*sigh* Since Lara’s been bugging me so much to get this next part out I decided to pile up on the caffeine and work through the night on it. I suggest you read Just Another Phase and all the rest of that series before reading this continuation or you’ll be kinda lost, trust me. Song lyrics are Can you stand the rain by……someone who’s not me.

Warnings: Um…I dunno, religious quotes? Is that supposed to be included in a warning? 2xH pairing but you’d know that from the previous chapters. Sappy mushy junk? Angst? *sigh* Look, just read will ya?

Disclaimer: Don’t own ‘em. Surprise.

The soft patter of raindrops echoed in the bedroom where Hilde lay, curled against Duo’s chest, fast asleep and dreaming dreams he could only hope to be a part of. A hazy humidity had infiltrated the room and it prevented Duo from succumbing to the sandman, the same as Hilde. He didn’t mind though. He was content to just watch the rise and fall of his sleeping companion’s chest. Duo gently stroked the smooth skin of Hilde’s back as she slept, marveling at the softness, the texture of the creamy flesh, the warmth that even now exuded from her body and enveloped him in a feeling of quiet security. No matter where he was, Hilde always made him feel safe.

::On a perfect day

I know I can count on you

When that's not possible

Tell me can you weather the storm::

He was surprised that she let him come back to their house after he was released from the hospital. He had thought the she would kick him out after the way he’d been treating her. But she put up a terrific argument when he’d suggested staying at a hotel until he got back on his feet. Duo grinned in the darkness, remembering the way his tiny girlfriend threatened to shoot him if he so much as thought about staying somewhere besides their home. She’d even ordered Quatre to get some of his Maguanac flunkies to stand guard outside his hospital room, just in case he planned on escaping before his scheduled release. His Hilde was certainly something else.

::'Cause I need somebody

Who will stand by me

Through the good times and bad times

She will always, always be right there::

Duo sighed and brushed his fingers over the top of Hilde’s head, loving the way that her silky black curls clung to his fingers. Hilde stirred a bit at the touch and he stayed still until she settled deeper against him with a sigh. He was so glad that she loved him, wanted him, wanted to be with him. But he couldn’t imagine why? Hadn’t he shown her how unworthy he was of her love? Hadn’t he told her about all of the horrible things he did? And yet, she didn’t seem to care that Duo was a walking death sentence. In fact she tried to tell him that it wasn’t his fault. Duo was having trouble believing her. The things she said made sense but Duo couldn’t let go of all that guilt so quickly. He’d carried it around for far too long to just drop it. But he knew that if she kept arguing the point he’d cave eventually. His Hilde never lost an argument. Not if she could help it.

::Sunny days

Everybody loves them

Tell me

Can you stand the rain?::

Duo listened to the soft whisper of Hilde’s gentle breathing and smiled when she snuggled closer in his arms, nestling her face into his chest, totally secure in the knowledge that he loved her and would be with her when the morning came. Duo wished he felt that secure. But he’d been through too much to trust so completely. Everyone he got close to was taken away from him somehow. He couldn’t help but think that Hilde might be taken away as well. Or that she would just get fed up with him and his stupid problems and leave for someone less messed up than he was. Maybe someone like Quatre. Heavens knew that he’d be a better choice for Hilde. Hell, almost anyone would be better choice than Duo. How could a perfect goddess like Hilde even stand to look at him without cringing in disgust?

::Storms will come

This we know for sure

Can you stand the rain?::

Outside the storm clouds gathered and thunder rumbled in the distance. The rainfall increased in pace and the steady drum was less then gentle. A sudden streak of lightning illuminated the room for an instant and the echoing crash of thunder caused Hilde to moan softly, frowning in her dreams. Duo rubbed her back soothingly and pressed soft kisses on her temple until she relaxed. His arms tightened around her, as if to keep her safe from the storm. He knew that in this instant he would do anything at all to protect this woman. It didn’t matter what he had to do. And it didn’t matter if she didn’t feel the same way about him. All he wanted was to have her, safe in his arms, for all time.

::Love unconditional

I'm not asking this of you

We've got to make it last

I'll do whatever needs to be done

Can you stand the rain::

The storm was passing. The thunder was getting fainter and fainter. Duo had no idea of how long he’d stayed awake. Time had no meaning, here in this house. This was the place where he belonged. This was his haven.

‘No,’ Duo corrected himself. ‘Hilde is my haven. And I want to stay with her. No matter what.’

Of course, there was still the whole issue of whether Hilde wanted him or not. She said she did. Many times. But he wasn’t exactly sure if she knew what she was getting herself into. Being a Gundam pilot meant that he would always be leaving on missions, always be putting himself and her at risk, always have the guilt of being a murderer hanging over his head. This was a war that needed to be fought. But that was no reason to drag a sweet kid like Hilde into it.

‘She should be free to live a normal life.’

::No pressure

No pressure

From me baby::

Duo wished that there were magic words he could say to end the war and solve his problems. But that would be far too easy.

‘I guess nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight. And I’m gonna fight for ya Hilde. I just wish I had a sign that I was doing the right thing.’

Duo rubbed the tiny gold cross that Father Maxwell had given him so long ago. It had always been a symbol for him. Of hope, faith, something to fight for. It was a talisman, protection against a dark fear that he could not name, but that has always been with him.

‘I wonder what they would say…Father Maxwell and Sister Helen…what would they say if I asked them about Hilde?’

Duo could picture them in his mind’s eye, safe and whole. He imagined their answers if he asked them…

‘But what about my curse? Death can only bring death to others.’

::Cause I want you

And I need you

And I love you::

Duo chuckled softly.

‘Alright, alright. I’ll stick with her. Just stop quoting scripture at me.’

Duo blinked and saw the soft rays of sunlight peeking through the window.

‘ ’S funny. I don’t remember dozing off.’

Hilde sighed and shifted in Duo’s arms. Remembering his decision last night, Duo smiled and cradled her tightly against him.

::Will you be there for me?

Can you stand the rain::

‘I’m counting on you, Hilde. Just don’t let me down. ‘Cause it’s really hard to trust. But I’ll try hard to be everything you need. I’m not running away anymore. My home, my heart, is here with you.’

::Will you be there for me?

Can you stand the rain::

Owari.

Well? Too mushy? Not mushy enough? Sequel? ‘Cause I can draw this out for as long as I can ^__^ REVIEW!

Cherry Blossom