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*** Flashback***
~Narration by future Duo~
//Thoughts//
__________________________

 Trieze walked silently over the deck of his ship. Once again they had failed to locate the ‘Heart of the Ocean'. The jewel was fabled to have been on the Titanic but years of searching kept bringing them up empty handed.

 "Commander!"

 "I'm going under again Zech, don't disturb me."

 "But you r~e~a~l~l~y want to take this call."

 Exasperated, Trieze jerked the receiver to his ear, "What?!"

 "I saw your broadcast today."

 "Yeah, the pictures a find alright mister. . ."

 "Maxwell."

 "Mister Maxwell, I have no time for. . ."

 "Have you found the heart of the ocean yet?"

 "I'm listening. I have time. Talk. Do you know who that person in the picture is?"

 "It's me."

 Trieze jumped back. That last answer had come from right behind him! There on the starboard rail sat the boy from the picture! Still as young as in the picture! "What the Hell?!"

 "Nope, that's not my job."

 "What?"

 "Hi, Duo Maxwell."

 "You can't be Maxwell." Zech shook his head, "Maxwell died on Titanic. All the records say so!"

 "They also say death rides a pale horse."

 "Huh?"

 "Forget it. Fact is I'm here, I know about the diamond, I shouldn't unless I was on Titanic, I was. Wanna here a story?"

 Both man just stared.

 "I'll take that as a yes."
 

 ***
 

 Heero walked calmly away from the group of people arguing in the bar. No one noticed the two tickets he held calmly in her hand, the very tickets the brawl had broken out over. He passed one to a unibanged boy outside the double doors and nodded, "Mission accepted."

 The boy offered a small smile, "Titanic is waiting."

________

 Duo Maxwell stepped out of the coach and looked up at the huge ocean liner. "I wonder if they have a pool!"

 His companion, Wufei, snorted at that, "Only you, Maxwell, would ask a question so inane."

 "Thanks Wu-man!"

 "My . Name. Is. Wu Fei!"

 "Yeah sure Wu-man. Oh shit! She's coming! Hide me!"

 A gentile looking lady approached with a smile, "Chang."

 "Hirde." He bowed.

 "Have you seen Duo?"

 "I think he has boarded already."

 "Oh. Thank you."

 Wufei smiled until she was out of site then pulled Duo from behind him and scowled, "Maxwell it is dishonorable to hide from your fiancé!"

 "You try living with her! If my sister hadn't. . ."

 "If I hadn't what, Duo?"

 "Relena!" He squeaked, "Um. . . I'm gonna board now, bye!"

 "Dorthy!" Relena ordered, "See the bags are taken to our rooms."

 "Yes ma'am."

 ~I know people think money means everything, Relena sure believed that! But all I wanted was something new! You know, some place that I didn't have to be on my best behavior, some one who didn't like me cause I had a ‘good name'.~

 Duo unpacked his boxes carefully, directing where his servants should place certain paintings.

 "Duo!"

 "Hirde!"

 "Get those awful things down! Look at them they're so. . . ugly!"

 "The difference between your artistic tastes and mine is that I -have- some Hirde. I like these paintings." He grinned, "Besides, this room needs some life in it!"

 "This is titanic Duo. Classical. Beautiful. It isn't meant to be colorful."

 "Well neither was I but you force me to be."

 "Duo, black isn't the only color in the world. Besides, you look like a priest in all of that!"

 "Your point?"

 "I. . . oooooh! I'll see you at dinner."

 "Yeah, sure."
________________

 Heero walked along the decks with Trowa after researching the passenger list and securing their bags. He was just about to tell Trowa that they should go back when he saw someone leaning over the bow of the next level up, starring into the water in awe.

 Trowa followed his gaze, "Duo Maxwell. Unwilling heir to the Maxwell fortunes. Lives with his sister and best friend, likes Monet, Picasso, and Degas."

 Heero nodded but didn't take his eyes off the boy. The surveillance sketches Trowa had composed hadn't captured his vitality, his grinning face glowed with it and Heero was caught by it's presence.

 Bright violet eyes swung to his and Heero froze before finally Duo turned back to watching the water speed by.

 "Heero?" Trowa waved a hand in front of his face.

 "Hn."

 "Don't think it."

 Heero just gave him a ‘look'.

 "Maxwell is affianced to the target. Forget it."

 "Hn." He threw over his shoulder as he walked away.

 Trowa looked after him with concern but didn't follow. Heero had to work some things out on his own.

 That night Heero was still lost in thought, so much that he almost missed the braided boy running passed him. Almost.
_____________________

 ~ I could see my life like I had already lived it all. Endless white lies and fake smiles and dodging Hirde's unwanted advances, making excuses to Relena on why the wedding should be postponed again. It wasn't the best picture. I decided hey, why not go out with a splash?~

 Standing at the rear of the boat, dressed in his usual black, Duo watched the water rush away from the metal body of the vessel. He climbed to the other side and leaned over far out, holding the rail but wanting to let go so badly. His braid snapped in the hard wind and he felt the tears on his face drying in the cold air.

 "Don't."

 Duo stiffened and turned to face the man who dared to intrude on his final moments, "What are you doing here, go away."

 "Can't."

 "Yes you can, the left foot goes in front of the right foot and so on and so forth. Easy, go practice for a while."

 "Hn."

 "What is it with you and monosyllables?! I'm committing suicide here if you don't mind."

 "No you aren't."

 "What?! Who do you think you are?! You can't tell me what I can and can't do! Damn even the nut cases are bossing me around now!"

 "I'm not hanging of the back of a boat."

 "Point."

 "You're committing homicide."

 "Am not!"

 "If you jump, I have to jump in to save you." Heero shrugged and started unlacing his shoes.

 "That's insane! You'll get killed!"

 "You would kill me. Homicide."

 "That isn't fair!"

 "Life isn't fair."

 "Well, that's why I'm out here!"

 "So you shouldn't expect death to be fair either."

 "I. . ."

 "Well? I haven't got all night."

 "Shut up!"

 Heero shrugged.

 Duo was quiet a moment then turned back to Heero, "You wouldn't really jump in would you?"

 "Would you?"

 "I don't want to kill anyone!"

 "Then come back over to this side."

 "I. . . It isn't that simple."

 "Life's hard."

 "So what do I do?!"

 "Get a helmet."

 Duo paused a moment then laughed, a true, honest to goodness laugh, "Alright, you win." He turned to climb over again and slipped on an icy patch, "Aaaaaaaa!"

 Heero snatched a hold of the braided American's hands and pulled with all him strength.

 "Don't let go!"

 "Does it look like I'll let go baka?!" He gave one final tug and Duo fell over the bars, Heero rolled with the impact and ended up on top of him.

 "Hi."

 "Hn."

 "My name is Duo."

 Heero opened his mouth but at that moment some sailors rounded the corner.

 "Shit!" One of them pushed Heero back and the other two helped Duo up. "What do you think you're doing?!"

 "Duo!"

 Heero saw the boy flinch.

 "Hirde."

 "Are you ok?!"

 "Yeah I. . ."

 "How dare you touch -my- Duo?!"

 "Wait! He saved my life!" Duo shut them all up, "I was falling and he pulled me back over! Let him go."'

 Hirde rolled her eyes and smacked Duo upside the head.

 "OW!"

 "You clumsy fool." She growled, "I'm sorry mr. . ."

 "Yuy."

 "Mister Yuy. Duo isn't very intelligent at times. I hope you forgive this trouble. Is twenty dollars enough for your trouble?"

 "Hey! I'm worth more than that!" Duo grinned and Heero found himself grinning back. "You want to have dinner with us tomorrow?"

 Heero nodded, unsure why he had agreed and watched the group walk away. A strange feeling in his stomach at the thought of seeing Duo again.

<Part 2>
 

    Hirde walked calmly beside Duo back to the boy's suite and let herself in just as simply.

    "anou. . . I'm kinda tired now. . ." He hinted despiritly.

    "Wait." She grinned, "I have a surprise for you." She pulled a large flat box from the safe and lifted the lid with blatant theatrics that Duo could only find annoying so late in the night. When it was finally open a diamond choaker glinted up at them both. A large, blue, heart shaped stone in the very middle. "They call it the heart of the ocean."

    "It's nice." Duo forced a smile as Hirde fastened the collar like thing on his neck. //I feel like a dog.//

    "It's a reminder." She smiled a little too sweetly.

    //Of what? That you own me? Fat chance!//

    "I could give you everything you desire Duo. I would deny you nothing if you would not deny me."

    Duo grinned, "Hirde! I'm not that kinda boy!"

    The girl's smile vanished and her face twisted into a snear. "You 'will' marry me Duo."

    He nodded and hung his head. His sister had dug his grave nicely, and now he was going to have to lie in it.

    Even so all he could think about was that boy who'd saved him. He made up his mind then and there to find him the next morning. Just to meet him. And to talk to someone who didn't care how much he was worth.
_________________

    Heero slipped into third again and Trowa met him at the door with a frown.

    "You drew attention to yourself."

    "Hn."

    "Now I'll have to do this alone."

    "You can."

    The unibanged boy frowned slightly, an extreme expression for him. "Don't get into something you can't walk out of Heero."

    The shorter boy blinked and got into bed. His dreams were dancing with the thought of violet eyes and a careless grin. Duo Maxwell. He was looking forward to dinner.
________________

    "So I got adopted by Relena Peacecraft's father and now suddenly I'm being auctioned off by my so called sister to the highest bidder." Duo slumped his shoulders slightly and then shrugged, "But things could be worst."

    Heero arched a brow, he had been trying, since Duo's valet had come to escort him to the American, to understand what could have made such an optimistic, care free boy, think about taking his own life. Nothing came to mind.

    "What do you want?"

    Duo stopped and stared at him, "Huh?"

    "What do you want? You called me here for something."

    "I. . . uh. . . to thank you. I guess." He stumbled over his words and blushed, "For being there at the right time."

    "Aa."

    "So what about you?"
 
    "I travel."

    Duo grinned, "Such a mighty conversationalist!"

    "Hn."

    "Oh don't be insulted, I'm sorry. I talk to everyone like that."

    "I'm not."

    Violet eyes danced and Duo grinned wide, "So you never did tell me your name.Unless you want me to call you Yuy all the time."

    "Heero."

    The grin grew! Was that possible?! "Nah, I won't say it, it's too easy."

    "Hn."

    "Hey what's that?"

    Heero followed the violet gaze to his sachel, "Plans."

    "Oh? Can I see?" Duo snatched them and looked through the mechanics, ready to smile and congradulate a beginner's efforts. When he saw them he froze. "These are. . . these are good!" He walked to the deck chairs and sat, flipping through the schcematics and blue prints for various new weapons. "These are very, very good!"

    Heero watched his carefully, trying not to look happy as he felt with the American's praise.

    "This one. The Gundam, mobile suit. You're working really hard on it."

    "It will be what saves the world."

    "High expectations you got there."

    "Reasonable."
 
    Duo flipped through the plans, "There are a few ways you could boost capacity here. . . maybe add a booster to this wing here, see? Wow! You have a real gift with these things Heero."

    "Thank you." He nodded, "You seem to know a lot about these things for a debutant."

    "Well like I told you, I wasn't always a debutant." The braided boy grinned.

    "Aa."
______________

    Relena Peacecraft walk down the decks after tea time surrounded by the rich and famous. And a little blond Arab named Quatre Raberba Winner. He was heir to the Winner millions, but young still and far too. . . femanine. They tried very hard to keep him out of their little group, but he wanted very much to tag along.

    She walked with her nose in the air and a high and mighty aura to her being, trying to be larger than life. Quatre eaisily outshined her even still though and she hated him for it.

    "You really HAVE been everywhere!"

    She stopped and looked around, that had to have been Duo's voice, she would recognise it anywhere.

    "No one ever taught you how to spit?!"

    "Oh good lord." Relena rushed to stop her brother's disreputable behavior.

    "You need to hauk it real deep in yer throught, like this. . ."

    "Duo!"

    The boys both spun around and Duo grimaced and swallowed the mucus he'd been readying to let fly.

    Heero made a slight face.

    "Hi Relena."

    "Duo Maxwell you should not be acting like street trash. You are not on the streets now."

    "Sorry Relena."

    Quatre smiled, "It would have flown far."

    Duo grinned and Relena rolled her eyes, they were saved her 'good behavior' lesson as the bells for dinner sounded.

    The Arab smiled sweetly, "They are rediculous with the dinner calls ne?"

    Both Duo and Heero nodded and Duo was quickly snatched by his sister.

    "Come on, let's dress for dinner."

    Heero watched after Duo until he was out of site and Quatre frowned, "You are getting into something you may not be ready for."

    "Hn."

    "These people are like snakes, always ready to strike out at you."

    "You seemed happy with them."

    The blond grinned, "Father always keep my friends close, but my enemies closer."

    "Ah."

    "What are you wearing to dinner?"

    Heero looked down at his tight, worn britches and ragged green tank top.

    "I thought so. Come on, you look about my size. Let's make those stuffed peacocks eat their pride."

    Heero grinned. "Hn."
 
 
 
 

~tbc~