Mission Accepted: A Familiar Voice
Relative disclaimers apply.

The completion and subsequent "launch" of HEION's Earth and space operations were celebrated on earth and in space with parties - one "official" and several "unofficial" ones - that lasted for three weeks.

No one had ever seen anything like it. It was as though HEION had already accomplished its purpose.

But the person reponsible for all of this inspiration chose to split the last two weeks of the celebration between her new offices and her new living quarters, going over paperwork and making herself at home.

To a point, this was all right. HEION staff members on Earth and in space could manage things without her for the moment.

But being away from the "forefront" meant being away from people, and as the grandfather clock in the office nicknamed "Darlian's Den" struck seven p.m. on the Friday of the last week, Relena finally noticed how alone she was.

She put her anatomically-correct ballpoint pen (a gift from a staff member) down on the lastest report that she was going over, looked at the ceiling and heaved a sigh.

"I am out of my mind. Why did I choose to miss out on all of the fun? Surely even I can take a break now and then. But I need to finish this report."

She nodded firmly.

"Yes. Once this is done I'll...oh, who am I kidding. Duty, that's my name now. And besides, all of the good food is gone by now. But couldn't someone have snuck me a souvenir, or munchie, or few? Goodness."

Someone knocked on the closed door.

"Relena. You in there?" asked a familiar male voice that she hadn't heard for some time.

Relena gasped and bounced to her feet.

"Wufei!"

They shared a small pot of tea and half of an apple pie in the kitchen, fondly watched over by the chefs on the 5pm to 8pm shift.

At one point Wufei leaned back and regarded Relena with an awed yet wary expression.

"I knew that it would be great to work for a place like this, so I waited for it to open."

She nodded.

"I appreciate that. So, are you applying for a position?"

He chuckled and took a sip of tea.

"Do I need to apply?"

She grinned and shook her head slowly.

"No, but it's the principle of the thing. Never mind. What position do you want?"

His expression became wistful.

"I like space..."

She nodded again.

"Then it's settled. Report to Space Base M at thirteen hundred hours."

He quirked an eyebrow.

"M?"

She nodded, then shrugged her shoulders.

"That's what we're calling it, for now. It's our unofficial mail station."

His face went pale.

"You want me...to handle mail?"

She nodded yet again.

"Just until 'things' pick up. Until then, it's the best way for people to see what's out there."

He shook his head slowly in disbelief.

"Deliver mail! See the wonders of the universe..."

Her eyes twinkled. She reached for her tea cup.

"And reflect upon what you have seen from the comforts of a deluxe class, first-rate set of suites. With twenty-four-seven security. With a large gymnasium. With—"

He grunted.

"I'll try it. If I don't like it..."

She waited patiently for him to finish the sentence.

Instead, he asked: "You heard from the other guys lately? I know that Duo and Quatre helped you out with the space bases for a while, and Trowa did some tweaking on the security system here—"

Her eyes widened, then she looked away.

"No. I mean, I didn't know that Duo and Trowa helped out. Quatre and I have gone to lunch a few times, and yes, a few dinners, but I didn't know that he helped, either. I mean...I don't know where any of them are, now."

"You could. But I see that you don't want to."

"It'd be too tempting to ask them if they want to work here. And too tempting for someone to act upon all of you at once."

"And Heero?"

She raised a too-casual eyebrow.

"What about Heero?"

He glared at her.

"Come on, Relena. You haven't locked yourself up in here just to work. What's your plan to lure him here?"

Her eyes slitted.

"There is no plan to lure him here. If he wants to visit, good, fine, I don't have a problem with that. But it would be just that, a visit."

He shrugged and leaned back again.

"Okay. But you do know that he's been here already—"

"What?!"

Her face went pale.

"He was here?"

He scowled.

"During the opening ceremony party. I didn't follow him, so I don't know what he did."

Her jaw dropped. Her mouth worked.

"He...was...here..."

Oh, why didn't anyone tell me?

Wufei shrugged and unknowingly answered her question.

"He was wearing a waiter's costume. I guess that no one thought anything of it."

"I...guess not."

He looked at his cup.

"Don't worry, Relena. When he comes back, it'll be for good."

She winced.

That would be good if that were true.

He grinned.

"Trust me. He will come back. Don't hold your breath waiting for him, but take my word for it, one day you'll open your eyes and he'll be right there. To stay."

She blinked rapidly.

No! My stupid heart, don't give in to these words!

But it was too late.

"Wufei..."

He put the cup down on the table and stood up.

"I better get ready for my shift."

She looked down, then back up at him.

"Yes. Yes, of course."

In an uncharacteristic gesture, he moved to curl a finger under her chin and lift it.

"You're his life. You're his home. You're his."

Before she could think of anything to say to that he was leaving the kitchen.

"And neither of you is really any good without the other, much as both of you would like to think otherwise."

"Wufei..."

Her strength left her. She sank down in her chair.

"Wufei...I'd like to believe you but..."

She placed her hands flat on the table and rested her chin on them.

Her eyelids fluttered.

"I knew that I'd fall asleep like this...I've been awake for too many hours...need more sleep...yes. But Wufei...what makes you think...that he'll come back...and to stay...crazy...he's...free...spirit...let.....fly....."

She fell asleep, and a few seconds later she smiled.

Heero...

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