Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing and I don't claim that Heero would pass out from a 25 mile marathon. . .heck, he could probably run around the planet without breaking a sweat! Oo

Chapter 28

"Heero? What happened?" Quatre stared down in surprise as Duo freaked out, shaking Heero on the floor.

"Heero, WAKE up!" Duo screamed, starting to scream curses in frustration. As tears ran down his cheek, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning, Rachel stared down sullenly at Duo and said, "Sorry about that. . .I had to. . ."

"Did you. . .kill him!" Duo asked frantically, his eyes wide in shock. Rachel sat up, much to everyone's surprise, and said, "No, he's not dead."

"What did you do?" Trowa asked. Standing, Rachel started taking off her bandages, saying, "I stole his life, his energy. I needed some for myself because mine was too low to heal like usual without waiting long. I asked for him because I knew how resilient and strong his was, so he'd survive this until I got the chance to give him back a little to get better. The most he'll have to put up with is being extremely tired for about a day or so, for as long as it takes his body to replenish its lost energy. Don't worry, he'll be fine. He may hate me for what I did, it's not a very comfortable process having the life drained out of you. . ." Rachel pulled the bandage off her shoulder and knelt next to Heero's shocked form.

"So, is that why he screamed? It. . .felt strange?" Quatre asked, curious about what happened.

"Something like that. Don't say anything about it, he won't be in a happy mood when he wakes up. And. . .you may want to hold him for a second, Duo, I don't want him to wake up and go straight for my throat."

"Right." Duo placed his hands on Heero's shoulders and held on for dear life while Rachel placed her index finger on Heero's forehead.

"Wake up." Rachel said. A small burst of light came from her finger and Heero's eyes rolled back and stared at her. Like she had predicted, he tried to get up and tackle her but wasn't strong enough to throw Duo off.

"GET OFF ME, I WANNA KILL HER!" Heero screamed, struggling a few seconds before tiring out and gasping for air like he had just come back from a 25-mile marathon. Rachel stood up and stepped back a bit, looking saddened by his reaction.

"I'm sorry, Heero, I didn't want to die and leave you all so defenseless. Please forgive me, you will be better soon." She walked toward the door, brushing past Trowa and Quatre.

"Ah!" Quatre let out a little yelp, reaching for his arm. To his surprise it didn't hurt anymore.

"Looks like she's already starting to fix things." Trowa said quietly, noticing Quatre's healed arm. He stepped out and followed Rachel down to the other hut. Before she could enter, he put a hand on her shoulder and turned her around. She glared at him and said, "What! I need to help the others, if you don't mind."

"Looks like you inherited some of that Heero charm along with his energy, Rachel." Trowa commented on her attitude. She pulled away and said, "And is that a bad thing?"

"Look, I think you need to take it easy, you just recovered from the brink of death, your blood couldn't have possibly replenished itself as well from this. Just take it easy, they'll still be here later after you rest."

"I've rested enough, I need to fix what I've caused."

"You haven't caused any of this to happen-"

"Yes I did!" Rachel shot back sharply, "I was the one who shot Tallgeese down when Zechs and Relena were on it, I was the one who tried to save them but instead I got Zechs' back broken and Relena's ankle as well because my wing couldn't take the strain. I most likely caused Chang's leg to be mutilated like that because I pulled him from that falling hand!" Trowa grabbed her gently but firmly by the shoulders, staring deep into her eyes.

"Listen to me! You are not responsible for every last thing that goes wrong, it's not your duty to fix everything to the point of passing out, so stop it!" She stared at him in surprise. With a sigh, he said, "Look, just. . .take it easy, Zechs is fine as long as he doesn't move and Noin is here to keep him distracted from any pain he feels."

"Noin? She's here?" Rachel changed the subject.

"Yes, but that doesn't matter. Look, just go in and lay down, don't heal Zechs till you're feeling stronger."

"But I do feel strong, I'm fine!" Rachel complained. Trowa turned her around, walking her toward the door as he said, "I don't care, it won't help anyone to pass out before you can even finish healing him. You really do need to work on that, figure out a way to concentrate your energy and make it go farther."

"Oh right, pick on my weak talents. . ." Rachel rolled her eyes as they stepped into the hut. The three alone in the room looked up from a conversation and Relena said, "Rachel, you're up!"

"Yes, but Heero's down. Maybe you should calm him, he's a little. . .ticked." Trowa said. Relena frowned in confusion but went anyway. Trowa walked Rachel over to the free bed as she said sarcastically, "I can walk myself, thank you." She plopped down and stared over at Zechs, who stared back.

"So I wasn't imagining things. . .who are you?" Zechs asked Rachel, his eyes full of wonder.

"My name is Rachel. How are you feeling?" Rachel said sweetly. Trowa sat down next to her to listen to the conversation and make sure she eventually got some rest.

"Not good, my back is-"

"Broken, I know. I wish I could do something about it but 'someone' won't let me. . ." Rachel glared at Trowa and he ignored the look.

"What can you do, unless you're secretly a skilled surgeon there's not much you can do."

"Well. . .I'm no surgeon. . ." Rachel smiled innocently. Zechs didn't understand but said, "Was I dreaming when you were flying or did that really happen?"

"Depends, are you going to stay here or are you leaving and returning to Treize? Since your helmet is broken your friendship with him is gone, is it not?"

"How did you know about that, I was wondering since you were the one who told her to do so."

"I have my secrets, and so do you. But I know most of your secrets. . ." Rachel winked.

"Don't worry, she's not psychotic, she knows a lot about everyone else too." Trowa added.

"Hmm. If Treize knew about you he might have you kidnapped. . ."

"Well he's not going to find out, now is he?" Rachel raised her eyebrows.

"How long have you been with the Gundam Pilots?" Noin asked, changing the subject a bit.

"Oh. . .I forget, somewhere around a week maybe. . .I think less. . ."

"I don't know, I came in halfway through I think." Trowa commented.

"Chang came in halfway through, you were like. . .the second day I think?" Rachel mused.

"But you act as if you all know each other so well." Noin said.

"Yeah, I kind of know them from a distance and I guess we just bonded. . ." Rachel smiled, elbowing Trowa. He elbowed her back and she shoved him, getting shoved back. Then she hooked her arm around his neck and pulled him over, giving him a noogie as he complained.

"AH, MY HAIR!" Trowa whined, trying to get free. She finally let him go and he pouted, desperately attempting to fix his hair. They all laughed.

"Oh Trowa, it's just hair. . ." Rachel rolled her eyes, patting him on the back.

"It's my hair. . ." Trowa muttered as he got up and walked toward the door.

"Where you going?"

"To my room." He grumbled, walking out.

Geez, touchy touchy. . .why are guys so picky about their hair! It's like they'll die if ONE hair is out of place. . .Rachel thought as she sighed and laid back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

"Zechs, you'll be okay for a while, won't you? I don't think I should try helping you until my strength is completely restored. Besides, the guys would kill me if I didn't get some rest."

"Of course, I'll be fine. You're generous, seeing that I almost killed you and tried to kidnap Relena." Zechs said calmly.

"I know you're really not that bad, just following orders. . ." Rachel smiled at him as she turned in the bed and stretched out across it before curling up and closing her eyes. She soon fell asleep and Noin smiled, saying, "She's not bad either, rather a sweet girl I think. . ."

"Too bad she has to be around these guys all the time, how unfortunate. . ."

"Maybe she'll make an impression on them, shape them up a bit?" Noin winked.

"Hmm." Zechs closed his eyes as well, deciding he needed sleep. Noin stayed by his bedside as he slept, nowhere else for her to go.

"Chang, you okay, buddy?" Duo asked as he walked over to the resting boy with his leg hanging over the side of the bed. Chang peeked open one eye for a second and said, his arms crossed leisurely over his chest like usual, "What do you want, Maxwell, I'm trying to sleep." Duo sat gently on the bed just past Chang's leg and said, "Just wondering how you were, that's all. Hey, thanks again for the counseling earlier, I needed it."

"You haven't spoken to her about that outburst yet, Maxwell, so don't thank me yet. Explain why you said it and she may understand, but don't be a baka this time. . ." Duo frowned and said, "Fine, but I think she's asleep in the other hut. At least I hope she is, she better be."

"Go see if you're in such denial." Chang commented. Duo stuck his tongue out at him and Chang said, his eyes closed, "I saw that, you infantile delinquent." Duo frowned and got up, haughtily stalking out of the room. He walked quietly up to the next door hut, peeking in the door. Noin looked up at him as he walked up and leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms and looking down at Rachel.

"Has Heero calmed down yet?" Noin asked. Duo looked over at her and said, "Oh, yeah Relena's still talking to him quietly. It's cute, he's laying in her lap and she's stroking his hair." Duo chuckled and Noin smiled.

"Are they in love?" Noin asked.

"Yeah, he finally got the guts to tell her how he felt so now they're always acting all lovey dovey around each other."

"Do you love her?" Noin asked, looking over at Rachel. He smiled serenely and said in a soft voice, "With all my unworthy heart." Smiling the same, Noin looked over at Zechs but didn't say anything. Duo caught the smile and thought to himself, She must really care for him, coming clear out here without orders just to be with him? And deciding to stay just because he is? She really has it bad for him. . . He smiled and stepped in, walking over to Rachel and sitting on the floor next to the bed, not wanting to disturb her. He stared at her calm and peaceful face, watching her steady breathing as she slept. He wanted to kiss her, but she needed the rest so he settled with just smiling at her.

"I don't think I know your name, at least no one has addressed you yet so I can figure it out." Noin said quietly, trying to keep from waking the resting people.

"My name's Duo, or Maxwell as Chang prefers to call me most of the time." Duo smiled.

"Chang?"

"He's the Chinese boy with a stick up his butt in the first hut." Noin struggled to stifle a laugh. Just then, Quatre stepped into the room and said, "Duo, can I speak to you for a minute?"

"Um, sure." Duo got up and followed Quatre outside. Leaning against the railing, Quatre turned to Duo and said, "I've been noticing how Rachel's been. . .acting different."

"What do you mean?" Duo asked, looking worried.

"Well, she's not as. . .concerned."

"I thought she was, why else would she do all of that?"

"I mean when we first met her she was so sweet and was easily upset by things, you know, a bit emotional at times. . ."

"And?"

"She so easily attacked that Mobile suit, even though she knew who was in it, and she drained Heero without a second thought and didn't even look concerned afterward! Duo, she's changing, aren't you worried?" Duo looked away, gazing out across the forest.

"I don't really know what to do, or to say. I've ticked her off so often lately I don't know if I have any right to do anything."

"Duo, don't say that! Look, I'm sure things are tough but that happens sometimes! Just talk to her!" Duo shook his head and Quatre scowled, grabbing Duo's shoulders and shaking him slightly.

"Talk to her, now!" Duo stared at him in surprise, Quatre's fury being such an unseen reaction. He finally nodded and said, "But, she's-"

"I don't care if she's lying in pieces on the floor, get in there and talk to her!"

That was gross. . .and from Quatre's mouth, no less. . .Duo thought as he walked toward the hut. He looked down at Rachel, seeing her still asleep. He glanced back at Noin and saw that she was asleep too, resting her head on the bed. He swallowed and turned back to Rachel, crouching and gently shaking her shoulder. She awoke and looked up sleepily at him. He didn't smile as he said, "Sorry to wake you up, but I wanted to talk to you."

"Can it wait?" Rachel asked, a little reluctant to get up yet.

"No, I'm sorry." She sat up and he stood, looking down at the floor by the door. She paused, looking at him expectantly. He looked back at her and said, "Alone?" She sighed and got up, following him outside. He walked all the way down to the last hut and turned, leaning against the railing across from the hut and waiting for Rachel to catch up. She strolled over to the hut, leaning against it with her arms crossed, staring out over the forest. Duo silently looked at the deck for a while until Rachel said, "So, what did you drag me out of bed for?" Looking up, Duo said, "I. . .I wanted to explain my actions earlier. I was a jerk, I'm sorry."

"Duo, I really don't want to talk about this." Rachel said, sighing.

"Please, I need to tell you this. I only acted the way I did because I. . .I'm scared." She looked over at him, still looking annoyed as she said, "Of what?"

"Of losing you. I have this idea in my head that if I mess up, I'm coming one step closer to being dumped for some cuter and nicer guy, someone like Quatre or Trowa. . .I think Quatre wouldn't mind."

"Duo, how could you say that?"

"Because, I'm so scared! You should know how many things I've lost, how all the people I've grown close to have died! First I never had parents to love me, at least I don't remember them, I probably cursed them for even bringing me into the world. Then I lost Solo, my best friend in the entire universe and practically my brother. Father Maxwell and Sister Helen didn't last long before my curse fell on them and they died in their church. No one that has loved me has lived long, and I don't want to lose another person that I cherish. But I think everyday that you're with me I will do something to hurt you or say something to drive you away."

"Duo, I know about your unfortunate past, but that won't happen again, not this time." Rachel responded calmly. Duo stepped over to her and grabbed her shoulders, saying, "I never thought they would leave me either but they did! You can't say something you know nothing about, you can't judge the future before it has even come! You could die tomorrow, heck, you almost died today!"

"But I didn't, Duo. . ." Rachel looked into his eyes, "As long as we have each other, nothing can bring us down."

"I. . .I just don't have the faith that you do, Rachel. . ." Duo looked down in shame, tears coming to his eyes. Rachel reached up, touching Duo's cheek softly as she said, "You can, just don't let doubt rule your world. With Jesus by your side, you'll never have to doubt anything again. 'But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible'. That's a very good verse and it reminds me that you can't always count on people to get you through, but God will never let you down. If our love is meant to be, it will be. No demon or other Hell sent creature can break us apart if we have the hands of God guarding us."

"But I thought I was Hell sent." Duo said, slightly out of sarcasm.

"No, you're my little angel. . ." Rachel kissed him on the cheek and hugged him.

"Angel?" Duo whispered in surprise.

"My guardian angel sent from Heaven to watch over me, I love you so much, Duo. . ." He hugged her tighter and said, "I love you too. . ." Just then, they heard a loud scream echo from one of the huts. Blinking in shock, Rachel said, "Zechs!" They ran down to the hut and found Zechs laying on the floor face down, screaming in pain with Noin by him not wanting to touch him but looking frantic. Rachel quickly knelt by him and said, "What happened!"

"I don't know! I was sleeping and I heard him scream and then I found him on the floor!" Noin said, her eyes wild with shock.

"Alright, calm down, I'll help him." Rachel placed her hands on his back, causing him a bit more pain as she closed her eyes. In a second, he stopped yelling and Rachel swayed a bit. Duo grabbed her before she fell over and held her against his chest as he watched Zechs get up, wobbling to his feet.

"Zechs, you can stand!" Noin asked, looking even more shocked. Touching his back, Zechs stared down at Rachel, saying, "She's full of surprises. . .I didn't know she could heal too."

"Yeah, there's a lot to her that we don't know about." Duo said, stroking her hair as she rested against him, taking deep breaths and feeling faint. Zechs sat down on the bed and stared at her, thinking, If Treize ever found out about her, who knows what he could do. . .his powers would be endless, he could. . .rule the world. . .

"Zechs, now that you can move, is there any place you need to go?" Noin asked.

"I need to speak to Relena, where is she?" Zechs asked.

"With Heero last I saw, in the first hut." Duo said, pointing in its general direction. Zechs nodded and stood, walking toward the door. Noin jumped up and followed him, remembering how dangerous Heero threatened to be before.

"Everything changes now. . ." Rachel muttered, closing her eyes.

"Huh? What do you mean? Rachel?" Duo looked down at her but found her fast asleep.

Everything changes. . .but in what way? And is this necessarily a good thing? Duo thought as he cradled Rachel in his arms and rocked her slowly.