Warning: Extended Lime and a lot of sap.

Temper the Soul

Chapter 17

By zapenstap

Damion stared at him in amazement. "Are you serious?"

Heero felt more calm than anything else, almost as if he was moving through a dream. "I'm serious. Can you lend the money to me?"

"Sure," Damion said, blinking a little in surprise. Abruptly he grinned widely and laughed. Smiling, he clasped Heero's arm and looked into his face. "God, Heero, it's already evening. Do you have the ring picked out?"

"Yeah." He hadn't really thought about the details yet; he was just ready to do this, desperate to do it. She had waited for so long and he couldn't leave her unclaimed. He didn't know how long he would be gone, he couldn't even be sure if he would come back. One could never be sure with battles, though he told himself he would not die this time. Strange. It usually never mattered, as long as the mission was completed.

Damion shook his head, seeming to shiver with energy. "If you're serious..."

"I am. There's a church I know of in the city..."

"Pastor Howel," Manny said, and looked contrite for interrupting. "He mentioned you to me."

That guy remembered him? "Will he marry us?" Heero asked Damion.

"I'm sure he would, Heero." Damion stared at him for a moment thoughtfully and then shook his head. "God I envy you. Manny, can you get Heero outfitted for this?"

"You bet."

"I don't need special clothes," Heero protested. "I just need a ring for Relena and..."

"You're not getting married in your street clothes," Damion interrupted with a broad grin. "I won't allow it. It will be a lot faster if you let me help. I'll have someone pick the ring up for you. Did you talk to Relena yet?"

"I need to make some calls," Manny cut in quickly, almost more excited than Damion. Heero felt like he was losing sense of time and control as Manny looked at Damion expectantly, tapping his foot. Damion waved a hand and Manny pushed away from the wall with a grin, bounding down the hallway and around the corner. Heero had the sudden impression that things were moving entirely too fast.

The magnitude of what was about to happen slowly took hold in his mind. How soon before he stood at the altar with her? His mouth was dry. Her cool slender hands in his hands, promises spoken to God and the witnesses present, his ring slipped on her finger, a promise-sealing kiss... A battlefield on the morrow. Lovemaking in between. His knees felt weak. Her eyes blazed in his mind, azure with love of him and the strength of will that lit them afire.

"I have a few preparations to make for my own departure before I can get you to the Church," Damion was saying. "I'll send Manny and Terese your way in a few minutes."

Heero nodded absently. "I need to talk to Relena."

He hardly noticed when Damion strode out of sight. Instead he turned on his heel and pushed open the door. "Relena," he said quietly. The girl was sitting by her brother's side, her hands folded demurely in her lap, but she looked up when he spoke her name. "I need to speak with you."

She smiled sweetly, a rosy hue rising in her pale cheeks. When she turned away from him a diplomatic expression fell over her face. She caught his eye briefly as she said something softly to her brother. Zechs waved her off and she stood, approaching Heero with a fluid grace. As she came close, she bent her head and then looked up at him. The lights dazzled in her eyes. "Heero, what's the matter?"

His own eyes softened as he took her hand. "Come out into the hall."

She cast a glance over her shoulder at her brother and then followed him out, closing the door softly behind her. He held onto her hand, guiding her across the hallway and into a quiet, unused room on the other side. Flipping on the light switch, he pulled her in after him, closing the door softly. She stepped past him, looking around, but there was nothing in the room. There was only her.

"Heero..." she began.

He turned her toward him by putting a hand around her waist from behind and touching her neck with his other hand slightly. She let herself be rotated and he stepped closer, pulling her within millimeters of an embrace, his hand on the small of her back.

"Marry me tonight."

"What?" Her eyes widened.

"Tonight," he repeated, and seeing her expression, grasped her hand and knelt at her feet. This was the way it was done, right? "I know this is sudden, but be my wife tonight and…"

She knelt down with him, falling forward on her knees. Lifting his head with her hands, she kissed him tenderly on the mouth. "I will, Heero," she said and there was a sudden sense of urgency in her eyes. "When?"

"Now," he gasped, and hulling them both to her feet, opened the door.

Terese appeared in the hallway with Manny, smiling at them and biting her lip. "God, Relena," she said giddily with a half-suppressed sigh and a smile. "You are getting married?" Manny grinned.

Relena smiled herself, sweet and energetic, like a young girl's smile, and nodded her head quickly. She looked at Heero and squeezed his hand. He could see the energy about her, the barely contained excitement and happiness as she wavered between staring at him and looking at everything else.

Terese clapped her hands to her mouth and let out a giggle. "Well come on, you lovebirds! Manny has a tuxedo for you, Heero, and we've found Relena a dress to wear. It's not really a wedding dress," Terese apologized, "but it's white and… oh, enough talking. There isn't a lot of time!"

"My brother," Relena murmured. She released Heero's hand reluctantly and turned in a half-run, her hair brushing out in front of his face. He felt like he should catch her and pull her close, but she only went back to the sick room and hulled open the door. "Milliardo! Milliardo, I'm getting married tonight…"

Whatever reaction Zechs made was muffled as the door closed on Relena's heels, but moments later it burst open again as Zechs lurched against the doorway, one hand wrapped around his bandaged chest. Relena was shielded from Heero's site by Zech's body, and now that she was out of site he really wanted to see her.

"Tonight, Yuy? When you may die tomorrow?"

He didn't say anything, but something in his expression must have been answer enough.

Zechs glared at him. "Not without me you're not. It's about time I gave her away," he said and looked at Manny and Terese. "You work here?"

They nodded. Manny bowed. "I'll send someone up to help you, lord Peacecraft. Are you sure you are well?"

"Well enough," he said.

"I'll take care of you then," Manny said with a thoughtful look, and turned to Heero. "And I need you to describe the store and the ring for your lady, sir. And then we need to get you dressed and to the church."

Manny separated Heero from the others, leaving Relena in Terese's care. He soon found himself in a room near the lobby being suited up in a black and white tuxedo. Manny made all sort of quick little adjustments to it, and though Heero found it slightly odd to be waited on by Damion's servant, Manny seemed to have an I-do-this-all-the-time attitude and managed to have him outfitted in three minutes when Heero quit trying to help. He was allowed to stare at himself in the mirror for another two anxious minutes before Damion knocked on the door and beckoned them to the car waiting to take them to the Church.

*****

Relena could hardly still her breathing as Terese led her to her own room and tossed a white dress at her arms. Relena caught it with some surprise. It was made of silk and of an old, elegant style with a scooped neck, long sleeves and a skirt slightly longer than she was. It was perhaps not something she would have picked out for herself, but when Terese helped her put it on and she stared at herself in mirror, she felt like an angel. The sleeves had to be unbuttoned at the wrist to fit on her arms, they were so tight, but the buttons were silk and embroidered in white; it was beautiful. The dress seemed to be all of one material from the sleeves to the hem, but there was a bit of lace about the scooped neck.

"Who's dress is this?" she asked, touching her throat. Terese gestured for her to sit on a stool in front of the mirror and she did as she was bid. Grasping at combs and pins, Terese began to shape her hair, pulling half of it up into an intricate bob of curls and ribbon on the top of her head, letting the rest hang straight over her shoulders. Two strands hung curled over on either side of her head, framing her face delicately. The curling iron and the bobby pins changed hands faster than Relena could keep track.

"Damion's mother's," Terese replied, taking a bobby pin from her mouth. "It was a gift to Audrey but she is giving it to you with Mrs. Ravineere's blessing."

"Where is Audrey?" Relena asked. "I haven't seen her."

"Here." The door opened and Audrey came in, dressed in light green. "I just heard." Coming to stand by Relena, she opened a velvet box the size of her palm. From it she withdrew what looked to Relena like blue stars on a silver chain.

"To compliment your eyes," Audrey murmured as Relena's mouth parted in wonder. Stooping, Audrey draped a necklace of blue sapphires around Relena's throat and clasped in behind her neck, trying to stay out of Terese's way. "You can borrow it," Audrey said with a smile.

Relena put a hand to her throat in wonder, her mind going blank of all coherent thought. "How are you and Damion?" she stuttered mechanically as she stared at the jewelry in distraction.

"I have to talk to him," Audrey replied, but she smiled and Relena noticed a certain softening in her eyes. She wondered what it meant.

"Come on," Terese said to Relena as she finished with her last pin. Thanking her, Relena stood and slipped on the shoes Terese laid at her feet. The heels raised her skirts above the floor so she would not trip, and she smoothed her hands along her dress, pausing for a moment to stare at herself in the mirror.

"The dress is old and new, the necklace is blue and borrowed. You look beautiful. Let's go," Terese said, and pulled her out the door.

*****

Heero thought he would see Relena, but apparently she was coming separately with Terese and Zechs. He was suddenly so nervous he hardly gave what she was doing any thought, though the vacancy left by her absence bothered him. They arrived at the Church in silence. As far as Heero knew, no one in the Palace knew Damion and Manny had even left, except perhaps the guards at the gates, but Damion assured him it wouldn't matter as he would be back soon enough.

Heero recognized Pastor Howel as he entered the Church and was welcomed with a warm handshake. He was surprised the man remembered him. The pastor was decked out in his ceremonial robes and seemed a little grave as he looked Heero over, and he smiled worriedly at Damion too. The Church was empty save for a few staff members and volunteers, everyone scurrying to light candles and prepare the altar.

"Are you sure about this, young man?" the pastor asked him privately as they all moved into the sanctuary. He began to recite the wedding vows Heero had already memorized. Heero nodded and responded to the questions he was asked with as much surety as he felt. Yes, he loved her. Yes, he knew her family and friends and had their blessing. Yes, he understood this was meant to be a lifelong, faithful commitment to this one girl. He was thrilled and scared and conscious that he would be responsible for making their marriage work. He understood that kind of dedication. He was nervous, but he was ready.

"You are going to war tomorrow?" Pastor Howell asked quietly.

"Yeah."

"And that's the reason for this sudden hurry?"

Heero nodded and knew he must look troubled.

They came to the altar and the Pastor smiled at him. "Have you a ring?"

"He does," Manny said, and fished a box from his pocket. "I'm starting to get a good idea of the value of these things, Master Damion," he said, hefting the box a few times and then handing it to the prince.

"You can hold it for me until I need it," Heero said to Damion without thinking about what that meant, but Damion's surprised and gratified expression was something to see.

"Here comes the bride," Manny whispered, and bowed out, moving to the side of the room to stand witness.

All heads turned. Moments later the door swung open and Zechs entered the room, formally dressed and leaning on one crutch to ease his walking, Relena on his other arm. Terese ducked in behind them, scurrying along the side of the room to stand with Manny, taking his arm.

Relena drew all Heero's attention. He didn't notice much about her dress or her hair or her hastily applied makeup, but she was beautiful. There was a feeling of elegance about her, a mixture of elegance and courage and beauty that spun his head. She was a true princess. Her skin was pale as she smiled at him and the light of her eyes seemed to outshine her necklace. He half-moved to greet her on the aisle, but Damion grabbed his wrist and he locked his knees, swallowing and holding his ground.

In what seemed like an eternity she was standing beside him. Zechs let her go, giving Heero a meaningful look, and sat in the front pew with a look of relief. Heero began to tremble a little. Relena ducked her head, blushing, ever so often sneaking a peek at his face. His whole body felt so shaky he could scarcely remember what came next.

"It's Relena Peacecraft?" the pastor said with a surprised suddenness, dumbfounded. There was a moment of awkward silence as Heero opened his mouth to explain and nothing came out, but Relena smiled in silence and took his hands in hers. Her touch steadied him and he simply nodded, caressing her fingers. Gazing at them a moment in silence, the pastor resumed the ceremony.

Heero barely understood any of it. He stared into her eyes the whole time, and felt a severe urge to kneel as the opening words washed over him. "Before God…" The vows rang in his ears "to honor and cherish till death…" The "till death" struck a hollow, stubborn cord. All he could really see were her eyes, filling up his entire vision. They seemed to pull him into some other world, where everything was soft and quiet and peaceful, what he imagined death was like. Maybe love and death were the same. He heard her voice when she pronounced "I do." But hers did not echo. They struck his heart and buried deep until he felt he was wounded to the death and could not stand. He wasn't even sure later who spoke first, or if everything happened simultaneously, but his hands began to shake when it was time to exchange rings. Relena had one to give him too, and he remembered later what it felt like when she slipped the cool band of wire around his finger. Yet what really enraptured him was the expression on her face when Damion handed him the box and he opened it before her eyes, giving her both the engagement diamond and the wedding band at once. He knew it was a lovely ring, but her smile and the tear in her eye made its glitter seem dull. He had found it on the computer when looking for clues about Duo. It was even more beautiful in reality; a single round-cut stone with tiny little diamonds embedded in the band halfway around. Slipping it onto her finger was so satisfying. As he held her slender fingers, the rest of the words spoken went by in a blur, waiting in breathless anticipation until the pastor said "man and wife." And then he kissed her, all the shakiness inside pouring into her until he had never been more steady or sure of anything. When he released her lips, the silence in the room deafened his ears. There was no cheer among these few, and the threat of the coming morning deadened the celebration.

"Take your wife home and love her," the pastor said quietly after a moment in the stillness. Heero looked at him, feeling fuzzy.

"Go on," Damion urged. "You only have tonight. Where do you want to go?"

"They have a house," Zechs said from the pew. Relena stared at him. "My wedding gift to you, Relena. The house you and Heero wanted outside the city. It's yours if you want it. Spend tonight there. You have to go back anyway."

"Oh, Milliardo," Relena breathed.

"Go on."

Relena looked back at Heero, her husband, chest heaving, eyes communicating her desire to have him to herself for awhile.

"I'll have you flown back by private jet immediately," Damion said. "You'll lose time, though, you know."

Heero nodded, gazing at his wife. "That's all right. Thank you," he said, unable to look at anything else but her. He touched her hair abstractedly.

*****

The limousine that brought Relena to the church took both Heero and Relena to the airport on Damion's orders. He also called the airport and arranged for a private jet to fly them wherever they wanted to go. Once they were gone, the others stood around in the sanctuary silently, absorbing the events that had taken place so quickly.

"Prince Damion," Pastor Howel said.

He turned. "Yeah?"

"I'm glad you dropped by here. How is your mother?"

"She's better."

"And yourself?"

"I'm all right too," he said with a nod.

Over pastor Howel's head he and caught sight of Audey. She was leaning against a wall in the back, unobtrusively having observed the ceremony from the shadows in the back. He felt his stomach quiver a bit seeing her now, remembering their last encounter and the things she had said. He took a deep breath and asked for pardon from the pastor.

Audrey noticed him approaching her and straightened, lifting her chin high. He didn't touch her or get within ten feet of her. Nor did he try to illicit any response from her with a smile or a joke. "Are you ready to go?" he asked instead, conscious of a void of words and honesty.

Her face seemed to cramp up, her eyes melting like black liquid pools. "Damion," she said in the barest whisper. "I…"

"It's all right," he said, waving a hand, trying hard not to look at her too carefully. "I understand everything. Let's just go home. I have a lot to do anyway."

"You're leaving tomorrow."

"You'll have time to think things through on your own while I'm gone," he said, trying to sound positive about it but not too personal. God knows, that did not go over well last time. He smiled at her comfortingly, trying to take the sting of regret out of his voice. The way she looked at him hurt. She seemed so sad. He forced himself to turn away from her, swallowing a lump in his throat, afraid he would lose control and start professing things she didn't want to hear again.

"Damion…" she began, but was cut off when Terese and Manny joined them at the door. He offered Audrey his arm and she took it silently, almost sorrowfully, avoiding looking at him in the face.

Manny and Terese joined them at the door and together they took the other limousine back to the Palace. Audrey sat beside him, hands clenched into fists on her knees. She stared straight ahead, not looking at anyone, seeming lost in another place. He thought he could hear her heart beating and wondered what she was thinking to make it race so fast.

Terese had curled up next to Manny on the other side of the limo, her head nestled on his shoulder and her body tucked under the crook of his arm, eyes closed. She was exhausted from all the work she had done for him today in preparing for his departure. He ought to give her some vacation time if she wanted it. He knew she had family elsewhere she didn't get to see a lot. Manny was looking at him over Terese's head, and Damion could feel in his gaze a question about Audrey.

When they arrived at the palace, Manny roused Terese as others came to open the doors, helping the party out. A few had questions as to where Damion had gone, but he didn't answer them. Terese and Manny split off when he told them he had nothing more for them to do. He imagined they would spend some time together since Manny would be going with him in the morning, along with a personal escort of his best guards and a variety of other members among his staff. He needed Terese to stay and look after the palace, though.

To his surprise, Audrey followed him to his study.

"What did you think?" he asked her as he laid his coat over a chair. "About the wedding?"

"Strange and sudden," she replied, closing the door behind her. Her eyes were glued to him. "But it was beautiful."

Damion smiled. Opening a cupboard door, he pulled out a flask of port and poured himself half a glass. "They love each other a lot. Would you like one?" he said, gesturing with the flask in his hand. There were tears in her eyes when he looked up, startling him. "Audrey?"

"I'm sorry," she gasped.

"About what?" he said, and wondered if he had offended her with the alcohol, considering her history and their last conversation. "I'm sorry," he said hastily. "I didn't mean to insinuate anything. You don't have to have a drink."

She dashed tears from her eyes, lowering her head into her hand. "No," she said emphatically, shaking her head. "About what I said to you before." She looked up at him, her brow creased with pained emotion. "I am so sorry."

He closed his eyes. Setting the flask down, he swallowed. "You don't have to say that," he said, leaning his fists on the table. "I wish you wouldn't. It just reminds me…"

"No," she said, lifting a hand. "I never want to hurt you, but that's not what I meant. I'm sorry I lied to you."

He raised his head slowly, without any clear comprehension of what she was saying.

"I do love you, Damion," she said so quietly he barely understood her. She bit her lip, hot tears on her cheeks, and shut her eyes. "I didn't mean to make you think otherwise consciously. I don't love you the way Heero and Relena love each other maybe, but I…"

His heart leaped into his throat. Lightning raced though his body. He grasped her arms, staring at her, his whole body shaking. "Why did you make me think you didn't care about me?"

She swung her head around as if trying to avoid him, but he relaxed his grip and slowly she opened her eyes and looked at him. They were red from tears. "I care about you," she said. "You mean a great deal to me, but I…" She bit her lip, squeezing her eyes shut. His heart fluttered like a bird. He pushed her hair from her face, breathing hard. "My only experience with any boy is what I told you," she cried, turning her face into his hand. "When I'm with you I think of him. I can't help it. You never did anything wrong, but I think of what happened and I feel like that's how I am. I feel like such a waste. I don't want to raise your expectations. I…"

Startled, he pulled her close and she collapsed against his chest, weeping. She felt so small so close to him, buried in his embrace. He stared over her head, stroking her hair as she cried, smoothing the tears out of her with his hand.

"It's okay," he whispered. "I forgive you all of that. It's okay."

Calming down, she kissed his neck affectionately and he closed his eyes, holding her more tightly. What inspired her to do that? It felt wonderful. "Damion," she said raggedly, voice raw from her tears. "I do love you. I just…"

He kissed her on the mouth. She shuddered. He realized she was absolutely terrified. He was trying to push through her walls and that frightened her. She was afraid to be loved or admit love. Yet she accepted his kisses because she had to, and thought of that one night when she did.

"Don't be scared," he said, pushing her hair behind her ears and clearing the tears away from her eyes. Even in this state she looked strong to him. A deep resolve swirled in her eyes, pulled under by her fear. "Tell me honestly. Are you in love with me?"

She leaned her forehead against his shoulder. "I think so," she gasped, and trembled against him. His soul was on fire. God, she was so frightened. How much had it taken to admit that?

"Don't worry," he said gently. "I won't go anywhere."

"You're leaving tomorrow."

"Not for very long. You can write me letters."

"I will, but…" She didn't look at his face, but he felt her stiffen slightly. "We have one night," she said so softly he could barely make out the words. "If you want…" Her hands seemed frozen on his chest. She might have stopped breathing.

He felt hot, dizzy. His face was flushed with heat. "No," he said with effort, taking her hands. They were ice-cold. "Don't feel like we have to do that. You're not ready."

"I may never be ready." Her eyes were steady, polished like stones, but there was more relief in her voice than disappointment.

He touched her face, feeling the softness of her skin beneath his fingertips. "Yeah, you will be," he said, looking into her eyes. "Write me letters while I'm away. I won't be gone very long." He leaned forward and kissed her neck as she had kissed his. She closed her eyes, standing perfectly still. "Don't be scared," he said into her ear. "I love you. When I come back I'll show you how much. Think of it that way for me."

She opened her eyes, breathing a little deeper. For a moment, she looked at him in silence, tilting her head to one side. He felt his heart stir, feeling her compliment him through her eyes. Smiling at him, she pulled out of his arms and straightened, her posture pulling her body up like a willow tree, shoulders back and head held high. "Damion," she said with more of the composure he was used to. "I think I love you. I want to believe I do, but I…" she closed her eyes. "I want to take care of you for your entire life. That's the best way I can describe it."

"You'll make a good queen and a better wife," he said. "If you love me like that I am content." He laughed, smiling at her, and took her head in her hands, crushing her hair against her face. And she smiled. Her smiles killed him. "God, Audrey, more than content. I wish…" he touched her cheek and pulled his hand away. "When I come back from the west I'll marry you and make you a queen. Just…" he paused. "Think on me," he said.

"I will. And I'll write."

He kissed her forehead and wished for all that he was worth that he did not have to go tomorrow.

*****

It was closer to day than night when Heero and Relena were dropped off by taxi at the house they had chosen together. Relena stepped out of the car, a small blanket wrapped around her shoulders, her hair loose and flying about her face from sleeping on the plane. But she had never looked lovelier to him than when she stared at that house, his ring glittering on her finger.

It was wood and stone like any house, on a hilltop at the very edge of the city. From this view he could see the stairs leading to the porch, an unpainted wrap-around porch with beautifully carves railings. The house was large, larger than they would need presently, but maybe someday it would support more than just the two of them.

He placed a hand on the small of her back, leading his wife up to the stairs and to the front door. It was locked but there was a key hidden in a crevice just as Zechs had said. Unlocking the door, Heero pushed it open and turned on the lights.

Their furniture was scattered everywhere, hulled from their separate apartments by Zech's command. As long as there was a bed upstairs, he didn't mind the mess. Unconsciously, he shrugged off his coat and tossed it on a chair, part of a dining room set.

"When do you have to leave?" Relena asked him, her eyes glittering blue-green from under her golden-brown hair.

"Early," he said. He thought of all the time he had ever known her, of all they had been through. Their eyes met in the sudden resulting quiet. She released the blanket from her shoulders as he pulled her in for a kiss. Her breath was as sweet now as it had been at the altar, but he could smell the salt on her skin too. Sighing, he broke away from her face and taking her hand, walked softly upstairs.

Smiling, she followed him. "Heero, I… oh." She tripped at the top of the stairs and he caught her. "Am I really your wife?" she said, searching his eyes as she hung in his arms.

"Yeah."

The look in her eye brought life to the ideas he had been trying to suppress for months. "Can we…?" she trailed off, smiled and flushed, a pink stain suffusing her cheeks. "I don't want to sound like… but I will miss you and I…" She fell silent.

He stared at her. "We don't have much time."

Somehow they ended up in the master bedroom.

He shut the door and pressed her body back up against it softly, kissing her face and neck with intense tenderness. His hands worked on her clothes, undoing the buttons on her wrists and behind her back between her and the door. She sighed and breathed deeply, nuzzling him and kissing him back. "Heero, the bed." When the dress loosened around her torso, he let her kiss him away until he relented and drew her from the wall.

She had pulled his shirt off before he could lay her down on the bed, her hands running up his chest and over his shoulders. With a little shifting, he managed to remove the dress from her body and his pants as well. They wasted no time on the rest of their clothes.

His hands interlocked with her hands, their fingers interlacing as he pulled his body over hers on the bed, smothering her with himself. Her head sunk into the pillow, her eyes locked on his face, her chest heaving. He kissed her deeply, releasing her hands so he could hold her head and stroke her neck. She breathed silently into his kisses, yielding to his amorous advances, caressing his back and shoulders. He liked the feel of her hands on his skin, but his need was for another kind of touching.

Her eyes were so soft they seemed teary and if anything it was those eyes that stuck with him the longest in remembering that night. Their lovemaking was neither fast nor slow, but thorough and to the point. He lavished her body with tender touches and deep, frantic kisses, drawing her soul out of her body with all his instruments. They loved with a hot and poetic rhythm that came naturally and intensely, drawing more out of each other than they thought they had. The soft, very human sounds she made that night echoed in his ears as he returned them, reveling in the movements and the closeness of their bodies.

She cried for him in the last as he kissed her neck, releasing all that he held of himself for her in her, feeling as if the fire in his heart had finally settled to a manageable shimmer. He collapsed on her chest and trembled when it was done, but she bore his weight with contentment, running her fingers through her hair and over his neck. After a moment he lifted his body and kissed her soundly. When he rolled off of her she entwined her fingers in his hand again, tears in her eyes as she tried to speak to him without words. He stared into her face, both content and anxious.

I will survive, Relena.

His wife. He kissed her again and drew her close to him, wrapping his arms around her back. She felt asleep with her face and hands pressed against his neck and chest like she had tears to shed. She was silent, but he was conscious of the cool metal band of her wedding ring over his heart.

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