Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ What Once Was Lost ❯ Deciding ( Chapter 3 )
[ A - All Readers ]
By: RayneCarnver 
Quatre watched, eyes shining, as Duo pushed himself from the table and sighed.
“Jess, you really out did yourself today,” Duo grinned at his wife. Jessica raised an eyebrow at him and laughed.
“Not for you that’s sure.”
“Eh?”
“You the only idiot here, Mark?” The woman laughed. “Mr Winner here’s a famous diplomat and extremely rich man. Unlike you.” She winked at Quatre over her glasses.
“Just call me Quatre, Mrs Andrews.”
“And you call me Jessica, or Jess, whichever you prefer.”
“An’ call me Cissy!” The girl child yelled, throwing her hands in the air happily. The adults laughed as the child grinned up at them.
“So, ten years later,” Duo laughed. “I have two children, a wife, a different name, a different life.”
“But I don’t see very much change,” Trowa cut him off with his quiet voice.
“Aside the braid and the less violet eyes,” Quatre smiled at his friend.
Jessica stood and began cleaning off the small round table. She hummed to herself happily, brown eyes shining.
“What’s that song?” Quatre blinked at her. “It sounds very familiar.”
“It’s the song that was on the radio when Mark-er- Duo appeared at the garage,” She grinned at her husband. He patted her butt as she passed. She laughed and raised an eyebrow at him.
“Duo,” Trowa observed. “You definitely have not changed.”
“Ha!” Duo laughed, folding his hands behind his head as Jessica sat back down next to him. They grinned at each other. “Damn, woman, you failed! I haven’t changed a fucking thing!” Jessica’s jaw hit the ground as she smacked her husbands arm, glancing pointedly at the twins next to her. Duo laughed, holding his now bruised arm, and pride.
“Well, you two,” Quatre said pushing away from the table. “It’s time Trowa and I continued on our vacation.”
“Aw, come on Quat,” Duo moaned like a child. “You guys’ve only been here for one day.”
“Yes, I know,” the Arabian laughed. “But I’m sure you and Jessica have a lot to talk about now. Plus, Trowa and I need to get going. We’re behind schedule. Heero’ll notice if we don’t get back soon enough.” Duo’s grin disappeared for a moment.
“You’re not going to tell him you guys found me, are you?” He looked at his friends with wide pleading eyes.
“Not if you don’t want us to,” Trowa said as he slowly stood.
“I want to tell him myself, face-to-face.”
Trowa and Quatre nodded simultaneously. They reached for their thin jackets and moved towards the door. They thanked Jessica for the wonderful dinner, which Quatre said was a welcome change from the elaborate dinners of diplomats. “And,” he added with a smile. “The pathetic cooking of the other pilots.”
“Well, this sure has been a great surprise,” Jessica said as they stood in the doorway to the apartment. They exchanged embraces and handshakes. Simion and Chrissy stood, wide eyed, staring at the adults. Slowly, Simion reached up and tugged at Quatre’s pants lightly. Quatre looked down, surprised.
“Can we call you Uncle Quatty?” the small boy asked softly. Quatre knelt down and hugged both the twins.
“I would be honored.”
“And we can call him,” Chrissy pointed at Trowa. “Auntie Tro-Tro?” Trowa turned a pale shade of red as the others laughed hysterically.
“Of course you can, Chrissy!” Duo laughed. The twins looked up at him, eyes shining then ran off giggling. Trowa glared at Duo, who just grinned back.
“Well,” Quatre said, grabbing Trowa’s arm. “It’s was great to find you, Duo. And even better to meet you Jessica. You have our numbers, I’m sure you have a lot to talk about. Good-bye!” The pilots were out the door and down the balcony staircase before Jessica or Duo could even respond. The couple blinked at each other then shrugged. Quatre was right, they had to talk. Later.
“The twins are finally asleep,” Jessica said thankfully as she dragged herself into the master bedroom. She moaned as she saw the clock’s illuminated numbers. Midnight.
“They don’t know how good they have it,” she sighed as she fell onto the bed, arms sprawled out, one landing on Mark. “They don’t have to make decisions, pay rent, run a business, get their own food or anything.”
“They don’t have to figure out two lives.” Mark added flatly, placing his book down on his lap. He reached out and ran his fingertips lightly across the skin on Jessica’s arm. She squirmed and crawled up next to her husband. She gave his cheek a kiss and sat against him.
“Not many have to, I’m afraid.” She smiled at Mark. “So, anything I should know?”
“Hmm?”
“About Duo Maxwell?”
“Oh, heh,” Mark adjusted his position and put his book on the night stand next to him. He turned towards his wife. “Might be some things you want to know.”
“Like what?” Jessica asked quietly, confused by the sudden shy look on his face.
“You remember the other guy in the picture?”
“Heero,” Jessica said after a moment. “Isn’t that his name? That is what I think you called him.”
“Yeah,” Mark nodded biting his lip. He hesitated for a moment. “Heero and I had this thing together. I guess that’s the only thing I can call it.” Jessica’s eyes went wide and her jaw dropped a bit.
“What?” she said, as if unsure what he just said.
“Yeah, I was gay. Key word being was, though.”
“But people don’t just go from chasing guys to chasing women.”
“We’ll just say that Heero and I had both lived as far from a normal life as you can think of. We grew up piloting war machines, learning to kill, not feel. The only people that could understand was the other pilots, and Heero was the first one who showed sympathy. Other than Quatre, of course.” Jessica nodded slowly, trying to get her mind to accept the idea of her husband... She repressed a shiver.
“Anything else?” Jessica asked as if she didn’t really want to know, but her curiosity was sparked.
“Besides that no matter who I am, Mark Andrews or Duo Maxwell, you’re still my wife and I love you more than I have loved anyone else.” He pulled her close for a quick kiss.
“Oh, by the way,” Jessica said, with a grin of mischief on her face. She handed Mark something that she pulled out of her pocket. “Your good friend Mr Winner left that under his plate.” Mark unfolded the paper, on it was the phone numbers and addresses of each of the other pilots, and the picture of Duo and Heero. He sucked in a breath.
“Do I have to decide who I want to be now?”
“I think you may,” Jessica said softly.
About ten minutes later, Jessica slipped under the blanket and turned off her light. She curled up against her husband and breathed deeply, breathing in his scent. She ran her fingernails across his naked abdomen. Neither of them had spoken for a few minutes.
“Are you afraid to ask me what you should do because you think I’ll be bias?” Jessica said after a few minutes of trying to ignore the air of slight fear and anxiousness surrounding him. He made a small grunting sound, slightly annoyed that she knew what he was thinking about. Especially since it was about her.
“Well, you’re getting my opinion because I have air in my body to give it to you,” she said jokingly. “I think you should combine the lives. You lived as Duo Maxwell for so long, but you are also Mark and Daddy to the children. You cannot let either go. But it’s your life, not mine.” She rolled over to the other side of the bed and refused to say another word on the subject.
Mark laid awake for hours, just thinking. Jess was right, but it wasn’t that easy. Or it didn’t seem to be.
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 11.03.2003 | Pages: 2 | Words: 8.2K | Visits: 191 | Status: Completed
Quatre watched, eyes shining, as Duo pushed himself from the table and sighed.
“Jess, you really out did yourself today,” Duo grinned at his wife. Jessica raised an eyebrow at him and laughed.
“Not for you that’s sure.”
“Eh?”
“You the only idiot here, Mark?” The woman laughed. “Mr Winner here’s a famous diplomat and extremely rich man. Unlike you.” She winked at Quatre over her glasses.
“Just call me Quatre, Mrs Andrews.”
“And you call me Jessica, or Jess, whichever you prefer.”
“An’ call me Cissy!” The girl child yelled, throwing her hands in the air happily. The adults laughed as the child grinned up at them.
“So, ten years later,” Duo laughed. “I have two children, a wife, a different name, a different life.”
“But I don’t see very much change,” Trowa cut him off with his quiet voice.
“Aside the braid and the less violet eyes,” Quatre smiled at his friend.
Jessica stood and began cleaning off the small round table. She hummed to herself happily, brown eyes shining.
“What’s that song?” Quatre blinked at her. “It sounds very familiar.”
“It’s the song that was on the radio when Mark-er- Duo appeared at the garage,” She grinned at her husband. He patted her butt as she passed. She laughed and raised an eyebrow at him.
“Duo,” Trowa observed. “You definitely have not changed.”
“Ha!” Duo laughed, folding his hands behind his head as Jessica sat back down next to him. They grinned at each other. “Damn, woman, you failed! I haven’t changed a fucking thing!” Jessica’s jaw hit the ground as she smacked her husbands arm, glancing pointedly at the twins next to her. Duo laughed, holding his now bruised arm, and pride.
“Well, you two,” Quatre said pushing away from the table. “It’s time Trowa and I continued on our vacation.”
“Aw, come on Quat,” Duo moaned like a child. “You guys’ve only been here for one day.”
“Yes, I know,” the Arabian laughed. “But I’m sure you and Jessica have a lot to talk about now. Plus, Trowa and I need to get going. We’re behind schedule. Heero’ll notice if we don’t get back soon enough.” Duo’s grin disappeared for a moment.
“You’re not going to tell him you guys found me, are you?” He looked at his friends with wide pleading eyes.
“Not if you don’t want us to,” Trowa said as he slowly stood.
“I want to tell him myself, face-to-face.”
Trowa and Quatre nodded simultaneously. They reached for their thin jackets and moved towards the door. They thanked Jessica for the wonderful dinner, which Quatre said was a welcome change from the elaborate dinners of diplomats. “And,” he added with a smile. “The pathetic cooking of the other pilots.”
“Well, this sure has been a great surprise,” Jessica said as they stood in the doorway to the apartment. They exchanged embraces and handshakes. Simion and Chrissy stood, wide eyed, staring at the adults. Slowly, Simion reached up and tugged at Quatre’s pants lightly. Quatre looked down, surprised.
“Can we call you Uncle Quatty?” the small boy asked softly. Quatre knelt down and hugged both the twins.
“I would be honored.”
“And we can call him,” Chrissy pointed at Trowa. “Auntie Tro-Tro?” Trowa turned a pale shade of red as the others laughed hysterically.
“Of course you can, Chrissy!” Duo laughed. The twins looked up at him, eyes shining then ran off giggling. Trowa glared at Duo, who just grinned back.
“Well,” Quatre said, grabbing Trowa’s arm. “It’s was great to find you, Duo. And even better to meet you Jessica. You have our numbers, I’m sure you have a lot to talk about. Good-bye!” The pilots were out the door and down the balcony staircase before Jessica or Duo could even respond. The couple blinked at each other then shrugged. Quatre was right, they had to talk. Later.
“The twins are finally asleep,” Jessica said thankfully as she dragged herself into the master bedroom. She moaned as she saw the clock’s illuminated numbers. Midnight.
“They don’t know how good they have it,” she sighed as she fell onto the bed, arms sprawled out, one landing on Mark. “They don’t have to make decisions, pay rent, run a business, get their own food or anything.”
“They don’t have to figure out two lives.” Mark added flatly, placing his book down on his lap. He reached out and ran his fingertips lightly across the skin on Jessica’s arm. She squirmed and crawled up next to her husband. She gave his cheek a kiss and sat against him.
“Not many have to, I’m afraid.” She smiled at Mark. “So, anything I should know?”
“Hmm?”
“About Duo Maxwell?”
“Oh, heh,” Mark adjusted his position and put his book on the night stand next to him. He turned towards his wife. “Might be some things you want to know.”
“Like what?” Jessica asked quietly, confused by the sudden shy look on his face.
“You remember the other guy in the picture?”
“Heero,” Jessica said after a moment. “Isn’t that his name? That is what I think you called him.”
“Yeah,” Mark nodded biting his lip. He hesitated for a moment. “Heero and I had this thing together. I guess that’s the only thing I can call it.” Jessica’s eyes went wide and her jaw dropped a bit.
“What?” she said, as if unsure what he just said.
“Yeah, I was gay. Key word being was, though.”
“But people don’t just go from chasing guys to chasing women.”
“We’ll just say that Heero and I had both lived as far from a normal life as you can think of. We grew up piloting war machines, learning to kill, not feel. The only people that could understand was the other pilots, and Heero was the first one who showed sympathy. Other than Quatre, of course.” Jessica nodded slowly, trying to get her mind to accept the idea of her husband... She repressed a shiver.
“Anything else?” Jessica asked as if she didn’t really want to know, but her curiosity was sparked.
“Besides that no matter who I am, Mark Andrews or Duo Maxwell, you’re still my wife and I love you more than I have loved anyone else.” He pulled her close for a quick kiss.
“Oh, by the way,” Jessica said, with a grin of mischief on her face. She handed Mark something that she pulled out of her pocket. “Your good friend Mr Winner left that under his plate.” Mark unfolded the paper, on it was the phone numbers and addresses of each of the other pilots, and the picture of Duo and Heero. He sucked in a breath.
“Do I have to decide who I want to be now?”
“I think you may,” Jessica said softly.
About ten minutes later, Jessica slipped under the blanket and turned off her light. She curled up against her husband and breathed deeply, breathing in his scent. She ran her fingernails across his naked abdomen. Neither of them had spoken for a few minutes.
“Are you afraid to ask me what you should do because you think I’ll be bias?” Jessica said after a few minutes of trying to ignore the air of slight fear and anxiousness surrounding him. He made a small grunting sound, slightly annoyed that she knew what he was thinking about. Especially since it was about her.
“Well, you’re getting my opinion because I have air in my body to give it to you,” she said jokingly. “I think you should combine the lives. You lived as Duo Maxwell for so long, but you are also Mark and Daddy to the children. You cannot let either go. But it’s your life, not mine.” She rolled over to the other side of the bed and refused to say another word on the subject.
Mark laid awake for hours, just thinking. Jess was right, but it wasn’t that easy. Or it didn’t seem to be.
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 11.03.2003 | Pages: 2 | Words: 8.2K | Visits: 191 | Status: Completed
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˜ ÐHis€dark€brown€hair€hung€into€his€face€with€long€bangs€but€short€bac k.€€In€his€hand€he€held€a€clipboard.Ð ` Ðà àð ðThatð ðs€me,ð ð€Quatre€said,€his€voice€suddenly€cau tious.€€He€and€Trowa€exchanged€looks,€both€their€eyesÐ Ø (
Ðwide.€€Ð ð
Ðà àð ðYeah,€Mr€Winner,€your€carð ðs€almost€fixed.ð ð€€The €man€said,€grinning,€ignoring€the€looks.€€He€handed€theÐ h&ced il; Ðclipboard€to€Quatre.€€ð ðJust€sign€where€it€says€to.ð ð€€Ð 0€ Ðà àð ðCan€I€borrow€your€pen,€Mr...ð ð€Quatre€asked.€€Ð øH
Ðà àð ðAndrews,ð ð€The€man€said,€pulling€his€pen€out€from€behind€hi s€ear€and€tossing€it€to€the€pilot.€€ð ðMarkÐ À ÐAndrews.ð ð€€Quatre€caught€the€pen€out€of€the€air€and€signe d€the€paper.€€He€handed€the€clipboard€back.€€Ð ˆØ Ðà àð ðYour€carð ðll€be€done€in€about€a€half€an€hour,ð ð€A ndrews€said€as€he€walked€back€into€the€garage.€€QuatreÐ P ; Ðand€Trowa€turned€toward€each€other.Ð h Ѐà àð ðWeð ðre€staying€here,ð ð€they€said€simultaneously.€ Ð à0 ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>Ð pÀ ÐJessica€tucked€the€white€blanket€around€the€sleeping€twins,€the€song €she€was€humming€slowly€fading€away.€€SheÐ 8ˆ Ðquietly€walked€through€the€hallway,€past€the€kitchenette€and€practic ally€collapsed€onto€the€large€white€couch€in€theÐ P Ðfront€room.€€She€grabbed€the€remote€and€clicked€the€tv€on.€€After€a€ few€minutes€of€flipping€channels,€she€droppedÐ È Ðthe€remote€next€to€her€and€laid€her€head€on€the€back€of€the€couch.€€ She€closed€her€eyes€as€the€cat€rubbed€againstÐ à Ðher€hand.€€She€lightly€pet€the€lounging€animal€as€she€drifted€off€to €sleep.€€Ð X¨ Ðà àA€loud€knocking€on€the€apartment€door€caus ed€her€to€snap€back€to€reality.€€She€jumped€up,€turned€the€tvÐ p Ðoff€as€she€passed€it€and€rushed€to€the€door€to€stop€the€banging€from €waking€up€the€twins.€€Just€as€the€knockingÐ è 8 Ðbegan€again,€she€flung€the€door€open.€Ð ° Ðà àOutside€of€the€apartment,€two€men€stood,€o ne€grinning€at€her.€€The€shorter€of€the€two,€who€wore€a€grinÐ x È! Ðnicely,€was€blonde€and€tan.€€He€had€large,€friendly€eyes€that€seemed €to€laugh.€€The€other€man€was€tall€and€thin,Ð @ " Ðwith€his€brown€bangs€hanging€over€his€face,€hiding€one€of€his€bright €green€eyes.€Ð X# Ðà àð ðGood€evening,ð ð€the€blonde€one€said€in€a€light€clear€voice. €€ð ðIs€this€the€residence€of€the€owner€ofÐ Ð $ ÐGenerinð ðs€Mechanics?ð ð€€Jessica€nodded.€€The€bl ondeð ðs€grin€got€larger.€€ð ðMay€we€come€in?€€We€have€some€thingsÐ ˜!è % Ðthat€might€interest€you.ð ðÐ `"° & Ðà àð ðI€donð ðt€want€to€buy€anything,ð ð€Jessica€began€to €close€the€door.€€The€tall€manð ðs€hand€shot€out€andÐ (#x ' Ðprevented€the€door€from€closing.€€Jessica€looked€up€at€him,€wide€eye d.Ð ð#@ ( Ðà àð ðWeð ðre€not€selling€anything,ð ð€the€tall€man€said€ quietly.€€ð ðWe€come€on€urgent€business.€€Please.ð ð€€JessicaÐ ¸$ ) Ðsighed€and€nodded,€opening€the€door.Ð €%Ð * Ðà àWhen€the€men€were€settled€on€the€large€cou ch,€Jessica€sat€in€a€matching€white€chair€across€the€room.€Ð H& amp;˜!+ ÐGregð ðry€jumped€up€and€settled€on€the€arm€of€the€chair,€wa tching€the€strangers€with€sharp€eyes.Ð '`", Ðà àð ðHow€much€do€you€know€about€your€employees,ð ð€the€blonde€ask ed€after€a€moment.Ð Ø'(#- Ðà àð ðI€know€many€of€them,ð ð€Jessica€said,€stroking€the€catð ðs€fine€fur.€€ð ðI€went€to€school€with€them.ð ð€€Ð (ð#. Ðà àð ðWhat€do€you€know€of€Markus€Andrews?ð ðÐ h)¸ ;$/ Ðà àð ðOh,€everything!ð ð€Jessica€laughed.€€ð ðHeð ðs€my€husband.ð ð€€The€men€raised€their€eyebrow s€and€exchanged€aÐ 0*€%0 Ðglance.€€Jessica€continued.€€ð ðMy€father€began€Generinð ðs€when€he€moved€here€with€my€mothe r.€€My€parents€died€aÐ ø*H&1 Ðfew€years€ago,€they€left€the€garage€to€my€husband€and€me.ð ð ;€€The€men€nodded.Ð À+'2 Ðà àð ðMrs€Andrews,€we€checked€some€of€your€husbandð ðs€records€and €thereð ðs€a€distinct€lack€of€information.ð ð€Ð ˆ,Ø'3 ÐThe€taller€man€said€quietly.€€Ð P- (4 Ðà àð ðYes,€I€know,ð ð€Jessica€responded,€looking€at€the€glass€coff ee€table€that€sat€between€them.€€ð ðHe€showed€upÐ .h)5 Ðhere€ten€years€ago,€didnð ðt€remember€his€past€or€anything. €€My€father€took€him€in.€€Mark€was€a€very€skilled€atÐ ° Ðmechanics,€so€heð ðs€in€charge€of€the€garage.ð ð€€ Ð xÈ Ðà àThe€blondeð ðs€eyes€got€large.€€& eth; ðMrs€Andrews,€my€name€is€Quatre€Winner,€this€is€Trowa€Barton.€€WeÐ @ Ðbelieve€we€know€your€husbandð ðs€past.ð ð€€Jessica ð ðs€eyes€went€round.€€Ð X Ðà àð ðMr€Winner,€Mr€Barton,ð ð€she€said,€her€voice€pinched€with€ex citement.€€ð ðMy€husband€will€be€home€withinÐ Ð Ða€half€an€hour.€€It€would€probably€be€better€to€continue€this€when€h e€is€here.€€It€is€him€we€are€talking€about.ð ð€€Ð ˜&e grave; Ðà àQuatre€nodded€and€smiled€at€the€woman€acro ss€from€him.€€Jessica€offered€the€pair€drinks,€which€theyÐ ` &d eg; Ðrefused,€and€anxiously€waited€for€her€husband€to€get€home.Ð (
x Ðà àAfter€all€the€years€of€wondering,€theyð ; ðll€finally€know.€€But€at€what€cost?Ð ð
@ ÐÌÔ_ Ô<*><*><*><* ><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> ;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>&l t;*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>&Ocir c;_ ÔÐ € Ð
Ðà àMark€slowly€opened€the€door€to€the€apartme nt.€€The€twins€were€asleep€and€there€was€a€good€chance€thatÐ H< br /> ˜ ÐJessica€was€also.€€He€stepped€in,€pulled€his€keys€from€the€door€and€ stopped€as€he€saw€the€two€men€sitting€in€theÐ ` Ðfront€room.Ð Ø(
Ðà àð ðJess?ð ð€Mark€said€cautiously.€€Jessica€appeared€from€the€ki tchen,€a€smile€lighting€up€her€face.€€Mark€gaveÐ ð Ðher€a€questioning€look.Ð h¸ Ðà àð ðMark,€these€men€have€something€you€will€find€very€interesting,ð ð€she€said€as€she€grabbed€him€by€theÐ 0€ Ðwrist.€€She€pushed€him€into€the€white€chair€across€from€the€couch€an d€sat€on€the€armrest€opposite€of€the€cat.€€Ð øH
Ðà àð ðMr€Andrews,ð ð€Quatre€began.€€ð ðIð ðm€Quatre€and€this€is€Trowa.€€Do€you€recognize€us€or€our€ names?ð ð€Ð À ÐMark€slowly€shook€his€head,€slipping€his€hand€in€Jessicað ð s.€€ð ðWe€believe€we€know€youð ðre€past.ð ð€€Markð &e th;s€eyes€grewÐ ˆØ Ðround,€he€looked€up€at€Jessica.Ð P Ðà àð ðThey€showed€up€about€fifteen€minutes€ago,ð ð€she€squeezed€hi s€hand.€€ð ðI€do€believe€your€past€found€us.ð ðÐ h Ðà àð ðMr€Andrews,ð ð€Quatre€pulled€something€from€his€jacket€pocke t€and€handed€it€to€Mark.€€ð ðDoes€that€lookÐ à0 Ðfamiliar€at€all?ð ð€€Mark€looked€at€the€photo.€€It€was€of€a €mischievous€teenager,€a€grin€spread€across€his€face,€a€darkÐ & uml;ø Ðstreak€of€oil€across€his€chin.€€Down€his€back€was€a€long€braid,€that €seemed€a€yard€long.€€His€entirely€black€clothesÐ pÀ Ðstained,€a€priestð ðs€collar€at€his€throat.€€He€held€a€wren ch€up€as€if€ready€to€throw€it€at€another,€more€serious€lookingÐ 8ˆ Ðteen€behind€him.€€The€other€boy€was€clad€in€a€loose€shirt€and€tight€ spandex€pants.€€Ð P Ðà àð ðThat€looks€like€you€when€you€showed€up,€sort€of,ð ð€Jessica€ pointed€at€the€braided€boy.€€ð ðExcept€half€yourÐ È Ðhair€was€charred€off€and€your€eyes€werenð ðt€that€purple.&e th; ð€€Quatre€gasped€and€nudged€Trowa,€who€nodded€in€return.€€Ð à Ðà àð ðMr€Andrews,€what€day€did€you€appear€here?ð ð€Quatre€dared€to €ask.Ð X¨ Ðà àð ðExactly€ten€years€ago€next€month.ð ð€Mark€said,€handing€back €the€picture,€forcing€his€hand€not€to€shake.Ð p Ðð ðThe€eighteenth€to€be€exact.ð ðÐ è 8 Ðà àð ðHow€old€were€you?ð ð€€Ð ° Ðà àMark€shrugged,€but€Jessica€answered.€€ð ; ðWe€think€he€was€about€seventeen,€a€year€older€than€me.ð ð€€S heÐ x È! Ðwrapped€an€arm€around€her€husbandð ðs€shoulders.€€There€was €a€moment€of€silence.€€Ð @ " Ðà àð ðQuatre,ð ð€Mark€said€quietly.€€ð ðWho€am€I?ð ðÐ X# Ðà àð ðWell,€Mr€Andrews,ð ð€Quatre€said€softly.€€ð ðWe€believe€you€are€a€friend€of€ours€that€disappeared€in€a€largeÐ Ð $ Ðexplosion€ten€years€ago.ð ðÐ ˜!è % Ðà àð ðThat€doesnð ðt€really€answer€my€question,ð ð€Mark€s aid€quickly.€€ð ðWho€am€I?ð ðÐ `"° & Ðà àð ðDuo€Maxwell,€pilot€of€the€gundam€Deathscythe„Hell,€mechanic,€and€all€ around€demolition€man.ð ðÐ (#x ' Ðà àMark€leaned€over,€covering€his€face€with€h is€hands€for€a€moment.€€Jessica€rubbed€his€back€lightly,€eyesÐ ð#@ ( Ðfilled€with€worry.€€Mark€suddenly€stood€and€began€walking€around€the €room.€€The€sunlight€that€filtered€in€seemedÐ ¸$ ) Ðto€dim€for€a€moment.Ð €%Ð * Ðà àð ðDaddy!ð ð€a€small€voice€shrieked€happily.€€Mark€turned€on€hi s€heels€to€see€his€son€running€towards€him,Ð H&˜!+ Ðarms€outstretched.€€Mark€scooped€down€and€picked€the€child€up,€tossi ng€him€up€a€bit€before€catching€him.€€TheÐ '`", Ðchild€laughed€and€hugged€his€father€around€his€neck€tightly.€€Mark€t urned€to€face€the€men€and€grinned€at€them.€Ð Ø'(#- ÐThe€grin€sent€shivers€down€their€spines€and€they€looked€wide€eyed€at €each€other.€€Ð (ð#. Ðà àð ðI€have€one€thing€to€ask,ð ð€Mark€said.€€Quatre€and€Trowa€nod ded€slightly.Ð h)¸$/ Ðà àð ðHowð ðs€Heero?ð ðÐ 0*€%0 Ð<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><* ><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> ;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>&E TH; ø*H&1 ÐQuatre€watched,€eyes€shining,€as€Duo€pushed€himself€from€the€table€a nd€sighed.Ð À+'2 Ðà àð ðJess,€you€really€out€did€yourself€today,ð ð€Duo€grinned€at€h is€wife.€€Jessica€raised€an€eyebrow€at€him€andÐ ˆ,Ø'3 Ðlaughed.Ð P- (4 Ðà àð ðNot€for€you€thatð ðs€sure.ð ðÐ .h)5 Ðà àð ðEh?ð ðÐ ° Ðà àð ðYou€the€only€idiot€here,€Mark?ð ð€The€woman€laughed.€€ð ðMr€Winner€hereð ðs€a€famous€diplomat€andÐ x&Egr ave; Ðextremely€rich€man.€€Unlike€you.ð ð€€She€winked€at€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€over€her€glasses.€&E TH; @ Ðà àð ðJust€call€me€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ & Ocirc;,€Mrs€Andrews.ð ðÐ X Ðà àð ðAnd€you€call€me€Jessica,€or€Jess,€whichever€you€prefer.ð ð&E TH; Ð Ðà àð ðAnð ð€call€me€Cissy!ð ð€The€girl€child€yelled,€thro wing€her€hands€in€the€air€happily.€€The€adults€laughed€asÐ ˜&e grave; Ðthe€child€grinned€up€at€them.Ð ` ° Ðà àð ðSo,€ten€years€later,ð ð€Duo€laughed.€€ð ðI€have€two€children,€a€wife,€a€different€name,€a€different€life.ð ðÐ (
x Ðà àð ðBut€I€donð ðt€see€very€much€change,ð ð€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€cut€him€off€with€his€quie t€voice.Ð ð
@ Ðà àð ðAside€the€braid€and€the€less€violet€eyes,ð ð€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€smiled€at€his€friend.Ð ¸ Ðà àJessica€stood€and€began€cleaning€off€the€s mall€round€table.€€She€hummed€to€herself€happily,€brown€eyesÐ € Ð
Ðshining.Ð H
˜ Ðà àð ðWhatð ðs€that€song?ð ð€Ô_ Ô QuatreÔ_ Ô€blinked€at€her.€€ð ðIt€sounds€very€familiar.ð ðÐ ` Ðà àð ðItð ðs€the€song€that€was€on€the€radio€when€Mark„er„€Duo€appe ared€at€the€garage,ð ð€She€grinned€at€herÐ Ø(< br />
Ðhusband.€€He€patted€her€butt€as€she€passed.€€She€laughed€and€raised€ an€eyebrow€at€him.Ð ð
Ðà àð ðDuo,ð ð€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€observed.€€ð ðYou€definitely€have€not€changed.ð ðÐ h¸ Ðà àð ðHa!ð ð€Duo€laughed,€folding€his€hands€behind€his€head€as€Jes sica€sat€back€down€next€to€him.€€TheyÐ 0€ Ðgrinned€at€each€other.€€ð ðDamn,€woman,€you€failed!€€I€havenð ðt€changed€a€fucking€thin g!ð ð€€Jessicað ðs€jaw€hit€theÐ øH
Ðground€as€she€smacked€her€husbands€arm,€glancing€pointedly€at€the€tw ins€next€to€her.€€Duo€laughed,€holding€hisÐ À Ðnow€bruised€arm,€and€pride.Ð ˆØ Ðà àð ðWell,€you€two,ð ð€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€said€pushing€away€from€the€table.€€ð ðItð ðs€time€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€and€I€continued€on€ourÐ P Ðvacation.ð ðÐ h Ðà àð ðAw,€come€on€Ô_ ÔQuatÔ_ &Oci rc;,ð ð€Duo€moaned€like€a€child.€€ð ðYou€Ô_ Ôguysð ðveÔ_ Ô€only€been€here€for€one€day.ð ðÐ à0 Ðà àð ðYes,€I€know,ð ð€the€Arabian€laughed.€€ð ðBut€Ið ðm€sure€you€and€Jessica€have€a€lot€to€talk€about€now. €€Plus,Ð ¨ø ÐÔ_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€and€I€ need€to€get€going.€€Weð ðre€behind€schedule.€€Ô_ ÔHeeroð ðllÔ_ Ô€notice€if€we€don&et h; ðt€get€back€soon€enough.ð ð€€Duoð ðsÐ pÀ Ðgrin€disappeared€for€a€moment.Ð 8ˆ Ðà àð ðYouð ðre€not€going€to€tell€him€you€guys€found€me,€are€you?&e th; ð€He€looked€at€his€friends€with€wide€pleadingÐ P Ðeyes.à àÐ È Ðà àð ðNot€if€you€donð ðt€want€us€to,ð ð€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€said€as€he€slowly€stood.Ð à Ðà àð ðÔ# †
Xî X ò
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Xî ÔI€want€to€tell€him€myself,€face„to„face.ð ð Ð X¨ Ðà àÔ_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€and€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€nodded€simultaneously.€€They€reached€for€their€thin€jackets€and €moved€towards€theÐ p Ðdoor.€€They€thanked€Jessica€for€the€wonderful€dinner,€which€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€said€was€a€welcome€c hange€from€the€elaborateÐ è 8 Ðdinners€of€diplomats.€€ð ðAnd,ð ð€he€added€with€a€smile.€€ð ðThe€pathetic€cooking€of€the€other€pilots.ð ðÐ &d eg; Ðà àð ðWell,€this€sure€has€been€a€great€surprise,ð ð€Jessica€said€a s€they€stood€in€the€doorway€to€the€apartment.€Ð x È! ÐThey€exchanged€embraces€and€handshakes.€€Ô_ Ô ;SimionÔ_ Ô€and€Chrissy€stood,€wide€eyed,€staring€a t€the€adults.€€Slowly,Ð @ " ÐÔ_ ÔSimionÔ_ Ô€reach ed€up€and€tugged€at€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ôð ðs€pants€lightly.€€Ô_ ÔQuatre&Oci rc;_ Ô€looked€down,€surprised.Ð X# Ðà àð ðCan€we€call€you€Uncle€Ô_ ÔQuattyÔ_ Ô?ð ð€the€small€boy€asked€softly.€€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€knelt€down€and€hugged€both€th eÐ Ð $ Ðtwins.Ð ˜!è % Ðà àð ðÔ# † ôC ò ò
ôCy # ÔI€would€be€honored.ð ð€€Ð ` "° & Ðà àð ðAnd€we€can€call€him,ð ð€Chrissy€pointed€at€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô.€€ð ðAuntie€Ô_ ÔTroÔ_ Ô„&O circ;_ ÔTroÔ_ Ô?ð ð€€&Oc irc;_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€turned€a€pale€sh ade€of€redÐ (#x ' Ðas€the€others€laughed€hysterically.Ð ð#@ ( Ðà àð ðOf€course€you€can,€Chrissy!ð ð€Duo€laughed.€€The€twins€looke d€up€at€him,€eyes€shining€then€ran€offÐ ¸$ ) Ðgiggling.€€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ &Oc irc;€glared€at€Duo,€who€just€grinned€back.Ð €%Ð * Ðà àð ðWell,ð ð€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€said,€grabbing€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ôð ðs€arm.€€ð ðItð ðs€was€great€to€find€you,€Duo.€€And€even€better€to€meet& ETH; H&˜!+ Ðyou€Jessica.€€You€have€our€numbers,€Ið ðm€sure€you€have€a€l ot€to€talk€about.€€Good„bye!ð ð€€The€pilots€were€out€theÐ '`", Ðdoor€and€down€the€balcony€staircase€before€Jessica€or€Duo€could€even €respond.€€The€couple€blinked€at€each€otherÐ Ø'(#- Ðthen€shrugged.€€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€was€right,€they€had€to€talk.€€Later.Ð (ð#. ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>€Ð 0*€%0 Ðà àð ðThe€twins€are€finally€asleep,ð ð€Jessica€said€thankfully€as€ she€dragged€herself€into€the€master€bedroom.€Ð ø*H&1 ÐShe€moaned€as€she€saw€the€clockð ðs€illuminated€numbers.€€M idnight.Ð À+'2 Ðà àð ðThey€donð ðt€know€how€good€they€have€it,ð ð€she€sig hed€as€she€fell€onto€the€bed,€arms€sprawled€out,€oneÐ ˆ,Ø ;'3 Ðlanding€on€Mark.€€ð ðThey€donð ðt€have€to€make€decisions,€pay€rent,€run€a€busines s,€get€their€own€food€or€anything.ð ðÐ P- (4 Ðà àð ðThey€donð ðt€have€to€figure€out€two€lives.ð ð€€Mark €added€flatly,€placing€his€book€down€on€his€lap.€€Ô_ &Oci rc;HeÐ .h)5 ÐÑ OY Ñâ
âÑ °° Ñâ
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Ñreached€out€and€ran€his€fingertips€lightly€across€the€skin€on€J essicað ðs€arm.€€She€squirmed€and€crawled€up€next€toÐ ° Ðher€husband.€€She€gave€his€cheek€a€kiss€and€sat€against€him.€Ð xÈ Ðà àð ðNot€many€have€to,€Ið ðm€afraid.ð ð€€She€smiled€at€M ark.€€ð ðSo,€anything€I€should€know?ð ðÐ @ Ðà àð ðHmm?ð ðÐ X Ðà àð ðAbout€Duo€Maxwell?ð ðÐ Ð Ðà àð ðOh,€Ô_ ÔhehÔ_ Ô,ð ð€Mark€adjusted€his€position€and€put€his€book€on€the€night€stand€next €to€him.€€He€turned€towardsÐ ˜è Ðhis€wife.€€ð ðMight€be€some€things€you€want€to€know.ð ðÐ ` &de g; Ðà àð ðLike€what?ð ð€Jessica€asked€quietly,€confused€by€the€sudden€ shy€look€on€his€face.Ð (
x Ðà àð ðYou€remember€the€other€guy€in€the€picture?ð ðÐ & eth;
@ Ðà àð ðÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô,ð ð€Jessica€said€after€a€moment.€€ð ðIsnð ðt€that€his€name?€€That€is€what€I€think€you€called€him. ð ðÐ ¸ Ðà àð ðYeah,ð ð€Mark€nodded€biting€his€lip.€€He€hesitated€for€a€mom ent.€€ð ðÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô€and€I€h ad€this€thing€together.€€IÐ € Ð
Ðguess€thatð ðs€the€only€thing€I€can€call€it.ð ð€€J essicað ðs€eyes€went€wide€and€her€jaw€dropped€a€bit.Ð H
˜ Ðà àð ðWhat?ð ð€she€said,€as€if€unsure€what€he€just€said.Ð ` Ðà àð ðYeah,€I€was€gay.€€Key€word€being€was,€though.ð ðÐ Ø(
Ðà àð ðBut€people€donð ðt€just€go€from€chasing€guys€to€chasing€wome n.ð ðÐ ð
Ðà àð ðWeð ðll€just€say€that€Ô_ ÔHeero&Ocir c;_ Ô€and€I€had€both€lived€as€far€from€a€normal€life€as€y ou€can€think€of.€€We€grew€upÐ h¸ Ðpiloting€war€machines,€learning€to€kill,€not€feel.€€The€only€people€ that€could€understand€was€the€other€pilots,€andÐ 0€ ÐÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô€was€th e€first€one€who€showed€sympathy.€€Other€than€Ô_ ÔQu atreÔ_ Ô,€of€course.ð ð€€Jessica€nodded€sl owly,€trying€to€getÐ øH
Ðher€mind€to€accept€the€idea€of€her€husband...€She€repressed€a€shiver .Ð À Ðà àð ðAnything€else?ð ð€€Jessica€asked€as€if€she€didnð ðt €really€want€to€know,€but€her€curiosity€was€sparked.Ð ˆØ ; Ðà àð ðBesides€that€no€matter€who€I€am,€Mark€Andrews€or€Duo€Maxwell,€youð ; ðre€still€my€wife€and€I€love€youÐ P Ðmore€than€I€have€loved€anyone€else.ð ð€€He€pulled€her€close €for€a€quick€kiss.Ð h Ðà àð ðOh,€by€the€way,ð ð€Jessica€said,€with€a€grin€of€mischief€on€ her€face.€€She€handed€Mark€something€that€sheÐ à0 Ðpulled€out€of€her€pocket.€€ð ðYour€good€friend€Mr€Winner€left€that€under€his€plate.ð ð€€Ma rk€unfolded€the€paper,€on€itÐ ¨ø Ðwas€the€phone€numbers€and€addresses€of€each€of€the€other€Ô_ Ôpilots,Ô_ Ô€and€the€picture€of€Duo €and€Ô_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô.€€He€suc ked€in€aÐ pÀ Ðbreath.Ð 8ˆ Ðà àð ðDo€I€have€to€decide€who€I€want€to€be€now?ð ðÐ P Ðà àð ðI€think€you€may,ð ð€Jessica€said€softly.Ð &Egrav e; Ðà àAbout€ten€minutes€later,€Jessica€slipped€u nder€the€blanket€and€turned€off€her€light.€€She€curled€up€againstÐ à Ðher€husband€and€breathed€deeply,€breathing€in€his€scent.€€She€ran€he r€fingernails€across€his€naked€abdomen.€Ð X¨ ÐNeither€of€them€had€spoken€for€a€few€minutes.Ð p Ðà àð ðAre€you€afraid€to€ask€me€what€you€should€do€because€you€think€Ið ðll€be€bias?ð ð€Jessica€said€after€a€fewÐ è ; 8 Ðminutes€of€trying€to€ignore€the€air€of€slight€fear€and€anxiousness€s urrounding€him.€€He€made€a€small€gruntingÐ ° Ðsound,€slightly€annoyed€that€she€knew€what€he€was€thinking€about.€€E specially€since€it€was€about€her.Ð x È! Ðà àð ðWell,€youð ðre€getting€my€opinion€because€I€have€air€in€my€b ody€to€give€it€to€you,ð ð€she€said€jokingly.€€ð ðIÐ @ " Ðthink€you€should€combine€the€lives.€€You€lived€as€Duo€Maxwell€for€so €long,€but€you€are€also€Mark€and€Daddy€toÐ X# Ðthe€children.€€You€cannot€let€either€go.€€But€itð ðs€your€l ife,€not€mine.ð ð€€She€rolled€over€to€the€other€side€of€the€bed&ET H; Ð $ Ðand€refused€to€say€another€word€on€the€subject.Ð ˜!&egra ve; % Ðà àMark€laid€awake€for€hours,€just€thinking.€ €Jess€was€right,€but€it€wasnð ðt€that€easy.€€Or€it€didnð ð ;t€seem€to€be.Ð `"° & ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>Ð ð#@ ( Ðà àWhen€Jessica€awoke€the€next€day,€Mark€was€ gone.€€€She€rolled€over€and€squinted€at€the€clock.€€Ten€toÐ &ce dil;$ ) Ðnoon.€€She€blinked€for€a€moment,€before€grabbing€her€glasses€and€spr ang€out€of€bed.€€She€quickly€walked€to€theÐ €%Ð * Ðtwinsð ð€room€and€blinked€at€the€perfectly€clean€room€and€m ade€beds.€€She€turned€and€sped€to€the€kitchen.€€SheÐ H&˜!+ Ðfound€a€small€yellow€note€lying€on€the€table,€in€Markð ðs€p recise€handwriting.€€Ð '`", Ðà àð ðJess,€your€mom€came€over€and€took€the€kids€out.€€Sheð ðll€be €back€with€them€around€the€time€I€get€home.€Ð Ø'(#- ÐEnjoy€your€day€to€yourself.€€Much€love,€Mark.ð ð€€Jessica€s miled€to€herself€as€she€placed€the€note€back€on€the€table.€€Ð & nbsp;(ð#. Ðà àð ðOh,€Ið ðll€enjoy€my€day,€Ô_ ÔGreg&et h; ðryÔ_ Ô,ð ð€she€said€to€the€cat,€w ho€appeared€out€of€nowhere€and€rubbed€against€herÐ h)¸$/ Ðleg.€€ð ðBut€first,€a€shower.ð ð€€She€turned€towards€the€bathroom,€le aving€the€cat€in€the€middle€of€the€kitchen,€givingÐ 0*€%0 Ðher€a€curious€look.Ð ø*H&1 Ðà àA€few€hours€later,€as€the€sky€began€to€dar ken€as€a€storm€approached€the€city,€Jessica€pulled€her€car€intoÐ À+'2 Ðthe€cemetery.€€She€passed€the€familiar€large€black€iron€gates€and€on to€the€thin€road.€€She€drove€slowly€past€theÐ ˆ,Ø'3 Ðlarge€intricate€gravestones,€noting€all€the€names€that€were€familiar €to€her.€€She€brought€her€car€to€a€stop€and€sat€inÐ P- (4 Ðit€for€a€moment.€€She€looked€out€over€the€green€grass,€littered€with €graves€and€onto€the€fields€in€the€distance.€€SheÐ .h)5 Ðclimbed€out€of€the€car,€the€wind€immediately€grabbed€her€hair€and€cl othes,€as€if€trying€to€steal€her€soul€along€withÐ ° Ðthe€rest€of€the€dead.€€She€slowly€walked€up€the€small€hill€and€down€ towards€the€large€oak€tree€at€the€edge€of€theÐ xÈ Ðcemetery.€€She€wasnð ðt€surprised€to€see€the€thin€form€stan ding€in€front€of€her€parentsð ð€graves.€€She€slowlyÐ @ Ðapproached,€a€bouquet€of€white€roses€in€her€hands.Ð X Ðà àð ðI€knew€youð ðd€come€today,ð ð€Mark€said€as€Jessica€ approached.€€She€smiled€and€began€to€walk€faster.€€SheÐ Ð Ðput€her€arm€around€her€husbandð ðs€waist.€€He€wrapped€his€a rm€around€her€shoulder,€pulling€her€close.€€She€lightlyÐ ˜&egr ave; Ðthrew€the€bouquet€onto€the€double€grave.€€Mark€sighed.Ð ` ° Ðà àð ðYou€know€what€heð ðd€say,€donð ðt€you,ð ð€ €Jessica€stated€more€than€asked.€€Mark€smiled€weakly€at€her.Ð (
x Ðà àð ðYeah,€I€do,ð ð€he€said,€looking€at€the€right€side€of€the€sma ll€monument€to€his€parents€in€law.€€ð ðHeð ðd€sayÐ ð
@ Ðexactly€what€his€daughter€told€me€last€night.ð ð€€He€gave€h er€shoulders€a€squeeze.€€Ð ¸ Ðà àð ðGood,ð ð€Jessica€laughed.€€ð ðNow€we€know€you€werenð ðt€a€lost€cause€after€all!ð ð ;Ð € Ð
Ðà àð ðHe€wouldð ðve€said€that,€too,ð ð€Mark€said€as€they€ turned€from€the€graves.€€ð ðCourse,€he€wouldð ðve€said€itÐ H
˜ Ðwhile€he€knock€me€on€my€head.ð ð€€They€slowly€began€walking €to€the€car.€€Without€another€word,€or€a€glance€back,Ð ` Ðthey€climbed€into€the€small€sports€car€and€slowly€drove€away.€€Ð Ø(
ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>Ð h¸ Ðà àThe€loud€buzzing€of€the€alarm€rang€through €the€practically€empty€room.€€The€form€on€the€sagging€bedÐ 0€ Ðmoaned€lightly€and€rolled€over,€slamming€his€hand€on€the€alarm,€whic h€sat€on€the€window€sill.€€He€sat€up,€his€legsÐ øH
Ðhanging€awkwardly€over€the€side€of€the€bed,€his€short€brown€hair€dis heveled.€€He€pushed€himself€to€his€feet,Ð À Ðshivering€slightly€at€the€feeling€of€the€cold€floor.€€He€stretched€a nd€walked€over€to€the€large€pile€of€clothes€in€theÐ ˆØ Ðcorner€of€his€room.€€He€grabbed€the€first€pair€of€pants€he€could€fin d€and€slipped€them€over€his€boxers.€€He€grabbedÐ P Ða€shirt€and€pulled€it€over€his€head.€€He€tripped€over€to€the€mirror€ and€ran€his€fingers€through€his€hair.Ð h Ðà àð ðGod,€Ið ðm€getting€as€bad€as€Duo,ð ð€he€thought€as€ he€reached€for€the€doorknob.€€His€hand€stopped€in€midÐ à 0 Ðair€at€the€sudden€pang€of€sorrow.€€He€sucked€in€a€breath€and€pulled€ open€the€door.€€He€moved€quickly€through€hisÐ ¨ø Ðdimly€lit,€disorganized€apartment.€€He€threw€the€small€fridge€on€the €counter€open,€peering€in€at€the€half€emptyÐ pÀ Ðgallon€of€milk€and€a€totally€bruised€apple.€€He€sighed€and€slammed€t he€door€shut.€€It€just€seemed€to€be€gettingÐ 8ˆ Ðworse€as€the€years€went€on.€€He€placed€his€elbows€on€the€counter€and €bent€down,€holding€his€head€in€his€hands.Ð P Ðà àð ðTen€years,ð ð€he€murmured.€€ð ðTen€years€today.ð ð€€He€didnð ðt€move€for€a€few€mom ents,€willing€the€memoriesÐ È Ðof€the€smiling€purple€eyes€as€the€pilot€swore€heð ðd€be€car eful€and€would€be€back€before€dark.€€He€rememberedÐ à Ðwatching€the€braid€bounce€behind€the€black€clothed€body,€as€if€wavin g€good„bye.€€He€knew€he€shouldð ðve€made€himÐ X¨ Ðstay€home.€€He€knew€it.€€And€now,€ten€years€later,€he€was€a€wreck.&E TH; p Ðà àA€sudden€knock€on€the€door,€dragging€him€f rom€his€memories.€€He€walked€slowly€to€the€door,€halfwayÐ &egra ve; 8 Ðconsidering€not€answering€it.€€He€slowly€opened€the€door,€fumbling€w ith€the€chain€lock.€€He€blinked,€blinded€byÐ ° Ðthe€bright€light€of€the€sun€that€shot€into€the€apartment€through€the €half€opened€door.€€In€front€of€him€stood€a€youngÐ x È! Ðcouple,€around€his€age.€€The€man€looked€somewhat€familiar,€tall,€dar k€hair,€dark€blue€eyes.€€The€woman€was€short,Ð @ " Ðher€long€brown€hair€pulled€back€in€a€braid,€staring€at€him€with€dark €brown€eyes€through€thin€framed€glasses.€€Ð X# Ðà àð ðÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô€Ô _ ÔYuyÔ_ Ô,ð ð€The€man€s aid,€smiling€a€familiar€smile,€with€a€familiar€voice.€€ð ðIð ðm€back,€and€youð ðll€neverÐ Ð $ Ðguess€whatð ðs€happened€in€the€last€ten€years.ð ð& ETH; ˜!è % Ðà à€Ý ‚/ ÿ Ý&ograv e;òÔ ÿ ÔÝ Ý&Yacut e; ‚/ ÿÿÿ Ýóóòò&O circ; ÿ ÿ ÔÝ ÝÝ ‚/ ÿÿÿ ÝóóòòÔ ÿ ÿ ÔÝ ÝòŽò
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ôC ò ò ôC Ô><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;€What€Once€Was€Lost...€Found<*><*><*><*><*> ;<*><*><*><*><*><Ð ° ÐÓ m ÓMarkð ðs€eyes€opened€slowly,€ as€if€refusing€to€let€sleep€slip€away€so€easily.€€He€sighed€and€gently€move d€the€handÐ xÈ Ðthat€wrapped€around€his€stomach€aside.€€He€hung€his€legs€over€the€si de€of€the€bed€and€pushed€himself€to€his€feet.€Ð @ ÐHe€moved€silently€across€the€white€carpet€and€to€the€closet,€pulled€ open€the€doors€and€leaned€back.€€He€reached€inÐ X Ðand€grabbed€a€pair€of€pants€that€hung€perfectly€from€a€hanger.€€He€p ulled€them€on€as€he€shook€a€shirt€from€aÐ Ð Ðdifferent€hanger,€grabbing€it€before€it€fell€to€the€ground.€€He€put€ on€the€shirt,€leaving€it€unbuttoned€as€he€searchedÐ ˜è Ðthe€room€for€his€shoes.€Ð ` ° Ðà àð ðWhat€are€you€doing?ð ð€€A€drowsy€voice€asked€from€the€bed.€€ Mark€turned€around€to€see€his€wife€watchingÐ (
x Ðhim€over€the€large€white€comforter.€€He€smiled.Ð ð @ Ðà àð ðGetting€ready€for€work.ð ðÐ ¸ Ðà àð ðCome€back€to€bed,ð ð€she€raised€one€of€her€eyebrows€at€him.€ Ð € Ð
Ðà àð ðCanð ðt,€I€actually€have€work,€you€know,€the€place€people€go €to€get€money,ð ð€he€laughed,€shaking€his€head.€Ð H
˜ ÐShe€pouted.Ð ` Ðà àð ðBut€you€own€the€place,€you€donð ðt€need€to€go€everyday!ð ðÐ Ø(
Ðà àð ðItð ðs€Thursday,€babe,€I€havenð ðt€gone€all€week,&e th; ð€he€said€as€he€walked€out€of€the€room.€€She€sighed€andÐ ð
Ðrolled€to€face€her€night€stand.€€She€grabbed€her€thin€oval€shaped€gl asses€and€climbed€out€of€the€covers.€€She€fixedÐ h¸ Ðher€tank€top€and€shorts€and€followed€her€husband€into€the€hallway.€& ETH; 0€ Ðà àMark€shut€the€bathroom€door€behind€himself €as€Jessica€passed€by.€€Almost€immediately€the€showerÐ ø H
Ðstarted.€€Jessica€stepped€into€the€small€kitchenette,€which€was€lit€ up€by€the€sun€filtering€through€the€thin€whiteÐ À Ðcurtains.€€She€glanced€at€the€clock€hanging€from€the€cabinet€next€to €the€sink.€Ð ˆØ Ðà àð ðNine,ð ð€Jessica€sighed.€€ð ðThatð ðs€the€latest€in€a€while.ð ð€€She€began€to€hu m€to€herself€as€she€turned€on€theÐ P Ðcoffee€maker.€€Suddenly€two€small€forms€were€in€the€door€way,€lookin g€up€at€her.€€She€turned€around,€jumpingÐ h Ðslightly€at€the€sight€of€the€children,€then€a€smile€crept€across€her €lips.Ð à0 Ðà àð ðMommy,ð ð€the€taller€of€the€two€children€said€softly.€€Jessi ca€knelt€down€in€front€of€them.€€ð ðMommy,€Ið ðmÐ ¨ø Ðhungry.ð ðÐ pÀ Ðà àð ðI€know,€I€am€too,ð ð€she€smiled€at€her€daughter.€€ð ðMy,€my!€€You€slept€in€didnð ðt€you€two.ð ðÐ 8ˆ Ðà àð ðWe€wen€to€beddy€late,€ð ðmember,€Momma?ð ð€the€girl €said€quickly.Ð P Ðà àð ðYes,€I€remember€now,€youð ðre€right€Chrissy,ð ð€Jes sica€laughed.€€ð ðWhat€do€you€two€want€for€breakfast?ð ðÐ È Ðà àð ðEggies!ð ð€The€twins€cried€happily€together€before€giggling€ loudly.€€Jessica€laughed€and€stood.Ð à Ðà àð ðYou€two€go€play,€okay?ð ðÐ X¨ Ðà àð ðYup,ð ð€Simion€grinned€up€at€his€mother€as€he€toddled€past€h er,€practically€dragging€his€sister€behind€him.€Ð p Ðà àÌà àA€few€mo ments€later,€as€Jessica€was€getting€ready€to€make€breakfast,€she€looked€out €the€window€over€theÐ ° Ðsink.€€Two€small€tan€birds€flew€past,€circling€around€each€other€in€ the€late€spring€air.€€She€grabbed€two€eggs€from€aÐ x È! Ðcarton€she€had€placed€on€the€counter.€€A€pair€of€hands€grabbed€her€w aist€and€pulled€her€back,€into€a€wet€Mark.€Ð @ " ÐShe€yelped€and€dropped€one€of€the€eggs,€which€splattered€on€the€tile €floor.Ð X# Ðà àð ðMark!ð ð€Jessica€gasped,€trying€to€get€her€breathing€to€retu rn€to€normal.€€He€laughed€and€kissed€the€side€ofÐ Ð $ Ðher€neck,€his€wet€bangs€brushing€her€shoulder.€€She€shivered€and€pus hed€him€away.€His€clothes€were€wet€from€himÐ ˜!è % Ðnot€drying€off€before€he€put€them€on.€€She€looked€at€the€egg€on€the€ floor.€€ð ðLook€what€you€did!€€Youð ðre€going€toÐ `"&d eg; & Ðhave€to€clean€that.ð ð€€She€raised€an€eyebrow€at€him.€€He€g rinned€at€her€and€shrugged,€reaching€for€the€paper€towels.€Ð (# x ' ÐA€large€grey€cat€crawled€in€to€the€kitchenette€and€began€licking€at€ the€yoke€on€the€floor.Ð ð#@ ( Ðà àð ðGregð ðry!ð ð€Jessica€yelled.€€She€pushed€the€cat€a way€with€her€foot.€€Ð ¸$ ) Ðà àð ðDamn€cat,€always€putting€his€nose€in€everything,ð ð€Mark€sai d€as€he€scooped€down€to€clean€up€the€egg,€aÐ €%Ð * Ðmound€of€dry€paper€towels€in€one€hand,€a€handful€of€wet€towels€in€th e€other.€€Jessica€kicked€his€side€lightly.€Ð H&˜!+ Ðà àð ðWatch€your€mouth,ð ð€she€scolded€lightly.€€Ð '` ", Ðà àð ðYouð ðre€turning€into€a€mom,€Jessy,ð ð€he€said€as€h e€stood,€throwing€the€dirty€paper€towels€away.Ð Ø'(#- Ðà àð ðGood,ð ð€she€smiled.€€ð ðIn€case€youð ðve€noticed,€youð ðve€spawned€and€I€am €the€poor€mother€of€them.€€Go€keepÐ (ð#. Ðthem€company,€theyð ðre€in€the€front€room.ð ð€€Mar k€laughed€as€he€strode€from€the€room.Ð h)¸$/ Ðà àJessica€watched€him€walk€away.€€ð ðIð ðve€come€to€a€conclusion,ð ð€she€said€to€the€cat ,€who€stood€in€theÐ 0*€%0 Ðdoorway,€yellow€eyes€watching€her.€€ð ðMen€are€pains€in€the€butt,€but€men€without€pasts€are€worse.ð &et h;Ð ø*H&1 Ð<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><* ><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> ;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>&l t;*><*><*><*>Ð À+'2 ÐÔ_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€sighe d€and€leaned€against€the€side€of€the€building,€brushing€the€sweat€off€his€f orehead€with€a€whiteÐ ˆ,Ø'3 Ðhandkerchief.€€He€looked€at€his€companion€through€half€opened€eyes.& ETH; P- (4 Ðà àð ðI€donð ðt€know€how€you€talked€me€into€this,ð ð€he€g roaned.Ð .h)5 Ðà àð ðIt€wasnð ðt€very€hard,ð ð€Trowa€smiled€a€bit,€his€o ne€visible€eye€shining.Ð ° Ðà àð ðI€donð ðt€doubt€it,ð ð€Quatre€said,€pushing€himself €off€the€side€of€the€building.€€ð ðCourse,€you€lied.ð ðÐ xÈ Ðà àð ðI€did€not!ð ðÐ @ Ðà àð ðYes,€you€did.€€You€said€ð ðweð ðll€have€a€nice€rela xing€weekend€together€away€from€all€the€troubles€of€ourÐ X Ðlivesð ð.€€Has€that€happened?ð ðÐ Ð ; Ðà àð ðWell...€no,€no€it€hasnð ðt.ð ðÐ ˜&egra ve; Ðà àð ðExactly,ð ð€Quatre€said,€looking€inside€the€large€garage,€wa tching€two€men€work€on€their€car.€€ð ðI€canð ðtÐ ` ° Ðbelieve,€five€miles€from€anywhere€and€the€car€breaks€down.ð &et h;Ð (
x Ðà àð ðGood€thing€you€had€your€cell,€isnð ðt€it.ð ð€Trowa€ grinned.€€Quatre€glared€at€him,€ignoring€the€fact€that€heÐ ð ;
@ Ðdidnð ðt€want€to€bring€his€phone.€€Trowa€made€him.Ð ¸ Ðà àð ðMr€Winner?ð ð€a€voice€caught€them€off€guard.€€They€both€spun €around€to€see€a€tall€man,€well€built,Ð € Ð
Ðwearing€black€pants€and€a€white€button€shirt.€€His€large€blue€eyes€s hining€at€them,€a€pen€secured€behind€his€ear.€Ð H
˜ ÐHis€dark€brown€hair€hung€into€his€face€with€long€bangs€but€short€bac k.€€In€his€hand€he€held€a€clipboard.Ð ` Ðà àð ðThatð ðs€me,ð ð€Quatre€said,€his€voice€suddenly€cau tious.€€He€and€Trowa€exchanged€looks,€both€their€eyesÐ Ø (
Ðwide.€€Ð ð
Ðà àð ðYeah,€Mr€Winner,€your€carð ðs€almost€fixed.ð ð€€The €man€said,€grinning,€ignoring€the€looks.€€He€handed€theÐ h&ced il; Ðclipboard€to€Quatre.€€ð ðJust€sign€where€it€says€to.ð ð€€Ð 0€ Ðà àð ðCan€I€borrow€your€pen,€Mr...ð ð€Quatre€asked.€€Ð øH
Ðà àð ðAndrews,ð ð€The€man€said,€pulling€his€pen€out€from€behind€hi s€ear€and€tossing€it€to€the€pilot.€€ð ðMarkÐ À ÐAndrews.ð ð€€Quatre€caught€the€pen€out€of€the€air€and€signe d€the€paper.€€He€handed€the€clipboard€back.€€Ð ˆØ Ðà àð ðYour€carð ðll€be€done€in€about€a€half€an€hour,ð ð€A ndrews€said€as€he€walked€back€into€the€garage.€€QuatreÐ P ; Ðand€Trowa€turned€toward€each€other.Ð h Ѐà àð ðWeð ðre€staying€here,ð ð€they€said€simultaneously.€ Ð à0 ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>Ð pÀ ÐJessica€tucked€the€white€blanket€around€the€sleeping€twins,€the€song €she€was€humming€slowly€fading€away.€€SheÐ 8ˆ Ðquietly€walked€through€the€hallway,€past€the€kitchenette€and€practic ally€collapsed€onto€the€large€white€couch€in€theÐ P Ðfront€room.€€She€grabbed€the€remote€and€clicked€the€tv€on.€€After€a€ few€minutes€of€flipping€channels,€she€droppedÐ È Ðthe€remote€next€to€her€and€laid€her€head€on€the€back€of€the€couch.€€ She€closed€her€eyes€as€the€cat€rubbed€againstÐ à Ðher€hand.€€She€lightly€pet€the€lounging€animal€as€she€drifted€off€to €sleep.€€Ð X¨ Ðà àA€loud€knocking€on€the€apartment€door€caus ed€her€to€snap€back€to€reality.€€She€jumped€up,€turned€the€tvÐ p Ðoff€as€she€passed€it€and€rushed€to€the€door€to€stop€the€banging€from €waking€up€the€twins.€€Just€as€the€knockingÐ è 8 Ðbegan€again,€she€flung€the€door€open.€Ð ° Ðà àOutside€of€the€apartment,€two€men€stood,€o ne€grinning€at€her.€€The€shorter€of€the€two,€who€wore€a€grinÐ x È! Ðnicely,€was€blonde€and€tan.€€He€had€large,€friendly€eyes€that€seemed €to€laugh.€€The€other€man€was€tall€and€thin,Ð @ " Ðwith€his€brown€bangs€hanging€over€his€face,€hiding€one€of€his€bright €green€eyes.€Ð X# Ðà àð ðGood€evening,ð ð€the€blonde€one€said€in€a€light€clear€voice. €€ð ðIs€this€the€residence€of€the€owner€ofÐ Ð $ ÐGenerinð ðs€Mechanics?ð ð€€Jessica€nodded.€€The€bl ondeð ðs€grin€got€larger.€€ð ðMay€we€come€in?€€We€have€some€thingsÐ ˜!è % Ðthat€might€interest€you.ð ðÐ `"° & Ðà àð ðI€donð ðt€want€to€buy€anything,ð ð€Jessica€began€to €close€the€door.€€The€tall€manð ðs€hand€shot€out€andÐ (#x ' Ðprevented€the€door€from€closing.€€Jessica€looked€up€at€him,€wide€eye d.Ð ð#@ ( Ðà àð ðWeð ðre€not€selling€anything,ð ð€the€tall€man€said€ quietly.€€ð ðWe€come€on€urgent€business.€€Please.ð ð€€JessicaÐ ¸$ ) Ðsighed€and€nodded,€opening€the€door.Ð €%Ð * Ðà àWhen€the€men€were€settled€on€the€large€cou ch,€Jessica€sat€in€a€matching€white€chair€across€the€room.€Ð H& amp;˜!+ ÐGregð ðry€jumped€up€and€settled€on€the€arm€of€the€chair,€wa tching€the€strangers€with€sharp€eyes.Ð '`", Ðà àð ðHow€much€do€you€know€about€your€employees,ð ð€the€blonde€ask ed€after€a€moment.Ð Ø'(#- Ðà àð ðI€know€many€of€them,ð ð€Jessica€said,€stroking€the€catð ðs€fine€fur.€€ð ðI€went€to€school€with€them.ð ð€€Ð (ð#. Ðà àð ðWhat€do€you€know€of€Markus€Andrews?ð ðÐ h)¸ ;$/ Ðà àð ðOh,€everything!ð ð€Jessica€laughed.€€ð ðHeð ðs€my€husband.ð ð€€The€men€raised€their€eyebrow s€and€exchanged€aÐ 0*€%0 Ðglance.€€Jessica€continued.€€ð ðMy€father€began€Generinð ðs€when€he€moved€here€with€my€mothe r.€€My€parents€died€aÐ ø*H&1 Ðfew€years€ago,€they€left€the€garage€to€my€husband€and€me.ð ð ;€€The€men€nodded.Ð À+'2 Ðà àð ðMrs€Andrews,€we€checked€some€of€your€husbandð ðs€records€and €thereð ðs€a€distinct€lack€of€information.ð ð€Ð ˆ,Ø'3 ÐThe€taller€man€said€quietly.€€Ð P- (4 Ðà àð ðYes,€I€know,ð ð€Jessica€responded,€looking€at€the€glass€coff ee€table€that€sat€between€them.€€ð ðHe€showed€upÐ .h)5 Ðhere€ten€years€ago,€didnð ðt€remember€his€past€or€anything. €€My€father€took€him€in.€€Mark€was€a€very€skilled€atÐ ° Ðmechanics,€so€heð ðs€in€charge€of€the€garage.ð ð€€ Ð xÈ Ðà àThe€blondeð ðs€eyes€got€large.€€& eth; ðMrs€Andrews,€my€name€is€Quatre€Winner,€this€is€Trowa€Barton.€€WeÐ @ Ðbelieve€we€know€your€husbandð ðs€past.ð ð€€Jessica ð ðs€eyes€went€round.€€Ð X Ðà àð ðMr€Winner,€Mr€Barton,ð ð€she€said,€her€voice€pinched€with€ex citement.€€ð ðMy€husband€will€be€home€withinÐ Ð Ða€half€an€hour.€€It€would€probably€be€better€to€continue€this€when€h e€is€here.€€It€is€him€we€are€talking€about.ð ð€€Ð ˜&e grave; Ðà àQuatre€nodded€and€smiled€at€the€woman€acro ss€from€him.€€Jessica€offered€the€pair€drinks,€which€theyÐ ` &d eg; Ðrefused,€and€anxiously€waited€for€her€husband€to€get€home.Ð (
x Ðà àAfter€all€the€years€of€wondering,€theyð ; ðll€finally€know.€€But€at€what€cost?Ð ð
@ ÐÌÔ_ Ô<*><*><*><* ><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> ;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>&l t;*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>&Ocir c;_ ÔÐ € Ð
Ðà àMark€slowly€opened€the€door€to€the€apartme nt.€€The€twins€were€asleep€and€there€was€a€good€chance€thatÐ H< br /> ˜ ÐJessica€was€also.€€He€stepped€in,€pulled€his€keys€from€the€door€and€ stopped€as€he€saw€the€two€men€sitting€in€theÐ ` Ðfront€room.Ð Ø(
Ðà àð ðJess?ð ð€Mark€said€cautiously.€€Jessica€appeared€from€the€ki tchen,€a€smile€lighting€up€her€face.€€Mark€gaveÐ ð Ðher€a€questioning€look.Ð h¸ Ðà àð ðMark,€these€men€have€something€you€will€find€very€interesting,ð ð€she€said€as€she€grabbed€him€by€theÐ 0€ Ðwrist.€€She€pushed€him€into€the€white€chair€across€from€the€couch€an d€sat€on€the€armrest€opposite€of€the€cat.€€Ð øH
Ðà àð ðMr€Andrews,ð ð€Quatre€began.€€ð ðIð ðm€Quatre€and€this€is€Trowa.€€Do€you€recognize€us€or€our€ names?ð ð€Ð À ÐMark€slowly€shook€his€head,€slipping€his€hand€in€Jessicað ð s.€€ð ðWe€believe€we€know€youð ðre€past.ð ð€€Markð &e th;s€eyes€grewÐ ˆØ Ðround,€he€looked€up€at€Jessica.Ð P Ðà àð ðThey€showed€up€about€fifteen€minutes€ago,ð ð€she€squeezed€hi s€hand.€€ð ðI€do€believe€your€past€found€us.ð ðÐ h Ðà àð ðMr€Andrews,ð ð€Quatre€pulled€something€from€his€jacket€pocke t€and€handed€it€to€Mark.€€ð ðDoes€that€lookÐ à0 Ðfamiliar€at€all?ð ð€€Mark€looked€at€the€photo.€€It€was€of€a €mischievous€teenager,€a€grin€spread€across€his€face,€a€darkÐ & uml;ø Ðstreak€of€oil€across€his€chin.€€Down€his€back€was€a€long€braid,€that €seemed€a€yard€long.€€His€entirely€black€clothesÐ pÀ Ðstained,€a€priestð ðs€collar€at€his€throat.€€He€held€a€wren ch€up€as€if€ready€to€throw€it€at€another,€more€serious€lookingÐ 8ˆ Ðteen€behind€him.€€The€other€boy€was€clad€in€a€loose€shirt€and€tight€ spandex€pants.€€Ð P Ðà àð ðThat€looks€like€you€when€you€showed€up,€sort€of,ð ð€Jessica€ pointed€at€the€braided€boy.€€ð ðExcept€half€yourÐ È Ðhair€was€charred€off€and€your€eyes€werenð ðt€that€purple.&e th; ð€€Quatre€gasped€and€nudged€Trowa,€who€nodded€in€return.€€Ð à Ðà àð ðMr€Andrews,€what€day€did€you€appear€here?ð ð€Quatre€dared€to €ask.Ð X¨ Ðà àð ðExactly€ten€years€ago€next€month.ð ð€Mark€said,€handing€back €the€picture,€forcing€his€hand€not€to€shake.Ð p Ðð ðThe€eighteenth€to€be€exact.ð ðÐ è 8 Ðà àð ðHow€old€were€you?ð ð€€Ð ° Ðà àMark€shrugged,€but€Jessica€answered.€€ð ; ðWe€think€he€was€about€seventeen,€a€year€older€than€me.ð ð€€S heÐ x È! Ðwrapped€an€arm€around€her€husbandð ðs€shoulders.€€There€was €a€moment€of€silence.€€Ð @ " Ðà àð ðQuatre,ð ð€Mark€said€quietly.€€ð ðWho€am€I?ð ðÐ X# Ðà àð ðWell,€Mr€Andrews,ð ð€Quatre€said€softly.€€ð ðWe€believe€you€are€a€friend€of€ours€that€disappeared€in€a€largeÐ Ð $ Ðexplosion€ten€years€ago.ð ðÐ ˜!è % Ðà àð ðThat€doesnð ðt€really€answer€my€question,ð ð€Mark€s aid€quickly.€€ð ðWho€am€I?ð ðÐ `"° & Ðà àð ðDuo€Maxwell,€pilot€of€the€gundam€Deathscythe„Hell,€mechanic,€and€all€ around€demolition€man.ð ðÐ (#x ' Ðà àMark€leaned€over,€covering€his€face€with€h is€hands€for€a€moment.€€Jessica€rubbed€his€back€lightly,€eyesÐ ð#@ ( Ðfilled€with€worry.€€Mark€suddenly€stood€and€began€walking€around€the €room.€€The€sunlight€that€filtered€in€seemedÐ ¸$ ) Ðto€dim€for€a€moment.Ð €%Ð * Ðà àð ðDaddy!ð ð€a€small€voice€shrieked€happily.€€Mark€turned€on€hi s€heels€to€see€his€son€running€towards€him,Ð H&˜!+ Ðarms€outstretched.€€Mark€scooped€down€and€picked€the€child€up,€tossi ng€him€up€a€bit€before€catching€him.€€TheÐ '`", Ðchild€laughed€and€hugged€his€father€around€his€neck€tightly.€€Mark€t urned€to€face€the€men€and€grinned€at€them.€Ð Ø'(#- ÐThe€grin€sent€shivers€down€their€spines€and€they€looked€wide€eyed€at €each€other.€€Ð (ð#. Ðà àð ðI€have€one€thing€to€ask,ð ð€Mark€said.€€Quatre€and€Trowa€nod ded€slightly.Ð h)¸$/ Ðà àð ðHowð ðs€Heero?ð ðÐ 0*€%0 Ð<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><* ><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> ;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>&E TH; ø*H&1 ÐQuatre€watched,€eyes€shining,€as€Duo€pushed€himself€from€the€table€a nd€sighed.Ð À+'2 Ðà àð ðJess,€you€really€out€did€yourself€today,ð ð€Duo€grinned€at€h is€wife.€€Jessica€raised€an€eyebrow€at€him€andÐ ˆ,Ø'3 Ðlaughed.Ð P- (4 Ðà àð ðNot€for€you€thatð ðs€sure.ð ðÐ .h)5 Ðà àð ðEh?ð ðÐ ° Ðà àð ðYou€the€only€idiot€here,€Mark?ð ð€The€woman€laughed.€€ð ðMr€Winner€hereð ðs€a€famous€diplomat€andÐ x&Egr ave; Ðextremely€rich€man.€€Unlike€you.ð ð€€She€winked€at€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€over€her€glasses.€&E TH; @ Ðà àð ðJust€call€me€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ & Ocirc;,€Mrs€Andrews.ð ðÐ X Ðà àð ðAnd€you€call€me€Jessica,€or€Jess,€whichever€you€prefer.ð ð&E TH; Ð Ðà àð ðAnð ð€call€me€Cissy!ð ð€The€girl€child€yelled,€thro wing€her€hands€in€the€air€happily.€€The€adults€laughed€asÐ ˜&e grave; Ðthe€child€grinned€up€at€them.Ð ` ° Ðà àð ðSo,€ten€years€later,ð ð€Duo€laughed.€€ð ðI€have€two€children,€a€wife,€a€different€name,€a€different€life.ð ðÐ (
x Ðà àð ðBut€I€donð ðt€see€very€much€change,ð ð€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€cut€him€off€with€his€quie t€voice.Ð ð
@ Ðà àð ðAside€the€braid€and€the€less€violet€eyes,ð ð€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€smiled€at€his€friend.Ð ¸ Ðà àJessica€stood€and€began€cleaning€off€the€s mall€round€table.€€She€hummed€to€herself€happily,€brown€eyesÐ € Ð
Ðshining.Ð H
˜ Ðà àð ðWhatð ðs€that€song?ð ð€Ô_ Ô QuatreÔ_ Ô€blinked€at€her.€€ð ðIt€sounds€very€familiar.ð ðÐ ` Ðà àð ðItð ðs€the€song€that€was€on€the€radio€when€Mark„er„€Duo€appe ared€at€the€garage,ð ð€She€grinned€at€herÐ Ø(< br />
Ðhusband.€€He€patted€her€butt€as€she€passed.€€She€laughed€and€raised€ an€eyebrow€at€him.Ð ð
Ðà àð ðDuo,ð ð€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€observed.€€ð ðYou€definitely€have€not€changed.ð ðÐ h¸ Ðà àð ðHa!ð ð€Duo€laughed,€folding€his€hands€behind€his€head€as€Jes sica€sat€back€down€next€to€him.€€TheyÐ 0€ Ðgrinned€at€each€other.€€ð ðDamn,€woman,€you€failed!€€I€havenð ðt€changed€a€fucking€thin g!ð ð€€Jessicað ðs€jaw€hit€theÐ øH
Ðground€as€she€smacked€her€husbands€arm,€glancing€pointedly€at€the€tw ins€next€to€her.€€Duo€laughed,€holding€hisÐ À Ðnow€bruised€arm,€and€pride.Ð ˆØ Ðà àð ðWell,€you€two,ð ð€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€said€pushing€away€from€the€table.€€ð ðItð ðs€time€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€and€I€continued€on€ourÐ P Ðvacation.ð ðÐ h Ðà àð ðAw,€come€on€Ô_ ÔQuatÔ_ &Oci rc;,ð ð€Duo€moaned€like€a€child.€€ð ðYou€Ô_ Ôguysð ðveÔ_ Ô€only€been€here€for€one€day.ð ðÐ à0 Ðà àð ðYes,€I€know,ð ð€the€Arabian€laughed.€€ð ðBut€Ið ðm€sure€you€and€Jessica€have€a€lot€to€talk€about€now. €€Plus,Ð ¨ø ÐÔ_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€and€I€ need€to€get€going.€€Weð ðre€behind€schedule.€€Ô_ ÔHeeroð ðllÔ_ Ô€notice€if€we€don&et h; ðt€get€back€soon€enough.ð ð€€Duoð ðsÐ pÀ Ðgrin€disappeared€for€a€moment.Ð 8ˆ Ðà àð ðYouð ðre€not€going€to€tell€him€you€guys€found€me,€are€you?&e th; ð€He€looked€at€his€friends€with€wide€pleadingÐ P Ðeyes.à àÐ È Ðà àð ðNot€if€you€donð ðt€want€us€to,ð ð€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€said€as€he€slowly€stood.Ð à Ðà àð ðÔ# †
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Xî ÔI€want€to€tell€him€myself,€face„to„face.ð ð Ð X¨ Ðà àÔ_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€and€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€nodded€simultaneously.€€They€reached€for€their€thin€jackets€and €moved€towards€theÐ p Ðdoor.€€They€thanked€Jessica€for€the€wonderful€dinner,€which€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€said€was€a€welcome€c hange€from€the€elaborateÐ è 8 Ðdinners€of€diplomats.€€ð ðAnd,ð ð€he€added€with€a€smile.€€ð ðThe€pathetic€cooking€of€the€other€pilots.ð ðÐ &d eg; Ðà àð ðWell,€this€sure€has€been€a€great€surprise,ð ð€Jessica€said€a s€they€stood€in€the€doorway€to€the€apartment.€Ð x È! ÐThey€exchanged€embraces€and€handshakes.€€Ô_ Ô ;SimionÔ_ Ô€and€Chrissy€stood,€wide€eyed,€staring€a t€the€adults.€€Slowly,Ð @ " ÐÔ_ ÔSimionÔ_ Ô€reach ed€up€and€tugged€at€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ôð ðs€pants€lightly.€€Ô_ ÔQuatre&Oci rc;_ Ô€looked€down,€surprised.Ð X# Ðà àð ðCan€we€call€you€Uncle€Ô_ ÔQuattyÔ_ Ô?ð ð€the€small€boy€asked€softly.€€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€knelt€down€and€hugged€both€th eÐ Ð $ Ðtwins.Ð ˜!è % Ðà àð ðÔ# † ôC ò ò
ôCy # ÔI€would€be€honored.ð ð€€Ð ` "° & Ðà àð ðAnd€we€can€call€him,ð ð€Chrissy€pointed€at€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô.€€ð ðAuntie€Ô_ ÔTroÔ_ Ô„&O circ;_ ÔTroÔ_ Ô?ð ð€€&Oc irc;_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€turned€a€pale€sh ade€of€redÐ (#x ' Ðas€the€others€laughed€hysterically.Ð ð#@ ( Ðà àð ðOf€course€you€can,€Chrissy!ð ð€Duo€laughed.€€The€twins€looke d€up€at€him,€eyes€shining€then€ran€offÐ ¸$ ) Ðgiggling.€€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ &Oc irc;€glared€at€Duo,€who€just€grinned€back.Ð €%Ð * Ðà àð ðWell,ð ð€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€said,€grabbing€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ôð ðs€arm.€€ð ðItð ðs€was€great€to€find€you,€Duo.€€And€even€better€to€meet& ETH; H&˜!+ Ðyou€Jessica.€€You€have€our€numbers,€Ið ðm€sure€you€have€a€l ot€to€talk€about.€€Good„bye!ð ð€€The€pilots€were€out€theÐ '`", Ðdoor€and€down€the€balcony€staircase€before€Jessica€or€Duo€could€even €respond.€€The€couple€blinked€at€each€otherÐ Ø'(#- Ðthen€shrugged.€€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€was€right,€they€had€to€talk.€€Later.Ð (ð#. ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>€Ð 0*€%0 Ðà àð ðThe€twins€are€finally€asleep,ð ð€Jessica€said€thankfully€as€ she€dragged€herself€into€the€master€bedroom.€Ð ø*H&1 ÐShe€moaned€as€she€saw€the€clockð ðs€illuminated€numbers.€€M idnight.Ð À+'2 Ðà àð ðThey€donð ðt€know€how€good€they€have€it,ð ð€she€sig hed€as€she€fell€onto€the€bed,€arms€sprawled€out,€oneÐ ˆ,Ø ;'3 Ðlanding€on€Mark.€€ð ðThey€donð ðt€have€to€make€decisions,€pay€rent,€run€a€busines s,€get€their€own€food€or€anything.ð ðÐ P- (4 Ðà àð ðThey€donð ðt€have€to€figure€out€two€lives.ð ð€€Mark €added€flatly,€placing€his€book€down€on€his€lap.€€Ô_ &Oci rc;HeÐ .h)5 ÐÑ OY Ñâ
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Ñreached€out€and€ran€his€fingertips€lightly€across€the€skin€on€J essicað ðs€arm.€€She€squirmed€and€crawled€up€next€toÐ ° Ðher€husband.€€She€gave€his€cheek€a€kiss€and€sat€against€him.€Ð xÈ Ðà àð ðNot€many€have€to,€Ið ðm€afraid.ð ð€€She€smiled€at€M ark.€€ð ðSo,€anything€I€should€know?ð ðÐ @ Ðà àð ðHmm?ð ðÐ X Ðà àð ðAbout€Duo€Maxwell?ð ðÐ Ð Ðà àð ðOh,€Ô_ ÔhehÔ_ Ô,ð ð€Mark€adjusted€his€position€and€put€his€book€on€the€night€stand€next €to€him.€€He€turned€towardsÐ ˜è Ðhis€wife.€€ð ðMight€be€some€things€you€want€to€know.ð ðÐ ` &de g; Ðà àð ðLike€what?ð ð€Jessica€asked€quietly,€confused€by€the€sudden€ shy€look€on€his€face.Ð (
x Ðà àð ðYou€remember€the€other€guy€in€the€picture?ð ðÐ & eth;
@ Ðà àð ðÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô,ð ð€Jessica€said€after€a€moment.€€ð ðIsnð ðt€that€his€name?€€That€is€what€I€think€you€called€him. ð ðÐ ¸ Ðà àð ðYeah,ð ð€Mark€nodded€biting€his€lip.€€He€hesitated€for€a€mom ent.€€ð ðÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô€and€I€h ad€this€thing€together.€€IÐ € Ð
Ðguess€thatð ðs€the€only€thing€I€can€call€it.ð ð€€J essicað ðs€eyes€went€wide€and€her€jaw€dropped€a€bit.Ð H
˜ Ðà àð ðWhat?ð ð€she€said,€as€if€unsure€what€he€just€said.Ð ` Ðà àð ðYeah,€I€was€gay.€€Key€word€being€was,€though.ð ðÐ Ø(
Ðà àð ðBut€people€donð ðt€just€go€from€chasing€guys€to€chasing€wome n.ð ðÐ ð
Ðà àð ðWeð ðll€just€say€that€Ô_ ÔHeero&Ocir c;_ Ô€and€I€had€both€lived€as€far€from€a€normal€life€as€y ou€can€think€of.€€We€grew€upÐ h¸ Ðpiloting€war€machines,€learning€to€kill,€not€feel.€€The€only€people€ that€could€understand€was€the€other€pilots,€andÐ 0€ ÐÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô€was€th e€first€one€who€showed€sympathy.€€Other€than€Ô_ ÔQu atreÔ_ Ô,€of€course.ð ð€€Jessica€nodded€sl owly,€trying€to€getÐ øH
Ðher€mind€to€accept€the€idea€of€her€husband...€She€repressed€a€shiver .Ð À Ðà àð ðAnything€else?ð ð€€Jessica€asked€as€if€she€didnð ðt €really€want€to€know,€but€her€curiosity€was€sparked.Ð ˆØ ; Ðà àð ðBesides€that€no€matter€who€I€am,€Mark€Andrews€or€Duo€Maxwell,€youð ; ðre€still€my€wife€and€I€love€youÐ P Ðmore€than€I€have€loved€anyone€else.ð ð€€He€pulled€her€close €for€a€quick€kiss.Ð h Ðà àð ðOh,€by€the€way,ð ð€Jessica€said,€with€a€grin€of€mischief€on€ her€face.€€She€handed€Mark€something€that€sheÐ à0 Ðpulled€out€of€her€pocket.€€ð ðYour€good€friend€Mr€Winner€left€that€under€his€plate.ð ð€€Ma rk€unfolded€the€paper,€on€itÐ ¨ø Ðwas€the€phone€numbers€and€addresses€of€each€of€the€other€Ô_ Ôpilots,Ô_ Ô€and€the€picture€of€Duo €and€Ô_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô.€€He€suc ked€in€aÐ pÀ Ðbreath.Ð 8ˆ Ðà àð ðDo€I€have€to€decide€who€I€want€to€be€now?ð ðÐ P Ðà àð ðI€think€you€may,ð ð€Jessica€said€softly.Ð &Egrav e; Ðà àAbout€ten€minutes€later,€Jessica€slipped€u nder€the€blanket€and€turned€off€her€light.€€She€curled€up€againstÐ à Ðher€husband€and€breathed€deeply,€breathing€in€his€scent.€€She€ran€he r€fingernails€across€his€naked€abdomen.€Ð X¨ ÐNeither€of€them€had€spoken€for€a€few€minutes.Ð p Ðà àð ðAre€you€afraid€to€ask€me€what€you€should€do€because€you€think€Ið ðll€be€bias?ð ð€Jessica€said€after€a€fewÐ è ; 8 Ðminutes€of€trying€to€ignore€the€air€of€slight€fear€and€anxiousness€s urrounding€him.€€He€made€a€small€gruntingÐ ° Ðsound,€slightly€annoyed€that€she€knew€what€he€was€thinking€about.€€E specially€since€it€was€about€her.Ð x È! Ðà àð ðWell,€youð ðre€getting€my€opinion€because€I€have€air€in€my€b ody€to€give€it€to€you,ð ð€she€said€jokingly.€€ð ðIÐ @ " Ðthink€you€should€combine€the€lives.€€You€lived€as€Duo€Maxwell€for€so €long,€but€you€are€also€Mark€and€Daddy€toÐ X# Ðthe€children.€€You€cannot€let€either€go.€€But€itð ðs€your€l ife,€not€mine.ð ð€€She€rolled€over€to€the€other€side€of€the€bed&ET H; Ð $ Ðand€refused€to€say€another€word€on€the€subject.Ð ˜!&egra ve; % Ðà àMark€laid€awake€for€hours,€just€thinking.€ €Jess€was€right,€but€it€wasnð ðt€that€easy.€€Or€it€didnð ð ;t€seem€to€be.Ð `"° & ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>Ð ð#@ ( Ðà àWhen€Jessica€awoke€the€next€day,€Mark€was€ gone.€€€She€rolled€over€and€squinted€at€the€clock.€€Ten€toÐ &ce dil;$ ) Ðnoon.€€She€blinked€for€a€moment,€before€grabbing€her€glasses€and€spr ang€out€of€bed.€€She€quickly€walked€to€theÐ €%Ð * Ðtwinsð ð€room€and€blinked€at€the€perfectly€clean€room€and€m ade€beds.€€She€turned€and€sped€to€the€kitchen.€€SheÐ H&˜!+ Ðfound€a€small€yellow€note€lying€on€the€table,€in€Markð ðs€p recise€handwriting.€€Ð '`", Ðà àð ðJess,€your€mom€came€over€and€took€the€kids€out.€€Sheð ðll€be €back€with€them€around€the€time€I€get€home.€Ð Ø'(#- ÐEnjoy€your€day€to€yourself.€€Much€love,€Mark.ð ð€€Jessica€s miled€to€herself€as€she€placed€the€note€back€on€the€table.€€Ð & nbsp;(ð#. Ðà àð ðOh,€Ið ðll€enjoy€my€day,€Ô_ ÔGreg&et h; ðryÔ_ Ô,ð ð€she€said€to€the€cat,€w ho€appeared€out€of€nowhere€and€rubbed€against€herÐ h)¸$/ Ðleg.€€ð ðBut€first,€a€shower.ð ð€€She€turned€towards€the€bathroom,€le aving€the€cat€in€the€middle€of€the€kitchen,€givingÐ 0*€%0 Ðher€a€curious€look.Ð ø*H&1 Ðà àA€few€hours€later,€as€the€sky€began€to€dar ken€as€a€storm€approached€the€city,€Jessica€pulled€her€car€intoÐ À+'2 Ðthe€cemetery.€€She€passed€the€familiar€large€black€iron€gates€and€on to€the€thin€road.€€She€drove€slowly€past€theÐ ˆ,Ø'3 Ðlarge€intricate€gravestones,€noting€all€the€names€that€were€familiar €to€her.€€She€brought€her€car€to€a€stop€and€sat€inÐ P- (4 Ðit€for€a€moment.€€She€looked€out€over€the€green€grass,€littered€with €graves€and€onto€the€fields€in€the€distance.€€SheÐ .h)5 Ðclimbed€out€of€the€car,€the€wind€immediately€grabbed€her€hair€and€cl othes,€as€if€trying€to€steal€her€soul€along€withÐ ° Ðthe€rest€of€the€dead.€€She€slowly€walked€up€the€small€hill€and€down€ towards€the€large€oak€tree€at€the€edge€of€theÐ xÈ Ðcemetery.€€She€wasnð ðt€surprised€to€see€the€thin€form€stan ding€in€front€of€her€parentsð ð€graves.€€She€slowlyÐ @ Ðapproached,€a€bouquet€of€white€roses€in€her€hands.Ð X Ðà àð ðI€knew€youð ðd€come€today,ð ð€Mark€said€as€Jessica€ approached.€€She€smiled€and€began€to€walk€faster.€€SheÐ Ð Ðput€her€arm€around€her€husbandð ðs€waist.€€He€wrapped€his€a rm€around€her€shoulder,€pulling€her€close.€€She€lightlyÐ ˜&egr ave; Ðthrew€the€bouquet€onto€the€double€grave.€€Mark€sighed.Ð ` ° Ðà àð ðYou€know€what€heð ðd€say,€donð ðt€you,ð ð€ €Jessica€stated€more€than€asked.€€Mark€smiled€weakly€at€her.Ð (
x Ðà àð ðYeah,€I€do,ð ð€he€said,€looking€at€the€right€side€of€the€sma ll€monument€to€his€parents€in€law.€€ð ðHeð ðd€sayÐ ð
@ Ðexactly€what€his€daughter€told€me€last€night.ð ð€€He€gave€h er€shoulders€a€squeeze.€€Ð ¸ Ðà àð ðGood,ð ð€Jessica€laughed.€€ð ðNow€we€know€you€werenð ðt€a€lost€cause€after€all!ð ð ;Ð € Ð
Ðà àð ðHe€wouldð ðve€said€that,€too,ð ð€Mark€said€as€they€ turned€from€the€graves.€€ð ðCourse,€he€wouldð ðve€said€itÐ H
˜ Ðwhile€he€knock€me€on€my€head.ð ð€€They€slowly€began€walking €to€the€car.€€Without€another€word,€or€a€glance€back,Ð ` Ðthey€climbed€into€the€small€sports€car€and€slowly€drove€away.€€Ð Ø(
ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>Ð h¸ Ðà àThe€loud€buzzing€of€the€alarm€rang€through €the€practically€empty€room.€€The€form€on€the€sagging€bedÐ 0€ Ðmoaned€lightly€and€rolled€over,€slamming€his€hand€on€the€alarm,€whic h€sat€on€the€window€sill.€€He€sat€up,€his€legsÐ øH
Ðhanging€awkwardly€over€the€side€of€the€bed,€his€short€brown€hair€dis heveled.€€He€pushed€himself€to€his€feet,Ð À Ðshivering€slightly€at€the€feeling€of€the€cold€floor.€€He€stretched€a nd€walked€over€to€the€large€pile€of€clothes€in€theÐ ˆØ Ðcorner€of€his€room.€€He€grabbed€the€first€pair€of€pants€he€could€fin d€and€slipped€them€over€his€boxers.€€He€grabbedÐ P Ða€shirt€and€pulled€it€over€his€head.€€He€tripped€over€to€the€mirror€ and€ran€his€fingers€through€his€hair.Ð h Ðà àð ðGod,€Ið ðm€getting€as€bad€as€Duo,ð ð€he€thought€as€ he€reached€for€the€doorknob.€€His€hand€stopped€in€midÐ à 0 Ðair€at€the€sudden€pang€of€sorrow.€€He€sucked€in€a€breath€and€pulled€ open€the€door.€€He€moved€quickly€through€hisÐ ¨ø Ðdimly€lit,€disorganized€apartment.€€He€threw€the€small€fridge€on€the €counter€open,€peering€in€at€the€half€emptyÐ pÀ Ðgallon€of€milk€and€a€totally€bruised€apple.€€He€sighed€and€slammed€t he€door€shut.€€It€just€seemed€to€be€gettingÐ 8ˆ Ðworse€as€the€years€went€on.€€He€placed€his€elbows€on€the€counter€and €bent€down,€holding€his€head€in€his€hands.Ð P Ðà àð ðTen€years,ð ð€he€murmured.€€ð ðTen€years€today.ð ð€€He€didnð ðt€move€for€a€few€mom ents,€willing€the€memoriesÐ È Ðof€the€smiling€purple€eyes€as€the€pilot€swore€heð ðd€be€car eful€and€would€be€back€before€dark.€€He€rememberedÐ à Ðwatching€the€braid€bounce€behind€the€black€clothed€body,€as€if€wavin g€good„bye.€€He€knew€he€shouldð ðve€made€himÐ X¨ Ðstay€home.€€He€knew€it.€€And€now,€ten€years€later,€he€was€a€wreck.&E TH; p Ðà àA€sudden€knock€on€the€door,€dragging€him€f rom€his€memories.€€He€walked€slowly€to€the€door,€halfwayÐ &egra ve; 8 Ðconsidering€not€answering€it.€€He€slowly€opened€the€door,€fumbling€w ith€the€chain€lock.€€He€blinked,€blinded€byÐ ° Ðthe€bright€light€of€the€sun€that€shot€into€the€apartment€through€the €half€opened€door.€€In€front€of€him€stood€a€youngÐ x È! Ðcouple,€around€his€age.€€The€man€looked€somewhat€familiar,€tall,€dar k€hair,€dark€blue€eyes.€€The€woman€was€short,Ð @ " Ðher€long€brown€hair€pulled€back€in€a€braid,€staring€at€him€with€dark €brown€eyes€through€thin€framed€glasses.€€Ð X# Ðà àð ðÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô€Ô _ ÔYuyÔ_ Ô,ð ð€The€man€s aid,€smiling€a€familiar€smile,€with€a€familiar€voice.€€ð ðIð ðm€back,€and€youð ðll€neverÐ Ð $ Ðguess€whatð ðs€happened€in€the€last€ten€years.ð ð& ETH; ˜!è % Ðà à€Ý ‚/ ÿ Ý&ograv e;òÔ ÿ ÔÝ Ý&Yacut e; ‚/ ÿÿÿ Ýóóòò&O circ; ÿ ÿ ÔÝ ÝÝ ‚/ ÿÿÿ ÝóóòòÔ ÿ ÿ ÔÝ ÝòŽò