The End
-------------
A couple months later, Akilah, Vingte, Quatre, and Wufei got into
the reconstructed Dropship. They had launched the Jumpship into
place about a week before. D'arcy still had the plans, so
she could visit them if she wished. She had figured out how the
time jump had taken place, and so the four of them would come out
where they should have, when they should have. The two Gundams
were going with their pilots. Akilah and Vingte, as warriors,
were glad to have some of the best lostech on their side.
D'arcy kept the plans for another reason. She was sure that
true peace was impossible to find, and should they be needed, she
could now get to the other two Gundams. A tiny tracking device on
their armbands told her where each of the four were. She could
pick a good time for them, and just carry them off back to when
they were needed. Then they could go back and continue as before
when the crisis was over.
The Dropship departed, and D'arcy and Duo went back to their
tent. Trowa had already left for his circus, and the Maguanac
Corps had returned home.
Once inside the tent, Duo pushed D'arcy down onto the bed.
You should stay there, he said. You haven't been
feeling well lately.
I haven't. Pretty soon I'll be putting on some
more weight, and it's all your fault.
D'arcy, do you mean what I think you mean?
Mmm hmm. How do you like the idea of becoming a
father?
As long as you're alright, it's the best news in
the world.
Then it's the best news in the world. I'll be
just fine.
He kissed her gently. He sighed. It
doesn't really matter, but I wish it would be a boy.
Because then I'll have a reminder of you.
You won't need a reminder. I'll still be
there.
But you said that the Collins women —
Have done without marriage or men for over two hundred
years, I know. There are other Collinses out there. I don't
have to continue the tradition. Someone else will do it for me.
Besides, I'm not going to be a Collins much longer.
You mean you will marry me?
Yes, and not just because of the child.
It'sdifficult to give up one's freedom. But I
know I'll be happier with you.
~~~
Meanwhile, in the Sanc Kingdom, Relena shrieked and tried to pull
Heero up from his kneel. When he wouldn't budge, she sat on
his knee instead. She threw her arms around his neck.
Of course I will! You should have known that.
Heero took the ring out of its case and put it on her finger,
then put his arms around her and kissed her.
A soldier came in running to see what had happened to his
employer. He stopped just inside the doorway, grinned, and
tiptoed out, closing the door quietly behind him.
~~~
In a doctor's office, Trowa and Catherine sat nervously
side-by-side. The door opened, and a doctor came out, smiling.
Congratulations, Catherine, said, Trowa is
indeed your brother.
~~~
Far into the future, Akilah and Quatre were running hand-in-hand
through the snow, laughing. He caught her by the waist, swung her
around, and kissed her. Snowflakes slowly settled on their
shoulders as they kissed.
~~~
Wufei was helping Vingte train her new troops. Their mechs
were a new design, very maneuverable, so that the old Chinese
martial arts could be put to full effect. There was a distant
whimpering sound, and Wufei went out. He soon returned with a
bundle, which he gave to Vingte. She took out a bottle and fed
their baby.
~~~
Back in the others' time, Milliardo Peacecraft and Lucrezia
Noin stood before a parson, Sally Po and Lady Une as witnesses.
Milliardo turned to Lucrezia and said softly, I do.
~~~
And in their tent, Duo was very thoroughly kissing D'arcy.
Fin
Or will it be continued after all?
