Boot Camp Part 33
Stalling for Time
Trowa was ready to leave for the visitor center long before it was time, and even Heero noticed his almost palpable nervousness.
"Shit, Barton, stop fidgeting. Nothing's gonna go wrong this late in the game," asserted the team leader.
"He's right," Quatre agreed. "Allah, but you're a nervous wreck." He frowned slightly as he said it, noticing that his friend's level of apprehension was disproportionate to the situation. "Is this because you're worried about Duo, too?"
"I'm worried about everything!" Trowa snapped. "If Catherine's delayed, if K. changes his mind, if Nanashi does something wrong..." If the L2 bus comes and goes before visiting hours even start...He shook his head. "I fucking hate this!"
"None of us are exactly happy right now," Heero said dryly, frowning as he tried to figure out what elusive clue he'd overlooked in trying to clear Duo.
"I'm going to the kennels," Trowa said abruptly. "At least if I wait there, I won't go stir-crazy. This building is just too...cramped."
"Want me to come?" Quatre asked.
"Not today," Trowa said, managing an apologetic glance. "I don't want you around that bastard K."
Heero raised an eyebrow at that. "What happened to him being your pal, Barton?"
Trowa turned sharply. "He's nobody's fucking 'pal,' Yuy! Least of all mine!"
Blinking in surprise, the team leader eyed the auburn-haired boy suspiciously. "Did he say something, Barton? Something about setting Duo up?"
"He almost put Nanashi to sleep," Trowa said curtly, trying to sidestep the issue. "That's reason enough to hate him." He turned his back, running a hand through his hair. "If I hadn't tried so hard for the adoption, he'd have killed him without a second thought."
"Is that why you were so upset after you spoke to him the other day?" Quatre asked gently. "He said something about that, didn't he?"
"Look...I have to go now," Trowa said flatly, walking out of the barracks before either of his teammates could pry any further.
Quatre frowned. The sense of fear in Trowa was overlaid with another emotion he couldn't quite pin down. But it was familiar...like he'd felt it before, and it didn't seem to fit the situation. It was almost like...
"The knife!" Heero blurted suddenly, eyes flying wide. "Fuck! It was right under our noses the whole time!"
"What was?"
"The way to prove Duo's innocent!" Heero hastily grabbed for a clean shirt and ran to the bathroom to wash up and change.
"Wait! What?" Quatre called after him, following him to the door. "How are you going to prove Duo's innocent? And is there time?"
"You'll see, and yes!" came the swift reply. Seconds later, Heero flung the door open and stalked out. "I'm going to see Chang. I need you to round up a couple of Jason's teammates and head for the compound. If you see the fucking prison transport bus, find a way to disable it! Don't let them take Duo until I see Chang!"
"Disable it?" Quatre gaped in astonishment. "Keep them from taking Duo? How? What are you talking about?"
"Do it, Quatre." Heero grabbed him by both shoulders, gazing intently into the aquamarine eyes. "You are a superb strategist. Find a way to delay the bus." A flicker of uncertainty crossed the team leader's face. "I'm not positive I'm right. God help us all if I'm wrong. But I swear, if I can't prove he's innocent, I'm gonna help him escape!"
"Heero!" Quatre watched in dismay as the Japanese boy dashed from the building. "What the--?" He looked around blankly, and then his eyes widened. "Shit, Winner...stop standing around and get to work!" He yanked his boots on, and headed for Team Clip's barracks to carry out Heero's instructions.
~*~
Trowa was clipping the leash onto Nanashi's collar when Kushrenada strolled into the kennels, humming to himself.
"Lovely day, Barton. Are you looking forward to seeing your sister?" asked the warden, his expression smug.
Trowa looked up at him sullenly. "Cut the shit, K. I did what you wanted, and once Catherine takes the dog, you and I are through. So don't pretend we're pals."
The tawny eyes narrowed, though the smirk remained on the man's lips. "If that's how you want it." He shrugged one elegant shoulder. "The bus for L2 just pulled in. I expect to be rid of Maxwell by the time visiting hours end."
The dismay must have shown on Trowa's face, for the warden smiled coldly. "You didn't think I was stupid enough to let you have the dog before I'm sure of Maxwell's fate, did you?"
"Of course not," Trowa said through gritted teeth. As he led the dog out of the pen, Nanashi stopped, a low growl rumbling in his chest. The dog's eyes were on Kushrenada, and for the first time ever Nanashi bared his teeth, fixing the man with a menacing glare. "Stand down," Trowa murmured quietly, running a soothing hand down the dog's back. It wouldn't do for the shepherd to show aggression at this late hour, and ruin the adoption. The green-eyed boy looked at the warden with a slight smirk. "The dog's an excellent judge of character." He brushed past the man, leading Nanashi out of the kennel and into the exercise yard, breathing a small sigh.
~*~
Quatre was almost to Team Clip's barracks when he found his way blocked, by none other than Kyle Norton.
"You're in a big hurry, blondie," sneered the other team leader. "Where are you off to, all by your lonesome?"
"I don't have time for this," Quatre said flatly, glaring at the boy.
"Aw, make time," Kyle suggested. His gaze was predatory, and he glanced past Quatre with smug satisfaction. "Looks like you don't have your pretty roommate or your tough-guy team leader to back you up."
The blonde made a quick decision, and with no more warning, he punched Kyle squarely in the nose, knocking him to the ground half-senseless. "I told you," he ground out in irritation. "I don't have time!" Then he sprinted off to resume his mission.
He made it to Team Clip's barracks in record time, and pounded on the door. Ben opened it, his face registering complete surprise. "What's up?"
"Heero sent me. He's gone to prove to Chang that Duo's innocent, but we need to make sure the prison bus doesn't leave in the meantime!"
"We're in!" Ben said quickly, turning to his teammates and filling them in on the situation.
Moments later, the four boys were near the compound, watching the driver and a couple of guards hanging out around the bus.
"What's the plan, Winner?" Ben asked, casually leaning on a building as if enjoying the warm sunshine.
Quatre leaned next to him. "Well...I thought about it while I was on the way to get you. A flat tire won't slow them down enough. But, if you can get me in close enough to slide underneath, I think I can make a hole in the oil pan."
"With what?" hissed Adam under his breath, standing on Quatre's other side, and scanning the area for sentries.
"Um...that's the tricky part," Quatre muttered, eyeing the tool shed appraisingly. "I need something sharp and metal...like a screwdriver or awl."
Ben smiled slowly. "I can take care of that," he said smugly, slipping what looked like a regular pen from his pocket. "This was Jason's. He gave it to me after we started feuding with Kyle's team...for protection. Looks like a pen, but when you unscrew it..." He did just that, revealing a sharp metal spike. At Quatre's raised eyebrow, he shrugged. "He said something about it being an old L2 trick."
"I don't care whose trick it is, as long as it buys the time Duo needs," Quatre sighed, taking the tool gratefully.
"I think Jase'd like that," Ben grinned.
"Okay...now for that distraction," Quatre suggested.
"Got it covered," said Adam, walking over and whispering something to Ben.
The other boy looked askance at him. "You kidding?"
"Naw. C'mon...it'll work."
"I know, but..."
"It won't be any worse for you than it is for me," Adam insisted, grimacing slightly.
Ben sighed, shaking his head. "I s'pose it's what Jase would want us to do."
Adam grinned. "Now you're talking." He grabbed Ben's hand. "C'mon, lover-boy," he said with a wink. "Let's go put on a show."
Quatre eyed them questioningly. "Are you two--?"
Ben shook his head. "Not at all...but we'll do whatever it takes to help you out."
"Wow," Quatre breathed in awe. "You guys are true friends."
"Jase was a hell of a leader...and he'd want us to help Duo any way we can," shrugged the other boy. "Let's go, Adam."
Soon the guards were so busy watching two good-looking young boys 'making out' in the shadows between two buildings that they completely forgot about the bus. Instead, they edged closer, angling for a better view as Adam slid the hem of Ben's shirt up and started kissing his way up the other boy's stomach to his chest.
Quatre had no trouble slipping over to the bus unseen, and skulking along underneath until he came to the oil pan and punched enough holes in it to ensure that not a drop remained inside. While a flat tire could delay the bus an hour, a punctured oil pan would require a trip to town for a replacement, assuming one could even be found. And then there'd be the time required for installation.
"Mission accomplished!" Quatre said triumphantly, working his way back out from under the bus, and then dashing for cover.
~*~
Heero found Wufei sitting at his desk, scowling at the pile of rope and tools on it.
"Those things talk to you yet?" asked the blue-eyed boy, giving a wry smile.
"I wish," shrugged the Chinese man. He looked up apologetically. "I'm sorry, Heero. I've failed you, and I've failed Maxwell." He shook his head in defeat.
"Maybe you just need a fresh set of eyes," Heero suggested, trying to conceal his elation. "May I?"
"Sure...take a look."
Heero walked over and picked up the rope, sliding the length through his hands until he came to the break. "Hmm. Looks like it was cut nearly through...but not quite all the way..." He ran a finger over the strands, his eyes lighting up when he found what he'd expected. "I stand corrected...it was sawn through...by a fairly dull blade at that."
"And that matters why?" came the discouraged response.
"Where's the knife from the survival kit?" Heero asked, shuffling through the pile on the desk. "Duo's knife."
Wufei pulled out the weapon, handing it to the leader of Team Wing. "Here. But I don't know what you hope to find. The only prints belonged to Maxwell and you, and the knives in all the kits are identical. Even if someone else cut the rope, it would look the same."
"Not necessarily," Heero said, opening the jackknife, and running a thumb crosswise on the blade. "Aha!"
"What?" demanded Wufei.
Heero grinned triumphantly, handing the blade to the Captain. "Duo went on a rant about the 'dull, piece of shit' knives they gave us! Wufei...he sharpened it!"
Captain Chang took the weapon and examined the blade closely, even testing it on a piece of paper to ascertain its edge. "By the Gods, you're right!" He picked up the rope and bent it double, hooking the blade into the loop. With a single strong pull, he sliced cleanly through it. "A perfect cut." He made a second loop, this time sawing carefully until it was almost severed. "And again," he sighed, "a clean cut across the fibers."
"This knife didn't cut that rope," Heero said firmly. He looked up at Wufei with desperate hope. "How soon can you get Duo out of solitary?"
The Chinese man winced. "Crap...poor kid!" He rummaged through a drawer until he found a form. "I'll fill out the paperwork right now, Yuy." A slight frown creased his forehead. "I'm going to make a call to Merquise as well; I have an idea that the warden might offer resistance. I'll need a bit of leverage that I think my superior can obtain; leverage Kushrenada can't refuse. With any luck, if Treize doesn't hide from me this afternoon, I can have Maxwell out in time for supper." He glanced up with a trace of panic in the dark eyes. "Oh, shit...unless the bus has already come!"
"Got it covered," Heero said with a cocky smirk. "It may have arrived, but it won't leave if Winner did his job."
Wufei raised an eyebrow. "And how would he--? Ah never mind. We'll talk later." He gestured Heero to leave, and started frantically filling out forms and dialing up the vid phone.
With a triumphant grin, Heero strolled out of the office and headed for the barracks. As he crossed the compound, he glanced curiously at Norton, who was headed for the infirmary with both hands over a bloody nose. "Wow...this day keeps getting better and better," said the team leader, allowing a broad, relieved smile to spread across his face.
~*~
Trowa stood in the visitor center's private room with Kushrenada leaning in the corner watching as Catherine walked in.
"Trowa!" she said warmly, hugging her brother in greeting. She pushed him to arm's length, looking at his haggard face with concern. "You look awful. Is everything all right?"
"Fine," he said somberly. "It will be," he added.
Nanashi pranced around the girl, tail wagging furiously, and she bent to scratch his ears. "He's lovely, Trowa. And so smart. We'll have no trouble teaching him tricks so he can be part of the show."
He managed a wan smile. "Wish I could be there to help...but...it might be awhile."
"That's okay," she assured him, her sharp eyes studying his face with concern. "We'll be waiting when you get out."
The warden cleared his throat, glancing at his watch. He wanted to be there when Maxwell was hauled to the bus...to see the little punk leave for good.
"Uh, yeah. I gotta go." Trowa's hands were shaking as he gave the leash to Catherine. "Take him home...and make sure you keep him under close watch." He leaned in to give his sister a hug, and whispered into her ear. "Hide him. If the warden ever tries to contact you, say he died. Promise!"
She pulled back, with a puzzled look, but nodded. "I promise."
"His life depends on you," Trowa said quietly.
"I'll take good care of him, Trowa...love you." She turned and led the big dog out of the visitor center.
Trowa sighed, not looking at the warden as he turned and left. It was all he could do to keep from breaking into a run when he saw the bus in the yard between the visitor center and the orientation building. But he kept his pace to a brisk walk, glancing back to see a group of guards gathered around it, looking underneath at a dark stain on the dirt, and talking excitedly.
There's still time! If only Chang can be convinced of the truth!
Then Trowa did break into a jog, his stomach twisted in knots at the prospect of confessing what he'd done. They'd never forgive him. And he was most afraid of the look he'd see in Quatre's eyes when he told the truth. The blonde boy would hate him for what he'd done to his best friend. Hell, he hated himself! Why shouldn't the others?
When he burst through the door of the barracks, out of breath and red-faced from running, he found Heero, Quatre, and the three boys from Team Clip whooping and cheering victoriously. What the fuck?
"He did it, Trowa!" Quatre sang out, running to crush the auburn-haired boy in a jubilant hug. "Heero figured out how to save Duo! He's not going to L2!"
Trowa's jaw dropped. "But...how? When?"
Quatre laughed delightedly, looking up at Trowa with shining eyes. "First, tell me how it went with Nanashi."
"Fine," Trowa blurted, allowing the blonde to drag him over to sit on one of the bunks. "Quatre...how did Yuy prove Duo's innocent?" He needed to know, and he needed to know now.
"The knife," Quatre said, as if that explained it all. "Duo sharpened the knife in the survival kit. I went with him when he did it."
"And how did that clear him?"
Heero walked over with an irrepressible smile on his usually stoic face. "The rope was sawed through by a dull knife, Barton. It had to be some other team that sabotaged us...not Duo."
Trowa leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes in relief. "Thank God," he sighed wearily. He listened to the excited voices, exchanging stories of how they'd distracted the guards, delayed the bus, and ensured that Duo wouldn't be whisked away before Heero showed Chang the exculpatory evidence. And when he drifted off to sleep for the first time in days, Quatre eased his head onto a pillow and tossed a blanket over him, before curling up himself to catch a much-overdue nap.
~*~
Wufei spent the better part of the afternoon consulting with Major Merquise, and faxing documents back and forth. When he felt he'd assembled all the necessary material, he headed for Kushrenada's office, only to find that the warden had accompanied one of the maintenance workers to town for the bus parts. And again, no one was willing to allow the Captain access to the solitary confinement area without Kushrenada's permission.
When Chang realized why the bus was still in the compound, he couldn't help the smug grin that touched his lips. Damn, but Heero had a resourceful bunch of teammates...and they'd make incredible mobile suit pilots. The officer decided he could afford a few minutes to grab some supper, and then he settled in to wait for Kushrenada's return.
~*~
It was nearly nightfall before the warden got back from town, and while the mechanic started working on the bus, Kushrenada headed for his office to enjoy a special supper he'd planned as a celebration for the day he got rid of Duo Maxwell.
Wufei finally found the warden eating supper at his desk, a glass of wine at hand, and a fine cigar smoldering in a nearby ashtray. He looked like a fat, contented cat that had recently eaten a very tasty canary.
Hmm, looks like roast pheasant... Wufei smiled to himself, looking forward to ruining the lovely meal. "Ah, sorry to interrupt your meal," he lied calmly, his tone anything but apologetic.
"No problem, Chang," said Kushrenada, waving a hand in a dismissive gesture. "Quite all right. As a matter of fact, I was going to come see you after I finished." He gave the Captain a narrow look. "Some of your so-called 'recruits' appear to have vandalized the transport bus. They found ten punctures in the oil pan." He scowled at the recollection. "I wasted my afternoon driving to town for a replacement."
"Well, that's a shame," Wufei shrugged, trying not to smirk. Bless Team Wing!
"Fortunately, the parts store had one that will fit, and the bus should be up and running within the hour." He wagged a finger scoldingly. "I suggest you increase your supervision of those miscreants. We don't want another incident like the river crossing."
"I can assure you, we won't have one," Wufei said coolly.
Kushrenada leaned back in his chair. "That's good to hear." He looked curiously at the MSC officer, wondering about the purpose of the visit. But nothing could ruin his good mood, or so he thought. "What can I do for you, Chang?"
"As a matter of fact, you can cancel the bus and the L2 shuttle for Maxwell, and let me take him back to Team Wing's barracks."
Kushrenada's gaze darkened, and the smile faded from his lips. "Your sense of humor leaves a lot to be desired."
"I'm quite serious," Wufei said firmly. "Maxwell did not cut the rope."
The warden placed both hands flat on the table, rising to his feet, and leaning forward with a glare. "I beg to differ, Chang. He was the only one with access to both the rope, and a knife."
"So it appeared," Wufei acknowledged. "But the knife he had access to could not have been the same one that cut the rope."
"The hell you say!"
"It was brought to my attention that the knife in Maxwell's survival kit had been sharpened." Wufei gave a feral smile. "Apparently the boy has no patience with dull blades."
"And how does that affect his guilt in this matter?"
"The rope was cut by a dull blade--sawn through, in fact."
"How the hell do you know that?"
"I compared cuts using the knife in Team Wing's kit and one from a spare." Wufei shook his head. "Maxwell is completely guiltless in this matter."
Kushrenada slammed the flat of a hand on the desk, making the dishes jump and rattle. "It's too late, Chang! I ordered the shuttle--cut the paperwork--it's out of my hands!" His tawny eyes gleamed with angry triumph.
"You're very correct," Wufei said in startling concurrence. He placed a document on Kushrenada's desk. "I already contacted my superiors, who contacted your superiors. They faxed over this paperwork, placing Maxwell's disposition entirely in my hands." Onyx eyes bored deeply into the tawny ones. "From now on, any determination of his fate is at my sole discretion."
"You can't do that!"
"I already did." Captain Chang gave the warden a withering look. "When I found out that the murder you're so determined to pin on Maxwell was your brother's, I discussed it with my commanding officer, Major Zechs Merquise. He agreed that it brought into question your objectivity, and so he arranged for your superiors to transfer Maxwell's supervision during incarceration to me."
Kushrenada picked up the papers with a less than steady hand. "This can't be--!"
"I assure you, it is." Wufei stood ramrod straight. "Furthermore, you'll note that if at any time I question your handling of any of my recruits, I can supersede your orders, even to the point of directly countermanding them." He gave a grim smile. "Would you be so kind as to have someone show me to 'solitary confinement'? I'd like to have Maxwell back to his team by lights out."
Kushrenada was staring at the documents, his eyebrows drawn together in a scowl. "Over near the generator building," he said absently. "The cinderblock structure inside the chain link enclosure."
"You may keep those copies for your records," Wufei said, holding back a triumphant grin with difficulty. "I have several more." He turned on his heel and left, keeping his pace steady, his steps measured, as he resisted the impulse to dash across the compound.
When he saw the small, bleak building that looked more like a bomb shelter than living quarters, the urge to rush to the rescue only increased. But he kept himself contained, controlled, as he showed his paperwork to the gate guard and was allowed in.
Duo didn't bother looking up as the door to his cell swung open. He was sitting in the corner, dirty, disheveled, and sullen, his knees pulled up to his chest, and his face buried in them.
"Fuck off," he muttered, edging deeper into the shadowy space between the toilet and the corner.
"Maxwell?" Wufei's voice rose in surprise as he looked around the tiny cell. It was all of eight feet square, with cinder block walls and a cement floor and ceiling. There was no light, aside from that which filtered in from the door. There was no bed, either, just a wool blanket, which the boy had wrapped himself in. Aside from the toilet, which had no water supply, but a bucket to be dumped out daily, the room was empty. "Good God!" Wufei exploded, turning to glare at the guard who'd let him in. "This is inhuman! How dare you keep a man in these conditions...a juvenile at that!"
"Sorry, sir," mumbled the guard, shrugging. "Solitary wasn't designed for juvies. It was meant to hold someone too dangerous to stay in general population. Couldn't have anything in there that could be used as a weapon."
Wufei crossed to Duo's side, kneeling beside the boy. "Come on, Maxwell. Let's get you out of here."
Duo pulled the blanket tighter. "Leave me the hell alone," he mumbled. "The transport to L2 will be here soon enough."
"The transport's not coming," Wufei told him. "You've been cleared of cutting the rope."
The boy flinched at that, finally peering up over the edge of the blanket. "No shit," he muttered bitterly. "I told you I didn't do it."
"I know," Wufei conceded. "But you have to admit, the evidence seemed to point to you."
"Fuck you. I don't have to admit nothin'," Duo snarled.
Wufei sighed. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you," he gritted out between clenched teeth, convinced that nothing short of an apology would move the stubborn boy. "Now come on." He grabbed Duo's arm, trying to pull him from the corner.
The boy hissed in pain, jerking back, and when he raised an angry face, Wufei saw the bruises on it.
"What--?" The dark eyes narrowed in anger. "Who did that to you?"
The guard had been hovering at the door, and hastily spoke up. "Hey, the kid got unruly when the night shift guy tried to empty the commode. Warden K. already investigated..."
Wufei turned on him, rising and glaring daggers at the hapless man. "He did, did he? Would you care to tell me what his investigation revealed?"
"The guard only did what was necessary to subdue--" The man stopped as Wufei cut him off sharply.
"How did a full-grown man find it necessary to beat a skinny kid half to death to subdue him?" the soldier asked in astonishment. "For Christ's sake, he's still in handcuffs!"
"Uh--those were the orders. 'The kid's dangerous; the cuffs stay on.'"
"Give me the keys...now!" Wufei quickly removed the handcuffs, tossing them aside. "Barbaric idiots!"
Duo looked up at him with narrowed eyes. "Why bother, Chang? You know the warden will just have me back here first chance he gets."
"Can you stand up?" demanded the soldier.
The boy dropped his gaze to the floor, shaking his head slightly.
Wufei turned to the guard. "Go get the physician in here...now!"
"But we need Warden Kushrenada's okay to...um...yes, sir." The guard's protest had been stilled by a single deadly look from the dark eyes, and he fled the cell block gratefully.
"I'm so sorry," Wufei said with genuine regret, kneeling beside Duo again. "I had no idea the conditions..." He rubbed gently, soothingly, on the bruised wrists.
Duo kept his face turned away, the man's sympathy bringing him closer to tears than he'd ever admit. Closer than being thrown in solitary had done. Closer than the guard's brutality. Closer than his teammates' believing he'd done what he was accused of. He swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice from cracking. "How'd you decide I didn't do it?"
"Yuy showed me the knife you'd sharpened...he pointed out that the rope had been sawed by a dull blade."
"Heero did that?" Duo asked incredulously. "But--I thought. I mean, he acted like he thought I was guilty."
"For a moment, he probably did," Wufei explained quietly, settling on the floor beside the youth. "But by the time you were in the jeep, he was insisting you were innocent." He reached over and took hold of Duo's chin, forcing him to face him. "Now, exactly how bad are your injuries? And don't bullshit me, Maxwell."
"I dunno," sighed the braided boy. "Nothing's broken, I guess."
"Exactly what did the guard do?"
"Mostly he punched the living shit out of me," Duo shrugged, indigo eyes half-lidded as he deliberately tried to avoid the Captain's gaze.
"Mostly..." echoed Wufei, able to fill in the blanks himself, though he wished he wasn't. He gritted his teeth. "Dishonorable bastard."
"Don't worry," Duo muttered, his voice edged with bitterness. "I'll still be able to finish the competition."
"That's not the important thing..."
"Of course it is," Duo shot back, finally looking squarely at Wufei. "You wouldn't be here apologizing if you didn't need me on Heero's team to help them win...so you can have your precious Heero Yuy at your goddamned military school." He pulled away, looking towards the wall. "Don't pretend you give a rat's ass about me."
Wufei studied the young man before him with an appraising look. "I didn't, at first," he confessed quietly.
Duo made a snide sound, shaking his head.
"I was wrong," Wufei insisted. "I've known Heero for a long time, and I want this opportunity for him...so I was very concerned about the people they teamed him with."
"And you thought I'd screw up...on purpose."
"You said you didn't care about going to the Academy," Wufei reminded him.
"An' I don't," Duo shot back. He glared at the young Captain. "But I sure as hell wouldn't deliberately ruin Heero's chance at it." His indigo eyes narrowed. "An' I don't lie."
"I believe you," Wufei said quietly, frowning at the boy. "Again, I'm sorry for doubting you."
Duo looked away uncomfortably. "Jus' don't do it again."
At that moment, Dr. Po came in, carrying her medical bag and wearing a scowl. Her hair was soaking wet, dripping down the back of her shirt. "What's the emergency, Chang? And it better be good to get me out of the--oh, my God!" She halted just inside the door, her gaze making a quick survey of the gloomy cell, ending at Wufei and the blanket-wrapped boy. "What happened to him?" Not waiting for the Captain's reply, she rushed to Duo's side, kneeling and taking the boy's chin in a firm grip, surveying the bruised face with horror.
"Apparently," Wufei drawled coolly, "a guard felt justified in beating this 'dangerous felon' half to death, Doctor." He glanced aside at the woman. "Please be thorough in your examination, and in documenting this."
"Rest assured," she snarled through gritted teeth. "I will."
Wufei nodded. They understood one another. He stood back and watched the doctor conduct a preliminary exam, shining a light in Duo's eyes to check for a concussion, and gently flexing arms and legs to check for broken bones. When she got as far as his rib cage, he winced involuntarily, and she focused her attention on the possibility of internal injuries.
"Duo--" she said gently, brushing the bangs away from his dark blue eyes. "I'm going to send for a stretcher, okay? We need to get you to the infirmary for proper care, and further tests."
"I c'n walk," he muttered weakly, trying to lean an elbow on the toilet to gain leverage and get up.
"I'd rather you didn't," she urged. "We don't know what internal damage there might be. You need to keep still."
He gave her a dark look and a strained smile. "Lady, I've had worse. Honest. If you an' the Captain there get me on my feet, I think I can stagger over to the infirmary with you."
Sally looked uncertainly at Wufei, who shrugged and walked back over. "Let him try."
Between them they hauled the young man to his feet, and to his credit, he didn't let a sound pass his lips. Only the sheen of sweat on his upper lip and forehead gave away the extent of his pain, as he allowed Wufei to slip his arm across his shoulders for support. With the doctor supporting his other side, Duo staggered slowly along, out of the bleak cell and across the compound towards the infirmary.
Although it was well after curfew, curious faces were pressed to windows watching the unlikely threesome make their way across the yard to the med center.
Heero cursed under his breath, turning away from the window to see Quatre and Trowa's worried faces mirroring his own concern.
"What happened to him?" Quatre murmured.
"The guards probably decided he was fair game, since he was being shipped off to L2," Trowa said frankly, turning his back and walking over to his bunk. And it's all my fault! I should be the one out there.
"But..." Quatre turned a beseeching look on Heero. "How could they? This is only supposed to be a juvenile facility. Why would they hurt a kid?"
Heero had turned away, only the tautness of his shoulders betraying his fury. "Let it go, Quatre," he said quietly. "We'll deal with it after Duo gets back here."
"But...if he's really hurt, won't they send him off to a hospital?"
"They'll try, if he lets them," Trowa shrugged.
"He won't," Heero said with certainty. He'd only known Duo a few weeks, but he knew the boy's stubbornness rivaled his own. The last thing he'd want to do would be to admit he was beaten.
Quatre glared out the window again, determination creeping into the blue eyes. "Alright 01...what's our plan?"
"Plan?"
"Once we get Duo back...how are we going to pay back the bastard who set him up, and win the damned competition?"
Heero gave the young blonde a startled look, and then glanced at Trowa, to see the same surprise reflected in the green eyes. Then the young Japanese man's imperturbable mask returned, except for the faint suggestion of a smirk on the corner of his lips. "Don't worry, 04...we'll come up with something.
~*~
Wufei had no particular desire to stop by Team Wing's barracks, but he knew they expected Duo back that evening, and he had to tell them it wouldn't be happening.
The three boys were waiting for him, seated on their bunks and watching the door. So when it opened, the Chinese officer found himself facing three sets of searching eyes.
"I suppose you saw us cross the compound," he sighed, walking over to sit on the edge of the desk.
"What the hell happened to him, Chang?" Heero asked sharply.
"According to the guard on duty, he got unruly last evening, and had to be...subdued," Wufei said evenly.
"Bullshit!" Heero spat coldly.
"I know, Yuy. I know." Wufei shrugged slightly. "Until Doctor Po finishes her exam, I won't know how bad his injuries are, or when he might be able to rejoin your team."
"Might?" Quatre said with concern. "Does that mean he might not?"
Again the Captain shrugged. "It's a possibility...but not one I'd give serious consideration to." He gave a wan smile. "He's a tough kid. And he wants to be back here. He said he'll be able to finish the competition. If the doctor agrees, I'll allow it."
"And if she doesn't?" asked Trowa quietly.
"Then he'd be sent to a hospital, treated, and released on probation most likely."
"Back to the streets of L2?" Quatre said sadly.
"Foster care, until he turns eighteen, which is still a few months away," Wufei explained.
"Yeah. In other words, back to the streets," Trowa translated. "You ever read the statistics on kids Maxwell's age in foster homes, Captain? They don't stay."
"I know," sighed the officer. "Look, I'm just trying to be honest with you. Winner asked...I answered. But I think it'll be a moot point, because I don't think there's any way Maxwell could be dissuaded from returning to this team. It means a great deal to him."
Heero eyed Wufei questioningly. "He said that?"
"Yes, he did. His every action said it, even if his words didn't," Wufei said somberly. "I expect him to be in the infirmary for the next few days. Maybe he can return to the barracks by the weekend, if all goes well."
"Could we visit him between now and then?" Quatre asked.
"I'll check with the doctor. I can't make any promises."
"At least, tell him we'll be looking forward to having him back," Quatre said earnestly. "Please, tell him."
"I promise, I will," replied the officer. "I'll be checking up on him in the morning." He gave a brief, feral smile. "Right now I have to go see Kushrenada about how juvenile inmates are treated. And, knowing him, he'll try to make himself scarce before I get there. So, if you'll excuse me--?"
They stood and watched him go, before turning worried looks to one another.
"You were right, Barton," said Heero, walking over to look out the window in the direction of the infirmary. "Fair game."
"I wish I wasn't," sighed the auburn-haired boy, wanting to crawl into a hole somewhere and die for his part in what had happened. "I'm gonna turn in now," he added, pulling off his shirt and tossing it onto the floor. He climbed up on his bunk, rolling so he faced the wall, and running a hand across his stinging eyes.
TBC...
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