Heero watched Duo from the dark shade of the trees. The American was sitting on the sand, looking out at the setting sun. His gold/brown braid hung loosely down the back of his priest-like garb and a smile was sparkling on his face. Not the fake, too bright, grins he gave his comrades every day, but a real smile that glowed in his eyes and melted Heero's heart.

 The Japanese pilot held his breath at the sight. What was it about this boy that called to him? He couldn't seem to get the braided baka off of his mind, watching him was becoming a habit, that was unwise, habits were weaknesses. The pilot starred in his deepest dreams, his only dreams. The perfect soldier was not supposed to dream at all, or to feel for that matter, but he did, for Duo. His eyes shined to match the American's and he tried to memorize every part of his partner. This is too much! I shouldn't be here.

 He started to leave but just then the smile turned his way, "Heero?" The warmth in those eyes wasn't made up or acted out, it came from the heart of him. "Heero! Come join me!"

 No matter how many times it was turned on him, he could never resist that smile. Heero walked slowly over and sat down beside Duo, his mask firmly in place, hiding his yearning heart.

 "Isn't Earth amazing?" The braided boy asked, watching the bright glowing orb fall into the waves. "I think the people who live here forget how amazing it is at times."

 "Aa." Heero said, not caring either way as long as Duo was with him.

 It was a perfect moment, one of those times that you just wish you could freeze and set in a snow-globe to keep with you forever.

 The American didn't speak after that. He didn't say a word, just watched the sky before them. Duo yawned and slowly Heero wrapped his arm around the boy, drawing him closer to let him rest his head on his shoulder. It was the logical thing to do. Yeah, right Yuy. He thought to himself, Like you don't adore the feel of him in your arms.

 Duo relaxed and even lay in Heero's embrace. He melted closer to his partner and the smile never faltered. Everything was peaceful, everything seemed perfect. Heero almost blurted out his feelings for the American pilot, but his even breathing stopped him. The boy had fallen asleep safe in his arms.

 His heart felt full almost to breaking point. This was all he ever needed. Just Duo. Nothing else mattered to him at this moment; not the war, not Relena Peacecraft or the scientists and the damn mission. All that mattered was that Duo was here with him. And that he trusted him enough to fall asleep against his shoulder.

 Heero stood and cradled Duo in his arms as he walked back to their current hideout. The boy weighed close to nothing! He was definitely one of the lightest Gundam pilots in their group, no matter how much he ate he never gained a pound. The Japanese pilot gently lay his friend down on the single bed they were sharing this time and removed his shoes and socks. He pulled Duo's favorite cap from his head and eased off his shirt. As he moved to the pants though, Duo opened sleep filled eyes and looked up at Heero with a cute, foggy  expression on his handsome face. Heero felt his heart miss a beat or two. "It's ok Duo, I am here. Go back to sleep."

 "‘k." He sighed and closed his eyes again, falling deeper into slumber.

 Heero pulled the pants off and left him in his boxer shorts, then he glanced once at his laptop. He knew he should be checking for new missions but no, not tonight, tonight there was only Duo. He could not afford to be sentimental very often, so when he had the chance, the perfect soldier made the best of it.  He stripped down to his briefs and pulled on a pair of sweat shorts then climbed into bed beside his friend and shut off the light.

 Duo instantly curled around the warmth Heero offered. His head rested on Heero's shoulder, the Japanese pilot pulled the black ribbon out from the thick braid and ran his fingers through the silken mass, un-weaving it so that it fell in glorious waves over his arm. Duo smiled in his sleep and threw his arm across Heero's chest to seek out his hand, entwining his fingers with the other boys. He moved his leg to rest between his Heero's thighs and Heero both groaned and gloried at the wonderful feelings running through him.

 The American was a cuddle bug. Heero had found that out the first time they had shared a bed on a mission. The moment he was asleep, the boy would curl into whoever else was near and tangle himself with them. Heero didn't mind this though, truth be told, so was he. The training had taken that from him, but with Duo his humanity came back to him. He loved to hold Duo close each night, and secretly waited for the missions that would cause them to share a bed like this if only to hold the other boy close and watch his foggy, morning smile when he awoke.

 Burying his face in the pillow near Duo's, Heero smiled and fell asleep, he knew what dreams waited for him. Dreams of Duo and of him. Of them, together. Just sharing time with each other, it didn't matter where they were or what they did. No missions incoming, no reason to hide his feelings. Only Duo and him and their love. Duo always loved him in his dreams. He couldn't remember when his feelings for the pilot changed from friendship and pride in his fellow soldier, to something more, but they had and he never regretted that except at times like this when he held him but couldn't dare tell him how he felt.

What would Duo say if I told him? Would he hate me? Be disgusted by me? I can't risk losing his friendship. His friendship is all that keeps me alive at times.
 

 The next morning brought a knock on the door of the small cabin, and Duo woke up to the slowly focusing image of Heero's face, watching him. He smiled at the image and the image smiled back. Duo almost went into shock! Heero Yuy smiled! At him! God he's gorgeous in the morning! The American thought wistfully. The knock sounded again and Duo jumped and fell off of the tiny mattress.

 Heero looked over the edge at him, and Shinigami's pilot grinned up at his friend's incredulous look, "Oh like you've never fallen out of bed before Yuy."

 The knock came again and Duo rolled his eyes and picked up his gun, "Who knows we're here?"

 "No one."

 "That's what I thought." He crept to the door and swung it wide open, aiming the gun at the person outside.

 Relena stared at him over the gun's barrel.

 "Oh! Ohayo Ojousan!" He grinned and wiggled his fingers at her and lowered the pistol.

 She tried to look right through him, the American brought her defenses up for some
reason. She did not like him at all. He was to childish to pilot in her opinion.  "Heero?"

 "Hai?" he asked her glaring from behind the braided boy.

 She squealed and glomped onto him.

 Heero looked up at Duo and tried to pry the woman off of him. His eyes flashed and Duo
quickly pulled Relena away and settled her on the sofa, knowing that no matter if she could bring
peace or not, Heero was ready to kill her.

 "Hey Ojousan. What brings you here?"

 "I came to speak to Heero."

 "We're a team Ojousan, you have a mission?"

 "It's private."

 "The mission?"

 "No the conversation." She snubbed him, "Please leave."

 Heero looked at Relena as if she was a fly in his soup. "No."

 "What?"

 "Duo is not leaving."

 "Oh, right Heero," He grinned and stretched, "ok." The boy went artfully boneless and
flopped  down onto the middle of the couch. Relena tried to edge as far back from the grinning
boy as she could and Duo rolled his eyes, Oh come on, you can't be any subtler than that?

 "What?"

 Duo snickered, "I don't have the plague or anything."

 She sniffed regally and looked up as Heero settled himself on Duo's other side, so close
they were almost thigh to thigh. That angered her for some odd reason. Duo was ecstatic! He
smiled at Heero and mouthed ‘thank you'.

 Heero nodded slightly.

 They spoke of missions and of possible tasks in the future and the day slipped away,
Relena just could not take a hint and she followed them out to work on the Gundams, even
offered to cook dinner (Though with Duo the only alternative, they let her cook gladly), she
seemed determined to stay as long as she could.

 Finally Heero had had enough, "Relena."

 "Heero?"

 "We are in the middle of an important assignment Relena." Heero said in a monotone
drawl, "You should leave."

 "But I just found you!"

 "And you will no doubt find me again." His face was almost comical with disgust as he
said that. Duo tried hard not to laugh.

 "Well . . ." Remarkably she left without much of a fight, "Ok Heero. If you want."

 "I do."

 "Alright then, until next time!" She smiled and skipped out, closing the door behind her.

 Duo couldn't help it anymore, he had to let out the laughter.
 
 

 Once she was gone Heero almost sighed with relief. As it was he melted back into the
couch, his taunt muscles releasing. Damn woman! Why is she always following me? Obsessive
witch! When Duo started to laugh Heero turned to him and his breath caught in his throat. But I
would put up with Relena Peacecraft a thousand times over to hear him laugh like that.

 "Oi! Heero! She's like Mary's little lamb!" Duo chuckled, "Heero had a little boss, her
hair was blond as wheat. She followed him ‘round everywhere, thought he was pretty neat. She
got too nosy then one day, and fate she was cruel, Relena then got blown away for being such a
fool." He laughed again at the silly rhyme.

 Heero fought his smile and instead just leaned over the boy and said, "Omae o koruso."

 "Yeah, sure,  bet you say that to all the pilots." Duo quipped then froze. Oh gods why did I say that!

 Any thought of smiling left as Heero's face froze. He looked at Duo with eyes that were
blank even as his heart was threatening to break free of his chest. Is he flirting with me?

 "Oi, Heero man I. . ." The flustered teen babbled.

 ". . . Duo . . ."

 "Hm?"

 ". . . I. . . . . ." With a growl of frustration he got up and walked into the bedroom, slamming the door.

 "Heero?" Duo followed him.

 "Go away." Heero growled from the bed.

 "Ok Heero, I'm going." Duo sounded hurt and Heero had to fight himself as he listened to
the silence.

 <Go after him!> A part of him he had thought long gone screamed. A young boy with
blue eyes and deep brown hair. A boy who had cried for people who died because of him. The
part of Heero Yuy that could still feel.

 <<He is a liability>> The soldier reminded.

 <He is joy! He makes you smile, he makes you feel. . .>

 <<Feelings are a weakness!>>

 <Feelings are a blessing>

 <<He isn't even a female!>>

 <That doesn't matter when you're in love.>

 <<Love? What does a soldier know about love?!>>

 <More than the soldier cares to admit.>

 Heero shut both voices up and buried his face in Duo's pillow, wishing it was the pilot
that he held.

 A soft, fluffy thing was pressed to his arm.

 "Wha. . . Duo!"

 Duo offered his ragged teddy bear to Heero again and smiled sadly, "I. . . I wanted you to
have this." He said softly, then trying to lighten the mood he grinned, "Tell anyone about it and
I'll have to kill you." The grin faded as suddenly as it came, "I know it's a little childish but. . .
hugging something always made it easier for me to sleep."

 Heero searched those violet eyes then nodded and held the rag bear to his chest, breathing in the scent of Duo's life and memories off of the old, age worn cloth. I'm glad only Duo is here to see this. If it was anyone else I would never live it down.

 "I'm not really sure what you want from me Heero, but I will always be here if you need to talk ok?"

 Heero nodded slightly and Duo sighed, "I'll sleep on the couch tonight. . ."

 "No!" Heero turned suddenly to face him.

 "What?"

 "Please. . . stay with me." His eyes were still hard but there was a different kind of
glimmer to them. A need. Duo nodded and climbed in beside him, cuddling the boy to him with
reassuring words and hugs. "Thank you Duo."

 "‘s nothing Heero." He murmured.
 
 

 Duo fought back tears as he held the sleeping boy close. All I ever wanted or needed is
right here and he doesn't even know it. I don't dare to tell him in case in doing so I lose
everything. I can live with only friendship if that's all he wants to give, or can give me. But God
knows I love him enough to do anything for him. "I'm here Heero." He whispered, "You will
never be alone again."
 
 

The other pilots met them in their Gundams that night.

 "Duo, Heero." Quatre greeted them from the cockpit of sandrock, "How are you?"

 "Ready to fry some Leos Quatre man!" Duo laughed and fired up his thermal scythe.

 "Heero?" Trowa asked.

 "Let's do it."

 "Justice will be done." WuFei grinned and the five made their way to the near by Oz base
and mobile suit plant.

 Heero shouted out commands. "Duo you attack by the sea side, the underwater Cancer
and Pisces facilities."

 "Hai." He grinned.

 Heero traced the boy's face on his monitor then got back to buisness. "Trowa, Quatre,
you take out the base itself on my signal."

 "Hai."

 "WuFei, the barracks and their facilities."

 "Hai."

 "I will sneak into the base and copy down their protocal files before spreading the virus
through their systems, when you see the explosion, my job is done. Then you take the base out."

 "Hai." They all answered.

 "Be careful." Duo added when the others had closed the com line. "No self destructing
this time ok?"

 "I can give you no guarantees Duo."

 "Then promise me you'll do your best."

 Heero felt his chest constrict at the thought of never seeing Duo again. "I will do my
best." He promised, "If you do the same."

 "Always man!" Duo grinned then and veered off toward his destination.

 Heero dropped his Gundam in the forest and camoflauged it well, then ran into the chaos
his friends were creating. With all of the commotion, no one noticed an extra soldier.

 He slid into the main computer room and sat down crouched in a corner with his laptop.
The screen flashed as he typed in a string of commands. Come on! Go through! Finally it flashed
green and a message appeared, ‘Download complete in five minuets.' Heero peeked up around
the room but saw no one. He started to wire the explosives. When he returned to the computer it
was blinking again, ‘download complete.'

 Initiate virus sequence code. . . Heero commanded.

 ‘Viral code jammed.'

 "Kuso!" He typed in a few minor key codes and opened up the virus itself, Damn What is
wrong?! Ah! He quickly disposed of the bug and uploaded the virus into Oz main computer
banks. Based on an old twentieth century model, the virus would travel through any connection
to an Oz computer and wipe the hard drive completely clean as well as deleting all software in a
two kilometer radius.

 Heero shut down his computer then and slipped out of the room. Moving fast and stealthy
he made it outside with no incidence. Once outside though he found himself in the path of a
huge seeker missel. He watched wide eyed as it got closer, "Duo, I'm sorry."

 "NO!" Heero snapped his head around toward the sound and found Duo barreling toward
the missel. What he saw next paralyzed him with fear. The American threw his gundam into the
missel's path and Shinigami fell with an earsplitting sound of twisting metal.

 "DUO!" Heero rushed to his friend and tore open the cockpit. Duo was inside, dangling
from his safety harnesses. His eyes were closed and his breathing was so shallow! Bruises and
blood covered his body. He was stuck, jammed and impaled on jagged pieces of metal and Heero
couldn't hope to get him out and to safety like this. He pulled out the detenator and pressed the
button. The base computer lab exploded and the others moved in for the kill.

 "Duo. . . Duo are you ok?" A worried voice came over the battered com console.

 "He's down." Heero replied.

 "Heero?! Wha. . ."

 "I'm staying with Duo, he's down. Take Wing and get out when the base is destroyed,
We will find a way to get back to you at the rendevous point or at the safe house."

 "Heero you won't. . ." Trowa started.

 "You think I will self destruct." He asked calmly, "With Duo beside me?"

 "Hai."

 "I won't." He scowled.

 Quatre nodded and the battle raged on. Meanwhile Heero worked to get Duo free. The
sharp metal had pierced through his hip, nothing vital hit with it. Ribs were broken, blood loss
was high, too high. Possibly internal injuries. Using all of the focusing techniques he had learned
as a soldier, he ignored his heart's crying and wrenched the boy free then he sat in the cockpit,
holding Duo's bleeding body.

 "Duo." He breathed, "Damn it that was a stupid stunt you pulled! Why?!" Could I still
make it to Wing with him? No. It's too bad. Maybe if we are captured, then Oz's medical teams
will be able to help him. They are better equipped than any doctors we could find. Duo, hang on
Duo. Don't die.

 "H. . . Heero?" He coughed up blood.

 Che che che!! There is internal bleeding! "Duo. I'm here." He held the boy close to him, "Hang on ok?"

 "S. . . *cough! cough! cough!*. . . sorry, Heero."

 "For what?"

 "Didn't mean to. . . ung!. . . to leave li. . . like this." He jerked in pain, "Not b. . . before I
t. . . told you. . ."

 "Don't you dare talk like that! You are a Gundam pilot, we can get through this!"

 "Hm. . ." His eyes were open just to slits and closing fast. ". . . the guys wouldn't. . . uhn.
. . wouldn't believe. . . th. . . this was you."

 "Nani?"

 "You look like you  . . . unh!. . . Like you care."

 "I do care! Damn it Duo! You're my only friend! You're more than that. If you die on me
I'll be all alone again. Please Duo, stay with me, they're coming."

 "Who?" he sounded so weak!

 "Oz."

 The boy jerked in his arms and Heero tightened his grip. "A. . . are. . .  ung!. . .you n. . .
nuts!" Duo cried, ". . . unh!. . . G. . . get out of here!"

 "I go where you go."

 "Even if I. . . nhg. . .  g. . . go to H. . . Hell?"

 "I'd follow you into the Devil's own bedchamber." Heero gave him a half smile.

 Duo managed a weak grin. "Ai shiteru Heero Yuy." He coughed, then his body went
limp.

 "DUO! NO!" Heero clutched the boy to him, will the life to stay in him. "Duo! No Duo,
don't leave me!"

 That was how Oz found him, cradleing his dying comrade, rocking him and begging him
to hold on. When they opened the hatch he nearly laughed with joy.

 "Your here! You have to help him, he's dying."

 "You are Heero Yuy." Zechs said in surprise, staring at the boy.

 "It doesn't matter who I am, please save him."

 Trieze walked forward and took in the stirring scene before him.

 Heero was at the end of his rope, "Damn it help me! I can't lose him! Not when I just
found him!"

 Trieze nodded and the men tried to take Duo.

 "No! Don't take him away." Heero moved to block them. "Tell me where to go."

 The general nodded again, at a loss for words, and motioned for the teen to follow. He was barely alive himself but he managed to walk and to hold his friend securely. He is
impressive. Trieze thought, Such depth under the perfect soldier's face.

 They entered a mobile medical lab and Heero lay Duo on the bed, when they tried to
make him leave he fought tooth and nail until they allowed him to stay, unwilling to leave his
American's side.

 Zechs and Treize watched this with interest. On all other occasions the Wing pilot had
seemed cold and hard and willing to sacrifice anything and anyone for the mission, but now. . .
he showed a different side. He cared very deeply for the American pilot. "Should we use this to our advantage?" Zechs asked, "Order him to answer our questions to save his friend?"

 "No." Trieze frowned at the thought, "He would not answer, all it would do is risk the one who might and drive the other to hate himself. My honor will not allow that."

 "Hai sir." Zechs nodded. He glanced at Trieze softly under his silver mask and smiled at his general who smiled back at him. "Such friendship is rare."

 Trieze looked at the boy hovering around the doctors as the mobile lab moved out toward
the nearest base, "Hai. Especially in a perfect soldier such as Yuy."

 "Hai."

 "Have the men salvage that mobile suit and move it to the base with the pilots." He
ordered.

 "Hai sir." Zechs turned to relay the orders and Trieze walked to one of the jeeps and rode
after the med lab and the Gundam boys who hardly seemed old enough to know such pain.
 
 

 Heero stood beside Duo the whole trip, when the doctors patched him up and cut him
open he watched in morbid facination and when they were done, and tried to make him leave,
they found themselves at the buisness end of a scalpel. "Leave me here!"

 Trieze nodded and the other men left. "I trust your honor that you will not leave him
behind."

 Heero nodded, "As I trusted yours to save him."

 "You love him very much."

 "What business is that of yours?"

 "Just curious. I had thought you without feelings." He walked up to the bed and looked at
the sleeping boy. "When he is healed they will take you and him into a cold damp cell, in his
condition, even heal as much as they will allow, he could die there."

 "Are you trying to scare me?"

 "No, but I am, I can see it in your face. Emotions being so new to you it must be very
hard for you to hide them."

 "I can not jeopardize innocent people for the sake of one no matter how dear he is to me."

 "I know." Trieze sighed, "That is why I want to help you."

 "Help me?"

 "Hai, I also love someone. . . if he were to get killed or caught, I might die of pain so I
will make you this deal. When he is able to be moved, I will cause a distraction to draw away the
guards. My. . . ahem, I mean . . .  Zechs will be waiting with the boy's Gundam, it will be
repaired by then. Get to it and get him to safety, and someday, if Zechs or I find ourselves in the
same position, you will show us the same courtisy. Deal?"

 "You are giving back Duo's Gundam?"

 "Hai, and I didn't even have the technitions copy down the plans."

 "Why?"

 "I admire what you did. You could have destroyed yourselves and the Gundam but you
choose to save your friend. That took a lot of spirit. Also I would like to have a back-up, just in
case Zechs is ever injured and I can not protect him, I truly wish him to be safe."

 Heero nodded slowly.

 "Arigato, Heero Yuy."

 "Arigato Kushrenada." Heero turned back to Duo who was hooked up to so many
different machiens he looked only half real. "Duo, we are going home Duo. Come back to me.
Wake up." He lay on the tiny medical bed beside his friend, careful not to bump anything, and
Duo once again gravitated toward his friend, entwining him in his arms.

 Zechs watched from the observation room. He knew of Trieze's plan and agreed with it.
Those two would say nothing and it seemed criminal to separate them after they had held on
together so long.

 By all medical explanation, Maxwell should have been dead, only pure force of will and
love for the Wing pilot had kept him alive. It would be a crime to cause their deaths after they
had endurred so much for their newly hatched ‘love'. No matter what others thought, the two Oz
leaders were not heartless. They were determined, but they had soft and honorable souls as did
every living thing encluding the Gundam boys. Hn, children forced to fight in the war. What
have we come to?

 He smiled at the two bodies intertwined upon the bed, "And love stays."

 "What was that?" Trieze asked shutting the door behind him.

 "Nothing sir, just a comment to myself."

 Trieze nodded and took the man into his arms, "Do you think we are doing the right thing
Zech, by letting them go?"

 "Lady Une would have our skins."

 "But is it right?"

 "Hai koi." Zechs kissed his shoulder, "They deserve a chance together, they held on
through so much."

 Treize nodded and turned his face to kiss the other man, "I knew you would say that."

 "Then why ask?"

 "Just to hear your voice Mirialdo." Trieze chuckled and they shut off the light and walked
to Trieze's chambers.
 
 

 Duo woke up a week later to a haggard looking Heero watching over him, and a sterile
white room that could only be an Oz facility.

 Heero was slumped in a chair beside the bed, his hand covered Duo's and he stared at
their joined fingers, "God Duo, please come back to me." He wasn't in tears, but he looked close. Heero Yuy? Crying? "I swear Duo, I promise I'll live through this if you do. They told me if
you wake up you will make it. All you have to do is open your eyes. Wake up."

 "H. . . Heero?"

 "Duo?" Hopeful eyes shot to his face and Heero almost jumped onto the bed, pulling Duo into his arms, "Duo! Che, don't ever scare me like that again!"

 The American stroked the irate boy's hair lovingly and murmered to him softly, "it's ok
Heero." When did his emotions surface like this? Man it must be Hell Heero, I mean you've
hardly ever even smiled before, what happened? "I'm ok, promise. See?"

 "Shut up Duo."

 He grinned and hugged Heero tighter, "I'm sorry."

 "For what this time?"

 "Getting you caught." He looked around the room, "Why didn't you escape? This isn't
exactly high security. How did you get them to let you stay with me in here?"

 The door opened and Zechs walked in, "It is unwise to argue with a half mad teenager
with a scalpel."

 Duo grinned wider, "Hit the nail right on the head there bird boy."

 Zechs frowned and Duo snickered, looking fully in control even when he was laying on a
sick bed with wires coming out of him at every angle.

 Heero looked up from Duo's hair and hushed the boy. "Zechs and Trieze are getting us
out of here Duo."

 "What?!"

 Zechs smiled then, "It would not do for Oz military leaders to just let two pilots and a
Gundam go, but you have been known to escape any prison that's held you."

 Heero felt Duo stiffen and his hand moved unconscious to cover one eye. What had Zechs had said to anger him.

 "Let's go then." Duo started to stand and collapsed back into Heero's arms.

 "You aren't strong enough yet." Zechs pointed out. "You and Heero will be moved to a
holding cell in a few weeks, that is when we will commence."

 Duo nodded and looked back up at Heero. Their eyes locked and Zechs sweat-dropped, "I
um. . . I will leave you now."

 When the door closed again Heero helped Duo back up onto the bed and lay beside him,
unwilling to let the boy out of his arms.

 "H. . . Heero?"

 Does he remember what he said? Was he delirious? "Aa?"

 "How long has it been since you really slept?"

 He answered without blinking, "A week."

 "Get some sleep then." Duo curled closer and smiled at his friend, "I'm ok now."

 "What if something happens?" He reasoned.

 "I will wake you up." Duo said softly, "I promise." He kissed the boy's forehead and
hummed a lullaby he could remember sister Helen singing. "Heero?"

 Heero was asleep.
 
 

 Duo recovered rapidly after he regained conciousness, he and Heero were treated with
great respect for being Gundam pilots but also a lot of scorn. Zechs came in a week later to tell
them they would be moved to an isolated cabin used for quarantine purposes. It was still not their
final destination, but for their own safety, it was necessary.

 Heero picked Duo up into his arms and followed Zechs to the med cabin. Duo lolled
against him and smiled widely. "You smell good." He breathed.

 Heero blushed and Zechs snickered, "It's the . . . ah. . . sedative we gave him, to help with
the pain of the move. He must not be used to them."

 "Duo haven't you ever taken a painkiller before?"

 The lopsided smiled was still there and he squirmed closer to Heero, "Couldn't afford
medicine like that on L2. If I could I gave it to the kids." He giggled girlishly and hid his face in
Heero's chest, "Didn't realize it would. . ." He giggled again.

 "Well it did." Heero frowned.

 Zech watched the scene with amusement. Now that the American pilot was out of danger,
Heero had been trying to distance himself again, but Duo seemed to be too cute for Heero's good.
He and Trieze had a friendly wager going. Trieze bet that the American would have Heero's icy
facade melting within the year. Zech said in would take till the end of the war. As Heero carefully lay Duo down on the cabin bed, and tucked him in with a gentle, thought to be unnoticed, smile, the Oz soldier closed his eyes and smiled himself. I remember when Trieze and I were so new to love and emotion. It was a wonderful time. We are even now still discovering new depths to our
relationship, but not so innocent any more. Such innocence is a rare gift.

 "Zechs, Dude." Duo giggled, "You look like the cat that swallowed the creme! Thinking
about a certain general are we?"

 "Remind me never to give him sedatives again." Zechs frowned and Heero nodded but
his eyes were sparkling with hidden laughter.

 Duo found himself staring, Heero's eyes? Sparkling? Who are you and what have you done with Heero?!

 "I will leave you two then, there are video surveillance camera's and bugs so I suggest
you don't do anything too. . . private in nature."

 Heero blushed again and Zechs left, when he turned back toward Duo the slim American
had kicked off his covers and lay there, almost completely nude and sighing as the air cooled his
slightly fevered skin. "Duo?"

 "I feel so hot!"

 "Must be another side effect."

 "Hai." Duo sighed and closed his eyes. "Damn it's uncomfortable though!"

 Heero lay on his belly on top of Duo and blew on the sweat drops that glistened over his
skin. "Better?"

 Duo moaned and closed his eyes, "Yeah. . . I should let you play doctor more often."

 Heero grinned at the slightly subtle flirt and blew again over the heat reddened skin. He
repeated this over and over up and down Duo's whole body until the boy was shivering. "Cold
now?"

 Duo nodded and pulled the blankets over them both, "Warm me up."
 
 

 The young soldier in charge of surveillance blushed at the words and sounds coming from
the bugs in the room. His mind immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion and what was just
innocent flirting took on a more sensual note. Heero's tank top had been tossed over where the
camera was hidden so he could not see the video feedback but his mind was doing a great job on
its own.

 Trieze walked by to enter the cabin and the boy stopped him, "Uh. . . they're. . . um. . .
you might want to give them fifteen minuets or so."

 The general laughed and nodded then walked back the way he came.

 So that's what the Gundam boys do in their free time!
 
 

 Two weeks later Duo was completely recovered and Trieze and Zech kept up their end of
the bargain. They were free and heading back to the safe house in Shinigami. Duo was piloting
and they were both reveling in the close quarters. "We should fly double more often." Duo
chuckled.

 Heero slapped him upside the head in a playful manner and the American laughed.

 "Kawii." Heero complemented and gave him a quick, light kiss on his cheek.

 The Gundam suddenly plunged downward and Duo gasped and righted the craft, "Not while I'm driving! I don't have your powers of concentration!" Heero grinned and snuggled up with his head in Duo's lap and Duo sighed, "This is going to be a looooong trip."

 "Aa." Heero agreed and wiggled closer.

 Duo groaned.

 What has gotten into me? Heero thought as he flirted outrageously with the other pilot.
Must just be happy to be free again. Yeah That's it.

 <Liar>

 <<Shut up>>
 

~tbc~