ÿþTeddy bears and Lillies By Ashes, Trowa's kitty Written as a response to one of the many challenges from Nelia. Rating: PG13 Pairings: 2x5 notes: this pairing is for you, Nelia, i had some really good ideas but they fled when my computer died at one point so i hope this is ok. Summery: Duo has a secret admirer, is this person for real or not? Teddy Bears and Lillies Duo Spent the day in the office, and while that was unusual, the fact that he volunteered was the real shocker. anouther for the day was that someone had sent him a flowers, an assortment of Roses. Until Wufei had come in, everyone thought he was finally making his move, which every one had been waiting for. the flowers sent Wufei into a low simmer. The next day, Duo headed out to the field, Wufei stayed in to do paperwork. He had gotten up from his desk only once, and when he returned, he found a box of his American's favorite chocolate, sitting neatly on Duo's chair. Wufei prided himself on supreme control, as he didnt rip the note and box to shreds during the day. Duo was delighted but wouldn't share the note with anyone. he had a goofy grin on his face when he found the box in his work space. Duo spent the next couple weeks receiving gifts of all kinds. the guys couldn't really say anything, though, they were become concerned. Wufei became more reclusive then ever before and Duo became really sloppy in his work. after several weeks of this, Quatre pulled Duo aside. "Duo do you know who this is? i mean have they ever told you? All of us feel that something isnt right with all of this." "What, are you guys jealous? and No i dont know who it is yet, and i dont care, someone actually loves me, Quatre, why should i care?" Duo flounced off, and was stopped by a wall of the gundam pilots. they silently moved aside to let him go, but not before hesitating. Duo just glared at them all before he left the house. Wufei tried to call out to him, to make Duo hear him, "Duo!" the door slammed. "we do care for you. I love you." the last was naught but a whisper. the next week they had a mission, one that required all their strength and concentration. Duo was found out and captured. the guys tried, and argue as they may, Lady Une wouldnt let them break their positions. "he might be able to pick up information. I repeat you are not to break your cover." "But, Lady Une! You dont know what they are doing to him in there!" Quatre was the only one to dare argue with Lady Une. As he had felt pangs of pain, dispair and fear from Duo. "I Said No, Quatre!" Lady Une flicked off the Communication link. she regretted the fact that they had to leave him there. Quatre was right, they didnt know what was happening to him, but she could almost guarentee it wasnt good. The mission only had one more day. At least that was what Duo had thought, he had lost track of time awhile ago. He could only hope here was only one more day left. Every several hours or maybe days, Duo just didnt know anymore, two men would enter his cell. they did nothing more then question and beat the hell out of him when he didnt answer. his thoughts ranged from his friends to his secret admirer. the notes the admirer left him gave him hope that some one really cared. A year ago, hell, six months ago, Duo would have done anything to gain the attention of Wufei in particular and the rest of the pilots. nothing he had tried work. he gave up, if after all these years, he just couldnt think of anything else. then just over a month ago, someone started to leave little presents for Duo. they werent left only on his desk but all over the office and his room. the little notes were so sweet that some almost made him cry. if he could just meet the person he was sure everything would be perfect. he would finally have what he had always dreamed of. the men came in several times more. He was weakening. he wasnt sure how much more he could take, the beatings seemed to get worse every time, but then he really wasnt allowed much time to heal. He was losing his hold on consciousness, was it a day? had it already been a week? or longer? how much more can i take? I will get through this, i have to. there is hope in my life for the first time in a long time. Duo found strength. with it he clung to life, he just didnt have enough for consciousness. he felt as if he was floating, then nothing. They disobeyed Lady Une. They gathered the information and layouts early and broke Duo out. there was going to be hell to pay for it but none of them regretted it. they all took turns sitting with Duo for the next sevral days. Lady Une didnt take any serious actions against them after she found out Duo's condition. She had to take some action. She hadnt wanted to think what could have happened if they hadnt disobeyed. She also knew about the secret admirer and couldnt figure out why Duo couldnt see the feelings the other pilots,especially Wufei, wore on their sleeves for him. - Duo woke to find wufei, asleep in a very uncomfortable chair by his bed. "Wufei?" his voice came out as a croak. Wufei jerked out of his chair as he heard the raspy voice. "Maxwell." Wufei didnt know what to say. he had been so worried about Duo that now that he was ok, Wufei didnt know how to react. "Trowa should be here soon. i'll just call the nurse for you." He got up and left. the nurse came in and injected a clear fluid in Duo's i.v. Duo fell back into he world of unconsciousness. What he didnt see as a result was the guys coming in and sitting with him. the concerned looks on their faces. he hadnt realized how much all of them really cared. He also missed Lady Une and several others from work. Duo was released several days later, after his wounds were taken care of and there wasnt much more the doctors at the hospital could do for him that Quatre's Medical staff couldnt do at his place. Duo wasnt yet ready to be out on his own, his leg still needed to heal the break and his ribs needed the down time as well. But none of that stopped him when he recieved the vase of calla Lillies with a note that yet again he wouldnt tell the guys what it said. All he heard was their argueing with him about his life, he didnt catch the concern, the pain in their eyes as some of them could hide their emotions rather well. Duo was determined to follow the note. to head to the place of life. the green house in the city, and to be there at midnight, the Rose gardens. when he got there all he found was a note, and the remiants of a stuffed animal, a teddy bear. the bear's stuffing was spread out all over, its limbs and body almost as wide spread as the stuffing. Duo read it, several times over, just to be sure he wasnt dreaming, though at that time he wished he was. it had all been a joke, a cruel, sick and twisted joke. he was worthless and didnt deserve to be loved, hell to even be alive. the note told him that and so much more. he almost hadnt realized that someone had taken him into an embrace, until he felt the arms tighten around him as the tears coursed down his face. he looked up to find Wufei making soothing noises and rubbing Duo's back. "Come on Duo, What ever is wrong, we can fix it. no need to cry." Wufei continued to sooth Duo as the braided one cried even harder at what he had been told. Wufei picked up the little bit of paper Duo had dropped before he had started to cry. he read it around Duo's hair and his shaking shoulders. He wanted to tear the person apart for what they had the audacity to write. Duo had every right, more some then most to be loved. he had more worth in this world then he would ever know what to do with and he was so beyond needed. Wufei carried the exhuasted man home. After tucking Duo back into his bed, Wufei brought up the note and its contents. and the teddy bear. the guys were all outraged. Quatre came close to zero system again, the glint in his eyes promised torture beyond all belief if they ever caught the guy responsible. Heero cursed in some pretty inventive ways and polished his gun. Trowa silently sharpened his sister's knives. they all sat in various furniture in Duo's room until he woke the next afternoon. "Dont you ever go and worry us like that again, Duo Maxwell" Quatre started in on him followed by Trowa. "Do you have any idea how worried we were?" then Heero had his say. "Dont expect to live a long life if you pull that again." and Wufei finished it off. "We shouldnt keep secrets like those from each other, and remember you mean the world to us." Duo's eyes widend and before he could say anything, Wufei's mouth dropped on his for a light tender kiss. the others were just as shocked as Duo. Wufei pulled back with a grin. "Never let anyone make you feel less then what you are. you are the Universe to me." "We will always be your friend, no matter what is going on." Quatre chimed in. Heero and Trowa just nodded in agreement. Before Duo could argue, Heero spoke up, "no argueing with us. have you ever known us to be wrong, i mean when its really important?" When Duo shook his head, "I didnt think so, so just remember you will always be able to find some one who cares for you." "You are never alone," Trowa piped up. "We cant stand to see you so unhappy, you know we would do anything for you." Quatre said. Wufei finished by saying three little words, "i love you." "Really?" Duo asked.on a table near the bed, Wufei pulled a very soft tan teddy bear and 1 tiger lilly. he gave them to Duo, with a ring on the bow of the teddy bear. Wufei knew what was Duo's favorite things, a teddy bear and lillies "Always." the end Review button: I am now going to hypnotise you, please follow the pendant as it rocks gently back and forth. you are now falling under the hypnosis, you feel compelled to leave a review, a review of your choice, good, bad or ugly, what ever, but you must leave a review. as soon as you have done so, you will wake up and eveything will be normal again, what ever normal is to you. thank you!