*sighs * This is the second last chapter in this fic. I still have no clue what's going to happen in this one but since I have the very last chapter typed, I figured that it might be a good idea to start on this one. *pushes disclaimer to the front of the room *
Disclaimer-Wishful Thinker doesn't own anything related to gundam wing. She doesn't even own a brain.
HEY! That wasn't very nice. And to think that I was planning to let you go…
Disclaimer-damn!
No swearing. Hmmm, whom can I torture next before I start typing…?
Maoz-*snoring incredibly loud *
HEHEHEHEHE, I can get my revenge now…
Maoz-*muttering in sleep * I rule, I'm rich…
One Fateful Night
2 months had passed and Duo was still celebrating his newfound voice. But there was one thing he couldn't celebrate with the others, which was learning how to walk again. Duo was watching Paddy. Like every other event that had happened, Paddy seemed to turn this one into a joke as well.
"Look Ma! No hands!" Paddy cried as he let go of the parallel bars and took a step. He had just transferred to braces 3 days ago. Apparently, he hadn't been as ready as he thought he was. Paddy's face had a combined look of surprise and shock on it as he fell face first to the ground.
Everyone started to laugh, everyone except Duo. "Nice job Paddy" Justin called out.
"What's next, flying lessons?" someone else suggested sarcastically. Suddenly, Damio came rushing over.
"You should be ashamed of yourselves, he could be hurt" Damio said angrily going to Paddy's side. As if on cue, he stuck his hand up in the air.
"I am okay" he replied, his voice slightly muffled from the padded mats. Damio sighed with relief and helped him stand up. Paddy seemed to be no worse for the wear but Dami still made him sit down. Duo wheeled over to Paddy.
"Are you really okay?" Duo asked worriedly. Paddy grinned and rubbed his nose.
"I'm fine. But I don't plan on doing that for awhile or else I'll be saying 'look ma! No nose!'. Paddy raised his voice so all the occupants in the room could here it. Damio glanced around a few minutes later and sighed. Everyone seemed to be holding his or her breath.
"All right, you can laugh now" she called out loudly. The whole room erupted in hysterical laughter. Even Duo had to join in. "Back to work everyone, or I'll becoming over" Damio said warningly. Sounds of weights being used and people straining to do their best quickly filled the room, not wanting to get Dami mad.
Paddy leaned back lazily in his chair, placing his arms behind his head. "Well, I get to sit back and relax while all you guys work out" he said teasingly. Damio chose that exact moment to come over and hear this comment.
"Oh Paddy, it's time for your stretching with me," Damio said innocently, smiling sweetly. Paddy's face paled instantly.
"What did I do to deserve this?" Paddy cried dramatically as Damio pushed him over to a table, "No!"
Duo chuckled and turned back to his own work. His exercise was to attach 5-pound ankle weights to his ankles and lift his legs. It was a long and tedious exercise since he had to do 5 sets of 20 for each leg. He glanced over at Justin who was making really good progress. Justin had transferred to braces 2 weeks ago and he was already walking up and down the lengths of the parallel bars, using them for support of course. Duo turned his gaze to Kendra who had seemed to have changed over night. She didn't seem sad anymore, just determined to get out of here A.S.A.P. Duo's searching eyes found Sydney who practicing walking without braces, just canes. She hadn't been hurt as badly as the rest of them. She was probably going to go home in the next few weeks. Duo sighed once more and went back to his own work. Everyone else seemed to be progressing ahead, while he was left behind.
*&**&*&*&*&*
Somebody sobbing softly woke Duo up in the middle of the night. He groaned and looked at his watch. It said 3:40 am. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep without finding out who was crying. Duo got out of bed and into his chair. Listening carefully, he figured out that whoever it was, was in the next room. Wheeling across the black hallway, he entered the room. There was a figure in shadows, near the window, with hunched shoulders. As Duo wheeled over to the figure, he banged into something. The figure stiffened and turned around.
"What do you want?" the figure growled menacingly. Duo held up his hands to show that he came in peace.
"I just heard you crying and wanted to find out what was wrong" Duo said calmly. Suddenly, the full moon came out from behind the clouds and cast a stream of milky white light on the mystery person. Duo gasped. It was Sam!
"Well, it's none of your business so just leave" Sam said angrily, wiping a tear away, turning back to look out the window. Duo moved closer to Sam.
"You might feel better if you talk about it" Duo suggested quietly. Sam sniffled slightly.
"Why would you care? Are you a saint or something?" he retorted sarcastically. Duo sighed.
"I'm not a saint and I just care. I really don't have a reason but it doesn't matter, does it?" Duo replied softly. Sam sighed. The only way that he was going to go away was if Sam told him what was wrong.
"Where should I start?" Sam answered emotionlessly. Duo smiled slightly.
"You can start by introducing yourself" Duo suggested helpfully. Sam turned around and held out his hand to Duo.
"I'm Sam". Duo reached out and shook Sam's hand.
"My name's Duo. Now, what were you crying about?" Duo asked curiously.
"I'm sure you know what happened to me. My girlfriend died and it was all my fault. Now, I have to go home and everyone will blame me and I don't think I can take it anymore. I really didn't mean to do it but I can't change the past" Sam explained miserably. Duo nodded sympathetically.
"Have you tried saying sorry?" Duo said warmly. Sam looked surprised.
"No, I had just assumed that everyone wouldn't forgive me" he muttered.
"Why don't you try that and go from there. Chances are that they need to blame someone but it's really not your fault. It's not anybody's. Don't forget, talking always helps, no matter what the situation is" Duo finished quietly, thinking back to his own accident. For the first time in a long time, Sam smiled.
"Thanks Duo. I never thought about it that way" Sam replied warmly. It was Duo's turn to smile.
"Glad I could help. You around much longer?" Duo asked curiously. Sam shook his head.
"I'm leaving tomorrow or should I say today" Sam replied. Duo glanced at his watch. It was 4:30am.
"It was nice talking to you Sam. I don't know about you but I'm really tired. I wish you luck in you life" Duo said tiredly. Sam nodded.
"Same to you Duo. Goodbye and thank you".
&*&*&*&*&*&*&
1 month had gone by and Sam had indeed gone home. Duo was staring lazily out the window at the pounding rain. He quickly fell asleep and Kendra and Sydney decided to play a little trick. After finding the package of elastics that Duo had gotten for Christmas, they crept over to him and started to work.
Duo woke up when he felt someone shaking him. Groaning, he opened one to see whom he would have to kill later. It was Justin, who seemed to being trying very hard not to laugh. Duo glanced around him and saw the empty plastic bag that contained his elastics. His hair had grown down to his jawbone, but it was still too short for a braid. Cautiously, he reached up and touched the top of head. It was covered with little ponytails.
"KENDRA! SYDNEY!" Duo cried out angrily. He could hear the 2 girls giggling from the hallway. As he wheeled out to go and get them, he made a mental note to do the same prank to Wufei when he got the chance to.
&*&*&*&**&*&*
"Goodbye Sydney! Bye Justin!" Dami cried happily 2 weeks later, as Justin and Sydney slowly walked out of rehab. They had been released and were now going home. Home, a word Duo had dreamed about for the past few months. He would give anything just to see it again.
"Bye everyone, we'll be back to visit" Justin and Sydney called back together. Duo waved as they disappeared through the door.
"I hope I can do that soon" Duo whispered as everyone went back to his or her normal activities.
*&*&*&*&*&*&
Later on that week, Heero came to visit. Duo was doing some more strengthening exercises when he saw Heero enter the room.
"Hiya Heero! How are you?" Duo asked cheerfully, raising his leg, then lowering it.
"I just thought I would see how you were doing" Heero asked. "So, how are you doing?"
Duo grinned. "I asked you first". Heero sighed.
"I'm fine. And before you ask, everyone else is all right too" he replied emotionlessly.
"That's good. I'm all right but I have a question for you" Duo replied seriously. Heero sat down on the bed.
"Well, what is it?" Heero asked impatiently.
"Calm down. I just want to know what you meant by those words you wrote in the journal," Duo asked calmly. Heero started to blush slightly.
"I really can't tell you" Heero muttered. Duo was surprised. Heero had never not had an answer for a question before.
"Why?" Duo pressed on.
"I really don't know myself. I just wrote them. It was like somebody else wanted me to write those words" Heero explained quietly. He then looked at his watch and raised an eyebrow. "I've got to go now. Sorry".
"Meh, it's okay. Will you come back on the weekend?" Duo asked, resuming his exercises.
"Sure. Take care" and with that, Heero left the room. He was about to go out the main door when somebody stopped him.
"You're Heero, right?" Paddy asked curiously.
"Yeah, and you would be?" Heero asked impatiently. Paddy grinned.
"I'm Paddy. I need to talk to you about something I'm planning for Duo" Paddy explained seriously. This caught Heero's attention.
"I'm listening" he replied slowly.
"Good. Here is what I'm planning"…
*&&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&
2 weeks had passed and it was time for Kendra and Paddy to go back home. Duo was sad; he was losing all of his friends. "We'll be back to visit until you can go home too Duo" Paddy called back to. Kendra nodded.
"Definitely" she added and with that, they were gone. Damio turned to Duo.
"You can help me out today. Three new people are coming in and one of them is going to be your new room mate" Damio explained happily. Duo gave her a small smile. He didn't want a new roommate; he wanted his old one.
2 hours later, 2 new people joined him at his cafeteria table. "Hey, my name's Duo" Duo said cheerfully. A boy with jet-black hair smiled back.
"You're my roommate then. My name's Austin" Austin said happily. He had warm brown eyes and was fairly tall. Duo turned to the other new person.
"My name's Melanie" Melanie said warmly, "nice to meet you Duo". Melanie had auburn hair with sky blue eyes. She was on the short side. Duo looked around for the third person.
"Wasn't there supposed to be 3 of you?" he asked confusedly.
'Oh, my roommate, Lindsey, has to say in bed" Melanie explained.
"Oh, okay, well, you guys are just in time for some wonderful lunch" Duo joked as Dami approached the table. Austin rolled his eyes.
"I can't wait," he said sarcastically.
&**&*&*&*&*&*&
Duo wanted to meet Lindsey, so right after he was done therapy; he went straight to her room, 214.
"Knock, knock. Can I come in?" Duo asked politely.
"Sure" came a voice from inside. Duo wheeled himself into the room and over to the bed with the girl lying in it.
"Hi, my name's Duo and you must be Lindsey" Duo said knowingly. Lindsey had light brown hair and hazel eyes. She was lying perfectly still.
"Ah, so you are the Duo I was warned about" she said jokingly. Duo pretended to be hurt.
"Humph. Well, then maybe I won't be your friend" Duo said teasingly. Lindsey put out a hand to stop him from leaving.
"I was just joking" she replied apologetically. Duo let a smile creep over his face.
"I know" he replied impishly. "If you don't mind me asking, why do you have to stay in bed?"
"I broke my back and twisted my neck" Lindsey explained matter-of-factly.
"That's too bad. I suppose you just have to build up strength now?" Duo guessed.
"Yup. What happened to you though?" she asked curiously. Duo's eyes fell to the floor. Maybe this talking thing would help.
"I was in a car accident with my best friend and I broke my pelvic bone. My friend, Quatre, died" Duo explained sadly.
"I'm so sorry" Lindsey whispered. Duo shook off his feelings of sadness.
"Don't be. I know wherever Quatre is that he's forgiven me" Duo explained warmly. Then he noticed that Lindsey was staring at him. "Um, why are you staring at me?"
"Did you know that you're a very strong person?" Lindsey said seriously.
"Um, what do you mean?" Duo asked, looking very confused.
"The stronger people over come all the challenges that life throws at them. That's what makes them strong. The weaker ones give up and once they do, they'll be too scared to face another one in fear that it might be too hard" Lindsey explained knowingly, looking Duo straight in the eye. "You are a strong person like me. Never, ever give up hope".
*&*&*&
Duo didn't know this but Jade had come to visit him. She had been listening outside the door. She had finally gotten her answers.
"You are a truly amazing person Duo" she whispered, then left.
*&*&*&*&*&*&*
3 weeks later, Dami had finally decided that Duo was ready to try braces.
"Now Duo, I'll be right here if you need any help" Dami said helpfully. Duo nodded and gripped the bars tightly.
"Just believe, hope, and pray". These words echoed through his head as he moved one leg forward and placed it solidly on the ground. Then the next one. Duo continued till he had reached the end of the bars.
"I did it" he whispered happily, a single tear of happiness rolling down his cheek.
"You sure did" Dami whispered to herself.
*&*&*&*&*&*&
Over the next month and a half, Duo had progressed rapidly. He was walking without having to use the bars for support, just for balance. One day, after a particularly hard workout, Damio came up to Duo, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"What are you so happy about?" Duo asked tiredly.
"Oh nothing really. Just thinking about your reaction when I tell you that you can go home tomorrow" Dami replied nonchalantly. Duo was in complete shock.
"I don't believe it" he murmured.
"You better believe it. Of course, you have to come back for therapy but eventually that will stop too" Dami said seriously.
"But I get to go home" Duo whispered. Dami nodded.
"Yeah, so instead of just standing here and staring, you might want to get packing" she suggested. Duo was gone before she could say another word.
&*&*&*&
As Duo packed his stuff, he looked in the mirror and began to wonder if his hair was long enough for a braid yet. Picking up his brush with a shaking hand, he spilt his hair into 3 equal strands and began. 2 minutes later, he had reached the end of them but his hair; it was braided all the same.
"Today must be my lucky day" Duo thought as he drifted off to sleep 1 hour later. Home, he was going home. Just a few more short hours…
*&*&*&*&*&*&
"But Dami, Heero will be here any minute" Duo protested.
"This will only take a few minutes and besides, you have to see this" Dami ordered, making sure Duo keep walking using his walker. Dami steered him through the cafeteria doors.
"Dami, it's pitch black in here" Duo complained.
"Hold on, I'm turning the lights on" Dami called back. Duo was getting annoyed now. Why was Damio acting so weird?
"SURPRISE!" Duo nearly jumped out of his skin. The caf's lights were shining on a fairly large group of people. The room was moderately decorated with streamers and balloons.
"Wow" Duo whispered in awe. He could see Justin, Paddy, Jade, Kendra, Sydney, Austin, Melanie, Heero, John and Lindsey who had finally been allowed to get up.
"Go and greet your guests Duo" Dami whispered from behind. But it seemed that all of Duo's guests were coming to him. Chattering about everything, and anything.
"I knew you could do it" Justin said happily.
"You just had to believe" Jade added.
"If you turn around, you'll see another surprise" Paddy whispered mysteriously. Duo turned around and saw Trowa, Wufei, Relena, and Dorothy.
"I don't believe my eyes" Duo mumbled. Relena and Dorothy rushed over to him.
"We are so sorry Duo," they cried, giving him a big hug each. Duo was nearly strangled.
"It's all right" he managed to choke out. When they had finally let go, Trowa and Wufei approached him.
"We're sorry too," Wufei said sincerely apologizing for the both of them. Trowa nodded in agreement. Duo just smiled.
"Oh, you'll be sorry all right, when you find out how many new practical jokes I've learned" he said happily.
Wufei groaned. "I was just getting used to the peace and quiet too". Duo laughed and let people lead him over to the food table. Paddy was there, waiting.
"Thanks Paddy" Duo whispered.
"No problem friend, you've earned it" Paddy replied and went to go mingle. Duo looked up at the ceiling. Quatre was there, sitting on a beam, along with Rose. He smiled.
"Good job Duo! I knew you could do it!" Quatre said silently.
"We'll always be there. Don't forget us," Rose thought cheerfully and they both disappeared. Duo turned back to all his happy friends.
"Wow, this really is my lucky day. I have all these great friends, my hair fits in a braid, and I get to go home".
*&*&&&*&*&*&*&
I know this may seem like the end, but it's not. Still one more chapter to go. I already have it typed but I don't know when I'll post it. Hmm, maybe I'll wait for a bit. Who knows what I'll do?
Maoz-*wakes up* WHERE'S MY MONEY?!?!?!
I don't have it and by the way, YOU ARE FIRED!!!
Maoz-really??
Yes really, now go before I get angry
Maoz-*whimpers* bye then *exits out the door *
- That takes care of that problem. I also have his money, hehehehehehehe
Please review!
Wishful Thinker