Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 52
Duo was sound asleep on the couch with an arm draped around Abdul, the five-year-old also resting on his father-to-be's chest. Coming in from a run for groceries, Heero and Hilde paused to smile at the sweet scene. Quickly lowering the bags in his hands, the quarterback reached for the digital camera on the table beside him and took a picture.
Appraising the image on the screen, he grinned, "Cute."
Upon arriving the night before, it was brought to Heero and Duo's attention that the little Arab boy was coming down with a fever and cough as a sure sign of a cold coming on. With it being the beginning of November in the final transition to the colder weeks ahead, it was to be expected.
When Abdul's cold only worsened with his cough, Duo called the boy out sick from pre-school that morning. Thanks the confidentiality laws of parent to teacher and vice versa, none of his children's educators could come forward with his being prepared to adopt.
Misses Jamison of the Truman Preschool just loved the braided running back from the moment they had their first meeting at enrollment for Abdul, Jamie, Sun and Camille. In her late fifties with graying hair, she was every bit the picture of a loving grandmother for the little ones.
That particular morning, she had been very understanding when she received the call to expect one of her pupils out for the day. A smile in her voice, the preschool teacher reassured that any activities or assignments missed would be sent home and offered her well wishes to both Abdul and Duo.
Hilde peered over Heero's shoulder to gaze on the picture and chuckled quietly. "I'm surprised that they stayed up as long as they had, considering neither of them got much sleep last night."
His smile growing, the quarterback thought back to the night before where Duo demonstrated his attentive parenting skills yet again. Instead of sharing their usual bed together, the running back took up a cot and slept on the floor in Abdul's room to be on point should his son need anything.
Between getting up to check the child's temperature when he stirred awake with coughs and getting water when it was requested, it had been a long night for the official parental figure of the house. At breakfast, Duo's braid was disheveled and there were dark circles under his eyes and yet he put on a smile and his jests for the others as they prepared for school that day.
For Heero, wonders never ceased when his lover was concerned.
"Good thing we've been loading up on the vitamin C ever since our colds this last summer," Heero smirked as Hilde gently placed her hand on Abdul's forehead. "Last thing we need right now is to come down with another bug that takes us out for a couple days."
Snickering, the young woman replied, "Yea. Something tells me that Zechs and Dorothy wouldn't be too excited about losing either of you for the rest of the season."
A relieved smile tugged her lips and she pulled her hand away. Turning to take up her bags once more, she said quietly, "His temperature seems to be going down. Now that the cough medicine is finally kicking in to let him at least get a decent rest, he should be over the worst of his cold soon."
Heero sighed softly in his own relief while removing his baseball cap to run a hand through his unruly hair. When his partner told him that the worst thing in the world for him was to see his kids hurt, crying or sick, he now understood and agreed completely.
What with all of the other youngsters off at school, the apartment complex was too quiet and empty. Solo returned from his own errands just as Heero and his wife were finishing putting the groceries away in the kitchen.
The quarterback urged the married couple to get some time to themselves for a change. More than happy with that suggestion, his friends offered their thanks and headed out for a while.
Situating himself in the recliner beside the couch where Duo and Abdul were still sleeping, Heero leaned the chair back and turned the television on to a quiet volume. Occasionally, he would look over to his charges with a warm smile on his face.
After about an hour into his watch, the team captain heard little Abdul stirring. Duo shifted his head, but remained asleep as his son's eyes blinked open. Searching the room with his gaze, the child soon found Heero grinned down on him. "Hey," he greeted quietly.
Rubbing his tired eyes, the Arab boy mumbled, "Thirsty."
With a quiet chuckle, Heero carefully helped Abdul off of the running back without waking him. "Well, let's get you some water, then," he said quietly. Once he was on his feet, Abdul latched onto the quarterback's hand as they headed for the kitchen together. After the little one had his fill, they headed back to the living room hand-in-hand again.
Not wanting to wake his father, Abdul waited for Heero to sit back in the recliner before tiredly stretching his arms up to him. Smiling to him, the team captain scooped him up and leaned the chair back. Snuggling up close next to him, the child rested his head on a strong chest with his eyes drifting closed.
Lulled by the even breathing beside him and the quiet whisper of the television, the quarterback drifted off soon after.
In mere moments, Duo was suddenly alert when the spot where Abdul had been lying on him cooled. Looking around frantically, the braided athlete gasped at the sight on the recliner next to him.
As quietly as he could, the running back rose from the couch and tip-toed over to the digital camera. Snapping a picture of his lover and son curled up together and sleeping, he chuckled quietly, "Cute."
* * * * * *
By dinner that evening, Abdul was feeling well enough for a large bowl of soup and crackers. So as not to make his little boy feel ousted by not being in too close of contact with his family, Duo allowed dinner to be enjoyed in the living room. Sitting up in the couch, the recovering child watched television along with his siblings as they sat on the floor a couple feet ahead of him.
Carissa had been a sweetheart in helping her brother with the two assignments that Misses Jameson had given them that day at school. With his temperature having completely weaned off, Abdul was starting to get more color back in his face along with a bit of energy. Mary was curled up beside the child on the couch in her own silent guard of him.
Once the meal was finished and the dishes cleaned, Heero and Duo reentered the living room together with bright smiles. "Everyone, we have an announcement to make," the running back grinned to his family.
All eyes turning to watch them, the father-to-be nodded to his partner to take over. Clearing his throat, Heero began, "Your dad and I decided, that you're going to be returning to Pittsburgh in two weeks for your Thanksgiving break."
Gasps and excided cries filled the air as the little ones leapt to their feet and nearly took the quarterback down in a wave of hugs.
His braided head falling back, Duo laughed as his lover tried to stay on his feet with a wide smile on his face. "I think they like the idea," he snickered while scooping up a beaming Abdul from the couch.
Lightly tapping on his son's chest, the running back winked, "That means you really have to take it easy and get better so you can enjoy the trip."
"I will, Dad," Abdul nodded excitedly. "I promise I will." He coughed lightly before throwing his arms tightly around his father's neck. Chuckling, Duo kissed his cheek and basked in the glow of his children's celebration.
* * * * * *
One week later...
"Chicago, Illinois?" Gallow frowned deeply. "For two weekend in a row now? What on Earth could be there that they would make a regular trip of seeing?" Swinging the seat of his leather desk chair in thought, he mused aloud, "Or perhaps it's a 'whom' out there and not a 'what'. Maxwell is from the city, after all."
Displayed on his vidphone, Karen shrugged, "Well, that is the question. They always leave the same time every Monday and return every Wednesday night in time for the next morning's practice. It's a strong enough pattern that I don't think it's about to change any time soon."
Straightening himself as he lowered his feet from where they were propped on the edge of his desk, Nathan nodded, "Very well. I'll have a flight booked for you on the six o'clock flight from Pittsburgh to Chicago within the hour. Do your best to see what it is about the place that had their interest."
A dark smirk curling the corner of her mouth, Karen replied, "Will do. I'll keep you posted as soon as I learn anything interesting."
The screen on the vidphone went black at the end of the transmission. Gallow folded his arms behind his head and grinned wickedly, "I'm looking forward to it."
* * * * * *
Gazing through his sunglasses around the airport terminal as they sat in waiting at their gate, Duo asked quietly, "Did you ever get the feeling like you were being watched, 'Ro?" Just beside him, his lover looked up from the laptop that he was typing at.
Slightly tilting his head, Heero shrugged, "We're football players. We're always being watched." He chuckled deeply when his teammate slugged him in the shoulder at the teasing comment. Quickly turning serious, the quarterback frowned, "Why do you ask? Something have you on edge?"
"Yea," the running back nodded. Rubbing the back of his neck at the prickles growing there, he commented, "I don't see anyone outright staring at us since we're pretty well disguised, but I just have a weird feeling."
Reaching over to squeeze his partner's hand when no one was watching, Heero reassured, "It could be a lot of things. We just won another game yesterday, so we're at the top of our league's standings at the official half-way point of the season. Everyone on the team's a little on edge over that."
Duo knew that very thing was, in fact, playing a factor in his nerves. Perhaps it was playing more of a role in his unsteadiness than he realized. "You're right," he finally sighed. "I'm probably just overreacting to everything thanks to the pressure that's on us now."
All around, there were people wearing Wolverine jerseys, jackets and hats. Thanks to their early success that year, everyone on the Pittsburgh team was now a household name in the city again.
Considering what the purchases of the merchandise and stadium tickets was doing in aiding the hurting economy there, everyone was appreciative to have something to cheer for that gave them hope.
It was more than a little pressure on the team.
Even at their celebration in the locker room and at Murry's following the game, there was as much joy and excitement amongst the players as there was nervousness and tension. Especially for the seasoned Wolverines who had been with the team the longest, they had never been in this position before.
Smiling to his lover, Heero suggested quietly, "To be honest, I'm not holding up much better, myself. Let's both just try and enjoy the trip. We both could use it." Duo matched his grin with his violet eyes shining in appreciation. He squeezed the hand in his own before they fell away from each other once more.
A couple rows of seats away from them, Karen peered over her shoulder discretely. Smirking, she turned her head forward once more to read the magazine in her hands just as the steward at the gate desk announced that the first class passengers could begin boarding the plane.
* * * * * *
When they arrived in Chicago, Karen was pleased to see the high rise buildings all around that made her feel at home since she was normally stationed in New York. Keeping a safe distance behind her targets after picking up her rented car, her trepidation grew deeper and deeper as they drove into the less than friendly looking neighborhoods.
"Must have to get through these to get to the nicer suburbs," the journalist though aloud to herself with a bit of unease in her voice. That hope was soon put to ruin when the car she had been following turned its right blinker on to take the approaching exit.
In seeing what lay ahead at the end of the exit ramp, Karen swallowed roughly. All around, there were row houses with broken windows, burnt sidings. Off in the distance, the sounds of sirens swelled and faded. There was litter almost everywhere. Here and there, some questionable looking individuals were lurking about.
The deeper they drove into the area, the worse the surroundings became. "What in the hell?" the young woman muttered in frustration and growing fear.
Finally, the red car carrying the football players pulled in to a parking spot in front of a large apartment complex. Her eyes narrowed in focus, Karen veered to a halt a few blocks back to watch. Smiling and laughing, Heero and Duo moved to the back of their own rented car and removed their luggage from the trunk.
When they reached the top of the front steps, the running back placed his hand on the scanner beside the door. Being a gentleman, the quarterback nudged the door open with his shoulder and stepped aside with a deep bow for his partner to enter the building first. On his way past, Duo gave Heero a brilliant, loving smile.
And then the door closed behind them.
Digital camera in hand, Karen quickly stepped out of her vehicle and headed for the apartment complex. Pausing on the sidewalk on the opposite street, she snapped a couple shots just before a catcall of a whistle made her freeze where she stood.
Very slowly turning her head to peer to the row houses behind her, the reporter's heart began to pound in her chest. Sitting on the front steps of a ratty looking residence were eight young men of mixed races but all wearing the same all-black clothing that marked their gang. Each leering eye ran it's way up and down the young woman's body.
Forcing herself to breathe, Karen turned and began walking backwards for her car. "What's the matter, sugah?" one of the hoodlums asked as he and his friends began rising to their feet and stalking towards her. "We just want to play."
Unwilling to hear any more, the journalist cried and spun to dash for her car. With the gang right on her heels, she threw the door open and dove inside. Quickly closing and locking the doors, her trembling hands searched for the car keys and started the ignition.
Laughing and banging their hands on the car, the gang members puckered their lips and make crude gestures until the vehicle peeled out of the parking lot and back onto the street.
Karen peered to the rearview mirror to see the young men laughing and waving her off. "I have to get the hell out of here!" she whimpered with tears stinging her eyes.
Back at the apartment complex, Duo pulled back the shades of the living room window in time to see eight members of 'The Claw' high-fiving and talking amongst themselves. Where they stood on the street, there were long, black tire treads and smoke still hung in the air from where the exhaust that had been there moments ago.
"What the hell was that!?" Heero asked as he quickly entered the living room.
Closing the blinds once more, Duo shook his head and sighed, "Just some of our neighbors making 'friends'. Good news is that it looks like he or she got away just in time." Heero nodded in relief and together, they headed back to the kitchen.
* * * * * *
"What do you mean you want out of there?" Gallow frowned into the receiver of his cell phone. "You only arrived twenty minutes ago. In that short a time, you couldn't possibly have come up with anything news worthy."
Pacing back in forth in her posh hotel room in the safety of suburbia far from the city, Karen growled deeply, "I'm not being paid enough to risk my life like this. I just narrowly avoided being raped or worse by a gang, Nathan! There is absolutely nothing that would be worth my going back to those slums!"
His eyes widening, Gallow finished his sip of brandy in a rush and repeated, "Slums? Yuy and Maxwell traveled all the way to Chicago to stay in the slums of the city?"
Karen placed her free hand on her forehead and sighed, "Yes. In some rundown apartment complex that I managed to take a couple shots of before I had to run for my life."
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she kicked off her heels and almost pleaded, "There should be something that we can make a story out of that. Maxwell lived the life of luxury while he has family living in poverty that he won't help out. That would be something we could make up, even if he's not here to actually see family."
Nathan shook his head, "Not good enough. We need something more." At his partner's whine over the line, he smiled, "You don't have to go back to that part of town if you're uncomfortable, Karen.
"There should be something there that we can dig up on Maxwell's past that he's managed to keep hidden all this time. Start with his high school. Make up a some human interest story that you're doing research on. I know how tenacious you are."
Finally starting to ease with that idea, Karen bit her lip and replied, "Yes. I... I could do that. His high school isn't far from here."
Inwardly sighing in relief, Gallow smiled, "That's my girl. Be sure to get back to me as soon as you find anything." After an affirmative, the young woman closed her cell phone flip and lowered herself back onto the mattress.
Staring up to the ceiling, she commented quietly, "Look's like it'll be a few more days in paradise."
* * * * * *
On their return to the Yuy household, Heero and Duo removed their luggage from the back of the quarterback's Civic and headed up the front steps. The quiet conversation that they were engaged in came to a halt when the door opened before they reached it.
Trowa, Wufei and Quatre stepped out on the top step with a worried and sad look on his face. Lowering their bags to the ground, the football players shared a concerned peer out of the corner of their eyes. Reluctantly, Duo was the first to ask, "What's wrong, guys?"
Swallowing roughly, the tall center answered, "Pops was just rushed to the hospital about an hour ago. He had a heart attack."
TBC...
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