Title: Five Pilots and a Baby the Sequel pt. 4/?

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, some swearing…

Rating: PG-13

Pairings: Still the same as the first. 2+/x5, and hints of 1+3, 3+4, and 1x/+6

Note: *DINGDINGDING* LET THE FIGHT…BEGIN!! Enjoy and please review!!

‘thoughts’

Some hours later, Nichol landed the shuttle on L3.  The ship would need a refueling before continuing towards Earth.  No one questioned him, which had him a bit surprised. Quatre had immediately disembarked, ignoring everyone, including Heero.  He'd mentioned something about seeing an old friend and checking up on things on L4 before he left. Heero came timidly over to Sally, ignoring the frigid glare he was getting from Wufei, and asked, "Who is he seeing on here?"

Sally smiled softly at Heero and shot Wufei a counter glare, which got a huff from the Chinese man. She smiled at Heero. "He's most likely visiting Trowa and Catherine here. I know Trowa is planning on joining us." She said and smiled as Heero's eyes lit up with hope and anticipation. He had sorely missed Trowa as well as Quatre...which had led to his revelations.

Duo opened his mouth, but yelped, as Noin seemed to 'accidentally' step on his foot.  "It shouldn't take us too long and we can get going."

Heero smiled slightly and nodded. Zechs came in and stretched. "Heero...why don't we go look around for a bit? I haven't been to L3 in a while." He said with a wink and took Heero's arm, returning the frigid glare that Wufei sent him.

Wufei waited until they were out of earshot, then snarled angrily. "He just can't help but rub it in!!" Opening his mouth to comment, Duo suddenly found the end of his braid in his mouth.  He glared at Noin angrily, pulling it out.

"Both of you make me sick." Noin growled angrily, snorting at them.  "You're both so damn pigheaded, you can't see the truth if it bit you on the ass!"

"Don't even go there! I don't want to know what those two were doing on the trip!!" Wufei snapped out, glaring at Noin.

"They weren't doing anything. Zechs was up front with me and Nichol, discussing things that had been happening and talking about rejoining the Preventers." Sally said coolly, smirking as Wufei blinked in surprise. "And Heero was in his room, sleeping, or at least trying to, even though his heart was breaking." She said icily, glaring as Wufei's eyes narrowed.

"That's right.  Perhaps you two should learn not to judge people by appearances before getting all the information." Noin retorted angrily.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Duo growled, feeling his own anger grow at the accusatory look Noin was giving him and Wufei.  She acted like this was all their fault!

Sally sighed loudly and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Did you ever think to ask or confirm your suspicions?" She asked in a clipped voice.

Wufei frowned darkly. "It was hard to miss that kiss." He snapped out coldly.

Sally's eyes glinted with anger as she glared at them. "You are such an ass, Chang. Did you ever think to examine the fact that it was not only a chaste kiss, but it was on the cheek?" She snapped out and smirked as Wufei's eyes narrowed suddenly as he glared at her.

"What?" Duo blinked, staring at Sally with what might have been fear.

"That's right.  Chaste...as in friends, nothing more than that." Noin retorted, feeling her anger boil at the two.  They were just so incredibly stupid!  "I'm amazed you two survived the war with how stupid you are.  If you'd bothered to use your heads, you might have actually taken the initiative to ask them first before blowing up at them."

"But...but...the rumor..." Wufei protested, his 'righteous rage' cooling rapidly in realization.

"Were old. They had dated for a bit but had broken up three months back." Sally put out coldly, glaring as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"They were...old?" Duo swallowed, looking at Wufei and feeling ill.  He closed his eyes, wanting nothing more than to bury himself under a rock.

"Yes Duo.  Old." Noin crossed her arms, trying to contain her own anger.

"So...they aren't an item then?  And Heero didn't...well...betray us?" Duo swallowed, fearing the answer.

"Heero has never betrayed us, though I'm sure you'd love to think he did." Sally snapped out as she fumed. Wufei closed his own eyes as he shivered, feeling sick with his own betrayal of Heero. This *just* wasn't his mission....

"Well shit." Duo groaned, slumping to the floor.  He buried his face in his hands and groaned.  "I feel like a complete asshole.  I wouldn't blame him if he hated us right now." Hell, he was having a hard time not hating himself for the way he had betrayed his friend himself.  He should have known Heero wouldn't have done something like this.

"Yes you should have known." Noin snorted derisively at the two.

Wufei looked down miserably, fidgeting. "We...didn't know..."

"You didn't think, you should say, Chang. And yes, you didn't think." Sally said coldly as she glared at them. "You also made things worse for Quatre as well...he has such a tender heart. I just hope that Heero can fix things between himself and Quatre before you two bungle things up any more." She said angrily before going off to get something to drink.

"She's right...we royally screwed up." Duo groaned, not even aware that Noin had left moments after Sally in disgust at them.  "I wouldn't be surprised if he hated us...and rightly so.  I don't particularly like myself at the moment."

"Agreed, love. We really messed up." Wufei said softly as he stared bleakly at the ground. He sighed softly, closing his eyes as tears came to his eyes. "It would seem that I can't stop seeming to hurt my friends on this one...even though my intentions are for the best."

"Intentions are always for the best, Wufei...it's just you have to have all of the information." Heero's soft voice floated over and Wufei looked up in surprise to see Heero watching them both warily.

Looking up in surprise at the voice, Duo swallowed nervously.  Pain clear on his face, he gazed up at Heero sadly.  "Heero...I...I'm sorry we thought so badly of you.  We should have known better.  The only excuse I can offer is the pain I saw Quatre going through at what we thought was your betrayal."

Heero's face became distressed as he watched them and Wufei looked down in shame. "He speaks the truth. We had that rumor to go on and then you and Zechs kissing...." He took a shuddery breath. "We were wrong...I am sorry, Heero." He said softly, looking up to gaze at Heero.

Heero tried to smile through his hurt. "I...I can understand...your accusations were accurate. Demo...demo..." He sighed sadly as he let his arm fall to his side limply as he looked away. "I wanted to give them both everything...Zechs taught me that. I was going to come back anyways and try to...try to find something with them...." He said as he bit his lip. "Perhaps...I am wrong to assume so much..." He whispered sadly and Wufei swallowed hard, feeling like the world's biggest heel.

"Are you kidding?!" Duo stood up abruptly, grabbing Heero by the shoulders and shaking him.  "Don't you dare let the fact that Fei and I are the universe's biggest assholes stop you from doing just that!  That is the *best* thing you could possibly do!  I...I'm sorry, Heero.  We should have known better but we didn't.  We...I...should never have questioned your loyalty or your friendship."

"You haven't had much to go on otherwise...ne?" Heero said as he brought his eyes up sadly to Duo's.

"Heero...please don't say that." Wufei whispered softly, swallowing hard in despair. He hated the look in Heero's eyes. That lost and insignificant look that showed just how much Heero needed. He hated it because he knew when it showed, Heero was hurting deeply.

"Please, Heero...don't let our stupidity keep you from doing what's right and what's in your heart." Duo pleaded, misery in his eyes.  He hated seeing how much they'd hurt Heero.  It was unforgivable the way they'd treated him.

"Do you...really hate me?" Heero asked quietly as he gazed at them both, his cobalt eyes searching theirs deeply, warily.

"No, Heero...we don't hate you at all..." Wufei whispered, choking on his sorrow as he came over. He took one of Heero's hands and held it tightly. "You're one of our dearest friends. What we did is unforgivable."

"Completely unforgivable." Duo whispered, tears filling his eyes.  "You're one of our best friends, how could we hate you?  Even when I was angry with you...I didn't hate you.  Though...you have every right to hate us for what we've done." Heero smiled slightly, his eyes softening. Wufei held his breath, staring at Heero with new eyes. He looked so...different. So…beautiful.

"Iiee, Duo...I love you both like family...I couldn't hate you..." Heero said softly, smiling at them both as he held their hands tightly. "It hurt, hai...demo I did deserve it. I ran away from all of you and....and I want to change it and make it better. Can I still?" He asked softly, suddenly timid.

"Yes, Heero...yes...." Wufei whispered softly, choked up as he hugged the other man. Unable to even agree with his love, Duo hugged Heero back as he sobbed softly.  He held his friend, wordlessly thanking God for his friend's forgiveness.

Heero hugged them both back, smiling softly. "D-don't cry...we have to be strong...ne?" He said, trying to joke around.

Wufei laughed slightly and wiped his eyes of the shimmering tears. "You are right my friend! Well then, we best get a hold of ourselves before our two others get back." He said with a grin as Heero smiled and nodded happily. Wufei frowned slightly and tilted his head then. "Um...where is Zechs anyways?" He asked in curiosity, suddenly remembering that Heero had appeared out of nowhere.

Heero fidgeted, blushing slightly. "He um...well, when Sally came storming over with Noin, he...uh...decided to cheer them up and sent me over here."

Duo couldn't help but snicker evilly at Heero's remark.  "'Cheer them up'?!  Do I really want to know *how* he's cheering them up or not?!"

Wufei's grin grew wider as Heero mumbled something about milkshakes and discussing dress colors for the next party that was going to be held for a reunion while blushing. Wufei snorted softly in amusement then shook his head. "I think we'll have to apologize big time to Zechs as well, don't you think love?" He asked Duo with a chagrined smile.

"Oh yeah sure.  Maybe we can get him a dress in compensation.  Pink maybe." Duo snickered, winking at the two as he grinned.

Wufei bit his lip as he snickered in amusement at that image. Heero's eyebrow twitched. "Do you *want* to give him a Relena complex?!!" He said in horror and glared at Wufei as the Chinese man laughed.

"Who said he doesn't have one already?" Duo countered, arching an eyebrow at Heero as he smirked.

"Trust me he doesn't." Heero said as his eye twitched then batted at Wufei as the other young man walked away laughing.

Duo snickered, shaking his head.  "Riiight...well, I'll leave you to the new arrivals." He grinned, winking at Heero before darting after Wufei as Quatre finally returned with his friend. Wufei grinned and waved as Heero gaped at them in surprise. He snickered as he wound his arm around Duo's waist and sauntered into the shuttle.

Heero turned around slowly as he heard a soft voice speak his name happily. He felt his face soften as he saw Trowa and Quatre. He opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything because of a wave of nervousness that washed over him. Trowa tilted his head in curiosity as they came up. "Heero?" Swallowing hard, Quatre said nothing as he followed Trowa.  He'd been avoiding Heero for the entire trip thus far and still wasn't sure on his feelings on the matter.  He tried to tell himself that he was happy for his friend, but a part of him knew he was just lying to himself.

Trowa gazed steadily at Heero, then felt sadness inside of him as the other youth looked away slowly. "So...is it true that you and Zechs-"

"Iiiee!! Zechs and I are just friends!!" Heero blurted out, blushing brightly as Trowa stared at him, stunned. "We're...just friends. I...don't want anything more from him than that and he...understands." Heero said softly as he looked down.

Finally looking up at Heero's words, Quatre stared, dumbfounded.  They were just friends and nothing more?  "Oh...well...that's good, Heero." Quatre felt a hot blush stains his cheeks and he felt ashamed of himself as he looked down.

Heero's face fell as he looked up at them before looking away sadly. "H-hai." He said softly, feeling sadness well up in him. Maybe...he was wrong...

Trowa watched them both, then sighed sadly inside. With a somewhat false smile of encouragement, he urged Quatre over towards Heero. He knew those looks...had seen them for a long time between the two. He knew what they needed was...a push.

Yelping slightly, Quatre gave Trowa a glare before swallowing and looking forward.  He glanced up at Heero, a slight smile on his face as he moved forward.  "I'm glad you're here, Heero.  Very...glad."

"Honto?" Heero asked quietly as he looked up, smiling slightly in hope as he gazed at the blond. "I...I was going to come earlier..." He whispered softly as he blushed softly and looked down. Trowa bit down the sigh of longing that came up and forced a soft smile at Quatre. Quietly, he made his way into the shuttle so they could be alone together.

Quatre smiled back, though a part of him was sad to see Trowa go.  He bit his lip, then looked at Heero.  "Really, Heero.  I've missed you a lot...you and Trowa both.  I can't tell you how glad it makes me to hear you say that."

"How...glad?" Heero asked timidly as he came forward. He looked into Quatre's eyes, searching them as he came forward slowly, as if afraid of chasing away Quatre.

"Very." Quatre whispered, smiling slightly.  He reached out, taking Heero's hand in his and lacing their fingers together.  "What of you?"

Face softening as he held Quatre's hand tightly with his own, Heero smiled softly. "Very. I...I missed you both...more than you can imagine." He whispered softly, eyes gentle.

"I'm glad." Quatre whispered softly, his heart in his eyes as he looked into the gentle eyes before him.  "I know Trowa has missed you as much as I."

"I...missed him too. So much. Just as much as I missed you." Heero whispered softly, his eyes filling with lonely tears. He suddenly hugged Quatre tightly to him, burying his face in the soft blond locks. "Quatre...I want to make everything right. I missed you so much...missed both of you so much...." He whispered softly.

"Shhh....it's okay, don't worry about that now.  We're together now and that's all that matters, yes?" Quatre whispered softly, returning the tight embrace.  He pushed back his tears, this time of joy, not sorrow.  "No matter how far apart we were, you were always in our thoughts and I'm glad you were with someone who looked after you."

Eyes softening slightly, Heero nodded. "I...I was lost, Quatre. I...I knew what I wanted, but I just...didn't know how to tell you both. Zechs...." Heero looked down, smiling slightly in memory. "Zechs understood me a bit more than you did and so he helped me. He wants to be friends with you guys too...so he was glad to help me." He said as he smiled.

"I'm sorry that I didn't seem to understand you, Heero." Quatre said softly, filled with sadness at the thought that he hadn't been there for his friend.  "I'd like for us to try, though...if you want to, that is."

Eyes filling with hope and joy, Heero nodded happily. "It isn't your fault, Quatre. You are such a loving person. I knew you wouldn't understand me. It's ok...you gave me something to fight for." He said softly, eyes filled with gratitude now.

"I'm glad of that.  I hope...to give you more in the future, if you'll let me." Quatre whispered softly, tightening his hold on Heero's hand as he smiled.

"Please." Heero's soft happy whisper lit his face as he smiled, tilting his head to the side and looking much younger than what he really was. His eyes became somewhat worried as he looked around. "Where's...Trowa? I...I was gonna tell him too..." He said before looking at Quatre, the same lost look in his eyes from before.

"It's all right, Heero. We'll go and talk to Trowa now." Quatre smiled softly, squeezing Heero's fingers tightly.  He knew how Trowa was feeling and it meant a lot to him to know Heero loved their friend as much as he did.  "Let's go see him, yes?  I think he's in the shuttle."

Heero's eyes softened again as he nodded once at that. He then laced his fingers with Quatre's even more before kissing the soft digits. "Hai...let's go..." He whispered softly, eyes soft, yet sure.

Smiling warmly, Quatre pulled Heero in the direction of the shuttle.  He felt so much lighter than he had when they began this journey.  He hadn't really believed that things could be this wonderful, but then, he knew once Trowa understood, things would be even better.  'Now all we have to do is 'rescue' Shaina!' Heero followed happily after Quatre, his face serene as he kept a tight hold on Quatre's hand. He looked around, frowning lightly as he looked for their banged friend.

They came into the main part of the shuttle and Heero blushed brightly as he saw Wufei and Duo making out heavily. He cleared his throat and looked away in embarrassment as Wufei looked over languidly after breaking the deep kiss. Straightening his shirt, Duo winked at the two, causing Quatre to blush just as heavily as Heero.  "He's in his room, boys.  Have fun."

"Duo!" Quatre blushed even brighter, though he never took his hand out of Heero's.

Wufei chuckled softly as Heero blushed even more. "What? Did you think we wouldn't figure it out?" The Chinese man said with a smirk as he ran a possessive hand up Duo's back before nibbling the soft neck.

Heero blushed even more as he tugged on Quatre's hand. "Let's leave them to their own stuff, Quatre..." He whispered softly, eyes shining with embarrassment at the display.

"Uh huh..." Quatre blinked, then blushed even harder and all but ran after Heero as Duo winked, then began to show Wufei just what a ‘display’ he could give.

Wufei's soft purring chuckle followed them out as Heero stifled a meep in surprise as they exited swiftly from the room. He stopped Quatre in the hall and tried to cool his burning cheeks. "Um...do they do that often?"

Quatre couldn't help but snicker at the look on Heero's face.  "Actually, they do.  I've gotten so used to it now, it doesn't bother me unless Duo or Wufei rub it in my face.  Not intentionally, of course."

"Of course." Heero said, looking down as he fidgeted. He looked shyly at Quatre and asked softly, "Can....we do that sometime?" Feeling his face redden, Quatre could only mumble and affirmative as he looked down with a smile on his face. Heero smiled slightly in relief, then fidgeted again. "Now...maybe?" He asked timidly.

"Now?" Quatre looked up, blinking at Heero.  He smiled, then leaned forward and kissed Heero on the lips softly. Heero stiffened in surprise, then relaxed as he kissed Quatre back. Quatre was so different from Zechs...soft and warm where as Zechs would always dominate in some small way. He liked kissing Quatre...he tasted so sweet.

Heero's eyes closed with these thoughts as he relaxed and wrapped an arm around Quatre's waist, pulling the blond closer. Smiling softly in the kiss, Quatre leaned into Heero's strong body, pressing himself against him.  He kissed him softly, lovingly. It wasn't like anyone he'd ever kissed before, not that he'd done much of that in his life.  He remembered kissing Trowa once...and Dorothy.  But neither had really been much.  The one with Trowa had been more of a peck, and the one with Dorothy had been more her than him. This was...very nice.

Heero found himself purring softly as he kissed Quatre and held him close. He jumped as a soft voice cleared behind them and he looked over, eyes widening in surprise. Trowa kept his face away, a slight blush of embarrassment on his cheeks mingling with sadness. The banged man said, "Sorry for interrupting...I was just heading for the front..."

"Oh!  No, don't be sorry..." Quatre flushed deeply, pulling back.  He looked at Trowa, reaching out for his friend's hand.  "We were looking for you, weren't we Heero?" Heero nodded softly, his own cheeks tinged with embarrassment. Here he'd been complaining about Duo and Wufei...

Trowa looked up in surprise, then smiled slightly at them. "Why were you looking for me? Are we taking off soon?"

"No..." Quatre nudged Heero in the side, giving him a nod of encouragement.  "Heero had something he wanted to say to you."

"Oh?" Trowa's voice was soft with curiosity as he cocked his head. He gazed at Heero, who was studiously studying the ground.

"I...missed you, Trowa...I came back for you and Quatre." Heero said softly, finally.

Trowa blinked, then smiled faintly, though disappointment was evident in his eyes. "I missed you both as well. You are my friend, Heero." He said, though his eyes had lost their spark of hope.

"No...I mean...." Heero trailed off, looking lost. How could he say it??

Nibbling his bottom lip, Quatre leaned forward to whisper in Heero's ear.  "If you can't tell him in words, Heero...show him how you feel.  Sometimes actions are good as words."

Looking at Quatre in surprise, Heero's eyes brightened with hope. He looked over and nodded firmly as he gazed at Trowa's lowered head. 'Ninmu ryoukai....' Trowa sighed softly inwardly as he wondered how he could get past Quatre and Heero. He was happy for them both, but he didn't like feeling like such an intruder. He didn't hear the soft footsteps coming towards him, so was startled when a gentle hand lifted his face up and he found himself gazing into soft cobalt eyes. He didn't have time to react when soft lips were pressed to his own, gently telling him what Heero had really meant. He shivered and moaned in surprise, then melted as Heero kissed him warmly, holding him close.

Smiling happily as he watched, Quatre lowered his head and stared at the ground.  He didn't want to intrude, so just watched the floor happily.  He was so happy that he had both of them now.  Or at least Trowa would know he had both of them if Heero came up for air any time soon. Heero slowly broke the kiss and smiled at Trowa as the other young man opened his eyes slowly. "Now...do you understand?" Heero asked softly.

Trowa smiled back and nodded then glanced over at Quatre. "And you, little one?" He asked quietly, hopefully.

"Well, it certainly is good to see you finally understand, Trowa." Quatre smiled, coming over to the two of them.  He reached out and took their hands in his own, clasping their hands together tightly.  "My heart has always belonged to you both, no questions asked."

Trowa and Heero both smiled softly as they placed their own hands on his. "We're all together then..." Heero whispered softly, looking happy and relaxed for the first time since...since Shaina.

Trowa smiled even more and nodded as he wrapped his arms around them both and pulled them close. "Yes...we are together and that's all we need."

"That's right." Quatre couldn't help but grin at the two of them.  He then hugged them both, his eyes serious.  "I have a question for you both.  What do we intend to do with or for Shaina when we get to Earth?"

Heero's eyes became distressed, as Trowa looked thoughtful. "Well, Sally said she was in an orphanage...we could adopt her." Trowa suggested with a soft smile.

Heero blinked in surprise. "Can we?" He asked in concern and hope.

"I don't see why not." Quatre smiled at the hope in Heero's voice.  "I mean, even if they give us problems, I'm sure I can arrange it so we can adopt her."

Heero frowned in confusion. "Why would they give us problems?" he asked worriedly.

Trowa sighed sadly. "Because, Heero...a gay couple adopting isn't exactly...acceptable." He said sadly.

"Not only that, but it is generally harder for men to adopt then women." Quatre shrugged, waving his hand to dispel any of their worry.  "Don't worry, though.  I'm sure we can deal with any problems that might arise.  We do, however, have to make sure that is what Shaina wants.  She might not want to go with us and I wouldn't want to force her."

"I wouldn't blame her..." Heero said softly, looking down sadly as he sighed.

"Don't say that, Heero...have faith." Trowa said with a soft smile as he hugged the other young man.

"That's right!  I'll bet she'll be ecstatic to see us!  Especially you, Heero." Quatre tried to reassure them all.  He only hoped that his words were true. Heero leaned his head on Trowa's chest sadly, his eyes dark with regret and self loathing as he gazed at nothing. Trowa looked at Quatre sadly as he rubbed Heero's back soothingly. "Don't you dare blame yourself, Heero." Quatre said softly, reaching out to brush his friend's cheek tenderly.  "What happened to her was no more your fault than it was Wufei's.  So don't go and start blaming yourself for it."

"You...you at least said good-bye to her." Heero said softly, then broke from their hold gently and went to his room.

Trowa watched him go sadly as he hugged Quatre. "Oh Quatre...what can we do?"

"We can only do one thing, Trowa.  Be there for him.  He has to come to grips with this himself." Quatre remarked as he watched Heero's door close.  "All we can do is be there for him and help him when he needs it."

"And each other." Trowa said with a small smile as he gazed down at Quatre. "Come...I think I know how we could cheer him up right now, since we'll be taking off shortly."

"Really?  Lead the way!" Quatre grinned, giving his friend a soft smile of his own.

Trowa smirked then, cocking an eyebrow. "Are you sure you are...up to it?" He asked archly as he led the way slowly to the door.

Quatre snickered, giving Trowa an arched look.  "Me?  You sure you're up to it?" Instead of a verbal answer, Trowa kissed Quatre hotly. He ran his fingers through the soft blond hair as he pulled Quatre to him hard and let his lips 'do the talking'. Eyes wide, Quatre gave a soft moan, then returned the hot kiss with a soft one of his own.  After a long moment he pulled back, his aquamarine eyes slightly wild.  "Yep...you're up to it all right."

Chuckling softly, Trowa kissed Quatre again briefly before pulling back. "I have been without you both since Heero left six months ago. In that time, I have come to realize how much you truly mean to me. I will show you...in every way possible." He said, promise heavy in his eyes.

"I've missed you both as well.  I'm sorry for staying away for so long.  Even if Heero was gone, I shouldn't have just left you behind.  You mean as much to me as he does." Quatre said softly, touching Trowa's cheek tenderly as he gazed into the green eyes he loved so much.

Eyes softening, Trowa leaned into the soft touch. "It's all right, Quatre. I understood and would never hold it against you." He said gently with a smile. He turned then to the door and opened it silently, peering in.

TBC