Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Healing Peace ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

I do not own Gundam Wing or its characters…sigh.

HEALING PEACE

That voice. It sounded like her…but it couldn't be. His terror-stricken mind would not let him believe that SHE was here.

"Open your eyes, Heero," the voice instructed. "You're okay now."

Slowly, hesitantly, the pilot opened his eyes. A face swam into focus. "Relena?"

"Yes, Heero," the girl answered calmly.

Sally's concerned face leaned over Relena's shoulder. "Are you alright, Heero?" she asked, concerned.

"I'm fine," Heero answered shortly. He was fully awake now, and any signs of weakness would not be tolerated.

Relena, sensing Heero's unwillingness to talk about his well being, changed the subject. "I just came over to see how you were, and to see if there was anything that you needed," she said brightly. Her eyes, however, betrayed her other feelings. Within their blue depths were traces of worry and concern, and something else that Heero could not discern. The emotions that he saw there confused him, and he quickly looked away.

"No, I don't need anything. You really went to too much trouble, anyway."

"Nonsense!" Relena laughed. "You are my guest."

Heero didn't know what to say to this, so instead he focused on getting up. His muscles had cramped up during his nap, and he couldn't quite hide the grimace of pain that flickered across his face. Sally immediately stuck out her arm to help him, but he brushed it away. In the faint light, Relena could see the bruises that colored his face; they were fading now, but still there nonetheless. His lower lip was still swollen and scabbed, and he had stitches on the right side of his head, closing up what had been a rather nasty cut across his temple. She paled, but said nothing. Heero brushed past the two women and headed toward the living room. Relena watched him as he walked away; his gait was funny, and he limped slightly. The horrified girl turned to Sally, who squeezed her shoulder sympathetically.

"Will he be alright?" Relena whispered to the doctor.

"With time," Sally said. "There are other injuries that you cannot see, and he has stitches in several places as well. When those injuries are healed and the stitches are removed, he will walk easier. He was severely injured, but it is not the recovery of his body that I am worried about."

Sally did not say what she was worried about, and Relena didn't ask. Instead, the girl shook herself, and smiled. "Well," she said. "I came by to visit Heero. I'm going to go and visit with him."

Sally smiled at the optimistic girl. "I've got to leave for a while to get some supplies. He should be okay until I get back. Just don't let him leave, okay?"

Relena nodded. "See you when you get back, then."

She waited until Sally had left, and then she went and joined Heero in the living room. The dark-haired boy was silent, and Relena chose not to say anything, but rather just to enjoy his company. Seeing Heero again, even in such a state, had reawakened feelings inside of her. She knew that she harbored feelings for the pilot, but she also knew better than to reveal them. She was busy pondering over these emotions when Heero spoke.

"I'm sorry to be a burden to you," he said, not looking at her, but choosing instead to stare out the window.

Relena looked at him, surprised. "You're not a burden, Heero. You are my friend, and you needed a place to stay. Friends help each other out, Heero."

Heero turned his glance toward her, startled. "Friend?" he asked.

"Yes, Heero. You're my friend. You and Duo and Quatre and Trowa, and, well, I'm not really sure about Wufei, but I'd like to think that he is…all of you are my friends. And friends take care of each other."

"Friends, huh?" Heero said slowly, looking into her eyes.

"Yes, friends." Relena smiled at the boy sitting across from her.

And Heero smiled back.

* * * *

Sally returned a little while later, and Relena stood up, bidding the other woman and Heero good night. Sally noted with satisfaction the gentle look that came over Heero's face when he told Relena good night. She sighed, however, when it vanished as soon as the girl left.

"Well, what do you say, Heero? Let's get those injuries cleaned up."

The process was not an easy one, but Heero was a cooperative patient. He didn't complain or fidget, even when Sally knew that her actions were painful or uncomfortable. The only sign of pain that he revealed was the fine sheen of sweat that formed over his body as he forced himself to remain quiet. When she was through, she helped him sit up. "Well done, Heero," she told her patient. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to leave now. I'll be staying up at the school should you need anything during the night. I'll see you tomorrow morning, otherwise."

Heero only nodded in response, his breathing slightly heavy.

"All right, then. Good night." When he didn't say anything, Sally smiled once more and left.

When Sally was gone, Heero lay down heavily on his bed. Every muscle in his body ached. Gingerly, he rolled on to his side and closed his eyes. It took a while, but sleep finally came.

* * * *

With the semester over, I have found that I have more time to write. I have also gotten several kind reviews, and I would like to thank those people who made them. I am glad that you are enjoying this story. I could use some suggestions, though. I am kind of stuck about exactly how Heero and Relena's relationship should begin and progress. I mean, I know where I want it to end up, but as far as how to get there…if you have any suggestions, please let me know. Arigatou gozaimasu!