Chapter 9
 

    It was late in the day, and Relena was finally ready to head home. The sun was just starting to set in the distance, diffusing her office with a soft, orange glow. She sighed as she filed the last of her paperwork. She was exhausted.

    Relena had busied herself all day with work in order to keep her mind off of more personal problems. She had received calls to her office practically every hour wanting confirmation that she had indeed broken things off with David. She had done her best to avoid the situation altogether, but not responding to their calls would have only fueled their fire. And yet she didn't care what they said. It only mattered what one person thought....

    'Heero.'

    Her eyes drifted to the bouquet of roses on her desk; they had arrived at her office the morning after she broke up with David. Although there had been no card sent with them, she knew whom they were from.  She smiled; 'He did say he wasn't going to give up.'

    But as quickly as the smile appeared, it vanished. Relena hadn't heard from him in the past two days, and she wanted to talk with him. She hadn't realized that what she had said in the restaurant must have hurt him. It didn't occur to her until much later in the evening why he had left so quickly that night.

    'He's just an old friend.'

    It was such a… insult when she thought about it. It trivialized everything they had been through together, the way they had trusted each other, found strength in each other…cared for each other. 

    She buried her face in her hands. "I'm so sorry, Heero."

    She let her shoulders sag and her palms dropped to the tabletop. She had to talk to him; she needed to apologize. Relena opened her desk drawer and pulled out a business card to a local motel. A room number was written on the back. She slid the drawer shut, then sat there for a moment, just staring at the card. She closed her eyes.

Wufei scowled. "You should just let things be. He's finally left you alone, it's what you wanted."

"I know." She looked away. "But I feel as though I owe it to him to help put his life back on track."

"You don't owe him anything, woman. Don't you see that? Or are you going to allow yourself to be just as blind as you were before?"

"What?"

"He's not any different from what he used to be."

"I was in love with who he used to be, Wufei!" Tears stung her eyes. "Please, find out where he's staying."

    Relena stood up from her chair, and placed the card in her briefcase. She quickly gathered the rest of her belongings then headed for the door. As she passed her secretary's desk, the phone rang. She paused, and set her briefcase and jacket on the tabletop in order to pick up the phone.

    "Relena Darlian's office." She paused, waiting for the caller to speak, but the other end was silent. Her heart skipped in her chest. "Heero?"

    "Miss Darlian?" The voice was older, a bit on the gravelly side, but still had a familiar ring. She recognized the caller immediately. "Mr. Yoshida."

    "I... I'm sorry if I have called at an awkward time."

    "No, actually, I was still in the office working late." Relena sank into her secretary's chair.

    "I was hoping that you could find it in your heart, to tell me how my son is doing."

    She tried to swallow, but her throat was dry. Her lips parted to speak--

    "Please.... tell me about, Heero."
 

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    She said I'm just a friend." Heero growled at the familiar image on the screen. It hadn't taken him too long to remember Duo Maxwell, although most of his memories of the man with the long braid seemed to be tinged with annoyance. "An old one."

    The man's face broke into a grin a mile wide. "Well, technically, you are an old friend." He shrugged. "There's no reason to get worked up over that."

    "You haven't heard the whole story…yet."

    Cobalt eyes seemed to dance at that suggestion. Why did Heero get the feeling that Maxwell was enjoying this?

    "I'm all ears buddy, if you want to talk about it. That is the reason why you called me right?" Duo leaned closer to the screen and poked a finger at the monitor like he was trying to poke Heero in the chest on the other end. "Not to just let me know that you were alive after three years - which, by the way I'm glad to hear."

    Heero didn't respond. The image of his 'long-lost friend' grinning like a Cheshire cat made him want to strangle him through the glass.  But the irritating man was right: Heero wanted to talk to someone about Relena.  It was why he looked up Duo's number - he needed a friend, one that understood him, or at least the situation.  "I need advice."

    "I never thought I would see the day."

    "Maxwell." Heero's eyes narrowed at the vid-phone screen.

    "Okay." Duo's brow creased and the smile fell from his features. "Go on."

    Heero crossed his arms over his chest and looked down at the table instead of his friend. "She's been pushing me away for over a week now." 

    "Okay.What do you mean?"

    "She shut me out of the Preventers. I can't get near her place of work, or her home. I've been following her around--"

    Duo chuckled. "Hold on. You were following her around? That's a change of character."

    Heero shot his friend a glare. "I saw it in her eyes, Duo. She still loves me. So why doesn’t she want me around?"

    "You gotta give her some time, Heero. She's engaged. You can't just expect her to up and dump the man."

    Heero frowned. 'Why not?'  He opened his mouth to ask the question aloud.

    "She does love him."

    His frown deepened. "I guess." The image of David helping Relena into the car, one hand on her back to indicate possession, came to mind. Heero snarled.  

    Duo sighed. "Heero. I didn't talk to Relena much after your funeral, but I know she truly loved you." He ran a hand through the front of his hair, and his eyelids lowered to give him a sheepish expression." That type of love just doesn't fade away. It's not something that can be replaced. If things are meant to be, then everything will work itself out."

    Heero scowled.  "Work it—"

    "You should have more faith in her. She'll do the right thing."

    "And what if she doesn't choose me?" The vid-phone beeped, signaling an incoming call. He groaned. "Duo, I have to go. There's another call."

    "Ok, don't forget my number this time. That had to be the lamest excuse I've heard for not calling in three ye—"

    "Duo."

    "It was a joke. I know, I know, ya gotta go. But you can call me any time you need to talk."

    "Thanks." Heero reached the flip over to the other line.

    "Oh, hey."

    His hand stilled on the switch." What?"

    "Good luck."

    Heero nodded, flicked the button on the monitor and watched the screen go blank. His heart began to pound; no one should have his number. 'Perhaps Relena....'

    He activated the call; the person materialized on the monitor – blond hair, blue eyes rimmed with red like she had been crying… His eyes widened at the image.

    "Kira."
 

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    "Oh Heero. You know it wasn't right to do that…."

"Please…tell me about Heero."

The man's voice sounded strained. And no wonder, if he hadn't seen or heard from his son in weeks. But it wasn't really her place to get involved.  "I...I'm not sure I understand what you mean."

"I see."

"He's all right. I saw him. Just a couple of days ago. If that's what you needed to know. "

"Yes. Thank you." He sounded relieved. Her heart leapt into her throat – the man really did care about his son.

"I…I can't begin to justify what I have done…"

"I know why you did it, why you kept his past from him." She swallowed and took a deep breath. Her voice still trembled when she spoke. "I can't say that in your place I wouldn't have wanted to do the same."

"I—"

"His past was very painful for him. It.. the things he did left him cold, distant…He didn't let people into his heart. If I could go back and erase the pain, erase the memories of what he had to endure, I…I think I would have been sorely tempted to do so." She sank back into her secretary's chair and brought a hand up to support her forehead. "I never wanted him to waste his life guarding me, either, Mr. Yoshida."

"Miss Darlian." His voice choked on her name. "Please, forgive me for ever thinking you didn't care about my son."

"I cared about him. I do still care very deeply for him." She was fighting a losing battle with her tears. "And there's nothing to forgive."

"I was very wrong to keep the knowledge that he was alive from you. I can't imagine—"

"It's all in the past. And the important thing is that he is alive." She smiled; tears still ran down her cheeks. "I have you to thank for that."

"Miss Darlian…"

"Please, call me Relena."

"Relena… Do you know where my son is right now? I'd like the chance to speak with him."

It wasn't her place to interfere, but... "I have a number where you can find him."
 

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    Heero blinked. "How did you get this number?"

    "I.... your father gave it to me. He, he got it from Miss Darlian."

    "Relena?" Kira's eyes lowered and she let out a stifled sob before she looked back up; tears sparkled in her eyes.

    "Zan, I know it's always been important to you to remember your past. But, did you have to shut out the people who love you?"

    He tried, but failed to form words as he watched her tears slide down her cheeks; he seemed to be good at making women cry.

    "I love you, Zan. I have since high school."

    "Kira, I don't… I'm not in love with you."

    She buried her face in her hands. "Oh God, Zan. Please don't do this to me." She was crying feely now, and his heart ached like it was him being rejected.

    'But that makes no sense.'  He frowned, then realized the pain he felt was a sort of sympathy; he was in the same boat as Kira with the person he loved. 

"I'm sorry."

    This woman, if she hadn't been the friend she was, encouraging him to go to college and giving him the support he needed, Heero might never have gotten his memory back. And then he wouldn't have this chance to try to make things work with the woman he loves.

    "Kira, look at me."

    Her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy; her cheeks were wet.

    "You were a good friend to me. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be where I belong."

    "You're father told me... about your past."

    Heero frowned. "He did?" Just what type of lie did he tell her?

    "You used to be her bodyguard and you fell in love with her. I-it's obvious you still are. And I'm no longer a part of your life."  Her gaze fell to the bottom of the screen.

    "Kira..."

    "I won't bother you again, Zan." Her hand came up to touch the screen before she terminated the call.

    Heero sat and stared at the darkened monitor. His throat felt tight; his stomach churned and made him feel a tad nauseas. 'Relena.' Is this how she felt about her fiancé? Had he expected too much of her too soon?  If… If she felt the same way towards David that Heero felt for Kira… Relena was infinitely more considerate and intuitive towards people's feelings. How difficult would it be for her to tell someone she cared about she wanted to be with someone else?

    He shot up from his seat, grabbed his keys and jacket then sprinted out the door. His mind was focused on one thing: he had to let Relena know that he would wait. Until she was ready, until she was sure. They could take things slowly, and see where it would lead them, if that's what she wanted.

    When he finally arrived at her home, it was late, well after midnight; she was normally asleep by now. He pulled his rental car up to the curb and quietly got out of the car. He had studied the wall around her home in the past and found a suitable spot to scale it. He quickly found the spot he had chosen and looked around to see if anyone was nearby.

    "Yuy."

    Heero froze – one hand on the top of the brick fence, the toes of his shoes snagged into crevices for leverage. Figuring he was caught, the intended-intruder turned in the direction of the voice. Wufei stood, about ten yards away, arms crossed and a dark glare on his already dark colored features.

    "There are better ways of getting in to see her. Perhaps you should try the front door."

    Heero glared at the Chinese man  then climbed down from his perch on the wall. He tromped passed the Preventer wondering how the hell Wufei even knew he was there? But before he could ponder that for long, his thoughts turned quickly to something darker. What was Wufei doing here this late? 'Is he living with her?'

    Heero pushed those ideas aside and walked up to the front door. 'Will I be disturbing her? Is she alone?' He paused in front of the door. He used to walk into this place as though it were his own; he had felt comfortable here in the past, now he felt like a guest. He pressed the doorbell and waited. He had expected a servant, or Pegan to open the door; instead Relena poked her head around it.

    "Heero." She smiled and opened the door wider. "Come in."

    He quietly entered her home and took a deep breath; it still smelled the same - of fresh flowers and polished wood. He followed her to the living room and neglected the gestured to seat on the couch. He looked around and felt instantly more at ease. Nothing had changed since the last time he remembered being here.

    "Can I take your jacket or get you anything to eat or drink?"

    He glanced over at Relena. She was wearing her pajamas, a pair of light pants and tank top. He remember sitting with her on her couch many times with her dressed like that as they watched the news or occasionally, when she managed to sucker him into it, a movie. He relaxed and gave her a small smile.

    "No thank you."

    Relena paused, fidgeted a little with her hands, then finally took a seat on the couch. Her smile continued to grace her features as she stared up at him. "Are you going to sit?"

    He nodded and sat down across from her. He didn't think anything of it until he saw her head bow, but not before the smile slipped from her face. 

    "So," Relena said while staring at the floor. "I talked with your father today."

    "I know."

    Her head snapped up. "Did he call you?" Her eyes were filled with hope as she looked into his. "Or... " She blinked and set her mouth into a neutral line. "…perhaps your girlfriend?"

    He arched an eyebrow. What had his father told her? Heero knew he had to be honest with her, if he was going to win her back. "She isn't my girlfriend. And yes, Kira called; we talked. What exactly did my father tell you?"

    "He told me the whole story. He said he spent years trying to track you down. About how he watched you for about a week, trying to figure out how to approach you. He told me about April 16th, and how he was glad that he picked that day to confront you. You probably wouldn't be alive if he hadn't been there. He saved your life." Relena closed her eyes and looked down at her hands that were in her lap.

    Heero got out of his chair the second she became quiet. He knew she was crying, but she had always been silent when expressing her grief. He sat down beside her, his hands floated just above her shoulders, unsure if he should touch her or not. His eyes widened when she turned and wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his chest.

    The warmth that came over him… It was like sinking into tepid bath water after a long day of manual labor. 'Like coming home'… He leaned slowly back onto the couch, pulling her with him as he placed his arms around her. He let her cry into his shirt, and they remained like that until she quieted her tears. When she spoke again, she hugged him tighter.

    "Your father said he had no intention of taking you away from your life."

    Heero snorted and started to disentangle himself from her embrace. "So he's going to try to get to me through you?"

    She held onto him. "Your father took you to the hospital, and told them you were his son. When he filled out the paperwork, he wasn't paying attention to what he put down on the forms. He wrote the name that was on your birth certificate. No one questioned it. And when you finally woke up the next day, you were incoherent."

    "And what about the three years after that?"

    "He wanted you in his life; he took a chance and lied to you. He just wanted you to have a chance to recover quietly from your injuries. He never meant to take away your life. He just…didn't know how to tell you. And he's sorry he didn't try."

    "I don't believe that for a second." Heero gave up trying to move her off his chest and ran a hand down her back. She shifted next to him to look him in the eyes.

    "Heero?"

    He frowned. "He's not sorry, Relena. He kept up the lie for so long, and even when he knew it was crumbling around him, he was still untruthful."

    "I'm sure he knew that eventually you would remember; he just wanted to have something to hold on to. He wanted you to know what your life should have been like." Her eyes pleaded with him as she spoke.  Pleaded for that man who had stolen three years--

    Heero growled and sat up. "It's not the life I wanted!" He leaned forward over his knees and ran his right palm through his hair. "I wanted to protect you." He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to look at her. Relena's eyes softened when he met her gaze. The tepid bath water turned to scalding hot. Did she want him to kiss her? He took her face gently in his hands. "I wanted you."

    This time when he leaned towards her, Heero knew that no one would be around to interrupt them. His mouth pressed against her own, biting gently on her lower lip, waiting for her to respond.  It took only a second. Her arms slid around his neck as she kissed back; a moan escaped her lips. The kiss intensified, and Heero felt like both of them wanted to give in to what they had been denied from for far too long.

    Relena shifted into his lap, straddling his legs; her body melded with his as her hands came to rest on his shoulders. But he didn't want things to get carried away, so he pulled back and kissed her on the forehead. Relena smiled and buried her face into his neck. She sighed.

    "I still want you..." Relena whispered.

    He could feel his heart swell. She wanted him, after he had thought she didn't. "We can take things slow."

    She nodded against him. "It would give us time to adjust. You can go back to school."

    He pulled back to look at her. "Back to school?"

    She yawned, covering her mouth. "To see if that's still what you'd like to do. You can finish out your semester then transfer to a college nearby."

    Her face was serious, though her eyes were glazed. He nodded. "That's not too far way."

    She shook her head and snuggled closer. Heero couldn't help it; he leaned back against the arm of the sofa, and enjoyed the feel of her against him.

    "No, and while you're there you could consider talking with your father. He's not a bad person."

    "I'll think about it." He couldn't have seriously thought about anything at that moment. Her body was so soft, so warm… His pulse was erratic. It was all he could do to keep his hands in appropriate places.

    She lifted herself from the cradle of his chest. He resisted the urge to pull her back. 

    "Heero, would you like to come over for dinner after I get off work?"

    He swallowed. "What time?"

    "Around seven.... no better yet meet me at my office and we'll come home together."

    'Coming home'… He nodded in answer to her question.

    She smiled and yawned again. He smirked as she settled herself comfortably against him. "I'll be there, Relena. I'll be there."