Disclaimer: I claim no ownership over the characters, just the demons inside my head that made me post this.
A Part Of Me
Chapter 2
"Commander Chang! Commander Chang!"
Wufei could hear the voice calling out to him, but it sounded far away and everything had already gone black. The last thing he saw was one of his subordinates going wide-eyed and gesturing wildly as several shots of searing white hot hit him in the back.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Heavy eyelids fought to open fully and Wufei felt his mind coming back online, but the haze was stubborn. I feel…..weak, heavy, yet…..hollow. Finally, Wufei managed to open his eyes enough to see a be-speckled man in a white coat with a warm smile. He couldn't recall ever seeing the man before. The last thing I remember is……Rico….he was trying to tell me something. He looked terrified.
"Mr. Chang? Are you cognizant?"
Wufei nodded his head and felt like everything was moving in slow motion. Am I drugged?
"Good. My name is Doctor Zigler. I'm glad to see you're finally awake. Hope you enjoyed your four-day nap. How do you feel?"
"How do I look?"
The doctor hugged the medical chart to his chest and tilted his head a little. Ever since overhearing the young man's friends speaking about him in the waiting room, he'd been curious about his new patient. He would readily admit that the young man was attractive, but it wasn't just his looks that drew the doctor. He felt this need to know everything about him. How did he get those scars? How did he lose his kidney? What does his voice sound like? And now at least one of his questions was answered. Although it was still groggy, the doctor could hear the potential of a strong voice.
Wufei wasn't so drugged up that he couldn't see the doctor studying him. He looks too pleased so it can't be that bad. But then….why hasn't he answered me? Is this idiot deaf? Or maybe he's trying to find a polite way to put it?
Then Wufei saw the doctor's smile broaden and the eyes framed by the wire glasses began to sparkle. That look…..
"I asked you first."
Wufei's eyes narrowed at the childish and less-than-informative answer. The amused chuckle that sounded caused Wufei to see red and he tried clutching at the bed covers but his body was still uncooperative.
"Where's Sally?"
"Who is Sally?" Girlfriend? Or hopefully a sister?
"Dr. Po. Where is she?"
"I'm afraid I don't know Dr. Po. Your unit brought you in here four days ago with multiple gunshots to your back. I performed the emergency surgery."
"Where is 'here'?"
"Saint Joseph's Hospital in Silver City."
Wufei was quiet a few moments and closed his eyes. So they managed to get me home. But why am I not in the Preventors Medical Center?
"Who has been contacted on my behalf?"
Wufei heard shuffling and opened his eyes to see the doctor sitting down in a chair next to his bed and perusing his file.
"Let's see…..Your commanding officer, last name of Une looks like….said she would contact anyone who needed to be and that would probably explain the three anxious gentlemen waiting outside this room to see you."
The doctor looked up from Wufei's file and smiled, but it was met with an almost angry glare. Wow, even in this condition he can muster a really convincing glare. So he's good-looking and feisty.
"So let them in."
"First, Mr. Chang, I need to speak with you about your condition."
"My condition? I'm injured. I'll heal and leave."
The doctor's smile fell and the lively eyes closed up. Finally, Wufei saw the doctor he expected instead of some man who acted too familiar.
"I'm afraid it's not that simple. I was able to repair most of the internal damage caused by the multiple gunshot wounds and you must have an angel on your shoulder to not have suffered spinal damage, but…."
"Just tell me."
"Your kidney was severely damaged. Normally this wouldn't be such a problem, except that it's your only kidney, Mr. Chang. According to the medical records sent from your employers, your other kidney was removed over five years ago."
"Hazard of the job."
"Yes, well the hazard of the human body is that it can't survive without a fully functioning kidney."
The doctor watched as all the fire drained from the black eyes and the reality of the situation sunk in.
"The good news is that since your kidney is somewhat functional, you stand a better chance at finding a donor due to having more time to find one. But the seriousness of the situation still stands. You need a new kidney, Mr. Chang."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Wufei watched as Duo, Trowa and Quatre filed into his room. He could see that the doctor had already spoken to them about his condition and that they were trying to put up a strong front. He met each of their gazes without fear.
"S-so, Wufei, how do you feel?"
"I've been better."
Wufei bit his tongue and held back the truly nasty comment that he wanted to spit out at the blonde. But he knew none of this was Quatre's fault. Wufei looked to Duo, the edge returning to his voice. He'd never had to hold back with the gregarious brunette. Duo understood not to take Wufei's coldness personally, unlike a certain sensitive someone.
"Where the hell is Sally?"
Duo smirked at Wufei's no nonsense personality shining through despite his injuries.
"She's up on L5 dealing with a potential viral outbreak. But this Zigler guy is supposed to be the best, so Une said to keep you here."
"Hmph."
"Is there anything we can get for you, Wufei?"
Wufei turned to the quiet voice and sighed. How did I become tired so quickly? Is it the meds, or is this how it's going to be until I can get the transplant?
"Yeah, I could use a kidney."
Wufei appreciated the wry smile from Trowa and returned it in kind. He'd always wondered about the relationship between Quatre and Trowa. How they managed to find each other, during wartime, and become so close while having to face such hardships. But they didn't appear to have taken things further beyond friendship and Wufei was curious as to why. They always seem so happy and comfortable with each other and you can see it in their eyes when they look at each other. Wufei found a bitter bile rising in his throat and he started looking around the room.
"What do you need?"
Duo panicked at the pained look on Wufei's face and he was immediately at his side.
"Water."
"I'll get some."
Quatre left to retrieve the water while Trowa found his comfortable wall to lean against and Duo sprawled himself in a plastic chair.
"So….please….tell me how you all have been."
"Well, let's see. The shop's doing real well. There's money to be made in broken cars. And Hilde hasn't threatened my life in at least two weeks."
Wufei smiled, having witnessed firsthand Hilde's temper and the absurd threats she would hurtle at Duo, even as he smiled and kissed her cheek.
"Oh! And the best part! Quatre has become the generous benefactor of my church's orphanage."
"That's wonderful. I know how much those children mean to you."
Duo's cheeks became rosy and his gaze shied away from his friend. As dedicated and proud as Duo was to the orphanage, he always became uncomfortable whenever one of his friends praised him for it. Perhaps it's because we know his history.
Wufei looked over to Trowa who merely smiled.
"Still playing under the big top?"
"Hm. Yes, but not for much longer. Catherine has met someone and she's been pestering me to do the same."
"Do you have anyone in mind?"
Trowa scoffed, his smile broadening.
"I see. It's about time."
"Someone has to look out for him, otherwise he'll just work himself into the ground running his father's company."
All three men frowned, knowing exactly how much Quatre worked. Last year he collapsed from exhaustion. And from the looks of him now, he's not far from doing the same this year.
"Here we go!"
Quatre entered the room, his sunny presence instantly warming the room and making all three men smile. Wufei was grateful for the water and the foursome spoke a little longer, but much to Wufei's frustration, his body became tired quickly and he practically fell asleep while speaking to Duo.
Duo guided him down and brushed some hair away from his eyes and kissed him on the forehead.
"Get some rest, ok? We'll be back tomorrow."
Wufei closed his eyes, the warmth he felt from having his friends around him lulling him to sleep.
To be continued…..