Basic Instinct, Part 7

Chapter 35

Morning broke bright and early, yawning Relena streached. Today
was the day Sally was taking her cast off. The past month had passed
peaceably but there was still a lot of tension between people. Trowa
and Ikia, and her and Quatre.

She took a quick shower, then through on some jeans and a flannel
oxford and was out of the door. Since her experience in the woods, her
wardrobe had changed drastically. Instead of skirts and dresses, jeans
and assorted tanks, oxfords, and t-shirts now made up her wardrobes.

The pink limo had went too. Relena shuddered just thinking about
it. Whatever had possessed her to own a pink limo? A nice sport utility
was her chosen ride currently.

Walking down the hall, she gave a sympathetic smile to Quatre,
whose cast would be on for another month or so. He just smiled and flashed
her a thumbs up sign. Then taking his crutches he made his way out to
the shooting range.

Grabbing a gun he set aim on the target. Off and off again the
gun went, each time finding its mark in the center of the bulls eye. There
was only one hole made in the target, his aim was so precise.

"Hey Quatre," came a voice suddenly behind him. He jerked and
the shot went off, making a second hole in the bulls eye.

"Wow, even surprised you make a nice shot. That takes talent
Quatre." Ikia walked into the range.

"Not a talent that I'm especially proud of though," he said sullenly.
It was true, being able to shoot a gun exceptionally well wasn't something
he like to boast about.

"You mind if I tore you away from practice for awhile? I want
to talk to you."

"No, I don't mind at all. Do you want to go for a walk?"

"Sure that would be great," she answered. He tucked his gun into
his pocket and headed off down a trail that led through the forest surrounding
the Preventer Headquarters. Ikia followed silently by his side.

When they were about halfways through she stopped and sat down
on a bench that had been placed along the trail. Quatre, setting his
crutches aside sat down beside her.

"So how long have you loved her?" Quatre gasped in surprise.

"Excuse me," he asked incredously.

"Don't play stupid Quatre. I know you love Relena," she answered
him. Her piercing green eyes bore holes in his.

Sighing, Quatre answered, "since the third day when we were stranded,
maybe even before." Ikia nodded with understanding. "How did you know
though?"

"I wouldn't have noticed except for the fact that I know you better
than anyone else Quatre. The way you tensed up when she and Heero exchanged
looks. The way you would only give discreet glances when you thought no
one was looking. The way you have been uncharactaristicly sullen."

"Oh, I guess I gave it away pretty easily then. I just wish I
knew how she felt about me. I know she loves Heero, and I'm, I'm jealous."

"Don't feel bad, its hard to love and not know if you are loved
in return. Look at Duo."

"Duo?" asked Quatre puzzled. Ikia just smiled.

"Haven't you noticed the way he looks at her. Its more noticable
than you." She laughed, and then rising began to walk back towards the
base.

Quatre just sat there. He thought of what she had said, what he
felt, and the million other little things that had kept him up at night.
And he couldn't find an answer.

Groaning, he pulled himself up, and grabbing his crutches made
his way back.

Chapter 36

Relena was outside at the shooting range when he walked into the
clearing.

"There you are Quatre, come here," she yelled at him. Nodding
he hobbled over.

To his suprise, she grabbed two targets and and apple from the
bench beside her. Then jogging out about ten feet she placed the apple
on her head and held a target in each hand.

"I heard you were a good shot. I'd like to see, plus this will
help me not to fear bullets rushing towards me."

"Relena, I'm not going to shoot at you. No way, no how."

"Quatre, don't be like that, you know you can hit these things
easily." For some odd reason, Quatre suddenly pictured Relena and Heero
together and his eyes seeing red, he whipped out of his gun. Three shots
were heard. He didn't even look to see if he had hit the targets or not.
He just stalked into the building and up to his room.

Relena could only stare in shock. The targets in each hand were
wisping and the apple was still on her head. She hadn't actually expected
him to shoot. She was just joking.

Swallowing she looked at the targets. In the direct center of
the bullseye on each, was a small perfect hole. She let them flutter
to the ground and then took the apple off her head. To her surprise there
was a small hole through it also. She had thought he missed since it hadn't
splattered and hadn't fallen off her head.

"He's a good shot, especially when he's frustrated," came a voice
from in front of her. Ikia walked over and sat down on the bench.

"Frustrated?" asked Relena. She went over and sat down besides
the bright eyed girl. They had become friends in the short time they
had known each other and Relena was surprised to hear her comment on her
brother. It wasn't something he usually did.

"He has some feelings that he just can't work out right now," she
answered. Relena just nodded, she wasn't going to pry any further.

"So Ikia, any luck with Trowa yet?" she teased the girl. Ikia
just frowned for a moment and then started laughing.

"I wouldn't know, I haven't tried anything yet." It was a common
joke between the two, even if they knew it was a serious matter. Ikia
wanted to help him regain some feeling, she just hadn't been able to
approach it yet.

"Well, let me know when you finally carve a human out of stone."

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of its characters.

Well, this chapter is kinda short but not as short as the last one at
least. lol I'm sorta running out of ideas, any ideas would be great
appreciated and accepted. Well, hope you enjoyed, i'll have the next
part out in awhile.