[FIC] Two Down, One to Go!
Title: Two Down, One to Go
Author: Hellfire_angel
Rating: R
Pairing 1x2x1
Genre: Drama
Disclaimer: Don't own!
Warnings: Violence, Language, Angst, Sap
Dedication:
t_shirt1x2, who asked for a companion piece to her artwork 2down!
Summary: Duo takes a hit while on the job, and Heero can't believe his eyes.
xxxx
I felt as the bullets whizzed past my head, only an inch or so from my temple. It wasn't the worst fire fight I had been in, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. If only I could see where the target went.
There were at least eight men surrounding Duo and me. Duo had crouched near the car since we had no choice but to duck for cover after the target got his reinforcements. He was due to be brought in alive, but as Une debriefed us, injured would suffice just as well as long as he could talk.
The rain falling all around us made it difficult to see anything too far away, the perfect cover for us and unfortunately our target and his gang as well.
I had called back up ten minutes ago before we engaged. They should have been here by now. If they didn't though, I would have to think up some more options. I was down to my last clip and I think Duo was in the same situation. He seemed to make every shot count. He analyzed his aim every time he lifted his gun.
No matter how many times I've seen him do it, I just can't help but see what a stunning agent he is.
He stunning to me no matter what, since we are lovers after all, but being together in the field charges us up more than if we were just sitting behind a desk all day.
Duo and I weren't made to sit behind desks.
We needed the action, like we needed each other and every breath we had to take.
Even as he aimed once more, I couldn't help scanning his form before checking out the situation once more and searching for our back up.
Disappointment ran fierce through my veins, even as I hit one of the shooters finally and he flew backwards, flailing in pain. I felt a smug grin creep onto my face from taking at least one down, it was also a flaw on my part.
I had no idea the target had a gun. Nor did I realize as I looked over my handy work that he was aiming straight at me.
Duo had seen it.
Duo dived to try to knock me backwards out of the way.
Duo endangered himself and took the bullets meant for me and I didn't realize it until it was too late.
I saw a something heavy landed in my lap, and belated say it was Duo.
"Hey, quit spacing out H- ro." He grubbled and then moaned in pain. I was about to move him when my hand touched something sticky and as I shifted Duo against my other arm to see my hand, I saw something I never wished to see.
Blood. Blood was coating my hand and fingers, as thick and warm as it had been in it's owner. I couldn't seem to focus all of a sudden.
Duo was... bleeding!
I could feel Duo chuckle in my arms, but it was half-hearted at best. He looked up at me with those sultry purple eyes of his and tried to smile.
What he achieved was a painfully grimace, and without letting another second tick by, I gently carried him back over to the minimal protection the car was giving us and laid him down on the pavement.
I searched his uniform until I found the hole. Or should I say holes?
The bastards had shout him twice! Once in the back and from what I could tell, and they might have hit a lung. The other was a graze on his upper arm, but that first shot rattled me.
As I was trying to evaluate him, our long over due calavery arrived. They surrounded the bad guys and cuffed our target and his gang, but I heard none of it until much later.
Duo was starting to cough up blood. A sure sign of what I feared. The bullet had pierced his chest cavity.
I could feel the tears running down my cheeks, joining the rain that was soaking me to my soul. I watched as Duo moved his lips and I leaned forward to hear his raspy breath.
"At- at least, I got to save you, love. I saved y-you." Then he was just gone. His body limp, and as I practically crawled on top of him, trying to keep his warmth from leaving him, trying to keep him from leaving me!
My tears flowed down to his cheeks as a held him, trying to comfort and keep him safe like he had for me.
It was then that I noticed the pounding feet coming near me. They were people I knew and shouted orders were being given.
I could hear the medics, coming for him.
They came and they swarmed him. Pushed me to the side and did their own evaluations. I almost told them to stop trying to move him, but I couldn't utter a word.
Quatre came over to me and wrapped me in his arms. They weren't the arms I wanted to be wrapped around me.
I wanted Duo!
Quatre managed to stop me before I could scramble to the ambulance. I didn't want those men to touch him, even though they had the ability to save his life and I didn't. Quatre lead me to his own car and drove me to the hospital, knowing that I needed to be there.
He told the nurse our friend had been admitted and I was the next of kin. I had to fill out paper work, but I couldn't think. Quatre made me write as he told me the information he needed and I filled out the papers and gave them my signiture.
If that wasn't bad enough, I thought the wait would kill me slowly. Quatre stayed with me throughout it all, and only when Trowa showed up did he leave my side and I heard him tell Trowa to watch me.
Trowa is leveled headed, no matter what, but I could tell I was making him a bit nervous since I wasn't moving. I was like a wild animal trapped in a cage. Only the cage was my own mind.
It kept running senerios, telling me I should have seen how open I was. I should have taken those bullets and not Duo.
However, the worst dilemna came to mind when I thought of how Duo would react if our places were reversed.
Duo would be more panicked. He would demand to be let in the operationg room.
He wouldn't stop until he was with me again.
I knew he would be.
I just knew he would do that if I had been where he was now!
The only thing keeping me from doing things like Duo did them, was because I was afraid.
Duo had saved me, true. But did he want me when he came out of that surgery? Would he know me and remember all that had happened?
A part of me knew I was over analyzing things, but I couldn't stop it. I just couldn't stop thinking of how I had failed him. How I had failed myself in protecting him.
He could've died because of me! The only man that had my heart, body, and soul! I had almost lost him!
"Mr. Yuy?" A young nursed called out my name, but it was only after Trowa nugged me, did I get up.
"What is it?" My voice had sounded hoarse, even to my own ears.
"The patient wishes to see you. He's woken from the surgery. I'm here to help you get ready."
"How is he?" I had to ask, not moving until I really knew.
The young nurse smiled at me. "He's doing very well, considering he had a large bullet in his left lung. He'll need some help recovering. You'll be there to help him, won't you?"
"If he wants me to, I will be." The nurse looked a bit startled, but her warm smile tempered it.
"I'm sure he would. He's a very remarkable young man. Come with me." I walked with her and got scrubbed up and changed into hospital garbs. The nurse then lead me into a private room near the ICU and I could see my partner laying on the single bed, heart monitors and breathing tubes hooked up to him while looked pale and still. I had to stop myself from running to him, it was what I wanted to do the most, but I restrained myself while the nurse was there.
"You can stay for an hour at most, but please remember he needs his rest." She gently reminded me. I nodded at her then walked over to the chair beside the bed to sit near him.
I looked him over and could see the exhaustion etched on his face. He was so pale and as I took his hand in mine, I felt the chill of his skin. How could he grow so cold?
He must have felt my hand finally as his fingers tightened around mine and rolled his head towards me.
"Heero?" He asked quietly.
"I'm here, love." I whispered back and gently kissed his knuckles, still fearing he'd pull away from me because I failed him. Looking up at his face, I could see no distain there, only a tender smile on his lips and his eyes closed in pleasure.
"I'm glad you're safe. When I saw that guy... pointing his gun at you, I couldn't help but try to knock you away. Guess I'm really an idiot for getting shot instead, huh?" He chuckled a bit, but there was little humor in it. It was like he was analyzing the situation again and found it more rueful than he had prior.
"Heero? What's wrong? Why are you crying?" I didn't realize I was.
"Because I failed you. I didn't see that armed man and you got hurt because of it. I'm so sorry, you shouldn't have gotten shot. It's all my fault you're in the hospital. I should be in that bed, not you." I couldn't help the sobs that escaped me. Unable to hold them in and keep Duo from seeing me break down. Fearing that he would finally see me as weak and send me away.
"Come here." Duo gently tugged on my arm and I found myself crawling into bed with him, careful of the tubes.
"But-" I tried to protest but the look in his eyes told me to be silent and I lay down next to him. He scooted to make more room for me and let me lie on my side with my head pillowed on his right shoulder. My arm he tugged across his stomach to rest on and let me hold him without hurting him. Placing my other arm under his pillow, and allowing me to be as close to him as I could be while I let the last of my tears soak into his hospital gown.
He gently stroked my bangs from my forehead and kissed me softly until the last tears rolled away. I felt myself relaxing into his embrace and my eyes sliding shut as he whispered to me like only he could.
"You didn't fail me. You took care of me when I was brought down by those bastards and if it wasn't for you I would be dead. You're everything to me Heero. Without you, I would die. I would no longer be whole if I lost you. I love you more than anything in the world and if I need to have a few bullets shot at me just to keep you safe, I'll gladly stay in this damn hospital as long as you're here with me. Now, go to sleep, love. I'll take first watch."
"Love you, too. More than anything." I whispered into his shoulder. He chuckled at that in his warm tone.
"I know. I have no doubts about that. Go to sleep." And I as I slipped into a restful doze, I heard the door to the room open and I nurse move him. She said something to him, but I couldn't hear what she said. Although, I could hear what Duo said to her loud and clear.
"Try moving him and I'll break your arm. He needs me and he's not being moved no matter what you say. I'm comfy and he isn't hurting me in any way. So please let us get some well deserved sleep. Good night!"
There was just no use trying to convince Duo of anything when he spoke in that tone. I knew that more than anything.
"Sweet dreams Heero. I'm not letting you out of my sight ever. Not as long as I can help it." As I settled against him and wrapped him a bit tighter in my arm. I knew I wouldn't lose him. He was the other piece of me I needed and I wouldn't leave him if I could help it either.
Not ever.
xxxx
End