Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Mistaken Words ❯ Pictures on the Wall ( Chapter 40 )

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

Mistaken Words

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing

Pictures on the Wall

“How do you want to proceed from here?” Dante asked from where he lounged on the comfortable couch, Une's head shot up at the sudden question. Her heart skipped a little at the sound of his deep voice, and she prayed none of the blush she felt showed. “In regards to the Inner Circle,” Dante clarified with a subtle smile. Damn him, he had noticed, he had eyes like a hawk.

Une cleared her throat taking a second to gather herself, she wasn't about to let this man play her. As much as she liked Dante and would like to be closer to him, she refused to act like a school girl with a crush. She wasn't about to let Dante draw another reaction like that from her. “For the time being I see no reason to make any move against them,” she said calmly but not too professionally, she didn't want him to see how much that had really affected her.

“I don't understand, we know where they are. Why let this continue?” he asked leaning forward in his chair any thoughts of flirting apparently fleeing his mind.

Une reached for the teapot that had been seeping for the past several minutes and poured each of them a cup. She was grateful to have this day with Dante before the real work of the conference began, all too rarely was she able to indulge in such relaxing company. “It's imperative that this is completely legal. Not only that; I don't want to risk the peace any more than we have to. The last thing I want is a mass panic.”

“That makes sense,” Dante agreed, accepting his cup from Une and once more settling back on the couch.

“With the Inner Circle's unusual set up, there's no easy way to follow the members to the head, we've been working on a list, as you know, but haven't made any serious progress. Were we to go in now, there's a great chance we'd lose out on the leaders,” she took a slow sip of her tea, secretly enjoying the way Dante's eyes studied her both listening to what she had to say while still seeing her, not a military or political leader, but a woman. “Right now, our best bet to get all of them would be to lock down the colony and search every member one at a time for the brand, a massive undertaking. I'd like to take more time to gather more information, from both your colony and Heero if he's able to remember anything else of importance.”

“You realise it may still come down to a colony-wide search. Your research may yield nothing,” Dante warned seriously.

“Yes, I'm aware of that,” Une nodded with equal professionalism, but she couldn't miss the opportunity to catch Dante off guard. Reaching down to take hold of the tea pot Une smiled slightly to herself as she poured a cup for herself and Dante, “Perhaps the search should start here…” she suggested with her own subtle flirting tone, pleased at the raised eyebrow, and slight redness on Dante's handsome face.

“Am I to take it, you don't trust me?” he asked with mock hurt, accepting the cup of tea.

“Oh it's not me,” Une amended quickly leaning back with tea cup and saucer, “But I've heard some talk…”

Dante slowly nodded his head sipping at his tea as though this were a normal conversation, “Ahh…and what would it take to placate these people?” it was such a careful dance, each new step unknown to them until it came, did they want to make the next move? Une thought so, Dante's continuous flirting sure seemed a sign of it.

“Perhaps visual proof that you're unbranded, might help…” Une couldn't believe the words coming out of her mouth, but she also couldn't deny her want to see the body beneath the business suit, her imagination after all could only do so much.

With a look that was impossible to read Dante placed his tea aside and reached for the carefully made knot of his tie loosening it with a suggestive smile. Une held her breath in anticipation as Dante slipped his coat off his shoulders, he didn't bother pulling the tie from beneath his caller but left it to hang there as he slowly worked away at the buttons. All the while his blue eyes remained on Une's face, a dancing light within them, that appeared to say, `You asked for this, you'd better enjoy it.' Une kept her gaze unwavering as Dante's shirt began to part revealing a well toned chest beneath.

She had expected no less from him, he had always appeared fit, like Treize had, he who Une had seen shirtless more than once. Such images had filled her dreams for many years, had haunted her forever remaining just beyond reach. They were memories Une wished to retain, but no longer wanted to be so fresh, she could not live in the past forever, she could not dream of what would never be, and she certainly couldn't continue to compare Dante to Treize. Dante was an entirely different man, a man who showed interest in her in an almost open way no one ever had before.

Shifting to the edge of the couch he was sitting on Dante spread his shirt away from his chest, revealing clearly two very well defined pectoral muscles unmarred by any brand. “Would this be far enough?” Dante asked glancing down at himself before his eyes returned to her face, “Or should I continue?” his tone was very suggestive.

Une was proud that her expression remained almost normal, no unusual blushing, though she was positive she looked appreciative. Internally her mouth had gone dry, and she had to work at keeping her thoughts in order. For his part Dante wasn't making this any easier for her. In fact he actually seemed to be enjoying himself. He shifted subtly on the couch, drawing Une's eyes like a moth to the flame. She shook her head, coming out of what felt like a trance, What am I doing? she wondered suddenly feeling embarrassed by her actions. It wasn't right, what they were doing, she hadn't thought about it before now, but she felt guilty, like she had let herself go when she should have known better.

With some effort Une pulled her eyes away from Dante's impressive body, still clearly seeing him in her mind's eye. Clearing her throat Une took a long sip from tea trying to refocus her thoughts. “That ought to be enough to silence any critics,” she answered finally cursing the blush that touched her cheeks, “I realise it's going to take a great deal of time and man power to accomplish this mission,” Une said a little haltingly knowing full well that it sounded awkward, there was just no easy way to move back to their original topic. “We know that they're planning to rebuild Zero, but without Heero their progress will be slowed, they aren't likely to make a move without the Gundam so we have a fair amount of time.”

“I can monitor some of their movements, there's no way I can see inside the bunker but I can monitor who goes in, I may be able to add more names to your list,” Dante responded after a moment a barely audible sigh escaping him, he actually looked disappointed.

Une smiled in what she hopped didn't look to obviously like relief , “That would certainly help, but be careful not to tip them off, the last thing we want is them running into hiding.”

Dante offered her a smile of his own, entirely disarming, “You know how subtle I can be.”

“I'm very much hoping Heero will be in a position to help with the closure of this case,” Une continued choosing to ignore the flirting undertone in Dante's voice. “After all the effort and time he's given to this mission it seems only fitting that he be a part of its end.”

“A fair suggestion,” he agreed with a nod of his head, “And if I may make one of my own?” he asked coming to his feet.

Une looked up at him feeling her heart skip once again in her chest, but she managed to keep a neutral expression , “And that would be?”

Dante extended a hand to Une, which she slowly accepted allowing him to draw her smaller form to her feet, “Such days were not designed for business,” he pulled her close. Une felt suddenly surrounded by him, as she looked up into his blue green eyes, “At least not that sort of business.” He leaned down tentatively touching her lips with his own, a gentle kiss which could give way to so much more, but always the gentleman Une knew she had her hand on the key, it was her choice to turn it.

Une's smaller hands reached inside Dante's open shirt a smile touching her lips as she opened the door without hesitation.

WMWMWMW

Heero rose from a half sleep when he heard a knock on his door. He had been up very early this morning when Trowa had come in to see him, and had not slept much after that. The day before had been a good one for Heero, having spent almost the entire day with his friends and Relena, Heero had found himself feeling more relaxed than he had in a long time. Not only that, but Duo had come back to the banter he remembered so well, a very welcomed change from how he had been acting lately. A part of him had wished Trowa could be a part of the camaraderie, but at the same time he wasn't willing to give up his secret to all of them, not yet.

Trowa's mood on entering Heero's room that night had been interesting to say the very least. He had obviously gone through the computer files, seeing the footage from earlier in the day when the others had been here. “Gun Fairy?” he had asked, deadpan, with one eyebrow raised. Heero had only been able to shrug at that.

“'Morning Heero,” Quatre greeted, softly pulling Heero out of his thoughts and back into the present. Surprised to see the former pilot, Heero's eyes looked to the clock on the wall. It wasn't even seven in the morning. “I hope I didn't wake you,” he apologised coming a few steps closer, “I just wanted to speak with you alone, and the conference convenes at nine.”

“I wasn't sleeping,” Heero told him easily. It was at least half true, but that didn't matter. He'd take seeing a friend over sleeping in a heartbeat.

Quatre looked a little unsure of himself then, and appeared to force himself to take another step towards Heero's bed. The Japanese man could see what was about to come, and had to fight himself to keep from sighing. “Heero I--”

“Don't say it,” Heero cut him off firmly. The last thing he wanted was an apology, he had received enough to last a lifetime. “How are things in the colonies?” he asked changing the subject swiftly. The young president blinked several times looking terribly unsure of himself, “The past is behind us,” Heero went a little further to assure, “I want to know what's happening now.”

Very slowly a smile spread across Quatre's face at that. There was still regret clear in his aqua eyes, but he appeared to be able to work around it. “Peaceful, thankfully,” he began crossing the last two steps to Heero's bedside so he could take a seat on the edge of the bed. This felt familiar to Heero, though he knew if ever Quatre had sat watching over him in a similar way it had not been in a hospital. “The delegates from the colonies think I should marry…” he slowly shook his head, “I don't think they realised I just recently turned twenty.”

“What about your sisters?” Heero asked grateful that the conversation had been able to move on.

Quatre chuckled at that, “Depends on who you ask,” he said with a rueful smile, “Some are all for it, they want to make sure the family name lives on, others…” Quatre shrugged, “They don't want to give up their baby brother just yet. Since they're all spread over the colonies, when I visit diplomatically I'm either dodging potential wives all night or surrounded by family friends.” Heero was glad he wasn't in such a position, he was having a hard enough time just with Relena. “Have you heard from Trowa at all?” Quatre asked then rather suddenly.

Heero shook his head without hesitation, “No, why?” silently he waited for the reply, wondering if Quatre would be able to call his bluff, of all the people he had ever met Heero had never known anyone to read people more accurately than Quatre. It was like he could see right through them and feel their emotions, almost like a form of empathy, an amazing gift but one that might prove the down fall of Heero's secret.

“I've been having a hard time getting a hold of him, almost like he's avoiding me,” Quatre's eyes turned downwards, and Heero breathed a very silent sigh of relief.

“I doubt it's that,” he offered, knowing the real reason boiled down to Trowa needing to find some time to be sleeping, what with protecting Relena, working with his sister at the circus and coming in to see Heero, it was hard to balance everything.

“I hope so I'd really like to speak with him before I have to go back.” Quatre smiled though it looked forced.

“How long is the conference for? A week?” Heero seemed to remember hearing that somewhere but he wasn't positive he had just assumed that was it's length.

“Yes, there's a lot to discuss and establish now, but I think it will all go smoothly, with less players involved its easier to cover all the big problems,” he sounded hopeful. His eyes looked to Heero in the silence that followed, “Did you enjoy yesterday?” Heero responded to that with a tiny smile, “Good, it felt like old times.”

“I missed that…” Heero said very softly.

Quatre looked down at his hands, “I should have realised what you meant--”

“We're not doing this,” he cut his friend off again, his tone forceful.

“I don't understand,” Quatre looked up remorse clear in his eyes, “The others apologized, why can't I?”

“Because you already did…”

The young president straightened at that, his eyes widening, “I came to speak with you just after you had been moved into this room…” he reasoned slowly, more to himself than Heero, “You heard what I said? You were awake?”

Heero's memories from that time were fuzzy to say the very least, but there was a strong memory of Quatre's voice speaking softly to him, “I heard you,” he finally told him.

Quatre's expression changed at that, relaxing allowing a tiny smile to touch his lips, as he sighed in relief, “Good.”

A knock sounded into the room then, and both looked over to the door watching as Wufei walked in, Heero was the first to turn his gaze away. He had been expecting this appearance but had not been looking forward to it. Wufei carried with him a container of food, what was supposed to be Heero's breakfast, but Heero could honestly say he wasn't hungry for it.

“Good morning Wufei,” Quatre greeted standing.

“Morning,” the Chinese man nodded, “Wasn't expecting to see you in so early,” he commented for the moment placing his container aside.

“I just wanted a moment to speak with Heero alone,” he glanced down at his watch, “But I should probably be on my way, the conference doesn't start for more than an hour, but some might wonder why I'm not there ahead of time.” Quatre turned to Heero, “I'll try and come see you again before I have to go back.”

Heero mutely nodded at that, watching Quatre walk from the room, leaving him with just Wufei and the food. “You hardly ate anything yesterday,” Wufei said slowly sounding almost as though he were preparing himself for a fight.

Not feeling sleepy any more, but at the same time not in the mood to be eating Heero's eyes looked for something to stall the inevitable at least for a little while. His cobalt eyes fell on the chess set and he looked to Wufei, perhaps he'd feel more inclined to eat after a game. “Chess?” he asked simply.

Wufei was fast to nod to that request, “I win you eat it all, you win, you at least eat half.” he stated. He had laid out his terms, which Heero agreed to, he didn't really care what happened at the end, it was the game the challenge he enjoyed. The fact that something was riding on the outcome only enhanced the game.

WMWMWMW

Ash stepped from the shower late in the day. He had spent the entire morning and a small stretch of the afternoon catching up on some much needed sleep. He had also thought it might be a good idea to give Heero a little time to himself. The Japanese man had always been a solitary person, as much as he missed his friends it must have difficult to deal with people for so much of the day. Raking both hands quickly through his wet hair, Ash sent flecks of water spraying everywhere as he walked from the bathroom with nothing but a towel wrapped about his narrow waist.

He and Dante both had been given beautiful accommodations in the royal palace, welcomed into the home of king Milliardo Peacecraft. A great honour to be sure, but one Ash cared very little about. He respected the man formally known to the world as Zechs Merquise, but with the knowledge of Heero, everything else paled beside it. There came a soft knock on his door to the main room of his apartment, as Ash strode over to it he forgot for the moment his present state of undress. Opening the door he was met by Dante's smiling face, the expression slipped a little when he really looked at his friend, “A little late to be just getting up wouldn't you say?” he asked stepping into the room as Ash shut the door behind him.

Ash calmly folded his arms across his chest and leaned back against the door, “You just can't be pleased can you?” he returned with mock frustration. “You complain if I don't sleep, you complain if I do sleep,” he slowly shook his head lips twitching with the need to smile.

“Ash it's almost four in the afternoon, correction make that evening,” Dante laughed.

“Your point?” Ash pushed himself off the door and walked deeper into the room to a table that displayed a number of carafes all filled with various alcohols, taking hold of one he poured himself a glass, “What some?” he asked Dante with his back to him.

“No thanks,” Dante declined politely. Ash turned around to face his friend and leaned back on his hand propping him up on the table as he slowly sipped at the rye. “Are you heading into see Heero?”

“Yeah,” his eyes flickered to the clock, “Thought I'd head out in a little while.”

“Why so late?” Dante stepped towards an elegant looking chair and lowered himself down into it.

Ash slowly shrugged his bare shoulders, “Just thought he might like a little time to himself.”

“Ahh…” Dante breathed slowly nodding his head, “How's he doing? I've been given all the medical information, but Une wasn't able to tell me beyond that.”

“Depends on the day,” Ash responded slowly finishing off the glass, he liked the feel it gavehim as the liquid slid down the back of his throat. “He's got a long road ahead of him, and knowing that bothers him I think, doesn't help that the other pilots have a hard time acting relaxed around him, but I've been working on that,” he smiled.

“Quatre was telling me you fit right in there,” Dante informed watching Ash from his chair resting his head on one fist.

Ash laughed at that, “I do my best, though I've got a lot to compete with. They've got a lot more stories about Heero than I do, it requires a little creativeness on my part.”

“You mean outright lies?”

“If the need should arise,” Ash defended smirking, “So what brought you here?” he asked seriously.

Dante stood from the chair and walked to within a couple steps from Ash, “I thought Heero's room looked a little stark when I was in there,” he began reaching into the inside pocket of his suit removing an envelope. “I thought you might want to liven it up a little bit,” Dante passed the item over to Ash.

Looking at his friend with some confusion Ash quickly opened the envelope finding within all the pictures he had taken and posted on Heero's wall back in his apartment. A wide smile broke out across his face as he looked up as Dante, “Why do you have these?”

“I had thought to show them to Une as part of the agreement, but considering what happened they slipped my mind,” Ash's face reddened a little at that holding the envelope a little tighter in his hands.

“Thank you,” he told his friend honestly, already trying to imagine Heero's reaction to this.

Dante placed a hand on Ash's shoulder, “Any time,” with that he moved back towards the door. “Tell Heero I said hello,” he tossed over his shoulder as he walked from the room.

Ash smiled to himself as he pulled the small amount of pictures from the envelope and began looking through them, he had memorized each of them over the time he had searched for any news on Heero, but that didn't stop him looking them over again. There certainly weren't enough to make a big change to Heero's room, that had been true of the apartment, but Ash hadn't had a chance to add to them. Perhaps now with the help of the other pilots and John he might just be able to fill a space with pictures of Heero. Clutching the pictures Ash slipped them away, and headed towards his room to get dressed, he couldn't wait to see Heero's face.

WMWMWMW

Ash strode down the hall to Heero's room, the envelope Dante had given him held tightly in his hand. He stopped outside of the room, an idea occurring to him. It was an opportunity he hadn't had back on the colony. A smile spread across his face as he bypassed Heero's room and instead walked into the one next to it. Wufei looked up from the computer he had been working on, a surprised look on his face. “I didn't think you were coming in today,” he said pushing his chair away from the table.

“I just thought I'd give him a bit of a breather,” Ash explained coming to a stop on the other side of the table.

Wufei slowly nodded to that leaning back in his chair and folding his arms across his chest, “Not so sure you need to worry about that.”

“Oh?” that raised an eyebrow.

“He's been by himself for so long, I think he's just enjoying have people around for the first time,” the Chinese man smiled a little at that, “He's been waiting for you.”

Ash gave a start at that, and laughed a little, “I never would have expected that.”

“So what brought you in here first?” Wufei asked suddenly changing the subject.

“I was wondering if you had any pictures of Heero, they don't have to be just him,” Ash brought forward the envelope and pulled his few pictures from it laying them out of the table before the other man.

Wufei sat forward in his chair taking the pictures into his hand to have a closer look at each one, “Where did you get these?”

“Anywhere I could find them,” Ash laughed softly, “I had them up in his apartment, he needed some decoration there, you'd hardly know he even lived there.”

“And he kept them up?” it was Wufei's turn to raise an eyebrow.

“To my total amazement,” Ash nodded.

“Well,” Wufei began passing the pictures back to Ash, “None of us were really into taking pictures, I'm sure I could track some down given enough time, but you could ask Sally, I seem to recall her having a camera on several occasions.” He stood glancing down at his watch as he did, “She should be in her apartment.”

Ash followed behind the Chinese man as he lead the way from the room, feeling excitement bubble up within him at the thought of getting his hands on some more pictures. Wufei led him down the hall and knocked on one of the several doors that lined either side of the hall. They waited together in silence for several minutes, sounds from the other side of the door telling Ash that Sally was indeed in her apartment. The door opened to reveal the young doctor, and Ash watched as her expression changed immediately from neutral to worried.

“Is Heero alright?” she asked instantly, her eyes looking from Wufei to Ash.

“He's fine,” Wufei assured, and turned a little to include Ash in the conversation, “We just wanted to know if you had any pictures with Heero in it?”

That caused a pause, and Ash watched with a tiny smile as Sally visibly switched gears, her shoulders relaxing a little. He wondered why she became so tense when Heero was mentioned, but wasn't about to ask. “I think I might have something…” Sally breathed as she stepped back into her apartments letting them follow behind.

Ash glanced about her apartment, the room being lit by the slowly setting sun, many pictures lined the walls, but he noted few were personal the vast majority appeared to be landscapes and paintings. Sally had moved to a long, low shelf that was against the far wall displaying various books and other small items one would expect to find on display. She removed a photo album from the shelf and began flipping through it, Wufei watched from over her shoulder. “What sort of things are you looking for?” she asked glancing at Wufei.

“That would do,” he said pointing at something on the page, yet Ash was unable to see what they were pointing at and it only perked his curiosity more.

“What is this for exactly?” she asked then removing several pictures from the album, and glancing at Ash who remained standing near the door.

Ash smiled, “Just livening up Heero's room,”

Sally's expression was odd, but Ash couldn't really say what he was looking at, but she walked towards him with a few pictures in hand, “Well I hope these help.”

He took them eagerly eyes fixing on the first image, it was a picture of Heero along with Wufei, Trowa, and Duo, they were all wearing the same outfit looked like some form of uniform. After a moment of staring at it Ash recognised it as the uniform they wore when protecting Relena. He had seen several news articles and broadcasts where one of more would appear around her in such an outfit. The next picture was of Heero and Duo, though it wasn't clear where the picture had been taken Duo had his arm draped over Heero's shoulders, a winning smile on his face, Heero, no surprise, looked disgruntled. A third picture was of Relena. She was sitting at a banquet table obviously speaking animatedly to those around her; but it was the background that Ash focused on, Heero stood almost completely in the shadows. His expression was blank but Ash could tell his friend's eyes were on Relena.

“No one has any pictures of those two kissing?” he asked looking up at Sally a Wufei.

Wufei smiled a little at that, “Their relationship wasn't really a public thing…” he shrugged, “We were holding bets just to see if someone could see them together.”

“Hmm…” Ash considered that taping the new pictures on envelope of the old, “We might just have to change the bet…”

The Chinese man looked intrigued by this, “I'd be up for that, but it'd be best to give them a little more time.”

“Fair enough, then what? Everyone puts in a hundred?” Ash asked with an evil smirk.

“At the very least,” Wufei replied looking eager.

Sally glanced between the two of them, “And neither of you two care that he'd kill the two of you if he knew you were even considering this?” the question was spoken in dry tones, her arms folding slowly across her chest.

“It only heightens the challenge in not getting caught,” Ash returned brightly. “Thanks for the pictures, you wouldn't happen to have any tape I could put them up with?”

“I think I might…” Sally turned away walking from the room.

“Quatre probably has a fair number of pictures, but it'll take a little while to get them here,” Wufei mused while they waited, “It would also be worth asking Relena, I'd imagine she'd have quite a few.”

“I'll have to remember to ask her,” Ash smiled he would have rubbed his hands together if he hadn't been holding the pictures.

Sally came back into the room a role of tape in her hand, “Here.”

Ash offered a smile of thanks, as he accepted the offered item, “You'll have to come by sometime and see it.” Sally's expression faltered then, and Ash really would have liked to know why she looked so unsure of herself. It made him wonder what he hadn't been told about all of this and why?

“Thanks Sally,” Wufei filled the silence moving back towards the door bringing Ash along with him.

Once out in the hall and the door closed behind them, Ash turned to face Ash, “What's her problem?” he asked still keeping his voice quiet.

Wufei glanced back at the door, before he started walking back the way they had come, “Guilt same as the rest of them,” he brushed the matter aside, Ash didn't believe that was all, but decided to leave it at that.

Ash split off from Wufei once they reached Heero's door, the Chinese man returning to the room he had been in before as Ash reached out to knock on Heero's door. He found himself half hoping Heero would be asleep, and not just because his friend needed it, but also because he thought it would be more fun to see Heero's reaction once the pictures were up. Having waited a moment after knocking Ash punched in the code and walked quietly into the room unable to believe his luck when he saw that the Japanese's eyes were closed.

Heero's breathing was even if not deep, but it appeared as though he was actually sleeping. Smiling to himself, Ash walked deeper into the room. He was careful not too be too quiet but at the same time not to make too much noise. Knocking something over could wake Heero just as fast as too many small random noises. Ash stood several steps inside the room just looking at the walls for the first time, trying to decide where best to put the pictures. It didn't take him long to settle on the wall across from the end of Heero's bed, it was empty except for the clock, and Heero would easily be able to see it.

WMWMWMW

Heero had woke to the sound of someone knocking on his door, and he had roused himself enough to discover who was going to come walking through that door. He knew the person would be no threat, but despite himself his right hand gripped the gun a little tighter, as he felt the person walk into the room. Almost immediately he recognized Ash. Heero had woke several times over the years for one reason or another with Ash present in the room. Heero found it similar to waking with Trowa in the room or any of the pilots for that matter, he could easily relax and go back to sleep.

That thought stopped Heero, when had he come to trust Ash so completely? Try as he might to pinpoint a time when it had happened Heero couldn't. Ash had worked slowly and deliberately, showing on more than one occasion just what a stubborn man he could be. Heero relaxed his grip on the gun, content to go back to sleep with Ash in the room, but soft noises pulled him back. It was clear Ash was trying to be undisruptive as he worked, but it was what he was doing that kept Heero from sleep, not the noise he was making.

Slowly opening one eye, Heero focused on Ash's form where he stood near the wall at the foot of the bed. His body was blocking Heero's view, which only caused his curiosity to peek. Opening his other eye Heero watched in silence and listened as Ash actually began to hum to himself rather softly. “You weren't supposed to wake until I was done,” Ash said looking back over his shoulder at Heero, an evil smile on his face.

“My apologies,” Heero told him dryly.

Ash laughed at that but turned back to the job at hand still shielding Heero's view, his eyes flickered to Heero every now and again, “So…” he began slowly and Heero could hear the smile in his voice, he knew what was coming. “How are you feeling?” without fail, Ash asked him that every time he came in the room.

Heero rolled his eyes debating his options at the moment, there weren't that many to choose from, and he knew if he waited too long…

“Silence isn't an acceptable answer,” Ash threw over his shoulder as though he had been reading Heero's thoughts.

“What the hell do you want to hear?” he asked as his left hand reached up to massage the skin above his eyes, that persistent headache had returned again.

Ash looked back at him face completely serious, “Just the truth,” he said simply.

“I've been worse,” he answered honestly.

“It might be sad, that I don't find that entirely hard to believe,” Ash spoke more to himself than Heero as he finally stepped away from the wall allowing the Japanese man's eyes to see for the first time what he had been doing.

Heero recognised instantly the pictures Ash had hung on his wall from several years back. He had all but forgotten about them with all that happened since the day they had been pulled off the wall. But there were more now among them, ones he had never seen before, or at the very least, couldn't remember. His eyes worked over them all again and again, trying to understand what he was feeling on seeing them. They were small flashes of time, happy times even when he had been with Ash, and life had been hard, tiny reminders of moments he would never want to forget. He couldn't put words to the emotions that passed through him on seeing a picture of him and Duo together, a display of the friendship they had shared, and still did.

It was a goal he decided, to make it back to that spot, back to the friendship he had had, and had never actually thought he'd need. It was clear to him now how wrong he had been. Heero's eyes slowly looked to Ash, and he found a triumphant smile on his friend's face, “I'm glad you like it,” he said brushing his hands off to signal a job well done.

WMWMWMW

John walked into the monitoring room next door to Heero's carrying a small cooler in one hand, his brown eyes were a little surprised to see Wufei sitting in the room. The Chinese man was seated behind the desk onyx eyes focused intently on the computer screen before him, though he did look up briefly when John entered the room. He moved deeper into the room glancing over Wufei's shoulder as he placed the cooler down on the edge of the table, “Chess strategies?” he questioned an eyebrow raised.

Wufei looked up with a dry laugh, “Getting Heero to eat has come down to a chess game every time, where at the very least he ends up eating half of what I bring him.” Wufei turned the chair so he was more fully looking at John, “If I win he eats it all.”

“Well at least he's still eating some…” John shook his head, Heero could be such a stubborn boy, “He's been getting more difficult, but I'm hoping I've found something that might be a nice treat.”

“Oh?” Wufei questioned sounding very curious. John removed the lid of the cooler allowing the former pilot to looking inside at the contents, “Well it's certainly worth a shot,” he smiled a little at that.

“That's what I was thinking,” John returned the expression and shut the cooler. His eyes sought out the monitor which displayed the image of Heero's room. He saw Ash sitting with the Japanese boy, both pouring over the chess board Ash had bought. “That was an excellent gift,” he spoke softly drawing a nod from Wufei as the Chinese man returned to the computer screen before him. Inadvertently learning what he had wanted to know John took hold of the cooler and walked back out of the room making his way to Heero's.

WMWMWMW

Heero's eyes studied both the chess board and his opponent. Ash never appeared to think all that much ahead of his moves, he would pause for a moment make sure he wasn't about to sacrifice any of his pieces and then move one seemingly at random. It was the complete opposite to the way Heero played, he had the entire game mapped out in his head, various methods and strategies for whatever Ash might throw at him. But it was hard to account and predict such randomness, more often than not Ash managed to mess up a forming plan, causing Heero to rethink.

It was frustrating to say the very least, and Heero wondered if he'd be able to win this game. Ash smirked to himself clearly knowing this new strategy of his appeared to be working wonders, Heero was grateful of one thing, that food was not riding on the outcome of this game. “You're move,” Ash smiled.

Heero refocused his attention on the board, but his thoughts were broken by a knock on his door. Both of them looked up watching as John came walking into the room, the cooler he carried in one hand caused Heero a moments pause as he wondered what he could possibly be carrying in there.

“Even' Doc,” Ash greeted with an easy smile.

“Evening,” John returned coming to a stop at the edge of the bed eyes studying the game as he placed the cooler down on the table. Heero watched as John's eyes happened to make a random sweep of the room and then stopped dead on the pictures Ash had hung on the wall. He walked over to them eyes intently looking each over, “This was your idea Ash?” he asked looking back over his shoulder.

Ash smiled brightly, “Thought the room could use a little decoration.”

“Not one to smile for pictures Heero?” John asked rhetorically smiling in the former pilot's direction.

“He's not much for smiling, period,” Ash chuckled, Heero's brow drew down at that, only causing Ash to smile more, “See!”

“Hn,” Heero grunted making a move on the chess board.

“Wufei was telling me it was a game of chess before every meal,” John commented walking back to his original position. “And since you're in the middle of this one I thought I'd bring you a treat.”

Heero looked at him questioningly, as half his attention was on Ash and the move he was about to make. John opened the cooler and removed a small container along with a spoon, and placed them both before Heero. “Vanilla ice cream…” he read the name on the container, it was not an entirely new concept to him, Relena had mentioned the stuff on several occasions, and he had seen the sign declaring its sale in many stores, but never had any real interest in trying it.

“Go on, give it a try,” Ash prompted watching intently to see Heero's reaction to it.

“You've never shown Heero ice cream?” John asked sounding more than a little surprised.

Ash shrugged, “I can't eat the stuff,” he admitted.

“Hmm?” that raised eyebrows.

“Lactose intolerant,” Ash explained, and that struck Heero, he hadn't known that about his friend, there had never been an occasion to find out.

Heero reached out for the spoon, wondering what all the hype was actually about, Relena had spoken of ice cream with excitement, and he had seen more than one child squeal with delight when receiving a cone. Could anything be that good? It was softer than he had expected it to be and easily scooped up onto the spoon. He studied it for a moment not in too much of a rush to put it in his mouth with both John and Ash almost leaning over him in anticipation. Slowly he moved the spoon to his mouth tasting the sugary substance for the first time, it overwhelmed his taste buds, and was easily unlike anything he had ever had before.

He decided he liked the cold way it coated his mouth, and the refreshing feeling as it slid down his throat. It was a trivial discovery, it had not real benefits there was no reason a person had to eat it, and Heero thought that might be why he liked it. Never in his life had he been given a chance to indulge in something useless, his entire life had been structured with purpose to everything. Even after that part of his life had come to an end, Heero had found himself uncomfortable with the idea of stepping beyond the basics, they kept him alive, and in the end that was really all he needed. Taking a second spoonful, Heero decided he had at least been missing out on one thing.

Thanks for Reading!

It's a Slow Process:

“Sally,” a pleasant voice spoke her name with some surprise, and she spun around to see John smiling warmly at her, he had just walked from the monitoring room next to Heero's. “Everything alright?” he asked with some concern.

No of course it isn't! Sally thought darkly, but at the same time she knew John well enough to know that wasn't what he meant. He was more than aware of how hard this was on her, he had been incredibly patient and far more understanding than she deserved. “I…” her voice failed her, and she looked away, “I was just wondering how Heero's doing.” It was an entirely new feeling to know almost nothing one of the pilots, not that she felt she truly had a right to know now.

“Physically, mentally, or emotionally?” John asked back with a smile in his voice.

Sally's lips twitched at that, she couldn't help but feel a little better in John's presences there was just something about the old doctor that was so comforting, “All of the above…” she said quietly.

“Emotionally and mentally, I'd say he's doing a lot better now that Ash is here, it's helped him and the others relax,” John folded his arms across his chest. “No telling how long it'll last once Ash has to return to the colonies, but it's been a nice break,” Sally looked him in the eye for the first time, glad to hear things were going well, and at the same time guilty because she didn't have a right to feel this way. “I can tell he's getting frustrated with the pace of his recovery, getting him to eat has been a challenge but I've found something that he actually likes,” John's smile was incredibly wide at that.

“Oh?” Sally couldn't help but ask, feeling a little drawn in by John's clear excitement.

“Ice cream!” John exclaimed, his arms spreading in emphases, “He likes ice cream!”

Sally blinked in shock, taking a moment to actually understand what John had just said, “He ate ice cream?” for some reason she had a hard time picturing that.

“And liked it,” John nodded, his excitement subsided a little then, though a smiled still lit his features. “It you want to know how he's doing physically why don't you come in with me?” the old doctor offered, “I was just about to go in and give him a check-up.”

“No I couldn't,” Sally paled at the very notion.

“Nothing will ever change if you don't start seeing him more,” John told her in his gentle yet firm voice, “You already know that's what Heero wants.”

“Doesn't make it any easier,” she returned with a slow shake of her head.

“You know nothing will, you're just going to have to fight through it,” John reached out a strong hand to take hold of her right arm, “And what better time than now?”

Sally hesitated looking away, she had just wanted to ask how he was doing, not this, she wasn't ready for this…

Morganeth Taren'drel