Healing: Chapter 9

[Angeldreams]

Healing Chapter 9

A/N: I basically don't own anything. Especially not Gundam Wing.

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Darkness engulfed the two, but Relena could still hear the waves gently lap at the canoe. It was eerily peaceful as none of the creatures of neither the sea nor the air wished to break the trance. Although she could not see the boat, she knew that they had long since escaped its sight. Hugh had planned it that way; sailing just close enough to a cove in the shore that the two could escape, but just far enough that it wouldn?t arose the crews' suspicions.

Obeying the silence, she leaned over and lightly touched at the oar that Jeremy was currently using, hoping he?d let her assist him. At her featherly light touch, just below his hand, his head lifted slightly; dark eyes looking directly into hers. He kept her gaze for a moment and then looked back to the rickety boards of the canoe floor. His determination to get her to safety was evident in his every movement; his every muscle that tightened and loosened to propel their small dot of wood on the water. Finally the silence was softly disturbed by a soft request and plea.

?Let me help.?

Jeremy lifted his head again, but this time only slightly and just long enough to briefly meet her eyes. In that fraction of a second, he never lost the evenness of his rowing, it was as if his body was a machine that was not allowed to relax or break its pace. Relena never knew that in the moment looking into her eyes, Jeremy saw the guarded yet wistful look hidden in their depths. As polite and kind as she always was, as much aware as she was about their destination, her thoughts were still very much on that old sailboat and a particular occupant of it.

Finally, an answer to her request was given in a matter that would have seemed automated if it were not for the delay in the response.

"Not necessary, Vice Foreign Minister Darlin.?

?Please call me Relena.?

Out of the tips of his eyelashes, Jeremy saw Relena's concentration somewhat shift to him, now that he had spoken. Perhaps it was because it hurt too much to think about her memories on the ship; perhaps it was because she missed Hugh. It really didn't matter, he knew he was the best distraction she had, and whether that was the reason or it was due to her kind nature, she focused on him.

?Thank you for doing this Jeremy, I?m sure my brother will be glad that I?m back.?

She was unable to read his face as it was shadowed in the darkness, seemingly content to be there. Her back muscles groaned at her, like the small decrepit canoe when the water hit it just right, her body was sore from the hard and uneven boards. As she slightly shifted her weight, the sun yawned and stretched a few of its arms across the seemingly endless horizon, giving Relena a much better view of her companion.

Jeremy was a quiet man, mostly keeping to himself. She rarely had seen him during the day, as it seemed he preferred to linger outside the decks where he was approachable to others only at night. Even then, it was rare that anyone would be near him. She had seen him on several occasions watch the stars intently, as if communicating with them. His hair was light and short, almost shaved. His eyes looked to be dark and seemed to mock and belie the deep tan or perhaps his natural deep skin tone. Jeremy shifted weight and the evenness of his strokes broke briefly, causing Relena to look away from him, embarrassed as she knew a Preventer would know when he was being watched.

Looking back into the endless depths of the water, it was difficult for Relena to distract herself from her recent memories. For her, today was a day that marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life and while the optimism that was Relena looked forward to the challenges that awaited her, part of her longed to rewrite the last chapter. Her simplistic life with Hugh had been wonderful yet etched with sadness for what have might have been.

She hadn?t even gotten to say goodbye or thank him. He wouldn?t allow it, no matter how many times she tried. Somehow he?d find a way to silence her with a kiss or change the subject. Relena sighed lightly and closed her eyes, as if trying to clear her head of the past few weeks.

The two heard a faint cry of a seagull, yet another signal that a mew day would soon begin. Relena opened her eyes, searching for the bird, but found Jeremy watching her, waiting for something. She tried yet again to start a conversation.

"Where are you from?" she asked politely.

While his body language did not reflect any problems with her invasion of his privacy, he didn't seem anxious to open a discussion or conversation with her.

Shrugging slightly as he rowed, "All over, I guess."

His response discouraged her, making it painfully obvious that although he would entertain her questions, he wasn't interested in making small talk with a former queen. Turning her thoughts, she leaned back and adjusted her weight once again, at the same time permitting her thoughts to think on someone she tried to block out. Heero.

What was she going to tell him when she got back? Would he even want to know? More importantly, would he even care? Her eyes closed and head dropped slightly as she pictured him standing before her in his green tank top and black shorts. His hair, standing up defiantly, just as he had all the times he fought to protect others. He was the one she would always love, but it was only in the past few weeks she realized he was the one she could never have.

Then there was Hugh. Sweet, caring Hugh. Someone who she truly cared for and could see herself with, but who knew he was second best. A strange sensation washed over Relena, and upon opening her eyes, she found that now Jeremy was now watching her.

Perhaps it was her lack of sleep or what she had recently been through. Perhaps it was the nature of this man who made her feel comfortable - he was so introspective yet his actions hinted at thoughtfulness and caring. A part of her knew he'd never tell her secrets. With this thought, Relena asked him a questioned that she normally would never have asked.

"Have you ever been in love?" she asked, her voice seeming small and far away.

Hugh looked at her startled for a moment, his rowing breaking its seemingly endless even pattern.

"I don't know," he replied simply.

It was her turn to be startled and confused. Squelching her eyes and slightly cocking her head she asked, "Why don't you know. You either are or you aren't."

He acted like he didn't hear her, which made Relena wish she hadn't said something so rude. She bit her lip, quickly trying to think of the best way to apologize when the answer came.

"I think I was, but maybe I was wrong."

"Oh," was all she could think of to say. Jeremy leaned over, reaching into the water to splash it on his face. Relena noted a one inch scar on the inside of his back right shoulder, wondering if he got in the war, but more curious to why he wasn't sure if he had been in love. A few minutes passed when Relena decided to ask him why he thought he was wrong, but before she could open her mouth he told her they were a few hundred feet from the shore. She turned to see the dark sand washed upon the beach by the gentle waves. For some strange reason, it gave her confidence for the difficult questions that she knew awaited her.

The two stepped out into the water, feeling the sand creep between their toes. Relena went to stand on the shore, while Jeremy pulled the boat in to the beach.

Looking at the canoe, Relena noticed a small emblem on the side of it, shaped like a ?P.? She had returned in the same boat she left in. She and Jeremy walked up the beach as the sun finally broke through the night skies and the clouds, brightly shinning as if welcoming her home.


TBC...

[bluefire]

It's great. I like it very much. I hope you could post the next chapter soon enough not to forget what had happened on the last story. Thanks for posting and keep on writing.