Disclaimer: I own Gundam Wing, and all it's characters. I make millions off of these stories and Heero is my boyfriend. And if you actually believe any of this disclaimer, you're crazier than I am.

Deceptions Part 15: The Return

By Symee-Sama

It was late at night when Duo stumbled into Hilde's apartment. He had flown on the last shuttle out to L2, and it was well past midnight now. I should've called her, Duo grimaced. Instead of coming down here and waking her up. He bit back a sigh at his own rashness. Well, it didn't matter what he should have done. He was here now, and he might as well do what he came to do.

He walked into her bedroom, closing the door behind him, and sat on the edge of the bed. "Hil," he said softly, shaking her shoulder. "Wake up." Her eyes opened lazily before she shut them again. "Hil," Duo said again. "If you don't get up, I'm going to dump a bucket of water over your head."

She turned to face him quickly, glaring at him. "You are such an asshole."

"Nice to see you too." He smiled slightly, and gathered her into his arms. "God Hil, I missed you." She let him hold her for a moment, still dazed with sleep before she pulled away, and looked at him.

"Duo, it's-" She glanced over at the digital clock beside the bed. "After three in the morning. What was so important that it couldn't wait until tomorrow?" She asked him, concern in her voice. "Or couldn't be said over the vid-phone?"

Duo stared at her for a moment, running over his reasons in his head. They all seemed so stupid now, so pointless, and he was sure that she would laugh at him, or call him an idiot for coming all the way out here to tell her something so trivial.

"I –It's just what happened today." Duo began, trying to figure out a way to make it seem more important. After a few moments of trying he accepted the inevitable. There was no way to build it up, it would be better if he just came out with it. "Relena visited Heero in jail today, and –" He cut off as remnants of their conversation came back to him. "It was heartbreaking. I don't know how they could stand it."

She laid her head on his chest, and asked him to continue, so he did. He told her everything. From the shocked look on Heero's face when Relena walked in to the pained look in his eyes when she walked out. Hilde didn't say a thing until he was finished. "They don't deserve this." A strange mix of anger and helplessness in his eyes. "They were both so brave during the war, and afterwards, when Mariemaia attempted to take over. They were so…" He trailed off, searching for the right word.

"Selfless," Hilde supplied, and Duo nodded. "They were both ready to give their lives for the sake of peace." She continued softly. "Only to be forced through this." She looked up at Duo, seeing all the emotions in his eyes. Anger, uncertainty, helplessness… They were all there, but hope was there too, and she wished with all her heart that she didn't have to dispel it. She took a deep breath before continuing. He deserved to know the truth.

"Duo…" She began, hating what she had to say. "She won't forgive him." He turned his head so he was looking at her, and she kept talking, destroying his hope. "Relena will never forgive Heero for what he's done."

"She's strong," Duo rasped. "She'll make it through this and grow from it. She'll learn to trust him again." He was trembling with conviction. "She loves him. I know she does. And he feels the same way for her. So why can't it work out?"

"She won't be able to forget." Hilde said softly. "And he will never forgive himself for what he did to her."

"It wasn't his fault!" Duo protested. "He couldn't help himself!"

"I know that," Hilde assured him. "But you have to look at it from their perspective, Duo. Imagine if you were Heero and I was Relena. Do you think that I would be able to just forget it and move on? Would you be able to forget what you did, and act like everything was like it used to be? Duo-" Hilde paused for a moment to catch her breath. "I love you more than anything, but if you did that to me… I would never be able to forget it. Never."

She heard his breath catch at her last statement, and he stiffened. "Never?" He whispered, and she nodded. "Hilde, they don't deserve this. They deserve a 'happily ever after'…" He closed his eyes miserably. "It's not fair. It's just not fair."

Hilde wrapped her arms around him, burying her face into his neck. "It never is." She said softly and held him tighter. "It never is."

* * * * *

Trowa glanced at the blonde man beside him as they entered the mental institution. "Are you sure this will work?" He asked and when Quatre shook his head, he felt his nervousness increase. "Then why are we doing this?"

"We've tried everything else." Quatre said simply, a determined look on his face. "And it is an interesting theory. I never would have thought of it."

They had been searching for a way to bring Catherine back to the way that she was for four years now, but all their searching had come to naught. There wasn't a single thing that modern medecine could do for his sister, and they were stuck. Or at least they were until Heero requested that they visit him. He had an idea. One that might help Catherine.

Trowa had hated the idea, only willing to go along with it because there was a chance that it would bring his sister back. He didn't trust Heero. He couldn't, not even after four years, and would never accept what he said. But Quatre had been intrigued by Heero's theory. He had proposed that they try it, and baceuse they had no other options, Trowa had agreed.

If Quatre could find Heero within the recesses of his mind and fend off the Zero system, he was probably strong enough to go inside Catherine's mind and bring her back to the surface. That was the theory anyway, and Quatre was more than willing to try it.

They nodded politely to the nurses as they passed them, walking quickly down the halls until they reached Catherine's room. Trowa gestured inside and Quatre entered the room, looking sadly at the woman who sat on the bed in front of him. She was in a fetal postion, her knees pulled tightly to her chest as she rocked mindlessly back and forth, humming a lullaby to herself.

"Cathy?" Trowa walked up to her side and placed a hand on her shoulder. She flinched away from his touch. "Cathy, I've brought someone to see you." She continued rocking back and forth, staring out the window beside her bed. "Cathy, say something."

"I'm a murderer." She whispered, and Trowa felt his heart break a little more. "I killed him." She said in the same soft tone. Four years now, but she still wouldn't say anything other than those two sentences. She didn't talk, or even move from her bed. She simply rocked back and forth, day after day.

He visited her everyday. He had even moved to L1 so he could be near her, and prayed to the God that he had never had faith in for divine intervention. He would do anything to bring her back. Anything.

He glanced at Quatre, hiding his feelings behind his emotionless mask. He knew that it was pointless to try and hide what he felt. Quatre could feel what he did, but it made him feel secure to know that no one else would be able to know how hurt he was inside.

Trowa stepped back from the bed, nodding to Quatre, and letting him take his place beside Catherine. Quatre grabbed one of her hands, gripping it tightly in his, and with his other hand, he brushed away her bangs, placing his hand on her forehead. He smiled reassuringly at Trowa as he closed his eyes and forced his way into Catherine's mind. "Everything will be fine." He assured his friend, an instant before his eyes went blank and he exited reality as he knew it.

* * * * *

This is different. Quatre marvelled, looking around the darkness. This is different from Heero's mind. He really should have expected differences, after all Heero and Catherine were completely different people, but he hadn't expected differences to the extent that he felt here.

Heero's mind had been dangerous. Full of hidden pitfalls, traps, and the merciless Zero system, but Catherine… her mind was the complete opposite. Her mind was open to him, and it would not be very difficult for him to find her.

Catherine? Quatre listened to his voice echo through her mind. Where are you? He felt a slight presence behind him, and turned around. Catherine? He asked quietly as he found himself face to face with a little girl with brown curls. She could have been the splitting image of the Catherine that he knew. What's your name? Quatre asked, and the little girl glanced up at him before casting her eyes down at the ground.

Cat. She said shyly, kicking the ground. Why are you here? She asked innocently.  This isn't your place. You don't belong here. You're too big, and you're a boy. She grimaced. Boys aren't allowed in here. They've got cooties. You should leave if you don't belong here. Nothing new can last very long in here.

What do you mean? Quatre asked, his curiosity getting the best of him. Nothing new lasts here? Cat nodded, and he took a step towards her. I don't understand.

I don't either. Cat smiled. But whenever something new comes, it dies very quickly. One time it was a park, it was pretty, and green, but it faded after a few moments. And one time it was a puppy.

And they all faded? Quatre asked, forming a theory in his mind.

Yes. Cat said solemnly. They're not all nice things though. One time they were knives, and I hurt myself on them when I tried to pick them up. She showed Quatre a ragged scar that ran up her arm. Other times, I would be surrounded by fire, and I wanted my mommy, but she wasn't there. The fire had taken her.

Quatre smiled, motioning for her to continue. It almost seemed to him that these things that she spoke of were thoughts. Thoughts that Catherine wanted to have, but were smothered. How? What was smothering them, and how could he destroy it?

And one time it was a boy. He was taller than you, with brown hair that fell over his face, and covered his eye. I wanted to see him so badly. I didn't want him to fade away like the other things had. I didn't want him to die.

Did he die? Quatre asked, knowing that it was Trowa that she talked about.

Yes. I ran towards him, and I thought that I had made it because he was still there when I got to him, but when I tried to touch him… He went away. He faded like all the others did. Tears welled up in her eyes. I didn't want him to die. He was special. I didn't want him to die. She turned to face him. I don't want you to die either. You don't belong here, and I don't want you to fade.

You're right. Quatre agreed. I don't belong here, but I have to stay for awhile. I have a certain duty to perform. Is that all right with you? He asked and she nodded. Thank you, Little One. She grinned at the nickname for a moment before becoming serious once more.

You're not going to fade? Cat was confused, she reached out and touched his arm, poking it a couple of times before she stepped back, grinning from ear to ear. No, you're not. You're really not!

How can you tell? Quatre asked her. What makes me different from the other things?

I killed the other things. She said sadly. I don't want to, but they die when I come near. I even tried to stay away once, but they come after me. I don't want to kill any more. I don't want to be a murderer. The man used to come, and he would be able to stay for awhile before he faded, but that all changed.

She gestured vaguely. Another man came, and he seemed as nice as the other one. I liked him, and wanted to get to know him. I came near him, and he started to tell me a story, a sad story about mermaids. I liked it, and so did the other man, because he came to listen. She paused for a moment, he small hands trembling.

The instant the nice man came, he was attacked. The man stopped telling his stories and attacked the nice one. I wanted him to stop. I didn't want the nice one to get hurt, so I hit him… and he died, but so did the nice man, and so did everything else. They all died. They all faded away. Except for the story man. He stayed. I want him to go away, but he won't.

Take me to him. Quatre advised her. I may be able to make him go away.

I would like that. Cat grabbed Quatre's hand, and began to lead him into the darkness. I don't like it here. She confided in him. It's so dark, and scary. You see, I don't belong here either. I live in a world of rainbows and sunsets. Where nobody dies, and the story always ends with a happily ever after. I want to go home, but only the nice man can take me there. Only the nice man.

If you went away, would the thoughts stop dying? Quatre asked, and was surprised when she nodded.

I don't belong here either. She repeated, her solemn eyes seeming to peer into his very soul. I never did, and for some reason, the one who does belong here can't come out while I'm here. I think she's in my world. She said sadly. I hope she's not destroying my rainbows, like I'm destroying her thoughts. I wouldn't be able to bear it. We're here.

The conversation stopped so abruptly, that Quatre had to blink several times to realise that there was something in front of them, lurking in the darkness. Show yourself! He ordered, and gasped when a crumpled figure of Heero came into view.

You see? Quatre could hear the hopelessness in the little girl's voice. I killed him. I'm nothing more than a murderer… Tears filled her eyes, and she slumped to the ground. I killed him.

No. Quatre corrected her gently, and Cat gave him a strange look. Heero is alive, Little One. He's in jail. He focused on the corpse, willing it to go away, but it remained. Quatre wanted to curse with frustration. Maybe he had been wrong before. Maybe this mind was even more dangerous than Heero's. He couldn't control what happened in this mind. He could only hang on and enjoy the ride.

I didn't kill him? Quatre nodded and Cat's eyes filled with tears of happiness. I'm not a murderer? He nodded again and Heero's corpse shimmered slightly before disappearing. Cat was all smiles and laughter until she realised that she was fading as well. What's happening?

You said that you don't belong here. Quatre explained softly. So I'm sending you home, and bringing back the person who does belong here. He smiled at her, and ruffled her hair before he knelt beside her. Do you see that man? He asked, and pointed at a spot in front of her where Trowa had appeared. She nodded. He will protect you and bring you back to where you belong. Go to him, Little One.

Cat's smile returned as she ran towards Trowa and jumped into his arms. She was going home! She snuggled into his chest, and this time, when she started to fade, she wasn't scared. Because she knew that no matter where she went, he would always be with her.

Quatre smiled at the touching scene in front of him, and walked over to the spot that they disappeared. Catherine. He said softly. You can come out now. She's gone. He smiled as she shimmered into being in the same spot as Trowa had been.

She's not here? Catherine lifted her head, and smiled at the blond man. I feel like I've slept for years. Her smile grew. How is Trowa?

He will be better when he sees that you are safe. Quatre informed her, and grasped her hand. You've been away for a very long time. Let's leave this place. He said as he exited her mind, pulling her along with him.

* * * * *

Trowa rushed to Catherine's side when her eyes fluttered open, and she unfolded her legs, stretching her arms. "Cathy?" He said in a shocked voice. "Is it you?" He pulled her into his arms. "Is it really you?"

She laughed, and he could've kissed her for it. He hadn't heard her laugh in four years. "It's me, Trowa." She assured him. "I'm so sorry for leaving you..." She began but Trowa stopped her.

"You're here now." He said softly. "And that's all that matters to me." He glanced to Quatre. "It seems that I owe Heero an apology."

Quatre nodded. "We all do. We've known the truth about the issue for years. We've known that Zero had a hold on him, and that it had forced him to do things, but we ignored it. We held onto the pain and the hurt that he had caused it and ignored the facts." He sighed. "I don't think that any of us will ever be able to go back to the way that things used to be, but we should try, Trowa. He's tried his hardest to atone for the things that he's done to us, and it's time that we started working on atoning for the way that we treated him."

Trowa nodded. "It won't be easy."

A grim look crossed Quatre's face, and Trowa knew that he was remembering Iria. "No," he said finally. "It won't be easy, but life never is."

* * * * *

Heero smiled in the darkness of his cell. Catherine was better, and Trowa had come to thank him. He was slowly gaining back the trust of his friends, and he was happier than he had been in years. He had never realised just how much he had needed and wanted their trust until he lost it.

//Why do you need them?//  Zero's voice entered his mind. //You've got me.// The golden light surrounded him, and for one frightening moment, Heero felt himself give up. He was surrendering to the light, and he would never feel pain again.

Relena's face appeared in his mind, and his eyes snapped open. It was true. He would never feel pain again if he let Zero take over, but what about her? Would he cause her more pain than he already had? He wasn't sure if he could bear causing her more pain.

I don't need you, Zero. Heero said, pushing the light away. I will never need you again.

//You can't escape me.// Zero hissed, and Heero smirked. //You will never be rid of me.//

You're right. Heero said smugly. I will never escape you… but I will always fight you Zero. And you will never win. Not again.

//You can not refuse me for long.// Zero sneered, and the light attempted to surround him again. //You need me!//

No, Heero countered. I don't need you. You will never control me again because I don't need you anymore. His eyes softened as a delicate hand appeared through the light, and he grasped it, letting it pull him away from Zero's grasp. Relena smiled at him, and his heart soared. She was his salvation, she would always be his salvation. Why would I need you when I have her? He asked, and for once, Zero did not have an answer.

Author's Note: Thanks for your reviews guys. The epilogue will be out by the end of August, I promise. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! And sorry for spelling your name wrong Rae! Forgive me? :p