Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ So Far Away ❯ Three ( Chapter 3 )

Title: So Far Away (3/6 + ep)

Author: Shinigamis_Soul (AKA Starlight Soul, AzureInk_Parchment)

Beta: XxNonxIamxX

Disclaimer: I don't own them; I only like to play with them.

Status: finished but being beta'd - This is slow going due to school stuff.

Pairings: 2xOFC, 1=2 get together, 3=4, 5=R

Warnings: Abuse, Angst, OOC Duo, eventual (possible) lemon,

Summary: When the life he created takes a turn for the worst, Duo finds himself returning to the people that abandoned him years before. Nothing is as it seems as his life is turned upside down.

Author Notes: `Zombie Apocalypse' is a real movie… It's hilarious if you like B horror. Yes, the scythe is a real scene and there is a chain saw too… My sister and roommate were extra's…

 

So Far away

Part Three

 

It was much earlier than expected when they arrived at the airport. The day had been more emotionally taxing than physically demanding. While the flight crew prepared for take off, Duo called to check on Rahne.

 

“Hey, Fei, how's it going?” asked Duo calmly, though he wasn't feeling so calm about it.

 

“We are preparing to watch a series of movies about a girl who didn't know she was a princess until her grandmother informed her on her sixteenth birthday,” he replied with a sigh. “There have been no tears or worries, at least on her part. Relena may have gained a few gray hairs and I think I had a heart attack when Trowa took her up on an actual high wire.”

 

“That's my little cat,” snickered Duo. “Has the movie started or can I talk to her?”

 

“They're making snacks now; I'll get her.”

 

“Thanks, Fei.” Duo fidgeted with the end of his braid while waiting for his daughter.

 

“Papa?” came the excited question.

 

“Hi sweetheart!” exclaimed Duo. “How's it going?”

 

“We had so much fun, Papa! Uncle Trowa took us to the circus and we went on a high wire. We got to see acrobats and lions. The lions are friends with Uncle Trowa. We got to see Miss Cathy and she threw knives at the clown. I was scared but Uncle Trowa says Miss Cathy's got good aim. Ringmaster says I can come with Trowa anytime. Aunt Lena let us play with her dresses too. Did you know she's a princess? She's got a crown an' everything. She even let me wear it. We got to see M… Mil… Mr. Zechs and he's real tall, Papa, taller than Uncle Trowa. He put me on his shoulders and Meilin and Jade on each arm. He brought me a present, Papa! I have a teddy bear just like Meilin and Jade, `cept mine has a pretty blue ribbon. He said tomorrow we can go swimming! Can I stay with Meilin and Jade tonight? Please, Papa?” She said in what seemed like a single breath.

 

“I'm glad you're having fun, munchkin. I love you; let me talk to Wufei, Trowa, or Relena for a second.” Duo waited while the phone was passed off to one of the adults.

 

“Hello?” answered Relena.

 

“Hey, Lena, how's it going?”

 

“Great, the kids have had a blast. Trowa nearly scared me to death taking Rahne up on a high wire.”

 

“I bet she loved every minute of it. I can't keep her feet on the ground,” replied Duo with a smile. “How are the three of you hanging in there?”

 

“She has so much energy, Duo, how in the world do you keep up?” questioned Relena though he could hear the smile in her voice.

 

“I have just as much energy,” Duo replied honestly.

 

“How are things going there?” She asked softly.

 

Duo sighed. “Better than I expected, though I think Heero and Quatre got a bit of a shock. We went down to the clinic so I could say goodbye to the people who have been there for Rahne and I. I thought for a minute that Amy and Melissa were gonna jump the two of them but one of the girls came in needing help.”

 

“Any idea when you'll be heading back?” asked Relena.

 

“We're prepping for takeoff right now,” answered Duo.

 

“Did Rahne ask you about the slumber party? Meilin and Jade have been begging since dinner.”

 

“Yeah, I just wanted to make sure that the three of you were surviving.”

 

Relena laughed. “I'm having the time of my life. Kids are so honest; it's a wonderful change from the slumber parties I remember. She's more than welcome to stay.”

 

“I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow then,” murmured Duo.

 

“Late tomorrow,” corrected Relena, “Mil promised to take them swimming tomorrow. Don't worry; we went swim suit shopping earlier too. We'll call before we bring her home. Enjoy a night with Heero; I'm sure the two of you have a lot of catching up to do.”

 

“Yeah, thanks Lena. Maybe I'll catch up on some sleep too.” Duo glanced over at Quatre when his phone started beeping insistently. “I've gotta go; we're about to take off.”

 

“Have fun, Duo, and don't worry about Rahne. We'll take good care of her. Tell Heero I said `Or else…'; He'll know what I mean.”

 

“Night, Lena; pass it on for me.” Duo hung up the phone, a strange feeling of loss trying to take hold of him.

 

“How's Rahne?” questioned Quatre with a knowing look.

 

“Very happy. Between high wire walking and wearing Relena's crown, she's in heaven. Zechs is taking them swimming tomorrow.”

 

“I've got to call the office,” sighed Quatre. “I'm probably going to end up there before the night is over.”

 

“That sucks,” Duo said, glancing at Heero. “I guess it's just the two of us tonight. Oh, Lena gave me a strange message for you… She said to tell you she said `Or else…' and you'd know what she meant.” A barely suppressed giggle from Quatre drew Duo's attention back to the blonde. “Anyone wanna let me in on the secret?”

 

Quatre carefully pulled himself together, dutifully ignoring the slightly pink tinge to Heero's cheeks. “I'm sorry, Duo. We're all a bit silly with your return; it's like coming down from a battle we've been fighting for four years. We are just coming to the realization that opportunities we thought lost to us aren't so out of reach… As long as we aren't to shy to reach for them.” The seatbelt sign turned off and Quatre heaved a sigh. “I have to go to work. This could take a while.”

 

Duo watched as Quatre made his way into the office and the workstation there. He turned his attention to Heero. He could feel blue eyes on him even before he turned to meet them. Quatre's words kept turning around in his head, trying to spin into something more concrete. He found the dark haired man staring at him as he thought, clear blue eyes carefully taking in the changes he could find. The braided man struggled not to squirm under the intense gaze.

 

“So, any suggestions for tonight?” questioned Duo to ease the suddenly tense silence.

 

“We could go out if you like,” offered Heero, though it wasn't what he hoped for, “Or we could stay in, have a beer, and talk or watch a movie.”

 

“Honestly, I'd much rather stay in. Is that pizza place still open? The one with the deep dish pizza we used to order?”

 

Heero smiled, he didn't order pizza often, though it was something he secretly learned to enjoy. “Yes, I haven't ordered there in… a long time.”

 

“You and Lena were the only ones that learned to appreciate pizza the way I do,” Duo replied with a yawn.

 

“Why don't you take a nap? That way it won't matter how late we stay up talking,” suggested Heero, taking out his laptop.

 

“Are you going to lull me to sleep with incessant typing?” joked Duo even as he stretched out on the seats.

 

“Well, if you want, I'm sure I can arrange that,” replied Heero, giving him a small smile.

 

“God, I used to dream about you typing; a constant clicking in the background… sometimes the only thing to tell me that the battle was only a dream.” He draped an arm over his eyes, hiding his expression. “Did the nightmares ever stop for you?”

 

“They're always there, ready to jump out and get me when I'm stressed or exhausted,” admitted Heero. “You?”

 

“No,” the response was half asleep, unhindered by consciousness, “They're always here, my constant companions. They're not usually so bad, so violent, but they don't go away… `cept with you, `Ro. You keep `em away.”

 

“He asleep again?” questioned Quatre a few minutes later.

 

“Yes,” replied Heero, accepting the tea offered him. “Une sent me more information. She found Cassy, but not in the initial search. The facial recognition program found her. Misunami is not her maiden name. She is the daughter of Ueda Hinata and Jason Marsh. She enlisted as Cassandra Marsh and later married Misunami Aki. They had one daughter, Misunami Kyoko. They were based at Niigata when the war began. Alliance officials promised that the shelters were safe. Aki and Kyoko made it into a shelter but it didn't withstand the attack. They were among forty civilians killed during that battle.”

 

“Which one of us?” questioned Quatre softly.

 

“Wufei, I think. Duo and I were at St. Gabriel's Academy at that time,” replied Heero, “Kyoko would have been five during that battle. Cassy seems to have thrown herself into her work after that. She was a top interrogator when Duo was captured. She was one of the people that interrogated him before I could get him out.”

 

“That's the connection then. She knew his face,” sighed Quatre.

 

“Yes, and she was hunting him. The search turned up the other men whose lives she was trying to destroy. They were the men that promised the safety of the shelters,” added Heero. “Psych took one look at the file and thinks she had a breakdown. Duo's marriage is null as well. It seems she married one of the other men first.”

 

“I don't know if that's good news or not. It does make things a little bit less complicated.”

 

Heero sipped his tea before turning blue eyes up at his friend. “What was your call, anything important?”

 

“I have to go straight to the office. Something triggered the security on the W.E.I networks. Everything held but it took fast work on Trowa's part to stop it. He is increasing security and locking down all essential systems.”

 

“Do you need any help?” questioned Heero.

 

Quatre smiled. “No, thank you though. Trowa has the threat under control. I just have to deal with clean up. Several of the board members are scared because the threat was to their private information. If you don't mind, I'm going to follow Duo's example and catch a nap. It's going to be a long night I think.”

 

* * *

 

Duo poked around the kitchen while waiting for Heero. He moved through opening doors and drawers, unconsciously marking where things were in his mental blueprint. He was unsurprised by the drawer locked with a keypad.

 

“Gun safe,” confirmed Heero from the doorway, “Two glocks with four clips. The pin is one nine seven two one.”

 

“Show Rahne what's in there and she'll leave it alone. She's my little cat and just as curious. If you don't, she'll have it opened within a week,” murmured Duo, moving on.

 

“Pizza's on the way, you want a beer?” questioned Heero.

 

“Sure,” Duo responded distractedly.

 

“Can I ask you a question?” asked Heero handing over the cold beer.

 

“Go ahead; I've got a million myself.”

 

“Why marry her? You barely remembered her when she turned up pregnant; why take it that far?” He inquired.

 

Duo turned, startled by the hurt and confusion in Heero's voice. “I don't know,” He sighed, “I remembered these kids that came into the church. She was pregnant and scared; their parents kicked them out. They were getting married; Sister and Father kept telling them how proud they were that they were being responsible in their situation… I guess it stuck.”

 

He took a drink and watched Heero mull over what he said. Crystal blue eyes revealed a cacophony of emotions as he processed and accepted the reasoning. He took the time to study the former wing pilot. None of them had changed much, the genetic tinkering changing the natural flow of things. Heero was taller, their heights almost even, and his shoulders broader.

 

“It's not the reason I expected,” Heero admitted eventually. “I didn't realize you liked women too; I only saw you with men.”

 

“I prefer men,” Duo replied, “I don't know why I went with her that night. I don't remember much of that night to be honest. I woke up with the hangover from hell and her in my bed. It took me days, after the move, to realize that I didn't really like her that much.”

 

“Why did you stay?”

 

“For Rahne,” He answered softly. “Knowing who her family is is more important than my happiness. Heero, what's with the questions?”

 

“I just… needed to know. You know Commander Une found her past but she sent me a strange photo comparison as well. It made something you said to Trowa yesterday click with something you said to Wufei and Quatre.” Heero handed Duo two photos.

 

The first photo was Cassy in an olive green tank top and short black skirt; her hair was short and messy. The second photo showed Heero in the olive green tank top and bicycle shorts he wore throughout the first war. Duo felt himself blush a brilliant red even as the warning bells screamed in his head.

 

“Busted, I guess. I never actually saw her clothes the morning after. I must say though, this is really setup.” Duo sighed, exasperated with himself, “I spent what I can remember of that night looking for you. I was drinking, trying to build up the courage to tell you everything.”

 

“I was in Relena's suite having a small emotional breakdown. Realizing I was in love with my best friend, and had been since long before I understood the concept of friendship, was frightening and overwhelming.” Heero started peeling at the label of his beer. “I was certain that you would not be interested in me… especially after I hit you.”

 

“Shit, `Ro. Once I realized what you were doing, I was okay with it. You didn't exactly have time to explain it to me. I trust you; have always trusted you.” He ran a hand through his bangs in agitation. “Did you at least have someone with you? You shouldn't have to face that kind of thing alone.”

 

“Trowa and Quatre stayed with me. Quatre already knew and Trowa suspected.” Heero explained.

 

“What a pair we make. Any idea why we always do things the hard way?” wondered Duo.

 

“Only the reasons other people tell me. Why don't you go get comfortable and I'll put in a movie. Any preferences?”

 

“Something not kid friendly or animated?” answered Duo hopefully.

 

“Roger that,” laughed Heero, “No princesses or fairies.”

 

Duo's laughter rang down the hall. Heero pulled a random B horror from the shelf and put it in. While he was waiting for Duo's return, the pizza was delivered and he replaced their beers.

 

“I hope you don't mind, I still don't deal with the cold very well and I don't have anything warm,” said Duo from the edge of the room.

 

Heero glance up and found Duo in one of his sweatshirts. He swam in it; his willow thin frame, though well muscled was not as broad. “I don't mind.”

 

“It's a little big,” sighed Duo playing with the extra length of sleeve and dropping his form onto the end of the couch.

 

“It's a lot big,” replied Heero, “even I drown in that one, but it was all I could find at the end of a bad undercover assignment.”

 

“Your definition of bad or Une's definition of bad?” questioned Duo eager to learn more about the time he was away.

 

“Both,” Heero replied thoughtfully. “I was deep undercover for six months. I was all set for extraction, all the evidence had been sent ahead. Three of the dealers I `scammed' decided to join forces and try to get my evidence before I could escape and take me out to prevent me from testifying. They took down the helicopter as it started to land. I managed to rescue the pilot but the copilot didn't make it. Between a scalp laceration I received during the initial crash and the wounds the pilot sustained we were both covered in blood. We had to hide on the streets until backup arrived. Our only source of new clothing was a cheap little drug store that only seemed to carry extra large sizes. Twenty hours later, we were extracted and I kept the sweatshirt.”

 

“That was one hell of a skim over the twenty hours,” commented Duo with a raised eyebrow. “Care to add to your story?” Heero looked away and Duo suddenly felt guilty about pushing. “If you don't want to, I won't ask again.”

 

“No, it's just really jumbled in my head, even now, three years later. I was much closer to the crash than I should have been. Sally said that most people wouldn't have been able to function with the kind of concussion I had. I scared the shit out of Masterson. I was having flashbacks like crazy and not completely lucid in either reality. It was just a good thing that Une called Trowa, Quatre, and Wufei in to get us. I probably would have shot just about anyone else. They told me afterwards that I kept referring to Masterson as Odin.”

 

“You were flashing that far back,” exclaimed Duo in surprise.

 

“Sometimes but not always. Masterson stopped in to see me months later, after his recovery, and told me more about it.” Heero picked at the label on his beer, peeling off several long strips. He kept his eyes turned away from the Duo. “He said that if he hadn't actually known you and seen us interact he would never have known who I thought he was. My memory is scattered and disjointed.”

 

Duo reached out and touched Heero's hand. “That's gotta be frustrating. I know the time I got captured was like that. I took a couple of nasty blows to the head before they even laid their hands on me. I wasn't doing so hot before they beat the shit outta me.” Duo fell silent for a moment, his eyes losing focus as he sorted something out in his head. “It's still weird to know that was Cassy. How could I not have known?”

 

“I was wondering the same thing, but you just answered your own question,” responded Heero staring at the hand atop his. “Between the battle and the beating, you weren't thinking very clearly; which also explains why you were ready to let me shoot you.”

 

“Nah, just didn't want another beating.” Duo reached for the pizza, removing his hand from Heero's. “So, this movie gonna require any kind of attention?”

 

“Not really. It's more funny than scary. , `Zombie Apocalypse' is your kind of B horror,” responded Heero reaching for his own slice of pizza.

 

“Great, so you won't mind if I talk too much,” grinned Duo. “I have about a million questions, but the biggest is; how did Wufei end up with Relena?”

 

Heero couldn't help but laugh. “Blame Dorothy; she got sick of them arguing over everything. She cleared Relena's schedule and locked them in a closet for about six hours. I think she fulfills his need to protect someone and she's just strong willed enough to not stand for his `onna' crap. He retired and took over Dorothy's job sending Dorothy to Zechs. They are both politically minded enough to talk shop and be entertained. Things just kind of fell into place.”

 

“Wow,” replied Duo with a grin, “He needs someone that doesn't mind arguing with him once in a while. I always expected that it would be Sally Po.”

 

“They tried dating. It lasted all of two dates and they called it off preferring to keep their friendship intact. They make better partners than a couple. Sally described kissing him like kissing a brother,” Heero said. He couldn't help but watch Duo's long fingers as they tapped against the couch just inches from his hand.

 

Duo's fingers stopped tapping and darted over to flatten out Heero's clenching fist. “So, what now? Technically I'm not married and never was. You've told me, I've told you… Where does that leave us?”

 

Heero sighed and forced his hands to relax. “Where do you want it to leave us?”

 

A small shudder rushed through Duo as he wrapped his fingers around Heero's hand. “Everything I had just blew up in my face and everything I wanted is standing before me. I… Heero, I'm not sure what to do. Part of me is ready to jump in while the other part of me wants to run and find the best hiding place in existence.”

 

Turning his hand over, Heero closed his fingers, trying hard not to squeeze them with the urge to keep Duo from running. “I would have to search for you, you know that right? I wouldn't stop till I found you because I lost you once and I won't do it again. I can wait, give you all the time you need, but please don't leave me.”

 

Duo's violet eyes widened in surprise and understanding of the depth of Heero's emotions. “I'm not really going to run and hide,” Duo sighed, letting his eyes fall to their joined hands, “It's just… It seems like this is too good to be true, like I'm going to wake up tomorrow in my bed with its horrible pink sheets and flowered walls.”

 

Duo let himself lean against Heero's shoulder, his body held tight, rigid. Heero could feel the slight tremor in the braided man. Heero turned his body and pulled Duo closer to him in one swift motion. With the skinny man practically in his lap, pressed chest to back, he could feel the slight tremble even more. Heero reached around, wrapping his hands around Duo's once more.

 

“Duo, I promise this isn't a dream,” murmured Heero.

 

Heero wasn't surprised when Duo suddenly turned, wrapping his long arms around the Japanese man and pressing his face against his neck. They stayed like that until the slight trembling was gone, and he could feel the beginning of Duo over-thinking their position.

 

“How long has it been,” questioned Heero gently, “Since you cut yourself off from people?”

 

“What do you mean?” Duo asked from his muffled spot.

 

“It didn't occur to me until you touched my hand,” Heero sighed, “We've hugged you, touched you, drawn you back into our group but you've been withdrawn. Before, you wouldn't have thought twice about hugging or touching one of us. Now, you reciprocate if we initiate contact but you don't initiate it.”

 

“Why reach for something you can't have,” Duo sighed, relaxing into Heero's arms, “or will want more than I have to give. Every time I reach for just a small piece of what I want there is a price to pay. That price is always too high. I almost lost all of you the last time and that wasn't enough; Rahne got hurt over it.”

 

“We're not going to let Rahne get hurt again,” replied Heero. “I will do everything in my power to keep from hurting you. I can't guarantee that we're not going to fight; our history indicates otherwise, but I can promise that my feelings aren't going to change. I think we've both paid enough for happiness.”

 

Duo shifted on his lap, getting more comfortable and giving himself a moment to collect his thoughts. “That doesn't really answer the `now what' question.”

 

“Does this?” asked Heero tipping Duo's face up and kissing him.

 

It was soft, the barest pressure of lips. Violet eyes fluttered, and his arms tightened. Heero drew away, taking in the closed eyes.

 

“Um… yeah…” groaned Duo.

 

“Good,” replied Heero before leaning down to capture another kiss.

 

“Our next challenge is gonna be explaining this to my little demon. As far as I know, she's never seen two guys kiss and well, Cassy and I were never close enough to even wanna try,” murmured Duo snuggling into Heero's warmth.

 

Heero snorted. “Two hours with Quatre and Trowa will take care of it. They can't keep their hands to themselves… never anything PG of course… but they'll at least get stuck answering the questions.”

 

“That's evil…Quatre?” questioned Duo, “Mr. How-do-two-boys… I'd-put-it-where-Winner. You've gotta be kidding me.”

 

“Nope,” laughed Heero. “After a major blow out between him and several uncles, he gave up on being shy about his relationship with Trowa. His uncles forgot that they were dealing with a Gundam Pilot; he doesn't take threats well.”

 

Duo sobered, his smile fading to something almost pained. “I missed so much. I would have liked to have been there to see that and Fei's wedding too. Who stood with him?”

 

Heero rubbed at his arms trying to offer comfort. “We all did. He decided that there wouldn't be a best man and Noin walked alone… Relena was beautiful. Wufei was so nervous. Zechs gave Relena away and Commander Une stood with Wufei. It was a media nightmare.”

 

Duo wiggled in Heero's arms, his body tensing as though ready for a battle. When he finally turned, straddling Heero's legs, his face was twisted in a complex mixture of anger and pain. “I spoke to you at least once a month all this time. Why didn't you try to get a message across? Why didn't you say or do anything. I don't understand why this happened the way it did.”

 

“I did at first,” snapped Heero, “You just never got it. All you had to do was come visit with the baby and everything would have been figured out. You hid your exhaustion so well that I missed it; I failed you.”

 

“I…” Heero watched as Duo searched his memory for those early conversations. “I was so caught up in taking care of Rahne that I don't think I could have come home if I thought to even try it. I… Damn.” He gave Heero a small smile. “You didn't fail me either. Trick of the trade; you don't dare show how tired you are on the streets. I was too small, too young, and too pretty for my own good.”

 

Heero hugged him tightly. “Smart enough to survive too.”

 

Duo carefully extracted himself and lay back on the couch, his head on Heero's leg. “So, what about you, what have you been doing? You said something about a security company.”

 

Heero smirked and thought about how to describe what he did. “I could really use your help. I run computer security for Preventors along with all of the other state and local police departments.”

 

“That is one hell of a responsibility,” sighed Duo. “What got you started on that?”

 

“I was bored with retirement and more than tired of dodging bullets. It was Une's suggestion actually,” Heero said with a shrug. “I also provide security systems for several large companies. Trowa and Quatre take care of WEI.”

 

Duo's attention was suddenly split between their conversation and the action on the screen. “What the hell? A scythe… He's not even holding it right! Sorry Heero, we gotta go back and find out how the idiot ended up fighting zombies with a scythe.”