* * *

I slowly walk down the hallway, dumbfounded beyond words. What had just happened? Nothing I couldn't have predicted. I saw it coming. I saw it coming the day I awoke from the concussion. I knew I would be rejected from the war somehow. But why wasn't it assuring? I could go back to a normal life… well, as normal as it could get from circumstances. But that wasn't what was bothering me either. But why should it? I knew from the start. I knew it would be a unanimous agreement…

But that wasn't what it was. It was something I couldn't predict, even after everything I had gone through…

I knew I shouldn't have been there, but I couldn't help it. There was no way I could miss the meeting. I wasn't even supposed to be there. So I listened from afar, where I knew they wouldn't find me. I listened to Wufei and Heero bickering on the transportation arrangements. I strained to hear the quiet conversation between Heero and Trowa on smaller terms. It seemed like they would never even bring the subject of my disabilities and where I would go. Like I didn't matter, or maybe they already knew and they hadn't told me. It made my stomach sink a bit at the thought. Would they really leave me behind without telling? Or… was it…?

"Hey, what about Quatre?"

I felt my head snap up at the sound of the voice. I still don't remember whose voice exactly it was, but at this point it didn't matter. At least I would be able to hear what was to become of me.

"We're leaving him behind with a way to a neighboring colony." That was Heero's monotone voice.

"But…why? You remember what the doctors said. The damage isn't permanent. What if he regains his eyesight? We might need 04 to battle," I heard Trowa speak up.

"We can't wait. We don't have the time."

"Why even bother? If the doctors were even close to right, he would have been better by two weeks ago. The war is getting close to its end. This is the only way." Wufei's voice was harsh. I almost choked at the sound of it, but I had to remember. He wasn't being rude on purpose. Some people are just… blunt. They say things right to the point. And, it was true… I had been like this for too long. I knew I was going to be like this for the rest of my life… I should have accepted my fate a long time ago… but… why? Would my allies really leave me stranded without a second thought? …Please… don't let it be true… not in that sense. They're just thinking of their missions. It's not that they would… forget about me…

"We can't! Come on, guys! He saved my life! We can't just leave him here! What if Trowa's right? What if he does get better? We'll lose a valuable ally! …Besides… I owe him one. We all owe him… for everything he's done for us without even a second thought. And now… we're just leaving him behind?"

…Duo… This was the first time I had heard him talk about me since I woke up. I thought… he would have agreed with Heero and Wufei. But… now…

"Maxwell, there's no other choice. He's not getting any better. To us, he's worthless now. Just accept the fact. We all have to."

My hands gripped into tight fists as the words cut through me… it was true… it was all true…

* * *

My memory… why couldn't I remember anything? It was dark…but what could I expect from that? Was I dead…? …Everything was slowly coming back to me. Quatre. My name was Quatre Raberba Winner. Pilot of Gundam 04. And… wait, where was I stationed? …Better yet, where was I now? A battle scene flashed in front of my eyes. Of course… something must have happened…

"Hey, he's moving. Look!"

I struggled to lift my head, but someone pushed me back. "Easy, Quatre. You were in an accident. Try not to struggle so hard."

"…Trowa? Duo?" I said with a hoarse voice that sounded like it hadn't been used in ages. "…Is that you?"

"Yeah! And Heero and Wufei… man, Quatre! You sure do know how to scare the shit out of us…"

I laughed, only to wince in pain. "I'm sorry, Duo… you'll have to tell me what happened. I can't remember."

"Oh… that…well, later. Anyway, I'm sure I account for everyone when I say that I'm glad that you're out of that damn concussion and back to normal."

"I guess… hey, can someone turn the lights on or something? It's really dark in here."

There was an uncomfortable pause.

"…Quatre," Trowa spoke, "…The lights are on."

I laughed again. This time nervously. "Come on…you're kidding, right? The lights can't be on. I…I can't see…

"…anything."