Author: Merula
Pairings: None
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Friendship
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing.
You're not Alone
It was the first time in five years that he wasn't there to meet me when I landed. Usually, once my shuttle entered the atmosphere, I could count on his voice welcoming me back to Earth over the headset. I always wondered how he bribed the controllers to let him in their booth, but he'd only smile when I asked. Maybe he didn't have to bribe them, the one who had contacted me this time sounded positively depressed, asking me after my welcome if I had any updates on Agent Maxwell's status.
I apologized and told him I was waiting for updates myself. Conversation had lagged after that. I taxied my shuttle into the assigned berth and went through the barest minimum of landing procedures. Quatre had promised to have someone waiting for me, and sure enough, Trowa was waiting for me inside the 'port.
I couldn't help the lurch my heart felt when I saw him, rather than Duo, waiting for me there. "You made good time," he said to me when I reached him.
"I managed to finish things up a little faster. Any news?"
"Nothing yet."
"Do we even know what sort of mission he was on?"
Trowa rolled his eyes and started walking. "No. Une's refusing to tell us anything. Quatre is working on her, but she keeps insisting that we couldn't extract him even if we did know."
"If she keeps refusing, then I'll want to talk to her."
"Quatre already asked me to take you to Preventers' HQ."
"Perfect."
That was the last of our conversation. The drive to headquarters was silent- I don't know how Trowa was feeling, but I couldn't stop the loop that played for me over and over in my head.
Duo, picking me up in Sanc when I called him, upset after that final fight with Relena.
Standing by me when Chang tried to pressure me into the Preventers.
Going with me to talk to Quatre about becoming a WEI pilot.
Meeting me at the 'port every time I landed on Earth.
Sending me emails, calling me every few days when he wasn't on a mission, being my best friend...
I couldn't let him down, not when he needed me. We had to find him, had to bring him back. It couldn't be too late...
Just as we pulled into the parking lot at the Preventers, Trowa's phone rang. "It's Quatre," he told me before flipping it open. "Yes?" He said and I watched his eyes widen. "Parking lot," he told Quatre and closed the phone. "We're headed back to the shuttle port as soon as Quatre gets here," he told me, slipping the phone back in his pocket.
"Quatre got Une to tell us where he is?"
Trowa shook his head. "No, but he was there when Duo called in."
I gasped in shock- and hope. Was it true? Before I could get him to explain, Quatre flung the back door open and ducked into the car. Trowa immediately started the car up and as we headed out, I demanded the details.
"He was undercover on L2. Guess things got really hot and he had to lay low for quite a while." Quatre grinned at me. "He finally managed to reach the shuttle port and contacted some of the Sweepers. They got him out under an assumed name as a pilot on one of their couriers. Once he got close enough, he called in."
I leaned back in my seat, relief swamping me, and took a deep breath. He was safe. "Good thing you were there."
Quatre snorted. "I wasn't going to be put off. I had just managed to make Une tell me he was on L2 when he called in." I turned my head and caught the smug grin on his face. "Course, it was only after I told her you were on the way and wanted to talk to her immediately."
Rolling my eyes at him, I replied: "you can't be implying that I'm scarier than you."
That made him laugh, and our talk turned to more mundane matters- what to do with Duo when he arrived. He'd have to report in officially of course, but Quatre had said Duo sounded exhausted- and he'd reported an injury. Those things also needed to be dealt with.
It was decidedly strange, being the one waiting in the shuttle port for Duo. Quatre and Trowa had left me to wait while they went through the shuttle port's stores to find some food and things for Duo. He was still a ways out, and they wanted to be ready.
I was supposed to be monitoring the arrival boards, making sure there were no delays. But after they left me, I sat down in one of the uncomfortable chairs and... well, was just thankful. Thankful that he was alive. Thankful that he was coming back to me. Thankful that I'd have a chance to tell him how much his friendship meant to me.
"Captain Yuy?" The sudden sound of my name made me look up in surprise. A young man stood there, in a white button down shirt and slacks, a badge swinging from a cord around his neck. I didn't recognize him at all.
"Yes?" My stomach twisted a little. He looked official- had something happened?
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Elliot," he tapped his badge. "I'm one of the controllers here- I know Agent Maxwell-"
"He's on his way in," I told him and the guy grinned at me.
"I know. We just heard it ourselves. We thought you might be here for him- want to come up and tell him hello?"
He didn't have to ask me twice. It didn't take long before I was snuck into their booth and handed a headset. Elliot winked at me. "We didn't tell him that you're here," he murmured and I had to smile back.
Duo was telling one of the other controllers some story about the shipscat on the Sweeper ship. Something about how the darn thing liked to steal onto his bunk in the middle of the night and sleep on his head.
Just hearing his voice, a little rough around the edges, a little tired, but still undoubtedly his, made that feeling of thankfulness increase quite a bit.
"It probably thinks your braid is some sort of toy," I drawled when he paused and I heard his sudden intake of breath.
"Heero? Is that you? You're there? I didn't think you'd landed yet-?"
"I hurried through things to get back here. We were a little worried about you after all."
"I'm really sorry! I didn't mean to trouble anyone."
"Idiot," I scolded. "We don't care about that. We're just happy you're okay and on your way in. Speaking of being okay- Quatre said you were injured?"
"Minor," he assured me. "I got a few scrapes and stuff, nothing bad. I don't need the hospital or anything."
"I'll let Quatre know," I told him. "I know he was arranging something."
"Really, I just need to report in and get some sleep." His voice brightened a little. "So- since you're in the booth and all- you'll be there when I land?"
"Of course."
"That's really nice of you, Heero."
"You've always done it for me. It's time I return the favor." Duo was getting close enough that he had to pay attention to his piloting, so said a quick 'see you soon' and gave the headset back to Elliot. I thanked him the best I could and went down to find the others.
When Duo entered the 'port, I was so glad to see him, that for a moment all I could do was stare at him. He didn't notice- Quatre and Trowa both hugged him and offered snacks, water bottles and demands that he see a med officer. It gave me time to shake myself out of my daze and offer my own hug.
"I'm so glad to see you," he said in my ear and I had to close my eyes for a minute.
"Ditto, Maxwell. Don't do this to me again."
Despite Duo's protests, Quatre dragged him off to see the med officer at the 'port. He dictated his report to Trowa's computer in the car during the drive back to his apartment.
Much to my surprise, once we got there, he looked at me. "You're staying here, right Heero?"
"Are you sure? I mean, you need to rest- I can always go to a hotel-"
"I'd rather have you here-"
"It's a good idea," Quatre cut in. "The doctor did say to keep an eye on him, and there's nothing pressing that you need to go do."
So I pulled my bag out of the trunk and followed Duo up the stairs to his apartment. He headed right for the shower, so I settled in, fed his fish, got my pillow and blanket for the couch, and turned down the sheets on his bed.
When he got out of the shower, he was yawning, ready to crash. I made sure he reached his bed and was just about to leave when he grabbed my wrist. "Can you- stay?"
"Of course." I sat down beside him, my back against the headboard. "Are you feeling okay? The doctor-"
"It's not that." Much to my surprise, he snuggled close to my hip, throwing an arm around my waist. "I was just so lonely up there. I missed you so much. Well, I always miss you, but... "
His voice trailed off and his breathing told me that he'd fallen asleep.
Did he mean...?
We'd really have to have a talk when he woke up. If he wanted me here, then I would find a way to be here- in whatever way he wanted me to be.
I didn't want him to be lonely anymore.
OWARI
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