An: So you're all ready to come after me with your pitchforks, I know. I'm sorry. Terribly sorry. I haven't had a moment to breathe, let alone to write lately. But I'm MAKING TIME now!

Ch. 20 – Wake Up Call

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Duo questioned Hilde, who was sitting very emotionless in the chair next to his desk. She nodded. "Just remember not to mention the tabloid. Make as if you never saw it. Pretend to be oblivious to all things pertaining to any of us, except you and him. Keep your mine focused on the mission."

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be." She picked up the phone and dialed the number Duo had dug up for her. She listened to the calm sound of the ringing, then a smooth voice came over the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Jason?"

"Yes…" His voice sounded as if he knew her, yet he could not place her and it disturbed him.

"Jason, this is Hilde."

"Hilde, darling! …I hadn't expected to hear from you again…."

"Well, I thought I'd look you up and…." She hesitated to bring herself to even say it "…apologize for my reaction. You simply took me by surprise with that little goodbye peck."

"I certainly had no intention of offending you."

"I see that, now. We both were a bit rash and neither knew it. Anyway, the past is the past. I came to call about the future."

"Yes?"

"I wondered if you were coming into town anytime soon…"

"Actually, as a matter of fact, I'll be in tomorrow. I just…had feared calling you."

"No need to worry. I just wanted a chance to see you again." She had to smile to make her voice seem as if it were so, and Duo's heart sank at how sincere she looked.

She plays the part well…

"Well, then dinner tomorrow? I'll pink you up at seven."

"Um…the Taylor Hotel, downtown."

"Not living with that guy any longer?"

"No, we're over…for good."

"Well, then, perhaps the two of us should talk about the future…" She could feel his slimy eyes on her even though the telephone.

"I'll see you tomorrow." She cut the conversation short, not knowing how much longer she could hold her composure.

"Tomorrow." And with the click she knew he had hung up. Hilde let out a sigh of relief as she laid her own phone down.

"You're going to save us all, you know." Duo tried to help.

"Don't give me any credit." She stood up and walked toward the door.

"Hilde…" She looked back at him, looking nothing like the Hilde he knew and loved. "I still love you, and you deserve every bit of credit you get for this."

She turned back and walked out, slamming the door.

---------

Quatra walked into the silent hospital room and simply stared. Zechs sat, head fallen backwards, dead asleep. Heero still held Relena's hand, and his head had fallen onto his right shoulder. Quatra wouldn't dare wake them for this was the first sleep they'd gotten in over twenty-four hours. However, I sure wish they'd go home and get some real sleep.

"You think if I wake them up and promise that neither you nor I will leave her side, they would?" Hilde asked, smiling sadly.

"Hilde." Quatra gasped. "You're the last person I expected to see here."

"I'm the last person I expected to see here, too." She blinked away a tear. "She didn't deserve this…"

"I'm glad you see that…but neither did you."

"It all happened so fast. It went from a stupid idea of mine and Duo's to finally get those two together, to being molested by someone I'd never met before and calling off my engagement." She buried her head in Quatra's shoulder. "When did it all happen? I woke up this morning in a hotel room, and just yesterday I was just checking into one in Aruba."

"It has to work out, Hilde. It just has to. None of you…well, all of you deserve…happiness."

She hugged him tight. "Thanks, Quatra."

"It's my pleasure."

"I never have understood why you aren't married. Any girl would be lucky to have you. You're such a sweetheart."

"Well, it's never bothered me." He smiled. "I'll take care of all of the rest of you."

Heero jerked up from his uncomfortable sleeping position, and Hilde and Quatra's eyes flew to him. "She moved."

"What?" They said in unison, and Zechs twitched to a coherent position, too.

"She moved. Her hand moved." He gazed at her, his breath becoming more and more rapid. "Relena, if you can hear me, squeeze my hand. Wake up. Wake up, please."

Weakly, slowly, her fingers curled around his own. "Thank God!" Impulsively, he threw his arms around her. From where Quatra was standing, he could swear he saw her smile. No matter what he says, Heero Yuy loves that woman.

"You can't leave me, Relena." He whispered in her ear. "I couldn't do it. You've made me dependant on you. I've had you for too long, now. I…I love you." Her eyes popped wide open.

"She's awake!" Zechs yelled. She winced at the volume of his voice and closed her eyes again. She fought to open them, but couldn't find the strength.

Heero let go of her and took her hand again. "Rest. It's all right. Just rest. I'll see those blue eyes soon enough. Just rest." He felt her hand relax, and she slipped back asleep.

You're good be all right…

An: Ok, so despite the fact you all want to kill me because it's been nearly two months, are you at least happy for a little goodness? I promise it won't be two more months. I'm gonna try for it not to be two more weeks. I can't make you any promises though. My life is HECKTIC!

Special Thanks:

Keeroshu – I'm happy for any and all reviews. Thanks

Youkai No Rin – See, she's ok, don't freak out. Remember what I said last time!

Stormhammer – Ok, you've got me. I like the suspense, but u can't exactly have a lot here. I mean, clearly, I can't kill RELENA off!

TheEvilAshleyness – Thanks, I'm trying.

Hououza – Yeah, still coming up with that clever trap…

Calli Maxwell – Thanks so much!

Samantha B – Thank you, so so much

Rinny Leonheart – Aww, you're welcome. You've been such an inspiration in writing this. Thanks.

Chikifriend – Thanks, they will

Heaven's girl – well, thanks for the offer, but let's give Hilde a chance to beat him to a pulp, then you have go after him with the racquet

Nubia – Thanks. It was my original idea to write Kevin in when I created him last story. I thought he made a good villain. Thanks for reading.

Animegirlfan – Well, I'm just happy u review whenever. Thanks.

Raizard333 - Well yes, you have me pegged, with that the story is about Relena so I can't exactly kill her off. And thanks for covering my bases, but I didn't say they'd won yet…did I?

Keiko2009 – Thanks. Yes, as with most stories, mine didn't exactly start out really strong. You kinda have to build to something. Thanks for sticking with me!

MissAnnThropy2600 – I can feel for you. I'm still getting over a breakup. But I promise, eventually, things will come out ok both in real life and in make believe.

Blue September Rain – Thanks. You're one of the few people who actually believes there's suspense there. Most people are just "they have to be together! That's what the stories about!" I try. What can you do? Thanks for reading!

BlueMoon - hides Sorry…I didn't mean to take so long! Don't hit me!

Moonlitesadness – It's really been interesting to me who's taken whose sides when things broke down. And yes, I can see where you're coming from. Being a write, I'm supposed to be objective, but if I had to side, I'd actually pick Relena's. Just because I'm a Relena lover at heart. Well, thanks for reading. Keep me informed on how ticked u are at Relena, lol. Thanks again.