XXXVII. The Ballet (First Act)
253. Variola
They were fighting a silent battle. She refused to talk to him and he refused to say a word unless she did. He was winning and she couldn't stand it. Silence wasn't a weapon she was used to handling. Relena tapped her foot against the limo's floor, glaring at him, then crossed her arms and turned to the window with a huff.
'You're really going through with this?' she questioned exasperated.
'Yes.'
'Why?'
Milliardo sighed. 'This man's like a disease, Relena. Don't you realise he's infected you and how fast he's spread? You'd have never backed up a murderer before.'
254. Bedlam
They looked around rather horrified at the endless sea of people. Men in tuxedoes and overtly expensive suits, women in long swishing gowns… To Trowa all the lights and colours were nearly dizzying, but Catherine was overexcited. She 'awed' and 'ohed' at everything tugging not at all gently at her brother's arm.
'Is that Lucrezia Noin? Oh, my God!' she dragged Trowa after her into a wall of people. He sent Heero a 'help me' look over his shoulder.
'You're the one who wished to bring her…'
'Should I count him out?' Duo asked on the intercom.
'He'll be back.'
255. Villein
Zechs gave him his politest smile. 'Ah, Heero Yuy, how nice of you to join us.'
He looked happy indeed.
'As if I had a choice.' Heero's smile turned out more like a scowl.
'You didn't have a choice?' Duo screeched surprised in his ear. They didn't fear Zechs would suspect their plan… For all he knew, from years of investigation, Heero Yuy worked alone and only alone. 'She's pregnant, isn't she? He's forcing you to propose. That's why you need an escape plan!'
Heero half-rolled his eyes before he could stop himself. Zechs frowned suspiciously. 'Everything alright, Yuy?'
'Fine.'
256. Heritor
Trowa had just managed to drag Catherine out of some dancer's dressing room when his intercom flared to life.
'Did ya' know Heero's having a baby?' Duo sounded excited.
He halted so suddenly he nearly fell on his face. Catherine ran straight into him.
'Trowa!' she whined, rubbing her nose. 'You did that on purpose!'
'What did you say?'
'I said—.'
'Not you.' He covered his sister's mouth with his hand, making her glare appear all the more threatening.
'That's why he has to marry her!' Duo explained. 'You're going to be an uncle!'
Trowa thought he would faint.
257. Rondel
'So you're the famous Heero Yuy.' Lucrezia shook him by the hand.
Milliard frowned and gaped. He could not understand…
He'd told her the man was a murderer, a manipulator… A snake.
Lucrezia had been way more concerned about Relena's heartache.
He could see she had not changed her mind.
He hissed. 'When dealing with an assassin you're not supposed to be kind.'
'If Relena likes him, how bad can he be?'
'He can be as bad as the villains on TV.'
But his argument did not convince her…
And she led Heero away to meet up with his sister.
258. Confluence
'Since we're all here…' Milliardo began when Lucrezia was gone. He looked like the host of an important business meeting.
Except to Catherine.
'Silence, please?' She eyed him reproachfully. 'The first act's about to start.'
Milliardo eyed the scrawny young lady perplexed, noticing her for the first time. 'Who are you?'
She frowned confused. 'I'm with Heero.'
'Ah…' his eyes met the assassin's narrowed ones before turning to his sister's. 'He's cheating on you.' He told her. Trying one last time to make her see the 'real' Heero Yuy.
'No, he's not.' She stared at him. 'We're all with Heero.'
259. Lashings
Heero didn't see what there was to negotiate. Zechs might not be able to condemn him for all the crimes he'd committed, but the tape he now possessed was enough to get the assassin convicted of at least one attempted murder. Surely that would be enough to put him away for a long – long – time if not for good.
The man was doing this for his sister's sake. So was Heero, in a way… For if it wasn't for Relena he would have already made himself scarce. Instead he was there…
He wondered what he would not do for her…
A.N.: Did you read 257 as a poem full of rhymes? If you didn't, you should. It will sound twice as ridiculous when you do. XD