Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Gundam Wing, I only own the plot.

~ Chapter 3 To Relive a Nightmare

Heero opened his eyes to find Quatre sleeping next to him, curled into a ball to try and keep himself warm. The lamp was still on, softly glowing in the corner. With a yawn, Heero snuggled deeper beneath the blankets and smiled softly. He was so comfortable, so warm and content. He finally felt safe. Closing his eyes again, he pulled the blankets up to his chin but something felt wrong. Looking about once more, he realized that his kind-hearted friend was shivering while he sat warmly, for Quatre had sacrificed his blankets so that he could sleep. Taking the quilt off of his shoulders, he stood clumsily and tried to keep his balance. Gently covering Quatre, he laid back down, or rather fell back to the bed and sat for a minute, a soft cry seeping from his lips. To stop himself, he had put his hands down but now pain shot through them. Quickly cradling the both of them to his chest, he laid down in silence and covered himself with the smaller blanket and closed his eyes, for Quatre was beginning to stir and he didn't want to get in trouble for waking him up.

Quatre released a large yawn as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Oh he felt so much better after getting some sleep. But something else had woken him up, a cry. He wasn't sure if he was imagining it or what, but he was awake and refreshed none the less. Sitting up and stretching his arms high above his head, he realized that a blanket now covered over him and that Heero was missing one. He also caught Heero's eyes looking at him before they quickly shut, like that of a child pretending to sleep. He only smiled and looked down at his comrade. "Good morning Heero, did you sleep okay last night?"

Heero opened his eyes and pushed himself off of the ground once more and into a sitting position, but he was sure to use his arms but watch his hands and wrists. Nodding, he pulled the blanket onto his lap and looked down at his hands, he didn't know if he was in trouble for waking the other youth up or not, but it didn't sound like it.

Smiling, he continued to try and get Heero to speak as he was yesterday. "Did you give me your blanket?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up." His reply was soft and sorrowful.

"Oh no, you didn't wake me up. Thank you for the blanket, I guess that it was a bit cold in here last night. I'm sorry about last night as well, I should have known better Heero." Standing, he took the pillow and tossed it back onto the bed, taking the quilt and quickly making up his unkempt bed. "Are you hungry? I can take you down to the breakfast hall, the others should be there, but I need to check on Duo and Trowa. I won't be gone for too long, I'll be back before you're done eating."

Heero stood and smiled, feeling proud that Quatre was actually happy with his actions. He was somewhat hungry, not really from the night before. If Sally was in the hall, then he wouldn't mind much if Quatre left, but he still didn't trust a lot of people. Following Quatre back to his room, he changed into another outfit, this one a deep blue, button-up shirt with black denim jeans. He waited outside of Quatre's room while his friend changed, wary of all that passed him but they were all nice enough to smile and give a curt hello. He only nodded in return and threw his gaze to the floor.

Quatre stepped from his room, wearing something similar to what Heero wore, but he wore white denim jeans with a light blue shirt. "Well, are we ready?" He felt much better for a final change of clothes and to have had a good night's rest, a new day called his name.

Heero stood and smiled, heading down to the mess hall, this time more comfortable to walk by his friend's side, well, except when someone he didn't know would cross by their side, then he'd try and keep as far from them as possible. They were usually full-grown, brawny men with mischief in their eyes, but they always did what they were asked to. All greeted the both of them with a smile and a wave. Walking into the mess hall, he only panicked. The mess hall was filled with people, noise from all the different conversations echoing between the walls. He caught sight of Sally sitting down and waving them over. Another sat with her, he was Chinese and seemed to know them, but Heero couldn't remember. Not his name anyway, he remembered the face when he was still in the jeep. Before he learned to trust Quatre. Sticking close to the young blonde, he was sure to avert his eyes from all that looked at him or his general direction.

Wufei watched Heero cross over with Quatre, a small smile of amusement playing on his lips. Heero looked a lot better and more content with life, even if he still seemed jumpy around people. By what Sally told him, he was going to have to prove to the confused youth that he was a friend, that he could be trusted, and that Heero need not fear him. Standing, he greeted Quatre with a genuine smile. "I see we are looking better today Quatre. You always could work wonders on people, and it seems you have again, because Heero's here now."

Quatre shook his head, laughing softly. "It's just a matter of rebuilding trust, something that was there but we just had to find it again." Nodding at Sally's small wave, he turned to his uncertain comrade once more. "Okay Heero, I need to go check on the others, Trowa hurt his arm yesterday and I need to go make sure he isn't hurting his arm any more. That and see that Duo isn't going insane when being confined to the bed. Why don't you go ahead and sit down with Sally and Wufei and eat, I'll be right back, okay?"

Heero looked at him with reluctance, but nodded. If Sally was there, he had already learned to trust her, then at least he wasn't alone. Crossing between the tables, he took a seat next to the older woman, not certain that he could trust the other named Wufei at that time.

"You remember Wufei, don't you Heero?" Quatre was slightly disappointed as it seemed Wufei was when Heero sat as far from them as possible.

Heero looked up at Quatre pleadingly, but he spoke none the less. "I remember from the car."

"Don't you remember any other time?"

"No." Wufei looked back to his plate, then to the young aristocrat. "It's okay Quatre, we never did have what you could call a good friendship even before all of this. I expected it. You'd better check on Trowa, he seemed out of it this morning and wasn't up as early as he usually is, and even then he sounded like he was coming down with something. Duo will probably have to be strapped down later, knowing him. He's gained a lot of strength back already." Smirking, he watched his comrade nod and leave.

Sally looked at the two boys, sighing as she sipped at her tea. She hated to see that Heero and Wufei were both so quiet, especially when they seemed to learn to open up to the rest of the world and they were getting so much better at it. That and the fact that she wanted someone to talk to but she didn't want to make Heero uncomfortable. "So Heero, did you sleep nicely last night? I hear we might have had some problems."

Heero looked up from his classic breakfast of eggs, toast, and bacon with curious eyes. "Quatre let me sleep in his room, I couldn't sleep in mine."

With an odd glint in her eyes, she looked at him. "What was wrong?"

Putting down his fork and holding his hands in his lap, he cast his gaze away. "I didn't want to be alone, I-I was scared."

Sally put a reassuring hand on Heero's arm, smiling in understanding. "That's okay, there's no need to be sorry or ashamed. We all get scared at times. It's only natural. As long as you got some sleep. I can get the bed put in Quatre's room if you don't want to be alone or..."

Heero shook his head, looking back into her eyes. "I can't sleep on it, I don't want to."

The older woman's breath caught in her throat, the fear and sadness in his eyes clearly showing his torment and pain. He had a fear of beds, and the only reason that Sally could think of was that he had been abused at the OZ compound, abused like no one should ever have to suffer, but sad to say things like that happen. With a gentle and sympathetic smile, she replied. "I can get a cot put in Quatre's room, you can both sleep comfortably. Would you like that?"

With a small smile, Heero nodded. "You are nice."

Wufei watched the entire time, his voice silent, realizing what Sally seemed to as well, it was evident in her eyes that she knew what "torture" their friend was made to endure. Well, it was a logical reason for his mistrust, but they weren't yet for sure. Duo'd told him the night before that the soldier that shot him threatened Heero. He'd said that Heero would pay the price after they were all captured, it would be a long night, but he'd be glad to punish Heero. Duo described his twisted and psychotic smile and the perverted look in his eyes as he sized up their friend. All the while, Heero cringed and tried to hide, scared to death of the soldier. "I'm sorry for the pain you had to suffer Heero, I truly am." He let a small grin cross his lips as he continued to eat, listening to Sally's laughter as she listened to the youth's innocent voice and child-like manners.

*

Trowa rubbed the sleep from his eyes with the palm of his left hand, feeling extremely worn out and his right arm was really starting to get on his nerves. It was still hurting from the day before, even if it had stopped for a short while. A knock at his door let him know that there were others awake, even if he didn't want to be. "Come in."

Quatre entered, shaking his head and smirking as Trowa looked at him. "Not feeling so good?"

"Oh I'm feeling just great..." His voice dripped with ridicule, Duo was really rubbing off onto him. Once again, he tried to flex the fingers in his right hand, but still to no avail. He was actually losing feeling in his arm, he could see that his knuckles were white from his fist being clenched so hard but he couldn't unclench it and if he tried to sit up or move his arm, it sent a sharp pain racing throughout his shoulders and arms. So needless to say, he couldn't use his left hand to uncurl his fist either.

Quatre only sighed when he caught the wincing in Trowa's features, his cheeks were flushed but his complexion was pale. His right fist was also clenched tightly but he didn't seem to be loosening it anytime soon. "Trowa, do you need some help?" His voice held a hint of amusement.

"Would you?" He sighed himself and winced again, everything from his elbow down now numb.

Quatre crossed over, sitting next to his side as he took his comrade's hand in his own. "What happened."

"It must have cramped up on me last night, I woke up and realized that a pain was shooting throughout my arm and found my hand curled into a fist. I was hoping that it would...urh.." he groaned softly when Quatre began his work, "..the muscles would relax on their own, but I haven't been able to get any sleep since early this morning." Gritting his teeth, he released a sigh when he felt his fingers relax, falling limp and under his control once more.

"I should have done this yesterday, I should have realized a lot yesterday too." Thinking out loud and not really talking to anyone in particular, he ignored Trowa's confused look and didn't notice that he'd said it until his friend interrupted his thoughts.

"What else happened?"

"I was putting Heero to bed yesterday and I was too tired to acknowledge how reluctant he was and that he was shaking like a leaf when I last left the room. I wasn't even thinking. He came to my room a few minutes later, scared to death and he wouldn't go anywhere near the bed. I think we've underestimated how much emotional shock he's gone through and what OZ actually did to him."

"You mean you didn't... mph... find out yesterday?"

Shaking his head, he continued to securely wrap his friend's arm. "No, he was still shaken up and he was just getting settled in, he's trusting a lot more people now. Yet, when Duo mentioned OZ last night, Heero must have held a glass globe too tightly because it broke and the pieces that hadn't fallen to the ground, there were only a few, they were stuck in his hands. He was upset all over again, so we should let him get settled in and refrain from saying anything about OZ or the soldiers until he's comfortable and ready. There, now just let your arm rest, the muscles need it if you haven't already pulled and strained a few. Get some sleep, you're still tired."

Trowa tried to rise anyway, but was stopped by Quatre's determined hand on his shoulder. "Heavyarms needs to be repaired and taken care of after the battle. This may be Sally's base, but I don't trust her soldiers to take care of my gundam. It has to be done."

"And it will, when you're ready and can take care of it. You are going to sleep Trowa, after battle yesterday, no sleep last night, and the lack of sleep you've had while Heero was captured and even before that. If you keep this up, you'll kill yourself one of these days. That and what can you really do with your arm like this?" Quatre wasn't going to give in as he might have other times, not when they had no need to push themselves to the limits and over the edge.

Lying back down, Trowa closed his eyes and released a heavy sigh. "Fine... where's Heero? Is he still sleeping?"

Shaking his head and rising, Quatre smiled. "No, he's eating right now with Wufei and Sally, I'm hoping that he'll learn to trust Wufei again too, but this one might be a little harder. Considering that they weren't the closest of friends in the first place.

Nodding, Trowa tried to keep himself focused and awake, but sleep that had long since been denied him called his name once more, his soul answering it willingly.

With a smile, Quatre left the room quietly, heading back to the mess hall, Duo was still sleeping and he was the first to be checked on.

Z

Wufei walked down the corridor, having left Heero with Sally. He tried to talk to his fellow pilot, but Heero really didn't want to say much or trust him yet, that was fine. Actually, he had a feeling that Heero never trusted him in full even before all of this. Standing next to the front entrance, he looked out into the warm sunlight, letting a cool breeze course over his body. A soft barking caught his attention and he turned to find a greyhound charging down the long hall after him. Kneeling before the creature, he held out his hands and began to pet the dog, laughing as she wagged her tail, for her entire rear end shook. He didn't mind animals as company, they had such a simple and just way of living, not like the complications that man made. Soft footsteps caught his attention, his eyes instantly glaring at whoever was trying to sneak up on him, but when seeing that it was just Heero, he let his guard drop and his scowl turn into a smile. Heero stopped about a yard away from him, watching the dog as her small head turned around, her tongue lolling out of her mouth while she panted. "Hello Heero, where'd Sally go?"

Heero watched the dog, wanting to pet her but he also caught her sharp teeth. He didn't know if she would bite him or not. "I-I don't know. I don't know where my room is."

Wufei nodded in understanding, he must have lost Sally and was wandering about the halls. "I'll help you find it. She's pretty isn't she?" He motioned toward the dog as she returned to try and lick his face, but he backed away.

Heero nodded, but didn't say anything. Without warning, the dog loped over to him, jumping up and pressing her front paws on his shoulders. He wasn't sure what to do, he only caught her teeth as her face came closer to his. He wasn't sure what to expect from the animal, so instead of staying calm, he sunk down to the floor with his back against the wall and panicked. "Help me!" Putting up his arms, he shielded his face and waited to feel the canine's teeth sink into his flesh.

Wufei rose to his feet, wrapping one of his arms around the front of the dogs neck and under one of her legs, the other one picking her up, laying just behind her hind legs. He cradled the surprisingly heavy dog and looked down at a paling and terrified Heero, his poor form cringing in the corner as he hid his face. Setting the dog down, he pushed her aside when she tried to get back to Heero and kneeled before him. "Heero, it's okay. She didn't want to hurt you, she was just happy to see someone else and she tried to say hi the way she knows how. Hey, there's nothing to be afraid of, it's all right." Taking his shoulders softly and watching his blue eyes slowly meet his black ones, he smiled. Inwardly, he was amazed that Heero was trembling so, that he was so terrified. The dog came out from behind the young warrior, laying her head on his arm as she whined softly. "She just wants you to pet her, she might try to give you a kiss from time to time, but that's just because she likes you." Smiling, he scratched the dog's head, right behind her ear. He couldn't help but laugh when her eyes closed and she seemed to be in sheer bliss.

Heero looked up, his gaze moving back to the dog, her head facing him as her eyes opened and looked back at him. Raising a trembling hand, he slowly moved it out to touch her, but whenever she moved, he'd stop. Another hand took his, gently guiding it to the greyhound's head as she moved closer. Wufei placed his hand on the creature's soft fur then took his hand away to let Heero pet her by himself. The dog seemed to understand his fear and sat where she was, moving closer ever so slowly.

Wufei sat on his heels, watching in amusement as Heero petted the greyhound, a smile coming to his face once more. Without warning, the dog jumped up and started licking Heero's cheek. The youthful warrior was ready to drag the canine off of him once more and settle his friend's fears, but he was amazed when he heard laughter. Heero was trying to hide his face in his arms but the dog was working her muzzle through or under his arms, continuing to kiss him. And his comrade only laughed, having fun with his new-found friend.

Sally peaked around the corner, searching frantically for Heero, for she hadn't realized that she must have lost him until she reached his room and he wasn't there with her. She was about to leave when her eyes caught him and all she did was lean against the wall and smile. At the end of the hall sat Wufei, smiling as Heero was "attacked" by their new pet, she'd come in as a stray. They hadn't named her yet, it was more like she had to earn her title.

Wufei looked up, chuckling softly as Heero tried to push the dog's muzzle away but she just kept coming back. Spotting a form down the hall, he looked swiftly but upon seeing Ms. Po, he waved her down toward them.

Heero continued to laugh, trying to hide his face from the energetic dog's tongue but she always found him. "Ah... help me."

Wufei had stopped his laughter and was now smiling, but at his friend's delighted plea, he stood and pulled the dog back once more, laughing at his content smile. "Did she get you clean enough?"

Heero brushed away the dog's slobber from his cheek and smiled, nodding vigorously as he looked up. His cheeks where hot and his hair was messed up a little, but he was having fun. "I was already clean."

"Guess not in her book. You'd better stand up before she jumps out of my hands or she'll get you again." Wufei watched Heero try to stand but the young hound quickly went under his arms and straight to Heero, drowning him in kisses as she towered over him, her tail wagging like there was no end to tomorrow.

Heero covered his face with his hands, laughing as he tried to hide from her but he just couldn't get away. As soon as Wufei pulled her back again, he quickly struggled to his feet and leaned against the wall. "Her tongue is hot."

Sally laughed at the whole scene and joined them, catching Heero's energetic and care-free look and nodding. "She's been playing outside and it gets warm, she's trying to cool down. You know Heero, she really seems to like you now, after all those puppy kisses she gave you." She only laughed when he started to rub them away with the back of his sleeve, still smiling. His cheeks were red from the little ambuscade, but he didn't seem to mind. "I see you found our new little guest."

Wufei bent down and started to pet the animal again, his hand running down her back and combing her soft fur. "What do you call her?"

"We don't know yet, she's a stray that came in here a day or so ago. She's only a puppy."

Heero looked down at her, smiling as he took in deeper breaths and steadied his heartbeat. "She doesn't have a name?"

"Nope, you wanna give her one Heero?" Sally's lips were pulled into a thoughtful grin.

Heero looked down at the dog, unsure if he could come up with a name for her. "I don't know."

Wufei finally spoke again. "Well, she's brought back a bit of faith. I mean, it's a war and yet she finds time to be a puppy and make new friends. She just made one out of Heero." An optimistic smile spread over his lips.

"That's a pretty name." Heero listened to Wufei's words, smiling as he sat on his knees and petted the dog as well.

Sally was slightly confused, and so was Wufei it appeared. "What's a pretty name Heero?"

"Faith," was his only reply as the rather large puppy began to lick his face again, her tongue unstoppable.

Nodding in agreement, the young warrior rose to his feet and let his friend play with the canine. He was reminded of how precious life was, how simple, innocent, and pure it was. That and just how that innocence can easily be taken away, but returned as well.

Thinking for a minute, the young woman's eyes lit up. "Faith is a good name. Her new name is now Faith." Laughing softly as Heero fell onto his back and struggled to get Faith off of his chest, she'd taken it that she was allowed to lay where ever she chose, she was surprised to hear Wufei's laughter as well. "It might have been utter hell on you Heero, but things like this sure do bring out the best in people, it's given you back a new life, or just a life rather. I'm so glad that you're taking to life like this now instead of hating it even more and being depressed all the time."

Z

Duo opened his eyes, tired of watching the television, especially since nothing good was on. "Oh this is fun, now I know why I keep getting shot up." His words were pure sarcasm, holding a slight bitterness for having to be stuck in the uncomfortable bed and in the room by himself. "This is so not cool." At least Heero was out of that hell-hole and he wasn't going to be hurt any longer. "Okay, I was shot and almost died for my friend. All I Faith is that Heero can be helped as well.... that and maybe I'll charge him an ice cream or something for my troubles." Laughing at his thoughtful idea, he turned off the television set with the TV box and closed his eyes. A knock interrupted his thinking and he was all too glad for company. "Come on in, the door's unlocked." When the door opened, a blur of grayish-brown raced toward him and jumped on his bed, towering over him. "What the hell?"

Heero looked in, a scowl in place at seeing Faith. "No Faith, down, bad." He pointed to the ground with a small frown, the young dog jumping down and to his side.

Duo looked at Heero, then at the dog, and back at Heero. His heart was pumping a mile a minute, because if that dog sat down or laid on him, he'd be in extreme pain. Finally letting a smile cross his lips, he motioned for Heero to take the chair and join him. "Hey buddy, feelin' better?"

"A lot, and Sally said I could keep Faith with me and she let me name her." Heero wanted to tell Duo everything that had happened since he woke up, wanting someone to listen since Trowa was sleeping while Quatre and Wufei worked on their machines which they called Gundams.

Duo smirked, nodding. "Well, that's good to hear. Where are the others? Are you just wandering about by yourself?" He Faithd not, he didn't want to see his friend hurt by accident.

"No, Ms Sally showed me here and said I could talk to you. She said I could bring Faith with." With a smile, he let Faith lay her head and front paws on his lap, petting her and scratching behind her ears like Wufei showed him. He said she liked that since she couldn't really reach there with her back paws, that she really enjoyed it. From what he could tell, Wufei was right. He now trusted Wufei as well, glad that he'd found so many friends to trust in.

"That's good, I just didn't want you getting hurt. I'm glad you came by too, it gets a bit lonely in here without someone to talk to. It sounds like you've been having an interesting day so far."

Nodding enthusiastically, Heero went into full detail from the moment he woke up to when he came into the door. He told Duo everything from how he didn't trust Wufei at first, to when he got lost and couldn't find Sally, to being ambushed by Faith, to laughing and then coming to his room.

And Duo sat, drinking it all in. He had to laugh a few times himself, at other times, he reassured his comrade. Most of all, he was just glad that Heero now trusted the rest of his comrades and that he was finally having fun. If anything good came out of his torment, it was this, a second chance at life and the return of his innocence that was taken from him way too soon. The better part of two hours were spent with Heero's descriptions, at times they may have been over-exaggerated, but he listened contently the entire time.

Finally finishing, Heero took a deep breath and then looked down at Faith who was now asleep on the floor. A question still plagued his mind. "Was it my fault Duo?"

Duo, who had closed his eyes momentarily, opened them in curiosity. "Why do you think it is?" He knew what his friend was talking about. He'd known Heero too long not to know.

Heero shuddered, but he had to know. "The soldiers, they told me it was."

Somewhat angered, he let that pass for OZ would be dealt a swift retribution in Heero's honor. "They lied to you, it wasn't your fault in the least and it never will be. Don't let them tell you any different, don't let anyone. I'm your friend and I wouldn't lie to you, it wasn't your fault Heero."

His eyes stung with threatening tears, but he tried to be brave and tough in front of Duo. "They said it was because I could have told them what they wanted to know before any of that happened. I could have stopped them." His voice dropped from its enthusiastic tone to a whisper.

Sighing, he knew it was going to take a little while to convince Heero. "Look buddy, you couldn't have given them that information, you didn't know they were going to do that to you. I've known you for a while, and you live strongly by your beliefs, even if I sometimes disagree with them. We fight the war so others don't have to die, and if you gave them any information, a lot of people could have died that didn't need to. But you saved them, you saved a lot of people who you don't even know, who don't even know you yet. But you saved them, just like your name says. Heero is a good name for you, because that's what you are to so many people. Their hero. Why don't you tell me what they did to you, I think I know but it might help us so we can help you. You don't have to if you're not ready to talk about it though."

Heero thought for a moment, seeing the truth in his friend's words but doubt still clouded his mind. "Please don't get mad at me when I tell you."

"I won't get mad, because it wasn't your fault. Whenever you're ready buddy."

Closing his eyes, he held his hands together and began. "When they took me in, I wasn't scared, I was mad because I got caught. I remember yelling at them, laughing and telling them that it was none of their business what I knew. They only hit me harder, but it didn't really hurt. Then I felt something prick my arm, and when I saw a needle, I got confused but fell asleep, it made me tired. When I woke up, I was in a bed, the room was really dark. When I tried to move, I couldn't. Not my arms or legs. I couldn't feel my clothes on me either, only a light blanket. I was confused, angry, and a little scared, I didn't know what they were going to do to me. Before they gave me the shot, they said that I would pay, that I should have said something earlier. Then a man came in, he smiled, but it was a nasty smile. He said that he would enjoy the long night, he said I would know what a real man was in a few minutes and I wouldn't be a stupid boy anymore. Then he started to take off his shirt, then his pants..." His eyes opened and gazed shamefully down at his hands. Faith was up and whining near his leg, so to keep himself calm he reached out and started to pet her. But Duo didn't say anything, he wanted to know more but he didn't say so. Taking in a deep breath, Heero continued as tears began to fill his eyes. "When he came over to me, I tried to yell at him but I couldn't, cloth was in my mouth and something was tied to keep it in and me from saying what I wanted to. He climbed into the bed too, but I couldn't breathe 'cause he was laying on me. He only laughed when I tried to get away, then I felt something... I was so scared I didn't know what it was." Shaking, he continued to stroke Faiths head as tears traced their paths from his eyes, dropping from his chin. Duo looked with ultimate regret and sympathy at Heero, what he thought was true, the sick bastards at OZ had raped him. "Heero, you can stop there, you don't have to go on."

But Heero ignored this, for he had started and couldn't stop himself from finishing it. "He put his hands on my shoulders and then I felt something inside of me.... it hurt so much that I wanted to scream and cry but I couldn't. He told me he would stop when I gave him the information he wanted to know, and I tried, but I couldn't talk and he just kept going, harder and faster. I couldn't breathe, I was hurting too much.... but he kept going. He didn't stop for a long time, and before he did, I felt like I was on fire. I couldn't do anything to stop him, I was so scared and I hurt and I didn't know where you guys were. You said nothing would happen to me, that you would come and get me out, but he was done before you did. Then when I tried to breathe again, it was too hard, he laid on me again and fell asleep, he was still inside my body. I wanted to kill him, but I couldn't. I cried, and tried to scream, but my voice didn't work, no words came out. I was so scared, it hurt so much Duo. When they took him away, they just put me in the dark room where I was at first, they put my clothes back on for me. After that, they took me away again and started to hit me and yell at me again, telling me that if I didn't give them what they wanted, it would be another long night. I tried to tell them, and tell them I was sorry. But I couldn't, my voice didn't work anymore and I was tired. They gave me another shot and I woke up in the room again, but a different man came in, he was bigger and heavier. He did the same thing, and I felt the hurt all over again, but he didn't fall asleep on me. I felt so dirty and hurt and scared I wanted to die. They did it over and over, sometimes two or three different men. And I had to take it, I had to hurt and cry alone when they laughed and..." Heero looked up, his eyes wide in terror as he looked into Duo's eyes.

Duo couldn't let Heero go on, he was shaking so bad and tears were flowing in rivers from his eyes. He shouldn't have made Heero relive it. It was painful and took him a few minutes, but he had sat up and taken his friend's shoulders in his hands, stopping the nightmare. "It's okay Heero, they'll pay for what they did to you, they'll all pay and hurt like you did. You don't have to relive any more of the pain. It's okay, I'm sorry we weren't there when you needed us, but we're here now and they're never going to touch you again, they'll never hurt you again, ever. I swear it." Though it was somewhat painful, he let Heero stand and lean into him, crying softly as the young American wrapped his arms protectively around his friends shoulders. Silently they stood, Faith whining and nuzzling Heero's side while Duo felt tears soak his light T-shirt, the only other sounds were soft and stifled sobs. Softly he began to call coaxing and soothing assurances to his friend, disregarding his shoulder and stomach wound. They could wait. "It's okay buddy, they're never going to touch you again, we won't let them. That's why you're here, because everyone in this place, I know you've seen all the people and there are a lot, but they're all here to protect you from those bastards. They're not going to ever let that happen to you again. Never. Don't worry, we'll protect you and stop them if they ever try again. I'm sorry I couldn't have been there to help you out buddy, I am and I wish it had happened to me instead of you, but I can't change that. I'm never going to let them come near you again. You're safe now, they're never going to hurt you again." Standing, he let Heero cry his pain away, taking much deprived comfort from him. And the young American stood by his side, holding him in a reassuring hug and telling him that he wasn't going to be alone, that he wasn't alone through all of that because the angels were always there to help bear his pain as was God, and that the people who ever let his happen to him would pay and suffer just like he did. After about fifteen minutes, though it was harder to stand up for such a long time when he was working with borrowed energy, he figured the Lord supplied it so that he could comfort his friend, he felt Heero pull away as he began to wipe away his tears in shame. "Hey, don't be embarrassed. There's no need to be ashamed to cry, you had all the reason in the world to and deserved the chance to cry more than anyone I know." Sitting on the edge of the bed, he let his right arm fall and masked his pain with a smile. Oh, he'd pay for moving his arm like that, he'd pay dearly for moving at all, but Heero needed someone to help comfort him and Duo wasn't going to let him suffer alone. In other words, he'd suffer later but it was all well worth it.

Heero nodded but wiped away his tears all the same, sitting down once again in the chair. "Thank you Duo..." He couldn't help but smile slightly when Faith jumped up on his knees and began to lick is cheeks, comforting him as well as washing his tears away.

Duo smiled himself, not really in the mood to lie back down. "Anytime buddy, anytime. That's what friends are for." Grimacing again, he stood, he'd taken enough bed rest to last him for a lifetime.

"You can't do that."

Laughing softly, Duo snatched another shirt and put it on skillfully, buttoning it up quickly. "What?"

"Ms Sally said not to let you get up, you're not supposed to. I'm not supposed to let you." Heero stood, pushing Faith softly to the ground.

Duo reached down with his left arm and petted Faith, smirking. "What Sally doesn't know won't kill her, and if I stay in this bed any longer I'll hurt myself. I just want to go for a little walk and if you're with me, you won't get in trouble and Sally wouldn't get mad at you anyway. Besides, she's so much fun to make angry. That, and if I don't get fresh air I'll die for certain."

Heero didn't like the part where Duo said he'd die if he didn't get some fresh air, he wasn't thinking that it was just a joke, so he nodded and opened the door, walking with him out to the doors of the hanger. If he was with Duo, maybe Duo wouldn't get into trouble. He wasn't worried too much about himself.

Quatre sat in the cockpit of Sandrock, scanning over any damage that he'd missed, reprogramming some of the hardware back into his systems, taking away unneeded ones and adding anything that could be of use. He'd used the Zero system before and learned to overcome it but take its data at a sane rate, so he reinstalled that into his programs and took it from Wing Zero. It'd be too dangerous for Heero right now. Surprisingly, Sandrock hadn't sustained that much damage, most of it was in his left arm which he used to block with, so the shield was all that really needed to be repaired. A familiar voice drifted to his ears and he couldn't help but laugh as he exited the cockpit.

"Hey! Where's my Deathscythe Hell?!"

Quatre glanced around the hanger, scanning the floor but it was hard to miss Duo. Heero and a dog accompanied them. That must be Faith, Sally had told him of Heero's little escapade. "You have to literally be drug from bed in the morning, but when we tell you to stay there and rest and something else that seems to be a favorite pastime, sleep, you won't do it! Come on Duo, it isn't reverse psychology or a trick or anything, it's simple. It's called rest!" He couldn't help but laugh harder when Duo gave him his normal goofy smile and waved, though he was smart enough to remember to use his left hand.

"Yeah, but what's the fun of being in a room with a bad bed and nothing to do!? It's more fun to make you guys get after me for it!" Duo yelled back, assuring Heero that he wasn't in trouble and that they were just joking and having fun.

Wufei exited his gundam as well, smirking and shaking his head. "Maxwell, do you never learn?"

Duo caught sight of his favorite friend to torment and called up with enthusiasm. "Hey Wu-man! How's it goin'?"

Biting his tongue, the proud warrior had to take in a deep breath and steady his nerves. "Just be lucky Nataku needs repairs and that you're fairly helpless right now or I'd come down there and make you pay. It's Wu- fei! Nothing else!"

Smirking and laughing softly, Duo couldn't resist. "Then bring it Wu-man! I ain't that helpless yet!"

Wufei only stepped from Nataku's platform and next to the railing. Climbing over it, he jumped the seventeen some feet to the ground and looked Duo in the eyes at his level. "You were saying Maxwell?" A mischievous grin played over his lips.

Duo smiled at this but slowly began to back away. He knew Wufei didn't fight with others weaker than himself, that's why he'd lived so long, but even Wufei makes exceptions. Rare yes, but the youthful American was sure he'd make an exception this time. "Nothing, nothing! Hey, where's Deathscythe Hell and Heavyarms?"

"That's what I thought, they're in the other hanger, there wasn't enough room in here for all of the gundams. Like I said, you're lucky today Duo." Turning his back, he headed once more toward Nataku but stopped short.

"Holy Mary mother of Jesus, he knows my first name. He actually called me Duo!" In sheer astonishment, the cocky American youth couldn't help but make notice of it.

Quatre laughed at the entire dilemma, having to have taken a seat so that he wouldn't hurt himself. Actually, he'd needed a good laugh for so long that he felt a great weight falling from his spirit, giving him a rejuvenating feeling. "It's a first Duo, it's a first!"

Heero watched, snickering softly himself as he kept Faith at his side so she wouldn't run off. He was glad to have forgotten about what he'd just said to his comrade only a few minutes before and no one had asked him what was wrong, so they must not have noticed that he had been crying. That, or no one said or thought anything about it.

"It'll go down in my record book, that's for sure." Catching the glint of slight curiosity Wufei's eyes, he mouthed "later" before he smiled, Heero turning to him once more.

Wufei gave a small nod, having wondered why Heero's eyes were red and bloodshot. He hadn't really noticed it until he heard his friend's laughter and turned his attention to him. He'd been focused on Duo at the time. "Wing Zero's been repaired from the last battle you were in Heero, you're welcome to check it out."

In confusion, he looked back at Wufei. Wing Zero? Did he have one of these "gundams" like they did? He didn't remember. Nodding, he looked back at Duo who only encouraged him to go ahead before he smiled and nodded. "Okay. Come on Faith, let's go see my "gundam". Is it mine?"

Duo hid his laughter and only smirked. "It sure is buddy, your very own gundam, the Wing Zero. It's that one right there." Pointing to the third giant in the hanger, he watched his fellow pilot's face light up with amazement and a large smile. It was like he'd never seen anything like it before, like he'd never seen Wing Zero. But then again, some events can do things to one's memory and their mind in general.

Heero raced over to his gundam, Faith following along. He weaved in between people, not caring that he didn't know them or hadn't built any trust toward them, he wanted to see HIS Gundam. Standing at its feet, he only looked up in amazement. "It's so big..."

Walking briskly up to his side, Duo wasn't going to run, that was for sure, he couldn't help but laugh softly. "Yep, it's big, fast, and strong. And it's been yours. I think Zero's missed you." Smirking, he continued to watch his friend's wonder. He looked up in approval, knowing that the others had done well in repairing Heero's gundam while he was gone, they'd tried but Heero would have to work out anything he didn't like.

Without a second thought, Heero raced up the steps, Faith right on his heels and just as eager as he to be inside the large machine. Duo's voice called after him, but that didn't matter, he wasn't sure how to get in but something was telling him how, telling him that he should be sitting with the controls at his fingertips and that he was welcome inside the machine. Waiting for the door to open to the cockpit, he gladly walked in, Faith taking a seat next to the chair and sitting faithfully by his side. Heero sat behind the controls, his eyes glancing over them, he thought he could remember how to work them, but he didn't and was eager to learn. Duo, Quatre, and Wufei appeared at the door of his cockpit and his smile faltered, he was in trouble for running off like he did. Why wouldn't he be in trouble for what he just did?

Quatre sighed, smiling sympathetically at seeing Heero's smile falter and his eyes cast downwards in shame. "We tried to fix it the best we could so that you'd like it. Well, do you Heero?"

Wufei added as well, watching his friend's hands move back instinctively to the controls. "Like Quatre said, we tried. You always were the hardest to please."

"So, what do ya think buddy?" Duo didn't bother to hide his mischievous grin.

Heero looked up, glad that he hadn't done anything wrong and that the others weren't angry with his actions. "I like it a lot! Can you teach me how to use it?" His eyes were Faithful and pleading.

Wufei looked slightly startled, he could tell that Quatre and Duo were as well, but nodded. "You don't remember how to use Wing Zero?"

Heero shook his head, was it a bad thing? He didn't even remember Wing Zero in the first place, surprisingly he remembered how to get back into it. He almost thought he remembered the controls and what the buttons were used for, but he couldn't.

Quatre smiled, having known that something like this was bound to come up, it was only a matter of time. "We can teach you, don't worry. Most of the commands for the gundams are the same, though in your case, you have a few others to add to it. Don't worry, you didn't do anything wrong or anything to be ashamed of. We just weren't expecting you not to remember. But that doesn't matter, we have the time." They had the time, but Heero was getting awfully attached to Faith and they couldn't bring her along in battle, there wouldn't be room in the cockpit during a fight and the young dog could get hurt.

Duo smirked, but a voice caught him off guard, making him cringe slightly.

"Duo Maxwell, if you ever pick a day in your life to listen to those who are senior to you, you'd better make it the days you're here at my base little boy or we're going to have a few problems."

Turning, he caught sight of Sally on the platform, standing just to the side of Wing Zero. "Uh, hey Sally. How's it been?"

Sally let a patient smile cross over her lips. "One of these days Duo, you will learn to listen. If I have to break both of your legs so that you'll stay in bed and rest like I told you to, then so be it. Please don't tell me I'll have to do that."

Taking in a deep breath, he eased slowly into the cockpit of Wing Zero in hopes to find some safety. "Uh, no you don't have to do that. Really. I just needed to get up and walk, besides, that bed's as hard as a rock. You expect me to be comfortable?"

Shaking her head, she replied coolly. "That's to support your back so that you don't irritate your injuries, though it appears it's too late. You would have healed faster you know."

Quatre only hid his smirk as he tried not to laugh, sometimes the things that Duo got himself into were sad and pitiful, but it was all too amusing. Glancing to his right, he realized Wufei wasn't even trying to hide his smirk.

"Come on Duo, now and don't argue. At least Heero knew better to stick with you so you didn't hurt yourself too bad. Good job Heero." Smiling as he exited the cockpit, Sally nodded in approval at Heero's common sense.

Heero grinned, but he still felt a little guilty. "Is Duo in trouble? Don't get mad at him, I didn't want him to die."

Duo looked confused, but the light above his head lit up, shining brightly. "Oh Heero, I'm sorry buddy. I was joking then, I was just trying to say that I was extremely sick of being in that room and I needed to get out of it." Smiling, he walked onto the platform as the others did. The door to Heero's cockpit closed, Wing Zero seeming to beam now that his pilot and friend was back.

Sally laughed quietly to herself, shaking her head. "No, he's not it trouble. I'm not mad at him or you, you did a good job Heero. Duo just needs to get back to bed and rest."

"Do you guys have any good movies? I swear, there's nothing on and it's so boring!"

"We'll see Duo, we'll see. You need to rest, I'll look as long as you stay in bed. Got it?" Sally began to lead him away as the others returned to their gundams, Heero following Quatre, the puppy at his side. Turning back, she looked curiously at the youthful American. "Duo?" He'd begun to sway on his feet and his cheeks were becoming flushed.

Heero returned to Duo's side, Quatre and Wufei following behind him. Heero stood by his side while the others steadied him, disapproving and sympathetic looks in their eyes. "Are you okay Duo?"

Nodding, Duo smiled but shook the dizziness from his vision. His energy had taken a dramatic drop, why, he didn't have a clue. "I'm fine, just a little tired right now. That and just a little dizzy, nothing to worry about."

Sally only frowned. "That's because you need to sleep, you're pushing yourself before you're ready, it's quick and easily used energy. Let's get you back to bed." And with all four of the boys following her, Faith leading the way, they headed back to Duo's room to put him to bed.

Author's Note:

*giggles* Poor Duo, POOR Heero! *sobs* I feel so sorry for what he went through, but his friends are gonna help him as best as they can... you've just gotta trust in them and believe! *sighs* Okay, you know the drill. Please review! And keep looking for the new chapters!