Destiny of the Heart


Chapter Four

Heero woke early the next morning. He moved next to Relena and stared at her a few minutes before he left their tattered shelter and started to cover the ground. It was warmer today than yesterday. He picked up anything that could be useful. He luckily found another blanket stuck in a tree. Just the thought of having to possibly share the only blanket with Relena bothered him and excited him at the same time, and he didn't like they way that made him feel. He pulled it down and added it to the pile of useful stuff. It only consisted of some eating utensils and some clothing.

He was about to get back to work when he herd a sound coming from the shelter. He slowly walked over and stopped outside when he herd Relena crying. He knew that the events of yesterday must have taken their toll on her and she finally broke down. Part of him was yelling at him to just walk away and let her be. She was a strong woman and could handle it herself. And the other part of him knew that she needed to be told that she was alright and everything was going to be ok.

He took a deep breath and walked in. He found Relena sitting up. Her knees were pulled against her chest with her face buried in them. Her arms were wrapped around her legs and she was rocking herself. He walked the short distance to her and kneeled down beside her. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"It's ok Relena. You're ok."

She looked up at him. Her face was stained with tears. "Heero...please hold me."

He stared at her for a few minutes. He finally convinced himself that she need the physical contact to let herself know that she was fine and alive. If they were going to survive he needed her psychologically intact. He reached out and pulled her into his arms. Relena snuggled herself against his body.

His actions came at a blur to him. He guessed that he just acted on instinct. He soon found himself rocking her gently and stroking her hair. "Everything is going to be ok Relena. I'll get us out of here alive. I promise you that."

**********

Duo sighed in frustration as he stared out the window of the small plane. "There's so much area to cover."

"What's that?' the pilot asked.

"I said there so much area to cover, they could be anywhere if they went down here."

"There are a lot of areas that a plane could be hidden by the trees. They are quite thick in some areas. Your best bet is to watch for any tress that may have broken limbs or the tops missing. Also keep an eye out for bright colors or even the light being reflected off the ground."

"Thanks." Duo never took his eyes away from the window during their conversation. 'Come on Heero. If you're out there help us find you.'

**********

He had held her until the tears had ceased and the smile returned to her face. And he hated to admit it but he actually felt better knowing that he helped her. He glanced over at Relena to see her packing the stuff he gathered. She looked up and smiled at him. He could feel the corner of lips raise a little. He quickly turned and started to rummage threw things again silently hoping that she didn't see that, but not really caring if she did.

She seen the small smile that crossed his face and it completely stunned her, and excited her at the same time. She finished packing the stuff and carried the bag over to him.

"I'm finished." Relena handed the bag out to him and he reached out and took it from her. "Where are we heading?"

Heero pointed to a small clearing in the trees toward a mountain in the distance.

"That's going to be one long walk." Relena stared at the distance that they had to cover.

Heero nodded. "We should be there in less than a week. If we keep good time and don't run into any trouble."

"Why there? Why not stay hear by the plane?"

Heero packed away a few more things that he found. "If we get there we can set up a signal. We would more likely be found quicker being up higher."

"I understand." Relena smiled at him.

Heero stopped what he was doing and looked at her. "Ok then, lets get going. We have a few hours of daylight left."

Relena nodded then she leaned toward Heero and kissed him on the cheek. When she pulled back she almost laughed at the look on his face.. He seemed to have fazed out and had a bewildered look on his face.

His eyes moved to look at her. "What was that for?"

She reached out and placed a hand on his cheek.. "For earlier. Thank you. That was very kind of you."

Heero had to fight the growing feelings inside him. He didn't like what she was doing to his body from just a kiss on the cheek and now her touching his face. But he also liked the way that her warm lips felt, how soft her hand was.

He let his anger take over him and shoved her hand away from him. When he brushed past her he could see the disappointment and hurt in her eyes from his actions. "Lets get going." he said over his shoulder.

**********

After a few hours of walking Relena sat down on a rock that Heero had passed only seconds earlier. "Heero I need to stop for a few minutes."

He stopped and looked back at her and nodded his head. He picked a rock near him and sat down and watched her.

"Heero what are we going to do for food?"

"I'll deal with that part. Don't worry about it, you won't starve to death."

Relena frowned. His voice was back to being cold and harsh again. She had seen the kind boy in him that Dr. J had told her about, but he didn't let that side of him out for very long. It was like the two sides of his personality were battling with each other. The cold and callous one being the dominate over the kind and caring. And she wanted to see more of the kind and caring, much more.

They sat in silence for nearly fifteen minutes. Heero was laying on his back watching the clouds above them when Relena walked past him and continued up the small hill that they were walking up when they stopped.

"Are you coming?" she yelled back at him.

Heero jumped up and took off after her. He didn't want her to far ahead. There was no telling what may be on the other side of the hill. He caught up beside her and matched her pace.

"We got about another two hours of light left. In the next hour we should find somewhere to sleep for the night."

Relena continued to look straight ahead. "Ok. that's fine. But what about something to eat. I'm starving. And I know that you have got to be hungry to."

"You're right. I am." He stopped at the top of the hill and looked around. Relena stood by him watching his every move. He pointed at something at the bottom of the hill. "How about we stop at that stream for the night. I'll catch us something to eat."

"Deal." Relena nodded at him

Heero gave her a playful push. "But you're cooking."

She was about to open her mouth and protest but held back when he smiled at her. She couldn't believe it. He actually smiled a true smile. And one meant for her to see it. She returned the smile then pushed him back. "Not if I beat you there." She took off running down the hill.

Heero smirked as he stood still and watched her for a few seconds before he took off after her, letting her win the race.....this time.

Ch 1/ Ch 2/ Ch 3/ Ch 4/ Ch 5/ Ch 6/ Ch 7/ Ch 8/ Ch 9/ Ch 10/ Ch 11/ Ch 12/ Epilogue