Cold Sorrow
"Ms. Darlian! Wait!" "The press would like a statement please!" "Wait Ms. Darlian!" "Ms. Darlian!" "Please, won't you give us a statement?" "The press can be so heartless sometimes." Noin said sympathetically, placing her hand on Relena's shoulder. She didn't notice anything that was going on around her. Relena simply kept her eyes lowered behind her black veil, and wiped her wet cheeks with a handkerchief. I knew this would happen one day.....I knew it.... Heero.....The limo stopped in front of a large house, and Noin stepped out. "This is my stop Relena. " She didn't look up. "You let me know if you need anything. Good bye." The limo pulled out and headed down the road. Now alone, Relena's mind began to wander back to the news report she heard two nights ago. FIRE. At 2:54 The St. Gabriel Children's Hospital caught on fire due to causes yet to be determined. At 3:22pm the building burned completely to the ground. 12 fatalities, 35 injuries. The amazing story behind it all tonight is that the tragedy might have been much more fatal had it not been for one brave soul. A young man who was walking by the hospital witnessed the situation and immediately ran inside the building to the rescue. He carried out twenty-six children, running in and out of the building as fast as possible. Sadly, the mysterious hero was in the building when it finally collapsed. Relena's mind snapped back into focus when the limo came to an abrupt stop. "We're home Miss Relena." came a raspy, older voice. She nodded and opened the car door, not waiting for someone else to do it. Stepping onto the ground, she was oblivious to the freezing cold weather and the small flakes falling about her. The blackest day of her life was snow white. A butler opened her front door for her and she bolted up the stairs. Tears blurred her vision, freezing on her cheeks. She tore into her bedroom and flung herself on the bed. And then, Relena, for the first time in a long time, sobbed like a small child. Her own tears stung her eyes and soaked into her pillow. "Heero..." she cried harder at the name. "Why....why did you have to die? I never got the chance to.....to...." Relena slept the rest of the night.
It was not a peaceful sleep, however. She tossed and turned. Cried and wept. Her head filled with nightmares and visions of Heero's body in that fire. She saw what she had created in her mind to be the final look in his eyes. A mix of fear, and contentment that he had saved so many lives before he died. She saw his beautiful blue eyes close one final time just before the whole place caved in on him. His body trapped. His breaths still. His flesh burning. Nothing she could do. So many times he had saved her life. So many times when he had the chance to kill her....he spared her. He is so...no, was so kind. Images of her first fateful meeting with Heero. She saw him laying on the shore, and took off his helmet. His beautiful face. Eyes closed. Light breathing. Hair glistening. Gorgeous. Now she could never tell him. If only she had one more chance, she would tell him everything. But everyone says that, don't they? He must have had such an awful childhood, growing up to be an assassin. If she only had one more chance.....she would make it up to him..... "Heero...." she murmered in her sleep. Once again that final look in his eyes flashed before her and she saw him surrounded by blazing fire. Relena shot up in bed. "No!" she screamed. Looking around, Relena saw simple blackness. Blackness....like what Heero's body was surrounded by now. Black... like what the few people at Heero's funeral were wearing. The funeral....No!! She couldn't bear to think about it. Sleep she thought. That's what I need to do....No thinking. Just sleeping.
The next morning, Relena felt heavy and weary, and could barely pull herself out of bed. She sauntered down the stairs, without brushing her teeth, her hair, or even thinking about it. She never noticed until now how quiet her life could be. It was 8:30 and no one made a creak in the house. Breakfast was brought immediately to her and then she was left alone again. No company. Not that she really wanted any right now. The former Queen of the World sat in her chair and played with her food. She simply was not hungry.The dining room was silent. Too silent. She couldn't stand it. Relena longed for noise. She needed loud distractions. With all this silence she had to force herself not to think about ....him. Relena stood up suddenly and decided she had to get out of this house or she would lose it. Noise....Volume.....Distraction....I need something....What can I do?? "Work." she said aloud, but to no one. "That's what I need." She headed for the phone nearest her to call and see if she was needed for anything. "Wait.....it's the holidays. They told me to go home...that the Vice-Vorn Minister was not to go anywhere related to work." she remembered it with a slight smile. Those whom she worked with were so kind. They had told her to take a break from her work-aholic lifestyle until after the New Year. It's only December 17th. And a sunday. The offices are closed. Relena sighed and sank down in the sofa. There it was again....that silence. Her mind began to wander. There he was. This time...........no! He was reaching out to her! Relena, half in a dream, reached her hand out to Heero (who wasn't really there). His eyes. They were looking right at her. "Heero, I can't.....I can't reach." she whispered to him. Suddenly, his eyes turned into something she had rarely, if ever, seen. They were full of fright, and confusion. These were not the eyes that had so many times been angry. Or the eyes that had tried to warn her to stay away. They looked so....so much like a child's eyes, big and, in this case, scared. No she thought Snap out of it Relena. She began to shake and she closed her eyes tightly to try and rid herself of this fantasized image. It's not real......Heero is Relena choked on the words Heero is dead. "Miss Relena?" came a small voice. Relena gasped and jumped to her feet. "Miss, are you alright?" Relena, who felt so weary, simply nodded. "Ma'am wouldn't you like to get some rest? You are shaking. Is the room too cold?" Trying to pull herself together, she spoke. "I'm fine. I just need..." her voice trailed off I just need Heero to be alive.... Relena looked up, for she hadn't even bothered to see to whom she was speaking. She then had to look down, for it was her maid, who was much smaller than her. She was a much older, rounder, and a so very kind hearted woman. Relena smiled (kinda) and decided what she must do. "I would like you and everyone else here to go home. Go and visit your families. Go home to your children and grand-children. It's nearly Christmas and I can certainly take care of myself." The maid smiled in delight, but then shook her head. "We couldn't leave you alone for Christmas, Miss." "Please. This is my Christmas gift to all of you. I will pay for all of your trips home and back. It will mean so much to me." The small woman was beaming. "You're such a kind girl." And with that, she hugged Relena and scurried off. Relena smiled. She was nineteen now, and all of her servants, whom she preferred to refer to as family, still considered her to be a child. Keeping this house up will definately keep me busy enough. Besides, maybe being alone will help me face the facts.
All of Relena's "family" were out of the house within a day's time. Now all she had were a few cobwebs and lots of memories to keep her company. Relena kept herself busy by exploring the rather large house that she normally didn't have the time to just look around in. She went through old photographs of her father and mother. (Darlian not Peacecraft) She dug through old boxes and found lots of old clothes and novels. The clothes had been kept intact for years. They were her mother's old clothes. Relena put them gently back in the box and picked up the novels, which she brought with her. The rest of her day was spent lounging in a huge comfy chair by the fire, crying, for the novels had been romantic ones. That first night that Relena was by herself had been the first time she had ever slept in a house alone. It was a frightening experience, for when one is alone, it is easiest to hear every single crack and creak in the house. She suddenly didn't feel so confident in her choice about sending everyone away. It was dreadfully cold and she needed to turn the heat up, but she was too scared to move from under her bed spread. Oh God.... What was I thinking....? I can't be alone....Great going Relena.... Just when she thought she could muster up enough courage to leave her bed, the old house let out another loud creak. Relena dove deeper into her blanket and closed her eyes tightly. It's just an old house, that's all. Its just an old house. She began to think how protected she would feel if Heero were with her, and how she knew she would sleep wonderfully. Tears welled up in her eyes. She had thought she'd run out of them, but to her surprise, there they were. Stop this Relena. Stop thinking about it. He's gone. Get over it. But even as she tried to convince herself, she began to feel the hot tears run down her cheeks. She remembered wanting to go up to his casket, but it was closed. A closed casket funeral was harder than anything else for her. She needed to see him, but she wasn't allowed to. Not being able to see him allowed her mind to create grotesque images of what his body could look like. How misshapen his form might have been. There was no mistaking that it was him who had saved those children, for a tourist had brought his video camera and had filmed the whole incident, and he gave the tape to a news crew to use in their story. She had watched him running in and out of the burning building on the news. It had definitely been Heero. Oh God, just give me one more chance. So many times he has done so much for me. He's done so much for everyone. He needed to have the same for himself. Heero.... he's probably never even been hugged in his whole life. Her thoughts drifted and her mind wandered as she began to fall asleep.
The next day Relena woke up and looked directly at her alarm clock. "Only four hours of sleep?" she moaned. "Great." She forced herself out of bed and rushed over to the shower, still fearing there was some intruder in the house with her. Relena decided to spend the day in front of her television, not budging for anything more than a bathroom break. "Now is the time to be with your loved ones. It's Christmas. This is the time to make beautiful memories and share your love with those around you." Relena began to sob harder, and changed the channel. "We mustn't let those important to us walk around oblivious to how we treasure them -" She changed the channel again. "Tell him you love him-" Relena abruptly turned off the t.v. and flung the remote across the room. "Every channel! The same thing over and over again. Love! Christmas! Happiness!" She threw her head back and lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling. No one understood. Relena felt miserable and the world was still turning. People were still going on about their happy little lives, which was thanks to Heero and the other gundam pilots. Heero's funeral had been a pitiful sight. Only the other former pilots, Noin, Zechs, Dorothy and Sally had shown up. Heero had to be more important than that!! She didn't see anyone that could have possibly resemble parents. Did he have parents?? I suppose she would never know. Heero...I never got to tell you how important you were to me. I...I wish I could have been more like you. I wish I could have been brave, and inspiring to others. I wish I could have saved the earth, and unselfishly live my life following my heart. You said that you were nothing compared to me. Maybe you think that's true.... but I'm nothing without you. Once again, Relena cried herself to sleep.
Days passed, but Relena lost count of how many. Every day had been spent like the one before. Cry. Sleep. Cry. Sleep. She began to know nothing else. She told herself exactly how childish and pathetic she was acting, but couldn't have cared less. Just when she thought she might go crazy from it all, the phone rang. My God!! The outside world did remember her! Where?? Where was that blasted phone!? Relena nearly cursed as she scampered up from her bed, half in fright of the sudden noise, the other half from the excitement of possibly hearing a real human's voice after what felt like years. "Hello? This is the Darlian residence." she said in an attempt at restoring her composure. "Ms Relena?" came a familiar voice. It was a voice that sounded so....so warm, and so friendly. "Hello." Relena replied, still trying to recognize it. "Hi! This is Quatre. How are you?" he said in his usual sweet voice. He was trying not to sound too cheerful, for he knew how awful she must be feeling. "Oh, Quatre." she returned, trying to sound perfectly all right. "I'm fine, and how are you?" "I'm all right, I suppose. I was just calling to remind you about the Christmas party I'm throwing. I hope that you can still make it." "Well, I don't know....." she trailed off. How could he think about a party at a time like this? "Ms. Relena, I know that you're probably not up to a celebration, but you really should get out of the house." "How did you know?" "Because....I can sympathize with you. Relena, you can't torture yourself. Please, it won't be a very large crowd, and being around people might make you feel better." Relena could feel him smiling through the phone. Quatre had some God-given talent at comforting people, and she was grateful for it right now. "That's fine" she smiled. "I'll be there." "Great. See you in three days then." and with that he hung up the phone. "THREE DAYS!" Relena gasped. "Have I been a zombie for that long? Christmas is in three days?" She ran to her computer, which remained on all the time, and wiggled the mouse. The screensaver was gone and instantly she saw the date. "December 22nd?? How in the world could that be right? I have wasted almost a week of my life crying...." Relena looked over at her calendar on the wall and began to mark of the wasted days in a red pen and circled the 25th. "Quatre's Christmas Party." she recited as she wrote. December 14th...the day Heero died... glared at her. Strangely enough, she realized that she hadn't crossed that day off of the calender. "I should get ready to leave. Quatre rented a place that's only a two day drive from here for the party." she said remembering. "I should pack and I guess I'll leave in the morning." And pack she did. Relena remembered Quatre's last Christmas party, how everyone ended up sleeping at the house. This time she would be prepared. That night before she went to bed, Relena went to take a nice hot bath and relax. While undressing, she looked into the mirror and, to her horror, saw herself. "I'm a mess!" she exclaimed. With a sigh she stepped into the tub to calm her nerves. Relena hadn't felt so good in a while. She was finally warmed inside and out. She scrubbed her scalp to remove days of ....she didn't even want to think what was in her hair. Relena gently cleansed her skin, and shaved her legs, and she thought she heard them thank her. After what felt like a short eternity in the tub, the newly refreshed girl stepped out of the bath, dried off, pampered her skin with girly smelling moisturizing lotion, and wrapped a silky robe around her. Relena, feeling very rejuvenated, stepped quickly and lightly down the stairs to the huge den. She grabbed some huge quilts, and large fluffy pillows, then lit the fire place. The squeaky clean Relena sunk comfortably into the couch and snuggled under her quilts. She watched the fire for a few minutes as it burned brightly and created dancing shadows all about the room. She then turned her gaze to the window next to her and watched the snow fall. It's certainly falling fast outside. I think its going to storm. Great, just when I was going to get out of this house.... Suddenly, Relena heard her doorbell ring, which scared the life out of her. She jumped up, and pulled her robe tightly around her, then scurried to the door. Relena tried to look through the little peep hole, but it was completely frosted over. "Who could possibly out in this weather??" she mumbled to herself as she began to unbolt and unchain the huge wooden door. Everything happened all so suddenly, one right after the next. Relena turned the doorknob, opened the door, and before she knew what was happening an icy, discolored, frightening body fell forward at her. Relena nearly killed herself trying to catch it and then hold it up. "Oh my God!" she gasped. Suddenly the body moved and Heero's deep blue eyes looked up at her and she nearly fainted. "Re...le.." Heero's frozen body then went limp.
"Ms. Darlian! Wait!" "The press would like a statement please!" "Wait Ms. Darlian!" "Ms. Darlian!" "Please, won't you give us a statement?" "The press can be so heartless sometimes." Noin said sympathetically, placing her hand on Relena's shoulder. She didn't notice anything that was going on around her. Relena simply kept her eyes lowered behind her black veil, and wiped her wet cheeks with a handkerchief. I knew this would happen one day.....I knew it.... Heero.....The limo stopped in front of a large house, and Noin stepped out. "This is my stop Relena. " She didn't look up. "You let me know if you need anything. Good bye." The limo pulled out and headed down the road. Now alone, Relena's mind began to wander back to the news report she heard two nights ago. FIRE. At 2:54 The St. Gabriel Children's Hospital caught on fire due to causes yet to be determined. At 3:22pm the building burned completely to the ground. 12 fatalities, 35 injuries. The amazing story behind it all tonight is that the tragedy might have been much more fatal had it not been for one brave soul. A young man who was walking by the hospital witnessed the situation and immediately ran inside the building to the rescue. He carried out twenty-six children, running in and out of the building as fast as possible. Sadly, the mysterious hero was in the building when it finally collapsed. Relena's mind snapped back into focus when the limo came to an abrupt stop. "We're home Miss Relena." came a raspy, older voice. She nodded and opened the car door, not waiting for someone else to do it. Stepping onto the ground, she was oblivious to the freezing cold weather and the small flakes falling about her. The blackest day of her life was snow white. A butler opened her front door for her and she bolted up the stairs. Tears blurred her vision, freezing on her cheeks. She tore into her bedroom and flung herself on the bed. And then, Relena, for the first time in a long time, sobbed like a small child. Her own tears stung her eyes and soaked into her pillow. "Heero..." she cried harder at the name. "Why....why did you have to die? I never got the chance to.....to...." Relena slept the rest of the night.
It was not a peaceful sleep, however. She tossed and turned. Cried and wept. Her head filled with nightmares and visions of Heero's body in that fire. She saw what she had created in her mind to be the final look in his eyes. A mix of fear, and contentment that he had saved so many lives before he died. She saw his beautiful blue eyes close one final time just before the whole place caved in on him. His body trapped. His breaths still. His flesh burning. Nothing she could do. So many times he had saved her life. So many times when he had the chance to kill her....he spared her. He is so...no, was so kind. Images of her first fateful meeting with Heero. She saw him laying on the shore, and took off his helmet. His beautiful face. Eyes closed. Light breathing. Hair glistening. Gorgeous. Now she could never tell him. If only she had one more chance, she would tell him everything. But everyone says that, don't they? He must have had such an awful childhood, growing up to be an assassin. If she only had one more chance.....she would make it up to him..... "Heero...." she murmered in her sleep. Once again that final look in his eyes flashed before her and she saw him surrounded by blazing fire. Relena shot up in bed. "No!" she screamed. Looking around, Relena saw simple blackness. Blackness....like what Heero's body was surrounded by now. Black... like what the few people at Heero's funeral were wearing. The funeral....No!! She couldn't bear to think about it. Sleep she thought. That's what I need to do....No thinking. Just sleeping.
The next morning, Relena felt heavy and weary, and could barely pull herself out of bed. She sauntered down the stairs, without brushing her teeth, her hair, or even thinking about it. She never noticed until now how quiet her life could be. It was 8:30 and no one made a creak in the house. Breakfast was brought immediately to her and then she was left alone again. No company. Not that she really wanted any right now. The former Queen of the World sat in her chair and played with her food. She simply was not hungry.The dining room was silent. Too silent. She couldn't stand it. Relena longed for noise. She needed loud distractions. With all this silence she had to force herself not to think about ....him. Relena stood up suddenly and decided she had to get out of this house or she would lose it. Noise....Volume.....Distraction....I need something....What can I do?? "Work." she said aloud, but to no one. "That's what I need." She headed for the phone nearest her to call and see if she was needed for anything. "Wait.....it's the holidays. They told me to go home...that the Vice-Vorn Minister was not to go anywhere related to work." she remembered it with a slight smile. Those whom she worked with were so kind. They had told her to take a break from her work-aholic lifestyle until after the New Year. It's only December 17th. And a sunday. The offices are closed. Relena sighed and sank down in the sofa. There it was again....that silence. Her mind began to wander. There he was. This time...........no! He was reaching out to her! Relena, half in a dream, reached her hand out to Heero (who wasn't really there). His eyes. They were looking right at her. "Heero, I can't.....I can't reach." she whispered to him. Suddenly, his eyes turned into something she had rarely, if ever, seen. They were full of fright, and confusion. These were not the eyes that had so many times been angry. Or the eyes that had tried to warn her to stay away. They looked so....so much like a child's eyes, big and, in this case, scared. No she thought Snap out of it Relena. She began to shake and she closed her eyes tightly to try and rid herself of this fantasized image. It's not real......Heero is Relena choked on the words Heero is dead. "Miss Relena?" came a small voice. Relena gasped and jumped to her feet. "Miss, are you alright?" Relena, who felt so weary, simply nodded. "Ma'am wouldn't you like to get some rest? You are shaking. Is the room too cold?" Trying to pull herself together, she spoke. "I'm fine. I just need..." her voice trailed off I just need Heero to be alive.... Relena looked up, for she hadn't even bothered to see to whom she was speaking. She then had to look down, for it was her maid, who was much smaller than her. She was a much older, rounder, and a so very kind hearted woman. Relena smiled (kinda) and decided what she must do. "I would like you and everyone else here to go home. Go and visit your families. Go home to your children and grand-children. It's nearly Christmas and I can certainly take care of myself." The maid smiled in delight, but then shook her head. "We couldn't leave you alone for Christmas, Miss." "Please. This is my Christmas gift to all of you. I will pay for all of your trips home and back. It will mean so much to me." The small woman was beaming. "You're such a kind girl." And with that, she hugged Relena and scurried off. Relena smiled. She was nineteen now, and all of her servants, whom she preferred to refer to as family, still considered her to be a child. Keeping this house up will definately keep me busy enough. Besides, maybe being alone will help me face the facts.
All of Relena's "family" were out of the house within a day's time. Now all she had were a few cobwebs and lots of memories to keep her company. Relena kept herself busy by exploring the rather large house that she normally didn't have the time to just look around in. She went through old photographs of her father and mother. (Darlian not Peacecraft) She dug through old boxes and found lots of old clothes and novels. The clothes had been kept intact for years. They were her mother's old clothes. Relena put them gently back in the box and picked up the novels, which she brought with her. The rest of her day was spent lounging in a huge comfy chair by the fire, crying, for the novels had been romantic ones. That first night that Relena was by herself had been the first time she had ever slept in a house alone. It was a frightening experience, for when one is alone, it is easiest to hear every single crack and creak in the house. She suddenly didn't feel so confident in her choice about sending everyone away. It was dreadfully cold and she needed to turn the heat up, but she was too scared to move from under her bed spread. Oh God.... What was I thinking....? I can't be alone....Great going Relena.... Just when she thought she could muster up enough courage to leave her bed, the old house let out another loud creak. Relena dove deeper into her blanket and closed her eyes tightly. It's just an old house, that's all. Its just an old house. She began to think how protected she would feel if Heero were with her, and how she knew she would sleep wonderfully. Tears welled up in her eyes. She had thought she'd run out of them, but to her surprise, there they were. Stop this Relena. Stop thinking about it. He's gone. Get over it. But even as she tried to convince herself, she began to feel the hot tears run down her cheeks. She remembered wanting to go up to his casket, but it was closed. A closed casket funeral was harder than anything else for her. She needed to see him, but she wasn't allowed to. Not being able to see him allowed her mind to create grotesque images of what his body could look like. How misshapen his form might have been. There was no mistaking that it was him who had saved those children, for a tourist had brought his video camera and had filmed the whole incident, and he gave the tape to a news crew to use in their story. She had watched him running in and out of the burning building on the news. It had definitely been Heero. Oh God, just give me one more chance. So many times he has done so much for me. He's done so much for everyone. He needed to have the same for himself. Heero.... he's probably never even been hugged in his whole life. Her thoughts drifted and her mind wandered as she began to fall asleep.
The next day Relena woke up and looked directly at her alarm clock. "Only four hours of sleep?" she moaned. "Great." She forced herself out of bed and rushed over to the shower, still fearing there was some intruder in the house with her. Relena decided to spend the day in front of her television, not budging for anything more than a bathroom break. "Now is the time to be with your loved ones. It's Christmas. This is the time to make beautiful memories and share your love with those around you." Relena began to sob harder, and changed the channel. "We mustn't let those important to us walk around oblivious to how we treasure them -" She changed the channel again. "Tell him you love him-" Relena abruptly turned off the t.v. and flung the remote across the room. "Every channel! The same thing over and over again. Love! Christmas! Happiness!" She threw her head back and lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling. No one understood. Relena felt miserable and the world was still turning. People were still going on about their happy little lives, which was thanks to Heero and the other gundam pilots. Heero's funeral had been a pitiful sight. Only the other former pilots, Noin, Zechs, Dorothy and Sally had shown up. Heero had to be more important than that!! She didn't see anyone that could have possibly resemble parents. Did he have parents?? I suppose she would never know. Heero...I never got to tell you how important you were to me. I...I wish I could have been more like you. I wish I could have been brave, and inspiring to others. I wish I could have saved the earth, and unselfishly live my life following my heart. You said that you were nothing compared to me. Maybe you think that's true.... but I'm nothing without you. Once again, Relena cried herself to sleep.
Days passed, but Relena lost count of how many. Every day had been spent like the one before. Cry. Sleep. Cry. Sleep. She began to know nothing else. She told herself exactly how childish and pathetic she was acting, but couldn't have cared less. Just when she thought she might go crazy from it all, the phone rang. My God!! The outside world did remember her! Where?? Where was that blasted phone!? Relena nearly cursed as she scampered up from her bed, half in fright of the sudden noise, the other half from the excitement of possibly hearing a real human's voice after what felt like years. "Hello? This is the Darlian residence." she said in an attempt at restoring her composure. "Ms Relena?" came a familiar voice. It was a voice that sounded so....so warm, and so friendly. "Hello." Relena replied, still trying to recognize it. "Hi! This is Quatre. How are you?" he said in his usual sweet voice. He was trying not to sound too cheerful, for he knew how awful she must be feeling. "Oh, Quatre." she returned, trying to sound perfectly all right. "I'm fine, and how are you?" "I'm all right, I suppose. I was just calling to remind you about the Christmas party I'm throwing. I hope that you can still make it." "Well, I don't know....." she trailed off. How could he think about a party at a time like this? "Ms. Relena, I know that you're probably not up to a celebration, but you really should get out of the house." "How did you know?" "Because....I can sympathize with you. Relena, you can't torture yourself. Please, it won't be a very large crowd, and being around people might make you feel better." Relena could feel him smiling through the phone. Quatre had some God-given talent at comforting people, and she was grateful for it right now. "That's fine" she smiled. "I'll be there." "Great. See you in three days then." and with that he hung up the phone. "THREE DAYS!" Relena gasped. "Have I been a zombie for that long? Christmas is in three days?" She ran to her computer, which remained on all the time, and wiggled the mouse. The screensaver was gone and instantly she saw the date. "December 22nd?? How in the world could that be right? I have wasted almost a week of my life crying...." Relena looked over at her calendar on the wall and began to mark of the wasted days in a red pen and circled the 25th. "Quatre's Christmas Party." she recited as she wrote. December 14th...the day Heero died... glared at her. Strangely enough, she realized that she hadn't crossed that day off of the calender. "I should get ready to leave. Quatre rented a place that's only a two day drive from here for the party." she said remembering. "I should pack and I guess I'll leave in the morning." And pack she did. Relena remembered Quatre's last Christmas party, how everyone ended up sleeping at the house. This time she would be prepared. That night before she went to bed, Relena went to take a nice hot bath and relax. While undressing, she looked into the mirror and, to her horror, saw herself. "I'm a mess!" she exclaimed. With a sigh she stepped into the tub to calm her nerves. Relena hadn't felt so good in a while. She was finally warmed inside and out. She scrubbed her scalp to remove days of ....she didn't even want to think what was in her hair. Relena gently cleansed her skin, and shaved her legs, and she thought she heard them thank her. After what felt like a short eternity in the tub, the newly refreshed girl stepped out of the bath, dried off, pampered her skin with girly smelling moisturizing lotion, and wrapped a silky robe around her. Relena, feeling very rejuvenated, stepped quickly and lightly down the stairs to the huge den. She grabbed some huge quilts, and large fluffy pillows, then lit the fire place. The squeaky clean Relena sunk comfortably into the couch and snuggled under her quilts. She watched the fire for a few minutes as it burned brightly and created dancing shadows all about the room. She then turned her gaze to the window next to her and watched the snow fall. It's certainly falling fast outside. I think its going to storm. Great, just when I was going to get out of this house.... Suddenly, Relena heard her doorbell ring, which scared the life out of her. She jumped up, and pulled her robe tightly around her, then scurried to the door. Relena tried to look through the little peep hole, but it was completely frosted over. "Who could possibly out in this weather??" she mumbled to herself as she began to unbolt and unchain the huge wooden door. Everything happened all so suddenly, one right after the next. Relena turned the doorknob, opened the door, and before she knew what was happening an icy, discolored, frightening body fell forward at her. Relena nearly killed herself trying to catch it and then hold it up. "Oh my God!" she gasped. Suddenly the body moved and Heero's deep blue eyes looked up at her and she nearly fainted. "Re...le.." Heero's frozen body then went limp.