Sequel to Mercy's Sacrifice
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of the characters or props
affiliated with them. I do, however, own the plot.

~*~ Chapter 2 ~*~
Frustrations and Illness

Trowa stood up, stretching his long legs as he rose from his position on the floor. He wasn't sure how long he'd actually sat there, looking into the flames with his chin rested upon his knees, thinking and recalling different events that occurred within his lifetime. Some of the memories he had to recall in order to put the past behind him, the others he welcomed warmly. Looking around the room, he watched his sleeping comrades, all at peace and enjoying their sweet slumber. "Enjoy it while you can guys, there are bound to be hard times awaiting us, harder than we've faced so far."

Squinting against the bright sunlight, he looked out the window after crossing by Heero who was sound asleep on the couch. "Wufei said we were going to get a blizzard, but there's hardly any more snow on the ground than yesterday." Looking in the opposite direction of the rising sun, he caught sight of an ominously large group of stratus clouds floating toward them, their dark grays and teals predicting approaching snow. "Hmph," was the only sound he made, walking away from the window and over to Quatre's door.

Taking the handle and twisting it silently, he opened the door and peered inside. Sure enough, there lay the young Arabian, sleeping as were the others. Crossing the room, he gathered the small first-aid kit that had been left in the cabin by previous residents. His friend's wound would have to be cleaned and redressed in order to avoid any infection; such at thing in a place in the middle of nowhere could cost the young man his very life. "Of all people, a thing such as this should have to befall you," he spoke softly to himself as he lifted the quilt at the foot of the bed and exposed Quatre's ankle. The blood had stopped flowing a long time ago but the bandages were stained a bold red. Smiling wearily, he took the young man's ankle gently into his hands and delicately unwrapped it, sure to be quiet and careful so as not to wake him. Quatre would need all the sleep he could get.

The thundering silence was broken by a sudden coughing, disturbing the entire of the cabin but waking no one.

Trowa stopped, waiting for his friend's coughing to subside until he continued with his work. Once he was sure that the teenager was asleep again, he continued to unwrap the last bit of bandages. Cringing slightly and biting his tongue, the silent boy breathed a deep sigh, feeling sympathy for his peer.

The skin was cut and bruised around the area, the bone and muscle painfully exposed and torn.

Regaining his nerve, Trowa took the peroxide from the kit, knowing that Quatre probably wasn't going to sleep through this necessary portion of the redressing. "Quatre? Quatre, I need you to wake up. C'mon, I know you can hear me Quatre." It would be kinder to wake him so that the pain didn't just appear out of nowhere. Plus, he also had to find out if Duo was right or if it was something more than a cold that Quatre was coming down with, and if it was, they had to stop it as soon as possible.

Quatre heard his name and the familiar voice speaking it, but he didn't want to awaken. Reluctantly, his eyes fluttered open to catch sight of Trowa sitting at the end of the bed, a regretful smile on his face. "....Trowa?....What's wrong?" Grimacing as he felt the vibration of his voice irritate his already raw throat, he decided against talking again until he was well or unless there was absolutely no way around it.

"I need to see if Duo's right. He says you're coming down with a cold, and it sounds like it but I need to know for sure, all right?" Taking the liquid and soaking a small piece of gauze in it, he took it and altered his glance from his friend's eyes to the wound.

Quatre only shook his head, bracing himself for the painful sensation that would soon greet him. Sure enough, a searing pain raced up his right leg, continuing up through his torso. Taking in a sharp breath, the platinum blonde bit his tongue so as not to cry out and awaken the others.

"I'm sorry, Quatre, but this has to be done. I'm almost done," was Trowa's soft reply as he continued to work quickly around the wounded area. "There," he called, taking away the now red piece of gauze, his comrade's wound now cleaned. Taking up a large piece of gauze, he wrapped it firmly around the injury, but not too tightly. Trowa didn't want to put his friend through any more torment than he already had to suffer. Finishing, he stood and replaced the blanket and looked at his young friend, a sympathetic smile portrayed upon his lips. "How're you feeling?"

Quatre looked up at the normally silent teenager, skepticism in his childish blue eyes. His lips slightly parted, closed as he shook his head and looked away. He couldn't answer anything much else than a yes or no question, it was too painful otherwise. He was having enough trouble breathing as it was. It was as if there was something in his lungs, something more than just air and he knew that none of the water from the lake remained, though you could tell him different and he'd believe it.

Trowa sighed, knowing that he probably should have thought about what he said before he actually said it. Hesitating a moment, he rephrased the question, "Are you feeling any different than what you normally do when you get a cold?" He'd have to get his information by asking yes or no questions. The hard part was, trying to phrase the questions right.

Quatre thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Oh, well doesn't that just narrow things down. There could be numerous things that are different, so which one is it?" Trowa thought for a moment, then asked, "Could you maybe hint what's wrong? I'm sorry, but I'm at a loss here..." Voice trailing off, he crossed his arms in front of his chest and waited patiently.

Quatre wasn't really sure how to put it, so instead he raised his hand and placed it on his chest, over his lungs.

Trowa sat and thought for a moment, he was still at a loss. This is why he hated to play charades. "I...I don't understand."

Quatre didn't know what else to do. Maybe if he had something to write with and to write on.... *coughing* His body was brutally shaken by coughing once more. Closing his eyes, Quatre endured the feeling of his scorching lungs, his throat on fire as if he were drinking hot lava, his muscles worn and strained.

Trowa let his smile fade, but listened intently upon hearing something. His young friend wasn't just coughing, it sounded like there was liquid in his lungs, not the best of signs. After his coughing fit subsided, Trowa crossed over and stood next to Quatre and looked down upon the weakened form. Placing the back of his own hand to his lips and determining its temperature, he then sat on the bed next to the ill young man. Brushing back his blonde bangs, Trowa placed the back of his hand against the other young man's forehead, finding it to be burning hot to the touch. Sighing, he looked back into the weary eyes of his comrade, their blue depths imploring.

Quatre wasn't sure what was running through his brother's mind, but whatever was wrong with him, he wanted to know. "What?" was the silent plea, his lips silently speaking the word.

Trowa stood up, shaking his head slightly from side to side. "Well, for one thing, you've got an extremely high fever. What's truly wrong, I'm still not sure of that but I have some idea. Don't worry about it, you just need rest." Letting the soft smile return, he assured his brother that there was no need to worry about things, for it would be all right.

Quatre was still unsure, but didn't have the voice or the strength to argue. Closing his eyes, he listened to his fellow pilot leave the room, only to return a few minutes later. He didn't even bother to open his eyes as he came back in.

Trowa returned with a torn square of an older blanket that was soaked in some of the water from the fridge. The pipes had been frozen so he couldn't use the water from them, meaning that he'd also had to cut into their drinking water. Folding the damp cloth in his hands, he crossed over and sat once more by poor Quatre's side, he brushed back the drained teenager's bangs from his forehead, and put in its place the cold cloth. He could see the relief cross the young aristocrat's pale face.

The instant the cold cloth touched his forehead, he felt simultaneous comfort as the refreshing coldness swept over him. Forcing his eyes open once more, he sighed softly and looked into his friend's eyes. Their emerald depths were filled with worry and regret, but there were also small hints of relief and happiness. His eyes were like windows to his troubled soul, fighting with thoughts and problems, numerous emotions battling to dominate. Quatre wished he could speak, to find out what was bothering his comrade so that maybe he could put Trowa's mind at ease. But, he also knew that that wouldn't be possible, at least not until the war was over. Taking in a slow breath, he let his eyelids fall once more, his tired soul seeking comfort and rest in the arms of sleep.

Trowa watched the young man fall asleep, his exhaustion finally catching up with him. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and no matter how the evidence was starting to add, he didn't want to admit that one of his best and only friends was developing a serious illness. Yet there was always the slightest chance that he could be wrong. Still, the facts were starting to add up, all pointing at a common, but very deadly illness. Pneumonia. They couldn't seek medical help, they were still being hunted down in the area by OZ and there wasn't a safe hospital anywhere in miles. Still, they'd have to do something if it was or Quatre'd die a slow death. Trowa shook his head and tried to slow the thoughts, he had to start thinking clearly and focus. If he didn't it could cost him his brother's life.

Wufei slowly opened his eyes, met with the bright sunlight that was very unexpected for the storm they were supposed to get. Uncurling from his stiff position in the chair, he sat up and looked about the room, finding that Heero was still asleep and Duo now rested where Trowa had the night before. "What?" His voice was a whisper as he looked toward Quatre's room. The door was slightly ajar and Trowa was nowhere in sight. Sighing, he threw back the blanket and stood, quietly crossing the room and pushing the door open. Sure enough, there was the pilot of Heavyarms sitting with the pilot of Sandrock, not even bothering to turn around and greet him. "Trowa?"

Trowa turned his head despairingly toward Wufei, nodding slightly in acknowledgement.

"What's wrong? Is Quatre all right?"

Heaving a sigh, Trowa still couldn't think of anything else that Quatre could be coming down with and he was starting to lose hope. "Duo said that Quatre was probably coming down with a cold, and it sounded like it until I came in here to redress his injury. He's not just coming down with a cold, though."

"What else do you mean?" Wufei stood by his side and silently watched over the pale and weakened form of his kind-hearted friend.

"I can't think of anything else. But it sounds like he's getting pneumonia. I just hope I'm wrong, because we can't get help or do anything for him if it is." Looking up at Wufei and rising from the bed, he could see the slight disappointment and shock.

Wufei knew that things were going to be really bad for them if Quatre was getting pneumonia. "If he is, then we've really got no choice except to get him to a hospital. Even if we're caught and held prisoners, he'd still get the medical attention he needs. OZ and the Alliance need us, they've been trying to capture and hold onto us since the beginning of the war. It's practically a stale-mate otherwise. We can always worry about escape later." Sighing himself, Wufei continued. "Unless we could get Sally out here, she might be able to help us out."

"OZ is combing the place and Sally's a rebel now, they'd take her into custody before she could get here and if she did, we'd only be setting ourselves up for capture." Trowa walked toward the foggy window and looked out at the approaching storm clouds. "I just don't know what to do. For the first time, I don't know what to do." Slamming his fist on the windowsill, he felt his frustrations taking over again. Quatre's life had been lost because he couldn't help his friend in time. But due to a gracious gift from God, his friend was given back to him. And yet again, his friend was being taken from him and he couldn't stop it!

Wufei stayed where he was, giving Trowa his space. He could understand how his friend was feeling, he'd felt that same helplessness and aggravation often before. "Look, you have go to settle down, Quatre will be just fine. We've made it through everything so far, and we'll make it through this war together. We should at least see what Sally has to say about it and if we can't find a safe place to take him. If it is pneumonia, then we need to get him to the hospital as soon as possible, and any other trouble we run into we will deal with as it comes." Striding over to his side, Wufei looked into his eyes with confidence and reassurance, for he wasn't ready to give up yet.

Trowa looked back into Wufei's black eyes, seeing his determination and strong will. Wearily, he nodded and looked back at Quatre before exiting the room. "Now all we have to do is get a hold of Sally. I think Heero still his laptop, it's just the matter of tracking her down." Trowa glanced around the cabin, but didn't find the laptop anywhere in sight, and he doubted that once he found it that he could easily get into it.

Wufei closed the door behind him, scanning the area as well. Indeed the computer was nowhere to be found. "It looks like we'll have to wait for a little while or wake Heero up." Looking toward the couch, Wufei decided against waking the pilot of Wing Zero. He looked just as worn as Quatre was, and he seemed to finally be getting a well deserved rest. "Or not," he called, scanning the cabin once more.

"We've also got to worry about our food and water supply, Duo'd said we have a few canned items in the pantry, but nothing other than that and our only water supply is a couple of bottles of purified water in the fridge. The water pipes are frozen and have probably already burst, I'd be surprised if they haven't yet." Rubbing his neck, he headed toward the dying fire, each log only adding about half an hour more of fuel. The pile was running low and there weren't any more chopped logs or pieces of wood outside. Taking the largest log they had, he put it aside for later and grabbed a couple of the smaller ones. "It looks like we need to get some more firewood as well, these things aren't lasting too long and the storm you predicted seems to have been delayed, but it's coming in none the less."

Wufei nodded, walking toward the chair where he'd previously slept and grabbed the blanket. Folding it, he returned it to the closet, then walking to Duo's side, the young warrior picked up the blanket the young American seemed to have tossed to the floor and recovered him. His friend's only response was to sink deeper into the comforting depths of the blanket. "Pathetic baka," Wufei called softly, a small smile on his lips for he meant no harm by the words. Turning to Heero, he took the blanket that had fallen to his waist and brought it up to his shoulders. Standing up, he glanced out the window, his interest caught by a grazing stag in the clearing around the small cabin. A doe and two fawns followed the stag, while two more males remained in the distance. "They have to come out for food..." he mumbled to himself.

Trowa, turning from the fire questioned with a puzzled look. "What?"

"Look, the deer. They have to come out for food during the winter, and if we can somehow take them and cage them, we can use them for a food source. There are plenty of stags in these woodland areas, the all seem to be coming out here anyway." Wufei's mind was running, only now he had to find a way to build an area for the deer to stay without escaping and then to get them there. It would be a good food source, and they could stay there for a while until their gundams were ready, which seemed to be taking a while anyway.

"I think there's an old shed behind the cabin, if I remember right. We could use the wood from there and make a pen next to the house. I think we just solved one of our problems, but we'll have to hurry before the storm moves in. I'd say we've got about five or six hours before the storm hits, and if we get started now and hurry, we could have everything set by the time the snow starts to fall." Trowa caught site of the deer and his mind caught onto what Wufei was planning. Looking at the Chinese warrior with a smirk, he nodded and the two began to walk to the door, Trowa throwing it open and the first to head outside.

The two young men headed outside, cautiously staying as close to the cabin as possible so as not to scare off the deer. Sure enough, there was a shed behind the house, the lumber still in good shape but the planks of wood were pulling from the frame.

Trowa threw open the wooden door, finding there only to be an old recurve bow and some smaller pieces of scrap wood. "Well, doesn't look like we have a lot to work with, but we've got some more fuel for the fire." Taking the recurve bow in hand, he held it out in front of him, pretending to take an arrow in hand and nock the bow. Pulling back the bow string and taking aim at an imaginary target, he held fast to the string for a moment longer, then released it slowly, replacing the string as it had been in its natural resting place. Smirking, he turned to face a skeptical Wufei. "What?"

"Having fun?" he asked sarcastically.

"Actually, I am. I like this bow, and it feels natural to hold."

"You're right, that bow will make some good firewood," Wufei called, smiling as he watched a warning look cross Trowa's face.

"I hope you were kidding, because you aren't touching that bow. I've already claimed it," Trowa watched his friend with a wary eye, holding fast to the bow.

Wufei only chuckled and shook his head, amused at the way the pilot was being protective of the weapon. "All right, Robin Hood. No need to get over-protective now. Besides, where were your merry men when we needed them yesterday?" Wufei sneered at his comrade, sarcasm dripping from his words.

"Very funny Wufei, very funny." He sneered at his friend. Looking at the tempting bow, he laid it down upon the pile of scrap lumber. "We need to get to work, come on." Trowa pushed pass Wufei and smiled as he rounded the corner of the shed. Taking a plank of wood that was closest and the easiest to pull from the frame, he yanked the wood and nails from the rest of the shed.

Wufei followed, watching Trowa as if it was he who was procrastinating. "After you, Sir Robin...." he called with a slight chuckle, bowing sarcastically. Once outside, the young warrior took hold of a wooden plank as well, ripping the nails from the frame and throwing the beam into the other on the ground.

A soft laugh escaped the normally soundless pilot, floating on the harsh winter breeze. "Come on, we need to hurry it up. The clouds are moving in faster than I thought and the wind is picking up. Plus, one of us will have to go in and check on the guys in a little while. We should only need," thinking quickly, he calculated the number of boards that they would need. "At least twelve of these, four for the corners, two more to anchor to the cabin walls, and then six more to form the pen area and the gate." Firmly grabbing another one of the boards, he jerked it away from the rotting frame . "The roof on this thing is flat, so if we cut it down we should be able to shelter the remaining animals. We might be here for a while, but that's pending on how diligent OZ is."

"So in other words, they are going to have fun looking for us but we could stay here for years without a care in the world." Wufei smiled and pulled the twelfth board from the flimsy shed and held it in his hands. Bending down, he took up five more of the boards, throwing them over his shoulder and careful to watch out for Trowa who picked up the remaining six. Heading over to the cabin, he lay the pieces of lumber down upon the snow, then looked back at his fellow pilot.

And the two young men began to build, using what they had to work with as they built the outline of the cage, anchoring the boards into the frozen ground and nailing them together. Then, with only a slight hesitation in which Trowa went inside to find his remaining friends still asleep and warm, they continued to finish the cage. Then within half an hour, they had up the penned area with a sturdy gate.

"Well, we've got this done, now if we can get the roof put up and some food to keep the deer alive, maybe we can lure them into the pen without much problem. I doubt they are too afraid of humans." Trowa wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, leaning against the cabin wall and smiling at their handiwork.

"Ya, we didn't do too bad of a job considering that this was rushed." Wufei squatted down, letting his leg muscles rest as he looked back at the retreating deer. "They're heading back into the forest and the storm's coming in. We should probably get the roof on and then the deer in. Ready when you are," he called, not really wanting to start working again but he had no choice.

"Well," Trowa looked up, reluctant as well, "we'd better get it done now while we still have the time and some ambition. Let's go," and pushing off of the wooden wall, the two trudged back to the shed and stared at the roof. "I can't think right now, how are we supposed to get that down?"

Wufei gave a small chuckle, "I was expecting you to know that. I haven't a clue at the moment, but we should probably go in and check on the others. Maybe Heero or Duo might have some idea of what to do. I can't think either." Looking over at his peer, the young warrior gave a small smile, then turned his head toward the skies. Sighing, he began to trek through the snow, his comrade following with sluggish steps.

Heero awoke, this time with a comforting sensation. He'd gotten all the sleep he needed, and what a wonderful sleep it was. Whatever Duo had done, Heero couldn't have enjoyed it more. He'd have to question his friend on that later, maybe he could use it some other time. Looking around and yawning, he noticed that the sun had risen, but it was darker in the room which was probably due to clouds. With another yawn, Heero pushed himself off of the welcoming cushions of the couch and looked about, finding that he and Duo were the only ones in the room. "Where...." he began as he threw the blanket that lay over him to the end of the couch. Someone was outside the cabin, he could hear them slushing through the snow outside the door. His nerves were set on edge, his breath caught in his throat. Had OZ found them already? How could it be, and where were Trowa and Wufei? His eyes glued to the door, Heero awaited for whoever was outside to enter. His muscle tensed even greater as the door knob turned, the person on the other side of the door still a mystery to his knowledge.

Trowa opened the door, puzzled to see Heero staring back at him with fear in his eyes but his normal hatred for his enemy. "Heero? What's wrong?"

Heero stared for a moment longer, wondering why he was so jumpy and why he hadn't thought that his friends might just be outside. Releasing his breath, Heero lowered his gaze, shaking his head from side to side. With a sigh, he fell onto his back, falling back onto the cushions and closing his eyes. Mentally he scolded himself for jumping to conclusions and scaring the living daylights out of himself along with worrying the others.

Wufei entered behind Trowa, looking inquisitively at Heero who was acting weirder than normal. "What's wrong?" Crossing over, he stood in front of the couch with his back to the mantle.

Heero waved off the question, his mind telling him that he was becoming more hopeless by the minute. "I wasn't sure where you went, I just woke up. I...." sighing, he let out a small chuckle at how he'd over-reacted. "I actually thought that OZ had finally gotten lucky and found us."

Trowa smiled and shook his head. "You are giving OZ too much credit. Way too much credit." Crossing over to the fire, he tossed another couple of logs into the fire, watching them catch aflame, the fire dancing against the brick background. "We were just outside, we think we've solved out food problem, well, maybe."

"What?" Heero opened his eyes and looked at his comrades, questions reflected in his Prussian eyes.

Wufei spoke up at this. "We don't have a lot of food and we may be here for a while, so we had that problem to deal with. With the wood from the shed, we've got a pen outside next to the cabin, it'll hold the deer. There seem to be quite a few of them in these woods, they even come up to the cabin. We can put them in the pen area and keep them to use as food later." Wufei hesitated a moment, then grinned and added, "we were also going to use the flat, tin roof of the shed to shelter the deer, but we can't figure out how to get it off of the shed. Don't ask me, I'm just out of it today and it seems that Trowa is too." Looking sheepishly away, he heard Heero give a soft chuckle.

Heero was somewhat surprised and very amused that his friends would be at a loss of how to perform such a simple task. But there was something else. "You're not telling me something. What is it?"

Trowa heaved a sigh, he had forgotten about their other problem during the time they were concocting the makeshift pen outside. "Heero, do you have your laptop with you?"

"Yes, it's in the truck, what's wrong?" With surprising patience, he awaited his answer.

"I'm....I'm not sure, but I think Quatre's coming down with something." Trowa really didn't want to acknowledge the truth.

"I was with Duo, he said that it was just a cold. Don't hide things from me Trowa, you know I'll find out and it's just better that you tell me now." Heero rose from the couch, standing and looking into his friend's emerald eyes, imploring him but firmly holding his ground.

"Well, it starts off like that. I think....I think Quatre's coming down with pneumonia. If it is, we can't do anything for it unless we can somehow get him medical treatment." Casting his glance downward, he tried to avoid Heero's gaze of disbelief.

"Duo said..."

"I thought Duo was right too, but he wasn't too intent on details." Trowa shifted his weight, clenching his hands at his sides. "We need to get your computer, it's the only way we can contact any help and if we can get a hold of Sally, then we might be able to help Quatre and see if maybe it isn't something else. I seriously hope I'm wrong on the diagnosis, but with the more time that goes by it keeps proving me right." Looking back into Heero's face, he could see a great disappointment and protection, and even a hint of fear.

Heero nodded solemnly, turning toward the door and began to walk toward it. "I'll go get my laptop, then I'll help you with your roof problem." Heaving a weary sigh, he gave a pitiful smile and headed out the door. Walking in the cold morning air, Heero began to contemplate what was going to happen and what was actually happening to his friend. "You don't deserve any of this Quatre," was his soft cry, for he still wished that all the bad luck that had befallen his merciful friend would have happened to him instead. His life was expendable and he'd been through ultimate hell already, so why didn't it happen to him? Opening the driver side door of the truck, he climbed into the frozen vehicle and reached for the glove compartment. Throwing it open, he reached inside and pulled his laptop out of the shadows, exiting the truck and slamming the door closed behind him as he headed toward the cabin once again. "Here," he called, handing it to Trowa who greeted him at the door with a regretful look.

"How many firewalls do you have up on this thing?" Trowa called quietly, opening the screen and turning on the computer.

"One main one, you shouldn't have to worry about the others. When you get to it, let me know," the normally stoical pilot speaking this time with compassion and understanding.

Wufei stood next to Quatre, looking over the weakened form with pity and empathy. Sitting next to him, Wufei placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping the new man from tossing and turning for he was beginning to stir. "Sleep watashi no otoko," he called, his voice sympathetic for the young Arabian.

And Quatre slept on, soothed by the gentle comfort in his friend's voice, calming his troubled soul.

"Here Heero," Trowa called, keeping his voice soft so as not to awaken Duo. He still slept soundly, his face full of innocence as a child's would be. But there was nothing innocent about him, those who knew him knew that.

Heero crossed over from the window, straight to the kitchen table. Upon reaching it, he typed in the lengthy password with ease for it was second nature to him. No one had been able crack one of his passwords in less than a week. That was if they were good and lucky, extremely lucky. "So, what's you're problem with the shelter?"

"We aren't really sure how to get it off of the shed, don't ask me, I couldn't think right now if my life depended on it. That's sad, considering that this is a war and we're only being hunted down by millions of people and being skilled and clever are going to keep us alive." Trowa hacked into the government systems with ease, instantly searching for any location that might be affiliated with Sally and her rebel group. After about five minutes, all Trowa had to do was click enter and he would be able to contact Sally.

Wufei, exiting the room from which he had so quietly entered, turned to look at Trowa with amusement. "Find her yet?"

Trowa hit the enter key, the computer instantly connecting them with their desired location. "Yep."

"Phil, we were expecting you back....who the hell are you kid and what the hell are you doing?!" An angry, but calm voice spoke from the opposite side of the line.

"We need Sally's help, she knows us. We're the Gundam Pilots." Trowa knew that this guy wouldn't believe him, but he didn't really feel like doing much.

"Sure you are kid, now get off this connection, I've got better things to do."

"Quatre Raberba Winner is in trouble and we need Sally's help, tell her and we'll see if I'm lying." Trowa glared at the officer before him, daring him to refuse such a challenge. Laughing boomed forth from the screen. "Okay kid, we'll see." The officer left the computer and headed out of the sight of the screen. Moments later, Sally Po returned in place of the officer, concern and worry in her eyes.

"Trowa, I'm sorry about Collin, he's just that way. What's wrong? Is Quatre okay? What happened to him?" Sally knew the gundam pilots and she'd helped the time and time again. She knew when they asked for help, there was something wrong and they couldn't do it on their own. In other words, it was serious.

"Sally, where are you at?" Was the non-talkative pilot's only question. Heero and Wufei stayed in the background, quiet.

"Uh, one of our underground bases a few miles from the Cinq Kingdom, why?"

Sighing, Trowa shook his head. They were hundreds of miles from the base where Sally was now stationed, and they were at least thirty miles from the nearest town. "We had a run in with OZ, nearly cost Quatre his life. He nearly drowned in the lake we were fighting by, and the rest of us were nearly killed as well. I think he's catching pneumonia but I'm not for sure. Right now we're working on keeping his fever down, that's soaring, and tending to his ankle. It was injured in the lake, long story." Trowa took a breath and was about to continue when he was interrupted.

"I want to hear about that later then," Sally smirked, but then became intent on hearing the rest of it. "What are the symptoms?"

"Besides that, it's just like a normal cold, except it sounds like he has fluid in his lungs. I didn't catch it at first, so it sounds like it's just starting. Could it be anything else?" Trowa's voice held a hint of hope.

"By the way you're describing it, no. I'm sorry. Where are you? Maybe I can get there and help you out, you sound like you need it and if it truly is pneumonia, then we need to treat it as soon as possible. Plus, I need to see for myself, there is a possibility you're overreacting or giving the wrong prognosis." Sally grabbed for a pen and paper, hoping to get the location and get to the guys as soon as possible, for things sounded like they weren't going too well. Even Heero looked worried and somewhat anxious in the background, Wufei with similar expressions to his side.

Sighing and giving a pathetic smile, Trowa began to type away, the keys clicking rapidly under his diligent fingers as he brought up a graph of where they were with all the information Sally would need in order to get to the cabin. Hitting enter quickly, he sent her the information and then spoke again. "There, you might want to hurry and be careful. We can't afford to be caught by OZ right now." Bringing up his hands, he rubbed his eyes wearily with his palms, his eyes tired and strained. He was already beginning to get a headache.

"All right, I'll be there as soon as I can guys, just hang on, keep Quatre warm and as comfortable as possible, and you be careful yourself." Sally spoke with a smile of her own, watching the young man before her in empathy. She called back to her subordinates, yelling at them to get a plane ready, she would be leaving as soon as she got her medical supplies ready and everything else she needed ready.

"All right, then. Thank you Sally, we appreciate this." Trowa lifted his head, his emerald eyes thanking her graciously in silence.

"Thank you, from all of us." Heero spoke up, his voice eerily calm, yet full of gratitude and compassion. He looked skeptically at Sally, Trowa, and Wufei, all of who were watching him with curiosity. "What?"

"Uh, what did you guys do to him? That isn't the Heero I've known, what is this like his identical twin or something? What happened to the guy? Maybe he suffered a head injury during battle, but it must have had to be something major. Just don't let him hurt himself or anything, I'll see if I can't help him too." Looking skeptically, she watched the Perfect Soldier rolled his eyes, uncrossed his arms that once rested against his chest, and walked away from the computer screen area. Giving a small laugh, Sally gave said her farewells to the other two and the disconnected the session, leaving immediately to her quarters to gather her things in haste.

Trowa closed the computer screen, a smirk playing on his lips. "You've managed to scare Sally, so you must be getting better at being human."

"Well, if you can scare Sally, maybe you could scare Treize into quitting this useless war." Wufei walked over to Duo who was beginning to awaken.

Duo slipped back into consciousness, his dream-like state fading with the feeling of exhaustion. With a yawn, he opened his eyes, his ears met with soft talk and movements in the room around him. "Wh....what's up guys?" His cobalt blue eyes were met with the faces of Heero, Trowa, and Wufei, thought Quatre was nowhere in sight, asleep as to be expected.

Trowa only shook his head and smiled, offering his hand to Duo who took it willingly and helped himself up. "Duo, come on. You need to watch over Quatre while we finish solving the little crisis with the food."

"How do you guys do that? I swear, you always manage to think of something, and here I am without a clue in the world. Anyways, how's Quatre been doing?"

"Duo," Heero spoke softly, "we think we've found out what is really wrong with Quatre. We've got Sally coming over, but I think that Trowa is right."

Wufei and Trowa remained silent as Duo stared at the three of his friends in confusion. "Then, what is it?"

"Pneumonia." Was the only word Wufei spoke.

"Oh God, that can't happen. To our little buddy?" Duo was slightly shocked, he'd known the deadly illness before and it had taken from him people that he had cared for.

"Yes," was the sympathetic reply that escaped Trowa's lips.

"But how....why? Why does this stuff have to happen to him?"

Heero, unnaturally placing his hand on Duo's left shoulder, looked into his friend's eyes. "Everything's going to be all right, we have Sally coming to help us."

"Lord I hope so," was the young American's only reply. He clasped his hands together in the silence, praying softly to Him and begging the Lord not to take his little brother away again.

-Lady Stardancer

Author's Note:

Hey all, thanks so much again for reviewing! ^_~ ~grins and hugs~ Sorry this took so long, I had to do this, memorize music, and prepare to play at Disney World! We were great! We performed for Disney, the Stebbins Marching Band! It was soooo cool! ~dances and cheers, then hugs everyone again~ I hope your spring breaks were as cool as mine, and enjoyable! Please review! ~waves and dances~