Hey Jealousy Part 6
Moonlight moves over the foot of the bed, makes strange shadows on the walls. We'd gotten here yesterday afternoon and Duo had insisted on going right to bed. I'd agreed realizing that it had been over 24 hours since either of us had slept.
Now it's early morning and I'm wide awake.
Duo's breath is soft in my ear, a steady rhythm that nearly lures me back to sleep, but now that I'm awake, my brain won't turn off.
What am I going to do? I need a course of action and I don't even know where to start. Duo told me yesterday that we'd talk about it more when we settled in and had some sleep. I wonder if he has any ideas, if Quatre told him more after I went into the kitchen for the coffee.
I know it's a faint hope... but better than none...
Sliding out of bed carefully so I don't wake up Duo, I go over to the window and look out at the shadowy trees, at the slivery glint of the water just past them. Not another house in sight, no signs of civilization, and yet we passed a town, houses on our way in. Not totally cut off, not quite alone...
Are we far enough away?
The room suddenly floods with light. Startled, I look towards the bed. Duo's halfway out of it already, eyes wide, heading towards me.
"Heero? What are you doing out of bed? You okay?"
"Fine," I smile for him, open my arms. "Just slept out I guess."
He slides his arms around my shoulders, rests his head against mine. "Guess we had some catching up to do." He yawns.
"I think you still do." I nudge him towards the bed. "You go back to sleep. I'll unpack and do some recon." We hadn't really had a chance to examine the place yesterday.
"I'll help." He resists. Why is he being so stubborn?
"You don't need to be up with me," I tell him after a moment, and he shakes his head.
"I want to be," he pulls back a little, smiles wearily. He still has dark circles under his eyes, still needs to sleep. I slide my thumb over his cheek.
"You look exhausted still."
He lifts a shoulder. "Not as bad as it looks, I promise. Are you hungry?"
I suddenly realize why he's being stubborn...
But I promised...
But if I am going mad then he can't trust me...
Damn.
"I'm not really hungry yet," I tell him and pull him close to kiss him again. He responds warmly, lets me pull him over to the bed, helps me with his clothes.
How many more times....? I can't even think it...
"Heero-" his lips touch my shoulder as I press him down into the mattress, "go slow...? Please?"
It's been ages since he's asked me to do this. I forgot how it felt to draw it out... pull back at the moment... let things cool down... start again...
By the time I reach the point where I can't stop anymore, the light in the room is sunlight... and afterwards I'm ready to sleep again, Duo a warm presence beside me, his hands lingering in my hair....
~*~
Heero is still sleeping when I get up. He scared me earlier when he left the bed. Just for that moment before I turned on the light and saw him by the window I was sure he had slipped away from me again...
I leave the bedroom door open when I go out to the kitchen. I want to hear Heero if he wakes up.
As the coffee starts brewing, I notice a small workstation in the corner. Quatre had said there was internet access here- had promised to email if he discovered anything that I could use.
I know it's too soon to hope for anything, but I can't resist turning on the computer. Maybe he found something...
There are three pieces of email in my inbox. I get a cup of coffee and sit down to read them. One from Quatre, one from Zechs and one from an address I don't recognize. For a moment I think it must be something that managed to sneak by my spam filters, but the subject line has Heero's name.
I click it and nearly spill my coffee in my lap.
My AI's latest report regarding Heero was very disturbing. I am sure you are doing the best you can, but I thought it would help if I offered my services as well. I have a few suggestions for you....
It couldn't be!
I scroll to the bottom of the email.
Sincerely,
J
Crap! The bastard was supposed to be dead!
I scan the email quickly. Does he really think these will work? They seem so...
"Duo?"
I turn quickly, hitting the next button on the top of the email. I don't know if I can tell Heero about this yet. Will it hinder the process if he knows what's being done? I'll have to ask J.
"Good morning," I tell him with a smile. "I made coffee."
"I could smell it," he moves closer, bends down to kiss me. I hold him close for a moment, wanting to tell him that we have a chance... do I dare?
He suddenly stiffens in my arms.
"Heero?"
He pulls away, face averted. What's wrong?
"Heero? You okay?"
"Fine," he mutters. "Just... cold. I need to go get some warmer clothes." He vanishes before I can speak. What the hell?
I turn to the computer, intent on turning it off and following him.
The email on the screen catches my eye...
Duo- I heard about what's happening with Heero. How can you put yourself at such risk? You know I'd be willing... you don't have to stay with him...
Really, when would Zechs realize that...
Wait... did Heero read this? He could've- he leaned over to hug me....
I hear a faint sound from the bedroom- as if someone dropped a glass...
The bedroom door is locked when I get there. "Heero?"
"A minute..." His voice is faint- like it would get when he had one of his 'headaches'. Damn it...
I lean against the door, straining to hear him. "Are you okay? I thought you were just getting warmer clothes..."
"I... am. I'll be... out in a moment."
"You could just let me in," I suggest.
He doesn't answer. I wait a moment more. "Heero?"
No answer.
TBC...
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