Still rather short-I know, but hey, at least it won't tie anyone's day up too much,lol.

Six

"Sally, perhaps sedating him might help. He needs more sleep."

"No, Heero. Think about it-soldiers like you and he have been through a lot, if Duo is having nightmares now, what would it be like with him drugged and out of control? No, it could only make things worse. I'm sorry."

"Hn. Thank you."

"Heero?"

"Hai?"

"Is he showing any improvement?"

"I bring him to the park in the morning. He seems to find some enjoyment watching the dogs."

"Really? That is interesting. Anything else?"

"Not really, no."

"Okay. Keep me updated."

Heero hung up the phone feeling even more frustrated. Before he could think of what to do next the doorbell rang. Heero fought the deep rooted urge to draw his weapon. He wasn't expecting anyone, but an enemy was hardly going to just walk up to the door and knock, right? He strode to the door, eyes narrowed and opened it. "Quatre," he said his voice a monotone betraying none of his surprise. Trowa was right behind the small Arab, naturally. "Hello Heero, I hope we're not intruding. Sorry we didn't call."

"Hn."

Quatre chuckled taking Heero's noncommittal grunt as forgiveness for his lack of manners. He stepped away from the door, admitting them. "So, how is our quiet patient today?"

"Quiet."

Quatre frowned. He was hoping that Duo would be talking by now. "Where is he? Can we see him?"

Heero led them out to the small garden in the back of the apartment. Duo was sitting on a chaise lounge watching birds. He was wearing a dark blue sweatshirt and jeans and his hair was neatly pulled back in his ubiquitous braid. Quatre sighed. At least he looked like the old Duo. He moved to a spot in front of his friend, blocking his view and forcing him to look up. Quatre smiled. "Hello Duo. How are you? Enjoying this fine spring weather, ne?"

Duo stared. He blinked. Then he stared some more. Quatre talked a little more, just small talk. He mentioned Iria and some of his other sisters and what was new in the family. He went on gamely for a few minutes more and then sighed again.

When Quatre went back inside he found Trowa and Heero talking softly in the kitchen over a few beers. Quatre helped himself to Trowa's beer and listened in on their conversation. "I suspect that Duo's time being deprived of sensory input has immersed him in a primal state. He is like a wild untamed animal at this point. Your best bet, Heero, is to gain his trust somehow." Trowa could not help himself: everything was likened to his experiences with the big cats.

"But I already seem to have that," Heero protested.

"Yes-there are vestiges of your friendship from the war-but he may need to trust you with whatever broke his mind."

"I have taken the liberty of trying to read Duo," Quatre piped up. "When he was first admitted to the hospital, his mind was severely fragmented. I just read him again and it is better, although his thoughts do not seem to be particularly organized. It's as if he is trying desperately to avoid thinking about something."

"Bad memories?" This was Trowa.

Quatre shook his head. "Perhaps. Only Duo knows."

Heero sighed in frustration. "What do you suggest I do?"

"Again-I don't know. But being home seems to be helping."

After Quatre and Trowa took their leave Heero went outside. Duo was on the ground, playing with some twigs. He scratched aimlessly at the dirt. This gave Heero an idea. He opened the doors to a small potting shed hoping for a little luck. There was nothing much in the shed except for a small bag of potting soil some plastic pots, a spade and watering can. "Damn," he swore under his breath. Turning to face Duo he said, "Come on, Duo, we are going in to town."

They went to a hardware store. Duo's eyes wandered around the store, eyeing tools and parts with curiosity. It was almost as if he had never been in such a place before. Heero purchased wood, carving tools, glue, a hammer, paint and nails. That evening, while Duo sat immobile Heero downloaded a schematic.