Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Mistaken Words ❯ A Constant Struggle ( Chapter 53 )

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

Mistaken Words

AN: Please enjoy this chapter and the extra preview from chapter 61. Thanks so much to morgansgirl and Pious Knight.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing.

A Constant Struggle

Heero fought against the current of the small pool in which he swam, his movements were fluid and strong, but his endurance was still lagging. His arms and legs burned a welcomed pain, and one he could tune out as he pressed on, a little harder to deal with was the stabbing of his ribs with each breath. Finally able to walk on his own Heero felt a great deal more freedom, he didn't have to rely on anyone taking him down here and bringing him back to his room. It had taken what felt like ages for Heero to make it to this point, three weeks had passed since Ash had left, and he had redoubled his efforts in his training pushing himself as hard as he could, or at least as hard as Trowa would let him.

By himself now, there was nothing stopping Heero from working as hard or as long as he wanted. He did find however that Trowa often showed up, he never said anything usually went off to work on his own, but he was there those emerald eyes watching. It irritated Heero a little, he felt like despite the fact he could do all this on his own, they felt the need to be there just in case. He never said anything to his friend when he walked into the room, they didn't often feel the need to share words normally.

“Heero,” hearing his name being called the former pilot swam towards the edge of the pool and took hold of the side finally looking up to see John crouching near him. “It's great and all that you can work on your own but why not take a break for the moment?” John asked a slight smile touching his old features.

Having stopped his swim Heero's body was more than willing to acknowledge the pain he had been able to put aside moments before, and he wasn't so sure he'd be able to start up again at the moment. John seemed to take his silence as acquiescence as he reached down with his left hand to shut off the current of the water. Now having nothing to fight against Heero trudged through the water to the stairs that would take him out of the pool. He could feel John's eyes on him as he stepped out of the water the muscles of his thin body trembling from the exertion.

“Here,” John offered Heero a towel to dry himself with, which he accepted silently drying his face.

“Where's Trowa?” he asked stepping towards the lockers his wet feet leaving damp footprints in his wake.

“I believe he went to get himself some lunch, a few hours ago,” John responded a step or so behind.

Heero took hold of his clothes and turned to face John, his expression frustrated, “And no doubt sent you,” he managed to keep his voice emotionless.

“No,” John shook his head, the smile on his face remaining slightly indulgent, “He didn't but I thought if you didn't come up on your own I'd offer to get us both something.”

To the old doctor's credit he had clearly been trying to take a step back and give Heero the space he was looking for, while still being close enough in case he was needed for anything. Because of this Heero was far more inclined to nod his head in agreement than he would have been if someone tried to force a meal on him now. He was usually most hungry after swimming, and today was no different for him.

“So would you like something?”

“Yeah,” Heero nodded his head and headed towards the showers.

“Alright when you're done here come up to your room, I'll go get us something,” John confirmed sounding pleased as he turned to leave.

Heero stepped into the shower stall and stripped off his wet bathing suit, stepping under the hard spray he stood there for several minutes just letting it wash over him his head down, eyes tightly closed. How long had it been since this all started? How long had he been fighting an up hill battle to get back on his feet? It was September now, he couldn't positively remember when he had been brought back to earth—that time was all so fussy even now—but he seemed to recall hearing the month of May being mentioned. That was nearly five months, almost half a year. Forcing his eyes to open, Heero shook the water droplets from his lashes and looked down at himself.

With continual work the muscle definition on his arms and legs was returning, he had never been bulky, quiet the opposite actually. But he weight had been entirely made up of muscle mass, which at the moment he was lacking. His chest was still thin, his ribs not nearly as obvious as they had been, but Heero thought it would take a long time for him to gain it all back. Could he defend himself in a fight? Heero clenched his fist holding it up before his eyes, he felt positive that he could. His size had never been a problem, more like an advantage, at least against a regular opponent, but what about one of the other pilots?

That was something Heero wanted to test, that was the only way he'd know where he stood, was to go up against one of them. But he had to admit if only to himself, he wasn't quite ready to go that far. He might have regained his movement, and the strength to remain on his feet, but he was really lacking in endurance. Looking at it honestly, he would not lie to himself, Heero knew he still had a long way to go, but that would be his goal. As soon as he could he was going to face off with one of the pilots and find out where he really stood.

WMWMWMW

Une walked down the empty corridor, the sharp click of her heals the only sound as it resounded off the bare walls echoing ever so slightly. She walked purposefully her shoulders straight head held high, she was a proud and confident woman. She felt the need to show it a little more today that most other days, she felt like she was about to walk out before a crowd of people and make a major announcement. Une needed to have a commanding presence, and for what she was planning to do today she truly felt like it was no different. Coming to a stop outside one of the doors that lined the hall she had walked down Une knocked upon it sharply. A moment or so passed before the door was sliding aside and Sally's somewhat surprised face greeted her.

“Une what brings you here?” she asked while stepping aside to usher her friend into her apartment.

“I was actually wondering how Heero was coming along,” it had been a question on her mind for many weeks now, she just hadn't really been given a chance to ask it.

Sally hesitated half turning to look back over her shoulder at Une, “I don't exactly know…” she admitted a little color entering into her cheeks.

“No?” Une actually found herself surprised over that, she knew things hadn't been easy for Sally but she had been positive that after this long, “I thought you had been in to see him?”

“That was a while back,” she confessed seating herself on the couch.

“Things haven't been improving for you?”

The doctor laughed a little it sounded dry, humorless, “With John there, there isn't much need for me.” She shook her head, “But enough of that, why are you asking about Heero? I'm sure John is around somewhere…”

“I understand Heero's back on his feet,” Une subtly changed the subject seating herself finally beside her friend.

“He's been spending a great deal of time training,” Sally commented, a wan smile touching her face, “I wonder if John's having trouble getting him to stop?”

“You could always look into it, I'm sure if he is, he could use your expertise,” it was high time Sally started acting like she used to with Heero.

Sally immediate shook her head, “Things have been getting better,” she admitted, “But I just don't feel I have any right to take the position with him anymore.”

“That'll come back,” Une assured and could see the sceptical look in Sally's eyes, but Une could just imagine what would happen the first time Heero pushed his luck within Sally's hear shot. With luck the doctor wouldn't even think about it but simply react.

“So what's got you suddenly so interested in Heero?” Sally shifted to the edge of the seat placing her elbow on her knee and rested her head on her upturned hand.

Une drew in a breath, “I've been thinking about this for a long time now, I couldn't decide how I wanted to deal with this situation, I feel as guilty as the other's about what happened.” Une didn't try to incorporate Sally into that knowing she would not believe that for a minute, “Still at the same time I've been angry about what happened, how he chose to deal with this problem, the more I think about this the more pissed off I get.” She smiled at her friend, “I want him to know that anger not the guilt.”

“It took you this long to decide?” Sally asked a slight approving smile on her face, Une also thought she might have seen a little envy there too.

Looking away Une shook her head, “If I was going to confront him like this I wanted him to be able to stand and face me, as I would any agent of the core.”

“I'm sure he'll appreciate that.”

“You think so?” Une returned her attention to her friend, she hadn't decided on this for Heero's benefit but more because she truly was outraged that he had done this without her knowledge.

“I know he's been tired of apologies for a while now,” Sally told her tossing her hair over one shoulder, “Are you planning on speaking with him today?”

“That's the plan,” she affirmed, “You know where I might find him at this time?”

Sally glanced at her wrist watch, “If today's like any other he may still be down in the training room, but I wouldn't know for sure.”

“Good enough,” Une got to her feet straightening out her suit, “I'll let you know how it goes.” She took a couple of steps towards the door before halting a thought striking her, “I want him to be a part of the mission to take down the Inner Circle, only seems fair.”

“When are you planning?”

Une looked over her shoulder, “When you've cleared him for the mission.”

“Me?” Sally looked less than thrilled about that.

“It's standard, the pilots have always been your priority, John might be here to help you, but I'm not going to accept him until you've cleared him,” the tactic was a little evil, perhaps even unfair but if this is what it was going to take she'd do it.

“That's hardly fair Une.”

“I'm giving you fair warning, it's not like it's happening today, it still be months away,” she continued towards the door, “For now I'll ask John to keep me updated.”

WMWMWMW

Finishing his shower Heero stepped from the dripping stall and dried himself quickly before dressing. It only took him a few minutes to return everything to how it had been before he made his way towards the door and left the training room behind. Heero could express in thoughts, and wouldn't have even dreamed to attempt words, for how good it felt to be able to walk on his own at a natural pace. And to not feel in the least bit concerned that his legs might not be able to hold him up the entire way. Heero had found himself going out of his way to take advantage of this, he didn't really like sitting for too long, he wanted to be moving constantly.

Walking towards the elevator, Heero was a little surprised when he heard it come to a stop at his floor, and watched as the doors parted and Une stepped out. She wore the uniform of the agency, and her expression stern as her eyes landed on Heero where he had come to a stop. “Une?” he hadn't expected to see her down here.

“I was told you'd be down here Yuy,” she said her voice sounding very firm, authoritative, not what he had been expecting. Une hadn't really come in to see him since he had returned, he could recall seeing her the day Ash had first appeared, but that was about it. He hadn't really expected anything not like with the pilots Sally and Relena, he had reported to Une, and she had often been a part of their larger gatherings, but Heero couldn't say they really had a friendship.

“What do you need?” he knew she wouldn't be here if she hadn't been looking for him.

“A question,” she said bluntly her arms crossing tightly beneath her breast, “At the end of the war, who did we decide you pilots would report to?”

An eyebrow raised at that, he could see where this could be heading, it was a blatantly loaded question, but one he would answer if only to see what would happen next. “You,” he replied simply the pilots hadn't exactly been given a rank within the agency, and so Une wasn't really above them but they did report to her keeping her abreast to everything they were doing. She knew damn well she couldn't really control them if it came down to that.

“Then why the hell didn't I know what you were planning to do November 9 AC 196?” Une demanded stepping up towards him.

“Because no one knew,” he returned wondering at why it had taken Une this long to come at him with this. He had after all been in the base for near five months, why now, why not sooner?

“That is unacceptable!” she threw back immediately, an odd glint in her eyes that caught Heero's attention.

He stared at her intently, “What's the point of arguing any of this after the fact?”

“Time doesn't matter, it still amounts to insubordination!” Une returned, “So much pain could have been avoided if I had known!”

Was this her way of apologising? Was that what he was seeing in her eyes? If so it was the best way he had received yet. He could match her frustration for frustration, and perhaps find a little relief, “And what if you couldn't keep up appearances?” he asked back. It had been what kept him from telling any of them, he hadn't been able to take the risk.

“You shouldn't have presumed to make that choice,” she looked down at him, Une was taller than him he realised, something he hadn't thought twice about three years back. Perhaps that had something to do with her waiting, had she made a conscious effort to put him on more equal ground? Or had it taken her this long to decide how she wanted to deal with the matter? Short of asking her outright—something Heero wasn't about to do—he didn't think he'd ever know.

Heero folded his arms across his chest, “And we're right back to `It's a little late now.'”

Her eyes narrowed dangerously, but that look remained in those deep blue eyes, she was pleased with how this was going. “I fully expect you to clean up this mess, when you have been cleared for missions again,” so what Ash had said was true. Heero hadn't doubted his friend, had wanted to believe they'd wait for him to be able to take part in the mission.

“You're going to wait that long?” that was the only thing that kept him wondering, how long would it be before he could handle a mission? Could they afford to wait until then?

Une's stance relaxed a little, “We have an advantage, that we know what they're doing and where they are. Dante's keeping an eye on them, but they can't be moving very fast trying to piece together a Gundam, especially if their building it from the information you gave Dante.”

Heero gave her a questioning look, he couldn't remember what he had given Dante, none of it had been voluntary he knew that much.

“You switched around the controls in the cockpit, anything could trigger the self destruct,” her stern expression finally slid into a slight smile, “That was quick thinking on your part.”

Shrugging the matter aside Heero's expression turned serious again, “When are you planning on taking them out?”

“As I said, when Sally's cleared you.”

When will that be? he wondered mutely, suddenly feeling more pressure to get himself back to one hundred percent. “Have discussions begun on how we're going to handle this?”

“Dante and I have spoken about it a few times, but I think no matter what we try its going to come down to a house by house search,” she sighed that was the last thing any of them wanted. Une turned then motioning for them to make their way back to the elevator, “I've asked John to keep me up to date on your progress.”

Heero watched her through the corner of one eye as he waited the short distance to his floor, he wasn't at all surprised by this, but at the same time less than thrilled. He remained silent however knowing it was not an uncommon procedure.

“I do have one order for you, before I leave,” she announced then placing her foot over the threshold as Heero stepped off the elevator and turn to face her again an eye brow raised in question. “I want you to give yourself a break,” her voice was as stern as it had been when she had originally walked up to him, “You'll be no good to us if you work yourself to death.” Une pulled back into the elevator an infuriatingly knowing smile the only change to her otherwise stern expression.

Heero grunted inaudibly turning away, that was easy for her to say, she wasn't the one feeling the pressure to get back to one hundred percent so they could deal with the Inner Circle. Heero knew he didn't have forever, he knew that, but his body could only take so much, he knew that too, still that didn't make taking a break any easier. With a shake of his head Heero turned back down the hall making for his room, he opened the door wondering if he'd find John already waiting in his room. He found his answer immediately as John rose from his seat on the couch as soon as the former pilot walked in.

“I was beginning to wonder if you were coming,” John greeted with a smile.

“Caught up with Une in the hall,” he explained though he thought it was pretty obvious that John would have known that, after all Une most likely discovered where he was from the old doctor.

“And how was that?”

“Interesting,” that was to say the very least, Heero's eyes focused in on the meal John had chosen for him, thankfully still feeling hungry from his swim. He walked over to where the meal had been spread out on the coffee table and took a seat on the couch in front of the one that hadn't been started yet. John came over to him and they ate for several moments in silence, all the while Heero could tell John was watching him, he didn't for a moment think the doctor was trying to be subtle. John wanted Heero to know, he wanted him to look over, there was something on his mind, but Heero had a feeling it was something he didn't really want to be talking about, and so was content to wait John out.

“What do you have planned for the rest of the day?” John finally inquired, it seemed an innocent enough question, but Heero knew better.

Studying John through the corner of his right eye he wondered briefly at the answer he should give. There was time enough left in the day to work on some strength training, he didn't think his body would be up to any light sparring yet, though that was what he was really craving. Finally he just shook his head, “I don't know yet.”

“Well that's good,” a smile broke out on John's face, “Because I'd like you to take the rest of the day off and tomorrow too.”

Heero's eyes narrowed, “I'd rather not,” he admitted honestly.

“You know you can't keep this pace up forever,” John said then, “You work yourself to exhaustion and you could be causing further set backs. I know this is something I shouldn't have to tell you Heero,” there was almost an admonishing note to John's voice which irked Heero more than a little.

He was no fool, he knew exactly what John was saying, had known from the beginning even if at the moment he was having some trouble accepting it. He had allowed himself to be blinded, as he began seriously working out, wanting to do more, to push himself harder each day. But it wasn't something he could keep up, as John said it could end up setting him back. Heero looked away from John not wanting to respond to that, yes he might not be able to work as hard as he wanted every day but he also stubbornly didn't want to give in.

“You're getting better day by day,” he began, not afraid of Heero's silence, “But I'm still your doctor, and I think it's time we put together a schedule or something so that you have regular days of rest.”

Heero's brow drew together and he fought back against the urge to snap at the old doctor. What was he supposed to do on those days off? Part of what really drove him was just the fact that he could get up and move around on his own, do what he wanted to do. Heero sighed, there was absolutely no use in deluding himself, no matter how much he wanted to he couldn't work every day, his body just couldn't take it. Une knew this and he knew she hadn't been pressuring him earlier, as she had said she wanted to see him get some rest. Heero leaned back on the couch letting his head drop back so his eyes were staring at the ceiling, this was all just another step, another form of frustration. With a sigh he finally nodded his head cobalt eyes falling on John to see a relieved smile on his face.

“Good,” he nodded his head, “Trowa and Wufei both mentioned to me that they thought it might be a good idea, and I thought if you worked with their schedules you'd find days were one of them could spot you in your training.”

“Or spar,” he noticed John's brow crease a little at that but thought nothing of it, his thoughts turning inwards as he wondered when his limbs would be up to such a task.

“There is one other thing I think I should bring up,” John sounded a little hesitant and he was no longer looking Heero's way, “Leon wants to come in for perhaps the last time to check your progress.”

Heero fought against reacting to that news, he hadn't had to deal with Leon for a while now, and wasn't really looking forward to her coming in but this could well be the last time. He could deal with one more time, he was on much more even ground with her now than he had been back on that first day.

“On a much brighter note, I was to inform you that Relena has most of the afternoon off today…” John trailed off knowing he didn't have to say any more, he just smiled broadly, and began gathering the remains of their lunch. That one statement alone was enough for Heero to forget all the rest, and relax a little, still that too brought on a different form of frustration.

As much as he liked spending time with Relena, he didn't like the strange ache in his chest whenever she left. He wanted to be dependent on her least of all the people around him, but no matter what he told himself or did, he couldn't remove those feelings of need when Relena was gone. It felt like a gapping hole in his chest, the size depended on how long Relena was away. He couldn't remember ever feeling it back before he left, and he wondered if it had been caused by the three years they were apart. When had she started effecting him so much?

WMWMWMW

Heero sat back in the pilot's common room, it was early evening in November and he had been struggling with the schedule made for him for several weeks. He found the forced days off to be impossible to deal with, confined as he was in this wing of the agency there wasn't much for him to do besides training. But it seemed as though someone was always close at hand whether it was planned that way or not Heero didn't know and wasn't about to ask, but it kept him from trying to train on these off days. He hadn't been making progress in the leaps and bounds that he had been in the beginning a while back it felt as though he had plateaued and he had wanted very much to push himself all the harder to get beyond it.

“You want a drink?” Wufei asked suddenly, and Heero shook himself out of his thoughts to see his friend standing behind the bar on the far side of the room.

Nodding his head Heero straightened up in his seat before coming to his feet, he hated sitting for extended periods of time but on days like this there didn't seem to be much more he could do. Striding across the room to meet Wufei half way he accepted the bottle of water and twisted it open. “You don't have somewhere you need to be?” he asked unable to conceal the heat from his voice.

Wufei raised an eyebrow, swallowing some of his own water, “I can't relax after a long day?” he deflected returning to his seat in front of the TV.

“Is that actually what you're doing?”

The former pilot's eyes turned to Heero without moving his head, “You think I'm doing something else?”

Heero sighed shaking his head in frustration, why had he spoken? The words had slipped out before he could think better of them, still at times he did feel as though he were being watched by his friends on these days off. He didn't need supervision, hadn't for a while now, and it didn't matter to him that they might only have been close to make sure he was actually relaxing. He didn't want them there if they were around for any other reason than coincidence.

“Are we going to spar tomorrow?” Wufei broke the silence with a complete change of subject, a welcomed change.

“Yes,” he nodded his head dropping back down to his original seat. His limbs had been responding to him completely for a while now and he had been looking forward to sharpening his skills.

“Good I'm looking forward to it,” they fell into silence as their attention turned to the TV, where the news anchor was recounting the day's major events.

Heero's eyes opened a little wider when he saw an image of himself appear on screen, “It has been four years to the day that Heero Yuy attempted to assassinate Relena Peacecraft, at an assembly held to commemorate the formation of a peaceful Earth's Sphere.” Images of that fateful day over took the screen as the man spoke, and Heero saw for the first time in years how that day had looked. He remember back to that day how he had tried his hardest to avoid the news not wanting to relive that moment any more than he had already was.

He could feel Wufei's eyes on him, but couldn't tare his eyes from the screen on the wall, he caught the motion of his friend reaching to change the channel but he simply shook his head; he wanted to see this. “It was May 5th that Commander Une announced to the world that Yuy had died in an attempt to bring him to justice, little more has been discovered about that incident, earlier today one of our reporters caught up to Miss Peacecraft to get her thoughts on the death of Yuy.”

Heero leaned forward surprised that he had not actually realised what day this was until now. Again the image on screen changed and Heero saw one of Relena walking down the steps of the congress building Duo and Trowa close at hand keeping the press a safe distance back as they made their way towards her car. “Miss Peacecraft!” voices shouted to be heard their questions all blending together into a general din.

“Miss Peacecraft! What do you feel to know Heero Yuy is dead! Is the peace finally secured!” one voice finally broke through the onslaught and demanded to be heard.

Relena halted placing a hand on Duo's arm as she turned to face the camera drawing herself up as though preparing to give a meaningful speak. “Enough of these questions! Is it not enough that he is dead? Must you continue to drag his name to the surface again and again? No matter the man or what he did in his life I believe everyone should be given a moment's peace even if it's only in death.”

“Well said…” Wufei breathed leaning back, Heero mutely nodded his head. This day really held no meaning for him any longer, and because of that he wasn't really surprised at the fact that he had all but forgotten about it. He pulled his eyes away from the TV to look at Wufei, “She hates this day, hates having to deal with all the press,” he explained shutting the screen down.

“I don't care what they think,” Heero said bluntly he was dead in their eyes and that was just fine by him, he had never cared what the world thought of him, had never wanted to be a prominent figure. He had seen first hand back during the war what could happen with public opinion, one minute they're behind you utterly and completely and the very next they want your heads. It was all just so much easier their way.

Thanks for Reading

The Proving Grounds:

Heero felt himself draw in a breath blocking out anything that wasn't important as his focus narrowed in on Wufei. He'd remain aware of his surroundings and the people in the room but so long as they didn't interfere the acknowledgement wouldn't go beyond cursory. Setting himself into a comfortable fighting stance he watched his opponent do the same onyx eyes devoid of anything he might have been thinking. No words passed between them but they both knew the fight was on, slowly Heero began to circle to the left while Wufei matched him moving to the right. Their eyes searched for openings and a tension began to build between them as they anticipated who would make the first move.

A second later they both exploded into motion their attacks clashing off each other's blocks. Heero's eyes narrowed and he ducked beneath Wufei's next strike using his smaller stature to his advantage. Coming up behind Heero raised his knee for a solid blow but was deflected as Wufei spun to meet him a dangerous glint in those onyx eyes. The fight was close quarters and very fast paced hardly a chance to think before the next attack was coming at you. Heero hardly noted the clash of their limbs as he blocked catching Wufei's arm, he didn't hold it for long knowing it could be more of a disadvantage but jumped back giving himself a little breathing room.

His heart pounded in his ears and his lungs took in steady breaths of air, he felt great as he brought his leg up to snap under Wufei's guard. The Chinese man caught Heero's leg in a firm hold and he was left with a split second to decide what he wanted to do. Dropping himself down Heero sprung on his hands and swung his right leg out to kick at Wufei's feet. He was released automatically as Wufei jumped away, no advantage gained only a little more knowledge about his own abilities right now.

Snapping back to his feet Heero remained crouched in a low guard observing his opponent feeling his lips creep up ever so slightly. Vaguely he caught the sounds of conversations taking place near the door, but he tuned them out not wanting to be distracted for a moment. Even that second was almost too much, Wufei charged him an intimidating show of force to a novice fighter but Heero was far from that. Catching himself up in Wufei's arms Heero took Wufei's momentum and fell back throwing Wufei over top of him as he did. Heero leapt to his feet a second later having not caught his friend by surprise, Wufei was nearly on top of him fist flying eyes locked on Heero's chest searching for signs of movement much as Heero's own were doing.

Heero blocked high slipping low intent on throwing Wufei again, but it left his side open for a strike if Wufei could move fast enough to deliver it. The former pilot kicked at the back of Heero's leg instead pulling free and leaving Heero's side untouched. Heero threw himself into a forward shoulder role coming up facing the direction he had come, his expression growing grim. Had Wufei purposefully missed that opening? Heero didn't want to consider the implications of that thought, and wasn't given time to as once more Wufei came at him relentlessly.

Blocking as quickly as he could Heero felt his breaths begin to shorten as his endurance slowly waned. He wouldn't be able to keep up this pace for much longer, but he wasn't ready to stop at the moment either; he wanted to go longer to discover if Wufei had purposefully missed. Heero came in a little more recklessly pushing himself drawing on the adrenaline that continued to fill his veins. He knew he was leaving himself open his sides specifically but his head also, to Wufei they'd be glaring, but he went for none of them. His friend blocked each strike dealing attempts of his own but not to any of the gaps leaving Heero an easy chance to defend.

Heero's anger erupted, he was being played! Wufei was going easy on him, he wasn't taking this seriously at all! Suddenly all the excitement he had felt at the beginning of the fight vanished and he was only left with boiling rage. Feeding upon that fire Heero charged in all the harder forcing Wufei back with the sudden strength of his attack. He pressed the Chinese man hard against the wall his right fist pulling back and without hesitation he released slugging Wufei across the jaw. It was the first solid blow to be landed and Heero noticed the entire room had gone silent.

--An now as an apology a Super Special preview of chapter 61 please enjoy!--

Return to the Pack:

Wufei held the solid oak door open for her as they all entered the house, and she offered him a smile as she walked pass kicking off her heels as she did. “I don't know why I keep wearing these,” she grumbled to herself as she picked them up off the tiled floor.

“Pain is just--”

“Weakness leaving the body,” Relena finished for the Chinese man and laughed, “Honestly though I dare you to try them for a day.”

Wufei levelled her with an unimpressed look not deigning to offer a reply to that.

Which Relena took as a reply all on it's own a knowing smile touching her lips, “I didn't think so.” Stepping passed the two of them Relena made her way deeper into the house, she smiled and greeted her maids as she passed them always wanting them to feel appreciated. A sigh escaped her lips as she opened the door to her room and stepped inside safely closing it behind her, this was her private sanctuary. Almost immediately she noticed something had changed about the room, her brow drew together in confusion as she walked towards her bed a puzzled smile touching as the edges of her lips.

“You weren't here when I left,” she said to the small teddy bear sitting among the pillows.

“Neither was I,” a masculine voice spoke up from behind.

Relena would have screamed in shock had she not recognised the voice immediately, and the familiar wild scent. Spinning Relena threw her arms around the only man she had ever loved and felt him do the same his strong arms slowly closing her in. She had never felt safer in her life being completely surrounded by Heero. “I missed you,” she breathed into his neck hugging him a little tighter before pulling back to look at his face.

“I'm sorry,” he breathed softly little space between them before he closed his mouth over hers the kiss started slow, but Relena could feel Heero's tightly held need. His body pressed against hers holding her tight, and she was more than willing to respond opening herself up to him having missed him more than he could ever know.

WMWMWMW

Heero felt Relena respond to that deep burning need, and felt the world fall away as that burning ache in his chest slowly abated. The need he had for her was still something Heero found himself fighting against, he was too well trained to become reliant on something like love. But at the same time nothing in his life had ever felt more right. The void of combat might not have been filled but another just as raw had begun to close over the moment he had truly come to know the woman he held in his arms. Pulling back finally Heero rested his forehead against Relena's his breaths coming a little winded.

He could feel her smile against his shoulder as she hugged him tighter shifting her head to the crook of his neck. A subtle chill ran down his spine as Relena's hand slipped up under the hem of his coat and shirt to lightly trace along the small of his back. He breathed in the scent of her hair and allowed himself a short moment to savour having her so close, a part of him still fought against these moments, wanting to remain independent of them, but he knew he wasn't about to pull back form her not so long as she wanted him near.

“Where have you been?” she asked finally her head not leaving his shoulder.

“Does that really matter?” he deflected not wanting to worry about that now, not able to see the importance of it, he was hear now, wasn't that enough?

Relena lifted her head then looking at him a little surprised, “Of course it does,” she pulled back form him then her eyes glancing over him as she did, “I was worried about you.” His brow drew down a little at that, he knew in the back of his mind that Relena couldn't possibly think him helpless, but he couldn't make the rest of his brain believe that. “Heero, I love you no matter what you want I'm going to end up worrying about you,” she explained a smile on her face as though perfectly understanding his confusion.

Heero felt his lips twitch up a little at that, she knew him it was clear no matter how he had tried to hide himself, she still managed to find her way in. “Do you have to get ready?” he asked then attempting to change the subject.

“I still have some time,” Relena smiled as she stepped away from him shrugging off her business coat and laying it across the end of her bed. She glanced back over her shoulder at him, “Why don't you take off your coat and pretend like you're going to stay for a while.”

“I'm coming back today,” Heero explained slowly sliding the heavy coat off his left shoulder keeping his movements careful on his right side. The muscles in his shoulder had locked up tighter since the morning and it was going to take some work to get them to loosen up again.

The smile on Relena's face upon hearing of his return faded as she watched him her eyes very intent. “Are you alright?” she crossed the room back to his side her hands going immediately for his right side, “What happened to you're arm?”

He had to have expected her to notice, but still he had wished she wouldn't have. It was only going to bring up a lot of questions he'd rather not answer if he could avoid it. “The muscles are just a little stiff,” it really wasn't anything to be concerned about, nothing a few days wouldn't solve.

Relena took his coat from his hand and draped it over a chair as she lead him with her other hand towards the padded bench at the end of her bed, “How'd it happen?” she was as full of questions as Jay had been, and Heero wasn't at all surprised that he enjoyed them more from her than Jay, though he'd still prefer to avoid them altogether. She made to push him down to sit, and Heero though capable of fighting against her complied enjoying this private moment with her

Heero twisted to look at Relena as she shifted to the bed behind him her small hands finding a place on his stiff shoulder. He hesitated to give her a straight answer simply because he would have preferred to forget that time away had happened, he just wanted to get on with things now. But he could see a light in Relena's eyes as she continued to wait for his response that said she wasn't going to take any vague half answers. “I spent some time at a dojo, I had to pull a punch the day before,” his tone shrugged the matter aside.

“Must have been a fast punch,” Relena commented rather pointedly slipping her warm hands into his shirt. For a moment she began to massage the knotted muscles, but she stopped suddenly and leaned around him her straight blond hair sweeping off her back to create a curtain. “Why don't you take off your shirt, so I can massage your shoulder properly.”

“This isn't necessary,” he told her finding her lips so close to his own to be irresistible, and he stole a quick kiss, which brought a smile to Relena's face.

“I know that, but it's something I want to do,” she stole a kiss of her own, “So off with your shirt.”

That caused Heero to hesitate he could feel the brand suddenly upon his back, though he told himself it was nothing more than a crazy weakness. His impromptu conversation with Jay did little to ease his discomfort over having been branded against his will. He doubted seriously there was anything anyone could say or do that would bring him to accept this mark. Relena appeared to become impatient with his lack of movement and reached across him beginning to unbutton the shirt. That snapped Heero out of his daze and he reached for her hands to stop her.

She pouted at him but clearly wasn't ready to back down just yet, “I'm just trying to help you,” Relena worked at slipping her hands out of his so she could try again.

“It's alright really.”

“You'd say that if your arm was hanging by a thread,” Relena countered kissing his cheek. Heero just shook his head, not about to agree or deny what she had said, “I saw how stiffly you were moving it, so let me help you.”

It wasn't exactly a plea, or a demand, this was just something Relena was determined to do for him. He remained motionless for a moment longer before his hands began to move on their own undoing the last of the buttons so he could slide the shirt off his shoulder. As soon as he shoulder had been exposed Relena kissed him again and pulled back her warm hands settling on his skin. Within seconds she was massaging deeply searching out the knots and slowly working them out. He remained still as she worked, enjoying the moment when the knot finally released and the ache abated a little more.

Morganeth Taren'drel