I never said I wouldn't cry

The girl smiled softly to herself as she watched the panicked flutter of the birds. She opened the window, breathing in the cool air, glad to let some life into the stark sullen room. That smile, however was short-lived and it soon faded as she turned back to the still figure on the bed.

Fly, Fly little wing

Fly beyond imagining

The softest cloud, the whitest dove

Upon the wind of heavens love

Hilde smiled and bit back tears as she resumed her vigil. He had been hit by a car, a drunk driver no less. A bitter laugh escapes her lips. Who would've thought that Duo Maxwell, the Shinigami, who survived so much, would finally be defeated by a drunk. She laughed again, laughed so she wouldn't cry.

Past the planets and the stars

Leave this lonely world of ours

Escape the sorrows and the pain

And fly again

But still, he hadn't yet been defeated. He was still fighting with everything he had, fighting as he had always been. A constant bitter battle against himself, the world, everything.  Every moment of his life had been part that eternal struggle so others could have everything that he had once dreamed of. Her heart wept for his battered soul.

Fly, Fly precious one

Your endless journey has begun

Take your gentle happiness

Far to beautiful for this

He was just too good for this world, too pure too happy to live in this world of pain. This world that took so much and gave so little. They stole his childhood, his cause, and all they gave in return was devastation…and a bleak, white hospital room.

She remembered that awful night. Seeing that car too late. It just appeared out of the night, no lights no warning. Then there was the noise. The crunch and screams. The blood and pain. She was a veteran of the wars but this was just so…different. More intimate, more terrible then the MS battles ever had been. She could hear Duo talking to her, trying to reassure her "Don't worry…I won't leave you…you'll be okay…I'll never leave you…"

This world sucked the very life out of him; and still he fought. But the wars were over. He shouldn't have to fight anymore.

Cross over to the other side

There is peace forevermore

But hold this mem'ry bittersweet

Until we meet…

Would he ever be the same person he had been before the wars… before that hard life on the streets? Could he ever find that carefree spirit while he was still tied to this world? This place held so much pain and memories.

She choked back tears. He would fight this, as he had everything else, and he might just wake from this coma. But would that be winning? Even then he would be paralyzed from the neck down, it was the best the doctors could do. He would never be the Duo she had known before. He would never run again, never lift her into his arms, never fly. And the thought of this earthbound Duo was almost too hard to bear; he had always seemed to float before. Hilde leaned over the body of her promised one and stole one last kiss, for memory's sake.

Fly, Fly do not fear

Don't waste a breath don't shed a tear

You heart is pure your soul is free

Be on your way don't wait for me

Duo. I love you…so fight for yourself just this once…fight for what you want…I'll be strong for you…I promise. Her voice broke. I know I'll see you when tomorrow comes…you won't be leaving me.

Above the universe you'll climb

On beyond the hands of time

The moon will rise the sun will set

But I won't forget.

It may have just been the product of exhaustion and hope, but just before life left that crippled, grief-filled body, Hilde thought that she saw a smile flicker across his placid face, felt his hand tighten around hers in a gesture of farewell. Then Duo was, at long last, victorious.

Fly, Fly, little wing

Fly where only angels sing

Fly away the time is right

Go now. Find the light.

She could almost see him grinning as he ran onto a place of endless day, his braid flapping behind him like a kites' tail. There was no more sadness in his step, no more pain in his eyes. For the first time in his life he was genuinely happy. Hilde smiled weakly. Before there had been that constant underlying pain; now it was gone. How could she deny him that?

She turned and left the body. In her mind it was no longer Duo. Duo was that shining joyous light she had seen. But that knowledge didn't erase the loss.

"I promised I would be strong, but I never said I wouldn't cry…" the words trailed off as her voice broke with tears "I never said I wouldn't cry…"

***end***

I do not own Gundam Wing, any of the characters, or the song Fly….

Just leave all thoughts, comments, complaints, suggestions, (dreams, hopes, future aspirations…) in a review (or e-mail me at neekabe@canoemail.com ) and make me happy or un-happy depending….but don't worry that'll just makes me write more angst ^_^

And big thanks to all those special people who reviewed my other stuff…and those of you who are going to review this one (hint, hint, nudge, nudge ^_^  )…and SSJ_Bardock and Lady PhoenixDagger for editing this, and those people who actually read down this far *grins*.

Have fun with life!

neekabe