.xX0Xx.
Chapter 09
.xX0Xx.
"Morning dawned after an excruciatingly long night. As the rays of sunlight peeked through the curtains, ebony eyes blinked open.
Chang Wu Fei felt as if he had fought one of his many solitary battles against OZ in a badly damaged, low supplied, Gundam: beaten, worn down and exhausted. For a moment, he couldn't remember what could have possibly made him feel so poorly; then the events of the previous day flooded his memory.
"Cat!" he gasped, concern and worry spurring him into a sitting position. The speed of movement made his head spin and he flopped backwards onto his pillows; his limited energy spent.
How long had he been out of commission? He could vaguely recall someone soothing him… Had Une successfully removed his love? Where were Zero-One and Two? Was Quatre alright?
He groaned, silently cursing his own weakness. "Cat…"
There was a quiet sound beside him, drawing his attention to the warmth that was curled up against his body. Turning his head, Wu Fei's eyes widened and filled with joyful tears; the empath lay next to him, fingers twisted in the fabric of his sleeve, sound asleep. "I'm dreaming…" He whispered, tentatively reaching out to brush aside the golden bangs. "He's here…?"
The blonde's face scrunched up as the teenager protested waking up; his slender fingers reflexively tightened around the material in their grasp. He could vaguely hear his name being called.
Reluctantly, Quatre's eyes fluttered open and met expressive onyx orbs.
"Cat?"
"Fei?" The blonde stared at him in disbelief for a long moment before launching himself at the other pilot. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
.xX0Xx.
Duo sighed as he sorted through various files that littered his desk; he tossed a few into a box, while others went into the shredder. Across from him, Hiiro was rapidly typing on his computer as he implemented the virus that he had created the previous night.
"Do we want to save the Hanson file?"
The other pilot paused as he considered the question. "There's a high probability that he'll end up offending again when he gets out on probation and that evidence was extremely difficult to obtain; yeah, keep it."
The folder went into the box, and the braided teen moved onto scan the next case. "Did Fei ever mention anything specific he wanted to keep?"
"No."
Duo glanced at Quatre's desk. While Trowa's work station had been removed almost immediately after his death, Zero-Four's remained virtually untouched; a silent expectation that the empath would one day return to duty.
"Don't worry about Winner's desk." Hiiro murmured, as he resumed his typing. "We already sorted through his files and purged his system; all that is left is his personal effects."
The braided boy nodded, returning his attention back to the task at hand.
Hiiro watched his partner for a moment, "Duo, what's bothering you?"
Zero-Two sighed again, closing the file and putting it into the pile to be shredded. "I… I just don't know what we're going to do now…"
"We've got supplies, weapons, skills, and funds hidden away, as well as plenty of time to figure out our next course of action." He stood and went to his lover; wrapping him in a secure embrace, "No matter what, we'll be together."
"I love you."
"And I, you." He nuzzled his lover's neck, "Let's finish; I don't want to stay here longer than necessary."
Duo nodded his agreement as he tilted his head for a kiss.
.xX0Xx.
Wu Fei's muddled brain was having a difficult time processing the situation. Quatre, who hadn't spoken to him in over two years, was latched onto him, sobbing into his chest and apologizing profusely- for what, he didn't know.
"C-Cat?" He tried to understand as he tried to calm the other teen's hysterics. "What?"
"I've been so selfish…" The blonde whispered, pulling away from his guardian and wiping his cheeks.
"No." Wu Fei disagreed, sitting up. "You've been in pain. You've been lost."
The empath shook his head as more tears slipped down his cheeks. "Please, do not excuse my behavior! I have been selfish and nothing but a troublesome burden. I have hurt Hiiro and Duo… and you, repeatedly. I have broken my promise to Trowa and I have never been more ashamed of myself… Perhaps, one day, you might forgive me… but…"
"Quatre," The Asian interrupted, gently grasping the pale boy's shoulders and encouraging the smaller pilot to meet his gaze. "There is nothing to forgive."
"But, Fei…"
"Nothing." He repeated. He brushed a strand away from azure eyes in amazement. "I have waited anxiously to hear your voice again; it's the most beautiful sound I have ever heard." He smiled at his ward's blush, "Now, what time is it?"
The blonde shook his head in disbelief as he glanced at the clock, "Near lunchtime."
"Then we should eat." Chang nodded, scooting towards the edge of the bed; the movement took great effort and left him panting.
Quatre stopped him before he could try to stand. "Fei, you're still very sick; you need rest… Please… It's my turn to care for you."
After a moment's hesitation, the proud warrior acquiesced. "Thank you."
.xX0Xx.
"Yui." The disinherited Sanc Prince addressed, not sparing a glance in the younger man's direction.
"Merquise."
"I see you've brought your pet."
Duo snorted, flipping him off. "Nice to see you too, Sexy-Zechsy."
"I'm very busy."
"Of course, but I wouldn't interrupt you unless it was of the greatest importance." Wing Zero's former pilot pointed out, leaning against the doorframe.
The older Preventer chuckled, "Of course not." He leaned back in his chair, finally giving his unexpected guests his attention. "So what is it?"
"We need a physician."
"Sally's office is three floors down."
"She isn't there."
"Then try again later!"
Maxwell shook his head, "Dude, she's not going to be there later; she can't."
"And why is that?"
"She's in prison." Duo announced flippantly.
"So, she'll return."
"No! She's IN prison."
"Sally Po has been arrested for attempted kidnapping." Hiiro explained. "I believe there may be a fraudulent charge added to that as well."
"You're joking."
"Duo may jest, but I do not." The stoic pilot reminded, "Sally is unavailable and will be for some time."
"Look, Zero-Five is real sick and we need someone who knows his training to look at him."
"I'm a field medic."
"You're the best option there is." Duo insisted, "Any other doctor wouldn't understand the level of conditioning we've been subjected to… It could be fatal."
Merquise considered that for a moment. "What are his symptoms?"
.xX0Xx.
"Merquise!?" Wu Fei blinked into the vid-phone before breaking off into a coughing fit; Quatre frowned and handed him a glass of water from their lunch tray, before rubbing Zero-Five's back.
"How did you convince him to come?" The blonde rasped.
/"Eh, ya know 'Ro."/ Duo smirked with pride, /"He can be very persuasive. Anyway, we should be there in an hour."/
"I don't think this is really necessary." Chang protested, "I think everyone is overreacting… it's just a bad cold…" He couldn't deny that he was sick anymore; it was obvious that in his current state that it was more than a persistent tickle in his throat- Though, with Quatre by his side, eager to help and talking to him, he was more willing to acknowledge his weakened condition.
/"We never get sick, Fei."/ Maxwell pointed out, /"It's not something that can be brushed aside as no big deal."/
"Besides…" Quatre added, "Your fever has not broken and is still very high; that's not normal."
After another coughing spell, which left the pilot gasping for breath, Chang agreed.
/"Of course we're right!"/ Duo announced. /"Just rest and let Cat take care of ya. We'll be there soon."/
After closing the channel, Wu Fei collapsed against his pillows. "I hate this…" he complained. "Feeling so… weak."
The empath offered a shy smile, "You should listen to Duo and rest; I can make you some tea… if you'd like?"
"Tea sounds wonderful, thank you."
"Sleep… my friend." Quatre ordered before slipping out the room and heading towards the kitchen.
.xX0Xx.
The ten minute phone call had completely wiped out his stamina; Wu Fei was asleep before Quatre shut the door to his bedroom. He had no concept of time; he never heard the doorbell ring.
.xX0Xx.
To be continued…