Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ How To Save A Life ❯ Chapter Four ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter Five
"Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness."

Tuesday
Only hours after starting his shift, Trowa found himself sorting through papers, prescriptions, and files. It was tedious and boring, but he was one of the few lead doctors that didn't have a personal assistant or a nurse to help with these things. But it was by his choice. Sally was always trying to press one on him.
The miles just keep rollin...
And speaking of Sally...
"Barton!"
He looked up as the Dean of Medicine came thundering into his office, her gray eyes flashing.
"Yes, ma'am?" She looked ready to spit fire. And he thought that he knew why.
"Yes, ma'am? Why you... What is the meaning of this?" Her short blonde braids flying as she marched to his desk, she tossed- litterally- a piece of paper at him. Trowa barely glanced at the file that he caught.
As the people leave their way to say 'hello'...
"I took on an extra case last week. What's the problem?"
"I'm not paying you to take on ER cases, Barton. I'm paying you to make these rich brats with cancer happy and to save their lives. I don't want this to happen again."
Trowa looked up at her, his emerald eyes glittering. "You pay me to be a doctor. They're not all rich brats, Sally Po. And if I remember correctly, not too long ago- you were one of those 'cases' I took on."
"That was almost five years ago," Sally gritted, voice on edge and eyes snapping. "When you were still just starting at that mediocre red-neck family clinic as a damned intern with more student loans than you could afford."
"And if I had not decided to go against the clinic's rules about non-members, risking my job- a job that I very much needed- you'd have probably died before you made it to the hospital."
Sally's eyes glitted. How many times had they had this exact conversation?
"No doctor or clinic can ignore an emergency, no matter what. It's the law."
"And the law dosen't define a migrane as a medical emergency," Trowa pointed out with undeniable logic.
"I had an anurism!"
"We didn't know that. Neighter did you. I saved your life."
"And I gave you a job!"
Trowa shrugged. "This is true, but saving people is my job. And I'll do it, no matter what you say."

I've heard this life is overrated...
Trowa sighed, leaning back in his desk after Sally left. He hated these petty arguments, but it was their way. No... it was Sally's way. She argued with everyone. She'd probably argue with a brick wall. In fact- knowing her- she probably had at some point or other.
Rich brats indeed. Half of Trowa's patients barely had the insurance to cover their treatments. And Quatre certainly wasn't a rich brat.
Indeed, it seemed that Quatre was from classy birth, from an upscale family. But the apartment he shared was clean but modest. He worked as a lawyer's assistant to the one of the ADA's, but he was far from rich. And far from spoiled. Trowa had never met anyone more selfless or genuinely caring- except for maybe that Kaori girl. It seemed like attracted like in their case.
Quatre was kind and sweet and utterly charming. Trowa'd spent Saturday with the blonde, simply walking all around the town. He'd listened as Quatre had spoken about his life. About his mother dying from leukemia when he was only three. About his father- his Arabic Oil Tycoon father- disowning him when he was only thirteen because of a petty argument about following your dreams (music, in Quatre's case, and not business or law, like his father wished.). About living with his sister Iria up until she married several years ago. About moving into his apartment, about meeting Kaori, who'd been with him through all the ups and downs of the cancer ridden past years. About playing in the symphony, about... well, about everything. He was open and honest, sharing both bright memories and those dark times most would try to forget.
Trowa found himself talking about himself, as well. It wasn't something he normally did, but he found himself confiding in the sweet little violinist. He spoke of his parents divorcing when he was a child, about how him and his sister, Cathy, had grew up with their often hair-brained mother. About his father's death in a NYC mugging, about his mother's pneumonia, about Cathy dying of leukemia. About medical school, his struggles there, about the medical clinic he interned at, about Sally and getting his job at Victoria. He talked about everything. They'd shared life stories, and just talked for hours on end.
Twilight had been falling before they'd finally made it back to Quatre's apartment. The brunette doctor had place a simple, chaste kiss on the blondes lips before high-tailing it way.
More than once, Trowa had found himself wondering just what the hell he was thinking. It was simply not proper. And if Sally found out... God, she'd have a field day yelling at him. As it was, even Wufei had been a little worried about him when the prim and proper Chinese man had found out that the oncologist had spent an entire day, outside of work, with his dying patient.
But I hope that it get's better as we go.
But Trowa had seen the way the Chinese man had talked about 'that pretty little Japanese girl'. Smitten already, so Wufei had no room to talk. And it was about time, too. Trowa had seen Wufei before, when Meilan was still alive. And he'd seen him during that awful time, when Wufei had lost the only one who seemed to see the 'real' him. And he'd seen the Chinese man after. It was time that Wufei started to come back out of that iron shell he'd built around himself. It was about time Wufei saw beyond his nose.
It was time he learned to move on.


Later on, That night
I'm here without you baby...
Duo tossed and turned in his sleep. Images of dark, prussian blue eyes and chocolate hair haunted his dreams, mixing with the dark hair and dark blue eyes of another face... another person, another place in time.
But your still on my lonely mind...
*Flashback*
Duo looked on with tears in his eyes. The tears came not from the pain in his body, radiating from the ravenous red burns across his back, his torso. No. Even as his body screamed in pain, he remained silent, choking back sobs as Hilde clutched at him.. heedless of his wounds. She sobbed openly as she too stared at the raging inferno, and the out-of-control fire that was once the Maxwell Orphanage.
I think about you baby....
That was why Duo cried.
Father Maxwell, the stern but kind priest who'd given Duo a home, given him his last name.
Sister Helen, the saintly nun who'd looked after a bedraggled young orphan when other's had deemed him a lost cause.
Sophia, the ditzy but sweet cook who'd often let him sneak in for a midnight snack.
Everyone he knew had been in there. Everything he knew.
Far in the distance, sirens wailed, coming closer.
And I dream about you all the time...
But they were too late. Duo's life had already went up in flames. Most literally.
Except for Hilde. Never Hilde.
She held him close. Duo could feel the pain, but he knew the other orphan was injured as well. In the firelight, Duo could see the burns, the gashes on the older girl. Wounds sustained saving him, pulling him out. He could see her dark hair, and her dark dark blue eyes.
I'm here without you baby...
"Hill?"
"Shh... it's alright, Duo," she crooned, her voice weak and sobbing.
But it wouldn't be alright.
Three days later... Hilde would die from the burns. Leaving Duo alone.
Forever.
*End Flashback*
But your still with me in my dreams...
Duo jerked awake, sweat pouring off of him. He threw the covers away and made his way weakly to the bathroom, flicking the light on as he did.
He peered at his dishevealed appearance in the floor lenght mirror on the door. His PJ bottoms were wrinkled, soaked with sweat. He pulled the damp shirt over his head, staring at the dark color of the burns across his chest. They wrapped around to his back, covering almost all of his left side. He tore his eyes away and continued changing into mercifully dry clothes. He swallowed an asprin, turned the light out, and went back to sleep. Just like he always did. Hoping that his sleep would go easier, hoping that memories would stay away and let him rest in peace for the rest of the night.
And tonight... it's only you and me...



Wendsday
A thousand lies have made me colder...
"So... tell me a little bit about Heero and Kaori."
Trowa looked across the table at Quatre. Trowa was actually eating lunch for the first time in many weeks- and his appetite made up for lost time. He forked another mouthful of salad and ignored the humdrum of the cafeteria.
"I don't know all that much," Quatre said. "They're only half-siblings. See, her dad, Odin Lowe was Swedish. Her dad and mom had one daughter, but she died as an infant. Afterwards, her dad cheated with Misao Yuy. Heero resulted. Six years later, Kaori came along. From what Heero's told me, he was in the hospital that night. Didn't want to be, but Kaori's mom- a fair, loving, meek little woman from what I hear- made him hold her. Love at first sight, pretty much. A few years later, when he was like eleven or twelve Heero's mom died, and he came to live with Kaori and her parents. When Kaori was fourteen- a year after I met her, they died in a car crash. Heero took care of her until she could support herself, then he went off in the army. I tried to be there for her. I even went to the courthouse when she legally changed her name back to her mother's maiden name. But she was wasting away- she missed Heero. She tried to be there for me, during all I went through, but there was always a shadow in her eyes. She still missed him. He came back... changed. Almost three years there. He'd always been closed off, shy of touch and other people. But afterwards... only Kaori could get close. It still seems like she misses him- the old him. About a year ago, she made me move in with him- to try to keep him from hurting himself further. I've failed... so many times." His voice was soft, and Trowa though he might cry. But, with a complete 180, he turned around.
And I don't think I can look at this the same...
"You know," Quatre said, looking up, eyes glittering with emotion. "I think Fate screwed up."
"What?" Where had that come from?
"Kaori. She's.... unique. Special. I think that when her destiny was being planned, when the tapestry of her life was being woven, Fate fucked up big time."
"Explain..."
"Well... Her dad was pretty tough. Heero's mom wasn't his only affair. Odin was abusive to her mom, Setsu. Kaori nor Heero have ever said anything... but I think her dad might have abused her physically- might have ra....." Quatre looked away, letting the silence tell the unspeakable words "- at least until Heero moved in. He became her protector- they loved each other, deeply. I think that everyone has a soul mate, Trowa. And I think that Kaori is Heero's. I don't mean it like it came out. Not in that sense... but in a friend kind of way. I think, that had they not been related, Heero and Kaori would have been such a complete, perfect couple. That's how deep their love is. If only they weren't siblings... god, Trowa, they would be so completely perfect and in love. She and I... tried... for a while. But it didn't really click like that. We just weren't physically compatible- and lucky we found that out before we went too far. We're much better suited to being friends. Everyone that Kaori could fall in love with, everyone she did love, every possible match she's come across, has had some major obsticle that can't be resolved. Fate fucked up with her. Sometimes... sometimes I wonder why it's Heero that's suicidal and not her."
Trowa frowned. Remembering that cryptic little quote from that morning. 'It'll be the last thing I do.' Little pieces were falling into place in his mind. He let his emerald eyes meet the aqua ones of his lunch partner.
"Because she has you, Quatre. She has you, and Heero. You both count on her, weather you know it or not. She has something to live for. She's got enough to make her want to live."

When the last one falls...
Kaori was surprised to see the Chinese doctor at the bar that night.
"Dr. Chang," she said, a small little frown/smile gracing her face. "I didn't think this was the sort of place you frequented."
"It's not," he blushed prettily. "But I decided that if an angel could work here, it couldn't be all that bad."
She laughed at the sneaky little pick up line.
"That one's old. Gotta try harder," she chuckled, like she did with ever other customer she'd ever served. Her humor was one of her best attributes, according to the bar manager. But it was just another mask. Her humor had long since died, if it had ever had a chance to develop at all.
"So... what'll it be tonight, Dr. Chang?"
"Wufei, please. I'm not on duty right now. And I'll have whatever you suggest. I'm not used to places like this."
When it's all said and done...
Suddenly, Kaori caught a glimpse of gold and blue from the corner of her eye.
"Hey, 'Leena! Come here," she waved her hand at the blonde.
"Kaori," the blonde smiled. "I thought you were off on Wendsday nights?"
"Unexpected tuition fees," the dark haired girl shrugged. "Say... you want the usual?"
"Sure... and is this on the menu, too?" Releena asked with a grin, motioned her maincured hand at the chinese doctor. Wufei blushed a bit, and Releena laughed.
"Down girl," Kaori laughed. "As a matter of fact... I think he's here alone tonight. Doctor Chang... this is my lawyer friend... Releena Darlian, the ADA. Leena... this is Doctor Wufei Chang. He works with Quatre's oncologist."
"Hmm," Releena hummed. "Nice to meet you, Doctor Chang."
"Pleasure's all mine, Madame Counselor."
Wufei took her hand, but instead of shaking it, he lifted it to his lips. Releena laughed brightly.
"Oh, boy. What manners! And who said chivalry's dead?"
Kaori busied herself mixing drinks, including Releena's favorite.
Wufei blushed brightly, but turned back towards Kaori, trying to put the blonde angel out of him mind. His mind and heart were torn between the dark haired girl and the fair one. Kaori.... she just looked so much like.... Meilan... He tore his thoughts away from there. No. Dark hair and a pretty face did not make Kaori Meilan. He was interested in Kaori. So... why did the fair haired angel seem so.... distracting?
"So... Kaori... I was thinking. There is a fundraiser being held next week at the hospital. And since the ticket does say "Doctor Chang plus guest" I was wondering if maybe you'd care to accompany me."
Kaori still had her back to them, mixing drinks. She frowned. She really liked the chinese doctor... but for some reason, she didn't have the heart to persue him. Thoughts of a certain emerald eyed oncologist crossed her mind, but she pushed them firmly away.
It gets hard...
And suddenly, another thought took their place.
"Sorry, Do... I mean Wufei. But I'm already attending. My anatomy proffessor is required to attend... but can't make it. He's asked me to stand in his stead. But I'm sure Releena here could use a night out. She knows her way around doctors, so it should be no problem for her. I'm sure she'll even know some of them."
Wufei knew a rebuff when it happened. He should have known from that very first frown, back at the office, that Kaori wasn't interested. She'd been polite, but she just wasn't interested in him. Wufei held back his defeated sigh, but immidiately turned to the blonde, blue eyed vixen next to him. He wasn't about to miss an opportunity of any kind. Maxwell was always telling him to get out. So... he was going to take the doctor's advice, so to speak.
"Well, Miss Darlian. What say you to a night of music, dancing, wine, and listening to doctors telling gory tales about their latest surgery?"
Releena slid a look at Kaori, who simple stared back innocently. Releena grinned.
"Sounds like a date, Mister Chang."
But it won't take away my love.


AN: Alright, were nearing the two week mark now. Somethings are bound to happen. And yes, I'll be focusing more on Heero and Duo. And we're finding out a few things 'bout all our characters, and why they're the way they are. And yeah, the couples will start to move along. It's kinda slow... but it gets better as we go. It may seem a bit... disjointed, maybe a little confusing to follow, especially their pasts, but I meant it to be that way, so that when everything finally does come to light, it's that much better. Is it working?
And back to Three Doors Down. It was 'Here Without You' this go round.
Oh... and can anyone guess the meanings behind Heero's mother's name? I chose it to be kinda ironic. Misao means fidelity. Ha ha. She was having an affair with a married man. Also, Setsu means faithfulness. Just thought that would be interesting to know.
Also Kaori's apperance. I have searched, and searched and searched to find something close enough to give you a reference. And ironically enough, one of the two I think are closest is a Gundam character. Princess Marina, from Gundam 00. Pretty much almost exactly how I picture Kaori, right down to the blue eyes. BUT... Rei, aka Sailor Mars, comes in a close second. If you like, I can E-mail you a pic. Also, you can look at my new avatar.
Anyone who wants to draw a pic of her for me will be worshiped admired and given anything you want. I'll write you a story, add something you want into this one. ANYTHING.
Oh, and just one more ensey weensy thing. The next chapter deals with rape, incest, and stuff like that. Nothing is too graphic, but it is still there. And I'll go ahead and say that I don't condone any of that stuff. But it is a part of life, a bad part, but still there nonetheless. It is wrong and horible, and there are very sick people in this world.
Feedback is worshiped! I enjoy it! Good or bad, let me know. PLEASE???? Questions, comments, concerns? Anything?