Wheels

Author: PlaidDragon

Pairings: 1x2

Rating: PG-13

Warnings: Language

Disclaimer: I don't own GW.

I have too much time on my hands...

Which leads to this sort of thing. ^__~ For now, it's a ficlet; maybe later it'll grow up to be something bigger. Or not. ^___^ Depending on how ornery I feel.

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Wheels

The door closed quietly behind Sally; the super-docs sent by Quatre had already gone.

Duo sighed and closed his eyes, relaxing into the bed. It had taken some work on his part; civilian doctors seemed to be reluctant to deliver hard news. He more than appreciated their candid opinions, though; Sally knew how much he detested that phony Pollyanna claptrap. He needed full disclosure to make the best decisions for his future.

Although right now, only four days out, he just needed another nap. This heavy thinking was wearing work.

A soft tap on the door and Heero poked his head around the door.

"Duo? You awake?"

"Yeah, still here."

"What's the bottom line?" he asked, seating himself next to the bed and taking Duo's nearest hand in his.

"I have no feeling in my legs. They won't know for a few more days if it's temporary or permanent."

"If it's temporary, no worries. Some physical therapy and good as new. If it's permanent... well, they're still working on that."

"Your analysis so far?"

Duo shrugged one shoulder. "First things first, as Wufei always tells me. Get out of here; scope out the possibilities and make some choices." He turned his head, looking down at his hand in Heero's, rubbing his thumb over the back of Heero's hand. "Um... don't freak out on me, now, but... well... if you decide you can't deal with... any permanent changes, I'll understand... you didn't sign on to be a chair pusher, after all."

"I thought that was covered by the sickness and health clause."

Duo gave him a wan smile. "I think it is, but... you know... just letting you know..."

"Noted. Although I can't see myself pushing your chair for any longer than it takes you to fit the thing with a power plant, all-terrain wheels and enough weapons to take out half the motor pool."

Duo snickered. "You think I could get Howard to cough up another stealth system?"

"For you? The man considers you almost a son; of course he would."

"Yeah... Hey, have you talked to him yet?"

"Night before last. He'll be on-planet by this afternoon and here as soon as he can catch a hop. He said I should give you a smack upside the head for being a dumbass, but I told him it was kids."

"It always is," Duo sighed ruefully.

"Quatre and Trowa will be here tonight. You going to be up to that?"

"Think so. I'm getting kind of woozy right now... I think Sally jacked up my dosage. You wanna talk to her about that, please?"

"I will when I think you're ready to have it lowered."

Duo attempted to glare at him, but it was a pathetic effort. "I can still kick your ass, Yuy."

He leaned in to kiss Duo's cheek gently. "Not as long as you're tranqed to the eyeballs. I would prefer that you take full advantage of the meds to rest. Please, love?"

"Well... damn... don't really have a choice right now..."

Another kiss; fingers caressing his hair. "For me? So I don't have to worry so hard?"

"Low blow, Yuy... low blow... Yeah, I guess I can behave myself for a while... for you..."

"Thank you, love. Whichever way things go, I'll make it up to you, okay?"

"Can I turbo-charge the chair...?"

"Um... Sure; why not."

"Okay.... I'm a good boy then.... for you...."

Duo rolled his head against Heero's shoulder with a sigh. It was just them again; no more doctors, no more therapists, no more cheerful volunteers anxious to make him "feel better".

"Not exactly the best news..." Heero agreed softly, tightening the arm around his shoulders.

"Got that." Duo looked down the bed at his uncooperative legs. "Damn, guys; after everything that happened during the war?" he grumbled. "You pick now to go AWOL?"

"We had to win the war. So, what's first on the list?"

A huge gusting sigh. "Making the house chair-friendly? How long do you think that'll take? Sally said the first round of therapy will take about a month..."

"We can give Quatre a call tonight; he offered the use of his engineering department, after all. Trowa says they're actually pretty excited about the prospect of reworking an existing house; they've been forwarding him all kinds of ideas. Wufei has some research for us, also; he didn't want to bring it up too soon. He's still hesitant about upsetting you."

"Fuck!" snorted Duo. "Chang is way too polite for his own good."

"You found it amusing when he was politely bouncing that sniper's head off a concrete wall last year," Heero reminded with a smirk.

Duo grinned. "That was amusing, wasn't it? Okay, call Mr Sensitive and tell him to haul his ideas over. And tell Quatre's elves to get cracking. Might as well get this show on the road. Oh, don't forget the workshop; we either lower the benches or raise the floor. I have to be able to reach my stuff if I'm gonna turbo-charge that chair. Whaddya think Heero? Zero to eighty in six seconds?"

"Um... how about you start with twelve and work down?"

"Works for me. And tell Howard I want that stealth system ready to go in... how long did Une say I was out for?"

"Three months, starting today."

"Great. Two months, then; that'll give me a month for tweaking."

"Sir; yes sir!"

Duo rolled his eyes and twisted to kiss his partner. "You are so weird... Putting up with me... agreeing with my wild ideas..."

"It's in the fine print of the 'love' contract. You put up with all my nonsense during the wars. Hm. And since." He returned the kiss affectionately.

"Hey... did you check out those internet sites?"

"I did. I bought some books, too." He nuzzled Duo's neck. "I think we could spend a couple of years and still not get to everything."

"Mmm... That really works for me..."

Heero walked into the large room, looking around for Duo; he found Trowa instead.

"Trowa. Where is he?"

"Hello to you, too, Heero," Trowa smirked wiping his face with a towel.

"Sorry. Hello. Now, where is he?"

"Emily is helping him change. Or maybe hosing him down. We need to talk to him about 'moderation' again."

"Hn. You know how he is."

"Sure, but he's wearing out the therapists."

Heero frowned at the taller man, looking him up and down. "Is that...?"

"Freedom of movement, Heero. It helps to be able to see your body."

Heero snorted at the idea of Duo agreeing to wear tights and a leotard; not in this lifetime.

Trowa snickered, reading Heero's mind. "You know he never does anything halfway."

"You're kidding, right?"

"Purple and black, Heero; purple and black."

Heero sighed. "You're right; I should expect the unexpected."

"You have known him longer than any of us... and you sleep with him. Or does he restrain himself there?" he chuckled.

Heero smirked. "You'll never know."

"Why do they always blame the quiet ones? We're not half as crazy as they are."

"Heero! I did six pull-ups!"

Heero turned to grin at his partner. "The goal was four; are you over-achieving again?" Damn. He was indeed wearing tights and a leotard; purple and black, just as Trowa had said. Would wonders never cease?

Duo just grinned, wheeling across the room to wrap an arm around Heero's waist and receive a kiss. "Missed you," he murmured.

"Thinking of joining the circus?" Heero smiled, eyeing the workout wear.

"Hell no! I'd rather just tease you!"

Trowa laughed. "I don't know whether you're a lucky bastard, Heero, or if I should pity you!"

Heero offered a deliberate middle finger.

Duo shut off the TV in their hotel room and relaxed against the bed pillows with a sigh. "Hey Heero..."

"Yes, dear?" Heero turned from hanging up his towel.

"Oh, don't start that again. It just occurred to me... my bike... I won't be able to ride anymore."

"Um... Probably not... Maybe we could work out a sidecar arrangement?"

"Nah... I should just sell it and free up the space in the garage. I just hate to give him up, you know, after I got everything just the way I wanted it."

"We're not that tight for space yet; it can wait a while." He settled onto the bed next to Duo.

"Are you being hopeful?"

"What if I am?"

"They did mention that improvements are being made all the time. Just because you don't 'fit' any of the current technology doesn't mean you won't in the future."

"Duo...?" he asked with concern. Duo had turned his head, hiding his face in the shadows.

"Sorry... I just... Sometimes you... Whoever called you 'cold' is just an idiot..."

"Hey... You're Shinigami; I've learned to expect the unexpected." He wrapped his arms around Duo, snuggling close and kissing the curve of his throat.

"...love you so much..."

"And I you... We're keeping the bike."

"Don't know why you were so weird about showing me this; I think it's cool!"

"Well... It is a kind of an acknowledgement..."

"Uh... Wufei... I'm sitting in a wheel chair. I have no feeling and no directed movement in my legs; what makes you think an acknowledgement will bother me?"

"Fuckin' crap... Don't do that, man... Please don't do that! Ah, shit... dammit, Fei... Here. Blow. C'mon... please don't... not for me..."

"...sorry... I just..."

"Never mind, man. Show me the rest of the brochures. Do you really think this would fit on our stairs?"

"I measured..."

"Now I'm doubly glad we've got such wide staircases. I didn't know they had stuff like this; I thought we were going to have to swap all the rooms around. I don't suppose they have some engineering details... I'd love to see how it works. The ad copy is kind of vague."

"I imagine most of their customers don't care how it works."

"Heh. You're probably right about that. Hm... I wonder if we could do the basement stairs, too; that flight is kind of narrow."

"I will call them tomorrow and ask. Perhaps they can send an engineer to speak with you."

"Ah, man! That would be so cool! Thanks, Wufei! You're fantastic! Oh. Crap. Here; you don't want to get snot on your shirt."

Duo wheeled himself into the bedroom, glad to finally be home. More therapy waited, of course, but at least they could sleep in their own bed at night. He'd really missed that, along with the quiet of their surroundings. City traffic just never stopped.

"Did you call the kennel?" he called. "Let them know we're back?"

"Yes," Heero called back. "I told them we'd be over tomorrow to pick up the kids."

"Terrific!" He dropped his messenger bag on the bed and looked around in satisfaction. Home sweet... huh?

He blinked at the new door in the bedroom wall.

"Heero! What the hell is this?!"

Heero strode into the room, grinning hugely. "Oh, that's the new bathroom. And this..." He opened a cupboard and pulled out a stripped-down waterproof chair. "...is your handy-dandy I-can-do-it-myself shower chair."

Duo stared open-mouthed into the room. "Ohmigawd... Oh. My. Gawd! Heero, you know I love you with all my heart, soul and Shinigami- sneakiness, but I think I have to have Quatre's baby! Holy shit!"

"I'll tell him you're pleased."

"Hi, Duo. How are things going?" Relena asked carefully over the surprisingly clear connection.

"Hey Relena. Things are pretty good, so far."

"I'm really sorry I couldn't stay... Did Wufei explain about the conferences?" she asked anxiously.

"He did, and don't worry about it. Not like you should put your life on hold to hang around and worry over me."

"I know... but I still feel bad. You were still unconscious when I had to leave; I didn't want you thinking I'd abandoned you... And I've been so busy, but that's no excuse..." She wibbled a bit and he scrambled to find a less hazardous subject.

"So, how is all that 'guvmit' stuff going?" he asked quickly.

"Eh... You know how it is; two steps forward, one step back, a couple of steps sideways."

"You could just sic your fiancé on them," he suggested with a smirk. At least she wasn't tearing up anymore. Keep her distracted and they'd be okay.

"Oh, no! I'm saving him for after the wedding," she laughed. "He's my big gun!"

"And an excellent one he is, princess!"

"Duo... How are you, really?"

He sighed and shrugged. "Really not bad. This isn't exactly how I wanted to end up, but... it's a done deal, so I have to learn to live with it."

"I'm so sorry..."

"Oh, hey, it's not horrible! C'mon, babe; I've had a great run so far with legs, it's not so bad to finish up without them. I've got some terrific friends, a job I enjoy... I helped win a war and got to spend a couple of years quality time with the best damn machine ever built. I'm married to the hottest guy this side of the sun... I've got a home, an income, food... pets." Again, he was relieved when she perked up. "Hell, I've even got a bathroom fit for a king."

She blinked at him, almost frowning. "A... bathroom...?"

"You mean you haven't heard all about the Taj Mahal of decadent plumbing? My bathroom - let me show you it!" he laughed and spun his chair, pointing the vid pickup ahead and wheeling into the sumptuous lavatory. "Whaddya think? Pretty flashy, huh?" He turned slowly in place, letting her see the whole room.

"Holy shit!" she exclaimed. "Wufei just said that Quatre had an accessible bathroom added... I need to have a talk with that man about understatement. Duo... It's gorgeous! The colors are fabulous! Is that a Jacuzzi? Oh, my... so many plants... And the shower is completely open?"

"Yep. I told Heero that I'm having Quatre's baby for this."

She snorted with laughter. "And so you should! Wow... That's just amazing. Is it really easy for you?"

"Oh yeah. Quat's engineers are like a pack of rabid hamsters. Trowa said they were using wheelchairs in the design studio to test ideas to make sure they'd work for me."

"I think I need to give Quatre a call when Wufei and I pick out a house. I'd love to have something like that..."

"I'll tell Fei to get you a fabulous bathroom or I'll hunt him down and run him over a few times." She giggled and Duo turned the pickup around again. "I really am okay, Relena. Wufei's idea helped a lot, too. I've got full access to the whole house and the workshop, thanks to him. You need to come over when you get back; we'll have dinner and you can play with the lift."

"Thank you, Duo; we certainly will. Crud; they're calling me. You take care, now; give Heero a hug and tell him to give you one from me."

"Will do, princess. Go get 'em!"

"Hey! Quatre! Did you guys just get here?"

"About ten minutes ago; Heero's been showing us all the additions and improvements. The bathroom looks gorgeous! I don't remember the renderings looking that cool!"

"Heh. Maybe you need to hire an artist to work with the engineers. Grab a stool; I'm right in the middle of something..."

"No wonder you offered to have my baby!" Quatre laughed and dragged a tall stool up to the workbench and perched on it, elbows on the bench. "Is that for the chair?"

"Nah. This is just something I've been playing with off and on... There!" Duo set the chunk of metal down on the bench and wiped his hands on a rag. "So, where's Trowa?"

Quatre chuckled. "Probably still playing with the lifts. He and Heero were chortling like a pair of drunken loons when I left them."

Duo grinned at his friend. "I played with the things for three days straight, until Heero made me stop. It's fun, dammit! If I ever do get my legs back, I'm keeping the lifts!"

Quatre looked down at the bench, at the heart shape with "DM ♥ HY" carved into the wood. "How are you doing, Duo; really?"

Duo leaned his elbows on the bench, mimicking Quatre's pose. "All things considered, pretty well, I think. I still forget sometimes... I've had a few moments when I could swear I can feel my legs; that's pretty... disconcerting. There are moments when I wonder 'why me?' But then I just remind myself that I didn't get to where I am by wussing out on the hard stuff." He sighed heavily and dropped his head down to rest on his crossed arms.

"I miss my bike and being able to slow dance in Heero's arms... The spur of the moment stuff... The physical stuff we used to do. Sally says we may be able to get back to some of that eventually." He grinned at the faint coloring on Quatre's face. "Not that kind of physical stuff, Mr. Porn; our sex life is fine. I mean the sparring and wrestling we used to do. Carmine, my current therapist, says we might be able to get into some self-defense techniques. That's what he calls it; he knows I'm a Preventor, but not the other stuff. He said he's never had to work that into a routine before, but he's game if I am." He chuckled a bit and turned the subject.

"We had to rearrange the kitchen chores, because I can't easily reach things now. Heero's afraid I'll set myself on fire using the burners, so we're thinking about upgrading the summer kitchen with lower counters so I can cook down there."

Quatre perked up immediately. "You mean that kitchenette thing? Off the patio?"

"Yeah. We already use it quite a bit in good weather when we fire up the grill."

"Hmm..." Duo could almost see the gears whirling in that adorable blond head.

"You are not buying me a damn kitchen!" he protested.

"But you're a great cook, Duo!"

"And I am immune to flattery, dude. We'll handle the kitchen ourselves, really. I've been good about not asking to see the bottom line on the bathroom; don't push me, man," he glared.

Quatre smirked at him. "Heh heh heh... We'll see, Shinigami; we'll see."

"Duo? Quatre? Workshop?"

"Where else?" Duo called back, still glaring at the blond. "Heero, it's not like I'm going to be popping wheelies on the hill."

Heero and Trowa ducked under the half-lowered door, drinks in hand. "You were trying to harness the dog to the chair last week." Trowa blinked, giving Heero a disbelieving look as he handed his husband a bottle of beer. Quatre snorted.

"Would've worked, too," muttered Duo, "If not for that meddling husband."

Heero kissed his cheek affectionately and offered the bottle of soda. "Duo, the dog thought you were crazy; she was rolling her eyes."

Duo returned the kiss a little more warmly. "Hey, they pull carts in the tourist vids."

Trowa shook his head. "Wrong breed, Duo. If you want a pony cart, I can ask Cathy if the circus has any ponies ready to retire."

"Uh... No thanks, man. Your sister still gives me bad looks... She'd probably send me a killer ninja pony."

Trowa found another stool and seated himself next to Quatre. Heero dropped down on a crate next to Duo, resting his soda on Duo's thigh.

"Heero says you're doing pretty well..."

"Yeah. I was just telling Quat..." He glanced at Heero. "I'm good about 85-90% of the time. Still sucks to be... you know... short, but whaddya gonna do? Cry? Been there, done that; didn't change anything." He shrugged. "Sure I could whine and bitch and drink myself stupid, but that'd just make me a perpetually hung-over mess." He bumped his shoulder against Heero's. "And this guy wouldn't put up with that for long."

"Really?" said Heero, straight-faced. "I thought I'd been doing pretty well..."

Duo poked him in the ribs and they shared a chuckle.

"Seriously, guys; it's not all beer and skittles, but odds were I wouldn't even be here, so this -" he indicated the chair "- Is really pretty okay. I'm not dead. I'm not flat on my back unconscious in a nursing home. This guy reminds me that I could get lucky one day and fit in with a new 'fix' and walk again. I'm getting used to the hand controls on the vunk..."

"The what?!" interjected Quatre.

"The vunk," Heero smirked. "It's what he's calling the van, since it's not really a van, but not quite a truck either."

Quatre blinked, then smiled. "Ah. You'll have to show us later."

Duo flashed a toothy grin. "I'll give you a ride, Quat."

Trowa leaned toward Heero. "He's not going to hurt my honey, is he?" he asked in a stage whisper.

Heero laughed as Duo pouted and stuck his tongue out at Trowa. "He's as good a driver as he's ever been."

"Not an answer, Yuy..."

"Talk to me, Heero."

"Nothing to talk about, Quatre."

"He's too cheerful..."

"Were you not listening to him? He's making the best of a... bad situation."

"Bad?! Heero, he's paralyzed! This Pollyanna stuff is unnatural for him! He should be screaming the heavens down! He should be threatening mayhem against the very gods!"

Heero leaned against the 'vunk', regarding his friend with exasperation. "He's done that, Quatre. The second day we were home; he dropped something and couldn't reach it. I could hear him swearing clear out in the garage. I almost injured myself getting inside and up the stairs; I thought he'd hurt himself. He was sprawled out on the bedroom floor throwing a tantrum. Pounding with his fists, and banging his head on the floor like a child and just shrieking. The cat was under the bed and wouldn't come out; the dog was trying to lick his face. When I grabbed him, he pounded on me for a while. Finally, he just started crying and couldn't stop. Kept insisting that I should leave him for someone 'whole'."

Quatre opened his mouth, but Heero over-rode him. "He's not in denial, Quatre; he's dealing with what he's been handed. This is his life now. I can't believe you'd rather see him hiding in his room or drinking himself to death."

"I don't want that for him, Heero! I just want to know he's being realistic!"

"He's absolutely being realistic! This is his reality! He's paralyzed, but his other injuries are healed. He still has his brain, his experience, his considerable talent! Une wants him back on the job to do analysis and intel. Wufei has asked him to be the best man at his wedding. He's determined to upgrade the general purpose wheelchair, both for his benefit and for other people. Just because he can't walk doesn't mean his life has no purpose. If Trowa fell off the wire one day and wound up in the same situation, would you want him to be a moping drunk over it?"

"Of course not! But Duo has always been so... so... physical." How utterly frustrating! He did not want to see Duo miserable, but this relentless good cheer pushed every anxiety button he had. This was Duo! He should not be taking this so calmly! But what could he say? "Heero... I... I'm... Oh, fuck! What if he's just pretending? What if it all comes crashing down?"

Heero regarded the blond curiously. "Quatre... This isn't your fault," he said gently and watched the color drain from Quatre's face.

The man slumped against the low wall. "Heero, really-!" But Heero interrupted.

"This isn't a result of not caring enough. It is what it is; a spinal injury that is currently unfixable. All we can do now is wait for technology to advance."

Quatre stared up at him, aqua eyes wide, and just... fell apart. "I promised him," he whispered, eyes filling. "I promised him they'd fix it. I promised! And... and... it was a lie..."

Heero wrapped him in a one-armed hug. "Damn, Winner; you're still apologizing for no air in space, aren't you!"

"But I promised him..."

Heero rolled his eyes. Crap. Nobody in the world could do guilt the way Quatre Winner did guilt.

"Baka. Duo was sound asleep when you told him that, and even if he wasn't, do you think he'd hold you to something so ridiculous? He's a big boy, Quat; the wild child is all grown up now. He's handling it... we're handling it." He let go of the wibbling Winner, relieved that he seemed to be getting himself back under control. "Don't you trust me to watch his back?"

"Of course I do!" snapped Quatre.

"Then don't you dare fall apart in front of him," Heero warned sternly. "I will castrate you and hand your balls to Trowa, if you get Duo upset just because you feel guilty for some irrational reason."

Quatre drew himself up indignantly. "Heero! I would never do that to him! That's why I wanted to talk to you!"

"Just making my position clear..." Heero growled.

"Well... message received," Quatre acknowledged a bit petulantly after a moment. "You don't really think I'd do that to Duo, do you? Am I that transparent?" he wondered.

"I expect not; I'm just a little hypersensitive these days."

"Well, that's good! Yes; Duo needs you to watch his back... just... you know... in case?"

Heero smirked at him. "So, no more worrying about his mental state. He's coping very well under the circumstances. Want to check out the vunk?"

Quatre blinked. "Oh, absolutely! I've never seen a vehicle with hand controls before; I'm curious to see how they do it."

"This is Duo's ride, so I doubt if it's at all indicative of the normal type of hand controls, but he's having fun."

"You know, Duo, you could probably train Morgan to help you out. Most dogs can be trained to do helper dog things." Trowa raised an eyebrow at the large dog currently examining him with something akin to disdain.

"Morgan? Riiiight. She's not a Lab or a Golden, Trowa; even I know that!"

"Seriously; you should give it a try. She's obedience-trained, isn't she?"

"Um... Sort of... She does the basic stuff. When she feels like it," he muttered under his breath.

"Morgan; lie down," said Trowa firmly. The dog blinked at him, then eased down into a prone position. Trowa nodded to himself, not noticing Duo's smirk. He stood up and gestured to the dog. "Morgan; come." He walked away from the bench and Morgan obediently stood up and followed him. "Morgan; heel." The dog fell into step with him in perfect off-lead heeling. Trowa walked around the workshop and returned to his stool. "Morgan; sit." Morgan sat next to him.

"She's very good, Duo; I'm sure she could learn some of the easy tasks."

"You really think so, Trowa?" said Duo innocently. "I'm not exactly a dog trainer..."

"I can come out and work with her. Shouldn't take too long."

Duo looked at his dog, who was staring at Trowa. "Thanks, Tro. That's really bra- uh, great of you." He grinned at his friend.

"Duo?" called Heero from downstairs.

"Bedroom!" he yelled back. He pushed himself up into a sitting position and pointed a finger at the floor. "Down, Morgan."

The enormous dog just looked at him.

"C'mon, the boss is home. Unless you want to be on the patio for a couple of hours, down."

The dog huffed in annoyance and hopped down to collapse on the rug at Duo's side. He leaned over to ruffle her ears. "Good girl." He passed her a treat and she accepted with a disdainful sniff.

Heero walked in a moment later and sprawled across the bed to kiss Duo lightly. "You know," he murmured against his love's cheek, "The bed is still warm; I know she's been up here."

Duo blushed, snorted. "She's... protective, I guess."

"And you don't have the heart to keep her off. That's okay; she's got her summer cut so the shedding isn't too bad." He backed off the bed to change his clothes quickly before rejoining Duo.

"So, how'd it go today?" Duo asked wistfully.

"I got a call from the prosecutor on the Tinkerhell operation regarding Bettlegras."

"L'Orang? What's she want?"

Heero snuggled close, smoothing his free hand over Duo's shoulder and down his chest. "She asked if you would be willing to come to court."

Duo rested his head against Heero's shoulder. "I thought she wasn't going to bring me into it. It wasn't my operation; I just barged in and got caught in the middle."

"You did not 'barge in'; you were invited to be part of the strike team. She doesn't intend to call you as a witness; she just wants you, in uniform, sitting in court."

"Why would...? Oh, wait. Constant visual reminder of what Bettlegras caused and what he intended for the kids inside. I get it." He nodded. "Trial starts in a couple of weeks, right?"

"Yes. On the 23rd. Think you'll feel up to it?"

"Hell, I feel up to it now. If it'll help put that fucking sleaze away for good, you bet I'll be there." Heero kissed his temple and Duo snickered. "Should I wear the dress uniform with all the ribbons and medals? Or is that too formal for day wear?"

"The rest of us will be in UDs, so I think you'll stand out nicely in the dress whites."

Duo grinned up at him. "You gonna help me polish the brass? There's quite a lot of it and I haven't worn it in a while, so it's pretty tarnished. Heh. Just like me."

"You are not 'tarnished'. You are 'richly patina-ed'."

"You are such a sap..."

"Only for you, baby; only for you."

"Did you talk to Howard today?"

"Oh, yeah. He had a bit of a problem with the whosiwhatsis, but he thinks he's got it solved. We did a live check and I think I agree. He's trying for 5% the size of Scythe's system, but I think 10% is more realistic for the first generation. He got a stable one meter radius, and says that two meters is doable with some tweaking."

"Hn. I hope so. One meter is cutting it pretty fine, especially since the system has to be mounted under your ass. I don't want you rolling around with your head floating in mid-air. One of the newbies would probably shoot you."

"Ha! They could try!"

"And you know Une would make us scrape up what's left of them..."

"Ah. Right. Make a note, Morgan: No goo-ifying of newbies."

"Duo, the dog already thinks you're crazy..."

"And she loves me anyway."

"Hn. So do I, so I suppose we're good."

"Hey, babe... What's up?"

"Just having a crappy day, I guess."

"Can I kiss something and make it better?"

"Heh. You can kiss everything, but I don't know how much better it'll make it right now. Phantom pain again."

"Ah. I'm sorry. Would you like me to stay home tomorrow...?"

"Nah... It's annoying, not incapacitating."

"Okay. But I can work from home if you feel like company. We're still wrapping up the Montevado mess, so it's all paperwork."

"Have you ever noticed that when a case or operation goes well, it's known by its code name, but if something goes wrong, it's known by the name of the agent most badly injured?"

"Um... No one calls the Tinkerhell thing the 'Maxwell Mess'."

"Heh. That's only 'cuz you and Chang would kill them."

"Damn straight we would. Slowly. I brought some ice cream for dessert; how do you feel about some sweet and sour pork for dinner?"

"Mmmm... Love it."

"Hi Howard. Duo's in the workshop."

"Hey yerself, Heero! Mind if I send the truck down?"

"Please do. Tell the driver to mind the grade."

"Got it." The Hawaiian-shirted man spoke briefly into his handheld. "Told 'em to watch out for flying Maxwells, too," he snorted.

They crossed the entry and descended the stairs, Howard noting the lift as they did.

"How's this thing working out? Not too cumbersome?" He paused at the bottom to examine the platform.

"Actually, no. Chang was pretty specific when he first talked to the engineers and they got what he wanted right away. And then the chief engineer came to the hotel and talked to Duo." He grinned. "I thought Duo was never going to let him leave. They had a ton of drawings and photos and Duo had to see all the schematics."

"Heh. The kid is a born tinkerer. All he needed was tools and the opportunity," he said proudly.

A raspy 'meow' distracted them. The cat peered at them through the railings on the other side.

"Hey kitty; how's the furball?" She slithered through the railings and wound herself around Howard's legs. He ruffled her head and scooped her up for a hug before putting her down and rolling her over for a belly-rub.

"So that's where she learned that," Heero smiled.

"Ah, I love cats. Got a few dirt-side. None on ship right now, though. Borghese's allergic." He gave the cat a full body stroke and stood up. "Where's the pup?"

"Probably glaring at your guys. You know how she is about Duo."

Howard laughed. "She's a good bitch, Heero. Smart."

"Sometimes too smart," he snorted. "Did Duo tell you that Trowa's training her?"

"No! How's that working out?" he snickered.

"He hasn't started tearing his hair out yet. I give him another couple of weeks."

Howard laughed. "Boy doesn't get it, does he?"

Heero shrugged as they stepped onto the stone patio. "He's used to more straight-forward animals. Morgan's a little more complex."

"Hi Heero... You busy?"

"No, just organizing some files for tomorrow's meeting. Things are fairly quiet at the moment."

"They won't be for long, now that you've said that."

"I know, but these things do go in cycles. What can I do for you, love?"

"Don't suppose you could meet me...?"

"Um. Where are you?"

"The corner of Serendipity and Slinghold, in Rancho Recumbo."

"Like... soon?"

"Duo... Why are you in Rancho Recumbo?"

"Ah... That would be the accident site."

"Accident?! What accident? Are you hurt? What happened?!"

"Yuy, I can hear you down the hall! What the hell -"

"Duo's been in an accident!"

"Shit! I'll drive!"

"Heero! Heeeeeero! I'm not hurt! Kill the freak-out!"

"What happened?!"

"Did you put me on speaker? You know I hate that."

"Maxwell, shut up and talk!"

"Good morning to you, too, Wufei. Look guys, I'm okay. All that safety gear, remember? It's just that the paramedics won't release me because I have no way home."

"No way... home...?"

"We'll have to play 'Taps' over the vunk. Maybe erect a memorial or something. And anyway, I haven't given my statement to the cops yet."

"Man, they were heading for the stables. You know; the Circle Jerq place where the mounted units keep their horses? And the grooms were walking a group of horses across to the paddocks... Remember? We stopped in last year with Gonzales and fed carrots to her horse... And he kissed my fingers...?"

"'Heading for...' Duo, what did you do?"

"Turned in front of them and let them hit the vunk. What was that noise?"

"Nothing. I think Wufei passed out. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine, Yuy! Really! But vunk is gone... he was so young... and... well... wheelie is not looking good either... Howard's gonna be pissed."

"Heero? You didn't pass out, too?"

"No, I'm just trying to... to process all this. I'll be there in 20 minutes. Ten, if I can get Wufei conscious enough to drive."

"Okay. I love you. Sorry about the... um... you know..."

"I love you. The 'um... you know' doesn't matter. Just... stay where you are, okay. Don't go climbing buildings or rescuing hostages, okay?"

"Okay. I'll just show off my scars to the nice paramedic ladies."

"You do that, babe. We'll be there shortly."

"Yuy...? Horses?! What the fuck...?"

"You driving or am I?"

"Hey kid! How ya doin'?"

"I'm fine, really. I just... um... well; the chair had a slight accident..."

"What'd I tell ya about that illegal street racin'?"

"Not me! You shoulda told the guys who hit me."

"Someone hit you in the chair?!"

"No! No... It's another one of those... protective things, Howie."

"Um... Horses."

"Crap. You sound like Wufei. Can we just get to the point where the chair is kind of... kinked and I need some help with it?"

"But... you're okay?"

"I'm fine. Come see for yourself."

"Damn, kid; I guess I'd better. Make up my bed; I'll bring the tool box."

"Thanks, Howie. You're a prince."

"Heh. I've been working on something special for ya; I'll bring it, too."

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