Authors: Deathangelgw and Sarit

Disclaimer: we don’t own the boys, but boy are we gonna have fun with them!!!

Warnings: AU, shounen-ai, angst, sap, fluff.

Rating: PG

Pairings: Still the same as the first. 2+/x5, and hints of 1+3, 3+4

Note: my my…aren’t we angsty!!?? Enjoy and please review!!

‘thoughts’

Sitting in the carrier with Wufei, Sally, and Duo, Quatre sighed.  After leaving Trowa and Catherine, they'd journeyed to L2, picking up Duo.  Duo had seemed just as reserved as his other two friends, no doubt thinking of what had befallen Shaina.  Nevertheless, the American was still as bouncy as ever, trying to raise their spirits. Wufei put his hand once again on Duo's head to settle him down as he mock glared at his lover. "If you bounce us off the carrier, you will pay for it." He said with a smirk. Sally snickered softly as she shook her head at them. How those two had gotten together was somewhat of a stunner...

"Really?  You promise?" Duo grinned, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.  He winked at Sally, settling back in his chair as Quatre snickered.

Wufei rolled his eyes and thwapped Duo on the head lightly as Sally snickered again. "What did I do to deserve you?" He asked in exasperation.

Sally shook her head, then looked at Quatre. "So who did you talk to on Mars and what did they say to your request?" She asked as she stretched.

Quatre snorted.  "I spoke with some idiot that thinks he knows the whereabouts of everyone.  The idiot actually said there was no one on base called Zechs or Noin.  It took me twenty minutes just to get a hold of Noin.  She said she'd meet us at the hangar."

"Figures." Duo shook his head, propping his feet out before him and stretching.  "Military people are idiots, no offense Sally."

"None taken...I quite agree actually." Sally said with a warm smile.

"We've been trying to weed out the green soldiers that get sent to them, but it's like trying to weed through lawn." Wufei said with a growl as he laced his fingers thoughtfully with Duo's. "I pity Noin and Zechs."

"I hear that Noin is dating someone there...and it isn't Zechs." Sally said with a smug look.

"Oh really?" Quatre stared at Sally in shock.  It had been so obvious how much Noin had cared about Zechs.

"No way..." Duo's eyes widened as he stared at Sally, then Wufei.  "Who?!!"

"Would you believe Nichol?" Sally said with a grin.

Wufei snickered in amusement. "You should have seen Une's face..." He said with a stifled snicker.

"Nichol?  Remind me again who that is?" Quatre frowned, unable to place the face.

"He was one of Tsuberov's lackeys that was trying to control Une in 'Lady Une's best interest'. Trowa had a kick with him." Sally said with a smirk.

Wufei snickered. "Seems the two had started reminiscing about being under Une and started dating not long after that. Une was having a stitch-fit!" He laughed, not even realizing how much like Duo he was sounding.

Duo snickered, shaking his head as he grinned at his love.  This was highly amusing!  Wufei was sounding more like him everyday!  "I bet Zechs was fit to be tied!" Shaking his head, Quatre covered his mouth with his hand to hide the snicker.  This was highly amusing!

Sally shrugged as Wufei snickered. "Actually, he blessed it and has been single since. I heard one rumor that he and Heero had been a hot item for a while, so maybe, with any luck, Heero will still be there."

"That still is a rumor, Sally...we don't know if it was for sure." Wufei warned, but he was still grinning.

"Oh." Quatre swallowed, turning in his seat to stare out the window.  'So Heero and Zechs are an item?  I shouldn't be surprised really.' Despite his thoughts, he felt a stab of pain at that thought.  He quickly banished it, instead concentrating on landing the craft as they approached Mars.

Wufei cocked an eyebrow at Quatre's sudden mood change and glanced at Duo silently. Sally frowned as she also noticed, then sighed. 'Maybe he's thinking on Shaina...Heero was, afterall, very special to Shaina...' she thought as they waited to land. Duo frowned thoughtfully as he watched his best friend.  He glanced at Wufei, giving him a brief nod.  He had a feeling he knew why Quatre had acted the way he had.

Wufei cocked his eyebrow higher in question as he glanced at Quatre briefly. 'What do you know?' he asked silently with his eyes.

His own eyes serious, Duo gave his love a sad look.  His eyes seemed to speak for him.  'A great deal.'

Wufei's eyes narrowed in concern as he gazed at his love. He closed them, then mouthed 'Later' before looking ahead as they landed. Duo nodded, turning his head to Quatre.  His friend had once more become his customary happy self, masking any pain he might be hiding.  Duo sighed, shaking his head.  He mumbled something about meeting the crew before leaving the main cabin. Wufei patted Sally's shoulder and said something about checking on their fellow passengers before following his lover out. He caught up with the braided man and said, "All right...spill it." He floated in front of Duo and crossed his arms, managing to look intimidating while floating.

Unfortunately, the intimidating look wasn't impressing Duo in the least.  He arched an eyebrow at his love, then looked around as if to make sure no one else was around.  "Quatre's in love with Heero.  Trowa too, maybe."

"As in, Trowa is also in love with Heero? Knew that...those three were practically radiating sexual want with each other.  It was sickening." Wufei said with a snort as he leaned against a bulkhead.

"No, it wasn't sickening.  It was...sad." Duo looked down, sighing heavily.  "From what I've been able to find out from Quatre, Heero was starting to open up to them, at least he was until we had to send Shaina away.  Then it all crashed down around them.  So tell me, Wufei...how do you think Quatre felt when you guys just nonchalantly said Heero was 'with' Zechs?"

Wufei suddenly winced, looking repentant. "Um...prolly like he'd been stabbed in the heart..." He said softly, looking down. He hadn't even thought about that. "I just realized something else...something happened when we went to visit Trowa. When we left, I saw the saddest look I've ever seen on Trowa's face." He said softly, closing his eyes. "Oh dear Nataku...those three..."

"Are in love, truly in love and suffering." Duo finished for his love, rubbing his face tiredly.  "They all probably think that none of the others want anything to do with them.  Especially now if this thing with Zechs is true."

"It's just a rumor!" Wufei hissed out, eyes narrowing slightly in his distress over his best friends. "We have no idea on it...and you know for a fact that Heero and Zechs were always butting heads! They just might be really good friends!" He protested.

"Uh huh.  Butting heads all the time like us, right?" Duo countered, crossing his arms over his chest.  "But I agree, it is only a rumor.  But even rumors can be hurtful and do their share of damage."

"You're right...I should have stayed silent..." Wufei said softly, turning away in shame. All of the recent hurt and pain was his fault...even the trouble with little Shaina. He was such a disgrace...

"Oh hush, Fei." Duo shook his head at his lover, wrapping his arms around Wufei and holding him close.  "Not everything is your fault.  You didn't know.  And don't you dare start blaming yourself for Shaina either."

"Even though it was my fault? I was in that army, Quatre...her family's blood is on my hands. As much as the fact that our three closest friends' hurt is as well." Wufei whispered softly, his face creased in pain. He felt more than responsible.

"Oh stop it before I do hit you." Duo growled, taking Wufei's face in his hands and all but glaring at him.  "What happened was *not* your fault.  Shaina's family could have died with or without you there.  You did not order us on that mission, requiring us to give her away, so I fail to see how you see all this as your fault."

Wufei's face fell as he gazed at Duo. "It was my missile, which had intended to hit Heero, that had blown up the area her adopted family was in. And it was my contact that took her away." He whispered softly.

"Maybe your missile did hit that area, but you don't know for certain it was what killed her adopted parents." Duo said with conviction, pulling Wufei into a tight embrace.  "As to the other...we all wanted her happy.  If not you, one of us would have found someone to take her." Wufei's eyes stayed away from his lover's as he looked bleakly at the bulkhead. He still blamed himself...he couldn't stop blaming himself. And now he'd just hurt Quatre even more...

"Love, please.  You can't blame yourself for everything that happens." Duo said softly, hugging Wufei tightly.  He snuggled him softly, then rubbed his nose against Wufei's.  "The best thing we can do is bring them together, and we're already on that path now.  Just have faith and believe in yourself."

"Belief...so many times I've believed and ended up betraying those I cared deepest for. I...don't know if I can anymore, my love..." Wufei whispered softly, his eyes filled with torment.

"Neither did I.  My belief has caused so many people that I care for to die." Duo admitted, thinking of his old friend and his family at the Maxwell Church.  "But if we don't have faith, we might as well be dead."

Nodding slightly as he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose from the sting of tears, Wufei sighed heavily. He braced himself as the shuttle slowed and landed. "Well...looks like we're there." He said softly.

"Yeah.  And don't think we're done yet." Duo said loftily, leaning forward to place a kiss on his lover's lips.

Smiling slightly as he returned the kiss, Wufei hugged his lover to him tightly. "I never am with you, love." He said with a chuckle, then glanced over as he heard an amused chuckle.

Sally shook her head. "Quatre said to wait outside for us. Seems Noin is here." She said in amusement.

"Awesome!" Duo winked at his lover then poked the hatch open.  He blinked, staring down at the young woman with her hands on her hips, all but glaring at them.

Noin had changed a great deal.  Her hair was no longer short, but now came to her shoulders.  She was currently tapping her foot impatiently, her eyes twinkling mischievously, though she had a very nasty glare on her face.  "What kept you?"

Wufei shrugged innocently as he floated down. "Eh, traffic jam." He said as he came down in front of her and smirked. Sally's chuckle echoed out from the shuttle as she came out as well.

"Traffic jam?  Or you and Duo taking pit stops every kilometer?" Noin smirked, winking as Duo protested.

Wufei blushed brightly as Sally laughed again as she came down. "Yes, pit stops all over the place...something about the Mile High Club." She said with a smirk as Wufei stammered in embarrassment.

"You're just jealous cuz you couldn't join in." Duo said loftily, Noin snickering as she shook her head.  Moments later, Quatre arrived.  He smiled warmly at them, embracing Noin, with all traces of his previous discomfort gone.

Wufei watched Quatre with slight reserve, pain in his eyes briefly before Sally said, "I hope we haven't put you out, Noin. Thanks so much for seeing us." She said warmly.

"Of course you haven't put me out.  It's wonderful to see all of you again." Noin smiled, pulling back from Quatre and hugging her friend.  Quatre smiled at Wufei, giving him a nod of encouragement, letting him know he was fine. Wufei's smile was brief as he acknowledged the lie he knew it was before shaking hands with Noin. They floated out of the hangar and headed for one of the terminals.

Sally looked around, then smiled. "So, did Quatre tell you our reason?" She asked as she relaxed.

"Yes, he did." Noin frowned suddenly, glancing back at Quatre.  He didn't seem to notice, as he was looking around with interest.  "Something about finding Heero?"

"Yes." Sally said softly, nodding, as she became serious. "We need to find him. Can you tell us if he is still here?"

"Trowa mentioned that he came out here to help out." Wufei said as he looked at his nails, appearing nonchalant, but he was shaking on the inside. He could only remember what rumors he'd said and how much it had hurt his friend...

"Very true.  He did come out here to help out and has been invaluable to us." Noin replied, frowning slightly at the look on Wufei face, and then Quatre's stricken look. 

Sally shot them both warning looks before smiling at Noin. "That's good. He was always a good helper when it came to that stuff. Is he still here?" She asked, covering for the other two. Wufei swallowed hard and ducked his head, turning instead to look out at the scenery.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, he is.  He's out past the base with Zechs, working on some mining equipment." Noin remarked, then stepped back as Quatre excused himself and walked off into another corridor.  Her eyes narrowed and she turned to look at Sally.  "All right, what the hell is going on here, Sally?"

Sally bit her lip, looking upset. "Um...um...well, one question. Are Heero and Zechs an.…item?" She asked, fidgeting suddenly. Wufei stiffened sharply then looked down as he debated on going after Quatre.

"A what?!" Noin arched an eyebrow, looking from the retreating Quatre to Wufei and an equally upset Duo.  "They're friends, if that's what you mean.  I don't pry into Zechs’ love life if I can help it.  What is going on here?!"

"So...you don't know then..." Wufei said softly and sighed softly before going out to talk to Quatre.

Sally bit her lip. "Oh dear...well um...if what I am reading now is true..." She looked desperately at Duo. "I think Quatre cares deeply for Heero...maybe even Trowa as well..."

"Maybe nothing.  They both care about him." Duo replied, Noin's eyebrows arching up at this news.

She sighed, shaking her head.  "Well, I honestly can't tell you if they are more than friends because I don't know.  Zechs doesn't tell me nearly as much as he used to.  He doesn't exactly approve of my choice of boyfriends."

Sally stifled a snicker as she shook her head. "Aw but Nichol is so sweet! And he's reformed! He's not *nearly* as controlling or power-hungry as he was!" She said before snickering again.

"Of course he isn't.  I slapped him into shape." Noin smirked, winking at her friend with a grin.

Sally snickered again, then looked up as the transport came up. She looked over at Duo. "Better go get them so we don't waste any time." She said with a wink.

"Uh huh." Duo shook his head, then waved to the two and trotted after his love and friend. Sally winked at Noin, then started catching up with her friend as they went inside and told the shuttle manager to wait for the three young men.

Wufei looked up and over from Quatre as he heard footsteps. He smiled in relief, feeling his sorrow lifting. He'd been unable to even speak to Quatre. "Well, come on you two!  Quite being so gloomy." Duo admonished them both, crossing his arms over his chest. 

Quatre finally looked up, flushing slightly.  He looked to Wufei, genuinely upset for having ignored his friend.  He hadn't even heard Wufei approach.  "Sorry, Wufei.  I didn't' mean to ignore you."

"It's ok...let's go." Wufei said softly as he turned away and floated back to the terminal. He felt a lump of sadness within him...here he had Duo and his dearest friends didn't have each other. How selfish could he get?

"Come on, Q." Duo wrapped his arm around his friend's shoulders, smiling encouragingly at him.  Quatre smiled back, sighing as he and his braided friend followed Wufei back to the others. Wufei floated in and ignored Sally's jabs at their being late as he sat down in one of the seats. He immediately looked out at the landscape, lost in thought.

Sally sighed and smiled somewhat at the two other young men. "Welcome back."

"Thanks." Duo saluted her with a wink, arching an eyebrow as Quatre nodded briefly before sitting down next to Wufei.  Duo shook his head.  "Let's go." Sally leaned over and poked Noin before telling the shuttle manager that they could leave now. Wufei didn't move as he gazed out the window. He was waiting for Duo to lean his head on Wufei's shoulder like always. Shaking her head, Noin instructed the driver on the location to head to.  He nodded, putting the shuttle in gear. Sally snickered at Noin then started talking to her again as they caught up on gossip.

Duo smiled softly at his friend and lover, resting his head on Wufei's shoulder as requested.  It had gotten to be a habit of his, one that he hoped Wufei enjoyed just as much as he did. Wufei felt a warm smile tease his lips as he felt Duo against him. He relaxed and sighed, leaning his head against the window and watched the landscape change, feeling his sorrow diminishing slightly. Quatre couldn't help but grin at the sight that Wufei and Duo made.  They certainly were adorable like that.  His own sadness seemed to vanish momentarily. Wufei looked up to look at Duo, then blinked in surprise as he saw Quatre next to him. His eyes looked distressed before he looked back outside again quickly. But he couldn't stop the sting of tears in his eyes at his memories of thoughtlessness.

Unconsciously, Quatre reached out and took Wufei's hand in his, holding it tenderly in his hands.  Duo smiled at the blond, nodding. Wufei looked over again, eyes wide with surprise as he gazed at Quatre. He closed his eyes and looked down, feeling ashamed. "I'm sorry, Quatre...I never meant for my words to hurt you...I didn't even think." He whispered softly.

"I know you didn't, Wufei.  Never did I think you meant them in a hurtful manner." Quatre replied softly, squeezing his friend's hand. 

"But they still hurt and I am sorry. I seem to be doing nothing more than hurting the people I care most about." Wufei said quietly, miserably.

"You did not hurt me, Wufei." Quatre shook his head, squeezing his friend's hand tightly once more.  "I hurt myself.  If I had done something sooner, perhaps I would not have been so affected by this 'rumor' of which you spoke.  I have no one to blame but myself."

"Why blame anyone, then? Heero...Heero can make up his own mind...." Wufei whispered softly before sighing. He wiped his eyes and sighed again. "Just do me one favor...if Heero is taken, don't forget Trowa."

"I haven't and I don't intend to forget him." Quatre smiled softly.  It was a bit sad, but a smile nonetheless.  "Thank you for everything, Wufei."

"Don't thank me...just get happy, Quatre." Wufei said gruffly then looked at his friend pleadingly. "Please."

"I will, I promise.  I don't relish spending the rest of my life alone." Quatre replied softly, his eyes slowly closing.

Wufei awkwardly raised an arm and wrapped it around Quatre's shoulders, hugging him. "You wouldn't be alone...you would always have us." He said softly, tenderly.

"Thank you.  That means a lot to me." Quatre smiled, leaning into Wufei's comforting embrace gratefully.

"I'm glad." Wufei said softly as he squeezed Quatre's shoulder then leaned his cheek against Duo's head. He smiled softly and relaxed the rest of the trip. Duo grinned, winking at Quatre before settling down for a nice nap in his love's lap.  Quatre grinned, shaking his head as he allowed himself to relax. Wufei's fingers played within Duo's hair softly as he smiled and leaned his head back against the window. The soft sound of the women's chattering was soothing as they rode along to the outpost that housed Zechs and, hopefully, Heero.

TBC