"Okay," Duo grinned, staring at Wufei and Dorothy with a slightly maniacal smile. "It was *so* nice of you to get together like this so we could talk." For lack of a
better place, they were all in the room off the front hall that was once a music room. Duo sat against the wall, the children sitting in a half-circle around him,
expressions ranging from awe to fury.
"What do you want to talk about?" Hilde asked, eyes still moving from Dorothy's stunned expression back to Duo, very impressed.
"Well," Duo gave her a smile then looked to Quatre and Rashid. "When's the last time you guys had an outing?"
Catherine frowned at him in obvious confusion. "Do you mean leaving the house?"
Duo nodded and Quatre shook his head. "Not since mother and father died. It's not the sort of thing Heero would want to do, and we have everything we need
right here. There hasn't been reason to go anywhere."
"That's what I thought," Duo said. //Holed up in this house for that long? It's no wonder Dorothy and Wufei are so bad-tempered.// "In that case, I've got good
news for you. We," he grinned cheekily, "are going on an outing. Tomorrow."
"I'm not going!" Dorothy cried immediately.
"Neither am I," Wufei added, "and if *you* go, Heero'll kill you when he gets back. He specifically said we were to follow our daily routine."
"Yes he did," Duo's face was carefully neutral. "And Zechs has informed me that exercise and learning are part of your routine." He stared at the black-haired
boy until he reluctantly nodded. "He also said that *I* could pick the *type* of exercise and lessons. So," his eyes narrowed suddenly, daring either
troublemaker to argue. Dorothy dropped her gaze, still confused at having been drug down the hall earlier. "Any more complaints?" Wufei glared at him for a
minute then looked away. "Good."
"Where are we going?" Sally asked, more curious than eager.
"It's a surprise." Duo noticed that Quatre was biting his lip. //Wonder what's wrong with *him*.//
"How long will we be gone?" Quatre asked in a careless tone.
//I see. He's got plans.// Duo smiled. "I don't really know. Oh," his eyes grew wide as if he'd just thought of something. "If any of you have any friends you want
to invite, we can bring them too." He gave a significant look to Quatre whose eyes widened for a minute. Then a small tentative smile came to his lips.
"Really?"
Rashid turned, eyes narrowed. Wufei smirked. "You going to invite your little boyfriend?"
Duo turned on him, angry again. "*What* is your problem, Wufei?"
"Right now, you are."
Duo smirked at the boy's challenging expression. "Okay, just checking." Turning, he looked at the others. "I'd like to head out after breakfast tomorrow.
Quatre, can you get a message to Trowa or do you want me to pick him up on the way?"
Quatre frowned and the others, who obviously knew about the blonde boy's friend, smiled at him. "I can have him meet us, but I don't want to ruin your
surprise."
"Don't worry about it, Quatre. Give me his number, and I'll take care of everything."
* * *
"You've *got* to be kidding." Duo stared at the clothing Zechs had brought him. "What is *this*?"
"It's a coat," Zechs said, hiding his smile.
"A coat. It looks like some kind of fancy nun's robe. What do I need a coat for anyway, it's not that cold." Duo frowned at the long, black coat for a minute
before setting it down on the desk.
"It's customary," Zechs explained, eyes shining. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it. I should have a selection of clothing for you in a couple of days so you can
pick what you like out of it. I'm afraid this is all I could find on such short notice."
Suddenly embarrassed at his outburst, Duo glanced down at the stack of clothing. Smiling slightly, he met Zechs's gaze. "As long as it's black, I won't be too
picky. Besides," touching the shirt, he marveled at the texture. "These are nice."
"*I* thought so," Zechs smiled. "I'm glad you like it."
.-.
PART 6
.-.
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