"Well, I suggest you hurry. This�" he paused looking for the word, "is something you have to see."

Gracefully, (well, as graceful as a five ton Gundam can be) I landed beside Duo's suit. At first, I didn't notice anything unusual. There were the typical sphere-shaped structures, the densely compacted living quarters, and beyond the hills, I saw the solar array panels glinting from the sun. Then I noticed it. Shimmering like the rarest of gems, in the light of the moon, on the clearest of nights. Translucent, it seemed to invite me to touch it.

"What is that?" I asked, my eyes stunned by the spectacle.

"Now, aren't you glad I called you?" Duo asked, a hint of cockiness in his tone.

I shrugged the massive shoulders of my suit. A very human gesture. "Why don't we take a closer look?" I offered. Slowly, Duo and I lowered the secondary exits of our Gundams. Reluctantly, I swaggered down the ramp, my impatience growing with each step. Finally, when I was at a safe distance, I jumped to the ground. There, I joined Duo in person. The shadows of our Gundams loomed over us, shielding us from the brilliant rays of the sun, and illuminating the phenomenon in front of us.

"I don't know about you, but I'm not standing here all day. How about that closer look?" Duo chortled and headed toward the shimmering substance (if you wanted to give it a label). It looked like water that had been disturbed by a pebble.

Quickly, I sped up to get ahead of Duo. Without a hint of hesitation, I reached my hand out to the phenomenon and was shocked when the substance first pulled at my hand, and then at my body. Soon I was inside the shimmering substance. The constant rippling effect distorted my vision; Duo remained a vague form on the other side. I started to call to him, but my voice made no sound within the substance. He must have heard something because the next thing I knew was that he was beside me wearing his classic "shocked" expression.

Suddenly, the shimmering substance around us began to lose its translucence. It became thick, so thick, it was unbearable. I could no longer move my body freely. For the first time in my life, I feared what would happen next. How could I have been so foolish as to allow myself into this situation? I deserved whatever fate I faced. Still, why does it have to end this way?

Then, wonderfully, the translucence returned and the thickness drew away from my body. The luminosity it produced faded, and soon it was gone. It took me a few moments to realize the phenomenon that had shimmered invitingly to me was wholly gone. This left us alone under the strength of the sun. The sun?! I turned around, knowing what to expect. Our Gundams were gone.

"Where are we?" Duo asked, obviously ahead of me. He was calm, almost impervious to the recent events.

Looking around I noticed what he hadn't missed. The sphere-shaped structures were gone, so were the living quarters, and solar arrays. There was nothing behind us but vegetation. Where had it gone? "I don't understand," I thought aloud.

"Me either, but I think we ought to look around."

It was quite some time before we reached anything resembling civilization, if you could call it that. The buildings were primitive, and not even energy effective. I wondered if they met up to regulation code. Most likely, they were unregistered. However, the people were every where. Children ran about the streets and laughed. It was a pleasant sight. One, I think I will treasure. In a way, I always hoped that when I have children they would be able to play as these could.

"So serene, I don't mind this change at all," Duo sighed, and then took a deep breath. The air was so fresh. Everything was deficient compared to the standards I believed in�and yet, everything was perfect.

I noticed a girl, about my age, looking at me from the windows of one of the buildings. She smiled at me and I stifled a blush. I hoped that Duo hadn't seen.

"Well, well, well�don't waste any time at all, do you Heero?"

I didn't say anything, but I could still feel that girl's eyes following me. We rounded a corner and headed on to a "Coventry St." according to the sign. They still used signs here? How quaint. Unlike me, Duo loved attention. The girls that flashed hopeful glances in his direction were rewarded with warm laughs and flattered waves. On occasion, I've known him to purposely stumble over his words. He feigns being nervous, which is a pathetic but effective way to get the girl.

Duo is a starry-eyed heartthrob. He thrives on affection, although he is quite good at hiding it. However, the glow in his eyes illustrates his heart when he is truly enjoying something. Girls, Duo thoroughly enjoyed.

"Excuse me," I began confidently to a girl I had spotted in the street, "where are we?"

"Well, right now you're in Bromandine, just west of Shire," she smiled. I must admit, she had a nice smile.

"Okay, what time is it?" I fumbled.

"11:35," she answered glancing at her wrist. What a primitive device! I imagine it even ticked.

"Thank you," I chuckled.

"What are you laughing about?" She asked, slightly defensive.

"Nothing, just my friend Duo," I shrugged grabbing Duo's arm and pulling him beside me.

"Nice meeting you Duo," The girl greeted. "I'm Samantha."

"Samantha..." he allowed the name to roll off of his tongue, "that is a very nice name." There we have it, Duo's classic 'aren't I cute?' act.

"Yes it is. I am Heero," I offered.

"Thank you, Duo," The girl stammered. My attempt to distract her was ineffective. Duo had her hooked. She was transfixed and I was left annoyed.

"So, are you two lost?" the girl asked with an obvious far-away look claiming her face. She gazed steadily into Duo's affluent blue eyes.

"Not anymore," Duo answered coyly.

"What is with the old buildings?" I inquired, breaking Duo's spell.

"Old?" she laughed. "These are top of the line, brand new, models! They won't have anything better for years!"

"I've seen better, much better. That, my dear, is an understatement," Duo added, still using a little of his typical relishing tone. "Where are the solar arrays? The Geodesic offices? Where are they?"

The girls seemed confused, "The Geodesic energy saving methods?" she asked finally.

"Yes," I responded.

"You boys must have hit your heads! That method is still a theory; there haven't even been any prototypes. Listen to you, geodesic offices?"

With that, she walked away. After a few steps, she turned around. I guess she felt our eyes trailing her, or maybe she just liked Duo.

"Can you tell me what the year is?" Duo inquired. I realized then how much I had underestimated him. Duo was ahead of the game, and I was left picking up streamers.

"August 17, 2000."

We stood there, jaws gaping, and our minds empty of all thought. 2000? How? What in the world has happened? Time traveling? Impossible. Yet, it must be possible. It happened. Duo stammered a few syllables, and some distant part of my mind was amused. He was rarely speechless.

"What's wrong? Are you sick?" Samantha asked, suddenly concerned.

"No, we're fine. 2000? Are you sure?" I asked her rapidly.

"Well, considering it is August, I think so."

"Listen, you may not believe us but we're not from this time," I sputtered.

"You must be sick! Maybe you should see a doctor," she began backing away from us.

"What if I told you, that I could prove it?" Duo countered.

"Well, for you, I might listen. Let me take you back to my house."

"Great," I muttered. We followed Samantha for quite some time. I was amazed she was willing to walk so far. Duo, like a puppy, walked steadily behind her. Occasionally, he would flatter her with coy remarks, which were rewarded with smiles and periodic laughter. She seemed apprehensive and he was determined to put her at ease.

"It is almost like walking through a museum here," I remarked. "Look at this place, geometric units! I have read about things like this. I imagine you even have chemical engines!" I couldn't help but start laughing. I think I was nervous, and maybe a little lonely. Duo was preoccupied and I had nothing to distract myself with outside of the scenery. So, I did my very best to interrupt them.

"Imagine that..." Duo trailed distantly.

Sometimes, I wonder if life is really some game that some unearthly beings are playing. Are "they" spinning a wheel for a number of moves and then laughing at the results? I imagine I would be. I would be in hysterics at the spin that landed my characters in this predicament. Imagine you are thrown into a past that is antique to you. With things you're friends laughed about in grade school. Imagine actual ticking watches! Chemical engines! I bet they even go to gas stations!

We followed Samantha through a labyrinth of streets and passed several "houses", as she called them. Along the way, I couldn't help but notice all the wildlife! There were ducks and their ducklings, muskrats, geese, squirrels, and so many other creatures. This serene scene of the past, perhaps things were not so terrible. What if we could not get back though? What if we were forced to live our lives here? Back home, in out time, people needed us. We were Gundam pilots. We directed the assaults on the forces that threatened our fragile balance. Without us, who would tip the scale?

"No one is home, so please, make yourselves comfortable," Samantha began as she opened the door and for Duo and myself. Duo, walked along without his usual grace. He sauntered about as if he were in a perpetual daze. I knew where his daze was. And then�I saw her�

All my years of training have taught me never to show emotion. I've been taught to kill and never to salvage. I can't begin to explain what ran through my head. Instantly, this unknown person was more of a threat to me than something to captivate my interest. So, inanely, I put up a tough front. I stared her down and dared her to speak.

"This is my sister, Rachel," Samantha said, finally breaking the silence. Duo raised his eyebrows at me a few times and I couldn't help but grin.

Training soon took over and I allowed my grin to fade.

"Nice meeting you--" she paused waiting for a response.

"Heero," Duo supplied nudging my ribs roughly with his elbow, an obvious action that made me want to hide.

"Heero," Rachel recovered.

"Yes, nice meeting you," I responded, my voice taking matters into its own hands. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't stop myself from answering her. Why?!

After a few moments of awkward greetings, Samantha sat down in front of a piano. An actual piano with strings! Strings that needed to be tuned! However, I must say, the sound it made was far richer than any piano I had ever heard. She played masterfully. I'm not sure what it was, but it made me feel like everything was going to be okay. In a way, it took away my edginess. It made me relax, and that was something I was taught never to allow. The sound faded like a fragrance on a soft breeze...and then, she stopped.

"Want to try it Duo? I can teach you some stuff," she offered scooting over. Now, if she knew anything about Duo she would have known what a wonderful musician lurked behind those cool, perceptive eyes. I've spent hours listening to Duo. He is positively enthralling.

"Well, I'm not nearly as good as you, but I can play," he smiled and then added, "At least a little bit."

"I shall let the master take his throne then," Samantha teased.

With that Duo took a seat. He sat for a moment thinking of a song that was fitting to play. The music flowed evenly, and the music brought what was considered the "future" here, back to me. If only, for a moment. Samantha and Rachel were awestruck. The music, they had never heard the likes of. I imagine how it must have seemed to them. Duo was nothing-special back home among the expert musicians there, at least not anything special to them--to me--a person who was utterly tone deaf--he was amazing.

"Duo, well...I..." Samantha stammered.

"It was nothing, you should here the people back home!"

I think it was at that moment that it dawned on Samantha who we really were. She believed it and I could see it in her eyes. For a second, I understood what it must have been like to be watching this, and believing it. We were from the future. Which meant we time traveled...something that is as physically impossible to us as it is to them. However, I have always believed that things don't always need to make sense. You cannot make everything a science.

Rachel was everything I thought she'd be at first glance...and something more. It almost seemed like an aurora surrounded both she and Samantha. They were rare. So rare, I'd bet my life we'd never meet a pair like them again. I wondered how I could have such strong feelings for someone that I just met. I wondered how they could trust us so readily. Maybe not everything has to make sense. Nothing so far has.

Later that night Rachel and Samantha's mother fixed us a place to sleep. I'm not sure what was said to convince their mom that we were not bad, all I know is that we ended up in a cozy room with a nice place to rest. I stayed awake for sometime, Duo on the opposite side of the room we weren't talking. We had too much to think about to talk. A brief image of Rachel flashed before my eyes. I had the strangest feeling that maybe she was on the other side of the door, but I just smiled and closed my eyes. Tomorrow, I though...and then sleep came...

Waking up early has been something I have been trained to do. Sleep, to be honest, is a luxury. You need it�yes�but not as much as some individuals (who have the audacity to call themselves intelligent) say you do. I awoke early, as usual. 'Earlier than God,' as Duo says. The first thing I noticed was the eerie colors that seeped through the curtains and some from under the door. I was amazed to discover that someone else, aside from me, was awake. I could hear them moving about in another room. Duo lay on the floor periodically mumbling inaudible words. I held back a laugh. There were only a few things that made me laugh, but Duo's mumbling would drive the speechless monks of my day into a hysterical laughing fit.

I carefully folded up my bedding; I was silent as a predator in the night. I didn't want to wake Duo, not because he needed his beauty rest...I plotting something. Something Devious. I dug into the pocket of the coat I'd been wearing the day before and pulled out a small silver cylinder of a sticky substance that we called sludge. It was a concoction Trowa, a friend of ours, made on accident. We still aren't sure what is in it.

I carefully opened the cylinder and balanced precariously over Duo. If I so much as flinched I would have tripped over him.

"HEEEEERO!" Duo yelled triumphantly, both startling me and making me lose my balance, and the proceeding to laugh. It was a belly laugh. One of those laughs you know must hurt and yet feel good all at once. We fought a bit for control of the cylinder. He was awake the whole time, I thought.

"Give it to--" at that moment, the cylinder, the rumbling, and the laughter stopped. Both Rachel and Samantha were in the doorway and they were laughing harder than I have ever seen anyone laugh. I was embarrassed and yet proud that I had created such a reaction--well Duo created it actually. With that Samantha walked in, stunning Duo who had control of the cylinder, took it gingerly out of his hands and proceeded to spill a little on Rachel. Rachel was still laughing so it took her a few minutes to realize what Samantha had done. So, with a casual feigned chuckle she snatched the cylinder from Samantha and poured a little on her. They both began laughing again with that feigned laughter. Ah, a sisterly bond, I thought.

Duo was literally rolling on the floor, unable to control himself. Samantha looked at Rachel, and Rachel looked back at Samantha. Rachel then handed the cylinder to Samantha who poured a little more on Duo. Duo realized what was happening and snatched the tube back from Samantha. He began running through the house, away from the girls.

This was followed by a series of wild laughter from Duo, a few mocking attempts from me and it ended in Duo and myself smeared with more sludge than the girls. Poor Rachel looked as if she'd die of laughter. She fell on the floor, out of breath, Samantha struggled to help her up and fell beside her--they both then began again laughing hysterically. For the first time in as long as I can think of...I was having a wonderful time. I was having fun. I tried to help Rachel up and when I did I unconsciously hugged her, but she let me. Still holding on to her, sludge all over her and myself, I was vaguely worried that Duo had been watching...but when I looked over there...all I saw was the back of his head. Looking down at Rachel, I realized I was perfectly head and shoulders taller than her. Taking advantaged of the moment...I pulled away from her and took her hand, we went into another room...leaving Duo and Samantha alone.