Chapter 7

"Mr. Peacecraft! Mr. Peacecraft, it's understood that Miss Relena now has been awake well over a week now, why doesn't she address the public herself?"

"Over here! Is it true Miss Relena is now a quadriplegic?"

"Mr. Peacecraft! Mr. Peacecraft!"

The ridiculous questions continued as Milliardo Peacecraft stood at the podium just outside the hospital, trying hard not to roll his eyes. Relena awoke from the coma a week ago and refused to make a public announcement until she was well enough to do so and was "ready". Of course he understood, she had gone through a traumatic experience and was recovering from major surgery on top of being in a coma for over a month. But even still, she wouldn't even make a statement that he could give to the press to curve their persistent questions and demands to speak with her. He knew who was to blame for this.

That damn gundam pilot. He was still here. Ever since he visited her while she was unconscious, he never left her side. He was always there. It was annoying. Milliardo was prepared for him to disappear again and deal with a depressed Relena. Even though Milliardo was now a part of Relena's life starting a year ago, he wasn't about to start acting like an overprotective older brother. But now that she was handicapped, he had to be that overbearing brother. He had to take care of her more than ever. And if it included protecting her from him, then so be it.

"Mr. Peacecraft! Please sir, when will Miss Relena resume her duties as the Vice Foreign Minister?"

"Ladies and gentlemen, as much as my sister and I appreciate your concern over her well being, I must ask you all to kindly disperse. Relena will make a public announcement when she is up to it and fully recovered. Thank you all once again."

Scowling, he turned from the podium and walked from the platform, ignoring the cameras and unrelenting reporters. If Relena didn't do something soon, he was sure he'd do something he'd regret.

"As Milliardo Peacecraft, also known as Zechs Marquise, walks back into the hospital, attendees and viewers are left stunned by his announcement. Vice Foreign Minister Relena Darlian, as she is now known by, as we are told, has been awake now from her recent month-long coma but has yet to make a public appearance. Many are wondering what the delay is, and why everything is being kept under wraps. Stay tuned as we continue with this story and bring you more updates."

Relena rolled her eyes in irritation as she muted the hospital television. "It's amazing how nobody respects privacy these days."

Heero, smirking next to her, silently agreed. "Hn. What do you expect? The Vice Foreign Minister makes a miraculous recovery and but has yet to address the public."

Reaching over to him she playfully punched him in the arm. "Nothing apparently. When I'm ready, I'll grace them with my presence and make a speech or something."

"Hn."

"Can you ever say something besides that stupid grunt of yours?"

"Hn," Heero said again with a smirk.

"Evidently not."

They sat there in silence for awhile in the quiet room, Relena still confined to the hospital bed and Heero fully recovered now, sitting next to her in a chair. She was to begin physical therapy soon, and already was learning how to maneuver in a wheelchair. Heero had to admit, even though it was all new to her, she handled it pretty well. She was recovering remarkably well, both from the surgery and the lack of movement in a month. Her doctors allowed her to move about the hospital with a Preventer escorting her (which usually ended up being him) but were still weary of her going outside. It wasn't so much her health they worried about, it was everyone else who would bombard her.

"Heero?"

"Hm?

"Do you think we could go for a walk?"

"If you're feeling up to it, yes."

She hesitated. "Can we go out to the gardens?"

Ever since Heero promised Relena that he was going to stay with her, and non-verbally admitted his feelings for her, he hadn't left her side. He'd been with her every day for the past week, much to the annoyance of Zechs and the hospital staff. He knew she'd always felt comfortable around him, yet now every time she asked him a question or attempted to make conversation, it seemed she felt uncertain, like she was asking permission or though she would say the wrong thing. He understood why she was concerned, but how to show her that she could be completely comfortable with him was proving to be difficult.

"You don't have to ask permission, Relena. Wherever you want to go, just say it."

She smiled confidently at the reassuring look she gave her. She knew this time he wasn't going anywhere, but there was still that nagging feeling in the back of her mind that told her not to get too close. "Alright then. I want to go outside. I miss the fresh air and the stuffiness of this place is driving me insane."

"You know Zechs will be against it."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

Smirking again at her boldness, he wheeled over the chair and sat back to let her get into it herself. She was becoming much better at it, but he still felt he needed to be there just in case she slipped. It was amazing how the insignificant, meaningless things suddenly became what he loved most about their relationship. He wasn't sure of what they were or where they stood, but he was happy with what was developing.

"Miss Relena! Where on Earth do you think you're going?" A bewildered nurse exclaimed as Relena and Heero walked by the nurse's station the first floor.

"Good afternoon to you too, Martha. Don't worry; I'm just getting a bit of fresh air."

"But ma'am, you're under strict orders from Mr. Milliardo that you stay indoors! Please Miss Relena, let's go back to your-"

Relena cleared her throat very loudly. "You can tell my brother that I'm quite able to take care of myself and do not need him to give me "guidelines" for my recovery. Please tell him that Mr. Yuy here will be with me and if anything should happen, I'll be very well protected. Thank you, Martha," she said smiling, clearing ending the debate.

Heero smirked behind her. He knew that Zechs was going to have a field day with this. He looked at the nurse and nodded as they began to proceed again to the hospital's gardens.

The nurse tried again to protest, but seeing the look of determination on the Minister's face and the death glare from Heero, she gave up. "Very well. Please notify me of any problems or help you may need."

Heero nodded again and wheeled Relena outside to sit near the large pond in the middle of the gardens. He knew she needed to get out of there for at least an hour and he wasn't about to let some stupid nurse or her idiot brother stop her.

"I find it very amusing that suddenly I become handicapped and Milliardo thinks he can run my life. I didn't even know until over a year ago that I had a brother. He has another thing coming if he thinks I'm about to follow his 'rules'," Relena said after a moment.

"I'm sure he's looking out for your best interest."

"Ha, don't flatter me. According to my mother, who was finally able to get through to my room since apparently there was a strict contact list for me, he's already started making accommodations to my home and has a schedule planned out for my recovery. Honestly, I'm in a wheelchair now, not dead." Relena sighed heavily stared absently at the numerous types of fish swimming around.

"What do you want?"

"Hm?" She asked at the abrupt question.

"What do you really want Relena?"

She was silent for moment before quietly answering him. "I don't want this anymore…."

"What?"

"I don't want to do this anymore….I don't want to be in politics anymore. I don't want my schedule planned out for me. I want to live my life…I want to have real friends…I want to be normal. This whole incident has put lot of things into perspective for me. For once in my life I want to be selfish and do what Relena wants, not what the world wants."

Heero could see the pain in her eyes again. She would never be normal, no matter what her last name was or what she did. But he could understand her pain. He of all people could relate to her. They all wanted normal lives and just live out the remainder of their days being happy. Relena was a good at what she did, but Heero couldn't even begin to fathom the pressures she was on every day and the demands that peace brought with it.

"What would you do then?"

"I just want to try and be a normal teenager for once. I'm going to learn how to drive a car. Don't even give me that look; there are possibilities nowadays for the handicapped to drive a car. I'm almost seventeen and I can't even do that. I could go to college like a normal teenager. I want to travel, without it being "penciled" in. Did you know I've never been to the States? There's so many things I could do Heero….I just know that I don't want to be the Vice Foreign Minister anymore."

"Then don't be."

Through the grief on her face Relena actually laughed. "I wish it were that simple. I can't just simply up and quit. The Foreign Minister would a want a formal resignation and that would have to be approved, and that could take up to months. I'm sorry Heero. I don't mean to be so dramatic. It's just after doing a lot of thinking I know that this isn't the right path for me anymore."

Without a word, Heero walked over to her, gently lifted her face, and kissed her deeply. The tension in her body slowly began to fade as she kissed him back. When he pulled away, breathless, he said, "There's no need to apologize for what we want, Relena. And it really is that simple. I promise, it's so simple."

"Heero?"

"Relena."

"I've been doing some research, about spinal injuries, and I think I found something."

He nodded for her to continue.

"There's an experimental surgery in New York City that has to with spinal repair for people with paralysis, both quadriplegics and others like me. I don't know if it work, but I was thinking….I'd like to try it…"

"Really? Are you sure about that? It may not work…"

"I know. But I have to at least try. If I could gain some mobility back, even the slightest, I'd be content."

Heero smiled at her. He wasn't sure about the idea that Relena had suggested, but there really was no talking her out of something when she had it decided.

"Would you go with me?"

"What?"

"Would you go with me?" She asked again. "I've already discussed it with my mother. Milliardo knows nothing of this and if I decide to go through with it, would you be by my side?"

The almost pleading look in her eyes was more than enough for him to comply. He promised her he was going anywhere. He promised that whatever happened to the two of them, he was going to stay put this time. With another deep kiss, he pressed his forehead to hers and smiled. "Where else would I go?"

Relena smiled back at him and pulled him in for a hug. "Then it's decided. Tomorrow I will call my mother and tell her that I don't need to be in this hospital anymore. She and Pagan have started their own accommodations for me to their home and I will also tell her that I'm releasing myself. Also, I will make the long awaited public appearance to the impatient world. As of today, I'm just Relena Darlian."

Even while trying to speak normal, she was still a politician. But it didn't matter. Heero had his princess, and together they would attempt to blend into the crowd.

The crowd of reporters had grown larger as the long expected press conference approached. Every single one of them had been waiting for hours for Vice Foreign Minister Relena Darlian to make her inevitable appearance and explain why she had not done it sooner. It didn't matter if she was handicapped now. It didn't matter if needed to learn how to live life in a wheelchair now. In the press's mind, she owed them some clarifications for her almost two week absence.

As soon as she had rolled out onto the platform, the questions came flying and the cameras were flashing. Relena made her way to the podium, Milliardo one side and Heero standing back in the shadows, and calmly made her address.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. It gives me great to pleasure to finally be able to appear before you all today. Please excuse the chair as I speak to you today, I tried to get the doctors to just prop me up, but unfortunately they wouldn't oblige."

A few of the reporters chuckled. Good, off to a pleasant start.

"These past few months have been difficult, challenging, and an eye opener for me. First off, I'd like to wish you a Happy New Year, as I was incapacitated at the time. Thank you for all your support and respect for my privacy through this tough point in my life. It has not been easy, as I'm sure most of you can understand, going from one life to another in a matter of minutes, but with the help from the hospital staff and my family, it is slowly getting better.

"I do not have any ill will towards Miss Mariemaia. Although she is a child and was fully aware of her actions, I do not blame her for what happened. I do not expect any of you to understand my ideals, but please know that I respect her for accepting her actions and the consequences of such. I am not a bitter woman, and I will not start now. Yes, I may have lost my ability to walk, but I am alive. She was not the one who pulled the trigger. In a way she saved my life."

Relena paused to take a breath and wait for her words to sink in.

"During my recovery, I have had some time to fully decide on what I will do from this point on. As most of you will expect me to continue on with my position, I regret to inform you that I decline to continue being your Vice Foreign Minister."

There were many gasps throughout the crowd. Immediately questions came flying, one after the other, but Relena raised her hand to continue.

"I know this may come as a shock, both to the political world and outside world, but this is something I will not change. I will carry on with my recovery in the privacy of my own home and my personal medical staff. Thank you again for your support and understanding."

As she finished, she almost laughed at the horrified and disapproving look Milliardo was giving her, while her Gundam pilot gave her a proud smirk. She knew she was making the right choice. The world would find a good replacement. For now, she was going to live her life and attempt to be a normal teenager. Relena also knew that she would never be normal because of her name, but living out of the public eye was the best choice.

"Miss Relena! What will you do now that you no longer the face of the public image?"

She smiled. "There is always college, and I'm sure whatever I decide to do, you will all know either way."

"Miss Peacecraft! Does this decision have anything to do with the man you've been seen with most recently?" The photographer that she had caught sneaking around the hospital grounds while practicing more with her wheelchair with Heero sneered at her, daring her to answer his question live on television.

Relena took a deep breath before answering. "First of all, sir, I have not gone by that name in over a year. If you would like to ask me a question, you will do well by addressing me by my proper name of 'Darlian'. Second off, I believe I have a right to defend my actions by my own reasoning. And finally, even if it did, that would be for me to know, and you to assume." She smiled sweetly at the man, but her eyes were daring him to ask her another question.

"Forgive me, Miss Darlian, my mistake. It would just seem that for someone as young as you, and a girl for that matter, would naturally abruptly quit her post for a boy."

There were hushes among the crowd as the reporters words implied a great deal. But even so, Relena was unfazed. "How typical for a man to automatically come to that conclusion. As I have stated before, and as you can see, I abdicated my "post" for the benefit of my health. In regards to the man who has been seen with me, and who is standing behind me now, he is my personal guard, so naturally he would constantly be around. Does that answer your question, sir?"

Reporters around the man chuckled at his stupidity and he quickly ended his rude and implying questioning.

"Thank all once again for understanding." With that, Relena roller herself over to Heero's side and he took over, leading her back into the hospital.

Relena avoided Milliardo as best as she could. She had no intentions of dealing with him right now. He was already furious about her recent actions and she was no mood for his impending questioning.

All in all, Relena was okay with the decision she made. She honestly had no clue where she was going to from here, besides going to a normal school and attempting to regain her mobility, but the only thing that matter now was that she was alive, and she had a bright future. Plus, she had her Perfect Soldier. A part of her would always be fearful of him leaving, but she knew that if it came to that, he would have a good reason. She knew he loved her. He wasn't always able to say it to her, but body language and his actions spoke louder than his words for the time being.

Relena was ready face life's challenges head on now, free from the world of politics and from keeping her squeaky clean image. She was still a kid. And, be that as it may, she was ready to be one. For now, being a kid was all that mattered and she fully intended to live it to the fullest.

"Forget regret or life is yours to miss." –Anonymous

Author's Note: Well there you have it! The end! FORGIVE me for the wait for this final chapter! Wedding planning has been crazy and work has been insane as well. I promise they are just excuses! In two months I'll be a married woman! I wll keep you all up to date on it :) It's fun writing this story and I thoroughly hope you've all enjoyed reading it! Thank you all for sticking by me and for your support with my first fanfiction. I promise a sequel to this! I don't know when, but there will be one. Welp thanks again everyone and ta ta for now!