* Ringing........alarm clocks aren't suppose to ring....well, electric ones don't........*

"Duo..."

"Huh?"

"It's the phone, "Hilde said, pushing him out of the bed. "It'll be for you. Go answer it."

"Ugg. Why didn't I unplug it last night."

"Something else on your mind."

"Oh, yeah," He said, thinking about last night. "You wanna.....?"

"After you answer the phone."

"Partypooper." Duo pouted as he stumbled out to pick up the phone," 'Lo?" He answered sleepily. The voice on the other end was load and angry. He wasn't sleepy any longer. "Yes, Ma'am! No, Ma'am! We'll be there in a half an hour! "

Duo hung up the phone and went to the bedroom. " Well, Hilde, no fun time."

"Who was it?"

"Captain Po and she wants us in the office, like yesterday."

Hilde sat up and frowned at Duo, "What did you do now? Or maybe I should ask , what did you do to piss her off this time, Duo?"

"Nothing, Hilde, I swear! I haven't seen her since I went to get that file. It's not my fault!"

She looked at him, eyebrow cocked.

He raised his hands in protest, " It wasn't me! Honest!"

She laughed, after seeing the confusion in his face, "OK! OK! I believe you, but we better get going hate it when she yells at us. She 's just like a mom."

They hurried out to thier black jeep and headed to the police station. When they got there Sally and Wu Fei were waiting outside for them. Sally had a stern look on her face and her hands on her hips. Duo looked to see if she was tapping her foot. Nope. Wu Fei looked extremely angry. Hilde looked at Duo as they walked to the door.

"Are you sure you didn't do anything?" She asked him again.

"Yes! "He said exasperated he had to repeat himself.

As they got closer, Sally grabbed Duo by the arm and pulled him into the station. Hilde bowed to Wu Fei and said, to him, "Hello, Sensi." (Hope I spelled that right)

"Hello, student Hilde. Are you practicing the moves I taught you?"

"Yes, Sensi, when I can." She held up her wrist with the cast.

"A broken bone is not an excuse, student. You must practice. Come to the Dojo tonight, and bring that baka husband of yours. It's time he saw what he is paying for." He said , as he bowed to her.

"Yes, Sensi." She replied as she bowed back.

He opened the door and they went to Sally's office.

Sally looked up and frowned at them.

"Glad you two saw fit to join us." She said, sarcastically. She continued to talk as they sat down. Then, she turned to Hilde, " Hilde, do you have your license and your gun permit with you?'

Hilde reached into her pocket and withdrew a small billfold and pulled out the said items. Sally took them and looked them over. She nodded and handed them back.

"Do you remember a man named Buckly?" (remember him from part one?)

"Yeah, I did some work for him. Wife was cheating, and he wanted proof. Why?"

"Because he said you cheated him. Do you have your paper work?"
"Well, just my notes. I took pictures and I have all my hours and that written down. Let's see, should be in this pocket." Duo said as he rummaged through his pockets. "Here it is."

He handed his note book. Sally opened the book and read Duo's small and concise handwriting. "This seems to be in order. You watch out for him. I also here you have a small problem with Heero Yuy. "

Duo looked at her, and almost asked how she knew about that, but he just stared at her.

"Yes, I know about the bonds and the kidnapping. I take it it's finished?"
"I hope so."

"Well, if you need help, don't hesitate to call for back up."

"Thanks, Sally. We'll keep that in mind."

"Now get out of here."

She shooed them out of her office, and turn to Wu Fei when they were gone, "This Heero Yuy thing bothers me. The man never quits and if he said he had unfinished business with Duo, you can bet he'll be back. We need to keep an eye on the Maxwells. Oh, would I love to get my hands on Heero Yuy."

"Well, Sally. I can keep an eye on them for a little bit, and I'll assign a couple men to follow them home for the evening. I may not like Maxwell, but he is honest and honorable. There not enough people like him. He would never intentionally hurt anyone. He did insist that Hilde take some self defense classes, before she got her license. She came to me and told me what she wanted. They love each other very much. Would it be too much for me to see you tonight, Sally?"

"No, would 10 be too late?"

"No, I'll see you then."

Chapter 2
~~~~~

As Duo and Hilde headed back to their office , Hilde looked over at Duo. He seemed lost in thought. His shoulder seemed better ,too. But even if it bothered him he wouldn't complain. She smiled as she watched him, he own thoughts evading into her mind. * I wonder what he's thinking about? God, I love him so much, what would I do if anything should happen to him? * Her heart began to beat faster in fear , as she thought about him getting killed. She decided to break the silence, to get her mind moving somewhere else.

"Duo, Wu Fei wants us to go to the Dojo tonight."

"Oh, sure. Sound OK."

Hilde looked at him and knew he was somewhere else.

"What are you thinking, Duo?"

"Oh, lots of stuff." He said as he reached over and grabbed her hand, squeezing her fingers, " Thinking about how beautiful you are and how much I love you. I hate seeing you get hurt."

"What about you, Duo? You've been shot, and you are far more vulnerable than me. I can bash someone in the head with this and hurt them. Someone hits you in that shoulder and you'll go down. So...."

"Aw, Hilde, you don't understand. You are everything. I would do anything for you. I would die for you. I'm not important, you are!" * Damn, Hilde, You are my angel and my saving grace. *

"Duo, I wouldn't be able to go on without you. You are so very important to me." She said, looking into his face.

He just grinned back at her. "What time does Wu Fei want you there?"

"Six."

They went to the office , checked the mail, and the answering machine. There were two messages. One was from Buckly, screaming about how they had ruined his life , and they would pay. The other was far more disturbing. It was about how Heero was going to make Duo pay for all his wrongs but he wouldn't know how or when. It ended as abruptly as it began.

Duo clenched his fists and his face got angry. "Why won't he leave us alone? What more does he want?"

"You don't think we dishonored him, do you?" Hilde asked Duo. "How do we fix that, with out a duel or someone having to die?" Hilde shuddered. * If you fight him, he could kill you , Duo. * "We need to figure this out."

"Yeah, but how?'

Hilde shrugged her shoulders.

The day continued on without any more phone calls. It had been quiet, but it still nagged at Duo's mind.

At around 5 o'clock, they locked up the office and headed to Wu Fei's Dojo. When they got there, Hilde told Duo to take off his shoes and lead him to some chairs. She told him to sit and she went to go change. Duo looked around the room. It was sparsely decorated. He stood up and walked to the center of the room. He put his hands in his pockets. He turned when he heard Wu Fei come into the room. Wu Fei stopped in front of Duo.

"Do you have an idea what we do here?"

Duo looked at Wu Fei and said, " Yeah, I think so."

"Let me show you. Come." Wu Fei showed Duo how to take a stance and how to put his arms up to defend himself. Duo stood like Wu Fei showed him and when he asked if he was ready he nodded. When Wu Fei kicked at Duo, he wasn't quite fast enough and Wu Fei hit him in his wound shoulder. Duo grimaced and stumbled back, dropping hard to the floor. Wu Fei frowned and looked at Duo. Duo tried to get up ,but couldn't.

Wu Fei shook his head and knelt down by duo. "I didn't kick you that hard." He grabbed his arm , then stopped when he saw the darkening spot on Duo's shoulder. * Damn, what's this? * He opened Duo's shirt and saw the bullet wound. "You're wounded. You should have told me! When did this happen? Did Yuy do this? "

Duo groaned, "You didn't ask. It happened yesterday. Yeah, it Yuy. He broke Hilde's wrist and hit her."

Wu Fei asked Duo, " And where were you when Yuy was beating up your wife?"

"On a hotel room floor, bleeding. He hit me, then shot me. I couldn't help Hilde." Duo hung his head down. Wu Fei didn't say a word, understanding the guilt Duo must have been feeling and probably still feeling . Hilde came out of the dressing room and saw Duo on the floor.

"Oh, Sensi, what happened," She asked Wu Fei as she knelt by Duo.
Wu Fei said, to her, "I'm sorry. I was showing him a move and kicked him. He didn't say he was wounded."

Duo's head was spinning , he felt a little dizzy. He didn't want to pass out. Wu Fei would think him weak.

Hilde and Wu Fei helped him up and over to the chairs. Wu Fei watched Duo fight not to pass out. Hilde leaned into Duo and let his head rest on her shoulder.

"It 's OK, baby. " She said soothingly. He watched as Duo lost the battle and passed out. Hilde laid his head down and touched his forehead. " He thinks he has to be so tough. He has a fever. And he's such a baka sometimes. Well, I guess we should practice so I can get him home and in bed for a couple days."

Wu Fei grinned.

"Sensi! Not like that!"

Duo opened his eyes and watched them spar. He was amazed with her every move. She moved like a cat, smooth and easy. It seemed almost erotic to him. He groaned and sat up. Hilde and Wu Fei both turned to looked at him. "Oh, sorry."

"We are finished here, student." He bowed to Hilde. She bowed to him. She then went to change her clothes.

Wu Fei started to walk away, when he hear Duo's soft thank you. He turned and looked at him. "Please don't tell Sally and thank you for teaching Hilde."

Wu Fei nodded and walked away.

A few minutes later, Hilde came out and went to Duo's side. She kissed him.

"Hmmm....I must be in heaven." He murmured. She helped him up and they went home.

Heero Yuy watched them leave. * Hmm. I could kill them both now. But what fun would that be. I think I'll toy with them for a while. Yes, that will be fun. No one humiliates me. * He watched drive away, thinking of what he would do next.

Chapter 3
~~~~~

Hilde refused to let Duo out of bed for five days. He whined and complained, but she turned a deaf ear to him. She rerouted all the work from the office to the house so she could stay at home and take care of Duo. Trowa stopped by and helped out when ever he could. Which was quite often. Duo was glad his friend wasn't mad at him any more. The phone rang non-stop. Several calls were from Buckly, still threatening them. Hilde blew him off. It was the phone calls she could hear someone breathing but not talking that got to her. On this day, she had finally had enough and told Duo he had to answer the phone. When Duo answered the phone. He heard the heavy breathing on the other end.
"Hey, what a turn on, You breathe so sexy."

"You are so dead."

"Bad pickup line, buddy. Who the hell is this?"

"You will pay, Maxwell. You will pay. You had better keep your eyes on your pretty little wife. You never know what might happen." * Click. *

The phone went dead in his hand. "What the hell....." he muttered under his breath. "DAMN!" He yelled when it dawned on him who it had been on the phone. "Heero Yuy."

Hilde looked up at him from the computer, "what is it, Duo?"

"Heero Yuy."

"Shit! What are we going to do?"

"I don't know. We had better think of something. I think I better call Trowa and have his input on this. Maybe he has some ideas. Maybe I should send you to stay with Catherine."

"Why, Duo? Did he threaten me? I won't go. I'm not leaving you. Come what may, I'm staying by your side. End of conversation!"

He grinned at her, "That's my Hilde. God, I love you!" He pulled her close to him and kissed her. She lingered in his arms a bit longer, then pulled away.

"We need a plan! Call Trowa! And tell him to bring Catherine. Four heads have to be better than one!"

"I'll order pizza and we have a planning session."

"Great idea, Hilde> I'll call Trowa right now."

Heero Yuy was careful around the Maxwell house. He knew the cops were watching them, more than likely watching for him. He sat back and smiled. It was going to be all to easy. All too easy.

Chapter 4
~~~~~

Sirens screamed and tires screeched in a small white house. Officers Noin and Zechs stood behind one of the parked squad cars. They were watching the house. Sally and Wu Fei were on their way. The person in the house was insisting he talk to the chief of police and to Duo Maxwell.

Sally flipped open her cell phone and dialed Duo's number. It rang only once, before it was picked up. He heard a female voice answer. Sally hesitated a moment then asked for Duo. These was a pause, then she heard Duo's baritone voice.

"Duo............WE need you at 425 Brown Street............Yeah......Buckly, that's right........................Bring Hilde.........Wants to talk to her too.....It can't be helped. Yeah, I'll make sure you can get through......What?.....Yeah, they can come too." Sally hung up. She leaned back and sighed. Wu Fei looked over at her.

"You OK, Sally?"

"Yeah, just thinkin'. How come we missed this? He's been calling the station for a week, and he's been calling Duo's at least that long. God, I must be getting old. Is there any news on Heero Yuy?"

"No, it's like he dropped off the face of the earth."

"Don't bet on it. He's around somewhere."

Duo turned to everyone in the office as he put the phone down. "We have a problem. Heero Yuy will have to wait. Come on."

He grabbed Hilde's arm and they left the office with Trowa and Catherine following.

"Where are we going, Duo?" Hilde asked ,as they all climbed in the jeep."

"You remember that guy, one with cheatin' wife? He has a hostage and he wants to talk to me, but I think he really wants to talk to you, Hilde."

"Me?"

Trowa leaned forward, "Remember what he asked you, Hilde?"

"I guess so, but not really."

"You were honest with him about you and Duo and he seemed impressed."

Hilde thought back, but it seemed to slip her mind. So much had happened. She had felt bad for him, knowing how heartbroken she would be if it happened to her. Duo snapped her from her thoughts.

"So, what will you say to him?"

"I don't know, I guess I'll have to play it by ear."

Relena backed away from Heero. "Please don't hurt me, Heero. I didn't mean it! I just don't understand this obsession, we have enough money to live any where we want and very comfortably. What good will it do you if you get killed? And what about me, Heero? I love you, I really do. How will I survive with out you?"

He growled at her as he stepped closer, "You know my honor has been damaged. I can't have that. He must die, and that little bitch will suffer."

"Why does it matter? You don't have to be an assassin any more. You can live comfortably with me."

He shoved Relena on the bed and turned from her, "Oh, Heero...." she sobbed as he slammed the door.

Relena laid on the bed till the house was quiet. She decided it was time to take matters into her own hands. He just wasn't going to get himself killed over something as foolish as pride and honor, at least ,not if she could help it. She would need help.

Duo drove almost to the front of the house. They all piled out and headed to where Sally was.

Sally looked almost relieved when she saw them. She turned and yelled to the house.

"Mr. Buckly! They are here! Who do you want to speak with?"
There was no sound from the house for a few seconds, then he yelled out, "The girl! The one who brought me the papers!"

Duo looked at Hilde, with that I told you so look. She shrugged and turned to Sally, "What do you want me to do?"

Sally turned to the house, "What do you want us to do?"
"Send her to the house, I won't hurt her. I just want to talk to her. And when I'm done, I'll give up my hostage."

Hilde pulled her gun from it's holster and handed it to Duo. He looked at it and then at her, "Are you sure you want to do this, Hilde?"

"Yeah, I'll do it. If we can end this without anyone being killed, it will be worth the risk."

She turned to walk to the house. Duo grabbed her wrist as she passed him.

"Wait, Hilde!" He pulled her to him and kissed her passionately. "Be careful, Babe."

She looked at him, and saw the fear in his face. She hugged him.

"I'll be OK, Duo. He won't hurt me. He's just hurting and needs someone to talk to. I'm going for the hostage. I love you."

Duo watched her go toward the house. He looked at Sally. Even Sally didn't feel confident about this. She put her hand on his shoulder.

Hilde knocked on the door and Buckly let her in. She looked around the room and then followed him into the living room. She could hear a child like cry. She saw Buckly go into another room and come out with a child. He leaned down and whispered to the child. The child looked up at Hilde and walked over to her uncertainly. She took Hilde's hand, then looked back at her father. He motioned for them to leave.

Hilde looked at him and asked, "You didn't want to talk?"

"No, nothing to say, just wanted the kid outta here. I already killed her mother and her boyfriend. You'll find their bodies at his place. 2243 West Street. Sorry. I really didn't want any trouble. I just didn't know where to turn to. You seemed compassionate enough. So, go on."

"But......"

"GO!" He yelled. Hilde picked up the little girl, and went out the door. As soon as she turned away there was a gunshot. Hilde lowered her head and ran.

Everyone outside jumped when they heard the gun shot. Duo almost panicked until he saw Hilde come out the front door carrying a child. He ran up to her and stopped. She looked up at him and shook her head. He took the little girl from her arms and took Hilde's hand.

The police rushed the house as they stayed back.

Sally came up to Hilde and asked her, "Are you OK? What happened?"

"He didn't want to talk. He just wanted to give his little girl to some one." She sighed, then she spoke again, "He said his wife's and the boyfriend's bodies are at 2243 West Street." She looked over at Duo and watched him talk to the little girl. He saw her gazing at them and came over to her.

"This is Katlin, Hilde."
"You're the nice lady that saved me. My daddy was so sad. Mr. Duo is so funny. I like him. Your name is Hilday?"
Hilde laughed and said, "Yes, or at least that's close enough." Katlin reached out for Hilde to take her into her arms.

"Thank you, Mz Hilday." She said as she hugged Hilde tight.

Sally came to Hilde and took the little girl and started to walk away, but Katlin didn't want to go with her.

"Let me stay with them!! Please! Please!" Sally looked at Hilde and Duo, who shrugged at her.

Duo went to Katlin and knelt down in front of her. "Listen sweetheart, you go with Sally. We have a very bad man chasing us and he might hurt you, OK?"

"You mean like my daddy?"

"No, not like your daddy. He wasn't bad, just very confused."

"OK." She said, "but will you come see me?"

"Well, sure!"

That seemed to satisfy the little girl as she skipped off with Sally.

Duo turned to Hilde, "Now , to solve our problem."

Relena called Quatre. He was reluctant to help her. He finally gave in when she said all she wanted was for him to come with her. She needed some one to back up her story. After all that happened ,she needed the Maxwells to believe her.

Heero was watching the office, when he saw Relena and Quatre go inside.

* What the hell?! What is she up to? *

Relena and Quatre hurried to the elevator. They had to get upstairs before Heero beat them. They got to the door and went in. They surprised the four some.

"What do you want?" Duo asked, coldly.

Relena looked around, then said to them. "Listen to me! Heero is planning to .........."

Just then the door burst open. Heero stood in front of them.

"Relena." He raised his gun and pointed at her. "What are you doing here?"
"Trying to save your sorry ass." She said, looking right down the barrel of the gun. She seemed in control, but in side she was ready to scream. She was frightened, she knew how he was.

He shook his head. "You don't get it, Relena. This is about honor."

"HONOR?? What the hell do you know about honor? Well, Heero?"

He looked at Relena with a shocked look. Then, he frowned at her. He straightened up and said," I know about honor, Relena."
She turned from him. "You have not honored me, Heero." She said, softly. " I am not your property to be pushed around, so how can you talk about honor?"

He stared at her, then turned the gun so it was pointed at Duo. "He still must pay!"

Relena took her last gamble and stepped in front of Duo. "Would you shoot me, Heero? Don't even care a little bit for me?" * I hope this works, a desperate attempt by a woman in love, too deeply in love to care about anything but him. *

"Get out of the way, Relena. I will finish this. You have to die, Maxwell."

Duo pushed Relena out of the way and stepped in front of her. "Well, do it already. But, if you do, you'll have to kill every one, including Relena."
"No, Relena won't tell anyone. She needs me too much."

Relena's face turned bright red and she became very angry. She walked up to Heero and slapped his face. "How dare you think so little of me! Yes, maybe I do need you but not in the way you think. I will tell the whole world about you, Heero Yuy! Starting right now , with the police!" She reached for the phone on the desk and started to dial.

Heero screamed, "NO!!!!!!!" And pulled the trigger.

Duo grabbed Relena pulling her to the floor as the bullet screamed through the space that would have been Relena.

There had been another shot, and Heero crumpled to the floor, his gun falling from numb fingers. Hilde stood up with her little .38 smoking in her hand. Her face was white and she looked sick. Duo untangled himself from Relena and went to his wife. He Grabbed and held and her knees gave out and they both sank to the floor.

Relena crawled across the floor, to Heero's side. Trowa was there already, inspecting the wound Hilde had inflicted. He looked at Relena as said, "He'll be all right. It's a shoulder wound. It's a good thing Hilde's an good shot!"

Hilde looked up and said, "I'm not that good, Trowa. I wasn't aiming for his shoulder."

Duo started to laugh. Everyone looked at him oddly. Then , they too began to laugh. Heero groaned and asked, "Where were you aiming for?"

Hilde replyed, sheepishly, "Not your shoulder. If I'd had hit you were I'd been aiming you would be dead."

"Where were you aiming, Hilde?" Duo asked between gasps.

"NOT THERE, YOU PREVERT!!! I was aiming for his head. I'm not THAT bad of a shot."

Catherine and Quatre crawled out from under the desk, Trowa said, angrily, "What were you doing with my sister under that desk?"

Quatre said, matter of factly, "Hiding."

Duo went to Heero, "Well, Yuy, what's gonna be? You still here to kill me or are you going to listen to your girlfriend and let this go?"

"What will I do? All my life it has been for the mission! You were my last mission and it's not complete."

"Does it have to be complete? Is it a paid mission? Or principle thing?"

"It started as a principle thing, but now I don't know. Relena?"

"I'm here."

"Do you really feel I have dishonored you?"

"Yes, but you can repair the damage."

"How?"

"By letting this go, and we go on living our lives. Oh, Heero!" She said ,as she hugged him. "Let's just live like normal people."

"What about the police?"

"What police?" Duo asked. * Sally's gonna kill me on this one. * " I won't tell if you won't."

"Why are you doing this? I tried to kill you, I hurt your wife. I deserve to go to jail."

"All that comes with the job, as my sweet wife seems to like to point out to me every so often. Maybe I am a sap as Hilde says, but everybody needs a second chance."

Heero thought about for a moment, then said, "I hope never to see you or your wife again, Duo Maxwell. This is not like me to give up on a mission. But, perhaps they are all right about this. I am getting tired of the hunt. Maxwell beat me by being smart and quicker. I think it is time to retire. * " Take me home , Relena. You have to tend my wound. I am glad you are not a great shot, Hilde Maxwell. I would not have this opportunity to start over."

Epilogue;

Duo and Hilde watched as Relena and Heero drove away. Catherine was quietly talking to Quatre, with Trowa hovering over them. Duo turned back and laughed at the sight. Hilde walked up and took him hand. "Is it over, Duo? I mean really over?"
"Well, I hope so ,HIlde. Well, maybe after the yelling is done."

"Oh!" She said, "I forgot about Sally. How will we explain this?"
"I'll think of something. You know I always do!"
He gathered her up in his arms and kissed her.

end.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

AU