|Prologue|

It's just one last mission.

The words drummed through her mind with each foot pounding against the pavement; her chest began to burn and legs were starting to ache. Her heart was bursting at the seams after helping him pack his bags, and quietly doing what any kind housewife would if her husband was going on a work trip. An eerie quietness had shivered through her heart that day, but she knew he would go even if she got on her knees and begged him not to. Noticing under the watchful gaze of his Persian blue eyes, she managed a smile as he strode across the room to wrap her in a warm embrace.

Promise you'll come back.

Her request didn't seem too much to ask; it felt sacred like the vows they spoke during their wedding just three years ago. Touching his platinum band, she knew the words 'present future always' were engraved. A warm kiss pressed against her forehead as she would always vividly remember the day he left. The warm chuckle fill the air as he tilted her chin up to gaze into her own vibrant emeralds purged with tears that dared not fall. Pressing a passionate kiss on her mouth, the worry seemed to fade as she let her worry morph into her own passionate response before hugging him with all her heart.

I promise I'll come back.

The words eased her sputtering fears, but as the weeks rolled by that once stopped fear began to build with a crush momentum. The weeks turned into months, until at last at the end of three months a call woke her from her sleep requesting she come to the hospital three blocks from their apartment. Pulling on a tank top and her yoga pants folded on the dresser for the morning, she bolted from the house after slipping on her tennis shoes. Spacing about the car, she just ran. Taking the back alleys, she climbed fences and jumped over brick walls.

I love you Heero.

He had smiled at her words; not just any smile, but a smile that knew she meant it. Giving her another warm, passionate kiss she felt him release her to finish his packing. Wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing against his back, she heard his heart beat and felt his strong muscles move fluidly as he closed the bag and zipped it up. Regrettably she released her hold and followed him through the apartment, grabbing his jacket and briefcase. Buttoning his jacket slowly, she didn't dare look up until she was ready to give him that one last kiss. His mouth and hands spoke he didn't want to leave, but his mind knew he needed to. Releasing him, she watched him smile before shutting the door behind him.

I love you Makoto, it's time.

The words pounded through her as she dashed through the hospital parking lot toward the emergency unit, seeing an ambulance unload a patient. Was it him? Moving instead, her chest heaved as she caught her breath and spotted someone she knew waiting near the front approaching her. Quatre Winner, the contractor and dear friend of her husband. She knew little about him but found him kind at all the parties and invitations to his mansion. Seeing his blonde brow creased, she knew it had to be worse than she could have imagined.

"Makoto, right this way," he spoke calmly, leading her toward the emergency room and flashing an ID card to admit them into a private unit. Nurses and doctors seemed to be in a rush, following a stretcher and Makoto watched, almost feeling faint. Entering into a room, Makoto gazed at the bed where she saw a wounded and bruised WuFei Chang hooked up to an IV, blood pressure and heart monitor pulsing green lines. Concern pushed through her as she managed to reach the seat next to his bed and gingerly touch his hand. The moment she touched, his grey eyes flashed opened and his face winced in pain.

"What happened?" asked Makoto quietly, turning to gaze to Quatre for an answer. Instead, a grip on her hand brought her to look at Wufei. His emotionless face was covered in pain, ebony hair let loose giving him a paled complexion, and grim presence.

"Heero…wanted me to say he loved you…and even if…if…he knew this was the result…he still would have…would have gone," Wufei managed out painfully. The bridge broke loose as Makoto gripped his hand, shaking and looking between him and Quatre.

"It's not true," managed Makoto, giving Wufei a sad smile. "He promised. He's just a bit behind."

Quatre wasn't sure how to console her, watching her head drop and auburn curls fall over her shoulders like a veil. Crouching beside her, Quatre touched her shoulder tenderly and felt how much she was shaking. This was going to be hard for not only her, but everyone who knew Heero Yuy.

"I'm sorry Makoto. Heero risked his life to save Wufei from the explosion," Quatre tried to explain, wondering if this was the best time. "He wanted it this way-"

"Heero never breaks a promise or fails a mission," Makoto burst out, wiping her tears with the back of her hand while she continued to hold Wufei's. "He promised…this was the last…he would come back…he promised."

Quatre pulled the crying woman into his arms, rubbing her back while trying the best he could to sooth her. It was heartbreaking for them all, losing the perfect soldier, one wounded and unsure if he could walk again, and a wife left behind remembering a promise had been broken.