Author's Note: Thanks for reviewing you guys! It just puts a smile on my face and makes me want to write faster! Hope you enjoy this chapter too!
Chapter 24: Dinner & Forgiveness
Heero did not know what to expect when he walked into Tsukino's office. One minute he wanted Usagi to be there and the other he dreaded her presence. But he couldn't say he was disappointed with the outcome. An amused look had fallen upon his face when he had opened the door and walked in to see that both Usagi and her father was there, but she looked rather breathless with her glasses perched atop her nose. It made her look adorable- if the word was appropriate enough to describe her. He wondered what had her looking so frazzled, but he already knew the reason. The last time they had met, nothing but passionate sparks had flown, and he was sure that she was remembering it just as he was.
He walked over to Kenji and shook his hands, "Kenji" he acknowledged.
"Heero, how are you?" Kenji replied good-naturedly.
"I'm fine," he spoke and out of spite- mostly due to his mischievous nature as well as built up desire, he walked over to Usagi and placed a gentle unexpected kiss on her cheek.
"And how are you Miss Tsukino?" he asked innocently.
Usagi was flabbergasted. Had he just? Yes he had. He had just kissed her very boldly on the cheek as if they were closely acquainted. The nerve of him! She thought and anger spiked in an instant. He had kissed her and right in front of her father too! What would he think?!
She glared at him, "I'm fine thank you Mr. Yuy," she said ever so sweetly between clinched teeth.
"That's good to hear," Heero replied fully aware of her mood becoming increasingly dour.
"OK, Heero how about we get to business," said Kenji. He didn't know his daughter and Heero had become so close and frankly he had no objections. Heero was a highly respectable man in his book and a close friend as well. Kenji would hold onto his suspicions for a later inspection though.
"Very well," Heero replied coolly.
Kenji had motioned for him to take the seat in front of his desk and as he had done so, Usagi had taken the seat next to him. His gaze flickered momentarily to her as she settled her slender frame in the allotted chair next to him. He told himself he would be able to resist his attraction to her be able to concentrate on the task at hand. He willed himself to.
Kenji began to speak, "The court date is coming up in less than a week and we have finished putting the case together. All that's left for us to do is fill you in with the details. Mostly its just things you already know and some of it is from the last case as well. We're hoping that the jury will come to a decision in that one session and hopefully won't need more time and another hearing to do so."
He turned to Usagi when she began to speak, "We don't want this to be long and drawn out. It won't do anybody any good, especially Bella."
"You know my daughter?" Heero asked curiosity spiking.
"Yes, I had the chance to spend the day with her this past Saturday before Mina and Duo's engagement. Apparently you had to help Mina with something and there was no one else to watch her," Usagi hastily tried to clarify. She didn't want him to think she had been digging too deeply into his personal life or that she was so far gone for him she had gone to extra lengths.
"I see," he said and was cut off form saying more when Kenji's cell phone began to ring.
"Excuse me, I have to take this," was all he said and stepped out of the room.
"And might I add, Mr. Yuy, she is the most delightful little girl I've ever met," she looked at him, voice earnest, "and I'm going to help my father as much as I can to ensure that you have sole custody of her."
"I don't need your compassion Ms Tsukino. I just need you to do your job. I've been through this once already and I know what it feels like when a parent thinks he is about to lose his child. As far as I'm concerned I know what it's like for someone to live with an abusive mother," Heero paused remembering his Usagi of the past, "I will not let that happen to my daughter so long as I am alive. All you have to do is your job and that's it."
Usagi nodded jerkily and turned her face forward not knowing what else to do. She had gotten too attached to the little girl; she should have never said that. It was none of her business anyway. She was just a tool hired to help him, nothing else.
Heero sighed. Maybe he had been a little too harsh with his words. He studied her drooping profile and got the strangest urge to berate himself for hurting her in any way. He had to apologize for his remark, she was just obviously trying to help and reassure him, his outburst had been unnecessary and out of line. All he wanted at this moment and perhaps for always, was to see her smile.
Usagi felt Heero shift beside her and without warning she felt him lift her chin gently with his finger to turn her face towards him. The look he was giving her was enough to melt her bones. There was tenderness in his Prussian blue eyes that instantly warmed her heart. She had never seen the expression on him and it utterly took her breath away.
"I'm sorry. That didn't come out the way it should have," he said softly.
"Its okay," Usagi mumbled trying to look away.
Heero removed his hand but instead moved it to caress her cheek, "It's just that the only other person that worries so much about Bella besides me is my mother…You don't even know my daughter that well. I was taken off guard by your conviction and your sincerity about it all- that is what threw me," he continued in the same velvety voice.
Usagi was trying very hard to concentrate on what he was saying and not on how his breath caressed her face due to his proximity. She nodded, "I understand. I mean you're the one who has been taking care of Bella her whole life," she laughed hesitantly, "and according to her, her mother doesn't even love her."
Heero dropped his caress and moved back slightly, eyes becoming guarded, "I see Bella has bared her soul to a stranger."
"Oh come on Heero!" she rushed to quickly correct herself, "I mean Mr. Yuy, I wouldn't call it "bare her soul" she's only four for God's sake!"
Heero chuckled, "Perhaps that was an exaggeration. But the point is she just can't go around telling strangers anything she feels like. It could be dangerous."
"I agree. But I don't think she considers me a stranger." She smiled, "I do have a way with people, you know. I have a certain charm," she grinned.
Heero laughed, "I would say so. You do make a fine first impression."
Usagi pouted confused, "What is that supposed to mean?"
Heero swept her a grin, "Why, my dear, when I first saw you, you took my breath away and stole my heart in the process."
Usagi very much nearly choked on her own saliva, "Ha Ha! Very. Funny. That was so corny by the way," she mocked.
Heero got to his feet and held his heart in feigned despair, "I'm baring my soul to you, my darling, and you have the gall to laugh?" Heero didn't know what it was about this woman that got to him and made him act so out of character but he had the biggest urge to cheer her up.
And Usagi getting to her feet did start to laugh. Who would have thought that this man- this hard as steel man, with such a tough and unapproachable exterior and known for his ruthlessness, in front of her was capable of making her laugh? Mirth was seen unmistakably in her eyes as he had successfully been able to cheer her up.
Usagi through laughter managed to get out, "Seriously Heero, you're too much," and rested her hand lightly on his chest. She however came to an abrupt halt, horrified at her slip in addressing him by his given name but she had no time to react as he grabbed her hand on his chest and pulled her towards him, encircling her with his strong arms, a gasp leaving her lips.
"I mean- I mean Mr. Yuy," she stammered, hands pressed against his chest, trying to correct her earlier mistake. Somehow she couldn't quite remember how to breathe, him being this close to her made her brain function less.
"You can call me Heero," he whispered, "and I wasn't joking" he continued in his silky voice, "You did take my breath away."
Usagi stared into his deep, blue eyes, totally enthralled by them, she couldn't seem to tear her gaze away even if she had wanted to, that was the power he held over her she realized. She gulped unconsciously.
"And I'm going to kiss you now Ms. Tsukino," he said, voice husky.
Usagi nodded dumbly, "Usagi" she managed to whisper.
Heero smirked. "Usagi," he whispered in acknowledgement before he dipped his head to close the gap between them. His kiss this time was gentle, not at all as searing as his last onslaught on her lips. She melted in his arms as his lips moved expertly over hers, drawing her closer to him. She couldn't believe that this kiss was so remarkably different form the last, such tenderness she did not think he could posses. She seized to think and just let her body take over.
Heero didn't know what had possessed him to kiss her again but here he was doing it and he couldn't complain. He loved the way her body felt against him. Her soft lips and sighs drove him on to want to make her forget her own name. The fact that her father was just outside the room did not even faze him. All that mattered was that he was kissing her and she was kissing him back with just as much fervor.
Neither knew what made them act in such an uncharacteristic way. Desire was all they knew in the other's company and it was as if some higher being was controlling them. It was insane to say this was just attraction, it had to be more. But neither could think much farther past the haze in their respective minds. There was just a primitive yearning to just touch and feel the other.
"Ahem," someone coughed behind them.
It was enough to break the moment. Usagi pulled away from Heero as is she had been stung by a bee, a stunned and bewildered expression on her features. She looked at her father nervously, eyes wide as her face turned redder and redder by each passing second, expecting him to go on a tirade. Instead of the heated outburst she had been expecting from him, there was an amused look on his face. She looked over to Heero and he was clam as a cucumber, looking as if her father had not just caught them making out like teenagers. Was she the only one who felt as if she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar?
"I trust that you two went over the details while I was on the phone?" Kenji asked. His suspicions were now confirmed that there was indeed something going on between his daughter and Heero. And rather than being mad he was rather amused at finding them in such a predicament. Heero's nonchalant behavior didn't even bother him in the least, after all if he had to pick a man for his daughter to be with there would be no better choice that Heero himself. As for Usagi, he knew she was far from being composed, for her sake he'd pretend that he hadn't seen anything and wouldn't mention a thing about it.
Usagi could only manage to nod mutely but Heero had something different on mind.
"Actually," he began evenly, "we haven't gone over every detail, that's why we're having dinner tonight," he looked at Usagi who shot him a belligerent look but plastered a smile onto her face when her father turned to look at her.
"Oh, I see," said Kenji smiling internally, "That sounds like a good idea. After all, it's important that we have everything in order before the court hearing. Well then, I just came in here to get a few things. I have to leave for an emergency."
"Is everything OK, dad?" Usagi asked worried.
"Yes, Yes. Everything is fine," he said navigating his way towards the things he needed.
"Okay, if you say so," Usagi said aware that Heero had his eyes on her. A few minutes later Kenji left his office after kissing his daughter's cheek and shaking Heero's hand.
Then all hell broke loose.
"I am not having dinner with you! Why would you tell my father that?" she exclaimed outrageously.
"Seemed like a good idea to me. Besides," he looked at his watch, "I have to leave and we don't have the time to go over these so called details. You will have dinner with me," Heero said, unaffected by her outburst.
"I won't go and you can not make me," Usagi said firmly, trying to get control over her emotions. Just who did he think he was? His arrogant attitude was what she had despised in him in the first place and here it was raring its nasty head once again and with it came back all the reasons why she had detested him from since the beginning.
"Are you sure about that?" he asked raising an eyebrow taking a few steps towards her.
Usagi wavered for a second, not sure what he would do to her. She nodded.
He smirked and took those few last steps that separated them. Usagi tried to back up but bumped into the desk, there was no escape. Heero leaned into her, planting a hand on either side of the desk, successfully pinning her between him and it. He saw her eyes darken with the desire he knew was hiding beneath the surface of her carefully blank face.
"Do you really want me to convince you?" he breathed into her ear, his cheek brushing hers.
Usagi shuddered from the contact and tried to push him away but couldn't for two reasons. First, because he was so much stronger and bigger than she was and second, because the moment her hands connected with his solid chest to push him away, she lost her resolve and a barely audible whimper escaped her lips.
"I didn't think so," he said and pressed his lips to hers anyway in a lingering kiss. A few moments late he pulled back satisfied.
"Now, I'll pick you up at 7," Heero said getting his jacket.
"You don't know where I live," she said triumphantly, knowing if he didn't know where she lived he wouldn't be able to push her into having dinner with him.
"I can always find out besides, I have your cell phone number- I'll call you," he threw over his shoulder at her.
Any trace of smugness left her face as she watched him walk towards the door.
"Oh…and wear something nice," he said finally turning to look at her with a sensual smile adorning his handsome face as he opened the door and exited.
The door shut with finality and Usagi got the intense urge to hurl something at it. Oh the never of that man! How could she be so stupid as to let him kiss her like that and effectively trapping her into having dinner with him? Ugh! She kicked herself mentally. She had no doubt that he would be there to pick her up promptly at seven. He was a man that obviously meant what he said and probably would never go back on his word. His character was so dominant that she knew that he always liked to be in control.
Usagi was an inch away from turning off her cell phone and not going home just to wipe away his smugness. But she knew that she could never turn him down. An opportunity like this might never come again and she had decided a while ago that she would relish the time that she could spend with him, this being another moment when she could lose herself in his powerful alluring presence.
After leaving her father's office, Usagi scurried about her own office getting necessary work done and even going as far as preparing the things she needed to go over with Heero so she could take to dinner just to irritate him. She refused to lose her entire sanity because of one man and just because she had decided to let her guard down around him more and enjoy her experiences with him she would be damned if she made herself pray. She would not go that easily to him. She was not that naïve, she was well aware of the fact that he had some kind of interest in her if not lusted after her. Just the thought of it instilled some semblance of fear in her. Usagi had never known a man like him much less kissed one like him before. But along with that feeling anticipation and excitement pumped in her veins, she wanted the experience; she wanted to know how it felt to be with a man like Heero, what he was capable of. And her chance to find out those things might be tonight…
Heero…
Things were not going according to how Heero had planned them. He had given up trying to seduce her. But when he was around her, he just could not resist the pull of her body. Things just seemed to take a different spin as when he had thought about it beforehand. Did he really know what he was getting into? He realized the woman he wanted was inexperienced, but was that part of her charm, why he wanted her so bad? Heero knew that she was unlike any woman he had ever met; she was extremely smart, possessed a lethal wit, and dangerously attractive- a deadly combination. Yet, all those things enticed him, pushing him to seek out the passionate woman he knew laid beneath her tough sophisticated exterior. Tonight was his opportunity to get to know her a little better and he wasn't planning on their dinner being all business related if things went his way. He smirked at the thought.
His daughter was spending the night with his mother which gave him the opportunity to finish some last minute work without having to worry about picking her up. He had an hour or so before he was to pick Usagi up. He had been surprised that she had answered her phone when he had called. When she had answered on the second ring he had thought if she had known it was him she would not have picked up but somehow she had known it was him. His lips had curved into a lazy smile- maybe he wasn't the only one who was eager to attend dinner tonight. She had given him her address without hesitation, he had not been anticipating that either. He had told her to wear something formal and to forget anything related to work, but he knew that she had it in her head. He had anticipated an argument form her and had had gotten one.
"I thought the whole reason behind dinner tonight was to continue our discussion from today?" she had asked slightly peeved.
"Oh, we will definitely continue with our discussion," he had replied with a smile in his voice.
"Ugh! You're unbelievable!" she had exclaimed but he knew that she was not at all obtuse with the idea.
He had merely chuckled and said he would be at her door promptly at seven after which he had hung up before she could object.
Seven P.M
As the minutes began to tick closer to seven, Usagi was seated in front of her dresser, gazing into its mirror while putting on the finishing touch on her minimally applied makeup, when her door buzzer went off. She had cleared Heero with the doorman downstairs that afternoon when she had arrived. She knew Heero was not the type to be kept waiting so she had given instructions for him to be sent up without any sort of hassle. Why she had went out of her way to do so, she didn't know.
She sauntered over to the door, her body clad in a black evening gown that hugged her figure and outlined her every curve. Silver tone sequins and beads sparked the deep V bodice of the silk charmeuse of the dress, the low back tied across the shoulders by a chiffon sash. He had said wear something nice, but she was going for sexy, nose bleed sexy. Her wicked side had come out while she had been picking an outfit. She had grinned and snatched the dress off of its hanger remembering Minako demanding she buy it, now she was actually grateful to her sister for persisting she buy it for a later occasion. She wanted to impress Heero, she wanted to take his breath away and wipe that egotistical smile from his handsome face while doing it.
Usagi peeked out the peep hole just for caution's sake, you could never be too careful she'd always say, and saw Heero through it. She opened the door and very boldly gave him a once over, from head to toe and had to admit she liked very much what she saw. His tall lean physique was only highlighted by his black dress pants and a matching dress shirt, the first two buttons were undone, which only served to increase the amount of sex appeal that was oozing out of him and make him seem more tempting and dangerous. Minako would probably call him a walking sex machine if she saw him dressed the way he was. He looked oh so delicious as well.
"Come in," she said pleasantly turning away, she'd be damned if he knew what she was thinking and it was all probably showing in her eyes. "I just need to put my shoes on and we can be on our way. Make yourself comfortable," she gestured to the living room.
She purposely swayed her behind as she walked to her room to retrieve her designer pumps. She wanted him to want her and she wanted to give him a glimpse of the woman she could be.
The moment the door had open to reveal Usagi Heero's breath had been stolen. Not in a million years would he have imagined that Usagi could be such a Siren. If she so much as beckoned to him he was sure he would be lured to his doom. She looked so much the temptress in that stunning figure hugging dress, he could see all of her curves and suddenly he wasn't so keen on taking her out to dinner anymore. He was sure that she would be turning the heads of the better part of the male population. They would be ogling her to the point of which he might actually begin to feel jealous, something he had never felt so much of.
Heero stifled any lingering thoughts and decided to take in the sort of place that she dwelled in. Its furnishing was surprisingly peaceful and wasn't ostentatious in the least bit considering her remarkable wealth. He made his way to the plush sofa and sat down. He noticed she had the latest electronics, something he knew no female he had ever met took an interest in and knowing that she did spiked his curiosity once again as to the sort of woman she was. He realized then that the carnal pull that drew him towards her was not all there was to the attraction her felt for her; he had the genuine urge to get to know the woman behind the business suits.
Usagi was back in a few minutes, pumps already on her feet when she realized Heero was not seated on the sofa where she had expected him to be. A slight panic began to creep up her spine; he hadn't decided to ditch her, had he? Relief however washed over her as she glimpsed something black on her balcony. She made her way to the open doors where the light breeze of the night was blowing. Her heart froze at the sight before her. She watched Heero look more at ease than she had ever seen him before. His eyes were closed as he contentedly let his chocolate colored hair sway lightly in the breeze causing it to ruffle slightly. She hadn't been aware she had been staring until she heard his husky voice.
"Like what you see?" he asked with his wicked trademark smile.
Hell yes, she thought but settled for a shrug. "You ready to go?" she asked instead.
He nodded and extended his hand towards her, she willingly took it and he placed it in the crook of his arm as he led her out the door and to his car.
Usagi sat at the elegantly styled Italian restaurant, eyes skimming her menu. She had never been to this particular restaurant before but she had heard its many praises. It was the "it" place to be seen if one were a celebrity of if one possessed a sizable bank account. She would have rather he taken her to a pizzeria or somewhere less extravagant where she would be more in her depth. It wasn't as though she had not been to expensive restaurants before but the reputation of this one was somewhat intimidating. Nevertheless, she pushed aside any qualms she had; it was too late to request they go to a different place to eat.
Having no clue what so ever on what to order when the waiter arrived to take their orders, Usagi asked Heero, "Any suggestions?"
"Yes," he said flashing her a smile. Would she regret ever asking him to order for her?
"Antipasti E Insalate?" asked the male waiter who was discreetly eyeing Usagi much to Heero's annoyance.
"Rucola E Parmigiano" Heero growled to the man who instantly became aware that he had been caught ogling the man's date.
"Ye-yes Sir," he stuttered quickly writing the order down, "and what will you have for your first course?" he recovered quickly.
Heero swiftly told the man what he would like along with what their second course would be and what they would like for dessert.
"And what will you have to drink?" the man asked at last.
"Barolo" Heero said dismissively. The waiter took his hint and scurried off to the kitchen.
"You know you didn't have to be so rude?" Usagi told Heero once the waiter was gone.
"I didn't like the way he was staring at you," he drawled. Then suddenly a genuine smile lit up his handsome face and Usagi forgot how to breathe. He took her exposed hand and kissed her palm, "You look beautiful tonight."
Usagi blushed prettily but still managed to ask, "Are you saying that every other time I don't?"
Heero laughed. Usagi was definitely a remarkable woman- one of a kind.
"No, my dear, I'm just saying you look beautiful, more so tonight," he grinned at her exposing his even white teeth.
"I thought so," Usagi teased.
Elsewhere…
"Now that I'm here, what do you want?" Kenji asked rather gruffly to the woman he was facing as he sat in the quaint little restaurant trying to keep control of his emotions. It had been so long since he had seen her and she still had some kind of hold on him despite all he knew about her. She had called him earlier in the day demanding him to come down here and have dinner with him saying she had something important to discuss with him. Kenji would not have come to meet her but she had certain information that he did not want others to find out and he couldn't afford a slip and have something plastered on the front page of some gossip magazine, which he knew she was capable of doing. He would have none of it if he could prevent it.
She had been rather persistent and reasonably patient at the same time, as well. She had asked him to meet with her so many times before but he had always made some sort of excuse not to meet her, partly because he hadn't the courage to meet with her after so many years knowing he still loved her.
"It's nice to see you again," she said pleasantly choosing not to be baited by him.
Kenji had to admit though, she had cleaned up well since the last time he had seen her. She didn't look as haggard as he had remembered. Her face shone with an inner radiance that he hadn't seen before and he was mesmerized by it. She did not look one bit like her fifty years of age, she looked much younger and when he looked at her he saw Usagi's and Minako's faces as well. They took so much of her beauty that he had been reminded of her whenever he looked at either one of his daughters and sometimes it was painful remembering how much he had loved her and all she had done to play a part in their divorce.
"I wish I could say the same," he drawled even though he knew it was true.
"You don't really mean that do you, Kenji?" she asked, her face crumpling.
"Its, Tsukino to you," was all he said.
"Don't lie to yourself Kenji, you've always been an honest man. One of the reasons I've always loved you so much."
"What do you know about love Ikuko?" he asked her harshly. How dare she say something like that?
"I've learned a lot about it since you left me, and I know that the love I have for you has never went away if anything it has only increased, that much I do know," she said in resignation.
Kenji groaned inwardly, why did she have to go and say something like that? He wanted to give in but he knew she had put him and his daughters, especially Usagi, too much suffering.
"That may be so, but we're not here to discuss our personal feelings," she stated, steeling his heart. "What are you really here for Ikuko?"
"Right to business I see, that hasn't changed," she commented.
What does that mean? Kenji thought offensively but did not voice it.
"I want my girls back or at least I what them to be apart of my life again," she said earnestly.
Kenji snorted, "What makes you think that they would want to see you?"
"I see you're going to make this hard for me-"
"So what will you do? Go to the press? Start a scandal?" Kenji spat. He didn't want to be angry at her but he knew she might stoop to that level.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Ikuko seemed aghast at the idea, raising her voice for the first time since they had started talking. "Why would I do that? I don't want them to hate me more, and doing something like that wouldn't be good for anyone."
At least now Kenji was sure she wasn't going to do anything stupid.
"Right," he said sarcastically not quite believing her but wanting to.
"If you don't believe me, that's fine but you are not going to stop me from seeing my daughters," she said firmly and for the first time Kenji noticed the determination in her eyes. "I just wanted to get your approval first. The girls aren't minors anymore."
Kenji knew what she was alluding to and sighed in defeat. But was that about, her wanting his approval first?
"So the girls aren't minors, why did you contact me and not them first?" Kenji just had to know her answer.
Ikuko sighed, "I was hoping to also remove any animosity between us. I don't want you to hate me forever Kenji," she pleaded. "I want us to be happy again. I'm a changed woman," the sound of obvious rejection of that idea did not dissuade her from explaining herself. "If you don't think that's true, look at my life right now," she demanded. "After my probation was up I did a total 360 to change everything that was in my power to change." She launched into further explanation. "I sold the house, took the money and bought an apartment, and got back on my feet, picking up where I left off. I went back to my sketch pad and worked on my designs for months at a time. I've become so successful, I even have my own clothing line," she exclaimed but went on, "maybe you've heard of it, it's called Aimi."
The name sparked recognition in Kenji immediately, it was the pet name she had for the girls when they were growing up, her "beautiful love". He also knew there was a very successful company by that name but had never thought to check out its owner. She couldn't own that particular company could she?
"You are bluffing," he said mockingly.
"Am I?" she arched an eyebrow but instead of arguing with him she reached into what seemed like a very expensive purse from the clothing line she supposedly owned, and pulled out what seemed to be a business card, handing it to him.
Kenji looked over the card and had to concede that it looked very professional.
"This doesn't mean anything. It won't change the way the girls feel about you," he said evenly "well at least Minako," he add at the end but he also wanted to add the way I feel about you.
"What do you mean? I would think that Usagi would be the one to hate me…" she couldn't finish her sentence remembering all she had done to her baby daughter.
"That's right, you don't know," Kenji began his voice tight. "Usagi doesn't remember you. She has amnesia."
"What?!" Ikuko exclaimed. "When…how…?" she didn't know what question to ask.
Kenji sighed, he hadn't told her any of it because he thought she wouldn't have cared and besides he hadn't want anything to do with her after what he had found out she was doing to his youngest daughter.
"It was after she graduated from high school. I sent her and Rei on vacation in the Bahamas," he took in a haggard breath, it was always so hard to talk about this particular event knowing that if Heero hadn't been there his darling daughter might not be alive today. "They were out swimming and they were attacked by a shark. While she tried to get away she hit her head on a rock. When she woke up she didn't even know who we were."
Ikuko gasped and tears sprang immediately to her eyes. Kenji watched her reaction knowing her tears to be real. He wanted so much to comfort her but he couldn't. He just had to know her reasons for doing the things she did to them, the main ones being why she had cheated on him and why she had mistreated Usagi so bad for all these years.
"Tell me why you did it?" Kenji asked her, finally having the courage to let out all his pent up feelings. It ached too much to keep them all at bay and wonder everyday why the love of his life had done such a thing to him. He just had to know, once and for all. He wanted inner peace again no matter what her answer was.
"Are you so sure you want to know?" Ikuko said, her before tranquil voice turning acidic with every word she spoke. "You left so quickly with the girls last time you didn't even give me a chance to explain-"
Kenji cut her off roughly, "My eyes told me all I needed to see," he hissed at her.
"Well I'm sorry to say darling, but your eyes deceived you," Ikuko retorted equally venomous. The tension between the two was tangible but to Kenji's surprise she sighed and leaned back in her chair.
"This is ridiculous. This has been going on for too long, 18 years is just too damn long!" she quieted again then asked, "Would you still like to know?"
"Yes" Kenji said tightly, nodding his head.
"All I ask is for you not to interrupt me, please."
"Alright, go ahead."
And Ikuko began to tell him her side of the story and as he had promised he did not interrupt her but listened quietly, too stunned to say anything.
"And that's what you walked in on…" she finished, tears shining in her eyes.
Kenji reached out to hold her hand and she let him take it. There were no words that could describe how he felt at this moment. He had gotten his answer and it was not at all what he had expected. Now that he looked back on that day, what she just told him and what he had seen fit together like a puzzle, only he had been too blind and hurt to approach her and ask what had really gone on that day.
He kissed the palm of her upturned hand, "My dear Ikuko, all these years I have truly believed that you cheated on me but now what you just told me…I could rip out that bastards heart. And to think that I never gave you a chance to explain…I've caused us so much pain and suffering…" Kenji couldn't continue the pain in his chest too hard to get around.
"Shhh," Ikuko reached out and caressed his face, "You didn't know…"
"My behavior was inexcusable. You have to forgive me!" Kenji proclaimed.
Ikuko smiled the smile he had fallen in love with all those years ago and once again his world was shed with light, a weight lifting off of his shoulders at her words.
"My love, there is nothing to forgive," Ikuko whispered tenderly.
But suddenly Kenji pulled away from her and once again disgust shone in his eyes, "You may have forgiven me for my behavior towards you but I will never forgive you for the things you did to Usagi. You even put her life in danger!"
"Oh, Kenji…" Ikuko's voice broke but she continued, "Don't you see… I didn't hurt her because I wanted to. I had no control over myself. I did things because I missed you so much. The pain to go through another day without you and Mina was so harsh that I drank my way into a stupor because I couldn't deal with the ache of missing you," she clutched her heart in despair. "You had condemned me and the only thing I had to remember you by was Usagi… I never meant to hurt her," her tears were coming full blown now. "But I didn't have control of myself then and don't you think it killed a part of me every time I did something to hurt her? She was my baby… If I could do anything to go back in time and undo all the bad things I did- I would do it in a heart beat!"
Kenji wanted to believe her but it wouldn't undo all the suffering she had put Usagi through. But as he thought about it, it wasn't his place to forgive her for her behavior towards their daughter; it was Usagi who had to forgive her.
"Until the day Usagi forgives you comes, only then will I let go," and with that he got up and left the restaurant without a backwards glance.
As Ikuko watched the man she still loved walk out on her again, her heart broke a little more but determination burned in her veins, she would get her family back no matter what!
Heero & Usagi
The course of their dinner had passed by in the same sort of fashion that it had began in, light bantering here and there and conversations always stimulating. There was never a dull moment and both found that they rather enjoyed the other's company.
"Hmm," Usagi sighed resting her napkin on the table after she had dabbed the sides of her mouth. "That was simply wonderful," she said to Heero.
"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it," Heero replied, his lips curving slightly. "But to tell you quite frankly, I imagined you would have picked at your food. Most of the women I know would never eat more that two bites."
Usagi laughed at his incredulous tone, "Well that's just another way to distinguish me from the other women you know."
"Indeed." Heero was about to say more but the waiter returned to clear their table and place the bill. Heero took out his credit card and placed it within the receipt folder and slipped his tip in and waved the waiter over.
"Thank you for dinner, Heero. I truly enjoyed it," Usagi said truthfully, when the waiter left.
"It was my pleasure," he replied with a smile.
When the waiter returned with his credit card, Heero rose to his feet and went to stand behind her chair to pull it out for her. Usagi thought him to be the epitome of a gentleman despite his hard exterior.
They made their way to the restaurant's exit, Usagi's hand on the crook of Heero's arm, drawing glances as they had when they first walked in, but they both ignored them. For one, they were too caught up in how being in such proximity of each other was affecting their libidos. The spark they had felt so many times before while touching each other had not lessened one bit but only seemed to have intensified.
Once in the car Usagi felt composed enough for speech. Walking out of the restaurant next to him after spending so much time in his presence without bickering like they usually did, did things to her. She found him to be delightful company and was not the ruthless man she had once thought him to be.
Her tone was light, "You know we didn't exactly talk about we were supposed to."
"And what would that have been?" he glanced at her pretending to be at a loss.
"Ugh! Don't play ignorant," she narrowed her eyes at him.
He chuckled, "Okay, stop shooting daggers at me with your eyes. We have some time before we get to your place so talk. Unless…" he trailed off.
"Unless what?" Usagi asked nervously not liking the glint in his oh so sexy blue eyes.
"You could invite me back to your place," he said glancing at her again.
"I don't think that's a good idea," she said quickly. Usagi had been afraid he'd say that and she didn't have to think about the answer.
"Why not? Are you afraid of me?" he asked raising an eyebrow, lowering his voice, his eyes teasing.
Usagi lifted her chin, "Of course not."
"Then there should be no problem then," he replied, his tone was on that said he would not be dissuaded.
Usagi huffed, "Whatever."
Heero smirked, she was such a pushover.
Author's Note: Wow, longest chapter to date (Sixteen pages!) Hope you guys enjoyed! Don't forget to tell me what you think!