you.

As he shut the door to their room, he heard some of the others starting to wake up. It was now 5:00; time for Heero to check for missions, Wufei to practice Katas, and for Duo to keep sleeping until noon. Quatre obviously hadn’t gotten much sleep, so he would be laid down in their bed.

As soon as Trowa began to pull his arm away, he was rolled onto the bed and wrapped around. Smirking slightly, he reminded himself that Quatre was stronger than he seemed. With a softer smile, now, he pulled the covers over them, and held his lover against him.

Once Quatre’s shivering had stopped, Trowa relaxed his grip. He soon found himself staring down into large aquamarine eyes. Feeling the intensity of those eyes, he cocked his head; in his own way asking why he was being looked at in such a manner.

The Arabian smiled a genuine smile, and hugged his lover closer. "Trowa, there are times when I think that you are the true holder of my sanity."

"What makes you say that?"

"You always seem to know exactly what to do. You take me away from the pain I cause myself. How do you manage to do that?"

Trowa’s lips twitched into what most that knew him would call a smile. "I know you well, my love. You’ve saved me from myself many a day."

"Would you say that I keep your sanity as well?"

"I would."

Quatre smiled against Trowa’s chest, "Guess we’re even then…. Trowa?"

"Aa?"

"If the war does end, and we live, would you stay with me?"

"Forever."

"Trowa?

"Aa?"

"I love you."

Trowa smiled slightly, looking peacefully down at the shorter man in his embrace. "I love you too, Quatre," he whispered back. Just as he finished that statement, the blond was asleep: a content look resting on his face. So cute when he’s sleepy…

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Duo laid restlessly on the bed. Once in a while, his gaze would fall on the stoic man before him. Heero still seemed frantic to get some kind of message. Living without the war would be harder for that man than he’d thought.

Swinging his braid back over his shoulder, Duo hopped next to him, flinging his arms around Heero’s neck. "Come on, koi. We’ve got some free time; the least you can do is enjoy it!"

Heero grunted. "Just because you think that we’ve got time off doesn’t mean that we should allow ourselves to get behind. Missions come first."

"There aren’t any missions, perfect solder! Come on; get off of there. The galaxy is still in peace-talk mode!"

"Something could come at any minute still. The scientists are the ones who have direct control over us."

Duo crossed his arms and sighed. "I’m not going to let this chance slip away, Heero. If not for these breaks, I’d go insane, and I’m pretty sure that you would too. Hell…maybe you are already insane. Please just come outside with me."

Heero was about to say no, but couldn’t at the look on Duo’s face. The American seemed quite determined, though he wasn’t quite sure why.

The braided pilot went happily through the house, followed shortly by the usually stoic man, who was wearing a slight smirk.

Wufei looked up from his staff long enough to see Heero chasing Duo with a glint of mischief in his eye. Not able to decide whether to laugh, or shudder, the Chinese man simply went back to what he was doing. It was strange how they’d all formed their relationships during the past six years. He wondered faintly what they would all do if the war were over. Would they forget the past? Forget each other?

Shuddering, the Chinese man put his weapons away, deciding that he’s had enough practice for one day. The thought of forgetting was most disturbing to him. Before his teammates had coaxed him out of his shell, he’d been so lonely. Never would Wufei go back to that feeling willingly. He would not be dead to the world again.

With that final determined thought, Wufei went to his room in the safe house and meditated without disturbance…

************************************************************************

"Wufei! Hey Wu-man, come out and play!" Duo knocked on the man’s door rapidly until finally his calls were answered.

"Duo. What do you want?" A slightly irritated voice sounded.

The longhaired pilot came in, letting the child-like attitude drop. Kneeling beside Wufei, he fixed the man with a slight smile. "Why are you sitting here all alone, Wufei?" Smirking slightly, Duo leaned in closer, "We’ve got games and stuff you can play with us."

Wufei simply sat, not reacting to the joke at all. He knew after these years to hear some undertones in his voice. He was worried. Sighing, he decided to humor Duo and talk.

"I’ve been contemplating possibilities of the war being over."

"And?" Duo asked, quietly urging him on.

"I’m afraid that we’re all going to forget each other." Sighing slightly, he forced his deeper emotions to come out. "I’m afraid of being left on my own again."

Duo smiled gently and came to kneel beside him. He understood what it was to feel alone; during his childhood he was nothing but a street rat, and throughout most the war a mask was firmly in place. Now, still, he wore masks, but more for others than himself.

"I understand how you feel, but in order for you to be alone, people have to start pulling away. I, for one, have no desire for such a thing. We’ve all become very close these past years. No one wants to give that up."

"Quatre and Trowa will stay together, as will you and Heero. Of that much, I’m certain." Wufei let out a deep sigh, "I suppose that I’m beginning to feel as though I don’t belong."

Duo’s eye narrowed a tad, "Wufei, do we ignore you?"

"…no."

"Do we act angry or annoyed by the fact that you’re here? Do we not talk to you? Do we not give friendship?"

Wufei stammered, "I..I never said…"

Duo held up a hand silencing him. Slowly, he took his friend’s hand in his own, and met his ebony-colored eyes. "You are like a brother to all of us, Wufei. As dear as any other part of this screwed-up little family…" Violet eyes hinted at humor before continuing and a serious heart-to-heart tone. "No one, and I repeat, no one, is going to leave you behind."

The Chinese man was lost for words, as he felt himself being let into a reassuring embrace. Finally he squeezed Duo’s arm, and relaxed into his friend’s hug. Finally, he sat up, his eyes filled with subtle humor as he smirked and said simply, "Let go of me Maxwell."

Duo laughed at the impression of Wufei’s teenage self, and led the man towards the fun. He had decided then and there that he would reassure his friend more often.

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PART TWO: A true team

The games that Duo Maxwell had been describing weren’t exactly what he called fun…Wufei was pelted to death with snowballs, and beaten a few times with a certain pilot’s braid. That man had strange ways of making him feel like a part of the group…

Still, Duo had done that to every one of them, and he was known for his little eccentricities.

Smirking, Wufei poured himself a cup of cocoa, and went to join the others. He smiled softly as he looked around the living room of the mansion. The scene before his looked so serene that he stopped in the doorway for just a bit before coming in. Duo was sleeping peacefully on Heero’s lap, his arms unconsciously wrapping around his smirking lover. Quatre was leaning against Trowa, both reading a fantasy novel from the library. Once in a while, Quatre would steal glances at the pair opposite him, and smile.

Still smiling, Wufei walked in and sat in the first available chair. After being greeted by those who were awake, he found himself reading his novel quietly with them. It was comforting to know that he didn’t have to do anything to be accepted by them: that he didn’t have to act loud or out of character. No one expected anything of him, which made him free to simply be.

Heero soon left, dragging a half-asleep Duo to their bed. He couldn’t help but smirk at the American’s behavior…once again Duo Maxwell was going to sleep in until noon. Which, Heero granted, was better than getting up early to kill. Though missions gave his life direction, they also tortured him. There were some images that he would simply never get out of his head. The small child and puppy that he’d killed in the blasts…he could never forgive himself. All of their hands were bloody, and could never again be clean. He would try to live after the war, if only for Duo. After all, he’d learned to love hadn’t he…surely he was capable of learning to life a real life.

The blue-eyed solder laid his lover down softly, curling slightly around his lithe form. Groggily, Duo stuttered, trying to keep his head up to look at Heero.

"Heero *yawn* -chan?"

"Hai, Duo."

Duo shook his head and rubbed his eyes warily. Smirking, he leaned into his love and kissed his neck softly. "When did I fall asleep?"

"About two hours ago. You were snoring, Duo."

Duo pouted, "I do not snore."

Heero shook his head with an amused smile on his face. "Yes, koi, you do. Rather loudly I might add.

Glaring playfully, the braided pilot turned his back towards his love, letting out a small grunt of offense. "See if you get any tonight."

Duo lay on his side in the darkness smirking, once in a while pausing to glance over his shoulder. His smile soon slipped away as he realized that the threat had done nothing for him. In fact, Heero was fast asleep. Muttering to himself about a certain someone sleeping on the couch, Duo turned and pulled the covers against him, falling asleep once more.

************************************************************************

Quatre lay on his lover’s lap, no longer looking at the novel that he held. Wufei and the other two had all ready left, leaving them alone. Once again, the quietness forced him into deep thinking. Cold weather and a silent home oft led one to think about things, even if they didn’t wish too. Now, he was forced to think about the years of war for the second time.

His father had known that this would happen to him. That he’d loose his innocence. That his life would never be the same again. His reputation was torn now; he could never again lead a normal life. But then…he’d never truly had a normal life had he? He’d grown up rich. Furthermore, what was normal? Not even those who lived in average status could answer such a question. All that he really understood of it all was that he was different from most, not necessarily in a good or bad way. Simply, he was different. Through his decision, he’d lost a lot: his innocence, his family name, and much of his youthful spirit.

Technically, though, he hadn’t had it as bad as the other pilots, for three years, he’d had the Maguanacs. He’d also had a family to begin with, even if they no longer cared for him now. After the third year, he’d insisted that the Maguanacs go home and protect his sisters. Part of it was worry for them, but a larger part of it was the adolescent need to prove that he could make it on his own. To test his strength and endurance. And while he had learned much from it, it had been a hard journey. If not for Trowa, he might not have made it.

That thought made him look up to silent love, a simple glance at his face that held pure adoration. That man was and would always be the one whom he held most dear. The one person who would be able to see all of his many sides. Sighing softly, Quatre looped an arm around his lovers waist; content to simply embrace him.

The brown-haired pilot looked down at him, studying his face with soft yet penetrating green eyes. Finally, Trowa simply smiled a small smile, and draped his arm over Quatre’s more slender shoulders. It was easy to tell that his love was being reflective again: his brows creased and his eyes looked almost glazed.

Looking back to his book once more, Trowa rubbed his lovers back soothingly; calming him as he would a terrified animal at the circus. Within a few minutes Quatre was fast asleep, curled around his lap. The noise that came out of his throat sounded almost like the contented purr of a kitten.

The young man smirked, running his fingers through blond tresses. "My Cat," he whispered; the love in his tone matching the fondness of the nick-name. Gently Trowa leaned down to brush his lips over Quatre’s forehead. "I love you," he murmured.

With one sweeping motion, the European pilot set the book down on the coffee table and picked his love up into his arms.

Gently, he laid him down on their bed and curled against him. Quatre often thanked him for all that he’d done for him over the years, but honestly, it seemed that it was Quatre who gave more. Everything that he did to help was balanced by his lovers ability to stay with him all these years. Not until he had met Cat had he ever felt important. Not until they had met had anyone bothered to understand him, least of all to try and talk with him. He owed so much to his love because that.

************************************************************************

Doesn’t everyone in our group owe everything to one another? Heero thought as he gazed out the window, into the starry night. Duo had mended his soul, and kept everyone laughing in times of misery. Quatre was there to talk to when anything happened, gave you a sense of importance with his caring. Trowa was one of those quiet people who could calm and seem to understand simply by being there. Wufei kept everyone thinking about what they were fighting for; giving the motivation to never give up.

He had once asked Duo what he had done for anyone else. If had he done anything good… Heero was told that he was the strength of all those fighting, the one that the team could always count on as well as someone to look up to. The analogy seemed a little far-fetched to him, but it was easy to tell that Duo believed it.

Heero smirked. What a motley crew they made. Different nature, unlike in many ways, and yet so much in common. He himself had begun to wonder what would happen after the war…if it were to end like Duo thought. The solder’s human soul hoped that it would, but his training made him wonder. After years of the solder practice, how could he learn to do anything else? It seemed utterly impossible. This however was one of the more minor problems; the biggest was simple guilt. Of all the lives that he’d destroyed, was he worthy of life after war?

The weight of the war seemed to be taking a toll on Heero; parts of his humanity were slowly slipping away. It was remarkable that he was still sane, but then, he’d never even believed that he would have survived this long. That had to tell him something. Perhaps there would be something he could do in his lifetime to make up for the great loss.

Outside, a gentle breeze came through, caressing his skin. Duo murmured and shivered in his sleep, cuddling closer to the one he rested by. As the night stars twinkled, a glimmer of hope was seen through the perception of a solder. Heero closed his eyes slowly, a small smile resting on his face as he molded his body against Duo’s sleeping form. Pressing a soft kiss to his love’s forehead, he let himself drift off into a decent night’s sleep. Perhaps, someday, he would make sense of his life.

************************************************************************

Quatre bounded into their room, excited eyes shimmering in the morning’s light. In his medium-sized hands he held up the days newspaper. "Trowa! Trowa! Wake up, koi, it’s over!"

Trowa’s brow furrowed, hating to be woken from a peaceful sleep. Finally, his eyelids opened, revealing dark emerald eyes. "Quatre, what are you talking about?" He asked calmly, yawning and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

The blond smiled the happiest smile that Trowa had ever seen: a smile that completely warmed his heart. Quatre bounded over to him, and positioned himself to sit on his love’s torso. Giving him a peck on the cheek, he handed Trowa the article.

"It’s official Trowa, the delegates have concluded their talk. The war is finally over. Oh, koi, we’re free from this now! We’re free from all the death! The colonies can live again!" Quatre looked down into emerald eyes, showing his obvious hope and happiness.

Trowa looked back at the paper and skimmed through. "Quatre, love, it doesn’t say anything for sure." The European pilot studied the Arabian intently as he stated his logic. "Hints aren’t the same as hard-core evidence," he added softly.

Quatre sobered a little. Sighing, he tried to control his emotions. He understood Trowa’s logic, but he didn’t want to accept the fact. He couldn’t! The war had to be over, it just had to be! Finally he shook himself, and placed a smile back on his face.

"There’s still hope Trowa; hints are better than nothing." With a grin, Quatre lowered himself against Trowa, then slowly and passionately kissed him. "Come now, love," he whispered, "Let’s enjoy what we have."

With a teasing look, the Arabian began to walk away from his lover. His hips swaying ever so slightly. He did not, however, get too far…

************************************************************************

Looking to Wufei for a brief moment, he began to speak.  "Do you think…."

"Shh," the oriental man replied, indicating that he wanted to hear this.

The news and the Television blared on, and soon all of the gundam party were huddled over the coach, looking in.

"I stand here today among the political leaders who are striving to make good of war.  Within the procedures, sources have said there are hopes for an ending to this crisis.  Colonies are willing to stand down their arms if other faction leaders will give word of their now docile behavior.  Relena Peacecraft, who was among those delegates, is said to be giving a speech at the next morning.  This has been a WKO report; we’ll keep you posted as the night continues."

Trowa was quiet as he looked about the room.  All the pilots looked more skeptical than before, but they were still reaching desperately towards the single hope that may keep them sane.  They all crowded together on the sofa now, waiting for the next bit of news to come.  Waiting, with anticipation, to be set free.

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PART THREE: Hope

"The delegates and I have come to an important decision, within this week, subjects and colonists. We have agreed upon the following actions: Treize Krushranada will rule Colonies L2 and L3. Colonies L5 and L1 will be ruled over by Lucrecia Noin, and L4 will be left to Mr. Winner and other appointed delegates. The Earth will be ruled by myself. I urge you all to accept the negotiations of this treaty. All will be put to order within the month, and all weapons of any kind will be destroyed. This can be the dawning of a new and brighter future if you let it. Realize that peace may soon be in your grasp, and rejoice without the burden of fear."

Quatre looked unsure….would the colonies go for that? As he looked around at his comrades, he saw that the same question was going through their minds.

"Don’t look so worried everyone," Duo put in, as he lifted himself from the couch. "The people have been without peace for a very long time. Surely, by now, they understand why it’s important. How could they refuse this?"

"Are the colonies all going to get along OZ, and the White Fang?" Trowa asked silently, "I don’t think this solution will do."

Turning, Quatre went back towards his room. "Let’s just hope for the best."

************************************************************************

Dividing the colonies like that seemed as though it would cause problems for the people, and yet what could the officers do? The groups that were created wanted to break all ties with the earth: wanted to be on their own. Well, here they were, but will it work? What if there are those who opposed? He had pretended before to be completely confidant in the decision for the sake of his team mates…to try to lift spirits. Still, he knew it did nothing. Most of them were probably pondering just as he was.

Duo looked out the window, fixing his eyes on the lone willow tree whose branches were swaying softly in the wind. He found himself pondering on things that he didn’t wish to. His mind seemed to make him think of every aspect of the war. Even after hearing Relena’s speech he could not be reassured. It seemed like an endless cycles…if this war ended, wouldn’t another soon be in its place? Can society truly live in peace? No matter what others say, Duo knew that it was harder to maintain peace than it was to be at war. That grave thought haunted him this night, making him think deeply about all that had been going on. So deeply, in fact, that it seemed impossible to sleep.

Beside him, Duo could hear his lover breathing softly, and making slight noises in the darkness. For one that seemed so gruff, he had learned that Heero was actually quite gentle. If the war hadn’t started, they wouldn’t have met. Nor would he have met any of the other pilots: his friends. Still, within him, there was a deep longing for peace. If only we had all met under better terms…

Sighing, the slender pilot crawled out from under the blankets, and stood before the window; staring out at the moon. The silver rays glistened almost tranquilly against Duo’s tan skin, highlighting the contours of his face. He seriously hoped that this would be the way out, but if it wasn’t…then back to the battlefields would they go. Back to the nightmare containing ruthless and unnecessary bloodshed.

When he had first met his teammates, he was the outspoken one. He acted as if it were more of a party than a battle to hide the feelings that he was truly having. The ‘joker’s mask’ was something that he had clung to desperately, fearing the fact that someone might be able to peek in. Afraid that they would see the darker parts of his life and personality that lurked within, beneath the surface. Now he found himself clinging to all of them desperately, instead of that mask. For once, he felt like a part of a team. But the mission had become ridiculous, and all views were askew. What once seemed noble now seemed facial. No good had been done through any of it.

…Could the nonsense be over? Could they finally live their own lives?

"Duo?" a groggy voice sounded from the bed. "Duo it’s late, come back to bed and sleep."

Violet eyes rested on his lover; looking over his lithe form and seeing the small plead in his eyes. Sighing, the man who had called himself shinigami walked lethargically across the floor, laying himself down on the bed with a small grunt. There were bags under his eyes, and Duo began to realize just how tired he was.

Looking over at the clock he discovered that it was 3:00 am. Despite his feelings, however, his mind wouldn’t let him rest completely and sleep seemed like a lost cause. On the edge of conscienceness, the braided pilot felt himself being pulled against a warm chest, and vaguely sensed a soft hand caressing his chestnut hair.

************************************************************************

"The colonies seem to be adjusting quite well, says Queen Relena Peacecraft. It has now been a week since the transactions took place, and all of the appointed leaders are in place. On the colony L2, the citizens parade in the streets as Trieze Krushranda comes flying through the atmosphere: hoping to rule and bring peace. When asked, young citizen Thriton Maxwell told that he was excited and hopeful that the towns and streets would be cleaned up. As you may already know, the colony of L2 has had many problems pertaining to gangs and the economy. All here are hopeful that Trieze will be able to steer their life styles towards a better path. This has been another edition of 0900 news, watch closely next time when ‘peace through division’ continues."

The TV was turned off with a small clicking sound, leaving the room in silence. The gundam pilots looked around at each other with hopeful eyes; it seemed as though peace was going to be given a chance.

As Trowa looked around the room at his close friends, he could feel the excitement increase. Suddenly, Duo jumped up to hug each and every one of them, bouncing for joy and encouraging the others to be just as excited as he. Quatre laughed and hugged Duo back, becoming so joyous that he began hugging everyone else as well. Most of the group was looking on the bright side of the situation now, as the new information was absorbed. Even Trowa cracked a smile, though he was still weary.

"I told you before, love, this will work. It will all turn out for the best!" The blond man pounced on his boyfriend gazing happily into the emerald depths. "Don’t be so doubtful Trowa, this is sure to work. After so many years of war, how could the people protest against this idea? They can’t."

Trowa smiled softly. It was a rare time, as of late, when his amore was truly happy. For a long time he had been stressed, depressed, angry, and at times he acted a bit insane…but now the expressions seemed more peaceful. More childlike in a way. He actually seemed like a person his age- like one in their 20’s. Trowa knew that he couldn’t destroy that little bit of hope that had been left to them. He couldn’t destroy that happiness that Quatre now possessed.

"I’m sure it will all be fine, amore," He stated softly, running his hands through thick blond tresses. "Everything will be fine."

Quatre smiled widely, content to believe what he had heard. Feeling young for once in a very long time, the blond took his lover’s hand and gestured for the others to follow. Tonight they would all go and celebrate for peace.

************************************************************************

Where they had all ended up, happened to be a bar just on the outskirts of town. Among the normal people and without any disguise whatsoever, the five pilots took the more risky approach to social life…. or at least four of them did…

The smokers circled around the middle of the room, it seemed, as Trowa moved himself back against the walls. What his little ‘amore’ had gotten them all into didn’t seem like him and it was obvious that Quatre was desperate for something. He nearly cringed as he watched the small Arabian get intoxicated: something that had always been against his Islamic religion. Not that the European expected all those who were religious to go by the book in all of their beliefs….but for Quatre to get as drunk as he appeared worried him. The Arab had usually been a more prudent soul, even if he did loose his senses during traumatic times. Sighing, Trowa leaned back with his one beer and watched the festivities keep going; mentally preparing himself to take a young drunkard home.

Along a some-what intoxicated Quatre, Duo and Heero were drinking. Each with their own glass, they began to sweep their eyes over the room. Wufei was out among the crowd for once, seeming much bolder socially than what he’d acted like before. With a small glass of Sakae, the oriental man was walking along the bar, seemly looking for someone for the next dance.

"Where’s Wufei going?" Duo asked, a little surprised.

"Mingling I guess," Quatre replied, "good for him. If only I could get someone else to loosen up." The blond bit his lip, staring over at his anti-social love. "He’s thinking that I’m having awkward moods or something, Duo. I can tell. Is it really that uncommon for me to relax once in a while?"

Duo shook his head slightly. "Trowa’s always looking for the deepest meanings within everything. He analyzes too much…probably being over-protective."

As if signaled by the American’s reply, Trowa glanced quickly at his love with a wary eye. Quatre sighed deeply, "Oh, will that ever end? … I love him, but these little behaviors are driving me nuts."

Heero snickered silently, and muttered under his breath, "At least he doesn’t snore."

"What was that koi-chan?" Duo inquired lifting a knowing eyebrow.

"Nothing, love." Coughing, Heero turned away mockingly, leaving a small glint of mischief unhidden.

"Oh, no you don’t Heero! Come back here! I mean it! Hee--"

Quatre snickered at the pair, and Heero corned his braided lover and began kissing him passionately in front of many gaping people. As he looked back to his destination, he saw that even Trowa had allowed himself a slight smile. Rolling his eyes affectionately at his lover’s ways, the slight blond leaned comfortably against him, breathing in the stoic man’s scent.

"You can come to the bar, you know. I won’t bite," the Arab stated softly, looking up into emerald eyes.

Trowa looked down at the bundle leaning into his arms. Sighing, he forced himself to relax a little, and brushed his fingers through his love’s bangs. Still, however, he was weary at the blond’s behavior. "Quatre…" Trowa paused, uncertain.

Aquamarine eyes stared deep into him, seeing everything within that was once guarded. "Yes, Trowa?" His head cocked to the side as he prompted his silent lover to speak.

"Quatre, this doesn’t seem like you. First of all, you don’t drink because your not allowed to. Second of all, when did you even start to like these types of atmospheres? Third…"

Trowa was quickly cut off by a soft kiss. "Love, you worry far too much. Come." Without another word the European pilot found himself being led toward the crowd, with blaring music getting louder with each step. What had gotten into Quatre? He hated music, and certainly he disliked wild crowds. And him worrying too much? … usually it was the other way around.

Throughout that entire night everyone was acting high off of life. All believed that every last trouble they once had was now in the past, and since the war was over they had every right do act more daring. And they did. Wufei was making out with some random guy in the middle of a mosh pit, Duo and Heero were going further than that, and Quatre had talked his uni-banged love into freak dancing. Whatever was remembered past that however, was nothing but a blur.

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Part Four: Truth

"Where the hell are we?" Duo groaned out, stepping up in the small room. The drinks he’d had that day before were out of his system, but a certain rage staid within. By the looks of the small room, he had been laying there for quite a while before coming to. The ‘pillow’ he’d been using was nearly flat.

"Shit, where are they?" he muttered. Looking around once more the American pilot found himself all alone. He was in some sort of cell that much was certain, but everything else remained a mystery. Great…. just great. Right when I think that everything’s cool, and I can advance my relationship with Heero, something just had to get in the way…

Why was it that everything had to be taken away from him? His friends, his lover; all the things that had defined his life were now gone. Everyone close to me dies…

A crashing sound caused Duo to jerk, and turn as something made its way down the corridor. Looking through the small bars to his right, a tall figure could be seen wearing some sort of lab coat. The American pilot rose his eyebrow at the spectacle, he knew that it wasn’t any scientist that he knew, but there was something about scientists that always seemed to remain the same… that crazy inventive look in the eyes, the mannerism, which to be frank, made him very nervous.

"Mr. Maxwell, good to have you on board. I’m terribly sorry for the treatment you’ve had to receive here, however, I must say that you are quite a handful when drunk."

Violet eyes widened under dark brows, "Who are you?" he asked in an informal tone. The simple feel of the room set him off, and he became very shifty. He paced a bit in his cell, looking around just a bit, and shuddering.

"Who am I? Don’t tell me you got no call yesterday? Messages were sent by fax, mail, E-mail, and phone. You didn’t get any of them? Of course not, I suppose, you were out having a party. And what a display you five made! A couple of days and you think all you’re responsibilities are over…kids."

"What are you talking about? Responsibilities are over! The war is over! It has to be. It was on the news…the politicians meeting?"

"Do you always believe the media, son?"

Duo stopped in his tracks. What did they mean by this, what was going on? "I saw it broadcasted for many days, sir," he stated swallowing, "Are you telling me that none of this is true?"

"It was a ploy, Maxwell! We got everyone to believe that there are no more attacks being made by other colonies and forces to make them stand down. Soon however, they’re going to find out that there is no actual peace now, and they’re going to go to war. Before they do, we must take out all ammunition so that this may not start again. We’re going to make the colonies stop fighting, even if it takes us all our strength."

"Make them start peace?" The American’s voice was low and dangerous. "You are a fool. By whose orders are you having us do this? I thought everyone would have realized this by now…god, you can’t MAKE people do anything. If you shoot, they shoot back. If you blow up their base, they’ll blow up yours. It’s a cycle. Just like everything else in this hellish life. You’ll accomplish nothing!"

The scientist snorted, "I’ll be the judge of that," he stated, opening the jail cell to let the 02’ pilot out.

"Where is your logic in this, Mr. Scientist? What do you know of battles other than causing them? What do you know of suffering?" Duo breathed with labored hatred, "We have fought for peace, we have bleed for peace, and we have killed for peace, but what has it done for us? For our predicament? The battles haven’t done anything besides intimidate. It is the leaders of these worlds, of these factions, and of these colonies that must bring the peace. We were on our way," he stated coldly, "Why beat a dead horse?"

"Because we weren’t on our way, Mr. Maxwell. If everything had been so simple as you just stated, we wouldn’t be doing any of this. The colonies haven’t accepted our attempt for peace. They’ve denied it, and are bearing that arms once more."

"How do you know this?" A quiet voice asked. Duo turned around to see Quatre sitting amongst the others in a sitting room beyond the cells. It seemed as though he was the only one who had been hard to restrain…

"With all due respect, Mr. Ungaski, I don’t believe you have the evidence to support such a conclusion. How are you telling now, that the people are holding up arms? Are you video taping them at every point of the colonies? Such a method would be far too costly," the Arabian pushed his blond bangs out of his face, and walked up to where Duo stood. "To be perfectly honest with you, sir, I’m not buying any of this."

Trowa groaned in the background. Now he remembered why he never tried to get Quatre’s hopes up about these sorts of things. His amore was a very sweet person, however, we he thinks he’s right, he becomes stubborn as hell with confrontation. Call it an argumentative denial.

Wufei shared the aggravated glance that Trowa had tossed his way, rolling his eyes at the sight of Quatre acting is such an arrogant manor. "Remind me never to cross your lover," he stated, folding his arms and leaning back against the couch.

"Trowa, control him and make him stop ranting," Heero stated in monotone, as he went to grab his own lover.

The air got cooler around the room as Quatre and the scientist had their exchange. Though Mr. Ungaski had given him very plausible and logical reasons as well as proof for the fact that the peace wasn’t lasting, the tenacious Arabian refused to believe. "We’ve gone through too much for this. I won’t allow any of this to proceed," he answered, walking towards what he presumed to be the manager’s office.

The scientist exhaled slowly, and threw Trowa the fifth exasperated look that he’d gotten that day. "Go stop your lover before he does something stupid."

With a deep sigh, the European went quickly after Quatre, his nostrils beginning to flare with anger at the entire scene. "May I be the first to give an apology, Ungaski, it seems that we have quite the aggressive person on our hands."

Nodding, Mr. Ungaski turned about, doing more of his work that had been left for the couple of hours that he’d been talking to 02’ and 04’. Through all the verbal beatings he had gotten from that aristocrat, however, he was still more haunted by the physical assault he’d gotten into with a certain longhaired American.

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"What the hell were you thinking?" Trowa asked, in a quiet, but dangerous voice. "Give it up Quatre. We all wanted peace, but it’s not happening. It was all a false alarm. You know as well as I do that the colonies don’t always want to accept the peace that they could find. They still haven’t realized it all. Let go!"

His smaller lover refused to be caught, and refused to listen to reason. He knew in his own mind that there was peace, and he would do all that he could to find it. "I’m not letting go of anything Trowa. This is too important. We still have peace in our hands!"

"The peace tactics have FAILED, Quatre!"

"You believe him? How can you? You saw just what I did. There were people rejoicing in the streets Trowa. They were happy. We were happy. I’m not going to let go of it for his lies!"

"And what reason would he have to lie? Have you ever thought about that."

Quatre turned around wildly, his blue eyes blazing. "All I know is that I can’t trust a man who would trick a people into peace. We should have a chance to turn things right without all this bloodshed. Haven’t you been listening?" Quatre took a deep breath, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Duo was right," he whispered, "You can’t achieve peace through more bloodshed."

"Blood is going to be spilled either way. The colonies are either going to blow the other forces up, or they’re going to blown up by us. Either way there is going to be death."

The Arabian stopped completely in his tracks, looking downward towards his lover. "Then what is the point in us interfering? Why do they need us, if destruction isn’t going to be stopped anyway?" More tears rolled down the blond’s cheeks, "Why can’t we just go home?"

Trowa’s eyes narrowed in anger. His lover’s selfishness truly surprised him this time. To think that Quatre would stop protecting the citizens just so that he could go home to his family. Everyone wanted to go back to whatever they called home, but none of them had homes right now. They were fighting the army men to allow the citizens to have homes, and he would let innocent bystanders who had never even asked for a war in their lands to be killed.

"Typical," Trowa stated bitterly, "You know, many of the people we came across during this war thought you were to weak to handle the pressures of fighting. I always stuck up for you, thinking that I knew the truth. But now, Quatre, I see that they were right." With that, the European pilot left, leaving his lover with the coldest of all feelings: rejection.

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For thirty days, Quatre had been stumbling about the new safe house. His soft eyes had become hardened, and a heavy weight was bearing on his shoulders. It was most obvious to Duo that his little friend was feeling very guilty. Make no mistake about it though, the little blond had gotten a hold of himself, and even gave everyone a deep apology for all of his arguments and anger. Still, as the Arabian walked around doing his simple tasks, and especially during the missions, he was so miserable that within every one of his steps, you could tell that he cared no longer for personal being. No matter how much you encouraged him, there was still that dead look in his eyes. And more than that, it was quite easily to tell that the others were discouraged as well. This home had turned into one of depressive thoughts and pain. Something had to be done about it; at least a little thing had to be fixed.

"Trowa?" Duo asked, as Quatre walked out of the room.

"Hm?"

"What did you say to him?"

The European sighed, putting his paper down, and staring after his love. "Something I shouldn’t have," he admitted, "I’m going to go talk to him Duo. Watch the stove."

Duo nodded, watching the tall pilot go down the shadowed hallway. With a shake of his head, he turned his sorrowful eyes towards Heero. "Why couldn’t this have all ended?" he asked drearily. "I hate all of this."

"I know, love, I know." Heero rubbed his koi’s shoulders, kneading at the knots and the stress. "You truly do know the reasons though. The people are not ready to forgive and forget. They are not willing to give up, and so we fight, just like we always have." The Japanese pilot stared off into the distance, going seemingly, a million miles away. "Peace is the hardest of all things to achieve, even though it’s important. All people of the colonies, factions, and the earth must realize what we as gundam pilots already have: that peace is worth risking for."

"And that war sucks?" Duo asked, looking up at his lover with the barest of teasing smiles.

"That too."

The darkness soon surrounded the quiet house, wrapping around their souls and ending yet another sorrowful day. And the next day would they wake up to more missions and more of that solder’s blood on their hands to intensify all the pain. Again and again would this go on, make no mistake. Souls will be crushed, innocence lost, and even more lives created in vain until the greatest of all days some. Until that day when all realize truths of their own mortality.