|
"Ray of Hope "Written By: SkyLark Disclaimer: All standard disclaimers apply here Creative assistance from Sunhawk Warnings: AU, language and possible citrus. Rating: NC 17 Pairings: Eventual 1x2, 5xS, references to past pairings that are a surprise. Beta Writing By: Deb
" Ray of Hope " [I don't want to see the light of day Two weeks. It was two weeks that he had been staying with Sally
and Wufei following that terrible night at the fair. For the countless
time While Trowa and his other friends had been more than understanding after learning about the incident at the dance, Heero was more worried about Duo's acceptance. During their separation, the lack of communication from the lighthouse keeper made it more than obvious that he was still not ready to offer that acceptance yet. And so, the days blurred together as functions were carried out with an emptiness and were only done for a sense of normalcy. "I should have known that you would be here," a warm voice commented. Looking over his shoulder, the Japanese young man watched as Sally stepped into the room with a sad smile on her face. Quietly slipping into the sofa beside the computer desk, the braided doctor asked gently, "Anything helping your memory yet?" With another small sigh, Heero turned the chair he was in to face her and shook his head, "No." Running a hand over his chin, he was reminded of the stubble there that he could not motivate himself to take care for the last couple days. "There was a time I would have given anything to know who I was and where I came from," he thought aloud. "Now I just wish that it would just fade away again." Lightly tapping on the monitor, he frowned deeply, "While I know more about myself now, it's still not helping to bring my memories back." With a lost look, he gazed back at the image of himself in the middle of the clipping and stated softly, "It's like I'm reading about someone else's life." Sally's mouth opened to give some kind of reassurance
when the doorbell rang. Humming to herself, she thought aloud, "I
wasn't When Sally returned, she was joined by the unexpected
visitor. His cobalt eyes widening, the sailor slowly rose from his
feet and Her smile warming, Noin gently kissed a stubbly cheek of the stunned Japanese youth and greeted, "It's good to see you, Heero. I am sorry that I have not been able to stop over sooner to see how you've been." Blinking away the surprise from his eyes, Heero finally grinned, "It's good to see you, too." Quickly turning off the computer, he led her towards the small table at the center of the room. As she took her seat across from the young sailor, Noin lowered the basket that she brought onto the table between them. After a brief and tense silence, Sally reappeared with two steaming cups of tea. Smiling to the pair at the table, she set down a cup before them before stepping out once more with their small words of gratitude. Roughly swallowing, Heero finally spoke up and asked, "How's Duo?" The slight tension faded at the heartfelt question and Noin's smile returned. Sighing deeply, she replied, "He's fairing as well as you, from what I can tell." Heero flushed a bit and ran a hand over his stubble self-consciously. As she removed the blue cover from the picnic basket opening, the young mother revealed a large batch of a variety of homemade cookies. His cobalt eyes widening at the sight, Heero gave a small `thank you' when the basket was pushed closer to him. Taking up one of the chocolate chip cookies, he took a small bite and sipped at his tea. Noin took up a butter cookie for herself and started nibbling at it. As he chewed another bite, the Japanese young man commented, "I have to admit that I'm surprised that you came to see me after what I did." Noin chuckled deeply and admitted, "Well, I was quite a bit upset with you for a while there." Taking up her tea cup, she smiled at the nervous looking young man. "But then I actually thought of your situation and I found myself understanding your choice not to mention your flashes. And in the end, were I in your place, I most likely would have done just the same." After the last two weeks of agonizing over his decision
and if it was the right thing or not, hearing from the mother of the
person Tears welled in his cobalt eyes at her sincere words
and with a small whimper, he covered his face with his hands. Unable
to fight Rising from her seat, Noin walked around the table edge
to hug Heero tightly with tears in her own eyes. Gently kissing the
top of his head, she whispered, "I know that. You've always had
his best intention at heart and I realize that now." The Japanese
youth Once he calmed, Heero pulled back and wiped his eyes as Noin did the same. Sniffing softly, he said quietly with a deep frown, "I miss him." With a small nod, the young mother nodded and whispered, "I know and he missed you just as much. It's just…" Looking away, she sighed deeply, "He's terrified of what will happen when you do come to remember everything. As much as you say that whatever this Dorothy meant to you wouldn't change your feelings for Duo, he's frightened that maybe that won't be the case. Things are just very complicated for him right now." Another knot forming in his throat, Heero swallowed roughly and gave a small nod. In the end, he couldn't blame Duo for his fear. Perhaps it was too early for him to make such a statement that remembering Dorothy wouldn't change him… but he couldn't help feeling that way at that moment. Then there was another matter that was a constant source of confusion. "Why would I have run?" the sailor heard himself asking aloud. Noin appraised him with wide eyes. Shaking his head, Heero repeated, "Why would I have run? If everything was so perfect in my past, why would I have left it all behind, including Dorothy?" Noin tilted her head with a surprised look at being reminded of that little piece of the mystery that surrounded the young man. "You ask a very good question," she states at last. "I suppose that we'll all have to wait for the answer along with you until all of the pieces of your memories fall back into place." Rising to her feet again, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and told him gently, "As for Duo, just give him a little more time." Her warm smile returned to brighten her face as she stated, "He'll come around. He loves you far too much to have you go without a fight." That said, she leaned down to kiss the teenager's cheek once more. As she straightened, she announced, "And now, I best be going but I'll be in touch." Gesturing to the basket on the table, she grinned, "Enjoy the cookies." With a grateful smile, Heero politely ushered the young mother to the front door. As he opened the door, the Japanese young man made a point to make their gazes lock as he told her sincerely, "Thank you for everything." Chuckling deeply, Noin winked, "My pleasure." Turning on her heels, she made her was out the front door and down the steps of the front porch. When he closed the door after her, Heero leaned his back against the frame with a deep sigh of relief. A small smile tugged at his lips as he silently thanked Duo's mother once more for giving him the greatest gift he could have received… hope. * * * * * * Dorothy hummed to herself as she made her way down the hall to the main gathering hall. In the back of her mind, the thought of her quickly approaching trip to Horizon Cove lingered. White it was only days away, it simply was not coming fast enough for her liking. Now all that remained was her announcing to all interested parties of her upcoming `much needed vacation.' It was best that she go alone, in case the person found
on the remote island was in fact Odin. She held dearly the pact that
they Odin ran for good reason. And she would see that he stayed hidden. Spying the family attendant heading her way, the blonde young woman grinned, "Hello, Janice. I understand that Senator Lowe is here." The young brunette nodded firmly, "Yes, Miss Dorothy. I was just about to advise your mother, Lady Une." With a light chuckle, Dorothy replied, "Janice, you know that you do not need to use formalities with me. You're more of a sister to me than anything." At that, Janice grinned, "Of course, Dorothy. I best be off to get your mother now." She quickly walked past the blonde young woman to continue her search.Shaking her head in amusement, the blonde teenager headed to the main living room. Just as she was about to enter the room, she heard the Senator's familiar voice chuckling deeply. "Yes, of course I saw the latest polls," he commented, the smile evident in his voice. Cautiously peeking into the room, Dorothy watched the tall, blonde man as he paced the room while speaking on his cell phone. Grinning widely, the Senator chuckled deeply, "My son's disappearance has been the best thing for me in increasing my popularity with the voters." Holding up the newspaper that was in his other hand, the aging man smirked, "The grieving father holding out hope that his son would be found alive while showing grit and determination to help all those suffering. It's brilliant!" Her blue eyes narrowing, Dorothy bit back the deep growl building in the back of her throat. "You son of a bitch," she hissed to herself. Any guilt that she had about not sharing what she learned from Officer Change vanished. He never deserved to have a son like Odin in the first place. Her friend had been right about the man all along. With her resolve reaffirmed, the blonde young woman straightened and adjusted her orange sundress. Once her face cooled and she was certain that it led no evidence to the red hue it had taken on, Dorothy forced a wide smile and stepped into the room. Curtsying, she greeting cheerfully, "Senator. A pleasure to see you as always."
|
