Heero Yuy could hardly see. His breath couldn't quite seem to reach his lungs. This time, this night, this mission that had gone so horribly wrong, would kill him. He was sure of it. As sure of that fact as he was of the moon in the sky. This would be his ending. Merciful blackness. Now that was all he desired. For his tortured soul to fall into endless, quiet, definite silence and darkness. Maybe then his heart could forget what his head had been trying to block out for so long.

So long.

Quatre Raberba Winner could hardly keep open his eyes. Such a short life. He hadn't really gotten to do anything. He hadn't been able to help his family. He hadn't fallen in love. He hadn't put his family's money and influence to all the good use he'd intended to. Two miserable wars for peace and nothing but hatred had come from it. One could always take away weapons.it's destroying the knowledge that's hard. And now, now he would die cold and heartbroken, beaten and battered, here in a hole of a combat training camp. Perhaps.perhaps his father.might forgive him his sins.

"Mako! Drop it, and let's go!" Angel Tsuiraku screamed over the noise of gunshots.

"Angel, the soldiers-"

"There's no time!"

Makoto Tanaka dropped her weapon and ran toward Angel. It was a race against time. A race both hoped they would win. If they didn't, two young men would lose their battle.

"There!" Mako skidded to a halt beside the body of a brunette man.

"I'll get the other one. You take care of him. And Mako.good luck," Angel replied, running further down the hall.

"Luck? Who needs it?" Mako called in response.

Light, and a woman's voice. Warm hands, very strong. Copper hair.but there's gold there, too.an angel? No. His sins were too great. The devil perhaps? She was so gorgeous.

"Heero Yuy?" she asked softly, leaning close.

"Haii," he managed to mutter. It was a pathetic croak, but she heard him.

"Heitai?"

"Haii.Heitai.I haven't heard that name.in so long." he said, so quiet she barely heard him.

"I know. Hold tight, I'm going to get you out of here."

"Just a routine.a routine mission.then.boom.Quatre.Quatre, where is he? Oh God, is he dead?"

"No, Heitai. He's alive. And he's in good hands. You just worry about you."

"Mako.you're Mako, aren't you? Only you would know.my real name."

"Heitai, Odin Lowe Jr., Heero.it doesn't matter. You're the same person."

"Haii.Mako."

"Shh.you hold onto me this time. This time I'll take care of you."

"Haii."

"Just.a test tube.they'll create another.my family will be okay. The Maganac.they'll be okay." Oh Allah, let me be right. If they created me, then they can make a new me and then.and then everything will be all right.it's got to be, Quatre thought frantically.

"One crisis at a time, if you wouldn't mind," a soft voice murmured close to his ear. It was a teasing comment, and one that somehow made him relax considerably.

"You smell like.Angel."

"Good thing, too." Another small joke. "Quatre, hold on. We'll pull through, okay? But you've got to hold on, no matter what."

"Angel."

"Shh.I'm right here. I've got you." Warm arms wrapped around his tired body and his head was lifted into a warm lap. His eyes cracked open.

Allah, thank you for sending me my beautiful Angel to take me home. I've missed her so much.she'll lead me home.

He felt warm lips brushing his forehead, bringing him back from his dream world.

"I've got you." Angel kept murmuring it over and over.

"Angel." he breathed, closing his eyes. His body went limp in her arms.

"No, Quatre.you've got to wake up.Quatre.dammit, wake up."

"Miss Tanaka, Miss Tsuiraku?" a kind, worn voice asked. They both stood and faced the doctor.

"They both made it through. They're not out of the woods yet, but their conditions are stable."