Okay folks, this is continuing with the Jin-Rachel relationship. I'm taking it further, and you'll see how. You gotta read though, so please enjoy...and then review of course.

This is the disclaimer. If you don't know what a disclaimer is, you're ignorant and should be shot in public. It states simply that this is not an original work, and I don't own the series anime Gundam Wing.

After Eve Gundam Wing: A New Heero

Chapter Twenty Nine

Jin sat silently in his room on the second floor of Howard's mansion. He dare not rush into Howard's proposition before thinking it out clearly. He had to heavily weigh each decision in his mind.

This new ZERO system...sounds really beneficial...But I have now idea what the consequences could be. Howard tells me that it could permanently affect my brain...It could drive me insane. Jin stood up and paced around the room.

But I may be able to master it with as much ease as the original ZERO...Then again, the abilities of ZERO are far more advanced than the original ZERO...What if the new Zero's affect and resistance is the same? It could swallow me up. It could drive me to do something terrible.

"How am I supposed to know what to do?!" he shouted to himself under his breath. "I can't beat Max and the Scorpion without it...but I may end up going completely insane and possibly killing my friends." Jin kicked his desk, and immediately regretted it. It didn't hurt, but it called the house's attention to his room. He heard footsteps approach his door, followed by a light knock.

"Yeah," answered Jin. The door opened, and Rachel and Stephen walked in.

"We heard a crash," said Stephen. "What's up?"

"Just thinking," muttered Jin as he continued pacing. He'd already told them about ZERO II and how Vivian had created it for him based on his new fighting ability. "I'm trying to figure this ZERO thing out...I need to be alone for just a little longer."

"Alright then," said Stephen as he began to close the door. "Just don't overdo it buddy. You're still a human." The door shut behind him.

That's my problem. thought Jin. I'm only human... Jin flung himself onto his bed and looked up at the ceiling. This is nuts. I can't concentrate on anything in this state...I'm too uptight, but I can't relax.

Jin fell asleep several minutes later, deciding it would be best to take a nap. It was almost sunset when he fell asleep, and by the time he woke up, it was deep into the night.

He'd once more practically jumped out of his bed as he awoke from the dream that still continued to plague his memories.

Goodbye Heero...You will be missed.

"Damn you Vance," he whispered hoarsely as he stood up and went over to his window. He was cold with sweat and panting for air. He would probably never et over this nightmare. It would forever haunt him when he sleeps.

He opened the window and climbed carefully out onto the small little roof right below the window sill. He'd found this to be an excellent place to meditate one time before, the night he'd arrived at Howard's place to begin this new mission. He left the window open and sat cross-legged n the slanted, shingled roof and looked out into the darkness. The moon's lighting was just enough that he could watch the waves the ocean gently glide up the beach and then fall lazily back into itself. To Jin, this was the most relaxing was to think or meditate on something. There was just something about the ocean that calmed him.

He leaned back and closed his eyes, listening to the waves below him and basking in the cool summer breeze that flowed over him. What would you have me do? He asked as he opened his eyes and looked at the stars. You were a soldier all of your life...You were the best there was at this sort of thing...You'd just go strait into a fight without thinking about yourself. Wouldn't you?

He paused his thoughts for a second. I'm different Father. I'm not half the plot you are...Tell me what I need to do. Tell me how I should deal with my problems. I miss you so much. You and Mom. "It's not fair," he almost shouted. "Those bastards...They destroyed you both because you were good people. You had to die because you stood up for what was right...I don't understand!"

A window behind him to his left suddenly opened. He turned so rapidly in his lying position that he almost stumbled. It was Rachel. She poked her head out the window and saw him instantly.

"I thought I heard something," she said with a laugh. "Mind if I join you?" Jin only nodded, approving of her proposition. She too carefully climbed out of the window of her room, which happened to be resting above the same roof on which he sat. He never thought about it before.

Somehow, the moon's pale blue light shining down on her, combined with the fact the she was wearing a pink, short nightgown and her hair down made her seem even more beautiful than he'd ever thought possible. She looked so elegant and angelic...so pure. She took a seat close to him on his left. Jin remained lying down, and Rachel looked down at him curiously.

"What's buggin you?" she asked cautiously.

"It's nothing," he said dismissively.

"You had a nightmare," she said simply. "What's on your mind?" He looked up at her disbelievingly. She smiled. "The walls aren't thick enough that I can't hear you through the wall. You seemed really distressed."

"Did I wake you?" asked Jin.

"Yeah, but I went to bed early anyway."

"Sorry..." replied Jin. He put his arms behind his head for a pillow. "yes, I have nightmares. I have them just about every night."

"I know," said Rachel. "I hear them almost every night."

Jin fell silent, but began again quickly. "Every night, it's the same dream...I have to watch my parent' murders over and over again. I wake up almost every night. Sometimes I have to watch it four or five times before I finally regain consciousness. It's like a tape on rewind every night. I don't remember ever having a good dream. Only nightmares fill my mind."

"Every night?" asked Rachel sympathetically.

"Yes," said Jin. "And I wake up in a cold sweat, almost unable to breathe...It's hell."

Rachel dared not say anything. This is what she'd suspected it to be, but she was too afraid to ask.

"Why am I plagued with this memory?" he asked as he looked up to the stars again. "I know why...It's a constant reminder of what I have to do. I will have these memories forever is I don' settle my score."

"Maybe," began Rachel, "it's a result of stress. Maybe you're working yourself too hard..." Jin looked questioningly up at her. "You lead probably one of the worst lives of anyone on the planet, and it's not your fault or anything. But maybe you're trying too much." Jin immediately recognized where she was gong with this.

"You still love him...Don't you?" asked Jin as he looked up to the sky once more. Rachel looked out over the ocean.

"Yes," she replied quietly. "I still love him. I know all the horrible things he's done, to you, to us, to everyone, but I still cannot let him go. I don't want to love him anymore...but he's my father..." Rachel's eyes began to glaze over with tears. "I'll always love him, even though he's such a horrible person." She broke down and began crying, and Jin sat up next to hr, wrapping an arm around her and holding her up against him. She cried into his shoulder.

"It's okay Rachel," he said. He'd never been in a situation like this before, and felt awkward, but he wanted to take her pain away. "Rachel, no one but you can know what you're going through, not even me. You have a great burden of your own."

"I can't stand it anymore," she cried, still with her face in his shoulder. "I...want him to be a better person, but he...he doesn't love me anymore." She sobbed even harder into his arm, shaking violently. He removed his jacket, which he happened to be conveniently wearing at the time, and wrapped it around her. Though it was summer, the breeze was cold, especially for someone wearing as little as she was. He held her tightly against his chest, an attempt to keep her warm.

"I hate it," she said through her tears. "I hate being caught in the middle of all this...What did I do to deserve this?"

"Now you can't go blaming yourself," said Jin soothingly. "It isn't your fault any of this happens. You couldn't have done a thing about it all..." Jin looked out at the ocean as he held the sobbing girl in his arms.

"I don't know how you can stand it," she said. "How can you go on? You must hate me and Kreed for what Vance did to you."

"Don't talk foolishness," said Jin in shock. "I could never hold you or your brother accountable. I don't hate you at all Rachel. I wouldn't dream of it." Rachel shivered again.

"You've gotta be freezing," said Jin. He would've held her tighter, but he also feared that he might literally crush her. He moved to get up, but she gripped his shirt tightly.

"Please don't go," she pleaded, shivering more. "Don't let go of me."

"You could get sick out here," said Jin. He gently eased her hand off of his chest and walked to his open window. She shivered violently. Rachel also stood up and looked at him for a moment, and then at the window, and back to him again.

"If you want," began Jin, looking over his shoulder. "You could come in here." Rachel looked only slightly taken aback. "But that's okay. We'd probably get into trouble."

"Yes, I do want to," said Rachel, walking over quickly, still wrapped in the blanket. He ushered her over the sill into his room. This was only her second time in here. Jin latched the window shut tightly. Rachel shivered once again. She was still trembling, probably because she was still cold and she had been crying.

"Here," he said as he led her to the bed. "You sleep here." She lay down and curled up under the blankets. Jin began spreading a blanket out on the floor, when she looked over and noticed what he was doing.

"Jin," she began quietly..."Would you...sleep with me?" Jin looked up quickly and turned red in the face. "Just next to me is all," she added quickly. Jin stopped his bd making.

"Are you sure?" he asked. "You and I could get in a lot of trouble. I wouldn't want to get you into trouble."

"Please," repeated Rachel quietly. "Just this once." Her eyes were pleading with him more than her voice. She was dying for someone to be close to. Jin walked over and spread the blanket to the side to allow himself in. Rachel slid over to the side to give him room, but Jin curled up right next to her.

Her back was up against his chest, her head just resting on his shoulder, and he draped an arm around her side to hold her up against him. They both felt a little awkward at first, never having been in this situation before, but it quickly washed away. Jin relished in the sweet scent of vanilla in her hair, obviously an ingredient of her shampoo or conditioner or something.

As they both fell asleep, they couldn't each help but think that this was the most perfect night of their lives thus far...

End Chapter Twenty Nine

Another little romantic scene. I apologize if you're not into this and you only want the action, but it starts really soon, so just be a little patient. (They get in their Gundams next episode!) Oh, by the way, Jin and Rachel do anything while they sleep together alone in his room. They simply slept together. Anyway, I've been told I need some stuff like this in my stories. It makes it a little more interesting I'm told. Well I agree, so I'm glad for all the suggestions I get.

Speaking of suggestions, I'm nearing the 100th review barrier, and I couldn't be prouder. I'm so happy you people review my stuff, even if it is only sometimes. There are several people who review regularly, like every chapter, and you guys are the best. You other people should learn from them. Anyway, I won't bother naming those people. You know who you are, and you know I'm greatly appreciative. Thank you all...And stay tuned for the next episode...