Ten

Wufei was nothing if not punctual. He was fresh-looking and ready for his "patient". Duo was sitting in the garden watching a butterfly when the Chinese Preventer agent spoke. "Good morning, Duo. I see you have chosen quite an ideal spot for us to begin." It hardly mattered if Duo had indeed chosen the garden for meditative purposes; Wufei decided that praising the troubled young man for making a choice would help him to come back to consciousness. He lowered himself onto the grass unconcerned for his perfectly white trousers and sat cross-legged opposite Duo. He closed his eyes and said quietly, "it is important to take control of one's mind, of one's emotions. Essential to this is the mantra-a phrase that will give you comfort and security. Think of the word and repeat it over and over in your mind. Let your thoughts go-all except your mantra, thereby increasing your concentration. My mantra is "gray", a blending of both light and dark energies. Concentrate on your mantra, Duo."

Duo on some level was hearing every word Wufei said. He was sorely tempted to let his consciousness surface, but the fear was till too strong. He maintained awareness of the recent past, knew that Heero was taking care of him. Heero was patient and kind, and Duo wished he could let his friend know how much he appreciated it. But there was fear and with fear, pain. But he was weary of it. He wanted to come back but he did not know how to accomplish it. It was as if he was in a room with no doors or windows like the box he'd been trapped in. Perhaps the mantra............In his jumbled mind he tried to focus: wing, wing, wing.........

They came inside after about an hour. The rain started shortly after. The three young men ate lunch in the kitchen Duo staring blankly at his plate. This really disturbed Wufei who was used to Duo's loud eating habits. Duo seemed so calm outwardly. Wufei wondered what bad memories had forced his retreat. "Do you think you made progress?" Heero wanted to know. Wufei sighed. Trust Yuy to treat Duo's malady like a mission. He wondered why he didn't just bark out "status!" like in the days of the war. "I cannot say for sure. I don't think it harmed him."

"Hn."

"It was very kind of you to give up your time and attention like this." Wufei was beginning to have an appreciation for the job Yuy had undertaken. After a very interesting conversation with Quatre he realized that Yuy needed some support and encouragement.

"I want.......to help him, Chang. I don't like 'silent' Duo. It is not as selfless as it seems. I.............miss my apartment sometimes, and a real bed as opposed to a roll away cot."

Wufei's face registered surprise: it was uncommon for Heero to be so candid about his feelings and to voice any complaints. "What about work?"

"Une had that covered when I told her of my intention to take care of Duo. I work here, analyzing data. It does not take me long."

"Well, I for one admire your efforts Yuy. You are a good friend to Duo."

This made the Japanese boy sigh. "I wasn't always. This now, is the least I can do. Duo persisted in being my friend and I know I am the better for it."

But there was more to it than that and Heero let it remain unsaid, lest he give Chang a coronary. The Chinese warrior was every bit as vulnerable to warm and fuzzy feelings as he was.