Just a Shadow
Disclaimer: - I don't own Gundam Wing or any of its characters!
Chapter 14: Duo's Jealousy
Hey guys! I know it's been a little while, but I've been busy! My interview is tomorrow and things have been catching up with me! I hope you like this chapter!
KentouKurige: I wish II had a Fei kitty! Oh well, Jasmine will have to do for now! I hope you like this chapter! I'm so happy to hear you're enjoying the fic! It make it all worth it!
Nolwe the Lady Dragon: I'm glad u liked the Trowa/Quatre decision – you wouldn't believe how many people I made happy with that decision! I hope you like how the story is going and I'll be sure to stick to the friendships.
Ms Son: Thanks for giving the hamster drawings a try! I can't wait to see them! I thought the readers might like the Fei kitty and the Trowa/Quatre bit! I'm happy I was right!
Silversilence0: Yep, everyone seemed to like the pink and beetles – but you do all know he was only joking right? … right? Lol, anyway, I hope you like this chapter!
Kira May Maxwell: Don't worry, lots of people leave short reviews like you did, at least you too the time to review, and that's what matters! You have no idea how happy it made me to hear you say you'd keep reading my fic no matter what, it REALLY means a lot to me – this chapter is dedicated to you!
Silvertwighlight: I can't promise they'll stay friends, but it does look likely at the moment. Were all welcome to our on opinions, I myself don't mind what couples are chosen. Thanks for remaining with this fic, but remember, I control this fic so you are lucky I'm a quick updater and even bother to update even though it's injuring my arms.
LonelyWalker: You put across a great point with Duo. I hadn't thought of that, it crossed my mind, put never thought of putting it in, but now that you mention it, it would fit. Thanks for your review and I'm happy your enjoying this fic.
Muchacha: I don't want to make any promises, but I'll let a little secret slip, that's my favourite couple too! The future may look bright for you!
Milharu: Not sure, you'll just have to wait and see!
TKM: Wufei isn't with anyone right now, the pin was just a joke to lighten the mood in the room. I can't say what couples have in store (if any lol), you'll just have to keep on reading!
Spunky the Hamster: Thanks for your review. As I've said, there are no promises, but it seems to be leaning that way.
EquineAngel: Thanks so much for your great review and I'm sorry to hear about your jaw! That must have been painful! I will be gong into a little more detail with Quatre/Trowa, but for now I didn't want to make too much of a scene with them. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
Duo's POV
"Heero!" I protest "Stop it!"
Heero's putting up a bit of a fight today. He knows where we're going and he's not happy about it. Heero hates the doctors. Usually he'd be too out of it to much up much of a fight, but since his mind is collecting itself more often, he's putting up quite a struggle.
"Heero!" I yell
He's managed to worm out of my grasp and stumble out of the car. He's runs for the house door and I chase after him but he ends up running straight into Trowa. Tro grabs him and speaks some soft words to him for a second before running a hand through his bangs. As he does this I see Heero's eyes half close which means he's relaxed. Towa then leads him back to the car.
I can feel the jealousy rising, but I push it back down. I know it's wrong but I can't help but feel a little betrayed. I'm the sucker that gave up two years of his life to take care of the guy and got nothing. The other pilots come for a visit and within a day he's talking!
I sigh and watch annoyed as Trowa leads him back to the car. I can hear the others coming out now. For some reason they all wanted to come with us! Well I guess it will save on having to explain what the doctor said a million times over. I can hear Quatre behind me now. He rests a hand on my shoulder.
"Its okay" he whispers in my ear "Try not to get so frustrated, we're here now"
Exactly. That's the problem. I work my butt off to take care of him and help him survive, and you come along and take all the rewards.
"Thanks Quat" I reply "I appreciate it"
He smiles and I smile back. Mr Space heart can't even tell its fake – what? You actually though I'd let him know what I'm thinking? Don't be stupid! I'm Duo, the happy clown! Yeah, that's me.
Everyone's getting ready to leave now so I jump in the back with Heero. He yawns and Fei tells him he can rest his head on his shoulder if he wants. I ground my teeth together and bite back the comment I want to say. I know they're only trying to help, but where were they for the last two years? I could have used this help in the beginning, not now.
Don't get me wrong, I love the guys, I really do. I'm happy for Quat and Tro being a couple and Fei's always a riot to e around when you get him ticked off, but, can't they just give me a little while alone with Heero. I looked after him for two years alone, and now I can't get five minutes with the guy!
Oh well, I guess I'll just have to get used to it. There isn't a hundred percent guarantee that this operation will work, so he might be like this forever, and even if it did work, the guys will be living with us now. I kind of got used to the quiet house with just me and Heero but now everything's so loud all the time! I guess this is divine justice. I used to be the loud one when people wanted quiet and now I want quiet and everybody is loud.
Heero's looking at me funny now and so are the other guys. I guess I've been staring off in to space for a while now.
"You okay Maxwell?" Wufei asks
My names Duo
"Yeah, fine Chang"
Wufei flinches - damn! I didn't mean to say that 'Chang' out loud! Now they'll know something's wrong and that's the last thing I need.
"Are you angry with me?" Wufei asks
"Nah" I reply, shrugging off the question
The car falls quiet and I sigh. This is bliss. I'll want to be around loud people later, but right now I have a headache.
"Are you sure you're not mad at me?" asks Wufei and I can feel my patience slipping.
I'm losing my temper and I really don't want to do that! If one more person asks me something, I'm going to explode and I know it.
"Fine" I reply
They all look at each other doubtfully and I frown. Since when am I the focus of attention? I don't want this! Just shut up and leave me alone for a while guys!
"Are you sure you're okay?"
Oh, God, I'm snapping.
"I'm fine! FINE! F-I-N-E –FINE! I just want some peace and fucking quiet for five fucking minutes! Why won't you give me that? I'm not a fucking baby!"
They're shocked and I don't give a damn! Heero's whining but what do I care – the others can take care of him after all!
"Duo please!" Quatre begs "Stop it! You're upsetting Heero!"
"Why should he be upset? He has you now after all! So just all of you leave me the fuck alone!"
Normal
Duo jumped into the back seats of the seven-seat car and folded his arms, pulling his cap down over his eyes. Heero began to twist and moan unhappily at the departure of his friend from the spot next to him, but Duo ignored him. Wufei and Quatre looked at each other worriedly whilst Trowa frowned.
"Duuu?" Heero called trying to turn around but failing miserably "Duuu!"
Quatre tried to help Heero turn around, but the Japanese man wriggled in his grip, protesting against the help. Duo ignored all of this and turned away.
"Duo!" Wufei scolded "Stop acting like such a baby!"
Duo smirked, but you could not see his eyes which were still shadowed under his cap.
"DUUU!" Heero shouted, wriggling in the seatbelt
"Maxwell!" the Chinese man shouted "Can't you see you're upsetting him!"
Duo looked up, the tears apparent in his eyes and everybody silenced, including Heero. He glared at each of them individually for a few seconds before turning to Trowa.
"Stop the car" he said in a deadly serious voice
Trowa made no objection and pulled over to the side of the road. The other cars stopped to make sure nothing was wrong, but after being reassured that the pilots would catch up and that they just needed to let Heero have a rest stop they went ahead to the doctors.
Once other were out of sight, Duo climbed out of the car and stated walking in the direction they had come. All of the pilots watched him leaving in shock before finally somebody moved.
"Duo!" Quatre yelled after the young American "Where are you going?"
No answer was given as Duo continued to slowly walk away. His braid swung slowly from side to side miserably.
"What wrong with him?" asked Trowa quietly
"Duuu … jell … jellos" Heero tried "…jellus"
"Jealous?" Wufei asked "He's jealous? But what of? I mean-"
Wufei stopped in his tracks and watched the retreating form of his comrade.
"We're fools aren't we?" Trowa asked
"Not fools" Quatre corrected "Just a little blind … what do you think we should do? Should we go after him?"
"Bit late for that" Wufei smirked
"What?"
Quatre looked to where Duo was slowly walking away to see Heero stumbling after him. Duo had yet to notice his follower and so the pilots watched in anticipation as Heero slowly caught up to his best friend.
When he was about a metre away, Heero called out for the braded American.
"Duuu?" he called softly
Duo stopped, but didn't turn around.
"Duuu … oo?"
The American flinched as his shoulders stiffened and his braid jumped.
"What did you say?" he asked quietly
"Duuoo?" Heero tried, having trouble with the word, but managing to slur it out.
Duo grinned widely and leapt on his Japanese friend, enveloping him in a hug. The pilots breathed a sigh of relief and ran to meet the two as they made up.
"You know I think were going to be okay" Quatre smiled "We just need to be careful not to push Duo out of the picture so much"
"I think you're right" Wufei agreed "We have to keep in mind the sacrifice he has made"
As the boys caught up, Duo began his apologies.
Two hours had passed and the pilots had yet to arrive at the doctors. Their guests had been waiting patiently, but some were worrying.
"Maybe we should go check to see if they're okay?" Relena asked
"They're fine" Noin reassured "We're sorry about how late Heero is" she said to the receptionist
"Oh, that's okay" the receptionist replied "We know how much of a handful Heero can be sometimes!"
"You know Heero?"
"Everybody here does, he's quite the mini-celebrity … everybody heard what happened and respects him for what he did"
"Oh … his operation is this weekend" Noin informed, trying to lighten the damp mood with small talk
"Yes, I heard – I hope it works, he was always such a charming young man – no trouble at all, I mean you would think that a Gundam pilot would-"
"You know about that!"
"Yes, we're a small village here, just outside of the town. Word doesn't spread to the town; it stays where it's said. He once said he felt safe here, like he could trust us"
"So I suppose you know who we are?"
"I do, Heero spoke a lot of his friends"
"Of us?"
"Yes, it was nice to meet all of those other boys too, he has such polite friends"
Noin said no more after that and the entire group sat in silence. They had only heard stories of how much Heero had changed, but they had never dreamed of him improving his personality this much"
Finally the pilots arrived and after much apologising, were ushered into a room where the doctor was waiting.
Heero glared at the pilots as they advanced on him. He was backed into a corner and knew that there was no escape.
"Come on Heero" Quatre soothed "Just take this and then we have to go"
"No"
"Yuy!" Wufei growled "Take the damn stuff and get moving!"
"No!"
"Come on Heero man!" Duo whined "The sooner you go, the sooner it's over!"
"I don't care! I'm not going to the doctors! I'm not sick!"
As if to reveal Heero's lie for what it was, a hard sneeze wracked the Japanese mans body, forcing him to hit the wall behind him.
"NOW!" Yelled Duo and they all pounced
After a long, hard and tiring struggle, the managed to force the flu medicine down Heero's throat and drag him into the car. With one pilot on either side of him, there was no escape. So he sulked.
"Stop whingeing Yuy!" Wufei scolded "If you hadn't have stayed out with Duo having that damn water fight all night, then this wouldn't have happened!"
"Sorry mother!"
Duo and Quatre giggled quietly, Trowa smirked and Wufei growled. Once they got to the doctors, they were ushered into the doctor's room where Heero would receive his check up.