[It's you and me
and all of the people with nothing to do...Nothing to prove
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you]
--- Lyrics to 'Wild As the Wind' performed by Garth Brooks
A Silver Lining Part 29
The bleeding finally stopped.
With a quiet sigh of relief the last remains of Duo's fleece that had been torn into long pieces for swabbing over the long gash over the pale right shoulder. "You're lucky that it does not need stitching," he commented with a low growl that was intended for their captors. His braided friend, his only true friend that he came to admit to having, returned from his last 'interrogation' in sad shape.
Lying on his back with his eyes closed, Duo managed a small smile, "I've been through a hell of a lot worse than this, Ro. No need to go all protective on me, now." Heero gave a small grunt, rolling his cobalt eyes. Slowly, the ex-Wing pilot lowered himself onto his own back beside his friend to gaze up at the ceiling of their small cell.
Carefully, with his good left arm, Duo reached over to squeeze his partner's shoulder with a quiet, "Thanks for helping me out, man."
A small smile tugged at Heero's lips as he replied, "What are friends for?" It only seemed fitting to use the same comment that the American had used to solidify their camaraderie. His partner chuckled deeply in clear appreciation of the sentiment.
In a long, companionable silence, the Japanese Preventer folded his hands together over his abdomen. "What was life on the streets like?" he heard himself asking aloud before he realized he was actually voicing aloud a question that had been on his mind for as long as he had known of the braided pilot's history.
How Duo had managed to survive on the streets of L2 was never brought up in his partner's retelling of his young years. In coming to terms with the fact that he now had a best friend, Heero found that we wanted to know as much about him as possible. It was still a wonder to him how a young child could fend for himself on his own in as rough a place as L2.
Turning his head, Heero found wide violet eyes watching him. To his dread, he realized that he really had asked that question aloud. His owned eyes widening, the ex-Wing pilot stated softly, sincerely "I'm sorry. I know that was a personal question. You don't have to answer that."
With a grunt, Duo slowly propped himself up a bit to face the other pilot better. Their eyes meeting once more, he smiled sadly, "It's alright. I don't get that much of a chance to come to grips with my past by talking about it. Trowa's the only person that I felt comfortable enough sharing my experiences with."
In hearing that Trowa had come to know such a private, personal thing about his best friend before he had, Heero felt a sharp stab of... was it jealousy? He supposed that it was. All this time, he thought that he would somehow be the first person that Duo would open up to on such a level in discussing his past.
As if reading his thoughts, Duo gave a sheepish grin and shrugged, "The two of us were just talking one night, during the war. He needed to vent about some things he had been through and I ended up doing the same."
"Ah," Heero responded quickly with a firm nod of understanding, trying not to let on to his embarrassment in being caught in his resentment. Sitting himself up, he turned to lean his back against the wall closest to him, watching his friend.
Wincing, Duo lowered himself down onto his back again. "I honestly don't remember much of how I survived before I met Solo," he began, his violet eyes focused on the ceiling. Heero nodded to himself at the mention of his partner's childhood friend-his brother.
As he closed his eyes, lost in his memories, the braided pilot continued, "One of the only things I remembered was finding a dry room in the sewer that I made my home. When I was hungry, I stole what I could to keep from starving. In a lot of ways, it was a lot easier fending for myself before I met up with my little 'family'."
Heero tilted his head a bit and frowned in concern, "How so?"
With a deep sigh, Duo opened his eyes again and replied quietly, "There were more mouths to feed. There were times when stealing just wasn't enough to take care of everyone." He swallowed hard before whispering, "Solo, myself and two others who were the oldest decided to resort to other means of getting what we needed."
A bitter snort broke through the air and the American stated, "So, the answer to your true question is yes, I turned tricks when I was a kid. With taking turns with the others, those times were few and far between with the money we made, but it happened on a few occasions for me."
Slowly, his braided head turned and in that movement before their gazes met, Heero could see a bright, dampened shimmer in his violet eyes. "But I wasn't about to have the smaller ones have to endure what the rest of us had to," he breathed. Clearing his constricting throat, he spoke brokenly, "No one that young should have to endure that."
Much to his surprise, the ex-Wing pilot could feel small tears filling his eyes. "You endured it," he breathed in a bitter tone. His hand shook as he reached up to dry his eyes.
In the dim light, he could see a small smile tug at Duo's lips as he answered in little more than a breath himself, "I had a family to take care of. It was a duty that I willingly took up to protect them. And any one of those kids would have done the same for me if I needed their help at any given point. It was just how we functioned."
Biting his lip, the braided pilot frowned deeply, "The hardest part of the whole thing was that for those kids, our efforts only spared them a short time in the end when the plague came and wiped them out." Clearing this throat against the lump that had sprung anew in his throat, Heero had to turn his head away.
Life was cruel indeed.
As he wiped a stray tear from his cheek, Duo looked back up to the ceiling and laughed quietly, "And you want to hear the craziest part of it all? If I had to do it all over again, I would have done the same thing again for any one of them." From the corner of his eyes, he watched as his partner just nodded to himself again, as if not at all surprised by the last statement.
Despite the pain, the braided Preventer sat up to face his best friend. "Do you think less of me now?" he asked in a soft, pleading voice.
Quickly Heero turned his widened cobalt eyes to meet his partner's gaze. Shaking his head, he whispered earnestly, "No. Of course not." Duo bit his lip with a small nod of appreciation before he looked back up to the ceiling again.
After a long silence between them, the Japanese pilot reached over to squeeze his friend's good shoulder. Taking a deep breath when their eyes met once more, Heero said softly, "I-I don't know if I would have had that kind of courage... that kind of strength. I have nothing but respect for you, Duo."
A small whimper escaped Duo's throat as he smiled, "Coming from you, that means a lot, Heero." He reached up to squeeze the hand on his bare shoulder with a small nod as he whispered, "Thank you."
Returning the small smile, Heero removed his hand and lowered himself onto his back next to his partner. As they both looked to the ceiling, their companionable silence returned. For the remainder of that night, until they drifted off to sleep soon after, no further words were needed at that moment.
* * * * * *
In the waiting room of Saint James's Hospital, Noin sat beside Angie with an arm wrapped around her blanket-covered shoulder. After her ordeal and learning that three of her friends had been killed in their protecting the area around her apartment, the dark-haired Preventer nearly went into shock upon their arrival at the medical center.
Sitting across the room from the two young women, Zechs had his eyes closed and arms folded across his chest. Every so often, he would glance up to look at his wife, as if making sure that she was alright even though she was only a few feet away.
At the far end of the large room, by the windows, Wufei and Duo sat at either corner. The Chinese pilot's right shoulder was wrapped. Much to his luck, the bullet had gone straight through and only a few stitches were needed to close the wound. All things considered with their mission, they were all pretty lucky.
Biting his lip, Duo tried to still his trembling hands. Now that the adrenaline was slowly ebbing, the events of that evening came rushing back and the reality of how close they had come to a much graver end was setting in.
As he rose from his seat, the braided pilot announced, "I'm going to check on Trowa." Wufei gave a nod of acknowledgement before looking back out to the road for a sign of their others approaching.
Slowly approaching Noin, Duo gestured to the stiff, wide-eyed young woman beside her. "How is she?" he asked quietly. Angie just continued to stare ahead, her eyes unfocused as a small whimper escaped her throat. Tears sprang back up to roll down her face.
With a sad smile, the short-haired Agent Fire rubbed Angie's arm and answered softly, "She'll be alright. She's had a lot to have to take in for one night." With a saddened frown, Duo nodded and squeezed the silent young woman's shoulder in support before stepping out.
Before he could leave the room, Duo heard Zechs's voice call him quietly, "Maxwell." When he turned his head back, he was surprised to find that the tall man's intense gaze on him.
Rising to his feet, the blonde pilot gestured with his head for the American to follow him out into the hallway. His violet eyes widened, Duo followed obediently as he swallowed hard. Despite the fact that Zechs had made it clear that their differences during the Eve Wars were no longer existent, he surely was an intimidating presence.
When they stepped out into the empty hallway and out of earshot of those in the waiting room, the taller pilot turned to face his American comrade. A nervous smile tugging at his lips, Duo asked, "What's up, Zechs?"
Instead of answering right away, the blond-haired man took a deep breath. His eyes locked on the smaller pilot, Zechs finally replied quietly, "I wanted to personally thank you for protecting my wife back there. Noin told me what had happened in the apartment before you got out. I am in your debt for that."
Duo blinked his wide, shock-filled eyes and shrugged with a wide grin, "Aw, I'm sure she made it sound like a much bigger deal than it was. Besides, she would have done the same for me if I was in her place."
"There is no point in trying to brush what happened off as nothing," Zechs stated in a tone that bore no room for argument. Lowering his head, he frowned deeply, "I am sorry to admit that at first, I had my doubts in having you along on this mission. I thought that it was too soon."
Slowly, the tall pilot's head rose to meet the eyes of the braided pilot and concluded, "You proved me wrong. You're one of the strongest people I've ever come to know."
Looking away for a moment, the American cleared his throat, his hands beginning to shake again. When he looked back up, his violet eyes were shimmering as he asked brokenly, "Even if I'm starting to come apart now?"
A small, sad smile pulled the right side of Zechs's mouth up. Placing a hand on the smaller pilot's shoulder, he answered quietly, "Even now." With a gentle squeeze on his friend's shoulder, he commented, "Even the best of soldiers need time to cope with life at some point."
Duo cleared his throat and forced the few threatening tears back to smile sincerely, "Thanks, Zechs." Returning the grin, the blonde pilot extended his hand to exchange a firm handshake. As he walked past the braided teenager, Zechs gave him a friendly slap on the back before disappearing into the waiting room.
Having to take a deep breath, Duo ran a hand through his long bangs. With his resolve somewhat together again, he moved down the hallway. Around the corner at the end, he found his Latin friend alone in one of the smaller visitor room, slouched forward in his seat with his face in his hands.
With a gentle knock on the doorway, Duo greeted quietly, "Hey." Nearly jumping at the sound, Trowa's hands fell away for him to peer up with wide, shimmering eyes. At the sight of his friend in such a state, the braided pilot frowned and offered, "You want some more time alone?"
Quickly looking away to wipe at the intrusive drops, Trowa cleared his throat and replied just as quietly, "No, Duo, you can come in. I suppose I could use some company right about now" Biting his lip, the American took the seat beside his friend and the tension in the other pilot's shoulders eased a bit.
After a long silence between the two of them, the Latin Preventer raised his head to stare ahead as he began quietly, "I'm sorry that you had to witness that fight between Anna and myself earlier tonight. That should have just been between the two of us."
With a small smile, Duo shrugged, "You don't have to apologize, Tro. Besides, I've witnessed worse arguments between the five of us during the war over stupid things compared to that." Laughter filled his voice as he asked, "Remember the time Quat ruined Wufei's meditation rug when he washed it?" Trowa made little more than a small chuckle his friend's attempt to lighten the mood hanging in the air.
Silence loomed for another stretch of time before the braided pilot rubbed the back of his neck nervously. Quietly, he announced, "I have a confession to make." The other pilot straightened to turn his head, focusing his emerald eyes on the American in quiet anticipation.
Duo swallowed hard, lowering his gaze and stated, "I had overheard a conversation between Anna and Relena a few days back. It wasn't anything that I meant to listen in on, but I managed to hear some of the discussion." He fidgeted with the end of his braid and commented, "I just assumed that the two of you were dating all this time."
With a deep sigh, Trowa rose from his seat and walked towards the large window at the other end of the room. "We weren't supposed to get this close," he replied quietly at last. "You're the only person who knows why it's so hard for me to get close to anyone, because you understand my past more than anyone else."
The braided pilot frowned sadly, "So you never explained why to Anna, then?" The back of his friend's head shook in a silent answer. Sinking into his chair, Duo washed his face with his hands, sighing softly. When he lowered his hands, he frowned deeply, "There are things about our pasts that have a common ground, Trowa. Before Heero, you were the only person who knew about my life on L2."
Trowa turned to face him with wide, shocked emerald eyes as he gasped, "You told him!" A small smile tugged at Duo's lips and he nodded. Swallowing hard, Trowa's head lowered so that he could stare at his feet. "And he... he didn't reject you?"
"No," the braided pilot replied, shaking his head. "If Anna cares anything for you, Trowa, she wouldn't reject you for what happened to you. But if you don't trust her enough to tell her about your fears, then you're just stringing her along for the wrong reasons and she needs to know that." With a concerned frown, he asked, "Do you care about her?"
Without hesitating, Trowa nodded, "Yes." Sighing deeply, he ran a hand over his hair and admitted quietly, "I never intended to fall in love with Anna, but I did and it scares the living shit out of me. I didn't even realize how I felt about her until tonight when-" his voice cracked as his throat constricted.
Tears shimmered in the tall pilot's eyes as he looked up again. "I thought I lost her," he breathed. Gritting his teeth, he growled, "And it took this for me to realize it."
Slowly, Duo rose from his chair and closed the space between them. He gently rested his hands on his comrade's shoulders, causing their eyes to meet and said quietly, "Well, she'll never know unless you tell her."
"He already had."
Both Trowa and Duo spun quickly to the voice that came from the doorway. Pushing herself from the doorpost that she leaned against for support, Anna approached with tears in her eyes. With every step of her left leg, the metal brace that stretched from foot to hip clicked as it flexed with her movement. While she was able to get along on her own, the slowness of her steps gave light to the pain that she was trying to cover.
His eyes widening, Trowa whispered, "Anna." Quickly, he walked up to her to embrace her tightly. As the two lovers reunited, Duo smiled to himself and silently slipped from the room with a last glance over his shoulder to his friends.
Pulling back, the Latin pilot began quietly, "Anna, I'm so sorry. I never meant-" His words were cut off when she placed a finger on her lips.
"It's alright," she mumbled past her swollen lip, smiling as best she could with it. "I caught a lot of what you had to say before I reached the room." Clearing her throat as she fought more tears from stinging her eyes, she frowned, "I'm sorry for that fight earlier."
Trowa shook his head and responded sincerely, "I deserved it." Gently running a hand through her long, red hair, he said softly, "I haven't been fair to you." Sighing deeply, he closed his eyes and whispered, "I want to be able to tell you everything."
With an attempt to smile again, Anna cupped his cheek and replied quietly, "When you're ready. I can wait. And I promise that I won't go anywhere when that happens."
Small tears of relief filled Trowa's green eyes and he breathed, "I love you." It was the first time that he ever said the words to her. And in saying them, a huge weight had lifted from him.
Anna grinned lopsidedly, "'Bout time you said that, you jerk." The tall pilot just laughed and wiped at his eyes before ever so gently kissing her swollen mouth.
Their exchange was interrupted when a tall man in a while medical coat ran into the doorway. In his right hand was a file of papers and in his other was a two-way radio. His dark eyes narrowing on the young woman, he panted, "There you are."
With a sheepish grin, the red-haired pilot winced, "Uh, hi, Doctor Roberts. I take it you're finished with the diagnosis." Behind her, Trowa tried to contain his laughter. It was just like Anna to get tired of sitting around when she knew she was fine.
Sighing deeply, the young doctor eased his shoulder as he stepped in with a roll of his eyes. "After I call of the search party that I sent out to look for you," he glared, "would you be good enough to return to your room so I can give you the results of your tests. You're extremely lucky to not have suffered any internal bleeding from your injuries, but I would advise against pushing it right now."
At the last statement, Trowa frown deeply in concern while the reality of how close he came to losing his lover washed over him. Unconsciously, his arm wrapped around the young woman's waist in a protective embrace.
Her shoulders sagging, Anna sighed deeply with a swollen-lipped pout to the doctor, "Alright." As she headed for the door to follow the doctor out of the waiting room, Trowa too hold of her hand and held to it tightly.
When the doctor turned to meet his gaze, Trowa asked, "Would it be all right if I come along to listen in?" Smirking to his partner, "I'll get her to stay in place even if I have to chain her down to the bed." A small, sharp laugh bubbled from Anna's throat and she covered her mouth to prevent the urge to make a smart remark back.
Appraising the young pair, the doctor relented with a deep chuckle, "Very well. Lord knows I'll only have my hands full with her if I don't have some help along. You may come along, then." The tall man turned on his heels as the two pilots shared a private smile before following him out of the small waiting room.
* * * * * *
At the sound of footsteps approaching the room, Noin raised her head just as Lady Une, Heero, Quatre, Relena and Sally entered. A warm smile spread on her lips as she nodded firmly to their concerned faces. Sighing deeply in relief, the young Commander walked towards Agent Fire's charge.
Slowly, Angie raised her head and her eyes widened. "Commander," she whispered brokenly as the first word she had spoken since their arrival at the hospital. Rising from her seat, she stifled a sob as she threw her arms around the tall woman.
"Thank God you're alright, Angie," Lade Une sighed deeply as she gently rubbed the young woman's back in support. Holding her back at arm's length, she brushed the long, dark bangs from Angie's eyes with a smile of relief.
Wufei smiled warmly as Sally approached with a smile of relief of her own. Briefly exchanging a tender kiss and embrace, with her fiancé, the braided Preventer announced, "I'm going to meet with the staff here to get all of the reports they accumulated during this visit." At that, she and the Chinese pilot quickly stepped from the room.
Scanning the room frantically, Heero asked, "Where's Duo?"
Gesturing with a nod of his head to the door as he rose to his feet, Zechs answered, "He stepped out to stretch his legs just a few minutes ago. He shouldn't be too far."
Just as Heero turned to leave, the tall pilot took hold of his elbow to stop him. Discretely, Zechs whispered to the Japanese Preventer's ear, "You best get to him soon. He won't be able to hold himself together much longer." With a firm nod and quiet word of appreciation, Heero quickly stepped from the room.
All but running down the long hallway stretch and turning the corner, it did not take long for Heero to catch the swinging braid that followed his partner's retreating back. His cobalt eyes widening, he called, "Duo!" In hearing his name, the American froze and turned quickly with wide violet eyes.
Closing the distance between them in only a few sprinted strides, Heero pulled his partner into a fierce embrace. Wrapping his own arms tightly around his best friend, Duo allowed his resolve to fell apart at the seams at last. Burying his face in the ex-Wing pilot's shoulder, he sobbed and trembled almost violently.
Safe. Warm. Two things that Duo feared he might never feel while he was held captive for two years. They were only two of the things that he always felt when he was in his best friend's strong arms as he was now.
"Shh," Heero whispered between his raining kisses over his partner's braided head. "It's alright," he continued to soothe as he closed his own eyes. "You're safe now. I've got you."
Around them, nurses and other staff members stepped out into the hallway to stare at the scene with wide eyes. Not one of those individuals was minded by the two pilots as they clung to each other. "God, I've been so worried about you," Heero whispered brokenly as he fought his own tears.
The events of that evening came back in a flood of sights, sounds, smells, feelings that threatened to drown Duo in that moment. His eyes suddenly felt like lead weights as the last of the adrenaline that kept him on his feet dissolved. Leaning heavily against the other Preventer, he mumbled, "So tired, Ro,"
With a small smile, the Japanese pilot replied quietly, "Then sleep, love. I'll be with you when you wake up." Kissing the top of his frail partner's head again as he scooped him up into his arms Heero whispered, "I'll keep the nightmares away."
In hearing those words, Duo sighed as he allowed the pull of sleep to claim him in a deep, dreamless sleep at long last. It was the end of a very long day.
TBC...
Back to SkyLark's Fanfictions Page