What If?
Yay! I was able to put up two chapters at once today! By the way... if any of you are lost, please let me know and I will explain chapter 2 more thoroughly.
I do not own Gundam Wing.
Chapter 3
The door crept opened, and a young woman with golden hair and eyes like the sky moved into the room carefully and quietly. Though only eighteen, at the moment she appeared much older. Her skin was pale, almost a sickly shade, and her eyes were rimmed with red and slightly puffy. Drawn by the day?s events, her features seemed sharper, much more severe. Her brow was creased with worry and, though her posture was impeccable with her chin up, chest out, and shoulders back, she was twisting her hands nervously within each other. She had scrubbed the blood from her hands and face, but her clothes remained unchanged, and were still dark and stained from when she had held him in her arms.
Relena Darlain took a deep breath to compose herself and allowed the image in front of her to register completely in her mind. She felt a weight settle in her heart as she took in the contents of the room? more specifically, the young man that lay unconscious in the bed.
His face was stark white, and his pale lips had a blue hue to them. His wild, chocolate hair fell over his closed eyes, hiding the cold, but beautiful Prussian blue that had so intrigued her since the day they met. He was surrounded by wires that hooked up to various machinery and there were IVs pushing various medicines, fluids, and blood, which he vitally needed, into his body. But the thing that nearly shattered her heart was the plastic tube that was protruding from his mouth, telling her that Heero Yuy was unable to breathe on his own. Never before, not even when he had collapsed in her arms after Mariemaya?s coup de ta, had the former Gundam Pilot look so frail, so vulnerable.
Listening to the steady rhythm of the ventilator and heart monitor, she blinked back the tears that were beginning to form and took wary steps that brought her to stand next to his bed. Her unsteady hand rose, hesitating momentarily, before brushing his bangs to the side in order to see his face better. Feeling a little bit more comfortable, she pulled a chair up to his bedside and sat in it. Relena took his hand in hers. Looking down at her hand covering his, she let a small smile grace her features. His skin was warm, and she felt a strength enter her being and pierce her soul. It was the same feeling that she got from Heero anytime he was near her. It was the same feeling she got at every conference she attended in the colonies, always alerting her to his presence. She looked into his face and allowed herself to hope. Heero was still in there somewhere, she could feel it.
Just then, the door opened, and the doctor walked in. He looked at Relena and smiled.
?Sorry,? he said, making his way over to the bed, ?I just need to check a few things.?
Relena nodded her head in acknowledgement, but said nothing. She had spoken with this man enough for one day. He nodded back at her and resumed his work.
?So, Miss Vice Foreign Minister, when are you planning to return to Earth?? He asked after a few minutes, obviously trying to fill the awkward silence.
Relena didn?t care much for the conversation, but answered anyway out of politeness.
?I?ll be staying here until he wakes up.?
The doctor looked back at Relena. His body stiffened and jaw clenched. He thought for a long moment before responding.
?Miss Darlain?? He started with a sympathetic tone. ?You did understand what was discussed earlier, didn?t you??
Her grip on Heero?s hand tightened slightly. Of course she remembered what the prognosis was. She and the other Gundam Pilots had been waiting a long time for Heero to get out of surgery when the doctor entered the waiting room with that look on his face, the one that you never want to see a doctor express. Relena had prepared herself for the worst, so she was relieved to hear that he was still alive. But that relief didn?t last very long, for the very next thing out of the man?s mouth was that Heero was in a coma and that, with the extent of the damage and blood loss, he wasn?t confident he would come out of it. That news had been a major blow to every person in the room. Relena had almost believed him, almost abandoned hope, but, sitting here now, she was positive that the doctor was mistaken.
?Yes, I am very aware of what was discussed.? she said forcefully, giving the doctor a fierce look. But you don?t know Heero? she added to herself. She turned her eyes, with a much softer gaze, back to Heero.
The doctor opened his mouth as if to say something, but thought better of it. He quickly finished what he started, and turned back to Relena.
?Your time is up.? He said coolly. ?The ICU is very strict with its visiting times.?
She nodded and followed him to the door. There, she stopped and looked back into the room.
?Heero?? she said. ?As I promised, I will be here.? Her voice dropped to a whisper as she added, ?I still believe in you.?
With that, she turned and left the room.
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His eyes opened, but he could not register anything but darkness. He blinked a couple of times, allowing his eyes to adjust. He could see the ghostly outlines of furniture and assorted machinery. There was a partially open door, letting in the only bit of light in the room. Heero concluded from his surroundings that he was in a hospital, and almost sighed with relief? his imagination was not running away with him again. This was reality.
The light smell of vanilla and lavender filled his senses as he realized that he wasn?t alone in the room. He felt a light weight resting on top of his hand as he caught sight of a sleeping figure, their hand entwined with his and head resting on the bed. The dim light coming from the hallway caught in her hair, illuminating the golden tresses as they cascaded down to her waist. A few stray locks were blocking her face from his view. Heero slid his hand from under hers, his muscles sore and tight from disuse, but hesitated. He instinctively felt the need to quash his urge to touch her.
? you will be given every opportunity to live a whole, complete life, you only have to take it?
The ethereal voice floated back into his ears, as if she were standing right next to him. Though he thought it was foolish to indulge the memory, he acted on it. He brought his finger tips to her face, and gently brushed back the hair from her features. The silken strands flowed easily and softly through his fingers as he tucked the locks behind her ear. Relena?s sleeping face was now visible to him. Though the look on her face was peaceful, the long, restless days were evident in the deep, purple smudges under her eyes. Her cheeks were sunken, and her body seemed frail, as if she hadn?t had a decent meal in weeks. He let himself feel a little guilty, the last thing he wanted was to cause her more stress. Her life wasn?t easy as it was.
How long have I been here? Heero wondered.
He rested his hand on her face and stroked the line of her cheek bone with his thumb. He could feel himself being drawn in, mesmerized by this beautiful, delicate creature. Heero decided that he could watch her sleep for hours. As he thought that, Relena?s even breathing caught in her throat. She took in a deep silent yawn and her eyes fluttered open. He jerked his hand away quickly, wincing slightly at the pain, and those beautiful, sky blue orbs glittered in amusement. Suddenly, her eyes widened and she sat up quick as lightning, realizing that his icy, Prussian glare was not a figment of her imagination.
?Heero?? Heero!? She cried, relief saturating her voice. She jumped from her chair and grasped Heero?s hand with both of hers. ?Quatre, Trowa, Duo? Wake up!?
Heero heard movement through out the room, as Quatre switched on a lamp light near where he and Trowa had been sharing a couch. Duo practically vaulted from the chair he had taken up in the opposite corner of the room, his long braid swinging wildly behind him, and bounded over to the bed with exuberant energy.
?Hey, Heero! You?re awake!? he shouted enthusiastically, clasping his shoulder. Something about this situation seemed mildly familiar?
Quatre and Trowa had joined the other two at the unoccupied side of Heero?s bed when the door swung open completely. Standing in the frame was an older, slightly frazzled looking nurse. She eyed the occupants of the room.
?What could be going on at such an ungodly hou?? She gasped at the sight of Heero glaring at her from the bed. ?Oh my!? I?m sorry for being so short tempered.? She apologized quickly as she completely entered the room and stood with the others near the bed.
Heero only stared icily at her. This was far too many people giving him way too much attention at once, and he was becoming annoyed by it. The fact that his body, with the exception of his arms, seemed to not respond right away to his mind?s want to move was annoying him as well. His glare seemed to be making her nervous, as she grabbed the chart at the foot of his bed and began to fumble with her pen.
?You don?t have to be nervous,? Quatre said, smiling sweetly at the nurse. He gave Heero a stern look as he added, ?Heero is not much of a people person.?
She smiled weakly at Quatre, and continued taking Heero?s vital signs. She took out a small flashlight from her pocket and flashed it in both of his eyes, checking the pupil dilation. She nodded her head positively and continued by asking him to move certain parts of his body. Heero, stiffly, twisted his wrists, wiggled his fingers and rose his arms as high as he could, with her taking notes the whole time. When she asked him to move his right foot, Heero was unable to do so. He willed his foot to respond, but it wasn?t working. Determination flared in him, as he strained his body and was finally able to get his right foot to rotate slightly. The attempt left him feeling weaker and breathless, but he forced himself to control his breathing and kept his features in an impassive mask. Though he didn?t show it, he knew that the nurse could tell how much the simple movement had taken out of him.
?Why don?t we continue when your doctor arrives.? She suggested sweetly. She checked her watch. ?He?ll be here in??
?No.? Heero said, looking at her with no particular expression.
?Alright?? She gave in after a few moments, realizing that he was serious. ?Rotate your right foot.? She instructed.
He complied and did so with only some difficulty. The nurse finished her check up and, after letting them know that the doctor would want to run more tests when he came in at 9 o?clock, excused herself from the room. Heero?s body was drained of energy and his eyelids were heavy as lead, but he couldn?t let himself sleep yet. There were too many unanswered questions.
?How long have I been here?? He asked, looking at the expectant faces around the room.
Relena had resumed sitting in the chair positioned by the side of his bed. Quatre and Duo were standing at the foot of his bed, and Trowa was leaning up against the wall near the door.
?Almost three weeks. Heero?? came Relena?s concerned voice. She was looking unwaveringly into his eyes. ?Maybe you should get some rest first.?
?No.? He answered coolly. He was trying hard to ignore the feelings that her voice was stirring within him.
She opened her mouth to protest and Heero could have smiled. She was just as stubborn as ever.
?There are a lot of questions that need answering.? Heero cut in before she could speak.
He watched as hurt flickered briefly in her sky-like eyes and he was taken back to the girl he left crying on the kitchen floor. He hated himself for hurting Relena in the same way, but he couldn?t figure out how to keep himself from doing so. It seemed that he was always leaving her hurt or crying.
?Have you all been here since that night?? Heero asked.
?Except for Relena? no.? Answered Trowa. Heero suppressed the guilty feeling that swelled in his chest as Trowa continued. ?The rest of us have been in hiding? keeping a low profile while we look for the person or organization that attempted to kill you. All of us, except for Wufei who offered to stay at the Preventors Headquarters to keep an eye on things, came back here a couple of days ago when Relena called to inform us that you had healed enough to breathe on your own again.?
?Why didn?t you lay low as well?? Heero directed his question to Relena. ?It?s too dangerous.?
She looked down to her lap where she was twisting her hands nervously. When she looked back up, there were an indiscernible emotions in her eyes.
?Because I promised you I would?? She answered quietly. Her words hit him hard, but before he could say anything, she continued. ?You don?t have to worry, Wufei and the Preventors took care of my cover. They checked me out of my hotel and put me in another under an assumed name. According to records, I am back on Earth in some remote location as I deal with? your death.?
He considered her last words for a moment before continuing.
?Can I assume that my name is on a death certificate somewhere?? He asked the room.
?The Preventors were able to convince the hospital to falsify your medical record. They kept the time called when you flat-lined in the ER as your time of death.? Trowa answered impassively.
Heero noticed Duo visibly wince and vaguely remembered that he had been there. That was when he noticed the American?s right hand was bound in plaster.
?What happened?? He asked Duo, indicating the cast.
?Had a little run in with a wall?? He answered with a wide grin on his face. ?Cracked a few knuckles, fractured a bone in my hand? Ya know, between you and me, the wall definitely lost that fight.? Duo laughed.
Heero shook his head slowly, as if he were disgusted by the story. Inwardly, though, he was happy to see his friend in a better mood. Happy-go-lucky suited Duo.
?What about the assassin? Do we know anything about him? Has he made another move?? Heero interrogated as he suppressed the overwhelming fatigue that suddenly seized his body.
?We don?t know anything.? Quatre answered, rubbing the back of his neck tiredly. ?He made no new moves, no threats. He expertly covered his tracks? I can only assume that he is waiting for a good opportunity to present itself. Heero, can?t any of this wait until later, it?s 4:12 in the morning??
?No.? He answered, but, even as the words came from his mouth, his eyes began to lower.
He heard Relena sigh as she laid her hand over his, stroking the back with her thumb. Heero looked at her, but was too tired to try and repress any emotions. She smiled at him, and he let the corners of his mouth lift upwards slightly. Her eyes lit up at the simple action, and Heero fell asleep as warmth spread through his body.
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The man sat at his desk, looking over the report that had just been handed to him with a satisfied grin on his face. Everything was falling into place just as he had hoped it would. The little problem that was obstructing his plans was solved. He looked up at the man that had presented the sheets of paper.
?This is good.? He said to his companion. ?Heero Yuy is dead, and the other Gundam Pilots are in hiding, keeping a low profile. We can continue with the objective.?
He looked over to the large man in the corner. The assassin was well built, and intimidating, but the youthful look to his features led him to believe that he couldn?t be too much older then twenty. His face was contorted into a cruel, chilling expression that sent shivers down his spine. The man wondered, once again, if it had been wise to use this particular assassin.
?I had a perfect opportunity to complete the objective when I was sent after the target, Yuy. I don?t understand why you wouldn?t let me.? He spit in a harsh voice.
?Patience? timing is of the utmost importance in this plan.? He answered calmingly. ?Besides, I did allow you to have fun with Yuy? didn?t I??
The assassin?s mouth twisted into a sick smile as his eyes lit with pleasure at the memory of the Japanese Pilot?s slaughter. A wave of nausea hit the man watching the change in expression. He would have preferred Yuy being taken out quickly and cleanly, but he knew that he had to do something to satisfy the man in front of him. Letting him kill the ?Perfect Soldier? in any way he wished, he knew, would give him some of that satisfaction.
He looked down at the medical report again. His death had been brutal. Though he was the fiercest, strongest warrior due to his upbringing and training, he was still, in essence, a child, not much older then his own. The pain? the slow suffering he must have felt? it wasn?t a death he would wish on someone. He pushed the medical records out of his sight, this was going to get him what he wanted.
He looked back to the assassin melting into the shadows.
How is such a psychopath born?
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