Disclaimer: see previous chapters.

Checkmate

Epilogue

Wufei made his way to Maxwell's bedroom. I can't believe I let him borrow my laptop to play videogames. He had decided to begin typing his next mission report to Lady Une when he realized he didn't have his laptop. No doubt he's asleep by now. I'll just slip in and take it back.

They'd only been in town for a week and had managed to capture the attention of the suspected targets. Thanks in no small part to Duo hanging all over him wherever they went. It was all Lady Une's fault if he were to be honest with himself. Her instructions were for them not to leave each other's sight.

"There's been a spike in hate crimes. Specifically, someone is killing gay men. I need you to be on your toes and don't, if you can help it, go anywhere by yourself. This is an extremely dangerous mission but I know you guys can handle it. As long as no one loses their head."

Wufei had noticed that she had bore her glinting green eyes into both of them at the last comment. She knew they would take the mission personally. She also knew Wufei had a horrible temper and Duo was a wildcard. That being said, they were still the best team for the job.

Wufei slowly, quietly turned the doorknob and opened the door only to stop dead in his tracks at the sight before him. The room was dark and the curtains billowed in the small breeze coming in the room from the open window.

"Maxwell, you fool!"

He turned on his heels and ran down the hall to his room to get his gun and a few other things before he went looking for his missing partner. He was just cursing his rash and irresponsible best friend as he swung the car door open when he noticed a shadowy figure by the corner of the house. He pulled his gun and cautiously approached the figure that was leaning against the wall.

"Whoever you are, hands on your head and walk slowly towards me."

A tired sigh escaped the shadows and the figure began to sink to the ground.

"I said hands on your head and step out of the shadows!"

Wufei continued to advance, gun trained on the figure that was now on the ground and on his way to toppling over.

"'Fei….thank…god….."

If it hadn't been the dead of night without a sound but a gentle breeze, Wufei might have never heard the whispered comment. He hurried to the man's side and found his partner, covered in bruises, dirt and blood.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Duo opened his eyes to a very angry dragon. And he'd never been so grateful.

"Hey."

"You fool."

Duo smiled and chuckled a little, immediately wincing from the pain in his ribs. He knew Wufei would be angry before he even left the safe house but he was willing to risk it. He knew that neither of them had a chance of drawing out the attackers if they were always together. Previous reports of the victims indicated that they were alone when they were attacked. And there was no way he would ever left Wufei put himself in that kind of danger so……

"Nice to see you, too."

Wufei's eyes blazed and his fists were clenched. He couldn't believe that after everything that had happened his partner could be so cavalier about his own life. Didn't he understand how stupid he had been? Running off to confront known violent offenders whose latest thrill was killing guys like them? How could he think getting himself killed was the best course of action? Doesn't he understand how much he means to me? He's all I have. Wufei got up and stalked to the other side of the room, his back to Duo.

Duo saw the raw emotion in the deep black eyes of his friend and his plan of playing off his stupidity with witty banter quickly disappeared.

"'Fei?"

He saw Wufei's body flinch and he sat up, swinging his legs over so his bare feet met the cool floor. He ignored the pain coursing in waves through his body as he made his way over to Wufei. Something was very wrong and he was the cause.

"'Fei, I'm s--"

Wufei cut him off, his voice a bit strained, but harsh.

"Shut up! I don't want to hear that you're sorry. I don't want to hear some lame excuse for why you decided to throw your life away. Don't you ever do something like that again! I won't lose you! I can't---"

Wufei was suddenly spun around to face Duo who had a strong grip on his shoulders.

"I will never leave you." A shaky hand cupped Wufei's cheek and Duo leaned in, whispering against Wufei's lips. "I'll be by your side….always."

Duo lightly pressed his lips against Wufei's. When he pulled back, he placed a few reverent kisses on the slightly parted, unresponsive lips then hugged Wufei tight, waiting for the inevitable rebuff.

They stood there for several seconds in silence until Duo couldn't take it anymore.

"'Fei? Please say something."

Wufei tried to kick start his mind, and when he heard the fear in Duo's voice it immediately brought him back to his senses. He quickly wrapped his arms around Duo and spoke quietly into the man's neck.

"You're trembling." Duo squeezed his eyes shut as the tears came streaming down his face. "Maxwell….do you….mean it?"

Duo pulled back and looked into the questioning eyes.

"I swear to you, 'Fei. As long as you want me, I will be here."

Onyx met amethyst and the years of friendship shone in their eyes, maturing into something more. Something deeper. Wufei saw everything he needed to know in the glittering eyes of the man he'd called 'best friend' for so long. Love. Devotion. All for him. Only for him.

Wufei reached up and wiped away the wetness from Duo's cheeks, his eyes following the gesture as Duo looked on with rapt attention. He couldn't believe what was happening. How many years had he dreamt of holding Wufei in his arms? How long had he suffered in silence, keeping his love for his partner and friend buried deep, waiting for the right time, if any, to declare his love?

"I never want to be without you, Maxwell."

Wufei's eyes were fixed on Duo's trembling lips that were glistening from tears that were too fast for Wufei to wipe away. He slowly leaned in, stopping only once for a brief second to register the reality of the situation before he gently kissed Duo. Wufei lost himself to the tender kiss. He thought that after Milliardo, there would be no one that could make him feel like this again. His entire body felt alive and it was burning from within.

It had been over a year since Milliardo died and Duo had all but given up on ever winning Wufei's heart. He had contented himself with being Wufei's best friend and partner, which was no small role in the dragon's life. But still he kept those feelings for Wufei locked deep within him, holding onto them like a lost dream. And now they were free. In a matter of moments his heart had been set free and the man he'd dreamt about, loved and longed for was in his arms.

Wufei pulled back slightly and rested his forehead against Duo's.

"C'mon, you should be resting in bed. This can't be good for you."

Wufei stepped back and started to maneuver himself into position to support Duo's weight and assist him back to bed, but the man had other ideas. He grabbed Wufei's chin and turned it to face him, his voice very serious.

"You always have been and always will be the best thing for me, 'Fei."

Duo brought Wufei's lips to his again for another kiss. This one was deep and Duo latched onto Wufei, pushing him backwards until they came to an abrupt stop against the wall. As much as he was enjoying the attention from his partner, Wufei tried to talk him down between kisses.

"Maxwell……please…….just get back…..to bed….."

Duo pulled back, a happy but mischievous smile on his face.

"Will you join me?"

"What?"

"I'll go back to bed if you join me."

"Maxwell…."

Duo heard the familiar warning but he just kept smiling.

"I won't take no for an answer."

"How about 'I'll make you wish those thugs killed you'?"

"You don't scare me, dragon."

Wufei heard and saw the challenge coming from his best friend as the lavender eyes glittered with mischief. And there was no way he would let himself be manipulated. I don't care if he is injured, he will not win this!

"Fine."

Wufei bent down and grabbed Duo around the thighs, hoisting him up and over his shoulder, carrying him back to bed.

"'Fei! What the hell! Put me---!"

Wufei unceremoniously deposited the complaining and struggling man down in the bed. Duo grimaced and rolled onto his side groaning.

"'Fei…..you bastard…..I'm still injured!"

"And you'll stay injured if you don't do what I tell you to do." Wufei saw the protest about to leave Duo's mouth but he placed a finger over the parted lips and leaned in, his voice becoming soft and seductive. "You think that just because we've kissed that I'm suddenly going to roll over and let you do whatever you want?"

Duo's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "How about you just roll over?"

Wufei felt the heat in his cheeks and he placed a firm hand on Duo's chest and shoved him, the injured man landing with a huff and a wince against the pillows in his bed.

"You're incorrigible."

"But you love me for it."

"In spite of it, Maxwell."

"'Fei…please?"

Wufei looked down into the pleading lavender eyes which seemed to grow three times their normal size. He felt his resolve crumbling so he tore his eyes away, only to have his eyes fall upon Duo's lips, and that proved to be a bad move. The bottom lip was jutting out just enough to be a pout, and as Wufei's mind wandered to how soft he knew those lips to be, Duo bit his bottom lip, making his mouth even more enticing. Wufei swallowed hard, knowing he was beaten. His tough lovestrategy hadn't worked. Duo had countered with his own inimitable strategy of playfulness and just being too adorable for his own good. There was no way he could resist.

Wufei sighed as he climbed into bed,ignoring the triumphant smile of his best friend as they settled into the small space withWufei carefully wrapping his arms around Duo's bruised body.As helay there, enjoying the feeling of Duo within his arms,a very familiar voice echoed softly within his head. "I've never been so happy to be defeated by anyone."

Not since Heero had anyone bested his strategy so easily. ButDuo had done just that today, with the skill of a master. Wufei buried his face in chestnut locks and let a secret smile grace his lips.Wufei had been mated. And he couldn't be happier.

The End.