Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Mistaken Words ❯ Confrontations ( Chapter 13 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Mistaken Words

AN: So I hope you all enjoyed these three new chapters, I'll try my hardest not to let so much time go by before I post another!

Thanks again to Pious Knight!! ^_^

" ~ ~ " memory/flashback

Disclaimer: don't own!

Confrontations

~Wufei blinked at the sudden brightness upon leaving the small restaurant, he gave his eyes a moment to adjust to the artificial light—which could be as harsh as the sun—before continuing on his way. He had been on this colony for little over three days, he had been given some time off from the job—forced time off—and he had decided to use this time to enter a martial arts tournament that had been going on.

He did not care about winning, all he wanted was the challenge of something new, an opponent he had never seen before. These were the ESUN's supposed best, and he wanted to see just how good they were. Wufei was pleased to say he had not been disappointed, the fight had proved just the experience he had wanted. Sure, he could easily find a good fight back on earth with on of the other pilots, but they knew each other, knew what to expect, what tactics they used. Here it was new. He had to read each opponent, carefully sharpening that skill which was otherwise left unused on earth.

His onyx eyes scanned the city streets out of habit, and much of what he saw was carefully stored away. He almost wondered what it was like to simply not care, to walk into a store and not count heads, and search out the exits; to simply be able to relax and enjoy life, forgetting that your life had at one time been everyone's target. Yet there were advantages to such honed skills, and it was for those moments that Wufei would never truly wish to be `normal'.

Finishing his sweep of the busy district something caught and held the former pilot's eyes like a magnet. A shadow moved among the crowds, passing without the notice of the people around it. Wufei's breath stopped, hardly believing what he was seeing, the more he looked the more he knew he couldn't possible be mistaken. Unconsciously he took a step towards the apparent apparition, one hand moving to his concealed side arm. Indeed there was no doubt now, the man he had seen shift through the streets was Heero Yuy.

Now hyper-aware of his surroundings, Wufei made to follow the traitor, not wanting to lose sight of him, but at the same time he didn't want Yuy to panic and do something they'd both regret. His onyx eyes studied the traitor, reading him very carefully; he wanted to know as much as he could before actually confronting Yuy. It was literally with the ease of a ghost that Heero moved through the crowds, his small frame never touched anything around him. He moved with the same fluid grace he had possessed during the war, yet there was something else there as well, something in his movements screamed danger. He couldn't quite put his finger on what the change was, they had all been dangerous during the war, and still were now, so what was the difference?

Heero slipped off the main street, seeming none the wiser to the shadow following him, yet Wufei did not delude himself into believing his presence was unknown. As he turned the corner, which opened out to a narrow alley, the Chinese man drew his gun, and brought it up before him. Dark eyes scanned the shadowed lane searching for the slightest signs of movement. The hairs on the back of his neck rose as he stepped across the threshold, he moved on silent feet edging deeper, his gun lead the way finger poised over the trigger. The scrap of a foot against pavement caused him to jerk, ducking to a more defensible position.

He saw a shadow race down an intersecting alley, and he moved follow, not wanting Heero to get far enough ahead that he'd lose him completely. Pressing his back to the metal wall Wufei listened, searching beyond the drone of the colony for any sounds of life. There was nothing, taking a quick glance around the corner, a tiny smile took Wufei's face as he saw the alley led to a dead end. Yuy was caught, justice would finally be served. "I know you're there Yuy," he called studying the alley through the corner of one eye. "There's nowhere else for you to run, give yourself up."

For several moments silence was his only response, and he watched, hoping to see a shadow shift. "You should have continued on, Wufei. . ." a soulless voice called back finally, the echo of his words making it near impossible to pin point his location.

"You have a lot to answer for!" his grip on the gun shifted as Wufei began to mentally prepare himself for what this might come down too. He wanted answers, to be able to understand, but he would not risk letting Heero go free, just for those. If it came down to it Wufei knew he would be ready to shoot the man he had once called friend.

"You always rush into these things," Yuy said, sounding almost as if it was done with a sigh.

Wufei blinked at that statement, but his anger was rising now, and he didn't care to listen to Heero's cryptic responses. "What are you doing here?" he demanded, "Are you planning to assassinate someone else?!"

The silence between them was deafening; not even the voices of the colony's inhabitants could penetrate what hung between them. Wufei chewed at his lip, eyes darting around his surroundings making a mental note of everything he saw no matter how small. At first glance this alley had seemed the perfect place to corner the one time pilot of Zero, it was looking far less so now. He had to assume there was no escape around the corner where Heero waited or else he would have been gone by now. But if pressed could Wufei hold his ground where he was with no cover.

Sure he was around the corner, and for now out of Heero's sight, however the more he looked over what he could actually make out of the alley. The more he came to realise that Heero could potentially move himself up, and gain a position that would leave Wufei a clear target. If that happened he knew he'd have to pull back, allowing the traitor to escape. His ears strained to hear any sound of movement, and out of the corner of his eyes he searched out the place he had last saw Heero's shadow move.

As he watched that spot, noting with small relief that Heero had not moved, he also reached for his cell phone. Flipping it open, he dialled an emergency number, which patched him directly to the policing force on the colony. "This is Talum Police Headquarters, how may I help you?" a pleasant female voice greeted.

"This is Chang Wufei of the Earth Defence Corps. I need police backup, I'm stationed in an alley off the main street, between. . ." in his mind he dredged up the names of the business on either side of the alley. "Nacy's Home Bakery, and `Simple Gratitude' a flower shop of some sort. . ."

"Sir, please this is an emergency line, we don't have time for prank calls," the woman told him calmly and promptly cut the line.

Wufei blinked in shock, swearing violently under his breath his finger already dialling the number again. "This is Talum--"

"Look I don't care who you are, but this is serious! My name is Change Wufei badge number 845271, check your damn computers!" His right eye caught a shift of movement, and he knew Heero was on to him if he hadn't already heard what was being said. Heero had always had really good hearing. "I've managed to corner the terrorist Heero Yuy, and I request immediate back up."

"Right they're on their way. . ." the woman sounded a little flustered now, "You said you were in an alley off of the main street, between Nacy's--"

"And `Simple Gratitude' yes!" He didn't bother with any further conversation but just shut off his phone and slipped it in his pocket. Returning both hands to his gun Wufei tuned out the world behind him and focused solely on the alley before him. "You heard that didn't you, they're on their way you won't be able to escape us this time."

"We want answers Heero!" he called sharply feeling his patience begin to fade, "You're going to have to talk sometime!"

Wufei thought he saw the shadow twitch, but in the dim lighting it was hard to tell if that was actually Heero or not, "I already have."

"What, you mean the `conversation' you had with Quatre?" the word conversation was spat like a curse, "The only thing that told us was we never should have trusted you!"

"You can't take me in yet," Heero's voice dead as it was, sounded tinged with panic at those few words.

"I don't see you getting out of this," even through his anger hurt and frustration, the `yet' of Heero's statement stood out to him as odd. However he was in no mood to consider it now. "Just give yourself up!"

The silence that followed was broken slightly by a soft stream of Japanese, Wufei listened intently but was only able to make out two words, those being `not yet.' In the distance he could hear the sounds of sirens, and he knew time for Heero was running out. An odd sort of anticipation filled Wufei in those brief seconds, as he wondered how the others would react, how this news would be taken world wide. But most of all he wanted the answers, ones he knew they would get with Heero in custody.

Wufei's attention came back instantly as he heard a scratch off to his right, it sounded obvious and loud to his ears; an amateur's mistake, something that should have been well behind Heero. Spinning gun before him, Wufei fired with only a split second glance at his target, he could not afford to let him get away. The bullet penetrated Heero's upper arm, without drawing any reaction from the Japanese man; his dark eyes were utterly lifeless as they stared down his former comrade.

It was in the milliseconds that his bullet was flying to Heero's arm that Wufei, heard yet another shot, and felt two pierce his body, even as his own struck home. Confusion and pain filled him, as his body fell back at the force of the blows ~How had he managed to be so fast?~ Wufei wondered dully, he hadn't even heard the first shot.

A dark shadow fell across his face, and Wufei struggle to see fighting off the pain which threatened to cloud his thinking. Heero's eyes were coated in ice, seeing but letting nothing truly see them. It was hard to say for sure, but it almost seemed that regret floated in their very depths, but that simply couldn't be. Wufei growled in frustration, trying to force himself up, but he could not get his leg or arm to respond to his call, as blood flowed freely from both.

"Help will be here soon. . ." Heero stepped over him, gun hidden. Nothing in his posture even acknowledged his own blood trailing down his arm as he strode down the alley.

"You won't. . .get far. . ." the Chinese man bit out.

Heero halted, despite the sirens, whose screams were growing ever louder. Silhouetted against the harsh colony light Wufei had to squint to see him. One hand clenched into a fist as two words slipped from Heero's lips, barely above a whisper, and all but completely lost to the growing commotion.~

Wufei blinked back the memory, finding himself once more in his room on the shuttle with his two friends. The atmosphere in the room was changed drastically from what it had been just before he had told the story. It had gone from looming determination, to white hot rage, mostly coming from Duo, who paced the room his face an absolute thunderhead. Trowa seemed to have taken the memory a little better, though he was by no means in a good mood, he just preferred to keep it all inside, or at least as much as he could.

Where he sat on his bed Wufei felt really reflective, as he always did upon remembering the last time he had actually seen Heero. It amazed him how crucial moments like those could be etched so completely in his mind. Yet no matter how many times he over looked the memory in all its detail there was still so much that left him puzzled. For starters why had Heero not killed him? Or for that matter Relena? His aim was good enough, of that Wufei had no doubt, so why had he missed?

~You can't take me in yet~

That `yet' still confused him, and no matter how long he sat in silence and contemplated it he could never put sense to it. It tore him up, to not have the answers he so desperately wanted, and much sleep had been lost to him over the last two years from all the time he had spent thinking, or if not that, just being unable to relax enough to give himself way to sleep.

"Wufei. . ."

Blinking in surprise the Chinese man looked up, his thoughts had been turned so deeply, he had been completely unaware that Trowa talking to him. Passing a hand over his smoothed hair Wufei shifted trying to cover his distraction, "Yeah?"

"You never told us what he said before he left," Trowa prompted his face a mask, leaving all to guess at what he was truly feeling.

"Yeah, what did the bastard have to say?!" there was no guessing with Duo, he wanted everyone to know why he was mad, and who it was directed at, all of this burned him deeper that Wufei thought they'd ever really understand.

Internally he winced at their questions, he had hoped that last part would not be picked up by them. It was the one part of the memory that was not one hundred percent clear to him, largely in part to the fact that he was loosing copious amounts of blood and in a great deal of pain. What he had heard he had wanted to believe more than anything; even though the time that had passed since then proved the words a lie. But because his memory of those words was so brittle he did not want to subject it to the blind rage his companions were feeling.

He shook his head slowly, forcing his face into a look of deep concentration, "I. . .can't remember. . ." he lied with what he thought was a natural, and easy flare.

Duo halted in his pacing, turning his blue-lavender eyes on his friend, and a little of his anger left him. "I suppose that makes sense. . .considering what you went through I'm surprised you could remember so much." Only a second passed before Duo began his pacing again, fist clenched into tight knots.

Wufei and Trowa watched their friend for several moments wondering which would happen first, either Duo's rage breaking free, or the metal floor plates wearing away. To their surprise Duo pulled himself to a sudden stop and seemed ready to strike the wall, but he drew a deep breath and turned to face the both of them, "If anyone needs me I'll be in the cockpit." Wufei shared a look with the ever silent clown, before laying back on his bed and closing his eyes.

As much as reliving that event made him want to consider it all the more, he was tired, and sleep was looking very appealing at the moment. But as the seconds slowly and silently passed he knew it wasn't about to happen, at least not yet. Trowa's unwavering gaze rested heavily and pointedly on his prone form. He fought back a sigh without much success, "What is it Barton?" he asked though he didn't want the answer.

"You might have convinced Duo, but I'm not that easily fooled," now he really did sigh. "You know what he said--"

"It doesn't matter," Wufei quickly cut in, he doubted Trowa would leave the matter until he knew ever part of it, but Wufei really didn't want to part with this last piece of information.

Trowa chuckled dryly, "You and I both know it does, or else you would have added it to your retelling."

"Can't this wait till I've had some sleep?" he demanded, his irritation rising, as if to drive the point home on his usually observant friend Wufei took the pillow from behind his head and clamped it over top. For a few blissful heartbeats Wufei let himself dream that Trowa had actually given up, but of course it was not to be, as he felt a distinctive weight settle itself upon his bed, and a hand yank his pillow away.

"You don't sleep until I know everything," Trowa told him firmly.

Wufei pushed himself up, his brow creasing into a glare, as he reached for his pillow, only to have Trowa move it out of reach. A line of dark curses slipped from Wufei's tongue in fluid mandarin, "Just let it go."

"What did he say?" the question was delivered like an ultimatum, Trowa was not about to back down from this.

The Chinese man glared daggers at his friend, his mind remember those whispered words, though he did everything he could to remain out of the moment, and just remember the words. "It sounded like he said it wasn't him. . ."

"And you believe him?!" Trowa was incredulous, his emerald eyes flying wide.

Wufei remained utterly silent, within his own mind he was not entirely sure how to answer such a question. His feelings had been so mixed over the years that he was still at a loss when he thought back on that day.

"He shot her, Wufei!" the taller man growled out, "Quatre saw him fire the shot, and if by some impossible miracle it wasn't him," his tone screamed he didn't believe it, "he could have told Quatre, but he didn't."

They all knew well what Heero had said to Quatre, it had been cold, delivered without a hint of remorse for the girl who lay bleeding. It had all seemed so impossible to hear coming from the lips of the man who they fully believed would one day marry her. And yet Quatre told no lie. It frustrated him that he could not see anything involving Heero clearly, there was simply too much clouding all of their thinking.

Wufei's face was expressionless as he stared at his friend, as much as he wanted all of this solved and out in the open. He couldn't very well try to convince his friend when he himself was entirely too confused by all that had happened. As the moment's slipped by Wufei lowered himself back to his bed, no longer caring, he just wanted to sleep there was always more time to think despite the fact that it didn't get him any further. But he was also most anxious for Relena to wake, and see what happened to her, see how many more puzzlement's uncovered themselves.

Trowa remained where he sat for several minutes, his intense gaze weighing heavily on Wufei's resting form. He hoped now that his friend had made his point he would leave the matter and go, but as the seconds ticked by it did not seem like that would be the case. However the Chinese man was gifted with a surprise, as Trowa handed him the pillow, which he had so childishly stole. Placing it under he head Wufei promptly and pointedly turned his back, letting his eyes fall closed, and his breathing even out.

"It doesn't do you any good, to hold onto false hopes, Wufei. . ." Trowa breathed into the stillness between them. The anger, which before had filled his voice seemed to have receded leaving in its wake a weary exhausted tone. ". . .You'll only be hurt again. . ."

It rather surprised Wufei; the caring quality that was held in those words, especially coming from so reserved a person. Twisting his upper half so he was on his back Wufei regarded his friend with calm onyx eyes. Something in Trowa's expression had changed; he still wore his usual mask, but there was tiredness about his eyes that far out weighed what had appeared in his voice. "It sounds to me like you've had experience with that. . ." he watched his friend's face carefully not really expecting to see any change.

Trowa straightened his face returning to normal, as he looked down at his friend, "No, it's nothing…" he responded, and though he sounded convincing to Wufei's ears, he knew that there was definitely something Trowa was concealing. "Besides, you're tired, I've kept you awake long enough," he made a move to stand, and would have left the room in a flash, had not Wufei caught his arm in a vice grip.

"I'm not too tired to listen," he said quickly pulling Trowa back down to the bed, once he had him sitting he did not loosen his grip, Wufei was determined to get equal answers to the ones he had given. But Trowa seemed in no rush to answer or say anything, he just remained sitting there eyes fixed on the wall across from him, giving no reaction to the fact that he was not sitting there of his own free will. "You got my answers Barton, tell me what you know," for the moment his need for sleep was forgotten as his eyes bore into the side of Trowa's head.

The former pilot of Heavyarms sighed, emerald eyes glancing to Wufei, "You won't let this go will you?"

"Did you let me?"

"This is a little different. . ." the taller man replied rather evasively.

Wufei loosened his grip slightly, feeling that what Trowa said was true, but he was still not about to relent. "Tell me what you can then," he bade; though it was not a demand his voice managed to make it clear that he was not going to be put aside.

"None of you knew this," he began slowly not looking at Wufei, "But since the end of the war, I've been the one Relena would turn to, when she needed to talk."

This struck Wufei, "But I thought that--"

"Would have been Heero?" Trowa cut in, eyes finally turning away from the wall to focus on his friend. "There are just some things she couldn't discus with him. . .I guess she just found me to be a good listener. . ."

"And she's been leaning on you all through these years," Wufei supplied.

"Yeah. . .and I think she's been holding out hope for all of that time. . .I just don't think it ever became reality for her…"

The Chinese man closed his eyes, seeing now where his friend was going, "But it will now. . ."

Trowa nodded mutely, his face turning away once more, watching his profile Wufei could see him struggling with something. It was odd to see so many emotions pass across Trowa's usually blank face, but they warred there now. Finally he turned back his emerald eyes like steel daggers, "There may be much that we don't understand, or that doesn't seem to make sense. But he gave us his answers, the only ones that matter. He's against us."

It was a statement meant to finish the discussion, and it did, Wufei could only watch his friend in silence as he came to his feet and moved towards the door. He had not realised that over the years Trowa had been carrying the burden of two, and seeing now what his friend would have to face he did not envy him the task. Trowa paused at the door, glancing back his face that devoid mask once again, "Get some rest."

***

Trowa's long strides carried him quickly away from Wufei's room, and down the echoing halls. His emerald eyes were downcast focusing more on the metal flooring beneath his feet than the actual shuttle around him. Various extreme emotions coursed through Trowa's veins, on the one hand he could not begin to describe the relief he was feeling now that they had Relena back with them, it was as though the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. However at the same time an even heavier weight had taken its place, he knew he would have to be there for Relena when she woke, he didn't think she'd be able to turn to anyone else. But he was doubting the level of comfort he would be able to offer.

Though he had never faced a situation as potential dire as this one seemed to be, Trowa had always managed to brighten her mood. He didn't know how, he had never seen himself as much of a comforter, but she saw something in him that kept her coming back. In a way he felt honoured, and on more than one occasion had wanted to ask `why?' She was such a sweet creature, and it disgusted him that Heero would attempt to end her life. Trowa halted his thoughts; he did not want to think of that man, he knew it would only succeed in angering him near beyond thought.

As much as they all wanted Relena to wake, so that they would know for sure she was alright, a part of Trowa wanted to get back to earth first. Whenever he came to her, he always brought chocolates; they were a weakness of Relena's that he loved to exploit when she was feeling so down. He did not think she would be up to such a sweet treat when she first woke, but the gesture was as much as boost as the chocolates themselves.

Trowa came to a sudden halt, eyes staring without really seeing at the door that blocked his path. His hand moved of its own accord, fully intending to strike the keypad, he knew who lay behind the door, Relena, the very object of his thoughts. He had not been specifically heading in this direction when he left Wufei, but subconsciously he had ended up here, offering him the perfect chance to relieve some of his fears. Just as his index finger was about to press the key, the door slid opened seemingly of its own accord.

"Oh Trowa!" Sally exclaimed one hand moving to grip her chest; "You scared me."

He ducked his head ever so slightly, "Sorry," he apologised in his soft rich voice. "How is she?" Trowa inquired simply.

"Better than I would have expected. . ." she began softly, "But that's not saying everything it perfect. We'll know better once she wakes," Sally offered him, what he supposed was a reassuring smile. "Trowa I need to step out for a moment, Luc is on his way but would you mind staying with her until he comes?"

"Of course not," he offered her a ghost of a smile, hoping that it would help to lift the dark clouds he could see covering her eyes. Sally smiled in return, though it didn't altogether reach her eyes, and Trowa moved aside allowing her to pass.

She stepped through the door laying one hand upon his arm as she passed, and he saw for the first time what lay beyond it halted his breath, as it had back on the satellite. Relena lay seemingly not alive, surrounded by small machines, which either beeped continually or blinked a sharp little light. Wires ran everywhere and they looked to his eyes to be the broken strings of a marionette, Trowa shuddered back from that line of thought, and quickly crossed the room to Relena's side, reaching out a hand to touch her. Feeling the warmth that assured him of her life.

He sighed in relief, and for a time simply stood there looking down on her small form, it seemed smaller now, than it had before she had left. More fragile if that was possible, but then Relena had always looked as though she were made of glass. This was not to say that she was brittle and could shatter at any second, quite the contrary she was one of the strongest people he had ever come to meet. But this appearance of `frailty', almost seemed to bring people too her, causing otherwise stubborn ears to bend to her words. He admired her a great deal, as he knew all the other pilots did…at least those who were left.

Growling in frustration Trowa raked a hand through his hair, trying to calm himself, as he suddenly felt like putting his hand through the wall. Drawing in a slow and even breath Trowa reached down and took Relena's tiny hand in his own, holding it carefully he was disconcerted at how cold her hand felt to his skin. His callused hands gently began to rub a little warmth back into her skin, while his eyes watched her face hoping to see some form of reaction to his touch. But Relena continued to lay there, unaware of her surrounding, of all the people who worried for her well being.

The door slid opened behind him, and Trowa carefully replaced Relena's hand at her side, as he turned to see Luc standing in the doorway. The doctor's expression was one of surprise, he had not expected to find anyone in the room. Trowa merely nodded to him before he moved away from the bed and took a seat nearby. Luc remained in the door for a moment, hands in his pockets, before he finally walked in. He made his way directly to Relena's side, placing one hand on her forehead while the other took up her wrist.

"I would have thought you'd be resting. . ." Luc commented softly, his pale green eyes glancing Trowa's way.

Trowa watched the man warily; there was something about Luc which put the former pilot on edge. Since first meeting him a year or so back Trowa had had a hard time placing what it was about the doctor that kept him from relaxing in the others' presence. It was in those silent seconds that Luc was considering him from where he stood next to Relena that Trowa finally placed his finger on it. This man gave off the same aura as Sally, that no nonsense attitude, which allowed them to push their luck where others would fear too. Luc had already proven himself a worthy member of Sally's tiny medical staff—the staff that she would actually allow near her pilots—as he had somehow managed to keep Wufei in the hospital for two weeks. And that was a feat even Sally bowed too.

With Luc's eyes continuing to study him in an all too intense way, Trowa almost found himself wanting to get up and leave. But he was not about to give way to this man for nothing more than a look. Finally he shrugged looking none too interested as he leaned back in his seat, "I'd rather wait here and see if she wakes."

A myriad of emotions crossed the doctor's face in only a second's time, and though Trowa could not place them all, he did see among them, frustration, and jealousy. He recovered almost instantly, and offered the former pilot a tiny smile, "Have you not been up for more than two days?"

Trowa did not miss the way Luc's eyes flickered to linger on Relena's still form, it was a quick movement, meant to go unnoticed, but it was all to obvious to Trowa. "If it's all the same to you, I've been up longer working on Relena's guard detail," he smirked ever so slightly as he watched Luc come to grips with the fact that he would not be alone with Relena.

"And just how is it that one so young came to be in Miss Peacecraft's services?" his voice had taken on an air of age and knowledge, as though he were trying to be superior without being obvious. Trowa wasted no time thinking about the question; instead he used that short reprieve before answering to consider this strange man before him. It was clear on first glance that Luc thought very highly of Relena; one did not even have to see the way he looked at her with an almost reverent light to know this truth.

"Skill outweighs age," Trowa told him simply, folding his arms across his chest, and sinking a little deeper into the uncomfortable chair.

"Hmmm. . ." Luc stroked his chin, eyes making yet another swept of Relena, "But that doesn't explain where your skill came from. . ."

"Some people are just born with it."

"Am I to take it that you fought in the war?" the doctor's fingers subtly brushed against Relena's hand; it seemed an unconscious act, and one that caused Trowa's unseen eyebrow to raise in mute question.

The former pilot nodded briefly, "I did play a small part in it."

Luc stared as though seeing the other man for the first time, surely he must have know that would be Trowa's answer, someone with his talent could hardly try to avoid the war. "I doubt I'd be the first to find that hard to comprehend," the doctor responded finally.

"If you were involved in the war, you must know that the best were always the youngest," Trowa told him flatly.

"I made a point of avoiding the war at all costs," Luc told him haughtily, "I spent my time repairing the lives you so carelessly tore apart."

Trowa pushed himself to the edge of his seat, "Make no mistake, nothing I did during that era was careless!" he was rather surprised himself at the venom which saturated his voice.

"I'm sorry," Luc placated, allowing a silence to fall between them.

Slipping back into his seat, Trowa allowed himself to relax, and once more found his eyes resting on Relena, but it was not just her that he found himself contemplating. Now standing in the silence Luc was gazing down at her, seeming to have forgotten that he was not alone in the room. And it all made Trowa think, he knew how hard it would be for Relena when she awoke, and if this doctor could help her, make it through these tough times, by offering someone she might just be able to give herself to. Trowa knew he'd be behind it all the way.

He looked at the pair with a critical eye, and was rather satisfied to say that it was a good match, so long as Relena would accept him. And that was a rather large if, she had been through so much, no one could blame her for wanting to remain closed off and safe. But Trowa had a feeling that Luc was a persistent man, he'd have to be to deal with Wufei, and that might just be what would make this work.

"What do you think they'd possibly want with her?" Luc whispered softly, his voice sounding full of compassion, but there was no missing the steel of his tightly held anger. "She's only ever stood for peace. . ."

Trowa rubbed a hand against the back of his neck, "There's no real way to say until she wakes. This has only happened once before and I'm sure you know what happened then." Luc nodded mutely never taking his eyes off Relena, his hand now open held hers, one supporting it from beneath while the other gently stroked it. "At first we were awaiting a ransom, or a declaration of independence like before. . .but without these I'm not sure what to think. . . "

"Some things you'd just rather not consider. . ." the tone of his voice stated all too clearly that he was considering some of the darkest things imaginable.

"It will all be made clear in time," Trowa offered though he knew it wouldn't comfort the other man. What else could he say, there were scenarios, possibilities he did not even want himself to consider. He now hoped desperately that she woke soon, so they could have their answer.

Thanks for reading!! ^_^

Awakening To Realisations:

"I. . ." she spoke so quietly at first, that Trowa was not sure he had heard, he leaned closer so she would not have to try and raise her voice. "I can't remember. . ." her words trembled but she did not break.

"It'll come back to you," he assured her quietly not know at all if that was true, but he silently prayed it would, they needed it too.

Relena was silent for several moments, and he could feel her working up to something, "Was. . .He there?"

Trowa held back his sigh, and for a time merely gazed at the far wall wondering at how he should answer. Yet he knew the longer he waited the more his silence would simply confirm her fears, "Yes," he told her finally, the word barely more than a whisper.

The breath she released at that moment was near on the edge of a breakdown, he could hear it. Desperately his mind raced trying to think of a way to keep her mind from those thoughts he knew must have been roaming through her head. He pulled a hand away from her, reaching it behind him for the gift he had brought. Slowly he drew it before her eyes, watching as the haunted sadness was gladly overcome by surprise and a special form of love.

She smiled up at him clearly glad for the distraction, "Is this what I think it is?" she whispered as though afraid to break the moment.

"You're favorite," he smiled placing the box in her tiny hands.

Morganeth Taren'drel