Eternal Flame

Disclaimer: I don\'t own the G Boys, I just borrow them from time to time and return them a whole lot happier ne? :) I do however own Shane, Paul, Colin, Mickey, Benny, Toby, Fayah and any other unfamiliar characters that crop up. I also own the plot if you can call it that.

Rating: NC 17

Warnings: Sap, angst, OC, Lemon, Lime, abuse, violence, language.

Pairings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3, 5xS, OC x OC and maybe smoremore... check each part to be sure ;)

Archive: http://gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com
http://sweetlysour.net
http://www.adult-fanfiction.org
http://www.theforsakenwk.com/

Status: Work in progress.

Beta\'s: DBZVelena, Ryouga & Yami Tai....*huggles*

Author: ShenLong

Authors notes: *sigh* Well here I am again caving into pressure. I know it has taken a while to get to this and for that I apologize but I could not come up with a plot I deemed worthy enough.... until now. This is yet another sequel... this time to United Hearts. I did promise I would write the wedding for you all and I intend to do that. For those that haven\'t read United or Lost Souls I recommend that you do, otherwise this sequel will not make much sense. All of your favorite characters are back and up to as much mischief as possible.
This is set fourteen months after the end of United and all the children are older now. The Gundam Pilots are all 20yrs, Shane and Fayah are 16, Paul is 15, Colin is 14, Mickey is 12, Benny is 10 1/2 and not forgetting that little rascal Toby who is 10.
Thank you to all those who supported me through the writing of United, I hope you enjoy this just as much.

\"Eternal Flame\"

April 2003 ShenLong

Chapter 17

Leith awoke during the night to the smiling face of a nurse. He grunted as his body warned him that movement was not a good idea, however his bladder was screaming to be emptied.

\"How are you feeling Mr. Martins?\" The nurse asked as she checked the equipment that Leith was hooked up to.

\"Like a train wreck,\" Leith muttered. His voice was hoarse and his throat hurt. \"Need the bathroom,\" he managed to say.

\"I won\'t be a moment Mr Martins.\" The nurse finished connecting the fresh saline drip and turned back to address Leith. \"I’m afraid I can\'t allow you to get up, but I\'ll go fetch you a bottle.” She smiled and left the room.

Leith didn\'t really care. His body ached and throbbed, his skin burned, and he hurt everywhere but it wasn\'t as bad as before. His mind was still groggy from the anaesthetic but he could feel the heavy weight of the plaster cast upon his arm. He allowed a small smile as his mind recalled Paul. Paul had somehow managed to get to him. The doctor must have called the number he\'d fortunately been able to remember, and Paul had come. At least someone out there cared about him. His thoughts were halted as the nurse returned.

\"Can you manage by yourself, or would you like some help?\" She asked.

Leith felt himself turn a little red, the nurse was a young thing, and while he knew he had no reason to feel embarrassed, he couldn\'t help it. \"Ummm... I think I can manage.\"

The nurse noted his embarrassment and gave an amused smile. She placed the bottle on the bed within reach of Leith\'s right hand and drew the curtains around his bed. \"I\'ll wait just outside, if you need help please call.\"

Leith flashed her a grateful smile and began the task of transporting the bottle under the bedclothes while avoiding snagging the drip that was taped to his arm, not to mention the fact that his arm felt like a ton of lead. Finally he was done and called for the nurse to return. She had to remove the full bottle from underneath the sheets as Leith\'s strength had completely run out and he was exhausted. She went and emptied the thing before coming back to check him again and make him comfortable. Leith frowned as his fuzzy mind battled to hold off sleep. Something wasn\'t right and he needed answers. He looked at the nurse as she finished straightening his blanket.

\"Anything else I can get for you, Mr. Martins?\"

\"Please call me Leith, Mr. Mas mas makes me feel like you\'re talking to my dad.\"

The nurse laughed. \"Okay, Leith it is. Now is there anything you need?\"

\"A drink of water would be nice.\"

The young nurse held the cup and balanced the straw to make it easier for him to drink from and Leith sipped at it gratefully, the cool liquid soothing his sore throat. He waited while the nurse put the cup back on the side table before asking the question that was foremost in his mind. \"My dad... Has there been any news about him?\"

The nurse frowned. \"I\'m not sure but I will go and check for you.\"

Leith gave her a grateful smile as she left the room. Moments later she had returned. \"I\'m sorry Leith, there hasn\'t been any calls from your father or any news to indicate he has been in touch.\" Seeing the youth\'s face fall a little, she quickly added,\"There has been a phone call from a person called Paul though. He rang a little while ago when you were sleeping to see how you were doing.\"

That brought the smile back to Leith\'s face. \"Thank you.\"

\"You\'re welcome. Anything else I can get for you?\"

Leith shook his head. \"No, thank you.\"

With another smile the young nurse left and Leith drifted back into sleep.

~ * ~

Bob Martins sat on the edge of the small cot in the tiny room that held him prisoner. When he had come around from his faint he had gathered all the pictures together and tried to study them without wincing. Leith... Looking closer at the photographs, he knew without a doubt that it was Leith lying on the stretcher. From what he could tell the injuries weren\'t life threatening but they still appeared bad. He could only hope that Leith would be all right. He should have known that Grant would carry out his threat, guess he could count himself lucky that they hadn\'t killed Leith.

Bob cradled his head in his hands as he tried to find a way out of this mess. He racked his brains for any solution, no matter how small but he couldn\'t think of any way to either let the outside world know of what was happening or get himself off this... this.... whatever the hell this *thing* was that he was on.

The door opened and he squinted as the brighter outside lights invaded the room. \"Time to go back to work,\" the gruff voice told him.

Wearily he stood, dropping the folder back to the small cot. With slumped shoulders, he exited the room, walking ahead of his escort and back to the lab. He barely acknowledged the other people as he slid into the seat at his designated terminal and rebooted the system. He keis eis eyes lowered as machine hummed into life and loaded up the program he would need. The guard hovered just behind him, so close that Bob could feel and smell his hot rancid breath. He shivered.

The screen flickered and the program indicated it was ready. Bob rested his hands upon the keyboard for a moment and then with a sigh of defeat, he began to type.

Roland Grant watched the monitor and gave an evil smile. He doubted he would have any more trouble from ex cex compatriot. He turned to his companion. \"How much longer?\"

\"The first tests are scheduled to begin early next week. The programming is almost complete so there only remains the installation after that.\"

\"The Dolls?\"

\"The last five are being wired now and expected to be completed within the next two days. Downloading can begin as soon as they are finished.\"

\"Good.” Grant stroked his chin for a moment, deep in thought. \"Once the tests are complete and any necessary adjustments made, we will move to the L3 sector. There is a large asteroid belt just nearby which will provide cover for us until we have the operation programmed into the Dolls.” Grant\'s face lit up as he thought how close he was to finally reaching his goal. Not much longer now.

\"Are you going to make an announcement to the Colony before we strike?” Davis asked as he poured himself and his boss a generous measure of whiskey from the crystal decanter.

Grant took the offered glass and pulled at the strong liquid. It burnt a fiery trail all the way to his stomach. \"No. We will just go straight in and make the strike. Once the damage is done I can hook into the satellite feed and make my request known. They will have seen the ultimate power I have and will be only too willing to deliver the Gundam Pilots to me on a silver platter. Then I will have my revenge.\"

Davis joined his boss in a toast. \"To revenge.\"

\"To justice,\" replied Grant, and the glasses clinked together.

~ * ~

Trowa drew his mind slowly from the depths of sleep. He was reluctant to waken fully, the dream he had been enjoying had not ended and he tried to push himself back into the darkness to finish it. His body felt warm, he burrowed his head back into the pillow in an attempt to reclaim the vision of Quatre buried between his legs and doing all sorts of wicked things to him. His groin felt on fire, pleasure singing through his nerves and he moaned into the down pillow.

Quatre had woken and lain watching his lover and partner sleeping. Trowa’s smooth features never ceased to delight him. His body had filled out since the wars, taken on the broadness and angles of maturity but still remained as lithe and slender as he had been when aged fifteen. Quatre felt his desire rising and with a soft snicker to himself he dived under the bedclothes. He quickly located Trowa\'s groin, praising Allah once again for the fact that Trowa almost always slept in the nude.

The half hard erection greeted him and he lowered his mouth until he was almost touching the tip. He breathed out slowly, letting the hot air breeze softly past the organ and quelling the urge to giggle as his lover’s cock twitched and swelled a little more. He let his tongue slip out and barely brush over the tiny slit, teasing lightly. He heard Trowa\'s breath hitch and a soft mumble as he began to stir. The elegant cock before him rose to the occasion and Quatre darted his tongue out for another taste.

\"Ohhh Quatre...\" Trowa mumbled into the pillow, still not awake.

Quatre sniggered and opened his mouth. Lips encircled the head and he sucked lightly, pausing from time to time to flick his tongue rapidly over the tiny slit. He was rewarded with a drop of pearly liquid that he eagerly licked up and then suckled hungrily for more.

Trowa found his hips thrusting lightly as his brain finally dragged itself from sleep. That was certainly some dream. He rubbed his eyes and then was suddenly wide-awake. He groaned aloud as he realized his dream was now a full-blown reality. He looked down the bed to see the lump under the blankets that indicated Quatre\'s head. His hands snaked underneath and fingers wound into his lover\'s hair as he held the blonde in place and began to fuck his mouth.

Quatre knew that Trowa was no longer sleeping. Hands found his hair and held him in place, not that he had any intentions of going anywhere. He took the length of his lover as deep as he could, alternating between sucking and running his tongue over the sh occ occasionally he swept his tongue over the heavy sac, enjoying the unique taste of his partner. He returned his attentions to the swollen head while his hand slipped between spreading thighs to rub softly over the sensitive patch of skin.

Trowa closed his eyes in bliss as his body was pleasured. He looked forward to these spontaneous bouts of loving aheriherished each one. Usually he was the one to initiate proceedings but Quatre had gotten bolder over the years while still retaining his aura of innocence. It was one of many things that Trowa adored about the young businessman. He moaned louder as Quatre\'s finger teased his tight entrance and tried to draw the digit inside, but the finger danced away only to return moments later and resume its torment.

Quatre smiled around his *breakfast*, Trowa\'s soft moans and subtle shifting, driving his own passion higher. He redoubled his efforts, determined to bring Trowa over the edge. His finger gently eased into Trowa\'s body deftly seeking out his prostate and stroking it lovingly. The keening cry that tore from Trowa\'s throat told him all he needed to know, and he backed off slightly as the first jets of salty liquid hit the back of his throat.

Trowa tossed his head from side to side, the reality by far much better than the dream he\'d been enjoying. He ged aed as Quatre\'s finger penetrated his channel and located his sweet spot with deadly accuracy. The fire in his gut smoldered and then with another caress of his prostate it burst into flame and he went spiraling into nirvana, crying his ecstasy as he drowned.

Quatre greedily swallowed all his lover had to offer before releasing the softening organ; removing his finger he made his way back through the tunnel of blankets to the morning air. A pair of sated emerald eyes awaited him and he was swept into a soul-shattering kiss.

Kissing his lover thoroughly, Trowa could taste his own creamy essence in that sweet mouth, sending shivers spiraling through his body. He pulled the blonde into a warm embrace and nibbled lightly on his ear. \"Thank you,\" he whispered.

\"My pleasure,” Quatre purred, then shifted as his own morning erection prodded Trowa\'s thigh.

\"Hmmm… I think I should return the favor.\"

\"Do you hear any object?\" ?\"

Trowa chuckled and reached his hand between the blonde\'s legs. He slipped through the flap of Quatre\'s boxers and curled his long fingers around the shaft, swiping his thumb over the head before beginning to pump.

Quatre pushed his hips in rhythm to Trowa\'s strokes, the gentle friction exciting him, as he became slave to his body\'s needs. His eyes closed and his mouth hung slightly open as he panted his desire.

Trowa\'s strokes were firm and steadily increased ined aed as he brought his lover closer to the precipice. He tightened his grip as Quatre thrust helplessly into his hand, drawing his thumb across the weeping head from time to time, adding to the pleasure. He stretched his other hand down and caressed the tight sac through the silky material.

Quatre moaned his enjoyment, hips pumping as he fisted the sheets. \"Ohh yes...\" he hissed.

\"Come for me Quatre.\"

A low rumble worked its way up from Quatre\'s chest to escape his mouth in a long groan. \"Ohhh Allah... Too much, too good....\"

One more tug, one more thrust, and Quatre exploded, his seed pulsing forth, bathing Trowa\'s hand and soaking into the satin boxers.

Trowa\'s hand slowed as Quatre rode his orgasm. Gently milking the last of his love\'s essence he finally released the now soft organ and raised his hand to his lips to lick off the sticky fluid.

Quatre opened his eyes and watched his partner cleaning himself off, reminding Quatre of one the large cats that Trowa was so fond of. When Trowa was finished, he snuggled closer and stole a kiss. \"Shower?\"

\"I think so,\" Trowa replied. Together they shifted from the bed and went into the adjoining bathroom.

~ * ~

Trowa entered the dining room to see four expectant faces awaiting him. He took the offered paper from Kent and sat down, placing the paper to the side. \"Quatre is calling Heero now to obtain the latest details from the hospital on Leith\'s condition. He will be joining us shortly.\"

No sooner had Trowa finished than Quatre entered. His face was unreadable as he sat down and then looked at the people sitting around the table. He nodded to Kent to begin serving the breakfast before returning to address the gathering. \"Heero said that Duo called the hospital this morning, Leith spent the night as well as can be expected and Paul is on his way there now with Duo. Trowa I w I will drop you all at school and Rashid will collect you.\"

\"How comes we hafta goes ta school?\" Toby piped up.

\"Yeah, why can\'ts we stay home fer news of Leith?\" Benny added.

\"There is nothing you can do to improve the situation. Leith is as comfortable as can be expected so there is no reason for you to miss school today.\" Trowa gave both boys a stern look.

\"Better if yer keeps yer mind occupied,” Shane offered.

\"Shane is right. If you sit around here all day you will only be wondering about Leith and Paul or getting into mischief, and as much as I would love to spend the day with you I can\'t, I have too much work to do,\" Quatre said and then picked up his knife and fork.

\"I guess so.\" Benny lowered his eyes. It did make sense in a way, even if he had missed the chance to get out of school.

Fayah gave both youngsters a smile and then tucked into her own breakfast. She was worried though, not so much for Leith as she knew he was getting the best possible care but more for Paul and how he was coping. With a sigh, she continued to eat in silence.

Shane was also worried for Paul. He knew just how hard the teen had fallen for the other youth and he was happy that he\'d finally found someone special. The last thing he needed now was this sort of thing to happen. He made a mental note to try and talk to Paul the first chance he got, let him know that his *street family* was there for him.

With the meal over grougroup dispersed to collect their various things while Trowa called the high school to inform them of Paul\'s absence and Shane and Fayah\'s lack of school books for the day. They all assembled back in the foyer area a few minutes later and climbed into the car, Trowa slipping behind the wheel and driving off towards the schools.

~ * ~

Duo hummed softly to himself as he braided his hair, the phone call he\'d made to the hospital as soon as he\'d awoken assuring him that Leith had spent a relatively comfortable night. Heero\'s hand caressing the back of his shoulders drew him from his thoughts and he quickly slipped the band over the end of the neat plait and turned to confront his lover. \"Paul up?\"

\"Hai. He\'s eating his breakfast.\" Heero\'s hands gently massaged the tight muscles of Duo\'s shoulders. \"I\'ll drop you both at the hospital and see how Leith is before I continue on into the Preventer office.\"

\"Okay.” Duo relaxed into the welcome touch.

\"See if you can find out anything from Leith about the accident.\"

\"I\'ll try.\"

\"I\'ll call you once I\'ve met with Une and fill you in on the status.\"

Duo stood as Heero released his shoulders, he turned and wrapped his arms around the Japanese man\'s neck pulling him closer. Amethyst found cobalt and locked. \"Have I told yer lately how much I love yer Heero?\"

Heero\'s lips moved softly in reply. \"Hai, you have; but I never giredired of hearing it.\"

They shared a soft, tender kiss before leaving the bedroom and heading through to the kitchen.

~ * ~

Arriving at the hospital they did not have to wait too long before the nurse greeted them and took them through to Leith\'s room. Paul instantly sprang to the bedside and took his boyfriend\'s hand, Duo held back to give them a little privacy while Heero grilled the nurse on Leith\'s status.

\"The doctor will be doing his rounds in a few minutes Mr. Yuy, I can have him stop by here first and speak with you if you wish.\"

\"That would be much appreciated.\" Heero turned back to sce scene in the small room.

\"How yer feelin Leith?” Paul tried to hide the concern but failed.

\"I\'m doing much better now you\'re here Paul.\"

Paul let the grin flash over his face for a moment before noting that something wasn\'t quite right. He leaned a little closer and whispered softly into Leith\'s ear. \"What\'s wrong?\"

Leith sighed and tried to bury his face in the pillow so as Paul wouldn\'t see his anguish but Paul wasn\'t about to let him off so easily.

\"Something\'s happened hasn\'t it? Please tell me Leith, I wanna help yer but I can\'t if yer don\'t let me in.” Paul placed a gentle kiss to the back of Leith\'s neck, the only place he could reach with Leith\'s face turned away from him. As he pulled away, his heart saddened as he noticed the singed and missing hair.

Leith sobquiequietly for a moment and then turned back to Paul. Through watery eyes, he read the concern and compassion within Paul\'s blue orbs. \"I... I can\'t feel my legs.\"

The softly spoken words hit Paul right in the gut. For a moment, he was stunned, unable to think of anything to say and then his mind took off at an alarming speed. \"Oh Leith, I\'m sorry.” He couldn\'t think of anything else to say to comfort the youth. His mind was racing with all sorts of thoughts though. Leith in a wheelchair, Leith unable to work, all the things they had planned to do together, swimming, horse riding, going for walks... Leith wouldn\'t be able to do any of those things without the use of his legs. Abruptly Paul shook himself; this was no time to be thinking about things like that, Leith needed his support to help him get through this, and by god, he was going to be there for him no matter what.

Duo\'s sensitive hearing had picked up Leith\'s confession, and his heart reached out to the teen; but he could see that Paul was coping okay for the moment and slipped back outside the room to Heero.

Heero turned around as he caught Duo in the corner of his eye. He noted the grim expression on Duo\'s face. \"What\'s up?\"

Duo wrapped his arms around Heero, drawing on his strength. \"Leith hasn\'t got any feelin in his legs.\"

Heero held his partner close. \"I know.\"

\"You know?!” Duo pulled back and stared at Heero. \"You know?\" he repeated, \"Just when were yer plannin on tellin the rest of us Yuy? Or did\'ja think it wasn\'t important enough?\"

Heero sighed. \"Doctor Stokes told me yesterday that there wasn\'t any feeling in Leith\'s legs, but he can\'t find any reason for it; he said he was hoping it was only temporary and until they could do further tests and examinations he wouldn\'t know for sure what the cause is, or what the outcome will be. I\'m waiting for him now to see if hs ans any further news.\"

Duo bit his lip. \"Sorry Heero, I guess I shouldn\'t jump ta conclusions.\"

Heero rubbed Duo\'s back. \"It\'s okay Duo.\"

Doctor Stokes stepped around the corner and his mouth crinkled into a grin when he spotted the two men in the corridor. \"Mr. Yuy, Mr. Maxwell.\"

Duo released Heero and with a slight blush to his cheeks, he turned to face the doctor. \"Hello Doc.\"

\"Doctor.\" Heero nodded. \"Can you please update me as to Leith\'s current status?\"

Doctor Stokes motioned for them to follow him down the hall a little way to a bench where they sat down. He rifled through the files he was carrying until he found the one he wanted, pulling it to the top of the pile. He opened it and scanned through the notes before turning to face the two young men. \"The surgery was successful in pinning and plating the left arm. We expect a 98 percent recovery of mobility. Numerous glass shards were removed, most of which were superficial, a couple to the upper torso required stitching but no major damage was inflicted. The burns will heal and shouldn\'t require skin grafts, in fact, we don\'t expect any scarring to the face and what scarring there may be to the torso, should be minimal... but...\"

\"Yes Doctor?\"

\"We ran the scans on his spine and while there are no fractures to the vertebrae we have located a swelling in the lower area; the L4 and L5 discs to be exact. From what the ambulance officers told us a large bookcase had fallen on Leith, pinning him to the ground. I would confidently say that this is what is responsible for the bruising to the spinal column. Unfortunately, until the swelling goes down, we cannot assess if there has been any further damage. We are hopeful though that it is only the pressure of the swelling that is responsible for the paralysis and that full mobility will be recovered once the pressure begins to ease.\"

\"But there\'s no way of tellin fer sure?” Duo asked as his brain absorbed the information.

\"No, I\'m afraid there isn\'t.\"

\"Hn. Have you told Leith all of this?\"

\"Not as yet. I was on my way to start my rounds when the nurse informed me that you had arrived.\"

\"Thank you Doctor.” Heero stood and offered his hand to the doctor who shook it.

\"I will let you know if there is any change in his condition.” Doctor Stokes turned to Duo repeating the
gesture.

\"Thanks Doc, we appreciate it.\"

\"My pleasure, now if you will excuse me I need to cheeitheith and get on with my rounds.\" Doctor Stokes left them and went into Leith\'s room where he proceeded to check Leith and explain to him the results of his surgery and current condition.

Heero and Duo waited outside until the doctor had finished and then entered the small room to see a slightly relieved Leith and Paul.

Once Heero was satisfied that Leith was okay and had understood what the doctor had told him he made his farewells, promising to call later and check on how he was doing. Duo walked out to the car park with Heero in silence. When they reached the car Heero unlocked it and turned to his lover. \"I\'ll inform Une of everything we know and tell her of our concerns. I\'m sure she won\'t object to us taking on this investigation given the information we have.\"

Duo nodded.

\"I\'ll call you a little later and let you know how the meeting with Une went. See if Leith has managed to remember anything at all, also try and find out who the police officers were that he spoke to about his father.\"

\"Yeah Heero. I know the drill so stop yer worryin. I’ll see what I can find out and be in touch. Now go face the almighty one and give her a kiss fer me.\" Duo grinned as a look of shock passed over Heero\'s face. Quickly he reached forward and stole a kiss of his own. \"No frenchin her though,\" he added with a smirk.

\"Duo! I wouldn\'t... I mean I can\'t...” Heero began to splutter.

\"I know yer won\'t Heero, I\'m just teasin.\" Duo snickered at the stricken look on Heero\'s face. \"Seriously though, yer let her know that this is very suspicious, and that it will more than likely be in the Preventers best interest ta look inta it.\"

\"I will Duo. Good luck with Paul and Leith.” Heero thieved a kiss of his own before getting into the car.

\"Loves ya Heero.\"

Heero smiled. \"Ashiteru Duo,\" and then the car was gone.

Duo walked back into the hospitnd tnd took the elevator to Leith\'s floor. He plastered the jesters mask firmly in place before entering the room. He was greeted with two eager faces. \"Huh?\" Duo blinked. \"Somethin happen while I was gone?\"

\"Duo, Leith remembered somethin.” Paul\'s face was excited.

\"Great. What did ya remember Leith?\"

Leith crinkled his brow for a moment. \"It\'s all a little hazy still but I remember thinking about the computer and that it was the one thing I hadn\'t thought about checking. I mean, I had tried calling my dad and checked the answering machine and all but, I completely forgot about the computer. I wondered if maybe he\'s sent an e-mail or something so I went to check.\"

\"What did yer find?” Duo was sharing in the boy’s enthusiasm.

\"I don\'t remember,” Leith sighed. \"That I can\'t recall. All I can remember is switching the thing on and waiting for it to boot up. Once it had I connected to net net and went to my e-mail account. That\'s all I can remember though, everything else is just a blank until Mr. Perkins found me.” Leith\'s fist clenched as he fought against his mind desperately trying to get the doors to open and let the memory come forth.

\"It\'s okay Leith, don\'t try ta force it. I knows it\'s frustration an all but it will come back when it\'s ready,\" Paul tried to soothe his boyfriend.

\"I guess you\'re right,\" Leith sighed, \"But it doesn\'t make it any easier.\"

Duo was thinking hard. \"Leith, can yer remember who yer e-mail provider is and what yer password and stuff are?” Duo knew that given time he would probably be able to hack the account but if Leith could remember then it would save him a whole heap of time.

\"Sure Duo. The e-mail account is with Sphere2. User name \'RedDevil\'. Password....” Leith paused.

\"I promise I\'m not gonna go fishing around in yer account and perve on all the porno pics yer got hiding in there,\" Duo grinned at the youth.

Leith suitably blushed. \"I don\'t have any porno pics, more\'s the pity.\"

\"Leith!!” Paul gave his boyfriend a mock scowl.

Duo chuckled. \"Calm down Paul, I\'m only jokin, but if yer does have any Leith make sure yer share \'k?” Duo winked at Leith, pleased to see the smile return to the pale face.

Paul opted to glower at the pair, although, he was secretly pleased to see the smile on Leith\'s face.

\"The password is \'chevy69\'.\"

\"Thanks Leith.” Duo pulled his battered notebook from inside his jacket and scribbled the information down. \"Look guys, do yer reckon yer will be okay if I slip out fer a bit?; there\'s a few things I want to check out.\"

\"We will be fine Duo,\" Leith replied.

\"What yer on ta Duo?\" Paul\'s blue eyes searched Duo\'s face for a clue, but Duo wasn\'t giving anything away.

\"Not sure yet Paul. Leith, do yer mind if I stop by yer place, and have a bit of a look around?\"

\"Go right ahead Duo.\"

\"Thanks.\" Duo took the address from Leith, and with a promise from Paul that he would look after Leith and contact him immediately if anything happened, he left the hospital and hailed a cab. Giving the cab driver the address to Leith\'s home, Duo sat back in the seat, his mind deep in thought.

~ oOo ~