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Here's yet another chapter ^^ A longer one. Please give me your comments! ~ Ashy

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The First To Fall

*~Chapter 4~*

It was roughly six in the morning when Zechs and Noin departed for the Preventer main HQ. They left quietly, without rousing the other occupants of the villa. The spitting of the shower and the noise of luggage being collected together didn't disturb those sleeping. The others were already were aware the two would be leaving early to fly out and arrive back at the time Une had requested.

Noin bid a quiet farewell to Sally, but her friend was too drowsy to respond, so she patted her bedclothes and made her way to the door, where her husband was waiting. Zechs was brooding, as usual, though occasionally raising his head to inhale the fresh morning air. It was fragrant with the scent of flowers which barely overrode the pungent smell of sea salt. The sea wasn't too far away, the sound of waves lapping could be caught clearly on the breeze. A few gulls squalled as they circled above.

"Ready, Noin?" Zechs said as she approached him.

"Yeah...what are we gonna do about the door key once we've locked the door?"

"Put it through the window. Look, there's a slight opening."

Noin tugged the door shut, locked it, and slid the key through the gap. "Guess we'd better get going. It's going to be a fair walk to our aircraft. And we can't use the rented truck - the guys and Sally will need it."

"Walking never did anyone any harm," Zechs reminded her with a gruff chuckle before the two began their reluctant trek.

***

"Quatre, how long does it take to pour a bowl of cornflakes?" Duo exclaimed, as the blonde shook the packet with such meticulous care. Duo forked a hand through his unbraided tangle of hair, releasing his exasperation into the mug of coffee he was drinking. His sigh made the liquid quiver as his breath touched it.

"Here, I just didn't want to get any on the table," Quatre replied, handing over the packet of cornflakes to his American companion. Duo took it and greedily tilted the box, spilling a cascade of cornflakes into his breakfast bowl and everywhere else within a meter radius.

"Nineteen years of age and Mr Maxwell here still hasn't mastered the art of pouring breakfast," Trowa remarked with a slight smile.

"Sounds like something Wu would say," Duo replied, scooping up the mess from the table and floor with his bare hands. "That reminds me, who's gonna visit him today? We can't all go trooping in can we?"

"Don't you want to visit Wu, Sally?" Quatre questioned, studying the woman whose elbows rested on this table and couple of inches from her coffee mug.

"I guess..." Sally replied. "I'll walk there when I'm dressed. I hope he's awakes. I wanted to talk to him."

"What about?" Heero demanded, suddenly realising how dangerous he sounded.

Sally took a long swig from her coffee casually before replying. "I've just got things on my mind which I feel the need to tell Wufei. I'm sure you have such things too, Heero."

The other three present exchanged baffled glances, then resumed their task of eating.

"If you both want to visit Wufei, it's no problem," Trowa spoke up, ripping a piece of toast with his teeth, then chewing ponderingly.

He studied both Sally and Heero's faces and postures, trying in vain to figure out what was causing such a curious awkwardness between them. As far as he knew, the two had always trusted each other and always behaved favourably towards one another. Trowa wondered whether Heero resented the fact Sally had been the one who caused the accident, or the fact Wufei seemed so attached to her. Maybe it irritated him that Sally seemed to direct her friendly attentions more to Wufei than to Heero, when it used to be more equal. It could be a number of reasons.

"I'll accompany Sally, then," Heero said after a pause, realising the silence was a cause for query.

"We've got a truck hired from the local garage," Trowa continued. "I'll give you both a lift, it's too far to walk. I have to stock up on supplies from the market anyway."

`The garage - same place I hired that jeep...' Sally thought to herself. `I wonder what they did with the hunk of junk...'

"Tro - can you get us some chocolate and cookies from the market?" Duo inquired, a boyish grin on his face, knowing Noin had only bought the bare minimum on her visit. "And none of that yucky fruit. Only junk will do."

"And some more cereals," Quatre added, kicking at a stray cornflake with his slipper-clad toe.

The auburn haired youth nodded, seeing the conversation had averted itself successfully. Heero was chewing his toast methodically, no longer brooding, and Sally was flicking through an old newspaper which had been discarded in the villa. Things seemed to be taking a turn for the better, how long that would last was yet to be discovered.

***

Wufei blinked and groaned, feeling a dull ache in his shoulder and a slight throb in his head. His senses were a little numbed, though he could smell the distinct scent of antiseptic chemicals. He came to the conclusion fairly quickly that he was in a hospital. He had an acrid taste in his mouth and he felt so parched. He was thirsty, so very thirsty.

"Water...." he groaned.

"Hm?" a woman's voice sounded. "Oh...Wu...you're awake!" She smiled faintly. "I guess you meant the other kind of water...."

It was Sally Po. He could tell straight away by the sound of her voice, even if his vision was hazy. She had been sitting on a chair beside his bed her face looked slightly blotched.

A stocky nurse who was passing the opened door stopped when Sally indicated she was needed. "Can you please get this patient a drink of water?" she asked. "He's just woken up."

"Certainly," the nurse replied, before scuttling away.

Wufei looked back at Sally.

"Where....where...am I?" he asked hoarsely.

"In hospital, Wufei."

"I know that, Woman. But why...?"

No sooner had the words escaped his lips, he remembered why. It was still a little fuzzy - the minor details - yet he could vividly recall his argument with Sally, then walking away, turning...an impact. That was all. He rubbed his head with the heel of his free hand.

"I hit you," Sally explained soberly, not leaving her seat. "With that hired jeep we were in. There must have been a problem with it...it spiralled out of control as I was trying to reverse. I was coming back for you, Wufei. I promise. I wouldn't have left you...it was an accident..."

He nodded mutely, his jet eyes scanning her face inquisitively. "I know," he uttered softly. "I know despite everything, you'd never do that. Accidents such as those can be expected from women drivers."

Sally wished that was the only issue she had to reconcile with him for. Just for being a bad driver. She could live with it if he thought she was just a `silly woman who couldn't handle a jeep'.

Though she knew that wasn't the case. His odd sexists quips never really affected her. She knew distinctly that he held her in a position of high respect, that he thought a lot about her. Why? Why couldn't he just hate her? It would make things so much easier. But she had his respect, his trust...and she'd thrown it away, even if Wufei didn't know it. Slightly alarmed, she felt her eyes swelling and a lump force it's way up her throat. She swallowed it down hard. He noticed though, Chang Wufei never missed a trick.

"What's wrong, Sally?" he demanded, in his usual confrontational manner, but with a twinge of tenderness hovering in his words.

"I...I want to talk to you."

She didn't. She didn't want to talk to him at all. Not about what she knew she should. Sally figured she could get around the problem without actually lying or giving him any reason to question her integrity. Not that she had any, she mentally reprimanded herself.

"What is it Sally?" Wufei asked again, running his tongue over his bottom lip, which was dry from lack of liquids. The stocky nurse appeared at that moment, and seeing the patient had company, handed Sally the cup of water and left them in peace for a while.

"Here, Wufei," she whispered, rising from her seat and leaning close to him so she could put the cup to his lips.

"I don't need any help, Woman," he replied in mild protest.

"But you have a broken shoulder and a sprained wrist," Sally answered, keeping her cool. She was well used to Wufei's behaviour.

"I am aware I've broken something but I DO have a free hand," he answered defiantly, presenting his uninjured hand as if she was unaware it existed. "I don't need to be treated like an infant."

"Fine." Sally passed him the drink and he sipped from it unsteadily, trickling a few droplets down the front of his cotton hospital robe. Sally noticed but made no reference to the spillage.

There was a strained silence for a few moments, then Wufei spoke up; "What was it you needed to tell me?"

He watched her carefully again, taking note of every painful twitch her face might display.

"There's no easy way to say this," Sally answered gravely, moving swiftly back to the chair she had previously occupied. "But...I'm leaving the Preventers....I'm going back to live in China."

Sally daren't raise her eyes to behold his reaction. She hadn't quite expected Wufei to be so silent. When she finally assumed the courage to look him in the face, she saw he was simply drinking from the plastic cup. As he removed the cup from his lips, she watched him stare into it, as if somehow the last trace of water inside was going to prompt his answer.

"I see," he uttered quietly after a few tense seconds. He took in a sharp breath. "I'm sorry you feel that way. At Zechs and Noin's wedding...since then....that time in the jeep....Sally, I never intended to - "

She bit her lip and her brow creased with anxiety. "No, no Wufei. It's not because of you..."

He sighed, "You don't have to lie to me...I know I've been too heavy on you - it's just...well....I never spent time with women did I? I didn't know....how to act...I suppose I ought to have been more honourable."

Her face softened, and he could see real despair in the depths of her limpid eyes. "I know I was hard on you, but....you're not the reason I have to go. I don't want you to blame yourself, Wufei. I know you're just confused."

Was he confused? Wufei didn't particularly like to be told what he felt, as if he was some child incapable of recognising his emotions. But if he wasn't the reason Sally felt the compelling need to escape, what was?

"What are you running from, Woman?" he demanded, his tone firm yet gentle.

"I...I just need to go, okay?" Sally replied, hanging her head and closing her eyes to block the tears threatening to emerge. "That's all there is to it."

"And you think you can just running away to China will solve whatever the problem is?"

"I'll get a job out there fine. I'll be....okay...by myself..."

Wufei watched the woman's body tremble with pent-up suffering. He could not understand how she could make such a rash decision - Sally was always so rational and dependable.

"Sally, if it makes you so sad to leave, then why? Why do something against what your heart desires?" he asked.

"I can't explain it to you...I was hoping you'd just....tell me I was weak for going and leave it at that."

"Woman, if I have caused this unhappiness, I demand you tell me!" Wufei commanded. "I never expected my actions would cause you to leave."

Sally's head sank down into her hands, "For the last time, Wufei, you're not the reason. Just accept something I say and trust me on this - you're not the reason for my dilemma. If anyone's to blame it's me."

Unable to keep her distance from him any longer, Sally rose from her chair a second time and perched herself on the side of the bed. She took a gentle hold of Wufei's hand and massaged it subtly with surprisingly chilly fingers. Sally always found herself coming over cold these days. She half-expected him to wrench his hand away angrily, resentful of her feeble words of consolation. Instead, he simply gazed intently at her face, as if trying to read into her problems.

But Sally knew he'd never guess the problem she withheld from him. The whole purpose of her resignation from the Preventers was so it would never enter his - or anyone else's knowledge. Though there was one person alone she knew would have suspicions as to why she was leaving. But she also knew he'd keep quiet. He had too much to lose.

" I admit we haven't always seen eye to eye," Wufei said quietly. "But I do respect you."

Sally shook her head miserably. She didn't want his respect and neither did she feel she deserved it. "That's...that's good to know, Wufei," she replied, almost choking on her words. Her eyes were smarting but she was determined not to cry.

"I suppose, Woman, you have to do what you feel best." His voice was so painfully sullen.

" I suppose I do."

"Sally," Wufei said after a pause, "I'm not in the business of prying into women's affairs but....if there's anything I can do to ease your situation, just say it."

"You can forgive me," she answered blankly.

"For the accident? I don't hold that against you, Woman."

Sally sucked in a long breath before answering. "You know what I want you to do for me? I want you to marry....have children.... and be human. I just want you to live," she said shakily. "Because you can't ever be with me. It wouldn't be right..."

His eyes, dark and intense, scanned her face, watching her jaw tremble. Inside, Wufei felt as if his world had fallen through. Why couldn't he be with her? It didn't matter to him if she was older, though he got the distinct impression that wasn't the reason. Ever since he'd kissed her at Zechs and Noin's wedding reception she'd appeared to want him and not to both at the same time. And every time he'd kissed her since, she'd berated him...more so in the jeep...as if she had had no part in it. As if what he was doing was wrong. Maybe she felt trapped, yet if that was so - why was she so heartbroken to forsake him now? It made no sense at all.

"Sally, don't keep the truth from me," he urged. "Tell me what's wrong. I can't promise to have the right answers, but...I owe you at least enough to listen."

She leaned closer to him, so close it made his heart flutter in his chest and he found himself becoming increasingly lost in those glistening blue eyes. They were decorated with a rim of unshed tears. She pressed a hand to his cheek, and moving forward, rested her own cheek against his. Wufei could feel it, damp against his skin. "I love you," she murmured. "That's what's wrong. I shouldn't."

The arm confined to it's sling began to ache annoyingly, and Wufei wished it wasn't injured so he could reach out and touch her. His other hand was still held by hers. As she was so near to him, he could smell the trace of soap on her skin. Things about her other people would never think to notice fascinated him - from the shape of her ears, the microscopic hairs on her neck, the way her chin dimpled when she was perplexed or upset.

He wasn't sure how he would manage if he couldn't appreciate these simple, trivial things anymore. Sally wasn't the kind of woman Wufei had expected to become so attracted to; she wasn't particularly feminine by her own admission. Neither did she possess any airs and graces so many women of his culture were expected to display. Despite all this, he found her so incredibly beautiful. It was weird. No-one had ever affected him like this before. It would crush him to lose her, not that he ever owned her in the first place.

"Hey," Sally whispered tenderly, her gentle fingers stroking through his ebony locks, "You know you'll always be my favourite pilot. I won't forget you. You won't forget me either, will you?"

"Never," he answered, so bitterly and quietly he feared she may not hear. But he needn't have worried. Sally heard him perfectly. Knowing this would be the last time she ever allowed herself to do this, she let her lips fall onto his, putting everything she could muster into that one kiss, as if somehow it would make him feel better when she broke away. It felt rotten to hurt the poor young man in this way - but by staying, she knew she'd hurt him more.

"Sally," Wufei spoke up. "Don't leave yet. I do not wish to say good bye to you forever from a hospital bed."

Sally realised with dawning relief that he didn't expect her to stay in contact once she'd reached China. "I'll wait a little while then. Until you're on your feet. But you won't change my mind."

"I won't try to."

Wufei's heart ached dreadfully, and maybe he might have permitted himself the liberty to shed a few tears himself, should Heero's figure not have appeared in the entrance of the room. Sally stiffened and stood to her feet. Heero appeared at least slightly heartened that his companion had awakened, yet his posture was rigid. Wufei wondered why his two visitors hadn't attended his bedside together, though the thought seemed meaningless and he quickly dismissed it.

"Heero's here now, Wufei. So I'll leave, shall I?" Sally seemed to eager to depart. With a swift and discreet caress of his hand, she left Wufei, manoeuvring around Heero as if he was surrounded by a force field. Heero tried to greet Wufei in as cheerful manner as he could muster, yet he found it difficult to look him in the eyes. How could he? How could things ever be the same?

***

Sally found herself passing time on the marble steps of the hospital entrance, surrounded by fresh air. Staring out before her, Sally wasn't sure what in her surroundings she was actually focusing on. It wasn't the thick grass of the turf, the vibrant carpet of flora, or even the powder blue of the morning sky.

Her thoughts were much too dark to allow any trace of contentment to break through. What could beautiful scenery do for her situation? Nothing. She didn't even have to ask herself the question, her spirit knew. Sally closed her eyes so nothing calm or serene could interrupt her inner torment. She knew it didn't do anyone any good to indulge their misery, but Sally wondered whether she deserved any different.

As soon as Wufei had fully recovered, she'd leave for China as she said she would. Sally had to keep her promise to her partner that she'd at least wait until he was out of hospital. `I suppose he thinks he's going to talk me out of it', she told herself. `But he won't. He can't...'

China. The place held many memories - some pleasant, yet many bleak. Her time with the rebels often slipped into her mind, which made her reflect on Wufei and caused her heart to grieve. Good. That was what she needed. A dose of grief.

Sally began to reflect back as she blocked the world out...though she didn't know which scene her mind was playing her...the past or the future. In her mind's eye, she saw a small, faceless child, growing up in China. She could hear the child's nagging questions clearly, and the mother's answers...so painfully truthful.

/"Those children at school, they say I look funny. Why don't I look like them, Mother?"

/"Because you're different."

/"You don't like me. Why did you have me, Mother?"

/"For your father. You're his only family."

/"Where is my father, Mother?"

/"He doesn't live here."

/"Did you love him, Mother?"

/"No."

/"Then why did you have me, Mother?"

/"Be quiet! Stop asking me questions. Go out to play."

/"Do you...do you love me, Mother?"

"How can I love you when you came from me...and I hate myself?"

The bewildering vision ended abruptly, and Sally suddenly felt herself begin to shake, out there in the calm, warm air. The violent tremors through her body continued until the spiteful tears pushed themselves out and coursed down her face, stinging and merciless. Was this really her past or events yet to come?

It was then that she felt a cool grip on her shoulder, and half-blinded by her tears, made out the shape of a person sitting stiffly down beside her on the step. As her vision cleared, she realised with slight resentment that it was Heero.

"I left. The doctor wanted to see Wufei. You okay?" he asked in a reserved manner.

What kind of a stupid question was that? Did she LOOK okay? Sally felt pathetic to be blubbering into her hands like an infant when the ever aloof Heero Yuy was sitting beside her. Though she supposed it didn't really matter so much - he'd seen her cry before. And she'd seen him crumble also...though maybe to a lesser degree - she didn't wish to recall it

Heero watched her tensely for a short while, unsure of what to say. The stern youth twiddled his fingers a little. What was there to say? Sorry? She'd heard that before and by now he was sure it's affect had dulled.

He wished for once she'd be the strong, dependable woman he'd always valued. Then maybe he wouldn't feel so bad...it felt terrible to see she her in ruins. The one person besides the obvious Relena Peacecraft who had constantly believed in him. Sally had been proud of his achievements....and he felt in a small, almost melancholy sort of way, that he and the other former pilots belonged to her. Heero had always known from the start that she treated Wufei somewhat differently, and he also knew just how much his Chinese friend really adored that woman. Heero felt his stomach contract and a small amount of vomit rose to his throat, which he swallowed back down with a grimace.

"Take your hand off my shoulder," Sally ordered, about as assertively as she could. Heero obeyed her and coughed nervously.

"Wufei...he doesn't want you to go," he told her, just for something to break the icy atmosphere.

"That doesn't surprise me," she answered grimly, smearing the moisture from her face with her sleeve. Heero noticed with a small shred of interest the smudges of her mascara against her pale cheeks.

"You don't have to leave, Sally," he said. "It doesn't have to come to this."

"Oh I think you'll find it does," she answered. "I never want Wufei or anyone else for that matter to find out what I did. But especially Wufei. He'd be gutted. Absolutely disgusted with me. All that respect and friendship...more....that I've earned will count for nothing."

"But I thought you were just going to keep quiet and let time fade it out," Heero responded. "No-one would guess if they tried."

"But what about integrity, Heero? What about that?" Sally argued, willing herself not to start weeping again. "Do you think you could carry a heartful of guilt for as long as you live? Maybe you can, but I can't. I always thought you were a decent boy..."

"I'm not a boy."

"Yeah," Sally replied with bitter realisation. "I should know that if anyone. And if I stay, everyone is going to find out anyway.... It would mean I'd have to..."

`Murder', she thought

"...do something more awful which I'm not going into. You see, Heero - one rotten deed leads to another...they're like lies - once you tell one, you have to tell more and more to cover it up. My situation is kind of like that. So I'm going to China."

The Japanese youth wasn't granted much time to mull over her words, as at that moment, Trowa appeared in the hospital

parking lot, which could be viewed from their seat. He'd obviously returned from the market with the supplies.

"Trowa's here," Heero informed the woman at his side, as if she couldn't already see for herself.

"I don't want you to tell him anything about what I've just said," Sally ordered under her breath, regaining her composure swiftly. "Just pretend we snuck out for some fresh air."

Already Heero was making his way down the gravel path to the parking lot, where Trowa was gazing expectantly from the truck window.

"What was that you told me about honesty, Sally?"

"It's like that thing I said about the lies. One to cover up another. It's true, isn't it?"

"Yeah. The truth is painful."

"And you can't alter it. Just like you can't alter the past."

But she could alter the future, Sally knew. And her choice meant pure and simply, a future without Wufei. It was going to kill her, but she knew it was the right thing to do. The only thing she could do. Or else it might kill him.

TBC...