A/N: In case you guys can't tell, I've spent a lot of time recouping in my room this weekend, and thus I've been able to catch up a little bit. No promises on when the other chapter will come out, but now I can say I did two Pink Ribbons chapters in one month. :-P

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing

Relena came running into the high rise hotel room with more energy than Heero had seen from her in months. "It worked, it worked, it worked!" She squealed, throwing her arms around him with such momentum that it threw even him off balance.

"It worked?" He asked in disbelief.

Her cheeks glowing with excitement, Relena nodded expressively. "According to the latest results, the tumor shrank two millimeters in size!"

He sank to the bed, looking away as he processed the information. "Simply freezing the tissue—?"

"Yep," she yelped, plopping down beside him with playful eyes. "Granted, it's still there, and I still have a way to go, but it's progress, and any progress is good progress, right?"

Heero nodded, offering her a small smile.

"You're not convinced."

He sighed, looking away. "I'm sure the doctors didn't make a mistake, but I'm not persuaded that Cryotherapy is going to give you the permanent results you seek."

She frowned, looking away.

"Relena, I'm not trying to discourage you—"

"It's fine," she pouted. "You'll see, Heero Yuy. It'll work."

He lay back on the bed, looking at the ceiling.

"You'll see," she mumbled, again.

Silence fell between them as Relena openly seethed at his lack of excitement. It wasn't that she didn't believe in traditional medicine, nor was she afraid, really, to face the pain of the process, but there was a price she was unsure if she was able to pay. How could she willingly offer her future as a mother, if there were still other options on the table?

Suddenly inspired to look more into ways to protect her reproductive health, Relena left her lover's side, settling down in front of his computer. As she began typing away, starting her research, he turned on his side and watched her in silence. Granted, not many people would be allowed within yards of his equipment, but the fact that he felt safe leaving her be gave him a strange sense of peace. He trusted her, and though it was unfamiliar to give someone that much credit, he enjoyed it.

"I found out something today that will interest you," he said, breaking the silence.

Relena's fingers stopped moving, waiting for him to continue.

"Preventers Wind and Fire will be landing in Italy next week."

Relena hesitated before turning to face him. "I thought they'd gone to Mars?"

"They did. They've come home, at least for a little while."

"Why didn't they tell me?"

Heero shrugged. "I assume they intended to surprise you in Brussels."

She turned back to the computer, lost in thought.

"I suppose you'll just have to beat them to it," he added on.

"Huh?"

"You surprise them."

A mischievous smile graced Relena's lips.

:::

"No," Relena whispered, looking at the plate with obvious disgust.

"Just try it."

"Absolutely not."

"Relena, you're being rude."

"Well, you shouldn't have ordered me something so—slimy."

"Close your eyes," he said, picking up a pair of tongs and a tiny fork.

"Please don't?" She pleaded, squinting, but unable to seal her eyes shut.

"You have to try it at least once."

Finally she squeezed her eyes closed, grimacing in apprehension.

"Open your mouth," he said sternly, though a glint in his eye showed amusement.

Unclenching her jaw, she slowly opened her mouth, just enough for him to feed her the appetizer. As soon as she garlic and butter of the sauce hit her taste buds, she closed her mouth down, again, noting the small piece of flesh on her tongue. She peeked at Heero through one eye, still refusing to chew.

He crossed his arms, narrowing his gaze.

Relena sighed through her nose, forcing herself to gnaw on it. As she crushed the meat between her teeth, she was surprised that the texture was not slimy at all, but the cooking had made it more rubbery. The flavor of the shellfish, though, played well with the garlic, butter and parsley. She cleared her throat, concentrating on the flavors before she swallowed. Not what she had expected and it went down smoothly. Nodding, she had to confess, she actually did like escargot.

"Okay," she said as Heero went back to his own plate of local French cuisine. "I'm having a thought."

He raised one eyebrow, signaling that he was listening.

She cleared her throat, again, hiding her wringing hands on her lap. "There's a tea—" she started.

Heero scoffed quietly, not even looking up.

"Heero," she whined.

"It's your call," he answered, finally looking at her. "Just remember your promise to me. You will start traditional treatment—"

"No later than my birthday," she mumbled.

Relena looked away from him at the beautiful Courbouzon landscape as she nursed her glass of wine. France had been kind to them, since their arrival, and she was more than enjoying her time with the man she loved. Now it was Valentine's night and they had to discuss that, again. She really wasn't in the mood.

"Is it Red Clover?" He asked.

Relena looked up in surprise.

Heero's intense eyes met hers. "The tea. Is it Red Clover?"

"Yeah," she whispered. "How did you—?"

"Something about balancing your estrogen," he mumbled, looking back down at his food. "I know more than you give me credit for, you know."

"Oh," she whispered, letting her eyes drop.

"I still want you to go home," he said sternly. He sat very still for a moment and then took a deep breath. "That's all I'm going to say about that. I apologize for fighting on your holiday.

She gawked at him.

"Oh," he answered in a sarcastic tone, looking back up to her. "You thought I forgot."

She pursed her lips and turned away.

"Or did you think I didn't care?"

An amused grin manipulated her cheek.

Setting down his utensils, Heero leaned on his elbows, bringing himself closer to her, over the table. "I don't," he said softly. "However, you do." Reaching behind him, he pulled out a long, velvet black box, and presented it to her.

Relena's mouth dropped open in surprise as she accepted the gift. Opening it, she found a delicate platinum chain, carefully decorated with sapphire and diamond daisies. "Heero," she whispered in an awestruck voice.

"It seemed right for you," he explained, before carefully pulling it free from the case and laying it across her neck.

:::

Lucrezia Noin wouldn't have admitted aloud that she missed the Earth so much, but as the shuttle landed, she was standing at the exit, looking back at Zechs before the doors even opened. Her beloved said nothing, but he knew how badly she was itching to put her feet on the solid ground. He knew how deeply she loved space, but she'd had a desire to return home for so long, even just for a little while, that he had to satisfy her, this once. Silently, he just shook his head, waiting for her to bolt out of sight.

The good news was that when the shuttle seals were released, she was in just the perfect vantage point to catch the first glimpse of the welcoming committee. Below them, on the tarmac, stood the colonies' Perfect Soldier and the young woman formerly known as Queen of the Earth. Lucrezia's eyes lit up to see her loved ones, but she knew it was important to let the Queen's brother pass first.

Stepping back from the door, she gestured to him, saying, "Ladies first, Zechs."

Narrowing his eyes, the prince leaned in and seized a kiss, locking Lucrezia in place for several seconds. The blush on her face when he released her left him suspicious only for a moment, until he turned to find her attention was on his baby sister and former nemesis.

Heero crossed his arms, openly smirking at the old enemy. Relena just blushed a little and winked.

Shaking his head, Zechs made his way down the stairs, followed by his young lover. "Baby sister," he greeted with sincerity, taking her in a gentle embrace.

"Milliardo," she answered, referring back to his birth name, as was her habit. She had grown significantly since they'd last seen each other, and her brother was a little more than impressed.

"Still tending to your promise, I see," he commented to Heero, offering a hand of friendship.

Heero gripped it, firmly, nodding in greeting. "Zechs," he said solidly.

Relena ran forward when Lucrezia stepped onto the pavement, throwing her arms around the friend she'd always seen as a sister. "Whatever brings you two home?" She asked, too happy for the moment to even consider the painful trials she was secretly facing under the surface.

Zechs looked knowingly at Lucrezia, who simply blushed, again, shrugging. He crossed his arms, aiming for a perfectly stoic look as he answered. "I've agreed to marry her."

Relena's eyes widened, looking between the two, lighting up with pure joy.

Heero simply nodded, patting Zechs on the back. "Congrats," he commented in a monotone voice, before turning back toward the car.

Relena and Lucrezia quickly melted into excited chatter about details, and Milliardo simply offered a satisfied and tired grin before he followed Heero away.