"What are we gonna do? If we take him to the hospital then someone is bound to realize who we are and then we are definitely all up the creek without a paddle." Duo whispered to his three friends from his living room while Heero slept in the bedroom.
"Duo, what else _can_ we do? If we don't do anything, he'll die." Quatre said to Duo.
"Yea, I-I know."
"Then we have no choice." Trowa said, standing up from his chair. "We'll take him now."
WuFei remained quiet, sitting in the corner of the room.
Duo walked quietly into his and Heero's room. "Hey there buddy" he whispered, just loud enough for Heero to wake up. "We're going for a ride." Duo picked Heero up and carried him to the car.
Hours went by as the four pilots waited in the lobby for news about their friend. It was four in the morning and they had still heard nothing. Rain was beginning to beat down on the parking lot outside. Trowa leaned back in his chair while Quatre rested his head on Trowa's shoulder, silently drifting off to sleep. WuFei had been silent ever since they had left the car. He now sat with his knees pulled up to his chest, resting his chin on them as he watched Duo. His friend looked awful. Duo's head was in his hands as he stared at the floor. Every second that ticked by made it more and more painful for Duo to sit there while his love was suffering in the other room. The doctor came out of the room and looked at Duo. "You can all go in one at a time, but not for long."
"Is he gonna be ok?" Quatre asked, as he jerked his head off of Trowa's shoulder when he heard the news.
"It doesn't look good."
One by one the pilots went in to see their friend. Duo waited until last. He couldn't take it. He was falling apart. He slowly walked to the door as WuFei exited, paused, and pushed it open.
"Hey, man." Duo said, forcing a smile and trying to cover up his weak expression.
"Duo...I'm not gonna make it."
"Don't say that. You are going to make it. You have to. You are our leader. You have to stay strong." Duo walked over and lifted Heero's hand with his own.
"Please stay here with me."
"Sure."
"Duo, I don't want to go. I sound so weak, but I love you too much to go."
"I won't let you go anywhere. You are going to stay right here with me. You're going to get better and we'll always be together." Tears flooded Duo's eyes.
Heero smiled weakly and his grip on Duo's hand relaxed.
"He-Heero, no...no not now. Don't leave me!" Duo fell forward and put his arms around Heero, pulling him towards himself. "How could you take him from me, you hear me God?? How could you take the one I love so much away from me." Duo kissed Heero's lips, which were still warm. He stood up. He couldn't look at Heero like that.
Duo turned and walked out of the room and silently walked out of the hospital. He had to go somewhere, but not home. Not to the place where he and Heero had laughed and spent so much time together. The rain was pouring harder now, soaking Duo's clothes and his long chestnut hair. He lifted his head up and let the rain wash away his tears. He opened his eyes and saw one star above him. He watched it shine and said "Heero, I will always love you."
"Duo..." Duo turned around to see WuFei standing behind him. Duo didn't know what to say. He just stood there looking back up at the sky ::Heero...where are you now?::
"Duo, It'll all be ok." WuFei stepped forward and placed a hand on Duo's shoulder.
"What am I gonna do? I can't go back home. It'll never be the same. Ever."
"Duo...I will do all that I can to help you. I promise. I know that you will always love Heero, but just know that I'm here for you."
WuFei turned and started to walk back to the door of the hospital.
"WuFei, wait." Duo called after him. WuFei stopped and turned to face Duo again.
"Thank you."
