Title: Exercising an Option
Author: Gina Lin Genre: Romance, Action/Adventure Pairings: 13+6, 1+2, 3+4, 5+S Warnings: Language, Citrus, Yaoi, Het Rating: R Archived: S_E Updates, FF.net
Chapter 8
"Thanks for coming in early," said Sally to Duo. "I think it would put this Chang guy at ease if you're there, too."
"He seemed all right to me," said Duo, shrugging. "Maybe a bit stiff, but all right."
"I hear you had a little visitor last night," said Sally, changing the subject. She grinned at him.
"Who told you?" asked Duo, scowling.
"Lu, of course. She lives right next door to you, idiot."
"Really?" said Duo sarcastically. "I had no idea she got off watching me take my dog out to pee at night."
"Never forget what an incestuous little group we are here, Duo," said Sally. "Everyone works together, and we all live around here too. Believe me, sweetie, you take a crap one day, everyone is discussing what color it was the next."
Duo shook his head. "Okay, from now on, I'll just put it on the bulletin board. Save everyone the trouble of gossiping about me. Headline, 'Duo Maxwell had hot stranger in his house last night, nothing happened, updates at 11:00.'"
Sally laughed. "Try to make it more exciting, we're easily bored."
"I don't know what's more embarrassing," said Duo. "Being gossiped about or not having enough of a life to gossip about." He sighed.
"Ah, poor Duo," said Sally. She reached over and ruffled his bangs, much the same way she'd done her son's that morning.
"Don't feel lonely, you're not the only unwilling celibate around here," she went over and checked the ultra sound machine, fiddling with the knobs. "I haven't had a date in so long, my little black book is a scroll."
Duo laughed. "Mine's a stone tablet," he joked.
"You should come over for dinner," said Sally. "Matt likes you an awful lot and we can commiserate over JaMocha Almond Ice Cream and watch old movies."
"I have company now," said Duo. "Afore-mentioned hot guy is staying in my guest room."
"Really?" asked Sally, looking at Duo curiously. "How'd that happen? Don't just sit there, fill me in."
"He got himself kicked out of the inn because he clocked Sanderson, that ass-head security guard Harrison just hired. So, I told him he could stay with me."
"That guy knocked out Sanderson?" asked Sally doubtfully.
"Yeah, apparently he's tougher than he looks," said Duo. "Been in the army I guess. Chang too."
"Hm," said Sally. The doors to the therapy room opened and she whispered, "Speak of the devil."
Wufei came inside with Heero trailing behind. Duo noticed that the Japanese man had showered and changed his clothes since that morning.
"Please come in and sit down," said Sally, raising her voice a bit. "Before we get started, I want you to understand exactly what we're going to be working for here, Mr. Chang."
"I remember asking you to call me Wufei last night," said Wufei. He sat down on the edge of the vinyl covered therapy bed she'd indicated to him to sit on.
"All right, Wufei," she gave him a professional smile, seeking to put him at ease. His intense expression didn't waiver.
"I spoke with your orthopedist and he agreed we should start slow. Even though I'm sure you're in good physical shape, your injuries were rather extensive. There are three ligaments that hold the collarbone to the shoulder, and allow for the full range of movement we enjoy in the shoulder joint. You managed to tear 2 of them and severely strain the other, besides tearing the rotator cuff around the shoulder joint. In fact, if you were a pitcher or a quarterback, I'd have to tell you up front that your career is over."
Sally cleared her throat before she went on. "But, I think that you'll be able to meet the demands of your profession when you're healed."
Wufei nodded silently in acknowledgment. "So I was told."
"This morning," she continued, "We're just going to start a routine of stretches after we do a ultra sound treatment and a massage."
"Ultra sound?" asked Wufei. "I thought that was to look inside of the body."
"It's also used to stimulate healing and circulation to an injury, which reduces swelling and pain."
He nodded again, "I see."
She looked at him. "You'll have to remove your shirt, Mr, I mean, Wufei."
He carefully unbuttoned and slid the white shirt off his shoulders.
Sally examined the still red incision scars at the top of his right shoulder.
"This looks like its healing nicely," she commented.
She went over to a nearby table and grabbed a bottle of ultra sound conductor lotion.
"This might feel cold," she warned, squirting some in her hand. Carefully, she spread it on his shoulder.
She began to run the ultra sound receiver lightly over his shoulder, Duo watching carefully. Heero was sitting in a nearby chair, a meditative look on his face, ignoring the proceedings.
"You should be feeling a warm sensation," said Sally to Wufei.
"The pain is lessening," he said. His eyes were closed.
"This usually feels pretty good," said Sally.
"Would you like to lie down?" asked Duo.
Wufei stretched out on his stomach. "Like this?" he asked.
"That's fine," said Duo. "Just try to relax."
"If I get anymore relaxed, I might fall asleep."
"That happens sometimes," said Sally. "I don't mind. We'll just wake you up."
"I'm assuming you've had a massage before," said Duo, grabbing a bottle of herbal-scented massage oil.
"On occasion, for sore muscles and to relax," replied Wufei.
"This might be a little more intense," said Duo. "Shiatsu is deep tissue massage. I'll try to go easy."
"Is it going to hurt him?" asked Heero, suddenly, rising from his chair.
"No, not really," said Duo, turning around. "It's just a bit uncomfortable at first."
"Don't hurt him," hissed Heero. His voice was as hard as his eyes.
"It's all right, Heero," said Wufei, rolling over on his side and resting his head on his good arm. "I'm perfectly okay. It actually feels good, what they're doing."
Heero sat back down in his chair. "Go ahead then."
Duo looked at Sally raising a brow. Sally shrugged hers and then gazed at Heero.
"Are you sure you want to be here?" she asked the other man. "There's no need to be upset, but some people are squicked by anything vaguely medical."
"I'm fine," said Heero, "I won't let you hurt him, though."
"I won't," said Sally reassuringly. "I'm here to help him, I promise you." She spoke with quiet confidence.
"Heero," said Duo. "I've never hurt anyone doing this, okay? It's my job to help people, mine and Sally's both."
"Heero," said Wufei, "It's okay. I want you to leave, go for a walk, a swim or something, please. No one's going to do anything I don't want them to do."
Heero nodded, and got up to leave. He gave one last look at Wufei before he shut the door.
"If you don't mind me saying so," said Sally, exhaling, "your friend is a bit intense."
"We all made a pact a long time ago to watch out for each other," said Wufei.
"A pact?" repeated Duo.
"When we were POW's during the war," said Wufei softly. "We're alive because we took care of each other. Except for Triton, he died."
"Who's Triton?" asked Duo, bewildered.
"Trowa's brother," said Wufei. "When we came home, I brought him Triton's tags. We tried to help him, but he was hurt too bad. He died."
Light dawned. "You mean the Gulf War, right?" asked Sally. "I was there as a medic."
"Yes," said Wufei. "Heero, Triton and I. Our tank was hit, we got out, but Triton was hurt too bad. They captured us. Triton died two days later. Heero kept saying it should have been him, it was his fault. But, he was hurt too, burned, you know. There wasn't anything we could do, really."
Wufei's head sagged onto his chest, as if the memory exhausted him.
"Don't be upset with Heero, he's really a good guy," said Wufei. "He's just..intense, like you said."
"I understand," said Sally. "I think we can stop for today. I was going to ask you to do more, but I think we've all had enough for one day."
"Do you think Heero would mind if I talked to him about it?" Duo asked Wufei.
"He doesn't even talk to me about it," said Wufei. "But, I guess there's no harm in trying. He told me what happened last night. I know he's staying with you. Thank you for that. I had no idea he'd be like this, to be honest with you. I don't understand. I thought he was finally dealing with everything."
"I saw a few guys like Heero over there," said Sally. "Sometimes, you think you're past something, and you've just buried it, or ignored it for so long, you think it's done with. But, the right trigger, a sight, an incident, a noise, even a smell brings it all back, you relieve the trauma."
"You're talking about post traumatic stress disorder, aren't you?" Duo asked Sally.
"Yes," she said. "Perfectly understandable considering what happened to all of you," she said to Wufei.
"It was worse for Heero," said Wufei. "He felt responsible, being our captain."
"I was a lieutenant," said Sally. "I know what it means to have men under your command, people depending on you." She flashed a smile at him. "Maybe we can exchange old boring war stories sometime."
"Maybe," said Wufei, slowly pulling on his shirt. "I think I'd like that. But, do we have to talk about the army? That's usually not what I talk about on a date."
"Are you asking me out?" said Sally, her mouth going dry.
"I thought you were asking me," said Wufei, raising an eyebrow at her.
Duo grinned and walked off, making a pretense of putting towels and other supplies away in a cabinet.
"Ah, sure," said Sally, "After your treatment tomorrow, we can have lunch together, how does that sound?"
"Fine," said Wufei. "As long as we don't discuss the army, my injury, or Heero, all right?"
"Agreed," said Sally, smiling and offering her hand. He took it. "Tomorrow then." He gave a small bow over her hand and turned to leave.
"Wow," commented Duo, coming back over. "Very smooth, Sal, I didn't know you had it in you. Sally Po, celebrity pick-up artist."
She smacked him lightly on the back of the head. "Shut up," she growled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Duo found Heero on the lawn in front of his house, playing "Fetch" with Rusty.
"He never gets tired of that," said Duo, plopping down on the grass.
"I'm sorry I acted that way earlier," said Heero quietly. "I don't know why I did that."
He threw the stick and Rusty enthusiastically chased it once more.
"Wufei told us a little about what happened to you during the war," said Duo. "I think I understand what's happening to you."
"I doubt it," said Heero, his face becoming shuttered. Rusty presented him with the stick, and he threw it again, farther this time."
"Bad things have happened to a lot of us," said Duo enigmatically.
"You don't know anything about me," said Heero stubbornly.
"And you don't know anything about me," said Duo, his voice cracking a little.
Heero sat down on the grass. "No I don't. Unless you tell me."
"I told you I was raised in an orphanage."
"And?" Heero laced his fingers under his head and leaned back onto the grass. Rusty brought the stick back and dropped unceremoniously next to him, and lay down, panting in the summer heat.
"There was a fire," said Duo. "Almost everyone died, but not me. Because I wasn't there."
"Why not?" asked Heero.
"Because I was always sneaking out. I'd sneak out, steal things, mess around, drink, get high, whatever; then I'd sneak back in. When I came home that night, everything was burning. I never saw any of them again. They were all just bodies in bags by the time I came back."
Heero gazed at him impassively for a few seconds. "Sorry," he finally said.
"Fuck, I need a cigarette," said Duo. "And I haven't had one for 3 years." He toyed nervously with his long braid.
"I don't know what you want me to say," said Heero.
"I only told you that so you'd realize that I understand what it's like to have a traumatic experience, okay?" said Duo. "I don't tell that to too many people, but I figured, what the hell, you've probably been through worse, right?"
"Okay," said Heero quietly. "I suppose if I'm going to be staying with you, I owe you some sort of explanation for my behavior."
"You don't owe me anything," said Duo. "But, if you're cracking up, you need to do something about it before you do something really scary, okay? I mean, I don't want to wake up with you holding a gun on me or cutting my throat. I have enough nightmares already."
"Do you think I'm cracking up?" asked Heero, his eyes unreadable.
"I'm not a shrink, but I think that something weird is going on with you," said Duo. "Unless you think pulling guns on people in the middle of the night, punching people out for no good reason, and having panic attacks in the middle of a friendly dinner is normal behavior."
"I thought, well, I thought all that was in the past," Heero said almost inaudibly.
"Well, it's all in the present now," said Duo. "I have to go back to work, so try not to maim or kill anyone until I get back." He said it lightly, but there was no smile on his face.
"I'll try," said Heero in a faintly ironic tone.
"Come by at 10:00," said Duo, standing up and brushing off his black pants, "I've set aside an appointment for you."
"An appointment?" echoed Heero.
"For a massage," said Duo. "Remember at dinner we talked about it?"
"Oh, right," said Heero reluctantly. "I suppose that will be fine."
"Gee, don't get all worked up about it," said Duo under his breath.
"What?" asked Heero.
"Nothing," said Duo. "Thanks for taking care of Rusty, he gets bored while I'm working sometimes."
"I don't mind," said Heero quietly. "He's good company."
"I guess Millie gave you the key," said Duo. "Do what you want, I'll be home later this afternoon. Don't forget the massage. 10:00 o'clock."
"I won't forget," said Heero, absently petting Rusty.
Author: Gina Lin Genre: Romance, Action/Adventure Pairings: 13+6, 1+2, 3+4, 5+S Warnings: Language, Citrus, Yaoi, Het Rating: R Archived: S_E Updates, FF.net
Chapter 8
"Thanks for coming in early," said Sally to Duo. "I think it would put this Chang guy at ease if you're there, too."
"He seemed all right to me," said Duo, shrugging. "Maybe a bit stiff, but all right."
"I hear you had a little visitor last night," said Sally, changing the subject. She grinned at him.
"Who told you?" asked Duo, scowling.
"Lu, of course. She lives right next door to you, idiot."
"Really?" said Duo sarcastically. "I had no idea she got off watching me take my dog out to pee at night."
"Never forget what an incestuous little group we are here, Duo," said Sally. "Everyone works together, and we all live around here too. Believe me, sweetie, you take a crap one day, everyone is discussing what color it was the next."
Duo shook his head. "Okay, from now on, I'll just put it on the bulletin board. Save everyone the trouble of gossiping about me. Headline, 'Duo Maxwell had hot stranger in his house last night, nothing happened, updates at 11:00.'"
Sally laughed. "Try to make it more exciting, we're easily bored."
"I don't know what's more embarrassing," said Duo. "Being gossiped about or not having enough of a life to gossip about." He sighed.
"Ah, poor Duo," said Sally. She reached over and ruffled his bangs, much the same way she'd done her son's that morning.
"Don't feel lonely, you're not the only unwilling celibate around here," she went over and checked the ultra sound machine, fiddling with the knobs. "I haven't had a date in so long, my little black book is a scroll."
Duo laughed. "Mine's a stone tablet," he joked.
"You should come over for dinner," said Sally. "Matt likes you an awful lot and we can commiserate over JaMocha Almond Ice Cream and watch old movies."
"I have company now," said Duo. "Afore-mentioned hot guy is staying in my guest room."
"Really?" asked Sally, looking at Duo curiously. "How'd that happen? Don't just sit there, fill me in."
"He got himself kicked out of the inn because he clocked Sanderson, that ass-head security guard Harrison just hired. So, I told him he could stay with me."
"That guy knocked out Sanderson?" asked Sally doubtfully.
"Yeah, apparently he's tougher than he looks," said Duo. "Been in the army I guess. Chang too."
"Hm," said Sally. The doors to the therapy room opened and she whispered, "Speak of the devil."
Wufei came inside with Heero trailing behind. Duo noticed that the Japanese man had showered and changed his clothes since that morning.
"Please come in and sit down," said Sally, raising her voice a bit. "Before we get started, I want you to understand exactly what we're going to be working for here, Mr. Chang."
"I remember asking you to call me Wufei last night," said Wufei. He sat down on the edge of the vinyl covered therapy bed she'd indicated to him to sit on.
"All right, Wufei," she gave him a professional smile, seeking to put him at ease. His intense expression didn't waiver.
"I spoke with your orthopedist and he agreed we should start slow. Even though I'm sure you're in good physical shape, your injuries were rather extensive. There are three ligaments that hold the collarbone to the shoulder, and allow for the full range of movement we enjoy in the shoulder joint. You managed to tear 2 of them and severely strain the other, besides tearing the rotator cuff around the shoulder joint. In fact, if you were a pitcher or a quarterback, I'd have to tell you up front that your career is over."
Sally cleared her throat before she went on. "But, I think that you'll be able to meet the demands of your profession when you're healed."
Wufei nodded silently in acknowledgment. "So I was told."
"This morning," she continued, "We're just going to start a routine of stretches after we do a ultra sound treatment and a massage."
"Ultra sound?" asked Wufei. "I thought that was to look inside of the body."
"It's also used to stimulate healing and circulation to an injury, which reduces swelling and pain."
He nodded again, "I see."
She looked at him. "You'll have to remove your shirt, Mr, I mean, Wufei."
He carefully unbuttoned and slid the white shirt off his shoulders.
Sally examined the still red incision scars at the top of his right shoulder.
"This looks like its healing nicely," she commented.
She went over to a nearby table and grabbed a bottle of ultra sound conductor lotion.
"This might feel cold," she warned, squirting some in her hand. Carefully, she spread it on his shoulder.
She began to run the ultra sound receiver lightly over his shoulder, Duo watching carefully. Heero was sitting in a nearby chair, a meditative look on his face, ignoring the proceedings.
"You should be feeling a warm sensation," said Sally to Wufei.
"The pain is lessening," he said. His eyes were closed.
"This usually feels pretty good," said Sally.
"Would you like to lie down?" asked Duo.
Wufei stretched out on his stomach. "Like this?" he asked.
"That's fine," said Duo. "Just try to relax."
"If I get anymore relaxed, I might fall asleep."
"That happens sometimes," said Sally. "I don't mind. We'll just wake you up."
"I'm assuming you've had a massage before," said Duo, grabbing a bottle of herbal-scented massage oil.
"On occasion, for sore muscles and to relax," replied Wufei.
"This might be a little more intense," said Duo. "Shiatsu is deep tissue massage. I'll try to go easy."
"Is it going to hurt him?" asked Heero, suddenly, rising from his chair.
"No, not really," said Duo, turning around. "It's just a bit uncomfortable at first."
"Don't hurt him," hissed Heero. His voice was as hard as his eyes.
"It's all right, Heero," said Wufei, rolling over on his side and resting his head on his good arm. "I'm perfectly okay. It actually feels good, what they're doing."
Heero sat back down in his chair. "Go ahead then."
Duo looked at Sally raising a brow. Sally shrugged hers and then gazed at Heero.
"Are you sure you want to be here?" she asked the other man. "There's no need to be upset, but some people are squicked by anything vaguely medical."
"I'm fine," said Heero, "I won't let you hurt him, though."
"I won't," said Sally reassuringly. "I'm here to help him, I promise you." She spoke with quiet confidence.
"Heero," said Duo. "I've never hurt anyone doing this, okay? It's my job to help people, mine and Sally's both."
"Heero," said Wufei, "It's okay. I want you to leave, go for a walk, a swim or something, please. No one's going to do anything I don't want them to do."
Heero nodded, and got up to leave. He gave one last look at Wufei before he shut the door.
"If you don't mind me saying so," said Sally, exhaling, "your friend is a bit intense."
"We all made a pact a long time ago to watch out for each other," said Wufei.
"A pact?" repeated Duo.
"When we were POW's during the war," said Wufei softly. "We're alive because we took care of each other. Except for Triton, he died."
"Who's Triton?" asked Duo, bewildered.
"Trowa's brother," said Wufei. "When we came home, I brought him Triton's tags. We tried to help him, but he was hurt too bad. He died."
Light dawned. "You mean the Gulf War, right?" asked Sally. "I was there as a medic."
"Yes," said Wufei. "Heero, Triton and I. Our tank was hit, we got out, but Triton was hurt too bad. They captured us. Triton died two days later. Heero kept saying it should have been him, it was his fault. But, he was hurt too, burned, you know. There wasn't anything we could do, really."
Wufei's head sagged onto his chest, as if the memory exhausted him.
"Don't be upset with Heero, he's really a good guy," said Wufei. "He's just..intense, like you said."
"I understand," said Sally. "I think we can stop for today. I was going to ask you to do more, but I think we've all had enough for one day."
"Do you think Heero would mind if I talked to him about it?" Duo asked Wufei.
"He doesn't even talk to me about it," said Wufei. "But, I guess there's no harm in trying. He told me what happened last night. I know he's staying with you. Thank you for that. I had no idea he'd be like this, to be honest with you. I don't understand. I thought he was finally dealing with everything."
"I saw a few guys like Heero over there," said Sally. "Sometimes, you think you're past something, and you've just buried it, or ignored it for so long, you think it's done with. But, the right trigger, a sight, an incident, a noise, even a smell brings it all back, you relieve the trauma."
"You're talking about post traumatic stress disorder, aren't you?" Duo asked Sally.
"Yes," she said. "Perfectly understandable considering what happened to all of you," she said to Wufei.
"It was worse for Heero," said Wufei. "He felt responsible, being our captain."
"I was a lieutenant," said Sally. "I know what it means to have men under your command, people depending on you." She flashed a smile at him. "Maybe we can exchange old boring war stories sometime."
"Maybe," said Wufei, slowly pulling on his shirt. "I think I'd like that. But, do we have to talk about the army? That's usually not what I talk about on a date."
"Are you asking me out?" said Sally, her mouth going dry.
"I thought you were asking me," said Wufei, raising an eyebrow at her.
Duo grinned and walked off, making a pretense of putting towels and other supplies away in a cabinet.
"Ah, sure," said Sally, "After your treatment tomorrow, we can have lunch together, how does that sound?"
"Fine," said Wufei. "As long as we don't discuss the army, my injury, or Heero, all right?"
"Agreed," said Sally, smiling and offering her hand. He took it. "Tomorrow then." He gave a small bow over her hand and turned to leave.
"Wow," commented Duo, coming back over. "Very smooth, Sal, I didn't know you had it in you. Sally Po, celebrity pick-up artist."
She smacked him lightly on the back of the head. "Shut up," she growled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Duo found Heero on the lawn in front of his house, playing "Fetch" with Rusty.
"He never gets tired of that," said Duo, plopping down on the grass.
"I'm sorry I acted that way earlier," said Heero quietly. "I don't know why I did that."
He threw the stick and Rusty enthusiastically chased it once more.
"Wufei told us a little about what happened to you during the war," said Duo. "I think I understand what's happening to you."
"I doubt it," said Heero, his face becoming shuttered. Rusty presented him with the stick, and he threw it again, farther this time."
"Bad things have happened to a lot of us," said Duo enigmatically.
"You don't know anything about me," said Heero stubbornly.
"And you don't know anything about me," said Duo, his voice cracking a little.
Heero sat down on the grass. "No I don't. Unless you tell me."
"I told you I was raised in an orphanage."
"And?" Heero laced his fingers under his head and leaned back onto the grass. Rusty brought the stick back and dropped unceremoniously next to him, and lay down, panting in the summer heat.
"There was a fire," said Duo. "Almost everyone died, but not me. Because I wasn't there."
"Why not?" asked Heero.
"Because I was always sneaking out. I'd sneak out, steal things, mess around, drink, get high, whatever; then I'd sneak back in. When I came home that night, everything was burning. I never saw any of them again. They were all just bodies in bags by the time I came back."
Heero gazed at him impassively for a few seconds. "Sorry," he finally said.
"Fuck, I need a cigarette," said Duo. "And I haven't had one for 3 years." He toyed nervously with his long braid.
"I don't know what you want me to say," said Heero.
"I only told you that so you'd realize that I understand what it's like to have a traumatic experience, okay?" said Duo. "I don't tell that to too many people, but I figured, what the hell, you've probably been through worse, right?"
"Okay," said Heero quietly. "I suppose if I'm going to be staying with you, I owe you some sort of explanation for my behavior."
"You don't owe me anything," said Duo. "But, if you're cracking up, you need to do something about it before you do something really scary, okay? I mean, I don't want to wake up with you holding a gun on me or cutting my throat. I have enough nightmares already."
"Do you think I'm cracking up?" asked Heero, his eyes unreadable.
"I'm not a shrink, but I think that something weird is going on with you," said Duo. "Unless you think pulling guns on people in the middle of the night, punching people out for no good reason, and having panic attacks in the middle of a friendly dinner is normal behavior."
"I thought, well, I thought all that was in the past," Heero said almost inaudibly.
"Well, it's all in the present now," said Duo. "I have to go back to work, so try not to maim or kill anyone until I get back." He said it lightly, but there was no smile on his face.
"I'll try," said Heero in a faintly ironic tone.
"Come by at 10:00," said Duo, standing up and brushing off his black pants, "I've set aside an appointment for you."
"An appointment?" echoed Heero.
"For a massage," said Duo. "Remember at dinner we talked about it?"
"Oh, right," said Heero reluctantly. "I suppose that will be fine."
"Gee, don't get all worked up about it," said Duo under his breath.
"What?" asked Heero.
"Nothing," said Duo. "Thanks for taking care of Rusty, he gets bored while I'm working sometimes."
"I don't mind," said Heero quietly. "He's good company."
"I guess Millie gave you the key," said Duo. "Do what you want, I'll be home later this afternoon. Don't forget the massage. 10:00 o'clock."
"I won't forget," said Heero, absently petting Rusty.