A Hero's Journey -- Part 20 -
Part XX

The stop of the car awoke Relena from the nap she didn’t know she had taken.

“Where are we?” she asked, as she got out of the car and followed Heero to a nondescript house. “I need to contact my brother and let him know that I’m okay.”

“Later.”

“Milliardo is probably going out of his mind with worry, Heero,” she protested. “I can’t wait until later.”

However, the expression in the former pilot’s blue eyes told her that his mind was made up. With a silent sigh, she followed him into the house. However, as he activated the lights, she blinked in surprise.

Although the exterior was dark and drab, the house’s interior was far different. The main room was wide and open, the abundance of light making it even more welcoming. “Do you live here, Heero?”

“Sometimes.”

“It’s nice.”

He gave a slight nod. “This way.”

She followed him down a hallway and into a room. “Have a seat on the bed.”

“Why?”

He paused, looking at her as if she had lost all good sense. “I’m going to look at your shoulder.”

She waited as he came out of the bathroom with the necessary supplies. With quick, methodical movements, he laid them out on a side table. “Take off your jacket.”

With a censorious look, she complied. He tore the arm of her blouse open, revealing the wounded flesh underneath. “This is going to hurt.”

Relena hissed in spite of herself as he generously applied the antiseptic. Within moments, he was cleaning away the dried blood and checking the extent of the damage. Watching him work, she realized that he still as handsome as the last time she had seen him.

“How bad is it?” she asked hurriedly, trying to keep her mind off that dangerous topic.

“You’ll live.”

“That’s comforting.”

As he returned his focus back to her shoulder, she thought that she saw the hints of a smile. In a short time, he had her wound bandaged. As he stood up, he told her, “You were lucky.”

“I know,” she replied quietly. “But why were you there, Heero? Why did you save me?”

“You’re important to peace. I don’t want to have to fight again.”

“I see.”

He crossed the room to a simple dresser. After opening a few drawers, he returned. Wordlessly, he handed her some clothes, which she accepted.

“Where can I contact Milliardo?”

“I need to do some things first.”

He was already heading back into the hallway. Giving up, she stood up and headed into the bathroom. Apparently she wouldn’t be talking to anyone until Heero was ready for her to.