AN: Hey everybody…sorry this one took a bit longer to get up. The last week's been so crazy, and I've been totally re-editing and updating Incognito, so that's taken up a lot of my time. Hopefully not too many people have left…=)
And thanks, Adilande, for pointing out the AN/AU thing…truth is, it's an inside joke between a friend and I. But hey, people are gonna start thinking I'm stupid (if they didn't already)…so, sorry Tiff, joke's up. :D Maybe Dustin'll catch on now! Heehee…
I can't tell you guys how much I appreciate the ::gasp:: FIFTY reviews on this! More than my others combined…I cannot believe it. :D You people are so awesome…as long as there are readers out there who actually read and enjoy my stuff, I'll be writing as fast and as well as I can!! Thanks so much!
Chapter 6Relena was the first to cross the room to where Case sat on the hospital bed, his wide eyes staring at Heero. "Case," she said softly, sitting next to him and running a hand through his hair. She glanced up at Heero, a little nervously, not sure what to say.
But Heero couldn't move. He stared at Relena, flabbergasted, unable to speak. What could be said?
She turned to the little boy again, deciding for the both of them. "Case, honey…this is your daddy."
Heero's breath caught in his throat. He felt as if he was made out of stone, an observer, watching the scene through another person's eyes.
This was the moment of truth. Everything depending on what came from that little boy's mouth right now - the only thing that mattered was the expression in Case's Prussian blue eyes.
More frightened than ever before, Heero closed his eyes, waiting for the rejection, the heartbreak. Relena was staring at her son, pleading with her eyes. And then Case opened his mouth.
His voice was very soft, and it held the sweet curiosity of a child. "Are you…"
Heero realized, somewhere in a distant corner of his mind, that his body was trembling.
Case tried again. "Are you…the one that flies the huge planes?"
His eyes opened.
What?
Relena was staring in surprise at her son. Case, having conquered the fear of voicing the rather uncomfortable question, pressed on. "My mom's told me a lot…that you fly huge planes and one time you stopped this gigantic thing from crashing into Earth and saved a lot of people…" his voice trailed off, and a shyness crept into Case's features. He admitted, in a small voice, "I want to fly planes someday."
Relena's gaze slid to Heero, a soft smile on her lips. Heero was staring, disbelief etched in his eyes. Case…this kid was beat up at school for being his son, and yet…there was no bitterness in his voice.
He had to say something, anything…but what? What do you say, in a moment like this…
"Maybe," Heero whispered hoarsely, trying to still his shaking hands, "sometime, when your mom is away at a meeting…we can take a test flight in one of those huge planes."
It was the right thing to say. Case's eyes - eyes identical to Heero's - widened in surprise and delight. "Really?"
Relena's eyes were shining. Very slowly, Heero crossed to the bed, feeling a warmth he hadn't experienced for six years spread throughout his body. "And maybe, once we're up in the air, you can try the controls."
Case was astonished. "Are you - " he stopped, then suddenly cried, "Hey! I know you! I saw you in my mom's meeting yesterday, you - you had my Lego car."
Heero didn't know what to say. His son was speaking to him without any hesitation, as if…as if they were friends.
"That's right," Relena said, her voice a little shaky due to the tears restricting her throat. "He was standing guard, Case. That's what he's been doing for a long time."
The little boy smiled, sending Heero's heart to speeding. "Really?" he asked, incredulous. "Like - like a guardian angel?"
A tear very, very slowly made its way down Heero's face, before dropping to the bed near Relena's hand.
"Yeah," he whispered, in a voice choked with emotion. "Your guardian angel."
And very, very slowly, his eyes wide but with no hint of fear, Case leaned forward and wrapped his small arms around Heero's neck.
More would have been said if the door hadn't suddenly burst open in a flurry of noise and movement. In tumbled eight bodies with eight loud voices, and then as they all caught sight of who was in hospital room, Hilde, Duo, Trowa, Quatre, Wufei, Lucrezia, and Zechs went dead silent.
Amid the following hush, during which they all stared at Heero, the rather hassled-looking attendant poked her head in the doorway.
"I'm very sorry, Miss Peacecraft," she said, sounding very exasperated. "I told them your son had just woken up, but they all came barging in - "
"It's all right," Relena murmured, smiling. "Case is fine."
The attendant cast one last disapproving glance at the group - who were still staring - and then closed the door.
Duo spoke first. "Well…" he said, eyes wide. "Someone must've spiked the drink at dinner tonight, because somehow I'm seeing Heero Yuy sitting at that bed."
Case beamed. "That's 'cause he's here, Uncle Duo - this is my dad!"
Apparently not knowing what else to do, Wufei crossed his arms and said stiffly, "Well, about time, Yuy."
Hilde immediately punched him in the shoulder, her eyes still on Heero.
Zechs stepped forward, narrowed eyes studying his nephew's father. His brow was creased - he saw the expression on Relena's face, watched Case's eyes light up as he looked at his dad. "Just tell me one thing, Yuy," he said raggedly.
Solemnly, Heero nodded once.
"Are you going to leave again?"
Case's gaze went to his father's face, and Heero smiled down into those eyes identical to his own. "Nope," he replied. "I'm here to stay."
"Ha!" Duo gave a whoop and slugged Heero on the shoulder. "Good to have ya back, buddy!"
Heero gave a half-grin as Quatre eagerly came over and gave him an impulsive hug. "We've missed you, Heero, really, we have - "
Trowa, from the doorway, gave Heero the barest hint of a smile and acknowledged him with a single nod. It was enough. Heero nodded back, and then turned to Duo's incessant chatter.
" - walked in on this call between Re and Hilde, something about Case seeing you at a meeting or whatever - "
They were all talking at once, with the exception of Trowa, Heero, and Relena, speaking to each other, to Case; Hilde was hugging Duo and Lucrezia was telling Zechs how sweet the whole situation was - briefly, Heero was kind of forgotten.
He sat watching the people he loved most in the world argue and laugh, and felt a smile stretch across his face. Then, from behind him, he felt Relena moved forward and put her head on his shoulder, her hand reach for his. Feeling warmth spread throughout his entire being, he squeezed her hand and relished her nearness.
"All right," Quatre said, noticing the actions, "let's clear out of hear, people."
Duo immediately opened his mouth to protest, but Hilde whacked him behind the head. "They haven't seen him in six years, you idiot, get out of the room!"
"Well, neither have I," Duo pouted, giving Heero a pleading glance. "I want to be included!"
Zechs had been watching Heero carefully, a small smile on his face. He noticed how he held Relena's hand so tenderly, kept one arm around Case, and somehow, Zechs knew that everything would be all right.
"Sorry, Duo," he heard Trowa say calmly, "time to go."
Zechs nodded once to Heero, and in that movement, handed over his little sister and his nephew. Then he crossed the room to assist Trowa and Wufei in hauling Duo out of the room.
"You just better be ready to spend all day with me, buddy, we got a lot of catching up to do!" Duo called as he was pretty much dragged out the doorway.
Lucrezia, the last to leave, gave them an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that, guys," she said, then fixed Heero with gaze that told him how much she approved. "Welcome back, Heero," she murmured - and with that, the room was empty again.
"I think," Case said into the silence, "that Uncle Duo was jealous that I have a guardian angel and he doesn't."
Relena and Heero exchanged glances. Then Heero pulled Case into his lap and said, "Yeah, he was just jealous, huh?"
Case gave another yawn and grinned tiredly up at his father. "Too bad," he murmured, letting his head rest against Heero's chest. "I'm not sharing." Within a moment, he had fallen asleep again.
Relena met Heero's gaze again, her smile sweet and full of love. They didn't speak, but they didn't have to. She laid her head on his shoulder, kept her hand entwined in his, and closed her eyes.
At that moment, Heero knew life was perfect. No one would ever again have to give him proof about hope, or love, or a God, or miracles - he looked at Relena, and at the little boy in his arms, and he believed.
AN: Aw, crap…::glares at keyboard:: I feel terrible about this one. I seriously got the worst case of writer's block and I really feel like I wrote a totally horrible ending. Grr… ::bangs head on desk:: I am so sorry if anyone feels this isn't up to par…but I really couldn't think of another ending…if anyone has any suggestions/ideas and wants me to rewrite, I gladly will! Thanks, everyone, for your patience, for reading my humble works, and for reviewing!!
In the meantime, I had a really good idea for a Christmas-y fic, and am really excited to get started on it…however, I'll wait until November at least so it gets me more into the holiday mood. :D Until then, I'll have to dig up some other inspiration…hmmm…any ideas?? =)
Hehhehheh…
'Til next time,
Dragonfire