Author: CrashOverride

Title: Raging Numb

Warnings: I don't know how to apologize for my last cliff hanger, I mean honestly, I am glad you all are enjoying the fic, but at the time of posting I knew several of the readers would be more then ready to have my head on a platter for leaving off like I did. I mean Duo flat lining and Heero having a gun to his head. Where are the damn nurses and Doctors when you need them?

So I would like to take the current time and thank all of you who have been reviewing, and threatening me to continue and hurry up with this post. I promise to try not to leave off at such a high point again. Thanks to Deathwraith ( for adding fuel to the already burning fire, and the helpful comments... I do so apologize) Anime Echo (hopefully you made it too school on time!! ^^) Futon, Silvertoekee, Goddess of Death, Chopsticks, Cpfeb and to everyone else who hasn't reviewed but read my story. Thanks!

Any way.... On to the story...

Rating:

Raging Numb Part IV: Disadvantages for the Living

Awaking from a near death experience is not something I care to remember. Though I am quiet glad I was brought to one of the more advanced hospitals. I remember gaining consciousness as they attached a small box to my chest, with two sensors attached to strategic places above my heart. I guess they saw the curious look I gave them for they gave me a full out explanation.

"This, Mr. Maxwell, is a new proto-type. One we are testing. Currently we are understaffed and a major accident has everyone in the ER... So to prevent you from dying, if you go into cardiac arrest, a nurse has the controls, which are now set on auto. This black box is exactly like the set of pattles that send an electric shock to the heart, just smaller. It has a "brain" that is notified when you go into cardiac arrest. Then it will seed the pulses to the heart until it starts again, or if the "brain" believes you are gone, it will send an immediate signal to the nurses station, giving off a code red and then several of our staff will proceed in the proper manner. Do you understand?" An expressionless doctor informed me briefly before I was once again launched into the unconsciousness.

I heard Heero, reprimanding me, before it all went silent. I tried to respond to him, though I was taken, well my mind was, to another place. I remember seeing my loved ones once again, though nothing like my perfect world. I guess it finally hit that I was dead, but the nagging feeling was still bothering me. I felt the shocks that were being sent to my heart, and it seems that I was given a choice. Die and stay here, or go back and live. Trust me, it was a hard decision then I thought it was. When your mind is so clear, you see what is really important to you. You understand what you have done with your life and why you have done them. Though at the same time you see what you haven't done, and everything you never had a chance to do. Then you see what is in store for you if you decide to stay. Staying was looking quite promising. But then the idea hit me, if I went back living and died then at my proper time, wouldn't this still be waiting for me? Maybe even more. Thus the answer and decision were made. I was going to live. Though I found out quite quickly that shoving a soul back into the physical realm and in to its dying body, hurts a hell of a lot more then waking up with every bone in your body broken, a bad ass hang over and Relena Piececraft singing the national anthem our of tune.

As I said, awaking from a near death experience is not something I care to remember. When I opened my eyes though I noticed, that the heart machine still shrieked, stating that I was a flat liner, and Heero was slowly backing away from the door, hands in the air, with the would be assassin, pointing a gun to his head.

In a matter of seconds, I was Mobil, though I wanted to hear what was going to be said first along with the identity of the armed man. So, I quickly reached out and grabbed Heero's gun, which sat in the back of his pants, cocked it, and listened to the shooter talk.

"My, my Heero... it's funny that I should be the one to catch you off guard. I mean really, you are a gundam, pilot are you not?" the female voice said, moving further into the room and pulling out the electrical cords, leading from the machines attached to Duo, out of the wall.

"He was so easy to fine and kill you know... Sitting in Deathscythe, alone, daydreaming in his own little world. His entire defense down, not even a weapon on him. And you call yourselves, gundam pilots. Trained assassins never leave their guard down no matter what!.. Even I know that much and I have less training then even Duo here... It's really a pity that I had to kill both of you.... Such beautiful specimens." She continued, brushing a hand against Heero's cheek, receiving a death glare from the stoic pilot.

"What no words today Heero? Why not? Cause I killed Duo? Give me a break... what was he to you? A friend? A toy? ... A comrade? Your love? ... Let me guess you were in love with the braided man here, never told him and now it's too late... I bet you couldn't even admit it to yourself. Can't even say it in your mind huh Heero... I feel no grief or pity for what I had done... It was bound to happen sooner or later, wasn't it? A screw on a mission here, a few poison drops there.... Besides... He was going to do it anyway... so why care. If he didn't for you why care about a nobody that was going to end his own life because it seemed like the right thing to do?" She finished, cocking her gun, and aiming it to Heero's forehead, then to mine.

"I wish I could have gotten of a better shot... oh well... I guess I will take you to your love now Hmm?" She began aiming towards Heero when a shot rang out and two bodies hit the floor. The woman, whose face was still covered, was clutching her shoulder, gun still in her hand. Heero was sprawled on the floor, bullet wound to the high left shoulder, just above his heart.

"How could you not be DEAD!" The woman screamed, staggering up, eyes blazing with rage. Smirking, I answered with the only thing that seemed right.

"Haven't you learned? You can't kill Death!"

"I will get you... torture you... and Kill you.... I swear to that..." and with that she left, running out of the room, hand still attached to her shoulder.

"You should have killed her." A monotone voice spoke. Standing up, Heero made his way over to his forgotten chair and plopped down lazily.

"Well I couldn't risk it. She still had the reflex time, to aim at your head then fire, if I capped her. Then I would be responsible for you death... naw... too much pressure. I don't want to be the guy congratulated for Pilot 01, Heero Yuy's death. Besides, then Relena would be after me, and even with that as a wonderful thought.... I think I like having the iceman around' I joked, sitting up slightly and toying with the gun aimlessly. Heero chuckled softly before grabbing his gun and replacing it, in its proper place.

"Duo?"

"Hmm" I answered, closing my eyes and relaxing slightly.

"Ice Man?"

"Oh.... Heh... that's a nick name we've give you..."

"We?"

"Yes, me, Trowa, Wufei, Hilde, Quatre, the scientists, Sally, Noin, ... the list goes on for quite a while. If you ever decided to socialize, you would hear us using it.

"Duo.... Omae wo Korosu!"

"Yeah yeah.... Heard it all before...give me a few aspirin and wait till I heal will ya... I still want to see Quatre and Wufei act like each other, and Trowa like me before I...." I paused, remembering how I was going to end it. Shifting, I rolled onto my side, back to Heero.

"Duo?"

"Being shot, killed, brought back and saving your ass zapped my energy.... I'm tired. Why don't you tell the others I am ok..? I want to sleep." It took several minutes before Heero left my room, and even more before I could fall into a dreamless state.

' Dear MD, died today, brought back and saved Heero... wouldn't seem like a thing I would do huh? We never did find out who the assassin was; though I know I will be at least seeing her again. She seemed to be serious about her threat. Oddly enough, I seem to want her to come again and try and kill me. Am I morbid or what. Though I think she will do something more devastating then shoot me... maybe she'll... naw... she didn't seem that intelligent...'

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Silently, a woman clad in a sky mask, black turtleneck and black jeans made her way through a sleazy bar and into a back room. Taking off her mask, she smirked at the woman who stood before her.

"I need a favor."

"I figured." Came a stoic reply.

"Capture Duo Maxwell tonight, and send him to Treize. I think he shall have some fun with him. Just make sure to Tell Treize that Duo is a toy, only made to be broken....

CrashOverride: Hmmm... Not such a bad cliff hanger... well not as bad as the last... ~smirk~ Tee hee... I must be going now... snack... food... nourishment.. Then I might return to give you another part!