AN: Well, Kats and Kittens, I've decided to try a little 1x2 again. I haven't for quite some time, and I don't even think I have 1x2 on my site yet. So, here goes nothing, eh? Hope you guys like it. It's proving to be . . . challenging.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing. I do not own the characters of Gundam Wing.

Note: Takes place four years after Endless Waltz. Flashbacks are in //italics.//

Save Me, Rafael, My Archangel

Chapter One:

"It's been a week, Mr. Maxwell. He's shown no sign of progress."

The words filter through Duo's mind faintly, bringing him to only one conclusion: He has lost his husband.

//"Heero? You home?" Duo calls as he enters their loft. He clicks the lightswitch beside the door, but nothing happens, and a sinking feeling settles in his stomach.

"Heero?" He calls again, desperation lacing his tone. He enters the den to find it in complete disarray. Their leather couch has been torn to shreds, books are scattered everywhere with their pages lying about in crumpled heaps, and the glass coffee table has been shattered, pieces crunching beneath his boots as he slowly makes his way through the room.

Suddenly, the sound of labored breathing reaches his ears, and a frantic movement from the corner catches his eye. He squints into the darkness and nearly stumbles as his knees weaken. Heero sits huddled on the floor, his knees drawn up and his fingers clenching his hair. His chest shudders with every breath, and he rocks back and forth rythmically, his lips trembling slightly.

"Oh my God! Heero!" Duo rushes towards the man, leaning down in front of him and gently grasping his forearms. "Hee-"

A horrible, screeching noise comes from Heero's mouth, and he pulls away from the braided man, attempting to burrow even further into the corner. Duo blinks in confusion and surprise, turning his hands over to find a sticky, red liquid coating his palms and fingers.

"Holy shit," he breathes as tears spring to his eyes. "Heero, wh-what happened? Who did this?"

"People," Heero whispers, his eyes growing wide. "People, so many people!"

"What people, baby? Who did this to you?" Duo tries to place a hand behind the other's head, but Heero only flinches away from his touch, whimpering.

"So many faces. So many bloody, lifeless faces." The babbling continues. "Sleeping in rubble forever, in puddles of red. Wake them up, Duo. Wake them up!"

"Shh, honey, I'm gonna make this all better. Don't worry. Everything's going to be fine." Duo's cheeks glisten as tears stream from his eyes, and he stands, pulling his cellphone out. He sniffles, wiping his eyes to better see the buttons and dials the only number that comes to mind.

"Preventer headquarters," a cheerful voice answers. "How may I direct your call?"

"This is Major Duo Maxwell, code: 011797. I have an injured officer, and I need an ambulance and Major Chang deployed to my apartment asap."

"Yes, Major. I'll notify them immediately."

0 o 0 o 0

Wufei sighs, approaching Duo with an averted gaze as he rubs one of his temples.

"Well?" The braided man asks impatiently, his arms crossed. He shifts restlessly from one foot to the other. It has been nearly half an hour since the medical team and Duo's Preventer partner had arrived, and Duo has waited anxiously for Wufei to finish his search so that he can go to the hospital.

Wufei takes a breath before starting his analysis, "There was no sign of forced entry, and, as you said, the door was locked when you came home, so I'm guessing the intruder either climbed up and down seven stories . . . or there wasn't an intruder at all."

"What are you saying? That Heero could have done this?" Duo demands incredulously.

"Did he say anything to you? Anything at all?"

"No! . . Yes! . . God, he started babbling about people and bloody faces. Something about sleeping in rubble. None of it made any sense." Wufei nods, remaining silent for a moment. " 'Fei . . . Please, tell me what's going on with my husband."

The Chinese man stares at him hard, replying, "I spoke with the paramedics before they left. The cuts on Heero's arms appeared to be in an organized pattern, something known as 'box cutting.' "

"Wh-What are you saying?" Duo repeats his earlier statement, his arms dropping to his side as he takes a step back.

"The wounds were self-inflicted, Duo," Wufei says firmly, taking a step towards him and making sure to keep eye contact. He knows that he is losing his friend, and if he doesn't ground him soon, he might not be able to get him back. "Heero-"

"No!" Duo turns, heading into the den, where the mess still lies and beginning to pace. "You're wrong. He couldn't have. He wouldn't."

He notices the corner where Heero lay curled in on himself -- the carpet is soaked in blood, and a large piece of glass sits nearby, the jagged edge coated crimson. Tears seep down his cheeks as he digs the heels of his palms into his eyelids and falls to his knees.//

"Mr. Maxwell?" The doctor's voice pulls him from his thoughts, and he turns to a large window, crossing his arms and looking out at the city below.

"Sorry. You were saying?" He replies softly, dazedly.

The doctor sighs sadly, clutching his clipboard to his chest and saying, "We're going to have to admit your husband to the Haeman Asylum. It's an institute for-"

"I know what it is," Duo interrupts, his gaze and position never shifting.

"You'll have to sign some consent forms."

"Of course."

There is a long silence before the doctor speaks again, his tone awkward yet practiced, as if he says the words all the time but still isn't quite used to them.

"We'll try to make the transition as smooth as possible. I'm very sorry, Mr. Maxwell."

"Yea. Me too," Duo states flatly.

0 o 0 o 0

"Wufei!" Quatre's face lights up, his lips spreading in a warm smile. "Come in, please." He steps back, allowing the Chinese man entrance to the Winner-Barton home.

"Quatre," Wufei nods as soon as he is inside. "I apologize for showing up out of the blue. I hope it's not an inconvenience."

"Not at all. Trowa and I were just discussing coming to visit. Were Duo and Heero unable to join you?"

"Actually, that's why I'm here," Wufei replies quietly, looking to the blonde man sadly.

"What's happened?" Trowa asks from the staircase, quickly making his way down towards them.

"It's Heero," Wufei sighs, shifting awkwardly as he clasps his hands behind his back. "Something's . . . developed."

AN: Comments? Questions? Vague disregard to any or all words written and established in the mind of one who has no sanity?

Feedback is muy appreciated, Kats and Kittens. Hope it's not too boring so far . . . Eh? Later, Gators! Have a wondrous day/afternoon/evening. :)