Remember When Arc
Life loves a tragedy part 2
We do not own the rights to GW! Never have and never will!
Warnings: Angst, language, slight OOC
Archived at: AFF, MM, and www.templeofthegoddess.com
Part two of ‘Life loves a tragedy’ by Sparkling Diamond
PG-SSM & Saiyajin_Raven69
“Last…last rites? What the hell are you talking about?
Are you sure you have the right person?” Duo had vaulted out of the chair he
was in, knocking over the low table, sending books and magazines scattering to
the floor in his haste to reach the doctor.
“Duo Maxwell? Your daughter’s name is Miranda,
correct?” The doctor asked, adjusting his wire frame glasses on his nose.
“Yeah, that’s me. But why…”
“Well, it says in her chart that Miranda Maxwell is
clinically brain dead. Have you not been…” The doctor stopped, looking over
the top of the files at the dark haired teen that had come to stand next to Duo.
“When did this happen? Why were we not informed?” Wufei
snapped out, his arm snaking around Duo’s waist as the braided teen started to
sway on his feet.
“Dr. Douglas hasn’t been in to see you?”
“No. I think you had better explain what is going on,
Doctor?”
&l">
“I’m Dr. Gastin, and you are?”
“Commander Chang Wufei of the Preventers, Duo’s close
friend.” Wufei answered, steering Duo to the nearest chair as he slumped
against him in shock.
“Preventers? I ummmm,”
“Doctor, you are seriously trying my patience.
his child?” The Chinese teen snarled, as he glanced at a pale, stricken Duo
seated next to him, before turning his glare back toward the doctor. Dr. Gastin
fumbled briefly with the files in front of him, clearly intimidated by the young
Preventers agent. He raised his eyes, nervously meeting Wufei's narrowed dark
gaze, before clearing his throat and reading from the page.
“As of 5:38 p.m., Miranda P. Maxwell was declared brain
dead, but continues to be kept alive by means of life support. She suffered from
the failure of several organs, including heart, lungs and kidneys. Brain damage
was incurred due to lack of oxygen. She
was resuscitated four times when she stopped breathing, before she was hooked to
a ventilator. We did all we could for her, but she really didn't have much of a
chance for survival.”
“Is that really the case, or could something have been
done to save this child while she was denied treatment as her father called all
over the universe to gather the money to pay your outlandish fees at this
hospital?”
“Our hospital would never deny treatment of a patient,
Commander Chang.”
“Don’t give me that fucking bullshit! The idiots in the
emergency room wouldn't even touch this child until Maxwell could guarantee
payment for her treatment!&n Just
because a person may not look as if he has money, doesn't mean that he can't or
won't pay his bill. She's a baby
for God's sake! How could they turn
their backs on a baby in dire need of help?” Wufei shouted, his knuckles
turning white with restraint.
“It took me hours to get to the hospital, and in that
time the baby was not cared for in any way.”
Dr. Gastin turned to Duo with wide eyes.
Maxwell?" Duo could only nod
in answer, not trusting his voice to speak.
Since arriving at the hospital so many hours before, he had broken down
twice, and he swore to himself that he wouldn't do it again, especially in front
of Wufei. He had done it once, and that was enough.
“Do you remember who you spoke with in ER last night?”
“No, everything was a blur." Duo whispered, shaking
his head. He felt the weight on his
heart constrict ever tighter. He
couldn't remember coming into this waiting room, let alone the faces or names of
those he'd been in contact with during the endless time he had spent there.
“I’m extremely sorry for the way you were treated…”
“Apologies won’t bring that little girl back, Dr.
Gastin. No amount of ‘I’m sorry’ will do anything to save her
now.” The chair Wufei had been sitting in screeched across the floor as he
stood in anger. Dr. Gastin backed away hastily, wanting to be out of the way of
the violent outburst that seemed to be boiling just below the Chinese teen's
surface.
“I still need to know...” the doctor began, before
being interrupted by the angry boy.
“There is nothing further that you need to know!
take Maxwell to see his daughter!”
“Yes, yes by all means. If youldould follow me.” Dr.
Gastin stepped out into the corridor, waiting for the teens to join him.
p>
Wufei laid one hand on Duo's shoulder, giving it a gentle
squeeze as he looked down at his heart broken friend, before crouching down to
be at eye level with him.
"Duo? You
need to say your goodbyes. I'll
come with you, if you'd like."
“Why? She’s not going to hear me. She’s already
gone.” Duo whied hed hoarsely, unable to meet Wufei's eyes in fear of losing
what little control he had left over his emotions.
“Closure, Duo. You
need that. Come with me, don't maher her wait any longer.”
“You’re right, ‘Fei. Can’t let her suffer more than
she has.”
______________________
The lights in
the small room were dim, but the quiet sounds of the respirator and monitors all
around the small form in the bassinet were anything but ortiorting. Duo slowly
approached the still form of the baby that he'd grown to love in the short time
he'd known her. The knowledge that
he would never hold the quiet girl again weighed heavily on his heart.
hospital staff, feeling that this precious child would still be alive had they
been driven by compassion, rather than greed. He attempted to smile for her, but
the waves of emotions that were crashing over him were overwhelming, and his
smile came out as a small, sad frown.
“Hey, Sweet Pea. I’m sorry I didn’t get to say
good-bye properly, but I’m here now.” Duo whispered softly, “I brought
your Uncle Wu to see you too. I’m sure you would have liked him. He’s a cool
guy, and a great friend. I’m sure he would have had you in the backyard at
five in the morning doing katas, or whatever it is he does back there.”
Wufei stood not far from Duo, silently watching his
friend's heartbreaking moment. He
was surprised at the mention of his name, making the lump in his throat grow
even larger. He really didn't know why he was in the room, but the tug he felt
on his heartstrings when he looked at Duo made him realize that he wouldn't be
anywhere else. Duo needed him, and
he was bound to stay.
"Wu?" The dark haired teen was shaken from his
thoughts by the soft utterance of his name.
Duo smiled a little, motioning him over to the small bed.
floor to stand next to Duo. He
looked down at the baby in the crib, noticing for the first time the soft wisps
of black hair that crowned her head, and the slight slant of her eyes.
“Pretty, isn’t she?” Duo asked in a whisper after
hearing Wufei gasp. He gently
brushed the silky hair on top of her head, carefully avoiding the tubes and
wires that were still attached to her. Wufei simply nodded, as he reached out to
stroke a tiny hand. Duo looked up at the gesture, surprised by the tenderness on
his friend's face.
“I can’t do this alone, Wu. Could you…could you help
me?” He thought that he was strong enough to go through with it; to flip the
switch that would shut down the last of the machines keeping the precious infant
alive. The tears that were welling
in his eyes, that he was trying desperately to keep at bay, blurring his vision,
“Yes, Duo. I'm here for you. All you have to do is
ask.” Trying in vain to swallow
past the lump in his throat, Wufei reached over to interlace his fingers with
Duo's. Their movement was slow, but
the snap of the final switch seemed to echo in the quiet room.
“Good bye, Miranda. Say hi to Solo for me when you get to
heaven. Look for Sister Helen and
Father Maxwell. They'll take good
care of you. I love Swe Sweet
Pea.”
_______________________________________
"It isn't much too look at, but it's a roof over our
heads. Make yourself at home."
from his earlier crying. He tossed his keys on the kitchen table, being careful
not to disturb Aleana, who was sleeping cradled against his shoulder. He
gestured to let Wufei know that he'd be back shortly, before disappearing down a
narrow hallway.
Duo wasn't being modest, the apartment really wasn't much.
that didn't appear to be second hand, but it was clean, with very little
clutter. A stack of books sat near the entrance of the small kitchen, while baby
toys and a stroller filled a corner near the door. There were a few pictures
that hung crooked on the walls, catching the daaireaired teen's attention. His
own cocky smirk looked back at him from one photograph, and he reached a finger
to touch the grinning faces, but thought twice about touching Duo's things.
wall, an image of himself and Duo just after the war.
“There’s more pictures in those albums over there if
you want to see them.” A voice next to Wufei’s ear startled him, making him
spin nose to nose with Duo.
"Don't sneak up on me like that." Wufei growled,
pulling slightly back in irritation. He
hadn't heard Duo come back into the room; he was so deep in his own thoughts.
“Sorry, man. I thought you heard me. Can I get you
anything?”
“I’m fine.”
“I mean, you came all this way for practically nothi
It’
It’s the least I could do, ya know?” Duo frowned slightly, plopping himself
heavily onto the small couch, only to stand up again to toss away the teething
rings and rattle that he had sat on
“Maxwellcamecame here because my friend needed me.
to let them know that I'll be staying here for a few days.”
“You don't have to stay with me.
yes"> Hell if I were you, I'd be catching a flight home by
now."
“I'm not you, Maxwell. I came here because you needed
someone. If you can't trust a
fellow pilot to be there, who can you trust?” Wufei bit out curtly, taking a
seat next to Duo, double checking make sure that he wouldn’t get any surprises
when he sat d
“I thought I could trust Heero and the other guys, but he
turned me away." Duo dropped
his head into his hands, sighing heavily.
It would only upset him further, and he was already overwhelmed by all
the emotions tumbling around his heart.
“Yuy’s an asshole, but I’m sure you already knew
that.”
“Yeah, well, what do you expect from him anyway?
stay. I have to work tomorrow and I have a few classes, so I won’t be around
to visit.” The braided teen shrugged his shoulders, totally confused about the
whole situation. Yeah, he was sad, angry and hurt, but he didn’t need someone
to baby-sit him. He would take things in stride, and get over it, as people
would say. He still had Aleana didn’t he?
“I’ll be fine. I’m sure there are things around this
town to occupy my time until you come back. Why don’t you go to sleep? You
need it, and you look like hell.” Wufei gave a sharp tug on the long, messily
braided hair.
“Yeah, after I take a shower, I think. I probably
stink.” Duo wrinkled his nose at the thought. Yes, he probably did stink to
high heavens.
“Yes, but I was being polite by not bringing up your
personal hygiene.” Wufei sed; ed; ready to dodge anything that might have been
thrown at him. Duo just retaliated by sticking out his tongue.
“Ok, Chang. I got your point. I guess you could sleep out
here, but it’s not very comfortable. You could sleep in my room, if you
don’t mind bunking with my asain.ain. Just be quiet. Aleana sleeps in the same
room.”
“This isn’t a two bedroom?”
“Nope. Can’t afford one of those, Wu. It was just me in
the beginning, so there wasn’t any need for a bigger place. There are some
extra blankets in my room though, if you want to stay out here.” And with
that, Duo left the room, entering the small bathroom quietly, leaving Wufei
alone once again.
“This isn’t what I expected at all.” Wufei blew out a
sigh, looking around for the vid-phone he knew had to be in the apartment
somewhere. He had some calls that he needed to make while Duo wasn't in the
room. He didn't want to upset the
teen any further than he already was.
Finding the vid-phone was somewhat of a challenge, but he
found it under a carelessly tossed baby blanket. He sat himself down in the old,
squeaky chair, trying to decide whom he should call first. On one hand, he
needed to contact the Preventers and let them know where he was, but he also
wanted to call L4, and let Heero know exactly what he thougf hif him at the
moment.
Without really thinking about it, he dialed Heero’s
personal line, not caring what time it was on L4. It rang five times before the
voice mail picked up.
“Yuy, it's Chang. You
are a fucking bastard, do you know that? Don't even bother calling me back, you won't like to hear
what I have to say to you.” Wufei's
voice was seething with an and and he cut the connection as quickly as he had
dialed it. He began dialing the
familiar Preventers' number, but cut it off before pressing the last digit.
“Forget it, I’ll tell Sally and Une in the morning.”
long, emotional hours that he'd spent with his friend finally crashing down on
his system.
Deciding that it would be in his best interests to camp out
on the small couch, Wufei crept silently down to the bedroom to get the extra
blankets that Duo told him were there. There was a soft glow in the room from a
small childish night-light that was plugged in near a small crib next to the
double bed. He took a moment to peer down at the girl, her red curls mussed from
sleep. He whispered a goodnight to her before grabbing the blankets off of the
top of a dresser, and leaving the room before waking the baby.
He made it no further than the bathroom door when a noise
made him stop and listen, his ears straining to hear beyond spr spray of the
shower on the other side he the thin door.
His stomach fluttered at the sound of the heart wrenching sobs, the
agonized wails that he knew Duo was trying so hard to smother. Duo had been so
careful not to show his emotions from the moment Wufei had entered the waiting
room. Now, behind the closed door, within the privacy of the shower, he was
finally releasing all the anguish and pain he was feeling.
Wufei let out a shaky sigh as he closed his eyes, letting
his forehead and hands rest against the bathroom door.
“I'm so very sorry, my friend.”
_________________________________
Morning came faster than Duo expected. Aleana was up before
his alarm clock went off, for the third time that week. Being the generally
happy baby that she was, she had entertained herself with chewing on the corner
of her blanket, giving Daddy some extra winks of sleep. Duo yawned, stretching
briefly before throwing back the blankets in a tangled heap. He was not looking
forward to this day at In In between all his classes and work, he still had to
make funeral arrangements for Miranda. Nothing fancy, he couldn’t afford a
lavish burial for a baby he hardly knew, but in the short time she'd lived with
him, he'd come to love her with all of his heart.
p;
“I swear I’m going to need a stiff drink soon.” Duo
mumbled, locating his sweatpants crumpled on the floor next to the bed. First
things f, he, he had Aleana to get ready, and then himself.
“Good morning, Sunshine. I take it that the little bedgs dgs didn’t bite last night?”
“Da!” She squealed, raising her arms to him to be
lifted out of her crib.
“Da had a rough night, Sunshine. Let’s get you changed,
and you can go pester Uncle Wu.” Duo scooped her up, patting her diapered
behind as he left the bedroom.
Wufei was floating on the fringes of sleep, his mind
semi-aware, but he was too comfortable to actually get up and start the day.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, however, he knew he had to get up, and start
making phone calls. Sally would be having a conniption if he didn’t show up to
work.
“Nice shorts, Wu. Here.” Wufei was only given a few
seconds warning before a light weight was plunked on his chest. Cracking his
eyes open, he was greeted by bright green eyes, and a drooling smile.
“Duo? Why are you giving me the baby?” Wufei sat up
with a sleepy, confused expression on his face, supporting Aleana with both
hands around her waist. He had never dealt with children before, and in his
tired state, he was certain that it was a bad idea for him to start now.
“I have to warm up some baby food and get her bottle
made. You can hold her for just two minutes, can’t ya?”
“Make it quick. I’ve never done this before.”
“A virgin to child care, Wuffie? Well, I think it’s
time to break you in, then! What are you going to do when you get married, and
have kids of your own?” Duo’s question was partially muffled by cabinets
closing, and the water running.
“I find that highly unlikely, as I'm not attracted to
females in that way.”
“Say what?” A pan clattered in the kitchen, before
Duo’s head peeked around the corner of the door.
“Don’t tell me that you didn’t understand that,
Duo.”
“Oh, no. I understood it perfectly. Just didn’t know,
that’s all. See? You learn something new everyday.”
“I don’t have a sign that I carry that says ‘Look,
I’y’.”
“Well I don’t have a sign that says ‘I’m a
gorgeous bisexual hunk’. Maybe I should get one.” Duo shrugged his
shoulders, popping the lid off a small jar of applesauce for Aleana.
“I don’t see you having much time to date.” Wufei
said, fiy may making his way into the kitchen, with Aleana drooling down the
front of the white t-shirt that he had worn to sleep in.
“Maybe one day. Oh, sit her over there in her high chair
and….shit!” Duo growled, the
loud chime of the vid-phone interrupting his sentence.
“Want me to answer that?” Wufei asked, hoping that he
could escape from the drool for a few moments.
“I got it. Just feed her some of that applesauce, would
you? I’ll be right back.” He wiped his hands on a dishtowel, tossing it over
his shoulder as he made his way to the desk.
As Wufei was getting his first experience with feeding a
child by himself, Duo plunked himself down in front of the vid-phone, wondering
who would be calling him at such an early hour. He was hoping it wasn’t the
hospital demanding money, or wanting to know where to send Miranda’s body for
funeral details. He snapped on the screen, surprised when he saw the smiling
face of the blonde billionaire from L4.
“Quatre?”
“Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I was able to
deposit some money into your account this morning. Should five grand cover you
for a while?” Quat asked, taking a sip of his tea quickly.
“I could have used it yesterday, but better late than
never.” Duo answered, bowing his head to hide his eyes behind his fringe of
bangs.
“Duo is something wrong? Did something happen?”
“I think you should talk with your lover about that,
Quatre. He knows.”
“Who knows? a
oa
or Heero? Neither of them ever tell
me anything!” Quatre huffed.
“Look, Quat. I really don’t feel like talking right
now. I have a ton of things that need to get done today, and sitting here
discussing your lovers isn't going to help me get them done.” Wufei chose that
moment to raise his voice, muttering something in Mandarin, before coming around
the corner with Aleana tucked in his arms, with applesauce covering almost every
inch of her face and body.
“Wufei’s there with you? What’s going on?” The
blonde asked, looking more and more confused by the minute.
“Ask him yourself. I have to go.” Duo bolted from the
chair, snagging the food-covered baby from Wufei as he passed.
“Damn it, Duo.” The Chinese teen growled, wiping his
hands on his already soiled shirt before sitting down to face Quatre.
“Winner.” He greeted the blonde curtly, brushing back a
few wisps of hair that had escaped the elastic of his ponytail.
“Wufei? What’s going on down there? Why are you at
Duo’s? And what on Earth is all over your shirt?”
“You ask way too many questions.”
Quatre rolled his eyes at his friend. "I just want to
know what's going on! Is that a
crime?"
“No it isn't. The
way Yuy treated Duo when he called is what I would consider a crime.”
Quatre let out an exasperated sigh.
that got you both all riled up! Now
stop beating around the bush, and tell me what he did to piss you both off!”
“Two nights ago, Duo called you.
yes"> Yuy answered the phone, but woul all allow Duo to converse
with you.”
“Heero never told me that Duo had called.”
“I don't find that surprising.
yes"> Duo called, urgently needing some money, but Yuy told him to 'deal
with it' and hung up on him. That's
why I'm here, now.”
“Is Duo in some kind of trouble?”
“No. He had
recently taken in an orphaned infant, who was rushed to the hospital.
not treat her due to the fact that he had no insurance on her, and they thought
he wouldn't be able to pay for the charges that would accumulate.
with him when he turned off the last of the life support machines.
breath. They didn't even begin
treating her until I arrived, and accepted responsibility for payment of her
charges.” The blonde gasped,
tears welling up in his large blue eyes.
“I'm g tog to stay with Duo for a few days, to help him
out. He's been through a lot in the
past couple of days, and he needs to know that someone still cares aboim.”im.”
“Is there anything I can do, Wufei?
arrangements for him?”
“No, I think that Duo needs to take care of them himself.
they are made, though. It would be
nice if the three of you could come down. He could use all the support he can get, right now.”
“Of course we’ll be there.
Earth tomorrow. Is there anything
else you can think of?”
“Not at this time, Winner.
Although, might I suggest that Yuy doesn’t answer your calls from now
on?”
&nbo:p>o:p>
Quatre swallowed harshly, nng hng his head at his friend.
about what happened. I had no idea.
Please, give Duo my love.”
“I will.”
“Thank you, Wufei. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.” The dark haired teen turned off the screen,
leaning back in the chair with a sigh.
“Just what Duo needed to deal with today.” He whispered
to himself, before putting his call through to Preventers Headquarters.
It took Duo some time, but he was finally able to get his
emotions under control as he gave the squealing, splashing baby a bath. He had
felt the heaviness creeping back into his chest, settling over his heart, but
knew that he couldn't afford to let his heartache overwhelm him today. He had
far too many things to get done, with little time to do them in.
the support of a friend was very welcome in hard times. He wasn't sure he'd have
been able to face another day without the calming influence of Wufei's
compassion. He almost didn't
recognize this mature, supportive man as the boy who could be so arrogant, and
self centered when they first met. He was torn from his thoughts by the tapping
on the other side of the bathroom door.
“Duo? Is everything ok in there?”
“Yeah, I'm fine.” He answered.
yes"> He wanted to tell his friend that he was doing much better
since he had arrived, but didn't want to seem too needy.
“Do you need any help?”
“Naaa, I've got it all covered."
baby tub, draining the water.
“Ok. I’ll leave you alone to finish.”
“Hey, Wu?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks for being here, man.
yes"> I really appreciate it.”
“Anytime, Duo. Any time you need me, I’ll be here.”
The last words were whispered so softly, that Duo never heard it.