Duo folded his arms and leaned against the doorway. "How's she doing?"

Heero didn't look up. "She doesn't have a fever, but there is a little blood from where the IVs were. There should be some bandages in the shelf over that couch. Get me some."

Duo rolled his eyes. "Well, yes sir." He opened the shelf and grabbed the pack. He threw it over to Heero, who easily caught it with one hand. "Thanks." He pulled the sleeve up on Relena's hospital gown. A little blood had dripped out, but there was no major problem. Heero quickly bandaged up her arm and stood up. Relena stirred a bit; the smile slowly disappeared from her face, but she stayed asleep.

Heero turned to Duo. "Where do you want to go from here?"

"Well, Hilde and I have a place in the colonies. You guys could-" Duo was cut off by the sound of gunfire. The boat rocked heavily. "What the hell?"

Both men ran up to the deck. Five jet skis had surrounded the boat. As Duo ran to the controls, one pulled up beside him. "You have something we want. Give the girl to us and you won't get hurt. We might even forgive you for killing one of our own."

Duo pretended to think for a moment, then said, "Hm. Here's your answer!" He turned the boat and swiftly rammed into the side of the jet ski. The man yelled out, trying to regain control. "Get them!"

All five drivers grabbed their guns and opened fire. Duo swerved back and forth, trying to take as few hits as possible. "Hey, Heero. There's a trunk behind me. I think you might find the contents useful."

Heero ran over, avoiding the gunfire and opened it. Inside was a handheld rocket launcher. "How did you get this?"

"Heh. You wouldn't believe some of the stuff people throw away these days. Working in a scrapyard has its benefits. There are ten there, just in case."

"I'll only need five." Heero picked it and a rocket up and loaded it. He aimed at the man behind the boat and fired. He tried to swerve, but the rocket hit the back of it. The jet ski exploded and the man screamed out as he fell into the water. Heero calmly loaded it again and looked around. The one who had tried to 'negotiate' was still at the side. Like everyone else, he carried a gun and was firing at Duo. Heero fired at him next. The driver was so focused on trying to kill Duo he didn't even see the rocket coming.

Heero loaded it again and walked to the other side of the boat. Another jet ski was on this side. The driver seemed to have trouble focusing on shooting and keeping his ski along side the boat without crashing into it. Heero shot off another rocket, and this man was so panicked he didn't think of trying to avoid it.

At this time Relena groggily stepped out onto the deck. "Heero, what's going on…?"

Heero ran to her. "Relena, get down!" She dropped to the ground and he covered her from the shrapnel that came from his latest victim. Heero stood first and helped Relena up. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm okay. Looks like you've saved me again, Heero." She smiled.

Heero looked over. There were still two jet skis, both at the front of the boat and firing back. "You'll be safer below deck. Get back down there. I'll come after I take care of these guys."

"Okay… and Heero. Thank you."

Even though he was heading to the bow, Heero still looked back at her. They both paused, eyes locked. "…You can thank me when you're safe." He headed to the bow and immediately shot off another rocket. This one hit the jet ski dead on.

"One left." Heero loaded his last rocket and took aim. This driver realized that it was Heero, not Duo, who posed the biggest problem. He turned his gun at Heero and opened fire. Heero jumped to the side to avoid the shots.

"I don't think so!" Duo sped up and rammed the last jet ski in the back. The driver struggled to regain control and Heero took his opportunity. The rocket hit him, and Duo turned to keep his boat from hitting what was left.

Heero returned the rocket launcher to its place and stood. "Stay up here for now. I don't know if we'll have more company."

Duo nodded. "Sounds like a good idea. Besides, I don't want to come between you and Relena."

Heero didn't even acknowledge Duo's last comment and headed back down. Relena was sitting on the couch. "Now can I thank you?"

He sat down next to her. "Don't worry about it. Besides, I don't think we're in the clear yet."

Relena leaned against Heero. "I'm not worried. You're here now." He just looked away, and she swore his face was a little red.

Heero suddenly stood. "I'm sure you're getting tired of that hospital gown. Before Duo and I came to get you we grabbed some clothes. There's a bedroom and bathroom behind that door, you should get changed."

Relena nodded. "Okay." She opened the door and walked through, closing it behind her. Sure enough, this led into something that resembled a bedroom. There was a bed, a small table with a lamp next to it, and… nothing else. A door to the other side of the bed was open, which led to a bathroom just as simple: a toilet, sink, and shower. Well, I shouldn't expect much on a small boat like this.

Relena found the pile of clothes sitting on the bed. She quickly changed and walked back out. "Heero, I think…" Her voice trailed off. The first room was empty again. She walked up to the deck of the boat to find both Heero and Duo. Duo was sitting at the controls, looking rather bored. Heero was sitting on one side, staring at the water. Relena kneeled down next to him. "Heero?"

He turned to face her. "Yeah?"

"Don't you think these clothes are a bit… baggy?" She had on a shirt that fell below her waist and a pair of jeans that only revealed the soles of the sneakers she wore.

"I know. We won't be here forever, and when we get off, I don't want anyone to recognize you."

"Where are we going?"

"The safest place for you right now…" Heero looked up at the sky. "…space."

Relena followed his gaze up. She didn't like the idea, but it seemed like someone was trying very hard to kill her. I suppose there isn't much of a choice.

"Hey lovebirds!" Both Heero and Relena turned to Duo, who had stepped down from the controls. "As much as I'd hate to break up such a lovely moment between you two, we'll be reaching the dock in less than five minutes."

Heero stood up and turned to Relena. "Wait here for a moment." He disappeared down the stairs for a moment, and then returned holding a cap and sunglasses. "I doubt you'd cut your hair, so you should put it up and wear the hat. The sunglasses as well."

"Can't be too careful, right Heero?"

He handed her both objects. "I don't want you getting hurt."

Relena smiled. As she was putting up her hair the boat came to a stop. She quickly put on the hat and went with Heero to the dock. Duo was tying up the boat so they could safely get off. "Okay, we're set. Just get off and follow me."

Heero was the first to leave. He jumped off and easily landed on the dock. He then turned and held out a hand to Relena. She took it and carefully stepped off. While her first foot made it safely, her second got caught under the dock and she fell. Heero was right there to catch her. He pulled Relena up and she simply looked at him. They stayed there for a moment, her in his arms. He pulled away, saying, "We should get going."

"Okay." The dock was right next to an airport, and they followed Duo as he went down a runway. A shuttle sat there. From afar it looked abandoned, but as they got closer, Relena saw two figures standing next to it. She immediately recognized them.

Duo was the first to speak. "Sally! Wufei! I didn't think we'd be getting a personal escort today."

Sally Po crossed her arms. "You know, Duo, it's the funniest thing. You said Lady Une signed off on this, but when I talked to her about getting a shuttle, she had no idea about your little operation."

"Oops. Did I forget to tell her? Heero, I thought you were going to remind me!"

"Don't get me involved in this. You were the one who suggested we go into space."

"Oh, come on man, where are your loyalties these days?"

"You know," Sally interrupted, "if you had actually talked to her, Lady Une wouldn't have had any problems with you guys leaving."

"Yeah, well, she's so busy with everything right now, I figured, why bother?"

"Yes, she's so busy protecting important people who are in trouble. Like the President of the Earth Sphere, or Relena Darlian."

Wufei spoke up. "As much fun as this reunion is getting, we should hurry up and board. I'm sure the people after Relena haven't stopped following you yet."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry. Should anyone search the boat, I left them a nice surprise." As if on cue, there was an explosion at the docks. Everyone turned around and saw Duo's boat in flames. Several people were running away, screaming. "Well, I guess we'd better board."

Relena and Heero entered first, followed by Duo. Sally and Wufei looked around before getting in. It only took a minute for everyone to strap in and the shuttle was off, headed to space.

As they cleared the Earth, Duo looked back to Heero and Relena. Heero had leaned back in his chair, asleep, and Relena was looking out the window. "Hey, Relena… I just realized something. Since you're gone, who's gonna be in charge of the Sanc Kingdom?"

"There's nothing to worry about. Should anything happen to me, I've left Dorothy in charge."

"What?!"

"She is a very kind person."

"Yeah, if you get past the whole lust for battles thing. Quatre's told me about her."

"I know that she's changed since the war, and I have no reason not to believe in her now. Unless my brother comes back, she is the chief representative of the Sanc Kingdom."

"Okay, if you say so…"

Relena turned back to her window. She'd flown between the colonies and Earth numerous amount of times. Although she didn't always look forward to those trips, she could never forget how beautiful the Earth looked from space.

Relena yawned. She'd slept once after waking up in the hospital, and even then it had been interrupted by the next attempt on her life. I suppose Earth is becoming too dangerous for me right now… but who would try this hard to kill me? There were still people apprehensive about peace promised by the Earth Sphere Unified Nation, but killing one person wouldn't change anything. It seemed like this was personal, which worried her even more.

Heero stirred a bit, and Relena looked over at him. No matter what happens, he will be here to protect me, she thought happily. She yawned again. There was still time to get a little rest before the shuttle landed. She leaned against his shoulder and closed her eyes.

"I'd love-" She was cut off by the sound of an explosion. She stood immediately, looking around the parking lot. The rain couldn't douse the fire where her pink limousine once sat. "Pagan…? Pagan!"

…

"You know, if you want to put this on hold for a couple of days-"

"No, it's fine. Like I said, I'm not going to let anyone think they can scare me. Besides, the park is just up ahead."

…

"Miss Relena, are you still going to speak today considering everything that's happened?"

Charles came over and put an arm around her protectively. "She'll answer all of your questions later. Please, just stop bugging her!" He led her past the crowd into the park, leaving behind the reporters who were still shouting.

…

"You're so hard to kill…"

"If only you'd died in that damn bomb I wouldn't have to-"

"Relena! Relena!" Relena woke up. Heero was shaking her and Duo and Wufei were standing next to her. "What…?"

"You were screaming," Heero answered hurriedly. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. It was just a bad dream." Heero let go of Relena, but no one around her said anything. "Seriously, I'll be okay."

"Wufei, we're about to enter the colony," Sally called out from the cockpit.

"I'm coming." Wufei turned and headed back to her. "You guys should probably strap in."

"Right." Duo looked back at Relena as he sat down at his seat. He tried to smile. "You know, you had us worried there for a minute. Even Heero."

"Hm," was the only reply Heero gave. He fastened himself in and was about to fold his arms when Relena grabbed his hand. He looked over at her, surprised. She was close to tears and held on to his hand tightly. Before either could say anything, their shuttle hit the ground and began rolling to a stop.

Heero pulled away from her grasp and reached down under his chair. He pulled out the pair of sunglasses. "I held onto these. You'll need them." As he placed them over Relena's eyes, he wiped away her tears.