Hello, Everyone! Sorry about the prolonged wait, but I finally got the weekend off. Thanks for reading!

Chapter Eleven

"Relena?"

"Over here," she called from the window looking over the busy street. She nursed a wine glass in her hand, hoping the light alcohol would calm her nerves. She had thought up numerous ways to break the news to her fiancé including sending a text to him from her Blackberry. But none of them felt right. She didn't want to be the coward at the end.

"You finished early at work today," he leaned in to kiss her.

"Yeah I sure did." She took a sip from her glass, "I figured I'll get a jumpstart on moving some of my boxes from the office."

He took her wine glass and took a sip from it. His eyes scanned around her apartment, and he noticed she hadn't even packed yet for their trip. "And you're procrastinating here," he let a small laugh, but felt the tension in the air. "What's wrong?"

"I have something to tell you." She turned around to face him. "I think this belongs to you." She pulled out the ring from a silver chain around her neck. The white gold band hung heavy from the delicate strand as it hovered over his hand.

"Relena."

"Dave, you've been so good to me, but I don't think I can leave this place. I'm sorry," her eyes were filling with tears.

"I understand." He pulled her close and held her tight. "I'm going to miss you."

"Same here." She leaned up to kiss him. "Thank you for everything."

They broke apart from their embrace, and she felt herself shudder as she watched him walk out from her life forever. He walked over to the front door and placed her apartment key in the ceramic bowl. The clink resonated through the hallways and sliced through her senses. She felt an ache grow in her heart as she watched the last glimpse of Dave disappearing in the crowd.

And now, she took a leap of faith. She had to find Heero now.

The early evening brought out the neighborhood, as they enjoyed the summer night. The art fair was in full swing, as vendors setup their works for public viewing. She wove through the crowds and finally ended at the restaurant she frequently haunted as child.

The mirrors greeted her as she entered, but she didn't find him there.

"Where are you?"

She exited through the revolving doors and a summer breeze greeted her. Her next stop was her favorite coffee shop, and again, it was the same ending. He wasn't there at all. He seemed as if he never existed.

She weaved through the crowds again and felt a sense of disappointment wash over her. She walked to the park and hoped the fresh air would clear her mind. Another summer breeze rustled through the trees and brought with it a wave of fireflies.

She closed her eyes and listened to city's pulse…stranger's conversations to the faint buzzing of the fireflies around her. She belonged here. She listened for a couple of more minutes until she felt another person sit at the opposite end of the bench.

"Some night."

Relena opened her eyes and recognized the voice immediately. "Heero."

"I heard you met one of my little kids."

"Yes I did."

"Where's Dave?" He looked around to see if her boyfriend was in the crowd.

"He's gone…went back to Montana." Her eyes focused on a firefly that tempted with the jets of water, as it weaved around the fountain.

"I see."

"Where you for these past weeks?"

"On assignment. You should know that by now."

"Right," she pursed her lips.

"Though… there was an interesting dream."

Relena felt her face flushed remembering it fondly.

"It was interesting to say the least." His voice was steady, as he went to stroke her hand.

"So how is it that you can see my dreams?"

"I don't know how it exactly works, but I think it has something to do with the teddy bear." He continued to stroke her hand. "Somehow it amplifies our connection together."

"All from a stuffed teddy bear." She scooted closer to him. "You're not going to disappear anymore?"

"I don't think so."

"And how have you been getting around?" She looked up at him and saw those Prussian eyes of his.

"Through the Internet with wire transfers."

"And before that?"

"Meeting local connections in clandestine places."

She leaned in on his arm and took these small moments to heart. There was no rhyme or reason why this was happening, but no matter what the outcome was, something special was happening.

"What does this make you then?"

"To be honest, I don't know." He looked out at the fountain with her, "Guardian Angel...imaginary friend. You can call it whatever you want."

"I think you're human now," she poked at his arm.

He let out a small laugh as he trailed down his finger across her soft cheek. "I guess so."

"Does this mean you'll grow old now?"

"Maybe."

She leaned up to kiss him. "Sounds like a good plan."

The two sat on the bench and watched visitors walk through the park. In the distance, a string quartet was playing classical music.

"Dance with me."

"Right here," she looked at him with surprise.

"Yes right here."

She took his offer and reached for his free hand. The pair began to dance underneath the starry skies just like what they did in their dream.

"A little birdie told me it was your last day at work," he whispered into her ear, as he led her around the fountain.

"Yes," she looked up at him, wondering how long this feeling was going to last.

"I was thinking…"

"What?"

He created a long pause for a dramatic effect, "Let's take a trip."

"Where to?"

"I was thinking the countryside." He looked down at her, wondering what her reaction will be.

She leaned in closer to him, "Sounds good to me."