Lochinvar

Pairings: 1x2, 1x3, 1x4, 1x5, 2x3, 2x4, 2x5, 3x4, 3x5, 4x5. Everybody loves everybody!

Disclaimer: GW characters do not belong to me. Names do not belong to me. Houses buildings, and cars do not belong to me. Duos dog does not belong to me. Poem is not mine. Pen paper, computer and website do not belong to me. Leather jacket, though nice, does not belong to me. Duo, king of all that is kawii as hell, still does not belong to me. Gundam/Mobile suits I think you get the idea. Pretty much, I own nothing. Nothing you hear`?

Warnings:..?? None???

Info: After Endless Waltz. War is over. Poem based on a ballad by Sir Walter Scott.

Lochinvar. Part One.

~Oh young Lochinvar is come out of the west,

Through all the wide Border his steed was the best.

And save his good broadsword he weapons had none-

He rode all unarmd and he rode all alone.

So faithful in love and so dauntless in war,

There never was knight like the young Lochinvar. ~

As Duos shuttle touched down, and he picked up his bag, he was already scanning the terminal windows for his friends. He had been away for far too long, and could feel the strain of his vacation melting away as he returned. He walked slowly down the loading stairs, backpack over one shoulder, and again his eyes scanned the tarmac in hopes of seeing the short little blonde Arab, or the dark-haired warrior. Both Quatre and Heero had agreed to be here when Duo got in, but he realized he could easily miss them in this crowd.

But just as this thought crossed his mind, he could see in the distance a rapidly bobbing yellow head, flanked on one side by tall dark hair. In a few moments, the two fellow former pilots were screeching to a halt in front of Duo.

            Goman Nasai, Duo, there was bad traffic. Quatre said, as Heero nodded.

            Its nothing! Duo said with a grin. Havent been here long. Our shuttle was delayed. Hows Loki?

            The other two men spent the next 15 minutes filling Duo in on different things that had happened in his absence. But something wasnt quite right, Duo felt.

~He stayd not for brake, and he stopped not for stone,

He swam the Eske River where ford there was none,

But ere he alighted at Netherby gate,

The bride had consented, the gallant came late;

For a laggard in love and a Dastard in war

Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar. ~

What are you leaving out? Duo asked from the backseat of the car. Quatre and Heero threw a look between them in the front seat and Heero cleared his throat. Whats happened? Should I be scared? I amHe looked expectantly at Heero in the rear-view mirror, but it was Quatre who spoke first.

            Well, there are some new, ah relationships I think you should know about. Quatre said, staring straight ahead. Duos mind suddenly jumped to Trowa. The tall, dark-haired pilot had been a steady and reliable friend to Duo, if not a little quiet, for a long time now, and everyday, Duo included, everyone was beginning to notice that the two were becoming more and more protective of each other.

            Who is he with? Duo asked suspiciously, his mind already reeling through the possibilities. Heero was too quiet. Quatre was his best friend. Wufei had no life. Sally? Une? Someone he hadnt met yet?

            Ill assume you mean Trowa. The little Arab said it in more of a statement tone of voice than inquisitive. Duo said nothing, and the short warrior continued. It actually surprised the rest of us, too. We didnt think he ever thought of relationships, far less had time for them-

            HES WITH WUFEI????? Quatre was cut off as Duo yelled. He was aghast. The Chinaman was a workaholic, and so insensitive. He was antisocial and cranky, irritable, more likely to bite your head off than kiss you, no pun intended. Why? I mean well its not a bad thing. I just meant well why? He whined again.

The last of his things unpacked and stuffed wherever they would fit, Duo sat down on the edge of the bed. For a moment, he tried to grasp the concept of Trowa being with Wufei, but his mind simply wouldnt wrap around this. He reached beside the bed and flipped on the radio.

                                    *And I cant, stop, loving you*

            Phil Collins? Duo thought, and changed the channel. There was a moment of silence before a few piano chords filtered out of the speakers on the clock radio. Duo knew this song well, He would never admit it to the other guys, but he rather admired Sarah McLaughlins work. As he sat there trying to think, Sarah told him all about her angel.

Theres got to be something Im not getting He said to himself as he rolled over onto his stomach, facing his headboard. Tacked up on the wood and the wall behind it, Duo kept pictures of all his friends. He wanted to remember these people, now his only family, no matter what happened. He had a candid shot of Sally and Wufei arguing at work, one of Trowa and Heero being sprayed with a hose, held by Quatre, at a barbeque last year. There was one of Wufei on a chair, trying to escape Loki that same day. Trowa and himself at his birthday party last year. One with he and Trowa at a carnival, and one with he and Trowa at a zoo, with Quatre in the background. He and Trowa at a Preventors surprise party for Une. He and Trowa doing an impromptu waltz at one of their weekend hangouts. Look at how happy we are as a group!  Duo thought. Suddenly he sat up a little bit, and blinked a few times. One, two three He counted. Four, five, does that one have Trowa in it? Yes! Six, seven, eight, nine, tengroup photo, doesnt count. Eleven, twelve, thirteen Out of roughly thirty or so pictures, eighteen of them had Trowa in them, more often than not, with Duo close by.

Without warning, The Though hit poor Duo, and hard. I care for him! He whispered to no one. Immediately, his hand shot out toward the phone, but he checked himself in mid-motion. Generally, on such a revelation, he would have called Trowa, which was out of the question, or Heero, whom he couldnt put out twice in a day. Besides, Heero didnt much like it when Duo shared that sappy stuff with him.

As Duo walked into the Preventors the next day, he was greeted by the sound of laughter. Too tired to really know or care who was laughing, he worked his way over to the coffee maker. Before he was finished pouring, however, Wufei was beside him, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Lunchtime found Duo in the parking lot, getting ready to go out. He was about to pull away when Heero knocked on his window. Duo buzzed down the window and Heero leaned in.

            Mind if I join you? He asked with a grin.

~So boldly he enterd the Netherby hall,

Mong bridesmen and kinsmen and brothers and all.

Then spoke the brides father, his hand on his sword

(For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word.)

Oh come ye in peace here, or come ye in war,

Or to dance at our bridal, young lord Lochinvar? ~

            Yeah, sure, whatever. Duo said as he unlocked the door. Heero ducked into the little blue car, and busied himself with adjusting his seat and seatbelt.

            So, Heero said, when he had gotten all settled in. Whats wrong with you? Duo blinked and stared. Well, whats wrong? He prompted the long-locked boy.

Nothing, Duo answered awkwardly. Just tired from the trip, thats all.
Duo, you were on vacation!

And you think I did nothing? Heero rolled his eyes. He knew very well that Duo, much like Wufei, couldnt just take a vacation, that he always had to be doing something. He needed very much to feel as though he were useful.

Duo, you arent tired. Maybe youre cranky, but I think youre upset. Heero had to hold on to the armrests as they sped around a corner and onto a lesser street. Heero looked around a bit, and realized where they were going. Any doubts he had had were dispelled when they pulled in the driveway.

This is Trowas favourite restaurant, too. He said softly. Duo looked startled for a moment, and then scowled.

I never said it was my favourite! He snapped as he got out of the car. Heero followed him into the restaurant and sat down across from the moody man. He knew that if he gave the shorter pilot a moment, he would break down and tell all.

Duo sighed. Its about Trowa. He admitted.

I know. Heero said as he picked up a menu. I think Ill just have the chicken and fries. Last time I was here, I had the hot wings too hot.

You know?? But how- never mind. Duo said, holding up his hand. What should I do?

Tell Wufei how you feel about him. Im sure hell dump Trowa to be with you. Heero grinned. Duo opened his mouth to protest, but Heero laughed. I know, I know. Im sorry. I couldnt resist. Heero settled suddenly, getting serious. Trowa is a friend to all of us. We want him to be happy. But you and Wufei are our friends too. We want everyone to be happy. Try to give them a while. Maybe itll die out in you or maybe it wont work out with them. Or maybe youll fine someone. Dont do anything drastic. Dont break them up yet.

Duo blinked a few times. This was undoubtedly one of the longest speeches Heero ever made without notes. Heero, I wasnt planning on breaking them up, man! I was just trying to figure out why I didnt realize I liked him sooner. I was stupid. I was blind.

Now it was Heeros turn to be surprised. Well, youre certainly being honest and un-stubborn about this. He said approvingly as he took a sip of his water.

~I long wood your daughter, -my suit you denied;

Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs like its tide;

And now I am come, with this lost love of mine

To lead but one measure, drink one cup of wine.

There are maidens in Scotland more lovely, by far,

That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar.~

            Throwing his keys on the table and kicking his shoes off, Duo collapsed on the loveseat, sprawling out over the arms of said chair. He was just closing his eyes when the phone rang.

            Hullo? Duo asked tiredly. He snapped awake when he heard who was on the other end.

            Hey, Duo. The rich little Arab answered back.

            Quatre! Duo said, sitting up. The Winner heir laughed a little at the surprise in the other boys voice.

            Yeah, its me. Heero said he ran into you at lunch.

            Ran into me? Quatre, he all but abducted me! The short pilot on the other end laughed. Both knew that neither Heeros story, nor Duos story was the truth, and that both Heero and Duo loved taking the opposite story to whatever the other boy said, no matter how far extreme from the real story they had to get. It was sort of a call and answer challenge between them, and the other pilots knew that to find the truth, you had to go directly to the center of their combined stories.

            Anyway, Quatre said, getting back on track. Heero said hed talked to you, and you seemed rather upset. Anything you want to talk about?

            Naw. Its okay Quatre. Duo lied, grinning ear to ear. Just a little off from the trip, still, thats all. After all, he thought, I wasnt even home yet when they told me. So, technically, Im not lying.

            Fine, Quatre said, non-committally. I dont believe you one bit, but fine. Anyway, Im having a party on Saturday. Just a modest barbeque. Want to come?

            After accepting eagerly, (It wasnt totally an act; Quatres barbeques were just as likely to be professionally catered as home-cooked.) Duo got the time, and both youths agreed to hook up sometime there. As Duo hung up, though, the anticipation of the party faded from his consciousness as he reverted back to pre-phone-call Duo. Another sigh punctuated his collapse onto the couch again.

Duo bolted awake and in the process he almost fell off the couch. Water, he thought to himself, swinging his legs around and off the couch. Stumbling toward the kitchen, Duo leaned against the counter to support his weight and relieve his trembling legs, and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. Thinking better of drinking the whole thing, he tipped his head backward over the sink and poured the remainder of the bottles contents over his head. Shaking his head about a bit, he realized he was still wearing his braid.

            Picking at the elastic at the end of his hair, Duo glanced over at the clock. How in the hell is it only 8:30?? He asked himself. He wandered back into the living room where hed dropped everything. As he passed his coffee table, he noticed the little red light blinking on the answering machine hed forgotten to check when he got in. He clicked the playback button and sat cross-legged on the carpet in the middle of the living room to listen.

            Hey, Duo, its Hero Duo nodded to himself. Yeah, he could bring an extra lawn chair. No problem. Next message. Quatre, asking everyone to bring their own lawn chairs after the fiasco of last may. What? Thought Duo. He can afford them!  Duo nodded. Une came on to say that she was disappointed he came back early, but welcome back anyway. And she needed to talk to him as soon as he got in the next morning. Duo rolled his eyes, but filed that away, too, in his little American brain. Sally called to say she would be bringing Loki over after work tomorrow.

            Duo grinned. His little pooch was coming home. Though, in all fairness, Loki was anything but a little pooch, coming fully up to Duos waist.

            Duo had been lounging back against the overstuffed chair, legs out in front of him, running his hands through his waist-long hair. Now he froze in mid-stroke and sat up straighter. The next message was from Trowa. He sounded upset.

            Hi, Duo. Its me. Listen; do you think you could call me back when you get this? Its eight oclock on Monday. I really need to talk to someone, and youre the best choice. Thanks. Bye.

~The bride kissed the goblet, the knight took it up,

He quaffd off the wine and he threw down the cup.

She lookd down to blush, and she looked up to sigh,

With a smile on her lips and a tear in her eye.

He took her soft hand ere her mother could bar:

Now tread we a measure, said young Lochinvar. ~

            Duo rolled over and dove for the coffee table, turning off the answering machine and picking up the cordless phone at the same time. Dialing the tall pilots number off by heart, he sank down onto the chair.

            Hello? Barton picked up.

            Trowa, its me. I fell asleep and only just got your message now. Whats wrong?

            Welcome back, by the way. Trowa said in a weak, and shaking voice. Duo hesitated.

            Thank you. Whats wrong?

            I meant to call you earlier, but-
            Trowa!

            Its Wufei. Duo was surprised. And of course, a little angry. What had he done to poor Trowa?

            Wufei?

            Yes, Trowa confirmed. Oh, Duo, I have something I should have told you already, and Im sorry for keeping it from you. I could have told you in my letters, or phoned you with it before now, but I feel bad, calling you with it now, when I havent told you, and I need help now, and

            Whoa, Trowa, slow down. I already know you and Wufei are Duos voice struggled. Together. He could feel himself trembling. And its okay.

            I should have been the one to tell you, Duo.

            Its okay. Just tell me what happened. Maybe Maybe I can help. Duo didnt want to even think about what was happening, but as the two young men melted back into their typical routine, Duo felt a sense of comfort and familiarity. Long before Trowa and Duo had discovered their hidden bisexuality, the two of them would spend hours on the phone discussing women and dissecting their respective relationships. Now it felt almost the same. All of this flashed through Duos mind even before the sensitive pilot started his tale of woe.

            Wufei and I have been together almost since you left. Three days after your shuttle took off, exactly. Its been almost three weeks now. Yesterday, I heard youd come home early. I tried to talk Wufei into letting you know about us, but he wouldnt give. Hes been keeping it secret, telling people on a need-to-know basis. I dont know why. Anyway, I told him I had to tell you. He got all mad at me, and said that I was probably just looking for a chance to get you alone. Hes jealous of our friendship, Duo. Trowa didnt mention the other ways he felt attached to the shorter pilot on the other end of the phone. Wufei sometimes laid awake at night, long after Trowa was asleep, and Trowa had a habit of talking in his sleep. Anyway, to make a long story shorter, he accused me of cheating before he stormed out. Im worried about him, Duo. You know how unstable he can be. Trowa finished off, his voice a plea.

            Where do you think he went? Duo asked stiffly, unusually intent on the answer.

            Theres only two places I can think. One is Faszoolis on Shop Street. My favourite restaurant, and the only one hes been to in this town. It also has a bar. The other place is Quatres.

~So stately his form, and so lovely her face,

That never a hall such a galliard did grace,

While her mother did fret, and her father did fume,

And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume,

And the bridesmaidens whisperd, Twere better by far

To have matchd out fair cousin with young Lochinvar. ~

Rounding the corner, Wufei looked behind to see the lights of Faszoolis pooled in the dark street, empty except for him. Shrugging his jacket closer around him, he turned onto the brighter-lit street, shop-lights casting his shadow across the paved road. Hunched over, staring at the ground as he walked, Wufei failed to notice he had another shadow.

            Across the street, leaning against a car, Duo took the unlit cigarette out of his mouth and flung it away. He didnt need to breathe smoke for him breath to show up on the air in front of him. Shrugging his jacket up on his shoulders, he crossed the street and fell in a little ways behind the Chinaman. Every now and then, the youth would stop at a window and look in, forcing Duo to stop walking. With the end of August fast approaching, back-to-school everything was being pushed t buyers, and stores were full of families. In the busy downtown, Duo aloe failed to notice his follower.

            Finally coming to the outside edge of the shopping district, the streets went dead again. Duo sped up a little bit to catch up to the short Chinese boy.

            Chang Wufei, he called into the night ahead of him, never noticing the ring of authority he now held in his voice, which came from long-time handling of Gundam-bots. None of the warriors noticed the sound in each others voices, either. Wufei did respond though. Thinking it was anyone but Duo, he turned to happily greet the new comer, but his features hardened as his eyes fell on the American.

            Maxwell. He greeted the newcomer flatly. What can I do for you?

            You hurt Trowa, Duo explained, pulling on his workout gloves. So, Im here to hurt you.

            Wufei nodded as Duo cracked his knuckles then proceeded to reach into his pocket. The Chinaman cracked his neck and stretched his arms in front of him. As Duo fell into a fighting stance, Wufei simply looked at him.

            You know Duo, Wufei said, conversationally. I wish you would leave us alone. You will not take Trowa from me. He loves me. he himself settled into a battle stance. He just needs to figure it out for himself.

            But before either boy could throw a single punch, a harsh, commanding voice called from behind Duo.

            Stop this foolishness. What do you two think youre doing? Both boys started, and turned to face the voice. As the voice stepped into the light of the street lamp, Wufei let out a low gasp.

            Heero. Duo stated, surprised. What are you doing here?

            What am I doing here? What are you two doing here? Duo looked at the ground but said nothing. Trowa called me a half-hour ago, almost in tears. Poor guy said hed been in a fight with you, He glared at Wufei. Then when he told you, his gaze shifted to Duo. You went running off like a mad man. We all figured well, Duoll go after Wufei and we were right. Duo, you always did have more balls than brains. Now, the two of you, brighten up! Wufei, go home to Trowa. See what you cant patch up there. Whatever he offers you, its far more than you deserve, and remember that! Wufei began to shuffle off, and Duo felt a swell of pride at the fact that Wufei looked so beaten, retreating with his tail between his legs. But Heeros eyes had already locked onto Duo. And you. Why are you aggravating this? Duo looked up and met Heeros eyes. You realize, dont you, that you just made everything harder? Harder on Trowa, because now Wufei knows how you feel, and harder on you because you cant feign disinterest. Duo looked poison at Heero.

~ One touch of her hand, and one word in her ear,

When they reachd the hall-door, and the charger stood near,

So light to the croupe the fair lady he sprung,

So light to the saddle before her he sprung!

She is won! We are gone, over bank, bush, and scaur:

Theyll have fleet steeds that follow, quoth young Lochinvar. ~

            What are you talking about? He growled at his best friend.

Quatre was just finishing up some shopping and heading out to the unnaturally cold August air. All night hed thought hed seen random Gundam Pilots wandering around the district. First Wufei, then Duo, and then Heero. But he knew that he couldnt be right. His mind had to be playing tricks on him. Wufei was probably at home with Trowa, working on his new mission in life; project Torture Duo. Quatre had himself talked to Duo earlier that night, and he did not sound like he was planning any type of outing that evening. And he had personally left Heero at home, after trying desperately to get the stocky youth to come shopping. Balancing the large shopping bags and shifting them around, the bottom of a rather flimsy paper bag caught on a newspaper box, spilling the contents all over the sidewalk. Sighing, Quatre stuffed the broken vessel into the trash and stooped to divide its scattered contents into the other bags. As he bent beside the corner of the building, what sounded like the tail end of an argument floated out of the dark and caught his attention.

            Why should I leave it alone? What good will it do me to give it up? Why should I? Youre talking nonsense. Werent you always the one who told the rest of us to follow our emotions?

            Because I love you, Dumbass!

            Quatre stopped with a jolt. That first voice sounded like Duo. And the last voice sounded likecouldnt beHeero!

            What about Quatre? the Duo-voice asked. Yes! Thought Quatre. What about me? Where do I fit in now? Quatre was gasping for breath now.

            Quatre? He was great for a time, but I dont love him. Hes just a passion. Duo, I love you. And a single tear fell from the little blue eye as he picked up his bags, turned around, and headed back to the jewelers.

~There was mounting mong Graemes of the Netherby clan:

Forsters, Fenwicks and Musgraves, they rode and they ran:

There was racing and chasing on Cannobie Lee,

But the lost bride of Netherby neer did they see.

So daring in love and so dauntless in war,