The Journey Forward--Part 1

Relena watched the wind race through the flowers of the garden, trying to lose herself in the tranquility of the scene. Quatre had brought her to one of his estate in a temperate climate. He had feared the harshness of the desert would not be conducive to her recovery, but she knew he was missing the sands.

She sighed. Quatre was another person she was indebted to. And like the others, he would be offended if she were to hint that she wanted to repay him for his kindness. “Knowing that you are safe, Miss Relena, is all that I need,” he had said. He repeated the sentiment each time he thought she would express gratitude.

But safe was a relative term. She knew that nothing would physically harm her while she was in Quatre’s care. Mentally was another story.

Dr. Moorehead was doing her best in that regard. She spent hours in therapy sessions with Relena, discussing her nightmares and trying to draw out what happened during the kidnapping. The drugs were supposed to help. Yet the nightmares still occurred and the medication left her feeling like her thoughts were wrapped in cotton.

Both Quatre and Dr. Moorehead warned her not to give up. Things would get better with time, they promised. Relena wanted to believe them.

But each day was like the one before it. She would watch Quatre eat breakfast before meeting with Dr. Moorehead. She would have a break, pretend to eat lunch, and then return for more therapy. Dinner would be a quiet affair, after which she would go to bed to face the nightmares.

She heard the balcony doors open behind her. It must be time for lunch but she had no appetite. Yet she would go down for Quatre’s sake. It was the least she could do for him.

Relena turned around and then froze. She wasn’t sure if she had lapsed into a dream or a nightmare. It was too soon to tell.

Heero Yuy closed the door behind him. “Hello, Relena.”


Part I Relena watched the wind race through the flowers of the garden, trying to lose herself in the tranquility of the scene. Quatre had brought her to one of his estate in a temperate climate. He had feared the harshness of the desert would not be conducive to her recovery, but she knew he was missing the sands. She sighed. Quatre was another person she was indebted to. And like the others, he would be offended if she were to hint that she wanted to repay him for his kindness. “Knowing that you are safe, Miss Relena, is all that I need,” he had said. He repeated the sentiment each time he thought she would express gratitude. But safe was a relative term. She knew that nothing would physically harm her while she was in Quatre’s care. Mentally was another story. Dr. Moorehead was doing her best in that regard. She spent hours in therapy sessions with Relena, discussing her nightmares and trying to draw out what happened during the kidnapping. The drugs were supposed to help. Yet the nightmares still occurred and the medication left her feeling like her thoughts were wrapped in cotton. Both Quatre and Dr. Moorehead warned her not to give up. Things would get better with time, they promised. Relena wanted to believe them. But each day was like the one before it. She would watch Quatre eat breakfast before meeting with Dr. Moorehead. She would have a break, pretend to eat lunch, and then return for more therapy. Dinner would be a quiet affair, after which she would go to bed to face the nightmares. She heard the balcony doors open behind her. It must be time for lunch but she had no appetite. Yet she would go down for Quatre’s sake. It was the least she could do for him. Relena turned around and then froze. She wasn’t sure if she had lapsed into a dream or a nightmare. It was too soon to tell. Heero Yuy closed the door behind him. “Hello, Relena.”


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