Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Dear Sally ❯ Chapter 14

Disclaimer: I do not own the Gundam boys or any other character from the series. I don't own the song "Maybe" It belongs to Enrique Iglesias and all rights are his.

Warnings: Angst, foul language

Pairings: 1+2,1x1, 2x2, 2+H, 1+R, 3x4, 5xS, 6xN, HxR, 1x2x1.

(Authors note If you notice a change in pairing I have changed it from DxR to HxR not even I can bring myself to put Dorothy with Relena. Dorothy creeps me out)

Rating: NC17 occasional fluff.

Author: Ryouga.

Authors note: '...' denotes thoughts

Just to clear up Something Chang is the last name Of Wu Fei . Every one tends to write it the English Way because of how it's done in the English dubbed version and in subtitles on the Japanese subbed.. `Wu Fei Chang' but in actual fact in Chinese Wu Fei is his first name Chang is his last name Which is also his clan name. In Japan and China they use the last name first and the first name last. If they didn't Heero's name would actually be Yuy Heero and not Heero Yuy, just thought I'd point this out It's a good thing I studied Chinese years ago and Japanese for the past two But I appreciate the thought thanks people ^_~

// Denotes song lyrics //

Title: Dear Sally

Dear Sally 14/14

"We're losing him Duo! We're losing him!"

Duo felt his heart crash to his feet and his world went totally black.

He woke up screaming Heero's name at the top of his lungs and the next thing he knew he had three medics and Sally standing by his bedside in the emergency room at the hospital making a fuss over him, checking his vital signs etc.

He was shaking now, looking around the room, eyes darting around searching for the one thing that would make him believe this was all a dream.

He never found it.

"Sally?" The boy questioned as the woman readjusted his heart monitor pads.

She left the other medics to it and sat by Duo, a stern look on her face. This was obviously just as hard on her as it was anyone.

"Well I'm afraid I have some good news or bad news, it all depends on how you see it Duo"

"Just tell me straight, I need to know." his voice was quivering.

Sally took a deep breath. "This is the situation. Heero pulled through the worst of it so far, but it isn't over yet." She watched as Duo sat there shaking and offered him a blanket. He shook his head and she continued. "There was a complication however and he's in a coma."

"A coma?" Duo gasped his eyes beholding a sadness which not even Sally herself had seen before. "Duo?" the girl gently placed an arm over his shoulder.

This is my entire fault! I'm such a fucking idiot. All he needed was time. I'm so stupid." he sobbed into his hands.

Leaning forward, Sally held the sobbing boy tightly. "You two had a fight, didn't you?"

Duo nodded. "I was upset because he always avoided making love. I thought he was just being a tease so we had words this morning and, and I said some things I didn't really mean and, and now he's …" he sobbed harder into the woman's shoulder.

"Duo." Sally began, gripping the boy's shoulders in her hands firmly and looking him directly in the eyes. "You can't blame yourself for this. I know Heero wouldn't want that. You need to be strong. He's alive and that's a start."

Duo's breath shuddered as he tried to regain his composure. "I never meant anything I said Sally. Really I didn't."

Sally gave him a reassuring smile. "I think he realized that." she said, handing him the collar that they'd found in Heero's hand.

"This just makes it worse". Duo sighed as he read the words * I'm sorry* over and over again before tightly clutching the collar to his chest. "He was coming home to apologize to me, when it's me who should be apologizing to him."

One of the Doctors walked into the room and whispered in Sally's ear. She nodded and turned her attention back to Duo. "Heero's been settled into a private room. Do you want to see him?"

Duo swallowed nervously. "Yes. I have to, I_need to…. " He got off the bed and grabbed its edge.

"Whoa. Careful Duo." she replied, helping Duo stand. "Are you alright to walk by yourself?" she asked the boy as he teetered a little on his feet. He was still a little light headed, but decided he could manage on his own.

"I'll be fine. Thanks. Just get me to Heero, please." the boy pleaded

"This way then." she said, ushering him carefully out of the emergency room and into a hallway. "It's just down this corridor and to the left." She watched Duo as they walked side by side. She could see he was still very shaky on his legs, but his determination to walk all the way to Heero came as no surprise to her and she found a smile working it's way onto her face once more.

Duo stopped before they reached their point of destination and turned to face the medic that he'd known for so long. " What happened before?" he asked quietly. "The accident I mean. How did it happen?"

"The petrol tanker ran the red light, the driver failed to slow down and couldn't stop in time. Heero and the other car were already waiting there and the tanker ran straight into, and then over them before tipping over. Luckily for Heero, he was the first car at the lights." She looked into his eyes with an open honesty. " That and the fact that he had your car was what saved his life Duo. If he'd taken his car… "

Duo stood against the wall. "Sally…" he began tentatively. "Do you remember Dancing Blue eyes with Perfect desire and Lost and Confused?"

Sally thought for a moment before replying. "Yes I remember the first column writer well. He was an absolute joker. But I found him sincere and honest with his feelings. The other was a little apprehensive in displaying affection. They reminded me of you two actually." she grinned. "I didn't know you read my column Duo."

"I didn't just read it Sally, Dancing was me and Lost was Heero. Turns out Trowa, the rat bastard, set us up, gave us both the paper with your column in it and, well, the rest up to here you know."

Sally laughed a little "So that's what he meant by saying he'd found new recruits for the column… Slimy little toad."

"He's just lucky I talked Heero out of turning him inside out and roasting him over hot coals." he replied managing a slight smile.

Sally chuckled. "Now that's the Duo Maxwell that_I know." She placed an am around his shoulders, leading him towards room 12a. "C'mon, Heero's just through here."

With only a slight pause of reluctance, Duo followed her lead into the room.

~*~

Doctors hovered over the motionless form of Heero Yuy as Sally and Duo walked in.

Duo's heart sank once more at the pitiful sight that met his saddened violet eyes. Monitor leads and pressure tabs were attached all over the boy and he'd been cleaned up. Outwardly Sally was right. The ever *perfect soldier* had come through with a few cuts and bruises on his exterior, but as usual it was the interior that had everyone worried, although this time it was different. It wasn't his emotional state that held every one in their valid state of concern, but the damage that may have been caused internally to his body by the accident.

"If his heart rate keeps dropping like this we'll never manage an accurate stabilization." one of the Doctors commented.

Duo went to turn and walk out. He couldn't do it, he couldn't watch this, not with Heero looking so helpless. Sally put her arm out stopping him from leaving. Only four words escaped her lips in her efforts to keep him there. "He needs you now!"

Slowly, the unsure Shinigami drew in a deep breath and sighed, his heart heavy as he backed up. He turned around and moved quietly over to the opposite side of the bed avoiding the path of the Doctors fiddling and fussing over leads and monitor switches.

He stood at Heero's side and his heart ached, the pain cutting through him like a knife. Gingerly he reached out and touched Heero's hand gently, holding back the tears that were urging him constantly to let them flow. He refused them their objective as he gently took the other boy's hand in his. It was cool and a little clammy to the touch.

Sally moved up beside Duo as he stood quietly watching the erratic rise and fall of his lover's chest.

"Why isn't he stabilizing Sally?" the boy's voice was filled with worry and concern.

"He was earlier, but for some reason he's slipping in and out of it..." She paused, looking at the monitor. "…Wait, I take that back! His heart rate has just stabilized of it's own accord." she said suddenly as she changed the settings on the heart monitor quickly. "Make sure that I V's secure. Get the oxygen down to normal levels. "

The Doctors turned and stared at the monitor in awe, mumbling and chatting excitedly amongst each other and Sally gave a deep growl that even made Duo jump to attention. "MOVE IT!!"

Duo watched the scene unfold like something out of an old medical show as they sprang into action, readjusting switches and knobs all over the place. He held tight to Heero's hand through the whole scenario. "C'mon Heero." he begged the other boy. "You can pull through this! I know you can."

Sally turned around to face him. "Don't expect it to happen over night Duo. Sometimes people have been in comas for months, even years and some…" She continued; with a solemn look on her face.

"I get the picture." Duo replied quietly.

"Are you going to stay with him tonight?" Sally asked the violet-eyed boy, who was softly stroking Heero's hair.

Duo nodded. "Yeah. If he does wake up, I want to be here."

Sally gave Duo a grateful smile. "Good. I'm glad. Well, now that he's stabilized, I'm off to get coffee. You want some?"

"Thanks, I'd love some. I could use something strong though, black with two would be great."

"I'll be back in a few minutes. Keep an eye on the monitors for me ok?" she said with a wink.

"You don't have to ask me twice." he replied. "Oh and Sally?" he called out just before she made it over to the door. "Are the girls still waiting around?"

"You want me to send them in if they are?"

"If you would. I need to ask `em a favor." he said glancing back at Heero briefly.

"Done. I'll be back soon." she replied, leaving the Shinigami to watch over his lover's welfare.

~*~

Relena and Hilde were in the waiting room in the emergency section. Relena had fallen asleep over Hilde's lap. Glancing briefly to her left Hilde noticed Sally's approach and gently woke the Vice minister from her restless slumber. Her eyes were red from crying. Heero had been her closest friend throughout the war and he had taught her how to be strong through many things. Even death. But it was easier to face your own death rather than someone close to you.

Both of the girls rose to meet Sally as she approached them. Relena stepped forward and was the first to speak of Heero. "Heero? How is he? Is he alright will he live?"

Sally folded her arms. "I can only tell you what I have already told Duo and nothing more." she answered truthfully.

"And?" Relena inquired urgently.

"That he's in a coma… And_anything can happen from here on in."

Hilde took hold of Relena's hand squeezing a little as the girl started to show signs of more emotion. "Hey, no more of that Relena. You know what Heero would say." Hilde said, wiping the girls tears away with her handkerchief.

Sally gave the girls one of her more reassuring smiles. "We can only wait situations like these out I'm afraid, but you two_know how stubborn Heero Yuy can be."

Hilde grinned. "Yeah. Even I must admit, the guy_is tough. I mean, Duo once told me Heero self-destructed his Gundam and survived and the odds of surviving something like that are pretty low odds in my book."

"I agree. Heero is the one who continually surprises us, but, I'm afraid it would take some kind of miracle to pull him out of this one." Sally interjected. "In all honesty as I told Duo, it could be weeks before he comes to, even months and in the worse case scenario… he could still die."

Hilde felt Relena stiffen up as those words hit home and she rested an arm around the girl's waist. "Are we able to go see him?" the girl asked softly.

"Yes it's fine. I'm just going to call the others and let them know about Heero and then take some coffee back to Duo."

"I'll do that. "Hilde offered. "You make the phone calls, that's more important."

Sally gave her a nod of thanks. "I'd appreciate that. They're in room 12a. Duo wanted to ask you a favor anyway, so just head on down there now. I'll be along soon to check on Heero." she turned away and headed towards her office.

~*~

Finally the other doctors had left and Duo had pulled the chair from the corner up to the bed next to Heero and sat down quietly watching the boy. He never noticed the two girls approaching him until they were right there in front of him.

"Hey Duo." Hilde almost whispered as she checked to see how Heero was doing with a sideways glance towards him.

"Hilde, Relena. Hey thanks for sticking around."

"That's ok Duo. We don't mind. You know it was Relena who spotted the accident and recognized your car, we thought it was you at first but… then we realized it was Heero." Hilde watched as Relena walked up to the bed and stood firm. "She's pretty cut up over this. Heero's been like a brother to her."

Relena looked down at Heero and took a deep breath. "Now listen here Heero Yuy." the girl began, holding back as much emotion as she could. "This just won't do. You're supposed to be strong. You can't let this beat you." she said defiantly. "Or are you just going to take the cowards way out after all Heero Yuy?"

"Relena!" Hilde exclaimed. "That's enough." She led the girl gently back over to the chair next to Duo and held her close. "Sorry about that Duo."

Duo shook his head. "If she hadn't of said it I would have sooner or later. It's gonna be hard on all of us. Let's face it, we're like a family, we've all been through tons of shit together and this is just one more battle we have to face. Although, I think it's gonna be just that little bit harder this time."

Hilde nodded her agreement as she comforted Relena. "Sally said you needed us for something?"

"Yeah. I wanted to know if you guys could drop past our place and pick up some clothes for me, oh and my stereo and CDs. I'm gonna be staying here with Heero. I can't leave him, not like this."

Hilde smiled. She'd known Duo for so long now it was strange seeing him so down. This wasn't like him. This wasn't the Duo she knew. His heart was torn she could tell. "Sure. It won't be a problem, we'll go get them now."

Duo's gratefulness emerged in the slight smile that managed to form on his face. "I appreciate that. Thanks guys."

"We'll see you when we get back then." Hilde replied as she ushered Relena out of the room.

Duo watched as they left. It was a good feeling to know that their friends were there to support them.

~*~

One week passed and then another and still no change in Heero's situation. Day after day, night after night the others had come to see them and each of them talked to Heero, giving him words of encouragement and reasons to keep fighting. Except for Duo. He was some days beyond despair, and despite Sally's urges for him to say something to Heero, Duo had no idea what he could say. Everyone else had already said most of what he thought needed saying.

Hilde and Relena came the most, mostly as moral support for Duo. Despite his determination to stay strong, the violet-eyed boy found himself on more than one occasion, fighting back tears.

Relena sat by Heero watching him as Duo walked into the corner of the room and sighed miserably. Hilde rubbed his back and smiled. "How about some music?" she asked him. "You can sing, cheer us up a little." she encouraged. "Whadd'ya say?"

Duo stuck his head in the corner of the room where he was standing and held his hands out touching the smoothness of the white wall before him. "I guess." he replied halfheartedly.

"What do you want me to put on?" Hilde asked, heading over to Duo's stereo and opening the CD player.

"Whatever you want." the broken hearted god of death answered, his voice sounding like he didn't care if the world was about to end. As far as he was concerned, a life with out Heero was something that he didn't want to imagine. It was bad enough that for the past two weeks the boy's heart rate had continued to fluctuate.

Although it had stabilized when it did, it hadn't lasted more than a day and the doctors had started to worry that if he kept this up more drastic measures would need to be taken. They'd already hooked him back up to the oxygen and Duo had been unnerved ever since.

Duo had asked them the options and had promptly wished that he hadn't. They'd reported that if he hadn't stabilized soon, the boy would be put onto life support and taken off the oxygen all together and that was something that Duo wasn't happy about at all.

Hilde rummaged through Duo's CD case and pulled out one of his many CD's that he had stashed in his folder and plonked the first one in she could find. "This looks ok," she muttered to herself before turning to show it to him. "Hey Duo, what about this? It's, it's ok, isn't it Duo?" She held up the CD and he glanced back briefly before sticking his head back into the corner and Hilde couldn't help think he looked like an ostrich trying to bury it's head in the sand whilst hiding from the harsh realities of the world. But in his case, she found it forgivable.

There was no point in making false hopes and promises, and there was no guarantee that Heero would make it through. *This* could be the mission that finally downed Heero Yuy, the great Gundam pilot.

"I guess." he repeated monotonously.

Relena caught Hilde's glance as the girl's shoulders drooped a little and she smiled encouragingly. "I think anything would be fine right now." she suggested. "As long as it's not too loud." She directed the next few words at the sulking Shinigami. "Duo, you should sing for Heero. He told me once that when you sing it was like listening to an angel."

Duo turned around to face the Vice Minister a surprised look on his face. "Heero said that?"

The girl nodded in confirmation of truthfulness of her words. "Yes, he did. He also said that at night, when he couldn't sleep and he was restless and you were singing away to yourself in your room, that it helped him relax and he could ease into a sound sleep. Of course…" she continued with a slight grin on her face. "… he also said, that as wonderful as it was, he could have killed you for waking him with it so early in the morning."

Duo gave a slight chuckle. "Did he now? That rat bastard!" he turned with a slight smile on his face towards Hilde. "Well I guess it won't hurt to sing for him. Ok Hilde. Go ahead, put it on."

The dark haired girl complied and as the music began to drift out from the stereo, Duo gave a sad little sigh. "Heero really likes this song." he told them.

Hilde placed a hand on his shoulder. "Well then, sing it to him Duo " she urged him. "Sing with all your heart and soul for him."

Duo gave her a slight nod and leaning with his back against the wall began to pour his heart out in song.

//If I had one single wish,

I'd go back to the moment I kissed,

You good-bye no matter how hard I try,

I can't live without you in my life.//

How true he knew those words were. He couldn't live without Heero and he wished as he continued that he'd never been so shallow in his thinking about Heero's love for him.

//Maybe you'll say you still want me,

Maybe you'll say that you don't,

Maybe we said it was over,

But Baby I can't let you go.//

He didn't want it to be over, not like this. He would never forgive himself if Heero didn't pull through.

Relena watched the perfect soldier. But wait. Was that her imagination, did she really see his eyelids flutter?

//I walk around trying to understand,

where we went wrong,

and I can't pretend.//

He couldn't pretend he'd never said those words, that they never had the argument. But he couldn't pretend that his heart wasn't aching either or the fact he regretted his actions.

//It wasn't me,

and it wasn't you,

But I'm convinced,

we gave up too soon.//

"Duo sing louder and with even_more feeling!" Relena urged him excitedly.

"What?"

"Just do it!" she ordered.

He complied.

//Maybe you'll say you still want me,

Maybe you'll say that you don't,

Maybe we said it was over,

But Baby I can't let you go.//

He didn't want to let go, not of Heero, not ever.

//Nothing left to lose,

after losing you,

There's nothing I can't take.//

Hilde moved closer to Heero and Relena and she realized the source of Relena's sudden enthusiasm. The heart monitor was registering a stable heartbeat again and he was breathing more on his own. His face had regained more of a pink color.

"Get Sally. Hurry!"

Relena shot out of the room and Hilde took her place by Heero's side.

"Hilde what's..."

"Shut up and sing Duo. Just sing!!"

//When I run to you,

When I come for you,

don't tell me I'm too late.//

He walked over to Heero and took hold of the boy's hand in his. It felt a little warmer than it had earlier and Duo glanced at Hilde, a little surprised.

Oh god please don't let it be too late. Please!!' he pleaded softly.

"Sing Duo, sing." Hilde continued to encourage him.

//Maybe you'll say you still want me,

Maybe you'll say that you don't,

Maybe we said it was over,

But Baby I can't let you go.//

Heero's body was twitching slightly in places now and the heart monitor started going crazy but yet there was no change in his heart rate. It remained stable. The song was left to finish itself as Duo's attention remained with his lover.

//Can't let you go.//

Sally and Relena charged back into the room just as the monitor sounded out.

//Can't let you go.//

"He's stabilized, he's fighting back!!" Sally switched off the oxygen and adjusted the switches on the heart monitor.

//Can't let you go.//

Duo squeezed Heero's hand gently and leant down onto the bed by his head. "C'mon Heero." he pleaded with him. "C'mon koi, don't let this beat you!"

Heero's eyelids started to flutter and a small groan escaped the lips that had been silent for so long.

"That's it Heero fight!! Come back to me. I need you!! I need you_because, because, I LOVE YOU " the boy yelled at him burying his head on Heero's chest, sobbing lightly.

//Can't let you go.//

The song faded into silence and only Duo's sobs could be heard. Slowly he looked up as he felt a tug on his braid. "I'm sorry Duo… I wrecked your car."

Relena burst into tears of relief and Hilde slumped back into the seat.

Sally stood back and let them be.

Duo stood there in silence for a moment as he took in the sudden feeling of happiness that was literally thrown at him. " Fuck the car you stupid idiot!" Duo chastised him, finding his voice again. "I don't care about the car!" He wiped the tears from his eyes and held the boy gently in a loving embrace. "Oh god Heero, I'm so sorry. Forgive me. I never meant what I said. I was waiting for you to come back so I could apologise. It was my fault. I was such an idiot. If I hadn't said all those awful… "

Hilde motioned for Relena to follow her out of the room. Sally had quietly suggested they wait outside for a while and let the two of them have some time together alone.

"Stop it Duo." Heero said, gently interrupting Duo. "It wasn't your fault. It could have happened at any time and even to you. The accident wasn't predetermined by our argument, but by the lack of foresight by the driver of the truck." he commented. "That, and the fact that I wasn't quick enough to get out of the car as I saw him coming in the rear view mirror."

"Fuck Heero." Duo had to laugh. "Back in the world of wakefulness for five minutes and you're already acting like you!"

Heero gently caressed Duo's cheek. "Would you rather I act like someone else?" he asked almost seriously.

Duo bent down closer, kissing him tenderly, sweeping his lips gently over the chocolate haired boy's. "No. I don't. That wouldn't be fair on either one of us; it would be like living a lie. And besides… I've had a lot of time to think over the past two weeks, and I've realized that I couldn't live without the real Heero Yuy in my life."

"Baka!" Heero blushed, returning the boy's kiss.

A knock came from behind them and Sally had returned carrying a bowl and a syringe containing a yellowish liquid.

Duo turned to Heero and grinned. "Looks like it's time for your shots koi."

Sally smiled. "It's nothing to worry about, just a routine injection I have to give you." she said reassuringly.

"Sally? If I were your mother would she let you give her that?" Heero inquired a little nervously whilst looking at the size of the needle.

"Absolutely not!" Sally replied with a straight face. "She doesn't believe in doctors."

Duo laughed at the look on Heero's face. Sally had been joking, but Heero was still a little too out of it to be thinking that straight yet.

"Don't worry Heero." Sally began with a grin. "It won't hurt a bit. I promise."

"I was more concerned as to where you were going to be putting something of that size in proportion to my body, than I was about pain."

Duo gave out a loud laugh. "Do the words *bend over * hold any meaning for you?"

"Ignore him Heero." Sally smiled shaking her head. " It goes into your IV. No pain involved."

Heero sighed. Nothing had changed the past two weeks. Not even Duo's incorrigibleness, but it was definitely good to be back.

~*~

It was a few days later when Sally allowed him to have extra visitors. She had removed the IV and Heero was back to functioning completely on his own.

Duo stood by the door after everyone had gone. "I'm just going out to grab a drink." he informed them as he headed out of the room.

Sally sat down in the chair by Heero and he watched as a smile swept over her face.

"What's so amusing?" he asked with a frown.

"I'm sorry Heero but I can't resist. Does Lost and confused mean anything to you?"

Heero glared at the woman not knowing how to reply at first, but then moments later he managed to find his tongue. "He told you didn't he?"

Sally nodded her confirmation. "But it's ok Heero. I haven't mentioned it to any one else. I give you my word."

Heero sighed, a non-complacent sigh. "I trust you Sally. No need to prove your integrity to me." He looked away almost too embarrassed to ask the next question. "So what advice does the great and wise Dear Sally suggest for lost and confused now?"

"You want it straight up?" she asked him with a cheeky smirk.

"Yes." came the short reply

"Just remember, you asked for this Heero Yuy!" she reminded him.

"I'll not forget."

"Love doesn't just fall in your lap." the girl began with a grin. "Sometimes you have to force it there."

Heero gave her a blank stare. Whether it was out of surprise or just plain shock she wasn't too sure but it was as amusing as all hell to watch. "And that means exactly?"

"Just throw him down on that gurney and hump his brains out!"

The Prussian blue eyes widened and a red flush slowly made it's way over his cheeks. "But I can't... I mean I…"

"Heero!" Sally cut him off mid sentence. "You need to rise above this fear of yours about being inferior. Not being in control doesn't always mean you have to lower your defenses and feel powerless while making love to some one you love." she said sincerely and honestly. "WuFei and I share control situations while love making all the time and that was really hard for him to adjust to, but he did it, and I know you can too!"

Heero hadn't really needed to hear about the mating habits of WuFei and Sally Chang. It was bad enough knowing that she knew about his insecurities, but this was just too much information.

"Thank you for sharing that Sally and now that I'm traumatized for life I shall endeavor_not to keep that in mind. However, I will consider your advice. It's how to go about it though. I just don't have a clue."

"Now that…" Sally said beaming with mischief. "…I can help with for sure. How about I give you one last piece of advice for the road. I think from there on in you'll be ok on your own."

Heero pondered the offer. Once more wouldn't hurt. "Mission accepted." he replied with a smirk.

TBC…