I apologize for all those who tried to read this before.the html files aren't loading in my browser properly.this one's just text

Disclaimers and Warnings are still in affect. Song //"Sleeping Beauty"// by A Perfect Circle

//Delusional I believed I could cure it all for you dear Coax or trick or drive or drag the demons from you make it right for you sleeping beauty truly thought I could magically heal you//

'Chapter 2 ~ Insomnia Day 2'

To watch over my slumbering angel again was truly ecstasy and agony intertwined. In Duo's absence I had become accustomed to silence, however to sit next to him without him muttering a word, it was torture of the cruelest variety. The doctors had suggested that any familiar sound could draw Duo from the slumber that could last a week or a lifetime and encouraged us to talk to him. For lack of my own words, I read to him from a verity of children's books, which littered the ward. Each happily-ever- after brought unshed tears to my already bloodshot eyes. All the while I allowed the perfect solider to run on autopilot and prevent the internal torment from rising to my face. A mechanical device next to the bed aided each breath from Duo Maxwell's lips. I could not help but fear that machine might fail as well with the braided boy's luck. He might never see happily- ever-after at this rate.

The time passed all too quickly as a nurse came to relive me of my post.

The night passed in shifts, as Chang and I alternated spend time with the sleeping angel. Confined for periods of time to the over-crowded waiting area, I relaxed in the undersized chairs attempting to find some sort of peace, which never came. The thoughts running rapid through my mind kept my eyes glued to the wall clock. The tension, the waiting, the knowledge that Duo was laying there helpless had me so on edge that a pin drop would set off the soldier defense.

In an attempt to create a more familiar surrounding for the sleeping boy, Wufei contacted Quatre and Trowa and requested that they join us on L7; however, busy with the company, Duo's Arabian friend would not be able to travel for several days. He did however offer to have the boy transported to an accredited facility once the doctors deemed him safe to make the voyage. The clown had apparently run off with the circus and it would take the blonde at least a week to get in touch with him. My hope for the charming American to awaken dwindled with each passing tick of the second hand on the wall clock.

Memories flooded back as I attempted to rest my weary gaze. I will never be able to pin point exactly what drew me to him in the beginning; perhaps it was his honesty and sincere desire to bring about a better tomorrow. The trait that stands out most is his eyes; those sparking violet eyes that held so much anguish yet so much delight. The blaze of flaming desire that rose in them during battle, and the elusive twinkle of the night sky dancing around those orbs in joyous times brought to me a simple pleasure that I can not logically explain. To think I may never see them open again rips my soul to shreds.

A slight tapping on my shoulder signals Wufei's return. I glance up at him through my ragged hair to see his face reddened once again; he's been crying. I genuinely envy him in his ability to display emotion without becoming totally overwhelmed. Perhaps I have finally lost my mind because I am wondering if his concern for Duo Maxwell is simply that of a friend. The look in the Chinese boy's eyes somehow causes me to sincerely doubt that. Then again, I suppose I have little right to complain, as I have never voiced any intentions toward the violet-eyed-angel. Actually, I am still unsure of exactly what those intentions are. Regardless, jealousy is a wicked fiend that is hard to control, even for the soldier.

Without a word I slip by Wufei and continue back down the hall to take my sentinel.

***

The drape around Duo's bed is closed. Why is the drape closed? I can hear a female voice humming lowly. There's someone in there. I. Don't. Like. This. One. Damn. Bit. The sharp sound echoed as I ripped the curtain from its rings, which startled the nurse who had been apparently attending to Duo's 'bath'. My chest heaved with frustration. I must have look like a wild animal for the poor nurse fell back against that wall in fright.

"Mr. Yuy!" She exclaimed clutching her chest in theatrics, "What is the meaning of this? You scared me half to death!"

I moved over toward her as she stood, still clutching the ripped sheet in my fist.

"Mr. Yuy, I was simply trying to bathe Mr. Maxwell. You really needn't be so hostile."

Grabbing her wrist, I gaze lifelessly at the object in her clutch. A sponge bath: how demeaning. I quickly remove the offensive object and place it in the basin on the side table. "Leave." I snarled; the aggression in my voice makes it hard for me to recognize it as my own. She quickly complies with my request as I release her from my grip. I am now left alone with a partly exposed Duo Maxwell and a basin of lukewarm water. The sheets are pulled back to expose his lower body and I can clearly see where the catheter is inserted. For the first time since my arrival I am experiencing physical empathy for my companion. The nausea comes in waves and I can feel myself loosing balance. I carefully lower my quivering body into a bedside chair and allow my head to drop into my hands. I don't know how much more of his suffering I can take. To view him lying there so feeble and fragile with the knowledge that I could have prevented this with a simple request is driving me to lunacy. His legs are so thin the tiniest joints in his knees are clearly visible. Those delicate hands are almost skeletal, I fear that if I clutch one I will surely fracture it. I manage to compose myself enough to stand and complete the task the nurse has left me.

To view him this way brings the revelation that there mustn't be a god. No divine being would allow an angel such as mine to suffer so. The humiliations of being rendered unable to bathe one's self or urinate without the aid of medical equipment, is this the fate a god would choose for such a noble seraph? Would a deity take such pleasure in cursing me to watch the one I cherish most wither away? No, Duo Maxwell is my god and no other shall take his place. Even in such a compromising position his face radiates a glow of heavenly light. I wonder if he's dreaming.

Hurrying to complete my task before the water cools further, I wring the sponge over the basin and start at his feet. Massaging gently, each digit receives individual attention as I move the squishy cloth in and around the narrow crevices. I swear I can feel his body relax under my touch. After toweling off each toe to insure he doesn't lose and critical warmth, I take fresh water from the bowl and start at his ankle moving slowly up his calf. His skin is soft like a lamb's fleece and almost as pale. Strange it seems for me to touch him in such an intimate way when for the longest time I recoiled at sharing a simple handshake wit him. Then my hands were always filthy with the blood of combat, and to touch him would soil his beauty. The evidence of his life of hardship is marked along the trial I've taken. Small puckered peach skin taunt in tiny serrations testify to the destruction our efforts caused. If I could have done it all and sparred him the suffering I would have.

I do my best to avoid the tender skin on the insides of his thighs; the catheter is no doubt causing discomfort in the genital region. Although Wufei had said the doctors deemed him unresponsive to stimuli, goose bumps form as a result of the cool air. Therefore I use extreme caution as not to pain him further. So pure and delicate, his skin has become so transparent that I am chasing the blood flow in one long aqua vein running from the pit of his knee up and around his tight chest. As I trace around the petite pink nipples they gather and peek, much to my surprise. His nervous system must be recovering.

"Duo?"

My voice is so harsh from lack of sleep or meals but carries the message of my concern.

Still his body remains motionless and completely unaware of my presence. I sigh deeply and reach for the towel to erase the most tracks I've made. As I lean forward a swift movement catches the corner of my gaze. His hand just shifted, didn't it? My emotional state must be getting the better of me. Tempted, I gingerly run the lightest touch of my fingers along the muscles of his upper body, focusing the intense stare on his closed eyes. I long for the water could wash away the pain and suffering of the past. For those scars to be erased for his velveteen casing, and then sink deeper through the pores to remove the ones I know are etched in his soul. I would sell what little essence I posses to have him whole again. I apply slightly more pressure with the ball of my palm and continue to trace down his abdomen, where I replace the clean linens over his lower form. I withstand the desire to do as Chang did, and place my lips on the sleeping beauty, I would still do nothing but tarnish his already damaged body. Instead I sit on the edge of the hospital bed, at his side, and cup one hand in mine.

'Talk to him.' The phrase repeats over and over in my disoriented mind. 'About what?' I mentally respond. There are not enough words in any dialect to express all the sentiments I have bottled up over the past two years.

"You only need one."

My head snaps to attention and strategically scans the room. I did just hear that, right? Having found no one else I turn back to my friend and gaze at him hazily.

"Duo?"

Still no response; I must have imagined it. I heave a sigh once again and lean back onto his still uncovered muscular chest. His heart pounds slow, steady and soft beneath taut porcelain skin: such a soothing melody. Allowing my body to relax into his, I take in his scent and the feel of his skin under my cheek. My eyelids feeling heavy, I permit them to close for a moment. This must be heaven, melting into him, puddling up and encompassed by his heat falling into oblivion. This must be the reason men write sonnets and conquer mountains, this warmth. This overwhelming contentment in the comfort of those they care for. My thoughts are taken back by a sudden weight on my right shoulder. Defensive, I leap from the bed and spin around expecting to find Wufei or that intrusive nurse. Instead I find no one. Only Duo and myself occupy the room. Once again I turn to the resting body on the bed with an inquisitive look.

"Duo?"

Yet again, there is no response. However his body has shifted slightly, his right arm rests on his chest where my head had been only a moment ago. He's aware. He knows I'm here.

"Duo?"

I call him again more forcefully. Still he refuses to stir.

"Duo I know your awake, please respond."

I watch in astonishment as he slowly and awkwardly lifts his arm and replaces it by his side. My heart is doing cartwheels around my rib cage in relief.

"Duo, please just open your eyes."

My voice horse and earnest; however, his violet eyes refuse to flutter.

He must be regaining consciousness. I hop back onto the bed and strattle his stomach, shaking his shoulders with a firm grip.

"Duo! Can you hear me?!"

His movements are like a rag doll, limp and unnatural.

"Please Duo, this isn't a joke. Just open your eyes. Please!"

I shook his body more violently digging my nails into his shoulder blades until finally those violet orbs sprung open to gaze up at me in surprise. There was a distant scuffle and a force blind sided me and knocked my to the cold tile floor. My natural instincts struggled against a pinning weight on my chest. It took a moment to register that a small Chinese man was holding me down the wrists, screaming for a medic.

I ceased my thrashing and glared up at Wufei astounded by his actions. He returned my irate glare.

"Yuy, what the hell do you think your doing?! Your going to kill him!" The small man spat.

"No. No Wufei he's awake! Just go look his eyes are open! Look!"

The medical staff responded quickly to the disturbance and the annoying nurse was already checking Duo's vital signs. Wufei snapped his gaze toward her and loosened his grip enough for me to slip free. I rushed to the bedside to find Duo Maxwell still slumber peacefully with his eyes shut tight. I can feel all the gazes in the room locked heavily on my hysterical form.

"His eyes were open."

Wufei pushes the nurse to the side and proceeds with his own assessment. I follow his onyx eyes to find them lock on miniature purple and yellow marks across Duo's shoulders and upper neck where my hands had been. Falling back into the cushioned chair, my head falls lifelessly to the floor.

" He was awake."

The doctors stare blankly at Duo, and then follow to Wufei, who consequently joins them in looking fiercely at me. The weight of their fuming gaze is enough to push me through the floor. My heart hangs down in my gut. I put those marks on him. I caused him more pain. How did I manage this? His eyes opened I swear it! I saw him look at me didn't I?

"Mr. Yuy." One of the doctors speaks up and I raise my head slightly enough to see through my hair. " Mr. Maxwell is suffering from carbon dioxide poisoning. His nervous system is completely unresponsive, correct?"

I nod. He turns to one of the staff that in turn hands him a syringe with a needle the length of my arm. I hope he doesn't expect to put that thing into Duo.

"Mr. Yuy, we are going to take a sample of Mr. Maxwell's spinal fluid. Now this needle is going to have to be inserted into his back in order to with drawl the sample. If he is wake he will show some sign of discomfort correct?"

My eyes must have budged out of my skull because the asshole looks far too amused. The hell is that sadistic bastard going to put that thing into Duo's back for any reason! Not while there is air in my lungs!

"You bitch!" I bolt back up and rush toward the malicious doctor only to be restrained once again by Chang. The white coat's grin is extensively portraying his delight in my struggle. It makes me sick to my stomach and a growl bubbles up my throat. He signals the nurse to carry on with the procedure.

Two medics flip Duo's resting boy onto his left side so that he's facing me. A disinfectant is prepared as I continue to fight with Chang's hold on my arms. In my current emotional state my physical strength is hindered and I am no match for the petite dragon. I focus solely on the slumbering Shinigami's face as the cruelly insert that needle into his backside.

Not one movement. He doesn't flinch as the point pierces the skin and drills into the sensitive tissue. His nervous system isn't responding. He's still comatose.

"This is preposterous! I saw him! His eyes were open!"

The smug doctor hands the sample to another portly woman who injects it into a vile. He never takes his eyes off of me as he speaks. " Mr. Yuy, you are obviously suffering from delusion. If you insist on continuing your visit I am going to have recommend you take a sedative."

"I will do no such thing! Check him again! He was awake!"

I pull on Wufei's grip again with all the force I have left. I do not know if I finally won the struggle or if he just gave up, but in either case I broke free and threw myself on Duo's limp form.

"Please Duo, show them! Wake up and tell them I'm not mad!"

But he stirred not and continued to take small week breathes with the aid of a compressor. Oh the shame and the throbbing in my chest are overwhelming. They're all looking me again. I can feel the air shift as Wufei approaches to restrain me again. I will not be held back. I will not sit here and watch him suffer. With nowhere left to go, I make a dash for the door; sprinting with whatever energy I have remaining.

No one calls after me or chases me down; I just run. I run out the main glass doors, down the street and in no particular direction.

I cause him pain. I cause him suffering. I let him leave.

I can't save him.

//You're far beyond a visible sign of your awakening Failing miserably to rescue sleeping beauty//

TBC .

I would like to add that I am no doctor and have only seen a few episodes of "ER" so if for some reason something I describe in this story is medically inaccurate I apologize.

Oh and don't worry about Woofers 'Avenged Suffering' I wouldn't hurt one of the boiz. He and Heero are just going to have a few . issues . mostly b/c of Heero being a bit out of it and paranoid .

This isn't getting much better is it? Please review! Please? * cute look *

Can't sleep, color-aid will eat me. (If you don't know what color-aid is, be thankful.)