A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting. Things have been crazy around here. But I have the next batch of chapters ready so hopefully the next few updates won't be so far apart.

Chapter 86

Quatre shut the door after Trowa's visit with a sigh. He could tell how much the stress of waiting for Kiri to wake up was wearing on his friend. Trowa might be spending more time in his hospital room but Quatre wasn't sure just how much resting he was actually doing. He looked tired, as if he hadn't been sleeping well and Quatre wasn't sure he was eating like he was supposed to, either. He'd been hopeful that Kiri would wake up today and had made the mistake of telling Trowa. When she hadn't woken up during his visit, Trowa had left frustrated and disappointed.

Quatre let his empathy rove over Kiri. He was certain she was going to wake up soon. He just wished he could pinpoint the timing better. He settled into a chair with a book. He didn't want the television to distract him from monitoring Kiri. After about an hour Quatre looked up from his book. Kiri felt distinctly different. He put his book aside.

Kiri rolled over with a soft whimper and gripped her lion tighter. Quatre moved over to the bed and pushed Kiri's bangs out of her face.

"Kiri? Are you awake yet?"

Kiri's face scrunched up as she curled into a ball, a louder whimper accompanying the action.

Quatre could feel that Kiri was on the verge of waking up but she didn't seem to want to. He didn't really blame her, sometimes reality wasn't worth the hassle, but it would really make everyone breathe easier to know that she was getting better.

Quatre sighed and ran a hand through Kiri's hair, pushing it behind her ear.

"I do wish you'd wake up, if only for Trowa's sake," Quatre told her softly.

Kiri's eyes opened just enough for Quatre to tell that she was, indeed, awake.

"Thank Allah. Kiri you had us all so worried."

"S'rry," Kiri slurred. "Didn' mean to."

Quatre couldn't help but grin. "I know. How are you feeling?"

"Tired."

"Yeah, I bet. Sally needs to check a few things and then you can sleep some more, okay?"

Kiri nodded and looked down at the lion she was snuggling with. Quatre went over to the phone and called the nurses' station. After leaving a message for Sally to let her know Kiri was awake, he hung up and went back over to Kiri, pleased to note that she hadn't drifted off to sleep again.

"How's Trowa?" Kiri asked softly.

Quatre hoped that she wasn't upset he wasn't there to see her when she woke up.

"He's okay. This isn't the first time he's been shot, and I doubt it will be the last. He'll rest easier knowing that you're okay. He was really worried about you after everything that happened."

"My head hurts," Kiri told him.

"I'm sorry. How do your ribs feel?" Quatre hoped that Kiri's pain wasn't a sign of infection. He wanted to be able to tell Sally about it just in case Kiri drifted off before she arrived.

"They're sore, but…not bad."

"And your foot?" Quatre pressed.

He watched as Kiri moved her foot.

"Not bad. 'Sokay."

"You're slurring again. Try to stay awake a little longer," Quatre urged. His hope that Sally would hurry was answered by a light knock on the door.

He was more than a little relieved to find Sally.

"How is she?" Sally asked him quietly.

"Tired, but trying her best to stay awake for you," Quatre told her.

"Good," Sally said with a smile as she came into the room. She walked over to Kiri with the smile still on her face. "Kiri, how are you?"

"Okay, I guess…tired," Kiri said softly.

Sally could tell that Kiri was ready to sleep again so she got right down to business. She gently felt Kiri's ribs and was pleased to note that they felt sturdier. She pushed Kiri's ribs carefully.

"Does that hurt?"

Kiri frowned. "A bit…not as bad as before."

Sally nodded and moved to Kiri's foot. Kiri whimpered when Sally gently touched the top of Kiri's foot. The stitches were secure and didn't look infected, which was a relief. Sally noticed Kiri's yawn as she wrote down her observations on the clipboard. She would need the notes in order to assess any improvement or deterioration of Kiri's condition.

Kiri looked like she was struggling to stay awake so Sally talked to her to help her stay awake while she worked.

"I just need a new blood sample and then you can sleep for a while." Sally got the blood sample and bandaged the crook of Kiri's elbow, continuing to explain things to Kiri. "But I'm going to have you woken up every six hours during the day. Your system clearing the infection out and I want you to get your body used to being awake. The more you're awake, the more you'll want to be awake."

Kiri nodded, her eyes drooping as she wrapped her arms around the stuffed lion that had appeared just before her vocal cord surgery.

"Kiri? Did you understand what I said?" Sally asked.

"I think she's stayed awake as long as she could," Quatre said. "I can feel her falling asleep."

Sally sighed. "I had hoped she could manage a few more minutes but I suppose we should take what we can get."

Quatre gave Sally a gentle smile. "You're doing the best you can. The rest is really up to Kiri."

"I just hate that it's taking so much for her to heal. It shouldn't be this hard for her."

"Sally, that isn't anything that you can control, either. You need to stop beating yourself up about this."

"I know, but…for some reason it's really getting to me this time."

"Maybe you've just been pushing yourself too hard," Quatre suggested.

Sally shrugged. "Maybe."

"Why don't you take it easy tonight? I'll call you if anything happens," Quatre told her.

Sally nodded. "Perhaps you're right. Call me if anything comes up."

As soon as Duo showed up to take over, Quatre filled him in on Kiri waking up and then left to see Trowa.

"Good morning, Quatre," Trowa greeted the blonde as he came into his room.

"Good morning, Trowa." Quatre frowned. "Did you sleep at all last night?"

"I slept enough."

"Trowa," Quatre sighed, exasperated. "You really need to take care of yourself. Kiri will be able to tell that you haven't been eating and you look exhausted."

"I've been staying in my room like I was told," Trowa snapped. "I never promised to eat."

"Kiri woke up yesterday. About an hour after you left."

"And you waited until now to tell me?!"

"Slow down, Trowa. She was only awake for about five minutes but Sally thinks she'll be waking up more today. We're actually supposed to try and wake her up at regular intervals to help her body get used to being awake. So I suggest you get something to eat and take a nap. I've asked Duo to call you as soon as she wakes up today so you can see her," Quatre said.

"Thank you, Quatre."

"But if you look like you do now, you'll only worry her. So eat and get some sleep. And once you've had your visit or she falls asleep again I recommend eating and sleeping again so that she won't notice how bad off you look the next time she wakes up."

Trowa had the decency to look chagrined. "You're right, Quatre. Let Duo know that if I don't answer it's because I was asleep. I'll check in with Duo after I sleep and eat something. If Kiri hasn't woken up yet I'll come back here and rest while I wait."

Quatre nodded. "Good. See you later."

Quatre left, trusting that Trowa would keep his word and passed on his message to Duo before heading home.

"No more of your excuses. Find that slut!"

"Yes, sir, Mr. Decart, sir. I'm on it." Agent Cooper left Decart's study and breathed a sigh of relief. It was getting harder and harder to keep up the charade of not knowing where that girl had been taken. He wondered if he should ask Agent Yuy to send in a replacement. But he knew that wasn't going to be a good idea. It had been hard enough to get into Decart's employ. The Preventers had actually had eight agents apply and only Cooper had made it in.

Cooper headed to the computer room to pretend to attempt to hack into the Preventer database. He didn't have to hack the system to know what was going on at the Preventer office. He had regular updates from Agent Yuy in coded messages. Instead, Cooper turned on his earpiece and listened in to the bug he'd placed in Decart's study while pretending to look busy. He'd been following this routine every day in the week since he'd managed to get hired. Commander Une wanted to know what Decart was planning and as soon as they had the information they needed, the Preventers would raid the place and take everyone down.

"—and furthermore, James, my patience is wearing thin. I have been patient up to now but the incompetence that has been demonstrated by these imbeciles is enough to make me spit."

"I understand completely, Master. And I may have some good news. I was just informed that the Preventers have the girl at the Eve Wars Memorial Hospital. She is on the sixth floor in room 603. Apparently the Preventers have agents supervising her 24-7 but there's only ever one agent with her at a time. They will be easy to take care of."

"Excellent, James. Remind me to reward you later. Ready my car. We need to visit a poor, sick, friend in the hospital."

Cooper swore under his breath. He quickly cut the feed and shut down his computer. He rushed into the bathroom, clutching his stomach to keep anyone from wondering why he was in such a hurry. He reached up as he went through the door and unplugged the camera. He had a private call to make and by the time anyone noticed the camera wasn't working he would be done.

"Agent Yuy, we have an issue."

"What is it, Cooper?"

"Decart knows we've got that girl and he's coming for her."

"You're certain he knows where she is?"

"Yes, sir. His assistant James brought him the information and they just left the residence to go to the hospital."

"Any idea how he got that information?"

"Not yet but I'm looking into it."

"Let me know as soon as you know anything," Heero said before hanging up. He immediately dialed Duo's number as he rushed out to his car.

"Hey, Babe, what's up?"

"I'm issuing a Code 207A, this is not a drill. Lock down Kiri's room immediately. Decart found out she's there. I'm on my way in."

Duo swore. 207A meant attempted kidnapping. Since Heero was issuing it now, it meant that Decart was planning on coming for Kiri. "Roger that. Contacting Chang now. Out."

Heero hurried to the hospital, knowing that Decart had a head start. He didn't see anyone suspicious as he entered the lobby and headed up to Kiri's floor. He couldn't believe his luck. He'd actually managed to beat Decart to the hospital. But who knew how much time he had to get ready for the coming attack.

"Heero? What's up?"

Heero turned to see Trowa heading his direction.

"Why aren't you resting?"

"I was coming to see Kiri, like I do every day," Trowa said. He'd eaten and slept like he promised Quatre he would and now he was checking to see if Kiri was awake yet. He raised an eyebrow. "Are you coming to see Duo? Quatre said he's on duty right now."

"You need to go back to your room. I've issued a 207A. Decart found out Kiri is here and things could get ugly."

Trowa narrowed his eyes. "I'm staying. If you think I'm going to let anyone get to Kiri again you're crazier than Quatre under the influence of Zero."

Heero shut his eyes with a sigh. He didn't have time to argue this. "I will agree on the condition that you follow whatever orders I give you without argument."

"As long as the order isn't to hide in my room, I will agree to that."

Duo quickly called Wufei, knowing that Heero would alert the hospital personnel.

"Yes?"

"Code 207A, not a drill."

"Details?"

"Heero told me Decart found out Kiri was here and to lock down her room. Heero is on his way here."

"I'm on the third floor. I'll be there shortly. Do not tell Trowa. He's supposed to be resting."

"Got it." Duo hung up and went to the door, waiting for Wufei's knock. It didn't take long. "Identify yourself."

"Chang. Permit entry."

Duo opened the door and Wufei came in quickly. "I alerted Sally and she's issued the code to the hospital staff."

There was another knock on the door.

Duo went to it, his gun drawn. "Identify yourself."

"Yuy. Permit entry."

Duo opened the door and Heero came in, followed by Trowa.

"I thought you were supposed to be resting," Duo said with a frown.

"Fat chance," said Trowa. "I'll rest after this guy is taken down."

"Don't bother," Heero said when Wufei started to protest. "We don't have time. Decart will be here any second and we need to intercept him."

"Attention Hospital Staff: We have a Code Silver in the lobby. Repeat Code Silver. All personnel to your stations."

Heero swore.

"Code Silver means active shooter, right?" Duo asked Wufei.

Wufei nodded.

"Okay, Duo, stay here and guard Kiri. Wufei and I will attempt to intercept him before he hurts anyone. Trowa, since you won't stay in your room, station yourself at the nurse's station on this floor." Heero handed him a radio and a handgun. "Don't get shot again or I'll order you on bedrest until you're completely healed."

"Yes, sir," Trowa answered with an eye roll.

Heero and Wufei rushed down the back stairs. They stopped at the bottom of the stairs and looked through the small window in the door leading into the lobby before entering. There was more than one gunman but fortunately, there were only two members of hospital staff there at the moment. They were behind the desk, trying not to antagonize the men while following the hospital protocols for unwanted guests.

"I count six, not including the old man in the suit," Wufei said softly. "I bet he's armed even though his hands are currently empty. I'd also bet that he's Decart."

"Hn. I suggest we take out as many as we can as quickly as possible to reduce the chance of civilian casualties," Heero said. "On my mark."

Wufei nodded.

"NOW!"

They burst out of the stairwell.

"PREVENTERS! DROP YOUR WEAPONS AND PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR!" Wufei yelled.

"Shoot them," the older man in the suit ordered casually.

The hospital staff members ducked behind the desk as bullets started to fly.

Taking care to be as accurate as possible, Wufei and Heero managed to take out the first four shooters quickly. They aimed to injure more than kill but they weren't about to spare the gunmen at the expense of the innocent people in the hospital.

The old man and the other two shooters had taken advantage of the situation and were heading up the main staircase.

"Heero!"

"On it," Heero replied as he followed the three men up the stairs. The two men who were clearly protecting the old man shot at Heero, keeping him busy as the old man continued up the stairs.

Heero shot back, attempting to stop them before they could get all the way up to Kiri's floor.

Duo locked the door as soon as everyone left. He wasn't sure how long it would take for the others to engage Decart so he made sure he was ready. He made sure his gun was loaded and ready to go but decided he wouldn't take the safety off until he heard evidence of an altercation. After all, if Heero and Wufei managed to subdue Decart down in the Lobby then there was no need to be ready to shoot.

It didn't take long for Duo to hear shots coming from somewhere in the hospital. He swore. He knew that the others wouldn't have shot unless they felt it was necessary to protect the patients and staff. He drew his gun and aimed at the door, waiting.

Movement out of the corner of his eye alerted him to Kiri finally waking up. Duo wasn't sure if that was good timing or the worst timing ever.

"What—?" Kiri started.

"HUSH!" Duo ordered. He felt bad for being harsh so he added, "I'll explain in a minute…assuming I don't have to use this."

Gunshots in the hallway made Duo tense up. Those were definitely closer than they had been a few minutes ago.

"Hey, d'you think you could get under the bed? I don't want any stray bullets hittin' ya." That's all they needed: to get Kiri through blood poisoning only to be hit by a stray bullet from Decart or his cronies.

Duo felt bad that Kiri had to move so soon after waking up. He wasn't sure how sore or stiff she would be. She was moving very slowly and Duo wondered how much pain she was in. He realized that she would have problems because of the IV and catheter that she was hooked up to so he hurried to help her get on the floor. He could feel how cold and hard the floor was when he knelt down to make sure she was under far enough so he grabbed the blanket and pillow off the bed.

"Sorry, kid…it's the safest place for ya right now." He carefully wrapped the blanket around her. He could see the fear in her eyes. He supposed that was fair, considering that she had no idea what was going on and all that she had to go on were gunshots.

"Just relax.. everything's gonna be fine."

More gunshots rang out and Duo stood and aimed at the door again.

"Apparently word got to Decart that you were still alive. Our undercover operative got us the intel just before the lobby was taken hostage by his men. The entire place is on lockdown," Duo explained. Then he added, "Good to see you're feeling better."