Author's note:

So we've reached the end of the story. This chapter is just a short little standalone of Duo's thoughts about everything.

As I'm sure you've all figured out, this story is close to my heart for a number of reasons. I'm both glad and sad it's over in a way. Rape is a very serious matter, and whether you have or nearly have doesn't matter, it's all the same thing and you should report it, regardless of how scared and ashamed you may be.

On a lighter note, I had a review from none other than Dyna Dee. Thank you for this, it made my week.

Thank you for reading this fiction, and a special thanks to the inner sanctum of new friends: Leikaru, Snowdragonct, Cjmarie, Vitanie Tora, Bunch-o-Nuts, Solitaire, Yilun and Hellfire.

Solitaire, on a personal note: I've been there too. It's better now, but it was hell in college and starting to trust people nearly sent me screaming to the hills. I was also stupid enough to nearly let it happen a second time. Don't let any one get away with it. Ever.

That said, it's been a wild ride and I can't wait to go at it again soon, so keep your eyes out.

Kind regards, Hikishi

Acting On Instinct

By Hikishi

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, but I'm sure as hell going to use it!

Pairings: 1x5x1, 3x4, 1+2, 5+2, 1x5x2

Warnings: Angst, Violence, Implied NCS, Language, Shounen Ai, Abuse.

Genres: Romance, Action, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Angst

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

So here I am, two months later and I'm back at my desk in Preventer headquarters. Heero's wound is completely healed and Wufei's nightmares have stopped.

I still have the odd session with Sylvia, counselling once a month, helping me come to terms with shooting one of my boyfriends and address my fears about the future. I'm starting to speak my mind and not be so evasive.

We've put my apartment on the market, as I haven't even been to check my messages since that day at the bar. We get along fine together, apart from the odd argument about menial things like hair in the bath and clothes on the floor.

Last week, Wufei bought us all promise rings. He said it was time we looked ahead and not to the past and Heero agreed with him wholeheartedly. We're having a ceremony in spring next year. I don't have any panic attacks now either.

Inesco, the guy who'd tried to rape me on that awful assignment got convicted. I even remembered enough to give a statement and he had years added to his sentence as a result.

Today we're leaving work early to celebrate our anniversary. We don't keep count though, because Heero and Wufei say they can't think of a time when I wasn't a part of their life. I don't want to.

I've been learning all sorts of new tricks in the bedroom department and let's just say that some things are just natural gifts.we had to take it slow when it came to the actual down and dirty, and both of my boyfriends have bruises from when I'd gotten scared. It's the only hang up I have, and with a little foreplay and patience I'm raring to go.

I've made my mark on the house, and more than once, on them. I swear my stuff is everywhere. Heero says though, that even though it's a bit cramped, it looks more like a home.

Home.

If anyone had said six months ago that I'd be living with 'Fei and 'Ro, I'd have laughed them off the face of the earth. Now I can honestly say I can't imagine a life without them. Even though it's been one hell of a ride, I hope it never ends.

End Chapter Twenty Three