Starman chapter 20 (The End)

[wsprs]

Zechs swept his eyes across the room slowly before letting them rest on Relena in the center of the room. Despite himself, he felt something in his chest break, and relief washed over him. She appeared a bit wary and worn, but that was to be expected. The corner of his mouth lifted in irony. Who wouldn?t look like a deer caught in head lights when he finally ended a chase?

He walked stiffly towards her, and for the first time, rested his eyes on the man beside her. His breath caught in his throat, and he caught himself before he could jump. Shook up more than he could have believed, he forced his eyes away from the enigma, and nailed his gaze on Relena. He nodded once in greeting, and she blinked.
?Milliardo.?
The alien looked up, oblivious to what was around him, but curious none the less. He cocked his head when the brittle man settled his icy gaze on him, just to tear it away uncomfortably.

Zechs stopped directly in front of Relena, and indicated a chair.
?May I sit??
Relena nodded. He sat, and looked from her to the alien. Clearly off guard, he held himself at attention, and spoke stiffly.
?It?s remarkable. He looks exactly like him??
Relena nearly lunged over the table.
?Then honor his memory and let this man go!?
Zechs lowered his head. When he raised it, he looked into Relena?s hopeful eyes.
?I cannot.?
Relena remained silent, but tears slid down her cheeks. Zechs watched one as it fell, and his heart throbbed. Breaking his trance, he forced himself to look back at the alien.
?You are here to meet someone.?
It was not a question, but he answered it, anyway.
?Yes.?
Zechs?s brow drew in puzzlement.
?Why here? Why this crater??
Suddenly, his eyes went wide, and his body went rigid.
?Your people have been here before??
The alien simply nodded.
?Before. Yes. We are?inter-ested in your species.?
Zechs hissed through his teeth as he ground them together.
?You are an anthropologist, than. You are here to study us??
Cocking his head, the Heero look-alike appraised the blond man across from him. He had similar facial features to Relena, and he guessed that somehow the two were related ? which perhaps was why the man had such an interest. Too spent to care, he let the words tumble from his mouth, wishing for some reason that this man find understanding.
?You are a? strange species. Not like any other, and you would be sur-prised at how many there are? intelli-gent, but savage.?
Zechs?s face was twisted in morbid fascination. He leaned forward and strained to hear the clipped words and understand the meanings. When the alien blinked and cocked his head mildly, his foreign eyes glinted with wild intelligence.
?Would you like to know what I find beauti-ful about you??
Zechs nodded, but heard himself spill the word ?yes,? anyway. Somehow he knew he needed to hear the answer. Leaning forward so he was almost falling out of his chair, he waited, eyes imploring. The man across from him sank into his chair, as if answering was draining his strength. Even so, he smiled and forced his eyes to focus on Zechs?s.
?You are at your ver-y best? when things are at their ver-y worst??
Relena?s sob broke the spell. Zechs looked towards her, and watched as her heart broke.
?Please! Let him go. Can?t you see that he?ll die if he stays here? Just look at him! He?s dying right in front of you!?
Zechs turned his gaze from Relena?s pleading one to the alien?s weak, fevered one. He felt his mind separate from his body. He couldn?t think, anymore. Words that always plagued him in the back of his brain were swimming away from him before he could grasp any of them. Thoughts evaded him, and left him to drown in the tidal wave of his emotions. Suddenly angry at the confusion he felt, his heart surged, and his muscles flexed. He watched the alien as he fought to keep his eyes open; those eyes might harbor a strange light, but it was a light of acceptance and compassion, not of malice and discord. He was a man who was in touch with everything around him, and found beauty in the questions that came to him, unlike himself. Zechs closed his eyes and breathed through his nostrils. He himself was a man who hid from everything around him and chased impossible answers when the answers were right in front of him, despite knowing that they were there. As fast as it came, his anger dissipated. It was as though it had finally been given a chance to live its life, and therefore was ready to die, its purpose fulfilled. When it was gone, it left nothing but mollification in its wake. How like Heero. This man was willing and ready to die rather than force answers. He wouldn?t even force questions. He simply sat there, and allowed another man ? one who was savage in his own words ? decide his fate. And he would accept whatever fate was given him, so long as those around him were free.

Zechs opened his eyes and set his jaw. Heero had killed the loser in him on the Libra many years ago. He had since paid for his misdeeds. It was now time to let the memories of those misdeeds die as well. He stood.

?There has been a misunderstanding. This man is Heero Yuy, and will be set free immediately. Get out of here. Now.?
Relena jumped, and grabbed the alien by the elbow before her surprise could freeze her. The deadly look in Zechs?s eyes glinted at her, though there was a softness that hadn?t been there before. Looking more closely, she gasped. Staring back at her from the pit of his pupils was a small bit of peace that had never been there before.

Relena stood on her tiptoes and gave Milliardo a kiss. She let herself down gently, and looked from one of his eyes to the other. He humphed softly, but there was a wisp of a smile and his eyes sparkled. He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand briefly and inclined his head as she whispered.
?Thank you, brother.?
She turned and walked a few feet and stopped, waiting for her companion. He stood in front of Milliardo as she had a moment before. To her utter astonishment, he kissed her brother on the lips as well. Zechs was too shocked to do anything more than let his jaw drop and his eyes pop. When the alien mimicked her words of thanks, Zechs was only able to jerk his head in a nod to show he had understood. Embarrassed, he watched them as they entered the Cadillac and drive off.

The Preventor that stood next to him shook his head in confusion.
?You sure that wasn?t them? They match the description perfectly.?
Zechs glowered at the man, and he cowered. Satisfied, he clicked his heels together and reentered the caf? to order some of Cathy?s cherry pie. He was expecting Une, and preferred something sweet in his mouth rather than the bitterness he was sure she would offer when he faced her.

____________________________________________________

Une was furious. No. She was absolutely livid! And Zechs had the audacity to sit smiling at her, smugly! She picked up the empty plate in front of him and threw it against the far wall. Zechs watched the remnants of his pie streak down the wall, and clucked his tongue. Looking back at Une, he sighed deeply, wishing she could relax. Something dawned on him, and he slumped in his chair and lifted his arms behind him to cradle his head. The corner of his mouth lifted, and he purposefully put a foot on the table, followed by the next, and crossed them. Grinning like a mad man, he pushed his weight so that he was teetering on the chair?s back legs. Oddly, he wondered why it was something he had never done before. It felt? good. Free. No wonder Duo did it all the time. He?d have to remember to thank him later.

Une, however, did not think it was amusing. She glared at him, and he grunted. He stayed silent until he believed she had calmed enough.
?I had to let them go. That man was ? and is ? Heero Yuy.?
She pouted and crossed her arms over her chest. Stalking back and forth over the floor, she paused to yell at him again, but closed her mouth and continued to strut. A moment passed, and she opened her mouth, looked at him, and shut it again. He watched her, amused.

Finally, he stood. And stretched. He cocked his head. That was interesting. So he stretched again. Une squawked and threw her arms into the air.
?What has gotten into you? You allow a potentially dangerous man go free? with your sister -?
His features darkened.
?My concern for my sister is just that. Mine.?
He bounced on the balls of his feet and huffed. Calm once again, he grinned.
?Now. If you?d like to know what?s gotten into me, you must trust me.?
He turned to walk out the door, and turned towards her.
?You coming??
She raised her eyebrows as he left the door swinging behind him. Shrugging, she grumbled under her breath and raced to catch up. He pushed the driver of the Preventor vehicle over and got into the driver?s seat. She pursed her lips. Opening the passenger door, she shoved the poor man who had been driving so that he was squashed in the middle. He was smart, however, and kept any remarks to himself.

Une looked towards Zechs. He appeared as calm as she had ever seen, only there were no lines of stress around his eyes. Aggravated by this, but unsure why, she frowned. She flung her hand to the radio and punched in the code for all units to recieve.
?I want some Tauruses in the air, now. If Relena does not stop her descent into the crater, I want warning shots. Under no condition is she to be harmed, so do not fire if you are unable to preserve her safety. Une out.?
She was determined not to look at Zechs to see if she had his approval, but wasn?t able to help herself. She didn?t even realize she had done it until he caught her eyes with his. He kept silent, but she could see the distaste in his gaze. Her jaw tightened and she sat back, refusing to give in.

______________________________________________________

Relena grabbed his hand and led him down the rocky cliff of the crater. He was stumbling, and she knew he was growing weaker by the second. Worry etched her face as she searched the sky for a ship or a craft ? anything that would save his life. She checked her watch and bit back a cry of anxious frustration. They had about fifteen minutes and they still had half of the crater to descend.

Determination filled her eyes, but she could feel the sting of tears as she heard the distant approach of mobile suits. Lifting her chin, she gripped his hand tighter and tried to descend faster.

Moments later, she could hear Wufei?s half-hearted cry over loud speakers demanding that she stop. Instead, she quickened her pace once more until she and the alien were stumbling down the crater. Bits of rock and debris shot well over her head jumped and stung her in the face when warning shots hit a near-by bolder. She wiped the blood from her cheek and looked behind her to see her friend scanning the sky for his people. When she caught his eyes, she saw serenity staring back at her. Renewed by his calm trust in her, she turned at renewed their fight to find their way down. More bullets cracked the sky, and they were blanketed in dust. Wufei was creating a blinding cover cloud for them, and she smiled a silent thanks. Though she found it difficult to navigate, she knew the remaining Taureses were not able to see at all.

When they broke clear, they were nearing the bottom of the crater. Her heart lodged itself in her throat, and her breath came in harsh gasps. The man behind her sagged, and she helped him to stand. He looked at her from the corner of his eye, and she saw that no matter the conclusion, he would meet the end complete. If he died, he would die knowing there was nothing more he could have wanted, and that the purpose of his life had been fulfilled. If he lived, he would bring all he learned to his people. He would bring them the soul they had forgotten they owned.

Une choked. Her eyes froze in her skull, and she could feel the hair all over her body raise in painful bumps. She had been about to order the tauruses to land and tell the pilots to commence on foot ? but then? IT appeared. She dropped the radio as it was completely forgotten, and stared at the? thing. It looked like a perfect, silver sphere, almost like a mirror molded into a ball. But it was enormous. As it parted the clouds to hover above the crater, she saw that it fit perfectly inside the big scar in the ground. It was as if the crater had been created for this precise use. Tears began to fill her eyes, dry from being open so long. She didn?t notice.

Suddenly, the tauruses stopped their attack. Surprised, she looked up to see that each one was suspended in mid air as though they were puppets hanging from invisible string. Confused, she looked around and saw IT. Looming directly overhead was an inverted mirror. Rather, it was round? almost like a ball. Dizzy, she blinked and tried to make her eyes focus. It was difficult to make sense out of something that made the landscape appear above and reaching out to encircle you.

The man behind her abruptly stood straight and breathed in deeply. Filtering all about them was an early blue glow, and small flakes of something that looked like snow fell about them. She felt her head swim as she breathed it in, but she wasn?t uncomfortable. It was almost like it was putting her to sleep.

The alien turned towards her, and clarity came crashing back to her through her haze. It was far away, almost as though it were unreal, but the look in his eyes told her it was true. He was going to leave.

She threw her arms around him and sobbed into his ear.
?Take me with you!?
His arms were stiff around her, but they pulled her in close and held her tightly. He swallowed and spoke to her in a husky voice filled with emotion.
?I can-not. You will die.?
She buried her face in his chest.
?I don?t care!?
He pushed her away and held her shoulders so she had to look at him.
?I care, Releena Pease-craft.?
She pushed herself away and looked to the ground, trying to control her shaking body.
?I?m never going to see you again.?
He cupped her cheek softly and lifted her head.
?No.?
A tear spilled over one of her lids, but she smiled in understanding, her lower lip trembling. He cocked his head and his eyes filled with something unreadable.
?Tell me again, how to say good-bye.?
More tears burst from her eyes, but she nodded.
?You hug me, then you kiss me. Then you me that you love me.?
He smiled and brought his forehead to hers and looked her in the eyes. Cradling her to him, he took in a deep breath and brushed her hair from her face. Softly, so that it tickled her ear, he spoke.
?I love you.?
Then he brought her to him in a crushing embrace for a moment before taking her lips with his own. She opened her mouth to him, and he drank from her greedily. Feeling tears pave paths down his cheeks, he pulled away and saw that she was crying as well. He wiped a tear away with his thumb, and rubbed it between his fingers. Looking into her eyes once more, he took one of her hands into his own. With the other, he placed something in her hand. Her eyes twitched in confusion, and she looked at what he had pressed into her palm. It was the last of his silver balls. She looked to him for an explanation.
?What do I do with this??
He closed her fingers around the sphere with both of his hands and shook his head, smiling wistfully.
?Tell the baby a-bout me??
She nodded, and he convulsed violently. Panicking, she held him upright as his face twisted in pain. His eyes stared vacantly and a silent peel of thunder ripped from his throat. Slowly, he began to glow. Hands shaking, she fell to the ground by the force of his weight. With a last burst of strength, he focused his eyes on her ? and a strange look of incredulous recognition filled them.
?Relena???
He passed out and a blue light ripped from his chest and floated tranquilly before her astonished eyes. It hovered there a moment and flashed. She flinched, but slowly reached her hand to touch it. It rested in the curve of her palm for a moment and flashed again. Slowly, it sank to illuminate the features of the body it had just left behind. Relena gasped and her jaw fell open. The body was still breathing. Looking up sharply to the star, her mouth twisted into a soft cry. It floated slowly to her face drifted for a moment before flitting to the sky. She touched her cheek. It had almost felt like a caress?.

Slowly, the star floated upwards, towards the alien craft. She watched it as it disappeared, and reached her hand, now empty of the ball that had been enclosed within it a moment before, up to touch the glow before it totally faded away. She heard Heero moan and shift in her arms, and she tightened her hold. She rocked him back and forth - but her eyes. Her eyes she kept skyward until all traces of the blue glow had gone. And she smiled.


-FINIS

[Crazygurl]

HAHA! HEERO'S BACK WITH A BLAST!! LITERALLY!!

I'm off to sleep and grin. Hehe!

[freelight01]

I remember reading this fic on ff.net. It was hard to get into at first. So i tried once, droped it, tried again, droped it, and then 3 months later, i was determine to read it. So i sat down and made sure i read the entire thing, and while it was hard to get into at first, it was more then made up by the finish. It was an incredible fic, full of laughs, tears, and heart warming tender moments.

You are truly a awesome writer, and i still keep coming back to this fic to read it again and again, especially to look up some of my favourite moments. There are no words to describe this fic, but i am going to try anyway, by saying it was beautiful and heart-warming. You are a very skilled author to be able to take the movie, put it down on paper, and turn it into an incredible piece of writing that still holds a uniqueness that is entirely your own. Thank you for writing this, it was a joy to read.

[L.S. Oblivion]

Wow... Read it straight through when I should be packing *bad LSO * but it was just... that good. Wow... keep up the good work.


~Lady Sapphire Oblivion

[Mandaba]

at first it was a bit hard to keep up with, mainly because i wasnt focusing really on everything (so i reread it all), and it turned out really good. i hope there might be a possible epilouge or sequal

[TimeShifter16]

Man, that was great. Though, I'd like to know what happens between Heero and Relena afterwards. Perhaps a sequel? *puppy-dog eyes* PLEASE?

[BabbleFish]

that was wonderful! you kept me riveted until the very last chapter. what a unique idea, this story.
i seriously laughed and cried, it was emotional. and the emotion of this wasn't overwrought, it felt very natural. i think it's time for me to read your other stuff too^.^

i too, grovel in supplication for you to write a sequel. =^.^=

[Raspberry]

.... *sigh*... *gulp*...

THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL!

So... wonderful and great and... I can't find my words! I wanted to know the end sooo badly since I remember I watched the movie but couldn't remember the end! This is truly beautiful! I'm going to cry! The ending was great! WHOLE fanfiction was great!

Great, wonderful, awesome, magnificent job wsprs!

And the part with Relena's, Heero's and alien's baby!.. *sigh sigh sigh sigh* It was beautiful! (I almost cried when I read about Relena telling she can't have children... ) The alien made her two great wishes come true - she wanted Heero, and baby... *sigh*

I was wondering ih the alien will bring Heero back to life with hiss last sphere... And he did!

OMG, I am speechless and I can't swallow... And my hands are shaking...

Once again, GREAT JOB!!!

[Raspberry]

OMG! I've JUST seen Starman! AND EVERYTHING WAS EXCACTLY THE SAME!!!

wsprs, now I'm more than sure that this fanfiction is GREAT You put GW characters in the plot of this movie PERFECTLY

I envy you your talnet


And like the others, I will ask for a sequel I just MUST know if Heero knows and remembers everything what alien did, how will Relena deal with everything, will she love Heero the same and does she can have more children (you know - did Starman healed her)?... And how the child would react after Relena tells him that his father were Heero and alien...

So... PLEASE WRITE A SEQUEL!

[Crazygurl]

Sequel. Definitely.