Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Struggling to Fly ❯ Chapter 2

Title: Struggling to Fly

Author: sailor c. ryoko

Rating: R

Pairings: 1+/x3. 1+2. 3+2. (eventual 1x2x3). 5x4. past Tsuberov x Une.

Ages: Une is 33. Tsuberov is 40. Pilots are 15. Except `Fei - 16. ^_^

Archive: my new site - Erotic Encounters: http://www.geocities.com/zerotwoaddict and http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1471289

Warnings: shounen-ai/yaoi. threesome. Duo POV. lots o' angst. OOC. in some ways... TWT.. (sorta). language. unrequited love (at first) on Duo's part. Duo-centric. bastard Une and Tsuberov. OC's. post-war. EW never occurred.

Disclaimer: I, apparently, do not own Gundam Wing.

Notes: this is my first threesome.. so... please go easy on me. ^^ and um.. Tsuberov knows martial arts *real* good-either can match g-boys or surpass `em.. I think... ^^;; plus.. yea, I know. Tsusberov x Une?? o.O ..but I had to find someone who was would fit the part as mean and was older.. sorry for those of you who like Une.. ^^;; also.. this fic got inspired while I was watching one specific angsty scene in the Chinese movie, "Blue Dragon". ^_^ I soooo love that movie!! well, that is.. if that's what the movie's called anyway.. er, yeah.. ^^;;

Synopsis: Being an outcast in society, Duo struggles with only what little he has to cope with life in the present. However, unwanted problems about his past begins to arise that may prevent him from having any future at all.

Special Note: I wanna thank Sol for helping me so much with this fic! I really, really appreciate it a lot! ^___^ Thank you!

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Part 02 - revised

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After nearly two seconds of elapsed time, the car slowed to a stop, halting merely a foot away from the white pedestrian line. Knowing all too well that I'd have to wait at least five minutes for the red light to turn green, I set the automatic stick to its parking mode before releasing my foot from the brakes. I've always despised dealing with this steep road but sadly, it was, by far, the fastest way to reach the orphanage or Preventers HQ from the apartment that Heero, Trowa and I lived in.

My hands had left the steering wheel and began fiddling with the end of my braid again, a habit, I recalled, that seemed to always get on Une's nerves.

I sighed.

Who am I kidding? Every time I was within her line of sight, she would heatedly want to chop off my "ridiculous mop of hair" because of the troubles it caused so much to her four best agents. Even given that Quatre is one of the most recognized face on the Earth Sphere, if you were to play a game of `Where's Waldo?', you wouldn't have to look hard to be able to spot me first in a crowd; my meter-long braid was a big giveaway.

Whenever I thought about my braid, it would only remind me of our place in society of how, in the eyes of billions, we will always be feared and abhorred. And that would only make me question myself further. It made me wonder...Should I still keep my braid? Is it even worth it? Is it worth all of those insulting, stinging remarks thrown our way? Or all those times we were stoned and shouted at to leave and never come back? Was it really worth it?

I leaned back in my seat and ran my hand through my hair, giving it a pull near the base of my neck. I really didn't know the answer. I shook my head. It probably wasn't worth it. Now it makes me wonder why Heero and Trowa always stuck up for me in the first place, and stood up to Une whenever she chewed me out. I've always felt touched and can't help but smile when they did, but it also opened my eyes, only telling me that their effort isn't worth it either. I hate it when you're torn in the middle. Whether you're torn between emotions or situations, it's all the fuckin' same. You don't know what the hell to do.

I never did understand Une though. It seems like her schizophrenia always seems to pop up when I'm around. I see her laughing and enjoying herself, but the minute she sees me, her smile just completely vanishes. Y'know, just not too long ago, she didn't actually hate my guts as much as she does right now. I mean, we were pretty cool with each other, even *friends* at one point in time. She isn't even like that psychotic, vindictive, bastard she was back in the war anymore. It puzzles me as to why she's so cold to me (and it seems, *only* me) now. I just can't figure out what exactly went wrong.

Everything seemed to change the night at the little gathering for Wufei's sixteenth birthday.

After two hours of staying inside Quatre's house, dancing and whatnot, it had gotten a bit stuffy and my throat was dry. So I excused myself from talking to Trowa, Heero, Wufei, Quatre and Zechs and strode over to the punch table. I reached out with one hand to grab a paper cup whilst the other picked up the ladle in the punch bowl.

I heard a loud gasp a few feet to my left and curiously, I turned my head that way. Relena, Hilde, and Noin were chatting nonchalantly. However, it was the sight of a pale Une staring at me with a bizarre expression of disbelief that struck me. I was standing with my arms bent at my side, the cup in hand, but her gaze was not on my face but rather somewhere between my neck and waist.

I looked down to see if I had a spider crawling on me or something, but I found nothing out of the ordinary. I was wearing a jeans jacket, with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows, over a black tee with black jeans. The old five-inch scar was showing, but really, none of it seemed that out of the ordinary, so my gaze switched back to Une's once again, clearly bewildered. When my gaze met hers, though, she not only gasped louder but jumped a little, and the cup of punch fell out of her hands, spilling all over the tiled floor.

It caused a small commotion around her, but neither she nor I had moved from our spot. I was still trying to figure out what was up with her but she had begun to shake her head, still with that horrified disbelief look on her face. What was going on?

Then, her head started to shake a bit and she looked as if she was going to fall back but didn't. She seemed to be far away now, not even looking at me anymore. And then, as if it'd never happened, her head snapped back and she glared at me with such heated emotions in her eyes that *I* had to take a step back. Sheer abhorrence radiated from her to the point that I found myself taking another step back. Again I wondered what the hell was going on. Had I done something to upset her?

Une glared at me one more time before storming from the room, viciously slamming the door behind her. Everyone's gaze landed on me, their eyes full of unspoken questions, but I had no answers for them. I was just as confused and in dark as much as they were.

I forced the thoughts about Une out of my head and focused on what I needed to do. Besides, if I didn't get this food out of my car, I was going to drown in my own drool. Yeah, it smelled that good.

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Ten minutes later, I was at the orphanage, straining my neck to stare at the three-story white building as I walked up to the door. It still amazes me sometimes that this fairly small residence is an orphanage of fifty-three people. Shaking my head I turned my attention back to the wooden door. With one hand dragging the wheelbarrow-sized cart of delicious-smelling Italian food, I dug out a set of keys from my jeans pocket with my free hand. Grandma Davis had given the guys and I each a copy of the keys to the orphanage so we could come whenever we wanted.

"For all you've done, you boys are always more than welcome here," she told us.

Stuffing the keys back into my pocket, I turned the knob and pushed the door open. The front room was full of kids playing or chatting with one another, all ranging between six and fifteen. All of their heads seem to lift up and turn in my direction at the same time and, oddly, I found that amusing somehow. I had been here often enough, and I figured my presence was no longer a big deal, which was good. I didn't want to get tackled by every single one of them, all trying to hug me.

However, from the drooling, wild looks in their eyes, I suspected thirty pairs of shoes might stampede me instead: they had spotted the food. Kicking the door closed behind me, I dashed at a sixty-degree angle to my left, towards the seven-foot long table, dragging the cart behind me. Getting behind the table was my best safety measure. I skidded to a halt between the chairs and the wall. Squeezed between the wall and the long table, I let out a puff of air in relief, even as I realized the kids had cornered me.

"Duo! You brought more food!"

"What kind didja buy this time?"

"Is it Chinese food? I love Chinese food!"

"Hey! I want some too, Duo!"

"Quit whining, you'll get ta eat!"

"Food? I wanna eat too!"

"Quiet!" The shout was easily heard over the incessant chatter. From just that one word, the room had settled down and the voices had reduced to nothing.

Well, you have to admit, Granny D is good. I smirked.

Into the room stepped a business-like, damn healthy individual considering she's got to be in her seventies. Shoulders straight, hands behind her back, she strode across the room eyeing everyone else before her gaze landed on me, even if she had to lean back a little to look at me. Her bright blue eyes, so sharp in her pale face, softened a bit and she flashed me a small smile and a nod before shifting her watchful eyes back to the kids.

"I know that everyone must be very hungry," she announced, receiving a number of nods at that statement. "However, trying to stampede Duo to get to the food is not the answer." This time, a few people flushed and others giggled. "Everyone will get to eat. Now, line up and behave yourselves. Everyone will get their turn."

"Yes, Grandma Davis," came the reply in unison.

She turned to me. "Duo, you need not to bring so much food next time. Sometimes, I just want to smack you for your generosity. All five of you spoil us too much." She scolded playfully, making me laugh.

"It's no problem, really, Granny D. Everyone here deserves to eat until they're completely stuffed and can't move a single muscle at least once in their lifetime; that's why I'm here." I grinned, and everyone chortled at that. "`Sides, we love this. Even Wufei, no matter how much he denies it. Just don't tell him I told you guys that or he won't hesitate to throttle me." I winked at the kids and they chuckled.

"Now, I'll serve. Duo, could you please go get the plates and utensils?" Granny D said, walking around to stand by me behind the table.

"Roger that." I tossed her a grin and headed for the kitchen.

A few minutes later, I was back with everything we'd need for dinner. Noticing that there were four other helping hands by Granny D, I turned my attention to locating one specific orphan, Liz. I frowned, not spotting her anywhere and went back to the hallway, making a right this time, towards the room where she and several other kids slept at at night.

I didn't have to get far though, because once I made the right turn in the hall, I saw Liz walking alone in the hallway. I shook my head, immediately upset at the fact that Liz was alone, again. The other kids ostracized her, and I hated it. I knew what that felt like.

Unwanted images of my own past suddenly surfaced.

I was eight, and I remember stumbling back as the force of the basketball completely caught me off guard, causing me to land not too gracefully on my butt. The echoes of laughter filled the school playground as each one either doubled over and guffawed or smirked and snickered, whispering who knows what to another and then full-out laughing together. Either way, I wasn't gonna take this sitting down - literally or figuratively.

Face heated with humiliation and anger, I stared in turn at each of the kids surrounding me. Jane, Mark, Christopher, Vye, Sandy, Mary-Ann, Emma, Craig, Phillip, Eugene, Paul, Maia.... My wandering gaze snapped back and stopped at Eugene. I should've known it would have been him. Again. Lucky me.

Eugene had his hands across his chest, a huge smirk plastered on his face. His two lapdogs stood by either side of him. Bastards. Clenching my fist in growing anger, I pushed myself off the ground and picked up the basketball, darting forward and throwing it back at him at the same time. Frantic shouts filled the background. Everyone scrambled far enough to stay out of the coming fight while staying close enough to witness it all. I ignored them. I was focused solely on Eugene.

He immediately dodged out of the way of the ball with that smirk still on his face. I gave him no time to recover, but charged towards him. I threw myself on him, and we both crashed to the ground. Sitting up, I threw blow after blow at his face.

Something at the back of mind nudged at me, tugged at me, the voice sounding so pleading for me to cease the punches. That I was gonna kill `im at this rate.

I ignored it, and kept punching him.

I was blinded by my own fury. Everything bottled up in me was unleashed, and I wasn't going to stop now. I hated him for always humiliating me, hated him for always baggin' on Sister Helen and Father Maxwell, hated him for always starting shit with me, and hated him for getting the others to reject me, too. With every memory, my fist hit his face. All I could think of was that it was *he* who had fed the sparkling embers of dislike to the blazing inferno of hatred it was now.

Suddenly two pairs of arms roughly hauled me off of Eugene and shoved me harshly to the ground. I rolled several feet, sitting up, slightly dazed. Sweat clouded my vision. I blinked, looking up. Angry shouts clogged the air. Paul and Phillip were heatedly storming my way, fists up and ready to kick ass. I picked myself up, fighting back fiercely as they landed on me. With every strike they gave me, I gave back double.

The fight didn't last long. Eugene had joined after a pause but wasn't much help, and all three boys were finally down. I stood there, my shoulders slumped, my clothing torn at more places than not, panting and breathing sluggishly as I could feel the red liquid seeping from the lacerations, and the black and blues already swelling. My face was not a pretty sight, but neither was theirs.

I could hear gasps of sheer horror and splutters of disbelief, and distant shouts that I'd beaten up the baddest kids at school. Then, surprisingly, there was silence. Silence that was so disturbing I could clearly hear the every beat of my heart. I stood there, unmoving, feeling their eyes on me. Panic, disbelief, and...fear. My stare slowly moved from one pair of eyes to the next; the fear was evident in them.

A drop of water suddenly landed on my cheek, waking me from my mindless state. I blinked. The next thing I knew, the schoolyard was filled with panicked shouts as the kids fled to the relative safety of the school building. Even Eugene and the other two had hauled their own asses up and limped away.

"Yer a damn monster! There's no way some scrawny li'l kid can beat us up. Yer a dirty, li'l freakish monster! We don't want you here! We don't want you here at all! Just go back to the damn shit-hole you came from and never come back!"

Eugene's shouts rang almost repeatedly in my head. The true fear in his eyes spoke volumes. I only remained in that spot and watched as each disappeared into the buildings, running further and further away from me. There was that unsettling silence again, but somehow it'd gotten thicker and deeper this time. Not even the cold, stinging downpour could wash away the pain that resided within my heart.

Standing in that hallway, years later, watching Liz, my fists clenched and I shoved those thoughts away, refusing to think about that or similar memories. I swallowed my anger and despair and called out to her.

"Hey, Liz!"

My tone was hyper, I knew that for a fact but then again, that was my intention. Her eyes focused on me momentarily before a grin broke out on her face as she brought her right hand up to her mouth. Not covering it, mind you, but instead crafting her index finger to resemble a hook before opening her mouth and sinking her teeth into it. I wasn't alarmed. I knew she wouldn't bite her finger that hard. It was more like as how an infant would constantly suck on her thumb out of habit.

Her raven-colored eyes sparkled with joy when she recognized me. One bare foot took a step forward and the other slightly dragged behind as she headed towards me. I stood in place and waited as she walked across the twenty feet that distanced us, outstretching my arms when she was but a foot or two away. It was hard resisting the urge to go over to her, but her doc had said that more mobility was better for her.

When she reached me, she wrapped her free arm around my neck (as she always did) and rested her chin on my shoulder, overlooking it. I've always found it oddly comforting when we embraced one another but it was especially odd that the way the hand wrapping around my neck held me in place peculiarly; her hand would bend so that her palm was facing outwards and it was the back of her hand that was in contact with my skin, instead of the other way around.

I brought my hand up to her head, ruffling her short, black hair and scratched her head; she liked that. I think we must've stayed there for a couple of minutes. She was very affectionate, well, either that or very...aggressive. Slowly pulling away, she just stood there still biting her finger while her face and eyes kept moving around. I swear there ain't one minute where her eyes *aren't* moving. I just stood in place staring at her.

Liz had only been at the orphanage a month but I got attached to her pretty quickly. She's only two years younger than me, but she's a three-year-old on the inside. She doesn't speak, can't walk properly, and can't do many things like ordinary people, but sometimes I could briefly see pain in her eyes. Even if the flash of overwhelming emotion was but a rapid millisecond, I could see the familiar pain of isolation in them.

It's weird though. There are times when her sorrow shows but most of the time she's carefree, as if she's truly happy. It makes me wonder how she can so easily switch from one mood to another and, I could tell, it's no mask. I wish. I wish I could be her. So I wouldn't have to think about the things and people in my life and where I stand in it. It would be so great if I couldn't think....

A slap on my head brought me back from my thoughts and I blinked; the first thing I saw was Liz's grin. Her hand was still up and she kept hitting me on the head.

I wagged my fingers at her, playfully scolding her, "Oh! Sly, are ya! Trying to hit me when I'm not paying attention!"

She laughed and hit harder. I wrapped my arms around her waist and picked her up, carrying her to the living room. When the kids saw us enter the living room, they paused eating long enough to move away. Any idiot could see the fear in their eyes.

Gritting my teeth, I walked over to the stool to my left and set Liz down, noting the wide berth we'd been given. I didn't say anything, but I was pretty sure my irritation was evident. I retrieved some dinner and settled down next to Liz, feeding her patiently while her eyes darted around the room, watching everyone else eat.

"Hey, Granny D," I called, as I remembered my good news.

"Yes?" The elderly lady was heading in our direction, with her own plate of food in her hands.

"I got a job!" I exclaimed.

"That's wonderful!"

"Yeah. Starting tomorrow, I'm gonna start working at the Black Dragon restaurant down the street."

"That's great, Duo. Congratulations, I'm happy for you." She smiled warmly, setting her plate on the mantelpiece before embracing me. I did the same and hugged her back.

"Thanks, Granny D," I whispered; I could picture the smile she produced.

As she pulled away, she nodded and asked, "Have you told the other dears yet, Duo?"

I shook my head. "No, I haven't. I directly came here after getting hired. I was going to them when I got home later." Yeah, much later. I didn't exactly feel up to facing my two roommates yet after the realization last night. It was still too fresh in my mind.

Granny D suddenly got a shocked looked on her face.

"What?" I asked, puzzled. Did I do something wrong?

"Oh, Duo! How *could* you?"

What? What'd I do? I gave her a perplexed look.

She laughed, her tone mildly scolding. "How could you not tell us first before buying all of this food as celebration?"

Needless to say, the best response I could come up was, "Oh." Yeah, I'm witty.

Granny's laughter broke through my embarrassment and my stupidity-not about not telling the pilots first, but because I looked stupid standing there with my mouth open.

"Well, since we're `officially' celebrating right now, I should go call the others to come-"

"No!" I think I shouted louder than intended, because everyone gave me a look as if I'd grown two heads or something. Great. The center of attention looking so very stupid again. Yeah, real nice.

"Err, well..." Great, now I'm stuttering too. "What I meant was I know the guys are busy. I'm gonna tell them later." Much, much later.

I guess Granny could tell that I didn't want them to come. She might not know the reason behind it but she didn't push it. I was grateful.

"Whatever you wish, dear," she reluctantly said, nodding solemnly.

Everyone else had already gone back to the mindless talking and eating again but there was that unnerving silence between me and Granny D. Finally, she just smiled at me, and began taking empty dishes to the kitchen.

I sighed, turning back to feed Liz again but my thoughts drifted elsewhere.

I had woken up at five o'clock in the morning. Not that I had much sleep last night in the first place, but that's not the point. Everything was still too fresh in my mind. Even now, I could remember every detail on Heero's face from last night. All the emotions he must've felt, everything that I felt, it's still there. And I doubt it'll go away for a long, long time.

I guess, in a way, I'm running and hiding again, just like I always do when things begin to get complicated and I don't want to face the truth. I know this, I know that this is what I'm doing and I know that what I should really be doing is wishing them happiness but...I can't. I had left home so early this morning because I couldn't stay there anymore.

I spooned more food into Liz's waiting mouth, and thought about it. The idea of Heero and Trowa being nearby made me feel overwhelmed, stressed, and...trapped, somehow. I needed to get away, at least for a little while, to take everything in and try to...*accept* it one way or another.

And I tried, I really did, but then there were points where I'd brush the problems away, not wanting to think about it at all. But it seems that I've failed to do so. Again and again. They say that if you were to truly love someone, I mean with all the heartbreaks and afflictions, coalesced with the blissful, glass shattering, soul connection...you'd do anything you can to give that person whatever they desire. Even if it means that you must succumb to reality and just let go, whatever it takes, just so he's happy.

If this is true, then why I am unable to do that? Relena had pursued him - did she ever - but when he'd straight-out told her in his own gentle way that he did not love her and never would because his heart belonged somewhere else, she was hurt. She was heartbroken, and you could see it in her eyes. But in the end, she did let go and even gave him her best wishes.

Why couldn't I do that? Why couldn't I do the same thing and let him go?

But...so what does this mean then? That I do not love him? That what I feel for him is merely obsession and lust? But...I do. I *do* love him. I love the way he just sits there sometimes, thinking that no one is watching and staring at something in his own imagination with that wistful expression on his face. I love the way his eyes have that all-too-familiar sparkle of adrenaline in them when he is informed that a field assignment requires his attention. I love the way he was finally able to succumb to the warmth and solace Trowa and I had offered, just as us two had hesitantly done when we were in that similar situation. I love the way his breathtaking laughter echoed in the room when Liz did something to amuse him. And I love the way his deepening shades of blue glitters with such overwhelming emotions and the way the ends of his mouth curves up just very slightly when he smiles that one smile only presented to me and Trowa.

So that means that I do love him. Right?

Or does it just mean that I'm just following obsessive emotions and my selfish desires?

I sighed. I didn't know anymore. I guessed after the night before, I didn't know anything anymore. But even as much as all I want to do is just shove away the desolation and give in to the bitterness and just have him for myself...I know I can't. I wasn't able to last night when he'd ask me to help him; I wouldn't be able to now.

Suddenly, I stiffened.

For some reason, I don't know why realization hadn't dawned on me earlier. I don't know why I hadn't noticed how so disgustingly selfish I was. Yes, I know everyone has egotistical qualities, some more than others, but Trowa is one of my best friends; both he and Heero are. It was they who had helped me cope with my nightmares into the dead hours of the night. It was they who had saved my ass more times than once back during the two wars. And it was they who had stood up for me against Une every time she chewed me out about my braid.

I guess I can't evade the truth; only I would be able to attract trouble like no other. But like the saying goes, you get what you deserve, and obviously, all of this-all that's happened to me is because I deserve it, right? It's a shame though. I guess I deserve friends, then, since they've stuck with me this long. I just don't deserve more.

I set the empty bowl down on the table and picked up the cup of water, helping Liz drink. She normally only took a sip and this time around was no different; she wasn't too fond of water, or nearly any kind of beverage for that matter. I shrugged, then sighed, for the thousandth time today.

It was going to be a long day.

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I parked about a block away from our apartment, in the only open space I could find. I turned off the engine and pulled my keys out, all the while muttering curses about the damn weather. Don't get me wrong, I happen to like rain. But then, when you consider all the other factors in it like a scrawny figure who's only dressed in a thin, short-sleeved white dress shirt and beige slacks with no umbrella or raincoat, and the thundering hail storm and the subzero temperature that just tends to send pricks to every part of your chilling body. That doesn't sound like something to look forward to, if you ask me.

A long, soft sigh escaped as my gaze landed on the brick two-story building up ahead. I didn't really want to go home. Knowing that the both of them are probably curled up in each other's arms, sleeping blissfully with a roof over their heads in that comforting embrace of the other.

That image of them suddenly hit me like a tsunami.

Why didn't I see this before? Heero and Trowa. God, why the fuck didn't I see this before? Why couldn't I see that they're perfect for one another? I guess I was too wrapped up in my own delusion and fantasy that Heero and I could have been something more than friends but I guess I was wrong. I know that now. I know that I'm just a damned, selfishly pathetic fool. I should have seen it before.

If I had just opened my eyes, I tell myself angrily. I would've seen that when they're together, the trust they have for each other flares so brightly. They'd both stick up for the other in less than a second. Plus, Heero can give the comforting shelter and stability that Trowa needs, and Trowa can give the consoling peace and warmth that Heero needs.

I remember back when Une had chosen the two of them to demonstrate the value of vigilance, speed, and cooperation to the new Preventer recruits by having them run the obstacle course in the gym. I had been there to see it; all of us were actually. They both were to work together, as partners, to get through the obstacle course and defuse the artificial bombs in less than five minutes.

The second Une had pushed the timer and shouted `Go!' both had shot forward with such admiring speed and agility that'd leave you in complete awe. They had breezed through the course in four minutes flat. I should've realized then that Quatre was right when he said, "It's amazing how they can easily work together, side by side, like as if they're just simply made for each other. It's no wonder Une had assigned them as partners."

No wonder they always call me a baka, huh? I mean, they were *right* in front of my eyes! I should've known, should've seen the connection that Heero and Trowa are like Bonny and Clyde, partners in crime. Well, partners in justice instead but that's beside the point. It's just like Quatre had said, "they're just simply made for each other."

I sit in the car, reluctant to get out in the rain, and laugh softly to myself, a cynical sound. I guess this meant I'd done the right thing when I woke up. I'd deliberately busted Trowa's car's engine with the intention of having both Heero and Trowa work together to fix it all day today. I'd sent a message to Heero's laptop about my plan to help him, telling him to just be himself when talking to Trowa and just...follow his heart. I couldn't type anything after that. Everything just...it just all hurt too much.

A pathetic smile crawled its way to my face as a bitter laugh suddenly tore from my throat. Something landed on the hands in my lap and I looked down. I was crying. So much expression all filled within that single drop, it was suddenly hilarious. Another realization struck as I began laughing and crying at the same time. Is that even possible, though? Does it matter? No, of course not.

I guess like many things, I should've realized this sooner. Our situation is exactly like the old saying, two's company and three's a crowd. And. I guess I'm the loner, the odd one out. I'm the crowd...right?

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tbc…

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Whew! I finally got the revision of this chapter done. Yeah, I know. It took me a long while…. ^^;; Sorry about that. > < Well, I hope you guys like this better than the last. ^_^