AN: Hey Guys! The last chapter is here! The only thing left now is the epilogue! You guys have been great support to us! We want you to know that we really appreciate it! Lots of Relena's POV and Heero's POV in this chapter. ^_^

Warning: SOME OOC for Heero! Can Heero ever be in a sappy fic and STILL be in character?

Disclaimer:

Duo: Come on! You won't get better unless you say it!

Chick and Muse: Burst into tears Why are you so mean!

Heero: That's it! Get this through your heads! You don't own anything! You don't own your house, your computer, and you don't even own your name!

Chick and Muse turn evil and advance towards Heero and Duo

Chick: OH, YEAH!! You better be nice to us if you know what's good for you!

Muse: JUST WAIT TILL OUR NEXT FIC!!!

Chick and Muse: MU HA HA HA HA HA

Heero: Do you think they're serious?

Duo: I don't know...they're both maniacs. I think they would do something evil!

Relena: You're fighting over disclaimers, when I'm suffering! GET ON WITH THE STORY!!

Hector's POV:

"Goodbye, my friends," I said as I flipped the switch to the electricity transmitter. I pressed it to her bruised skin, and a small cry escaped from her dry, cracked lips, but my attention turned from her to the suddenly smoking machine.

"Sir! They must have destroyed the transmitter."

"I was wondering how long it would take them to lose control. Tom, do you think they liked my little show?" I asked. I picked up the VFM and carried her limp, battered form in my arms.

"I think the show was superb, sir, I'm sure they'll try a rescue attempt soon, though."

"Let them, we'll be ready. It will take them some time to find our location."

"Sir, I thought we decided that the VFM is on sleep deprivation, should I wake her up?"

"Oh yes, I forgot about that. I think I'll wake her up, however."

I walked out of the communication room and into the resting area; extracting the stun gun from my pocket, I fingered the cold metal lovingly before awarding her another shock. To my utter delight, she immediately started away from the device with a pained groan. Rather than giving her a pause from her torture, I roughly squeezed her arm.

"I see you're awake, is your shoulder better?" My voice had a mocking tone that was starkly evident.

Gazing into her crystal orbs, I was slightly mesmerized by the burning fire in them-a fire that threatened to lash out and envelop my flesh in a ravenous fit desperation. Shaking off the feeling of fear that momentarily gripped my heart, I became irritated. She still doesn't understand who the leader here is. Her only response to my sarcasm was to pull away harshly, and she hardened her elegant features into an unfitting glare.

I chose to ignore her actions, mostly because I was afraid another wounding blow would be fatal. I stepped towards her and, more gently than before, shoved her against the steel wall.

"If you stop defying my authority, your suffering will decrease greatly! Kara! Come here!"

Relena's POV:

I watched as a servant, who seemed to have twenty years on her entered, the room. Dark raven hair crowned her cranium as she entered the room in an outfit similar to an old fashioned maid. Her facial form was hidden from my view as her head was bowed as she crossed the threshold to her master.

"Yes, sir," a meek voice peeped.

"Take her and get her scrubbed, head to toe! I want her back here in fifteen minutes clean cut and completely presentable!"

'How dare he?!' I thought. It's his fault I'm in this state! "Get her scrubbed," he says. Before I could respond to his insulting remark, Kara's response broke my train of thoughts.

"Yes, sir," she complied. Walking over to me, she softly laid her hand on my arm, and motioned for me to follow her. Her head rose slightly to reveal kind, hazel green eyes. Outward prettiness wasn't what I would pin as her strong point, but her gentleness showed she obviously possessed an inner beauty on the inside.

I didn't resist her touch, her face was calm and a suspicion arose in my heart. Perhaps she was here not of her own will. She led me down a dimly lit hallway and opened the door. My eyes widened at the unexpected sight that lay before me registered in my brain as reality. Giving a slight shrug to my shoulders, I pinched my arm to ensure one more time that it was real.

There was a queen sized bed donning covers that were a daisy yellow. A colossal window was prominent in the side wall, revealing lush green gardens that were dotted with bright flowers. I assumed that we were somewhere in Europe. The window was dressed with silky scarlet curtains that were lined with elaborate golden trimmings. Fine paintings were hung all around the large room. Not even I was used to all the finery. While studying the room with awe, I inwardly prayed that this wasn't Hector's room. I snapped out of my trance when the woman Kara, spoke to me.

"You're the VFM aren't you?"

"Yes, I am. What are you doing here?"

"I work for Mr. Hector, I guess. I'm an orphan. Hector adopted me out of that horrid orphanage I lived at when I was 15 and he never let me go."

"I'm sorry, it must be hard being stuck in a place like this. With HIM."

"Judging by your appearance you musta defied him a lot. He doesn't like it when people go against his wishes." Hastily, she changed the subject. "I'm sure that you are wishing to be refreshed. Why don't you take a bath? I've already prepared the water," she urged as she steered me towards the bathroom.

"I'll get you some fresh clothes, I'm sure we have some that are your size. Go ahead and bathe, and I'll be back once I find the clothes."

I watched as she exited, and a chill crept up my spine as I felt loneliness swathed me. The marble tub was already filled to the brink with steaming water, so I alleged they had expected me to arrive. I eagerly stripped my worn and tattered clothing, ignoring my screaming muscles. Delicately, I slid my body into the warm and welcoming water. Upon entrance, the once enchanting water became like salt to my wounds, and I felt as if needles were pricking me all along my body. After a few agonizing minutes passed, my sores adjusted to the new feeling, and I began to cleanse my body of the mud and muck, taking extra care so as not to aggravate my injured shoulder. Gazing upon my body, I noticed my cuts and bruises turning into nasty shades of purple and greenish black. Unshed tears glistened in my eyes, but I refused to let them spill down my torn cheeks. Soon, while thoroughly contemplating the past events and my current situation, my thoughts drifted to Heero. 'Heero, my soldier. Where are you? Please, come soon. I'm not sure how long I can endure this treatment. Please, hurry.'

A loud tapping on the door drew me from my pitiful depression. I figured Kara had found the new clothes.

"The clothes are on the on the bed, when you are ready." Her meek voice was soft through the cracks in the door.

I reluctantly pulled myself from the now cool water and covered my body with the fluffy towels. The delicate material was placid upon my damaged skin. I walked out the bathroom and looked at the clothes had been laid out for me. The clothes certainly weren't fancy. A light blue T-shirt and a pair of dark jeans were provided. I quickly dressed and decided that my ragged self deserved a moments' rest. As I eased myself onto the welcoming comfort of the soft bed, another knock came from the door. Expecting it to be Kara, I opened the door to meet the gaze of...

"Hector?"

"Your appearance has improved greatly, Ms. Peacecraft. Shall we?" he inquired, extending an arm in invitation.

Defiantly, I ignored his courteous gesture and walked past his elbow. I felt myself intake a sharp breath as a pair of strong hands grabbed me and threw me against the wall, knocking a hanging picture to the floor.

"If you knew what was best for you, you would quit resisting me! I don't want to hurt you, but I have no choice if you keep aggravating me!"

I let my hatred show through my eyes, and I willed myself to glare daggers at him. To my surprise, he smirked. He drew closer and forced me to walk towards the resting area and to sit on the nearest couch.

I looked around the room, observing things nearby, and I noticed a large clock on the wall, which said that the time was 5:00 O'clock. He pulled out the infamous document and a pen. Waving it in my face, he gave me the usual order.

"Sign the document, Relena; I'm sure it will save you and I a lot of trouble."

His deranged eyes studied me carefully, scanning my face for any signs of weakness, anything to tell him I was ready to cooperate; he stood up from the couch and paced in front of me.

"How long was it since you have eaten something, Relena?"

*-Flashback-*

I felt a cruel smack cross my face and I opened my eyes to meet the gaze of Hector. I didn't have much time to drown in his sharp gaze; my stomach suddenly lurched and I felt nausea begin to overtake my senses. My body began to slowly sway with this awful feeling. Hector must have noticed because he hastily pulled me out of a chair, causing my mind to question why I was in a chair in the first place. 'Wasn't I in a car?' I wondered.

My stomach, however, had other plans in mind. Rather than letting me figure out what had happened, it forced me to think about one thing: sickness. Hector, who had carried me into a bathroom, threw me down before the toilet, and I began "praying to the porcelain god."[1]

-*End Flashback*-

As I sat there ignoring the document, I began to think about how long I had been with Hector exactly, and thus arriving upon a hypothesis to his inquiry. I hoped that none of my states of unconsciousness had lasted too long.

'Hmm...day one was when I was first kidnapped, by the time Tom threw me into that room, it was the end of day two. The third day was at the train; I was there for two days. Then the plane was day five. I've been in this location for 2 days, so that makes a total of...'

"It's been 7 days since your kidnapping, 7 days since you've eaten, and 6 days since you've slept. How long do you think you're going to last, Relena? Your friends are not even close to finding you; you may as well learn to cope with us, here. You're never going back home," he said. "Unless." he tantalized. "Perhaps we could work out some...arrangement if you will only sign the document."

"Why are you implementing all of the so called tortures so quickly? Weren't they supposed to be one per week?" I snapped.

"Oh, but I don't have the time to wait weeks for you to sign the document, I thought spending things up a bit wouldn't hurt. Well, it wouldn't hurt us, anyway," he chuckled as he turned towards the television in the room. Picking up a remote, he flipped through the channels until he settled on one that presented a familiar sight to my eyes.

A white haired man stepped confidently up to the podium, shielding his eyes from what were probably the flashing cameras of reporters. A violet capped woman stood next to him loyally. 'Milliardo and Noin. Oh how I miss you,' I moaned silently. His right hand rose, signaling for complete silence.

"We have called this brief conference to inform the public that Ms. Relena Darlian Peacecraft has taken a prolonged and well earned vacation." A pause, unusual for my normally smoothly speaking brother, cut into the speech. A flash of hurt dashed across his handsome face, but it quickly was covered with his old, soldier's mask. "Her location will remain undisclosed, and any media employee or employer that endeavors to disturb her peace will be severely punished by demotion or even loss of job." Engrossed at staring at my brother and his wife, I was jumped slightly in surprise when the screen suddenly turned black.

"See? Your own family doesn't know when they'll find you...what makes you think you're going to be saved?"

"I know they're going to find me, and when they find me, you're going to rot in the prison cell you deserve!" His eyes took on a look-that deadly look of a maniac in power. I chastised myself for once again losing my temper, but I'm just not a person to allow people to completely dominate over me.

He stopped pacing and stared down upon me with fury. A gasp of pain was caught in my throat as he grabbed my injured shoulder, making it feel as though a knife had been stabbed through it. Dragging me out into the hallway, he yelled his dissatisfaction quite clearly.

"I tried to communicate with you. I even tried to be kind to you! This episode has endured for sufficient time. I will not be refused a signature by a girl no older than twenty!"

He heaved through another hallway and into a room that I had not entered before. Fright spread throughout my body as my eyes met a machine that was slightly familiar. I prayed that my conclusion, about what it was, was incorrect. My fear was multiplied at the next words of the Spaniard.

"This is what they used to torture people in the past, Relena. The job of the machine is to send sharp and painful jolts throughout your body. Before you think you can stick it out, maybe I should inform you that the longest time endured in this machine is twenty minutes. I no longer care if you die. In fact, I hope you do. I can always get the next VFM to help me. Heck, with the power of my behind the scenes people and my spies, I can BECOME the VFM."

Quickly swallowing any apprehension I had about my immediate future, I took on a face that I hoped was courageous. I chose my words and let them erupt from my throat. "No one will give you their support! You're a cold hearted beast who deserves nothing more than a rotten cell!" His only reply was a shrill and cold laugh. The laugh was like a high note hit in the opera-it could have shattered mirrors from far distances. Briefly, I allowed myself a humorous thought with wondering about his preference for a mate, but I shoved it out of my mind.

"Oh, we'll see," he cackled, as he prepared to strap me to the machine. Despite my struggles, I was overpowered. Lack of food and sleep was beginning to wear at my resolve. Circular metal clasps clamped down upon my wrists and ankles. Bare wires were strapped to my body, and the ends, I believe, he purposely put on me too roughly, judging from the blood sliding down my skin.

"Let's try it at the lowest level and gradually work our way up, shall we?"

I turned my head from him, squeezed my eyes shut, and prepared for the worst. I heard a clicking noise, and nothing could have prepared me for the shot of torture that ran throughout me. Biting my lip, I refused to scream, but as I felt the levels rise, my steadfastness in my decision was slowly chipping away. I felt a cry working its way out of my larynx and up to my mouth. My closed lips muffled it slightly, but soon, they parted and a full fledged screech exited. My shriek echoed off the steel walls. Soon, I began to register nothing in my brain but the pain. But before I became completely deaf to the sound, I heard a noise mingling with my screams. Loud, cold chortling coming from the man I had learned to hate.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Heero's POV:

I closely listened to the preventor who had found the location of Relena. I needed all the information I could get to overpower Hector and his followers.

"They are in Europe, specifically in England. Hector is listed as an owner of a very large piece of land there. I'm sure that's where they're keeping Relena."

"Miss Peacecraft," I corrected him sternly. 'No one is allowed to use her first name, unless they're close friends...maybe...maybe he is a close friend!' I shrugged the thought off, convincing myself that she would have told me of him if he were close to her.

"What are we waiting for, Heero!" said Duo.

"Let's go help Relena!" Wufei ordered.

Being the almighty preventors, it didn't take us long to find a jet to transport us to Hector's colossal estate. The flight felt as though it would last for days, with my mind and conscience wallowing in guilt as I envisioned Relena's possible state of mind and body...was Hector torturing her? Was she angry at me for having not protected her? How can we get her back without causing her more agony? How can we kill Hector? Such questions raced through my brain at an alarming speed as I impatiently drummed my fingers on my knee, willing the plane to reach our destination at a quicker pace.

The anxiety and apprehension floating around the room made the atmosphere very tense. The decision about who would actually enter the core of the "base" had already been reached. Duo, Trowa, Wufei, Hilde, an experienced Preventer named Rob, and I would be the ones to break in and rescue Relena. Sally would also be with us, as Relena would obviously be in critical need of immediate medical attention. Perhaps we had a small group that would penetrate the enemy forces, but as Gundam pilots and strong soldiers, I had full confidence that no more assistance was needed. Milliardo, of course, would normally prefer to have been with us. However, his dear Noin suddenly had a fainting spell, and had been rushed to the hospital. Nausea had been creeping upon her being lately, and he had decided to put the life of Relena in my hands. I considered this for the better; after all, Milliardo's anger would probably later cause problems and inefficient attacks from our part. Yes, it was better to leave Relena as my responsibility. Inwardly, I imagined the pain I would inflict upon Hector once I met him, face to face.

Upon arrival at the mansion where Relena was being held captive, my heart began beat faster, and adrenaline pulsed through my veins. . As we landed, my heart rejoiced at the thought of once again seeing Relena. Bitterness also rose in my throat as I thought of her suffering; Hector would pay dearly for her pain, and I doubt that I would have much mercy on that disgustingly sick maniac.

Our small airplane was hidden was we sneaked upon the grounds. Wufei forced Sally to stay in the airplane, claiming that the weak onna should be prepared to run for help should anything go wrong. He must think us stupid; but we knew that he had more plausible reasons than the ones he gave. Hilde and Rob stayed behind to guard the jet. As we were sneaking towards the main door, Wufei stopped us to give us a quick brief of his plan.

"There are four men guarding the main door. I just saw ten guards leaving the building, probably for a dinner break. Our timing was very good."

"Heero," ordered Duo. "Trowa, Wufei, and I will knock out the leftover guards. You find Relena and bring her out fast. We don't have much time."

"I know, Duo, I'll find her."

"I know you will buddy! You're totally in Lo-"

"This isn't the time Duo."

Trowa, the normally silent man once again saved me from an awkward situation. I made a mental note to thank him later.

"Everyone ready?"

We all nodded our heads to Wufei and began our attack. A few well directed punches and kicks knocked the four guards out with little difficulty, leaving the hall free to our invasion. Running down that main hallway, we met up with.

"You're Tom Collard!" accused Duo.

"S(edited for younger audiences)t! How'd you get in--"

Suddenly, blood squirted from a head wound that had appeared, and Tom issued a few noises from his bloody lips before falling to the floor. Tilting my head in the direction of the gunshot, my eyes scanned Trowa, who was holding a smoking gun. Six more guards quickly received a like fate. I left the remaining men for the others to handle and I stealthily sprinted down the hall.

As I ran quietly, a shriek suddenly echoed in my ears. Unmistakably, it was Relena. Guilt poured all over my heart, and forced me to push my already burning muscles at a speed that challenged a speeding vehicle. Her screams began to grow in volume, and I winced as I imagined what was happening to her. Arriving upon the door to the room of her incarceration, I was able to look through the plate glass that was planted in the middle of it, serving as a window.

Inside I met a sight that I wished I could erase from my memory permanently. Relena was strapped to a machine that I was quite familiar with, due to its part in my training. I had been forced to undergo the agony of electrocution in order to be molded into a perfect killing machine that could withstand large doses of pain. Looking upon her face, signs of lack of sleep were evident. Dark circles were underlying her eyes that she was squeezing shut. Large cuts and scratches that had seemingly once been healed were beginning to reopen, and blood poured out. Her thin t-shirt had obviously once been light blue, but the red liquid had mixed with the colouring, turning it into a dark violet. Fury coursed in my very being and out of blind anger, I prepared to wrench the door open and murder Hector with my bare hands. Before I could do so, two pairs of hands seized me, and pulled me back. Wufei began to speak in a scolding voice.

"You can't open it now! If he sees you he'll kill her, Heero! You have to wait till he turns it off!"

"What if he never turns it off? He'll kill her then!" I struggled against their iron grips, but Duo and Trowa were helping to restrain me. My rage was keeping me from accurately disposing of them both so that I could reach Relena. As I fought their grips, Relena's screams suddenly halted. My three subjugators were temporarily distracted as they attempted to see the reason, and I saw my chance to shove them away.

Swiftly kicking the door cleanly off its hinges, my eyes darted to where Relena had been. Now, she was flaccidly hanging, supported only by her metal restraints. Whipping out my gun, I shot at Hector's remote with deadly accuracy. The electronic device shattered with the impact of the bullet, and fear flashed in the Spaniard's eyes. My eyes were burning and I prepared to stalk across the room to break his scrawny, ugly, little neck when I was once again grabbed from behind. I muttered a curse, but listened to Trowa's case.

"Don't KILL HIM! You're going to be charged for murder if you kill him, Heero! He'll suffer more if he's imprisoned! Think about it!"

"He doesn't deserve to live, Trowa! How could someone so cold-blooded and cruel live in this world!"

"...."

Trowa released my arms, and he and the other two handcuffed Hector.

"I'm going to kill you by the end of this day, Hector," my voice coldly threatened.

To my utter shock, he threw his head back and laughed. The shrillness of his voice made the small hairs on the back of my neck prick.

"I would worry about HER dying by the end of the day, if I where you!"

The urge to kill him was overpowered by my concern over Relena. I promised myself a nice torture session with him later. At the moment, I had other things to attend to. Rushing to her side, I swiftly used my inhuman strength to break her bonds, and she dropped into my arms. A soft groan escaped her lips, signaling her life to my worried brain.

"Shh....it's okay, Relena. You're safe now..."

Relena's POV:

Unbearable throbbing felt as though it was scorching my body. I could feel warm liquids oozing from my opened sores.

"Shh....it's okay, Relena. You're safe now..."

For a second, I tried to fight whoever was holding me. The masculinity of the voice was familiar, and the first man to register in my brain was Hector. But then, Hector wouldn't be holding me so tenderly.that voice.it clicked. That sounded like Heero! I slowly opened my eyes and tried to focus them upon the face before me, praying deep inside my heart that it was indeed Heero who was here. My eyes focused upon intensely Prussian blue eyes. They looked.worried? 'Oh Heero,' I thought, as tears of joy streamed down my cheeks. Despite the twinges of pain caused by the saltiness, I let them flow, powerless to stem the stream. His strong arms drew me closer to his chest in a comforting embrace.

"I...w...was...so scared, Heero. I...I didn't know if y...you were going to come, and I...I thought I was never going t...to see you again," I gasped between aching sobs.

His calloused fingers ran over my matted and bloody hair as he whispered soothing words to my frightened spirit. "I would never leave you, Relena. I'm so sorry I failed to protect you," he apologized as he held me back to inspect me. Gently, he used his thumb to wipe the tears from my cheeks.

"You didn't fail to protect me, Heero. You were what kept me going."

He rewrapped his arms around me in another soft embrace, and withdrew easily; brushing stray strands of hair from my vision, his Prussian orbs looked deeply into mine, as though searching for something.

I felt his hot breath fanning my lips, and I caught a breath in my throat. His velvety lips sought mine in a tender kiss. I moaned softly as I felt him pull away, and I laid my head upon his chiseled chest. I was content to melt into his embrace for eternity, but I felt the lack of food and sleep begin to overpower my senses.

Heero got to his feet and put an arm behind my back and the other under my knees, as he did about a week ago. He gently lifted me off of the ground and tried walking as slow as possible, so he wouldn't aggravate my cuts, and bruises.

"This is just like last time, but when I woke up, you weren't there, Heero."

"I'll never leave you alone," was the last thing I heard before I fell into deep, comforting sleep, wrapped in Heero's arms.

Heero's POV:

Her breathing evened out and I knew that she was asleep. Her petite form had lightened considerably since last week, and I had a strong feeling that they didn't feed her well. I would still have to kill Hector, and I couldn't wait to make him pay.

I walked out of the mansion and into the plane. I saw Sally swallow her tears as she saw Relena up close. She told me to set her down on the operational table. I reluctantly let her out of my arms, and onto the table Sally had set up.

"You have to wrap her wounds; she's lost a lot of blood. We need to get her home, now!"

"I know, Heero. We're on our way home. I'll wrap the wounds to stop the bleeding. She'll be okay."

She wrapped Relena's cuts and stopped most of the bleeding. By the time she was done doing that, we had finally arrived home. Sally began shouting orders to everyone.

"Take her to the infirmary; make sure NO ONE, except close family or friends, knows she's back,"

"I'll take her there Sally," I said as I once again carried her out of the plane. She was unconscious now, Sally had insisted on putting her to sleep.

After arriving at the infirmary, I set Relena down on the operational table and doctors started arriving into the room. The room was getting crowded, everyone having something to do. I chose to leave so I wouldn't get in anyone's way. In all honesty, Duo actually had to come on Zech's orders and dragged me out of the room.

Being in the waiting room didn't help matters at all. I kept thinking any second now, she was going to walk through that door, the same old Relena. I sat in the waiting room with Duo, Trowa, Milliardo, Wufei, Quatre, and Hilde. It's been several hours since I left the operation room and I was getting restless. Looking around the room I noticed Hilde had laid her head softly on Duo's protecting shoulder, and his arm had snaked its way around her small form. Jealously reared its ugly head in my spirit, and I found myself wish that it was Relena and I in that position.

Sally entering the room shoved the thoughts out of my mind.

"How is she?" Milliardo and I question in unison.

"She's lost a lot of blood, and protein. It seems that those sickos didn't feed her at all. Judging by her charts, she hasn't slept in about a week."

"Is she going to be okay? Why don't you just insert protein into her system?" Milliardo asked.

"That's just it, we tried that. When she woke up, she felt nauseous and threw up."

"Why?"

"We have no idea. If this keeps up, she'll die by the end of the day," she said and burst into tears.

I saw Hilde walk over, with tears shining in her own eyes, and hug Sally.

"There's only one person who knows what's going on," I said as I stormed out of the waiting room to find Hector.

***

I jogged through the dark hallways of the prison and I found the room I was looking for. I walked into Hector's cell and pointed my gun at him.

"What did you do to Relena?" I asked, my calm surprising even myself.

"Ahh, I see you found out about my little idea!"

"Why can't her body accept protein?!"

"Promise me freedom and I'll tell you."

"You don't deserve freedom! You're never going out of this cell! Tell me what you did to Relena or I'm going to kill you!"

"You won't kill me, I'm too imp---"

His sentence was cut off and he shrieked as a bullet shattered the bone in his right shoulder.

"I'm going to ask you again. What did you do to Relena?"

"We...we...took away food and sleep."

"You're not answering my question! What does Relena throw up when proteins enter her system?!" I screamed at him. When he didn't answer, I lost my patience and fired another bullet, this time his left leg. Amazingly satisfied by his scream of pain, I asked him again.

"We inserted a chemical in her system! It forces her to throw up!"

Angry at his response, I shot three bullets one after the other, wounding him in different areas. His screams were turning to music in my ears.

"What chemical?"

"leavo-1487"

I shot.

"What's the cure?"

"Ahh...ovael-7841"

Another shot.

"Are you lying?"

"NO!"

Another shot.

"Ahh! Please, stop! I'm not lying! It's the truth! Help me!"

"You don't deserve to be helped! You hurt Relena, just like I hurt you! You never helped her!" I said as I left him with his pain, to bleed to death.

I left the prison, and went to the medical supplies station. No one dared to bother me. I was sure my stony glare was what caused everyone to fearfully stay out of my way. After finding the ovael-7841, I went back to the infirmary in hopes of finding Sally so she can use the medicine to heal Relena.

Upon entering the operation room, I found Sally taking more tests to produce a cure for the blonde haired angel. I pulled the medicine from my pocket and waved it in her face.

"This should help," my monotonous words came forth.

"Heero! How did you know...?" she asked, shocked.

"Hector's dead," was my only response to her question.

She looked at me and understood what had happened. 'Good, I won't have to explain myself.'

She took some of the medicine into the needle and slowly inserted the needle in Relena's shoulder. I was happy that Relena wasn't able to feel the needle, as I reminisced about the tetanus shot she had been forced to have the previous year. Shuddering and shaking off a slight chuckle, the picture of Wufei, Trowa, Duo, and I each holding a limb of the screeching VFM, risking unemployment and a right hook to the eye. Sally, who had finished with the shot, speculated my thoughts from my bemused expression, but chose not to comment.

"She should be awake soon. Thanks for your help, Heero. I'm sure Relena will be very grateful," she said teasingly. "Have you figured out ways she can thank you?"

I could feel a rush of warmth in my face, and I looked down to cover my eyes, so as not to betray my embarrassment.

"We should let Relena rest a while, Heero. She'll be up soon."

"Hn."

I left the operational room in higher spirits. Relena would be alright, and Hector, painfully, reached his end. 'Only one thing left to do,' I said as I walked out of the infirmary.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Relena's POV:

That's Hector! NO! I can't be back with him! Heero saved me! Didn't he? Heero! Where are you! Why am I here! I could faintly hear the sound of someone calling my name. I tried my best to get closer to the voice.

"Relena, it's okay! Wake up! It's just a dream!"

My eyes slowly opened, unfocused. I could smell the scent of disinfectant, and the sheets I was lying down on felt stiff. The walls were empty and white, and I turned my head until my gaze met.

"Heero?"

"Yeah, it's me, you okay? You were tossing and turning.and crying."

"I'm fine," I replied, mesmerized by his handsome features.

"Do you feel better? Does your shoulder hurt?" he said as he gently touched my left shoulder.

"Yeah, I feel better. My shoulder doesn't hurt anymore."

"I'm glad. Were you having a nightmare?"

"...yeah"

"Do you want to talk about it?" he offered. He scooted me over on the bed, and sat down upon the linen sheets with me, pulling my frail body closer.

I didn't know where to start. What did he want to talk about? When I was first kidnapped? When Hector broke my arm?

"I don't know where to start," I said as tears leaked down my eyes.

"What did Hector do, Relena?"

"It doesn't matter now, Heero. It's okay. It's in the past. Where is Hector?"

"He's dead, he won't ever hurt anyone again."

"I'm glad."

For the first time ever, I heard his melodious laugh. Smiling slightly, I realized that it sounded like deep bells being rung in the towers. "I thought you were a pacifist," he mused.

"He doesn't deserve peace," I snapped bitterly.

"My thoughts exactly. I...I have something for you." I smiled at him curiously, wanting to giggle at his stuttering. It was just so darn cute!

"What is it?" I asked excited.

"It's not much," Humbly, he reached behind is back and produced a beautiful, white rose. I saw his eyes look at me anxiety

"It's beautiful!"

"I thought you'd like it..."

I smiled again, and reached my right hand up to touch his cheek. His eyes closed slightly at the caress, and he let out a soft moan. Smirking, I slid my hand back to his nape and entangled my fingers in his small curls. Pulling his face closer, I felt slightly strange, but ignored the feeling, and let my boldness take control. Surprisingly, I felt his muscular arms snake around my emaciated waist to pull me closer. I slid my arms around his neck, and brought his lips to mine for our second kiss. The motions at first were timid, hesitant...But Heero grew more courageous. His tongue lightly traced the outline of my lips, sending a shiver up my spine. With a satisfied sigh, I parted my lips to allow him entrance. In an erotic dance, they twirled and dueled together, leaving me longing for more. Separating slightly for breath, we scooted closer for another "session."

"AHEM.!"

'Uh oh,' I thought. That noise sounded strangely like Milliardo.

We quickly broke apart and looked towards the door. My brother wasn't the only one watching our little scene, but also all my other friends. All were grinning, except, of course, my dear brother and Wufei.

"Welcome home, sis. It seems you're already being welcomed, though. Right, Heero?"

My cheek suddenly grew very hot, and I refused to let my gaze travel to Heero's. Focusing on my brother, I smiled diplomatically.

"I missed you, too, Milli."

Milliardo merely stared at me with a glare to rival Heero's, Wufei muttered about injustice, Hilde and Duo were gleefully chuckling, and the others were smiling happily.

It was going to be a long day.

**************************************************************************** **

[1] Praying to the porcelain god means to UPCHUCK BADLY.

Chick: Muse's idea! I didn't even know the phrase existed.

Muse: Oh well, you learned something new today!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chick: I tried to write it well!

Muse: It was good, chick! I promise.the length wasn't bad either.

Chick: Wasn't bad?? Is that all you have to say? It was 16 pages long!

Muse: changes subject it was so sappy!

Chick: Yeah, So?

Muse: Smiles Gleefully

Chick: You like them as much as I do Ms.Ms. "shivers up my spine" and "parting my lips to allow him entrance"

Muse: What can we say? WE LOVE SAP!

Chick: Oh yeah, Silently thanks Chibi Mizu Tenshi for giving me a straight jacket Come here, Muse.

Muse: NO! Stay away from me! I'm sane! You're the one who deserves to be put in a straight jacket! You think Heero is yours! You wouldn't admit he's not!

Chick: How about this? I put away the straight jacket and you get working on the epilogue. Do we have a deal?

Muse: Yes, deal!

Muse and Chick: Thank you guys so much for your reviews! We'll have another thank you note to the WONDERFUL and KIND reviewers at the end of the story! PLEASE REVIEW THIS CHAPTER! We're BEGGING you!