Disclaimer: You certainly know the score.

Notes: Nine years ago, they said 'Good bye'. Now they are summoned back. Has time healed their rift? Can they ever fix their broken friendships? What does it mean to be Gundam, when a Gundam Pilot lies dying?

Warnings: I'm a slash writer; in my view some characters are not heterosexual. This may be different from your own interpretation of the characters. I hope you enjoy the story, despite our disagreement and I thank you for staying with me, despite Chapter 9 being your safe stopping point.

Song :The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

::And I'm talking to myself at night::

::Because I can't forget::

::Back and forth through my mind::

::Behind a cigarette::

::And the message coming from my eyes::

::Says leave it alone::

Fade to Black

By Doctor Megalomania

Chapter 35: To the Hounds of Hell

::Everyone knows about it::

::From the Queen of England to the hounds of hell::

He stood there, sort of looking around. Balanced on a crutch for support, Duo was stood in the middle of his apartment, staring at a life he'd left behind. Behind him, he could hear Unterward taking notes from the doctor. He watched as a nurse walked around the apartment, making notes about what was there. She was part of the home care team that would be taking care of Duo's health as they tried to integrate him back. Integrate him back into a life he'd left unexpectedly. Heero was there as well, talking to the doctor and Duo had stepped away from the conversation.

It was all a bit much, really.

It just sounded like white noise to him. He wasn't taking anything in, and knew that Heero would be there later to update him. To integrate that knowledge into his mind set. Both Hobbs and Heero had been working toward this day with him, making sure that Duo could understand that his life wouldn't be the same. At the time, Duo didn't really comprehend what Heero and Doctor Hobbs had meant when he wouldn't be able to just step right back into his old life. He'd really expected it to be normal, just a bit slower. Maybe he'd need a little help, but really he'd be able to make do on his own.

Standing here, at this moment though, Duo could understand it. The silence of the large room was deafening. He tried to think about what he'd do that evening, but even trying to remember how to work the DVD player left him blinking in confusion.

There was a soft touch to his back and he looked at a concerned Heero. Pulling up a smile, Duo tried to look reassuring at his friend and knew it wasn't quite right. He knew that tiredness was beginning to show in his features and that he needed to lie down. Heero nodded and got the nurse, and soon – like it was in a blink of an eye – Duo found himself in a bed.

"You're going to tire more easily," The nurse was saying as she tucked him into the bed. Duo looked beyond her at the door and could see Unterward looking at him with concern. Duo felt his world narrow as sleep took him.

"Will he be okay?" Unterward frowned as the nurse closed the door. "Perhaps moving him out of the hospital was a hasty decision."

Hobbs smiled reassuringly, "Duo's condition has improved to the point where he no longer needs immediate medical supervision," She gestured the nurse. "He will have some medical supervision, of course... but we're now at a point where he must begin to normalise to an out-patient life style." She smiled, "Level 7 will mean Duo will be able to function but he will still need supervision when he's out and about."

"I will take care of that." Heero said, "If not me, one of the others will be there to go out with him."

Hobbs nodded as she picked up her bag and walked towards the exit. "You will have to allow for a decreased awareness of his own personal safety. He will be aware of the basics of crossing a road, but it's going to be difficult for him to judge things." She glanced at Unterward, "And please, remember what I said about his re-entry into his job."

Unterward dipped his head in a nod, "I've made a note to discuss it during his next review."

"I'd prefer the second review, but I know that Second Chance are eager to promote the health of its CEO." Hobbs squared her shoulders, "I do recognise that it's a matter of business, but your board are just going to have to be a little more patient." She looked at both of them and sighed, "Well, any questions, feel free to page me." She motioned the nurse, "Andrea has the afternoon shift and will be relieved at 8pm." She glanced at Unterward, "Thanks for the key sets."

Unterward nodded, and gestured with his hand. "Let me see you out."

As Hobbs left, Heero stepped over to the nurse. He handed her his business card, taking care to point out the numbers written on the back. "If he needs anything..."

The nurse nodded, "Sure thing, Mister Yuy." Heero turned toward the bedroom, wondering if he should check Duo one more time. The nurse caught his look and smiled apologetically, "It would be best if you left him to sleep, sir."

Heero sighed and motioned toward the card once more, "If he needs anything, anytime."

"I'll make sure I call, sir."

The shadows seemed to dance across his ceiling. Heero sighed and rolled over. He was struggling to sleep. He thought briefly about getting up so he could do something more constructive, but decided against it. He needed to get up tomorrow earlier than normal to visit Duo at his apartment before heading into the Preventers headquarters. They were expecting to hear from Noin and Zechs tomorrow.

He glanced over at his clock; it was close to 2am.

Heero resumed staring at the ceiling. He knew that on a night like this sleep would escape him. Too many thoughts chased around in his head. He was concerned about Duo, this first night out of the hospital. Noin and Zechs, their report tomorrow. His own investigations. They were getting closer to the elusive Ketchin. It was a name of a pilot in OZ, but many records were badly damaged during the war. Une had done her best, but - unlike Trieze's meticulous reports of the dead – reports of surviving OZ soldiers were less detailed.

Armed with only a name and a profession, Heero's searches had narrowed but not enough. Noin and Zechs had been dispatched two months ago to go Earthside, to follow up leads on Ketchin. Through his own investigation, Wufei had managed to pinpoint that a solider with the surname of Ketchin had been one of the survivors of New Edwards Base, but the trail after that point swiftly went cold. Intelligence and Tactical had benefited a lot from Quatre's direction, and they were beginning to piece together some of Ketchin's movements before the attack on the base. It was only a matter of time until they could construct a trajectory for Ketchin's movements from that point forward.

His eyes were just falling shut as he began to imagine the trajectory after the arrest of Ketchin. There would be a trial, of course. Heero would be there to support Duo through it all, then they would—

His phone began vibrating. He rolled onto his side and answered the phone. "Yuy."

"Mr Yuy, I'm the night nurse for Mr Maxwell."

Heero moved out of the bed, reaching for his ear piece. "Yes?" He switched the connection over to the ear piece and slipped it into his ear.

"I'm—" She paused as if calming herself. "I'm sorry to wake you, but you're listed as Mr Maxwell's—"

"What happened?" Heero pulled on trousers and slipped the phone into his pocket. He was already pulling on a shirt and moving toward the door. He could hear voices in the background, and was fairly sure he could make out the voice of Doctor Hobbs.

"Mr Maxwell is missing; I don't know how he got passed me." The nurse explained. "I was only in the bathroom for a minute."

By the time he was at the door, Heero was armed and pulling on his Preventers jacket. "I'm on my way. How long has he been missing?"

The nurse turned defensive, "He's been only gone for an hour, and we're searching for him. Doctor Hobbs suggest—"

She disappeared from the phone, and was replaced. "Hobbs here, Mr Yuy. We've got local police searching the area; I'm just calling you to keep you apprised of the situation." She paused, and Heero imagined she was pinching her nose. "He just can't stay put. We'll keep you apprised of the situation..."

"I'm on my way."

"There's no need." Hobbs replied, "I'd be more comfortable if you stayed—"

"Hang on." Heero looked toward his door, unsure of what he'd heard. He listened and there was a quiet knock at the door. "Hold the line." Heero stood still, raising his hand to mute the ear piece. He took a step toward the door, and listened carefully. The knock was muffled, weak but began rapping out the safe house entry code. Heero crept toward the door and opened it sharply.

Duo, of course, was slumped on the floor by the door. He looked up weakly, an exhausted but cocky grin showing on his face. Heero knelt by him, and reached for his ear piece. "Hobbs."

"He's there, isn't he?" She sounded aggravated, but not surprised. "I'm on my way."

"I just sorta looked around and realised... Nope."

They were sat at the kitchen table, and Duo's eyes were glassy. He was exhausted clearly, but there was something wild in his eyes. Heero leaned against a counter top, watching. Duo was babbling, he was shaking and he was filled with a nervous kind of energy.

Hobbs reached up to pinch her nose, "Mr Maxwell."

"No." Duo shook his head, "I know what you're gonna say, and I'm gonna say nope."

Heero watched them interact, looking over Duo himself as Hobbs continued to examine him for injuries. It was clear that Duo had fallen over at least once during his journey to Heero's apartment. The crutch was scratched and slightly dented in places. The bag that Duo had packed was light, filled with things that Duo had clearly thought would be useful. There was toothpaste, but no brush. A hair brush but no ties. T-shirts and underwear but nothing else. Gun but the wrong type of ammunition. It was a stark reminder to Heero of how under-prepared Duo was to live by himself.

Hobbs shook her head. "You need to be supervised."

"Look, I made it here!" Duo held up his hands, "Lady, I'm fine... I just ... Nope."

His eyes seemed unfocused, Heero noted. He was shaking uncontrollably, the kind of shakes Duo would get after a particular stressful mission or after a lot of caffeine. It was the shakes that made Heero doubt Duo's sanity at the time. Like Duo was just a couple of seconds from grabbing a gun and shooting indiscriminately into the crowd. Heero crouched down and Duo's oddly coloured eyes fixed on him. Duo held his gaze, glassy eyed but steady. Heero tilted his head, "You should have called."

"You wouldn't have come to get me." Duo raised a shaky hand, running it through too short hair. "I needed to get out of there, I just..." His hands twitched for a moment as he looked around Heero's smaller apartment. "I needed to get away from the place, man." He fixed his gaze on Hobbs, trying to bring the shakes under control. "It wasn't the right place."

"I've assessed it—"

"Yeah, but it wasn't the place I need to be." Duo insisted, his shaky hand cradling his forehead. "You don't get it, it wasn't... I just..." He shook his head, fixing his eyes on Heero again. "Nope. Okay? Just ... no. But... Here's okay, isn't it, buddy?"

Hobbs glanced around Heero's apartment. "I'd be happier for you to stay in a place—"

"Look, it's okay, right?"

Hobbs stared at him. "Maybe we should go back to the hospital."

Duo seemed to still, thinking about it and then shook his head. "Nope. No." He looked at Heero and shook his head again, "No."

Heero stared back, watching as the shakes made Duo twitch his hands. He could see the confusion in Duo like it was a physical thing, could see the pride in Duo's eyes. He looked at Hobbs, the frown on her face becoming more pronounced as she thought about the effect of being out of hospital was having on Duo. He glanced down and thought for a moment. "He can stay here."

Hobbs shook her head. "He's going to need a bed."

"I'll make do." Duo pointed to the sofa, almost too eager to appease her. "I'll be fine!"

"You need a bed to sleep in." She replied firmly, but looking at Heero.

Heero nodded, "He can have mine." He tipped his head to the other sofa in the room. "That's a sofa bed. I can sleep there."

The doctor pulled her glasses off in a tired gesture and rubbed an eye. She sighed as she slipped her glasses on and stared at Duo. "If I take you back to the hospital, you'll just pull another stunt and leave, won't you?"

Duo's smile was watery, weak and sincere as he nodded through his shaking. He shrugged in an apologetic manner, and threw a look of relieve at Heero. "I just... You know..."

Hobbs stood and opened her bag. "I'm going to give you a mild sedative, because you need to sleep and I think it's clear to both of us that you're too agitated to sleep." She looked at Heero, "You're going to take the day off tomorrow so you can get him settled into the house and I can come over and do a full assessment of your living conditions." She levelled a finger at Duo. "If I'm not satisfied with this apartment for you, you're moving elsewhere or you're going back to the hospital."

As Hobbs was leaving, she paused at the door with Heero. She looked at him searchingly, "I feel like I'm going to be telling you something a bit redundant. I know you've done the research, but you're going to working with someone who cannot quite take care of themselves."

"I saw his bag." Heero nodded, "It wasn't fully operational or functionally correct." He met her tired eyes, "I'm prepared."

"I suspect so," She smiled lopsidedly and touched his arm, "You're Gundam after all."

He tilted his head and she shook hers.

"Never mind. I'll contact Sally Po." She turned away, "Call me if you need anything."

The bar wasn't great but they didn't ask for my ID and I could pay without having to worry too much about leaving a trail. Even now I needed to tread carefully. The papers showed me that not everyone fully understood what his message was. Not everyone understood he was looking for liberation. So they considered what I had done a crime.

Considered my mercy something as crazy as an assassination attempt.

I read the papers while eating my dinner. They kept getting it wrong, calling him the wrong name, thinking he was the wrong pilot. I'd read the reports of Pilot 01 and knew that only one so dedicated to the cause could be so dedicated to improving life on L2. That he'd sacrificed a comfortable home on L1 and had come to L2 to build it up... couldn't they see?

It disgusted me. I knew that people knew the truth, I could see it. The way they all looked at him, continuing the lie, perpetrating it around the colony. Even going as far as to change records on Earth.

But I'd found definite proof. I could shatter their misconceptions.

It wasn't necessary, he didn't need to have his cover blown... he didn't even need the cover, but I understood why he helped to spread the lies. I blamed Pilot 02. The coward. The other pilots and their hate, their selfishness, their inability to be close to each other without breaking into fights.

I was amazed that they had managed some cohesion in the short time they'd been brought back together. I knew it couldn't last. What kind of friendship is based on the near death experience of one of their own? He had to almost die to bring them to his side?! The bastards couldn't understand him. What he was willing to give to bring their friendship back? I knew he sought peace but even I was amazed by the lengths he would go to...

It was so like him, to give his life to help them find peace.

I shook out a couple of my pills and chewed on them.

And it was my responsibility to help him. To give him his own peace. To give him his own peace. It was so important, and he couldn't do it himself. Clearly, it was something he needed someone else to do. It wouldn't be right for him to take his own life. By using me as his weapon, he could avoid the possible negative connotations of his suicide.

It was suicide. I told him he didn't need to die.

But it's my responsibility to help him. To give him his own peace. To give him his very own peace. Because it was so important to him, and he couldn't do it by himself. It was so clear that he needed me to do it. It wasn't right that he had to die. By using me as his weapon, he could commit suicide and nobody would ever think badly of him.

He wasn't a coward. I told him he didn't need to worry.

But it was my responsibility to kill him. To give him his own peace. To give him his very own peace. Because it was so important to me, and he saved my life by himself. It was so clear like glass. He needed me to do it. It was right, he had to die. I would be his weapon. He could die, I could kill him and everyone would remember him as I see him.

It was sainthood. I told him I could do it.

But it wasn't his responsibility to die. To give him his own peace. To give him the perfect peace. Because it was so important to everyone to see that he was saving everyone by dying. The glass was shining. He was calling to me. It was alright. He knew he had to die. He asked me to be his weapon. He wanted to die, he wanted me to kill him and everyone would understand why I had to do it.

He would go to leave. I told him it would be okay.

I looked at the TV and saw him smiling. He was watching over me as he spoke and I waved. He winked at me, nodding encouragement. He only had a short time because they cut his message short. The newscaster smiled at me too, but soon got distracted by other news. I paid for my food and left, walking to my hotel. I could taste chalk in my mouth and the cotton in my head suggested that perhaps it was time to cut my dosage again. Half would do.

But it wasn't my responsibility to worry about myself.

I only had to give him his own peace.

My feet took me past the apartments where he lived, and standing on the other side of the street I could almost see his balcony. I stared for a while, listening carefully. I could almost hear him talking, like he didn't know I was there.

I only had to give him his very own peace.

At the muffled curse, Heero was up and pointing his gun in the direction of his own bedroom. It took a moment for the sounds to register. He slid the safety back into place, and put his feet on the floor. There was another curse as he got to his feet and walked over to the corridor that connected his bedroom to the living room. Heero flicked the light on, and crouched down by Duo.

The other man's head was bent down and Heero reached to touch his shoulder. Duo's voice was quiet and it stopped Heero from touching him. "Sedative wore off, forgot where I was."

Heero tilted his head. "Are you hurt?"

"Only my pride, man." Duo was muted, unable to meet Heero's eyes when he raised his head. "Walked into a wall, then stumbled because I forgot to bring my crutch." He shook his head, "Man, if G could see me now."

"I doubt J would be impressed that you are not currently riddled with bullets."

That caught Duo's attention and an uncertain smile pulled at the corner of his lips. "Buddy, I forgot about that sense of humour..."

Heero gave half a shrug and offered a hand. He gripped Duo's hands and pulled the other man up. The shakes were not as pronounced as before, and Heero noted that Duo did not seem steady on his own feet. He adjusted his grip on Duo and was surprised when Duo ran his hands up to wrap pale arms around his neck. They stood close. Duo's odd coloured eyes fixed on a point above Heero's eyes and the uncertain smile widened. He experienced another kind of shock when Duo tangled his hands into his hair, clearly amused.

"How is it that your hair is even more messy?" Duo spoke as if distracted.

Heero wasn't sure if he could answer, the shock was hot – every brush of Duo's fingers against his scalp made it worse. His breathing deepened and his hands shifted to hold Duo's sides. A sharp confusion warred with his shock as Duo's smile muted slightly, odd coloured eyes dropping from Heero's hair to meet his own. There was something in Duo's eyes that spoke of an awareness.

The other man shifted his stance, putting his weight on one hip. It gave Heero the slight height advantage and he was oddly pleased to distantly note Duo's breathing had also increased. Oddly pleased by the light blush that stole across Duo's cheeks, the way it felt to have Duo's arms tighten around him.

But in tightening, the tremors in Duo's arms became more pronounced.

Heero blinked and took a step back. Both of their arms dropped from each other. Duo took another step back until he was leaning back against the wall. Oddly coloured eyes were fixed on Heero. Duo looked like he was assessing the situation and Heero appreciated that because his emotions were too turbulent to do it himself.

The moment passed, and Duo snorted. Looking away, he nodded toward the bedroom. "Sedative wore off, forgot where I was... Thought I could look for you..." He closed his eyes briefly, "Blah blah blah..." he said, almost cuttingly – he was annoyed with himself, Heero noted detachedly. "Look, buddy. Your room's great an' all, but it's way too quiet... so, uh..."

His face screwed up, like what he was saying was too hard for a moment. The expression faded, and a familiar self-depreciating expression appeared as Duo ran his hand through his hair.

"I was coming to check if you were... I mean you gotta be uncomfortable on that sofa bed, and I kinda need..." Duo scratched his head, almost pulling at the short hair. "Look, you gotta sleep, I gotta sleep." He shrugged, "I'm..."

He blinked as if coming to a realisation and finally met Heero's eyes.

"I'm not okay, and I really don't want to go back to the hospital..." Duo squared his shoulders, "But you say no, then I think I better go."

Heero tilted his head, "You want to sleep in the same bed." Duo nodded, and Heero thought about it. He blinked. "Okay."

Duo sighed as if he both was and wasn't expecting that answer. "Okay." With a pale arm, Duo reached out to hook his arm over Heero's shoulder. Heero wrapped an arm around Duo's waist, and together they walked slowly to the bedroom.

A quick look at his bedside clock made Heero realise it was close to five. He sighed as he shifted on to his back in the bed to get comfortable. It was strange feeling another source of warmth in his bed, but it wasn't unwelcome. There weren't any more words between them. As he drifted off, Heero didn't pull his hand away when Duo curled long fingers around his.

Sally was leant against the wall, facing away from the door. She looked over as the door opened, and an armed but exhausted former Gundam Pilot looked out bleary eyed. She smiled as Heero looked at her, frowning. She pushed herself off the wall and came to stand in front of him. "Didn't feel like taking any chances, the way Hobbs puts it, you could well have been up half the night."

Heero nodded, trying hard not to yawn but clearly hard pressed to hide the fact. Sally raised the take-away tray, "Donuts and coffee?"

Heero frowned at the offering, "That's not a—"

"Healthy start to the day? I dunno," Sally smiled lop-sidedly, "You can't be healthy all the time." She stepped into the apartment lightly, eyes scanning the room. "I reckon my site-eval's going to go better if Duo feels more at home." She turned to look at Heero, "If he's half as agitated as Hobbs suspects he actually was, then he's heading back to the hospital with me."

Heero dipped to his knees and packed away his gun. He stowed his go-bag away, and motioned the kitchen. "He's still sleeping."

Sally smiled faintly. It was a tight expression. "No, he's not." She turned her head to look down the corridor to his bedroom. "I'm going to put that down to the same PSTD that you Gundams all clearly have."

Duo stepped forward, his expression almost sorry as he slipped the safety back onto the gun he held. He tossed it to Heero and nodded, "We weren't expecting anyone until later." He shrugged as if loosening his shoulders. "It's been a bit of a wild ride. Didn't know my own apartment wasn't going to be safe."

"Unsafe how?" Sally asked, turning to the kitchen. She sat down and took out her tablet, reading it for note taking.

"Just, it wasn't the right place to be." Duo looked at her tablet warily. "Not going back to it, you know that right?"

"I'm guessing so." Sally looked him over, her eyes roving over his frame. "You slept?"

"Mostly." He cleared his throat. "Sedative wore off, so Heero helped me back to bed."

She glanced at Heero as he slipped into a seat beside them. He reached for the bag of donuts and snagged one. He looked at it dubiously. Duo grabbed a coffee, wincing as its bitter taste hit his throat. Sally made a note, and took a sip of her own coffee. "I'm going to do a site evaluation, take in some details and do some risk assessment. Hobbs would do it herself, but thinks that my experience with you may help me to tell what's going on behind the scenes."

Heero nodded, "I'm taking the day off as requested so you can complete your questioning of our situation. I don't have an answer yet about working from home—"

Sally held up a hand, "You've done your research on this option as well?"

Heero shrugged and chewed, swallowing before answering. "It was a possibility."

Sally nodded and glanced at Duo, "You're going to be under tighter surveillance."

"I'm cool with that." Duo answered quickly, wanting to reassure her.

She smiled at that. "Uh-huh." She looked up from her tablet, "I've requested transfer to this position. The nurses aren't prepared for the kind of stunts you can pull, and..." She looked at Heero, "You need to work. You'll partner up with Wufei when I'm pulling the day shift with Duo." She looked at Duo, "I'm going to keep my beady eyes on you, mister."

Duo's expression lightened, a tension he had been trying to hide lifting. "I'm not even going to protest if it keeps me close to ...uh," He blinked. "Somewhere where I feel safe."

Heero kept chewing his donut, not reacting to Duo's knee bumping against his.

::All the words are gonna bleed from me::

::And I will sing no more::

::And the stains coming from my blood::

::Tell me go back home::

A/N: Thank you for reading and for review, particularly after last time. I'm most grateful for your kind words and your excellent observations. I look forward to your next review.