Temper the Soul

Chapter 3

by zapenstap







Audrey hung up the phone and stared at the mirror above her vanity, at her face mostly, letting the shapes so familiar to her blur together until she could no longer make sense of them. Strange to think that so much depended upon one's appearance when in relation to the world. She had grown up in a small, secluded space, away from the rush and fuss of the world, where everyone knew her by name and sight and mood. She liked this city for its people and practices, for its fresh bustle and entertainment, and adored the hills about, but she wondered if she could ever feel truly comfortable here. It didn't matter. Though she hated it on principle, her father was right.

A knock sounded at her door. "Come in," she called, seating herself before the vanity and staring into the mirror. Was it the prince? She took deep breaths. Try to be happy. But it was hard. She was so confused, and whenever she thought she might be mistaken, the uncertainties she had cultivated for so many years boiled up in her gut.

The door opened to reveal a girl in blue with wild black hair and a mischievous smile. "Hi, I'm Terese," the girl said, dropping the information casually as she crossed the room, shaking bracelets on her wrists as she reached to pull her hair back.

"Did the prince send you?" Audrey questioned quietly. She thought she had seen the girl among the palace staff several times, directing the work of others for the most part. But why Prince Damion would send someone to her rooms, even if they were in his palace, baffled her. She didn't particularly relish being fetched for this outing like some retainer.

"Who?" Terese said, blinking. "Oh, you mean Damion. No. He's haggling with some of the Council Lords about God-only-knows-what and trying to get ready at the same time." She sighed expressively. "I don't know what to do about that boy. He's been working harder than Relena used to and he does not sleep enough. I managed to work it so that he can have most of today off, but I imagine he'll be scheduling more meetings tonight and tomorrow in spite of it."

Audrey blinked. He wasn't sleeping enough? "If he didn't send you, why did you come?"

Terese seated herself beside Audrey with a grin, almost like she was an old friend and they had known each other for years. Somewhat bewildered, and, she admitted, pleasantly surprised, Audrey responded in kind. Terese leaned forward, pulling her into close counsel. "Well, Manny's been helping Damion all this morning, which is good because they haven't been talking," she put emphasis on this with an animated expression and gestures, but continued without pause. "Manny's been a little weirded out by all the sudden changes," she digressed, shaking her head, "though I imagine it must be weird seeing your best friend become a quasi-king overnight, but it helped him start communicating better with me, so there's a silver lining." Audrey blinked. "Anyway," Terese said, sitting straighter, "since Manny was busy with Damion, I just thought I'd drop in to meet you before the outing and see if you needed anything. It must be strange coming in from the country with all this expectation of matrimony to a total stranger, but honestly, you couldn't do better."

Audrey laughed. She couldn't help it. It had been a long time since she had had conversation that wasn't formal or guarded or didactic. Her liking for this strange, wild girl was immediate. "You think Damion is a good man then?"

"Oh yeah," Terese said dismissively as if it were obvious. "Are you going to wear your hair like that, because I think... here, let me try something." She got up on her knees, snagged a clip from the vanity counter and put it in her mouth. Audrey turned in some bewilderment toward the mirror, letting the girl pull some of her hair up on top of her head. Audrey had already spent the morning curling it, but with a few twists, a clip and some bobby pins, Terese arranged it into something beautiful, a bun of dangling curls erected over the rest of the hair that cascaded over her shoulders. "I wish I had hair like this," Terese said thoughtfully, inserting one last bobby pin. "Shake your head." Audrey shook it. "Looks pretty tight," Terese said under her breath, and then picked up the conversation where she left off. "Mine's thick enough to style, but it's not this fine. Oh well, I'm not the one getting married."

"I haven't agreed to get married," Audrey said without much thought, staring at herself in the mirror in amazement.

Terese shrugged. "Well, if you do, he's all yours. Manny says he's quite taken with you already, and you are first choice or whatever, which is lucky for him as I understand it. Damion's the kind who falls hard too."

She felt a strange quiver in her stomach. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, just that he's picky, but once he decides, he's decided. Except for that crazy thing with Relena, I don't think he's ever really liked anybody all that much. I mean, there have been others, but they generally don't last longer than a date or two. A lot of girls have tried to play him, and being so fabulously wealthy, powerful and good looking and all, why wouldn't they? But he doesn't really like that."

Audrey was silent for a moment. "Why not? Why wouldn't a prince enjoy that kind of attention?" Or any man.

Terese chuckled. "Because he's a romantic." She smiled at Audrey in the mirror. "He likes you a lot, though, like really a lot, or he does as far as I can tell. Do you like him?"

"I don't know," she replied quietly. She supposed she liked him, from what she could judge in a few minute's conversation, but she did not think that was what Terese meant. He certainly had beautiful eyes.

"That's okay," Terese said with another shrug. She stood up. "All right, you're done. Do you want to go down with me? I'll call Damion and tell him just to meet us out front."

This certainly was...casual. "Are you coming on the outing?"

"Yeah. Manny and I and Heero and Relena Darilan and some of their friends, Duo and Quatre probably."

"Who?" Audrey asked, bewildered. So many names... "Relena Darilan, the Vice Foreign Minister?" She had heard the stories, of course, but it was strange to think of going on a picnic with such a figure.

"Yeah, her and a bunch of gundam pilots, including her boyfriend Heero Yuy."

"I wasn't aware she had a boyfriend," Audrey replied.

"Two years now," Terese affirmed with a nod. "Relena gave up Damion for Heero. It was kind of messy but they're all friends again now. I used to work for her. I keep expecting her to call and tell me how's she getting married to that delicious pilot, but she hasn't yet. Oh my God, you should have been there for all the drama before they got together."

"A good story?"

"Excellent. Ask Damion to tell it to you."

"Wouldn't that offend him?" she said in some surprise. Terese did say Relena had left the prince for Heero Yuy, right?

"Nah, not anymore. He likes the story more than anyone, I think. It encourages him to believe in love or something." She paused, smiling at nothing. "It encourages everybody." Sighing, she looked at her watch. "We should probably get going."

Audrey nodded in assent. Standing smoothly, she followed Terese out of her rooms.



*****

Damion pulled on his riding gloves as he walked down the hall to the foyer, glad at last to be rid of his advisors. Terese's phone call had been the perfect excuse to escape. His advisors were good people actually, indispensable, and he liked some of them rather well, but the constant harping in wake of all that had happened was exhausting. God bless Terese for clearing his day today. Hiring her away from Relena was one of the smartest moves he had ever made. Thanks to her clever delegation, he could concentrate on enjoying a day with his friends... and with Audrey. More than anything he wanted to make her comfortable here, with him, with his friends. He suspected she still saw his title more than she did him, which was useful in dealing with some, but detrimental to the level he wanted to be at with her. He had nothing to fear of her honesty. All accounts of her were favorable, the worst comment being that she was lately melancholy after the death of her mother. He had not known of that tragedy, and sympathized as well as he might, but was relieved that at least there was some explanation for her mood. More than anything he was wanted to see more of that spark of joy he witnessed yesterday, if only for a moment.

"Prince Damion."

He turned, startled at the coy, sultry voice that caught at him from behind. "Julia," he said in astonishment. Julia Bureun, the daughter of one of his mother's friends. She leaned provocatively in a doorway as she stared at him through black lashes, luminous blue eyes and sultry lips. Her face glowed in the yellow light, framed by long golden-blonde hair of an almost unnatural vibrancy, curled and pinned in an elaborate style. He shook his head and smiled in some amount of wry fondness. "I wondered from time to time if you would ever come back here," he said easily, meeting her gaze.

She lowered her eyes artfully and then lifted her head, catching his gaze again just when he thought she had displayed some meekness. A certain shrewdness lingered in her looks, a cleverness Clara had never had, nor anyone else Damion had ever known. Julia was a sly one, pretty as a dove, sharp as a tack, and with no interest in him whatsoever. She was the sort of person one admired even in general contempt of her behavior, because what she did, she did well, and without regret. Julia was ambitious certainly, but selfishly so, and not dangerous, not to him anyway. For some reason, she had always been honest with him, even though she lied like a merchant to everyone else.

"I couldn't stay away forever," she purred somewhat loftily, licking her lips provactively. He tried not to laugh. "And I heard you were getting married. I had to come and see."

"Not yet," he said.

She shrugged and said more soberly. "I also heard about your father. I'm sorry." Her tone actually held real sympathy. As she approached him, the sexual undertones of her looks, movements and tones evaporated. To anyone else, such behavior might have been real, but with him it was all a joke, because she knew he knew who she really was. "I also hear you and your little first choice are going on a picnic. I wonder if I could tag along."

He wasn't sure whether or not he should be nervous by such a request from the infamous Julia. "I wouldn't mind your company, but I fear you may be harboring some evil against me," he said dubiously, but took the sting out with a smile.

She laughed, flew toward him in one motion, and abruptly they were hugging. "Oh, I missed you," she said, squeezing his back and then ruffling his hair like a younger brother. "No one's as honest as good little Prince Damion." She stepped back, looking him over. "God, you've grown since I lost saw you. What was that, four years ago? Maybe I should have waited! You certainly look a lot more kissable now than you did when we were adolescent."

He flushed, but knew she meant nothing of it. She had taught him how to kiss, had Julia, only a year his senior when he was fourteen and fancied himself desperately in love with her, just like every boy within a thirty mile radius. Julia was one of those girls with that vibe of availability and sensuality, a vibe, as he learned some years later indirectly, that did not disappoint anyone with something to offer.

"I hear you've done well for yourself in these years abroad," Damion said to her.

She shrugged. "Yeah, I suppose. But what did you expect from a girl of my sort of vice?"

"You're hard on yourself."

"Not at all. I know what I am and it's gotten me what I wanted. But I hear you are still an angel. I'm glad."

"Are you?" he said skeptically. "How so?"

"Because you're one of the good ones," she said with a fond smile. "That's why I respect you, and favor you with my secrets. I hope this Audrey Veron knows how lucky she is. If not, I'll set her straight."

He had no response for that, but it reminded him what he was about. "Well, in that case, you may certainly accompany me in my little excursion today. We're meeting everyone out front."

"Fantastic," she replied affirmatively, rested a hand on his arm and walked side by side with him to the main foyer of the palace.

Everyone was waiting when they arrived, chatting amiably together about matters of little importance, everyone except Heero anyway, standing silently at Relena's shoulder with his arms folded. Damion was instantly gratified to see Terese introducing Audrey to everyone else that had come up to support him this weekend, and that she smiled as she met his friends.

"Something caught your eye?" Julia said slyly through a smile, not moving her lips. Her eyes focused on Audrey like a hawk. "Oh, she is something to see."

He merely shook his head in amusement at her attempt to unsettle him. At length, their presence came to the attention of the others. Upon noticing them, Manny left Terese's side and greeted both him and Julia with some enthusiasm. Manny also was in her confidence, being in Damion's, and had received similar lessons from the lady at roughly the same time as Damion. Come to think of it, that was one of things they had gotten in a fight over all those years ago. Strange to think how immature it seemed now, to engage in such a brawl with one's best friend over a few kisses from a undeniably promiscuous acquaintance.

Leaving Julia with Manny, Damion welcomed everyone, introduced Julia as a friend lately returned from extended travel. He then crossed the space between him and Audrey as talk and laughter resumed and people began to file outside to where horses were saddled and waiting for all of them.

He meant to greet her with eloquence, but found the words choked in his throat when she turned her eyes on him. Her pale cheeks were flushed pink with the chill of the morning air and her hair was elaborately curled and styled in such a way that it distracted him from his own speech.

"Lady Audrey," he said clumsily, and offered her his arm, which she took seemingly without thought, her expression flat. Of course, being a lady of some station, she would be used to that. "How are you? How did you sleep?"

He wasn't sure what made him ask that. It was probably because he was so exhausted himself. Once again he had gotten only a few hours of sleep last night. He had seen his mother just before bed, and her inconsolable sorrow had reminded him of all the things he wished to forget. His father's funeral tomorrow for example, an event he courted with dread, but it was only in times of loneliness that he was able to express his grief. He was simply too distracted the rest of the time, and there was still so much to do.

"Fairly well, my Lord Prince," she replied, eyeing him in such a way he almost thought she knew why he had asked. "Tell me more about this company," she said, indicating those who had gathered. "I met everyone only briefly."

He flushed. "Relena Darilan I'm sure you have heard of. I dated her a few years back and we have since become friends. The man beside her is Heero Yuy, Gundam Pilot 01, her significant other. Terese I believe you have met already. She is on my management staff. The boy with her is Manny, my servant and oldest friend, her boyfriend. The other two boys are Gundam Pilots 02 and 04, Duo Maxwell and Quatre Winner respectively. They are more friends of Heero's, but welcome any time in Taravren for favors they have done in my service."

"The rebellion," she guessed.

"That's right," he replied. "The girl with Duo Maxwell is Hilde, his girlfriend," he continued. "Her I have met only briefly."

"And interesting group, my Lord." She paused. "And Julia?" Audrey prompted.

He smiled. He supposed it too much to think she was jealous. "Not competition," he teased anyway, attempting to loosen her up. "Unless it be in friendship. My first kiss, if truth be told, but Julia's serious ambitions don't extend to me. I know her too well to be tricked."

Audrey's reaction was something he wished he could freeze in his mind and replay forever. She smiled hesitantly, laughed and proceeded to look bemused, hugging his arm tighter than she had a moment before. "But you like her," she accused in a half whisper as they stopped before the horses, her tone suddenly more casual after he revealed this personal information. The gundam pilots and their girlfriends were already mounting, but he lingered a moment with Audrey on the ground.

"Guilty," he admitted. "She's an interesting character, but not the type I would court, nor she to be courted. Her methods are a little more direct."

"You're awful!" she whispered playfully under her breath, somehow without sounding childish, her eyes shining. He smiled back; his heart began to beat a little quicker.

"Talking about me?" Julia's voice came suddenly. Audrey flushed and whirled, starting in surprise and embarrasment. But Julia only laughed at her. "Oh, don't feel guilty," she said. "My success to fortune rests on my being the topic of every conversation. It does not bother me. But what is it, may I ask, that Damion has been telling you about me?"

"Nothing in so many words, Lady Julia," Audrey said, her face still a shade of red.

"He's elusive like that, yes," Julia said, casting sly glances in his direction. He held his hands up in defense. "But a good kid. I'm rather fond of him."

He bowed to her and she drifted away in a flash, catching Manny and Terese by the arm and pulling them both some distance awy. Terese laughed at something she said, something that made Manny flush to the roots of his hair.

Damion was left with Audrey in a moment of sudden and surprised silence, deprived of all conversation. They shared a glance between them, smiled, and somehow communicated without saying a word. Abruptly they both laughed. The severe and melancholy countenance of the Lady Audrey Veron, which so intimidated him yesterday, dissolved. Suddenly she was just a pretty girl named Audrey, sharing a joke with Damion, a boy who liked her.

"Damion," she said, and he blinked at the sound of his name without the title from her lips. It was the first she had addressed him so.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"I'm glad I came today."

Smiling, he offered to help her up into the saddle.

*****

Riding beside Relena, Heero couldn't tear his eyes off her, not even to admire the beauty of the Taravren countryside. Two nights now he had refused her, and he thought he was just beginning to understand why. She had been so understanding too, though obviously confused and disappointed. He had played it off on the difficulties Damion was going through affecting him, of the funeral and the pressure of being in a strange place, but he was not so sure she was fooled. What he did know was that he did want to sleep with her... a lot. Actually, it was the only thing he really wanted to do. And that was what made him angry.

She was a flashfire in his head. From the moment he awoke he ran sexual scenarios through his mind until, unsatisfied, he laid down in bed again. And then he dreamed the most terrible dream about her. What he dreamed of frightened and revolted him, what he said to her, how he treated her, how he had been treated. He couldn't remember if it was even a sexual dream, but he awoke with a sense of profound dread, confused and turned off. Only when the confused memories of the dream faded, as they did swiftly, did he remember where he was. Then her presence had been a comfort, and he had held her through the early morning, rubbing the bare skin of her arm as she slept with her head on his chest. But when she awoke he refused her again and the hurt in her face had hurt him.

She had asked him what was wrong, what he had dreamed about. She guessed it was something to do with his past, but though he assured her it was not, he couldn't explain what it really was. He hardly remembered himself, except that it involved her and him in such a way that he was ashamed even upon waking. There was the impression of other people in the dream too, scoffing at them, at him mostly, and he developed the sense that, not only was he unworthy of her, but that he had horribly abused what value somewhat redeemed him. He had yet to shake the sensation, and wondered if the dream was something he had made up in his secret insecurity, or if it really reflected his situation.

"What are you thinking about, Heero?" she asked him in a quiet whisper, and he snapped to attention.

"Nothing," he said, feigning to smile. She regarded him quizzically for a moment, her eyebrows drawing low, but at length said nothing to follow up, to which he was grateful.

"I've been watching Damion and Audrey," Relena said a little coldly, facing straight ahead. His skin prickled. She was offended. He had offended her. God, but he wished he could explain. If only he understood it himself.

"She seems to be responding to him," Heero remarked, but he was more absorbed in watching Relena, her back and shoulders stiff, her head held high, then what he was saying.

"I think she's good for him," Relena said casually, "though a bit apprehensive perhaps. Who wouldn't be?"

Heero thought it might be more than that, but right now he was more interested in figuring out his own life than Damion's. From his observation, Audrey was well-guarded, much like he used to be. Damion would have to work magic to get her love, but then, Damion was probably capable of that. Of course, it depended on the reasons Audrey was so guarded. She was afraid of something. "I don't know," he replied, and Relena looked at him strangely. Damn. He had offended her again. He had not made a response that showed at least some interest in what she was saying, or in Damion's situation, the reason they were here in the first place. He cursed his selfishness.

Relena looked at him for a moment and then sighed.

He wanted to sink into darkness.

Abruptly, Damion called a halt. Heero silently thanked him. Time for lunch. Heero dismounted from his horse, handing the reins to one of the servants who had come to accompany the party and walked over to help Relena down, but she dismounted without his help. A blanket was laid out on the grass and food retrieved from the bags loaded on one of the others. Everyone removed their shoes and sat down, mostly in twos and threes.

"I've never been on a picnic like this before," Audrey said, picking up a sandwich. "I can't remember the last time I ate so casually in such company. My father's staff would be aghast."

Damion smiled. "I'm breaking a lot of formal rules," he admitted. "This weekend, and the week beyond for those that choose to linger, should be highly formal. I ought not to show you this much special treatment, but for better or for worse, this is me."

Audrey did not respond, but her expression was thoughtful.

"You've been downright ignoring the other girls, my Lord," Manny said cheerily.

"Good riddance. I hope they leave today," Terese said harshly, and Duo choked in shock. "I can not stand that Danielle and her posse ordering the staff around." She waved a finger at all of them. "None of you have to put up with it, being so exalted and all, but I've been dealing day and night with these people. Not all of them are so bad, of course, but there's this one girl who I know has got a boyfriend or maybe two, whatever she might say, and then there's that other girl who tried to sneak into Lord Damion's bedroom last night."

"What?" Damion exclaimed. He wasn't the only one.

"I caught her in the hall," Terese said, taking a bite of an apple. "You should have seen what she was wearing too!"

They all just stared. Audrey didn't seem to know whether to laugh or be appalled.

"The method works on some," Julia murmured frankly, and they all blinked at her for a moment in utter silence. Duo and Hilde tried to choke down laughter, and grins ran through the rest of the party. Julia said nothing more on the subject, but by her glances, she had the effect she intended, and was highly amused.

"I'm more worried about what's going on in the west," Quatre said, changing the subject. "Did you hear about it, Heero?"

Heero nodded. Who hadn't heard about it? There was always conflict somewhere.

"That's what Zechs was called into headquarters about," Relena said. Heero looked at her. Zechs had never told him what that was about, nor did he even know Relena had communicated with her brother on political matters since they came to Taravren. Was he losing communication with everybody?

"That was the last conversation I had with my father before he died," Damion said thoughtfully, and Heero's attention refocused to the group. Damion received a few sympathetic looks, though he seemed unaware of it. "About that guy proclaiming the birth of anarchy up and down the west coast of Europe." He looked really tired, even more so than he had yesterday, and his words came out almost without thought.

"He's been gathering a lot of followers," Quatre said, "and there have been whispers of a terrorist organization forming under him, but no real threat or proof of it. He has a lot of listeners, though, enough to build an army if he wanted."

Relena shivered and Heero unconsciously caressed her shoulder to calm her. She smiled at him sweetly, catching him by surprise, and leaned her head against his arm. Was that all it took?

Damion nodded, coming more to attention. "Well, if he decides to declare war against government, he'll target places governed by a more right-wing paradigm, which means me."

"Worried?" Relena asked quietly.

"Not really," Damion said. "Not about Taravren. I'm more worried the problem will escalate until something drastic must be done in a combined effort of many governments. I know the Preventors are an organization formed to prevent such means of retaliation," Damion said slowly, apologetically to the gundam pilots, "but there might not be enough of you."

"We have to try to avoid a war," Relena said, almost as if it were something rehearsed she resorted to without thinking. Her face was pressed close to Heero's arm as she snuggled against him. "But you're right, Damion, there's only so much we can do to restrict the liberty of a madman, and if a conflict comes of it..." her voice trailed off. "I just don't want to see anymore death."

"How is it I know so little about this?" Audrey said suddenly. "What is this man's name?"

"Abel Gardiner," Duo said absently, picking at his food. "He's been kicking up trouble almost since the end of the war, though. He was an officer under Romafeller, I think, but he came from a poor family."

The expression of shock that crossed Audrey's face made Heero sit up straighter.

"What is it?" Damion asked her, his drowsiness draining away in sudden interest.

"Nothing," she said breathlessly, but after a moment she got up and wandered a little ways off, disappearing behind a lone tree on the top of a hill. Damion watched her for a few moments, seeming to struggle with his fatique and concern, but at length rose wearily and followed her.

Heero turned back to his sandwich and tried not to think of how nice it felt to have Relena pressed so close to him.

*****

Audrey sought solitude behind the thick trunk of a tree a little ways from the group and leaned against it to dispell the dizziness that came upon her abruptly. She cursed herself in silence, for losing her composure for no reason, for running away before anyone could see her cry.

Abel Gardiner. The name struck bells, but it couldn't be the same one, could it? Whether it was or not, it had affected her strongly, but she felt more like crying for her rudeness than anything else. The name had made her angry not disaffected, though perhaps that too on some deeper level. She scrubbed tears away from her face with the back of her hand, rubbing fingers beneath her eyes to clear away the residue of make-up that may have smeared. She would go back and sit down now, tell them all it was nothing, because it was.

"Are you okay?"

She started, turned, and gasping at the sight of Damion, leaned back against the trunk of the tree.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," he said hastily. "What's wrong?"

"It's okay," she replied. "I'm fine, really."

"Do you know the anarchist?"

"No," she said, sinking down to the ground with her back to the tree. She suddenly found that she couldn't stand anymore. Her legs felt weak, her muscles shaky. Damion sat down beside her quietly, letting the matter drop.

Neither said anyhing for a moment. They were no longer discussing the anarchist, she knew, nor even her abrupt departure from the group. She waited, sensing he had something to say, and guessing what it was.

"I was hoping to make you feel more comfortable today," Damion said slowly, and fidgeted with his hands, not quite looking at her. She smiled at that, remember how many times she had been told not to fidget, and knew he must have learned it too. "I apologize for the suddeness of everything, and the pressure I'm putting on you. I don't want it to be like that, but..." he trailed off. There were shadows under his eyes and he blinked drowsily, still unable to look at her. Terese was right; he was tired from overwork. "I wanted to be friends at least, not to rush things."

"You don't have to explain," she said, and touched him on the shoulder affectionately. It was the first time she had touched him personally, and she was somewhat surprised to discover that he was real. "I don't know you very well, but you seem to be a good man. I'm just not sure it's possible for me to give you what you want."

"And what would that be?" he asked quietly.

"Love," she replied. "True affection and warmth and caring. But none of that is necessary for a wife of a prince. You know that as well as I."

He closed his eyes and leaned his head back, as if in some pain of mind. She understood, but there was nothing she could say to ease him. She might as well be honest and let him know that she understood his situation, and her role in it. Last night she had talked to her father, reluctantly, but some things became clear.

"You have to get married," she continued quietly. "To me or someone else, and soon. I heard the Lords talking. You already face the difficulties of being young, untried, and without friends among your staff. A wife would help you stabilize your image, and you need that. And if the whole council calls for it, which I assume they have, you will get little choice in the timing, or even the person." She paused. "They have chosen me?"

He nodded, his eyes still closed. He didn't want to look her in the face. "I'm sorry," he said at last. "There have been...discussions since the death of my father. I'd have to have a really good reason not to take their advice."

She smiled sadly. "I would have to have a really good reason to refuse your suit," she said. "And I don't. All my life, up until two years ago, I had firmly resolved to never marry," she continued, shaking her head, "but when I learned of Clara's death, I knew I would have to come here one day, and that if you were even half decent I would be obligated to accept you." She took a deep breath and prayed that she was not making a mistake. "If you have to marry someone it might as well be me," she said at last.

He said nothing for a moment, but looked at her with those striking gray eyes, softened by sincerity. "Then you'll accept my suit?"

"Are you offering it?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said softly, and his eyes shimmered.

"Then I guess we're engaged," Audrey said quietly, and leaned back again against the tree, her hands clasped over her knees. He was still a stranger, but she could play this role. By all accounts he seemed a good person. It was so unfair.

Damion smiled weakly. "Well, I guess I'm lucky then," he said at last.

"Lucky?" she inqired.

He turned to her in quiet earnesty. "I like you, Audrey. I think you are prettiest girl I've ever seen and I like you. I just hope one day you'll return my affection." He looked so honest, and so tired.

Tears formed swiftly in her eyes, catching her unawares, but she blinked them away. "Thank you," she said quietly, swallowing. "I'm sorry you can't have your fairy tale."

"I don't give up so easily."

She contemplated that a moment in pensive silence. Could she learn to love him? Should she try? "Are you tired?" she asked at last.

"Exhausted," he replied, and she heard it in his voice.

"Then sleep," she suggested. "We have all afternoon out here."

"Don't you want to see the countryside?"

She smiled fondly. "I live in the country, Damion. I've seen it before. You should rest."

"Tell me about where you live," he requested drowsily.

So she began to talk, telling him about the gardens and the seaside and the rolling hills of her estate grounds, how much she loved them, but she knew he was only half listening, and wasn't surprised when his head dropped on her shoulder and he began to breath quietly, his chest rising and falling rhythmically with every breath. She stopped talking and watched him in silence. He looked even more beautiful asleep, so angelic and tranquil it brought peace to her heart. She almost reached over to touch his dark hair, to brush it away from his eyes, but refrained.

Abruptly, Relena came around the corner, a frisbee in her hand. "What are you two..." she began, and then stopped, a fond smile on her face. "How long as he been asleep?" she asked quietly.

"A few minutes," Audrey replied just as softly.

Relena nodded. "What were you talking about?"

"Business," she replied, and it was, but Relena caught her inference, and nodded with understanding. "How long can we stay out here?" Audrey asked, changing the subject.

"A few hours," Relena replied. "Until dinner."

Audrey nodded. "Good," she said. "I'll stay with him for awhile."

Relena nodded and left them alone, taking her frisbee with her, with which Audrey assumed a game would begin with the others. Audrey stayed awake for awhile, watching Damion sleep and contemplating her future with him. She wasn't sure how she felt, apprehensive, sorrowful in some ways, but there was a touch of contentment too.

Eventually she fell asleep, and two and a half hours later, when the sky was just beginning to darken with approaching dusk, they were both awakened by Manny. They stirred groggily and rose in some confusion and stiffness. The conversation they had had occupied both their thoughts on the way back to the city, so much so that they said little the entire ride, but their eyes lingered on one another in knowing way, and other people noticed.



Whoa... long chapter, I know. Sorry. Could you get through it without skimming? For those of you who are wondering "where is the action/adventure part of this fic?" don't worry, it's coming. I'm still in the process of character development, and build up, but there is a plan. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW, even if you already have. I really appreicate your comments and it helps motivate me to write more, so don't be shy. Thanks so much to everyone who's reading this!