Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Chimera of Life: Story 1: Mutual Conquest ❯ Story 1: Mutual Conquest Chapter 8 ( Chapter 8 )

- Chimera of Life -
Story One: Mutual Conquest
Chapter Eight
By Heartfire

~*~

"MAIL!"

Duo announced as Hilde washed her hands free of dough. "Any for me?" She anxiously waited by the table as Duo came inside the kitchen.

"I'm sure there are. I don't even know how our mailman could fit all these in there! Mmm!" He stopped and breathed in the heavenly scent. "Something smells good…"

"Every single food smells good to you, jerk."

"I see you've been doing your homework." Duo plopped down on the chair, ready to divide their mail. "So, what's cookin'?"

She took the ones in her pile and started to skim through them. "I felt like baking an angel cake."

"Goody!" He loves her cooking.

"Yuck… more subscriptions, magazines and whatnots."

"Same here- uh…"

Hilde looked up from her mail and saw Duo staring at the last envelope in his hand. "What is it?"

Slowly, Duo tilted his head to stare at her. There were a thousand and one emotions tripping in his heart right now… So many… "Uh… Guess…"

"Well? Any clues?" Hilde prodded as she tried to snatch the envelope but Duo quickly pulled it away.

He could only think of one… "Er… Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell…"

Hilde stopped in mid-snatch, her smile frozen on her lips. There it was… their marriage license for a month… And what was she doing? She was halfway over the table, hands about to snatch the letter away. She quickly sat back down on her chair, thankfully able to keep her smile intact. "Really? I wonder what it looks like…" Simple… Slightly curious… Her voice sounded pleasantly surprised, and not at all mellow-dramatic…

He wanted to keep it… sentimentality's sake… but, if he kept it, she might think something differently and then things might not be the same and… "Here. You can have it." He dropped the envelope on her pile.

Hilde bit her lower lip as she looked from the envelope to Duo's 'I-don't-care-what-you-do-with-it' attitude. "All right… I mean… if you want me to…" She picked up the envelope and gently turned it over her palm.

Duo just watched her.

"You know… this is funny…" Well, there really wasn't anything funny but…

"What is?" What's so funny? He couldn't see anything funny with giving away the only memory he had to signify that he achieved his dream- at least, for a month.

"Well… just think. Our marriage is about to be over in about nine more days, and this just came in. What's its use?" Her eyes widened as she remembered something. "Oh… Uh, Duo, you told me to remind you to go to AR-074 after your meeting with Taggert."

'She wants it to be over already…' The sad thought left his mind as he faked a smile. "I have it down in my schedule. I'm going to go there after the meeting so by the time you get back here, we'll be like before."

She suddenly couldn't move. Her body felt like lead. It was going to be over soon, and they never really did anything near to being husband and wife.

"You know… I just remembered that Kevin asked me to eat with the men down at the yard."

Hilde nodded as she watched him stand from his chair and brush back his bangs.

"I'll be back around dinner, k?" He wasn't lying… Kevin did tell him to go, but he said he'd think about it… especially since people had been talking about their arguments… and the future inevitable divorce… He's gonna get it from the guys at the yard, that's for sure.

"Fine. Take your time… and tell the guys hi for me."

With a nod, Duo left. He couldn't take it… His dream was just in front of him and he couldn't even touch it for fear that the bubble might pop right in front of his eyes and he would be left with would be… nothing… Not love, not friendship…

He closed the door behind him and sighed. He couldn't seduce Hilde because he didn't want to seduce her… He wants her to make her decision with a clear head… She wasn't just another conquest… she was his life.

"And I'm her pal… That's just great." With his lips in a thin line, head down in a dejected manner, Duo pushed his hands inside his pockets, and started walking to that nearby scrap yard where they first started their business… "That's just great…"

…

She didn't know how long she stared at the envelope on the table, but her timer finally jarred her back to the present. Absently, she took out her pan then stared at the envelope again. She didn't want to open it… No… What's the use? She'd just mull over it and feel depressed… Better to put it away somewhere.

The attic.

Of course! That's where she could put it… with her parents' old wedding photographs. Not wasting any time, she grabbed the envelope and ran to the end of their hallway, reached up for the cord that hung from the ceiling and pulled.

The square trap door with foldable steps fell down halfway and dust fell on Hilde.

"Ergh… I guess I'll have to clean that soon…" She patted the dust off her shirt, pulled the last few steps, checked for that one broken step, and, finally, started to climb. Once on top, she searched for the wedding wrapped box where she placed all of her parents' old stuff. She passed a birthday box, a flower box and a nature box before she was able to glimpse the wedding box at the very back, just behind a bunch of newspapers. "Good thing I did this or else," A grunt escaped her as she pulled it out, "I wouldn't be able to find you…"

Hilde dropped to her knees, placed the letter beside her while she opened the box, and then let memories of her deceased parents flit through her mind. Her father died during the war… a colonel in Oz, but he was a nice man… Never cruel or unfair… While her mother was a wonderful nurse.

She pulled out a small, rectangular box and opened it. Her father's stars winked at her from its velvety bed. "I miss you dad…"

Gently, she placed the box beside her then reached inside once again. She pulled out a larger box this time and she knew what was inside… When she opened it, her breath caught in her throat.

Her mother's wedding gown… So beautifully preserved even after all these years… Beautiful silk and lace…

'You'll grow up to it… then I want you to wear it on your wedding day…'

"Oh mom…" Tears misted her eyes as she touched the dress… Her mom and dad were so much in love… "I don't think I'd ever be able to wear it…" She closed the box and sadly placed it beside her father's stars… Hilde glanced inside and found their photo album.

With a sigh, she took it out, leaned against the box and started to go through it. Colored pictures of her parents in front of a church… Her dad in his uniform looking tall, handsome, and sharp while her mother looked utterly stunning… And her… what did she get? An informal, cold office with an anorexic looking, hoarse voiced secretary telling them to sign the contract…

She reached for the unopened letter beside her, then, with another deep sigh, she pressed it within the folds, and closed the album.

What a pathetic life she lives.

"Well… I guess that's it then." She started to put the stuff back into the box, hauled it against the wall once again, and then looked around. "You're all going to get dusted." With her threat against the dust balls and powder still in the air, she started to slowly climb back.

Hilde was halfway down when a click caught her attention. She quickly shifted her attention to the front door, forgot about the broken step, and stepped on it just as Duo came inside.

She tried to hold on to the steps but it was too late. Her knee hit the wood. She fell on the last steps, bashed her back against the concrete, and then found herself on the floor, staring at the opposite side of the wall…

"HILDE!" His heart stopped. His feet grew wings and he was suddenly beside her… on his knees… helplessly looking over her body then at her shocked face. "Hilde? Oh God…" He's so afraid… "Come on, talk to me sweetheart… angel… darling…" He wanted to hold her but he's so afraid… he couldn't think.

Unquenchable pain numbed her. Tears started to flow down her eyes. "It hurts…" It was the only thing she could gasp and she didn't dare move.

"What? Where?" Panicked, Duo reached for her-

"No! Don't… don't touch me… not yet… No… I… Duo… it hurts… Oh God…"

His heart was racing. He couldn't do anything but watch her cry! Dammit! Her face was showing so much pain and he couldn't do anything! "I'm… I'm going to call a doctor and I'm going to be right back, okay?"

Slowly, Hilde nodded. She couldn't be… paralyzed? No… that… that's unthinkable…

She could hear Duo's panicked voice from the living room… in a matter of seconds, he was beside her once again with tissue papers in hand, patting her face dry as gently as he could.

"They're going to be here soon… do you want water? Anything?"

"Don't leave…" She blinked her eyes to get rid of the tears that burned and saw that Duo's eyes were also wet.

"No… I won't leave… I'm here… I promise…" Nobody would be able to move him away from her… His hand went over hers and felt her cold skin. 'Please God… don't let anything happen to her…' He wouldn't even let himself entertain the thought of Hilde not being able to walk again… No… he kept that away, tucked deep in the recesses of his mind, and chained.

He stayed by her side until the ambulance came. He left the door open when he saw her fall, so he didn't even bother to tell them to come in… He explained what happened and they slowly moved her. It was funny how they were able to keep their anger while he kept on pestering them to move Hilde 'gently!' over and over again. In no time at all, they had a brace around her and was pushing her into the back of the ambulance.

"What are you going to do?" He sat beside one of them while he held Hilde's hand. She was still so pale…

"We're going to scan her first, sir… We don't know what's wrong. It could be nothing… it could be something… bad…"

Duo nodded. Yes… of course… x-rays… scans… He leaned down and kissed Hilde's hand. "You're going to be okay…"

He saw her nod even while her eyes held doubt and Duo looked away… Everything reminded him too much of that time when… she nearly died… If he hadn't reached her… If he hadn't come home early… or maybe this was also his fault… She became a rebel because of him… she fell because he distracted her… because he forgot to repair those damn stairs… "I'm so sorry, Hilde… God… I'm so sorry…" Tears trailed down his cheeks and onto her hands.

Hilde moved her hand. "It's not your fault. I was stupid."

"You're never stupid." Duo whispered as he looked back at her face and saw those tears fall. "Never say that because you have never been stupid…"

She looked away. 'Yes… I am… You just don't know how much…'

…

He couldn't stand still… How long have they been in that room? Hours? He checked his watch and saw that … "Dammit!" Duo pushed his hand through his hair once again as he paced to and fro.

The door opened and he quickly turned, anxious to hear the news but he didn't need to as he saw Hilde being wheeled by the doctor… Her eyes met his… then she smiled… She smiled that beautiful, wonderful smile of hers.

Relief nearly crushed him like a giant tidal wave and he wanted to dance, cry, and laugh at the same time… Instead, he only stared at her and swallowed his tears…

"Mr. Maxwell, Ms. Schebecker is just fine…"

It was a greeting that gave Duo unbounded relief.

"She had a nasty fall that resulted in sprain and strain of her lower lumbar region. So, let her stay off her feet for a few days. Other than that, a sprained ankle, and a bad wound on her knee, she told me that she's ready to go home."

He wasn't even listening to the doctor- well, maybe half listening… But his eyes were greedy for only Hilde and his hands only wanted to touch her… And touch her, he did… He kneeled in front of her and took her hands into his. "You scared me back there…"

"I was scared, too…" Hilde whispered. Her Duo… scared… Her Duo… never left her side… Could she be happier? Yes. But for now, this was enough.

"I know…"

"Mr. Maxwell, I just want you to do a few things…"

Duo glanced at the doctor and nodded. "Give it to me, doc, and I'll make sure she gets it." He'll make sure of it!

"She needs to get that wound cleaned everyday, don't let her do anything that could strain her back, and she needs someone to massage her back- especially her lower back- twice a day for about three or four days. It should be an outward, circular motion. Uh… Do you know how to massage?"

Duo nodded absently and answered before he could think. "I'll do it." Suddenly, the weight of what the doctor just ordered seeped into Duo… Slowly, he looked up at Hilde and saw a blush on her cheeks… 'Massage…' The image of her beautiful back appeared in his mind… She probably feels embarrassed that he's going to do it for her… but she needs it… and if she's embarrassed, she would be tense and… she shouldn't be tense. Against his will, Duo chucked her chin softly. "Don't worry, pal… I'll take care of you." He hid a grimace and stood up too hastily that he never saw Hilde's pained expression.

'Pal…' There's that damn word again… Everything was going just great and he just had to say that damn word…

"One more thing," The doctor took out a pen and paper, scribbled something really quick, tore it and gave it to Duo. "If she's in pain, give her just one of these."

"Got it." Duo took the paper. The doctor stepped away from behind Hilde and he took over. "Ready to go home, angel?"

Hilde nodded. "Ready."

…

"Duo, really… Just push the wheelchair near my bed and I'll tuck myself in…"

He shook his head. "No." Duo pulled the sheets back on her neat bed and made sure everything was okay.

"Duo-"

"Hilde, which part of 'no' don't you understand?!" He knew that would shut her up. Her mouth opened and closed… gave him a glare then crossed her arms over her chest in a sign of defiance. He stifled a grin. "C'mon, angel, be good and put your arms around my neck."

Her eyebrow nearly shot up. That wasn't such a bad idea… She might not let go of him but darn that order was going to put her in his arms. Feigning indifference, she uncrossed her arms and reached up just as Duo leaned forward. She locked her hands behind his neck and he gently picked her up.

"Dear Lord! I need to put some weight in you!" He silently cursed himself that he never even noticed how thin she was!

"Hey! I weigh enough!"

"No you don't." Tenderly, he laid her on the bed. He's so happy that… that she's all right.

"Oh…. Shut up."

His grin widened when she pouted and crossed her arms over her chest once again. She just looked so adorable! "Wait in here," He tucked her in. "I'll make dinner."

"What else could I do? You won't let me move a muscle!" Not that she didn't like the way he was doting after her… it's just that she might get used to it too much.

"Good. I'm glad you understand." He had been trying to be the cheerful pal for the past hour but right now, as she lay on her bed with fire in her eyes… he couldn't help but brush back some of her midnight blue bangs and be thankful. I love you… "I'm so glad nothing really bad happened…" He leaned down to her face, tempted to kiss her on the mouth.

Hilde's eyes widened in surprise and she forgot to breathe.

He changed his path at the last moment and kissed her on the cheek instead. Then he quickly straightened and walked out of the room before he had a chance to forget his control and do something stupid. He hesitated by her door, shrugged then just left it slightly ajar just in case she called. 'Man oh man… that was one helluva ride to insanity…'

Her hand went to her cheek to touch it… Of course he wasn't going to kiss her on the lips! She's his pal, for Pete's sake! But… she wanted him too… Everything that happened during the accident, she couldn't really remember, except that Duo was there, holding her hand.

…

"How was dinner?" Duo came back with a glass of water and her medicine. She was grimacing a little while ago, so he asked if her back was aching, and it was.

"Aside from the fact that you didn't have to spoon feed me since I could move my hands, and that I don't have a cold yet you still gave me chicken noodles out of the can..." She needs the sarcasm if she's ever going to get through this ordeal. "It was fine."

Duo just smiled. She looked mad as hell, but that's probably 'coz she's not used to being taken cared of… She's used to taking care of other people, but not herself. His Hilde… and right now… he's having a helluva time trying to keep his senses in tact while his imagination was going wild at the fact that he's about to give her a back rub.

"All right… Here's your medicine. Drink up." He offered the pill and glass of water. Hilde instantly grimaced before she drank it.

"I hate medicine!"

Laughter boomed out of Duo. "I know!"

She stuck out her tongue at him and he laughed some more to ease his nervousness. "Okay, angel… turn around and let me do my job."

'Oh God he's going to do it!' She swallowed. "Uh… You really don't-"

"The doctor told me to do it, and I'm going to do it. Now turn around."

She looked at his stern face. The concern in his eyes and the knowledge that he was right made her sigh. "Fine." She turned over, laid her hands on her pillow and propped her chin. "There… happy?"

No. "Yes." She had changed into her pajamas- thankfully, not her nightgown. "Okay, let's try this and tell me if it hurts, or if it feels bad, or something, k?"

Hilde nodded while she willed her body to relax. At the first feel of pressure at the base of her neck, she bit her lip. He has great hands… applying pressure here and there, molding, flattening, crushing- "Ouch!"

"What?! What?! Where?!" Duo instantly took his hands off her, and another wave of concern suffocated him.

Should she keep her mouth shut?

"Hilde… What did I do wrong?" Stupid, stupid hands… Clumsy oaf…

"No… not you…" If he could see her face right now… she's as red as… radish skin! "Uhm… my… er…"

"Just say it." Duo goaded, still afraid to touch her. He was trying so hard not to lose himself while he rubbed her back… she seemed so fragile as he felt her bones under her cotton-

"Well, my blouse just rubbed against my skin in a bad way… It almost felt like a burn." She buried her face against her pillow. "I'm sorry… I'm being such a pain."

Duo swallowed- hard. Okay… that only leaves him one more thing to do… He has to massage her without her blouse… He closed his eyes as he felt his damn thing rise… "No… you're not a pain…" He quickly stood up. "Tell you what… I'm going to get some oil… you stay put."

Hilde could only nod. Oh the embarrassment… and later on… pleasure and pain…

Duo ran to the refrigerator, opened it, and grabbed his coldest beer bottle then he walked to their medicine cabinet and took some headache reliever. His head was pounding… No wonder! Blood was rushing into his head at the mere thought of Hilde's bare back!

He sat down on their kitchen chair and- if anyone saw him now he'd be so embarrassed- pressed the cold bottle between his thighs. He welcomed the chill that helped his temperature go down and then swallowed two pills. He's more aware of her now than ever before and it's killing him…

"Duo… you know, just forget it…"

Hilde's voice came from her room, soft and anxious. Duo quickly shook his head, tempted not to do it but he also wanted to do it… "No… I just can't find the oil… Just give me a few more minutes." Well… he can't find the oil because he had not started looking, so… he wasn't exactly lying…

From within her room Hilde sighed… Well… nobody could say that she didn't try to talk him out of it.

Duo stood, after a couple of minutes, thanked the beer silently and went off in search of the dreaded oil… It wasn't a long search- the darn oil didn't hide itself well enough- but better get it over with.

"Hilde? I found the oil."

She turned to face him just as he was about to enter her room and falteringly smiled. "Thanks Duo… I mean…" She had been doing a lot of thinking over the span of those few minutes when she was alone, and she knew that she had been acting like a total… well… "I had been acting like a spoiled brat. I haven't told you how much I really appreciate what you've done… You were there for me… cooked my food, even bought it to my bed, and well… you know… just looking after me."

A soft smile appeared on his face as he sat beside her. His previous sexual height turned into the want- the need to protect her and take care of her at all cost. "Hey, it's cool… don't worry, I don't mind… besides, you'd do the same thing for me." He started to pour the oil on his palm. "Now, relax… and just tell me when it hurts, okay?"

Once again, Hilde nodded as she returned to her original position.

"I'm going to go under your blouse now." He knew he had to tell her what he was going to do or else… she might grow tense again.

Hilde could only mutter an affirmative as she steeled herself from his touch. She felt the edge of her blouse lifted up, then… his wonderful, gentle, slightly rough hands… Ecstasy rippled through her body and… the funny thing was… she didn't feel tense at all! It was as if his hands were supposed to be doing what they were doing… it was as if it belonged there and she was welcoming him home…

The slight purr of pleasure that came from her made him smile. He was more relaxed right now than he had ever expected to be… Oh sure, he was aroused, but… it was something different… gentle, soft and sweet… just like Hilde… and he didn't want to rush… "Is this fine?"

Heavenly! "Yes…"

"I'm going down your spine right now." He felt her take in a breath, then a soft giggle. "Sorry… didn't mean it." He had accidentally brushed his fingers on her ribs. God but that felt great!

"No, it's okay…" She was feeling so… cozy… near to… sleep…

"Lower back time…" He tensed a bit, and felt a stir in his libido as his hands went to that curving dip.

Hilde's eyes widened and she gasped more in pleasure than pain. Ah bliss!

Duo lightened his touch. "I'm sorry." Damn! He wants to kiss that dip…

"No… I was just surprised… Do it like before… please…"

He nodded even when she couldn't see, he caught her hips, and started to rub with his thumbs. He heard her sigh and felt deep satisfaction… slowly, his hands traveled up where he started once again. He could feel her grow more unwind… more lax…

Duo leaned over and saw that her eyes were closed… Sleeping. His angel… With a sigh of regret, he pulled his hands out of her blouse and pulled it down. Then, he leaned over and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Good night, Hilde…"

…

She woke up to the sounds of… hammering…?

God! She feels so… wonderful…

For a moment, she hugged herself then she sat up and slowly walked to her wheelchair. Ingrained habit made her go to the bathroom, wash her face and brush her teeth before she wheeled out of her room and saw Duo, fixing the damnable stairs.

"Good morning."

Duo stopped in mid-strike and looked before he quickly swiveled around. "Hey!" A wide grin lighted his face. He woke up bright and early… cheerful and slightly relaxed. "Good morning to you, too, sleepyhead."

Hilde laughed. "You know, that's usually your title."

"Yep, I know." He dropped the hammer into the toolbox and walked to her. He resisted the urge to kiss her and started to wheel her into the living room. "Breakfast is ready. And I'll just give that nail one more strike then I'll join you."

"Okay." When he didn't take the right turn into their kitchen, she placed a stopping hand on her wheels. "Hey, Duo, the kitchen is on the other side."

Duo patted her hand away and started to move again. "You're going to eat over there. The kitchen table is too high." He stopped just beside their coffee table, in the middle of the living room set, and she saw a small daisy in a flower vase and her food…

"Oh yum!" Her stomach growled at the hash browns and pancakes dripping with syrup and butter.

"Yep. You can dig in if you want." He didn't look at her shaking head as he placed a table napkin on her lap.

With a quick pout, Hilde shrugged. "Nah… I'll wait for the chef to eat with me."

"Okidoki. Be back in a sec." He quickly ran back to the stairs and Hilde heard a loud bang then he was in front of her…

"Well… that was really just one more blow…"

Duo grinned. "Yep! Just wanted to be sure it was fixed. I don't want you getting hurt again."

"Aw… thanks Duo." She was so touched! Who wouldn't be? Hilde leaned down to get her plate but Duo was quickly beside her, with a table rack, had it on her lap before she could even gasp out- 'what?!'

"Are you comfortable? Do you need pillows?" Duo started fussing around her, arranging her napkin, making sure the portable table was secure-

Hilde caught his hands and stilled them. "Duo, really… I'm okay."

"Are you sure?" He looked into her eyes and saw their usual sparkle.

"I'm sure." She squeezed his hand lightly and Duo smiled.

"All right… Uhm… Good… let's eat."

"Or like you always say-" Hilde stacked all three of her pancakes together and then cut a triangular pattern. Duo looked at her expectantly, saw her smother the pancake with more syrup then, still dripping, she brought it to her lips. "Dig in!"

Duo laughed wholeheartedly. Yep! That's his Hilde! "By the way, I called Greg to tell him to take over the office for tomorrow and the day after."

Hilde nearly choked on her pancakes. "WHAT?!"

He let her drink her juice before he continued. "The doctor said that you should be off your feet for at least a couple of days. You know that the office is stable enough to survive two months without us- eight months with long distance directions, and… uh… I can't remember the other things but the fact is we made it that stable, and I'm happy for that."

They did… but… "My projects… the contracts… my calls-"

"Are all going to be taken cared of. Now, shut up and eat." His eyebrow shot up in a dare when Hilde opened her lips to retort.

She closed it and sighed. "Well… I guess that's it…" She's going to have at least one more day of vacation… Hmm… "You think we could go watch a movie?"

Duo grinned. God he loves her! "Anything you want to do, angel." Anything at all.

'Marry me.' Hilde grinned. "Great! This is delicious, by the way…"

"Glad you like it. And I'm going to clean up that wound afterwards." Duo spoke with his mouth full and Hilde laughed.

"No. Don't worry about it. I can do it myself." The back massage, on the other hand… You can do any time…

"Will you stop doing that? I'm not going to volunteer for something I don't wanna do, so hush!" His voice wasn't that harsh… just slightly angry because she's trying to act so independently when, at the moment, she wasn't!

Hilde blinked a couple of times, surprised at his reaction. Well… if he felt like that… "I'm sorry."

Duo quickly shook his head. "Stop it with the 'I'm sorrys'"

"Alright! I'm sorry!" Hilde quickly placed her hand over her mouth as Duo glared at her. "Sorry."

"Gah!" Duo growled and Hilde chuckled. She quickly placed a large piece of pancake in her mouth before she could utter that word again.

After glaring at her a little more while she chewed, he finally nodded his approval and grinned. "That's better."

Hilde's shoulders rocked with controlled laughter as she finished her food. Her eyes were focused only on her plate because she just might- just might- laugh hysterically if she looked at Duo right now… and if she does that, she'll spill her food. She swallowed too fast and almost choked. "There. Finished."

"Good." He took the tray from her lap before she could move. "I'm going to get those antiseptics, so stay put."

"Is this the part where I say- 'Yeeessss Master…'?" Hilde cried out after him. Her response was Duo's booming laugh that lifted her heart.

"No way! That's mine! You pick your own movie line!" He came back with a bag of cotton balls and buds, a box of band-aids, and two bottles. "So, angel, ready for pain?"

Hilde grimaced as she warily eyed those dark brown bottles. "You have to ask?"

"Never hurts." He kneeled in front of Hilde after he pushed the table away. "You gonna pull that pant leg up or are you gonna let me tear it up?"

The mischievous grin on his face made her stick out her tongue. "No way! This is my favorite pajamies!"

'I wonder if anyone else in the world is like us…' Duo's eyebrow rose. "I don't care if it's your pajamies, I'm gonna tear it if you don't pull it up and show me your wound!"

Hilde shook her head playfully. She hates medicines. Duo knows that, but she was also just playing…

"One…"

Duo's stern face belied the gleam of mischief in his eyes and Hilde just shook her head.

"Two…"

She pouted and Duo's hands wiggled dangerously.

"Thr-"

"Okay!" Hilde pulled her right pant leg up with a lighthearted glare. "Fine! Happy?!"

"Very." Duo checked the gauze and hid a grimace as he remembered yesterday. "This might hurt…"

Hilde closed her eyes and tilted her head away while she tensed her muscles. "I know. Do it and get it over with."

"All right…" As gently as he could, Duo pulled the tapes with the gauze and his heart went out for Hilde when he saw the huge wound on her knee. "Okay, Hilde… I'm going to start swabbing it." He glanced up only to see if she would nod, and she did.

He checked the wound again with that slight red-blue around it… "I don't think we need that other thing… maybe just this one bottle… they already cleaned your wound at the hospital, after all."

At that announcement, Hilde's eyes opened and a smile lighted her face. "Really?! Good…" A sigh of relief left her. "That's good… that other one doesn't sting…"

Duo nodded, his face the very essence of control as he poured some of the medicine over a ball of cotton. "Ready?" He looked up and Hilde while she looked down at him with her lower lip caught between her teeth. She nodded then closed her eyes.

He could feel her muscles grow tense as he touched her knee then he lightly patted her wound. Slowly, she started to relax.

"Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Duo whispered as he leaned down and softly blew on the wound.

Hilde's eyes widened. Her hands grew cold and her lips trembled as she looked down at the top of his head... "N-no… not bad at all…"

At that moment, Duo looked up… Their eyes met… The air around them sizzled with unsurpassed passions that were being controlled… Everything just froze for them… no sounds… no sunshine except for the glow in each other's eyes as they slowly started to move toward each other… not able to fight whatever force was pulling them…

Her lips were a breath away and he could almost taste her-

Hilde jumped in her seat and Duo fell on his buttocks at the sudden loud banging knock that came from their door.

"Wha-what?!" Duo cried out while Hilde's right hand went to the base of her throat and their eyes riveted to the door, fire in their eyes for being disturbed.

"Yo Duo! It's the gang!!!"

The gang… the men… He shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Uh… Hmm… I think I better go get that…"

Hilde nodded. "Yes… I think you should…" They looked at each other once again then with a sigh of frustration, Duo pulled himself up and walked to the door to open it.

"Hey Duo. We heard what happened to Hilde."

Sounds of greetings by both low voiced men and worried women reached Hilde's ears and she turned the wheelchair around to face her friends… her wonderful extended family… Too bad they just ruined a chance… Well… nothing to do but say- "Hey guys! Come in!"

As subtle as he could, Duo pounded his head against the door to- 'Wake up… wake up… wake up…!'

Authoress: Heartfire