When they got back to the safe house Heero carried Duo to his room then left momentarily to get his laptop from his room to e-mail Sally. She came as soon as she got the e-mail and found the pilots in Duo's room. Quatre was seated by the bet placing a wet cloth on Duo's forehead and the others were standing by the wall. She examined Duo; he was a bit bruised from his rough handling when he had been caught. He had a fever but that was easily taken care of. She eventually came to her conclusion
"Food poisoning" She stated, "What has he eaten over the past few days; anything unusual?"
"That's a stupid question, woman!! Maxwell eats everything" Wufei said, Heero wondered about that having felt how light Duo had been earlier
"Well the fever should be gone tomorrow if he takes his medication but he'll be fairly weak for a few days after that so no missions for him." she ordered "Well I gotta go, but ill come back in a few days to check on the patient."
A few hours later Duo woke. Heero was supposedly taking his turn watching Duo but he had dozed off. Duo watched him while he slept, head leaning forward as he breathed slowly and quietly. 'He's so beautiful' thought Duo 'Id die if he ever found out I liked him' His dark hair hung in his face casting shadows over his lean features. Suddenly the laptop bleeped and Heero's eyes flew open. Duo was caught off guard and found himself staring into Heero's amazing prussian eyes
"How long have you been awake Duo?" he asked leaning down to feel his forehead. Duo looked flushed so Heero got a wet cloth and dabbed Duos forehead and cheeks before going over to read the message on his laptop.
Duo had blushed bright red when Heero had caught him looking at him, but thankfully Heero had assumed it was the fever. He watched as Heero went to read his e-mail
"I've got a mission" Heero said simply "Ill have to leave soon, do you want anything before I go?" Duo sat up and stretched,
"I could use a drink" and after a few seconds he added "if you don't mind" Heero returned with a glass of milk he picked up a bottle opened it and handed Duo some pills
"Take these, you'll feel better after" Duo couldn't believe Heero was being so considerate, he almost sounded concerned. But why would anyone be concerned about him, he was nothing but a burden, he thought sadly
Heero watched Duo as he drank his milk, his eyes caught the look of intense sadness which came on Duo in an instant and was just as quickly covered up
"What's the mission?" Duo asked enthusiastically, maybe a little overly enthusiastically
"Blow up one of OZ's bases" Heero stated
"How long will you be gone?" Duo asked, Heero eyed him suspiciously-since when did Duo care how long he'd be gone for
"Just a day" Heero said "Now rest!"
Duo lay down and curled up on the bed like a cat, his messy braid hanging over the edge of the bed. Heero lifted it and placed it on the pillow next to Duo then he went to his room to get his gun and a couple of refills. He was well gone before Duo woke again
Duo yawned and stretched lazily. He felt much better today and his appetite had returned somewhat. He hurried to the kitchen in his boxers and a baggy T-shirt for some toast. He carried it back to his room to eat so as to avoid getting lectures from the others about being out of bed. He picked the crusts off the toast and tossed them in the bin then down the remainder.
He was just climbing back into bed when Wufei charged into his room
"Yo Wu-man, what's stung you this morning?" Duo joked getting a bit unnerved as Wufei neared him. Suddenly Wufei shoved Duo and he crashed into the wall. He slid down the wall and landed in a heap on the floor
"Owwww what t'hell you do tha' for" he said groggily stars still floating about his vision. Before he knew what was happening Wufei hauled him up off the floor and threw him on the bed. Wufei caught both his wrists in one hand and pinned them above his head. He leaned down and kissed Duo on the lips. Duo eyes widened and he struggled to get away but he was still too weak from his illness. Wufei's other hand was behind his head and it caught a fistful of hair and tugged. Duo roared and Wufei took advantage of his open mouth and rammed his tongue into Duos unwilling mouth
Duo was panicking, cold sweat running down his forehead and disappearing into the chestnut locks but his struggles were lessening as he began to tire.
"Stop" came a voice. Wufei pulled back leaving Duo lying in the bed his lips red and sore. He turned to Trowa about to thank him for his intervention when his mouth dropped open in surprise. Trowa was playing with a knife in one hand and the other was wrapped around Quatre, who had both his hands around Trowa's slim waist. Damn they looked evil!! He sat up on the bed as Trowa walked closer, his mouth was dry and his heart was thrashing against his ribcage. Trowa looked at Duo an evil gleam in his eye as a smile played on his lips. His hand shot out and he grabbed Duo braid and used it to make Duo stand. Duo whimpered his head already hurting from his encounter with Wufei. Trowa grinned before hurling him into the wall. What was happening?? These boys were his...his...friends...a single tear slipped free just before he lost consciousness