Author: Merula
Pairing: 1x2
Warnings: Yaoi, angst
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own GW.
Phone Part 1
I'm halfway through my usual evening routine when the news blaring in the other room finally catches my attention. I leave my dress shirt hanging over the back of a chair and rush to stand in front of the tv.
"... Vice-minister Peacecraft was unharmed, but several Preventers were injured in the attack..."
Names, I need names, not generalizations. I wait, but no names are forthcoming. I flip channels, scanning, hoping to find some news that would be more helpful.
"...several minutes before the attack, the Vice-minister is seen here..." I stop, watch Relena move along the edge of a platform- and there he is- right on the bottom edge. Then the picture is replaced by the anchor woman's serious face. "Several Preventers were injured, but no civilians..."
Again, no names. Damn Une anyway.
I could always try to hack into the Preventers' system and get the information there, but that would take some time and I need to know now...
My cell phone is gleaming on the counter in the dim light from the kitchen, tempting and fast...
I couldn't call him of course- but maybe one of the others could tell me something? They would have to know, they could at least tell me if he was okay- Of course they might also tell him-
But would that matter? It could be something he could just shrug off and dismiss. Just a short call...
I pick up the phone and pause. Which one? Neither Quatre or Trowa worked for the Preventers- but if Chang had been there- he might be hurt too. Surely the others would know something...
I dial Trowa's number from memory and wait, turning the sound down on the tv. I know my number will pop up as unlisted... will Trowa answer? Do I dare leave a message?
"Barton."
"It's Yuy."
"Heero? Where the hell are you? We've-"
"It's not important. I saw the news. Was Duo hurt?" There's silence on the other end and I wonder if we've been cut off. "Hello? Trowa?"
His voice is soft. "I'm here. Yes, he was hurt."
Damn it. "Status?"
"Broken ankle, bruised or broken ribs. Concussion. The explosion pushed him into the metal barrier by the platform so he has some interesting bruises."
"He's going to be okay?"
"Yes. He'll be less mobile for a bit, but he should be fine."
I take a deep breath, relief sweeping through me. "Good. Chang?"
"He wasn't even close to the explosion. He's fine."
"Thanks." I reach for the hang up button.
"Wait-" Trowa's voice is stronger now. "Heero- I answered your question- answer mine."
He asked me a question? Oh right. "It's not important where I am."
"That's what you think. Tell me where you are."
I sigh. Damn it- I shouldn't have called. I should hang up- but what if something else happens to Duo? I can't lose a source that's willing to talk to me. "Trowa- what does it matter? I'm far away- as requested. I'm sorry for calling like this- I just- I just needed to know."
"Why?"
"That's two questions," I retort.
"Then you can ask me another one. Surely there must be something else you want to know?"
I close my eyes. Of course there is- there's lots of things I want to know.
But... they aren't any of my concern. Duo had made that pretty clear.
"No. He's alive. He's going to be okay. That's all I care about."
His voice changes a little. "So you still care?"
"Never stopped."
"What if I told you he was in bad shape? That we didn't think he was going to make it? Would you come back?"
"Is he?" Had Trowa lied to me?
"He's fine. But if he wasn't? Would you come back?"
"No. He wouldn't want me there- you know that. You know what he said when I told him..." It still hurts to think about it. This has gone on long enough. "Look, Trowa. I appreciate the information, but I have to go. I have work to do."
"Understood." I can hear the sigh on the other end. "If you want to call back in a few days- I'll give you an update. No questions asked."
"Thanks." I hang up before he can reply and sit down on the sofa in front of the tv. The news is still going on about the attack, but I don't really care. Duo is going to be okay, and that's all that matters.
I lean back and put my hands over my eyes. I don't want to think about it- that last conversation- ah hell, that hadn't been a conversation... not even close... I hadn't meant to tell him, I hadn't meant to say anything, but we'd just come off that mission and he'd... it had been a close thing.
I hadn't meant to give myself away, I hadn't meant to say anything ever. It... had just happened... and Duo had been so angry...
I never want to see you again!
Giving myself a firm shake I get up from the sofa. I do have work to do- and I shouldn't be sitting here wishing things were different.
~*~
The news is full of the attack- speculations, eyewitness accounts, experts debating, groups claiming responsibility. Three days after the initial incident and there's no sign of it being dropped anytime soon.
I wouldn't mind- I don't think I'd even notice- except that it keeps reminding me of Duo. How is he? Is he out of the hospital yet? Is he part of the investigation?
Usually, I can keep my mind occupied enough that I don't even think about him- at least when I'm working- but it's hard when the attack is the only thing people want to talk about. I avoid the lunchroom, try not to listen to the buzz of talk around me in the office, force myself to focus on my screens.
It doesn't work.
As I head home I wonder if I shouldn't use up some of my sick time. Stay home, keep the tv off- but then what else would I have to do other than think?
I turn the tv on when I get home, flipping to an old movie channel rather than a news station like I usually do. It's not what's on after all- it's just noise to keep the silence from getting too bad.
Changing out of my work clothes, I put my cell phone on top of my dresser.
I could call Trowa again... see how Duo is doing... He said he'd give me an update. Maybe then I could stop my endless small speculations and regain my peace of mind.
The phone is in my hand before the thought is finished in my head.
"Barton."
"It's Yuy."
"He's out of the hospital. His ribs and ankle are keeping him confined to bed, but other than that, he's fine."
"Thank you." Maybe now I can get back to normal...
"Heero-" he starts and then there's a small unidentifiable sound on the other end.
"Trowa?" What happened? Did the call drop?
"Heero." That's not Trowa's voice. This voice makes me close my eyes and sit down right where I am, back against my dresser. "Heero?"
"Duo." I can't breathe. Is he going to yell at me again? "I'm sorry," I try, hoping to head off his anger. "I didn't mean anything- I saw the news and I was worried. I'm sorry- Trowa shouldn't have told you-I just wanted to know if you were okay-" Please don't be angry...
"I'm fine," he snaps and my heart sinks. "But you shouldn't-"
I can't do this again. I can't.
"I'm sorry. I won't call again," I rush the words out and hit the hang up button. The phone drops from my hands and I cover my eyes.
He's still mad... I had thought... no, I had hoped that he'd forgive me...
I should've known better.
Giving myself a mental shake, I reach out to pick my phone up off the floor. I need to go find something to do- something to keep me occupied- something that won't let me think about how angry Duo sounded...
As I lift the phone, it starts to ring. I nearly drop it before telling myself that I'm an idiot. They can't have my number- not unless Trowa-
Sure enough, it's his number that's glowing on my small screen... Damn him.
The ringing stops as the call goes to voice mail. A moment later, the phone starts to ring again. Which one of them is it? I promised not to call again... isn't that enough?
Turning off the phone, I get to my feet and drop the damn thing in the top drawer of the dresser. It was stupid to think that he'd just let it go, stupid to think he wouldn't mind if I called one of the others to see how he was doing... I'll have the number changed tomorrow... and I won't be this stupid again.
TBC...
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