"Everybody out!" Heero shouted over the intercom of Wing Zero as explosions rang through the complex.

"That means you too, Heero!" Duo shouted, looking over his back at Heero. Another explosion rang out, and Wing Zero was thrown sideways, smashing through a twisted concrete and metal barrier wall. All the other pilots turned and looked back in horror as they heard Heero scream in pain.

"Heero!" Quatre shouted, running back toward the wreckage in Sandrock. He stopped in mid step as Trowa's voice whispered over the com system.

"We must obey his orders, Quatre. If he is to make it out of this alive, it must be on his own. There is no sense of dying in vain." Trowa whispered quietly, watching the burning wreckage all the while, praying that Heero had made it, that he would emerge successful.

Heero screamed in pain as Wing Zero was blown sideways, metal shards flying across his face as the Gundam collapsed on the ground. Blood trickled down his face, and a steel sheet was imbedded in his side, blood seeping down its gleaming surface. Heero gritted his teeth, opening his eyes to survey the damage.

Pain rippled through his eyes as he tried to open them. He grunted again, and felt for the Gundams controls. He would have to fly blind, but that was no trouble to him. He knew his Gundam by heart. He strained his arms, feeling blood drip down, and forced Wing Zero into movement. He heard the others cheer over the com as he emerged from the fiery blaze.

"Heero! You're all right!" Quatre shouted, his face paling as he saw Heero.

Blood was dripping down his body, glass and metal protruding from his face. His eyes still closed, pinned shut by debris. Quatre sobbed as he say the Gundams side sheet, burrowed into Heero's side.

"Hold on Heero, the cavalries coming!" Duo shouted, dropping out of his Gundam, running toward Wing Zero.

"That's okay, I'm fine Duo, really....." Heero sighed, slumping over in his seat, the restraints keeping him from falling as Duo pried open the hatch.

"Quatre, Trowa, WuFei? You there?" Duo demanded, his hands running over the control panel feverishly. "We have to get him to a hospital!" Duo whispered, looking over at his friend.

"Roger that, Duo. There's a hospital about a mile from here. But what about the Gundams....?" Quatre asked, preparing to take off into flight.

"Screw the Gundams! Heero's going to die unless we get him help!" Duo shouted, closing the hatch on Wing Zero and taking off into flight, heading toward the town.

"What the hell does he think he's doing!?" WuFei demanded, following Duo into flight. Trowa grunted, and followed wobbly. Heavy Arms wasn't designed for flight.

"Saving Heero." Quatre whispered, following his friends.

"What the hell!?" the doctor demanded as Duo burst into the ER, caring Heero's limp body in his arms.

"Help him!" Duo snarled, setting Heero down on a gurney. The doctor gave Duo a second glance, and nodded, shouting at others in the room. Heero was quickly wheeled into surgery, leaving Duo standing in the ER, his black clothes stained maroon. The other pilots came rushing into the room shortly after, their chests heaving for breath.

"Where's.... where's Heero?" Quatre demanded, trying to catch his breath.

"They took him into surgery. I don't know when he'll be out." Duo sighed, sitting down nervously in one of the many blue plastic upholstered chairs in the room. Quatre followed suit, but Trowa and WuFei remained standing.

"Were you the one who brought the young man in?" A doctor asked several hours later, emerging from surgery. Duo stood up, nodding.

"Is he going to be all right?" Duo asked nervously, looking at the others for support.

"He was in pretty bad shape. I don't think I even want to know how he got that way. But yes, he's going to live. He's going to be completely blind though, and left with a limp on his right side. But he's going to live." the doctor smiled, and Duo let out a long breath of air, what the doctor had said hitting home.

"Blind? Limp? How is Heero ever going to be able to take that?" Duo asked, looking at the other Pilots. Trowa had sat down suddenly, and WuFei looked like his legs were about to give out beneath him.

"Poor Heero." Quatre sobbed, burying his face into Trowa's arm. Trowa rubbed his back soothingly. Duo felt tears trickle down his cheeks.

"When can we see him?" WuFei asked, his voice breaking. The doctor sighed, looking at his watch.

"He should wake up soon. About now, actually. I think it would be better if you break the news to him, not me. Bad news always comes best from friends." the doctor said, leaving the room. Duo sighed, and walked toward the room he had seen them wheel Heero into. He turned and looked at the other pilots.

"Anyone coming?"

Heero stirred, pain shooting through his side. His eyes shot open, but no sight came to greet his eyes. Only darkness, complete darkness. He felt someone squeeze his hand, and he turned to see who it was. But only a void met his eyes.

"Heero?" Heero heard Duo's voice.

"Duo, where's the light? Where am I?" Heero whispered, his throat raw. He began to cough, but stopped instantly as pain shot through his right side.

"Heero, you were in Wing Zero, remember? You were injured......" Duo sobbed before he could finish the sentence.

"You're blind, Heero. And you will have a limp in your right leg." WuFei snapped, answering Heero's question. Heero blinked, trying to see again, finding WuFei's answer true.

"I'm so sorry Heero...." Quatre sobbed. Heero closed his eyes, and sighed.

"I'd like to sleep now, please." Heero whispered. He heard a few muffled yes', and a door closing. He sighed again, thinking.

'I'm blind, and crippled. No matter what happens, I can no longer fight. I am no longer any use as a soldier. But I am defined as a soldier, I was a soldier, I am a soldier. If I am not capable of being a soldier, I am not capable of being. This is the end of the line for me. The last battle.' Heero thought, seeking deep into his mind, into the very place where he could sense a heart beat throbbing, and every breath pulsing.

'I am of no use to anyone alive, I would be of better use dead. The others would be able to stand for Peace without troubling themselves about me.'

"Good bye....." Heero whispered briefly. He heard a door open faintly, and someone take his hand gently.

"Heero?" it was Relena. Heero paused, his eyes fluttering open. "Oh Heero!" Relena sobbed, her head resting on his chest.

"Re.... Relena?" Heero asked cautiously. He heard Relena sob a yes, her head buried in the folds of his hospital nightgown.

"Heero! Quatre called me, told me to come! Heero, oh my poor Heero!" Relena sobbed. Heero clutched her hand tightly, shushing her gently.

"It's okay. Everything's going to be just fine. Just fine." Heero whispered to his wife, his hand reaching out to find her face. He felt the wet tears, and tried brushing them away clumsily.

"I guess you have an excuse to come home now, and be a Father." Relena sighed, hugging Heero close. Heero gasped, more in surprise than pain.

"Father?" He asked, his head reeling.

"I was going to tell you, but I couldn't find the right time. I guess now is as good as ever." Relena whispered. Heero could tell from her voice that she was smiling.

"He really needs to get his rest now." A nurse said, opening the door. Relena nodded, kissing Heero on the forehead lightly.

"Aishiteru Relena. Aishiteru." Heero whispered as Relena removed her hand from his.

"Of course Heero, I love you too." Relena whispered back, closing the door behind her.

'Forgive me for what I must do, but I would only be a hindrance to you, and our child, alive.' Heero thought, going back to that dangerous place in the back of his mind. He sighed gently as he stopped the throbbing heart beat, his own heart flat lining, ushering him through the Gates of Death.......................

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