Body ~ This is just a little one-shot that I thought up. The rating is for a choice word that was used. What would happen if Relena finally got fed up with Heero's apathy?

Disclaimer: Gundam Wing's characters do not belong to me. I only borrow them on a temporary basis.

Insouciance

By: Penybright

"I'm leaving, and there's nothing you can do about it, Heero."

"You can't go, Relena. I won't let you."

"Give me one good reason why I should stay, Yuy!" Relena cried angrily, fire blazing in her challenging eyes.

"Because... because I- I... love you," Heero murmured softly.

Relena stepped forward and slapped him. Hard.

"How dare you! You always do this; play with my emotions. Well, I've had it!"

Heero raised a hand to his throbbing cheek, willing himself to remain calm. Ruthlessly, he shoved away the freezing numbness that began to creep over him.

"You're staying."

"I'm not staying, and you can't do anything to stop me. Heero, this isn't some game. Accept the facts."

"Don't go..."

"Why Heero? So that you can hurt me again? You're one selfish bastard, did you know that?"

"Don't go... Please..."

"Oh, so now you try to be polite? Heero, I can't take this anymore. I want to get away from you. I'm leaving, and I don't ever want to see you again."

"Relena..."

"Get out! Get out now!" she screeched, her hands clenched in fists of rage.

"How can you be so... so..."

"Callous, Heero? Like you?"

"Then, I mean nothing to you?"

He was answered with silence.

"Everything I've done... means nothing?"

"Everything you've done? What have you done Heero?"

"All those times I've placed your life above mine, willingly sacrificing myself for you. That means... nothing?"

"You only sacrificed yourself for my ideals, for the symbol I represented. I was never anything more to you," Relena spat angrily.

"No!" Heero shouted, beginning to lose control of his impassive mask. His defenses were crumbling, and he was helpless to stop them.

"Every day... every day, I keep going because of the small hope that someday..."

"Someday what, Heero?"

"I can't do this anymore, Relena! Everyday I wage a war within myself. The person that used to be me, and the perfect soldier I've become battling for control. I've wanted to end it all so many times..." Heero paused, swallowing thickly. "Even death offers me no comfort," he whispered in a chilling voice that caused Relena's anger to ebb slightly.

"I would sacrifice anything for you. I always have..."

"Then you should have no problem letting me go," Relena said evenly.

Heero clenched his eyes shut tightly. He knew it would come down to this eventually. He had tried vainly to stop the love that had blossomed in his heart. He knew it would lead to his destruction, and he had been correct. She was unyielding in her decision. He had shoved her away too many times. The damage was done and irrevocable.

"There's nothing I can do to make you stay?"

"No."

Heero choked back the sob that threatened to escape, futilely trying to squash his despair.

"Good-bye, Heero," Relena said softly as she brushed past him, and out of the room. Heero collapsed to the floor, head bowed in defeat. He wanted to scream and yell. He wanted to hurt something; to release his frustration. Instead, all that escaped him was a small whimper and a solitary tear.

"Relena..."

~ Questions? Comments?