Disclaimer: I don't own them!
To Protect and Betray, Part 2
Relena walked down the hall to Duo's office. For the past two weeks he had been at her side, protecting her. She was thankful that she had someone like him by her side. He made her laugh and he called her princess all the time. Her brother didn't object to him that much, not like he did with Heero. She enjoyed his company, unlike Heero, who was all business all the time with her during the day and only at night in the privacy of her home did he let down his guard a little. Duo was always being silly with her. The other day, he sent her flowers, something that Heero would never do. She was surprised when two dozen sterling silver roses were brought to her office the other day. She immediately went to his office that he shared with the others and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek before returning to her own. She was now outside his office again. She could hear Wufei screaming threats at him, while Duo teased him more and more. She opened the door. "For Godsakes Wufei I can hear you screaming like a girl all the way down the hall," she said with laugh.
Wufei halted with katana in hand. He had been on his way to make good his threat about chopping off Duo's braid. He looked at Relena open-mouthed.
Duo looked at her too. He was holding onto his hair protectively. He immediately burst into laughter. "Boy, did she just put you in your place Wufei," he said between gasps of laughter.
"Woman, I do not scream like a girl," Wufei stated as he gave Relena a dirty look.
"Could of fooled me," Relena smirked. "But since you are a warrior, I won't embarrass you any further."
Wufei opened his mouth, but snapped it shut. "She's been taking lessons from you, hasn't she Maxwell?"
Duo smirked. "Yup. That's my princess."
Relena flushed a little. "Well I was coming to tell you, that I was leaving early. I have that gala I have to attend tonight and I have to pick up my dress. And you have to get your tux," she said as she went over to Duo's desk.
"Boy, I almost plum forgot about that," said Duo as he scratched his head.
"Why doesn't that surprise me," muttered Wufei as he went back and sat down at his desk.
Duo ignored the comment and stood. "Well I guess I better be going. I know the rest of you guys will be at the gala tonight. Maybe I'll see you," Duo said with a wink as he put his arm across Relena's shoulder and walked out.
Trowa eyed Duo suspiciously. He was definitely up to something.
Quatre noticed Trowa's look. "What is it?"
"Duo. He's up to something. He's always touching Relena. And yesterday he sent her flowers. Something has to be up," Trowa said as he looked at the door in which Duo and Relena disappeared.
Quatre arched a brow. "Duo is being Duo. Why? Are you reading something into his actions?"
"Just say, I have a strange feeling about all of this," Trowa replied.
"With Maxwell, that's not a surprise," Wufei said.
Duo and Relena walked the steps to the waiting limousine. He looked at it and then had an idea. "Wait, maybe I can borrow Quatre's car rather then take this. It'll draw less attention."
"Why? What does Quatre drive?" Relena asked as she looked at Duo.
"A Mercedes convertible. It' s black and somewhat conservative," replied Duo with a grin.
"All right. I'll wait here. Hurry and go ask," said Relena with a smile of her own.
"Stay right here, where the driver has a clear view of you. I won't be long," said Duo as he dashed back inside. He ran the steps up to the ninth floor and ran down the hall towards his office. He burst through the door, startling the other three.
"What the hell are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be looking after Relena?" asked Trowa.
"Yeah, but I wanted to ask Quatre if I could borrow his car," Duo replied as he looked at Quatre. "Well can I?"
Quatre sighed. "Sure. But please be careful with it. I know how you drive," he said as he tossed Duo the keys.
"Where's Relena?" asked Trowa.
"I left her with the limousine," said Duo as he started to leave.
"You left her alone! Heero would kill you," exclaimed Quatre.
"She's all right. Bye now," said Duo as he dashed back out.
Quatre turned to Trowa. "I think you might be right."
Trowa nodded. "We'll see what happens tonight at the gala."
Duo ran back down the steps at breakneck speed. He was relieved that Relena was all right when he saw her leaning against the limo. He saw her face break out into a smile. He slowed down as he reached her. "Ready to go?" he asked with a grin as he held up Quatre's keys.
Relena grinned back and nodded. She felt Duo's hand slip into hers and pull her towards the parking lot. When they reached Quatre's car, he held the door open for her. She slid onto the soft leather seat. She looked as Duo walked around to the other side and jumped over the door and slid onto the seat on fluid motion. "Can you drive this?"
"Sure. I'm not that bad of a driver, contrary to belief," Duo replied as he backed out of the space and put the car into gear. He glanced over at her. She had worn her hair long today. It was blowing in the wind as he drove down the street. She was wearing a powder blue suit with a white silk blouse. "She looks gorgeous in that color…But you think she looks gorgeous in anything that she has worn in the past two weeks. It's a miracle that you've managed to keep your hands off of her…That's almost two weeks of clod showers and you still want to touch her." He glanced back at the road. He had to really stop that. He wanted to hold her in his arms so bad sometimes.
Relena bent her head back on the headrest and let the wind blow through her hair. It was nice to be normal for once. She closed her eyes. She was anxious about her dress. She had wanted one that made her look more grown up. She wanted to announce to the world that wasn't a little girl anymore, but a woman. No one had seen the dress yet; not even her sister in law knew what she had bought. She wanted to surprise people. She opened her eyes and glanced over at Duo. "You wouldn't mind surprising him. He's definitely more into this then Heero was. And you bet that he looks just as good in a tux as Heero does." She looked over at his hand that was resting on the gearshift. It was inches away from her bare knee. "I wonder what it would feel like if he put his hand on my leg…Whoa, where did that thought come from?" She looked back at him. His jacket had been tossed into the backseat and his black shirt that he was wearing was unbuttoned a little to reveal his tanned throat. She looked away again when she felt a slight fluttering in her stomach. "That's strange. Why would I feel like that over Duo?"
"Hey, princess, we're here," Duo said as he pulled in front of the dress shop. He leaped out and came around to open the door for her. He had noticed that she had been deep in thought. He had been too. He walked with her into the dress shop. "Do I get to see this dress before tonight?" he asked as he sat down in a chair.
Relena looked over at him and smiled. "No. I want to surprise everyone." She noticed other women in the shop, giving Duo speculative and admiring glances. She had to admit he was a handsome devil. She looked back at Jean, the woman that had helped her with her dress. "I want to try it on one more time. Just to make sure."
"As you wish Miss Relena. Are you sure you want to leave him out here alone though? I'm sure many women would like to take him home rather then a dress," Jean smirked.
"I wouldn't doubt that," Relena laughed as she followed Jean into the fitting room. The garment bag containing her dress was handed to her. She went into the dressing room to try it on.
Duo waited patiently, tapping his foot on the plush pink carpet that covered the floor. He knew that the other women in the store were looking him over. He could feel their eyes on him. He was used to the admiring glances from women. He looked towards the dressing room where Relena had disappeared. He really wanted to see what she looked like in that dress she was keeping a secret from everyone. It had to be special, whatever it was. Just then a stunning red head walked towards him in a very low cut green satin dress. "Yes?"
"I wanted a man's opinion. What do you think?" the red head said as she turned.
Duo looked at her. He noticed a wedding ring on her finger. "Very nice. I'm sure that your husband would like it very much," he commented.
Relena walked out of the dressing room and saw another woman standing in front of Duo. She gritted her teeth when she recognized the woman. She also felt stirrings of jealously. "Mrs. Rosenthal, I didn't know you were here," she said in a frosty voice.
Mrs. Rosenthal turned and saw Relena standing with a garment bag hanging from her finger. "Miss Darlin, how good it is to see you," she replied in a brittle voice.
"I see you met Duo. My date for tonight," Relena said sweetly as she walked over to Duo and put her hand possessively on his shoulder.
"Your date? My, Miss Darlin you do know how to pick them don't you?" Mrs. Rosenthal asked sarcastically. "I see you have your dress. Something sweet I suppose."
Relena gritted her teeth. "I assure you I will be a surprise to everyone there."
Mrs. Rosenthal glared at the younger woman. "I hope you realize that a dress does not make the woman. Only a man can do that dear. See you tonight. Bye Duo," she said as she walked back to the dressing room.
Duo looked up at Relena. He could see the steam coming out of her ears and her nails were digging into his shoulder. "Don't worry Relena. I would never be interested in a woman like her. She was a bitch."
"That woman is a slut. That's what she is. She's twenty-five years old and is married to a man twenty-six years her senior. She's the second wife of Ambassador Rosenthal," Relena gritted out.
Duo stood and took the garment bag out of her fingers. "I'll carry this for you. And besides, you're a lot prettier then she is princess," he said as he pressed a kiss on her cheek.
Relena flushed a little. "Thank you. I'm ready to go now. We have to go get your tux for tonight," she said as she walked out of the store with him following her.
Duo laid the dress in the backseat of the car. He saw a florist shop across the street. "Wait right here," he said to her as he ran across the street.
Relena slid into her seat and waited for Duo to come back. She knew exactly what Mrs. Rosenthal had meant by her last comment. It made her mad. She tapped her nails on the dash. She felt something slide against her cheek. She turned and saw Duo grinning at her with a bouquet of cream colored tulips. "Oh, Duo!"
"Pretty flowers for the pretty princess," Duo said as he handed them to her. He saw how her eyes had lit up. He liked making her smile.
"You shouldn't have. I still have those beautiful roses you sent me yesterday," Relena exclaimed as she graced him with a smile. She leaned over in her seat and kissed him on the cheek.
"I wanted to. Now, off to the next place on the list," Duo said, flushing a little at her kiss. He started the car and sped off down the street.
Relena leaned back in her seat. Her good mood restored by Duo's simple gesture of flowers. She touched the petals lightly and looked over at him. "I wonder why he is doing all these nice things for me?"
Duo pulled out in front of the shop where he had gotten his tux. "I'll be right out princess, just wait here," he said as he leapt out of the car. He looked back at her as he walked into the shop. "Duo Maxwell, I ordered a tux last week," he said to the man behind the counter.
"Sure, Mr. Maxwell," said the man as he took a garment bag off of the rack. He handed it to him. "That your date?" he asked as he nodded to Relena sitting in the car, sniffing the bunch of tulips.
"Yeah, she's my date," Duo said with a smile as he handed the man his credit card.
"You're a lucky man to have such a beautiful woman as your date," the man said as he handed the credit card back.
"Thanks. She really is beautiful," Duo said proudly as he looked over his shoulder at Relena.
"Have a good evening," the man said with a wink.
"Uh, thanks," Duo said, flushing a little at the man's meaning as he walked out of the shop. He put his garment bag in the back seat and jumped in. "Well, time to go back to your place to get ready I guess," he said as he started the car.
"Yes, I guess it is," Relena said as she smiled at him.
Duo smiled back and sped off down the street towards Relena's home. He couldn't seem to stop looking at her out of the corner of his eyes. She was beautiful, especially with her blond hair blowing in the wind and the late afternoon sun turning her hair to gold. Her lips were curved into a smile as she continued to touch the tulips with her fingertips. He wanted to do nothing more then taste that smile. "You need another cold shower Maxwell." He pulled in front of her home and leaped out of the seat. "I'll carry them in," he said as he picked up the garment bags and opened the door for her.
"Thank you," Relena replied as she walked up the steps of the house. She looked over her shoulder at him and saw the way his eyes were looking at her. She couldn't quite pinpoint the emotion she saw in them. His eyes flickered away from her when he caught her looking at him.
Duo mentally kicked himself when she noticed him looking at her. "Baka." He followed her up the stairs to her room with her garment bag and his. He walked into her room and laid it over the chair. He glanced at his watch. It was a little after five. "Why don't you take a short nap, so you'll be refreshed before tonight."
Relena looked at him again. He was smiling at her. "Sure, I guess a short nap wouldn't hurt," she said as she kicked off her shoes. "I guess you should wake me up in about an hour."
"Sure thing princess," Duo said as he turned and left the room. He leaned against the door. "I really have to take more cold showers," he muttered as he walked back to his room.
Relena lay down on her bed. Her eyes drifted closed. "I wonder what emotion I saw in Duo's eyes. I would really like to know." She finally dozed off into slumber.
Duo woke up about an hour later. He had also decided to take a nap. He rolled off of his bed and went to Relena's room. He opened the door silently and slipped inside. He walked over to the bed where she lay. His eyes traveled over her. He noticed that her skirt had rode up a little higher then mid thigh, exposing her thighs to his eyes. He leaned over her and gently shook her shoulder. "Relena, time to get up," he whispered.
She mumbled something and rolled to her back. He smiled and shook her shoulder again. "Relena."
Relena heard a voice calling her name. She opened her eyes and found Duo leaning over her. She was surprised of how close his face was to hers. "Is it time for me to wake up?" she asked a drowsily.
"Yeah, time to get ready for tonight princess," Duo replied as he looked down at her. He leaned up and walked over to her garment bag. "I'm curious what you have in store for everyone tonight," he teased as looked at her out of the corner of his eyes.
"You'll see. Now leave, I have to get ready," Relena laughed as she got up off of the bed and pushed him out the door. She closed it behind him and leaned against the door. "Just you wait. I'll blow everyone's mind away in this dress."
Duo grinned and went to get ready himself. He took an ice cold shower for starters. He figured that he would need one before tonight. After his shower he stood in his pants and blow-dried and braided his long hair. He pulled on the black shirt and vest, buttoning them as he walked across the room. He was really curious of what she was going to be wearing and why it was such a secret. He had opted for a black silk tie instead of a bowtie. He pulled the jacket on and surveyed himself in the full-length mirror on the back of the bathroom door. "I look pretty damn good." He grinned at his reflection and turned to retrieve Relena.
Relena pulled on the white elbow length gloves and slipped on her sapphire and diamond tennis bracelet, necklace, and earrings that had been a gift from her brother and sister in law. She turned her head from side to side, checking her hair, that was pulled back into a chignon with a few curled tendrils framing her perfectly made up face. "Won't they be surprised tonight," she said as she walked over to her full-length mirror and gazed at her reflection. She had chosen a dress that no one would have expected her to wear. The sapphire satin clung to her curves. It was done in a Grecian style so it left one shoulder bare and the strap that went over her other shoulder was done in delicate crystal beading. There was a slit in the side of her dress that went as high as mid thigh. Her strappy sapphire colored heels complimented the entire ensemble. "I'll show the world that Relena Darlin is no longer a little girl." Just then there was a knock at her door. "Just a minute," she said as she went over to her vanity and picked up the matching evening clutch.
Duo waited patiently outside her door. He was expecting her to look beautiful, but when she opened the door, that word wasn't at all accurate. His eyes traveled up and down her body, taking in every detail. He knew that his mouth was open. He didn't know what to say.
"Well?" asked Relena as she turned to give him a view of all sides.
"You look like a goddess, princess," he said when he found his voice again. He couldn't stop staring at her. "This is a surprise. You look like what a woman should look like." He took her hand and kissed the back of it and then turned it, and kissed her palm too.
Relena blushed at his compliments. And the way he was looking at her gave her chills. She could feel the warmth of his lips on her palm as he gave it a lingering kiss. "You look very handsome," she said as she looked at him.
"Thanks princess," Duo said as he gave her a bow. "Shall we?" he asked as he offered her his arm.
Relena nodded and slipped her arm through his and placed her hand on his forearm. They walked down the steps. Her brother and Noin were waiting at the base of the steps. She smiled when she saw their astonished faces.
"Relena, you look so grown up," said Zechs as he watched her and Duo walk towards them.
"This is a surprise. You will put the other ladies there in the shade," said Lucrezia as she looked at her young sister in law.
"Thank you all. Now we're ready to go. I don't want to be late," said Relena as she beamed at their compliments. She followed them out of the house to the limousine waiting for them.
"Noin is right, you will put the other ladies in the shade," Duo whispered against her ear as he helped her into the limousine.
Relena flushed a little when she heard his words and felt his lips just glance her ear. She settled in the seat across from Zechs and Lucrezia. Duo slid into the seat next to her. She smiled at him and on impulse slipped her hand in his.
Duo was a little surprised when he felt her hand slip into his, but he smiled back at her and intertwined his fingers with hers.
Zechs and Lucrezia looked on with some surprise. They saw the smiles and the way that the two were holding hands. Lucrezia leaned over and whispered, "I thought she was interested in Heero."
"I thought so too, but she seems to be interested in Duo right now. And he seems to be absorbed in her as well," Zechs whispered back. He continued to eye his sister and Duo all the way to the embassy building.
Duo helped Relena out of the limousine. The embassy building was ablaze with lights. Other dignitaries, politicians, and even some royalty would be there. He walked up the steps, Relena's hand still holding his. He swept his eyes from side to side, making sure there was nothing suspicious. He had his gun at the small of his back, just in case. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. She was walking with her head up and with a smile touching her lips. She looked like a regal queen. He glanced up at the wrap around balcony that was in the large ballroom. He spotted Trowa, Wufei, and Sally standing up there. He nodded to each one of them.
Trowa looked down at Duo and Relena. He saw the way that Duo was holding onto Relena's hand. "Do you see them," he said over his headset to Wufei and Sally.
"Yeah, I see them. I don't understand why you're being paranoid about this," Wufei commented back.
"Maybe you're reading too much into Duo's actions," Sally replied.
"Well, Quatre will be on the floor tonight. He brought my sister. He will be able to have a better view of what's going on," Trowa said. "I just know something is going on."
Relena and Duo walked around the crowded ballroom. She smiled and nodded to several people that she knew. She stiffened when she spotted Ambassador Rosenthal and his wife. "She looks like a slut," she muttered to Duo as she took in the low cut green satin dress that left nothing to the imagination.
"I know princess. Just be polite, I know that you dislike her," Duo whispered back as the Ambassador and his wife approached them. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. He then slipped his arm around the back of her waist.
"Miss Darlin, I must say you look lovelier then ever," Ambassador Rosenthal said as he kissed the back of her hand.
"Thank you, Ambassador. It is nice to see you again as well," Relena replied, very aware of Duo's arm against her back and his hand resting on her hip.
"You know my wife, Alice. And who might be the young gentlemen with you," the Ambassador said as he gestured to his wife and then to Duo.
"This is my date, Duo Maxwell. This is Ambassador Rosenthal," Relena said as she felt Duo's arm leave her to shake the Ambassador's hand.
"A pleasure to meet you Ambassador," Duo said politely. He noticed that his wife bristled a little. "Mrs. Rosenthal," he said as he grasped her hand and touched it to his lips briefly. He put his arm back around Relena's waist.
"I must say Miss Darlin. You look quite different in that dress," Mrs. Rosenthal drawled as she eyed the young woman. She had always hated Relena Darlin. She was everything that she wasn't. She had natural beauty and poise that she hated, but secretly envied. She also hated the way that the young men were attracted to her, especially the one that was with her tonight.
"I bought it especially for this occasion Mrs. Rosenthal," Relena replied, trying to keep her voice polite.
"I can see," Mrs. Rosenthal said enviously. She had thought that she would be the most beautiful woman there, but as usual, Relena Darlin had put her in the shade again, looking more grown up then she ever had been before.
Duo noticed the other woman's jealousy. It was very plain to see. He knew that Relena's patience with dealing with the woman would be wearing thin soon, so he did what he thought was best. "Relena, would you care to dance?" he asked as he started to lead her out to the dance floor.
"Yes, I would be delighted. Please excuse me," she said to the Ambassador and his wife. She put her gloved hand on Duo's shoulder as he led her into the waltz. He danced very well. "Who taught you this?" she asked.
"Quatre. He made us all do this. He said it was important that we all learn to dance well. He thoroughly enjoyed making us do this since he already knew how to do this," Duo replied as he turned her about on the floor. He tightened his arm around her waist.
"Told you he was up to something," Trowa said over his headset.
"All right, maybe there is something going on," Wufei replied back.
"I've never seen him act like this over a woman before," Sally commented.
Quatre and Catherine were looking on from the side of the ballroom. "He's in love with her. Trowa was right," said Quatre.
"I think you guys are paranoid," Catherine said to Quatre.
Quatre raised his brow at her. He pulled out his headset that he had slipped into his pocket and put it on. "Trowa, I think you were right about something going on."
"Keep an eye on him since you're down on the floor," Trowa said as he continued to watch from up above.
The waltz ended and Duo walked Relena back to the side of the room. "Well princess, looks like you have some more men that want to dance with the most beautiful woman in the room," he said as he nodded to some men that were approaching them.
"Well I guess that I must," she replied as another man asked her to dance. She glanced over her shoulder at Duo, who was leaning against the wall. He smiled at her.
Duo watched her dance with several men, keeping a sharp eye on all of them. He saw Relena wince, when another man came up to her even before she left the dance floor. He decided it was time for him to step in. He walked through the crowd towards Relena. "Would you like a walk on the terrace, princess?" he asked her as he grasped her elbow and escorted her out the doors. He walked over to the marble balustrade. "Aren't you glad that I'm here?" he asked with a cheeky grin.
"Yes, thank you. I didn't know if I would be able to keep up that polite façade much longer. Every one of those men are spoiled little rich boys that talk about nothing but themselves. But they can't help it. They're the sons of those people in there," Relena sighed as she leaned her elbows on the balustrade. She glanced over at him. Duo was leaning back on the railing looking up into the stars.
"Well you can't blame them for wanting to dance with the most beautiful woman in the room," Duo replied as he looked over at her. She was looking back at him. He heard the strains of another waltz coming on. Without thinking he slipped his arm around her waist again and grasped her hand in his. "I have to include myself as well," he said huskily as he held her close to him.
Relena was shocked at first by the way he said it, but she smiled to herself and tilted her head a little that her forehead was resting against his chin. Her body felt that tingling sensation again as they slowly swayed to the music. "Why do I feel like this? What is it about him?" She closed her eyes.
Duo enjoyed the feeling of having her so close to him. The scent of lily of the valley was intoxicating his senses. Her hair was tickling his chin. He longed to kiss her, but he knew that he mustn't. She was Heero's, even if he didn't say so. The waltz ended and he pulled away from her. A gently breeze blew some tendrils of her hair across her face. He saw a look in her eyes. He didn't know what it was. But it was getting hard for him to glance away from her softly parted lips. "Let's go back in. I asked the conductor to play something just for you," he said as he pulled her back to the ballroom.
"What is it?" she asked.
"You'll see," replied as he signaled the conductor. The conductor nodded and started playing a song with a Latin beat and a man started to sing.
"Duo! You didn't have to!" exclaimed Relena as he pulled her into his arms again. "How did you know that I liked Marc Anthothy's "I Need to Know?"
"I saw you dancing to it one day," he said as he spun her around in his arms.
Relena smiled as moved her hips to the beat of the music. Soon her and Duo were the only ones on the dance floor. She laughed with delight as she was dipped and spun around on the floor.
Duo grinned back at her. He couldn't help but watch the swing of her hips as she followed the rhythm of the music. He brought her up close to him again, his hand on the small of her back, pressing her tighter to him. She had pulled the slit of her dress back to reveal her legs as she danced with him. He looked down at her.
Relena never had this much fun before. She was completely pressed against Duo's muscular body. She looked up at him and saw that he was staring down at her. She continued to dance with their eyes locked.
Trowa and the others watched. "Heero is not going to like this," Trowa muttered as he saw the way that Relena and Duo were looking at each other.
Relena spun away from him and at the last second was pulled back to him, her body pressing against him when the song ended. They stared at each other until she heard applause. She flushed and pulled away from him. She made a small curtsy to the other people in the room.
Duo pulled his eyes away from her at the sound applause as well. He looked up at the balcony and saw Trowa and Wufei looking at him. He looked towards the side, where he saw Quatre giving him the same look. "They noticed. I'm surprised that the whole room hasn't noticed by the way that I've been looking at her the entire night." He flushed guiltily. "If Heero was here to see this, I would be dead already. He would not like this at all."
Relena walked towards her brother and Lucrezia, giving them a smile before she sat down in a chair. Duo walked behind her and sat down next to her and closed his eyes.
"Tired?" she asked.
"A little," Duo replied, keeping his eyes closed. He couldn't trust himself not to look at her right now. The way that her body had been moving against his had driven him to the limits of his self-control. He had wanted to kiss her right in the middle of the dance floor. He sighed.
Relena sighed as well. "I shouldn't have been dancing with him like that. I love Heero, don't I?" She didn't dance for the rest of the evening, saying that her feet were way too sore to dance anymore. Finally, it was time for them to leave. She shivered a little.
Duo noticed. He pulled off his jacket and placed it around Relena's shoulders. "Don't want the princess to get cold. Heero would kick my ass if I didn't take good care of you," he said as he put his arm around her shoulder and followed her brother and Lucrezia out of the building. He helped her into the car and slid in next to her.
Relena yawned a little. She glanced at Duo who was also trying to cover up a yawn. And against her better judgement, she moved closer to him and laid her head on his shoulder. Her eyes slowly drifted closed.
Duo looked down at her when he felt her head on his shoulder. He smiled when he saw that her eyes were closed. They remained closed all the way back to her house.
Zechs and Lucrezia eyed the couple across from them. She raised her eyebrow at her husband. He nodded his head affirmatively. Those two were attracted to each other.
Duo got out after Zechs and Lucrezia, careful not to wake Relena up. He heard her mumble something and scooped her up in his arms. He walked with her into the house and up the stairs to her room. He opened her bedroom door with one hand and once inside, he closed it with his foot. He gently laid her down on the bed. "Princess, we're home. You're in your room," he said softly.
Relena opened her eyes slowly and looked up at Duo leaning over her a little. "I'm home already?" she asked drowsily as she sat up slowly. She looked around her. Her eyes came back to him. "How did I get here?"
"I carried you up. I didn't want to wake you just yet," Duo answered as he stood up straight and looked down at her. "You had a long day. Good night princess," he said and he turned to leave the room. He felt her hand grasp onto his. He looked back over at her. She was on her knees on the edge of her bed.
"I wanted to thank you for being with me tonight. You were very good to me," Relena said as she tugged him closer to her. "Thank you Duo and good night," she said as she leaned up and pressed a kiss on his cheek.
Duo closed his eyes and opened them again. He looked down at her. "Your welcome princess," he said softly and pressed a kiss on her forehead. "Get some sleep," he said before he turned and left the room.
Relena looked after him. She flopped back onto her bed. There was something going on between her and Duo. She couldn't pinpoint what it was. But it wasn't good. She hurried and got ready for bed. She leaned against her headboard once again. She looked at the wall that was the opposite her. "Duo what is going on with us?" she whispered into the darkness.
Duo sat at the foot of his bed, looking at the wall behind it. The way that she had kissed him good night changed. It didn't feel the same way it had during the past two weeks. Her lips had lingered a little longer then usual. "Is she falling in love with me and am I falling in love with her?" he asked the silent room.
Trowa, Quatre, and Wufei sat in their office. They were all sitting on the floor, leaning against the window. "He's in love with her," Quatre said.
"Are you sure? He's always like that with women that he goes after," said Wufei as he looked at Quatre.
"I could see his face a lot better then you two could. I honestly think that Duo is in love with Relena and I think that she is starting to fall in love with him," Quatre stated.
"Well whatever is going on, Heero is not going to like it. I saw Duo looking at Relena walk down the hall the day Heero left. I didn't think it was a good idea for him to leave Duo in charge of her," said Trowa.
"No, Heero won't like it at all. I can agree with you there. Maxwell will be a dead man either way. You don't go after your best friend's woman. Girlfriend or not. Not without permission anyway," said Wufei.
"Well I still think that Duo is in love with her. You two have your own opinions. But I will agree. Heero will not like it when he comes back and finds out that his best friend is in love with Relena," said Quatre.
"We can't say anything either. I hope Heero will be back soon," said Trowa as he looked out of the window into the night.