The Winner Estate was calm once more. Or at least for a little while longer… Trowa and Quatre were at peace, and Quatre had left for some business meeting of sorts. Wufei and Trowa were calmly enjoying a quite game of chess. There was little talk across the table, as could be imagined from two would-be-mutes. However, the company was enjoyed all the same. This bloodless competition was welcome between the two former combatants.
Heero and Duo had made it back to the Estate in remarkably efficient timing. The servants that they had passed instantly became a part of the parade, and a chorus of concerned voices circled about the two. They bustled and cussed their way through to the nearest guestroom. Perhaps it would've been more intelligent to set her down on the first couch they saw, however, the odd angle that her spine – which seemed to oddly stab into Heero's arm – didn't seem as if it would be welcome to it. He set her down as carefully as he could, as Duo quickly relayed what had happened to some of the maids. There was a sudden scattering of servants, as they went to get doctors, medicines, and first aid kits. Like little ants, they marched in lines all over the Estate, working quickly, as if the queen ant herself were in that bed.
Obviously, Wufei and Trowa couldn't ignore what was happening. Particularly when there was the screeching of burnt rubber in the driveway as the doctor was fetched. Not to mention Duo's sudden burst into the room where they were at calm quiet play… waving his hands wildly as though a swarm of bees decided his groin were honey. Wufei, who worked on instinct, and slapped him promptly. Although Trowa obviously didn't agree with this course of action… he crossed one leg over the other, as he watched the maneuver work. The American calmed down and told them what had happened, that he and Heero were fine for the most part – but that the girl looked rather critical.
"Why didn't you just call an ambulance from where you were?" Wufei didn't like the idea at all. Some little street rat, conveniently where Heero and Duo happened to be, finding her way into the richest estate of the land? His hands were firmly at his hips as if he were about to scold the hell out of Duo, but Trowa seemed to believe the slap had been enough.
"I'm sure Heero did what he felt was best," and Wufei wouldn't argue with that. The only irrational thing Heero ever did was having considered Relena as a significant other. He would've shuddered, had Heero himself not entered the room. No one knew more than Heero what kind of a mistake that was. A hint would've been the second and third restraining orders.
Several hours had passed after the doctors had been let in and the door closed. The four ex-pilots had been waiting in the sitting room, for news. Luckily, for the girl and the bed linens, there was no real surgery needed. Although Heero argued, explaining the stabbing of her back into his arm… the doctor explained that it was nothing broken, just misaligned. At best there would be physical therapy or a chiropractor. It would seem as though Heero's features seemed to relax… the only tell-tale sign being his fists unclenching at his sides.
"Perhaps yourself and Duo should change. I'm sure it won't be a while until she wakes up…" Trowa, with the best smile he could offer, gently coaxed the two. Without Quatre here, someone had to be the voice of gentle reasoning. And it sure as hell wasn't going to be Wufei.
"Heh. No joke. Look what they did to my hair!" Of course Duo had to joke, but there was an evident shimmer of pain in his eyes. What he had seen… had been to painfully close to home. The fake smile would have to do for now, he decided. Heero and himself left side by side, the Japanese boy brushing his hand over the American's arm, in a subtle manner of comfort as the two exited.
"What are you thinking," Trowa stated. He didn't like the look on Wufei's face, or the manner that his friend was stroking his chin. He couldn't possibly believe this little girl would have any ulterior motives. Let alone risk her life for it.
"The timing. It couldn't have been better, that's all," Wufei seemed to shrug nonchalantly, but the interrogative look in his eyes threatening the small girl's waking hours.
"Obviously, but perhaps it was luck on her part."
"Luck. No such thing, you should know that, as well as I do."
Heero and Duo had changed, quickly no less. Both were mutely eager to find out the condition of the girl. When Heero's feet had found themselves wandering towards the girls' room, Duo was already standing there, leaning casually against the door, like a lazy guard pup. He peeked up as his fellow pilot approached, "What are you smirking at? Don't tell me you're undressing me with your eyes again…"
"Of course not," Heero said smugly, with a hmph. Not now anyway. Right now he was thinking of what they were going to do when the girl woke up. Duo was obviously thinking the same.
"Do you think Quatre will let us keep her?"
"She's not a dog."
"I know that!! But I'm not letting her go back out there," Duo said in an eerily firm manner. If he could wholly prevent this from happening again, or happening to anyone at all, he sure as hell will. "She's just a kid."
"Like you were." There was a silent pause. Duo crossed his arms, and Heero leaned against the door next to him. They stood, shoulder to shoulder, providing each other with a make-shift comfort. After a few moments, Duo sighed, and Heero moved to leave.
"Hey. Where do you think you're going?" Heero put a finger to his lips, and then to Duo's. The American blushed. Heero tilted his head gesturing for Duo to follow, and of course he did.