Stay Part 6
It's hard to remember that there are benefits to staying when sitting across the desk from an upset Commander Une.
"I realize you don't have the background of most of the employees here, but I did think that you'd at least have picked up on the concept of two weeks notice-"
"All of my cases are either wrapped up or at stages that anyone could take them over- I updated all of my files earlier this week."
Her glasses glint at me as she tilts her head. "Winner told me that you had changed your mind about leaving- that you were thinking about a leave of absence instead?"
Glancing over my shoulder at the door- outside of which, I happen to know, is a group of determined Gundam pilots- I sigh. "Well, it was more like it was changed for me," I tell her and she actually unbends enough to laugh.
I would laugh too, but the moment Heero and I showed up here, the other guys practically surrounded us and marched me to Une's office. I know it's bad of me to complain- I did scare them- but at the same time- it was stifling.
"Do you realize," she says in a softer tone, "that you've never taken any of your vacation days?"
"Really wasn't aware that I had any," I admitted. "I mean, they're on the check, but with the injuries and stuff- thought it was all the same sort of thing."
She settles back in her seat and nods. "Well you do. So, since your files are all updated, I think you should take some. Then, in a few weeks we can talk about your return or a leave of absence, or..."
"Or?"
"The possibility of a different role here at the Preventers."
Wonder what the hell she means by that? Maybe I should tell her that I really don't need a vacation, that I wasn't really leaving to get away from my job.
On the other hand... vacation sounds good...
"All right," I agree and she smiles.
"Anything else, Agent Maxwell?"
I look at the door again and then back at her. "Don't suppose you'd let me use your window?"
"After being woken up by a frantic Chang Wufei at o dark hundred this morning? I don't think so."
Damn.
She smiles wider, looking like a cat with her own dairy. "Oh- and I'm giving your partner vacation too- so he can keep an eye on you."
Huh, guess someone told her about Heero's offer this morning. Trying not to blush, I thank her and get ready to face the swarm outside her door.
~*~
Relief swamps me the moment I step out of Une's office. Heero is the only one in the waiting room. How did he manage that?
"What did she say?" Heero asks.
"Vacation for a few weeks- I guess I have some time saved up. Then she wants to meet again to discuss options. What happened to the guys?"
Heero's lips curve in a smile. "Some things came up- Trowa and Wufei have some case they're working on and someone came looking for them- Quatre got a phone call- I told them that I'd wait for you. We'll meet them for dinner later."
"What do we need to do?"
"Nothing. Vacation paperwork is filed." Heero checks his watch and smiles. "It's still early- want to go get some breakfast?"
Checking my own, I bite back a groan. It sure as hell is still early- I thought it was a lot later than that- with everything that's happened! "Sure, sounds good. We can get something other than toast and coffee on the run."
The last three words echo in my head as I follow Heero. On the run- that's where I intended to be this morning- on a shuttle, on my way out, heading for one of those IDs I created years ago.
Instead I'm on official vacation and heading out to breakfast with Heero. It's a little- surreal. This wasn't what I intended to be doing.
It doesn't take long to get out of HQ and back to Heero's car. "I thought that diner down the street from home?" He suggests and I nod, my brain still whirling. "Duo- you okay?"
"It's- well- just trying to wrap my head around things. This wasn't how I saw today going, you know?"
That makes him laugh. "Me either."
"Yeah, I managed to panic the guys, wake Une up too early-"
"You got a vacation- and a demonstration of what your friends will do to keep you happy," he corrects me.
That reminds me of something else- something I had thought of earlier and had forgotten in the panic of being summoned to Une's office- and I frown. "Heero?"
"Hm?"
"Earlier this morning- in Sally's office- I wanted to ask you-" I pause, trying to figure out how to phrase my question.
"Ask me what?" He prods gently, casting me another sideways glance. "Did- did you think of something else about... my problem? Are you having second thoughts about a relationship with me?"
"No- no- not like that. I just wonder if- well, if you should. Have second thoughts about having one with me. You said if I wanted it- uh- wanted you- then I could- but- we haven't even been on a date yet- and- yeah, I'm flailing here." I groaned and hit my head on the window.
Heero laughed out loud. "Honestly Duo, you surprised me with it last night. But the more I thought about it, the more it sounded like a good idea- and well..." he paused as he pulled the car into the diner's parking lot. "We can certainly date and anything you like that way, but really? If I didn't scare you off with my- what did you call it?- imbalance?"
"Hey, we were all a little imbalanced during the war."
He smiled. "And you already know all the other bad stuff about me- then I think it's safe to say I'm yours."
"But what about all of my bad stuff? Are you sure-"
He turned off the engine and leaned over until we were nose to nose. "I'm sure. I knew I'd do anything to keep you here- I don't think I'd do the same for one of the others. Besides-" he kissed me for a moment, "doing that is really enjoyable. I'm looking forward to more."
I laughed even as I felt my face burn. "Not in the parking lot of a diner at 8 or so in the morning..."
"I agree. Let's go get some breakfast and discuss our vacation."
"Sounds like a good plan to me..."
OWARI
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