Chapter Two: Thunderstorms

Author's note and disclaimer: Good news and bad news! I got a new job, I put my two week notice in today and my boss didn't look too please, but she has always been hard to read. I start October 13th. Now for the bad news, I don't know how much I'll be able to write until I get used to this new job. I'll still update this story, but it probably won't be as frequent.

I don't own Gundam Wing

There was a storm brewing outside, the wind howled sharply, the thunder shook the windows and lightning poured into the room. Wufei woke up after the biggest thunder boom; groggily he traveled to Kako's room, to check on her. Most babies would have woken up, but his daughter was sound asleep. She slept like Himeno, if a bomb went off next to her she wouldn't even stir. He chuckled lightly and fixed the blanket over her. That reminded him to check on Himeno who wasn't in bed when he first woke up.

He had checked the library, her office, the kitchen, the basement and the two out of the three living rooms. Wufei didn't bother to check the garage; he would have heard her leave if Himeno decided to go on a midnight grocery run. Nonetheless, he found her at the other end of the house. He wasn't surprised when he found her asleep on the couch. After having Kako, Himeno's hormones would cause terrible hot flashes, so sometimes she would sleep somewhere else where she could be cold. Leaning over the couch, Wufei reached over to tuck away strands of hair behind her ear. However, he noted the sweat that drenched her bangs.

Himeno's eyes were swiveling under the lids, her muscles flecked and small moans escaped from her lips. Wufei moved in front of her and wondered how he should wake her. The last time he tried to Himeno almost killed him. He stepped back a few inches and was about to shake her awake, but then she shot up gasping for air. The look of terror in her eyes brought fear to Wufei's heart.

"She's not having nightmares again, is she?" He thought. During one of their couples therapy sessions they spoke of her rape and how she appeared to be over it, but the doctor informed them that there will be months where everything will be fine. But there will come day where it'll hit her and everything will come rushing back.

Wufei spoke gently, wanting to reach out to her, but didn't know how she would react to a physical gesture, "Himeno."

She jumped at the sound of her name, turning her head toward Wufei quickly, "Wufei? What are you doing up?"

"The storm woke me up," He replied sitting next to her. Wufei eyed his wife as she wiped away the sweat from her brow. The blood from Himeno's face was returning, but her eyes still looked frightened. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Talk about what?" She asked yawning.

Wufei rolled his eyes, "the nightmare you just had."

"Duo was dancing in nothing but bunny ears and assless chaps." Himeno replied bluntly.

Wufei's face was contorted with disgust and fear, "why were you dreaming of Duo?"

"He mentioned a movie that has a bunch of male strippers today at work." Himeno rolled her shoulders and laid her head on Wufei's shoulders.

Wufei knew better than to believe her of course, especially when she flat out lied to him. There was something bothering her, it was bad enough to keep her from sleeping every other night. It was beginning to affect her work and how she reacted towards Kako. For a moment, he thought it was PPD, but it felt like something else.

Himeno got up to make some tea while Wufei fetched the baby monitor from their bedroom. Coming back he found Himeno starting a fire in the fire place, he smiled as a glimpse from the past surfaced in his memory.

It was during the war, a night with an angry storm brewing outside. Himeno was known as Ayame back then, a name she took on to protect whatever family she had left. The two were able to escape from the OZ compound, but had to take shelter until the storm died down. The little old house they found comfort in only had a fire place to keep them warm. Ayame burned whatever she could find, which wasn't much. While he was away foraging for food they bought hours before the mission, she had made a futon out of the blankets and pillows she gathered around the house.

It was their first together, they were able to forget about everything and everyone and just focus on themselves. Wufei remembered what she smelled like, what she felt like. He remembered the large gash on her side from her control panel that broke free during the recent duel. After spending hours of exploring each other's body, Ayame had fallen sleep, but Wufei remained asleep. He traced every scar he could find on her body and kissed each and every one of them gently.

"Wufei are you alright?" Himeno asked bringing Wufei out of his trance.

He smiled adoringly at her, "it is nothing. I was just remembering something."

"Well come remember it over here." Himeno joked patting the couch cushion.

"So much has changed." He thought sweetly as he sat next to her, noticing the pot of tea and the one tea cup lying out. "You're not drinking?"

"I'm not much of a tea drinker remember?" Himeno replied laying her head on his lap, "it's for you."

"You're over compensating again, Himeno." Wufei stated dryly, but he still accepted the beverage. Even though Himeno didn't drink coffee or tea, she still knew how to make the best of both.

Himeno smiled, "am I?"

"Don't play coy with me, Himeno Chang." Wufei warned playfully flicking her on the forehead. "Whenever you want to talk about whatever is bothering you you know I'm here for you."

Himeno glared coldly at the floor, "I know you are."

"Then why won't you tell me what's been keeping you up at night?"

Himeno sighed with frustration, "Because I can't explain something that I don't understand."

He had to admit that Himeno had a point, so he gave up the topic for the night. But he couldn't help but feel the twinge of nervousness in the pit of his stomach. They both knew the last time Himeno had unexplainable nightmares meant something bad was on the horizon. It happened a few months after they met Himeno and her merry band of terrorists during the war. She was having nightmares that she couldn't explain and the next thing everyone knew they were under attack by Oz. Hundreds of people died, not just her terrorists friends, but civilians—the elderly, woman and children. It sent her into a rage no one has ever seen since, she continued to fight even when her Gundam ran out of ammunition—she kept on pushing until her body failed her.

The next few nights the nightmares kept getting worse. Himeno would wake up screaming and drenched in a cold sweat. Himeno's body was getting weaker by the day—she barely had enough strength to lift Kako whenever the child wanted up. Sally gave her different sleeping medication every time one of them failed, but none of them worked. There was only so much therapy could do for Wufei's stubborn wife. Alex did everything she could to help Himeno get the best sleep possible, but Himeno didn't like drinking tea and coffee was out of the question—so there was only so much the young American girl could do.

To escape from Lady Une's constant badgering about her work Himeno hid Wufei's office, she tried to sleep, but the disturbing images jolted her awake.

"That bad," Wufei asked filing away another report.

Himeno wiped away the sweat from her face and attempted to stand, but her legs gave in and she collapsed back onto the couch.

Wufei light scoffed and shook his head, "I'll take that as a yes."

"I don't know how much longer I can keep this up Wufei." Himeno said shakily, running her hand through her hair.

"What does Doctor Takashi say?" Wufei asked.

Himeno harshly replied, "That idiot therapist has no idea, just like the others."

Wufei rolled his chair over to his wife, clutched her hands in his and brought their foreheads together. "Then try explaining it to me."

The panic rose Himeno's heartbeat, "N-no, I can't."

Wufei snapped and kicked back his chair against the wall making Himeno jump in her spot, "Dammit Himeno I am trying to help you! Stop being so damn stubborn and just tell me!"

Himeno ducked her head and avoided Wufei's furious dark eyes; she did everything she could to keep her wits about her. But doing this just made the Chinese man even angrier. He grasped at her shoulders, forcing her to her feet and gently shook her.

"Himeno please," Wufei begged, "I hate seeing you like this! Kako shouldn't have to see you like this! I will take Kako away from you, Himeno. That's the last thing I want to do, but I don't know how you'll react around her anymore!"

"I do just fine with her Wufei!" Himeno shot back, weakly pushing Wufei off of her.

"Don't you dare lie to me! Alex told me how you fell asleep while you were giving her a bath!" Wufei yelled, "Kako could have died! Is that what you want, Himeno, to lose another child?"

Himeno was at a loss for words, but Wufei was back on top of her. "You need to tell me about these nightmares Himeno before I have to do something that I don't want to!"

Himeno's anger snapped, "You die Wufei!" Wufei's grip lightened as eyes and mouth widen in shock, "I don't know when and I don't know why, but you die every time. You're lying on your back holding a picture of Kako and me and all you're thinking about is missing out on Kako's first word—her first steps. And all I can do is watch as the man I love is dying in my dreams every damn night! Are you happy now?"

Wufei stared down at Himeno, his hands finally releasing Himeno's arms—automatically Himeno slapped him across his face. "Don't you ever grab me like that again, Wufei!"

Himeno stormed out of his office, right pass Heero, Duo and Trowa. They gathered around Wufei while he rubbed the cheek that got hit.

"I don't know what you did to deserve that Fei, but I wouldn't recommend doing it again." Duo stated.

"It was a good thing your door was closed too, because everyone in the office could hear you yelling." Trowa added, Wufei's head snapping in his direction, "but we couldn't hear what you two were arguing you about though."

"If I were you Wufei I would go apologize to her. Or else Himeno will give you the worst silent treatment you have ever experience." Heero said reciting the text message he just received from the extremely pissed off Himeno.

Author's note: I know it's an awkward place to stop, but I think I got my point across. Please leave a review.