Calabria, Imperial Palace
"So we are finally getting to see his majesty."
Heero glanced at Duo as they followed Wattan through the garden behind the imperial palace. "Trey has been busy since his recovery. He is now the ruler of this empire, and you have to admit he has many changes to make."
Duo sighed. "I know. But I've been bored silly here."
"I'm more concerned about the wormhole. Trynity sent a message to Lady Virineia that the readings she has gathered have become highly unstable and that it may close for good soon." Although Heero would live anywhere with Relena, he would prefer returning to their solar system rather than remain trapped in the Calabrian system.
"Trynity isn't an expert," muttered Duo. He said no more as they arrived to the spot where Trey was resting under the shade of a blossoming tree. Arora was with him as well as his daughter who laid on her back kicking her legs and flailing her arms. Heero was glad that Trey had succeeded in returning to the life that he was meant to live. Arora would take care of him.
"So today is the day," Trey said, and there was sadness in his eyes.
"We can't stay," Heero told him. He would miss his friend. The pranks they had pulled together at school, the battles they had fought against OZ, seemed many years ago. They had grown up together, and Heero would always think of Trey as a good friend.
"I cannot thank you enough," said Arora as she put her arms around Trey. "You have taken care of my lord prince so that he could return to take his rightful place. To you, we owe a debt that can never be repaid."
"Arora is right." Trey held out his hand and Heero took it in a strong grasp. "May the gods protect your journey, Heero Yuy, and grant you a long and happy life."
"I think the gods have already blessed you," was all Heero could manage to say. He felt choked up as his eyes met Trey's. This might very well be the last time they ever saw each other.
Trey turned to look at Duo and caught him tickling the baby. He raised a brow at Heero and they shared a smile at the expense of the god of death. "I shall never forget you, Duo Maxwell. I only wish I could be around when life's little surprises visit upon your house."
Duo snorted as he patted Shamara's head, then turned to Trey. "Hey, when I think of you, two words come to mind: mental illness."
Trey laughed. "I think of two words for you, too, Maxwell."
"Dumb ass," supplied Heero. He and Trey laughed.
"My mother wishes to remain on Calabria," said Trey when the laughter had subsided. "Although she would like to visit Earth and see old friends, she fears she would not make it back."
"She doesn't want to miss any more of Trey's life," added Arora. "And she wants to help raise her grandchildren."
"Grandchildren?" Duo laughed. "How many are you planning to have?"
Trey chuckled. "As many as the gods give us."
"One would be too much for me." The look he was giving the gurgling baby didn't really back his words.
Although he had hope that Duo wouldn't screw up the good thing he had with Miss Stryfe, Heero had every intention of kicking the snot out of Maxwell if he hurt Trynity. "I guess this is good-bye," he said to Trey.
"I am hoping that it is not permanent. Wattan will escort you to the pirate satellite." Trey stood, and then went to hug first Duo, then Heero before stepping back to take Arora's hand. "You will always have a special place in my heart."
There was nothing more to be said. Heero and Duo left them behind to follow Wattan, and on their way to the Edgeland Fortress, Heero was struck by the changes he already saw on Calabria. The rains had returned to the Wastelands, and a carpet of green was spreading through the countryside. Streams ran through the flowering lands like glittering ribbons to empty into a basin, which must have once been a lake or sea. Although Heero was not superstitious or religious, he had to admit there must have been truth in the legends of Calabria. The gods had chosen Trey to right the wrongs of the past. Maybe there was even some Guerani magic responsible.
Apolo was waiting at the Edgeland Fortress. Although at the moment he was commanding the fortress, he had already been given the responsibility of governing the Wastelands in the emperor's name. As the Warlord, he had helped the people considerably and they respected him, and those that did not, feared his Guerani powers. Before wishing them a safe journey, Apolo also thanked them for keeping Trey safe.
"He could not have had better imperial guards than the friends he made in your part of the galaxy."
Heavyarms made a pretty damn good guard too, thought Heero as they blasted into space some time later. Now pieces of the gundam were scattered in the Calabrian system. Although Trey regretted the loss of his gundam, he was going on with his life without it. Heero knew the time was approaching when he, too, would leave his own gundam in the past. Perhaps he was ready to do so now.
He was sure of it when he stepped off the Calabrian ship at the satellite and Relena dashed across the hanger to throw herself into his arms. He had missed her terribly although they had been separated for little over a week. She felt good in his arms, and he didn't care who saw them kissing.
"Hey, do you mind coming up for a little air and telling me where my woman is?" asked Duo.
Relena broke off their kiss reluctantly and informed him that she was in the observatory studying the wormhole.
That didn't seem to please him at all. He stalked out of the hanger to go in search of her.
Relena looked back at Heero. "She estimates that it will open up again tomorrow, but that is a guess. Wufei and Quatre left two days ago with Lady Une, and they sent a probe back through to assure us of their safety."
"Trey is safe and happy," Heero told her as they left the hanger, heading toward the room they had shared when they stayed on the satellite.
"We have heard about everything. The pirates are not sure what they are going to do now that their leader is going to remain on the planet. There has been discussion of an alliance with Calabria. Many of these people do not wish to stay in space, and now that Zeno is gone they want to return to their lives on Calabria."
"I am sure Trey will find a place for them."
The remainder of the day and throughout the night, they were secluded in their room. If Trynity and Duo came back, Heero didn't hear them, nor did he care. Fortunately Relena didn't suffer from the sickness that Trynity did, although she did tire easily, and when she rested, Heero studied the flight plan she had left out for him to approve. She and Trynity had made calculations for all types of scenarios. For a brief time they would lose control of their systems, but Trynity had already gone over the plan with Relena who was not nervous about trying to pilot the transport back to L10 through the wormhole. Heero decided that he would trust her. Shortly before entering the anomaly, they would have to cut power and would not be able to restore it until the transport was a safe distance from the wormhole heading towards L10. The method had worked more than once for Quatre and Wufei. And the Calabrians used it effectively, so Heero didn't think they would encounter any danger.
The following day Heero and Relena left the room for the last time and headed to the hanger. Trynity was waiting along with Duo who was talking to Newt several feet away from her.
"Is Newt coming with us?" asked Heero, watching the two men skeptically.
"He doesn't want to. He thinks he can make his fortune harassing Bayman ships."
"I'm sure Trey won't stand for that much longer." Heero wasn't sure he liked Duo's secretive discussion with the pirate and space scavenger. This wasn't the first one of its kind. So he walked over to them, but their discussion came to an abrupt end, and Newt wished them a safe journey before walking away whistling.
"What the hell are you up to?" asked Heero as he caught Duo's arm in a tight grip.
"Just saying good-bye to a friend," snapped Duo defensively, jerking his arm back.
"That had better be it." Heero didn't trust Newt, but he couldn't imagine what Duo and Newt would be planning. He was glad they were returning to L10 because he doubted they would ever see the Newt again. Duo had responsibilities that he was going to have to face up to soon. He couldn't traipse around with an unreliable pirate.
Duo walked past him to Trynity. "Hey, babe, let's get this transport in space before that wormhole plays any nasty tricks on us."
"You should take it a little more seriously," she scolded him.
"Whatever." He shrugged. "The thing has been around for a long time. It ain't just suddenly going to poof! and now it's gone!"
"The gravitational forces…"
Duo put his hands over his ears. "Save it for your buddies in the lab. You're speaking another language."
Trynity laughed. "Sorry. I forgot how bad your physics grades were."
The launch into space went off without problem. Heero and Trynity monitored the systems while Relena piloted the transport toward the area of space where the wormhole was located. Now it was quiet and dark, but any moment light would come streaking outward from a pinpoint that would open a pathway to their home solar system. All they had to do was wait.
"I'm going to miss Trowa," commented Trynity. "Well, actually, he didn't say much as Trowa, but at least I understand why."
"I can't imagine having no memories," commented Relena. "And he left behind such a rich past." She laughed. "I wish I could have called him the 'clown prince' one more time."
Heero chuckled. "That was no clown that defeated Zeno."
"I haven't seen Deathscythe in a while," commented Duo as he headed toward the door leading away from the bridge.
"The gundams are secure," said Trynity, not bothering to look up.
"Hey, it's my gundam. I'll secure it myself." When she turned to look at him with her brows raised, Duo smiled at her. "I just want to check."
Trynity shrugged. "Go ahead."
He opened the door and started to go through, then turned to look at her. "How about a little kiss?"
"Just for checking on Deathscythe, whom I beginning to think you like more than me?"
"Babe, there is no comparison."
Heero frowned as Trynity went to Duo and they shared a kiss that should have been taken out of viewing. Relena glanced at him and smiled. He could see that she considered their display a good sign. Heero wasn't as optimistic.
Finishing, Duo whacked her backside, and Trynity was laughing as she settled back into her seat. But Duo remained in the doorway for a moment watching her.
She looked back at him. "Did you forget something?"
Duo looked at her for a moment longer, and Heero thought Duo's intense silent stare was unnerving. "I…I just wanted to tell you that…that I love you, Miss Stryfe."
She reached up to touch the necklace that she always wore around her neck. "I love you, too, Mr. Maxwell."
He closed the door.
"That was sweet," remarked Relena. "You didn't waste last night looking at the stars, did you?"
Trynity laughed and turned her attention back to her monitor. "Of course not! I don't think Duo let me sleep a wink. Good thing I was feeling better."
"Did you tell him?" asked Heero. He was thinking that Duo's behavior was extremely odd, but then if he had learned of his impending paternity, that could explain it.
"I am going to tell him when we get to L10. I haven't changed my mind."
A good plan, thought Heero. Maxwell was going to detonate when he heard what she had to say. Heero didn't know what was going on in his friend's head, but he did know that Duo would have a difficult time giving up his freedom. Although he didn't want to meddle in their problems, Heero decided to have a talk with Duo now. Somehow he would find a way to prepare him for the news, to soften the blow.
But as he headed toward the door, Trynity exclaimed that the wormhole was opening. There would be no time to have any heart-to-heart discussions with the god of death until after they had cleared this hurdle.
A communication came from the hanger. "Hey, the wormhole is opening. I'm going to stay down here tucked in my gundam."
As the waves of light grew, so did the gravitational pull on the transport. Trynity had already calculated a course that would use the wormhole's forces to help them through, so Relena allowed the wormhole to drag the transport toward it with a slight resistance that would act as a slingshot.
"Ten seconds before we cut power," advised Trynity, as both she and Heero strapped into their seats.
"Everything is under control," stated Relena.
But as they drew closer, the shape of the anomaly began to change and fluctuate as Heero had never seen before, and by the note of dismay in Trynity's cry of surprise as she watched it, she had never seen it either.
"It's going to close already!"
Heero looked at the screen. "What does this mean?"
"We have to get to it! This may be it!"
If this was the end of the wormhole, this was their only chance to escape. "Relena, hit the thrusters and take us to it. Now!" He hit the communication to the hanger where the gundams were stored. "Duo! Strap in! We are headed to a bumpy ride."
Duo didn't respond, but then Heero wasn't expecting him to. He was probably already napping in his gundam. The transport lurched forward at a high speed, headed straight toward the pulsating wormhole. Heero knew instinctively that Trynity was right. Whatever energy supports that had opened the hole were collapsing. The wormhole was coming apart, and their chances for reaching home again were slimming.
"When do we cut power?" asked Relena anxiously.
"We can't afford to," Heero said when he saw Trynity shake her head.
Relena looked at him. She might be afraid, but she didn't show it. What was important now was that they get through the wormhole. Hitting the last set of thrusters, she sat back to wait as the transport shot rapidly toward the wormhole. As they entered the light, Heero closed his eyes and gripped the arms of his chair. The transport was flung around like a toy as it passed through the energy field, bouncing from fluctuation to fluctuation. Power was finally zapped as the systems overloaded, and they had no control over the transport. Heero wished he could hold Relena's hand and assure her that they would make it, but he wasn't so sure. The bridge was completely dark but for the explosions of light as they traversed the wormhole. Although the experience probably lasted only a few minutes, it seemed like hours before the bridge became completely dark and they were no longer tossed about, but were drifting.
"Is everyone all right?" asked Heero.
Relena thought he sounded afraid. It was unusual for Heero Yuy to be showing any fear. "I'm fine," she answered.
Trynity punched a few buttons and light and was restored along with oxygen filtration system. "Back-up generators. They should be able to sustain life support long enough to get to L10." She turned her attention back to the monitor. The wormhole was behind them, along with the Calabrian system. She put the view on the overhead viewing screen and they watched together as the wormhole twisted and turned until it finally exploded into light that scattered to all corners of the universe.
"It's gone," she said after a moment of awe-inspired silence. "The trace elements that I used to track it when it was dormant are no longer detectable."
Relena breathed a sigh of relief. "You were right, Trynity. If we hadn't left today…"
Trynity shuddered. "I don't even want to think about it."
The communicator signal was beeping, so Heero pushed the button and Lars Nelson's face appeared on the screen. "Welcome back, Commander Yuy."
"It's good to be back," he responded. Relena was actually glad to see the handsome lummox
"Did everyone make it through safely?" asked Lars. Relena thought he couldn't be more obvious, turning his attention straight to Trynity who was ignoring the screen as she studied her scanner.
"I believe so," said Heero.
"Duo must still be in Deathscythe," commented Trynity. "I don't have any readings of him in the hanger."
"Lazy bum," muttered Relena. Leave it to Duo Maxwell to slack off!
Trynity pushed herself away from her monitor. "I think I will go wake up sleeping beauty."
"I'm sending out a transport to tow you back," Lars informed them. "Just sit back and enjoy the ride." He closed the communication.
Trynity took a deep breath. "I suppose I can tell him now."
Relena stood. "I'm coming with you."
She was afraid Trynity would refuse her, but she smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Relena."
Heero remained behind on the bridge as Relena and Trynity headed to the hanger. Trynity didn't say anything, and Relena knew what she must be feeling. Duo might reject her, despite his tender declaration of love. Relena remembered how difficult it had been for her to tell Heero even though she was sure of his feelings. Duo was so dead set against becoming a parent that it was impossible to predict his reaction. Just how much did he love Trynity?
There was lighting in the hanger, and gundams were lying flat, but the hatch to the Deathscythe was open, a light on inside. Trynity gave Relena one last look and headed to Duo's gundam. Relena watched anxiously as Trynity scrambled up the side of the gundam with her usual agility before ducking inside. Relena waited for several minutes, the silence eerie. If they were talking inside the gundam, it was very low because the hanger echoed their footsteps when they had entered but Relena couldn't hear any of their conversation.
After what seemed like hours, but was actually only a few minutes, Trynity climbed back out of the gundam, and as she approached Relena, she saw that tears were pouring down her cheeks.
"What happened?" asked Relena as she reached out to touch Trynity.
Not responding, Trynity shrugged off her hand, then reached up to take the golden scythe charm in her hand. She jerked the necklace off and threw it down, then with a sob, she ran from the hanger.
Relena was furious. If she had a gun, she would shoot Duo Maxwell! Although it took her several minutes, she managed to climb up to the cockpit of the gundam, and she was clenching her fists as she stepped inside.
"I am going to knock all your teeth out, Maxwell, and after that, I am going to let Heero take you apart."
There was no response.
The cockpit was empty.
Puzzled, Relena looked around wondering how he managed to escape without going past her when she saw a paper lying on the floor. Bending down to pick it up, she noticed first the crude drawing of a thistle. Her heart racing, Relena opened the note.
Trynity,
I know you will be angry, but you'll get over it once you are busy doing your research. I'm not going to hold you back. I want you to be happy, and I don't want you regretting what might have been.
Don't worry about me. Newt and I have a plan. I've taken an escape pod, and he is picking me up. I'll meet up with you in a few months. Have a cold beer and warm blanket waiting for me.
Duo
Relena sank back onto the pilot's seat, stunned by the note. Duo was gone? Duo had escaped on a pod? He must have done it during their distraction with the wormhole. They should have realized he was up to something with Newt! Newt had even done plenty of snooping on the transport the days leading up to their departure, probably making final preparations for their plan to be carried out. How could Duo be so foolish? How could he do this to Trynity?
Then she came to the reality that Trynity was surely facing.
Duo wasn't going to be meeting up with her in a couple of months.
There was no need to keep beer cold or warm a blanket.
With the wormhole gone, they would never see Duo Maxwell again.
Peacecraft Memorial Hospital
"Oh, Trynity, I'm so sorry I missed everything!" Relena shoved the flowers she was carrying at Heero then moved as fast as she could to the bed where Trynity was wincing as she tried to sit up. "Don't get up!"
"Believe me, I have no intention of doing so!" Trynity relaxed as Relena plumped her pillows behind her and she was able to sit up. She looked exhausted, but then again, she had good reason to be. "Did you stop to see them?"
"We didn't have time," remarked Heero. "She was in a damn hurry to get here." He put the vase of flowers on the table, which was already covered with similar bouquets. He noticed one from Wufei, another from Quatre, and there was a huge arrangement from the royal couple. There were cards and gifts scattered throughout the hospital room. Trynity Stryfe did not lack in people who loved her.
Relena sighed as she sat on the edge of the bed and took Trynity's hand. "I wish I could have been here with you."
Trynity laughed. "No you don't. Trust me, Relena, you didn't need to go through that experience before your own baby comes." She looked at Relena's huge mound of a belly. "Only a couple more weeks and you will know what I mean."
"I can't believe I found out through a message on my computer!" Relena frowned at Trynity.
Trynity shrugged. "I didn't really have a choice. You weren't back from the dedication ceremony at L3 yet."
"We planned to do this together! I'm sorry you had to go through it alone."
Trynity looked away, and Relena thought she might be blushing. "I wasn't alone."
Still holding her hand, Relena suddenly realized there was a ring on her finger. As she raised it, Trynity tried to pull her hand back, but Relena held tight. The diamond was huge. "What is this?"
Trynity's became even redder. "Lars asked me to marry him."
"Lars! And you accepted?" Relena couldn't believe Trynity would marry Lars Nelson. "How can you do such a thing?"
"He loves me!" There were tears in Trynity's eyes as she pulled her hand away and moved it out of sight. "He wants to help me raise the babies. I can't do it alone!"
"What about…" Relena stopped herself, but she had said enough.
"What about Duo? What about him? He is gone!" Trynity wiped away tears as fast as they formed. "I don't want to spend the rest of my life hoping for a miracle. Those kinds of things don't happen here! I can't stand the loneliness anymore!"
Relena caught Heero's annoyed look and she wanted to kick herself for that slip of the tongue. After her initial anger and shock, Trynity had thrown herself into researching the wormhole, and although she held out hope, there was no sign of the space anomaly that had brought Prince Trey to them. Duo was lost to Trynity forever. Trynity was right. Miracles only seemed to happen on the Calabria.
"I suppose you are right to get on with your life," said Relena sadly.
"Damn right!" said Heero. "I hate to admit it, but the traitor Nelson isn't such a bad guy."
"Lars has been there for me even when I ignored him and was so obsessed with my work." Trynity grabbed a tissue and wiped away what was left of her tears.
Relena knew that was true although she had resented Lars steps toward taking Duo's place in Trynity's life. "Are you sure you can be happy with him?"
Before Trynity could answer, the door swung open and the man in question walked in, a baby cradled in each arm. He was so big it was no effort for him, but Relena wondered how Trynity was going to take care of the twins, a boy and a girl. If they turned out anything like their father they were going to be a handful.
"I thought your visitors might want to see them," said Lars as he unceremoniously dumped one of the babies in Heero's arms. Heero looked horrified at first, then he chuckled.
"This isn't so difficult." But he seemed to change his mind when it began to cry. Heero deposited the baby in Relena's arms, and she quickly passed it to Trynity.
Relena looked at Lars. "I guess congratulations are in order."
Lars took Trynity's hand. "I'm sure you don't approve, but I will do everything I can to make Trynity happy."
Relena could see by the earnest look in his eyes that he was serious. "I am sure you will. Do you think you can handle the little ones?"
"If he needs any help, I think I can be of some assistance." Dr. Stryfe walked into the room and took a baby from Lars.
Lars chuckled. "They are the least of my worries! Who is going to handle old man Stryfe?"
Heero chuckled as he came to take Relena's arm. "I'm sure you'll have that under control. We can visit again later." Heero was sending a silent message that was loud and clear to Relena: let them be alone. He was right, of course. Trynity, Lars and the babies were going to be a family. They might as well start bonding.
Relena leaned down to kiss Trynity's cheek although she seemed to be concentrating at trying to get her frustrated baby to nurse. "Let me know when you and Lars get married."
Trynity looked at her. "I wouldn't dream of doing it without you, so we'll wait until after you've had your baby."
Relena and Heero left the room then and didn't speak until they were in the elevator headed down.
"I think she has made the right decision," said Heero, breaking the silence. "Nelson loves her, and I think over time he will heal her heart."
Relena reached over to take his hand. "I hope they can be as happy as we are."
He squeezed her hand and she saw the love in his eyes.
Relena sighed contentedly and moved closer as he put his arm around her. Everything would work out, she thought as she put her head on his shoulder. They could all look forward to the future they would make. The past would remain just memories.