Authors' Note: Yep, I know this fic skimps on the details of our favorite couples' personal lives. But those didn't strike me as too terribly important with this one: somehow, I felt that giving extensive details about their separate lives would detract from the storytelling. It's short, it's sweet and it doesn't make you think too much. So make whatever assumptions you will about where they are professionally (keeping in mind that this occurs about five years after EW, around AC200-AC201). Just enjoy the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, the song "If You See Him, If You See Her",
sung by Reba McEntire and Brooks and Dunn, or much of anything else.

If You See Him, If You See Her

"Well, it was really great to see you, Relena." Hilde Maxwell closed the trunk of her husband's car with a bang, then turned to her friend. "It's always nice when you can find the time to visit."
"I just wish I could have stayed a little while longer." Relena Peacecraft sighed, looking wistfully at the cozy home Duo and Hilde shared. "Vacations never seem to last long enough."
Hilde nodded. "And you never get to see everyone you wanted to see," she added.
Relena sucked in a startled breath. She hadn't realized she was that transparent, but of course Hilde had to know. Why else would she snap to attention whenever the phone rang, or when someone came to the door? Who would she be so anxious to see, if not him? A voice from the front of the car startled her out of her daze.
"Come on, princess! We're going to miss your flight." Duo revved the engine
impatiently. Hilde gave her one last hug, then pushed her gently towards the car.
"Go on. If you stay I might just be tempted to lock you in the guest room," she said. "And don't be a stranger. You're welcome here anytime."
"Thanks, Hilde. And-Hilde-" Relena choked on the words she wanted so badly to say.
"I know. I'll let him know...that you say hi."
Head bowed, Relena opened the car door. "Thanks."

[If you see him, tell him I wish him well
How am I doing? Well, sometimes its hard to tell
I still miss him more than ever
But please don't say a word
If you see him
If you see him ]

"I just think you could have called or something, while she was here." Duo threw down some bills to pay for their lunch, then looked at Heero expectantly. "You could see how badly she wanted to hear from you. She was on a hair trigger for two whole weeks."
Heero stared unresponsively into his coffee cup. "It was a busy week," he mumbled.
Duo snorted. "Right. Real busy avoiding the one person who wants to see you the most. Look, she knows you're not going to hunt her down while she's working, but she knows you still visit the rest of us from time to time. I think that's why she decided to stay with me and Hilde, instead of getting a hotel room. She didn't want to miss you if you stopped by."
It was Heero's turn to snort. "Why, so the two of you could leave us alone together? It's been too long, Duo. It'd be too...strange."
The braided man sighed. "It's only strange because you still-" He was cut off abruptly as Heero stood and glared at him.
"I've done things I'm not proud of, and I've made mistakes. But I can't undo those mistakes. I just have to live with them. As hard as it is-" he faltered slightly- "I live with them."
Duo put his hands up, signaling defeat. "Okay. I get it. I won't say another word about it." Rising from his own seat, he headed for the exit. He stopped when Heero put a hand on his arm, and looked at the other man in surprise. Heero wasn't a big fan of physical contact, unless it was to inflict pain. "Yeah, Heero?"
"Duo-If you hear from-I mean-"
Duo smiled and patted Heero's hand awkwardly. "I'll be sure to tell her you say hey."

[If you see her, tell her I'm doing fine
And if you want to, say that I think of her from time to time
Ask her if she ever wonders where we both went wrong
If you see her
If you see her]

Heero walked towards his car with a sense of apprehension, unsure of what he'd just put in motion. Would she be happy to hear about him? Would she be angry? He knew he'd be angry, if Relena had done to him what he'd done to her. But she never had been the kind to hold a grudge, especially when it came to him. That was why he had stayed away so long this time; he was afraid that eventually, he'd take her forgiveness for granted, and hurt her so badly that even she couldn't deny it. At least, that was what he told himself. The rational part of him knew that his justifications were a load of BS, and he didn't really know why he avoided her, just that he never did understand how her love could be
so unconditional. It scared him on a level he hadn't known existed. Now that she wasn't around, though...the fear was replaced by an aching loneliness.

[I still want her]

"Princess?" Duo's face, splashed across the screen of the vidphone, showed concern. "Are you okay? Relena?"
Relena rubbed her forehead with a shaking head, cursing herself for getting so rattled. "I'm fine, Duo. I just wasn't expecting...you know." It was only a hello, she told herself. It might not even have been a friendly hello. Still, after five years without a single word...
"I know, princess. Neither was I." He offered her a crooked grin. "I think he might be coming to his senses."
"That's ridiculous," she scolded. "There's nothing for him to come to his senses about."
Duo's eyes were suddenly serious. "I think there is, Relena."
"The next time you see him..." she trailed off, unsure of how to respond to such a vague greeting.
"I'll tell him you were happy to hear from him." This time, she returned the crooked grin.

[And I still need him so
I don't know why we let each other go]

"Would you let her know...I was wondering when she'd be in town next..."
"Not a problem, buddy."

[If you see her, tell her the light's still on for her]

"Are you sure he's not seeing anyone?"
"Positive. Why?"
"Because-well, I'm not either."
"I'll be sure to tell him that."
"Duo!"

[Nothing's changed deep down the fire still burns for him]

"So they've just been holding the torch for each other, for five years?"
"That's what it sounds like. Hilde?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you think you would've carried a torch for me for that long?"
"I don't know...none of our friends are the type to play matchmaker. We probably
never would have gotten together."
"Leave it to us to be the meddling matchmakers. Hey, do you have Relena's flight number written down? I have to give it to Heero."

[And even if it takes forever, say I'll still be here]

"Hello, Heero."

[If you see him]

"Hello, Relena."

[If you see her]

She looked away, nervous under his gaze. "So Duo tells me you've been good."

[If you see him]

"He's half right." Gently, he placed a finger under her chin and lifted her head until she was looking at him. "I'm doing better already."

[If you see her]