Disclaimer: I still don't own Gundam Wing…gosh, darn it!

( II )

Heart Lost

Mea pressed her hands to the viewing portal as she squinted into the dark void of space. The thing, whatever it was, was still quite a ways out, but she could see that it was making its way rapidly toward them.

            "Who could it be?" she muttered under her breath, clenching her fists in growing frustration.

            "Dr. Somers?" Brad's voice suddenly echoed from the communications system. Mea raised her wrist to reveal her wrist pager. She pressed the buttons to activate it.

            "Yes Brad?"

            "Good, you're still here." Brad's voice sounded relieved. "We have a message from Fortress Barge. Colonel Lady Une wishes us to prepare for a possible incoming attack from an unidentified ship."

            Mea gave a short sigh. "Did she tell us something we don't already know?"

            "No, Doctor. But she does tells us to keep our lined open for any more orders."

            Mea sighed again. "Okay. Do as she wishes, Brad…Mea out." She deactivated the pager, then squinted again at the ship at the distance, not looking like a giant meteor heading right for them.

            "I wonder if it could be…" her voice trailed off and shook her head. No, it couldn't be true. It just couldn't. But, then again, she couldn't help but wonder…

            Ever since receiving the news of the death of Mr. Winner, she hadn't heard from Quatre since. This had worried her. Of course, she was relieved when Iria came back from the disaster, but she had been heavily injured and hurt from the incident, and she wouldn't tell Mea very much about her brother except that he was going to be okay and to stop worrying. The problem was that Mea couldn't stop worrying.

            "Worrying about my little brother again, I see." A voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts. She whirled around to see Iria Winner leaning heavily against the doorframe, her hair mussed and face tired. However, her eyes were gentle and sad as she looked at the young doctor. Mea quickly ran to her.

            "Iria, what are you doing here? You're still very weak. You should be in bed."

            Iria glanced at her tiredly. "I'm okay. Really. Besides, you didn't think that you could hide the news about that to me." She gestured toward the mysterious ship. Mea smiled faintly and pushed a strand of hair away from her hair, glancing sorrowfully at her feet. Iria gently pushed her chin up to meet her eyes, giving her an even look.

            "If you're worrying about Quatre, then stop it. He'll be fine."

            Mea turned away, not meeting Iria's eyes.

            "Maybe so, Iria," she finally said in a soft voice. "But I don't think he will be." She paused. "You may be his older sister…but you don't know his heart. Right now, he has no heart." She paused again, choosing her words carefully. Then, she whispered, "He lost it after his father died." She then ducked her head, afraid that Iria might be mad at her. But Iria only gave her a puzzled smile and asked, "How do you know?"

            "I know," Mea replied after a thoughtful silence, "Because…because he was exactly like me after my parents died." She turned back to press her nose against the portal. She squinted sadly at the incoming meteor. "He must feel as if the whole universe had turned against him…I just hope there's someone out there who can bring his heart back to him."

            Mea suddenly gave a start as Iria wrapped her around in a warm embrace.

            "Oh, Mea…" she choked, beginning to cry into her shoulder. Mea softened and held her for awhile, hoping to comfort her. Above them, the meteor grew closer and closer…