Conclusion
Part One

20-08-15
Authors Note: Well… Our journey is nearly over. I do hope that you enjoyed my stories readers.

Relena sighed as she sat down beside a newly bathed and dressed Rebecca… She knew, from the look of that shuttle, that Wufei and Rebecca has gone through a lot… She hugged the teddy bear closer…

"Heero… I wish you're here…" she whispered as she pictured her husband's face.

She heard a knock on the door.

"Relena, can we go in now?" Quatre asked from the other side of the room.

"Come in."

The door opened and Trowa and Quatre went inside, walking towards the bed and stopping beside Rebecca.

"Poor girl… She seemed so shocked and tired…" Quatre said as he looked down a the sleeping girl… Then, he couldn't stop himself and he yawned.

"It's been a long day for you too, Quatre." Trowa said, "I mean, considering the soot in your clothes, I'm betting that you were working yourself in the plant as hard as your workers.

Quatre shrugged, "What can I say but it's just a hard day's work. Besides… compared to what these two (Quatre motioned to Rebecca) has gone through, working in a factory repairing sabotaged machines doesn't seem to be as bad."

Relena sighed, "At least go home and change Quatre…"

Quatre shook his head, "Not until I'm sure that Wufei is alright."

Trowa frowned, "By the way, Quatre… Have you telephoned the airport yet? I mean, to ask if Aria's father left already?"

Quatre slapped his forehead, "Of course! Thanks Trowa!" he turned around and headed for the door. "I'll be back you guys!" then he was gone.

Trowa walked towards Relena. "It's good that you guys are the same size…"

Relena smiled, "Yeah… it is."

Trowa noted how Relena is holding on to the bear and gently, he brought his hand up over hers and tried to loosen it. Relena looked up.

"Relena, loosen up… Everything will be fine…"

Relena looked down at her bear and smiled. "I'm sorry Trowa… I'm just a little stressed right now… and I wish Heero is here!" then she frowned, "And what is in that disk anyway?!" she exclaimed as she stood up and started pacing…

"Wufei will never just lay down his life on anything…!"

Trowa coughed… "Er… I think that the others should explain that to you later…" Trowa said as he started to back away to the door. "Well… I'm going to wait for Aria outside… They've been there for nearly five hours already!"

"Trowa Barton! You stop right now!" Relena shouted just as Quatre came inside the door with a smile on his face.

"Yes!!! Aria's father just left!!!" he announced. Then, he looked from a guilty looking Trowa to a slightly mad Relena and frowned… "What is going on…?"

Relena faced Quatre and smiled sweetly…

Quatre had the sudden urge to run… 'Uh-oh…'

Crossing her arms on top of her chest, she faced the two. "Now, both of you… I want to know what is in that disk! Why were men after Wufei who would kill him and Wufei intent on bringing that disk safely to our hands?"

Quatre swallowed… "Er… Maybe we should wait for Heero to come here…?"

Quatre flinched as he saw Relena's eyes turn to slits while Trowa looked on the floor.

"Tell. Me. Now."

Suddenly, the door opened and Relena's eyes darted to the figures outside… Her eyes widened as she saw the person coming in…

~*~

Location: Outer Space in a shuttle heading for the Gaia Colony

Duo leaned towards the airplane window and sighed. "I wish I can just be as free as the wind…" he murmured.

Heero looked to his right, at the braided brown haired man and frowned. "Oh… so now, after nearly four hours of not talking, you finally open your big mouth." Heero said sarcastically… Actually, at first, he was just happy that Duo had stopped saying 'She hates me.' Over and over again… But then… He started to feel weird as Duo just clammed up and stopped talking…

Duo turned to face Heero and gave a sad smile, "Sorry Heero… er… uhmmm…"

Heero sighed and folded the paper he was reading. He could hear the question in those 'ers' and 'uhms'. "Are you finally ready to talk?"

"Yeah…" Duo said as he slumped in his chair. "This is going to be so weird… I mean… I'm not used to the touchy-feely stuff conversation…"

Heero's eyebrow rose up, 'touchy-feely'? He was about to open his mouth to ask what Duo meant about that when Duo started talking.

"You know… I want to thank you… You finally made me realize that what I was looking for was right under my nose…" Duo sighed, "After dating one model after another… One celebrity after another… I never really noticed that when I come back from those relationships, Hilde was there..."

Heero nodded, keeping silent…

"I mean… she would always cheer me up… Be there to help me organize my office… and now… Now, she left me… Just when I finally knew how much I feel for her…" he slumped on his knees in deject.

Heero patted his back. "Duo… Things might turn out for the better… You never can tell…"

Duo looked at Heero. "I can't believe you just said that… Especially now that your Relena is dead… How can things be better for you…? If you love Relena as much as I love my Hilde… I don't know how you can stand a life without Relena…" Duo cried out.

Heero felt a guilty sinking feeling at the pit of his stomach… He was about to tell Duo that he's wrong when the speakers turned on.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are nearing the Gaia colony… Please put on your seatbelts and in just a few more minutes, we will be landing safely. Thank you."

Duo frowned. "By the way… Why are we in Quatre's colony anyway?"

What Heero was about to say flew out of his mind as he went down on business… "We're on Quatre's colony because Wufei's there. Weren't you listening when I told earlier?" Heero asked, his tone condescending, but soft, knowing full well how hurt this usually cheerful pilot is.

Duo shook his head, "I'm sorry… I wasn't listening… I guess I was off in another colony…"

Heero sighed. "That's alright. Anyway, remember last February when I told you that someone hacked into our files and deleted some of the technology in the DWHQT project?"

Duo nodded. "Don't tell me… Wufei found the person who hacked in and took it upon his own shoulders to serve 'Justice'."

Heero shrugged. "Well… I guess your brain works better when you're depressed."

Duo gave Heero a glare but he ignored it. "Well, you're near enough… I really don't know how Wufei found them or who they are… What I do know is Wufei sent a coded message to Outer Space in the frequency and code that I usually use and I received it from Quatre. He was asking for a battle shuttle and said something about Gundams… So I gave him one."

Duo nearly stood up but his seatbelt restrained him, "WHAT?! AND HOW COME I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS?!"

Heero looked around at everyone who were staring at them and glared at Duo. "Shut up, Maxwell."

Duo shook his head, "I can't believe you left me out of this!"

Heero ground his teeth, "I couldn't possibly tell you because you were in a meeting at another colony! Then, when you came back, you were drunk as a skunk who wouldn't understand anything even if I told you, and the day after that you were screaming bloody murder in front of Hilde's brother! Tell me then! How could I have possibly told you with all that happening?"

Duo pouted… "You could have told me over the phone while I was over at the colony… that was my project too you know…"

Heero closed his eyes and dropped his head… "Eeeaaaggghhh!!!! Just- just let me finish okay?!"

Duo nodded and leaned to Heero, "Fine. So then what happened?"

"That was three days ago… And now, Wufei showed up and is badly hurt… Quatre said that he's been placed in the critical condition ward about 4 or was it 5 hours ago…"

"Passengers, we are about to land…"

"So, we're going to the hospital?" Duo asked as he closed his eyes, trying to relax his body while the shuttle landed.

"Yes…" Heero replied.

Twenty minutes later, the two stood outside the airport and Heero flagged down a taxi.

"Longsworth Hospital" Heero ordered as they both went inside.

In less then 15 minutes, they reached it and Heero paid the man. "Duo, come on…" Heero said to Duo who was looking at his bag in a weird way while fingering the cloth and handles.

Duo looked up at Heero with sad eyes. "Did you know that Hilde gave me this bag for Christmas two years ago?" he asked miserably.

Heero bit his lip. He feels for Duo… he really does, but at the moment, he knows that everything will be fine with him in the future… Hilde loves him that much… I mean, she stuck with him for so many years already! What he's not sure about is Wufei… And, he wants to see his wife!

"Duo, let's go."

Duo nodded and slowly got out of the taxi. He followed as Heero entered the hospital and went to the receptionist's counter.

"Has Mr. Quatre Winner reserved a room for someone in the critical condition ward?"

The nurse looked at her monitor screen and scrolled down. "Mr. Winner reserved two rooms… B416 and B417."

Heero nodded and started walking to the elevator.

"How convenient for him to get two rooms near each other…" Duo muttered beside Heero.

The elevator stopped and Heero walked to the first room quickly, leaving Duo behind him, walking slowly.

He came to B416, no one is in it, then he tried the door right in front of it, B417, opening it quickly-

Heero saw Relena with her 'I-don't-want-you-to-cross-me-right-now-answer-my-question look… 'Uh-oh… What's going on here…?' Then he saw her eyes widen in surprise.

"Heero!" she cried out as she rushed to him and hugged him, her arms encircling his waist…

Heero smiled, forgetting his earlier fears as he enjoyed Relena's hug… He can never grow tired of this…

Relena rubbed her face on his chest then looked up with a smile, "I missed you…"

Heero leaned down and touched his lips on hers, "Not as much as I missed you, Relena…" he whispered, not seeing how Quatre and Trowa was looking at them with an amused smile. "Didn't you know that I was coming?"

Relena shook her head, "No… I-" she was cut off by a booming voice from outside.

"Oh this is great! Heero why'd you go off and left me in that elevato-" Duo's voice stopped as he saw Heero, in an embrace, kissing a short blonde haired girl. "rrr…err…ngh?"

Duo's jaw dropped in disbelief. "Wha- what the heck is going on here?!" he finally stuttered out loud.

Quatre and Trowa looked at each other, trying hard to stifle the laughter they felt at Duo's comical face.

"I guess he doesn't know yet… huh?" Trowa whispered to Quatre who shook his head.

Heero let go of Relena and slowly turned to face Duo, blocking Duo's view of Relena.

"Er… Duo… I forgot to mention a detail to you…"

Duo gave Heero a glare, "YOU GOT THAT RIGHT PARDNER!!! YOU GO TO MY HOUSE AN' I THOUGHT THAT YOU WERE DOWN IN THE DUMPS WHEN WELL IN FACT YOU ALREADY FOUND YOUR REPLACEMENT FOR RELENA?! YOU PLAYED ME FOR A FOOL, MAN!!! HOW COULD YOU!!!" Duo started shouting and ranting as loud as he could while walking inside the room, flinging his hands around in anger.

Everyone was looking at Duo so much that they didn't see the tell-tale frown on Rebecca's face, and the slow movement of her eyelids…

"Duo, calm down…" Quatre said while Heero closed the door.

"Please, Duo…" Trowa said at the same time.

"CALM DOWN?!!!" Duo walked up to Quatre and started jabbing at his chest, "YOU PROBABLY KNEW ALL THESE, DIDN'T YOU?!"

" 'Oh Duo, I can't help Heero get over Relena' he said!" Duo said, imitating Quatre's voice…

Rebecca frowned… 'What's with all that noise…? And… did they say Relena…?' She slowly opened her eyes and blinked trying to clear her vision.

"Maxwell will you shut up!!!" Heero finally bellowed to Duo.

Duo stopped and glowered at Heero angrily.

Heero took in a calming breath then stepped sideways, showing the woman behind him. "Duo… I want you to meet my wife…"

Duo suddenly became pale, his eyes widened and his jaw dropped once again as he stared into familiar blue eyes...

He looked up at Heero then at Quatre and Trowa… "I… I d-don't think I understand…" he said in confusion.

Heero was about to speak when Duo saw the blonde haired woman place a stilling hand on his arm. He saw as Heero looked down at her and then smiled lovingly while nodding…

Relena stepped towards Duo. "Hey Duo… I do hope you remember me… I mean, I know that it's been years…"

"Re- Relena…?" Duo stuttered as he stared at the person in front of him.

Relena smiled. "Yeah… I… er… Heero and I got married…"

Rebecca frowned… 'Relena…?'

"B-but… you were dead!"

Rebecca opened her eyes… 'Dead…? Relena Peacecraft…! Of course…! No wonder her face seemed so familiar…' she tried to stand up but she couldn't seem to move her body…

"As you can see, I am not dead… there was a little accident… and Heero saved me… the next thing I knew, it was three days later… and… well… There was the opportunity of a lifetime… I had to choose which path I should take… A life with Heero… or a life of restrictions, rules and work…"

Duo shook his head. He understands… She deserves happiness and Heero does too… but…"How… how come…" he looked at Heero. "How come you never told me…?"

Quatre coughed and Trowa looked away. Heero started to explain.

"I needed to get near you so I can… (ahem!) match-make (ahem!) you and Hilde…"

"Oh no…" Duo rolled his eyes in disbelief… "And everything was going alright until I opened my big mouth…right?"

Heero didn't answer while Relena looked at Duo, confused.

"What do you mean?" she glanced back at her husband. "Heero? I thought everything was fine with Hilde and Duo…"

Duo shook his head as the events that morning ran through his head. "No Relena… it isn't… Hilde hates me now…" Duo said as he slumped on a chair.

Relena went to Duo and patted his back. "Oh come on now… I'm sure that's not right…"

Rebecca was finally able to move her shoulders as she pushed herself up and the bed creaked.

All five pairs of eyes turned to her.

"Who are you?" Duo asked as he stared into a red headed woman on the bed.

Rebecca frowned as she rubbed her temple… Then she looked at Relena frowned… "… Rena…? Are you Relena Peacecraft…?" she asked, confused. She saw Relena nod her head…

Rebecca remembered what she heard a while ago, 'I had to choose which path I should take… A life with Heero… or a life of restrictions, rules and work…' She understands… She herself chose to be with Wufei, didn't she…?

"I'm glad you decided on Heero…" she weakly said with a smile.

Quatre went in the middle of Duo and Rebecca. "Rebecca Neill, this is Duo Maxwell, and that is Heero Yuy. More of Wufei's friends…"

Rebecca slowly nodded her head and her gaze fell on Heero… Finally… the person with the only name she was sure of…

Duo frowned… "She came with Wufei…?"

Quatre nodded and Duo's gaze fell on Trowa who also nodded.

'This is too much…I can't take this!!!' Duo shook his head and stood up, "Are there any more surprises that I need to know?" Duo demanded.

Trowa didn't know whether to laugh or to feel sad for his friend… Duo always loves to know everything before anybody else… And it seems that he doesn't know anything about what's been happening lately… not to mention that it seemed he and Hilde just had a huge fight… enough to make Hilde hate him… or so he thinks…

Trowa looked at Quatre who was blushing and decided to break it to Duo. "Duo, Quatre's engaged."

Heero frowned while Duo stared at Quatre… "You too??!!" Then he turned to Trowa and flung out his hands, "What about you…? Oh no! Don't tell me… You've found your loved one too and now you're going to be happily married to her, right?!"

Relena and Quatre gasped as they saw the look of painful sadness passed Trowa's face.

Duo noticed it too and clamped his mouth shut. "I'm sorry man…" he mumbled and turned away from the group… "I'm going out for some fresh air…" and he started to walk to the door.

Then Duo heard Trowa call his name.

"Duo, wait up… I'm coming with you…" Duo waited for Trowa by the door and Quatre, Heero, Relena, and Rebecca looked on as the two closed the door.

"That was something…" Rebecca said weakly as she slumped back on the bed. "Why do I feel so weak?"

"It's shock… don't worry, it'll pass…" Relena said as she walked to Rebecca and arranged her pillow.

Quatre started for the door. "Well… I think I better go see how Aria is doing…" he announced as he took a few steps forward.

"Hold it!" Relena ordered as she turned to Quatre. "You haven't answered my question yet, Quatre." Her gaze fell on Heero. "You're in this, Heero. Now, I'm waiting…"

Heero looked at Quatre in confusion and Quatre explained.

"Relena wants to know what's in the disk…"

Heero nodded then faced Relena. "Is that all?"

"And I want to know why Hilde would suddenly hate Duo."

Rebecca smiled at Relena… She can't believe how much control she has over these two guys… or maybe it's just equal… But yes… she herself would like to know what's in the disk…

Heero looked at Quatre, "I'll explain it to them… You go on ahead and look for… Wait a minute… Who's Aria?"

"The person I'm engaged to… She's one of the doctors that's looking after Wufei now…"

Heero nodded and smiled. "Congratulations Quatre… Go on ahead and look for her."

Quatre smiled his thanks to Heero and walked out of the room just as Heero sat on the chair at the other side of the bed.

"The disk contains a top secret project that we are heading… It's the Dual Way Head QuarTers Project." Heero grimaced at the title.

Relena frowned… There's something important about that title… even if it seems so strange… then she got it…. "DWHQT… Does that stand for Duo, Wufei, Heero, Quatre and Trowa?"

Heero nodded, smiling that Relena got it so quickly. "It has all the data concerning how the weapons of each Gundam works. We have a team of researchers who are trying to see if they could use these technologies, with a few adjustments and reprogramming, for the good of mankind."

Relena nodded, "Such as for medical purposes, right?"

"Right."

Rebecca spoke up. "But, since the disk is full of data about the Gundam weapons, if it fell into the wrong hands, they can use it to rebuild a destructive weapon, correct?"

Heero nodded once again. "Yes."

"Alright… Now, we got that covered… I don't know why Quatre and Trowa didn't want to tell me!" Relena complained.

Heero smiled, "They were afraid that you might give them a lecture since you do not like these weapons… You are the pacifist, Relena… And these weapons are signs of war… Of course they will be a little scared telling you."

Relena shook her head. "The war has been over many years ago…" then she frowned. "Now, tell me… what happened to Duo?"

Heero sighed and brought his hands to his temple to massage it.

"That bad?" Rebecca asked… She's starting to like these people…

"Well… in a nutshell, here it is… Everything was going fine until Duo accidentally saw an engagement ring in Hilde's desk and he thought that she was cheating on him… Before that, I saw Hilde with a guy who presented her with what I think is the same engagement ring as Duo saw and overheard a few parts on conversation- mainly, 'secret weddings' and the place it's going to be at…"

Relena nodded, "Go on…"

Rebecca focused her attention at Heero, trying to not let her mind wander on the events that happened to her hours ago…

"Well… Duo went home drunk and the next day he finally realized that he loves Hilde."

Relena sighed, "Finally!"

"Well… yeah… Finally… but, since we got the wrong impression, Duo and I thought that there was going to be a wedding today and we went to the place I overheard Hilde and the guy talking. Duo basically knocked the poor guy to the floor and Hilde got mad- especially when Duo sort of implied that she's his. I guess since Hilde was angry already, she got the wrong message and thought that he thinks she's just a thing to Duo's eyes and left saying that she hates him."

"Who's the guy, Heero?" Rebecca asked.

Heero swallowed, "Hilde's stepbrother…"

Relena closed her eyes while Rebecca winced.

"Oh no… No wonder!" Relena cried out…

Suddenly, the door burst open and Quatre came in with a weary looking black haired girl in tow.

"Aria! You look tired!" Relena exclaimed as she walked towards the black haired girl.

Heero looked up curiously to see who caught Quatre's heart. He stared at tired looking girl and knew that she did her best to help Wufei… besides… Relena likes her… that's for sure…

"You guys! Wufei is out of the operating room!" Quatre announced, trying to be happy.

Rebecca felt a lightness envelope her heart as she jumped down from the bed and faced Aria. "Is he…?"

Aria tried to keep a straight face. "He's unconscious… we're not sure when he'll wake up… We counted 8 bullet wounds and a slight head concussion, and a lot of bruises..." Then she looked at Aria. "He's still hanging in there, Rebecca… He's lost a lot of blood and only time will tell if he'll wake up and stay with us… "

Rebecca closed her eyes as she felt her whole body weaken, '…or not…' She swallowed and forced herself to be strong. "Where is he?"

"He's being wheeled into the room across the hall right now…"

"May I…" Rebecca couldn't finish her sentence and only looked at Aria.

Aria nodded. "You can see him, but it's going to be quick… And don't go too near…" she warned, then she staggered and Quatre caught her.

"You okay?" Quatre asked Aria with concern.

Aria nodded groggily, "Yeah… just a little tired… I think I need to sit down…"

Quatre slowly led Aria to a chair and stayed with her while Rebecca started walking to the door.

"Keep a strong faith, Rebecca." Relena said softly.

Rebecca nodded and walked outside.

Heero turned towards Aria and Quatre when a brown toy caught his attention. He frowned as he walked towards the metal desk beside the bed…

'This couldn't be…' he thought as he reached it then held it out… Slowly, his head started to shake, then he opened his mouth-

"RENA!!!"

Relena turned from the door and faced Heero, confused. "Yes? What is…" her voice trailed as she saw the bear Heero is holding…

"Where did you get this?" Heero demanded as he pointed to the bear.

Relena swallowed as she tried not be frightened, "From you…"

Heero shook his head. "You know what I mean! When I fished you out from the water, you didn't have any teddy bears with you! Nor when we went on our honeymoon!"

Relena started to blush. "I…" then she gulped and looked at Heero straight in the eyes… She shouldn't feel guilty for doing something she thinks is right… "I sneaked back to my house the night we got back and took it from my room."

Heero's jaw almost dropped. "Do you know how dangerous what you did was?!"

Relena walked towards Heero and touched the hand Heero is using to hold the bear. "Heero, that's the first present I got from you… I couldn't just leave it behind… I want our children to have it…"

Heero colored and coughed while Aria and Quatre looked on the floor to hide their first genuinely happy smile since Wufei got here.

"Well… Don't you dare do that again!!! You could have told me! I would have done it instead of you!"

Relena smiled, "I know those grounds… besides, there's a secret passage that I found when I was going around the garden that leads to the house…"

Heero breathed in. "Well… the next time you want to do something like that, tell me first! I can't believe I didn't notice that you left that night!"

Relena leaned forward and whispered in his ears, "We were tired, what can I say?"

Heero's blush deepend and both Aria and Quatre wondered what Relena had whispered to Heero to make him blush so…

Aria tapped Quatre's shoulder and he looked at her. "Quatre, could we run to the apartment quickly? I… I need a change of clothes…" she said with a grimace.

Quatre looked down on himself. "Well, I need one too… So, why not?"

The two stood up and faced Heero and Relena.

"Hey Heero, we're gonna go for a change of clothes okay?" Quatre announced.

"We're gonna be back soon." Aria added and waved as Relena nodded.

Relena and Heero watched as the two left the room.

"So, what do you think of Aria, Relena?" Heero asked.

Relena smiled up at her husband while her hand tousled his hair. "I think that they're just perfect together."

Heero nodded, "That's good…" then he tilted Relena's chin up and kissed her.

"Did you mean it…?"

"Which one…?" Relena asked in between kisses.

"What… you said about children."

Heero felt Relena smile under his lips. "With all my heart…"

~*~

Rebecca's steps faltered as she reached the room across the hall… She closed her eyes and willed herself to turn the knob and go inside.

'Wufei is in there, Becky…'

She went inside and saw Wufei with tubes connected to his body and a mask covering half of his face…

Rebecca's eyes glistened… 'Wufei…!' her mind cried out as she took a few more steps forward, wanting to touch him…

Then she stopped, remembering what Aria told her… not to go near…

She shook her head as she held out her hand to his direction. "I'm going to be here until you wake up… No one can take me away…" she whispered as she stood there and looked at Wufei's unconscious body…

~*~

Duo sat on the park café's chair heavily while Trowa gracefully sat on his. A waitress came up to them with a smile.

"What could I get you?"

Trowa ordered first, "Plain black coffee, strong."

"Double chocolate malt milk shake with lots of cream and a cherry on top…"

Trowa's right eyebrow went up at Duo's order then shrugged… 'Each one of us deals with their problems in different ways…' he thought.

The waitress left and Trowa saw Duo's violet eyes peek sadly up at him from behind his bangs.

"Man, I'm really sorry about what I said earlier…" he whispered.

"That's alright… you didn't know what happened… Care to tell me what happened with you and Hilde?"

Duo shook his head… "Tell me yours first…"

Trowa nodded… 'Misery loves company…' he thought as he started his story about Thaliah…

He stopped as the waitress came back with their orders.

"Honestly Duo… Where did you get that magazine you gave me?!" Trowa exclaimed, he was just on the part when he got their presents for his birthday.

Duo smirked without amusement, "You liked it, huh?"

Trowa shook his head. "Well, don't get me wrong but thanks for the (Trowa brought both his hands up and motioned a quotation mark) 'TIPS' (close quotation) I didn't use it though… And thankfully, Thaliah didn't see it… there's no knowing what could have happened if she had…"

"Why? She's mean?" Duo asked with a grimace.

"Well…" Trowa started to tell Duo about what happened the night in the circus.

Duo noticed that Trowa's voice was monotonous but has a hint of wistfulness in it…

Halfway through with his shake, Trowa finished his story and Duo could see the heartbreaking pain in Trowa's eyes…

"She left and I couldn't find her, Duo… Relena doesn't even know where she is…"

Duo shook his head… "Well, at least she told you that she loves you… and not that she hates you with all the venom that you can possibly hear…"

Trowa looked up from his cup. "Hilde?"

Duo nodded and started his story sadly… He finished the story the same time he finished drinking his shake…

"Duo, I really think that you shouldn't take what Hilde told you seriously… She acted out of anger… So many people do not really mean what say or do when they are angry…"

Duo shook his had as he placed his elbows on the table and cupped his face.

The two fell silent as they stared at their empty cups…

"Women! Who needs them anyway?!" Duo suddenly cried out. "Wufei was correct with the way he lived before!!! I can't believe he succumbed to their charms!"

"Yeah… We can live better without them…." Trowa added.

"Yeah…" Duo answered as he stared aimlessly at the small pool of chocolate malt at the bottom of his glass.

"Who needs love?"

"Yeah…"

"Love is an illusion…"

"Yeah…"

"Besides… what do I care that I will probably never eat food as tasty as the ones Thaliah makes…" Trowa's voice became hallow and sad, "…or that I will never feel her kisses anymore… or that-"

"Shut up, Trowa." Duo muttered angrily. "What is up with you?! You never used to talk so much!"

Trowa frowned, "What's up with you?! You always seemed to talk so much, now you don't!"

The two stared at each other angrily then at the same time, sighed and slumped into their chairs…

"I don't care if love is an illusion… I want that illusion…" Duo said dejectedly.

"Yeah…" Trowa answered.

"I miss Thaliah…" Trowa said at the same time that Duo said,

"I miss Hilde…"

"At least you know where you can find her… and why she's mad at you… I don't even know why she left so suddenly…" Trowa said sadly.

"I might know where to find Hilde… but I'm not sure if she'll forgive me… You don't know how Hilde gets mad…"

Duo looked one last time at his glass then motioned for the waitress. "Well, I think we better get going and see if Wufei got out of his operation okay…"

The two paid their bills and started walking back to the hospital, thinking about their own troubles… and how difficult it was to understand girls…

~*~

"Meet you out here in an hour?" Quatre asked Aria opened her door.

"Why an hour? Make that 30 minutes…" Aria replied with a smile.

Quatre smiled… "You keep on surprising me…" he said as his hand traced her chin.

Aria smiled and leaned up to peck Quatre on the lips. "Good… That'll keep you interested…Thank you for making sure that my dad left…"

Quatre felt himself stiffen at the mention of her dad. "Don't worry about it… I'm just happy that you're finally safe from him…"

Aria smiled, "And it was all because of you, my hero! Let me see… You saved me from being run over by a truck, gave me a home, helped me with appliances and saved me from my father… How can I ever repay you!"

Quatre laughed. "You already did, by saying yes…"

Aria beamed at Quatre, "Who could resist?"

A satisfied grin appeared on Quatre's face. "Besides, you helped save one of my friend's life…" then he stopped, "By the way… How do you like my friends?"

Aria frowned and started counting off the people she met today, "Well… I've only met Trowa- you two seemed to have a big brother- little brother relationship, (Quatre smiled) Relena, who is very nice, and Heero who seems like a good person that is very much dedicated to his wife. And- er… Wufei?"

Quatre nodded and Aria continued.

"Wufei is an admirable man to be able to survive all the things that has happened to him… although we're not sure yet if he…" Aria's voice trailed of wanting Wufei to be alright for Rebecca's sake.

Quatre patted her shoulder. "He'll be alright. As I've said before, Wufei is a fighter… He's as good as Heero and Heero blew up with his Gundam before and survived."

Aria shook her head, "You people…" she said in disbelief… She could very well remember the news she saw about the Gundams during the war. "Well…all in all, I think they're great."

Quatre smiled… "You haven't met two members of the gang yet… But only one of them is here…"

"I'll meet them later, right?" Aria asked… She's anxious to meet Quatre's so down to earth friends… Even Relena, whom she'd thought would be high-and-mighty because of her previous position acts so much like an average person! So unlike most of her friends who were born with a silver tongue…

"Of course you will…I'm sure that you'll like Duo… That is… if he gets out of his slump…"

Aria frowned, "What happened?"

"Lover's Quarrel…"

Aria grimaced as she remembered their first quarrel. "Oh… I'm sorry to hear that…"

"Yes…" Quatre said as he shrugged then stopped. "Okay, lets stop chatting and you go on inside and wash up!"

Aria smiled. "Okay! See you in 30 minutes!" then she closed her door. She quickly walked to her window and looked at Quatre until he reached his apartment, then she started for the bathroom.

(Authors Note: So, how do you guys feel about Wufei now? We never really can tell what one person is… Each one of us have layers of personality and each has a reason why it's there… Alright, enough with my stupid little lecture… I'm just becoming a little sentimental since this is gonna end soon… Write to me! it's KIT)