Disclaimer: see previous chapters.

Thank you so much for not hating me! Yay! I really couldn't picture the story going any other way. Now it's Nurse Duo to the rescue!

Checkmate

Chapter 14

When Duo had gotten the call from Lady Une about Wufei, the man was already back on earth and in the hospital. He hadn't wasted any time in racing to his partner's side. He sat there at Wufei's side, dressed in his pajama pants, leather jacket and tennis shoes. When he arrived, the doctors weren't going to let him stay, but Sally interceded on his behalf.

So Duo had been sitting at Wufei's side for three days, talking to him, helping the nurses bathe him, all the while not losing physical contact if he could help it. He'd called Quatre and filled him in on the situation, and surprisingly enough, the sensitive young msn knew he was calling with bad news. He promised to keep them posted and told them not to worry about traveling to see Wufei until he was wake and could visit with them.

"Please, 'Fei. I know you can hear me. You always told me my voice had the power to break through your most intense concentration. This isn't any different, right?"

Duo squeezed Wufei's hand and then held it against his cheek. Wufei's hands had always been soft and cool to the touch. His hand was still soft, but now it was warm from being held so tightly by Duo. The man with the chestnut braid frowned. This wasn't his best friend. His hand wasn't supposed to be warm. He wasn't supposed to be lying there, bruised, in a coma. He wasn't supposed to be….weak.

"'Fei….you're the strongest person I know. So just wake up."

Duo reached out and stroked the ebony hair that was left unbound. "I didn't tie your hair back because I thought it might annoy you enough to wake you up." A bitter chuckle left his lips and he laid his head down on the bed, still holding Wufei's hand. "But if it'll get you to wake up, I'll tie it back for you, ok? Just say the word. Just open your eyes and tell me what a stupid baka I am and how you're going to kick my ass for letting people see you with your hair down."

Duo's eyes burned as he fought the tears that he knew were coming. "I'm not going to leave you, 'Fei. I'm not going to move from this spot until you wake up and tell me to go away."

"Never….go away….baka."

Duo's eyes flew open but he didn't move. The voice had been so soft, he thought he might have imagined it. Maybe I'm just hearing things. Did I just hear his voice?

"'Fei?"

"Where….?"

"I'm here. I'm here."

Duo sat up, his face full of concern despite his relief at seeing his best friend awake. He could see Wufei trying to get his bearings. He'd been in a coma for the past three days and the room was dimly lit at the moment because it was the middle of the night.

"Where…is here?"

"You're back on earth. You've been in a coma for three days."

"Three…"

Duo saw the tension in Wufei's body immediately.

"But you're going to be fine. Just relax. I need to call the doctor and tell him you're awake, ok?"

"No."

"Huh?"

"Tell me….what happened?"

Duo subconsciously squeezed Wufei's hand tighter and his voice became hard.

"That's what I'd like to know. All Lady Une will tell me is that the matter is being investigated. Don't you remember anything, 'Fei?"

"Milliardo. Where's….Milliardo?"

Duo's heart broke at his friend's request. Not just because he was asking for the man when Duo was right in front of him, ready to help and comfort him, but also because he didn't want to hurt Wufei and tell him nobody had heard from the Chancellor. What kind of boyfriend doesn't come to see his lover who is in a coma? Heartless bastard.

"He, uh….Lady Une says she hasn't been able to reach him. He's on some diplomatic mission. But I'm sure that as soon as he's able, he'll come right here to see you."

"Liar."

Wufei took a slow, deep breath and looked away from the glistening sad eyes fixed on him.

"He found out that I killed Treize."

"What? How?"

"I don't know how." Wufei sighed and rubbed his face a few times to try and clear the fog from his mind. "They were lovers. He told me one night. Said he looked for Treize's killer but never found him. I sat right there, Maxwell….I listened to him, the pain in his voice…..and I kept the truth from him. He held me and told me….told me he loved me….and I…I Wufei turned to Duo, wanting to get the confession out. Needing to say it out loud. "I brought this upon myself. This is my punishment."

Duo stood there and listened to his best friend's pained voice cracking under emotion. He knew Wufei had killed Treize. He'd helped the man deal with his guilt for killing someone he considered a "strong, honorable man who understood justice". Wufei had gone to die that day, but instead, he'd walked away, victorious, bloody sword in hand and he hadn't been prepared to deal with the consequences. And that's why so few knew who killed Treize. Wufei never talked about it, except with Duo on a rare occasion.

"'Fei….are you telling me…." Duo's eyes were wide with comprehension and all he could hear was his heart pounding in his ears. "Did he do this to you?"

Wufei looked down at his hand as Duo squeezed so tight he was cutting off the circulation. Duo's body was shaking and both his fists were clenched.

"Maxwell, please…."

Wufei reached out and brushed the tears from Duo's cheeks. Then he wrenched his other hand from Duo's vise grip and reached up, cupping Duo's face and gently guiding him down to rest his head on his chest, and then he began stroking the chestnut bangs. He wasn't sure of his actions, all Wufei did know was having Duo there, resting against him, was very comforting. He felt Duo trying to awkwardly find a way to put his arms around him and Wufei couldn't help but smile.

"It's ok, I won't break."

Duo's arms slowly snaked their way up both his sides until his hands were resting under Wufei's pillows. He closed his eyes and nestled in at Wufei's neck and began to mutter as he tried to keep his anger in check.

"I'll never forgive him for this……there's no excuse for what he did…. I'll kill him. If he ever comes near you again, I'll kill him."

"You will do no such thing, Maxwell. I will deal with him." I brought this upon myself. I was selfish and weak and this is my punishment.

"But---"

"Enough." Wufei tugged on Duo's braid for emphasis. The two remained in silence for awhile, Wufei gently rubbing Duo's back and Duo trying to control his emotions for his best friend's sake. "Maxwell? Are you in your pajamas?"

"Sort of. I have my bottoms on. The hospital gave me a shirt."

Wufei squeezed Duo as hard as he could with what he assumed was a fractured forearm and just ignored the dull ache in his chest. "You've been here the whole time haven't you?" He felt Duo's head nod. "Thank you, Maxwell. But now I want you to go home and get some sleep."

"No!"

Duo sat up and looked defiantly at his best friend who, in his weakened state, couldn't muster a proper glare in return.

"I'm staying right here."

"But I'm awake now and you said---"

"Shut up! I didn't listen to the doctors and I'm not going to listen to you. I'm staying until I can take you home and that's final."

Wufei knew how strong Duo's resolve was and he would stay the entire time. But it was Wufei's job to take care of Duo as much as it was Duo's job to take care of him. he made sure that when he spoke this time, his voice was soft, calm, but authoritative.

"Maxwell. You have to go home and bathe and change clothes."

"I'll have someone bring me some clothes and I'll use your shower here in the room."

"And what are we going to do here? Are we going to sit here and share our feelings?"

Duo ignored the bitterness in Wufei's voice, knowing the man was just lashing out. "We can do lots of things! We can watch TV, read, talk. Hey! We can play chess if you like."

Wufei's face went slack, and then he completely withdrew into himself. Duo hadn't seen him look that guarded and distant in years. What did I say?

"'Fei? Did I say something wrong?"

"N-no."

Duo saw that faraway look in Wufei's eyes and his heart sank. "I didn't mean it. Whatever I said, I didn't mean it."

Wufei looked at him, and Duo saw nothing but two bottomless pits of black oblivion. "You said nothing wrong, Maxwell. But perhaps you should call the doctor now. The pain in my chest is getting worse."

Duo just nodded and picked up the phone to dial the nurse's station.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Duo stood off to the side, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, head bowed and a smile on his face. He had been listening to Wufei and the doctor argue for over fifteen minutes now and he figured sooner or later he was going to have to intervene.

Suddenly the door opened and in walked Lady Une, looking as imposing as ever in her uniform, tight hair style and glasses.

"Gentlemen. I understand we have a bit of a disagreement going on here. What seems to be the problem?"

"I am not staying in this hospital another moment! These quacks want me to stay for a week!"

"Lady Une. This man is recovering from serious injuries and a coma. He needs medical supervision. I cannot in good conscious let him leave this hospital."

Lady Une looked at Duo who just shrugged. "Don't look at me. I'm just the hired help."

Her gaze turned to Wufei and the former Gundam pilot was shocked to see her eyes soften. "Surely we can compromise, gentlemen." She smiled at Wufei before turning her attention back to the doctor. "He can recover at home with daily visits from a nurse and he will come in twice a week for a check up until you see fit to release him. Is this acceptable?"

Wufei nodded his agreement, knowing that once Lady Une laid out a "compromise" you accepted it or faced her wrath and her decision, with no compromising whatsoever. Wufei could see the doctor wanted to protest, but he apparently read that look in her eyes and he finally sighed.

"Fine. I'll have the paperwork drawn up immediately."

"Thank you, doctor." Lady Une inclined her head to the doctor as he left the room. She turned her attention back to Wufei. "I guess I don't have to ask how you're feeling. Your stubbornness is a good sign."

"Thank you for your help."

"Anytime. I loathe doctors." She saw the smirk on Wufei's face and she was happy to see him acting like normal. But it didn't help to alleviate her guilt. She had handpicked Wufei to go on this mission and it had almost cost him his life. There was always a chance of getting hurt on any mission she assigned them. But this one had been different. This was supposed to be a training mission. She figured once the word got out that a Gundam pilot was part of the Chancellor's security, the attempts on his life would stop, making the mission relatively low-risk compared to most. But something very unexpected happened. He obviously cares for you to have allowed you into his heart, Chang. I didn't think he'd ever let anyone in after Treize. So how could Zechs have done this to you?

"So…did you just stop by to prevent bloodshed, or did you have other motives?"

Duo came to stand by his boss's side, his face serious for the light tone of his voice.

Lady Une cleared her throat and turned back to Wufei. "Chancellor Peacecraft has been inquiring about your health everyday. I have told him that if you wished for him to know anything you would tell him yourself. I have a feeling he will be trying to come and see you though once you leave the hospital. What would you like me to do?"

"There's no way I'm letting that bastard--"

"Maxwell." Wufei closed his eyes and leaned his head back to face the ceiling. "Nothing. I want you to do nothing."

"'Fei!"

"We can keep the station on alert. If he shows up here, they can call me. But I don't think he will show. If he hasn't by now, why should he show up at all?"

Lady Une and Duo exchanged concerned glances.

"Alright. If that's what you want, I'll notify security and have them keep a watch out for the Chancellor's aircraft. I'll leave you to your rest now."

Wufei lifted his head and saluted his boss. "Thanks again for all your help."

Lady Une returned the salute and headed for the door. Just as she was about to leave, she leaned back and fixed Wufei with her brown eyes, a smile on her face. "Break this deal with the doctors, Chang, and I will personally see to it that you are strapped down to a hospital bed for a week and fed nothing but lime jello."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Duo had known Wufei long enough to know exactly how much he could push the reserved man before it would cost him some bodily harm. And the few times Wufei had retaliated with some form of physical punishment, Duo had thought it worth it each time. And now was no exception.

"Maxwell if you want to live to see your next birthday you will put me down this instant!"

The smiling young man with chestnut hair and a raging friend slung over his shoulder waved to the woman walking her dogs.

"No can do, 'Fei. The doctor said no unnecessary physical activity so Duo's Hauling Service is here to help!"

"MAXWELL!"

"The more you yell the more attention you call to yourself, you realize that, right?"

Not only did Wufei stop his tirade, but he stopped struggling as well. It was a quick ride up the elevator and to apartment 205 for the silent pair. Duo walked into the familiar apartment and proceeded to carefully deposit Wufei on the sofa.

"There you go. Feel better now?"

"You're dead, Maxwell."

"Yeah, yeah, I've heard that before. And from people with bigger guns than you."

He winked at his friend as he went into the kitchen to see what food he and Wufei would need for the next week or so. He'd decided the best way to keep an eye on his best friend and make sure he didn't do anything stupid, was to stay on the sofa at his apartment. Surprisingly, Wufei never argued with him.

"Man, 'Fei you really cleaned your kitchen out before you left!"

Duo grabbed the pen and paper by the phone and began to write an extensive grocery list as he walked back into the living room.

"Any requests?"

"Go away."

Duo ignored the glare aimed his way and continued to write out the grocery list. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Wufei's head lay back on the pillow. A second glance a few minutes later showed Wufei's eyes closed.

"The modern miracle of medicine ladies and gentlemen. It can even tame Chang Wufei."

Duo put a blanket on the sleeping man, made sure the telephone, remote and a glass of water were within arm's reach, then he left to buy groceries and pick up a bag of his clothes from his apartment.

To be continued…