AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry this update took so long! (Stupid midterms…) Anyway… thanks for reviewing! I'm starting to think there will be more than thirty chapters. Sigh. My imagination runs away with me every time I sit down to write— which isn't necessarily a bad thing…

Moonfan: Sorry about any confusion. I started this story about four years ago (and it's so pathetic that I haven't finished it yet…) so I tend to forget about some things, so please bear with me. But I'll try to incorporate an answer in a later chapter. I already have one in mind and I'll try to clear things up as best as possible. If you're confused on anything else please let me know!

Larissa: I'm so glad you feel that way about my story. Please do let me know when you'll get yours out.

Thank you everyone else for reviewing! Your support is what keeps me writing! :D

Okay! Enough rambling, here's the next chapter. Hope it lives up to your expectations!

Chapter 28: Solace

"Morning, Heero," Kenji greeted the said man as he walked into his office.

"Good morning, Kenji," Heero replied shaking Kenji's outstretched hand and took a seat in front of him.

"Well my boy, the big day is less than twenty four hours away. How are you feeling?" Kenji inquired.

"Nervous as hell," Heero replied dryly.

Kenji nodded his head. "That's understandable. But this isn't your first time fighting a custody battle so you know what to expect. I just ask you to put faith in me once again."

"I do have faith in you Kenji but I'm sure you know the feeling," Heero replied implying Kenji's our custody battle with his ex-wife over Usagi.

"Sadly, yes I do understand. And it is something that I never wish upon any suitable parent." Kenji sighed, "But nevertheless, it is a reality we must face."

Heero nodded his head, his tantalizing mouth set in a grim line.

An Hour Later…

"Well, Heero, that's it for today. I'll see you at the downtown court house at 10 a.m. sharp," Kenji said getting up from his seat.

Heero too got up and gathered his things.

"Thanks again for doing this Kenji," Heero said extending his hand to shake the other man's.

Kenji took the outstretched hand, "I already told you, this is nothing compared to what you have done for me."

Heero nodded his head and proceeded to exit the room. But before he could unlock the door, Kenji called out to him.

"Aren't you going to ask where she is?" He heard the man question knowingly.

Heero stiffened immediately. He knows, Heero thought dryly, great, just great. How was he supposed to answer that?

"If she had wanted me to know where she is, she would have told me herself," He replied barely turning around.

"I doubt she could have told you when she's in the hospital," he heard the man whisper. At that Heero spun around, his face contorted in some unknown emotion.

"What did you say?" Heero asked, not quite sure he had heard the right thing, his voice rough, as he fought to get his emotions back in check.

Kenji sighed, sitting back in his chair, "She had a relapse Saturday evening. She's been in the hospital for the past three days—"

"Where is she now?" Heero cut off Kenji, his voice deathly calm.

"At the hospital downtown—" Kenji stopped abruptly and stared in disbelief as Heero hastily left the room, slamming the door behind him.

A wide grin broke out across Kenji's face, an unknown gleam in his eyes, as he recovered from the momentary shock.

"At least he appears to be serious about her…" he said shaking his head a sudden sadness in his eyes.

Heero…

With determined strides, Heero pushed his long legs to move as fast as they could without breaking into an all out run. Those in front of him immediately got out of his way noting the sense of menace exuding from him as he unwaveringly walked towards his destination.

Heero's mind was racing. Usagi was in the hospital and he hadn't known until today— three days later! His heart was pounding with the thought of her just being in the hospital. And there he was earlier, thinking she was with some other man when in actuality she was in the hospital. And to think he hadn't asked her father where she was when five minutes had passed and she hadn't shown up for their meeting. He was angry with himself for not asking sooner but angrier still at his thoughts of her unfaithfulness.

His Usagi was in the hospital and all else could wait!

Usagi…

Usagi's eyes widened in shock as she watched her room door swung open and Heero Yuy barge in, only to stop and stare at her for what seemed an eternity. She stared back at him with just as much intensity and sighed in relief as he made his way over to her and grasped her in a tight hug.

Heero sat on the edge of the hospital bed and wrapped his arms around the small female lying in it. Thank God she's alright! His heart sang. His Usagi was well and truly fine. Even though she was a little pale around the edges, he had seen the way her cheeks had flooded with color when she had spotted him and in the way she had grasped him with such strength as though she was relieved to see him as well.

Heero pulled back from the hug reluctantly as did Usagi. He grasped her tender face between his hands, his eyes searching her face for some sign of weakness and having found none, he kissed her lips gently.

Usagi kissed him back with all the strength she possessed, not remembering any other time when she was so glad to see someone. She was so happy he was here, she felt so safe in his arms; she just wanted to stay there forever.

They both pulled back from their lip lock, gasping for air slightly and rested their foreheads against each other's.

"Are you okay?" Heero asked her, pulling her into another hug, tucking her head under his chin.

Usagi nodded her head, "Yes, I'm perfectly fine, now that you're here."

Heero chuckled and pulled back from the hug.

"Is that so?" he asked her teasingly, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

Usagi laughed. "Mhmm" she said nodding her head at him, relaxing for what seemed like the first time in days. She rested back on the pillows and took in his handsome face. She had missed him dearly being here in the hospital and had constantly thought about him. She knew she should have called him but hadn't wanted to worry him too much. She figured he was here because her father had told him. And more than she could put into words, she was touched that he had come to see her, even though their relationship had just started. If anything, her love for him grew even more.

At that thought, Usagi pulled herself up short. Wait, she loved him?

"Are you okay?" Heero asked worriedly when he saw her face go white all of a sudden.

"Huh?" Usagi asked coming out of her revelation. "Oh. Yea, I'm fine," she smiled at him, new love shining through her eyes.

Heero didn't quite believe her. Why had she gone pale all of a sudden? He would ask her doctor just to make sure for himself.

"If you're sure," he said with a hint of uncertainty in his usually confident voice.

"I'm fine!" she exclaimed with a smile.

"OK. You're sure you're fine? Then why the hell didn't you call me?" Heero asked slight anger in his voice.

Usagi immediately lost her smile. "What do you mean 'why'? I didn't want to worry you. Besides it was nothing serious."

Heero pulled back. "Nothing serious?" He asked his voice deathly calm. "You mean being hospitalized for three days is nothing serious? I think you should stay in here longer if that's what you think."

Usagi sighed. She knew that was an understatement but she didn't want to worry him. Besides now that she thought of it, he didn't need to know everything.

"Look. Don't worry about me I'm fine. I don't know why you came all the way here anyway."

"Then I'll leave," Heero said coolly as he got up to leave but Usagi grabbed his hand before he could. He turned back to look at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Is there something you need?" he asked wryly.

"Why are you being so harsh?" Usagi asked starting to get angry. For what reason, she didn't know. It wasn't as if he had done anything to make her angry, if anything it was the other way around.

"I'm the one being harsh? Oh I'm sorry, how insensitive of me," he said pulling his hand free of her hold.

Usagi let him take his hand back. What was wrong with her? Was she trying to pick a fight with him for no reason? That was not like her.

"I'm sorry," she whispered to him, tears shining in her expressive azure eyes.

Heero looked to her when she spoke but had not anticipated the tears in here eyes. His heart lurched at the sight and he scolded himself for being a jerk. He sighed.

"No, I'm sorry," he said and pulled her into another hug. He didn't know why, but she appeared to be different to him somehow. He wondered what it could be.

Usagi held onto him and let the tears flow. All her pent up emotions she allowed to set free. From the time she had awoken her memories had been too much to handle but she had not wanted to break down in front of her family or the doctor and then the sight of her mother and their conversation had been too much. Now that they were all gone, she was finally able to let go with the only person she felt safe enough with. She didn't care if he thought she was a nut case, she just wanted to be held by him and prayed that he didn't leave her.

Heero was caught off guard when the woman in his arms began to cry. He stiffened, he hated crying females; he just didn't know how to handle them. But he sensed that there was more to why Usagi was crying. It couldn't have been over that little argument.

"Shhh, sweetheart, please don't cry," he tried to sooth her, rubbing her back gently.

Usagi sniffled, trying to get her crying under control. She pulled her head from its resting place on his chest and wiped her eyes with her fingertips, laughing nervously as she did so.

"Sorry. I don't know what that was all about," she said smiling hesitantly up at him.

"Don't worry about it," Heero said returning her smile, wiping away a stray tear.

Usagi sighed.

"You can tell me if you want," Heero said to her catching her off guard.

Damn he's quick, Usagi thought pouting.

"Fine," she said, secretly glad that she could tell someone how she was actually feeling.

Heero smiled victoriously.

"You get that smile off your face mister," Usagi pouted. Heero just grinned at her even more. Usagi's heart began to beat faster seeing his gorgeous smile. A sudden flashback hit her, replacing Heero's smiling face with that of the boy's from her memory. 'No, it can't be,' she told herself. 'The boy from my memory is nothing like Heero.' She remembered the boy as happy and carefree with a sense of maturity beyond his years. He was definitely nothing like Heero. Heero was not carefree, he had too many problems to deal with, he was cold and calculating when he needed to be, stubborn and proud, powerful and determined. Nothing of Heero reminded her of the boy from her memory so… Why? She let her thoughts trail off and snapped back into reality when she saw Heero looking at her expectantly.

"I-I don't know where to start," she told him suddenly unsure.

Heero took one of her hands into his, "Well, why don't you start with what's bothering you the most?"

"Bothering me the most?" she echoed. "Well, I saw my mother yesterday," she saw him nod his head in understanding. She knew he knew about the woman her father had told him about and the custody battle that had taken place.

"Did you want to see her or did she come on her own?" He asked.

"I wanted to see her because… because I got my memories back and I- I…"

"Wanted to clear up the past?" He filled in helpfully.

"Yes," Usagi smiled. He was actually paying attention to her and it made her unbelievably happy.

She however lost her smile as she continued, "She did terrible things to me when I was a child…," Usagi's expression became far away as she told Heero about some of the horrible things her mother did to her.

Heero sat quietly as he listened to the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on, poured out her soul to him. He did all he could by listening and absorbing what she said, knowing it was what she wanted, needed the most.

"And she came to see me yesterday," Usagi continued, "I felt so much anger when she walked in to this room," she looked at Heero with an intensity he had never seen before. "It wasn't like me. I've never felt such hatred for anyone before. But what confuses me the most is this conflicting emotion," her face contorted in an unexplainable manner. "I wanted so much to reach out to her and hug her and tell her I forgive her and that I love her…"

Heero pulled her into his arms seeing as how she was unable to go on. He wiped the tears from her cheeks and just held her.

"It's okay to be confused. You just got your memories back, sweetheart. Nobody expects much from you right now. You can't be expected to just forgive and forget everyone and everything that has ever hurt you," Heero tried to console her, not understanding where these words were coming for.

"I know," Usagi whispered tightening her grip on him, squeezing her eyes closed.

Ikuko…

Ikuko opened the door to Usagi's room only to see her daughter hugging a man. She gasped and quickly shut the door feeling as if she were invading their privacy. She decided to take a seat outside the room until the man exited. As she waited, she reflected on her conversation with her baby daughter the previous day. She had said all she had wanted to and now she was just waiting on Usagi's answer. She didn't know if what she had said had changed her daughter's mind but it hadn't been a good sign when Usagi had asked her to leave all of a sudden…

Usagi's Room…

Usagi was the first one to break their embrace and Heero let her. She lay back against her pillows and sighed heavily.

"I don't know what to do…" she trailed off.

Heero brushed her bangs out of her eyes, "You just need time to think. You'll figure it out eventually."

"What do you think I should do? I told you her reasoning. Would you do the same thing she did?" she asked Heero.

"I would never be able to hurt Bella no matter what I was going through. But I'm not your mother. I have no idea how she thinks or even how she feels. I just know that everyone deals with their problems differently. But," he paused and looked deeply into her eyes. "It seems to me that she deeply regrets it."

Usagi closed her eyes momentarily, "It seems that way to me too. I think I just need time."

"Then take all the time you need. No one is forcing you to make a decision," he told her.

A sudden smile broke out across her face.

"What?" Heero asked her confused.

She shook her head still smiling and reached out a hand to caress a chiseled cheek.

"Thank you," she told him sincerely.

"For?" he asked raising an eyebrow not getting her.

"For listening to me. You must think I have issues," she told his half jokingly.

"You can say that again," he teased.

She shot him a pout and he quickly captured her lips with his.

"I don't think you're crazy if that's what you mean," he told her after his kiss.

An out of breath Usagi glared at him.

"I should let you lose tomorrow for stealing a kiss," she pouted again.

"Oh, you wouldn't do that! You- Wait. What do you mean 'I should let you'? You're not going down there tomorrow," he told her firmly.

Usagi rolled her eyes. "I'm not having this argument with you. I've already made up my mind and my father has already given me his word. Besides, Bella is expecting to see me there," she replied equally as firm.

Heero looked at the woman in front of him. He knew as soon as their first little argument more than a half an hour ago she had changed. She seemed different now. Not by much but enough to notice. There was a harder edge to her now. She was still the same feisty, caring woman with a soft side but she seemed more mature now, more experienced, and not so childlike anymore. He would miss that part about her but he liked her still all the same.

"What?" Usagi asked confused. He had just gone so still and was staring at her as if he was seeing her for the first time.

Heero chuckled and shook his head lightly, "Nothing. Of course you're coming tomorrow. Who am I to stop you?"

Usagi looked at him puzzled.

"You should get some more rest. I'll see you tomorrow," he told her getting off the bed.

"What you're leaving already?" Usagi asked slightly alarmed.

"Yes, I need to pick up Bella from my mother's," he lied to her.

Usagi slumped back against her pillows. "Oh, of course. Then you should go." She didn't know what it was but she was bitterly disappointed that he was leaving her. Her heart tightened just a bit knowing he would never be fully hers.

Heero groaned, "Don't pull that face on me."

"What face?" Usagi asked confused.

"That one," he said caressing her face. "Smile beautiful."

A reluctant smile pulled its way onto her lips.

"There we go," he said in a husky voice as he lowered his head to give her a parting kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yep," Usagi told him, her spirit lifting.

Heero left the room only to glance back once before closing the door.

Ikuko…

Standing by the vending machine, Ikuko looked up as she saw the man exit Usagi's room. A ting gasp escaped her as she recognized the man causing the said man to look at her curiously but to her relief he kept walking not realizing who she was.

Her mind was racing with curiosity. Did Usagi remember Heero? Had Heero found some way to get back in contact with Usagi after all these years? Ikuko had known the two had lost contact when Usagi had been a young teen and her daughter had taken it hard. She had never liked Usagi hanging out with him because he was so much older and because she had been so controlling over Usagi, but it had not seemed to bother her daughter and she had even taken a beating on many occasions for sneaking out to see him.

She felt relieved to see the two together again but didn't think Heero would feel the same way about her being back in Usagi's life. She would try to avoid him at best. She didn't want him to color Usagi's already hateful perspective of her with even more hatred. She wanted her daughter back in her life and she was willing to do everything possible to let it be that way. Even though Usagi did not ask her to visit today, Ikuko wanted to. She felt showing her unwavering determination would help her daughter to understand that she was indeed a changed woman.

AN: Hope you guys liked it. It was really weird just writing one scene… Please tell me what you think!