--- Part 5 ---

A nurse was injecting some additional medicine into Relena’s IV line when Milliardo and Noin entered the room. Ensuring that everything was to her liking, the nurse affectionately pulled Relena’s blankets higher and warned the pair that regular visiting hours would be over soon. Dismissing Milliardo’s glare, the nurse left the room.

“I don’t think that woman knows who you are,” Milliardo growled, looking from the door to his sister.

“Oh, she knows,” Relena replied with a smile, “and she knows who you are, too, dear brother. It’s just that she knows that she’s in charge here.”

Noin’s amused smile faded as her eyes fell on the various monitors around Relena’s bed. “What was she giving you?”

“Dr. Ling is trying another medication,” Relena explained.

“Maybe it will work,” Noin said, hoping her voice sounded more convinced than she felt.

Relena studied her brother and Noin with a soft, almost sad smile. Quietly, she said, “I think that we need to start facing some possibilities.”

Milliardo stiffened, his attention becoming totally riveted on his sister. Noin’s stomach lurched and she fought to maintain a neutral expression. ‘You will get better, Relena,’ she wanted to shout.

“How is my assistant holding up?” Relena asked.

“Ben’s doing a good job,” Milliardo replied grudgingly, “but everyone would much rather deal with you.”

“Well, they will have to wait a little longer for that,” Relena commented. “I need for you and Noin to arrange for me to address the Earth Sphere and the colonies.”

“Why?” Noin asked.

“If Ben is doing to continue to do my job, he is going to need the official clout,” Relena explained, “especially with some of the older diplomats and politicians. Who knows when I will get well? I need to go ahead and do this while I still have the strength.”

“You are going to get better, Relena,” Milliardo said, the gruffness in his voice making it almost an order.

Relena gave another soft, sad smile. “Then this will only be temporary, Milliardo. It will just be until I get better.”

However, looking at Relena’s flushed skin and fever-bright eyes, Noin wondered if the younger woman’s resignation would only be temporary.

* * * * *

Hours later, Chang Wufei walked purposefully down the vacant hall to the nurses’ station. Heero had arrived a few moments ago to take his turn guarding Relena, relieving Wufei from the duty. All the pilots had agreed that the hospital security wasn’t strong enough, and it wouldn’t be long until the wrong person found out where the Vice Foreign Minister was recuperating. With a frown, Wufei quickened his pace.

Hearing footsteps, Alex looked up from the pile of charts in front of her. She had taken a break from Relena’s case to catch up on her paperwork. She enjoyed the late shift because most of her patients were usually asleep and their families were gone.

“Good evening, Mr. Chang,” she greeted, letting the thick chart she was reviewing close itself with a thud.

Wufie gave her a nod. “Have you seen Sally Po?”

“Yes, she’s in my office, doing research so I could catch up on some paperwork. My office is on the next floor if you need her.”

With another slight nod, Wufei turned and headed back down the hallway. As she watched him disappear, Alex shook her head. ‘He’s definitely interesting, Sally,’ she mused, ‘although I’m not quite sure what you see in him.’

* * * * *

Heero watched the moonlight dance across Relena’s peaceful face. He had volunteered for the graveyard watch hoping that she would be asleep. Each night, she had, making his job easier for the most part.

He didn’t know what to say to her if she was awake, which irritated the 01 pilot greatly. ‘What is it about her?’ he wondered, watching her chest rise and fall peacefully in sleep. His life always became more complicated when she was involved, and he never liked complications.

‘You confuse me, Relena,’ he admitted silently.

However, despite the irritation the girl proved to be, Heero had spent the majority of his day in front of his computer, searching Isom’s computer data for any clues about what he and his men had done to Relena during her capture. Even focusing on the medical and science data, he wasn’t coming up with any useful information. He hoped that Sally and Dr. Ling were having better results.

He glanced up at one of the monitors and noted Relena’s temperature. Apparently, the doctors weren’t too successful. While it had dropped slightly, she was still feverish and her body would not be able to continue in that state for too much longer.

Focusing on Relena, he began to curse Isom. It would have been more humane to just have shot her than to let her suffer as she was now. He realized that Isom had lost his two sons during the Eve’s War, but it didn’t make sense for Relena to be the target of his revenge. She was working to prevent future conflicts, future needless deaths. Apparently, Isom either hadn’t realized or hadn’t believed that.

Folding his arms across his chest, Heero tried to clear his mind as he settled in to keep his watch over the sleeping former princess.

* * * * *

Wufei paused outside the door to Dr. Ling’s office and then knocked softly, not wanting to disturb some of the sleeping patients nearby. Receiving no answer, he opened the door. To his amusement, Sally was stretched across several open textbooks, fast asleep.

“Foolish weakling,” he whispered, a faint smile hovering over his lips.

Closing the door quietly behind him, Wufei entered the office. He shucked off his jacket and draped it over the sleeping form of his partner. Knowing that it would be quite a while before Dr. Ling returned, he grabbed the closest textbook and began to read.


Part V A nurse was injecting some additional medicine into Relena’s IV line when Milliardo and Noin entered the room. Ensuring that everything was to her liking, the nurse affectionately pulled Relena’s blankets higher and warned the pair that regular visiting hours would be over soon. Dismissing Milliardo’s glare, the nurse left the room. “I don’t think that woman knows who you are,” Milliardo growled, looking from the door to his sister. “Oh, she knows,” Relena replied with a smile, “and she knows who you are, too, dear brother. It’s just that she knows that she’s in charge here.” Noin’s amused smile faded as her eyes fell on the various monitors around Relena’s bed. “What was she giving you?” “Dr. Ling is trying another medication,” Relena explained. “Maybe it will work,” Noin said, hoping her voice sounded more convinced than she felt. Relena studied her brother and Noin with a soft, almost sad smile. Quietly, she said, “I think that we need to start facing some possibilities.” Milliardo stiffened, his attention becoming totally riveted on his sister. Noin’s stomach lurched and she fought to maintain a neutral expression. ‘You will get better, Relena,’ she wanted to shout. “How is my assistant holding up?” Relena asked. “Ben’s doing a good job,” Milliardo replied grudgingly, “but everyone would much rather deal with you.” “Well, they will have to wait a little longer for that,” Relena commented. “I need for you and Noin to arrange for me to address the Earth Sphere and the colonies.” “Why?” Noin asked. “If Ben is doing to continue to do my job, he is going to need the official clout,” Relena explained, “especially with some of the older diplomats and politicians. Who knows when I will get well? I need to go ahead and do this while I still have the strength.” “You are going to get better, Relena,” Milliardo said, the gruffness in his voice making it almost an order. Relena gave another soft, sad smile. “Then this will only be temporary, Milliardo. It will just be until I get better.” However, looking at Relena’s flushed skin and fever-bright eyes, Noin wondered if the younger woman’s resignation would only be temporary. * * * * * Hours later, Chang Wufei walked purposefully down the vacant hall to the nurses’ station. Heero had arrived a few moments ago to take his turn guarding Relena, relieving Wufei from the duty. All the pilots had agreed that the hospital security wasn’t strong enough, and it wouldn’t be long until the wrong person found out where the Vice Foreign Minister was recuperating. With a frown, Wufei quickened his pace. Hearing footsteps, Alex looked up from the pile of charts in front of her. She had taken a break from Relena’s case to catch up on her paperwork. She enjoyed the late shift because most of her patients were usually asleep and their families were gone. “Good evening, Mr. Chang,” she greeted, letting the thick chart she was reviewing close itself with a thud. Wufie gave her a nod. “Have you seen Sally Po?” “Yes, she’s in my office, doing research so I could catch up on some paperwork. My office is on the next floor if you need her.” With another slight nod, Wufei turned and headed back down the hallway. As she watched him disappear, Alex shook her head. ‘He’s definitely interesting, Sally,’ she mused, ‘although I’m not quite sure what you see in him.’ * * * * * Heero watched the moonlight dance across Relena’s peaceful face. He had volunteered for the graveyard watch hoping that she would be asleep. Each night, she had, making his job easier for the most part. He didn’t know what to say to her if she was awake, which irritated the 01 pilot greatly. ‘What is it about her?’ he wondered, watching her chest rise and fall peacefully in sleep. His life always became more complicated when she was involved, and he never liked complications. ‘You confuse me, Relena,’ he admitted silently. However, despite the irritation the girl proved to be, Heero had spent the majority of his day in front of his computer, searching Isom’s computer data for any clues about what he and his men had done to Relena during her capture. Even focusing on the medical and science data, he wasn’t coming up with any useful information. He hoped that Sally and Dr. Ling were having better results. He glanced up at one of the monitors and noted Relena’s temperature. Apparently, the doctors weren’t too successful. While it had dropped slightly, she was still feverish and her body would not be able to continue in that state for too much longer. Focusing on Relena, he began to curse Isom. It would have been more humane to just have shot her than to let her suffer as she was now. He realized that Isom had lost his two sons during the Eve’s War, but it didn’t make sense for Relena to be the target of his revenge. She was working to prevent future conflicts, future needless deaths. Apparently, Isom either hadn’t realized or hadn’t believed that. Folding his arms across his chest, Heero tried to clear his mind as he settled in to keep his watch over the sleeping former princess. * * * * * Wufei paused outside the door to Dr. Ling’s office and then knocked softly, not wanting to disturb some of the sleeping patients nearby. Receiving no answer, he opened the door. To his amusement, Sally was stretched across several open textbooks, fast asleep. “Foolish weakling,” he whispered, a faint smile hovering over his lips. Closing the door quietly behind him, Wufei entered the office. He shucked off his jacket and draped it over the sleeping form of his partner. Knowing that it would be quite a while before Dr. Ling returned, he grabbed the closest textbook and began to read.


Part VI You Shouldn't Have to Say Goodbye