Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing and Co. They belong to Bandai and Sunrise. This story is for entertainment purposes only. I am not making a profit from it.
Afraid to Love
Written by: Ra|nMan
Chapter Eleven
While the surgery had been successful in removing the bullet from his side Heero still showed no signs of recovery. It had been two weeks since the assault on Quatre?s palace had taken place and the nine friends were beginning to lose what little hope they had.
Everyone except Relena.
No matter what anyone said to her she remained by Heero?s bedside day and night, only leaving to eat occasionally.
?I know you can hear me Heero. Please find away to come back to me. I need you here with me Heero. Follow the sound of my voice and come back home.?
It was the same everyday. Quatre and the others were beginning to become worried about her.
?I wish we could help her. She can?t keep on going like this. She never rests and she hardly ever leaves his side. If it doesn?t stop soon she?ll?..?
?Quatre would you stop thinking like that. Relena?s too strong to let something like this get the better of her.?
?I don?t know Trowa. She seems to be taking this harder than the rest of us have,? Catherine stated.
?It?s hard seeing the one you love suffer, especially after finding out they love you in return. And you have to admit we all thought Heero was practically invincible. He?s bounced back from worse injuries than this so it comes as a real shock to see him out of commission for so long.?
Quatre, Trowa, and Catharine all turned to see that Zechs had joined them.
?I didn?t hear you come in Zechs,? Quatre said. ?Your sister seems to be taking this rather hard.?
?I?m not too worried,? replied Zechs.
Everyone stared at him in shock.
?I?d be more worried if she wasn?t showing any concern at all. Still I would be happier if she left the room more often. Has there been any change in his condition?? he asked glancing over at where Relena sat next to Heero?s bed.
?None. His condition remains the same as it did when he came out of surgery. We?re all beginning to wonder if he?ll ever wake up again.? Quatre didn?t bother to hide the fear in his voice.
It was true. That very thought had crossed the minds of eight of the nine remaining companions.
Just then Duo, WuFei, and Sally arrived.
?How is he doin?,? Duo asked.
?The same as before Duo. I thought you were taking the day off Sally?? Quatre asked, sounding mildly concerned.
?I was going to but WuFei so kindly reminded me of how many times that young man lying on the hospital bed over there saved my life, so now I?m just trying to return the favor.?
?Yea but even doctors need rest Sally,? Catherine pointedly stated.
?Don?t you guys go worrying about me now. Save all of your worry for Heero. He needs it more than I do. I?ll see you all later tonight. I have some tests I need to run.?
And with that Sally left the room and headed down the hall to the lab.
?WuFei why didn?t you let her stay home and rest?? Catherine asked angrily.
?Listen woman, I?m just as concerned about her as you are but right now we have more pressing matters on our hands. Heero needs the best medical attention he can get and she is the best.?
?Well it looks like WuFei?s manners haven?t changed one bit now have they,? Duo chimed in sarcastically.
?Shut up you Baka.?
?Really original Wu-man. It?s not like I haven?t heard that one eight hundred times before.?
?Keep it up Maxwell and this will be the last time you hear it!?
?Enough you two. Just cut it out ok? You guys fight like an old married couple so why don?t you just hurry up and announce your engagement already,? stated Quatre. ?We have enough to worry about with out having to play babysitter to the likes of you. We need to concentrate on a way to get Relena out of this hospital room more often. Maybe the fresh air and change of scenery will help to cheer her up a bit and take her mind off things for a while.?
?Sorry Quatre,? replied Duo and WuFei in unison.
?It?s all right. Just try not to do it again. It brings back to many old memories,? Quatre said turning his head to look over at Relena and Heero once again.
?Just looking at them brings such pain to my heart such as I haven?t felt since the days of the Gundams. I just wish I could easy their pain in some way for it was the two of them who saved my soul during the wars.?
?Just being there to support them is enough Quatre. Your strength gives them strength. Your kindness helped to save us more than you can realize. Without kindness the peace we live in could have never been attained and we would all probably be dead right now,? Trowa remarked.
?I know Trowa but I still wish I could do more.?
?Thank you for your concern Quatre but I?m really quite fine.?
They all looked up to see that Relena had moved away from Heero?s bed and was standing next to them.
?Hi Relena. How are you feeling today?? Catherine asked.
?I?m feeling quite well thank you. I didn?t mean to, but I overheard you talking about me. It?s really none of your business how I spend my life. I can?t believe that any of you would stand here in my very presence and discuss how to get me out of this room or how to cheer me up. Quite frankly the only thing that will cheer me up is Heero back on his feet but nobody but me seems to think that will happen do they??
Everyone was taken aback a Relena?s sudden out burst. They were all aware that she had a viscous temper when someone or something got on her bad side but none of them had ever experienced it except Heero and Zechs.
?Now if you will please be so kind as to leave, I?d like to be alone for awhile.?
And with that, Relena turned and walked back over to be by Heero?s bedside again.
?Now what do we do Quatre?? Catherine asked seeming quite alarmed.
?We give her her space. There?s nothing else we can do at the moment.?
So with one last look at Relena the rest of the group slowly filed out of the room until at last she was alone with Heero again.
?I know they mean well and all but I just can?t leave his side. Not now. Not ever. He?s been there for me so much even though I never really saw him there protecting me. Always hiding in the shadows he was.?
Relena got up and slowly walked over to the window and gazed out at the stars like Heero had done all those many weeks before the accident.
?Please come back to me soon Heero. I don?t think I could go on living without you here.?
She went and sat back done by his bed and placed her head on his chest, and held his hand in hers.
?This feeling, inside me, finally found my love I?ve finally broke free. No longer, torn in two, I?d take my own life if I lost you.?
Her eyelids felt heavy on her face yet she strained to keep them open. Fighting the exhaustion that was slowly creeping in was becoming more difficult until at last it took over. Soon she was fast asleep; her body finally getting the rest she had deprived it of for the past week.
In her dreams she saw Heero awake and fully recovered from his injuries. The two of them were laughing and running through the gardens at the Peacecraft mansion. It almost seemed too real to be a dream. Then she saw herself trip over something in the dream while looking back at Heero, and hit her head. Heero rushed over to where she was.
?Relena. Relena are you ok? Relena please answer me. Relena.?
It was as if he was really right there calling out her name. He sounded so close yet he couldn?t be. This was only a dream and the real Heero was still unconscious in a hospital bed. Yet?
?Relena.?
There it was again and it sounded even closer than before.
?Relena please wake up,? his voice said.
But this time it was followed by someone squeezing her hand, someone outside the dream.
?Relena it?s me, Heero. Please wake up Relena.?
?Heero? Is that really you?? she said sleepily, struggling to open her eyes.
?Yes Relena it really is me. Are you ok? You don?t look so good,? he replied sounding quite concerned.
But then Relena fully opened her eyes and realized that she wasn?t dreaming any more.
?OH HEERO! You?re awake!? she screamed, throwing her arms around his neck ?Oh my god I was so worried about you! I didn?t think that you were ever going to wake up again.?
?Easy Relena its ok now, I?m here. But could you please loosen your grip a little. You?re choking me.?
?Oh my god I?m so sorry Heero!? she exclaimed, releasing her hold around his neck and looking quite embarrassed.
?It?s ok. I understand. You?ve been worried about me while I was lying here in my catatonic state not knowing whether or not I was going to make it. But really the only reason I?m awake right now is because of you. You led me back. Just the sound of your voice led me home.?
?What are you saying Heero??
?I?m saying that you are the reason that I am alive right now.?
Relena just stared at him blankly. No words escaped her half-open mouth. She flung herself onto Heero and just started crying. She held nothing back. The tears just came and came not seeming to want to end, and all the while Heero just held her and let the tears flow.
Finally when she had regained her composure somewhat she turned to Heero and said, ?Don?t you ever leave me like that again. I?m not sure I could take it.?
?I?m not going anywhere Relena. Here is where I am and here is where I will stay.?
And with that said he wiped the tears from under her eyes and kissed her softly.
