As usual, I don't own GW. I DO own the main characters in this section (Esmerelda Christine Maxwell, and Robert Cross), and I do own the story line.. but all else belongs to Sunrise and Bandai.

I just want to thank everyone who's been reviewing me. It means a lot to me that you take the time to leave encouragement, and every time I read that I've made someone smile, or satisfied an 'itch' (blush), it pushes me to work harder at my craft.

So.. this fic is dedicated to everyone that's taken the time to urge me on, and in some cases.. stalked my mailbox to tell me to get off my ass with the next chappy! lol... Thanks, everyone!

~Caliko~

Follow My Heart

By Caliko

Duo Maxwell pulled himself out from under the car, making sure that his hair wouldn't get caught up in the creeper wheels. He couldn't help but be a bit protective of his pride and joy, considering that it had only recently gained a respectable length again.

He grabbed a rag off of the floor, and glanced at the wall clock, groaning. Ten-thirty. By the time he managed to wash the grime off, Esme would have walked halfway home. He didn't even want to consider NOT showering, since the smell of gear oil was worse than vile. Still, he couldn't allow her to walk home this late.

Grabbing the pump bottle of Gojo, he started to rub off what he could, cursing as the smell didn't diminish. Then, he noticed the new guy, Rob Cross, outside tuning up his bike.

"Rob!" He called out, thankful that he hadn't left yet. "I need you to take a ride for me!"

Robby looked up, then walked over, wondering what the older man wanted. "Sure, Duo. What do you need?"

"I need you to pick my daughter up from work. I'd go myself, but I don't think she'll appreciate having to smell gear oil all the way home."

"Alright..." Robby bit his tounge to hide his glee. It had been three months since that night on the beach, and now, he'll finally get some time alone with her! "Where do I go?"

"Main ticket counter. Normally, I wouldn't worry. My daughter can take care of herself. There's just been a lot of trouble, lately, and I don't want her to get hurt. She tends to jump into things feet first." Duo smiled, shaking his head. "According to Hilde, it comes from taking after her old man."

Smirking, Rob grabbed the keys from his employer's hand, then threw them in the air. Catching them, he laughed, saying, "At least you know she'll always land on her feet."

"Yeah, yeah. This from a guy who doesn't have to deal with her tantrums! Go, she'll be out soon. I'll call and let her know to look for you, k?"

"Sure, Boss. I'll get her home, safe and sound."

The young mechanic trotted to the black truck, thoughts of his girl filling the forefront of his mind. He remembered what she had looked like this morning, when she first saw him. Her long chestnut hair was piled on top of her head, and the navy blue dress suit hugged her curves nicely. Low heeled pumps completed the uniform, making her look much older than her seventeen years.

:::Does she still feel the same about me?::: He asked himself, :::and what did she mean that night, when she told Heero Yuy that she was trying to get expelled?:::

Her words haunted him. His worst fear was that she had been using him, that she never intended to see him again after that night. :::She got what she wanted, after all. She's home, here on L2.:::

Yet, she had been happy to see him. The joy in her eyes this morning couldn't be faked... It made her entire face glow, making her seem even more beautiful than before.

:::She must love me, a little, at least!::: The reassurances washed over his body, licking his edgy fingers and sending soothing calm over his heart. :::Even if she doesn't, I'm here, now. We can start over!:::

Seeing the spaceport ahead, he took the right and pulled into the parking lot. Driving across the blacktop, he found the main lot and parked in front of the nearly deserted terminals. A group of kids hung around the door, hooting catcalls and insults as he walked inside.

Casually, he ran his hand over his chest, feeling the thin blade beneath the dark leather. :::Hopefully, I won't need to use this.::: He thought, then, :::Ez shouldn't be working here.:::

He saw her then, watching as she checked an aged business mans ticket, and led him to the right gate. Turning, she met his gaze, the excited light in her eyes once again pushing away his anxieties.

"Robby!" Esme ran up to him, kicking the dignified pumps from her feet after two steps. Then, unencumbered, she flew into his arms, laughing as he spun her around. "Oh, God, I've missed you!"

"Hey, Little Girl." He stopped, resting his head against hers, "What are you doing in this dump?"

"Waiting for you to take me home." She leaned up and pecked his lips, hoping to change the subject. Now, surrounding by strangers, was not the time to tell him he was going to be a father.

:::At least, I can tell him now!::: She thought, knowing that she didn't deserve a second chance.

"So, why are we still standing here, again?" Esme continued, laughing as he practically carried her from the building.

The teens were still there, their calls getting obscene as they noticed his obvious haste. "I don't want you working here anymore, Ez. You'll get hurt."

Reaching for the truck door, she climbed in, debating on what she should tell him. Finally, she decided to keep it simple.

"A girl has to work, Rob."

"I don't buy that, not when you can work for your father."

"I don't want to be handed a job! Damn, why does everyone think I need to be taken care of? First Daddy, now you!"

Robby glanced sideways as he started the truck, wincing as he realized that she was going to start an argument thier first night back together.

"Hon, I saw those guys! What if we're late picking you up one day? Hmmm? You're going to end up raped, love."

"I can take care of myself! My Uncles made sure of that! Do you know that I've had martial arts lessons with Uncle Wu every Saturday since I could walk? Uncle Heero taught me how to shoot a gun when I was thirteen! Uncle Trowa taught me how to think clearly in an emergency, and Uncle Quatre taught me strategy! I don't need anyone to worry about me!"

"I suppose you got your confidence from your father?" Rob sighed. "Esme, no one is perfect, and no one can watch 24/7. I really want you to quit working here."

"Robby, drop it. I need to work, and you have no right to tell me what to do!"

"I'm your boyfriend!" He looked at her, not believing that she didn't think that was important.

"Are you? Where have you been for the last three months?" She spat, "Where have you been, while I faced my parents, guilty and embarrassed at letting them down?"

"Ez..." He began, stricken. :::How bad was it?:::: But he couldn't ask, knowing that her answer would only make him feel worse.

"Don't Ez me, Robert Cross! Do you know how hard it was to face my family after getting caught like that?"

"Look, I'm sorry, but I'm here now! I tried to get here sooner, Love!" Robby pulled her resisting frame into his arms, then tilted her head up to meet his eyes. "Do you really want to fight today?"

Esme shrugged, then shook her head. "No, not really." She admitted, "But I don't want you to think you can order me around, either, Rob."

"As if anyone could. C'mon. Your dad is probably wondering where we are."

Twenty minutes later, they were pulling into the parking lot of Maxwell's garage. The motion light blipped on, casting their elongated shadows over the pavement as they approached the door.

Then, Esme pulled back. Placing her fingertips on his sleeve, she shook her head.

"Rob..."

"What, Little Girl?" He spoke softly, pulling her once again into his arms.

She opened her mouth, about to tell him everything, but then sighed. :::Not yet.:::

"Nothing, Robby." She laughed softly, turning back towards the door.

"Hmmm.. not yet, hon. We're all alone." he teased, pulling her back into his arms, then dipping his head.

Gently, he nibbled on her pouting lips, pushing closer into her softness until she was leaning against the outer wall of the garage.

A soft sigh escaped from her mouth, and then her hands came up to burrow into his hair. Finally, she pushed him gently back, smiling.

"Alone or not, this is the worst place for us to kiss. My father is still wondering who that boy was on the beach."

"Go ahead and tell him, Ez. He's going to have to understand that I love you, and that he can't scare me away! Serious.. What can he do.. kill me?" Rob laughed, unmindful of the lean shadow that stood on the stairway.

Duo stood in the darkness, battling conflicting emotions. One part of him was doing cartwheels. He finally learned who the bastard was! ::::OOohhh.. this could be fun...::: he thought, cracking his knuckles. :::How many times can I hit him before he bleeds?::: (This being the section of Duo Maxwell that houses Shinigami)

Another part thought it was sweet that the boy was determined to stay with his daughter... But Shinigami throttled that part into unconsciousness.

Still another part of Duo felt that it was working out for the best... Rob deserved to know about the baby, and Esme wouldn't be forced to raise it alone.

Of course, Shinigami was trying to throttle that part of Duo, as well. Thankfully, that part fought dirtier than the god of death. A compromise was won.

So, Duo spoke up, a mixture of his most evil personality, and his most mature. "Death, boy, is too good for you. If your smart, you'll take your hands off my daughter!"

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TBC

(smiling with my most angelic grin.) So.. what do you think Duo will do??? HMMmm/????

Leeko