A/N: Um...I said was planning/going to finish this story this year, but look! It's the end of 2013 and I had just half a chapter. So I decided to divide that long chapter into two, so you guys can read something while I finish the rest of it, as a token of appreciation for your long wait and encouraging reviews (:

Have a super nice last day of 2013, and Happy New Year to all!

Disclaimer: Gundam Wing isn't mine.

Defiance

Chapter 13: Pecuniary.

The hotel halls were full of elegantly dressed people, and all that could be heard was the buzz of the chatting crowd and the clinking of glass, sometimes interrupted by loud greetings between politics or new aristocrats. Dorothy smiled at those who attempted to call her to their circles with such fashion, as they were obviously making a desperate effort to draw the attention of the other guests. Of course, none but Quatre noticed the contempt in her eyes at such display of inferior upbringing, and he immediately tried to engage her in conversation, however silly the subject, and she turned to him all smiles and witty comments.

If she had looked gorgeous in red during the inauguration ceremony, she was now looking like a goddess in her navy sequined gown. Her hair was let down, curled at the ends, and she wore diamond earrings. Her gloves reached up to her elbows, and over all, she looked every bit like the noble woman she was. All she needed was a crown and she could have passed as the Queen of the World. 'If Miss Relena didn't have that title already', thought Quatre as he glanced at his companion from the corner of his eye. She was happily chatting with the daughter of some guy she had done business before…or something like that, he wasn't sure. Taking a look around his halls, he made a quick survey of the people present, crossing names in his mental list. He wasn't surprised when he noted that several guests were attentively following every step he and his date made, their excited chatter sometimes loud enough for his ears to pick a phrase or two.

"…with her and it is sincerely unbelievable-"

"What is this boy thinking, bringing a Romefeller to-"

"-perfect strategy for commerce. I applaud Mr. Winner for-"

"-dare she show here!"

"-having an affair?"

"-by her excellent fashion sense! I wonder if her dress-"

"-didn't even know they knew each other! Who would have thought-"

"-this demimondaine has obstructed my plans for-"

"-obvious. Money attracts money. I always tell my son that he should be-"

"Do you think this is temporary?"

"…marrying Roche-Lloyd, if I recall correctly-"

Ugh, that was something he didn't want to hear, even if it had been true.

In the past.

Because it wasn't happening anymore.

She had changed her mind.

'Hmm…' Quatre's impeccably placed smile twitched and he resisted the urge to walk over to the pair of elder ladies who had mentioned his Dorothy's former compromise, to advise them of the most recent development in events. But of course they wouldn't know. The interview she had conceded to that reporter had yet to be sent back to the news quarter and edited –he hoped they wouldn't, at all- and later transmitted at the scheduled time for entertainment news. Because it wasn't like it was the most important piece of information ever recollected. 'I give the news a week to reach the rest of the humanity…or at least those who are interested.' The blond man discreetly studied his lady and wondered if she was planning to tell anyone in the ball. At least that way it was certain to spread faster. Her face betrayed nothing but the perfect countenance of a noble lady. Not as inviting to conversation as Miss Relena, but still approachable-

"-but she always looks absolutely stunning."

'Oh?' Quatre's curiosity was piqued. He rather pay attention to that particular dialogue...

"I agree with you, Nermina dear, but don't you think her dress is a bit risqué? Her choices are always-"

'What do they mean? She looks…!' His gaze was quickly distracted by the creaminess of her slender shoulders and the beautiful arch of her neck, which were now completely exposed as she gracefully removed the translucent shawl that had been covering her. She was definitely teasing him. Oh, but it didn't look like she was doing it on purpose…for once. As soon as he realized his eyes had wandered considerably lower than he had originally intended, he forced himself to look elsewhere, and that elsewhere happened to be…her eyes, looking directly at him with a glint of surprise. Apparently, sometime during his reverie, the girl she had been talking to had wandered off… but that was unimportant because…well…

…He had been caught in fraganti and he could already feel the blood rushing to his face.

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He had been staring at her. Not her face, but her body. Specifically, at her cleavage. Quatre Raberba Winner had been checking her out!

She felt almost compelled to redone her shawl, but resisted the urge…because that would be so very out of character for her. Since when did Dorothy Catalonia react as a prude, virginal school girl? Never. 'Don't you dare put that back on, you silly. Let him know you saw him and let him squirm- damn, he's making me blush too! I can feel it! No, stop!' The Duchess bit her lip and looked away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, but her attention was quickly drawn back to her companion when he spoke.

"I-I'm so sorry. I was…" His eyes quickly averted hers, "it was because…because you look…" he gulped.

"Ah, no, it's okay. I wasn't- it didn't bother me at all, don't worry." The butterflies in her stomach did a triple somersault and her mouth quivered a little as she smiled, a lot more self-conscious than she had felt in over fifteen years.

She remembered perfectly well the first time she had felt observed, when her father had let her accompany him to one of his meetings. She was a little girl, surrounded by military men talking about plans and strategies. Everyone had looked at her curiously. Some thought about her as endearing; to some others, her presence was plainly a bother. But she followed their conversations with apparent ease and was even allowed to voice her opinion, earning looks of astonishment and incredulity, but most important of all, she had seen her father's pride and approval upon his face… 'Hah! Bad memory lane.'

Ok, so…if she had withstood such environment with her head held high, why the hell was she fighting the urge to lower her eyes in embarrassment now, in front of just one man? The couple stood silently blushing, looking like a pair of middle schoolers with their first crush, until reality sank in…at least in her brain; and after kicking herself for three straight seconds, she resolved she was acting ridiculous.

"Stop blushing Mr. Winner. I'm used to people staring at me. Aren't I quite the wonder wherever I go?" Forced, that sounded so forced! She begged desperately for her cynicism to return and for the warmth on her cheeks to disappear.

"I'm sure you are, Miss Dorothy." He didn't have one doubt about it, judging by the persistent stares of their peers, and his bluntness left Dorothy speechless once more. Some seconds ticked by and none uttered a word, until a familiar voice was heard saying Quatre's name and both turned around, relief apparent on their faces.

"Quatre, here you are! We've been looking for you all over the place. And look who is with you! None other than Duchess Catalonia!"

"Oh, stop it, Princess." Snapped Dorothy. The Foreign Minister gave her a small smile, which, to the taller woman, rather seemed like a smirk. Was she mocking her? 'Tsk, tsk, sometimes I think she has a deviant side to her that no one really knows.' Remembering Quatre's previously wandering eyes, Lady Catalonia mused some more, 'I wonder if Mr. Perfect here also has a side no one-'

"It really came as a surprise when I saw you two arrive together to the City Hall. I never knew you were this close," Relena said, addressing her last statement to a very distracted Dorothy. Quatre, on the other hand, was closely paying attention and was fighting the eleventh blush of the day from creeping up his face.

"Well, it is true we didn't keep in touch after the war, but lately we've been talking and-" He ventured.

"Oh, so this is new?" Interrupted the Foreign Minister. "How recent?" She raised an eyebrow towards her blonde friend, who had just recently caught up with the talk with a start.

"…Recent." Stressed Dorothy as she narrowed her eyes at the smile that she could see was slowly spreading in the other woman's face. The topic needed to be changed. Her friend didn't need to know she had been seeing Quatre for almost two months, or she wouldn't hear the end of it! This was exactly why she had kept her encounters with the Arab man as a secret. She hated being teased, especially by her best friend. "So, Mr. Yuy, how come you decided to join us at the party instead of watching from the shadows?"

The perfect soldier just shrugged and Relena rolled her eyes. "Don't expect a direct answer…nor an actual one. He just suddenly got up from bed and started getting ready. I tell you, he's one weird person."

This time, Quatre allowed himself to chuckle, even if the embarrassment he felt was still boiling inside him. "No offense, Miss Relena, but I don't think our group is particularly normal. And it's quite natural if you haven't gotten used to his antics, even after all these years."

"Hahaha oh I agree with you." Relena took her fiancé's hand in hers and smiled at the stoic man. "But with all the years that are ahead of us, I'm sure I might get to understand him at some point. If I'm lucky enough…"

Heero responded with a small smile, kissing the back of her hand before pulling his girlfriend towards him to whisper something in her ear, making her giggle. As the engaged couple seemed to get lost in their own little world, attracting even more attention to their little group, the Duchess and the party host looked at each other awkwardly.

"…I have to go to the ladies room."

"And I'll get us something to drink."

Unbeknownst to Dorothy, the former Queen of the World followed her shortly after.

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Relena had been staring at her with such intent that Dorothy was beginning to feel intimidated. She had been trapped outside a little balcony that overlooked the still growing and incomplete city that was the new colony. Shifting her weight to her left foot, she wondered if this how people felt whenever she cornered them for business information…

"Well, that broadcast surely left an impression. Wanna tell me more about it?"

"I told you I had a plan and now you've seen it. If you are smart enough, you'll get it. I have nothing else to say."

The Foreign Minister glanced at her fiancé and their friend talking quietly where they have left them, by the other side of the room.

"At least now I understand why Quatre was acting so strange, letting his guard down with all those girls…was that also part of your plan?"

Dorothy's eyes narrowed but she stayed silent. 'No! That was all his idea. Silly man, trying to get the media all over him first…'

"And Mr. Roche-Lloyd must be feeling quite slighted. I'm sure he watched the transmission."

"I don't care what that idiot feels." Her nose scrunched up in contempt.

"And what about Quatre?"

Her friend's voice had been nearly a whisper, but the question came down with the resonance of thunder on Dorothy's ears.

"What about him? I don't get-"

"You've been going out with him, haven't you?"

"…Sometimes. Yes." Damn it, Quatre needed to learn to keep his mouth shut.

"For several weeks, am I right?"

"Perhaps."

An amused glint appeared in Relena's eyes.

"Are you guys…dating?"

"What? No." Woah, that had come out harsher than she intended.

"…Oh." Dorothy's flat out refusal was enough to calm the princess' thoughts…for a fraction of a second. "But you know, I think he's by far a better catch than Mr. Lloyd."

"No. I know where this is going. That's why I didn't tell you…"

"You know he is like- like- the ultimate bachelor on Earth and colonies. If you were to marry him you'll be the richest people… of the Universe!"

"You're drunk, your highness." She rolled her eyes.

"And your babies would be ultra-beautiful and blond!"

"…now you're delusional-" Her brow twitched.

"Say it! You have at least considered it!"

"Yes!" She finally snapped.

Both women stood silent and surprised, mouth agape from what had been said. Crossing her arms over her chest, Dorothy was the first to talk.

"Yes, I've thought about it. Erase that silly smile from your face this very moment; it's not what you are thinking! I know Mr. Winner is quite capable, financially speaking, and he would be rather valuable as an asset for certain company projects. And judging by the size of this place, I think I've got several opportunities to take."

"Like the opportunity to make him your man?"

The Duchess sighed tiredly, "No. Listen well. He and I…we might be…friends. But just that."

"Perfect, you're already in a relationship!" chimed the Foreign Minister, "Now you just need to-"

"Dear Miss Relena, please refrain from expressing such opinions so lightheartedly. I don't want to think about relationships for a while."

"Oh, come on Dorothy. One man goes and says things on television and you want to stay single forever?"

"You think I'm being puny?"

"Fine, he messed up. He lied about you. Like a lot of people before him, and I want you to tell me since when you started caring."

"He betrayed my trust!"

"But he didn't even break your heart."

"W-what?"

"I said-"

"No. I heard you." One hand raised, Dorothy closed her eyes and breathed in, unprepared to answer. Her friend smiled wryly, and closed the distance between them to lay a delicate hand over her cheek.

"Look at me, Dorothy."

The Duchess did as she was told.

"You know, as well as I do, that you are the happiest of them all that Mr. Lloyd did what he did. It gave you an excuse to amend one of the stupidest decisions you've ever taken."

Ice blue eyes grew big as saucers. For how long had she known? Was her friend also an empath like Quatre? The woman in question laughed.

"Don't look at me as if I read your mind, because I didn't. It was plain at sight. You didn't really want to marry that guy. You were just relieved that you didn't have to spend more time on your own…alone."

"…I could have learned to love him. Eventually."

"Don't lie to yourself, Duchess. You would have been one of the most miserable beings to ever walk the Earth -and colonies. And God knows you are dangerous when you are unhappy and bored."

A smirk appeared in both their faces, a silent message between them. Interrogation time was over. Or at least the questions that mattered.

"So this is you attempting to maintain peace in the Universe? The Queen wants to convince me to get a man that keeps me happy so I don't destroy the world?"

Relena let out a heartfelt laugh as she re-entered the ballroom, arms linked with Dorothy, to search for their dates.

"Yes and no. I just don't want you to hide from your heart anymore."

"That might take a while."

"Or not." With a giggle, the Foreign Minister unlinked her arm and left Lady Catalonia moving her head in denial.

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"Where have you been?" asked a slightly annoyed Heero when his princess latched herself to one of his arms.

"Oh, just helping a friend with some business matters."

The stoic man stared deadpanned at his fiancée, and she giggled happily before confiding,

"She's going to have the prettiest, wealthiest babies in the whole universe."

Hope you liked it. I'm gonna keep writing so I can give you guys more on the first days of 2014 :D

Love you all for your support! :'D