United Hearts

Disclaimer: I don't own the G boys. They belong to their respective copyright companies. I do however own Shane, Paul, Colin, Mickey, Benny, Toby and any other unfamiliar characters. I also own the plot if you can call it that.

Pairings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3, 5+S

Rating: NC 17

Warnings: Angst, Yaoi, Shonen-ai, violence, language, references to rape, sap, blood, Death (not one of the boys), Lemon/Lime, medical stuff, and any other weird thing that comes out of my head.... be afraid...

Notes: This is the sequel to "Lost Souls." While it is not necessary to read "Lost Souls" first I do recommend it otherwise some of the occurrences may not make sense. The references to medical procedures, medical reports, autopsies etc. are entirely based on my own pathetic knowledge of such and so I apologise in advance for any incorrectness contained there in. :)



" United Hearts "

Aug. 2002 ShenLong

Chapter 30

Quatre quickly contacted Relena and explained the situation. The earths main representative was shocked with the news but quick to respond to Quatre's plea for help. Needless to say both Benny and Toby were a little put out that they were to remain behind.

"Why can'ts we go too?" whined Toby.

"Yeah, It's not fair we has ta wait here, we always misses out." pouted Benny.

Quatre could feel his patience beginning to wear a little thin. Wearily he turned to the pair of stubborn boys. "With Sally being injured she is not going to want a lot of people around her. I will go and take Paul there as I feel he needs the support at the moment. Once we are there I will leave him in Wufei's careful hands and return with Trowa."

"But I still can't see why we can't go as well." sniffed Toby.

Drawing on the last threads of his patience Quatre tried again to make the pair see logic.

Benny still huffed and Toby wore a look of defiance. "Then if we hasta stay here why can't we stays by ourselves?" Toby asked as he folded his small arms across his chest.

"Yeah we's big 'nuff. We don't needs no girl to watch us." Benny added his own little speech in an attempt to sway Quatre. "Afta all we did go on that mission fer yer."

Sighing to himself Quatre decided it was time to get tough. He thought how Trowa would handle the situation and tried his best to do what his level headed lover would do in the same instance. He fixed a no nonsense look in his eye and addressed the pair. "I realize that you both participated in a dangerous mission but you were with Paul who is older and more reliable. Neither one of you is at the age where I feel safe in leaving you unattended for any length of time. I need to take Paul to see Sally and I do not need to be worrying about you two while I am gone. I know you mean well and maybe as you start to get older and show more maturity then I will feel more comfortable about leaving you alone for a while but at the moment you are both too young and I am not prepared to take the risk that either one of you could get hurt while left unattended. Besides what sort of a parent would I be to leave an eight and an eight and a half year old to look after themselves? Why I would be ashamed to call myself a responsible adult." Quatre finished his tirade and stared at the pair. His little speech had run away with him and he had said a few things more than he had intended to as well as used a slightly stronger tone.

Paul listened to Quatre's spiel with growing respect. The blonde man showing just why he had been one of the most feared people during the wars, not to mention in the world of high finance.

Benny and Toby stood in awe. Never had they dreamt that Quatre would be so strong with his words to them. It was usually Trowa that handed down the lectures and punishments. It came then as a bit of a shock to the pair to find that the usually quiet gentle blonde could be so forceful. Toby hastily made a mental note to completely re think his strategies when trying to wheedle his own way from the Arabian in the future.

B fel felt bad. He knew they were driving their guardian to the edge. He had enough on his mind to deal with at present and Benny felt awful for adding to that list. He sighed. This was no way to repay the love and warmth that they were bathed in daily. He should be a stronger person and not allow Toby to lead him astray so easily. "I'm sorry Quatre." he whispered out.

Quatre quirked an eyebrow. He hadn't meant to be so harsh with his words. He paused a moment in shock. It seemed his little rant had had the desired effect. Not that he had intentionally meant to make the boys feel guilty. Maybe what Trowa was telling him was true, that the pair did know he was generally the easiest to sway and therefore played on his sensitive side. Now he could see it for himself he understood he had to be a bit stronger with the pair otherwise they wouldn't grow up to respect other people, their feelings and property.

Toby also hung his head and muttered out an apology. He hadn't meant to carry on so much but he did hate being left out of the 'action'. Sometimes life sucked when you were only eight.

Quatre smiled tiredly at the pair. "I know you think you're missing out on something but you aren't. I'm only taking Paul to his rightful place and will be back very soon with Trowa then we can have something to eat and maybe play a game. Then I will take you both to visit Sally later on if the medic say's it's okay."

Both Benny and Toby's eyes lit up at that prospect. "Thanks Quatre." said Benny.

"Yeah." Toby ran across to Quatre and gave the ex pilot a warm hug. "I'm sorry I was bad, I don't means ta be."

"It's okay Toby, I understand. It can be so frustrating at times. You think you are old enough to do things but in reality you're not. Be patient, don't grow up too soon, enjoy your childhood while you can it will be over soon enough."

A knock at the door brought the tender moment to a and and Paul opened it to admit Relena.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Duo and Shane presented themselves at the hospital for their check up. Doctor Griffin greeted them in the small cubical.

"So tell me, how are you both feeling?"

"A little sore but the pain killers yer 'scribed fer me are helpin." replied Shane.

"Pretty good doc." came Duo's response.

"Then lets check you both out. You first Duo."

Duo hopped up onto the small bed and proceeded to remove his shirt. Doctor Griffin removed the bandage and explored the rib with gentle fingers. Satisfied that all was well he re bandaged Duo's ribcage. "It is all still in the right place and so should knit together just fine. I suggest you take it easy with it for a few more days and get it x-rayed in about another two weeks just to confirm it's healing correctly."

"Will do doc. Thanks." Duo grinned and proceeded to put his shirt back on. Jumping down from the bed he motioned for Shane to take his place.

Shane climbed up a little awkwardly and presented his shoulder for the doctor. Doctor Griffin removed the t-shirt and then the bandage. He peered closely at the wound and then reached for some items on a tray. Pouring a little betadine solution [1] into a bowl he used a pair of forceps to dip cotton swabs into the liquid and then swabbed the wound gently. He was pleased with the overall condition of the site, a little oozing of blood and mucus but that was to be expected. The tissues were a healthy pink color and so no signs of infection were present. Cleaning around the wound he reached again for some dusting powder and proceeded to pack the area with it, sending little puffs of white into the air every now and then.

Duo peered over his shoulder as the doc worked. It wasn't that he had a morbid fascination with wounds, blood and the like, he just wanted to make sure that Shane was healing okay.

Shane sat in sce, ce, biting his lip and wincing every now and then as the swabs cleaned him. The solution stung from time to time but nothing unbearable. When the doctor began to dust the area with the antibiotic powder he let a small sigh escape. He was glad he had taken the pain killers earlier, without them this little 'cleansing' would have been a bitch to suffer through.

Satisfied that he had managed to get the powder into every nook and cranny the doctor straightened and reached for the gauze. Placing a generous amount over the wound front and back he proceeded to bandage the area. As a final touch he placed Shane's arm in a sling. "There now. All cleaned up. I want you to keep the arm in the sling for at least a week. The less movement the better the wound will heal." He turned to look at Duo. "The wound will need to be cleaned again tomorrow. Can you make another appointment please?"

Duo shook his head. "Sorry doc, no can do. We're heading back ta earth tomorrow."

The doctor thought for a moment. "Look I'll give you the things you will need to clean him up, when you get back to earth have your own doctor take a look at it."

"Okay. Thanks doc."

The doctor turned to Shane. "I don't need to remind you that you need to rest that arm and take it easy."

Shane nodded. "I promise not ta try an deflect anymore bullets with my body."

The doctor rolled his eyes and looked at Duo who grinned back. "And I promise not ta go swinging off any chandeliers either..... at least not until the rib is healed."

Rather than ask for an explanation, he figured he was probably better off not knowing anyway, Doctor Griffin moved to the small computer console and entered in his notes while Duo assisted Shane back into his t-shirt. Turning back to the pair once more he asked, "Your partner was going to give me the details of your doctor back on earth for me to send the case history through to."

"Yeah, no problem doc." Duo fished in his pocket for the piece of paper he had written Sally Po's contact on. "Here ya go. All the info you need should be on there doc."

Doctor Griffin took the slip and studied it. A soft whistle escaped his lips. "Then if she is your doctor you couldn't be in better hands." he said quietly.

Duo continued to grin. "Yeah Sally's all right for a chick."

Shane snickered.

Doctor Griffin chose to ignore that comment. "Right, I'll send the information straight away." He stepped forward and offered his hand to Duo. "It's been a pleasure meeting you Duo, I just wish it could have been under better circumstances."

Duo took the offered hand and shook it warmly. "Thanks again doc for all yer help, much appreciated."

Doctor Griffin turned to Shane and offered his hand to the brown haired youth. "Take care Shane."

Shane shook the hand. "I will doc, thanks."

"Look after that young lady too."

Shane blushed.

"Oh he will doc, he will." quipped Duo.

Doctor Griffin smiled warmly as he led the two out of the cubicle and walked with them to the main doors of the hospital, the hustle and rush of his other pressing engagements could wait for a moment. "I know this sounds wrong but I hope I don't meet you again."

Duo looked at the doctor. "No offence doc but me either, at least not in the patient / doc role anyway."

Shane studied the street, he just wanted to get back to the hotel and see if Fayah was back yet. Now that he had kept his appointment all he could think about was spending as much time as he could with the girl before he had to leave.

"Come on Shane. Lets get goin."

Doctor Griffin watched as the pair descended the steps and walked off into the crowd. He wouldn't forget the two Preventer agents and their 'son' for some time.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Heero re entered the number for the third time into the vid phone. The screen fuzzed and hummed before connecting. He waited, drumming his fingers on the table top in impatience. Another habit he had picked up from Duo he thought wryly. The call continued to go unanswered. Frustrated Heero hit the cancel button. "Just where in the hell is everybody?" he said out loud. Turning to his lap top he typed in a message and dispatched it and then concentrated on the vid phone once more. This time he tried the number to Trowa and Quatre's suite. Reclining in the chair as he waited for the call to connect his mind drifted over the mornings breakfast. While Duo had been too busy vacuuming up huge quantities of food to participate actively in the conversation he sensed his koi had something on his mind. No doubt he would find out just what it was when Duo returned from his check up.

He turned his attention back to the vid phone and growled. No response. He typed in Wufei and Sally's suite number but didn't hold much hope of reaching them either. He wasn't disappointed. the blank screen stared back as if mocking him. Uttering a few choice words in Japanese he tried Une's personal phone. Gettno rno response from that either Heero ran his hands through his messy hair. He was getting a bad feeling about this. The fact that he couldn't get Une on her personal phone signaled to Heero that something was terribly wrong.

He reached for his lap top once more and sent yet another e mail. This one he hoped would get some response. A few moments later the lap top beeped to tell him a message had been received. Eagerly he hit the button and opened it.

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