Title: Heaven in her Eyes
Author: Amber
Pairings: Hetro
Disclaimer: Gundam belongs to Gundam and any scene or plot similarity to another person's story, movie or anime is purely coincidental and unintentional. AU
It started out always the same, an impenetrable darkness so deep and absolute that breathing itself was an effort. Then came the ice-cold terror that froze her blood and robbed her of giving voice to it. Relena looked upward, instead of a canopy of trees and simulated sky, smoke rolled through the air combined with noxious smells of burning flesh and chemicals. Frantically, she looked around the deserted grounds.
Mother! Father! Milli!
She screamed, spinning around in a circle as it echoed around. Then the dream changed. The screams and panicked cries of those dying and those scrambling for transportation out before they were captured or killed replayed over and over like a tape stuck in a loop. The smoke was so thick she could barely see in front of her face, desperate she reached out seeking the familiar touch of her parents and finding nothing but absence. Her brother was there just beyond, a whisper drawing her that if she could just push aside her fear, she could make it a shout. If she could only focus. Reach for it, harder, harder her teeth gritted as she flung her mind outward, searching for that familiar presence. Almost there, but always just out of reach.
Relena twisted on the bed trapped within the sheets and the night terrors within her mind with no apparent escape. Her breathing fell into hoarse panting pattern, as she continued to struggle within her dream running down the halls slamming doors open. She headed into he library and was moving to her Father's study when she slipped and fell. Winded she lay they're a moment. Placing her hand on the ground she froze. Looking down, she whimpered a trail of blood lay in a pathway across the floor pushing herself up she swiped her hand on her gown like a slash of red across winter snow. Clenching her hands, she wasn't even aware of the whimpers growing in volume as she followed the trail around the desk.
She screamed then, a shrill denial. Her mother's body lay across her father, his beautiful blue eyes so like her brother's gazed upward in a vacant glassy stare. Her mother had drug herself across the floor to touch her husband one last time. Screams of terror changed to wounded anguish and increased in pitch as she moved toward them. Relena was suddenly jerked backwards. The moment she was touched she went instantly silent.
Milliardo spun her around, "Relena, we have to go." That's when the tears started half blind she let him pull her against his chest in a comforting hug. Devastated her mind reached for the comfort so often found within her brother and found only a wall of silence.
She gasped, and pulled away. He was shutting her out. "Milli?"
He stroked her face gently forcing a smile. "We have to go, I've already sent everyone else to safety." She looked back.
"No! Don't look remember them as they were."
"Milli." Fresh tears welled up.
"Milliardo we must leave now!" Relena jerked staring at the voice with a glazed look. He returned her stare with a curiosity she found offensively morbid. She flinched.
Milliardo noticing her reaction took her hand and gently coaxed her forward, "it's all right he's a friend." She stared at him fearfully shaking her head she pulled back. Milliardo stopped cupping her face between his hands he forced her to look at him.
"Their looking for us we have to go. Now!" She stared warily at the other boy. Milliardo glanced at him meaningfully before turning back, "this is Trieze Relena, from school. You remember me mentioning him." Hesitantly she moved closer.
Trieze stared at her critically. "She's going to slow us down." Relena flinched moving closer to her brother.
He glared, "this is my sister you're talking about."
"Milliardo, you're not thinking." Trieze glanced over his shoulder and Milliardo followed his gaze. Relena grabbed his arm. "Milli."
"You arranged this," he accused.
Trieze shrugged, "I knew you would need help and wouldn't ask."
"Mr. Darlian," he nodded brusquely.
"Your Highness, this is a troubling time please allow my wife and I to help you by taking Relena with us."
Her hand tightened on his arm. "Thank you for the offer, but I think Relena and I should be together, especially now.
"Go where, with what? How will you take care of her? How will you take care of yourself? You at least, I can cover for and help. Her? He shook his head, let your father's aide take her until you're better situated."
"No!"
Trieze held his gaze ignoring her. "Or all this, he gestured with his hand, "will be for nothing."
Milliardo hesitated wavering; he stared down at her grieving face. "Relena," he began. For an instant he saw desperation in her eyes, and a silent plea that pierced his soul the bond between them had always been strong.
"No, don't leave me."
"Princess," Mr. Darlian began, "it will.."
"No!" She shook her head her voice rising.
"Lena."
"No, please Milliardo."
The sound of running halted the argument, freezing them where they stood. Trieze pulled a gun as a young girl slid into the room. "Trieze lets go! They are right behind me."
"Anne, I told you not to follow me."
She ducked her head meekly, "I'm sorry, I was worried."
Trieze rolled his eyes and turned, "we're out of time Milliardo. Whatever your choice decide now."
He shoved the gun back in his jacket and strode forward holding his friends eyes sympathetically. "You know its for the best you can't protect her and yourself not now. Anymore, than those Colonists could keep your Father's involvement last year a secret, good intentions don't always work out. And the price for it is just too damn high." Some thing imperceptible passed between them and they turned.
"No," she whispered
"Lena."
"Relena." Trieze murmured. His voice resonated; she turned reluctantly and met his gaze, his voice seemed to echo through her mind whispering. 'Relena you love your brother don't you?'
"Yes."
'He loves you it would make him happy for you to go with Mr. Darlian. You want him safe don't you?' Relena swayed on her feet as the room grew farther and farther away.
"Trieze, what the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Safe," she murmured. Oblivious she was oblivious, to everything but his voice and his eyes, his eyes she thought trying to make sense. Something ... about his eyes. For a split second, she saw a flash of triumph within them. She panicked he was in her mind!
"No!" So strong was the sensation, she threw her hand out as if to physically push him away. Everything in her recoiled and gathered she could feel it even if it wasn't visible a whirling ball of energy right behind her eyes demanding release. She set it free. It slammed into him lifting him off his feet and flung him across the room into the bookshelves. He slid down in a heap on the floor.
"Relena!" Milliardo cried running toward him. "Trieze, are you alright?"
He groaned, "She packs quite a punch. Pity, it would have made things easier if she had been susceptible. I guess that answers the question whether it's rumors or not about your family."
Milliardo offered him his hand and pulled him up, "your one to talk you've kept your own secrets apparently. What the hell were you trying to do? You shouldn't have done that your lucky she didn't damn near kill you."
He grimaced ruefully, "a pacifist not likely."
Relena cried out, startled he jerked around. She lay in a heap on the floor. Anne stood over her rubbing her fist. Bored with it all she shrugged indifferently, "It's done already, let him take her so we can get out of here. Before we wind up like them. Dead."
Milliardo's eyes hardened, narrowing. Anne jerked. Her body straightened tautly and lifted off the floor her hands grabbed frantically at her throat. He walked purposely toward her. "What did you do?" Mr. Darlian crossed the room. Milliardo gave him a sidelong glance that stopped him in his tracks.
He swallowed painfully struggling against the pounding in his head. "Your Highness, your sister loves you.. she's frightened. She would have never ...allowed you .. leave her and that's what .. you have to do now." He croaked hoarsely.
Trieze stiffly joined him; cautiously he placed his hand on the rigid shoulder before him. "He's right. Anne was trying to help in her own way as I was. Please put her down she meant no harm. But if it's a promise you need, then you shall have it she won't touch her again." The anger drained away he moved within touching distance of her and held her frightened eyes.
"Don't ever touch her again," he said coldly. He released Darlian and Anne. She fell to the floor her hand rubbing her neck while dragging in huge quantities of air. Milliardo turned and went to Relena smoothing her hair back a pained expression flickered across his face before his expression closed tight. Bending down he picked his sister up and carried her to Darlian.
"My parents, were very fond of you Mr. Darlian." For a moment, grief shadowed his face he looked lost and frightened, and very much his age. "Thank you, for your loyalty."
He bowed his head and took Relena from his arms. "My Prince, go please! I'll watch over her until you can once more."
"Milliardo," Trieze said urgently. He turned and hurried after Trieze he paused though looking back regretfully still reluctant to leave her. Trieze pushed Anne ahead them out the doorway, then grabbed Milliardo's arm pulling him forcibly away. Darlian pivoted and fled the opposite direction. Though unconscious Relena silently screamed, still aware in some primal way her last living link to her old life had left her. Left her alone.
Relena snapped up breaking free from the past and her nightmare her mouth gaping in a silent scream. Her brother's name over and over.
An ocean away the man now known as Zechs Mequis jerked up in the bed with his sister's screams echoing in his mind. Reaching out he followed the familiar path, filling his mind wrapping around his heart closing his eyes, he almost could catch the scent of roses he associated with his mother and sister before a wall slammed up shutting him out. "No," bracing his arms along the top of his knees he bent his head. No, he whispered brokenly.
The woman sat tensely at the end of the table waiting for her husband to put aside his papers and acknowledge her. Her hands clenched on her teacup patience expired she sat it down with enough force that the clink of china against china pulled his eyes from his work. He sighed a strained sigh as he dredged up the patience to listen to an often had argument once more.
"She woke the entire house again. Those screams so blood curdling," she shuddered. "She needs a doctor."
"Helen, we have been over this before, she's been to several doctors. Therapists to for that matter."
"It's not natural, she burst out. "The only time she speaks is to scream in her sleep. John, please we.."
"Helen, Relena is a strong girl. She survived a horrible ordeal she'll be fine. When she's ready she'll speak."
She slid her chair back and threw her napkin down onto the table, "you always say that anytime I try to discuss this with you. You toss platitudes about as if they will solve everything."
Her eyes narrowed as if coming to a decision. "I think your frightened. I think, your more frightened of them knowing we have the heir of the Sanq Kingdom in our house than you are of making our daughter healthy."
He snatched his own napkin from his lap and tossed it on the table. "You can't have it both ways no matter how much you want to fool yourself Relena is not our daughter. We've just been damn lucky so far no one has questioned that too closely."
"No what you mean to say is we're lucky she hasn't shown any signs she has the same abilities her brother and parents had," she said feeling ashamed and disturbed by the revelation.
"Do I? Maybe I do, these so called abilites cropping up all over didn't save our King or Queen and it won't save Relena or her brother should someone discover their abilities. I'll tell you something else since we're being so frank, even as Minister I wouldn't be able to stop them if they learn her secret and come here for her. So you see, while I don't show it the same way Helen it doesn't mean I don't care.. Or dread the day when her brother comes for her, and make no mistake about it Helen he will come back for her," he said in quietly offended tone.
With that he slid his chair back gathered his papers and walked away. She waited until he disappeared around the corner before dropping her head in her palm and letting silent tears come.
Halfway up the stairs, a small blonde girl with troubled eyes, turned and headed back up the stairs without them knowing she was there.
Author: Amber
Pairings: Hetro
Disclaimer: Gundam belongs to Gundam and any scene or plot similarity to another person's story, movie or anime is purely coincidental and unintentional. AU
It started out always the same, an impenetrable darkness so deep and absolute that breathing itself was an effort. Then came the ice-cold terror that froze her blood and robbed her of giving voice to it. Relena looked upward, instead of a canopy of trees and simulated sky, smoke rolled through the air combined with noxious smells of burning flesh and chemicals. Frantically, she looked around the deserted grounds.
Mother! Father! Milli!
She screamed, spinning around in a circle as it echoed around. Then the dream changed. The screams and panicked cries of those dying and those scrambling for transportation out before they were captured or killed replayed over and over like a tape stuck in a loop. The smoke was so thick she could barely see in front of her face, desperate she reached out seeking the familiar touch of her parents and finding nothing but absence. Her brother was there just beyond, a whisper drawing her that if she could just push aside her fear, she could make it a shout. If she could only focus. Reach for it, harder, harder her teeth gritted as she flung her mind outward, searching for that familiar presence. Almost there, but always just out of reach.
Relena twisted on the bed trapped within the sheets and the night terrors within her mind with no apparent escape. Her breathing fell into hoarse panting pattern, as she continued to struggle within her dream running down the halls slamming doors open. She headed into he library and was moving to her Father's study when she slipped and fell. Winded she lay they're a moment. Placing her hand on the ground she froze. Looking down, she whimpered a trail of blood lay in a pathway across the floor pushing herself up she swiped her hand on her gown like a slash of red across winter snow. Clenching her hands, she wasn't even aware of the whimpers growing in volume as she followed the trail around the desk.
She screamed then, a shrill denial. Her mother's body lay across her father, his beautiful blue eyes so like her brother's gazed upward in a vacant glassy stare. Her mother had drug herself across the floor to touch her husband one last time. Screams of terror changed to wounded anguish and increased in pitch as she moved toward them. Relena was suddenly jerked backwards. The moment she was touched she went instantly silent.
Milliardo spun her around, "Relena, we have to go." That's when the tears started half blind she let him pull her against his chest in a comforting hug. Devastated her mind reached for the comfort so often found within her brother and found only a wall of silence.
She gasped, and pulled away. He was shutting her out. "Milli?"
He stroked her face gently forcing a smile. "We have to go, I've already sent everyone else to safety." She looked back.
"No! Don't look remember them as they were."
"Milli." Fresh tears welled up.
"Milliardo we must leave now!" Relena jerked staring at the voice with a glazed look. He returned her stare with a curiosity she found offensively morbid. She flinched.
Milliardo noticing her reaction took her hand and gently coaxed her forward, "it's all right he's a friend." She stared at him fearfully shaking her head she pulled back. Milliardo stopped cupping her face between his hands he forced her to look at him.
"Their looking for us we have to go. Now!" She stared warily at the other boy. Milliardo glanced at him meaningfully before turning back, "this is Trieze Relena, from school. You remember me mentioning him." Hesitantly she moved closer.
Trieze stared at her critically. "She's going to slow us down." Relena flinched moving closer to her brother.
He glared, "this is my sister you're talking about."
"Milliardo, you're not thinking." Trieze glanced over his shoulder and Milliardo followed his gaze. Relena grabbed his arm. "Milli."
"You arranged this," he accused.
Trieze shrugged, "I knew you would need help and wouldn't ask."
"Mr. Darlian," he nodded brusquely.
"Your Highness, this is a troubling time please allow my wife and I to help you by taking Relena with us."
Her hand tightened on his arm. "Thank you for the offer, but I think Relena and I should be together, especially now.
"Go where, with what? How will you take care of her? How will you take care of yourself? You at least, I can cover for and help. Her? He shook his head, let your father's aide take her until you're better situated."
"No!"
Trieze held his gaze ignoring her. "Or all this, he gestured with his hand, "will be for nothing."
Milliardo hesitated wavering; he stared down at her grieving face. "Relena," he began. For an instant he saw desperation in her eyes, and a silent plea that pierced his soul the bond between them had always been strong.
"No, don't leave me."
"Princess," Mr. Darlian began, "it will.."
"No!" She shook her head her voice rising.
"Lena."
"No, please Milliardo."
The sound of running halted the argument, freezing them where they stood. Trieze pulled a gun as a young girl slid into the room. "Trieze lets go! They are right behind me."
"Anne, I told you not to follow me."
She ducked her head meekly, "I'm sorry, I was worried."
Trieze rolled his eyes and turned, "we're out of time Milliardo. Whatever your choice decide now."
He shoved the gun back in his jacket and strode forward holding his friends eyes sympathetically. "You know its for the best you can't protect her and yourself not now. Anymore, than those Colonists could keep your Father's involvement last year a secret, good intentions don't always work out. And the price for it is just too damn high." Some thing imperceptible passed between them and they turned.
"No," she whispered
"Lena."
"Relena." Trieze murmured. His voice resonated; she turned reluctantly and met his gaze, his voice seemed to echo through her mind whispering. 'Relena you love your brother don't you?'
"Yes."
'He loves you it would make him happy for you to go with Mr. Darlian. You want him safe don't you?' Relena swayed on her feet as the room grew farther and farther away.
"Trieze, what the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Safe," she murmured. Oblivious she was oblivious, to everything but his voice and his eyes, his eyes she thought trying to make sense. Something ... about his eyes. For a split second, she saw a flash of triumph within them. She panicked he was in her mind!
"No!" So strong was the sensation, she threw her hand out as if to physically push him away. Everything in her recoiled and gathered she could feel it even if it wasn't visible a whirling ball of energy right behind her eyes demanding release. She set it free. It slammed into him lifting him off his feet and flung him across the room into the bookshelves. He slid down in a heap on the floor.
"Relena!" Milliardo cried running toward him. "Trieze, are you alright?"
He groaned, "She packs quite a punch. Pity, it would have made things easier if she had been susceptible. I guess that answers the question whether it's rumors or not about your family."
Milliardo offered him his hand and pulled him up, "your one to talk you've kept your own secrets apparently. What the hell were you trying to do? You shouldn't have done that your lucky she didn't damn near kill you."
He grimaced ruefully, "a pacifist not likely."
Relena cried out, startled he jerked around. She lay in a heap on the floor. Anne stood over her rubbing her fist. Bored with it all she shrugged indifferently, "It's done already, let him take her so we can get out of here. Before we wind up like them. Dead."
Milliardo's eyes hardened, narrowing. Anne jerked. Her body straightened tautly and lifted off the floor her hands grabbed frantically at her throat. He walked purposely toward her. "What did you do?" Mr. Darlian crossed the room. Milliardo gave him a sidelong glance that stopped him in his tracks.
He swallowed painfully struggling against the pounding in his head. "Your Highness, your sister loves you.. she's frightened. She would have never ...allowed you .. leave her and that's what .. you have to do now." He croaked hoarsely.
Trieze stiffly joined him; cautiously he placed his hand on the rigid shoulder before him. "He's right. Anne was trying to help in her own way as I was. Please put her down she meant no harm. But if it's a promise you need, then you shall have it she won't touch her again." The anger drained away he moved within touching distance of her and held her frightened eyes.
"Don't ever touch her again," he said coldly. He released Darlian and Anne. She fell to the floor her hand rubbing her neck while dragging in huge quantities of air. Milliardo turned and went to Relena smoothing her hair back a pained expression flickered across his face before his expression closed tight. Bending down he picked his sister up and carried her to Darlian.
"My parents, were very fond of you Mr. Darlian." For a moment, grief shadowed his face he looked lost and frightened, and very much his age. "Thank you, for your loyalty."
He bowed his head and took Relena from his arms. "My Prince, go please! I'll watch over her until you can once more."
"Milliardo," Trieze said urgently. He turned and hurried after Trieze he paused though looking back regretfully still reluctant to leave her. Trieze pushed Anne ahead them out the doorway, then grabbed Milliardo's arm pulling him forcibly away. Darlian pivoted and fled the opposite direction. Though unconscious Relena silently screamed, still aware in some primal way her last living link to her old life had left her. Left her alone.
Relena snapped up breaking free from the past and her nightmare her mouth gaping in a silent scream. Her brother's name over and over.
An ocean away the man now known as Zechs Mequis jerked up in the bed with his sister's screams echoing in his mind. Reaching out he followed the familiar path, filling his mind wrapping around his heart closing his eyes, he almost could catch the scent of roses he associated with his mother and sister before a wall slammed up shutting him out. "No," bracing his arms along the top of his knees he bent his head. No, he whispered brokenly.
The woman sat tensely at the end of the table waiting for her husband to put aside his papers and acknowledge her. Her hands clenched on her teacup patience expired she sat it down with enough force that the clink of china against china pulled his eyes from his work. He sighed a strained sigh as he dredged up the patience to listen to an often had argument once more.
"She woke the entire house again. Those screams so blood curdling," she shuddered. "She needs a doctor."
"Helen, we have been over this before, she's been to several doctors. Therapists to for that matter."
"It's not natural, she burst out. "The only time she speaks is to scream in her sleep. John, please we.."
"Helen, Relena is a strong girl. She survived a horrible ordeal she'll be fine. When she's ready she'll speak."
She slid her chair back and threw her napkin down onto the table, "you always say that anytime I try to discuss this with you. You toss platitudes about as if they will solve everything."
Her eyes narrowed as if coming to a decision. "I think your frightened. I think, your more frightened of them knowing we have the heir of the Sanq Kingdom in our house than you are of making our daughter healthy."
He snatched his own napkin from his lap and tossed it on the table. "You can't have it both ways no matter how much you want to fool yourself Relena is not our daughter. We've just been damn lucky so far no one has questioned that too closely."
"No what you mean to say is we're lucky she hasn't shown any signs she has the same abilities her brother and parents had," she said feeling ashamed and disturbed by the revelation.
"Do I? Maybe I do, these so called abilites cropping up all over didn't save our King or Queen and it won't save Relena or her brother should someone discover their abilities. I'll tell you something else since we're being so frank, even as Minister I wouldn't be able to stop them if they learn her secret and come here for her. So you see, while I don't show it the same way Helen it doesn't mean I don't care.. Or dread the day when her brother comes for her, and make no mistake about it Helen he will come back for her," he said in quietly offended tone.
With that he slid his chair back gathered his papers and walked away. She waited until he disappeared around the corner before dropping her head in her palm and letting silent tears come.
Halfway up the stairs, a small blonde girl with troubled eyes, turned and headed back up the stairs without them knowing she was there.