Title: I'm Still Standing Here

Author: Avel

Summary: Duo befriends a new transfer student who has just escaped an abusive relationship. Sex, drugs, pain, and love, Duo's life will never be the same.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, nor do I make a profit from these works.

Pairings: 1x3, 6x2 (past: 1x4)

CD Player:

Artist: Broke

CD: Tripp Ziggler

Most inspiring song(s): Three Steps, Insomnia, One Last Time

Artist: Broke

CD: Love is Never Enough

Most inspiring song(s): Insomnia, Lane's Song, My Sweet

Artist: A Static Lullaby

CD: …And Don't Forget to Breathe

Most inspiring song(s): Nightmares Win 6-0, Love To Hate, Hate To Me

Artist: Fly to the Sky

CD: Gravity

Most inspiring song(s): Gravity, Good-bye

Artist: The Killers

CD: Hot Fuss

Most inspiring song(s): Jenny Was a Friend of Mine

Before you read: Thanks to all who've reviewed so far! Props to you all! And there is an important note in the A/N, so look for that.

He was running, faster and faster, breath coming in harsh rasps. So far he'd almost been hit by a car twice, slammed past a couple who had been taking the curb at the wrong time, and had managed to find himself downtown. The streetlights were blurred, and it was a bright sunny day, warm and light. In a distorted haze, Trowa found himself in front of a small grocery store. He walked in feeling the air conditioner hit his heated form in a gust as the glass doors slid open. Mind still racing he began pacing the isles until a familiar voice spoke out to him. Stopping as he turned around to face the counter, surprised by the familiar face that greeted him.

"Trowa? We haven't seen you here in ages!" The old cashier exclaimed.

"How have you been? Or for that matter, where have you been?" The elderly man inquired.

"I moved." Trowa said quietly, a sudden feeling of dread spread throughout his body. He was only a block away from Wufei's apartment.

"It's nice to see you too, may I ask what time is it?" Trowa asked; throat parched from thirst and the overwhelming sense of panic coursing through his veins.

"A little after eleven." The man replied.

"Thanks." Trowa breathed, as he felt in the pocket of his hoodie and retrieved his wallet. Quickly opening it and searching through it he discovered he had a little over forty dollars. More than enough, for a drink and some food, to sustain his tired body. He peered inside the glass window of the refrigerator, and almost struck the glass door as a sudden wave of dizziness hit him hard. He could feel his lungs rattling each time he breathed. Shit! He hissed mentally. He knew that something had been feeling off last night. He was sick, and to make matters worse he had no place to go. He couldn't go back to the apartment, couldn't face Heero after that embarrassing display of weakness. However, the one person he really couldn't face was Quatre. He was afraid of him, afraid that what he had just interpreted was true, but apart of him wanted to believe that Heero truly did have feelings for him. And at that moment, that was all he could hold onto to keep his sanity from slipping.

He heard the bell ring as the automatic door slid open revealing the one figure he was all too familiar with. His heart pounded furiously in his chest, thundering in his ears as he ducked behind the snack aisle. He's here! He's fucking here! I have to hide, have to get out, have to…His hand hit something hard in the pocket of his pants. Pulling the small object from his pants he recognized the item to be his cell phone. I can call Heero! He felt the tears spring to his eyes, burning as he forced them back. I can't call him…I can't! He mentally sobbed, hand gripping the cell phone tighter in his slick grasp. He had to find a way out of the store, without Wufei spotting him.

The footsteps were heading toward the back of the store toward the liquor beverages, Trowa used this opportunity to quickly crouch and move toward the opposite side of the store. He switched aisles as he peaked his head over the top of the aisle, quickly spying Wufei heading toward his aisle. He backed up toward the front of the aisle turning, just in time to see Wufei's back as he barely passed him. Using this momentum he began to make a direct beeline toward the exit, heart thudding heavily. He was racked with the urge to vomit from how scared and nervous he felt. He noticed the old clerk re-stocking some of the cigarette packs from behind the counter. Back conveniently turned to him. He had just managed to make it past the first aisle closest to the door when he heard Wufei's voice resound from the back of the store, except this time he was in the middle of the aisle.

"Hey, old man, are you seriously out of Red Bull?"

Trowa watched as the old man turned to address his former abuser.

"Afraid so, kid's these days – they're addicted to that stuff."

"But it's only 11:20!" Wufei sounded agitated.

"We'll have some in this afternoon, if you come back later, I'll be sure to have some for you." The clerk assured kindly.

From where he was crouched, he couldn't tell if Wufei was watching the clerk or browsing some of the other aisles. He pulled his hoodie over his head, placing the cell phone in the pocket of his hoodie. He took a chance to briefly look up and locate Wufei's location before turning on his heels and heading directly for the exit. One, two, three…He mentally breathed as he continued toward the sliding glass doors.

"Leaving so soon?" The clerk called out just as the doors had slid open.

Trowa felt beads of sweat form on his forehead, as he gave a side twist, back directed toward Wufei. He couldn't answer or less Wufei would recognize his voice. Fortunately as a slow afterthought, his quickly forming sickness plagued him with a wave of harsh loud coughs, he lost his voice and attempted to speak, however his words came out in a croaked whisper. The clerk, surprised by the sudden illness, quickly gave him a reassuring smile.

"Don't force yourself to talk if you're not feeling well, go on." The man smiled at him. "Before your condition gets worse. I guess this is goodbye for now."

Trowa gave the man a smile and waved. Before, quickly retreating out the door and down the block toward one of the more crowded sidewalks. He made it to a bus station, body and mind still in shock from the emotional adrenaline still coursing through his veins. He felt unbelievably sick, both mentally and physically. He wanted to go home, wanted Heero to take him home. He boarded a bus that would take him to the school. Once seated, he rested his still hooded face on the palms of his hands as his elbows dug sharply into his lower thighs. He was stressed beyond belief, and finally, unable to keep the overwhelming emotions down, he allowed himself to cry silently in the back of the bus.

It was already past two o'clock in the afternoon and the apartment was dead silent. The three occupants left to their own thoughts and emotions. Heero had tried phoning all the places that Trowa might head to, even phoning the gym. His search had come up empty handed. Duo had left for a couple hours trying a search by foot. He had found no trace of his best friend anywhere. It was as if Trowa had just disappeared. He had forced himself to think of all the possible places that Trowa, given his current situation, might have headed. Unfortunately that had ended fruitlessly as well. It wasn't until 2:15pm that Duo had suggested that Heero stay at the apartment in case Trowa called and needed to be picked up. Quatre would have to stay as well. He had one last place he had to check. It was very unlikely, precisely why Duo felt that he had to give it a shot. He headed off in the direction of Burmens High.

He never should have allowed Quatre to come. Heero rubbed his temples as he sat on the bed in the master bedroom. I should have said no! He thought angrily. I knew he wasn't ready, this is all my fault! If only I had thought this through further, he might still be here. Fear gripped him as the reality that Trowa was out there alone hit him hard. He didn't trust Trowa alone, not after…he shook his head as a set of unwanted memories flooded back in waves. He closed his eyes as a flash of blood, stark against the tiled bathroom floor flickered against the darkness. He opened them, no longer seeing the room around him, but re-living the memory of finding Trowa in the bathroom of their apartment.

That afternoon, Heero had wanted to surprise Trowa by taking him out to a new restaurant he had seen a couple blocks away from his office building. As he had stepped inside the apartment, calling out Trowa's name, the place had seemed so silent. The silence however was not welcoming, nor relaxing, it was disturbing. He knew something was wrong.

He called out again, receiving only silence in return. He passed the living room heading down the hall, toward the master bedroom. Finding the door slightly ajar, he pushed it open silently before stepping inside the room. The room felt out of place, it seemed dimmer than usual, and the air smelt faintly of metallic, almost like blood. He paused, feeling an icy chill swell up within his abdomen, causing his chest to tighten in response. His hands became sweaty and he crept slowly toward the bathroom door. It was closed. He took a deep breath to steady himself as he braced himself for whatever he would find inside the bathroom. His heart thudded loudly in his ears, pulsating throughout his body as he drew his hand toward the doorknob, opening the door with a slight click.

Heero took a step back startled beyond belief by the sight before him. The blood was pooling around his lover's form, darkening with exposure to the air, already caking on the white tiled floor. He was half dressed, lower body covered in a pair of worn jeans the lower side of his thighs were drenched in aging blood.

Heero shook his head as he continued to force the memories away. He gulped back the wave of nausea that gripped his stomach. He was frightened of the possibilities that he may never see his lover alive again. It plagued his darkest fears and nightmares. He looked at the clock it was already close to 3:00 pm. He stared at the door willing it to move, for it to open and reveal his lover. The door remained motionless like the unsettling worry that plagued the Japanese man's thoughts and emotions.

He sat on the sidewalk in front of the expansive student parking lot. Suppressing very few coughs that rattled in his chest. Never straying too far from a conveniently placed trashcan, Trowa wished that the disgusting mucus that caught in his lungs would just evaporate and disappear. This wasn't the case however, and Trowa found himself longing for his bed and more so his pillow. He had been plagued with a heavy dizziness that felt like a heavy weight had been placed over his entire body. He gave a soft moan of pain as he rested his heated face against his knees. He felt another massive buildup of coughs as he covered his mouth with his arm, feeling as though his throat was being ripped and torn by the abusive coughing. It hurt, but he no longer felt as if he couldn't speak.

Hearing approaching footsteps, he only wrapped his arms to cover the rest of his face that wasn't covered by his knees. The footsteps drew closer before stopping next to him.

"I've come to take you home." Duo stated. Amethyst eyes watching Trowa's unhealthy state from afar had dropped any sense of humor he had been trying to muster up since beginning his search for the runaway youth.

"I don't want to walk." Trowa whispered tiredly. He was relieved that Duo was there, he felt more relaxed. Duo wouldn't leave him.

"Okay." Duo said softly dropping down on the sidewalk next to Trowa.

"Do you have a cell phone?" He questioned lightly.

Trowa pulled out the cell phone before handing it to Duo, his hand shaking with pure exhaustion; the adrenaline had finally worn off.

Duo just gently pulled Trowa down so that his head rested on his lap.

"You scared us so bad." Duo said softly as he dialed the number for the apartment. He had memorized it a while ago when Trowa had first given it to him. It was better to be safe than sorry he had reasoned at the time, now he fully aware that this was true.

"I'm sorry." Trowa whispered miserably. The dehydration caused dizziness formed into a painful throbbing headache. It hurt Trowa to keep his eyes open and allow the bright vivid day to send shooting pains in the back of his head and behind his eyes. The pressure was overbearing.

"Shh, don't be. I knew this was a stupid idea." Duo muttered darkly as the faint ringing could be heard from over the cell.

"Knew?" Trowa questioned softly.

"Yeah, I knew." Duo answered with a sigh. "Heero told me not to say anything, if I had known you'd react so badly, I definitely would have said something to you." He looked at the cell with a slight frown. Why wasn't anyone picking up?

"I didn't want to come between the two of you." He said softly, looking down at Trowa.

"I always mess things up" Trowa sighed as his eyes began to fall shut, though he forced himself to keep awake.

"No, you don't." Duo said with a smile, as he noticed a familiar Lincoln Navigator heading toward the parking lot. "I guess we didn't need the cell anyway." Duo pointed at the approaching vehicle with a feeling of relief that this ordeal, for now, was over with.

The car pulled up without further notice, the driver's side door swung open immediately.

"I couldn't wait." Was all the response Duo got as Heero shot out of the car and kneeled down to check on Trowa. Of course he had informed Quatre and Heero where he was headed – It would have been illogical to not inform them of his whereabouts in case either party found Trowa first.

"Hi." Trowa said softly, adverting his eyes toward the car instead of Heero's piercing gaze.

"Hey." Heero smiled gently, "You ready to come home?" His hand pulled the hood off, exposing Trowa's auburn hair.

Trowa nodded as Heero picked him up, he was vaguely aware of Duo trailing along behind them. Heero gently placed him down in the back seat, where Trowa curled in on his side using the soft leather cushion as a pillow. He heard the door close, and felt the car shift as two occupants loaded the front driver's and passenger seat. The car started with a low hum and with expert ease slid out of the parking lot and headed toward the apartment.

"He doesn't look too good." Duo commented softly, as he looked over his shoulder at Trowa's sleeping form.

"No kidding." Heero smiled grimly, "He just had a scare, I'm sure if we just give him a couple hours he'll feel a bit better. It's obvious that he doesn't trust me, so for now, if we just let him see that there isn't anything he has to worry about, he'll calm down."

"No, that wasn't what I meant, well there is that, but I think he's sick." Duo tried to clarify.

"Sick? How so?" Heero was immediately alert, his focus rested solely on Duo.

"He was coughing quite a lot when I first came across him, besides he's acting way too tired for someone who has just run about two miles to get to Burmens High." Duo continued. "Once we get him home, we need to discuss the whole Quatre situation, now that we've all witnessed Tro's general reaction to Blondie… we have to think of a plan, a strategy. We have to include Tro in it, this time. No more what ifs, we have to give him some control."

They sat in silence for a while, until they pulled up in the apartment's side garage. Duo knew that there was something off and he could feel it. Quatre greeted them quietly, after checking to see if Trowa really was asleep.

"How is he?" He whispered, attempting to lift the uncomfortable silence.

"Tired and sick." Heero continued toward the bedroom, Trowa safely bundled in his arms.

Duo looked at Quatre before slowly turning toward the couch. He climbed on it, bringing his legs up toward his chest. The end of his braid finding itself twisted between his fingers. Duo had a feeling that the worst was over for today, but for some reason it didn't give any comfort.

A/N: I've been having major ED problems right now ?. It's becoming overly obsessive. It's affecting everything. Even the time for writing out chapters. So for right now I'm issuing a preliminary ED WARNING for this fic. And by definition of ED, this means that this fic will be broaching the topic of eating disorders. This was not the original plan for this fic, the bulimia was supposed to be an underlining part of the fic that was not going to be addressed. But during this time, I feel that, though it will be minor; it won't be that obtrusive to the fic's entirety. Your understanding would be much appreciated. Remember I live for reviews ?. I'll be getting to chapter 9 shortly.

Comments: For my 11 reviewers!

Zakai: Since you commented twice, I'm just gonna say what's on my mind right now. Loved the new chapter! Loved it so much! I can't wait for you to update, I need to know what's gonna happen when Tro enters the room! It's driving me mad! , it was a fluke that I tied Relena in.I actually had forgotten that I had Relena in the fic and when I realized this I thought I was doomed. Luckily it all worked out, I should really remember the characters I'm working with in the future.

Cardcaptor Soldier: You're welcome, glad you liked it!

Silverlie: Well, I'm having a bit of ED problems – so more trouble lies ahead for Trowa. I will attempt to get a couple chapters out quicker? Eh, I'm not promising anything, they won't be long if I do.

Shadow of a Halo: Keep reading; hopefully the next chapters will be easier.

Shadow of a Halo (again): No, no. lol I confused myself with that one. I didn't know if you were referring to a character when you mentioned poor guy (or gal), now I know you were referring to me. Problem solved, lol. I'm a gal by the way.

Zakai: Actually I was gonna have a better cliffhanger, but I didn't want to be cruel, and it would have been way too abrupt. I'll just save the abruptness for a different chapter. Watch out! Scold them all you want, I've been scolding them in every chapter, lol. Thank you for helping me overcome that little "I should end this now!" breakdown. Being sick has its benefits….well, when it comes to writing, that is.

Jenihenpen: I'm glad you adored them (smiles happily/ smugly) I took your advice, but just to let you know all my chapters are saved word documents on my computer. Even if this fic were to be taken down, I could just repost it again; maybe even edit it a little. Hopefully that won't happen, since I'm a naturally lazy person! Hopefully you'll enjoy the next couple chapters I produce too. This is turning into a more suspenseful fic than I originally thought it'd be.

Deaths Fallen Angel: (laughs evilly) O there will be plenty more written, don't know when yet, but many more chapters to come! Didn't like that cliffhanger, now did you? Lol. Stick around, and see where this goes.

Darksaphire: Funny you should say that, along time ago I was into the whole 3x5. That's actually a real nice pairing. I actually have that pairing saved for a later project – I blame it on this awesome fic called Ordinary World by…. something genesis (sighs) been too long. I'll find it and if I remember, I'll post the author's name or a link…even though it's not a 3x5 that lasts; it's an awesome fic anyway. (I RECOMMEND TO ALL!) Keep reading!

No one: Well, lets just say I'll continue…. keep reading and someday you might get that soon.

Ht: Plenty of more to come! I'd like to think that it'll stay good, too.