Woke Up One Morning... Part 38
Refreshed by two cups of coffee and my late meal, sitting by Heero's side is a little easier to handle. I'm still exhausted beyond belief, and I'm sure that it shows, but I'm feeling a hell of a lot better otherwise during this coping stage in dealing with earlier events.
Keeping my voice low as I've been talking to him, I hold tightly onto my husband's hand and run my fingers through his bangs. The urge to sleep is really pulling hard just as the lights from the street lamps past the window begin to dim at the early signs of sunrise. Yawning widely, I shake my head hard to keep from dozing.
Then I feel the hand I'm holding squeeze for a second and I instantly sit up, my eyes wide and alert when I see movement behind Heero's closed eyelids. As they begin to blink open, my vision turns watery just as those cobalt eyes gain focus and lock on me. Taking a deep breath, I smile and whisper, "Hey."
"Hey," my partner replies in kind, his voice a little rough from the dust and other fine little particles he had breathed in when he was unconscious. Swallowing roughly, he winces and then the concern crosses his face as he really takes me in with his eyes. "You look like hell," he comments, a small smirk tugging his lips.
Laughing, I wipe at the tears rolling down my face and tell him, "Yea, well, I think I'm doing a little better than you right now, husband-mine." My smiles fades as I bite my lip. "How do you feel?"
With a low groan, 'Ro closes his eyes and answers, "Like I self-destructed. Again." He gets rewarded with a quiet chuckle from me. Opening his eyes again to focus back on me, there is a readiness in them for whatever I had to say when he questions, "What happened?"
I take a deep breath at that. This is the part of his waking that I've been dreading the most... having to give him that answer. When I hesitate, the beeping of his heart monitor picks up the slightest bit.
Not wanting to work around the subject, I tell him quietly, "Ivanov attacked headquarters the same way that the Assembly was hit. Only... a hell of a lot more of that Glycaminum was used." Squeezing my hand, Heero fixes me with a look that says he wants me to go on. "The building was nearly ripped in half," I inform in a rush. We lost... a lot of people. All things considered, you actually got out fairly lightly compared to a lot of other survivors."
"Wufei? Sally? Une?" Heero questioned in rapid-fire, his pulse quickening even more.
Shaking my head, I reassure him, "They're fine. But... not everyone that we've been working with over these last few weeks were as lucky. I don't even know where we're all going to go to set up camp when the dust settles enough for us to go on in the investigation."
Very slowly, Heero's pulse slows back to a more normal pace and he stares at the ceiling for a time. I give him the space he needs by staying silent as everything sinks in.
Lightly, he moves his hand in my own so that I can feel him rubbing his thumb against his wedding band and mine... free of their band-aids. The smallest of smiles tugs his lips as he continues to stare at the ceiling. "So the jig's up?" he inquires in an amused tone.
I snicker, "Yea. The doctor came into the waiting room with all of our friends around asking to speak to your spouse since you still had your ring on when you got here. Quatre, Trowa and Relena had even flown in, so they got to hear that, too."
Heero brightens enough at that to actually let out a good round of laughter. Turning to meet my gaze again, he smirks, "Did you hear it from any of them?"
"Well, not nearly as bad as I thought I would," I chuckle. "Quat seemed a little hurt until I reminded him and the guys how you did tell them we woke up married at the end of our Vegas trip. So, everything is out in the open now."
After a long pause, my husband grins warmly, "I'm glad. Now we don't have to hide anymore. I just wish that I had seen their faces when they found out."
Returning his grin, I wink, "Don't worry. I have a feeling that they're still getting over the whole thing, so we're likely to have a lot more 'faces' from them." Swallowing I am suddenly overwhelmed again and I lower my head a bit and clear my throat. "Um..." I begin weakly when I find my voice. "Thank you for not leaving me, 'Ro."
He releases my hand to cup the side of my face, forcing me to look at him. "I had no intentions of going anywhere," he says in little more than a whisper. Smiling, he shrugs, "I have something worth living for now." Damn it! Here come the tears again as the last walls around my guarded emotions crumble.
Throwing my arms around Heero's shoulders, I close my eyes and kiss him fiercely. For as out of it as he is from the pain meds, he's doing a damned good job of returning the favor. I pull back before his rising pulse brings the nurses running in here to check on him and rest my forehead against his.
"I love you," I pant heavily, my face damp from crying. His smile just grows and I almost feel guilty for what I have to do now. Reaching for the button in the wall beside his head, I sigh, "And I hope you can forgive me for this." His cobalt eyes widening in realization, he can only watch as I make the call to the nurses' station.
With a frustrated glare, my partner grumbles, "Great. On to one of my favorite things- medical tests." I smile sadly in complete understanding and kiss his temple. That does manage to warm him up a bit, though he still is not exactly pleased with my 'betrayal.' Like a child, he huffs and crosses his arms as best he can with the right being stuck with his IV.
Rolling my eyes, I sigh, "Oh, come on now. It won't be bad. And it's better to be safe than sorry." I sit on the edge of his bed and grin, "I promise that I'll still be here by the time you get back." Unfolding his arms, his glare disappears along with his act. Pleased with my 'atonement' for my actions, he grabs the front of my scrubs shirt and pulls me down for another kiss just as I hear the door to the room open.
I'm a decent enough guy that I step away from the bed as to not give the nurses entering a fright when they pull the curtain back.
Going through their pleasant 'good morning's' and greetings, they wheel Heero's bed from the room for his CAT and other scans. For his part, he puts on a good face for his caretakers... meaning he is completely expressionless and I wave him off.
As soon as I am alone, I head out of the room. Knowing that I have a few minutes, I smile to myself as I remove a couple of plastic-wrapped cookies that I picked up in the cafeteria earlier for a special someone that could use something to cheer her up.
Making my way around the halls after getting a room number from the nurse's station, I lightly knock on the closed door that I have been searching for.
Slowly opening the door to peek inside, I am happy to find Rose awake and looking far better than she had the last time I saw her. At no shock to me, her first half of the room is already starting to fill up with vases of flowers from family and other agents alike. Few people have her kindness and bright personality.
There is a large bandage over her brow and she's a bit bruised, but her eyes light up when she sees me. "Duo," she gasps. "Well, to what do I owe the honor?"
"Just your smile," I smirk as I near her bed. Holding out the cookies in my hand, I snicker. "Thought you might like something besides the food they have to offer here."
Then comes on the smile that always brightens the day for us Preventers the moment we would walk through the front doors. With tears in her eyes and her face glowing, Rose looks up at me and breathes. "Thank you so much, Duo."
Bending at the waist, I kiss the top of her head and wink, "Don't mention it, doll." I turn on my heels and get ready to head back out when she clears her throat. My eyes blinking, I spin back to her side, only to gasp when she reaches out to take my left hand for an inspection of my wedding band.
Rose giggles and meets my eyes as she comments, "Good news travels fast, even in a hospital. Heero is a very lucky man."
Taken completely off guard by that, my cheeks burn. "Aw. Thanks," I snicker and shake my head. "But I'm really the lucky one." Waving as I move for the door again, I ask, "We'll be seeing that smile again soon, right?"
"Of course," she nods. "Wherever we end up after all of this."
Chuckling, I wink at her and push my way back out into the hall. Once I am alone again, I shake my head in amusement over that conversation.
And my cheeks are still burning.
* * * * * *
While waiting for Heero to return from his tests, Trowa arrived with a duffle bag of clothes that I gladly rushed off to change into. Comfortable as those scrubs were, nothing feels better to me than a pair of blue jeans and a plain, long-sleeved top like the white one I am wearing now. Appraising myself in the mirror, I really get a look at the dark circles under my eyes and my haphazard braid that I threw together in a rush last night.
Heero was right... I really do look like hell.
Not long after I returned from the mens' room in my fresh outfit, my husband was wheeled back into the room. Still looking a bit tired thanks to the meds they have slowly pumping through him, 'Ro at least appears comfortable after his ordeal, Since there is no longer a need to separate the room just yet, the nursing staff keeps the curtain pulled back when they step back out, leaving the three of us behind.
"So, what's the verdict?" I ask while sitting on the edge of his bed as Trowa takes the chair.
Heero shrugs, "No brain swelling, so they'll keep monitoring that for the rest of the day. But everything came back good." Letting out a sigh of relief, I run a hand through my bangs. Turning to face Trowa, my partner smirks and nods firmly, "Barton. Thanks for getting out here on such short notice."
Our tall friend smiles, "Quatre, Relena and I wouldn't be anywhere else right now. We'll all be taking our turns here while you're recovering so that someone..." he emphasizes that last word and looks at me with a raised eyebrow. "Doesn't wear himself down." Focusing on me, he removes and holds out a set of keys that I recognize instantly and informs, "Your car is parked in the first row of the emergency parking area. Go home and get some sleep."
My mouth opens to follow up with a protest when Heero's hand rests on my leg. Biting my lip, I face my husband's stern gaze. "No use arguing," he states, a tiny grin on his face that fades into an expression of concern. "You need rest, Duo. I'm going to be fine." Much as I want to fight it, I know it will be a losing battle right now with these two.
Sighing, I get to my feet and accept the keys before meeting my partner's eyes again. A wave of realization that I no longer need to be careful around anyone else has me breaking out in a wide smile as I step forward and bend down to kiss 'Ro on the mouth gently. When I pull back, his grin has returned and he nods in appreciation for the gesture.
When I turn back to face Trowa, his arms are folded behind his head as he smirks at us in amusement and my blush returns. Laughing at my face, he shakes his head, "You know, it's actually a natural thing to see the two of you like this, even if I had no idea you've been together in any facet. I just can't believe that you two beat me and Quatre to the altar!"
That is a hell of a thing, thinking about it. It apparently strikes a cord with Heero, too as he snickers along with me. Sitting up, Tro accepts my one-armed embrace and slaps my back with a friendly, "Get out of here." I nod and wave back at my partner before stepping out of the room, duffle bag strapped over my shoulder.
As soon as I step out of the hospital and into the bright light of the new morning, it really hits just how exhausted I am... emotionally and physically. Good thing it's not a long ride back home.
* * * * * *
Relena and Quatre are sitting together in the living room, talking quietly when I step back into my home. Instantly ending their discussion, they all but jump to their feet and hurry to greet me just as I set my bag down. Instantly, they start in with a string of questions about Heero that run on in a blur I can't quite make out over the screaming headache that's come on.
Wincing, I raise my hands to get them to quiet down and let me talk. "Heero's fine," I reassure with a small smirk tugging the corner of my mouth. "He woke up a couple of hours ago and his most recent tests came back fine." They both sigh as their tense shoulders sag in relief.
"And you are going to bed to sleep now, right?" 'Lena asks with a stern, 'mother-henning' look as she folds her arms.
I laugh, "If I can find the strength to move, yes." Reaching up to stretch my palm across my forehead, I sigh, "Need head meds first. My head is killing me right now." Before I even have to move, Quat is out of the room and seems to just appear seconds later with a couple aspirins and a glass of water that he holds out with a pleased smile over being helpful.
Downing the pills and every last drop in the cup, I hand it back to him with a quiet but sincere, "Thanks." Both of my friends grin at me as I move around and past them, mentally groaning over my sore muscles that had been overworked during the search and rescue.
Thank God the master bedroom is on the first floor. I would not be able to handle stairs right now.
Luckily, the pills work quickly to ease some of the pain in my head by the time I close the bedroom door, draw the heavy blue curtains over the window and start shedding my clothes. Getting down to my boxers, I collapse onto the mattress stomach first.
Eyes closed, I take in a deep breath to take in what lingering scent of Heero there is in the bedding still.
Wishing that he was actually here to hold me is the last conscious thought I have when I'm instantly pulled into a deep and much needed sleep.
* * * * * *
I have absolutely no idea how long I've been out as I am now coming to, but at least I can tell the rest was a peaceful one. Thankfully the nightmares decided to not plague me this time. Already, I feel more alert just waking than I have been in a while.
Rubbing my eyes, my vision focus enough and I find myself curled on my side facing Heero's half of the bed the way I would normally be if he were here. It's still a funny thing to me how the subconscious works when it is used to things being a certain way. Prior to being married, I would always sleep on my stomach or back in the days when I had a bed to myself.
As I look over at the clock on the table beside me, my eyes wide. 7:57 p.m. Jesus. I've been out for almost twelve hours!
Not wanting to be a rude host, I get myself out of bed and pull on a pair of socks, gray sweatpants and the white shirt that I dropped on the floor when I came in earlier. The second I leave the room, there's a pleasant smell of food in the air that makes makes my empty stomach clench and growl.
Stepping out into the hallway and around to the kitchen, I find Trowa, Quatre, Relena and Sally all gathered at the table. Just like every time I've found them together lately, they're involved in a quiet conversation until they see me.
Makes me wonder what they're all talking about... though I can make a couple of guesses on that with everything that's happened the last couple of days. There certainly would be a lot for them to talk about.
Blinking in surprise at the braided doctor, she smiles, "Wufei is taking his shift watching Heero. I hope you don't mind my coming unannounced, but I feel better not being alone."
I return her smile and walk up to hug her from the side. "Of course I don't mind. You're always welcome here," I respond. As she returns the hug, I whisper by her ear, "By the way, thank you for looking after me last night." Sal brightens all the more at that and winks when we pull away.
Relena has already left her seat to move to the stove where one of my large pots is sitting on a low flame. It's hard not to drool as I watch her remove the lid to make up a large bowlful of the stew inside. Taking my place at one of the heads of the table that has already been set, I grin widely when she sets the bowl before me along with a stack of crackers.
My hand shakes as I reach for my spoon from sheer hunger while I nod, "Thank you, 'Lena. It smells great."
Slipping back into her seat beside Sally, the Vice-Foreign Minister smirks, "A Darlin family recipe. You would be surprised how good I can be in the kitchen." 'And no kidding,' I think to myself as I am already delving in while staying as polite as I can. After just a few bites of the perfectly blended meats and vegetables, I'm making a mental note to get a copy of this recipe. Judging from the way Relena's smile is growing, she's more than happy I am enjoying the meal.
A lingering silence looms in the air when I look up to see that my four friends, the guys to my left and the girls to my right, are staring at me almost in anticipation. Swallowing the food that I have in my mouth, I frown, "What?"
Quatre is the first one to blurt out excitedly, "So what was it like?" Blushing, he smiles sheepishly, "The wedding, I mean? We've all been dying to find out." Bless their hearts. I can't help my loud laughter as my head falls back.
That answers what they were discussing earlier. Got it in one.
When I finally catch my breath, I notice their confused expressions and shrug, "I'd love to tell you, but neither of us has a damned clue. Like we said, we just woke up to find that we were wearing bands and a marriage certificate with our names on the table." I feel bad about not bringing up the DVD just yet, but I really don't want to get into my confusing feelings over debating whether to watch it or not.
Besides, if anyone of them knew that thing existed, they would be flying out of the room to put it on when I would rather it be myself and Heero that are the first to see it... at some point in our lifetime.
Swallowing roughly, I meet Winner's eyes and tell him, "I know you were the most hurt that we kept a secret like this from all of you, Quat, and Heero is just as sorry as I am for that."
A wide grin spreads on his face and he shrugs, "It's alright. I actually do understand your reasons for it." Smirking wickedly, he adds, "Besides, you're both going to make it up to me." When I blink surprise and worry over what he means by that, he states, "By letting me throw you both one hell of a reception party when all of this is over."
I let out a puff of air out that I had been holding as the group around me laughs. Snickering as I shake my head and come to one solid conclusion...
Heero and I have the absolute best friends a anyone could ask for.
TBC...
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