A Hero's Journey -- Part 9

“Remind me not to wake you up again,” Heero said, his face expressionlessly.

Quatre glanced at him, noticing the slight twitching of the corner of Heero’s mouth, the other’s version of a smile.

“Well, it was one o’clock in the morning,” Quatre replied somewhat apologetically. “And this is my house.”

Heero made a noncommittal sound and sat down in a nearby chair. The speed at which he found himself staring at the former Sandrock pilot’s gun had relieved Heero of any concerns he had for Quatre’s safety. However, he couldn’t say the same thing about Relena’s safety. He abandoned that line of thinking and instead silently studied the room before turning his gaze to the scene beyond the large windows.

Quatre carried his cup of coffee and sat behind the massive mahogany desk, checking on some pending transaction. However, he kept one eye on his companion. He thought about the events of the past two days.

“I still can’t believe it,” Quatre said after a lengthy pause. “After all these years . . .”

He paused and turned his complete attention to Heero. “Why would someone want me dead? Why now?”

Heero shrugged. “Made anybody mad lately? Anybody who would benefit from your death?”

“Everything I do is aboveboard, Heero,” Quatre replied. “Anyway, since I have no heir, the business would revert to my sisters. Things would be chaotic for a while, because none of them would be particularly eager to take over. But I don’t really see anyone profiting from my death.”

Heero was about to speak when a knock on the study’s door drew both men’s attention. With a moment’s hesitation, Relena entered, closing the door behind her.

“Good morning,” she greeted, nodding to both men.

Heero simply nodded back in her direction. However, Quatre smiled and placed the cup back on his desk.

“Good morning, Relena,” he replied. “Sleep well?”

“Yes,” she lied, crossing her arms. She glanced briefly at Heero. Forcing herself to appear normal, she looked at Quatre instead. She wasn’t about to admit the effect his sudden reappearance had had on her.

“I checked in with Miliardo this morning. A special conference has been convened that I have to attend. I hate to be leaving so soon, but I need to leave by this afternoon.”

Quatre smiled in understanding. “I hope you can come back soon,” he said.

She nodded. “I hope so, too, Quatre.”

She sighed. “Breakfast is going to be served in twenty minutes. I’ll see you there.” Without waiting for a reply, she left the room.

“I’m worried about her, Heero,” Quatre said finally after staring at the door.

“Relena? Why?”

Quatre looked at the former Wing pilot. “She works all the time. The only time off that she has had recently was a hospitalization.”

The brief look of concern that flashed across Heero’s face pleased Quatre somehow. “Miliardo kept it quiet, but not quiet enough. But that’s not the only thing. If someone out there has the nerve to go after me, a former Gundam pilot, I’m afraid it won’t be long before somebody gets brave enough and decides to go after Relena.”

Heero’s expression darkened. “So, what are you suggesting?”

“She needs a protector, whether she and Miliardo think so or not. I can’t, the current situation aside. If you aren’t interested, I can contact Duo or Trowa.”

Quatre paused. “Although I dread the scolding I will get from Hilde or Catharine.”

The mention of Trowa’s sister gave Heero a chill. The lady still had a grudge against him, and Heero continued to have dreams of him at the end of her knives. Dropping the thought, he glanced over his shoulder at the door.

The image of her at the door appeared in his mind. Relena had seemed so fragile with her damp hair loose against the oversized beige sweater. With a sinking heart, he knew Quatre was right. It wouldn’t be too long before someone would try to get her.

“Mission accepted.”


Part IX “Remind me not to wake you up again,” Heero said, his face expressionlessly. Quatre glanced at him, noticing the slight twitching of the corner of Heero’s mouth, the other’s version of a smile. “Well, it was one o’clock in the morning,” Quatre replied somewhat apologetically. “And this is my house.” Heero made a noncommittal sound and sat down in a nearby chair. The speed at which he found himself staring at the former Sandrock pilot’s gun had relieved Heero of any concerns he had for Quatre’s safety. However, he couldn’t say the same thing about Relena’s safety. He abandoned that line of thinking and instead silently studied the room before turning his gaze to the scene beyond the large windows. Quatre carried his cup of coffee and sat behind the massive mahogany desk, checking on some pending transaction. However, he kept one eye on his companion. He thought about the events of the past two days. “I still can’t believe it,” Quatre said after a lengthy pause. “After all these years . . .” He paused and turned his complete attention to Heero. “Why would someone want me dead? Why now?” Heero shrugged. “Made anybody mad lately? Anybody who would benefit from your death?” “Everything I do is aboveboard, Heero,” Quatre replied. “Anyway, since I have no heir, the business would revert to my sisters. Things would be chaotic for a while, because none of them would be particularly eager to take over. But I don’t really see anyone profiting from my death.” Heero was about to speak when a knock on the study’s door drew both men’s attention. With a moment’s hesitation, Relena entered, closing the door behind her. “Good morning,” she greeted, nodding to both men. Heero simply nodded back in her direction. However, Quatre smiled and placed the cup back on his desk. “Good morning, Relena,” he replied. “Sleep well?” “Yes,” she lied, crossing her arms. She glanced briefly at Heero. Forcing herself to appear normal, she looked at Quatre instead. She wasn’t about to admit the effect his sudden reappearance had had on her. “I checked in with Miliardo this morning. A special conference has been convened that I have to attend. I hate to be leaving so soon, but I need to leave by this afternoon.” Quatre smiled in understanding. “I hope you can come back soon,” he said. She nodded. “I hope so, too, Quatre.” She sighed. “Breakfast is going to be served in twenty minutes. I’ll see you there.” Without waiting for a reply, she left the room. “I’m worried about her, Heero,” Quatre said finally after staring at the door. “Relena? Why?” Quatre looked at the former Wing pilot. “She works all the time. The only time off that she has had recently was a hospitalization.” The brief look of concern that flashed across Heero’s face pleased Quatre somehow. “Miliardo kept it quiet, but not quiet enough. But that’s not the only thing. If someone out there has the nerve to go after me, a former Gundam pilot, I’m afraid it won’t be long before somebody gets brave enough and decides to go after Relena.” Heero’s expression darkened. “So, what are you suggesting?” “She needs a protector, whether she and Miliardo think so or not. I can’t, the current situation aside. If you aren’t interested, I can contact Duo or Trowa.” Quatre paused. “Although I dread the scolding I will get from Hilde or Catharine.” The mention of Trowa’s sister gave Heero a chill. The lady still had a grudge against him, and Heero continued to have dreams of him at the end of her knives. Dropping the thought, he glanced over his shoulder at the door. The image of her at the door appeared in his mind. Relena had seemed so fragile with her damp hair loose against the oversized beige sweater. With a sinking heart, he knew Quatre was right. It wouldn’t be too long before someone would try to get her. “Mission accepted.”


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