Then Duo said, “You’ve changed, Relena.”

“Have I? How have I changed?”

“You are more serious then before, you don’t laugh either, and,” he looked at her, “You are…hot!”

Relena laughed. “You’ve changed too, Duo. I can say all the same things about you. What happened to that happy-go-lucky grin I used to see?”

“It’s still knockin’ about. I’m just a little nervous and worried, that’s all.”

“Worried? I thought the God of Death was never worried.”

“Hell, even Gods have to worry occasionally. I’m makin’ up for lost time. The boys are worried, too. I’m not the only one.”

She looked at him sharply, startled. “Boys...the other pilots? You’ve spoken to them?”

“Of course. We touch bases at least every six months. Can’t have our friends just up and disappearin’ on me.”

She smiled tolerantly, and glanced unhappily at all the unsorted papers. “How is he—I mean, how are the others doing.” She asked, a little catch in her voice. It tugged at Duo’s heart, to see that obscure pain rise in her beautiful eyes. Relena was Duo’s dear friend—nothing more of course—and it made him angry to see that hurt.

“Well,” he tried to make his voice casual and happy. “Quatre is off makin’ millions with his dad’s company, Trowa is with Catherine in that crazy circus of theirs, um…I was with Hilde in this company of ours, but we had a little fight and she kicked me out.” His face turned glum.

“You had a spat with Hilde?”

“Don’t call it a spat, please. That word always reminds me of somethin’ gooey hittin’ the floor.”

Relena laughed again. “How are you two doing?”

“Who can tell?”

Relena smiled a little mysterious smile. “Just apologize for whatever you did, and it will be okay.” She advised. “How are Wufei, and…” she could not bring herself to say his name.

“Wufei was last seen rantin’ about justice on top of some mountain. Very typical.” He cleared his throat then, and continued. “I’m sorry, Relena, but we haven’t heard from Heero since the war ended. We’re afraid he’s dead—” He caught himself, and clapped a hand over his mouth. Duo hated to lie to her, but a promise was a promise, after all. “I’m so sorry.”

Relena tried very hard not change her expression. “It’s fine.” She assured him. “How…disappointing.”

Duo unexpectedly leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “I’ll see you later, Relena.”

“Good bye, Duo.” He shot her another grin that he hoped would lift her spirits and left, humming to himself.

Relena straightened a pile of papers almost absently. When she was sure Duo was gone, however, she laid her head down on her arms and sobbed.

Duo, standing to one side of her door, clenched his fists. She doesn’t deserve this, he thought angrily, and left.

Relena dried her tears, mentally berating herself for actually crying. The Queen of the World did not weep because some boy who didn't love her was missing, the Princess of Peace did not care that that boy would never come back to her.

"I must be stressed." she said aloud. "That is the only excuse for my behavior." Convinced that it would not happen again, Relena went back to work. One corner of her mind, however, softly spoke. You have ruined that heart the world loves. It said to her. You have always followed your emotions. Why stop now?

"I still follow my emotions. Just not the ones that make me unhappy and serve no good purpose."

Without love to sustain you, the Queen can not continue.

"The foolish love that I held for the pilot has long since been exhasted. It never helped me, and it only brought me pain."

You lie. That love gave you hope, and your hope has brought peace to the world.

Relena placed her hands over her ears, shaking her head in desperation. "Stop it! Stop it!" She cried. The voice that had whispered to her was silenced, and Relena's heart fell silent.

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