Pairings: 1x2x1, 3x4, 13x6, 5xR
Contest Topics: Secrets, What If?
Genre: Romance, Angst, Humor
Rating: NC-17

Note: My initial inspiration for this story came from the live drama series "Zettai Kareshi" (Absolute Boyfriend) based on the manga by Yuu Watase.

Summary: A late-night commercial for the Ideal Lover gives Duo hope that his lonely nights are over.

Robot Lover
by Artemis

It was just after midnight. Not very late by his standards, but he felt unusually tired. As a typical weekday night, he had worked at his office downtown until eight, stopped at the gym to lift some weights, picked up dinner around the corner, and walked in the door of his condominium at 10:30 p.m.

After a quick shower, he was barefoot and wearing gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt, and sitting down to another two to three hours of work. He spread his paperwork on the coffee table in front of him, turned the television on with the volume set to low, and shoved ramen noodles into his mouth with the set of bamboo chopsticks that had come with his order.

First on his agenda was the small matter of a new sub-contractors' agreement for Winner Enterprises. This gig was his bread and butter. He could thank a childhood friendship with Quatre Raberba Winner for the flashy uptown digs in which he sat. They had been friends since they were eight years old and kicking dirt in each other's faces. Even then he had been impressed by Quatre. Well, at least by his family's estate and all the cool toys they lavished on their only son.

In junior high they had lost track of each other when Quatre was sent to a fancy boarding school. He got a postcard once with a picture of the Academy of Sciences on the front. The handwritten message read: "Duo! You would love the Olympic-sized pool here, and the cinnamon rolls!!" Yeah, all the exclamation marks were Quatre's.

He still had that postcard saved in a box somewhere. He had meant to write his friend back, but there always seemed to be something distracting him like high school, and coming to terms with his sexual preference. The gay thing complicated life -- then and now. High school was no place to be different, and asking out a cute guy from the football team was out of the question.

His political science teacher recommended he take Introduction to Law his senior year. That class changed his life. He had always liked helping the little guy; the ones who got beat up on the playground for no apparent reason. Knowing and applying the law was a powerful thing, and for the first time he felt like he was standing on solid ground. The only trouble was that law school was damn expensive. Fortunately, the school counselor had a talent of her own, securing scholarships to the best schools. Miracle of miracles, he got a full scholarship to a top-rated university.

It was at a basketball game his freshman year, with the first of many jerk boyfriends on his arm, when he saw none other than Quatre Winner walking past him and sipping on a Coca-Cola. The planets must have aligned to make them friends again. They had picked the same school, though Quatre's focus was geo-politics and business, and Duo's law.

After college, Duo started out at a big city law firm. He did everything they asked of him, pulling 80 plus hours a week and making good money, but his passion for law evaporated. He had to be his own man. He wanted to pick his own battles. That's when Quatre asked him to be Winner Enterprises' independent legal counsel. Duo hesitated, not wanting to step from one corporate gig to another, but Quatre assured him the position was on an as-needed basis. He wouldn't even need to keep an office in Winner Tower.

The steady work for Winner Enterprises funded Duo's cushy lifestyle -- the condo in the high-end building, the soft leather couch he was sitting on, and the big ass plasma TV, which he wasn't paying much attention to just now. The position also allowed Duo the freedom to have his own law office and take on those hard luck cases he loved so much. Even if the lousy bastards didn't show up for their day in court!

Another mouthful of ramen, and Duo picked up a pen to write his comments on Quatre's proposed contract changes. This was fairly standard stuff tonight. In the past he had helped Quatre develop a whole new set of contracts after an unscrupulous contractor sued for "making" him drive into work during a snowstorm.

A strobe-like effect from the TV screen caught Duo's attention. He looked up only to realize it was one of those infomercials that went on longer than usual commercials. This kind of advertisement made it seem urgent to call the toll-free number or you'd miss out on the deal of a lifetime. Tonight, a pretty blond spokeswoman in a tailored pink suit had an Asian guy, in traditional Chinese clothing, kissing her cheek. Something about them made Duo chuckle. He reached for the remote, and increased the volume to hear what they were selling.

"I was happily matched with my ideal lover ten months ago," the woman in pink said.

Duo rolled his eyes. "Geez, it's another online dating site." He reached for the remote.

"The robots are so humanlike that your friends will never know, unless you tell them."

Duo's hand froze over the mute button. "What the fuck?"

"I'm Relena Peacecraft and this is my humanoid boyfriend, Wufei." She put her arms around the Asian man and giggled. "And I'm a very satisfied customer."

"They can't be serious," Duo said, gaping at the TV. The man looked like a real human being. This had to be a trick. There was no way that science had gotten this advanced. Duo had seen documentaries on robots working in factories and laboratories, and they weren't remotely humanlike. The guy on the commercial had skin and hair and a nice face. And he talked!

"All it took was one kiss," the robot said. "And I was hers forever!"

A spokesman's voice explained the Ideal Lover Program while footage of the young lovers in romantic settings played on the screen.

"You can take the first step to happiness by calling the toll-free number on your screen to receive our informational packet," the deep, male voice said. "You'll learn about our confidential client guarantee and how to arrange a meeting with one of our team leaders to develop your Ideal Lover."

Relena's smiling face appeared on the screen again. "After spending years in the dating scene I was tired of immature men who didn't want a commitment. So, I tried the Ideal Lover Program and was excited to learn that I could choose the exact physical and emotional attributes that I wanted in a man!"

Wufei stepped into view, took her hand and kissed it.

"See! He's the perfect gentleman! But if you prefer your man a little more devilish, you can request that, too!"

Shockingly, Wufei turned to the camera and winked!

Duo fell back on the couch laughing. This had to be a hoax. There was no way a company could deliver on these promises. And if they could, it surely wouldn't be cheap to order a customized robot.

As more footage played of the lovers walking hand-in-hand along a beach, the commentator repeated the toll-free number, which flashed simultaneously on the screen with the words "All sexual preferences welcome."

Duo leaned forward, rubbing his eyes. Was that right? A man could get a male robot lover? On a whim, Duo scribbled down the number.

"Call today for your Ideal Lover!"

A split second later, an advertisement for organic dog food came on. Duo shook his head as though clearing away the strange spell that perfect couple had cast on him. They had to be actors, but if robot lovers were real, what would they be like? Could science create a humanoid so lifelike that it could satisfy your emotional and physical needs?

It seemed too fantastic, too absurd. He turned off the TV and got back to work.

The next afternoon, Duo met Quatre at the usual place, a cafe on the corner across from Winner Tower. Duo preferred meeting here, instead of taking the elevator up to the sumptuous corporate office where his friend held court.

They nabbed a table by the window, lattes in hand.

"So," Duo said as he reached into his messenger bag. "You've got a fairly standard contract here, but considering your track record, I added a clause about discretionary funds."

"Good thinking," Quatre said, taking a sip from the ceramic mug.

Duo pushed the contract in front of his friend and pointed to the clause. He leaned back in his chair, mug in hands, watching Quatre look over the changes. Quatre was dressed in an impeccable suit. This one was sapphire blue with a pale blue pin-stripe. The button-down shirt was also pale blue, and the tie sapphire to match the suit. With the sunlight streaming in from the window the suit and the man seemed to sparkle.

"Where did you get your suit?"

Quatre glanced up briefly. "Prada."

Duo sighed.

"What? You can shop there, too," Quatre said, unapologetically.

He was right. Duo could afford a nice new suit or two. In fact, he had a closet full of Armani and Michael Kors suits, but after his stint with the corporate law firm, he had given up wearing them in favor of less intimidating designer casual wear. Most of his clients were average Janes and Joes, and he preferred to meet with them in an easy going dress shirt, pressed slacks and leather shoes, or occasionally a pair of sneakers. If he had a court appearance, then he donned a suit jacket and tie. Otherwise, business casual was as dressy as he got. On his days off, which were rare, he was a jeans guy. Slip on a pair of classic American blue jeans, combat boots and a t-shirt, and he was ready for anything.

Today was a Banana Republic dress shirt and slacks day, but even though he had his clothes dry cleaned and pressed, they didn't hold a candle to Quatre's luminescence.

"What's this 800 number?" Quatre asked.

"Huh?"

Quatre pointed to a scribbled number in the page's margin.

"Oh...." The robot commercial came back to Duo in a flash, but he didn't want to admit writing that number down. He pulled the page toward him and tore off the section with the number. "Well, it's --"

"Don't tell me it's a sex hotline?"

Duo chuckled. It was, sort of.

"Why don't you come over to my place tonight?"

"What?" Duo's eyes widened.

"I'm hosting the wine club. There will be lots of lovely people -- male and female."

"Sounds stuffy."

"It might not hurt your chances if you hung out with a different crowd."

Duo blew on the thin layer of foam on his latte, considering the invitation and its implications. "You'll be happy to know that I dumped the loser."

"Which one?"

"The most recent one," Duo said with a sneer.

"Was he two-timing you?"

"Three-timing."

"Three? Where do you find --"

Duo held up his hand to stop the well-meaning lecture that was about to spill forth. "Do you think it's impossible for guys to commit? I mean, do we have to settle for one night stands?"

"Since when does Casanova Duo care about long term relationships?"

"Is that what you think I am? A Casanova?"

"Don't look so shocked. Men and women are drawn to you like moths to the flame."

"But only the jerks of the species."

Quatre grinned. "You do have a bad track record."

"Hideous."

"Then come to my party."

"Nah. If there's one loser in the crowd, I'm sure to go home with 'em. I'm taking a dating hiatus."

Quatre threw his hands in the air, dramatically indicating he had given up. "If you change your mind, we meet at seven."

A snooty wine club party was the last place Duo expected to find himself that evening, but somehow here he was, knocking on Quatre's penthouse door. It was several minutes past seven o'clock, and he was certain to lose points for being tardy.

He could hear voices on the other side of the door and got tired of waiting to be noticed. The door was unlocked, so he let himself in. He stepped into the teak paneled hallway, always sleek and uncluttered with its slender glass table and this evening an arrangement of pale blue irises. He strolled down the hall to the expansive living room with the spectacular view of the city. Two dozen people were already here, mingling with glasses of wine in hand and noshing on fancy appetizers presented on silver platters by wait staff.

Duo spied Quatre near the bank of floor to ceiling windows, chatting with a small group of admirers. Now, here was a guy who had it all -- the looks, the money, the empire -- and being alone didn't seem to bother him the way it was starting to bother Duo. Of course, Quatre was too busy with his behemoth of a company to think about relationships and too pre-occupied with the lives of his many, many sisters.

Unlike Quatre, who had changed into a crisp linen suit for the party, Duo had worn the same shirt and slacks he had on all day. To his credit, he had sniffed under his arms to check for body odor.

A waiter brought him a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and another presented a tray of white asparagus wrapped in prosciutto. He took the wine and grabbed a couple of the asparagus from the tray and headed to Quatre's circle.

Most of the club members were twice his age, which meant they had many more life experiences to share. One woman talked Duo's right ear off about her summer working in the vineyards of France, and another explained the nuances between Californian and French wines. He hadn't felt the desire to flirt with anyone, but as he observed them interacting with one another, he began to wonder if they were real people or robots.

What if this was a room full of robots? Certainly Quatre could afford to buy a herd of them. He could have them programmed with encyclopedic knowledge of wines and winemaking. That would be so Quatre.

"Are you a robot?" Duo asked the California wine connoisseur.

"I beg your pardon," the woman said.

"Well, your knowledge is so vast I figured you couldn't possibly be a real person."

"You think I'm a robot?"

"Well..."

"I never!" The woman stomped her foot and stormed away.

A moment later, Quatre was at his side. "Why did you call Marjorie a robot?"

Duo blinked. Had he said that? "I think she took it the wrong way. I only meant --"

"Duo, you implied she wasn't human. Please apologize immediately."

He nodded and went in the direction that Quatre pointed. Marjorie was sitting on a white upholstered arm chair next to an aquarium of saltwater fish. Duo gave a little nod as he approached, but she barely met his eyes. Was it that terrible to be considered anything less than human? Wasn't it a compliment to say you had the intelligence of a computer?

"I meant to be complimentary, but I have a way of saying the wrong things. I guess this was one of them."

"You guess?" she asked.

"No, it definitely was. I'm sorry."

Marjorie grinned, accepting the apology. "People have been talking about those robots they're selling on TV. I don't want a rumor starting that I'm one."

"No one would do that."

"A moment ago you implied..."

Duo held up his hands in surrender. "I didn't mean it, honest. It's just kind of fascinating, you know? Robot companions."

"Young man, it's the worst depravity. To think that people program an artificial being to do their bidding. I've heard that most of the customers are women. How deplorable!"

He hadn't thought about it that way. But then, why was he thinking about it at all?

"Aren't you the least bit curious?" he asked. "I mean, what if they're so humanlike you can't tell the difference?"

"It's an abomination of science," she said and stood. "I hope you're not considering ordering a robot girlfriend. You're an attractive young man and shouldn't resort to living with a soulless creature like that."

Duo gulped. "Soulless?"

She walked away, leaving Duo to stare at the brightly colored fish in the tank. He suddenly sympathized with their plight. Sometimes he felt like a fish in a bowl, swimming in circles with everyone staring in at him, and no one to set him free.

Word seemed to spread among the wine club members that he was odd, though he doubted that Marjorie shared the content of their conversation. Once he assured Quatre that he had made amends, and apologized to him as well, he headed home. Alone.

At his condominium, across town, Duo didn't bother turning on the lights. He was going straight to bed. He toed off his shoes and unbuttoned his shirt as he made his way to the bedroom, dropping the shirt to the floor. Usually he turned on the stereo or television for company, to cut the quiet, but tonight he just wanted to sleep.

In the bathroom, he stared at his reflection in the mirror. He was a decent looking guy, and people told him he was fun to be around, so why couldn't he attract the right kind of lover? Quatre said it was because he was an equal opportunity lover -- good, bad or indifferent, Duo gave everyone a chance. If that was truly his method of dating then it had to stop. He wasn't happy living like this. He was tired of starting over again and again, and each time he did, he gave less of himself, so much so that he was losing heart.

Maybe that made him soulless, too, like the robots. He had nothing left to give, so he kept getting the dregs of the barrel.

He leaned over the sink and turned on the cold water, splashing it on his face. Geez, he was a depressing guy tonight. What was this shit? Was it that woman's prejudices that had gotten under his skin? Was the idea of robots and humans getting it on as bad as she claimed? Who did it hurt if a portion of the population -- unlucky sods like himself -- found love a different way?

He looked up at his reflection again, this time seeing a glimmer of determination. Would it hurt to call for the damn brochure? It wasn't as if he was ordering a robot. He was just feeding his curiosity.

He shoved his hands in his pockets searching for the scrap of paper he had torn from the contract. Where had he put that number? He hadn't changed pants... He checked his wallet, flipping through the tiny pockets until he saw a glimmer of white between the twenty dollar bills -- a jagged edge that could cut him or lift him out of the fishbowl of his life.

Back in his bedroom he sat on the edge of his king-sized bed and reached for the phone. He chuckled as he dialed the number. The phone rang three times and then a recording picked up.

"Thank you for calling Ideal Lover. Please wait for a trained representative to take your call. Wait time is currently less than five minutes."

Duo thrummed his fingers on the bedside table, listening to the hold music as Waylon Jennings sang:

I was looking for love in all the wrong places
Looking for love in too many faces

That was spot-on for Duo's life, but seemed a bit tacky. Maybe this was a bad idea. He was losing his nerve and about to hang-up when a customer service rep came on the line.

"Thank you for waiting. This is Gemma. Would you like me to send you information about the Ideal Lover Program?"

Duo swallowed hard. "Yes, please."

The downtown office suite was buzzing with energy after a late afternoon sugary treat. Duo's staff of four was efficient and professional, and best of all, not too serious. Somehow they managed to eat cake at least once a week to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, pseudo holiday, or return from vacation. Today's was a deliciously tart lemon cake with cream filling, and Duo wished he had taken only half a slice. He was feeling a little jittery as he sat at his desk poring over a new case.

There was a tap on his door. He looked up to see Hilde standing there.

"Can I bug you?" she asked.

"Sure."

Hilde Schbeiker the only other attorney Duo had hired. They had met at law school, and she soon became his best girlfriend, but when he had hung his shingle out, the last person he expected to come looking for a position was Gung-ho Hilde. Her junior year in college, she had signed-on with a big oil company who saw her potential and were willing to wait for her to graduate. Like Duo, she soon discovered that the corporate world made her itch.

"Did you get my notes on the Morton case?" Hilde asked.

"Yeah, but the prosecution never sent those files over."

"Are you kidding? Well, I'm gonna have to go down there myself."

Duo smirked.

"What's that look?"

"Oh, nothing."

"You think I just want to talk to Stephen."

"You mean, Preenin' Stephen."

"Do you have to call him that?"

"Well, I did catch him looking at his reflection in a window."

"Once! You caught him doing it once!"

Duo chuckled. It was so easy to get Hilde riled up.

"Okay, laugh," she said. "But he's a good attorney and a nice guy."

Indeed, he was both of those things.

"Is it reciprocal?" Duo asked. "Do you think he's interested?"

Hilde blushed. "I think so, but I have a feeling I'm going to have to be the one to do the asking. He's a little shy."

"If it works out, can you ask him if he has a nice friend for me?"

Hilde laughed, but then she realized he was being serious. "Maybe that's not such a bad idea. You keep picking ones that need a lot of fixing. Kind of like your clients."

Yeah, that's exactly what he had been doing. His life was about making things right... for other people. It was so ingrained in him that he was inevitably drawn to the one bad seed in the room as though he could turn a pumpkin into Prince Charming. It turned out that you could carve pumpkins, but every one of them rotted.

"The weekend is coming," Duo said, clearing his thoughts. "Now might be a good time to ask Stephen out."

"Okay, I think I will. Thanks." Hilde smiled. She spun on her heel and was gone.

Just then his phone rang.

"Duo Maxwell."

"Yeah, it's Ronnie."

"Oh, hey, Ronnie. What's up?" Ronnie was the manager for the complex where Duo lived.

"There's a package for you. I had to sign for it."

"I don't remember ordering anything. Who's it from?"

"AR Industries."

Duo scratched his head. He had never heard of that company. "I'll be home late."

"You're always late that's why I'm calling. The office is closing at six tonight, so if you want the package you have to come before six."

Ronnie had gotten funny about Duo's packages after he forgot to pick up one and it turned out to be very smelly cheese. It was just four o'clock. It was unthinkable to leave this early, but if he got a couple more things done at the office, he could make it home before Ronnie incinerated that parcel.

It was a flat box sent at an expedited rate. Duo stared at the return address label as he took the elevator to his 10th floor condo. AR Industries... Geez, he hoped it wasn't related to any of the cases he was working on. Sometimes people tracked him to his home address.

He dropped his messenger bag on a dining room chair, shrugged out of his leather jacket and walked into the kitchen to set the mystery package on the counter while he got a beer out of the fridge. Twisting the cap off the bottle he took a long drink as he eyed the box. Well, he didn't hear ticking, so he might as well open it. He grabbed a knife out of the drawer and cut along one edge, letting the contents slide onto the counter. A booklet, an array of colorful brochures and a DVD lay before him.

"Oh, it's the robot information."

It had cost $59.95 to have the Ideal Lover information kit sent to him. Only those as desperate as Duo were willing to throw away the price of a lovely steak dinner for a peek at this intriguing technology.

He gathered up the materials, and his beer, and went into the living room to wade through the information. He set the brochures aside one by one, seeing that they related to insurance and warranties. They definitely had a very thorough legal department. The booklet listed basic questions, but was completely fascinating with the tidbits it did share. Topping that list was the fact that most robots, with proper maintenance, had a lifespan of 75 years. On request, a robot's appearance could remain the same or change to reflect the aging process. Most marriages didn't last that long. What if you changed your mind along the way? He turned the page and found the answer. The customer could return the robot at any time and its memories would be wiped clean.

"Robots have memories?" he asked aloud.

He continued to read. The robots' memory chip was programmed with data on world history, sports, culture, music, science and anything else the customer wished such as a knowledge of the culinary arts or the ability to speak a foreign language. In addition, the memory chip stored the events of each day, creating a personal connection to the customer and their surroundings.

"Maybe Marjorie was right... this does sound a little soulless."

Despite Duo's misgivings, he could not stop from reading the entire booklet. There was a section with photos of the different types of robots available. Every ethnicity was represented, and customizing your robot was a big part of the Ideal Lover Program.

"Every aspect of your humanoid lover can be made to your specifications," he read from the booklet. He couldn't help the naughty thought that followed.

Next he popped the DVD into his player, and sat on the coffee table, leaning forward to watch closely. They went inside the laboratories where the Ideal Lover Program had been developed. There he was introduced to Treize Khushrenada, the founder of Autonomous Robot Industries. The man had a debonair quality and spoke with the utmost confidence as he guided the tour and introduced several assistants.

"At AR Industries," Mr. Khushrenada said, "it is our mission to create lifelong companions. In a world where it is increasingly difficult to meet that special someone to share the rest of your life with, we believe in the bonds that can be forged by mutual commitment, understanding and shared memories. And yes, even love is possible. That is the ideal we strive for everyday, and you should expect no less."

As the credits rolled, Duo sat unmoving. He was impressed, but also stunned. Could they deliver on their claims?

Just as he was about to eject the DVD, Treize Khushrenada appeared on the screen again. He was standing with one of the assistants who had explained part of the manufacturing process.

"If you didn't guess," Mr. Khushrenada said. "Assistant Rand is one of my robots." The CEO and founder smiled as he placed his hand on the robot's shoulder, and the image faded to black.

"Whoa," Duo said, shaking his head.

This was all a bit much, but he was drawn to the idea. Was he being suckered or could he hope for the companionship and love he was seeking?

He needed a second opinion.

Quatre stared at him dumbfounded with the Ideal Lover booklet in his hands. "You can't be serious."

"Why not?" Duo asked, trying to keep his voice low. Why had he let Quatre choose the restaurant? He always picked the ones that were too quiet and too dark, and had waiters that materialized out of thin air. "I know it's expensive, but if that's what it takes --"

"You've been complaining for months that you want to connect with someone on a deeper level and this is your answer?"

"It's not my answer," Duo said, frowning. It's my last resort. "It's that Khushrenada guy's answer, but it sounds pretty good."

Quatre set the booklet on the table and pushed it towards Duo like it was contagious. "Your life has not come to this."

"Look," Duo said, feeling his blood pressure rising. "I'm 26, and I've got everything I want -- money, cars, clothes, and property in the right zip code -- everything except for someone I can love and who loves me back."

"That's just it, Duo. You're 26. You're too young to be settling for a bundle of wires and microchips." Quatre shivered dramatically to show his revulsion. "Just because you've had a run of bad luck --"

"Oh, now you're calling it a run? I haven't dated one decent guy my entire life. What makes you think that can change? I can change? Maybe if I tell these people about me and what I like and don't like, they can come up with someone --"

"Not someone, Duo. A robot!"

Diners at nearby tables hushed and looked at them. Duo shook his head and waited for them to return to their own conversations, and their own business, so he could reach across the table and strangle his best friend. In theory that's what he wanted to do, but in practice he just took a deep breath.

"I was hoping you'd understand," Duo said in a near whisper.

"I want to... but I think you'd be making a mistake. The right guy is going to come along any day now." Quatre was an optimist, and there was no point in arguing.

"Maybe you're right."

Quatre smiled and Duo couldn't help but smile back at him.

Despite the potential awkwardness and unknowns, and Quatre's guaranteed disapproval, Duo's desperation got the better of him. He picked up the phone the next day and made an appointment. It wasn't cheap. Just to meet with a team leader cost $1,000 non-refundable. He didn't know the exact cost of a robot, but packages started at $50,000, plus annual maintenance fees.

As luck would have it, there was a cancellation that afternoon.

He was more nervous about this next step than he'd been taking the Bar exam. AR Industries was located in a sleek, five-story glass and steel building on the Westside where a lot of corporations were setting up shop. The reception area was oddly non-descript, making him double check the address he had been given.

In the lobby, he was greeted by two women in tailored suits sitting behind a long desk made of brushed steel and aqua colored glass. There was absolutely nothing else in the lobby -- not a potted plant, a security guard, or a company sign. Ah, but there was a discreet security camera at ceiling level.

"May we help you?" one of the women asked.

"Yes, I'm Duo Maxwell. I have a three o'clock appointment."

"May we see your identification?"

He blinked. "... Sure." He reached into his pocket and withdrew his wallet, handing over his driver's license.

"Thank you, Mr. Maxwell. We've been expecting you."

It occurred to him then that these women might not be women at all, but he dared not ask.

He was handed back his ID along with a lanyard which had the word "Visitor" in large letters and a barcode underneath. "If you'll be so kind, please wear the lanyard while you're with us today, and proceed to your right and down the hall. Use the card to access the elevator which will take you to the second floor. You'll be meeting with Mr. Barton."

"Barton? Okay, thank you."

"Thank you. Have a nice day," the women said in unison.

Yep, robots.

On the second floor, there was another reception desk with an attractive woman seated behind it.

"Mr. Maxwell?" she asked.

"That's me."

"Mr. Barton will see you in room three. Please proceed down the hall and to your left."

"Thank you."

The professionalism of the staff and the pristine appearance of the building gave Duo hope that AR Industries really knew what they were doing. Maybe it wasn't all just some grand hoax.

He opened the door to the designated room and was greeted by a young man.

"Mr. Maxwell," the man said, standing and coming over to shake Duo's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Trowa Barton, one of the team leaders for the Ideal Lover Program."

"A team leader? You mean you work on the robots?"

"Yes, I work directly with our scientific division. The robot we design for you will meet your specifications."

Duo felt relieved to meet this Trowa Barton. He seemed intelligent, and his conservative attire of a light blue dress shirt, gray slacks, black shoes, and a white lab coat gave him an air of seriousness. However, his unusual haircut, with his bangs covering one side of his face, made him think Trowa was a bit of a non-conformist.

"If you'll take a seat." Trowa gestured to a chair, and waited for Duo to be seated.

The room had a clinical quality with its bright white walls and steel framed table and chairs. On the table were two computers, and behind the table was a long, rectangular mirror. Trowa took a seat with his back to the mirror, leaving Duo to face the mirror as he sat at the other computer.

"Is that a two-way mirror?" Duo asked with a laugh.

"Yes, it is. I hope that doesn't make you uncomfortable. Our CEO sometimes watches these interviews for quality control."

"I see."

"Before we go any further, I'd like to assure you that it is entirely the privilege of the client to reveal their participation in the Ideal Lover Program. Protecting your identity is an integral part of what we do. Would you like to see the Confidentiality Agreement?"

The lawyer in Duo couldn't say no to that. "I would, thank you."

Trowa produced a paper copy of the agreement. It was standard legalese about client confidentiality, and also AR Industries' desire for its proprietary information to remain confidential. Duo was respecting their legal department more and more.

At the bottom of the agreement was a place to sign. He picked up the pen. "This looks fine."

"Thank you. If you would sign it, we can move along to the evaluation."

"Evaluation?"

"This appointment will help us both determine if you're right for the program. You see, it's not simply about clients having the financial means to procure a robot. It is our mission to create lifetime companions, and the first step is to make sure potential clients are serious about creating a bond with a fully automated humanoid."

"That's why I'm here," Duo said, a bit quickly. He was ready to move this train along.

"Good. If at any point you feel the program isn't right for you, please let me know."

"So far, so good."

"Then you won't mind me asking some personal questions."

Duo blinked. "Like what?"

"Are you into S&M, Mr. Maxwell?"

"What?" Duo's mouth gaped.

"Sadomasochism."

"Yeah, I know what it means, but what does that have to do with anything?"

"We screen our clients to give our robots the best environment to develop a committed relationship. Bondage and the like can damage sensitive neural transmitters impacting the robot's capability --"

"Whoa, I get it," Duo said, surprised by this information. "I'm not into that stuff. I just want a soulmate." His mouth snapped shut. Had he really said that? He didn't remember thinking anything like that before. Sure, he was looking for a stable, committed relationship, but a soulmate? "I hope that didn't sound corny."

"It sounded sincere." Trowa grinned. "It's what we're all searching for."

The next step was watching a video, which was more in-depth than the one that came with his information packet. It showed a client working with a developer to create a robot's physique and features, and demonstrated some of the robot's humanlike functions such as sensory perception.

"It's like science fiction," Duo said.

"Do you still think this is for you?"

That was the $60 million question. "Can I touch one?"

"Of course. We encourage potential clients to meet one of our robot assistants." Trowa stepped to a phone by the door and made a call to someone named, Otto. A moment later, a tall man with short, curly brown hair, and dressed in business attire and a lab coat, came into the room.

He smiled as he greeted Duo and held out his hand.

Duo hesitated, but knew this was the do or die moment. If it didn't feel like a person, he was out of here. He took the larger hand in his and gave it a firm shake. It was warm and had the right combination of fleshy tenderness and bone structure. It felt like a human hand. "You're a robot?"

Otto nodded. "Yes, I am. Would you care to see one of my access panels?"

Duo chuckled. "That's one hell of a pick-up line."

Trowa laughed. "Otto is used to being on display, so he doesn't mind exposing himself." He waited for Otto to roll up his sleeve and then pulled back the skin on his forearm.

"Oh, God," Duo said, cringing, and expecting blood to ooze out. But there was no blood.

"Generally, our robots do not have access points on their arms. Otto is our showroom model, shall we say. Routine maintenance can be done in your home by myself or one of our technicians and requires only a connection through the ear canal."

"That's amazing." He was staring at the array of wires and circuitry in Otto's arm and thinking about Quatre's remarks at dinner. He would be horrified right now, but Duo found it rather fascinating. Though Otto was not a real man, he felt like one, and the science behind it was oddly titillating. There was something sexy and even a little kinky about this venture, and Duo liked it.

"Are you still with us, Mr. Maxwell?" Trowa asked.

"It's all good."

Next, Trowa asked Duo a series of 85 questions meant to build the parameters of his Ideal Lover. The questions ranged from physical attributes to sexual preferences and social attitudes.

"That was exhausting," Duo said, laughing, after he'd answered the last question.

"But hopefully not unpleasant. This in addition to other information will be given to our programmer to create your robot's personality."

"As long as the robot turns out to be a nice guy who'll..." Love me. He couldn't say that out loud.

"Now, if you'll click on the image database we can generate a prototype of your robot's features."

Page one revealed 50 model faces, all pleasing in their way. He looked at the corner of the screen to see that there were 199 more pages to review. How would he choose? He had never been good at that before.

"Your taste in guys has to be better than mine," Duo said with a grin. It was a gamble, but how awful could the results be? "Can you decipher what I like based on all those questions?"

"We do have plenty of information to make intelligent choices about physical attributes that would appeal to you, but I'll need you to sign a waiver."

"I have every faith in AR Industries." After all, he hadn't seen a bad looking robot yet! "Show me the dotted line."

The final phase of the nearly three-hour long appointment was signing a stack of contracts, and writing a check for a down payment of $10,000.

Trowa stood up and shook his hand. "Congratulations, Mr. Maxwell."

"After all that, you should call me Duo."

"Thank you, Duo. You'll hear from me when your Ideal Lover is ready in about a week."

"That soon?"

"Since you gave us some leeway in physical attributes, we can use a model already in production."

"Then I guess I'll wait for your call."

Heero happened to walk into the observation room while Trowa was evaluating a new client in the adjoining room. He was looking for a file an assistant had misplaced, and though his presence wouldn't be known, he wanted to hurry since it wasn't his place to overhear an interview. He was tasked with programming the robots, not psycho-analyzing potential clients.

A quick search of the room did not locate the file, and he was about to leave when he heard the most pleasant laughter. He looked up, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, and saw the most captivating young man talking to Trowa. A handsome guy like that with a disarming smile and an easy way about him should have no trouble finding a mate. Yet, here he was. It gave Heero a little ache.

"Why would he want a robot lover?"

He left the room, and an hour later ran into Trowa in the hallway.

"Just the person I wanted to see," Trowa said, taking a mini-disc from his lab coat's pocket and handing it over.

"New client?" Heero asked, taking the disc.

"Yes, I just completed the evaluation. His name is Duo Maxwell. He's perfect for the program. Totally open to commitment, and I think the idea of a robot lover is a bit of a turn-on for him."

Heero wanted to know more about the young man with the lyrical laugh, but there was no point. This was a job like any other. "I'll start on it now."

Trowa looked at his watch. "It's time to go home."

"I'd like to get a jump on this."

"Yeah? Well, you make us all look bad the number of hours you clock. You should get yourself a boyfriend."

"I could say the same for you."

Trowa nodded. "Don't work too late."

Heero headed to his office, anxious to assimilate the data with the Robot 1 Series protocols. He scanned the questions as the data for Duo Maxwell's Ideal Lover uploaded into the intelligence platform.

The ideal lover is: 1) Very jealous 2) a Little jealous 3) Not jealous 4) Cold

Answer: 2) a Little jealous

The ideal lover's intelligence is: 1) High 2) Low 3) Normal 4) Irrelevant

Answer: 1) High

The ideal lover's sexual preference is: 1) Adventuresome 2) Slightly adventurous 3) Normal 4) Hates sex

Answer: 1) Adventuresome

The ideal lover's smile is: 1) Refreshing 2) Cool 3) Rarely seen 4) Bizarre

Answer: 2) Cool

The ideal lover's body is: 1) Muscular 2) Skinny 3) Athletic 4) Pleasantly plump

Answer: 3) Athletic

The ideal lover likes to: 1) Cook 2) Clean 3) Make minor household repairs 4) All of the above

Answer: 4) All of the above

The ideal lover is: 1) Very generous 2) Mostly generous 3) Generous on occasion 4) Stingy

Answer: 1) Very generous

The answers were fairly standard until he got to the part that Duo Maxwell was ordering a male robot.

"He's gay?"

AR Industries had recently begun to accept all sexual preferences, but Heero hadn't expected this. He pulled the client record from the database and looked at Duo's photo. He frowned as the ache he had felt earlier came back with a pang.

"Lucky robot."

The next morning, Heero went into Trowa's office to finalize the intelligence protocols. This was the last step before uploading the data into the robot.

Trowa gave him a long look from behind his desk. "Don't tell me you're finished?"

"Yes." Heero sat down and handed him a flash drive.

"How late were you here last night?"

Heero shrugged.

Trowa's eyes narrowed. "You know exactly how late you were here."

"Does it matter?"

"I guess not." Trowa plugged the flash drive into his computer and opened the file.

It was critical to verify that the client's specifications were properly interpreted and programmed, even when those wishes were a bit nuanced.

"This looks good," Trowa said. "Did you have any questions as you configured the protocols?"

"Not for the protocols, but it was odd that he didn't specify physical attributes."

"He seemed to feel that he had made bad choices in the past, and waived his privilege to create his Ideal Lover's appearance."

"Did he review the image database?"

"He scanned it briefly, yes, but it seemed overwhelming to him."

"Then do you have a model series in mind?"

Trowa turned back to the computer and opened another program. "Several are in production. I was thinking of choosing the athletic, six foot model with dark hair."

"For yourself?"

Trowa smirked. "You know I prefer blonds."

"How soon will it be ready?"

"A few days. I'll send your protocols up the line for approval and we'll be good to go."

The company's founder and CEO, Treize Khushrenada, made a point of reviewing every robot during the final stages of production before approving it for delivery.

Heero went back to his office to run a weekly report, but he couldn't stop thinking about the robot they were developing for Duo Maxwell. After an hour of reading the same set of parameters over and over again, he decided he needed a break.

He headed towards the elevator thinking he'd get a cup of coffee at the rooftop cafe. By the time he got inside the elevator he knew that coffee wasn't going to help. He swiped his security card and pressed the button for Sublevel 2 -- the floor where the robots were assembled. This was a highly classified area, but Heero had the second highest level of clearance. Only Treize Khushrenada and his partner, Zechs Merquise, had Level One clearance and access to all areas.

In the lab, there were six robots in production and more than a dozen scientists and technicians at work. The robots were at different stages of development, but Heero was interested in only one.

He approached a bio-technician who was walking towards a bank of computers. "Which model has been designated for client L002?"

"Ah, let me see..." The female technician grabbed a chart and ran her finger down the list. "Over there," she nodded towards the far end of the lab. "Robbie XYZ."

"XYZ?"

"Mr. Khushrenada hasn't assigned a name yet."

Robbie was the generic first name for all the male robots, but it was customary for them to be given unique identities and identity cards before leaving the premises. Often the client chose a name, but not surprisingly, Duo Maxwell had not.

This laboratory could be defined as a surgical assembly line, since development and engineering occurred elsewhere, but this group of scientists was rather fond of making modifications. Of course, those modifications had to get clearance from the CEO first. Heero appreciated their work, since he too was a scientist and a tinkerer. He had played a critical role in the development and implementation of the second generation intelligence platform, and contributed to the third generation of the autonomous navigation platform.

As he approached Robbie XYZ, he could see that the robot would be ready sooner than Trowa had anticipated. The body was formed, and all that remained was to synthesize the facial features and upload the custom protocols.

He stared at the faceless robot's exposed wires and glass eyes, thinking of its upcoming role as Duo Maxwell's lover and life companion, and wishing he was in its place. He had poured over the data that Trowa had compiled on their new client. So much of it resonated with Heero that he began to think he was Duo's perfect match. They liked many of the same foods, movies, and music, and had similar expectations for life, career and relationships. He also felt that Duo's outgoing personality would balance his own reserved nature. To top it off, he was attracted to Duo. It didn't matter that they hadn't been introduced. He had read his file, memorized it, like he had memorized that remarkably infectious laughter.

Maybe he could call Duo and meet him somewhere on the pretense that it had to do with his robot. They would chat, and Duo would realize that he didn't need a humanoid lover to fulfill him when there was a real boy who wanted that chance.

"Who am I kidding?" Heero asked, kicking his shoe against the robot's assembly table.

He knew that people came to AR Industries for hundreds of reasons, and that the ones who got this far had been carefully screened. Trowa had said that Duo Maxwell was "turned-on" by the notion of fucking a robot. Maybe he needed that kink and that control to be happy.

Heero turned on his heel, more depressed than before he came down here.

Late that afternoon he got an email from the lab with the subject heading: Client L002 Robot Production Complete. He opened it to see that the shipment of Duo's robot was scheduled for the next morning.

He hadn't thought it was possible to feel worse, but that email made him a little desperate. It had been months since he'd gone on a date, and he couldn't remember a time when he'd been this attracted to someone, and dare he think it, this compatible. He was one of the key developers of the Ideal Lover Program, and truly believed that their autonomous humanoids brought people happiness, but he couldn't stand to watch this happen. What a waste to have his match paired with a robot!

He got up from his desk and headed directly to Trowa's office. The door was open, but he tapped on it before stepping inside. Trowa was on the phone, and acknowledged him with a nod. A moment later, and he was free to meet.

"You look... agitated," Trowa said.

"Can we delay the delivery of Client L002's robot?"

"Why? Is there something we missed?"

Yes, damn it, he wanted to say, but his professionalism won out. "I'd like to review the protocols --"

"Treize already approved them. Everything's been green lighted."

Heero took a deep breath.

"What is it? I've never seen you like this."

If he couldn't tell his best friend, who could he tell? "I think... I like Duo Maxwell."

Trowa cocked his head, as he smiled uneasily. "You think you do? Or you do?"

"I do."

"Oh, that's all." Trowa collapsed back in his chair. "You nearly had me shitting bricks! I thought it was something critical."

Heero frowned. "It is critical."

"Listen, he's a good looking guy, I'll give you that, but why him? Wait, I know... it's because he's not available. Gets 'em every time. You know, I've thought about wearing a wedding ring for that very reason."

"Forget it." Heero turned to leave.

"Hey, if you need to talk..."

Heero gave his friend a backhanded wave and kept walking. He had gotten his answer. This was crazy. He should go back to his office and finish the program for their next client. That would get his mind off that carefree smile and that rope of hair. Robbie Robot would probably use that braid like reins and... He gulped; the image was way too vivid in his mind.

Before he knew it, he was standing in the doorway to his office, staring blankly at the room. It suddenly dawned on him that he had two choices: push these feelings aside forever or do something about them. As a rule, his life was well planned and his routine set, but where had that gotten him? Sure, he had a brilliant career and a fat bank account, but there was no one to share it with. He hated to admit it, to himself or anyone else, but he was lonely. He was tired of going home alone every night with no one to greet him, not even a cat.

What did that robot have over him anyways? He knew as much as the robot knew about Duo Maxwell. He could fulfill Duo's needs, whatever they may be. Duo had no preference for the robot's appearance, so he would surely find Heero acceptable. People had told him that he was good looking, though a little cold personality-wise, but he would warm up quickly for Duo, of that he had no doubt.

He was back to the same problem. Obviously, squelching his feelings was not an easy prospect. So, what was he telling himself? That he was as good as a robot?

"Better," he said.

He rubbed his hands over his face, trying to clear his mind. Then he thought it. That one thought that he should never think and never ever implement, because it was unethical and wrong on so many levels. Yet, now that he had thought it, it tumbled in his mind, round and round, sounding better and more plausible by the second.

No, no, no, he thought, shaking his head. He could not replace the robot with himself. He could not pretend to be the robot that Duo had ordered! He could never pull off a stunt like that. Even though he knew the robot's capabilities, and had memorized every detail of Duo's wants, needs and beliefs, it would be a deception on the grandest scale. A secret of that magnitude and complexity would take perfect orchestration to succeed. The kind of attention to detail that Heero gave his work everyday.

"What if...?"

"Did you need something, sir?" someone asked from behind him.

Heero turned to see Otto Richter standing there. Otto was one of the few robots that had been developed as a lab assistant, and Trowa's sometime model.

"I was just thinking out loud," Heero said.

"Then if you don't need my assistance, I'll be going."

Heero nodded, and watched Otto continue on his way. AR Industries' robots were something to behold. Duo would certainly be happy with the one they had created for him, but would he be as happy if he knew there was someone who wanted a chance at forming a real, human relationship with him?

It wasn't his right to answer that question for Duo, or any client, but Heero had found his heart's answer. He would trade places with the robot.

His next move found him standing in the anteroom to Zechs Merquise's office, the company's second in command. While Treize held the vision and control over AR Industries, Zechs was in charge of keeping the best and brightest minds working for them, and maintaining the company's dynamic.

Generally, Heero didn't have a reason to speak with Mr. Merquise. In fact, since Heero had been hired, he'd spoken to the man maybe a dozen times, and half of those at the company holiday party. But today, Heero had a unique problem, and he needed Zechs's help.

"What brings you to the ivory tower?" Zechs asked as Heero entered the room. The tall man got up from his ornate white desk and came around to greet him.

The office was lavishly decorated in Baroque style with a palette of blue, white and silver. Though some of the staff referred to it as the Ice Palace, Heero found the colors calming.

"I have a request." Heero came to stand within several feet of Zechs. The man was leaning against his desk, looking impeccable in a gray designer suit.

"Your performance review isn't for another two months."

"I'm not here about money."

"Oh?" Zechs gestured for Heero to take a seat in one of the pale blue high-backed chairs set before the grand desk.

Heero considered it, but opted to stand. He was too nervous to sit. He wasn't entirely sure what he was doing though his goal was clear -- to become Duo Maxwell's robot lover. "I'd like to use some vacation time."

"Our personnel division handles those requests."

"Well, it's a special request. I'd like to take four weeks off."

Zechs's brows raised. "All at once?"

"Yes, I have more than enough banked."

"I'm sure you do. You've rarely taken more than a few days off at a time. Are you feeling burned out?"

"No, it's nothing like that."

"Do you have something exciting planned?"

Heero nearly grinned thinking about his true intentions, but he needed to answer carefully. His eyes shifted to the desk where a National Geographic magazine lay slightly askew as though it had been tossed there. On the cover was a photo of a kangaroo. "Kangaroos," Heero said, looking up.

"Pardon me?"

"I want to run with the kangaroos."

Zechs glanced over his shoulder to the National Geographic. "I've heard of running with the bulls in Spain, but kangaroos?"

"I'm fascinated by kangaroos and an opportunity came up to go on a kangaroo expedition. What could be more iconic of Australia than kangaroos?"

"Koala bears," Zechs said, matter-of-factly. "When were you thinking of going?"

"Tomorrow."

Zechs stood fully. "You want to leave for Australia tomorrow?"

"I'd need to pack first."

"Are you certain you're okay? If you're unhappy here, you should tell me."

"No, sir. I enjoy the work very much."

"Then why the sudden desire to take four weeks vacation beginning tomorrow?"

Heero paused, starting to feel the pinch of his big fat lie. "I... just need to, sir, or I'll miss the chance of a lifetime."

Zechs sighed. "You're entitled, of course, but I'm not entirely comfortable with you leaving on such short notice."

"I've completed all my projects, and the other programmers in my division can handle the extra workload."

"But you're our best and brightest."

"Thank you, sir."

Zechs gave him a long appraising look, and then nodded. "I won't deny your use of benefit time. You've more than earned it."

"Thank you." He grinned and turned on his heel before Zechs could change his mind.

Now that he did not have to worry about his job, he took care of other details such as paying his bills, and holding his mail delivery. These were simple things in comparison to trading places with a robot. For that he needed to mastermind a plan, and quickly.

Long after the offices and laboratories were closed, and most of the staff had gone home, Heero ventured downstairs to the shipping department. During the day, the shipping office and loading dock bustled with activity, but at night, all was quiet except for the occasional security guard. With his level of clearance, even a guard wouldn't question Heero checking on an outgoing order.

He hadn't been to shipping since orientation, so it took several minutes to locate the secured storage for pending shipments. Heero swiped his card and let himself into the climate controlled space. The light flickered on automatically to reveal a large room filled with packing materials and the special crates they used for the robots. He read the labels on the crates and found the one addressed to Duo Maxwell.

He placed his hands on the crate as if to open a connection between him and the robot within. He wouldn't open the container, but he would make sure it never got delivered. He removed the shipping information from the plastic sleeve to replace it with another.

"Maybe I should ship it to Australia." Somehow that made his lie more like a half truth. At least one of them would be going to Australia, the land of kangaroos.

He went to the computer station and booted up the system. As the new label printed, Heero stared at the crate. He hadn't thought about how he'd get to Duo's. He couldn't exactly show up at his doorstep and greet him with, "Hello, I'm your new robot."

The Ideal Lovers were shipped in crates designed to cradle their bodies to prevent damage in transit. For control and insurances purposes, AR Industries used its own trucks and handlers to make the deliveries. If this plan was going to succeed, Heero had to go full out. He would have to arrive in a crate or it would arouse suspicion. Duo would be aware of what to expect. Trowa confirmed all deliveries with clients, and gave them special instructions.

Heero stared at an empty crate across the room, taking this problem to the next level. The crates were ventilated, so he didn't have to worry about suffocation, but there was another hurdle. Sticking himself in a crate was not the worst of it.

The robots were shipped naked.

Heero shook his head. He could not possibly be thinking that he'd go through with this plan. He'd have to pack himself in a crate, butt naked, and wait for Duo to kiss him, in order to "activate" the Ideal Lover's programming.

"I can't do this."

He got up from the computer desk and was about to crumple the new shipping label when he felt that hole open up inside him again. For years, he had managed fine on his own, going to college and then graduate school, getting his PhD, and landing a prestigious position at AR Industries. The time and effort it took to achieve the goal of a career in artificial intelligence had preoccupied him enough to suppress any twinge of loneliness. So what had changed? His life was the same today as it was yesterday, the only difference was that he had glimpsed a future he had never conceived. A future that was not in his control, but one he wanted to reach for with all his being.

Call it ludicrous, immoral or even depraved. This, and not running with the kangaroos, was the chance of a lifetime.

He sat back down at the computer and accessed the Robot Identification Program. Robot Heero would need an ID card, and a place to hide his cell phone and wallet in the crate in case he needed anything.

Duo had just walked in the door when he heard Trowa's voice on the answering machine. He dropped his messenger bag on the floor and ran to the phone.

"Yes, I'm here." His heart was pounding. It had been a little over 24 hours since he left AR Industries with a robot in production.

"Evening, Duo. I was about to try your mobile. I wanted to let you know that your Ideal Lover is ready."

"What? Already?"

"Yes, since you didn't specify physical characteristics we were able to utilize a robot already in production."

"But didn't you say it'd be a week?"

There was a slight pause and then, "I hope this isn't inconvenient for you, but completion of your customized Ideal Lover occurred in record time. Thomas Snyder is set for delivery tomorrow morning."

"Thomas Snyder?"

"He's your Ideal Lover. Each robot has its own identity and free will, and is given a unique name and identity card."

"Right, right, I remember that from the video. Sorry. I didn't expect this to happen so quickly."

"Would you like me to delay the delivery?"

Duo looked around at his condo. The place was in no shape for a houseguest. He would have to dust, sweep the kitchen floor, clean out the leftovers in the fridge, and scrub the bathtub!

"Mr. Maxwell? Would you like to re-schedule delivery?"

"Oh." Duo scratched his head. Well, this was a robot they were talking about. Would it really matter if there was soap scum in the bathtub? "What time tomorrow?"

"We can work around your schedule, but before noon is preferred."

"Before twelve, huh?" He was expected in court at ten o'clock, but if he could get moved up on the judge's docket he might make it home by noon. "Okay, let's say twelve noon."

Trowa chuckled. "Very well. I'll make the arrangements. Remember, you must kiss your robot to activate the customized protocols and imprint yourself on his system. If you have any questions, you can use your client number to log-onto our secured client website, or you can reach me on my mobile."

Since leaving AR Industries, Duo's mind had been spinning. A dozen times he'd convinced himself that he had made a mistake and started to dial Trowa Barton's number. Each time he hung up before the phone began to ring. Now, his robot was ready. This was his last chance to back out.

"As you know, AR Industries is at the forefront of this technology. And I'd like to add that our best programmer worked on the intelligence platform for your robot. You can count on us to deliver your established ideal. You won't be disappointed."

The way Trowa was talking, it sounded like a lot of clients got cold feet at this stage. Duo was a little surprised that he was feeling this way now. It hadn't been an easy decision, but every step of the way he had reasoned that this was the answer to his dreams, and the answer to his lonely nights. He was one day away from meeting his established ideal as AR Industries called it.

"Thanks," Duo said. "I guess I'll let you know how things are going... later."

"I would like to know. Please don't hesitate to call."

"Thanks, bye."

Duo put down the phone and took a deep breath. His world was about to change. Completely. He felt the sudden urge to redecorate. Of course, there wasn't time, but he was getting a lover. The least he could do was change the bed sheets and put out the guest towels.

It was the fifth time he had looked at his watch. He was standing in court, in front of the judge, arguing his case that his client should be released on bail. Meanwhile, the prosecution was harping about what a miscreant Duo's client was.

"Your honor, I object," Duo said.

"And I object to you glancing at your watch every few minutes, Mr. Maxwell."

Duo gulped. "Sorry, your honor."

"Is there somewhere else you'd like to be?"

"No, your honor," Duo said, reluctantly. It was 11:25 a.m. and if he left right now, he would barely make it home in time for that delivery.

"Good. Please continue Mr. Murray, but keep your opinions about the defendant to yourself."

It was 11:37 a.m. when the judge agreed to release Duo's client on bail. Twelve minutes later he was pulling out of the courthouse parking lot, his nerves making his stomach do flip-flops. He called Ronnie at the manager's office using his hands-free car phone. Grace answered the phone.

"Hey, Grace. It's Duo. I'm expecting a large package..."

"Yeah, you're not kidding it's large."

"It's there?"

"Came about five minutes ago. There are two big guys standing here. What'd you order, a chandelier?"

"Let me speak with Ronnie."

"Just a sec."

"Duo? When are you getting here? These mafia types won't leave the crate with me, which is fine with me, 'cause I'm not lugging it upstairs for you."

Duo sighed. Dear God, did there always have to be so much drama in his life? "I'm about twenty minutes out. Can you use the master key and take them up to my place?"

"You know we don't like to do that."

That was one thing this condominium complex was very good about, security.

"I'm giving you permission, Ronnie. Have the delivery men put the crate inside my door. I'll be home as quick as I can."

"I suppose you want me to tip them, too?"

"Would you? You know I'm good for the money."

Ronnie sighed heavily. "Okay, okay. Get your butt here NOW."

Duo chuckled as the call ended, and drove like a demon through town.

When he reached the lobby of his apartment building, Ronnie and the delivery men were standing around talking like old chums. They seemed pleased to see Duo, especially Ronnie, who gave him a nudge that he hadn't tipped them yet. One of the men handed Duo the delivery slip to countersign where Ronnie had signed for the crate.

"What did you order?" Ronnie asked.

Duo grinned, ignoring the question momentarily as he handed the men twenty bucks each. "Get yourselves a nice lunch."

"Thank you, Mr. Maxwell. You can call to have the empty crate picked up."

"Okay, thanks." Duo turned to Ronnie. "It's just a chair." He was going to sit on it, after all.

"Must be something special the way they were handling that crate. Never seen such care taken. And there were vents in the sides, too."

"Yeah, it's a rare kind of wood. Handcrafted and all."

Ronnie nodded. There were a lot of wealthy tenants in this complex, so Duo's story wasn't out of the realm of possibility.

"This is for your trouble." Duo handed Ronnie fifty dollars. "Court ran late, and I appreciate you handling this."

For once, Ronnie actually looked flustered. "Uh, thank you. It wasn't that much trouble. I know you're a busy man."

Duo smiled. "Well, I best have a look."

He got on the elevator and headed up to the 10th floor. It felt like the elevator was moving faster than usual and had left his stomach in the lobby. Or maybe it was the knowledge that he was about to meet the biggest decision of his life -- for better or for worse.

Duo's hand shook as he inserted the key and turned the dead bolt on his door. With a deep breath, he pushed the door open. There, sitting squarely in the middle of his entryway was a large box. Somehow he'd pictured that his robot would be packed standing upright. This box was only about three feet high and five feet in diameter, and it was brushed silver metal and sleek like everything about the company that had manufactured it.

With forced ease, he turned to close and lock the door, trying to calm the nervous excitement welling up inside him. Just feet away was the lover of his dreams, or so the team at AR Industries would have him believe. He had helped to "build" that lover by answering a myriad of questions and being analyzed in more ways than he probably realized, but somehow he felt completely out of control now. Like it was Pandora's Box he was staring at instead of a sophisticated shipping crate for some very expensive and cutting-edge technology.

He set down his messenger bag, slipped off his suit jacket, loosened his tie, and then walked slowly to the box. Going around it, he spied the air vents and recalled that the robot's synthetic skin had a sensory network that allowed it to recognize touch and temperature. The robot was in "sleep mode" now, but the moment he opened the box and kissed it, all systems were go.

He bent over the box, and glanced at the address label before placing his hands on the two bright silver latches securing the lid. There was no lock, a supreme mark of confidence by AR Industries. Surely they did not want just anyone opening these boxes, but then, they did have their own delivery men. Everything Duo had seen about the company emphasized precision and perfection.

There was still time to opt-out of the Ideal Lover Program, but now that Thomas Snyder was here, he should at least give him a look. After all, he had entrusted AR Industries with the task of creating his Ideal Lover. It would be a shame to send him away without a test drive.

"Okay, lover. Ready or not..."

He flipped the latches open one at a time, and the lid shifted slightly. This was the most nervous he had been in ages, but the anticipation was killing him, and so he just went for it. He pushed the lid up fast and then gasped at the prize waiting for him. It was better than Christmas morning. Nestled in the center of the box and curled in fetal position was a naked man. Naked and oh, so beautiful!

Even with the robot in sleep-mode, Duo realized that AR Industries had delivered on their promise. He drank in the dream before him -- an athletically built male with fair skin and dark hair.

"Hello, Tommy," Duo said, leaning into the box until his face was inches from the robot's. He caught a slight musky scent coming from the seemingly lifeless form, and marveled at that attention to detail. Just a kiss, that's all it would take for his new life to begin.

His stomach did another nervous flip as he made his move. He kept his eyes open and pressed his lips to the robot's. They were soft, by God, the robot's lips were soft. Duo pulled back and knelt next to the box, watching with wide-eyed awe as the robot's eyes opened and he slowly sat upright.

"Oh, wow," Duo said.

The most incredible blue eyes ever created gazed back at him, and Duo felt his head spin.

"Duo," the robot said in greeting. "I'm your Ideal Lover."

"Yeah," Duo said, a bit dazed. He tried to cover his awkwardness with a laugh, but it came out sounding nervous. Now would be the time to use one of his tried and true pick-up lines, but he could not remember one. Not that he needed it when he already had a naked man sitting in his condo. "Uh, let me help you..." He held out his hand, and when the robot took it, Duo felt warmth race through him. It felt just like a human hand.

The robot stepped out of the box and stood in front of him as naked as the day he was born. "Are you okay?" the robot asked.

"Sure." Duo couldn't take his eyes off him. Yes, the robot was tantalizingly naked, but he was also the most beautiful man he had ever seen.

"Maybe you would like to sit down."

"Right. We should sit down." Duo nodded towards the couch, and watched with his mouth open as his robot lover walked into the living room, giving him a view beyond imagination. He felt his groin stir at the sight of that blessedly firm, round ass. It was the Holy Grail of asses!

They sat next to each other on the couch, Duo painfully over dressed. "I can't get over how good looking you are."

The robot grinned. "I was thinking the same about you."

"You were?" Duo smiled, elated by the compliment, and then remembered the robot's programming. "I didn't realize you'd be... naked."

The robot was sitting with his hands in his lap, appearing much more modest than he'd been a moment ago. "It symbolizes a new beginning."

"Well, I'll have to get you some clothes, but I hope you won't mind if I don't just yet."

The robot nodded. "I don't mind."

He wanted to touch him again, but he didn't feel comfortable without an invitation. He knew this was a robot designed to please him, but he looked so real that Duo's mind didn't quite believe it.

"You have a nice home."

"Thanks. I should show you around." Duo needed to stop the ogling, and act like a better host. This was his new boyfriend, after all.

The robot stood, and Duo swallowed hard. He wasn't sure how long he could concentrate on the tour.

"Right this way, Tommy."

"Tommy?"

"Isn't your name Thomas Snyder?"

The robot shook his head. "I'm Heero Yuy. Would you like to see my identification card?"

"No..." Duo scratched his head. He was sure that Trowa had said the robot's name was Thomas Snyder. "That won't be necessary. I like the sound of Heero Yuy. Is that Japanese?"

"Yes."

"Even better." Duo grinned. He thought he had perceived an Asian quality to Heero's features.

He led the way into the kitchen, and proceeded to point out all the obvious features like he was a realtor trying to make a sale. "And here's the dishwasher. Though I eat a lot of take out, so it only gets used about once a week."

He opened one of the cupboards to show a measly selection of canned goods and boxed pasta, but every time he looked at Heero his eyes drifted from the robot's blue eyes down his chest to the lovely dark nest of curls... "Maybe I should find you something to wear." He dug around in several drawers, certain that Hilde had given him an apron to go along with the grill she had bought for his patio when he'd moved in. "Ah, here it is."

It was a full apron with a loop that went around the neck and a long skirt in front. He handed it to Heero who looked perplexed by all the fuss.

"I can't concentrate with you... like that."

Heero nodded and slipped the apron over his head. He tied the strings into a bow behind his back, and suddenly he was a human being and not simply a sex object.

Duo sighed in relief, and a little disappointment. "Thank you."

"Was it that bad?"

"It was that good," Duo said with a chuckle.

Heero smiled. "Thank you. Is that a gas stove?"

"Yes. Do you cook?"

"Yes, I do."

"What do you like to cook?" Duo asked, and then shook his head. "Oh, wait... but you haven't done any cooking yet." This was stranger than he realized it would be. Though the robot's databank held an encyclopedia of knowledge, including Duo's likes and dislikes, the robot hadn't actually done any of those things yet.

"I'd like to make you something later." Heero stepped up to the stove to look it over, exposing Duo to his bare behind again.

"Ooo-kay, time for the next stop on our tour..."

After showing Heero the guest bedroom and bathroom, Duo realized he was talking much too fast. He decided to slow things down, but ending the tour in the master bedroom may not have been the best choice. It was a decadent room, decorated in the richest and most sensual fabrics. It was meant to be his love nest, but love had never come to roost here, so in a way, the room had become a sad reminder of his dismal track record. Hence, the need for a robot lover. Looking at Heero now, wearing that silly striped apron, Duo wanted to believe he had done the right thing to better his batting average.

"Did you decorate this room?" Heero asked.

"Yeah. You like it?"

"It reminds me of you."

"It does?" Duo cocked his head. What a strange turn of phrase for a newly created robot to say. More pressing on his mind, and his libido, was the urge to see Heero lying naked on his bed, engulfed in the thick, silk chocolate brown comforter. He sat down on the bed, and nodded for Heero to join him. "The guest room is yours, but I'm hoping that --"

"I'll sleep in here?" Heero asked as he sat next to him.

"Yeah," Duo said, smiling. "I guess you know why you're here."

"I'm here for you, Duo."

Duo hadn't done more than give Heero a kiss on the lips and a thorough looking over, but he was inclined to agree. "I still can't quite believe you're...."

"A robot?"

"Yeah. Sorry. I suppose you don't want to hear that."

"I know what I am, Duo. I'm your Ideal Lover."

"My established ideal."

"Is that what Tro--Mr. Barton told you?"

"Yeah, there was a lot of information to absorb. And you showed up sooner than I'd planned."

"We can take this as slow as you like."

Duo grinned. That was something new. A guy who wanted to take things slow!

"Would you like me to make lunch for you?"

"Lunch? Oh, geez." Duo looked to the clock on the bedside table. It was nearly 1:50 p.m. "I hate to do this, but I've got to get back to the office." He stood up and went to the dresser and pulled out a pair of gray sweatpants and a black t-shirt. "How's this for now? Maybe we can go shopping for clothes tomorrow."

Heero took the items from Duo. "This is fine. What time will you be back?"

"I usually work late, but I'll make an effort to be home for supper. Don't worry about making anything," Duo said as he headed out of the room. "I'll pick-up something on the way. Do you like Italian?"

"Yes."

Duo stopped in the hallway and turned back. Heero was standing there with that perplexed look on his face again. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I'll be fine until you get home."

He wasn't sure what to do next, so he held out his hand. There was a slight hesitation before Heero offered his hand in return. They shook in two pumps. Duo turned on his heel, grabbed his keys and his bag and was out the door.

He took several steps in the corridor and then stopped to take a deep breath. So many things were running through his mind, including that he wasn't prepared for this -- the robot thing and the live-in lover thing. But in a way that was the least of his troubles.

"Why did he have to be so beautiful?" he said in a whisper.

He had expected a good looking robot, but not one so devastatingly handsome. He was beginning to think this was more than he could handle.

Heero stared at the empty apartment in dazed disbelief. He had done it. Duo believed him to be a robot. Though there had been awkward moments, the mutual attraction was evident and more than enough to continue this charade. Well, he had to stop thinking of it that way. He believed this was right. He was Duo's Ideal Lover -- robot or not -- and would do anything to make him happy.

A grin tugged at Heero's lips. There was no longer any doubt. He could do this. For the next four weeks, he would throw himself into the role of robot lover and hopefully change both their lives.

It was two o'clock, and Duo would be gone for several hours. It was a shame their meeting hadn't lasted longer. There had been moments when Heero had thought more would happen between them, but Duo's nerves had shown. It was a common initial response, one that Heero was certain Duo would overcome, but he would have to find a way to put Duo at ease, and conceal his own nervousness in the process.

He had never experienced a meeting quite like that. When the crate had opened, he felt Duo's breath, then his lips, and he opened his eyes to see that face. Wide, violet eyes stared back at him, seeming to mirror Heero's feelings of anxiety and awe.

It hadn't been easy presenting himself stripped bare, but Heero had kept reminding himself that this was the only way. I'm a robot. I'm here to please him. And oh, that prospect had grown more desirable by the minute. Duo was more delightful than he had imagined. That brief glimpse of him in the interview room had been a tantalizing tidbit, a mere morsel that Heero had grasped like a starving man. Now he had to put this plan into high gear. He had to think and act as a robot all the time. AR Industries' robots were so lifelike the difficulty in this role was nuanced, but it did require him to be attentive and knowledgeable about Duo's needs.

He looked to the clothes in his hands and smiled. Duo's reaction to his nakedness had been almost comical and a confirmation that they were physically compatible. The apron was a surprisingly nice touch. It was evidence of what the evaluation had revealed that Duo was truly seeking companionship and not just physical pleasure.

Heero slipped into the sweatpants and t-shirt and retrieved his wallet and cell phone from the crate. He would need to find a safe place to hide them, but without knowing Duo's routine that might be tricky. It was time to explore the apartment more fully to speed along his acclimation and re-enforce what he knew about Duo.

This was clearly the home of a successful young man. It was stylishly decorated in rich earth tones, handsome furniture, and modern art. The exception to the modernity was a three-dimensional clockwork sculpture hanging on the wall above the couch. It evoked an age gone by, and perhaps H.G. Wells, but then, Duo did fancy himself a sci-fi geek.

He made his way back down the hall to the guestroom, the most likely spot to hide his personal affects. After some consideration, he slipped the items behind what appeared to be college law books on a bookshelf.

There was a computer in this room. He supposed that Duo carried a laptop with him, and this was a spare. It would be good to have access to the World Wide Web in case Duo made a request that Heero knew nothing about such as making chicken Vesuvio for dinner. Heero sat at the desk and quickly determined that Duo had not used this computer in weeks, and did not have security protocols blocking its use. That was a bonus, but Heero would still cover his tracks when he used it.

After memorizing things about the apartment, and resisting the urge to open storage boxes tucked inside the master bedroom's closet, Heero decided to set the table for supper. Even though Duo had expressly told him that he ate take out "a lot," he had stated in his evaluation that he wanted a lover who shared in the chores and pleasures of daily life. Eating their first meal together from take out cartons while sitting on the couch wasn't the way to start this journey. This needed to be special.

The open floor plan of the condo placed the dining room between the kitchen and living room. The kitchen had a half wall at one end, allowing a view of the meal preparation. The dining room held a pedestal table with a black finish, and was surrounded by six matching chairs covered in cream fabric, reminding him of the color palette in his own apartment. A modern chandelier with amber glass shades hung from the ceiling, and a large area rug of hand tufted wool in a swirling design of brown, orange, green and cream defined the space.

Obviously, Duo had good taste, but something more was suggested by the chic decor. The residence was warm and inviting, and seemed as vibrant and sensual as the man who called it home. How was it that someone had not snatched him up already?

All the pieces for the place settings were easily found in the kitchen cabinets -- woven bamboo placemats, plain white china plates, silverware and cloth napkins. There were even cut glass candlesticks, but he could not find candles and so left them in storage.

With these tasks completed, Heero decided to take a nap on the couch. He had only slept on and off for a few hours and needed to refresh himself. The leather couch was soft and it did not take long to get comfortable and fall asleep.

The sound of the door's deadbolt turning woke him. He had fallen sound asleep and it was nearly seven o'clock. He jumped to his feet and went to the door to welcome Duo home.

"Hey," Duo said as he came inside.

His arms were full and Heero stepped forward to take the bags with their dinner from him. "How was your afternoon?" Heero asked, stepping into the kitchen to set the bags on the counter.

"Oh, pretty good. Thanks." Duo set his messenger bag down and came into the kitchen. "I felt bad about running out of here, but I had an appointment."

"Don't worry. I spent the afternoon familiarizing myself with your kitchen, and I set the table for dinner."

Duo smiled as he gazed into the dining room. "That's nice. I hardly ever eat in there."

The room got quiet as Duo went about taking the cartons from the bags. Heero had to step up his game. The robots were programmed to handle most any situation, and most importantly were designed for love.

He leaned towards Duo and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm glad you're home."

"Thanks," Duo said with a nervous laugh. Duo's eyes met his, and Heero realized the kiss had been well received. He also understood that he would have to lead, at least at the start.

He placed his hand on Duo's arm. "You have beautiful eyes."

Duo swallowed hard. "So do you."

He moved a half step closer, bringing the distance between them to almost nil. Duo didn't move, and Heero took that invitation and kissed him, thoroughly kissed him. As he explored Duo's mouth, he resisted the urge to take him hard in his arms. This was progress, but he was still learning the terrain.

Duo was first to pull back, gently placing a hand on Heero's chest. His cheeks were pink with arousal. "Now that's a welcome home."

Heero nodded, pleased that some of the tension had gone out of the room. The chemistry between them was impossible to deny, but Heero still believed taking things slow -- or at least slowly -- was the best strategy. "Let's get dinner on the table and you can tell me about your day."

Duo looked taken back by the suggestion, but agreed. They brought the containers into the dining room and set them on potholders on the table.

"How about some wine?" Duo asked, seeming to have snapped out of his sexual fog.

"Sounds perfect."

Heero watched from the dining room as Duo chose a bottle from the wine rack in the kitchen, and grabbed a couple of glasses and a corkscrew.

"Chianti goes well with tomato sauce," Duo said, placing the glasses on the table. "I got us spaghetti Bolognese, eggplant parmesan, tomato and mozzarella salad, and garlic bread."

"Allow me," Heero said, holding out his hand for the wine bottle.

Duo took a seat while Heero opened the wine. He kept his eyes on Heero, although coyly from underneath his long bangs.

Heero filled their glasses and then took his place across from Duo.

"To a new beginning," Duo said, raising his glass.

"A new beginning." Heero clinked his glass against Duo's.

The meal was delicious and just the right combination of flavors, but the conversation stalled somewhere between the salad course and dishing out the entrees.

"How are you feeling about having me here?"

Duo looked up, a bit surprised. "Well, it'll take some getting used to, but I'm feeling okay. No, better than okay. Good."

Heero grinned. "I'm glad, because I want to get to know you better."

Duo's face brightened. "Yeah, me, too."

"It must be a big change for you, having someone in your home."

"Yeah, but it's what I want." Duo's eyes softened as he looked at Heero from across the table. "I think I need more wine."

Heero grabbed the bottle and refilled Duo's glass. "We can take this as slow as you need to, Duo."

Duo took a gulp of the red wine. "You're more than I hoped for... I mean, I had put my faith in AR Industries, but I never dreamed you'd be like this."

"Like what exactly?"

"Like you are. It's exciting and daunting at the same time. Kind of like presenting a case before the Supreme Court."

It was good for Duo to say these things. He needed to process what was happening to fully embrace the Ideal Lover Program.

"Maybe we can do something about the daunting part," Heero said, watching Duo pour himself more wine. He considered telling him to ease up on the libations, but he had a feeling Duo needed it to calm his nerves.

"I was thinking about you today... trying to wrap my mind around this."

"New relationships always have an adjustment period." Heero was feeling more like a counselor than Duo's new lover, but it seemed they still had some hurdles to cross before they could get started.

"The thing is I've never had anyone who really cared for me." Duo took another long drink. "My best friend cares, but that's not the same.... God, I sound pathetic, I guess that's why I did this."

Of course, when Duo looked at Heero, he saw a robot programmed to love him, and not a young man in a similar situation. Heero could not let him think otherwise or this gambit was up. Still, it stung to hear Duo talk like that.

Heero lifted his glass. "Here's to your choice. It brought us together."

Duo stared at him slack jawed, but eventually raised his glass. He sipped the wine, and remained quiet for a time. "I have a habit of saying the wrong thing."

"Aren't you a trial attorney?"

"Funny, huh?" Duo asked, and laughed. "I was never good at first dates."

"I think it's gone pretty well."

"I insulted you at least three times in the last half hour!"

"Is that the best you can do?"

"For now," Duo said. "I'll let you off lightly, since we just met."

Duo's smile warmed Heero's insides. It was genuine and relaxed. They had just navigated some tough ground, and it felt like Duo had resolved something, maybe only a small something, but it was a step in the right direction.

After supper, they cleared the table of dirty plates and containers, and loaded the dishwasher. Duo leaned against the kitchen counter and smiled contentedly. "I don't regret this."

Heero stepped in front of him, briefly admiring the way Duo's purple shirt enhanced the color of his eyes. He ran his hands up Duo's arms.

"You're just so damn beautiful --" Duo said.

Heero swallowed the last of Duo's words with a kiss. He brought their bodies together, grasping Duo by the neck and holding him still as he plundered his mouth. Sweet, sensual and fragile Duo had no idea what he was doing to Heero. How Heero was coming undone just being in his presence. I'm not a robot, Heero wanted to say. I'm just a man like you. But he smothered the confession with the kiss, letting his tongue speak for him.

When Duo broke away for breath, his cheeks were flushed and his sex hard. "Have you decided which room you'll sleep in?"

Heero blinked at the question's innocence. "I want to sleep with you."

A small grin appeared on Duo's lips as he wrapped his arms around Heero's shoulders, kissing him fervently. "Then what are you waiting for?"

The rush of Duo's enthusiasm hit Heero like a tidal wave. The next thing he knew, Duo had taken his hand and was pulling him through the condo to the master bedroom. The last hints of sunset bathed a corner of the room in an orange glow. Duo guided Heero to the bed, and set him down, but hesitated in joining him. He stood several feet away, clearly aroused, but his nerves seemed to be getting the best of him.

"You needn't be nervous," Heero said, gently.

Duo laughed, but didn't answer in words. He sat down as if to cover the truth in what Heero had said.

Heero was nervous, too, but he couldn't show it. Duo's Ideal Lover was programmed to be firm, yet caring. There was nothing about wanting a shy, nervous lover in his evaluation. He leaned over and kissed Duo's lips gently. When he pulled back, Duo was looking at him with those big, sensuous eyes.

"We can do as much or as little as you like," Heero said, encouragingly.

Duo's brow furrowed, perhaps in consideration, and then he reached for Heero, to take his hand. Heero felt a slight tremor in Duo's touch, and hoped that Duo didn't notice his own nervousness.

"Duo, I want the same things as you."

"Yeah? Well, I've been thinking about you here all day." Duo swallowed as he pressed his hand to Heero's shoulder and pushed him back against the pillows.

The color of Duo's eyes had darkened, but not from the changing light. They were reflections of Duo's arousal, and Heero wanted nothing more than to let Duo have his way.

"Go on," Heero said.

Duo kissed him as he covered him with his body. They sank into the plush silk comforter, which rustled softly as their bodies moved on each other. And so it began. Heero had never let anyone control him like this. He had always taken the lead, but with Duo, he felt released. All he wanted was to make Duo happy and to give him the best night of his life. If Duo wanted to top for their first time together, so be it. Heero was more than willing.

Duo's left hand dipped inside Heero's sweat pants and curled around his sex. His arousal was so heightened that he cried out from the touch. Duo smiled as he kissed his neck and worked his other hand up and under Heero's t-shirt.

"I want to see you naked again," Duo said, breathing hot in his ear.

Somehow amid all the touching and caressing, Heero managed to pull his t-shirt off. He set to work unbuttoning Duo's shirt, excitedly getting his first glimpse of Duo's body. The purple dress shirt slid off Duo's shoulders, and his long, heavy braid fell forward to caress Heero's chest. Duo's torso was taut and slightly muscular. "I want to see you naked for the first time," Heero said with a feral grin.

"I do have the advantage, don't I?"

"In so many ways."

Duo was kneeling now, straddling one of Heero's legs. He unbuckled his belt, but before he could remove it, Heero grabbed his hands and finished the job. He pulled the belt slowly from the loops around his waist, and dropped it to the floor with a thump. Duo popped the button on his slacks and pushed Heero's hands away when he tried to intervene. He watched transfixed as Duo slowly unzipped the slacks and pushed them low on his hips, revealing the top of his black briefs.

Fuck, he wanted a peek at the cock that was tenting Duo's pants. "You're teasing me," Heero said, swallowing a growl.

"Let me end your suffering," Duo said, smiling wickedly.

He got up from the bed and stood next to it, letting his pants drop to the floor. He had fine, long legs that Heero wanted wrapped around him. Duo snapped the elastic band on his briefs and then dispensed with the waiting and wiggled out of them, giving Heero the most glorious vision of his life.

"You have to let me touch you," Heero said, leaning up on his elbows.

Duo's smirk grew more amused. "I felt overdressed this afternoon, and now you're the one who's overdressed."

Heero glanced down at his sweats, and his own evident arousal. Before he could act, Duo's hands were at his waist, pulling the sweats from him. In a flash, they were tossed aside, and Duo had rejoined him on the bed, nestling between his legs.

Their lips came together in heat and passion, their sexes grinding together. It wouldn't take much for Heero to come. He had never been so vividly aroused, but he wanted much more for their first time. He wanted Duo to mount him and ride him, use him if he wanted to, and take him over the edge screaming. These thoughts were wild and new for Heero who normally had tight control on every aspect of his life. But he had never wanted anyone like this. He had never wanted to lose control so completely.

Duo licked Heero's cock as he reached into the bedside table for lubricant. He sucked him briefly, all too briefly, but Heero knew Duo needed to reach the finish line, too. Maybe it was good to burn hot and fast now and take their time in round two. There would certainly be another round tonight.

Fingers rubbed him, gently exploring and then firmly pressed into him. He had never bottomed before, but he had wondered how it would feel. Duo's fingers filled him, moved rhythmically inside him. It was new and strange, but good and he wanted more. So much more. Duo understood the meaning behind Heero's moans, and retreated to slick his cock. Heero wrapped his hand around Duo's and they stroked Duo together, arousing Heero even more. His need was so great it was nearly maddening, and it seemed that way for Duo as well.

He didn't waste time, and positioned himself at Heero's opening. He nudged Heero with his cock and leaned down for another passionate kiss. Duo slowly sank into him, his cock slipping inside Heero with careful intent, easing out and then sliding back in until he was fully engulfed in the warmth of Heero's body. Duo stilled, giving Heero time to relax.

Heero's mind and body tried to sort out the sensations, but there were so many. Fullness, tightness, desire, need, almost opposite sensations warring with him. He breathed in deeply of Duo's scent, and tried to count all the places where their bodies were touching.

Duo used his tongue to play with his earlobe, a huge turn-on for Heero. Then, Duo looked into his eyes, silently begging for permission to move... to fuck him. Heero grinned and gave a little squeeze of his buttocks, causing Duo to shiver deliciously and begin thrusting.

Duo was good, oh, so good the way his hips moved, building a hypnotizing rhythm with his body. Heero relaxed more and more and was soon thrusting in sync, meeting the need, sharing fully in the lovemaking. They hadn't even bothered to turn back the sheets, too busy fucking on the silk comforter, flushed fair skin cradled in dark chocolate.

Duo rocked on him, in him, building a great need in Heero. A desire he had never needed to explore before tonight. For now, all he could think about was Duo's cock inside him, pounding him faster and harder, giving it to him more, the more he moaned. Duo's craving grew more vocal, desperate like the pumping of his cock. He pressed his lips to Heero's shoulder, biting down, groaning and grinding, harder, louder... coming to a crescendo of desire until at last... "Aaaah!"

Heero prayed that great rhythm inside him would not stop. He needed more to reach the same goal. Still Duo pumped, faster now, somehow faster and more furious. There, he could feel that tingle of light... Heero reached for it in his mind as Duo's hard stomach rubbed over his cock.

"Duo!" The passion exploded from him, white hot. He breathed heavy, dizzy, coming down, but not too quickly from an unbelievable high.

Duo fell on top of him, exhausted as though he had run a marathon. They were sticky and sweaty and wrapped around each other, inside and out, and Heero could think of no other place he'd rather be. It took long minutes for their breathing to calm and find a natural state. It was then that Duo decided to move, and slowly roll off Heero. With the weight and warmth of Duo gone, Heero felt a keener sense of the intimacy they had shared.

He realized that while they were making love, he hadn't once thought about his role of pretending to be a robot. He was certain he hadn't said and done anything to out himself, but reminded himself to be careful in the future.

"I've never had sex like that," Duo said, still sounding exhausted. He hooked a leg over Heero's and curled up along his side. "I suppose you don't tire easily... or at all." He chuckled.

"Sex like that could exhaust Superman."

"That good, huh?"

"Yeah, that good and more." Heero smiled as he closed his eyes. He was still too euphoric to care about robots and men. All he wanted was Duo.

Duo couldn't believe he was awake. It was 5:45 a.m., and they had made love all night.

Could it be called making love when your partner was a robot? He turned his head on the pillow to gaze at the sleeping form next to him. Heero was deep asleep or was he merely simulating sleep? Had he simulated sex?

No, that was real, Duo thought.

Why was he doubting things now? It had been the most incredible night of his life. He had taken Heero twice, and a couple of hours later, Heero had taken him. He had fucked and been fucked by a robot, and it had been fantastic. Kinky and strange maybe, but fantastic.

Heero had seemed to read his thoughts. He knew what Duo wanted and how he liked it, but there was nothing automatic about it. There was chemistry between them. Duo didn't know how that was possible even with millions of dollars of technology behind those pretty blue eyes. He was sure he felt a connection, a synergy that could only be described as chemistry.

He marveled at the physical beauty of the lover lying next to him. He watched the rise and fall of his chest. The even breaths as he slept. The warm glow of his skin in the morning light, and the soft definition of dark lashes on his face. He was so humanlike that at times Duo forgot about the wires and circuitry underneath the synthetic epidermis. He forgot that those piercing blue eyes were molded glass connected to a visual sensory program. Somehow it hadn't mattered when those eyes had locked on his as their bodies had joined in pleasure. Duo wanted to believe this was perfect. It was so close to perfect.

Heero stirred, and Duo placed a hand on his lover's stomach, rubbing his thumb over it. The blue eyes opened and Duo felt his heart melt.

"Morning," Heero said.

Duo smiled. "Morning, Robot Heero."

Heero's brow furrowed. "Are you still okay with that? Me being a robot?"

"After last night?" Duo laughed. "I'm amazed by it. But honestly, I kind of forgot about it when we were going at it."

"You did?"

"Yeah." Duo saw the tiny grin on Heero's lips and knew the comment pleased him. He wondered why a robot would want to be considered anything but a robot.

The incessant beep, beep of Duo's alarm nearly jolted him from the bed. He frantically reached over to turn it off. It was six o'clock and time to think about getting ready for work.

"Damn," Duo said.

Heero put his arm around Duo's middle and snuggled close. "You need to work today?"

"Yeah," he said with a long sigh. He couldn't remember a time when he had wanted to skip going into the office to be with someone. The thought of getting up and leaving Heero alone all day made Duo ache with a feeling he couldn't describe. "I should just call Hilde and have her handle things."

"Can you do that?"

Duo turned his head to Heero. "I've never done it before, but I am the boss."

"I don't want to keep you from anything important."

Duo thought about what could be more important than getting to know Heero better. It was Friday, the courts were closed, and Hilde was more than capable of handling things at the office. "Nope, I'm gonna do it." He sat up and reached for the phone.

"Isn't it early to be calling?"

"Hilde's an early riser. Likes to workout in the morning." Her number was on his speed dial. Her phone rang five times.

"Yeah?" Hilde asked.

"Good morning to you, too." He could hear her breathing. "Are you on the treadmill?"

"5.0 speed, 2% incline." Her speech was a little ragged.

"Call me back when you're done."

"Okay." Click.

"I told you it was early," Heero said.

Duo set the phone down and snuggled back into Heero's arms. He breathed him in. It was like an elixir filling his lungs. "How can you smell so good?"

"Should I smell differently?"

"No." He took another deep breath of Heero and wondered if the robots were programmed to emit pheromones. "Don't stop. I like it."

They lay there warm and half dozing about twenty minutes before the phone rang. Duo slowly reached for it, checking the caller ID before answering. "Hey, Hil. Done with your workout?"

"Am I supposed to be at work earlier today?"

"No, but I do have a favor to ask."

"Mocha latte with skim no whip?"

"Ha-ha. Actually, it's a bigger favor. Could you handle things if I didn't come into the office?"

"I guess so. Sure. What's up?"

"I've got some..." He looked to Heero. "...errands that can't wait."

"Oh, my God, you're lying to me!"

Duo winced. It wasn't his style to lie, stretching the truth once in awhile sure, but lying made his skin prickle. "Okay, you caught me." He sat up fully and turned away from Heero, covering the phone's mouthpiece with his hand. "I kind of have a new boyfriend."

"What? Is he there with you now?"

"Hil, can you do this for me or not?" There was a long pause. "Please, Hil, this is important."

"Well, you've never asked before."

"Then you'll do it?"

"Only if you'll bring him by to meet me."

"Maybe over the weekend, but not today, okay?"

"Sure, Duo. Have fun and don't get hurt."

"Thanks, Hil." He hung up and took a breath. She couldn't know that things were different this time or that his new boyfriend was programmed to treat him right. He looked over his shoulder at Heero. "Shower?"

He should've asked, "Wet, soapy sex?" because that's what he got. The shower turned into a fuck fest with Duo's legs wrapped around Heero's waist and his back pressed against the tiled wall as Heero pounded inside him. He had never been much of a bottom, but with Heero... damn. His libido raged and the robot's, too, but Heero was built for sex. God was he ever.

Over an hour later, after actually showering, they toweled off and dressed. He found a pair of jeans and a dress shirt for Heero. Everything was a bit tight on his new lover, delectably so. Heero was just that tad larger than Duo across the shoulders, and slightly taller, and had bigger feet, too. Cough. Duo cuffed the jeans to conceal that they were too short, paired them with an oversized shirt worn untucked, and flip-flops, and Heero looked like he was heading to the beach. It would do until the stores opened later that morning. Duo dressed in stonewashed jeans, and a crisp blue Calvin Klein dress shirt and black boots.

They drove downtown in his black Audi convertible to an English bakery for a breakfast of chocolate chip scones and coffee. Duo worried that they'd run into someone he knew, but no one would know that Heero was a robot. That was the beauty of the program. Only Duo knew.

They sat close to one another at a small round table, bumping knees playfully while talking about cars and auto racing. The conversation was easy and fluid, like they'd known each other for years. Maybe the sex had loosened things up between them or maybe it was just brilliant programming.

After breakfast, they walked down the block to the shopping district. Heero was resistant to the idea of Duo paying for his wardrobe. He insisted he would pay Duo back one day, and Duo shook his head and laughed. As if a robot could get a job and make a living. It took some convincing, but Heero finally let Duo buy him some basics like jeans, t-shirts and underwear. This was the warm-up to the main event. Heero would need something nicer if they were going to spend a night on the town.

"Armani?" Heero stared at the store's display window.

"You need a suit."

"Duo, that's too much."

"Let me be the judge of that." He hooked his arm with Heero's and pulled him into the store.

The clerks recognized him, even though he hadn't been in the shop for several months. But now he had a reason.

"Mr. Maxwell," the floor manager said. "It's good to see you."

"Thanks, Maurice. I brought a friend today. Do you think you can help us find a suit or two?"

"It'd be my pleasure. Would you care to look around the store first?"

"We would."

"I'll set aside one of the private dressing rooms, and Steffen will carry your selections for you." Maurice snapped his fingers and Steffen came running.

"Thank you," Duo said.

Heero pulled Duo aside. "I don't want you to do this. Can't we shop at The Gap?"

"Look around. These are beautiful clothes. I want the best for you."

Heero's brow furrowed again. It had been doing that a lot.

"Don't worry, you don't have to pay me back," Duo said.

Just then Steffen came over. "Can I show you our new summer sailing collection?"

"Of course." Duo smiled and tugged on Heero's sleeve.

In moments, Steffen had his arms full of stunning silk-cotton blend shirts and pants, shoes and accessories. They made their way into the private dressing room where champagne was poured and a selection of suits was brought out for viewing. They chose a charcoal gray suit for Heero and his measurements were taken. The suit would be tailored and delivered that afternoon.

Before they left, Heero was dressed in head to toe Armani -- casual, yet spectacular in gray pinstriped pants, a lightweight white pullover sweater, and canvas lace-up shoes. Duo was bursting with happiness. He had never been so eager to spend his money on anyone, and Heero looked good in absolutely everything.

At the cash register, Julianna and Steffen wrapped their purchases in tissue and took Duo's payment. The bags were handed to Heero while Duo signed the credit card slip for $4,398.27. It was almost half the amount of his down payment on his Ideal Lover, and he didn't give a rat's ass. It felt glorious to indulge.

"Duo?"

Duo looked up at the sound of the familiar yet out of place voice, to see Quatre staring at him. His friend had the most perplexed expression on his face, and Duo had a feeling he knew why. He gulped as the blood drained from his face. "Hey, Quatre."

"You're not working today?"

"I decided to go shopping."

Quatre looked to Heero and the multiple bags he was holding. "I don't think we've met."

Leave it to Quatre to be forthright.

"Ah, yeah, Quatre, this is Heero Yuy. Heero this is Quatre Winner."

Quatre held out his hand, and Heero managed to grasp it in greeting while hugging the bags.

"Nice to meet you," Heero said.

"Likewise." Quatre's long appraisal of Heero continued. "Is there a sale I should know about?"

"Duo went a little overboard," Heero said.

"Are you one of Duo's clients?"

"No..."

"Quatre, I would love to chat, but we have to get going." Duo pushed Heero towards the door and waved at his friend as they went. He didn't stop propelling Heero along until they were halfway down the street.

"Is he a friend of yours?" Heero asked.

"He's my best friend," Duo admitted sheepishly.

"Then why did you --?"

"Before you leap to conclusions, I just didn't want to get into it with him right now. He knows I have bad luck with guys."

"And he doesn't know that you bought a robot."

Duo shook his head. "I tried talking to him about it, but he was against it."

"He doesn't have to know."

"Right, but he's the last person I want to keep secrets from. He just caught me off guard. I'll tell him later."

"Maybe his reaction won't be as bad as you think."

"Oh, it will," Duo said, frowning.

Heero set the bags on the sidewalk and put an arm around Duo's shoulders. "Sometimes best friends can be the most protective. He'll come 'round."

Duo stared into Heero's face, marveling at how good it felt to have this man -- this robot -- comfort him. "Thanks."

"No problem." Heero grinned. He picked up the bags, and Duo took a couple from him.

"Hey, how about lunch?" Duo asked. "I know a terrific tapas bar with a view of the river."

"Perfect."

And in Duo's mind, it was.

Late that afternoon, Duo and his new lover returned to his apartment to drop off their purchases and regroup before their first big evening on the town. Any thoughts of hanging up Heero's new clothes evaporated the minute they set the bags down. They were in each other's arms, pulling off each other's clothes, and making their way to Duo's bed.

Fucking Heero had become Duo's favorite hobby. It seemed impossible to get enough of him, and Heero was willing in so many ways. He knew when Duo wanted to top, and when Duo needed to bottom. This afternoon, beneath the silk comforter, Duo started on top claiming his lover's beautiful body and exploring all he could. The tables turned for the next round, and he eagerly raised his bum to let Heero claim him.

This was easily the most sex he had had in a 24-hour period. It was brilliant. He couldn't imagine wanting anyone else. Ever again. Heero was that good.

"I gotta hand it to those guys at AR Industries," Duo said, still breathing a little heavy after his climax. "I am so attracted to you. How do they do it?"

Heero lay next to him, his chest glistening with sweat. "The program is based on many factors."

"And they hit every one on the head!" Duo smiled as he looked over at Heero, and flicked the end of his braid under his lover's nose. "Is it that good for you?"

Heero gave a slow, sated smile. "Yes." His voice was low like a purr, and Duo let the sound hum across his skin.

He still wasn't sure how Trowa and his team had hit this grand slam, and right now, he didn't care.

They slept until the phone rang. It was Grace calling to say that Duo had a delivery from Armani. Duo dragged himself from bed, threw on his clothes from earlier, and waited for Grace to bring up the suit. She was all grins.

"Thanks," he said, standing in the doorway.

She handed over the covered suit on its hanger and stood on her tiptoes, trying to peer into his apartment.

"Looking for something?"

"Oh, I just wondered..."

"Yes?"

"Who was that cute guy?"

"A friend."

She tilted her head. "Taken?"

"Very." He stepped back. "Thanks again, Grace." And closed the door.

Heero was standing in the kitchen dressed only in form fitting briefs. "I'm taken?"

"Hell, yeah." Duo left the suit over the back of a chair and sauntered into the kitchen, wrapping his arms around Heero's waist. "I have the urge to show you off. How about I wine and dine you at the best seafood restaurant in town?"

"Sounds expensive, but I think there's no stopping you."

"You got that right." Duo nuzzled Heero's neck and indulged in his lover's enticing scent. "You could make a million if you bottled this."

"Hmm?"

"You..." Duo said, kissing Heero's jaw line. "You smell incredible."

"Only to you."

Scent was a powerful factor in the enjoyment of life and it shouldn't have surprised him that AR Industries developed great smelling robots. Duo didn't remember anything in the promotional materials about pheromone oozing-robots, and Otto hadn't had an obvious scent, but maybe it was only activated for the client.

He reluctantly unwrapped himself from Heero to grab the phone book from a drawer. He made the reservation for eight o'clock to give them a relaxing afternoon, which they spent on the couch watching movies.

That evening, Duo dressed in a black suit by Michael Kors. He'd bought it the previous summer, but never had an occasion to wear it. It was classically styled and a good match for Heero's dark charcoal Giorgio Armani. They each wore silk ties by Louis Vuitton. Duo wasn't a fashion snob, but expensive clothes were worth every penny. They felt great and fit so much better on his lean form. On most days, business casual sufficed, but if he had a meeting at Winner Tower, he tossed a designer suit jacket in the backseat of his car to keep up appearances for Quatre.

At Chez Poisson, the maitre'd seated them on the second tier with an amazing view of the city by night.

"You look amazing in that suit," Duo said. He couldn't take his eyes off Heero, even to admire the cityscape. The candlelight from the votives only made him more handsome.

"It's a great suit. Thank you."

Duo smiled. "Now are you glad I dragged you into Armani?"

"Yes, but not because you bought me some beautiful clothes."

"Then why?"

"It made you happy. I like seeing that smile on your face."

Duo's cheeks warmed. Damn, but Heero knew all the right things to say. Again, he didn't care about the programming and the science behind it. Heero was everything he had ever wanted in a boyfriend.

"I got cold feet just before you arrived." Duo gave a lopsided smile. "I'm sure glad I didn't back out."

"I'm glad you didn't, too." Heero grinned.

For dinner they enjoyed spinach salad, crab cakes, lobster, double baked potatoes, asparagus, and a bottle of white wine from the Loire region of France. They split a dessert trio of flourless chocolate cake, coconut sorbet, and chocolate covered strawberries, while they sipped cafe lattes.

The conversation ebbed and flowed with each course, and covered everything from the downtown refurbishment to favorite Star Trek captains and Duo's story of how he got into law school.

"Sometimes all it takes is the determination of one person to change your life," he said.

Heero nodded in agreement.

Duo had finally had his fill and patted his belly. "Man, am I full."

"That was a wonderful meal. Is this where you normally bring your dates?"

The question was tinged in jealousy, but just a sliver. It was exactly how Duo had answered the evaluation. He wanted his Ideal Lover to be a little jealous. He tried to suppress a grin. He couldn't remember the last time a guy had gotten jealous over him.

"There's nothing normal about it. You're the first date I've brought here. The few other times were with Quatre."

"Have you two... ever?"

When Duo realized what Heero was asking, he laughed. "No! We're great friends, but Quatre is way too controlling for me. He needs someone who likes the whip."

Heero chuckled. "I didn't get that impression from him today."

"Get to know him better and you will."

They left the restaurant and took the walkway along the river. The cool evening and lamplight reflecting on the water was romantic, but there were too many people to do more than hold hands. That touch of hands with fingers entwined made Duo's heart beat faster. Maybe it shouldn't. After all, under Heero's pretty façade was just a bundle of wires, but Duo couldn't stop himself from feeling more. In just a couple of days, he had gone from being lonely and miserable to having an idyllic relationship like that couple in the commercial. His new boyfriend was everything he had dreamed and more. What could possibly be wrong with that?

They made slow, sweet love that night, and the next morning took their time waking. By noon they had managed to get out of bed, showered and dress, and in Duo's car for a ride in the country. Lunch was a meatloaf sandwich and slice of cherry pie at a roadside diner. They bought tomatoes and corn on the cob at a farmstand, and snickered like twelve year-olds at the size of the cucumbers.

Heading home, they stopped at the Museum of Tiny Things, which turned out to be some old guy's collection of thimbles and assorted doll house furniture. Duo knew this day of spontaneous fun was only possible because it was Heero at his side. Only a robot designed to please would have tolerated such quirky delights. Heero certainly put the androids in sci-fi movies to shame, but more and more Duo looked at Heero as his lover, helpmate, and dare he think it, friend.

Back home early that evening, they decided to stay in and make supper. Duo's cupboards were sparsely stocked with dry pasta, sardines, and tomato paste.

"Isn't there a grocery store around the corner?" Heero asked.

"Yeah, we can run down there."

"I know an easy recipe for chicken francese."

"Great." Duo smiled.

Just then the door's buzzer rang.

"I'm not expecting anyone." He went to the door and looked through the peephole, and saw the familiar yellow blond hair of his friend. "Oh, no."

"What is it?"

"It's Quatre."

"So, let him in."

"I'm not ready for this."

"Duo, he's being a good friend checking on you."

Duo leveled an exasperated gaze on Heero. Well, the longer he waited to confess the harder it would be. Quatre had already sent him five text messages. He turned the deadbolt and smiled as he opened the door. "Hey."

"I didn't hear from you." Quatre breezed into the apartment only to stop ten paces in. "Oh, you have company."

"Uh, yeah. Heero's here." Duo closed the door and stepped next to Quatre. "We were just planning dinner."

Heero nodded to Quatre. "Nice to see you again."

Quatre nodded back, but didn't say anything. He seemed surprisingly unsure of himself. He turned to Duo. "I'm intruding..."

"It's all right," Heero said. "Duo was just saying he wanted to speak with you."

"He did?"

"That's right," Duo said, quickly. "I kept meaning to call..."

"Well, you usually do. That's why I was concerned when I didn't hear from you."

Quatre's eyes kept settling on Heero like he was trying to sort something out. It was time for Duo to come clean and tell his best friend the news.

"Let's have a glass of wine," Duo said, giving Quatre a nudge towards the kitchen.

Heero caught Duo by the sleeve and tugged him back towards the door. He lowered his voice. "I can go to the store and leave you to talk."

"You don't mind?"

"Not at all."

"That's thoughtful of you."

"It's probably best if I'm not here for your chat."

Duo nodded and took his wallet from his back pocket. He handed over several $20 bills. "Get whatever we need for chicken francese, and just in case Quatre stays get enough for a guest, too."

Heero nodded and kissed Duo's cheek before heading out the door. When Duo turned back around, Quatre was staring at him with his mouth open.

"How about that glass of wine?" Duo stepped into the kitchen and pulled a bottle of rose from the wine rack.

"And you wonder why they take advantage of you," Quatre said as he got the glasses from the cupboard.

"What do you mean?"

"You're far too generous with men you barely know. You just handed him 80 dollars."

"Well, he didn't have any money --"

"He's wearing an Izod polo shirt, Calvin Klein jeans and Armani canvas shoes and he doesn't have money?" Leave it to Quatre to notice the details. "I suppose you bought him those clothes, too?"

Duo gulped. "Well --"

"How long have you known him? A few days? It can't be more than that since you weren't seeing anyone when we had dinner last week."

Duo poured the wine and handed his friend a glass. "Let's talk in the living room."

As they stepped into the room, Quatre noticed the big silver crate in the corner. Duo hadn't gotten around to calling for the pick-up, and had tucked it as much out of the way as possible.

"AR Industries," Quatre said, reading the crate's label as he sipped on his wine. "That sounds so... industrial. What did you buy?"

He was surprised that Quatre didn't recognize the name. It had been on the Ideal Lover brochure he'd shown him, but this brief reprieve was good. Duo needed a moment more to gather his thoughts.

"I invested in my future," Duo said, enthusiastically.

"Oh?"

He gestured to the couch. Quatre took a seat at one end, and Duo at the other.

"I feel like you're hiding something from me," Quatre said. His tone was inquisitive, not accusatory.

"Hiding in plain sight." Duo chuckled. "Remember that brochure I showed you at dinner?"

Quatre gave a snort and took another sip of wine. "That again?"

"Well, I did it."

"Did what?"

"I went to AR Industries and signed-up for their Ideal Lover Program." He flashed a brilliant smile, trying to dazzle his friend into acquiescence.

"Duo, no." Quatre shook his head. "You did not."

"Yep, I did. I bought a robot."

The glass tumbled from Quatre's hand and onto the floor, spilling the wine on the rug. He sat frozen and dumbfounded.

Duo reached over and patted his knee. "You okay?"

"That man is a robot?"

"Well, technically, yes, Heero is a robot, but I think Ideal Lover is more accurate." Duo got up from the couch to retrieve a towel in the kitchen. "Best looking guy you ever saw, right?" he asked from the other room. He knew better than to treat this conversation too lightly, but humor had always been his best defense.

When he returned to the living room, Quatre was standing with his hands clenched at his sides. "What happened to looking for Mr. Right?" Quatre's face was turning red. "What happened to your dream of finding someone who would love you and respect you?"

Duo dropped the towel on the floor and stepped on it to absorb the wine while considering his answer. "I got tired of waiting, and tired of my bad choices." He looked to his friend. "As far as I can tell, Heero is my Mr. Right."

"You can't possibly believe that. A robot is no substitute for human love and companionship."

"Yeah? Well, I think it is an acceptable substitute. Heero's been doing a hell of a job."

"He's a robot, Duo! He's programmed with your likes and dislikes. He'll do whatever pleases you. Is that what you want? A fake relationship?"

"It seems pretty real to me, and I haven't been this happy... ever." Duo's brow furrowed. Moments ago his world had been so perfect. He and Heero had shared a fun day and we're planning supper, all things that real couples did. Now Quatre was saying that his happiness was an illusion? That he couldn't possibly be happy sharing a life with a robot? "It's only been a couple of days..." Duo started to say. He had to talk this through. He had to convince his friend that he knew what he was doing. "Heero arrived in that crate and it was a bit like science fiction, but I've found myself forgetting that he's a robot. He's treated me better than anyone ever has."

Quatre laid a hand on Duo's arm. "That's because it's what you want."

"Well, I've wanted that before and it never happened. So what if he's not human as long as I'm happy?"

"Oh, Duo..." Quatre frowned. "I'm sorry you've been hurt in the past, but this isn't the answer. You're cheating yourself."

Duo pulled his arm away. "I know what you're saying, Quatre, because I've thought the same things, but I feel like I've made a connection with Heero. Call it a perverted side effect of having sex with a robot, but that connection feels very real to me."

"You've already had sex?" Quatre asked, his body quivering. "It's a one-sided relationship. Can you live with that?"

It didn't feel one-sided. Was he as delusional as Quatre was implying?

"For now, I think I can." Duo plopped down on the couch and put his head in his hands. He knew that Quatre would be a hard sell, but his concerns were making Duo second guess himself. He had to remember what had brought him to this point. He was lonely and people took advantage of him. If having a robot was the only way around that, was that so bad? "Quatre," he said, softly, looking up at his friend. "Please sit down."

Quatre nodded and sat on the cushion next to Duo. He took Duo's hand and squeezed it. "I know you're not happy with me right now."

Duo shook his head. "Maybe you're right and I'm just playing a game with myself. But what if you're wrong and I can have a meaningful relationship with him?"

Quatre's frown appeared again at the corners of his mouth, but he kept silent.

"I feel a connection with Heero... You may think that's not right or wise, but I need you to support me in this."

"I don't want you to get hurt again."

"I appreciate that, but you've got to let me make my own mistakes. And hopefully this isn't one of them."

Quatre sighed and a grin slowly formed on his lips. "Okay."

"Yeah?"

"Yes, of course."

Duo smiled and ruffled Quatre's blond hair. "Thanks, buddy! I knew I could count on you."

"You can always count on me, but give me a little slack on this, okay? I mean... robot lovers? You're asking a lot of me."

Duo laughed. "Hey, stick around and have dinner with us."

"I shouldn't..."

"You afraid of robots?"

Quatre leveled a serious glare at him. "Winners are not afraid of anything."

"That's my boy." He gave Quatre a bit of a shove with his arm. "Let me get you another glass of wine. Heero should be back any minute."

Heero pushed the apartment building door open with his shoulder as he carried the two plastic bags of groceries. He had gotten all the ingredients for their chicken francese dinner, and since Duo had given him more than enough money, he had gotten a chocolate cake and whipped cream, too. The cake was for dessert and the whipped cream was for a late night adventure.

It was right to leave Duo with his friend, but Heero had been nervous as he walked out the door. How much influence did Quatre Winner have on Duo? What if Quatre told Duo that getting a robot was a mistake, and talked Duo into sending Heero back? The thought made Heero a little queasy, but he'd cross that bridge when he came to it.

As he walked through the lobby, the manager's daughter, Grace, spotted him and came running over.

"You're Duo's friend?"

"Yes."

"I'm Grace." She had stopped, forcing him to stop as well.

He was reluctant to speak with her, but he expected he would see her again, and it might pay to be cordial. "I'm Heero."

"I saw you earlier." Even though she was standing next to him, she kept moving, rolling from the balls of her feet to her heels and back again like an excited school girl. "I haven't seen you around here before."

"Yes?" That sounded impatient, but he couldn't help it. He had been gone forty minutes and was anxious to learn his fate.

"You making dinner?" She nodded to the grocery bags.

"Yes."

"That's nice." She grinned.

"Well, it was nice to meet you..." He started to step away and thought he heard his name, but it hadn't come from Grace. He turned back, looking towards the entry door, and his stomach dropped to the floor.

"It is you," Trowa said. Trowa jogged over to join him, giving a nod to Grace, who eased back towards the manager's office. He was dressed for work in black slacks and a tan shirt and polished loafers, and carrying a robot maintenance kit in the guise of a black briefcase. "I thought you'd taken vacation leave."

"I did."

"You could've told me, you know."

Heero nodded. "I should have."

"Zechs said something about Australia."

"Yes." Maybe he should continue that charade and tell Trowa that he would be leaving on Monday, but somehow he couldn't bring himself to perpetuate the lie.

"When did you move here?" Trowa asked, looking around the wide lobby with its cherry wood paneled walls and ornate tiled floor. "Your other place was nice, but this is... swankier."

"Yes, it is."

"Well, I'm here to see a client. You remember, Duo Maxwell? Wait, of course, you do." Trowa smiled knowingly. "You had a crush on him, didn't you?"

"Maybe."

Trowa shrugged. "His AR was delivered on Thursday." Trowa knew to be careful when speaking in public spaces, and that Heero would understand AR to mean Autonomous Robot. "I called him to see how things were going."

"You spoke with him?"

"No, he texted me back this afternoon. That's when I arranged to come by for baby's first check-up." He patted the briefcase, and they started towards the elevators. "Did you know he lives here?" Trowa hit the call button.

Heero ignored the question. "Wouldn't want any anomalies forming."

"What? Oh, right. I got the impression that things were good for him though."

That was nice to hear, but in a couple of minutes Trowa would learn the truth. They stepped onto the elevator and Heero pressed the button for the 10th floor.

"That's where I'm headed," Trowa said.

The door closed. Heero watched the numbers light above the door, indicating their steady ascent.

"You're welcome to join me. It wouldn't be against protocol for you..."

Heero hit the emergency stop button, and the elevator jerked and stilled.

"Why'd you do that?" Trowa placed his legs wide for balance as if expecting the whole thing to topple on its side.

"We need to talk."

"Huh?"

Heero set the bags down and leaned against the elevator's wall, folding his arms over his chest. "I've done something... rash."

"Yeah, you hit the emergency stop."

"Trowa," Heero stared hard at his friend, feeling the weight of his decision bearing down on him. "That robot never got delivered."

"Well, of course it did. Duo signed the invoice himself."

Heero took a deep breath. "Yes, he signed the invoice, but the AR was not in that crate."

"Why wasn't I informed if there was a mix-up?"

"Because no one knows."

"Except you, apparently." Trowa crossed his arms over his chest, mirroring Heero's tight posture. "Since when do you monitor our deliveries?"

"Since I decided to take the robot's place."

Trowa stepped back and chuckled disbelievingly. "You did what?"

"I'm in love with him, Trowa. I couldn't stand by and watch Duo be paired with a robot."

Trowa shook his head. "You're pulling my leg. There is no way you would do something like that."

"A few days ago, you would've been right." He watched his friend's features for the dawning realization, but it was slow to come. To Trowa's credit he thought the best of Heero and couldn't imagine his friend doing anything like this. So, he would have to try a little harder to come clean. "I changed the shipping label on the robot and sent it to Australia, then I made a new label and shipped myself... here."

"You expect me to believe that you put yourself in one of those crates and..." Trowa's eyes widened. "You're pretending to be a robot?"

"Yes."

"Oh, God." Trowa stumbled awkwardly until his back hit the wall. "You're serious. You really did this."

"Since Thursday afternoon, I've been living as Duo Maxwell's Ideal Lover. He has no idea that I'm not a robot."

"Why? Wait... Don't answer that. It doesn't matter. You can't do this. You'll be fired. You'll be arrested!"

"No one has to know."

"But I know!" Trowa shouted as he stood fully again. "And now I'm part of this!" He shook his hands at Heero as if to suggest culpability.

"Calm down."

"Are you nuts? This is completely unethical."

"I know that."

"Do you? For God's sake, the guy's a corporate attorney, Heero! He'll sue the living crap out of AR Industries for this stunt."

The continued force of Trowa's words and emotions made Heero falter a little. He stepped back, leaning against the wall again and sighed. "I had to do this."

"No one has to do anything."

He looked up sharply, meeting Trowa's furious gaze. "I know I shouldn't ask this of you, but if you could see how happy he is --"

"He's not going to remember being happy when he finds out you've been lying to him."

"I'm asking you not to tell him, not to tell anyone."

Trowa opened his mouth to speak, but Heero held up his hand. He needed to be heard, and in a way he needed to convince himself again that this was the right path.

"Everything you're saying, I've thought about -- the ethics, the lies, all of it." Heero stood straight to bolster his confidence. "You're right, this isn't like me, but when I saw Duo in the evaluation room that day something changed inside me. The more I thought about him and worked on his robot's protocols, the more I realized I'm his match, not some artificial intelligence wrapped in synthetic skin."

Trowa frowned. "Listen to yourself. You helped develop that technology."

"I'm not bashing it. It's just that there was no other way. I had to be with him."

"I should've talked to you when you brought up your feelings in my office, but I had no idea you felt like this. We need to clear this up. I'll go to his apartment and tell him he got someone else's robot. He still might sue us, but at least it won't be for willful intent to deceive." Trowa pressed the resume button on the control panel, and the elevator began moving again.

"Trowa..."

"Heero, this has to stop."

Heero's stomach knotted in pain. That was it? His dream of building a life with Duo was over in less than three days?

The elevator stopped. They had reached the 10th floor. The doors opened and Heero stared into the corridor beyond. Trowa stepped into the hall with his briefcase in one hand, and the other hand holding the elevator doors open.

"You don't have to come with me. In fact, it's probably better if you don't."

That was the coward's way.

Somehow he found the strength to pick up the groceries and join Trowa in the hall. Trowa gave him an assuring nod, and Heero gritted his teeth. He wasn't sure he could go through with this, with losing Duo, but there was no way to stop Trowa. He might stop him for the moment, but Trowa would eventually tell Duo everything.

They walked side-by-side down the carpeted hallway until they came to # 1002. It was quiet, and Heero wondered if Quatre had gone.

"I was hoping he'd fall in love with me," Heero said as he stared at the door.

Trowa looked to him, seeming puzzled. "You said earlier that you're in love with him. Is that true?"

Heero nodded, and returned his focus to the door. He could feel Trowa staring at him and was about to tell him to get it over with when the door opened.

"Hey, you're back!" Duo said, smiling cheerfully. "Quatre said he thought he heard voices." Duo took a step back and waved for them to come inside. "Hi, Trowa."

"Hello, Duo."

Heero went inside first with Trowa close behind. The hair on the back of Heero's neck prickled in anticipation of Trowa's next words. Duo was at Heero's side, giving him a warm kiss on the cheek as he grasped his forearm.

"I was starting to worry." Duo gave him another quick kiss and then took the bags from his hands. He headed for the kitchen as Quatre came to greet them.

"Oh, Quatre," Duo said from the kitchen. "This is Trowa Barton from AR Industries. Trowa, this is my best friend, Quatre Winner."

Trowa and Quatre stepped towards each other and shook hands.

"So nice to meet you," Quatre said, his face beaming with obvious delight.

"Thank you. It's very nice to meet you as well."

"Trowa? Can you stay for dinner?" Duo asked. He came back into the hall and slid his arm around Heero's waist. "Heero's going to make chicken francese. I'm sure there'll be plenty."

Heero tried to enjoy the feel of Duo close to him, but his body tensed with impending doom.

"What's wrong?" Duo asked, bumping Heero's hip playfully. He leaned closer, putting his lips to Heero's ear and whispered, "You bought whipped cream, naughty boy."

Heero couldn't possibly respond. He looked to his friend. It wasn't in his nature to beg, but in this moment he nearly did.

"Oh, maybe you two need some quiet time?" Duo asked, pulling back slightly. "I forgot you're here on business."

Trowa nodded. "Yes, it'll only take a few minutes to run the diagnostic... if you don't mind."

"Sure, but I can vouch that everything's in working order." Duo laughed and gave Heero a wink. "You can use the guest room."

Heero nodded and led the way down the hall.

"Don't be long. I'm hungry!"

Heero wasn't sure what to feel -- numb or relieved. Trowa hadn't said anything yet, and it seemed Duo's talk with Quatre had gone well. He stepped into the guest room and waited the few seconds for Trowa to join him. When his friend arrived, Trowa closed the door.

"What are you waiting for?" Heero asked.

Trowa set the briefcase down and sighed heavily. "It's tougher than I thought."

"Isn't that big lawsuit motivation enough for you?"

"It was a few minutes ago..." Trowa walked over to the bed and sat down.

"What changed?"

Trowa looked up at him, exasperation visible on his face. "What you said... about hoping he'd fall in love with you. Did you mean that?"

"Yes."

"This isn't a game to you, is it?"

Heero gave a snort. "You thought I was trying to get my rockets off?"

"I don't know what to think." Trowa shook his head. "Damn it, I just don't know."

Heero walked across the room and reached behind a law book to retrieve his wallet. He held it out in his hand to show Trowa. "Here, give this to Duo when you tell him."

"What is it?"

"I smuggled my wallet with me in the crate... as a back-up plan. In case we didn't click. Actually, I was pretty sure we would click and thought it'd be nice to have a way to buy him flowers or tickets to a ball game."

Trowa chuckled. "Flowers? He doesn't seem like a flowers kind of guy. But maybe Quatre is... "

"You interested in him?"

Trowa feigned uncertainty, but Heero knew his friend had a weakness for blonds, and Quatre was a pretty blond.

"Hand me that case?" Trowa asked, pointing to the maintenance kit.

Heero picked up the case and brought it over to the bed.

"Sit down... please," Trowa said, evenly. He opened the case on the bed.

"What are you doing?"

"Sit down, please."

Heero's eyes narrowed suspiciously, but he put his wallet away and grabbed the desk chair. He sat in front of Trowa and watched as he calibrated the equipment.

"We should look like we're performing the check," Trowa said.

"Why?"

Trowa plugged the cable into the unit and held the loose end in his hand. "I saw the way he looks at you."

"What?"

"Duo has feelings for you."

Heero's breath caught. He was elated and distressed all at once. "And?"

"I can't be the one to tell him."

"Then you'll help me?"

Trowa frowned. "For now. I can't believe I'm doing this."

Heero clasped his hand on Trowa's shoulder and smiled. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. Sooner or later you've got to tell him the truth."

He knew that, though he didn't like to consciously think about it. If Duo fell in love with him, then he'd consider revealing his secret.

"He likes me as a robot," Heero said, resigned to that fact.

"By all accounts, very much." Trowa nodded. He seemed to want to say more, but pursed his lips, perhaps thinking better of it. He raised the cable in front of Heero. "This won't hurt a bit."

They heard footsteps coming down the hall, and seconds later a tap at the door.

"Come in," Trowa said.

The door opened slowly to reveal Duo standing there. His eyes were wide with curiosity. "I hope you don't mind me checking on you."

"Not at all," Trowa said. "I can explain this process, if you like."

Duo smiled and stepped into the room.

Heero watched as Trowa entered some information on the keyboard and a data stream of numbers and letters scrolled on the small monitor. "This is the readout from Heero's databank. Everything is fine, but we'll go over the data at the lab to be sure."

"There's nothing personal in there?"

Trowa grinned. "No, it's merely a log much like a cardiogram or a scan of brainwaves. Anything you've said and done is not recorded here, and not accessible by our equipment."

Duo smiled a little easier and put his hands on Heero's shoulders. "I can't thank you enough... for him." He gave the shoulders a squeeze and Heero's heart started beating faster.

"You're welcome. I'm very glad our efforts have succeeded in providing you with your established ideal."

"They have. Now, you're staying for dinner, right?" Duo leaned over Heero's right shoulder and lowered his voice. "Quatre's counting on it."

"In that case, it's definitely a yes."

"Great." Duo laughed. "If you're done with Heero, I need him now... in the kitchen that is."

Heero looked to Trowa, still uneasy about their pact.

Trowa gave a firm nod. "We're done here. Right, Heero?"

"Hn." Heero got up from the chair and didn't look back. He put his arm around Duo's waist and walked with him to the kitchen.

Quatre was standing there with a glass of wine in hand. He gave Heero a tentative look, but then raised his glass to him. "Duo and I had a long talk."

"He's okay with things," Duo said, quickly.

"I'm glad," Heero said. "Your friendship is important."

"Yes, it is," Duo said with a smile. "Now let's get dinner started. I see you bought plenty."

Trowa joined them then, and Quatre's attention quickly shifted to the tall brunet. Heero was grateful for the respite. He wanted desperately to be alone with Duo, but just having him at his side in the kitchen was enough for now.

"You okay, Heero? You seemed tense when you came home."

Heero looked into Duo's eyes and felt the wariness of the last half hour drift away. Those eyes were like the rare blue-violet gem Tanzanite, rare and beautiful, and captivating. Those eyes called him back again and again, wanting more, hoping for a glimpse into Duo's heart.

"I'm fine," Heero said with a grin. "I wasn't sure how your talk had gone, that's all."

"Well, it was shaky at the start, but we worked it out. Like you said, Quatre was only being protective."

"Good."

They set about preparing dinner, with Duo listening carefully to Heero's instructions for pounding the chicken breasts, seasoning them and dredging them in egg and flour. By the time the meal was cooked, Quatre and Trowa had set the table and opened another bottle of wine. In a way, it felt like the gathering of old friends, except that Heero knew that for Duo and Quatre, he was just a robot. Well, not just. He could see now that Duo was beginning to have feelings for him, too. It made him believe that his hope of turning Duo's desires into love was a real possibility.

He wasn't sure when the dream of gaining Duo's love had begun, but it had coalesced in his mind and his heart when he thought that all was lost. Sometimes fear was a great impetus for change.

He smiled with the others as they raised their glasses in a toast.

"To new friends," Duo said.

"To new friends," they repeated in unison.

Hilde was leaning against the wall outside his office door Monday morning. She was always early, but Duo didn't usually see her hovering around his office until after she'd made a pot of coffee and rattled off a to-do list to their paralegal while sipping the dark brew.

"So, who is he?" Her arms were folded over her chest in cross-examination mode.

Maybe he deserved her court facade. He had phoned her ungodly early last Friday, in the middle of her workout. She probably had a right to know about the guy who kept her boss home that day, but he wasn't sure how much he wanted to share. These few days with Heero had been out of this world. Almost too good to be true.

"His name is Heero Yuy," he said, walking past her into his office. He set his messenger bag on his desk and shrugged out of his leather bomber jacket, laying it over his bag.

"And?"

He looked over his shoulder. "And what?"

"Details!"

He couldn't help, but grin. He had to admit he liked her curiosity, and he liked the idea of spending the morning talking about his new lover. The problem was he had taken a day off and that meant a lot of work was waiting for him.

He turned around and leaned against the desk. "He's everything I've ever wanted in a guy. How's that?"

Her eyes grew wide. "Really? So he's the one?"

"Could be." The indecision was mostly for Hilde's sake, to quell her enthusiasm so he could get to work. Heero was beautiful beyond words.

"What does he do?"

Duo's brow furrowed. He hadn't thought about filling in the details of Heero's identity. "He's between jobs."

"What kind of work is he looking for?"

"Technology... IT stuff." It made sense, seeing how Heero was a technological marvel.

"Computer nerd, huh? That's a new one for you." Hilde smiled. "When am I gonna meet him?"

Duo's thoughts drifted to earlier that morning when he had left his condo. Heero's kiss had been warm, but careful, knowing anything too tantalizing would've made Duo late for work.

"I'll make sure you meet him soon, but paws off."

"Huh?" Hilde batted her eyelashes in her best attempt at appearing sweetly innocent. "When have I ever stolen a guy from you?"

"There's never been one worth stealing until now."

"Oh, I knew there was more to this story. Do tell!"

He glanced at the pile of case files and messages stacked neatly on his desk. "Your inquiries are gonna have to wait. Is there anything I should know before I start?"

She sighed heavily and came into his office. "Yeah, that creep, Frank Nick, stopped by Friday. He was not a happy camper. Said he had an appointment."

"Damn, I forgot about that." Duo dropped into his desk chair. "What'd he say?"

"He was rambling about his wife trying to steal his company."

"Sorry, Hil. He's on the verge of filing for divorce, and I've been working with him to protect his corporate assets."

"Well, there's something slimy about him. You should find him a divorce attorney and wash your hands of the entire thing."

"Yeah." He should've realized the guy was bad news when he told Duo that he and his wife liked to beat the crap out of each other. That was never a good sign.

"Hey, did you ask Stephen out?" Hilde's face brightened, and Duo was pleased he had remembered.

"We're going out tomorrow night. I think he'd been waiting for me to say something."

"Gotta watch out for those bashful types."

"Since when have you dated anyone bashful?"

Duo shrugged. It was getting harder to remember anyone from his past. Heero was doing a damn good job of erasing his mistakes.

Hilde wandered off and Duo started the long process of sifting through the paperwork. He was fortunate he didn't have court, since he was tired from the extra-curricular activities of the long weekend. It had been a smorgasbord of delights, and felt a lot like he was catching up on the normal relationship stuff he had missed all these years. Well, it wasn't normal to choose a robot as your life companion, but as far as couples went, they had everything else going for them.

Just after twelve o'clock, one of his assistants buzzed him on an interoffice line. He suspected she was taking lunch orders.

"Where you getting lunch?" he asked.

"We're making a sandwich run, but it looks like you'll be dining out."

"Huh?"

"There's a Mr. Yuy to see you."

Duo's heart thumped. "Heero's here?"

"Yes." There was a muffled sound and then a whispered, "I've never seen anyone so..."

"I know, Melissa. Please tell him I'll be right there." He got up from his chair and checked his hair in the reflection of his framed law degree. Thank goodness Hilde wasn't around to see that or he'd never live it down.

He wasn't expecting Heero, so he hoped everything was okay at home. He headed to the reception area, his pulse quickening. When he turned the corner he saw Heero examining the botanical prints on the wall.

"Hey, Heero," Duo said, smiling.

Heero turned to him and grinned. "I hope I'm not disturbing you." He was carrying a bouquet of sunflowers in one arm, and a bag in the other.

"Those... for me?"

Heero nodded and handed him the flowers. "I thought they'd brighten your office... and aren't too girly."

Duo chuckled, even as he glimpsed Melissa with her mouth gaping open. "Nah, they're not girly. Thanks. What's in the bag?"

"Lunch. There's a park across the street. I brought a blanket for a picnic."

Now Duo was the one slack-jawed and speechless.

"Should I have called first?" Heero asked.

"Uh, no..." Duo grabbed Heero by the arm and took him down the hall to his office. He laid the sunflowers on his desk and turned to Heero, overwhelmed with the sweetness of this surprise. "No one's ever --"

"Duo, if I'm intruding on your day --"

"Heero." He put a finger to Heero's lips. "This is incredible. Thank you."

"You like it?"

"Very much." In the back of his mind he remembered an evaluation question about thoughtfulness and surprises, but it still felt genuine. Heero got a gold star for that. "Before we head over to the park, I need you to meet someone..."

He heard footsteps hurrying down the hall and seconds later, Hilde was standing in the doorway.

"Oh, you have company," Hilde said, feigning surprise.

"This is Heero Yuy. Heero, this is Hilde Schbeiker, the other attorney in this practice and a friend of mine since college."

Heero set the bag on the desk and held out his hand. "It's very nice to meet you."

Hilde shook his hand and smiled. "The pleasure's mine."

"Hil..." Duo said in a warning tone.

"We were just talking about you this morning. Were your ears burning?" She laughed.

Heero looked over at Duo and grinned. "Talking about me?"

"You know, girl talk." Hilde giggled. "Duo says you're looking for work in the computer field. Anything in particular?"

Heero's brow furrowed and then smoothed. "Intelligent design."

Hilde blinked. "Programming...?"

"Yes, programming robots."

"Uh, Heero, I think we'd best have our lunch. I've got a lot of work ahead of me." Duo scooped the bag into his arms and grabbed Heero by the hand. "See you later, Hil!"

They were through the office and out the front door before Duo slowed down and let go of Heero's hand.

"You're upset," Heero said, walking along side of him on the city sidewalk.

"Close call is all." He glanced at his lover and back to the sidewalk, crowded with pedestrians. "Why'd you say that?"

"It seemed appropriate... and it was the first thing that came to mind."

They crossed the street to the park, and found a spot near an oak tree to spread out the blanket. Duo sat down with the bag next to him, and stared up at Heero who remained standing.

"Duo, if you're unhappy..."

"It's not that." He patted the blanket next to him. He waited for Heero to sit and then turned to him. "I guess there are things we still need to work out... like your backstory."

"Backstory?"

"Yeah, people are bound to ask questions. I got nervous when you improvised."

"I see."

He placed his hand on Heero's knee. "You definitely need a story, for now, until I work up to telling more people."

"That I'm a robot?"

"Yeah." Duo nodded. "I'm happy that you're a robot, but not everyone is going to understand."

"Do you like me because I'm a robot?"

Duo cocked his head, surprised by the elicit self-awareness in that question. "That's a complicated thing to ask. I mean, you are a robot, but if you were say... a man, I'd still like you."

"You would?"

"Sure, why not? We get along, I like your personality, your looks, and you're great in bed." Duo nudged him with his elbow. "What's not to like, right?"

"Right."

"So, how about that lunch?"

Heero seemed a little subdued as he pulled the food items from the bag. Was it possible for a robot's feelings to get hurt?

"There's salmon salad sandwiches, melon slices, kettle chips, and a split of white wine." Heero grinned, seeming more himself again. "Can you drink at lunch?"

Duo nodded as he watched Heero prepare a plate for him, and pour the wine into a plastic cup. "Thanks. This is really sweet of you."

"I'm glad you like it."

They touched their plastic cups together and smiled as they dug into their meal. It was a warm afternoon, but the shade from the oak bathed them in welcome coolness. The conversation eventually turned to more lighthearted topics such as the annual art fair.

"The last few years, I've bought paintings from up and coming artists. I redecorated my bedroom around that abstract painting hanging above my bed."

"That's what inspired you?"

"That time. Sometimes it works the other way around. My living room was done when I found that clockwork sculpture."

"You have some open wall space in your entryway," Heero said. "Have you thought about purchasing art for in there?"

"That space could use... something. Maybe you can help me pick it out."

"I'd like that."

Duo smiled as he leaned towards Heero for a kiss. Since they were in public, he settled for a quick peck on the nose, but it was enough to make his lover smile back at him.

"This was perfect, Heero. I feel pampered and... loved."

Heero took his hand, nestling it between his like he was holding something precious. "I do love you, Duo."

Duo's breath caught. "You do?"

"You're perfect in every way."

"I wouldn't go that far." Duo laughed, nervously, even as his cheeks blushed with warmth.

"I would." Heero's voice was serious, and laced with that sexy tone he used when things were heating up between them.

Duo put his other hand over Heero's and squeezed. "I wish I didn't have to go back to the office..."

They looked into each other's eyes a moment longer, and then Heero pulled back. He set about gathering their empty plates and packing away the leftovers while Duo watched. He had never experienced so many emotions in such a short time as he had since Heero came into his life. This afternoon was no exception.

The Ideal Lover Program was worth every penny in his estimation. Billions of pennies. Maybe someday that infomercial would feature him and Heero walking barefoot and holding hands on a white, sandy beach.

From that day forward, Duo made an effort to show the same thoughtfulness. He didn't want this relationship to be a one-way street. Maybe some people bought robots to have a love slave, but Duo's intention had always been to have a life companion. Heero was proving to be that companion every day. He looked out for Duo in innumerable ways. From making breakfast to making love, Heero's actions spoke of commitment and love.

Yes, Heero had said he loved him. The moment had been slightly awkward, but not because it was a robot telling him what he wanted to hear, but because Duo had believed Heero. Call it crazy or delusional -- Quatre surely would -- but Duo had felt it in his heart.

It was a strange journey searching for love all those years and never finding it with another human being. Instead, it had taken a beautiful robot to open Duo's eyes to the true meaning of love.

Thursday night, Duo was home by seven o'clock. It was an anniversary of sorts. He and Heero had been together for one week -- a blissful union of man and machine. He wanted to celebrate, but he had been too embarrassed to formally announce his plans to Heero.

When he came in the door, the first thing that greeted him was the aroma of tomato sauce simmering on the stove. Next, Heero came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on an apron. Too bad he was dressed underneath it.

"Right on time," Heero said with a smile.

Duo slid his arms around Heero's waist and pulled him close. They kissed with the fever of missing each other, and let the moment linger as they breathed each other in.

"Long day?" Heero asked.

"Not bad. Whatever you're making smells delicious."

"Spaghetti Bolognese."

"Wonderful."

He had given Heero cash at the beginning of the week for grocery shopping and whatever came up. He had wanted to give him a credit card, but Heero refused. Funny that, but Duo let him have his way for now.

"I'll change and then I can set the table," Duo said, slowly removing himself from the embrace.

They had quickly fallen into this routine. It seemed as natural as breathing. They worked in tandem, playing off each other's strengths. Heero was the better cook, Duo was creative and had a flair for feathering their nest. Oh yes, they were nesting. There was no doubt about that. And the thrill was that it could go on this way indefinitely. Heero would never raise his voice or his hand to Duo; he would never disappoint him or stand him up. This apartment had become Nirvana, a place of eternal love and endless possibility.

After dinner, Duo was feeling a bit warm from too much wine, and very amorous. They stepped onto the balcony and the cool evening breeze soothed his cheeks. From ten stories up the city was a mass of lights and silhouetted structures.

They stood at the railing, Heero's arm around Duo's waist. "You're beautiful in this light," he said, nuzzling Duo's ear with his nose and lips.

"We're in the dark out here."

"The light from the living room plays off your features."

"You don't need to try that hard to get in my pants." Duo chuckled.

"Duo..." Heero kissed his ear. "I love you. Of course, I find you endlessly beautiful and fascinating."

Duo's breath caught like the day in the park when Heero had first said he loved him. It made him warm all over to hear those words. Not that he would feel that way if just anyone said them. No, it had to be Heero.

He turned to Heero and grasped him by the forearms, steadying himself. "I had the crate picked up today."

"Ronnie told me when I came back from the store."

"Do you know why I called for the pick-up?"

"Hopefully because you're happy with your decision."

"Yeah..." Duo leaned in and kissed him, rolling his tongue around Heero's and deepening the kiss until Heero moaned. He eased back, just far enough for his eyes to focus on his lover's handsome face. "I did it, because I'm not giving you up... ever. I love you, Heero."

Heero's expression contorted in what could only be described as disbelief.

"Is it so hard to believe?"

"No, but...." Heero took Duo's face in his hands and looked deep into his eyes.

"Are you okay?" Duo was beginning to wonder if he'd blown one of Heero's fuses. That is, if he had fuses. "I've never been in love before, so maybe I'm not expressing it well."

"You've done it perfectly," Heero said. "You just surprised me."

"Then kiss me already, damn it."

Heero gave a low chuckle and dove in to plunder Duo's mouth. They kissed with renewed ardor as if to say to the other, "This changes everything."

They didn't remain on the balcony for long after that. Their passion demanded to be explored in a more private setting. They kissed and groped their way into the master bedroom, tumbling to the bed like newlyweds.

The next two weeks breezed by in a dizzy haze of domestic bliss. Heero found that he enjoyed keeping house. Duo never made demands on him or gave him "honey-do" lists, but as soon as Duo left in the morning, Heero got to work. He cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom, did laundry, steam cleaned the area rugs, bought potted flowering plants for the balcony, and watched endless hours of cooking shows. If Duo's enthusiasm for his dinners was any indication, Heero could think about a new culinary career.

As the days passed and they fell more in love, Heero felt the press of time on his shoulders. He had taken a month's leave of absence, and soon he would have to pretend to find a job, so that he could return to work at AR Industries. That was going to be tricky, but maybe Trowa could fib about Heero becoming an assistant there. It would certainly make things less complicated.

After Trowa's initial panic, he had been a very useful ally in keeping Heero's secret. Their friendship had never been put to the test like this, and had grown because of it. Trowa had spent more time than usual checking on a robot, and in the process was getting to spend more time with Quatre Winner. There had been two more dinner parties, since that dreadful night when Heero thought his cover would be blown, and at each one he saw Trowa working up more courage to ask Quatre out.

It was the Saturday morning of the 21st Annual River Arts Festival, and Duo was up and making breakfast before Heero had woken. He stumbled out to the kitchen, wearing navy cotton sleep pants.

"It's only seven o'clock," Heero said, wiping sleep from his eyes.

"Didn't I mention that I like to get to the fair when it opens?" Duo was making scrambled eggs and toast, but the eggs were in jeopardy of being overcooked.

"It opens at nine. There's plenty of time." Heero came around and gently removed the spatula from Duo's hand.

Duo immediately set about getting plates down and pouring Heero a cup of coffee.

"Quatre and Trowa are meeting us for lunch, and I want to get through at least a third of the fair by then."

"Quatre and Trowa?"

"Didn't I tell you?" Duo slid his arm around Heero's waist and kissed his cheek. "Trowa finally asked Quatre for a date."

"That's good."

"You're telling me. I don't think Quatre's gotten any in awhile."

"You two talk about that stuff?"

"Well, sort of. I just figured he hasn't, since he hasn't gone out with anyone in nearly a year."

"Geez, I hope he's a least doing his butler."

Duo laughed and swatted Heero's ass. "You never know..."

Heero plated their breakfast and they stood at the counter eating. He loved weekends with Duo best of all, when he didn't have to run to work and come home late, tired and frustrated.

"You look dressed for battle," Heero said, noting Duo's camoflauge shorts, black combat boots and white tee with a big, black "X" screened on the front.

"Just comfortable. We're gonna do a lot of walking, and if I buy a lot of stuff we'll be lugging it back to the car."

Heero had to restrain himself from taking Duo by the waist and pulling him in for a sloppy kiss. He loved how Duo morphed from respectable attorney to night on the town to Weekend at Bernie's. He looked good in everything he wore, and his personality always managed to show even when he was dressed for court with his hair neatly braided.

After breakfast, Heero showered and dressed. His clothes now took up half of the guest room closet. No matter how much he protested, Duo bought him something new when they were out. In the back of Heero's mind, he kept thinking about his own apartment -- the clothes, furniture and DVD collection -- and wondered if he'd have to sell them off.

Hoping to complement Duo's rogue attire, Heero dressed in tan and white striped Bermuda shorts, a jewel blue t-shirt, white seersucker blazer, and canvas shoes.

Duo was stuffing his backpack with a water bottle when Heero joined him.

"Very nice," Duo said with a whistle. "I'm not gonna look so scary standing next to you."

"That was kind of the idea," Heero said with a chuckle.

He got a punch in the arm for that, and then they headed out the door to the art fair.

The weather was perfect, warm and sunny for the open air event. The riverfront park was filled with tents for the artists, food vendors and entertainment. It was a huge event, drawing over ten thousand people, and featuring the work of nearly 500 artists. At 9 a.m., there were already at least a thousand people on the grounds.

"Here's the deal," Duo said as they walked towards the first large tent, holding hands. "If we get separated, we'll just meet up at the other end of the tent."

"Sounds like a plan."

"But I really want your opinion for filling that entry wall."

Heero grinned. He knew this was important to Duo, because Duo had mentioned it at least a half dozen times in a week. "I'm sure we can find something we both like."

"I'm up for just about anything -- portraits, animals, modern."

"Maybe something like those prints hanging in your office's reception area."

"I got those here too... years ago."

They stepped inside the tent to see a myriad of art, including oil on canvas, photography, pottery, glass, watercolor, jewelry, and bronze sculptures.

Duo could afford most anything at the fair, but today he was interested in what he and Heero could agree upon. Out of the corner of his eye, Heero knew that Duo was watching him, trying to sort out what he was drawn to. By all accounts, Duo should've known -- Heero was programmed to like what Duo liked, and yet, Duo acted like it was a mystery to be unraveled. Sometimes Heero wondered if Duo was pretending that Heero was real.

They took their time viewing the artists' work, discussing what they liked, and speaking to the artists when something was especially skillfully crafted.

One of the last booths in the tent held the work of a middle-aged female artist. The woman wore a flowing green caftan and dozens of bangles on her arms. Her personality was as fluid and effervescent as her art. She worked in oil, painting shapes and colors, swirls and movement. Several of the pieces were triptychs, encompassing three canvases instead of just one.

"It would be very bold," Heero said.

Duo nodded as he stared at several triptychs mounted on the booth's walls. "I was imagining something smaller in that space, but you'd see it from the kitchen and dining room, so maybe bigger is better. Which one do you like?"

Heero was enchanted by the work, especially the one done in blues and browns swirling like ocean currents. "This one."

Duo smiled brightly. "Yep, that's the one I like, too."

It pleased Heero that Duo was drawn to the same piece. Over the past two weeks, he had grown accustomed to their likes being in sync, and had stopped recalling Duo's answers from the evaluation. He had needed those answers at the start, but his confidence in their match had continued to soar.

The three companion canvases totaled six feet by three feet. They might overwhelm the apartment's entry hall or would be a welcome focal point in that now sterile space.

"I would say, let's get it, but this is only the first tent," Heero said.

Duo's eyes had been transfixed on the piece for minutes now, but that comment drew his full attention back to Heero. He smiled as he took Heero's hand. "I agree, let's get it."

"But I said, we might want to wait."

Duo nodded, still smiling. "Yeah, but we both like it, right?"

"Very much."

Duo turned away to corral the artist. She was thrilled to make a sale, but what thrilled Heero was watching Duo. Standing ten paces away, he observed Duo as he made the transaction. He was live like an electrical current. People were drawn to him, to his exuberance... his generosity. Perhaps that's why the wrong types had preyed on him, taking advantage of his helping nature. Heero felt a mix of guilt and protectiveness in that regard. The secret he was keeping from Duo could be viewed as though he was taking advantage of Duo, but he had brought stability and love to Duo's life, something that Duo had told him had always been missing.

A moment later, the sold tag went up on the artwork, and Duo was at his side. "I told her she should charge more. $700 is a bargain."

They left the piece in order to make it in time for their lunch date. Trowa and Quatre were waiting at the river side cafe at the opposite end of the park. They were also taking in the fair, and agreed to walk around together after they ate. Lunch was lobster rolls and seasoned fries, sparkling water for Quatre, and a locally brewed beer for the rest of them.

It was easy to see that Trowa was smitten, and maybe in over his head. Heero wondered if he should share some of Duo's insight into Quatre, but decided to let him forge his own way. Since accepting Duo's decision to keep his robot lover, Quatre had been friendlier to Heero, though occasionally gave him a perplexed look. He supposed it wasn't easy to get over such a strong prejudice.

Being with Trowa and Quatre in their burgeoning relationship made Heero feel all the more coupled with Duo. It was extraordinarily nice to be accepted as a pair, and to walk hand-in-hand through the festival.

Quatre bought a small bronze sculpture of a horse for his office, and Duo purchased a stained glass panel for Hilde's birthday.

It was an idyllic day, until Heero heard Duo say, "Oh, my God, I think that's Treize Khushrenada."

Heero's heart slammed against his chest. He swung around to see that standing no more than twenty feet away was Mr. Khushrenada admiring a glass vase.

"I've got to tell him how happy I am," Duo said, and started walking towards Treize.

"No," Heero said, grabbing Duo by the wrist a bit forcefully.

Duo looked at him in confusion. "But this is my chance to thank the man who made all this possible."

"I'm sure he gets plenty of thanks."

Duo blinked. "Maybe, but I'd really like to thank him."

"You and Trowa should be the ones to speak with him." His eyes darted around the nearby booths for his tall friend. When he turned back to Duo he saw Treize coming their way. They made eye contact and it was too late.

Duo's face lighted and he stepped towards the man. "Mr. Khushrenada, I'm Duo and I recently joined your program. I couldn't be happier." Being in such a public place, Duo chose his words carefully.

"That's tremendous, young man!" Treize said, shaking Duo's hand. Then he looked past Duo to Heero, standing several feet behind him. "While you're thanking me, you really should thank Heero. He plays a key role in my operation."

Duo turned on his heels, his face still shining with that welcoming grin. "Yes, Heero, I should thank you, too!"

Duo nodded for Heero to join them, and Heero thought he would lose his lunch. He reluctantly stepped to Duo's side and shook Treize's hand. Maybe there was a way out of this yet.

In the next instant, he spotted the signature platinum blond hair of Treize's partner in all things, Zechs Merquise. Heero grabbed Duo's arm, ready to drag him away.

"You don't look well," Duo said, quietly.

"There you are," Zechs said, on finding Treize. His eyes quickly settled on Heero. "Whatever are you doing here? I thought you were in Australia."

"There was a change in plans..." Heero said, slowly.

Trowa finally decided to show up. His eyes went wide as he saw who they were speaking to.

"Mr. Khushrenada, Mr. Merquise," Trowa said, standing slightly in front of Heero as if he were his defensive lineman. "What a coincidence. I just saw the most remarkable sculpture and thought it would look perfect in the lobby."

Zechs's brow furrowed. "You know we keep that space very minimalistic."

"Yes, well..."

"Isn't this Duo Maxwell?" Zechs asked, nodding towards their client.

"That's right," Duo said, enthusiastically.

"Why are you with him and where is Thomas Snyder?"

"He's right here," Duo said, less than helpfully.

"What?" Zechs's frustration was beginning to show.

Heero opened his mouth, about to confess everything, when Quatre chose that moment to make an appearance.

"Aren't you Quatre Winner?" Treize asked.

"Yes. Have we met?"

"We've never been introduced, but we run in the same social circles." He reached his hand out. "Treize Khushrenada."

"Oh, yes. You have a membership at the polo club."

They spoke for sometime about the upcoming charity tournament. In the meantime, Trowa lured Zechs away, telling him that Thomas Snyder was very well, indeed.

Heero took that chance to take Duo by the hand and pull him as far away as possible. He didn't stop until they'd nearly reached the parking lot.

"I had no idea you'd be so funny about meeting Treize," Duo said, looking completely flummoxed.

"I'm sorry, but that was very... awkward."

"I don't see why. The man created you... you should be pleased to see him."

Heero's stomach was roiling with queasiness. He had made an impulsive decision to become Duo's robot, and only had time to plan a four weeks' buffer. Factoring in encounters like this had not been in the equation. Obviously, this plan was anything but perfect. He'd narrowly escaped with his relationship intact, but he needed to find out what Trowa had said to Zechs. If nothing else, he had been caught in one lie. He hadn't gone to Australia.

"Could you call Trowa? I need to speak with him."

"Do you need an adjustment or something? 'Cause you look a little green."

"Yes, I think there's a glitch in my processing network."

Duo eyed him carefully, and dug his cell phone out of his backpack. He handed Heero the phone.

Heero stepped away to speak with Trowa semi-privately.

"Don't worry, I covered for you," Trowa said.

"What'd you say?"

"Just that you'd come back from Australia early, and you and I happened to run into Duo at the fair."

"What about T.S.?"

"He didn't ask about the robot again. Damn it, Heero, that was too close for comfort."

"Tell me about it."

"Duo wasn't suspicious?"

"No. He's very trusting." It almost sounded cynical the way he said it, but he was feeling very much a heel.

Duo walked over then, looking concerned. "Everything okay?"

Heero nodded, and said to Trowa, "Duo wants to speak with you to be sure my processor is working correctly."

"Gotcha," Trowa said.

He listened intently as Duo spoke with Trowa about his robot, and assumed that Trowa was giving him a reason for Heero's less than stellar behavior. Duo seemed satisfied when he was finished with the call.

"He said he could stop by tomorrow to run a diagnostic if I thought it was necessary."

"Okay."

"I've never seen you that off before. It was like something wasn't computing."

Heero took a breath. "I'm sorry if I worried you. But Duo..." He took his lover's hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently. "Please remember that I love you. No matter what."

Duo's face scrunched in worry. "Why are you saying that? Of course, I know you love me."

He kissed Duo's hand again and said a silent prayer.

They went about enjoying their day, and Heero tried to put the incident behind him. As they returned to the fair to pick up their purchases, he kept looking over his shoulder, fearing another encounter. He couldn't live like this, but he couldn't live without Duo either. He had to find a way to merge his two worlds before they imploded on him.

That night, he made love to Duo with the passion and intensity of a man swimming up from the depths of the sea trying to break through the surface of the water. He needed Duo like green living things needed the sun. He clung to the truth of their love even as he grasped for a way to conceal his dark secret.

Duo lay across his chest afterward, drawing a pattern on his skin. He was talking about the day, about what they might do tomorrow and completely oblivious to how close they had come to losing everything.

"You know I'd do anything for you," Heero said, caressing Duo's braid.

"Of course." Duo kept his cheek on Heero's chest and his fingers doodling on his belly. He was always so sweetly lethargic after sex.

Heero's mind had been working the problem of phase two of his new life ever since the incident at the festival. It seemed the best course was to leave Zechs a message telling him that his plans had changed, and he would return to work at the end of his vacation leave. Meanwhile, he would ask Trowa to talk to Duo about Heero coming to work for him at AR Industries. With a little luck, he could return to programming robots while maintaining his life with Duo.

"I'd do anything to protect this," he said as the plan formed.

Duo looked up at him then, eyes blinking with the recognition that Heero was saying something significant. "Me, too... but why are you talking like that?"

Heero grinned and brushed a stray lock of hair from Duo's face. "I just want you to know how important this is. How important you are to me."

Duo's face brightened with his amazing crooked grin and Heero's heart warmed. It might be best if he shut up and showed Duo, again, what he meant to him. He pulled Duo to his lips and kissed him soundly. "I love you."

"I love you," Duo said, moving his lips to kiss a wet path along Heero's jaw. His hand slid down to find his lover already half aroused. "Mmm... I was thinking about this all day."

"Maybe we should change our plans and stay in tomorrow."

"Me in you and you in me?" Duo laughed.

In moments, Heero got a preview of what their Sunday in bed could be like.

Wednesday evening, Duo was working late at his office downtown. The long hours had never bothered him, but since Heero came into his life he had been less willing to put in the time. Thankfully, Hilde had taken up some of the slack. She was all toothy grins whenever he fed her a morsel about his new lover. She thought Heero was the bomb, and the few times he'd come around the office, she had nearly broken her neck to see him.

Duo had to admit that Heero was a spectacular sight. His intense good looks made it difficult to concentrate on anything but him when they were together. They were fast approaching their third week anniversary and things just kept getting better. Even with all the sex they were having, Duo was getting the best sleep of his life. He was more relaxed, refreshed, chipper. He was a happy guy to begin with, but with Heero at his side his world had blossomed in a thousand ways.

He hadn't entirely believed that falling in love with a robot could be like this. He had thought their love would be about attraction and companionship, but nothing as deep and connected as he experienced with Heero.

He checked the clock on the wall. It was ten minutes 'til eight o'clock, and Heero was meeting him at eight sharp. They were going to an exclusive event at Giorgio Armani's held once a year for their very best customers. Duo had worn a steel gray Armani suit, lavender dress shirt and black leather loafers to work for the occasion, but hung the jacket on the coat rack to keep his appearance casual for the day.

Quatre and Trowa would also be attending. That relationship had taken off nicely after the day of the art festival. Quatre blushed whenever he spoke about Trowa, which was often, and he'd confessed that Trowa liked to play on the wild side. So, Quatre had gotten out the whips and chains already? Duo would be sure to remind Quatre that if he hadn't gotten a robot lover, Quatre wouldn't be getting anything now either.

Logging off his computer, Duo decided to close the office and wait outside for Heero. It was a beautiful, clear night and the city's downtown remained active until late with its restaurants, boutiques and clubs. He input the security code and stepped outside to lock the front door. As he turned toward the street, he was startled by one of his clients, Frank Nick, who was standing behind him as if in wait.

"I'm closing up for the night, Frank. Is there something you wanted?"

"I need you to get that stupid bitch out of my life."

"Didn't you call the divorce attorney I recommended?"

"Yeah, yeah... but what about getting her claws off my money?"

Even the streetlight could not diffuse the agitation on Frank's pudgy face. This client had been a bother since day one, but Duo thought they were making progress.

"I filed that brief last week --"

"You mean that other attorney did."

"Well, yes, Ms. Schiebker went down to the courthouse for me, but I wrote the brief outlining the pertinent facts of your case against your wife." Just then, Duo caught Heero's silhouette approaching. This conversation could now end and his evening out with his lover and friends could begin. Heero came up and stood next to Duo, giving a simple nod. "If you have questions, Frank, give me a call in the morning."

Frank's face pinched, but he didn't say a word as Duo headed down the block with Heero on his arm.

"What was that about?" Heero asked when they were well away.

"Just a client who's not happy with the slow wheels of justice." He eyed Heero carefully and smiled. "You look incredible."

Heero grinned. He was wearing a black Armani tuxedo jacket over a silk-cotton blend white pullover, Calvin Klein stonewashed jeans, and black leather Armani dress shoes.

At the Giorgio Armani store, they showed their embossed invitation and were greeted with smiles and champagne. It was a veritable who's who of guests from the mayor to local television personalities, and rich business types such as Quatre Raberba Winner.

Duo walked up to his best friend, while Heero took a detour to speak with Trowa. "I thought you were arriving later," Duo said to Quatre, kissing his cheek.

"We changed our dinner plans," Quatre said, smiling as he looked across the room to where Trowa was sampling cologne. "He's such a dream, Duo. He's a real thinker, you know?"

"Like Rodin's statue?" Duo asked with a laugh.

Quatre pursed his lips in a little frown. "I mean that he's intelligent, of course."

"Is that what turns you on? I thought it was because you like 'em taller than you and carrying a whip."

Quatre's frown continued to grow. "I'm not as shallow as you think."

Duo started to chuckle at Quatre's seriousness, but he suspected it was a sign that Trowa Barton was the one. Quatre had never been that defensive about any of his other lovers.

"Shopping or just browsing tonight?" Quatre asked, swiftly changing the subject.

"I'm sure I'll buy something, but Heero doesn't want to stay long."

"Hurrying back to your love nest?"

"No, we're going out after, but he's worried Treize will show up."

"Worried? Whatever for?"

"I'm not sure. He was weirded out when we ran into him at the festival. Maybe it's part of his programming to demur in the face of his creator."

Quatre rubbed his chin as he observed Heero speaking with Trowa. "They get along just fine. Like old friends, in fact."

Duo shrugged. "Trowa mentioned something about that yesterday. He called to ask me about letting Heero work with him at AR Industries. He said that all the robots have different personalities, and Heero's would be just right to be an assistant."

"Would he get a paycheck?"

"Yeah." Duo laughed. "When I told Heero, he seemed pleased. He said that would mean he could buy his own clothes, pay for groceries, and buy me gifts."

"He's a bit eager to be more independent."

"I don't think it's that, he just wants to contribute equally to the relationship and that includes paying bills and such."

"Who would ever think that a robot would want those things?"

"I know. Sometimes I can't get over how humanlike he is. It's remarkable."

Quatre raised his hand. "No details, please. You know it makes me squeamish."

Duo rolled his eyes. "You've got to stop thinking about him as just a bundle of wires."

"I'm trying, but sometimes I wonder..." Quatre's eyes were fixed on Heero.

Duo tilted his head waiting for the rest of the sentence. "Wonder, what?"

Quatre blinked and looked at Duo. "Oh, like you said, just wondering about his humanness."

"You're not like that Marjorie are you? Thinking they're all soulless and the ones who buy them are perverts?"

"Duo, you know me better than that. My initial objection was merely that I felt you deserved better."

"I couldn't do better than Heero." It was as sincere a statement as he had ever made. He gazed across the store and just then Heero looked up and met his eyes. Duo smiled. Heero was everything to him. He could no longer imagine a life without Heero at his side.

Heero and Trowa came over to join them, and the conversation shifted to clothes. They ate hors d'oeuvres from silver trays presented by wait staff as they watched models walk an imaginary runway through the store in the latest Armani collections.

Duo selected a wool-and-silk vest and silk-wool-and-cashmere trousers from the fall line, and a silk scarf in gray that coordinated perfectly with the suit he was wearing. Heero pretended not to be interested in any of the new fashions, but Duo knew better and bought him a wool-and-silk cardigan in the color of the deepest red wine.

As they were leaving the store, Heero took the two bags from Duo's hands. He pulled the scarf out of the tissue the clerk had wrapped it in. "This is perfect for dinner out," Heero said, slipping the scarf around Duo's neck.

They paused in front of the store's window, Duo grinning from ear-to-ear. He leaned in and kissed Heero. "Thank you."

Heero caressed Duo's cheek with his hand. He was about to speak when they heard someone shout Duo's name. They turned toward the street to see Frank Nick getting out of a car and walking towards them. Duo was not happy.

"Frank, I told you, we can talk tomorrow."

"I see why you don't have time to take care of your clients." Frank hissed.

Duo glanced at Heero and then back at Frank. "It's after hours. I have a life, too."

"And what about my life? You've been telling me for over a month that you'll fix things!"

"I don't have a magic wand, but things might move faster if you'd bring your wife in to negotiate --"

"I don't want that bitch to get one dime from me!"

"You should've thought of that before you put her name on the company's incorporation papers!" Duo was at his limit of patience. He grabbed Heero by the hand and turned away, but just as he did he saw the glint of something reflecting off the store's window. He looked back as Frank raised his arm. "Shit!"

He barely had time to hold up his left arm in defense as the knife slashed downward. Pain like fire spread across his forearm. He stared in disbelief as blood spread over his jacket's sleeve. In the next instant, Heero was pushing Duo back and stepping in front of him. Their bags dropped in haste and the contents spread across the sidewalk.

Duo felt dizzy from pain, but grasped Heero's jacket to pull him back, but in that moment Heero doubled over with Frank's weapon hand at Heero's gut.

"No!" Duo shouted, lunging forward and striking Frank in the side of his head with his fist.

Their attacker stumbled back and a second later was tackled to the cement sidewalk by Trowa. The knife went clattering to the ground.

Duo took Heero by the shoulders and guided him to lean against the storefront. Heero sank to the sidewalk, holding his stomach and grimacing in pain.

"Heero," Duo said. His heart hammered as he looked into his lover's face. Heero didn't look right. Why was he in so much pain?

Quatre was at Duo's side, saying something about calling for an ambulance.

"Get the police!" Duo said with a growl. He couldn't believe one of his clients had gone psycho on him.

Heero looked up at him. "Duo... I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about. That nut attacked us!"

"No, Duo..." Heero grimaced.

Duo looked down at Heero's hands clutching his stomach, and for the first time noticed the blood. "God... you're bleeding." He grabbed his scarf and wadded it.

"Not your new scarf," Heero said. His voice was fading, and his eyes were looking unfocused.

"Who cares about a silly scarf when you're bleeding!"

He pressed the scarf to Heero's stomach. Heero grasped his hand and Duo couldn't comprehend the dark sticky matter covering it.

"You shouldn't be bleeding." Duo couldn't make sense of it. He had seen how robots were made with steel infrastructures, circuitry, wires, and synthetic skin. They didn't have blood and guts. What was this stuff?

Sirens blared in the distance, and Quatre said something about everything being all right. Duo slumped to the ground, lightheaded and confused. He watched, somewhat detached, as the emergency responders arrived. They all came at once, the police, the paramedics, the curiosity seekers.

Frank Nick was cuffed with his face to the ground and the policeman's knee to his back. Duo gave a derisive snort. "Now your wife will get everything you stupid son-of-a-bitch." His voice didn't carry over the commotion. If he had the strength, he would've kicked Nick's balls up through his ass.

The paramedics tended to Heero first, putting him on a stretcher and taking him to an ambulance. Another medic turned to Duo then.

"You'll definitely need stitches," she said as she wrapped his arm with gauze.

A police officer spoke with him briefly to get his name and a few facts. "Come down to the station to give your statement once you're discharged from the hospital."

Duo nodded and the medic got him to his feet, walking him to a second ambulance.

"That's my boyfriend." He nodded toward Heero being loaded onto the other ambulance.

"We're going to the same hospital. You'll see him there."

He was told to lie down on a stretcher inside the ambulance, and the paramedic proceeded to hook him up to an IV and give him pain medication. The meds eased the pain, but Duo still felt cool and clammy. He remembered their dinner plans and tried to sit up and reach for his phone to cancel their reservation, but the medic push him back down and told him no calls.

At last they arrived at the emergency room. Quatre and Trowa were there to meet him. He wanted to see Heero and find out what was wrong, but he was taken into a little recessed room with a curtain where a nurse helped him into a bed and hooked the IV fluid bag onto a freestanding pole. Quatre stayed with him while Trowa went to make sure things were fine with Heero.

There was some paperwork to fill out before he got stitches, and luckily Quatre was there to help, because Duo was distracted with worry. After the nurse left for a moment, Duo hopped off the bed and pulled the IV pole with him over to the curtains. He peeked outside to see if he could locate Heero.

"Let's get your arm tended to first," Quatre said. "Trowa will make sure Heero's okay."

"I can't wait, Quatre. I'm scared that something's seriously wrong." Duo removed the IV fluid bag from the pole to carry it himself and headed out.

"Duo, please," Quatre said, as he followed him through the ER.

Across the emergency room, they noticed a flurry of activity. Trowa was standing well back as doctors and nurses converged around a single point. Duo's heart felt like it stopped beating as he rushed towards the scene. Trowa held out his arm to prevent Duo from getting closer.

"How is he?" Duo asked, breathless.

"They're attending to him now."

That was a non-answer, so Duo pushed past Trowa and found a spot with a clear view. Heero was lying on the stretcher unconscious with an oxygen mask covering his nose and mouth. There were two, maybe three doctors surrounding him, and as many nurses, and they were pumping blood into him.

"Why are you giving him blood?" Duo asked.

"Who are you?" One of the doctors asked, impatiently.

"I'm his boyfriend. We were attacked."

"Then you know that he's lost a lot of blood."

"No, it's not possible." Duo turned back to Trowa, and saw Quatre standing beside him. "Tell them, Trowa. You can get your equipment and run a diagnostic."

Trowa came over to Duo and grasped his shoulder, trying to encourage him to leave the area. "Let them do their job."

"We need to get him to the operating room now!" a doctor said.

There was more activity as equipment was readied for the move. Then Duo caught a glimpse of the bloodied silk scarf lying in a silver pan. Panic ripped through him. "You can't do surgery on him! He's a robot!"

Everyone froze. The doctors, the nurses, they all looked at Duo like he was a mad man.

"I know it sounds crazy, but you've seen those ads on TV, haven't you?" Duo asked, desperately. "Well, he's one of those robots!"

Trowa's grip tightened and he pulled Duo back.

"Get him out of here," one of the nurses said. She held out her arm, clearing a path as the stretcher was moved.

"No, Trowa. Tell them they're making a mistake."

"It's no mistake," Trowa said, sadly.

"What?" Duo watched helpless as Heero was wheeled towards the operating room. He tried to pull away, but it was no use with Trowa and now Quatre holding him back.

As the doctors began to leave, one turned to Duo. "Be sure you're checked for a severe head wound."

"You think I hit my head!"

"Son," the doctor said, calmly placing his hand on Duo's shoulder. "I may not know about robots, but I've been a doctor for many years. That young man is human. He has a pulse, blood, veins and his condition is very serious. Get yourself looked after, and I'll talk to you after surgery."

Duo watched dumbfounded as the doctor walked away and Heero disappeared from sight. "He's... human?" he mumbled, dazed.

It felt like he stood there for minutes, unmoving, without hearing a sound, except for the blood rushing in his ears. Hot, red blood coursed through his veins, oozing onto the city sidewalk, soaking into his silk scarf.

"Duo." Quatre was standing in front of him, looking into his face with concern as he shook Duo's shoulders. "Duo, are you listening to me?"

He shook his head. He didn't want to be bothered. He wanted to stand there and pretend this was not happening.

"We need to get your arm checked," Quatre said.

Duo pushed Quatre away gently and turned to Trowa who was now leaning against a support column. "He's human," Duo said. It was no longer a question. It was an accusation.

Trowa gave a small nod.

Before Duo could react, Quatre breezed past him and slapped his lover across the cheek. A pink imprint of Quatre's hand flared on Trowa's face. Quatre turned back and held out his hand to Duo, who took it automatically. They walked away from the trauma area, and Quatre found a nurse to remove the IV tube from Duo.

"You're refusing treatment?" she asked.

"Yes," Quatre said, raising his chin. He took Duo's hand again and led him out of the emergency room, and didn't stop until they were in Quatre's black Mercedes.

Duo slumped forward in the seat, burying his head in his hands. "Oh, God, oh, God."

He didn't know what to think or how to feel. Angry? Used? Betrayed? Made a fool? Heartbroken? He felt everything at once and nothing at all. It was like being numb with a twist of lime.

Quatre sat quietly in the driver's seat for several minutes before speaking. "What do you want to do?"

Tears spilled from Duo's eyes and he squeezed them shut trying to stop them. "I'd slash his tires if he had a car. But he probably does have a car, huh?" Duo snorted. The smart remark only made him feel worse. The piercing weight of this revelation shot through him. "Mother fucking bastard!" He struck his fist against the car door.

"Duo." Quatre caressed his shoulder.

"How could he do this to me? How could Heero lie to me like that? Make me believe... make me fall in love with him." He convulsed at the words, at the terrible truth, and quick-thinking Quatre reached past him to open the passenger door. Duo leaned out and vomited on the asphalt parking lot.

Quatre waited for Duo to calm down, and then drove him to an emergency medical clinic. There his wound was cleaned again, and stitched, but he felt so hollow that he was hardly aware of anything happening around him.

Some time later, they arrived at Quatre's penthouse. Duo was glad that Quatre had brought him here. He didn't think he could go home just now... with everything to remind him. Quatre guided him to the living room couch and made him hot tea.

"Drink that. It'll relax you." Quatre settled at the opposite end of the couch.

"Is there brandy in this?"

"You don't need alcohol."

"I need something."

Quatre didn't respond, and for a long while neither one of them spoke. Duo appreciated the silence as he stared at the steam rising from the mug of tea on the glass coffee table. He was almost afraid to speak, fearing that it would open the dam on the emotions he was trying to contain. But it was hard to keep that amount of rage and pain bottled up. It was gnawing in his belly like a caged beast.

"He kept apologizing," Duo said at last, his voice cracking. "I thought it was because he didn't want me to worry, but it was because he knew... I'd find out." He shook his head as the tears welled in his eyes. "I can't believe it's happened again. I must have sucker tattooed on my forehead!"

"We need to find out who he is. Some sort of con man, I imagine."

"If he's a con man, then is Trowa, too?" Duo looked across the sofa at his friend and suddenly realized the implication of this situation on him. "I swore this shit wouldn't happen again, and this time I took you down with me."

"Don't think like that." Quatre was shaking his head emphatically as he scooted closer and took Duo's hand. "We'll get to the bottom of this."

Duo sighed heavily. That sounded like a lot of work, and right now all he wanted was to sleep into oblivion and forget everything. "You mind if I head to bed?"

"That's fine. Why don't you take the coral and sea foam guest room at the end of the hall."

"Thanks." Duo couldn't muster his normal cheer, but he was certain Quatre understood why.

Like every room, this one was impeccably clean and tastefully decorated in ultra-modern chic. It was almost like staying in a five star hotel, except that Quatre's personal touches always reminded you this was his home.

Duo closed the door behind him and couldn't quite decide what to do. Go to bed or shower? Either way he was beginning to think that this would be a long night.

He opted for bed, and stripped down to his briefs and climbed under the covers. The bed was enormous and absorbed his body like a giant pillow. He closed his eyes, letting the exhaustion wash over him. It felt good for about one minute and then his mind started to play back scenes from the night in random order -- the attack, the blood, the tingle of champagne on his tongue, the look on the doctor's face when Duo told him about the robot... Heero's kiss.

A sob escaped Duo's lips.

Only hours before he couldn't conceive of a life without Heero, and now he couldn't think of him without experiencing immeasurable pain. Why hadn't he seen the signs, the little clues that told him that Heero was a man and not a robot? But truly, he hadn't suspected, not even when blood covered Heero's hands. His mind had told him it was something else, some substance they put inside the robots to lubricate their metallic joints.

Even now, he couldn't fully believe in Heero's humanness. All he knew was Robot Heero, who cooked and cleaned, and made love to him like no one ever had. Yet, it was just a scam for easy sex and to bilk him out of money and expensive clothes. But how had he done it? How had that man known that Duo was ordering a robot and substituted himself? Was Trowa the mastermind of this big con game? Were they targeting Quatre as well?

Duo tossed and turned for hours until at last his anger and his tears gave way to his fatigue. Around 6 a.m. he dragged himself from bed and showered. He put on the thick, terrycloth guest bathrobe and shuffled into the kitchen to make coffee. Quatre was up and dressed and speaking to someone on the phone. He nodded a good morning and walked out onto his balcony to finish the call. Minutes later, he returned and Duo handed him a cup of strong, black coffee.

"You look exhausted," Quatre said. "I had hoped you would get a good night's sleep."

"Got a couple of hours," Duo said, taking a sip.

"How are you?"

"Like you said, exhausted."

Quatre was dressed in navy pinstripe slacks and vest, a white long-sleeved buttoned shirt, a fuchsia pinstriped tie (his version of a power tie), and slippers.

"You headed into work early?" Duo asked, leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Actually, I thought I'd help you sort through this mess."

"Really? Well, I was planning on going into work."

"Duo, you cannot be serious."

"Why not?"

"You've had a very big upset --"

"I'm working through it."

"In one night? I don't think so."

Duo's brow furrowed. He had hoped to escape from this new reality for awhile longer, but it seemed that Quatre wasn't working off the same itinerary. His friend stared at him, and Duo knew he had to face his feelings, but it was so damn hard.

"You know the expression about having the rug pulled out from under you?"

"Yes," Quatre said, softly.

"Well, that's me about now." He looked up at the kitchen's skylight and tried to form the right words to explain how it felt to have his heart carved out of his chest. Tears sprang to his eyes, stinging and embarrassing him. He wiped them away with the sleeve of his robe, but Quatre was already at his side, giving him a fierce hug.

"Duo, I'm so sorry."

He reluctantly put his arms around his friend. He wanted to be stronger than this. He wanted to fight back, to hurt Heero in equal measure, but it was so damn confusing. It was like his heart and his head were waging a tug o' war between what had happened last night and what had happened the previous three weeks.

"I just don't get it, Q," Duo said, putting his chin on his friend's shoulder. "How could I have been so stupid?"

"Because you wanted to believe in love."

Duo nodded. He had desperately wanted to believe, and he thought he had found it... at last. Heero had been so perfect in so many ways that he should've known it was too good to be true.

Quatre released him from the embrace, and then took Duo's face in his hands. "I've been doing some investigating this morning." Quatre's eyes twinkled. He spun around and grabbed his cup of coffee as he settled on one of the aqua, leather upholstered chairs in the breakfast nook. "That phone call was to a friend who's a director at the hospital."

Duo gulped. "Yeah?"

"He's going to have the admissions paperwork faxed to me."

"Is that legal?"

Quatre raised an eyebrow. "We're playing their game now, Duo. Once we get the admission form we'll know who we're dealing with." He took a long sip of his coffee as he gazed off towards the floor to ceiling windows that lent a spectacular view of the city.

"Shouldn't we talk to the police?"

"Well, you still need to give your statement about the attack, but I think we should do a bit of our own digging before we involve the authorities in this matter."

Quatre seemed quite pleased with himself, but Duo wondered where this path might lead. How far might they fall to uncover the truth? Right now it seemed like it lay at the bottom of a very deep, snake infested pit.

Duo's mind flashed on the image of the blood-soaked scarf and Heero being carted off for surgery. "For all we know... he's dead."

"No, he's not," Quatre said, matter-of-factly. "My contact said he's in ICU, but doing well. Lucky as hell, I think she said."

An unbidden relief swelled in Duo's stomach, confusing him. Why should he care that Heero had survived? He had used and betrayed Duo in the worst way.

"I'm sorry if you don't want to talk about this now," Quatre said. "Why don't you sit down and I'll make us breakfast?"

Duo nodded and shuffled over to the table with his coffee. The emptiness he had felt in bed last night came back to him. It had threatened to swallow him whole. He should've slept on the couch, instead of that vast, lonely bed.

He stared at his coffee, remembering the touch of Heero's hands. They were able to warm him, excite him, and soothe him if need be. Heero had the perfect touch, but then he had had all the answers, too, hadn't he?

"That son-of-a-bitch."

Heero opened his eyes to a beige room and the sound of steady beeping. He was still groggy, but was aware of tubes and wires, and once he realized he was in a hospital room other things slowly came back to him. Duo had been kneeling in front of him, panic-stricken. Sirens had echoed around them. Chaos, and then fear had gripped him as he slipped into unconsciousness.

He turned his head expecting to find Duo at his side. Instead, Trowa was slumped and asleep in the bedside chair.

"Where's Duo?" His throat was dry and sore, but his voice was clear enough to wake his friend.

Trowa sat up. "You're awake."

"Duo?"

"He's not here."

"He was hurt..."

"Nothing serious. You needed surgery and I stayed behind."

"Behind?" He didn't understand, but maybe it was the effects of the drugs. "There was blood..."

"You were stabbed, but no organs were damaged. The doctor said you'll make a full recovery."

"No, Duo was upset about the blood." He remembered it now. "He must've realized..."

Trowa leaned forward and placed a hand on Heero's forearm. "He still thought you were a robot and tried to convince the doctor to let me fix you."

That relaxed him a little, but then why wasn't Duo here? "Did he go home?"

"Yes, with Quatre."

Trowa was hiding something. He could feel it.

"He has to know," Heero said. "Robots don't have surgery at hospitals."

Trowa's brow creased. "He insisted you were a robot to the point that the doctor thought he had a head injury."

"The doctor?"

"Yes, he told Duo that you're not a robot."

Heero closed his eyes, and the heart monitor's beeps quickened. "No."

"I'm sorry."

He looked at Trowa to see the truth in his eyes. "What did you say to him?"

Trowa sagged back in the chair. "He asked if you were human. What could I say after the doctor told him?"

"But you went after him. You told him that I love him, right?"

"I'm sorry, Heero," Trowa said, shaking his head. "There was no talking to him."

Heero sat up and his head spun, but he didn't care. He had to get to Duo. He had to explain and tell him how his life was nothing without him.

Trowa was at his side, pushing him back to the bed. "You'll open the wound."

"Damn it! I have to get out of here." He shoved his friend aside, and the motion pulled the oxygen tubes from his nose, and an IV from his arm.

Trowa pushed the call button and a nurse responded over the speaker. "Yes, may I help you?"

"Nurse... Heero's pulled out the IV. He's agitated and trying to get up..."

Heero struck him again, and swung his legs over the side of the bed. There was a sharp pain in his side, and he was disoriented, but he had to keep moving. Duo must hate me. He must think I'm one of those low lifes that used him in the past.

A nurse rushed in and with Trowa pushed Heero back down onto the bed. "Everything's all right," she said, calmly but firmly. "You need to lie back or you'll injure yourself."

"I demand to be discharged!"

"Heero, you just had surgery twelve hours ago," Trowa said. "You're not healed."

"It doesn't matter... nothing matters without Duo."

A second nurse arrived, and the attending nurse said Heero was a risk to himself. There was a prick in his arm and heaviness overcame him. He struggled, but his body was so heavy. He felt the heartbreak spreading from his chest through his entire body and then darkness engulfed him.

Quatre's penthouse was a comfortable safe haven for Duo, but he knew he couldn't remain here long. Eventually, he would have to go back to his apartment and face the painful task of removing the memories, but right now he was content to sit paging through magazines.

It was late morning and several hours since they had received the fax from the hospital. Duo had hesitated to read the confidential patient information, but he wanted to know more about the real Heero Yuy, or whoever he was. It turned out that was his actual name, but the shocker was that he worked for AR Industries.

Duo hadn't met Heero during his one visit to the company's headquarters. That left him with a big question mark as to how and why he had chosen to pose as Duo's robot lover. Knowing that Heero worked for Treize clarified the conversation at the art festival and Heero's reaction. He'd blown a fuse all right, but not because of malfunctioning neurotransmitters, but because he had nearly gotten caught in his game.

Duo paused in turning the pages of the men's fashion magazine. What made a person go to those lengths to pretend to be a robot? Was it a turn-on for him? Had he done it before? That possibility hurt Duo the most. Had there been others that Heero had pretended to love?

"Did they fall in love with you, too?" he asked aloud.

Just then, he heard Quatre's footsteps coming from the other room. They had both taken the day off, but Quatre was in his fierce, CEO mode. Once they'd discovered where Heero worked, Quatre had suggested that Duo sue AR Industries. Duo agreed that he had a strong case for breach of contract, but he wanted to focus on the issue of Heero first. Either way, a lawsuit and possibly a criminal charge were imminent.

"Would you like anything?" Quatre asked. He was treating Duo like an invalid, but Duo appreciated the attentiveness.

"Not right now, but thanks."

Ring, ring. Ring, ring.

Quatre spun on his heel to look in the direction of the front door. "That's the lobby phone. Must be the concierge."

"Expecting a delivery?"

"Could be... I'll be back in a sec." Quatre scooted away, walking quickly across his parquet floors and sliding a little in his slippers.

Duo listened, not to be nosey, but because he was bored. He was tired of this hurt and sadness, and wanted to do something about it. Maybe it hadn't been such a good idea to hide at Quatre's.

"I don't want to see you..." Quatre's voice was suddenly loud and agitated. "And Duo certainly doesn't want to."

Duo shot up from his chair, the magazine falling to the floor. "Is it Heero?" He raced towards the door, and halfway there realized his heart was pounding. He stopped just feet from Quatre, and was tempted to grab the phone from his hand. "Tell Heero he's got a lot of nerve coming here."

Quatre shook his head and mouthed, "It's Trowa."

Duo's heart sank. It wasn't Heero? But of course, he was still at the hospital. He felt the pain well up inside him again like someone was pounding a stake into his heart. Everything had been ripped away from him, and he was only hanging onto sanity thanks to his best friend.

"Just hang up," Duo said.

Quatre held up his hand, signaling Duo to wait. "I don't think he wants to hear that right now," he said into the receiver.

"Hear what?" Duo's heart was beating fast again, fluttering wildly. He pressed his hand against his chest, unfamiliar with this feeling. Was he having some kind of an attack?

Quatre saw the change in him and pointed to a chair. "All right, all right. Five minutes, but that's all." He hung up and rushed to Duo's side. "What's wrong?"

"My heart... It's beating like crazy."

"Does it hurt?"

"No."

Quatre kissed his forehead. "It's stress. Just take slow deep breaths." He returned to the phone and called the concierge, informing him to let their visitor come upstairs.

"What does Trowa want?"

"To explain." Quatre shook his head. "It's against my better judgment..."

"But you love him."

Quatre sighed.

"I'm sorry I've been so focused on my own problems that I haven't asked how you're doing."

"It's okay, Duo. What you're going through no one should experience."

Duo had certainly never felt this way after any of his other failed relationships. Those could be described as mishaps and blunders, this... Well, Heero had left him reeling in disbelief and shock. His brain still couldn't wrap itself around the truth of Heero's humanity, and the depth of his deception.

They barely had time to regroup when the penthouse's doorbell rang. The sound made Duo's gut tighten in knots.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Duo asked.

Quatre gave a nonchalant wave. "Don't worry about me." He stepped to the door, but waited until Duo nodded before opening it.

Duo was standing in the living room, thirty feet away, as a precaution. He wasn't sure of himself just now. How would he react to seeing Heero's accomplice?

When Trowa stepped into the entryway, his appearance was decidedly cautious and a little disheveled. He was dressed in the same clothes as the previous evening and it looked as though he hadn't slept at all.

Quatre ushered him in, a bit coldly. For his part, Trowa seemed to recognize that he was walking into the lion's den. He nodded as he came to stand about fifteen feet from Duo. Quatre gave his ex a wide berth, circling around him to sit in a chair at the far end of the living room. His posture was rigid and his lips tightly closed.

"I came to apologize," Trowa said.

Duo gave a "tsk" of disapproval.

"I'm sorry that I've hurt you. Quatre, you especially."

Quatre sighed heavily. "You've been caught in your con game."

Were they foolish for letting Trowa in? If they'd learned anything last night it was that Trowa Barton and Heero Yuy could not be trusted.

"Maybe you should go," Duo said, belatedly.

"Not before I explain how this got out of hand."

"You mean your little prank went too far?" Duo asked.

Trowa shook his head. "It wasn't a prank. Heero had fallen in love with you the moment he saw you."

Duo looked to Quatre with his mouth agape in disbelief. He turned back to Trowa and glared. "Is that how you do things at AR Industries? If your buddy sees someone he likes you put him in the crate and ship him instead of the robot?"

Trowa took a breath, seeming to try to calm himself in the face of animosity. "I'm sure you've imagined all sorts of things since you discovered that Heero's not a robot, and if he wasn't lying in a hospital bed, he'd be here to explain it himself."

"Oh, he's got some explaining to do and he'll be doing it to the police!"

"You're pressing charges?"

"You bet your ass I am!" Duo hadn't made that decision yet, but with Trowa trying to pass this off as some misunderstanding, Duo's rage flared. "And you might want to start shopping around for another job, because when I sue AR Industries for breach of contract you're gonna be toast."

"I don't blame you," Trowa said, quietly. "By all means you should prosecute to the full extent of the law, but before you do, please hear me out."

Duo flinched. He wasn't sure he liked the sound of that. This anger felt good and he wanted to take it further like right into Heero's face.

"Go on," Quatre said, sounding oddly sympathetic.

Duo practically got whiplash he turned so fast to verify that Quatre had actually said that. "You kidding?"

"I'd like to know, wouldn't you?"

Duo very nearly said "no," but he relented and sat himself down on the couch. "By all means, enlighten us," he said sarcastically to their visitor.

Trowa remained standing. "When Heero woke this morning after surgery, I told him what happened... that you had learned the truth."

"You mean that he's a man and not a robot?" Duo sneered.

"Yes. He became agitated to the point of trying to leave the hospital to find you. It took two nurses, myself and a sedative to subdue him."

It sounded like Heero had gone a little crazy, but then the ruse was up. "He's obviously afraid of what I'll do to him."

"He's afraid, because he loves you and thinks you won't want to see him again."

Duo barked a laugh, even as his chest tightened, but for some reason he let Trowa talk. The tall brunet stood facing them like a man pleading for his life. He explained how he had learned what Heero had done -- their conversation on the elevator, the argument over ethics, the consequences, and at last why Trowa had decided to help his friend.

"I could see that you were in love," Trowa said. "I didn't want to be the one to break that up."

Duo gritted his teeth as his emotions spiked inside him. Why did he have to say that? "And now we know it couldn't have been love." His voice cracked at the end, but he held Trowa's gaze intensely.

"I can see my words have had no effect, probably because you do think I'm a con man." He turned to go, took several steps, stopped, and turned back to them. "I wouldn't have come here, except that Heero was so desperate for you to know that he loves you."

"Get out," Duo said, standing. His fists were clenched at his sides as he barely contained his anger. One more word from Trowa and he swore he'd beat the living daylights out of him.

Trowa nodded passively and turned for the door. Quatre followed at a distance and paused when Trowa grabbed the door handle, but hesitated to leave. His shoulders slumped a little before he looked back at them one last time. "You're right, of course, to feel this way, but have you even stopped to think that Heero saved your life last night?"

"Son-of-a-bitch!" Duo shouted, taking off at a run towards him. Trowa opened the door and was gone before Duo got across the room. He would've pursued him down the hall, but Quatre blocked his passage.

"Don't," Quatre said, holding Duo by the shoulders.

"We can't let them get away with that!"

"Duo..." Quatre pushed back until Duo relented. "I don't want you fighting."

Duo snorted. "Think I might hurt your boyfriend?"

"Ex-boyfriend," Quatre said with a frown.

"Geez...." Duo put his arms around his friend in a hug. "That was stupid of me."

Quatre welcomed the hug. "We're a pair, aren't we? Neither of us is lucky in love."

The comment got Duo to thinking that he had lost his last chance for love. The Ideal Lover Program had been his best hope, and it had burned brightly for a short time like a shooting star, and now was as dead and black as the remains of a meteorite.

They went into the living room and sat down.

"Makes you wonder, doesn't it? Why a guy like that would come up here."

Quatre nodded, but said nothing.

"You think they had that conversation on the elevator?"

Quatre shrugged.

"That Trowa was going to tell me the robots had been switched, but he saw the way we looked at each other and couldn't do it?" Duo snorted in a meager attempt at laughter. Trowa's visit had troubled him, but maybe that was the point, to throw him a curve ball and make him second guess things. "You're awfully quiet."

Quatre gave a wan smile. "Something's bothered me all along... I didn't know what to make of it until last night."

"What is it, Q?"

"You know sometimes I pick up on people's emotions?"

"Yeah, even when we were kids you talked about that."

"When I pay attention to that gift, it's useful, but in this case I dismissed it."

Duo cocked his head.

"There were some strong emotions coming from Heero."

Duo blinked. "When?"

Quatre shook his head and was beginning to look upset.

"Don't wig out on me now, buddy. I'm looking for the truth."

"All I can tell you is that he felt very strongly about you."

"Like he hated me?"

Quatre shook his head emphatically. "It was a strong, positive feeling. I thought I was imagining it, since he was a robot. Well, we were both wrong about that, but that's why I didn't tell you."

Duo blew out a long breath that ruffled his bangs. "Damn. I think I need a nap."

"I'm sorry, Duo. I should've told you."

"No, don't be. I think we need a break from all this...."

Duo got up from the couch and went into the guest room, closing the door softly behind him. He stared at the bed with its pretty coral and sea foam quilt. He was getting to hate that bed. He went over to the lounge chair and sat down with his legs draped across an arm. He tilted his head until it rested on the back of the chair and closed his eyes.

He didn't know what to make of the new information. Trowa had pleaded his case, but it could have been lies. For all Duo knew, Trowa and Heero had concocted the elevator story that morning. Trowa, tell Duo I did it for love or he'll put me in jail. Yeah, Duo knew how criminal types worked. It was all about them with no regard for other people's rights and feelings. But then, how was it that Quatre had sensed "strong, positive feelings" from Heero?

"Damn," Duo said, tapping his head lightly with his fist. "I may never know the truth."

The next day, Duo dressed in his Armani suit, which Quatre had sent out for dry cleaning and pressing. Quatre took him down to the police station to make a full statement about the attack. Frank Nick was still in jail, and Duo wanted him to stay there. The detective working on the case said that Nick had confessed to going home to grab a kitchen knife after confronting Duo outside his office. That gave Duo chills. He was trying to help the guy and he'd turned on him. It was the first client that had snapped on him, but not the first time he'd been bitten. That was the story of his life, though he thought he had started a new chapter with Heero. He might've laughed if it wasn't so damn pathetic.

Afterward, Quatre dropped Duo at his law office, and acted like a mother sending her kid off to his first day of school.

"I'll be fine, Q. Call me later if you need to check on me." Duo gave a wave as he closed the passenger door.

He was slightly relieved to have this break. He needed to think about something else, and while he and Quatre were together that was nearly impossible. Unfortunately, his staff jumped him the moment he walked into the reception area. The whole neighborhood was abuzz about the attack, which had taken place only a few blocks away.

"Are you okay?" Hilde asked. The others stood around her, wide-eyed.

"Yeah, yeah." He rolled up his shirt sleeve to show them the bandaging. "Just needed some stitches."

"What about Heero?"

Duo gulped. "Uh, he'll be fine. He needed surgery..."

"Surgery? You must be a wreck!"

"Yeah," Duo said, tentatively. "But it'll be fine."

Hilde's eyes narrowed perceptively.

"Weren't you scared for your life?" the receptionist asked.

"Well, it happened quickly. I think I was more in shock than anything." Boy, was that an understatement.

"When will Heero be released from the hospital?" Hilde asked.

Duo scratched his head and squinted like he was trying to remember. "Any day now. Well, I better check my messages." He scooted down the hall before they could corner him with more questions.

He stepped into his office and immediately took comfort in the familiar space. He spent the majority of his life in this room, come to think of it. It was his home away from home. Maybe he should spend more time here? By the looks of his desk with all the case files and mail, he could easily keep occupied well into the night. It was Friday, his catch-up day, and it certainly looked like he needed to do that.

He settled into his leather executive chair and had just begun to sort through the mail when Hilde appeared in the doorway. She leaned against the doorjamb with her arms crossed over her chest, looking very serious in her purple pantsuit.

"Spill it."

"Huh?"

"Don't play dumb with me. Something's wrong. Is Heero really going to be okay?"

Duo sighed heavily, and waved her into his office. "Close the door, okay?"

She nodded conspiratorially and did as he asked, and then took up her perch on the corner of his desk. "So what's going on?"

"Look, as far as I know, Heero is going to be fine."

"As far as you know?"

"We kind of... broke up."

"What?!" She leapt off the desk. "Who breaks up with someone who's on their death bed?"

"He's not on his death bed, and it's a long story."

"And you're not going to tell me?"

"Maybe later."

Hilde gave a pout. "How can you do this to me? I won't get to see Heero again?"

"Oh, God." Duo flopped back in his chair. "Is that all you can think about? Maybe the guy was a jerk. How about that?"

"No," she said, stomping her foot. "There's no way he was one of those jerks you're so fond of dating. Heero was the real deal."

Duo did not want to hear this right now. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"I've been witness to the parade of losers you drag in off the street. This guy had class, and only had eyes for you."

Duo shot up from his chair and pointed at the door. "Either you leave now or I'll toss you out of here by the seat of your pants."

Her eyes bugged out in complete shock. "Duo!"

"Please, Hil... I really need you to leave."

He could see that she was completely blindsided by his insistence, but she acquiesced. Later, much later, he'd tell her something, but right now he needed to gain some traction in his life.

When Heero had woken from the sedative, he had found himself restrained to the bed by soft wrist cuffs. He had shouted out in fear and anger, but his agitation and resistance only made the hospital's staff more concerned for his condition, and the chance that he would pull out the tubing again. He overheard the word, "altered," and wondered if he had truly transformed into a beast. Or maybe he was deranged. He had been playing at being a robot for weeks now.

Oh, Duo... How could he put things right with his beautiful Duo if he was trapped like this? He had to calm himself or a padded room would be next.

To their credit, the staff was professional and courteous. It wasn't until early Friday evening, just before Trowa arrived for a visit, that the restraints and tubing were removed. He was still on a cardiac monitor, but at least those leads were just stuck on his chest with stickers and not inserted somewhere.

Trowa eased his tall frame into the vinyl covered chair next to the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I need to get out of here."

Trowa frowned. "What did the doctor say?"

"That I'm very lucky no organs were nicked. The stomach is not a good place to be stabbed."

"Like you had a choice?" Trowa chuckled.

"Yeah." Heero sighed. "There's no sign of infection. They're moving me to another floor, probably in the morning."

"Not going home yet?"

"Not for a couple of days... maybe Duo will have calmed down by then."

"Maybe."

Heero gave his friend a long look. "Do you know something?"

Trowa took a deep breath. "When I left here yesterday, I went to Quatre's."

"Was Duo there?"

"Yep. I wanted to apologize, and relay your message. I explained as much as I could."

Heero closed his eyes. "You don't have to tell me what he said. I can hear it in your voice."

"If you give him time --"

"He'll slip away." Heero's stomach tightened. "Duo's very passionate and he's been burned one too many times. The longer he festers on this, the less chance I have of getting him back."

"He was talking about a lawsuit and criminal charges."

Heero shook his head. "I'm surprised a deputy sheriff hasn't shown up to arrest me."

"I can try talking to him again."

"No," Heero said, emphatically. "It has to be me." He felt helpless lying in this bed; even with the restraints gone, he wasn't sure he had the strength to stand on his own two feet. Time was ticking. It had been nearly 48 hours since he last saw Duo. He hasn't come to see me... Is it already too late? "Can you help me get up?"

"Should you be doing that?"

"I need to pee."

"Then we should call a nurse."

"Just help me, okay?"

Trowa sighed and put his arms around Heero's waist and eased him to his feet. Heero's legs weren't as wobbly as he thought they'd be. That first time he'd tried to get out of bed after surgery, he'd nearly blacked out from a combination of pain, drugs and blood loss.

The leads on the cardiac monitor were long enough that he was able to get inside the bathroom without pulling them off. By the time he relieved himself and washed his hands, he felt more comfortable, though tired. He looked to his friend, who was now sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I need you to get me out of here."

Trowa looked at him like he thought Heero had flushed his marbles down the toilet. "You're still in ICU. I'll take you home when the doctor clears you."

"No, I mean now."

"I know what you meant," Trowa said, impatiently.

"They've removed the tubing and that damn urine bag... I'm nearly ready to go home now."

"Then the doctor will release you in a couple of days, so why not let them look after you awhile longer? You've been through a huge trauma."

"I can't do that." For starters, Heero wanted out of the hospital gown. He walked over to the dresser and found his clothes neatly folded in the top drawer, but as he pulled them out he frowned in consternation. "Where's my shirt and jacket?"

"Those were goners the minute they brought you into the ER. Cut them right off you."

Heero stared at Trowa in disbelief. "They cut an Armani jacket?"

"To shreds." Trowa chuckled. "At least you still have your pants."

Okay, so he had briefs, jeans and shoes. He thought he only needed Trowa as a driver, but now it looked like he'd need some of his clothes, too. He managed to wriggle into his briefs and jeans, and slip on his shoes without Trowa so much as lifting a finger. Maybe he wanted Heero to pass out and solve the problem for him. Well, he hadn't counted on Heero's determination. Yes, the stabbing had been serious, but the surgery was a success and by all accounts he was steadily on the mend.

"I'm gonna need your jacket," Heero said.

Trowa glanced at his suit jacket and then back at his friend. "You think they're just going to let you walk out of here?"

"No, that's why you're going to run interference."

Trowa rolled his eyes and got up from the bed. "What about that thing?" He pointed to the cords that ran from Heero's chest to the monitor.

Heero sighed and walked over to the cardiac monitor, searched for the power switch and turned it off.

"You can't do that!"

"I just did."

"You are serious about this." Trowa shook his head as though he understood they were way past debating this issue. He handed over his jacket and then walked to the door and looked both ways down the hall. "Make sure you don't collapse," he said as he headed into the corridor.

Heero followed a few steps behind, steeling himself for the moment when a nurse would notice him out of his room, but quickly realized this was a very busy place. The nurses were attending to other patients, or on the phone discussing treatments, and two were standing inside what looked like a break room, eating cake.

He and Trowa waltzed past them without a question or a glance. Once they were in the elevator, Heero leaned against the wall. A bead of sweat trickled down the side of his face.

"You okay?"

He nodded. "I'll be fine."

"Are you sure you're up to this?"

"I have to see him." Heero swallowed hard against a jolt of pain in his side. Maybe this was stupid, and this exertion would hurt him, but he had to see Duo at any cost.

Downstairs, he opted to wait for Trowa at the hospital's entrance. He played it off as a necessary precaution, but he honestly didn't want to re-open the wound and be stuck in this place for another week.

"Where to?" Trowa asked, once Heero was settled in the passenger seat. "Should we try Quatre's?"

"Drive by Duo's office first."

"His office?" Trowa gave a snort as they pulled away. "It's nearly eight o'clock on a Friday night!"

"He's a workaholic... there's a good chance he'll be there."

Trowa nodded and that was the last they communicated until they turned onto the block where the law office was located. Sure enough, Duo's black Audi was parked in the lot at the side of the building with a half dozen other cars.

"He could've left his car here from the other night," Trowa said. He parked his Range Rover several spaces from Duo's car to give them a good view of the front and side doors.

The three-story office building looked closed for the night. The reception area with its large windows facing the street was dark and still. Duo owned the building, and his law office was on the first floor, while he leased the other floors to an insurance firm and a realtor. He was very self-reliant, and Heero had a feeling that Duo would immerse himself in work. Maybe he was sitting at his office desk this very minute drafting a case against Heero.

Trowa turned off the car's engine. "Gonna wait him out?"

"That's one possibility." Heero wasn't sure how long he could impose on Trowa's patience. He stared at the front door willing Duo to come out, and then decided maybe he should have a look around. He was about to exit the car when Trowa smacked him in the leg with his hand.

"What is it?" Heero asked.

Trowa lifted his chin toward the side of the building. "See for yourself."

Heero's breath caught as he saw Duo coming out from the side door. He was wearing the Armani suit from the other night. Hadn't he gone home yet?

"Good luck," Trowa said.

Heero nodded, but he wasn't ready for this. He thought he'd have a few more minutes to compose himself before facing Duo. This was a different reality, one in which he was no longer in control. He'd never faced Duo as one man to another.

He stepped out of the car slowly, not because of Duo, but because of the damn staples in his gut. When he moved everything pulled and it felt like something might tear open. When he closed the car's door, Duo looked over at the sound and their eyes met. For a fraction of a second, Heero thought that Duo might be pleased to see him. Then the flames of rage appeared in his eyes.

Duo stalked towards his car while fishing the keys out of his pants pocket. "What the hell do you want?"

Heero reached the Audi about the same time as Duo, and stood by the front of the car. He didn't know what to say. Why was he so unprepared? "Give me a chance to explain."

"Your conspirator already has. Now beat it before I call the cops."

The hiss in Duo's words nearly toppled Heero with its ferocity. "Duo, nothing's changed. I love you as much as before."

Duo's mouth dropped open, and then snapped shut as his jaw clenched. "You expect me to believe that shit?"

"I know you're angry --"

"Oh, you haven't even begun to see how angry I am." Each word was enunciated and filled with such venom that Heero thought for a moment his angel had been possessed by Satan. Duo took his cell phone from his pocket and flipped it open. "You have three seconds to get out of here. One..."

"We can talk this through..."

"Two."

"Don't do this, Duo..."

"Three." Duo pressed three numbers and Heero knew they were 9-1-1 for emergency. "Yes, I need the police..."

Heero stepped back. As much as it hurt emotionally to take that step, he needed to find another way. Duo was deaf and blind to him now.

"Okay," Heero said as he retreated.

He turned and headed back to his friend's car and heard Duo's car door slam; the engine ignited furiously with Duo gunning the acceleration. He looked back just as Duo's car raced from the parking lot and onto the street. A wave of nausea overcame him, and Heero leaned back against the Range Rover to steady himself. In the next instant, Trowa was at his side with a hand at his elbow.

"I'm taking you back to the hospital."

Heero didn't care to argue. The agony on Duo's face made him want to drift into oblivion. "Make sure they sedate me when we get there."

Duo wiped at the tears that spilled down his face, trying to stop the steady stream. They kept coming, unleashed from the depths of his broken heart. Why had Heero shown up? Why had he thrown those lies back in Duo's face?

He couldn't see the road, his vision blurred by his pain, but something told him to pull over. He was safely away now. He threw the car into park and cried out like a man plummeting a thousand feet to his death. This pain was still so raw that he couldn't imagine feeling worse, but seeing Heero made the betrayal new again.

Had Heero purposely dressed that way to antagonize Duo, to remind him that he had been stabbed? Heero had worn a suit jacket with no shirt underneath, revealing a bare chest that glistened with a light sheen of sweat, and a stomach covered in white gauze.

Duo slammed his palm against the steering wheel. "Selfish, lying son-of-a-bitch."

He sat there for minutes, maybe ten, maybe twenty, before he was completely drained of his anger. He barely had enough energy to call Quatre and tell him that he was going home tonight.

"You don't sound right," Quatre said. "You should come here."

"No, I just want to be alone tonight."

"Something happened."

"I'll be all right. I promise." He couldn't tell his friend just now. It would be like reliving that moment in the parking lot again, and he just couldn't do it. "Really... I'm fine."

There was a pause and then, "Okay, but call me in the morning."

"You got it, buddy."

When he opened the door to his apartment, he breathed in the familiar smells. Of course, one of the first things he saw when he switched on the hall light was the beautiful triptych he and Heero had selected together at the art fair. He took a deep breath and removed each of the three canvases. His hands shook as he stacked them facing the wall so he didn't have to look at them.

He walked down the hall to his bedroom and switched on a lamplight. Okay, he definitely would not be sleeping in that bed tonight. He was sure that Heero's scent had permeated every fiber of the sheets and mattress. His robot's enticing masculine scent had been a red flag that Duo had chosen to overlook. Even then his subconscious had been trying to warn him, but no, he had to fall in love and throw caution to the wind. Made him wonder what his life would've been like had he gotten the robot he'd ordered.

There was a serious lack of oversight and quality control at AR Industries if employees could switch shipping labels on the crates. Sometimes a lawsuit was the best wake-up call for a company. It made corporations re-examine their practices and put their fancy slogans about the customer being their primary concern into practice.

After some deliberation, Duo decided the only Heero-free place he could sleep was the guest room bed. It was the one piece of furniture they hadn't fucked on. Go figure. Duo walked out of the master bedroom and across the hall to the guest room. The little time they had spent in this room together was to put away Heero's new clothes, and of course, the day Trowa had run a fake diagnostic on him.

Duo supposed it was the lies that hurt so dreadfully much. How the deceit had started from the moment that silver crate had been delivered, and Heero had pretended to be inactive until Duo had kissed him. It made him ill to remember it, and to remember the emptiness in Heero's eyes tonight. He didn't understand the torture peering at him in those blue, blue eyes and didn't want to. Heero didn't deserve that consideration, but the encounter had shaken Duo. He hadn't realized it would be so difficult to see Heero.

He fell onto the guest bed face down, burying his face in the pillow and wanting to cry or to scream, but neither came. He was so tired, so very tired that all he could do was to lay there like a lifeless sack of grain and pray that Heero didn't find his way into his dreams.

The next day, it felt as though he hadn't slept at all, but he knew he had to get his life back. Even though it was Saturday, it was as good a day as any to sink his teeth into work again. From then on, he worked every day, and every night. He filled his schedule with appointments and court dates, and even gave a free seminar through the chamber of commerce on filing incorporation papers. The fast pace kept up for ten days until Quatre's pestering slowed Duo down enough to meet for dinner.

Somehow he talked Quatre into meeting at an all-night diner. He wasn't in the mood for fussy waiters and nouveau cuisine. He just wanted to sit down with his friend and chat over a burger and fries like they'd done in college.

"You're looking well," Quatre said as they slid into their booth.

"Thanks." Duo grabbed the menus and handed one to Quatre. "I've been really productive the last week. It feels good. What about you?"

"Oh, the usual. My sister Arianna wants to bring her three kids for a visit. I'm thinking of redecorating one of the guest rooms to make it more kid friendly."

"That sounds good."

The conversation continued along this safe, steady ground. They sipped on their sodas, and shared a basket of cheesy fries while they waited for their burgers. Yep, just like old times, except that there was a big albatross casting a shadow over their heads. They danced around it as long as they could, until Quatre finally broke.

"Have you heard from him?"

Duo sucked in a breath, even though he'd been expecting the question. "Don't see how I could, since I changed my lock, and my phone numbers."

Quatre's eyes narrowed. "Well, yes, but he knows where you work and where you live."

Duo flinched, wondering if Quatre knew about the visit. "I don't suppose you've heard anything?" he asked, exasperated.

"Yes, I have."

"You have?" Duo nearly jumped out of his seat. "How's that?"

"Trowa called."

"You're talking to Trowa now?" That wasn't good.

Quatre looked down at the table as if he felt a little ashamed. "I don't want you to think I'm going behind your back, but --"

"But you are."

Quatre met his eyes. "I think what Trowa told us was the truth."

"W-what?" Duo stuttered. "You mean the truth about Heero's lies."

Quatre sighed. "I suppose."

Their burgers arrived then, and there was an awkward pause as the waitress made sure they had ketchup and mustard and refilled their drinks. After she flitted away to look after other customers, Quatre gave Duo the look that meant he was about to say something he wouldn't like.

"Just spit it out," Duo said, bitterly.

"You're not yourself anymore, you know."

"No, I don't know. And how would you know? It's not like you've seen me."

"Well, that's part of it. You don't return most of my calls, and when we do speak you're... surly, like you are now."

Duo's mouth dropped open. "You're joking, right? I have a fucking reason to feel this way and don't tell me otherwise."

"That's exactly what I'm talking about. You've got a chip on your shoulder now. Everyone's noticed it, including Hilde."

"When did you talk to her?"

"She calls... occasionally."

Duo took a deep breath. "So go on. There's something you're dying to tell me."

"Yes, it's about the truth and that sometimes it hurts very much."

Was Quatre about to clobber him for not telling him everything?

"I've done a lot of soul searching, beginning with my lack of understanding for why you wanted to order a robot in the first place."

"That's over and done with... at least until I file that lawsuit."

"Again... surly."

"You're the one who thought I should sue them!"

"We're talking about my soul searching now, Duo."

Duo childishly mimed locking his mouth shut. It wasn't easy being on the receiving end of one of Quatre's life lessons, but in a way it was penance for dragging him into this quagmire.

"I now believe that Trowa sincerely cares for me and always has. He's not a con man, he's just a man who was trying to help his friend."

"So have a litter of kittens together, I don't care."

Quatre gaped at him. "Duo, I know you're still hurting, but I'm your best friend, and there's no reason for you to talk to me like that. It's hard enough for me to admit when I'm wrong."

"Whoa..." Duo had to think about that. "You're saying you were wrong?"

"Yes, about Trowa. And if I can be wrong about him, then maybe you can be wrong about --"

"Oh, no you don't. Those are two completely different things. I can see what you're saying about Trowa, getting caught up in his friend's scheme, but don't you suggest that Heero's lily white."

"Far from it. What he did was unethical."

Duo nodded. The feelings of hurt were bubbling inside of him again. He had worked so hard to suppress them, and move on with his life. He didn't appreciate this challenge. "I don't get why you're saying all this, Q. God, you were there... you saw how he acted, you know what he did."

"I saw him treat you with love and respect."

"That was a lie!" Duo slammed his hand on the table, making their plates and drinks bounce, and causing customers to stare at them. It was deja vu of the night he'd told Quatre he was ordering a robot, except this time he was the one getting upset.

Quatre calmly leaned towards him and lowered his voice. "No, it wasn't a lie, Duo. His feelings were true."

This was too much. He was pissed off now. Quatre had picked up on those feelings, several times, and never mentioned them. It couldn't possibly change anything to know that Heero had loved him. Maybe he was the sort of guy who got infatuated easily.

"You're not being truthful, Duo."

"I'm not being truthful?!"

"Why didn't you tell me that Heero came to see you?"

A shiver raced across Duo's shoulders. He had done his damnedest to forget that night. Heero had looked so broken... so hollow. "There was no reason to bring it up."

"There most certainly was. I'm your friend and I'm trying to help you through this."

"Q, nothing happened. I told him I'd call the cops if he didn't leave and that was it. We have nothing to say to each other."

"Trowa said that he snuck out of the ICU to see you!"

"Just proves he's deranged." It was getting a little warm in here, and he was feeling extraordinarily tired, but the earnestness in Quatre's eyes told him this conversation was far from over.

"Trowa and I are very concerned for you… the both of you."

Duo put his napkin on the table and stood. "I don't know what crack Trowa's giving you, but I'm not smoking it."

"Please, Duo. I know how much you loved him --"

"That's all in the past."

"Including how Heero took that knife in his belly to save you?"

"Goodnight, Quatre." Duo was done. He had to wash his hands of this whole thing.

He walked out of the diner and to his car. He got on the road, and suddenly didn't care where he went. He drove for miles with no destination and nothing to keep him company except blind pain and the lies that infected everyone around him. Was he going to lose his friendship with Quatre in all of this, too? Where would this pain stop? If this was what love felt like, then he never wanted any part of it again.

He made it home at some point in the early morning hours, but didn't go into work the next day, or the day after that. He left Hilde a message just to get her off his back, Quatre, too, and didn't return their calls. He slept most of the days away, in the guest room bed, of course. He didn't dress. He didn't shave. He didn't shower. Eventually, he wandered out to the kitchen and made a cheese sandwich, and left half of it sitting on the counter uneaten.

It felt like all the wind had been knocked from his sails. Maybe it had been a false wind, but it had given him some momentum. It had been two weeks since blood had stained the pavement and shattered his world. He had gone back to work, full force, powering along almost as though nothing had happened. He believed he could numb the pain to the point that it would evaporate if he worked hard enough, long enough hours. It had been a good rhythm until Quatre had rattled him with questions and confessions.

Had he become as surly as Quatre claimed? That wasn't an adjective that had been used to describe Duo before. Surly and angry, and oh, so very tired. The floodgates were open, rushing hard and vengeful waters over him, and throwing Duo against a wall. He'd never fallen apart like this before. No one had ever wormed his way into Duo's heart. No one had ever mattered like Heero had.

He got up from the bed and went into the master bathroom to splash water on his face. When he lifted his head, he was startled by his reflection. He hardly recognized himself. He was a mess. His hair was matted and unwashed, he hadn't shaven in two days, and his eyes looked... hollow.

God, it was the same emptiness he'd seen in Heero's eyes. Was that why Heero had looked that way, because he felt like this? It couldn't be, could it?

He got out his razor and foaming gel, and slowly removed the long stubble from his face. He was finally feeling human again. Human like Heero? That was something his mind hadn't completely accepted, and maybe never would. The Heero he knew was synthetic skin, wires and microprocessors. Even seeing the blood gush from Heero's stomach, Duo had denied the reality of Heero's humanity.

He took the knife for you.... He saved your life...

"Why would he do that?" Duo whispered aloud.

He stepped into the shower and soaped, rinsed and shampooed thoroughly. This cleansing felt like more than just a couple days of stench washing from him. It was like trying to awaken himself, re-connect with the Duo he'd lost along the way. He didn't want to be surly Duo, he wanted to be happy Duo... or more realistically, content Duo. Happiness was still on the far horizon.

It felt good to slip on a pair of jeans over his black briefs. Barefooted and bare-chested he sat down at the desk in the guest room and booted up the computer. He should at least check his work emails, so that he didn't piss off anymore clients.

As he scrolled through the messages, he alternately braided his hair, still damp from towel drying it. He replied to a couple of notes, assuring the clients that their contract or their case was in order. Then he popped over to his personal email account. He didn't use it much these days, since most messages came through his mobile, but he kept the account active for online purchases and such. As it turned out it was the addy he'd given to AR Industries.

His stomach did a flip seeing these old messages sitting in his inbox unread. His hand twitched over the mouse, hesitating to open them, but decided why not? He was a big boy and maybe there was a clue in here he should've read sooner that would've outed his fake robot.

The first message was a reminder about his online account. Trowa had mentioned that, too. The customer website provided answers to frequently asked questions, and a way to stay connected with his Ideal Lover team.

He clicked on the link that took him to a special customer website, and input his account number. His personal page appeared on the screen. He wasn't prepared for what he saw, an image of his robot, Thomas Snyder.

"Fuck." Duo stared dumbfounded. The robot they'd created for him was handsome in a rugged sort of way, but not half as good looking as Heero. "Would I have been as happy with you, Thomas?"

He laughed. What a stupid question. He wished he hadn't asked it, because the truth was, he didn't think so. At the diner, Quatre had said something about how much the truth hurt. Was this what he had meant? Quatre had gotten back with Trowa and everything was rainbows and sunshine for him again. It sucked that Duo was so deep in the muck that he couldn't even be happy for his friend.

Duo read through his personal page and found the list of team members who had worked on his robot. "T. Barton, Team Leader" was first with "H. Yuy, Lead Programmer" next on the list. Duo had to sit back and take a breath just from seeing Heero's name. Then a silly urge overcame him to find a photo of Heero on the company's website. He followed the link to the company's homepage, and to a section titled, Team Leaders. The page had information about the scientific divisions, and H. Yuy was listed in several places. His credentials were stellar, including a PhD in artificial intelligence, but no photo.

Heero had fallen in love with you the moment he saw you...

Is that what really happened? Somehow Heero had seen Duo at AR Industries and decided to take his involvement in the project a step further? Well, many unethical steps further.

"Even if he loved me, what he did was wrong."

Duo got up from the desk and flopped on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. For some reason he kept thinking about that empty look in Heero's eyes the night in the parking lot. Maybe that was why he needed a photo to counter the image that haunted his mind. Heero had been injured, battered from the attack and the surgery. Duo had been so full of rage at Heero's lies that he had no sympathy for Heero's trauma, and wasn't ready to admit that Heero had taken that knife for him. When Heero snuck out of the hospital to see him, all Duo saw was a selfish attempt at saving himself.

He turned his head towards the law books on the shelves lining the wall. If he was going to make a case against AR Industries, he'd need to get cracking on it. His next payment on the robot that wasn't delivered was due. He sat up and reached for a volume on civil penalties and paged through it, but this wasn't the book he needed. Where was the one with the cases on breach of contract? He got to his knees, running his fingers along the books' spines and grabbed one. Something tumbled from the shelf and thumped on the bed. He looked down to see a black cell phone. Where had that come from? He got up from the bed to take a closer look at the shelf. There was something tucked behind the books. He removed another volume and pulled out a black leather wallet.

"Who put this here?" He opened the wallet, and immediately sat down. Staring back at him from the driver's license was Heero Yuy.

Duo was breathless, seeing that face again. He sat staring at it a moment, bewildered, and then thumbed through the wallet to find credit cards, insurance cards, hundreds of dollars in cash, and a key. Heero's life was in this wallet, and he hadn't made an effort to get it back?

He picked up the cell phone, and powered it on. A beach scene with palm trees appeared on the screen. Duo accessed the menu and scrolled to the contacts. It didn't surprise him to find Trowa's name first on the list. He pressed "call" and seconds later, Trowa answered.

"Fuck," Duo said, hearing Trowa's voice.

"Heero?"

"It's Duo," he said, fiercely.

It was quiet at the other end of the line.

"I just found Heero's phone and wallet in my apartment."

"Oh."

"Is that all you have to say?"

"I'd forgotten he'd had them... just in case."

"In case of what? Wait, don't answer that. Is Quatre with you?"

"Yes."

Duo pursed his lips, still bitter that these two had taken up with one other again so quickly. "Can I talk to him or is he tied up?" He meant that literally, of course.

"Here..."

"Duo?" It was Quatre, sounding tentative. "Is everything okay? I haven't heard from you in days."

"I'm not sure... anymore."

"About what?"

Duo shook his head, unable to answer. He was so confused right now... and afraid.

"Do you want me to come over there?"

"No, stay with Trowa. I'll work this out myself."

"I don't like the sound of that."

"Because I've been a scary son-of-a-bitch lately?"

Quatre chuckled. "Yes, you have, but maybe not anymore?" So, Quatre could hear the change in his voice. Could he feel it as well?

"Maybe," Duo said.

"Trowa says you have Heero's phone? Are you going to return it?"

"That's the million dollar question, isn't it?"

"He's home, Duo... He's on medical leave, but he's doing well."

"Too much information, Q."

"Sorry, I thought maybe you'd want to see him. It may be the resolution you need... so you can move on with your life."

Move on? Yes, that was what he wanted to do, but couldn't he do that without coming face-to-face with Heero Yuy again? He glanced at Heero's photo on the I.D. and felt his chest tighten. The pain was still there, but it had shifted. He didn't know what to make of that. Did it mean the moving on had begun, or simply that he was glad to hear that Heero was okay?

He took a deep breath. "I'll catch you later, Q."

"Oh... Okay. But Duo, make sure you call me. I've been very worried."

"Okay, buddy. Bye."

He ended the call and tossed the phone on the bed, running his hands through his hair. He knew he couldn't begin to understand why Heero had done any of the things he'd done. It was like he was someone else, not the man, or rather the robot that he knew.

Please remember that I love you...

I'm sorry if I worried you...

I'd do anything to protect this.

Duo's breath hitched as he remembered Heero's words. They were oddly prophetic. He felt manipulated and overwhelmed at the thought that Heero knew this would happen and had tried to prepare him. It was like the words were spilling over the top of the dam that Duo had built around his heart. Spilling over and pooling at his feet.

He shot up from the bed as if the flood of remembrance would overcome him faster sitting down. He no longer knew what to make of this situation. When Duo had learned of the deception his heart had shattered. He had felt betrayed and used in the worst way. His beautiful and caring robot had turned out to be a cynical con man, who had pretended to be the perfect lover.

Trowa had been adamant that Heero's intentions had been true, if not ill-conceived. Trowa's opinions were easily dismissed as tainted by his friendship with Heero and interest in Quatre. When Quatre had started singing a different tune, and had defended Heero, Duo had felt isolated and alone. Duo might have rejected his best friend's comments as well, since Trowa was bonking him, but then Quatre had confessed to sensing strong, positive feelings from Heero.

I saw him treat you with love and respect...

Damn it, maybe Quatre was right. Heero had been the perfect boyfriend from the moment Duo had opened that crate.

"Oh, God, he shipped himself in that thing! Naked!"

It suddenly made him blush to recall the rush of hormones when he'd ogled Heero's exquisite body and delicious round bottom. Duo had never envisioned perfection like that in a human male and yet there it was. From that moment on, Heero had never mis-stepped. Not once.

At the very least, Heero should get his belongings back. Duo wasn't ready to forgive him, but this was the right thing to do. He scooped up the phone and wallet and walked out to the kitchen, setting them on the counter top. He'd call a messenger service and that would end any obligation he had to returning the man's property.

He found the number for Elite Shipping in the business directory.

"I've got some personal property I need to return. Do you have expedited delivery?"

"Yes, sir. In the city we guarantee delivery within 90 minutes of pick-up during rush hour. What address are you shipping to?"

Duo opened the wallet and read the address on the driver's license. 100 LaGrange Road, Unit 10. He knew that neighborhood. A girlfriend of Hilde's lived near there. It used to be a factory district, and had been converted into deluxe apartments.

"Sir? Where are you shipping?"

"Oh... I'm gonna need to call you back. Thanks." He put down the phone, but couldn't stop staring at Heero's face.

LaGrange Road was across town, but Marceau Boulevard would be fast at this time of night. It passed along the neighborhood's north end.

"Am I taking these back myself?" he asked the question out loud, because it was so absurd. He didn't want to see Heero Yuy again... ever. And yet he did want to see him.

It was the first his anger hadn't squelched an opposite view of the world. Had the fog lifted? Maybe this was phase two of his grief and his anger had turned to indifference. The change was refreshing, no matter its meaning, and he suddenly felt like he was moving forward again.

He put on a gray t-shirt and his black combat boots to go with his blue jeans. As he was headed out the door, he grabbed his black leather bomber jacket. His stomach fluttered. Was it fear or nervous excitement?

Twenty minutes later, Duo pulled up to the curb at 100 LaGrange Road. Even at dusk, it was easy to admire the stunning refurbishment of the former watch factory. The five-story building filled an entire city block, and had a clock tower that must have been visible to the workers who lived in this neighborhood 100 years ago.

He got out of his car and checked that Heero's phone and wallet were in his coat pocket. Shit, was he actually doing this?

His arrival was timed perfectly. There was a woman at the main entrance trying to hold onto her bags while unlocking the door. As she got the door unlocked, Duo jogged up and held it open for her.

"Oh, thank you," she said smiling. "I'm always carrying too much stuff."

"Not a problem."

She headed to the elevator, and Duo made a quick assessment of the building's layout and realized that Heero's unit was on the ground level. He tried to act like he belonged here and headed down the corridor with a purposeful stride. It gave him a little palpitation when he realized he'd walked past Heero's place. Backtracking, a couple of doors, he came to a standstill at the one with a black, metal number 10.

"O-kay." He shook the nervousness out of his hands and gave the door a firm rap, tap, tap.

His heart pounded and his ears felt like red hot irons. Sheer panic was roiling in his gut, and he started to hope that Heero wasn't home. But then he heard something, and suddenly there was the turn of the deadbolt and the door opened.

There was Heero, standing just inside the door with the most perplexed look on his face. "Duo."

"Yeah."

"You're here."

"Uh... I found these." He tucked his hands inside his pockets to grab Heero's belongings, but his nerves got the better of him. The phone dropped to the hallway floor. He quickly picked it up and held out the phone and wallet to Heero, who just stood there staring at him.

"Will you come in?"

"I shouldn't." Duo gave a little shake of his head, and held the items out again. Heero looked good, much better than he had in the parking lot. He was dressed in old, faded jeans and a gray zipped hoodie.

"Come in, please." Heero took a step back.

"Maybe just for a second." Duo walked into Heero's place with the hesitation of a man entering a foreign land. The living room was softly lighted by a couple of lamps which illuminated the cream and black decor. The place was smaller than Duo's, but thoughtfully decorated.

Duo gravitated toward the open patio door at the far end of the room. A cool breeze wafted inside, soothing his burning cheeks. Outside, there were a couple of patio chairs and some potted plants. Funny, Heero had been the one to put flowering plants on Duo's balcony.

He realized he'd been staring out the door for a minute, maybe more, and turned to find Heero standing across the room from him.

"I didn't expect to see you again," Heero said. "Ever."

"You probably wouldn't have... except for these." He stepped over to a coffee table and set the phone and wallet on it. "I'm surprised you didn't ask Trowa to retrieve them for you. All your cards and cash are in there."

"You're probably wondering why..."

"No, I'm not." Duo held up his hand. "I just felt you should have your stuff back."

"Thank you."

Duo nodded. He knew he should leave, but his feet weren't moving. He kept looking around the room as if hoping for a conversation topic.

"Would you like to sit down?"

"Uh... I should get going." He took a couple of steps towards the door, but Heero stepped into his path. They were still ten feet apart, but he could see that Heero wasn't about to let him go gently into the night. "You got something you want to say to me?"

"You're calmer than last time."

"Oh? Well, I didn't want to see you at that point. I was not in a good place..." He almost said that he had been hurting, but that didn't seem right knowing how Heero had sprung himself from the ICU just to talk to him. "You all healed up?"

"It will take several more weeks, but the last of the staples came out yesterday."

Duo cringed. "Staples? Really?"

"Yeah. What about you?"

"I just had some stitches..." Duo didn't want to make small talk. He had fulfilled any self-imposed obligation to return Heero's belongings. Now it was time to go. "Shit, Heero. Why am I here? You totally fucked with me. How could you do that to me and think it would be okay?"

"I knew it was wrong, but I had to be with you."

"You manipulated my feelings." Duo growled.

"I can see why you'd think that."

"And you don't think that?" Duo asked.

"After I saw you in the evaluation room, I couldn't stop thinking about you. And when I read what you were looking for in a lover, I knew that we were a match. I know it was selfish of me..."

"Do you?" Duo's brow furrowed, even as his heart continued to pound. "You lied to me and made a fool out of me."

"The lie was necessary at first, but I thought I could make you happy, and eventually would have told you the truth about my not being a robot."

"How am I supposed to believe that?" He headed for the door again, and Heero still held his ground. Duo stopped just an arm span from him. "There's nothing left between us, Heero."

"Do you honestly believe that after what we shared?"

"What we shared? A lie? Deception? Some robot sex?"

"Duo, I loved you... I still do."

Duo sucked in a short breath and felt tears stinging at the corners of his eyes. Please don't tell me that you really loved me. "This was a bad idea. You have your stuff..."

Heero reached out to touch Duo, but Duo smacked his hand away.

"No," Duo said. "I can't do this, Heero. I lost too much the first time to go through that again."

"You loved me."

"I loved a robot named Heero. You're not that robot."

"No, I'm not a robot, but everything else about me is the same. I didn't lie about the way I feel about you or the things I like and believe in. And how could I lie about the way my skin warmed at your touch --"

"Stop it! Don't you see what you did? You hurt me like no one ever has... You made me love you and then you took that away." The tears spilled from Duo's eyes and he turned away, ashamed at his loss of control. He didn't want Heero to see him weak and broken.

"Duo, please..." Heero put his arms around him, and Duo tried to push him back, but Heero was persistent and stronger. "Please forgive me," Heero said into Duo's ear as he surrounded him in the embrace. "I'm sorry for hurting you. I'm sorry, Duo."

There were as many reasons to forgive as there were to run away. He treated you with love and respect... We argued about the ethics... I could see that you were in love... Duo's body tingled in painful longing for what had been.

"I know I hurt you, Duo, but please say something...."

Duo almost hated himself for thinking it, but Heero's embrace was like a warm blanket, all encompassing and soothing. It eased the tension and made Duo want to be lulled, cooed, and wooed back into this man's life. But it was so damn hard to forget the heartache.

"Heero..." It was all he could say, but so much feeling was wrapped up in the name that it conveyed the truth that Duo was afraid to face. "Heero..."

Heero's lips found Duo's in the next breath. Duo froze, overwhelmed by how much he had missed these sensations, but he relented. He let Heero kiss him, fill his soul with his breath, and start his heart beating again.

His hands came up to cup Heero's face. To touch the man he had grown to love so quickly, too quickly. "You're real..."

"Yes, I'm real." Heero pulled back, and still holding Duo looked into his eyes. "I'm a man like you, and I'm sorry for keeping that a secret."

Duo couldn't believe he was staring into Heero's face. His heart had been set against seeing this man ever again. "It was a shitty way to learn the truth."

"I know..."

He still felt raw from the weeks of heartache, but longed to see the future again reflected in Heero's eyes. "Is it even possible to start again?"

"Do you want to?" Heero asked.

Fear kept nipping at Duo's heels, telling him his heart couldn't take another loss like that. "Maybe."

"That's all I can ask."

Duo's stomach grumbled and he covered it with his hand. "I haven't been eating..."

"Would you like an omelet?"

He tried not to grin, but he loved the way Heero made eggs. "Yeah."

There were a couple of stools in Heero's kitchen, and Duo hopped on one to watch. Heero set about getting the frying pan out, and scrambling the eggs. He pulled feta cheese and deli ham from the refrigerator, and Duo nodded at the choices.

He got a little lost in the fantasy that none of the crap had happened between them. Seeing Heero like this, Duo was reminded of all the things he loved about him. He still didn't understand what had lead Heero to make a series of very bad choices, but Duo saw truth in him. It was in the way he moved, and the way he glanced up at Duo as if checking that this was real.

They shared the omelet from the same plate while sitting next to each other on stools. Duo's knee kept bumping Heero's leg and the chemistry started firing along every nerve ending. Was it dangerous to be here? Was he a fool to stay?

"Why weren't you eating?" Heero asked.

"Unhappy, I guess."

Heero nodded, and pushed the plate closer to Duo. "Go on, finish it."

"Robot Heero would've done the same thing."

"Duo, I'm the same as I was then, except --"

"You're not a robot."

"Is that what you want?"

"No. It was a last resort." Duo frowned as he stared at the last bite of omelet on the plate. If they could share a simple meal, couldn't they share more than this? Duo put his hand on Heero's knee and looked into his eyes. "I've missed you... but let's take it slow. Okay?"

"You staying?"

Duo nodded. "Yeah."

Heero blew out a deep breath and tears glistened in his eyes.

"You okay, Heero?"

"I will be." He reached over, and putting his hand behind Duo's neck pulled Duo towards him. "You mean everything to me."

The intensity in Heero's voice and in his eyes choked Duo up. "I believe you."

They kissed then, like long separated lovers. Deep, passionate, hungry kisses that threatened to topple them off the stools. Their bodies leaned towards one another and they held onto each other by the arm, the neck, and a fistful of shirt. The attraction was there, stronger than ever as they explored each other's mouths and convinced themselves with each kiss that this was real.

Duo was getting hard, quickly, and regretted suggesting they should take things slow. What was he thinking? He wanted him so bad. "Take me, Heero."

"But a moment ago --"

"I know, but I have to feel you...." He was desperate for contact and renewal, and now saw this as the clearest path to their new beginning.

Heero took Duo's hand and led him down the hall to his bedroom. The room was bathed in a soft glow of streetlight that filtered through cream and black striped curtains. Duo barely had a chance to acquaint himself with the room before he was back in Heero's arms.

"Duo." Heero kissed Duo's ear, cheek and lips, moving one hand under Duo's tee to caress bare skin, while the other curled around the hardness bulging in Duo's jeans.

He gasped at the touch of Heero's hands. "Yes..." It felt like his body was on fire and they'd hardly done anything yet.

Duo pushed Heero towards the bed, knowing that like the first time he needed to orchestrate this lovemaking. He sat Heero down and straddled one of his legs. Duo ran his fingers through Heero's lush, dark hair and tilted his head back to give him a bruising kiss. It felt like months had passed since they'd kissed. Had it only been twelve days?

As they kissed, Heero unfastened Duo's jeans and wriggled his hand inside to stroke Duo's hard sex. With his other hand, he pushed up Duo's t-shirt and licked a path across Duo's stomach. Duo groaned in ecstasy. "Don't make me come yet."

Heero grinned and withdrew his hands. He scooted back onto the bed until his head lay against a pillow. Duo followed on all fours, but before he settled on top of Heero, his lover pressed a gentle hand to his chest. "We can't get too nuts... yet."

"Can we still do it?"

"Yeah, just nothing too strenuous."

It was disappointing to hear that their passions would have to be reined in. He kissed Heero gently, and then took hold of the zipper on his hoodie and began pulling it down. Heero grasped his hand to stop him.

"What's the matter?" Duo asked.

"I don't want you to see."

"The scar? But what if I want to kiss it and make it better?"

"Duo..."

"You saved my life that night and I never thanked you." He shook his head as feelings of regret filled him. "I've been such a dick."

"You were hurting."

"But why couldn't I set that aside to ask how you were doing and to thank you?"

Heero brushed Duo's bangs from his eyes. "You're doing that now."

"Can you forgive me?"

"Duo --"

"I know, I know, we hurt each other pretty bad."

"What I was going to say is that I'd like you to kiss it and make it better."

"Yeah?" Duo smiled.

"Yeah."

Duo finished unzipping the gray hoodie and pushed it aside carefully to reveal the scar on one side of Heero's stomach. There had been so much blood the night of the attack that Duo expected a cut as long as his hand, but the scar was only a few inches long and less gruesome than he'd imagined. It was dark pink, not quite red, and there were several lighter pink dots along the scar, presumably where the staples had been.

"I'm sorry, Heero. I had no idea Frank Nick was capable of this."

Heero took Duo's hand and brought it to his lips to kiss it. "All I care about is that you're here."

That simple statement warmed Duo's heart and reminded him of why he was here. The cell phone and wallet had been the excuse. He was here because he had to know if this love was true and could be salvaged. It wasn't easy opening his heart again, but he realized that it had never closed entirely to Heero. Perhaps that's why he had felt the loss so keenly.

He leaned down and pressed the gentlest of kisses to Heero's wound. He regretted so much about that night, but was desperate to live in the here and now with Heero. What better way than to love him with his body?

He unbuttoned Heero's jeans to release his sex. He licked Heero to hardness, and then sucked him into his mouth. Heero moaned, and Duo knew he wanted to give him the blowjob of his life.

He worked Heero's cock with his mouth and hand, and swallowed him deeper into his throat. Heero arched towards him, weaving his fingers into Duo's hair, encouraging him to continue. It felt amazing to give him this pleasure, and to be this intimate again. He slid his mouth and tongue up and down Heero's cock, giving the right amount of pressure and speed to bring release. Heero came with a shout, his hands clutching Duo's shoulders as he climaxed.

Duo got to his knees as Heero calmed. "Good, huh?"

"You know how good you are."

Duo gave a cocky grin, chuffed that he had satisfied Heero, the man. "When you were a robot, I sometimes thought about your responses being programmed."

"A robot's responses are programmed, though it takes stimulation to make --"

Duo put his hand over Heero's mouth. "I'm glad you're a man."

Heero nodded and withdrew Duo's hand. "I thought you preferred robots."

"You're my preference, Heero. Man or machine... as long as it's you."

A small sigh of relief escaped Heero's lips. "Really?"

"My life hasn't been the same since I first laid eyes on you." He waggled his eyebrows. "You must've been desperate to get laid showing up like that."

"I was desperate to be with you."

"Yeah, yeah, but I seem to recall thinking that I was overdressed."

"Like now."

Duo looked down at himself. Except for his jeans being unzipped, he still had everything on, including his leather jacket. He hopped off the bed and started stripping. Heero leaned up on his elbows to watch, a grin slowly spreading across his face. Duo liked Heero's eyes on him, and kept reminding himself that this was real and not one of the dreams that had haunted him these past weeks.

Stripped bare, Duo climbed back into bed. Heero wriggled out of his jeans and briefs, and tossed the hoodie to the floor, and then rolled naked on top of Duo. They embraced in a deep kiss. Every touch, every word and every move invited new meaning for Duo, knowing that the attraction he had felt for his robot had been genuine chemistry between one man and another.

They rubbed against each other, creating a friction that felt as if it could spark into flame. Though Heero was still healing, he didn't seem to be taking it easy. His kisses were feverish and his hands caressed every inch of Duo as if re-learning his body.

"I thought I'd lost you, Duo." Heero's words were hot in Duo's ear and edged in desperation.

Duo turned Heero's face so that they could look into each other's eyes. "It's okay now."

Heero responded to the affirmation by taking Duo's lips in a fierce, possessive kiss. Duo had never felt anything quite like it from Heero before, and responded with equal intensity. The kisses were filled with wild delight, like new lovers that finally could touch after months of only gazing on each other from afar.

Heero reached between Duo's legs, fondling him and stroking his cock. Duo wrapped his legs around Heero's thighs to encourage the touch.

"You're sure...?"

"Yes," Duo said, sounding a little tense from sexual frustration. "I want you inside me."

Heero slid a finger down to Duo's opening, and rubbed it, teasing him, but not slipping it inside. He pulled his hand away and Duo nearly growled as he gritted his teeth.

"Heero, please."

His lover grinned, no doubt delighting at the disappointment in Duo's voice. "I'll be right back."

"You're getting up?" Duo watched in shock as Heero rose from the bed and left the room. He nearly went after him, but there was something in the sway of Heero's hips that told him his lover would be back quickly.

Sure enough, not a minute later, Heero returned with a bottle of olive oil and a towel. "Will this do?"

"Spit would do!" Duo sat up and pulled the covers back. It was a warm night, but the sheets were cool and he liked the idea of thoroughly rumpling Heero's bed. "I hope you've got good shock absorbers on this thing."

Heero chuckled as he slid in next to Duo. He took the bottle from Heero and did the honor of opening it and pouring the golden liquid into the palm of his hand. He stroked Heero's cock completely, and then watched Heero coat his fingers in the olive oil. Duo rested back on the pillows and spread his thighs. God, he was horny for Heero. He needed this renewal. He needed to feel Heero inside and out to know that they were on the same road again.

The fingers slipped inside, and Duo thought his heart would burst through his chest it was hammering so hard.

"It's like our first time... again," Heero said. He leaned close to Duo's ear, breathing the words and warmth into him.

"Yeah." It was the only response that Duo could manage. He was so focused on Heero's touch that he could barely think.

Heero was lying beside him, preparing him with his fingers as he kissed him again and again. He'd nearly forgotten how Heero loved to kiss every part of his face from his lips to his cheeks to his eyelids and the tip of his nose. It felt almost reverential. Why hadn't he realized that before?

He's always taken such care with me, Duo thought. It made him a little sad to be suddenly aware of Heero's gentleness now. Of course, he'd appreciated his lover's touch before, but through tragedy and loss, Duo's perspective had changed.

When the fingers withdrew, Duo knew the best way to please them both. He gave Heero's chest a playful shove, so that he'd lie back. He then straddled Heero's thighs, positioning himself over Heero's hardened sex. He wanted Heero to nail his ass, but he didn't want him to over-exert himself and open the wound.

"This is what I call safe sex," Duo said as he slowly sank himself on Heero's cock.

"God, Duo..." Heero groaned.

He started the pace nice and easy, glorying in the feel of Heero's hardness inside him. He pulled up and sank down, letting Heero enjoy the slide of his cock in and out, without having to move a muscle.

"Good?" Duo asked.

"I can't believe it's so good."

Duo grinned, and leaned forward to take the tempo up a notch. A little faster now and Heero's hand settled around Duo's cock, stroking it as he rode Heero. The control was killing Duo. He wanted to fuck, just let Heero pin him down and have his way, but tonight they had to be careful. Maybe that was good, because it gave Duo time to realize how much this man meant to him and that they had to rebuild their trust.

He moaned as he squeezed his buttocks around Heero's hard cock. It was perfectly rigid, jutting up inside him, filling him with each slide in and out. He wanted more, so much more and he got it when Heero gave a sudden thrust and then another. He could feel his braid bouncing on his back, bouncing and falling forward over his chest as the ride got bumpier and wilder than expected.

It felt so good that they lost control and things got a little crazy and loud. Duo was moaning and working his ass to get it all, to feel every hard inch of Heero. In turn, Heero's hand had fisted around Duo's cock, making Duo dizzy with the dual sensation and his imminent release.

"Fuck!" he shouted. "Heero... God, Heero!" And he came, his back arching with the incredible release, pure pleasure coursing through him.

In hazy awareness, he realized that Heero's grip was gone and now he had both hands clasped to Duo's ass. He was thrusting into him hard, grunting with each deep shove.

Maybe we should stop, Duo thought, but then it was over. Heero's climax exploded and he cried out in relief and pleasure.

Duo collapsed next to Heero on the bed, nearly delirious with gratification. His eyes fluttered closed, and he could hear Heero's heavy pants. "You... okay?"

"Yeah," Heero said.

"Hurt... anything?"

"I... don't... think so."

"Good," Duo said with a gasp. So much for not overdoing it.

Minutes later, Heero grabbed the towel and while still lying on his back began wiping himself off. When he was finished Duo wiped between his legs, and nestled more comfortably along Heero's side, facing him.

"I think this means we're back together," Duo said.

Heero chuckled. "Is that all it took?"

Duo blew in his ear playfully. "I was always weak in the knees for you. I couldn't believe my luck when I saw you."

Heero turned to him, looking a bit serious. "Will you still be okay when you come down from the sex?"

"Of course."

"Duo..." Heero's tone was sobering.

"Okay, realistically things aren't perfect... yet." Duo leaned up on an elbow. "But I'd say we've come a long ways in just a little over an hour."

Heero rolled his eyes, seeming to understand that Duo couldn't be serious in this moment, but also that Duo was sincerely happy. They were together, and sure there was healing that still needed to be done, but right now what they needed most was to be in each other's arms, absorbing each other's love.

They snuggled and eventually fell into a deep, post-coital sleep. It was after midnight, when Duo woke to the sound of thunder. As he opened his eyes, he was a little disoriented, but quickly realized he was in Heero's room. He looked down to find Heero sleeping soundly with his cheek on Duo's chest and his arm and leg draped over Duo.

"Oh, God," Duo said in a whisper. "It wasn't a dream." Tears came to his eyes and he blinked them away, but one heavy breath woke his lover.

Heero lifted his head and saw Duo's tears. "What's wrong?"

"No, everything's right."

"But you're crying."

"I've been doing a lot of that lately." Duo laughed.

"Duo, are you sure things are fine between us? I mean sex is one thing, but..."

"That wasn't just sex, Heero." Duo moved to sit up, and Heero unwrapped himself and sat facing him on the bed. "The sex has always been great between us, and tempting as hell, but I wouldn't have had sex with you if I wasn't sure about us."

"Okay. Then what's next?"

Duo sighed. "I suppose we need to figure out what to do about my non-existent robot. I have a payment due, and even though AR Industries delivered on my Ideal Lover, I don't want to shell out anymore money."

"Did you just say that I'm your Ideal Lover?"

Duo cocked his head as he thought about what he'd said. "Yep, I sure did. Is that okay? Or maybe you'd rather not be compared with any of those robot terms --" Before Duo could finish rambling, Heero took him in his arms and kissed him. When they came up for air, Duo was a little dizzy. "Whoa."

"It's what I wanted... to be your Ideal Lover."

Duo caressed Heero's cheek with his hand. "You're in my heart and my soul, Heero. I was lost without you."

Heero took Duo's hand and placed it over his heart. "I love you with all my heart."

Duo smiled from ear-to-ear as a wave of happiness washed over him. This wasn't robot programming, or lies, or games, this was Heero Yuy telling Duo Maxwell that he loved him. It was absolutely what he'd hoped for all the years he'd searched and been disappointed. Odd that it took ordering a robot lover to find his true, human lover.

"I love you," he said, leaning over and kissing Heero. "We're gonna be just fine."

Duo smiled, hearing the clank of dishes and cabinets in the kitchen. Heero was putting the final touches on the dishes they were bringing for tonight's celebratory dinner at Quatre's, while Duo was getting dressed. It had been just over two weeks since he and Heero had reunited, and it was their first chance to spend an evening with Quatre and Trowa. Well, they might have met up with their friends sooner if not for all the make-up sex. That had taken top priority. Once the sexual whirling dervish had ebbed a degree or two, they were able to think about other things, like seeing friends and sorting out where to live and what to do with two households full of furniture.

For the moment, they had settled at Duo's, since he owned his place and it had more square footage than Heero's apartment. Duo's guest room furniture was given to Grace and replaced with Heero's bedroom set; and Duo's living room furniture was swapped for Heero's. The lovely brown leather sofa was moved to the reception area of Duo's law office.

He was nearly done dressing for dinner, having decided on a steel gray, long-sleeved tee and black pants. The snug fit of the t-shirt would please Heero, but maybe it wasn't nice to tease him when they could barely keep their hands off each other now. He slipped into black leather shoe boots, and slid a braided, black leather belt though the pant's belt loops, before grabbing a black, short-waisted jacket from his closet. The jacket had a decided military feel with its red piping at the cuffs and along the button holes.

He shrugged into the jacket and pulled his braid out to lay down his back, and headed towards the kitchen. He was anxious for this night. It was a christening of sorts, spending an evening as friends and couples for the first time since all hell had broken loose.

Heero was pulling the lasagna from the oven when Duo came around the corner. He never got tired of the view of Heero's backside, clad in black Calvin Klein slacks as it was now or nothing at all. He couldn't resist the urge, and grabbed the kitchen towel from the countertop and snapped it with a whack across Heero's ass.

Heero shot bolt upright, and in a flash set the hot lasagna pan on the stove and turned, snagging Duo by the wrist.

Duo yelped, surprised at the lightning response.

Heero gripped one wrist, then the other, and forced Duo back against the kitchen counter. "You should know better than to play with fire." Heero's voice was smooth and full of desire, and Duo wasn't sure he could avoid the consequences now.

"Let go or we'll be late," Duo said, less than convincingly. With his hands pinned behind his back and Heero's chest pressed against him, Duo was at a disadvantage.

Heero held him in place as he nibbled and nipped his way along Duo's jaw and neck. "Should've thought of that before you started something."

Duo swallowed a chuckle. If he laughed there would be no stopping Heero. He tilted his head back, exposing the long line of his neck to his lover. Heero's tongue laved over his Adam's apple, curving along his jaw and settling in the shell of his ear.

"Are you sure we have to go?" Heero asked.

"Y-yeah," Duo said, nearly breathless. God, but he was getting hard already. Why had he done that? Heero never missed a chance to prove he was the Alpha male around here. "Come on, really... we need to go."

"Give?"

Duo sighed. "I give already."

Heero chuckled as he released him and took a step back.

"Do you have to look so damn pleased with yourself?" Duo asked.

"You know you love it." Heero turned back to put the lasagna in a thermal pack to keep it warm.

It was true. Duo loved every second with this man. How had they ever navigated through life without each other?

"You look good, by the way," Heero said, over his shoulder.

Duo smiled. "Yeah?"

"Hn."

Duo let Heero finish prepping the lasagna for transport without anymore interruptions. Quatre had wanted a catered affair, but Duo had thought that sounded fussy and made the suggestion about a potluck. Quatre had shivered at the word "potluck," but relented when Duo explained it would be fun for them to share dishes each of them had made.

For his part, Duo made a cold tomato salad with fresh mozzarella, basil and olive oil. Of course, the olive oil brought back memories. He was rather proud of this dish. It was simple, yet colorful, and he hadn't needed Heero's help.

With the dishes packed, Heero grabbed his dark gray tweed jacket and put it on over his blue, pullover cashmere sweater. As they headed out the door, Duo smiled at the art on the entryway wall. It was the first thing they'd done when he'd brought Heero home after making up; re-hang the triptych they'd bought at the fair.

They took the elevator to the condo's parking garage beneath the building, and to Heero's silver BMW Roadster convertible. It had been a sweet discovery to learn that Heero was a super genius with a hefty income, and could afford luxuries like kick-ass fast cars.

The food went into the trunk, and they hopped into the two-seater for the quick drive to Quatre's penthouse. Heero took Marceau Boulevard, since it had fewer stop lights. He was speeding, but Duo didn't mind. Heero was a good driver, and watching him handle the car, shifting gears and moving his hands on the steering wheel, was a turn-on.

"I need to thank Trowa for handling things with AR Industries," Duo said. Trowa had tackled the sticky problem of the robot and Duo's contract with the same professionalism and tenacity that he had given Duo when he was a potential client.

"We both need to thank him," Heero said.

It was nice to have friends in important places; otherwise the situation would have spiraled out of control. Now the dust could settle, and Duo and Heero could get on with their new life, and Trowa could happily pursue Quatre.

As much as Duo liked to be in the driver's seat, it was nice being a passenger when it allowed a view like Heero Yuy. Duo was admiring Heero's profile and remembering what it had been like to look at him and think of him as a robot. It seemed strange now, because Heero was so very human, but at the time, Duo had been willing to accept any reality so long as it included such a beautiful and caring partner as Heero.

"Did you like playing robot?" Duo asked, suddenly.

Heero glanced at him and then looked back at the road. "It wasn't a matter of liking it. I just wanted to be with you."

Duo supposed part of him would always think fondly of Robot Heero. Maybe that was silly, but it was how he first knew Heero. Of course, now he understood that the robot was only in his mind. Heero had been himself, and it was Heero's intimate knowledge of autonomous robots that made his "role" more convincing. Yep, Duo was still sorting that out, but he believed in Heero's love with all his heart.

"That's his building," Duo said, pointing to the beautifully landscaped high rise. "If you pull up to the front door a valet will park the car," Duo said, indicating the covered entry.

Heero pulled in a bit fast, but stopped the car smoothly. They got out, and Heero gave the valet a look that said, "If you put one scratch on this car..."

"It's okay," Duo said, patting Heero's back.

They grabbed the food from the trunk and headed into the exclusive complex. A doorman opened the door for them, and a concierge welcomed them as they entered. It felt like a five-star resort, but Duo was acquainted with most of the staff, so usually all it took was a wave and he was on his way.

They got onto the elevator and Duo pressed "P." He looked at Heero and smiled. "Impressed yet?"

"Quatre has always impressed me."

"Well, he likes you a whole lot better now that he knows you're a real boy."

"Automatonophobia."

"Auto what?"

"He has a fear of robots. More specifically, sentient robots."

"I guess so..." Duo scratched his head. "It bothered him when he found out I was fucking you. Well, when you were a robot."

Heero narrowed his eyes. "I was never a robot."

"That's debatable." Duo chuckled.

"If I wasn't holding this pan of lasagna --"

"I know, you'd pin me against the wall of this elevator and have your way with me." Duo smiled brightly.

"How'd you know?"

Duo laughed, but he was aware that Heero was growing wary of the robot jokes. He stepped closer to his lover and planted a kiss at the corner of his mouth. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Duo."

Just then, the elevator chimed their arrival at the penthouse. They stepped into a carpeted area that led directly to Quatre's door. Before they could ring the doorbell, the door opened.

Quatre was standing there, smiling in his mocha-colored slacks, beige silk shirt and leather loafers. "The doorman rang that you had arrived." Quatre gestured for them to enter. "It's so good to see you." He kissed Duo's cheek, and gave Heero's arm a squeeze. "I'd hug you both, but your hands are full."

Trowa joined them and looked particularly trendy in a mustard yellow sweater, dark gray striped pants and black loafers.

Heero noticed the difference in his friend's attire, and quietly asked, "Is Quatre dressing you now?"

Trowa's brow furrowed. "You make it sound like he's my mother."

"Only if you're into that."

Duo burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Quatre asked, obviously not having heard the comments.

"Nothing, Q. Should we take the food into the kitchen?" Duo asked.

"Oh, yes." Quatre led the way into his deluxe, executive chef kitchen. "Let's put the lasagna in the oven to keep it warm. I thought we'd eat in just a bit, but there's no hurry."

Heero slid the lasagna into the oven and stepped out of the kitchen with Trowa. It gave Duo a moment alone with his friend.

"Is Trowa shacking up here now?" he asked, indelicately.

Quatre grinned and a soft blush spread over his cheeks. "He is."

"And?"

"Don't tell me you want details?" Quatre put his hand to his chest in mock horror.

"Yeah, I guess I don't need to see the trampoline to know you're doing it."

Quatre took Duo by the arm, and guided him towards the living room. He whispered as they walked, "It's more than just doing it. We're in love, and I've never been happier."

"That's what I wanted to hear." Duo smiled.

They lighted next to their partners in front of the floor to ceiling windows, where a mini cocktail bar had been set up.

"Anyone care for a martini cocktail?" Quatre asked.

"I'd love a martini," Duo said.

What a perfect way to start their evening, and to Duo's surprise, Quatre knew his way around martinis -- gin or vodka, little or no vermouth, stirred or shaken, and an olive or lemon twist. It was all very sophisticated, and each of them chose a slight variation on the theme.

"Giving up wine, Q?" Duo asked, sipping his drink.

"Never! But I am giving up the wine club."

"Oh?"

"With everything that's happened, I've realized they are very boring people."

"We've joined a cocktail club instead," Trowa said. Quatre chuckled and reached up on his toes to give Trowa a kiss to the cheek. "It's a new day."

"Cheers to that!" Duo said, lifting his glass.

The others reached their glasses to Duo's, giving it a clink and repeating "Cheers!"

They settled on the white sofa sectional next, and sipped their martinis while gazing out at the city lights.

"So, you're back to work, Heero?" Quatre asked.

"Yes, as of last Monday."

"Duo said the doctor is pleased with your speedy recovery."

"So is Duo." Heero grinned.

"We managed fine even with the restrictions," Duo said, snickering.

"I'll bet," Quatre said. "Any repercussions at work?"

"No," Heero said. "For better or worse, my movement through secured areas was never questioned."

"And never will be," Trowa said. "The robot Duo ordered was returned undeliverable from Australia. Luckily, the shipping department contacted me before they opened the crate. I was able to re-integrate the robot into the system. Of course, that required some paperwork. Duo gave a written statement for the reasons he was terminating his participation in the program."

"Heero and I thought it best to be as truthful as possible," Duo said. "I wrote that my robot was satisfactory, but that I met Heero and we fell in love."

Quatre smiled. "Goodness, that was a lot of work, but it sounds like you did the right thing."

"It's the truth with a twist," Duo said. He was quite pleased with their cleverness. It saved them from a lie, and from having to do too much explaining the next time they bumped into Treize or Zechs.

"The robot will be overhauled for another client," Trowa said. "Treize wasn't happy, of course, but we have some useful data from Duo's exit evaluation, and AR Industries keeps the initial deposit."

"Ouch," Quatre said, looking at Duo.

"Yeah, but I got Heero in the deal." Duo smiled brightly. He leaned over and gave Heero's cheek a kiss.

"I want to re-pay him, but he refuses to talk about it," Heero said.

"What's mine is yours and yours is mine, right?" Duo batted his eyes at Heero, trying to lighten the mood. "I've got you. What more could I want?"

Ding.

"Oh, that's the timer on the oven. Shall we eat?" Quatre asked.

"Great, I'm starved," Duo said, standing.

Quatre and Trowa walked ahead, and Heero snagged Duo's sleeve to hold him back a second.

"Duo, it's a lot of money."

"We've been over this." Duo frowned, frustrated that they couldn't get past this issue. "It means that much to you to re-pay me?"

"Yes."

"But it doesn't feel right taking your money."

"Duo..."

"Okay, how about taking me on a dream vacation?"

"Where would you want to go?"

"I don't know..." He thought for a second. "How about Australia?"

Heero's brow furrowed. "Australia?"

"Yeah, didn't you want to run with the kangaroos or something?"

"Who told you that?"

"Oh, a little birdie." Duo tried to look innocent, but Heero wasn't buying it. "Does it matter who told me? Wouldn't you love to go on a first-class trip to Australia with me?"

"You know I'd love to go anywhere with you."

"Then let's do it! You pay for the airfare and we'll figure out the rest between us."

"But I've missed so much work..."

"We don't have to leave tomorrow, but we could start planning right away."

Now Heero's features began to soften in agreement. "That would be nice."

"Hey, you two!" Trowa called from the dining room.

"We'll be right there," Duo said. He took a step, but Heero's hand settled on his arm. "What is it?"

Heero stepped closer and looked deep into Duo's eyes. "You're absolutely perfect."

Duo laughed. "A perfect human lover? What a concept!"

Heero's hand came up to cup Duo's cheek. "I'm going to spend the rest of my life dedicated to loving you."

Duo's mouth dropped open.

"What's going on, you two?" Quatre asked.

Duo blinked and looked over to see Quatre and Trowa coming back into the room to retrieve them. "I think Heero just proposed to me... or maybe not."

"You were right the first time," Heero said.

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Quatre came rushing over and hugged them both, causing their martinis to slosh onto the parquet floor. "We could have the ceremony here. Or I know a lovely estate in the hills --"

"Heero, are you sure?" Duo asked. His heart was pounding like a jackhammer against his chest.

"After what we've been through? Of course I want you, Duo."

Trowa, thankfully, took their martini glasses, and Duo immediately grasped Heero's hands.

"You're talking about a legal commitment?"

"As legal and as real as it can be," Heero said.

A smile started to form on Duo's lips. His heartbeat hadn't calmed, but his chest felt pleasantly warm, and his head a little giddy. Was it the vodka martini or Heero's words that had done all that?

"I do," Duo said, throwing his arms around Heero's neck and kissing him.

Heero embraced Duo and they kissed and kissed, until Trowa cleared his throat.

"How about a champagne toast?" Trowa asked.

Duo pulled out of the kiss, laughing. "Great!"

He was over the moon as they walked into the dining room, he and Heero hand-in-hand.

Quatre got out the crystal champagne glasses and Trowa popped the cork, and the golden bubbly flowed.

They lifted their glasses and each took a turn giving a toast.

"To love and discoveries," Quatre said.

"To friends and lovers," Trowa said.

"To the perfect match," Duo said. He looked to his lover who seemed a little overwhelmed. "Heero?"

Heero turned fully to Duo, his features serious. "This might have turned out very differently."

Duo shook his head. "No, there was never any doubt of the outcome. I love you."

"I love you, Duo," Heero said, smiling.

Duo leaned towards Heero and was met by a sweet, lingering kiss. As they lost themselves in the moment, Duo was vaguely aware of the cheers and hoots from their friends. The four of them had been on this journey together, willing or not. Many times it seemed the search for happiness might pull them apart, destroying friendships and bonds, but in the end love overcame all the prejudices and pain.

Duo's contentment knew no bounds as he looked into Heero's beautiful, deep blue eyes. The lonely nights were gone forever. He'd found his soul, his heart, his ideal lover.