Relena opened her eyes and blinked against the florescent light. She slowly brought her hand up and fingered the back of her head to feel for a bump. Feeling nothing but her golden hair falling through her fingers she fell into frightened yet relieved sobs. A door at the far end of the white room the former queen lay in opened and Hildy poked her head in.
"Relena? Hon, you awake? Oh dear! Are you ok?" The German girl rushed to the side of the cot where her friend lay crying. Relena lifted her blood shot eyes to meet Hildy's own concerned ones.
"Where am I?" The blond asked in a shaky voice. Her gaze flew about the white walls of the small room.
"We're in a back room of the store. You passed out while you were looking at the dresses. Are you all right?"
"I'm-I'm fine. Let's buy those dresses and go home," replied the princess with a weak smile. Hildy smiled in return and helped her friend up and back out to the racks of clothes.
The stars twinkled brightly against the black night sky. The sliver moon cast its light onto a large auditorium type building, beckoning people in extravagant dress near. Music drifted in the cold air making the wanderers move faster to get in.
A small group of youngsters made their way to the ball. Hildy was out front, Duo hanging off one arm and Relena on the other. Trowa, Quatre, Midii, and Catherine tried to keep up with the overly excited German girl.
"You're sure he's coming?" Hildy whispered into Duo's ear.
"Positive babe. Heero's not one to chicken out," he replied with a smile. He leaned over and gave his date a peck on a red cheek. The group paid for their tickets and wandered through the open doors. Relena gasped, never had she seen any place decorated to beautifully.
The ceiling of the auditorium had been retracted so the moonlight bathed the dancers in silver. Fabric banners of silver were draped around the room with bouquets of vibrant red roses situated where the ends meet. A refreshment table sat waiting against a wall, piled with gourmet cakes and candies. At the opposite end of the building another door stood open letting Relena get a peek of a wondrous garden, a retreat for those who get tired of dancing.
"Wow, they certainly went all out for this one," commented Cathy.
"Food!" cried Duo. He attempted to dive for the refreshment table but was stopped.
"Dancing!" Countered Hildy firmly. With that the braided pilot was pulled into the crowd of dancing people with his girlfriend.
"Shall we?" Trowa bowed to Midii with an extended hand. She giggled and took it and they too vanished into the sea of bodies.
"Come on Quatre!" Cathy tried to drag her date onto the dance floor.
"But what about Mr. Relena?"
"Go on Quatre, have fun. I'll be fine," replied the former princess with a weak smile. Quatre nodded and joined the others. Relena sighed then took her place in a chair next to the goodie table.
I wonder if he's going to show up. Why am I so stupid? Of course he's not going to. Why would he? For me? Ha! That's a good one Ms. Former Queen of the World. Relena took in a deep breath and slumped farther into her chair.
"Hey guys! He's here!" Duo whispered excitedly. They all watched as the silent soldier walked carefully to where the princess sat.
Relena had her head down, signaling she didn't want to dance with anyone. She didn't notice as someone knelt in front of her. Heero gently took her hand and rose it to his lips. The blond slowly raised her head and gasped when she saw her prince sitting in front of her. With out words they stood and walked to the dance floor.
A slow melody started and they danced, unaware of the other three couples watching from a distance. Heero and Relena looked into each other's eyes before she rested her head on his chest. She breathed in the smell of his new tux and took in the warmth that radiated from the soldier. She couldn't help but think how perfectly they fit together, as though they were molded for each other.
Relena lifted her head so she could look into Heero's eyes, and smiled. "Heero, I…" She suddenly recoiled from his arms and clutched her head. The princess looked at Heero with wide eyes. "Not again, not now," she pleaded. Everything around her melted into the camp, gowns and tuxedos faded to rags. She looked up and saw Heero's worried eyes, as he reached out for her a chain link fence materialized between them.
"ReLena!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lena gingerly touched the gash on the back of her head; it was taking forever to heal. A light snow began to fall on the slaves as they woke to stand in line for morning inspection. Hirdy nudged her friend and glanced at the fence. Lena looked in the direction of the barrier, her eyes meeting dark blue.
"Make it quick, I'll cover for you." The blond nodded at her friend and made her way to the fence.
"Good morning my prince," greeted Lena.
"Princess," came Odin from the other side. The two intertwined their fingers through the chain link barrier.
After he had fought D and tried to save Lena by scaling the fence, Odin and the other three soldiers that helped were charged with insubordination. "If you want to be in there so bad you can stay," said the stuffy captain. The soldier was thrown into the men's camp located next to the women's.
"I don't know how I made it without you," Lena said with tears in her eyes.
"It'll be over soon," soothed the silent soldier.
"I love you Odin." He kissed her on the top of the head and she scurried off to get in line. He watched her go then went to his own line.
"Welcome back lover boy," the boy with chestnut hair teased.
"Shut up Max," Odin growled.
"Good of you to show number 78," the stony faced guard glared down at Lena. "Because you were late you and everyone in your house get grave duty." Anger and sorrow fell upon the girl's shoulders. Grave duty ment burying the bodies of dead prisoners. She looked at the living skeletons around her and was struck with guilt. A hand grasped hers.
"It's ok." Kat looked at her with reassuring eyes. Lena nodded but couldn't shake the guilt.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Ok, there it is. Finally the 4th chapter. Sorry I took so long everyone, been quite busy lately. Thanks to all who have been reviewing. You like me! You really like me! ^-^ ~wipes away a tear~ I'll try to get the next chapter up soon! Tata!