Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 106 ( Chapter 106 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

With Duo seriously hurt, it's a race against time to try and get him back to Earth.
[I apologize for the formatting, but I cannot upload the chapters in the usual doc format as the site is still obviously having issues. Rather than make everyone wait for the chapters, I'll post in html format and reload in doc once the site's issues have been sorted out.]

Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Hentai / Romance / Suspense / Angst | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 12.28.2010 | Updated On: 12.28.2010 | Pages: 5 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 207 | Status: Work In Progress

“Family Ties”

January 2007 ShenLong

Chapter 106

[Satellite XRB 23 – Control Room Corridor]

The knife settled itself into Duo’s abdomen, Barton’s strength having run out before he could plunge it deeper or twist it.

Simons watched in horror as the knife flashed forth, then without thinking, he lunged forward. As Barton passed out from the exertion, so Simons knocked him to the floor to prevent anything further from happening.

Duo’s eyes widened in surprise, then turned dark with anger, followed by fear. A sort of gurgled, strangled cry left his lips as he looked down to where the knife was embedded in his gut. He wrapped his hands around the hilt, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead as his only thought was for the child within that he was most likely carrying.

Hearing the scuffle, Heero’s head snapped around, his eyes growing wide as a scream tore from his throat. Before he was aware of it, his feet were carrying him down the corridor to his husband and love of his life.

Blood was oozing sluggishly from the wound, it felt like a thousand needles were passing through his insides and Duo did his best to stop both the blackness from invading and keep Shinigami inside his box. The demon within was pounding in frustration, wanting to come forth and destroy this mortal that had harmed what was his.

“DUO!” Heero cried and caught the braided man just as he started to fall. He lay him down gently on the corridor floor and noted Duo's hands wrapped around the hilt of the knife. “No, Duo, leave the knife where it is, if you pull it out it could do more damage,” he said, his voice barely containing the terror he felt.

“Hurts,” came Duo’s scared reply, the word laced with fear.

“I know it does, Duo. Please, listen to me. Remain calm, help is on its way.”

Duo’s hand reached out and grabbed Heero’s forearm. “The baby,” he whispered. “Oh, god, Heero. The baby. What if it’s hurt my child?” Duo’s voice was starting to raise, become hysterical as the thought of his unborn child being hurt, or even worse, killed, invaded his mind.

“Fuck,” Heero cursed. “That bastard,” he snarled, blue eyes sparking with fear, anger and hate. Looking to where the knife protruded, Heero wasn't’ sure if it would have connected with Duo’s womb or not. He really wasn’t all that clued up when it came to his husband’s unusual anatomy. Sure he knew the basics, where the body’s main organs were located and such, but Duo was different.

“Hold on, my love,” Heero reassured as he grabbed for his communicator. Pushing the button on the thing, he was quick, short and to the point. “All agents, this is Day. Agent down, repeat, agent down. Status critical, require immediate assistance to the Control room corridor.” Finished with his call for help, Heero dropped the communicator, Duo was his priority now.

“You, give me your shirt, and you, your sweater,” he snapped at two of the prisoners. Both complied immediately, pulling the garments off their bodies and passing them over. The shirt was bunched up and placed under Duo’s head, the sweater lain across his upper body to keep him warm. Heero noticed the slight trembling of his lover’s body indicating that shock was starting to set in.

Another shirt, torn into strips was handed to him. “Here, use this to cover the wound.”

Heero looked up into the concerned eyes of Professor Hawkins and with a nod, took the offered strips of material. The professor squatted next to him and began to assist. Heero packed the cloth around the wound, being as gentle as he could, doing his best to stem the blood loss and hold the knife still. Whilst he worked, part of his mind was on Barton.

Where did he get the knife? All the prisoners had been patted down and all weapons removed. Those weapons had been secured and come to think of it, there hadn’t been any knives amongst the small cachet they had confiscated. The only knives he was aware of were the ones Duo had earlier – the one’s he’d used on Zaheer...

The realization suddenly dawned on him and he took a closer look at the knife hilt.

It was one of Duo’s.

When Duo had confronted Matthews and Zaheer in the corridor earlier, he’d used his knives to attack and bring the pair down. Running what he remembered of the scene through his mind, Heero suddenly remembered.

When Duo had been dealing with Zaheer, the big man had tried to grab the knife that had ended up on the floor when Heero had shot the gun from Zaheer’s hand. He’d stepped on the man’s hand to prevent him from picking the knife up and that had earned him a reprimand from his lover who insisted on taking care of the bastard himself. With the following flurry of activity – namely Duo letting Shinigami forth to destroy Zaheer - Heero had completely forgotten about the knife.

The item had obviously remained on the floor of the corridor; until now.

Heero berated himself, cursed his own stupidity and that he’d completely forgotten about protocol, leaving the knife behind. Had he followed his training the knife would have been picked up; but he hadn’t, and now that knife was embedded in his husband’s gut, his love lay critically injured, their child possibly dead and all because he hadn’t double checked the corridor.

This was all his fault.

A hand lay itself atop of his shaking one and Heero turned to look into Hawkins’ concerned eyes. “We need to get him out of here. He needs urgent medical help,” the professor said softly.

Heero looked at the prone form of his lover, the shallow breaths and semi conscious state. “I know,” he replied. His gaze connected again with Hawkins. “Watch him,” he said as he stood up.

The professor blinked as those blue eyes that were clouded with pain, sorrow and concern suddenly changed into chips of ice.

Heero spun on his heel and reached for Barton.

* * *

[Satellite XRB 23 – Dome]

The three agents were currently working their way through the Dome when Quatre suddenly gasped. Both Zechs and Wufei turned to the blonde who was doubled over, clutching at his stomach.

“Space?” Zechs questioned.

Chang moved closer to the smaller man and put a hand on his shoulder. “Winner? What’s wrong?”

Winner shook his head. “Don’t know. Just had this sudden, sharp pain in my abdomen,” he gasped out.

“Are you ill?” Zechs asked, a frown appearing between his brows.

“It’s not me,” Quatre gritted. “It’s someone else.”

Zechs raised an inquiring eyebrow.

Chang was quick to explain. “Winner has a strong sixth sense, some call it empathy. He can feel the emotions and pain of another, especially those close to him.” He left it at that, Zechs could work it out for himself.

“Well shit,” Zechs muttered.

Quatre placed one hand against the corridor wall and tried to pull himself upright. He forced his shields to come up and block some of the pain so he could think clearly.

“Winner, do you know who?”

“Not sure,” Quatre said as the pain began to recede a bit.

Their communicators crackled into life.

“All agents, this is Day. Agent down, repeat, agent down. Status critical, require immediate assistance to the Control room corridor.”

Zechs, Wufei and Quatre all turned to each other, their wide eyes connected as their respective minds scrambled to process the words.

“Duo,” Quatre said softly.

“Maxwell,” Wufei stated.

“Agent Night?” Zechs shook his head.

“Shit, it’s Duo,” Quatre cried. “We have to get to them now!”

The three agents didn’t waste any time, all took off running in the direction of the Control room corridor.

* * *

[Satellite XRB 23 – Transport Shuttle 121]

Trowa had left the cockpit of the shuttle and was currently in the medical section of the shuttle. The morphine was starting to wear off and the pain from his injured shoulder and ankle was starting to make its presence felt.

He managed to locate another phial of the drug and was busy injecting it into his blood stream when the communicator buzzed.

“All agents, this is Day. Agent down, repeat, agent down. Status critical, require immediate assistance to the Control room corridor.”

“Shit!” Trowa pulled the needle from his arm and tossed it into the medical trash can. Grabbing his communicator, he pushed a button as he hobbled as fast as his ankle would allow back to the cockpit.

“Heero?! Heero?! Dammit, Yuy, fuckin’ answer me!” Trowa growled. A cold knot of fear had lodged in his gut and Heero’s silence only compounded the feeling.

“Day?! What the fuck is going on? Who is hurt?!” he tried again, but still no reply.

“Air, we’re on our way now to Yuy’s position,” came Wufei’s voice over the unit.

“Chang, what’s happening? Who is hurt, what are the injuries?” Trowa demanded.

“I don’t know anything at the moment. We suspect it’s Maxwell and will be able to confirm once we get to Yuy’s position.” Wufei panted the words out as he ran down corridors along with his team mates.

“Fuck!” Trowa’s fist slammed into the arm of the pilot’s chair.

“Trowa, sit tight. We will contact you as soon as we get to Heero and know what’s going on,” Quatre’s calm voice came over the link.

The blonde’s voice calmed his lover and Trowa sank gratefully into the pilot’s chair. “Roger that, Quatre. I’ll keep the line open.”

“Will update you soon and keep our links open too. Love you.”

“Love you too, Quatre. Be careful.”

Leaning back into the chair, Trowa ran a hand across his face and through his bangs, wincing when he brushed over the cut to his head. “Please let Duo be okay,” he murmured. He sat bolt upright in the chair. “Shit, the baby!”

* * *

[Satellite XRB 23 – Control Room Corridor]

Barton was lying slumped on the floor, the plunge of the knife had taken the last of his reserves and he was now in semi consciousness. Simons had pushed him down and covered him to stop any further attempt at injuring anyone, but when Simons saw Heero get up and turn in his direction, the computer tech hastily shoved himself from his ex-boss and scrambled back. No way was he going to be caught between the anger that radiated from that agent and Barton.

Heero closed the distance between himself and Barton in a couple of strides, his rage was clear in every line of his face, his body trembling with the effort of containing that rage. Blue eyes as cold as the arctic settled on Barton’s form and hands reached out.

Grabbing the man by the shoulders, Heero hauled him up to his feet and slammed him against the wall.

Barton’s eyes flickered open, the pain of his already injured body growing as he was slammed into a wall. He cracked his eyes open, noting who had him by the shoulders.

“You fuckin’ piece of shit,” Heero snarled.

Barton smiled. “Ohhh, did your little, fagot lover get hurt?” he slurred.

Heero’s fist connected with Barton’s stomach, knocking the wind right out of the man. “Bastard,” he hissed. “I’m gonna make you pay for that.”

Sucking air back into his starved lungs and ignoring the pain from his ribs as he did so, Barton leered again. “I hope he dies,” he spat.

A sound, completely inhuman tore from Heero’s throat. It was like a guttural growl mixed with a snarl of rage. He lifted Barton clean off his feet, holding the man by his throat and then flung him at the wall again.

The prisoners that were all in the corridor and up to that point had witnessed what had gone on with horror, all pulled back and away, trying to put as much distance between themselves and this madman that suddenly appeared and was hell bent on destroying Barton.

None of them felt anything at all for their former boss. Any respect or loyalty they’d had was completely snuffed out with the broadcast a short while ago. As far as they were concerned, Barton was on his own and deserved everything he got.

Hawkins remained with Duo, monitoring the long haired man as best he could. He kept a close watch on the wound where the knife still sat, hoping the blood loss had been stemmed. He watched the fight going on to the side from the corner of his eye.

Barton’s body slid down the wall, but before it could completely hit the floor, Heero grabbed him again and sent a couple of hard punches to the man’s mid section, cracking a couple more ribs in the process. A warning bell was going off in the back of his mind, a voice telling him not to kill the prisoner, but for the moment he told the voice to fuck off.

His fist connected with Barton’s face, breaking the man’s nose and sending blood gushing forth to coat Barton, himself and the corridor. Heero paid it no mind though. He couldn’t see through the haze of anger that clouded his vision, didn’t want to see either. He was hell bent on making this asshole suffer for what he’d done to Duo.

Hauling Barton to his feet again, Yuy pushed him against the wall and wrapped his hands around Barton’s throat. Slowly but steadily those fingers began to close, gradually cutting off the flow of air.

Barton began to squirm. His arm came up in a feeble attempt to push Heero away, but his strength had failed. Blackness began to invade his vision, body starved for oxygen and beginning to shut down.

Wufei was the first to come skidding around the corner to the corridor. His obsidian eyes immediately took in the situation and he aimed for Yuy. “Agent Day! Stand down!” he barked.

Zechs and Quatre were only a second behind Wufei, glancing around and weighing up the situation. Zechs took off after Chang to back him up, Quatre aimed for Duo.

“Oh, Allah, Duo,” Quatre whispered, crouching down beside the injured man. When he spotted the knife hilt protruding from Duo’s abdomen, his blood ran cold. “Fuck,” he snarled. Looking up he realized there was another man sitting beside Duo and doing his best to keep the man alive.

“Professor Hawkins,” the professor introduced himself.

“Agent Space,” Quatre returned. “What happened?” he asked as his hands gently probed around Duo.

Hawkins relayed what had transpired. “I think he will be okay. The bleeding has slowed a lot,” he told Quatre.

The concern didn’t leave Quatre’s face though. He looked up to the professor. “That might well be, but there could be severe internal damage,” he stated grimly.

“It’s possible, but I don’t think he’s bleeding internally, his color’s not too bad.”

“That’s not what I mean,” Quatre stated. He couldn’t say anymore as he didn’t want to give Duo’s secret away.

The professor looked quizzically at him.

“Don’t worry about it,” Quatre replied. “We need to get him to expert care immediately.”

“I agree, but I don’t think there’s a qualified doctor, let alone the necessary equipment here on this satellite to deal with this,” Hawkins responded.

“We need to get him back to Earth.” Quatre ignored any further conversation, instead he moved away a little and grabbed his communicator. Before he could speak into it, his attention was diverted to the rest of the agents and Barton.

Heero dimly heard Chang’s words through the fog of his anger, but he paid them no heed. His fingers closed tighter, intent on choking the life from Barton’s form.

“Agent Day, stand down!” Zechs yelled, repeating Wufei’s order. He knew better than to approach the man whilst he was in this state, if he did he was liable to end up severely injured if not dead himself.

When Heero still refused to respond. Wufei drew a little closer. “01, situation in hand, area secure. Stand down,” he said in a quiet, but firm tone. Heero had always obeyed commands during the war, it was simply his soldier training. Wufei could only hope that some of that training was still present.

The words did register and Heero’s soldier instincts overrode his rage. His fingers began to relax until they finally released Barton’s neck.

Barton slid down the wall, gasping and wheezing, drawing that oxygen back into his body.

Heero stood there, silent and still whilst his mind began to clear.

“It’s okay, Yuy. Situation is contained. We have your back.” Wufei moved a little closer.

Slowly, Heero's eyes cleared, returning to their normal, intense blue and he focused on Wufei. “Chang?”

“It’s me, Yuy.” Wufei put his hand on the Japanese man’s arm and squeezed.

“Duo...” Heero choked out. “He tried to kill Duo...”

“I would have succeeded too,” came Barton’s snarl. “With any luck that bastard will bleed to death...” Barton didn’t get to finish his sentence, instead there was the sound of cracking bone as Wufei’s foot connected with Barton’s jaw, breaking it easily.

“No one asked you, asshole,” Wufei snarled. “Now shut up.”

Both Quatre and Zechs looked at the Chinese agent in disbelief.

Wufei shrugged. “He was getting on my nerves.”

“Why am I not surprised,” muttered Quatre. “If he can shove a guy in a closet with dead bodies, this shouldn’t be unexpected...”

Taking Yuy by the arm, Wufei led him back to where Duo was lying on the floor. “What happened?”

Heero began to relate the course of events, Quatre taking advantage of the moment to make his call.

“Air, here. Quatre? What the fuck is going on?!”

Trowa was both relieved and scared when Quatre called in.

“It’s Duo. He’s taken a knife to the abdomen, depth and internal damage unknown. External bleeding controlled for the moment and knife still remains embedded...”

“The baby...”

“Trowa, I don’t know,” Quatre sobbed. “I can’t feel anything from Duo, just a cold, empty void.”

“Oh no,” whispered Trowa.

Before their conversation could go any further, Wufei chipped in. He’d listened to Heero's tale and summed up the situation. He straightened his spine and took over.

“Air, get on the radio to headquarters. Inform Une of the status up here and let her know we need immediate medical attention for Maxwell. Yuy and I will be bringing Maxwell back with us. Space and Wind will remain here and move these prisoners to the holding cells. Once that is complete, they will continue on with our orders to find and imprison all personnel on this lump of rock.”

“Roger that.”

“Air, can you make it over to the other shuttle?”

“I think I can, might take me a little while, but I will do it; why?”
“Get to the other shuttle and fire it up. I want you to taxi it into the hangar. Day and I will meet you there with Night. Once the shuttle is inside the hangar we can seal the hangar and pressurize. We cannot bring Maxwell out any other way, his suit has been damaged and, well, you know what will happen.”

None of them had to be told twice. They all knew the risks of having a suit failing on you when in space; and it wasn’t at all pleasant.

“I copy that, Fire.”

“Good. Get onto it now. We will contact you once we’re in the hangar area. Fire out.”

“Roger, Fire. See you soon.” Trowa leaned back in the seat and let a puff of air escape. Life wasn’t fair, Duo had gone through enough without this as well. The anger began to build in Trowa, but rather than waste any time, he shot out of his seat and ignoring the pain of his ankle and shoulder, forced himself to jog through the shuttle to the depressurization chamber.

With his speech finished, Wufei turned to the rest of the group.

“Space, Wind. Escort these prisoners to the cells as planned. You might want to put Barton in one by himself. I don’t trust any of these other men not to take a swipe at him and I want him alive so that once Une’s finished with him I can kill him myself.”

Both Quatre and Zechs nodded, declining to say anything about Fire’s intended threat.

Wufei turned his attention to Heero and the professor. “You and I will carry Night back to the hangar and onto the shuttle once Air has it in position. The professor can come with us. Once we are on board and secure, we will return to Earth where Maxwell can be treated.”

Both Heero and the professor nodded. Noting Wufei turning back to speak with Zechs again, Heero spoke briefly to the professor.

“I’m just ducking back into the control room, we need something to act as a makeshift stretcher to carry him on. I’ll be back in a moment.” Heero moved off to locate something he could use, the professor watching him go.

“Wind, I will contact headquarters and the other shuttles once we are Earth bound and bring them up to speed. I want you and Space to remain here and continue with the original orders. The retrieval shuttles shouldn’t be too far away, so by the time they get here you should have all of Barton’s men in custody. Brief Mercury on the status and remain here as per Une’s instructions. Space is free to return to Earth as soon as conveniently possible. Any questions?”

“No, it’s all perfectly clear,” Zechs replied.

Quatre wasn’t too happy, he wanted to be on that shuttle too. “Why do I have to stay here?” he asked.

“Because Wind can’t do it all on his own. Yuy is needed to take care of Maxwell, the professor also requires medical assistance and Air needs a doctor too. You are the only one that is fully functional.”

Quatre had to concede that point. Wufei was also injured, although no where near as bad as any of the others. “Okay, but once the other shuttles get here and we hand over, I’m heading back to Earth as soon as I can,” he warned.

“I would expect nothing less,” Wufei replied. He turned his head as he saw Heero stepping out of the control room with what appeared to be a door in his grasp. “Good luck, agents. I will keep in touch.” Wufei spun on his heel and went to give Yuy a hand.

Between them, they managed to get Duo onto the door. Heero took one end, Wufei the other and with the professor keeping a watch out, they headed off through the corridors towards the hangar.

“Might as well get started,” Zechs sighed and looked to the motley group. “Okay, everyone, move out.”

The prisoners all managed to get to their feet and those that were capable of walking began to do so, those that were too injured were carried or assisted by the others. Barton was still unconscious and Simons didn’t fancy having to carry the bulk of the man so he shook his shoulders to wake him up.

Barton growled as he was drawn from his dark state, pain blossoming once his brain started to work. He grunted and blinked.

“Time to move,” Simons informed him and dragged the man to his feet.

Barton gave a yelp of pain and would have said more, except his jaw wasn't working so words were a little difficult to form.

“Move it you excuse for a human being,” Quatre snarled, his voice so tainted with hatred that even Zechs had to look twice to make sure this was the normally polite and quiet blonde.

With Simons on one side and more or less dragging him along, Barton was escorted to the cells.

* * *

[Satellite XRB 23 – Shuttle 121]

Trowa made it to the depressurization chamber and quickly pulled on another flight suit. Securing his helmet, he checked the small gadget in his hand whilst waiting for the pressure to equalize. Once the green light flashed, he opened the door and hobbled down the ramp. The gadget told him where the other shuttle was and once the Transport shuttle was locked down again, he set off across the satellite surface.

Like Quatre earlier, he kept his wits about him, although there had been nothing to indicate anyone outside and about to attack him, it still paid to be wary. The gadget guided him across the litter strewn landscape and he breathed a sigh of relief when he located the shuttle ramp. Passing the security check, he entered the shuttle and as soon as he’d was through the pressurization chamber he removed his helmet and headed directly for the cockpit. Settling into the pilot’s seat, he flipped several switches and punched a few buttons. He’d get this baby moving towards the hangar first, once he was mobile he’d call in to headquarters.

The engines began their power up sequence, coming on line one by one. Once they had all fired up, Trowa eased the joystick back and the craft began to rumble forward. Given the wreckage still littering the landscape, he fired the boosters and brought the shuttle into a hover. Noting where the hangar was, he steered the craft towards it.

Slipping on his head set, he placed the call to Preventer headquarters.

* * *

[Inside Duo’s abdomen]

The small fetus floated lazily, quite content in its small world. It had no clue as to the dramas that were unfolding outside its current universe.

For now it was safe, warm and had all it needed. Occasionally it would be flooded with something alien as its mother’s blood stream passed over a hormone or two that had been released into the system to cope with whatever it was its mother was dealing with.

Those hormones didn’t have any adverse reactions though, just made the fetus a little unsettled.

It kicked out at nothing in particular, the tiny movement undetected by its mother and only causing small ripples in the amniotic fluid that protected it.

Another influx of adrenaline had the fetus feeling restless and it turned in the womb, trying to bury itself into the lining.

Fortunately, the fetus was still blind, the eyes not open or functioning properly at this stage of its development and therefore it didn’t see the shadow of the knife blade as it pierced the skin of its mother’s abdomen and barely missed the safe world it was ensconced in..

The first the fetus knew that something was not quite right was when the exchange between its own blood stream and that of its mother wasn’t as normal as usual. The blood flow to the placenta was slow and sluggish, the necessary nutrients and gasses lacking somewhat.

The tiny being moved about, fretting a touch and then curled in on itself. Snuggling into the womb, the fetus drifted off to sleep, unknowing of the danger its mother was currently in.

~ * ~

tbc...

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