Temper the Soul

Chapter 9

by zapenstap






The wine glittered a clear red as Damion poured it into a crystal goblet and handed it to Terese. She took it with both hands, her eyes sparkling beneath her wild black hair, barely tamed with curls today. It had only been a few hours since Audrey had left his office this morning, since the Council meeting had ended. He only had a few more hours before the official pronouncement of their engagement was officially made known to the public.

Currently, Audrey was preparing and waiting for his summons. She would be a spotlight of attention tonight and for several weeks to come. Already he was missing her. It sounded insane even to himself, but he missed her the minute she left his office, looking for all the world like a dark-haired swan, graceful and lovely with just a hint of sorrow about her eyes and mouth. It was not the depressing sort of sorrow, but the kind borne of wisdom and inspired grace. Even through that sorrow she had smiled at him, light out of the darkness. He could spend all day staring at her.

"Don't look so nervous," Terese suggested with a whimsical smile. "My god, if you're like this now, how are you going to be for the actual wedding?"

Damion smiled at her over his shoulder and poured himself a glass of wine. "I'm not nervous," he said with ease. "I just wish Manny would get back." He took a sip of the wine, strong and dark the way he liked it.

"How are other things?" Terese asked him. She was dressed in blue today, a floor length blue dress with a simple cut and crunched sleeves. Fetching she looked in it too. Manny would be pleased. Damion wondered abstractly just how serious Manny's relationship with Terese was, if it was going anywhere. It would be a damn shame to lose either of them if they ever broke up for real and working together just became too awkward. Well, it would be a damn shame to lose Terese anyway. Manny would never leave him unless he was forced. He blinked. God, would the Council want to reassign Manny when he was crowned? He hoped not. It would break his heart.

"Other things are the way they have been for the past few weeks," Damion responded, trying not to think about all the things that had become so complicated so quickly. He missed the reassuring, if distant, presence of his father, and knew it was foolish to do so. He was Prince Regent now; he might as well make the best of it. "You know these kind of situations do not change overnight."

Terese shook her head. "Gardiner still yammering for your head?"

Damion shrugged. "I suppose so." It still did not make any sense.

"It's not your fault the guy is native of Taravren."

Damion did not reply. No, it was not his fault, but it was partly his responsibility. People were dying out there due to the increase in anarchist revolts and terrorism. The situation was growing too large for the Preventors to handle, too large for any International Policing agency. Gardiner's activities were increasing in senseless violence. Damion's name had been mentioned several times during demonstrations, or so his intel said. But he was not being attacked. He was merely a name being threatened, but for some reason it felt like he was being goaded and that made him nervous. He did not know this Able Gardiner, and the man's activities did not take place on Taravren soil. It was not his fault the man would seek him as a target simply because he grew up in Taravren, but he felt responsible, and it grated.

There came a knock on the door.

Before Damion could open his mouth the door opened and Julia entered the room. Her dress was a pale cream color today, bare over the shoulders, molded to her upper body and loose about her legs and hips. It was a modest dress, elegant, but the predatory look in her eye gave her a promiscuous appearance no matter what she wore. She turned slightly and pressed the door closed, glancing at him over her shoulder. Her hair was loose, curled in something like ringlets, shimmering gold in the soft yellow light of the room. Julia really was a stunningly beautiful woman with her creamy skin, high forehead and small, exact features. Her lips were coated in lip gloss, shimmering slightly pinker than they could possible be naturally, and her teeth flashed white as she widened her smile into a tempestuous grin.

"Miss me, dear?" she asked coyly, turning from the shut door.

"Always," Damion replied with a playful dryness.

Terese watched Julia warily. It was not that they disliked each other, but something between them clashed. Perhaps it was Julia's flippant manner in bypassing responsibility, where to Terese, keeping the palace from falling apart was everything. Maybe it was Julia's reputation, the rumors of her blatant use of men and wanton sexual exploits. Maybe it was the way Julia used every ounce of her high and noble stance to get exactly what she wanted and Terese resented that sort of snobbery. Then again, perhaps it was just way the Julia and Manny got along so well, as Julia did with all men. Of course, in that department Julia was harmless; she had no more intentions toward Manny than she did Damion, but Terese might not think of that, or think of it like that. Damion could also tell that Terese admired Julia, perhaps against her will. There was just something irresistible about her, her worldly confidence perhaps, and Julia was not a hateful or even an arrogant woman. She was very strong-willed, true, and her ambitions could not be tamed, but she was not out to hurt anyone. On the other side, Julia liked Terese, but she thought Damion's energetic and organized secretary "too nice," perhaps because Julia herself was hard as iron and slippery as oil. Julia had said questionable things about Relena too, that she was an "admirable, if ignorant girl," if he remembered correctly. Strangely, she seemed to like Audrey considerably. Damion wondered if he should worry about that.

"What are you doing here, Lady Julia?" Terese asked politely.

Julia smiled at her. "I came to see it," she said, and looked over at Damion expectantly.

"We're still waiting for Manny," Damion told her, feeling nervous again at the reminder of the delay.

Julia nodded slowly, looking again at Terese. "And how is Manny these days?" she asked. "I really have not seen enough him."

"He's fine," Terese replied.

Julia's lips twitched as if she knew a secret. "Well," she murmured with a voice like the ringing of bells, "I must say I am surprised. He was a mischievous thing when we were all children together as I recall, always with his head in the clouds and some scheme or another in play. He could never quite remember what was going on, not with his own life anyway. He needs someone to take care of him and make sure he puts his shoes on the right feet." She darted a wickedly playful glance in Damion's direction. "He was always more concerned with his Master's affairs than his own, eh Damion?"

Damion nodded admittedly. Manny was a rock in his life and Julia knew it.

Strangely, Terese smiled then, relaxing visibly, and Julia returned her smile as if to say "see? Manny is like my litter brother. I am very fond him, nothing more, and I think you are good for him." Terese leaned back against the wall and took another swallow of wine, looking almost smug.

A knock came at the door, almost startling him.

"Speak of the devil," Julia murmured.

"Come in, Manny," Damion said, trying to conceal the sudden anticipation that leaped in his gut. Manny entered, shutting the door softly with a wide grin. Damion surged forward to meet him, setting his wine down in passing. "Did you get it?" Damion asked, his eyes searching Manny for some evidence of his errand.

"Of course," Manny said, pulling a small black box from his coat pocket. Drawn to the object, Damion forgot all about Terese and Manny and Julia. His thoughts gravitated toward Audrey and wiped his mind clean of every other thought. Somewhere in the distance, Manny continued, "You should have seen the bill, Damion. This thing costs..."

"I know how much it costs," Damion said breathlessly, taking the box from Manny with hands that slightly shook. Manny grinned as he handed it to him and Damion opened it immediately.

The diamond seemed to swallow the light in the room. It drew everything to it like a magnet, glittering with seemingly a hundred facets upon a slim band of gold, scrolled with a design like tiny roses in a vine garden. The diamond itself was ancient and classic, a marquis cut, surrounded by two smaller, but equally impressive round brillant cut diamonds on either side. The main rock was large and weighty, but not gaudy, glittering with a slight gray storminess beneath the shining white. Such a stone would light up her hand without overpowering it, drawing all eyes, and it was breathtakingly beautiful, though not as much as she. Taking a deep breath that almost sounded like a sigh, he closed the lid of the box, his stomach trembling a little. He had searched the world over for a ring, had searched everywhere, before he found this one. He didn't know if she would like it, but he thought so, and his mother favored it above the other choices. It was an engagement ring a queen could wear with pride whether she assumed the role of a queen or not. He wanted to see how it looked on her hand. He knew she would accept it, but he didn't know if she would like it. More than anything, he wanted her to like it.

Julia touched his wrist and he jumped, startled. She smiled at him. "Let me see it, Damion," she asked, and he let her pry the box from his fingers, feeling light-headed and tired as if he had just run a race. With graceful fluidity, Julia lifted the lid of the box and peered down at the ring with searching, thoughtful eyes. She looked up and smiled at him. "She'll love it," she assured him. "You have absolutely nothing to worry about."

Damion took the box back from her, still feeling winded, though he breathed a little easier with Julia's assessment. "Terese," he said quietly. "Would you tell her...would you...."

"That you want to summon her now?" Terese finished for him, and nodded. "Of course I will. I imagine she's just as panicky as you are with all this waiting."

Audrey, panicky? He doubted it. The woman had a composure an earthquake couldn't shake.

"Yes," Damion told her. "Summon her."

"I think I will go too," Julia said smoothly. "If it is permissible."

Damion nodded. "If Terese does not mind."

"Not a bit," Terese said, and seemed to mean it. She dimpled at him and winked at Manny, displaying the fiery, girlish part of her personality as she curtseyed and then strode straight out of the room before waiting for a response. Julia followed behind, her fingers interwoven behind her back as strolled through the door with a movement like a flickering flame.

"What do you think of her, Damion?" Manny asked, his eyes following her out.

"Julia?" Damion asked in surprise. "She's Julia."

Manny laughed. "No, Terese."

"Terese is a great girl, Manny. You know that."

Manny nodded and then shrugged, pouring himself a glass of wine before throwing himself into a chair. "Yeah. I really like her. Two years we've been together, on and off, but I still really like her. That's never happened before. She makes me shiver and feel off-balance."

Damion smiled at him, wishing he had as much time as Manny did to weigh his choices and his desires. If he had anything to say about it, he would say that Terese steadied Manny, but if he felt off-balance he supposed it was just as well. "I suppose all this marriage stuff has you thinking," he guessed.

Manny shrugged. "I don't know. I'm too young to get married, if you'll pardon me, but I do like her a lot." He nodded thoughtfully to himself. "Maybe someday."

Damion shook his head, swallowing down a bit more wine before setting the stuff aside. He'd really had too much wine last night; he didn't need to get started again now. Maybe he was nervous.

"I'm sorry, Damion," Manny said suddenly. "I didn't mean to get you thinking about it again."

Damion shook his head. "It's all right, Manny. I have to think about it or be unprepared. We only have a few hours before everything is settled before the public..." he trailed off, turning the velvet-sheathed box over in his hands. A few hours before everything was settled, and then exactly seven months before the official ceremony that would make him King of Taravren and Audrey his wife and his Queen. The wedding and the crowning would happen on the same day, back to back. It was a lot to think about, too much in this day in age where such things went unnoticed by most the world, but these traditions were well observed in his country, by his people, especially by the older folk. Everything had to be perfect. He knew Audrey had agreed only to the obligation of first choice. She had promised to be good to him, not to love him, but all he could think about was how he hoped she liked the ring. Seven months of courtship. Seven months and he would marry this girl, and consummate the marriage, whether she loved him or not. It was a strange thing to think about. It didn't feel right. He didn't know whether to be excited, apologetic or terrified. He felt all three in continuing waves. Right now he just hoped she liked the ring.

*****

Duo kicked the door to his room closed behind him and marched off down the hall, swinging his arms. He and Hilde were going to go out and about town today. She'd been complaining lately that their "vacation" was not being optimized enough, so he decided he ought to oblige her and take her out on a fun little date. They'd only be here in Taravren for another day or so more since Damion's hectic weekend was over and things in Taravren seemed to be settling. Besides, Duo wanted to learn more about these anarchist/terrorist bombings and demonstrations taking place in the west. He wanted to contact Preventor Headquarters personally and ask Lady Une whether his services were going to be needed in the future.

He'd heard a rumor that a mobilization was underway, that the retired countries throughout Europe were being asked to prepare volunteer soldiers to combat the sudden uprising in the west and restore peace to the law-abiding civilians. There'd even been rumors that the anarchy mobs were part of a self-sustained combat unit, retired soldiers from the war looking for a little booty and taking too much license with their freedom. People were being killed out there. It was starting to get bad. Standard policing procedures had been employed immediately, the Preventors among them, but these troublemakers were difficult to distinguish from law-abiding people and took to hiding in the rough, rocky country beyond the towns and cities. That's what he'd heard anyway. It was strange how things "far away" always seemed so unreal. He couldn't imagine that there was fighting, death and suffering out there still, simply because there was not a war, but people were still people, free to choose between good and evil. For that reason people were being driven from their homes and killed for no reason at all. These offenders were like brigands, or pirates, doing whatever they pleased. Their leader, this Abel Gardiner, spent all of his time making speeches against authority, government, and the futility of peace under rule. He was a confirmed atheist, materialist, and a believer in independence of the people. How well he controlled his followers wasn't really understood; not at all perhaps, but his influence was growing more powerful. Duo thought they might do well just to assassinate the guy and scatter his loyalists, but if they had already attempted that, they'd had no luck so far.

As Duo was balancing these morbid thoughts with thoughts of Hilde, he caught site of Heero heading down the hall that crossed his own path. The ex-soldier moved with the force of a hurricane, hurling down through the corridor with reckless, barely controlled fury, his eyes flashing dangerously.

"Heero!" Duo called, wondering what was the matter, but Heero didn't stop or turn around.

Duo bolted after him, catching him halfway down the hall, but Heero still didn't slow down or even acknowledge his existence. Looking at his face as he practically ran beside him, Duo stared. Heero's face looked shattered, his expression like a broken piece of pottery. In his eyes rage blazed, lightning and thunder clashing in emotional turmoil. "Heero," Duo breathed quietly, a quiver of fear running thorough his spine at Heero's expression. "What happened? What's wrong?" He'd seen Heero like this only a time or two before, and there was no telling what he might do in this state, how he might act. If it got much worse, Heero's coldness would kick in and he would look like he felt nothing; just doing what he felt had to be done. Sometimes Duo wondered when he was the most dangerous.

"Nothing," Heero replied shortly, his voice whipcracking in Duo's face. He was still striding down the hall, his legs eating up the tiles like there was no tomorrow. "I need to find Damion."

Duo blinked. Damion? "Slow down, Heero. Is something wrong with Damion? He's really busy, you know. What do you want to see him for?"

Heero didn't answer.

Duo grabbed his arm, pulling his quasi-friend back a bit. "Seriously, Heero, what's going on?"

Heero wrenched his arm away, his eyes flashing. "It's got nothing to do with you. This is between me and Damion." He took off again, running now, his boots hitting lightly against the tiles as he picked up speed.

Muttering under his breath several choice names for Heero, none of them flattering, Duo bounded after him, catching him at the next corner. "Is this about Relena?" he asked, guessing randomly. Relena was one of the things that could throw Heero into these emotional spirals, and he'd noticed things had been slightly off with Relena and Heero lately. "God, Heero, you're not digging up all that old stuff with Damion and Relena, are you? I mean, one, that wasn't Damion's fault; it was yours, and two, it's old and the princess is your girl now. So what's the problem?"

Heero's face grew darker, his eyes resembling black holes.

Duo swallowed, running along beside him. "Heero? Heero, I was almost kidding. God, what are you going to do?!"

"Back off!" Heero shouted suddenly, whirling to a sudden stop, catching his momentum by stepping back and turning widely. He flung an arm out, his voice shaking. "I told you to stay out of it! I meant it!"

Duo stopped, relaxing as best as he could, amazed. "Heero," he said with a quaking laugh, "what happened? Come on. Damion's the nicest guy in the world. He wouldn't intentionally do anything to hurt either you or Relena. And he's having a rough time. Give the guy a break. Don't do anything stupid."

Snarling, Heero pushed past him and continued running. "It's none of your business," he said darkly. "Go back to Hilde and show her how much you love her before she runs out on you for some other guy."

What? Duo blinked, trying to process that. "Come on, now. Relena wouldn't leave you for Damion. What the hell are you talking about?"

Heero didn't answer, but Duo followed him. What happened two years ago couldn't be allowed to happen again, not now. God, Damion was practically a king and this was his home. They were his guests. They were supposed to be his friends, helping him through a difficult time. If Heero did something stupid, they could all end up in prison... or worse. "Heero!" he shouted. "Wait, man. Don't go crazy. Listen to me!"

But Heero had already passed through the corridor, hell-bound for Damion's private study. Duo caught up to him as he rounded the next corner, but despite his protests, Heero did not stop to listen or even slow down. Looking into his face again, Duo was shocked and disturbed to see how hurt and broken he looked, and how furiously wrathful. He desperately attempted to grab Heero's arm again, but was swatted away. Sighing, he settled into a jogging pace, wondering desperately how to head off whatever was about to go down.

*****

Damion waited nervously in his study, clutching the ring box in his hand, pacing up and down the room. Should he have it in his hand when she came in, or hidden somewhere? Should he send everyone else out and speak to her alone, kneel and ask her to marry him, or would that just be stupid in this situation? She didn't know why he had summoned her, but maybe she had guessed. Perhaps he should just give her the ring like a business engagement, since that was almost how she saw it. Should he say something about how he felt about her or would that just make her unnecessarily uncomfortable?

"Calm down, Damion," Manny said soothingly as Damion wiped perspiration from his forehead with the back of his sleeve. "Terese was right. You're too tense. Try to relax."

"I can't," Damion gasped, sitting heavily in one of the chairs. Two seconds later he surged to his feet again, pacing, eyeing the wine in the punch bowl speculatively. No. He didn't need another drink; he needed to remember how to breathe regularly and think clearly. His heart thudded in his chest like a jack hammer and his hands were shaking slightly. That would never do. Audrey would laugh at him; straight-backed as a pine tree, cool as the ocean, she would smile and laugh. Deliberately he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to ease his frigid nerves.

He couldn't let himself think beyond the moment. He couldn't let himself consider whether or not he really loved her, since that didn't seem to matter, or how they were to live together. But he couldn't help it. Something in him wanted this, wanted it and didn't want it at the same time. It was foolish to believe in love at first sight. She had barely come under his attention for more than a few days, but already he was so curious about her, so desperate for her good favor. Maybe that wasn't love, but he couldn't stop thinking and wondering how it would be if it was, if it came to be. No, he couldn't think about that, emotionally or physically it would be a disservice to her. He would be good to her as she promised to be good to him; that's all he could afford to commit to right now, no matter what he felt he wanted.

A knock came at the door, followed by Terese's clear voice requesting entry for Lady first choice, Audrey Veron. Damion stopped in his tracks and answered as cleanly as he could. The door opened, revealing first Terese, her smile an impish encouragement, and then Audrey, walking in on her heels with Julia just behind her. Julia wore a deceptively demure expression on her face as she quietly shut the door and leaned against it unobtrusively. But it was Audrey who caught and held his eye.

Damion swallowed. Audrey still wore a white dress, but with a few more embellishments to formalize it into something between a dress for a dinner party and a formal gown. The material of the skirt was light and loose with wide pleats that glided over her hips and plunged to the floor in something like light waves. It was not fluffy or poofy like a formal gown and he could easily see the outlines of her legs when she moved, more like a simple spring dress. The top of the dress clove to her body, but the bust line was cut short and pushed up, showing just the top of her breasts in a style something like a bustier except that arched over her shoulders were modest, attractive cap-sleeves. Her hair hung loose still, but more crisply curled, the curled locks sticking to her face and draping just over the bare parts of her shoulders.

He remembered her kiss in his office, the plush softness of her lips and the presence and touch of the body he had not been able to hold. She stood before him now calmly and expectantly, watching him with her head slightly tilted, her expression controlled.

"You summoned me, my Lord?" she asked hesitantly.

He jerked a little at her address. "Audrey," he said, and trailed off involuntarily, looking at the others standing about, awaiting his orders. Should he command them to leave? He needed at least one witness for the formal proposal, but if one, why not two or three? This wasn't supposed to be romantic, however his heart cried out against it. He ought to be alone with her, loving and honest and sincere... but not as Prince Regent.

Deciding to just ignore them, he gallantly stepped forward and took Audrey's hand. The second he did he felt calmer, more relaxed. She watched him curiously, a light in her dark eyes. He got so lost staring into those eyes he forgot what he was doing, standing still in the room, holding her hand in his own like they were the only two people in the world.

"Damion?" she asked a touch breathlessly, prompting him.

He shook his head, snapping out of his trance, and flushed. "Audrey," he said, and withdrew the black velvet box with hands that only trembled a little. "Today's the day I formally ask you..." he swallowed. This was harder to do in real life. He felt an incredible urge to drop to knees and almost started to, forgetting himself and his station, when she grasped his wrist.

"Don't," she said suddenly, her cheeks flushed. "I..."

He locked his knees and took another breath as he looked into her face. The words came out slowly and steadily, spoken into her eyes. "Will you marry, me, Audrey Veron?" It did not sound like his own voice; he could barely even here the words he was trying so hard to read her thoughts in her eyes.

"Yes," she replied without hesitation, and lowering her eyes from his face to his hands, she took the box he offered to her, the delicate tips of her fingers trailing across the skin if his hands. Lifting the box gently away, she opened it softly. He watched her expression, catching the slight parting of her mouth, the sudden jerk of her head. Beyond her head he caught Julia's eye as she smiled at him and nodded confidently. Swallowing, he looked back at Audrey and saw a small smile on her face. "I'll be glad to marry you, Damion," she said almost off-handedly, and a small laugh escaped her lips. "God, it's beautiful."

He let go of a breath he hadn't know he was still holding. Glad to, she said, glad to marry him. What did she mean by that? Shaking a little, he gingerly took the box from her and plucked the ring from its velvet cushion. Manny appeared at his side in an instant, smiling as he took the empty box from Damion's hand. The ring glittered between Damion's thumb and forefinger as he lifted Audrey's left hand and slid the golden band on the appropriate finger. Her hand was already soft and delicate and cool to the touch, but it seemed to spring to life as the ring settled on her finger, a perfect fit. Of course, he had had it sized appropriately. The roses scrolled on the gold band were just barely visible, but the diamond sparkled like a star on her hand, like she held the key to the celestial heavens. She was so absorbed in staring at it she appeared to have forgotten him for a moment, but abruptly she lifted her head, flushing. Feeling braver, he stepped in before she could move or speak. His fingertips gently touched her waist as he kissed her softly, a modest, promise-sealing kiss, but she kissed him back, and--if he were to flatter himself--seemed slightly disappointed when he pulled away.

Suddenly, they both became aware again of the other people in the room. Julia smiled a soft, secret smile as she leaned against the door, but nothing in her expression indicated anything she might have thought. Terese and Manny were huddled together, practically cuddling, equally sweet and encouraging smiles plastered on their faces. Damion could not keep a slight glare from his eye as he looked at them, but Manny only grinned and Terese laughed with a trill like a bird at his expression.

He realized he was still holding Audrey's hand and released her. "You're my fiancé now," he said quietly to her alone. "You'll be requested to stay here for the courtship, if you don't mind."

"No," she said. "I don't mind."

He smiled at her and absent-mindedly brushed a clinging curl away from her pale cheek. "My mother will want to dote on you," he said a little more loudly. "She's been looking forward to it, and there are many gifts I am expected to give you."

"Marrying a prince has its benefits," Terese said with a gushing, bright-eyed smile. "I've seen the design possibilities for your wedding dress, Miss Veron," Terese added. "It's worth a fortune by itself."

Damion shushed her with a wave of his hand and a wry look in her direction. Terese winked. Audrey said nothing to this mention of gifts and wedding expenses. Her gaze seemed drawn still to the diamond on her finger, but every once in a while she cast a sideways look at Damion, her cheeks flushed and her mouth parted in something just short of a smile as she looked at him with considering wonder.

Damion was about to lead her out of the room to somewhere we they could discuss a few details involved in the proceedings of tonight and maybe steal a few more kisses when the door suddenly crashed open, smacking against the inside wall with a resounding boom.

Terese screamed in surprise, her arms flinging suddenly around Manny's neck. Julia gasped, sliding quickly out of the way, her eyes narrowing and hardening like shards of ice. Audrey grasped Damion's hand again and he pulled her unconsciously behind him, shielding her from whatever had burst into their space.

It was Heero, semi-formally dressed as he did frequently now, but his eyes were a soldier's eyes, eyes that bored into Damion with malevolent fury. Damion jerked, fire kindling in his gut as his body suddenly registered the presence of danger. He could almost feel the scar on his side throbbing in remembrance of another time Heero had looked at him like that, and his muscles tensed in expectation.

As if catching some signal, Audrey stepped back and away from him, moving against the wall, a blanket of self-composure falling over her face like a veil. She clutched her hands together, fingering the diamond on her left hand as she looked between him and Heero with a calculating and questioning glance.

Damion trembled, realizing suddenly why Heero was here, why he looked like that.

"Whoa, Heero!" Duo exclaimed, bursting in on Heero's right and grabbing him by the shoulder, pulling him back. "Calm down."

Heero shrugged off his friend like he was swatting a fly. With a clenched jaw and eyes the suddenly seemed to have developed a liquid sheen, he said loudly and suddenly, "Why would you do that to me?"

Damion closed his eyes. Relena. He remembered the kiss, gentle and soothing to them both, completely without any real desire or romantic intention. "It was an accident, Heero," he said quietly, hoping to God Heero could calm down before...

"I don't care how drunk you were!" Heero shouted. "She's my girl, Damion, mine!" It came out almost like a snarl, thundering into his ears.

"I know," Damion replied as quickly and calmly as he could, shaking with the effort. "It was a mistake. I'm sorry. It didn't mean anything."

"God damn you!" Heero swore. Duo began talking again, excitedly and desperately trying to soothe his enraged comrade. Heero twitched like a madman, throwing his fists wildly about, trying to break away from Duo's grasping hold.

"Heero, it was nothing," Damion reminded him with more urgency. " It was stupid. I didn't intend to hurt either of you. She's still your girl..."

Breaking away from Duo, Heero strode toward him suddenly, jolted into action like a bullet from the barrel of a gun. Before anyone could react, his eyes blazed, he pitched forward and slugged a heavy fist into Damion's jaw.

The world went black, darkness dropping over Damion's eyes as he reeled and fell backward, his face exploding with pain. He heard cries resound around him as he hit the floor heavily, wheezing for air.

"We broke up!" he heard Heero's voice shout, seemingly ripped raggedly from his throat with more pain and tears than Damion had heard from Heero in a long time.

As his vision cleared he could make out Manny leaning over him, his brown eyes wide with concern. It took a few more seconds before the buzzing in his head became intelligible sounds again. Turning his head slightly, he sought first and found Audrey, staring at him from the wall in shock, a hand to her throat. Groaning, he allowed Manny to help him sit up.

Heero looked like the one with a smashed face. His features were contorted in pain and misery, his jaw was clenched too tightly. His eyes glistened. The gundam pilot stared at Damion for a moment and then turned on his heel, striding out of the room with heavy, angry footfalls. Duo remained behind, his hands falling limply to his sides as he watched Heero go. Julia was watching Heero too, her head cocked to one side as if she was considering something, her expression thoughtful.

With Manny's help, Damion got slowly to his feet, his jaw still aching, his head still pounding. He ought to have been fighting furious, but for some reason he didn't feel anything at all.

"Master Damion," Manny was calling to him. "Master Damion, do you want me to go after him? Do you want your guards..."

"No," Damion replied softly, rubbing his jaw. "I... kissed Relena, the night of the party. It... well, I suppose there's no use trying to explain it now."

He looked over at Audrey, feeling like his heart had plummeted to his feet. Why did he have to be so honest? She still stood against the wall, her elbows bent as she rotated his ring on the finger of her left hand. Her face was as flat as a board, her expression blank as a sheet as she looked at him.

Under that gaze, Damion wanted to kill himself... and maybe Heero too.


Coming up next chapter... hm. Well, I suppose it all depends on whether or not readers review... ^_~ This took like TWO days to write!! For the love of God, PLEASE REVIEW!