Be Steel My Heart

By RocketFAN

Disclaimer: Thanks to Celtic Women for the song that inspired the title of this chapter. I do not claim any ownership of it whatsoever

Chapter Eight: The Soft Goodbye

The next morning, Attila and Hun were up early and off on the hunt of a legendary Pokemon that has been reported to live on the mountaintop of the islands tallest peak.

"All set?" Attila asked his groggy partner as she pulled on her backpack.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Hun replied rather unenthusiastically.

"You okay?" Attila asked her concernedly as he noticed she looked paler than usual.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired," she replied with a small, forced smile. But she knew was not okay. She could feel that she was not okay at all. But she cared too much for Attila to worry him by telling him how she really felt.

"Okay, let's head out and up!" Attila replied cheerfully as they exited their base vehicle and started for the mountaintop. After hiking several miles, they reached the base of the mountain. "Whoa! This is going to be harder than I thought," Attila said as he looked up at the top of the peak that was hundreds, perhaps thousands of meters above where they were standing. "Oh, I don't think this is a good idea, Hun," he added while noticing how hard she was breathing from the four-mile trek from base camp to the bottom of the mountain.

"No, let's go," Hun replied with a nod of encouragement.

"Do you think you can handle it?" Attila asked her carefully.

"I know I can. I just hope my heart can, too," Hun said with a small laugh to hide her seriousness. She saw the deep look of fear and concern in Attila's eyes and sighed. "I'll be fine," she said softly, knowing in her heart that is was a lie.

They were a little more than a quarter of the way up when they came upon an indent in the side of the mountain that formed a small cavern.

"Let's go in here," Attila said while pulling himself up on the ledge and then helping Hun up with one gentle lift of her slight frame.

"Wow," Hun said while trying to catch her breath.

"Come on, lets sit down and relax for a while," Attila suggested while taking Hun's hand and leading her inside the cavern. "Attila to Team Rocket HQ," he said into his hand radio in an attempt to contact Giovanni.

"Team Rocket HQ, here. How's it going?" Giovanni's voice rang on the other end.

"So far, so good. We're about a quarter of the way up and we've stumbled upon a small cavern where we're going to chill for a minute," Attila replied over the radio link.

"Well, don't waste too much time. Make sure you bring back that Pokemon! And keep me updated. Giovanni out," he said as he terminated the link.

"What do you think? It's getting dark, should we stay here for the night?" Attila asked Hun as he put his arm around her and pulled her close to him.

"I agree," she replied wearily before getting up and starting to examine the cave walls. She used this as an excuse to stand up to try and get the feeling back in her legs, which felt completely numb. "Ugh!" She suddenly cried out as a sharp, piercing pain ripped through her chest and brought her to her knees.

"Hun? HUN!" Attila cried while rushing over to her and gently scooping her into his lap.

"A... Attila . . . it . . . it hurts!" Hun sobbed while tears flooded her eyes.

"Oh, God! Hun . . . ," Attila whimpered helplessly as he gently wiped her tears away.

"Attila? Will . . . will you do me A.. favor?" Hun asked him weakly.

"Anything," Attila replied while his own eyes welled up with tears.

"Please . . . find my son . . . and tell him I'm sorry," Hun asked tearfully.

"Your son?! You have a son?" Attila asked in shock at her request. Hun shook her head which caused her welled up tears to fall down her face while taking a short, sobbing breath.

"I... I had him so . . . so young . . . I was only 17 . . . I had to give him up. I... I didn't know what to do . . . and I'll never get to say goodbye . . . ," she sobbed harder to the point where she could barely catch her breath. "UGH!" She cried out in pain and winced while grabbing her chest.

"Hun!" Attila sobbed as he took her face in his hands.

"Attila . . . promise me . . . ," Hun whimpered softly.

"I promise," Attila replied while wiping her tears.

"I'm . . . I'm sorry," Hun said breathlessly.

"For what?" Attila asked while his own tears splashed onto Hun's pale face.

"For . . . for leaving you," Hun said tearfully.

"Don't worry, kid. I'll see you again someday," Attila said softly while gently stroking her damp face.

"I... I love you," Hun whispered while starting to breathe easier.

"I love you too, kid. I'll always love you," Attila managed to get out as he felt Hun completely relax in his arms. "I love you . . . ," he sobbed as he cradled her now lifeless body. "I'll see you soon," he whispered while kissing her forehead.

When the light begins to fade

And shadows fall across the sea

One bright light in the evening sky

Your love's light leads me on my way

There's a dream that will not sleep

A burning hope that will not die

So I must go now with the wind

And leave you waiting on the tide

Time to fly, time to touch the sky

One voice alone a hearts sick cry

One song, one star burning bright

Let it carry me through darkest night

Rain comes over the grey hills

And on the air a soft goodbye

Hear the song that I sing to you

When the time has come to fly

When I leave and take the wind

And find the land that faith will bring

The brightest star in the evening sky

Is your love waiting far for me?

Is your love waiting far for me . . .

THE END

A/N: Apologies for the slight cheese factor