None of these characters belong to me but it's been nice borrowing them for awhile.
I Will Always Love You Belongs to Ms. Houston and Arista Records

I Will Always Love You
By Amber

It had been three years, three long endless years since she had seen Heero. O but it wasn't for trying for two of them she searched for him. No one had seen or heard from him, he left the base after defeating Mariemeia and simply disappeared. Finally Relena accepted he didn't want or need her. She didn't want to give up it felt like giving up on Heero, eventually though the girl she was mourned her lost innocence, accepting some things weren't meant to be. On that day, she reluctantly stopped searching for him she bid Heero Yuy a silent farewell and crossed the threshold from dreamy schoolgirl to adulthood

If I should stay I would only be in your way.
So I'll go but I know I'll think of you
Every step of the way.

 She closed her eyes trying to shut out the pain, Heero why wasn't my love enough? The orchestra started up again glancing over her shoulder she could just catch the occasional couple as their dresses dipped and swirled in rhythm with the music, jewelry sparkled and flashed as it reflected off the chandelier. Relena sighed, it just intensified her feeling of aloneness.  Looking up at the Moon she smiled wanly, well not completely alone. She silently paid homage to her distant companion shining down on her through good times and bad. A witness to the joys and sorrows, all her triumphs and failures so beautiful and so aloof like Heero.  O Heero I miss you ..   The Moon's brilliance slowly blurred, then shimmering it multiplied as tears welled up distorting her vision. 

And I will always love you. I will always love you.
You my darling you

Startled, voices drifted to where she was standing instinctively she moved further along the terrace into the shadows. The light didn't quite penetrate here giving her a moments respite. The continuous game of pretending to be the poised and competent Vice Minister Darlian was a wearying one. Leaning on the parapet she closed her eyes, a slight breeze teased loose strands of hair, and if she concentrated the sweet smell of jasmine drifted up from the gardens. Relena opened her eyes, watching idly the fireflies' delicate ballet for the audience of one.

Bittersweet memories, That is all I'm taking with me.
So goodbye, please don't cry.
We both know I'm not what you, you need.

Swallowing a lump in her throat, she pulled out one of her few precious memories the last time she saw Heero. Catching him as he fell she pulled his body tightly to hers. Stroking his silky hair she murmured nonsense, hoping and praying desperately that time would stand still. Smiling wryly, she knew o yes she had always known her time was limited, once he recovered that wall holding everyone at bay would return, the boy that wanted no one complicating his life would be in complete control. The Perfect Soldier would be back with a vengeance once more and he would neither want nor need anyone. So she held him tight, storing memories against the day when she knew she would be alone once more.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you

Relena straightened, she had been outside too long Milliardo and Lucrezia would worry. She glanced regretfully up at the Moon, be well Heero, be happy where ever you are.  Relena sighed, then assuming Vice Minister Darlian's calm competence the young woman stepped back into the role yet again.

I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have All you've dreamed of.
And I wish for you joy And happiness.
But above all this, I wish you love.

She sat at her desk skimming through the mound of proposals that grew daily, no matter how many hours she spent at diminishing it by nightfall it seemed to magically regenerate. Signing yet another document she placed it in outbox, when a glint of light drew her eyes to the picture of  Milliardo and Noin a smile flitted across her face. Relena stared at it blankly a moment then restless, shoved her chair back and moved to the window, staring into the park across the way she watched couples lost in the joy and companionship of one another and the vice around her heart tightened another notch.

And I will always love you. I will always love you.
I, I will always love you. You, darling I love you.
I'll always, I'll always love

Relena opened the door to her room, humming softly she walked unsteadily to the nightstand and clicked on the light her eyes went unerringly to the small bear in the middle of her bed. Satisfied all was right, she crookedly walked to the closet for her nightclothes. Smiling absurdly happy, she had become an aunt tonight. Lucrezia had given her brother twins; it was one of the few times she had seen Milliardo rattled.

Duo seeing it laughed, when the Lightening Count can take on the world without a blink yet is terrified of two small babies... this calls for a celebration. Pulling out several bottles of champagne an impromptu celebration had insued in the waiting room of the hospital. Her smile slowly died with the exception of Sally and Wufei who were on a mission everyone had been there. Only Heero's whereabouts remained unknown glancing at the bear she clenched her fist I'm sorry Heero, I should have been stronger for you.  She thought as a solitary tear slid down her cheek.

If I should stay I would only be in your way.
So I'll go but I know I'll think of you
Every step of the way.

Relena stepped from the shuttle, another colony and yet another endless round of meetings.  She was weary beyond words the press shouted questions, while bulbs flashed continuously as she came down the ramp. Lost in the memories of another docking bay and another time her eyes unconsciously scanned for hair of sable and eyes the color of the rarest sapphires.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
You my darling you mmm

The suite was quiet, too quiet, another year older Relena thought. The hotel had brought her a cake compliments of the management. She honestly had forgotten it was her birthday, so here she sat staring at the candles as the flames twisted and danced a smile flickered and died. I wonder if it's worth it to make the same wish again this year.  She inhaled closing her eyes, Heero please come back to me and blew. Watching the wisps of smoke drift to the ceiling she whimsically thought of tiny messengers floating away to deliver her entreaty to Heero.

Bittersweet memories, That is all I'm taking with me.
So goodbye, please don't cry.
We both know I'm not what you, you need.

The young woman stood silhouetted on the beach, as the sun slowly bid its adieu to the Earth with a spectacular display. The breeze carried just a hint of salt as it lifted and teased hair the color of tawniest gold while she stood there entranced by the splendid colors. The stars slowly started making their appearance when she whispered, " It's so beautiful "Can you see the sunset where you are Heero? "  Still she remained listening to the waves pound the shore reluctant to leave; finally turning she sensed the guards' nervousness; and reluctantly headed back to them. Before she entered the car she glanced expectantly both directions, seeing empty coastline she sighed forlornly surrendering herself to her duty.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.

The discreet tones of the vid-phone signaled an incoming call. Relena walked over seating herself at the desk. Duo's smiling face lit up the screen " Oi, ojousan!"

" Duo," she smiled, ,"to what do I owe this honor?"

Duo winked, " do I need a reason? " Relena smiled.

" You having impeccable timing, I'll be heading back home tomorrow you just caught me before I went to dinner so what's going on?"  

Duo laughed, " Hilde's pregnant!" 

" Duo!"  She smiled delightedly, "Congratulations! "

 He nodded, " The God of Death is definitely way cool.  We're having a party to celebrate, you have to come to L2 everyone will be here. Besides you don't get out our way much anymore, remember all work and no play makes Relena a cranky babe." 

Relena's smile slowly died, " Duo?" Duo's smile turned sympathetic he shook his head.  " Relena maybe I could.."      

" Shsshhh " a smile ghosted across her face, as her fingers lifted to the screen to touch him. " It's ok I didn't expect," she trailed off...

Relena smile became genuine as Hilde popped up behind Duo smacking his head. " Nut why couldn't you wait? "

Relena giggled, " Hilde Congratulations, I'm so happy for you both." 

Hilde nodded happily, " well I didn't think he was going to tell everyone like this I'm surprised there isn't a news team at the house."

Duo pouted, " Aww Hilde... does that mean you won't talk to them about my amazing prowess?" 

"Duo!" Hilde wailed, grabbing his braid so he couldn't escape she repeatedly smacked at his head.

" Ow! Hilde quit come on. Yeowww! "

" Women aren't suppose.. Hey that one hurt... exert themselves in Ow! Damn watch where you're hitting.... What happened to delicate condition?"

" Relena," he shouted, holding off Hilde "tomorrow night"

" Bring munchies can't ouch... Hilde!!   Munchies Relena," he wailed, "can't have too many," as the connection went blank.

Relena smiled fondly shaking her head. She sat there a moment basking in the warmth of their call her eyes took in the empty hotel room she was tired of being alone. Standing she called the porter to pick up her luggage, mentally shrugging there was no reason to stay she was finished here, collecting her portfolio she closed the door heading back to those that did care, the only family she had left.

I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have All you've dreamed of.
And I wish for you joy And happiness.
But above all this, I wish you love.

Relena stood to the side watching the limo pull away. She smiled fondly at Quatre and Catherine's antics as they leaned halfway out the window, smiling and waving before they disappeared out of sight. The guests started drifting away, and still she stood a part of her was glad they had found happiness but a small part of her mourned it wasn't her. An arm wrapped around her shoulders, starting her eyes snapped up and met Trowa's concerned ones.

Seeing the look in his eyes, tears held in check all day over flowed, offering her a handkerchief Trowa silently watched her a moment. " He will come back, we all had so much to work through after the fighting was done.  Heero more than most, I just hope by then its not to late," he offered gently squeezing her shoulder in quiet sympathy.

 Relena smiled wanly, " It's alright Trowa it's not like I had any claim on him. He was kind in his own way, I was such a persistent annoyance in those days," she smiled wryly.  "I think what saddens me the most is what might have.."

" Hey," Duo shouted, "come on lets get to the reception while they still have enough food to feed Hilde she's eating for two."
 
"Duo!!"  Hilde whacked him with her purse. 

" Ouch. What! ? What did I say?"

Relena looked at Trowa her lip quirking, " lets go save Duo before he's spends the rest of the day chewing on his other foot as well."

And I will always love you. I will always love you.
I, I will always love you. You, darling I love you.
I'll always, I'll always love

Relena smiled wryly, looking up at her silent companion well we've come full circle. This time she was home though she had done her part to hold peace together. She would continue to be a representative of peace this time it was for her kingdom the Sank Kingdom. She could hear the music from her welcome home party as her eyes lingered over the moonlit garden. She half expected to see Heero in the distance sitting at their bench.. No his bench.

 No sooner had she finished the thought, when her feet started heading deeper into the garden to his bench. Slowly she approached hands trailing lightly across the arms before clasping the back of the bench, standing there she looked down remembering so long ago a thwarted attempt to spend time with Heero. "But then she whispered that's what they all were thwarted attempts weren't they Heero?"

Heero had gotten to the party earlier, watching her from the shadows he tried to decide when he should approach her. When she slipped out into the garden he became worried and followed her, it had taken him so long but he had eventually come to grips with who and what he was and the things he had to do. He finally felt strong enough to let himself be something other than a soldier. " Relena? "

At first she ignored it she was so use to talking to Heero and hearing him in her mind it was no different than any other time.

" Relena," startled she jumped glazed eyes struggled to focus on the outline in the shadows.

" Heero." she whispered hesitantly.

"Relena, you shouldn't be out here alone its not safe." 

"Heero,"  she whispered brokenly, she started forward to only falter and stop.

Heero stepped into view, the moonlight caressed his features with adoring fingers and Relena greedily marked the changes time had wrought. He was taller, his frame had lost some of that slenderness and filled out becoming more muscular, his face still had that unreadable quality but his eyes. His eyes had changed they were still that beautiful Prussian blue but now there was just a hint of emotion there as well. She smiled wistfully, when you could see them that is his hair still had that untamed look that always tempted her to reach up and brush them back just so she could see his beautiful eyes.    

" I missed you Heero, I looked for you for a long time but then, I suppose you knew I would that's why I couldn't find you." Relena smiled sadly then looked into his eyes, " I'm glad your alright I worried."

"Ah Relena he stepped forward and lifted her chin with his knuckle, " I don't know what I did to deserve you, I am the last thing you need in your life." But I can't fight the both of us not anymore."

" Relena I.. I want you to know.  I"

" Shssssh, she lifted her fingers softly touching his lips, " I love you to Heero, I always have."

And I will always love you. I will always love you.
I, I will always love you. You, darling I love you.
I'll always, I'll always love

I Will Always Love You
Whitney Houston : Arista Records 1992