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Cowboy	By : Deb Category: Gundam Wing/AC > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 5572 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing it belongs to Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. Written for pleasure not profit.

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Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, it belongs to Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. I just borrow the guys from time to time and return them a whole lot happier. I don't own the song 'Rodeo' either. It belongs to Garth Brooks and as such all rights remain his. This fic is based loosely on the lyrics. Written for pleasure not profit.

Pairing: 2x1x2, past 1xR (sorry!) 3x4

Rating: NC 17

Warnings: Angst, fluff, sap, yaoi, Lemons, Lime, AU

Summary: Heero is a rodeo rider, the best on the circuit and looks set to remain there until an up and coming young cowboy appears on the scene.

AN: This fic is based loosely on the lyrics of 'Rodeo' by Garth Brooks - although it is not a song fic.

Dedication: To my lovely beta; Sakura for giving me the plot bunny and for all her hard work in editing my stuff. (No easy feat!) Thanks hun! You're the best!

“Cowboy”

October 2010 ShenLong

Chapter 21

[It’s the white in his knuckles

The gold in the buckle

He’ll win the next go round

Rodeo – Garth Brooks]

The trip to the hospital didn’t take long, the ambulance pulling up in the emergency bay just thirty minutes after leaving the rodeo. During the drive, the medic had asked several questions, most of which Duo had answered whilst conscious. Heero was worried about Duo’s condition, the other cowboy blacking out from time to time only adding to that worry.

The doctor and a couple of nurses met them in the corridor as they entered the hospital and directed the officers to a waiting trauma room. Once inside, Duo was carefully lifted from the gurney and onto the emergency room bed. The ambulance officers filled the medical staff in on what they had and then left them to tend to the cowboy, wishing both Duo and Heero all the best. Heero thanked them and then turned his attention back to the medical staff and his boyfriend.

The nurses wasted no time. While the doctor was reading through the notes the officers had passed over, the nurses were busy cutting Duo’s shirt from his body, removing his boots and chaps, followed by his jeans. Leaving his boxers on, they quickly covered him with a blanket to keep him warm.

“Mr Maxwell, I’m Doctor Sally Po. Can you remember what happened?” asked the doctor.

“Not really, no,” Duo replied and shivered.

“What can you remember?”

“I remember all the events of this morning right up to about half an hour before the bronc rides started,” Duo replied.

“And what is your first memory since the bronc ride?”

“Waking up in the medic room at the rodeo. I’m sorry, doc, I can’t remember anything at all about what happened.”

“That’s quite alright, Mr Maxwell. Just rest for a moment.” The doctor turned to Heero. “You are?”

“Heero Yuy. Duo’s next of kin and a fellow cowboy,” Heero replied with more conviction than he felt.

“Were you there? Did you see what happened?”

“Yes, I did,” Heero said, his body shuddering as the memories flooded back.

“I know this probably isn’t what you want to think about right now, but I really need to know what happened, Mr Yuy. Could you tell me exactly what you witnessed?”

Knowing it would help the doctor to treat Duo in the best way, Heero forced himself to relive the memories. “He was on this bronc and it was bucking pretty wildly...” By the time Heero had reiterated what had happened, he was starting to shake.

Sally pulled up a chair and sat the cowboy in it, motioning for a nurse to bring over a blanket which was draped around Heero’s shoulders. “You’re going into a bit of shock, Mr Yuy,” the doctor explained, “and I’m sorry to put you through this, but I really need to know. You say he hit the ground with his head and shoulders?”

“Yes. It was a hard landing, I could hear the thump from where I was in the chutes.”

“This horse, it turned on him?” Clearly the doctor was stunned that a horse would do such a thing in a rodeo; bulls, yes, she could appreciate them turning on a cowboy; but a bronc? She listened again as Heero described Reaper attacking the cowboy. “Thank you, Mr Yuy, you’ve been most helpful.”

A cup of warm tea appeared under Heero’s nose and he gratefully took it. He gave the nurse a small smile of appreciation. The nurse patted his shoulder. “Sit there and stay warm. The tea should help a little with the shock.”

“Thank you,” he said. Sipping at the warm tea, Heero fixed his attention back on the doctor and Duo.

Having gotten the information she needed, Sally went back to her patient and began her examination. She checked Duo over from head to toe, asking questions as she went. Duo replied to the questions as honestly as he could, he winced and groaned in all the right places as the doctor gently prodded and poked him. With her examination over for the moment, she asked the nurse to administer pain relief whilst she explained to Heero and Duo what she’d diagnosed.

“I’m pretty certain we have a couple of broken or cracked ribs, one of which I fear may have punctured a lung. I’ll need to do x-rays and an ultrasound to confirm that. The bite to the arm isn’t too bad and can be treated easily enough. I’m also certain you have a strained shoulder, although how much damage to the tendons and ligaments I won’t know until we do further tests. I’m concerned about your head too. There is definitely concussion, but I want a CT scan of your skull to rule out anything else.” The doctor looked to the two men. “Do you understand?”

Both men nodded.

“Good. I’ll arrange for the tests now. I’ll be back shortly.” Doctor Po left the trauma room, the nurses checking Duo was okay and after advising the pair they would also be back soon and handing over the ‘call’ button for Duo to use if he needed them in a hurry, they left the pair alone.

Once they were gone, Heero was on his feet and across to the bed Duo lay upon. His fingers brushed lightly over Duo’s cheek as he studied his boyfriend’s face. “Duo, I’m so sorry,” he whispered.

“Not your fault, ‘Ro. I knew the risks, shit, we all do and especially with Reaper. That bronc just got lucky. I’ll ride the bastard for the full count next time,” Duo returned.

Heero didn’t bother to answer, he didn’t know if there would be a next time for Reaper. Leaning close, Heero took a chance and brushed his lips lightly across Duo’s, earning himself a soft smile of appreciation.

“Thanks for coming with me, ‘Ro. I don’t like hospitals.”

“Me either,” Heero replied. “I’ll stay with you for as long as you need and want me to,” he promised.

Those words warmed Duo to no end and he relaxed. The drugs began to kick in, easing a lot of his pain and causing his eyes to go glassy.

“Comfortable?” Heero asked.

“Mmm. I’d be a lot more comfortable in a bed with you though.”

Heero blushed.

“Ah, Mr Maxwell. We’re ready to start those tests and scans now,” Sally Po said, entering the room.

“No problem, Doc.”

“Mr Yuy, you can wait here or out in the waiting room if you wish. There’s a cafeteria a couple of floors over if you’d like to get yourself some refreshment,” the doctor advised.

“I’ll wait here,” came the quiet reply.

“That’s fine, although we will be at least an hour with all these tests.”

“I’ll wait,” Heero repeated firmly.

The doctor gave a nod and picked up Duo’s chart. “As you wish. Right, Mr Maxwell, time for tests.”

A couple of orderlies along with the same, kind nurse from before entered the trauma room and proceeded to maneuver the bed and Duo.

“See you soon, ‘Ro,” Duo slurred as he was wheeled away.

Heero settled himself in the chair for the wait.

* * *

Charlie examined the rig again, still unsure if he was seeing things right. It didn’t’ matter though, the rope never changed. “Henry,” he called out, the rodeo hand responding.

“Yeah?”

“I’d like you to take a look at this and tell me what you think.” Charlie handed the rig over and waited patiently whilst Henry scrutinized the ropes.

Henry scratched his head. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say this rope was partially cut,” he drawled as he handed the rig back.

“That’s what I thought.”

“Who would want to cut a rig though? Who’s was it, anyway?” Henry questioned.

“It’s Duo’s rig. It was on Reaper. As for who, that’s something I intend to find out,” Charlie replied grimly.

“Fuck! Why would anyone want to tamper with Maxwell’s gear? He’s a nice chap, everyone likes him, he doesn’t have any enemies that I’m aware of,” stated Henry.

Charlie clapped the other rodeo hand on the shoulder. “Thanks, Henry. I think it’s about time I did some questioning.”

“Better let Treize, the arena chief know too.”

“I plan on doing just that right now.”

“Charlie, what about Reaper? He’s still in the corral and we’re due to restart in ten. I need to get him out of there.”

Shit, he’d forgotten about the bronc in his quest to discover what had happened with Duo’s rig. “I’ll let the arena chief know about the bronc too. I’d suggest moving him into a chute and keep him restrained in there. I don’t trust that black devil. I’ll come check him out once I’ve spoken with Treize, but I think we may have to get rid of him, he’s nothing but trouble.”

Henry nodded. “I’ll go shift him now.”

“Thanks.”

The two hands parted ways, each to attend to their respective tasks.

* * *

Relena and Dorothy had remained sitting in the stands as the drama unfolded in the arena. Horrified, Relena watched the black bronc turn on the downed cowboy and attack. She witnessed the valiant attempts of the pick-up riders, clowns and other staff as they ran to Duo’s assistance. Spotting Heero as one of the first to get to the fallen man, her heart sank.

Her eyes watched the tenderness with which he handled the other man and the fierce determination as he flung his body across Duo’s to prevent Reaper from doing further damage. With a jolt she understood then what Heero had been telling her. He didn’t love her, and whilst he was still unsure as to his inner feelings regarding Duo, it was obvious he really did care a lot about the other cowboy.

Relena did a lot of growing up in those few minutes.

Watching the cowboy being stretchered off, Relena couldn’t sit there any longer. She got to her feet and was about to leave when a hand on her arm stopped her. She turned to see Dorothy giving her a quizzical look.

“Where are you going?” asked Dorothy.

“I’m going to see if that cowboy is okay, if Heero is all right.”

Dorothy was quick to her feet and tagging along. “If you ask me, he got everything he deserved,” Dorothy muttered. “Home wrecker.”

“Dorothy!” Relena exclaimed. Whilst she still felt anger towards the pair, she wouldn’t have wished this upon either of them. “I might not agree with their relationship and yes, I’m angry, hurt and upset that Heero has left me for this... for him, but I wouldn’t want to see him badly hurt or even killed.”

“Could have fooled me,” came Dorothy’s reply. “You were all set for murder when you rolled up at my place.”

“I know I was and I’m still angry and upset at Heero, but that’s not grounds for seriously injuring another cowboy. I think ousting him to the press would be more than enough, once that article goes to print he’ll be ruined, an outcast as far as the rodeo and breeding cow ponies goes. As for Heero, once his beef cattle don’t sell he’ll also find it tough to make a living and realize what he’s thrown away.”

“I still think he got what he deserved, if anything he should have suffered more.”

Relena turned to Dorothy and shook her head, unable to grasp the vindictiveness of the other woman. Keeping further thoughts to herself she resumed her walk to the medic room, determined to find out what the damage was and if Heero was okay.

* * *

With Duo having been taken to the hospital and Heero going with him, the other three cowboys stepped out from the medic’s room. The cloud cover had increased and a soft rain was starting to fall. It fitted their moods perfectly.

“I’ll go back to my rig and change this shirt,” said Trowa, shivering softly as the cool rain hit his torn shirt.

“Remember what the medic said, no more work for you today,” Quatre reminded his lover.

“I know. I’ll come back over and watch once I’ve changed.”

“I think we’d best be moving too, Winner,” said Wufei. “They will be starting again in another fifteen minutes and I want to find out what they’re planning on doing about that black devil.”

“Good point. I’ll walk back to the rigs with you, Trowa, I’ve got to get Sandy anyway,” stated the blonde.

“Uh oh,” Trowa began softly. “Don’t look now but there’s a parasite at three o’clock.”

The other two turned, despite Trowa’s warning and saw Relena with Dorothy beside her headed in their direction.

“Shit! What does she want?” Quatre hissed.

“I did say not to look,” Trowa said.

“Think we can hide somewhere?”

“Not a chance, she’s already seen us,” growled Wufei.

* * *

Charlie found the arena chief over by the chutes. “Treize, could I have a word, please?”

“Excuse me a moment, Zechs,” Treize said and turned from his discussion with the vet to Charlie. “Sorry, Charlie, I’m rather busy right now. Aside from trying to find out what happened with that fall, I’ve also got to figure out what to do with a certain bronc.”

“I know and I’m sorry to disturb you, but it does relate to all of this.”

Treize gave a sigh. “Okay. What is it?”

Charlie held out the rig to Treize. “This is Maxwell’s rig, the cowboy that came off Reaper.”

Treize took the rig and looked it over. “It appears to have snapped,” he said. “Unfortunately, that happens sometimes.”

“I know it does, but take a closer look. I believe this rig was deliberately cut.”

“What?” Treize brought the ropes closer to his face and examined them in more detail. Beside him, Zechs also leaned in to take a look.

“Shit! You’re right, Charlie, it does look like it’s been partially cut.”

“But why would anyone want to cut Duo’s rig?” asked Zechs.

Charlie shrugged. “I don’t know. He doesn’t have any enemies that I’m aware of...” Charlie paused for a moment as his mind suddenly reminded him of a certain scuffle earlier outside the gents. “Wait a minute...”

“You have an idea?” asked Treize.

“Yeah, yeah I do. Look, I need to speak with a few close friends of Duo’s, maybe they can shed some light on who would want to see him hurt.”

“Okay, you do that, Charlie,” replied Treize.

“Oh, Treize? What about Reaper? We can’t leave that bronc in the chutes all day. What do you want to do about him?”

“That’s what I was just discussing with Zechs. I think we may be better off having him humanely destroyed. I want Zechs to check him over first and give me his medical opinion, then I’ll make a decision.”

“No problem, I’ll tell the guys to leave him in the chutes for now then.”

“Thank you. I’ll be along as soon as I’ve finished with Zechs. If there is any truth to someone having deliberately cut Maxwell’s rig then we need to let the police know.”

Charlie nodded and turned to go find Duo’s friends. Hopefully he would get an answer or at least some clue from them. He spotted them outside the medic’s room along with the women and aimed for them.

* * *

“Ah, gentlemen,” began Relena as she approached the three cowboys.

“What do you want, Relena? We’re very busy,” Quatre said, doing his best to remain civil in his tone.

If Relena detected the undercurrent of annoyance, she didn’t let on. “I came to see if Duo and Heero are okay. It was a nasty fall and that bronc...” Relena shuddered.

“Why do you care?” Wufei snapped. He couldn’t help himself. “You’ve had it in for both of them ever since Heero left you.”

Relena’s eyes widened a touch.

“Why can’t you just leave them alone, Relena? Accept that Heero doesn’t love you anymore?” said Quatre.

Relena’s face darkened with anger as the words hit home. “I was only concerned for their well being,” she snapped.

“Sure you are,” Trowa sneered. “I wouldn’t put it past you to have had something to do with Duo’s fall.”

“I would never...”

At that point, Charlie arrived, holding the damaged rig in his hands and preventing Relena from answering further. He also caught the tail end of the conversation and he frowned. “Guys, can I have a word?”

The three turned their despising looks from Relena to fixate on Charlie.

“What is it, Charlie?” asked Quatre.

“Um, I was just wondering if you guys might happen to know if Duo had any enemies at all, anyone that would like to see him out of the competition?” As Charlie spoke he couldn’t help but look at the two women.

“Why?” asked Trowa.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say someone interfered with Duo’s rig.”

“Pardon?” Wufei wasn’t sure he was hearing correctly. Never would a cowboy tamper with another cowboy’s rig. It just wasn’t done.

“Duo’s rig. I put it on Reaper and I know it was fine. When he came off, I noticed that his hand was still in the webbing hand hold.”

“So? Rigs do break, you know,” Dorothy snipped. “Serves him right for coming between Relena and Heero if you ask me.”

Four pairs of eyes narrowed in anger at the blonde. Relena simply stared. She couldn’t believe Dorothy would say such a thing in front of these men.

Charlie took a step forward. He recalled Dorothy coming to him earlier and letting him know there was a bit of a problem down at the gents and he’d gone to break it up. That was right after he’d just finished putting the rig on Reaper. Keeping his eyes on the woman, his lip curled back a touch as he spoke. “I know rigs can and do break, but this one was deliberately sabotaged. Someone partially cut through the rope.”

“But, who would want to...” Relena began and then swallowed. She didn’t notice the four mens' eyes all turn accusingly in her direction, she was too fixed on Dorothy. She noted her friend’s eyes shift a little uneasily under her scrutiny. “Please tell me you didn’t, Dorothy?”

At that, the cowboys all switched to stare at the long haired blonde.

Her silence said it all.

“You bitch!” snarled Trowa and launched himself at the woman. Lucky for Dorothy, Quatre and Wufei managed to grab the clown before he could reach her.

No one could stop Charlie though. Dorothy found herself nose to nose with the rodeo hand. “Did you cut the rig?” he asked, his voice barely holding the anger.

Dorothy sniffed disdainfully. “So what if I did? He had it coming to him. Poncy fairy, stealing Relena’s boyfriend from her. All I can say it’s a shame he wasn’t more seriously injured, might have taught him a lesson though.”

“You cow!” This time it was Quatre who spat the words and letting go of Trowa, the slight blonde shot forth, hand open and smacked the sneering woman a hard right to the cheek.

Trowa blinked. Wow, I never thought Quatre would do something like that. The thought flashed briefly through his mind before he registered Wufei lunging forward to grab his blonde lover. Quickly he joined him in restraining the pick-up guy.

Raising her hand to her cheek, Dorothy glared daggers at the cowboy. “How dare you!” she snarled. A stinging slap to her other cheek had her reeling in surprise to see Relena glaring at her. “Relena?” she whispered, clearly unable to believe her friend had struck her.

Barely holding her temper, Relena spoke harshly. “How could you, Dorothy? I may hate that man for stealing Heero from me, but I would never have gone to those lengths to have my revenge.”

“But, I only did it for you,” Dorothy replied in barely a whisper.

Charlie lay his large hand on Dorothy’s shoulder. “You’re coming with me,” he stated firmly. “The rodeo board will want to speak with you as will the police.”

“But... Relena...”

“No, Dorothy. I’m afraid I can’t help you in this.”

Dorothy’s eyes narrowed and glinted dangerously. “You were the one that wanted him gone; you were the one that wanted Heero back. You’re just as responsible as I am,” she hissed.

Tears welled in Relena’s eyes as she stepped forward. “Yes, I wanted my revenge, Dorothy, but not this way.” She turned to Charlie. “I’ll come with you,” she said quietly.

Charlie gave a nod and with his hand still secure on Dorothy’s shoulder, he led the woman away.

“Well, shit,” muttered Trowa as the trio left. “I knew she was a vindictive bitch, but I didn’t think she would stoop to this. I guess I’m a little relieved that it was Dorothy and not Relena that’s responsible.”

“Relena still has a lot to answer for though. She’s just as guilty in my eyes as she’s the one that put the idea in Dorothy’s head to start with,” stated Quatre.

“Remind me never to come between you and Barton,” said Wufei.

“Eh?” Quatre’s head swiveled around to his fellow pick-up cowboy.

“That’s one mean right slap you have. If that’s what you do to protect Maxwell’s honor, I dread to think how far you would go to protect Barton’s.”

Quatre suitably blushed. “I didn’t mean to, I just saw red,” he explained in an attempt to clear himself and getting flustered by the minute.

Trowa wrapped his arms around the blonde’s waist. “I though it was kinda cute,” he murmured. “A knight in shining armor.”

Realizing he was being teased, Quatre huffed. “Just you two wait,” he muttered. “Come on, we’d better grab the nags and head back to the arena.

* * *

Heero looked up as the orderlies wheeled Duo back into the trauma room and locked the bed into place. A nurse bustled in behind them and set about making sure Duo was comfortable. Checking both men were okay, she left, letting them know Doctor Po would be with them shortly with the results of the tests and scans.

Once they were alone, Heero moved to the side of the bed and grasped Duo’s hand. He ran his thumb softly over the back of it as his eyes sought those of his boyfriend. “How are you feeling? How was it all?”

Duo’s tired violet looked back at him. “I feel like shit, but those pain killers are pretty good stuff. Tests were okay if you aren’t claustrophobic and don’t mind being pushed, poked and prodded.”

“Any idea what the damage is?”

“Nah, doc wouldn’t say a thing. Guess I’m gonna have to wait.”

“I was so worried about you, I thought that... that bronc was going to kill you,” Heero whispered in a rare show of emotion.

“Something tells me I’m glad I was unconscious all through it,” replied Duo and did his best to smile. He squeezed Heero’s fingers.

Doctor Po came back in with a few papers and folder in her hand. The pair on the bed broke their joined hands and turned expectantly to the doctor. Before she addressed them, Sally placed a couple of films on the light board and switched it on. She studied the pictures for a moment, then turned to the pair. “I suppose you’re eager to know what the tests showed?”

“You could say that,” Duo replied, doing his best not to be sarcastic.

“Okay. The bite to your arm can be treated easily enough as I said earlier. The CT scan has come back clear so I’m relieved there’s nothing wrong inside your skull other than a headache and concussion. The x-ray and ultrasound of your ribs though...”

Uh oh, Duo thought. Something tells me I’m not going to like this.

“The pictures show you have a couple of hairline fractures to three ribs and a bruised lung. That will be why you’ve coughed up a little blood. Also your shoulder, you’ve torn several tendons and ligaments in it so it will also need to be immobilized for a couple of weeks.”

“I see. So, what’s the treatment? When can I get out of here?”

“Mr Maxwell, I’ll strap the shoulder and those ribs for you and I’ll give you a course of antibiotics to keep away any infection from your lung. However, I intend to admit you overnight as the concussion was a pretty bad one and I’d rather have you here under observation for the next twelve to twenty-four hours.”

Duo didn’t look at all happy. “I can’t, doc. I’ve got a rodeo to finish and a horse to look after.”

“You will not be returning to the rodeo today, Mr Maxwell, in fact, you will be out of action for around five to six weeks whilst your injuries heal,” the doctor stated firmly.

“I’ll look after Scythe tonight for you, Duo and I can come and pick you up from the hospital tomorrow.”

“Now that’s a more sensible idea,” Sally said.

Duo still didn’t like it, but he knew when he was beaten. “Okay, I’ll stay overnight; but,” he fixed both Heero and the doctor with his violet eyes. “Tomorrow morning I’m out of here, whether you release me or I sign myself out.”

“That’s better. Right, let’s get you treated.”

~ * ~

tbc...
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