Declaimers: umm… haven't you been paying attention?

'Chapter 9 ~ Out of the Woods'

The waiting room of the hospital reeked of ammonia and appalling body odor. I do not care how sophisticated the facility may be; all hospitals smell the same. They stink like death.

Although Duo Maxwell was officially on the road to recovery, the unforeseen and daunting wait to receive clearance to enter his room and a full update on his condition had me tense. Butterflies danced around my stomach, making any attempts at rest futile.     

The doctors had been in examining Duo for the past three hours. Wufei had placed a phone call to Quatre the very moment the head physician finished scooting us out of the room. The blonde was elated as one could be when woken up at 2am. Trowa's mobile had been tuned and Wufei had no other way of reaching the sleeping clown. So he took it upon himself to personally drive down to the circus grounds and had yet to return. Quatre arrived only a few minutes after Wufei departed and the two of us waited, side-by-side, in an eerie silence as the sun began to rise.

Despite the unusual hush from my petite companion, a contented smile lingering on my lips. No matter what happened now, we had Duo back. All is finally right with the world. However the unanticipated high fever he'd developed was complicating matters. ' He won't be needing surgery' was the only information we'd received.

I glanced over that the wall clock and was surprised to discover that it was already 5:43am. The shuttle carrying Howard and Hilde would be arriving in an hour and Wufei had been due to meet them. That would explain his absence. Turning to my daydreaming companion, I nudged him slightly and one clear aqua eye popped open. 

"I'm still awake." He commented flatly.

"It's getting late, Wufei must have gone straight from the cirrus to the shuttle port."

Quatre's eyes snapped open. " It can't be…"

I pointed in the direction of the ever loudly ticking clock.

"Oh Allah! I have a meeting with the board of trustees in two hours. Damn it. What's taking them so long?"

"Well aren't you pleasant this morning." 

A third voice entered our conversation and caused Quatre's head to abruptly snap to attention.

Before us stood a very disgruntled Trowa Barton, dressed in a simple green sweater, plaid pajama pants, and a pair of running shoes. The blonde's lips moved in a shaky pattern as he attempted to form words that just didn't seem to be traveling from his brain to his mouth. Trowa ignored the struggling flaxen boy and chose to address me instead with the answer to Quatre's still unformed question.

"Wufei's parking the car."

Well, that certainly explains how he got here. I eyed him up and down for a moment before choosing to respond in a flat tone with, "You seem to have forgotten your pink bunny slippers." 

The tall, green-eyed boy remained unfazed and took a seat crosswise from us. He sighed heavily and kept his gazed transfixed on the floor. Quatre bears the same grim expressionless face. I wonder what event could have separated two such perfectly fitted people?

Chang Wufei burst through the double doors, locating our group quickly and rushing to address us. "What did they say?"

"No news yet." I dourly responded. "Their just making us wait."   

Obviously not what an already flustered Wufei wanted to hear. He spun on his heal and marched over to the admittance desk and began to badger the unsuspecting receptionist.

"Poor girl…" I grumbled with a smirk.

Quatre leaned over to whisper, "You're getting to be worse than Duo. You know that?"

His comment only widened my grin. It's wonderful how well my comrades' react to the adjustments in my personality. Hopefully, Duo will appreciate them as well.

Wufei stomped back over to the sitting area; apparently not pleased with the information the receptionist had offered him. He looked squarely at Quatre.

"I have to be at the spaceport in less than an hour. I'll leave my cell on; you've got the number. I want to know the minute they give you an update."

Quatre sighed, "Don't worry about it. Even if they declare that he's physically fine I doubt they'll let us take him home anytime soon. I had the house keeper make up one of the guest rooms, just in case."

"Guest room?!" The exclamation escaped my lips in a gasp before my brain could process the action. All three of my companions gazed at me with wide-eyes. I certainly hope Quatre didn't take my outburst to be a sign of negative feelings about his treatment of guests. Only, I'd hoped…well… to take Duo…home. Wherever that may be… 

I searched the blonde's face for signs of damage and instead found a deep-seeded concern. Chang cleared his throat, grabbing my attention and casually commanded, "Heero, walk with me to the car."

With a firm resolve, he proceeded toward the large double steel doors and waited patently for me to follow, holding one open. I stood slowly, turning to Quatre for signs of protest, and found none. Trowa just sat idly watching with the same solemn expression. Somehow I felt as if I was about to walk down death row in an OZ prison. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I follow suit. Walking through the door Chang held ajar and continuing out into the cool morning air. 

****

Outside, the street lay empty with the exception of a few cooing pigeons. Inhaling deeply, I spread my jaw to inquire as to why my raven-haired companion had decided to drag me out into the chill. Before my vocal cords could create a sound, my mind filled in the narrow blank. Earlier, in Duo's room, before we had recognized that the braided boy had awoke; Chang had said something about 'mistakes' that had left me uncomfortable. My logical mind told me to wait for answers until he felt comfortable enough to offer up the explanation. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait long.    

I followed on his heals until we reached an incline in the sidewalk; then he turned and looked me dead in the eye.

"Heero, I am going to be very firm and clear since I do not have time to idly sit around and chat about ancient history, understood?"

Slightly intimidated and shocked at his directness I simply nodded. Then again, Chang Wufei was never one to fuck around. 

"I didn't pull you out here for protection walking to my vehicle. I did it for two reasons: One, Quatre and Trowa could really stand some time alone. I will be gone for a while. See to it that those love-loran idiots don't start a catfight in front of Duo; he's bound to be confused as hell and doesn't need more stress. Two…"

His voice trailed off, obviously searching for words to accurately describe our encounter earlier in the morning. His expression clearly showed a twinge of discomfort and something in my belly began to flutter. I am not sure if I am prepared for what he is about to say.

"… I successfully kept this secret until now. Practically due to my own guilty emotions and partially for fear of how all of you would react."

Pausing again, Wufei turned his eyes to the simple gray birds that surrounded our feet. One decided to start pecking at his shoe. With one swift movement he kicked the offending flying rat panicking the whole flock and sending them onto wing. Once the whirlwind of feathers passed, Wufei's onyx orbs were again locked on target. I stiffened under the insanity of his gaze.  

"Duo and I had an encounter during the first war."

I'm going to kill him.

"I don't know what goes on in that screw-ball head of yours Yuy, but before you leap to conclusions, let me get this out…"

I'm going to pull out his intestines and wrap them around his neck.

"Heero, relax, please!"

My blood boiled, supplying my restless brain with a burst of adrenaline. Flinching, I looked down to find that I had unknowingly put a death grip on his left arm. I released his bruised flesh and took several passes back. I can't control the fury that burns in my blood when it comes to all matters involving Duo Maxwell.

"My apologies Chang." 

His back straightened as he attempted to reconnect with my darting gaze. I'm pretty damn sure I do not need nor want to hear his account. Further more, my increasing heart rate and the burning around my ears are adding to the nervous feeling in my stomach. I honestly think that I may loose the remainder of my dinner on the sidewalk. Me? Melodramatic? Nahh… that's Trowa's job.

"Heero, your possessive nature will be your downfall. I'm asking you to listen so that the mistakes of the past don't come back to haunt two people I happen to care a damn good bit about; so put you're personal feelings back down in the pit of your gut for five minutes and listen."

I swallowed hard and gestured for him to continue, my fragile mind screaming for him to just get it over with.

"During the first war, Maxwell and myself shared an OZ prison cell. The oxygen supply had been cut off and in an attempt to ration the amount of air I used meditative methods to slow my breathing. As time wore on, it truly seemed as if that would be our end. We narrowly escaped before all the breathable air was gone. My own self-control most likely saved both our lives that day. Afterwards, Maxwell became intent on… Thanking me…"

Wufei had averted his gaze and his hands had balled up in an attempt to control his arms from shaking. His body's reaction to the memory only severed to heighten my own nervous state.

I remember the incident of which he speaks, but I don't recall it having any profound effect on either Duo or Chang. Well, no more of a consequence than any other occurrence during the wars.  

"…Heero, he came to me…intoxicated… and said he wanted to 'show his gratitude' for  'saving his life'…he asked me to… take his virginity."

I opened my mouth to shout but found myself choking on the angry words that my tongue refused to propel past my trembling lips. I'm not sure if my anger is due to the fact that Duo made the offer to Chang and not myself, or the inclination that Wufei actually accepted Duo's offer when the braided boy obviously wasn't in the right state of mind.

The only thing keeping me for lurching forward and choking the life from his body is that fact that Wufei must have a point in telling me this story.   

"Did you?" I dared to ask, trying to keep my tone even.

To my surprise, he chuckled and continued to stare away at nothing in particular.

"Teenaged hormones are a funny thing, Yuy. I'll admit I wanted to. My mind was screaming about self-control and how it wasn't the time for me to be considering such things as sex. However, my physical desires got the better of me… He removed his own clothes and just stood deathly still in the light, waiting…I had always harbored a physical attraction to him, and presented with an opportunity, I gave into my instincts and acted.

Then entire time he just stood so still, not uttering a sound, as I attempted acts I would have thought to be pleasurable. I ceased my explorations when I realized tears had begun to trickle from his half-lidded eyes. I realized he didn't desire me the way I did him, and had decided to offer sex out of gratitude instead of love. I pulled away, gathered his clothes, handed them back to him, and asked him to leave. He must have considered it rejection because he ran from the room sobbing. After, things merely continued to be as they always were at that time. We never spoke of it; but I still harbor a profound guilt for my disgraceful actions that night."

Once he forced out the last of his tale, I found myself torn between the desire to slug or embrace my companion. The strained expression on his face stirred up sentiments of pity in my heart. Obviously, he felt genuine remorse for his actions, but that didn't diminish that fact that he'd inflicted pain on someone for witch I cared deeply. Unable to make a decision of action, I stood motionless watching the small Chinese man's face twitch as he choked back unshed tears.   

" Heero, I tell you this now because you must understand that love, and the physical manifestations or expressions of that love, cannot be forced upon someone. Even an innocent kiss, if unwelcome, can cause great pain."

I understand now. Duo has never shown any outward interest in me as anything but a friend. I hold no evidence that my romantic sentiments have ever been reciprocated. If I act without certainty that Duo Maxwell cares for me as I do him, I jeopardize our friendship and risk harming us both.

Reaching out, I placed one hand gently along his arm. Our eyes locked for a moment and exchanged unspoken words of settlement.

"Wufei, I understand that the past few weeks, you have been acting out of concern for Duo and myself. I thank you."

He nodded and placed his hand over mine, casually removing it from his sleeve.

"I must go." He said, turning away.

I watched frozen for a moment as the tail of his black trench coat fluttered behind him and disappeared across the street. I shoved my hands back in my pockets and retreated back to the hospital, my head still swimming with apprehensions.

Chang Wufei is a more compassionate man than any of us will ever know. 

*** ***

Dr Hawking stood with Winner and Barton in the vast sea of blue plastic chairs. I maneuvered carefully over to my friends, anxious for the good doctor's diagnosis. From the overzealous expression on the blonde's face, things are looking up.

I smiled at the perceptibly exhausted doctor and offered a firm handshake.

"Mr. Yuy, we had wondered where you ran off to. I believe I have some good news about Mr. Maxwell."

Quatre latched himself onto my side and starred up at me wide-eyed, grinning. I extended my arm around his shoulders and stroked his soft fair-hair. It's good to see him so chipper after the long evening.

The Doctor cleared her throat and stuffed Duo's chart under her arm. "Gentlemen, Mr. Maxwell's fever has broken. Confinement to a bed has caused his muscle mass to deteriorate and he's very weak. As to be expected, he's disoriented and confused, but his memory is completely intact. I must admit he's been quite a difficult patient. We've given him a full physical and, all things considered, he appears to be in good shape."

Relief swept down my spine and my body went lax. Quatre supported my body weight as I tightened my clasp on the smaller boy. I was so ecstatic; I think I knocked the wind out of him. Never the less, he laughed and returned the hug, bordering on tears of joy. The little leach realized me after a few moments and flung himself on the unsuspecting Doctor. Glancing over at Trowa, I found him chuckling at Quatre's adorable and enthusiastic state.       

Dr. Hawking pried herself from the young Winner's hug. "Would you like to see him? I'm sure he'd be glad to have some familiar company."

"Of course!" The little blonde ball of excitement exclaimed.

The doctor led the way back to Duo's private room, grinning from ear to ear.

****

Duo lay flat on his back with his long auburn hair draped over one shoulder as we entered the room. The morning sun poured in through the open shade and illuminated the more flaxen strands around his face, giving the illusion of an angelic halo. His violet eyes gazed up at the ceiling and his brow crumpled in a state of discontent.

Dr. Hawking knocked on the door to grab Duo's attention. "Mr. Maxwell, you have some visitors."

When he turned to look at us, my heart began to flutter and I inhaled sharply. I'd never seen him so breathtakingly beautiful, draped in white linens and smiling brightly so that his eyes sparkled like jewels. His expression quickly changed form a wrinkled frown into a radiant grin as his eyes locked with mine. Goosebumps rose along my neck as I gazed into those deep violent orbs and, all at once, a wave of clam came over my body.

Quatre leapt forward and embraced the amethyst-eyed boy. Still contained in his hospital bed, Duo helplessly struggled to pry himself free of the blonde's death-grip-of-love. Trowa and I stood in the doorway, amused by the scene.

"Q- man… yeah it's nice to see you too… gack…ok can't breathe here… help…"

 The doctor stood behind us, leaning against the doorframe laughing to herself. " Go easy on him Mr. Winner, he's got a long road to recovery ahead."

Trowa finally came to Duo's aid and pulled back the animated young man. Quatre turned to the uni-banged boy and began to pout.

"Ohh, but I have to be at work in an hour and I wanted to spend time with Duo!"

"You can spend time with him, Quatre, just don't strangle him." 

"Guys! Guys! I'm not going anywhere here! Relax." Duo looked over at Dr. Hawking and myself with pleading eyes.

"Maybe this is too much excitement for Mr. Maxwell. You gentlemen should probably have come in one at a time. I didn't realize how energized you'd all be."

Quatre's sour expressing only worsened with the doctor's scolding. He pushed his lip out farther and batted his crystalline blue eyes.

"Hey, easy on the cuteness factor Q, there's only so much a man can take." Duo joked, reaching up to ruffle the blonde's locks.

"Dr. Hawking is right, Quatre," Trowa asserted, "Duo needs time to relax. After all, Hilde, Howard, and Wufei will be here shortly. We shouldn't overwhelm him."

Duo's eyes went wide. "Wait, what did you guys do? Invite everyone we know?"

As the commotion in the room continued, Wufei's words ran through my mind: 'Quatre and Trowa could really stand some time alone'. I walked into the room and calmly addressed the situation.

"Quatre, you have to be at work soon. Why don't you and Trowa go back to the house and grab some breakfast. I'll stay here and fill Duo in on recent events until Wufei arrives with our guests."  

Reluctantly, the young blonde caved and nodded in affirmation. "I'll meet you back here around six-ish. Obviously we won't be continuing with our dinner plans, but I'll see if I can have chef whip up something to bring over."

"Oh, good food, I'm starving!" Duo shouted, struggling to sit up.

"Now, now, Mr. Maxwell. A dietitian will be meeting with you this afternoon to discuss your current nutrition needs. You might not be up to solid foods yet."

The doctor's information caused a sour expression to form on Duo's face. He crossed his arms and flopped back down on the bed, sighing. "But I'm hungry now. Are you telling me that I have to eat baby food?"

"For the time being your IV is providing adequate nutrition."

 That didn't seem to encourage Duo much, and he rolled over burring his head in a pillow. Trowa leaned over and ran his fingers through the sulking boy's long hair.

"They're only doing this with your welfare in mind." He soothed.

Duo rolled over and gazed up at the three of us, his long hair spread out around his face.

"I know guys. I'm just kinda frustrated here."

"Understandably so." Trowa replied and gestured to Quatre that they should make their departure.

Quatre sighed and placed his hand along Duo's cheek. "I'll be back latter."

The two moved to exit the room with Dr. Hawking but Trowa paused, grabbing my arm. "You need to get some rest." He told me flatly, and continued out the door.

Duo and I were left alone and for the first time I began to feel slightly nervous. So much had happened while he lay resting, I wasn't sure where to begin.

Should I just outwardly confess my newly realized feelings? Will it coast our friendship if he doesn't reciprocate?

How am I going to explain my absence from the Preventors? If I tell him the truth, will he lose respect for me?

My tired mind swam with thoughts and unanswerable questions as I stood in the center of the room, starring off into nothingness. Fortunately, Duo was the first to speak.

"Heero, I just have one question."

"You'd been in a coma for twenty six days, fourteen hours, and thirteen minutes."

"Uh…ooook. But that wasn't my question."

I looked over at him, honestly surprised. "Well, then wha-"

"What is that?"  He said, pointing up at the ceiling above the bed where Quatre and I had suspended a few random models of WWII planes that I had assembled.

"Epion fighting with a squadron of kamikaze pilots." I replied as if it was nothing out of the ordinary.

"I see that. Why is it hanging from my ceiling?"

"Um, because I ran out of space by the window."

He looked over at me with an eyebrow raised. "You made all this?"

I shrugged. "I had a lot of free time."

"I never figured you were into this kinda stuff, Heero."

"Well, I found a company that makes a 'war relics' line and became intrigued. The miniature Gundams are actually quite detailed and accurate." 

"They made our Gundams into toys?"

Suddenly, I remembered something I had been saving. I walked over to the nightstand next to the bed and withdrew a small black box from the top drawer. Holding my breath, I handed the model kit to Duo. His face lit up instantly.

"Hey! It's Deathscythe! But, why didn't you put it together?"

"I thought you'd want something to pass the time while you recover."

Abruptly, the light faded from his face and a quite whimper passed those soft, peach lips.

"Heero, I can't stay here."

My mind supplied a perfectly legitimate rebuttal. "Of course you can. If you're concerned about the finances, the Preventors have already secured adequate funds for you to stay on through physical therapy-"

"No, Heero, I can't stay here. It's not a matter of money, although I admit I probably couldn't afford the bill. I don't want to be here. This is a hospital. Places like this give me the creeps."

I can understand his apprehension, I'm not exactly fond of hospitals and after the past few weeks I hope to never have to set foot into one again.

"Well then, Quatre might be able to convince the doctor to allow you to be released early; as long as you promise to meet with the nutritionist and physical therapist as scheduled. He's already had a guest room made up for you-"

Suddenly, he reached out and wrapped his delicate fingers tightly around my wrist. I gazed down at my love's face and felt my heart clench at the pain and desperation behind his violet orbs.

"Home, Heero. I wanna go home..."   

TBC…

A/N: I know updates have been slow and some of the plot twists have been odd but thank you all for sticking with me and reviewing ^_^ . I just started ANOTHER new job ( the count is at 3 folks ) and that added to school has tragically left me with very little time to write… but I think this story is nearing a close, maybe 2 more chapters and an epilogue? 

For those of you wondering… I am determined to finish this story in Heero's POV. I'm stubborn like that. BUT I am planning a companion fic in Duo's POV that will be posted as soon as I get off my bum and write it… 

Oh and my beta is officially M.I.A… anyone want the job? Just e-mail me and let me know.

There's a tiny little review button around here somewhere… hmmm… I wonder where it could be?