Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 29

Two days before the final practice before the pre-season, Duo got a visit from one of the social workers on call that week. Patient as always, he went through the weekly drills of the inspection and the interview. By the end of his interrogation, Marcus was the first of the children to be called into the study where the social worker had taken her station.

When he stepped back into the living room, the running back nodded firmly to his oldest. Sighing deeply, the African-American boy rose from the couch and headed out. Jamie was sitting in Heero's lap, which she seemed to have deemed hers ever since the quarterback started warming up to the youngsters. Abdul, Sun and Camille sat at either side of him, huddling close as they watched one of their favorite programs.

It was a lot for Heero to just sit there and not say anything to the social worker regarding the constant invasion of privacy. Something was very wrong with the system if someone as trustworthy and caring as Duo had to be babysat constantly. As far as the quarterback was concerned, he never knew a better father short of his own.

On the opposite couch, Hilde and Solo sat beside each other with Flora and Tai flanking them. Each one had a look of apprehension and frustration. "This is so stupid," the Asian boy hissed through his teeth finally, his eyes narrowing. "You would think that after a year of this crap, they would get the hint that everything is just fine."

Duo warned, "Watch the language around the little ones, Tai." His son winced and flashed him an apologetic, sheepish smile. With a deep frown, the running back shrugged, "It's only for a few more months. We can put up with it for a little longer."

Sighing, Tai muttered, "I guess." Solo smiled sadly and wrapped a sympathetic arm around his 'nephew's' shoulders, pulling him into a one-armed embrace.

Hilde rose to her feet and announced quietly, "I'll be on the second floor balcony for some air." Her husband gave her a concerned frown, but made no move to protest. Lightly kissing Flora's head, she gave the anxious girl's arm a squeeze before leaving the room.

The thought of getting a breather was more than appealing to Heero. Jamie giggled as he lightly lifted up while he climbed to his feet. "I think I'll join her," he told Duo. Nodding in understanding, the running back opened his arms to his daughter. The child laughed as he tickled her when she was in his care.

Quietly slipping from the room, Heero headed up to the second floor. When he neared the back balcony, he was surprised to find Hilde out there with a lit cigarette in her hand. Gazing out to the hustle and bustle below, she never even heard her guest approaching.

Careful not to startle her, the quarterback stated quietly, "I didn't know that you smoked."

Looking over to him as he stood beside her, Hilde blinked her wide eyes before smiling sadly. "Only one cigarette a week," she explained with a light trail of smoke that she had been holding snaking out. "During these damned social worker visits to calm my nerves. It's a far cry from how bad I used to be with this habit."

"Ah," Heero replied as he looked out to the people going about their daily lives. Hilde took a long drag from her cigarette and sighed deeply in relief. They stayed in silence for a while, the warm breeze picking up a bit to play with their hair. Hilde breathed a frustrated sigh and shook her head, "I'm amazed at how damned understanding those social workers and the judge were over Duo's act. Granted, when the big things like the DUI and other things came up, he told them before it even happened and gave them his reasons for his actions"

She took another drag from her cigarette and frowned deeply, "They'll forgive those things, but not who he is. It's just not right." The quarterback remained quiet, not wanting to open his own floodgates on the issue. He simply nodded his head.

Roughly swallowing past the lump in her throat, Hilde quickly changed the subject. Her eyes locking on brilliant cobalt, she said, "I'm sorry that you and I got off to a rough start at the airport. I was concerned for the kids and not thinking rationally that Duo would never bring someone into their lives that he didn't trust."

Heero met her gaze and smiled warmly, "No apologies needed. You and Solo have invested a lot in looking after his family. I would think less of you if you didn't react the way that you did." An appreciative grin tugged her lips at that. "What do you say we start over?" the team captain suggested.

With a bright grin of relief, his hostess snuffed out the remainder of her cigarette in the ashtray sitting on the ledge. Extending her hand, she said quietly and sincerely, "I'd like that. My name's Hilde."

Easily accepting her hand in a firm shake, the athlete smirked and nodded firmly, "Heero. Nice to meet you, Hilde."

Chuckling deeply, she shook her head and commented, "I also want to thank you for being so great with the kids this week. They're really taking a liking to you."

His smile growing a bit, Heero replied, "They have been growing on me quite a bit." He snickered, adding, "Well, literally in Jamie's case." Hilde laughed fully at that, her head falling back.

Momentarily sobering, she began to warn, "And when it comes to Duo-"

The quarterback' s shoulders squared as he fixed her with a firm gaze and vowed, "I have every best intention when it comes to Duo, just as I do for his children. I promise that I have no plans to hurt him."

A satisfied and impressed expression fell on Hilde's face at the heart-felt sentiment. Nodding, she said softly, "I believe you. Enough said. I'm glad that he finally found a good guy to put his trust in."

It was Heero's turn to give a grateful grin. Offering his arm in a gentlemanly fashion, he asked, "Shall we head back?"

Slipping her arm into his, the young woman smiled warmly, "I have to say that's not a bad idea." Together, they left the balcony and headed back downstairs.

After the social worker finished her visit, Heero treated the whole family to ice cream.

*   *   *   *   *   *

It was with a heavy heart that Duo hugged and kissed his family members goodbye the next morning. Now matter how long he had the chance to stay with them, it never seemed long enough. The children were strong, as always. Even if it this drill never was easy on any of them.

As he watched the scene with a small and sad smile, Heero blinked in surprise when the little ones moved to hug him after parting with their father. When Jamie came up, he chuckled deeply and picked the little girl up for a firm embrace. Pouting, the child muttered, "Bye, Heewo. Will you be back?"

Everyone in the room paused whatever they were doing to watch him for his reaction. Duo held his breath, nervously biting his lip. Without hesitating, the quarterback rubbed the top of her head and nodded, "Of course. As long as it's all right with your daddy."

Releasing the air in his lungs, the braided running back nodded when the eyes turned on him. With a happy giggle, Jamie threw her arms back around Heero's neck. Marcus, Tai and Flora were the last to shake their guest's hand and or hug him farewell.

Suitcases in hand, the two football players headed outside with Hilde in the lead. As any time he had to leave his children behind, Duo placed his sunglasses on the bridge of his nose to hide the slight shimmer in his eyes. Beside him, Heero gently nudged his shoulder in a sign of support.

Looking over at him, the American flashed him a small, grateful smile.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Following a grueling day of practice, the team was gathered in one of the large session rooms before the stadium. Zechs stood at the front of the room with his hands folded behind his back. "As we all know, the next four games will not count since this is just the pre-season. With that in mind, we'll be taking it easy on the field to prevent injury before the regular season."

At that, Duo cleared his throat and raised his hand. Slightly surprised by the gesture, he head coach nodded, "Yes, Maxwell?" Everyone turned to the braided running back as he rose to his feet.

"No offense, coach," he began, "But I think we should be a little more aggressive for the first game tomorrow." Eyes widened as several of his teammates listened in disbelief that he was actually arguing with their head coach.

Instead of feeling the least bit slighted at the retort, Zechs smirked in amusement. Folding his arms across his chest, he asked, "And what makes you say that?" Heero's eyes were asking the same questions as he looked up to his partner.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Duo explained, "It's just that a lot is banking on our keeping eyes on us. No offense, but for the last few seasons, you've lost the first pre-season game and it kinda set a pace for the regular season. You're going to lose a lot of people's interest if they assume it's going to be another rough year with a loss tomorrow."

There was a low rumble of talking amongst the team, some arguing the pros and cons of pushing themselves before a win or loss actually counted. Trowa and Wufei exchanged a look that said they agreed with their braided friend. The idea certainly had its merit.

Howard, Trent and Darren nodded their heads shallowly in agreement, an impressed expression on their faces as they watched Maxwell from their coaching staff table. Even Zechs seemed at a bit of a loss as he blinked his widened eyes.

Mueller rose not far behind Duo. "I can see the argument on Maxwell's part," he shrugged, "But we can't risk losing another key player like Darren just because some of us want to showboat. We have four free games to take it easy and save ourselves for when it matters."

His eyes narrowing, Zechs spoke in the running back's defense just as Duo looked over his shoulder to say something. "Maxwell is not suggesting that we 'showboat', Mueller. He's simply suggesting that we play to win. There's a huge difference. I suggest that you learn it."

Swallowing roughly, the wide receiver slowly returned to his seat with a few heated glares on him from those that were siding with the idea of an actual win on their first game.

As he rubbed his chin, Zechs thought aloud, "A win wouldn't guarantee that we would keep a loyal following through the season, but it wouldn't hurt either." He gazed around the room and stated, "It's a decision that I can't make on my own, as it affects everyone here. This is going to by your call as a team. We'll have a show of hands. All in favor of Maxwell's idea?"

Hands rose all around the room, Mueller's the only one that remained down. Wide-eyed, the receiver looked around the room in disbelief. Smirking, Zechs didn't even bother asking who was opposed in seeing that there was only one naysayer. Duo grinned from ear-to-ear as he took his seat beside Heero once more.

"Very well," the head coach announced, "We'll push for a win tomorrow." Behind him, a large projection screen descended at Howard's command from his laptop. "Since the pre-season is a way for us to get to see what the other teams have to offer, and this is only the first game of that, we don't have anything other than last year's footage to go on in how to deal with the Hawks tomorrow..."

*   *   *   *   *   *

Back in the locker room to gather their belongings, Wufei and Trowa caught up with Heero and Duo. "We're going to try and brave an outing to Murray's for dinner tonight to celebrate the end of our spring training," the Chinese receiver announced. "Enough time's passed and I think that Dorothy did a good job of keeping the die-hard fans out there from attacking us again."

Chuckling deeply, Heero replied, "Sounds good to me." Duo was enthusiastically nodding his own agreement to the idea. "We'll meet up with you there in about an hour." After a brief exchange of farewells, the group parted ways.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Alex rubbed his right bicep as Professor O extracted the needle from it. Moving to his station behind the medical table where the football player sat, the tall man filled the next syringe with his concoction. Treize was watching his charge, back leaning against the wall with his arms folded against his chest. "It's going to be a big day for you tomorrow," he smirked. "The world will finally have a glimpse of the new Alex."

"I just wish that I could see Zechs' face when he finds out about my performance," the blonde running back grinned smugly. "It'll show him for letting me go." With a deep growl, he tightened his arm muscles and growled deeply, "Before long, no one will be bragging about what a great athlete Maxwell is. 'Bout time that asshole was knocked off his throne."

Already, he could feel the drugs in his system running its course. By the morning, he would have three times the strength and endurance that he would have without the enhancer.

His smirk growing, Treize nodded firmly, "It will be quite the surprise." Professor O nodded to him that he was ready for his next patient. Slapping Alex on the back, the head coach ordered, "Now, rest up. I want you fresh and ready to go when you get back here tomorrow morning."

"Yes, sir," the running back grinned. Pushing himself off of the medical table, he headed out of the room.

On his way through the door, he nodded and waved to his teammates that were lined up outside of the physical therapist's room.

It was going to be a great day, indeed.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Wufei's prediction had been correct, thankfully for him and his friends. The crowd at Murray's had moved on since the interview with Treize and Alex. Giving the football players their respective space, a few patrons smiled and nodded firmly to the table.

Sighing deeply as he took his seat, Duo commented, "Well this is a lot better than our last visit." Inwardly shuddering at the memory of narrowly escaping the irate bar crowd, he muttered, "Amazing what a difference a little time makes."

To his left, Relena chuckled deeply with a supportive pat to his back. "Sorry we forgot to mention that the fans out here can be a little... passionate."

Snorting at her other side, Wufei mumbled, "That's putting it nicely." Reaching for his soda, he added in a low rumble, "A pack of damned heathens is more like it." Trowa snickered and nodded his head.

Quatre raised his soda can and grinned, "Well, here's to a great start to the year for all of you." Everyone raised their drinks and joined them at the center of the table. After taking a sip from his beverage, the agent snickered, "You know, I almost feel bad for the Hawks. Most likely, they're expecting an easy win tomorrow."

Nodding, Trowa stated, "Well, given our track record for the pre-season, I wouldn't be surprised if everyone expected us to not put up a fight. Hopefully, we can actually pull off the win, though. That team is always high on the rankings for our conference. [1] And everyone knows that coach Browning hates to lose."

Heero shrugged, "Guess he'll just have to get used to the idea." Smiles tugged his teammates' faces at the sentiment.

Raising his glass of milk, Duo laughed, "I'll drink to that!" Once more, the group met their cups and cans in the middle of the table.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Later that evening, Duo was sitting out on the back patio for a quiet moment. Heero stepped out onto the deck and slipped into the couch beside his partner. Sighing deeply, the running back smiled and curled up against him.

Gently draping an arm around his shoulders, the quarterback kissed the top of his teammate's braided head. "Are you nervous about tomorrow?" he asked quietly.

Duo shrugged, "I never get nervous before a game. I'm more anxious to get out there and do my thing." Looking up into the cobalt eyes locked on him, he inquired, "You?"

Shaking his head, Heero replied, "No. I'm looking forward to it, actually. I've missed playing against another team. Not to mention the fact that it'll be a surprise to a lot of people if we pull off a win tomorrow." He settled deeper into the couch, reveling in just how comfortable he was becoming in having his housemate so close to him.

"It's gonna be a hell of a show," Duo snickered, his eyes drifting closed. "The straight-as-an-arrow quarterback and the rogue running back of the league working together. Who would have thought?"

Unable to help snickering, the team captain shook his head in amusement. "It's sure to make the front page news for the sports magazines." His partner chuckled deeply, wrapping his arms tightly around him.

Win or lose, it was going to be something.

TBC...

[1] In football, there are two divisions... the National and the American. Then within those two divisions, they are broken down into National or American North, South, East and West conferences. (Each of those consists of four teams)

During the regular season, two teams the National and American divisions rarely square off against each other as most of the time they play against their own. At the end of the regular season, the playoffs are fought between the teams of the same division with the best standings/most wins at the end. For example, the best American West team players against the best American East and so on until there is only one American team remaining.

Finally, the National and American teams left standing in the end go on to play against each other in the Super Bowl for the championship.

In this fic, the Wolverines are in the American conference and the Cougars are in the National conference.

 

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