A Legacy of Stars -- Interlude I --

Relena signed another document, placing on a slowly growing pile on her desk. It always amazed her how quickly the paperwork amassed. Even if when she tried to keep her trips short, at least one new stack greeted her on her return.

Reading the next proposal, she reached for her coffee mug. She nearly spewed the liquid all over her desk. She eyed the cold liquid with disgust before setting the cup aside.

“I thought that coffee would be bad for the baby.”

Relena looked up, searching for the owner of the voice. She relaxed when she identified her visitor. “I think that sudden frights would be, too, Heero. But, I’m cutting back on the coffee.”

He stepped out of the shadows. Her heart ached at the sight of him. It had been too long since she had last seen him.

For his part, Heero seemed unaffected by her presence. He merely watched her. Some things never seemed to change.

With a silent sigh, she rose from her chair. She rotated her shoulders, working the stiffness out of her upper back. However, she knew that she was only stalling.

“It’s good to see you, Heero.”

He gave a soft snort but said nothing. Heero continued to just stand there, watching her. And it irritated her.

“You’ve not one for social calls,” she said. “So, why are you here?”

“They’re calling for your resignation.”

Relena stated at him for a moment. Then, she laughed, clearly startling him. “That’s it, Heero? You came here because some politicians are calling for my resignation. I was expecting an assassination plot.”

“They’re calling for your resignation because of something I did,” he snapped. “Because of the baby.”

“As I remember, I was a willing participant,” she murmured. However, Relena grew serious again. “If it wasn’t this, it would be something else. My age, my inexperience, or anything else they can find.”

“They’re dragging your name through the mud. They’re calling you a whore.”

“Just words, Heero. It’s just words. I’m not quitting because of name-calling.”

He suddenly stood in front of her, staring down at her. “Why are you keeping it?”

“Do you want me to have an abortion?” She searched his face and almost missed his flinch. “I can’t do that, Heero, even if you had wanted it.”

She stepped away from him. “I can handle the politicians, Heero. You don’t have to concern yourself anymore.”

“You’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment.”

Relena glanced back at him with a small smile. “You once said to act on your emotions.”

“We both now know how that turned out.”

“I didn’t ask for any promises that night, Heero. I’m not asking for any now.”

She fought the urge to place her hands on her abdomen. The bulge was noticeable even under her looser fitting suits. A new life. Their child.

“I have an early start tomorrow.” She turned and left the room, leaving Heero there alone.

For a moment, he merely stood there. The conversation had not gone as he had planned. Of course, whenever Relena was involved, things rarely went as planned.


Interlude I Relena signed another document, placing on a slowly growing pile on her desk. It always amazed her how quickly the paperwork amassed. Even if when she tried to keep her trips short, at least one new stack greeted her on her return. Reading the next proposal, she reached for her coffee mug. She nearly spewed the liquid all over her desk. She eyed the cold liquid with disgust before setting the cup aside. “I thought that coffee would be bad for the baby.” Relena looked up, searching for the owner of the voice. She relaxed when she identified her visitor. “I think that sudden frights would be, too, Heero. But, I’m cutting back on the coffee.” He stepped out of the shadows. Her heart ached at the sight of him. It had been too long since she had last seen him. For his part, Heero seemed unaffected by her presence. He merely watched her. Some things never seemed to change. With a silent sigh, she rose from her chair. She rotated her shoulders, working the stiffness out of her upper back. However, she knew that she was only stalling. “It’s good to see you, Heero.” He gave a soft snort but said nothing. Heero continued to just stand there, watching her. And it irritated her. “You’ve not one for social calls,” she said. “So, why are you here?” “They’re calling for your resignation.” Relena stated at him for a moment. Then, she laughed, clearly startling him. “That’s it, Heero? You came here because some politicians are calling for my resignation. I was expecting an assassination plot.” “They’re calling for your resignation because of something I did,” he snapped. “Because of the baby.” “As I remember, I was a willing participant,” she murmured. However, Relena grew serious again. “If it wasn’t this, it would be something else. My age, my inexperience, or anything else they can find.” “They’re dragging your name through the mud. They’re calling you a whore.” “Just words, Heero. It’s just words. I’m not quitting because of name-calling.” He suddenly stood in front of her, staring down at her. “Why are you keeping it?” “Do you want me to have an abortion?” She searched his face and almost missed his flinch. “I can’t do that, Heero, even if you had wanted it.” She stepped away from him. “I can handle the politicians, Heero. You don’t have to concern yourself anymore.” “You’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment.” Relena glanced back at him with a small smile. “You once said to act on your emotions.” “We both now know how that turned out.” “I didn’t ask for any promises that night, Heero. I’m not asking for any now.” She fought the urge to place her hands on her abdomen. The bulge was noticeable even under her looser fitting suits. A new life. Their child. “I have an early start tomorrow.” She turned and left the room, leaving Heero there alone. For a moment, he merely stood there. The conversation had not gone as he had planned. Of course, whenever Relena was involved, things rarely went as planned.


Part III Legacy Main Page