Chapter 6: The Dawn

"Damn," Heero spat when he saw that Dave had disappeared. It would be pointless to search for the runaway in the dark when he still had Relena to look after. Everything that could have possibly gone wrong on his "routine mission" had indeed gone wrong. He had David Bowman's confession and SpinTech's illegal business dealings, but no way to prove them now that his witness was gone. On top of that, Relena was angry with him for taking pleasure in her misfortunes. In reality, his only pleasure of the night was seeing the girl and finding out that she was "available" once again.

Heero sulked on the couch for what seemed like hours, mulling over the disastrous events of the evening. Relena had locked herself in the other bedroom and Heero often felt tempted to check on the girl, but knew that he had better give her some time to cool off.

Sure enough, as the night drew slowly to a close and dawn's soft light was beginning to filter through the windows of the apartment, a "click" sound was heard and the door to the bedroom cautiously creaked open.

Heero, who was resting and not facing the door, opened his closed eyes at the sound, but made no noticeable move. He just sat on the couch with his arms crossed and head bowed, looking as if he were sleeping.

"I never could stay angry at you for long," Relena's voice surrounded Heero's being like silk.

He glanced sideways at her and she settled her lean form on the cushion next to him and stared blankly in front of her. Although he noted she had been crying, she had done a good job of composing herself. She looked tired, pale, and hurt, but was still strong in spirit, determined in will.

"So here we are, once again," the girl stated and then sighed deeply.

Heero stayed silent.

"I haven't seen you in seven years."

The young man simply nodded.

"A lot can happen in seven years," the girl reflected to herself.

"I can see that," Heero stated through clenched teeth, thinking of Relena with Dave.

Relena noticed this and turned to face him, knowing precisely to what he was referring. "And what exactly was I suppose to do, Heero? Refuse every man I met because I fell for someone in my youth?"

"No. I can understand that," Heero said very calmly, although by looking at his face, Relena could tell there was still something bothering him.

"What's the matter, then?" Relena asked.

"You moved in with him," Heero stated very quietly, looking down at the ground.

"And all of my person affairs are your business?" she questioned hotly, rising from her seat.

"I thought you had better morals than that," he said harshly, rising as well.

"Look, this is none of your business, but let's get this out in the open right now. Yes, we lived together. No, we never slept together. Dave respected that I wanted to wait until marriage. Not many guys would do that. My morals were always very high, thank you very much. Are you happy now?" Relena glared at Heero.

"Yes," he said barely above a whisper, with a look of utter surprise. Relena had never seen such shock on his face, and was that--relief?

"How dare you presume such things," Relena said to him in an offended voice, but was actually rather pleased. Heero Yuy had always seemed possessive of her, but he was her protector. Could she have meant something more?

"I can see you are angry, I'll leave you be," Heero said as he proceeded to go in the other room.

"I was never yours, you know," Relena pointed out before he could leave. "You never cared for me that way."

"You were always out of my reach," Heero told her.

"I was never out of your reach until you walked away," she said sadly.

Heero now stood very quietly. He looked to be in great thought, yet his rich blue eyes were wide with wonder. Relena gazed at him secretly. His face seemed kinder now, if that was all possible. His features looked older, yet held that same innocence of his youth. He was a boy of purity and destruction, a fact that had always intrigued her. Now, in his twenty-three years, he was still an enigma, still handsome, still deadly.

"I would have died," he said softly.

"What are you talking about, Heero?"

"So many times I would have died if it weren't for you." He paused, gathering his thoughts. It took a lot for him to say this. He never would have admitted such things to her in his youth, but now, looking back on his missed opportunities, he thought otherwise.

"My life was worthless," he explained. "The world disappointed me, I cared for nothing. But then you…you were my--" he searched for the word, it was hard for him to say it, "Friend."

He had never realized it before, but he knew it now. Relena had awakened something in him. She had shown him friendship and kindness when he was undeserving. All those years ago, she had given him his life back, his humanity, with her love.

"I lived for you," Heero told her. "I just wanted you to know that," he said as he turned his back and slowly proceeded out of the room.

"Please, wait!" Relena called to him. He stopped and turned to face her, his eyes soulful and wanting.

"I had always hoped I meant something to you," she began. "But you would never let me get too close. I understand, you're a dangerous man. But friendships span distance, they stay strong throughout time. I thought I had lost you. Are you telling me now, that after all these years, you still think of me? You still--"

"I live for you still," Heero confirmed, his deep voice filled with determination, although as seemingly monotonous as ever.

And as he said those words, there was nothing more she could do. The sobs racked her body before she even realized she was crying. She knew that Heero Yuy admitting she was his "friend" was the equivalent of a passionate kiss, in his world. Relena crumbled, her knees slowly giving way before Heero rushed over to her.

He caught her falling frame and simply cradled the girl. It was all too much for her, he realized. In the past twenty-four hours, he had suddenly appeared in her life, caused her to break up with her boyfriend, and announced his most intimate feelings to her…

It was all too much for her, Relena decided. It had taken her years to forget him, years to move on, and years to convince herself that Heero Yuy had never cared for her. And now, he had just declared that she was his reason for living!?! Relena was a sea of emotions, her thoughts and feelings crashing into one another like tumbling waves. And he was holding her, too! Relena suddenly noticed the amazing fact that Heero Yuy had his arms around her and reveled in his warm embrace.

"I missed you," she breathed. It was the only thing she could think of to say to him.

Heero would never have been so bold as to go over and hug Relena himself. But because the girl had been falling and his heroic instincts were to catch her, Heero know found himself pressed close to her. Since such an opportunity might not present itself again, Heero drew closer to the girl to comfort her, and by instinct, nuzzled his head on her shoulder, smelling the faint scent of wildflowers in her hair. Her allure was intoxicating, but his mind of a soldier finally taking over, Heero quickly moved to detach himself from the beauty, for he was sure he would have drowned in soothing energy of her touch.

It was morning now, and with the coming of the dawn, the barrier of seven years of emptiness, loneliness and regret between the two kneeling figures slowly crumbled away. Relena sniffled slightly and wiped away a tear, looking sheepishly down at the floor. Heero was content to just gaze upon her breathtaking form. A healing of wounded hearts had occurred in the silence of their embrace. The auras of both souls blazed, once again united, as a new day washed away the darkness of the night.

<><><>

AN: Yay! There's some H x R action for ya. I hope everyone is enjoying this so far.