"Heartbreak Café"

Six months later, Heartbreak Café was a booming success. It had become a phenomenon of sorts, a popular hot spot in Venice Beach. Locals and tourists alike would congregate around the café to enjoy the delicious coffees and Quatre's unique blends of flavored teas.

He'd come up with many of the original flavors while experimenting after hours with his employees. Their most popular flavors to date were blackberry apple and cacao raspberry. The coffees and teas were also highly revered due to their natural, organic ingredients.

He'd launched his own brand the previous month and not only served the prepared teas and coffees in his shop, but also had the prepackaged varieties that were now served in grocery stores and markets all over the country and they were preparing to export the products internationally. He already had a fully staffed farm for the production of the ingredients which included the tea leaves and the various fruits and vegetables that were used in the beverages and purchased a factory for the manufacturing of the various blends of teas and coffees.

Once again, the media was focused on him, but for reasons that were very different than they used to be. They were fascinated by the young CEO and politician turned entrepreneur who'd overcome not only his broken heart, but the trials and tribulations of his horrific, disabling accident, turning it into a thriving business. They loved covering his beach-side shop and often made the rounds, asking the patrons what they thought of it. Heartbreak Café consistently received glowing reviews from the customers and Quatre was already in the planning stages of opening up new locations all throughout California, Oregon, and Washington. It quickly surged to the top as one of the most successful coffee and tea franchises in the country.

On top of selling his own product, he enthusiastically distributed products created by other local small businesses. He served homemade baked goods, candies, and other items which helped launch the sales of other entrepreneurs in the area. His shop featured works from local, struggling artists which included paintings and sculptures. His monthly charity drive was also successful. A large portion of his own personal profits were donated to a wide variety of different charities, showcasing one specific charity each month, not only to increase the proceeds, but also to increase awareness.

He was a little taken aback by the instant success, not sure how much of it had to do with who he was and how much of it was the authentic enjoyment of what he had to offer. He'd questioned this one night while he and Maddie were closing up after another busy day. Maddie had been thrilled to perform with her band at the shop that evening. They really were good and the customers loved them, loved Maddie, and loved the other gigs that played there once a week.

Quatre had dubbed Saturday nights his live music night and every week, he booked local bands of all types who were seeking more exposure, to play in his café. The venture got good reactions, especially drawing in the young, college crowd. He'd had to extend his patio to accommodate more tables and chairs and it was always full during business hours. When one reporter asked about the long lines and waiting times, one customer had responded, "It's worth it!"

"Honestly, Quat, don't get hung up on how much is your name and how much is the business," Maddie said. They'd taken to calling him that after Quatre insisted they stop with all that 'Mr. Winner' business. His name was always inevitably shortened as soon as anyone got to know him. "At this point, I think it's safe to say, there's more than who you are driving the success of this business."

"You think so?"

Maddie propped the broom in the corner and picked up the dustpan. "Absolutely! It's your experience in running businesses -"

"Business. Singular, not plural."

"It's plural now. You're exceptionally good at it. You listen to your customers, you engage with them, change things that they want to be changed and you market amazing products. You're also popular because you're constantly helping to prop up other local business and you're always looking for ways to give back to the community...and you have us." She winked bright aqua eyelashes at him.

He laughed. "Yes, that's true. I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for you guys. You're the best. I mean that."

"Well, you know how to hire. You have good instincts about people."

He had to agree with that. He knew how to read people. He realized now what a gift it actually was. He still had all five of his original employees plus two more. Roger had stayed on, though he worked part time now as he was a full time student at UCLA. Quatre was immensely grateful to have kept him on the payroll. He was an excellent worker. He was friendly, outgoing, and the customers loved him. They were all on a first name basis with many of their patrons, especially with their abundant number of regulars. One tourist had even said whenever they came to town, the first place they always stopped was Heartbreak.

Quatre was also happy because Adila had managed to square away a move with her job. She'd bought a house only ten minutes away and moved there two months ago and she was often seen at the shop, even helping out at times during the rush. Quatre loved having her there and they got to enjoy spending much more time together.

Of course, they were constantly trying to hook each other up. Man-watching became one of their favorite activities and they had a running contest over who would break their long stint of abstinence first.

"It's you."

"No. It's so you, Quat. Do you know how adorable you are? Have you seen how guys drool over you?"

Quatre scoffed. "I see them drooling over you."

Adila tipped her nose in the air. "Well, yes. Many do," she sniffed and laughed when he elbowed her. "But they're checking you out, too, baby brother."

He shrugged. "Yeah, well...I still haven't found anyone I'm interested in."

She lightly tapped him upside the head. "That's because you're comparing them all to Trowa, dummy. You have to stop doing that."

"I'm trying to! It's hard, though."

"I know it is, hon. But you've got to start moving past him. He's already moved past you -" She stopped herself, feeling terrible, especially when Quatre looked away, obviously hurt. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. You know I don't have a filter between my brain and my mouth." She wrapped her arm around him. "Forgive me?"

He sighed and rested his head on her shoulder. "Of course. You are right, though. He has moved on without me. I need to do the same and stop measuring every guy I meet up to him. Start giving them a chance to be who they are and not have to live up to Trowa standards."

"And who knows? You just might find someone who's better." Quatre had doubts about that. Adila sensed it, too. "Hey, anyone who could just walk away like that and be with someone else after everything the two of you have been through...there are lots of guys out there who wouldn't do that."

"Are there?" Quatre wasn't so sure. If someone who had been through Hell and high water with him, who knew him better than he knew himself, and could still just leave and never look back, why wouldn't someone who didn't have nearly that much of a connection with him? He had a lot of baggage, too. Not only his war history, but his political history and now his disability. That was a lot to cope with, even for him.

"You don't need to jump into a commitment. Neither do I. Let's just resolve to have fun and see where that takes us. Sound good?"

That actually did sound good. He nodded and smiled at her. "Yeah. Let's do that. Nothing heavy. Just some fun. If it happens, it happens."

"There you go. That's more like it. Now, where were we? Oh, yes. That tall drink of water over there. Think he'll give me his number?"

Quatre grinned. "Only one way to find out."

She nodded. "Okay. Hold my purse." She dropped it into his lap and jumped off the bench before he could even utter a word of protest.

"Damn it," he muttered. "Why does she always make me hold her purse?"

---

"Three apple strawberry teas, large, two lattes, light on the milk, one with a double espresso shot, and one french vanilla frappuccino with whipped cream!"

Quatre repeated the shouted order back from Maddie and set about making the drinks, scooting over to the espresso machine on his stool. They'd been going nonstop since ten o'clock and that was four hours ago. His legs were aching, tired, and he was so grateful for the stool.

He'd been having trouble navigating the stairs to his apartment so he bought a house a few weeks ago. A small one-story with no stairs for him to worry about. Adila had been a great help with the move and he was now properly settled and unpacked. He'd gotten a car and his shop was now just a short, convenient drive away.

"There's no need for you to over-complicate your life," Adila had said.

He could hear Maddie ask the next person in line for their order and stopped, completely frozen when a certain, unmistakable voice carried over the noise in the café.

"How much is the Quatre Winner? We'd like one of those."

Quatre turned, eyes huge, and nearly dropped the cup of coffee onto his lap when he looked into a pair of familiar indigo eyes. Those smiling, amused eyes and the signature grin beneath them. He glanced to the left to see equally familiar black eyes, smiling at him just as warmly.

He was at a loss for words for a moment, his mouth gaping like a fish.

"Oh my...oh my God! " He glanced at Roger. "Can you finish this for me?"

"Yeah, sure." Roger took the cup from him, looking confused by Quatre's gobsmacked expression. He looked suspiciously at the two guys who'd caused the reaction, concerned for his boss. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah! Yes. Sorry, I'm...they're old friends." He wiped the stickiness off his hands with a rag and stood up, shuffling over to grab his cane and walking around the counter. He could see their eyes soften in sympathy and tried not to let it bother him. He hobbled as quickly as he could over to them. They met him halfway and he nearly wept with joy as he was swept up into strong arms and hugged within an inch of his life.

"Oh my God! I'm so happy to see you!"

Duo leaned back, examining him closely, a softness in his eyes that make Quatre's heart ache. "How are you?"

"I'm good! I'm really good. How are you guys? What are you doing here?"

"We came to see you," Wufei said. "We've been hearing about your successful endeavor. The media can't stop talking about it. Thought we'd come to see what all the hype was about."

"Do you want some coffee? Maybe a tea? It's on the house."

"Maybe later. We were more interested in seeing you."

Quatre blushed, flattered. "Well, let's head out. It's really noisy in here." He turned to Maddie who smiled at him affectionately. "Can you guys -"

"Go," Maddie said. "Go catch up. We got this."

"Thank you. I'll be back soon." He waved to them and headed to the door with Duo and Wufei, thanking Duo when he held the door open for him.

They walked down to the water and Quatre was grateful for the assistance when Duo linked their arms together. His legs were sore, tired, and he sunk down onto a bench with a sigh, grinning when they dropped down on either side of him.

"How have you guys been? What have you been up to?"

"Just been with the Preventers. Traveling when we get the chance. Fei has this thing where he wants to visit every town on Earth before he dies." Duo chuckled and glanced over Quatre's head.

Wufei scoffed. "Not every town. But a lot of them, yes."

"You guys travel together?" That was an interesting development.

"I should hope so since we are together," Duo said, completely surprising Quatre. "There'd better not be anyone else you're...cavorting with, dear ." He mock-glared at Wufei.

"No worries, love," Wufei shot Duo a mischievous grin.

Quatre's eyes were bugging out of his head. They were together? When did this happen? "Oh, Wow! Congratulations, then! That's wonderful."

"Kind of a surprise, isn't it?"

Quatre shrugged. "Maybe a little. I didn't expect that you two would ever hook up, but when I think about it, it doesn't really surprise me." He grinned. "You two always fought like an old married couple."

Duo nudged him. "We were sorry to hear about Tro. How are you holding up?"

He sighed and tipped his head back. "I'm alright I guess. The nights are still hard, but during the day I'm so busy I don't really have time to dwell on it. He's with some girl now. I guess he's happy."

"Fei was pissed when he heard about it."

"Have you guys kept in touch with him?"

"No. We haven't spoken to him since you guys broke up. I guess Heero talks to him once in a while."

Quatre hadn't heard from Heero for quite a while, didn't even know where he was. "How's he doing?"

"Oh, you know Hee-chan. Still following Relena around, pretending not to be a dog in heat."

That struck Quatre funny and he threw his head back, laughing loudly. Some things never changed. He smiled when Duo wrapped an arm around him, warmth swelling in his chest.

"How have you really been, though?"

Quatre paused. That was a rather loaded question. He went with the safest answer. "It's been difficult getting around. My legs aren't the same. They never will be again. Adila's been a great help."

"How is ol' Addie?"

Quatre smiled. "She's fine. Spunky as ever. She never left my side during my recovery. She moved down here a few months ago to be closer to me."

"Duo was beside himself when we heard about your accident. I was, too. We tried to come visit you, but some of your sisters wouldn't allow it. We were furious. We really wanted to see you."

"What?" Quatre lifted his head off Duo's shoulder and blinked at Wufei. They'd tried to visit him?. "Which sisters?"

Wufei threw his hands up. "You expect me to remember their names? I don't know. There was a whole gaggle of them and they said they didn't want any influence from your, and I quote, 'warmongering past'."

Quatre's teeth clenched together, nostrils flaring with anger. He wondered if Adila knew about this. But she would have told him and she sure as hell would never have prevented his friends, who she knew he cared deeply about, from seeing him. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his rage. How dare they do that to not only him, but his best friends!

"I'm so sorry that happened."

"We're just sorry we didn't get to see you."

"Me, too. I would have loved that. I honestly had no idea you guys came. None of my sisters told me about it." It must have been in the beginning when he was still comatose. That was when the rest of his sisters had deigned to show up and they were gone by the time he woke up. He made a mental note to ask Adila if she knew anything about it.

Duo grasped his hand and squeezed it. "Do you have to go back?"

He checked his watch. "Yeah, unfortunately. I don't want to leave them during the rush like this, though I'm sure they can handle it." They were fully capable of taking care of things, but Quatre always made sure to be an extra pair of hands when they were really busy.

"Have dinner with us tonight."

Quatre grinned, excitement lighting up his face. "Sure! I would love that."

"Got any recommendations?"

"There's a great place on Fifth Street. It's an Italian grill. I think you guys would like it."

"Sounds good to me. Fei?"

"Yeah, whatever is fine with me. I like Italian."

"They have other stuff there, too if it's not your thing."

"I just said I liked Italian."

Quatre blushed. "Right. Sorry."

"Oh, lay off him, Fei, jeez. Don't be such an old man."

Quatre laughed at Wufei's glare. Indeed, some things never changed.

---

He headed home early, leaving the shop for his employees to handle the evening shift. He felt kind of bad about it until Maddie practically shoved him out the door.

"Go! Have fun with your friends. We can handle this."

"Thanks, Maddie."

He took a quick shower and dressed, checking the time. They were meeting at five. The restaurant was popular and quickly filled up at dinnertime. Going a little early ensured they wouldn't have to wait too long.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket as it vibrated against his butt and flipped it open.

"Hello?"

"Quat, hey."

"What's up, Addie?"

"You mind if I cancel tonight, sweetie? I'm sorry to do this so short notice, but Daniel asked me out at the spur of the moment and I'd really like to go."

He smiled. "That's fine. Go have fun with your beau. I'm glad you guys are hitting it off so well."

"What about you? I feel terrible canceling at the last minute on you."

"It's okay. I have plans anyway, too."

"Oh, yeah? Hot date? Who is he? Come on, spill the beans."

Quatre laughed. "No, not quite. Old friends. Guess who came to the shop today?"

There was a short pause. "It's not Trowa is it?"

"No. Duo and Wufei."

"You're kidding! Oh I haven't seen them in ages. How are they?"

"They're great. Together now actually."

"Well, good for them! They make a hot couple. You can tell them I said that, too."

Quatre snorted. "I'm sure that will go right to Duo's head. Hey...Addie?"

"What?"

"Did you know they came to see me? In the hospital?"

"What? When?"

He breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn't known. He kicked himself for ever thinking she would have kept that from him. "I'm not sure when. Some of the other sisters wouldn't let them in to see me."

Adila huffed out an aggravated sigh. "God damn it. It must have been when they were all congregated in the hall with the doctors pretending like they actually cared."

That stung. Quatre was quiet, a little subdued that his own sisters cared so little for his well being.

"I'm sorry, hon. I didn't mean to say that."

"No. It's alright. It's true. I already knew that."

"I must have been in the room with you. If I'd known they were out there, I would have let them in. I hope you know that."

"I do. Even though I didn't know until now, I'm just glad they tried. That makes me feel better."

"I'm going to have some words with Marisa about this."

"Oh, Addie, don't worry about it. It's not going to change anything. I don't want you making more waves."

"I'm not the one making waves."

He sighed. "I know that. I'm sorry. It's just...I don't know. I've had enough of conflict. I don't want them breathing down my neck anymore."

"I know you don't, sweetie. This doesn't involve you, okay? This is between me and them."

Quatre knew nothing was going to change Adila's mind. She was determined to have it out with their sisters over their treatment of him. Adlia took anything they did to him as a personal offense.

"I appreciate you looking out for me."

"Hey, what are big sisters for?"

He laughed. "Okay, well you have a great time with..." He batted his eyelashes and simpered, "Daniel."

"Are you making fun of me?"

"No, of course not," he smirked.

"I will come over there and kick your scrawny little butt."

"Hey! My butt is not scrawny!"

"Whatever you say, kiddo. Don't wait up."

"Use condoms," he shouted into the phone as she hung up. He could imagine her shocked face at that and snickered as he shoved his phone back into his pocket.

---

The restaurant was a little crowded, but not too bad yet. Quatre glanced around for his friends, smiling when he spotted Duo's waving arm. He wormed his way through the tightly packed group of people in the receiving area, laughing a little as both Duo and Wufei elbowed some aside to get to him.

He had to talk loudly to be heard over the din of enthusiastic conversations around him. "Did you get a table already?"

"Yeah, we're over here." Duo pressed a hand on the small of his back and guided him through the crowd and was a little surprised when Wufei held the chair out for him.

"Thank you," he smiled and sat down. He propped his cane against the table and swiped his napkin, unfolding it over his lap. Duo grabbed the cane, looking it over with a critical eye.

"This is nice. Looks handmade."

"It is. It was a gift from Adila."

"It's beautiful."

"Thanks."

Wufei wrapped his hand around his water goblet. "Duo has been having an increased fascination with woodworking. Thinks he's going to be the next Norm Abrams."

"Ha ha, dear. You're a riot."

Quatre found that interesting. "That's great, Duo! Have you made anything?"

He shrugged. "A few things."

Wufei smiled at his lover. "I tease, but he's actually quite good."

Duo blushed. "I'm alright, I guess."

"I'd love to see what you've made."

"Oh, boy. Here we go," Wufei laughed.

Duo shot him a playful glare and fished his phone out of his pocket. He pulled up his photo gallery and leaned over to show Quatre the pictures. "I made this table last year. I like to use scraps from other structures. Recycle them instead of relying on the cutting down of more trees. I clean the boards up and reuse them for my projects."

The table was gorgeous and Quatre said as much. The legs were beautifully carved with intricate scrolls and grooves that swirled elegantly down the length of them. "Duo, that is beautiful! It looks like something you'd see in a magazine!"

"You think so?"

"Absolutely!"

Wufei took a sip of water and licked his lips. "I tell him that all the time, but he doesn't believe me. He thinks I'm biased."

Duo smirked. "You are biased."

Wufei eyed him. "I'm also honest."

"True. That's very true." He turned back to Quatre. "You really think I have potential?"

Quatre crunched on a melting cube of ice and nodded. "I think you have more than potential. You have a real gift there."

"He's actually sold a few pieces already. He's been working his own booth at a lot of crafting shows and he was featured as woodworker of the month in LA's edition of Carver several months ago." Wufei looked extremely proud and Quatre didn't blame him. Duo really was amazing.

A waiter came to take their drinks and Quatre started off with a glass of Pinot Noir. He sipped it slowly as he scrolled through the pictures of Duo's projects.

"So how do you find time to do all that with the Preventers?"

Duo shrugged and took a sip of his beer. "Eh. I work it in when I can. A lot of times I do it at night. I have trouble sleeping sometimes and working on my projects helps relax me."

"A chronic insomniac," Wufei smiled fondly.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Duo."

"It's alright. I'm used to it. I think it's just because I'm so high strung."

Their food came and Quatre grinned as Duo shoveled his food in like he was starved for it. He'd always been like that. Quatre assumed it had to do with the tragic lack of food he'd had in his childhood. He metabolized it well, Quatre noticed. If he ate like that, he'd be twice the weight he was now. Not that he had much to worry about. He was still skinny as a rail and Adila always told him he ate like a bird.

He noticed Wufei was very similar to himself and figured their eating habits were a result of their stuffy upbringing. Like Quatre, Wufei neatly unfolded his napkin in his lap where Duo didn't even bother with his. Wufei ate slowly, cutting his food into carefully measured pieces and taking small, dainty bites, his elbows never touching the table.

They both looked amazing. They'd put on more muscle since he'd last seen them, probably because of their jobs at Preventers which required them to be in excellent physical shape. Quatre also assumed Duo had to do a lot of heavy lifting for his woodworking. His hair was still long and tied back in that braid, but Quatre was surprised to see Wufei's hair down. The silky, black strands brushed over his shoulders and made him look much softer than he had during the war. He was strikingly beautiful, they both were and he realized how right Adila was. They really did make a hot couple.

"Addie says you make a hot couple."

Wufei choked on a bite of his pasta and Duo threw his head back, cackling loudly. Quatre grinned at their reactions.

"Oh, man. Good old Addie. How is she?"

"She's great. Like I said, she stayed with me during my recovery. She helped with my therapies. I wouldn't even be where I am if it wasn't for her."

"Your sister is the best."

Quatre smiled fondly. "She is. I'm lucky to have her in my life. Especially since my other sisters..." He trailed off and shook his head, not wanting to bad mouth them. They may have treated him like dirt, but they were still his sisters.

Duo rested a hand on his shoulder. "It's a shame we can't pick our families, eh? I mean, I never had one with the exception of Solo, Father Maxwell, and Sister Helen, but I would think having a family that is incapable of love would be even worse."

Quatre rested his hand over Duo's. "I don't know which is worse, or if one is even worse than the other. It's good to know that you were loved, though. You deserve it."

Duo pinched his cheek. "So do you. I'm glad you had, have Addie."

"Me, too. I don't know what I'd do without her. She's on a date tonight. She's got this new guy. Daniel."

"Did you read him the riot act? Clean your shotgun in front of him?"

Quatre laughed. "He's a good guy. Not to worry."

"As long as he knows he'll have three ex-Gundam pilots on his ass if he hurts her. I could probably even recruit Heero if the need arises."

Quatre grinned. "Yes, that's true." That was definitely adequate incentive. "So you guys are living here, too?"

"Yeah, when we're not traveling. We've got a place about forty five miles away."

"So you had a bit of a drive to get here then."

Duo shrugged. "Not too bad."

"Duo drives fast," Wufei said.

Quatre didn't doubt that. If he drove the way he piloted Deathscythe, he was a formidable presence on the road. He could just imagine Wufei bitching at him the whole way and couldn't help but laugh at the mental image.

Sadly, dinner went by too fast and Quatre was dismayed at the end of it. He didn't want the night to end, but he knew they had to get back to their own lives. He was just thankful for the opportunity to see them again and he was so glad they'd found love in each other.

"Anyone new on the romantic front for you, Quat?"

Quatre snorted and finished off his second glass of wine. "As if. No, I just..." he shrugged, not knowing what to say. "I suppose I should find find someone, but it's not easy."

"I'm sure you've gotten plenty of offers," Wufei said.

He actually did, but none of them really came to to fruition. He supposed that was his fault. He was too picky, too afraid of being burned again. "I just haven't had much time," he finished lamely.

"Well, you gotta make time."

"I suppose..."

"You're still hung up on Trowa," Duo said knowingly.

"I don't know." He supposed that was still part of the problem. "I guess I'm just afraid of being hurt again. I don't really know anyone as well as I knew Trowa and if he could leave me..."

"You know us."

Quatre shot Duo a wry look. "Yeah? And you're taken."

He didn't see the way Duo and Wufei glanced at each other as he busied himself with looking over the bill. "I can take care of this," he said, wanting to change the subject.

"Quat, no. We can cover it." Duo grabbed the bill out of his hand before he could stop him.

"Duo, I got it! At least let me cover myself."

"No can do, Q. We invited you out, remember?" He pressed a finger to Quatre's lips when he opened his mouth to protest. "Shush."

Quatre flushed and smiled. "Well, thank you. I appreciate it. And I'm so glad you came to to see me. Even at the hospital even though I didn't find out until today. I had a lot of fun tonight. I hope we can do it again soon..." He trailed off, uncertain, a little uneasy when they stared at him intensely, looks that he couldn't quite decipher.

"You got somewhere you gotta be?"

Quatre was a little taken aback. "Well...no. I was just going to head home."

Wufei's mouth curled up slightly and his eyes gleamed with something Quatre wasn't sure he was reading correctly. It almost looked like hunger.

"Show us your place."