Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Mistaken Words ❯ Return to the Pack ( Chapter 61 )

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

Mistaken Words

AN: Alright its finally time for the double chapter that I promised! I'm actually rather pleased that it ended up being these two chapters, I hope you all enjoy. And thank you for being so patient with me!

This double chapter is brought to you in part by morgansgirl Pious Knight and Featherbird thank you all so much!

fdgbrig: Thanks for the review, I'm sorry it's been so long since I posted but I promise you that I'm not giving up on this story EVER!

Plyric: Thank you so much, I'd love to publish something but I think I'd have a very hard time with it, since I don't own it ^_~ I do have several stories that I'm working on to publish, but that's so far in the future it hardly bears mentioning. But thank you again, I'm sorry for the delay.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing

Return to the Pack

Heero stepped from the bathroom, his eyes glancing both ways down the hall before he crossed over to his room. It wasn't that he was concerned, but even hours later he still felt on edge. He hadn't been able to sleep after Jay left; his body was way too tense. He knew the minute he closed his eyes and tried to sleep he'd see nothing but nightmares. So he had remained awake and tried to keep his thoughts on a safe road, which was hard since just about everything could lead to something he'd rather not think about. He didn't want to think about the torture; maybe later when all this was set straight he might give it some thought. But he didn't like to think that something like torture would affect him, he didn't want to be reminded of a weakness. With time he'd be able to separate himself from it. He had already accomplished it once; this time would be no different.

Fighting to keep this thoughts from what had happened Heero found himself slipping to thoughts of the others and inevitably Relena. Those thoughts were just as hard to deal with, as they brought with them an all new type of pain. So he worked to just think about the pilots. He had made his point to them, perhaps it was time he headed back. He wasn't really comfortable with Jay right now, not after nearly killing him twice. He didn't want to risk a third. There was no assurance that Jay would be able to pull him out again. Groaning softly, Heero slowly rotated his shoulder, trying to loosen the muscles a little. The shower hadn't helped as much as he had hoped. The muscles had locked up during the night and didn't seem too eager to let go.

He already had everything packed. It hadn't taken him long to return the guest room to the order he had seen when Jay had let him in. Adding the last few articles of clothing to the metal case Heero closed it up and walked out of the room. Again his eyes glanced up and down the hall, this time searching for any sign of Jay. He wasn't all that sure if he wanted to bother with goodbyes or just disappear. He wouldn't have even thought about it a few years back. He'd have left during the night, but he had hesitated again and again until the sun was rising and he was thoroughly frustrated. Stepping out into the living room Heero came to a stop when he felt Jay's eyes on him, and turned his head to see the sensei sitting on the edge of his seat clearly waiting.

“What, leaving without saying goodbye?” Jay asked with a hard to read expression.

“That was the plan,” Heero admitted putting the case down. It was easier to just disappear, he didn't have to deal with what to say.

Jay slowly shook his head as he came to his feet, “Not on my watch,” he said easily coming to a stop in front of Heero. “Did you get any sleep?”

“Not much.” There was no use denying it, though he doubted he looked as tired as Jay.

“So how about some breakfast?” Jay asked sounding a little hopeful.

Heero shrugged. He wasn't in a hurry. It didn't matter what time of the day it was when he returned, though it was more likely that he'd find the pilots there in the evening. Jay took his lack of verbal `no' as a yes and walked into the kitchen.

“So where are you going to go?” Jay inquired as he started searching for what he needed.

Taking a seat on one of the two stools Heero shrugged again. He couldn't tell Jay the truth. “It's just time I moved on.”

“Why? Because of what happened last night?” It sounded to Heero as though Jay was already positive that was the reason, and thought it was ridiculous.

“That's the second time I've almost killed you,” Heero pointed out resting one elbow on the counter before dropping his head onto his upturned palm.

“I never said I wanted you to leave,” Jay countered. “Besides, where are you going to go?” he wasn't going to let this drop.

What could he say that wouldn't be saying too much? Or would it be best to just walk out without giving Jay anything? He surprised himself by discarding the second thought almost instantly, settling on something else, “Back to where I'm needed.” It was a truthful answer, although a little vague.

“So what? Does that mean you're moving back to the colonies?” Jay asked, his voice sounding oddly pointed as though reminding Heero of the story he had told Jay the day they met.

Heero shook his head, “No, I still have business here,” true enough and still vague, all around a safe answer.

“Where are you going to stay?” Jay asked, placing some bacon into a frying pan his head turning a little so he could regard Heero through the edge of his glasses.

“I have a place…” slipping back into the agency would be interesting. He wondered what sort of reaction he'd be met with from the pilots. Sally was someone he definitely felt would be better to avoid for a little while.

“You didn't when you walked in here over a week ago,” Jay pointed out an eyebrow raised as he continued with preparing breakfast.

Heero repressed a sigh, now really beginning to wish he had managed to slip out unnoticed. Briefly he debated his answer. What did he really want to say? He hadn't given Jay all that much information about himself the day he walked in. “I needed a break.” Still he was finding it easy enough to give answers that would serve his purpose.

“Why all the lies?” Jay was determinedly probing.

“Easier that way?” Heero returned shrugging the matter aside.

Jay stopped what he was doing turning around to fully face Heero, a disbelieving look firmly etched on his face. “You're trying to tell me, it's easier to tell me vague lies that only cause more questions, than the truth?”

The former pilot kept his expression perfectly blank, “Oddly enough, yes…”

They stared at each other for several long moments Jay's face remaining incredulous to what he was hearing, it was only the loud sizzling of the bacon that brought him out of his near trance. He sighed and looked back Heero's way. “Then you can't blame people for worrying about you.”

That caused a raised eyebrow. Why should anyone be concerned about someone they didn't even know? As much as he had spoken to Jay over these days, Jay really didn't know him, and couldn't possibly begin to think he did until he knew the name Heero Yuy. Jay's comment reminded Heero of the conversation they had had Friday night. Despite what Jay had said to him Heero still had a hard time understanding why Jay should care.

“I don't really know what you've been doing Odin,” Jay said finally with a sigh, his eyes focused on what he was doing. “But there's got to be a better life for you, a better place.”

Heero was glad for a moment that Jay wasn't looking at him, he didn't think he had been able to mask the shock from his face. What did Jay know about the life he was leading? He tried to look at himself through Jay's eyes as difficult as that seemed. Wondering what conclusion he'd come to, “I don't mind where I am,” he offered honestly.

“But is that because it's all you've ever known?” the sensei returned immediately.

Jay was using his own words against him, something he had proven very good at over the last few days. Still it was something Heero couldn't refute so he just said, “Maybe…”

Jay had finished his breakfast preparations and slid a plate in front of Heero, “Milk or orange juice?” He asked, seeming for the moment to have put aside his inquisition.

“Whichever.” Heero turned his attention to the plate before him, actually finding the smell of the food to be appealing.

“Alright then, milk it is,” Jay poured them each a glass and passed one to Heero before picking up his own fork.

For a few moments they ate in silence and Heero mentally counted down the seconds. He knew Jay couldn't be finished yet. He wasn't satisfied. Heero wondered if Jay had ever walked away from a conversation feeling that way. Somehow he seriously doubted it. “Well Odin,” Jay finally spoke again, “Can you at least tell me why you have to leave now?”

Heero looked up at Jay with a deadpan expression swallowing the eggs he had put in his mouth before answering, “I nearly killed you for a second time?” There were other reasons of course, ones he couldn't really go into with Jay. Still, the reason he had given seemed the most logical. How many times could one man stare death in the face and not be bothered?

But Jay was determined to surprise him, “That's no reason to pick up and leave.” He sounded one hundred percent serious.

The Japanese man shook his head. He had been fighting the need to go back for days. It was Relena who he really wanted to see; his need to prove himself to the other pilots had been what kept him away. But he couldn't fight it any longer, “I want to see her, haven't in over a week.”

“Oooh…” Jay smiled, “You're girlfriend, that's a pretty good reason,” he chuckled.

Heero pinched the bridge of his nose fighting to suppress a sigh. “So glad you approve,” he responded dryly.

Jay's eyes suddenly brightened, and Heero could just feel a question coming that he wasn't going to want to answer. “Say, who is your girlfriend?” he asked brightly, and Heero only shook his head, “C'mon, you never told me on Sunday.”

Leaning back and taking a moment to finish off his glass of milk Heero continued to shake his head, “You wouldn't believe me if I did.”

“Not this again,” Jay barked, though it sounded good natured, “You need to give straight answers, it causes less confusion.” He pointed a finger, “And you may be happy to know, it causes less questions too.”

“You really wouldn't,” Heero assured, passing his finished meal across the counter, “And let's leave it at that.”

WMWMWMW

Heero made his way through the streets and alleys of Sank carrying with him the metal case. Jay had convinced him to leave some of his things in the locker just in case he planned on taking a break again. Heero doubted it was likely that he'd have to avoid the others for this length of time again, but he didn't mind the thought of dropping in on one of Jay's classes every now and then. He was seriously surprised at the amount of time it had actually taken for him to leave Jay's home. It was close to two in the afternoon, and he was only now entering into the area of the city where Relena's house was. He traveled as many other people did, with the hood of his coat up and his stride brisk. It was a particularly cold day, though Heero wasn't bothered by it. After space and Antarctica nothing really felt quite as cold.

Rounding a corner that took him out of a narrow alley and back onto the main street Heero turned to his right, his cobalt eyes landed on his destination. Relena's massive brick mansion crowned the head of the street. He stared at it for several long moments wondering at what approach he should take. He couldn't very well walk up to the front door. Even if he hadn't been dead that would have been his last choice for entrance. Being winter, scaling a wall and slipping through the garden didn't seem advisable either. Still he was far from out of options. As the pilots had designed a secret escape from Relena's cabin, they had also done something similar here.

His eyes scanned the old looking buildings that lined the street, during his months of recovery when he had spent a great deal of time searching through the computer systems hunting for information. He had discovered the codes had all been changed, though they couldn't well change the secret entrance. Heero's eyes landed on the familiar building and he made his way towards it, his eyes taking note of the people who moved about the street. No surprise; there was a slightly higher volume here than there had been a few streets down. This was of course the home of Relena Peacecraft. It had always been a tourist attraction, though a little less now in the off season.

He calmly walked into another back alley and threw his hood back, taking off his sunglasses. Even in the shadowed alley he found the light to be painfully bright, but he knew the door would be easier to find this way. Within minutes Heero spotted the door disguised as just another part of the wall. The keypad was hidden in much the same way, but Heero was able to find it without effort. Dredging up the code from his memory Heero punched it in and waited briefly for the door to respond and slide open. What lay beyond was a dimly lit staircase leading below the street, Heero stepped down and let the door close behind him shutting out the last of the sunshine.

Hefting the metal case in his hand Heero descended the stairs, coming out in a stark hallway, which lead beneath the house right to a second basement under Relena's house. Once designed and constructed it had been left to the pilots to maintain, so Heero was confident in the fact that no one else would be around. It only took him five minutes to make it to the small safe room beneath Relena's house. It was fully stocked with both food and weaponry. Heero could remember the argument they had had over that. Relena had wanted no part of it, but Heero had just chosen to put them there anyway. Putting the case down in one corner Heero removed one item from it and strode towards the door that would take him into Relena's basement.

He wasn't at all sure what Relena's schedule was like for today. He doubted she'd be home at the moment, but hopefully would return for at least a short time. He knew she kept a computer in her room and he was positive he could track down her schedule with that. Making his way up into her house, Heero found himself looking more closely at all the little details despite himself , becoming a little distracted with the sudden realization that it had been four years since he had set foot in this house. He had never cared much for it, had never much loved any house. They were just a roof, a shelter. It was the person living within that made it something different.

Relena had never employed a huge staff to tend her house, and so Heero had little trouble slipping into her bedroom, his presence going entirely unnoticed. Closing the door behind him Heero took a moment to look around. This had been a room he and Relena had shared many private moments in, as she had slowly worked to pull him out of the shell he was so comfortable with. Nothing had changed over the time he had been gone. Relena's large king size bed stood opposite the door with a set of bay windows behind it. Just as he remembered it. Heero crossed the room to the bed and placed his small gift among the many pillows.

WMWMWMW

Relena smiled, accepting Trowa's offered hand as she climbed from his limo, “Thank you,” she released his hand and walked towards the front door of her house. It had been a long day so far, and wasn't over yet. Relena suppressed a sigh. At least the worst was over. Her last meeting was with Une and her brother for which she was grateful; with them she could relax and act a little tired for once. But that meeting wasn't for an hour, so Relena had decided to come back home and change into something as little less restricting. Besides that, her feet were killing her.

Wufei held the solid oak door open for her as they all entered the house, and she offered him a smile as she walked past 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 leveled 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 past 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 at 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 recognized 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 before closing the little space between them, his mouth covering hers starting a slow kiss. Relena could feel Heero's tightly held need as 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 from 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 here now, wasn't that enough?

Relena lifted her head then looking at him a little surprised. “Of course it does,” she pulled back from him, 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 she perfectly understood his confusion.

Heero felt his lips twitch up a little at that. She knew him and 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 laid 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 your 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 led 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 although Heero was capable of fighting against her, he 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 he had been away. 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 stealing a quick kiss 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 seriously doubted that 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 you're 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 his 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.

“Do the others know you're coming back today?” she asked, the majority of her attention on the task at hand.

“No,” he gave his head a brief shake, “And I don't want them to, not yet at least.” After the exit he had made, Heero knew he wanted to return on his terms. He had made his point; whether they accepted it or not remained to be seen. But before the end of the day Heero was determined to find out.

“So you won't be coming back to the agency with me?”

“I'll make my own way back,” he assured, glancing back over his shoulder.

Relena leaned down and kissed him before asking, “How does your shoulder feel now?” He shifted it, noticing a significant difference from when she had started. He hadn't even had a chance to say anything when Relena's arms wrapped around his neck in a light hug. “See, I told you it would help. Now for your neck.”

He looked back at her again, a little confused. “My neck's fine.”

“So? It feels good doesn't it?” She turned his head forwards. “Isn't that reason enough?”

Heero mentally shrugged and let Relena do as she pleased if it made her happy. Glancing about the room Heero winced at the bright sunshine that spilled into the room, the ache behind his eye flaring up viciously. He shut his eyes waiting for it to fade, wondering why the sensitivity came and went at such random times. Heero felt his shoulders relax in response to Relena's massaging hands, slowly slumping forward as he really began to relax into this. He felt sure that Relena was smiling behind him as she began to hum softly to herself.

He felt like dropping his elbows down onto his knees and just sinking into it. “Feels good, doesn't it?” Relena whispered into his ear, both thumbs working at the base of his neck. He didn't verbally respond to that but opened his eyes and noticed an immediate lack of pain, which surprised him.

Straightening into Relena's hands he felt the need to test this new found relief. His eyes sought out the sunshine that had only minutes before sent pain through his head. His cobalt eyes looked at the window from which the sunlight spilled, “Hn…” he grunted, still shocked.

“What is it?” Relena inquired shifting to kneel beside him.

Heero tentatively brought a hand up to his neck slowly moving his head one way and then another, checking to see if the pain would suddenly return. “Pain's gone…” he mumbled more to himself than Relena.

He could feel her eyes watching him curiously. “I thought you said your neck was fine.”

“It was,” he assured, lowering his hand and turning to face her. He didn't want to cause her to worry, but could see immediately that he was a little too late for that.

Her hand reached up to brush his bangs from his face as she moved a little closer. “What pain, Heero?”

“Just a headache,” he said nonchalantly, leaning in to kiss and her hopefully divert the conversation.

Relena appeared more than willing to play along, her hands slipping inside his still open shirt. He pulled her too him so she was seated in his lap, both arms holding her securely in place. When their lips finally parted, their heads remained close together. Relena seemed content to rest against him, one hand lightly tracing along his ribs while the other fiddled absently with a button. Heero was almost ready to breathe a sigh of relief. “How long have you had these headaches?”

His eyes shut, and he fought to repress a sigh. What makes her think I've had `Them'? he silently wondered, quickly trying to decide if he could pretend it had only been for a few hours. The last thing he wanted was her worrying over him because of this. It wasn't like they were a big deal. He hardly even noticed them most times. “Why are you worried about a headache?” he deflected finally.

“Because,” she stated looking up at him, “You've never mentioned having one before.”

That might have been true, but it was still no reason to jump to any conclusions. “There's always a first time,” he shrugged.

Relena's eyes took on a suspicious light as she pulled back in his arms to look at his face directly. “Not for you. You've been having problems before now, haven't you?”

He felt like demanding `Why not?' but knew he probably wouldn't have liked the answer. “What makes you think that?” he asked instead.

“I know I sound really suspicious,” Relena admitted with the slightest blush touching her cheeks. “But honestly,” her tone was pointed, “Would you tell me if there was a problem?”

They stared at each other for several moments, Heero considering her question and knowing that each passing second was only confirming Relena's suspicions. He wasn't likely to mention anything if he could avoid it. He didn't like having people worry over him, not even someone he loved as much as Relena. Her expression fell a little, and Heero suddenly felt regret. He didn't want to push her away, so would he be able to make an exception for her? With an inaudible sigh Heero finally answered, “I've had them for a while.”

Relena's expression was mixed at that. On the one hand she looked pleased that she had received an answer at all, but the other was concern, very obvious concern. “How long is a while?” She placed a hand on the side of his neck, blue eyes staring deeply into his own.

“Roughly?” He thought for a second. “Since I woke.”

“Since you woke? What, eight months ago?” She sounded incredulous, but clearly didn't need him to answer to know that's what he had meant. “Why haven't you told anyone?”

“It's not that important.” He didn't want it to become important. He was recovering, had recovered, and in time this too would pass.

“Heero, one headache isn't all that important,” Relena said as though it should have been obvious, “Almost constant headaches for eight months is. Both John and Sally would tell you that.”

“I'm not worried,” he told her firmly.

“I am,” Relena countered, pulling herself in for a kiss. “I want to know what's causing it. I don't want to risk losing you again.”

It was a powerful argument but Heero wasn't ready to relent just yet. His brow drew together. “I'm not about to break.” After being weak for so long Heero felt as though he had to prove himself to them once more. He wasn't about to let a headache set him back from his goal.

“I know that.” She didn't sound entirely convinced to Heero's ears. “But could you at least let Sally or John know? Please?”

He was reluctant to agree, but could see the deep concern in Relena's eyes. She appeared almost on the verge of tears as she waited for his reply. “Alright,” he agreed at last, and Relena threw her arms around his neck. He sighed, audibly this time, amazed at the power she had over him as his arms pulled her tightly to him. The moment was shattered when someone knocked sharply upon the door, Relena jumping in his arms, twisting to make sure no one had walked in.

“Relena are you ready?” Trowa's voice asked from through the door.

“No,” she called back, “I'm sorry, I got distracted by something.” Her eyes turned back to Heero and she flashed him a brilliant smile.

“You should get ready,” Heero said somewhat reluctantly once he was sure Trowa had moved back to where ever he had been waiting.

“I'd rather stay here with you…” she told him coyly.

“They'd get suspicious about that.” Despite the changes that had happened since his return, Heero still felt as though his relationship with Relena was far too private to be share openly just yet.

“Yeah…” her head dropped and she was clearly reluctant to get up off his lap. “But you're coming back today.”

“I'll be there before you're done with your meeting,” he assured, opening his arms so they could both come to their feet.

“And you will tell Sally?” she pressed again, expression becoming serious.

“Yes.”

WMWMWMW

Heero stepped out of the stairwell, finally back on his floor of the agency. He was glad to see he hadn't caught one of the pilots moving from one room to another. He made his way quickly to his room, and wondered how long it would really remain `his room'. He did actually have a room down the hall, but it hadn't been used in four years. Heero tossed his coat on the bed and put the case down before leaving the room behind. He had another destination in mind.

With Relena in a meeting with Zechs and Une, Heero knew the pilots would not be in attendance, there just wasn't any need. So it was more than likely that they had converged in the common room. Crossing the hall Heero punched in the four digit code and waited for the door to open. Three heads turned to look at him as he stepped onto the threshold. He didn't want to let the door close behind him. If this went as he planned they wouldn't be remaining in here long.

“'Bout time,” Duo commented twisting in his seat.

Trowa's visible eyebrow had raised, “So it was you who distracted Relena.”

Wufei didn't say a thing, but had shifted to the edge of his seat as Heero focused his attention on him. They might have all come up with the plan to go easy on him, but Wufei had been the one to fight him, it was against him that Heero was determined to prove himself. He shouldn't have had to prove himself, he realized in the back of his mind, they should have trusted his abilities. But it didn't matter. He wanted to show them now.

They shared a look. There was no doubt Wufei knew what Heero was after as he came to his feet and walked towards the door. Heero turned just before he got there and walked out into the hall, striding towards the elevator, and from there the training room, where this mess had begun. His eyes narrowed. Damnit all, they were going to do it right this time!

Thanks for Reading!

No Hold's Barred:

Sally backed off the mat, walking over to where John waited. She felt shaky from the confrontation. She had been looking forward to this day, but as much as she wanted to act like everything was as it used to be it wasn't entirely true. She had been pissed off when Heero chose to leave the agency, feeling he was taking unnecessary risks all because of pride. It was that emotion she had had to draw on in order to confront him as she did. But it had felt good, and she thought she had seen a look of pleasure in Heero's eyes.

“He's a stubborn boy,” John commented, eyes watching the scene unfold. Sally found herself wondering what John thought of all this. He had been strangely quiet about Heero's disappearance, but Sally didn't doubt he had been worried.

Sally turned back to the room, watching as the pilots tried to surround Heero and take him down. It was a game to them, a challenge. It was odd to watch four young men who had had their childhoods stolen from them play in their own special way.

“How long are you going to let this go on?” John asked briefly glancing her way.

“He's tired and sore. I'm sure it won't go on for too long.” Of course there was no way to say that definitively. They could always intervene if it went on for too long.

“I want to sit down and have a talk with that boy,” the old doctor said, folding his arms and settling back.

Sally nodded mutely, wondering how that would go, but before she gave Heero over to the old doctor she wanted to take a look at him. In the middle of the room Wufei, Duo and Trowa were working together to try and corner Heero, but the smaller Japanese man wasn't cooperating. His expression was seriously determined; he wasn't going to go down easily. She felt John shift beside her and sigh impatiently. Heero was going to drag this out.

Morganeth Taren'drel