The wedding was a private affair. Heero and Duo both wore simple jeans and nice, long sleeved shirts, They held hands in front of their comrades and vowed their oaths to each other.

"I, Heero Yuy, Vow that I will love you forever, cherish you for eternity and never let you go. I will
give all I've got to give to make your dreams come true. You will always have my love to keep you
warm."

 "I, Duo Maxwell, Vow that I will love you with all I am and all I will be until the end of time. I will
hold you in my heart and soul for a thousand life times. No matter what happens, wherever our
missions take us, I will always be waiting for you when you return."

 The priest smiled and nodded, "Heero, do you take duo to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

 "Hai. I do"

 "And do you Duo, take Heero to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

 "I do. With all of my soul."

 Then by the power vested in me I pronounce you wed."

 The others had teary eyes as Duo and Heero hugged each other close, both smiling to rival the
brightest star. Then they held the wedding feast and reception, and Duo and Heero smiled even
brighter when ‘Everything I Do' was played by Trowa and Quatre for their first dance.

 "Heero, they're playing our song." Duo smiled softly.

 "Hai. Dance with me?"

 Duo's smile broadened, "Hai Mr. Maxwell-Yuy."

 Heero took the slender boy into his arms and the world vanished around them.
 
 

 WuFei felt a hollow pain inside as he watched his friends together. His fingers crept to the ring at
his neck. Wherever you are, I will be find you.
 
 

 When night finally arrived, The new couple retired to their room and their friends cheered them on.
Finally they had found each other!
 
 

 Off in the distance Trieze stood with binoculars, watching the couple dance. Zech knelt beside him
and smiled, "You win."

 The general shook his head. "No. I believe they do."
 
 

 Duo and Heero lounged bonelessly on the obscenely soft couch in their room at Quatre's estate.
Both were filled with nervous joy. ‘Wedding night jitters' Heero remembered Duo calling them that.
It felt like a thousand butterflies were flying free in his gut. He was so nervous!

  "I love you Heero." Duo kissed him then. Heero leaned forward and pressed his lips against
Duo's. It was very light, feather light, but it was a kiss!

 Duo was in a state of sublime shock, "Heero. You just kissed me." He smiled, dazed.

 "Aa." He answered then closed his eyes and brushed their lips together again. "I. . . I don't know
how." He breathed.

 "How?" Duo asked, unsure of what was happening.

 "To really kiss you." Heero clarified, "and I want to kiss you so badly." The blank look was gone
now, replaced with frustration, confusion and need. . . and hope.
 

 Duo was staggered by the depth of emotion on the pilot's face, "Y. . . you really want to kiss me."
He almost sobbed with joy. As it was his wide violet eyes were moist.

 "Aa." Heero sighed, his lips just inches from Duo's.

 "Then just follow my lead." Duo breathed, "I. . . If you want to." He put his hands on Heero's face,
holding it softly. Heero did the same. Then Duo caught the other pilot's lower lip in his teeth. He
nipped and nibbled his way all around those delicious lips, licking over the soft pink skin.

 Heero sighed and Duo took the chance to slip his tongue into Heero's mouth. The other boy
gasped and stiffened but didn't pull away. After a few talented strokes of Duo's tongue Heero was
kissing him back. Duo pressed Heero over onto his back on the couch and kissed him harder and
harder, Heero responding in full until they had to come up for air. The two boys stared at each other
for a moment, both breathing heavily.

 "That was your first kiss huh?" Duo was the one to break the fragile silence.

 "Aa."

 "So. . . ah. . . what do you think?"

 Heero looked at the boy's tender lips as he ran his tongue over the kiss swollen surface. "I think I
need to practice that."

 Duo smiled, "Now?"

 "Now."

 They came up for air a moment later more than a little ruffled. "That was. . . good." Heero smiled in
a cute, dazed way. "But I am not as skilled as you."

 "I . . . ah. . . I could give you lessons." Duo smiled

 "Lessons on love?"

 Duo's heart almost burst, "Hai."

 "Would there be homework?"

 Duo smiled broadly, "Tons."

 "Hands on classes?"

 "Every one."

 Heero's eyes burned and flashed, "What if I'm bad?"

 Duo tried not to let his surprise at this new side of Heero show, but he couldn't help it. He almost
burst a gut laughing.

 Heero grunted and silenced him with another kiss.

 Duo was dazed, "Wow you learn fast!"

 "I've finally found a way to shut you up." He said seriously and closed his mouth over the protesting
American's lips again.

 "Mmm, I think I'll like this teaching job."

 "I'm a good student." Heero nodded.

 Duo's eyes sparkled and he rubbed his hand over Heero's growing erection, "Would you like to
make teacher happy?"

 "Hai." He groaned.

 Duo smiled and led him to the bed.
 

 Meanwhile Relena was spying through the video equipment her men had installed in Quatre's home for her. She gasped at what she saw. "Oh! My! What is he doing to my Heero?!" She bit her lip as she watched them and wondered why Heero didn't defend himself against the American's attack.
"Heero, Oh Heero, always so loyal."

 She hit record on the tape deck and sobbed as she watched the two. At least now her poor Heero
would have evidence to convict that horrible American!
 
 

 Heero writhed as Duo tore his shorts from his body and slid his hands up into the pilot's briefs.
Shinigami was smiling the whole time. He brought his lips down for another breath taking kiss and
kneaded the soft insides of Heero's thighs. "Duo. . . Oh, oh gods! Duo. . . please. I want. . . I need.
. ."

 The American smiled and nodded, "Slowly Heero. Be patient. I want your first time to be good."
He slid the white briefs down and off then brought his lips down to kiss Heero's hardened tip and
lick up the tiny droplets of semen that had gathered there. "Mmm."

 "Hn! D. . . Duo!" He could feel the boy smiling as he slipped his warm, wet mouth down over him,
and swirled his tongue up and down over his length as he pumped his lips  in a paralyzing rhythm.

 Duo moved harder, faster, but right before Heero came, he stopped.

 Heero groaned and shook at the loss and Duo placed his fingers in the boy's mouth, he sucked on
them greedily, using all of his new found knowledge to make the boy continue his onslaught.

 Duo used his other hand to lift Heero's legs onto his shoulders and then sought out the tight pucker
of flesh that was the boy's virgin opening. He bent his face down to it and swirled his tongue over
the pink flesh, intent on giving Heero as little pain possible. The moist, hot tongue pierced through
into Heero and the boy cried out in passion, sucked harder on the fingers in his mouth, and tried to
push closer. Duo smiled and pulled his head away and his hand.

 "N. . . No!"

 "Shh, Heero." Duo soothed, "Do you trust me?"

 "H. . . Hai." He moaned.

 "This will hurt your first time, I don't have anything to make it easier."

 "God Duo! I want. . . I need. . . oh God!"

 Duo slipped one finger inside the moaning boy, then another, working his opening, massaging it,
making it bigger. He added a third when Heero was ready and then a fourth! Heero was writhing
again. Little growling sounds of pleaser coming from his lips. Duo withdrew his fingers and Heero
protested again, his muscles clenched trying to keep the feeling.

 The American kissed him tenderly and smiled, "There is something better."

 "Can't be." Heero gasped.

 Duo slid his hardened length inside of the pilot and proceeded to show him just how much better it
could be.

 Heero couldn't breath! He couldn't think! All that he knew was Duo, and the feelings he made
inside him. "D. . . Duo!" I'm dying! Oh God I must be dying! There is no way life could feel so free!

 "Mmm." The boy rocked over his lover, "Aaaaa! He~ero!"

 They joined and parted in a primal dance that was older than time, bodies entwined, hearts

combined, they both tightened and let go at the same time. Heero's seed shot out over their bellies
and Duo spilled his seed into the Shouting boy beneath him. He collapsed on top of his chest and
Heero hugged his new lover tight to him. "Duo. . . God I. . ."

 "Shh," Duo smiled and rolled off of Heero to rest by his side, arms around him. They held each
other close for a long time, just ridding out the after math of their passion.

 Duo was making a low rumbling noise in his chest and Heero's eyes widened in realization. "You're
purring."

 Duo smiled and rubbed his hands up and down Heero's sweat covered muscles and hair. "‘m
happy."

 Heero kissed him softly and starred deep into his eyes, "So am I."
 
 

 Relena almost screamed when the two boys did. She gasped and shut down the monitor. Her
breath was coming in short little pants and her skin was covered in a sheen of perspiration. She had
come to the realization that Heero had not been under attack, and he had not minded what the
American had been doing to him at all. She closed her eyes to shut out the memory but it danced
behind her lids even more vivid than before. "I will not lose him to that creature!" She screeched and
slammed her hand into the console.

 "Relena-sama!" The guards rushed in, "Are you alright?! We heard a scream!"

 "I am fine. Please, find out where Heero Yuy is going next."

 The guards had come to accept Relena's obsession but even they had noticed all the time he spent
with a certain American boy. They felt sorry for the girl's crush. "Hai, Relena-sama."

 "Arigato." She smiled sweetly, then turned a darker look to the monitor screen, "Duo Maxwell, you
have met your match. I won't let you have him! You hear me! Heero Yuy is mine!"
 
 

 Heero awoke the next morning to find Duo cuddled up beside him. He brought his lips down gently
over his lovers and smiled as Duo opened wide, unfocused, violet eyes and gave him a sleepy little
smile. "Ohayo Heero." He sighed and pressed closer.

 "Ohayo Koibito."

 "Mm, I like that."

 "So do I Ittoshi."

 Duo smiled and snuggled under the huge comforter that covered them.

 "Duo? Heero?" Quatre knocked.

 "Come in." Heero answered.

 The blond's face turned bright red when he saw the snuggling couple but he smiled. "I brought you
breakfast, you need to get up, you have a mission."

 For once, Heero looked reluctant to go but he nodded and sat up, leaning against the headboard.
"Duo, Get up."

 Duo shook his head and buried it in Heero's lap under the covers.

 Quatre blushed and hurried out.

 "Duo, there's food." Heero grinned.

 "Food?!"

 The Japanese pilot laughed out loud and Duo smiled, "You have a pretty laugh."

 "I like yours too." Heero smiled.

 Twenty minuets later Trowa walked in and lifted them both out of bed and into a cold shower, "We
have a mission."
 

 "Omae O Ku. . .mmm." Heero was silenced by Duo's lips and Trowa groaned, "I know you're
newlyweds and all but this mission came especially for you Heero, no one else can access it."

 "I'm coming." He breathed and kissed Duo back.

 Trowa rolled his eyes, "You are worst then Quatre."

 "Hn."

 "Mmm."

 Trowa gave up.

 Heero emerged from the bedroom an hour later with a very satisfied look on his face. He sat down
at the computer and typed in his passes then searched for the all important mission that had
summoned him from his wedding bed.

 His heart fell when he opened the file.
 
 

 Code: J

 Name: Duo Maxwell

 Occupation: Gundam pilot

 Crime: endangering the missions

 Mission: Shoot Duo Maxwell
 
 

 Heero couldn't breath. No!
 
 

 Code: HY

 Message: There has been an error. Mission unacceptable.
 
 

 Code: J

 Subject: Duo Maxwell

 Mission: Shoot Duo Maxwell
 
 

 Code: HY

 Message: Why?!
 
 

 Code: J

 Message: A soldier never asks why!

  Mission: Shoot Duo Maxwell
 
 

 Not Duo! He couldn't! He just couldn't! Heero felt his world tilt at a crazy angle as he fought to
stand up strait. He deleted the message through a fog of tears and then collapsed back onto the
couch.

 "Heero?" Duo came out of the bedroom wearing One of Heero's tank tops and his black silk
boxers. "Heero koi, what's wrong? You look so pale!"

 "Duo." He grabbed the other pilot and hugged him tight, so tight it hurt, but Duo let him, something
was wrong, Heero needed him.

 "What is it?"

 "The mission."

 "What?"

 "I can't. . . I can't do it."

 Duo grinned at Heero and kissed him tenderly, "There is nothing Heero Yuy can't do."

 "Heero Maxwell-Yuy remember?"

 "Hai but for short we can just use Yuy, I don't mind, I means I'm yours."

 "Duo."

 The braided pilot smiled and stood, "Where is everybody else?"

 "Outside."

 "So how long will this mission take you? Can I help?"

 Heero cringed and tightened his fists.

 "Heero?"

 "I. . . it won't take long."

 "Then will you be home by tonight? Quatre's sister has been teaching me to cook so I wanted to
make you a special dinner."

 Heero's heart tightened.

 "Heero? Heero you look scared, tell me what's wrong?"

 "I can't. I can't complete this mission."

 "Never say never." Duo teased as he searched the fridge and cupboards for his favorite cereal and
milk.

 "Duo I. . . Ai shiteru."

 "Me too Heero." He smiled, "I love you too."

 "Forgive me." He choaked.

 Duo looked puzzled, "For what?"

 Heero pulled his gun and took aim.

 Duo laughed, "Wow! You went all out on this prank, you're good!"

 A tear slipped from Heero's eye, "I. . . I'm not playing Duo. You are my mission."

 Duo's eyes widened and he dropped the carton of milk he had been holding, "Heero?"

 Heero pulled the trigger and Duo dropped to the ground in the puddle of spilt milk, his blood
turning the white liquid pink. "Duo! Oh God Duo!" He looked at the wound and cringed, He had
shot him in a place where he would stand a chance, but this. . . something had gone wrong! So
much blood!

 Quatre ran inside and cried out when he saw Heero and Duo on the floor.

 "Call an ambulance!" He ordered.

 Quatre nodded and left.

 In the waiting room, Heero sat dead silent and still. His heart breaking into a thousand pieces and
stabbing at his insides. Duo. Oh God Duo. He remembered the boys teasing, his look up shock
when He had stolen parts from his Gundam, the face he had made when he had watched Heero set
his own leg. The manic laughter while he flew still rang in his ears. He remembered the joy on his
face when he had proposed just days ago and the wonder when Heero had said Ai shiteru. And I
killed the joy in those eyes. Heero sobbed inside.

 The others watched him. He had shut down again, gone back into himself. They all knew why.
Each of them was wondering if they could have pulled the trigger in a similar situation. If they had
received the mission and not Heero.

 That was when the doctor came out. "Heero Maxwell-Yuy?"

 Heero almost shot from his chair. "That's me."

 "Please. Will he be ok?" Quatre asked.

 The doctor frowned and closed his eyes. "The bullet entered into a non lethal part of the body, but
it did a ricochet off of his ribs a couple times, shattered some of them and nicked his heart right
around the left ventricle." then hit his lungs before lodging in his muscle.

 "Can it be fixed?" WuFei asked.

 "We have done all we could, now it is up to whatever God watches over him." The doctor avoided
looking into their eyes. "But it doesn't look good right now."

 Trowa held Quatre close and WuFei stood in shock. Heero just walked passed the doctor and
into Duo's room. "Duo?" He could hardly speak his voice was so hoarse with emotion. Duo looked
so pale! So small and fragile. This wasn't like the time Oz had saved them. That time he'd had a
better chance. Now. . . now he was dying. "I caused this." He clutched Duo to his chest and bit
back the tears that threatened to overtake him. "I am so sorry Duo."

 Duo didn't open his eyes. Cold. . . so cold. . . Heero where are you?. . . so cold. . .

 "Duo, my Duo. . . don't leave me."

 The phone rang and Heero automatically picked it up.

 "Good job Heero! I didn't think you had it in you any more. You won me a sizable bet."

 "Was that what this was for?" Heero asked, enraged, "A bet?"

 "I needed to make sure your training was holding up against emotions, and you passed the test."

 Heero threw the phone and it shattered on the wall.

 "Heero? Heero?" Doctor J's voice still came from one of the pieces

 He crushed it under his heel. "Omae o Karuso."

 "Hn, . . . bet ya say tha' t'all th'. . .  boys."

 "Duo!"

 "M. . . man Heero, you really did a. . .  number on me."

 "I. . . Duo. . ."

 "Shh. . . mission accomplished right?"

 "You are more important to me than any damned mission!"

 "Sure fooled me."

 "Duo. . ."

 "‘m kiddin' Heero."

 He hugged the boy tighter and duo flinched, "Ow!"

 "Sorry!"

 "Y'know ‘ro, thanks ta you I have six metal ribs an' a patch over part a my heart an lungs."

 "I. . . Duo can you ever forgive me?"

 "Hm." He smiled weakly, "I promised to love you fo'ever ‘member?"

 "Duo I am sorry."

 "Heh, you've been saying that a lot lately."

 "I'm making up for lost time."

 "Heero. I owe you for this one."

 "Aa." He agreed.

 "An' now we hafta wait t'go on our honeymoon."

 "That's the killer right there." Heero smiled and Duo chuckled raspily.

 "Ya know it."

 "You have to get better ok? For me. I need you Duo."

 "Ditto Heero."

 "For all the good I've done you."

 "I know you could have killed me. . . You didn't though."

 "They didn't say to Kill, just shoot."

 "Bent the rules?"

 "I learned from the best."

 Duo smiled, "‘m tired now Heero."

 "Oh! I'll leave then. . . um. . . do you need anything?"

 "Stay." Duo asked him, "Please stay with me."

 Heero nodded, "Forever. Forever Duo."

 The doctor and their friends stood outside the room watching them. Trowa spoke up for the first
time, "What does he need?"

 "Besides a miracle? As I told you, we've done all we can. All that's left is to wait."

 Quatre started to cry and Trowa held him close. Wufei just stared at Heero who stood by Duo's
bedside, cradling the warm hand that was so close to becoming cold with death.

 "Not like this. We can't lose him like this." Quatre cried.

 "Shh angel, he is not lost yet." Trowa soothed.

 Wufei blinked his eyes a couple of times and wiped away the tears that had gathered there in them. Another loved one lost. How many did that make now? One dead, one dying, one all but forgotten,
he shook his head, "Why Duo?" He looked up at his friends, "Why did Duo pose a threat to us? He has never been anything but loyal and even with his mouth he is still a good pilot, one of our best."

 "Heero." Trowa said softly.

 "Nani?"

 "Heero." Quatre sobbed, "Duo was a distraction to Doctor J's perfect soldier, so the doctor
needed him out of the way."

 "Damn."

 Trowa nodded.

 WuFei was not about to allow this, "So what do we do about this?"

 "Well, doctor J was the one who gave the mission to Heero in the first place." Trowa hinted.

 WuFei nodded, "Justice must be done."

 "To Doc J's then?" Trowa asked.

 "We should wait here for a little longer." Quatre said. He felt death in the air. They would need to
be there for Heero.
 
 

~tbc~