Disclaimer: I'm not worthy! Sob Not mine. Not mine sob
Part 2
Duo got up and stamped over to her. "You knew and you didn't tell me! Do you know what I could've done with information like this!"
Hilde rolled her eyes. "Yes which is precisely why we didn't tell you. I take it Relena's not any better?"
Quatre sighed. "No change. Why couldn't you at least tell me?"
Hilde shifted uncomfortably. "That was Lena's call. We tried to get her to change her mind on that but well…"
"We?" Heero asked from the wall.
"Me, Sally and Lady Une." Hilde said. She sighed. "Lena had to tell someone, and with Zechs and Noin gone, well things happened."
"Things happened alright." Sally said from the doorway carrying Duo's sleeping son, Joey. "Been awhile eh guys?" Joey woke up and grinned at his father holding out his arms.
"Sally." Heero said in acknowledgement.
"Well, if it ain't old home week." Duo remarked casually as he grabbed his son. "Is Wufei gonna pop up too?"
Sally snorted. "I doubt it. This isn't his type of thing. I thought I'd drop by here before heading for the hospital."
"Why would you need to go to the hospital?" Catherine asked.
"I'm Relena's doctor and would like to check on her condition. I'm also the munchkin here's doc. Isn't that right Caroline?"
Caroline nodded. "Doctor Sally."
Sally pushed off the doorframe she was leaning against and walked over toward Hilde. "Lady Une's taking care of the press statements and security. I'm the first wave."
Quatre frowned. "Why would she need to do that? Relena's been out of the public for over three years now."
Sally shook her head. "Not really, when Relena resigned her post she still kept the glory that seems to follow her. That's why Hilde and I fiddled with the records and dyed her hair hoping to give her a bit of space. But with everything that's happened, someone's bound to leak it. We're just preparing for the eventuality." She breathed heavily. "Lady Une's also sending a message to Noin and Zechs." Several people winced at that. "Hey it needs to be done. I'm just glad that Noin is taking care of him."
Hilde sighed. "I don't want to be on this colony when he learns that his baby sister had a child and we helped kept it from him."
Sally grinned slightly. "You don't have a choice, you drew the short straw remember?"
Hilde glared. "Don't remind me."
Duo annoyed that they kept referring to things that he didn't know about broke in. "What in the blue blazes are you two talking about! And how did you find out about all this anyway? And when?"
Sally stared at them. "It's not really all that complicated. After the Marimaia incident Relena became ill and had to be confined. Zechs and Noin had already left for the terra-forming project, so Lady Une was watching over Relena. With the Protectors help of course. Not trusting outside doctors, Relena asked me to examine her and I told her she was pregnant. Lady Une reassigned me solely to Relena until she gave birth."
Hilde shrugged. "I decided to take a trip to Earth to visit Relena and thank her for all she's done to help us and found her getting very acquainted with the toilet. Being the intelligent girl that I am I figured out pretty quickly what was going on. So I told Duo that I was staying with Relena for awhile and helped her through the pregnancy. We got really close, so I became her prime choice for godmother, and the four of us decided it would be better if no one knew about Caroline. Less chance of her being used for leverage you know?"
"Once a year or so, Relena visits Earth for a physical for herself and Caroline. Ilea and I knew one another from the resistance, she agreed to help out here in an emergency." Sally explained.
"But why choose here? She could have stayed on Earth." Quatre asked.
"Well there were a number of reasons. One, on Earth Relena is too widely known, no matter of disguising would have helped that. And if they had gotten wind of her pregnancy it would have been chaos. Two, she had friends here. Hilde and you Quatre if she wanted. She could keep in touch with you Gundam pilots without sacrificing her privacy. Unless something drastic happened you would never know about Caroline." Sally explained.
"After all she's done for this universe we all thought she deserved a normal life with her daughter." Hilde said fiercely. "Of course now that's all blow to bits."
Sally rubbed her forehead. "It would have been blown in another couple of months anyway."
Hilde turned quickly. "Sally, no don't mean that…"
"Things are rapidly deteriorating in the political sphere, Lady Une has been talking with Relena trying to get her to come back. All of the delegates are clamoring for her return, she was wavering more and more." Sally said tiredly.
Hilde clenched a fist. "Hasn't she done enough? Can't they just leave her alone?"
Sally shrugged helplessly. "What can I say? She is our guide to peace."
Hilde sighed. "I guess. But then we'll be right back to before, having to shove food at her, forcing her to sleep just so she'll get some rest."
"Was it really that bad?" Cathy asked.
Hilde rolled her eyes. "Worse! And that was AFTER she quit. They hounded her for a two months asking her opinion. We finally had to disconnect her phone. And believe me that took some doing."
"Well I'm off to the hospital. " Sally said turning. "I'll see you back at the house Hilde."
"Uh-huh." Hilde said absently. "Take care of her."
"I will." Sally said as she sauntered out.
"Well this had been informative." Duo said sarcastically. Joey looked back and forth between his parents, sensing tension.
"Oh don't be such a baby Duo." Hilde said glaring at him. Then brightening she turned to Quatre. "Where are Caroline's things? I'll just grab them and be on my way."
Quatre looked a little shell-shocked. "You taking her with you?"
Hilde frowned. "Of course. I'm her legal guardian if anything happens to Relena."
"Then why did the hospital call me?"
"Because, if something ever did happen to her, I had to inform Sally and Lady Une on Earth. Sally's not always easy to find so I spent a couple of weeks on Earth looking for her. We had this planned out." Hilde said shifting Caroline to her other hip.
"She's not going anywhere." Heero said quietly.
Hilde started to get annoyed. "Look, I'm just following Relena's wishes and none of you are going to stop me. Not even the perfect solider here."
Heero gave her his death glare. "No one is taking my daughter from me."
By this time Caroline was getting upset she could feel the tension in the room and started whimpering. Heero strode over and plucked his child from Hilde's grasp and marched upstairs with her.
"Way to go Hilde." Duo said tightly, placing a teary Joey on the floor. Hilde swung out and hit him in the stomach, then turning she scooped up her son and stamped out the door. "Ow. That hurt."
"I believe it was supposed to." Cathy said, looking at the guys she turned and followed Hilde out.
Duo ran a hand through his hair. "Hey Quatre can I stay here tonight, I don't think I want to go home."
Quatre flopped down on the couch. "Sure why not, it's not like I don't have the room."
Trowa got up and walked upstairs after Heero.
"What's next?" Quatre asked softly. Duo flopped down next to him wincing. "You probably shouldn't ask."
Caroline clung to her father sniffling as Heero stood in front of the picture window in her room. He watched Hilde race out of the house and Cathy come out and catch up to her. The two talked and then moved off together.
"You've decided then." Trowa said from behind him.
"She's mine Trowa." Heero said.
"She's Relena's." Trowa countered. "That's what we should all be concentrating on. Caroline and Relena." Heero said nothing; the two stood in silence the little girl between them.
"Look honestly, I don't know Relena or Heero or they're seemingly convoluted relationship, but I do know Quatre." Cathy said as the two sat down in a coffeehouse. "He really loves that little girl, and he's hurt that one of his closest friends chose not to share her. Just ripping her away now would devastate him. And I don't think it would do too good for Caro either. From what he's said she's finally starting to come out of this."
Hilde stiffened as she wiped ice cream off Joey's mouth and sighed. "I promised Relena that I would take care of Caroline. We almost lost them both you know. Relena wanted Heero there with her, but didn't want us to tell him, not that we could find him anyway. She didn't eat enough and came really close to having a miscarriage in her fifth month." Hilde's eyes flashed. "Those stupid diplomats wouldn't leave her the hell alone, they just kept calling and pleading her to come back. 'Oh Miss Relena, we need you.' 'Fix this Miss Relena.' 'Help us Miss Relena.'" Hilde's eyes sparked at the memory. "Her having Caroline made me want my own child, to have a piece of Duo always."
"I know this must be hard on all of you. But that doesn't mean the boys are hurting any less. Why don't we compromise and all stay at Quatre's? That way we can all help Caroline, and I'm sure she'll be safer there then at your house. Quatre has a wonderful security system and she couldn't be safer then with the four Gundam pilots watching over her."
"I'll talk it over with Sally. She'll probably agree with you." Hilde said grimacing.
"Good. I'll get back then. And give those boys a swift kick." Cathy said smiling.
Hilde summoned up a grin. "I think I'm going to like you."
Cathy winked over her shoulder. "Count on it."
Wufei slammed his fists on the counter. "What do you mean Sally's gone?"
Lady Une sighed and adjusted her glasses. "I mean she's gone. I had a special assignment for her to handle. There's going to be a bit of excitement at the L2 colony and she is handling the preliminaries."
"I'm her partner damn it! Why wasn't I informed?"
Lady Une speared him with a glance. "You did not need to know. Now if you'll excuse me I have to arrange security measures for the upcoming crisis."
"Lady Une?" A woman said from the doorway.
"Yes Jessica what is it?"
"You have a secure call from colony L2 marked urgent."
"Thank you, I'll take it in here, if you'll show Mr. Chang here out?"
"Yes ma'am. Sir?" Jessica said softly. Wufei glared at her and stomped out. Jessica closed the door behind them.
"Lady Une."
"This is Water, we've begun. No need for back up, it's already taken care of." Sally said smirking. "How'd he take it?"
Lady Une sighed and rubbed her nose. "The usual. I figured they would band together, but I'm sending four men just in case. Fire informs me that an ill wind is blowing in your direction."
Sally crossed her arms. "We expected that. And we're somewhat prepared for it."
Lady Une allowed herself a smile. "Good. Give them my best. And tell them Marimaia is praying for her, too."
"Will do. Over and out."
Lady Une ended the transmission and pressed the intercom. "Jessica, I need four men for a mission to one of the colonies, could you please scour the flies?"
"Yes ma'am right away."
"Thank you."
Wufei moved from his position against the wall. 'They need men for a job in the colonies eh? I bet that's where that woman went. So they think they can get rid of me that easy, well they'll find out otherwise.'
Dinner that night in the Winner mansion was a very strained affair. Hilde refused to speak to Duo or Heero. Duo was sulking because of it and Heero was plain pissed off. Trowa was as silent as always, Sally found the whole evening somewhat amusing. Quatre was pained about how bad it was going. Cathy kept up a light conversation with Hilde. The only ones who seemed at all happy were Caroline and Joey. Hey how could they not be? She had the almost undivided attention of seven adults and they both found new playmates, plus Joey got to hang out at his Uncle Quatre's mansion.
After dinner the girls took Caroline off to get her ready for bed, while the guys talked strategy, and played with Joey. Well, Duo played with Joey.
"Do you really think people will come after Miss Relena?" Quatre asked quietly. "After all this time?"
"She led us into peace, none of us can ever forget that." Trowa responded.
"Yeah Lena's always be a favorite among the people." Duo added. "She's a real classy lady. Don'tcha think Heero?" Heero spared him a look. "I mean you must after all…" click Heero aimed his gun, not for the first time at the braided pilot. "Uh, nevermind."
"Heero, please not in front of children." Quatre said pleadingly. Caroline running in dressed in her nightgown, followed closely by the three women cut their conversation short.
"Caroline come back here!" Hilde cried laughing. Cathy tripped on the carpet and knocked into Sally and the three ended up on lying on the floor. Duo burst out laughing earning him three glares. Caroline started giggling then laughing along with Duo. Quatre looked horrified, he rushed over to help them up, and by that time they had started laughing too. Soon Quatre joined in and sat on the floor next to them. Caroline stood smugly observing her work.
Turning Caroline ran over to Heero and grabbed his arm. "Daddy! Come play!"
Heero stared stunned at the smiling face. "Relena…" Dropping to his knees he grabbed Caroline in a hard hug. Caroline leaned in content. The room grew quiet, Hilde struggled to hold on to her anger toward Heero for leaving them but couldn't. Sally smiled to herself; 'It's about time that shell broke.'
Hilde pushed off the floor, muttering to herself, "Of course he chooses now to be a nice guy." Looking up she saw Duo with his hand out and she sighed. "Alright, alright, you're forgiven." 'Both of you' she added silently. Joey slid up to his parents.
Duo smiled devilishly and hauled her to her feet. "Good, 'cause I've got a hot tub in my room that's begging to be used. Ow!"
"Get your mind out of the gutter." Hilde said, elbow entrenched in his side. "Besides we're guests, and our son is sleeping with us."
"Please." Quatre said pained as he helped Cathy and Sally to their feet. Caroline squirmed out of her father's arms and ran back to the girls.
"Auntie Hilly, auntie Hilly come play!" Caroline cried pulling on her arm. "You too Duo, you play good!" Duo kneeled down next to her and grinned, "And what does the little princess want to play?" Caroline giggled. "Omae o korosu!" Quatre fell back to the floor in surprise and Sally chuckled at the expression on his and Duo's faces.
Heero cocked an eyebrow at the familiar phrase and Trowa's eyes widened slightly. "What was that?"
"Omae o korosu!" Caroline cried jumping around. Hilde looked embarrassed. "That'd be my fault." The room turned to look at her except Sally who was smirking. "He-he, you see I'd thought it'd be funny, ya know, for Caroline to say that, um, considering everything."
"You and Maxwell deserve each other." Heero stated glaring.
"We kinda invented a game around it." Hilde mumbled looking even MORE embarrassed. "Um, you see…" Heero continued to glare.
"Me tell! Me tell!" Caroline said grabbing Hilde's arm. "I pilot Zero, you enemies, I kill! Bang!"
Hilde looked at Heero. "Um, sorry? I was mad?" No change in expression, though Duo and Sally were hiding laughter. "If it's any consolation it's her favorite."
Heero stalked over and gave her his death glare. "Omae o korosu." Caroline squealed. "Oh Daddy play too! Yeah!" This was too much for the rest of the group and Duo, Sally and Quatre started hysterically laughing and rolling on the floor. Heero gave them all the patented Yuy death glare, to no effect and stalked out of the room. This caused even more laughing.
"Would someone care to clue me in on the joke?" Cathy asked hands on hips. Caroline stared confused after her father then shrugged and tackled the fallen adults.
It had been a week since Hilde and Sally arrived on Quatre's doorstep and relations had gotten somewhat better. Heero no longer threatened to kill Hilde every time he saw her and she and Duo made up. They promptly joined forces to torment everyone. Sally spent every afternoon at the hospital with Ilea making sure everything was prepared for when the press got wind of what had happened. She spent the mornings with Caroline, like every one else did. Quatre's nickname of 'Caro' had caught on, everyone but Heero called her that. Caro loved the afternoons she got to spend with her father and the boys, as well as the mornings with the girls. The nightmares still had yet to fade and every night it was a struggle to get her to try and sleep.
"You know Heero, I definitely think she has your agility, if you're not careful Trowa and Cathy will steal her away for their act." Sally said as she watched her perform the back flips Trowa taught her. Caroline smiled wickedly and jumped right into Sally's arms. "Carry!"
Sally grinned at her as the doorbell rang. Looking up she saw that Quatre was in close conversation with his computer. "I'll get the door, Quatre, you stay there." Getting up she shifted Caro to a more comfortable position on her hip and opened the door. There on the doorstep was an extremely pissed off Wufei, of course, technically Wufei is ALWAYS extremely pissed off.
"I thought this is where you'd be. It's common courtesy to inform people when you leave, how like a woman to be so inconsiderate!" Wufei ranted. Sally leaned against the door jam and smiled faintly.
"Why Wufei, I didn't know you care, be still my heart." Sally mocked.
"I'm in no mood for this foolishness woman, now tell me what was so damn important you had to leave so quickly. Well I'm waiting?"
"Always the observant one eh Wufei?" Sally said as she opened the door fully. "Mine as well come in, everyone else is already here what's one more?"
Wufei gaped at the child currently resting her head on Sally's shoulder. "Woman what is that!"
Sally cocked an eyebrow at him. "I thought you were smarter than that Wufei, it's a little girl."
Wufei's eyes narrowed. "I can see that! What is she doing there?"
Caro's eyes narrowed too. "You too loud." She pouted. Sally laughed, "He is isn't he Caro?" Wufei glared at the two of them.
"Sally who was it?" Quatre called from behind her. Turning Sally called back, "It's Wufei!" Looking at him in amusement she noticed that he was engaged in a glaring contest with Caroline. "Well come on Wufei, mind as well get it over with." With that she turned back into the house with a protesting Caroline. Wufei reluctantly followed her.
Wufei sat in the living room across from the rest of the group glaring, after they told him the whole story. "And why wasn't I informed?" They looked at him oddly.
"Well, frankly Wufei, we didn't think you'd care one way or another. I mean you've never been overly friendly with Miss Relena." Quatre said.
"Humph." Wufei snorted. "Relena Peacecraft brought the world order why shouldn't I care?"
"Awe, Wuffie, I knew you liked us." Duo said grinning.
Wufei's eyes narrowed. "I never said that Maxwell. Frankly if I never saw your braided head again, I would rejoice. And don't call me WUFFIE!"
"Hey you DID miss me didn't you! No death threats!" Duo said clapping his hands together. Joey came rushing in form his nap and grinned up at Wufei.
"Uncle Wuffie!" Joey squealed hugging Wufei's leg. Wufei glared at Duo.
"Oh no." Duo said smiling weakly as his grabbed his son and edged out of the room.
"INJUSTICE!" Wufei cried incensed as he proceeded to chase after the running Duo and giggling Joey.
Caro turned to her father and frowned. "Daddy, help uncle Duo."
Heero's lips twitched and sighing he placed his daughter on the couch and went to save Duo.
Dinner that night was an amusing affair, Caroline had taken an instant dislike for Wufei and the feeling appeared to be mutual. Even at three Caroline had perfected the Yuy death glare. And Wufei was stubborn enough to engage in an argument with a three-year old.
"You mean." Caro stated leaning over the table.
"Impertinent child!"
"And loud."
"You, girl!"
"Um, Wufei, she's three?" Quatre said.
Wufei spared a glare for Quatre. "It's the principle!" Sally swallowed a chuckle.
Glaring at Wufei, Caroline said clearly. "Omae o korosu."
Wufei stared at the girl and sniffed. Heero sighed and pulled his daughter back into her seat. "Caroline, what did I tell you about that?"
Caroline sighed. "Not game." Heero nodded sternly. "But he deserve it." More stifled laughter. The rest of dinner went about the same. However, it only took about two days before Caroline had Wufei teaching her martial arts in her playroom. The other three preventors arrived at the same time at Wufei and were guarding Relena at the hospital. It took only that to have word leaking out and reporters swarmed the hospital.
Zechs Merquise, nee Millardo Peacecraft paced in the hull of the ship, with Noin glancing at him in exasperation. "Zechs, if you don't stop that pacing, you'll wear a hole in the floor. We'll be there soon."
"What was Relena thinking resigning her post like that! Why couldn't she tell me! She should have at least kept a guard!" Zechs raged. "I should have never left her alone!"
Noin sighed; she'd heard this argument many times since Une's message. "She's a grown woman and Lady Une has kept an eye on her. She deserved some time to herself. She had a hard couple of years."
"But she's my baby sister, I should have been there for her!"
"Yes, you should have. But you weren't and there's nothing you can do about it now. Relena knows you care and if she needed you you'd come, but Zechs, she was only seventeen when we left, still too young for the responsibility of ruling the world!" Noin stopped. "I care about her too…" Noin wrapped her arms around herself. Zechs walked over and embraced her.
He rested his head on hers. "We'll be there soon. And I promise this time that I'll take care of her."
"We both will." Noin vowed.
Heero slid passed reporters and the Preventor security frowning that he was able to. Cautiously Heero made his way into Relena's room. As he did so he noticed absently that there were more monitors than the last time. Her hair was losing the brown coloring and turning back to honey. Heero stared down at the still form. 'Relena. Why didn't you tell me?'
Hearing a scuffle outside Heero turned swiftly towards the door. "I don't give a damn what your orders are! That's my sister in there and you can't stop me from seeing her!" Heero's eyes narrowed. 'Zechs.' Zechs finally pushed passed the guards and into the room. The two men glared at each other.
"Heero." Zechs bit out. "What are you doing here?"
Heero leaned back against the wall by Relena's bed. "I don't have to answer to you."
Zechs grabbed Heero by his shirt and pushed him against the wall. "You damn well better answer me! I left because I thought you'd watch over her, instead she's been alone. I should kill you for that!"
Heero stared at him angrily. "You could try."
"Don't…fight…" A voice whispered. Turning Zechs let go of Heero and rushed to Relena's side. Her breathing was shallow but her eyes were slightly open.
"Relena." Zechs breathed closing his eyes in gratitude. "I'm here now."
She smiled softy. "Millardo…good to…see you." Turning her head she looked at Heero behind him. "Heero…you know…"
Heero nodded sharply. "Why Relena?"
"Because she was all I'd have…" Relena said as she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
"Relena!" Zechs said alarmed.
"She's just asleep. I'll tell them she woke up." Heero said calmly as he left the room.
Zechs lowered his head to the bed. "Relena. He doesn't deserve you. I don't deserve you."
Outside Heero informed the guard at the door and he ran to get the nurse. Alone Heero released a breath and leaned against the door shaking slightly. 'She's alive. She's alive.' Hearing many footsteps he collected himself and faced his fellow pilots.
"Is it true?" Hilde asked grabbing his shirt. "Tell me it's true!"
Looking around Heero noticed something. "Where's Caroline?"
Quatre stepped forward. "Wufei is watching her back at the house with Noin. Don't worry."
"Zechs is inside. Relena woke up." Heero said. Then he turned and walked out. On a sob Hilde tore away from Duo and rushed inside.
"So this is really Relena's daughter huh?" Noin said looking at the sleeping child.
"Hn." Wufei responded.
Noin chuckled. "That's why she never wanted us to visit. She knew Zechs would have a fit." She grimaced. "He still will."
"Relena's awake." Noin turned swiftly towards Heero tears forming.
"You're sure?" Heero nodded. Noin grabbed the nearest person (Wufei) and gave him a hug much to Wufei's displeasure. "Thank God!" "Let me go woman!"
"I'll take Caroline to see her mother now." Heero said picking up the sleeping girl. Noin stared at how easy it seemed to him. Wufei followed after him shooting Noin a look of disgust. Noin quickly caught up to them. She grinned suddenly. 'Oh I can't wait to see this!'
By the time they got back to the hospital everyone but Sally had been kicked out of Relena's room, and the reporters had been kicked off the floor. The gang was clustered around outside with Zechs pacing and grumbling. He looked up as Heero entered with Caroline. Zechs took a long look at Caroline, but by the time realization hit Heero was already past him into the room.
Sally looked up exasperated. "I said no one was allowed in yet."
"I think this will be the exception." Heero said putting down Caroline in a chair. Sally smiled wryly.
"Alright but just the pumpkin." Heero glared at her. "And you." "Zechs is going to kill me." She muttered under her breath as she walked out. At the door she paused. "She should wake up anytime now." Heero nodded.
Turning he looked back at the sleeping girls. Except for the hair color they looked identical as they slept. Relena stirred and woke, with blurry eyes she looked around, spotting Heero her eyes widened. "Heero…"
"Hello Relena." Relena looked startled and saw Caroline asleep in the chair, on a strangled cry she moved to get her. Heero stopped her from moving and passed Caroline to her. Relena held Caroline tightly and rocked.
"Is she alright?" she asked softly.
"She's fine. You got the worst of it."
"Good." Relena said running her hands over her daughter. "I wanted it that way."
Heero's eyes narrowed. "Oh you did?"
In a delayed reaction they heard Zechs in the hallway. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN MY SISTER HAS A CHILD?"
Relena twitched. "Here it comes." She said wearily.
"HE'S THE FATHER? I'LL KILL THAT SNOT NOSED PILOT!"
Relena sighed. "I'd suggest you take the window when you leave. Millardo's impossible when he gets like this."
"AND HE DIDN'T MARRY HER EITHER! I REALLY AM GOING TO KILL HIM!"
Caroline frowned in her sleep and woke up. "Too nosy." Looking around she saw her mother and blinked. "Momma? MOMMA!" Caroline grabbed her mother in a tight bear hug, sobbing. Relena made soothing noises as she brushed Caroline's hair back. After several minutes of silence Relena turned to Heero. "So do you think it's out of his system or do you think Sally sedated him?" Heero's lips twitched. "Ah-ha, I saw that. You almost smiled."
"Relena." Heero said in exasperation.
"Is everyone here?"
"Yes."
Relena closed her eyes. "Good. Then I don't have to take much time before leaving. I didn't want Caroline to grow up this way, but now I have no choice." She sighed and opened her eyes. "I'll contact Lady Une and get the ball rolling, it'll be better if I start it."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because I don't want war to ever touch my baby, and if the communications break done then it could." Heero lifted a hand and placed it on Caroline's head. "I thought that they would be fine, that I wasn't that needed. I started the peace process but didn't think I would have to continue it. Recent events have shown me how wrong I was."
"You didn't tell me."
"You never asked." Relena countered. Heero gave her a look. "Sorry, that was cheap. I didn't know how to find you, if you would want me to find you. Whatever else, she was mine. I wanted her and I didn't want her subjected to the scrutiny I was." Relena said tightly. She sighed. "Now my detractors will have a field day with the news that I am an single unwed mother."
"They won't." Heero said. Relena gave him a perplexed look and opened her mouth to question when Zechs burst in almost foaming at the mouth. Duo was being dragged while hanging on to one arm while Noin was on the other.
"I WILL KILL YOU!" Zechs cried his eyes wild.
"Zechs, stop this!" Noin cried pushing at his chest.
Relena closed her eyes and sighed. Caroline looked up from her mother's chest and glared. Wiggling she freed herself and stalked down the bed. She stood protectively in front of her mother, facing Zechs. When Zechs fully faced her, his heart tumbled at her feet; she looked so much like the little sister he lost as a child. "Momma is sick. Be quiet!" Caroline scolded.
Raising herself Relena pulled Caroline down. "Thank you dear. I would like you to meet your uncle, Millardo Peacecraft." Caroline cocked her head at the somewhat calmer man. He kneeled by the bed and brushed a hand over her head.
"You look so much like your mother." Zechs said harshly. Caroline gave him a wide smile. "Thank you uncle 'Ladro" Duo and Noin almost lost it at that. Zechs smiled stiffly. "Try Zechs, it's a bit easier. I need to talk with your mother for a minute would you mind going with your Aunt Luc?" He asked pointing at Noin.
Duo scooped up Caro and hung her upside down. "I've got the mini- princess. Come on squirt, I think I heard your Aunt Hilly say something about ice cream." "YAH!" Caroline squealed as Duo carried her out, with Noin worriedly following.
"Say what you want Millardo." Relena said bracing herself.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked hurt.
"You and Noin were on Mars, I didn't want to disturb your life." Relena said softly.
Zechs' eyes harden. "You're my sister. I want you to come to me!" He stood and began to pace. "Do you realize what this will do? Our peace is so fragile and you were the symbol of it."
Relena's eyes flashed. "But I'm not a symbol! I'm a woman!"
"Don't you think I know that?" Zechs raged. "I wish things were different for you, I really do, but Earth and the colonies look to you to lead them! And they will see having a child and not being married as a slap in their face!"
Relena looked down at the sheet, which she was twisting in her hands. "I know. That's one of the reasons I went away. And look what good that did."
"That's another thing, why didn't you at least take some guards! You are still the Sanq Princess and one of the most well known figures in our times!"
"I wanted peace of my own. For me and Caroline." Relena said fiercely.
Heero watched them silently, for a moment it seemed they had forgotten him. He spoke up in the silence. "You don't have to worry what the world will think."
Both turned to him. "What do you mean Heero?" Relena asked confused.
"We're married." After dropping that bomb Heero strode out of the room ignoring the looks of blank shock.
"…" Relena stared shocked.
Zechs shook his head to clear and smiled. "He's finally ready to take responsibility, good." He placed a chaste kiss on Relena's forehead. "I'll see you later little sister." Relena nodded absently as he left, still in shock.
"Hey Heero, what's up man?" Duo said as Heero dragged him aside.
"I need to talk to you."
"Go right ahead, bro." Duo said leaning against the wall. "What's up? Zechs after your hide still?"
"No." Heero said. "I need your help."
"Wow, I'm honored, the great Heero Yuy asking for my help!" Duo gasped sarcastically. Heero glared at him. "Okay, okay, what can the great destroyer do for you?"
"Protect Caroline and Relena for me while I'm gone."
"Where you going?" Duo asked.
"Just promise."
Duo sighed. "Sure man, but you don't really need to ask." Looking up Duo noticed that Heero was gone. "I hate when he does that." He made his back down to where the others waited.
"So Sally can she can she leave yet?" Hilde asked, Caroline at her side.
"I believe so. Especially since we'll all be there to help her." Sally said smiling.
"Well let's get started then!" Quatre exclaimed. "I'm sure Miss Relena will be much happier recovering outside here."
"Where will she be staying?" Zechs asked. "Is it secure?"
Quatre bit his lip and sighed. "She can stay with me until she fully recovers, and you're all welcome to stay as well." Quatre closed his eyes. 'Just please don't destroy my house!'
By the next day all of them were ensconced in Quatre's mansion. Relena was put into Caroline's room with her. Zechs and Noin had the room across the hall with various Gundam pilots around them. Relena made a statement to the Alliance that she was returning to the position of Vice Foreign Minister to the colonies.
Part 2
Duo got up and stamped over to her. "You knew and you didn't tell me! Do you know what I could've done with information like this!"
Hilde rolled her eyes. "Yes which is precisely why we didn't tell you. I take it Relena's not any better?"
Quatre sighed. "No change. Why couldn't you at least tell me?"
Hilde shifted uncomfortably. "That was Lena's call. We tried to get her to change her mind on that but well…"
"We?" Heero asked from the wall.
"Me, Sally and Lady Une." Hilde said. She sighed. "Lena had to tell someone, and with Zechs and Noin gone, well things happened."
"Things happened alright." Sally said from the doorway carrying Duo's sleeping son, Joey. "Been awhile eh guys?" Joey woke up and grinned at his father holding out his arms.
"Sally." Heero said in acknowledgement.
"Well, if it ain't old home week." Duo remarked casually as he grabbed his son. "Is Wufei gonna pop up too?"
Sally snorted. "I doubt it. This isn't his type of thing. I thought I'd drop by here before heading for the hospital."
"Why would you need to go to the hospital?" Catherine asked.
"I'm Relena's doctor and would like to check on her condition. I'm also the munchkin here's doc. Isn't that right Caroline?"
Caroline nodded. "Doctor Sally."
Sally pushed off the doorframe she was leaning against and walked over toward Hilde. "Lady Une's taking care of the press statements and security. I'm the first wave."
Quatre frowned. "Why would she need to do that? Relena's been out of the public for over three years now."
Sally shook her head. "Not really, when Relena resigned her post she still kept the glory that seems to follow her. That's why Hilde and I fiddled with the records and dyed her hair hoping to give her a bit of space. But with everything that's happened, someone's bound to leak it. We're just preparing for the eventuality." She breathed heavily. "Lady Une's also sending a message to Noin and Zechs." Several people winced at that. "Hey it needs to be done. I'm just glad that Noin is taking care of him."
Hilde sighed. "I don't want to be on this colony when he learns that his baby sister had a child and we helped kept it from him."
Sally grinned slightly. "You don't have a choice, you drew the short straw remember?"
Hilde glared. "Don't remind me."
Duo annoyed that they kept referring to things that he didn't know about broke in. "What in the blue blazes are you two talking about! And how did you find out about all this anyway? And when?"
Sally stared at them. "It's not really all that complicated. After the Marimaia incident Relena became ill and had to be confined. Zechs and Noin had already left for the terra-forming project, so Lady Une was watching over Relena. With the Protectors help of course. Not trusting outside doctors, Relena asked me to examine her and I told her she was pregnant. Lady Une reassigned me solely to Relena until she gave birth."
Hilde shrugged. "I decided to take a trip to Earth to visit Relena and thank her for all she's done to help us and found her getting very acquainted with the toilet. Being the intelligent girl that I am I figured out pretty quickly what was going on. So I told Duo that I was staying with Relena for awhile and helped her through the pregnancy. We got really close, so I became her prime choice for godmother, and the four of us decided it would be better if no one knew about Caroline. Less chance of her being used for leverage you know?"
"Once a year or so, Relena visits Earth for a physical for herself and Caroline. Ilea and I knew one another from the resistance, she agreed to help out here in an emergency." Sally explained.
"But why choose here? She could have stayed on Earth." Quatre asked.
"Well there were a number of reasons. One, on Earth Relena is too widely known, no matter of disguising would have helped that. And if they had gotten wind of her pregnancy it would have been chaos. Two, she had friends here. Hilde and you Quatre if she wanted. She could keep in touch with you Gundam pilots without sacrificing her privacy. Unless something drastic happened you would never know about Caroline." Sally explained.
"After all she's done for this universe we all thought she deserved a normal life with her daughter." Hilde said fiercely. "Of course now that's all blow to bits."
Sally rubbed her forehead. "It would have been blown in another couple of months anyway."
Hilde turned quickly. "Sally, no don't mean that…"
"Things are rapidly deteriorating in the political sphere, Lady Une has been talking with Relena trying to get her to come back. All of the delegates are clamoring for her return, she was wavering more and more." Sally said tiredly.
Hilde clenched a fist. "Hasn't she done enough? Can't they just leave her alone?"
Sally shrugged helplessly. "What can I say? She is our guide to peace."
Hilde sighed. "I guess. But then we'll be right back to before, having to shove food at her, forcing her to sleep just so she'll get some rest."
"Was it really that bad?" Cathy asked.
Hilde rolled her eyes. "Worse! And that was AFTER she quit. They hounded her for a two months asking her opinion. We finally had to disconnect her phone. And believe me that took some doing."
"Well I'm off to the hospital. " Sally said turning. "I'll see you back at the house Hilde."
"Uh-huh." Hilde said absently. "Take care of her."
"I will." Sally said as she sauntered out.
"Well this had been informative." Duo said sarcastically. Joey looked back and forth between his parents, sensing tension.
"Oh don't be such a baby Duo." Hilde said glaring at him. Then brightening she turned to Quatre. "Where are Caroline's things? I'll just grab them and be on my way."
Quatre looked a little shell-shocked. "You taking her with you?"
Hilde frowned. "Of course. I'm her legal guardian if anything happens to Relena."
"Then why did the hospital call me?"
"Because, if something ever did happen to her, I had to inform Sally and Lady Une on Earth. Sally's not always easy to find so I spent a couple of weeks on Earth looking for her. We had this planned out." Hilde said shifting Caroline to her other hip.
"She's not going anywhere." Heero said quietly.
Hilde started to get annoyed. "Look, I'm just following Relena's wishes and none of you are going to stop me. Not even the perfect solider here."
Heero gave her his death glare. "No one is taking my daughter from me."
By this time Caroline was getting upset she could feel the tension in the room and started whimpering. Heero strode over and plucked his child from Hilde's grasp and marched upstairs with her.
"Way to go Hilde." Duo said tightly, placing a teary Joey on the floor. Hilde swung out and hit him in the stomach, then turning she scooped up her son and stamped out the door. "Ow. That hurt."
"I believe it was supposed to." Cathy said, looking at the guys she turned and followed Hilde out.
Duo ran a hand through his hair. "Hey Quatre can I stay here tonight, I don't think I want to go home."
Quatre flopped down on the couch. "Sure why not, it's not like I don't have the room."
Trowa got up and walked upstairs after Heero.
"What's next?" Quatre asked softly. Duo flopped down next to him wincing. "You probably shouldn't ask."
Caroline clung to her father sniffling as Heero stood in front of the picture window in her room. He watched Hilde race out of the house and Cathy come out and catch up to her. The two talked and then moved off together.
"You've decided then." Trowa said from behind him.
"She's mine Trowa." Heero said.
"She's Relena's." Trowa countered. "That's what we should all be concentrating on. Caroline and Relena." Heero said nothing; the two stood in silence the little girl between them.
"Look honestly, I don't know Relena or Heero or they're seemingly convoluted relationship, but I do know Quatre." Cathy said as the two sat down in a coffeehouse. "He really loves that little girl, and he's hurt that one of his closest friends chose not to share her. Just ripping her away now would devastate him. And I don't think it would do too good for Caro either. From what he's said she's finally starting to come out of this."
Hilde stiffened as she wiped ice cream off Joey's mouth and sighed. "I promised Relena that I would take care of Caroline. We almost lost them both you know. Relena wanted Heero there with her, but didn't want us to tell him, not that we could find him anyway. She didn't eat enough and came really close to having a miscarriage in her fifth month." Hilde's eyes flashed. "Those stupid diplomats wouldn't leave her the hell alone, they just kept calling and pleading her to come back. 'Oh Miss Relena, we need you.' 'Fix this Miss Relena.' 'Help us Miss Relena.'" Hilde's eyes sparked at the memory. "Her having Caroline made me want my own child, to have a piece of Duo always."
"I know this must be hard on all of you. But that doesn't mean the boys are hurting any less. Why don't we compromise and all stay at Quatre's? That way we can all help Caroline, and I'm sure she'll be safer there then at your house. Quatre has a wonderful security system and she couldn't be safer then with the four Gundam pilots watching over her."
"I'll talk it over with Sally. She'll probably agree with you." Hilde said grimacing.
"Good. I'll get back then. And give those boys a swift kick." Cathy said smiling.
Hilde summoned up a grin. "I think I'm going to like you."
Cathy winked over her shoulder. "Count on it."
Wufei slammed his fists on the counter. "What do you mean Sally's gone?"
Lady Une sighed and adjusted her glasses. "I mean she's gone. I had a special assignment for her to handle. There's going to be a bit of excitement at the L2 colony and she is handling the preliminaries."
"I'm her partner damn it! Why wasn't I informed?"
Lady Une speared him with a glance. "You did not need to know. Now if you'll excuse me I have to arrange security measures for the upcoming crisis."
"Lady Une?" A woman said from the doorway.
"Yes Jessica what is it?"
"You have a secure call from colony L2 marked urgent."
"Thank you, I'll take it in here, if you'll show Mr. Chang here out?"
"Yes ma'am. Sir?" Jessica said softly. Wufei glared at her and stomped out. Jessica closed the door behind them.
"Lady Une."
"This is Water, we've begun. No need for back up, it's already taken care of." Sally said smirking. "How'd he take it?"
Lady Une sighed and rubbed her nose. "The usual. I figured they would band together, but I'm sending four men just in case. Fire informs me that an ill wind is blowing in your direction."
Sally crossed her arms. "We expected that. And we're somewhat prepared for it."
Lady Une allowed herself a smile. "Good. Give them my best. And tell them Marimaia is praying for her, too."
"Will do. Over and out."
Lady Une ended the transmission and pressed the intercom. "Jessica, I need four men for a mission to one of the colonies, could you please scour the flies?"
"Yes ma'am right away."
"Thank you."
Wufei moved from his position against the wall. 'They need men for a job in the colonies eh? I bet that's where that woman went. So they think they can get rid of me that easy, well they'll find out otherwise.'
Dinner that night in the Winner mansion was a very strained affair. Hilde refused to speak to Duo or Heero. Duo was sulking because of it and Heero was plain pissed off. Trowa was as silent as always, Sally found the whole evening somewhat amusing. Quatre was pained about how bad it was going. Cathy kept up a light conversation with Hilde. The only ones who seemed at all happy were Caroline and Joey. Hey how could they not be? She had the almost undivided attention of seven adults and they both found new playmates, plus Joey got to hang out at his Uncle Quatre's mansion.
After dinner the girls took Caroline off to get her ready for bed, while the guys talked strategy, and played with Joey. Well, Duo played with Joey.
"Do you really think people will come after Miss Relena?" Quatre asked quietly. "After all this time?"
"She led us into peace, none of us can ever forget that." Trowa responded.
"Yeah Lena's always be a favorite among the people." Duo added. "She's a real classy lady. Don'tcha think Heero?" Heero spared him a look. "I mean you must after all…" click Heero aimed his gun, not for the first time at the braided pilot. "Uh, nevermind."
"Heero, please not in front of children." Quatre said pleadingly. Caroline running in dressed in her nightgown, followed closely by the three women cut their conversation short.
"Caroline come back here!" Hilde cried laughing. Cathy tripped on the carpet and knocked into Sally and the three ended up on lying on the floor. Duo burst out laughing earning him three glares. Caroline started giggling then laughing along with Duo. Quatre looked horrified, he rushed over to help them up, and by that time they had started laughing too. Soon Quatre joined in and sat on the floor next to them. Caroline stood smugly observing her work.
Turning Caroline ran over to Heero and grabbed his arm. "Daddy! Come play!"
Heero stared stunned at the smiling face. "Relena…" Dropping to his knees he grabbed Caroline in a hard hug. Caroline leaned in content. The room grew quiet, Hilde struggled to hold on to her anger toward Heero for leaving them but couldn't. Sally smiled to herself; 'It's about time that shell broke.'
Hilde pushed off the floor, muttering to herself, "Of course he chooses now to be a nice guy." Looking up she saw Duo with his hand out and she sighed. "Alright, alright, you're forgiven." 'Both of you' she added silently. Joey slid up to his parents.
Duo smiled devilishly and hauled her to her feet. "Good, 'cause I've got a hot tub in my room that's begging to be used. Ow!"
"Get your mind out of the gutter." Hilde said, elbow entrenched in his side. "Besides we're guests, and our son is sleeping with us."
"Please." Quatre said pained as he helped Cathy and Sally to their feet. Caroline squirmed out of her father's arms and ran back to the girls.
"Auntie Hilly, auntie Hilly come play!" Caroline cried pulling on her arm. "You too Duo, you play good!" Duo kneeled down next to her and grinned, "And what does the little princess want to play?" Caroline giggled. "Omae o korosu!" Quatre fell back to the floor in surprise and Sally chuckled at the expression on his and Duo's faces.
Heero cocked an eyebrow at the familiar phrase and Trowa's eyes widened slightly. "What was that?"
"Omae o korosu!" Caroline cried jumping around. Hilde looked embarrassed. "That'd be my fault." The room turned to look at her except Sally who was smirking. "He-he, you see I'd thought it'd be funny, ya know, for Caroline to say that, um, considering everything."
"You and Maxwell deserve each other." Heero stated glaring.
"We kinda invented a game around it." Hilde mumbled looking even MORE embarrassed. "Um, you see…" Heero continued to glare.
"Me tell! Me tell!" Caroline said grabbing Hilde's arm. "I pilot Zero, you enemies, I kill! Bang!"
Hilde looked at Heero. "Um, sorry? I was mad?" No change in expression, though Duo and Sally were hiding laughter. "If it's any consolation it's her favorite."
Heero stalked over and gave her his death glare. "Omae o korosu." Caroline squealed. "Oh Daddy play too! Yeah!" This was too much for the rest of the group and Duo, Sally and Quatre started hysterically laughing and rolling on the floor. Heero gave them all the patented Yuy death glare, to no effect and stalked out of the room. This caused even more laughing.
"Would someone care to clue me in on the joke?" Cathy asked hands on hips. Caroline stared confused after her father then shrugged and tackled the fallen adults.
It had been a week since Hilde and Sally arrived on Quatre's doorstep and relations had gotten somewhat better. Heero no longer threatened to kill Hilde every time he saw her and she and Duo made up. They promptly joined forces to torment everyone. Sally spent every afternoon at the hospital with Ilea making sure everything was prepared for when the press got wind of what had happened. She spent the mornings with Caroline, like every one else did. Quatre's nickname of 'Caro' had caught on, everyone but Heero called her that. Caro loved the afternoons she got to spend with her father and the boys, as well as the mornings with the girls. The nightmares still had yet to fade and every night it was a struggle to get her to try and sleep.
"You know Heero, I definitely think she has your agility, if you're not careful Trowa and Cathy will steal her away for their act." Sally said as she watched her perform the back flips Trowa taught her. Caroline smiled wickedly and jumped right into Sally's arms. "Carry!"
Sally grinned at her as the doorbell rang. Looking up she saw that Quatre was in close conversation with his computer. "I'll get the door, Quatre, you stay there." Getting up she shifted Caro to a more comfortable position on her hip and opened the door. There on the doorstep was an extremely pissed off Wufei, of course, technically Wufei is ALWAYS extremely pissed off.
"I thought this is where you'd be. It's common courtesy to inform people when you leave, how like a woman to be so inconsiderate!" Wufei ranted. Sally leaned against the door jam and smiled faintly.
"Why Wufei, I didn't know you care, be still my heart." Sally mocked.
"I'm in no mood for this foolishness woman, now tell me what was so damn important you had to leave so quickly. Well I'm waiting?"
"Always the observant one eh Wufei?" Sally said as she opened the door fully. "Mine as well come in, everyone else is already here what's one more?"
Wufei gaped at the child currently resting her head on Sally's shoulder. "Woman what is that!"
Sally cocked an eyebrow at him. "I thought you were smarter than that Wufei, it's a little girl."
Wufei's eyes narrowed. "I can see that! What is she doing there?"
Caro's eyes narrowed too. "You too loud." She pouted. Sally laughed, "He is isn't he Caro?" Wufei glared at the two of them.
"Sally who was it?" Quatre called from behind her. Turning Sally called back, "It's Wufei!" Looking at him in amusement she noticed that he was engaged in a glaring contest with Caroline. "Well come on Wufei, mind as well get it over with." With that she turned back into the house with a protesting Caroline. Wufei reluctantly followed her.
Wufei sat in the living room across from the rest of the group glaring, after they told him the whole story. "And why wasn't I informed?" They looked at him oddly.
"Well, frankly Wufei, we didn't think you'd care one way or another. I mean you've never been overly friendly with Miss Relena." Quatre said.
"Humph." Wufei snorted. "Relena Peacecraft brought the world order why shouldn't I care?"
"Awe, Wuffie, I knew you liked us." Duo said grinning.
Wufei's eyes narrowed. "I never said that Maxwell. Frankly if I never saw your braided head again, I would rejoice. And don't call me WUFFIE!"
"Hey you DID miss me didn't you! No death threats!" Duo said clapping his hands together. Joey came rushing in form his nap and grinned up at Wufei.
"Uncle Wuffie!" Joey squealed hugging Wufei's leg. Wufei glared at Duo.
"Oh no." Duo said smiling weakly as his grabbed his son and edged out of the room.
"INJUSTICE!" Wufei cried incensed as he proceeded to chase after the running Duo and giggling Joey.
Caro turned to her father and frowned. "Daddy, help uncle Duo."
Heero's lips twitched and sighing he placed his daughter on the couch and went to save Duo.
Dinner that night was an amusing affair, Caroline had taken an instant dislike for Wufei and the feeling appeared to be mutual. Even at three Caroline had perfected the Yuy death glare. And Wufei was stubborn enough to engage in an argument with a three-year old.
"You mean." Caro stated leaning over the table.
"Impertinent child!"
"And loud."
"You, girl!"
"Um, Wufei, she's three?" Quatre said.
Wufei spared a glare for Quatre. "It's the principle!" Sally swallowed a chuckle.
Glaring at Wufei, Caroline said clearly. "Omae o korosu."
Wufei stared at the girl and sniffed. Heero sighed and pulled his daughter back into her seat. "Caroline, what did I tell you about that?"
Caroline sighed. "Not game." Heero nodded sternly. "But he deserve it." More stifled laughter. The rest of dinner went about the same. However, it only took about two days before Caroline had Wufei teaching her martial arts in her playroom. The other three preventors arrived at the same time at Wufei and were guarding Relena at the hospital. It took only that to have word leaking out and reporters swarmed the hospital.
Zechs Merquise, nee Millardo Peacecraft paced in the hull of the ship, with Noin glancing at him in exasperation. "Zechs, if you don't stop that pacing, you'll wear a hole in the floor. We'll be there soon."
"What was Relena thinking resigning her post like that! Why couldn't she tell me! She should have at least kept a guard!" Zechs raged. "I should have never left her alone!"
Noin sighed; she'd heard this argument many times since Une's message. "She's a grown woman and Lady Une has kept an eye on her. She deserved some time to herself. She had a hard couple of years."
"But she's my baby sister, I should have been there for her!"
"Yes, you should have. But you weren't and there's nothing you can do about it now. Relena knows you care and if she needed you you'd come, but Zechs, she was only seventeen when we left, still too young for the responsibility of ruling the world!" Noin stopped. "I care about her too…" Noin wrapped her arms around herself. Zechs walked over and embraced her.
He rested his head on hers. "We'll be there soon. And I promise this time that I'll take care of her."
"We both will." Noin vowed.
Heero slid passed reporters and the Preventor security frowning that he was able to. Cautiously Heero made his way into Relena's room. As he did so he noticed absently that there were more monitors than the last time. Her hair was losing the brown coloring and turning back to honey. Heero stared down at the still form. 'Relena. Why didn't you tell me?'
Hearing a scuffle outside Heero turned swiftly towards the door. "I don't give a damn what your orders are! That's my sister in there and you can't stop me from seeing her!" Heero's eyes narrowed. 'Zechs.' Zechs finally pushed passed the guards and into the room. The two men glared at each other.
"Heero." Zechs bit out. "What are you doing here?"
Heero leaned back against the wall by Relena's bed. "I don't have to answer to you."
Zechs grabbed Heero by his shirt and pushed him against the wall. "You damn well better answer me! I left because I thought you'd watch over her, instead she's been alone. I should kill you for that!"
Heero stared at him angrily. "You could try."
"Don't…fight…" A voice whispered. Turning Zechs let go of Heero and rushed to Relena's side. Her breathing was shallow but her eyes were slightly open.
"Relena." Zechs breathed closing his eyes in gratitude. "I'm here now."
She smiled softy. "Millardo…good to…see you." Turning her head she looked at Heero behind him. "Heero…you know…"
Heero nodded sharply. "Why Relena?"
"Because she was all I'd have…" Relena said as she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
"Relena!" Zechs said alarmed.
"She's just asleep. I'll tell them she woke up." Heero said calmly as he left the room.
Zechs lowered his head to the bed. "Relena. He doesn't deserve you. I don't deserve you."
Outside Heero informed the guard at the door and he ran to get the nurse. Alone Heero released a breath and leaned against the door shaking slightly. 'She's alive. She's alive.' Hearing many footsteps he collected himself and faced his fellow pilots.
"Is it true?" Hilde asked grabbing his shirt. "Tell me it's true!"
Looking around Heero noticed something. "Where's Caroline?"
Quatre stepped forward. "Wufei is watching her back at the house with Noin. Don't worry."
"Zechs is inside. Relena woke up." Heero said. Then he turned and walked out. On a sob Hilde tore away from Duo and rushed inside.
"So this is really Relena's daughter huh?" Noin said looking at the sleeping child.
"Hn." Wufei responded.
Noin chuckled. "That's why she never wanted us to visit. She knew Zechs would have a fit." She grimaced. "He still will."
"Relena's awake." Noin turned swiftly towards Heero tears forming.
"You're sure?" Heero nodded. Noin grabbed the nearest person (Wufei) and gave him a hug much to Wufei's displeasure. "Thank God!" "Let me go woman!"
"I'll take Caroline to see her mother now." Heero said picking up the sleeping girl. Noin stared at how easy it seemed to him. Wufei followed after him shooting Noin a look of disgust. Noin quickly caught up to them. She grinned suddenly. 'Oh I can't wait to see this!'
By the time they got back to the hospital everyone but Sally had been kicked out of Relena's room, and the reporters had been kicked off the floor. The gang was clustered around outside with Zechs pacing and grumbling. He looked up as Heero entered with Caroline. Zechs took a long look at Caroline, but by the time realization hit Heero was already past him into the room.
Sally looked up exasperated. "I said no one was allowed in yet."
"I think this will be the exception." Heero said putting down Caroline in a chair. Sally smiled wryly.
"Alright but just the pumpkin." Heero glared at her. "And you." "Zechs is going to kill me." She muttered under her breath as she walked out. At the door she paused. "She should wake up anytime now." Heero nodded.
Turning he looked back at the sleeping girls. Except for the hair color they looked identical as they slept. Relena stirred and woke, with blurry eyes she looked around, spotting Heero her eyes widened. "Heero…"
"Hello Relena." Relena looked startled and saw Caroline asleep in the chair, on a strangled cry she moved to get her. Heero stopped her from moving and passed Caroline to her. Relena held Caroline tightly and rocked.
"Is she alright?" she asked softly.
"She's fine. You got the worst of it."
"Good." Relena said running her hands over her daughter. "I wanted it that way."
Heero's eyes narrowed. "Oh you did?"
In a delayed reaction they heard Zechs in the hallway. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN MY SISTER HAS A CHILD?"
Relena twitched. "Here it comes." She said wearily.
"HE'S THE FATHER? I'LL KILL THAT SNOT NOSED PILOT!"
Relena sighed. "I'd suggest you take the window when you leave. Millardo's impossible when he gets like this."
"AND HE DIDN'T MARRY HER EITHER! I REALLY AM GOING TO KILL HIM!"
Caroline frowned in her sleep and woke up. "Too nosy." Looking around she saw her mother and blinked. "Momma? MOMMA!" Caroline grabbed her mother in a tight bear hug, sobbing. Relena made soothing noises as she brushed Caroline's hair back. After several minutes of silence Relena turned to Heero. "So do you think it's out of his system or do you think Sally sedated him?" Heero's lips twitched. "Ah-ha, I saw that. You almost smiled."
"Relena." Heero said in exasperation.
"Is everyone here?"
"Yes."
Relena closed her eyes. "Good. Then I don't have to take much time before leaving. I didn't want Caroline to grow up this way, but now I have no choice." She sighed and opened her eyes. "I'll contact Lady Une and get the ball rolling, it'll be better if I start it."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because I don't want war to ever touch my baby, and if the communications break done then it could." Heero lifted a hand and placed it on Caroline's head. "I thought that they would be fine, that I wasn't that needed. I started the peace process but didn't think I would have to continue it. Recent events have shown me how wrong I was."
"You didn't tell me."
"You never asked." Relena countered. Heero gave her a look. "Sorry, that was cheap. I didn't know how to find you, if you would want me to find you. Whatever else, she was mine. I wanted her and I didn't want her subjected to the scrutiny I was." Relena said tightly. She sighed. "Now my detractors will have a field day with the news that I am an single unwed mother."
"They won't." Heero said. Relena gave him a perplexed look and opened her mouth to question when Zechs burst in almost foaming at the mouth. Duo was being dragged while hanging on to one arm while Noin was on the other.
"I WILL KILL YOU!" Zechs cried his eyes wild.
"Zechs, stop this!" Noin cried pushing at his chest.
Relena closed her eyes and sighed. Caroline looked up from her mother's chest and glared. Wiggling she freed herself and stalked down the bed. She stood protectively in front of her mother, facing Zechs. When Zechs fully faced her, his heart tumbled at her feet; she looked so much like the little sister he lost as a child. "Momma is sick. Be quiet!" Caroline scolded.
Raising herself Relena pulled Caroline down. "Thank you dear. I would like you to meet your uncle, Millardo Peacecraft." Caroline cocked her head at the somewhat calmer man. He kneeled by the bed and brushed a hand over her head.
"You look so much like your mother." Zechs said harshly. Caroline gave him a wide smile. "Thank you uncle 'Ladro" Duo and Noin almost lost it at that. Zechs smiled stiffly. "Try Zechs, it's a bit easier. I need to talk with your mother for a minute would you mind going with your Aunt Luc?" He asked pointing at Noin.
Duo scooped up Caro and hung her upside down. "I've got the mini- princess. Come on squirt, I think I heard your Aunt Hilly say something about ice cream." "YAH!" Caroline squealed as Duo carried her out, with Noin worriedly following.
"Say what you want Millardo." Relena said bracing herself.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked hurt.
"You and Noin were on Mars, I didn't want to disturb your life." Relena said softly.
Zechs' eyes harden. "You're my sister. I want you to come to me!" He stood and began to pace. "Do you realize what this will do? Our peace is so fragile and you were the symbol of it."
Relena's eyes flashed. "But I'm not a symbol! I'm a woman!"
"Don't you think I know that?" Zechs raged. "I wish things were different for you, I really do, but Earth and the colonies look to you to lead them! And they will see having a child and not being married as a slap in their face!"
Relena looked down at the sheet, which she was twisting in her hands. "I know. That's one of the reasons I went away. And look what good that did."
"That's another thing, why didn't you at least take some guards! You are still the Sanq Princess and one of the most well known figures in our times!"
"I wanted peace of my own. For me and Caroline." Relena said fiercely.
Heero watched them silently, for a moment it seemed they had forgotten him. He spoke up in the silence. "You don't have to worry what the world will think."
Both turned to him. "What do you mean Heero?" Relena asked confused.
"We're married." After dropping that bomb Heero strode out of the room ignoring the looks of blank shock.
"…" Relena stared shocked.
Zechs shook his head to clear and smiled. "He's finally ready to take responsibility, good." He placed a chaste kiss on Relena's forehead. "I'll see you later little sister." Relena nodded absently as he left, still in shock.
"Hey Heero, what's up man?" Duo said as Heero dragged him aside.
"I need to talk to you."
"Go right ahead, bro." Duo said leaning against the wall. "What's up? Zechs after your hide still?"
"No." Heero said. "I need your help."
"Wow, I'm honored, the great Heero Yuy asking for my help!" Duo gasped sarcastically. Heero glared at him. "Okay, okay, what can the great destroyer do for you?"
"Protect Caroline and Relena for me while I'm gone."
"Where you going?" Duo asked.
"Just promise."
Duo sighed. "Sure man, but you don't really need to ask." Looking up Duo noticed that Heero was gone. "I hate when he does that." He made his back down to where the others waited.
"So Sally can she can she leave yet?" Hilde asked, Caroline at her side.
"I believe so. Especially since we'll all be there to help her." Sally said smiling.
"Well let's get started then!" Quatre exclaimed. "I'm sure Miss Relena will be much happier recovering outside here."
"Where will she be staying?" Zechs asked. "Is it secure?"
Quatre bit his lip and sighed. "She can stay with me until she fully recovers, and you're all welcome to stay as well." Quatre closed his eyes. 'Just please don't destroy my house!'
By the next day all of them were ensconced in Quatre's mansion. Relena was put into Caroline's room with her. Zechs and Noin had the room across the hall with various Gundam pilots around them. Relena made a statement to the Alliance that she was returning to the position of Vice Foreign Minister to the colonies.