Takeo - Long time, but let's try and pick up where we left off shall we? I've been really busy and I'm just trying to get things in order. Trying to give my site a new look for its birthday tomorrow. I'm going to surprise it! ^^ *Takeo eeps* A big thank you to everyone who replied to chapter five. Anything in ~mei~ are someone's thoughts. Anything in ^mei^ are Duo and WuFei's telepathy at work.

Chapter Six : Halo

Zechs for the first time since WuFei's rescue was upbeat because they were two hours from claiming universal glory and truly earning the Outlaw name. This was Zech's dream, since he was a child. They hadn't heard anything about Relena, which could be good or bad concerning their safety.

"Zechs, can I talk to you for a moment?" a voice spoke behind the captain. Zechs casually rose from his seat to face the new arrival, or rather, the only person on board to be awake at such a late hour. Zechs's mind raced as ice blue eyes met obsidian.

"WuFei? What a surprise." Zechs mustered as he wished for the floor to disappear under him. He had pointedly ignored WuFei in hopes of vanquishing whatever urges that his heart sent him anytime the Dragon hunter tried to speak with him.

"Cut the crap Zechs. I've been trying to talk to you all week and you constantly ignore me." WuFei spoke in a slightly pissed tone, his slanted orbs slanted even more than usual.

"I never knew that you paid me any notice, being that I'm such a dishonorable man." Zechs said as he walked past WuFei, and into the long hallways of Tenkuu. WuFei sighed and followed Zechs.

"Walking away from me isn’t helping. And I don't think that you're dishonorable. You just have a different view of things in life, that's all." Wufei said as Zechs halted and turned to face him.

"I already apologized for my behavior concerning Duo." Zechs said as he tried to ignore the way the distant stars cast their light into the ship, the returned bronzed skin of WuFei gleaming softly.

"Zechs, I…I guess that I shouldn’t have interfered with the argument, but I care about Duo, and I want you to forgive Duo." WuFei asked as he stepped closer to Zechs, the blond's stance radiating anger.

"Never." Zechs replied, fury in his eyes.

"Why not Zechs? It is I above all others that was hurt. What pain did he bring upon you?" WuFei asked as he closed the gap between he and Zechs. Something wavered in Zechs's eyes, and WuFei recognized them as unshed tears.

"You, you don't know what it’s like...to have something you love entirely out of your reach, only to snatched up by something that I never stood a chance against." Zechs whispered hoarsely, his fingers tightening at his side. WuFei now stood, a bit perplexed.

"Zechs…I guess that I may not experience that kind of pain, but there are worse things than that in this universe. At least, you know that your 'out of reach' person isn't out of reach." WuFei said as he locked eyes with Zechs. Before Zechs could blink, soft lips caught his. It took Zechs a moment to process that WuFei was kissing him. He responded by wrapping his arms around WuFei, pulling the black eyed elf closer to him. WuFei pulled away from Zechs and smiled. He traced the strong curve of Zechs face.

"Fei…" Zechs whispered.

"Zechs, I can't be with you. But I want you to know that I understand what you're feeling. If I hadn't met Duo, I would have chosen you." WuFei said as he smiled and turned on his heel, heading back to his cabin. Zechs stood for a moment, a smile lighting up his ice blue eyes.

"Very well WuFei." Zechs said as he headed back to the control room.

The ship settled into darkness and sleep settled over the crew. Although the crew weren't on a planet to tell if day had broken, Zechs stood in his shower at 5:00am. He was unpleasantly jolted around in the shower as the ship suddenly shook to the sound of sirens wailing throughout Tenkuu.

"Geyon what's wrong?!" Zechs yelled as he picked himself off the shower floor, grabbed a towel and ran down into the control room.

"We're caught in a gravity well." Geyon said as he re-stabilized himself. Zechs grunted and put on his clothes in a hurry. The rest of the crew gathered and took their places on either side of Zechs.

"We're right on course for Son Goku's halo. I guess the guy hid it on a planet." Duo said as he used Geyon's scanners to check for any unwelcome guests.

"Well, let's go down then." Zechs said as he flashed a grin in Duo's direction. Duo looked surprised and said nothing but simply smiled back. This was the first sigh of acknowledgement that Zechs had given him ever since they had escaped from Relena. WuFei rolled his eyes. ~ If I knew a kiss would put him in a good mood, I would have done it ages ago, maybe take care of his ego as well ~ WuFei laughed. It would take a lot more to humble the great Zechs Merquise, he was sure of it.

"What are you grinning about?" Quatre asked from his post beside WuFei.

"Nothing." WuFei chirped back as he tightened his seatbelt.

"Rough landing in five minutes. The planet's atmosphere is chalk full of thick flammable gases." Heero said in his usual monotone.

"I can put a shield up." Duo said as he immediately began to concentrate his efforts, falling silent in the process.

"Entry in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 . Entry in process." Geyon said as the ship darted through the murky gases, surrounded by Duo's amaryllis shield. Zechs held on tightly to the controls. He couldn't believe that he had made it this far, he and his crew would be immortalized among all other Outlaws and maybe eventually, the whole universe would know their name! Tenkuu touched down close to what Geyon scanned as a ruined building.

"The air is breathable, be thankful. The halo according to Son Goku's maps is in the center of the building, one level underground. There are warning systems at that level, a few automated guards on the other 8 levels and a gravity machine, capable of a black hole that closes in 3 minutes. My advice, get in, get out and let's get out of here. This planet is highly unstable." Geyon said as Heero downloaded his instructions into his watch.

"Gotcha Geyon. We're heading out." Zechs said as he threw on his gray coat and twirled his gun on his gloved fingers.

"Out blondie." WuFei said as he pushed Zechs forward.

"Hey, how come you didn't shove Quatre too?" Zechs asked as the group followed behind him.

"Because I'm nice aren't I WuFei?" Quatre asked sweetly as he hung unto Heero's arm.

"Right. He hasn't seen the bites from playtime." Heero whispered to Duo who strode alongside him, admiring his view of WuFei from behind.

"I heard that." Quatre said as he whacked Heero'a arm playfully. WuFei smiled. ~ Maybe I could, find peace with these people, and they'll need my help too ~

^ WuFei? ^ Duo asked as his koi let go of Zechs and fell into step with him.

^ Hai Du-chan? ^ WuFei replied as he linked his arm with Duo's.

^Ai shiteru. ^ Duo said as he kissed WuFei. WuFei blushed.

^I love you too. Things with Zechs are better now^ WuFei replied as the group reached the planet's exterior. A chestnut eyebrow raised in question.

^What did you do Fei?^ Duo asked.

^Nothing much. Now stop this.^ WuFei said as he dragged Duo along with him.

"We'll be famous Quatre! Can you believe it!" Zechs asked as the group trouped into the ruin littered with green vines and crumbling rocks. The ground shook and from the darkness. A lone figure stood dressed in long ancient robes.

"Neither can I. Nice to see you all again, for the last time." A woman's voice spoke. Glowing blue eyes came into sight and long blond hair swept out into the open air.

WuFei and Duo's eyes widened and a collective feeling of fear struck the whole group.

End of chapter six

Takeo - Sorry that it's so short, forgive me!