Hm, well, here's the last chapter in These Days. I might end up doing an epilogue or something later. I haven't decided yet. Normally it doesn't take me so long, but I suffered from indecision on how to end this story. I've been working on a couple of other fics and sorta let this one slip for about a week or so. Which isn't really that long of a wait…right? Anyhoo, I hope this was worth the wait. Not too sure about it myself.

Disclaimer: Don't own GW or the song. Both belong to respective owners/creators/writers and all that other good stuff.

If That's What It Takes

I played the part of a broken heart upon a shelf

I played that part so lonely and so well

Thought that love belonged to someone else,

Not me and you

Yeah, I know that you've been shattered,

You've been bruised

And we both know what it feels like when you lose

But I'd bet my life on the roll of the dice for you.

If that's what it takes, that's what I'd do

Tonight's the night, I'm gonna prove that to you

Do I have to break down, baby just to break through

If that's what it takes, that's what I'd do

If that's what it takes….

Wufei looked up from the prone figure on the bed as Heero came into the room with some fast food.

"Hey."

"How is he?"

Wufei shook his head. "The same." After well over a week, Wufei feared that the doctor's predictions may come true and Duo might not wake up. Wufei had steadfastly ignored that possible outcome. There were others, too. The doctor said there was a chance of paralysis, too; but they wouldn't know anything until he woke up.

Heero sat on the edge of the bed. "When was the last time you slept?"

Wufei frowned. "Monday."

Heero sighed. "Wufei, its Thursday."

"Hm."

"You need rest."

"I will."

Suddenly, Duo's fingers flinched in his. He looked up to the heart shaped face. Finely shaped eyebrows lowered slightly before bruised lids fluttered. Wufei held his breath as Duo struggled to regain consciousness. Finally, violet eyes opened and glanced around the room before landing on Wufei. Duo stared at him as if he'd seen a ghost.

"Wh-" he licked dry lips and Wufei quickly poured him some water and held the cup to his mouth. After a couple sips, Duo settled back into the pillows. "What happened?"

Wufei ran his fingers down Duo's cheek. "What do you remember?"

"Was leaving some bar. That's all…" He shifter on the bed and froze. "Fei, I… I can't feel my legs." His fingers tightened in Wufei's.

"Calm down, Baby. The doctor said it was a possibility. It might be temporary." Wufei brushed back chestnut bangs. "It'll be all right. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

Duo looked up to him. "Fei…I gotta tell you somethin'…I was… unfaithful. I didn't want to, but-"

Wufei nodded. "I know what happened, Duo. You weren't unfaithful. You were used, and I told Une the same, right before I sued for everything she was worth."

Duo's mouth fell open. "You did what?"

"Une was an unfit leader. There are certain lines that should never be crossed, and she forced you to cross them. There had to have been another way, but she didn't give you the choice." He bowed his head. "And I didn't help, either. I always told you that missions had to be accomplished no matter what the cost. I'm sorry, Duo."

Duo closed his eyes. "It wasn't your fault. I should have quit, or let her fire me."

"Well, she's gone now."

"Who's in charge now?"

"I am."

Duo looked up to Heero. "Good."

Heero smiled. "You should have been there, though. Wufei cussed Une out in front of the whole department. Sounded just like you, actually."

Wufei's face reddened as Duo looked back to him.

"I'll get the doctor." Heero offered, stepping out of the room."

I bet you counted all the tears I bet you've cried

I bet you swore you'd never let love back inside

'Cause it hurt you way too bad to say good-bye

Now, there'll be times when I might put us to the test

And it's hard for broken hearts to just forget

But I'm driving blind; I'll lay it all on the line for you

If that's what it takes, that's what I'd do

Tonight's the night, I'm gonna prove that to you

Do I have to break down, baby just to break through

If that's what it takes, that's what I'd do

If that's what it takes….

Wufei pushed Duo's wheelchair up the newly built ramp to their front door. The braided man stared around the silver living room with a hint of a smile on his heart-shaped face. He grabbed Wufei's hand, seeking comfort from a pain he wasn't sure he could define. Wufei leaned down and nuzzled his face in Duo's neck.

"It's going to be all right, love."

Duo tilted his head away from the touch. "Don't, Fei."

The Chinese Preventer nodded and pulled away. He settled Duo into their bedroom before leaving to sleep on the couch. He knew it was going to take a while for them to return to the relationship they had had before. But Wufei was determined to show Duo that he still loved him, more than ever. If that meant sleeping on the couch for a year, he'd do it.

The next morning he awoke early and started breakfast before going to check on his lover. His heart caught in his throat when he entered the room. Duo was trying to crawl from the bed into his chair, but it'd rolled and he couldn't reach the handle. Wufei cursed himself for forgetting to put on the brakes and he pushed the chair closer to the bed and reached for Duo.

"No, I can do it, Fei." Determined violet eyes looked up to him. "I can."

Wufei smiled. "I know you can. Breakfast is almost ready. Do you need anything?"

Duo shook his head and turned to pull himself into the chair. When he settled, a ghost of a smile came to his lips. "Small hurdle, but one crossed."

Wufei smiled. "Yeah. Come on, I've got your favorite."

So, when you feel like jumping,

Just when your heart starts pumping

When you're standing out on the ledge – staring over the edge

I'll be there to talk you down; I'll be there before you hit the ground

Wufei came in from work, pulling his tie loose as soon as he walked through the door. The smell of barbeque wafted from the kitchen and he smiled. Duo had been home for almost two months, and he was slowly returning to the man Wufei had fallen in love with. His smiles now were genuine, even if it did take more to bring them out. They had yet to talk about the incidents that lead to their problems, but Wufei knew Duo would talk about it when he was ready. The long haired man had promised him, and Duo never lied.

He went into the kitchen where music was blaring from the small radio. Duo was wheeling from one area to next, head bobbing to the music as he opened the oven to check on their dinner. He glanced over his shoulder and smiled.

"Welcome home."

"What's for dinner? Smells wonderful."

"Barbeque chicken, green beans and mashed potatoes." He chewed his lip. "Well, there will be mashed potatoes as soon as you get them down for me. I thought about climbing on the counter, but I figured you'd kill me if you came in and saw that."

Wufei laughed as he reached up into the cabinet. "You're right about that one." He set the box of instant potatoes on the counter and started to fix them himself. "What did you do today?"

"Well, Hilde called and we talked for a while. She's getting married next fall and wants us to come. Uh, Heero called just to say hi. Lessee," he tapped his finger on his chin. "Oh, and my legs started hurting."

Wufei dropped the bowl he was holding and turned quickly. "What?"

Duo nodded with the beginnings of a hopeful smile. "Yeah. It started right here." Duo pointed to the top of his thigh where the paralysis started. "And shot down to my knee."

He grabbed Duo's neck in a strong embrace. "I knew it would be all right."

Duo pulled Wufei close, basking in the warmth that he hadn't felt in months. He dropped his head to Wufei's shoulder and pulled him into his lap. "Fei, we need to talk." He tried to pull away, wanting to look into his lover's eyes, but Duo didn't release him. He took a shuddering breath. "Fei, I want you to know, that I let him touch me some, but I never touched him. And we never…" He coughed slightly. "I didn't sleep with him."

Wufei tugged Duo's braid gently. "I know you didn't. No matter what, I know you'd never cross that line."

"But he did touch me, Fei. And I was so afraid of failing a mission that I let him. I didn't know what you would do if I got fired. And I just didn't want…" He groaned. "I know it was stupid. I know you would rather I quit then allow someone else to touch me. But I just… I'm sorry."

Wufei leaned back, still sitting in Duo's lap. "You're forgiven. Now, what about the orphanage?"

Duo's face paled and he looked away. "It was a catholic orphanage. It looked so much like the one I stayed at. I know there weren't any kids there, but I could have sworn I saw Sister Helen there as it went up in flames. And she was looking at me, asking me why I would do such a thing. I tried to tell her I had to, but she didn't care about that. She just stared at me." His chest heaved with labored breaths. "I couldn't save her again, but this time, I really killed her."

"Duo, look at me." Onyx eyes met wild violet. "She wasn't there, Duo. It was an illusion. You didn't kill her. She loved you, Duo. You weren't to blame for her death then, and no innocents were killed by what you did on that mission. Do you understand me?"

"But, Fei-"

He cupped his hands on Duo's cheeks and violet and onyx met. Once he was sure Duo would listen he nodded. "You were a child; there was no way you could save her then. It's a miracle you lived. Be thankful for what you have, Duo. Don't regret what might have been. She wouldn't want you to do that. She wanted you to live."

Duo nodded slowly. "How do you always know exactly what to say?"

Wufei smiled and kissed Duo softly. "It's my job. I love you."

Violet eyes closed. "I love you, too, Fei." His eyes flew open. "Dinner!"

If that's what it takes, that's what I'd do

Tonight's the night, I'm gonna prove that to you

Do I have to break down, baby just to break through

If that's what it takes, that's what I'd do

If that's what it takes…

"I can't believe how well he's doing." Wufei commented to Heero as they watched Duo and Quatre talking.

Heero snorted. "I can. He's always been a fighter and you never knew when to give up." He met Wufei's eyes. "With the two of you together, there was no way you could fail."

Wufei blushed slightly. "I think you give me too much credit."

"No, not really. What the two of you have is obvious to everyone around you. It's passionate. Even when you aren't in the same room, it's obvious. You belong together."

Wufei smiled slightly. "Thank you, Heero."

The Japanese man nodded. Duo glanced their way with a grin and Heero sighed. "Well, I think its time we head out. See you Monday at work."

The house fell to silence as the other ex-pilots said their good byes and left. Duo sat in the living room on the couch, head leaned back and eyes closed. Wufei crossed to him and leaned over the back of the couch. "You tired?"

"No, not really. Tonight was fun. It's been a long time since I had fun like that."

Wufei trailed his fingers up Duo's arms. "Yeah. It has been too long."

Narrowed violet eyes turned to him, something in their depths that brought a sultry smile to Wufei's lips. Not sure who actually instigated it, they both found themselves in a furious kiss that held all the longing, passion, and love that they possessed. Without breaking the kiss, Wufei moved to the front of the couch and straddled Duo's lap. Fingers pulled the band from his hair, letting the silken locks fall about his shoulders. Wufei sighed contentedly as fingers ran through his hair and Duo's lips descended to his neck.

"I've missed you."

"I'm sorry." Duo mumbled it against Wufei's collarbone as he continued unbuttoning his lover's shirt to expose more skin. "I promise we'll never have to miss each other again if I have anything to say about it."

Wufei smiled and pulled Duo's shirt over his head. He had wanted their first time together again to be slow and loving, but as his arousal grew he changed his mind. They had plenty of time for that later. Right now, he just needed his lover like he'd never needed anything before. And by the look in Duo's eyes, he was pretty sure he felt the same way. He hopped up long enough to grab the lube from the bedroom and stripped off his pants before sliding back over Duo's legs. He rubbed his hand down Duo's chest, falling to the trapped arousal in his jeans. Duo hissed.

"Hm, bet that's a little painful, isn't it?"

Duo growled low in his throat as Wufei rubbed him through the thick denim. "You're killing me, Fei."

"Hm." Having mercy on him, Wufei slid down his body and stripped the jeans from Duo's legs. He ran kisses up Duo's thighs and smirked against the skin as Duo moaned out a plea for him to hurry up. He kissed up Duo's chest, suckling a sensitive spot on his neck. "I'm going to make you remember what it was like our first time together."

Duo's head fell back on the back of the couch. "We were slightly tipsy the first time as I recall. And it took you forever to get off…Shit!" A warm hand slowly traced up and down his erection as lips and tongue moved over his chest. Wufei kissed down his chest and looked up to Duo as his tongue grazed the tip of his erection. Duo bit his lip. "I hope… you're not planning a long night… 'Cause I won't last long."

Wufei shook his head and replaced his mouth with a slippery hand, lubing the Duo's length. "Me either. I need you." He pressed his lips to Duo's as he straddled his lap once more. Violet met onyx as Wufei placed his hands on Duo's shoulders, bracing himself. In that moment, they both felt that it was their first time all over again. Nerves warred with passion in Duo's face as his lover stared down at him. Duo couldn't even remember how long it had been since they'd been together. But the last time, he had complete control over his body. Now, his legs weren't functioning and he was afraid he wouldn't be able to satisfy Wufei.

"Fei…"

"I know, don't worry about it. Just let me do the work." He leaned down and kissed Duo in a way that made him forget his anxiety. Slowly, Wufei lowered himself down. A groan escaped him that was a mixture of pleasure and pain. He had opted not to stretch himself, and for a moment he had the passing thought that he might regret that later. But it didn't over ride the feeling of having Duo inside him again. Nothing could make him regret that. He sat all the way back and paused. He needed the time to adjust, but he also relished in the feeling of being filled. It was a feeling he never grew tired of. One that he had been longing for ever since his and Duo's problems had started.

Duo pressed his forehead to Wufei's chest, arms wrapping around his back underneath the shirt he still wore. A small smile came to his lips. Wufei never actually managed to get out of all his clothes when they made love. There was always something left behind. He pulled back and looked up. Wufei was watching him with half lidded eyes, hair framing his face. The white shirt hung off his shoulders, a stunning contrast to his dark skin. He was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

"I love you, Fei."

He smiled and rose up slowly and dropped back down, setting a slow pace. "I love you, too." The passion grew quickly, and Duo clenched his teeth, trying to push further up into the tight heat that enveloped him. Wufei's fingers gripped his shoulders tightly; low moans and cries falling from his kiss swollen lips. Duo's hands ran up and down his lover's back, but his eyes stayed on his face. Taking in every expression of passion as Wufei alternated between open mouth gasps and biting his lip to quiet himself. The sight itself was almost enough to send Duo over the edge. One of Wufei's hands left his shoulder and went to his own straining erection and pumped it in time with his thrust. His head fell back, eyes on the ceiling as his climax took him.

Duo felt Wufei tighten around him and groaned as he filled his lover, marking him as his once more. Wufei dropped his forehead to Duo's shoulder, unable to stop tears that filled his eyes as he rode out the last of his orgasm. Duo tightened his hold around his back, as if afraid that if he let go Wufei would disappear. His own tears mingled with Wufei's as their lips met again. Not in a frenzied kiss, but in a slow, lingering kiss that expressed and expelled all their fears. Duo groaned as long, slender fingers pulled the tie from his hair and unwove the braid.

He leaned his head back as Wufei continued playing with his hair while kissing his way up and down Duo's neck. They continued the cuddle, alternating between kissing and talking and silently enjoying the other's presence. Wufei remaining firmly seated on Duo's length, unwilling to part with the contact. "You plan…to stay there… all night?"

He felt the lips on his chest stretch into a lazy smile. "Hm… Actually, that sounds like a good idea." He moved slightly and Duo's breath caught as he felt his reawakening erection against his stomach.

"Insatiable, aren't you?"

"Is that a problem?"

Duo lowered his hand to Wufei's length and rubbed his thumb in gentle circles across the tip. His hips bucked, and Duo gasped as Wufei started moving slowly. "No, I don't have a problem with it. But you won't be able to move tomorrow."

"It's Saturday anyway."

Duo looked up into those dark eyes. "Why?" An eyebrow quirked slightly and Duo looked away. "Why did you take me back?"

Fingers traced down his jaw line. "I promised myself something, Duo. That if I ever found a love worth holding on to, that's what I'd do. I'm not ever letting you go again. If you need me to prove how much I love you every day for the rest of our lives, I will. If you need me to show you every day how precious you are, I will. I'll do whatever it takes to make you understand how much I love you."

Duo bit his lip. "I know you love me."

"Here." Wufei pressed his hand to Duo's forehead. "But here," he put his hand over Duo's heart, "you don't believe you're worthy of it."

Duo grinned slightly. "You always could read me like an open book. Fine, if you want me every day for the rest of your life, I guess I can do that." His grin became full bloom. "Besides, who else could put up with your sex drive?"

Wufei smirked and picked up the pace of his riding. "No one can. Now shut up." And Duo did just that. After all, if the most beautiful man in the world decided he was worth loving, who was he to argue?

If that's what it takes, that's what I'd do

If we take the time to do it right, I know we'll pull through

If it took all my life, I'd prove it to you

If that's what it takes, that's what I'd do

If that's what it takes…

The end

Much appreciation to any who would so kindly review my story!