One Last Chance
Chapter 8
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Warnings: some angst, Shonen ai Amnesia, R+1, 1+2+1 and...death. BUT DON'T WORRY!! It's a *good* death. Some of you even asked for it, so I'm following the demands of my readers ^.~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In the last exciting chapter....
// "The engagement is off. I leave tonight."
Relena saw red. She turned on Duo with all the rage of a woman scorned, "YOU! You BASTARD! How DARE you try to take *my* Heero!" She ran at him before Heero could stop her and pushed Duo out the open glass door that led to the balcony and proceeded pushing him off the side, letting him fall from the second story of the mansion (palace.. Whatever).
"DUO!" //
Now, on with the story...
-----------------------
Heero restlessly looked at his watch for the fourth time in ten minutes. One of the servants had been outside in the garden when Duo had taken the fall and had immediately called for an ambulance. Much to Heero's relief, the police came along with the ambulance when said servant had mentioned the screaming preceding the fall and Miss Relena looking smugly over the balcony at Duo's unconscious form.
Now, he was pacing the waiting room, waiting for word on the condition of his best friend. He was afraid to think about what would happen to Duo. Two falls in less than two weeks had to be some kind of record. Duo would be lucky to get out of this alive, much less minimally injured.
Heero pushed that thought from his mind. Duo *had* to be okay. They were going to live together and they were going to be happy and no one was ever going to mess that up for them. Even if Duo didn't remember him any more, they could make new memories for the long-haired boy. Yes, things were going to be perfect. He just hoped Duo would live to see it.
Just then, a nurse came into the waiting room and allowed Heero to go in and see Duo. He said that Duo was unconscious, he had some bruises, but he managed to land so that he hadn't broken anything in the process. He had a minor concussion but that was the extent of his injuries.
Heero carefully walked into the room Duo was currently taken to. The nurse had said that it would be best if he stayed there until Duo woke up, then have him stay an extra day for observation. He had taken a slight detour at the gift shop so that he could buy Duo a little metallic balloon attached to a small, fluffy, beanie baby. Duo had always liked that sort of thing; useless little mementos and the like.
He set the plum colored beanie baby bear and 'get well soon' balloon on the bedside table and sat down to watch Duo sleep. It was like déjà vu seeing him lie there, unconscious, IV stuck into his pale arm, with that annoying little bleeping monitor attached to his chest.
Damn Relena for doing this! Damn her to the darkest, hottest, most gruesome pit in Hell! She deserved that and much more for doing this to Duo. *His* Duo. His mischievous daemon and guardian angel.
Heero reached out and took Duo's limp hand in his. He slowly brought it up to his lips and kissed the knuckles tenderly. He sat there a long while, thinking of what he'd do and say *when* Duo pulled out of this. Hours passed, but he didn't mind. He owed I to Duo to be here. Duo needed him.
"Duo," he whispered, "please come back to me. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I didn't figure things out sooner. I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry... I just never realized..."
Duo moaned a little, his body shifting under the blankets.
"Duo?"
"Mm...," he shifted a little more as his eyes flickered open, then blinked. "H-Heero?" Duo's voice sounded raspy and dry.
"Do you want some water?"
Duo gave a little nod and began to sit up.
Heero helped him up after filling a cup with water from a pitcher that was conveniently placed on the table, by the bed. Duo had been out for a couple of hours, so it was understandable that his throat had dried up.
Duo took the cup of cool water from Heero's hands and with a little help, finished it all. He was dizzy and looked disoriented.
"Heero.... Where am I?"
Heero took the empty cup back, "You are in the hospital, Duo. Do you remember what happened?" He went to put the cup back to its original place by the pitcher and sat down again.
"Umm... I remember you asking me some stuff I didn't want to face yet and went to hide in the library. Then I remember you coming in and scaring me and I was falling."
Heero nodded, but looked a little crestfallen, "Yes, that did happen. Do you remember anything after that?"
Duo looked like he was deep in thought.
"I vaguely remember trying to cut my braid and something about thinking I was you."
Heero smiled a little, maybe he'd remember things after all.
"Yes, that did happen too."
Duo looked stricken, "You're joking!" He then took a look at Heero's 'Since when do I joke?' face and added, "Okay, so you're serious..."
Heero nodded and preceded telling him about the week they'd had, and how Heero had finally steeled himself and brought Duo back to *almost* being Duo. But again, he had left out the emotions that were floating around last night. As far as Duo knew, Heero had realized that he cared about Duo and that he had backed out of the wedding because he was unsure about his feelings toward Relena.
Duo listened intently but it felt like Heero was telling him something he already knew, like it had been a dream and Heero had had the same one. When Heero finished his side of the story, ending with Relena finding Duo in Heero's bed, Duo was angry. He didn't like the way Relena had been messing with him when she knew he was vulnerable, but at least now, he knew Heero cared about him, at least as a friend. Otherwise, why would Heero have let Duo sleep in his room and *on his bed* when Duo felt insecure and scared? It has to mean Heero was at least worried. Still, despite having the friendship concern confirmed, Duo felt like Heero was leaving something out.
"Heero, what are you not telling me?"
Heero was hesitant, "I want to tell you, but I'd rather wait until you're out of the hospital." He looked at his watch, the nurse would be here soon to kick him out. "They'll release you tomorrow morning, I'll come by then and we'll go out to eat - anywhere you want - then you can ask me anything you like, okay?"
Duo nodded but was confused as to why Heero was being so open and telling him he'd answer all of Duo's questions. That was odd, Heero usually ignored him when he was asking too many questions.
Just then, the nurse came in and asked Heero to leave. He bid Duo a goodnight and left quietly.
--------------------
The next morning when Duo woke up, Heero was already there. He had already filled out all the discharge papers and was carrying a newspaper and the beanie baby with a balloon Duo had noticed the night before. Seeing it in Heero's hand now, he realized that *Heero* had bought the "get well" bear for *him*. That was not exactly in character for Heero, but he appreciated the change.
As Duo was wheeled out to the parking lot dressed in his own clothes now (it was hospital policy that all patients be wheeled out to their cars), he noticed the headline on the newspaper Heero held in his hand.
'Peacecraft behind bars'? That didn't make sense... why would she be in jail?
When Heero got in the car (after making sure Duo was in and strapped down), he handed the bear and newspaper to Duo.
Duo, being the curious person that he is, picked up the newspaper and began to read:
// Relena Peacecraft, politician and foremost in the peace movement was arrested this morning shortly after arriving home from her pre-wedding Grand Tour. Upon arriving at the Royal Family Estate in Sanq, her fiancé Heero Yuy broke their engagement and stated that he was unhappy with his life being there. "I was with her for about three years, after the war ended," Yuy announced to the press, "but I couldn't bring myself to marry her when I didn't care for her like that. She then took her anger out on my best friend because he was there and she blamed him for me leaving her." In a mad fit, she attacked said friend (who has asked for anonymity) and pushed him off the balcony of the second floor.
Peacecraft is currently being held by the state pending trail. She has been charged with attempted murder and is waiting for the court to set a date...//
Duo stopped reading as they reached IHOP and Heero helped him out of the car. He couldn't believe Relena was now facing murder charges because of *him*.
---------------
Inside the restaurant, after they had both ordered their meals, Duo couldn't help himself any more, "Okay, spill. What *really* happened?"
Heero kept his eyes trained on his napkin as he spoke, "The night before Relena showed up, I had finally gotten through to you to stop the perfect soldier act. You then asked me about our relationship during and after the war and I told you that I wasn't aware of anything beyond friendship until that letter arrived from you. When that letter arrived, it made me feel things. I don't understand them, all I know is that I had to get you to come. I had to figure out what it was you were making me feel before I married Relena.
"When you got here, those feelings increased. I don't know if it was better or worse, but the fact that you kept running away made me frustrated because I didn't know what was going on. When you fell... I guess it was then that I realized how strongly I cared for you. When you changed, I was hurt, when I found out you didn't remember me, it all but killed me."
Heero looked up into Duo's eyes and reached out to hold his hand, "Duo, I know I'm not the greatest person to be with, but I really care about you. I know that now. If you would have me, I'd like to start things all over again with you. I want to know where this will lead us... will you give me a chance? Give *us* a chance?"
Duo stared. His beautiful, violet eyes wide from shock at Heero's obviously rehearsed speech. He was tongue-tied. For once in his life, Duo Maxwell was speechless.
Heero had taken his silence as a refusal, letting his gaze drop and Duo's hand go as his slowly made his way back to his lap. His gaze snapped back up again as Duo reached out and grabbed his hand with both of his, holding on tightly, as if Heero were his last lifeline.
"Yes..." Duo whispered, his eyes sparkling with unshed tears.
------------------------------
At the Sanq Police station....
Relena paced. She was furious and heartbroken at the same time. She hated Heero for doing this to her, but most of all, she hated *DUO*. How could that queer little filthy street rat *whore* corrupt Heero so much in so little time? She was going to make them pay... yes... she was going to make Heero *hurt*. She was going to hurt Heero so badly, he was going to blame Duo and dump the bastard. Yes... that's what she was going to do. She smiled to herself. No, Heero wouldn't just dump Duo after her plan was carried out... He was going to torture and kill Duo.
She cackled. Yes, then Duo would die and Heero would be miserable. Perfect... absolutely perfect.
----------------------------
Two guards walked down the halls of the detention center. They had been told that Miss Peacecraft was going to be moved to another location.
"Can you believe what she did, Joe? And here she's supposed to be a *pacifist*."
"I know, Ernie, my family was in shock when we heard it on the news. They say that she's crazy, you know." "Yeah, I heard that she was going to make that Yuy guy marry her no matter what."
"*I* heard that she was going to have his best friend murdered after the wedding, just to make sure that Yuy never left her."
"So it's true they were lovers?"
"No, I think they were just friends, but the possibility was there, after all, they were partners during the war."
"Hey, isn't Yuy one of those Gundam pilots?"
Joe just shrugged, "That was never proven."
"Oh, okay."
They reached Relena's cell and stopped dead in their tracks. In front of them, Relena hung from a rope made of ripped strips of sheet tied to one of her cell bars. Pinned on her orange jumper was a note addressed to "Heero Yuy".
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kay, so there's a part after this. I'm sorry if my writing sucked in this chapter, I guess my muse was on break time when I was writing this so the words didn't quite flow the way I wanted them to.
Angel Reid: *salutes* Thank you, Sir! (Ma'am?)
Kitty Kat 0303: EEP! Don't come after me! I updated like you told me to!!
Lil-Jenny: Sorry, didn't mean to be mean. Hope you like! ^.^
Cilver Klaw: EEP! *post update to keep from being shredded to ribbons by Cilver's sword*
Kaori-Chan: Your wish is granted. *Sings* Ding- dong the bitch is dead! Which ole bitch? The Relena bitch! Ding-dong Relena-bitch is dead! (Wizard of OZ anyone?)
Okay... so after threats of bodily harm to my person, I have posted and am hoping to prolong my life. *scampers off to hide and type out the next chapter to the neglected "Most Popular Boy" fic*
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Warnings: some angst, Shonen ai Amnesia, R+1, 1+2+1 and...death. BUT DON'T WORRY!! It's a *good* death. Some of you even asked for it, so I'm following the demands of my readers ^.~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In the last exciting chapter....
// "The engagement is off. I leave tonight."
Relena saw red. She turned on Duo with all the rage of a woman scorned, "YOU! You BASTARD! How DARE you try to take *my* Heero!" She ran at him before Heero could stop her and pushed Duo out the open glass door that led to the balcony and proceeded pushing him off the side, letting him fall from the second story of the mansion (palace.. Whatever).
"DUO!" //
Now, on with the story...
-----------------------
Heero restlessly looked at his watch for the fourth time in ten minutes. One of the servants had been outside in the garden when Duo had taken the fall and had immediately called for an ambulance. Much to Heero's relief, the police came along with the ambulance when said servant had mentioned the screaming preceding the fall and Miss Relena looking smugly over the balcony at Duo's unconscious form.
Now, he was pacing the waiting room, waiting for word on the condition of his best friend. He was afraid to think about what would happen to Duo. Two falls in less than two weeks had to be some kind of record. Duo would be lucky to get out of this alive, much less minimally injured.
Heero pushed that thought from his mind. Duo *had* to be okay. They were going to live together and they were going to be happy and no one was ever going to mess that up for them. Even if Duo didn't remember him any more, they could make new memories for the long-haired boy. Yes, things were going to be perfect. He just hoped Duo would live to see it.
Just then, a nurse came into the waiting room and allowed Heero to go in and see Duo. He said that Duo was unconscious, he had some bruises, but he managed to land so that he hadn't broken anything in the process. He had a minor concussion but that was the extent of his injuries.
Heero carefully walked into the room Duo was currently taken to. The nurse had said that it would be best if he stayed there until Duo woke up, then have him stay an extra day for observation. He had taken a slight detour at the gift shop so that he could buy Duo a little metallic balloon attached to a small, fluffy, beanie baby. Duo had always liked that sort of thing; useless little mementos and the like.
He set the plum colored beanie baby bear and 'get well soon' balloon on the bedside table and sat down to watch Duo sleep. It was like déjà vu seeing him lie there, unconscious, IV stuck into his pale arm, with that annoying little bleeping monitor attached to his chest.
Damn Relena for doing this! Damn her to the darkest, hottest, most gruesome pit in Hell! She deserved that and much more for doing this to Duo. *His* Duo. His mischievous daemon and guardian angel.
Heero reached out and took Duo's limp hand in his. He slowly brought it up to his lips and kissed the knuckles tenderly. He sat there a long while, thinking of what he'd do and say *when* Duo pulled out of this. Hours passed, but he didn't mind. He owed I to Duo to be here. Duo needed him.
"Duo," he whispered, "please come back to me. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I didn't figure things out sooner. I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry... I just never realized..."
Duo moaned a little, his body shifting under the blankets.
"Duo?"
"Mm...," he shifted a little more as his eyes flickered open, then blinked. "H-Heero?" Duo's voice sounded raspy and dry.
"Do you want some water?"
Duo gave a little nod and began to sit up.
Heero helped him up after filling a cup with water from a pitcher that was conveniently placed on the table, by the bed. Duo had been out for a couple of hours, so it was understandable that his throat had dried up.
Duo took the cup of cool water from Heero's hands and with a little help, finished it all. He was dizzy and looked disoriented.
"Heero.... Where am I?"
Heero took the empty cup back, "You are in the hospital, Duo. Do you remember what happened?" He went to put the cup back to its original place by the pitcher and sat down again.
"Umm... I remember you asking me some stuff I didn't want to face yet and went to hide in the library. Then I remember you coming in and scaring me and I was falling."
Heero nodded, but looked a little crestfallen, "Yes, that did happen. Do you remember anything after that?"
Duo looked like he was deep in thought.
"I vaguely remember trying to cut my braid and something about thinking I was you."
Heero smiled a little, maybe he'd remember things after all.
"Yes, that did happen too."
Duo looked stricken, "You're joking!" He then took a look at Heero's 'Since when do I joke?' face and added, "Okay, so you're serious..."
Heero nodded and preceded telling him about the week they'd had, and how Heero had finally steeled himself and brought Duo back to *almost* being Duo. But again, he had left out the emotions that were floating around last night. As far as Duo knew, Heero had realized that he cared about Duo and that he had backed out of the wedding because he was unsure about his feelings toward Relena.
Duo listened intently but it felt like Heero was telling him something he already knew, like it had been a dream and Heero had had the same one. When Heero finished his side of the story, ending with Relena finding Duo in Heero's bed, Duo was angry. He didn't like the way Relena had been messing with him when she knew he was vulnerable, but at least now, he knew Heero cared about him, at least as a friend. Otherwise, why would Heero have let Duo sleep in his room and *on his bed* when Duo felt insecure and scared? It has to mean Heero was at least worried. Still, despite having the friendship concern confirmed, Duo felt like Heero was leaving something out.
"Heero, what are you not telling me?"
Heero was hesitant, "I want to tell you, but I'd rather wait until you're out of the hospital." He looked at his watch, the nurse would be here soon to kick him out. "They'll release you tomorrow morning, I'll come by then and we'll go out to eat - anywhere you want - then you can ask me anything you like, okay?"
Duo nodded but was confused as to why Heero was being so open and telling him he'd answer all of Duo's questions. That was odd, Heero usually ignored him when he was asking too many questions.
Just then, the nurse came in and asked Heero to leave. He bid Duo a goodnight and left quietly.
--------------------
The next morning when Duo woke up, Heero was already there. He had already filled out all the discharge papers and was carrying a newspaper and the beanie baby with a balloon Duo had noticed the night before. Seeing it in Heero's hand now, he realized that *Heero* had bought the "get well" bear for *him*. That was not exactly in character for Heero, but he appreciated the change.
As Duo was wheeled out to the parking lot dressed in his own clothes now (it was hospital policy that all patients be wheeled out to their cars), he noticed the headline on the newspaper Heero held in his hand.
'Peacecraft behind bars'? That didn't make sense... why would she be in jail?
When Heero got in the car (after making sure Duo was in and strapped down), he handed the bear and newspaper to Duo.
Duo, being the curious person that he is, picked up the newspaper and began to read:
// Relena Peacecraft, politician and foremost in the peace movement was arrested this morning shortly after arriving home from her pre-wedding Grand Tour. Upon arriving at the Royal Family Estate in Sanq, her fiancé Heero Yuy broke their engagement and stated that he was unhappy with his life being there. "I was with her for about three years, after the war ended," Yuy announced to the press, "but I couldn't bring myself to marry her when I didn't care for her like that. She then took her anger out on my best friend because he was there and she blamed him for me leaving her." In a mad fit, she attacked said friend (who has asked for anonymity) and pushed him off the balcony of the second floor.
Peacecraft is currently being held by the state pending trail. She has been charged with attempted murder and is waiting for the court to set a date...//
Duo stopped reading as they reached IHOP and Heero helped him out of the car. He couldn't believe Relena was now facing murder charges because of *him*.
---------------
Inside the restaurant, after they had both ordered their meals, Duo couldn't help himself any more, "Okay, spill. What *really* happened?"
Heero kept his eyes trained on his napkin as he spoke, "The night before Relena showed up, I had finally gotten through to you to stop the perfect soldier act. You then asked me about our relationship during and after the war and I told you that I wasn't aware of anything beyond friendship until that letter arrived from you. When that letter arrived, it made me feel things. I don't understand them, all I know is that I had to get you to come. I had to figure out what it was you were making me feel before I married Relena.
"When you got here, those feelings increased. I don't know if it was better or worse, but the fact that you kept running away made me frustrated because I didn't know what was going on. When you fell... I guess it was then that I realized how strongly I cared for you. When you changed, I was hurt, when I found out you didn't remember me, it all but killed me."
Heero looked up into Duo's eyes and reached out to hold his hand, "Duo, I know I'm not the greatest person to be with, but I really care about you. I know that now. If you would have me, I'd like to start things all over again with you. I want to know where this will lead us... will you give me a chance? Give *us* a chance?"
Duo stared. His beautiful, violet eyes wide from shock at Heero's obviously rehearsed speech. He was tongue-tied. For once in his life, Duo Maxwell was speechless.
Heero had taken his silence as a refusal, letting his gaze drop and Duo's hand go as his slowly made his way back to his lap. His gaze snapped back up again as Duo reached out and grabbed his hand with both of his, holding on tightly, as if Heero were his last lifeline.
"Yes..." Duo whispered, his eyes sparkling with unshed tears.
------------------------------
At the Sanq Police station....
Relena paced. She was furious and heartbroken at the same time. She hated Heero for doing this to her, but most of all, she hated *DUO*. How could that queer little filthy street rat *whore* corrupt Heero so much in so little time? She was going to make them pay... yes... she was going to make Heero *hurt*. She was going to hurt Heero so badly, he was going to blame Duo and dump the bastard. Yes... that's what she was going to do. She smiled to herself. No, Heero wouldn't just dump Duo after her plan was carried out... He was going to torture and kill Duo.
She cackled. Yes, then Duo would die and Heero would be miserable. Perfect... absolutely perfect.
----------------------------
Two guards walked down the halls of the detention center. They had been told that Miss Peacecraft was going to be moved to another location.
"Can you believe what she did, Joe? And here she's supposed to be a *pacifist*."
"I know, Ernie, my family was in shock when we heard it on the news. They say that she's crazy, you know." "Yeah, I heard that she was going to make that Yuy guy marry her no matter what."
"*I* heard that she was going to have his best friend murdered after the wedding, just to make sure that Yuy never left her."
"So it's true they were lovers?"
"No, I think they were just friends, but the possibility was there, after all, they were partners during the war."
"Hey, isn't Yuy one of those Gundam pilots?"
Joe just shrugged, "That was never proven."
"Oh, okay."
They reached Relena's cell and stopped dead in their tracks. In front of them, Relena hung from a rope made of ripped strips of sheet tied to one of her cell bars. Pinned on her orange jumper was a note addressed to "Heero Yuy".
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kay, so there's a part after this. I'm sorry if my writing sucked in this chapter, I guess my muse was on break time when I was writing this so the words didn't quite flow the way I wanted them to.
Angel Reid: *salutes* Thank you, Sir! (Ma'am?)
Kitty Kat 0303: EEP! Don't come after me! I updated like you told me to!!
Lil-Jenny: Sorry, didn't mean to be mean. Hope you like! ^.^
Cilver Klaw: EEP! *post update to keep from being shredded to ribbons by Cilver's sword*
Kaori-Chan: Your wish is granted. *Sings* Ding- dong the bitch is dead! Which ole bitch? The Relena bitch! Ding-dong Relena-bitch is dead! (Wizard of OZ anyone?)
Okay... so after threats of bodily harm to my person, I have posted and am hoping to prolong my life. *scampers off to hide and type out the next chapter to the neglected "Most Popular Boy" fic*