It had taken a couple of days, but Quatre eventually stopped smiling to himself whenever Relena made a noise. It was day four of her stay with him during her working vacation and things had gone even better than Quatre could have dreamed. There was no tension at all. Relena had shown surprise at first when he informed her that he planned on working from home in the afternoons so he could be "with" her but she had simply smiled and thanked him. In the evenings they had both put aside unfinished business to share a meal and some relaxation. Yesterday Quatre had played a few of his favorite violin pieces for her and Relena had been completely enchanted. Her enthused clapping was reward aplenty for his impromptu concert. Even Heero had leaked contentment and pleasure. At the end of each of her nights Relena would hold his hand, fingers intertwined, as he walked her to the door of her room. A chaste kiss on the cheek and gentlemanly hug would send her off to sleep. Quatre allowed himself a foolish little sigh of love and then would slip away to his own waiting dreams. Tonight would be a little different though. He had extra special plans for tonight.

"So, what do you think of the opera?" Quatre asked as he idly began to shuffle the papers in front of him into neat, organized piles. His true focus was completely on the beautiful woman in front of him.

"Opera? I always thought it was a little boring and stuffy. I like the music but I honestly can't ever really tell what the singers are actually trying to sing."

She had left her hair loose today. It fell in a shining wave over her shoulders on one side shielding her face partially from his view. Since she had no where to go, yet, and no one to impress Relena had chosen to wear casual jeans with an oversized soft knit sweater. The blue of the jeans highlighted her eyes while the simple, unrelieved black of her top accented the creamy white of her throat and shoulders. Her eyes were focused on Quatre, questioning, and it was then that Quatre realized he had been staring.

"Beautiful." He explained as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. Relena blushed prettily, her eyes flickering down modestly for but a moment before returning to hold his gaze. He gave his head a small shake to clear it so he could refocus on the topic at hand. "That's good since I didn't buy tickets for it."

"All right...?" She said it slowly and with an inflection at the end. Quatre simply stayed quiet, enjoying the anticipation. After a minute Relena could not hold her curiosity any longer. "So...what did you buy tickets for?"

"The musical theater production of 'Among the Stars' which starts in about three hours. Plenty of time to eat first, if you'd like to go that is. I'm sure Heero would tag along with me if you aren't available." Quatre smirked to show he was teasing. Relena smirked back and played along.

"I'm sure he'd jump for excitement, giddy as a schoolgirl with her first crush."

"He does look lovely in that blue dress. He saves it for occasions just like this."

Unable to contain themselves, Quatre and Relena burst out laughing. Several seconds later all laughter stopped. They instead fixed wide eyes on Heero, his words still not quite making any sense.

"Matches my eyes."

' Did he just...Well, that's new.' Quatre pulled himself together quickly. It still boggled his mind a little that Heero, THE Heero Yuy, had made a joke, but Quatre was determined to act normal, at least for now. He let the laughter bubble up from within his chest naturally, glad that Relena's soon followed. It was not obvious that Heero relaxed a little as Quatre laughed, but Quatre could see it. A small release of tightness in the other man's posture. ' It's not really that odd. Heero has been coming out of his shell bit by bit the past little while. I'm really glad for him.'

"Right, well, what do you say Relena? Wanna be my date or should I ask mister blue eyes over there?"

"As funny as that would be, I simply have to accept. Let me freshen up a bit and I'll meet you at my door, say...half an hour?"

He smiled and stood. Holding out his hand to help Relena to her feet, Quatre walked her to the office door and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. With a laugh still on her lips, Relena retreated to her room. Quatre would go to his own to get ready in just a moment. First...

"So, that was nice. As your friend, I feel it's important to make sure you understand what you just did. You made a joke."

Heero raised his eyes to Quatre's. The smirk was so firmly in place on Quatre's face that he could not have removed it with a wire brush at this point. When Heero quirked an eyebrow at him, Heero's lips tipped just the slightest upward at the corners, Quatre laughed again. He truly could not help it. All Quatre could do was hope Heero would continue to explore who he was a normal person, not a soldier, not a gundam pilot, but just an everyday, average person. It would definitely be interesting to watch.

"Sorry,..." Quatre managed as soon as he could, " I shouldn't tease. Before I go get ready myself can I beg a favor? Are you planning on accompanying us as my bodyguard because for tonight I'd really prefer you wouldn't. It's not really like I need you as a bodyguard anyway and we both know it."

"Is that an order?" Heero asked quietly, his gaze once again on the book in his lap.

"No, I just want to see..." He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair nervously, unsure how to explain himself. "It's just, well, the last weeks have been good. I know she still cares for you but it seems you were right. I'm making her happy, and I knew I could, but you are always around. She's gotten used to you being there, Heero. As good as this is going I just want to make sure..."

"That she isn't using the idea of me as a buffer or fallback. That she is comfortable with you alone in your new relationship. Have you sensed something?"

Heero shot a swift, worried glance at Quatre, but the blonde did not notice. Quatre was too busy being relieved and frustrated at the same time. Frustrated at his thoughts and relieved Heero had been able to speak them aloud for him. After a few moments of silent thought Quatre shook his head.

"No, it's just my own mind over-thinking things. Planning for every possibility and outcome, you know?"

Heero nodded. The gundam pilot training. In order to stay alive on their missions, most with an expected fatal outcome, all five pilots had been lectured at length in strategy and taught to apply this learning to every aspect of their lives. The same training that served Quatre well in his business dealings was not so helpful when it came to his relationship with Relena. Heero fully understood, probably better than Quatre would ever know.

"Affirmative. Have a good time."

-oOoOo-

Everything was beautiful. The dinner had been a perfect start. The theater production the perfect compliment. Now, enjoying a leisurely ride back to his mansion, the champagne and intimate, interior lighting a perfect end. Relena was enchanting in a casual, thin strap, flowing gown the color of a soft earth sunset. Her hair shimmered like golden silk in the light. Quatre felt himself being enchanted and enraptured by her. That too, was beautiful and perfect.

He laughed now to remember how nervous he had been while dressing. As Quatre had exchanged articles of clothing for different ones, his mind had raced. All the little things that could go wrong vying with one another for the focus of his thoughts. Visions of flat tires, pouring rain, spilled coffee and dozens of other cliches had marched through his brain. They were cliches for the very reason that they happened. Often. So what would keep them from happening to him on this night? Finally settling on a forest green turtleneck and gray dress-pants, Quatre had pushed the doubts away. He reminded himself that tonight was all about Relena. Her pleasure, her happiness. If something happened he would refuse to let it interrupt their evening. Quatre remembered feeling like one big bundle of nerves as he had shrugged into a gray sports coat and left his room.

"Where did you go, just now?"

"I was thinking about how nervous I was earlier. It seems silly now."

Relena hummed and took another sip from her champagne flute. Quatre could not help staring. She was so damn beautiful.

"We're here, sir." Announced the driver. Their conversation halted as he and Relena exited the elegant, black limo and moved into his home. Quatre's staff were all in bed, the mansion dark. Instead of flicking on the lights, Quatre took Relena's hand and guided her slowly, silently through the halls and up the stairs. Too soon, they stood outside the door of her bedroom.

"Thank you for a wonderful and romantic night, Quatre. I really enjoyed myself."

"It was my pleasure."

Quatre smiled gently and hugged her delicate frame to himself. Holding her so closely he immediately felt the charge that went through her. She trembled ever so slightly and tightened her grip. Relena's voice was a husky murmur as it caressed the side of his neck.

"It doesn't have to end yet. Would you like to come in?"

Quatre's heart stuttered in his chest. ' Allah, does she know what she's asking?...Of course she does. She's a mature woman. What do I do?...I know what I want to do, but ' With extreme effort Quatre willed his mind to still. he breathed, centered, and opened himself. Searching, Quatre felt no hesitation, no uncertainty from Relena. She was calm, curious, and yes, he could feel the attraction and affection she felt for him. ' If she's truly ready...'

"Are you sure?"

Relena pulled away. For a split second Quatre thought she had changed her mind. When she pulled him through the door with her, a coy smile on her lips, Quatre's mind uttered one small mental shout of panic. For the rest of the night he did not think at all.

A/N: Before anyone asks, no I did not write and then exclude a lemon scene here. I am capable of such, but decided that it would be inappropriate. After all, a gentleman doesn't kiss and tell ;) PLEASE REVIEW! I'm worried I might have lost some of the story flavor in this chapter, gone a bit too OOC, especially for Heero. I'm also worried I'm beginning to rush things a little which I definately don't want to do. I tried to imply that quite a bit of time has gone by between this chapter and the conference chapter, but I'm not sure if that got across... SO PLEASE REVIEW. Any critique is better than none :)