Relena's limousine, which was en route to the Peacecraft estate, was driving down the road when a loud explosion could be heard from several miles around.
"Did you hear that explosion, Relena?" Pagan asked as he stopped the limousine.
"Yes, I did," Relena answered, reaching for the door handle. "It could be a battle."
"Wait, Relena," Pagan called, "It could be dangerous!!" Before he could switch on the automatic door lock, Relena was already out into the forest.
It didn't take her long until shestumbled across the remnants of a mobile suit in a forest clearing. Pieces lay scattered everywhere, smoking and smoldering.
"It looks as if it were shot down at point blank range." She gaped. She then gasped when she heard a low groan behind her.
Turning around quickly, she could see a hand sticking out of the rubble. Rushing over and pulling away as much debris as she could, she gasped in horror as she discovered the hand's owner.
"HEERO!!!"
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Pagan!" Relena called out despairingly. "Pagan, help me!"
"Relena!" Pagan called back. "Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine . . ." She came into the clearing dragging Heero. His clothes were torn and blood from his wounds was seeping onto Relena's clothing. "Help me . . . I can't hold him!" She tripped and stumbled, taking Heero down with her.
"Relena!" Pagan called. Just as he was about to run to her, Noin's jet settled down in the clearing between the two of them.
"Relena!"
"Milliardo, Noin . . . minna."
"Miss Relena, are you all right?"
"Oi, what'd you do to Heero?"
"Shut up, Duo!"
Relena took an embroidered handkerchief out of her pocket and tried to dab away some of the blood running down Heero's forehead.
"Oh, Heero . . . help me, minna . . ." she sobbed. "The blood . . . I can't stop the blood . . . I can't . . ."
"It's all right, Relena," Milliardo replied, putting his hands on his sister's shoulders. "Heero will be fine. We'll get him to a doctor."
Trowa stooped down and gently lifted Heero out of Relena's lap. "Could you comeand give me a hand, Wufei?"
Wufei nodded as he took Heero's feet, proceeding to the blue jet several yards away.
"Let's get out of here," Noin said, "before anything else happens."
~*~*~*~*~*~
After returning to the Peacecraft estate, a doctor was immediately summoned. Everyone waited outside Heero's room for news from the doctor.
There was a deathly silence. That is –of course- until Duo started giggling.
"What's so funny, Maxwell?" Wufei dared to ask.
"Iss –snicker- Heero," he answered. "Di'n I saw we shoulda gone withim?" He continued giggling. "I tol'm an' he di'n listen. That baka . . . shoulda listened to Duo!"
The people on either side of him started to scoot away as he broke out into a fit of laughter.
Just then, the doctor came out of the room, causing Duo to immediately shut up – much to everyone's relief.
"Please try to keep it down," she said, "The patient is resting now."
Relena jumped up from her seat. "Doctor . . ."
Doctor Tomino adjusted her glasses and looked up at all the anticipating faces. "In all my years of practice, never have I come across such a remarkable patient." she exclaimed. "Given the circumstances, he should be dead, but somehow he managed to survive."
"So, he's going to be all right?" Quatre asked.
"At the moment, I really can't be sure." she answered.
"Whaddya mean you can't be sure?" Duo asked. "What kind of quack are you?!"
"Duo!" Milliardo snapped. "I'll have you know that Dr. Tomino has been the Peacecraft doctor for years. I won't allow you to disrespect her!"
"Simmer down, boys," Sally replied, standing between the two of them. "Try to keep your tempers in check. There's no need to be at each other's throats."
"She's right." Quatre agreed. "We shouldn't be fighting at all."
Duo muttered something inaudible and then apologized.
"I understand you all must be under a lot of stress, given the situation." Dr. Tomino said, "The reason for the uncertainty is that your friend is suffering from severe head trauma."
"Head trauma?" Duo interrupted, "You mean he finally managed crack that hard head of his?" The others frowned disapprovingly at him, but they knew the reason for Duo's constant remarks was because he was worried about Heero as well.
The doctor continued. "At the moment, I can't really tell how severe the damage is."
"Isn't there anything we can do?" Noin asked.
"The only thing I can recommend is keep him comfortable and make sure he gets his rest." Dr. Tomino answered. "His wounds should heal rather quickly, but only time will if he has fully recovered or not."
Relena let out a small gasp and covered her mouth. 'Oh, Heero . . .'
"Is he awake now?" Relena looked up atTrowa, who had spoken. "Would he be able to receive any visitors?"
"Not too many at a time." Dr. Tomino replied. "If he is awake, you don't want to overwhelm him."
"We understand." Milliardo said. "Thank you for your help, Tomino-sama." He bowed his head respectfully.
"Anytime, Milliardo-oji," Dr. Tomino answered. "Call me if you need anything." With that she bowed respectfully and exited the room.
Relena sighed and looked towards Heero's room. She felt a hand rest itself gently on her shoulder and looked up see Milliardo smiling down at her.
"Why don't you go see him?" he asked.
"Me?" she replied. "I-I-I couldn't . . ." She looked at the other Gundam pilots. "He doesn't want to see me. Why don't you all go first?"
"You go on ahead, Ms. Relena." Quatre smiled. "We've got plenty of time."
Relena managed a small smile. "Arigatou."
~*~*~*~*~
Heero looked around and found himself in darkness. Every step he took echoed loudly, ringing in his ears. 'Where am I?' His thoughts echoed loudly as well. 'What is this place? It's dark . . . and cold.' The perfect soldier started to shiver uncontrollably. 'What's happening to me? Why am I so cold?'
Suddenly, further out into the darkness, he could see another figure approaching him.
'Who's there?' Heero called. 'Show yourself!'
As the figure came closer, Heero could tell it was woman, but her identity still eluded him. The colors and features of the figure had melted together. Heero could only make out her blue eyes.
'Who are you?' Heero asked, stepping closer. The girl stepped backin alarm. 'Matte, I'm not going to hurt you!'
The girl stopped and let out a sound similar to laughter.
Heero noticed he had stopped shivering. 'Do you know where we are?' he asked. 'Can you show me the way out of here?'
The girl laughed again and held out her hand. Heero reached out to her slowly and took her hand. Coming in contact with her, he felt warm and safe. The girl smiled and started to lead him through the darkness.
Suddenly, a large shadow appeared in front of them, blocking their way. Frightened, the girl clung to Heero.
'What is that thing?' Heero thought aloud. It stood 50 to 55 feettall with glowing green eyes. 'Haven't I seen that thing before . . .'
Heero was brought out of his thoughts as the girl tried to pull him away. 'What's wrong?' Heeroasked. 'Is that thingdangerous?' Heero's question was answered when the giant shadow pulled out a glowing green sword. It lunged out at them, but the girl pulled Heero out of the way.
'Run!' she exclaimed. 'Run, now!'
'You can talk?' Heero asked. Her voice was familiar, but he just couldn't place it. Why couldn't he remember it?
'Just go!' she cried. 'Don't let it take you away!'
'It's going to take me away?' Heero asked. 'Are you sure? It seems familiar, but I just can't . . .'
'Please, go!' the girl cried, placing a hand on his cheek. 'Don't let it hurt you!'
Just then, the shadow swung at them again, knocking them to the ground. It then reached down and picked up the girl as she pushed Heero out of the way.
'No, don't go!' Heero yelled.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Relena had just entered the room when she heard Heero yelling in his sleep. Rushing over to his bedside, she placed her hand on his shoulder, shaking him gently.
"Heero, wake up!" she called gently. "You're just dreaming."
"No, no . . ." Heero moaned. "Don't take her away . . . I need her!"
Relena blinked. 'It must be some serious head trauma to cause Heero to dream like this,' she thought to herself. She couldn't help but frown, 'But who is it that he needs so desperately?'
Heero tossed in his sleep and gasped in pain, arching his back. "No!!"
"Heero!" Relena cried out worriedly. "Heero, please wake up!" She placed her hand on his forehead. "Wake up . . . come back to me."
Heero gasped and opened his eyes wide. "What happened?" he asked, bolting up straight. "Where isshe? Where did it take her?"
"You mustn't move! You'll reopen your wounds!" Relena pushed him back down gently, placing her hand against his forehead again, stroking his hair out of his face. "Don't worry, it was just a dream. You're all right now."
The gentle touch of Relena's hand seemed to calm him down somewhat. "A dream . . ." Heero repeated.
"Yes," Relena said, "just a dream. You're safe now."
Heero let his eyes roam around the room. "Where am I?"
"You're back in the Sank Kingdom." Relena answered. "You're in the Peacecraft mansion now, safe and sound."
"Sank . . kingdom . . ?" Heero repeated, his brow wrinkled in confusion. "Peacecraft?" He looked up at her. "Who are you?"
Relena blinked. "You're kidding, aren't you, Heero?" she asked. A voice inside her head answered, 'Yeah right, since when does the perfect soldier kid anyone?' "Don't you know who I am?"
Heero sat up and frowned at her. "How can I possibly know who you are when I don't even know who I am?"
End of Chapter 3
Author's Notes:
Miss Chang Po: Ahh! What has happened to our Heero? How can he have forgotten his poor Relena?
Wufei: If you ask me, he's better off this way.
1x2/Yaoi/Anti-Relena fans: Here, here!
Miss Chang Po: ::gives them all Heero's 'omae o korusu' look and they all back off::
Any how, whether you are yaoi/yuri/or non, I hope you all are enjoying my fic. I'll try to keep up with updates, but I've been a little busy lately.
Wufei: She's lying, she's just being lazy.
Miss Chang Po: Quiet you! ::gives him a 'pyscho Quatre' look::
Wufei: ::scitters away, spooked::
Miss Chang Po: ::grins in satisfaction:: Ja, minna!