*Healing the Heart- Relena's Story*

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of its characters. This is for entertainment purposes only. Please, I'm just trying to make some people happy.

AN: This story takes place after my first story Into the Storm. If you have not read my first story, you're bound to be kinda lost, so I would suggest reading it beforehand. With that said, happy reading everyone! This is a little more romantic than my last one ;)

So he had kissed her. Heero Yuy had finally kissed her. And she could still taste it, even though months had passed since that spark of romance in the rose garden. Every time Relena Peacecraft licked her lips, she knew that salty-sweet flavor, which a certain someone had imprinted on her, would not fade easily. Not now, anyway, since Heero had joined the Preventers and was stationed in the Cinq Kingdom to protect her. The mysterious soldier never interfered with the princess, however. She supposed that the best way for him to keep watch over her was from the shadows, where he always had seemed most comfortable anyway. The only times Relena saw her secretive bodyguard were if she happened to catch a glimpse of flashing blue eyes under a tundra of bangs, emerging for a moment through a crowd, only to vanish as quickly as they first appeared. But Relena didn't mind the dearth of encounters with her dark knight. She was still marveling in the fact that Heero had stayed. ! He seemed to have crawled out of his solitary shell and almost willingly accepted a job with the Preventers. Was it because of her? Relena hoped so, but then thought she must not give herself too much credit.

Everything now seemed peaceful and monotonous. Relena felt as if she were lying in a golden field, the warm sun blanketing over her. The princess's workload had calmed down slightly and everything seemed to be running smoothly. There was no conflict in the nation, but instead, progress. New colonies seemed to be springing up everywhere. There was even a new planetary exploration project ofMars and of Jupiter's moon Io, thought to be able to sustain water. The only distracting thoughts entering Relena's mind were of-one can only guess-Heero Yuy. He was _so close_. She felt nearer to him than ever before, even though it seemed he had run out of her life once again. But, he _had_ told her he loved her, and that had managed to keep Relena content.

Recently, however, a small feeling was beginning to creep over the princess. It was need. Heero had intrigued Relena with his mystery and strength, and she loved him for that. But now she needed something else. She needed his love. Yes, Heero had proclaimed his love for her. That was more that she ever thought possible in a million years. But now Relena was starting to doubt if anything would ever come of Heero's feelings towards her. _He_ could perhaps handle staying hidden forever and love her from afar, but she could not. Relena then began to wonder if he even still loved her, for they had not spoken in three months.

Around this time in early summer, Relena always took a tour of the beautiful back country roads of her kingdom and enjoyed a picnic lunch on her favorite spot on the bank of a quaint little river, finally ending up in her own luxurious hidden cabin for the night. It was a tradition of Relena's to take the country trip in order to get some time to herself, and it was also customary of her to give all of her servants and employees time off as well. The trip would be the perfect excuse to get a chance to talk to Heero and tell him of her plans.

The next day, Relena spoke to Noin, whom Heero reported to, about getting a chance to talk to her Gundam protector.

"I don't know, Relena. Couldn't I just relay a message to him for you?" Noin told Relena when the princess made her request.

"Aren't I allowed to speak with my own bodyguards?" Relena protested, a little annoyed.

"Well, yes," Noin sighed. "But the thing is, Heero asked that while he was on duty, he have no contact with you. He thought it would be better that way."

Relena thought this over. She never knew Heero was the one behind the communication barrier between them. She had just assumed it was a Preventers' rule because his mission to protect her was so secretive. He served as her last line of defense against any attacker. Not even her other numerous guards knew of Heero.

Relena finally addressed Noin, "Well, I would like to talk to Heero about relieving him of his duties for a day or so. Surely he would permit me a few minutes for that."

"I'll let him know," Noin smiled at her. "Oh and we found out the results." The gentle woman tried to mention this nonchalantly, but was too excited.

"You did?" said Relena, eyes full of wonder. "So? What is the news?"

"Well, it looks like you're going to be an aunt."

"NOIN!!!! I'm so happy for you both. Send my congratulations to my brother when you go back to the Preventers' Base. We'll all have to get together when I get back from my trip."

Relena was beaming well after her friend had left. Milliardo and Noin had been married a few months ago and were now having a baby! This new surprise took Relena's mind off of worrying about meeting Heero again.

The next morning Relena was up early working in her office and making the final preparations for her little vacation. But, her early hours proved to be a little _too_ early for the princess as she dozed off while sitting at her desk.

Heero Yuy approached Relena's office slowly. What would he say to her? The normally confident young man felt awkward and vulnerable when he entered the main office. Relena's secretary informed him that the princess was expecting him, and Heero knocked on the large door which provided entrance into Relena's private office. When there was no answer, Heero looked questioningly at the secretary, who only shrugged her shoulders and waved him in. Heero craftily slipped in the office to find Relena sleeping peacefully, her head resting in a nest of her arms on the top of the desk. The brooding pilot took a moment to study her. This was the first time in what felt like ages he had been close to her. But, snapping out of his reverie, Heero stepped right in front of Relena's desk and loudly cleared his throat.

Relena's head shot up as her hands felt around her desk, trying to remember exactly where she was. Papers fluttered all around her as the princess looked up drowsily, eyelids still heavy from sleep.

"What am I...who are..." she began innocently and slowly, but then finally realized a figure stood before her. Relena yelped when she saw it was Heero, and he couldn't help but smile at the dazed princess.

"Oh my gosh, I must have fallen asleep. I'm terribly sorry Heero, sit down, sit down."

As Relena collected herself, Heero pulled up a chair and sat down staring blankly at her. Relena wondered what he could be thinking...she always wondered what he was thinking.

"Well, Heero, I know you didn't want to talk to me while you were on duty..." Relena began.

From the tone of her voice, Heero could tell she was a little hurt about that. He made a mental note that he would be sure to explain himself later.

The princess continued, "...but I personally wanted to give you the day off tomorrow and perhaps the next day. I will be taking my annual trip to the country and will be staying in my cabin, so all of my employees have those days off, including you."

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Heero asked with no emotion, "There still might be remnants of the Dark Storm wanting to seek revenge."

"I'm sure that's all over now," Relena said plainly. "Besides, it's just a couple of hours away. Pagan will drive me. Don't worry so much."

"Famous last words," Heero thought to himself. But he didn't argue with the determined girl, she seemed to have made up her mind about the matter already. Even though the princess looked as if she had more to say to him, Heero abruptly got up and mumbled an excuse that he had an important matter he needed to take care of, leaving Relena with a look on her face that was of half-disappointment and half-puzzlement. Heero knew Relena was surprised that he had left her so suddenly. And there was no doubt in his mind that she had probably figured out he had been avoiding her for the past three months. The thing is, he was afraid, but did not know it. Heero Yuy, an experienced Gundam pilot who did not fear even Death itself, was now afraid of love. He did not have a clue about how to act around Relena after he had told her he loved her, or what he was supposed to do next. In fact, the whole romantic experience was new, wonderful and terrifying at the same time to the boy who ! had only been trained to be a soldier and nothing else.

"I'm going to have to face her sooner or later," Heero thought to himself, because the fact was, Relena was driving him crazy. He was deeply and madly in love with the princess and he hadn't the slightest idea of what to do about it. "No, today was not a good day. Maybe after her trip... yes, after her trip, I will talk to Relena and we can figure things out..." Heero's mind was rapidly deciding his plan of action. The Perfect Soldier was amazed at how overwhelmed, distracted and timid he had becomehow utterly _human_! And he shuddered at the thought.

Relena and Pagan had set out down long and winding country roads on a beautiful morning. A few fluffy clouds hung low in the sky and the air was balmy and warm. Relena sunk back in the seat of her limousine. She could finally relax. The plan was to reach her favorite picnic spot by noon, lounge around the river bank the whole afternoon and then arrive at the cabin by evening. Everything was going according to plan as Relena drifted off to sleep. However, she was awoken sometime later with a few pitter-patters.

"Whaa?" Relena said aloud as she opened her eyes.

"Miss Relena?" Pagan questioned from the driver's seat.

"Oh nothing. It's raining?" she asked with disappointment.

"Yes. I'm afraid so. It came upon us very suddenly," Pagan said as the drops hitting the car started beating down harder and faster, "but it's just a summer storm. It should be over quickly. I hope it won't interfere with your picnic."

"I hope not," Relena said, a bit concerned. The storm looked pretty strong to her, more menacing than just a summer storm.

"We should arrive to the picnic spot in half-an-hour," Pagan told her.

"Good, good..." Relena mumbled as she closed her eyes and leaned her head back.

The princess was trailing off to sleep again when the most terrifying noise she had ever heard echoed from the heavens. Her eyes flashed open to see a huge bolt of lightening spear down right in front of the limousine, splintering an enormous oak tree in half that had stood right next to the stretch of roadbefore them. One half of the tree came crashing down onto the road. Everything happened so quickly that Pagan barely had time to try and swerve the car while slamming on the breaks. Luckily he managed to avoid a fatal head-on collision with the tree, but still, one side of the car banged into the oak before sliding into a ditch on the side of the road. Relena was thrown across the back seat of the limousine and smashed against the opposite side of the car from which she was sitting, instantly blacking out. Poor Pagan had also been knocked unconscious, and thus the two remained in the mangled car until another vehicle came upon the scene and reported the accident.

Relena woke up to feel as if she had been asleep for ages. She slowly fluttered her eyes, only to glance away at the bright white lights that seemed to glow throughout the entire room in which she now found herself. She shut her eyes again and began to listen to the voices which now murmured and echoed about her, obviously too involved in conversation to realize she had woken up.

"I understand," Relena heard from a low, manly voice. "I take full responsibility."

"Like I told you before, it's not your fault," a soft woman's voice said. "But we still don't know exactly what happened. We need to investigate the matter further, that's why I'm leaving for Headquarters ASAP."

"I'll go along," the man's voice said.

"No, no, we need you here. Besides, we need someone to take care of her. Milliardo is working on the planetary exploration project and the rest of the Gundam pilots are busy with Preventers' work."

Milliardo...Relena knew that name. Ah, yes! He was her brother. Memories were quickly coming back to the princess. And that kind voiceit belonged to Noin!

The voices continued. "You are the only one who can take care of her right now and serve as her best protection. Did you say you had an apartment?" Noin said to the other person.

"Yes," the deep voice replied casually.

"Good. I don't want her to be in that mansion. If this was some sort of attack, the palace would be the first place someone would go looking for her to finish the job. She will be safer at your place."

There was a pause, but finally the man's voice answered, "Agreed. Mission Accepted."

With that final reply, Relena realized to whom that deep, husky voice belonged. "Oh God! It's him. Heero is _here_," thought Relena, and made an effort to open her eyes. She let out a faint moan and stirred, which caused the voices to stop abruptly.

"I think she's waking up," Noin said to the now silent pilot beside her. "Relena, honey," she whispered.

"Noin?" asked Relena in a barely audible voice.

"Yes, dear. I'm here. But I have to leave now for the Preventers' Base. Heero will take care of you. Everyone sends their best wishes." And with that Noin ran to the Shuttle Port, already late for her flight.

An awkward silence filled the room as Heero stood and looked at the suffering girl. Relena gazed up at him with sad eyes, gave a small yawn and tried to keep from drifting back to sleep. After a few minutes of his blank stare, Relena could not stand the silence any longer.

"What happened?" she asked him meekly. Heero pulled a chair over next to her bed and sat down.

"I should be asking you the same question," he replied, gazing at her. "Your car was found earlier today in a ditch out in one of the rural areas of your kingdom. You and your driver were both pretty banged up. Do you have any idea how the accident happened?"

"I-I can't remember anything about today, except waking up here just now," Relena said with a confused look on her face. Heero only nodded. The doctor said she might experience some amnesia, especially regarding the actual events of the accident.

"So, what's the damage?" Relena questioned in a light tone, sounding more pitiful than ever. Heero couldn't help but look away. He couldn't stand to see her like this. Her pain was his pain.

Heero contained his emotions once again and replied matter-of-factly, "You had a concussion from hitting your head, but that seems to be alright now. Your left arm is broken and you dislocated your left shoulder, which the doctors put back into place while you were still unconscious. That seems to be all, other than the minor cuts and bruises."

"That's all?" Relena said sarcastically. "Oh, and how is Pagan?"

"He suffered from a broken leg and a gash on the head, but seems to be okay," Heero replied mechanically.

"I'm glad he's alright," the princess said. "When can I get out of this place?"

"Whenever you want, now that you're awake."

But all of the painkillers had finally kicked in and Relena promptly dozed off. Seeing that she wanted to get out of the hospital, Heero gently scooped the sleeping girl out of bed, checked her out of the hospital, placed her into his black Mustang, and sped off to his apartment.

Relena awoke to a gentle calm. She found herself in a huge bed, filled with fluffy pillows and fuzzy blankets. She pulled the soft sheets of the bed closer to her and took a deep breath in. She recognized that scentthe musky, rich, comforting scent of the "One and Only" Heero Yuy. Realizing she was now lying in his bed, Relena snuggled in the covers even more, not knowing when such an opportunity would ever present itself again. Sunlight crept through an opened window as Relena looked around the room. It was hunter green, she assumed his favorite color, with cream colored details, pretty well-decorated for a guy who only knows how to fix up a Gundam.

Relena got out of bed, slowly and walked to the adjoining bathroom, which had a full-length mirror, to assess her injuries. Her left arm was in a cast, from her hand all the way up past her elbow. She had a cut on her forehead, along with various other bruises and scratches on her body. Her left shoulder hurt like hell, not to mention the painful headache she experienced from standing up. Hobbling out of the room, now very self-conscious, Relena found Heero, passed out on the couch in the living room. He looked so adorable there, sprawled out on the sofa, lying on his stomach, one arm dangling to the ground, right next to his gun. He was still in his Preventers' uniform, somewhat. Although his jacket was off, he still had on his uniform pants and oxford shirt, which was unbuttoned, and his tie lay crumpled on the floor. His hair was especially messy and his face was surprisingly innocent. Poor Heero looked exhausted.

As Relena hobbled closer to the sleeping boy and sat down on the floor next to him. She figured he must have been in the hospital the whole afternoon. Little did she know, Heero had not only been in the hospital the whole time Relena was there, but he had stayed up practically the whole night watching over her, making sure she did not wake up in any pain, and protecting her in case an enemy was out to destroy the princessagain. He had collapsed only about three hours ago, finally giving in to his overwhelming desire for sleep.

Relena ran her fingers through Heero's wild bangs, and the young man stirred and turned over, exposing his well-cut, washboard abs and chest, peeking through his unbuttoned shirt. Relena couldn't help but stare. Usually, Heero would have woken up at the slightest noise or touch, but not today. He was now half-asleep and so tired, and the touch he had felt running through his hair didn't seem to be threatening, but rather soft and gentle.

But Heero, recalling his job to protect Relena, finally decided he must wake up. Before he was about to open his eyes, he felt a light stroke on his face, which caused an electric shock throughout his whole body.

Relena had just caressed Heero's cheek with the back of her uninjured hand, when suddenly a hand grabbed her own as quick as lightening. Relena's eyes widened as she found her hand gripped firmly, but gently, in Heero's, who still appeared to be sleeping. Ever so slowly, two deep midnight-blue eyes opened and found themselves gazing into a surprised pair of ocean-teal ones. A smirk appeared on Heero's face as he cocked an eyebrow. "Hello," he said slowly, in a tone of amusement.

"Uh...g-good morning, Heero," Relena said, still in shock. He released her hand and sat up on the couch, tilted his head from side to side and rolled his shoulders. The whole time, Relena just sat on the floor next to him, entranced in his morning routine. She was staring rather obviously at his defined muscles revealed by his opened shirt. Realizing this, Heero glanced at her, and the princess quickly looked away, blushing, which made Heero's smirk grow even wider.

"Breakfast?" he inquired with his monotone voice as he headed to the kitchen.

"Yes, please," Relena replied as she remembered the rumbling in her stomach. She had not eaten at all yesterday.

"Pancakes?" Heero questioned, and Relena vigorously nodded her approval.

"Do you need any help?" the princess asked, not sure if Heero could actually make pancakes. And after all, she had taken cooking classes in her spare time, and was a pretty good cook, if she did say so herself.

"No," he stated simply. He looked up at Relena's expression, and he could tell she didn't believe him. "You need to take it easy," Heero began, "besides, I learned some things living on my own, cooking included."

"Hmm," Relena thought as she watched him heat the stove and make the batter, "maybe he does know about more than I give him credit for. But, we'll just have to see how these pancakes turn out."

Some time later, and after too many pancakes, Relena sat, stuffed and perfectly content, at the kitchen table. "Wow, Heero, I didn't know you could cook like that. Those pancakes were delicious."

"Thanks," Heero said, "I didn't know you could eat that many."

"Look, buddy," Relena pointed her finger at him teasingly, "I didn't eat anything all of yesterday and I need the nutrients for my injuries."

"Whatever you say," Heero mumbled as he cleared the table.

Relena was surprised. Was that an attempt at humor? "This is not the Heero Yuy I know. Maybe I don't really know him that well after all."

"Your apartment's very nice," Relena said, trying to make some conversion.

"Yeah, well, when you're protecting the most important person in the world, you get a pretty good paycheck," Heero said casually as he washed the dishes, "but I also design software in my spare time, that is, if I have any. Protecting you is a lot of work."

"Really?" Relena asked innocently. Heero gave her a look.

"But Duo and Hilde helped me decorate the apartment, if that's what you mean," Heero told her, "I'm not good at that kind of stuff."

"Ah," said Relena. "Has anyone else been here?" she asked, but then realized that seemed kind of foreword. "Oops, forgive me."

"No," Heero said, not offended at all, "They're the only ones who know where I live. Duo made sure he knew. He said he needed to know where to find me in case you were ever in trouble and I wasn't around. He didn't want to have to go looking for me, like last time, with the Dark Storm."

"Oh," said Relena with a little giggle.

"But from now on, I will always be around if you are ever in trouble," he added more seriously. Then feeling as if he had let his emotions slip out, Heero quickly stated, "It's my job."

Relena blushed, surprised she had gotten so many words out of Heero. "I better not push my luck," she thought to herself, and refrained from asking any more questions.

The rest of the day passed by peacefully enough. Heero wouldn't let Relena out of his sight, and she didn't seem to mind. Relena explored the rest of Heero's apartment, while the pilot, still exhausted, watched her every move from the living room couch.

Relena found there was a computer room, a dining room, another bathroom and two other little rooms used for nothing in particular, in addition to the giant bedroom, living room and kitchen. All in all, the entire apartment was huge and Heero seemed to be very well off.

And so, Relena walked around the apartment, needing to keep herself busy, until she could no longer stand the pain of her injuries. She took more painkillers and finally plopped down on the loveseat across from the couch in which Heero was resting, in front of the big screen TV.

"I thought you'd never be able to sit still," Heero said gazing at her.

"Hn," was all Relena said in reply. She seemed tired, but Heero thought she looked so cute sitting there, in the little powder pink camisole she was wearing with matching boxers, which Noin and changed her into at the hospital. The princess's cheeks were flushed and she was trying to rest, but Heero could tell from her face that pain was keeping her awake. He got up and retrieved some ice from the kitchen, which he gave the girl to put on her shoulder. She thanked him and Heero then sat down next to her on the loveseat, for she looked like she needed someone to lean on. The afternoon flooded into evening, while Heero flipped through the channels on the television as Relena peacefully slept on his shoulder. When she looked as if she were in pain, he stroked her hair and put his hand over hers and the pain seemed to subside. For now, that was all he could do for her.

Later in the evening, Heero picked up the sleeping girl and took her back to his bed. He began to tuck the princess in when he heard a soft voice.

"Heero," Relena whispered. He knelt down next to her.

"What is it, Relena?" he said with a hint of concern.

"The pain," she breathed. "It hurts. It hurts so much. I feel like dying. It's too much."

"Shhh," Heero interrupted her. Relena's face was now stained with tears, but she was not crying. They were the silent tears of pure agony, when it hurts too much to cry, so the tears just fall, with no way to stop them. Her hurting like thisit was slowly shredding Heero up inside. He went and got a warm washcloth and placed it on her forehead. Heero then pulled the blankets from the girl and began tending to her wounds. Relena was wasting away before his very eyes. When Heero tried to tend to her shoulder, Relena winced. He touched her skinit was so cold.

"Stay with me," Relena told him. "Don't go." She looked as pale as death and fluttered her eyes closed. When the early hours of morning came and Relena finally looked as if she were sleeping, Heero decided it was time for him to get some sleep also.

"I'll stay with you forever," Heero said gently as he kissed her forehead and left the room.

The next day, both of the youths slept in much later than usual. Heero was awakened with a call from Relena, who had decided she was dying for a bubble bath. He brought her the duffel bag with all of her clothes and helped her prepare the bath, then collapsed back onto the couch for some rest. After what seemed like hours, he opened one eye when he heard a whimper from the bathroom. Relena was calling for him again.

"Heero? Could you do me a really big favor?" Relena asked him. She felt very awkward.

"What is it?" Heero got up and replied through the closed bathroom door.

The door then opened to reveal Relena, now dressed in a baby blue tank top and jean shorts. Heero just stared at her, but she didn't seem to notice. She eyed him a little bit embarrassed and then glancing down at the shampoo bottle in her hand said, "I need help washing my hair."

"Oh," Heero replied, deep in thought.

"I know it's a little awkward, but with the cast and shoulder and everything...it's basically impossible to do it with one hand..."

"It's okay," Heero interrupted the babbling girl in his normal unfeeling voice. What was he going to do? Say no? Yeah, right.

"You're sure?" she asked him.

"Mission accepted," he said lightly, but Relena wasn't quite sure of whether he was joking or not, she could never tell with that monotone voice. But lately she was beginning to notice the slight, _slight_ differences in the tone of his voice or the subtle flicker of expressions on his face of stone that anyone else would have missed completely.

Heero left the room and returned with a large basin, which he filled with warm water and placed on the bathroom counter. He pulled up a chair for Relena and gently tilted her head back into the water and began his task.

Rays of the sun poured through the large, open bathroom window, leaving everything in an iridescent white glow as a warm breeze gently swept through the room. Ever so carefully, Heero was working the shampoo through Relena's hair.

Relena was nervous. She could not even believe this was happening. Never in her wildest dreams would she have thought she'd be spending two days with Heero...alone. And on top of that, have him washing her hair!?! It was unreal. This was all so unreal. "It must be a dream," she thought, "but why am I not waking up?"

Relena's mind began to wander, "I guess I've never thought of Heero as just a guy, an actual human being. He was always larger than life, both a killing machine and the savior of the world. A paradox in himself. But he's different now. He's more real than I ever imagined, yet he still holds that mystery and power that made me fall for him in the first place." Suddenly the princess realized what was happening to her. "My God," she thought, "I'm now in love with him more than ever."

Noticing the princess's nervousness, and his own, Heero decided to go out on a limb--he was learning to live after all--and so he tried to lighten the situation. The former Gundam pilot scooped up some bubbles left from the shampoo and plopped them down on Relena's nose.

"Hey!" the princess protested. "No fair!" Still sitting with her head tilted in the basin, Relena shot back her arm, trying to find some bubbles to attack him with. Instead, she felt the rippling muscles of Heero's arm. He let out a silent chuckle when Relena blushed, but eventually her hand found the basin, and she flicked some water in Heero's direction. Relena heard a low growl, indicating she had made a direct hit.

"Serves you right," the princess told him as she tried to get the bubbles off her nose as Heero finished rinsing her hair. The flaxen strands glided through his fingersthey were so soft, like silk. When he was finally finished, Heero was caught in the moment as sunlight reflected off of the beads of water bejeweling Relena's wet hair, causing the strands to shimmer in a mix of crystal and gold.

"Did I get all the bubbles off?" she asked disturbing his reverie as she sat up in the chair. Heero came around to inspect her and noticed some of the bubbles had brushed onto her cheek. He bent down in front of the girl and reached up to wipe away the bubbles from her cheek. In a mist of honeysuckle and dawn, their eyes met for what seemed like eternity, neither one able to pull away, Heero's hand still lightly cupping Relena's face. Finally, a "bringing" sound broke the intense moment and Heero was forced to rip himself away from the ocean in her eyes. "You missed a spot," was all the profound pilot said as he left the room, leaving a shocked Relena Peacecraft touching her cheek where his hand had just rested.

Heero walked to the computer room, where he was receiving a transmission. It was from Noin, telling him she would arrive back tomorrow morning to pick up Relena. She hadn't found anything to support that the accident had been caused by some sort of attack. The only thing he should do was to find out if Relena could remember any details from the accident and to keep taking care of the injured princess, because if anything happened to her, Heero would never again see the light of day. Well, that last part was added by an overly-protective Zechs. Heero just smiled inwardly to himself and shook his head. He had only this one last day to spend with Relena. One more day of confusing feelings, maddening impulses, and intense desires...all of which Heero was actually beginning not to mind, so long as he was able to see his adorable princess. Yes, Heero was falling for Relena and he was falling hard. He was finally realizing that even though he had admitted he loved her, he could not just stay away and watch her all of his life. He was having too good of a time being with her, and he was finding it harder and harder to live life without her.

"Do you feel up for some fresh air?" Heero casually asked Relena that afternoon.

"I'd love to get outdoors," the restless princess answered him. Heero showed Relena out of his apartment to a small balcony, which she surprisingly hadn't noticed before. When she saw what was on it, however, she was completely amazed. All along the balcony were hundreds of beautiful roses. Relena noticed some were wild roses, growing up along the railing to Heero's second floor apartment. Others were in pots placed all around the balcony. There were the most beautiful colors of reds and whites, pale pinks and dusky corals, mulberries and wines, and the list goes on and on. After putting a hand over her mouth in sheer delight, Relena exclaimed, "Oh, roses! My favorite!"

She bent down next to a beautiful bush that had the most delicate blush-pink blossoms and took in the rich aroma. "My there sure are a lot of them," the princess said as she looked around at the roses. "I would have never expected you to have something like this, Heero," she said to her brooding companion.

"I like roses," he said in his monotone voice.

The princess giggled. "Well, that's something new. He cooks and he gardens," she thought to herself.

"What?" he asked her when she couldn't stop laughing.

"Nothing. It's just..." she looked at the tall, dark, muscular, totally unemotional man before her and imagined him tending to his roses. She burst out laughing, "...it's just you're cute, that's all."

Heero cocked his head at this. Sometimes he just didn't understand her.

Relena noticed some wonderful deep burgundy roses on the other side of the balcony she wanted to look at but being rather uncoordinated from all of her painkillers, she tripped on one of the potted plants in her path.

"Oh!" she said as a pair of strong arms caught her. Heero didn't know whether to laugh or feel sorry for the poor girl who was usually so graceful. Relena didn't know whether to laugh or cry in embarrassment, especially when Heero steadied her while mumbling, "Got to watch out for those plants." He awkwardly cleared his throat. "They can come out of nowhere." And he couldn't help to suppress a faint smile.

"Thanks," she nodded, now thoroughly embarrassed, her cheeks burning bright red. Heero was still holding on to her, his hand gripping snugly around her waist. As her eyes finally met his, it was as if both their worlds met for a second, and each was pulled into one another with a force they could not explain. They both went in for the kiss, full of passion and longing.

"Relena, I-" Heero stuttered as he pulled away, "I can't do this."

She looked up at him and bit her lip. Her eyes searched his for an answer, a reason, anything.

"A guy like me-," he stumbled on his words, "-it wouldn't work." She kept looking at him.

"You're too good, Relena," he said in a serious tone as he clasped his hands to her shoulders, carefully cradling her injuring one. "I'm not the one for you. You deserve more." The princess looked away.

Heero continued in his emotionless voice, "You must realize this, for both of us. I knew it when I had to guard you. I've seen all that you do. I've seen that I could never be what you need. That's why I promised myself to stay away from you."

"How could you know what I need?" she said bitterly.

"I know you, Relena. I've watched you constantly for the past three months. I know how you touch people. I know how hard you work at your meetings and I know how you cry afterwards."

"If you knew me," Relena said quietly, "you would know that I don't cry just because I've had a tough meeting." She paused. "I cry because I'm lonely. It's as though I'm lost and no one understands what I feel. I need someone, Heero. I feel empty inside. I know I have Milliardo and Noin and the others, but there is still this feeling, like somehow I'm not complete. It is a yearning...a constant yearning that won't go away. And I go out at night, and I walk and walk. I'm looking for something, but I never seem to find it."

"I've been on many walks with you," Heero said distantly, as he looked out among the roses, remembering those restless nights he was on duty in which he watched the princess slip out of the mansion. He followed her during her long excursions, as she looked up at the moon, which often reflected a glittering trail of tears upon her cheeks.

"Yet I never even knew you were there," Relena sighed. Heero then turned and looked towards her.

"Relena," he said gravely, "I am a soldier. I am a killer. Do you realize what I am and all I have done? How could a person like you with your ideals of peace ever associate with someone of my kind?" She did not answer him.

"That's why I wanted to break away from you," Heero told her. "I wanted you to forget about me. I was too involved. I was too weak. But you coming here..."

"Love is not weak, Heero. That's what you still have to learn," Relena told him. "Can't you see? I don't care what you have been. All I know is that you are the one I need. I love you. I could never just forget you. Maybe I'm not as strong as you think I am..."

"Maybe you are," Heero said pensively as he looked at her a little more softly than usual. She had accepted him. She had always accepted him. She was the only person who could see straight into his heart and look past all that he had done. And at that time Heero finally realized how right it felt that the two of them were together and how much they needed each other. Finally his mind and his heart were at peace.

So they sat without words until the sun went down. They both found content in the burning flames of the setting sun across the sky in silence. They understood one another, but did not need to say a thing. When the night came, Heero placed Relena into his bed, and took his appropriate position on thecouch. Both slept with the peaceful comfort of knowing something had finally been resolved between them and that something new was about to begin.

The storm moved in quickly that night as deep black clouds swelled with rain, and whipping winds rattled the windows of Heero's apartment. Torrents of watery droplets eventually burst from the bellies of the clouds and far-off rumbles of thunder could be heard in the distance.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the muggy air and a flash of lightening lit up the entire apartment in which the former Gundam pilot and his princess slept. Heero heard a scream pierce through the crackling of thunder and he rushed towards Relena's bed, gun clasped tightly in his hand.

When he entered the room, he saw that no enemy threatened his dear princess, but still something was wrong. Relena sat up in her bed, holding her knees to her chest and buried her head in her arms. She was sobbing. Heero tossed his gun away and approached the princess slowly, finally deciding to sit down on the bed next to her and wrap his arms around the shaking girl. Relena flinched at his touch, but then melted under his muscular hold.

"I remember..." she whispered, out of breath, choking on her sobs, "Oh God, I remember everything."

"Relena" Heero tried to comfort her as best he could and pulled her closer to him.

"The lightening--" she began, and fumbled over her words, "-it came out of nowheresplit the tree...Pagan, he swervedI was thrown from one side of the car to the other...there was a smash...it hurt, it hurt so badly...I blacked out."

She sighed as Heero could feel all of her strength seep away. The young pilot didn't know quite what to do, so he ran his fingers through the girl's hair and kissed her on the forehead. He was relieved that there was no terrorist group that had tried to attack Relena, but at the same time, he felt terrible that she had to experience such a horrible accident. The realization of it all had hit her hard. The storm outside had quieted as Heero gently placed the now sleeping princess back onto her pillows. Exhausted, he softly collapsed next to her, his arm still around the girl in a protective grip.

Duo's mouth was hanging wide open when he walked into Heero's room the next morning. For the first time in his life, the braided pilot was rendered speechless.

"He actually did it," thought Duo, "son-of-a..."

"Duo? Duo? Have you found them yet?" Noin called from the living room. Duo, knowing the location of Heero's apartment and possessing an extra key, had shown in Noin and Milliardo, who had come to pick up Relena. Milliardo had returned early from his Mars exploration project especially to see his injured little sister. "I told Heero I would come for Relena this morning. I wonder where they could be?" Noin called again when she received no response from Duo.

"Oh I found them all right," yelled Duo when he finally found his voice. Noin entered the bedroom and stopped short. Before her was the cutest sight she had ever seen. Relena was cuddled up against Heero, whose arm was embraced around the girl. Both were deep in sleep, but, in response to the sounds of the voices in the apartment, the two had nuzzled closer to each other.

"I never knew Heero had it in him" began Duo, smiling wryly, when suddenly Milliardo entered the room. "Uh oh."

"What in heaven's name is going on here!?!" Milliardo roared.

"I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation," Noin said calmly.

"What are you saying?" Milliardo snapped, pointing to the sleeping pair. "That kid is going to pay! I'll kill him!"

"Now, now..." started Duo, stepping in front of where Heero was laying before Milliardo could take a lunge at him. "Let's not go jumping to conclusions!"

"ARGGGG!" shouted Milliardo, waking up Relena and Heero.

"Huh?" said a sleepy-eyed Relena as Noin was dragging Milliardo out of the room.

"What happened?" said Heero drowsily, while running a hand through his wild mane.

"You tell me," said Duo as he gave a wink and a nudge to his friend.

"Oh please," said Relena. "Nothing happened."

"Tell that to Zechs," Duo said to the princess, who now had a worried look on her face at the mention of her overly protective brother. "Oh, and Heero," Duo continued, "I'd watch your back if I were you." And with that he left the surprised couple to go look for some breakfast. All that excitement had given him an appetite.

After much convincing, Milliardo finally decided he would not kill Heero, for Relena's sake. But whenever he happened to pass by the young man at Preventers' Headquaters, he gave Heero a death stare that rivaled even the Wing Zero pilot's coldest gazes.

After Relena told Noin about what she remembered about the accident, investigators at the Preventers were able to locate the half of tree the car had smashed into. The tree had apparently been washed away into a small gully down the road. That missing element had left investigators puzzled as to why the car had actually crashed. Relena's story finally pieced everything together and brought a close to the investigations surrounding the accident.

Relena was recovering nicely from her injuries. Heero and Relena were now seeing each other as often as their schedule's permitted.

"So..." said Relena coyly one day as Heero was visiting the princess at her office. "I never did get to take a visit to my cabin."

Heero cocked an eyebrow at her as he gave a small smirk.

"I was thinking of taking a short vacation to relax in the cabin for a few days. But after what happened last time I tried to go, I think I will definitely need a bodyguard to accompany me," Relena told him.

Heero's smirk grew a little bit wider.

"Do you know anyone who might be interested?" the princess smiled at him sweetly.

Heero pulled her close and answered Relena's question with a tender kiss. He was starting to like this thing they called "love" after all.

The End!

Thanks for Reading!

YAY! Another fic finished! So? What do you guys think? A little too cheesy or what? I'm not sure. Maybe, I will make some fan art to go with it, cause I have some ideas, just not a lot of time...plus I'm lazy. Requests are welcome! Anyways, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE send me some feedback for this fic. I live for the comments people are nice enough to give. And oh yes, I have a sequel to this story already planned. It's the other half of the "Healing the Heart" series called "Healing the Heart- Heero's Story". This one is going to have more adventure in it, and, as always, romance! :)