Title: Written in Blood
Author: AstroKender
Pairings: 2+5, 3+4
Rating: action/mystery
Warnings: Slight Duo torture
Spoilers: None.
Notes: Takes place after the Eve Wars of Endless Waltz. Everyone works for the Preventers.
Disclaimers: I own nothing...not even my computer. So obviously GW isn't mine. Don't sue.

Written in Blood by AstroKender

Part Ten

WuFei carefully carried the American into the house, mindful of his leg. He sat his precious burden on the kitchen table and when in search of the first aid kit. Returning with the white box in hand, he paused, noting the braided boy's slumped shoulders and the dark circles ringing his violet eyes, making them appear even larger than normal.

Duo shivered slightly and WuFei frowned. Walking over to him, he carefully put his hand over one thin shoulder. Duo looked up at him dully.

"You know you are welcome to stay here for as long as you wish. I would be honored if you called this place your home."

The braided boy smiled wanly. "Thanks, Wu."

WuFei cleared his throat. "Well...Let's get you at of these wet clothes and bandaged up, huh?"

The Chinese boy carefully pealed off Duo's dress-shirt, wincing at the yellowish bruises on his chest, only half healed. Taking a warm washcloth, he gently scrubbed the braided boy's torso, making sure there was no glass imbedded in it.

"Um...do you need help with your pants, Maxwell?" He couldn't control the blush that colored his cheeks. Duo chuckled.

"No, just hold me steady."

"Aa."

After removing the American's shoes, the Chinese boy gently held him up as duo shimmied out of his slacks. Clad only in his boxers, he shivered, unconsciously leaning into the warm body next to him.

WuFei frowned at the gash in Duo's leg. "This really should receive stitches..." Duo groaned.

"Aw, c'mon Wu! I've been hurt much worse than this! I thought Quatre was the mother hen?"

Grumbling, the dark haired boy began to briskly dress the wound. He wrapped the bandages around the well-toned thigh, making sure it wasn't too tight. The silence lay thickly between them.

"Do you want something to drink?"

"Huh?" Duo was jerked back from his thoughts. "Oh. Yeah, coffee sounds nice."

"Let me help you into the living room then I'll brew you a pot."

Setting Duo on the black leather couch, the Chinese boy grabbed the remote and handed it to the braided boy. Duo grinned up at him and flipped it onto the cartoon station. WuFei snorted and went back into the kitchen.

He came back a few minutes later, carrying a steaming cup of black coffee. Setting it in front of the injured boy, he quickly grabbed a quilt and threw it over Duo's shoulders. The violet-eyed boy smiled up at him thankfully.

"What?"

Duo flushed. "I didn't think I needed them, but at the rate I'm going I'll have to buy stock in the stuff." WuFei smiled.

"I'll get you some more tomorrow. I'm going to go take a shower now if you don't need anything else..."

Duo grinned. "I'm fine Wu-man. Relax. I'm not going anywhere."

WuFei nodded briskly and disappeared into the bedroom. Duo's grin faded and he sighed. Flipping through the channels, he stopped at the local news.

"--No bodies were found at the site. Police suspect arson was the cause of the fire of what is rumored to have been the residence of a former Gundam Pilot." The blonde newswoman reported.

Duo frowned when a picture of his apartment came up on his screen, and took a sip of his coffee.

"No word on the validity of that information, but we'll be sure to keep you updated. In other news, the shuttle flight 0199 exploded today en route to the Sank Kingdom. All fourteen passengers are believed to be dead. Vice Minister Darlian is greatly grieved by the tragic incident and is expected to make a speech tomorrow morning to the passengers' loved ones. We now go to Don with the weather."

Duo could only stare at the screen uncomprehendingly. His cup was held so tightly the knuckle turned white. Unable to handle the strain, the coffee cup shattered, spilling its contents everywhere.

"Heero..." Blood dripped unnoticed down his hand as he started to tremble violently.

"No...Heero...NOOOOOOO!!!!!" Screaming, he shot up off the couch and grabbed his keys, heading for the door.

WuFei ran out of the bedroom clad only in a white pair of sweatpants. Seeing Duo heading for the door he lunged for him.

"What is it? What's the matter?" He demanded, shaking the braided boy. Duo struggled against him.

"Heero's shuttle exploded. I have to go look for him. He couldn't have died, HE CAN'T!"

Duo redoubled his efforts to get free, but he was no match for WuFei's strength. Without warning, his legs gave out and he fell to the floor, his body wracked with dry sobs. Even after all this, he still would not permit himself to cry.

WuFei kneeled down and gathered the distraught boy into his arms, rocking him gently. It seemed as though the braided boy would fall apart with the shudders that moved through him. He held him there, on the floor, until Duo's breathing evened out and he lapsed into an exhausted slumber.

I really should move him to the bed. WuFei thought, but his own body wouldn't obey him. The dark haired boy closed suddenly heavy lids, and drifted off to sleep.

WuFei jerked away to the persistent ringing of the telephone. Glancing out the window, he saw that it's morning out. The ringing continued and with a muffled curse, he gently disentangled himself with the braided boy. Picking up the phone, he growled into it.

"Chang here."

"WuFei? It's Sally Po. I heard about Duo's apartment. Is he alright?"

The Chinese boy looked over to where the American was slowly beginning to awake. Violet eyes were haunted and shadowed as he blinked up at the WuFei.

"He's alive."

"I just called to make sure he was uninjured." The doctor's voice sounded slightly irritated.

"Gomen, Sally. It's been a rough night."

"I'm sorry too. Tell Duo to take it easy and not to worry about Heero. He took a later flight and wasn't on the shuttle that exploded. He must have been worried sick."

WuFei's eyes widened. "I'll be sure to tell him. Arigato Sally." The dark eyed boy hung up the phone, his expression thoughtful.

Duo walked up to him, his thin arms wrapped around himself for warmth. "What did she say?"

WuFei smiled at him. "Heero's alive." Duo's eyes widened in disbelief.

"What?"

WuFei glanced at the television and smiled. He pointed.

Duo walked on shaky legs over to the screen. It was a live feed from the Sank Kingdom. Relena stood at the podium, giving a speech in honor of the dead. And behind her was...

"Heero!"

WuFei walked up and placed a hand on the braided boy's shoulder. Duo giggled and whirled around happily, launching himself at WuFei. They fell down on the couch in a tangle of arms and legs.

"He's alive! Heero's alive!" Duo laughed.

WuFei had never seen anything more beautiful than that smiling face at that moment. Arching upwards, he pressed his lips firmly against the braided boy's, kissing him soundly.

End Part Ten

(:./astrokender/written10)