Disclaimer: I claim no ownership over the characters, just the demons inside my head that made me post this.

A Part of Me

Chapter 20

"I said move, gods damn it!"

Wufei screamed at the pilot and felt the force of the ship as it accelerated even faster.

You will not die.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a bloody hand and continued his ministrations. He'd already tied a piece of cloth on Heero's arm to staunch the bleeding, but the gunshot wounds in his upper chest, close to his shoulder, and his lower midsection wouldn't stop bleeding.

"More, now!"

A nearby soldier quickly handed Wufei clean bandages as Wufei tossed the bloody ones to another soldier.

You will not die.

Wufei had found Heero about one hundred yards from their meeting sight. He'd been late and Heero was never late. Against the advice of the team, Wufei went back out to look for him. He found him lying face-down, halfway under a bush, no doubt trying to pull himself under the foliage as a hiding place. When Wufei reached Heero he was barely conscious and most of his clothes were stained with blood. I never should have let him go. It wasn't his job. You gods cursed stubborn fool!

Wufei growled as he remembered arguing with Heero that he was only in the Tech Division now so he did not see combat situations. Wufei recalled the wry smile and glittering eyes as Heero said arrogantly, "I'm a better soldier than anyone on this mission. Anyone."

I should have stopped you. But that smile and those words…it was like years ago….we constantly challenged each other and our friendship and skills thrived from the battles. I felt that burning in my gut ignite. But I should have known better. Things…people….are different now….I was foolish. So very foolish. And now…now you might…

Wufei growled again as he fought to keep his anger under control.

You will not die.

"Sir, you really should get that---"

"What I need is for this piece of junk to move faster!"

Wufei didn't even look up at the soldier; his gaze fixed on Heero. His eyelids were fluttering, which Wufei took as a good sign. He's not completely unconscious.

"Bring me a blanket!"

A standard brown issue blanket came his way and he quickly settled it over Heero. He needs to stay warm. He's loosing a lot of blood.

Wufei smashed his fist into the side of the transport, startling the four soldiers around him.

You will not die.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When they landed on the roof of the hospital, medical staff were already waiting with a gurney. Wufei helped to move Heero onto the gurney and began running with the medical teaming, explaining everything he knew. Three gunshot wounds: high right on the chest, right arm, and lower midsection; severe loss of blood, time between injuries and arrival, and even Heero's blood type. As they approached the surgery room someone grabbed Wufei's bicep and he winced.

"You can't go in there, sir. You'll have to---"

Wufei yanked his arm free and whirled on the unsuspecting man.

"I will damn well go where I please! That man in there---"

"You're injured!"

Ignoring Wufei's rant, the doctor approached him, examining his shoulder.

"You've been shot. You have to come with me."

Wufei pushed the doctor away easily with one hand.

"I'm fine! I need to be in there!"

"Sir, if you continue to be difficult I'll have to call security."

Wufei stepped towards the young man, eyes glinting dangerously as he pulled his gun and cocked it, but left it hanging at his side.

"I dare you."

The shocked man just stood there, shaking and going pale. He watched, unable to move or shout, as Wufei turned and walked towards the surgery unit, smoothly holstering his gun.

"Wufei, stop! Wufei!"

Suddenly a voice was heard screaming down the hallway and at first the doctor thought it was security, and feared for his life as Wufei stopped and turned around.

"Wufei! Please stop!"

Wufei heard his name being screamed and knew who it was so he wasn't surprised to see Jason running towards him, cheeks red, eyes panicked. He was being followed by three other doctors. He watched as Jason turned to the woman to his left and spoke to her. They all looked very serious and the woman just nodded in acknowledgment and a small breeze hit Wufei's face as the woman and two men raced past him and through the surgical doors. Jason came to a halt, breathless.

"Please, let us do our job, Wufei. I'll come to you immediately, I promise."

Wufei looked into the green eyes and knew he could trust Jason. I have faith in him.

"I'll be waiting right here."

He kept his voice from cracking but it was low and had lost its edge. Jason nodded and disappeared through the doors. Wufei stood there, just staring forward at the scared doctor.

"I apologize."

Wufei turned and leaned against the wall, slowly sliding to the floor, leaving a bloody, dirty trail on the wall in his wake. He winced as he took off his vest and shirt, tossing them aside. The doctor watched in horrified fascination as Wufei examined his shoulder briefly, reached into a pocket on his vest retrieving a pair of giant sized tweezers, and then began digging in the wound. A few moments later he tossed the bullet and the tweezers onto his clothes and sat there panting. It took a few moments for the stars to clear from his vision, but when they did, he looked to the doctor still standing frozen a few feet away.

"I'll need some clean bandages and something to clean the wound with. Bring some needle and thread too."

And with that Wufei rested his head against the wall with a tired sigh and stared up at the tiled ceiling. It only took the young doctor a few moments to regain himself and race off to get the items Wufei requested.

You will not die.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Jason approached the doors tired, achy, and yet anxious. He knew Wufei would be on the other side of those doors. He just hoped it wasn't in handcuffs.

Jason emerged from the surgical unit to find Wufei waiting for him. But he didn't expect to find him asleep against the wall, shirtless, and with fresh bandages on his shoulder and hand. Did I know he was injured?

He slowly approached the sleeping man and squatted down to his level, and then brushed some dirt-dusted hair from his face. He took in the sight of Wufei, covered in dirt from head to toe, his face and hands and pants were smudged with blood. Jason regarded the pile of bloody clothes next to Wufei and he reached out, picking up the khaki shirt stained almost black in spots with drying blood. He saw the hole in the shirt and spikes of panic, relief, and guilt fought for dominance. He bowed his head and began breathing through his mouth as if winded. He held the shirt in both hands and brought it up to rest against his head.

There he remained until he heard a raspy noise. He swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and then lowered the shirt as he lifted his head to see Wufei staring at him with half-lidded eyes.

"How are you feeling?"

He didn't know why he whispered, other than it was all he could seem to muster at the moment.

"Tell….me."

Jason sighed and bowed his head again for a few seconds.

"Jason…"

Jason didn't look up, but he answered in a voice firm and loud enough for Wufei to hear.

"It doesn't look good. He lost a lot of blood, his ______ was damaged and twice during surgery his heart failed."

Jason met Wufei's gaze, his heart going out to his ex-boyfriend, even as he fought the urge to reach out and hold the man.

"I'm sorry, Wufei. I wish I could give you better news."

Wufei blinked slowly and looked away. He stared at the doors they took Heero through over five hours ago.

"May I see him?"

Jason reached out and helped Wufei up with a firm hand around his waist and Wufei's arm slung over his shoulders. When they were upright Jason turned to look at Wufei and he felt the spike again, but again he swallowed it and the impulse to pull the man into his arms.

"Come on."

Jason walked Wufei to the ICU and let him stand outside, looking in from the other side of the Plexiglas. He took off his white coat and put it on Wufei, the man allowing Jason to maneuver his arms as he simply remained staring forward.

Jason stayed with Wufei in the silent hallway until he decided he needed to get the quiet man talking. He needs to talk about this. If he keeps it bottled up inside he'll---

"It's my fault."

Wufei backed up until his back hit the wall and he slid down to the floor, his legs sliding out in front of him. Jason frowned. He's too weak. He needs painkillers, probably some blood, and lots of rest.

"I shouldn't have let him go. He's not field operations anymore. I should've never…."

Wufei closed his eyes and became very still. Jason cautiously approached and reached out a shaking hand, caressing Wufei's cheek.

"Wufei?"

A hand slipped down and checked his pulse. It was steady, strong. He's asleep. Thank goodness. Jason sat down on the floor, his back against the wall and he guided Wufei down, laying his head in his lap.

"Sleep, love. I'll watch over you."

Jason looked up to the ceiling, blinking his eyes rapidly while taking a deep breath to banish the spike of pain in his chest. Not now. Not yet. He needs me.

To be continued…