"How did it go?"
"It went well, Madame," the dark figure said, bowing.
The woman turned away and scoffed, startling the man before her.
"Well, did it go, you say?" She turned on televidcom.
The man gasped aloud as he saw the frightened and upset face of the still alive Vice-Foreign Minister. As the woman reached to turn it off, the camera zoomed in on a familiar face, though twisted with unrecognizable pain. She caught her breath and outlined his face, whispering to herself. Her face twisted in annoyance as she saw Heero clutching on tight to Relena, and Relena holding him so in her arms so securely.
"Now that we know where he is, we can easily sway his mind to rejoin us. He can't refuse it isn't programmed into the SolChip. Prepare a shuttle for Colony L2!"
"Madame, you wish to go alone?"
"I can handle him. Didn't I handle him before?"
"Yes, Madame, I will prepare a shuttle immediately," the dark figure said, backing away and disappearing.
"No one touches him but me," she seethed into the darkness. ~~~~~
"Relena, is he okay?"
Relena's head shot up at the familiar voice. Her drowsy eyes were bloodshot, her complexion was that of the pale moon, and her body was slumped from the lack of nutrition in the past three days. Relena contemplated on shrugging off the newcomers but thought twice. She offered a weak smile.
"Hi, Duo, Hilde, at least he's out of intensive care. The doctors play a cruel joke on my weak soul by stating…" Relena choked back a sob, "… by stating that he should wake up any moment."
"Oh, Relena!" Hilde said, tearing up.
She sat by Relena and threw her arms around the Vice-Foreign Minister, patting her back. Duo lost his mask as Relena saw a flash of dread cross his face. That was the final straw that made Relena cry. Hilde patted Relena's hair, rocking her back and forth, whispering soothing words to calm the heart-aching storm that brewed inside of her.
"I'll go check on Heero, to see if anything has changed. I'll be back," Duo said in the Terminator voice. He puffed his chest and flung his arms out, fists balled. Duo winked and waddled his way to Heero's room.
The girls managed to get a smile and shake of their head out to Duo's shadow.
"He's so great," Relena sighed.
"I know, tell me about it," Hilde said, sticking her tongue out.
"Oh, hush!" Relena said after a while.
"At least you know he cares for you, and loves you, and protects you, and makes you laugh and smile when you need it most. You're so lucky, Hilde," Relena finished quietly.
Hilde was at a loss for words, and she blushed slightly at the forward comment Relena had made.
"He's a good person deep down inside, and serious," Hilde said solemnly," Everyone writes him off as the jester or the clown, when really… It's Duo that uses the mask Trowa uses."
"Thank you, Hilde, for sharing that with me. I'm sure Duo wouldn't want to tell me that and spoil his reputation, eh?"
"No, I don't think so," Hilde said with a little giggle.
Relena sighed once more, sitting up straight and wiping away the remaining evidence of the salt-watered tears.
"You have no idea how much you've helped me… countless numerous times, Hilde. I love you for that, you and that big braid you call Duo," Relena said, smiling a genuine smile.
"That's what I'm here for! I love you, too," Hilde said, hugging Relena.
"Don't I get any 'I love you's too? Aww, leave me out here… alone… with no one to hug…" Duo sniffled in mock, appearing at the doorway and transforming into a chibi-Duo.
"Ah, you big lug, get over here!" Hilde chided him.
He bounded to them with speed and a big smile, engulfing both of the women in a bear hug. Hilde and Relena played his game by throwing their arms over him and trying to out-bear-hug Duo.
"Oh, oh, enough, enough, I can't take two beautiful women on at the same time! Though it's not a bad position," Duo said, pinching Hilde playfully.
"Ow!" Hilde said, letting go of Duo.
Relena stepped away from them and laughed. The laughter mended some of her open wounds, but new and old wounds were opening alike. 'Thank you' Relena thought to them as she slipped into Heero's room. She closed the door behind her without a creak. Silently tip-toeing and making her way through the dark, Relena stumbled upon a chair. She sat down and wiped her brow, afraid that the doctors or nurses had heard the disturbance. Holding her breath for what seemed like forever, Relena exhaled and inhaled slowly.
Able to locate Heero's still body with her eyes, she shifted the chair closer to Heero. Relena got up, walking across the bare room to open the blinds a tad bit, letting the moonlight highlight her figure. She stared up at the moon, in awe of its' awesome silent power to enchant people. Relena made her way back to the chair, and settled comfortably. Taking Heero's hand into her own, Relena sighed and closed her eyes.
Without her knowledge, Relena descended into a deep sleep, still clasping Heero's hand.
~~~~~
The early dawning of the sun infiltrated the blinds, dancing and prodding about the room in a soft wave of comfort and warmth. The machine next to Heero's bed beeped louder and louder until Heero's fingers moved a bit.
His eyes tried to force itself shut, being blinded by the sun on first impact. Heero closed his eyes painfully and his left hand automatically caressed the wound in his chest. He kicked at the sheets that bound his legs together, making his whole body stuffy and hot. With all that Heero was doing, he didn't once disturb the sleeping Relena.
Everything coming back to Heero in a painful flash, he sat straight up. The tightening of his chest told him better, so he placed himself back on the bed. He sighed and began to slowly open his eyes. His eyes adjusted to the brightness of the white ceiling. He felt someone there, a warm presence, and turned his head to see Relena slumped on the chair, still holding his hand.
Confusion and strange feelings ran through his mind and heart as he observed the woman sitting in his room. He then looked down at his hand, wondering if it was her touch that brought him about.
"So," Heero spoke softly, "you waited for me? Did you think I was going to die that easily?"
He was surprised that he had used a bitter tone on the last sentence. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, then stared at Relena.
"I do not deserve an angel like you," Heero whispered, slowly bringing her hand to his face.
He stopped as her fingers twitched, the blood rushing into them made her hand burn. Relena yawned and groggily sat up, her eyes fluttering open. Her heart made a pitter-patter sound as her gaze rested upon Heero, his intense Prussian orbs staring straight through her soul. Relena tried to mumble sorry and pull her hand away, but with a surprisingly strong grip, Heero had pulled her to him.
Relena sat on the bed, her heart beating faster and stronger.
"Relena."
"Yes?"
"Help me sit up, I know I can't do it alone. I'll just inflict more pain on myself," Heero said.
Relena's eyes widened at his request. Heero would have never said that! Not even to Duo! He had his strength, he had his pride, he had his "perfect soldier" mode. Relena almost trembled at what he asked of her, but her hands shot out in response and steadied Heero into a sitting position.
Heero clutched at his chest, and Relena muffled her sob. As she sat there watching him, her feelings finally came into play. She flung herself on Heero's chest, hurt as he may be, he withstood the pain. Relena's arms snaked their way around his waist and she buried her head in his shoulder.
"Heero! I thought I'd never see you alive again! The doctors said that you'd wake up any minute over the past three days! My hope rose and suffered as each minute ticked by... I was scared... so scared and worried for you..." Relena's muffled voice came out to him.
Heero listened silently, wondering in surprise.
"You stayed with me? This whole time?"
Relena picked herself off of Heero, her arms still around his waist. She nodded her head in response, and met his gaze at eye level. Fresh tears came down her cheeks as she saw him, there, alive!
"Those tears... are they for me?" Heero asked gently.
"Yes, Heero, for you and me..."
'Heero, Heero, am I Heero? Time will unfold itself,' he thought.
Heero took his left hand and wiped away the tears that hung on her face, and she stared deeper into his eyes. Just as the north and south pole attract each other, both found themselves lost in their emotions and drew closer. The gap was closed as Heero sealed a kiss on Relena's lips, locking away yet another unknown treasured secret.