A/N Ok, Lora Helen here. Once again I am totally in debt to my reviewers
for this chapter arriving at all. This week I need to thank Natea whose
review was the last thing I read before I went away for two weeks and damn
did it make me smile.
Sorry this chapter was late coming but you know, lack of inspiration and all.
Dedication. This chapter is dedicated to Natea, a wonderful reviewer who has been reviewing for ages. Luv ya!! Thanks!! I did take the hint you see!
Review thank you's.
Natea - like I said, it was your review that got this chapter written and your reminder, or hint that go it posted! Lol, be proud, you made me work!! Lol, loved the Big brother line, that was funny and I never looked at it that way! I hope I didn't freak you out of liking the story though! Enjoy this chapter and so you know, the back and beyond island was hell!!
Banshee0 - Whee, hello Ban, I liked the idea of Quatre and the hammer as well, it made me giggle while I was writing it.. Man, we are scarily alike. sorry about not putting you out of your misery, but I am glad you like the story!! I'll talk to you soon I hope! *hugs*
Gotrek-Gurnissen - glad you like it, there's a lil message for you at the end. Hope you enjoy the chappie!
Ink2 - I know he's usually awake and alert, but well, heh, he had a lapse I guess, he explains it better than me, I really hope you enjoy thins chapter, thank you very much for reading.
Ohtar - Don't worry, you can read the next chapter now, I'm sorry it was so long coming along, I really hope it was worth the wait. An yes, there is more!
SHINIGAMIAOD - lol, you really hate Stranger don't you, well, with each chapter you will learn a little more about our not so friendly neighbourhood psycho. I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you so much for your review.
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I
Heero ran full pelt through the corridors at the hospital, and skidded to a halt in front of the door that led into Duo's room.
Duo was still there, eyes closed, seemingly undisturbed at all.
Heero was suspicious.
Stranger would NOT let this discovery go un-punished. Despite the fact that he knew all was most certainly NOT what it seemed, Heero sent out a mental thank you, to anyone who was listening that they had been in time.
Once Wu-Fei, Quatre and Trowa had caught up with him, Heero led the way into the hospital room. Quatre, as seemed to be a habit, automatically bustled over to Duo, checking all was in order, Trowa went and sat on the single chair and Wu-Fei stood in a corner. Heero on the other hand, began to wander around the room. He seemed to be looking for something.
As Heero paced back to the middle of the room, the other three pilots watched with some shock as he drew his gun.
"Heero? What are you..." Quatre began, only to have Heero gesture for silence.
When all was quiet Heero began his pacing again.
Suddenly, without warning Heero dropped onto his stomach, gun pointed in front of him, and fired a single shot under Duo's bed. With the speed that had kept him alive during the wars he shot under the bed himself, only to emerge dragging out the figure of a man that he had shot in the leg.
Quatre gasped, Wu-Fei growled and Trowa merely raised an eyebrow.
Heero deftly removed the gun the man was holding and sorted. "I think we interrupted someone. Wu-Fei?"
With a nod Wu-Fei strode forward. "I'll see to him Yuy."
Wu-Fei dragged the semi lucid man, he had evidently not been trained to deal with pain, out of the room leaving a trail of blood behind him. That would need to be cleaned up before the hospital staff arrived. "Is he the only one?" Quatre asked sounding a little nervous. "Wee done Heero. No one else thought of that. But what was he doing here? Are you okay Heero?"
Heero nodded, he couldn't help the feeling of guilt, and for once when asked what was wrong by a concerned Quatre, who also wanted to know if there was anything he and the others could do to help him, he felt compelled to explain.
"That mans in the same boat that I was, that's all Quatre, I had to issue a punishment for Stranger once, because someone failed his mission, I had to kill a mans wife. I hate to think who will die because that man failed.. But I failed to kill in time so Stranger had Duo shot, it's a horrid circle, no one can win except Stranger, and no one seems to be able to find out who he is."
Quatre put a supportive hand on Heero's shoulder. "We know that now Heero, you told us before, but it doesn't matter Heero, you can't do anything, not at the moment anyway! You did what you had too.." With a small nod, as if to convince himself Quatre gathered a spare bed sheet and began to mop up the blood. Heero retreated to a corner and slumped down to sit on the floor.
"You know.." Quatre said a bit later, as he dropped the bed sheet into a bin. "I think we should call someone in, maybe the police, or the Preventers, I know Wu-Fei works for them, but well, it might be better to have some more help, I think we are in to deep Heero."
Heero shook his head. "No Quatre, if we do that we not only seal Duo's fate but the fate of the rest of us as well, allowing us to get the police involved would be a risk far larger than Stranger would be willing to take, we'd all be dead within minutes of making the call."
Quatre went quiet, looking a little shocked, it seemed that he had only just realised just how much trouble they were all in.
"You need to be careful, both of you, and you Wu-Fei." He added, for the other ex-pilot had just re-entered the room. "I wouldn't be surprised if Stranger went after you next. I didn't know he had bugged me and my clothing, but come to think of it, he kept me out of my house for long periods of time, and as for the one in my shoulder, that I guess must have been from right at the beginning, the one time any of his links ever met up with me, one of them thumped me on the shoulder, it hurt, but I thought nothing of it, the guy was wearing a ring, I guess there was a jab on the other side. I was too preoccupied to check it out, it slipped my mind. I am sorry, I let you all down."
Quatre, Wu-Fei and Trowa were prevented from answering this statement by a cough that came from the occupant of the bed. Duo Maxwell.
Heero shrank back into the corner. His eyes flicked from the door, to the window, and once around the room, then back to the door, and off around the room again. Looking for any sign of trouble.
Duo was awake, He had been dreading this moment, and the previous day had been considering the best way of leaving the room before it happened. But now, with Duo awake, he couldn't leave without being noticed. He may as well be useful.
Three of the ex-pilots crowded round Duos bed; Heero just sat and watched it all.
Duo seemed a little disorientated and Quatre was trying to answer as many Questions as he could.
"Wh..Where am I?"
"Your in a hospital, on L4 Duo." Said Quatre kindly.
"How did I get here?"
"We don't know for sure, we simply received a phone call telling us that you had been brought in, and we came to see you."
"What happened?"
"Someone shot you Duo, while you were at that club, you know th-"
"I WAS SHOT??! Did you catch them?"
No we didn't...
Heero stopped listening, it was his fault, it was all his fault that Duo had no idea what was going on. He should have, well, he should have done something. He'd messed up so badly, he should never have upset Duo, not as much as he had, so many lies, so many broken promises and in the end it had all come to nothing anyway.
Suddenly even seeing Duo again didn't seem like such a good idea let alone talking to him.
Heero was just contemplating how much it would hurt if he jumped out the window without a parachute, and if he could manage it without being noticed, as leaving undetected via the door was not an option, when a quiet sob caught his attention.
Heero abandoned all thought of escape and allowed his gaze to fall onto the bed, and with a pang in his heart he realised that Duo was the one crying.
It must be, Heero thought, the shock of what he had been told that had upset him. He was sitting up with his arms wrapped round his legs, head bent onto his knees, surrounded by cables and wires, and quietly crying his heart out.
Quatre kept patting his pack, and it was obvious that the blonde was trying to comfort the braided man, who seemed to be having none of it.
"Quat... Its.. no good, I.. I know you're try... Trying to help, you're my be..best friend and I... I love you and all but.. but its... It's different, you're just n.. not him, your n.. not Heero." His speech was interrupted by a wave of heart wrenching sobs, but when they subsided Duo finally continued, and his voice sounded calmer, for finally a large part of the emotional whirlwind had passed.
"I know he was a bastard, I know he hurt me, so don't even bother saying anything about that that Wu-Fei," He said raising a hand and, with a scowl, pointing a finger at the Chinese man, tears still running down his cheeks.
Wu-Fei closed his mouth and lowered the hand he had been pointing to the corner where Heero was standing and stalked away from the bed with a muttered. "I WASN'T going to say anything of the sort Maxwell."
Duo either didn't hear him or ignored him. "I loved him I loved him so damn much, I still do, and I miss him Quatre, I Really, Really miss him."
Heero felt a wrench in the upper part of his chest and he got to his feet.
He stumbled a little as he made his way forward to Duo's bed, his feet didn't seem to belong to him any more.
As he made his way the others drew back, Quatre retreated into Trowas arms, and together they stood back against a wall and Wu-Fei left the room saying that he would check on the prisoner and bring back some coffee.
Heero stopped at the end of Duo's bed and sighed. Duo's head had slumped back down onto his knees and his tears were making his slight form shake once again.
Taking a breath Heero struggled to muster the courage he needed to make his tongue form the words that he needed to say.
Finally he managed.
"I'm here Duo. I'm here and I'm sorry."
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Well, that's chapter 7 over with I KNOW the end was mean, but seriously, and more and it would have given way too much away, and I couldn't have that. The next chapter is a good one, trust me, you find out a whole heap of stuff in it, and from here on in the story gets more interesting. I hope you guys will enjoy it, I'll have another update for you in a week or so, maybe less if I'm bugged by ppl. Who knows. A week max.
Oh, and instead of a shameless plug this update, since no one asked for one, we'll sing happy birthday to Gotrek-Gurnissen. Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy Birthday dear Gotrek, happy birthday to you.
He's sweet 16 at long last!
I'll see you soon.
Lora Helen.
Sorry this chapter was late coming but you know, lack of inspiration and all.
Dedication. This chapter is dedicated to Natea, a wonderful reviewer who has been reviewing for ages. Luv ya!! Thanks!! I did take the hint you see!
Review thank you's.
Natea - like I said, it was your review that got this chapter written and your reminder, or hint that go it posted! Lol, be proud, you made me work!! Lol, loved the Big brother line, that was funny and I never looked at it that way! I hope I didn't freak you out of liking the story though! Enjoy this chapter and so you know, the back and beyond island was hell!!
Banshee0 - Whee, hello Ban, I liked the idea of Quatre and the hammer as well, it made me giggle while I was writing it.. Man, we are scarily alike. sorry about not putting you out of your misery, but I am glad you like the story!! I'll talk to you soon I hope! *hugs*
Gotrek-Gurnissen - glad you like it, there's a lil message for you at the end. Hope you enjoy the chappie!
Ink2 - I know he's usually awake and alert, but well, heh, he had a lapse I guess, he explains it better than me, I really hope you enjoy thins chapter, thank you very much for reading.
Ohtar - Don't worry, you can read the next chapter now, I'm sorry it was so long coming along, I really hope it was worth the wait. An yes, there is more!
SHINIGAMIAOD - lol, you really hate Stranger don't you, well, with each chapter you will learn a little more about our not so friendly neighbourhood psycho. I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you so much for your review.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I
Heero ran full pelt through the corridors at the hospital, and skidded to a halt in front of the door that led into Duo's room.
Duo was still there, eyes closed, seemingly undisturbed at all.
Heero was suspicious.
Stranger would NOT let this discovery go un-punished. Despite the fact that he knew all was most certainly NOT what it seemed, Heero sent out a mental thank you, to anyone who was listening that they had been in time.
Once Wu-Fei, Quatre and Trowa had caught up with him, Heero led the way into the hospital room. Quatre, as seemed to be a habit, automatically bustled over to Duo, checking all was in order, Trowa went and sat on the single chair and Wu-Fei stood in a corner. Heero on the other hand, began to wander around the room. He seemed to be looking for something.
As Heero paced back to the middle of the room, the other three pilots watched with some shock as he drew his gun.
"Heero? What are you..." Quatre began, only to have Heero gesture for silence.
When all was quiet Heero began his pacing again.
Suddenly, without warning Heero dropped onto his stomach, gun pointed in front of him, and fired a single shot under Duo's bed. With the speed that had kept him alive during the wars he shot under the bed himself, only to emerge dragging out the figure of a man that he had shot in the leg.
Quatre gasped, Wu-Fei growled and Trowa merely raised an eyebrow.
Heero deftly removed the gun the man was holding and sorted. "I think we interrupted someone. Wu-Fei?"
With a nod Wu-Fei strode forward. "I'll see to him Yuy."
Wu-Fei dragged the semi lucid man, he had evidently not been trained to deal with pain, out of the room leaving a trail of blood behind him. That would need to be cleaned up before the hospital staff arrived. "Is he the only one?" Quatre asked sounding a little nervous. "Wee done Heero. No one else thought of that. But what was he doing here? Are you okay Heero?"
Heero nodded, he couldn't help the feeling of guilt, and for once when asked what was wrong by a concerned Quatre, who also wanted to know if there was anything he and the others could do to help him, he felt compelled to explain.
"That mans in the same boat that I was, that's all Quatre, I had to issue a punishment for Stranger once, because someone failed his mission, I had to kill a mans wife. I hate to think who will die because that man failed.. But I failed to kill in time so Stranger had Duo shot, it's a horrid circle, no one can win except Stranger, and no one seems to be able to find out who he is."
Quatre put a supportive hand on Heero's shoulder. "We know that now Heero, you told us before, but it doesn't matter Heero, you can't do anything, not at the moment anyway! You did what you had too.." With a small nod, as if to convince himself Quatre gathered a spare bed sheet and began to mop up the blood. Heero retreated to a corner and slumped down to sit on the floor.
"You know.." Quatre said a bit later, as he dropped the bed sheet into a bin. "I think we should call someone in, maybe the police, or the Preventers, I know Wu-Fei works for them, but well, it might be better to have some more help, I think we are in to deep Heero."
Heero shook his head. "No Quatre, if we do that we not only seal Duo's fate but the fate of the rest of us as well, allowing us to get the police involved would be a risk far larger than Stranger would be willing to take, we'd all be dead within minutes of making the call."
Quatre went quiet, looking a little shocked, it seemed that he had only just realised just how much trouble they were all in.
"You need to be careful, both of you, and you Wu-Fei." He added, for the other ex-pilot had just re-entered the room. "I wouldn't be surprised if Stranger went after you next. I didn't know he had bugged me and my clothing, but come to think of it, he kept me out of my house for long periods of time, and as for the one in my shoulder, that I guess must have been from right at the beginning, the one time any of his links ever met up with me, one of them thumped me on the shoulder, it hurt, but I thought nothing of it, the guy was wearing a ring, I guess there was a jab on the other side. I was too preoccupied to check it out, it slipped my mind. I am sorry, I let you all down."
Quatre, Wu-Fei and Trowa were prevented from answering this statement by a cough that came from the occupant of the bed. Duo Maxwell.
Heero shrank back into the corner. His eyes flicked from the door, to the window, and once around the room, then back to the door, and off around the room again. Looking for any sign of trouble.
Duo was awake, He had been dreading this moment, and the previous day had been considering the best way of leaving the room before it happened. But now, with Duo awake, he couldn't leave without being noticed. He may as well be useful.
Three of the ex-pilots crowded round Duos bed; Heero just sat and watched it all.
Duo seemed a little disorientated and Quatre was trying to answer as many Questions as he could.
"Wh..Where am I?"
"Your in a hospital, on L4 Duo." Said Quatre kindly.
"How did I get here?"
"We don't know for sure, we simply received a phone call telling us that you had been brought in, and we came to see you."
"What happened?"
"Someone shot you Duo, while you were at that club, you know th-"
"I WAS SHOT??! Did you catch them?"
No we didn't...
Heero stopped listening, it was his fault, it was all his fault that Duo had no idea what was going on. He should have, well, he should have done something. He'd messed up so badly, he should never have upset Duo, not as much as he had, so many lies, so many broken promises and in the end it had all come to nothing anyway.
Suddenly even seeing Duo again didn't seem like such a good idea let alone talking to him.
Heero was just contemplating how much it would hurt if he jumped out the window without a parachute, and if he could manage it without being noticed, as leaving undetected via the door was not an option, when a quiet sob caught his attention.
Heero abandoned all thought of escape and allowed his gaze to fall onto the bed, and with a pang in his heart he realised that Duo was the one crying.
It must be, Heero thought, the shock of what he had been told that had upset him. He was sitting up with his arms wrapped round his legs, head bent onto his knees, surrounded by cables and wires, and quietly crying his heart out.
Quatre kept patting his pack, and it was obvious that the blonde was trying to comfort the braided man, who seemed to be having none of it.
"Quat... Its.. no good, I.. I know you're try... Trying to help, you're my be..best friend and I... I love you and all but.. but its... It's different, you're just n.. not him, your n.. not Heero." His speech was interrupted by a wave of heart wrenching sobs, but when they subsided Duo finally continued, and his voice sounded calmer, for finally a large part of the emotional whirlwind had passed.
"I know he was a bastard, I know he hurt me, so don't even bother saying anything about that that Wu-Fei," He said raising a hand and, with a scowl, pointing a finger at the Chinese man, tears still running down his cheeks.
Wu-Fei closed his mouth and lowered the hand he had been pointing to the corner where Heero was standing and stalked away from the bed with a muttered. "I WASN'T going to say anything of the sort Maxwell."
Duo either didn't hear him or ignored him. "I loved him I loved him so damn much, I still do, and I miss him Quatre, I Really, Really miss him."
Heero felt a wrench in the upper part of his chest and he got to his feet.
He stumbled a little as he made his way forward to Duo's bed, his feet didn't seem to belong to him any more.
As he made his way the others drew back, Quatre retreated into Trowas arms, and together they stood back against a wall and Wu-Fei left the room saying that he would check on the prisoner and bring back some coffee.
Heero stopped at the end of Duo's bed and sighed. Duo's head had slumped back down onto his knees and his tears were making his slight form shake once again.
Taking a breath Heero struggled to muster the courage he needed to make his tongue form the words that he needed to say.
Finally he managed.
"I'm here Duo. I'm here and I'm sorry."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Well, that's chapter 7 over with I KNOW the end was mean, but seriously, and more and it would have given way too much away, and I couldn't have that. The next chapter is a good one, trust me, you find out a whole heap of stuff in it, and from here on in the story gets more interesting. I hope you guys will enjoy it, I'll have another update for you in a week or so, maybe less if I'm bugged by ppl. Who knows. A week max.
Oh, and instead of a shameless plug this update, since no one asked for one, we'll sing happy birthday to Gotrek-Gurnissen. Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy Birthday dear Gotrek, happy birthday to you.
He's sweet 16 at long last!
I'll see you soon.
Lora Helen.