My Soul to Keep
By Amber


The waiting room hours later was a grim place. Those within paced the floor, slumped against one another, or stared shell shocked into space. The doctor entered and everyone leapt up as his gaze swept the room taking in those within. It was quite a collection of whose who one of Fortunes 500, Preventers, Gundam Pilots and Princes. Speaking of princes, he searched for the Minister's brother and, once he found him, his eyes signaled him for private moment. Milliardo stepped forward only to have Noin grab his arm.

"We're all friends and family here there's no need for secrecy." Zechs turned his head to meet her gaze and nodded resignedly.

The Doctor acquiesced, "The minister is in stable condition. The head trauma was what we're most concerned about, but the swelling is minimal. Her eyes suffered the most damage in the blast, but to what extent we won’t know until she regains consciousness. She has some burns and cuts, but those are superficial in nature and will heal without scarring."

Duo stepped forward. "And Heero? What about Heero Yuy?"

The Doctor closed his eyes regretfully, "Mr. Yuy expired not long after he arrived in the ER. We did everything we could; however, his internal injuries were such that we couldn't stop the bleeding. I understand from all accounts of the explosion his body took the brunt of it. I've been told he and the Minister were engaged. I'm so sorry for your loss.”

Duo swung around and punched the wall as Hilde started crying softly. Trowa stared blankly into the distance as his way isolating himself in his grief. Quatre awkwardly patted Catherine's shoulder trying to offer her what comfort he could while crying silently himself.

Zechs started to speak then cleared his throat to try again. "May my wife and I see my sister please?" he said hoarsely.

The doctor pinched the bridge between his nose and eyes and nodded tiredly. "She's unconscious right now. She won't know you're there, but a few moments won't hurt." The doctor gazed around the room. "There's no reason why you can't all go home and get some rest, she's not in any danger. I doubt she'll wake tonight." The doctor eyed Wufei intently. "I'd get that leg looked at before you leave, young man. It looks like it needs some stitching."

Sally nodded shakily, "We'll see to it, doctor, before we leave."

Zechs nodded to the doctor, "We'll be right with you a moment, if you please." He paused before leaving, "This insanity left me plenty of patients and I must get back, so I'll simply say again my deepest sympathies for your loss," before pulling the door quietly behind him.

Zechs rubbed his face then pulled Lucrezia into a hug. Holding her to his side, he looked around the room. "I think it's safe to say we're Heero's family, so we'll make all the necessary arrangements." He shook his head, "God, what a mess. It's lucky that damn fool blew himself up as well, or I would kill him myself. Christ how can we tell her?"

Lucrezia shook her head wearily. "One thing at a time,” she said hoarsely. He nodded, "You’re right, but, God, she was so happy she glowed, Lu."

"Shssh. I know. Let's not keep the doctor waiting."

"I should do something about Heero. She would want me to take care of Heero for her."

She shook her head, "It's all right, we will. Morning is soon enough. Heero would want you to make sure Relena is alright first, anyway."

He nodded then let her guide him to the door. At the door Lucrezia turned. "You’re welcome to go to the house. There’s plenty of room, just tell Pagan. It's so late,” she faltered, “And I think, truthfully, we need each other right now more than ever." Her smile wobbled before it faltered and died. The door closing was all that broke the lengthening silence brought on by grief.

Sally pushed herself up and tried to assume some semblance of calm. "Wufei and I are going down to the ER. He needs to have that looked at, then we'll meet you back at the mansion."

Wufei frowned, "Stop fussing, onna, it's fine."

"Wufei!” Her voice cracked, “Please let’s just get it seen so we can go." His expression softened and he nodded silently. "Only if you let them examine your arm."

Quatre stood and pulled Catherine to her feet. "Let's go. You girls need some rest. I think we're all going to need it for what's to come."

Hilde pushed herself up and nodded, glancing sadly at Duo. She clasped her hands to stop their shaking. "Duo," she whispered. Tense shoulders held their stance for a moment before he slumped. His head drooped. Swinging around, he met her tear stained face with red-rimmed eyes and nodded. Hugging her close, they headed for the door when Catherine pulled from Quatre's arms and turned.

"Trowa?" She questioned hesitantly.

He turned his face from gazing out the window to meet their concerned gaze. " I'm going to stay a bit longer."

Catherine walked over to him. She stopped close enough to see into his eyes. His face might remain impassive, but his eyes were truly the windows into his soul. So sad, so grief stricken, so worried. "Trowa, they’re not going to let anyone but her family see her tonight."

He nodded, "I know. I'll just keep an eye on things tonight and make sure she remains undisturbed. "

Catherine grabbed his hand tightly. "Trowa, you think they might try again, even with all the guards outside?"

He shrugged, "No, I think it was one lone psycho, but this is all I can do for Heero." Trowa gently brushed some of the soot from her cheek. "Go, Quatre will take care of you." Trowa looked up at Quatre, silently waiting until he nodded his promise.

"Trowa."

"Sshssh, go it's all right."

She shook her head. "No, it's not."

He tucked a strand of her hair back. "No, it's not, but all we can do is go on."



She slowly swam to the surface of consciousness; only to encounter total darkness. She truly couldn't understand why she couldn't see. Then it all came rushing back to he. She whimpered, straining to pick up some sign that he was here with he. She laid there, biting her lip to control the panic. "Heero?" She said, her tone hopeful.

"No," came softly. A slight frown creased her brow. "Trowa?"

He started, but then he sighed silently. Perception was just one of Relena's amazing qualities. He had been hoping she would sleep through out the night and the inevitable questions would be saved for her brother. The ‘yes’ reached her after a slight pause equally as silent as his previous answer. Without her eyes, she strained to understand something in his tone. Weariness made sense, sadness was always evident. Trowa wore it like armor. Grief?

"Trowa," her voice cracked thinly. "Where is Heero? O God, tell me Heero is alright." Relena tried to push herself up, fumbling weakly with the covers. The IV tilted crazily as she swung her legs off the bed. "Trowa,” her voice cried, “where is Heero?" She felt his hand and jumped.

"Stop,” he soothed, “and I'll tell you."

She fumbled before grabbing his hand tightly. "Why are you here? Where's my brother? Where is Heero? Trowa, what's going on?,” she trailed off

"Lay back," he insisted, gently extracting his hand. "Do you think Heero would want you hurting yourself anymore than you already are?"

She let him press her back. He straightened her IV and untwisted the covers, smoothing them once more over her body. She felt him move back and made a grab for his hand, once more managing to catch the edge of his sleeve and forearm. He stilled guiding her hand to his. "Please,” she whispered, “you're frightening me. He's all right, isn't he, Trowa? Trowa?"

"Do you want me to call your brother for you and you can talk to him?"

Her hand clenched on his, her nails digging into his skin. "No, I want to know how Heero is."

She felt him sigh. His breath gently teased the strands of hair around her face. "Heero was caught in the blast just as you were. His injuries were much more serious than yours, Relena, they couldn't stop the bleeding."

"No, no, no, no. " She whispered, rolling her head back and forth.

"Relena, I'm sorry." He moved to sit on the bed, careful of her IV. He pulled her close. Once she was settled, he rhythmically stroked her hair, offering her what comfort he could while she cried.




author note: Still not sure where I'm going with this.. But I hope its not boring.