I was gonna wait and post this when I had the last chapter to
'Blood Lust' finished, but seeing how it isn't, and this chapter
having been ready for posting for like three days now, I decided
to post it now instead of waiting on my lazy self to finish
'Blood Lust'.
*ahem* And I would also like to point out that I'm going to be using a -lot- of psychological terms and definitions, so if you get lost, just tell me and I'll explain to the best of my abilities. *sweatdrop* And another thing, despite what others say, schizophrenia is NOT, I repeat, is NOT a disorder that deals with multiple personalities (that's Dissociative Identity Disorder). Schizophrenia is actually much worse, being the most severe mental disorder a person can get, and even then there's -three- different subtypes of schizophrenia- Catatonic, Paranoid, and Undifferentiated.
But like I said, anyone who's confused just tell me and I'll explain. Or you can go find a psychology book and look up mental disorders. Either way works just fine.
And one last thing. Since Duo is currently unable to be the keeper of conversation, I've given Wufei the task of being the cynical one and talking and asking questions. With help from Quatre of course. But it's mostly Wufei.
I think that should be it...anywho, on with the REVIEWS!
Firedraygon97: LMAO!! Yeah, well, I couldn't just leave the poor guy hanging without someone...it just so happened that that someone is...*twitches* Relena. *Jaws music starts playing*
Avenged Suffering: Marshmallows? I dunno, both marshmellows and marshmallows sound good to me. ^_^ And Duos' thoughts are supposed to be very random but focused. It's something that comes along with being schizophrenic, the flight of thoughts. Where instead of thinking on one thing, the person had a ten track mind, were anything will set them off, yet they're all connected by something similar. It's kinda hard to explain, but the theory is called 'Tossed Salad'. All jumbled together and not making yet, sense it -does- make sense. As for what Wufei thinks, we'll have that in this chapter, and Duo's POV returns for chapter 3. ^_^ And 'Blood Lust' -WILL- be finished...eventually...right now, I have a pinata to paper mache' once I post this. But anywho, hopefully this will keep you entertained until I finish the last 'Blood Lust' chapter. ^_^
Nelia Black: The line between the //'s are lyrics from the song 'Imaginary' by Evanescence. Beautifully haunting song by a just as awesome band. ^_^ And as for what the others think, that's what this chapter is for!!
Smiley-person: Puff the magic dragon...I wish I were chasing the dragon...Er, I mean, hanging out with Mary Jane. Er yeah...But anywho, I'm glad you're liking this! I haven't seen many fics like this either, it's what piqued me into writing it, because most of the time it's all about the pilots being suicidal and all (which I am very guilty of too), so I thought I'd try something new. ^_^
LadyRune: Wow, you think so highly of me...I am not worthy of such high Duo praise! ^^;; It's gonna get much better, especially with more looks into Duo's mind. ^_^
Shella: YAAY! My Shella-chan reviewed! ^_^ Of course you couldn't stay away from my story, just as I can't post a chapter without a wonderful-ness review from you! ^_^ So it's Shella- review-addicted, ne? Anywho, so you think this is going to be darker than the vampire-slayer-angst style? Maybe...I really don't know. I think the idea that I'm keeping it very detailed and factual is what makes it darker, because I don't have to waste time having to set up the alternate universe information around it, I can just delve right into the angstiness without preamble. *nod nod* Yep. And I know exactly how you feel about the suicidal-clinically-depressed fics, there's been like a flood of them recently, and very few are unique, so it gets irritating real quick. I see you caught on to my repeating of the 'nice padded room with restraints and sedatives' thing too! ^_^ I was hoping someone who catch on to that. As for the train of thought and all, I'm keeping the first person POV with Duo, just because it shows more depth into his slipping sanity. I might do one of the other guys in first person later on, but I'll probably just stick with third. And 'Omae wo kuruso'...well, seeing how I didn't have much room for any other Japanese, I couldn't balance it out. *shrug* I have the same problem too when people do that, that's why when I write scenes with Heero in it, I try to use as much Japanese as I can without going overboard. Of course, you would know that about me, eh? I think you've read enough of my writing to know me. o.O;; Whether that's a good thing or nor remains to be told, but...Duo's cynicism is going to be making many, many more cameos before I'm through. One of the great joys of first person POV, when you can get into their minds without having to filter anything out. ^_^ The School Girl Wufei fic is being done no matter what! I've already drawn pictures for it, so Wufei's screwed! *evil grin* If I can get them scanned, I'll send them to you. ^_^
Just think...Wufei, in a school girl uniform, in the pouring rain ala t.A.T.u style, with his hair down...*drools* Wufei in drag= every fangirl's fantasy. Now Heero in drag...*falls over laughing* -That- would be priceless.
Now on with the story!
***
Behind his dark mahogany desk, the psychiatrist leaned back in his large leather armchair and surveyed the four young men sitting before him tensely, his fingers steepled just below his bulbous nose. They appeared no older than seventeen, yet their posture and air of authority gave the impression that they were much, much older mentally. The fact that they were four of the five infamous Gundam pilots from the wars was also taken into estimation. "Good afternoon gentlemen, I am Doctor Woods. I own and operate this psychiatric facility, and have called you here in light of the arrival of my new charge, Mister Duo Maxwell."
There was murmur of exchanged names, albeit cold or formally businesslike, and the smallest of the four sat forward with concern puckering his delicate features. "Sir, why has Duo been admitted here? The last we saw of him, he was in good health, both mentally and physically."
"I can't be sure as of yet, the test results aren't in. But my suspicions point to aspects of paranoid schizophrenia," he paused, reading their reactions. There were none, except for the worry of Quatre; the other three remained coolly impassive. He returned his reading to the manila folder on the top of his polished desk. "In other words, he suffers from serious disillusionment and violent psychotic episodes."
"Psychotic episodes?" Wufei asked warily. "What kind of 'episodes'?"
Doctor Woods motioned to the tape player on his desk. "Shall I turn down the volume, or do you want to hear it in full intensity? My charge tends to be...quite loud."
"We could have told you that." Heero said flatly as they shook their heads in dissent and he pressed the play button.
The empty water glass beside the speaker shattered into a million pieces as a high-pitched scream blasted their eardrums. It shrieked unintelligibly without hesitating to breathe, going hoarser after a few minutes as tangible words began to form.
'LEAVE ME ALONE- IT'S NOT MY FAULT-'
Duo's rasping wail repeated 'It's not my fault' over and over until Quatre finally pleaded for the psychiatrist to turn it off, his cerulean eyes threatening to leak tears, his heart feeling like it was about to break at the agony. How could they have missed this? Were they so self-absorbed that they could not even see their own best friend's distress? Trowa reached over and gently touched the blonde's arm reassuringly. Heero seemed unfazed to Doctor Woods, though the ones beside him, knowing him well, could see the shocked pain his steely Prussian gaze, and Wufei, paler then a ghost, had his fingers dug deep into the upholstery of his chair.
He cleared his throat uneasily as he brushed shards of glass into his metal wastebasket. "That, Mister Chang, would be the kind of psychotic episode I was referring to."
"What...what is causing this?" Wufei sounded almost scared, his normally disdainful voice wavered noticeably.
"I was hoping you could tell me, it's why I called you four here," the doctor put the trash can aside and turned his calculating attention to them. "You four knew him best during the wars. Whatever is causing the delusions has deep roots from his brutal background. If we had gotten farther into the recording, you would have heard him begging voices in his head to stop accusing him of all the horrible murders he's committed."
That was definitely not the right thing to say to ex-Gundam pilots. Even stoic Heero and Trowa, to Doctor Woods' complete surprise, jumped up from their seats in anger at his inadvertent remark. "We may have killed many people, -sir-," Quatre put icy emphasis on 'sir', losing all politeness. "However, it was not for amusement or pleasure, no matter what you may think. We did what we had to for peace."
"Those who perished by our hands died in honor, not shame," Wufei added just as coldly, his onyx eyes blazing. "Even Treize Khushrenada."
"Gentlemen, please, I did not mean any offense," he replied calmly. With dark glares, they reluctantly returned to their seats. Their suffering companion was more important then the truth at the moment. Though the psychiatrist had a sneaking suspicion that the hand Heero had hovering behind his back was clasping a weapon of some sort. "I am only restating what Mister Maxwell himself had been asserting in his delirium. May I continue without further interruption?"
Heero's hand, gun-free, came from behind his back to rest rigidly on the armrest and he nodded stiffly. "Go on."
"As I had been saying, if we had continued listening, you would have heard him mention 'voices in my head' that were apparently claiming that everyone who died because of him before and during the wars were solely his responsibility," Doctor Woods went on mildly. "So I asked you here for information. There are no accounts anywhere on Duo Maxwell's life before the wars, and I believe that is where this trauma initially started."
"As far as I know, he was an orphan who lived on the streets on L2," Quatre replied, his tone notably warmer. "Other than that, only Duo can answer your questions." He spoke nothing of G.
As far as their records show, the scientists were dead, and the scientists probably knew things about the Gundam pilots that even -they- didn't know about themselves.
Sensing that they were withholding important facts, he opened his mouth to respond, but Wufei interrupted. "Are we allowed to see him?"
"It is against regulations to permit people to visit patients under intensive care, as we have no idea how the outside stimulus could affect their conditions. With Mister Maxwell's disturbances originating from war-time conflicts, you could be a negative stimulant."
"We are more than soldiers-in-arms!" The Chinese teen snapped peevishly, now getting curious looks from the others much to his embarrassment.
"Indeed," said Doctor Woods, the corners of his mouth twitching amusedly as he checked his watch. "Well, I have to make my rounds. Thank you very much for your time and...cooperation. I will be sure to keep you all updated on Duo Maxwell's status, so if you would be so kind as to leave any additional contact information with my secretary-"
"That's it? 'Hello, one of your only friends is locked up in a mental institution and suffering from a critical disorder, if you can't answer any questions then be on your way'?"
The psychiatrist stopped at the door and gazed at Wufei. "You sound like you need to undergo some anger management sessions. Sarcasm is one of many masks that anger uses to disguise itself, you know." He left without another word.
"I don't like him."
"You don't like anyone who provokes you Wufei," Trowa spoke up quietly for the first time since they had entered the office.
"What can we do?" Quatre asked hopelessly, looking extremely upset now that the four were alone.
"Obviously nothing. We're just supposed to kick back, relax, and act like -nothing- is wrong," Wufei growled a fair many obscenities in every language he knew under his breath, furtively eyeing the open manila folder on Doctor Woods' desk that he had forgotten to put away in his patient file cabinet.
"Being rude won't help the situation at all. It will merely make it worse."
He snorted derisively. "It's the only way to get things done! In fact, I think I'm going to go hunt down that crackpot 'shrink' and have a 'discussion' to let him know -exactly- how I feel. You do as you wish, but I will not allow this insult to Maxwell and ourselves have free reign."
Before he could get a response, Wufei shamelessly plucked up the invitingly open folder to get Duo's room number and stormed out in with another irritated snort.
"I hope he knows what he's doing," Quatre commented anxiously.
"I believe we should worry more about the doctor's welfare," Trowa replied. "I don't want to be responsible if the staff here discovers him pricked full of katana holes tomorrow morning."
"I can't stay to find out, Relena has a colony conference tomorrow and I have to get back," Heero cut in evenly.
"We'll stay, if they don't come back within the next hour or so, Trowa and I will handle it."
For a second, the Asian appeared almost sorry about leaving them with such a burden as he nodded and exited the room silently.
"What now?"
"Sit and wait, just like I said we would," Quatre answered simply, picking up the manila folder Wufei had tossed carelessly in his empty seat and began to skim through the psychiatrist's detailed analysis.
***
Doctor Woods was not the least bit surprised when he came upon the Chinese Preventer agent arguing heatedly with the two keepers outside his comrade's room, on the verge of threatening death by his sword. From the study he had gathered over his interesting conversation with the four ex-soldiers, he had had the distinct notion that even if he had secured Duo Maxwell's file in his drawer, one of them would have picked the lock the minute he left to retrieve it. So he purposely kept the folder out on his desk. Either way they were going to read it, especially since it concerned someone so close to them.
"Mister Chang, I do believe I can have you thrown out of my institution if I'm under the impression that you pose a serious threat to the security of my charges," he greeted humorously, smiling.
"And I can turn this into an official government case if -I'm- under the impression that an esteemed war veteran has been misdiagnosed and is being harmed," Wufei retorted.
"Ah, but that would also mean a lot more paperwork waiting for you on your desk when you return to Preventers headquarters. And as you are fully aware, there has been no misdiagnosis."
His defensive stance faltered at the psychiatrist's fixed, unperturbed smile. Apparently this man was not one to give in easily, though in his line of work, he wasn't allowed to. "I apologize," Wufei conceded finally, sighing.
"It's quite all right," Doctor Woods smiled again, turning his gaze to the obviously relieved keepers and resuming his professional demeanor. "Status?"
"We had to administer sedatives an hour ago."
He nodded slightly. "Leave us for a few minutes, will you?" The two walked off without argument, leaving him with the Asian. "You asked me earlier if you could see Mister Maxwell, and you also remember my answer about regulations, right?"
"Yes..." Wufei trailed off suspiciously.
"Then forget it."
"So now it's fine to visit as long as your patients are drugged?" he inquired cynically.
"Do you want to see him or do you not?" Doctor Woods replied, his annoyingly imperious tone not changing at all. He smirked at the teen's growled affirmative, opening the door and leading the way in. "I warn you though, it's not going to be a pleasant sight."
Wufei followed tentatively, suddenly not very sure if he was doing the right thing, not knowing what kind of 'sight' he was about to walk in on. The last time he had been with Duo had been almost six months ago at the termination of the real Operation Meteor, before he had become engulfed in work with the Preventers. He had seemed perfectly fine.
Although he had to admit, he really hadn't been paying much attention, or he would have noticed something was wrong.
Utterly unprepared, Wufei entered the room fully, initially taking in the safely cushioned walls and the soft feel of the floor beneath his feet as he stood uncomfortably behind the psychiatrist until he realized he was being spoken to.
"Since he was brought in, he has barely eaten, nor slept unless forced to under sedation, thereby gradually decreasing the relapses in his episodes." Doctor Woods said systematically, as if he were reading right off his analysis charts. "The overall exhaustion has held them a bay more so than any of the drugs."
Wufei remained silent. He could tell him exactly why the drugs weren't, or barely, worked on the former soldier. All the training they had undergone before the wars were specialized just for the Gundam pilots, to make them as close to invincible as possible, part of the training being building up a tolerance to many types of drugs so they could not be used in torture. Painkillers, tranquilizers, amphetamines, most poisons, hallucinogens and the like had little to no effect unless in lethally high amounts.
The doctor stepped aside and all thoughts of training experience vanished from Wufei's mind as his troubled gaze fell onto Duo.
If he had been thin during the wars, that was nothing compared to the nearly skeletal form secured down to the bed in wrist and ankle restraints, laying so motionless it didn't look like he was breathing. The once bright, grinning face was haunted and empty, paler than the white bed sheets with ragged, unkempt chestnut bangs shrouding eyes darkened with black circles of fatigue. Judging from the equally ragged and unkempt strands of hair laying limply over his bony shoulders, his customary braid hadn't been present in quite some time. That in itself was serious, if there had been one thing that drove everyone insane, it was how long Duo had to take in the bathroom, treating his hair like it was the most precious thing in the world.
He had truly become like Death.
But the person lying on the bed before Wufei could not be Duo Maxwell. He refused to believe it. No, he only refused to believe it because he was too ashamed to confess that it had to be partially his fault that he was here in this horrible place. If he had just paid more attention...
It hurt Doctor Woods to watch the various shades of pained emotion fall into place on the teen's visage, the hardest part of his job was dealing his patients' families, always asking questions, always so afraid. Duo had been an entirely new case for him; he had never dealt with battle-scarred soldiers before, and thus had never encountered the reactions of friends from war. Actually seeing the affliction for themselves gave the eventual accepting fear from the families he knew how to handle, but this shell-shocked, self-blaming fear was new territory for him.
"Mister Chang..." he broke the strained silence gently. "Shall we return to my office?"
Wufei came out of his reverie and nodded briefly, cautiously backing away from the bed, surveying the bound, unmoving figure as if he would suddenly wake up and glare at him accusingly for desperately wanting to leave.
***
Oh yes, I remember what I forgot now...I don't own the name Woods, it belongs to -my- psychiatrist. I'm just borrowing it for lack of name creativity. I was considering Doctor Quack, but couldn't bring myself to do it...^_^
OoooOOooo the drama! I don't think I'll ever kick this angst writing...Next chapter: DUO! We get to see into his lovely mind again!
*ahem* And I would also like to point out that I'm going to be using a -lot- of psychological terms and definitions, so if you get lost, just tell me and I'll explain to the best of my abilities. *sweatdrop* And another thing, despite what others say, schizophrenia is NOT, I repeat, is NOT a disorder that deals with multiple personalities (that's Dissociative Identity Disorder). Schizophrenia is actually much worse, being the most severe mental disorder a person can get, and even then there's -three- different subtypes of schizophrenia- Catatonic, Paranoid, and Undifferentiated.
But like I said, anyone who's confused just tell me and I'll explain. Or you can go find a psychology book and look up mental disorders. Either way works just fine.
And one last thing. Since Duo is currently unable to be the keeper of conversation, I've given Wufei the task of being the cynical one and talking and asking questions. With help from Quatre of course. But it's mostly Wufei.
I think that should be it...anywho, on with the REVIEWS!
Firedraygon97: LMAO!! Yeah, well, I couldn't just leave the poor guy hanging without someone...it just so happened that that someone is...*twitches* Relena. *Jaws music starts playing*
Avenged Suffering: Marshmallows? I dunno, both marshmellows and marshmallows sound good to me. ^_^ And Duos' thoughts are supposed to be very random but focused. It's something that comes along with being schizophrenic, the flight of thoughts. Where instead of thinking on one thing, the person had a ten track mind, were anything will set them off, yet they're all connected by something similar. It's kinda hard to explain, but the theory is called 'Tossed Salad'. All jumbled together and not making yet, sense it -does- make sense. As for what Wufei thinks, we'll have that in this chapter, and Duo's POV returns for chapter 3. ^_^ And 'Blood Lust' -WILL- be finished...eventually...right now, I have a pinata to paper mache' once I post this. But anywho, hopefully this will keep you entertained until I finish the last 'Blood Lust' chapter. ^_^
Nelia Black: The line between the //'s are lyrics from the song 'Imaginary' by Evanescence. Beautifully haunting song by a just as awesome band. ^_^ And as for what the others think, that's what this chapter is for!!
Smiley-person: Puff the magic dragon...I wish I were chasing the dragon...Er, I mean, hanging out with Mary Jane. Er yeah...But anywho, I'm glad you're liking this! I haven't seen many fics like this either, it's what piqued me into writing it, because most of the time it's all about the pilots being suicidal and all (which I am very guilty of too), so I thought I'd try something new. ^_^
LadyRune: Wow, you think so highly of me...I am not worthy of such high Duo praise! ^^;; It's gonna get much better, especially with more looks into Duo's mind. ^_^
Shella: YAAY! My Shella-chan reviewed! ^_^ Of course you couldn't stay away from my story, just as I can't post a chapter without a wonderful-ness review from you! ^_^ So it's Shella- review-addicted, ne? Anywho, so you think this is going to be darker than the vampire-slayer-angst style? Maybe...I really don't know. I think the idea that I'm keeping it very detailed and factual is what makes it darker, because I don't have to waste time having to set up the alternate universe information around it, I can just delve right into the angstiness without preamble. *nod nod* Yep. And I know exactly how you feel about the suicidal-clinically-depressed fics, there's been like a flood of them recently, and very few are unique, so it gets irritating real quick. I see you caught on to my repeating of the 'nice padded room with restraints and sedatives' thing too! ^_^ I was hoping someone who catch on to that. As for the train of thought and all, I'm keeping the first person POV with Duo, just because it shows more depth into his slipping sanity. I might do one of the other guys in first person later on, but I'll probably just stick with third. And 'Omae wo kuruso'...well, seeing how I didn't have much room for any other Japanese, I couldn't balance it out. *shrug* I have the same problem too when people do that, that's why when I write scenes with Heero in it, I try to use as much Japanese as I can without going overboard. Of course, you would know that about me, eh? I think you've read enough of my writing to know me. o.O;; Whether that's a good thing or nor remains to be told, but...Duo's cynicism is going to be making many, many more cameos before I'm through. One of the great joys of first person POV, when you can get into their minds without having to filter anything out. ^_^ The School Girl Wufei fic is being done no matter what! I've already drawn pictures for it, so Wufei's screwed! *evil grin* If I can get them scanned, I'll send them to you. ^_^
Just think...Wufei, in a school girl uniform, in the pouring rain ala t.A.T.u style, with his hair down...*drools* Wufei in drag= every fangirl's fantasy. Now Heero in drag...*falls over laughing* -That- would be priceless.
Now on with the story!
***
Behind his dark mahogany desk, the psychiatrist leaned back in his large leather armchair and surveyed the four young men sitting before him tensely, his fingers steepled just below his bulbous nose. They appeared no older than seventeen, yet their posture and air of authority gave the impression that they were much, much older mentally. The fact that they were four of the five infamous Gundam pilots from the wars was also taken into estimation. "Good afternoon gentlemen, I am Doctor Woods. I own and operate this psychiatric facility, and have called you here in light of the arrival of my new charge, Mister Duo Maxwell."
There was murmur of exchanged names, albeit cold or formally businesslike, and the smallest of the four sat forward with concern puckering his delicate features. "Sir, why has Duo been admitted here? The last we saw of him, he was in good health, both mentally and physically."
"I can't be sure as of yet, the test results aren't in. But my suspicions point to aspects of paranoid schizophrenia," he paused, reading their reactions. There were none, except for the worry of Quatre; the other three remained coolly impassive. He returned his reading to the manila folder on the top of his polished desk. "In other words, he suffers from serious disillusionment and violent psychotic episodes."
"Psychotic episodes?" Wufei asked warily. "What kind of 'episodes'?"
Doctor Woods motioned to the tape player on his desk. "Shall I turn down the volume, or do you want to hear it in full intensity? My charge tends to be...quite loud."
"We could have told you that." Heero said flatly as they shook their heads in dissent and he pressed the play button.
The empty water glass beside the speaker shattered into a million pieces as a high-pitched scream blasted their eardrums. It shrieked unintelligibly without hesitating to breathe, going hoarser after a few minutes as tangible words began to form.
'LEAVE ME ALONE- IT'S NOT MY FAULT-'
Duo's rasping wail repeated 'It's not my fault' over and over until Quatre finally pleaded for the psychiatrist to turn it off, his cerulean eyes threatening to leak tears, his heart feeling like it was about to break at the agony. How could they have missed this? Were they so self-absorbed that they could not even see their own best friend's distress? Trowa reached over and gently touched the blonde's arm reassuringly. Heero seemed unfazed to Doctor Woods, though the ones beside him, knowing him well, could see the shocked pain his steely Prussian gaze, and Wufei, paler then a ghost, had his fingers dug deep into the upholstery of his chair.
He cleared his throat uneasily as he brushed shards of glass into his metal wastebasket. "That, Mister Chang, would be the kind of psychotic episode I was referring to."
"What...what is causing this?" Wufei sounded almost scared, his normally disdainful voice wavered noticeably.
"I was hoping you could tell me, it's why I called you four here," the doctor put the trash can aside and turned his calculating attention to them. "You four knew him best during the wars. Whatever is causing the delusions has deep roots from his brutal background. If we had gotten farther into the recording, you would have heard him begging voices in his head to stop accusing him of all the horrible murders he's committed."
That was definitely not the right thing to say to ex-Gundam pilots. Even stoic Heero and Trowa, to Doctor Woods' complete surprise, jumped up from their seats in anger at his inadvertent remark. "We may have killed many people, -sir-," Quatre put icy emphasis on 'sir', losing all politeness. "However, it was not for amusement or pleasure, no matter what you may think. We did what we had to for peace."
"Those who perished by our hands died in honor, not shame," Wufei added just as coldly, his onyx eyes blazing. "Even Treize Khushrenada."
"Gentlemen, please, I did not mean any offense," he replied calmly. With dark glares, they reluctantly returned to their seats. Their suffering companion was more important then the truth at the moment. Though the psychiatrist had a sneaking suspicion that the hand Heero had hovering behind his back was clasping a weapon of some sort. "I am only restating what Mister Maxwell himself had been asserting in his delirium. May I continue without further interruption?"
Heero's hand, gun-free, came from behind his back to rest rigidly on the armrest and he nodded stiffly. "Go on."
"As I had been saying, if we had continued listening, you would have heard him mention 'voices in my head' that were apparently claiming that everyone who died because of him before and during the wars were solely his responsibility," Doctor Woods went on mildly. "So I asked you here for information. There are no accounts anywhere on Duo Maxwell's life before the wars, and I believe that is where this trauma initially started."
"As far as I know, he was an orphan who lived on the streets on L2," Quatre replied, his tone notably warmer. "Other than that, only Duo can answer your questions." He spoke nothing of G.
As far as their records show, the scientists were dead, and the scientists probably knew things about the Gundam pilots that even -they- didn't know about themselves.
Sensing that they were withholding important facts, he opened his mouth to respond, but Wufei interrupted. "Are we allowed to see him?"
"It is against regulations to permit people to visit patients under intensive care, as we have no idea how the outside stimulus could affect their conditions. With Mister Maxwell's disturbances originating from war-time conflicts, you could be a negative stimulant."
"We are more than soldiers-in-arms!" The Chinese teen snapped peevishly, now getting curious looks from the others much to his embarrassment.
"Indeed," said Doctor Woods, the corners of his mouth twitching amusedly as he checked his watch. "Well, I have to make my rounds. Thank you very much for your time and...cooperation. I will be sure to keep you all updated on Duo Maxwell's status, so if you would be so kind as to leave any additional contact information with my secretary-"
"That's it? 'Hello, one of your only friends is locked up in a mental institution and suffering from a critical disorder, if you can't answer any questions then be on your way'?"
The psychiatrist stopped at the door and gazed at Wufei. "You sound like you need to undergo some anger management sessions. Sarcasm is one of many masks that anger uses to disguise itself, you know." He left without another word.
"I don't like him."
"You don't like anyone who provokes you Wufei," Trowa spoke up quietly for the first time since they had entered the office.
"What can we do?" Quatre asked hopelessly, looking extremely upset now that the four were alone.
"Obviously nothing. We're just supposed to kick back, relax, and act like -nothing- is wrong," Wufei growled a fair many obscenities in every language he knew under his breath, furtively eyeing the open manila folder on Doctor Woods' desk that he had forgotten to put away in his patient file cabinet.
"Being rude won't help the situation at all. It will merely make it worse."
He snorted derisively. "It's the only way to get things done! In fact, I think I'm going to go hunt down that crackpot 'shrink' and have a 'discussion' to let him know -exactly- how I feel. You do as you wish, but I will not allow this insult to Maxwell and ourselves have free reign."
Before he could get a response, Wufei shamelessly plucked up the invitingly open folder to get Duo's room number and stormed out in with another irritated snort.
"I hope he knows what he's doing," Quatre commented anxiously.
"I believe we should worry more about the doctor's welfare," Trowa replied. "I don't want to be responsible if the staff here discovers him pricked full of katana holes tomorrow morning."
"I can't stay to find out, Relena has a colony conference tomorrow and I have to get back," Heero cut in evenly.
"We'll stay, if they don't come back within the next hour or so, Trowa and I will handle it."
For a second, the Asian appeared almost sorry about leaving them with such a burden as he nodded and exited the room silently.
"What now?"
"Sit and wait, just like I said we would," Quatre answered simply, picking up the manila folder Wufei had tossed carelessly in his empty seat and began to skim through the psychiatrist's detailed analysis.
***
Doctor Woods was not the least bit surprised when he came upon the Chinese Preventer agent arguing heatedly with the two keepers outside his comrade's room, on the verge of threatening death by his sword. From the study he had gathered over his interesting conversation with the four ex-soldiers, he had had the distinct notion that even if he had secured Duo Maxwell's file in his drawer, one of them would have picked the lock the minute he left to retrieve it. So he purposely kept the folder out on his desk. Either way they were going to read it, especially since it concerned someone so close to them.
"Mister Chang, I do believe I can have you thrown out of my institution if I'm under the impression that you pose a serious threat to the security of my charges," he greeted humorously, smiling.
"And I can turn this into an official government case if -I'm- under the impression that an esteemed war veteran has been misdiagnosed and is being harmed," Wufei retorted.
"Ah, but that would also mean a lot more paperwork waiting for you on your desk when you return to Preventers headquarters. And as you are fully aware, there has been no misdiagnosis."
His defensive stance faltered at the psychiatrist's fixed, unperturbed smile. Apparently this man was not one to give in easily, though in his line of work, he wasn't allowed to. "I apologize," Wufei conceded finally, sighing.
"It's quite all right," Doctor Woods smiled again, turning his gaze to the obviously relieved keepers and resuming his professional demeanor. "Status?"
"We had to administer sedatives an hour ago."
He nodded slightly. "Leave us for a few minutes, will you?" The two walked off without argument, leaving him with the Asian. "You asked me earlier if you could see Mister Maxwell, and you also remember my answer about regulations, right?"
"Yes..." Wufei trailed off suspiciously.
"Then forget it."
"So now it's fine to visit as long as your patients are drugged?" he inquired cynically.
"Do you want to see him or do you not?" Doctor Woods replied, his annoyingly imperious tone not changing at all. He smirked at the teen's growled affirmative, opening the door and leading the way in. "I warn you though, it's not going to be a pleasant sight."
Wufei followed tentatively, suddenly not very sure if he was doing the right thing, not knowing what kind of 'sight' he was about to walk in on. The last time he had been with Duo had been almost six months ago at the termination of the real Operation Meteor, before he had become engulfed in work with the Preventers. He had seemed perfectly fine.
Although he had to admit, he really hadn't been paying much attention, or he would have noticed something was wrong.
Utterly unprepared, Wufei entered the room fully, initially taking in the safely cushioned walls and the soft feel of the floor beneath his feet as he stood uncomfortably behind the psychiatrist until he realized he was being spoken to.
"Since he was brought in, he has barely eaten, nor slept unless forced to under sedation, thereby gradually decreasing the relapses in his episodes." Doctor Woods said systematically, as if he were reading right off his analysis charts. "The overall exhaustion has held them a bay more so than any of the drugs."
Wufei remained silent. He could tell him exactly why the drugs weren't, or barely, worked on the former soldier. All the training they had undergone before the wars were specialized just for the Gundam pilots, to make them as close to invincible as possible, part of the training being building up a tolerance to many types of drugs so they could not be used in torture. Painkillers, tranquilizers, amphetamines, most poisons, hallucinogens and the like had little to no effect unless in lethally high amounts.
The doctor stepped aside and all thoughts of training experience vanished from Wufei's mind as his troubled gaze fell onto Duo.
If he had been thin during the wars, that was nothing compared to the nearly skeletal form secured down to the bed in wrist and ankle restraints, laying so motionless it didn't look like he was breathing. The once bright, grinning face was haunted and empty, paler than the white bed sheets with ragged, unkempt chestnut bangs shrouding eyes darkened with black circles of fatigue. Judging from the equally ragged and unkempt strands of hair laying limply over his bony shoulders, his customary braid hadn't been present in quite some time. That in itself was serious, if there had been one thing that drove everyone insane, it was how long Duo had to take in the bathroom, treating his hair like it was the most precious thing in the world.
He had truly become like Death.
But the person lying on the bed before Wufei could not be Duo Maxwell. He refused to believe it. No, he only refused to believe it because he was too ashamed to confess that it had to be partially his fault that he was here in this horrible place. If he had just paid more attention...
It hurt Doctor Woods to watch the various shades of pained emotion fall into place on the teen's visage, the hardest part of his job was dealing his patients' families, always asking questions, always so afraid. Duo had been an entirely new case for him; he had never dealt with battle-scarred soldiers before, and thus had never encountered the reactions of friends from war. Actually seeing the affliction for themselves gave the eventual accepting fear from the families he knew how to handle, but this shell-shocked, self-blaming fear was new territory for him.
"Mister Chang..." he broke the strained silence gently. "Shall we return to my office?"
Wufei came out of his reverie and nodded briefly, cautiously backing away from the bed, surveying the bound, unmoving figure as if he would suddenly wake up and glare at him accusingly for desperately wanting to leave.
***
Oh yes, I remember what I forgot now...I don't own the name Woods, it belongs to -my- psychiatrist. I'm just borrowing it for lack of name creativity. I was considering Doctor Quack, but couldn't bring myself to do it...^_^
OoooOOooo the drama! I don't think I'll ever kick this angst writing...Next chapter: DUO! We get to see into his lovely mind again!