~~*~~*~~*~~

Relena moaned as her eyes flickered open and she held her hand to her throbbing head. As soon as everything stopped spinning she looked at her surroundings. She was no longer in her hotel suite on the colony of L6 but in a meadow of sorts. She ran her hand over the tall grass that surrounded her and used all her fleeting strength to lift her body from the damp ground. She looked over the meadow and wrapped her arms around her tiny frame as an eerie chill settled over her. Then she felt something at the back of her neck and she had the urge to look behind her. She slowly turned her head as her eyes moved and then her body followed. She gasped as she took a step back from the site that greeted her. A stream flowed merely feet from her but that was not the cause of her alarm. Beyond the stream instead of the continuing meadow lay a wasteland of gnarled trees and dying grass. Thunder clouds rolled in the distance and lightning struck out and slapped the ground.

Not pretty is it? Relena jumped as she heard the deep baritone sound from all around her. That makes me wonder why you are so eager to get there.

"Where are you, what do you want?" She felt fear rise inside her and she tightened her grip around her body.

Where I am, is of no importance but where you are is, and to answer your other question here’s one for you what do YOU want? Relena felt confusion wash over her as she looked around the meadow she stood in. * What is going on? *

You’re dying. Relena felt fear rise in her.

"What do you mean how did you know what I was thinking?" Relena frantically screamed all around her as a strong wind ripped through the meadow. She fought against it until a strong gust pushed her back causing her to turn around. She let out a terrified gasp as she saw a cloaked figure standing just beyond the stream in the wasteland. She felt fear grip her and it felt as though her feet had grown roots keeping her from running. The figure took slow determined steps until it reached the water where it stopped almost afraid to cross it. Relena felt a wave of relief as she saw the figure hesitate at the stream but it soon disappeared as the figure stepped into the stream heading towards her once again. "Please stay away from me," she pleaded as she felt her knees begin to buckle.

"I’m afraid I can’t do that," it was the same voice but this time its direction was pinpointed from the cloaked stranger. As the figure, which Relena now determined was a male, reached the middle of the stream and stopped removing the hood from its head that had cast a shadow over its features. "Princess what do you want," asked Duo Maxwell as the stream rushed around his feet. Relena could only stare confused at the braided boy as he stood in the stream. Finally she began to walk towards him cautiously feeling this urge to walk forward.

"I…I…want to be happy, to be loved, to rest," she said as her feet touched the cold stream. She moved towards the boy who was clad in black and stopped only two feet from his figure. Duo looked at her with a thoughtful expression then with an opened palm motioned behind him.

"Do you think you can find it in there," he said a sad smile never leaving his face. Relena studied him for a moment, he looked different. His face was paler and his eyes seemed a more vibrant violet but they were empty almost. His hair seemed the same besides to long strands were not braided in with the rest and framed his heart shaped face. She looked past him and at the wasteland and shivered.

"No I don’t think I could find it in there but…"

"Then why where you in such a hurry to go, it doesn’t make much sense Princess," he interrupted as he brought his hand and placed it on her face. Relena didn’t realize how close they had gotten until he touched an ice-cold hand to her face. "I know you’re tired, I know you think he doesn’t care, but he does and he will help you through everything so please turn around and leave."

"But Duo I…" but she couldn’t finish as Duo leaned down and gently brushed his lips across hers. She closed her eyes and pressed her lips against his taking in every feeling. Soon his lips left her but her eyes remained closed. When she finally opened them she was no longer standing in the stream but in the field. Duo smiled sadly and began to walk out of the stream back in the wasteland.

"Go be happy Relena… someday but not now," he was barely audible as he spoke so softly but she heard him clearly some how. Soon his retreating figure disappeared into a thin haze and Relena felt a pulling feeling. It was as if she was waking from a dream and then a bright light flooded her vision.

~~*~~*~~*~~

"She’s coming to," Relena heard muffled voices as she felt her head throb and squinted at the harsh lights. When her eyes finally adjusted to the light she looked around her. The field was gone and instead she stared at white sterile walls and hospital furniture. "Relena?" She turned her head to where the voice was coming from and was met by worried and relieved, familiar faces. "Thank heaven we thought we were going to lose you," said Noin as she squeezed Relena’s hand reassuringly. Relena smiled dryly as she looked at all the faces of her friends and family. Everyone was there even…

"Heero…" Relena watched as he walked over towards her and leaned over her grabbing her hand in his.

"I thought we were going to lose you Relena…I’m sorry I wasn’t there…I," he stopped when she placed a finger on his mouth and smiled at him. A tiny smile graced his usually ice cold features giving Relena a feeling she didn't think existed.

"I had a dream while I was asleep, and Duo was there and…" she watched as everyone’s face changed at the mention of Duo’s name. That’s when she realized he wasn’t there for the first time. "Where is Duo?"

"While you were in your coma he went to your conference to explain your absence. There was a sniper and he, the doctors tried but he just…" Heero didn’t finish and stared at her as she soaked in this new information.

"He saved me Heero," she choked out, "He wouldn’t let me cross the river." She began to sob and Heero rapped his arms around her. He didn’t know what she was talking about but he was just glad that she was awake and this time he would never let her go.

~~*~~*~~*~~

(Two weeks later)

Relena smiled sadly at the grave in front of her as she placed a single white rose on the fresh mound. "Thank you Duo, you gave me a second chance," she said as she placed a gloved hand on top of the headstone. She turned to see Heero walking up the hill and join her. He gave her a quick kiss before looking at the grave with sadness to his cold features. He turned his gaze back to Relena and wrapped his arm around her waste as they headed back to the car.

"I love you Heero."

"And I love you Relena."

*Thank you Duo*