Disclaimer: Though all the GW characters from the series aren't mine, the story is, and so are the other characters. I'll send Heero after anyone who steals them!

Warnings: shounen ai, swearing, magic

Notes: Thanks for the reviews, and I hope they keep coming!

hikari hime: Yeah, all the main characters will be paired up, but I won't reveal the ones that aren't already obvious (eg. 3+4). One, I like leaving people in suspense, and two... it would simply work better story-wise if nobody expected any particular pairing. After all, the characters didn't expect romance themselves either!! *grin* Thanks for reviewing!

Stephanie Yuy: It's slightly more than a month, and I'm really, really, really sorry... I went away to this holiday island for a while in mid-January, then school started, and I haven't had a free night since then. Too much homework... argh, senior high really will kill me. Anyway, chappie out now, so enjoy!

Mariel Yuy: Hi! Bocherik is mentioned in Ch. 5 - there's a bit of background there about him. And I'm soo glad that you think I write Wufei properly! He is one of my favourite characters, though not my *very* favourite, so I'm glad he wasn't OOC. By the way, the song was 'I Turn to You' by Christina Aguilera. I deleted the footnote by accident - gomen. Thanks for testing the link, and I'll email you again... I'll just have to remember what I wrote originally (when your account was stuffed) because I deleted my sent messages some time ago. Ja!

beckboo: Thanks a lot! Compliments mean a lot to me, so I'm glad you reviewed!

Shadowofdragons: Hi again! The next chapter is out now, so keep on reading and thanks for reviewing!

Emcron: There aren't as many GW writers these days, actually - that's my opinion, at least. I'm glad you like my story, though, and I'm glad you liked the Quatre/Trowa bit! BTW, does your songfic have a name yet? I'd look for it if it did.

Night Goddess: Hehe... the chapter is out now! And though this part isn't a cliffhanger, the action is still out there somewhere, so you'll have to keep reading! *grin*

¡@

Part XX: Miracles

Heero chewed mechanically, his expression carefully neutral as he mulled over his cousin's behaviour. In truth, he could not understand why Duo reacted so strongly; he felt as though he should understand, but he simply did not. It irritated him. People often became emotional about inconsequential things, and Heero accepted this, but Duo possessed a good sense of responsibility, hidden though it usually was. Why would he see a chamber of artwork as being more important than a meeting?

Even more confusing was the remark about friendship. The conversation had been simple, at first, but Duo had suddenly started talking about trust and other more profound issues, and stranger still, nobody but Heero seemed to notice the change of topic. Once again, Heero was frustrated by the feeling that he should understand something, but did not. Moreover, it was disturbing, and affected his concentration.

Sensing several glares upon him, the Mage looked up, just in time to see the door open and admit a figure. Then, a well-remembered voice called his name, and he heard his own voice exclaim, "Relena?!" The figure's eyes opened wide, then lurched forward in a dead faint.

Heero half-rose, making to go to her, but Trowa had been both quicker and nearer. Father Maxwell hurried over, took in the pale cheeks and the circles under the closed eyes, and murmured, "She looks well exhausted. I'll take her into one of the rooms." Glancing up, he asked, "Do you know her?"

Zechs nodded. "She is from our hometown." Turning to Quatre, he said, "Would you follow Father Maxwell? There may be something you can do for her."

Laying down her spoon, Sally offered, "I have some herbal remedies with me; if they can be of use, maybe neither of us will have to Heal her."

The prince responded, "Thank you. That would be much appreciated." With his words, the four disappeared into the corridor.

When they had left, Suri faced Heero. "You will go and see her when she wakes up, won't you?"

The Mage frowned; he had had enough of puzzling comments from his companions for today. Bluntly, he demanded, "Why?"

Suri looked mildly exasperated. "She's upset about her parents' deaths, and anybody can see that. Since she seems to care the most about you, shouldn't you be the one to offer her a comforting word or two?"

Heero's frown deepened. "The depression is her own. It doesn't affect me and it doesn't affect our mission."

Zech's lips thinned and he opened his mouth to speak, but Suri forestalled him with a slight shake of her head. Turning back to Heero, she asked simply, "What exactly is our mission, Heero?"

The Mage stared; surely this was a rhetorical question. However, she seemed to be waiting for his reply, so Heero said, "To avenge Sanq, of course. To restore peace there, and to protect it."

Suri's gaze flickered towards the prince, whose eyes widened in sudden understanding. Shaking his head, Zechs murmured quietly, "Sanq isn't an object, my friend - it is a nation made up of many, many individuals. And it isn't the land of Sanq we are trying to protect or avenge, because structures can always be rebuilt, and wealth can always be reestablished. We are trying to protect Sanq's people, without whom there would be no Sanq." He glanced at Heero to make sure he was listening. "Relena is one of these individuals too, Heero. If there is anything we can do to help her, we should so it."

For a long moment, Heero sat in deep thought, his brows furrowed and his cobalt eyes turned inward. Across the table, Wufei had stopped eating and was sitting absolutely still, his expression more openly contemplative but no more revealing than Heero's. Suri could feel something of his inner turmoil, and his withdrawal into himself, but she had no idea how to help. There was simply too much about his clan's teachings that she did not know. Finally, the Mage stated, "You say I should talk to her."

Focusing on the conversation once more, Suri nodded. "Talk to her, hold her hand... it might make you uncomfortable, I know, but treat is as part of the mission if that makes it easier." She looked at him earnestly. "She's been through a lot, you know. Unlike the rest of you, I don't think she was taught that death is always a possibility. If she hasn't encountered death or hardship before, this must be a shock."

Heero glanced at her. "You manage."

She smiled slightly, but shook her head. "I wasn't pampered in the courts either. You get used to death pretty quickly when you live on the streets." For an instant, the grin dimmed, but it quickly refuelled itself. "Don't worry about talking much, Heero. From the way she called your name, a smile from you would probably do more good than all the herbs Sally can find."

There was a silence. "... a smile?"

She gazed into his eyes and said almost gently, "Surely you remember how?"

Hero remained silent. Do I? Of course, but... He looked at the girl, who was still studying him calmly. Doesn't she understand? I stopped smiling when I... The Mage shoved the thought from his mind. He'd curve his lips - hell, he'd do more than curve his lips - if it would bring an end to this conversation.

Just then, the Father returned, accompanied by Trowa, Sally and Quatre, who raised his eyebrows slightly at the tension but told them brightly, "She's exhausted, but aside from that, she'll be fine. Since she probably hasn't eaten for more than a day, she will wake soon; we couldn't get more than water down her throat."

Suri glanced at Heero, then, and something in her eyes made him decidedly uncomfortable. They were like Quatre's, full of some sort of compassion that would surely have led to much unnecessary pain and hurt, but which both the girl and the Healer seemed to have survived through. Heero stood abruptly. "I desire to see her. Would you tell he where her room is?"

Looking even more surprised but wisely making no comment, Quatre said, "Go down the corridor, turn left into the first hallway you come across and you'll find her in the fourth room to the right." He grinned at Father Maxwell. "I never realised this complex was so large, though."

The comment and the priest's reply gave Heero time to exit, but as he reached the exit, he felt a soft mental tap and turned to see a smile of approval from Suri. Strangely, it made him feel better; in fact, when he thought about it, so did Quatre's and even Duo's. Maybe smiles do have some sort of power. But I don't like smiling - it makes me vulnerable. Why on earth do they do it so often?

Heero's questions remained unanswered as he disappeared into the corridor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The pair walked on, and before long, they arrived at a door. On it hung a wooden plate bearing the word 'Eranos'. Sister Helen brushed the letters with a gentle fingertip and blew lightly, sending a cloud of dust into the air. "Eranos means 'reflection' in the old tongue. This used to be a prayer room, but since there are no candle holders for candles at night, one of the other chambers is more frequently used." With these words, she turned the metal knob and the door creaked open.

Duo stepped forward and inhaled deeply, violet eyes widening in awe. The sister moved to stand beside him. "It is beautiful, is it not?"

The youth nodded slowly, venturing forward into the centre. Rays from the setting sun poured through the stained glass covering the domed ceiling, and bathed the area in every shade of colour imaginable. Rose-tinted tiles decorated the floor, and cream-coloured variations were spread over the walls. These walls were filled with the paintings that the priest mentioned, but what caught Duo's attention was the statue at the end of the chamber. Made with an almost translucent material of pure white, it was probably the simplest object in the room, and yet to him, it seemed the most deserving of attention.

"The Goddess," he breathed.

"Yes. She forms a corner of the prayer diamond. Those pillars make up the other corners."

Indeed, now that Sister Helen mentioned it, he could see the formation; in fact, he ought to have noticed sooner. Moving closer to study the pillars, which were also made of the translucent material, he saw that the first was carved to depict the Goddess in her youth; it was an image of beauty, of growth. At its foot, the pillar bore a single word: 'Isydril'. The next pillar, etched with the image of a warrioress of courage and honour, showed the word 'Zolte'. The last, with the fewest carvings, portrayed the goddess as the mother of wisdom and love, 'Harnola'. Between the pillars, runes formed the edges of the diamond, and closer inspection revealed that they detailed each of the three states of the Goddess and the celebrations that accompanied her transitions.

"I can see why Father Maxwell loved this place."

Sister Helen studied him thoughtfully. "You asked to see this chamber partially because of him, did you not?"

Duo spun around, startled. "How did you know?"

"I recognise kindness when I see it, young man." The sister smiled, her face gentle and almost ethereal as varying arrays of colours danced over it.

For a moment, the youth looked sheepish, then he shook his head. "It wasn't entirely because of him, though; I'm interested in art myself, and I'm glad I did see this. But he was an artist once, wasn't he?"

Sounding surprised, the nun replied, "Yes, in fact, he was. Long ago - several decades, in fact - he travelled around Sanq doing commissions, but on one occasion, he was asked to do a scene based on the slums of Irazad. When he saw the conditions there, he was shocked, and because they continued to plague him long afterwards, he became a missionary. Then, he travelled around Sanq for some time before settling here in retirement." Cocking her head, Sister Helen queried, "How did you know?"

"I'm not altogether sure... call it instinct, if you like, but I'm quite good at reading smiles, even genuine ones." The braided boy paused. "He sounded... wistful. You know what I mean?"

The sister considered his words. "Yes... yes, I think I do. It was observant of you; I never really noticed, even after all this time with him."

Duo quirked his lip wryly. "Observant is a nice way of putting it."

There was a silence. Sister Helen spent a few seconds studying the youth before her, turning some thoughts over in her mind. Something in the phrasing of that last remark reminded her of... something. Then, it clicked - though the tone had been neutral, Duo's expression had borne the slightest hint of irony, which meant that someone else had probably made a less positive comment about a similar matter. While she usually respected other people's privacy, her sixth sense told her that there was something she ought to do here, so this time, Helen decided to follow her heart. "Has your friend upset you?"

Sure enough Duo's violet eyes turned guarded, though the smile still appeared as natural as it had been. "No, of course not. He's... a blunt guy. Has been for quite a while, so I'm used to it."

She did not wish to press him, not yet, so she changed tactics. "You've known each other for a long time?"

"Since birth - he's my cousin. Ther other guys too. I mean, they're not cousins, but we've known each other since forever. Suri's different; we met her some years ago."

For a reason Helen did not understand, his expression had shifted slightly at the mention of the girl's name. "You do not get along with Suri?"

Duo looked shocked. "Hell, no! Oh, I mean... your pardon, Sister. But no, she's one of the best friends I have. Why?"

She chose her words carefully this time. "I'm sorry. You simply looked unhappy when you mentioned meeting her."

His face relaxed somewhat and he regarded her intently for a few moments. Then, he turned away. "I know what you're trying to do, Sister... I've done it to dozens of others before. But I appreciate it all the same." Shifting, he continued, "But I think the others are waiting, so should we head back?"

Helen was rather taken aback at his bluntness, but she quickly recovered. No, young man... I know I can help, so I will. You won't get away so easily. "Very well. Would you join me in a prayer, first?"

Her words had the intended effect; his voice was surprised when he answered, "Uh, sure."

They knelt before the statue and she began the traditional opening words. "Hail to the Goddess; may you bless the earth and hold it ever in your care. May the maiden Isydril bring growth, the warrioress Zolte courage and the mother Harnola wisdom and grace." There she paused, then continued, "Let the care and support of loved ones strengthen and empower us in times of hardship. Help us to overcome our differences, and through them learn to understand and appreciate each other. May we learn to trust and keep faith in them, and they in us. Bless our frienships, and may they ever be a source of joy. Hail Goddess, hear our prayer." She clasped her hands in the sign of the Goddess.

When she looked up, Duo wore a strange expression on his face. "You don't give up easily, do you, Sister?"

Smiling, she answered, "No, I don't suppose I do. Would you like to sit down?"

The wry grin flashed once more, but this time, it was tinged more with some amusement. Shrugging, he sat, remarking, "Might as well, since you seem intent on having this conversation." In spite of the light words, there was a touch of uncertainty when he continued, "But Sister... don't push me, alright?" He met her eyes squarely. "There are some things I won't talk about."

Helen nodded readily. "I don't wish to push anybody, Duo... but my instincts rarely prove me wrong, and they are screaming at me to do something. Would you tell me about Suri, then? And what caused your reaction when you mentioned her?"

The violet eyes fixed on some picture on the wall. "It was two... no, almost three years ago, now. Heero was at his Master Elementalist examination when Zechs brought her into the stadium - he discovered her because she burnt a man on the streets. But the exam went wrong... Anokiv Ronterdo of Oz disrupted it by uprooting some Elemental energy, and at the end, Heero's gift had to be terminated because the rogue power was directed at him." He sighed, softly. "That's why it's depressing to think about... I love Suri like a sister, but Heero had been like a brother too."

Helen looked at him, her eyes sympathetic. "I'm guessing that he changed, right?"

"Uh huh. Became colder, more focused on building up other powers for revenge... he sort of cut himself off, if you know what I mean." Another sigh, sadder this time. "I miss him."

She gave him some moments, then said softly, "Sometimes, healing takes a long time, Duo. I know what it's like." When he looked up in surprise, Helen told him, "I met Father Maxwell in Irazad, Duo."

Slowly, realization dawned, making Duo's eyes widen. "You were an ijadi, weren't you?" He used the slang for street orphan; Suri had taught him, because although she had not lived on the streets themselves, she had lived close enough to them to understand the life there.

She nodded. "I was orphaned at an early age; I don't really remember when. For several years, I roamed the streets, begging sometimes and stealing in others. Then, one of the gangs picked me up, and things changed; in some ways, having companions was safer, but it also meant larger operations, more contrived 'performances' for receptive audiences and many, many more fights with rival gangs. I did not need to sleep with an eye open any more, but I couldn't trust anyone either." She paused, then smiled slightly at him. "I broke into Father... or Mister Maxwell's way-house."

He stared at her, then asked slowly. "And you were the one who made the big impression on him, weren't you? The one who changed his mind?"

"Yes, I suppose so. Certainly he had never realised what it was like to live as an ijadi. He came back a year later, and I had changed considerably during that time, but through a mixture of bribery and coaxing, he convinced me to stay with him for one day, then two, then three... at first, I was like a wild beast. At least that is how he desribed me. Animalistic, distrustful, illiterate... I think getting to know me brought him more revelations than visiting Irazad. I, in turn, learnt about what life was like for 'normal' people... it took the better part of the decade, though. There was too much to undo. He had an amazing amount of patience."

Duo stared at her thoughtfully. "So you're saying I should wait and see."

She smiled. "I hadn't intended to be quite so obvious, but yes. If he's hurt, he has to admit the fact to himself before the healing can begin. But the admission can take a long time, and you may go backwards far more often than you go forwards because it is confusing and even frightening at times. At the end, however, I am an optimist; I believe love can work miracles. I'm something of a miracle myself, you see?"

He nodded slowly. Almost to himself, he murmured, "A miracle..." The smile returned once more, this time more brightly. "Thank you, Sister. I think I might just wait, and hope," he changed his smile to a mischievous grin, finishing, "and pray, hey?"

Helen touched his shoulder lightly. "And pray. The Goddess is the giver of miracles, after all. And don't thank me; I'm simply trying to do for others what someone once did for me."

Duo looked at her seriously. "I'll remember that, Sister. I... I'll do something for someone too, someday. I swear I will. But thank you all the same."

And at that moment, Helen felt a great sense of warmth in her heart. For his sake, I hope a miracle does happen...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heero sat awkwardly on the stool, partially hoping Relena would wake up sooner so he could complete this ordeal, and partially hoping she would not do so while he was there. He had been relieved when Zechs mindspoke to tell him that the meeting would be held in the early morning instead. This... this side-quest was unnerving and unexpected enough; having to miss what could be a crucial meeting would be even worse.

He glanced at the sleeping form, then focused his full attention on the expressions washing across Relena's face. Sometimes, he caught a fleeting sight of shock or confusion or sadness, and at those moments, her body would become tense and a hand would clutch tightly at the covers. Heero watched quietly for some time, noting with some anxiety that instead of subsiding, the discomfort grew. He heard mumbled words now and then, and saw the blankets tangle beneath kicking feet.

He raised a hand to do something, then paused and withdrew it once more. There was something he could have done, and probably should have done - his body knew it, but his mind rebelled. And so he sat for several minutes longer while sweat began to bead Relena's forehead. Slowly, the golden hair became damp, and the incoherencies grew louder and more frequent. He watched warily. Then, as though summoning courage from some inner source, he reached out and touched her shoulder lightly. "Relena."

She did not react to the contact or the words, and continued to murmur and twitch and sweat. After some long moments, he leaned forward and gripped her shoulder more tightly. "Relena, wake up!"

This time, his actions had the desired effect. The movement ceased and blue eyes sprung open, widening even further as they settled on his face. "Heero!" She looked at the hand on her shoulder, which was quickly withdrawn, and whispered, "You're real..."

What could he say to that? Was he supposed to make conversation? Offer condolences? After pondering some options, none of which seemed suitable, he answered simply, "Yes."

For some incomprehensible reason, tears welled in Relena's eyes. Averting her gaze to her surroundings, she blushed suddenly. "Ah... I made a dramatic entrance, didn't I?" Then, the sheepish smile faded and she turned back to Heero, asking quietly, "Did you... need me for something?"

This was unlike the girl he knew, and though it disturbed him, Heero was inwardly relieved. The constant high-pitched utterances of his name had gotten on his nerves, and this mission would be considerably easier if they could communicate civilly. In fact, he could probably even offer her the truth; it would certainly be more believable than any reason he could invent. "No. I came to see you."

She stared at him in some amazement, then suddenly slid off the bed and flung her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder. He winced, though she did not notice it. In fact, she was now shaking against him, choking out amid her sobs, "Oh Heero... I knew you'd be there for me..."

Heero looked at her in amazement. When she showed no sign of moving away, he searched desparately for a diversionary tactic. But then, unbidden, came a voice that whispered, talk to her, hold her hand... and this time, instead of making him uneasy, the words helped him relax; he actually understood what to do. Perhaps it was because the initial discomfort was already over, but although the contact still disturbed him, holding her did not seem as impossible as it once had. It took two failed attempts, but the third time, he managed to settle an arm around her waist. Relena clung on tighter.

Some time later, however, the chokes dwindled slowly into slight hiccups and soon disappeared altogether. She shifted and he stepped away so quickly that she stumbled before sitting back on the bed. Damn, he swore inwardly, but she gave him a shaky smile. "I'm sorry... and thanks for not pushing me away."

"Uh... you're welcome, Relena." He stood stiffly, uncomfortably; the contact was over. Now what was he supposed to do? Talk to her... "I'm sorry for your loss."

There as a soft 'oh', and something akin to understanding flashed in Relena's eyes. "So you know." There was a sigh, and a lone tear rolled down her cheek. Hesiyatingly, Heero reached over and brushed it away. That made her look up again, this time questioningly. "Is... is that why you're being so nice?"

"Uh..." Yes, that was one of the reasons, among others; Suri's words were another. A third - one that he was only beginning to realise - was that she had survived. She, out of the hundreds of people he had grown up with, had survived the massacre, and furthermore, some of her naivety and innocence remained. She had not yet been stained with blood. And a part of him wanted to protect that innocence, to see that it remained in the world... and so, he curved his lips and smiled at her. He would not explain his reasoning, but he could smile, and Suri had taught him that a smile could work miracles.

To his surprise, Relena began smiling back, and for several moments, they smiled at each other while they wracked their brains for something intelligent to say. Finally, she told him, "Whatever your reasons were, I thank you again."

"That's okay." It was his turn to speak again. "I should go."

"No, wait." Her voice stopped him, and he pivoted to face her. "Um... why are you here? In the cloister?" Seeing his expression close over, she said quietly, "I want to know, Heero. As much as you can tell me. When did my parents die? How? Why was I not contacted? And why are you here?"

The barrage of questions, though stated courteously, still demanded an answer. He hid a sigh. "On Zolte, during the celebrations, the palace was struck by Oz. Your parents were killed. So were mine, and so were their Majesties. We did not know you were alive." He paused, then, deeming more descriptive details unnecessary, continued, "This is the road to Oz, so we are travelling on it." Then, something struck him. "Milliardo is to be called Zechs Merquise. And if you tell anybody who we really are, I will kill you."

She blinked slowly as the information sunk in; theoretically, she was supposed to have been prepared for this sort of incident, but for the past few days, she had been in a daze. Emotions had overtaken her, and she barely remembered what happend after she ran off, but now, thoughts of the murders gave her a sick feeling, so she turned her thoughts to the last sentence and smiled wanly. "I won't. This time, you might really do it; you're on the run, aren't you? Because you were meant to be killed too?"

He was rather taken aback at the astute - and accurate - conclusion. There seemed no point in denying it so he nodded. "Yes."

"I see." She gazed at him, taking in the weapons on his body for what was probably the first time. Then, her eyes widened. "You are planning revenge... by yourselves?"

"We have... aid."

"Still..." She frowned slightly. "This might lead to war, mightn't it? And more deaths?"

He considered. "Maybe so."

"Can nothing else be done?"

The question surprised him; it seemed that he was to be surprised often, today. He would have thought she wished for revenge too. "Do you not want vengeance for the slaughter?"

Relena thought for a while, then shrugged. "Yes and no. Some part of me wishes for the instigators to die, of course... but I don't want anyone to end up like me. And if nobody kills, no more deaths will happen, and there will be no unnecessary pain or loneliness. If nobody desires to kill one another, there will be peace... and if there's one thing I want at the present, aside from my parents, that would be it."

He was silent for a moment, then almost against his will, commented, "You have changed."

She smiled slightly. "So have you, Heero. I like you better now; you should smile more. It makes you more approachable. Thanks for taking the time to talk."

Heero nodded in acknowledgement, accepting thanks for a third time, and because she did not seem to wish to question him further, he said. "See you later."

"I hope so, Heero. Take care."

He nodded once more and stepped out of the room. For some reason, his heart felt lighter than it had in a long time.






Notes:

Yes, I know the action still hasn't coming up, but the Helen-Duo relationship is important to me, and I don't see it done too often. I've looked at the scans of Episode Zero, and appreciate that my version of Helen treats Duo differently, but since Duo is some ten years older here and is not a needy orphan, I'm assuming she will have to act differently. But those who have been keeping track of the story know that something is going to happen at the cloister, so keep an eye out for the next chapter - and it will speed up, I swear!

If anyone wants alerts in the future, drop a note in a review. I'll also send out notices if I can't write for any prolonged period of time, ie. a month or more.

¡@