Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Mistaken Words ❯ 34 Questions ( Chapter 59 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Mistaken Words

AN: New chapter! Sorry about the wait, but better late than never right! I've finally got past a huge bout of writer's block, two really difficult scenes to write will do that, but now things are moving smoothly again! This was a really fun chapter to write, one I've been looking forward to posting for a long time!

I've another new editor, so I'd like to thank morgansgirl Pious Knight and Featherbird Thanks to all of you, you're making this story better and better!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing

34 Questions

Heero glanced out the kitchen window staring at the grey day. It was the 9th of December, a Saturday, so the calendar read. He awoke late in the morning again, having slept through the night uninterrupted, and he felt a lot better for it. He still didn't really feel like eating, but Jay hadn't pressed him; he had offered but took no as the final answer. He kept turning over what had happened the day before in his mind. He wasn't sure how he wanted to feel about it. Was he angry at Jay? Heero didn't think so. He was mad at himself for being so weak the day before, but he was left more curious about Jay's words to him last night.

It still felt like a strange concept to him, though not entirely foreign. John had offered his help, though was that not his job? What about Ash, why had he tried to help Heero through all those years? It was an answer Heero didn't have, and would probably never get since he couldn't see himself asking. Human nature would remain a mystery to him, though he was finding himself becoming more accustomed to some of it.

Glancing over at the digital stove clock Heero saw that it was going on five in the evening. Jay didn't teach classes on weekends which had left Heero with little to do. Jay had seemed content to busy himself on the computer and watch a little TV, but Heero couldn't bring himself to remain still for that long. Not when he had been forced to be still for months. Without a word to the sensei Heero had made his way down stairs around noon to do some weight training. He had needed to burn off some energy. Heero half expected Jay to appear at some point in time and quietly begin working on his own, but he never showed.

“You ready to go?” Jay asked coming up behind him, his question breaking through Heero's thoughts.

Turning away from the window where soft snow had begun to fall, he raised an eyebrow in question, “Go where?”

“I understand Alan told you that Saturdays we get together at a local bar for drinks and sometimes dinner,” the sensei smiled easily as he reached for his coat and shrugged into it before pulling on his boots. “So you coming?” Heero thought about the offer for a moment. He didn't want or need to drink, but it would certainly give him something better to do than just stare off in thought. “Of course if you don't feel up to it, I'd understand,” Jay put in quickly.

“I…” Heero stopped himself before saying `I'm fine' and just nodded his head, “I'll go.” He saw Jay's smile widen as the taller man turned away. He had caught the near slip, but if he thought Heero had stopped himself because of what Jay had said the night before he was wrong. Heero had never thought of it like a mantra. It was just the fact; he had to be fine, and therefore was.

They left the dojo together, Jay taking a moment to lock the door behind them before he turned back towards the street and gestured down the road. “It's not far from here,” he said starting off down the sidewalk and Heero followed alongside. Within five minutes they had reached their destination. Lights shone from the windows of an old building, even an old fashioned sign hung from above the door declaring this establishment to be `The King's Bar'. Jay opened the door for both of them, a blast of warm air striking Heero's face as he walked in.

Dark eyes scanned over the busy pub. Waitresses waded through the customers and tables on quick feet, their orders carried on silver platters held above the crowds, much like he had seen in just about every other bar. Laughter and conversation overrode any music that might have been playing, and the TV's suspended from the ceiling didn't even need speakers, they all displaced one sport or another. Heero's eyes caught sight of the karate group near the back of the bar taking up several tables as well as one of the bar's pool tables. Jay waved to his students but didn't make his way over to them right away, instead he stopped at the bar first.

“The usual Jay?” the bartender ask walking over to them.

“Please,” Jay replied with a smile and looked to Heero, “What would you like Odin?”

The bartender passed Jay a bottle of beer, and looked to Heero, “Water,” he answered without hesitation. The older man nodded his head and got Heero a tall glass with ice.

He could feel Jay's eyes watching him. But if he had any questions he didn't ask them, just led the way over to his class, where he was greeted with handshakes and wide smiles. Heero's presence had a slightly different reaction. This was the first time any of them had seen him since he had nearly killed their sensei. Smiles didn't necessarily falter but there was more than one long questioning stare. He didn't know what Jay might have said to them when he went back to the class, but within a few moments things relaxed a little and the conversations started again.

Heero sat on the outside of most of it, watching the interaction of these people. Jay kept including him wherever possible but he had little to actually say. They were there for twenty minutes when Jay took a seat beside him after playing a game of darts. “You hungry?” he asked leaning in a little closer so he could be heard. “They've got a great platter of finger food if you don't want anything huge…” he explained finishing off his beer.

He thought about it for a moment. The thought of food wasn't that bad. “I usually order one when I come here,” Jay continued. Heero couldn't be sure with all the noise but he thought the sensei sounded hopeful.

“Sure,” Heero finally responded with a nod, which caused Jay to smile widely as he turned in his chair to flag down a waitress.

She wrote down his order than looked up smiling, “Can I get both of you another drink?”

“Yeah,” Jay raised his empty bottle, “That'd be great.”

The blond smiled Heero's way, “And you?”

Heero shook his head, “I'm fine with water.”

“Alright,” she smiled broadly then walked off.

“C'mon Odin, don't drink?” Jay laughed eyes flickering about the room to where his students sat and talked or played a friendly game of pool.

“Not often,” Heero replied resting his elbow on the table.

“No?” Jay seemed to consider this for a moment, “Don't like the taste?”

Heero shrugged resting his chin on his up turned hand, considering what sort of answer he wanted to give. Would anything blunt or vague put Jay off the scent? “Don't need it,” he settled on for lack of anything better to say.

Jay nodded slowly, “Ah well, it's not everyone's cup of tea,” he smiled raising the new bottle he had just received. They sat in relative silence for several moments, Heero's ears catching several conversations all at once. Absolutely nothing of interest. “You play pool?” Jay asked suddenly scrapping his chair back.

Looking over to the now empty table, Heero said, “I've seen it played.” Ash had tried on more than one occasion to get him to play, but the times Heero had chosen to go into a bar had never been for pleasure.

“Well you have to start somewhere,” he stood motioning for Heero to come with him.

WMWMWMW

Heero raked a hand through his still damp hair as he left his room Sunday morning. Fortunately they had not remained out all that late the night before. He had not minded the relaxed atmosphere of the bar, had found himself relaxing a little as the time wore on, though he never really opened up to the other students who seemed to forget their wariness as the drinks came and went. His head hadn't even really been a problem for him, with all the lights and nose, though he had felt a little drained. Not that he'd have admitted that fact for anything. Jay had called it a night close to nine, much to the complaints of his students.

Stepping out into the living room Heero saw Jay standing in the kitchen drinking a glass of orange juice, “Good morning.”

Heero gave a brief nod of his head in response.

“You told me last night you'd never played pool before,” he sounded inquisitive.

“I hadn't,” he told him honestly.

Jay shook his head, “Odin no rookie pulls shots like that, there's not enough luck in the world for it.”

“It's just physics…” he shrugged. Once he had got used to the cue it hadn't been all that hard to make the shots. He could see why Jay liked the game so much.

“Heh,” Jay shook his head while pouring second glass of orange juice, which Heero accepted, “That's the way the pros look at it.”

Heero didn't miss the subtly stressing, “You don't believe me,” there was no point in making it a question, but he didn't sound angry either, it didn't really matter one way or the other.

“Never said that,” Jay placated with a joking smile, “I never said that, it's just a little odd, well it's a lot odd.” He laughed, shaking his head. “Forget about it, just don't ever let me bet money on a game against you. Do you want some breakfast?” he asked, completely switching gears.

The former pilot shook his head, as he took a seat on the stool and drank his orange juice. He had eaten some of what Jay had bought last night, had actually found a lot of it to be really good.

“Still not feeling well?” Jay looked up from putting the orange juice away.

“No,” Heero returned, “Just not hungry.”

“Well I've already had something and I was thinking of taking a trip out to the mall, you want to come?” the sensei's blue eyes watched Heero subtly as he moved about the kitchen straightening up.

This was yet another day of no classes, leaving Heero with nothing to do. He nodded his head. Anything would be better than sitting around doing nothing. “When?” he asked finishing off the juice.

“I was thinking of leaving within an hour or so,” he sounded relaxed about it, “There's no rush…” he chuckled, “This time of the year you can't be in a rush.”

“This time of year?” Heero asked. He hadn't thought too much about it.

Jay laughed, “You're kidding right? Christmas Odin, it's in fifteen days.”

He nodded in silent understanding. Ash had always liked to try and make a big deal of the holiday, bringing lights and decorations to string up around Heero's apartment. He had never given it too much thought. The war had come to an end around Christmas, but before that Heero had no recollection of having ever noticed the day. Though he did seem to have a very vague memory of Odin giving him a small something, just a snack really, but it had been the only time.

“Not a big fan of Christmas?” Jay asked tilting his head down to try and see into Heero's eyes.

“Never really celebrated,” he shrugged the matter aside. No doubt Relena had something in mind, and that was an appealing thought, Heero realized.

WMWMWMW

Heero felt amazed at the sheer volume of people moving about the mall. It resembled a colorful, stormy sea, and it made him uncomfortable. He did not like having so many people so close to him, it was an effort to keep a void of space around him. By the time Jay had finished getting the few things he had needed, Heero was feeling on edge - he just wanted to be away. Despite his discomfort, Heero had made use of this outing, buying some more clothes, and a small bear that had caught his eye making him think of Relena. The latter he had been sure to purchase when Jay had been distracted by something else.

He tried his best not to think about her. It was harder and harder to keep himself from wanting to go back to see her. He did want to see her, wasn't surprised at how much he wanted to hold her, smell her scent around him. But he was still bothered by that ache in his chest. It gnawed at him rather painfully. He had been separated from her for three years. Yes, it had bothered him, but not like this, so why couldn't he force the pain aside? He didn't know why, but Heero remained determined to return on his terms when he felt his point had been firmly made.

“Odin,” Jay's voice broke through his thoughts and he looked over seeing the sensei moving off from their original path, “Let's take a seat.” He moved into the food court and Heero followed behind as they searched out an empty table.

As was his habit Heero scanned the crowed, not necessarily searching out potential threats but just wanting to know who was around him. Jay had finally come to a stop, placing his bags down on one of the four chairs. Heero was doing the same when his cobalt eyes caught sight of a familiar face. His breath stopped, eyes narrowing. She hadn't seen him yet, but would she? Would she try to take him back? She hadn't been acting like herself these last few months, but his sudden disappearance might have shaken her. He couldn't risk it, he was going to have to confront her.

“Odin? Something wrong?” Jay asked stepping up beside him.

Heero blinked shaking his head slightly, “There's something I need to take care of…” he began walking away, “I'll be back,” he tossed back over his shoulder. Knowing Jay would be curious and no doubt try and see where Heero went, he was grateful that Sally continued to move away from the food court.

Tailing along behind Heero kept a careful distance until he could find an opportunity to speak with Sally alone. He saw that opening as Sally made her way towards the bathrooms, the crowds had thinned some but was not sparse enough to give him away. Picking up his pace Heero closed the distance and he reached out to grab Sally's arm, “Relax,” he growled in low tones when she tensed and moved to pull away. She said nothing, obviously couldn't risk it where people were around to listen. He directed her towards a service door, eyes darting around he pushed his way through pulling Sally along with him.

Once safely on the other side Heero pushed the doctor away from him looking up at her with a dark expression, “What the hell are you doing here?” he demanded.

“I could ask you the same question,” she fired back quickly, her stance and firm expression resembling what he remembered from years back. “But to answer your question, I was shopping,” she raised the bags in her hands as if to prove it.

“And the others?” He felt wary. It had been a week and he hadn't felt the need to look over his shoulder at every turn, but that didn't mean they weren't now fed up with waiting and decided to retrieve him.

“They aren't here,” she assured.

Heero didn't feel entirely convinced, “You haven't been searching?”

“No,” she sighed shaking her head, “I wanted to,” Sally added, “But I was talked out of it.”

He didn't quite breathe a sigh of relief; it was what he had wanted to hear. It meant they had realized their mistake—not that he doubted they would—they were going to wait for him to decide to return. Though there was still the chance they'd get tired of waiting.

“Where have you been?” again that note of authority entered into her voice, so familiar. He had begun to think he wouldn't hear it any more.

“Around,” he answered vaguely. If there was one person he was not going to tell he had been staying at a dojo it was Sally.

“When are you planning on coming back?”

“When I feel like it,” the tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Of course he knew it wouldn't stop Sally from trying, especially now that she was acting more like herself, “What if someone recognizes you?”

“I've been dead near half a year,” he returned, “No one's looking for me.”

“Relena misses you.” It was an underhanded tactic not at all outside Sally's arsenal.

Heero didn't even blink. “But she understands.” He didn't doubt for a minute that she understood how he felt, that he needed to do this.

“Have you been eating?” she asked, completely switching gears. Her eyes looking at him more critically, he almost felt as though he were being weighed where he stood.

Didn't take much thought to know which answer to give, “Yes.” Whether she believed him or not was another matter and one he didn't care about. He wasn't going to be around much longer to deal with it.

Her eyes narrowed dangerously, though it became clear that she was going to wait until he had returned to the agency to push the issue, as her expression slowly softened. “I'm glad to know you're alright,” she said finally, yet again switching gears as though she weren't entirely comfortable with her usual self.

Heero folded his arms across his chest, “I hope you aren't planning on following me,” he said firmly, wanting to go back, to re-establish the distance he had put between himself in his friends.

Sally hesitated, but finally nodded her head, “I hope you come back soon,” she said as she walked from the room.

He waited several minutes before finally walking back out into the main part of the mall, his eyes searching for Sally despite the fact that he was sure she had left. Heero made his way back towards the food court. He didn't walk particularly fast, knowing full well Jay would probably have a bunch of questions for him. It would be a miracle if even one of them was something he could answer honestly. Finding Jay as he had expected, sitting but waiting on the edge of his seat, eyes searching through the crowds. When finally they landed on Heero, the sensei came to his feet.

“What was that all about?” he asked immediately. It was clear the curiosity was killing him.

“Just saw an old friend from the war.” he kept the answer as vague as he could, really hoping Jay hadn't seen who he had went after.

Jay's smile took on a slightly evil caste, “This old friend wouldn't happen to be a girlfriend would it?” Heero stopped midway to sitting down and threw a disbelieving look Jay's way. He couldn't even begin to imagine being closer to Sally than he already was; it was crazy. “I'll take that as a no,” Jay laughed.

“Who was she then?” he pressed on sitting across from Heero

“What makes you think it was a she?” he deflected.

The taller man shrugged, “I just think if she wasn't, you would have said so.”

“She's a medic I met back during the war.” He felt a little surprised. It was a true answer, though still a little vague.

“What, no name?” Jay was never satisfied.

“You need a name?”

“It wouldn't be uncommon for you to have mentioned it.” he waited to see if Heero would speak her name.

That wasn't something the former pilot was going to give. It wasn't that he thought Sally's name would be famous, known among the masses. But he thought it wouldn't be an entirely unknown name either, since the king and his sister were both under her care. That sort of knowledge would be available. Heero's eyes glanced around the bright court in which they sat, choosing to change the subject rather than answer, “What are we doing here?”

Jay appeared reluctant to let the previous conversation go, but finally answered, “In case you hadn't noticed the time, its past lunch.”

Heero glanced at his watch. He hadn't noticed.

“Odin, you hardly ate anything yesterday, didn't have breakfast today, you can't honestly expect me to believe you're not hungry.”

He shrugged, “You can believe whatever you want.”

Jay stared at him for several long seconds, before finally throwing up his hands, “Fine. Will you watch my bags while I go get something?” Heero nodded mutely in response.

He watched the sensei disappear into the crowd as he sat back in the metal chair, folding his arms across his chest. The back of the chair pressed against his shirt and he could feel it scratch against the brand, but he remained where he was a dark expression on his face. Men, women and children moved about the open space of the food court seating themselves at nearby tables to have noisy conversations about unimportant matters. Heero tuned them out and continued to wait for Jay, his eyes searching him out among the crowd.

It had been nearly fifteen minutes before Jay materialized out of the throngs of people. Heero noted right away that Jay was carefully carrying two trays, and he sat forward, eyes narrowing a little at that. He was up to something, and Heero sat a little straighter, preparing himself for whatever Jay had in mind.

“Here,” the sensei said as he placed both trays on the table and passed one across to Heero's side, “You're too thin not to be hungry.”

He looked down at that food it looked like an oriental dish, and smelled well enough, but he wasn't going to give in this easily, “I didn't ask for this,” Heero told him calmly and slid the tray closer to center.

“Nope, but they were having a deal, buy one get one free,” he pressed it back across, “You can't pass up on an offer like that.”

“I can,” he blocked the tray with his hand.

Jay laughed, completely undaunted, “Alright how about this, I suggest a challenge!”

“Challenge?” he couldn't help but be a little curious.

“Right!” he leaned forward, obviously very excited now, “I'll ask you a series of yes or no questions, and you choose either to answer or eat a little food.”

“What makes you think I'll choose either?”

“Because you're enjoying yourself,” he picked up his own fork, “You don't let yourself have near enough fun.”

Heero stared at Jay with a raised eyebrow. He was serious about this, and Heero felt surprised that he was not one hundred percent against it. He settled back in his chair. Folding his arms across his chest, Heero was convinced that he wouldn't be touching the food anytime soon. Jay had already started in on his, but had been watching Heero the entire time obviously trying to gage how this was going. When he saw it was favorable he smiled broadly.

“Great!” he chewed more thoughtfully one another fork of food, “Alright first question, do you have a girlfriend?”

He blinked, having had no idea what to expect out of Jay, he was kind of surprised, but had an answer, “Yes.”

Jay rubbed his hands together, “Is that who the bear is for?” The former pilot's eyes narrowed though he didn't glance at the bag sitting beside him. Had Jay gone through it? “I caught sight of the leg when you put the bag down, so…”

He nodded finally still wanting to avoid the food, “Yes.”

“So what kind of girl would Odin Lowe like?” Jay asked his fork moving about the plate rapidly.

“That's not a yes or no question,” he pointed out calmly.

“Well then I'll just have to rephrase,” he considered it for a moment, his blue eyes glancing around, “Is she like her?” he asked pointing at a red head sitting not too far off.

Heero looked without turning his head, “No.”

“How about her?” this time he gestured at a brunette with a round face.

“No.”

“Hmmm…” he mused softly eating more of his meal as he thought, “Somehow I wouldn't put it past you to say no to everything I suggest at least with human models.” He leaned forward his elbows on the table, “So I'll just have to try something different, does she have blond hair?”

“Yes.”

“Not the type I would've pegged you for if I had been asked, blond with blue eyes?”

“Yes,” Heero rather liked this game so far. His meal stood untouched and if he could keep it that way he would.

“Is she tall?” it was hard to flesh out the image of a woman with just yes or no questions but Jay seemed to want to give it a try.

“No.”

“Around your height?”

Heero noted a devious light enter into Jay's eyes after he had asked that last question, and he felt sure he wasn't going to like what came next. So far this game of Jay's had not succeeded in it's intended goal, that being getting Heero to eat. He answered finally, “Yes.”

“Odin,” his name sounded very pointed as Jay rubbed his hands together, “Are you having fun?”

There was that word again, one that on the outside seemed so simple. It had to be a straight forward concept, but Heero didn't understand it. He reminded himself though that Jay was expecting some form of answer and with this one at least he was caught between a rock and a hard place. If said yes, Jay won. Not an appealing thought, but if he didn't respond at all and took a bite of food the sensei won yet again, since that had been his goal from the start. Despite his limited options Heero didn't take long to decide, his right hand reached for the fork, and he took his first mouthful of food. It had cooled off over the wait but still tasted good. Jay appeared to fight the urge to rub his hands together.

“Alright then,” he smiled seeming for the moment at least to be satisfied, “Back to your girlfriend, is she your age?”

Heero had never been all that sure of his age, but he felt Relena and he were close enough that he could say “Yes.”

“Huh, I wondered where you two first met…” it was a situation Heero knew Jay would never be able to guess, “Was it in school?”

“No.”

“Right you were privately taught,” Jay chuckled correcting himself, “You met her during the war?”

“Yes.”

“Was she a soldier too?”

The Japanese man felt like laughing at the thought, and he shook his head emphatically, “No.”

“Was she a nurse then?”

“No.”

“Not a soldier, not a nurse…” he considered it for a minute his eyes looking off, “A Civilian?”

That was a little bit more of a tricky question. By a certain definition Heero supposed Relena would be counted as, but it didn't really feel like it fit to him. Besides, if it confused Jay, why not? “No.”

“What else is there!” he demanded with mock exasperation, “Alright, is she the daughter of an important family? Say a politician?”

“Yes.”

Again that mischievous light entered Jay's eyes, “Have you kissed her?”

A stupid question Heero thought, but it was delivered in the hope that he would again eat from the meal Jay had bought him. But this time Heero wasn't going to give him that satisfaction, “Yes.”

“Is it a serious relationship?”

Heero considered the question for several moments, not sure of an answer, not sure what other sort of relationship it could possibly be. In the end he reluctantly ate a little more food.

“You don't know but you'd like it to be?” Jay supplied an answer for his last question and carried on intently.

That was a question Heero knew he wouldn't answer even if he had fully understood the first, so again the fork came to his mouth.

Jay took a moment to finish his own meal before he pushed the tray aside and refocused his attention of Heero. “Since we're talking I think I'd like to know more about you,” he considered his next question and Heero began to feel a little on edge. He was never comfortable talking about himself, but then this wasn't really talking was it? “You've been studying martial arts for years, have you ever competed?”

“No,” he supposed against the other pilots he sort of did, but he knew that wasn't what Jay was referring to.

“Never thought about it?”

“No.”

“That's too bad, you'd be an asset to any team.” Jay scratched at his goatee eyes thoughtful again, “What about your interest? There has to be stuff out there that you like along with karate, so do you like reading?”

Heero slowly thought about the question, but quickly realized he didn't have an answer to it. He could read, had read many manuals and stolen briefings during the war. It had been a necessity, but did he like it? It was just a tool, a means to an end. Internally Heero shook himself. He knew that's not how Jay had meant it. Trowa was the example to follow, he had read for the knowledge and enjoyment, but it was something Heero had never really tried. So could he say yes or no to this question? In the end Heero reached for the fork again.

The sensei looked surprised, “What was that too vague?”

“No,” Heero shook his head. Even if he hadn't been restricting himself to yes or no answers Heero doubted he would have explained his inability to answer.

“Well what about movies?” Jay continued appearing unfazed.

Again he paused; his fork still standing in the noodles as he slowly twisted it one way before another. He had had some experiences with them, mostly with Relena, though Ash had sat him down with more than one. But was that enough to say he had liked them or didn't? He had found them strange more often than not, poor acting at times, special effects that were not in the least way believable. He sighed and took another mouthful of food. He just couldn't say one way or the other.

“How can you not know?” he leaned forward on the table staring intently at Heero's face, as though trying to see inside to his thinking. “Have you not watched that many?” he asked clearly expecting another yes or no answer.

Shaking his head Heero replied, “No.”

“You really are an odd breed. Do you know that?” Jay chuckled.

“Yes.” he doubted Jay had been expecting an answer, and the way he burst out laughing that only confirmed it.

They lapsed into silence for a little while, Heero finding himself almost wanting to eat a little more without a questions asked, but he stopped himself. “I think I already know the answer,” Jay began looking a little hesitant, “Do you like music?”

He didn't even have to think about that one before he was eating more of his meal.

“Rock?

“Alternative?

“Country?”

“Classical?”

Jay fired off each category, though Heero didn't think he expected an answer, perhaps he just had to try and see if his original question was simply too broad. Heero took the opportunity to nearly finish his meal, being unable to answer any of them. Jay threw up his hands in defeat, “I just don't know what to say…” the silence returned before the sensei suddenly brightened, “I know at least one thing you must like, spending time with your girlfriend right?”

Something he hadn't been able to do as much as he wanted, but without thought it was a definite “Yes.” It still surprised him that he would want to be with her, that this attachment had formed. He felt the ache acutely then and wanted to find a way to push it aside. Jay's eyes sparkled and Heero knew more questions would come, but the interest had left him, and he scraped up the last of food before looking up at Jay. “Game over.”

Jay sighed, “Too bad,” his finger pointed firmly at Heero, “You were having fun!”

Thanks for Reading!

A Deeply Hidden Fear:

Wufei was pulled from sleep by the ringing of his phone reaching out for it with a growl he turned it on and brought it to his ear, “This had better be good,” he greeted whoever was on the other side. No one he knew of had the nerve to call him at five after three in the morning.

“Did you know he had been tortured?” a low voice asked after a moment of silence.

Jay? Wufei's mind processed the voice quickly, and he repressed a sigh, How does he keep doing this? Jay's instincts were a little too good Wufei was realising. “Yes I knew,” he answered finally pushing himself up to a sitting position while pulling a hand through his loose black hair.

“This happened recently,” Jay continued and Wufei could hear his tightly reined emotions, “While he was in your protection?” it was an accusation.

“Jay tell me what happened?”

“You tell me why he's still on the streets!” Jay fired back.

“Because that's where he chose to be,” Wufei countered with a sigh.

“Well obviously he'd not acting in his best interest,” he was keeping his voice low, clearly concerned about alerting Heero, but Wufei could tell it was an effort for him to do so.

The former pilot shifted on the bed drawing his legs up to him beneath the blankets, “He's not a child Jay--”

“What difference does that make!” Jay cut through, “He needs help, did you ever try to give him any?”

“Of course we did!” Wufei growled angrily into the phone, but dialled himself back quickly not wanting to take his anger out on Jay. “Of course we did, but there's only so much you can do when he won't accept help.”

“I don't like it,” Jay said bitterly, “He deserves better than this.”

“He does, and you're not the first to try and help him, but now you know how far the others got,” Wufei could understand how frustrating it would be to try and help someone who didn't want it. But he also understood Heero, neither of them wanted to give of themselves, not from that deeply buried `weak' side.

Morganeth Taren'drel