Disclaimer: I do not own GW (do I really have to say that?)

Thanks to my reviewers!

Chapter 21

Duo sighed as he relaxed into the chair. He had just returned from the hospital and he was tired. Heero stopped behind him, laying a hand gently on his shoulder. It was the third time in 2 weeks that they had gone in from the pains Duo was having, only to have them stop soon after they arrived. Duo was confused the first time, embarrassed the second time and this time he just felt resigned.

Dr. Croats had given them some very specific criteria before they came in, but as soon as he began to feel the cramping, Duo panicked. If it lasted more than an hour he was out the door. Duo reached up and clutched Heero's hand, "I'm sorry for dragging us out – again."

Heero rubbed his thumb over Duo's hand. "I don't mind." There was a hint of a smile when he said, "You could be locked in a cabin in the woods somewhere, with no help to be found."

Duo rolled his eyes and grinned, "Yep, I suppose this way is a bit easier." Duo frowned, "but I don't like making you go out so often, I feel like I am putting a big target on your back." Heero still hadn't fully recovered from his injury.

The only positive about going to the hospital was the second time a chagrined Duo convinced Heero to have his wound checked out. Quatre made sure that there were no records or test results around for people to see and trace back to Heero afterward. The cardiologist reported that Heero's heart seemed to have undergone some severe stress, as it was not functioning at full capacity. One of the side effects seemed to be poor circulation – which explained Heero's constantly cold fingers. Heero seemed upset at being told that his body was less than perfect. Duo was just happy he was alive to be annoyed.

Heero took Duo's hand and lifted it gently. "It's late, why don't we go to bed?"

Duo laughed, "I think I will sleep here, on the chair." Heero tugged more insistently on Duo's hand, telling him no and gently encouraging him to get to bed. Not wanting Heero to strain himself, Duo finally agreed and let Heero lead him into bed.

Duo struggled out of his pants and maneuvered carefully onto the bed. Heero followed suit and then wrapped himself carefully around Duo. Duo wished he could stay awake all night

Duo's eyes snapped open. For a brief moment his mind tried to convince his body to sit up straight before realizing that it was a foolish demand. He settled for rolling onto his side and sliding his legs off the edge of the bed. Something had woken him up, sent his heart racing. What was it? Duo felt a familiar ache, wishing Heero was still alive and then a delightful shiver when he realized he was. Duo reached a hand back to rub Heero's shoulder. When Duo's hand hit only sheets, he laboriously turned himself around, only to see an empty bed.

Perhaps that was what had woken him up. With a grunt, Duo propelled himself off the bed and toward the door. He heard a loud cracking sound and froze. That was the sound that had woken him up. He felt his knees start to shake. He recognized that sound. He'd heard it before.

Fear pushed him faster than he normally would go. Had it come from upstairs or downstairs. Definitely down, Duo gripped the railing and carefully took himself down the steps. His balance was a lot different these days and he didn't want to go tumbling down the stairs. At the bottom of the steps, Duo looked around, beyond the hallway in the front room there was dark figure. He moved toward it cautiously. The figure spun, saw him and disappeared.

Duo turned his shoulder, looking toward the retreating figure. He heard the door open and close and knew he would never be able to catch him. Instead Duo headed toward the room the figure had just come from.

The room's curtains were drawn, but the porch had lights that lent enough light through the curtains that he could see the room clearly. Upon the floor was a figure. A thin, long, unmoving figure.

Duo felt a sob choke him as he fell to his knees next to the figure, next to Heero. His hands trembled almost too much for him to turn Heero over. Duo saw the ashen color of his husband's skin, saw the blood, always the blood. He was still breathing though. There was still time.

"Heero?" Duo whispered lowly. No response. Fear and anguish mixed together, turning his head up he screamed to the silent ignorant household, "HELP!"

XxXxXxXxX

Heero's eyes snapped open. Something was very wrong. He was already at the door before he registered the screaming sounds he was hearing. It was Duo and he was screaming for help. It took him seconds to get down the steps and only a few more to find Duo, shaking on the floor, clutching a pillow.

Heero reached his hands out and gripped Duo by the shoulders. "Duo, whats wrong? Talk to me?"

Duo turned and looked at Heero, but his eyes weren't focused. "Heero's hurt, he's dying and I can't help him. Please help him!" He lifted the pillow entreatingly towards Heero.

Heero heard footsteps behind him, but ignored them. "Duo! I am right here. I am okay, you don't have to worry." Duo didn't seem to understand though and he began shaking his head, tears streaming down his face.

A hand touched Heero's shoulder. He turned and saw Trowa there, offering to help. He knelt in front of Duo.

"Duo?" Trowa's hand covered the braided man's. "I am going to take Heero, okay? He is going to be alright? Don't worry about him." Duo nodded, handing the pillow over solemnly.

"Please help him, he can't – I mean, I can't. . ."

Trowa nodded and took the pillow. As he stepped back, before Heero could pull Duo into his arms, Quatre appeared.

"Duo, Heero is alright. Just come sit on the couch, okay? Heero will be back soon." Quatre gave Heero a very pointed look. If Heero wasn't so worried about Duo, he would be annoyed by that face, but right now he knew they were all trying to do the same thing. Help Duo.

"He has to be okay, I can't lose him again." Duo said softly to Quatre who led him to a seat on the couch. Duo still had tears running down his face.

"It will be alright, Trowa will fix it." Quatre sat next to him. "Close your eyes Duo, when you wake up, Heero will be alright. I promise."

"You can't know that for sure," Duo said reproachfully, but he did as Quatre said and closed his eyes. Heero moved to the floor near him, pained by the anguish in his lover's eyes. He hadn't truly imagined what sort suffering Duo had felt when he thought he was dead. Heero didn't think it was possible that Duo could care for Heero as much as he cared for Duo.

Duo's eyes were closed, but it didn't appear he had fallen back into a natural sleep cycle yet. Heero took Duo's hand in his gently.

Quatre murmured Heero's name and he looked at those understanding aqua eyes. "Don't feel guilty Heero. Its not your fault."

Heero wanted to protest but knew rationally that what Quatre said was true. Duo had been having nightmares long before he was shot. Still, that didn't relieve any of his guilt.

For a moment, Heero thought Duo was asleep before his hand tightened in Heero's and he moaned. His eyes opened again, but when he looked at Heero there was no recognition there.

"Maybe we should just wake him up?" Heero suggested, concerned by the look on Duo's face.

Quatre shook his head, "I am not sure you are supposed to wake a sleepwalker up, I think you are supposed to let them fall back asleep naturally."

They both watched Duo for a moment, who then surprised them by standing and heading into the hallway. They followed him into the kitchen where he went to the fridge and pulled out some food. Heero felt a smile playing at his lips. At least Duo was reliably hungry. Duo pulled out some food, set it on the table and began nibbling at it.

He'd barely eaten half a sandwich in ten minutes. Trowa had returned, but Duo was no longer acknowledging any of them. Suddenly, Duo stopped eating, put his palms flat on the table and bowed his head. The three men moved closer, and it was Heero who first noticed Duo's grimace. After letting out a small whimper of pain, Duo sat up again and resumed eating.

Heero looked at Trowa, the two of them looked at Duo together. When nothing else happened immediately, they relaxed slightly.

Duo finished his sandwich and then sat staring calmly out at the dark kitchen. Quatre was the first to break the silence, "Maybe we should get him back in bed now?" Heero nodded and went to Duo, grabbing him gently by the elbow.

"Alright Duo, it is time for bed." Duo looked up at Heero, a small smile lit his face.

"Heero," he said softly. "I missed you." Duo stood and hugged Heero around the middle, Heero hugged him back and then began leading him back toward the stairs. Halfway up the stairs, Duo stopped and fell to his knees, clutching the carpeting between his fingers. "Ow," he muttered under his breath.

Heero turned to Quatre at the same time as Trowa. Quatre's face was pale.

"Do you think – "

"That looks like –"

"I'm worried that – "

Tsutsuku

I swear the rest is practically written, just needs some revision. I had to get out what I had. I sort of hate myself for leaving this story hanging but... I will finish it! *grits teeth*

~Annie