Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Contemplation Indigo ❯ Helios Wine ( Chapter 20 )

 

Helios Wine

 

By DRL

 

**Darkness..., it's so dark. I can't seem to open my eyes. Why can't I open my eyes? I can't move my arms..., or my legs for that matter. I can't seem to move at all. Something happened..., I can't remember.

 

I was in the hospital and Treize was with me. We had just come back from our honeymoon. It seems strange to refer to it as our honeymoon, seeing as we have been married for such a long time, but it was a honeymoon to me. The only one I've ever had, despite three marriages, and it was wonderful. We had just come back and Sally insisted that I came to Dr Scrivener's clinic for yet more tests. I was lying in my hospital bed, and Treize was sitting beside me, holding my hand. Then I felt this pain in my head. Such terrible pain. The worst headache of my life. I remember the excruciating pain, then Treize telling me not to worry, that the nurse was coming, then nothing..., just this darkness holding me down, rigid and unmoving.

 

Where is Treize? Wait a minute..., he's here. I can pick out the sweet, musky scent of his cologne from amongst the other sterile, clinical smells in this place. This place..., where exactly am I? This is not my usual room, the room I was in before, when I felt the pain. I can't hear the ticking of that stupidly-placed clock and this is definitely a different bed. Much firmer and less comfortable. I can hear the whir of machinery and an intermittent yet steady electronic bleeping, like one of those heart machines you see on tv shows set in hospitals. I can feel something in my mouth. In my mouth and down my throat, but for some reason I am not gagging on it. Treize has often commented on my apparent lack of any gag reflex so at least it has its uses outside the bedroom. Treize would have laughed at that and I try to turn to him to tell him, but I cannot move. I cannot speak. My mind works but my body does not. I can't understand why?

 

I hear a sound beside me, the springs of a chair. It is the sound of Trieze shifting his position, a sound I remember well from the last time. But it is not the same chair that Treize sat in as he kept his vigil at my bedside the last time I was in here. It is a different chair and I am in a different room. It is just as it was when I had my eyes bound after my corneal transplants. My hearing was much keener then that I ever recalled it previously being, just as it is now. I can think and I can hear, but I cannot speak or move. Why? I don't understand what has happened. I'm trying to remember, but the more I try the more the darkness closes over me, smothering my thoughts and rendering me entirely senseless...

 

**

 

The darkness is fading again and I can hear voices. They were far away but they are getting closer now, as the darkness recedes. **

 

 

“Oh my god, he looks terrible.” All those tubes and...”

 

“I know darling, I know.”

 

**Quatre and Trowa. I recognise their voices, but what are they doing here (wherever this is) and what is wrong with Quatre, he sounds so distressed? I feel someone take my hand and enclose it in warm, soft ones. It must be Quatre because Trowa would never do such a thing - not to me anyway. Where is Treize I wonder? I try to speak, to ask them, but the attempt is futile. I cannot communicate at all. It's so frustrating.**

 

“Do you think he's going to be alright?”

 

**It's definitely Quatre and he is sitting in the chair that Treize was sitting in before.**

 

“I hope so. Sally said that the coma could last anywhere from days to weeks to months, even years. She said that it is quite common after a major brain haemorrhage such as Wufei just had.”

 

**A brain haemorrhage? Is that what happened? Shit! No wonder I had such a god-awful headache. Well at least I now know why I can't move or speak. Poor Treize, he must be so worried. He does fuss over me so.**

 

“Do you think he can hear us Trowa?”

 

“I don't think so, although I have heard that coma victims can be brought round by hearing songs by their favourite singers and such like.”

 

“Do you think that he might come round if we talk to him?”

 

“Well it can't hurt. Quatre?”

 

“Yes love?”

 

“Do you think..., do you think that you could `feel' whether he can hear us or not? You know, empathically I mean.”

 

**Nice one Trowa. I don't understand how he does it but I've seen Quatre in action, and if anyone can bridge this gap, he can. I need him to tell Treize that I'm alright, that he mustn't worry.**

 

“I don't know, but I'll try. . . . . . . . . . . . Wufei, it's me, Quatre. Can you hear me?”

 

**Yes Quatre, I can hear you. Please god, I hope you can hear me.**

 

“You're a little under the weather at the moment, but it's nothing to worry about. You'll be fine soon, okay? We're all thinking about you and praying for you. Trowa is here with me and he says a big hi. Treize was here but he's under a very great strain at the moment so we sent him home for some rest so that he can keep his strength up. He was very reluctant to leave you, but we insisted. Well Trowa insisted actually, and Treize eventually saw reason. He agreed that he would be no use to you if he fell ill too. I will stay with you until Treize comes back, but unfortunately Trowa has to go soon.”

 

**You sound upset about that, so I assume he's going to be gone for a while. Where is he going?**

 

“I think you're right Trowa, I don't think he can hear us at all.”

 

**Yes, I can hear you. Try harder Winner, try harder!**

 

“Are you sure love? I know, I'll talk to him and you concentrate.”

 

“Okay Trowa.”

 

“Er, Wufei, it's Trowa here. I'm sorry I have to leave but duty calls. There has been a natural disaster on the L2 colony and the Winner Foundation is putting together an aid program. To evaluate the scope of our commitment I'll be taking a trip out there to see the extent of the damage and to see exactly what we are looking at in terms of rebuilding.”

 

**Oh well done Trowa. You always were the humanitarian amongst us. Not for nothing did you win that Man of the Year award last year. We were all so proud of you, but I really thought Quatre was going to burst with pride. It was really quite amusing.**

 

“Anything?”

 

“No, but keep talking.”

 

“Okay. Um..., I'll be flying out to L2 tonight. Quatre won't be coming with me though. We decided that it would be best if he stayed here with Treize, especially with you..., well, we thought that he might need some support should, er..., should anything... happen. You are both guests in our house after all, and we would be failing in our duties as hosts if we were to leave you both alone, even without such er, unfortunate circumstances. ”

 

**There's no need to be so `tactful' Trowa. I'm quite alright and nothing is going to `happen' as you so delicately put it. Thanks for looking after Treize for me. I know how the two of you can't bear to be parted for a moment so I appreciate the sacrifice.**

 

“It's no good Trowa. I don't think he can hear us at all. I can't feel anything from him.

 

**But I can hear you Quatre. **

 

“Never mind darling. At least you tried, and it was a bit of a long shot. I think we have to go now anyway. The nurse is coming to tend to Wufei.”

 

“I suppose you're right. Wufei, we have to go now, but I'll be just outside and...”

 

**No, they can't go. I have to get through. I have to let them know that I can hear them. I CAN HEAR YOU QUATRE, I CAN HEAR YOU.**

 

“Trowa, I just felt something.., wait a minute..., yes, I can feel him..., he can hear us...”

 

**Well I succeeded, but I think the effort was too great. I wanted to tell them something, but I cannot. The darkness, it's swallowing my mind again, pulling me under...

 

 

**

 

It's receding again. How long have I been here? Quatre and Trowa were here I remember. Trowa was telling me that he had to go to L2 and Quatre was a little upset because he couldn't go with him. I can hear something. There's someone here. Is it..., no, it's not Treize. Where is he? It's Duo, and he's sketching something. I can hear the scritch-scratching of the ink pen he always draws with against the paper of his sketchpad. It's an unmistakable sound and a very familiar one, if you know Duo. I hope he's not sketching me - if Quatre's reaction was anything to go by, I must look a fright. He's angry. I can tell by the violence of his penstrokes..., and by his sotto voce muttering.**

 

“Fucking bastard..., don't know why I ever married him.”

 

**Heero, of course. They must have had one of their famous quarrels. The two of them are incorrigible when it comes to this.**

 

“He's so mean to me, I'm sick of it. Just because he has had a bad day at the office, he comes home and snaps and barks at me, like it was my fault. Dunno why I stay with him..., apart from the sex..., and the fact that I love him so much.”

 

**There you are Duo, asked and answered.**

 

“Can't even go running to Q with my troubles `cos he's got enough of his own, being so miserable because Tro's away on L2.”

 

**So he's gone has he? How long ago I wonder? How long have I been here?**

 

“I tell ya Wu, you don't know how lucky you are, having Treize to live with instead of an anal retentive like Heero. Who the hell cares whether the fucking glasses are spotted or not? If it bothers him that much, why can't he just get a dishtowel and polish the damn things already? Well if he thinks he's getting any sugar tonight, he'd better think again. . . . . . . Hey babe, what are you doing here?”

 

“I came to see Chang. I would ask you the same question, but I assume I would get the same answer.”

 

“Yeah, that and to get away from you `cos you were being such a fucking asshole.”

 

“Yes, well I apologise for that. I had a bit of a stressful day.”

 

“No worries babe, you're forgiven.”

 

“What are you drawing?”

 

“Portrait of Wu. I thought I'd give it to Treize, you know, for when he's not here. Whaddaya think?”

 

“It's a beautiful portrait and a beautiful thought. Why don't you put it down for a minute and come sit over here, and I'll show you how sorry I am about the glasses...”

 

**From the soft sighs and moist kissing sounds I can hear I assume that all sugar privileges have been restored. Typical Duo, his resolve has the strength of tissue paper. I feel the darkness engulfing my remaining senses again, so I'll leave them to it...

 

 

**

 

My mind is swimming back into consciousness and I can sense another presence. It's Treize this time. I know it from the scent of him, from the familiar rhythm of his breathing and from the lightness of his touch as he caresses my cheek. I wish I could tell him how much I've missed him and how glad I am that he's here. What's that he's saying..., no Treize, you mustn't say that...**

 

“... so sorry Fei, so sorry to have brought you to this. It's all my fault. I started this whole thing. If I hadn't coerced you into having that eye operation, you wouldn't be lying here now. I know that both Dr Scrivener and Sally Po say that that's not true, that the two events were unfortunate but completely unconnected, but how can I possibly believe that? It's entirely too coincidental to be credible and even if it were, it is still my fault. I'm sure that Sally would have discovered this aneurysm thing sooner had we not been in such hast to depart on our honeymoon cruise. “

 

**No Treize, this is nonsense.**

 

“Sally herself admitted to me that she would have performed the necessary tests sooner, but she delayed them because we had to leave for the cruise, and since it was me who suggested renewing our wedding vows in the first place, the whole thing becomes my own stupid fault. I suppose that this is what indulging your every whim gets me, my pet, but it made you happy, and I don't regret that for one second.”

 

**Ah yes, that was nice. Kiss me again. On the forehead will have to do because of this thing down my throat. What is it anyway? **

 

“I have to go soon, my love. I can see the nursing staff hovering outside. They will vouchsafe me a few minutes more, but only a few. I hate to leave you but the rules are different here in the intensive care unit, and visiting is strictly controlled. It is not possible for me to stay with you as I could when you were in the other room. Here they have you hooked up to monitors and ventilators, they have electrodes taped all over you and they have tubes inserted into your arms for drugs and drips and goodness knows what else. It's all quite distressing. It breaks my heart to see you like this my love, all because I tried to make you happy.”

 

**I can hear him choking back the emotion. Don't cry Treize, I'm alright, really I am. Wait a minute, I think...**

 

“Come back to me Fei, please come back to me. I'm desolate without you. I miss you so much. I . . . .”

 

**He felt it, I'm sure he did. I'll try again**

 

“Fei? Can you hear me?”

 

He definitely felt it this time - I heard the sharp intake of breath. I feel the numbness in my limbs dissolving away. I think I can open my eyes. He's released my hand and risen from the chair. He's probably gone to call the nurse. Yes, here comes the cavalry**.

 

“...my imagination. I was holding his hand and talking to him, and suddenly I distinctly felt pressure. It was very faint, but it was there. Then I asked if he could hear me, and I felt the pressure again, slightly stronger this time, then his eyelids flickered. Look, there, did you see it?”

 

“Yes your Excellency. Your husband is definitely coming round. I'll go and call the doctor.”

 

**My eyes have finally opened to the most wonderful sight I could ever have wished for. Treize. I try to speak to him but I finally gag on this thing that is in my throat.**

 

“Shhh my pet, don't try to speak. There is a ventilator in your throat. It's been helping you to breathe while you have been asleep. No love, don't try to pull it out. Just lie still. The doctor is coming and you are going to be fine. Just fine.”

 

 

 

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