'A Chance in Friendship' for dictator_duck
Title: A Chance in Friendship
Recipient: dictator_duck
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Summary: Several hours after Heero destroyed the remaining pieces of Libra, narrowly avoiding a collision with Earth, both Civilian and Military are regrouping on resource Satellite MO-2, before dispersing home. Hilde has been released from the infirmary and runs into someone she thought it unlikely she would ever see again.
Author's Notes: The story takes place almost directly after the events of the battle of Episode 49 but before the flash forward events of the same episode.
Author: frzn_mmnt
“You probably have one or two broken ribs plus several cuts and abrasions, including the one on your arm. We'd really like to keep you one more night to monitor for anything else that might come up.” The infirmary physician looked at her with concern in his deep blue eyes.
“I've been here nearly eighteen hours already and managed the Peacemillion evacuation with no complications. I think I’m fine and there isn’t anything more you can do for me that I can’t do at home.” Hilde Schbeiker scooted to the edge of the hospital bed, her face wrinkled slightly as a wave of pain shot through her right arm. It had been bound in a sling to keep it and the broken ribs immobile. “Please, just let me go.”
He closed the infirmary chart with a snap and nodded. “I can't keep you here if you insist on going, but know you're leaving against medical advice.”
“I completely understand and thank you for your kindness. I need to find some friends before they leave the Satellite.” She found her footing and stood up with ease. “It may be too late already.”
“The war ended today, Ms. Schbeiker. It's never too late.” He nodded his head slightly towards her. “I wish you well and hope you find what you are looking for. You are free to go.”
She watched him leave and then took stock of what she had, her I.D., some keys, a money card and a couple of small photographs, nothing too special. It wasn't much since she hadn't the time to take much with her when they were required to evacuate off Peacemillion. Hilde shoved it all deep into the pocket of the light blue scrub pants she was given when her own clothing had to be tossed from the damage she’d sustained in the Mobile Suit.
The halls of the Satellite complex were crowded when she left the infirmary. Military and civilian alike, men, women, and children scattered about, searching for family members, looking for transports to take them home, waiting for their next assignment. She caught snippets of conversations, listening for names or locations which might be familiar, and followed the flow of people, hoping it might be the direction she wanted to find. The posted signs made no sense, referencing the resource mining operation of the Satellite, rather than the Haven it had become for the stranded souls left over from the battle until they could find their way home.
Hilde looked to her left and her eye caught sight of something, or rather someone quite familiar. There was no mistaking the purple skirt, brown loafers, and the shine of her honey blonde hair. Careful to avoid being jostled due to her injury, she made her way over to the young woman and touched her arm. “Miss Relena?”
Relena Peacecraft turned and stared with blank eyes at first, then recognition softened her features. “Miss …”
“Hilde. Just call me Hilde, please.” Hilde interrupted.
“You’re alive. You made it off Libra with your information.”
Hilde smiled. She’d remembered. “I did. It’s good to see you, Miss Relena. I’ve been thinking about you since our encounter on Libra. I had hoped you made it to safety.”
“I’m not sure I was ever safe, but I’m here and we are both alive which is something to be thankful for.” Relena reached out and tentatively touched the sling holding Hilde’s right arm close to her body. “You’re hurt.”
“Surface injuries and a couple of broken ribs, but nothing serious. White Fang nearly shot my Mobile Suit down, but one of the Gundam pilots saved me. I don’t know how he managed to get to me in time, but he did. They don’t call them Gundams for nothing, I suppose.”
“Which one?” Relena’s question was honest.
“Which Pilot? Duo. Duo Maxwell.” Hilde sensed an underlying reason to Relena’s question. “Did you find the pilot you were looking for?”
“I did. He came to rescue me on Libra. I was with him for a short while but he returned to the battle and I have not seen him since.”
“Will you again?”
“I don’t know.” The answer was abrupt and final. “Where will you go now, Hilde?”
“I want to go home, but I need to find Duo first, to know he’s alright. I know he is alive, all the pilots are alive, but I need to see him for myself. I don’t know where to begin looking.” Hilde, deep down, hoped he too would be grateful to see her and know she was alive. She shuffled nervously from her right foot to her left. “I’m afraid I’m a little lost here.”
Relena pointed in the opposite direction Hilde had originally been going. “The mobile suit hangar is across the complex. I’m fairly certain you will find who you are looking for there.”
“Will you go with me?”
The question caught the other woman off guard and she considered it before she spoke. “I wish I could say yes, but I am needed elsewhere. I have a transport to catch back to the Sanc Kingdom very shortly. I feel I must spearhead this new peace from the place I know best. Home.”
With one sudden motion, Hilde reached out with her one good arm and embraced the young woman. Shocked only momentarily, she returned the friendly gesture. “Take care, Miss Relena. I believe you are destined to do wonderful things. With you at the helm, peace is the only road we can follow.”
“I hope we will see each other again, Hilde.” There was warmth in Relena’s eyes, a true friendship only beginning.
Hilde’s smile was bright and genuine. “We will, Miss Relena, and next time when we speak, it will under better circumstances and not shaded by battles and a war’s end.”
Relena nodded and disappeared into the crowd once again, leaving Hilde alone once again with her thoughts. Feeling better and more certain of her future, she turned to head in the correct direction towards friends, and with hope, her way home.
Recipient: dictator_duck
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Summary: Several hours after Heero destroyed the remaining pieces of Libra, narrowly avoiding a collision with Earth, both Civilian and Military are regrouping on resource Satellite MO-2, before dispersing home. Hilde has been released from the infirmary and runs into someone she thought it unlikely she would ever see again.
Author's Notes: The story takes place almost directly after the events of the battle of Episode 49 but before the flash forward events of the same episode.
Author: frzn_mmnt
“You probably have one or two broken ribs plus several cuts and abrasions, including the one on your arm. We'd really like to keep you one more night to monitor for anything else that might come up.” The infirmary physician looked at her with concern in his deep blue eyes.
“I've been here nearly eighteen hours already and managed the Peacemillion evacuation with no complications. I think I’m fine and there isn’t anything more you can do for me that I can’t do at home.” Hilde Schbeiker scooted to the edge of the hospital bed, her face wrinkled slightly as a wave of pain shot through her right arm. It had been bound in a sling to keep it and the broken ribs immobile. “Please, just let me go.”
He closed the infirmary chart with a snap and nodded. “I can't keep you here if you insist on going, but know you're leaving against medical advice.”
“I completely understand and thank you for your kindness. I need to find some friends before they leave the Satellite.” She found her footing and stood up with ease. “It may be too late already.”
“The war ended today, Ms. Schbeiker. It's never too late.” He nodded his head slightly towards her. “I wish you well and hope you find what you are looking for. You are free to go.”
She watched him leave and then took stock of what she had, her I.D., some keys, a money card and a couple of small photographs, nothing too special. It wasn't much since she hadn't the time to take much with her when they were required to evacuate off Peacemillion. Hilde shoved it all deep into the pocket of the light blue scrub pants she was given when her own clothing had to be tossed from the damage she’d sustained in the Mobile Suit.
The halls of the Satellite complex were crowded when she left the infirmary. Military and civilian alike, men, women, and children scattered about, searching for family members, looking for transports to take them home, waiting for their next assignment. She caught snippets of conversations, listening for names or locations which might be familiar, and followed the flow of people, hoping it might be the direction she wanted to find. The posted signs made no sense, referencing the resource mining operation of the Satellite, rather than the Haven it had become for the stranded souls left over from the battle until they could find their way home.
Hilde looked to her left and her eye caught sight of something, or rather someone quite familiar. There was no mistaking the purple skirt, brown loafers, and the shine of her honey blonde hair. Careful to avoid being jostled due to her injury, she made her way over to the young woman and touched her arm. “Miss Relena?”
Relena Peacecraft turned and stared with blank eyes at first, then recognition softened her features. “Miss …”
“Hilde. Just call me Hilde, please.” Hilde interrupted.
“You’re alive. You made it off Libra with your information.”
Hilde smiled. She’d remembered. “I did. It’s good to see you, Miss Relena. I’ve been thinking about you since our encounter on Libra. I had hoped you made it to safety.”
“I’m not sure I was ever safe, but I’m here and we are both alive which is something to be thankful for.” Relena reached out and tentatively touched the sling holding Hilde’s right arm close to her body. “You’re hurt.”
“Surface injuries and a couple of broken ribs, but nothing serious. White Fang nearly shot my Mobile Suit down, but one of the Gundam pilots saved me. I don’t know how he managed to get to me in time, but he did. They don’t call them Gundams for nothing, I suppose.”
“Which one?” Relena’s question was honest.
“Which Pilot? Duo. Duo Maxwell.” Hilde sensed an underlying reason to Relena’s question. “Did you find the pilot you were looking for?”
“I did. He came to rescue me on Libra. I was with him for a short while but he returned to the battle and I have not seen him since.”
“Will you again?”
“I don’t know.” The answer was abrupt and final. “Where will you go now, Hilde?”
“I want to go home, but I need to find Duo first, to know he’s alright. I know he is alive, all the pilots are alive, but I need to see him for myself. I don’t know where to begin looking.” Hilde, deep down, hoped he too would be grateful to see her and know she was alive. She shuffled nervously from her right foot to her left. “I’m afraid I’m a little lost here.”
Relena pointed in the opposite direction Hilde had originally been going. “The mobile suit hangar is across the complex. I’m fairly certain you will find who you are looking for there.”
“Will you go with me?”
The question caught the other woman off guard and she considered it before she spoke. “I wish I could say yes, but I am needed elsewhere. I have a transport to catch back to the Sanc Kingdom very shortly. I feel I must spearhead this new peace from the place I know best. Home.”
With one sudden motion, Hilde reached out with her one good arm and embraced the young woman. Shocked only momentarily, she returned the friendly gesture. “Take care, Miss Relena. I believe you are destined to do wonderful things. With you at the helm, peace is the only road we can follow.”
“I hope we will see each other again, Hilde.” There was warmth in Relena’s eyes, a true friendship only beginning.
Hilde’s smile was bright and genuine. “We will, Miss Relena, and next time when we speak, it will under better circumstances and not shaded by battles and a war’s end.”
Relena nodded and disappeared into the crowd once again, leaving Hilde alone once again with her thoughts. Feeling better and more certain of her future, she turned to head in the correct direction towards friends, and with hope, her way home.