Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing

Relena's eyes opened as she sensed the morning sun trying to sneak through the blackout curtains. To her surprise, she found herself nestled safely in the embrace of a trusted soldier. She cracked a mischievous smile, thinking of their disagreement the night before. She thought it amusing that somehow, in her sleep, she had won. He slept on the bed.

She looked down over herself to see where his hands were resting. One arm was wrapped under her neck, but the other hand relaxed and fallen onto her pregnant belly. Somehow the image of his hand on her baby made her smile from deep within. Her smile faded, though, as she watched her son kick Heero's thumb. His body stiffened in surprise, while he lifted his hand away from the assault. Still half asleep, he looked down at her stomach, watching the tiniest movement on the surface as the child within accosted her for attention. She hid the baby's movement under her hand, embarrassed by his excitement, but unable to hid her prideful glow. Heero's eyes were filled with strange curiosity as he looked up at her, then back at her hand. He took a hold of it and pulled her out of the way, reaching to feel the boy's movements, again. Heero closed his eyes, learning the new sensation, studying his own feelings as he got to know Relena's child. Relena just watched Heero, wide eyed for several moments, before venturing to lower her hand, again. This time, she rested her hand on his, accepting this moment.

Heero's thoughts were inward, but he felt that she needed his secrets, now, more than ever. His voice was gentle, barely above a whisper, as he spoke to her.

"My father was an assassin," he said calmly. His dark blue eyes met hers. "My father, Oden Lowe, killed the political leader, Heero Yuy."

Relena's breath caught. Heero Yuy. The original Heero Yuy was a pacifist. He united the colonies, voicing their needs to the Earth. He was their strength. Their hope. And Oz had him assassinated. Heero, the man she loved, was just a nameless Gundam pilot, given a codename, Heero Yuy, for his final mission. Having created a life, friends, during that war, he chose to keep the name and protect Relena; the new hope for peace.

He watched his words sink in, noting the grace in her eyes, unchanging in the face of new information. He wanted to smile, seeing her forgiveness, even at this surprise. Truly, she loved him. He looked back down to her abdomen, where her son was growing. "If I've learned anything from you, it's that where you come from does not determine your destiny."

"Heero?"

"I will protect Relena Peacecraft's son."

Relena's eyes stung with tears. Her chest was suddenly so heavy under the feelings that overtook her. Heero would protect her son. Regardless of his origin. Regardless of who—of what—his father was. She smiled at him, before sobbing into his shoulder. Heero—forgave her. He forgave her son.

That night, there was no argument. Heero climbed into the bed, beside Relena, enjoying the sound of her voice as she wound down in his arms after the day. That night she slept in Heero Yuy's arms. That night there were no nightmares.

:::

Relena entered the auditorium in L3 with Heero's arm protectively around her waist. She was greeted by a wave of shocked and curious whispers.

Was Relena Darlian pregnant? Did she elope? Who was he?

She flushed at the implications, looking up into his eyes for reassurance. She found none, now. His eyes were on the people. His mind was on a mission. His job was to get her in and out of there—alive.

Relena gripped the podium, steadying herself as her bodyguard took one—and only one—step back, to give her the stage. A hush finally fell over the crowd as she began to speak.

"I've come here, today, risking my own health and welfare, to see you. My brothers and sisters. Your homes have been torn by war. Your children, orphaned. Your friends, lost and killed. Your colony has suffered the most during the wars, and recovery is hard. I know you are hurt. I know you are afraid.

"But you are not alone. On Earth, we hear your cry. You are not forgotten. Your sacrifice has not been overlooked. Your needs are not swept under a rug. I have come, myself, in person, to remind you that I hear you. I care for you. And I will be your advocate.

"Do not allow your fear and uncertainty of tomorrow to damage the fragile peace we have all given so much to achieve. Do not allow an anxiety to damage your hope." Relena's hand hugged her own belly, feeling her son press against her.

"What we've been through, where we've come from, does not have to prophesy of our tomorrows. Within each of us, individually, and within our combined force, we have conceived a promise. A beauty born of ashes. A hope for tomorrow, born of yesterday's pain.

"I was there, my friends. I lost loved ones. I saw battle. I feel your pain. The scars may not be easily forgotten. But if we have patience, if we have faith in one another, we can create a better hope. A better future."

The crowd erupted into applause as Relena stepped back into Heero's protective embrace, which pushed her, immediately toward the ground.

Shots rang out.

He winced, slightly, tightening his grip around her waist and he yanked her hastily from the platform and out of the room. He did not look at her, again, until she was in a secured location, inside the hotel.

:::

Resting from the panicked retreat, Relena noticed him standing off, near the door, studying her. She met his gaze solidly. Blood was trickling down his right arm, which he ignored.

"I came. Like you asked."

He nodded.

"Will it matter? Will your getting wounded matter?" Doubt filled her voice.

Heero was silent for several moments, looking out the window of her room. "It mattered to me."

She looked up at him, incredulously.

He gave her a small, crooked grin. "What you do matters to me."

Relena smiled, looking at the floor. She started as his shadow loomed over her. He lowered himself before her, taking her face in his hands and brushing the stray hairs from her cheeks. He gently placed a warm kiss on her forehead.

He pulled away, suddenly, meeting her eyes and standing up, a split second before the door behind him opened.

"Your shuttle's ready, Relena," Zechs said.

Relena was blushing. She stood to her feet and allowed Heero, returning to his bodyguard posture, to take the lead. Wufei and Duo flanked her, as they made their way safely to the shuttle.

Sally was already on board, waiting to do a check up on Relena and the baby as soon as they were airborne. Once Heero had secured the shuttle, safely, he situated himself next to Relena, trying to feign indifference as he eyed each instrument Sally picked to measure, poke and prod her patient. Throughout the exam, even Sally noted, Heero enjoyed the sound of the weak heartbeat of the unborn child. He showed pleasant surprise as he made out a thumping sound that went at a rhythm, not so different from the heartbeat of a bird. Catching Sally's eye on him, Heero grunted and looked away.

The girls smiled at each other.

As soon as Relena and the baby had completed the triage, Heero's arms was cleaned and stitched up. To Relena's relief, the wound was as harmless as he made it seem. Sally still insisted he take a preventative antibiotic to avoid infection, and only left the two in peace once she'd seen the stubborn man swallow the pill.

Looking down over Earth, she rubbed her abdomen, remembering her father's voice in her mind. Never forget how beautiful Earth looks from afar. She sighed.

She could feel Heero's eyes on her. He wanted her to tell him what she was thinking, but she would, only after she found her conclusion.

How had she found herself here? How much did she sacrifice? How much pain had she survived? Images of battles she'd witnessed, first hand, flashed through her mind. The nightmare she'd survived alone, nearly six months ago. Lonely nights. Forgotten tears. But she had today. She had tomorrow. She had Heero. She had—the baby. Not a son of sorry.

Relena's face broke into a smile as she turned to her guardian. His eyes were searching her.

"We've come so far," she started. "You and I. We've been through so much. Most people I know have never had to face some of the hardships I faced. And I've never had to carry burdens as great as yours. But I meant what I said, earlier. The pain we've survived, the past that bore us, is not our future or our destiny." She leaned her head on his shoulder, now, looking out the window.

"There's an old Hebrew story, about a woman who's dying in childbirth. She tries to name her son 'Benoni', which means 'son of my sorrow'. Being that the child was taking her life, it only seemed like a fair name." She looked up at him. His eyes met hers, intent on her words. "But his father did not believe the boy should be named after his past. He named the boy for his potential. For his future." She gazed down at her unborn child, gently rubbing her own belly in a soothing, circular motion. "'Benjamin'. 'Son of my right hand'."

She looked up at Heero, searching for approval. He smiled over her, eyeing her abdomen softly, as he cradled her in his arms. "Benjamin," he whispered toward the still belly. "Benjamin Raberba. Since Quatre did risk his life protecting the boy from me."

She smiled, knowing he hadn't forgotten Quatre's efforts to help her. "Benjamin Raberba."

The comfortable silence of agreement passed between them.

"What's his last name?" Heero asked.

She smiled at the thought.