~~~~~~~~~Will indicate change of scene.
Disclaimer: Me no own, happy now?
Part 3
"Relena are you sure you don't want to wait another week?" Noin asked concerned. "You've only been out of the hospital for a couple of days."
Relena shook her head. "I'm sure. Noin even if I wait it won't be any easier then. I'm doing this for Caroline and for Heero…I'm sure Caro is going to love the Peacecraft estate, I had it restored." Relena said shaking her head again, turning she smiled at the older woman. "I want to thank you and Millardo for coming back to live in the Sanq Kingdom, I know Millardo doesn't have happy memories of there."
Noin smiled gently. "All he wants is for you to happy. And if facing the past will help you he's willing to do it."
Cathy poked her head into the room. "All set?"
"Yes, thank you Cathy." Relena said smiling at her. "Did you decide whether or not to come with us?"
"Well I've come this far, I thought I'd see it through. Find out more about my little brother's friends." Cathy said leaning against the doorjamb. "Besides the circus is shutting down for the next month or so, the flu has hit them pretty hard."
"Good to hear it. As it stands now we'd be outnumbered." Sally said brushing past her.
"Yuppers. And with this group that's not always a good thing." Hilde said following with Caroline.
Looking around the room Noin smiled to herself. "You know, the Gundam pilots may be the heroes of the war, but in our own ways each of us in this room contributed to their victory."
Hilde grinned. "Kind of like their auxiliary force. I like that." Pondering it she grinned wider. "The women behind the men behind the victory."
Relena burst out laughing. "Oh Hilde only you would think that way."
Sally smirked. "I think it's appropriate myself. The women behind the men. I definitely like that."
Noin shook her head laughing. "You haven't changed at all Sally. How do you deal with Wufei? Or should I ask how does he deal with you?"
Sally grinned. "We have our ways. It's so much fun to annoy him."
Still smiling Relena redirected the conversation. "Lady Une said the she will personally meet us at the spaceport and drive us over and hire the security. Quatre has offered to pay for all of us, so money shouldn't be a problem. Wufei is gripping about the insecurity of it; Duo and Trowa are finalizing the plans. Is that everything?"
"I believe so. Zechs went on ahead to prepare the mansion for our arrival." Noin said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Miss Darlian, why have you chosen now to come back?"
"Is it true that you left to have a family?"
"Were you severely hurt in the accident?"
"Is that your daughter?"
"Who is the father?"
The reporters crowded around shouted questions as Relena disembarked the jet. Wufei glared at them insulted by some of the questions. Quatre stood beside Relena silently offering his support. Duo was behind them carrying the bags, while Hilde carried the kids.
Relena held up her hand signally quiet. "One question at a time please. And any that I find vulgar I will not answer." Relena stated eyes narrowed in anger. "To start you off, I choose to come back because I was needed. I left for various reasons, most of which that I felt that I needed some time to myself, I was only sixteen after all. Yes, I was badly hurt in the accident I was in a coma for over a month and a half and as you can see I'm still on crutches. This is my daughter Caroline and who her father is, is none of your business. If you pester her I will have your jobs, is that clear?" There was a moment of silence before several reporters cleared their throats and spoke. "Of course Miss Vice Foreign Minister. Now about your plans…"
Safe in the limo Relena laid back into seat cushions with a sigh. "You okay 'Lena?" Duo asked concerned.
"I will be, Duo. I will be." Relena closed her eyes on a yawn. "I'd forgotten how tiring talking to reporters could be. It's been a long journey."
"Yup Caro's down for the count." Hilde said grinning. "And it looks like so the Princess."
Duo glanced over to see Relena curled up against the door, fast asleep. "Well she's had a hard day." Duo leaned back and put his arm around Hilde and Joey. "We've all had."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zechs paced anxiously in the driveway, impatient for the limo to arrive. Sally leaned against the doorway smirking at him. "You know, she made it through two wars without a scratch. I'm sure she'll survive a car ride."
Zechs glared at her and resumed pacing. "She should still be in bed, resting. Not flying halfway cross space and being hounded by reporters."
Sally shrugged. "She has to face it sooner or later. I trust her judgement that she's able to handle it." Trowa slid up beside them.
"The house is secure. Twelve of the Maganacs have offered themselves up as guards." Trowa said quietly.
Sally grinned. "Now I wonder if that's because it's Relena or because 'Master' Quatre will be staying here."
Trowa smiled slightly. "I believe it's a bit of both." Straightening he looked down the drive. "Here they come."
Immediately Zechs turned to the driveway and watched Noin help Relena out of the limo. "Relena, why aren't you in a wheelchair?"
Relena looked up and sighed. "Because I'm perfectly capable of walking on crutches. Millardo, I know you worry but I do know how to take of myself."
"Here Zechs, you can fuss all you want over this one." Noin said handing over the sleepy Caroline.
"But…" Zechs started as he shifted the little girl before being interrupted by Duo.
"Man, was that a long flight. I can't wait to take a nap, how about you Hilde-babe?" Duo asked turning to his longtime girlfriend.
"I'll be happy as long as Joey sleep through the night. I hope his internal clock hasn't gotten screwed up." Hilde said following after the group. They all filed into the house talking about the long flight and the crowd that had met them. Zechs watched them go in still trying to protest.
"Uncle 'echs, we going?" Caroline asked impatiently. Resigned Zechs nodded and trailed after them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In his hideaway, Heero hacked into files erasing all record of a Caroline Merquise. The new records showed Caroline Yuy, age 2 ½ perfectly healthy. He also created a false record of marriage for Relena Darlian and Heero Yuy. After packing all his stuff and preparing it for shipping he sweep the room of any clue that Heero Yuy had ever lived there. His last act before packing up his laptop was 'accidentally' leaking information of Relena's 'marriage' to him. As his shuttle to Earth left the dock a flash news report aired declaring the name of Vice Foreign Minister Darlian's husband and the father of her child.
On Earth Relena watched the newscast. "How did they get this information?" Relena asked calmly.
Hilde, knowing that tone too well swallowed hard. "We don't know. It's on every station though."
Zechs looked back and forth between the two. "Is it really all that bad? Now that they know they won't ask and you didn't have to reveal it."
Relena swung her head to face him. "My daughter's paternity is a matter of ratings, my non-existent marriage now being touted as a romantic interlude, and you ask if it's all that bad? It's none of their business who her father is, or who my husband, if I have a husband. I will do my job and do it well, so that MY daughter will not face the world the way I did. So that children will not be forced into fighting, like the Gundam pilots were. So that children will not grow up without parents the way we did. That is what is important. That's what they should be talking about."
Zechs swallowed. "Yes, Relena."
Wufei smirked at the cowed pilot. "Well said Peacecraft."
Relena turned swiftly facing him. "And the name is Darlian."
"Yes ma'am." Wufei said straightening.
From the doorway Lady Une surveyed the scene. "I see you have everything well in hand Relena."
Smiling Relena turned to her old enemy. "Une, so good to see you. How is Marimaia?"
"Well. And doing much better since hearing you are. She is looking forward to visiting Caroline." Une glanced briefly at the screen. "I see that the news has spread. Well, it was only a matter of time."
Relena shook her head. "Une you know I never married Heero."
Une grinned. "The records show differently."
Relena glared. "Everyone in this room knows that records can be altered. And most know how to alter them."
Sobering, Une said, "Relena, this though it may not seem like it is a good thing. The questions have been answered and their worries satisfied, you are once again pure and clean in to the public's eye."
"But it's a lie!" Relena shouted.
"Is it?" Une asked eyebrow cocked.
Sally frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Yes, Une." Noin added puzzled. "Putting everything to one side for a moment. All of us here know that at this moment Relena and Heero are not married."
"Ah, 'at this moment'." Une announced. "But in the future?"
Hilde's frown cleared. "Of course! If Relena and Heero married now, then it's not a lie, it's a fudge."
Duo grinned at his girlfriend. "Right babe, so we just gotta hitch 'em."
Quatre glanced at Relena and winced. "Um, guys?"
Trowa turned at the question and following his eyes swallowed. Unfortunately he was the only one who heard him. Cathy stared at the group in disbelief.
"Are you listening to yourselves?" She said. "You're planning for a wedding and not even bothering to ask Relena what SHE wants! I can't believe you people! This is not a problem to be fixed! This is a person's life!"
Relena smiled. "Thank you Cathy, I could not have said better myself. I must spend more time at the circus. As for the rest of you, before you decide the date for MY wedding, you might bother to find out if the groom or the bride would even show up. Think on that. I'm going to go play with my daughter." With that Relena hefted herself up onto her crutches and stalked out. Cathy glared and followed.
"Well that could have gone better." Duo said wincing.
Hilde groaned. "I can't believe I did that!"
Sally winced. "Yeah. I guess we were being overzealous. I'm surprised she didn't hit us."
Wufei snorted. "She's a pacifist. What harm could she inflict?"
The rest of the group save Trowa stared at him. Quatre cleared his throat. "I see you haven't been around Miss Relena very long." Duo nodded.
Une grimaced. "Or gone through labor with her." Hilde shuddered.
"Or watched her face down Romerfeller." Noin said remembering.
"Or saw what she did to Mr. Fluffykins." Zechs added. "What? It was her favorite toy!"
Sally sighed. "She may be a pacifist and an advocate of peace but the girl has a mean right hook and great aim." Several people rubbed body parts in remembrance. Wufei shook his head in disbelief.
In the nursery Cathy helped Relena into one of the plush chairs. "Thank you again, Cathy."
"Hey no problem." Cathy said. "It's not every day I get to help a former queen. Quite a step up from an orphaned circus performer."
Relena settled herself more comfortably. "Not just for helping me, but for seeing what all my friends could not."
"Well sometimes having an outside perspective helps." Cathy said smiling.
"Mommy! Mr. Pagan said you waiting for me!" Caroline said running in. Relena smiled softly at her old friend.
"Yes darling. I thought I'd spend the afternoon with you."
Caroline grinned. "Really? All afternoon? We play?"
Cathy sat down on the floor next to her. "Well your Mommy's still sore, so she'll just watch. But I'll play."
Caroline pouted, then nodded. "Okay. We do jumps again?"
"Whatever you'd like."
Relena raised an eyebrow. "Jumps? What exactly have you people been teaching my daughter?" Cathy laughed nervously.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Heero safely landed the shuttle on the private strip in the Sanq Kingdom that he'd bought less than a year ago. Transferring his cargo into the van he kept he shifted his bundle to the passenger seat and headed toward the Peacecraft estate. At the gate he keyed in the password he'd conned out of Pagan opening them and allowing him to drive inside. He bypassed the main house and headed to the garage. After parking the car he found himself facing Pagan.
"It's good to see you again sir."
"Pagan." Heero acknowledged. "Everyone inside?"
"Yes sir. Lady Une left only two hours ago. Miss Relena's resting in her room, as is Miss Caroline."
"Thank you."
"I'm sorry I was unable to aid your earlier search." Pagan said remorsefully. "Miss Relena left so suddenly."
"She needed time. I understand that. But her time has run out." Heero said quietly. "As has mine." Grabbing the bag from the seat, Heero moved into the house.
Pagan bowed. "I'll have your things moved into the master bedroom. Good luck Master Heero."
Unhampered Heero went straight towards the nursery. Having spent several weeks in the mansion at various points in the last two years he was very familiar with the floor plans. He was on a mission and Heero never failed a mission. Finding the right room he gently opened the door. Inside Caroline slumbered in her new bed, Relena's bear clutched in her arms. Heero squatted beside the bed; he raised one hand and softly brushed her hair aside.
"Caroline." Heero said softly. "Daddy's here."
"Daddy?" Caroline mumbled sleepily. "It late. Where you been?"
"I had to clear up some things before I could join you. I have something for you."
Groggily Caroline sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Daddy? Daddy!" She reached over and hugged him. "What is it?"
Gingerly Heero set her back on the bed, reaching into the bag he pulled out a new teddy bear. "It's a bear just for you. I noticed you really liked your mother's."
Caroline nodded. "I like He-bear, Mommy say you give to her."
Heero nodded. "Yes for her birthday. Now it's not your birthday, but since I missed it you can have him now."
Caroline took the bear from Heero. "Is mine?"
"Yes."
Caroline frowned studying the bear. "I like! But do I have give back He-bear?"
"That's up to your mother, it's her bear." Heero said solemnly. "Now you should go back to sleep, it's late."
Caroline yawned. "Okay. Night Daddy." Caroline snuggled down into the pillows cuddling the bears.
"Good night, hime." Heero said softly running a hand over her hair. Once he was sure she was asleep he quietly shut the door and moved on to his next objective, Relena.
Downstairs the rest of the party talked quietly together. Hilde was inconsolable. "She's my best friend! I should have stood up for her. For her rights!"
"Miss Hilde, I'm sure she knows you and all the others were just thinking of her best interests." Quatre said softly.
"Yeah, come on babe, Lena's not one to hold a grudge. We all meant well." Duo said rubbing his girlfriend's back.
"Our intentions were all well and good but the execution was severely lacking." Sally commented dryly.
"Relena's headstrong and stubborn, it's a Peacecraft trait." Noin added. "But still for all that, we should not have tried to plan her life for her." Next to her Zechs stared out the window.
"He's here."
Noin turned. "Zechs? What are you talking about?"
"He's here. Heero."
Duo looked up. "Heero's here? But I didn't hear anything. How'd he get in?"
"He's here." Zechs repeated. "How is not important."
"It might be." Trowa said breaking in. "If Heero could get by security here and into this house without alerted the guard, then he may know things that could jeopardize Relena. Plus he hasn't appeared here, or alerted the guards within the palace so he must have extensive knowledge of the floor plan. Or have an inside contact."
"Hey don't look at me!" Duo cried. "I haven't seen Heero since he left the hospital."
"It was I Master Millardo." Pagan said causing everyone to turn toward him coming into the room.
"Pagan?" Zechs said confused.
"When Miss Relena left so abruptly I was contacted by many people wishing to speak with her. Master Heero was one of them. Of all those, only Master Heero continued to try and contact her." Pagan began. "He would come and visit every so often to see if I had word. He was very helpful in restoring the palace."
"Heero?" Noin said incredulous.
"Yes, he remembered the palace from his visit here before Romerfeller destroyed it."
"Figures he'd have a perfect memory." Sally quipped. "But I never thought he'd be looking for her. Her trail wasn't that well hidden."
"He might not have searched for her." Quatre said. "Heero wouldn't consider it his place to chase her."
"No, Heero wouldn't have chased her." Trowa agreed. "But he would have looked for her."
"He should have tried months earlier." Hilde said harshly.
"Hilde!" Duo cried. "Give the guy a break."
Hilde shook her head and pulled away from Duo. "You don't understand, couldn't understand."
"Hilde." Sally placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let it go. We can't change the past. We have to look towards the future."
"I know but she was in so much pain…" Hilde said clenching her fists. Feeling hands covering hers she looked up. "Duo?"
"Give them a chance babe. They've been through so much, they deserve this opportunity to be together." Duo said smiling. "And Heero's not too bad."
Hilde frowned. "Duo."
"Miss Hilde, I know it's hard, but we must not interfere. They have to make they own choices." Quatre said smiling.
"They are strong. Justice will be served." Wufei added.
"Then it's agreed. None will interfere." Zechs said for his post at the window.
"Agreed."
Above, Heero walked silently into Relena's bedchamber. Staring down at her slumbering form Heero wrestled with himself. 'Relena…' he thought. Reaching down he ran his hand down her face. Frowning Relena stirred; quickly he moved his hand away.
"Relena."
She shook off sleep instantly. "Heero. What are you doing here?"
"Why do you think?" Heero said. "It would seem odd for a married couple to live apart."
"We're not married Heero." Relena said sternly. "Were you the one who told the press that?" Relena shifted off the bed, grabbing her crutches.
"Yes." Heero said. He helped her up; Relena shrugged off his hands and placed her robe on as he turned away.
"Why?" Relena said. "It's not like it matters at this point. You know I would never keep you from seeing Caroline if you should wish."
"This is not about Caroline." Heero said swiveling to face her.
"It isn't?" Relena said snidely. "What else could it be about? I haven't heard from you in over three years. You left right after Heero, with no word. I came back to find you gone, what am I supposed to think?"
"It wasn't right. You had just been though a traumatic experience; you needed time. I needed time."
"Time? For what? To decide that I'd spent the last two years of my life foolishly?" Relena said. "I loved you. I could not gotten through the war without your strength."
"Relena." Heero began. "You were fifteen."
Relena snorted. "You think age makes a difference? Love is love. You were not my first. I hope you will not be my last, I deserve more."
Heero's eyes narrowed. "Really?" Stalking over to her he grabbed her shoulders. "And what do I deserve?"
Relena closed her eyes in pain. "You deserve so much more than you will ever accept. I thought I could heal you, reach the kind soul I saw in your eyes. But you will not allow anyone to get beyond the walls you built. You will not accept the love you can have."
"I gave you time."
"I never asked for time! All I asked for was you!" Relena shot back. "Please leave my room. It's late, and I have a conference tomorrow."
"Not until this is settled."
"It is settled." Relena said jerking away. "Please."
Heero turned away, but paused at the door. "This is not over, Relena." He slammed it behind him.
Relena sat back down on the bed and cried, the crutches falling to the floor.
Outside Heero leaned against the door helpless. 'Damn. Why didn't I try to find out why she left? Why didn't I look? Why did I wait so long?' Hearing the muffled sounds inside he turned. 'She's crying?' "Relena…"
So caught up in their misery, the screams jolted them to the core, and sent them running down the hall. One thought running through their heads. Caroline.
In the nursery the screams had died down to sobs by the time Relena reached it. Slowing she pushed open the door. "Caroline?"
"Mommy! Mommy!" Caroline sobbed, squirming in Heero's arms. Relena rushed over and sat on the bed opposite Heero.
"Shh, baby, Mommy's here." Relena said. "Another bad dream honey?" Caroline nodded. "Well not to worry, bad dreams fly away in the morning light. I'll stay and keep them away."
Heero watched them; Relena's golden head bent over Caroline's darker one. "She's still having nightmares?" Heero whispered.
Relena nodded. "Sally thinks I should take her to see a therapist."
"She just needs a little more time."
"Is that your answer to everything?" Relena sighed. "Time? Heero so much time has been lost already."
"My fault." Heero bit out.
Relena sighed again and closed her eyes. "No, circumstances maybe, things we could have changed had we been stronger."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Heero asked.
"Didn't you already ask this? I didn't know how to find you."
Heero shook his head. "That's not true. You know Une could have probably found me. And Duo almost definitely could have. Yet you chose not to."
Relena bit her lip. "You left. After what happened, what we did, you just left. Your note said you needed time to think and consider. How could I take that away? After everything you had done to you, time was the one thing I couldn't take away from you."
"Relena." Heero said.
"Besides, you could have found me. You can find anyone you want! You could have found me, but each month, each year you didn't come. After awhile I knew you weren't coming. But I had Caroline."
"I looked for you." Heero said quietly. "I came here and asked Pagan. He didn't know. I thought, assumed you wanted time also. You were sixteen, still too young, too innocent to be forced to make a choice for life."
"Assumptions are just that assumptions. You should have asked."
"You should have told me."
Relena shook her head. "This will get us nowhere. You did what you thought was right, as did I. We have to decide what's right for us now. Caroline's asleep and I'm going back to my room." Relena gathered up her crutches and slowly made her way toward the door, hissing in pain.
"You shouldn't be walking now." Heero said coming up behind her. "You might re-injury yourself."
"I'll be fine." Relena said through clenched teeth, suddenly she was off her feet. "Heero! What are you doing?"
"Carrying you back to your room." Heero said opening the door, causing Hilde and Duo to fall in.
"Hehe, hey Heero man." Duo said looking up from the floor. "Funny thing about this…"
"Duo."
"Yeah?"
"Take Hilde and go to bed. The rest of you too." Heero said looking down the hallway. Sally peeked around the corner.
"Sure thing, Heero! Make sure to elevate her legs!" Sally said waving. "Stop shoving Wufei."
Relena choked on laughter and hid her head in Heero's neck. "They mean well." She whispered in his ear. Heero shivered as her breath tickled him. Turning he glared at the group.
"Go to bed."
"Yessir!" Duo said saluting. Grabbing Hilde and tossing her over his shoulder he strolled off towards his guestroom. "Duo! Put me down!"
"Heero?" Relena asked questioningly. Turning back to face her, his eyes met hers burning with intensity. Relena gasped and her pulse started to race. Heero's arms tightened and he resumed his walk back to her room. After placing her on the bed and making sure her legs were properly elevated he tucked the covers around her.
"Why Heero?" Relena asked brokenly. "What changed?"
"I almost lost you." Heero answered. "Now go to sleep. We'll continue this tomorrow after your meeting."
"Well that looked promising." Noin said. She pulled off her sweater and hearing a groan threw a grin over her shoulder. "See something you like?"
Zechs grinned back. "Everything."
Noin shucked off her pants and sauntered toward the bed. "Good. I'd hate to think this new underwear was wasted." Climbing on top of Zechs she leaned down. "Oh and Zechs?"
"Yes?"
"What exactly happened to Mr. Fufflykins?" Noin asked grinning. "Are you sure that it was Relena's favorite toy?"
"Noin! You want to talk about this now?"
"Uh-huh. I want to know exactly what kind of family I've got myself into." Noin added grinning.
Zechs winced. "I can't change your mind?"
"You could give it a shot. Zechs! What are you doing!" Noin said laughing as he rolled her under him.
"Changing your mind."
Next door Quatre groaned as he covered his head with his pillow. 'Why did I choose this room?'
Across the hall Trowa glared at the wall, behind which Hilde and Duo were having, uh, fun. "What are they rabbits? Why'd I choose this room?"
In the room between them at the end of the hall Cathy slept the sleep of the innocent and non-nosy neighbors.
It was late the next day by the time Relena's meeting was over and she could go home. When she and Heero, who had insisted on accompanying her, finally arrived back at the mansion Relena was exhausted and really wanted to get away from Heero. "Heero, we're back now you can stop shadowing me." Relena sighed.
"No."
Relena gritted her teeth. Gripping her crutches, Relena glared. "Heero…"
"What?" He asked.
"DADDY!" Caroline cried happily running straight for Heero. "You home now?"
Heero bent down and caught the flying girl. "Hello, hime. Did you have a nice day?"
Relena glared harder at the two of them. Taking a deep breath, Relena smiled at her daughter. "Yes, Caroline did you enjoy your day with Hilde?"
Caroline grinned at her mother form her father's arms. "Hilde fun. Miss you though. You and Daddy be here 'morrow?"
Smiling Relena reached over and ruffled her hair. "Yes, I'm all yours tomorrow."
"Yah!" Caroline squealed. "Down Daddy!" Caroline scrambled down and ran inside.
Relena watched her run sighing. "She's getting so big. Soon she'll be in school and…." Relena shook her head. "What does 'hime' mean anyway?"
"Princess."
"Appropriate." Relena said quietly. Shuffling she made her way toward the house only to find herself off the ground. "Heero! I can walk."
"You do to much. You're still healing, Sally doesn't want you to strain yourself."
Relena blinked, surprised. "You asked Sally about my condition?"
"It seemed the thing to do. Relena, I…"
"Hey Lena!" Duo cried coming up the drive. "How's the meeting?"
Heero tightened his grip on her and glared at Duo. "Duo."
"Hey He-man what's up?"
"Go away."
"Heero!" Relena chided. "Don't mind him, the meeting was good. I think we can accomplish a lot." Heero continued to glare and Duo got the hint and cut the conversation short. Relena shook her head. "That wasn't very polite Heero."
"I need to talk to you uninterrupted."
"Fine, I assume you know where my office is." Heero nodded and carried her into the house past the gaping guests.
"Why was Heero carrying my sister?" Zechs growled softly.
Noin smiled. "I think it's sweet. And we did agree to let them alone." Zechs growled in response.
Sally smirked and turned to Wufei. "Would you carry me if I broke me legs?"
Wufei rolled his eyes. "Woman, you wouldn't be stupid enough to try and walk on broken legs."
"Why thank you Wufei." Sally said ruffling his hair. "That's very sweet."
"Stop it woman!"
Once in her office Heero placed her gently on the couch. Relena moved to a more comfortable position and waited for Heero to sit himself. "Alright, I'm listening."
Heero glared. "This is not easy."
"I'm sorry." Relena said smiling. "I wasn't aware it was my duty to make it easy on you."
"Relena…" Heero growled. She continued to smile innocently. "This was a bad idea."
Relena was immediately contrite. "No Heero, wait. I want to hear want your trying to tell me."
"I think we should get married."
Relena stared at him like he'd grown another head. "Married?"
"Yes. We have a child together."
"So? What does that have to do with our marrying?"
"You know what I mean."
Relena shook her head. "Obviously I don't so why don't you explain it. I believe one should only marry for love."
Heero's eyes narrowed. "And you don't love me?"
Relena looked away from him. "I didn't say that exactly. But I believe it's quite obvious that you do not feel anything similar for me."
"I saved your life!" Heero said incredulous. "I spared Zechs for you!"
Relena gave him a look. "For me? I never asked for it, I have always been prepared to die for my beliefs, as Millardo was for his. No, you saved me for peace. You spared Zechs, well for your own reasons I suppose."
Heero leapt up and placing his hands on the couch behind her head moved in close. "I did it for you. So you wouldn't be sad. And I saved you long before you were a proponent of peace. I couldn't kill you then and you know why?" His face was so close all she could she were his eyes. Unable to look away, or speak Relena shook her head slowly. "Because from the moment I saw you I couldn't think like a solider. You were in my head and wouldn't leave. Now your in my heart."
"He-ee-ro…" Relena stuttered. She stared into intense blue eyes, shadowed by pain. "You can't mean that! You can't!"
"Well I do!" Heero said grimly. "And you better get used to it because I'm not going anywhere." Shattered Relena began to cry, not sobbing but softy, silently with tears running down her cheeks. "Relena…don't cry."
"I can't…its too much Heero! You don't know…I've waited so long." Relena covered her face with her hands. Heero looked down at her helplessly. Sliding down next to her he drew her into his embrace. After a brief half-hearted struggle Relena latched onto him. Heero rubbed his hands up her back soothingly, much as he had for Caroline the night before. "I waited and hoped, but you never came. I lost hope, Heero. I lost…" She whispered.
"I'm here now. I won't leave." Heero said softly. Brushing her hair away he looked down at her tear stained face. "I, I, Aishiteru."
Relena looked up at him confused. "Heero?" Then he leaned down and kissed her softly. She closed her eyes and a few more tears fell, it'd been so long! So long since she'd felt those lips on hers. Groaning she grabbed his head and pulled him closer and kissed him, hard.
"Relena, we can't. You're not healed." Heero groaned as Relena moved to his throat. "Well maybe if we moved…" There was a thump but neither noticed.
The knocking at the door shook them out of their haze. Breathing heavily they stared at each other. "Yes?"
"Relena are you alright? We heard a crash." Puzzled the two looked around and saw a stack of books on the stand behind them that had been knocked to the floor.
Relena cleared her throat. "We're fine, it was just some books." Slowly the footsteps moved off. "Heero."
"Yes Relena?"
"What does 'Aishiteru' mean?"
"Relena…" Heero smiled. "It means…te amo."
Relena glared. "Heero."
"Yes?"
"I'll marry you." Relena said smiling.
"Good." Heero said and went back to kissing her.
Nine and a ½ months later…
"AAAAAH! Screw pacifism! Heero I'm going to kill you!" Relena screamed a demented look on her face.
Heero took a step back from his wife and glanced at Sally. "This is normal right?"
Sally grinned. "Perfectly. Now get over there!"
Bravely Heero moved back toward Relena's head and held her hand. "I'm here Relena. It's almost over now."
Relena glared. "What the hell do you know! You are never touching me again! I am totally serious!" Heero glanced at Sally again.
Sally smiled. "Still perfectly normal. Breathe Relena, good now Push!"
"AAAAAH!" Relena screamed as she gripped Heero's hand hard, causing him to flinch slightly.
"Good Relena, one more. There's the head." Sally encouraged. "Here he comes!"
"WAAAH!"
Sally grinned as she whipped her brow. "Would Daddy like to see his son?"
Heero nodded. "And when you have a moment, I think she broke my hand."
Sally laughed. "Oh, you're serious!"
"Give me my son!" Relena cried exhausted. "I did all the work!"
"Sure, honey." Sally said placing the baby on Relena's chest.
"Oh! He's beautiful! Isn't he Heero?"
"Hn." Said as Sally bandaged his hand.
"Heero!" Relena scolded. "He's perfect. Welcome to the world, Ran Alexander Yuy."
Heero joined her on the bed. "Welcome, my son."
"Is this a private party or can we come in now?" Duo asked smiling. Behind him stood Hilde, four months pregnant and carrying Joey, Zechs carrying a wary Caroline followed by an overly pregnant Noin, Quatre with flowers, Trowa leading Cathy who was carrying a Teddy bear.
"Come on in." Sally said. "We already cleaned everyone up."
Heero took Caroline from Zechs. "Come and meet your new brother." Caroline leaned over and wrinkled her nose at the sleeping baby.
"He awfully little."
"Yes, he is." Heero said. "He'll need his big sister looking after him." Caroline nodded warily, still not sure if she liked the idea of a baby brother. She'd dealt remarkable well with the all changes and had come out of the trauma with fewer scars then most. The nightmares had faded with help and reassurance from both her parents. The future looked bright indeed.
The End.
It's done! It's done! It took me over a year but I finished it! Yeah! When I started this it was supposed to be a short fic and Relena was going to die. But like in the series she bounced right back. I also think Caroline refused to allow me to kill off her mother. The gun Heero held to my head had nothing to do with it. I don't know if the ending quite fits, but I had to stop, it was getting ridiculous. Well hope everyone enjoyed the run! And please read and review! And KnightWolfe? I was right Dorothy didn't show up!
'Oh Miss Relena had a baby? Why wasn't I informed?' "Hi Dorothy. Damn."
Disclaimer: Me no own, happy now?
Part 3
"Relena are you sure you don't want to wait another week?" Noin asked concerned. "You've only been out of the hospital for a couple of days."
Relena shook her head. "I'm sure. Noin even if I wait it won't be any easier then. I'm doing this for Caroline and for Heero…I'm sure Caro is going to love the Peacecraft estate, I had it restored." Relena said shaking her head again, turning she smiled at the older woman. "I want to thank you and Millardo for coming back to live in the Sanq Kingdom, I know Millardo doesn't have happy memories of there."
Noin smiled gently. "All he wants is for you to happy. And if facing the past will help you he's willing to do it."
Cathy poked her head into the room. "All set?"
"Yes, thank you Cathy." Relena said smiling at her. "Did you decide whether or not to come with us?"
"Well I've come this far, I thought I'd see it through. Find out more about my little brother's friends." Cathy said leaning against the doorjamb. "Besides the circus is shutting down for the next month or so, the flu has hit them pretty hard."
"Good to hear it. As it stands now we'd be outnumbered." Sally said brushing past her.
"Yuppers. And with this group that's not always a good thing." Hilde said following with Caroline.
Looking around the room Noin smiled to herself. "You know, the Gundam pilots may be the heroes of the war, but in our own ways each of us in this room contributed to their victory."
Hilde grinned. "Kind of like their auxiliary force. I like that." Pondering it she grinned wider. "The women behind the men behind the victory."
Relena burst out laughing. "Oh Hilde only you would think that way."
Sally smirked. "I think it's appropriate myself. The women behind the men. I definitely like that."
Noin shook her head laughing. "You haven't changed at all Sally. How do you deal with Wufei? Or should I ask how does he deal with you?"
Sally grinned. "We have our ways. It's so much fun to annoy him."
Still smiling Relena redirected the conversation. "Lady Une said the she will personally meet us at the spaceport and drive us over and hire the security. Quatre has offered to pay for all of us, so money shouldn't be a problem. Wufei is gripping about the insecurity of it; Duo and Trowa are finalizing the plans. Is that everything?"
"I believe so. Zechs went on ahead to prepare the mansion for our arrival." Noin said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Miss Darlian, why have you chosen now to come back?"
"Is it true that you left to have a family?"
"Were you severely hurt in the accident?"
"Is that your daughter?"
"Who is the father?"
The reporters crowded around shouted questions as Relena disembarked the jet. Wufei glared at them insulted by some of the questions. Quatre stood beside Relena silently offering his support. Duo was behind them carrying the bags, while Hilde carried the kids.
Relena held up her hand signally quiet. "One question at a time please. And any that I find vulgar I will not answer." Relena stated eyes narrowed in anger. "To start you off, I choose to come back because I was needed. I left for various reasons, most of which that I felt that I needed some time to myself, I was only sixteen after all. Yes, I was badly hurt in the accident I was in a coma for over a month and a half and as you can see I'm still on crutches. This is my daughter Caroline and who her father is, is none of your business. If you pester her I will have your jobs, is that clear?" There was a moment of silence before several reporters cleared their throats and spoke. "Of course Miss Vice Foreign Minister. Now about your plans…"
Safe in the limo Relena laid back into seat cushions with a sigh. "You okay 'Lena?" Duo asked concerned.
"I will be, Duo. I will be." Relena closed her eyes on a yawn. "I'd forgotten how tiring talking to reporters could be. It's been a long journey."
"Yup Caro's down for the count." Hilde said grinning. "And it looks like so the Princess."
Duo glanced over to see Relena curled up against the door, fast asleep. "Well she's had a hard day." Duo leaned back and put his arm around Hilde and Joey. "We've all had."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zechs paced anxiously in the driveway, impatient for the limo to arrive. Sally leaned against the doorway smirking at him. "You know, she made it through two wars without a scratch. I'm sure she'll survive a car ride."
Zechs glared at her and resumed pacing. "She should still be in bed, resting. Not flying halfway cross space and being hounded by reporters."
Sally shrugged. "She has to face it sooner or later. I trust her judgement that she's able to handle it." Trowa slid up beside them.
"The house is secure. Twelve of the Maganacs have offered themselves up as guards." Trowa said quietly.
Sally grinned. "Now I wonder if that's because it's Relena or because 'Master' Quatre will be staying here."
Trowa smiled slightly. "I believe it's a bit of both." Straightening he looked down the drive. "Here they come."
Immediately Zechs turned to the driveway and watched Noin help Relena out of the limo. "Relena, why aren't you in a wheelchair?"
Relena looked up and sighed. "Because I'm perfectly capable of walking on crutches. Millardo, I know you worry but I do know how to take of myself."
"Here Zechs, you can fuss all you want over this one." Noin said handing over the sleepy Caroline.
"But…" Zechs started as he shifted the little girl before being interrupted by Duo.
"Man, was that a long flight. I can't wait to take a nap, how about you Hilde-babe?" Duo asked turning to his longtime girlfriend.
"I'll be happy as long as Joey sleep through the night. I hope his internal clock hasn't gotten screwed up." Hilde said following after the group. They all filed into the house talking about the long flight and the crowd that had met them. Zechs watched them go in still trying to protest.
"Uncle 'echs, we going?" Caroline asked impatiently. Resigned Zechs nodded and trailed after them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In his hideaway, Heero hacked into files erasing all record of a Caroline Merquise. The new records showed Caroline Yuy, age 2 ½ perfectly healthy. He also created a false record of marriage for Relena Darlian and Heero Yuy. After packing all his stuff and preparing it for shipping he sweep the room of any clue that Heero Yuy had ever lived there. His last act before packing up his laptop was 'accidentally' leaking information of Relena's 'marriage' to him. As his shuttle to Earth left the dock a flash news report aired declaring the name of Vice Foreign Minister Darlian's husband and the father of her child.
On Earth Relena watched the newscast. "How did they get this information?" Relena asked calmly.
Hilde, knowing that tone too well swallowed hard. "We don't know. It's on every station though."
Zechs looked back and forth between the two. "Is it really all that bad? Now that they know they won't ask and you didn't have to reveal it."
Relena swung her head to face him. "My daughter's paternity is a matter of ratings, my non-existent marriage now being touted as a romantic interlude, and you ask if it's all that bad? It's none of their business who her father is, or who my husband, if I have a husband. I will do my job and do it well, so that MY daughter will not face the world the way I did. So that children will not be forced into fighting, like the Gundam pilots were. So that children will not grow up without parents the way we did. That is what is important. That's what they should be talking about."
Zechs swallowed. "Yes, Relena."
Wufei smirked at the cowed pilot. "Well said Peacecraft."
Relena turned swiftly facing him. "And the name is Darlian."
"Yes ma'am." Wufei said straightening.
From the doorway Lady Une surveyed the scene. "I see you have everything well in hand Relena."
Smiling Relena turned to her old enemy. "Une, so good to see you. How is Marimaia?"
"Well. And doing much better since hearing you are. She is looking forward to visiting Caroline." Une glanced briefly at the screen. "I see that the news has spread. Well, it was only a matter of time."
Relena shook her head. "Une you know I never married Heero."
Une grinned. "The records show differently."
Relena glared. "Everyone in this room knows that records can be altered. And most know how to alter them."
Sobering, Une said, "Relena, this though it may not seem like it is a good thing. The questions have been answered and their worries satisfied, you are once again pure and clean in to the public's eye."
"But it's a lie!" Relena shouted.
"Is it?" Une asked eyebrow cocked.
Sally frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Yes, Une." Noin added puzzled. "Putting everything to one side for a moment. All of us here know that at this moment Relena and Heero are not married."
"Ah, 'at this moment'." Une announced. "But in the future?"
Hilde's frown cleared. "Of course! If Relena and Heero married now, then it's not a lie, it's a fudge."
Duo grinned at his girlfriend. "Right babe, so we just gotta hitch 'em."
Quatre glanced at Relena and winced. "Um, guys?"
Trowa turned at the question and following his eyes swallowed. Unfortunately he was the only one who heard him. Cathy stared at the group in disbelief.
"Are you listening to yourselves?" She said. "You're planning for a wedding and not even bothering to ask Relena what SHE wants! I can't believe you people! This is not a problem to be fixed! This is a person's life!"
Relena smiled. "Thank you Cathy, I could not have said better myself. I must spend more time at the circus. As for the rest of you, before you decide the date for MY wedding, you might bother to find out if the groom or the bride would even show up. Think on that. I'm going to go play with my daughter." With that Relena hefted herself up onto her crutches and stalked out. Cathy glared and followed.
"Well that could have gone better." Duo said wincing.
Hilde groaned. "I can't believe I did that!"
Sally winced. "Yeah. I guess we were being overzealous. I'm surprised she didn't hit us."
Wufei snorted. "She's a pacifist. What harm could she inflict?"
The rest of the group save Trowa stared at him. Quatre cleared his throat. "I see you haven't been around Miss Relena very long." Duo nodded.
Une grimaced. "Or gone through labor with her." Hilde shuddered.
"Or watched her face down Romerfeller." Noin said remembering.
"Or saw what she did to Mr. Fluffykins." Zechs added. "What? It was her favorite toy!"
Sally sighed. "She may be a pacifist and an advocate of peace but the girl has a mean right hook and great aim." Several people rubbed body parts in remembrance. Wufei shook his head in disbelief.
In the nursery Cathy helped Relena into one of the plush chairs. "Thank you again, Cathy."
"Hey no problem." Cathy said. "It's not every day I get to help a former queen. Quite a step up from an orphaned circus performer."
Relena settled herself more comfortably. "Not just for helping me, but for seeing what all my friends could not."
"Well sometimes having an outside perspective helps." Cathy said smiling.
"Mommy! Mr. Pagan said you waiting for me!" Caroline said running in. Relena smiled softly at her old friend.
"Yes darling. I thought I'd spend the afternoon with you."
Caroline grinned. "Really? All afternoon? We play?"
Cathy sat down on the floor next to her. "Well your Mommy's still sore, so she'll just watch. But I'll play."
Caroline pouted, then nodded. "Okay. We do jumps again?"
"Whatever you'd like."
Relena raised an eyebrow. "Jumps? What exactly have you people been teaching my daughter?" Cathy laughed nervously.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Heero safely landed the shuttle on the private strip in the Sanq Kingdom that he'd bought less than a year ago. Transferring his cargo into the van he kept he shifted his bundle to the passenger seat and headed toward the Peacecraft estate. At the gate he keyed in the password he'd conned out of Pagan opening them and allowing him to drive inside. He bypassed the main house and headed to the garage. After parking the car he found himself facing Pagan.
"It's good to see you again sir."
"Pagan." Heero acknowledged. "Everyone inside?"
"Yes sir. Lady Une left only two hours ago. Miss Relena's resting in her room, as is Miss Caroline."
"Thank you."
"I'm sorry I was unable to aid your earlier search." Pagan said remorsefully. "Miss Relena left so suddenly."
"She needed time. I understand that. But her time has run out." Heero said quietly. "As has mine." Grabbing the bag from the seat, Heero moved into the house.
Pagan bowed. "I'll have your things moved into the master bedroom. Good luck Master Heero."
Unhampered Heero went straight towards the nursery. Having spent several weeks in the mansion at various points in the last two years he was very familiar with the floor plans. He was on a mission and Heero never failed a mission. Finding the right room he gently opened the door. Inside Caroline slumbered in her new bed, Relena's bear clutched in her arms. Heero squatted beside the bed; he raised one hand and softly brushed her hair aside.
"Caroline." Heero said softly. "Daddy's here."
"Daddy?" Caroline mumbled sleepily. "It late. Where you been?"
"I had to clear up some things before I could join you. I have something for you."
Groggily Caroline sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Daddy? Daddy!" She reached over and hugged him. "What is it?"
Gingerly Heero set her back on the bed, reaching into the bag he pulled out a new teddy bear. "It's a bear just for you. I noticed you really liked your mother's."
Caroline nodded. "I like He-bear, Mommy say you give to her."
Heero nodded. "Yes for her birthday. Now it's not your birthday, but since I missed it you can have him now."
Caroline took the bear from Heero. "Is mine?"
"Yes."
Caroline frowned studying the bear. "I like! But do I have give back He-bear?"
"That's up to your mother, it's her bear." Heero said solemnly. "Now you should go back to sleep, it's late."
Caroline yawned. "Okay. Night Daddy." Caroline snuggled down into the pillows cuddling the bears.
"Good night, hime." Heero said softly running a hand over her hair. Once he was sure she was asleep he quietly shut the door and moved on to his next objective, Relena.
Downstairs the rest of the party talked quietly together. Hilde was inconsolable. "She's my best friend! I should have stood up for her. For her rights!"
"Miss Hilde, I'm sure she knows you and all the others were just thinking of her best interests." Quatre said softly.
"Yeah, come on babe, Lena's not one to hold a grudge. We all meant well." Duo said rubbing his girlfriend's back.
"Our intentions were all well and good but the execution was severely lacking." Sally commented dryly.
"Relena's headstrong and stubborn, it's a Peacecraft trait." Noin added. "But still for all that, we should not have tried to plan her life for her." Next to her Zechs stared out the window.
"He's here."
Noin turned. "Zechs? What are you talking about?"
"He's here. Heero."
Duo looked up. "Heero's here? But I didn't hear anything. How'd he get in?"
"He's here." Zechs repeated. "How is not important."
"It might be." Trowa said breaking in. "If Heero could get by security here and into this house without alerted the guard, then he may know things that could jeopardize Relena. Plus he hasn't appeared here, or alerted the guards within the palace so he must have extensive knowledge of the floor plan. Or have an inside contact."
"Hey don't look at me!" Duo cried. "I haven't seen Heero since he left the hospital."
"It was I Master Millardo." Pagan said causing everyone to turn toward him coming into the room.
"Pagan?" Zechs said confused.
"When Miss Relena left so abruptly I was contacted by many people wishing to speak with her. Master Heero was one of them. Of all those, only Master Heero continued to try and contact her." Pagan began. "He would come and visit every so often to see if I had word. He was very helpful in restoring the palace."
"Heero?" Noin said incredulous.
"Yes, he remembered the palace from his visit here before Romerfeller destroyed it."
"Figures he'd have a perfect memory." Sally quipped. "But I never thought he'd be looking for her. Her trail wasn't that well hidden."
"He might not have searched for her." Quatre said. "Heero wouldn't consider it his place to chase her."
"No, Heero wouldn't have chased her." Trowa agreed. "But he would have looked for her."
"He should have tried months earlier." Hilde said harshly.
"Hilde!" Duo cried. "Give the guy a break."
Hilde shook her head and pulled away from Duo. "You don't understand, couldn't understand."
"Hilde." Sally placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let it go. We can't change the past. We have to look towards the future."
"I know but she was in so much pain…" Hilde said clenching her fists. Feeling hands covering hers she looked up. "Duo?"
"Give them a chance babe. They've been through so much, they deserve this opportunity to be together." Duo said smiling. "And Heero's not too bad."
Hilde frowned. "Duo."
"Miss Hilde, I know it's hard, but we must not interfere. They have to make they own choices." Quatre said smiling.
"They are strong. Justice will be served." Wufei added.
"Then it's agreed. None will interfere." Zechs said for his post at the window.
"Agreed."
Above, Heero walked silently into Relena's bedchamber. Staring down at her slumbering form Heero wrestled with himself. 'Relena…' he thought. Reaching down he ran his hand down her face. Frowning Relena stirred; quickly he moved his hand away.
"Relena."
She shook off sleep instantly. "Heero. What are you doing here?"
"Why do you think?" Heero said. "It would seem odd for a married couple to live apart."
"We're not married Heero." Relena said sternly. "Were you the one who told the press that?" Relena shifted off the bed, grabbing her crutches.
"Yes." Heero said. He helped her up; Relena shrugged off his hands and placed her robe on as he turned away.
"Why?" Relena said. "It's not like it matters at this point. You know I would never keep you from seeing Caroline if you should wish."
"This is not about Caroline." Heero said swiveling to face her.
"It isn't?" Relena said snidely. "What else could it be about? I haven't heard from you in over three years. You left right after Heero, with no word. I came back to find you gone, what am I supposed to think?"
"It wasn't right. You had just been though a traumatic experience; you needed time. I needed time."
"Time? For what? To decide that I'd spent the last two years of my life foolishly?" Relena said. "I loved you. I could not gotten through the war without your strength."
"Relena." Heero began. "You were fifteen."
Relena snorted. "You think age makes a difference? Love is love. You were not my first. I hope you will not be my last, I deserve more."
Heero's eyes narrowed. "Really?" Stalking over to her he grabbed her shoulders. "And what do I deserve?"
Relena closed her eyes in pain. "You deserve so much more than you will ever accept. I thought I could heal you, reach the kind soul I saw in your eyes. But you will not allow anyone to get beyond the walls you built. You will not accept the love you can have."
"I gave you time."
"I never asked for time! All I asked for was you!" Relena shot back. "Please leave my room. It's late, and I have a conference tomorrow."
"Not until this is settled."
"It is settled." Relena said jerking away. "Please."
Heero turned away, but paused at the door. "This is not over, Relena." He slammed it behind him.
Relena sat back down on the bed and cried, the crutches falling to the floor.
Outside Heero leaned against the door helpless. 'Damn. Why didn't I try to find out why she left? Why didn't I look? Why did I wait so long?' Hearing the muffled sounds inside he turned. 'She's crying?' "Relena…"
So caught up in their misery, the screams jolted them to the core, and sent them running down the hall. One thought running through their heads. Caroline.
In the nursery the screams had died down to sobs by the time Relena reached it. Slowing she pushed open the door. "Caroline?"
"Mommy! Mommy!" Caroline sobbed, squirming in Heero's arms. Relena rushed over and sat on the bed opposite Heero.
"Shh, baby, Mommy's here." Relena said. "Another bad dream honey?" Caroline nodded. "Well not to worry, bad dreams fly away in the morning light. I'll stay and keep them away."
Heero watched them; Relena's golden head bent over Caroline's darker one. "She's still having nightmares?" Heero whispered.
Relena nodded. "Sally thinks I should take her to see a therapist."
"She just needs a little more time."
"Is that your answer to everything?" Relena sighed. "Time? Heero so much time has been lost already."
"My fault." Heero bit out.
Relena sighed again and closed her eyes. "No, circumstances maybe, things we could have changed had we been stronger."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Heero asked.
"Didn't you already ask this? I didn't know how to find you."
Heero shook his head. "That's not true. You know Une could have probably found me. And Duo almost definitely could have. Yet you chose not to."
Relena bit her lip. "You left. After what happened, what we did, you just left. Your note said you needed time to think and consider. How could I take that away? After everything you had done to you, time was the one thing I couldn't take away from you."
"Relena." Heero said.
"Besides, you could have found me. You can find anyone you want! You could have found me, but each month, each year you didn't come. After awhile I knew you weren't coming. But I had Caroline."
"I looked for you." Heero said quietly. "I came here and asked Pagan. He didn't know. I thought, assumed you wanted time also. You were sixteen, still too young, too innocent to be forced to make a choice for life."
"Assumptions are just that assumptions. You should have asked."
"You should have told me."
Relena shook her head. "This will get us nowhere. You did what you thought was right, as did I. We have to decide what's right for us now. Caroline's asleep and I'm going back to my room." Relena gathered up her crutches and slowly made her way toward the door, hissing in pain.
"You shouldn't be walking now." Heero said coming up behind her. "You might re-injury yourself."
"I'll be fine." Relena said through clenched teeth, suddenly she was off her feet. "Heero! What are you doing?"
"Carrying you back to your room." Heero said opening the door, causing Hilde and Duo to fall in.
"Hehe, hey Heero man." Duo said looking up from the floor. "Funny thing about this…"
"Duo."
"Yeah?"
"Take Hilde and go to bed. The rest of you too." Heero said looking down the hallway. Sally peeked around the corner.
"Sure thing, Heero! Make sure to elevate her legs!" Sally said waving. "Stop shoving Wufei."
Relena choked on laughter and hid her head in Heero's neck. "They mean well." She whispered in his ear. Heero shivered as her breath tickled him. Turning he glared at the group.
"Go to bed."
"Yessir!" Duo said saluting. Grabbing Hilde and tossing her over his shoulder he strolled off towards his guestroom. "Duo! Put me down!"
"Heero?" Relena asked questioningly. Turning back to face her, his eyes met hers burning with intensity. Relena gasped and her pulse started to race. Heero's arms tightened and he resumed his walk back to her room. After placing her on the bed and making sure her legs were properly elevated he tucked the covers around her.
"Why Heero?" Relena asked brokenly. "What changed?"
"I almost lost you." Heero answered. "Now go to sleep. We'll continue this tomorrow after your meeting."
"Well that looked promising." Noin said. She pulled off her sweater and hearing a groan threw a grin over her shoulder. "See something you like?"
Zechs grinned back. "Everything."
Noin shucked off her pants and sauntered toward the bed. "Good. I'd hate to think this new underwear was wasted." Climbing on top of Zechs she leaned down. "Oh and Zechs?"
"Yes?"
"What exactly happened to Mr. Fufflykins?" Noin asked grinning. "Are you sure that it was Relena's favorite toy?"
"Noin! You want to talk about this now?"
"Uh-huh. I want to know exactly what kind of family I've got myself into." Noin added grinning.
Zechs winced. "I can't change your mind?"
"You could give it a shot. Zechs! What are you doing!" Noin said laughing as he rolled her under him.
"Changing your mind."
Next door Quatre groaned as he covered his head with his pillow. 'Why did I choose this room?'
Across the hall Trowa glared at the wall, behind which Hilde and Duo were having, uh, fun. "What are they rabbits? Why'd I choose this room?"
In the room between them at the end of the hall Cathy slept the sleep of the innocent and non-nosy neighbors.
It was late the next day by the time Relena's meeting was over and she could go home. When she and Heero, who had insisted on accompanying her, finally arrived back at the mansion Relena was exhausted and really wanted to get away from Heero. "Heero, we're back now you can stop shadowing me." Relena sighed.
"No."
Relena gritted her teeth. Gripping her crutches, Relena glared. "Heero…"
"What?" He asked.
"DADDY!" Caroline cried happily running straight for Heero. "You home now?"
Heero bent down and caught the flying girl. "Hello, hime. Did you have a nice day?"
Relena glared harder at the two of them. Taking a deep breath, Relena smiled at her daughter. "Yes, Caroline did you enjoy your day with Hilde?"
Caroline grinned at her mother form her father's arms. "Hilde fun. Miss you though. You and Daddy be here 'morrow?"
Smiling Relena reached over and ruffled her hair. "Yes, I'm all yours tomorrow."
"Yah!" Caroline squealed. "Down Daddy!" Caroline scrambled down and ran inside.
Relena watched her run sighing. "She's getting so big. Soon she'll be in school and…." Relena shook her head. "What does 'hime' mean anyway?"
"Princess."
"Appropriate." Relena said quietly. Shuffling she made her way toward the house only to find herself off the ground. "Heero! I can walk."
"You do to much. You're still healing, Sally doesn't want you to strain yourself."
Relena blinked, surprised. "You asked Sally about my condition?"
"It seemed the thing to do. Relena, I…"
"Hey Lena!" Duo cried coming up the drive. "How's the meeting?"
Heero tightened his grip on her and glared at Duo. "Duo."
"Hey He-man what's up?"
"Go away."
"Heero!" Relena chided. "Don't mind him, the meeting was good. I think we can accomplish a lot." Heero continued to glare and Duo got the hint and cut the conversation short. Relena shook her head. "That wasn't very polite Heero."
"I need to talk to you uninterrupted."
"Fine, I assume you know where my office is." Heero nodded and carried her into the house past the gaping guests.
"Why was Heero carrying my sister?" Zechs growled softly.
Noin smiled. "I think it's sweet. And we did agree to let them alone." Zechs growled in response.
Sally smirked and turned to Wufei. "Would you carry me if I broke me legs?"
Wufei rolled his eyes. "Woman, you wouldn't be stupid enough to try and walk on broken legs."
"Why thank you Wufei." Sally said ruffling his hair. "That's very sweet."
"Stop it woman!"
Once in her office Heero placed her gently on the couch. Relena moved to a more comfortable position and waited for Heero to sit himself. "Alright, I'm listening."
Heero glared. "This is not easy."
"I'm sorry." Relena said smiling. "I wasn't aware it was my duty to make it easy on you."
"Relena…" Heero growled. She continued to smile innocently. "This was a bad idea."
Relena was immediately contrite. "No Heero, wait. I want to hear want your trying to tell me."
"I think we should get married."
Relena stared at him like he'd grown another head. "Married?"
"Yes. We have a child together."
"So? What does that have to do with our marrying?"
"You know what I mean."
Relena shook her head. "Obviously I don't so why don't you explain it. I believe one should only marry for love."
Heero's eyes narrowed. "And you don't love me?"
Relena looked away from him. "I didn't say that exactly. But I believe it's quite obvious that you do not feel anything similar for me."
"I saved your life!" Heero said incredulous. "I spared Zechs for you!"
Relena gave him a look. "For me? I never asked for it, I have always been prepared to die for my beliefs, as Millardo was for his. No, you saved me for peace. You spared Zechs, well for your own reasons I suppose."
Heero leapt up and placing his hands on the couch behind her head moved in close. "I did it for you. So you wouldn't be sad. And I saved you long before you were a proponent of peace. I couldn't kill you then and you know why?" His face was so close all she could she were his eyes. Unable to look away, or speak Relena shook her head slowly. "Because from the moment I saw you I couldn't think like a solider. You were in my head and wouldn't leave. Now your in my heart."
"He-ee-ro…" Relena stuttered. She stared into intense blue eyes, shadowed by pain. "You can't mean that! You can't!"
"Well I do!" Heero said grimly. "And you better get used to it because I'm not going anywhere." Shattered Relena began to cry, not sobbing but softy, silently with tears running down her cheeks. "Relena…don't cry."
"I can't…its too much Heero! You don't know…I've waited so long." Relena covered her face with her hands. Heero looked down at her helplessly. Sliding down next to her he drew her into his embrace. After a brief half-hearted struggle Relena latched onto him. Heero rubbed his hands up her back soothingly, much as he had for Caroline the night before. "I waited and hoped, but you never came. I lost hope, Heero. I lost…" She whispered.
"I'm here now. I won't leave." Heero said softly. Brushing her hair away he looked down at her tear stained face. "I, I, Aishiteru."
Relena looked up at him confused. "Heero?" Then he leaned down and kissed her softly. She closed her eyes and a few more tears fell, it'd been so long! So long since she'd felt those lips on hers. Groaning she grabbed his head and pulled him closer and kissed him, hard.
"Relena, we can't. You're not healed." Heero groaned as Relena moved to his throat. "Well maybe if we moved…" There was a thump but neither noticed.
The knocking at the door shook them out of their haze. Breathing heavily they stared at each other. "Yes?"
"Relena are you alright? We heard a crash." Puzzled the two looked around and saw a stack of books on the stand behind them that had been knocked to the floor.
Relena cleared her throat. "We're fine, it was just some books." Slowly the footsteps moved off. "Heero."
"Yes Relena?"
"What does 'Aishiteru' mean?"
"Relena…" Heero smiled. "It means…te amo."
Relena glared. "Heero."
"Yes?"
"I'll marry you." Relena said smiling.
"Good." Heero said and went back to kissing her.
Nine and a ½ months later…
"AAAAAH! Screw pacifism! Heero I'm going to kill you!" Relena screamed a demented look on her face.
Heero took a step back from his wife and glanced at Sally. "This is normal right?"
Sally grinned. "Perfectly. Now get over there!"
Bravely Heero moved back toward Relena's head and held her hand. "I'm here Relena. It's almost over now."
Relena glared. "What the hell do you know! You are never touching me again! I am totally serious!" Heero glanced at Sally again.
Sally smiled. "Still perfectly normal. Breathe Relena, good now Push!"
"AAAAAH!" Relena screamed as she gripped Heero's hand hard, causing him to flinch slightly.
"Good Relena, one more. There's the head." Sally encouraged. "Here he comes!"
"WAAAH!"
Sally grinned as she whipped her brow. "Would Daddy like to see his son?"
Heero nodded. "And when you have a moment, I think she broke my hand."
Sally laughed. "Oh, you're serious!"
"Give me my son!" Relena cried exhausted. "I did all the work!"
"Sure, honey." Sally said placing the baby on Relena's chest.
"Oh! He's beautiful! Isn't he Heero?"
"Hn." Said as Sally bandaged his hand.
"Heero!" Relena scolded. "He's perfect. Welcome to the world, Ran Alexander Yuy."
Heero joined her on the bed. "Welcome, my son."
"Is this a private party or can we come in now?" Duo asked smiling. Behind him stood Hilde, four months pregnant and carrying Joey, Zechs carrying a wary Caroline followed by an overly pregnant Noin, Quatre with flowers, Trowa leading Cathy who was carrying a Teddy bear.
"Come on in." Sally said. "We already cleaned everyone up."
Heero took Caroline from Zechs. "Come and meet your new brother." Caroline leaned over and wrinkled her nose at the sleeping baby.
"He awfully little."
"Yes, he is." Heero said. "He'll need his big sister looking after him." Caroline nodded warily, still not sure if she liked the idea of a baby brother. She'd dealt remarkable well with the all changes and had come out of the trauma with fewer scars then most. The nightmares had faded with help and reassurance from both her parents. The future looked bright indeed.
The End.
It's done! It's done! It took me over a year but I finished it! Yeah! When I started this it was supposed to be a short fic and Relena was going to die. But like in the series she bounced right back. I also think Caroline refused to allow me to kill off her mother. The gun Heero held to my head had nothing to do with it. I don't know if the ending quite fits, but I had to stop, it was getting ridiculous. Well hope everyone enjoyed the run! And please read and review! And KnightWolfe? I was right Dorothy didn't show up!
'Oh Miss Relena had a baby? Why wasn't I informed?' "Hi Dorothy. Damn."