Hey everyone. Sorry I haven't updated in a while. Anyway, here's chapter 4.

Mission 1: forget Relena

After settling into his new apartment, a week later, Heero faced his first mission. He had to forget Relena. If he didn't, he would never be able to stay where he was and complete his future missions.

He was hundreds, even thousands of miles away from her and he had nothing out that reminded him of his friends or Relena. Or so he thought. While going through his drawers, Heero came upon a small-framed picture. In it, were five young men and a very beautiful woman.

The picture was taken during Relena's Christmas party that past year. For once in his life, he actually felt happy and at home. He finally felt like he belonged.

~~~~~~~flashback~~~~~~

December 24th- Christmas eve

The ground was covered in snow and the sky was filled with stars. The five gundam pilots, along with Zechs, Noin,Hilde,and of course Relena were enjoying themselves , singing, laughing, and exchanging gifts. It had been a while since all of them had gotten together, so this was very special to them. Especially, Heero.

It took Heero over two months to figure out what to get his friends and even longer to find Relena a present. It had to be special, but he was also on a tight budget. He seemed to manage though.

" Heero," Relena started, " Here. This is for you." She smiled as she handed him his gift. Heero looked at it and then back at Relena. He smiled and said

" thanks"

When he opened it, inside was a picture of Relena and him at one of the balls they attended. Heero then gave Relena her gift and said

" it's not much."

But it was enough for her. It was a small gold locket. No picture inside of course, because he had none.

" Heero, can you help me put it on?" Relena asked as he placed it around her neck.

" do you like it?"

" no. I don't Heero." She smiled and then said to him, " I love it. I really do."

She then gave him a kiss on the cheek and went to help Hilde stop Duo from eating all the food. Heero watched as she walked away. He leaned back in the chair and smiled. His life was finally going the way he wanted it to.

~~~~~end flashback~~~~~

Heero remembered that day, as if it were yesterday. He still had that picture Relena gave him too. He cherished it. It was the only thing he ever kept out. Because it was difficult to put his past behind him, Heero decided to put the picture away and forget about it till it was okay to return it to its rightful place on his dresser.

The next day, Heero decided to do some exploring. This was a new place to him, so he wanted to know get as familiar with it as possible. He wanted to know every alleyway , every dark corner, pretty much every nook and cranny. As he strolled down the streets, it began to downpour. Before he could go for cover, he was soaked. The closest thing to him was a bar. 'just what I need' he said to himself as he entered the noisy bar. He then sat down and ordered a drink.

~~~~~many drinks and a few fights later~~~~

After awhile, Heero decided to leave before he was kicked out. He really didn't feel like doing anything else, so he went home. When he got there, he noticed a message on his laptop. He thought it was Dr.J., but to his surprise, it was someone else. It was the one person, or rather one of the people he did not want to see or talk to right now. It was Duo. How Duo was able to relay a message to his laptop was beyond him. Usually the only person who is able to do that is Dr. J. He didn't know how or why. Well, he kind knew why. When he opened the he was greeted by a very pissed off Duo Maxwell. Apparently, he wasn't finished recording yet.

" well, well, you son of a bitch! How could you do this to Relena? Huh!"

Heero was silent.

" answer me Heero! Don't you turn this off either! You know I'll keep calling!"

" what do you want Duo." Heero asked calmly.

"what do I want! I want you to come back. You left without telling anyone! Well, except Relena. She's heartbroken you idiot! She won't leave her room. She won't eat. How could you do this to all of us……to her. Come on buddy. Get it through you thick head. She loves you."

"I had to Duo."

" no you didn't. we heard the whole thing from lady Une. You are such a jackass."

"Where's Relena?" Heero asked in as calm a voice as possible.

" in her room trying to kill herself, probably." Duo replied.

" go get her."

" what! Do you know what that would do to her!"

" just do it, Duo!" Heero snapped. Heero then leaned back in his chair and sighed. He was wondering what to say to Relena.

~~~~~meanwhile~~~~

Duo went to go get Relena as Heero demanded. He could have easily shut the thing off and called back when both he and Heero were calmed down a bit, but he didn't. He felt like he needed to do this. When he got to Relena's room, the door was locked. He knocked several times, but noone answered. Now, he was getting worried.

"Relena? Come on. Let me in. it's me, Duo. Come on."

" go away! Leave me alone Duo!" she shouted back.

" you okay atleast?"

noone answered.

Duo was worried so he decided to pick the lock. He was in there in no time.

" Relena?"

" I told you to leave!" she yelled as a vase was thrown at his head.

"hey. Someone wants to talk to you." He paused a moment and then said, " it's Heero."

"Heero? I don't want to talk to him." She said angrily.

" do it for him. I think something's wrong."

" what could be wrong with him. Huh?"

" I think he's having problems adjusting."

" so? Why do I care?"

" please."

Finally, Relena went with him.

~~~~Heero's apartment~~~

Heero was getting worried. By the time Duo came back, he was thought he would go nuts. Duo looked very concerned. Just then, Relena was on the screen. Heero noticed her red eyes and wet cheeks. She also looked as if she was losing weight.

"Heero? Is that you?" Relena asked quietly.

Heero was silent.

" Heero? Why did you leave? Are you there Heero?"

" Relena. I. I had to."

" had to! You bastard! Une said you insisted." Relena was furious.

"please Relena. Don't be mad. I need you to do something for me."

"what."

"promise me you'll forget me and go on with your life."

"no! I can't!"

"please Relena."

By now, tears were rolling down her cheeks. Heero wanted so bad to just wipe them away, but he was too far away to do so.

" I love you, Heero. I can't forget the man I love."

"Relena. Don't."

"come on Relena. You should really get something to eat and then get some rest." Duo said as he gently pushed Relena out the door. He then said before signing off, " she's sick Heero. Real sick."

After the screen had faded and turned black, Heero's heart began to race. 'sick? From what? was it because of me?' he said to himself. He was so frustrated because he couldn't do anything. He was also alittle confused and very concerned. He just kept seeing Relena's crying face and hearing her trembling voice. He could tell she wasn't well and wanted so much to just hold her in his arms. But he knew he couldn't. He would never be able to.

All night, all he did was think. He was trying so hard to complete in his mission, but couldn't. any mission he ever had to complete in the past, that had to do with Relena, he failed. He didn't know why though. These feelings he had were new to him. He was so confused.

~~~~back at Relena's~~~~

" Relena. Come on. You have to eat." Zechs said trying to convince his sister to eat.

" I'm fine. Really. I'm not hungry that's all."

" Relena, you're never hungry then."

Relena shrugged her shoulders and left the table. She then headed for her room. On her way down the hall, she Wufie came by.

" Relena!" Wufie shouted.

" what Wufie." Relena asked quietly.

" I heard about your talk with that bastard. It's very dishonorable running from your fears, you know. A person should always face them instead of running."

" I know. And he probably knows too. Well, if you'll excuse me , I'm going to bed."

"sure. Just don't get upset over him. Like I said. He's a coward. Cowards aren't worthy of a person's heart as pure as yours."

Wufie then watched Relena walk down the hall towards her room.

'what a shame' he said to himself as e went downstairs.

~~~~back in Heero's apartment~~~~

Many thoughts went through his mind as he lay in his bed staring at the ceiling. Heero finally found sleep upon him, just to wake up the next morning to the sun shining in his face and……..his next mission.

Mission status: failed