Epilogue: Decision

Duo leaned against the kitchen counter of Heero’s incredibly small apartment, watching the Perfect Soldier as he studied the screen of his laptop computer. To the casual observer, nothing seemed out of place. Yet, things were far from right.

Heero’s typing, by which a metronome could be set, began to come in spurts and sputters about a couple of hours ago. Duo had cast a quizzical glance in his friend’s direction, but he had been completely ignored. However, a few minutes ago, the typing had completely ceased.

“Hey, Heero, you okay?”

The former Wing pilot looked up, his blue eyes partially hidden by his unruly hair.

“Just checking,” Duo stated, shrugging. “You stopped typing and nearly gave me a heart attack.”

Heero continued to stare at him emotionlessly. Then, he returned his attention to his computer. Once again, his fingers flew across the keys.

“Shouldn’t you be leaving?”

Duo glanced at the clock and then shrug. “Nah, Hilde knows to go on without me.”

Heero looked up from his computer again. His eyes narrowed into his customary glare.

“Go.”

Duo leaned further against the counter’s edge, shaking his head. “Heero, man, you need to work on the hospitality a little. I’m feeling a little unwelcome here.”

Heero’s eyes narrowed further. “I said for you to go, Duo.”

“I’m not just going to leave you here alone . . .”

Duo’s voice trailed off as he once again faced the barrel of Heero’s gun. The braided man’s shoulders slumped as he left out a defeated sigh. He turned and grabbed his coat.

“Fine, I’ll call you later,” Duo said over his shoulder and then he slammed the door.

Heero listened to the fading footsteps before slowly lowering the gun and putting it away. With his eyes closed, he shut the top of the computer. He knew it would be a while before he would be able to concentrate properly, let alone get any real work done. Opening his eyes, he entered the miniscule kitchen.

* * * * *

He never knew what possessed him to buy a television. It looked so out of place in the spartan apartment. Sitting down on his rather battered couch, he turned it on, quickly finding a station carrying the event.

The camera swept through the room, highlighting some of the more important dignitaries in attendance. However, the camera quickly returned to the front of the room as the familiar march began. Heero leaned back, his eyes glued to the vision in front of him.

Relena leaned closer to her brother as the cameras began to flash. He could detect the blush coloring her cheeks even through the milky veil. He watched breathlessly as she walked slowly, proudly down the aisle to the altar.

‘You told her to be happy,’ he thought. Her confident, radiant smile told him that she believed she was.

The groom leaned forward and brushed the veil back. Relena’s smile was even more dazzling, no longer hidden by the translucent fabric. She placed both of her hands in his and whispered something to him. Her smile grew at his reply, and then the happy couple turned toward the minister.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the love and the union in marriage of Relena Peacecraft and . . .”

Summoning his strength, Heero turned the television off.


Epilogue One Duo leaned against the kitchen counter of Heero’s incredibly small apartment, watching the Perfect Soldier as he studied the screen of his laptop computer. To the casual observer, nothing seemed out of place. Yet, things were far from right. Heero’s typing, by which a metronome could be set, began to come in spurts and sputters about a couple of hours ago. Duo had cast a quizzical glance in his friend’s direction, but he had been completely ignored. However, a few minutes ago, the typing had completely ceased. “Hey, Heero, you okay?” The former Wing pilot looked up, his blue eyes partially hidden by his unruly hair. “Just checking,” Duo stated, shrugging. “You stopped typing and nearly gave me a heart attack.” Heero continued to stare at him emotionlessly. Then, he returned his attention to his computer. Once again, his fingers flew across the keys. “Shouldn’t you be leaving?” Duo glanced at the clock and then shrug. “Nah, Hilde knows to go on without me.” Heero looked up from his computer again. His eyes narrowed into his customary glare. “Go.” Duo leaned further against the counter’s edge, shaking his head. “Heero, man, you need to work on the hospitality a little. I’m feeling a little unwelcome here.” Heero’s eyes narrowed further. “I said for you to go, Duo.” “I’m not just going to leave you here alone . . .” Duo’s voice trailed off as he once again faced the barrel of Heero’s gun. The braided man’s shoulders slumped as he left out a defeated sigh. He turned and grabbed his coat. “Fine, I’ll call you later,” Duo said over his shoulder and then he slammed the door. Heero listened to the fading footsteps before slowly lowering the gun and putting it away. With his eyes closed, he shut the top of the computer. He knew it would be a while before he would be able to concentrate properly, let alone get any real work done. Opening his eyes, he entered the miniscule kitchen. * * * * * He never knew what possessed him to buy a television. It looked so out of place in the spartan apartment. Sitting down on his rather battered couch, he turned it on, quickly finding a station carrying the event. The camera swept through the room, highlighting some of the more important dignitaries in attendance. However, the camera quickly returned to the front of the room as the familiar march began. Heero leaned back, his eyes glued to the vision in front of him. Relena leaned closer to her brother as the cameras began to flash. He could detect the blush coloring her cheeks even through the milky veil. He watched breathlessly as she walked slowly, proudly down the aisle to the altar. ‘You told her to be happy,’ he thought. Her confident, radiant smile told him that she believed she was. The groom leaned forward and brushed the veil back. Relena’s smile was even more dazzling, no longer hidden by the translucent fabric. She placed both of her hands in his and whispered something to him. Her smile grew at his reply, and then the happy couple turned toward the minister. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the love and the union in marriage of Relena Peacecraft and . . .” Summoning his strength, Heero turned the television off.


Epilogue Two Back to Main Page