A/N: I apologize for the shortness of these chapters. I have been working really hard on wrapping up the plot and will very soon have some longer posts. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Thank you to my editor Caldyphen who has been absolutely wonderful and teaches me something new each time she corrects my work!

A Girl Named Xero

Chapter 8

As he watched the woman he loved fade in the laser canon's blast an agonized scream ripped through Quatre's throat. "XERO!" The hospital that she had been standing in front of crumbled from the impact and massive amounts of dust, too thick to see through, clouded the area. Duo and Trowa stared at the spot where she had been in disbelief and watched as Quatre lunged Sandrock at the Aries. The two suits thrashed about each trying to get the upper hand.

In the chaos memories flooded his mind of the time he had spent with her. Xero's smile, her laugh, her gentle touch, the way her skin had flushed pink as she lay exposed before him that night she had agreed to be his bride. He wanted to tell her he loved her, to hold her one more time. Rage filled Quatre as he pounded the other suit.

"Holy Mary mother of God…" he heard Duo exclaim from the communicator. He then realized no one else was fighting, they were staring transfixed at the spot that was quickly clearing.

At first it was a shadow that moved through the dust, and then the form became visible as it emerged from the flames. Quatre, still locked in a death grip with the Aries suit, stared with unbelieving eyes as Xero walked out of the carnage unscathed. Her fiery locks whipped around in the wind and her eyes burned with white-hot intensity as she stared down the enemy. She was all right! Quatre's heart sang with joy and burned with wonder at the magnificent creature before his eyes. Completely disarmed by the turn of events the Gundams had left themselves open for attack. Taking advantage of the situation, the Aries broke out of Quatre's hold and blasted Sandrock square in the chest. It then reared back and prepared to make the final blow that would end the Gundam. Quatre unable to move or breathe from the impact watched and was certain death would come.

As she witnessed the Aries suit attack Quatre, Xero was consumed with pure animalistic rage. The emotion sent a shock wave scorching through her body and she suddenly felt very strange. Something hot and tingling made its way from the very core of her soul to her hands balled up in fists at her sides. Instinct took over and she felt herself release the energy from the confines of her body and hurl it with both hands at the enemy. The Aries suit faltered as it sizzled and sparked. It reeled backwards convulsing and writhing until it fell with a loud crash and exploded on impact. The last thing Xero remembered was seeing Quatre emerge from Sandrock and come running towards her. Relieved that he was unharmed Xero let the darkness, which had begun to fog her mind, take her and the world went black.

:

She could faintly hear someone calling her name and let the sound's insistent tone draw her out of her dream world. Her eyes fluttered open and as her vision began to focus Xero found herself lying in a cot with Quatre leaning over her his expression concerned and pained. He sat in a dark wood straight-backed chair that didn't look very comfortable. His forehead was creased with worry lines and dark circles rimmed his eyes. Quatre looked so tired. "Quatre…" her voice cracked.

"You're awake," he acknowledged her and smiled wearily. "Duo and I have been worried about you. You've been asleep for five days." Shocked, Xero searched her mind for what could have caused this to happen, but her memory of what had occurred during the battle had become hazy.

Xero lifted herself into a sitting postion and tried to clear her head of its lethargic state. Quatre left his chair and sat on the edge of the small cot so he could support her in case she was too weak to stay upright. His warm arms enveloped her and she leaned into the embrace resting her head on his chest. Peering up at him she asked, "What happened out there Quatre?"

"Well, you saved my life, however I have no idea how you did it." Quatre sighed. "When that blast hit you, we thought you were gone. Neither duo nor I remembered your ability to heal. It also seems that in the chaos you discovered a new ability. It was as if you threw some ball of energy at that Aries and completely destroyed it. The only way I can describe it is that it looked like the suit was short circuiting before it exploded." He gazed down at her and she could see what she had done had left him shaken. "I'm glad you've discovered a new part of yourself, unfortunately you revealed it to OZ in the process. The remaining pilots sent out a message of what they saw you do before we were able to get rid of them all" His face twisted in agony, "It's all over, Xero. They know who you are now."

Xero straightened herself up to look at him directly, "It doesn't matter. I'm sick of running away." She no longer felt like the lost, frightened child she had been with Trowa. Being around Quatre had made Xero aware that she was a very capable woman. He had shown her she could be confident, powerful, and even sexy. She lifted a steady hand to brush her fingertips along his jaw, "Let them come, I'd like to see them try and capture me." She flashed him a mischievous smile and for the first time in their short relationship she initiated a kiss.

Quatre's eyes widened in surprise as she unexpectedly claimed his lips with hers. Slowly his lids slid closed and he savored the gift of her advance. Xero ran her hands through his hair as the need to be closer to him tore through her. Quatre's fingers feverishly stroked up and down her spine and pulled at the gray tank top she still wore. Losing himself in the kiss, he let out a low guttural moan as she experimented with the techniques he had performed on her the last time things had gotten this intense. Her tongue mimicked his previous movements with slight inexperience and he gladly took the opportunity to teach her more. Xero gasped sharply as he slipped a hand under the thin fabric of her top to cup an ample breast and circle his thumb around the aroused nipple he encountered.

The whoosh of an automatic door made them jump and they were greeted with the male equivalent of "eek!" as Duo walked in on the heated embrace. His face turned beet red and he hurriedly tried to escape the awkward predicament. "Hell Quatre, put a sign on the door or something!" The embarrassed couple scrambled to right themselves as Duo sheepishly said, "Heero and Wufei just arrived on ship, we're supposed to all meet in the galley for dinner." He turned away ready to bolt, but stopped long enough to throw one last comment over his shoulder. "It's good to see you're up Xero," and with a sly smirk he added, "you too Quatre," before he dashed down the hall.

The stunned silence was broken by laughter as Xero wrapped her arms around herself and doubled over. She had found Duo's play on words very amusing and couldn't help herself. Quatre blankly stared at her as the strange sound rang in his ears; he could only liken it to the chiming of miniature bells. He couldn't remember a time when he had heard her genuinely laugh.

"I'm sorry Quatre…" Xero managed to gasp out between giggles, "I guess we should get going." she paused suddenly noticing the unfamiliar surroundings, "Hey, where are we anyway?"

"We're on the ship Peacemillion." Quatre groaned at the prospect of having to go to the meeting. He hoped that Duo would keep what he had seen to himself. In no way did Quatre want to deal with more questioning about his lack of self-control around Xero.

"I've been asleep way to long." she sighed.

"Yes you have." Quatre stated as he kissed the top of her head, "Let's go and see what they're all up to." Taking her by the hand he led her to the door. "You were successful by the way. Thanks to you Trowa fought with us. He's decided to stay and help." Quatre laced his fingers through hers as they stepped out into the hallway.

Xero's heart pounded in her chest at the thought of Trowa being so close. She had not expected that he would escape Catherine and now here he was, back where he belonged. What was she going to do now? A strange urgency tugged at her heart and told her that she should be taking care of him. However, right next to it was another tug that told her she needed to be with Quatre; the man who had shown her how to love and respect herself as well as others. To be honest, she liked the way she felt when she was around the lithe blonde man. He had opened her eyes to her full potential. She and Trowa had always been on the run, escaping and evading. With Quatre, she felt she could face anything head on. So now what? Did she run back to a man who didn't even remember her and hope that he regained himself? Or did she marry Quatre the man who loved and accepted everything about her, but always wonder what could have been?

A/N: Ok please Review! Now that you have had the pleasure of reading my work, or displeasure if you didn't like it, I want to hear what you thought. It's only fair guys! I have noticed there are lots and lots of hits on this story, but not very many reviews. I'm sure you all have an opinion so let me hear it! Oh yes, and I would like to give a special thank you to DayDreamerMagby for reviewing after each new chapter! You're awesome!