Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Lost Souls ❯ Chapter 8

Disclaimer: I don't own the G boys, I just borrow them to play with from time to time and return them relatively undamaged... honest... :)

Rating: NC 17, Angst, Yaoi, Sap, masturbation, sad in parts, LEMON.

Pairings: 3x4, 2xH, 5+S, OCx2, eventual 1x2x1

Notes: Set 2 years after Endless Waltz. The pilots have all gone their separate ways but still keep in touch. Duo is with Hilde on L2 but cannot forget Heero.

" Lost Souls "

May 2002 ShenLong

Chapter 8

Hearing his name called Heero looked up into Shane's gaze.

"He's awake."

Heero stood and floated away from the boys and back to his love. Shane moved out of the way and back to his own seat so as Heero could be alone with Duo. Settling himself into the seat opposite Duo, Heero took Duo's hand in his and gently stroked it with his thumb.

"Tell me this isn't a dream...."

"Hn. It's no dream Duo. I'm here with you. I'm taking you back to earth, to Quatre's where expert medical attention is awaiting you." Heero leaned forward and placed a kiss on the back of Duo's hand.

Duo sighed softly. "I'm sorry..." he whispered.

The words were spoken so quietly that Heero nearly missed them. Leaning close to Duo, Heero spoke softly so as the others couldn't hear. "Baka... you have nothing to be sorry for. It is I that is sorry. If only I had had the courage to speak up well before now than you wouldn't be here in this condition."

Duo squeezed his hand, "I guess If I had told you of my feelings we may have had a chance... now...." his voice trailed off.

Heero felt his heart tighten painfully and anger well up. "Don't talk like that Duo. You are going to beat this thing."

"Face it Heero... I'm dying, I know that and I've accepted it... now you need to accept it to."

Heero shook with anguish and rage. "You are not going to die Duo." he hissed out through clenched teeth. "Not now, not when I have just found you and have finally faced up to my fears. I wont... let...you ...die."

Duo moaned softly as a spasm of pain passed through his body. "Too late Heero..." he murmured.

"No! I will not let you leave me Duo. You left once and I will not let you go a second time. You always told me during the wars that you can't kill death."

"Maybe I was wrong..."

"Duo.... Oh Duo... stop talking like that. You have to live, we have been through so much together... what will I do without you? Duo I know I may be a little late but Ai-shiteru."

Duo closed his tired eyes, he didn't want to think anymore, he was so tired. He had tried to fight the disease but now he just wanted to give up. It seemed as if all his life he had fought, and he was sick of it. "I can't fight anymore Heero... I don't have anything left to fight with..."

"Duo! Listen to me.... you can beat this thing, Sally is waiting for you, she will help you and so will I. You can't give up, Trowa, Quatre and Wufei they will all help you. Please Duo fight it... fight it for me, get better so we can have a chance to enjoy this peace we fought so hard for, enjoy it together. We have so much to look forward to, so much to discover and learn about each other. I can't live alone anymore Duo... I need you." Two tears slid out from Prussian eyes and slid down Heero's cheeks.

Duo opened his eyes again at the raw emotion that was coming through in Heero's voice and watched the tears fall. His arm shook with the effort as he raised his hand and brushed his fingers across Heero's jaw. "I don't know if I can Heero...."

"Please Duo... try ... for me...." pleaded Heero.

Duo slumped on the makeshift bed. "Okay..." he breathed before passing into blackness.

That soft almost inaudible response gave Heero some hope. Duo never lied, so if he said he would try then Heero had to accept that and do his level best to help the braided American. Noting that Duo was again unconscious he asked Shane to sit with him while he made a visit to the cockpit.

Benson looked up as the cockpit door opened and gave a small smile as he recognized the teen. "How is Mr. Maxwell doing Mr. Yuy?"

"Not good I'm afraid. The sooner we can get him back the better his chances are going to be. How much longer?"

"We should be docking in about fifteen minutes."

Heero reached forward and placing his hand on Benson's shoulder he gave the older pilot a small squeeze of appreciation. "Thank you Benson. I know you have done your best."

Benson looked gravely into cobalt eyes and nodded. "It is a small contribution for all that you and Mr. Maxwell have done for us Mr. Yuy, I'm glad I could be of service. I just wish it could have been under better circumstances."

Heero turned and left the cockpit. Benson watched the lithe figure as it retreated into the bowels of the shuttle. He hoped with all his heart that he had gotten the pair of them back to earth in time. The voice of the space port controller returned his mind back to the task at hand and he gripped the controls and began to flick various switches on the console in preparation for docking.

"Please make sure you are in your seats and all safety belts are done up. We will be docking in five minutes." Benson's voice came clearly over the intercom.

Shane left his seat once more to check all the boys were secure then pausing briefly where Heero sat with Duo's hand in his he smiled at the Japanese man. "Not long now I guess?" he softly spoke.

"Hai"

Shane returned to his own seat and strapped himself in as the shuttle began to vibrate and the roar of the engines began to slow as the craft descended through the clouds and onto the waiting tarmac of the earth space port.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Quatre watched Sally as he set another box down in the room they had set up as a temporary hospital for Duo. "That's the last one Sally."

She turned. "Thanks Quatre. I just wish Heero could have been more specific about Duo.... Then I would know exactly what I need to help him."

Wufei shifted his position from the bench that ran along one side of the room. "I'm sure you will be able to treat him with what you have until you know what it is that you are dealing with."

Trowa entered then and three heads swiveled to stare at the uni-banged boy. "Benson just called in. The shuttle will be docking in ten minutes."

"Right! Lets move out then." said Sally and she grabbed her medical bag and headed outside to the waiting helicopter.

Wufei, Quatre and Trowa followed behind. "Benson said that Duo isn't too good."

"Then the sooner he gets here the sooner we can start treating him." called Sally over her shoulder.

"There's a bit more too." Trowa said. "Heero mentioned bringing someone with him."

"Yes that's right. What is it Trowa? Come on spit it out." Quatre looked at his lover questioningly.

"Well it appears that Heero has brought with him six boys."

Wufei stopped in his tracks. "Nani?"

Quatre whistled. "Six boys? Wow. Where did Heero get six boys from? I wonder how old they are."

"From what Benson told me Duo has been living with them for a while now and they took care of him until Heero showed up. I think he said they range from about 8 through to 14."

"Well there is no way we are all going to fit into the helicopter so I guess I had better send the car." thought Quatre out loud.

Sally, having reached the waiting helicopter, turned to see what was delaying the others. "Come on you three! What's the hold up?"

Wufei quickly filled her in.

Sally's brow furrowed as she thought. "Six! Oh boy. Look I suggest that Wufei comes with me, he can help with Duo and the things I will need. You two take the car and pick up the rest of the boys. Its imperative that Duo gets treatment as quickly as possible."

"Yes your right Sally. Come on Quatre lets go." Trowa spoke as he turned and taking the blonde's arm steered them back towards the mansion. "See you there." he waved.

Sally and Wufei boarded the helicopter and within seconds were in the air and on their way. Rashid brought the limo out. Moments later they were also on their way.

Trowa pulled Quatre closer to him sensing the Arab was a little shocked at the revelation of six more house guests.

Not that Quatre minded, on the contrary he would open his home to any number of people such was his generosity. It was just that Heero .... Heero of all people had found six kids and was looking after them! Quatre shook his head. It was hard to believe that Heero... the cold and calculated terrorist could actually befriend anyone.... least of all six boys.

"I'm sure Heero will give us all the information when he gets home Quatre." Trowa gently caressed the cheek of his lover.

Leaning into the caress Quatre sighed. "I just find it a little difficult to believe that Heero has changed so much. I mean first Duo and now six kids?"

"Hai, I know but lets give Heero a chance. He really does care for Duo, that much I can tell." Trowa's mind ran back to when Heero had contacted him before, Trowa could read the pain and distress in those expressive blue eyes and suddenly realized the depth of Heero's feelings for the American.

"Yes you're right Trowa." said Quatre as he gave his lover a hug.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The shuttle landed smoothly and began to taxi to the terminal. Heero was out of his seat and ready to carry Duo from its depths.

The helicopter landed just after the shuttle and Sally along with Wufei made their way across the tarmac to where the shuttle was rumbling to a stop. The shuttle doors opened and Heero quickly made his way down the steps to where Sally was waiting. Not wasting any time Sally quickly got Heero to lay Duo on the collapsible stretcher Wufei brought and wrapped the sleeve around his arm to take the mans blood pressure. She frowned at the result. Rummaging in her bag she produced a thermometer and small flash light. Sticking the thermometer in Duo's mouth she peered into his unseeing eyes while she waited for the temperature to record. Pulling the small tube free she whistled as she studied the result, then barking a few orders at Wufei she quickly rolled Duo's sleeve up and swabbed an area of his arm.

Wufei handed her a needle and pulling the cap off with her teeth she slid the point into Duo's muscle, depressing the plunger. Wufei handed her a second needle and this time Sally teased the vein in Duo's arm before sliding the point into it and releasing the substance inside. Swabbing the points she turned to Heero, "Right, I have given him something to bring his temperature down and a broad spectrum antibiotic. They should kick in somewhere in the next half an hour. We need to get him back to Quatre's where I can run some blood tests and give him the specific antibiotic he needs."

Heero nodded. "Lets go then."

Wufei looked at Heero and inclined his head in the direction of the shuttle door. "What about them?"

Heero turned and realized he had forgotten about the other boys, all of which were now crowded in the doorway and on the steps of the shuttle. He noted the lost look in their eyes and immediately berated himself for temporarily abandoning them.

Wufei smiled. "Don't worry, Quatre and Trowa should be here in a moment with the limo. They will take them back to the mansion."

Heero smiled gratefully.

"I really need some more background information here Heero,." said Sally. "Which of the boys was closest to Duo when he was hurt?"

"That would be Shane."

"Okay. Wufei you go back with Trowa and the others, Heero get Shane and come with Duo and me in the 'copter. Shane can fill me in on the way back."

Wufei nodded. "Hai"

Heero walked back to the shuttle steps. "Come on boys your transport will be here in a moment."

The boys made their way down the steps to stand on the tarmac. Benny eyed Wufei warily. Toby clung to Shane's hand and Paul, Mickey and Colin stood behind Shane.

Heero smiled reassuringly at them. "This here is my friend Wufei." he said and gestured with his hand to the Chinese man.

Wufei nodded to the boys.

"Remember how I was telling you on the way here how Duo and I were Gundam pilots? Well Wufei was one too. He piloted the Gundam ShenLong."

Benny's eyes grew as wide as saucers.

"Shane I need you to come with Duo and me on the 'copter. Wufei will look after the boys. Trowa and Quatre should be here any moment to take them all in the car." said Heero.

"Okay Heero." said Shane and he squatted down to speak to Toby who still clung to his hand. "Toby... I hafta go with Heero and Duo. I need yer to be good and go with the others 'kay?"

"No!" cried Toby. "I wanna stay wiv you. I don't trust this guy... Why canna stay wiv you an Duo?"

"I need to help Heero with Duo and there isn't enough room in the helicopter for all of us so I need yer to be brave and go with the others."

The big black limo chose that moment to arrive and Trowa followed the blonde as he ran from the car and across to the small group. Quatre gave Heero a bear hug before turning his attention to the male gathering. He saw the look of fear on the little boy's face and moved over to Shane and Toby. He crouched next to the pair and solemnly held out his hand. "Hi I'm Quatre.... who might you be?"

"I'm Shane and this little rascal hiding here is Toby."

"Pleased to meet you Shane... Toby..."

Heero interrupted their greeting. "Shane... we need to go. Duo is on board and Sally is in a hurry."

"Right. I'm coming Heero." and Shane turned back to the youngster still attached to his frame. "Toby please I need ta go. I promise we will all be together again really soon."

Toby stared into Shane's brown eyes and swallowed his tears. He nodded.

Quatre reached forward to the little boy. "I will look after you Toby. Come here I promise not to bite..." he grinned.

Toby hesitated and then letting go of Shane he moved towards Quatre, something about the blonde calmed him. He felt himself enveloped in strong warm arms and for the first time in days he relaxed.

Shane waved to the rest of the gang from the 'copter as the rotors ground into life and lifted the machine off the tarmac and into the air. The boys waved back and watched as the machine hovered for a moment and then sped off into the blue sky. Once it was out of sight their attention once more turned to the three new men that stood with them.

Quatre stood up cradling Toby in his arms. "Hi there, I'm Quatre." he said softly, "And this is Trowa. I believe you have already met Wufei."

The boys nodded.

"Can you tell us your names?" Trowa asked calmly.

Paul looked up at the green eyed man. "I'm Paul, this is Colin." he nodded at the youth standing next to him, "And these two are Mickey and Benny."

"Pleased to meet you all. Now what say we all get into the car and head home. Heero and Duo will be there waiting for us so lets not keep them waiting too long hey?" Trowa smiled.

The group moved towards the limo.

"Is that really yer car?" asked Toby.

"Yup. It sure is." Quatre answered.

Benny let go of Paul's hand and shyly took Trowa's "Does he own the shuttle too?" he questioned Trowa.

"Yes he does." came the gentle reply.

"Cool.... I like him." and Benny smiled in Quatre's direction.

Mickey meanwhile had sidled up alongside Wufei. "Did ya really fight in the wars Mr. Wufei?"

"Yes I did." replied Wufei.

"Great! Heero told us that ya all piloted Gundams....."

"That is true."

"So can ya show me the Gundam you used to pilot Mr. Wufei?"

Wufei allowed a rare smile to grace his lips. "I'm sorry but the Gundams were destroyed." Then seeing the boys face fall he continued "But we have some pretty good pictures of them so you can have a look at those if you like."

Mickey smiled. "That would be so cool Mr. Wufei... thanks."

Rashid opened the door to the limo and the group piled inside. Rashid quickly drove them from the space port and out onto the main highway towards the Winner mansion.

Toby stared around the cars interior, his eyes were wide taking in every detail. "Are ya sure ya own this fancy car Mr. Quatre?" he asked.

"'Course he does. Din'cha listen when Heero was tellin us stuff before?" scolded Colin.

"Yeah but..."

"Mr. Winner here owns a lot of things Toby." said Trowa quietly.

"Are ya rich or somefin then?" asked Mickey.

Quatre laughed. "I suppose you could say that Mickey."

"Cor.... I never knew Duo ad such rich friends.... Beats me why he'd wanna leave ya all."

"I'm sure he has his reasons Mickey." said Quatre.

"Yeah don't pry Mickey... its bad manners. If Duo wanned us taknow he woulda told us." Paul spoke.

Wufei cocked his head on the side and stared at the boy. He gauged him to be around 12 or 13 but there was a worldliness surrounding him as well as a wall. Wufei sensed the boy was somewhat like Duo had been and therefore was reluctant to let his guard down. Wufei admired the boy's ethics and made a mental note to try to get him to open up a bit... once he could get the other to trust him that is.

"So where we goin?" asked Benny.

"You're all coming to stay with me for a while." replied Quatre.

"Until ya get sick of us and then ya will turn us out on ta the streets." muttered Paul.

Quatre didn't hear the boy's soft words but Wufei did. He decided that now would be a good time to turn on the stereo. He needed time to think, he had an idea and needed to sound Quatre out about it first but in theory it could work.

Trowa looked at Wufei in amazement as the Chinese man switched the stereo on. Wufei hated the popular music of the day but to see him suffer in quiet dignity sent him up a few notches in Trowa's estimation.

Before long the limo pulled into the long driveway that would take them to the Winner mansion.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The helicopter lifted off and flew through the air rapidly, carrying its cargo swiftly back to the mansion and the supplies that Sally would need.

She had inserted a drip into Duo's arm and was keeping a regular check on the Americans blood pressure and temperature. Her brow creased into a frown. She didn't like Duo's condition at all. The man was sick... very sick and the sooner she could find out exactly what it was she was up against the better. Making sure that Duo was as comfortable as possible she turned to Shane and Heero. "Now young man, I need to know precisely what Duo was up to when he fell ill. The more information you can give me the better I will be able to treat him."

Shane looked at the woman and nodded. "Okay. I met up with him a few weeks back, we were both attending a party type thing." Shane blushed.

Heero raised an eyebrow. Shane had already given him some sort of idea about what Duo had been doing these last few weeks but to hear the story confirmed from his lips made his stomach heave.

"It's okay Shane, I have a very broad mind so anything you say wont shock me... I have seen a lot over the years... most of it would make your toes curl." she reached across and patted the boy's hand reassuringly. "If you are worried about betraying Duo then don't.... He needs you to tell me so I can help him to get better." she smiled encouragingly.

Shane took a deep breath and eyeing Heero warily out of the corner of his eye was pleased to note Heero nod in approval. "We used to go to this guy's place each Saturday night. They used to play cards and we were there to serve the drinks an stuff... When they finished the cards we became the entertainment. It paid good so we didn't mind doing it. Duo took me an the others in with him.... we was shacked up in an old leaky place cross town..."

Heero felt his fists clench in anger at the thought of Duo being entertainment for anyone. Then he softened his hands as he realized that that was exactly what Duo would do to survive... not to mention looking after the others. His soft hearted love always took care of those that couldn't, Heero knew enough of the braided boy's past to understand why Duo had done what he did.

Shane continued, "It was hard tryin to feed us all, Duo wouldn't let the younger ones sell themselves. I don't know how he did it but he managed to keep food in all of our bellies. I worked as much as I could an Paul an Colin did too but Duo kept Mickey, Benny and Toby off the streets as much as possible. Most of the clients were okay but sometimes ya would get a rough one. I had a few but Duo copped a really bad one. I knew he was hurt when I met him comin home. I cleaned him up as best I could... but...." Shane's body began to convulse slightly as he gave into his tears.

Heero handed the boy a handkerchief, Shane took it gratefully.

"What happened? Where was he hurt and how badly?" Sally asked softly. "Its important that I know Shane. I also need to know what you used to treat him with."

Shane nodded and in-between sobs he continued, "I managed to clean him up a bit, he had bruising on his hips and arms... bite marks on his back and shoulders but... but that wasn't the worst of it... There was blood. A lot of blood." Shane swallowed hard " I managed to clean most of it away but he was torn pretty badly inside... It looked like who ever he had been with was pretty big and had raped him." Shane whispered.

Heero felt the rage inside him build and he slammed his fist down onto the arm of the seat startling both Sally and Shane. "Omae o korosu" he muttered.

Shane looked at Heero questioningly.

"When I find the bastard that did this to him I will kill him." Heero hissed.

Shane hung his head. "I don't know who it was Heero, and Duo wouldn't say either. I did the best I could fer him but then the fever set in and he kept slippin in an out of consciousness. I bathed him with the bit of antiseptic we had an put cream on his wounds but it wasn't enough. I tried to get medicine for him but we needed to eat as well so I couldn't do any more. I tried to get him to go to the 'ospital but he refused... I didn't know what else to do.." Shane sank into Heero's arms and sobbed on his shoulder. "I tried everythin I could... but I couldn't help 'im no more."

Heero pulled the sobbing boy closer to him. He ran a soothing hand down his back as he tried to comfort him. "It's okay Shane... you did your best. I have no doubt that but for you and what you have done so far Duo would have been dead by now. So hush, its not your fault."

The sobbing eased a little as Shane felt Heero's words touch his soul. He had tried... tried so hard....

Sally thought, her brow twitching from time to time. She had a rough idea of what Duo's problem was but she would need to do blood tests to confirm her diagnosis. Mean while the antibiotic she had administered should be taking effect and at least that would give her a little time to find the best drug to use. "Thanks Shane. I know that wasn't easy for you to do but believe me you weren't betraying Duo's trust. I needed to know so that I can treat him properly."

Shane smiled gratefully. It had been so hard for him to try to do the right thing for Duo and the others. He was glad he had made a mess of the hold up now. It led him to Heero and hopefully Duo would now be okay. "Can you make him better Miss Sally?"

"I will most certainly give it my best shot Shane." Sally replied.

Feeling a bit better now that the burden was lifted from his too young shoulders Shane leaned back into his seat and watched Duo's unconscious form.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~