I have paused life to bring you all this chapter. Enjoy! As always please, take the time to review.

Chapter 4

A slight noise, almost a shifting of sheets aroused Zechs from his sleep. Bleary-eyed, Zechs gazed down at his sister still sleeping on his lap. Seeing that she was not moving, he turned his eyes toward Duo. Initially he thought that perhaps the noise was his imagination playing tricks, but then the tiniest movement caught his eye. Duo had shifted in his drug induced sleep. Slowly he rose from the chair, mindful of Relena. He turned with her in his arms and placed her back on the chair before walking over to Duo. Tentatively Zechs took hold of Duo's left hand into his left hand while his right hand stroke Duo's bangs from his face. Duo's movements grew more frequent and erratic within the span of a few seconds. Never stopping his ministrations Zechs leaned over to whisper in Duo's ear, hoping to calm him and release him from whatever hold had him. "Duo you are safe. You have nothing to fear from me." Realizing that Duo may not recognize his voice he spoke it to him in the same calming manner. "You are safe with me, Zechs. Heero will never be able to harm you ever again. I promise you." Duo flailed slightly at Heero's name, but calmed. Zechs stood there holding Duo's hand and stroking his hair unsure and uncaring of the passage of time.

The day shift of nurses made their way through the room checking on their patients causing Zechs to relinquish his hold and ministrations as they busied themselves checking Duo's vitals and fluids. He stepped further back when they began to remove his old bandages for clean new ones. There were so many. As they shifted the blankets covering Duo, Zechs noticed something new. Duo's right ankle was wrapped and both were propped up on a thin pillow. "Why is his ankle wrapped?"

The nurse paused, grabbed Duo's chart before replying, "His ankle has a hairline fracture and the doctor is waiting for the swelling to decrease before he puts a cast on it and the rest of his leg."

"The doctor plans on casting his ankle for a hairline fracture? " He asked incredulous.

"Yes, due to Mr. Maxwell's active life style; being a Preventer and all. Dr. Carlson fears he may not be able to follow his orders to remain off the ankle."

"Thank you," Zechs responded to the nurse who gave him the information. The doctor is probably right. I think this is the stillest I have ever seen him. Silently Zechs cursed Heero for the damage he did to Duo. After the nurses left the room, Zechs once again took up his position at Duo's side. He remained there for approximately 23 minutes, silently holding Duo's hand, until Relena began to stir. Zechs reluctantly released Duo's hand, stepped away and moved to his sister's side.

Relena turned and shifted, slowly coming awake. "Um, Zechs?"

"I'm here," he answered stepping to the front of the chair where she remained curled.

"Has he woken yet?"

"No, he is still asleep. The nurses let almost thirty minutes ago." Zechs paused briefly before continuing, "I would really like to take you home or even to my apartment, so you my get some decent rest."

"I know you would, but I am not leaving his side; at least not until his wakes up."

Conceding quickly, "Very well, I am going to find us something to eat and drink. I will be back shortly."

"Okay, thank you." Zechs waved off her thanks as he headed down to the hospital cafeteria. After Zechs' departure, Relena immediately went to Duo's side speaking to him in hushed tones.

Zechs was not gone more than 15 minutes when he returned with two packaged sandwiches and two coffees, black and a pile of sugars and creamers for Relena. They both devoured their sandwiches and guzzled their nuke warm coffees.

Hours passed, nurses came and went and there was no movement from the man in the bed. Then suddenly Duo's breathing increased and yet it was stifled as if he was trying to conceal his return to consciousness, weary of where he woke. Memories of OZ prisoner cells instantly flooded his mind. His were still closed taking stock of his surroundings. The scent of sterilizer alerted him to the fact that he was in a hospital. Violet eyes popped open and gazed around the room he was in, taking note that he was definitely no longer on the floor of his bedroom or anywhere else in the apartment and was in fact in a hospital. Upon that realization his breathing began to even out because he was damn sure Heero did not bring him here. The question was who brought him. He vaguely recalled making a phone call, but he could not remember who he called.

In an attempt to calm himself Duo surveyed his injuries. He could tell that his head was bandage, but could not discern the specific injuries. His ankle was wrapped and he could feel numerous abrasions. He had other pains that he was going to ignore until he absolutely had to deal with them. Duo was not one to lay idle for long, especially in a hospital. He tried to sit up only to aggravate his injuries. "Shit."

Zechs immediately shot to his feet and rushed over to the bed, Relena was not too far behind. Zechs stepped aside in order to allow his sister room next to the head of the bed. Relena spoke as Duo continued to wince, "Duo, are you okay? You really should be lying down. You were badly injured." She slightly pressed him back.

"Hey Lena; so, I called you?"

"Yes, you did, do you not remember?"

"I remember calling just not whom." Zechs moved in Duo's peripheral causing him to flinch; a move that did not go unnoticed by Zechs.

"Sorry, I was just signaling for a nurse." As Zechs spoke he finished his movement pressing the button. Believing Duo was uncomfortable, Zechs stepped further away from the bed.

In an attempt to explain the presence of her brother Relena spoke up, "Shortly after you first called I could not get answer from you and it scared me terribly. So, I called Zechs knowing his lived closer and could get to you sooner. I was so worried."

Duo gently grabbed her hand, "It's no problem, Lena." After a short pause, "Thank you…both of you."

Relena's response was immediate, "Anything for my best friend."

The nurse alert sounded for Duo's room at the counter. Nurse Eileen switched off the alarm and proceeded down the hall. Upon nearing the room she heard voices. It sounds like our patient has finally woken up. She gave the three a few minutes before turning the handle and entering the room. "Mr. Maxwell, it is good to see you awake." She moved to his left side forcing Relena to give up her spot by his bed. She moved about checking Duo's vitals and asking various questions about his current state.

When Duo failed to mention his memory lapse Zechs stepped up, "He seems to be experiencing some memory loss." Duo glared at Zechs as the nurse turned toward his way again.

"How bad is the memory loss?"

"It's not too bad. I remember calling Lena, but I don't remember calling her." The nurse looked perplexed. "What I mean is I remember making a phone call I just cannot remember who I called. From what Lena tells me it was her."

The nurse made some notes in Duo file and replaced it at the foot of the bed. "Some memory loss is normal when someone suffers a head injury, but I will make sure Dr. Carlson knows. He should be here soon, probably within the next 10 minutes or so."

"Thank you." The room's occupants chorused.

Ten minutes on the dot, Dr. Carlson walked into the room. He immediately went to the bed and pulled the clip board from its holder. "Glad to see you have once again joined us in the waking world. The nurse informed me that you are suffering from a bit of amnesia?" He asked his questions as he peered into each eye and checked over his wounds. "How much do you remember?"

Duo hesitated briefly, his eyes glancing over to his friend and her brother. The doctor caught the look and politely asked the two to leave so he may confer with his patient. Reluctantly, both left. "I just got home from an assignment that went a lot longer than expected. My roommate was wake and drunk. He…he," Duo released a shuddering breath before continuing, "He raped me. I couldn't fight him, I tried, but he was too strong. He has always been too strong."

"No one is blaming you. I am sure you did what you could under the circumstances. What else do you remember?"

"He started beating me when I he noticed I was not hard. When he was done, he got up and left. The last thing I remember is making over to my phone and calling someone. I don't remember who I called or what was said. That's all I remember." Silent tears rolled down Duo's cheeks.

"Your memory loss is minimal and quite normal. I am sure that your memory loss is not due to an injury you have suffered, but from the fact that at the time you made your phone call you were in the process of blacking out. I want to keep you here for a few my hours for observation purposes and then I will release you."

"Thank you, Doctor."

"You are quite welcome, Mr. Maxwell." As Dr. Carlson stepped out of the room, Relena immediately stepped through the door before it had a chance to close.

"Doctor, how is he, really?" Zechs asked.

"I probably should not be telling you this. Should anyone ask you are his life partner, Okay?" Zechs nodded, the doctor having no idea how much he wished it was the truth versus a convenient lie. "He is actually doing rather well, considering. He amnesia is not really amnesia. He was on the brink of unconsciousness. His body was working harder on him remaining conscious versus the phone call. Besides overcoming his physical injuries, he will have to overcome his mental ones as well."

Zechs nodded, none of this was news to him. "When will he be released?"

"I want him to stay for a few more hours for observation. I want to make sure that I am right about his amnesia."

"Thank you, Doctor."

"You are welcome, sir." Both men shook hands before Zechs joined his sister in Duo's room.

After four more hours of idly sitting in the room making small talk, Dr. Carlson walked in the room and re-examined Duo. "Well, everything seems to be on the mend. You are going to be extra tender form certain injuries. Nurse Eileen will bring in a set of crutches for you to use. Even with the crutches I do not want you moving about all that much for the next week."

"Doc, a week…"

Dr. Carlson raised his hand stalling any protests. I am prescribing a few medications. The directions will be on the bottle. I really do not want you to be alone for at least the next week."

Duo opened his mouth about to speak when Zechs spoke up first. "He will be staying with me." He told the doctor and took the prescriptions.

"Good, glad to hear it. Under the circumstances it was pleasure Mr. Maxwell and I wish you the best. The doctor then turned to Relena shaking her hand and Zechs. As he made it to the door Dr. Carlson paused. "Nurse Eileen will be here in any moment with your crutches and wheel chair." Dr. Carlson made his exit.

Duo immediately let lose of Zechs, "I don't know who think you are Zechs, but I am going home. I will be fine! It was…just a misunderstanding."

Zechs leaned in close to Duo, one hand placed on either side of his head, "Let me make a few things clear to you. You are going home with me. That is not up for debate. You are deluding yourself, thinking that what happened was a misunderstanding." Zechs dropped his voice low, "He raped you and beat you until you lost consciousness." Raising his voice again, "besides your door is broken and needs to be replaced. The doctor said you should not move around much and that will be difficult to do alone."

Duo looked into Zechs' eyes knowing it was a losing battle. Tears welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill. Zechs carefully wrapped Duo into his arms where Duo cried for all of his worth. Relena very carefully climbed onto the bed behind Duo and hugged him from behind. The heart wrenching scene was disturbed by the entrance of Nurse Eileen.

Nurse Eileen made her way over to the bed as Relena and Zechs climbed off. She began to disconnect Duo from the various machines and intravenous drips. "Alright, let's get you into this chair and before you argue it is hospital policy." Zechs grabbed his left arm while Nurse Eileen grabbed his right and together they assisted Duo over to the chair and into a seated position. Duo grumbled the entire about not being helpless. He would never admit out loud how much those little movements hurt. Nurse Eileen rolled Duo down the corridor and out to the loading bay. Zechs raced ahead and pulled his car around. Both Nurse Eileen and Zechs assisted Duo into the back seat. Relena climbed in next to him after sticking the crutches and their bag into the trunk while Zechs took up the driver's seat once again, making the short drive to his apartment.

Duo sat on the comfy couch in Zechs' apartment amazed at the size of the place. "Your room is down the hall, the first door on the left and the bathroom is the second door. My room is the last door, should you need anything." Duo swallowed hard nodding his head letting Zechs know that he was listening. "Do you need anything?" Duo shook his head in the negative. Zechs excused himself as Duo sat in awestruck. Zechs returned a moment later dressed in drawstring sweats and a t-shirt that showed off his physique rather well. "The kitchen is through this door. I am going to make some lunch, do want anything in particular?"

Slowly, Duo regained some of his faculties, "whatever you are making is fine. Thank you," he added as an afterthought.

Lunch was amiable, but quiet. That is until Zechs picked up their empty plates. "Thank you, Zechs. You know it's no big deal, I can go home. I don't want to impose on you."

"Duo, we have already had this conversion. You are not leaving until you are better and are able to find a place of your own. I have spare room, you are not an imposition." Zechs walked through the kitchen door.