by Honor Harrington
Heero grasped Relena's hand as she lay in the hospital bed. Sally Po was injecting the antidote into her arm. Relena winced in pain and gripped Heero's hand tighter.
"You shouldn't have come for me. It's gonna cost us some time in our strive for peace," Relena looked at Heero.
"There was no way I was gonna leave you there."
"You shouldn't have come," Relena said, "it's too late for me, anyway. It's already in my system."
"No it's not, you liar," Heero smiled fondly at Relena.
"How do you do it?" Relena looked up to her husband.
"Do what?"
"Fight with me, even when I'm dying." Relena sarcastically responded.
Heero shrugged, "I'm not because you're not gonna die."
Relena smiled simply, "I know."
********
"Sam, tell me now," Lt. Castelle came to stand next to Sam on the airstrip, facing the wind, "I've been meaning to ask you to dinner sometime. I mean, if you're not too busy, or anything."
"Lt. Castelle--" Sam began
"--Chris. Call me Chris."
Sam's eyes widened with impatience, "Luitenant Castelle. I don't believe you've met my twin brother," she said as Mike walked up.
Chris twisted his lips in confusion as he gawked.
Sam and Mike laughed and started to walk away. Chris grabbed Sam's arm, "That doesn't change anything. How about dinner?"
Mike turned suddenly and swiftly and punched Castelle, "Don't touch my sister."
Sam poked Mike in the ribs mock-angrily, "Hey, I could've done it myself!"
"You're welcome, Hayley!" Mike laughed.
Castelle found himself on the ground. Joey joined Sam and Mike, "Typical boys. Always fighting over something stupid."
********
Heero sat on a chair next to Relena's bed. He looked up and saw Sam and Mike walking in the door.
"How is she?" Sam's forehead was wrinkled with concern as she knelt quickly at Relena's side and held her hand.
"She's gonna be fine," Heero said.
Relena's eyes fluttered open, and she smiled as she saw the three in the room, "Wow, a family reunion. Do you know how long I've been praying for this?"
Mike, or rather, Randal, smiled, "Hi, Mom."
"Gee, Mom, you really got busted up, didn't you?" Hayley, aka Sam, grinned.
Heero smiled at his kids and nodded his approval.
********
Outside the room, Heero, Hayley, and Randal sat in the chairs and started talking. Chris Castelle strolled down the hall with less confidence, but more courage.
"Heads up, Hayley," Heero nodded his head in Castelle's direction.
"Sam? May I speak with you in private? I would like to ask you something without any interruptions this time," Lt. Castelle glared at Randal.
I should've broken his jaw so he couldn't talk, thought Randal.
"I don't think that's necessary. Whatever you've got to say to me can be said in front of these two. Oh, Castelle, have you met my father, Heero Yuy?"
Lt. Castelle's face drained of color as he stammered, "You're f-fa-father?"
Hayley sighed, "And here I thought you were the best profiler on the planet!"