Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Gundam Wing character and I'm not making a profit by writing this. This is purely for pleasure!

Warnings: Language, yaoi, eventual lemon, angst, attempted suicide, silliness

Authors note: Well this is the end, until the next sequel. And no, I don't know when I'll finish writing the sequel (which will cover stuff that goes on in Endless Waltz). Thank you for all the great reviews and especially a thank you to Heero/Duo7Ever and Rei, since they both gave multiple long reviews! Until next time! :)

ARTISTS: Hey, if you can draw, I would really like to see a picture done of Heero and Shinigami curled up on the couch together. I tried to draw it myself, but I couldn't get it to come out right. Will anyone else draw it for me??? . . . . . Please???? *gives puppy dog eyes*

This fic completely disregards Endless Waltz.

Chapter 9: I Love You

Duo's POV

I don't know how long we sat there, crying into each other's arms. However, it seemed as if each tear I shed lifted a weight off my chest until there was no more tears left to cry and no more weight left to lift.

Finally, I realized I was holding something in my hands and I pulled back a little bit to see what it was.

It was Heero's little brown box, crushed slightly from my grip.

"Open it."

I did. Inside, resting on a plain cotton pad, was a fragile silver cross. It wasn't my old one, but still . . . Heero had gotten me a cross. Just when I thought I couldn't cry anymore, tears welled up in my eyes again.

Reverently, I picked up the delicate thing-no bigger than a quarter-and found a fine silver chain attached, polished to a blinding hue.

The cross was nothing fancy; it was perfect.

Turning it over in my hand, I found an inscription on the back of it, just like the initials on the back of my old one. Only this one read: I love you, Duo.

Looking up, I found the love of my life smiling back at me.

"Oh, Heero."

"I figured you bore the weight of their cross long enough. It's time to let them rest in peace and let us move on with our lives."

He took the cross from me, undid the clasp and secured it around my neck.

"Merry Christmas, Duo."

I laughed a little at that. "Well, it's a little late for a Christmas present," I said, smiling through my tears, "but it's the thought that counts, right?"

Heero frowned slightly, as if confused. "But it's still Christmas."

Now it was my turn to be confused. "No it's not."

"You can't fool me, Duo. You might have had me going about the fat old man, but according to the song, I had twelve days to get you a Christmas present. Of course, I didn't get you a present for each day, like the song said, but-"

My laugher cut him off. "Only you, Heero. Only you."

Heero's frown only deepened. "Why are you still crying? Are you still upset? I had to brave that fucking mall again to get that for you-"

"No, no! Heero," I said quickly, brushing away the tears. "I'm crying because I'm happy." I threw my arms around him, drawing him close to me until our foreheads touched. "And I'm happy because I love you, too."