Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 61
Before he took his first step into the conference room, photographers were snapping pictures as Duo opened the closed doors.
The flashes did not stop as the running back headed for the table at the front of the large space, nor did they when he sat down. Video cameras rolled and journalists crowding the room had a variety of tools in hand to record or write down whatever was said.
Looking up to his audience, the braided athlete smiled in relief that his supporters were in the middle of the seating arrangement just in front of him. His children all grinned and waved to him. With a quiet chuckle, Duo began, "Good morning, everyone. Thank you all for coming here on such short notice. As I imagine, you're all most likely wondering why Heero and I are here in Chicago instead of Pittsburgh for this afternoon's game against New York." Heads nodded around the room and another quiet round of murmuring stirred up.
Over the low hum, the star athlete took a deep breath and stated, "For the last couple of days, I've been here with my family and visiting one of my sons who is now in the hospital thanks to a drive-by shooting." The air was filled with gaps. Many reporters paused in their writing with slack jaws and wide eyes.
Nodding to the little ones in the center of the room, Duo smirked, "Everyone, I would like you to meet my kids. As of this coming February, I will officially be the proud legal guardian of them all. My oldest is faring well and will be released from the hospital in just a few days." Unable to keep their voices down to a hum, the journalists and camera men turned to each other to talk excitedly amongst themselves.
Huddling close, the little ones gazed over the many faces watching them.
"Before there are any assumptions to why I would be adopting eight children," the running back spoke up over the noise, "I do have a few things that I need to share with all of you about my history that so many of you have been trying to dig up for years now."
That was enough to have a quick hush settle as all attention turned back to the focus of their press conference. Slowly breathing in, Duo stated, "My birth name is Samuel Conner. And most of my life, I had been moved from home to home as an orphan. They're some of my earliest memories."
Sure to take his time and catch his breath even needed, Maxwell went on to explain the horrendous things that had happened to him with his first adoptive parent. Stunned silent, the audience listening in had a variety of reactions to what was being shared with them. A few times, some of the kids had to wipe their eyes in having experienced somewhat similar, and sometimes worse, experiences in their own short lives.
Clearing his throat, Heero had to blink back the shimmering in his own eyes throughout the rehashing of his lover's past. Like Hilde, Solo and Quatre, he had his arms wrapped around the little ones closest to him in support while offering quiet reassurances to them. Dorothy, Noin, and Lady Une all had red eyes by the time Duo finally got through explaining his history.
From his bed in the hospital, Marcus watched the live airing with a proud smile on his dampened face. Sally sniffled lightly as she dabbed her eyes with a tissue sat at his bedside. "That's my Dad," the boy whispered in awe as his eyes remained on the screen across from him.
Brushing away a couple of tears from his own face, Duo cleared his throat and stated, "Knowing more about me, I'm sure that you can all understand now why I thought it was my responsibility to help as many children in the same situation that I had been in. Even with the eight that I have now, I don't feel like I'm doing enough. But... it's a start.
"Where my behavior on and off the field in the past is been concerned," he continued, "there is a reason for all of that as I have been setting up a safe place for my family elsewhere. My hopes were to be traded to that city so that I could be with them every day, which the courts are well aware of." Blinking in surprise, Dorothy frowned sadly in hearing that bit of news.
A small smile curled his lips as the running back looked to his little ones while commenting, "And my kids know that whatever they see daddy doing to get in trouble is not allowed for them to try." Flora and Tai smiled widely to their father-to-be while everyone else in the room laughed and snickered in amusement.
Swallowing roughly, Duo a bit sobered to proclaim, "I am very sorry that I could not be with my teammates today, as I know that Heero is as well. However, I have to be here with my family right now." His violet eyes locking to the cobalt watching him, he smirked, "And Heero's been my strength these last few days. I'd be falling apart right now without him. He's been wonderful to my kids and he's been sacrificing a lot for all of our sakes."
The quarterback just smiled lovingly to his partner with a slight flush to his cheeks as some of the reporters gave quiet hums and looked to him. Hope and the other children giggled quietly amongst themselves.
Folding his hands on the table, the braided athlete concluded, "Tomorrow afternoon, it will be decided whether or not I will be able to move my family back to Pittsburgh with us until the adoption is final. Once the dust's settled after that, Heero and I will return this week to rejoin our team. Hopefully, we'll be bringing eight other faces back with us."
Iria leaned close to her little brother beside her and whispered, "Brilliant move on his part. This will put pressure on the judge to side with moving the kids by making the hearing public knowledge." Grinning from ear-to-ear, Quatre nodded.
In reaching the end of his speech, Duo looked to all of the journalists and told them, "My family is the most important thing in the world to me. I would hope that all of you would remember and understand how difficult growing up in and of itself is. They've all had to grow up faster than they should have and they don't need to be constantly being berated by the press or deal with fabricated stories created just to sell papers, online articles and ratings."
Leaning forward, he concluded simply, "By coming forward with this, I am putting a lot of trust in all of you to take care of them just as you would hope for your own children." All around, eyes widened at that last comment. Having never considered the whole situation in such a light, it was like a splash of cold water of realization to everyone in the room.
Briefly closing his eyes, Duo took a calming moment before gazing on his audience once more. "Are there any questions, then?" he asked and held his breath.
Unlike any other press conference that he had witnessed, there was no shouting or hand raising. In fact, the room stayed silent as the reporters looked to one another. The little ones scanned the room anxiously.
After a long pause, one young woman rose from her seat to turn to her fellow journalists and spoke, "In light of everything that we learned today, I suggest that perhaps we refrain from any further questions at this time." Several voices rose and heads nodded in agreement.
Releasing the breath that he had been holding in a deep sigh, Duo lowered his braided head. Slowly raising it back up, he replied quietly and sincerely, "Thank you."
That said, his audience began to file out of the conference room. Several reporters stopped to smile and wave to the children. Happily waving back, the lot was almost taken aback at actually being recognized by other people. For most of their lives, it felt to them as though they were invisible amongst both their peers and adults with the exception of their Dad, Heero and their friends.
When the last cameraman left the room, Duo's support team quickly headed to meet him as he stood from the table. The first to greet him, Heero wrapped his partner tightly in his arms and kissed him full on their lips. Cupping the heart-shaped face, he told him softly, "You did great, love."
On the verge of tears once more, the running back returned the small smile before kneeling down to hug his children. Quatre and Iria joined in next with Lady Une, Noin and Dorothy right behind.
As the team owner neared, Duo swallowed roughly and frowned, "Dorothy, about my being traded, I..." His voice cracked a bit, making him clear his throat before trying again, "I just..."
Shaking her head, Dorothy smiled sadly, "It's all right. We'll cross that bridge when we get there. Let's just focus on the here and now." A long eyebrow raised as she smirked, "Which means that I still own the best running back in the league." Strong arms looped around her in a tight hold of appreciation. Chuckling deeply, she pat the back of her friend's braided head.
"Let's head over to the hospital so that we can check up on Marcus," Heero suggested with a grin. The kids all cheered at the notion. Each adult took a little hand as the group headed out of the conference room together.
* * * * * *
By the end of the press conference, Karen was sealing the last box containing her belongings in her office. Her back to the door as it opened, she did not need to look around to know who was storming in. "How the fuck could you do this to me!?" Gallow's voice bellowed. "You're the only person that knew about the story I've been working on all weekend to warn him!"
Smirking, the dark-haired woman turned towards her red-faced associate and commented, "You know, this job used to mean everything to me. There wasn't a celebrity that I was not willing to destroy for my benefit."
The smirk on her face faded in place of a heated glare. "With the exception of children," she hissed. "You were about to cross a line that even my own pride would stand behind. And now knowing what Maxwell is really like, I'm sorry that I ever got involved in your obsession to hurt him."
Nathan raised his fist clutching a few papers that carried the words of the work he had been fine-tuning. "Thanks to your sudden morale awakening, I'll be crucified if this story ever sees the light of day," he gritted. "As your signed on partner, I can sever our ties whenever I wish. So you, my dear, are-"
"Save your breath," Karen cut him off sharply. Pressing the button to the speaker phone on her desk, she announced, "He's here." A quick affirmative that the message went through was given just as she took up her last box.
Meeting Gallow's fiery gaze, the female reporter grinned smugly, "I quit. And not being able to have your little story get out is the least of your problems right now. There are two police officers on their way to arrest you as we speak under charges surrounding your unethical ways of attaining information throughout the years. Breaking and entering, bribery, threats- all just the tip of the iceberg."
Eyes wide, Nathan froze stiff. "Oh," Karen added, "I almost forgot that I passed on your story idea to the head of the organization. Seems you're out of a job yourself. Maxwell is becoming quite the beloved hero and your twist on his relationship with the family would have devastated his media circuit. Expect a personal visit from him while you're in your cell. I don't think that he'll be arriving to post your bail."
When his partner walked past him for the door, Nathan spun to watch her leave and shouted, "And what about you!? Don't forget that you had a part in all of this!"
Peering over her shoulder, the young woman shrugged, "Yes, and I have come forward to the authorities with it. My new lawyer, Iria Winner, managed to come up with a bargain for my releasing everything I knew on you. I'll be receiving a slap on the wrist compared to what you'll be receiving."
Just then, the door slid open to reveal two officers. The first to enter moved directly towards the wiry journalist. "Nathan Gallow," he began, "we have a warrant for your arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you..."
As the man continued his speech and the second cop placed the handcuffs on Gallow, Karen smirked and winked to her former associate. Glaring at her back as she retreated until the door closed after her, Nathan was left only to his thoughts and fears in knowing the laundry list of things that he had done over the years that he was going to be held accountable for.
Suddenly sick to his stomach, Gallow swallowed roughly and paled in realization. He really was alone without a friend in the world now.
'What an unfortunate turn of events,' he thought to himself as he could already hear he cell door closing in his mind. 'As many people's lives as I've ruined, I have no one to defend me when I need them.'
If it wasn't for what that meant for him, he might have laughed at the irony.
* * * * * *
From Marcus's room, Duo, Heero, Dorothy and Noin watched the Wolverines battling New York on the television across from the boy's bed. Biting his lip, the team captain muttered a couple reassurances to the image of Brian Austin as the second-stringer scanned the field for a receiver to accept a catch.
Two gold-and-black clad Troopers broke through the offensive line and charged towards the back up quarterback. "No, no, no! Run!" Heero yelled to the screen as his friends all moaned and cried in their own frustration at the struggle.
Brian caught sight of the oncoming trouble at his sides a split second too late. He sprinted forward as far as he could before being brought down by the linemen with a gain of only two yards for the Wolverines.
Adam's voice came over the roar of the New York crowd, "Well, we expected this to be a challenge enough for Pittsburgh even with their whole starting lineup. New York has had a strong run all season and is giving the last push for the playoffs. But without Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell on the field, the Wolverines have not been able to keep up."
"Which is at no direct fault to Brian Austin or Terry Fellows," Tim stated. "They've both been holding their own to the best of their abilities and they actually look comfortable under pressure. It's far more than what could ever have been said of them in past seasons. Today just is not their day is all. The scoreboard is now at 31 to 20 in favor of the Troopers with less than a quarter to go. I just don't see the tide changing."
Marcus bit his lip as he watched Heero and Duo frown deeply at the screen. "I'm sorry, Dad," he all but whispered sullenly.
Violet eyes widening, the running back turned to his son and replied, "This isn't your fault, Marcus. I'm staying back for the hearing tomorrow to get you and your brothers and sisters out of here, too, remember."
Smiling, Dorothy reassured the boy, "And I would think less of either one of them if they went through with the game. In the end, it was their decision to stay behind and I completely support their choice." At her last sentiment, she looked to her players so that they could see the serenity in her eyes with those words. Shoulders sagged in relief and everyone was able to breathe a bit easier after that.
With another play being run, Adam spoke up, "In speaking of Maxwell, I am sure that I speak on everyone's behalf in wishing him and his family the best at this time. I think that we're all still reeling at finally getting a look at the real person behind the persona that we've all grown accustomed to."
"Indeed," Tim commented. "Just as Zechs and the Wolverines that we had a chance to talk to before the game have said, our thoughts and prayers all go out to them at this difficult time."
Blinking in surprise, Duo's face slowly lit up with a wide smile. Heero smirked and wrapped an arm around his partner. Pulling the braided athlete close, he kissed his temple.
Everyone stuck around and watch the game until Austin took a knee for the last time to end the game. Just as Tim had predicted, there was no change in the tide and the scoreboard remained as it had at the start of the quarter. During the press conferences, coaches and players from both teams continued to express their warm wishes to Maxwell and his kids.
Iria appeared in the doorway, knocking lightly to get her friends' attention. Focusing on the running back, she smiled sadly, "Sorry to have to take you away, Duo, but you need your rest for the long day we have ahead tomorrow. And don't try telling me you're fine even after that press conference this morning."
Snorting, Duo nodded, "All right. All right. I'm coming." As he rose to his feet, he leaned over the side of the bed to kiss his son's head. "Sally said that she can talk to the doctors here to have you attend the hearing, too. So you better get some sleep, yourself." Beaming, the teenager saluted with an excited affirmative.
* * * * * *
Despite how emotionally and physically exhausted he was, Duo was wide awake and a bundle of nerves when they returned to the apartment complex. Just as the night before, his visitors all took over seeing to the youngest of the family to bed. There was a brief rehashing of how the hearing would work with Iria before she decided to call it a night.
Knowing how his partner was not going to get a wink of sleep without assistance, Heero entered their shared bedroom with a glass of water in one hand and two small sedative pills in the other. Sitting on the edge of the bed where his lover was reclining with his back against the wall, he said gently, "Take these. I know you hate pills, but you won't be any good for anyone if you don't rest."
With a deep sigh, Duo was too preoccupied to argue. Throwing the pills back and chasing them down with the water, he handed the glass back to his lover and lay himself down under the covers.
Heero removed his shirt and turned the light out before stretching out beside him. Pulling the running back close, he kissed his teammate's lips softly. For a long, quiet moment he gently ran his fingers over the back of his braided head soothingly and whispered, "I love you."
"Love you, too," came the mumbled reply. Duo's breath soon evened out with a soft sigh. In his slumber, he curled up as close to the quarterback as he could get. Closing his own eyes, Heero said a silent prayer to whoever was listening for all to go well at the hearing the next day.
* * * * * *
Alex fought the urge to throw the remote in his hand at the television as yet another newscast discussing Maxwell's press conference aired. Shaking his head in frustration, he growled deeply, "I'm damn near beating his numbers thanks to his missing today's game and still no one cares."
Looking over to where his partner sat on the other end of the couch, he snapped, "Do you have any idea how fucking sick and tired of hearing about Maxwell I am!?"
Without gazing back at him, Mueller gritted, "Do you have any idea how fucking sick and tired I am of hearing how sick and tired you are!?" Rising to his feet, he finally met the wide eyes on him and glared, "I'm going to bed. Maybe you should consider asking O to lower your dosage." That said, he stormed off and clammed the door to their room closed behind him.
Sitting on the edge of their bed with a deep sag to his shoulders, the tight end dry washed his face. If there was ever any guilt over his behavior towards Maxwell before, he certainly felt it now. And if there was ever any doubt in his judgment of who to back up, there was not any to be found now.
Lost in his thoughts as he stared out ahead, Mueller frowned, "I chose the wrong side."
TBC...
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