Family
Chapter 9: The Present and the Future Part One
Author's note: Previously on Family, in an effort to save Trowa, Heero sacrificed himself and was caught in a landslide. Heero died for an hour but was revived with the help of his friends. He went through a thirteen hour long operation and is now in a state of a coma. His comatose will has been read and Federick has informed Fate of Heero's current situation.
Trowa is going to visit Fate to deliver the letter and Heero's last message for Fate. Will Fate be moved or persuaded to return to VLA? Will Heero ever wake up? What is going to happen next?
Attention: This chapter can be very confusing as I will be switching in and out of scenes in the future as well as in the present. Hence please take note if I mention the year and date the scene takes place in. I have also indicated if the scene is in the Present or in the Future for clearer reading. It might be a little bit confusing, but I'm trying something new here.
Thank you for reading this story and I hope that you continue to support it. Please read and review, NO FLAMERS! Pairing: HeeroXOC
After Colony 201(Present time)
The next day, 14th August
Japan, Sakura City, Sakura Mansion,
Night time
Preventer Trowa Barton and Ryan Anderson (Heero's personal lawyer) were currently at Fate's Mansion. Fate's butler, Light had let them in. Unfortunately, they were informed that Fate wasn't home. They had little choice but to continue to wait for her. They rested as they waited for Fate to return home. Trowa was looking at the main gates through the opened doors. He was surprised to see a car stop right outside of the mansion's gates. He looked up at the clock on the wall and saw that it was already eleven o'clock at night. A man came out of the car and opened the door for Fate to step out.
"Is that her?" Ryan asked him.
"Yes that is her." Trowa told him.
But Trowa's eyes were fixed on the man with her. He was tall, muscular and broad in the shoulders. His hair was blonde and he was too far away for Trowa to see his eye colour. But he did look handsome and Fate seems to be enjoying his company as she was smiling at him. They started walking towards the mansion instead. Trowa noticed how they were chatting happily with each other. Light greeted the two of them at the door and Trowa went out to make his presence known.
"Miss, you have guests." Light informed Fate.
Fate looked surprised to hear that and she turned to look at the man who is beside her.
"Hello Fate." Trowa greeted.
Fate's eyes widen in shock when she saw him. Trowa slowly approached her, but his eyes were on the man with her. Could this man be Heero's love rival?
"May I get an introduction?" Trowa asked Fate.
Fate's reaction was a little slow, but she introduced the man to be Matthew Campbell. She then introduced him to Matthew. They greeted each other and shook hands. Trowa noticed that Matthew's eyes were gray blue in colour.
"Campbell… Do you have a brother by the name of Marcus Campbell?" Trowa asked Matthew.
"Yes, I do. How did you know that? He's one of my younger brothers. Do you know Marcus?" Matthew told him.
"I do know him; he's a colleague of mine." He told Matthew.
Marcus is a Preventer and Heero was the one who had trained him. Fate seems to get the hint that Marcus is also a Preventer.
"Why are you here?" She asked Trowa instead.
"There's something I need to talk to you about, in private." Trowa told her softly.
Fate nodded and turned back to Matthew instead.
"I guess the tea will have to wait. I will see you tomorrow, thank you for sending me home." Fate told Matthew.
"You are welcome; I will see you tomorrow then." Matthew told her.
The two of them smiled at each other and Trowa wondered if they were lovers. He noticed the way Matthew looks at Fate; it was obvious that the man likes her. Fate greeted Matthew goodbye and turned to look at Trowa almost immediately after the door slides close. They went into the living room and Trowa introduced Ryan to Fate. A fresh new pot of hot tea was served and Fate waited for them to start the conversation. Trowa started to inform Fate of Heero's status, but Fate told him that Federick had already informed her of Heero's situation. Trowa was shocked to hear that, if Fate already knows that Heero's in a coma, why was she still here? And why was she still so calm about the matter? It was as if she didn't care about Heero anymore.
"I'm here to read my client, Mr. Heero Wingate's will." Ryan told her.
"He's dead?" Fate asked.
Trowa was surprised at how calm she was when she asked that question. She didn't even look shocked.
"My client is not dead yet, but he has written a will incase he ends up in a state of a coma." Ryan explained.
Fate was silent as Ryan read the contents of the comatose will.
"Fate de Camden has been awarded thirteen percent of SilverWings' shares." Ryan announced.
Fate stared at Ryan in shock.
"Did you just say thirteen percent?" Fate asked Ryan.
"I did."
"I… don't understand, why did he even give me any of his company's shares?" Fate asked.
"I'm afraid that I am unable to answer your question, I'm just a lawyer who's doing what my client asks me to." Ryan told her.
"I don't want them." Fate whispered.
"I believe you have no choice Fate. For you cannot sell or transfer them to anyone as long as Heero is still alive." Trowa told her.
"I don't want his money." Fate whispered.
Trowa said nothing. As Ryan's job has finished, he will be leaving to go back to VLA. Light saw Ryan out and there was only the two of them that remained in the living room. Trowa noticed how Fate seems to be caught in her own thoughts. He reached into the pocket of his pants and placed the folded letter on the coffee table infront of them.
"Before Heero died…"
Fate slowly looked up at him.
"He made me promise that I will deliver this letter to you." Trowa told her.
Fate's eyes landed on the folded letter that was on the table.
"Is that why you are here?" Fate asked him softy.
Trowa nodded.
"There's also something else. Before he died… there's something else that he wanted to tell you…" Trowa told her.
She merely continued to look at him as if waiting for him to continue.
"He tried very hard to tell me what he wanted to say but… I could only hear the word I, before he died." Trowa told her softly.
He looked down instead; the memory of that night was still haunting him in his dreams. The guilt was still there and it wouldn't go away, not until Heero wakes up. Trowa clenched his hands into a fist as he thought of Heero's last words.
"Was that all that he said?" Fate whispered.
"Yes." Trowa told her softly.
"Light, please see Trowa out." Fate told her butler.
Light came into the room, but Trowa wasn't finished yet.
"Aren't you coming back to VLA with me?" Trowa asked.
"And why would I do that?" she asked him softly.
"To see Heero?" Trowa asked.
Fate was silent for a while but then she shook her head.
"I'm sorry, but I'm busy at the moment and I do not wish to see him." Fate told him.
Trowa was shocked to hear her say that. Isn't Heero the man that she loves? Why doesn't she want to see him, especially now that he's in a state of a coma?
"Fate, do you not understand the situation Heero is in? He's now in a state of a coma and living on a life support machine. He might die any time, Fate. What Heero needs now is the support of his family and his friends." Trowa told her.
"I'm not a part of his family, nor am I his friend. Besides I don't think he would want me to be there with him." Fate told him.
Trowa watched as Fate stood up instead.
"Light, please see Trowa out." She commanded.
"Yes Miss, Mr. Barton, this way please." Light told him, gesturing to the main doors of the mansion.
Fate was walking out of the room.
"What has happened to you?" Trowa asked her.
Fate stopped in her tracks and turned back to look at him.
"Nothing has happened to me, Trowa. I'm just trying to move on." Fate told him and then she disappeared from his sight.
Trowa's eyes fell on the letter that was still on the coffee table. Fate didn't even take it with her and Trowa could tell that she did that on purpose. What was wrong with her? Why has she changed so much? What is going on between her and Heero?
Later on, (still the Present)
Fate was sitting infront of her dressing table and brushing her hair. She was getting ready to go the bed when there was a knock on her door.
"Come in." Fate called out.
She turned and watched as Light entered her room.
"Is there something wrong?" She asked Light softly.
"You left this behind."
Light presented the letter that Trowa had promised Heero to pass to her. Fate didn't move to take the letter from Light. Instead she moved over to her desk and opened a drawer. She took out a pile of unread letters that she had received from Rachel, Heero as well as from Heero's friends. She walked over to Light and handled the entire pile of letters to him.
"Please burn all of these for me." She told him as she sat back down on the stool that was before her dressing table.
"Are you sure about this, Miss?" Light asked her softly.
"Yes, I'm sure." Fate told him.
Light bowed and turned to leave her room. Fate was then reminded of something else.
"Oh, from now on, please do not let Trowa Barton, Quatre Raberba Winner, Chang Wufei, Duo Maxwell and Rachel Wingate into the mansion. I do not wish to see them and nor will I take any of their calls." Fate told him.
"As you wish, Miss." Light told her, as he bowed again.
Fate stared at her own reflection. She knows that she might come across as mean, cruel and selfish, but she had little choice. The only way to move on is to avoid having any form of contact with Heero and his friends. She might lose their friendship, but it was a price she's willing to pay to move on with the rest of her life. They need to know that she's no longer the girl who had waited for Heero for four years. Heero might never wake up from the coma, and she's not going to spend the rest of her life waiting for him.
She looked down sadly at her hands. Of course she's still worried about him and afraid that he might really die, but she's not going to give up her future for him. He didn't even like her; he didn't even know that she existed. Fate knows that one day she will forget all about him as well as her love for him. By then she will truly be able to be with someone else. But for now… she still felt the familiar heartache in her chest.
"Are you sure about this, Fate?" Meteor asked her.
"I'm sure." Fate told Meteor as she stared at her own reflection in the mirror.
"It's the best for all of us." She whispered.
The next day, 15th August (Present Time)
Colony L1, VLA
Secret Location
Quatre was still in VLA and he was currently visiting Heero with Wufei. They have moved Heero to a secret location. It was the first time Quatre was visiting Heero since they have moved him here. There were many security gates to bypass, it did consume a lot of time but Quatre was glad to know that Heero is well protected. They finally passed through the last gate and entered the lift that took them underground. The lift kept on going downwards and Quatre started to have a bad feeling about the place.
"Why is this place so deep underground?" Quatre asked.
Quatre then realized that this underground place was big enough to store mobile suits and Gundams.
"This place…" Quatre asked.
Wufei nodded as if he knew what Quatre was thinking of.
"Heero once used it to make his repairs to Wing Zero."
"Does he possibly still have any mobile suits left?" Quatre asked.
"Not that I know of." Wufei told him.
They were silent for the rest of the journey and they finally reached the level where Heero was kept. Wufei scanned his entire hand before the door opened for them. Quatre entered the place and wasn't surprised to see that it was indeed a Mobile Suit Warehouse. There was enough space to store many mobile suits.
Wufei then started walking and Quatre followed after him. After another biometric bypass, the door opened and Quatre realized that it was another laboratory. At the end of the laboratory was a very long glass tank and apparently they have kept Heero inside waters. He was lying down and still sleeping in the glass tank. There was a life support machine and some other machine attached to the glass tank.
"What is this?" Quatre asked, referring to the whole glass tank.
"Something that Heero invented to help him heal his injuries faster. It works a lot faster than keeping him on a hospital bed in a hospital room." Wufei explained.
"Will it make him wake up sooner?" Quatre asked.
"It's hard to say, but at least his minor injuries are healing." Wufei told him after examining Heero through the transparent glass.
Quatre continued to observe Heero as Wufei checked a few things on the computer screens.
"He's well and stable." Wufei told him.
"We cannot touch or talk to him?" Quatre asked.
"We might contaminate the water that is inside the tank hence we cannot touch him. However we can speak to him through his microphone. There's a speaker inside which will channel what you want to say to him." Wufei told him.
Quatre stared at the microphone; well at least it was better than shouting at Heero through the thick glass.
"How long do you think it will take before he wakes up?" Quatre asked.
"Maybe a year or more." Wufei told him softy.
None of them spoke as they stared at Heero who seems to be sleeping soundly in the glass tank.
The Future
Heero woke up and found out that he was lying on a bed. He sat up and waited for his vision to be clear. He had no idea where he was. The last thing he remembered was asking Trowa to pass a letter to Fate and messages to the people that he knows. He could tell that it was morning as there sunlight was shining onto the curtains and Heero recognized this place to be his own room. But there was something a little different about it. There was a knock on the door and Heero was surprised to see a man in his 50s dressed in a butler's suit walking in. The man had black hair with some white hair on the sides and a pair of brown eyes.
"Good Morning Master Heero."
Heero stared at him. Who is this person and what is he doing in his house? Did he just call him master?
"Who are you?" Heero asked as the man was pulling back the curtains of his room.
"This is not funny at all, sir." The man told him as he moved to the next window.
Sunlight spilled into the room and Heero merely continued to stare at the man.
"Who are you?" He asked again.
"I am Rolland, your butler sir."
"I don't have a butler." Heero pointed out.
"Forgive me for being blunt sir; did you have a bad fall from the bed?" Rolland asked him.
Heero didn't answer; he had no idea what was going on. He saw that the clock on the wall read eight o'clock in the morning. He was already late for work! Heero rushed to get out of bed, but the moment he stood up, he felt great pain in his left leg and he immediately hit the floor instead.
"Master Heero, are you alright?" Rolland asked, rushing to his side.
Rolland helped him up and Heero tried to stand up properly again, but the pain was too unbearable. God, what was wrong with him? Why can't he stand properly?
"I believe you are putting too much stress on your injured leg."
Rolland helped him to sit back down on the side of the bed. He then retrieved what looked like a walking cane for him. Heero stared at it as if unable to believe that he was reduced to such a state. Heero took it from Rolland and examined it. The head of the walking cane was a very fierce looking silver dragon with blue eyes. The rest of the cane was black in colour and someone has been polishing it to make it shine. There was something odd about the cane and Heero turned the dragon's head and was surprised to find that it was actually a concealed sword. The sword was very sharp and Heero wondered why he will even possess such a weapon in the first place. Rolland didn't even flinch at the sight of the blade and that made Heero wonder about his background. Heero placed the sword back into the walking cane and locked it so that it wouldn't come out.
"Prepare the car." Heero told Rolland; aware that there was no way he could drive now.
"Where are you going, sir?" Rolland asked.
"To work." Heero told him.
Heero stood up and this time he tried not to place any weight on his left leg and concentrated on using the cane for support. He was able to stand properly, but he has to use the cane. Heero know that he would probably be limping in his current state, there was no way he could walk properly now, much less run.
"You don't have anything on your schedule that concerns the company today." Rolland told him.
Heero moved towards his desk slowly. It was hard walking with the cane, he wasn't used to it and he almost fell when he placed even a little of his weight on his left leg.
"I'm late for work." Heero told him through clenched teeth, the pain was unbearable.
"You do not have a fixed reporting time." Rolland told him.
"The reporting time is at 7am." Heero told Rolland.
"Where exactly are you planning to go, sir?" Rolland asked him.
"The Preventer Headquarters." Heero informed him.
He noticed how Rolland was frowning at him.
"Would you like me to get the doctor to give you a check up, sir? You do not seem like yourself today." Rolland told him.
"I'm fine; I don't need a check up." Heero told him.
He finally made it to his desk. He realized that his Preventer badge wasn't on his desk. He usually places it here with his wallet and his watch.
"Where is my Preventer Badge?" Heero asked Rolland as he searched his desk for it.
"You no longer have it, sir." Rolland told him calmly.
"What do you mean?" Heero asked as he opened the drawers to look for it.
"Have you forgotten that you are no longer a Preventer, Master Heero?" Rolland asked.
Heero stared at him. Since when did he quit the Preventer Force?
"I quit?" Heero asked.
"No sir, you were… fired."
Fired? Did Heero hear that properly? Why did they fire him? He was about to ask Rolland why when Rolland answered the question that was on his mind.
"You were considered an invalid as you were no longer able to work in the field hence they fired you." Rolland told him.
Heero immediately knew that it had something to do with his leg. Heero stared ahead for a very long time.
"What date is today?" Heero asked.
Rolland checked his watch.
"It's the 17th of October." Rolland told him.
Heero knew that something was off; he remembered very clearly that the date that he went for the mission was the 5th of August.
"What year is it?" Heero asked.
"It's the year After Colony 203."
Heero was stunned, 203? That was two years from the time when he was caught in the landslide. How could that be? Why was he in the year AC 203? Why didn't he remember anything that has happened in these three years?
"Would you like your breakfast in bed, sir?" Rolland suddenly asked.
Heero was still lost in his own thoughts.
"Master Heero?" Rolland asked.
Heero slowly turned to look back at him.
"What happened to me after the 6th of August, AC 201?" Heero asked him softly.
"Did you wake up from the wrong side of the bed, sir? You do not seem to remember anything." Rolland told him.
"What happened?" Heero asked again, raising his voice a little louder.
"You were in a state of a coma for twenty months. You only woke up in March this year." Rolland answered.
Heero was stunned to hear that he had been asleep for a year and eight months. An image of Fate smiling at him flashed into his mind.
"What happened to Fate de Camden?" Heero asked Rolland immediately.
Rolland looked sadly at him at the mention of Fate's name.
"Are you sure you don't remember what happened to her?" Rolland asked him softly.
Heero didn't answer but merely continued to look at him. Their eyes met and Rolland sighed instead.
"Miss Camden will no longer be Miss Camden in a week's time." Rolland told him softly.
"What do you mean?" Heero asked.
"She's getting married in a week's time." Rolland told him.
Heero was so shocked with the news that he nearly let go of his walking cane. Fate… is getting married? Heero suddenly felt his world go black; the only thing that he could think of was the fact that Fate is marrying someone else.
"You may leave." Heero told Rolland softly.
Rolland bowed at him before leaving the room. Heero hoped that he was dreaming, because he didn't want any of the things here to be true. But the pain just now was too real… Was he dreaming or was it real? Whatever it was, it seems that he had somehow time travelled to the future. He has to find a way to return back to his own time.
AC 203 (The Future), 17th October
Colony L1, VLA
Heero's Penthouse
Heero managed to make his way into his office. He did notice the slight changes in his entire house as he "walked" to his office. He immediately dug out his mini electronic diary that he had invented and started reading through the entries to find out what was going on. And what have happened after he had woken up from his coma.
The summary of the events that had taken place was like this. After he had woken up, the doctors told him that his leg was so badly damaged that it would be impossible for him to return to being a Preventer. Hence he was fired and days were dark and gloomy. He had lost the only thing he was good at; it was the only job that made him feel like his life was worthwhile. He had attempted to commit suicide, but all three suicidal attempts have failed. This was also when he had hired Rolland who used to be a spy. Rolland had left the force for personal reasons. Heero believes that Rolland will be able to look after him and protect him in times of danger. He was also informed of the fact that Fate was currently seeing a man by the name of Matthew Campbell.
Heero struggles to piece his life back together, with the help from his friends and family. As he read through his diary entries, he noticed how he was writing about wanting to see Fate again and how the loneliness and emptiness was killing him inside. It appears that Fate does not want to be contacted; she doesn't pick up any of his calls or return any of his e-mails and letters. Heero then forces himself to work harder for his company to forget everything else. He's company is still the cream of the crop in every industry that he breaks into. And everyone in the Colonies as well as Earth has heard of the brand SilverWings. But so much success still meant nothing for him as he was still constantly thinking and missing Fate.
As he continued reading the entries, he saw how he himself had come to the conclusion as to why the feeling of sadness, emptiness wasn't going away. Why he was constantly thinking about her and seeing her everywhere. He loves her…
Heero stared at the three words in shock. No, it cannot be true. But the more he thought about it, the more the truth started to make sense. He continued reading and saw how he had gone to Japan, Sakura City in June to see Fate. Fate did not wish to see him but he finally managed to get hold of her and was utterly crushed to see her with another man, Matthew. The most shocking news was when Fate told him that she and Matthew are getting married. Heero finally realized what Fate must have felt to see him with some other girl when she still has feelings for him.
Heero read about how dark and gloomy the rest of the days were. He had a fight with Jace and finally knew what he had to do. He has to win Fate back. Heero also found airplane tickets for a private flight to Sakura City tonight. So his future self had planned to go to Sakura City and win Fate back. But with one week left before Fate marries Matthew, the task at hand seems rather impossible. Heero switched off the electronic diary as he had already found out what was going on in his life since he had woken up from a coma this year.
Heero has no idea how to return back to his own time, but if his future self has planned to win Fate back. Then he could only do what his future self set out to do.
"Rolland." Heero called out.
There was a knock on the door and Rolland opened it before stepping in.
"Yes, Master Heero?" He asked.
"We are going to Sakura City tonight. Get packing."
"Very well, sir." Rolland told him and Heero noticed that he was smiling.
Rolland left his room and Heero made a phone call to Quatre, hoping that Quatre could give him some clues on how to win back Fate.
AC 203 (The Future), 18th October
Earth, Japan, Sakura City
Blue Moon Mansion
Morning
Heero was surprised when the plane that he boarded for the flight wasn't a usual plane, but his very own private plane. It was a very spacious plane with two bedrooms, other interesting facilities and operated with a new advanced technology. Heero found it odd to be amazed with the future's technology. The flight was comfortable as Heero could sleep through the entire flight on the king size bed onboard. The usual flight from Colony L1, VLA to Japan, Sakura City was usually 12 hours, but Heero's private plane has special engines that could shorten the trip to only 8 hours. But Heero decided that it would be best to reach there in the morning hence chose to fly with the usual speed instead.
Heero wanted to take a cab to the hotel that he often stayed in when he was in Sakura City but Rolland told him that he already has a mansion in Sakura City. That piece of news did take him by surprise. So they took a cab to the Blue Moon Mansion. They were greeted by many staff upon arrival. The Mansion was modernized, well protected with the best security system that was made by him and was already well furnished. He went into the master's bed room while Rolland unpacked his luggage for him. It was indeed better to live in one's own property than to live in a hotel.
"How many estates do I have in total?" He asked Rolland.
"In the Colonies or on Earth, Sir?" Rolland asked.
"Both." Heero told him.
Rolland paused for a while as if he was deep in thought.
"You have one thousand and one estates sir. Most of them are mansions in every country and state on Earth. You also have mansion in every city and town in the Colonies." Rolland told him.
Heero was shocked, since when did he own that many estates? Pushing that thought away, Heero then tried to come up with a plan on how to get Fate back. He doesn't usually go into a mission without a plan, but sometimes he has to come up with one in a very short minute of time. As he sat there and thought about it, he realised something. He has no experience on trying to win people back and since he had never really been in many relationships, he realised that he couldn't think of anything good.
"Rolland, how do you… win someone back?" Heero asked, knowing that Rolland is a married man.
"That is a very tough question to answer, Master Heero." Rolland told him.
This was bad. Heero only has a week until the wedding and he couldn't even come up with a plan?
"Why don't you go and see her instead? It might help you to come up with something." Rolland told him.
Heero nodded and then asked for the car to be prepared. As Rolland left to instruct the servants to prepare the limo, Heero looked down at the silver pocket watch that Fate has given to him. He still kept it with him at all times and it has become a habit for him to look at it. It reminded him of Fate.
AC 203 (The Future),
3 days later, 21 October
Japan, Sakura City, Blue Moon Mansion
For the past three days, Heero had tried to see Fate. But she refuses to see him. Heero was saddened whenever Light appears to tell him that Fate does not wish to see him. Nevertheless he came back every day to try his luck. Time was running out soon and Heero knew that he has to do something or it will indeed be too late. Guests, Family and Friends of Fate were slowly arriving in Sakura City to attend her grand wedding on the 25th of October. Heero had sent men to spy and investigate on Fate's groom. He is a man named Matthew Campbell.
Matthew's records turned out to be clean. He wasn't involved in any illegal or unlawful organizations and nor did he have any criminal records. His family members were clean as well. Heero was shocked to find out that Matthew has a brother, Marcus Campbell. Marcus is a Preventer and Heero was the one who trained him to be the Preventer that he is today. So there was no way to prove that Matthew was a bad person on paper. His spies were still continuing to spy on Matthew, but so far they have come up with nothing. He wasn't seeing anyone else except Fate and he hadn't done anything wrong. Heero found it so hard to believe that this man was clean.
He had also sent a few spies to spy on Fate for him. A spy has been discovered by Federick but luckily his spy got away fast enough. Nevertheless it didn't take Federick long to link the spy to him. Heero wasn't surprised to see Federick storming into his room in the mansion this morning.
"Why did you send spies to spy on my sister?" Federick asked him.
Heero didn't answer; he was still too busy thinking of a way to get close to Fate and to stop the wedding.
"I'm talking to you, Mr. Wingate! And do not think I will go easy on you just because you are a cripple!" Federick shouted.
Heero wondered if he should admit that he did spend those spies.
"Yes I did send those spies." Heero told him.
He would have done the spying himself if his leg wasn't injured.
"I am asking for the reason as to why you sent them." Federick told him.
Heero said nothing, Federick didn't have to know.
"Tell me about Fate." Heero told him softly.
Their eyes met and Federick frowned at him.
"Why are you changing the topic?" Federick asked him.
Heero didn't answer him and they continued staring at each other in silence.
"I do not care why you are here in Sakura City, but I will not let you ruin Fate's wedding. She deserves to be with someone who truly loves her and can make her happy." Federick told him.
Heero watched as Federick turned and walked out of his room. Heero opened the first drawer of his desk and took out the photos that his spies have sent him. They were photos of Matthew and Fate. He looked through them and stopped at a photo whereby Fate was smiling happily at Matthew as she wrapped her arm around his arm. Matthew was smiling at her too. Both of them looked so happy with each other. He used to have that too… He used to have her love; she used to look at him like that too…
Heero placed those photos down on the desk and he wondered if love was enough. Was loving Fate enough? What if he can't make her happy? What if… she doesn't want him anymore?
Heero's eyes fell on the schedule his spies have managed to steal from Fate and her wedding planner. It appears that she's having a dress fitting in two hours time. Picking up his walking cane he made his way to the door. He called for Rolland and asked him to prepare the limo.
Two hours later,
AC 203 (The Future)
Sakura City, SilverWings Bridal Boutique
Fate de Camden had a smile on her face as she walked into the Bridal Boutique with her mother and her maid of honor, her younger sister Faith. Fate has already chosen her wedding dress but she's here for the final fitting to ensure that the dress still fits her well. Fate wanted to go alone, but her mother, sister wanted to tag along to see her in her wedding dress.
All the complicated wedding details were sorted out by her wedding planner. The invitations were already given out. The food, the flowers, the venue, the bridesmaid dresses and other details have all been finalized. All that's left is the decoration and setting up of the venue that she has chosen for her wedding and wedding reception, which can only be done the day before her actual wedding day. There's only four days left to her wedding day and Fate's really excited and a little nervous about it. Until now she still couldn't believe that she's getting married. She's getting married to a man of her dreams and everything has just been so perfect.
Fate went into the large dressing room and her mother helped her into the wedding dress. Fate looked at her own reflection in the mirror as her mother and the boutique's owner helped her to corset the back of her wedding dress. Fate had help as she put on her white wedding shoes. When they were done, they went to the special room that was designed for brides, family and friends to see the bride in her wedding dress. There was a platform for the brides to stand on and a large mirror infront of it so that the bride can see herself in the wedding dress. Fate smiled as Faith gave her a hand as she stood up on the platform. She looked at herself in the wedding dress and she couldn't help feeling so happy. She's really getting married!
"Oh my god Fate, you look beautiful!" Faith exclaimed.
"Really?" Fate asked.
Fate surveyed herself in the mirror as she turned a little to see the back of it. It was more of a ballroom type of wedding gown. It was pure white in colour and it was a strapless ruffled wedding gown. The gown was a little low cut at the front and the back of it. It did show off her cleavage and her back. Fate loves the feeling of the material of the dress against her skin. It was so soft and so smooth.
She remembered that she had been into almost all the bridal boutiques in Sakura City in search for her wedding dress. But unfortunately nothing managed to catch her eyes. She forced herself not to step into the SilverWings store as she didn't want to be reminded of the CEO of the company. But sadly she fell in love with this wedding dress when she saw it on display. It was like this dress was destined to be her wedding dress when she first saw it. Damn Heero and his excellent tastes in everything. Why can't his company not dominate every industry there is? Pushing the thoughts of Heero out of her mind she continued to stare at her own reflection in the large mirror. She smiled; the dress fits her so well.
"Has Matthew seen you in it?" Faith asked.
Fate shook her head; both of them were too busy with their own work and planning their wedding. They still meet up briefly to make decision about the wedding but there simply wasn't time for Matthew to see her in the wedding dress.
"I guess it's better that way. I can surprise him on that day." Fate told them with a smile on her face.
"I'm so happy for you, Fate. You look absolutely beautiful in this wedding dress." Helen told her.
Fate smiled at her mother and turned back to look at herself in the mirror. Just then she heard the sound of something clicking against the floor. She heard Faith gasp in surprise and as the clicking on the floor continued, her heart started racing. No… it cannot be… Why? Why was her heart racing now? Why didn't it beat any faster when she was with Matthew? Why did it only start beating faster when he's near?
"Oh my… god…" Faith exclaimed slowly.
Fate slowly turned to look at the uninvited person who had just entered the room. The sight of him took her breath away. How could he continue to look so devilishly handsome with each passing day? He looked smart, dressed in that white suit of his. But her eyes fell on walking cane that he was holding in his left hand. For a long moment no one spoke as they continued staring at each other.
"Fate." He greeted with a nod.
Fate was too stunned by his sudden presence to speak. She immediately turned back to look at herself in the mirror. She told herself that it was okay to continue breathing.
"What are you doing here, Mr. Wingate?" Helen asked him instead.
Heero looked at Helen and greeted her with a nod.
"I'm here to check on the accounts of this shop." He told them.
Fate knew that he was lying. She had been aware that Heero had tried to have a talk with her, but she asked Light to send him away instead. He must have known that she would be coming here and hence used this opportunity to meet her.
"And it's a coincidence that you find us here?" Faith asked.
Fate could feel his piercing Prussian Blue eyes on her, but she tried very hard to ignore them.
"You can say that." Heero answered.
"And I don't believe in coincidences." Helen muttered.
Heero didn't speak for a long moment.
"I apologize ladies, but may I have a private word with Fate?" Heero asked.
No please… no… Do not leave me alone with him. Fate thought to herself.
"Fate? What do you say?" Helen asked her.
Fate tried to speak but nothing came out. Faith looked worried as she looked at Fate. Fate was actually shaking badly but she clenched her shaking hand into a fist instead.
"I… would like to leave." Fate whispered.
Faith smiled and looked at Heero as if telling him that there's nothing he could do now.
"I would like to leave… now." Fate told them.
"I doubt that you will want to walk out of here in that dress. It would ruin everyone's surprise as to what you will be wearing at the wedding. Secondly, removing the dress will take more than ten minutes and our talk wouldn't take that long." Heero told her.
Fate hated how he looked as emotionless as ever when he said that. He was right about her not being able to walk out of the boutique in this dress. But she didn't want to have a talk with him. She looked at her mother for help.
"I believe…" Helen started to say.
"I am only going to ask this twice. May I have a private word with Fate?" Heero asked. His tone was a little harsher than before.
Faith flinched and Helen looked at Fate with concern instead.
"You cannot threaten us like this. You aren't a Preventer anymore, Heero. Meanwhile Matthew's brother is a Preventer too." Faith told him.
"I am not threatening any of you. First of all this is technically my shop. Secondly, I was the one who trained Marcus Campbell to be the Preventer that he is today." Heero told them.
That news did shock Faith speechless.
"You two should leave the room." Fate whispered, feeling that it was best this way.
Faith and Helen left the room reluctantly.
"If anything happens, scream loudly and we will come in the rescue you." Faith whispered to her as she walked past her.
Fate watched as Faith and her mother left the room. Heero closed the door and locked it almost immediately after that. Fate had a feeling that something bad might happen to her. Heero sighed and Fate could hear him mutter "Finally I get to talk to her alone." softly. Fate watched as Heero walked closer towards her. She tried not to look at him and looked at her reflection instead. But somehow she found herself staring at Heero through the mirror instead. Heero didn't speak as he continued to survey her.
"You look beautiful." Heero told her.
Fate was so stunned to hear that, but she managed a soft thank you.
"I have been trying to have a word with you for three days now, but somehow you managed to avoid me. I apologize for disrupting your dress fitting, as I do have something very important to say to you. And I cannot do so if you keep on avoiding me like that." Heero told her.
Fate said nothing; she tried not to look at him directly. Heero slowly walked over towards her and stopped when he was directly infront of her. The two of them were standing so close to each other that Fate took a few steps back to get away from him. The platform was really small and she realized that she had backed away too much. She nearly fell off the platform, but Heero managed to catch her in time before she fell. He steadied her and made her stand straight on the platform again. Fate had felt her heart race faster at their brief moment of contact and when he released her she could feel that her cheeks were burning. No, she was blushing… She had never blushed infront of Matthew yet why was Heero the only one who makes her have such weird reactions? Fate turned away from him, feeling betrayed by the colour on her cheeks.
"Where's Meteor?" Heero asked her.
"Here!" Meteor announced, turning itself visible.
Heero nodded and then he surprised her when he suddenly held her hand. Fate tried to free her hand from his hold, but his grip was strong and tight.
"Fate…"
She tried not to look at him, but Heero moved infront of her instead. Their eyes met and Fate looked away, aware that she was blushing again. God, she's marrying Matthew in four days and she's blushing when Heero's with her? Then again what will other people say should they find her alone in a room with Heero?
"I…"
Fate turned to look at him instead, what was something so important that he had to tell her?
"I…" Heero shook his head instead and tried again.
"Don't marry Matthew, Fate." He told her instead.
Fate just stared at him in shock, but she was amazed that she could even manage to find her own voice.
"Why? Why shouldn't I marry him?" She heard herself asking him.
"Because you don't want to." He answered.
"You are wrong; I do want to marry Matthew."
Their eyes met and Heero didn't look like he was going to give up.
"Because you are merely settling for him; you are only marrying him because you are afraid to be alone." Heero told her.
"I…"
Fate asked herself this question, was she really settling for Matthew because she was afraid to be alone? No, it wasn't true.
"That is not true. I want to have children and I do want to marry him." Fate told him.
"You don't love him." Heero told her.
Fate released her hand from his hold and answered a little too agitatedly.
"You are wrong! I do love him!" she shouted at him.
"Do you love him more than you have ever loved me?" Heero asked her softly.
That question took her by surprise. Fate just stared at him, completely speechless. She had asked herself that same question many times but all her answers were the same. No… she didn't love Matthew more than she used to love Heero. But… Fate shook her head and changed her tactic instead.
"Why are you asking me this? What does my wedding and marriage have anything to do with you? You are not my friend; you are not my… anyone." Fate questioned him instead.
"Tell me about Matthew then. What is it that you love about him?" Heero asked.
"He's… better than you in so many ways. He's kind, generous, caring and helpful. He loves children while you hate them. He smiles and he talks a lot more than you do. He understands me and cares about what I feel or think, unlike you. He makes me laugh and smile, while you only make me cry. He has never done anything to disappoint me, he doesn't cheat on me. He saves lives every day while you kill people. He might not have as much power and money than you do, but I do not mind." Fate exclaimed.
She took in deep breaths after she has finished saying what she has to say. God, she has never said something that long before.
"Do you realize what you have just said?" Heero asked her softly after some time.
"I just named all the good points about Matthew. You didn't catch that? Would you like me to repeat them again for you?" Fate asked.
"I heard each and every word clearly." Heero told her stiffly.
Fate didn't get what he was trying to say.
"Do you realize that you just compared him with me for eight times?" Heero asked.
Fate frowned instead as she thought about what she had just said. She was shocked when she realized that Heero was right.
"I… That's because…" She stuttered.
"You are only marrying him because he would never hurt you like I did." Heero told her.
Their eyes met and Fate started shaking her head instead.
"No, that is not true! Yes you did hurt me, but I'm marrying Matthew because I do love him, not because of anything else!" She exclaimed.
For a long moment no one spoke.
"Don't marry Matthew, Fate…"
"There is nothing in the whole entire universe that you can say right now that will make me change my mind. And stop trying to convince me that I'm marrying Matthew for all the wrong reasons because I'm not!" Fate interrupted him.
Heero immediately reached out and held her hand in his. She tried to free her hand from his grasp, but he wouldn't let go. Their eyes met and…
"Don't marry him, Fate… because…." He trailed off but didn't seem to be giving up.
He took in another deep breath before speaking again.
"Because I love you, Fate." Heero told her.
Fate's eyes widened in shock and she wondered if she was dreaming or imaginating things. No this cannot be true… Heero… loves her?
"I love you Fate… I really do."
Their eyes met and Fate could see the love in his eyes, he was telling the truth… No… this wasn't happening… Not when her wedding was only four days away!
After Colony 201 (The Present)
17th August
Japan, Sakura City
Night time
It was the summer festivals and the streets where the road side stalls are open were all crowded with a lot of people. Many males and females were seen wearing their yukatas. Many people were walking down the streets and buying what the stalls are selling. There was delicious food, games, toys, and decoration ornaments. Fate and Matthew have been working very hard on the project and today is the day they complete their project. The main point of the project is to let the children from the hospital attend a day of the summer festivals. Most of them have never been out of the hospital before hence it was an opportunity for them to see the world. It was also an opportunity for the children to spend their time with their parents. Fate had sponsored yukatas for every one of the children. She had helped to dress the girls in their yukatas before bringing them to the festivals, to meet up with Matthew who is bringing the boys.
Many staff from the hospital also came to support this event as well. They helped to watch over the children and ensure that they do not get lost and wander off from the group. Fate smiled as she watches the children enjoy themselves in the festivals. There were performances, but Fate wasn't sure if they will be able to see anything as there was already a huge crowd around the stage. She turned and noticed the way Matthew was looking at her.
"Is something wrong?" Fate asked.
"No, it's just that I have never seen you in a Yukata before." Matthew told her.
Fate was dressed in a light pink Yukata and matched it with a red Obi belt. She had also tied her hair up neatly into a bun. She was also wearing the traditional Geta sandals. Matthew was dressed casually in T-shirt and jeans.
"You look beautiful." Matthew told her.
Fate was a little surprised at his compliment, but she thanked him for it. She continued to watch the children who were running infront of them.
"It must have cost a lot for all the yukatas for the children." Matthew told her.
"I'm willing to spend that amount of money for a good cause." Fate told him.
Matthew smiled instead. Fate and Matthew looked at some of the items that the stalls were selling. They also played a few games with the children. They also bought some food for the children to try. It was a little hard to look after so many children at once but Fate had a great time. Matthew was really good at the cork shooting games and helped the children to win the toys that they wanted. Fate was reminded of Heero when she watches Matthew play the game. She remembered that Heero was also very good at this game. It wasn't much of a surprise to her as Heero is a Preventer. Shaking her head, she pushed Heero out of her thoughts.
They bought and ate pink cotton candy. Fate was looking at a stall that sells kinchaku bag. It is a cute little accessory drawstring bag made from fabric. It can be used to carry all kind of personal items like makeup, cell phones as well as small food items. It also enhances the look of a Summer Kimono and Yukata. She saw something that she liked but decided that she shouldn't buy it. Matthew seems to notice this and offered to buy it for her.
"No, I cannot possibly ask you to buy it for me." Fate told him.
But he had already paid the shop keeper. He handled the kinchaku bag to her.
"I'm sorry but I cannot accept it." Fate whispered
"Treat it as a thank you gift then." Matthew told her.
"But I haven't…"
"You did a great job at helping the children, so treat this as my way of thanking you." Matthew told her.
Fate still refused to accept the gift. Matthew sighed and forced it into her hand instead. Seeing that the children were moving away, she had little choice.
"Alright, I will accept it. Thank you." She told him with a smile.
Matthew smiled at her in return and they continued their way through the line of stores. There was a loud sound in the sky and everyone was starting to look at the night skies. Fate looked up and was happy to see that the fireworks display had started. She smiled as she watched the fireworks exploding in the skies. She heard the approval and excited cheers from the people around them. Even the children were amazed by the sight of real fireworks. The fireworks were colourful and there were many different types of shapes and patterns. They were so beautiful; Fate hadn't forgotten how much she likes fireworks. The constant loud sound in the sky made her heart race faster, it was so beautiful…
Then suddenly, she had the weirdest sensation that someone was watching her. She looked around her instead, but there were so many people around her that she had no idea who was the one who's actually staring at her.
"Is something wrong?" Matthew shouted over the sound of the fireworks.
"Not at all." She shouted back as she forced a smile.
She watched as everyone continued to look at the fireworks in the sky, but she couldn't help having a very bad feeling. Someone was watching her and it made her feel very uncomfortable. At the end of the fireworks, they gathered at the meeting point and waited for the buses to arrive, to send the children back to the hospital. The children thanked Fate for bringing them to the festivals. Fate smiled and she was glad that everyone had fun. After all the children had boarded the bus safely, Fate bids them goodbye. She watches the buses leave as she waved goodbye to the children.
"Will you still be volunteering at the hospital?" Matthew asked.
Fate nodded. Matthew offered to walk her home, as her mansion is relatively near. They chat a little on their way back.
"I guess I was wrong about you." Matthew told her.
"About what?" Fate asked.
"Honestly at the start I thought that you were nothing more than a celebrity who's out to gain fame and didn't care about the children. But I saw the effort you put in and you really do care about the children. I guess you are not as arrogant and annoying as other celebrities." Matthew told her.
Fate wasn't sure it was a compliment or not. But she suddenly felt that same feeling that someone was watching her. She looked around frantically, in search of whoever was watching her.
"Fate? Is something wrong?" Matthew asked.
Fate turned and she was shocked to see Quatre standing there.
"Hello, Fate." Quatre greeted.
Fate didn't know what she should do, she felt cornered as there was no way she could escape him now.
"Do you know him?" Matthew asked Fate.
Fate nodded.
"May I have a private word with you, Fate?" Quatre asked her.
Matthew looked at Fate instead. Fate was aware that Matthew would protect her if she asks him to. But she cannot possibly refuse to speak to Quatre even if she knew that the conversation would only be about Heero. She nodded instead and turned to look at Matthew.
"I guess this is where we part ways." Fate told him.
"I can wait for you." Matthew told her.
"No, it might take a while. I will see you soon, Matthew. Thank you for helping me out tonight." Fate told him.
Matthew didn't look convinced as he looked at Quatre. Fate smiled at him and then walked towards Quatre. Quatre led her away and she turned back to wave goodbye to Matthew. They continued walking for a while until they reached a park shelter in a nearby park. There wasn't anyone around hence they will be able to have a private talk with one another. They sat down on the benches and Fate waited for Quatre to start the conversation.
"Did your butler mention that I went to your mansion to see you?" Quatre asked.
Fate shook her head. She was not aware because Light had not informed her.
"I was here yesterday and I tried to see you, but your butler said that you weren't in. I came in the morning and once in the afternoon today, but he claims that you weren't in. That was until I saw you leaving your house tonight. Your butler lied about you not being in or… was he merely following your instructions?" Quatre asked softly.
Fate then admitted that she had asked Light to not let Heero's friends and Rachel into the mansion as she didn't wish to see them.
"May I ask why?" Quatre asked her softly.
"Because I know that it will be about Heero. And I do not wish to talk about him." Fate whispered.
Quatre didn't know what to do, but he was here for other reasons.
"Why did you leave VLA?" Quatre asked her softly.
"Quatre, please… There are certain things that I do not want to talk about." Fate whispered.
"What's going on Fate? What has happened between you and Heero? Things weren't like this before, when did things suddenly become like this? Tell me what is really going on, Fate." Quatre told her.
Their eyes met and Fate looked away because she didn't want to tell Quatre the painful truth.
"I'm concerned about you and Heero. It's odd that you are still here, especially now that Heero is in a coma." Quatre told her.
Fate didn't know how to answer him.
"Aren't you worried about him?" Quatre asked her.
"I…"
Fate trailed off and she looked down sadly. She didn't know how to answer Quatre's questions.
"I'm your friend, Fate. We used to talk about all kinds of things and now you don't even wish to see me." Quatre told her softly.
"I… had no choice… I…"
"Tell me what is going on, Fate. Please…" Quatre told her softly.
Their eyes met and Fate felt like crying. Then she looked at the trees that were far away instead.
"On Valentine's Day I received a phone call from Heero. I went to the Blue Marine Pub to see him; he was drowning his sorrows with alcohol. I managed to get him to his house and I asked him about what happened that day." Fate whispered.
"Didn't he break up with Relena that day?" Quatre asked.
Fate nodded.
"He told me that he found Relena in bed with another man. I comforted him and… I confessed my love for him." Fate whispered.
Quatre was silent, but it did seem like a bad time to confess to someone. Then again it was good that Fate had finally confessed her love to Heero.
"Heero didn't say anything about this." Quatre told her softly.
Fate wondered if she should tell Quatre that she had slept with Heero that night. But it wasn't the main point here.
"And?" Quatre asked softly.
"He rejected me." Fate whispered, trying very hard to hold back her tears.
Quatre was silent for a very long time.
"So… what happened?" Quatre asked her softly.
"We avoided each other and things just aren't the same anymore. It… hurts a lot to see him and to know that he doesn't even like me. I just couldn't continue pretending that nothing has happened and that we are still friends. So our friendship was over…" She whispered.
"Is that why you weren't there when Heero was hospitalized and why you didn't go to his birthday party?" Quatre asked.
"Yes. I couldn't bear the sight of seeing him again." Fate whispered.
"Why did you leave VLA?" Quatre asked her softly.
"I left because VLA had a lot of painful memories that I want to forget. I came back here for a new start, to move on…" Fate whispered.
Quatre couldn't believe that so much has happened and Fate hadn't said a single thing to him. But he understands why Fate doesn't wish to see Heero again and why she didn't want to see them as well.
"You don't plan on returning to VLA?" Quatre asked her softly.
She shook her head. Quatre didn't know what to do as well. He felt lost; he didn't know whose side he should be on. Both of them were good friends of his…
"That man who was with you just now, what is his name?" Quatre asked her softly, changing the topic instead.
"Matthew Campbell." Fate whispered.
"How did you know him?"
"I was volunteering at a hospital and I met him there. He's a doctor there." Fate told him.
"He seems nice. Do you… like him?" Quatre asked her.
Fate looked at him in surprise, but she looked away instead.
"I don't know." She admitted.
Matthew is nice and very different from Heero, but she feels that she's not ready to be in a relationship with anyone yet; at least not until she has truly gotten over Heero.
"You… really don't intend on having any further contact with us?" Quatre asked her softly.
Fate looked down sadly.
"I… don't know." She whispered.
"What about Heero? Are you going to wait for him to wake up?" Quatre asked her.
Their eyes met and Fate shook her head as tears fell from her eyes.
"I… don't think I'm going to wait for him to wake up." Fate whispered.
"May I know why?" Quatre asked her softly.
Fate wiped her tears away, but somehow they kept on falling on their own.
"I… I'm really afraid that he might wake up and forget all about me. Or even if he does wake up, I'm afraid that things between us wouldn't change. That I'm always going to be the friend who's by his side, and nothing more. I don't want to wait for him and end up feeling like I have wasted my time when he still doesn't return my feelings at all." She whispered.
Quatre watched as she continued crying.
"I'm… really sorry Quatre. I just don't think that my heart can take that kind of pain again." Fate whispered.
Quatre reached into the pocket of his pants and took out a box.
"This is the electronic watch that Trowa and Wufei made for all of us. Each watch is linked to Heero's heart monitor and it tells us if Heero is well and alive. An alarm will sound if his heartbeat reaches zero or if he's in danger. This allows us to monitor on Heero even though we aren't really there with him. This one is yours." Quatre told her.
He handled it to her but Fate didn't reach out to take it.
"I know that… you might not want to have anything to do with Heero, but at least… take the watch as it was made for you." Quatre told her softly.
Fate slowly reached out and took the box from Quatre. Quatre then sighed and stood up.
"I don't know if this is the last time we will be seeing each other, but I hope that it's not the case. If you ever need help, you know how to contact me." Quatre told her softly.
Fate merely nodded.
"Goodbye, Fate." Quatre told her with a sad smile.
Then he walked away. Fate watched as Quatre disappeared from her sight. She looked down at the box that Quatre had given to her. Why doesn't she feel any better after talking to Quatre about it? Why does she still feel so heavy inside?
To be continued…
Author's note: So the truth is out, Quatre now knows what have happened between Heero and Fate. Fate wants to move on with her life and is going to break off all contact she has with Heero, his family and his friends. Heero is still in a state of coma and kept in a secret base. Meanwhile, in the future, Heero is trying to stop Fate from marrying Matthew.
Will Heero succeed in stopping the future Fate from marrying Matthew? Will he ever wake up to his own time? And what is going to happen to Fate next? Find out during the next chapter! Please read and review, but NO FLAMERS! Thank you for continuing to support my story, Family.