Disclaimer- How many times do I have to say this? I don't own gundam wing or tenchi. boohoo :(



Heero opened his eyes and looked at the alarm clock between Tenchi's bed and his. 10:45. Impossible. He'd never slept this late in his life. *The clock must be wrong.*

The door to Tenchi's room slowly opened. Heero sat up. "Thought you might want some orange juice and toast," said Sesami, placing the tray on the bed. "Everyone else is already up and about, even Ryoko."

"Really?" said a dazed Heero. He was still in shock over how late he slept.

"Really. Oh," commented Sesami, "I almost forgot!" She handed Heero a note. "Enjoy your brunch!"

Heero-

1:30 p.m.

Edge of the lake by the giant cherry blossom tree.

That was all the note said.

~~~~~

Ryoko was standing by thegiant cherry blossom tree, looking at the lake, when she felt a pair of arms encircle her waist.

"Heero."

"Ryoko. You wanted to meet me here?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Does there have to be a reason?"

"I suppose not."

"Well, there isn't one."

"Good."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"I...uh..."

"Ha! The great Heero Yuy is at a loss for words!"

"Hn." The couple stood quietly for a while.

"Thank you for the letter," Ryoko said. Heero just held her closer. "You seem...depressed."

"I'm not," he said, keeping as neutral a tone as possible.

"Yes you are. As much as you think you can hide your emotions, I can read them. The eyes are the window to one's soul, you know, and your eyes betray everything. you've been depressed for the last few days."

"I've been thinking about my departure. I've only got a week left. And...and I'm confused."

"Confused about what?"

"I want to go home but... I dont want to leave you."

"Me?"

"I'm slowly falling in love with you. I know that you like your life here, but I...I cant stay. I need to go. I just dont want to loose you."

"I see," Ryoko whispered, becoming depressed herself. "Well then, what are we supposed to do?"

"I dont know."

~~~~~

Heero had known this was going to happen. The two had spent the week together, and now he was on his way to the airport. Without Ryoko. She had hugged and kissed him goodbye. She had even cried on his shoulder. And he couldn't comfort her. They both knew it was the end. Heero let a tear fall as he reflected on the moment.

And yet, what could he have done? *This is all for the best. We have our own lives to lead. Apart from one another. She was breaking down my walls. I must stay the perfect soldier.*

But do you really want to stay perfect? a voice inside Heero's head seemed to say. You want her to tear down those barriers, to make you human again.

*Why would I want that!* the perfect soldier shouted.

You love her.

"Sir," said the driver, "we've arrived at the airport."

"Thank you." Heero then went on his way to the plane.

~~~~~

"HEERO!" the other four gundam pilots yelled as they saw their friend get off the plane.

"Hey," Heero weakly replied.

"How was your vacation?" they all asked.

"I dont want to talk about it." was all they could get out of him.

~~~~~

Ryoko sat on her bed staring at the sheets.

"You let him go?!" cried Ayeka.

""What else was I supposed to do, little miss perfect?" Ryoko shouted and broke out into tears again.

~~~~~

"She didn't come with you," Trowa said. He and Heero had been sitting in Heero's room for the past hour, saying nothing.

"No."

"Did you ask her?"

"She's happy there."

"But are you happy?"

"No. I'm happy here...but not without her. I wouldn't be happy there though. But..."

"But you love her and want to spend the rest of your life with her."

"Yes."

"Does she love you and want to spend the rest of her life with you?"

"I dont know."

"You mean you never asked?" Trowa seemed shocked.

"Should I have?"

"I suggest you - "

"Get on the next plane back there and tell her I love her and will spend the rest of my life with her?" Heero copleted Trowa's sentence.

"Well, I was thinking you could call her, but I guess your idea's better." Trowa and Heero looked at each other for a minute. "I'll get the car keys."

~~~~~

"Do you love him?" Ayeka asked.

"Yes."

"So go after him!"

"But that would mean leaving here and never comming back, or having him live here. Either way one of us would be unhappy."

"But are you really happy here Ryoko?"

"I thought I was, but..."

"But you miss him. You love him. You wanna get married and have 5 kids with him, live in a quaint country house with a white picket fence and a porch swing, and spend your days and nights talking to him."

"Umm...Ayeka, are you feeling well?"

"Of course I am! Haven't you ever heard of exadgeration? Ugh. We both know you'd be happier with him."

"I suppose you're right."

"I am! And therefore, we are going to put you on a plane to go see him this instant!"

"But..."

"NO BUTS!!!!!"

"I guess you're right. Will you help me?"

"I called the taxi company before I even came to talk to you. There's one waiting outside for you."

A.N. - ooo, i'm actually getting somewhere with the plot! R&R pleez. any suggestions/comments are welcome! :)