Peace of Mind
Author: Princess Blade
Disclaimer: GW and all characters in this story belong to their respective creators. Use in this story is for fan fiction purpose only.
Summary: 1xR. I always wondered about what happened right after the lovely scene in "Endless Waltz" where Heero collapses into Relena's arms. Here's one thought I had. Hope you enjoy.
Special thanks to the wonderful Deona Lindholm for being my beta reader. :)
Also, genuine criticism/feedback is appreciated, not flames. Thank you.
Three days felt like an eternity.
He pushed himself too far. Again. Hopefully, for the last time. Relena Darlian wrapped the blanket the hospital gave her around her shoulders and leaned back in the chair next to his bed. She watched him collapse, and the only thing she remembered before the medics took him was the feeling of him in her arms, his deep breathing against her chest, and the feel of his hair in her fingers. He was there; worn and battered and exhausted, but alive.
Three days after that, she held him once more, but only his hand. The rest of him slept peacefully in a bed inside a private room she was able to get for him. Though others suggested she leave and rest herself, Relena would hear nothing of it. The doctors said he would recover swiftly—and he has so far—but she had to see it through herself.
Because there were very few times she could have him to herself.
She watched his chest fall and rise in time with the machines that monitored his vitals. Up, then down, and then up, and down, and…twitch? Relena had to look twice. He started to move.
"…Heero?"
The hand she held squeezed hers slightly. His eyes—those beautiful blue eyes—slowly opened, trying to adjust to the light in the room. His focus was the ceiling, but when she called to him again, he moved his head toward her.
For the first time in two years, she a tear slid down her cheek, "You're awake."
He held her there for a moment, as if trying to remember her, but there was no mistaking the woman before him. Heero watched her take her seat, scooting the chair even closer to his bedside. "How long have I been here?"
She reflected for a moment, "Three days."
"How long have you been there?"
"Three days," she smiled.
"And you can afford to do that?"
Typical, she thought. "I had my secretary clear my calendar."
He frowned, "You shouldn't have done that." I'm not worth your time.
She shook her head, "There's nothing that can't be rescheduled." Relena opened his palm and set it against her cheek, "You're far more important, you know that."
He knew, but it was always difficult for him to understand how this woman—the Vice Foreign Minister—would put him above everything else.
"I missed you, Heero."
Almost as soon as she finished that sentence, Heero looked away, "I'm sorry."
Relena used her free hand to gently move his head back toward her, "You're here now. I'm grateful for that." In so many ways.
It was reassuring to see him awake, and though his eyes were focused on her, she could tell that the exhaustion was getting the better of him. She tucked his arm next to his body, and leaned over the bed close to his face, brushing stray hairs off his forehead. With a gentle kiss to the exposed skin there, she whispered, "You should rest now."
Heero caught her eye, and they stared at each other for the briefest of moments, then he nudged his face toward her and their lips met in a light kiss. Releasing her, he obliged her request as sleep slowly took hold of him. "Okay," he said quietly.
He couldn't see it, but she smiled again as she watched him slip into unconsciousness and wished him the sweetest of dreams. Would he stay this time? She never knew, could never predict, but always hoped. But, for now, it gave her enough peace of mind to have him beside her at that very moment.