[A.N.] Hello all! So sorry it's been a while since my last submission but I have been through a lot in the last few weeks; lots of emotional ups and downs. I made this one the longest chapter yet though to make up for my tardiness. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Please read and feel free to review! I love hearing from you. Your feedback fuels my passion and helps keep the creative gears turning in my twisted mind. Thanks for your support so far and I hope you enjoy this!
What you Want Most Chapter 7
Duo found him sitting by himself in the security room with an untouched cup of coffee, now cold, sitting in front of him, his eyes focused on the monitor showing their mutual charge. He ran a hand through his bangs, shaking his head. This was getting close to pathetic. He found himself beginning to get frustrated with his friend. Watching him sit there and moon around was only made worse by the fact that he wouldn't do anything about it. Deciding he'd had enough he was ready to make one last push to try and get Heero to act.
"Man, talk about having it bad."
"Duo."
"You do realize your shift ended a while ago." The only reply from his usually stoic friend was a grunt in affirmation. "Geeze. You shouldn't talk my ear off like this." Again he was met with barely any response. "Look, pal, if you're that upset about all this then do something about it."
"What are you talking about?"
"How stupid do you think I am? I know I have my moments where the obvious escapes me but this ain't one of them. Go tell her how you feel."
"Mind your own business."
"Heero, it's not too late. You can still stop the whole thing."
"I can't. She deserves this. He'll make her happy."
"Damn, how dense can you be? Is that the garbage you've been tellin' yourself this whole time? No wonder you can't see what's right in front of you."
"What?"
"If you really don't know after all I've said then it isn't worth saying." He turned and walked towards the door when a last minute idea hit him.
"You know, all her friends are gathering today to attend her bridal shower. I think it would mean a lot to her if you came."
"I don't think that would be a good idea."
"Why not? You want her to be happy right? Why not show up and wish them both well. All things considered it's the least you could do." He left and shut the door behind him as his lips curved into a smirk. If that didn't get him, then the man truly was hopeless. He shrugged his uniform jacket off and walked to the lobby pressing the button for the elevator. He had a party to get to and he hoped that of the two of them he wouldn't be the only one there.
Relena checked her hair in the mirror and smiled. Everything had to be perfect. Hilde had gone to so much trouble to plan and make all the arrangements for her Bridal shower for even one thing to be out of place. She put in her earrings, a tasteful pair of diamond studs dangling from short silver chains. Her brother had given them to her as an early birthday present in hopes that she'd wear them to just such an occasion. She would be meeting the others there. A string of political meetings had kept her busy all morning leaving her hardly any time to prepare for upcoming celebration.
Pagen pulled the car up and parked, opening the door for her. She smiled at her long-time butler. He really was more of a grandfather to her than anything else. He returned her smile, pride beaming in his gentle eyes. She grabbed her purse and buttoned her jacket. Pagen reached over and tied her scarf around her neck, giving her a knowing look. The car began to move as they started their short journey to the Convention Center. After a few miles Relena began to loosen her scarf.
"Don't want to catch cold, Miss." Pagen's concerned voice almost startled her.
"I'll be alright. It's not that far of a walk from the car to the door." She laughed softly.
"Yes, but it wouldn't hurt to keep the cold out."
"No, I suppose not." There was another moment of silence between them as she considered her destination. She suddenly felt very nervous. "Are you sure you won't stay, Pagen? You're part of my family too."
"No, Miss. These sort of occasions aren't meant for old men like me."
"You're still giving me away at the wedding though?"
"Of course, Miss. It would be my honor. I still can't believe you asked me."
"There's no one I'd rather ask. You've meant so much to me. You helped raise me. It only seems right that you, of all people, give me away." He parked the car and left it idling as he got out to open her door. She climbed out, taking his hand. He paused in front of her, fixing her scarf in a grandfatherly fashion.
"Oh Miss, I am so proud of all that you've done. I've watched you grow your whole life into the wonderful young woman you are today and I couldn't be more proud."
"Thank you, Pagen." She hugged him tightly. This dear old man meant more to her than he would ever know. "I will see you after the shower then?"
"I will be waiting right here." She hugged him again and walked off towards the door, the sounds of her heels clicking on the pavement with every step she took making her all the more aware of how real this whole thing was. Inside, waiting for her, were her friends and family and a few esteemed colleagues who could not be overlooked. Inside was a gathering to celebrate her wedding, the day that she should be looking forward to more than anything. Yet her hand froze over the door knobs. She took a deep breath to steady herself.
"You can do this, Relena." But somehow, despite her words, she just couldn't find the assurance she should have. Reaching forward, she opened the doors and made her way into the gathering hall. Smiling faces greeted her as she walked through the threshold. She returned their welcomes as Hilde closed the space between them and enveloped her and a hug.
"There you are! You're late." Her friends chastisement was eased by the friendly grin.
"I'm sorry. My last conference ran late. You know how long-winded some of those diplomats can be." She unbuttoned her coat and pulled off her scarf just in time for Donovan to reach her. grasping her hands gently in his he leaned in and kissed her softly on the cheek.
"Relena." He held her hands for a long moment, looking into her eyes as if searching for something. She smiled to reassure him. "Everyone has been asking about you."
"I figured. Leave it to me to be late for my own wedding shower."
"Well, never mind that now. We have guests to greet, presents to unwrap and cake to eat. I'm guessing you haven't grabbed anything for lunch, have you?" She gave him a small guilty smile. "I thought not which is why it's a good thing Hilde ordered meat and vegetable trays." He escorted her over to the h'orderves table, handed her a plate and began to place various combinations of meats and veggies onto it. "You eat, and I shall try my very best to keep the others busy long enough for you to have your fill." He leaned over and kissed her softly but briefly again before disappearing into the crowd.
"Well, this certainly is a pleasant occasion, Hilde." Dorothy walked up to them, a glass of Champaign in hand, slight sarcasm in her voice.
"Thank you, Dorothy. I'll try not to take that as the empty compliment it is."
"It was hardly empty. One can tell you put a lot of thought and effort into this wonderful little gathering." Relena couldn't help but feel a bit of contempt for her older friend's false enthusiasm.
"Spare me. I know you're not happy to be here."
"Just because I do not agree with the reason for the occasion does not mean I am not pleased to be here." She took a long sip of her Champaign. "You do look lovely today, Relena."
"Thank you, Dorothy."
"I see Hilde is finally getting you to eat something. You'll need to keep up your strength if you are to truly endure the week to come." Dorothy reached up and petted her eyebrow.
"I'll take that as a sign that you're still going to support me."
"If by support, you mean fulfill my duties as your friend and bridesmaid, then yes." Relena felt the dread in the pit of her stomach growing with every word Dorothy said. "Where is your wonderful groom to be?"
"He's fending off the vultures long enough for Relena to eat something."
"I see. How very thoughtful of him."
"Dorothy, please. Today of all days you could at least try to pretend you're happy for me." Relena put down her plate suddenly feeling all her hunger leave her.
"I am pretending. If I were to show how I truly feel about this whole thing I would not be here at all."
"Maybe that would be better with how you're upsetting her!"
"Am I upsetting you, Relena?" Relena felt a headache coming on.
"Dorothy-" Whatever she was going to say was lost as Duo came in with an armful of presents. He rather awkwardly made his way over to them, grinning like an idiot.
"Sorry I'm late, Princess but the guys and gals back at the base wanted me to bring these to you. They send their best wishes."
"Thank you, Duo. Just set them over-"
"Oh wow! I didn't know there'd be food at this thing!" He reached out from around the stack of presents toward the table only to have his wife smack his hand.
"Put the gifts with the others first you oaf!"
"Ow, ok, ok babe. Be back in a sec." As Duo walked away Relena felt a sense of relief. His interruption had provided the much needed break in the tension. Dorothy was an excellent frienemy; good for advice and even better for pointing out your faults. Just as she was about to turn back to address Dorothy, Quatre walked up, smiling brightly.
"Relena!"
"Quatre!" The blonde man embraced her in a gentle hug. The former pilot had been a dear friend and valuable ally throughout her political career. "I was worried you wouldn't make it."
"I wouldn't have missed this for the world." He took her hands in his. "Where is your fiancé? I would like to offer him my congratulations. I have to make up for the fact that I haven't been in touch."
"It's perfectly understandable. You have had quite the mess to clean up out there. Salvaging all the mobile suit debris and recycling it is a big operation."
"Yes, but it hardly excuses my lack of communication. I fear that as your friend I have been rather remiss."
"Oh Quatre, if anyone understands being busy it would be me. Besides, communication goes both ways. I am just as guilty."
"Well, we'll have to do our catching up when all of this is over."
"I look forward to it." It did not escape her notice that he had cast several glances in Dorothy's direction, glances that the other girl was casually returning.
"Yes, run along, Mr. Winner. I'm sure you have much more important issues to deal with."
"Miss Dorothy. Charming as ever I see." The seemingly cold greeting was some strange game to two of them played. they were an unofficial couple and liked to give each other their space. they seemed to almost hate eachother at times but Relena knew better, as did all of their friends.
"And you are as sickeningly polite as ever."
"Well, Miss Dorothy, I find you are more likely to catch flies with honey than with vinegar."
"Perhaps but who really wants a group of mindless insects around?" Relena suddenly felt herself in need of her own glass of Champaign.
"Shall we discuss the differences in our social approaches over a glass of punch?"
"Champaign would be better, I think." She paused and turned to Relena. "I shall be back shortly."
"We will talk soon, Relena?"
"Of course." She watched as the two walked away. Hilde begins to laugh.
"Well, I never saw that one coming."
"Oh, I did. It's been a gradual development ever since she stabbed him."
"Yes, I can see how the romantic act of running someone through with a blade could really spark a flame." The two shared a laugh that lasted just long enough to lift her spirits. She let out a soft sigh as her fiancé made his way back over to her, taking her arm gently in his.
"I can't stall them any longer, darling. They want to speak with you." She smiled up at him, trying to hide her distress.
"That's fine. I suppose i really shouldn't stall any longer." She walked with him, greeting one person at a time, smiling and accepting the compliments and words of congratulations that were showered on her. As the party progressed it was finally time to open up the gifts at the table in the front of the room. Smiling like a goof while swallowing his mouthful of cake Duo handed her his and Hilde's gift.
"Open this one first, princess. It'll make your day." As she took the present from him she and Donovan exchanged glances. With Duo the gift could be anything from something socially unacceptable to something perfectly respectable. As they worked together to pull off the decorative paper they found an ornate picture frame. The picture inside was one of her posing with all of her friends. "Hilde and I thought you'd appreciate a little reminder of how important you are to us."
"Duo… how did you…?"
"I know a guy that was all too happy to make it. You like it?"
"I love it. Thank you both so much." She hugged them then, really appreciating their presence in her life. They continued to open the gifts, thanking each guest as they went. When they neared the bottom of the pile she found one box, simply wrapped, with her name on it but no indication as to who it was from. She glanced down at it, her breath catching in her throat. Something inside told her she knew who it was from. As she undid the simple blue ribbon she pulled off the lid to the box and found a simple white teddy bear. around the bear's neck was a platinum chained necklace with a dove charm that had diamonds for eyes. She raised it out of the box and as she did so, her eyes found him in the back of the crowd.
All eyes followed hers as they turned to look at him. He was standing there in black slacks and a white dress shirt. His hair was just as unruly as always. In short, he looked ruggedly handsome. Aqua eyes met midnight blue and she found herself unable to breathe. A million thoughts ran through her mind, dozens of things she wanted to say but couldn't seem to find the ability to voice them. Finally, her lips parted and she found herself saying one simple word.
"Heero…?"
"Congratulations." Of all the things she imagined him saying when she finally saw him again that was not one of them. She stared at him, her mind still reeling. The world seemed to stand still. For a moment it was just the two of them, eyes locked, bodies frozen in place. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity the standstill broke as he spoke. His voice was so soft no one could probably hear him; no one but her. As he turned and walked away his last words echoed through her mind.
"I shouldn't have come." She felt herself grow faint. He was walking away. He was leaving her again. She felt someone take her hand and turned, her eyes locking with Donovan's. She vaguely heard him asking her if she was alright. She saw the people staring at her as Dorothy's words against her engagement echoed once more in her mind. Suddenly feeling overwhelmed she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Excuse me, please." She all but whispered as she ran out the patio doors, Donovan's concerned voice calling out behind her.
[A.N.] I hope you enjoyed it! please let me know what you think! TTYL!
