Chapter Twenty One

Both Lucrezia and Miliardo were devastated when they heard what Sally had told them. Especially Lucrezia who had known for the longest and she felt responsible for not having told anyone. She thought that if she had, maybe security would have been increased…

"That is just stupid. I was there Lu, I could have prevented it and I didn't! If there is anyone responsible for what has happened, that was me. Once again, I've failed my sister…Damn it! I'm just so fucking useless!" Milliardo shouted hitting one of the walls with his fist almost hurting himself in the process.

"Milliardo, I don't think it's a good idea hurting yourself right know, in any case it's nobody's fault, if any one must be blamed that must be that so-called doctor that shot Relena…but, from what I hear, he has already paid for it with his life…" Said Sally really hoping this could help, if only a little bit, to calm him down.

"You're right Sally. In any case we need to be strong now for Relena, God knows how she's going to feel after we tell her…she was so very much looking forward having this baby…" said Lucrezia starting to cry…

Milliardo took her in his arms and hugged her trying to comfort her. Sally decided that it was better to leave them alone and started heading towards the door. She had her hand on the doorknob when Milliardo said:

"Please Sally, do not tell anyone about my sister's baby. I don't think Relena has told anyone but Lucrezia and I'm not sure she would like anyone else to know…".

"Of course, I'm a doctor, we have very strict rules regarding the patient's confidentiality…" replied smiling softly adding before leaving "I'm going to check on Heero now but if you two need anything at all, please let me know…".

"Thanks Sally…" replied Milliardo.

As soon as Sally had left Milliardo gave up his strong façade and started crying as well. The couple stood there hugging each other feeling very sorry for the blond girl that was fighting for her life and, deep down, they were also sorry for Heero…

Sally, good to her word, went to Heero's room and with the help from the two doctors from the base, started performing a series of tests to see how bad the harm done to both Heero's brain and body was. She was shocked that the young man had been able to survive. This time Dr J had done an enormous amount of damage. Sally was not sure Heero would actually be able to fully recover.

Meanwhile, Wufei had got a message from Lady Une telling him she was coming to Mars to pick up personally the prisoners to take them before the jury. They had been formally accused by ESUN's assembly of High Treason and they were facing life in prison. They were lucky that Relena had insisted so much in removing the death penalty as a way to pay for crimes like treason or murder. Also Lady Une had organised for the special preventers to go to the base, arrest everyone there and look out for the group's space unit. Wufei went straight away to tell the other three Gundam pilots, they were in the kitchen trying to have something to eat but, given the circumstances, no one was really hungry, not even Duo.

As soon as they were allowed to, Lucrezia and Milliardo whent to sit next to Relena's bed and waited for her to wake up. She looked rather peaceful now. Lucrezia's heart contracted in pain, she looked far too innocent to be involved in this kind of things. Milliardo feared that this incident would finally destroy her pure soul and it would turn her as bitter as he was. Only thinking of it made him mad. All he really wanted to do was to go to the cell where those three men were and place a bullet between their eyes.

After a while, Relena opened her eyes. She started looking around. She saw Lucrezia staring at her and her brother sleeping in a chair next to his fiancée. Relena did not understand what she was doing in a hospital bed till she tried to get up and the pain in her stomach reminded her of what had happened. The first thing she said was:

"Heero…where's Heero? Is he alright?" her voice was only a weak whisper.

"Sweetie…Heero's been taken care of. Sally is now running some tests…She'll let us know…but he is here…you don't need to worry about him now…" replied Lucrezia.

Suddenly Relena remembered her baby. She was afraid to ask confirmation to what she already suspected. It took all the courage she had left to ask:

"Lu…tell me the truth, I have lost my baby, haven't I?"

Lucrezia had a knot blocking her throat. This girl was far too clever for her own good. This was the most painful thing Lucrezia had ever done.

"Sweetie…I don't know what to say…I am so sorry…I wish I could tell you differently but…I cannot tell you lies…yes darling, I am devastated to say that you have lost your baby…I am so sorry…" Lucrezia replied starting to cry while with one hand held the blond girl's hand and caressed her face with the other, trying to give her the courage she desperately needed to overcome such tragedy.

Relena's reaction was even more distressing. She just went quiet, shut her eyes and started a silent weeping.