Well, another chapter is here! Hopefully it is better than the last one. Well, please review! Maeko, you're so cool. ^__^

Chapter Nine: Lies

Relena played it cool for a while, to make sure Heero didn't suspect her. The Little Voice was complaining to her that she was ruining what chance of happiness she had. She ignored it, and called on Alex one day while Heero was out checking some security details on the shuttle they'd be using for their vacation to Mars. It was supposed to be relaxing, since she was still supposed to be recovering. She thought it would be hopelessly boring.

She shed her guard at the door and smiled at Alex's aunt, Mrs. Rykoshkei, and told her she wanted to discuss something with ehr nephew.

"Oh! Please come in dear, Alex is working at the computer in his den, right up the stairs, first room on your left, yes, there you go."

"Thank you," Relena murmured with a bright smile.

She knocked on the door upstairs, then went in without waiting for a response. Mrs. Rykoshkei must hav edone this a lot, for Alex didn't even turn in his chair. "I'm not hungry for lunch, thank you"

"Good, I'm not here to offer it," Relena said. Alex whirled and almost fell off the computer chair.

"Relena! You're--why are--um, are you all right?" He stood up uncertainly, a thrill flashing across his face.

'He really likes me,' she thought, grinning in her head.

'Don't do it,' the Little Voice whispered.

"Alex," she said silkily. "I'm going to Mars for a recovery vacation in a few days. Aren't you going there for some kind of diplomatic work to your Uncle Worth?"

"Yes--"

"Oh, how delightful!" Relena clapped her hands. "Why don't you take the shuttle with Heero and I?"

Alex's face darkened briefly at the mention of Heero's name, and Relena knew then how much he wanted her. He hesitated, but finally nodded.

"Well, I don't want to spend all of Aunt Ry's spare cash, and I'm not exactly rolling in dough myself, so...that would be a...great idea."

Relena smiled.

****************

'Hmm. Everything looks all right.'

'Well, what did you expect?" the Truth asked.

'I don't know--hey, quit talking to me, you aren't real!' Heero shook his head, irritated. He took a last look at everything, then allowed the armored car to take him back to Relena's mansion.

Zechs would handle everything for another two weeks while Relena took an extra rest.

Heero grinned to himself. 'Time alone with her. Yes.' The Truth seem to be smiling for him.

But when he got back, his hopefull little bubble was burst when Relena, coming out to greet him, babbled on about how Alex Grahandi was coming with them, cost-cutting, isn't it nice--

"Wait, what?" he interrupted her, heart sinking.

"Alex isn't exactly rolling in dough, you know, and if he can get his uncle on our side for the new Preventors security post on Mars, things would flow a lot easier. Come on, Heero, it's for the good of the universe." She gave him puppy-dog eyes.

'Oh. But--damn.' "Sounds fine."

Relena smiled. As she turned away, he thought he saw something--un-Relena-like--in her expression. But no. 'This is Relena. Come on, what she is can be seen like the page in a book. She wouldn't hide anything from *me*.' He smiled at her, and she looped her arm through his as they walked back up to the house.

~End chap.~