Part Two: Revealings

Warnings: EW has not and will not happen for this story, MAJOR Relena bashing, some language, MAJOR angst. (Yes the others find out about the illness…) Shonen-ai hints.

The knocks sounding on the front door around lunchtime everyday became a habit to Quatre and Heero. Adapting quickly, they helped Aika and Duo with preparing meals and special treats for the young children. At times there would be a child too sick to send back out onto the streets so they had them stay within Duo's room. The American happily gave up his bed and slept on the floor so that he could look after the sick child.

Heero found it amazing how the longhaired boy could be giving things so easily. The children demanded a lot of attention but still Duo managed to get to each of them and help them out. Many weeks passed and changes could be seen throughout the three boys staying in the small house.

After dinner one night, Duo stretched and brought his laptop into the living room so that he could check on a few things while talking to his friends. "Anyhow… I'd really like to thank you for your help. Nothing would be getting done if it wasn't for you two." Duo smiled thankfully at the others as he clicked on his `check mail'. "Hmm… oi, Quatre, you'd better get in contact with Trowa. He's asking about you and where you disappeared to."

"You have been here for almost a month and a half," Duo reminded and gave a wink. "Go give him a call. Ask him here!" Quatre nodded and then headed into the guest bedroom with a phone to talk privately. "So, Heero, you planning to stay a while longer?" Duo inquired, hoping that his pleading tone wasn't too apparent.

Shrugging, the Japanese boy set aside the newspaper he had been breezing through. "Here Relena hasn't bothered me but I have some things I need to take care of."

"That's… not the same… I'm helping them out so they won't be alone. That's what I want. But I really can't confide in them like a friend… it's just so quiet here sometimes…" Duo trailed off and closed his eyes. /I'm so tired./ Voicing his thoughts aloud, he said, "Oi, I think I'm going to turn in early. I'm tired today." Heero didn't respond but seemed to let his thoughts focus on something unknown to Duo. Shrugging, the American left.

/You're too pale. Why are you so tired? You slept soundly last night. There wasn't much activity today./ Heero's eyes narrowed as a frown slipped onto his face. The laptop still sat on the coffee table, open. "Baka… left his computer on," Heero muttered and moved over. In the mail inbox he spotted some unknown names along with Trowa, Quatre, and Hilde. /Hn. Wonder why he doesn't just stay with her?/ Something tugged in his chest and Heero stashed the thought away. As he closed down the program and shut down the computer another name suddenly flashed through his mind. /Sally Po. She was listed… what in the world would he be doing talking to her?/ He frowned. It was too late to check now. Muttering under his breath, Heero put the laptop back in the study.

He dropped by Duo's room and glanced in. The American was spread out on the bed with the sheets pulled up to his chin. He was sweating heavily, the drops glistening on his pale skin. He looked distressed, but yet he was asleep. Frowning once again, Heero murmured, "What are you hiding, baka?"

"How would I know? Last I heard, Yuy vanished into thin air and that Peacecraft girl was searching like a hound for him. Quatre ought to know, he's not the type to let anyone slip away. Why are you so persistent, onna?"

The blonde smiled slightly at the familiar tone. "You're always the same, Wufei, I don't believe you'll ever say my name to my face, will you? Oh well." Her face lost its cheer and suddenly she slumped in the chair she was sitting in. For the first time the Chinese young man noticed the signs of lack of sleep and deep worry.

Sally ran a hand through her hair. "He hasn't replied to my e-mails lately… and his responses are so vague. The hospital on L2 says he's perfectly cheery and fine whenever he goes in for the medication and tests demo -"

"Hold it!" Wufei stood up with his hands opening and closing at his sides. His dark eyes flamed a bit of worry. "What do you mean medication? Tests…? What's going on, onna?!"

Stunned, Sally was speechless for a moment. "I can't believe he never told you! Oh my…" she shook her head. Wufei's steady glare got her to speak again. Weakly she began to tell him. "Wufei, he had me run some tests just after the war when Quatre was being treated… we found some old symptoms of the plague on L2. That wasn't what the problem was… he's… been exposed to a poison used by the Romerfellar Foundation during the war." Her face was pained as she bit out the last words.

Sharp, loud sounds echoed throughout the halls. Wondering what in the world had woken him up, Heero sat up on the couch and narrowed his eyes in the dark. Quickly his trained hearing detected the noises to be those of coughing… painful, bad coughing. He frowned. Coughing sounding like that was only heard in dangerous lung sicknesses. /What's going on? Who is it?/ He stood and carefully moved into the hallway.

A door creaked and he turned to his left to face a still half-asleep Quatre. The blonde frowned worriedly and seemed to come more awake when he saw Heero. The Arabian's heart stopped suddenly when he too figured out what the sound was. "Duo…?" he whispered.

The main bedroom was locked when Heero tried the knob so Quatre took over knocking. "Duo! Duo! Daijoubu desu ka? Is everything okay in there?" More coughing was all that answered. "Duo!" Quatre called again, beginning to panic. "Please! Come to the door!"

"Stand aside," Heero motioned Quatre away. He kicked at the doorknob until it came loose and the lock was broken. Both ex-pilots made it through the doorway just to confront a nightmarish sight.

Duo was on all fours, shaking uncontrollably as he coughed and covered his mouth with one hand. His sheets were tangled on the floor along with his pillows. The lamp had fallen on top of the mess and suddenly Heero's sharp eyesight detected a foreign color on Duo's bedspread. "…Away…" Duo managed between coughs as he glared angrily at the other two. "Get away!" he shouted - which only resided in more fits of harsher coughs.

"Oh my god! Duo!" Quatre rushed forward suddenly and tried to support the American somewhat. He felt so helpless and cast Heero a worried look. The Japanese boy remained stoic, standing in the doorway with his face masking away the twisting emotions within. Finally Heero reached out and turned on the lights. The foreign color on the sheets was a crimson liquid… blood…

"Duo…" Quatre whispered, fear settling in his heart as he realized he had not noticed something earlier. For weeks the American had been incredibly pale and continued to only pick at his meals. His sleeping habits were long and if he was awake, often times he seemed too tired for anything normal.

Duo was slowly lowering himself back onto the bed. /So tired…/ he thought. He managed to reach out and grab a few tissues to clean his hand and mouth before closing his eyes. /So very tired. What are Heero and Quatre doing here anyhow?/

Suddenly the braided boy shot awake and he forced himself into a sitting position. Realization was sinking in. "Oh God… this was not how you were to find out…" he muttered to himself. He felt Quatre's warmth beside him and just wished to move away for a bit to convince himself it was a dream. They didn't really know yet… they were never to know until the inevitable actually happened.

"What have you been hiding? Why are you coughing blood?!" Heero inquired, trying vainly to hide away his slightly panicked emotions. The Japanese pilot sat at the foot of the bed and fixed Duo with a steady gaze.

The American sighed. "Aw hell… I can't do much to hide it now, can I?" He grabbed a bottle of pills from the side table and quickly took two of them for his medication. His two friends stayed silent. /Why did they have to come in here? Why did I have to have the coughing attack now?/

"It's not of importance, really it isn't…" Duo tried for a smile but wound up in a losing game. He let his mask fall and he sighed as he limply laid back on the bed. "You're not going to believe that, are you? It would be so much easier if you would, though." The looks he received told him that they were getting annoyed with him prolonging the confession. "To hell with it, guys, I'm not one to explain this stuff. Sally's the one with everything informed! Talk to her if you absolutely must!" He was getting angry at himself and at the other two. /They weren't supposed to know!/ A warmth was building by his temples and Duo hated to think of tears.

"Quatre…" Duo's tone was warning. "I… it's…" he sighed and turned away. "A sickness. Some of it's leftover plague symptoms from the L2 plague hit years ago… that's not the problem…" he started to cough again but carefully toned the coughs down to a bearable level. "There's something else… a… a… `virus' you could call it… from Romefellar Foundation, they used it. Aw crap! Just ask Sally, damnit!" He sat up again and swung an arm wildly before fleeing the room. Tears were building and he wasn't about to let the others see him that way. /Boys don't cry, boys don't cry… especially those who need to enjoy every minute of life…/

There was silence throughout the room in the wake of Duo. Both Heero and Quatre were stunned. "Is he saying that… that he's… no… he can-can't… be…" The blonde couldn't finish.

"Take me to Maxwell now!" Wufei suddenly snapped, a brief tone of fear entering his voice. Sally bowed her head and then stood. Nodding, the two left the room. /Why didn't he ever mention it? Fool! What was he thinking…? Why… why did he do that…? I don't understand./ The Chinese boy's hands clasped into fists as he brooded.

"We'll stop at the hospital, they'll let us know where he is," Sally stated as she directed the small transport shuttle. "I'm worried because he's, like I said before, not answering my e-mails. I don't believe everything's okay as he says. By now there would be a lot of things affecting him."

Sally was silent for a long while. "No. It's an unknown virus, practically. I've been researching for anything related in any way to what he's suffering from but… there hasn't been anything yet. I can't do anything for him and so far I haven't found anyone who can."

/Is that why you wanted us to go with you?/ Wufei's dark eyes reflected the stars outside the window as he mused to himself. /We should have been reading you more carefully. There's much more to you than that jester mask. Why couldn't I have seen it earlier? You always were the heart of the… team…/

"Duo!" Quatre rapped on the bathroom door again but no movement came from inside. Biting his lip in deep worry, he tried again. This time his voice was laced with pain and fear. "Duo! Please! Just open the door! Please Duo!"

Heero was still sitting in Duo's room at the edge of the bed, having not moved since Duo's flight from the room. The Japanese pilot could hear Quatre's frantic calls. /Dying… no, it's just a sickness. There's surely a cure. That must be why he was talking to Sally. About a cure, of course. He's not about to be defeated by some virus - we're gundam pilots. We were trained to hold up against that sort of thing./

The words echoed in his head. /He always wanted all of us together. Was this why? He wanted to see us together? Why would it matter…?/ He made a face and closed his eyes tightly. His heart ached painfully, reminding him that the frozen heart from the war had long since melted. /Dying…?/ Duo hadn't said it but it was left hanging in the air. /No… never… masaka…/

Within the dark room something glistened on Heero's face as the sparkling drop dripped through his eyelashes and fell down to drop off the tip of his nose. /Masaka…/

His back ached painfully as he came back into the wakeful world. He was confused as to why he was so cold and why cold tile was beneath him. Blinking, the boy realized he was sitting with his back to the door and that he was staring at the shower in the bathroom. /What? Last night… they know…/

Scrubbing a hand across his face, Duo painfully got up and stumbled to wash his face of the old tearstains. Drying off, he slowly unlocked the door and was about to just open the door when he realized there was weight on the other side. Glancing through the crack he saw a limp head of blonde hair. A small smile tugged at his lips as Duo eased the door open and caught his Arabian friend. Setting Quatre against the wall, Duo slipped back to his bedroom.

Again he found another sleeping form, this time it was Heero. The Japanese pilot had both feet on the ground while he lay back at the foot of the bed. Duo frowned when he thought he spotted a glistening drop at the corner of one closed eye. "I don't deserve the tears of one who doesn't cry," he murmured softly and turned away. He dressed quickly in a black tee shirt and jean shorts.

He made his way to the kitchen and turned the stove on so that he could start making pancakes. He took down his bottle of medicine and took his morning dosage before mixing the pancake batter. /They're still not up. Amazing… hmm…/ To distract himself he flipped a pancake and watched to make sure he caught it before it hit the ground. /Why did they have to find out?! They weren't supposed to… I never wanted them to…/

Just as he was finishing the last of the pancake a sharp pain like a knife struck Duo in the chest. He dropped the handle of the skillet and the pancake landed with a resounding `plop' on the counter top. A coughing fit overtook the American and he stumbled to his knees. He could taste the metallic liquid in his mouth and wanted to gag. /This pain… it hurts… so much…/

The clatter of metal on tile jerked Heero to a sitting position. He was off the bed and through the kitchen door before his mind registered the sickening sounds of painful coughs. Hurriedly, Heero rushed to a kneeling position besides Duo and held the boy until the coughing had subsided. The American averted his gaze and than pushed away from Heero into a stand.

"My, my, what a mess!" he commented in a falsely cheered tone. He shook his head as he picked up the skillet he'd dropped and worked on clearing up the pancake mess on the counter. "Don't bother to help clean, grab something to drink and a plate and have a pancake! I'll get the syrup and silverware out in a bit." Duo's hand was caught in a tight grasp.

Duo tugged, once and hard, but his wrist didn't leave Heero's hold. "Stop it," Heero hissed, covering his fear and pain by anger. "Just stop it!" He threw Duo's arm out of his grasp and watched as the American rubbed circulation into his hand. "How can you act like nothing's wrong? That everything's fine? Don't you even care?!"

"And why should you care?" Duo suddenly shouted. Sighing, he dragged a hand down his face. Calmer, Duo began again. "It's not like a don't care but why should I be bothering with it? There's really no need to worry, I do what I do and I'm fine. I'm taking my medication! Now if I wasn't, fine then, yell at me, but right now you have no need to! Just let me live how I'm living!"

Nothing was said as Duo turned his back and began rummaging through the cupboards. No one spoke as the American continued to set the table for breakfast. Duo was the only one to sit down and begin eating. "C'mon, my cooking isn't bad and you know it! Have something to eat!"

"This is what I mean…" Heero whispered as he clenched a fist. "You act as if nothing's wrong!" he shouted, "What's wrong with you? You're dying, aren't you?!"

Heero slammed a fist into the wall and caused spider web cracks to appear in the tile. Glaring one more time, he pushed himself through the room and towards the doorway. Slipping on his shoes took barely a second and then he was gone with the slam of a door.

"Heero…" Duo whispered softly. His body started to shake as he dropped his head forward. Quatre peered worriedly at his friend, fearing it was something to do with his sickness. Instead he was surprised to hear soft sobs. "…Matte… Heero…"

Sally nodded and gave a sidelong smile, "Most definitely. Duo helps out many of the kids living out on the streets. There's someone he works with and the two of them provide some food every few days. He'll be able to keep it up for as long…" she trailed off and shook her head. Wufei swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat.

The house they were approaching had a small group of children only half-dressed in tattered rags. Wufei felt something stab at his heart as he saw the distant eyes that were filled with emptiness. The door opened and a young, black-haired woman stepped out to usher the children in. She was just about to close the door when Sally called out. The woman turned and blinked quizzically. "May I help you?" she asked.

The woman nodded with a smile, "Of course! Come in, he's in the study. My name is Aika." Walking in, Sally and Wufei watched as the children rushed into a room that seemed to be a kitchen. "The study is straight back," Aika told them, pointing down the hallway to a doorway at the other end.

They stopped before the study and exchanged glances. Sally lifted her hand to knock just as a voice caught their attention. "You're sure you don't need help…? Okay, Aika…"

Suddenly the blonde appeared from another doorway and stopped in shock. "Sally! Wufei!" He slumped against the wall and closed his eyes. Worried, the two rushed to the blonde's side. Opening an eye, Quatre gazed silently and pleadingly at Sally. "It's… not true… he's not… not…"

"Open," came the reply. Nodding, Quatre led Sally and Wufei into the room. Duo was sitting in the far corner of the room on one of the ancient pillows. He turned only slightly but then his eyes widened in surprise. "Wufei! Sally!" his lips turned into a glad smile as he stood and came over. "What a great surprise!" He looked into the hallway and his smile began to lose some of its glory. A glance at Quatre and a shake of head affirmed that Heero was not back yet.

Wufei was silent, sorting through his thoughts. Looking seriously at the American, he could see the loss of weight and the pallor of his skin. "Maxwell… why didn't you tell us?" he asked softly.

Looking at Sally, Duo gripped a fist and bowed his head. "I didn't want anyone to worry. I just wanted to… to enjoy… I've been fine…" /Until last night's coughing fit./

"Duo-kun, are you sure you're doing pretty much okay?" Sally checked. "You were being all too vague in your e-mails…" Duo flashed her a smile and responded that he had pretty much been okay. "Duo-kun, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to stay on L2… since I began the research. I'll stay at an extra room in the hospital since it seems you have limited space here."

Sighing softly, Duo flopped onto his desk chair. "Okay, fine… obviously I can't talk you out of it." He was silent for a while and then popped up with a smile. "C'mon, lets go help Aika! Those kids can be a handful!"

The Chinese boy was just thoroughly stunned at how… normal… Duo was acting. /He acts as if it's not happening? Does he wish to deny it…? Or is he really that strong…? How can he be…?/

Wufei found that Duo's statement was quite true. The children were a bundle of energy once they ate and happily tugged and tackled the older teenagers around them. Duo joined in most of the games but Sally easily noted when he began to tire and began strained himself. Aika seemed to notice too for she called the children to the door. "We'll see you soon! Be good!" she watched them as each left out the door, with a little more life than they had before they had entered. Aika came back into the kitchen and helped Quatre with cleaning. Duo sat at the table with Sally and Wufei as he talked about some of the things he had done lately.

Something faltered on Duo's face, "He's… somewhere… I'm not sure he's returning to the house." He bowed his head. Suddenly he realized the time and stood, "Sorry, I have to rest. I have work tonight." He left the room and said goodbye to Aika.

Quatre set a glass aside and answered, "He works a few blocks down at a nightclub. He used to do three nights a week but now does once every two weeks. Now… now I know why… before I hadn't a clue." He bit his lip.

"Of course!" she responded immediately. Everyone stared at her in shock. "He told me many things after I started helping feed the other street children. He hadn't told you…?" She was now stunned. "But you're his friends…! He cares so much… why wouldn't he?" Her face fell sad. "He has such a good heart…" she murmured softly. Looking up she smiled, "I need to be going now. I'll see you tomorrow!" She waved and then left to slip on her shoes.

"I don't understand why he told her but not us," Quatre said as he sat at the table with the other two. "She's nice and all… but…" he couldn't finish his thought. /Duo's sick. Duo's… dying…/ The idea would not settle in his mind. /It just can't be./

Duo managed a grin and ducked under the bar to stand beside the other man. His name was Gorry something… family names weren't all too popular on L2 since many people didn't really know their families. "Sure thing, tonight looking busy?"

"Mayhaps. Don't really know," Gorry replied as he fixed two drinks. He slid a glass down to Duo who took it and drank a large amount. "Man, something's buggin' ya."

Sighing, Duo turned to Gorry. "I can't believe I can't hide things from you. Mmm… you're right. Two other new friends stopped by and one of my guests is missing. He hasn't been back all day."

The older man just grinned and took a swig from his glass. "Aa, but can't blame me now, can ya? You're always obsessing about this one… it means something, Kid. Don't doubt me, I like ta tease but this… I'm being serious. Ya got something for `im. Just wish I could meet this guy whose got yer eye."

Duo made a face and turned to watch the customers streaming in. Some waiters from the club went to the tables and picked up the orders to drop off at the bar. Duo busied himself fixing drinks and setting them down. Finally one of the female workers of the club leaned over to whisper to Duo, "That guy in the corner is hitting the bottle hard. I haven't seen `im before but there's this… air about him. He's looking awfully down… I think something's really wrong… think you can cheer him up? I'll take over here."

"Gorry?" Duo asked, knowing that the older man had listened to the exchange. Gorry nodded and then Duo took the tray from the waitress and headed over to the corner. Approaching the dark corner it was hard to see. There were already a few empty beer bottles on the table and the young man's dark hair fell over his face and shaded his drawn face. He seemed so tense. "Being depressed isn't becoming of you," Duo told the boy as he slid onto the bench across form the shaded figure. "Here's another drink, but stop getting drunk. You wouldn't believe the hangovers you get." He grinned.

Silence stretched between them. The pulsing sound of overly loud music strummed through their bodies. No one made a move to speak and Duo finally just shook his head. Grabbing the bottle he had dragged over to the table, Duo opened it and poured himself a glass. "What in the world are you doing here?" Heero didn't reply. Sighing mentally, Duo tried again. "I was being serious before, depressed doesn't fit you. You're way too uptight, man."

"Nu-huh. Only if you make me." Suddenly he blushed when he thought of some of the meanings behind that. "Erm…" Heero just glared at him before grabbing another glass of beer. "Heero… please, stop," Duo requested, resting a hand on Heero's wrist. The Japanese boy brushed him off.

Duo moved back and stayed silent, hiding himself in the shadow so that the other didn't see how he was hurt. Quietly he commented, "Wufei and Sally are here."

"Checking," Duo replied as he took another drink. "Seems Sally slipped and told Wufei. Sally will do some research in the hospital labs to see if there's any chance at all for a cure."

"Could you tell me why you are hanging out here in the darkest corner and getting yourself drunk? Why… didn't you come back?" Duo asked softly. Something was paining him in his chest. /Are you afraid of me? But that doesn't make sense./ Staring at the American, Heero was having trouble finding any words. Luckily being silent in reply would often be typical of him so he didn't have to worry about Duo seeing through his mask. "Heero," Duo murmured softly, eyes shaded, "are you trying to avoid me…? Why…? Why?!" Duo stood up suddenly with his chest heaving, near tears for some reason. "Why…" he repeated in a whisper.

The Japanese ex-pilot sat with his stare fixed on nothing. About to take a drink from his glass, a strong hold kept him from raising the glass. Angrily Heero looked up at his captor. Duo was mere inches from him, holding his arm. "You are not getting drunk. Explain to me! I deserve that much! Stop being a bastard, Heero…" His brow wrinkled in emotional pain. "I know you're not some jerk… why try acting one…? Heero…" he trailed off and dropped the arm. Turning away he said calmly, "I have work to do. Excuse me."

"Matte." Duo stopped mid-step and turned to find Heero's face illuminated by the different colored lights. For a moment the normally stoic boy seemed in pain before the old face settled back in. "Duo." The American slipped back into the booth and watched his friend. "I don't understand what's happening."

"Don't leave off there, that's not it, now is it? I don't want crap about you not feeling. I need to know what's going on. Hell, if you're scared of me, spit it out!"

"Why the hell would I be scared of you?" Heero snapped, almost jumping into a stand. /Baka!/ his mind screamed. /Scared of you?! Why would I be? Scared… no… not of him… this… this feeling…/

"If I need some of your love again; Give me more than I can stand; When my smile gets old and faded; Wait around I'll smile again; Shouldn't be so complicated; Just hold me and then; Just hold me again…" Duo trailed off and was content to just listen to the music. /I just wish he'd answer me. He's just denying, isn't he?/ It hurt to think so.

"… … … Duo… … …" Heero couldn't continue and finally dropped his head into his arms crossed on the table. He felt something burning in his temples. /Oh god there's no known cure… he's dying… dying. Oh god he's dying./ He felt the wetness on the skin of his arms and was stunned at himself. He'd never cried… not since the very, very earlier parts of his training. Something was stabbing at his heart and he just couldn't stand it.

Duo was frozen, too stunned to move. Heero's shoulders shook ever so slightly every once in a while. /Crying…? He's… he's crying…?/ "Heero…" he whispered. Very slowly he forced his legs to move him to the other side of the table. He slid in beside Heero and tentatively reached a hand out to rest on the other's shoulder.

Slowly, Duo felt himself also breaking. Feeling his own tears starting, he wrapped his arms about his friend and buried his face on Heero's shoulder. "… I'm scared, Heero…" he finally admitted softly. /Please help./

Heero didn't respond but found the warmth of Duo surrounding him comforting. He let the warmth overtake him and forgot all about his mask shattering when he broke down to tears. Drumming in his ears were the lyrics to the song as Duo whisper-sung along:

"Can you help me I'm bent; I'm so scared that I'll never; Get put back together; Yeah, you're breaking me in; And this is how we will live; With you and me bent…"

Wufei: News comes in and Sally requests another blood test from Duo. Heero seems the most affected by the passing events and confronts Duo about his indifference to it all. As both fight this their own way, we all begin to learn that we have to accept this.