I don't own Gundam Wing.
Relena yawned arms stretching overhead in the massive bed. Her hands clenching and twisting the goose down comforter as she rolled towards the empty expanse that lay beside her. The pillows closest to her still bore the indents of a human shape the warmth having dissipated months ago. Heero was long gone; he wasn't one to stick around even after throws of passion not that Relena minded now. For a while Relena simply brushed it away, making excuse after excuse. Now she couldn't help the swell of agitation whenever she woke, and he was not there, his form entangled with hers in the first rays of morning light. She craved that contact, longing to wake up being held and protected from what the day may bring.
A pitiful sight she believed herself to be, immersed with a longing that would never be fulfilled, as a sigh escaped her lips-a girl could dream. She scooted to the edge of the bed flinging her legs out in a most undignified manner that if she were not alone her mother would surely scold her for and left the comforter bunching at the center of the bed and stood, her toes tangling into the soft fibers of her carpet. Padding past her nightstand she grasped for the modest pink and white robe that had been tossed haphazardly over her lampshade, wrapping it tightly about her. Passing by her windows, Relena pulled the curtain back as she made her way towards the bathroom to freshen up.
The first rays of mornings light spilled into the room negating the need to turn on the bathroom light. Splashing water on her face, Relena watched as she rubs her favorite lemon-scented facewash in watching the gel foam before leaning down splashing water crossed her face once more leaving the light scent behind. A light knock drew her from her regimen, turning off the water, dabbing her face with the warm cloth.
"Miss Darlin?" A hushed voice came. Penelope, Relena smiles as she moves towards her closet pausing at the door to open it admitting her personal assistant. Penelope, her grim face framed by a head of silver pulled back into a ridged bun, grazes the room her eyes taking in the mused bed with a quirk of her nose. "Your guests have arrived."
"I will be there in a minute Penelope. Let me get dressed." Relena tiptoed to her mirror alternating between a long sundress and a simple blouse.
"It's very urgent Relena. Lady Une is waiting in the foyer." Relena frowned; it was unusual for her to get any visits from Lady Une, especially at home. Preventer business rarely affected her, except for that one time at her seventeenth birthday. Relena nodded and grabbed a pair of pants, opting for the breezy shirt and hurriedly put them on. Penelope smiled at her handing the Vice Foreign Minister a pair of heels, pulling Relena's hair free of the headband leaving the messy bun from the night before. Relena smiled at her in thanks and bowed out of the room, Penelope stepping steadily after her. At the top of the stairs Relena slowed to the stop, she wasn't one to keep guest waiting, especially Lady Une. Composed she descended, head high with the air of importance a Vice Foreign Minister of her accomplishments should.
Lady Une, looking at the paintings and statues that filled the foyer of the Darlin Mansion, leaned close to examine the intricate details of a watercolor. Her hands rested behind her back, folded into each other Lady Une moved, each step her heels clicked on the marble floor. "You can look around, nothing is going to jump out and bite you." Lady smiled glancing behind her at her young partner in his uniform, both sporting the same colors announcing their profession-Preventers. Lady Une stood tall then, he hadn't moved since they entered the house preferring to stand beside the door. The sound of footfalls above redirected Une's attention to the staircase, Penelope smiling as she stepped down. Motioning to the right, where a hall stretched one side filled with windows the other decorated with portraits.
"Miss Darlin is waiting in the breakfast room. Please follow me." Lady Une didn't miss the wandering look at her partner, Penelope's appreciation for a uniform left a smile on the assistants' face. Hues of hazel met, and Penelope motioned them to follow her.
It was easy to find the breakfast room as Relena's preferred room, from the extravagant number of windows it was an airy and bright circular room, aromatic flowers and blooming roses lining the walls. In the center was a modest white table with white chairs that were accented with yellow padding. In the center of the table sat a large bouquet of yellow and orange lilies. Penelope smiled motioning for the two Preventers to sit at the table before walking out. It wasn't long before Relena entered a plate filled with pastries in her hand; Penelope closes behind with a few plates that had silverware and cloth napkins resting on them.
Moving the flowers out of the way, Relena placed the pastry plate in the center of the table offering the opposing chairs for them to sit in with a wave of her hand. Penelope placed the plates on the table, stepping out momentarily to return with a carafe and cups. "Lady Une what honors do I owe that you're visiting me so early in the morning?" Relena sat crossed from her, placing a piece of Blueberry breakfast cake on her plate. Lady Une glanced at Penelope then looked at Relena.
"Can we speak in private? This is a rather important subject and really can't afford to have more than us three knowing." Penelope frowned but walked out as Relena nodded to her. She slowly closed the French doors behind her. Once the door clicked shut Lady Une turned back to the young minister.
"We have reason to believe that someone is targeting you." Relena stared at her, placing her fork back on her plate. "Now, it's nothing to be alarmed about, but we at the Preventers were contacted by the President of the ESUN after they intercepted many letters addressed to you that had been laced. We are fully investigating these letters; however, we would feel better if you have a security detail with you always. In case this escalates to more than just letters." Relena frowned: laced letters, hostage, kidnap it was just the top of her political target bucket list. A small smile of thanks appeared as she cut into the cake.
"Their efforts are valued, please extend my thanks to them," glancing to the young man who seemed quite interested in the strawberry Danish he had decided to eat, Relena took a moment to look over him strawberry had been Heero's favorite. Eyeing him quickly Relena felt an odd tug, he felt familiar. "And who will be this security detail? Heero?" Lady Une shook her head.
"No, we need someone that can blend in effortlessly with your existing staff, long-term. I know of one person first hand." Lady Une motioned to the young man, "This is Trowa Barton. I believe you both met a long time ago."
Trowa looked to Relena, thoughtful, "I don't believe we have formally met." Relena gave him a small smile, recalling a glimpse of the Preventer on Peacemillion five years prior.
"Trowa is one of our best covert operatives; no one will suspect he is your security guard. You are the only one to know that he will be here."
"What about Penelope? She's my assistant, she will notice him. I know for a fact she will."
Lady Une dropped five cubes of sugar into a mug of white coffee, stirring gently. "If it comes down to Miss. Penelope questioning Preventer Barton's presence; and this should only happen in the strictest precaution, then please inform her. If there is no need, then keep his assignment secret."
Relena watched the spoon as Lady Une laid it beside the mug, eyes darting up to Lady Une's face. "Will Heero be working on this at all?" Relena leaned forward, if Trowa, one of the pilots would be working with her, she could hope then, that Heero would be right at their side. With her every night. Relena's breath caught and she blushed slightly. Lady Une shook her head.
"We haven't heard anything from Yuy for nearly a year. The other pilots check in with us periodically for assignments."
"I understand." Relena folding her hands in her lap, disappointed. She kept in constant contact with Quatre; it was part of their job as representatives. Duo visited often, Hilde in tow when times permitted. Even Wufei would call for routine checkups, but Heero had gone off the record which wasn't abnormal but, even Trowa in his uniform kept constant contact even if it was with Preventer HQ.
"Miss Relena, I have full confidence in Trowa and feel he is most capable of dealing with anything that may or may not come to harm you. Personal experience aside." Lady Une stood and Trowa followed suit. "Mr. Barton will be joining you later this afternoon. Seeing as many of your staff other than Miss Penelope are not yet here, we best be leaving." Relena stood escorting the Preventers to the door bidding each a farewell. Lady Une smiled at Relena, thanking her for the cup of coffee. With a turn, Lady Une stepped towards the awaiting car waiting beside the door for her partner.
Trowa held his hand out to her, Relena sliding hers into a firm grasp. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Darlin."
"You as well Trowa. I will see you this afternoon." Trowa nodded dropping his hand to his side, his right tucked into his pants pocket. Turning he jogged down the steps to Lady Une, opening the door for her. Lady smiled, Relena reading the thank you that fell from her lips as she scooted into the passenger seat, even in pants Une kept a baring of regality and that ladylike discipline of a well-bred aristocrat. Trowa jogged around the front ducked into the driver's side of the car.
From the stoop, Relena watched the car roll down the drive, heart twisting. For the first time in months she had visitors, official business aside, they were visitors. Watching until the car disappeared, she wished for Heero to be there, nothing would have been better than him being there to greet his old friend and ensure them he could handle things. The echoing of the large oak door closing filled the empty house, and idly Relena wondered if that's what it sounded inside her-empty, alone and cast aside.
So I felt this chapter needed to be rewritten. I hope its better.