This Heero really has been tipped off by the others.
Stay Part 3
If I held even the slightest hope that Heero would relax his grip in his sleep, I lost it in the first hour. Every time I even tried to slip away, he'd just pull me closer.
So here I am, still awake, the sunlight just creeping into Heero's bedroom, wrapped in Heero's arms, my back to his chest, his leg flung over mine.
Evidently he was quite serious about not letting me run away. It's almost funny in a way- I'm right where I wanted to be- in Heero's bed... in Heero's arms...
It's just not quite the way I pictured it.
I almost wish I could take his advice and sleep, but my brain won't let me. Stay or go? I could still go. Heero can't hold onto me forever- though at this moment I'm less sure of that than I was before.
He's practically dared me to stay and try for him- though what things hasn't he told me? What's made him hold himself apart? I never thought... well, I had thought he was in love with Relena. I hadn't considered any alternatives.
What is so bad that he doesn't dare to consider relationships? Will he tell me if I stay?
Damn him anyway. I'd bet he damn well knew I'd be thinking this way.
"Awake?" His breath tickles my ear.
"I never slept. I can barely breathe."
His grip loosens a bit, but he doesn't let go. "Are you staying? If you are, I'll go make some coffee for you. You're going to need it."
"I don't work today."
"True," he chuckles a little and slides away just enough to raise himself up on his elbow and look me in the face. "But I think you've forgotten something."
It's early, I haven't slept and I admit it, I'm a little grumpy. "What would that be?"
"That Quatre gets up at five- and the first thing he does is check his emails."
Oh shit. "Let me go- I have to-"
"It's five-thirty. What do you want to bet that he's already called Wufei and one of them is on their way over here? Where's your cell?"
"In the car-"
"And mine is in my briefcase. Should I go check it? How many calls do you think he's already made?"
Before I can answer, something hits our front door with a bang that's sure to wake a few neighbors.
"We should answer that," Heero says with a grin and slides off the bed, pulling me with him.
"We don't have to-" Why the hell had I sent emails out? What was I thinking? Why hadn't I just taken off?
Heero dumps me on the couch before going to open the door. I'm sure I'll be grateful later.
"Quatre-"
"Did you read your email?! I've been calling you! Duo's taken off! Said he needed to move on! Have you checked his room? His car's still here- did he take your bike?"
"He's right there." Heero points helpfully to me and then looks at the other man standing by the door. "Good morning Trowa. Come on in."
"Duo!" Quatre turns on me. "You're still here! Your email said-"
"I caught him," Heero interjects helpfully and then heads for the kitchen. I hope he's making coffee- I know I'm going to need it.
"Are you leaving?" Quatre demands, dropping down beside me on the couch, one hand hovering over my arm as if he'd like to grab on. Trowa fishes his phone out of his pocket.
"Should I call Wufei?"
"You called Wufei?" I echo only to have Quatre frown at me.
"Of course I did. He was going to call Une- you said you resigned!"
"I did."
"Duo- why? I know that last case was bad- but it wasn't your fault! You know that, don't you? The intel was bad. I can't blame you for wanting a break- but to leave all together?"
"I..." What the hell do I tell him? "I just wanted some time. I needed... to sort of pull my head together...there's just been some things I need to deal with- and I thought I'd be able to do that better away." It's the truth- just not all of it.
He studies me carefully- Quatre's no fool. He glances at Trowa. "Call Wufei- he should have talked to Une already- see if you can get Duo on a leave of absence."
A leave of absence?
Trowa nods and pulls out his cell, stepping outside again. Quatre leans back on the sofa and gives me a look. "I suppose I shouldn't even ask if this has something to do with Relena's announcement?"
Before I can answer, the door swings open and Trowa steps in, Wufei behind him. "Look who I found on the stairs," he says with a smile.
Chang frowns at me and I sink down a little into the cushions. Damn it. I should've just left.
"Did you call Une?" Quatre demands.
"On my way over here," Wufei confirms and his frown deepens. "She'll be pleased to know he didn't leave. You aren't leaving, are you?"
For a moment I wonder if I can make a run for it now- once Trowa moves away from that door- it would be a clear shot- and they might be startled enough not to react for a few seconds...
"So what if I am?" I snap.
Heero chooses that moment to step back into the room. "Hn," he says and hands me a cup of coffee before going to lean on the front door.
Can the bastard read minds?
Wufei's eyes flick to Heero and then back to me. "Maxwell- you can not just run off and abandon your duty. We need you here."
"I doubt it," I don't like this feeling of being on trial- even if I brought it on myself. "You're always telling me that I don't follow procedures."
"Sometimes that's a good thing." Wufei says and my jaw nearly drops open in surprise. "Following procedures doesn't always work- as you've told me often enough. Just like you've often said that we'd be hopeless without you."
Heero's mouth curves up just a bit at that. "I reminded him of that too."
"Duo," Quatre captures my attention again. "What do you say to a leave of absence? Just taking some time off instead of leaving all together?"
I can see I'm not going to get far. "All right."
"But you have to stay in contact in case we need you," Wufei stipulates and I just shake my head at him.
"You'll be fine. You don't really need me here."
"Of course we do!"
"Don't be ridiculous!"
"Yes we do!"
Burst out from the three of them. Heero's nearly grinning now. Bastard.
"Heero?" Wufei turns to him, frowning. "Help us out here?"
"I stopped him from leaving last night," Heero points out. "But- if you insist..."
Still with that smile lurking on his lips, he stalks over to me and grabs my collar.
"Stay," he starts and I'm waiting for the 'or else'.
I don't get it.
Instead, right in front of the other three, he leans over and kisses me. A brief but firm press of lips that makes my heart stop for just a moment.
"And I'll do that again." He finishes and the other three gape at us.
I'm not sure if I want to kiss him- or kill him. Both are pretty tempting at this moment....
TBC...
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