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

A Part of Me

Chapter 21

Jason's internal clock sounded and he started awake. Jeez, I'm wiped. But I have to check on Heero and get Wufei to consent to a medical exam. He managed to delicately extricate himself and place Wufei's head on the ground with little more than a grunt from the passed out soldier. Then he silently made his way into Heero's room and checked the various machines' readouts, his frown deepening with each new sheet of paper.

"Hey."

Jason started at the small sound and he looked up from the chart to see half-lidded blue eyes regarding him. Jason offered a warm smile.

"Hi there."

Heero wasn't sure how much he was in his right mind because seeing those green eyes and warm smile aimed at him actually made him feel better. Guess Wufei isn't so crazy after all.

"Wufei is just outside. I'll get him, but he--"

"No. Just….unplug everything."

Jason's eyes softened as he put the chart on the bed and sat down in the plastic chair at Heero's head.

"You and Wufei, you're….quite the pair. You think you can tell us doctors our job."

"I'm…no fool….I can feel my body….shutting down…."

Jason bowed his head and clasped his hands tightly. He understood what Heero wanted. He knew there was no real hope for him and that it was the machines keeping him alive. Just like Wufei…so strong, even now.

"Do you have a living will? Instructions to this effect?"

"If you don't…..I will….."

"Are you sure you don't want to say goodbye? He'll be devastated."

"Not…like this…"

Jason looked up at Heero's hazy gaze and he smiled, nodding his head. Then he stood up and started turning off the battery of machines.

"Stop! What the hell are you doing?!"

Wufei barged into the room and yanked Jason away, sending him into a nearby machine with a clatter.

"What kind of doctor are you?! You'll kill him!"

"Shut up."

Wufei turned wide eyes to the soft voice and saw Heero gazing at him with half-seeing eyes.

"Heero….what's going on?"

Wufei slowly approached the bed, not noticing Jason's retreat from the room.

"I told him….to do it…."

Wufei shook his head as he sat down on the bed.

"Don't be a fool. It'll take longer, but you'll recover."

"No….I know….Jason knows….I'm done…."

Wufei had subconsciously reached out and now clasped Heero's hand within his tightly as the pressure within his chest increased tenfold and his eyes welled up.

"My…..decision…..let me go….."

Let him go? But it seems like he just came back to me. No. Unacceptable. I won't allow it!

Suddenly all the emotions and pain that were building up within Wufei broke free and Wufei let everything come out full force.

"Gods damn it, Yuy! I accepted you back in my life! You can't leave me again! I'll never forgive you!"

Wufei's fiery tirade was loosing steam the more he looked into the cerulean eyes. They were always so defiant, strong. But now….

"You….can't die…until I give you permission. I'm your Commander damn it."

Heero offered a weak smile and blinked very slowly. Damn it, he looks beautiful even when he's crying.

"'fraid I'll….have to dis..obey."

"Heero…don't you dare….."

"I wish ….it could…have….been diff…rent….with…us…"

Heero reached up and shaky fingertips made contact with Wufei's damp cheek. Wufei pressed the hand against his face with his own.

"Don't leave….please…I'll be alone again."

"You…have…Jason…he loves…you……"

Wufei clamped his eyes shut and let his forehead rest against Heero's.

"I'll…al…ways…be…a pa..rt of…you."

Wufei let out a strangled noise and leaned up enough to look down at Heero, his eyes wide in realization. Then his face softened and he smiled through his sadness.

"Yes. You are a part of me. Always."

Heero closed his eyes and let out a tired sigh. His chest rose and fell a few more times, and then it just stopped. Heero never opened his eyes again and Wufei just let himself collapse on Heero, his anger and sadness washed away by exhaustion.

"Sweet dreams, Heero."

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Jason stood outside the room and watched Wufei beg his friend not to die and then crying over his lifeless body. He stopped a nurse from entering the room.

"But doctor---"

"I'll take care of this. Please let John know I'll be unavailable for the next few days. He'll take care of everything."

"Yes, doctor."

The woman hesitantly left, looking back only once before doing as Jason requested. Jason stood there and watched for a few more minutes then backed up to the opposite wall and slid back down to the floor. He stared at the door and finally, he broke. He hugged his knees to his chest and cried. He cried because Wufei was crushed. He cried because it was a life he couldn't save. But mostly, he cried in relief. It wasn't him. Thank you, god. He's safe. He's alive.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Jason wasn't sure how long he'd been sitting on the floor, but he knew he'd dozed off again for a few moments. He stood up with a wince, the cold floor and wall not making the best support. He looked in the window and found Wufei still sitting on Heero's bed, leaning his body over so it was resting on Heero's, his face nestled at Heero's neck.

A glance at the clock told him he'd been on the floor for about a half hour. I have to get him out of there. He entered the room and gently called out.

"Wufei?"

No response. He closed in on the bed and reached out, a hand gently shaking Wufei's shoulder.

"Wufei?"

A groan was all he got as a response and then he cringed when he realized he just shook Wufei's injured shoulder.

Jason sighed and looked down at the pair. Heero looked peaceful in death. He accepted it in the end. And I'm sure he was happy to have Wufei with him.

Green eyes wandered to the other occupant and Jason frowned. He's completely drained. Wufei's face looked haggard and it was pinched, no doubt from Jason's error in shaking his injured shoulder. His hair was still crusted with dirt. At least he let me put my coat on him.

Jason looked up at the clock and sighed. How am I going to do this?

"Ja…son."

"I'm here."

Without thinking Jason reached out and brushed the back of his knuckles against Wufei's blood smeared cheek.

"I….want…to go home."

"Of course. I'll take you."

Jason reached out and helped Wufei to sit up and then began guiding Wufei to his feet, but Wufei pulled against Jason and looked down at Heero.

"Wufei, please. I have to get you---"

"I've never seen him look so peaceful."

Wufei's quiet voice was full of anguish and it quavered. Jason thought Wufei was going to refuse to leave but he turned to Jason and looked up at him with dead black eyes.

"I want to go home."

Jason helped Wufei to his feet and the pair slowly made their way out of the ICU room, down an access hallway and out the backdoor. Jason undraped Wufei from his shoulders and left him as he went to get his car. He didn't want to leave by any known exit, pubic or employee. He didn't want to have to explain his actions or have someone try and bully Wufei into staying at the hospital. He's my only concern right now.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The car ride home was spent on the phone contacting the appropriate people to take care of Heero's body and then finally reaching Wufei's boss, Lady Une. She had informed him that she had contacted Duo and he was making the necessary calls. She inquired about Wufei and Jason told her of his injuries, but lied and said he'd sedated Wufei so he would rest.

Wufei just went along with Jason mechanically as he was guided into his apartment and to the bathroom. Jason stood with Wufei in the shower and washed him from head to toe. He examined Wufei's shoulder and decided it would keep until tomorrow and put fresh bandages on it; but decided his little lie to lady Une was actually a good idea, and so he gave Wufei a few painkillers. He guided Wufei into bed and instead of heading out to the sofa he remained rooted to the floor and could only stare at the sleeping man.

I can't leave him. Why can't I walk out the door? He's safe and sleeping. He doesn't need me anymore. But…I need him.

Willing to face whatever wrath Wufei would aim at him, Jason slipped onto the bed, staying on top of the covers, his body seeking out Wufei on its own accord. He wrapped his arms and legs around the strong lean body which seemed frail and small to him suddenly. He closed his eyes and let the exhaustion win over, quickly falling asleep as he once again murmured thanks that Wufei was alive and safe.

To be continued…