Heero Yuy hated convocations. It was one of the drawbacks of some of his classes he had elected to take that semester. Political science was one that he hadn't really fancied but given his history he thought it might be interesting to see how the rest of the world viewed the events that had transpired nearly three years ago. He had expected to find the class amusing or boring but instead had found himself genuinely enjoying it. It had been even more interesting, however, when he found that attending certain events would be mandatory to his grade. This particular event had him anxious though. He didn't like anxiety.

Relena was coming to give a speech to the student body about making correct choices to prevent repeating the mistakes of the past and shooting for an overall better future. Knowing she would be there twisted his stomach into uncomfortable knots. To his knowledge she had no idea he was there; no idea he was a student and athlete at that University and that he would be in the audience. It was possible but he largely doubted it. Somehow though, amidst the throngs of students excited to hear her speak, she had found him. Somehow, her aqua eyes found his Prussian blue in a sea of those watching her every move. She had paused for only an instant, faltering though only those who knew her would have noticed. The surprise in her gentle gaze warmed him. It was hot and stuffy and the close proximity to his fellow students was less than ideal. Seeing her again however… He studied her up on the stage as he listened to her words.

She looked good. The color of her suit brought out her eyes and her hair shone in the artificial sunlight. She had grown physically: she seemed a bit taller and her figure had filled out in nicely… 'When did her legs get so long?' She had certainly seemed to grow into her own. Shoulders back, head high, she conveyed all the confidence one in her position rightly should have and exuded a presence that commanded the attention of all in the room.

He knew Relena had been using her new position as the Foreign Minister to tour the colonies and make notes of necessary changes even as she negotiated and conversed with the powers that be for better living conditions for the residents.

Countless charities, homeless shelters and assistance programs had been built and established under her care and guidance. If the ESUN did not approve the funds necessary, then she funded it herself and found ways for the programs and shelters to stay funded and managed. In an interview Relena had stated how she hoped to influence the youth of today to work together to rebuild their communities and strive for a better tomorrow. From any other politician those might have been empty words, but not from her. When she spoke, she meant every word she said and it was that earnest nature and honesty that drew people to her. She was a beacon of hope to billions and a symbol of the peace he and the other pilots had fought for. As her speech continued, he noticed how her eyes continued to return to him, a smile reserved just for him danced in their cerulean depths.

When the speech concluded, she thanked the audience and exited the stage to a chorus of applause and ruckus cheers. As if on their own, his feet moved him toward the stage, following her exit. He bumped into a few students, muttered an apology or two as he tangled his way through the crowd. They all had somewhere else they needed to be It was a Friday evening; basketball season had just ended so no practice or game awaited his immediate attention... but he had to… If only for a moment…

'I need to see her…'

He came up behind her; it hadn't taken him long to follow the secure route taken by her guards to escort her to the car. He caught a glimpse of her as he turned the corner. She had let her hair down out of the bun she had previously worn and now it cascaded like liquid gold down her slender back. He felt his breath catch as he allowed his eyes to follow the silken strands down her form to her hips and her nicely rounded rear on down to her long legs...creamy skin encased delicately in nylon that he suddenly longed to slide off of her…

"Stop where you are!" a guard had seen him, drawn his gun, stood between him and her. This was expected. It was also unacceptable. It would be easy to incapacitate him to get to her but that would leave her without some of her protection.

"Jenkins! It's alright!" Her voice interrupted his train of thought. He looked over to find her standing behind her guard, hand on his arm.

"Ma'am, stay where you are. This punk has been following us since we left the speech."

"Lower your weapon, Tony." Tony opened his mouth to protest, but she visibly gripped his arm a bit tighter. Her lips formed into a soft smile. "It's okay… He's an old friend." The warmth in her voice made his stomach flip. It was an unfamiliar feeling. He didn't know if he liked it, but he didn't exactly not like it. She stepped out in front of her guard who had holstered his gun but kept his hand over it as a precautionary measure. He was glad to see her security seemed to actually care about her safety. It was quite the improvement from that time she had fallen into the rose garden…

"Hello, Heero." The way she said his name made his stomach flip again and he struggled to grab hold of his thoughts. His lips turned up at the corners into the smallest of smiles.

"Relena."

"We're on our way to get some dinner. Would you like to come along?"

"Ma'am, with all due respect, he doesn't have the proper clearance-"

"Lieutenant, do you trust me?" The man paused for a moment and looked from her to Heero and back to her again before nodding. Heero found the guard's reaction to her amusing.

"I was thinking we'd get some Italian. Do you know any good places nearby?" Heero nodded and walked toward her, opening her door.

He watched as she gently slid into the seat, his eyes going once more to her legs as he noticed how the subtle slit in the side of her skirt exposed more of her leg… He mentally shook himself as he shut her door and made his way around to the other side. The dirty look her guard shot him did not go unnoticed before he offered the lieutenant a small, smug smile and joined her in the back seat. He told the address to the driver as the Security guard took the passenger seat. He noticed the second car behind them. 'More guards in tow: Smart.'

The ride to the small Italian Bistro was fairly quiet. To anyone who had never been around the young diplomat, she would have seemed perfectly calm, but there was a tenseness he couldn't ignore. Heero felt it too. It had been two years since he'd been in the same room with her… even longer still since he collapsed in the Presidential bunker. He had fully expected the hard, cold ground to greet him at the end of his fall but found instead, the safety of her arms. She caught him, cradled him to her chest and cooed to him softly as she stroked his wild hair. He remembered her smell: roses and vanilla and the feel of her soft breasts beneath his cheek…

Heero felt his cheeks heat in an uncharacteristic blush and found himself resisting the urge to compare her change in chest size. Yes, time had been good to her figure indeed… Her attention was on a document from one of her various folders but it was clear she couldn't focus and he soon felt her eyes on him. He wondered what she was thinking; what she thought of him now. He knew he hadn't changed much. He was a bit taller, his hair still wild if a bit longer than before. He knew his face had thinned down to that of a man's, something the women at campus seemed to admire though he paid them no attention. Finally, as if realizing he noticed her gaze, her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink and she glanced back down at her papers, fingers trembling ever-so-slightly.

"Relena…" He hadn't realized he had said her name until she froze and looked at him, a soft look on her face.

"Heero?"

"How have you been?" The question seemed to surprise her, but then, his presence seemed to do that already before. She offered a small, pleasant smile and placed the papers in her lap. Folding her hands together on top of them.

"I've been well." She started and he noted the slight bags under her eyes. She didn't seem to be ill; her skin color was good, eyes bright and clear. She was mostly tired, he noted. "Work keeps me pretty busy but I enjoy it." He nodded. "And you?" Heero didn't know why he hadn't expected her to return his question and he faltered for a moment. He had wanted to see her but hadn't thought it through at all, let alone to small talk.

"Okay." His answer was short and he saw disappointment flash in her eyes. He cleared his throat. "I'm a student at the university. I enrolled earlier this year."

"Oh?" She smiled and her eyes lit up. How was it one expression from her could light up the space around her? "I'm so happy." This confused him.

"Why?"

"Why what?" Her brows knit together in mild confusion.

"Why does that make you happy?" She seemed to consider his question for a moment before turning from him to look straight ahead.

"Because you're living your life." She looked down at her hands. "You're moving on from the war… from your past… Allowing yourself to experience the peaceful world you helped create…" She turned to him again, a sad smile on her face. "You deserve it." The joy in her eyes hid a sadness he couldn't quite understand. He wanted to reach out… to touch her… to find out where that sadness came from and maybe...

"Relena…"

The car came to a stop before he could get out his thought. He got out of the car, walked around and was met with a glare from Jenkins as he beat the Lieutenant to open her door. Heero shot back one of his patented glares which seemed to make the other man pause. Relena's exit from the car broke their brief staredown and he followed her into the restaurant. The smell of garlic and fresh-baked bread greeted their senses as the host greeted them at the door.

"Ah! Signore Heero! buona serata e benvenuto!"

"È bello vederti, Marco. Do you have an open table for two?" Heero had no idea why but he had felt the sudden desire to impress her. His usage of Italian seemed to do just that as her brows lifted in a look of pleasant surprise.

"For two?" Marco glanced over to Relena and a sly smile crossed his lips under his handlebar mustache. "Ah! Che bellezza!" Marco bowed to them, offering him a knowing look on his way down. "Benvenuta bella signora." Relena blushed slightly, but kept her professional composure and smiled at him.

"Grazie, buon signore." Relena answered back and Marco straightened back up, a genuine smile on his face.

"You speak the Italian?" Relena nodded. "Buon!" He turned back to Heero and smiled that same sly smile and a wink. "This way Signore!" Marco led them back to his usual table: a two seater near a small fountain next to a stained-glass window with a view of a small garden. Marco placed two menus, napkins and silverware down for them before pulling out her chair for her.

"Grazi, Marco." She smiled and sat down, Marco scooting her in before offering a bow.

"Prego, Bella."

Heero took his own seat and nodded to Marco as the host informed them that their waiter would be by soon. The wink he left Heero with was telling. Her security did not seem at all amused by the lack of available tables near them, but he didn't care. He was more than capable of protecting her if need be, but Giuseppe's was as safe a place as any. Relatively isolated and small, its clientele were usually a crowd of regulars that minded their own business.

The waiter arrived and set two glasses of ice water and a set of straws on the table before reaching for the notepad in his apron. He smiled and offered a greeting before taking their order. For Heero, pasta carbonara and the house beer. Relena ordered spaghetti aglio e olio with a white wine. He wasn't surprised by her drink choice; she looked like a wine person. The waiter smiled, complimented them on their excellent choices and made his exit, leaving them to enjoy the soft music of a duet between a mandolin and an accordion.

A glance at Relena showed her simple joy at the quaint setting. The candle in the middle was lit and cast a soft glow that matched the overall ambiance of the place. Her eyes had softened, her lips turned up in the smallest of smiles as she leaned forward, elbow on the table, chin resting on her hands as she sighed. The candle light seemed to dance on her features and she looked… otherworldly...like...

"I take it you come here regularly?" Heero nodded.

"Guiseppe's is a good place to study. It's quiet and the food is good."

"I can't wait to try some." She smiled. He found himself studying the curve of her lips… the soft pink color… "Heero?"

"Hm?" His attention snapped back to her. Her brows had quiriked up in a curious way.

"It really is good to see you. I've wondered how you've been."

"You have?" She nodded.

"I keep in contact with most of the other pilots. Quatre is managing his father's business again, Trowa is in the Circus still with his sister. Duo and Hilde eloped last month and are already expecting their first child!" He knew about those two. They had called him at the last minute and had him stand as a witness. There was a wistful look in her eyes… soft and deep… he wondered about it… "Wufei is working with Sally in Preventer as one of their top agents. He seems to be the only one who continues to fight…" She seemed bothered by that thought, but he didn't know why.

"And you?" He paused and stared at her.

"What?"

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather be fighting too?" She looked down at the table, eyes seeming focused on the tiny flame of the candle. He could see that sadness again and fought the confusing urge once more to reach out for her…

"The war is over. I don't need to fight anymore." His simple statement seemed to help her. She raised her gaze to him and there was a silent smile in her eyes.

"I'm glad." He saw something deeper, warmer, swirling in the aqua depths but had no time to figure out what it was before the waiter placed their food in front of them.

"Buon appetito." He bowed and left them alone once again. They ate in relative, but comfortable silence. She sat with perfect posture, dabbed her mouth between bites before taking a drink, napkin in her lap… she was the perfect lady as only a lifetime of etiquette and manners could create. The helpings they were brought had been more than enough. Heero saw her struggling to even finish half of the portion and smiled. The tiramisu they ordered for dessert seemed to thrill her. The way her eyes closed and the hum of pleasure she emitted at the taste made the hairs on his arm stand on end and his blood heat making him shift slightly at the new tightness in his groin… He took a drink of the cold water in hopes of taking his mind off the way the cream on her lips seemed to call to him before she wiped it away…

As the final bite of the decadent dessert disappeared between her lips she smiled and it brought one to his own lips. He knew taking her here would be a good idea. He smiled as she sipped her wine once more, her face looking a bit flushed. How long had they been here? It hardly seemed to matter. He was here… with her… and they seemed to be having a good time… He knew she would have to leave soon. She was a busy person… so many people demanded her time… still… he just wanted… needed...

"Relena…"

"Yes?" He had her undivided attention, the contented smile still on her face.

"Do you have anything else scheduled for today?" His mouth and throat suddenly felt very dry as he waited for her answer. Her lips tightened at the corners, her brow furrowed again as her facial expression fell.

"Not exactly, no…" Her hands went to her lap where he could tell she began to wring her fingers.

"Not exactly?" Heero pressed. He didn't know why it was so important, but he had to know…

"I have a meeting in the morning that I really must prepare for. It is the introduction for a summit to discuss colonial improvements throughout the ESUN." She paused and looked back up at him, her eyes seemed to plead with him for something…

"I see." He felt the disappointment build inside him and looked anywhere but her face.

"Why do you ask?" There was something in her voice...hope? Curiosity? He felt his heart jump.

"I was…" hoping? Wanting? "Wondering if you would like to spend the rest of the day with me. I could show you around the colony…" He watched her eyes light with surprise for the briefest of moments before they clouded over with that same sadness as before.

"Heero, I-"

"Ma'am, we need to be going," Jenkins suddenly appeared by the table and Heero felt the urge to pummel him for the interruption.

"I know, Jenkins."

"Relena…"

"I'm sorry, Heero. Some other time, maybe?" There was something more… something she wasn't saying… He could see it in her eyes again… sadness, regret...longing? As she stood to go, he stood and reached for her, gently grasping her wrist. Her guards reached for their guns. Heero ignored them.

"Stay." He locked eyes with her, stormy Prussian blue to swirling aqua. "Please..?" Her eyes darted down to his hand and then back to his eyes. Were those tears?

"I can't. I'm sorry." He let her go and felt a twist in his gut. "I have to go, but it really was nice seeing you again… getting to catch up…" She cleared her throat and shouldered her purse, her eyes suddenly becoming unreadable. Her smile she offered seemed to be no more special than it would be for anyone else. "Please, take care of yourself?" She began to make her way to the door but stopped and turned to face him one more time. There were definitely unshed tears this time, no matter how hard she tried to hide them. "Goodbye, Heero..."

He felt it was a 'goodbye'. A real 'goodbye'. He didn't want goodbye. He didn't know what he wanted but he knew 'goodbye' wasn't it. As she made her way out to the car, all he could do was watch as he swore to himself that no matter what he would see her again and find out what exactly it was that she had made him feel…