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" Post-traumatic Stress"Written By: Dùlin Fic #27 In the Thirty Kisses Arc Archive: This arc is archived on this site with permission. Do not reproduce it anywhere without permission.
Pairing : 1x4x1, hints of 6x2x6, S+4, S+1 Fandom : Gundam Wing Theme : #27 – overflow Rating : PG-13 Warnings : Angstness, humor, New Type-ness, mentions of violence. Fic #3 in the Bullet Arc. Sequel to #28 - Bulletproof, and #18 – Physical Therapy. Disclaimer : Those yummy boys and girls belong to Sunrise and Bandai. Which are not me.
" Post-traumatic Stress"
"Alright, that’s enough for today," Sally said. "Let’s get you cleaned up and back to bed." Quatre made a face when the bed was mentioned, but didn’t object. He’d soon learnt that it didn’t do any good with Sally. Besides, he was aching all over, and a good soak and a nap sounded very good right now. "I’d rather you take a shower so as not to cramp up, but I don’t think you’re steady enough on your legs for that," the doctor kept on. "Heero must have drawn me a bath," Quatre said. "Don’t stay in too long and ..." "Make sure to have someone help me out," Quatre interrupted. "Yeah. I know." "Good," Sally said flippantly. "I’ll join Heero in the kitchen, then. I’ll see you next week." **** "Tea ?" Heero offered as Sally took a seat at the kitchen table. "Coffee," she answered. "Long day. Caffeine is my best friend lately." "Sorry to make you come all this way," Heero said, getting the coffee started and putting the kettle on for himself. "It was that or having a cranky Quatre in my hospital. I honestly prefer that. I doubt I’d still have a hospital if I hadn’t allowed him to go home," Sally said, stifling a yawn. "What about you ? How have you been doing these days ?" "Fine," Heero said distractedly, opening a cupboard to get mugs. Sally frowned. "Heero ? Look at me, please." Heero turned around, a confused look on his face. Sally was watching him intently, as if she could see things beyond his skin and didn’t like what she was seeing. "Sit down," she said, and her tone allowed no discussion. "How are you ?" she asked again. Heero didn’t answer. Sally grinned and patted his hand sympathetically. "That bad ?" "It’s not that," Heero said. "I mean, yes, he’s difficult some times, but ..." "That’s an understatement," Sally said dryly. "I can deal with that." "Oh, I’m sure you can. But apparently there’s something you can’t deal with. Both of you." Heero clenched his fists and took a deep breath. "He’s having a problem keeping his empathy under control," he said, and he looked almost relieved just to have said the words, Sally thought. "That’s ... normal, I would say," she said. "He’s been injured, and very seriously. As long as his body is mending and he’s in pain, it’s going to be difficult for him to maintain the level of control he’s used to." "I know that, but ..." "That’s why I didn’t want him out of the hospital so soon," Sally kept on. "The environment was controlled, and he could be shielded without exerting himself too much. I think being away is what helped his recovery in the first weeks ... and being away from you, too." She’d hesitated before saying it, but Heero deserved nothing less than honesty. Besides, she knew that he knew that already, but he needed to have someone tell him. "You know what I mean, right ?" She kept her voice soft and light, careful not to sound accusatory. This was difficult for him too. But there was no reason to go easy on him, either. Heero looked about to get up and leave. He glanced at the coffee machine when it dinged in the silence. Sally waited. It felt like an eternity before he nodded, once, and she sighed. "This has to stop," she said. "This is not helping either of you and you know it." "I can’t help it." "Heero, he’s feeding off your guilt. That coupled with the pain signals from his body is enough to wear anybody out. Add to it that he can’t shield properly and it’s a miracle he’s fit enough to get out of bed at all. Not to mention, you have nothing to feel guilty for." He tried to protest, but she cut him off before the first word could leave his mouth. "There was nothing you could have done, okay ? You couldn’t have gotten the intelligence about the sniper earlier, and you couldn’t have gotten to him in time. Besides, it’s in the past. It’s done, and everybody’s alive. It’s time to move on, don’t you think ?" "I’m the only one who wasn’t injured," Heero whispered. "And that’s why you’re so gloomy ? You’d rather have joined everybody else on a stretcher ? That’s a pretty fucked up reason to be depressed, I hope you realize that." "That’s not what I meant." Sally sighed again, and began to rummage in her purse. "I wasn’t sure I’d need this, but I guess it can’t be helped," she said, putting a card with a phone number on the table. "This is Dr. Simmons’ number. I’ll schedule an appointment for both you and Quatre next week, and you’ll see about setting up individual sessions then. And before you say no, that’s not a suggestion. If you want Quatre to get better, you’ll go." "You’re not giving us a choice," Heero pointed out. "No, I’m not. You need this. And yes, I know Dr. Simmons and he’s good. That’s why I addressed Duo and Zechs to him. I’m sure he can help you as well." Heero reached out and took the card, looking at the numbers written on it as if trying to decipher a coded answer to all of his questions. "Well, I’ll be on my way," Sally said, breaking the grave mood as she stood up and put her coat on. "What about coffee ?" "I’ll grab something at the cafeteria," she said, kissing him goodbye before he could stand up and walk her to the door. "I want to be out of here before you tell Quatre I’m sending you to a shrink." "Sally, wait ! You didn’t tell him ?" "See you !" Sally said, waving as she all but ran out of the kitchen. "And good luck !" ~ * ~ |
