Automatically, he ran through his mental drill, checking for other gaps in his memory. What's my real name? I dunno. What's my birthday? Dunno. How old am I? Dunno. What day is it? Uh.Thursday. Duo sighed in relief. Yep. Everything's okay there.

Duo shifted, trying to wriggle out of the safety harness, jostling his left arm in the process. A bolt of white-hot pain forced a cry out of him. It left him dizzy and shaking as it coalesced into a fierce burn around his wrist. Swallowing hard, he tried to move his hand.

Nothing.

Ah, fuck. Duo closed his eyes again, but he didn't have time to feel sorry for himself. Outside, he could still hear the muffled sounds of the battle. They'd be after his Gundam soon -- him, too, if they could manage it. It irked him a little that OZ's priorities were "get the suit first, the pilot if possible." That's me -- always an afterthought.

Even with Heero.

Duo sniffed. Can't think about that now. Can't. Gotta get out of here, and that's gonna be tricky with a busted wrist.

With his good hand, he fumbled at the buckles on the harness, whimpering each time he jarred his arm. He managed to keep himself from falling once he was loose, but only barely. He caught himself with his right hand, but not before his useless left hand smacked against hard metal.

"Shit!" For a second, Duo couldn't see through the tears. His stomach lurched, and he struggled not to vomit from the pain. A cold sweat soaked his hair, trickled down his face to his collar, and he angrily wiped it out of his eyes with his uninjured hand. I'm such a wuss. Heero fucking set his own broken leg, and here I am acting like a baby about a stupid broken wrist. He whimpered again. But it hurts.

The childish protest annoyed him, even if he hadn't complained out loud. Yeah, and it's gonna hurt a whole lot more if you don't get out of here before the Ozzies find you. They might want his Gundam more, but that didn't mean they'd be polite hosts if they caught him. He had to get away -- now.

Deathscythe's hatch had been designed to be opened with the Gundam standing on its feet, not sprawled on the ground. Duo struggled with the panel, but finally, he heard the comforting suck of the hydraulics. The hatch released, not all the way, but enough for the slender pilot to squeeze through.

He hit the ground and rolled away from his fallen suit. Behind his back, the battle went on without him, louder than ever. Sounds like a freakin' thunderstorm. He knew without looking that the other Gundams carried on the fight. Sorry, guys. Hate to bail on you, but I gotta go. He paused long enough to give Deathscythe a comforting pat. Don't worry, buddy. I'll come back for you.

And then he ran. A thick haze of smoke and dust from the fighting made it hard to breath, but it also gave him cover. He felt like a cat on a busy street in rush hour as he skirted the edge of the battle, dodging the mobile suits while making for a line of trees that seemed safely removed from the fighting. Not that trees would stop anyone intent on chasing him, but so far no one seemed to have noticed the single, tiny black figure darting across the open field. He reached the trees safely, though coughing and wheezing from the dust, cradling his injured hand against his heaving chest.

Duo paused, leaning against a tree to catch his breath. Even from a kilometer away, the noise of the battle rumbled as loud as ever. Then a bright flash of light startled him, and a spatter of wet against his face made him yelp in dismay. For the first time, he noticed black clouds roiling toward him. It was a thunderstorm. Christ, can this day get any worse?

Thunderstorm.what are you not supposed to do during a thunderstorm? Duo wracked his memory, but couldn't call up the information. Heero was right. I should've paid more attention. Part of Duo's training had included the exigencies of Earth's often-unpredictable weather, but he'd found those lessons much less appealing than how to pilot a Gundam. The part of him that had never really wanted any of this protested again. Weather was boring.

There was nothing boring about the storm bearing down on him. Dark clouds, illuminated by jagged lightning, towered on the horizon. Below the clouds, a gray curtain swept across the field toward the trees. Fascinated as he was, it took Duo a moment to realize that the gray curtain was a downpour. Shit. Now what do I do?

The thicket behind him provided the only possible shelter. There was something.something about trees and storms. But the rain fell harder. Shit. No options. He ducked into the cover of the little wood.

Duo quickly discovered that vines and scrubby bushes made penetrating the stand of trees difficult. Thorns tore at his clothes, scratched his skin. Burrs snagged his legs, pricking through the fabric of his pants. Worse, where there was no undergrowth, the pouring rain quickly turned the ground to ice-slick mud. He slipped, his balance thrown off by his efforts to protect his broken wrist, and he landed on his ass in a pool of rainwater.

Cold and wet seeped through his clothes, but he didn't get up. The childish, whining voice in his head threw a tantrum. I hate Earth! Hate it, hate it, hate it! I wanna go home!

"Shut up." Duo snarled softly at the voice. Go home? He didn't have a home. And anyway, what would Heero think of him sitting here in the mud, sniveling? He snorted. He'd think I was a damn fool, and he'd probably wonder why he ever bothered with me.

More than anything, the thought that Heero would think him an idiot spurred Duo to haul himself to his feet. Proving himself to Heero seemed to be a driving force in much that he did these days. Ever since we were at that school. In general, Duo hated schools and assignments that took him to one, mainly because schools were filled with adults who thought they could tell him what to do. Screw that. How many of them could do half the stuff I can? But the last time, he'd found Heero there, too, and his entire attitude about the assignment changed.

He remembered all of it, every detail, his own tentative advances, Heero's answering kisses, sneaking into Heero's room to spend nights with him in a hard, narrow bed, loving.talking. That was almost the best part. Just talking to someone who understands. Well, okay, the cuddling was nice, too. So was playing basketball. And the sex. Fine. Just being with Heero was nice, whatever we were doing.

But the assignment ended, Duo went his way, and Heero went his. He'd heard nothing since then but some emails. I guess that means he thinks about me sometimes, and that's a good thing. But I don't know what he thinks, can't tell anything from email. He says the right stuff, but I can't hear his voice, I can't see his eyes. I need to see his eyes. Damn it, when had he fallen so hard? And what were the chances Heero felt the same way? Maybe I should have told him. Yeah, right. Like I could say that. He'd think I was nuts. It was a one-time thing, being in the same place like that. It wasn't like Heero was going to come looking for him or anything. Same old story. After everything else, Duo comes first. If Duo's really lucky.

He pushed deeper into the trees. He couldn 't separate the noise of the fight from the storm any more. Soaked, shivering, and hurting, he struggled forward, looking for someplace that might give him some temporary shelter, at least until the rain stopped. He' d nearly exhausted himself when he found a tangle of vines that spread themselves over the branches of several young trees, forming a green cave. Duo crawled under the leafy canopy, discovering that the thick growth kept out most of the wet. Grateful for a reasonably dry spot, he sank to ground, curling in on himself for warmth.

He could hardly see beyond the wall of vines and leaves. No one can see me either.seems like a safe enough place. A little of the tension drained out of his body, and he sighed, closing his eyes to block out the reality of the storm, the dirt, the distant battle -- and the lonely ache in his belly.

He held his hurt wrist close to his body, rocking himself, a comforting habit so old he didn' t even notice it. He'd gotten into another habit lately to soothe himself -- taking out his memories of Heero one at a time, examining each with a mental microscope until he'd scrutinized every moment. I'll think about snuggling this time. Snuggling is good. Duo smiled at his chosen memory. That night we spent in his bed, when he wouldn't let me go back to mine, even though we were squished.that's a nice one. He'd discovered a surprising streak of tenderness in Heero that night, amazed that his lover's hands could be so gentle. He can be such a jerk sometimes. Who knew? Immediate contrition seized him. Nah.I didn't mean that, Heero. You're not a jerk. You've just got a mission and you never forget it. Duo sighed. But damn, I miss the way you touched me.

Thinking of Heero's hands calmed him, and the misery of being hurt and cold faded a little. The storm had lessened, the dripping of rain on leaves the only sound now. Battle must be over.hope we won. Duo's eyes closed, finally, and he sank into a dream of finding comfort in his lover's arms.

Who in his right mind would be out here in this? Heero wiped the rain out of his eyes. But then, "in his right mind" wasn't necessarily a phrase Heero would have picked to describe Duo. Probably a good thing -- or we'd never have wound up together.

But somehow, they had, and Heero hadn't stopped marveling at it ever since.

I shouldn't have left the battle, not yet. But when he saw Deathscythe fall, it seemed he could do nothing else but fight his way to Duo's side. Only by the time he got there, he was too late. Duo was gone. You ran. I know you did. They couldn't have captured you, not that fast. It only took me a few minutes to get to you.

A few minutes. A few minutes in which anything might have happened, including Duo being dragged away, a prisoner. Imagining Duo at the mercy of OZ had the power to make Heero's body tighten with fear, more than any enemy he'd ever faced. If anything's happened to you. He didn't finish the thought, refusing to accept the possibility.

He reached the edge of the small wood. I know you're here somewhere. It's the only place to hide. That's what Duo would have done -- once he couldn' t be of any more help, he'd have run for cover. I used to think that made you a coward. But now I understand. It's the way you survive so you can keep fighting.

Heero scanned the wood for any signs that Duo had come this way. The rain washed away any footprints that Duo might have left on the bare dirt, but he found a place where something had trampled the weeds. Could have been an animal, but maybe not. He knelt to examine the spot and found underneath the flattened grass the clear imprint of a boot heel. He traced it with his finger. Small enough to be yours. You came this way, didn't you? He crawled forward into the tangle of vines and brambles. Something dark caught his eye, and he snatched at it, his heart pounding. A piece of black cloth, snagged on a thorn.

Heero inched through the wet brush, not even noticing the mud or the brambles in his need to get to Duo. The rain brought on an early dusk, and in the fading light, he convinced himself more than once that he saw Duo, only to find himself deceived by a rock or a stump. But he kept going. I know you're here. I'm going to find you and.and. Heero paused. What was he going to do when he found Duo? When I find you, I'm going to take care of you. Yes, that was exactly what he would do. It was all he'd wanted to do, all he'd thought about since that first night Duo had slept in his arms.

Everything changed in those few hours. In the short time of the mission, their wary camaraderie had given way to friendship. But that night, friendship melted into love. You tried to run away that time, too, but I wouldn't let you. I didn't care how little the bed was or what anyone might think. I wanted you to stay. Duo had, and sometime during the night, while Duo lay sleeping, peaceful, trusting, Heero had realized with a shock that he loved the other boy. That's when his dream had been born. Somehow.somehow, I'm going to find a way to keep you safe. Forever.

But I have to find him first, he reminded himself. Heero followed Duo's trail, his eyes adjusting to the deepening shadows. At last, he saw, not a dark log crossed by brown twigs, but a slim, black-clad back and a long braid. Heero sighed in relief and wriggled his way toward Duo.

His lover slept, curled in on himself in an almost fetal ball. Mud spackled his clothes, and patches of pale skin showed through where thorns had ripped gashes in his pants. Burrs matted themselves in his braid, and he had scratches on his bare forearms and his face. He looked like a wild little thing, hunted to exhaustion, weary enough to accept the illusion of safety. Heero's chest felt tight as he crept closer.

Duo squirmed a little, whimpering, and Heero noticed that even in sleep, he held his arm protected against his body. He's hurt -- but how bad? He crawled toward the other boy, his mouth dry with fear.

Heero scooted behind Duo, turned him over in his arms. Duo winced and frowned, mumbled something that Heero couldn't decipher. Carefully, Heero examined the scrapes on Duo's face, annoyed with himself that even now, he could be distracted by the feel of Duo's skin under his fingers. Telling himself that he had to check for head injuries, he brushed his hand gently over Duo's hair. Finding no bumps or wounds, he reluctantly ended his examination, letting a long, loose strand of hair trail over his fingers as he reached for the arm Duo cradled awkwardly against his chest.

Duo tensed and moaned as Heero touched his swollen arm. When Heero probed his wrist, Duo's eyes flew open and he cried out, a single, sharp howl of pain. Confusion clouded his eyes as he struggled to escape Heero's grasp.

"Duo -- Duo, stop. It's me. It's Heero --"

Duo blinked, owl-eyed. ".Heero?"

"Yes." Heero petted Duo's hair. "How bad is it? Are you hurt anywhere else?"

"Heero?"

He smiled. Duo was always slow to wake. Heero had warned him that it was a liability, but he'd only grinned. "That's why I gotta sleep somewhere safe," you told me. And then you snuggled against me and said, "Like here." His amusement disappeared, replaced by the fierce, protective longing Duo provoked in him.

"Yes, it's me," he repeated patiently. Even in the dim light, he could see that pain pinched Duo's pale face, and he wondered if more than sleepiness made him confused.

"How'd you find me?"

"I saw Deathscythe go down. When you weren't there, I knew you headed for these woods. It's the only relatively safe place close by."

"Heh. Y'know me, don't you? 'Run and hide'.pretty sad when a pile of weeds is what I consider safe, though.nnn." Duo whimpered again as he tried to sit up.

"Lie still." Somehow, that smothered little moan hurt Heero more than a cry of pain would have. "We can't leave yet. Too many OZ still out there."

Duo let his head drop back into Heero's lap. "Guess that isn't so bad. Not if I get to stay like this." He tried to smile, but he bit his lip over a groan when he had to shift his arm. Heero saw beads of sweat break out on his forehead at even the slight movement.

"If you had a sling, it would help."

"Thought of that. Couldn't do much about it with one hand, though."

Heero started to pull off his shirt.

"Hey!" Duo struggled again to sit up, twisting to look at Heero. The movement made him grimace with pain. "What' re you doing? Use my shirt. You'll freeze --"

Heero shushed him with a look. "I'm not cold." And Duo was. It was that simple. What did Duo call a choice in a situation like this? Oh, yes. A no-brainer. He pulled his tank top over his head, scowling as Duo again made an effort to haul himself up. "Just sit still and wait for me to help you."

Duo grumbled, but Heero lifted him carefully, smiling a little at his sigh of relief when the movement didn't hurt as much as he'd clearly expected. Heero ripped his shirt and fashioned a sling out of the cloth. As he knotted it around Duo's neck, Duo suddenly rubbed his cheek against Heero's.

"Missed this. Missed you."

"I missed you, too." Heero closed his eyes, taking momentary pleasure in the touch of skin to skin. Then he settled Duo's arm in the sling as gently as he could, trying not to wince when Duo bit his lip over a pained moan. From a distance, the sound of OZ reconnaissance reached them. Heero put his arm around Duo. "When they' re gone, I'll get you out of here."

"Gonna dump me in a hospital again?" Duo made it sound like a joke, but his voice had a wary note to it, as though he feared Heero would abandon him.

Heero ran his finger along the edge of the makeshift sling. "For a broken wrist?"

Duo's eyes widened in obvious alarm. "You don't think I'm letting you set it, do you?"

"Of course not," Heero said, as though it should have been obvious. "Too many small bones."

Duo relaxed. "Good."

"And besides," Heero said, a grin tugging the corner of his lips. "You couldn't be quiet enough about it."

Duo opened his mouth to retort, but stopped, his words fading into a smile. "You're really here, aren't you?"

"Of course."

"Thought maybe I was still dreaming."

"No. It's real."

To prove it, Heero bent his head and kissed Duo. He meant it to be quick, tender, but Duo's lips clung to his, warmer and firmer than in his memories. He slipped a hand under Duo's braid, pulled him closer. Duo's mouth opened beneath his, and his intentions evaporated.

Duo caught at Heero's lip with small, sharp teeth, like the wild creature he seemed to be, and Heero groaned. Slender fingers dug into his bare shoulder. Duo rubbed against him, obviously craving friction and pressure as badly as Heero did. For just a moment, he forgot gentleness in the flood of need that swept him, and he gripped his lover hard, with all the hunger he'd denied in the months they'd been apart.

Duo responded eagerly, but when Heero's grasp trapped his hurt arm between their bodies, he tensed and gave a surprised cry. Heero released him, cursing himself for forgetting. He tried to rearrange Duo, who had somehow wound up on his lap, and free his arm, but Duo pushed at him with his good hand.

Panting from desire but white with pain, Duo leaned against his chest. "Heero.I know you're not gonna believe this, but I.um, I don't think I can --" He blushed. "I just kinda.don't feel up to it. Aw, shit." His blush deepened. "I -- I mean --"

"Hn. I didn't come looking for you just for that."

"No?"

"Idiot."

Duo leaned against him again. "Then what for?"

Heero held him, careful of his injured arm. "This."

"You left a battle and crawled around in the mud, just so you could put your arm around me?"

"Yes." Heero nuzzled at Duo's hair. It smelled earthy and damp, but he liked it. "I was worried about you."

Duo looked up at him, eyes wide and wondering. "You were?"

"What did you think?" Their gazes met, and Heero saw the moment Duo understood. The same awe that he'd felt for months suffused Duo's face, his mouth parted a little, his eyes widening in wonder. They stared at each other, the truth on each of their faces, but neither spoke it. Before the moment lengthened into awkwardness, blighting the fragile, tentative seedling of their emotions, Heero cleared his throat and shrugged. "And the battle was mostly over, anyway."

"Liar." Somehow, Duo managed to make the accusation sound like an endearment. "I can still hear the fighting." He lifted his head in sudden alarm. "What about Deathscythe? I just left him --"

"Don't worry. By the time they figure out how to get him on his feet, you'll be able to steal him back." Duo's devotion to his Gundam had irked Heero at first. Now he found it appealing. If you can feel that way about a hunk of metal, how much more could you feel for me, if you had the chance?

Duo relaxed again. ".good deal." His voice trailed off, slurring a little. Heero lifted a wet lock of hair away from his cheek and tucked it behind his ear.

"Still tired?"

".kinda?"

"Go to sleep, then. I'll be here. Trust me."

"Nicest thing anyone's ever said t'me." He smiled, but he eyed the darkness warily. They could still hear OZ soldiers, but far in the distance now. "Don't know if I ought to, though. There's still a lot of them out there."

"Go to sleep," Heero repeated, shifting Duo a little so that he lay in his arms. "It's all right. I'll keep watch."

"Yeah?" Duo closed his eyes and nestled against Heero. "Then I guess it's okay."

Looking down into Duo's face, Heero felt his breath catch in his throat. It might take them a long time to say things like "I love you," but he realized that they had their own ways of saying the same thing. I was worried, I'll take care of you, I missed you. He settled Duo against him, combed his fingers through his hair, rubbed the bridge of his snubbed nose. Duo smiled a little, and it seemed to Heero that much of the tight misery drained from his face. He kissed him once more, then murmured next to Duo's ear, "It's all okay. I'm here, and you're somewhere safe."