Relena could not concentrate. Meeting her brother was fascinating, but there was so much more to think on. Her mind swarmed with questions. Her brother's return meant that might not need to be queen after all. She could go home and return to her parents; her life. It all seemed so far away and so long ago. She did miss her parents. Originally, she had hoped to attend a ladies' college and study to become a nurse or perhaps a teacher! Maybe even find a nice gentleman along the way and settle down. Coming to this land, however, changed her in ways she never expected. It would be hard to return.

She wondered what exactly might be happening at home. Her parents had to be out of their mind with worry! But, then, they also knew who she was. Would they be able to figure it out? Would they leave their life in the other realm to return to Sanq instead? And if they didn't, if she did go back, then what would it mean for her and Heero? They hadn't declared their undying love or committed to one another in any final way. Still, she knew he cared. She knew she loved him. Surely they could make it work… somehow… right?

She found Heero in the stables preparing his horse for the trip. He had changed out of his green uniform and into a black suit with a black coat and black slacks that the scientists designed for them. Supposedly these suits would go well under the armor and make it more comfortable. She almost missed the familiar green, but it wouldn't blend very well in the dark of night. The horse made a sound at her approach and he looked up, intense blue eyes meeting hers.

"What are you doing here?" His voice was calm and neither soft, nor harsh. She offered him a small smile.

"I came to see you off… to wish you well." He nodded and continued to brush the horse. She walked up and gently petted the horse's neck.

"We aren't leaving yet."

"I know." The horse nuzzled her. "I also know I can't persuade you not to go." He looked up, eyes serious. She looked down, suddenly very nervous. "It's just that… I care about you… a lot. And I know that you… care about me…" she felt his eyes on her.

"Yeah." He took a step toward her. "Which is why I have to go tonight. I have to ensure that your dream of freeing this kingdom becomes a reality." The dream for the kingdom… She needed to tell him about her possible return to the other realm. She wanted to know what he would say. What he might do...

"I was hoping to properly introduce you to my brother."

"Properly introduce me?" She nodded, blushing.

"Yes…and…" She felt her cheeks heat. She folded her hands together in front of her and looked down. "I suppose we should talk… about last night… and what it… what it means..." her voice was soft, almost timid and she felt a light blush heating her cheeks.

This was a moment she had been dreading ever since their lips met. What would he say about it? She didn't know what it meant, so how could he? And going forward? She was a princess. Technically he did have the same rank in his land as a prince, but would that be enough? For him? For the kingdom? What would her brother say? If she decided to go home,would he possibly go with her…?

"What happened last night should not have occurred." His voice was flat, his comment to the point.

"What do you mean?" She felt her head swim. "You kissed me-"

"And it was a mistake." She fet an icy hand grip her heart and her breath catch in her throat. Shook her head.

"No." She looked into his eyes. "You don't really see it that way."

"I do." He stated, his voice a little harsh.

"I don't believe you."

"I am a soldier, Relena. My job is to protect you or die trying. That is all I have ever known."

"But it isn't all you can know." She stepped forward and took his hand in hers. "And I know that isn't all you feel." He locked eyes with her again. "I felt it when your lips touched mine… the spark…" he looked away from her.

"It doesn't matter what I did or didn't feel. In the end, you are the princess. This-we cannot be more than we are."

"That isn't what you really want." Confusion filled his eyes.

"It is for the best."

"I won't believe that. Not now. Not ever." She closed the final distance between them, wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. How could she make him see? How could she get him to understand what she felt?

"Relena…" she heard his doubt, felt it in his touch. She needed to tell him… tell him that...

"I… I love you, Heero…" he froze and for a moment, she couldn't breathe while she waited for him to say… something...

"Relena…" she looked up at him. She had to show him she meant it, the only way she could. Without another word, she rose up on her toes and pressed her lips to his. After what felt like a small eternity, he leaned down and in, deepening the kiss, while wrapping his arms around her. She sighed, softly, in her throat.

When the kiss broke, they were both breathless, he clutched her to him. She giggled softly and he looked down at her.

"What's so funny?" She shook her head.

"I don't know." She said, still laughing. "Nothing, really. I guess..." She smiled. "I'm just… happy." He nodded and caressed her cheek with the back of his calloused finger. "Let's get back inside. I really do want to introduce you to my brother." Heero couldn't hide his frown. "What's wrong?"

"I don't think Zechs should be so easily trusted." Relena frowned. She had hoped Heero would be more willing to give her estranged brother a chance.

"He is my brother."

"I know that, but less than two hours ago he was a high-ranking officer in the enemy army." He steeled his gaze. "I am not so sure this isn't a trick."

"Heero, please." She began, voice calm. "I understand your apprehension, but I know he would never do anything to hurt me."

"You're being naive, Relena. Family members can betray each other."

"And so can sworn allies."

"You don't even know him."

"I didn't know you either and yet I trusted you enough that I followed you here."

"That is not the same thing."

"Isn't it?" She took his hand in hers. "The same feeling I had that led me to trust you is telling me to trust him as well." She looked into his eyes. "Please, Heero. Believe in me like I believe in you." Those last words seemed to get to him. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath. She watched him closely as he seemed to think on her words. Finally, he looked deep into her eyes.

"I am not able to trust him at this time, but I do trust you." He caressed her cheek. "And I will keep him under surveillance until I am sure he can be trusted."

"Thank you." She leaned in and up and kissed his cheek before taking his hand and giving it a gentle tug. He followed her back in.

She led him up to her brother. The older man's steely gaze did not go unnoticed as his ice-blue eyes glanced down where her hand rested in Heero's. Her brother's lips thinned into a frown. When he raised his eyes to her, However, Zech's smile returned. She thought she felt Heero relax just the slightest bit...?

"Milliard, Miss Noin, this is Heero Yuy, my-" she paused and looked at him.

"Initial guide back to Sanq." Heero finished for her. Her brother's eyes flicked back to him. They had not put a label to what they were even after her declaration. This was as good an introduction as any. At least, for now.

"You were the wooden soldier I heard about then?" There was a guarded disdain in his tone, eyes darkening. Relena felt Heero tense again and gripped his hand a bit tighter.

"I was the one who saved her from your army, yes."

"Heero!" She chastised him.

"It was never my army. I only joined to get close enough to kill Dermail myself. When I found out my sister was alive, I defected and came here immediately. I wanted to help and protect her."

"How noble of you. As you can see, she is well protected."

"Oh yes. Five 'warriors', five old men and a girl are quite the army." Heero took a step forward, but she stepped between them.

"Stop it! Both of you!" Relena looked back and forth between them "I wanted you to be formally introduced, not bicker like school boys!" She looked at him, pleading. "Heero, Milliard is the only family I have left in this land." Then she turned to her brother. "And Milliard, Heero is… very special to me. Now, you don't have to like eachother but I ask that you try to remain civil to one another, if only for my sake." Heero looked at Zechs. Zechs, for his part, seemed to agree to the unspoken truce. They both nodded. She felt a tightness in her chest release and sighed.

"Good! Now, it's getting to be about lunch time. Shall we go to the dining hall?" They nodded again. Heero Walked forward and took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm to escort her. Her brother's glare and Heero's responsive smirk confirmed her thoughts that their truce would be strained, but thankfully, possible. Making their way down the hall, she felt confident that, in spite of their differences, the two men would find a way to get along, if only for her sake.

The meal passed in mostly awkward silence. Relena found herself to converse quite easily with her elder brother and his companion. Heero, for his part, did not say much of anything but nodded or gave the quickest and most concise answers possible when asked any question. She noticed the way her brother's eyes narrowed whenever they happened to witness any and all even slightly tender moments between her and Heero. Many times, the former RAT's officer seemed to want to say something only to hold it back.

'At least he cares.' she thought wryly.

She and Heero walked together to the stables where he began the final preparations for their departure. She watched as he put on the harness and fastened the saddle with care and precision. The saddle bags with minimal necessities looped around the saddle horn. He bent down to check the shoes on each of the hooves and nodded. Clearly he found their condition satisfactory. Finally, he turned to her. She laced her fingers into his.

"I wish I could go with you, but I know I would only get in your way." the corners ogmf his lips turned up into the smallest of smiles. "Promise you'll be careful?"

"Yeah." he leaned in and pressed his forehead softly against hers. For a moment, they seemed to be able to forget everyone and everything else until he brother loudly cleared his throat. Heero took a small step back and cast a glare at the older man. Relena watched her brother smirk but did not miss the chastising poke he received from his former lieutenant.

"There you are, buddy! Ready to go?" Duo stopped, eyes wide before an ornery smile spread across his face as his gaze found their linked fingers. "Am I interrupting something?" Heero glared at their braided friend.

"No," she nearly jumped back. "I was just wishing him well… I wish you all well."

"Don't worry about us, princess! We've survived worse than this stuff when we weren't human. We'll be fine!" He winked. She offered him a smile,but could not get her heart into it.

Trowa, Wufei, Quatre, Dorothy, Noin, and her brother soon joined them. Each began to prepare their respective mounts and gather their tackle and equipment. She did not like the idea of them riding off to such danger, but she wouldn't try to stop them. She knew, in her heart, that they would all be fine and return successfully.

Dorothy, surprisingly, stood with Quatre. She did not try to hear what was being said, but the young blond man smiled and blushed a bit. Duo teased Wufei which earned him a smirk from Trowa and a slap upside his head from the dark-haired man. Relena smiled. In spite of the severity of the coming events, some fun could still be had. She watched as Noin and her brother stood alone together whispering. There was something much deeper between them… Relena looked at Heero who's deep eyes bore into hers with an intensity that made her blush. Yes, she recognized what was between them because she felt it herself. She smiled.

As the guys began to mount up, Heero turned to her, pulled her to him and pressed his forehead to hers. She sighed and let the tender moment linger. When he pulled away, he mounted his horse and glanced back at her one more time before the six rode off into the dark of the night.

"They'll be ok." The older woman walked up and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Men like Heero and Zechs are capable of the impossible. I have seen your brother survive some amazing situations while fighting in his own way for what is right." Relena saw a softer look on Noin's face as she spoke of the former Lightning Count. This woman was certainly more than his second in command.

"You're fond of my brother, aren't you Miss Noin?" The woman smiled warmly.

"Yes. I do love him." Relena's thoughts went to Heero. Noin was surely feeling the same amount of concern.

'If only I wasn't so weak.'

"Is something wrong?" The concerned look on Noin's face made her realize how dour her expression had become. She didn't want Noin to think she disapproved.

"I feel so useless, Miss Noin. All of this power and still, others have to do my fighting for me."

"But you are not useless. Just inexperienced. If you will permit me, it would be my honor to teach you a few ways to protect yourself." Relena stared at the woman in pleased disbelief. A way to fight back? A way to do something to help the boys if only through protecting herself? She smiled up at the older woman and nodded.

"Teach me how to fight."