Chapter 15

Rebecca stopped to catch her breath. There was only one person she could think of to turn to. She eyed the church a few meters in front of her. She felt awkward asking him for help, he was still practically a stranger to her. But Christian seemed to trust him so she would have to as well. She jumped as she felt a hand grasp her arm. She turned to see Chad and groaned inwardly as she saw Regan right beside him. She gritted her teeth as Regan gave her a dirty look and then rolled her eyes. “I know where she is.” Chad chimed in, eager to break the tension in the air. Rebecca waited for him to continue and when he just stood there she sighed. “Where?” She snapped. Chad was startled at her harshness but brushed it off. “New York. She’s in New York.” Rebecca nodded and said her thanks and continued up the hill. “Whoa, where are you heading?” Chad asked, catching up to her. “I’m enlisting the help of someone Christian can trust.” She said frankly. Regan took offense. “Then why didn’t you come to us?” She retorted. Rebecca felt her teeth gritting again. “I don’t have time for your petty bullshit. I’m going to help Christian. You can sit here and rot for all I care.” She whirled around and yanked her arm away from Chad when he tried to stop her. He took one look at his cousin’s startled expression and burst out laughing. “She told you!” he teased. She glared at him. “Shut up and let’s go after her.”

Rebecca burst into the church calling out to Duo. He came out of the back of the church and smiled. “Hey there.” His smile receded as he took a good look at her worried face. “What happened?” He asked, concerned. She wasted no time. “Christian’s mom’s in trouble. Something to do with riots in New York. We have to help her.” Duo’s heart stopped beating. Hilde was in trouble? He had to help her! He grabbed his coat and followed her out. “I’ll grab a jet from the base. You stay put.” Rebecca ran in front of him to stop him. “The hell I am! I’m going with you!” Chad and Regan joined the two arguing on the grassy hill below the church. “Damnit Rebecca it’s dangerous! Your father will kill you if you go. Hell he’ll kill ME if I let you come with me.” Rebecca shook her head, her long platinum ponytail swaying down her back. Stubborn violet eyes met his. “In case you’ve forgotten, you’re my father too. Either you take me with you or I’ll find my own way.” Duo’s shoulder fell. She was Relena’s daughter for sure. Damned hard headed woman. Chad burst out laughing. “Didn’t know you had it in you princess!” Regan cleared her throat. “I suggest we get going if we want to be of any use.” They stopped their bickering and headed back to the base in Duo’s small truck. Regan and Chad hopped in the back. “What the hell did she mean that guys her father too? Who the hell is he?” Chad shrugged. “I get the feeling we just met her biological dad.” Regan’s aqua eyes widened. “Yuy’s not her dad?” She asked incredulous. She jumped when the small window on the cab of the truck opened and Rebecca stuck her head out. “Heero raised me. But Duo is the guy who made me. You can decide for yourself who you think is my dad.” She replied with sass before shutting the window again. Duo eyed his daughter curiously. “Well put. But don’t you think that was a little harsh? Rebecca crossed her arms. “That girl has been mean to me since the day I met her. I think I was rather polite compared to how she treats me. Fuck her.” Duo stifled his laugh. “Watch your mouth.” He scolded. Rebecca smirked. “Yeah sure.” He shrugged. He just didn’t feel he had the right to reprimand her. They got to the base and with little effort, Duo convinced Une to let him take her two cadets and a helicopter. Within 4 hours they reached New York. “Where should we put her down?” Chad asked as he circled above the city. Duo eyed the ground below. “The streets are packed. Where will she be safe?” Regan peered through the binoculars. “How about that park over there?” She pointed to the direction in which she spoke. Chad agreed and set the bird to land. Duo jumped out immediately, armed with his handgun. Chad did the same. Duo turned to the two girls. “You stay here.” He commanded. Before either girl could protest he put his hand up. “Not that I think your incapable of handling things, but we need you to stay and guard the copter.” Both girls relented and watched the two men run into the city. They stayed silent for over an hour, watching the people and cars pass by. One man came close to the helicopter but hearing Regan cock her gun, he fled. Rebecca couldn’t take it anymore. “What’s your problem?” She asked. Regan lifted an eyebrow in question. “Nothing.” She said quickly and looked away, annoyed. Rebecca wasn’t having any of that. “No, I’m tired of this. Why do you hate me so much? I’ve never done anything to you!” Regan closed her eyes for a moment before turning to look her in the eyes. She sat, waiting patiently for an answer. “I don’t hate you.” Regan replied softly. “Then why the cold treatment?” Rebecca pushed. “Because…..Because you’re little princess Yuy, cherished spoiled and you irritate me.” She replied harshly. Rebecca nodded. “I won’t deny that. I am spoiled…..and overly protected. But that wasn’t my choice. It hasn’t been easy-” Regan whirled around, causing Rebecca to step back in surprise. “What the hell….It hasn’t been easy?! You’ve had it SSOOOO easy! You’ve gotten everything you could have asked for ‘Mommy I want a pony, I want a dollhouse!’ You had money, a big house, and both your parents. You probably have gotten everything you’ve ever asked for! You don’t know what it is to struggle, to grow up knowing you were a mistake, that your father had another family and your mother was just some fun on the side! Don’t act like you’ve had a tough life. You don’t know the meaning of it!” Regan turned away, afraid her emotional outburst would cause the tears she held back for so many years to spill forth. Rebecca couldn’t stop her own from spilling down her cheeks. “Yes…I’ve gotten everything I’ve asked for, material wise. I’m sure as a child you were allowed to play outside, go places, and have fun with other kids. I didn’t get those things and that’s all I ever wanted. I didn’t care about expensive clothes or dolls or money. Those things were forced on me; I was like a prisoner in my own house! And for what? Because my parents harbored a secret they were afraid would be found out.” She swiped at the tears falling from her eyes. “I just found out the father I knew all my life isn’t really my father, that my real father was his best friend who was sleeping with my mother! That the man I’m in love with is the real son of the only father I’ve ever known. You may hate your father and I don’t blame you. But at least your father had the guts to come clean about what had happened. At least your mother was a big enough person to let you know the truth.” Rebecca broke down in sobs. “Do you have any idea how it feels to find out your entire existence has been one big lie? I’ll take your fucking hard life any day over that.” Regan turned around, surprising Rebecca with the fat tears welling in her eyes. There was guilt there. Rebecca could see it. “I had no idea.” Regan said her voice quivering as she held her tears at bay. “Now you do. So stop hating me.” Regan just nodded and was taken by surprise when Rebecca grabbed her for a hug. Regan gave into the tears threatening to spill. “I was so angry before. I can see why Christian loves you.” Rebecca pulled back to look at Regan in shock. “How do you know that?” She asked skeptically. Regan smiled, a genuine one filled with warmth. Rebecca couldn’t help but think how beautiful she was when she wasn’t being so stern. “He does. I can tell. He’s just real closed about it.” “And what about you? I know you –” Regan shook her head. “I do. But he thinks of me as his friend and I’m fine with that. Its you he really loves.” Rebecca stepped back and wiped her eyes. “Can we be friends now?” She asked. Regan nodded and started to laugh, glad to be rid of the bitter feelings she had been harboring. Rebecca smiled back. “And for the record I never did get a pony.” They both laughed at that. An explosion in the distant cut short their laughter, causing them both to jump. “I hope they find her.” Rebecca said as they peered out the side of the helicopter at the smoke in the distance. “They will.” Regan assured as they kept their eyes on the city, waiting for them to come out.

Chapter 16

Christian fought his way through the crowds on the street. With each passing moment, he was becoming more and more frantic. The situation was getting bad, really bad, and there was still no sign of his mother. His body jerked back as he felt hot pain in his side. He looked down, shocked to see blood on his shirt. He checked himself over, relieved that the bullet had barely grazed him. Still, he was bleeding and without proper attention, it would get worse. He wasn’t leaving until he had his mother though. The explosion caused by the guards rocked the ground and he stumbled to keep his balance. He had to find his mother. He gritted his teeth as he pushed on through the crowds.

Hilde hobbled over to the side of one of the buildings lining the street. She was exhausted, injured, and fearful she wasn’t going to make it out of here. Not that she feared dying. She was a soldier and that fear had been trained out of her long ago. She was afraid she wouldn’t get to see her baby boy one last time. She let her head tilt back and hit the brick wall she was leaning against. She had to get out of here. Things should have never gotten so out of hand. “Poor planning on everyone’s part.” She complained to herself. She turned her head to stare at the people running through the streets. Her eyes widened as she saw a familiar raven haired boy run past. “Christian?” She hollered. She doubt he could have heard her. There was no mistaking him though. She knew that was her baby. But what was he doing here? She pulled herself to her feet and hobbled after him as fast as she could. “Christian!” She hollered again, afraid the tall black haired boy would disappear from her view. He didn’t and she wanted to drop to her knees and thank god when he swung around and saw her. He ran over to her as fast as he could, shoving people out of the way, jumping over broken concrete and other remnants left behind by days of riots. He didn’t stop until he had his mother in his arms. Hilde held him fiercely, ignoring the pain shooting hot flashes through her body. “What are you doing here?” She asked over and over as she smoothed his hair out of his face. She couldn’t stop touching his face, his shoulders. Her boy, her baby boy. She felt something warm soaking the side of her shirt and looked down alarmed. “My god, Christian you’re bleeding!” She exclaimed. He was already leading her away from the city. “It’s nothing, just a small cut.” Hilde pulled him towards an alley. “A small cut doesn’t bleed like that. Come here.” Christian pulled her back. “Mom, we don’t have time for this, we need to leave.” Hilde pulled him back towards the alley with more strength than she realized she had left. *Argue with your mother will you?* She thought to herself. “You’re not going to get far when you bleed to death.” She retorted with attitude. Christian rolled his eyes, but allowed her to drag him away from the crowds. He settled down gently on the pavement. That’s when he got a good look at her. “Mom, your hurt.” He said, alarmed. She put her hand up to keep him still. “Not anymore than you are. Let’s have a look.” She lifted his torn white T-shirt enough to see the damage. “It’s just a nick.” He protested. She clucked her tongue as she ripped the hem of his shirt to make a quick bandage. “You’d like to think so. It got you pretty good actually. Tore quite a big gash into your side. How could you not have noticed?!” She scolded. Christian let her quickly bandage his wound with his torn shirt and pulled her to her feet. “Mom we need to go now.” He urged and pulled her along. Hilde hobbled as quickly as she could but finally she fell to her knees exhaustion taking over. “Christian.” She said, looking up at him with sorrowful eyes. He was beginning to panic at his mother’s condition. He knelt down to pick her up, hissing as his side began to tear open again. He fought his way through the city streets, his mother in his arms. He was losing a lot of blood. He kept telling himself to hold on, over and over, the words chanting in his mind, giving him the added strength he needed to get them both out alive. He finally stumbled, taking the brunt of the impact before his mother fell from his arms. “Mom, are you ok?” He breathed out, exhausted. She looked up at him and ran her fingers through his soft, wild black hair. “Baby I’m so sorry.” She whimpered. “For what?” She struggled to sit up. “If I didn’t get involved in the politics of this crazy town neither one of us would be here.” He shook his head. “You thought it was going to be a peaceful protest, like it always is. How could you know it –” She slammed her hand on the ground in frustration. “No I knew it was going to be worse this time and I ignored it. I had no idea you’d come looking for me. You shouldn’t have come here.” He scowled. “And you thought I was just going to leave you here to die?” She shook her head and laughed softly. No of course he wouldn’t. She should have suspected that. A loud voice caught both their attention. “If your not with us your against us!” A crazed protester screamed. He came up to Hilde and tried to pull her to her feet. Christian jumped up with the last of his strength and shoved the man to the ground. “Don’t touch her!” He warned. The man pulled out a gun before either of them were prepared. “Christian!” Hilde screamed, sure she was about to watch her son get shot. And he stood there, prepared, unwavering. So he was shocked when the man fell forward. He looked up in shock. “Are you two ok?” Duo breathed as he ran to them. Christian nodded before almost collapsing on the ground. Chad was there to catch him before he hit the ground. “Easy there, big guy.” Christian looked up at him and smiled his thanks. Duo was at Hilde’s side. “Hilde, Hilde are you ok?” She opened her eyes and stared into a pair of violet orbs she thought she’d never see again. “Duo….Oh my god is it really you?” He nodded, feeling tears well up in his eyes, He was so full of different emotions he didn’t know how to handle them. He scooped Hilde into his arms and turned to Chad, who had an arm around Christian to support him. “Chris, we have a chopper in the park a few miles from here. Can you manage?” Christian looked at him through dazed eyes. “How?” Was all he could get out. Chad knew the question he was trying to ask. “Rebecca. She told us, Come on; she and Regan are guarding the Chopper.”

Christian stumbled through the streets with Chad’s help, unaware of his surroundings. His wound continued to bleed down his side. He kept his hand on it, hoping the pressure would cease the bleeding. Chad helped him into the copter and climbed into the pilot’s chair. “Christian.” Rebecca said, worried at his condition. Regan and Chad got the bird lifted and headed back to the base. Christian looked over at his mother cradled in Duo’s arms. She looked so at peace there, as if it were the only place she belonged. He turned his eyes to Rebecca, who was holding his hand. He gently squeezed it to get her attention. Violet eyes filled with worry met his. “Thanks.” He whispered. She smiled. “Anytime. You better rest; we’ll get you to a hospital as soon as we can.” He nodded and let his head rest in her lap. Rebecca eyed his mother. So this was the last piece of the puzzle. He looked so much like his mother, until he was angry. Then it was all Heero. She looked out over the ocean below them. What would happen once they got back to her home?

Hours later, Hilde and Christian were wheeled off the air strip and into the base medical facilities. Hilde would be fine. Doctors ordered her to drink lots of water to combat the dehydration. Her scrapes and bruises were minor and would heal in the next few days. Rebecca insisted on staying in the room with Christian as the doctors checked over him. The wound on his side required many stitches and Rebecca was sure she was going to faint as she saw the steel thread go through his skin as the doctors stitched him up. He winced at the pain but let out a chuckle at the sight of Rebecca’s green complexion. Went real nice with her eyes. The doctors left him alone with Rebecca and she watched as he carefully reached over his head and pulled his shirt down, covering his upper body. “So. What do you think is going to happen now?” She asked hesitantly, afraid mentioning his father would sour his mood like it always did. He surprised her by shrugging. “Who knows? Hopefully I can get my mom to move away from New York.” Rebecca’s eyes filled with hope. “Maybe you’ll move here?” She asked. He sighed and shook his head. “I’m sorry Rebecca. I know you love your dad and all, but I need to get myself and my mother as far away from him as possible.” Rebecca’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. Get away from her father. And her as well. She had not forgotten that she was the cause of his problems. He eyed her carefully, knowing what she was thinking. He shocked her by reaching out and pulling her close to him. “No, it’s not you. It has nothing to do with you, not anymore. You aren’t to blame for any of this.” She laid her head on his shoulder, enjoying the feeling of being so close to him. “Christian I…” She bit her lip. Could she tell him how she felt? Would he be scared off and run? He looked down at her and waited for her to continue. She swallowed hard. Chad took that moment to come in the room. “Sorry I didn’t bring you any flowers…” he said cheerfully but stopped as he saw Rebecca quickly pull away from Christian. She couldn’t hide the blush of embarrassment creeping up her face. Chris’s expression was unreadable, as usual. “Ooooo so what’s going on in here? Maybe flowers aren’t what the doctor ordered.” He teased. Sarah Chang followed him in. “Hi Christian. I just wanted to see that you were ok.” She smiled. Rebecca gawked as the elegant Chinese girl as she took Chad’s hand in her own. Christian let out a small smile. “I’m fine. But how did you know I’d be here?” She looked at Chad. “Well I was here visiting my mother before my flight. But when I heard Chad went out to help you find your mother, I knew someone would end up in the hospital.” She giggled as he turned incredulous green eyes on her. “You thought I’d get everyone killed.” He said in a hurt tone. Sarah wasn’t fooled in the slightest. “Oh please. You’ll have to try harder than that.” Christian rolled his eyes as Chad broke down and grinned, unoffended. “I guess this is goodbye then.” Christian stood and shook her hand. She turned friendly eyes to Rebecca. “It’s good to see you again, Rebecca.” She nudged Chad in the side. “Keep an eye on this one for me.” Rebecca grinned. “Sure will. You take care.” Chad looked back and forth between the two girls. “Hey, I didn’t know you two knew each other!” Sarah shrugged. “There’s not much you do know.” She smiled and said her goodbyes. Chad looked at Christian and Rebecca with a stunned look and chased after her. Rebecca was left alone with Christian again. “Do you want me to go?” She asked hesitantly, expecting him to nod. He didn’t. “No.” He said bluntly and patted the cushioned doctors table that he had been sitting on. She scooted closer. He wrapped an arm around her. She noted he seemed uneasy and she wanted him to talk about it, but she learned not to push him. When he was ready, he’d let her know what was on his mind.

Chapter 17

Hilde sat on the hospital bed, waiting for Duo to say something. He was sitting in a chair he pulled up to the bed to be with her while the doctors looked her over. They were long gone now, but he was still there. Duo held Hilde’s hand in his, not saying a word. He couldn’t even look up at her, afraid that if he did, this moment would end and he’d wake up, alone again. Hilde stared down at his braided head. “I’m not surprised.” She said to break the tension. “About what?” He asked, still without looking up. She poked him in the head. “You still have your ridiculous braid.” She teased, waiting for a comeback. It didn’t come. She sighed, exasperated. “Have I gotten so ugly over the years you can’t bear to look at me?!” She snapped. That got his attention. His violet eyes looked up to meet hers. “No! I’m just…Hilde, there’s so much I need to know.” She pulled him out of his seat and motioned for him to sit next to her. “Duo….I cannot begin to explain the amount of regret I feel for leaving things the way I did.” He put his hand up to silence her apology. She had no idea. No idea at all about him and Relena. He had to tell her about Rebecca, and hope she could understand. “Before you say anything more, you need to hear me out.” She nodded and bit her lip in anxiety. Duo took a deep breath and squeezed her hand gently. “I know about Christian.” She nodded. “I know about you and Heero.” She cast her eyes to the floor in guilt. He gently lifted her chin so she could face him again. “Hilde….Before you feel guilt about anything, I need to set things straight. I had an affair with Relena. I have a feeling we started it before you and Heero.” He looked up to the ceiling and closed his eyes, trying to remember his reasoning for doing it to begin with. “I guess it was because we were fighting so damn much and you were never there. I didn’t want to continue, but I couldn’t stop it. Relena came up to me and told me she was pregnant with Heero’s baby. I came home to tell you everything and beg you to give us another chance…. But you were gone and I never heard from you again. I still don’t understand fully why you left, but after meeting Christian, I think I know enough.” Hilde’s eyes were brimming with tears. She felt angry, hurt…. relieved. She didn’t know what to feel at this point. How could she be angry with him for doing the same thing? Did it really matter who was first? “I didn’t know if you’d understand, Duo. I didn’t see how you could forgive me for what I’d done.” He sighed and rubbed his eyes with his fingers. “I don’t know if I could have back then…” Duo’s eyes were on the brink of spilling tears. “How many years has it been?” He choked out. Hilde broke down. “Too many.” She sobbed as she pulled him close to her. The feelings never went away. She felt just as strongly for him now as she did 18 years earlier. They held each other fiercely and cried their apologies on to each other’s shoulders. Hilde finally pulled back. “It’s too late to be angry about what happened back then isn’t it? Can we start over? You’re not married are you?” He laughed at the string of questions. “Yes yes and no.” He answered. He held her face tenderly in his hands. “My god, Hilde, you have no idea how much I’ve missed you.” She pushed the long bangs out of his face and grinned. “I think I get the idea.” She pulled him in for a kiss and felt her heart pick up it’s pace. *After all these years he can still make my heart beat faster * She mused to herself. He pulled back. “Are you going to see Heero while you’re here?” She frowned. “I guess I should, but I don’t want to interrupt his family life more than I have. How did his other child take to Christian anyways, do you know?” Duo looked away. “There’s more to the story, Hilde. Brace yourself.” After Duo finished filling her in she could do no more than stare at him with her mouth open. “So, Rebecca is yours and Relena’s daughter…Wow…” She turned to face the wall that separated her room from her son’s as if she could see him through it. “How did we mess things up so much? Those poor kids have been caught in the middle of everything.” Duo put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. “I know. But where you told Christian the truth, Rebecca was kept in the dark the whole time. I only just found out recently. She found out shortly after Christian arrived. Hilde shook her head sadly. “You’ve never gotten to know her then?” Duo sighed. “No. She found me actually. Well, Christian hunted me down and she followed him.” He gave her his trademark wink and grin as he continued. “I guess all those wonderful stories you told him about me must have left some impression.” She smacked him gently. “Arrogant ass.” She giggled. She stood up. “I want to see my son now. We have a lot to discuss.” He nodded and stayed where he was, not wanting to interrupt. She surprised him by grabbing his hand and pulling him up. “If we’re starting our lives together Duo, you need to be here with me.” She looked him in the eye, trying to see if this was what he really wanted. He looked straight back into hers, with no unease or fear. “I’m with you every step of the way babe.” He added softly and followed her into the next room. Christian’s eyes lit up as his mother walked into his room. She was immediately checking him over. Rebecca quietly moved to stand next to Duo. “How are you baby?” She asked as she smoothed back his unruly black hair. He grinned. “I’m ok mom. Really.” She smiled at her baby. He let her baby him, finding comfort in her love. Plus it wasn’t like he had a choice in the matter. If Hilde Schbeiker wanted to coddle her son, she would. But she appreciated that he didn’t put up a fuss about it. Christian cleared his throat. “Mom this is Rebecca.” Hilde swung around to the pale angel standing shyly by Duo. Rebecca was nervous. This was Christian’s mother. What would she think of her? Would she hate her for all the problems she caused the woman? Hilde surprised everyone in the room by walking up to her and giving the timid girl a hug. “It’s ok. I know everything.” She whispered to her to put the girl at ease. It worked to put Rebecca’s mind at rest. For the moment. “Will you be speaking to my father while you’re here?” She asked. Christian stiffened. “No.” He answered for her. Hilde swung around at her son’s bold statement. Christian had a determined look on his face. “No mom. Just don’t.” Hilde scowled. “What happened?” She asked. The way Christian stared at her was unnerving. She put her hands on her hips. “Alright, Christian, explain yourself.” He shook his head. “Nothing to explain. He’s a bastard.” He turned to give Rebecca an apologetic look and continued on. “He’s done nothing but manipulate me since I’ve gotten here. I can’t prove it, but I know it was his idea to make me look after Rebecca so he could get closer to me.” Hilde cocked her head. “And isn’t that what you were supposed to be doing anyways?” This time he looked away, eliciting a sigh from Hilde. “Christian…” She said in a fed up sigh. Christian kept his eyes to the wall stubbornly. “I suppose you could just take the kid’s advice…” Duo suggested. Hilde growled softly. “What’s with you people? I spring Christian on him with no warning. I thought my son would be more behaved than that.” She gave him a disapproving look which he shot back with a stubborn ‘I’m not apologizing’ look. “I owe him an explanation.” Christians head shot back towards her as he stood up. “You owe him nothing!” He spat out. Hilde was taken back by the venom in her son’s voice. “Christian stop it.” She warned. The way her son was acting baffled her. Could things have really gone so badly with Heero? She needed to fix the mess her disappearance had caused as soon as possible. She turned to face Rebecca. “I suggest you tell you parent’s what has happened. I’ll be arriving there shortly to have a talk with them. I don’t want to take them by surprise.” Rebecca nodded, wide-eyed at the thought of all four of their parents together. How would this pan out? Duo cleared his throat. “How about I walk you home, ok?” He asked his daughter. She nodded and left mother and son alone to talk. Once they were gone Hilde sat next to her son. “Ok Christian. Explain to me what’s going on so I don’t walk in there blind.” He took a breath. “Where do I begin?”

Rebecca stood outside her home. Why didn’t she just say no to Hilde? Duo smiled knowingly. “She’s hard to go against. Do you want me to go in with you?” She shook her head. “No…better wait till Christian and his mom get here. I have a lot to lay down on them right now.” He nodded and watched her enter her house. She found her father sitting in the back yard. She figured she’d break it to him first and so he could help her tell Relena. Once he saw her he stood and pulled her in for a hug. She squeezed him back tightly before pulling him back to the wooden bench he was sitting on before. “Dad we need to talk.”

Chapter 18

Heero didn’t know what to say. He had already gotten used to the fact that she was dead. What was worse was that Christian had lied to him, twisted his heart on purpose just to spite him. “They’re coming here daddy, all of them. Are you going to be ok?” He looked at his daughter. “You still consider me your father?” He asked softly. She quickly lunged at him to hug him tight. “Of course I do. Daddy, I love you! You’ll always be my dad. Even though Duo is my biological father, you’re the one I recognize as my dad.” Heero felt the tears flood his eyes. He was so afraid to lose her and he was so sure he had. “But, dad.” Rebecca continued as she wiggled out of his grasp. “In that same respect, you can’t keep pushing yourself onto Christian.” He tensed at the mention of his son. “He doesn’t know you. You know you can’t just force yourself into his life. You’ll just push him away more.” Heero just nodded, not wanting to argue about this with his daughter. Especially with what was about to happen. He stood. “I’m going to go break this to your mother.” Rebecca grimaced. “Better you than me.” She mumbled. “Hn.” Was all he replied as he went to confront Relena about the matter.

Hilde took a deep breath as she stared up at the mansion. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Christian asked as he eyed his mother’s uneasy expression. “No….But it needs to be done.” She stated calmly. Inside she just wanted to grab Christian and run. What was she thinking sending him here? As she eyed the large garden, and the big house she realized that Heero’s son or not, he didn’t belong in this world. This was what he tried to tell her to begin with. She never should have come…But if she didn’t send her son here, she would have never reunited with Duo. Still, she pondered the last meeting with Heero Yuy and wondered how this one would turn out. She shook off her anxiety and proceeded towards the mansion, Christian not far behind. Once at the mansion she spotted Duo waiting for her. She quickly made her way up to him. He shook his head, annoyed. “They know we’re here. And as far as I could gather, they’re not too happy about it.” Hilde sighed. She didn’t think they would be. “Let’s get this over with.” She said and led the two reluctant men dragging their feet behind her. Hilde rapped her knuckles on the door without hesitation, knowing that if she waited even a split second, she might talk herself out of this. Rebecca opened the door nervously. “Hi.” She whispered and looked behind her. “My dad’s trying to get mom to calm down. You guys can wait inside.” She held the door open and waited as the three guests looked at each other nervously, all with the same thought. *Should we go inside?* Hilde grabbed Duo and Christian by the hand and dragged them in with her. “Lead the way.” She told Rebecca. She led the trio into the sitting room. Hilde paced back and forth as she waited for someone to come out of the room. Who would she speak to first? All four of them jumped when Heero walked into the room. He stood there, his expression unreadable as he stared at Hilde staring back at him. Duo noticed. He didn’t like it. “Hilde…Can we go somewhere to talk?” She looked back at Duo who stiffly nodded. Hilde followed Heero out of the room. Duo shifted uncomfortably. He wanted to know so badly what was being said but he knew they needed to speak alone. Relena took that moment to come out of her den and stare at the three remainders in the room. “Duo.” She stated simply and motioned for him to follow. He did, needing the distraction of what was going on between Heero and Hilde.

Heero couldn’t stop staring at her. She was still beautiful, still the same Hilde. He had no idea how much he missed her until he saw her here. Alive. She stared back at him. “Say something.” She pleaded, eager to know what he was thinking. He surprised her by pulling her out of her chair and hugging her tightly. “I’m sorry.” He whispered. She wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes. “Don’t be. I’m not.” He pulled away, but kept his hold on her arms. “You should have said something Hilde. Why did you just leave?” She looked away, as the memories came back. “What would you have done, if I told you Heero? Would you have left Relena to take care of me? Could you have split yourself in half between us?” He just stared at her. She was right of course. He had no clue what he would have done. He didn’t know Rebecca wasn’t his at that time. She took his silence as her answer. “So I left. I knew Christian was yours, there was no way he could be Duo’s. I couldn’t spring all that on Duo and I couldn’t depend on you after you already thought you were having a baby with Relena. So what else was there for me to do? I have no family out here.” Heero shook his head. So she made the right choice for herself, or so she thought. “I should have never sent Christian here….” She murmured to herself. She put her son through a lot and she would spend as long as it took to make it up to him. Heero cleared his throat to get her attention. “No. I’m glad you did, even though he hasn’t made my life easy.” Hilde blushed, feeling guilty for her son’s behavior. Heero walked over to look out the window. He closed his eyes, letting the warmth of the sun hit his face, easing the troubles from his mind. “He won’t have anything to do with me, you know.” He finally said. Hilde nodded. “Yes. I was hoping he’d be more open.” Heero turned to look at her. “I tried. I tried real hard to get him to open up to me, even a little. He won’t. He won’t even call me by my name. All I get is a condescending ‘Yuy’or ‘Sir!’ He’s the most obstinate, stubborn…” He stopped when Hilde giggled. “What?” He asked. “Well yes, he’s all those things. He is your son after all. And mine. I guess he inherited both our flaws.” Heero grumbled in agreement. Hilde stood. “I really did want him to give you a chance, Heero. I’m sorry he’s so stubborn.” Heero nodded and gave Hilde another hug. “Yeah well I guess that’s both our faults.” He was reluctant to let her go. “Hilde….” He started. He wanted to know how she felt. Did she still harbor feelings for him, anything at all? Did she miss him as much as he missed her? He was too afraid to ask. “Are you going back to Duo?” He finally asked. Hilde sighed. “Yes….” She answered, not sure where this was leading. He gently let her go. Even if she had said no, there was no way they could go back. He couldn’t leave Relena and he couldn’t disrupt his daughter’s life anymore that he already had. Hilde didn’t miss the yearning question in his eyes and she touched his cheek lightly. “I know Heero.” Was all she said. He nodded sadly and together they left the room. Rebecca was sitting nervously by Christian. She could feel the tension radiating off of him as his eyes darted from the den door to the hallway his mother and ‘father’ disappeared down. What was being said? “Christian….” Rebecca broke into his thoughts. “Hm?” She grabbed his hand and squeezed it. He finally looked at her. “Don’t worry. Everything will work out. I mean, it can’t get any worse, can it?” He was sure he could think of plenty of ways it could in fact get worse. But he could see the worry in her eyes and he stomped down any sarcastic comment and squeezed her hand back. With a small smile he answered “No I don’t suppose it can’t.” and left it at that…..

Relena was pacing back and forth in front of her desk. Duo watched, slightly amused, slightly irritated by the woman’s actions. “You know, you’re gonna wear a path in that nice expensive rug if you keep that up.” He commented. She looked up at him. “How did this all happen?” Duo just shrugged. “This is all Christian’s fault….If Hilde didn’t send him here then.-” “Then your secret would still be buried.” Duo finished. She stopped pacing and clenched her fists. “Look, Relena, however low and selfish your reasons for you’re actions may be, I’d like to think that there may have been some decent purpose behind it. You made a mistake, we all did. Now is the time to face up to it.” She sighed and said nothing, leading Duo to believe that she had finally seen reason. “I’d like to talk to Christian, can you send him in?” She asked as she tiredly rubbed her eyes with her fingertips. Duo was definitely curious on this one but just shrugged and said “Sure.” And walked out. Christian looked up as Duo entered the sitting room. “She wants to talk to you Christian.” Duo said as he motioned towards the door. “What for?” He asked, skeptical about whether he should go in. Duo shrugged. “Didn’t say. Just be on your guard. She’s a manipulative one.” He swung his eyes to Rebecca. “Sorry….” He started but stopped when she shook her head. “I know how she is. Don’t apologize.” Duo nodded and two pairs of violet eyes watched the raven haired boy walk into the lion’s den. Relena was sitting at her desk demurely. “Come in Christian please close the door behind you.” He did and slowly walked into the room. He felt like he was about to be interviewed. “Please take a seat.” She motioned to the two plush leather chairs in front of her desk. He took a seat and stared at her. She frowned. He didn’t look nervous. He didn’t even look curious. He had the schooled features of her husband and it irked her to see it passed onto this boy. She composed herself and cleared her throat. “Christian, I’m sure all this must be hard on you. I’m trying to understand something so please bear with me.” He just nodded. She continued. “So what I gather is that your mother sent you here to get to know your father, correct?” “I suppose so.” He answered. She smiled. “But you weren’t too keen on the idea were you?” Christian didn’t know where this was heading but just agreed again. “Why did you tell him then, if you didn’t want to get to know him? Why didn’t you just stay away from him?” She asked a tinge of anger in her voice. He surprised her by smirking. “I was assigned under him. He asked the questions, not me.” Relena nodded. “And now? What are your plans now?” He shrugged again, enjoying watching her frustrations run across her face as she tried to keep them under control. “Let’s face it Christian. Heero has a life here. Rebecca has a life here. I just hope you can see that you don’t quite fit.” Christian scowled. “I’m not your delegate Mrs. Yuy. If you have something to say, then just say it.” Relena stood. “I hope you’re not intending to stay here. You coming here has disrupted our lives enough!” Christian glared at her with cold Prussian eyes. “You’re point?” He asked sarcastically. She growled in frustration. “I just want to make sure that you and you’re mother will leave and soon.” Actually that was exactly what he intended as well but he’d be damned if he put her at ease with a confirmation. “What we do is none of your business.” He said angrily. She placed her palms on the redwood desk and leaned in to stare at him in the eyes, letting him know his glare had no effect on her. She had become immune to it after so many years. “Look, Christian. I hate to be blunt, but Heero’s son or not, there is no place for you in this family!” Christian was about to tell her where to shove it when he was stopped by a cold angry voice behind her. “I don’t suppose there is.” Hilde replied angrily as she stepped into the room. Christian stood up. “Mom?” She put a hand on his shoulder while her eyes never left Relena. “Chris, go wait outside. I think it’s time I had a talk with Ms. Relena..”

Chapter 19

Christian wanted to stay. Leave his mother alone with this petty woman? He didn’t dare. Before he could suggest staying, Hilde was already leading him out the door. “It’s ok.” She said softly before closing the door behind him. He stood there, trying to resist the temptation to go back in. “What’s going on?” Duo asked as he came up behind him. He turned to look the older man in the eye. “Mom’s talking with Relena.” “What did she say to you?” Christian shrugged. “She just wanted to let me know that I wasn’t welcome here.” “That wasn’t her decision to make.” Came a soft reply. Both men turned to see Heero standing in the doorway. “She really said that?” He asked as he walked up to the both of them, Rebecca not far behind. Christian nodded. “She wanted to know my plan on what me and mom were doing. Oh and she also added, and these are her exact words ‘There is no place for you in this family.’” Heero clenched his fists in anger. Damn manipulative woman. Duo had his ear to the door. “Damn door. I can’t hear a thing.” Rebecca pulled him by the elbow. “Duo…I don’t think we should be listening. They are two grown women. I’m sure they can talk rationally. We have no right to eavesdrop on them.” Duo and Heero gave each other skeptical looks while Christian looked back and forth between them and the door separating him from his mother. “Well Heero, I guess we have no choice, seeing as we can’t hear anything anyways.” Duo raised an eyebrow as Heero pondered for a moment and looked up, a mischievous gleam in his eye that Rebecca had not seen for a good number of years. “There’s a window.” He said with a smirk. Duo’s grin broadened into a wicked smile. “Lead the way ol’ buddy.” Christian couldn’t believe what just happened and he started to quickly follow, only stopping when Rebecca just stood there. “Coming?” He asked as he stretched his hand out to her. She debated. It was wrong to eavesdrop on a private conversation…But this was her mother and who knows what lies she would tell Ms Hilde. Curiosity and nosiness won over sense. She quickly grabbed Christian’s hand and they chased after their fathers.

Hilde continued to stare at Relena, resisting the urge to reach across the desk and smack her. Relena lifted her chin as a haughty dare, showing she wasn’t afraid of the smaller raven haired woman. “Don’t you ever talk to my son that way again.” Hilde warned. “Once you two disappear again I won’t have the opportunity to.” She retaliated. Hilde strolled around the room, taking in the objects around the room. “You’ve got a lot of nice stuff.” She commented dryly. Relena snorted. “Yes well I can afford them.” Hilde smirked. “I suppose that’s true. It’s a shame though.” Relena waited for her to continue, but Hilde continued to admire the antiques on numerous shelves. “And why is that?” She finally asked. Hilde turned towards her. “It’s just a shame you can afford all this priceless junk and cannot afford the dignity to tell your daughter the truth.” Relena scowled as she realized how she left herself open. Hilde was a fighter, not just with weapons, but just as well with words. But this was her game and she wasn’t to be done in by this grown up version of the street punk she once called her best friend. “I protected my daughter from getting hurt.” She defended. Hilde rolled her eyes. “Oh who are you trying to convince?! It was your reputation you were afraid of hurting! Aren’t you sick of hiding behind your lies? After all these years? Doesn’t it bother you, even a little?” Relena walked around to sit on the edge of her desk, arms folded. “Sometimes the end justifies the means. I did it to protect my daughter. I lied to keep my family together. There’s nothing wrong with that.” Hilde shook her head in disbelief. “You’ll justify anything won’t you? It wouldn’t have destroyed your family if you told Rebecca the truth. She deserved the chance to choose whether or not she wanted Duo in her life. He’s her father! She deserved to know about Heero. She deserv-” “What has any of this to do with you?!” Relena shouted back. Hilde stopped, giving Relena a chance to speak. “How dare you come in with your high handed opinions of what’s right or wrong. You want to talk about wrong? How about running off with a man’s child and never letting him know about it? Running out on the man that loved you without an explanation? And when everyone finally accepts your disappearance, you come back and disrupt everyone’s life, expecting them to just accept the son you’ve never let anyone know about. If you’re going to point the finger, Hilde I suggest you look in the mirror.” Hilde sighed. “It was wrong. I’m big enough to admit my mistakes. But I realized it was wrong to just leave and that’s why I sent Christian here. He deserved that chance to meet Heero and I don’t regret doing it, no matter how it turned out. I see your reverse psychology tactic Relena, I see right through it. The difference between you and I is I can admit that I was wrong and try to rectify it while you bury it under lies to save face.” Relena was undaunted. “What are you trying to get at?” Relena asked. Hilde came to stand in front of her. “I want to know why you decided to keep lying. Heero found out and so did Duo. So why did you keep lying to your daughter and drag everyone down with you?” Relena leaned back. “Duo had no part in Rebecca’s life, she wasn’t supposed to be his. Heero had already established himself as her father and she accepted that. I wasn’t going to hurt her with the truth.” Hilde shook her head. Relena would just never get it. “I can’t believe you were naïve enough to think she wouldn’t find out.” Relena glowered at her. “She wouldn’t have if you kept your son away! You took him away and you should never have returned.” Hilde just laughed at her. “Oh, I’m so sorry I was a flaw in your plan. You can bullshit me all you want but you know inside that you should have come clean once you found out….that…” Something in Relena’s eye caught her attention. Relena looked away, but it was too late. “My God.” Hilde said in horror. “You…You knew…You knew all along that she was Duo’s and you still let Heero believe that you carried his baby.” Relena turned away. Hilde lost it. “Do you know how sick you are?! Relena stood up to defend herself. “Duo would have never left you. I know Heero is honorable and I knew he wouldn’t abandon me. And he loves Rebecca! Everything turned out as it should have until YOU came back here!” Hilde grabbed Relena by the front of her pressed white blouse and shook her. “You ruined his life! I only just came back, but I know misery when I see it, Relena. You took his choices away from him! That’s why I left! I couldn’t do that to Duo or to Heero! Or to you for that matter! Because he told me! He told me he got you pregnant and that he would stick by you! I couldn’t hurt him by making him choose but you had no qualms about lying to him to save your reputation! You selfish bitch you ruined his life!” Relena tried for shove Hilde back but the small raven haired woman was a lot tougher than she looked. “You ruined MY life!” Relena hollered back. “You had Duo and then you had to go and win Heero over too! The day you left was the happiest day of my life! I had everything I wanted then and you had to come back and ruin everything!” Hilde let go of her with a disgusted sneer. “How sad is it, that me leaving caused you greater joy than your marriage to Heero or the birth of your own daughter. You are a sick bitch.” Relena was done listening to her. “Get out of my house!” She hollered. Hilde smirked at her, realizing her victory and turned to leave. Relena had to have the last word. “This time stay away for good or you’ll regret that you ever showed your face here again.” Hilde whirled around causing Relena to jump. “I’m not going to take offense at such an empty threat. If you EVER threaten me or my boy I’ll fuckin kill you. I swear it Relena. And unlike you I don’t make idle threats.” As she was turning to leave she caught a glimpse of different shades of hair under the window. She started to laugh hollowly. “You can’t lie your way out of this one.” Relena stared at her confused as Hilde walked out the door. She walked around the side of the building and shook her head as Duo and Christian were trying to clamor away from the window, failing to get away fast enough to feign innocence. Heero was leaning against the tree, eyes staring blankly at the house, Rebecca at his side, not sure on how to comfort him. Hilde walked up to the bunch of them. “Mom….Are you ok?” Christian asked. She nodded. “I’m fine, Christian.” She ruffled his hair but turned her attention on Heero. Christian started to walk after her, but was stopped by Duo’s hand on his shoulder. Hilde stood in front of Heero, waiting for him to speak. He didn’t. He just let his body slide against the tree to the ground, still in shock over what he had just witnessed. Hilde knelt in front of him. “Heero…Heero are you ok?” She worriedly pushed the stray locks of hair from his face to stare at him. He still said nothing. Hilde could see the betrayal and pain in his eyes as well as the tears he was holding back. Her heart broke watching him like that. “Heero I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.” She said brokenly as she wrapped her arms around him. Rebecca’s face was already wet with tears as she watched her father sit there, a broken shattered man. Her eyes wandered up to the window where she saw her mother watching the scene below with disdain in her expression. Rebecca lost it. She picked up a fist sized rock and hurled it at the window and watched as Relena moved before the shards of glass scattered into the room. “You fuckin bitch!” Rebecca screamed as she hurled another rock into the room. “How could you do this to him! I hate you!!! I HATE YOU!” She screamed over and over. The sound of her heart broken sobs shook Heero out of his silent shock and he hurried to grab her in his arms before she threw another rock. “Stop. Stop Rebecca. It’s ok.” He said softly to her as he held her in his arms. She was trembling with the emotions racing through her and she broke down in her father’s arms, crying her heart out into his chest. He sank to his knees with her still wrapped in his arms and laid his head on top of hers. “Daddy...I.” Was all she managed to get out between her sobs. He stroked her hair tenderly, trying to calm her down. “It’s ok. SShhhhh. It’s ok baby.” He murmured to her, his own tears falling unchecked from his face. His own pain was forgotten in the midst of his daughter’s breakdown. Christian watched, not sure on how he felt anymore. He was shocked at the events of the day. He was shocked that he was looking at Heero, and he no longer felt the anger or the hate. He was tired of hanging on to it as it was, but watching him with Rebecca…. He wasn’t the man he pictured in his mind anymore. “Christian?” Hilde asked as she put her arm around him and pulled him close. “Hm?” She gently tilted his face to her. “What are you thinking about?” Christian sighed. “I don’t know. I don’t know what to think anymore.” She gave him a gentle squeeze and motioned for him and Duo to follow her to leave father and daughter to comfort each other without an audience.

Chapter 20

Christian finished packing the last of his stuff. Chad had already left for California a couple days earlier. Not that Christian was going to miss him. He was soon to be his new neighbor. Somehow Chad convinced not only Hilde, but Duo as well to pack up and move to California. The guy was persuasive, irritatingly so. Christian smiled at the thought of his friend. Hilde and Duo were out making final arrangements while Christian got himself together. He just finished zipping up his last bag when he heard a knock at the door. He ran a hand through his wild black hair and answered it, not caring that he just looked like he crawled out of bed. He was stunned to see Heero standing there. “Christian….Can…Can we talk?” He asked softly. He was expecting Christian to slam the door in his face, or perhaps toss out some sarcastic comment as was his usual. But to his surprise, Christian stepped out onto the porch of the bunker he had been living in for the past several months. The time seemed to have flown by since he had been here. Heero and Christian sat side by side on the wooden steps in silence. “So…What did you want to talk about?” Christian asked, sick of sitting in uncomfortable silence. Heero took a deep breath before speaking. “I’m sorry Christian.” Was all he said. Christian waited for him to continue. Heero stood and started to walk away. “Whoa….That’s it? That’s all you came here to say?” Christian hollered after him. Heero stopped and turned. “Ummm. Yeah. I guess that’s all I had to say.” Christian couldn’t believe his ears. He stood and started to follow Heero. “All this time…You’ve been trying to get to know me and now I’m leaving and actually speaking to you and all you say is I’m sorry?” He asked bitterly. Heero’s eyes widened. “Since when did you want to talk to me? First I try to get to know you and you push me away and now that I concede and leave you alone you get mad about it. What do you want from me?” Christian didn’t know how to answer. He should let things lie where they were. He apologized. That was a good way to end things….But now that everything was said and done…Did he want it to end? “I know….” Christian sighed and closed his eyes, trying to find the words he wanted to say. “I know I haven’t made things easy…” He chuckled and shook his head. “Shit I made them a hell of a lot worse, didn’t I?” He opened his eyes to stare at his father for the first time, not as the man who destroyed his life by abandoning his mother, but just as himself. Both men were so vulnerable and hid it so well beneath a stern wall built around them to protect that vulnerability. Gone was the bitterness he harbored for so many years. All that was left was an empty space. He had a hunch that the only one that could fill it was Heero. “Can we start over, Christian?” Heero ventured. Christian swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded. Heero wanted to jump for joy and came at Christian to crush him in a hug. “Whoa! Easy there!” Christian put his hands up to ward off the arms of affection. Heero relented with a nod. It was too soon. He couldn’t be pushy again. Christian began to laugh and stuck his hand out. “Well here’s to getting to know you…..Heero.” Heero smiled at the sound of his name and not some other remark and shook the boy’s hand. It was a start. A small one, but it was still a damn good start.

Rebecca knocked on the door for the third time. She had wanted to talk to Regan, but the other girl refused to answer. “Regan it’s me, your father already left.” She pleaded through the wooden barrier. She heard a muffled sniff and then “He’s not my father.” Through the door. Rebecca sighed. “Can I come in?” She asked. After another minute of waiting the door unlocked and out peeked Regan’s face, eyes puffy from crying. Rebecca sighed and pushed the door open. “Why do you do this to yourself?” She asked as she watched Regan pull herself together as if nothing was wrong. Regan tossed her red hair back proudly. “Do what?” She asked. Rebecca sighed and handed her the cup of coffee she brought for her. Regan thanked her and sipped the sweet mocha, silently praising Rebecca for getting the good stuff that she couldn’t get on base. “Look Regan, I know you don’t want to talk about it, but here me out. Whether you want it to be or not, Mr. Winner is your father. If you really hate him then fine, but he’s not going to leave you alone until you give him a chance.” Regan snorted and walked over to her small bed to sit. Rebecca followed. “What makes you think he’ll give up after one?” Rebecca took a seat on the floor in front of her. “Because then he’ll see how you truly feel. Face it, Regan, You know as well as I that you don’t hate him because if you did, you wouldn’t be crying after he leaves.” Regan just looked away, avoiding the emotions she was feeling. Rebecca shook her head. *Just like Christian* She mused. “Your dad is a person and people make mistakes. I know my dad did and I know Christian’s dad did too. You’re father did wrong and I know you can’t forget that. But people make mistakes Regan. Just give him a chance. It’s harder to hold on to those negative feelings than to just let it go.” “I can’t let it go.” Regan replied. Rebecca sighed. “You can. Take it from my personal experience. And if the stoic Christian can do it, so can you.” Regan lifted one auburn eyebrow in question. “Christian talked to Heero?” Rebecca smiled. “I have a feeling he did.” She turned to leave, wanting to make sure to be able to see Christian one last time before he walked out of her life. Rebecca gave her a hug goodbye and left, leaving Regan to ponder her choices…..

Christian kicked the sand along the beach. A few months had past since he left the base in the Sanc Kingdom. His mother, Duo, and himself boarded the plane that would take them to their new home on the California coast. It took some getting used to since he was used to the crowded city streets of New York. After a couple weeks he had adjusted and Chad made sure to have him test the waters for surfing here. He was getting better at it. He sighed as he watched the waves lull back and forth in the expanse of ocean in front of him. It was a tearful goodbye and Heero made him promise to keep in touch, much to Relena’s annoyance. Christian did and they continued to write back and forth. Heero had told him in the last letter that he planned on staying with Relena for the time being, at least until Rebecca could make it on her own. Christian wasn’t happy with the idea, wanting Heero to be happy and knowing his happiness would be stifled by Relena’s selfish ways. He had been getting letters from Regan as well, who wouldn’t be able to take leave for another couple months. Christian smiled when he read her last letter as she told him about giving her father one chance. He was sure Mr. Winner was overjoyed at the chance. She didn’t go into too much detail, but did say she may see him again in the future. It was good to see her let go of the anger, just as he had done. He strolled along the sand in the low tides, letting the water wash over his feet and ankles as he walked down the beach, thinking to himself. Duo and Hilde were happy and the more Christian got to know Duo, the more he liked the jovial man. Chad’s parents were an extremely friendly couple and Chad’s father was a good friend to both Heero and Duo in their younger years. Good friends, good neighbors and a happy family. Christian smiled slightly. His life was almost perfect….Almost. There was one piece that still was not put into the puzzle. Ever since he had left the base he had not heard once from Rebecca directly. In his letters from Heero and Regan he got bits and pieces of information about her life thus far. He recalled the day he said goodbye to her…She was trying not to cry. She didn’t want him to go. He promised to keep in touch with her and she just nodded. He didn’t understand why she didn’t try to contact him. He had written her a couple times, yet he never got a reply. Not having her near….He was afraid to admit it to himself…..but he missed her….He missed her terribly and the thought of never seeing her again was something his heart couldn’t fathom. He stared out at the sea, blue-gray from the overcast sky. The breeze stirred his shaggy black hair, making it dance around his face. He felt the tide rise to his knees, soaking into his dark blue jeans. He supposed it was time to head back home. He wondered if there were any letters waiting for him back at the house. His ears perked up as the wind carried a voice to him. He shook it off. “Christian!” He heard again. He slowly turned his head to see a woman in the far distance. *Hmmm. To young to be mom….To short to be Regan… * He blinked his eyes as his vision became more focused. “No….” He told himself as he continued to stare. “No Way!” He shouted and started to run towards the figure coming in his direction. His heart was pounding in his chest, but not from his run. “Christian!” Rebecca shouted again breathlessly as she ran towards him. Duo had told her she’d find him here when she arrived unexpectedly at his house. She wasn’t sure what she was doing here or if he’d even want to see her. She had to come though. Ever since he left she had been miserable. She tried to hide it, but Heero knew and he helped her to come here, and so did Regan. She had to see him again, even if for a moment. If he didn’t want to see her then she was going to use Duo as an excuse to come. She knew it was pathetic but she didn’t care. She needed him in her life one way or another. She couldn’t stop smiling as she saw him standing in the ocean tide staring off into the distance, his raven hair blowing wildly in the breeze. He came into her life like a hurricane. Ever since she met him her life had been turned upside down. But it was worth it. She loved him more than she thought possible. He finally reached her and without hesitation he swung her up into his arms. “Happy to see me?” She asked while laughing as he spun her around. Dizzy and elated they both dropped to their knees in the sand. “What are you doing here?!” He asked astonished and excited as he held onto her shoulders. She smiled. “I came to see you.” He cocked his head. “But…why haven’t you wrote me back? I haven’t heard from you in months!” She pushed his hair out of his face. “I wasn’t sure if I should. You weren’t coming back and I….I thought maybe it would be better to just let you go.” He frowned. She wanted to forget him. Not that he could blame her. He wasn’t exactly her knight in shining armor now was he? She pulled him closer to her. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you Christian. I thought about you everyday and then I decided I had to see you.” He smiled and laid his head on her shoulder. “I’ve missed you.” He said softly. She sat there stunned. He never showed her any indications that he cared about her, or even liked her. “You…You did?” She asked. He sighed. “I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind. I didn’t realize how much you meant to me until you were no longer there. It may be wrong of me to say this…but…I love you Rebecca. I need you in my life.” She felt as if she could fly away. “I love you too!” She shouted and threw herself at him, knocking him down. He laughed and stole a quick kiss from her. She sighed and laid her head on his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat under her ear. She smiled at the memory in her mind. “This is like when we first met, on the beach on a cloudy day.” She mused. He sat up with her and gently brushed the sand off her face. “So…Where do we go from here?” She smiled and stood quickly, pulling him up with her. “First we’re going back to your house because I’m starving and your mom was cooking and it smelled really good!” He laughed. His mother was quite the cook. He grabbed her hand and they started walking towards his car. “Well that’s an easy one…but that’s not what I meant.” She entwined her fingers with his. “Christian, we’ll see, no matter what, we’ll work something out. Who knows? Maybe me and dad will end up leaving mom behind and moving out here!” Christian laughed at the wicked look in her eye at the mere mention of that thought. “What I mean is, I’ll be with you as long as you want me here.” She looked up at him and smiled. He stared into her deep violet eyes and nodded, showing her he understood what she meant. She giggled to herself. “Besides, with our very strange circumstances involving our parents I doubt we’ll ever be able to get away from each other.” He nodded and then gave her a worried look. “Do you think that us being….You know…Do you think it’s weird?” “Yes…But weird isn’t always bad.” She replied. They drove back to his house where Duo and Hilde were waiting for them. Christian couldn’t help but ponder the strange circumstances that had brought them all together. It caused such heartache in all their lives, but healing as well. * Just take life as it comes* he thought to himself. And he would. There was still so much for him to learn, but he was getting there. And at least now he was enjoying the journey.

The end.

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