TIATAAPFE:TFC:CIL, CIC, BPDFI: Part 2

The nurse handed the doctor a small pair of scissors to cut the gauze, careful to keep well away from her skin. When the bandages were fully separated, they were pulled away, carefully.

"Ms. Lee, if you'd please lie down and raise your arms above your head… Good, good. And Mr. Maxwell, please, hold her wrists down. Thank you." Dr. Stewards murmured, poking carefully at the large area re-growing on her right stomach.

Flame sighed, having grown accustomed to having doctors prodding her all over her burns as she lay naked on the stainless steel examination table. At least this would be over relatively quickly, she didn't see why Duo would say she was healed practically, when it had been only a few months. She wished it was over and done with, but it wasn't. She couldn't even start physical therapy until after all her recon work was done. It really sucked.

She used to be embarrassed, being nude in front of Duo, until he, true to his word, began bathing her at the apartment. She grew more comfortable with him seeing her as she was. Most of her hesitation had to do with the mutating and horrific burns, gashes and bruises. She hadn't wanted him to see what a monster she was, but it hurt too much to bathe herself. She wasn't comfortable with any of the others seeing her naked, however, so the only choice was letting him do it.

Remembering how he cared for her, his gentle touch and caress, the soothing rubs and words, the ameliorator of pain, she couldn't feel anything of what was happening in the present. She vaguely was aware of being ordered to roll over and the like, and feeling Duo's hands tighten reassuringly on her wrists, but that was it. Before she knew it, the appointment was finished, and Duo was helping her get redressed, as her final marks already were.

"Doctor, may I speak to you for a moment?" she heard him question, but was too out of it to think of what he could be asking. Figuring it had to do with her overall comeback, she shrugged of the nagging suspicion in the back of her mind. Looking up at the nurse, she smiled, before settling into her chair as she was wheeled out… Without Duo.

"What was it you wanted, Mr. Maxwell?" Dr. Stewards asked, cleaning off his glasses on a rag in his pocket.

Duo inhaled nervously, praying that Flame never found out about this conversation. Digging his hands deep into his pockets, he began his speech, "Doctor, I was wondering, seeing as how she's on the mend and all, how much longer it'll take for her to participate in certain… physical activities."

"Well, depending on how the therapy goes, and her dedication, she'll be running around a track in two to six months, at the soonest and latest. Why? Is she supposed to be training for the Olympics?" he chuckled, patting Duo's shoulder.

Duo shuffled uncomfortably. "No, it's… just…" he sighed, "How long until she can have sex without any damage to what's healing?"

"Oh… Oh!" the doctor hastily removed his spectacles again, blinking rapidly, "Well, I… I would imagine that if she took it easy, she could do so now, at her own discretion. However, she'd have to be very careful, and you'd better be gentle to her. And please, use condoms. All she needs is to be pregnant while she's recovering in physical therapy."

"Alright, cool. Thanks Doc. I mean it. We were discussing this and it means a lot to us."

"Just be safe."

"We will."

"I'll see you later." he waved as Duo exited the examination room. Grinning like a madman, Duo kissed Flame's cheek as he grabbed the handle bars.

"Are we ready to go?"

*~*~*~*~*

"Duo…" she panted, out of breath. Her heart was pounding, she never knew how this would feel.

"M'yes?" he muttered, trailing little kisses along her cheekbone.

"I never knew… You cared this much." she whispered, snuggling closer to his side.

"I never knew you could be this adorable." he grinned, kissing her forehead tenderly.

"What's next?"

"Are you up for another round?"

"Just a minute… I want to savor this for a moment… Commit it to memory…" she sighed contentedly, laying her palm flat against his chest, moving as it rose and fell.

Duo brushed his fingertips lightly down her side, following her curves and valleys faithfully. He inhaled her smell, and the musky smell of sex that was heavy in the air of their room. She was so soft next to him, her body emitting a heat he could feel, that stained her cheeks with a rosy tint. He could feel the adoring desire building in himself again, and he couldn't hold it back anymore.

"Flame, are you ready?"

"Yes…"

With that, he rolled atop her, kissing her deeply as their passion rose together…

*~*~*~*~*

It had been six months since her last check- up. Having been deemed healed enough for physical therapy, Flame had been working hard, six days a week, to rebuild her muscle tissue. She hadn't missed one, nor had Duo, for that matter.

Now, having gotten out of her wheelchair, and regained the ability to walk, she exercised on her own, at home. She liked to take long, solitary walks through the streets of the city by the sea. Today was another one of those days, where she would disappear for hours on end.

Duo became worried, she shouldn't be out for so long alone, especially if something happens. Grabbing his wallet, he headed out of the apartment and walked in the direction of the Royale Apartments. She would be there, he was sure of it.

As the wreckage came into view, so did a small park, just across the street. Near to the side facing the Apartments a modest statue had been erected, bearing all the names of those who had perished in the explosion, along with their ages. As suspected, a small figure was kneeling on the ground beside it, the blue sundress a stark contrast to the blonde hair and black marble of the statue. A hand was running over the names, feeling them.

Crouching down besides her, Duo looked at the name that she was running over…

Flame Angel Lee, 17

"Flame?"

She stopped, and her hair shifted, revealing her tear streaked face. "Yes, Duo?"

He wrapped his arms around her, and she broke down, clutching his shoulders as she sobbed into his chest. "Shh, I'm here… What's wrong?"

"I'm… I'm… a killer. I killed these people. I killed innocent people."

He rocked her gently, pulling her into his lap to better hold her as he buried his cheek in her hair.

"I killed a… pregnant woman."

"What?"

"Right here…" her finger ran to the names right below hers.

Genevieve Isadora Leian, 27

James Connor Leian, unborn

James Jordan Leian, 29

"The family?" he asked, reading their names.

"The whole family. I researched all of these names, but I remember this one the best. Married three years ago, this was their first child. She was due the day after the explosion. They were taking a walk to ease her cramps, and to help ease the labor along. They lived a few blocks away." she dissolved into tears again.

"Flame… Why does this story hurt you more than Steve Edward Hendle, 45? Or Sally Carol Martin, 12?"

"Did you notice that I quit smoking?"

"Yeah, but what does that have to do with-?"

"I'm pregnant, Duo."

"You are?" he was stunned, "That's fantastic Flame! How long?"

"Into my third month. Last time I was in therapy a nurse noticed how often I had to go and rid myself of bile. She figured I must have been up the duff."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I took an at home pregnancy test. It came back positive." she noticed his next statement, and beat him to it, "It came back positive all six times."

"Wow, you must be recovering. You're almost more thorough than Heero."

She let out a choked laugh. "Haha, Maxwell."

He held her closer, if that was possible. "How long have you known?"

"A few weeks. I've been trying to figure out how to tell you."

He kissed her cheek tenderly, rubbing his against it as well. "Why do you come here?"

"I'm asking her to forgive me, and to help me with my pregnancy. I figure she'll know how to do so best."

"I love you so much Flame… I'm so proud."

"I love you, Duo. More now if that's even possible."

And so, Death and Life created the sisters of Purgatory. Life gave Death and Death spared Life. They were balanced, forever more. Their children went on to be healthy, free of the war and hate that had plagued the lives of their parents and uncles. They were beautiful, as all children are. They were the Light in the Darkness of the lives of Death and Life…

*~*~*~*~*

That's it!

It's a wrap!

*does the happy dance*

How did y'all like it? Kinda rushed and fucked up, but, I got it done by Monday! As promised!

THANK YOU

Computer geek Michelle: You are a faithful reader/reviewer! I love you to pieces! I got it up, and I hope you get it, I don't want to keep you waiting! You deserve a big thing as a thank you. How about I write a fic for you? E-mail me with the details, and we'll be peachy! M'kay? I'll TTYL!

Rene: I love you man! Thanks for reading this and helping me with the approval of the final half of the epilogue. You rock!

Rih: Once more, you're too sweet for me! ^ ^ -purrs- I'll TTYL, Rih. *huggles*

*~*~*~*~*

OSWARI!!!!!!!!!!

3 Flame