Love's Labours Lost - final chapter (epilogue to follow)

[blackrose]

<center><b>Love?s Labours Lost</center></b>

AN: This is the final chapter. Stay tuned for a short epilogue. ^____^

<b>Chapter 15

Seattle Memorial Hospital
Seattle, WA</b>


Relena inched open the door to her brother's private hospital room. Thin, grey carpet spread across the floor. Cranberry-colored curtains draped over the window on the opposite wall. A set of matching grey chairs gathered around a table next to his bed. A medium-sized television rested on a piece of furniture where he could view its programming whenever he chose.

It almost reminded her of a hotel room. Almost.

But there was medical equipment in the corner ? heart monitors and breathing machines, and some other things she didn't recognize. And even before she had to look at the medical equipment in his room, there was the unmistakable plaque at the end of the corridor. The one that read: Terminal Patients.

She had to take a deep breath every time she saw that sign. And still, it took all her strength to continue down that hall, to this room.

<i> The room was dark, and there was a weight on her chest she couldn't see. Long shadows fell across the floor, and some of them had faces. Faces that twisted and bled. Her nightgown clung to her skin and she wanted to get out from under the covers. But the blanket hid her from the faces...

Milliardo pushed open the door. "What's wrong with my little princess?"

"There's a monster under my bed." </i>

Relena crept inside the room. Her brother lay still on the mattress amidst white upon white sheets and blankets.

<i> "There's no monster."

Relena rubbed her eyes. "There is a monster."</i>

She moved closer to the bed and glanced down. Her heart plunged into her stomach.

<i>"There's no monster. I scared him away."

The little girl blinked. "You did?"

Her brother grinned and sat down on her bed. He was only four years older, but to Relena, he seemed like a giant. </i>

His once white-blond hair had yellowed, and it lay against the pillow in a small cloud around his face. His skin, always smooth and pale, was almost translucent. He looked like an old man, and he was only twenty-eight.

Withered lips cracked open, and his voice hissed before it caught and left his throat. "Hey."

She smiled. "Hey."

He opened his eyes - they were still the same shade of blue. Deep and powerful; her brother had always been so strong. And even now, when the disease was winning against his body, his eyes were clear and alive.

"How long have you been here?" Milliard placed both hands on the bed and struggled against gravity. Relena moved to help him. Once he was upright, she fluffed his pillow so he could lean back comfortably against the headboard.

"Not very long. Don't worry."

He smiled. "Good."

She moved a chair next to his bedside and sat down. She leaned forward over his bed. "You feel like playing?"

"Not today."

She tried to force her voice to sound normal. "Okay. What then?"

"Let's talk. About the launch."

She pressed her lips together and then tried to make the expression into a smile.

"You're still worried."

<i> "I'm afraid." She threw her arms around her brother and began to cry.

He hugged her back.</i>

"Not at all. Everything's on schedule and under control."

"You've...never been a good liar. Relena." He moved his hand over hers and patted it gently.

"Yeah, I'm worried. Heero's partners have been great, and they said they would convince him, but?"

"Yuy's a stubborn man."

She managed a genuine smile. "You're not one to talk."

Milliard chuckled. "Yes, I know. It's the one thing he and I always had, in common."

Relena nodded and had to swallow against the hard knot in her throat.

"You did well to have gotten this far, Relena. Have faith--"

"Faith? In what? What's left to hope for? Even if I save the company--"

"It's the one thing father left us, Relena."

"I know." A burning sensation filled her chest.

Her brother's pale skin remained smooth across his features. "It's the only thing I have to give you. To provide for you--"

"Don't say it. Don't, Milliard." She fell to her knees at his side. His fingers brushed the top of her head.

<i> He smoothed a hand over her hair in a comforting gesture. "You don't have to be afraid."</i>

"Is my little princess heading back to the big apple?"

She blinked and did her best not to cry. "I don't want to go."

"Well, you're under orders. That slave driver of a boss won't hear of you staying here when you have work to do."

"Milliard, please..." She looked up and met his gaze. "The others can handle it. I've already--"

"You made it happen. This project needs you." He smiled and took a deep breath. "Besides, what would you do here?"

Tears spilled down her face. "Stay. With my brother." She grabbed his hand and held it to her cheek.

The fingers moved in her grasp until she let go. He traced a light path across her cheekbone, then let his hand fall to the bed. "You have to go, Relena."

<i>"But mom and dad..."

"I promise I'll take care of you. You will never have to be afraid."</i>

"Milliard..."

"I'll be here when you get back." He closed his eyes and leaned into the pillows.
She watched him continue to breathe for a few moments as she tried to compose herself. Relena wiped the tears from her face. "I'll see you again."

Her brother didn't open his eyes, but she saw the corners of his mouth curve up into a smile.

She rose from her chair and moved towards the door. "I'll see you again."

<i> I'm sorry, brother... I'm just so afraid. </i>
* * * * * *
<b>Headquarters, Weiss Kreuz, Inc. </b>


Heero grabbed the armrest in the backseat of the cab and held on tight as the car shot up over the curb. The force threw him forward, and he caught himself against the back of the passenger seat. The cab came to a stop, and the GLLC president climbed out. He tossed a few bills into the front seat. The taxi drove away, and left Heero facing the building labeled Weiss Kreuz, Inc.

Alone.

He growled. "Weiss..." The word conjured up a myriad of images he despised. The memory of the hacking demonstration, the subsequent press conference and media fallout....

Ran Fujimaya touching and dancing with Relena.

A gust of wind swept through the narrow street and blasted Heero's body, stinging every spare inch of exposed skin. He ducked his head and held his breath; his long trench coat billowed behind him. The software mogul glared up at the sign and tightened his grip on the CD in his gloved hand. Why had he insisted he deliver the code himself?

<i> I must be turning into a masochist.</i>

Another blast of freezing cold wind almost knocked him off his feet. Heero lifted his head and squared his shoulders. He shot one more look of disgust at the name on the building and then forced his legs to bring him inside.

<i> Relena...</i>

The secretary led him down a hall and then opened the door to Ran's office. It was a simply furnished room with industrial carpet and boxes stacked along one wall. The man smiled at his secretary, but as soon as Heero stepped into view, the hacker-turned-entrepreneur's appearance changed. The redheaded man set his jaw and narrowed his eyes. Heero was sure his own expression was much the same.

"Here." He tossed the cd onto Ran's desk and then jammed his hands into the pockets of his trench coat.

The other man made no move to retrieve the disk. He stared at it a moment, then lifted his eyes to meet Heero's gaze. "Does it work?"

The GLLC President scowled. "Yeah."

"If it was my product on the line, I wouldn't take that as an answer. But it's not."

"I don't know what you're implying."

Dark eyes seemed to glint in the florescent overhead lighting. "Relena's a friend of mine." He paused and his features darkened. "A close, personal, friend."

Heero didn't respond. He felt his blood warm throughout his body as he waited for whatever was going to come next. Ran didn't continue. The two men glared at each other. Silence suffocated the room.

"Knock knock! I haven't seen anything from you-know-wh?Oh. It's you." A blond man with sunglasses poked his head into Ran's office. Heero recognized him from the other night.

"What do you want, Yohji?"

"Just came to tell you we didn?t have the code changes from Gundanium. But I guess we do. So you got us what we needed in the ta-dah nick of time, huh?" Yohji Kadou seemed to swagger as he entered the room.

Heero felt his lip curl into a snarl. "I was leaving."

The newcomer continued pacing. "There's only one reason the great Gundanium would bother."

"Yohji," Ran said in a loud voice.

"I take it back. There's two reasons. So why don't you tell me which one it was." The blond hacker looked like he was taking a Sunday stroll through the room. Heero turned towards the door.

"Is she blackmailing you?" Yohji's voice dropped as he neared the software mogul's personal space. The hair on the back of Heero's neck stood up and his fists clenched inside his pockets.

"Or did she sleep with you?"

Heero's foot darted out into the other man's path. Kadou tripped and sprawled forward but caught himself on the desk. The GLLC president pounced. He grabbed the front of the fallen man's shirt, and pinned him down.

Heero growled. "What did you say?"

Heero swept the sunglasses off of Kadou's face. He picked his opponent up off the tabletop and slammed him back down.

Ran shot to his feet. "You're assaulting my personnel. I could have you arrested."

"Go ahead. Arrest me." Heero twisted the front of Yohji's shirt and tried to cut off the air to his fat head.

"Let him go." Weiss's president sounded annoyingly calm. "This is between you and me."

"He's the one that said it."

"What my partner said was uncalled for. Relena..." It was the pause Heero didn't like.

"...isn't like that."

Heero released his hold on Kadou and glowered at the other man.
* * * * * *
<b>PCC Office, NYC </b>


The flight back to New York LaGuardia airport seemed like it had taken an entire week. Relena had tried to sleep, but the turbulence kept waking her every few minutes. It had been late when she disembarked from the plane, but as much as she had wanted to head straight for her apartment and collapse into bed.... The taxi she had summoned had veered violently off course - heading directly for the PCC corporate office instead. There was still work to do.


She shivered when she entered her office; her hand reached out to flip on the lights, and then she immediately dropped her duffle bags in a pile in the corner. Relena crossed the room to her desk and turned on the space heater that resided under it before plopping down in her black leather chair.

The acting CEO tapped the keyboard to wake her slumbering computer. <i>I hope Dorothy sent me that email I needed.</i> She logged in to the application. I wonder how the numbers came up in Zone 3 last month. She waited for the download to complete, and then pulled up the first message.

<i> Dear Relena:
Please find the attached spreadsheet for last month's earnings in the Pacific Region. To highlight the areas...</i>

Relena rubbed her eyes.

<i>...for last month's earnings in the Pacific Region. To highlight the areas where we met objectives...</i>

The words on the screen began to swim. Her eyelids felt heavy and she tried to pry them open. She looked up from her computer and blinked several times before going back to her email.

<i>..the areas where we met objectives, those rows are mark...</i>

Her desk lamp flickered on and off, and then went dark.


KNOCK KNOCK!

Relena lifted her head from her desk and squinted at the unbearable light that assaulted her eyes. Her brain felt like it had been folded up with her head and pressed under a mac truck. She continued to stare as a form materialized from the darkness.

"Am I disturbing you?"

Relena recognized the reporter's voice even when her eyes couldn't identify the blurry, moving shape. "Meryl?"

"I'm sure neither your brother nor Heero would want you sleeping in your office at this hour. You should be home."

"That's what I told Milliard." Relena sat up and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. They felt raw, though she couldn't have been gazing at the monitor for more than a few minutes. "What are you doing here?"

"I brought you this." The dark-haired reporter came around the side of the desk and handed a small stack of papers to PCC's acting CEO. "I thought you might like to read it before the publish date."

"What is--"

"My article about the Epyon launch." Meryl leaned back against the desk. Relena couldn't help but think her brain must be still half asleep; she couldn't quite follow what her friend was saying.

"I finished it tonight. I'm on my way to BF Weekly, but I thought I'd stop by here, first. Somehow I knew you'd be working. You two are just alike."

"You...two?"

Meryl smiled. "Read the article." She turned and started for the door.

Relena glanced down at the top page. "From the King of Cool to the Man of her Heart: The rise and fall of the Gundanium royal family." She took a deep breath and continued reading.

<i>There couldn't be a group of men less suited to live together than the GLLC partners, unless it was a group of cannibals. The combination of four, widely different personalities, plus a near-impossible deadline--</i>

She looked up at her friend who was still standing in the doorway.

"He cares about you." A little smile seemed to play on Meryl's lips.

"He..."

"Like I said." Meryl waved a hand in a flippant gesture and turned around. "Read the article." The reporter shut the door behind her.

Left alone, Relena picked up the stack of papers.

<i> By the end of the week, one man stood alone, a pillar of strength ? if a seriously annoyed one ? working as close to around the clock as one human couldn't possibly manage. Heero Yuy's efforts throughout the project were no less than superhuman. His dedication was relentless; his partners could barely pry him away from the programmer's hot seat to rest for three full hours at a time, and often had to endure an overabundance of verbal abuse for even attempting it. </i>

Relena could just picture the four of them: Heero sitting at his computer while Van, Quatre, and Vash tried to physically force him to rest. It was an amusing image for a moment, until she got a clear view of the tiredness in his eyes, the dull glaze that spoke of an extreme lack of sleep. She could imagine the bags, the dark circles and the way he had to fight to keep his thoughts conscious and on track.

<i>I'm happy to say that miracles do happen. And the carnage was mostly contained. No innocent bystanders were harmed in the making of this software. Heero Yuy delivered the object code to Weiss company headquarters right on schedule at 10:00 am . This is one reporter who would have loved to be a fly on the wall during that meeting of the minds.</i>

Relena brought a hand up to her mouth. <i>He delivered the code to...</i>

<i>?He?s a thief. A white collar criminal. I hope your company enjoys the association.?</i>

<i> But the question that I'm sure is on everyone's mind is why? Why would the stoic, immovable Heero Yuy go out of his way, working night and day, to make a former enemy's software work on Gundanium's platform? Considering the software giant has a reputation for being slow to adapt customer requests, and known for making demands on computer makers and software vendors alike (as well as telling those they don't like to figuratively 'take a hike') ? none of this adds up.
Heero...</i> She clutched the top page of the article in her fist. It was partially wet; drops dotted the surface.

Tears continued to run down her face. She didn't even know why she was crying; just that it was like a giant weight lifted from her chest. She collapsed on her desk; sobs wracked her body.

<i> It's finished.

Heero...</i>
* * * * * *
<b>Weiss Kreuz, Inc. Headquarters</b>


Heero stood on one side of Ran's desk and glared at the Weiss company president standing on the other. He silently willed the man to spontaneously combust. Sadly, the laws of nature so far were refusing to bend to the GLLC president's whim. "Don't pretend like you know her."

The former hacker glared. "I've known her longer than you."

Heero grit his teeth. For some reason, that statement irked him. From the corner of his eye, Yohji Kadou grabbed the cd off the desk and exited the room.

A smirk formed on Ran's face. "And I probably know her better than you."

Heero squared his shoulders. "The only thing I regret in this whole nightmare is that in order to help her, I had to help you."

"You didn't do this to help her. Stop lying to yourself."

"I did--"

"You did this for one reason and one reason only - to help yourself and your business. It's the same reason you do anything in life." Ran moved out from behind his desk. The two men stood facing each other about three yards between them.

"Don't pretend like you know me." Heero's blood warmed to a slow boil.

"Of course I know you. I know everything about you. I've seen the way you do business, remember? You railroad over people without a second thought to how they feel."

The GLLC president snarled. "I run a multi billion dollar business. You are a hacker."

"No one that sees Gundanium for what it really is has any doubt as to what kind of man you are," Ran said in a clipped tone.

Heero growled. He felt white hot rage surge through him in wave after sweeping wave.

"And what kind of man you aren't."

The last statement was a deliberate taunt. Anger sucker-punched the GLLC president in the stomach, and for a second, he tried to just let it pass. He raised his chin and looked up at the ceiling; he held his breath and told himself repeatedly to just walk away. <i>Just walk away, Yuy.

To hell with it.</i> Heero lunged at the former hacker and tried to pin him against the wall. But his opponent broke the hold and tried to land a punch. The GLLC president leaned backward to dodge the blow. Ran took advantage of Heero's change in momentum to rush the software mogul and threw him back over the desk. The phone and a million sheets of paper didn't quite break his fall. Yuy tumbled head first into one of the guest chairs.

He regained his feet and assessed his position. "You're a coward."

"Come get me, then."

Heero sneered and then dove across the desk to go on the attack. He tackled the former hacker to the ground and then fought to put him in a choke hold.

"You ever..." The GLLC president gasped for air as Ran's hands closed around his neck. "Touch her..."

"I swear..." Ran wheezed.

Heero continued trying to choke the life out of the man. But there were serious gaps in his vision.

"I'll kill...y--"

The door banged open and before the software mogul could think to look up, he was being dragged off of his opponent and forced to sit down in a chair.

"What is wrong with you two?" An unfamiliar voice asked.

Heero shook his head to try and clear it.

"Do you think this is helping anything?" The second voice was higher pitched, younger-sounding, but still unrecognizable.

Two shapes started to form and he finally was able to identify Ran's other two partners.

"We won. And it took all of us doing it. Gundanium, us, and Peacecraft Computers. Why can't you let it alone?" The first voice spoke again.

Heero stood up and felt his legs tremble. He willed himself to stay standing as he started towards the door.

"And you! Do you think she'd want you to fight? For the two of you to kill each other?"

Heero kept walking. Air was helping. He could breathe again.

"She was the one who believed in you. We never wanted to."

He paused in the doorway. "Just make sure your software works. Because if it doesn't make every person at the launch want to buy an Epyon server, I will kill you all."

Heero stepped out of Ran's office and continued out into the winter air.

<i> It's finished.

Relena...</i>
* * * * * *

<b>Javits Convention Center
New York City, NY</b>


The hum of technology was second in preference only to the sound of commerce ringing in Heero?s ears. Marketing reps plugged their products in animated tones to random passers-by, while servers whirred and ground their hard drives and colorful images sailed across monitors and screens. If there was a heaven, it would have a technology fair all year round.
He stood just inside the door, his three friends already drifting towards the nearest booth ? their eyes glazed and seemingly unfocused. Heero tried to ignore the call of the latest handheld pc, complete with satellite television access and scanned the crowded auditorium for PCC?s booth. He caught sight of her first, standing in the middle of a busy aisle, shaking hands with the President of Barton International. Trowa, as he was known, appeared far more interested in her chest than the actual server she was no doubt trying to describe. An arm's length away, Ran Fujimaya glared at every male that came within five feet of PCC's acting CEO - glaring at his competition through one still partially black eye.

<i>And she?s completely oblivious.</i> Heero shook his head and set off in that direction.
* * * * * *
The tall and very handsome President of Barton International grasped her hand tightly, and she knew that her cheeks had probably turned the color of a tomato. She tried to avoid his gaze.

?Thank you for the demonstration, Miss Peacecraft.?

?Mr. Barton...?

?Did you get a brochure?? Ken Hidaka stepped forward and thrust a slick, magazine-sized ad at the green-eyed businessman. Trowa frowned.

?Thanks. I?ll be in touch.? Barton addressed the last part of the comment to her, then spun on his heel and walked away. Relena sighed and turned to the former soccer player.

?Ken.?

Blue eyes appeared beneath a worried frown. ?Relena, the guy was practically slobbering on you.?

?Yeah, no finesse whatsoever.? Yohji shook his head and moved out from behind the server he had been ?posing? with for the occasional female attendee.

?Yohji, these guys should respect a lady.? Omi looked up from his keyboard to scowl at his friend. ?Be grateful that a woman would even talk to them.?

?It?s not going to happen here. This is geek territory. All they want is to play with gadgets during the day and get laid at night. That?s why Comdex is in Las Vegas every year.?

?Watch your mouth,? Ran snapped.

?Sorry.? Yohji glanced over and caught the eye of a couple of business-suit clad women across the aisle. He smiled and went back to pose with the server. Relena rolled her eyes.

?What time is our demonstration?? Hitomi?s voice tapped her on the shoulder and caught Relena?s attention. She relaxed a bit, and turned to her friend.

?We got lucky and managed to get a morning spot and a high-traffic time at four o'clock this afternoon.?

?Wow. Okay, well, now I'm nervous.?

?You'll be fine.? Dorothy?s voice rose above the din as she and Meryl crossed the lane to join them.

?I guarantee plenty of coverage, Relena.?

?Thanks, Meryl.? Relena shot her a grateful smile. ?I read your article last night, in the latest issue of BFW. It was ? interesting. I wanted to ask you...?

?Excuse me, Miss Peacecraft??

The acting CEO felt her hope deflate.

Meryl nodded. "We'll have time, later."

Relena smiled again before she whirled around and found herself facing a group of men and women in business suits.

?We?re from Colony Computers. And we?re very interested in these servers..."
* * * * * *

Heero lost the battle of wills to the handheld pc that not only had satellite tv access, but satellite radio, a 2.0GB drive, and those nifty retina scanner glasses that would present screens on the lenses and scroll with the movement of the eyes. He wasn't the only one. Quatre, Van, and Vash had fallen prey to their allure. The four partners had also managed to get suckered into buying completely useless five year subscriptions to "Fiction Ebook of the Week".

Heero didn?t even read fiction...but he had to have something to read on his new palm unit.

With the techno-geeks inside of them fulfilled, Heero and his partners finally made it to Relena?s booth. Some of them arrived more loudly than others.

?Hey! How are my favorite computer girls?? Vash practically bounced up and down until he got a hug and a kiss from each one. Heero grimaced and turned away as his boisterous friend received a kiss from Meryl. The last thing Heero wanted to see was Vash in one of his public make-out sessions.

?Fine, Vash. I'm glad you could make it.? Relena smiled, her eyes drifting to where Van was wrapping an arm around Hitomi and then to Dorothy leaning on Quatre?s shoulder. Vash grabbed the arm of Heero?s coat and tugged, catching the president off-guard.

?Couldn't miss this! Right, Heero??

The software mogul nodded, his gaze meeting hers for the first time in weeks. It satisfied his ego to see the spots of color in her cheeks, though she didn?t look away.

?Hello.?

Heero nodded. His mouth didn?t seem to want to work. She took a step closer.

?I wanted to thank you. I know it wasn't-?

?It was only as difficult as I made it out to be. If I hadn't refused from the start, we would have all been better off.?

A smile, a different smile than the one she had bestowed upon Vash and even that corporate raider, Barton, appeared on her lips. ?Thank you.?

?You're welcome.? He shoved his hands in his pockets and shifted his weight to the back of his heels. Heero swallowed and glanced down at his shoes, then back up at her. Relena stood with her hands clasped at her waist, her eyes fixed on a point somewhere behind his shoulder. He cleared his throat, and she looked up. The GLLC president was about to open his mouth, when blond hair spun passed him as she turned to look at the large digital clock in the center of room.

?Oh, we're up in twenty minutes, I'd better get ready.? She hurried off before he could say another word.

Heero started towards the chairs arranged for the presentation. The general hum of voices filled the room and his ears, as bits of conversation flowed in and out of his ears.

"...Can do for the company..." A woman said to her companion.

An older gentleman with a deep frown on his wrinkled face muttered to a young man. "...doubt that it's worth..."

"...love to see pretty women beg..." A slick-looking businessman in his mid-thirties said with a laugh to his friend.

Heero glanced up and caught Slick's gaze. The software mogul narrowed his eyes. Slick turned away.

Cold sweat formed on the back of Heero's neck. Certainly, that was standard procedure ? rebates, discounts ? when a computer maker was in trouble. He shoved his hands in his pockets and kept his distance from the stage.
* * * * * *

The lights dimmed, and the rest of the people milling about took their seats. Meryl had kept her promise, spreading the word that PCC?s presentation was going to showcase some exciting new technology. It had been rumored for weeks, even before he and his friends had ventured to New York, but what it actually did was impressive. He had to admit, Weiss had an unbeatable product. What Heero didn?t understand was why they were willing to restrict its usage, at least initially, to availability only on PCC?s line of Epyon servers. As Van would say, ?It?s like shooting themselves in the foot.?

Relena stepped on to the stage, followed by Hitomi. Both women smiled, and Hitomi halted at Relena?s side; the acting CEO picked up a microphone and nodded in response to the polite applause. ?Today?s marketplace depends on speed, reliability, and scalability. Companies need the ability to process transactions in nanoseconds, usually requiring large-scale mainframes with redundant capabilities and huge storage capacities. They require rooms the size of this conference center to house them, and technicians with years of experience to run and maintain these systems. Not anymore.

?Meet the new Epyon class server line from Peacecraft Computer Corp. Small enough to fit in your linen closet at home; powerful enough to run the New York Stock Exchange with 100% guaranteed uptime and reliability. And it's so user-friendly, your grandmother could start it, stop it, and restore it.?

Laughter erupted from the crowd. Heero smirked; it was quite a claim.

?Now, granted, granny probably couldn?t be the one setting it up, so don?t plan on firing that IT guy that deleted all your email last month just yet.?

More laughter sounded. Relena seemed to really connect with the audience. Someone flipped the spotlight on the server setup on stage. From there, Hitomi went over the features as Omi executed pre-written test scripts designed to demonstrate the various offerings in time with her presentation. Everywhere that Heero looked, company big wigs sat watching, nodding at the right places, whispering things like ?how much faster is that than ours? to the more knowledgeable buyers they had brought with them. When it was over, Relena came back to center stage to sum up.

?We?ve created a new class in the marketplace. Not only in speed, size, and ease of use, but also in our commitment to our customers, and investment in the community. Each Epyon server not only has the Peacecraft name, a name recognized for being first in the industry in customer satisfaction, but software from G.L.L.C., security from Weiss Corp., and it carries a tax deductible margin of $2,000 that will be donated on the purchaser?s behalf to cancer and disease research.

?Smarter. Faster. Dependable. Responsible. PCC is making the challenge to corporate America today: What do you stand for??

There was a pause, and then she smiled. ?Thank you.? She left the stage.

?That was gutsy,? Van whispered.

?Hey, people need to ask that question. Look at the all the charges of fraud against corporations in the last year,? Quatre said in a hushed voice.

Heero nodded, hearing but not really paying attention. He watched her descend from the stage before the stunned audience could recover themselves and start clapping. She was bold ? issuing a challenge to her possible buyers? It was emotional, irrational?and completely brilliant if it succeeded, and a fantastic risk even if it didn?t.

?Boss, why are you smiling? It?s giving me the creeps.?

He turned his attention to the annoyance known as Vash. ?Hm??

?You never smile. Did aliens visit you last night and replace your miserable, grumpy brain with a happy one??

?Yes. They were going to switch ours, but their plan was foiled when they didn?t find one in your head at all.?

Vash put on a mock scowl, but it quickly melted into a grin. ?Nope, same Boss. Phew, you had me scared for a minute.?

?Mr. Yuy! What do you think of the new Epyon class servers? Is Gundanium planning to purchase them in the future??

?It?s something under consideration.?

?It is?? Van turned wide eyes to stare at his friend. Heero could see Quatre mentally calculating the costs versus the depreciation of the current assets, and for once, the software mogul didn?t care.

?Yes. It is. More companies should take an example from PCC. Excuse me.? He brushed passed the small group of reporters that had somehow collected around him; he was going to talk to her. He could start with congratulations, then ask if they could start over....

A large crowd had gathered around her booth, asking a million questions at once. Dorothy and Hitomi along with Omi, Ken, and Yohji were fielding and answering as many as they could. But Relena and Ran were nowhere to be seen.

He frowned as he scanned the room. Light colored eyes darted up and met his; Hitomi stopped speaking and motioned over to the side of the hall, the few lines on her forehead seemed out of place. He moved quickly in that direction.

Heero turned the corner and froze. Relena was pacing a hole in the floor, her cell phone stuck to her ear, her hair draped suspiciously in front of her eyes. Ran stood nearby, watching with a dark expression, both hands shoved deep into the pockets of his trench coat. He glanced up and shot a glare in the newcomer?s direction. Heero squared his shoulders and returned the look full force.

?No, Sakura, it doesn?t matter how much it costs. Yes, call me back as soon as possible.? She clicked off the phone and just stood there a moment, staring at it like it was going to ring any second with life and death....

<i>?He turned over the company when he stopped responding to his cancer treatments.? </i>

Shit.

?Relena...? Ran stepped forward and tried to draw her into an embrace. She pulled away.

?I-I?m sorry. I need to get there. I should have been there...?

?Relena, you did all you could.?

He could hear the threat of tears rise with each word. ?I should have done more.?

?We always say that. But some things are out of our hands. I had to accept that with Aya.?

?But you said she?s going to make it...??

Ran rested a hand on her shoulder. ?I hope. That?s all either of us can do.?

RING! ?Hello? What? No, not tonight, now. There?s nothing leaving right now? No, I don?t care how many stops or plane changes I have to make. Please, Sakura.?

?What?s up, Boss?? Vash?s voice startled him.

?It?s her brother, I think,? Heero answered without turning to look at his friend. He couldn?t take his eyes off Relena. ?Zechs isn?t...He?s dying.?

Her tone was frantic. ?Sakura, how can there not be another flight to Seattle for ten hours??

Vash nudged Heero from behind with a sharp elbow, forcing the company president to turn around and look at him. ?Boss... I think now might be a good time to bring the company jet out of retirement.?

The GLLC president nodded, and picked up his own cell phone. He dialed the number and hit 'send'. His secretary's voice came on almost immediately.

"Mr. Yuy's?"

?Millie, I need you to call the service and have a pilot at Newark airport within the hour.?

?Mr. Yuy! Wow, how did everything go today? Did you and Mr Vash-?

?Millie! This is important.?

?Gosh, Mr. Yuy, is something wrong??

?Yes. Now, hang up the phone and call the service. I want a pilot there in an hour. I don?t care what it costs. Just tell them that if they don?t, I?m flying the plane myself.?

The phone went dead. Heero held it out in front of him and blinked. ?She hung up.?

Vash's left eyebrow quirked up. ?You told her to.?

?Hn.?

?Yes, just book what they have then. I?ll be there.? Relena hung up the phone again. She stood with her back towards him, her head bowed and resting on her fist.

?Ready to be a hero??

?Shut up, Vash.? Heero crossed the walkway and placed a hand on her shoulder. ?Relena....?
* * * * * *
<b>Newark Airport, NJ
An hour later</b>


The pilot stepped forward wearing a solemn uniform and expression. He extended a hand, and Heero shook it. ?Thank you for coming on short notice. We need to get to Seattle immediately.?

?She?s already been refueled. She?s just waiting on us.?

?Good.?

?I?ll see you onboard.?

Heero turned back to the car and opened the door. Relena stepped out and crossed her arms against her body as the winter air brutally assaulted them both. He pulled off his coat and wrapped it around her. Her eyes met his. ?Thank you,? she whispered. He nodded and tried to steel his body against the natural instinct to shiver.

He motioned towards the jet. ?We can board. It?s ready.?

She opened her mouth to say something, the flesh around her eyes crinkling in a pained expression. He cut her off. ?Let?s go.?

She nodded and followed him to the plane.


Relena shifted in her seat for the fortieth time in the last two hours. Heero had tried to give her some pretzels and a coke, but so far, she had refused everything. And those were the only times she had spoken to him aside from the thank you before they boarded the plane. An emptiness settled in his chest, draining the blood from his heart.

It hurt. And he wasn?t entirely sure why.

The software mogul stood up from his seat and made his way to the back of the plane. He eyed the liquor cabinet, always fully stocked, but chose a soft drink instead. Despite the smooth flying conditions, Heero found it difficult to pour the liquid into the glass. Normally, on a cross-country flight like this, he?d be working, or sleeping, but...

<i>Relena...</i>

His eyes darted over to look at her again. He couldn't see her face from where he was standing, but he could picture her in his mind. She wasn't crying; she just stared at the seat in front of her.

<i>What can I do? How can I fix this? </i>

Despite the question, he knew... This was something for which he had no solution. His fingers twitched, his arms ached, his mind ran a million different scenarios: call a doctor, spare no expense, find someone who could cure him. But those things had already been done - the Peacecraft fortune drained to cover the medical costs, the miracle cures that couldn?t work miracles, the top doctors in the country, probably the world....

He took a sip of his drink and went back to his seat. She didn't look up as he sat down across the aisle from her. He belted himself in and glanced over at Relena, again. Her eyes were closed, but he knew she wasn't sleeping.

<i>Her brother is going to die, and there's nothing I can do to stop it.</i>

She was still, her eyes closed, her breathing light and even. Heero moved across the aisle to sit next to her. He placed his hands on hers, thinking that he needed to wake her up. But her hands were cold, her face pale. From this close, he could see how thick the makeup was under her eyes and the outlines of dark circles that she had taken great pains to hide.
<i>She needs to sleep.</i> He got up and retrieved a blanket from the small closet in the back. He eased into the seat beside her, tucking the blanket around her shoulders while she slept. He had brought a pillow with him as well, but couldn?t figure out how to put it behind her head without running the risk of waking her.

So he sat, watching her breathe, wishing that her dreams could be filled with something pleasant. She moaned and shifted in her sleep; her head came to rest on his shoulder. A smile touched his lips and his eyes eventually drifted shut. He relaxed and settled in for a small nap, drifting to sleep with the peaceful vision of her face foremost in his mind.
* * * * * *
<b>Seattle Airport
Seattle, Washington</b>


Heero was glad he awoke first, allowing him time to make the call to Wolfwood for the car, and to Van in New York. The remaining partners had made reservations on the next flight to Seattle after Hitomi?s four o?clock presentation. They wouldn?t arrive until the middle of the night, but they?d be there.

The plane landed smoothly, and Relena still slept. Heero debated on whether to wake her or just carry her to the car. Wolfwood boarded and nodded at his employer.

?Let her sleep a while longer,? his chauffeur said, peering over the top of his sunglasses. ?She?s going to need it.?

Heero bent and picked Relena up, cradling her body against him. She shifted her head towards his shoulder, and it took a moment for the software mogul to remember to breathe. Wolfwood held an umbrella over the couple as he led the way to the car; the GLLC president carefully deposited the sleeping woman in the back seat. Heero slid in next to her and gave his chauffeur a silent nod.

He cringed, expecting the movement of the vehicle to wake Relena, but Wolfwood eased the car away from the curb. Heero sighed and sank back into the seat. His gaze drifted to the window and the fine spray of raindrops collecting on its surface.

It was good to be home.
* * * * * *
<b>Seattle Memorial Hospital</b>


Relena practically ran through the hallway, wet shoes squeaking and squealing along the tiles as she rounded the corner to the oncology ward. Heero raced behind her and finally caught up when she paused at a nurse?s station to ask for admittance to her brother?s room.

The fair-skinned and fragile-looking nurse grabbed a clipboard and stepped out from behind the counter. "He's this way, ma'am."

She led them through two sets of double glass doors and into a sterile-smelling hallway that was painted a serene shade of light blue. The woman stopped at a nearby door, and as she moved to open it, Relena?s hand grabbed his. He felt her weight press against him, as though she needed his help just to stand.

Heero gripped her hand in return and stood up straighter. If she needed to lean... "I'm here," he said in a low voice. She squeezed his hand tighter.

Heero placed his other palm in hers and slipped his arm around Relena?s waist to steady her. The door edged open, and together, they shuffled in behind the nurse. The steady beep and whirring of machines and monitors ? heartbeat, breathing, brainwaves ? rushed to greet them. His knees felt weak, and Relena's weight grew heavier. He strengthened his resolve and held her close.

"He's been asking for you," the slip of a nurse said in a whisper and offered a kind smile.

The figure on the bed was barely distinguishable from the network of tubes and wires that seemed to spring from every part of him.

<i>This is what's left of the man I saw as a bully and was strong enough to--</i>

Relena?s body strained to move forward in Heero?s grasp, but it was as if her legs refused to cooperate. The nurse ventured over towards the patient, checking each screen and making notes. She leaned in close to the top of the bed and said a few words in a voice too quiet for Heero to make out. The GLLC president noticed the laptop sitting on a bedside table and near that ? a photo of Relena smiling? next to a fine-featured man with platinum hair and shining blue eyes that were much like hers.

?Relena...?

The sound came from across the room, her name spoken in barely audible syllables. The tubes and wires trembled and from their midst, those eyes flashed open. The nurse pulled a chair up to the bedside and Relena finally seemed able to move. She broke free of Heero?s hold and took her place on the chair, fishing out her brother?s hand. The pale, thin fingers stretched up to touch her face, then came to rest against her flushed cheek.

Heero glanced away, and let his eyes rove around the room. The walls were the same shade of blue as the hall. The blinds were closed, not that it would have made a lot of difference. A television, muted, hung mounted on the wall. It was turned to CNN, which happened to be showing coverage of the World Tech Fair. Several flower arrangements dotted the room, but they all seemed to have taken on that dull, bluish hue.

"Milliard, I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier. I'm so sorry."

Heero glanced back at Relena and her brother. Zechs brought an arm up, so pale and thin it was little more than a skeleton with skin sagging from its bones. The GLLC president had to look away. He knew he was staring.

"It's...okay. You're here...now....and that's.... All that matters."

Relena rested her head on the bed, still clinging to Zechs? hand. The blue eyes, still bright flitted over the woman at his side and met Heero?s gaze.

?Thank you.?

The words were soundless, but Heero heard each syllable. He nodded, and then turned to follow the nurse back to the waiting room.

"Don't leave me..." Relena's voice startled him for a moment. Heero paused in the doorway, until he realized that the anguish behind her words was directed at her brother.

He took a deep, shaking breath and closed the door behind him.


<b>Later...</b>


Heero sat on the couch in the waiting room, staring at the moving picture on the television screen. When he thought about it, he was sure there was sound coming from the monitor, but he couldn't hear it. He could barely distinguish the shapes on the screen.

Hour-old coffee sat in a Styrofoam cup on the table next to him; he knew it wasn't hot any more, but he had lost the concept of how long he'd been sitting, waiting...

For her brother to die.

Heero bent forward and rested his elbows on his knees. He buried his face in his hands. <i>How long do I have...</i>

?I can?t take you anywhere, can I?? A somewhat familiar female voice entered he room from the hall. Heero glanced up.

?Meryl! All I did was ask the flight attendant for a pillow and a blanket.?

The GLLC president groaned and rubbed a hand over his face.

?But you didn?t have to ask her to tuck you in and ?fluff it? for you. Idiot.?

?Awwww. Meryl....?

?Vash, will you keep it down!?

Heero sat up as the group came into view. The three couples seemed to stop short when they noticed him on the couch. Van stared at the doors, and then back at Heero.

?How is he??

Heero stifled a yawn and blinked at the new arrivals. ?The nurses said he wasn't going to last the night. Relena's been with him since we arrived.?

Hitomi?s hand flew to cover her mouth. Dorothy leaned against her friend?s shoulder, tears rolling over her cheeks. They moved towards the hallway. Moments later, Heero saw them in the hallway, following the nurse he recognized from before.

Vash whispered something to Meryl, and she departed also. The lanky tester then made his way over and plopped onto the sofa next to his friend.

?How you holdin? up, Boss??

Heero felt himself shiver. ?I... He's... He was only three years older than us.?

?Yeah.?

Quatre and Van moved to the end of the room and poured four Styrofoam cups of coffee from the thermos.

Heero swallowed against the lump in his throat. ?How much longer do we have? Do any of us have??

Vash shook his head. ?No one has that answer, and I'm sure we wouldn't want to know.?

?It's not enough. Our time is too short.?

?Yes, it is.? He turned to face spikey-haired tester. Vash?s face had lost all trace of mocking, and he could swear that tears had welled in his friend?s eyes. ?That's why you should live each day without regret. Each one to its fullest. When you find someone you love, you grab hold, and keep them close for as long as you can. Don't let the small things, the unimportant things, like money or pride or prestige ever come between you and those you love.?

Heero let out a breath and let himself sink back into the cushions. ?That's what's been missing. Hasn't it? Love.?

Vash nodded. Quatre and Van returned with the coffee, passing a cup to each person. They sat down on the couch.

?I don't know what to do. I can't make it better. I can't bring him back for her.?

?No one expects you to bring him back. Sheesh, you're full of yourself. But you can make it better. She doesn't need you to fix everything, she just needs you.?

Heero slowly nodded, and looked at each one of his partners ? his friends ? in turn.

?I had decided before this happened... We're all still partners. I'm not going to file the papers.?

Van raised up his Styrofoam cup. ?Solemn as this occasion is, I think it calls for a toast.?

Everyone raised their cups as well.

?To Zechs.?
* * * * * *

<b>Seattle Memorial Hospital, Daybreak</b>


He didn?t remember whether his watch was set on Eastern or Pacific time. In fact, he didn?t know what time it was ? just that it was light outside. He hadn?t heard them return, but Dorothy, Hitomi and Meryl had joined them in the waiting room, snuggled against Quatre, Van and Vash ? who was snoring loudly with his head thrown back against the wall. Heero stood up to stretch, trying to be silent as he scooted off the noisy leather couch. He ran a hand through his hair and stumbled towards the window, when the sound of opening and closing doors made him turn.

The other occupants of the room stirred, and Relena came into view, following closely behind a nurse he hadn?t seen before. She emerged through the final set of doors, staring at the floor and stopping in her tracks after receiving a pat on the arm from the nurse at her side. Everyone in the room got to their feet and the air was heavy with the silence.
Hitomi took a step towards her friend.

?Rel-?

Tear filled eyes lifted in Heero?s direction. ?He?s gone.?

Before anyone could say a word, she turned and practically ran to the main corridor, stumbling a bit and catching herself on the edge of the nurse?s station.

?Now would be a good time to go and comfort her, friend,? Vash?s voice spoke into his ear, clear even over Dorothy and Hitomi's quiet weeping. Heero nodded and took a deep breath. He started towards the door.

As he approached her, he didn?t know what he was going to do or say. He didn?t know how to comfort anyone; at least, he didn?t think so. He could see her hands trembling, her body shaking with the cries she was trying to hold in. So he did what he didn?t have to think about.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him. He stroked the soft blond hair, planting kisses on her cheeks and forehead as she grabbed fistfuls of his shirt, no longer able to hold back her tears.

?Shhhhh. Relena, it's all right."

She buried her face into his chest.

"I love you.?




.

[Morrighan]

So sad.... But at least he finally realizes the truth of it. Good grief, I was wondering if I had to take a club and hit him over the head with it to make him realize. Has a head as hard as Gundanium, I tell you.

I can't wait to see the epilogue!

[WindCloud]

OMG....the story is UPDATED...HUrry wiff the last part...lol...ohhhhhhh soooo good..my eyes were glued to the screen...hehe

[Jenn]

It was so good and sad...I cried

[sweet_me_beajai]

wow....wow... this is so amazing!!

this is the kind of story that really makes you want to read it very fast, but you also get this feeling that you don't want to since it means it'll end soon....

ms. rose, you have no idea how your stories of unconditional, immesurable, undeniable and over-whelming Love affects people's lives...i used to be the kind of person who always get depressed because all of her friends have a love-life to talk about, but now i know better. i know that one day my Mr. Right will sweep me off my feet and make me the happiest woman in the universe, complete with his green tank top and winged gundam!


ms rose, you've got this amazing gift and i'm so glad that you're sharing it with us!

i'll be waiting for the epilogue, so post it now!

thanks for all those wonderful fics (that i didn't reviewed )!!!

and please remember that somewhere in this galaxy, one little individual will always check your bio at fanfiction.net to check if you have any new fics....

[Blue Hope]

Wow...I've followed this story on ff.net and I loved it. I loved how it turned out though. Great job.

[WhiteWindRRose]

Yay!! tha final chapter! wow. it's been a while since LLL's chp. 1, when ya think about it.
awesome awesome awesome. :razz:
earthshattering last line there.
bring on tha epilogue!!!!