After that night's performance, Trowa managed to get Catherine to agree to loan him her motorcycle once again. He mounted the bike and sped off toward downtown Brussels, not sure quite what to expect. He was eager to see Relena again, but couldn't help but wonder which version of her he would encounter. Une had made it sound as if Relena could slip into her "Faye" alter ego at any time. And if that happened… Trowa was unclear on what dangers could arise, or what Relena could even be capable of doing. He frowned as wind whipped at his face. But, then, he was much taller and stronger than her; how bad could things possibly get?

The city's classic architecture beckoned Trowa as he navigated his bike through the winding streets. The skyscrapers holding businesses and government offices soon gave way to tree-lined streets littered with cafes and boutiques on either side. Trowa found the bistro Relena favored so much and found a parking spot a ways up the street.

It was a chillier night than the last, and even though it was nearly summer, Trowa was grateful he'd worn his leather jacket. He ambled over to the cafe, half-expecting to see Relena sitting at "her" table outside, but she wasn't there. He walked through the outdoor entrance, an archway covered with vines and white twinkling lights, and approached the maître d' stand. He immediately recognized the hostess from the night before.

"Are you joining Miss Relena?" the young woman asked him cheerily. Trowa nodded in response. "Right this way." He followed her inside as she led him through the restaurant. Finally they reached the back of the main dining area, where Relena sat in a corner booth, a half-full glass of amber-colored liquid in front of her.

Their eyes locked before Trowa had finished crossing the room. Slowly, her lips curved into a smile. She greeted him with a little wave.

Relena was dressed in her work attire from that morning, a crisp, white button-down blouse tucked into a gray pencil skirt, with a matching gray blazer, which was slung over the back of her chair. Her gray high heels completed the ensemble, also showcasing Relena's toned legs. Trowa's eyes drank her in hungrily, wondering how she could make a simple business suit look so alluring. What was even more alluring was the fact that he knew she wasn't even trying.

She rose as soon as he approached her table, grasping his hands and leaning in to brush a kiss to his cheek. Trowa knew it was a standard European greeting, but couldn't help but attach more meaning to it. He also used it as an excuse to press closer to her and plant a kiss on her cheek. He noted how quickly her face brightened to a rosy hue, her blue eyes shining up at him. He smiled down at her, knowing full well that her mind had gone there, too. It was unavoidable.

Neither of them spoke until they'd taken their seats. Relena sipped her drink and asked Trowa about his show; he asked her about work. They spoke easily for what felt like an endless stretch of time, falling into a comfortable banter by their second round of drinks. Trowa noted Relena's change in demeanor from that morning. The stiff and formal manner was gone, replaced by the effervescent woman he'd gone out with the night before. She was much more relaxed in the bistro atmosphere; it was no wonder it had become her after-work haunt. Whatever it was about the place, it seemed to relieve her of her work stress as well as the dark secrets she harbored, which Trowa was only beginning to learn.

It was getting late, so they both decided against ordering food, but Trowa knew if they continued to sit there drinking, neither of them would be in shape for driving. He racked his mind trying to come up with a way to ask her to leave with him without being terribly transparent. But Relena's dark lashes fluttered at him over her glass, and he wondered if he shouldn't just state the obvious.

He took a chance and inched his chair closer to hers, and was encouraged when she didn't back away. Part of him had expected her to dart like a scared rabbit; instead, she smiled warmly at him.

"Well, hey there, stranger," she said in a low, husky voice that sent him reeling all over again. Trowa smiled before leaning in and brushing a kiss to her neck.

"Want to get out of here?" he murmured.

Her eyes danced up at his. "You read my mind..."


Relena suggested that they take her car home, and Trowa readily agreed. He was mildly surprised when she handed him her keys. They swept out of the restaurant together and into her car, Trowa taking his place behind the wheel. He put the key in the ignition and left the top down as he pulled out of Relena's makeshift parking spot, halfway up the curb.

Even though the convertible's top was down, Trowa felt static in the air. He stole sidelong glances of Relena, and every time their eyes met, he swore he could see the sparks. She would blush, giggle and turn her head away, and Trowa decided he liked this demure side of her. In fact, he was hardpressed to think of anything he didn't like about her. His mind whirred with thoughts of what was to come, once they were back behind closed doors. His body twitched in anticipation. He wanted to pull the car over then and there, but it was only a short drive to Relena's townhouse.

He could wait. Barely.

He parked hastily and they exited the car, Trowa following behind Relena as she made her way up her walkway and then up the stairs. He was fully aware of her every movement, as she unlocked the door and pushed it open, her hands trembling slightly. He could smell the faint remnants of her floral-scented perfume from where he stood behind her. It was heady, intoxicating. The night air was already thick with humidity, and Trowa briefly wondered if a storm was coming. The atmosphere followed them inside, the air crackling with electricity.

He watched as Relena removed and hung her work blazer, along with her purse and briefcase, at this point tantalized by even the slightest hint of clothing removal. He was more worked up than he cared to admit. He hung back as Relena sashayed toward her kitchen.

"Drink?" she called over her shoulder.

"Yes." He cleared his throat, not realizing he was hoarse until he tried to speak. "Please."

He wondered if she knew of the effect she was having on him, and whether she secretly enjoyed it.

She pulled a bottle of brandy from her liquor cabinet, along with two glasses. Trowa noticed her hands were shaking once again. He stepped around her to complete the task for her, continuing to watch her out of the corner of his eye. She bit her bottom lip as he poured. He had seen her do that recently, in a much more intimate moment... the thought caused Trowa to slosh the liquid as he poured, spilling alcohol onto Relena's countertop. If she noticed, she didn't say anything.

Trowa handed a glass of brandy to her and watched in astonishment as she threw it back, like a shot. He decided to do the same, wanting to dull his nerves as quickly as possible. He couldn't even fathom why he was nervous around a woman he had already slept with, once. What was there to be nervous about, now? But no one had ever made him feel this way before. It struck him, not for the first time, that she was way out of his league.

He realized, after he finished his liquor, that his reason for being in her home with her was obvious to both of them. He watched her carefully as he set down his glass. She was looking up at him, brows arched in question. Trowa waited, wondering if she might make the first move. That would be nice, he thought. It would erase any lingering doubts that this was truly what she wanted. But since she didn't budge from her spot, he took a tentative step toward her.

He approached her as if he didn't quite know where to start, even though it hadn't taken him long, the night prior, to figure out what she liked. He had to wonder, as any guy would, how much of her enthusiasm was a put-on, though. For the sake of his own ego, he wanted to assume every reaction of hers was genuine, but he would rather be sure. If he couldn't make her feel good at first, he would damn himself trying.

Trowa lifted a hand to Relena's face and simply caressed her cheek. She seemed hesitant and took in a breath. She had been more vulnerable with him the night before, when she had almost started crying on her couch. But this time, her guard was up. Trowa frowned. She could build walls if she wanted, but he would only want to scale them.

"Relena." He spoke her name into the darkness, hoping it would bring her back to him. He couldn't know where she kept going in her mind, although he had his suspicions. If he could make her forget, even for a little while, he was more than happy to be of assistance. Especially since preoccupying Relena was mutually beneficial to him...

She raised her hand and clasped it around his, holding it against her cheek. She held his gaze and smiled before her eyes fluttered closed. Trowa took that as consent to test the waters. He bowed his head and brushed his lips against hers. Once, then again, sparking flint against steel.

And, then, the spark ignited.

Their light kisses quickly became a blazing fire. Relena reached up and grasped the back of Trowa's neck, pulling him down to her, as if she couldn't get him close enough. He responded by lifting her up by the waist. She wrapped her legs around his middle, and he carried her over to the couch. As he laid her down against the cushions, he didn't want to hold back a moment longer.

But her eyes held a teasing glint. Trowa had a feeling she was going to draw out his torture. Still, he was glad to see her playful side return, as she sat up and pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it to the side of the couch. She ran her hands over his chest and abdomen, grinning unabashedly. It was clear she was enamored with his build, which made him proud. He was equally obsessed with her body. She trained hard, and it showed, and he found that insanely attractive.

To that point, Trowa busied himself unbuttoning her blouse before casting it aside, revealing a bra that was low-cut, black and lacy. He couldn't help but wish she had chosen it just for him, although Relena seemed to be the type to wear jaw-dropping, expensive lingerie under her everyday work clothes, just for fun.

He wasted no time removing her bra and flinging it somewhere behind him, so he could get to those perfect breasts. Hell, every inch of her was perfect, in his eyes. Even though he had only done this once with her before, he had already discovered some favorite features. Some of them would probably surprise her- the nape of her neck. The small of her back. The two, tiny dimples that appeared when she smiled fully. Even the small worry lines that creased her forehead. He found himself kissing her there before returning to her lips. And then he got to work removing the rest of her clothes. She took care of his belt buckle and jeans and, finally, his boxers.

Once they were both undressed, Trowa lowered Relena back down on the couch, kissing and caressing her with renewed intensity. It was hard not to lose control as her hands fluttered over him, paralyzing him with teasing touches wherever they went. The softness of those hands on his skin, and her smooth skin beneath his fingers… every new sensation, every emotion she evoked in him was maddening.

Trowa made the mistake of pausing, while hovering above her, and found himself ensnared by her gaze. Her blue eyes had the power to stun him. Especially now, as they prepared to fuse themselves together, once again. They were teetering on the brink of something almost too sacred to name.

I love you.

He wanted to say it, had to say it at some point. But he knew it could send her running and, selfishly, he needed her to stay right where she was. At least for now. He had tried to keep his heart out of it, but it was too late for him.

Relena stopped touching him, briefly, and caught his gaze, opening her mouth to speak. Trowa pulled back and waited. He briefly allowed himself to hope she might say it first. But she just smiled seductively at him before whispering in his ear. Something that she wanted him to do. Trowa chuckled, and lowered his head to oblige.

I'm a goner.


Relena was tired of staring up at the ceiling, trying to reroute errant thoughts that kept pulling her mind in directions she didn't want it to go.

She cursed under her breath and pushed her duvet to the floor. Even though her centralized air conditioning kept her house at a cool, even temperature, her bedroom was stifling. Of course, things had gotten steamy in there. Again.

That's twice now. Twice, she had let Trowa get under her skin, when she'd sworn to herself she wouldn't. Then again, could she keep blaming him for her own weaknesses? She had been the one to invite him out to dinner, and then to her home, and then repeat the process all over again, less than twenty-four hours later.

"What's wrong with me?!" Relena moaned into her pillow.

The answer was simple. She was lonely, he was handsome - and available - and she wanted him. And once she knew he wanted her, she allowed the chips to fall where they may. She knew it was silly, continuing to beat herself up for caving in to natural, human desires, but she had deprived herself for so long, it had become her normal.

So now what? Did she want to embark on a real relationship with Trowa, play things fast and loose, or try to act as if none of it ever happened? Her heart and mind had different answers.

Relena groaned and got out of bed, pulling on her robe and a pair of slippers. She didn't want to think any more that night; she needed a glass of water, and then a good night's sleep. Trowa had disappeared earlier to retrieve a glass for himself, but that had been a while ago. Relena frowned, wondering what he was up to.

Not that she cared. Not really.

Relena padded downstairs to the kitchen, where she poured herself a glass of ice water from the refrigerator. She didn't see Trowa downstairs, but figured he had to be around somewhere. She doubted he would just take off in the night… a realization that, for some reason, bothered her.

Chill out, Relena chided herself as she sipped the cold water. It did the trick, switching off her stream of anxious thoughts. At least for the moment. But then her mind returned to Trowa. Damn Trowa. She would have to have a talk with him, tonight, she decided. She had tried to clear the air with him the previous morning, but then they had been interrupted. She didn't know what exactly she would say to him, but one thing was for certain: their little dalliance had to end.

But why? Relena frowned. That was the hopeless romantic in her talking, the side of her she desperately wanted to kill, but couldn't. The part of her that allowed Trowa to get as far as he had. That side of her, however, was still connected to Heero, and she couldn't help but feel that she wasn't being fair to him. What would Heero do, if the situation were reversed? She liked to think that, if she had been the one who'd been captured, he would go to hell and back to save her. He had risked his life for her, time and again. Would he have left her alone to become a glorified science experiment?

Let him go. The commanding voice of Faye Oaks pushed its way into her cluttered mind. Let them go.

"Yes." Relena nodded decisively, setting her empty glass in the sink.


- RGS