Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Born Again ❯ Twilight Time ( Chapter 2 )

BORN AGAIN

CHAPTER ONE-

TWILIGHT TIME

* * *

"I found the kidnapper in the bedroom, he was dead." Wufei's voice spoke up in the silent office, back at the Preventers headquarters. It was late at night, and the city lights were sparkling outside the large window that stood behind the desk Wufei was facing. "Forensics says the body is at least eight days old, which could explain the victim's attempt for escape."

"Did he depend solely on the kidnapper for food and water?" A harsh voice spoke up in question.

Wufei nodded. "It appears so, ma'am. By what I've seen, the victim was not capable of taking care of himself."

The woman who had spoken the question earlier nodded her head, long brown hair shining under the lights of the office. She placed a finger under her chin, thinking. "Do we have a clear ID on the kidnapper?"

"Yes." Wufei answered, nodding his head. "I had to ask them to check and double check it. The answer might seem a little... bizarre."

"How so?" The woman asked, looking up at him with sharp brown eyes.

Sighing, the Chinese officer slid a folder across the desk and the woman caught it in her hands. "The body was a more than a week old and already began to decay." He explained as the woman leafed through the folder, scanning the forensics data. "What we know for sure is that he was a seventy three year old male, and he died of a heart attack. As to his identity... I had some people down in section four run a picture of the body through a computer... they restored it and by what I saw, I think you might recognize him." He said just as the woman flipped the page to look over the pictures.

Her brown eyes widened briefly. "I suppose that I should recognize him, yes." She muttered with a sigh and closed the folder. "But I don't see how can he still be alive after the war."

Sighing, Wufei could do nothing but shake his head. "I haven't the slightest, ma'am. Sally thinks that he had survived the Libra explosion thanks to his mostly metal body. It was merely a matter of piecing himself back together."

"And we didn't know about this? Obviously this process costs money! And how can an old and crippled man take down an ex-Gundam pilot?! I want answers, Chang!" The woman roared, jumping up a little and punching the table in frustration, causing a small nameplate to jump up a little, the letters shining under the dim light as they spelled: 'Head director L. Une'.

"I'm afraid that I have none at the moment, ma'am." The Chinese agent replied solemnly.

Une sighed and slumped back into her seat. "I know... I'm sorry." She mumbled, bowing her head and rubbing the bridge of her nose. She took a deep breath and released it with a sigh, before finally speaking. "How is he?"

"Sally's checking him over at the moment, ma'am."

"Is Maxwell with him?"

"Yes ma'am."

Again the woman sighed. "I guess I owe him an apology then. I never thought he would be able to find him." She mumbled, getting up from her seat.

Wufei smiled sadly, getting up as well. "Maxwell is too stubborn to give up just like that, ma'am. There's no need to apologize for the obvious. He would have done it if you agreed or not."

Une smiled bitterly and picked up her jacket. "I suppose you're right." She answered as the two walked towards the door. She locked her office and the two began walking towards the elevator. "Who's watching the baby?" She asked in a more cheerful tone.

"Oh, Sally got our usual sitter. Though I hate paying extra for making her work so late at night." Wufei sighed and shook his head. He pushed the button on the elevator. "Can't wait to get home to see her."

Une smiled sadly. "Yes, I know what you mean. I missed Mari's recital because of a stupid meeting up in the capital."

Wufei sighed, leaning against the elevator's wall and folding two arms over his chest. "I just hope that everything will turn out all right and we can all go home happy."

"Me too." Une agreed, sighing sadly. "Me too..."

* * *

"How is he?" Duo let out worriedly the minute Sally walked into the hallway, after exiting a small examination room. He had been sitting in the hallway for what seemed like an eternity, waiting and dreading and biting his nail until he couldn't take it anymore and he began pacing. It was now late at night, and Duo was still waiting. Wufei had gone to the Preventers office to report everything to Une. Duo knew that he was supposed to be there a well, but he refused to do anything until he was certain that Heero was all right.

As the door finally opened, he halted, whirling around to face one very tired-looking Sally.

"Is he okay?" Duo whispered fearfully, looking up at her with hopeful violet eyes.

The Chinese woman sighed deeply, shaking her head as she closed the door behind her. She slowly turned to face Duo, her eyes full of anguish. "You better sit down, Duo."

Taking a shaky breath, Duo slowly lowered himself into one of the plastic seats. He wiped his sweaty hands on his trousers, his heartbeat racing. "Wha-what did you find?"

Sally sat down beside him, and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. She looked deeply into his eyes for a few long moments, before finally speaking. "Duo, this isn't going to be easy to hear. Are you sure you're ready for his?"

"Yes! Yes! Tell me! God... please! What's wrong with him?" Duo cried, his anguished eyes pleading her.

The woman nodded her head slowly, taking a deep breath. "A physical examination had revealed an extensive amount of both physical, and sexual, abuse." She began slowly, giving Duo time to take this all in. It wasn't easy for her to say it, and she let the doctor part of her mind speak the words in a calm and neutral tone.

"He is suffering for severe malnutrition and dehydration." She took another deep breath, and allowed Duo the time to take it all in. "Though his dental hygiene suggests that he was taken care of. I can only assume that the kidnapper washed him and kept him healthy, until he died." She sighed heavily, closing her eyes briefly before looking up at Duo again. "But I fail to understand why he kept Heero blinded while he was held inside a dark cell. And also, aside from being blindfolded, we found earplugs in his ears."

"Earplugs..." Duo whispered, voice heavy with tears. "That's why... that's why he couldn't hear us?" Duo mumbled, turning to look down at his trembling hands. Fat and hot tears glistered in his eyes, a few fat droplets rolling down his cheeks and to the floor. He took a few deep breaths, trying to fight the tears.

"No, the earplugs were just enough to muffle the sound, but they didn't block it completely. I guess the kidnapper wanted him to hear, but not enough to understand what he was hearing."

Duo swallowed and closed his eyes, more fat and salty droplets falling down to the floor.

"His body is weak," Sally continued, holding Duo's shoulder tightly. "And his muscles nearly degenerated. We hooked him up on some IV and some experts suggested special therapy in order for Heero to be able to walk again. With today's technology it will be only a few short sessions, but it's still a very unpleasant process. We would like to ask your permission to keep Heero sedated until the process is complete."

"Se...dated?" Duo mumbled, his voice numb from shock and tears. "Uh... yeah... sure... do whatever you have to do... just... just make him better, okay? Just... just make him better..."

"Duo, there's more." Sally's voice whispered quietly, her warm hand squeezing his shoulder lightly, trying to make this somewhat easier.

Duo didn't reply, nor did he raise his gaze up from the sight of his trembling hands. He waited for her to continue.

Sally took a deep breath before breaking the final news. "We found evidence that some sort of surgery had taken place. We're not exactly sure as to what kind of surgery, but there are four puncture marks around his skull. We nearly missed the scars, they were well hidden, suggesting that the surgery was made by a professional."

"Scars?" Duo let out, whirling his head to look up at her again. "What scars? What happened to him?"

"We're not sure." Sally answered carefully. "But judging for the location of the scars, it can't be good, Duo."

"Is he... is he retarded? What? What happened to Heero!? God damn it- TELL ME!" Duo screamed, almost hysteric.

"I don't know, Duo." Sally answered calmly, looking up at him with upset blue eyes. "We will have to wait in order to find out."

"Well aren't you the doctor here?! Aren't you supposed to know what happened?! God damn it!" Duo cried, jumping out of his seat, waving his hands in the air as he shouted. "All this scientific bullshit around here and you don't know what's wrong with my... with my friend?! What good is all this crap if you can't fix it, huh?! What good is ANYTHING!?"

"Duo, please try to calm down." Sally begged, slowly getting up.

"I WILL NOT CALM DOWN! I will not calm down until you'll tell me what happened to Heero!"

"Please, Duo. This isn't helping." She tried again, reaching her hands for him.

"OF COURSE IT'S NOT HELPING! YOU'RE NOT TRYING HARD ENOUGH!" Duo roared, his eye full with accusing violet flames.

"DUO!" Sally shouted, getting frustrated. "Listen to yourself! You have to calm down!"

"Don't you tell me to calm down! Don't you tell me!" He cried frenziedly, his voice hoarse from tears and pain. He damp cheeks were red with keen and anger, his hair a messy tangle of chestnut strings. "You don't know what it's like! You don't know anything! All the waiting and praying and then nothing helps! I finally have him and you don't know how to make him better?!"

"Duo! Don't you dare tell me that I don't understand!" Sally shouted back, glaring at Duo. "I know very well what it's like to lose a person you love! I know what it's like to worry over someone twenty-four hours a day! I have a one-year-old daughter at home, Duo! And I'm trying my best here, like it was her lying on that bed! But you have to give me time Duo! Give me time!"

They were both panting now, standing across of each other in the middle of the waiting room. Tears were running down both their cheeks, their eyes accusing and haunted.

"I just..." Duo mumbled, slumping his shoulders and sniffling quietly. "I just want..." He let out a choked whimper, slowly staggering towards Sally. "I just want you to see Heero better... I want you to... I want you to... please... God..." Slowly, his hysteria calmed and he sagged against Sally, burying his face in her shoulder, crying silently. He felt her wrap warm and comforting arms around him, and his sobbing increased. They remained standing together in the middle of the hallway as Duo wept pitifully into Sally's shoulder. "I want Heero back, Sally... I want him back... please..." He pleaded with her, wrapping his own arms around her. He drew her closer, desperate for comfort and warmth. "Please Sally... please?"

"Shhh... Duo... It's okay..." She soothed him gently, petting his hair and slowly rocking him from side to side. "It's gonna be okay, Duo... It's gonna be okay..."

* * *

"... and then he threw Quatre into the lake! I never thought that Trowa was capable of such a stupid thing! Man he was drunk! And you should have seen the looks on Q-man's face! Ha! I've NEVER seen him so pissed! He chased Trowa all around the garden until Sally threatened to throw the wedding cake on his face! She chased them all around the garden, her wedding dress all over the place, swearing at Quatre that she'll take vengeance when he'll get married. Haha! You should have seen Wu-man's face when she began to rant about justice! Ha! It was hilarious!"

Duo's rush of words spilled out of his mouth without him even noticing it. He just sat there and talked about anything in the world, his mouth working, but his mind numb. He was sitting by Heero's hospital bed, holding his delicate hand as he waited for his friend to wake up. The chair was uncomfortable, and he hadn't showered in days. He felt hot and dirty, but he refused to leave Heero's side. Sally arranged it so he could stay outside of visiting hours. For the last four days he was sitting in the creaking wooden chair, looking down at Heero's unconscious body.

The Japanese boy looked like he was just sleeping peacefully, and not under the heavy affect of drugs. His thin form was neatly tucked under a soft wool blanket, his bare slender shoulders and slim white neck peeking from underneath his gown, for the hospital gown was too big for his frail body. His skin was pale but no longer sickly colored. He was looking a bit better than the first day they brought him here.

But he was still different from the Heero he remembered. His face, now older, were so thin... his high cheekbones strongly illuminated under the hard light of the room. His chocolate-brown hair, which was now at shoulder length, was pulled back in a short ponytail, giving Heero a look Duo was not used to be seeing. His features were different from the boyish face Duo remembered. Heero was nineteen-years-old now, though his features gave him the look of a famished child. And his eyes, hidden behind thick and long black lashes, were always closed.

How he longed to see those hauntingly blue eyes open once again... How he wanted to relive the feeling of being swallowed whole in those swirling blue depths. He knew that the minute he will be able to look into those eyes again, everything will be all right. He will have Heero back. All he needed was one look... just one...

But for the last four days, he was unable to get his wish. The doctors kept Heero sedated while they worked on regenerating his weakened muscles. They fed him up with drugs and medicines, denying Duo of his one and only wish. So the braided young man settled for staying by his friend's side, holding his hand and guarding his sleep. He told Heero all about the last two years, reliving a few good memories. He did not allow himself to think about all the sadness and pain and longing of the last two years. He didn't want to upset Heero. So Duo laughed, and even smiled from time to time, as he spoke to Heero. But his mirth was always tainted with sadness. It wasn't worth smiling if he couldn't share it with the Japanese boy he had missed so much. He was beginning to wonder if he'll ever be able to share his laughter with him again.

The doctors still didn't know what kind of surgery Heero went through. They scanned him and poked him and tested him until Duo begged them to stop. The tests were not supplying any answers and he hated seeing Heero being played around with. He just wanted the boy to be left alone. He wanted him to sleep peacefully and heal. He wanted him back without any of the stupid doctors to mess around with him anymore.

Duo forced himself to chuckle and squeezed Heero's hand tightly. "I think the best part was when Quatre accidentally pushed her into the lake! Man, I couldn't stop laughing for a week! You should have been there! The sight of Sally raging about in her wet wedding dress would even crack a smile on your Gundanium faiieee. . ." He stopped himself, realizing what he was saying. He sighed sadly and bowed his head, sniffling silently. "I'm sorry, Heero." He whispered, tightening his hold on Heero's slim hand. "I'm sorry... But I just... ya know, it was funny..." He mumbled, tears filling his eyes and a choked whimper escaped his lips. "I had to laugh... even if you weren't there..." He sniffled and wiped the tears away.

He looked up at Heero, tears running down his cheeks. "And I was always thinking how I'm gonna tell you about it when you're back... and maybe you'll smile and say you're sorry you weren't there... and then I... I would say that it's okay... cuz you're here now... but..." He took a deep breath, trying to control his breathing. "...but now you are here and they're telling me that you're not okay... but I know it's not true! Right Hee-buddy? You'll show them, right? Right?" He sniffled, more tears flooding his violet eyes. "......right, Heero? We'll show them, won't we? It's gonna be you and me who'll push Quatre into the lake, right? You have to promise me that, okay Heero? It's a promise, right?"

The boy on the bed remained completely still, his chest rising slowly up and down as he slept.

* * *

A week after Heero was rescued from his prison, seven days after Duo was reunited with his love, one hundred and sixty eight hours of sitting by Heero's side, ten thousand and eighty minutes of being trapped in an endless and unknowing twilight, Duo's eyes widened as he saw a crack of the endless blue. After two years of darkness, Heero Yuy finally opened his eyes.

Letting out a sound the bordered between a sob and a chuckle, Duo jumped out of his seat and hurried to Heero's bed. A wide smile spread over his features as he saw the cobalt pools slowly reveal themselves, long and thick lashes fluttering lazily up and down. He reached down for Heero's hand, taking the thin palm into his hold. He smiled down at the boy, anxious to look down into those amazingly blue eyes.

He waited breathlessly for them to fully open and his smile grew as the cobalt orbs slowly turned to look at him. The minute their eyes met, the blue eyes widened and the boy on the bed let out a small whimper, weakly pulling his hand away. He closed his eyes tightly, turning his head the other way.

Duo's smile faded.

"Heero?" He whispered, voice fearful. "Heero, it's okay, it's me, Duo." He reached down to brush Heero's wild bangs aside, and the boy's body tensed at the tender touch. He let out another small whimper, turning his head away even more, his eyes shut tight.

"Heero? Heero... it's all right. There's nothing to be afraid of." Duo soothed gently, caressing the boy's cheek. "You're safe now."

The boy seemed to be ignoring him, and not for the first time Duo could feel that sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach, that dreading feeling that Heero's hearing might be damaged.

"Heero, look at me, please." He whispered, tears stinging his eyes. He carefully placed his hand under Heero's chin, and gently pulled Heero's head so they were facing each other. The boy's eyes were shut tight, tears clinging to his thick eyelashes. Duo reached down a trembling hand to wipe those tears away. "It's okay..." He whispered, smiling sadly as he saw those black lashes slowly lift up. "Yeah, that's it... just me here, no one can hurt you anymore." Duo assured the frightened boy, slowly sitting down on the bed. He took Heero's hand again, holding it up to his chest as he sat down.

Slowly, hesitantly, Heero opened his eyes; cracking them half open, as if making sure that it is safe to open them. It took all Duo had in him to not just yank Heero into his arms and never let go. He waited patiently, smiling kindly at the boy, trying to assure him that it was safe to open his eyes again. He held his breath as the blue pools finally opened and looked up at him.

And then Duo's eyes widened and he gasped in shock, letting go of Heero's hand.

The boy just looked up at him in confusion, tilting his head aside in question. The blue eyes blinked in puzzlement.

But those were NOT Heero's eyes! Well, they were his eyes, they were the same Prussian blue jewels that always adored Heero's features, but... but still, they were not the same! The light was gone... the blue oceans looked duller and less alive. Those eyes... they looked so big all of a sudden, so large and innocent as they looked up at him in a child like curiosity. The wonder and awe in Heero's blue eyes looked like he was seeing him for the first time. Those dull blue depths were empty. Empty... the fierce fire that marked Heero's presence was gone. Gone. Empty... those blue eyes showed no recognition at all. Those were not Heero's eyes. They were the eyes of a newborn. They were NOT Heero's eyes.

Startled by this realization, Duo jumped out of the bed and ran out of the room.

The empty blue eyes widened and then shut tightly as the door was slammed behind Duo's flapping braid. The boy on the bed whimpered and curled into a fetal position, crying silently into his pillow.

"SALLYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

* * *

Sighing sadly, Sally took off her reading glasses and set them back on her desk. She rested two hands on the desk, fingers entwined. Taking a deep breath, she looked up at the anxious young man sitting in front of her, fidgeting in his seat.

Duo was sitting with his shoulders slumped and his head bowed. In his hands, he was holding the dirty old teddy bear they had found along with Heero. He was swinging it weakly form side to side, looking down at it with numb eyes. Noticing he was being watched, Duo looked up, for his head had been bowed while Sally worked. He swallowed hard, fearful violet eyes lifting up to meet her worried crystal blue eyes. "More bad news." He finally stated, casting his gaze down sadly.

"I'm afraid so." Sally answered with a sigh, leaning back in her large office chair.

Duo tightened his hold on the ragged old bear. "Amnesia?"

"It appears so, yes."

Again he squeezed the poor bear. "Is it permanent?"

The Chinese doctor sighed, picking up a pen, her fingers playing with it nervously. "Only time can tell. From my examination, his short-term memory is functioning just fine, or so we think. He wouldn't cooperate with us."

Duo swallowed down a sob, nodding his head ever so slightly. He bowed his head again; looking down at the scruffy bear as a few stray tears escaped his eyes. "Is it because he can't hear you?"

Again Sally sighed. "No, Duo, don't worry. Heero is not deaf. He responds well to sound. He blinks when I clap my hands and he follows sound and movements."

Duo let out a relived sigh, his hold on the bear tightening.

"But," Sally added with a sigh, looking sadly at Duo. "He would not respond when spoken to, and he didn't utter one coherent word during the test."

Duo nodded slowly in understanding, biting his lower lip. He looked deeply into the bear's large brown eyes, silently musing that they looked tearful, like his own eyes. The little brown bear had a wretched and miserable look in its eyes.

"Now, it could be some sort of a post traumatic stress syndrome. It is not unlikely." Sally continued, trying to sound reassuring.

"So he will be okay." Duo stated, looking up at Sally again.

The young woman sighed. "In time, perhaps. We can only hope so."

"I want to take him home."

"Now, Duo, it's better to leave him here. At least for a few days."

"I want Heero back home." Duo repeated, his gaze sharp, his hold on the bear strengthening.

Biting her lower lip in thought, Sally looked down at him lengthily, fighting an inner battle. But Duo's fierce violet eyes would allow no arguments. Sighing, she tore her gaze away and picked up a few papers. "Fine. I'll sign the release papers."

Duo sighed in relief, sinking back into his seat. "Thanks, Sal." He sent her s sad little smile, his fingers still playing around with the shabby bear.

"Don't mention it... please." She replied with a sigh, writing something in down on paper. "He is still a little weak, but otherwise fine. Other than the amnesia, there's no real reason to keep him here." She explained as she placed a stamp on her papers and signed them. "Hopefully, being in a familiar surrounding and around familiar people, will help him recover faster." She added with a smile, handing the papers to Duo.

The braided young man took them form her, nodding in thanks.

"I'll ask that you'll bring him for his check up every week."

"I'll do that, Sal, no problem." Duo assured her as he got up, picking up his jacket, the bear in his other hand.

"Make sure he has enough to eat and drink. And NO junk food!" She continued, looking up at him with a teasing smile

Duo smiled sheepishly and nodded again. "Gotachya, no junk food." He replied as he prepared to open the door, the bear in hand.

"Duo," Sally called after him, getting up, looking at him intensely. "And call if you need anything. You know that our door is always open."

Duo smiled in thanks and nodded his head. "Thanks, Sal." He whispered, his eyes thankful. "I'll remember that."

"Take care, Duo."

"I will." He promised and left the small office, heading up to the upper floor of the hospital. In the elevator, he looked down thoughtfully at the little brown bear, wondering what the hell did it have to do with Heero's condition. As the bell dinged, Duo looked up and left all thoughts about the bear for later. Right now, all he wanted to do was to be with Heero.

Part 2.

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