Quatre rested his head against his pillow feeling every ache and pain he’d received during the mission.Everyone but Duo had returned earlier then expected and he’d forced himself to wait up for the braided pilot until weariness and exhaustion had finally won out.His gut twisted in worry.Where was he?

…………………….

Duo ducked back into the shadows as another patrol moved by his hiding spot.The explosives were all set he just had to get out of the building before he set them off.But that part of the plan wasn’t exactly easy to execute, considering that someone had not just doubled the guard but tripled it.

That in itself meant only one thing.He’d been expected.He frowned at that but shoved it to the back of his mind as he saw his chance.Moving as silent as Death he made his way through the labyrinth of hallways.

He spotted the exit only a few feet away.

A shout behind him told him that he’d been seen, so he abandoned all caution and ran.He could hear gunshots firing behind him and sudden pain burned in his side but he gritted his teeth and dove out the door, rolling to his feet, already running.As soon as he hit the fence and scaled it he pressed the button and was thrown backwards with the force of the explosion.

…………………………

Quatre shot out of bed, clutching his heart through the material of his shirt, pain burning with each breath he took and only one image and one word came to mind.Both Duo.Struggling to his feet he wobbled as he got to the door of his room, thankful he hadn’t managed to change his cloths earlier, because there was no time for him to do it right then.He had to get the others, Duo was in trouble….

…………………………..

Duo had managed to drag himself over to where he had stowed a 4x4 pick-up truck.And carefully slid the mechanic’s uniform over his mangled body.With care he slid behind the steering wheel and brought the rusted heap to life.Pulling on an oil-stained hat and using some axel grease he rubbed it over his hands and overalls before he eased the truck onto the road, passing military vehicles on their way to the base.With each bump on the road that jarred the open wound hidden beneath the outfit his grip on the wheel tightened, and it wasn’t long before his knuckles were white and he was struggling to fight off the blackness that threatened to engulf him.

……………………………

Quatre fell against Trowa’s door as his vision swam making him choke, doubling over he fought back the pain not noticing he had company until there was a light touch on his arm and a very soft voice.

“Quartre?”

Gazing up Quatre managed to dredge up a shaky smile as to reassure Trowa he was fine.Taking a deep breath he forced himself to straighten up, and met the Heavyarm’s pilot’s green eye.“Duo’s in trouble.”

Trowa didn’t ask him how he knew, but nodded, simply inquiring, “The others?”

“I haven’t told them yet.”

Without a word Trowa lent the blond his arm, aiding him in walking and the two moved to where Heero and Wufei were asleep.

…………………………

Duo knew he wasn’t even close to the safe house yet but his body wasn’t following his commands anymore.Before he could fight off the last ‘bout of pain and unconsciousness another one was on him and his mind was unable to cope with it, making him slump against the steering wheel of the still moving 4x4.

…………………………

Quatre eyed the two other pilots wearily.Both of them had anger, literally rolling off them in waves.It was clear that they were worried but they’d never admit to it.

It was Wufei who asked the fatal question.“Where is he?”

Quatre stared off into space, searching with his heart, “About five miles from here, to the north.”

The hard look to the other’s eyes told him exactly what he needed to know.If Duo was hurt, OZ would pay.

……………………..

Swimming, he was swimming, towards the light such a pretty light no pain.Tired.But the light was important.He had to get to the light, he had to try… for the others.Others?Who else was there, maybe everyone was dead.Dead was good, no pain.No pain when dead.Just peace.He wanted peace… Death was eternal peace…

………………………

Quatre’s heart burned, he could feel Duo slipping away.With a cautious glance at the others he saw they were preoccupied with other things.

Looking out the window he closed his eyes and let his heart take him to his dying friend.

………………………….

     Duo was nearly totally engulfed in darkness when a part of the bright light drifted down to him.He blinked a few times until he realized it resembled an angel, an angel who looked a lot like Quatre.

The angel extended a hand towards him and smiling he took it, letting himself be pulled towards the light.

……………………………

Quatre’s eyes fluttered open as the truck came to a halt but he already knew Duo would be okay.The pain in his heart had subsided.