Damn Love

Chapter One

She was standing, slender fingers folded together. A slight smile was evident on her face. And though it was plastered there, it was still beautiful. There was no denying her attractiveness – as simple as it was.

I felt weight upon my shoulder, the light touch of a hand. I knew before looking up that it was Maxwell's. Turning in the plush pink chair, I noticed that he was also enwrapped in other thoughts. We were two men, staring at nothing that was something.

I tried not to notice him, but he patted my shoulder in some sort of false comfort. I knew he had his eye on what was mine. Though I could not bear the thought, I suppressed the want to kill him on the spot – there was always time for that sort of thing later.

Besides, tonight was her night – not mine. Stealing the show by killing the smart-ass American would not, by any chance, increase her liking of me – though I seriously doubted her affection could reach a higher level. She loved me – I knew. I wasn't as clueless as some might have thought me. I only acted under the pretense so their pressures would not hinder me. Maxwell knew better, though. He always seemed to know everything I didn't want him to.

"The council would just like to thank the Vice Foreign Minister for attending. We are honored at your presence, Ms. Darlain." Said the man standing at the podium. The Parents for Peace organization had been working for weeks on the bash – and it was over. I'd had to deal with an over-stressed, under-nourished Relena for nearly a month. At least I had the comfort of knowing that it was finally done with.

There was immense clapping, and Relena bowed her head slightly. Humble as usual towards the people's great love for her. If she had wanted, she could have been Prime Minister, but she had refused the job – saying peace and the cultivating her father's work was her true calling.

It was no matter to me – I couldn't care more whether she was a politician or a plumber. She was Relena and that was what mattered. Not that I told her so. On the contrary, I would sneer at her insane aspirations of peace and love. Some people said that I always covered up my emotions, but I didn't. I just saved them for later. Not unlike my growing urge to decapitate Duo.

The people stopped their applause and Relena retired to her seat at the head table. Satisfied at myself for helping mold the majestic leader, I looked towards my own associates. The infernal American was standing behind me, but Quatre, Trowa and Wufei were sitting in their seats. Quatre was smiling happily, and the other two were doing their best to look content. We had all been invited to the party with the Vice Foreign Minister, though no doubt we weren't exactly received warmly. Our invitation was probably the result of Relena's insistence.

"Hey, what's with the frown, princess?"

Came a voice only recognizable as Duo's. I noticed the blonde making her way next to us, walking at a slow, elegant pace. However, the baka was right – she was upset. That did not excuse his impertinent name for the Vice Foreign Minister. Him and his idiotic names for people – obviously he hadn't read the papers in a while – Relena wasn't a princess.

"Oh, it's nothing, Duo. I'm just a little tired from all the night's excitement. I think I'll withdraw in an hour or so." She said, fixing her jaw to stifle a yawn. I noticed these things that no one else did – how she was feeling, her thoughts, moods, and details. It was strange how much I observed her and yet never understood her.

"But the night's still young! Come one, ya gotta let me have a dance!" he said exuberantly, nearly knocking her over in his enthusiasm. I could tell she would have much rather just sit, but she agreed anyway.

You would think that at a formal political engagement, that the boy would have a little more sense than usual – but he didn't. That was apparent from his inane bopping about the place. I thought I saw Ms. Relena wince a few times before she coaxed Duo into a more civilized dance. On the other hand, it was his natural charm and charisma that made her laugh. I never had any of that, in fact, I doubted if the word giggle had been in my vocabulary. You really couldn't help but hate that guy.

"Heero?" asked someone. The voice was familiar enough to pull me back to reality. Sometimes I wish there wasn't such a thing, and then I could be at peace in my own mind. But the chances of such a thing were less than slim to none. And chance is rarely, if never on my side.

I rotated my head slowly, dreading whatever had made me turn away from the beautiful sight. A golden-haired boy was looking at me expectantly; no doubt I had missed something directed at me.

"Sorry." I muttered, even though I did not remember my brain issuing the command to say so.

Quatre looked at me, half surprised – half enthusiastic at my comment. He shook his comrade's arm, and his great aquamarine eyes widened. It was a lot like watching a little child being told he could have ice cream for breakfast.

"Did you hear him, Trowa?" he asked the brunette excitedly. It was as if I were some sort of mute and had just spoken my first words. God, I can't stand that kind of thing. It's not that I don't talk – or that I'm a Neanderthal who only grunts. You just have to listen closely – you'll see that I can be somewhat talkative, only when I'm in the mood, though.

Now Trowa – he's the silent one. It was still strange to me how the most talkative of the group could fall for the most quiet. Not that he had made his feeling known or anything. But I'm a wall – people tell me everything because they know I won't say a word to anyone else. Yeah, me – Mr. Perfect Companion.

Trowa seemed in his usual unabashed stated, and so the matter was, thankfully, pushed no further. However, a certain Chinese male seemed to find my scowl somewhat amusing. Did I mention that they were serving champagne? Or the fact that Wufei has a low tolerance for alcohol? I guess I should have.

Now, when Mr. Chang has a an excessive amount f liquor, which he was coming close to, he tends to get a little on the tipsy side. He doesn't get aggressive or quiet – he gets stupid. I often wondered what it would be like if I ever got drunk – only I'm not mentally challenged enough to do something that stupid for the sake of an experiment.

Anyway, he was looking at me in a way that I wasn't too comfortable with. I like my personal space – Maxwell once made me sign saying "Do Not Look At Me – I Am Volatile." Wufei, as I learned, was not let in on the joke – or he would have stopped staring at me the second I let a growl escape my lips.

When I was about to exterminate those appalling dark eyes that were staring at me – I noticed the music slow to a stop. The dance had ended. But not for long, as I was about to see.

Slender fingers wrapped around my arm and I was about to whip out the small handgun from inside my jacket, but I recognized a twinkling laugh in my ear. I watched her – trying to look as horrified as possible when she pulled me onto the dance floor.

I have two right feet. Feet that were meant for traipsing and infiltrating military bases – not for waltzing. On the other hand, I have been trained in several intricate dance steps including tango, meringue, salsa, waltz, fox trot, swing, and several different promenades. Not to mention the Charleston Reel – which I pride myself on.

I still hate it, though. Dancing, I mean. The few times I've danced with Relena, I have remained silent and rigid, and I didn't dare talk to her for a week afterwards. She knew I detested this, so why was she making me?

Some might say that the best way to solve the situation was to walk away – but I could never embarrass her in that way. I just couldn't. Damn love.

Story dedicated to my dear friend Katie, whose sisterly love has never been damned.

Author's Note- *sigh* I have finally finished the first chapter! Pretty uneventful, but things heat up in the next chapter, so stay with me. I thought it appropriate to post on Valentine's weekend seeing as there is quite a bit of romance in this fic. Hope you like and will join me next time for the second chapter!

Standard disclaimers apply to all chapters of this story.

How is it? Something I should change? A suggestion perhaps? Then please send a review and let me know!